Disclaimer: I do not own WordGirl. Composers of songs as they are mentioned: Matthew Wilder, A-ha, Kool & the Gang, Lou Johnson/Naked Eyes remake.
(A/N) This chapter was pretty fun to write. Prepare for mild peril. In the event anyone feels that I have broken the site's rules with the mention of the songs, just let me know and I'll rewrite that part of the chapter. I don't think I have because I'm not putting the entire song in this fic, but seriously, let me know.
Adler had been sitting in front of a computer back at the lake house. He was thinking over his plan, and how it had gone wrong. How years of tracking the princess and sucking-up to the king were wasted; the events of his father's death still plaguing his mind. How had a mission as easy as locating a little girl, capturing her and bringing her back to Britannica become so hard?
WordGirl undoubtedly knew who she was by now, and Theodore III would soon find out his history too. Worst yet would be if Britannica found the rightful heir; Adler would never gain his revenge. So much of his life and desires were caught up in this moment because, he had never gotten to deliver the justice his father so rightfully deserved. When the king of Britannica gave the order for Theodore to die, it was like music to Adler's ears. Theodore had escaped punishment for eleven years by hiding out on Earth; justice was to be given for Lieutenant Scots. The king had even allowed Adler to lead the group to Earth.
But once they got there . . .
Far Side authorities greeted Adler and his men as they docked at the station. It was a welcoming committee wearing bright smiles and offering sincere congratulation. Adler had come to Far Side's base because he had been informed that the traitor Theodore had been captured by their efforts. Theodore had been locked away on the base and would be handed over to him, to Adler. And Adler's joy could hardly be contained.
In all the excitement, one of the Far Side members took Adler aside to a sitting room. He was told by the member that the head of the base would see him soon. Adler nodded in understanding, and the person left.
"Soon this will be over," Adler breathed. "I can't believe the man lived past Lexicon." Adler took note that there was a large window in the room. Curiosity struck him as he began to approach it. About 253,000 miles below him was the mother planet, Earth. How amazing it looked from here, and yet,
"Disgusting." Any planet that housed Theodore was a disgrace. There was nothing about that rock that made it any more special than Britannica. The effort put into its protection had simply been a waste. This new 'High Law' being enacted would do nothing more but make it even harder to bring justice down on people like Theodore. No one had messed with Earth in the past, why did it need a law now.
"Captain Adler," A voice startled Adler from his thoughts. "I'm, very surprised to see you here so soon." It belonged to the head of the Far Side operation, Mare Imbrium. She was a very warm lady despite the line of work she found herself doing. And with only a few more months until High Law would be instigation, she had built the entire Far Side Authority operation from the ground up in record timing. Regardless, Adler didn't care much for her pleasantries and only endured them to get to his goal; the satisfaction of looking Theodore in the eye as he carried out the orders of the king. "Since you already know that our mission here is to Protect Mother Earth, you'll be happy to know that Far Side has worked at its upmost efficiency to capture former Prince Theodore without disrupting Mother Earth. I know that is your chief concern."
"Naturally." Adler answered dryly already bored by the conversation.
"And I can promise you that High Law is the only law Far Side will swear it's allegiance to, and promises to uphold it to the death, if need be."
"Great, what about the prisoner?"
"Oh, well. Protocol states that I am to walk you thru the procedure we used in order to track and arrest Theodore . . ."
"Look Miss. Imbrium. I've traveled all the way from Britannica to execute justice, not listen to glory stories. So if you would be so kind . . ."
"Well that's just it Captain," Imbrium dropped her cheery disposition. "Theodore's already dead."
"What? " Adler couldn't believe what he just heard.
"While we were working to locate him, he came to us. Apparently he had found out that we were looking for him and he wished to infiltrate justice to himself. And by a, rather gruesome Earth method, he, proceeded to kill himself."
Adler just stared at her. It was as if, with this one chance to make things up to his father, Theodore had betrayed Adler again. Ever since his father's death, Adler had been trying to win something back. Being king was a way to honor his father's efforts . . . but it never felt like enough. Even killing Captain Noah and King Flaccus didn't ease the pain. Hearing that Theodore was still alive had been the greatest news to Adler; he could finally get rid of the guilt and appease his bitterness . . . but Theodore had even stole this redemption from him.
. . . Yet now, with Theodore's son, Adler had a chance . . .
Sitting now in the lake house, his memories giving him a small break, Adler mulled over the possibilities for the city. There had to be a way to gain WordGirl's attention and get her to come back. Even if she brought an army with her, they could do little to him while he was on Earth; finally one good use for High law. The rightful heir might be able to get Britannica after Adler . . . no, at this point there was no reason to believe that Theodore III had been discovered; so Adler still had a good chance at ruling the kingdom and . . .
His communicator began to sound off. Adler pulled the device from his pocket quickly to read the name; who other than Curtis would care to contact him? He was mortified; the name was that of the queen of Thesauria, his former queen.
What could he do? He couldn't leave her waiting. Even after leaving the planet of Britannica, her rank was to be honored by anyone below her position. But there was the overwhelming fear that . . . Adler took a deep breath and answered.
"Your Grace, how may I . . ."
"Don't try me Adler, I've already contacted Far Side. I'll see to it that you die for your treason towards Britannica and High Law. If you take any further action against my grandson, I will see to it that even Lexiconians define traitor with your name." End of transmission.
Adler remained frozen; his father's dishonorable death playing over and over in his mind. The shame, the guilt, the hatred weighing down his body like lead bricks thrown on top of him. His heart barely beating between his shallow breaths.
It was over. That simple. Soon Far Side Authority would be bearing down on him; there was no escaping a royal's decree. . . No . . .
"No, no no, NO " Adler threw the communicator across the room. The device caused a small explosion as it crashed into the wall. "I've worked too hard " For a moment it felt like Adler couldn't inhale anymore. Years of hate and guilt now wrapped their hands around his neck and choked him to the floor. Tears fell, fists pounded .
. . . fear dropped its hold on the man as his nerves learned to cope with the new stress.
Adler had worked too hard.
Several moments past as Adler did everything in his power to calm himself down. Now wasn't the time to panic, and yet his emotions were being flung about by every fancy his fears conjured up.
"There has to be something . . . a way around her somehow." Adler swallowed hard as he got to his feet.
The thought of Far Side coming after him . . . They were the best trained at what they did; a police force geared toward preventing offense like his. Anyone who stepped out of bounds while visiting Earth was subject to Far Side. . . The idea of the group that couldn't catch Theodore would be able to arrest him made Adler's temper rise even more; he breathed deep to compose himself, he had to think. There was no way Far Side could come after him directly, that would defeat the purpose of protecting Earth. He still had time. . .
"How did she find out?" Adler circled the room, attacking every possibility of escape with vigor. "There was no way she could have known about her grandson. . . he didn't know to tell her."
Adler couldn't see how it was possible for the queen to know. The boy didn't even know, someone would have had to tell him. . .unless . . .
"The queen made High Law to protect her grandson; she made it because she found out about the boy before her son's death." A smile raced across the man face. "She's been keeping it a secret for the past eight years; she wouldn't tell Far Side now. She wouldn't risk telling what she's been hiding for so long."
The plan presented itself to Adler as a photo to its developer. Adler laughed to himself as the idea of Far Side coming after him was now a great joy. He'd get WordGirl's attention for sure now, and even better, and it was going to take down everyone who stole solace from him.
Adler wasted no time. For now, time was his closest friend, and one he had learned to manipulate well. He had his plan, and he was ready to erase anything that stood in his way.
o.
"What was your favorite thing about Earth?"
"Milkshakes."
"Oh yes I love those."
"It feels like eons since I last had ice-cream, of any kind."
It didn't take much coaching to get Zephyr and WordGirl to head back to the dinner table. Tyesha only had to remind the two that they hadn't eaten all day and the two humans' stomachs began growling. The two ate the spaghetti and swapped stories about Mother Earth. All of which was very entertaining to Tyesha and recorded by Miena. . . Well, for about ten minutes it was recorded, then Miena could no longer watch people eat worms.
"My dad taught my brother and me how to make ice-cream once, I bet I could make some for you." WordGirl added another helping of noodles to her plate. Zephyr no longer seemed so scary. WordGirl wasn't sure if it was the fact that he was taken away from his home too, but after their talk in the hallway she felt more connected to the man.
"That would make me happier than you could imagine." Zephyr helped the girl add more sauce to her plate. "You know what else I loved best about Earth?"
"What?"
"The music."
WordGirl started to eat again. That lexinite must have taken more out of her than she first anticipated; she was starving. Tyesha on the other hand was thrilled; all her work was being enjoyed, even if it had gotten a little cold. She even tried a few forks full herself. But greater than that, it seemed Zephyr's anger was gone. After his talk with WordGirl he seemed in a much brighter mood . . . a mood she had never seen him in; well, except for that time in the basement. Zephyr must have really loved Mother Earth. He was acting like a child again, and the princess was just fueling the fire. Had Tyesha not seen the two fighting earlier that day, she would have mistaken the two for old time friends.
"Maybe that's just what Earth does to people." Tyesha smiled as she rose from the table. She began clearing the dirty dishes as Zephyr sang out a chorus to some Earth song.
"'Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride; Nobody gunna slow me down,'"
"I've heard that song." WordGirl smiled broadly as the man continued.
"'Oh no, I've got to keep on moving. Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride, I'm running and I won't touch ground . . .'"
"My dad sings it sometimes; Mom hates hearing it."
"Well, it doesn't really flatter the female component of the song. Oh, how about, 'Take on Me?'" Zephyr was excited to start another round of songs while WordGirl did her best not to join in and ruin the moment. She'd never heard this song in its entirety, but she knew the chorus well enough. "I'll be gone- in a day or Two " The last note cracked out of Zephyr's mouth and he had to cough to regain his speaking voice.
WordGirl covered her mouth to try and hold back a laugh.
"I'd like to see you sing that note," Zephyr snorted. "It's hard. I did pretty good if you ask me."
The laughter could be held back no longer. WordGirl burst into a fit of hysteria, her snorting working Zephyr into the same fit. Tyesha just scratched her head. She couldn't understand how two stubborn hotheads had hit it off so well. She never knew her boss to be this jovial, and his opening up to WordGirl was more than out of character for him. Perhaps he finally understood the loss WordGirl must have been feeling.
Tyesha thought about her boss as she placed some dirty dishes into the sink (she wasn't certain how that would clean the dishes, but Earth dinner customs ended with the dirty dishes in the sink to be washed). Tyesha stared at the dishes and waited for the cleaning magic to begin. This made her think about what Zephyr had said, ". . . all became an obsession for me." What did he mean by that?
Tyesha was surprised when her boss showed her his collection of Mother Earth things, and even more shocked that he knew how to use most of it. Not even Miena knew about all the stuff, and she was a historian. It was a world their people had left behind years ago, and here her boss was well versed in it. It was strange at the time and even stranger now that the princess was here. Come to think of it, Zephyr was more mysterious now than when she first started working with him.
She remembered how she had been given to her boss. He was exiled from Lexicon for 'misconduct,' or at least that's what her trainer had told her. Tyesha never questioned it however, as it wasn't her place. Time would reveal to her all she needed to know about the man if she were patient. And time did prove one thing; the more she got to know him the more she found out that he didn't support the war. He always claimed he wanted Lexicon to win, but he had a very backwards way of showing it. He always hired Britannican workers over those of Lexicon, and he never observed Lexiconian holidays. Tyesha always thought he was just cross about being exiled, but when she found out he wanted to raise the princess of Lexicon, well, she wasn't sure what that meant.
Why didn't he fight in the war if he wanted Lexicon to win and prosper? Tyesha had always imagined that Zephyr had refused to fight in the war because he was afraid to die, but now . . . when Zephyr told WordGirl the real reason why he couldn't go back to Lexicon, Tyesha could piece together his puzzle a little more. There were still holes, but it was beginning to make sense.
And to be honest with herself, it kind of hurt that Zephyr would tell this newcomer such a secret before her. . .
Music? Tyesha broke her gaze on the dishes to look back at the table. WordGirl and Zephyr were no longer seated but had moved out to the sitting room. Tyesha quickly went to follow them.
WordGirl was seated on one of the large couches of the room watching as Zephyr set up what Tyesha didn't know was a record player. The song "Celebration" came blaring out of the speakers. Tyesha covered her ears; it was dreadful noise as far as she was concerned.
Zephyr and WordGirl enjoyed the noise however. They both recognized the tune and knew the words. And thanks to the music's volume, WordGirl didn't have to worry someone would hear her singing along. Soon Zephyr extended his hand to WordGirl.
"Care to cut a rug?"
"The rug wouldn't be the only thing to get cut. I think I'll stay seated." WordGirl waved Zephyr off as she simply took in the pleasure of hearing Earth music. . . What was she doing? WordGirl couldn't believe she was having this much fun. She should be worrying about the city and Tobey and her parents, not goofing around. But then again, there was no way to get home.
WordGirl watched as Zephyr extended his invitation to Tyesha. The monkey tried to refuse but was snatched up by her boss and was soon being swung around the room.
WordGirl began to wonder if Tyesha, Miena and Zephyr were being forced to be here. None of them seemed very happy, and Zephyr even admitted to wanting to go back to Lexicon. Thesauria was a planet of outcasts; from the children in the streets to the leadership in the council, the queen notably. Everyone here had a story as bad as or even worse than hers . . . maybe, it was best she was here. Back home, all these people had been hurt, why should she pretend to be a superhero on Earth when her real place was on Lexicon?
The two dancers twirled on without noticing WordGirl's contemplation.
Why should she go back? What good could she be? There was no way she could be 'Becky' for everyone; she was 'WordGirl.' This is where misfits like her found a place. . .
The song came to an end. A new one started. WordGirl knew this song too; "There's Always Something There To Remind Me."
"Ain't that the truth." Zephyr said placing a dizzy Tyesha on the ground.
WordGirl thought about those words, and Zephyr's response to it. . . He wasn't happy here. He was away from Lexicon true, but it wasn't Lexicon that he wanted to go 'home' to. He wasn't singing and dancing to Lexiconian folk music, or filling his house with Lexicon's finery, he was thrilled to surround himself with Earth. Despite his comments earlier about giving up stuff, it was clear now that he hadn't given up a thing; he gained it.
"Zephyr?" WordGirl rose from the couch and stopped the man's dance. "Why did you want me?" She had to know . . . was he happy with the decision to leave both Earth and Lexicon?
Zephyr looked down at WordGirl.
The music loudly played on in the background.
Tyesha stood quietly off to the side, unsure of what to do. She never did question her boss on his decision to care for the princess. She never questioned him period.
" . . ." Zephyr walked to the record player and lowered its volume. He looked back to the girl with a deep sigh. WordGirl could see he was chew over whether or not to tell the truth. She wasn't certain if this was a good sign, but it at least showed he wasn't comfortable with lying. "I received word from the queen that a very important Lexiconian was coming and that she was in need of guardianship, so I offered to take care of you since I have the resources to do so."
"That's not true is it?" WordGirl sounded dispirited.
"It's the facts . . ."
"But not the truth." WordGirl felt a bit of her bitterness returning. If he was just doing his job like Nona was, he wouldn't have made such effort to make her feel at home. He would have forced her to learn Lexicon's history the first day and demanded she live with all of Lexicon's technology; not a record player. Zephyr was constantly saying one thing and living another. "The queen could have taken me, so why did you?"
"It's like I said," Zephyr lowered his eyebrows. "I was told to by the queen; I wasn't going to refuse her."
"So, you're just doing this because someone told you to?" WordGirl was hurt by this bit of knowledge; she quickly became angry. "I'm here just to give you perks with the queen, right? You don't care about me or Earth do you ?"
"That's not true . . ."
"What is anymore." WordGirl left the room for her own bedroom. She didn't know exactly what had set herself off, but just the thought of another betrayal was too much right now. She didn't need Zephyr to understand her, and she understood he had troubles of his own; what she wanted was for someone to be real with her. . .
Becky shut the door to the bed room, locking it regardless of the fact that no one had followed her.
To be real with her . . . funny. She hadn't been real with anyone in a long time, let alone herself. Becky climbed into the bed and sat on top of the covers. The sun had set and Becky could now see two moons rising outside her window. She found it odd to see two large rocks drifting by. One seemed closer than the other and it was bright enough to make the outside world look more like evening than night time.
. . . Who was she kidding? She didn't belong here. Or maybe she did, she didn't know.
Downstairs, Tyesha stepped up to stand next to her boss. He was still staring at the spot where WordGirl once was. He seemed in a trance of some kind; his mind clearly elsewhere.
"Zephyr?" Tyesha reached up and touched his hand. The man blinked a few times before looking down to his assistant.
"Why'd I think I could so this?" Zephyr sincerely sounded in doubt. Tyesha was uncertain of what he meant by the comment, but held her peace, waiting for him to continue. He never did.
Zephyr left the sitting room for his own chambers, leaving Tyesha alone. Tyesha glanced around the room, running the events of the conversation thru her head. Why was WordGirl so upset? And why did Zephyr say those things? The way Tyesha remembered it, Zephyr had volunteered to watch WordGirl. The moment he found out about the matter he was petitioning the queen and doing his best to hire a skilled Storia teacher of Lexiconian affairs; what had happened? Why'd he lie?
Tyesha didn't want to confront her boss, but maybe the princess would be open to speaking with her. Tyesha climbed the stairs to the princess' room and knocked gently on the door. No answer.
"Princess WordGirl," she knocked again. Still no answer. "May I come in?" Tyesha tried the handle, locked. The monkey sighed, but didn't feel like giving up just yet. She made her way down the stairs to the kitchen. There Zephyr had spare keys to the rooms of the house; being in the bad habit of locking himself out of these Earth doors. Tyesha grabbed the key to WordGirl's room and proceeded to the door. Tyesha opened the door only a crack so she could peek in. "Princess?"
What Tyesha saw, or rather didn't see, sent her running down the hall to Zephyr's room. She banged on the door calling for her boss to come out to her; but her patience wore thin. Tyesha opened the door without her boss' consent.
"Zephyr the princess is gone "
"What " The man had been sitting in his bed thumbing thru a book, but quickly shoved the book into the night stand drawer. "How? Where ?" Zephyr jumped out of the bed and was out the door. He went screaming down the hall for Miena to come from wherever she was to help search.
Tyesha just stood in the room a moment longer. She knew what the princess had done. The window was open so it was easy to tell she had escaped. Tyesha could only hope that WordGirl would be okay.
"Tyesha, get out here "
Tyesha quickly ran to follow Zephyr's order. He was standing at the front door with Miena, both were holding the communication devices. Miena was waving thru serval maps of the city they were in while Zephyr tried to do the same. Tyesha touched her boss' leg to get his attention.
"Here," Zephyr handed the device to the monkey. "I can't locate her in the city. You and Miena need to get out there and search for her." Zephyr shoved the two females out the door and into the garden. "My guess is she's trying to get back to Earth."
"She'd stop off at the council hall first," Miena hastened across the bridge.
"Why, that wouldn't make any sense?" Zephyr and Tyesha both looked confused by Miena's words, but didn't stop to question her. The group got to the gate.
"Trust me, we should start our search there." Miena stepped out into the street and began trying to hail a passing carriage much like a taxi. Tyesha looked back to her boss.
"We'll look everywhere for her sir. I promise." She quickly ran out to join Miena, sending one last glance back to see the distressed face of a usually composed man.
Zephyr watched as the two left. His heart sank deep within him.
"How could I have let this happen? What was I thinking?" Zephyr shut the gate and leaned against it. It was a humid night and the air clung to his skin in hot breathes. "What if she is caught, or discovered . . ." He didn't want to imagine the possibilities, so he began pacing. He crossed the bridge back to the house and then walked down to the pond. He walked and walk, and with every step his anxiety grew. Not only could WordGirl be hurt by the un-familiarities that surrounded her, she was going against High Law by leaving the Lexiconian grounds she was designated to. Zephyr shivered at the thought of the Queen finding the princess before his house-mates. "Why is she doing this?"
The man kicked a small stone into the pond and watched the waves dance in the moonlight. It aggravated him.
"I should be out there looking," Zephyr sent his gaze up to the sky. The moons were passing slowly and the stars were faintly twinkling as always, but no sign of the flying wonder. There was no way of knowing how far she might have gotten. What if she did go back to the queen? Or worse, what if Adler somehow found Thesauria? "He'd kill her if he found her." Zephyr's breathing started to speed up. His mind was running thru every worse-case-scenario it could think of. What started as a search effort was turning into a murder case. His mind just wouldn't let the possibilities rest.
"It's like it's happening all over again, only to her," Zephyr panicked from his thoughts; those memories. "This is all my fault I shouldn't have done this to her." Zephyr could scarcely control his outbursts as he practically bore a walking path with his pacing. "I never considered WordGirl's feelings in all this. What about Earth, what about, her; I'm such a jerk."
Ironically enough, WordGirl was watching the whole scene play out from the roof of the house. She had never intended to run away, she had already made her resolve on that issue and at no time did it sound like a clever move, but she had come outside to clear her head a bit and reflect on her past. . . she hadn't expected them to respond like this. Perhaps she needed to reveal herself to Zephyr and spear him the agony. WordGirl began to lower herself behind the man.
Zephyr had slouched down on a short rock wall structured around the pond. He lowered his head and heaved out a sigh of mixed emotions; the most emotions WordGirl had seen the man have that day, which was saying a lot about him.
"No, I'm a coward," the man never heard the girl landing behind him. "I should have taken care of Adler when I had the chance."
The words stopped WordGirl. He . . . and Adler . . . WordGirl wasn't sure what to think upon hearing this information. WordGirl wasn't certain in this moment if she had gasped or maybe stepped back onto some twigs, but her presence was somehow made know to Zephyr and he turned to face her.