30 Worlds: The Vanilla Voyages, Episode I: "A Cherry on Top"

BOOK ONE*CHAPTER TWO

Dimensional Defense Vessel Enterprise Shakedown Crew's Report, Fix-It Felix, Jr. recording.

Departure countdown is frozen at T-45 minutes in order to allow for last-minute crew and cargo transfers and an important visitor to come aboard for a meeting with William and Vanellope on a matter of delicate importance.

An Atai-class shuttlecraft came to a stop in the center of the shuttlebay. William and Vanellope watched as a squat little creature got off of the shuttlecraft. William and Vanellope made their way from the observation booth to meet the creature.

"I presume you are William Edwards and Vanellope von Schweetz," the creature said. "Yes, Master Goblin Griphook," William said, bowing to the creature. Following William's lead, Vanellope gave a slight curtsy. "May your vaults never empty and may the heads of your enemies lie at your feet," William continued.

Griphook, Master Goblin of Gringotts Wizarding Bank Services, smiled a sly smile at William's greeting. "It is rare that a being such as yourself gives me the greeting that is required for a being of my station," Griphook said.

"It is only proper that one honors a generous visitor," William said. "That it is," Griphook said. "Is there a place on this vessel where we can discuss the matters which bring me here?"

"We can talk in my quarters," William said. "Would that be acceptable?" "It would indeed," Griphook said. "Follow us, please," Vanellope said. Griphook followed William and Vanellope out of the shuttlebay.

In William's quarters, William gestured for Griphook to have a seat and to make himself comfortable. "Would you like some refreshments?" William asked.

"No thank you," Griphook said. "I shan't be here long." "All right," William said as he sat down next to Vanellope.

Griphook reached into the satchel slung over his shoulder and proceeded to pull out some parchments. "How familiar are you two with the concept of a magical marriage bond?" Griphook asked.

William and Vanellope shook their heads. "No, I am afraid we are not familiar with it at all," William said. "Well, such bonds would normally require a full ceremony to invoke their formation," Griphook said.

"Normally?" Vanellope said. "You mean there are circumstances that allow such a bond as that which you describe to form without a traditional ceremony?"

"Yes," Griphook said. "One such circumstance occurred on this vessel at 0300 hours and 45 seconds this morning between the two of you."

William and Vanellope sat for a moment, trying to remember what had happened at the time Griphook mentioned. Suddenly, a thought came to William's mind. "Vanellope, do you remember when you had that nightmare this morning?"

Aboard Dimensional Defense Vessel Enterprise SAV-1701

William Edwards' Quarters

Six Hours Earlier

William was looking over the last-minute preparations for the Enterprise's departure when a voice came on the comm. "William, this is E.R.I.N. I am detecting an anomalous life-sign reading from Vanellope's quarters. It appears that she has had some form of nightmare," the voice said.

William set down his stylus pen and tablet. "I'm on my way, E.R.I.N.," William said before reaching for a robe and tying it around his waist.

Once at the door to Vanellope's quarters, William reached for the door chime control. "EEEP! GO AWAY!" Vanellope screamed. "Vanellope, it's William," William said. "E.R.I.N. said you had a nightmare. Let me help you."

"Come in," Vanellope said. The doors slid open, allowing William entry. He made his way to Vanellope's bedroom, where Vanellope was seated in an upright position in bed, her body dripping with sweat after the nightmare she had experienced.

William sat down and placed an arm around Vanellope's shoulders. "What happened?" William said. "It was terrible," Vanellope said. "They deleted me."

William realized what Vanellope's nightmare was about: what would have happened to her had William failed to beat the "Vanilla Voyages." "Shh," William said, hugging Vanellope. "It's okay. You're okay. I won't let anything like that ever happen to you, Vanellope my love."

"You won't?" Vanellope said. "Of course," William said. "I love you, Vanellope. And for the rest of my life, I swear that I will put you above all others. If I must die so that you may live, I will gladly give my life for you."

Tears began to flow down Vanellope's face once more. "I swear the same, William," she said. Then, as the two lovers kissed, a golden glow covered their bodies that went completely unnoticed by William and Vanellope.

William Edwards' Quarters

The Present

"Are you saying, Master Goblin Griphook, that in that moment, a marriage bond formed between us?" Vanellope said. "That is exactly what I am saying, Mrs. Edwards," Griphook said. "At 0300 hours, 45 seconds this date, William Paul Edwards and Vanellope von Schweetz were joined in marriage by the grace of Lady Magic herself. This is why I had to come aboard before you departed on your mission: to give you these."

Griphook handed William and Vanellope identical parchments that noted the formation of a marriage bond between the two of them at the time specified and that said bond made them husband and wife. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards," Griphook said. "Now, if you'll follow me, please?"

Griphook stood and made his way out of William's quarters. William and Vanellope shook their heads then followed Griphook out into the corridor. As soon as William exited and the doors slid shut behind them, there was a slight click. "E.R.I.N..." Griphook started, then began to speak in a rapid-fire language that neither William nor Vanellope understood.

A golden glow emanated from under the doors leading into William and Vanellope's individual living quarters. "Relevant data points for subjects William Edwards and Vanellope von Schweetz have been updated as you commanded, Master Griphook," E.R.I.N. said.

There was a slight click from the doors William, Vanellope and Griphook stood in front of. "Go in," Griphook said. William and Vanellope walked in to find that their individual rooms had merged into one large complex.

"Thank you for making the trip to tell us of this, Master Goblin," William said as the three exited back out to the corridor. "If there is anything we can do to repay you, you need only ask."

"No thanks are necessary, Mr. Edwards," Griphook said. "Now I must take my leave. Have a safe mission."

William noticed that one of the ISOs was walking up to where he, Vanellope and Griphook were standing. "Oh, Tails, can you do me a favor?" William asked.

Miles Prower, also known as "Tails," smiled at William. "Yeah, William?" he asked. "Would you be so kind as to escort Master Griphook back to his shuttle? It's in the Main Shuttlebay," William said. "No problem, William," Tails said. "Follow me please, Master Griphook."

As Tails led Griphook to a nearby turbolift, William turned to Vanellope. "Not the way I wanted to marry you," William said. "We can still have a traditional ceremony, if you want," Vanellope said. Looking down at William's hand, she continued, "Although we don't need rings."

William noticed for the first time that there were silver rings on both William and Vanellope's ring fingers. "Holy crap," William said. "We really are married."

"Look at it this way, William my husband," Vanellope said, a finger to William's lips as if to silence him. "At least we can exchange code all we want now."

The new Mr. and Mrs. Edwards started laughing. A chime sounded on the communications system. "Bridge to William and Vanellope," a voice said. "Go ahead, Felix," Vanellope said.

"The shuttle carrying Master Griphook has departed from the ship," Felix said. "All crew and cargo transfers are complete."

"Then, inform Dock Command that as of this moment, the departure countdown clock has resumed," William said. "Understood," Felix said.

::TBC::