Hello! Happy late Thanksgiving! It's just me right now, so this will be the finale to this story. Has Cory truly died, or has Kari's kiss saved his life? And will Kari be safe from the wrath of that spirit from before? And will an act of kindness be made? Let's find out!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's, moving on!
Chapter 5: Thankful, Kindness, and Love
4:55 am.
That was the time on this Thanksgiving morning.
Kari woke up, and looked at the time.
It was close to dawn, Cory's time was almost up.
She grabbed the picture she made for him, ran down to the kitchen to get a piece of pie, and ran out the door and straight to the hospital. This was her one and only chance to save Cory's life. And there was no way she was going to let this chance slip through her fingers. It was freezing outside, but she didn't care.
It was about a full hour before Kari made it to the hospital. She didn't stop running until she got to Cory's room. "Cory! I-"
But... by the time she made it to the room... it was empty.
Cory was not in his bed at all.
Kari walked into the room, looking around. This could only mean one thing. Cory has gotten out of the hospital... or... he... no.. no she just couldn't believe that. "Cory?" She called. That's when a doctor came in, "Oh, Kari. What are you doing here so early?"
"I came to see Cory..." Was her response.
"Oh.. Well, I'm afraid you're a little late." The doctor replied. "For you see, he was just released moments ago from Hospitalization."
"Oh! That's great!" Kari said, smiling.
He must have gotten better for some reason, question is how though? She didn't give him her healing powers. All he got was a kiss. Unless...
"Uh... thank you! I gotta get home!" Kari said before leaving the hospital. An hour later, she returned home. "Mom... Daddy! I'm back! Sorry I left, I was just-" Before Kari could finish her sentence... she heard sobbing. It sounded like Izzy.
Kari walked into the living room to see her parents. Izzy was sobbing in Jake's arms, as he tried to comfort her. Kari walked up to them, "It's okay, I'm right here, Mom!" She said, "Don't cry. It's okay."
"Uh.. Kari. There's something we need to tell you." Jake said.
"What's wrong?" Kari said, sitting down on the couch. As much as they didn't want to, they had to tell her. Jake sat down beside her, and took her hands in his, as he explained what was going on, "Well.. we got a call from Cory's mother this morning, and she informed us the news. And.. well...
"Yeah, I know. He got out of the hospital." Kari spoke.
"Yeah.. because.. he's been billed dead."
Dead.
Dead.
Dead.
Dead.
Dead.
At the mere mention of that word, Kari's world came crashing down. "Wait... that can't be right. The doctor told me that Cory just got out. That he's out of hospitalization..."
"It was because he was found dead that lead to him being released."
Kari felt tears streaming down her cheeks fast and freely, "No... but... my kiss... my powers! They should have healed him! They should have made him feel better! I... killed... Cory!"
Kari was lost in denial once again, as everything started to feel dizzy once again. "I... I don't... feel... so... good..."
She fell to the floor as her mother called out her name... and then darkness.
Two hours later...
Kari moaned as she opened her eyes. She looked up to see a wet wash cloth above her forehead. What was going on? That's when Jake and Izzy walked in, "Oh, sweetie. You're awake..." Izzy sighed, kissing the child on the cheeks.
"Cory... he's gone..." Kari whispered.
Jake could notice the tone in her voice, she was completely distraught. He sat down beside her and hugged her, "I'm really sorry Kari.."
"I guess all miracles don't happen..." She responded. "But I still wanna go to the dinner."
Jake understood how Kari was going with all this, so all he did was hug her real tight and close.
Later on, Kari was with her remaining friend at the park. They all sat rather silently together in the sand box. it felt so quiet and lonely without Cory being there. Normally, Kevin would be doing something stupid and dangerous. Tony would be cracking jokes. Alexa would be bragging about how rich she was. Kirana would be talking about her technology. Robyn would be the shy one as usual, and Kari would be talking with Cory.
But this time.. it was all too different.
"I can't believe... he's gone just like that." Tony spoke, breaking the silence.
"It's so surreal..." Kirana added.
"Tell me about it.." Kevin added.
"I know this is hard. But Cory did so much for us." Alexa also added.
Kari smiled, "I know... I loved him, and I'm not ashamed to admit that."
"But we're still going to the dinner, right?" Robyn asked.
"Of course." Tony replied. "Cory would still want us to attend, even if he can't."
Kari nodded in agreement, it was for the best. And this was suppose to be her first year attending the dinner with her family, and she didn't want to miss out on that at all. "I know Cory so well... I know him so well..." She whispered. "Well... I suppose it's time we get ready for the dinner." She told her friends, who all smiled as they all walked out of the park.
Later on that night, the time had finally come for Thanksgiving dinner, as everyone began to arrive at the building. Kari, along with her parents, and brother and sister, Troy and Maia, carried some food as Kari had a question. "Mom. Why do they do this community dinner every year?"
"It's to help those who are less fortunate than others, sweetie." Izzy replied. "We invite the families that are poor to the dinner, to share our kindness and love with them. It's more than this tradition."
Jake smiled as he agreed, "After all, we wouldn't want them going without food on Thanksgiving, now would we?"
"I see... is Cory's family still coming. His mom, grandmother, and three sisters?"
As she asked that though, everyone frowned as Jake answered, "Sadly no.. They wanted to spend this Thanksgiving alone."
"But why? Don't they know we're there for them?"
Izzy explained, "They're in morning right now, hon. But we will mention them in passing at the dinner."
"Okay..."
With that, the family walked into the building, where the dining hall was filled with tables of food. As Kari put a pie on the table, she gazed at the sight of chocolate puffs. "Chocolate... must have..."
She began to reach for one, until her hand was once again pulled away by her father, "Save your appetite when everyone gets here, honey." He told her. Kari groaned, "Okay." She hated being unable to eat her favorite dessert, and having to wait. But... she couldn't complain too much.
Soon enough, there had to be at least twenty different families here,it was just about time to eat. Everyone began to gather at the table, readying themselves for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast. All laid out on the table were various foods that people have brought for the dinner. Including a turkey, cornbread, cranberry sauce, ham, etc.
Once everyone was seated, Jake clears his throat and begins to speak, "Hello everyone. Before we begin, I would like to take this moment to thank everyone for coming to this feast, a time for all of us to give thanks for those we are blessed to having in this world. But more importantly.. This year, we would like to take this moment to remember a young boy named Cory.
Kari and her friends frowned sadly, because they knew that this would be the first dinner without Cory being here at all.
"As you all know, he sadly passed away this morning due to a deadly sickness. And tonight, in honor of his memory and to share our condolences to his family and friends, let us all take a moment for a moment of silence. In honor of his memory."
Everyone immediately went silent, to pay their respect for the recently departed Cory. Kari almost couldn't help but shed a tear. For the boy she loved so much.. was gone. To her.. she still feels this was all her fault. However though, as the silence continued. It would all come to a horrifying interruption.
BOOM!
An explosion occurred, startling everybody. Then another one occurred, just outside. And another huge one, all over the Thanksgiving dinner, as it sent everyone falling backwards and running with fear. All the food within the explosion began to either burn, or get set ablaze. Jake and his family were shocked, why was this happening?! That's when they heard an evil chuckle.
"So sorry everyone.. But I am afraid the traditional Thanksgiving dinner is now cancelled.."
Jake immediately growled, he knew that voice anywhere. And his hunch proved true as bursting through the door was Blake himself, holding some kind of device in his hand, with the word detonate highlighted on it.
"You!?" Jake screamed. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"I'm simply taking an advantage. By ruining this moment for your now dead boy Cory, but believe me. He's not the only one that'll be dead tonight." Blake started to say, eyeing towards Kari. "Cause Kari.. you're going to be joining him shortly."
Kari gasped, hiding behind her father who tried his best to comfort her. But then, he felt a sudden pain in his back as he fell over. Kari screamed when she saw her daddy had been stabbed, but how?
That's when fire began to set ablaze from inside the building, either blocking people from escaping, or engulfing some of them alive. Emerging from the flames, came the spirit Blake saw before. Only now, he looked to have flesh now and was glaring towards Kari.
"Oh yeah.. Allow me to introduce your executioner." Blake said as the spirit removes the hoodie, revealing himself to be Shawn all along.
Kari screamed in horror as she began to make a run for it, trying to escape. But the spirit got in her way and punches her very hard, sending her straight to the ground. Shawn soon began to viciously assault Kari to death, who would be soon joined by Blake as he not only kicked her severely hard in certain areas of her body, he even took his dagger and starts to cut her open all over. Somebody had to save her, only problem was that everyone was either engulfed with flames, to frightened, or too injured to help. Not even Jake as he was in too much pain thanks to the sudden stab in the back.
This may very well end up being the most deadliest Thanksgiving ever if this kept going.
"Step away from her!"
There went a small voice. Blake and Shawn stopped their assault when they heard that. Kari heard that voice, it sounded so familiar to her. "Huh...?" Everyone looked to the doors... as... they saw... Cory.
He was looking brave, and wielding a soldiers sword. But more shockingly.. he was alive! Blake and Shawn were outraged to see him as Blake shouted out, "What are you doing here?! You should be dead!"
Cory smiled, "Nothing can stop the power of friendship and love!" He smiled at Kari when he said began to get all teary eyed in response, with a smile. "Cory..." She tried to get up and run towards him, but Blake stomped on her back hard, preventing her from moving. That really hurt, and Cory didn't like that. "Why are you harming my friend?" He asked.
Blake chuckled as he turned to Cory, "It's none of your concern! But since you're here, I'll just have to kill you myself."
"Kari saved my life... I guess it's time I saved hers..." Cory said to himself as he held up his sword, "But you just have a dagger... and I have a sword." He told the former Dark Pirate. Cory thought this would be a snap, but he didn't count on what happened next.
Blake then drew his signature sword, as Cory gulped, "This won't be easy... but I must remember what Papa said..."
With that, a strong sword fight commenced between the boy and the villain. It was very even, with neither one giving in so easily. Luckily for Cory, he took classes, and was very skilled for a nine year old.
Kari watched this scene, unaware of Shawn walking up behind her, he had a knife out and prepared to kill Kari by stabbing her in the back as well. But as he began to strike, the blow was blocked off... by Jake, using his sword as he said this to the tyrant, "I warned you to stay away from my family!"
Both weapons were clashed together, as Shawn pushed forward, and Jake attempting to push back. Same went for Cory and Blake as well, "You look just like Kari's father... but you're so evil." Cory told Blake.
"That's because I'm his dark opposite."
"This is a time to be thankful... what are you thankful for...?"
Blake laughed, "The death of my closest enemy and his family."
Cory smiled, "Looks like I found your weak spot."
Suddenly, Cory laid a massive blow to Blake's stomach, sending him into a table of food. "Brilliant!" He said. Blake groaned from the sudden impact, as everyone cheered for the boy.
Kari smiled, "Yes-AAAAAHHH!"
The girl suddenly felt an agonizing pain in her arm. She looked to see that a knife was in it. That tyrant has stabbed her. Cory made his way to her, "Are you alright?" He asked.
Kari shook her head, as Cory looked up at the tyrant, and held up his sword, "Please leave..." He said softly. All Shawn did was smirk viciously, aiming his knife at Cory's chest. But the boy threw his sword... into Shawn's chest, surprisingly.
The tyrant then growled at the boy... as he spoke finally, but not of revenge, but shockingly... of Kari herself. "Say goodbye... to the girl you love..."
"NO!" Cory pushed the sword further into the monster's chest. He pushed further... and further... and further...
... Until finally... Shawn fell to the ground, coughing up blood. But then he smirked, and began to laugh, as the sword suddenly disappeared, and he floated to the air. He was about to leave, but then gave everyone, especially Kari, a warning and threat, "My defeat may have occurred this time.. but one day, I will have my final revenge upon all. And send you to the eternal flames of Hell!"
He then looked down at Kari as he said this next, "And you.. you shall be the first to go.."
With that... he disappeared.
Jake ran over to Kari and looked at the knife in her arm. "Kari.. are you okay honey?" He asked. The child shook her head as tears fell.
"Cory... you saved our daughters life..." Izzy said with gratitude.
Cory blushed, "It was the least I could do for my best friend. After all, she saved mine."
She did?
"With her kiss." He continued. "It was filled with her love for me, her kindness, and friendship."
Now that was enough for Kari to not only get all teary eyed, but hug Cory tightly, she sobbed really hard, but of joy this time. Cory just hugged her back, as everyone watched this moment with happiness.
That's when everyone heard groaning, and saw that Blake was regaining consciousness as he held his head and stood up, but suddenly felt something slipping onto his wrists. To his shock, they were hand cuffs. Where the heck did they even come from?
Tony Sr., Tony and Robyn's father, the the local policeman, led him out the door, "Mr. Clark, you're going downtown for the night." He told the former villain, who was outraged. "WHAT?!"
Jake smirked, "Looks like karma caught up with you big time."
Blake growled as he tried to lung at Jake, but Tony Sr. held him back as he pulled him to the door. As they had it past Jake's family, Blake growled at Kari, "This is all your fault! You'll pay for this!"
Kari only waved as he was out the door, on his way to the big slammer downtown.
Later on, Kari was taken to the hospital, after healing everyone else who was harmed, burning out her energy. She felt very weak, but thankfully she would survive. But it was all worth it to protect everyone.
At the hospital, Kari was in bed, resting very easily. As her family, friends, and especially Cory, sat all around her. A bandage was around her arm. Right now, all Kari wanted to do was happily stare at her closest friend. "Cory... thank you so much, for saving me..." She told him.
Cory blushed again, "I should thank you too. You saved me first. With you kindness and love, and that's what I'm thankful for."
Kari blushed a bit, as she blew him a kiss, but then frowned, "But what about that evil man? He came back."
Jake put a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry Kari, if he ever comes back to threaten us, we'll be ready to stop him."
"That's right! We defeated him twice already. Thirds a charm." Izzy added.
Jake and Izzy were right, as Kari smiled again, "Yeah... I suppose. But right now... I'm thankful for my family, my friends, and the whole community. "
As she said that, Cory hugged her, and she hugged back.
It was truly a wonderful Thanksgiving.
THE END
MC: At last, the story is over.
Yeah, even after Thanksgiving.
MC: So were one day late, it's not that big a deal.
Yeah. But anyways, we hoped you enjoyed this sweet tale, and join us next month for a Christmas treat. MC, care to explain what to expect from the future story?
MC: All I'm going to say is this.. Grab a helmet and prepare to see stars.
Literally! So until then, we'll see you guys later, and don't forget to review, please. Thank you.
