Woooh, chapter 8! Thank you so much for all of your reviews, I really appreciate them and they are great encouragement to keep writing, knowing people are reading, enjoying, and looking forward too more. I want to apologize if I never replied to your review though, I've been having some internet issues and I can't remember who I've replied too and haven't, I want to reply to you all. I haven't gotten the hang of this site all the way after all XD Any way, I do hope you enjoy this chapter. I might upload chapter 9 here while I can later today, so keep a look out. I'm still trying to catch up to where I am on the Megamind Livejournal Community.

Chapter 8: Candles, Oddities, and Neighbors

Dark. It was dark. Why was it so dark? It shouldn't be this dark, even if Igneefe hadn't risen yet it shouldn't be this dark at this hour. Bleary eyed, Roxanne got out of her bed, stretched, and tip-toed to the ovular window in her bed room. Looking out, she groaned, that was why it was so dark. Not that she could see what it was, but she could see what it wasn't. It wasn't two moons, it wasn't one moon, and it wasn't stars. Conclusion - Storm clouds. Thick and angry storm clouds that were sure to look purplish and greenish grey once Igneefe claimed its noon seat in the sky. But for now, it was black and dark and Roxanne didn't like it.

Without needing to be asked, Abraham began to glow from his center to softly illuminate the small room. He was used to being her beacon in the darkness, and was happy to relieve her of her fear. But he also couldn't help but feel something else, deep within his core. What was that, guilt? He believed it might be guilt he was feeling, guilt for making her afraid of the dark in the first place, and he was glad she had been too young to remember. He reasoned with himself it had been his only choice at the time, to make her cry out, otherwise who knew how long it would have been before they had been detected floating in space by the blue planet? It was her screams which alerted the blue men Reggen and Derex to their damaged craft. Still, he couldn't stop himself from feeling the guilt, it was because of him darkness and shadows scared her. Abraham Inkling the Teddy Bear is supposed to protect and assist the human Roxanne Ritchi, not provide her with mental scars and phobias. He ended the thought. There is no logic in dwelling on insignificant events previously occurred, I must focus on the task at hand currently: glowing. I can at least do this for Ms. Ritchi.

Roxanne turned around and looked at her glowing teddy bear and frowned. She was grateful of the light, but she hated how when he lit up, his robot skeleton could be seen though his plush exterior. She tried not to focus on it. "Come on," she said, after getting dressed in her uniform.

Abraham walked in front of her leading the way through the building. No lights were on and there was no point in turning on any since they were both about to leave. Almost to the door, something caught her eye, and Roxanne turned to squint into the room behind her. She could just make out the dim shape of Nannarry. She tried to force her eyes to make sense of the obscure figure in the dark; it looked like woman was sitting at a table with her hands holding her face. "…Nannarry?"

"Huh, what?" Nannarry lifted her head and turned toward Roxanne's voice.

"Nannarry, what you doing up so early? And without any lights?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just a headache, you don't need to worry, Ritchi." Even with the low light from Abraham, Roxanne could see Nannarry's eyes sparkle as if they were waterier that usual.

"Are you sure?" Roxanne couldn't help but feel concerned for her mother figure.

She could see the blur of Nannarry's hand waving her off dismissively, "Yes, yes, I'm fine, it should go away soon. Now off to shool with you, if it rains you'll want to be there before it starts."

Hesitating at the door she saw Nannarry rest her head back into her palms and sigh. She had an urge to go over and do…something. But it seemed to her Nannarry was happier when Roxanne stayed distant, and so she did. The door opened on its own at her approach, sliding into the wall, and closed behind her with the soft sound of smooth metals moving over one another.

The air was cold and wet at the same time, if it was any wetter she felt she could swim though it. Looking up she could just barely make out the swirling motions of the thunderhead above. Glancing around she saw where there was no lights coming from buildings or vehicles, there was blackness. She knew it was silly, but she braced herself, ready for some form of beast to jump out roaring and snatch her. Before her imagination could run wild she trained her eyes on Abraham again and nodded for him to lead the way.

She refused to look anywhere else but at the fuzzy radiating bear walking in front of her. She watched his soft feet hit meet with the walkway with tiny puff-puff-puffs, and his arms sway back and forth like a little person. So intent was she on watching him she didn't even notice she had walked past the croscalator, didn't hear Nigmadem and Minion's approach, and nearly jumped out her skin when one of them tapped her shoulder.

Roxanne yelped and spun around, instantly in attack position. Nigma and Minion stepped back with their arms up in defense, faces wearing understandable expressions of surprise and fear. She relaxed with a "Phew!" and turned on Abraham in the next second, "Abraham, why didn't you tell me they were behind us like you usually do?"

The teddy tapped two glowing paws together nervously, "I do believe I did, Ms. Ritchi. Perhaps it simply did not register for you. You have been rather distracted this morning. You are not to blame. I should have repeated the statement and requested your acknowledgement."

Roxanne merely stared at him, her face hot with embarrassment while she stood there wishing Nigma wasn't there watching. Luckly, it was at that moment Minion blinked out of whatever zone he had wandered off too and quickly dissolved the tension. "Hey look, Sir, Abraham can glow too!" The fish proceeded to walk around Roxanne to stand next to the much shorter one and a half foot furry minion. The quartet began walking.

She had to admit it was much nicer to walk in the dark in a group, she felt a lot better now. Though, her cheeks were still flushed from being so frightened. Opening her mouth to say something, Nigma beats her to it. "I'm sorry for scaring you," He said with a laugh in his voice, trying to look apologetic and failing.

Smirking, she huffed, "I wasn't scared, just…caught off guard."

He laughed for real this time, "Hah! Hmm, okay, if you say so."

She just laughed in return and couldn't help but smile. She could tell he was teasing her and so she didn't get defensive. Things were always this comfortable with Nigma and Minion around, and she loved it. She loved not having to be on edge all the time. She loved being able to laugh and mean it. She loved having a friend. And she loved how this friend had walked to and from shool with her every day since the first time, for about 14 star rises. She had trouble missing her morning walks alone now that she had someone she enjoyed walking with. This morning was now considerably brighter now that he had shown up, and not only because it seemed his green eyes were giving off their own light.

Once, Roxanne had asked him why he didn't ride the shoolshuttle with the other pupils. He had made a 'pfft' sound with this mouth and replied "Why would I want too? Why would I want to be crowded with a bunch of people I probably won't like, when I can much more peacefully walk with you?" She had run some fingers through her hair to hide the blush on her face at that. "Besides, I have legs. I like to use them."

Now they watched Minion and Abraham walking side by side, talking like they had known each other for years. Every now and then Abraham would have to jog to catch up with Minion's longer footsteps; his little head was tilted up to look at Minion's tall dome. Minion also had his body angled downward to look at the bearbot, his face nearly pressed up to the glass, but they were both doing it as though it were natural, completely at ease. She thought back to the first time Abraham spoke in front of them; at first they looked around wondering where the child's voice had come from. Then they both stated with surprised but smiling faces, "We didn't know he could talk!"

Nigma chuckled, "It's so easy for them. It must be a glowing thing."

"Well it certainly isn't a minion thing." Roxanne agreed, "Tasslers has proven that plenty of times."

"Yes, there is definitely something wrong with that eel." Then he rewound. "I really like Abraham's light. It reminds me of the first moon."

She responded without thinking, "It reminds me more of a candle's light."

He looked at her in confusion, "What is a kenndall?"

Oh, duh. Of course he won't know what a candle is; they don't have them on this planet. Roxanne had learned of candles once when reading her electronic Earth Encyclopedia. She thought a moment on how to explain. "A candle is a small column of wax with something flammable at its center called the wick. The wick sticks out of the top and when it's set on fire it provides a tame flame for light, and it slowly burns away, melting the wax until there's nothing left and it needs to be replaced. Sometimes they can be scented. Candles are something from my home planet."

Nigmadem hadn't been brave enough to ask about Roxanne's home planet before, even though he'd been curious of her origins since he first saw her. Once an opening had been presented, he had to stop from jumping in, taking baby steps instead, "Kenndalls sound clever."

"No, not really. They were pretty primitive. Basic." She looked ahead with a blank expression, ignoring his mispronunciation.

"Basic doesn't mean bad. Basic can be a good thing. We tend to over-complicate things on this planet. It's if it works that's important, who cares if it's simple?"

She smiled at that. "I suppose so." I don't think the same can be said about simple minds, though.

"What's your home planet named?" He asked softly.

"Earth," She answered, with a sigh he doesn't understand. It makes him back off of the topic.

"I'd like to learn more about Earth sometime." He admitted honestly, successfully ending the conversation until later.

She stared up at the sky in its turmoil and briefly wondered when the clouds would let down their load of rain and move on. She wished she could see the stars right now. After a few seconds of silence, she finally responded in a distracted tone, "…Oh, yeah? I think I can make that happen for you."

Nigmadem joined in the silent staring, and with a few glances in his direction Roxanne concluded he was contemplating something. His hands were clasped behind his back, head angled toward the sky the way she had hers. A moment of silence passed before he spoke again. "Roxanne, would you mind if I took you somewhere secret? I know this place, and it's, well, it's special." He said, avoiding giving any specific details. "I think you'd appreciate it."

Roxanne took her eyes off of the sky to look at him, a hesitant smile on her lips. If it's a secret place that means no one else knows about it. It also means they would probably be alone, and the thought makes her nervous, being alone with someone sounds dangerous. Who would help me if I were in trouble anyway, besides Abraham? I'm alone no matter where I am. "I think I would mind, actually," She replied honestly, fiddling with the cuff of one her hear sleeves, "Where is this special place?"

"Oh, you know…not too far away…in the woods, at night."

A fearful chuckle escaped her lips, "I didn't ask when! Unless this place in the woods only exists at night?"

"Pfft, no, nothing like that, though that would be cool. It would make it even more secret if it didn't exist during the day, though, then you'd have to wonder what would happen if you where there when morning came. Would you cease to exist too? And would you exist again when night returned? Would you remember not existing? And how –"

"Why does it have to be at night?" She asked, cutting off it rambling.

"It's better at night. Does it being at night bother you?"

"No. I just don't…like it when it isn't light out."

"There will be light! Especially if we go tonight, or tomorrow night. It would be ideal."

When the shoolshuttle zips by them they both look surprised. They're supposed to arrive at shool before the shuttle; neither of them had noticed they had both started walking slower to have more time to talk. They both pick up the pace, and by that time Roxanne had made her mind. "Alright."

"Really? You'll go? When, tonight, or tomorrow?"

"It doesn't matter." Her voice had grown quiet, as though she might back out if she kept talking.

"Tonight then! W-we can meet at the croscalator! Roxanne, thank you, I promise you'll love it!" In his excitement, he placed a hand on Roxanne's shoulder. She flinched, and as if by some sixth sense at her discomfort, Abraham stared back at Nigma with a chilling focus. Minion just looked back and forth between them, not quite following what's going on. He quickly took back the appendage, muttering, "S-sorry…I got, carried away, hehe..."

Roxanne looked away with burning eyes, covering her hand where his was a moment ago, not liking how her shoulder suddenly felt very cold. "It's okay," she said, almost in a whisper.

Arriving at the shoolbuilding, Nigmadem joined Minion's side once again, noting Roxanne's almost inaudible voice. He decided to leave before doing anything else stupid to upset her. "So…tonight?" After she gave a nod, he nodded back and he and Minion part with the human and her bear.

For the rest of that day, Roxanne spent her time freshening up on her knowledge of candles, their purpose and history in different earthling cultures, thinking back fondly on that morning's conversation, even if it had taken an awkward turn near the end. There was no point in paying attention to the lessons anyway, when would she ever comprehend how to manipulate gravity with and without the use of powerful magnetic and centrifugal force, when she could barely understand the science behind how normal gravity works?

A light a top of the classroom door flashed yellow, signaling dismissal. In the hallways, people talked more excitedly than normal. She walked through the crowd slower than usual, trying to listen in on conversations to learn what's got everyone so spirited. She manages to catch parts of sentences, "…going to be the worst time of my life…!" and "…can't wait, it'll be so interesting…!" Clearly there were mixed feelings about whatever was going on. Listening harder, she started to piece the puzzle together – something about a special visit from somewhere far away. Who was visiting from where? Everyone was talking at once now; she couldn't make any words out from the noise.

Nearing her pocket, she spotted Minion putting things away in the pocket two down from hers for his master. He'll probably know what the ruckus is about. She made her feet move faster, wanting to reach him before the crowd clustered any further, only to walk face first into the back of a robotic suit. Staggering back, she brought hands up to her face and hissed though her teeth. That really hurt! While she checked to see if she had broken her nose, and after Abraham had leaned in from her shoulder to examine her face, the bearbot looked up to see what obstacle had came in their path. He could have guessed, though.

Leering down at them with beady, sour yellow eyes was Tasslers. His whiskers curled and the tiny spined fins on either side of his wedge-like head flared. "Watch where you're going, Oddity," he sneered, voice gravely as always, "You'll put a dent in my suit." She couldn't watch anything as tears prickled her eyes from the pain, blurring her vision as her hands felt the dent in her face.

Minion approached then, apparently not having heard Tasslers's comment, or pretending not too. "Excuse me, Tasslers, but I do believe the correct thing to do is apologize. You did walk in front of Ms. Ritchi quite abruptly, I'm sure it was an accident." The fish was forcing politeness, Roxanne could tell.

"I don't have to apologize for anything, especially not to this waste of matter." The eel said bluntly, turning in his dome to face Minion. His sides rubbed against the glass when he did so, thick body having grown too big for his enclosure.

Minion frowned but kept an even tone, "I think you're mistaken. Roxanne is a pupil, and you're a minion. Your below her, you should ask pardon."

"That would be to imply she was equal to a scirian. Since she clearly is not, I don't have to abide by those codes. Not that you do either."

His bioluminescent brow furrowed, "What do you mean?"

"It drives all the rest of us minions crazy, the way you're so chummy with your master. It's sickening, you acting as though your equals." His yellow eyes narrowed.

"The relationship between my Sir and I is one of friendship, not of minion and master, but it doesn't mean I fail at my duties. I'm a prime example of proper etiquette." Minion said, brown eyes narrowing too.

The glare they shared seemed to make the air crackle with electricity. "Either this human filth," Tasslers indicated Roxanne with a flick of his frilly tail, "has plagued him somehow or your master has a glitch in his brain. All four of you, including the cushioned robot, are a group of abnormalities."

Roxanne backed away slightly when Minion's glowing orbs flashed red in a display of aggression and he took a step closer to Tasslers, "How dare you question the status of my Sir's mind just because your master doesn't know the meaning of the word kindness!" By this time the crowd had turned its focus onto the quarreling minions. Tasslers's body started to writhe within his tight fitting dome.

"How dare you question my Miss's vast vocabulary! Simply because she knows the proper way to treat a minion and your master is too oblivious to care! You shut your underbite, Bobbles!"

"Make me, Whiskers!" The glass of their dome's were clinked, they were so close.

"If this glass wasn't in the way, I'd silence you forever!" Tassler's body tied and untied inself into knots.

"We can fix that; there's a small pond near buy, we can take this outside and I can put these teeth to some real work!"

"STOP!"

Nigmadem and Vivinie's voices rang through the hall; word had finally reached them about their minions' fight. The words coming from the fish had turned into hisses and snarls that only fish could make. At the order, Minion had backed off and silenced obediently. Tasslers, however, went from writhing to full out spasm attack, and the sounds emitting from his throat were ones of pain. It took a moment for everyone to realize what was happening, and by that time Vivinie had taken her thumb off of a button on a remote labeled 'electric punishment'. It was something all minion suits were equipped with, an electric pulse could be sent through the water in their domes if they were misbehaving. It was rare to see it in use, and Nigma was appalled to see Vivinie use it so casually. He narrowed his eyes at her, "That was unnecessary."

Vivinie pocketed the device, "I don't tell you how to treat your minion." Tasslers pseudo-body swayed, but didn't fall to his knees as would be expected. Must have a lot of experience, Nigma thought grimly. The eel stumbled over to her and he and Vivinie left without another word. She was probably saving a scolding for home.

Nigma walked over to stand next to Roxanne, and directed Minion, "What was that about? You were in rare form, my fishy friend." He said with a teasing smile and twisted brow. Minion looked abashed. "I'm sorry Sir. That no good excuse for a sea maggot insulted us all, I let my anger get the better of me."

"Yes, well, I do believe Tasslers's behavior is a direct result of his treatment." He said with a frown, looking meaningfully at Roxanne. She was covering her mouth and nose. He wondered if the insult was bad enough to upset her, her eyes were glassy.

"It's hard to feel sorry for him right now," Minion grumbled. "He also hurt Ms. Ritchi's face with his rudeness."

"What?" He looked back to Roxanne again and watched a stream of blood trail down her chin from under her hands. "Oh my goodness, Roxanne, you're bleeding! What happened?" He questioned, silently noting they had the same blood color.

She explained how she had walked face-first into Tasslers's robot back as Nigmadem and Minion escorted her to the shool healer; Abraham stroked her hair in a hesitant soothing motion. They walked through the automatic doors of the healer's office and a man who was both chubby and tall with a silver mustache and dark grey eyes looked up and sighed. "Well, if it isn't my most frequent patient. What's it this time, Raxain?" Roxanne took her hands away from her face to reveal a swollen nose and a nice smear of blood over her lips and chin. Everyone grimaced except for the healer, who commented, "Oooh, a broken nose huh? That's a new one from you." Luckily with the advanced technology of the planet, all it took was a shot to numb, and the quick work of a surgical robot that specialized on small bones to have her nose good as new again. No stitches, all that was evidence of the procedure was a pale scar which would be completely gone by the next day.

"Are you sure you're still up for tonight?" Nigma asked Roxanne for the fifth time on their walk home. Everything was wet and puddles blotched the surroundings, footprints of the down pour and storm that had finally passed. He wasn't sure if the day's events made her change her mind.

"Yes, I'm sure," Roxanne repeated with a laugh, "That's it, finally answer, the end! Stop asking already!"

"Okay, okay!" He yielded, smiling.

Despite the minion fight she caused that almost got physical and the busted face, Roxanne couldn't help being in good spirits, the content smile on her face wouldn't fade. Staring a head at Minion, her smile grew watching the fish that had come to her defense. And then she remembered why she had been approaching him in the first place. "That's right; I wanted to ask you something!" She exclaimed to no one in particular after a moment of silence.

Everyone turned to look at her, giving a confused "Who?" at the same time. She shook her head at the indirectness of her statement, "Minion! I mean anyone. I mean, it doesn't matter who, just someone, tell me why everyone was so excited at shool today! Something about a visitor? Visitors?"

Nigmadem blinked at her blankly for a moment before asking, "You mean, you don't know?" After receiving a look from Roxanne that said umm, well, Duh, he gave her an answer. "Our neighbors are coming over."