Jaune and Courage the Cowardly Dog
Chap 46: The Last of the StarMakers
*Yawn* Courage yawned as we headed down stairs to fetch the morning paper.
It was a calm day today. Roughly a week since the family vacation to Hip-Hip Island. And despite that, we still felt the jet lag from the trip. Luckily, we had nothing planned for the next week and a half so that helped. Getting up this morning, Courage and I had planned on just spending the day together outside. Basking in the sun and enjoying the peace it can bring. But that went out the window when we reached the living room. As despite the fact that it was only eight in the morning, we had guests over. And those guests were Winter, Weiss, Summer, Ruby and my fiancée Iris.
Getting downstairs though, Courage and I did chuckle a bit at seeing Eustace already knocked out by the others. Walking past him, I kissed Iris on the lips before asking what the others are doing here. Summer and Ruby said that they had come to Nowhere to find more cookie recipes and that Muriel offered to teach them some recipes she know. Winter and Wiess were spending some time together here and decided to visit us as well.
"Morning Jaune. Morning Courage." Muriel said entering the living room.
"Morning Muriel." I said while Courage smiled and gave a wave.
"Be a dear you two and fetch the mail and paper." She told us.
"Sure Muriel." I said as Courage and I got up and exited the house. Looking around, we saw the paper on the porch to the side.
'So, when is the wedding?' Courage asked with a chuckle.
"Not sure. Iris and I still have to go over a few details." I answered as I looked through the mail.
'Well, let's head back inside and have breakfast.' He said while sticking the paper in his mouth.
"Sounds like a-" I began but stopped when I heard a whistling sound. As if something was streaking through the air. "You hear that?"
'You mean like a whistling sound?' He asked looking around.
"Yeah." I answered as I looked around as well. But aside from what was normally here, there was nothing that would make that sound. I then began to look to the sky but still saw nothing.
'Well, whatever it is, it's gone now. Don't- He began but stopped when out of nowhere, a huge explosion happened nearby.
*BOOM*
"You oaky-Woah." I began to ask Courage but stopped when I saw where the explosion happened, was what appeared to be a giant squid. Hearing the door open behind us, we saw the others rush out with worried expressions.
"Are you both okay? We heard an explosion and got-" Weiss asked running next to us. Only to trail off as she saw the giant squid.
"What is that?" Ruby asked amazed. But before we could even remotely guess or answer, the door opened again with Muriel stepping out.
"My, my. 'Tis a gorgeous day. A lovely... giant squid." She said confused at what is seeing.
"I don't believe it." Iris gasped.
"You know what it is Iris?" I asked her.
"It's a constellation maker." She answered.
"A what?" Summer asked not understanding.
"A giant space squid that makes new stars in the universe." Iris explained.
"And apparently, this one is a mother." Winter added pointing to the squid. Looking over, we saw that the squid was holding some eggs that we could see contained baby squids. It then buried the eggs before covering them with dirt and moving above them.
"So, this is a giant squid nest. And this is a giant squid mum sitting on her giant squid eggs. Just like on telly. How exciting." Muriel said smiling.
"Shouldn't we do something to help her?" Weiss asked as we all walked closer to the squid.
"I'm not sure what we can do. Do you have any idea Iris?" I answered before asking.
"Unfortunately, not. While I do know of them a bit, there is actually very little known about them. Even other deities barely know anything. They are so mysterious and rare to spot that very little is known about them. The only thing that is known about them is the they are actually endangered. Many of them were killed by their natural predators." Iris explained.
"Who could be so cold hearted to kill such beautiful creatures?" Summer asked saddened.
"They are called space whales. Though you may know them as black holes. They gobble up everything in space. Though, their main diet are constellation makers." Iris answered.
"Oh, which reminds me. I need to check on something. I will be right back. You all make sure our special guest is comfortable." Muriel told us before heading back inside.
'I don't like this.' Courage said shivering. He then jumped in shock when the squid tapped him on the shoulder. His eyes popping off his head before going through his mouth and popping back in place again.
"Do you, require something? Constellation maker?" Winter asked unsure of how to proceed.
'I'm not sure she can talk like us.' I thought as we observed the constellation maker. But it seemed that she understood us when she shook her head in a no gesture. She then lifter one of her tentacles and made a gesture. And from it, she created seven miniature stars that floated to each of us.
"Wow. Thank you." Ruby said as she grabbed hers. Stars in her eyes as she stared at the star in amazement.
"Beautiful. Thank you for this gift." Weiss said giving a little bow after examine the star.
'Ha, ha.' Courage laughed as he admired his gift. Seemingly calm now that he knows the squid means no harm. But as usual, when a peaceful moment comes along, Eustace just has to ruin it.
"Who's that? Who's sitting on me property?" He demanded walking up to us.
'Can never get a peaceful moment with him around.' I thought bitterly.
"What are you all? Faries? Tell your friend we don't got room for big ugly slugs." He mocked before demanding.
"Care to say that again." Summer threatened as she and Winter got out their weapons. Fortunately for him, Muriel stepped in before they could beat him.
"Eustace. That's no way to talk to our new guest. Especially in her condition." Muriel scolded him as she came back to us.
"Big deal." He dismissed but then shouted in pain when Ruby and Weiss both stomped on his feet.
"So, are you really from space?" Murie asked the squid.
"She is Muriel. She even made us this." I told her as we all pulled out the stars, she made us earlier.
"Marvelous." She said admiring the stars. The squid then got her attention and made a crown for her made out of stars.
"Thai is a nice look on you Muriel." Iris complimented.
"Thank you dear." She said with a blush as the squid took the stars back. She then turned to Eustace. "Eustace. Our guest is a space squid who's about to give birth to space babies. What a priceless experience."
"Priceless? I gotta make a call." He said before running back to the house all the while laughing.
"He's going to call someone to make a profit. Isn't he?" Winter asked glaring at the house.
"So, you make the stars and constellations in the sky?" Muriel asked the squid who nodded. "Are there more of you?"
"Poor dear." Summer said when the squid didn't do anything aside from shed a tear.
"Oh, no. Well, don't you worry dear. We'll take good care of you." Muriel told the squid.
'MM-HMM.' Courage said agreeing. But at that moment, we heard vehicles approaching.
"What's going on?" Winter asked when we saw what appeared to be three army transport vehicles.
"Who called the secret department of space squids?" The general asked walking forward.
"Hee, hee, hee! Where's my million bucks?" Eustace asked walking towards the general who gave him a large sack of money. "I'm rich! Rich. Rich. Rich."
"Greedy bastard." Winter, Summer and Iris grumbled under their breaths while glaring at the laughing form of Eustace.
"Sorry everyone. But this squid is out of your hands. She's government property now." The general told us. At this, three men in some 'ninja like suits' appeared and started striking poses. And while they scared Courage, they seemed goofier to the rest of us.
"Um, are we supposed to be intimidated?" Iris asked when we saw one of the guys push another over the third guy.
"On what grounds do you have to take this squid general?" Winter asked readying herself.
"This squid is the last of her kind. And she's a mother-to-be. If you're taking this squid, you have to go through me." Muriel said moving to closer to the squid to guard it.
'OOH!' Courage whined at what Muriel just declared.
'Oh no.' I thought in dismay.
"Arrest those two for insubordination." The general ordered. Two of the men went in the grabbed Muriel and took her to a truck which turned out to be a mobile prison. The third guy tried to get Winter but she easily overpowered him and threw him away.
"I am a representative of the Atlas Kingdom. Try that again and it will be considered an act of aggression against the kingdom itself." Winter warned.
"Very well." The general agreed. Courage then went up and tried to get the general to release Muriel. However, the general simply took out a whistle.
"Is that a dog whistle?" I asked confused. The general simply nodded before blowing it which caused Courage to try and block out the noise but failed. He then put his head into the ground to escape the noise.
"Ok, then." The general said when Courage kept his head on the ground.
"FREEDOM TO THE SQUID! FREEDOM TO THE SQUID!" Muriel chanted from the vehicle she was being kept imprisoned in.
"Time is critical. Let's set up the lab here." The general said before pressing a button the remote which caused the other two vehicles to unfold themselves to reveal labs of some kind.
"This is just cruel." Weiss said as we watched them lower the giant squid into one of the labs with scientists moving to examine her. A truck soon came that had the words 'Vital Space Squid Fluid' written on its side. They then hooked it up to the lab before hooking the other end to the squid.
"No one deserves to be caged up like this." Iris growled with her storm forming above her head.
"Especially to be separated from their own children." Summer added. Nearly crying and shattering her teeth in anger and disgust at seeing the children roughly taken from the ground before being carried inside and dumped carelessly into a container before being sealed.
'NO!' Courage screamed in horror at what we were seeing.
"Good. Good. My work here is done. If anyone needs me, I'll be at the officer's club getting my ears irrigated." The general said before pressing another button which made skates appear on his shoes.
"Gross." Ruby said grossed out at what the general just said.
"We did not need to know that." Weiss said making a scrunched-up face. The general just ignored them before skating away.
"Such a heatless man for doing this." Iris said shaking her head.
"Speaking of which. I need to pay Eustace a visit. Care to join me Iris?" Summer asked through gritted teeth.
"With pleasure." She answered while cracking her knuckles. They both then proceeded to head inside the house and give Eustace a painful lesson he will never forget.
"I'm so glad Atlas isn't like this." Weiss said shaking her head as we ignored the painful screams of Eustace. At this, Winter visibly tensed. "This is just too cruel and inhumane."
"I'm sorry to tell you Weiss. But Atlas has done things like this before many times. And often just as bad or worse." Winter told her.
"You're not being serious. Are you Winter?" Weiss asked shocked and not believing her sister.
"I'm afraid not." Winter answered solemnly.
"Did you at least try and stop them?" Weiss asked.
"I have. I fought valiantly to try and stop them. But despite my position, my protests went unheard." She answered.
"Did Ironwoods even help?" Weiss asked trembling.
"He was one of my biggest opponents actually. I tried to convince him to try either more humane ways or abandon whatever was currently being discussed but he never listened. On multiple occasions, he threatened me with treason if I didn't follow his orders." She explained. At this Weiss, slowly sank to the floor. Not taking what she just learned so well.
"Ok, we're back. What are we- Um? Is she going to be, okay?" Summer asked as she and Iris returned.
"She'll be alright. Just coming to grasp with what I just told her about Atlas. She just needs a minute." Winter answered.
"Are you okay Muriel?" I asked walking over to her.
"I'm fine. I'm just worried about Mama Squid. Look at her. She's so sad." Muriel answered while turning to look at lab the contained the squid. Inside, the scientists were already doing experiments on her. "It's up to all of you. You've got to get those eggs back under that squid. Or else there'll never be any new stars in the sky. Go help her!"
"Ok. We'll get free in no time." I told her.
"And how do you suppose we go about doing that?" Winter asked. Turning around, we saw the other had walked up to us. Though, Winter was guiding Weiss as she was still in shock. But it seemed that she was slowly coming out of it. I thought it over for a moment before nodding.
"Okay. Here's the plan." I said as I began to tell them.
Two Hours later
It was two hours since the government came. The reason we waited this long was so that the guards and scientists would expect us. Or at least forget about us. Seeing the guards were distracted flossing we began to move. Quietly going around, Weiss, Ruby, Courage, Iris and I went to the lab that contained the eggs. Winter and Summer went to the guards to further distract them. Getting to the lab, we at first thought about using the door but quickly decided against it as the guards would easily see us.
"What now?" Iris asked as we kneeled down so as to not be seen.
"Courage, think you can dig under the lab through the floor?" I asked him.
'Yes.' He answered before digging a hole into the ground that could fit all of us. Jumping into the hole, we began to follow him and were quickly under the lab. He kept digging and soon he breeched the floor of the lab which allowed us entry.
"If only we had robots or diggers half as effective as Courage. Then construction and digging new spots would be easier." Weiss said as she dusted herself off. Looking around, we saw that next to the container holding the eggs was the controls.
"You think they are, okay?" Ruby asked as she pressed her face to the glass of the container.
"Not sure Ruby." I answered before turning to Weiss. "Think you could figure this out Weiss?"
"I'm not too tech savvy. But I'll give it a shot." She answered while moving to the controls. But then, as if to humiliate me, she pulled a lever without hesitation which raised the container. She then turned to me with a smirk, "Done."
"Show off." I said shaking my head while the others laughed.
"Alright. Let's get these eggs out of here." Iris said as we moved to them. But as we picked up, Ruby got our attention.
"Someone's coming." She warned.
"Crap. Hide." I said looking around.
"Where?" Weiss asked as we began to look around. Forgetting that we could have used the hole we just dug.
'Under the eggs.' Courage told us. We were confused at first but understood when he dove into the eggs. We quickly followed his lead and hid underneath the eggs. And just in time as a guard came in.
"Hey! None of you have clearance!" He shouted as he ran up to us.
"Now what?" Weiss whispered. I began to sweat while trying to come up with a plan. Luckily, it seemed Courage had one.
'I got this.' He said while pulling out a hand puppet that oddly looked like a baby alien.
"Good idea." I told him.
"Let me help." Iris said with a smirk. Courage nodded and moved the puppet out of the pile to show the guard.
"Oh! Oochie, oochie, oochie, coo!" The guard said in a childlike voice.
"Make him come closer." Iris whispered to Courage. He nodded and made the doll motion for the guard to come closer.
"Yes?" He asked leaning closer. At this, Iris summoned a small cloud to appear over the doll which Courage moved to make it seem like it was crying. The guard then tried to move the doll but the got zapped with lightning by the cloud. He laughed before falling to the ground unconscious.
"That takes care of that." I said as we exited the pile of eggs.
"Okay. Let's return these babies to their mother." Ruby said as she picked up couple of eggs.
"Right," I said as I grabbed the key off the guard and opened the door of the lab. I then went over and grabbed some eggs while the other got the rest. Exiting the lab, headed for the one that contained the mother squid. But stopped when we saw the other two guards had moved away and are now guarding the entrance.
"Now what?" Iris asked. I was about to answer but didn't need to as the guards were knocked out by Summer and Winter.
"All clear." Summer shouted. Nodding, we moved forward to the entrance but found it locked. I searched the guards the best I could but found that they didn't have a key either.
"Damn it." I grumbled annoyed.
"What is it?" Winter asked as she and Summer jumped down from the entrance.
"The door is locked and none of the guards have a key for this lab." I answered.
"Great. Now how are we going to get them back to their mother?" Weiss asked. At this, both Summer and Winter smirked.
"Well, there is always the 'Alternative Entrance.'" Summer said smiling an innocent smile that was barely holding back her laughter.
"What does that mean?" Iris asked confused. Instead of answering, Winter and Summer pointed to the truck that had come earlier.
"Great. If that's the only way. Come on." I said grumbling under my breath as we made our way over to the truck while ignoring Summer and Winter laughing. Reaching the truck, we climbed on top and saw a hatch where the use to fill the truck. Opening it, we saw it was filled with a strange green liquid that smelled and bubbled.
"Gross." Ruby said while Weiss scrunched her nose at the smell.
"Going to need a bath after this." Iris said before jumping in.
"Definitely." Weiss agreed before jumping in as well followed by Ruby.
'You know what's concerning?' Courage asked me.
"That we trudge through much worse conditions and places." I answered.
He nodded before whining and jumping in. Taking a deep breath in, I jumped in as well. To say that it was gross was an understatement. Slowly, but surely, we were pulled into the tube that was connected from the truck to the lab. How we'd fit in the tight small tube and did not cause it to back up was a mystery in of itself. It felt like it was going on forever as we traveled slow through the tube. But we soon stopped. For a moment, I thought we reached the end but realized that the tube was backing up. Eventually, the tube couldn't hold the amount anymore and exploded. Throwing us each in a different direction.
"Ow!" We all grunted as we hit the sides of the lab and slid down the walls because we were covered in green slime.
"JAUNE! THE EGGS!" Ruby shouted getting our attention. Looking up, we saw the eggs were launched into the air as well and were now about to hit the floor. Reacting quickly, we managed to catch each of them before they hit the floor.
"Put those eggs down." One of the scientists demanded as they both approached us with strange things in their hands. One looked like a claw while the other seemed to be just tube with a red ball on the end.
"Not going to happen." Iris shouted. The scientists turned around and were taken out by the others. The one with the claw was struck with lighting curtesy of Iris. The other was taken out by Ruby and Weiss using ice dust and their weapons.
"That takes care of them" Ruby said as she skillfully folded her weapon back up.
"Now just the eggs." Weiss said smiling. Nodding, we moved to the mother squid who smiled at seeing her babies again.
"Here's you babies." I said as Courage and I placed the eggs underneath her. For a moment nothing and we were worried that we were either too late or something happened. But we became relieved when a bright light came underneath the mother squid a moment later.
"What's happening?" Ruby asked excitedly.
"The miracle of life." I answered as baby squids started to emerge and float to the top of the lab. They got stuck for a bit as there was a hatch in the way but they easily broke through and continued their way to space. And as a result, from the hatch breaking, the entire lab deflated which allowed us an easier way to exit the lab.
"Beautiful." Iris said wiping a tear from her eyes.
'Yay!' Courage cheered. At this, the mother squid moved her tentacles and patted each of us on the heads.
"You're welcome." Weiss said smiling.
"You all did it." Summer said walking towards us.
"Congratulations on having children." Winter told the mother squid.
"Well, that's done. Let's go and free Muriel." I said as we moved towards her.
"You all are part of the miracle of birth." Muriel said pointing to the sky. Looking up, we saw that there were already new stars in the sky. The stars then moved to form a new constellation of parent squids next to a baby squid.
"Beautiful." Summer said smiling at the lovely constellation.
"Everyone, look." Muriel said getting our attention. Looking to where she was pointing, we saw the mother squid slowly make her way out of the lab. She laid down on the ground before turning into an amazing garden.
"Wow." We all gasped.
"How lovely. She became a garden. From making stars above to making flowers on the earth." Muriel said amazed.
"Now that is the mystery of life." Iris said smiling.
"It truly is." I said agreeing.
"Hey, the general is coming back." Ruby said getting our attention. Looking to the side, we saw the general skating to us.
"I've been promoted to the secret department of military cover ups. Promise you won't breathe a word of this to anyone?" He asked.
"Don't worry. Our lips are sealed. Despite what you have done." Winter answered.
"You're lying will be our little secret." Muriel also said.
'Mm-hmm.' Courage said in agreement as well.
"Ok, then." The general said taking out a remote ad pointing it to the vehicles. Pressing the button, the labs turned back into trucks before driving away. He then pressed the button again while aiming at the truck the held Muriel. The back lifted up with the door opened which caused Muriel to fall to the ground.
"Hey, look." Ruby shouted pointing to the guards. Looking over to them, we saw them jump and retract their arms and legs into their bodies. And as they fell to the ground, wheels popped out of their waists. They then drove off at extremely fast speeds.
"I'm not sure they are human." Winter said amazed and confused at what she just saw.
"What about the money you gave Eustace?" I asked.
"Not to worry. The money we gave him was made out of secret experimental rocket fuel." He answered before turning to the farmhouse.
'Huh?' Courage asked confused.
"That's new and unexpected." Wiess said surprised. The general just ignored them before beginning a countdown.
"Three, two, one." he counted down before pressing the button again, Silence for a second before we saw the farmhouse shake.
"AAHHH!" We heard Eustace scream as he was sent flying through the roof of the house into space. Where he then exploded and to our surprise, turn into a constellation depicting his face.
"You stupid dog and kids." Eustace's constellation shouted from space.
"Okay then. Have a nice day." The general said before activating his skates and skating away,
"Well, today has been eventful." Weiss said noticing that the sun was already going down.
"It sure has been. I could use a rest." I agreed.
"I think this calls for a celebration. I'll whip up some chicken dumplings for all of us." Muriel said as we moved towards the house. Though, as we entered the house, my mind went back the baby squids.
'Will we ever see them again?' I thought with a smile. Before chuckling when I saw the others droll a bit at the mention of chicken dumplings.
Note:
(1) Night of the Scarecrow with Qrow, Ruby and Yang. (2) Thousand years of Courage with Sun and Neptune. (3) Wrath of the librarian with Blake. (4) Squatting Tiger, Hidden Dog with Nora and Ren. (5) Cabaret Courage with Wiess. (6) Family Business with Winter. (7) Curse of Shirley with Qrow, Yang and Ruby. (8) Goat Pain with Blake. (9) Journey to the center of Nowhere with Peach. (10) Forbidden hat of Gold with Port and Oobleck. (11) McPhearsome Phantom with Blake and her parents. (12) Heads of Beef with Sun and Neptune.