The Night Off
Eliza froze the attacking dragon with a bored look on her face. She thought helping Jimmy and the Professor take on the fire-breathing beast would be fun or at least exciting. It turned out to be easier than expected. "What's wrong, Eliza?", asked Jimmy. "I'm finding this to be rather boring", said Eliza as the dragon was hauled off by Rusty, "Ever since finding my mother, I guess I've been a little down". "What you need is some time off", suggested the Professor, "Take a night off with friends". "I think I someone who might be interested", said Eliza with a smile. She had wanted to see her friend for a while.
Later that night, Eliza arrived at the bar to find Lily, a friend who owned a ranch in Shining Time and once helped Thomas save the Magic Railroad. "How do you go anywhere with your celebrity?", asked Eliza. "Same as you, Snow", smiled Lily, "Put on a leather jacket and you blend in with the crowd." "So, how are things in Shining Time?", asked Eliza. "The kids and Patch are having a great time", smiled Lily, "The ranch has never been better. You?" "Therapy ended last week", said Eliza, "I think my trip sped the process up a little. Still, I can't help but to feel bored on some of my recent adventures." "Good thing we have a whole night to ourselves", smiled Lily.
Back at the treasure cave, Jimmy, the Professor, and newly-arrived Niles sat down over a table for a good, old-fashioned game of cards. "Is this what you do when the girls go out?", asked Niles, holding his deck close."I don't know", said Jimmy, "It's never happened before". "I'll tell you one thing though", said the Professor. "What's that?", asked Niles. "That I win again!", said the Professor as he slapped his cards on the table and pulled all the chips towards him as Jimmy and Niles groaned. Suddenly, they all had an idea. "Why don't we go into town and see some sights?", suggested Niles. "Sounds swell to me", said Jimmy, "We can take my car".
They drove into a nearby desert town, and were surprised when they saw a massive stone structure that looked like a cobra. "Looks like the statue that marks the entrance to the lost city", remarked Jimmy. "Indeed", said the Professor, "But seismic surveys have found nothing in this area. Oh, well". Just then, as the trio idled on the station platform, Proteus and Rusty arrived with passengers. "Hello, you three", said Proteus, "What you up to at this hour?" "Eliza is out with her friends", said Jimmy, "We're idling until she comes back". "You should go out over to the dunes", said Rusty, "The stars are brightest over there". "We'll be right over", said Jimmy.
Back at the bar, Eliza and Lily were joined by Alvilda and Blade. "I haven't seen you since the wedding", said Eliza, "How have you two been?". "Never better", said Blade. "We've done some traveling", said Alvilda, "Fought a few monsters, took on a rouge God, you know, the usual". "Good ti see very little has changed", smiled Eliza. "Indeed", said Blade, "It's become great fun, but I wouldn't miss little moments like these for the world". The girls laughed for a bit, but Eliza simply looked out at the desert horizon.
Elsewhere, Jimmy, Niles, and the Professor looked up at the night sky, marveling at the night sky. "What's the matter, Jimmy?", asked the Professor. "It's Professor Barnaby", said Jimmy, "Over the past three years, it feels like he is impossible to take down. I feel like catching him is becoming harder and hared as time goes on". "Well, one thing is for sure", said Niles, "As long as you and Eliza are together, he can never be as happy". Niles didn't intend it, but his words showed Professor Barnaby in a much sadder light.
Later, Eliza arrived back at the treasure cave, finding Jimmy, Niles, and the Professor fast asleep. She smiled and lied down next to Jimmy. "I think I'm ready for another adventure", she whispered. "I was hoping so", yawned Jimmy, "Where to next?" "Anywhere", smiled Eliza.
The End.