Disclaimer: I don't own nor have I created WordGirl. This is fanfiction.
A/N: I hope this chapter is greatly enjoyed. You may have noticed the new chapter names; they're there to help me keep track of what's in each chapter. I've also started a thread in the WG forum, if you have time, please give it a look. It would help me a lot with this story. Thanks!
The ride to her new dwelling was a quiet one. Nona sat beside WordGirl in a hovering carriage. The load was light enough for one horse to pull the two toward their destination. The children in the street stepped aside as the decorative carriage navigated thru the city. WordGirl didn't notice much of what was happening during her ride. Her mind, or rather her heart was being ravished. Everything she had been thru was just becoming too much to handle. How could she ever have thought she was a good hero; even now she was giving up and letting herself be dragged off to another strange place, soon to be another, and another . . . Was she really going to head back to Lexicon? What about the Botsfords, and the city? What about Scoops' justice and Violet's best friend? Was WordGirl going to let them all down . . ? Was it really the princess of Lexicons job to worry?
Who was she trying to kid; she didn't belong to Earth. Sure she handled the little villains here and there, but when push came to shove she failed them all. WordGirl was living a lie, her home only wanted normal Becky back, not the Lexiconian that she really was. The Lexiconian that brought Adler to the city in the first place.
"We're almost there," Nona's voice broke WordGirl out of her thoughts. "I'd like to put the lexinite away and talk to you before we get there, but you mustn't fly off okay?" Nona bent forward to try and read WordGirl's face, but there was no answer to be found. The girl looked weakened, and not by the lexinite. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see that WordGirl wasn't quite herself. Nona put the lexinite away and began to speak.
"I'm taking you to live with a Lexiconian loyalist named, Kevin, or at least that's what he wants to be called. He will be teaching you about Lexiconian culture, history, art, whatever there is to know. He's a good man who has volunteered to care for you. He's about thirty-eight maybe forty; I know you'll like him once you get to know him."
WordGirl didn't respond.
"I think you know by now that we believe you to be the princess of Lexicon. That's a big responsibility." Still no answer. "I just want you to understand that we do care about the life you left back on Earth. The queen here is going to do all in her power to get rid of Adler's presence on Earth. And as soon as we can, we'll be sending Tobey home. The queen sees that it would be best that way." Nona faked a smile before addressing the horse. "How much longer?"
"I'ma gonna say, just another street or two." The horse looked back at its passengers as it spoke. Normally this would have been a surprising event for WordGirl; animals on Earth never spoke, save for Huggy. But in the seriousness of the moment, WordGirl just accepted it as the norm for this planet and nothing of any interest.
"WordGirl?" Nona again sought WordGirl's attention. "There are a few, very important things I need you to commit to memory, so please look at me."
The girl didn't comply, but Nona knew WordGirl was listening. What other choice did the girl have.
"Nobody else knows of Tobey's existence, you can't tell anyone about him otherwise he will never be able to go home, and worse yet, more people like Adler will be after him. The queen really wants him to live on Earth. Do him a favor, and never speak of him, to anyone. Second, you need to avoid Britannican loyalists if possible. You will come in contact with a few, but if you don't have Kevin's permission to be with them, get away from them. I don't even want you spending too much time with the queen of this planet as she use to rule Britannica. Just avoid all of them. And, if you ever need me . . ."
Nona pulled a small communication device, similar to Adler's, from her pocket. She placed the circular gizmo on WordGirl's lap.
"Call me. I know it's hard for you to understand right now, but please try, try to understand."
WordGirl would keep the communicator; if she had to get use to this life. The carriage road on for a while longer before it came to stop at the gate of WordGirl's new dwelling. The entire property was surrounded by a high wall with only this wooden gate as an exit. Despite her discouragement, WordGirl decided to look out at her new residence. As the gate open, without any security measures being taken much to Nona's shock, WordGirl was astounded by the garden before her.
It was a picturesque scene framed by the wall, as if WordGirl were looking at a picture book rather than real life. Oriental pavilions, covered walkways, small waterfalls dancing over top of porous rocks that contorted into beautiful forms. There were flowers everywhere; orchids, narcissi, azaleas, chrysanthemums and even lotus flowers bobbing gently in the center pond. It was such a beautiful garden to behold, accented only by the two-story mansion placed at its rear. The Eastern flavor of the entire estate was a wonder to WordGirl; this place was amazingly beautiful.
Nona helped WordGirl step down from the carriage to enter the garden. WordGirl filled her eyes with the sight as they crossed the covered bridge to the front door of the building. There was a lattice window placed near the top of the door that WordGirl wished she could peek thru, but Nona had already warned her against flying earlier that day and she didn't want to make a bad first impression here like she did with the council. Not that she should care . . . was she really going to try and live here?
Hanging beside the door was a long gold colored rope. Nona gave the rope a tug which undoubtedly rang a bell somewhere in the house. WordGirl felt herself become very nervous. What if her real parents were back on Lexicon, waiting for her to be 'educated?' This might be her chance to reunite with her family . . ?
The door opened.
"Hello there my dear friend," Nona bowed in greetings to the monkey that had opened the door. WordGirl glanced around a bit at the odd sight and began to wonder if all the animals on Thesauria were like Huggy. "May I introduce to you the princess of Lexicon." Nona stepped aside to give the monkey a full look at WordGirl.
"Hey," surprised by the whole encounter, WordGirl placed an awkward smile on her face.
"Oh thank goodness you're finally here. My name's Tyesha, Kevin's personal assistant and chief organizer of the household affairs." Tyesha bowed to WordGirl before waving for her to come in. WordGirl looked to Nona who nodded in approval.
WordGirl entered the home. It was quite an interesting sight. Considering all the oddities she had seen that day, this mansion looked akin to a house on Earth. No floating signs, no fancy designs, no child servants; just a normal rich house. Nona was a bit dumbfounded by the house's look as well, but she didn't express her concerns.
"Nona?" Tyesha looked up to the CRA agent. "If the princess has any luggage to be delivered, just leave it in the garden by the gate. Kevin has already seen to it that you got your pay wired to your account. We will no longer be needing your services."
"Can't I speak with 'Kevin' myself?" Nona was clearly offended by her dismissal, but Tyesha didn't seem to care.
"No, goodbye." Tyesha closed Nona out of the house without another word. WordGirl watched the short monkey come stand before her and give her a wide smile. "Welcome to your new home your majesty. I'm so happy I have the pleasure of greeting you here. Is there anything I can get for you? A drink maybe, or something to eat while we wait for Kevin?"
WordGirl just stared at the animal; speechless. How was she supposed to respond to this? Before WordGirl had a chance to answer anything another figure came into the room. This figure was human and she looked overjoyed to see WordGirl. The lady came smiling in from one of the side rooms.
"There she is," the lady beamed pushing Tyesha out of the way to lay her eyes on WordGirl. "The royal heir of Lexicon. And she's just too cute! What's your silly little Earth name princess?"
WordGirl just stared at the woman, mouth slightly ajar. Was this woman for real? Her forged mannerisms were enough to make WordGirl gag, and that sugary sweet smile could rot a dentist's teeth.
"Well don't be shy with me your royal cuteness; I just want to get to know you better."
"Why don't you start by telling her who you are first, your rude-ship." Tyesha barked. The poor monkey had almost been knocked down.
"Dumb little animal," the woman laughed. "I was just about to do that. I'm Miena, historian for the Lexiconian presence on Thesauria. My job is to . . ." The woman was interrupted by Tyesha.
"The boss told you to go by the name Lily."
"Yeah, well I don't give a care, how's that?" Miena snorted down at the monkey before resuming her smile with WordGirl. "I just want to get to know you better, and if it makes you feel better, you can call me Lily. Do you like that?"
WordGirl couldn't help but feel this woman was talking to her like she would a puppy. WordGirl wasn't five; there was no need for this ill-mannered woman to treat her like that.
"Look, I don't really want to be here and you don't really care about me. So cut the act and just tell me what it is you want me to do."
Miena and Tyesha were taken unawares. This wasn't the response they were hoping for. WordGirl crossed her arms and gave a blank stare. Miena then cleared her throat and spoke up.
"Okay? So, would it be alright with you if I ask you a few questions about your past?"
"I was born on Lexicon, duh, and when I was little I climbed aboard a ship and was accidently brought to Earth by mistake. The pilot . . ." WordGirl stopped for a second as she thought about Huggy. It hurt too much to think of him now, so she decided to leave his name out of her story. ". . . took me out of the ship and to the home of the Botsfords; my Earth family. I grew up with them and at the age of seven started a superhero career in my city. I was happy there and I hate being brought here, but I guess some man named Adler is messing my life up. Oh, and you all think I'm a princess. There, happy?"
"Very; now that I know everything you know about yourself is a lie." Miena's grin was authentic this time.
"What?" WordGirl couldn't believe what that lady had said.
"You don't know how you got to Earth or why Adler is after you. This is so interesting. Tell me, what was the name of the pilot?"
"Captain . . . HuggyFace."
Miena's laughter made WordGirl uneasy. She openly mocked the pilot's name before wiping several tears from her eyes.
"You should be a comedian princess," Miena's laughter came to an abrupt stop when yet another person entered the room; this had to be Kevin.
"Enjoying yourself, Lily." The man stood about halfway on the staircase of the foyer. He didn't smile and, to WordGirl, he looked a bit scary. This was going to be her guardian? The man sounded like he was capable of murder and he looked like he might have done it too. "I don't want you talking with her until I say so, is that clear." He wasn't asking a question, WordGirl noted, he was making commands.
"I'm sorry." Miena answered humbly before leaving the room the way she had came. Tyesha too took this opportunity to leave. She bowed one last time to WordGirl before scurrying off.
"So," the man spoke. WordGirl took this moment to realize that the house wasn't well lit. It was as if the only light coming into the house was from that tiny window in the door. The man noticed her distraction and spoke again to regain her attention. "So, would you care to see your room?"
WordGirl didn't dare to disagree with this man. She already knew he wasn't one for asking questions. WordGirl nodded respectfully, waiting for the man to tell her where to go. She could only hope he wouldn't lock her in there with lexinite for the rest of the day.
"Come on then." Kevin turned and went up the stairs. WordGirl followed at a distance, wondering if she should be trying to escape. The upstairs area had better lighting than the foyer. There were large windows at the ends of the hall and some of the rooms' doors were open; light from their windows spilled out into the hall. There were pictures on the wall, all of which WordGirl remembered studying in her art class, and pieces of furniture about. The place looked just like a mansion on Earth might have looked. WordGirl then turned her attention to her care taker.
He didn't look as ominous in the light as he had in the darkness. He was probably thirty-something with a medium build, nothing a superhero like WordGirl would have to worry about. His brown hair was cut nicely, but was fashioned in a style that didn't fit its thickness. Overall, he was just a normal man; nothing to fear. Still, WordGirl had an immediate respect for this individual.
Kevin stopped at the farthest door in the hall. He opened the door and waved for WordGirl to follow him in.
"That's a queen sized bed for you with your favorite colored sheets. The bookshelf here has all of the popular young adult books from Lexicon along with several almanacs and fact books; Miena will be instructing your history lessons so be sure to read them. You have a desk for writing, typewriter included, there's paper and pencils in the drawer. If you need anything, Tyesha will be around to assist you. Her assignment is to make you as comfortable as possible. Feel free to roam the house at will; this is your home as much as mine. But, under no circumstance are you to leave the gardens, understood?"
WordGirl nodded to which Kevin lowered his eyebrows.
"I asked you a question and I expect an answer. Now do you understand where you are not to go?"
"Yes!" WordGirl stiffened at his reaction. Even with superpowers, she felt like crying under his gaze. She hated it here. She wasn't going to be treated well, she wanted to go home. She wanted to play games with her brother and taste test her dad's food; she wanted to watch her mom put villains away in court and struggle with her homework assignments; Becky wanted to watch TV with Violet and report stories with Scoops; she wanted to be annoyed by Tobey and picked on by Eileen; listen to another fumbled speech by the mayor about how Two-Brains stole all the city's cheese; WordGirl wanted to be Becky and she wanted to go home.
Kevin must have noticed her discomfort for he backed off a bit and softened his tone.
"I can see you need a few, hours maybe to adjust; I'll leave then." He closed the door as he left the room.
Becky dropped to her knees and clenched her fists. Though tears fell from her eyes, she couldn't remove the scold on her face. What could she do? They had the advantage of lexinite and her confusion on their side. If she tried to escape they would only bring her back, the planet wanted its ruler and would do anything to keep her. Once on that throne, millions of Lexiconians would be looking to her for leadership, it would be near impossible to leave without them following her back to Earth . . . and more people like Adler coming after her. If she went home . . . she would be putting everyone she loved in danger again, just like Todd. She was stuck.
Out in the hall, Kevin stood motionless as he looked back at the bedroom door.
"Good going," he reprimanded himself. "Just yell at her; that will make her feel right at home. I bet she just can't wait to see me again." Kevin walked down the hall and stopped at the top of the stairs. "I'm only gonna get one shot at this." He told himself.
A wave of emotions came over the man; dark memories flooded his mind. The fear, the wonder, the mercy. Standing in a palace of shame while receiving the highest honor. This girl was his last chance to fix it all. He had seen it all and he knew there wasn't a happy ending for her then, but he could fix that. What he had meant for his good had to be for her's as well.
"I can't, mess this up."
The doorbell rang, a novice Kevin installed for the princess' comfort. He shook the thoughts from his mind as he hastened to the door.
"I got it." He called as his hand touched the handle.
Captain HuggyFace stood desperately at the door. Kevin was shocked that is wasn't Nona returning to speak with him . . . who was this monkey?
"Excuse me," Huggy chirped at the man. "I'm guessing you're Zephyr, WordGi- I mean, the princess' new caretaker?"
"How do you know she's here?" Kevin loomed over the monkey. "Who are you?"
"Sorry, I was the pilot that brought her here . . . the one who's been taking care of her while she was on Earth." Huggy inched away from the man a little. "I left her things at the gate like you asked."
"Great, leave now." Kevin was just about to shut the door when Huggy spoke up again.
"I need to speak with her."
"Why."
"I need," the monkey sighed at his inability to fully express himself. "To say goodbye."
Kevin looked unmoved, but Huggy continued to plead his case. He was WordGirl's dearest friend and only confidant her entire life. The least Kevin could do was allow the aviator to bid farewell to the girl. Plus, it might cheer the princess up. Huggy was shown into the house and was directed to head to the bedroom.
Huggy approached the door slowly. He wasn't certain . . . he would walk in there and apologies for betraying her and bringing her here . . . he would crawl in begging for forgiveness . . . stroll in expressing he did what had to be done and that was it . . .
Huggy knocked, WordGirl called, "Yes," in a slightly shaking voice, Huggy responded, "It's me," the door slowly opened.
WordGirl's eyes were noticeably red. For a moment she tried to look mad at the treacherous sidekick, but that facade quickly weaned. More than anything she needed a friend, and a treacherous one was better than none at all. WordGirl dropped to the monkey's level and scooped him up into a hug. He returned the gesture and just allowed himself to be held.
"I'm sorry," he spoke, sustaining the embrace. "I'm so, so sorry."
WordGirl didn't respond, but Huggy knew she had forgiven him. WordGirl was aware now that there was a lot more involved in his decision than should be questioned of a friend as faithful as he had been. But that did not erase her demand for an explanation.
"Why Huggy?"
"Because, I never did what I was supposed to do."
"I don't get it, you could have helped me, and we could have captured Adler and saved the city. Why?" WordGirl broke the hug so that she could look at her sidekick. He diverted his gaze
"I lied to you, when you asked about your past. I'm not really the captain of some Lexicon ship or anything like that; and you didn't crawl aboard my ship. I spent my life training to be a helper animal for a CRA, Child Relocation Agent. I was assigned to work with a woman named Nona about ten years ago. Our job was to take the children of the royal family of Lexicon to Thesauria where they would be safe. Many children are brought here to keep them from being involved in the war between Lexicon and Britannica. And I failed you. I was young and, and I panicked when everything went wrong. A Britannican solider found us as we tried to escape . . . they killed the royal family, but I managed to get you out . . . without Nona, however, I wasn't completely sure how to get to Thesauria, so I ended up landing on Earth. Due to High Law I thought you'd be safe there, but Adler found you anyway. If he had gotten you, he'd be the ruler of Britannica."
WordGirl was dumbfounded. So everything, was a lie.
"So, my real mom and dad are . . ? I don't understand why you would lie to me like that Huggy. Were you ever going to tell me?"
"Yes, but not until you were older."
"So, I really am the princess of Lexicon? Are they trying to send me to war!" WordGirl's inquires were answered by Kevin as he came thru the door.
"Nobody's sending you to war." Both Huggy and WordGirl looked up to the man in surprise. "You're only here to learn how to rule Lexicon like you would have done if this monkey had completed his assignment."
"I don't want to rule Lexicon!"
"Well, there's no real way around that is there." Kevin stared at Huggy. "Finish telling her everything."
"There's nothing more to tell."
"Then I don't understand why you're still here."
Huggy looked to WordGirl sorrowfully before making his way to leave. WordGirl immediately reached out and took his arm.
"Huggy stays." She glared up at the man. He was a very angry and stubborn man, but he would soon see she could flex the same determination. Fresh hot tears came running down WordGirl's face, but she held her cold stare. "He's not leaving me again."
"He will be leaving now."
"Why! You've already taken everything else away from me, why do you have to take my best friend too!"
Huggy placed a hand on WordGirl's. He smiled weakly.
"It's going to be okay," he loosened her grip on him. "It's for the best that I leave. This is the way it should have been; I'm sorry I didn't get it right the first time." Huggy passed Kevin by the door, but stopped short outside the room. The monkey fixed his gaze on Kevin sternly. Even though Huggy knew this was out of rank, for an animal should never speak out of turn like this, Huggy made sure to address the man when WordGirl wouldn't think to listen for the monkey anymore. "She's never going to want to stay here."
Kevin didn't look at Huggy as he spoke. Kevin watched WordGirl stand off the floor and glare at him. He sighed. This wasn't working out like he had expected. He left the room and WordGirl alone.
The household remained pretty quiet for the rest of the day. Meina and Tyesha were instructed to leave WordGirl alone in her room. Both women worked together, or as 'togetherly' as their attitudes would allow, to bring WordGirl's things into the house. By late afternoon a severe storm began to form out at the edge of the great city. The occupants of the house got the emergency candles ready in the event of a black out, and dinner was prepared early. WordGirl remained in her room all day. She didn't bother exploring the house; there would be plenty of time for that later. Instead, she just thought about her life. She never allowed the two woman to bring her things in to her, WordGirl knew it would just be random things from her ship; nothing really comforting.
But, nature calling, WordGirl finally broke from here stronghold. She opened the door to her room and peeked out into the hall. There were lights decorated to look like candles hanging on the walls. They must have just been put up as she didn't remember seeing them when she first came to her room. WordGirl looked down the hall to the window; it looked like a hurricane outside. The house must have been soundproof; WordGirl could hear nothing from outside.
"I wonder how Tobey's doing?" WordGirl could only hope that 'Grammy' would keep her word and send Tobey home. If she was half as good a person as she posed to be, Adler should be dealt with soon as well.
WordGirl stepped out into the hall and walked over to the stairs. She could hear mumbling from one of the rooms below. WordGirl really didn't feel like talking with the people of this household, but if she didn't 'go' now she was certain she'd pop. WordGirl came down the steps and peeked into the far room of the foyer. Tyesha was in the kitchen of the house, standing up on a stool stirring something in a pot. The monkey looked like she was uncomfortable with the large spoon, as well as unsuited for the equipment she was given. Trying to read from a cookbook propped up next to her, Tyesha accidently dropped the spoon into the pot.
"Opps," Tyesha then reached into the pot, only to retract her hand with a yelp. "Ga That's Hot!"
WordGirl zipped to the monkey's aid, grabbing up the afflicted animal to run the hand under some cold water. WordGirl turned the sink all the way on and let the water splash everywhere. After a few moments, she shut the water off.
"Are you okay?" WordGirl examined the hand several times.
"I don't understand," Tyesha's eyes welded up. "I followed that Earth book, why is it hurting me?"
"Well, duh, you stuck your hand in hot water," WordGirl placed the monkey's arm back into the sink to wash it again. "You're lucky it wasn't boiling."
"I'm so sorry, princess. Please forgive me, I've never cooked this way before." Tyesha continued to cry softly as WordGirl treated her wound. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize," WordGirl instructed Tyesha to hold a cool wet cloth on the burnt hand before she walked over to the pot. "So what are you trying to make?"
"Sas-ghetti, one of your favorite foods from Mother Earth."
"Spaghetti?"
"Oh, yes. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," WordGirl looked at the pot and turned up the temperature of the stove. "I'm guessing you've never made it before."
"You'd be right," Tyesha laughed, embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "I've never hear of the dish before this past hour."
"You've never heard of spaghetti!" WordGirl turned back to the assistant in shock.
"Well, I usually don't eat Mother Earth food, so no. It's just one of the foods Nona left at the gate for you, so Kevin ordered I make." Tyesha shrugged at the comment. "I know I shouldn't ask you, but do you think you can help me?"
"Wait, wait, wait," WordGirl couldn't believe what she was hearing. "If you don't eat 'Earth food,' then what do you eat? I'm not going to be expected to consume space creatures am I?"
"Not as long as Kevin keeps paying Nona to bring you Earth food I guess." Another shrug.
"Why would Kevin do that?"
"He wants you to feel comfortable in your new home. Zephyr's gone as far as removing all the Lexiconian furniture in the house so that you wouldn't be overwhelmed when you first got here. All of which is too extreme for me because I don't know how to use half of this stuff."
"Slow down, who's Zephyr?"
"Oh, Kevin I mean," Tyesha slapped her forehead lightly from her mistake. "But perhaps I'm saying too much. His names Kevin, I'm sorry to have upset you."
"Just stop apologizing," WordGirl spoke harshly as she abandoned the dinner to confront Tyesha for some direct answers. "Is he doing this because I'm the princess of Lexicon, because I can assure you I don't need his sympathy!"
"No, no," Tyesha was startled by the princess' anger and she quickly steeped back from the fuming monarch. "He, he just thought since so much has happened, you being taken from home and all, that, as a present . . ."
"If he really wanted to do something for me he'd help me get home." WordGirl looked back to the pot boiling on the stove. She grabbed another spoon off the table and began stirring the noodles. "Nobody's even asked me if I wanted to be here. I'm the princess and yet nobody's listening to me. Sorry for yelling it just, gah, Tyesha where's the sauce?"
Tyesha was surprised that the girl had redirected her anger at the food instead of on her. Tyesha was so use to her boss screaming at her, that she didn't expect any Lexiconian person to treat her any differently.
"I, I placed it in a small pan next to the stove."
"I mean, don't I get a say in all this? I had a good life back on Earth and all of a sudden Lexicon wants me back! They never wanted me before, why now?" Spices were tossed into the pan right before a lid was slammed on top. "If Kevin, or should I say that liar Zephyr, really cares about me, he'll stop with the pretenses and get real with me. What do you people want from me anyway?"
"Your highness?" Tyesha breathed softly.
"No just listen. It's the least you can do. Not only is that apathetic boss of yours a jerk, he foolishly thinks I'm going to let him lock me, the 'princess' away. Oh, and he has the audacity to send Huggy away. If Zephyr thinks I'm going to let him treat me like this he has another thing-"
Horror stuck the girl as she felt a hand fall on her shoulder. The apathetic jerk had slipped into the room without her knowing and was now towering over her.
"Coming . . ."