Chapter 36

Phantina

Well if you're wondering, Dr. V didn't really have any useful information for Anton and I, we disposed of her quickly but kept her lab stuff and identification. We only needed one more set for Anton before we snuck in. With Anya gone I was more desperate than ever; I spent little time with the flock and more time with Anton. Blaze and Ziddy were always palling around, Night and I made up, and Shadow was just quiet as usual. Anya and he had a connection, I tried to comfort him but I think the flock started to sense something about me, they seemed more distant. Except for Night he was always with me unless I had to see Anton. It was nice to have made up with him.

Well, days after Anya's leaving, problems of course started to arise. I was sitting with Anton planning and such. It was all so exciting I was going to have control of everything. The only question was what would I do with everyone else. The day had been long; Anton and I had been going on with our plans all day. I leaned back and closed my eyes; falling asleep I imagined the same court that I dreamed about a while ago. I was in all white and a decree had just been passed that there would be no more experimenting on humans or already turned mutants. I looked to my right and Anton was sitting next to me, a crown was on his head but it was crooked, almost too big. On his right Shadow was standing with a scythe. On my left was Night, he was also holding a scythe. They were dressed in elegant outfits like mine and Anton's. Anton suddenly clapped his hands and Blaze and Ziddy came out as a jesting duo, they were wearing those outfits which Blaze flaunted around in quite happily. They started to put on their act and I grabbed Night's hand. He squeezed mine tightly and I sighed contently, he smiled down at me, this was what we always wanted; we were living our happy ending. Scientists were running around dressed as maids and butlers, so we had found a place for them. They even served Night, Shadow, Blaze, and Ziddy. We had the half lion mutants, and half dog mutants patrolling the castle, suddenly a thought occurred to me. Anya wasn't around, I looked up at Night.

"Where's Anya?" I asked, holding his hand tighter.

"She's in the dungeons just like was requested. She was a rebel and didn't approve of our cause." I deflated, that's right. I visited her when I could but she just called me names and spat at me. I still loved her but she seemed to hate me. She would accept visits from everyone else. It made me sad especially since I had done this for us, the flock. Night leaned down and kissed me. Blaze started making noises but I ignored him, I kissed Night back and ignored Blaze. Just as I slipped my tongue into Night's mouth I started to wake up. I was really kissing someone, but it wasn't Night it was Anton. I gasped and fell back out of my chair; a deep red blush ran across my face.

"Wh-what the hell are you doing!?" I shouted. Anton looked shocked, it wasn't really like me to curse. He sat there for a moment.

"I just- you looked so peaceful, you were smiling you know, in your sleep I mean. And I just couldn't resist" He blushed slightly. "Sorry…" He stood and offered me his hand. I hesitantly took it and he helped me up. Anton then stepped closer to me and I could feel his breath.

"A-Anton" I tried to push him away. "You know I'm with Night…I love him!" Anton grabbed me around the waist and pulled me into him.

"Oh come on now, after all he did to you? And he's starting to gain some weight again." He kissed my neck. That was true, Night had started eating a lot again now that I was back, I was cooking dinner for the flock now that Anya was away and I'd learned to cook really well from the chef at my step-parent's house. Luckily he had a fast metabolism to make up for his gluttony, he wasn't quite as toned as his brother but he was still in good shape. I didn't pull away from Anton this time. I liked them both but I had something special with Night. I was actually planning on letting him in to my —our— plans later tonight while we were eating dinner. I heard Anya always gave them frozen dinners and I just didn't have the heart. I pulled away from Anton finally.

"Anton I can't. I-I'm letting Night in on everything tonight…" Anton looked shocked

"Y-You're what!? But the profits! There are two of us, it works out perfectly, I was supposed to be the king and you're my queen!" He grabbed my hands. I squeeze his and chuckle.

"Anton you have nothing to worry about, you know we need to start an army soon and Night can be just the person." I stroked his cheek, "even if I don't love you you're still my king. I just care about Night too much, I want him to know Anton, and I want him to help." I pursed my lips, waiting for his answer. He looked hesitant but he nodded.

"Okay, you can tell him. But only him." He let go of my hands.

I sighed, "Don't get so beat up about this!" Anton gripped the chair

"I'm not getting beat up about it! Y-you're right…" I hugged him; I could tell he was still having a bit of a hard time with it.

"You're one of my best friends you know." He smiled slightly.

"I know I just wish it was more…"

"Anton…"

"I know I know…Night."

"He makes me happy." Anton takes my hands and there's the familiar gleam in his eyes. He sighs heavily.

"I know, if you're happy I'm happy, and I can get plenty of women to sleep with me!" he chuckles and kisses my cheek. "Isn't it about time for you to be leaving to make dinner?" I look at my watch.

"I do! I'll see you tomorrow okay? Probably with Night." Anton sighs.

"Will you always be with him?"

"No, we still have private things to discuss" He smiles a little.

"Okay good…will you leave some extra dinner out like usual or…?"

"Of course I'll leave dinner out for you!" I smile and wave as I fly off. When I get home I start cooking immediately. I'm not sure where the flock thinks I'm going but they're generally happy to see me when I get back.

"Hey Phan," Shadow says as he grabs a soda out of the fridge. "What are we having tonight?"

"Well I'm having some vegetarian stuff but for you guys I'm making chorizo and potato quesadillas" Shadow grins.

"You always outdo yourself." I smile back at him as he returns to the living room with his root beer. Night comes in a little while after Shadow. He hugs me from behind and kisses my neck.

"What's cookin' good lookin'?" he asks as he nuzzles me and looks over to see what I have on the stove. I chuckle and push him away.

"Shadow told you I was home didn't he?"

"No, there was just a lovely aroma coming from the kitchen and I had to see what it was. Did I hear the word chorizo when Shadow was in here?"

I smirk. "You did, I'm making chorizo and potato quesadillas, does that sound good?"

"It sounds great; I might have more than one!"

"It's a good thing you have a fast metabolism or you might look like the Goodyear blimp with all you eat." I chuckle and turn back to the stove. Night looks slightly hurt.

"Hey! Don't make fun of my appetite!" he whines and at that moment his stomach growls. I chuckle. While the meat sits and cooks I turn around and put my hands on his face.

"I never said I would mind that, I think you're quite cute when you eat actually." I stand on my tip toes and kiss him as a blush spreads across his face.

"You do?"

"Yes I do, now go get a snack to tie you over until dinner; it might take a while because the meat needs to cook!" Night starts to look in the fridge for something to eat while I start to set out plates and clean up somewhat of the mess I made. Night finds a hamburger and smiles widely.

"Ah hamburgers, the king of foods!" he says while practically drooling at it in his hand.

I chuckle. "Remember the time I fed you that whole bag?" I think back to the mansion.

Night grins. "I do! That was fun…" He looks at me deviously.

"What?" I ask as he steps closer to me.

"Want to do it again?" It figures; the one guy who doesn't ask that question in bed but instead is referring to food. Though that was fun the one time… I smirk and take the hamburger from his hand.

"Sit down and open up," I say as he backs into the kitchen chair, I position myself comfortably on his lap and open the burger, this time I do see a little drool running down his lip. "You're such a pig," I snort and hold it up. Night just smiles at me and takes a large bite.

"I wishccch wu hed mur," he says with a mouthful of burger.

"What?" He swallows the first bite.

"I said I wish we had more," he looks sadly at the lone burger.

"Well then I guess I know what I'm making tomorrow night," I say and feed him another bite. Night beams and pulls me in closer.

"I knew I loved you for a reason," he says and kisses the top of my head causing crumbs to spill in my hair.

"Night…" I complain and wipe them away. He just chuckles and opens his mouth for the last bite. When he finishes he whines.

"It was so tiiinnyyy~!" he complains and cries like a little kid. I kiss his jaw.

"Oh mein liebe, don't be sad dinner will be ready in a bit."

"But I want food now!" His stomach growls again.

"Well we'll just make sure to fill you up tonight okay?" I say and kiss him again. He nods and kisses me back.

"I could think of something tasty to carry me over a bit," he says and kisses down my neck. I blush.

"Wh-what the burger wasn't enough?" I stammer as he slowly puts his hands under my shirt and squeezes me. I let out a soft moan and he takes that opportunity to kiss me heavily.

"Not nearly enough," he says into my mouth. I wrap my arms around him and kiss him deeply as he slides his hands under my bra. At that moment Blaze stomps in.

"Hey something smells really go-WOAH ZIDDY GET THE CAMERA NIGHT AND PHAN ARE HEATING UP THE KITCHEN!" Night quickly pulls his hands out of my shirt and I break the kiss. Ziddy runs up and tries to look over Blaze's shoulder.

"What?! I can't see anything!" he says desperately. Blaze looks at him, disappointed.

"Ah they stopped now," Blaze says and shuffles his feet and looks down.

"What are you doing here anyway you little perv?!" Night snaps and stands up allowing me to slide off his lap; I go back to the stove.

"I'm the perv!?" Blaze shouts. "This is the public kitchen! I just wanted to see what Phan was cooking, I wasn't the one with my hands up her shirt!" He starts to walk toward me quickly. "But if you want me to be I'd be happy to try it!" He looks devious and I get ready to smack him with my frying pan when Night stops him.

"Ho ho ho, you try that and within seconds you'll be six feet under," he growls in Blaze's ear. Blaze snorts.

"I think it'd be worth it! Phan has pretty big-"

"That's it!" Night yells at him and breaks a plate over Blaze's head.

"Night!" I shout and pull his arm away. Blaze rubs his head

"What the heck is wrong with you!?" Blaze shouts.

"What's wrong with me?! What's wrong with you?! First you tried to feel up my girlfriend! And then you go and talk about her breasts right in front of her like she's some sort of animal!" Blaze knocks on Nights head.

"Knock, knock smart one! We are half animal!"—he flaps his wings—"In case you didn't notice, I have a pair of wings that grew out of my back and so do you!"

"Just because we're half animal makes no excuse for what you did!" Night screams. Both of them are red in the face. Night grabs Blaze by the throat. "You little f***ing bastard I'll sh-"

"Guys!" I interject, and try to pull Night off of Blaze. "Night calm down!" Ziddy is standing there in awe; I don't think he's seen one of these famous fights before. Shadow runs in.

"What's going on in here!?" he shouts, adding to the ruckus. He soon realizes what's happening and also tries to help pull Night off of Blaze. I tell you if you were the apartment across from ours it would look like a madhouse. I can see it now: a red headed boy with wings being strangled by a black haired one. The black haired one has a girl and another boy trying to pull him off. Then there's another kid a little off just watching the whole scene with a horrified look on his face. Maybe that neighbor would call the police, or maybe we gave him a good laugh, or maybe he would think he was high.

Whatever happened I'm not sure how we got Night to calm down but he did. He backed off of Blaze in a huff. I don't really remember what happened after Night started choking Blaze but both of them are pretty beat up and bruised. Dinner was more quiet than usual, I think we traumatized Ziddy and no one else wanted to talk at all. Usually Anya took care of keeping a conversation up. When dinner was done I started to tidy up. The life of a house…sister? I thought to myself while scrubbing some pots. I took some extra food that I'd saved for Anton, and set it out in the window for him like I did every night. I mumbled to myself for the rest of the cleanup duration. "Bunch of unappreciative freeloaders…no 'thank you Phan!' no 'let me help you clean up!' nothing! They just take their ice cream and hop of happily…" I sighed and put the last dish away. That's it; starting tomorrow we're taking turns with the dishes. I walked into the living room to find all the boys watching some action movie. Blaze was cheering loudly at the main character, ice cream spilling all over Ziddy. Everyone was trying to shush him but he wasn't listening. He was also throwing some air punches whenever there was a fight scene, which was often. I thought about sitting down and watching with them but action movies weren't really my thing. Besides I really had to talk to Night. I sighed when I looked at him; he just couldn't handle himself could he? Everyone else had a bowl of ice cream. Shadow, Ziddy, and what was left of Blaze's. But Night, oh no. He had a small carton. Such a glutton. I walk up behind the couch and tap his shoulder.

"Night I need to talk to you"

"Later," he says, and waves me off. I groan, this is really important.

"It's vital," I say to him.

"It can wait; we never get to watch movies!" Lies. They watch at least a movie a night. I sigh and try to think of a way to get him out of the room. An idea suddenly comes to mind. I wrap my arms around his neck and nip at his ear.

"Night," I whisper, "I really need to talk to you."

Night blushes and stands up, he puts his ice cream on the table. "O-okay…!" I glance down at the ice cream. Since we won't be doing what he thinks we'll be doing I assume he'll want a snack to keep him happy. I bite my lip.

"Take the ice cream," I say and skip into the bedroom. Thank god Blaze and Ziddy are so engrossed in the movie. Shadow was giving me a pretty disapproving look though. I sat on the bed and waited for Night who was in seconds later, he was trying desperately to get his shirt off. I chuckled and lowered his hands. Night looked confused. "I'm sorry I'm afraid I had to lure you in here."

"So you mean no-"

I shake my head. "No, sorry." Night sighs.

"What's so important that you had to drag me away from the movie?" he asked, whining. I sigh.

"Sit down," I tell him and point to the bed. He obeys, looking a little worried. I explain to him Anton and I's plan, what I've been doing where, I've been going, that we needed a type of general. I told him he couldn't tell the rest of the flock, especially Anya and Shadow. Though I did confess that I wanted Shadow to be Night's right hand man when we had accomplished what had happened in my dream, I told him everything actually. Including my dreams. The only thing I left out was Anton kissing me. I had a lot to think about when it came to that. If Night knew…he would fly into some sort of rage and I don't know if it would be directed towards me, Anton, or both of us. I sat down next to Night when I'd finished talking. He just stared at me with his ice cream spoon hanging out of his mouth. I ran my hands down his muscular arms and shook him a bit.

"Night!" I said "Night are you okay with this? I know it's a lot to process but we could really use your help. We need a third guy we need you," I begged. He looked at me wide eyed. At first I saw anger in his eyes, but then it turned into determination.

"I'll do it, I'll help. I like this; I like the idea of it all." I sigh with relief. "I will have to meet Anton though. I'm looking forward to this." He grins in anticipation. "Just think Phan…A new and better world for all of us."

"I know," I say while leaning into him. "We just can't tell Anya…I'm not ready for her to know yet…" Night starts to say something but I'm already drifting off to sleep in his warm grasp.

Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit.~ Bern Williams