And I'm back! First off, I want to admit how disappointed I was when I didn't get any reviews for the first chapter. Yes, the chapter was rather short, but I still would have liked some criticism. Anyway, since I'll be heading back to college very soon, I want to warn about how infrequent my updates will possibly be. I'll try to update on Sundays, but I can't promise anything. Finally, let's continue with the story and please, please tell me what you think. (I do not own Veggie tales, the Larryboy Cartoon adventures, or anything Big Idea related.)

Chapter 2: Mira and Alysha

For the longest time, there was nothing but darkness. Very slowly, a throbbing pain began to accompany it. As he found himself coming back to reality, Awful Alvin began to register different feelings and sounds. First, he felt that he was lying on something soft. Second, he felt something cold on the back of his aching head. Finally, he picked up a voice seemingly nearby. It sounded young and female; possibly from a teenager? Alvin slowly opened his eyes to find a green face staring down at him. The owner of the face was in fact a teenage girl, with big, pink-lidded eyes, a small nose, a few freckles, small silver hoop earrings, and light pink lips. On her head was a puffy, brown newsboy cap (he guessed her hair must be hidden underneath), and she had a look of worry across her features.

"Who are you?" asked Alvin who was too disoriented to try to sound threatening.

"What is your name?" asked the girl seriously as if Alvin hadn't just spoken.

"What?" said Alvin wearily, trying to figure out where he was and why she was asking such a question.

"What. Is. Your. Name?" repeated the teen as she pronounced every syllable in that same serious tone.

After a few seconds he gave a confident (evil) smile and replied, "Awful Alvin, mad genius and one of Bumblyburg's greatest villains," finishing the statement with his arms crossed. He became somewhat offended when the girl merely rolled her eyes, so he said rather heatedly, "and now that it's my turn to interrogate, who are you little girl and what's going on?"

The teen backed away from Alvin while angrily mouthing the word "little." Turning his head to look at her fully, he noticed that she was a rhubarb, wearing a long brown coat that completely covered her body, and surprisingly, had very long sleeves. It was an old coat, judging by the colorful patches that had been sewn on, and he noticed her raise a sleeve to pat her cap before saying coldly, "Call me Mira, and while you're at it say thank you."

"For what?" Alvin scoffed, raising part of his brow as he tried to lift himself up.

"For saving your neck," she replied casually while crossing her sleeves.

The mad genius looked flabbergasted for a moment, before it suddenly came back to him. The raid! The dogs! The treasures! Lampy! Alvin's surprise was quickly replaced with worry when he realized who was missing.

"Where's my box?" he shouted angrily (which wasn't helping his head), "Where's Lampy?"

"Whoa! Calm down!" exclaimed Mira as she tossed a pillow at him to keep him from getting up, "you can't move around with that bump on your head, and your stuff is safe!"

Alvin wasn't happy that she referred to his companion and treasures as "stuff" and didn't really want to take orders from her, but his headache was starting to annoy him and he was tired. He had been too preoccupied with Mira to take stock of his surroundings, but now he noticed that he was lying on what looked like a mustard colored couch, and that the walls were covered in different paintings.

"By the way," said the rhubarb looking apologetic, "I'm sorry about knocking you out a little over thirty minutes ago. I hope you're not feeling queasy."

Alvin gaped at her as if she was insane. He, an infamous super villain had been knocked out by a girl! She had to be more than seven years his junior! Secretly however, he was more confused than angry. Why save him? There was an awkward pause with Mira darting her eyes around nervously, and Alvin could have sworn he heard something rustling under her cap.

"Well….I guess I better get to bed since I have work," said Mira as she gave a yawn. But just as she turned around, Alvin couldn't help but ask, "Do your parents know you're helping me?"

Mira turned away as a hint of sadness came to her face, but answered quietly, "Let's just say you don't have to worry about someone checking up on me anytime soon."

"Oh," said Alvin in his own quiet tone as Mira began to hop away. One minute the onion villain was trying to process everything that just happened, and the next minute, he was out.

Despite getting knocked out by a chunk of wood, Alvin still managed to fall into a decent sleep that night. The couch he had been placed on was actually very comfortable. Alvin could have stayed on that couch forever, but as he started to drift between sleep and awake, he thought he felt something on his legs. Said something was lightweight, soft, and vibrating. Slowly lifting his head and replacing the oversized monocle he had removed last night, Alvin felt his eyes grow even bigger when he noticed a cat sleeping on him. The cat was covered in short, light brown fur with faint, dark stripes and a cream underside. As if sensing that he was awake, the animal slowly lifted its head and opened its eyes to reveal gold. Alvin and the cat did nothing but stare at each other that whole time. Alvin had never owned a cat before (the angry eyebrows had been the closest things he had ever had to pets), so he had no idea what to do now. He was tempted to just kick it off, but was stopped with a sudden "There you are!" by a familiar voice.

Forgetting about his headache, Alvin quickly turned his head to the area behind the couch where Mira was. She still had her hair hidden under the newsboy cap, but this time she was wearing a lavender coat. Behind her appeared to be a small kitchen area.

"I see you've met Alysha," said Mira smiling slightly as she walked around to Alvin's side.

"Alysha?" he mumbled as the rhubarb thankfully wrapped her sleeves under the feline to lift it up. The cat gave a small meow before she was deposited on the floor.

"I kept her locked in my room after I brought you in, but then I let her out after you fell asleep," explained Mira as Alvin started to get up off the couch, "I wasn't sure what she'd think about you since we never have guests, but it looks like she doesn't mind."

After removing his ice pack and checking that he could actually stand up, Alvin gave a stretch before asking, "Is this supposed to be your home?"

"Yes actually," said Mira, "would you like a tour?"

Since he had nothing better to do, the onion gave a shrug and decided to go along with it. It appeared that Mira's "home" was an apartment from the eighties, but according to her, the whole building had been abandoned long ago. The place consisted of: the living room Alvin had been sleeping in, the kitchen, a bedroom which Mira wouldn't open, a closet, and a bathroom. Alvin had noticed that every wall and empty space appeared to be covered with personal artwork. Sometimes paintings, other times posters. She was actually pretty good.

"So you truly live alone?" Alvin finally asked after the tour.

"Well not completely," Mira assured, "I mean I do have Alysha."

Something about her words struck a familiar chord with Alvin, along with her face. However, he was removed from his thoughts by Mira telling him to wait in the living room. Alysha was sitting on the floor across from the couch and Alvin found himself engaged in another staring contest. Three minutes later, Mira returned with a small art kit, the treasure box, and…

"Lampy!" the onion gave an excited shout as he went to collect his box and friend. He gave the lamp a hug, but quickly pulled away when he heard Mira give an "ahh" at his display. The lamp still had the scarf from last night and appeared undamaged. Turning his attention to the girl, he felt like he had to say something, but for a moment couldn't remember what it was.

"Um…..thank you," he finally said, albeit almost quietly. He couldn't remember the last time he had spoken that word, it must have been…no, not now. Snapping back to reality, Alvin heard Mira give a "you're welcome," before her smile dropped into a serious line.

"Now, I know you villains like to play by your own rules, believe me I relate, but I have to go to work and I need you to stay here. The police and Larryboy will be searching everywhere for you and you can't be seen."

"Speaking of here," spoke up Alvin, "where exactly is here?"

"The old Harmony Homes apartment complex."

"On Tenth and Cauli Avenue ten blocks from the park!" exclaimed Alvin as recognition crossed his face. Noticing Mira's surprised look he quickly added, "As a villain it always helps to know the city you're raiding."

"Well anyway," continued Mira, "The point is I'm offering to hide you until they stop searching, and I can get you extra supplies while I'm out. But I do have some provisos. One, you are never to enter my room, since I'm the only one with a key. Two, you are to stay in the apartment while I'm away, and finally, you must never reveal this location to anyone!" she said the last part in almost a whisper and even looked him in the eyes. "I have spent a long time giving the illusion that no one lives here and I want to keep it that way."

After giving a small nod to her agreements, Alvin watched Mira give Alysha a goodbye pat before awkwardly hopping out the door. He thought for a moment how odd her movements were, before turning to his friend.

"Well, I'll tell you this Lampy. On top of being strange she is either the bravest or stupidest girl I have ever met."

I am so glad I got this chapter done in one day! So I've finally introduced you to some of my OCs, but I promise to make them as interesting and different as possible. See you around! :)