The first concussion thought was that she was in danger, she had to defend herself. With a fluid motion she rolled to the side, hand reaching into her belt pulling out the trusty staff for fighting ghost.
She heard it before she actually saw it. A step and a swing as air was being cut, shifting her position she raised her staff, the sound of steel hitting the green fizzling energy echoed. Her eyes just than took the scene in. Pushing the man holding the sword away as she stood up. The weapon spun in her hand in a dangerously warning.
She was skilled, do not underestimate her.
Twenty to twenty-five tugs were laughing surrounding her. They looked as if they passed thought a lot in their lives. The wind was a gently breeze and carried a cloud away on her left. She saw in the edge of her eye a gun being pointed at her. She ducked, kicking out the man closest to her. She then swept off the gun holders legs with a swiftly motion of her anti ghost weapon. Madeline rolled getting to some more room and jumped on the railing. To give them a better look over, determining the situation further.
''Wow! '' Came from one of the man followed by several cat whistles. No respect. She was a good swimmer, the jumpsuit would hold her body temperature stable. She risked to shift her eyes hidden by the googles to the side to see what type of water was it. Warm, cold, murky or with clouds...Clouds were under the ship? She assumed it was a ship, the wooden floors and the mast that wasnt too far away was confirming her theory. She kept her eyes on the laughing tugs.
''Calm down my dogs! What stirred this commotion on deck!''
A voice was carried over the heads of the man. It came from a long haired man. His hair blond and he was wearing a hat. Maddie raised her weapon, more than happy she had no fear of height. She could take them out if they arent trained well. The problem would be if they were having training and or are good team workers.
''A lady fall from the heavens! ''A rough voice said, the owner a muscle packed man pointing his chubby finger at her. ''Thats rude you are not to point finger at people. Has your parents not taught you anything. '' She told the man off.
The captain, Maddie presumed laughed after her comment. ''Well where did you came from? Are you out for my head, or maybe my bed, night lady? mmm~'' The man winked shamelessly towards her.
The mom of two children took good ten second to understand what he was saying. She easily kicked a man in the face with her heeled boot when he tried to grab her on the ankle. While she was busy processing the words just said. Just because she was shocked didnt mean her attention to the fight dropped. Or the steaming anger that rose in her at the insult. ''I let you know your manner lacking fool I am a mother of two children and happily married to the sweetest man in the world.''
''So you are here to take my head, to feed your children? Some husband you have who let you go after me. Or is he hiding on the airship?'' The air of arrogance that the guy was having around him was irking her more. The airship...he said airship... she noticed the blimp carrying this. But it was way too small to support this weight she would know she build a blimp with her husband face on it.
''I am not out for your head the only things I hunt are ghost. '' She ignored the jab on Jack. She needed to assert the situation. She had to get off the ship if its true the captain head was worth money...that he had a bounty on his head. Making this an illegal crew of thief or something, maybe even theorist.
''Ghost?'' He questioned stepping down the stairs the crew parting creating a way for him to have a direct route to her. The crew was silently watching.
''Ghost are what remains of a person once they die and do not move on. ''
She gave the most simplest of answers, she had to take control of the aircraft and get it to land so she could ... well first ensure nothing wanted to harm her then figure out how this situation came to be.
''Oh you are a hunter than? Why are you on my ship I do not hire dead to be part of my crew? We hate them and happily send them to the arms of death which they cheated. ''
He looked at her with serious and hate filled eyes. He never heard of ghost? Calls them dead and declares his hater for them? Maddie found the situation off. The captain stopped just out the reach of her weapon. His hands resting on the belt. A gun, a weird looking gun was just inches away from his fingers.
''To say the truth. I do not know. I woke up and someone is trying to decapitate me, the next thing you come and insult me! Why would you even say that is beyond me.''
The man eyes roamed her jump suit, probably attempting to find if she had more weapons on her. Oh, she did, a lot more weapons, only problem they werent intended for fighting humans.
But martial art in self defense were.
''Well, your attire isnt really leaving any curve to our imagination.'' The blond locks fall to the side as he tilted his head, having a expression that made Maddie, shift just a bit. It was the first time in years her teal jump suit didnt made her feel completely safe.
''Do you have a problem with jump suits!'' She lashed out in warning moving in a more aggressive stance. Covering the feeling with anger.
''Not at opposite, I love the jumpsuit on you!" Laughing broke out between the crew. Maddy couldnt believe this made Vlad look ... polite and supply. " But I see the way you were woken up, would leave anyone in a bad mood. '' He shifted the conversation waving his hand dismissively. He was looking way too self sure, as if he was having the upper hand. A fool in Maddie eyes if he was thinking the numbers would make a difference.
''What should we do with you mm? You are standing already on the railing, throwing you off and out our lives would be so easy. ''
Maddie didnt correct him that it wouldnt because of two things. First one was she wouldnt let herself fall off. Second there were ropes she could grab and hung on if things get to that.
''But I am not a man who enjoys hurting women, or mothers for that account. We have respect for the deed of growing children up into proper men! How about you tell me your name mmm?~''
She debated for a second to give a false name but she couldnt see any benefits from that. ''Maddie Fenton. '' That did something, the whole crew started to whisper or openly gape at her. More fingers were pointed at her, some laughed, some shock their heads. It was an interesting reaction.
''Funny, what your name.'' The captain was having a stony face, not showing what he was thinking. The arrogance and easy go attitude was gone.
''You asked for my name I gave you my name. So take it or leave it. I do not care if you believe it. ''
''Everyone knows about the Fentons. '' The captain said now his eyes were all but stuck to the green glow of her staff.
''Well thank you. I hope its only positive?'' She talked more. Maddie mapped already how she will process her attack to knock out the greatest number of opponents. She just waited for them to make the first move so she wouldnt be in a moral debate for hurting humans as an attacker.
''Oh its positive. Fenton made some of the greatest weapon and progress in their life. Only problem is they burned to ashes in their house and laboratory. Their two children sharing their faith. Leaving no Fenton alive. ''
She was devastated at hearing her children died. No he must have been lying. She was alive. But... this changed things. They couldnt have planned such a lie ahead. The crew reaction would fit a disbelieve of hearing someone to claim to be a famous dead person.
''That weapon you hold... what is that?'' The tone of voice was clearly saying he tried to figure her out. She reluctantly reached for her hood and googles taking them back reliving her face. If they knew the name maybe they knew the face.
Too many unknown variables. '' Its a anti ghost weapon. The green is ecto energy surging a special aluminum that allows for reflecting both ecto based attacks and physical bowls. Jack and I invented it. '' She was gauging the other really carefully. His eyes grow for a bit at seeing her face for the first time.
''Captain she must be missing some cogs in her clockwork. ''
''Throw her already off, its soon lunch time.''
''Why wasting a perfectly good lady. A bit of company can do us all some good. Hurhur hur.''
''She would cut off your tongue before you even tried to lean on! ahahahah!''
''Dangerous is a challenge!''
''Maybe she is a fenton twin sister?''
''Would that be worth any money?''
"Lets wrap this up I need to pee."
''SILENCE!'' The captain called out breaking the crews chatter. '' Can you make more of that type of weapons?'' The captain asked pointing at the staff. Maddie blinked she didnt await that response. ''Of course I can if I have the materials. ''
''I am a reasonable emotional pirate.'' The crew snickered and the blond haired man rolled his eyes. Maddie took in a breath. Pirate!... That was... she wasnt sure how much worse the situation just became. But it did became worse.
''You want to offer a deal?'' She questioned.
''Clever lad, I do not think you are a Fenton, Maddie. But you sound interesting and are a good fighter from what you showed. ''
''Go on.'' Maddie prompted him, not a single time she left her guard down.
''Being on my ship isnt free. You dont look like you have any coins on you. Therefor you will have to work it off.'' The captain smirked, Maddie frowned coins, he said coins not money or dollars or any other currency of the world. He said coins like...was she in the past? But in the past there were no flying pirate ships...future?
''You wish for me to make you weapons?'' Maddie tried to clarify, still puzzled on the situation.
''Yes, you will make weapons and fight alongside my man. Like a hired hand on my ship. ''
If she rejected... she can trick them later on. She wouldnt throw away a chance on avoiding a fight. Her science mind was way too intrigued with the situation she found herself. If this WAS the future. She needed to know more on how her family died. What fire? Chemical or thermal? Or Ghost based attack? If she knew she could prevent it. And if she indeed somehow time traveled, she always wanted to time travel and explore the possibilities of knowledge she could have gained.
''Under one condition.''
The captain raised grinned like a predator. Meddie noted it, she didnt like it.
''All of your men and you and anyone who has to listen to you, has to threat me with respect. '' And just for good measures to get the message over.
''I will not be responsible for cut tongues or broken bones for anyone attempting anything. '' That earned her an approval laughing from the crew. They either didnt take her serious or found her completely crazy.
''May I know your name...captain''
She asked nicely slowly stepping off the railing still being on full alert. She was far from trusting anyone calling themself a pirate on a airship flying just over the cloud blanket in a possible future where her family died.
''Alios Blondhound, captain from the Blondhound pirates group, Maddie.'
Maddie gave a nod at it, before she pushed her mind to ask the right questions. ''Where are we exactly, in relation to any big city?''
''Ah, for that you would have to ask my navigator. He keeps track of that. '' The captain hushed most of his people back to doing their work. Telling the show and entertainment was done. One pirate run off to the door with full speed.
''May I ask another question?''
''Absolutely.''
''Why-'' Maddie wanted to ask about him letting her stay on the ship, it was illogical. She was a intruder. For god sake he was thinking of her as a bounty hunter just few minutes ago. You dont let someone which identity you doubt stay, especially not if one assumes they are out for their head. The mom part of her told her that there were more important matters. Year. She needed to know which year it was, for her family sake. On top there was a part of her really wondering how far into the future was the name Fenton so well known.
''Which date and year is it today?''
''Ah, for your memory mmm. Its Jun 20th 2154 A.L.D.'' The captain flipped his hair back, smiling understandably. Assuming wrongly that Maddie tried to piece her memory together.
''ALD?''
''After Lord Death was first cheated on. You know the legend of the first appearance of Dead.''
Maddie nodded a different time counting system, this either was really bad or he was pulling her leg.
''Anything else you wanted to ask?''
''... How long ago has it been from when the...Fentons died?''
''The man stayed for a few second silent. Maybe doing the needed calculations? If the number was big enough maybe...
''Seven years ago. ''
Or it could be just seven years ago which her time travel theory just collapsed on herself. Seven year in the future even with a new time counting wouldnt go that far away. She took a breath in trying not to show her emotion more than needed. What was the last thing she remembered.
The Fenton Transportation Portal! They turned it on and the portal formed for a split second before it burst out with energy. The energy input was way too high. She needed to redo her calculations, she was sure the formula was right. But did she underestimate the potent energy of the ghost zone? She will need to re do the testing for correct approximation.
''Druug! Wake up old buddy.''
She snapped out of her planning and looked at a older man with a monocle and a top hat. His graying hair was visible under the top head. He was sitting on a table surrounded with books and machines, which were mostly mechanical and heat steam powered. As far as her own knowledge went, she could tell.
One looked like an elaborate compass with barometer, and wind up music box?
''Hey dont touch, only look. ''
''Its inefficient, and not the most precise due to wasting its energy on turning this gear here. Replacing it with a smaller one and adding here a ... ''
'' I know that. '' The man cut her short and Maddie looked at him and the captain. She tried to cover the mishap with a smile. She was too used on fixing Jack invention that it became second nature to fix and improve anything in eye sight. Her kitchen was one of the constant victim to it. As evident to the fenton oven and fenton toaster.
''As I was saying she would like to know where we are. If you have anything for her to do, would be fine. ''
The captain gave a wave and gone was Alios leaving her alone with the man...it was Drug wasnt it. ''I am Maddie -''
''I know that too. ''
''Well thats quite rude, dont you think. '' She frowned did no one had manners on this ship.
''I am Drug Nonagon. The navigator. And deeply dislike things being repeated to me. If you have anything new to say be my guest. If not silence is our best friend. ''
''Nonagon its nice to meet you. You heard why I am here. '' Maddie addressed him, trying to be polite and friendly, despite the man attitude.
''Yes I did. We are 259 kilometer away from Tempo hills, we are approaching Zugzwang.'' He said his eyes back to some paper, he was drawing a map Maddie noticed now. The names didnt tell her anything, well Zugzwang sounded like German.
''Do you happen to have a map or atlas perhaps which I could look at? ''
''Yes its on that bookshelf green one with the golden A on the side. ''
''Thank you.''
''Pleasure. ''
Well now he was nice sounding out of nowhere. Knowing where you are would be one of the first things she would need to be able to make another portal for returning. If she can correct the calculus needed for it...or maybe the algorithms were wrong?
The atlas was heavy like a proper collection of maps should be. Placing it on one of the tables she stood and started her research.
'' Here. '' Maddie snapped her head up from it resting in her palms. Blankly staring at the tray with piece of bread and cut tomato on the side with some ham. A glass smelling of rum was beside it.
''For your information its past nine you skipped lunch and dinner. '' Drug was holding the tray in his hands still, mostly because there was no where to place it down. Her table ...well the table she claimed for self to do research was full of notes calculation and various books about psychic and natural laws.
''Thank you. '' She took the tray from the man and placed it on her lap her eyes were still on some of the more offending pieces of math formulas.
''May I wonder why you were re calculating the derivable of some of the basic natural laws? '' Drug asked taking his monocle off his eye and clean it against his green silk shirt. Maddie sighed, taking the rum glass she chugged it down. Beside being thirsty as she forgot to drink, she felt like alcohol may solve her problem.
Silence stretched for few more moments, before Maddie tapped one of the pages she wrote out in small handwriting. ''Do you believe in parallel worlds? Not other dimensions or zones but a whole out universe not your own but bearing similarity to your own?'' Drug caressed his chin, as he was thinking.
'' Like mirror world described in fictional stories?'' The man slowly said weighting each of his words out.
'' Imagine it to be true. ''
''Doing it but what with it, one wouldnt be able to do with those worlds anything.''
''Well... its complex, but one can actually do something with it. Making a doorway that leads to that other world. ''
''What kind of science would allow that to happen? What math would describe such a doorway?'' She could hear pure curiosity in the man voice. He was intrigued by what she was saying. She would bother about it later. She had to keep her priorities straight.
''A different one from this side. '' She answered, taking a bite from the tomato. She was missing variables on how this situation came to be and without those she was ...trying not to think it was impossible, Jack would be angry at her for even consider anything impossible. She needed Jack positive attitude now...
''You ...are not from here?'' There was so much more implied in that sentences. Again spoken slowly carefully each word choose carefully after a good amount of consideration. Maybe it was the rum, or the longing towards her husband, or her mom part which was panicking, but Maddie nodded before she shared some of the worst scenarios, that were hunting her mind the last few hours.
''This world planet is bigger not by much but still detectable in the increases of land available. There are less water which leads to a dryer climate but the greater amount of rivers and lakes ensures there arent as much desert as one would await.
The star maps proved it further that this was a planet similar to my home planet but just bigger by a portion of a percentage. Of course, I was thinking maybe it was a different planet in the milky way. But chances that two planets had a land mass named America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia is microscopic. Not to mention the matching up of the star constellation for at least 90%. Meaning this must be Earth I know just a different version of it. Concluding an alternative universe.''
Drug grabbed the chair and pulled it up beside her, all of his attention was on her now. She felt like a teacher for a moment before that fleeting thought left her, unable to withstand the worry of a mother and the implication she may have to face. Which were nothing but short of catastrophic on a personal level.
''It wouldnt make sense if there were just two of a thing in the nature either there is one or unlimited, or at least appearing unlimited. '' He said, making Maddie desperately try not to choke on the bread, she chewed on.
''Y-yes. You are correct, if there is a second, it would mean there is a good chance there are unlimited... You see at my home we made a portal that should have cut distance between two spots in the same world same universe. Using the ghost zone as a provider of a shortcut, which is an alternate form of reality, home to all the ghosts, and made entirely of ectoplasm. ''
''Different reality is different from alternative universe?'' The man frowned trying to understand her words better. Maddie nodded. ''The alternate form of reality is theorized to be deeply knotted with our own reality inside the same universe. But I digress.'' She looked at the empty run glass, she really shouldnt even think of asking for another. Facing this information...this conclusion...possibility...It should be done with a clear head...
''It could implicate... that the portal was holding too much instability to connect with one place for long. The worst scenario would be if the stream so to say flickered from one alternative world to another as we were pulled in...''
'' So anyone with you may ended up in different alternative universes?Truly fascinating to just think about.''
''My children...my husband... Dannys friends...and even Vlad... all of us could have ended in a different universe and seeing there are unlimited ones...and that I do not have a way of telling which one is my world... Its highly likely that I...lost them all...Jack and...Vlad would be able to build something to get them back home just like I can but... but...the children cant do that. They do not have even the smallest amount of the needed knowledge of string theory and ecto wavelengths! ''Her voice cracked in pure desperation.
''I may never again see my family. '' She could feel the burden of tears in her eyes. She didnt let them fall, she was stronger than that. She just oh so wished Jack was with her. His positive outlook would help her pessimist not to take over her mind like it was doing now.
''I think you are being too dramatic. '' She turned her sorrow with easy into anger towards the man. For not understanding a mothers pain.
''If there are alternative universe, and you are an alternative Maddie Fenton then maybe they can meet with an Alternative Maddie of that world and ask her for help to return home. If you can get home an alternative you may too.''
She stared at him the anger was melting away, there could be hope...but only if there ... her mind was starting to feel like on a speed train. She was already debating the possibilities but she needed to determine one thing and the best thing she was able to test it now and here. ''Vlad Masters? Is he alive? Well known and such?''
''Vlad master Cog? The richest man on the planet? The inventor? Yeah alive and the dream of plunder for every pirate or thief there is. Kidnapping him for ransom is the wish every pirates speaks to the stars... But he is protected by a dangerous Hunter bodyguard, at least as rumors say it. ...You have an idea? '' Maddie didnt felt happier hearing about Vlad in her life, like she did now. This proved it more than anything there was a small idea she just got.
''Yes, yes I do. Maybe...maybe I can try to believe if we arent all in one alternative world...that maybe there is always someone from the 3 of us left alive to help my children home. In any universe and reality I would help my children out. '' The man stood up and took off his top head giving a small bow to her.
''Now that, that is out the way how about you start with repairing this instruments on that table, you arent on a pleasure ride. You are a payed hand, better start getting some work done. Our conversation was really refreshing one. A truly fascinating possibilities you offered me to think over. ''
Maddie stared at him and the truly happy expression he was having on his face, as he adjusted the monocle on his eye. She wondered if he spoke with her with the purpose of gathering information or actually tried to cheer her up? Or at least cheer her enough up so she would start work. She promised weapons for those pirates. She will make weapons, weapons that would hurt ghost but be useless against humans. She smirked giving a nod as she moved to the other table to start her tinkering. The captain sure didnt specify the type of weapons he wanted, hopefully she would be far away once they connect the dots of her trickery.