Memories

By Dixxy

Epilogue

". . . the Dragoons returned to Termina a few months later with awful news," said Glenn. His charges on the island gathered closer, all of them still mesmerized by his story. None of them had piped up once (though Leah had coughed once and Starky made a noise that the others passed off as an alien burp, sneeze, or cough) and the Dragoon was very pleased that he had managed the impossible.

Glenn closed his eyes. "It was not good. Dario was helping me with some sword training while Riddel and Karsh watched- I think Karsh was teasing Dario about me getting better than he was- when a loud horn in Termina blew- the horn was only blown when the Dragoons returned to El Nido. Radius took us all, including Zippa, to the docks to see our parents, but we did not see a victorious welcome. For one, the casualty list was far too long for a victory and women were crying hysterically all over the place. Radius got the lot of us on the General's warship." Glenn swallowed hard, holding a fist to his chest as his eyes lowered. "The General led me and Dario off to the side while Zappa took care of his family and Riddel." Glenn paused for a long time, seeming to hold back a very hard memory.

"What happened?" asked NeoFio, the only one who'd spoken for the duration of their story time.

"Well, a few hours after we left, Porre attacked. During the first scuffle my father vanished, the Einlanzer being found on the ground once the first battle was over." Glenn turned his head to side, wincing in pain as small rivulets began to stream down his face. "Porre captured him. They. . . they executed him." The Dragoon sniffled, using the large neck of his tunic to wipe away his eyes. "That. . . that was hard. I had just lost my mother to the cold hands of death, I had received a scar in a most noticeable place, and now my father was gone as well? I was only five- it was too much for me. I do not even remember what happened for the next MONTH after I found out about my father's death. Karsh once told me it was as if I had gone into a trance- I barely ate, rarely slept, and did not respond to anyone outside of Dario. It was like I had shut down."

"Exactly what happened during the battle?" asked Turnip.

"When it began to take a turn for the worse, King Chrono ordered the General and the Acacia Dragoons to pull out of Guardia. He had said that their country was doomed to fall but that it was not too late to try and save El Nido. A messenger arrived a few days later to announce the disappearance of the two monarchs, the capture of Truce, Guardia's capitol, and the destruction of Guardia Castle," Glenn said solemnly. "They had brought in a huge massive machine called a 'tank'. The same weapon I had heard about while I was hiding in the Porre pantry. I was too traumatized over my scar to tell anyone, but somehow I doubt it would have made much of a difference."

"What did Norris thay about it?" asked Poshul.

"I do not know. The first I saw of him after that incident was after I found myself involved with Serge and the parallel dimension crisis we have found ourselves entangled in. It is really something you would have to ask him- while his people had claimed a great victory, Norris had made friends with one of the only forces that Porre would have trouble with. I would guess he had some very, very mixed emotions. Also, he is not like the other Porre soldiers- he is much more compassionate and idealistic." Glenn smiled. "Even to this day it amazes me. After Porre became an issue, I had been brought up to believe that they were all greedy tyrants who wanted to hurt other people for no real reason. Curtis was the embodiment of what I thought they were. Norris was the exception."

"So that's why you think Norrrris is differrrent," said Draggy. "He saved yourrr life!"

"In a way, I suppose he did." The young Acacia Dragoon grinned. "He was the one who recognized me, you know. After Serge was trapped in the dimension vortex for a while and I went back to Viper Manor to check on Riddel, Porre occupied us. I put up a fight and one of the privates was going to shoot me when a certain commander told him not to and sent me to the dungeon instead. It was a little later that I figured out it was Norris, keeping his promise to me that we had made all those years ago with my brother and Karsh. THAT was stunning, to say the least."

"What happened to Cuwtis?" asked Pip.

"Shortly after Karsh and Dario enlisted into the Dragoons, Porre tried rather unsuccessfully to invade. I was about nine or ten at the time because Dario was sixteen and had just succeeded the Einlanzer from our father's grave, which had incited the General into giving him a high rank right from his enlisting. Well, he recognized Curtis after all those years and ran him through with the Einlanzer in anger. Karsh said that he introduced himself as 'Glenn's older brother' and that he was not only killing him for El Nido, but for what he did to me," said Glenn. "I was stunned when I was told that."

"Bad man die?" asked Leah.

"Yes- he died," said Glenn.

The little ones nodded. Leah raised her hand. "Tell Leah new story!" The other little ones agreed and began to chant "story" over and over again, banging their fists on their knees (well. . . for those who had knees, anyways. . .) and getting slightly louder with each chant. Glenn found himself at a loss for words. Wow. They REALLY like me. . . is that a good thing or a bad thing? Glenn wondered to himself.

"Okay, fine, just sit down and give me a chance to think of something-"

"What about thomething romantic?" Poshul asked. "Are you in ROVE?"

Glenn's jaw dropped. "Uh. . . what?"

"WUV STOWY!" Pip cried out excitedly, bouncing up and down.

"What is a love storrry?" asked Draggy.

"Thou hast saved many a damsel, correct?" Turnip asked, winking at Glenn.

The now slightly embarrassed (and not to mention VERY red) Dragoon blushed. "I. . . I do not have any romance stories, sorry," he said. All creatures looked up at him in curiosity. "I have never found a girl who really cares me outside of who my father and brother were or the fact I am a Dragoon. Any woman who has made a pass at me was a shallow low-life looking to use me to elevate herself higher up in the social classes." He sighed heavily. "I just want to find that special someone who I can share my life with and be happy with. To never find myself alone again until we part in the bitter kiss of death."

Glenn's charges all gave him a sympathetic "aww. . . poor Glenn" and proceeded to walk (and crawl) over to him to give him a hug, arms spread wide open as they piled on top of him, smoothing their baby-sitter. The Dragoon laughed as they all gave their sympathy, as much as he really didn't think he needed it. Well, I supposed a "hugging pile-up" is better than a "killing each other pile-up".

"Hey! Hey! Stop that! Cut it out- POSHUL THAT TICKLES!"

Later that evening. . .

An official Porre military boat beached onto the sand of Hermit's Hideaway. The sole occupant of the boat stepped out and turned the engine off before dropping the keys into her skirt pocket. Don't want the boat to leave the island without someone on it- then we'd all be stuck here until someone comes to find us! With a sigh, Leena walked from to the beach to the main part of the island. Glenn will be happy to see me here- I bet he's dying to get off of this island by now!

She made her way into a short patch of trees that separated the small island from the main yard humming to herself as she strolled along. Leena would be spending the next two weeks with the little ones on her request- she didn't mind it at all. Besides, she could at least get Poshul to behave if all else failed. Serge knew very well she was an excellent baby-sitter and would make sure that the charges on the island wouldn't get into any trouble.

She walked on, feeling as her skirt caught of loose twigs every so often. Leena sighed. She had been there before, but the trees had never caught her skirt so often. Either it's darker than I originally thought, or there's been an overabundance of overgrowth in this world on this island. This is the world where the Water Dragon still lives, isn't it?

Once Leena emerged from the woods, she saw that the island's occupants were crowding around Starky, all seeming to cheer him. "Hello!" she said. The little ones froze, then turned as one unit to face Leena. She looked them over, then looked around. "Where's Glenn? I came over here to take over baby-sitting you guys. His turn is over and he can go back to the main island now."

"In the tree house!" NeoFio said quickly. "Sleeping!"

"Thleeping!" Poshul agreed.

Leena scratched her head in confusion- they were all acting somewhat strange now. "All right," she said, waving brightly at the collection of little ones. She then turned to the ladder and began to ascend into the tree house as she reflected on her charges. I can't figure out how the were able to take Grobyc's arm off- they're all sweethearts. Maybe Leah was rough-housing with him or something.

The village girl opened the door and looked in. Glenn was passed out on the bench, sleeping rather quietly. Leena smiled and sat next to his head. You wouldn't think he was the warrior he was when he's asleep like this. He looks so peaceful. "Glenn, wake up," Leena whispered softly. The Dragoon didn't move. "Glenn. . . wake up. . ." Still no answer (though this time Glenn rolled over, mumbling something about Karsh and a plastic spider). "Glenn, please wake up."

"Mmm. . ." he mumbled, swatting a hand at her. "Sleep. . ."

Leena put her hands on her hips. "Oh, so you think you're so smart, hmm?" The village girl looked over her friend, wondering how she would go about waking him up. Then, as if a light bulb had just gone off over her head, Leena got an idea. She knelt down and began to dig through her supplies. Finally, she pulled out what she wanted.

"AQUABALL!"

KER-PLOOSH!

Glenn was now awake and very wet, spitting water and swearing like a drunkard, frantically looking around for the one who had ended his sleep too early. His eyes settled on Leena, who smiled sweetly at him. "Sorry Glenn, but it was that or I left you here for another week. Now do you want to change shifts or not?"

The Dragoon sat up, then, making sure Leena was in close proximity, shook his head, spraying water everywhere. Including on his friend. Leena screeched as Glenn laughed. The girl shot her comrade a look, but only received a smug grin in response as the Dragoon ran his fingers through his hair. "I apologize, Leena. I do not like being awakened so abruptly. You must understand."

"You and Serge are the worst sleepers I have ever met."

Glenn looked out of the window. "It is in the middle of the night. I should be asleep."

Leena laughed. "Yeah, I guess I should be apologizing. Friends?"

"Of course. I assume you are here to switch the baby-sitting shift?" asked Glenn.

"Yes," said Leena. "I have the key to the boat in my pocket- huh?"

"Hmm?" asked Glenn.

"The boat key was here just a minute ago," she said, her eyes widening in slight worry. She stood up and began to pad at her pockets. Leena then smiled and laughed lightly. "I'm sorry, Glenn, I must have dropped it outside. Let's go out and try and find it so you can get going back home to the mainland. Before day break."

"Are you sure?" Glenn asked, taking the belt that held the Einlanzers and buckling it around his waist. "It is in the middle of the night. Would it be wise if we wait until morning? Then maybe we can get the help from the charges here. I am sure Poshul could sniff it out quite easily, and you know that Leah is attracted to shiny objects."

"Yeah, Serge gave her a Shiny Leaf and she wouldn't stop playing with it for a week," said Leena. She shook her head. "No, Glenn. You should get home- you've been here a few days and I'm sure you must be just about dying to get back to the other world. Those kids in your house adore you and last time I swung by there to check on them they were asking for you."

The Dragoon smiled. "All right."

"All we have to do is follow the trail I took in. Maybe it'll catch the light from one of the two moons up there and glint or something," said Leena. "See? This won't be so hard, and with the two of us looking we'll get it found soon enough." She looked outside. "Hmm. The little ones must have gone to bed already. They were outside last time I checked on them."

Glenn nodded, giving his head one final shake (this time making sure his friend was far enough away to avoid the spray) before following Leena out of the tree house. He'd much rather head back to the other world and sleep in a non-occupied house (he was still fuming from that Porre guard accusing him of having a "hot temper") rather than Hermit's Hideaway anyways.

As they began to descend the ladder, they heard the sound of a boat motor being started. Glenn paused, stopping to listen to the sound. "Leena? Did you bring one of the Porre motor boats with you when you came here?" he asked. Leena looked up at him, nodding. "I think I heard it start up."

Both paused for a second before darting down the latter and running to the shore. By the time they reached the shore, they saw the blue boat was now occupied by all of the baby-sitting charges. The group looked out at Glenn and Leena from their boat, waved happily, and sped off towards Marburle.

"I think we have been duped," said Glenn. Leena nodded in agreement. Glenn flashed a quick smile before stepping up to the surf. He cleared his throat, then cupped his hands over his mouth. "GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE TRAITORS! YOU CAN'T LEAVE US HERE ON THIS ISLAND! IF SERGE DOESN'T KILL YOU I WILL! AND THAT'S A PROMISE!"

Leena ran up to the Dragoon and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Glenn! GLENN! Calm down!" she said. The Dragoon private stopped yelling and turned to the village girl. "Don't panic. Someone is bound to see the group of them and realize that we're still here on the island- we aren't stuck here forever, so just calm down, all right?"

Glenn nodded. "Fine. But they will not getting away with this. . ."