Randy and the rest of the group were back on the ground after Tanis' little outburst. They had then explained everything that had happened and the role they played. From the way that Amunette was revived by Nofre, how they traveled through time after her, their meeting with Bayek and the Medjay, before leading to the adventure that they had at the very end. Easy to say that Tanis wasn't all that happy about certain bits of the story.
"How could you not take that creep out when you had the chance?!" Tanis asked.
"As much as we wanted to take care of him at that first moment we spotted him, we couldn't risk making more damage to the future." Randy tried to explain. "We traveled back before your evil future sister arrived, so we had to be careful with what we did and didn't do."
"Trust me T, we wanted to kick that smug shoob's butt as soon as we saw him along with your sister, but we had to play nice with her." Howard added, taking a bite out of an apple. "If it makes you feel any better you look way better as a mummy than your sister."
Tanis turned to look at Howard with a confused face. She didn't know whether to be flattered or slightly insulted. She did know that she had to tie him up again with her bandages for that remark. As much as she liked to be a party girl and have fun, she didn't like just anyone making what was called "cat calls" at her.
"That's not the issue at the moment, Howard." Randy said. "But that is true."
"Yeah, your sister was like all dried up, with yellow teeth, dead 'I'll-murder-you' eyes. You are much better put together." Phanty added in agreement, floating around Tanis' body, exploring every curve that she had. "You really rock the mummy look girlfriend."
Tanis got a chill behind her back as well as a tug of arousal. She was completely new to the feeling of having a ghost, a supernatural being much like what she now was, pointing out her attractiveness. Again, she was used to being told that she was pretty but this was the first time a ghost of all beings had told her that. She looked at Randy before striking a pose.
"Thank you for noticing, Phanty. I just look amazing regardless of what I wear." Tanis said with just a hint of pride in her figure.
Gothetta rolled her eyes at the mummy girl's antics. Besides, she had as much of a rocking body as she did but also liked to keep some level of modesty. Only the man she loved would see what she was all about. She gave a smile to Randy, partly enjoying how he managed to calm down and attract other monster girls.
"Alright, alright. Calm down. We've got things to do. We've got to find out where Revolta is as a priority." Randy said. "She couldn't have gone far. And even if she did, she'll be back for the Sorcerer's orbs. In the meantime we'll have to help Sibella get settled in and teach Tanis not to pull a Spider-Man whenever she gets scared."
"It sounds like a good idea, Mr. Cunningham." Lady Kryptina said in agreement before looking at her student. "Gothetta, I would like to have a word with you in private."
Gothetta looked at her friends with a worried look before looking back at her teacher.
"Of course, Lady Kryptina." Gothetta said before they left the dining room as Elsa decided to put Tanis in a time out before more of her bandages shot out once more.
Gothetta followed her mentor until they were in one of the many empty rooms of the manor. As she followed Lady Kryptina, she could only wonder what she wanted to discuss with her in private. Maybe it was about her going out during the day without leaving so much as a note. Perhaps Randy's mother called and left a message about her whole being Sibella's sister. Or maybe she wanted to discuss what the Vampire Council really wanted to do to Sibella. Her mind swirled with worry. A pit formed in her stomach as Lady Kryptina closed the door behind them.
"W-What… What is it that you wished to speak to me in p-private, Lady Kryptina?" Gothetta asked, with her voice shaking.
"Calm down, Gothetta. You are not in trouble." Lady Kryptina said, calming the younger vampire. "I wanted to let you know that, well.. your mother got wind of the situation."
Lady Kryptina's words made the pit in Gothetta's stomach grow in size.
"When you say that my mother got wind of the situation, what exactly do you mean, Lady Kryptina?" Gothetta asked. "Like she heard that people just wondered about the old witch and she just brushed it off? Right?"
"I am unsure as to how much she knows of the situation, but just be ready for a call from her." Lady Kryptina explained.
Gothetta just frowned, looking away from her mentor. The last thing she wanted was to have her mom messing with her life in any form. If she had it her way, her mother wouldn't even know where she lived. But above all, she did not want her to ever know that she had a relationship with Randy. She could live with her mother trying to make it a point that she knew something that she didn't, but Gothetta was not going to let her mother ruin her special relationship.
"Gothetta, I'm aware that your relationship with your mother is not the highlight of your life." Lady Kryptina said.
"That would be an understatement." Gothetta muttered, looking away.
"But remember that we've taught you to live by a code of honor and conduct. Which includes being courteous to those we do not like or tolerate." Lady Kryptina added. "When and if your mother calls, do not let your emotions get the better of you. Remember, be the bigger lady in this."
Gothetta looked back at her mentor. She gave her a small smile, knowing that she was correct. If her mother reared her head again, she'd be the better person and send her on her way without letting her get under her skin. Gothetta would be the bigger vampire and woman to prove herself the woman Randy loved.
"Thank you, Lady Kryptina." Gothetta said with an elegant respectful bow, earning a smile from her mentor.
"If you need anything, feel free to reach out." Lady Kryptina said, giving a bow of her own.
Back with Randy and the rest of the group, they were able to put a room together for Tanis to sleep in. It was right next to Elsa's and big enough for two people to live in without any trouble. The bed had Egyptian cotton sheets, with a golden brown overall on top of it. There was a closet and a small dresser drawer at the foot of the bed and a night stand with a cat statue lamp. There was a brown rug next to the bed over the hardwood floor and a small portrait of an old castle.
"So, what do you think?" Randy asked.
"It is rather small. But I suppose this is a good place to start." Tanis said, looking at her new room. "So, where are the servants?"
"Excuse me?" Heidi asked.
"You know, the slaves, the workers, the servants, however you wish to call them. Where are they? Surely this place must have a good amount of them to keep this place running." Tanis said, sitting on the bed. "I already have a list of things for them to do."
Randy and the others shared a look.
"Do you guys wanna take this?" Randy asked.
"I think it would be for the best that we take this." Heidi said.
"Better she hears it now." Elsa added.
"What are you guys muttering? Is it more of these future changes that you keep talking about?" Tanis asked.
"Actually, yes. See, Tanis, slavery has been abolished in most if not all parts of the world. That means that there aren't any here." Heidi explained. "And apart from the cook there are no other servants. Meaning that you'll have to help here around the house."
Tanis yelped in surprise at what Heidi had just told her.
"Does that mean that…?" Tanis began.
"You'll have to dress yourself, clean your room, take a shower like everyone else, and do your own homework." Phanty said.
"What?!" Tanis asked with a sense of dread.
"Everyone here has to do their part, Tanis. We've also managed to come up with a chore wheel to see who has to do what for each week. This week I need to do the grocery shopping as my chore and Phanty has to do the attic cleaning." Elsa explained.
"I believe that we still need someone to help with the laundry." Phanty pointed out.
"Oscar and Leechy are already on it." Elsa said. "What we need is someone that will help clean the floors and sweep."
Tanis hadn't ever had any experience in doing anything of that sort. Her only responsibilities up until that point were to study and learn the laws and customs of the kingdom to help her future husband's rule and she was not as good at that as her sister. And now she was given the tasks of a common servant. Surely there had to be a way for her to be excused for something as low as sweeping. Tanis then spotted Sibella.
"Hold on, what about her?! What's her chore in this house?! Isn't she the maid or something?!" Tanis asked.
Everyone then turned to Sibella, remembering that she would also be living in the manor until a decision was made.
"Well, um, she…" Elsa began.
"I believe that there is a misunderstanding, Lady Tanis. I do not live here as much as I am currently unable to go anywhere else. I do have responsibilities to my master, but he has yet to tell me or give me any instructions." Sibella replied, looking at Randy. "I am at Master Randy's command, and I shall do only what he tells me to do."
Randy blushed at how Sibella was putting their situation.
Tanis zoomed at Randy, grabbing him by the neck of his t-shirt.
"Then order her to do those chores instead of me." Tanis said. "Pretty please. I'll make it worth your while, my brave Medjay~."
Tanis was about to kiss Randy, only for Gothetta's hand to cover her lips.
"I think we should put on a few ground rules." Gothetta said, pushing back Tanis. "As long as you live under this roof, you'll have to do your part. You want to live here or not?"
Tanis nodded with comedic tears in her eyes.
"Good, that means that you'll have to do your part in the house. Second, I'm Randy's official girlfriend and if you or anyone wants to try anything funny, they'll have to get through me." Gothetta added, giving Sibella a glance to give her the message. "Understood?"
Tanis nodded again before Gothetta finally took her hand off of the mummy's mouth.
"Yeah, I understand." Tanis pouted, clearly not being used to being told no in such a threatening manner.
"You don't need to fear Mistress Gothetta. As my master's mistress, you needn't worry about me taking your spot as my master's favorite." Sibella said. "If anything I'll be rooting for you to have a very happy long marriage with the man you love."
Those words made everyone trip a bit.
"Um… Thank you, Sibella, but you might be a little ahead of yourself." Gothetta said.
"Yeah, I mean we're still in high school. Maybe give it a few years before we take that step." Randy suggested.
"I mean what step is left to make, no honorable marriage could take place." Phanty pointed out, only getting a glare from Randy, Gothetta, Heidi, and Elsa.
"But I thought that you were all already married. Don't humans marry young to prevent dying alone?" Sibella asked.
"I mean my dad was around my age when he married my mom." Tanis said. "How old are you, Randy?"
"I'm 16." Randy replied.
"My goodness! Master, you are already almost middle aged!" Sibella said in horror.
"I thought you were younger!" Tanis added.
Howard laughed at his friend being called an old man. However, his laughter didn't last long.
"Wait a minute, that means I'm almost middle aged too." Howard said. "That's messed up!"
"Howard, this is the modern era. You'd be middle aged if we were in the past and people's life expectancy was that of 30 to 40." Heidi explained.
Howard let out a sigh of relief. He was young and able to enjoy life. He really liked the future, air conditioner, internet, junk food and tv. It really made him happy to know that he'd be more than able to survive in this time than in the past. He could live without having women chasing after him for the time being, he'd have his own hot ladies chasing after him soon enough.
"I am so glad that I live in this time." Howard said. "So, where do we start looking, Cunningham?"
Randy grabbed his chin in thought. He could think of at least a hundred places where Revolta could be hiding. But he had yet to jund out how they managed to get to them without being noticed. He could start looking for any signs of them that very night, with Dracula being a night creature and if he was anything like the resurrected Frankenstein then there was no way to miss him. He also had to tell Rosalyn about the new developments regarding Sibella, hopefully she would be able to tell him of a way to get Sibella from being his servant.
"We need to keep an eye on the school. We know she'll be back there eventually. Dracula will be out and about since it is nighttime. Revolta might be laying low since we took care of Frankenstein." Randy surmised. "For the meantime, I'll go on patrol and see if I can catch anything suspicious."
"How can we help?" Gothetta asked.
"You sure Lady Kryptina wouldn't mind?" Randy asked. "I don't want you girls to get in trouble."
"Relax, we've got it covered." Phanty said, shrugging it off.
"As long as we can keep Sibella where we can keep an eye on her, we'll be fine." Gothetta said.
"I'll keep an eye on her and Tanis." Elsa offered. "Maybe I'll be able to teach them more about this new time and their new responsibilities."
"Excuse me! I never agreed to that." Tanis snapped, only getting a few chuckles from the rest of the group.
"We will await your return, Master Randy." Sibella said with a cordial bow.
Gothetta rolled her eyes at the action of her new 'sister'.
"Make sure that she doesn't overstep her boundaries." Gothetta whispered to Elsa. "We'll be back soon." She added, dragging Randy behind her.
"Let's go Howard." Heidi said.
"Come on! Can't we just rest for a little bit more?!" Howard groaned.
"Calm down, we'll cover the city in a pinch! It'll take us literally a few minutes before we come back." Phanty said, flying away.
"Easy for you to say! I can't fly!" Howard snapped. "Well, I might as well get those steps in." He mumbled.
"Good luck guys! Be careful." Elsa said.
Randy put on the Ninja mask once more as they exited the manor. As soon as the suit was on him, he swung his scarf to pull himself into the air. Despite his injuries, he had a responsibility to keep the city safe and couldn't take the night off. He was then followed by Gothetta who transformed into a bat and Phanty, who flew after them like the ghost she was. As they took to the skies, Heidi took off her pendant, transforming into her werewolf form. She'd gotten used to the transformation and was now able to pull it off without much pain. She chased after the rest of the group using her stronger muscles and heightened senses.
All that was left was Howard. He merely got on his bicycle and started pedalling after them.
"Show offs." Howard muttered as he rode on with his crossbow on his back.
The group decided to split up and cover the city by sections. Randy would take the area closest to the school and the rest of the Eastside. Gothetta would look for any movement from McFist Industries and the rest of the upper part of the city. Phanty would look around the westside of the city, looking for anything around the suburban area and make sure that the parents were none the wiser to their children's escapades. Heidi would stick to the shadows and look around the southside of the city with Howard checking out the Game Hole among other nightlife spots. They were to meet up back at the manor after eight o'clock to check up with each other.
They searched for what felt like hours. Every dark corner they checked was like a grain of sand moving from one end of the hourglass to the other. With each corner and spot they searched, the more the paranoia of Revolta suddenly poofing into smoke and disappearing became a reality. Another thought came into their minds, that she had actually gotten out of the city and they were now unable to track her. Neither thought was comforting. The light of the full moon was their only companion as they continued their search.
Randy observed the school and the Tengu stone. He checked the cameras and placed them back so that they would work as soon as Revolta or anyone activated their motion sensors. The Ninja of Norrisville turned to see the Tengu Stone, glowing with the light of the moon. He recalled his dream and the talk he had with the Tengu. He knelt down, looking at the yellow stone as though he was actually looking at another eye. He narrowed his eyes as he decided to ask the big question.
"Can you see me?" Randy asked. "Can you see me from inside that little prison of yours?"
He got no response from the stone. He sighed as he knew how crazy he was sounding at that moment.
"Of course not. Besides, what could you offer me that I don't already know?" Randy said, walking away from the eye.
As Randy closed the doors behind him the Tengu stone glowed brightly for a moment.
The group met back at the Gracey manor in hopes of hearing anything.
Randy landed by the gates of the manor just as Phanty and Gothetta arrived.
"Anything?" Randy asked.
"Nada." Phanty replied as Gothetta turned back into her normal form.
"Same here. Unless you count McFist and his trophy wife playing boss and secretary." Gothetta added.
"I did not need to know that last part." Randy said with a chuckle.
Just then Heidi arrived with Howard behind her.
"Hey guys! How did it go?" Phanty asked the brother and sister.
"Not really. The place was pretty quiet. If a vampire was flying around people would've seen it." Heidi replied.
"And I'm happy to announce that the Game Hole is officially free of any and all creepy monsters, present company excluded." Howard said, with a certain amount of pride.
Randy, Gothetta and Phanty looked at Heidi hoping for a better explanation or at least more detail to what Howard was saying.
"He 'searched' every inch of Greg's Game Hole while checking out the new games they had." Heidi explained, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. "I literally had to drag him out of there by the time I got there."
"AND I ALMOST GOT THE TOP SCORE!" Howard called out.
This earned a groan from the rest of the people at the entrance of the manor. Despite the heavy set boy's procrastination and lack of desire to search for the missing monsters, they did learn something. They found out that Revolta and Dracula were not in the city.
"Well, since there's no sign of them, we can safely guess that Revolta is hiding for the time being. She'll come out soon, that's for sure." Randy said. "All we can do is prepare and keep our eyes open whenever she shows up." He said as they walked to the entrance of the manor.
"At least this night was completely quiet. We'll be able to sleep soundly at least." Gothetta said as Randy opened the door.
As soon as they opened the door, they were met with the sight of Elizabeth Cunningham and Lady Kryptina drinking tea together. The two grown women were laughing as they were drinking tea together, much to the confusion of the recently arrived group. They had not expected this when they returned from their search.
"Wasn't expecting this." Phanty said before becoming invisible.
"Mom?" Randy asked.
"Mrs. Cunningham, what a lovely surprise to see you here." Gothetta said.
Elizabeth turned to see her son and his friends arrive at the manor. She stopped laughing to respond to her son.
"Oh hi honey, I came by because I wanted to see what you were doing. Since you've been coming here often, I thought this was the best place to look for you." Elizabeth replied. "Lady Kryptiana and I were just having a talk about her time here in Norrisville and how things are going for her and her students."
"Your mother is a very intellectual lady, Mr. Cunningham. I can see that Western society and education have really done the world good." Lady Kryptina said. "I still remember when women reading was seen as something unusual."
Elizabeth chuckled at that sentence.
"Oh please, Lady Kryptina, you don't look that old." Elizabeth chuckled.
"You'd be surprised, I'm well over a few centuries old." Lady Kryptina laughed back.
The group of young adults looked at the two grown women, completely uncertain as to what they should do.
"Um, cool, so we'll go help Oskar and the others with their school stuff." Randy said. "You two just keep talking about, whatever."
"Oh sure Randy. Oh, Gothetta, I spoke to your sister earlier and she seems to be doing quite alright." Elizabeth said.
"My sister?" Gothetta asked before remembering the story that she told Elizabeth. "Oh yes, my sister. How's Sibella doing?"
"From when I last spoke to her, she sounded very at home. But she did say some rather strange things." Elizabeth said.
"What things?" Howard asked.
"Something about her getting used to this time and how she will do all she can to live up to our standards. She did get a change of clothes." Elizabeth shrugged.
"Yeah, she's weird like that." Gothetta said.
Randy, Gothetta, Heidi, the invisible Phantasma, and Howard walked away, leaving the two women to their chat. They walked up to where all the students were staying, only to find the vampire students, Elsa playing with her cellphone, a miserable looking Tanis and a Sibella wearing a maid outfit.
"Welcome back Master Randy, Mistress Gothetta, Mistress Phanty, Mistress Heidi and Master Howard. I hope that your night outing was a successful one." Sibella said with a small bow.
Everyone looked confused at the dressed up vampire. She did look adorable and a little sexy with how tight the apron looked on her. They tried to figure out not only where she got that dress but also why she was wearing it.
"...Wow." Phanty said. "Is it weird that I'm into this kind of roleplay?"
"Um, do we want to know?" Heidi asked, looking at Elsa for answers.
"Oh, um, as soon as I told her that she needed to help out with chores she put that on. Sibella is surprisingly good at sweeping and cleaning." Elsa pointed out, getting a grunt out of Tanis. "Tanis not so much."
"Forgive the princess that isn't used to this sort of menial labor." Tanis replied.
"She accidentally got caught in the vacuum cleaner. Twice." Clodd giggled.
Tanis pointed a finger at Clodd's face, shooting out one of her bandages at him. She used her bandage to wrap the mouth of the little vampire with ease, before a smug look on her face appeared.
"But she has gotten better at shooting those bandages of hers." Elsa said, taking the bandage off of Clodd's mouth.
"That's a relief." Randy said.
Randy looked at Sibella and remembered that he had yet to tell her about Rosalyn and how she helped him. He had to tell her about Rosalyn.
"Sibella, there's someone that I need you to meet." Randy said, pulling out the Ninjanomicon.
"With pleasure Master Randy." Sibella said, walking up to him.
"I'm taking her to meet Rosalyn. We'll be right back." Randy said, opening the Ninjanomicon.
Randy and Sibella were both pulled into the ancient book of Ninja wisdom as their bodies went limp.
Gothetta caught Randy's body before it collapsed on the floor while Elsa caught Sibella's body.
"They should really do this more near a couch or a bed." Howard said.
Randy and Sibella fell down through the pages of the NInjanomicon. Sibella transformed into a bat in an attempt to stop her fall as well as catch Randy. Her bat form was larger than Gothetta's and her and her eyes were glowing green.
"Hold on Master!" Sibella called out, trying to reach out to catch Randy.
But before she could catch him, Randy manifested a rope made out of doodles. He flung it at one of the tall trees of the dark area. He swung down to the ground with ease as Sibella flew down to his side.
"Don't worry, this isn't my first rodeo." Randy said as Sibella transformed back into her human form.
"You never cease to amaze me, Master Randy." Sibella said as she looked around her new surroundings.
"Master Randy? I leave you alone with another young vampire girl and she's already falling for you to the point she calls you master? Should I watch my step?" A flirting voice asked.
Randy and Sibella turned to see Rosalyn.
"Master Randy, who is this?" Sibella asked.
"This is Rosalyn, the vampire that told me where you were sleeping. She was the one responsible for getting you out of Europe and away from Dracula's enemies. She's the reason you are here today." Randy explained.
Sibella walked up to Rosalyn. She was hesitant at first, but she recognized the woman from before she went to sleep. She wanted to cry tears of gratitude for what she'd done. Sibella knew that Rosalyn had to pay for helping her live.
"It is an honor to meet you, Miss Rosalyn." Sibella said with a cordial bow that Rosalyn returned.
"Look at you. You've grown into a very beautiful young lady." Rosalyn said, carressing Sibella's cheek. "We have a lot to talk about."
On the other side of the world, Winnie was running across the rooftops like a wolf. Her new body was much stronger than anything she'd ever felt before. Her instincts told her to hunt, eat. She sniffed the air looking for her prey. Her head snapped down to see a pair of officers in the middle of their patrol. She snarled, showing her new wolfish teeth.
Winnie jumped down towards the two officers, hoping to catch them by surprise.
"Look, all I'm saying is that if you allow Buchan to write his new book about our cases then we should at least be mentioned." Said the shorter officer.
"We're on duty, so we can't be mentioned." Replied the taller and better dressed officer.
"I know that, but would it kill him to at least make an allusion to us. He does mention Louise Iver, the bitch."
"You still think she's out there?"
"Like a bad rash after eating Thai food. I just feel like she's going to spring out from behind me."
At that moment, Winnie landed behind the two officers, scaring them.
They turned around to see Winnie growling and snarling at them. As they pulled out their service weapons, Winnie tackled the short officer to the ground.
"Miles!"
The shorter cop fought off the smaller werewolf, putting his arm on her neck while trying to pry her off of him. His partner grabbed hold of Winnie and pulled her off of Miles, taking off bits of his coat and shirt.
"Stand down! This is the police!"
Winnie growled, showing her teeth to the people before her.
The taller officer shot at Winnie, forcing her to dodge the shots. She ducked under the first shot, narrowly avoiding the second one by jumping to the side. She then jumped at the officer only for Miles to push him out of the way.
The two officers looked back as they saw Winnie climb up the walls of the alley and away from them. She turned back and let out a bone chilling howl. Winnie then left, leaving the two officers more than shaken up.
"Miles. What the hell was that?!"
"No idea boss. But I'm getting myself some silver bullets and wooden stakes just in case."
Not far from the scene of the fight, Revolta watched as Winnie chewed a large turkey leg.
"Well done young wolf. You've gotten used to your new body quite nicely. I think it is time to bring back your old man." Revolta said.
Winnie replied only with a wolf howl to the moon.