(A/N: I don't own Papa Johns.)
Chapter 25:
The next day, Cornelia and Elyon were walking with Caleb and Joel to school. Both girls were worried about facing Alchemy, but knew that they couldn't just skip school.
"Well... here we are.", Elyon said as they walked past the school gates.
"Come on, girls.", Joel said. "Maybe Alchemy has had time to cool off and is willing to talk to you."
Just then they saw Alchemy walking up to them. And she wasn't looking to happy.
"Or maybe not.", Caleb said as Alchemy stood in front of them.
"Can you guys excuse us?", Alchemy asked nicely.
"Ummmm... Sure Alchemy.", Joel said knowing Alchemy wanted to talk with Elyon and Cornelia alone. "Let's go, Caleb. This is between the ladies."
"Couldn't agree more!", Caleb said as they left the girls alone.
Once she saw that Caleb and Joel were far enough away, she turned to face Cornelia and Elyon. She took a deep breath and...
"You know, what happened yesterday was really messed up.", she said calmly. "I asked you two to give me some time and space and then you go and come at me with what you said from what Hay Lin heard me and Martin talked about. That was private stuff!"
"And we're sorry.", Elyon said.
"Yeah! We just didn't want you to think that you weren't our friend.", Cornelia said. "We're sorry we hurt your feelings, Alchemy. We really are."
"I know.", Alchemy said with a tiring sigh. "Just promise me no more secrets. Unless it's for my own good. Okay?"
"Okay.", Elyon said with a smile. "We promise."
"Totally!", Cornelia said with a smile before the three of them shared a group hug.
As they were doing this, Hay Lin did her best to sneak pass them. But...
"Not so fast, Hay Lin!", Alchemy said as she, Elyon, and Cornelia pulled away from each other.
Hay Lin froze in her tracks looking at Alchemy who was walking towards her. Alchemy then plunked Hay Lin's forehead surprising the young Air Guardian who looked at Alchemy who gave her a stern look.
"Never spy on me like that again.", she said.
"Okay.", Hay Lin said.
Alchemy then gave her a smile that Hay Lin returned just as the school bell rang to which everyone headed into school. Meanwhile, in another part of town, Tony Vandom was having a meeting with the CEO of the company, Johnathan Rogers.
"Tell me, Tony. How are things with your project?", Rogers asked as he sat behind his desk.
"Things are going well, Sir.", Tony replied. "The local TV station is willing to air the broadcast on the day requested and the clients are pleased with everything I have planned."
"Very good.", Rogers said. "Now don't take this next question the wrong way, Tony. You've done some great things for our company but I have to ask this. Is there a chance of this all blowing up in our faces?"
"Sir, if this ends up doing that, I'll take full responsibility.", Tony said.
"Very well.", Rogers said. "I wish you luck on your project."
"Thank you, Sir.", Tony said as he got up and shook Johnathan's hand.
Tony then left his boss; office and headed for his own.
'That was close.', Tony thought to himself. 'For a minute there, I thought he was going to have Mason be part of my project. That's something I don't need! The little weasel would try and take over and take most of the credit to further himself in the company. Well, that's not going to happen! This is my chance to move forward in the company! Mine and mine alone! And I will not fail!', he thought to himself as he got to his office.
Once in his office, he saw that Crimson was standing there waiting for him. He was dressed in one of his yellow martial arts gi with bandages wrapped around his wrist and knuckles for some protection and black boots.
"Hello, my friend.", Crimson said. "How are things?"
"Pretty good.", Tony said as he walked behind his desk. "How about you?"
"They fair well.", Crimson replied. "My friends and I are counting the days until we reveal ourselves to your world."
"You and me both.", Tony said with a grin. "It'll be a big day for all of us.", he said as he looked at a globe he had in his office. "Tell me, my friend. What is your world like?"
"What did you call me?", Crimson asked.
"My friend.", Tony said to Crimson. "We've known each other for so long that I see you as a friend."
"I see.", Crimson said. "Well, friend, my home world is called Kurot. It is a beautiful world of lush forest and hot jungles with crystal clear waters with plenty of islands. We have some mountain ranges with snowy peaks and a dessert or two. All in all, it is a wonderful planet."
"Sounds nice.", Tony replied. "I'd like to see it someday."
"That can be arranged.", Crimson said. "But for now, I have important things to do.", he said as he got to his feet and pulled out a fold crystal. "Until the next time, my friend.", he said as he opened a fold for Kurot.
"Until then.", Tony said as he watched Crimson walk through the fold. "I'll never get use to that.", he said as he watched the fold close. "I wonder what it'll be like to go to another world. Maybe I'll take Serena and Will with me. Of course Will will want to bring Susan with her as well. Either way, it all sounds exciting!", Tony said to himself as he leaned back in his chair and looked out his office window overlooking most of the city. "This city will be in for quite a surprise.", he said comptinplating things.
Meanwhile, Crimson was back on his home world of Kurot where he and his allies were hiding the whole time.
"If only the Guardians and their allies knew.", Crimson said to himself as he walked through the palace where he was staying at with his allies. "With the power of this world's Heart, I was able to make a veil that hides our energy from Kandrakar.", he said as he walked through the halls of the palace. "But soon that won't be a problem once we present ourselves to Earth. For it is then that my plan to gain access to Kandrakar to free my family!", he said as he entered the library of the palace. "And then we shall rule Kurot together!", he said as he began his search for a book to read to past the time.
Back on Earth, it was Lunch and the Guardians, their boyfriends and their other friends were having lunch together glad that things were okay with Alchemy, Martin, and Joel.
"I still find it a bit weird that you two were on an alternate Earth for eight years when only two months passed here.", Martin said to Angelo and Irma. "It seems so... weird. Like something in a comic book."
"And yet it happened.", Irma said showing off her wedding ring.
"I'm still amazed that you found someone crazy enough to marry you.", Alchemy said to Irma getting a laugh out of the all but Irma.
"But you see, Al, I love me some crazy.", Angelo said with a smirk making Irma smile before she stuck her tongue out at Alchemy.
"Then you got yourself enough crazy to last a very long time.", Cornelia joked getting a laugh out of the other.
"Dang straight I do!", Angelo said as he held Irma close. "Give me some sugar, crazy woman!", he said before they shared a loving kiss.
"So what do you two have planned for this weekend?", Joel asked the loving couple who questioned him with a raised eyebrow. "Besides THAT, I mean."
"Well, we plan on having breakfast at the hotel, followed by hanging around the hotel pool, then have lunch there, then some loving in our room", Irma began to describe what she and Angelo had planned.
"And then after a bit of rest, head back down to the pool for a bit of fun. Then have some dinner.", Angelo continued to describe. "And then spend some time in one of their hot tubs with some sparkling white grape cider, seeing as we can't have some champagne due to how we look now. And then we'll end our evening back in bed."
"So basically, you wo just plan to sit around and do nothing this weekend.", Will said.
"Yes.", Irma and Angelo said.
"Unless some Guardian emergency comes up.", Irma said. "Other than that, this will be our weekend to kick back and relax."
"Like you all don't plan on kicking back as well.", Angelo said.
"True.", Elyon said. "We've all earned some rest after all the things we've been through."
"Amen to that.", Nigel said. "We've all done some major training for what's to come."
"Which is why this weekend is our time to kick back and have some fun.", Hay Lin said happily.
"Exactly.", Irma said looking forward to the coming weekend.
"I'm looking forward to getting rid of these belly packs.", Taranee said as she looked at the fake belly she had from the belly pack.
"You and me both.", Cornelia said. "Can you imagine having to wear these at Prom?"
"Let's not give Mr. Williams any ideas.", Will said.
"No argument there.", Matt said just as the bell rang signaling the end of Lunch.
The young teens threw their trash away and headed for their next classes. Later that day, after school, Angelo and Irma went to pick Chris up from his school. But when they got there, they saw Chris standing with Maggie and two adults. One was a male with black hair and green eyes while the other adult was a woman with russet color hair and blue eyes.
"Those have to be Maggie's parents.", Angelo said as they got out of the car.
"Totally.", Irma said as she saw how they stared as her belly. "Don't worry! Fake stomach. Sex Ed project.", which got both adult breathing a sigh of relief.
"Guys, this is Mr. & Mrs. Rogers.", Chris said. "They're Maggie's parents."
"I'm Irma Vanders. And this is my husband Angelo Vanders."
"Yes. Maggie has told us about you.", Mr. Rogers said.
"So can I, Daddy?", Maggie asked her father.
"Can I ask what's going on?", Angelo asked.
"Well, I was wondering if Maggie could have dinner with us tonight and spend the night.", Chris explained.
"Funny how it's the night we're ordering out.", Irma said with a smirk.
"It is?", Chris questioned pretending to be surprised. "Imagine that. So is it okay for Maggie to have dinner with us and spend the night?"
"As long as Maggie's parents are okay with it, then it's okay with me.", Angelo said.
"Can I Mommy and Daddy!?", Maggie pleaded with her parents. "Pleeeeeeeeease!?"
"Dinner yes.", Mr. Rogers said making both kids smile. "But no spending the night.", he said making both children frown.
"But, Daddy...!", Maggie began to say.
"No buts, young lady.", Mr. Rogers said. "You are a girl while Chris is a boy. It's not right for that kind of thing."
"Okay.", Maggie said giving in to her parents.
"Now, we'd like it if you could have Maggie back home around 8:30 tonight.", Mr. Rogers said as he handed Irma a piece of paper. "This is our address."
"Don't worry, Mr. & Mrs. Rogers. We'll take good care of Maggie and have her home around 8:30.", Angelo said.
"Very well.", Mr. Rogers said before he and his wife gave Maggie a hug and a kiss on her forehead. "Have fun, Maggie."
"And remember to mind your manners.", Mrs. Rogers said before they go in their car and left the school.
"Now. Shall we be going?", Angelo questioned as he headed for his car.
Once he and the others got in his car, Angelo drove away from the school and down the road.
"Ummmmm... Where are we going?", Maggie asked.
"Well first, we're going to get our dinner and then head back to our place to eat and watch some TV.", Irma explained.
"So where are you guys ordering from tonight?", Chris asked.
"Papa Johns.", Angelo answered.
"Oh! I like their bacon cheese sticks!", Maggie said with a bright smile. "Can we get some?"
"I don't see why not.", Irma said making Maggie smile.
Once at Papa John's, Angelo and had ordered a thing of bacon cheese bread with a thing of chicken poppers, wings, and a large cheese pizza with a two liter of A&W root beer. They then headed for the Vanders' apartment building and inside of Angelo and Irma's apartment home. After setting the table and saying grace, the four of them began to eat their dinner.
"So are you ready for you trip to the water park, Maggie?", Irma asked before eating some pizza.
"Uh-huh!", Maggie said. "I even got a new swimsuit for the trip."
"I'm wearing my red trunks!", Chris said looking forward to the trip.
"I think I'll be wearing my pink swimsuit with the frills in the front.", Irma said. "What about you?", she asked her husband.
"Either my black, blue, red, or brown swimming trunks with a gray tank-top.", Angelo replied.
"I wonder what Corny'll be wearing?", Irma questioned with a small smile.
"Who's Corny?", Maggie asked.
"Lillian's older sister.", Chris replied.
"Oh. Her.", Maggie said sadly.
"Let me guess.", Irma said. "You tried to be friends with er ony for her to turn your friendship away.", she said getting a nod from Maggie. "Figures."
"Looks like Lillian hasn't been trying to be friends with you after all.", Angelo said.
"Well, I used to be a bully.", Maggie said.
"But you're not now.", Chris said. "Once Lillian and other students see that, you'll make lots of friends."
"I hate to ask, but what made you become a bully in the first place?", Irma asked.
"Well... about a year ago, I was as tall as Chris is now.", Maggie began to explain. "It didn't take long for some of the other students to poke fun at me. I was called a freak for being taller that some of the boys. Some even called me 'Monster Maggie'.", she said. "After a while, I decided that enough was enough!"
"And it was then that you fought back.", Angelo figured, getting a small nod from Maggie.
"I... I didn't want to be a bully, but after all the times I was picked on, I decided to give then all a taste of what they did to me.", Maggie explained.
"Chris?", Irma questioned looking at her little brother.
"What!? I didn't pick on Maggie!", Chris said. "I was mostly hanging with my friends! I didn't know who Maggie was until earlier in the school year."
"Well, I'll say this.", Angelo said. "So what if you're a bit taller that some boys. It' no biggie. It just means that your body is growing a bit faster than others. Believe me when I say that a lot of kids go through what you're going through, Maggie."
"Heck! Corny is the tallest of us girls.", Irma replied.
"Who's she?", Maggie asked.
"Lillian's sister.", Chris replied.
"Which means that Lillian just may be as tall as Cornelia is now.", Angelo replied before he noticed the look on Maggie's face. "You okay there, Maggie?"
"Huh? Yeah.", she said before looking at her plate.
"Uh-huh.", Angelo said. "Is there more to what's going on between you and Lillian?"
"Well... We used to be friends before I got taller.", Maggie began to explain. "But I went to spend last Summer with one of my aunts."
"And when you came back you saw that you were taller than most of the other students.", Irma figured getting a nod from Maggie. "And when some of the other students started picking on you, Lillian joined in with them.", she said getting a nod from Maggie as her eyes began to water.
"I thought she was my friend!", Maggie said as a few tears began to run down her face. "Why did she do me like that!?", she cried as more tears began to flow.
Seeing this, Irma switched seats with Chris and pulled Maggie into a hug. Maggie accepted the hug and she held onto Irma.
"It's okay, Maggie.", Irma said as she began to stroke the girl's back in a soothing motion. "Just let it out. Let it all out."
After eating their meal, Angelo decided to take Maggie home early to inform her parents on what she's been going through at school.
"I... I had no idea my baby was going through this at school.", Mrs. Rogers said still surprise at what Angelo and Irma told them. "Why did you say anything, Maggie?"
"I didn't want to worry you and daddy, Mommy.", Maggie said before her father sat with them on their couch.
"We're your parents, Maggie. And you're our daughter.", Mr. Rogers said as he gently cupped his daughter's face. "We're here for you when you need us. So never be afraid to tell us if there's something or someone is botching you. Okay?"
"Okay, Daddy.", Maggie said before sharing a hug with her parents.
"Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Mr. and Mrs. Vanders.", Mrs. Rogers said to Angelo and Irma. "And thank you for being Maggie's friend, Christopher."
"Just call me Chris.", Chris said with a smile.
"And we both must apologize to the both of you.", Mr. Rogers said to Irma and Angelo. "When we first heard about you two getting married at such a young age, we pretty much judged you two right then and there."
"We get that a lot.", Angelo replied with a grin.
"But now, we see how wrong we were about you two.", Mrs. Rogers said. "Both of you have shown great maturity when it comes to our daughter and her problems. And if your families are okay with you two being married, then they must see the love between you two."
"Thank you very much.", Irma said with a kind smile that Maggie's parents returned.
"Can I make a small request of you?", Angelo asked Mr. & Mrs. Rogers.
"What kind of request?", Mrs. Rogers asked.
"It's about all that Maggie has been through at school.", Angelo replied. "I was wondering if you wouldn't go to the school about what you know. It could do more harm than good for Maggie."
"You raise a good point there.", Mr. Rogers said. "The last thing we want to do is embarrass our daughter."
"But what about the students that still think Maggie is a bully?", Mrs. Rogers questioned.
"If you're willing to trust me and my wife, I may have a solution to that problem.", Angelo replied. "If we can reunite Lillian and Maggie as friends again, then maybe everything will be okay for Maggie in school."
"We can do during their trip to the water park!", Irma said. "If this works, a lot of their classmates will see it and everyone will see that Maggie isn't the bully they thought she was."
"It could work.", Mrs. Rogers said. "But the trip isn't until next week."
"It's okay, Mommy.", Maggie said. "I can wait if it means that Lillian and I will be friends again."
"Well, if you can wait then so can we.", Mr. Rogers said as he ruffled his daughter's hair. "I guess we'll leave the rest to you two then.", he said to Angelo and Irma as he shook Angelo's hand.
"We'll do our best.", Angelo said.
Later that evening after saying their goodnights to the Rogers family, Irma was riding shotgun while Chris had fallen asleep in the back of the car as Angelo drove the three of them home.
"You know, you were pretty good with Maggie when she was crying during dinner.", Angelo said with a smile. "You're better with kids than you thought you were."
"Think I'll be just as good with our own kid?", Irma questioned as they stopped at a stop light.
"Of course I do!", Angelo said. "If not better.", he said making Irma smile before she leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek.
"I love you.", Irma said. "Do you know that?"
"Jus like I love you.", Angelo said before giving his wife a kiss just when the light turned green causing those behind them to honk their horns. "I think we better get going."
"Yeah.", Irma said with a smile as Angelo drove off.
Meanwhile, on the world of Kurot, Crimson was sitting at a table in the Throne room of the palace he and his allies were staying in. Also there were Phobos, Nerissa, and Miranda. Just then, the doors of the Throne Room to have Frost and Cedric who was in his giant snake-man form came walking into the room with five Lurdens in chains. The Lurdens let out mighty roars as they tried to break free, due to the fear they felt towards Frost and Cedric, but stopped when they felt the power coming from all those in the room.
"So these are the creatures known as Lurdens?", Crimson questioned as he got up from his seat and walked up to them.
"Indeed.", Phobos said as he along with Nerissa and Miranda got up from their seats as well. "They're not to bright but are loyal if you can show that you are an alpha warrior."
"Then this won't be a problem.", Crimson said as he began to power up allowing his ki to show which scared the Lurdens more as they could feel the power coming from Crimson. "Good. You know you can defeat me or those in this room. Very good he said as he walked up to one of the Lurdens who quivered in fear. "Can either of you become one fo these creatures?", he asked Cedric and Miranda.
"Yes. Why?", Miranda questioned.
"I need you to do so and translate what I'm about to say to them.", Crimson said. "And I'd prefer it to be yo, Miranda. I've learned that women can have a certain effect on men. No matter what race it is."
Miranda looked at Cedric who nodded to her. Taking a deep breath, Miranda transformed into a female Lurden which got the attention of the male Lurdens as she walked up to them.
"Ask them if they would like to become stronger than what they are now.", Crimson said to Miranda.
Miranda then asked the Lurdens what Crimson told her to ask them. The Lurdens looked at each other and nodded to each other and then back to Miranda who nodded to Crimson.
"Tell them that if they follow us, them we can teach them how to become powerful.", Crimson said.
Miranda then told the Lurdens what Crimson said to which the Lurdens nodded. Miranda then transformed back to her Human form.
"They're in.", Miranda said.
"Excellent.", Crimson said with a smirk.
"You plan on creating an army of Lurden warriors that fight like us.", Nerissa said figuring out Crimson's plan.
"Yes.", Crimson said. "They won't be as powerful as us, but with them, we'll have a better chance of taking Kandrakar and any other world."
"But your other plan...?", Frost questioned.
"Only keeps the Guardians and their allies from coming after us on Earth.", Crimson replied. "When we go after Kandrakar, we'll need all the help we can get."
"Hence the Lurdens.", Cedric figured.
"If we can make these Lurdens stronger, then we can do the same with more of them.", Phobos said with a smirk.
"Now you're getting it.", Crimson said. "And now we begin with a show of trust.", he said as he blasted the chains that held the Lurdens at bay.
Once free, the Lurdens ran out of the Throne Room.
"Why did you do that!?", Frost questioned. "Now they'll...
"Run around the trying to find a way out.", Crimson finished. "And once they do, they'll leave the palace grounds and see that this land isn't their own. Those that manage to return in one piece will know that they will be safe here until they are strong enough to fend for themselves on this world."
"I like how you think, Crimson.", Cedric said with a smirk.
"As do I.", Phobos said. "Fear can be a powerful weapon if used right."
"Indeed it is.", Crimson said. "And if all goes well, we all will get everything we want."
"Then let the games begin.", Nerissa said knowing that things have just changed.
'I only hope this doesn't mess up my own plans', she thought to herself hoping her plan would play out the way she wanted them to.
A/N: Well, it seems that Crimson has brought some new players into the game. But can he and his allies really train the Lurdens in the way they can fight? And if they can, what does that spell for our heroes? And speaking of which, Can Angelo and Irma help Maggie and Lillian be friends again? Cause let's be honest, Lillian is Cornelia's sister. And we know that girl can carry a grudge. Only time will tell what goes down.
Please review.