It was a cold April 1st, and the waxing moon was shining dimly over the city of New York. Urbana was sitting in Casey's and April's white van with the two adults, Spud, Trixie, Pugsley and Wednesday, sitting a couple of blocks away from where the Huntsclan hideout was. The funko pop sized Beetlejuice was sitting on Urbana's shoulder, using her energy to help sustain his powers while he's spread so thin. It felt weird to Urbana for Beetlejuice to be taking her energy, not just because it's the first time he's done it, but mainly because he takes in her energy in little slurps whenever his energy is low. Urbana's used to ghost's taking her energy like they're people who haven't drank any water in three days and they're just chugging away at her until she's forced to make them stop, but in like slow motion.
Inside the Huntsclan base, Elisa, the turtle boys, Rose, and Jake, were creeping around doing their best to sneak Jake's and his friend's families out of the base and replacing them with Beetlejuice's illusions using, Reta and her gang to help him do it. While right outside at a grouping point on the Huntsclan's base roof were Goliath, Broadway, Lexington, Brooklyn, Steven, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, who were going to help silently fly Jake's and his friend's families to April and Casey's white van. The longer it takes for the Huntsclan to notice anything wrong going on under their noses, the better it'll be for everyone.
"Trixie. Your parents will be coming soon," Beetlejuice informed her.
Trixie nodded her head, her body tense with anticipation.
Ten minutes pass and they heard someone land on the roof of their van, then there was a knock on the back door of the van. Pugsley and Wednesday opened the door to reveal Goliath helping Trixie's mother and father down into the van. Trixie's mother was wearing an airline uniform and Trixie's father was wearing a casual suite with a little button on his suite jacket showing that he works in the air force. They both looked exhausted and ragged, since they haven't had the chance to clean themselves or have a proper time to sleep. Once the two of them had climbed in and Pugsley and Wednesday closed the van doors, Trixie scrambled over to hug her parents. Both parties crying quietly as they embraced.
Interrupting the moment, Pugsley said, "We brought snacks and drinks. Would you like some?"
"I could use some water," Trixie's mother said, and the father agreed.
Casey and April passed back to them two bottles of water while Urbana asked for some of the tea that Grandmama made for her since she was feeling low on energy.
With Trixie sitting between her parents, the two adults introduced themselves. The woman was named Dorothy Carter and the man was named Hank Carter. They were talking about how they were captured and how worried they were about their daughter.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Spud your mother will be here soon," Beetlejuice said.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing these sorts of things," Hank said, staring at Beetlejuice.
"I promise you, you will," Trixie said, "Everyone's really cool once you get to know them."
Ten minutes later the sound of someone landing on the roof of the van alerted them of their arrival, and they knocked on the back doors of the van. Wednesday and Pugsley opened the door to Steven and Garnet helping Spud's mother get into the van.
She was wearing an Italian flag themed apron over a lime green dress and she was wearing a pair of red horn-rimmed glasses. Her glasses were cracked, and she looked just as bad as Trixie's parents, dirty and tired looking. Spud raced into his mother's embrace and there was more crying, and Spud's mother was covering him in kisses while Wednesday and Pugsley closed the van doors.
Interrupting their moment, Pugsley informed them of the snacks and drinks that they have.
"I'll take a capri sun," Spud's mother said.
Once Spud and his mother were settled in and she got her drink, Spud's mother introduced herself as Andrea Spudinski. She was telling everyone how she hasn't seen everyone since they were all captured together and then being imprisoned by the Huntsclan, and how worried she was for Spud, but she refused to give up hope.
Everyone was talking in quiet voices. Afraid that if they spoke any louder than normal, they'd somehow alert the Huntsclan.
"Rose's family will be here shortly," Beetlejuice said.
Ten minutes passed. Then Beetlejuice took a sudden large swig of energy out of Urbana and it made her feel lightheaded. Urbana grabbed on to anyone that she could touch, and she managed to grab Wednesday by her shoulder.
"Are you okay," Wednesday asked.
"No. I need to eat something," Urbana said.
Spud handed her a few granola bars and after Urbana had eaten them, Beetlejuice said, "Sorry. They almost got caught."
Urbana patted Beetlejuice's greasy head wordlessly. She understood what she was doing and what it would do to her.
Ten more minutes go by and there was a knock on the van's back door. Wednesday and Pugsley opened it to reveal Brooklyn and Amethyst helping Rose's family. The three of them clamored in and Pugsley and Wednesday closed the van doors behind them.
Rose's family looked ragged and tired, just like everyone else that they've managed to rescue so far. Their casual clothes torn and dirty. They introduced themselves. Rose's mother was called Anna Smith, Rose's father was called Louie Smith, and her twin sister was named Melody Smith. Melody looked like she was in higher spirits than the adults around her.
"It's so nice to meet you all," Melody said, "Have you guys seen my sister in her ninja outfit?"
Everyone nodded.
"Isn't she the coolest," Melody said, "I knew she'd come for us. I got to see a dragon and giant Kappas and gargoyles and magic shape shifting ladies. This is like the best rescue."
"Granted, it'd be nice if we didn't need rescuing," Louie said.
Nodding her head, Anna placed her hands over his shoulders and drew him into her.
Urbana was answering Melody's questions and explaining how she can hear the dead in anything, like Jim's amulet and stuff like that when Beetlejuice said, "Okay. We've busted out Jake's ma and pa, but we still have to get Jake's gramps out. Those three are under the heaviest security so they'll be a bit longer."
Everyone was silent now. Waiting in tense anticipation for what Beetlejuice would say next.
"Uh-oh," Beetlejuice said.
"I don't like that you said that," Trixie said.
"Good, because one of my illusions were discovered," Beetlejuice said.
"Don't panic. As long as they don't make assumptions that every prisoner they have is missing, then the need to search the whole base for everyone probably won't go that badly," Urbana said.
"Which of the illusions did they find out," Spud asked.
"They threw a platter of food at Anna's face," Beetlejuice said.
The Smith family scowled, bad memories of how they've been treated by the Huntsclan filling their heads.
"Have you warned the others," Hank, Trixie's father, asked.
"They're the first people I told," Beetlejuice said, "The Huntsclan are checking the other prisoners… Our inside team managed to get Jake's grandpa."
"Oh, good," Wednesday said, "Then once they get here, we should bail and deal with their weird Russian gifts later. We've got to get everyone to safety."
"Jake has split off from the team," Beetlejuice said.
"Hijo de puta," Urbana cussed.
"Tell him to turn his skinny little ass around," Trixie said.
"Ask him what he's thinking," Spud said.
"And Rose has split off from the team to go after Jake. Everyone is on the roofs and are flying to our pickup spot except for Steven. He's staying behind on the roof," Beetlejuice said.
Ten minutes later there was the sound of several people landing on top of the van and knocking on the van doors. Wednesday and Pugsley opened the door and the Long family scrambled in with an unconscious old man in Jake's mom's arms. Then, shrinking down to funko pop size, Pearl, Amethyst, and Garnet got into the van with Elisa, Goliath, Broadway, Lexington, and Brooklyn piling in and Leo, Raph, Don, and Mikey squeezing into whatever room they could find.
"It's looking like we're running out of room," April said as she looked at them through the rear-view mirror.
"How is the old man," Casey asked.
"He's severely hurt," Urbana said while she looked him over in Jake's mom's arms, "But he's not astral projecting so that's a good thing… I hope."
"Jake and Rose are teamed up again but now the whole base knows their prisoners aren't their prisoners anymore," Beetlejuice said.
"Well that was short lived," Andrea, Spud's mother, said.
"We're not leaving them behind are we," Brooklyn asked.
"I will smack anyone who says we are," Jake's mom said.
"I'll hold Luong for you while you do," Jake's dad said while gingerly grabbing the unconscious old man.
"The Huntsclan don't know that we're hiding in a van or anything like that," Leo said, "We can technically stay here for as long as they need."
Urbana got comfy, asked for her snacks and more tea then said, "Alright Beetlejuice. Tell Reta and her gang to start fucking shit up. Give them my energy. We're going to give them as much time as we can give them."
Beetlejuice laughed maniacally, then exclaimed, "It's show time!"
From the van that everyone was hiding in, they could hear the distant sounds of screaming and things being broken.
Five minutes pass and Beetlejuice said, "Jake and Rose have found those magical beings I told you about and they're in the process of freeing them."
Then Beetlejuice glitched weirdly with green energy. Then a woman's voice came out of him, "Please. Don't release us. I've worked so hard to get us captured."
Everyone in the van looked between themselves, unsure of what's going on.
"My name is Nari, Jake Long, and I don't have time to tell you my story but know that releasing just one of us will release all of us and you'll doom all life on this planet. Just leave us to these hunters. Whatever they'll use us for, whatever happens to us, it'll be better than you freeing us."
There was the sound of an explosion then Beetlejuice didn't have that weird green energy around him anymore.
"Are you okay," Pugsley asked him.
"Yah, why what's… I see there was an explosion," Beetlejuice said.
"How are our kids," Pearl asked from Goliath's shoulder.
"They really need to bail. Like now," Beetlejuice said, "The ice and fire magic people are starting to destroy even more stuff. Jake, Rose, and the plant magic person are running to the roof where Steven is still waiting for them." Five minutes later Beetlejuice said, "Okay. They've rejoined with each other and are heading our way."
"Then tell Reta and the gang to scatter and head back home," Urbana said, feeling super woozy, "and tell them to be careful."
"You bet," Beetlejuice said as he started to grow in size as all his pieces were starting to come back to him.
Less than five minutes later, Rose and a strange looking green lady got up front with Casey and April with Rose yelling, "Go! Go! Go!"
Dragon claws sunk into the roof of the van as April started the van then floored it.
Rose then turned around and said, "Beetlejuice. They're hanging on up there. Could you use your ghost powers to make them intangible and invisible?"
"I can do that easy," Beetlejuice said before fazing through the roof to help Steven and Jake.
It was a long, intense, and bumpy ride, but eventually the van made it to Beach City were everyone was waiting for them. There was much celebrating and a lot of food and drinks that was provided by Grandmama and Greg at Steven's home.
While everyone was talking about what happened and celebrating the fact that they got their families back and talking about what to do next, Urbana sleepily went over to the strange green lady who was sitting by herself on the sand, next to the ocean.
"Hey. You seem upset," Urbana said, hazily.
"I am upset," she said, "I don't know what to do anymore. I'm so tired of running from my siblings, but any plans I make I just can't seem to make work."
"You're Nari, right?" Urbana asked.
She nodded.
"Nice to meet you," Urbana said with a yawn, then she extended her hand out for her to shake. Nari shook it tentatively.
"If you want help, I know some people who could, like Grandmama. She's a wise old witch. Then there's people like Jim and Blinky. Blinky knows a lot of things about a lot of magic and Jim's the Trollhunter. I don't know if you know what that is or not—"
"I do," she said.
"—but I know he'll help you too. We'll all help you," Urbana said, ending it with a large yawn.
"Thank you. I'd appreciate that," Nari said.
"Hey, before I conk out, can I sleep on your shoulder or on your lap or something?" Urbana asked, so tired, she's not very aware of what she's saying, "You smell like a cool summer breeze on a tall grassy hill surrounded by poppy flowers. You just feel like a really cozy person."
"I don't mind at all," Nari said as she offered her lap for Urbana to sleep on.
As soon as Urbana rested her head on Nari's lap, she fell a sleep to the sound of the ocean and to the sound of background talking.
# # #
A week later, Urbana woke up in her bed with Gizmo and Nari staring down at her.
Urbana sat up then asked, "What time is it?"
"It's ten in the morning," Nari said.
"Oh, good. I didn't miss too much of the day then," Urbana said as she got out of bed and stretched. Her back, shoulders, and hips popping as she yawned, "But boy do I have the worst case of cotton mouth and I'm really hungry. Is everyone down in the kitchen?"
As they were walking downstairs with Gizmo in Urbana's hair, Nari was telling Urbana that Steven had healed Jake's grandpa and that Master Splinter and Luong Lao Shi were playing an intense game of shogi together with Fu Dog watching them. Elisa was sleeping in Goliath's room and has been coming out when the Manhattan Clan is awake. Wednesday, Pugsley, Haley, Leo, Don, Mikey, and Raph were outside playing tag and other games with each other. Lurch went into town to go grocery shopping with Morticia, Grandmama, Anna, Andrea, Dorothy, April, and Susan, Jake and Haley's mother. Gomez, Fester, Hank, Louie, Casey, and Johnathan, Jake and Haley's father were hanging out together at the lake, getting to know each other. Spud, Jake, Rose, Melody, and Trixie were hanging out in the living room.
"Man. This house is getting full," Urbana said as she headed for the kitchen, "Are you wanting anything to eat."
"I don't "eat" like how you mortals do," Nari said.
Urbana opened the kitchen door and went to make herself a glass of water, "So what do you think you can "eat"?"
"I absorb energy from my environment," Nari said.
"Then you can sit in the last sunny spot in the kitchen and I'll make you a cup of tea that you can steam your face over," Urbana said as she was getting out a box labeled, Cherry Blossom Tea.
"Okay," Nari said as she went to the sun covered chair.
"Then after I eat, I'll take you to Jim and the other trolls," Urbana said, "I'm sure you've already talked with Grandmama."
"I have. She's a kind soul. I'll miss her when she dies," Nari said.
"Same," Urbana said as she put the water on to boil.
While Urbana and Gizmo were stuffing their faces, Melody came in then yelled, "Guys! She's awake!"
Then Trixie, Spud, Rose, and Jake came running into the kitchen.
"You look better," Rose said as she put her hand over Urbana's forehead, "and you don't have a fever anymore."
"You've gotten up a couple of times to eat a little something or to drink something or to use the bathroom. How do you feel?" Spud asked.
"I feel fine… When did I do all that? Last thing I remember is falling asleep on Nari," Urbana said.
"That was a week ago," Jake said.
"¡Mierda! Again?" Urbana said, "I missed so much school and I was going to work at The Witching Hour for the first time the night after our mission. I assume Morticia or Gomez called up my school and workplace for me like they did last time."
"They did," Nari said, then she sniffed the tea that was in front of her.
Urbana sighed then said, "I've got so much catching up to do." Then Urbana got up, threw away her leftover food, then rinsed off her dishes to be cleaned later. Then to Nari she said, "Come on. You've waited on me for a whole week. Let's get you to Jim and his gang."
"Oooo!" Melody squealed, "Can I come on your adventure?"
"Uh…," Urbana said as she looked to Rose.
"I'd like to go too," Rose said and everyone else echoed her statement.
"It'll be nice to get out of the mansion," Trixie said.
"Okay. But everyone but Jake and Nari have to blindfold themselves," Urbana said, "This is like a lot of people and I was only given permission to let Jake know about their new home."
"That's fair," Spud said.
After being stopped by Haley, Pugsley, Wednesday, and the turtle boys and talking to them for a minute or two, Urbana, Nari, Jake, Melody, Rose, Trixie, and Spud all piled into Urbana's car, then Spud, Trixie, Rose, and Melody blindfolding themselves like they were told to do. As Urbana was driving them, Melody was asking all kinds of questions about trolls and about what a Trollhunter does and so on while Urbana asked about what was going to happen to them and their families. Urbana learned that within a week or two Jake, his family, his friends, and his friend's families, and April and Casey will be relocated back into New York in a witness protection program.
"Do you guys want to go back to New York?" Urbana asked them.
"Well, yah," Jake said.
"It's our home," Trixie said, with Rose nodding in agreement with her.
"Plus it's a magical epicenter, right? I want to help Rose and Jake with their magical duties and stuff," Melody said.
"And the pizza you have here, just isn't as good as it is in New York," Spud said.
Urbana parked her car near the abandoned parking lot, then with Jake and Nari's help, Urbana led everyone to the secret entrance to New Trollmarket in the forgotten park. Once everyone was inside, and the mystical entrance closed behind them, Urbana told them that they could take off their blindfolds and they did.
Melody danced in placed and sing-songed, "I'm so excited."
"Blinky will appreciate that enthusiasm," Urbana said.
Urbana then led everyone down into the underground town and to Blinky's office. Jim, Claire, and Blinky were there along with a very tall, skinny old man, holding a staff with a green gem on the top.
"And what, pray tell, are you hooligans doing here," the tall old man asked.
Urbana was going to answer, but then Melody went up to him and grabbed his hand and she was shaking his hand so hard, the old man looked like he was vibrating, "I'm Melody. It's so nice to meet you. My sister and our friends are allies. But we're also just getting out of the house for a while. Are you a witch? Can you do magic? Can you teach me magic?"
Rose and Jake went over to Melody and pried her off the old man.
While rubbing his hand, the old man said, "This is why I don't like children. Always so rude."
"Oh. I'm sorry," Melody said.
Urbana thought it was rude of him to say that, so she said, "Is there a reason you're here? Because I have something to discuss with the Trollhunter and his team, so if you could just mosey along, that'd be great."
Blinky, Jim, and Claire, were silently and worriedly watching the two of them interact.
"As a matter a fact, I am here for a reason," the old man said, "About a week ago, there was a large surge of magical, wild energy that came out of New York. A magical energy I haven't felt since I was a young wizard. I need the Trollhunter to investigate it with me."
"Well, I need to discuss with the Trollhunter and his team about getting Nari some protection from her siblings," Urbana said as she went over to the little green woman and placed her hand on her shoulder, "She's been doing her best by herself, but she's having difficulties. I'm sure you can investigate the destroyed Huntsclan base by yourself."
The old man bent down to examine Nari. Then he said, "You are part of the wild magic that I sensed."
"That's right, Merlin," Nari said, "I apologize on my sibling's behalf."
"You know him too," Jake asked.
"Not personally," Nari said, "I'm naturally connected to all living creatures on this planet."
"You are a part of the Arcane Order," Merlin said.
"I was," Nari said, "I tried to talk my siblings into seeing things my way, but it was clear to me that they had no real desire to protect anyone or anything, I managed to trap us in magical vaults, to be hidden away from the world for, forever, but then a man found us. A man touched by dark forces, gifted us to the Huntsclan."
"I will help protect you then," Merlin said, "You can come live with us in Camelot. You'll be safest there."
"Thank you," Nari said.
"Well with that settled then, Rose and I are familiar with the magical world," Jake said, "Since it's still day light out, we can help instead until the sun goes down."
Merlin went up to Jake then forced his mouth open to look inside, and he pulled at his ears and examined Jake's body by pulling him around into weird positions. Urbana got in between them.
"Do you mind!?" Urbana said, "You didn't even ask for his permission to do all of that stuff."
"I see that you're a dragon shifter. I thought your kind went extinct," Merlin said, ignoring Urbana, "I could use someone like you. Let's go."
Merlin banged his staff on the ground, then green magic encircled himself, Nari, Jake, and Rose, then they were gone.
"Awe! No! Take me with you," Melody said.
Spud patted her back then said, "Relax. There's always next time. Besides. We're on our own magical adventure."
While Trixie, Spud, and Melody were talking among themselves, Urbana went up to Jim, Blinky, and Claire.
"That old man's such an asshole. Are you guys okay?" Urbana asked them.
"You do know who Merlin is, right," Blinky asked.
"Yah, and he's an asshole, apparently," she said.
"I wouldn't call him an asshole per say," Jim said, "He's just hard to work with."
That still seems to be the definition of an asshole to Urbana, but she said nothing.
Turning to Blinky and Claire, she asked, "Did you guys finish translating Bubble's diary?"
"Yah, we did," Claire said, as she went over to Blinky's study and grabbed the diary, then handed it to Urbana, "It's a sad ending."
"Grandpa told me he lost his life to an angry mob," Urbana said as she stuffed the diary under her arm, "I assumed it would be."
Then the four of them updated each other on their lives and how they were doing. Jim told her about how he's figured out how to really enjoy eating troll food like how he used to love eating human food. Claire told her that she's able to make small portals to move around small objects now. Then Blinky told her about his struggles of being the Elder Leader for New Trollmarket and how he misses his old friend Vendel, even though his spirit is still with him, probably laughing at him fail.
"Hey, so my turtle friends and their rat daddy are going to be house hunting in the sewers and abandoned underground railroads of New York, and I told them I'd ask you guys if they could borrow your gyres for a while to help them search faster," Urbana asked then she said, "You don't have to say yes. I'm just asking to be asking."
"I'd say yes, if I got to know them first," Blinky said.
"Are you free tonight then? You three can come over for dinner if you want," Urbana said.
"I believe that would be fantastic," Blinky said, "Thank you."
"Then I'll come back and pick you guys up before I have to go to work, and we'll get out of your hair," Urbana said, "You guys probably have a lot to do on your plate and you don't want to play tour guide to my houseguests."
"You know what, I will play tour guide," Jim said, "I'll be the best Trollhunter tour guide person these flesh-ies will ever see."
Jim then strutted up to Melody, Spud, and Trixie and asked them if they wanted to see New Trollmarket with him. The three of them agreed, with Melody being the most enthusiastic.
While the four of them were leaving, Urbana said to Claire and Blinky, "I'm going to head up to the surface to make a few phone calls. I'll see you guys in a few."
# # #
It was a weekend morning and Urbana was driving the gyres for the turtle boys and Master Splinter through the sewers of New York. Donatello was watching her drive it, wanting to learn how to drive it himself.
"How about here, guys," Urbana asked as she parked the gyres in front of a broken wall.
Urbana stayed in the gyres while they all got out and took a look inside. Five minutes later they came out saying it was too wet.
As she was driving, Urbana asked, "Why don't you guys live in New Trollmarket? You won't have to hide, and you can make so many friends there, and I'm sure that the Trolls won't mind having you guys there."
"It is a lovely thought, Miss Des Moines," Splinter said, "But New York is our home, we don't want to live anywhere else."
"But it's so loud and crowded over here," Urbana said.
"Yah," Mikey agreed, "But it's our loud and crowded city."
Urbana smiled at that, then she made a left down some train tracks and saw an abandoned subway station. She parked the gyres.
"How about here," Urbana asked them.
The five of them got out to explore. Five minutes later, Raph was calling for her to come look. She hopped out and followed the sound of their voices. The abandoned subway station was huge, and dusty, and had the remnant of something fancy, with mosaic walls of angels and nature. In the middle of the open space was a large red oak tree with sunshine shinning on it from a relatively large crack in the celling. In the opposite wall was a line of six passenger train cars that looked like they had crashed into this subway a long time ago.
"I wonder why this place was abandoned. It still looks relatively in good shape," Leo said.
"No clue, but I love it," Mikey said, then yelled, "I call the first car!" Then he ran for the line of passenger train cars with Raph running after him.
"I think this will make a lovely home for us," Splinter said.
"I agree. You even get a tree out of it," Urbana said, "It's lovely."
"Thank you," said a woman, who's head popped out of the tree.
Urbana looked to Master Splinter to see if he reacted at all to what just happened, and he didn't. So Urbana announced, "Alright, Gentlemen, know that this place is haunted."
"Isn't that a bit harsh to say," the woman said as she came all the way out of the tree, "Isn't the concept of haunting a bad thing." She's a black woman with long black braids and wearing a yellow-green flower-patterned dress, and her ghostly body was cut in half.
"Are they evil or something? Do we need to exorcise them?" Leo asked.
"Well, now, see what I mean," the ghost lady said.
"No. I don't think we'll need to exorcise her," Urbana said, while Don went up to the tree to examine it, "Sorry ma'am, do you prefer the idea of us call you a dryad?"
"Oh! I would love that. I've always wanted to be a magical creature," the ghost lady said.
"That's nice," Urbana said.
"What's she saying," Leo asked.
"Hold on," Urbana said, then she took a moment to breath then she pulled out a Spirit Ball from her chest that was about the size of a small volleyball.
Don, Leo, and the ghost lady Oh-ed and Ah-ed at the sight. Urbana tossed the orb to the ghost lady and said, "Here. This will help you be see-able for about ten to fifteen minutes."
The ghost lady was already gobbling it up as she was telling her this. As soon as she finished, the red oak started to blossom red flowers and Master Splinter, Don, and Leo were able to see her.
"Oh, man! I haven't felt this alive since, well, I was alive," The ghost lady said.
"Pardon our intrusion, Ma'am," Master Splinter said, "I hope we are not bothering you."
"Not at all, Mr. Rat. I haven't had guests here in forever," she said, "I'm Ruth. As long as you don't do anything to damage my tree, I would love to have you guys live here."
"I think we can manage that," Master Splinter said.
Mikey then screamed loudly as he was pointing at Ruth, while her legs were hanging upside down from one of her tree branches and her upper body was floating in front of Urbana, Splinter, Don, and Leo.
"I apologize on my son's behalf," Splinter said.
"No. His reaction is understandable," Ruth said.
After fifteen minutes of talking and getting to know Ruth, Urbana, the turtle boys, and Master Splinter got back into the gyres and headed home so they could pack up.
# # #
A farewell night party was being held in the living room of the Addams family mansion. Everyone was there. Jake, Haley, Rose, Trixie, Spud and their families, The Manhattan Clan, Elisa, her brother Talon and the Mutant Clan, April, Casey, Master Splinter and his boys, The Deetz, the Maitland's, and Beetlejuice, Steven, his father, and the Crystal Gems, Jim, Draal, Angor Rot, and the Trollhunter Team.
Urbana was talking with Angela as she said, "Yah. It's going to be hard for us living away from our clan, but I just don't feel safe with our baby being by their self during the day. It's not like the old days were we've made a pack with a large group of humans so that they protect us during the day and we do the same for them during the night. Talon and his clan have their own thing and Elisa's got work to worry about and honestly, the mansion's just the safest place for them in this day and age."
"Well, you'll have us, and you'll have Broadway and so will your child," Urbana said, "and in this day and age it's a lot easier to communicate with each other over long distances, so you'll have that."
"Yes. That's true," Angela said.
Broadway came over with a plate of meat and cheese covered crackers and offered them to the two women. Urbana took the meat off the cracker and placed it on Angela's cracker and then the three of them chowed down.
"You ladies enjoying the night," he asked.
"Yes," Angela said.
"Kind of," Urbana said.
"Oh? What's wrong," Broadway asked.
"Large crowds just make me uncomfortable, but I'm also going to miss a lot of you guys," Urbana said.
Angela chuckled then said, "I think Lexington's going to miss your computer. Back at our old lair we have a big boxy looking computer that Elisa says is from the 90's."
"Oh God. That's so old," Urbana said.
"Not as old as us though," Broadway joked.
Urbana gently chuckled at his joke. Then she moved on to see where else she could make conversation. Urbana passed Fu Dog making conversation with Aaarrrgghh. Urbana passed Jake and his friends talking with Elisa and Goliath about their combined vigilance against what remains of the Huntsclan. Urbana passed Claire and Blinky talking with Grandmama about magic and food. Urbana passed Melody freaking out and being impressed by Toby's flying war hammer. And Urbana passed Talon talking with Master Splinter. She saw a large tiger man with bat wings sitting by himself on the couch. He's a part of Elisa's brother's clan, so she thought she'd go try talking with him.
Urbana stood in front of him and said, "Uh, hi."
He gave her a small smile and he waved at her.
"Can I sit with you," she asked.
He nodded his head and patted the couch cushion beside him.
As she was sitting down, Urbana was starting to think that this was a bad idea as she started to have the desire to pet him, and she knows she shouldn't because he's a person not just a cat, but maybe that's why she wants to pet him so much.
"I'm Urbana. Thanks for coming to our party. I've heard about you guys through the Manhattan Clan and the Turtle Squad. What's your name?" she asked.
The tiger man wrung his clawed hands together as he looked down at the coffee table.
Urbana silently observed him do this for a minute then she asked, "Does it bother you that I'm talking to you?"
He shook his head no.
"Alright then. Are you thirsty?" she asked him.
He nodded his head yes.
"So am I. I'll be right back," Urbana said. She came back with some hawaiian punch in a little red cup, "Here you go big guy."
She plopped back down beside him and the two of them drank their drinks, then Urbana said, "Hey. So if your mute or selectively mute just know I won't get offended by that. Based on what I know about you guys so far, I know you weren't a mutant from birth like the turtle boys were. I'm fine with being the only one talking. Okay?"
He nodded his head yes.
"I'm going to tell you about one of the final papers I'm working on in college. Is that okay with you?" she asked him.
The tiger man nodded his head again.
Urbana then spent the next twenty minutes telling the tiger man about her thesis on the book Paradise Lost. Pausing every now and again to ask him little yes/no questions so it'll feel like a real conversation.
When she was done, she got up and said, "It was nice talking to you sir. Hope you have a good night."
He waved goodbye to her as she walked away to try and find a new group to start a conversation with, but a group found her. It was the rest of the Mutant Clan. Talon and his girlfriend.
"Sir. Ma'am. Uh, what's your name again," Urbana asked the lioness woman.
"I'm Maggie, young lady. We won't take up much of your time," she said.
"Oh, don't worry about it. This is a party. I've got all the time in the world," Urbana said.
"We just wanted to thank you on Claw's behalf," Talon said as he grabbed Urbana's hand to shake, "I know he would want to if he could."
"Thank me for what," Urbana asked, feeling confused by the strong handshake and grateful sounding words the black panther man was saying.
"For talking with him and giving him openings to interact with the conversation," Maggie said, "We know he appreciates that."
Talon let go and Urbana said, "I was just being a decent human being."
"Yes well, you probably know just as well as we do about how cruel the world can be to anything different from the "norm"," Talon said, "We just want you to know that we appreciate the kindness you gave our friend."
"Okay. You're welcome," Urbana said, feeling overwhelmed by their gratitude.
Talon patted her head and the two of them walked off to start a conversation with Susan and Johnathan, Jake and Haley's parents.
Urbana then started to walk around aimlessly, sipping her punch and not knowing what or who to talk with next. Then Brooklyn came up to her.
"Do you want to come outside with me?"
"Yes, please. I need a breather," she said.
When they went to the main hall and Urbana started going up the stairs, Brooklyn said, "The door's that way."
"I want to sit on the roof," Urbana told him.
"Oh. We can do that," He said.
The two of them climbed out of the window of the sixth floor and sat on the roof together. It was a chilly night, but there was no wind, so they were fine.
"It's such a beautiful night," Urbana said as she laid down to look at the stars.
"It sure is," Brooklyn said as he sat down beside her.
"You can't really see the night sky in the city," she said, "Are you going to miss it?"
"A little, but there's so much exciting and interesting stuff in New York that I won't have time to miss it," he said.
"I'm sure you're going to miss Broadway and Angela more," Urbana said.
"Yah. We all are," Brooklyn said, "We've fought, but the thought of going our own paths has never crossed our minds before."
"I'm sure Angela and Broadway will come back once their child is old enough," she told him, "You just have to wait until then."
"Considering how old we are, we can wait a year or two," Brooklyn said.
From a distance, Urbana could hear Raven and Red crying in their room.
"Oop. The babies need something," Urbana said as she made her way back inside the mansion.
Brooklyn and Urbana changed the twin's dippers then rocked them back to sleep, with Urbana humming a little lullaby to them.
Whispering, Brooklyn said, "I can't wait to see the kid. It'll be nice to grow our clan like this."
Urbana smiled at that.
The two of them put the twins back into their crib, and quietly exited their room. As they were closing the door, Beetlejuice was floating up through the floor.
"HEY Urbana—"
Urbana immediately covered his loud mouth with her hand, and she and Brooklyn shushed him.
A second head grew up out of Beetlejuice's left shoulder and he said in a whisper, "Draal and Angor Rot are fighting again. Let's watch together."
"God damn it, those two," Urbana said under her breath.
Then Urbana and Brooklyn ran down the stairs with Beetlejuice following close behind, holding a bag of cockroach covered popcorn.
# # #
Urbana was on the phone with Scarlet while she was at The Witching Hour bar, setting up the stage for her performance for the night.
"Abe and I found out that the Rusalka weren't just killing random men but killing the men of Piran who have killed them," Scarlet said, "After we learned that I was convinced to let them keep doing their thing."
"I feel like I have to agree with you on that, but I also feel like they should be charged by the proper authorities," Urbana said.
"That's what Abe said, but since there was no real proof, and there was the fact that most of the men being killed were in power themselves, I doubted anyone was going to actually do it," Scarlet said.
Urbana hmm-ed and nodded her head as she was plugging in her mix tape for the music of the night.
"In the end neither Abe or I could really do anything about it as the town flooded and took all the men out to the Gulf of Trieste. The women and children were left alone and all we could do was help clean up and make our reports," Scarlet said.
"That's sad," she said as she tested her mic.
"Don't be. The men there were despicable," Scarlet said coldly.
"Still. I don't like the idea of so many lives being lost. Even if they're people who deserve it," she said.
There was a moment of silence between them while Urbana looked over her completed stage set up.
Urbana then said, "Hey. So I've been meaning to ask since we started dating, but how do you like to be loved?"
"…What?" Scarlet asked, stunned.
Urbana repeated herself.
"I guess I love that you ask me questions like that," Scarlet said, then added, "No one's ever ask me something like that before."
"That's really sad," Urbana said, then asked, "Are you sure you have romantic feelings for me and not just desperate for some kind of kindness in your life?"
Scarlet was silent for a moment, then they said, "I'll talk to you later." Then they hung up.
Urbana hung up her phone then stared at it for a bit. She was worried that she may have hurt Scarlet's feelings, but she felt like it was a question that should be answered with a lot of thought. Urbana tries her best to be kind to anyone and everyone because the world is hard enough as is, and if Scarlet were to get jealous of other people receiving her kindness, Urbana didn't think she'd like to be in that kind of relationship. Though, Urbana's not sure if Scarlet is the jealous type or not, even with what she knows about her through the soul thing she did to them.
Urbana sighed then got on stage to do her vocal warmups before singing.
It was two in the morning when Urbana got home. Broadway and Angela were in the kitchen eating tomato soup that Broadway made, and he offered some to Urbana.
"Yah. I could eat before I go to sleep," Urbana said.
Urbana was answering Angela's questions about school when Urbana got a face time call from Scarlet.
"How are you feeling," Urbana asked them as soon as she answered.
"I thought hard about what you asked of me. It's true that I find your kindness the most attractive part about you, but I also like your voice, and I like your determination, and your work ethic," Scarlet listed, then said, "And I like getting to know more about you and I want to know more about you. If that's okay?"
"Yah. It's okay. I'd like to know more about you too and I think you're a great storyteller," Urbana told them.
Scarlet smiled wide, then said, "Thanks. It's probably really late over there. You should get some sleep."
"I will. Be sure to take care of yourself as well," she said.
"Okay. Bye," Scarlet said before the video chat call ended.
Urbana put away her phone and she looked up to see Angela and Broadway giving her wide, giddy smiles.
"Please stop. Your reactions are the exact reason why I haven't told anyone I started dating," Urbana said before drinking some of her tomato soup.
"But it's so cute," Broadway said, "How long have you two been dating?"
"When did you two fall in love?" Angela asked.
"It's only been a couple of weeks and I'm not really in love with Scarlet. It's complicated. They're my friend, but I am curious about the whole dating scene thing, and they understand that, but I know that I'm probably leading them on despite them knowing I'm not going to love them like they probably want to be loved," Urbana said, then she sighed and added, "It's just complicated."
The two gargoyles looked between them and they silently left Urbana alone with her thoughts.
# # #
Urbana got back from school. The mansion was so quiet. Bronx wasn't chasing Fu Dog around. Haley wasn't watching her cartoons in the living room with Mikey. Angela and Broadway were outside somewhere. There wasn't the sound of any kind of fighting or messes being made. It was just quiet.
Urbana went to the greenhouse and found Morticia and Cactus Steven there.
"I can't believe I miss the noise of everyone," Urbana said, "There was a time that I wanted everyone gone for that peace and quiet but now it's just too quiet."
"Yes. That is the dilemma we've been trying to fix," Morticia said, "But we can't force people to stay and everyone leaves eventually. Though, with almost everyone back in New York, we can take down the illusion and distraction spells on our property and we can start offering our home to future tenants and vacationers again. That'll be fun."
"I'm not sure I want to get to know more new people," Urbana said, "I know enough already."
Morticia gave her an indulgent smile, then said, "That's fine, Dear. Do you have time to help me prune my fern plant? C.S. is trying his best but he doesn't exactly have the dexterity for this type of thing."
"Sure." Urbana said as she picked up some scissors.
