After dawn the next day, it was time they headed out.
Yesterday's events alone, losing Timmy and finding out the horrid realization that he gave up his godparents only hours after, wasn't exactly a great motive for Cosmo nor Wanda. Though both Mr. and Mrs. Turner's patience had been wearing thin, thanks to Tracy's sympathy specifically, the night was needed for Cosmo and Wanda to pull themselves together. It wouldn't give them much luck to set off on this rescue mission so heartbroken and out of place anyhow.
Jorgen had made it clear that poofing to Anti-Fairy World wouldn't do the rescue team much luck. Not as long as the anti-fairies were adamant about keeping Timmy for themselves. They had security for any arrivals from Fairy World. But, not from earth. It was their only shot to make way by foot to the planet to get what they need and leave from there.
Cosmo and Wanda felt wildly unconfident after losing Timmy's memory. The plan was barely foolproof and they were diving headfirst into it. Then again, with time slipping so soon, who knows what those anti-fairies could be doing Timmy across the galaxy at that very moment. Especially when magic no longer exists in the boy's mind. He could be terrified out of his wits completely. Even with the downfall of losing him, Cosmo and Wanda had not stopped thinking about what he could be doing in the back of their minds. If he had been locked up, if he had hopefully been left unhurt, if the anti-fairies had somehow found it in their hidden hearts to give the boy some hospitality and distract him from what they wanted from him. Maybe they weren't entirely cruel, but then again, these were just hopes of Cosmo and Wanda. They couldn't say they ever knew the anti-fairies to be sympathetic. Mrs. Turner had as well hoped the same, but Cosmo and Wanda knew the race unlike she did. They could wish all they want, but nothing would be assured until Timmy was in their reach. They needed to leave now.
But, there was still the matter of Poof.
Standing at the gate of Cupid's manor, one of the locations closest to the path leading to the Rainbow Bridge, Cosmo held Poof as Wanda handed off important essentials to Cupid. Jorgen and the Turners awaiting and loading a Fairy Military land cruiser with supplies a few feet away.
Cosmo bounced his son in his arms. "And who gets the keys to Cupid's pink Porsche..?"
"Dada!" Poof squeaked.
Cosmo raised his son high with a smile. "That's my boy!" He brought him down back into his arms and hugged him tightly, the small bundle resting easily against his father in a quiet giggle.
"On your life." Cupid called from his gate. Cosmo frowned in disappointment.
Wanda handed a bag to the mini-god. "Baby formula, bottles-uh, make sure to test the milk on your wrist first. Some of his raddles, binkies, he prefers the yellow, and-"
"Wanda." Cupid reached a hand to her shoulder. "I've got it."
She paused in nervousness and then clasped her hands together. "Thank you again for doing this. My aunt is dear but has to make way back to Fairy County by this evening. And..we had you on short notice."
"Oh, it's the least I could do." Cupid waved off. "Who'd better the job than-"
"Cupid! ¿Cómo es esto?" A voice called from the doorway. A familiar fairy resident came floating down the path with a hand up high, clutching a long list that trailed behind him as he made way to the onlookers at the gate. "You did not tell me Ivy had been added to my list of admirers."
Cupid rolled his eyes. "Juandissimo, that list adds to itself. I don't have time to keep track of your desperate followers when I have more important matters in the business."
Cosmo floated over with Poof in his grasp, giving a look of spite. "What's Magoo doing here?"
"Easy, green devil. We meet a lot to discuss Juandissimo's...endless list of loans if you will." Cupid then grinned in excitement. "Also, it's soap opera night! All My Biceps season finale."
"Ay, and we're both Team Everwish." Juandissimo agreed.
Wanda bit her lip uncomfortably. "Well as much as leaving my baby with you two to watch my sister's tacky show doesn't sound reassuring..." she nodded. "It's good to see you, Juandissimo."
"Yeah, great.." Cosmo mumbled.
"Wanda, mi flor, my deepest concerns go out for you and your tonto husband about Timmy.."
"I see the news is going around easily," she momentarily narrowed her eyes to Cupid. "But, thank you."
"Sí, and though I am here on account of soap binging with Cupid, I will stay and aid. It is the least I can do."
"You know about child care?" Wanda arched a brow.
"I was a godparent."
Wanda looked at him in lack of confidence and scratched the back of her head, considering it.
"Don't take this the wrong way Juandissimo, but you do know you had a reputation in godparenting for always looking after the children who...fended more easily." She said. "Cosmo and I, we've always been paired with kids who needed more of a parent's presence."
There was a whistle in calling, and the four occupants turned and looked across the way at Jorgen and the Turners who waited by the land cruiser for the godparents to join. Cosmo and Wanda looked back at Cupid and Juandissimo hesitantly, then down at Poof.
"Wanda, Cosmo, is there anything I can do, por favor?" Juandissimo asked.
Even with all they had been through, Juandissimo was a good fairy. A gentle heart that he had definitely been hiding. He developed as a friend more and more each day. The given jokes about getting back with Wanda still popped up, though they weren't necessarily motivations like they use to be. By his behavior, it was clear he was moving on and genuine about helping out as a friend. Not as a bid for Wanda's affection.
And like many, he too had a lot to thank Timmy for.
Cosmo urged not to roll his eyes. It was about time.
"No," Wanda said once again. "Really, but still, thank you."
"If I'm gonna stay put with your baby and Mr. Muscles," Cupid said, "you think you could leave Timmy's hat? I noticed that Poof calms more easily with it."
Wanda and Cosmo considered it, looking to the pink cap Wanda held.
"You might need to get by another way." Wanda said, raising it for indication. "We need it."
Cupid nodded in understanding.
"I wouldn't worry." Wanda said, taking Poof from Cosmo in exchange of the hat. "Poof fusses, but he doesn't drag on."
The baby looked at his mother and kicked his feet in joyfulness. Happily and obliviously blind to anything that had occurred. The only possible thing coming to the baby's notice being that his godbrother had been absent for quite some time. And even if that was one of his worst dislikings, Cosmo and Wanda's attempted smiles for Poof kept him from questioning it.
Wanda stared into the big lavender eyes.
"Cupid," She brought her baby in close to her chest. "Please...keep him safe."
Cosmo came around and ran a hand over Poof's head, looking fearful to latch away as well.
"He won't be out of my sight for a second." The mini-god assured. "He's more than safe here."
It was hard separating from a newborn baby for a long period for the first time. Not counting the day when he was born and kidnapped within hours. And of all things, on a reckless journey to save their lost godson. Considering all the fear they had felt for Timmy, it was no surprise that leaving Poof here felt incredibly uneasy and worrisome for Cosmo and Wanda.
"Baby.." Wanda whispered, lowering her lips to her son's head and closing her eyes. "Mommy and daddy love you so much.."
He was an infant, but his parents felt surreal guilt for how everything with Timmy had taken consideration over Poof away lately. Though there was not much that could help that cause, for Timmy was in extreme danger and that couldn't be counted as unfair. But, Cosmo and Wanda needed to somehow give that reassurance.
"We haven't forgotten about you, little man.." Wanda whispered as she and Cosmo held him in a huddle.
Poof squirmed in their arms, his big eyes falling upon the hat that Cosmo held against his grip on the baby, who waved two little hands.
"Tim-ee?"
Wanda smiled gently. "That's right sweetheart, Timmy needs us.." she said. "And we know you'll be right here waiting for us.."
"Poof-poof!" He squealed.
Both his parents gave him a touching kiss, before Wanda unwillingly handed Poof to Cupid, not letting go until she was sure that the god had a safe hold of her baby and that he wouldn't dare to let him go.
She pulled away, relieved to see that Poof didn't make a fuss.
"He'll be fine." Cupid assured, again.
"Please make sure." Wanda again said, not letting herself go as the thought alone of being separated from her baby for too long was starting to make her think she'd be better off staying. Cosmo and Wanda didn't move as they watched Poof, who looked at them in return from Cupid's arms.
"Cosmo. Wanda." Jorgen called in impatience.
The parents looked at their baby in worry.
"Don't you two worry about a thing," Cupid said. "And go save that wonderboy before I do."
With the kick of encouragement, Wanda took Cosmo's hand. Looking at their beautiful son with endearing smiles, they began to make way for the awaiting group in knowing that their baby was in good hands. And rather, much safer than if he were to come along.
"Guys, just remember when you find Timmy," Cupid called once more.
The godparents turned around, and the love god nodded in encouragement.
"Love leaves memories no one can steal. No one."
With that final note, Cosmo and Wanda paused in uncertainty, before making way to the land cruiser, as Juandissimo and Cupid made way back to the manor's entryway. Poof looked over the god's shoulder with bright curious eyes at his parents. The baby let a whine slip and reached a small hand as his parents climbed onto the back of the cruiser before Cupid disappeared into the house with him.
"Let's move, we don't have a lot of time." Jorgen said, starting the ignition. The Turners sat in the open back with the range of supplies, as Wanda and Cosmo sat at the edge with their feet dangling off. Watching Cupid manor edge away in gloom as Jorgen made way to the Rainbow Bridge not too far along.
"Wanda?" Cosmo asked.
She looked at him.
"What's a tonto?"
"Hurry up, will you?"
"I'm going as fast as I can!"
"If you don't pick it up, we're both toast-"
At the large slam of the opening of double doors, the blood of both anti-fairies ran cold, turning with sickly complexions to face Anti-Cosmo has he stood displeased midair, hands firmly on his sides as he barely batted an eye at their pitiful state of exhaustion.
"And what, foretell, are you two doing?" The green-eyed creature asked combatively.
One, hesitant on his plan of action dropped the headset from his grip onto the desk. The wall they faced away from portrayed a large variation of monitors, all monitoring every bad event occurring at that exact moment on earth, as well as every other domain of Anti-Fairy World.
"Nothing." Anti-Juandissimo, a rather thin anti-fairy with a small-forming gut around his middle, spoke sheepishly.
"Doesn't look to be nothing."
"We're strengthening our borders." Anti-Binky, an anti-fairy with a much more aggressive demeanor, admitted. "We're trying to help your operation."
"If you wanna stay of assistance to this operation, you will continue to follow orders." Anti-Cosmo shoved his way past the two, looking at the process of handiwork they implemented all over Anti-Fairy World. He turned to look at them. "How did you two manage to get in here, anyhow?"
"Anti-Jorgen is no restraint," Anti-Binky spoke.
Anti-Cosmo raised his wand, and in an instant, the work of traps and other border implements all over the monitors of Anti-Fairy World disappeared.
"What're you doing! We need those!" Anti-Juandissimo exclaimed.
"You buffoons need to reevaluate your loyalty." Anti-Cosmo spoke. "As head of the operation, I take the calls and you follow. I won't allow anything to go behind my back that may jeopardize our chance of domination. And certainly not by you clowns!"
Anti-Binky looked irritated. "We're trying to save your butt."
"You're being stupid, that's what."
"They're out there!" Anti-Binky threw a hand to the monitors. "They're coming!"
"Who?"
"Cosmo and Wanda!" The bald creature said ferociously. "As long as that boy is in our clutches, there is no stopping them from coming! We were trying to strengthen our borders to hold them off while you keep prancing around and making a mockery of the kid!"
"I'm warning you," Anti-Cosmo spoke carefully. "Do not label me as some fool. The council chose me as the head of this mission, not you two. I am already running a risk as is. If this plan blows, I lose everything I've worked for! My chateau and my name incrested as this world's leading hero! My family and I will be thrown to the dirt of the streets if I fail again!"
"Then you better start packing, because you're digging your own grave buddy."
"How's that?" He hissed.
Anti-Binky spat a laugh. "You are such an idiot."
Had the green-eyed creature not been cut off so quickly, who would've burst into flames.
"Coming after the kid was the worst thing you could've done, Mr. Genius! Those two godparents are gonna stop at nothing to get him back, and you're gonna be the doormat they walk all over! We were trying to prevent that, but it seems like we can't! You're finished!"
"How dare you-!"
"And just wait until they've seen what you've done to him." Anti-Binky again laughed, as Anti-Juandissimo stood as a nervous onlooker. "I'm telling you, it's your funeral. You'd be better off backing out now, because the pink lady and her idiot husband are just as much underestimated as that kid Timmy is."
"And why exactly are you suddenly siding with the mortal enemy?"
"I ain't siding with anyone, I'm just spitting facts." Anti-Binky flew forward, dangerously coming close to Anti-Cosmo as he looked at his leader in pity, Anti-Cosmo lifting his chin conceitedly in an attempt to show prosperity.
"Look at you." Anti-Binky hissed lowly under his breath. "You're so full of it. Telling Turner that his godparents don't stand a chance against you. C'mon now, let's face it...you don't stand a chance against them."
"Rubbish. They're a couple of fools."
"You haven't come close once in defeating them. And now here you are, on the brink of losing everything. But as long as that kid keeps losing faith, and welfare, and his mind, the harder those two fairies are gonna come after you just for that."
Anti-Cosmo hadn't torn his gaze from the henchman, but as Anti-Binky suddenly snagged the flattened collar of his coat in a fist, a small breath escaped past Anti-Cosmo's lips. His eyes remained brightly furious and his nose almost twitching in a desperate refusal to believe what he was hearing.
"They shouldn't be scared of you...you should be scared of them."
His anger boiled too high, Anti-Cosmo drew a hand back, before giving a backhanded slap to Anti-Binky across the face allowing his grip to release from him.
"Get out before I feed you two to the wolves!" Anti-Cosmo berated as Anti-Binky stumbled backward in the air from the hit. Once his balance was regained, he drew his hand away from his face and looked to Anti-Cosmo, unfazed.
"Fine. Wouldn't want to be caught in this mess, anyhow." Anti-Binky said, before shooting a look to Anti-Juandissimo. "Let's go."
The henchmen disappeared in two clouds of black smoke, and in a pit of burning anger, Anti-Cosmo swung around with a thrust of his arms and a large roar, clearing the desk clean of its supplies as he shoved it all off. His palms met the desk, his arms constricted like steel bars as he lowered his head in composure, though underneath his hunch, his eyes remained wide and lit with anger.
In wrath, the anti-fairy looked up at the screen. His eyes were drawn to the monitor showing the exterior of Anti-Abracatraz. His teeth gritted tightly and his palms rolled into fists against the desk before he forcefully pulled out his wand and left in a cloud of smoke.
Once gone, he reappeared in a narrow corridor. Immediately drawing to the middle cell his eyes remained fixed on. Flying forward with his wand gripped tightly, nearly denting the unbreakable bondage of the stem, he again raised it and yelled as he brought it swinging down and unlocked the heavy lock with a magical swipe.
Kicking the door open Anti-Cosmo barely made note of the progress made so far. The dark spurs of black magic had carefully risen out of the trunk and surrounded Timmy's unconscious body in gentle loops.
The anti-fairy nearly threw himself against the floor as he landed on his hands and knees above the fainted child with a hitching breath of anger, his face aligned with the side of Timmy's head as he whispered raspingly into the boy's ear.
"Listen to me, you rat and gutless child. I am not a pon, nor a target in any of this. I am the one who makes the calls and you are the one who falls under them. Your memory may be gone but that is not slowing me down. You are not a genius, I'm the genius. Your silly tricks, and games, and smart-boy nonsense, that's all over now. I've had it with failure and I've had it with being told that I'm going at it the wrong way. Nothing I do is wrong, nothing I plan doesn't not consider the possibility to take this pathetic universe into our hands, nothing I do isn't for the consideration for my wife and son. You. Are. Vile, Turner. You have ripped me unfairly of my rightful ways far too many times and have drawn my patience dangerously thin. You're lucky I didn't feed you to fire the minute I met you. No thanks to your godparents, who are the last people to scare me. Got it? They have nothing that'll keep me from my win, and they are the ones who should fear so much the existence of the anti-fairies. When I've begun with universal sovereignty, they'll be the first to tremble under the Anti-Fairy Council's name, begging for their welfare to be spared. And all your little human companions, they'll barely stand a chance."
Wretched from the rath that gripped on his torturous heart, Anti-Cosmo grunted with another act of aggression as he made a grab from the child's hair. Bunching it in a shaking hand as he lowered closer to Timmy's ear.
"You're finished, Turner. Your days of good deeds for the fairy race are numbered, and you won't ever have the chance to fulfill the life that you were never worthy to have obtained in the first place. I will say it again and again until my voice runs raw. You don't belong anywhere. If there was anything I could do right now, I'd slap you awake to force your ears into hearing all this. But our plan is still taking full-force, and I wouldn't dare do anything to jeopardize it. Let alone let you, nor Wanda, nor my ridiculous excuse for counterpart Cosmo, ruin it. Not even my own wife. My love, bless her soul, who I will willingly keep light miles away if it means keeping this plan absolute. As you lie here, with that pile of lost souls of godchildren take root in you, looking four your source of magic, I will wait patiently Turner. As long as it means one other thing. Watching you lie here hopelessly without anything your aid. You are the thing I need yet despise the most. No one else can accomplish that but you. Even if I had the chance for the first human cross-breed to be the most prosperous kid, I'd keep you. Because it would mean your torture and your sacrifice. Not mine, Yours..."
Still cuffing the child's hair psychotically, Anti-Cosmo looked up to the high ceiling of the cell with a menacingly disturbing smile.
"And Cosmo and Wanda's, too..."
To be continued...