(Emma's P.O.V.) -In the spiritual plane- March 2nd, 900
I stared in shock and terror as I pulled back from the hug, "You aren't supposed to be here! What happened back there?!". Ryan, looking at me with a somber smile, "School shooting. Wrong place at the wrong time. He couldn't take it anymore, and he went crazy. 7 other kids were killed before the cops got him. Cuz, one of them was a freshman...".
I exhaled sharply, my heart breaking at the thought that Ryan was only a year and half from graduation, having been a junior at the time, 17 years old... My sweet baby cousin...I breathed shakily, "Please tell me that it was quick.".
Ryan squeezed my shoulder softly, "Yeah, it was. For some reason, I stayed around with the other spirit kids, and after maybe a day or two, I came to realize that they needed my help to pass over, and I guess my good deed caught the Blue Fairy's attention, and offered me to come see where you're living. Of course, I was very, very shocked to find out that you are alive all this time since that car crash looked like it had exploded off in something...".
I stared at him, his bright teal eyes sincere and awed, and I sighed softly, "I figured that the family presumed that I'm dead since I don't exist there anymore, huh?". Ryan nodded, his dark brown hair shaking at the motion, "You got that right, Emma. I missed you so much all those months, and now even to make it more heartbreaking, they lost me...But look at you being your badass self! We're in a alternate universe of Disney and other stuff! I actually met so many people here, and I actually like flying with those wings! Cool, eh? Turns out they come with the spirit package.", grinning widely.
I blinked in surprise when I saw the outline of wings behind Ryan, not enough to actually know the color or the actual look of it, but the size of them sure looks strong enough to lift him off and bring him into flight mode when necessary. I smiled softly, "They're awesome, alright. How long have you been here in Enchantia?", narrowing my eyes slightly.
Ryan smiled lightly, "Two weeks in the spirit realm. I checked on the family before I left Earth, don't worry. They're all fine and safe, considering the circumstances...". I nodded in relief, and I exhaled deeply, "No regrets?".
Ryan raised an eyebrow, "How could I refuse the chance to see you again? You may be a couple decades older than me, but you're my cousin! And besides, you know your dad too well. He often said, "You may not know how much time you have in your life, but you can have many memories in your life when you spend-", and I echoed him, "-time with your family and friends anywhere, anyplace.".
I smiled wryly, "He wore off on you, huh?". Ryan chuckled heartily, "Uncle Greg's a softie at heart. He's bound to infect anybody with his sassy wisdom. Anyhow, on the other hand, I am so proud of you for passing your tests, cuz! You were so wicked awesome!", grinning widely, and I laughed softly at his enthusiasm.
"Speaking of tests, I believe it's time for you to decide if you're ready to take the oaths of being Protector within the Blue Dragon Infinity Stone of Space, and of course, myself as well.", Sulley gently interrupted with a smile. I smiled warmly, and glanced at Ryan who nodded softly, "You'll always be my cousin, my family. Go for it, Em.".
My heart swelled at the mention of his fond nickname for me, and I took a deep breath, "I'm ready, Sulley.". Sulley smiled widely, and I saw Magic Carpet poke Ryan on the shoulder, and Ryan pouted, "Aw, I wanted to witness her taking on the oaths, Carpet!". Carpet animatedly gestured to the skies, and Ryan sighed heavily, glancing at me, "Well, I better get going, cuz. Just remember that I live within the Evening Star, and sometimes, with the Great Spirits, okay? Heck, I might ask Zeus if you and the team is welcome to visit Mount Olympus once the war is over. I know you can save Enchantia with the team, and should I say, Silver as well?", wiggling his eyebrows at me.
I blushed wildly, realizing that he has the ability to watch over me, and I went for his hair, ruffling it furiously as payback for that gesture/comment. Ryan groaned lightly, "Not my hair! Come on, I just had it brushed hours ago!". I giggled softly, "That's what you get for embarrassing me, imp!", biting my lip a tad nervously, "But you're okay with me liking Silver?".
Ryan grinned lightly, "Emma, I had never seen you that happy back on Earth, and when you talk with Silver, you have this light, a light of hope that everybody needs. It makes total sense that you're compatible with him. I am really happy for you, Em.". My heart swelled even harder, feeling so happy to have his blessing, and I couldn't help going in for a hug again, and when I heard a loud chirping whistle in the distance, I pulled back in confusion as Ryan chuckled, "Right, that's my cue to leave now. Come on, Carpet.".
Carpet flew under him as Ryan sat back, and Carpet lifted up, hovering as Ryan faced me eye to eye, and he smiled reassuringly, "I love you, cuz.". I smiled tearfully, "I love you, baby cousin.". Ryan smirked at me, "I will let that slide for once. See you around!", waving with a hand and a wink before Carpet dashed off, hearing Ryan's laughter.
I sighed deeply with a smile, and I turned my head over to look at Sulley, "Shall we? I am getting a bit antsy already.". Sulley nodded, "Grab ahold. Better to do it within your body than the spiritual plane.", offering a paw, and I grabbed it gently yet firm enough to stay ahold through the trip back even if it takes a short minute. I hope Silver and the little ones are waiting outside.
(No P.O.V.) -15 minutes later-
John Silver looked up in surprise when he saw the shield vanish, and his heart went fast when he saw Emma lying on the ground, running over to her. He's relieved to see her chest moving with breath, and he called out to her, "Emma?", shaking her shoulder, smiling softly as he saw Emma's eyes open blearily.
Emma groaned lightly, "What a rush...John?". John chuckled softly, "About time you got back. We're just starting to wonder about ya.". Emma smiled widely as she got up into a sitting position momentarily just before Barley plowed into her with a hug, "I knew you'd be back, Miss Emma!", and Emma's expression softened as she cuddled Barley softly, "Aw, thank you, Barley. Don't worry, no more detours from now on, I'm officially your guardian until I get you and baby Ian back to your parents.".
Barley grinned softly, "Yay! Come on, lunch is ready! I thought you'd be really hungry!", and John laughed gently, "Little tyke had the idea that you'd like to have some delicious soup to regain some strength.". Emma ruffled Barley's hair warmly, "Is that right? Well, go ahead and check on your brother. I'll be right there in a sec.".
Barley nodded, "Okay, Miss Emma!", heading back to the campfire, and Emma chuckled softly, exhaling deeply as she felt the thrum of Space's presence within the Stone, and Sulley's chuckling laughter from his tattoo spot. The Blue Infinity Dragon of Space is resting upon her right shoulder, strapped to a toga wrap practically glued to her body, and the tattoo location was chosen to live upon the back with Sulley's head peeking from the corner of the neck/left shoulder, looking like a dark blue silhouette with bright teal eyes of Sulley's dragon form. His body and wings covered from sight thanks to Emma's clothes, respectfully avoiding the waist area as the silhouette is half flying, half sitting, almost like it's rearing.
John gave Emma a hand, getting up, and John glanced at her, "So, everything went good in there?". Emma nodded, "Yeah, I will tell you the story when the kids are tuckered out from walking and such for the afternoon. There's a castle waiting for us, and I hope the team is close by, at least.". John nodded in understanding, and they went off after a wonderful lunch, traveling through the forest for some hours until sunset came upon the horizon.
It was when Emma heard Sulley about sending some energy excess for Esmeralda as it turns out there's a wedding happening in Narnia, and Esmeralda has to be there, and even from many miles apart, Emma, Pippa, Logan co-joined together to send off a decent amount of energy from the Stones. Eyes turned white, streams of magic flowed and swam all over the place, and within the land where the ancient temples guarded the Stones before United Talons came, the temples dissolved into even more magic, and there, Esmeralda in her hybrid dragon form, was able to leave Logan for the first time in a long, long distance to Narnia.
On the way, she passed by Atlantis, and the Great Kings of the Past around the Crystal smiled at her, and Esmeralda decided to do the first surprise, flying over to the Crystal and touching it, communicating her surprise plan, and the Great Kings agreed vehemently, especially King Kashekim, knowing that his daughter would be happy about it.
Esmeralda gave some of the spirit energy into the Crystal, and the Crystal glowed even brighter, stronger as the city of Atlantis suddenly glowed, causing several people to come out, and the crystal energy zoomed into the deep waters before the shaking started, and much to the people, especially Kida and Milo's amazement, many crumbling bridges and buildings came out of the water, putting Atlantis back together like tons of puzzle pieces, and even if they're crumbling, they are going to be shaped back again to former glory for the people will work hard, wanting to have their heritage to be known once more.
As the Great Kings of the Past gave a gift to Esmeralda to pass on to the couple at the wedding, Esmeralda was overjoyed to see happiness and awe on the people of Atlantis, knowing that they really needed it, flying east to Narnia, and once she entered the boundary of Narnia on the beach, she landed upon the infamous Stone Table, the motion attracting the attention of the elusive, spiritual lion whose name is Aslan.
Esmeralda figured out the next surprise on the journey, and hoped that Aslan would help her gladly once she explained about it. Aslan happily accepted, deeply loving Narnia himself, and within paws from Esmeralda and Aslan upon the Stone Table, they tapped into the Deep Magic, feeding some of their own magic to help out. This earned a ground blast of golden purple magic to actually roam over the land of Narnia, affecting many things like changing the late snow into fresh born grass, and breathing new life into the battle-weary soldiers up north.
Esmeralda thanked Aslan gratefully, knowing that the blast would grab King Mickey's attention, and she went off to Cair Paravel, anxiously wanting to meet Phoebus's true love properly, and have a few words with Phoebus as well.