Gary stood in his lab, gaping, not believing what just happened. Gariwald had already floated out, mumbling about setting up something in the Forest.
"Do I really have to deal with this?" Gary asked the empty room, which gave no reply.
After already having to give up the Halloween Party duties to Rookie for the sake of his research, Gary was wondering if he would have to give the research up as well to deal with his dead family members' issues.
Right now, the future was looking pretty bleak for Gary the Gadget Guy.
"I guess it's my job to find out whatever went wrong here, and fix it." He said, looking around his lab.
He looked at the object he had been working on before this started about 20 minutes ago. He sighed sadly and took a small white sheet, throwing it over the invention and grabbing his EPF phone, quickly making his way to the door Garianna had exited through and leaving the lab.
Gary had a choice to make: he could either go to the Forest to find Gariwald, or perhaps the school to begin searching for Garianna.
While Gariwald would be easier to find most likely, Garianna might be easier to talk to.
"Or maybe I should just ask someone to help me," Gary said out loud. As if on cue, Jet Pack Guy crash landed into one of the trees in front of Gary's house.
Gary screamed, startling Jet Pack Guy who jumped and fell out of the tree.
"Oh, holy Mullet, Jet Pack Guy, what the heck?" Gary said, clutching his chest, "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Jet Pack Guy pulled himself out of the snow and brushed the pine needles off of his jacket. "I ran out of fuel," he replied nonchalantly, shrugging. He took off his jet pack, setting it down by the tree he crashed into.
"Are you not going to go fill back up..?" Gary asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jet Pack Guy pulled out his EPF phone and called the Everyday Phoning Facility. A few rings then an answer, and Jet Pack Guy said, "I'm taking my break," then hung up before the other end could reply.
"No, okay then. Since you're not busy, do you think you could give me… er, a little bit of advice?" Gary asked awkwardly.
Jet Pack Guy took off his sunglasses, giving Gary a look. "What kind of advice?"
"Well, you see, I'm having a bit of some… eh, how to say it… family complications." Gary explained.
Jet Pack Guy thought for a second, rubbing the back of his neck slowly. After a few moments of silence, he asked, "Who is it?"
"My uncle Gariwald and Garianna."
"Isn't Garianna dead? How is she here? Is she a ghost too?"
"…Kind of. She said she's 'a near-human replica of herself before she died.'"
Jet Pack Guy dropped his hand and cleared his throat.
"What's their problem with each other?"
"That's just it, I don't know. They both just started yelling at each other then Garianna ran out."
"That sounds dumb."
"Can you help me or not?"
"I don't know Gary. We should try to figure out the problem first."
Gary sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I guess I'll just have to go find one of them, then."
"I'll come with you," Jet Pack Guy said, holding his hands out in front of him, "lead the way, commander."
When Jet Pack Guy and Gary arrived outside the school they took a quick look around before heading inside. The music from the cafeteria blared loudly through the air as they walked down the hall.
In the long hallway, it was quiet. Behind closed doors, muffled voices of teachers talking could be heard. Gary stopped in front of a particular room, Room #29, a History class. Gary motioned for Jet Pack Guy to stay outside. Guy nodded and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.
Gary opened the door and walked in, waving awkwardly as the students and teacher looked at him. He walked down the middle aisle between the desks and to the teacher, who had been writing on the chalkboard.
"Hello," Gary said, holding out his hand.
"Hello, Mr. Gary, what brings you here today?" The woman said, not thinking about the chalk on her hands before she shook Gary's.
He ignored it. "Uh, yes, I was wondering if you- or anyone in this room- has seen a certain someone I'm looking for. She's got brown hair, glasses like mine, and is slightly transparent."
The teacher looked confused, but before she could give a reply, someone shouted from the back, "Are you talking about the girl in that book? Garianna or something, right?"
Gary turned and looked toward the voice. A boy at the back had stood up. "I saw her in the old science lab. Basement."
"Why were you down there, Tucker?" The teacher asked, crossing her arms.
"I fell down the stairs and got lost trying to find a different staircase. It's dark down there, okay?" He said, sitting down and tipping back in his chair.
Gary nodded. "Thank you for your time, miss. And thank you, er, Tucker."
Gary rushed back out the door to Jet Pack Guy.
"I've been told she's in the basement. Let's go."
"Garianna!?" Gary called out, moving his phone, which he was using for light, back and forth across the dark basement.
Suddenly Jet Pack Guy grabbed the back of Gary's lab coat, yanking him close. "Sh, you hear that?"
They could hear splashing, poofing, and faint mumbling.
A bright red light emitted from a door. Gary and Jet Pack Guy slowly walked over to it, peeking in.
There was Garianna, in the dark science room, a large cauldron in front of her as she was throwing in items and mixing them with a large spoon. On the counter next to her were her hat, her glasses and an empty glass.
"Ooh, that JERK! I will get him one day… I will…" She whispered to herself, stepping back as the red liquid in the cauldron splashed up and emitted dark red smoke that disappeared into the air.
She gasped, grabbing the glass and dipping it in the liquid, filling it almost to the rim, and bringing it to her mouth in one swift motion, downing it and dropping the glass almost immediately after.
It fell to the ground and shattered at her feet, something she didn't notice because suddenly, a bright and powerful red glow began surrounding her, until the light burst and she was knocked to the ground.
Gary gasped and ran into the room before Jet Pack Guy could stop him.
"Garianna, are you okay? What are you doing!?" He shouted, kneeling down next to her as she shakily tried to stand up.
"Huh? Okay? Am I okay? I'm BETTER than okay! I feel amazing! I am in so much pain right now. It's incredible! I can feel pain again!" She shouted, jumping up and shoving her glasses back on her face.
Jet Pack Guy, who was standing in the doorway, raised an eyebrow, walking over to Gary and Garianna.
"What happened?" He asked.
"I'm alive again, that's what happened! I've finally created the correct potion to bring myself to full human form! I have a beating heart, a full-fledged nervous system, and a working digestive system!" She clapped her hands happily.
"Well, what about Gariwald? What was up with that?" Gary asked.
"What do you mean?" She asked back.
"I mean, what happened between you two?"
"Oh my. This story. Well, I guess I have to tell you two, I'm not allowed to be the only happy one here." Garianna pulled up three dusty chairs and sat in one, Guy and Gary sitting in the other two.
"It all started shortly after I reincarnated myself into a ghost-like form, although I WASN'T a ghost…" she began.
Gary had a terrible feeling this was a long story.