Alfred's POV
Work sucked today. It was Friday night, and people decided that it was time to crowd my workplace. Saying we were busy was a tiny understatement. Not a one of us got a break today. The only thing that kept me going through all of that was the thought of seeing everyone together.
The walk home didn't help my mood. It only succeeded in building my anxiety. A bunch of punks ran past me, yelling a bunch of crap. I think that they were the same guys that had beaten up Mattie before. Never would they do that again. If they did, they would seriously regret it. All I wanted was to be home and see everyone.
Getting home didn't exactly have the desired effect either. I opened the door to see Matt with a bruised face, pouting next to a Gilbert who looked like he'd faced off against one too many. They both seemed pretty upset. That was beside the point though, Matt had a bruise on his face, and I was going to have to kill someone! Saying that point aloud got me a loud laugh and an explanation that I had arrived a little late for that. I got left out of the beating fest. Despite my knowledge of gaining a new partner I was still rather ticked off.
At least we had burgers for supper. I love those things. While we ate, Arthur and Gilbert spoke about words that formed on the shell and a bright green light. The puzzle talked about being bound forever. All I could think about though were the kids. Both of them were lost and trying to find each other. It seems like a pretty serious bind to me. Everyone else agreed with the new point that I brought up. Arthur even said that it was a good idea.
After we ate the fun part began. We got to try new ways to solve the mystery. Those two got their words to show up by forcing the shell together, so we crossed the pairs the other way. It was time for me and Matt to try. We each picked up one piece and pushed. No matter what though, it wouldn't even get close to touching. We got knocked back, but nothing happened. No green light, no new words, nothing.
"Are you sure that this is what you tried?" Matthew asked. He was right. Why would it work for them and not us? Clearly neither of them knew the answer to that either. Arthur loooked despaired beyond belief. His mouth hung slightly open. What bothered me was his eyes. The shine that had been there since we met was gone. He looked more that a little disappointed.
"Yes" His voice matched the sadness that his face showed. "That is the exact same thing that we did. The only difference was we crossed the pairs the other way." This was disappointing, but I still don't understand why Arthur wouldd be this upset. "It just doesn't make sense."
"Or maybe it makes perfect sense." Francis joined in the conversation. He really seemed to be spouting nonsense though.
"What is that supposed to mean, Frog?" Arthur went from mopey to irritated in just a second. It was amazing the effect that those two had on eachother.
"I mean" He started up. "that maybe the shell doesn't want the same exact thing. You already tried splitting the pairs and got some words, so maybe to get the other ones you have to try using a pair that was actually created by the shell." That was a good idea. How did he come up with something like that?
"Oh! The awesome me gets it. Matt and I are going first, because we are more awesome than you guys!" I stepped aside to stand with Artie as they each grabbed a part of the shell and positioned themselves. "Ready, Birdie?" Matt nodded. "Alright then. 3...2...1!
The shell went together and sparkled, whilst Matthew and Gilbert flew to opposite sides of the room. We watched in awe as the shell almost made its way completely together. whole room glowed a bright green light, and we could see words forming right in front of our eyes. the both of them made the way to the shells. "You should do the honors, Birdie."
Matt scanned the words, reading everything aloud. "Two pairs... and be forever bound... get together... lost one to be found." The whole thing made a lot more sense now. The new things we had though proved some of our theories wrong.
"What could that mean?" Arthur appeared to be deep in thought. He dept reading the parts to himself over and over again.
"Why are you trying to figure out what that little piece means if you can easily get the rest of it? That seems like a waste of time to me." I had a point. Why would you have to solve half the riddle when you can have the whole thing to work with? All you could get from doing that are wrong answers and misleading hopes.
"Magic doesn't work like that. Skipping steps only ends badly." He seemed dead serious.
"Whatever you say, Artie, but I still don't see why that is a step. Talking about what the words mean won't change anything. Last time all we came up with was a bunch of answers that were proven wrong just now." He glanced up meeting my eyes.
"We'll try it your way. For once, you might not be completely oblivious." He handed me a part of the shell and took his own. "Lets do this. Veneciano and Romanche are depending on us."
It took everything we had to force the parts together. then, it clicked. The parts joined. The pieces weren't meant to become one yet. We were still missing a part of the puzzle. I felt myself becoming lightheaded.
When I came back to my senses, I was lying on my back in a field of flowers. A red headed boy in a dress was standing over me. "You aren't Arthur. Who are you supposed to be? This kid had to be Romanche's friend. Maybe that also meant that Artie was talking to Romanche right now.
"I am the hero! Alfred F. Jones at your service." He smiled as I said that.
"You're funny." The kid was laughing from his position over me. "My name is Veneciano." He reached out his hand to help me up. Then, his face became serious. "You wouldn't happen to know Romanche, would you? I have been looking for him for a long time." I was right.
"I know Romanche. He is looking for you too. I was helping him to find you, and now we just have to find him. I have a feeling that Arthur is there as well." I watched as his eyes and grin widened.
"You mean it? We have to find them!" He hugged my legs, and I felt like a real hero. There wasn't much left to solve.
"Hey, Alfred, Arthur, can you guys hear us? If you can, then give us a sign somehow. You got sucked into the shell when it got put together." that was Matthew. How could he talk to us if we were in the shell? Also, he said it was put together so we should bbe able to walk to Arthur and Romanche.
Veneciano looked just as surprised to hear Matt as I was. His mouth hung halfway to the ground. His eyes were really wide too. It was like he just saw a gost. I can't gurantee that I was looking much better though.
"Matt, is that you?" I f he couldn't hear me, then he wasn't ever going to be able to. If nothing else, Artie would hear me and know where to find us. "Can you hear me?
"Loud and clear, Al." I could hear the grin in his voice. "Do you know where Arthur is? I think you have to come out of there together."
"I dont have a clue." By this point Veneciano was completely befuddled. I wasn't much better off. "What gave you that idea anyway? Is the rest of the puzzle thing there now?"
"You bet. Matt and my awesome self think we have it figured out too." That was Gilbert. No one else used the word awesome like that.
"Well, what does it say?" Maybe we could figure something out. "And did you find anything out from Arthur yet?" I couldn't help but wonder. I couldn't find him or hear him, and this place was a lot different from where I found Romanche. He could be far away.
"Of course we have been in contact with Arthur. We've been keeping an ear out for the both of you. From what we know, you two are pretty close. Awesome, huh." It actuall was. "Oh yeah. The riddle thing says 'Two pairs must get together and be forever bound for them to get together, for the lost one to be found.' That's pretty crazy if you ask me."
With what Gilbert said, Veneciano's eyes lit up. "A guy said that to me and romanche once. It was right before we were seperated. I know where we have to go right now." He took my hand and started leading me away. "Romanche will know where to go too. I'll see him soon!"
I was lead to a really cool flower patch. The sun was setting and it made the plants look all sparkly. There was a big tree that had deep purple flowers on it too. We sat and waited in the tall flowers for a while. Then, we saw them. Arthur and Romanche made their way up to us. The meeting was magical.
AN: That was really late. I am sorry for that, and I'm not going to waste your time with excuses. Anyway I kinda like how this turned out. The next chapter is the end. Please Review.