Howdy Buddies ! =D
You know, Folks, I'm really very happy with last chapter ! Because it contains both action and emotion, and so much positive ! Here : Sam, Chris and Danny can make it back to Earth and save Cathy Lauren and Ana bring back shadows to their respective bodies they revive Desmira and Mytylys they contact Emily's father, who comes to Fic to bring her back to Wateria Light and Water People conclude an alliance Mytylys stays with Beabas and enters the Light Army, since he has nowhere else to go and no family left (in a way, Lauren, Ana, Gianell and all other Beabas become his new family) both MBC couples get formed as they kiss.
I really felt like showing myself more optimistic in this chapter. The positive had already began to show in the previous chapter, « COUNTDOWN », where things got better and better, except for MBC forgetting the way back to the passage.
I really think the last chapter was one of my best ones, objectively speaking. Not trying to show off or anything, like those writers mentioning each time their number of visitors and views (needless mention any username, right ?)
Hum, as for the title of this one here… FIAT LUX means in Latin : « may the light be » or « let there be light ». A way to make optimism to the top and…
*spots something on the right*
And… hum… I… I gotta go… so for the last time : N'joooooooooy !
*runs away like crazy as BoS comes chasing after him with an axe in the left hand and a chainsaw in the right hand*
/
24 _ FIAT LUX !
/
[A/N : two weeks have passed since Cathy got saved]
Cathy Smith woke up from a beautiful dream.
In that dream, she was with Danny on a beautiful beach, and the two of them went into the water together, enjoying the coolness of the ocean as a stunning contrast to August's heat.
After playing with each other, splashing reciprocally, they ended up body against body, her arms wrapped around his waist, his arms around her neck. Their heads leaned, and leaned more, and more than more… until their lips connected and pushed gently !
And that's when she had felt the morning sun on her face. She hadn't closed the blinds for she wanted to watch that beautiful starry sky and lovely full moon, last evening… and ended up wondering where that Light Planet she wanted to visit could be located.
Yes, she definitely had to go there with her friends, in order to thank herself Beabas for their great help. For none of this would have been possible without their assistance. Therefore, while she owed Sam, Chris and Danny her life, she somehow also owed Beabas that life of hers. She was indebted to them, and what a debt that was : her own existence !
One day, we'll fly up there and I will meet, Lauren, Ana, Gianell, Desmira, Joshua, Mytylys, and express them all my gratitude ! And of course I'd like to fly to Wateria as well, to meet up with Emily… They all are my fellow aliens, after all. I'm looking forward to those future times.
The young Rhapsodian got up and headed straight for the shower. Then she dressed with colorful clothes : a lovely flowered dress and matching flowered shoes, flat and comfortable. Once this was done, she proceeded to her make-up table and took all the time needed to put on shiny eye-shadow, pink blusher and translucent gloss. The « icing on the cake » was a dash of that sweet-smelling perfume Sam had offered her last year. (A/N : for those who saw the episode « Princess Sam », it's the reverse situation : in that one, it was Cathy to have offered a Rhapsodian perfume to Sam… which made the latter « smell like an alien »)
But why was Cathy making herself that elegant and seductive, will you ask, dear readers ?
Well…
There are occasions during the course of a year when one just has to look good. And for our favourite bubbly teenager, the present occasion was…
Her birthday !
She had just turned 17 in human years, but her alien age had now reached : 900 !
And of course, knowing her this well, you can imagine how excited she was !
She rushed out of her room… only to find herself face to face with a present box, pink with a red ribbon tied around.
« Buud linvat ekki, Schloumba ! » Mr Smith let out in a joyous tone, grinning wide.
(A/N : …and wonder no further, Folks : that's the way Rhapsodians wish one of their kind happy birthday, and it means something like human's « have a prosperous new year »…)
« Jalam, Grandpa ! » the pink member replied, grabbing the box.
(A/N : … while that first word above means « thank you » in their language ! =D)
« So, are you ready for a great day, Schloumba ? »
« Oh yes, I am ! More than ever, actually ! I feel hyper today ! »
« You know, Cathy, I've been missing that hyperness of yours ! When you were prisoner of the black veil… I thought I couldn't live with that joy of yours every single day… »
Cathy put her hand on the old man's arm.
« I know you worried so much about me, Grandpa. Thank you so much for being that kind a grandfather ! I wouldn't want any other, really ! You are a wonderful person and I can tell myself lucky to be your granddaughter ! Thank you ! »
The white-haired elder smiled softly.
« No, thank YOU for being such a wonderful granddaughter, Cathy ! You light up my life like no other ! And now, tell me, what would you like for breakfast ? »
There wasn't a second of hesitation in the teenager's reaction.
« Pancakes ! Drowned in maple syrup ! »
Hugo Smith looked at his descendant with a knowing look, a wide smile spread on his face.
« Well, guess what ? There is a plateful of pancakes and a maple syrup bottle waiting for you on the kitchen table. And they all are feeling lonely. Wouldn't you keep them company ? »
The blonde's eyes opened wider.
« What ? They're already baked ? But how did you know… ? »
She stopped and simply grinned at him.
« Because I know you, and remember it's your favourite breakfast food. »
He winked at her and she chuckled.
« Thank you, Grandpa ! You're the best ! »
And she threw her arms around him for a tight morning hug.
« Eh eh, you're welcome, Schloumba ! But I wouldn't wait too long if I were you : they are going to be frozen if you don't hurry ! »
Cathy broke the embrace and showed her teeth.
« I will ! See you later, Grandpa ! »
And once she had shrilled this, the hyper one quickly ran downstairs.
The old alien followed her, his gaze wrapping her in a tender cocoon of love as she was rushing down.
Yes, what would become of him without her ? His reason to live…
He sweetly smiled and proceeded to Cathy's room to make her bed.
/
It was 11 :11 when the bell was heard.
Cathy ran to open, only to find a very enthusiastic Danny, grinning up to the ears.
« Hi Cath' ! Gee, you look… awesome, wonderful, marvelous, splendid, gorgeous… sorry, I can't think of any other synonyms for now, but if you leave me just one minute… »
She felt heat over her face and knew she was blushing.
« Thanks a lot, Dan' ! Your compliments make me melt like a chocolate-banana ice-cream ! »
The jock looked at her as if she suddenly had grown a second head.
« Hum… yeah… forget it… » she sheepishly discarded.
Then the emerald-eyes shone as the boy took his hand out from behind his back.
« HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETHEART ! » he screamed as he gave her a tiny dark blue box closed by a light blue ribbon.
Her eyes rounded at this.
« Oh, thank you so much, Honey ! Thankyouthankyouthankyou ! » she rewarded as she took the box in her palm.
Then she jumped to his neck and, after a quick look into his green orbs, she rested her lips against his.
He kissed back with tenderness. He may have appeared as a macho boy in the old days, but since their return from the Light Planet and his love declaration, he had changed. And gone were the days when his gaze was looking for Wendy. He even had « slowed down » on boasting in general, now preferring a more composed attitude.
Love had helped Danny maturing somehow. Even if he still liked to tease Sam and Chris regularly.
« I love you ! » she said, her ocean stare still locked with his forest one.
« Eh eh, same here, Cath' ! » he replied, smirking tenderly. « And if someone once had told me I would fall in love with an alien… I probably wouldn't have believed it for even one second… but still… and what a superb alien you are, my lovely Rhapsodian ! »
The blonde felt her body heat up, and especially her face.
« Oh, Honey… you're so charming… »
« That's coz you deserve it, Darling ! »
They smiled at each other, lost in their reciprocal stares, then she took him by the hand and got inside .
No sooner had Danny greeted Mr Smith and exchanged a few words with him that the bell rang a second time.
Cathy went to open and found Chris standing there.
« Hi there, Cathy ! Hope you're doing great ! » he exclaimed before smiling brightly.
She returned the grin, as bright as his.
« Of course I am ! And so happy to see you, Chris ! »
The freckled teenager handed her the box he had been carrying under his arm till then.
« And this is for you ! Happy birthday, Cathy ! »
She felt happiness overwhelm her heart.
« Oh, thank you very much, Chris ! You really are a great friend ! »
This being said, she gave him a great hug.
Danny showed himself by the Rhapsodian's side.
« Hey Dude ! What's up ? »
They high-fived.
« Mmmmh… the sky ? » the tech replied with a smirk.
The jock guffawed, and so did the blue-eyed girl.
« Ah ah, that's a great classic, really ! » the red member explained. « But curiously enough, I always laugh at it when it comes out ! »
« Glad you still like that worn-out joke, even after so long… » the blunette replied. « Hum, I guess I'm the last one to arrive, right ? »
Cathy shook her head.
« Actually, you're the last before one to come ! »
Chris looked surprised.
« Ah ? So Sam hasn't arrived yet ? »
« Eh no, Buddy ! » the spiky boy answered. « It's rather odd, since she usually gets here first ! She's as precise as a Swiss watch ! » (A/N : uh uh, a bit of publicity for my country won't disturb, eh ? And yes, Switzerland indeed is notably famous for the watches manufactured in there ! Come visit Geneva someday, people ! :D)
Chris followed Cathy and Danny inside, went to shake hands with Mr Smith and answered a few questions the old alien asked him. And just like before, that's when the bell rang again.
The bubbly blonde quickly got to the door and opened it on a very cute Samantha.
The leader was wearing a tight blue dress scattered with small yellow flowers and blue high heels. She had her hair loose, which almost reached her hips, so long the were. On her eyelids lay blue eye-shadow, on her cheeks a discrete red blusher and red lipstick for her mouth. Her nails showed blue, matching the dress, shoes and eye-shadow. Several rings could be seen on her fingers and bracelets at both her wrists. Round creole earrings hung elegantly by the sides of her head. Finally, a delicious fragrance emanate from her neck, around which a pearl necklace threw its sparkles.
« Hi, guys ! » she panted. « Sorry, I overslept ! Lame of me, I know, particularly today. I apologize for the delay. »
Cathy cheered her up with a smile and her happy babbling.
« No worries, Sam ! The boys just made it a few minutes ago, so don't stress out ! Everything is fine ! »
« Thanks, Cath' ! Oh, and happy birthday ! »
She held out a purple box around which was green ribbon.
« So many thanks for this, Sam ! » the young Rhapsodian exclaimed as she walked to her for a hug.
« Eh eh, my pleasure, really ! » the black girl replied during the embrace.
When they broke, Sam saw Danny approach her.
« Waow, Sammy ! You look so… so damn sexy, I'd say ! Think what, Chris ? »
The blunette couldn't phrase a single word, so gaping he was while admiring the love of his life. He couldn't get enough of the sight of it.
God, she… she… she just is… stunningly gorgeous… absolutely magnificent… What a seductive girlfriend I have !
« Your jaw is about to touch the ground, Buddy… » Danny teased.
The geek turned to glare at him, but his eyes didn't remained away from Sam for long, as he soon stared back at her.
She stepped to him and stood just inches from his face.
« Hi, Darling ! Do you like my outfit ? I put all that blue on just for you…»
This was followed by the most seductive smile ever.
Chris was getting lost inside those golden orbs which didn't leave his blue ones, not even for a second.
« Y… yeah… I… I do… » he stuttered. « You… you look… just amazing ! »
Her grin widened.
« Really ? » she asked in a sexy tone, teasing him.
He managed to gulp.
« Yeah… you… you are incredible, Sam ! »
She slowly closed and reopened her eyes, like in slow motion, and let out a satisfied sigh.
« Thank you, my Love ! »
And as she said this, the African-American girl leaned and tasted his slips, keeping her eyes closed longer this time.
He shut his as well, enjoying the length of the kiss.
When they parted, she grinned even bigger than before as she looked at him intensely.
« Wooooh, the geek is melting away ! » Danny shouted.
« Shut it ! » Chris replied, glaring at him again.
« Come on, guys ! » Sam intervened. « Stop quarelling a bit ! It's Cathy's birthday and we need to make it a joyous day, not a fighting day. Even if I know it's just teasing... »
« Alright ! I say we all come in and have fresh drinks ! Who's in ? » the Rhapsodian proposed.
And soon, the Famous Four entered the house, chatting happily.
/
« Woah ! What a meal that was ! Excellent ! Bravo, Mr Smith ! You cook always better and better, it seems… ! » uttered a replete Danny.
« Thanks for that ! » the white-haired man reacted. « Did you all like it ? »
« Yep ! » confirmed Chris.
« It was delicious, Mr Smith ! » announced Sam.
« You're the best, Grandpa ! » complimented Cathy.
The old man sniggered.
« Well, glad you liked it that much ! »
The pink member then put all present boxes on the table. Her grandfather and friends knew that she never opened her presens immediately, when they were given to her, but preferred to wait until she had all gifts gathered and open them one after the other, in front of everybody.
« So, let's see… Grandpa first ! »
She removed the ribbon and opened the box.
« What's this, Grandpa ? » she asked, holding a tiny bag between her thumb and forefinger.
A cunning grin lit up Hugo Smith's face.
« No idea, really ? »
His granddaughter got thinking.
« Hum… a clue, maybe ? »
« Okay, Schloumba : it has to do with gardening. »
The hyper girl reflected some more and…
« OH ! WAIT ! Could it be… those Thellusson seeds you had promised to offer me, months ago ? »
« Exactly ! »
« Oh, thank you so very much, Grandpa ! » she said, and ran to him for a hug. « I'll be sowing them tonight ! I'm so excited ! »
Danny cleared his throat.
« Hum…could you tell me what are Thellu-stuff seeds ? »
Cathy turned to him.
« Some alien flowers which spit fire, growing on planet Moozy. They are just too beautiful ! »
Danny looked taken aback.
« But aren't they gonna burn your garden ? »
« Not if you educate them properly, Danny ! » Mr Smith said.
« Educate plants ? » the jock wondered, clueless.
« Ah ah, seems that the Danny learned something today ! » mocked Chris.
Danny frowned at his blue-haired friend.
« Well, did you know that one could educate plants ? »
« I did. » Chris simply replied.
« Pfff… as if… » the scarred teenager let out, not impressed.
Cathy took another present.
« Hum… This one is Danny's. Let's see… »
But the spiky one stopped her, hand raised.
« NO, Cath' ! Please keep it as last ! »
She stared at him for a few seconds, then shrugged.
« Alright. Hum… Chris's present ! »
She pulled out of the box a strange device and scratched her head.
« Uh ? What is that exactly ? »
« Well, remember when you told me you'd like to be able to reproduce all sounds made by animals when they express themselves ? This small thing can help you to imitate just any noise made by any beast ! »
Cathy's face lit up as she recalled.
« Oh yes, true. Thanks a lot for that, Chris ! »
And she moved to him for another hug.
« It's nothing, really… » the blunette answered, showing his teeth.
Then Cathy came back and picked up the following gift.
« Let's see what you brought me, Sam ! »
And she looked amazed when she found the pink i-pod she had been marvelling at, months ago, when she was window-shopping with her best female friend.
« Ooooooh, you're just too awesome, Sam ! » she shrilled. « Just one of the things I wanted most ! Thank you to no end, Bestie ! »
And she hugged the leader so tightly.
« Eh eh, glad that you like it ! » the latter replied.
« Like ? You kidding me ?! I just L-O-V-E it ! Can't wait to use it ! »
And after an enthusiastic moment related to the i-pod, the stretchable girl finally took hold of Danny's box.
« And now, I'm eager to check out what you bought for me, Honey ! »
She took all her time to unwrap the whole thing, but once it was done…
« Danny… this… this is… absolutely… superb… magnificent… I… don't know what to say… »
She was holding a fine necklace which consisted of a thin chain on which hung a small heart whose center was a ruby.
« But it must have cost you a lot… » Cathy said on a worried tone.
The spiked-hair one looked self-confident.
« Oh, I had been saving plenty of money for years now, so… I had far enough to buy it. Besides, when you love, you don't count, they say, right ? »
The alien was watching the human intensely.
« I have no words, Danny… I… Really, I am so grateful, but I don't know how to put it… »
He showed a huge grin.
« Then don't speak and just put it on. Here, let me help you ! »
He put the necklace on and turned her around to see the result by himself.
« You look terrific, you know that ? »
She walked up to him and gave him a passionate kiss, her arms around his waist. He put his arms around hers and made the kiss last as long as possible.
They finally parted…
… and just then, a signal came from all MBC watches. There was an incoming message at the clubhouse !
They all hurried there, including Mr Smith, and Chris pressed the key commanding the reception channel.
The Commander appeared on the screen.
« Good afternoon, MBC ! It's a pleasure to see you ! And let me wish you a happy birthday, Cathy ! »
The blonde opened her eyes some more.
« You… you remembered my birth date ? »
« I remember the birth dates of all MBC members ! I will send you your present, but not before tonight, for it's… it's not completely ready. Sorry for that ! »
She giggled.
« Oh, it's alright, really ! »
« What can we do for you, Commander ? » asked Sam, now fully ready for action.
He cleared his throat.
« Hum… I haven't called you for a mission, don't worry ! On such a day, it would have been a pity, isn't it ? Actually, I'm with some friends of yours whom I was visiting and who would like to greet you all, and especially Cathy, who they haven't met yet. »
The picture moved back to include a wider view and therefore more people in the frame.
And Sam, Chris and Danny gasped when they saw who was there !
Lauren, Ana, Gianell, Desmira and Mytylys !
« My greetings to you all, Friends ! » started the Queen. « And nice to meet you, Cathy ! My heart beats with sheer happiness to see you safe and healthy again. I'm so glad Sam, Chris and Danny could come back in time to save you ! Please receive my kindest vibrations and my sincere friendship ! It is an honor to get to know you ! »
« Thank you, Your Majesty ! » Cathy replied. « It is an honor as well for me to have the chance to meet such a noble, kind, fair, clever, wise and brave sovereign as you. My friends have told me the nicest things about you, and I couldn't wait to talk to you. I really want to fly to the Light Planet to meet you all in person and thank you for your assistance in saving me. I'm indebted to you for my own life, and I can't thank you enough for that invaluable help you brought my friends in their quest to save me ! »
Lauren bowed.
« It was our pleasure to do so. And we had to thank your friends for also helping to save me and defeat the Dark Lord. This mutual assistance really created strong friendship bonds between us, and we informed the Commander that Beabas would now be allies of humans and be ready to help them no matter the dangers involved. »
« That is an excellent thing ! » Mr Smith reacted. « We are glad to hear that. And be sure humans, or at least the MBC, will be there for you as well ! »
« Thank you, venerable Rhapsodian ! » Ana answered. « We also wanted to inform you that things are for the best here : all Poisoners and Howlers have been killed, Desmira and Mytylys have been revived, as you can see, and Mytylys now is the second Light Colonel together with Desmira, since he had nowhere to go and no more family to link with, Emily got back to her planet safe and Beabas concluded an alliance with Waterians, just like we just did with humans. So as you can see, everything is back to normal ! »
« That's just awesome, Ana ! » the leader exclaimed. « We love to hear that, and especially rejoice to see Desmira and Mytylys back ! We had been so sad when they passed away. And good thing Mytylys can stay to help you ! »
The dotted creature bowed.
« Thank you so much, Sam ! Thank you for your kindness ! And all my gratitude to you all for your helping Beabas to defeat Zythho and bring peace back to this planet. »
Desmira had been whispering something to Gianell, and the General was next to speak.
« My sister wants to formulate her own thanks for your tremendous help in that adventure. We wouldn't have achieved anything without you, and definitely owe you a lot. Thank you once again, MBC ! You are an incredible team ! »
« Thank you as well for assisting us in finding Cathy's shadow and helping us to make it back to Earth ! » Chris declared.
« It really was a pleasure, Friends ! » Lauren told them. « And believe me, it was an honor to be fighting by your side and to become your friends ! It really was ! And will be, whenever we'll fight together again ! »
« We are so grateful to you for everything, Your Majesty ! » Cathy said happily.
Lauren's smile stretched.
« Please don't call me « Your Majesty » anymore. Just call me Lauren. The etiquette and the protocole demand that my subjects call me « Majesty », and also the foreign monarchs. But I've decided to make an exception just for you, since you helped saving my life. You therefore will be the only ones to have permission to call me Lauren. So please do. »
« Are you sure we can, Your M… Hum, I mean, are you sure we can ? » Sam rephrased.
The Light Queen grinned a gentle grin.
« Yes, you can. Please don't hesitate and simply call me by my firstname. You'll get used to it, I'm sure. It's now time for us to leave, but before, I would like to say happy birthday to Cathy, just like the Commander. So happy birthday in the name of all Beabas, Cathy ! »
« Thank you very much ! » the blonde exclaimed. « And I hope everything will go for the best on the Light Planet now. I send you my wishes of prosperity ! And be sure I'll be coming with my friends to meet you in person ! »
Lauren bowed once again.
« Please receive our gratitude for saying so. And you can come whenever you want to Lightis, you'll be welcome ! And before you ask, Lightis is the name we just chose for our planet ! Goodbye, dear Friends, and take care of you all ! My regards to each of you, and may the Gods ensure your all-time protection ! »
« Goodbye, see you soon, and take care ! » Cathy replied, and everyone formulated the same in his/her own way.
« Have a nice day, MBC ! » the Commander said. « And thanks for helping Beabas, and thus enabling our alliance to be forged. Take care of you ! »
And with that, the communication ended.
« Well, I call this great news ! » Sam announced.
« Dashing news, you mean ! It's over with Shadowland now !» Danny retorted.
« Shadowland ? That's the name you had invented for the Dark Planet ? » the brunette questioned.
« Quite so… » the athletic boy said with a wink, which made the black girl smile.
« It's great to know everything is at peace again ! » Chris remarked.
« Yeah, and we hope it'll stay that way for a long time ! » Cathy added.
« MBC, you can be proud of you, once again ! » Mr Smith concluded.
They were all smiling, happy that things were that positive now. Everything in its right place.
And after a silent moment of bliss, the young Rhapsodian spoke up.
« So what do we do now ? I mean, this afternoon ? »
They got thinking for a few seconds, then the tech made a proposal.
« Why not go to the park ? I mean it's sunny and all… it would be such a great time ! »
« You're right, Dude. I'm sure it'll be a nice time ! » the jock approved.
« So say what ? » Sam asked. « Deal ? » She was grinning so warmly.
« YAY ! » uttered Cathy to express their general approval.
« I like it when you're so happy, Cathy ! » Danny said, kissing her cheek and watching her deep in the eyes. « Your happy voice is delicate music to my ears and your eyes shine brighter than a hundred million suns ! »
She giggled and kissed her boyfriend back tenderly.
They all walked out of the clubhouse, then said goodbye to Mr Smith.
« See you later, kids ! Have a great day ! » he told them.
And so, the Famous Four started to walk in the sun-bathed street, heading for the park… the park, where this whole story had begun, if you recall. They were chatting and laughing like there'd be no tomorrow, feeling an intense happiness flood their whole beings.
And behind them, on the pavement, FOUR shadows were walking side by side…
T H E / E N D