A Joyous Goodbye
Jimmy knelt before Anubis, the jackal-headed God of Death, when he appeared in the dark hotel room. "To answer your question", said Anubis, "the lady you seek is not among Hades' subjects. If you are to find her, her last known location is a good start". "Thank you, Lord Anubis", said Jimmy. "One more thing", said Anubis as he tossed a whistle to Jimmy, "My intuition tells me that Barnaby has a trick or two up his sleeve. That should get you out of any jam he has set up. But be warned, its magic only works three times. I'll see you around, Jimmy". With that, Anubis disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving Jimmy to open the curtains, revealing Rio de Janeiro on all its glory. Eliza got out of the bathroom. "Did he say anything?", she asked. "We're on the right track", smiled Jimmy.
They hopped onto Jimmy's motorcycle and headed down the street, passing the beaches as the sun rose high up above them. "We'll meet the Professor and Niles at the restaurant in a bit", said Jimmy, "For now, let's just enjoy the ride." "Sounds good to me", said Eliza. As it was early in the morning, traffic was minimal as Jimmy moved down the street. Eliza relaxed and smiled as Jimmy stopped in front of a coffee shop, where the Professor and Niles were waiting. "Any luck?", asked Niles. "Our Underworld friend gave us a whistle that works only three times", said Jimmy, "Professor, may I see your map?" "Certainly", said the Professor as he handed over his map of the planet Earth. "Now, if I am not mistaken, your mother should be right here", said Jimmy as he pointed to a spot on the Atlantic Ocean. "But that doesn't make any sense", said Eliza. "Indeed", said Niles, "until you realize that area is the Magic Railroad". He placed his own map of the Magic Railroad to further emphasize this point. "I'd say this is a trap", continued Niles, "After all, you only noticed her now. Who's to say Professor Barnaby or the like hasn't caught her already?" "It's a risk we'll have to take", said Eliza. Niles was almost taken aback by her determination, but smiled, as it reminded him of his girlfriend back home. "So, to the Magic Railroad?", asked Jimmy. "Indeed", said everyone.
A few days later, Jimmy, Eliza, Niles, and the Professor were riding through the Monument Valley-like rock spires in a coach pulled by Rosie. "We'll be near the coast soon", said the Professor. "Yes", said Niles, "Near the lair of Professor Barnaby." "Remember our plan", said Jimmy. "Just as long as you stay safe", said Eliza. Everyone turned to each other and nodded.
A few hours later, Professor Barnaby and Dr. Jaxon were summoned to the front gates. "What is it?", asked Professor Barnaby, but even he was shocked by the sight of Jimmy and Eliza standing before him. "We surrender", smiled Jimmy. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise", said Professor Barnaby, "Keep an eye open for their friends". "They won't be of any help", said Eliza, "We came here alone. they're hundreds of miles away, back in the hotel." "Good", said Dr. Jaxon, "We can take care of you without interference. Like old times". Eliza spat on him in anger. Dr Jaxon reached for his gun, but Professor Barnaby stopped him. "Show her the woman", he said.
As Eliza was lead down a narrow hall, Dr. Jaxon began to argue with Professor Barnaby. "We should kill them now", said Dr. Jaxon, "They have no plans, no backup. We have no reason not to". "No", said Professor Barnaby, "I want the reporter to suffer, and the girl with him. You want to kill the girl because deep down, you're afraid of her. Afraid of power, afraid, maybe, of her father." The look on Dr. Jaxon's face was enough to let Professor Barnaby know that his point had gotten across. Ratface Ramon lead Eliza to a steel door. "You have five minutes, genie", said Professor Barnaby. Eliza glared at him before entering the room. When she entered, she saw a woman with blond hair, green eyes, and a face that reminded her of her own. "Mother?", asked Eliza. "Eliza", said the woman, "My dear little snowflake". They both embraced at this.
Meanwhile, at the submarine docking bay, two figures emerged from the water and knocked out two unsuspecting gangsters. They took off their scuba gear, revealing themselves as Niles and the Professor, who then pulled a box out of the water. "I don't know why we had to do this", said Niles, "I was perfectly willing to sucker him". "Even Professor Barnaby would know better than to go on just your word, Niles", said the Professor, "Get these ready". He handed Niles several bombs. He nodded and set out to work.
"How did you ever escape?", asked Eliza. "Dr. Jaxon made a mistake one night", said her mother, "He left a door unlocked and I made my way out. Had they not taken you in the struggle, we might've been able to escape together. I'm sorry I couldn't come back for you". "You don't need to apologize", said Eliza, "We're going to escape together this time". "Not likely", said Dr. Jaxon as he had two gangsters strap Eliza and her mother to tables with wheels, "It's time to bid Jimmy adieu".
Jimmy was lead by Manic Mike and Dynamite Dan into a cage with a large door inside. "What's all this?", asked Jimmy. "You remember those old gladiator movies?", asked Manic Mike, "Now, you're about to be the star of one." Suddenly, the door opened. Jimmy stepped into a massive arena, with Professor Barnaby, Dr. Jaxon, Eliza, and her mother watching from the prized ruler's box, just above bleachers filled with gangsters and submarine crew members. Jimmy looked down and saw a scimitar on the sand. "The same sword used to kill Dr. Scarabus, reporter", snarled Professor Barnaby, "It will be your only defense against what is to come". "But beware, boy", said Dr. Jaxon, "For every victory, I will send an electric shock to our hostages. If you somehow survive, I will kill them." Several other doors began to open, and Jimmy could hear the cry of several monsters waiting to attack. "Make this fun for me, reporter", said Professor Barnaby. "Professor, I hope you're ready", whispered Jimmy. Just then, seven fish-men, the black-headed griffin, a manticore, and a massive octopus emerged from their cages and attacked!
Elsewhere, Niles finished setting up the explosives near the walls of the arena. "Ready", he said. "Good", said the Professor, "Get behind something and wait for my signal!" They each hid behind an armored tank and readied their triggers.
Back in the arena, Jimmy sliced two fish-men in half before hearing Eliza and her mother cry out! Distracted, he was knocked away by the black-headed griffin! He checked to make sure nothing was bleeding before dodging the attack of the manticore! "Watch well, ladies", said Professor Barnaby, "He can't save you this time". Suddenly, the walls of the arena exploded! Niles came rushing in, firing his machine gun at the remaining fish-men! He then heard Eliza cry out in pain! "Doesn't this remind you of old times?", asked Dr. Jaxon. "Face it", said Professor Barnaby, "You can't save them." Niles stood with Jimmy as the black-headed griffin, the manticore, and octopus charged for the attack! Suddenly, Jimmy had an idea. He took out the whistle Anubis gave him and blew it as loud as he could. Eliza and her mother were then transported into the arena. Eliza then used her powers to create a set of ice spikes that smashed into the ruler's box! Dr. Jaxon looked up in shock. "I am not afraid of you anymore", snarled Eliza. "Destroy them!", yelled Professor Barnaby. The three monsters charged, only for the octopus to impaled by the ice spikes, the manticore to be decapitated by Jimmy's scimitar, and the black-headed griffin to be shot be Niles! Suddenly, the Professor drove in with a stolen Hummer. Everyone jumped in and drove out of the arena as the gangsters shot at them! "Use the whistle again", said Niles. Jimmy blew the whistle again, transporting the Hummer out of the lair and onto a desert road. They all sighed in relief before sharing a group hug.
After a few hours on the road, they stopped at the outskirts of a distant desert station. While the boys went to investigate, Eliza stayed to talk with her mother. "In all my years, "I've never been so proud, little snowflake", she said. "I'm thinking of leaving it all", said Eliza, "I was never really that good at ruling kingdoms anyway". "Why give up a kingdom?", asked her mother. Eliza looked out into the distance. "I've lost my fear of the great beyond", said Eliza, "I just want to be with the people I love". "Jimmy has done you good", said her mother, "But with Dr. Jaxon on the loose with that lout, Barnaby, I just can't let them hurt you again." "What will you do?", asked Eliza. "I'll have to go into hiding again", said her mother sadly, "But I promise, you will never be alone again". They embraced while each fighting back tears. "Promise you'll return", said Eliza. "I will", said her mother. After that, Eliza handed her mother the whistle and watched her disappear as the sun set in the distance.
Eliza was still sitting on the roof of the Hummer, staring at the haunting night sky. She felt a hand take hold of her, and she turned to see Jimmy. "The next train doesn't come until morning", he said, "I thought I'd stay with you". Eliza smiled faintly before leaning on his shoulder. "Where do you think she went?", asked Jimmy. "Far away from the grasp of Dr. Jaxon, I hope", said Eliza, "I'm afraid Jimmy. What if he does come back to play with me, like old times?" "He'll have to go through me first", said Jimmy, "He isn't the first or most dangerous mad doctor I've faced." Eliza kissed him on the cheek before drifting happily to sleep on his lap. Jimmy put a pillow under his head, held Eliza close, and they were both asleep on the roof of the car, underneath the moonlit sky.
The End.