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," Howard whispered as he tried to hid behind one of the dryers in the laundry room, "Gregor, is that you?"

"Who else would be here in the middle of the night?" Gregor responded.

For the last week or so this is how Gregor had been keeping in touch with the events in the Underland. Meeting Howard or Mareth in the middle of the night at the entrance in the laundry room, Gregor was able to keep track of what was happening without being too far from Luxa as she recuperated. Well, that and every one of these meeting began the same way.

"Is Luxa alright? Has she awoken yet?" Howard blurted out upon confirmation that it was in fact Gregor who had entered the room.

Gregor sighed, "No Howard, she hasn't. If she had I guarantee you I would've already told you. She's still resting. Since my uncle got here he's been keeping an eye on her stiches so at least we know she isn't getting any worse. But we're also not so sure that she's getting better."

"This is unpleasant to say the least," Howard said, "I knew she would need time to recover, but this is taking longer than I would've thought and things are not getting much better in the Underland."

"How so?" Gregor inquired.

"As you know, Vellac has all but disappeared. We are beginning to suspect that he is being helped by members or the rebellion," Howard stated.

"Really? That's all you've got? I probably could've told you that." Gregor responded annoyed.

"You do not understand my meaning, Gregor. We are beginning to suspect that the prior army of the Fount consists solely of rebellion supporters. York trusts many of his soldiers, but seeing as his most trusted soldier stabbed my cousin, York no longer trusts his leading abilities. He has stepped down from any sort of leading position. This leaves practically no one in charge. Perdita, Mareth and myself are trying our hardest to keep enough power so Regalia does not become a full bloodbath. But if part of our entire army is in cahoots with Vellac I have no idea how long we will be able to keep him out of power." Howard breathed heavily after his quick sum up of the situation.

"Keep him out of power? Do you really think he can take over power with Luxa still alive, can Regalia even allow that?" Gregor asked, still a little confused with how that whole process worked in the Underland.

"Conspiracies are beginning to spread that Luxa is no longer among the living. Some of Regalia now think that we are hiding the truth about her ill-timed death so that we can stay in power," Howards head bowed down as he tried to calm himself. "Besides, Vellac has already taken care of the counsel. Should this end in war and Vellac comes out on top, there is no government to keep him out of power anymore. On top of all of that this new prophecy is beyond cryptic and it abolished all of Sandwich's other works. Much of Regalia takes that as a sign that he has forsaken us. Without his words, so many feel lost."

"But when Luxa wakes up she'll still be in power, right?" Gregor questioned.

"True, but even when she awakes, she cannot return to the Underland until she is healed enough to act strong in front of Regalia." Howard explained, "Regalia is no longer in need of just a leader. It is in need of a symbol of hope. Should Luxa return in any condition other than a strong, solid leader…" Howard trailed off without finishing his thought.

"Jez, yeah I never thought about that," Gregor responded honestly.

"I do not expect you to, Gregor. You have spent much time in the Underland but it is still a different world to you," Howard returned Gregor's honesty.

Gregor waited in the silence trying to think of anything to say. Before he even knew what he was saying however he blurted out, "Is there anything I can do to help? Like, if I came down there would it help having the Warrior stand behind you?"

"I-We would love nothing more than that at this moment but you cannot leave Luxa's side. We need you there, and when she wakes up she will need you there," Howard responded in the only logical way. "When she returns to the Underland, if you accompany her, I am sure your label as the Warrior shall indeed help, but not until then."

"I'm pretty sure that I'm the very last person Luxa wants to see when she wakes up. Unless you forgot how she acted when I showed back up in the Underland?" Gregor said unsure.

"She was just upset. I am sure that she will come to terms with whatever she was angry about." Howard assured him. "In any regard Gregor, I must make leave of this place and return to Dulcet before everyone in Regalia begins to wake."

"Yeah, get going Howard. Fly you high. Good luck. I'll let you know if Luxa wakes up." Gregor said his goodbye as he left the laundry room and headed back to Mrs. Cormaci's apartment.

Getting lost in his own thoughts, Gregor thought of how he could keep this up. Sooner or later his parents would find out everything. To a degree Gregor thought that, just maybe, his dad would understand. His mother on the other hand would want to skin him alive. Still somehow not only did Gregor have to stay long enough to get Luxa on her feet, he knew now he would have to stay to return to the Underland with her to help as much as he could. And if that was the case would Gregor have to fight? He wanted to follow Hamnet's steps in nonviolence but even Hamnet when backed into a corner was forced to fight. It was true Gregor could still run, but in doing so he would leave Luxa and many of his other friends in danger that he could've helped with.

Gregor cleared his mind as he entered the apartment. George was asleep on the couch with static running on the TV. Hazard was sleeping on the armchair next to the TV laying across it in what Gregor would think of as a very uncomfortable way. Gregor turned off the TV as he passed by it to go to the guest room.

Gregor took off his shirt and socks before going to the bathroom and running some water over his hands in the sink. Splashing some of the warm water in his face, made Gregor feel drowsy. Gregor headed back to the room as he dried off his face with a towel before he hung it up over the guest room's door. Stretching Gregor noticed a pair of eye's staring at him in the dark. Gregor jumped as he turned quickly. Sure enough Luxa opened her eyes and closed them again. Gregor moved quickly over to the chair that he had kept next to her bed.

"Luxa?" Gregor asked quietly.

Luxa blinked a couple more times before her eyes found his. "Where am I?" she asked in a very groggy and scratchy voice.

Gregor sat on the bed next to Luxa, putting his feet up on the chair next to the bed. Gregor tried to stay in a position to grab her if she tried to move as quickly as she had last time she woke up.

"Luxa, you're in the Overland. I swear this was the only way to keep you safe. You've been out for over a week now," Gregor told her.

"What happened?" Luxa asked as she closed her eyes and gulped painfully.

"Do you remember Vellac stabbing you?" Gregor hoped she could remember at least that much.

Luxa nodded, "I think so." She said as she moved her hand over the bandage over her abdomen. "I have been unconscious for a week?" Luxa tried to clarify.

"Yeah, Vellac got away and…" Gregor wanted to tell her everything that was happening in the Underland but if he did she would strain herself to the breaking point trying to get back faster than humanly possible. He knew she would be mad about this, but it was for her own good. "And they're still looking for him but everything is fine. Howard, Mareth and Perdita just thought it would be safer for you to recuperate here. Besides Hazard is in the next room and he missed you," Gregor tried to give her an encouraging smile.

She nodded, but Gregor wasn't really sure if she bought it. However, she looked so out of it he wasn't sure it really even mattered. "How're you feeling?" Gregor asked trying to hide his own emotions.

Luxa remained silent with her eyes closed but slowly moved her hand over to Gregor's leg and patted it twice as if to say she was alright. Gregor was both really excited that she was awake and horrified that she still seemed in really bad shape.

"Get some sleep, Luxa. I'll be right here ok?" Gregor said.

Luxa stayed quiet and didn't move. Gregor thought she must've fallen back asleep. Carefully Gregor removed her hand from his leg and laid in back next to her side. Leaning forward Gregor kissed Luxa's forehead before moving back to the chair next to her bed. Had she been awake and well, Gregor was sure she'd have killed him, but he couldn't help himself. He wasn't sure what she thought of him anymore but Gregor knew that he still cared for her and he was just happy that she was alive.

Gregor took a deep breath and laid his head back against the chair as he let sleep take him.


Chapter 17 is finally out. Wow i did not realize how long it took me to get this one out. Especially because of how short it is. In any regard I hope those of you still reading this and/or just started reading this book enjoy this chapter. As always please rate and review. Any and all feedback is welcomed.

| |/| |||/ |/ |/| \. /\ /| / |\/ |\/. \/ \ | |/. /| ||/ \. /| \/ \ \. |/ ||\. /| \/ | |/| /\ |/\ / /\ /\ / |/ |/|.? The some letters are | / / not | / i'm not sure why doc manager physically will not let me chain two / in a row, guess i wont be asking many of these questions in the future.

-Ssi