What was lost...
The car pulled up the long stretch of road. Lilo watched eagerly up ahead, watching the winding path intently for the home she knew so well. When the old house came into view, Lilo wanted to cry out in joy! Everything seemed to be the same, the colors, the plants, even the old dome room that she had spent her childhood in. Lilo could hardly believe it, she was home.
They got out of the car, Lilo was still entranced by the grace the old house seemed to hold, all the memories she had here, all the times she would run home to catalog a new experiment, or all the times she ran home after being teased by Mertle, only to be consoled by her loving family.
She remembered...he was always there to comfort her...
Nani opened the door, the hinges squeaking softly, protesting their old age. Lilo entered, the rooms that she had ran through as a child, the sounds of the floor boards creaking, all brought her a sense of nostalgia. Jumba hefted her bags into the house, and Gloria followed, David and Komalla came in behind them, Komalla was fast asleep in David's arms. Nani motioned to Jumba, "I'll take her bags to her room Jumba, thanks."
Nani tapped Lilo, bringing her out of her trance. Lilo and Gloria followed Nani to the small elevator that ran up to Lilo's old room. Gloria and Lilo went first, for the elevator was too small to fit Nani and the luggage as well.
Lilo reached the room where her most treasured moments lay locked away. Nothing had changed, all of her things remained the same, all of his remained in the room as well. Lilo began to explore the room, brushing her fingers on the small bed, glancing over the children's books. Then she came to a small picture, the glass in the frame was cracked through some abuse, in the picture was someone Lilo knew long ago...
They were standing side by side in the picture, she was about eight years old. He was there, his blue fur, his black eyes, and his smile. They were happy in that picture, standing there without a care in the world, the old feeling of invincibility hovering in their minds. Lilo took her finger, and caressed his ears in the frame, those eyes that could penetrate one's soul, seemed to bore into her mind...
"You sleeping up here tonight?"
Lilo turned to see Nani with the luggage and two fold out cots. Nani smiled, "I figured you'd want to..."
Nani put the cots down, Gloria began to set them up. Nani walked over to Lilo and looked at the picture Lilo held. Nani looked at her and smiled, "You must be tired. I'll let you get some sleep."
Nani kissed Lilo on the cheek, and bid her good-night, and descended to the lower floor. Lilo got her cot ready, and settled in for the night. Gloria, sleep lingering on her voice, asked Lilo, "So, feel good to be home?"
Lilo smiled as she looked out of the retractable ceiling, "You have no idea..."
Lilo closed the sky-view, and the two friends dozed off. The night stilled, the moon hung bright in the sky. Yet something was wrong. As Lilo slept, she kept having the same dream. In the dream, she and Stitch were playing on the beach, when they were young and as happy as could be, the whole family was there. Then a black wind swept across the beach, and all was silent. Lilo turned to find Stitch gone, and all the others had disappeared as well. The world seemed to grow dark, and when Lilo looked towards the trees, she saw a pair of dark red eyes, glaring at her from the trees. Then she heard a voice...the voice of nightmares, of darkness and pain...
"They belong to me now, as do you, submit to your sins! And fall into everlasting darkness!"
The darkness swept to Lilo, and enveloped her!
Then Lilo would awake, to find herself in her room, with Gloria sleeping soundly beside her. Lilo nodded, "It was only a dream." Then she curled up in the bed, and slept soundly, the red eyes appearing no more...
Stitch and 625 landed in a clearing outside of Kokau town. They didn't worry about the camouflage, they had nothing to fear. Three years ago, Earth had passed the alien free trade rule, so earth could have intergalactic trade with other worlds, so you would occasionally see aliens walking about, though they were rare, so for once, Stitch could walk about normally. They each hefted their packs on their shoulders, 625's pack bulged with sandwiches. They hiked into the town, and walked to Angel's small home. Angel lived on the other side of town from Lilo. 625 strolled up to the house, and rang the doorbell. Angel appeared in the door, Stitch was still impressed by her beauty, with the enhancements Jumba made, she was five foot eight, and very attractive and fit. 625, who stood five foot nine, was chubby and not exactly in top condition, Stitch would often wonder why she chose 625.
Angel smiled, "There you are, my brave little soldier..."
Angel and 625 embraced in a lover's kiss. Stitch turned his head, he still felt awkward around Angel. Angel left 625's arms and walked to Stitch, giving him a friendly hug, she did not exactly ease his awkwardness...
Angel left his arms, and looked at him, "Well, thank you for bringing him home in one piece."
Stitch smiled, "Thanks for taking him off my hands."
Angel nodded, she began looking around, Stitch watched her, he knew something was wrong. Angel said, "Come on, let's go inside."
Stitch picked up his baggage and followed the two love birds inside the house. They got inside, 625 immediately plopped on the sofa. Stitch had never seen their house before, it was quite nice. He turned to Angel, and again noted her odd behavior. She was locking the door, yet there were about five separate locks on the door. She locked them all, taking care to double check all the locks. Angel turned and looked at Stitch, she smiled, "So, tell me some of your grand war stories."
625 immediately picked up the conversation. Telling stories of all of 'his' exploits, most of which Stitch new were false, Angel knew too, yet they said nothing. They then turned to other topics, Angel telling them about her time here, how well her job at the hotel was going, and other things. Stitch remained relatively quiet, when asked for one of his war stories, he replied, "I did what I had to do, nothing more."
625 was truly enjoying himself, "You know, we should have a little celebration, come on, let's go out and get us some drinks."
625 got up and was heading for the door, when Angel leapt up, and almost shouted, "NO!"
She ran to the door and blocked 625's way, "Ummm, actually dear, I think I've got a little something stored in the pantry, why don't we just stay here tonight? I'll go fix us some drinks..."
Angel left for the kitchen, 625 resumed his position on the couch, now both 625 and Stitch knew something was wrong. They looked at each other, the understanding passing between their eyes. After awhile, Angel came back with three drinks, "Hope you guys enjoy it, cherry wine coolers is all that was left."
She sat down, and handed them their drinks, Stitch accepted his, but hardly drank it. He waited for awhile, and asked Angel, "Is something wrong? You do seem awfully jumpy."
Angel sat down her drink, "No nothing, its just you know, I wanted you both here tonight, not at some dingy bar..."
They drank in silence for awhile, then 625 began chattering on about the old days. Days when Lilo and Stitch were the experiment hunters. He laughed, "I still remember when you two found the last one! Haha, threw a party at your place, remember Stitch?"
Stitch could remember, Lilo was about fifteen at the time, it had taken them years to catch all the experiments, and find them the one place they belonged. He thought of Lilo, surely she was here on the island now, how old is she? She must be at least twenty by now...
Angel stood, "You two must be tired, and dear," she looked at 625, "I think you've had enough to drink."
625 looked at her, "Oh come on now baby," his cheeks were flushed, "how bout' one more for ya'r man..."
Stitch felt embarrassed, only one wine cooler, and he couldn't talk right.
Angel looked to Stitch, "Would you help him to the bedroom, I'll get you a blanket, sorry but, will you be okay on the couch?"
Stitch stood and nodded, "The couch is fine for me," he hefted 625 on his shoulders, "Now where's your bedroom?"
After Stitch took the already snoozing 625 to the bedroom. He returned to find Angel preparing his couch. Angel finished and looked at him, she smiled and hugged him once more, "I'm sorry Stitch, you know 625 is a light drinker, he didn't mean to bring up Lilo."
Stitch hugged her back, "I know."
"I'm glad your back Stitch, good night."
"Good night."
Stitch watched her walk down the halls, then he took off his boots, and lay down on the couch, and slowly dozed off to sleep.
At one point, Stitch sat up, and looked at the window, and two large red eyes opened before him, they glared at him, angrily. Stitch felt as if he couldn't move, like every fiber of his body was lifeless. The eyes watched him, piercing him, then he heard the voice, the voice that reeked of filth, and was edged with pain.
"Your sins weigh you down, they pierce your soul like knives, submit to me! And fall to everlasting darkness!"
The window broke and the darkness came in and overwhelmed him.
Stitch awoke, he was wet with his sweat, he looked at the window, and sighed, "Only a dream..."
Stitch pulled up the covers and fell into a deep sleep, the eyes troubling him no more.