Chapter 2: Ominous Warning

Angel ran down the path, passing by the Root Pack's garden and pausing as Psych waved her over. "Angel, what's the matter?" He asked in worry as she came over. "You look like the monster is back."

"That's what me and Grandpa are worried about, Psych," she said. "We just got word that the boys and Chalice are over on the Mystery Island."

"The Mystery Island?" He repeated. "What are they doing over there?"

"That's what I intend to find out," the young woman said. "I'm heading over to Djimmi's pyramid to try and find some answers."

He nodded. "Hurry," he said urgently. "I suddenly have a sinking feeling the boys are in danger."

Nodding, Angel continued down the path, coming to the Die House and knocking on the door, hoping Dice was there.

To her luck, he was and he opened the door, surprised to see her. "Angel?" He asked.

"I'm sorry to sound rushed, Dice, but I need to see Djimmi. It's really important," she said.

Seeing the urgent look on her face, he nodded and waved her through. She paused for a moment by the four singers and saw the genie outside his pyramid with Beppi. "I think the banner on your pyramid is the best way to announce the new show, Djimmi," the clown said.

"I believe you're right," the genie said.

Angel went up to them and Beppi noticed her first. "Angel," he said with a smile. "How are you?"

She smiled but then frowned. "I'd be better if I was here for a friendly visit," she admitted.

"What's the matter, Angel?" Djimmi said, noting how worried the young woman looked.

"I just learned that our nephews are on the Mystery Island."

The genie gasped and his turban flew up off his head in shock while the clown squeaked in shock. Angel looked at them and the sinking feeling returned to her stomach. "I'm guessing by your reactions that the Mystery Island means bad news," she said.

"What are they doing there?" Beppi asked in a panic.

Djimmi was quiet a moment before he looked at the clown and young woman. "I had a dream the other night about the boys going to the Mystery Island, but there was a dark shadow trying to reach them," he said. "I...I don't think it was the monster, but...,"

He trailed off and Angel looked worried. "Djimmi? What is it?" She asked.

He took a deep breath. "I've been hearing rumors about someone named Saltbaker wanting to create a Wondertart," he said.

"Saltbaker?" Beppi asked curiously.

"What's a Wondertart?" Angel asked, also curious.

"I don't know," the genie replied to both of them. "I've only heard of him by name and the Wondertart is apparently a tasty treat, but the ingredients are not easy to come by."

The young woman got a sinking feeling in her stomach. "Who would know more about Saltbaker and this Wondertart?" She asked.

"King Dice no doubt would," Beppi said.

She nodded. "Then I'm off to the casino," she said.

"Angel," Djimmi said, making her pause and he took one of her hands in his both of his own, squeezing it gently. "Be careful. I fear that this Saltbaker may be looking to harm the boys, if they are indeed over there."

She nodded, knowing the genie wouldn't say something like that lightly, especially after they had all witnessed the monster coming back and capturing them all save for Angel, leaving her to face him. But thankfully, with some help from Brineybeard sometime prior, the young woman had beaten the monster at his own game and with some help from her new family and friends, they had kicked the monster off the Isles permanently. "I only hope he's not working with the monster," she said.

"Same here," Beppi said before handing her something. "Here, take these."

She accepted the vials, seeing they were glowing green and red. "Some extra firepower should you need it," he said.

Nodding, she hugged him and Djimmi before heading off for the casino, coming up to the train tracks and she was about to cross them when a familiar train horn sounded and she looked to see Mad Train coming up to her from down the track, T-Bone looking out the window as the train came to a stop. "Angel," the skeleton said, hopping out onto the platform. "We just heard from Hilda about the boys being on the Mystery Isle. What's going on?"

"I don't know, T-Bone, but I'm on my way to go talk to King Dice to hopefully get some answers and soon," Angel said. "Because some of us are worried the monster may be back."

"I hope not," he said.

The Blaze Brothers came out and one of them checked the schedule. "T-Bone, the schedule is clear," he said.

"No doubt everyone is staying with relatives for the upcoming fair," the skeleton said.

"Maybe you and Mad Train can get Angel to the casino quickly," the other Blaze Brother said. "Unhook the cars from Mad Train and you'll be there in no time."

"He's got a point, T-Bone," Angel said with a nod. "I need to get to the casino as soon as possible, before something bad happens to our nephews."

Mad Train tooted and T-Bone nodded, quickly working to unhook the passenger cars before he helped Angel aboard Mad Train, who gave another train toot. "Mad Train, I'm normally against this, but with the boys' lives potentially being in danger...get us to the casino as fast as you can," the skeleton said.

Mad Train shrieked eagerly and took off like a shot. "Good luck, Angel!" The Blaze Brothers called out and she waved back to them, holding on tightly to the side of the train and T-Bone, who held her protectively as he too held onto the side of the train as Mad Train zoomed down the tracks, coming to a screeching halt at the casino, startling a few of the casino patrons who looked to see what was happening. Angel jumped down and turned to the skeleton and train.

"Thanks, guys," she said.

"Good luck, Angel," T-Bone said before stepping down and pulling her into a hug. "Just promise you and the boys will come back in one piece."

Surprised by the hug, she nodded and hugged him back. "I promise," she said.

He let her go and she looked at him, her eyes filled with worry. The skeleton gently brushed the backs of the fingers on his right hand over her face in a comforting gesture. "Go," he said encouragingly.

Nodding, she turned and headed into the casino, pausing as she saw Chips and Hopus nearby and there was a young girl with them and the child was giggling as the rabbit tickled her feet while the cowboy was tickling her neck. "Who's the sweetest little cowgirl?" Chips cooed at her.

"I could never get tired of hearing those cute giggles," Hopus said.

The child giggled at their words before they let her up and she sat up. "Again," she said.

"Oh? Our little niece wants more tickles, hmm?" Chips asked teasingly.

Just then, the child saw Angel and grew curious. "Uncle Hopus. Uncle Chips, who's that?" She asked, pointing at the young woman.

"Don't point, kiddo," Hopus reminded her gently before seeing who it was. "That's Angel. She's the one that defeated the monster a while back."

"With some help," the young woman replied. "And if that little one is calling you her uncles, then she must be Monica. I heard King Dice had adopted a little girl."

"Yup, this little cowgirl is Monica," Chips said, lifting the child up.

The child gave Angel a shy smile before hiding her face away, making the young woman smile. "She really is adorable," she said before her face fell into a serious look. "I do wish this was a more pleasant visit, but I need to meet with King Dice. It's urgent."

"He's in his office," Hopus said, indicating to a hall on the right. "Go straight down the hall and take a right at the end. The office will be straight ahead. You can't miss it."

"Thank you," the young woman said, following his instructions and she was soon outside the doors to King Dice's office.

She only hoped he could answer her questions, because Djimmi's words echoed in her mind and she was now getting worried that the genie's worries may very well become reality.


Monica belongs to me. Some of you may remember her from "A Lucky Roll Of The Dice", which can be found on my page. :)

Will Angel get the answers she seeks? Has the monster returned? We shall know soon.

Please leave a review, but no flames! :)

GoldGuardian2418