What's up people? I'm back. I tried to get back here a couple of days ago, but some stuff came up. Have the last week and a half or so been really rough for anyone else, or was it just me? Either way, stuff's about to go down now.
Nan the Keyblade Master: I don't know...is it who you think it is? *Cue suspenseful music*
Anonymous Girl Gamer: Thank you as always!
Derick Lindsey: *proceeds to resurrect you from the dead* Don't leave me yet; the story isn't over! All jokes aside, thanks so much for the review!
Please excuse my usual tardiness; school is murder right now, and I have lost all motivation to do almost anything. Also I didn't have the drive to proofread this, so apologies if anything sounds weird. Has that lack of motivation ever happened to anyone else, and how did you fix it if it has? Let me know in a bit. For right now, without further ado, please enjoy!
Chapter 12
"That is perhaps the coolest thing I've ever seen!" I exclaimed as Rosalina showed us all a small pocketbook with a galaxy pattern on it. A long golden chain allowed her to sling it across her shoulders, stopping the accessory just at her hip. It was very pretty. "But does it work?"
"Need a pen?" She asked. She opened the pocketbook to reveal pitch black on the inside. She then stuck her hand inside, fiddled around with it, and pulled out a perfectly usable pen. All of us gasped in awe as she went back in there to pull out a piece of notebook paper. She then scribbled on the paper, I'm pretty sure it works.
We all got a kick out of that, laughing and clapping. Once I settled down, I said, "Okay, but does it work in a different universe?"
"It sure does," she assured. "I've tried it before. Now, it does have some limitations."
"Those limitations being...?" Peach asked.
"Obviously, I can't summon people," she started. "I can't summon famous relics or one-of-a-kind objects, and the last thing is that only I can use its power. To the rest of the world, it's an ordinary pocketbook; if I lose it, or it gets stolen, no one else will be able to use it to do harm."
"That's smart," Luigi said.
"Thank you," Rosalina replied. "I believe that's all, but I'll let you know otherwise."
"Thanks, Rosie," I said, giving her a hug. "This will surely come in handy."
"Does your wand work in the real world, too?" Mario asked. "Maybe we could use that instead."
"It does, but I think this would be more...discreet," she explained.
"Better take both just in case you need it," I replied. She nodded and placed her wand in her pocketbook.
"Well, Daisy, we're ready when you are!" Peach declared.
Before I could make a move, however, Cookie started barking at me.
"What is it, girl?" I asked, bending down to her level. She licked my cheek and started whining. "What's the matter?" She looked over towards the warp pipe and whined even louder.
"You...want to come with us?" I asked. She barked again and jumped up and down excitedly. I thought about it; I'd hate for something to happen to her, but she could be a big help. Her nose led us to the warp pipe; maybe it can lead us to Amber.
"Looks like we have a new recruit," I told the group. I quickly added, "If everyone's okay with it."
"I'm fine with it," Luigi shrugged. I took a deep breath before sitting down and hanging my legs over the hole.
"Well...let's-a-go," I said, sliding into the warp pipe.
(Amber's POV)
I woke up hours before everyone else. Unable to sleep, I decided to step outside the alley and take a look outside. It had stopped raining and the sun was out. Turns out New York was a pretty city; no wonder Mom and Dad wanted to bring me here.
Mom and Dad...I sighed, knowing how much I missed them. I really missed home. But after the way I spoke to them...even if I knew how to get back, how could I? They probably never want to see me again.
"You okay, kid?" I heard Marla ask behind me. I turned around and said, "Yes, ma'am. I'm okay."
She walked up next to me and took a knee by my side. "Whatcha thinking about?"
I heaved a heavy sigh and answered, "My family."
"Oh, right!" She replied. "We still gotta find a way to get you home."
"Uh, actually...I-I don't think they'd even want me back..." I mumbled.
"What?!" She exclaimed. "What kind of crazy talk is that?!"
"I...I-I kinda said some really mean and bad things to them. Now they're mad at me."
"But they're your family!" She cried. "I imagine they're worried sick about you."
"I don't think so," I sighed. I told her the whole story: how I snuck out, what I snuck out for, what I said to Mom, and how Mom struck me. She quietly listened, not saying a word even when I was lost for any. I finished my tale with a shuddering sigh and tears running down my eyes. Marla gently wiped them off, just as Mom would have.
"Now listen here, baby," she said, pulling me closer to her. "Now, your mama may be mad at you, but that don't mean she don't love you. She probably was just upset, like I imagine you were."
"It was all my fault," I whined.
"But it's in the past now, sweetie," she replied. "Let me tell you something: family always stick together; if this woman loved you like you said she did, nothing will change that. Ever."
"Then why did she hit me when she promised not to?" I asked.
"Well, hon, like I said, she was probably upset," she explained. "You broke the rules and you made an awful comment about her mother; any parent, I'm sure, would get just as mad. And when people are mad, they can't control the things they say or do nearly as well."
"I know, but..." I realized that I didn't have a "but." Marla was right. What Mom did to me might have been bad, but talking about her mother the way I did was no better. We were both out of control that night, and I think we both owe each other an apology. Besides, Mom almost died for me; why would she just stop loving because we fought?
"Okay," I said. "You're right."
I made up my mind; it was time to work out a way for me to go home.
(Daisy's POV)
I got so dizzy this time that I actually blacked out on the way. I laid on my back, finally starting to come to, but unable to open my eyes. Everything was sore, I felt so jumbled up, and I felt like I was going to hurl. Before I could lose consciousness again, I felt a rough surface rubbing against my face. It felt a little like wet sandpaper and left me giggling about the ticklish sensation, relieved that I no longer felt so nauseous.
I finally opened my eyes to see a huge black pit bull hovering over me. At first I freaked out, quickly sitting up and rushing up against the wall. But I took a closer look at the confused creature and noticed a familiar yellow collar around its neck.
"Cookie?" I smiled. The dog barked at me and rushed to start licking my face. The sudden display of affection made me start laughing. "Yep! That's you, alright!" My guess is that her form changed to better fit this universe; chain chomps aren't exactly native to the real world.
"Are you okay?" I heard Peach ask.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I assured. Cookie got off of me so that Peach could help me up. As I took her head and stood, my legs felt like jelly; it took me a second after getting up for me to be able to stand on my own. "Remind me never to travel through universes while pregnant again," I joked. It got some chuckles out of everyone else until Cookie started barking again.
"What's wrong?" I asked. She barked again and then started walking out of the alley. I had to pause for a second, as I realized just where we were.
"Weegee, we're in Brooklyn," I breathed.
"So it seems," he replied in an equally surprised tone.
"How could you tell?" Rosalina asked.
"We spent some time here on our honeymoon," I explained. She nodded, showing that she understood. That's when I noticed that Cookie started walking off.
"Come on, let's follow her," I said. As we followed her, I noticed the sky darkening above us. It was going to rain...no, not just rain, it was going to storm.
(Amber's POV)
Thunder boomed, scaring us both. Neither of us noticed the change in weather as we were talking.
"Come on, sweetie," Marla said. "Let's go back; hide from the rain."
"Okay," I replied, standing up to follow her.
A clatter and thud in the distance got my attention. I jerked my head around to see where it was coming from. There wasn't anything there. As I was turning around to follow Marla, a gust of wind blew and I heard something unusual.
"Everything alright, hon?" She asked.
"I...I don't know," I admitted. "...I hear something."
"Amber..." It was a voice calling my name. I did the only thing I could think of, even though I knew it was a bad idea: follow it.
"Amber...sweetheart," It called again. I could hear it more clearly now; it sounded familiar. "Where are you?"
I recognized that voice now.
"D-Dad?"
"Amber! Is that you?" He asked.
"It's me, Daddy!" I cried. "I'm coming!"
"Amber, wait!" Marla called after me. I didn't listen; I just ran towards his voice. I needed to see him, and maybe Mom if she's with him. As the rain started to fall, I rounded the corner and paused in front of another, darker alley.
"Daddy, where are you?" I asked.
"In here!" I heard him say. It was coming from the alley. Without thinking twice, I rushed inside. But as thunder clapped, to my horror, someone grabbed me by my arm and put his hand over my mouth. My screams were muffled as I was dragged by my arm and rushed outside. I noticed Marla standing in the pouring rain and howling wind, watching us in terror; I screamed at the top of my lungs for her to help, but it was too late. I was tossed in the back of a truck like a rag doll, hitting my head on the floor. The door slammed shut and the truck drove off moments later.
I stood up and rammed into the back of the door. I punched, pushed, kicked, and pounded, trying desperately to make some kind of escape. Suddenly, a large fist collided with my shoulder. It hurt really bad and sent me to the floor.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
That voice...it was the one I was following earlier. Something was very wrong. I turned around, and as the owner of that voice stepped into the light where I could see him, I realized it was not my dad calling me before.
It was my father.