This is my first fanfiction so please go easy on it. If you like the story I'll keep chapters coming. If not keep it to yourself, please don't hate on it. If you find any errors, whether it be spelling, grammar or anything else please just let me know. I've been reading many of the fanfictions on this site but I just wanted to add my own to them.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Underland Chronicles or any of the characters, save the ones that I will be adding. Both the Underland Chronicles and the characters within belong to Suzanne Collins.
-Ssi
Gregor caught sight of the Queen as he rounded the corner. "Luxa," he called out behind her.
She made no attempt to turn or slow at the sound of her name. Gregor jogged to catch up to her.
"Luxa, what's wrong," Gregor asked her as he stepped into pace beside her.
"Nothing is wrong," Luxa replied coldly.
Gregor sighed, "Then why give me the cold shoulder?"
Luxa stopped in the middle of the hall, "I did not touch your shoulder. How could I have made it cold?" She asked in confusion.
Gregor shook his head slightly and grinned, "Sorry, Overland expression."
Still confused, Luxa began to walk again, "Why are you here?"
"I thought it was fairly obvious," Gregor replied. "I was worried about you; it has been over a month since you sent so much as single word to Hazard."
Luxa gave Gregor an even more confused look, "I have sent a letter every week since I sent Hazard…" Luxa looked around to make sure no one was listening, "since I sent him up there. I ask a different messenger each week to leave one there so no one will suspect anything."
"Suspect anything?" Gregor said, "You're leaving notes in the Overland, how is using separate messengers going to make it any less suspicious?"
Luxa seemed at a loss for words, "They could always think I was sending them to you?"
"Yeah, especially after the way you addressed me over there I'm sure they think you're sending me letters after four years."
"Do not use that tone with me, Overlander, you were not supposed to come nor did we want you to come." Luxa tone became harsh.
"Well when I found myself back in New York and visiting Mrs. Cormaci I really wasn't expecting to see Hazard there, but by the sounds of it you were planning on asking for my help and not her's originally." Gregor shot back, "So obviously a month ago you did want me here."
Luxa looked truly mad now, "I never wanted you here. I hoped to find you there, but I never wanted you here. Help here or do not help here, it matters little to me. Either way when you go home we can go back to forgetting we ever knew one another," Luxa hurled his own words back at him.
"That's not fair, Lux-" Gregor tried to respond before she cut him off.
"You made your decision to leave a long time ago, Overlander, now get out of my city," Luxa spat at him before turning and starting to walk away. "Try to follow me and I shall have you thrown in the dungeon." The Queen shouted over her shoulder before Gregor could say anything more.
Wow, Gregor thought, what did I do to her? He knew that she wouldn't have been very happy about him leaving but after four years he didn't think that she would be even less happy about him returning.
Gregor no longer had any idea as to what he should do next. He wanted to stay and help but he didn't want to leave Kyle and Zoey alone up in New York without him, and he certainly didn't want his parents to find out he was ever down here. Could he even help that though? It had to be morning already meaning his Overland friends would know he was gone and his parents would soon find out. Of course if his parents found out he would be grounded for life. Or would they? Rather could they?
For the last four years Gregor had basically grounded himself, it's not like they could take away anything he cared about or force him to do anything he didn't care for. No, that was already Gregor's life; even if they punished him it wouldn't make a difference. Gregor found it a little sad that in the couple hours since he had returned, he had gotten in a fight and had the only girl he even liked basically reject so much as saying his name. Still in the last hour he had felt more at home in the Underland than he ever had in the Overland for the past four years.
Up there he had to pretend he was someone he wasn't whereas down here he would never have to lie to anyone. Gregor wish he had just stayed down here in the first place. When he had first left his family was struggling to find a normal life again, but now the rest of his family was just fine in the Overland without him. So, why couldn't he stay down here now? Gregor thought he would eventually find a reason, but as he walked aimlessly through the halls of the palace he couldn't think of a single one.
"Gregor?" He turned at the sound of his name just in time to see a confused Howard staring at him. He must've been over 20 now but he looked nearly 40. The dark purple bags under his eyes and the red veins shooting out from his pupils didn't really help.
"Hey, Howard," Gregor held out his hand to shake Howard's but found himself in yet another bear hug.
"I thought for sure I was hallucinating when I saw you," Howard laughed as he released Gregor, "What are you doing back in the Underland?"
Gregor was wondering how many times he'd have to answer that question. "You know, just checking up on everyone."
"Well I would love to catch up, truly, but I really must get to the hospital I merely stepped out to make sure Dulcet was fine." Howard breathed out.
"Dulcet?" Gregor asked.
"Ah yes, you would not know her, she is my wife," Howard replied, "We met after you left the Underland."
"No, I know her, she kept care of Maggie- I mean Boot's whenever we were down here, I just didn't realize you knew her." Gregor responded, "Congratulations though," Gregor added before realizing something else. "Why were you making sure she was fine? Is something wrong?"
Howard smiled, "No, nothing is wrong, on the contrary Dulcet is expecting soon."
"Oh," Gregor said not really understanding. Then it clicked. "Ooh," Gregor repeated, "Congrats man, really. Congratulations. That might explain why you look a bit sleep deprived." Gregor said knowing full well 'a bit' was a massive understatement.
"Yes, I have been preparing nonstop with what little time the hospital gives me off," Howard was still smiling, "seeing you truly is a tonic of its own, Gregor. I hope you do not leave before I see you again, but I really must get going." Howard said.
"I think I can stick around for a bit still," Gregor responded as Howard departed towards the hospital.
It was really strange, how timeless the Underland was in Gregor's mind. It seemed as though nothing had changed since he had left but in reality so much had changed it surprised Gregor immensely.
As he continued to walk aimlessly around the palace his mind was taking in everything that he had learned. The Fount being destroyed, Ripred leaving, Howard getting married and expecting a child. Things in the Underland were incredibly different but it didn't feel different to Gregor. It was still more inviting to him than the Overland.
Gregor looked up and realized he was standing in front of the museum. Walking inside, Gregor slumped against the ground and pulled out his wallet before sliding down the wall into a sitting position.
Pulling out the picture from his wallet and unfolding it, Gregor looked at the photo of him and Luxa that was taken at wall that Gregor now sat against years earlier. It seemed like a lifetime ago, now. It was so long ago but it was one of the last times Gregor didn't feel like a zombie going through the motions of an empty life.
Gregor glanced around the museum. In a lot of ways the Overland antiquities scattered around the room were a lot like him. They may have originated in the Overland but they were now relics of a time passed. This museum and everything within belonged here, not up in the Overland, not anymore. In a way it calmed Gregor.
Gregor heard a sound coming from the doorway and quickly hid the picture back in his wallet, and his wallet back into his pocket.
"I thought I might find you here," Iris moved into the room and looked around to make sure they were alone. "How did it go with the Queen?"
"Not too well," Gregor replied, "she's in a bad mood, I'd like to say is a girl thing but I think it's more than that."
"A girl thing?" Iris asked.
"Never mind." Gregor sighed.
Iris remained quiet for a few minutes before asking the question that had obviously been on her mind. "Why did you not tell me you were the Warrior?"
"Because I'm not," Gregor said simply. Iris tilted her head in confusion while staring at Gregor. Deciding to elaborate Gregor continued. "The final prophecy called for the Warrior to die, and in a way he did. Even if I was the Warrior once, it just wasn't who I was after the day…the day I killed the Bane."
"What happened?" Iris asked, but Gregor merely shook his head. That was one story Gregor didn't want to tell.
That's when it started. The palace lit up with noise and commotion as people started to run passed the door. Gregor listened as the screams started to echo throughout the palace. Gregor walked out the door as a younger girl stumbled into him nearly knocking him over.
"what's happening?" Gregor asked the girl. Without responding the girl hid behind Gregor and pointed down the hallway she had just run down.
Three massive rat were sprinting down the hallway with teeth barred staring straight at Gregor.
There is Chapter 11. Fairly short chapter but my story is now 20,000 words so yay. Not much happened this chapter but trust me that will change soon. I hope everyone enjoys it! Thank you to everyone who reviewed my last few chapters, they're really helpful! Thank you! Please rate and review. Any and all feedback is welcomed.
-Ssi
