Episode Seven: The Next Realm

Once Jessica, Nash, and Kyle returned, Willamina made an announcement. "The next crystal you're going after is finally located!"

Nash laughed. "That's one more orbe closer to Jessica NOT being my wife!"

"Well at least you're being positive about it," said Jessica, sending her husband a dirty look. Nash gulped, edging away from the obviously angry beastwoman. Mia stared at Nash helplessly, rubbing her hands back and forth. Kyle half-chuckled.

"Jess, is that what I look like whenever you yell at me like that?" asked Kyle.

Jessica looked Nash over. "Basically."

"So do we need another costume change?" asked Alex.

"Yes, that would be nice," said Willamina. She peered into the crystal ball. "It looks like this crystal is on a world that's a constant party."

"A constant party? That must cost a TON of money," said Mia.

Willamina shook her head. "No, everything there is free. Everyone just gives those at the party all the wine, dresses, food, and everything. They work for the parties they throw."

"That's weird," said Luna, scratching her head.

"I'm also pretty sure that I won't need to change your hair color, but Jessica needs another ear trimming," said Willamina. "Jess?"

Jessica stood up and walked over to Willamina, allowing her to slowly use magic to shape her somewhat pointed ears to the round, more humanoid ears the others had. Willamina looked her over, snorted, and then removed the lines on either side of her cheek.

"The wonders of magic never cease to amaze me," said Mia.

"So, um, what exactly do we wear?" asked Kyle.

"Tuxedos and ballroom gowns," said Willamina. She twirled her finger in the air, then pointed it at the travelers. In a bright flash, the boys were clad in tuxedos and the girls in beautiful ballroom gowns. "I'd also suggest you all pair up. Some of these men are single and think nothing of bringing any girl whom they think is single into a back room."

The girls cringed. Jessica sighed heavily, looking at Nash. She knew that either way, she was stuck with him. Alex and Luna exchanged looks, whispered something in each other's ears, and nodded in approval with each other. "We have an idea," said Luna.

"Hmm?" asked Kyle.

"Well, in light that the four of you have suddenly had a. . . serious complication in your love lives, we were thinking that to be fair, Luna could go as Kyle's escort and I could take Mia," said Alex.

"You'd do that?" asked Mia. "But you and Luna are-"

"We know this, but can you honestly say that Jessica and Kyle aren't close? That you and Nash aren't somewhat close?" said Luna. "We just want to lessen harsh feelings between you guys, that's all."

"Especially after Jessica's stunt this morning," Nash mumbled. Jessica sent him a glare, which he winced at.

"Well, it sounds. . . noble," said Mia. "In an. . . odd, way."

Willamina made a small, sideways grin. "Well, it does seem to make a little sense. . . do all parties agree?"

"Well, okay, it's for a logical reason," said Mia.

"Yeah, sure, why not?" said Kyle.

"Alex, Luna, you guys, are you sure you want to do this because of us?" asked Jessica.

Luna nodded, rubbing the silky blue material of her dress between his thumb and index finger. "Absolutely. If four of us have to be miserable, then we'll all be miserable together!"

Nash sighed. "Well, okay, things are weird enough, and I don't think even doing that can make things any weirder."

"Oh, believe me, it will get MUCH weirder," said Willamina. "Oh! One more thing. I found a few things of interest."

"Like what?" asked Luna.

"First off, for the girls, I have these," said Willamina, revealing three pendants crafted from a ruby, a sapphire, and a diamond. All we carved into heart shapes. Willamina tossed Jessica the blue one, Mia the white one, and Luna the red one. "Aside from being pretty, they'll begin to glow if you're close to the crystal. Second, for the gentlemen."

"We don't have to wear those things, do we?" said Kyle.

"No, they're nothing like that!" said Willamina. "They're watches. But, if you flip up the clock part, there's two little buttons." She tossed each of the guys one of the watches. "The blue one will teleport you and your current escort back here, and the red one will allow you to communicate with me."

"That's neat," said Alex, flipping back the clock face.

Willamina then pulled out an old box. "The last thing I have will help Nash and Jessica a LITTLE bit. Normally, a blood lock will react to the slightest brush. These will make a casual brush of the hand not cause any unsuspecting person to be sent flying into the opposite wall. Still, if it's purposely, like a shoulder pat, they'll still get to experience what a fly feels." Willamina handed Jessica velvet box. Apon opening them, she gulped.

"They look like wedding rings," she said. "Oh joy."

"They'll be hardly noticeable," said Willamina.

Nash closed his eyes. "I wonder if someone very powerful doesn't like us very much. Just curious."

"I agree," said Jessica. "Now shut up unless you want the girlie ring."

Mia shook her head. "Its almost amusing watching Jessica torment Nash like this."

Kyle looked at Jessica nervously. "This isn't a preview of what happens after this entire mess- blood lock and magic crystal together- is over, is it?"
"No," said Jessica. "I'm just enjoying bossing Nash around, that's all. I won't boss you around nearly as much, unless you'd want me to."

Willamina held back a laugh. "Just, just go, okay?"

"This isn't a party!" said Kyle. The group was standing in the doorway to a rather large ballroom filled with happy couples dancing and laughing. "Where's all the beer and strippers?"

"This isn't that kind of a party, Kyle," said Mia. "These are the kinds of parties they have for weddings, high class social events, and fund raisers."

"Hey, maybe we can throw one of these to help fund Vane's reconstruction," said Nash.

"Not a bad idea, but we need to start looking for the crystal," said Alex. "You and Jessica should be ESPECIALLY interested in finding it."

Jessica groaned. "No need to remind us. Let's split up. Try to act like you belong here. Kyle, no belching."

"Aw!" Before he could protest further, Luna grumbled and dragged him out into the crowd of people.

"I feel bad for Luna," said Mia. "She's got a handful for herself."

"And under normal circumstances only Jess can handle it, but that's beside the point. Jess, Nash you two check out some of the less-crowded places. We don't want to arise any suspicion if people start getting tossed around wildly and you're always at the scene," said Alex. "Those rings only work against casual brushes, remember that."

"This way," said Nash. He started walking down the hallway away from the ballroom, Jessica following. Alex took Mia's hand and led her out onto the ballroom floor.

"Alex, do you know how to dance?" asked Mia.

"Can't say I do," said Alex. "Why?"

"Care to learn?" she asked.

"Uh, no thanks," said Alex. "We should try and keep to places where we think the crystal ended up."

Mia frowned. "Where are we going to find it in this crowd of people?"

"I haven't got the slightest clue," said Alex. "You?"

"Maybe. . . maybe it's concealed in a plant or something," said Mia.

"So maybe we can try and 'dance' our way over to the plants," said Alex. "That'll make it look less suspicious."

"Fine, then you do need lessons in ball room dancing," said Mia.

"But this is JUST to blend in, mind you," said Alex.

Mia laughed. "I know that! Now, it appears as if they're waltzing, so let's get started. This is a favorite of mine and Nash's. Nash. . ."

"You'll get him back, I know you will," said Alex.

Mia sighed heavily. You have no idea, do you?

"Why would it be in a storage room, Nash?" asked Jessica.

"I don't know, it was at the docks last time," said Nash, scratching his head. "Is your necklace glowing?"

"No, I'm afraid not," said Jessica. "Let's try someplace else."

"Like where?" asked Nash.

"Hey, look at this here, two kids snooping' around the place."

Jessica turned her head to see a large, ugly man in a tuxedo a few sizes to small standing in the exit to the storage room. "What do you want, ugly?"

"Now, now, little pretty, you and your friend aren't supposed to be in here. Let me escort you out," he said, grasping her wrist. Jessica's eyes widened when the man wasn't sent flying backwards.

"An ogre," said Nash. "Oh great, we've been found by an ogre!"

"That explains why he didn't go flying into the wall," said Jessica. "Completely different species." She struggled against the ogre's grip. "Let me go you big lug!"

"No, I like you," he said, smiling a big, toothless grin at Jessica.

Nash, knowing that he either do something or get mauled by Kyle, stomped over to the ogre. "Look, bucko, she's MY wife, so don't lay a finger on her or else!"

The ogre looked at Nash and began to life. "Oh really, little man, and just what are you going to do about it?" said the ogre. "Beat me up?"

"No, I don't need to," said Nash. He raised his hand and began to chant a small spell he'd learned when he first began studying magic. Small sparks began to emit from his fingers. The ogre looked at the sparks in terror. "Let her go or you'll get hit by lightning."

"Okay, okay, I'll let her go, just DON'T HURT ME!" With that, the ogre ran out of the room near tears.

Jessica looked at Nash. "What was THAT all about?" she asked.

"I had to get him to let you go somehow, and I'm not like Kyle or Alex who could have probably kicked that guy's butt," said Nash. "Now let's try to avoid that guy before he figures out my magic is really low."

"You mean you haven't refilled it yet?" asked Jessica.

"You haven't either, no Starlights or Silverlights to be found," said Nash. "I'm down to about five MP, one short of conducting a Thunder Bomb."

Jessica just shook her head. "Let's just get out of- here," she said. "He brought friends."

"That was quick," said Nash. The ogre had returned with two more ogres, both about his size or bigger. "And very bad." He narrowed his eyes. "Get behind me, I have an idea." Once Jessica was anxiously looking at the ogres from over Nash's shoulder, the thunder mage began to chant.

"What are you doing?" said Jessica.

Nash ignored her, continuing whatever it was he was doing. The ogres stopped, staring at him intently. Suddenly, the three were surrounded by a pale yellow hue. A beam of light shot from the three towards Nash, causing him to jerk back slightly at the impact. Jessica yelped. "I'm okay," he said.

"What did you do?!" demanded Jessica.

"Just pirated some magic power," he said. "One Spark Ball should do it." He quickly cast the spell, causing the three to fall over frozen in place. "It only lasts a few minutes, let's go!" The two darted towards the door, jumping over the now twitching bodies of the ogres.

"Where are we going?!" asked Jessica.

"Away from them! We'd better hide out for a while, so keep quiet," said Nash. He poked his head into another room, this one appearing to be some sort of a library. "I thought this world was all parties."

Jessica stepped inside and browsed the shelf. "I think this is the largest cocktail and party game library ever created," she said.

Nash rolled his eyes. "That figures," he mumbled. "1,001 Ways to Get Drunk and Get Laid. Wonder if Kyle or one of his men ever read that."

"Kyle, no. His men? It's their Bible," Jessica said. "Look, we're here to hide, right? So where do we hide?"

"Um, I dunno," said Nash. "Any ideas?"

"One of the tables up against the walls," said Jessica. "You take one, I'll take the other."

Luna sighed heavily. They were waiting until this whole mess was over before they did something that involved couples. Especially if she was going to agree to Kyle. The drunk in question was having a belching contest with a few guys he'd met at the party.

The former Goddess eyed the punch bowl, her mouth suddenly feeling dry. "That looks so good. . ." she said, licking her lips. "Oh, what the heck?" She walked over to the snack table when she felt something. Luna looked around, wondering what had caused her odd feeling. She shrugged, grabbed a cup, and picked up the ladle.

When she brought up the ladle, a crystalline ball sat in the cup, almost pink from the punch. "What in the- yay!" she said, cheering as she dried off the crystal with a napkin. "That was quick. Now to find the others."

Kyle sauntered over to Luna, his eyes widening when he saw the crystal. "All right, Luna! You found the crystal! Now, uh, do we have to leave?"

"The sooner we leave the closer we are to getting rid of the blood lock," said Luna.

Kyle frowned. "And when I actually find decent competition for my belching talents."

Luna smacked Kyle. "Let's go."

Mia and Alex headed over to the table where Luna and Kyle were arguing. "What's going on?" asked Alex.

"I found the crystal, yet Kyle's reluctant to leave," said Luna.

"But these guys are AWESOME belchers!" said Kyle. "I CAN'T pass up this opportunity!"

"EEEEEEEE!!"

Suddenly, the music stopped, people froze, and all became confused. The ball room was dead silent for close to a minute. A murmur went over the crowd, all asking the same question: "What was that?" Most shrugged and resumed the party as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

"Something's wrong," said Alex. "Let's check it out."

"Great, we've gotten MORE than enough attention," said Jessica. After a woman sat down to read a book at the table Nash was hiding under, she was sent flying across the library room, hitting her head. The reluctantly married couple had left their hiding spots so Jessica could heal up the woman. But by then, a squadron of security guards had them surrounded.

"Jess, do you have any ideas?" hissed Nash.

"No," said Jess. "Try using Spark Ball, or Sleep or something!"

"Sleep!" said Nash. "Hey, I got something for you! Special Delivery!" In a bright flash of pink, the guards were fast asleep. "Now we go and find the others, then worry about the crystal."

Once again they were forced to retreat their search and look for either another hiding spot or their friends. "This is a nightmare, this is REAL bad," Jessica said.

"Well no- GAH! More of them!" said Nash. Now, they were surrounded.

"You don't have much of a choice on what to do!" said Jessica. "So do something!"

Nash looked over the people. "The only thing that will hit them all is Thunder Thrust, but that'll kill them!" he said.

"They're gonna kill us," said Jessica. She suddenly latched onto the mage. "I'M SCARED! I DON'T WANNA DIE!"

Nash tried to pry Jessica off while trying to come up with a plan at the same time. The security guards were slowly closing in on them, hints of anger and intent in their eyes. Then, Nash came up with an idea. "Jessica, you ARE in a blood lock, and all of these security guards are men."

Jessica looked around, grinned, and let go of her iron grip on Nash, who was pleased that his circulation began to circulate again. Jessica simply went around, tapping security guards, causing them to fly in several different directions. But more kept coming, and they were starting to attack Nash, who wasn't having much luck with his Spark Balls or Sleep spells.

"NASH! JESSICA! WE HAVE THE CRYSTAL! GET OUT OF THERE!"

Jessica jerked slightly when she felt Nash loop one of his arms around one of her arms. "What are you doing?!"

"Getting us out of here," said Nash, playing with the watch to teleport them back to the In Between.

The In Between was oddly quiet. Alex, Kyle, Luna, Mia, and Willamina were having a discussion, asking Nash and Jessica to stay out of it. "It wasn't our fault," said Jessica. "It was purely self defense."

"But we caused a huge raucous," said Nash. "They're probably going to ask us to stay here until Willamina has enough power to get rid of this accursed blood lock."

"Stay here!?" said Jessica, standing up. "What do you mean, stay here?! They need our help!"

"But both times they've found a crystal we've gotten into trouble," said Nash. "And if I'm right, which I think I am, it'll only be for a few more trips."

Jessica sat down. "Maybe you're right. For once. We DID cause a lot of trouble, didn't we?" she said. "But it's going to get boring around here!"

Nash shrugged. "There's bound to be more in this place than just what we've seen. And I'm sure Willamina could use some help around here."

"You can cook," said Jessica.

"Well, yeah, that, and maybe help her with research she needs. But only if they're doing what I think they are," he said, just as the others came out to the main room. Both sat up from shock, then settled back down as everyone started to take seats. Except for Alex, who was standing before the two. He then began to pace.

"Now, we all know you two got into a lot of trouble back there," said Alex.

"Yes," said Jessica. "We're sorry about that but-"

Alex held up his hand. "I'm not mad. It really wasn't your fault. But-"

"-you want us to stay here until this whole nightmare is over," finished Nash.

"In a word, yes," said Alex. "Not to make you guys feel inferior, but, a lot of these worlds don't know anything about magic and blood locks and that kind of thing, and it'll only be for a few more trips."

"Understood," said Jessica. "We'll find something to do here."

Willamina took a thoughtful pose. "Well, I suppose I could find something constructive for you two so you can keep busy," she said.

"Constructive? You mean we can't be destructive?" Nash said sarcastically.

"Jerk," said Jessica, elbowing him in the stomach.