Chapter 11: Worried Hearts
Tamora and Felix were heading to Heroes Duty. She hoped the men weren't giving Crystal a hard time and wanted to see how Crystal was handling herself. A small bump was forming on her stomach and the baby was moving around. "Man this kid is going to kick Cy-Bugs all the way to the beacon the way it kicks," Tamora muttered.
"Hey now little one goes easy on your Mamma, we are going to go see your big sister Crystal. Won't that be fun," Felix cooed at Tamora's stomach. She rolled her eyes and felt her cheeks blush for Felix was being sweet but talking to her stomach even though she had a baby inside her was a tad embarrassing. Instead of telling him this she just pushed his hat over his eyes and walked on. He smiled and hopped to keep up with her longer strides. They got to the game within a few minutes and the first one to greet them was Kohut.
"Hey Sarge and Fix-it glad to see you both," he said smiling.
"Hello Kohut, where is Crystal I wanted to see how she was handling herself," Tamora said.
"Oh she is doing fine Sarge, she has a keen mind for strategy, you would be so proud of her," Kohut said smiling.
"Really the men are listening to her," Tamora said holding her surprise. Sure most of her men respected Crystal but a few of the rookies could get out of line.
"Well Randy was being difficult, he broke from the plan and went AWOL and took off up the tower by himself. He almost got eaten by the Queen Cy-Bug if Crystal didn't save his sorry hide. A lot of the men from a distance saw it and Crystal saved him in the nick of time. But you know Randy always wanting to be the star wasn't too happy," Kohut said frowning.
"I see well I will have to remind Randy about teamwork, but was Crystal harmed?" Tamora asked. She hid her fear well but was scared as she remembered the last time Crystal faced the Queen Cy-Bug.
"Oh yeah she was fine, Dr. Peters gave her some new armor that was as he put it lighter and more durable. No offense Sarge that armor you wanted Crystal to wear was too big for her. She is a bit shorter than you and that armor weighed a ton poor kid fell whenever she took a step. But she has that new armor and it works well for her," Kohut said.
"We are just glad Crystal is okay and doing a good job. Do you know where she is?" Felix asked.
"Oh yeah she went to go see Dr. Peters after the game was over. Maybe she is still talking to him," Kohut told them.
"Thanks we will look," Tamora said and led Felix to Dr. Peter's office. She knocked on the door and Dr. Peters stood before them.
"Ah Tamora lovely to see you and hello Felix, please come in," he said cheerfully.
"Hello Dr. Peters have you seen Crystal?" Tamora asked.
"Ah yes, she and Daniel, Morgan, and Rose were here. They wanted to talk to you about something important and went to your office," he said.
"Wait Daniel, Morgan, and Rose were here too?" Tamora questioned.
"Um yes," he said.
"Did they say what they wanted to talk to us about?" Felix asked sounding a tad concerned.
"I can't say but I recommend going to your office and finding out," Dr. Peters said addressing Tamora. The two heroes exchanged worried glances but headed to Tamora's office. To their shock it was empty. "That is odd I knew I saw them go this way," Dr. Peters said as he followed them in case he had to be the psychiatrist.
"Where could they have gone? Crystal wouldn't just take off without telling us especially with the younger kids with her," Tamora said.
"Calm down honey, maybe she sent the others home for it is pretty late. I will go back home and see if Daniel, Morgan, and Rose are home. Once I find them I will ask them where Crystal could be and you just wait till I get back," Felix said putting his hand in hers.
"Very well soldier but hurry back," Tamora said. Felix nodded and hopped off to his game.
"Come on Tamora, maybe Crystal got tired of waiting in your office and went to check on her Pla-Ce bugs and fell asleep. She did do that once remember," Peters said trying to keep Tamora calm.
"Yeah let's go check," Tamora said. Felix hopped to his game and ran into Ralph.
"Hey brother where is Calhoun and the kids?" Ralph asked.
"Wait they aren't here?" Felix asked getting worried.
"I haven't seen them since after the game ended when Daniel took the girls to Calhoun's game to see Crystal. That was awhile actually, why what is wrong?" Ralph asked.
"They are missing we didn't see them in the game at all," Felix said growing concerned.
"Easy brother maybe Vanellope seen them," Ralph suggested. They headed to Sugar Rush but Vanellope said she hadn't seen them.
"Let's go ask that lizard boy Nightmare right, maybe he seen them," Vanellope suggested.
"I hope so," Felix said and took them to Nightmare's game. Nightmare just finished his game and was about to go check in on Crystal. She seemed so sad the last time he saw her and thought maybe a moonlight flight would cheer her up. He stepped out of his game to see Felix, Ralph, and Vanellope coming towards him.
"Evening everyone, how may I help you?" Nightmare asked gently.
"Um Nightmare sorry to bother you but have you seen Crystal or maybe Daniel, or Morgan, or Rose?" Felix asked.
"I saw Crystal I believe yesterday, she was telling me about the baby Pla-Ce Bugs getting better at their training. As for the Daniel I saw him a week ago with you sir. And I saw the girls hanging out with the Sugar Rush kids I believe three days ago," Nightmare said. "Why do you ask are they all okay?" he asked his face showing concern.
"We can't find them anywhere," Felix said.
"Has your dad seen them?" Ralph asked. He remembered how the Demon King wanted Crystal and would do anything to claim her.
"No my father has been in the dark forest guarding my mother's grave. He hasn't been seen since I became the new leader," Nightmare said. He understood Ralph's questioned and knew his father would not take Crystal for his father did keep his word. "If Crystal and the others are missing allow me to help you find them," Nightmare said.
"Okay lizard boy let's go see if Sargent Yells A lot has seen them," Vanellope said and they all headed back to Heroes Duty. Tamora had not found Crystal and was growing more worried. She asked all her men if they had seen her or the other missing kids. Steel heard Crystal was missing and knew if Crystal went anywhere she would tell someone where she was going. Looking around all the men showed some sign of worry all except Randy of course.
"Hey Randy did you see Crystal or her brother and sisters?" Steel asked.
"Heck no last time I saw her was after the game," Randy said defensively.
"So, you have no idea why Crystal and her siblings would be missing now would you? I mean Crystal did save your life so surely if you knew anything you would tell someone," Steel said.
"I am leaving I am sure they will show up somewhere," Randy said. He turned to leave but something fell out of his pocket. Steel saw it looked like an odd remote and pushed a button. "Give me that!" Randy shouted but it was too late. Two holograms that looked solid and one was Tamora and the other was Felix.
"Why do you have holograms of Sarge and Fix-it? Steel asked. But his finger hit another button and when he asked the question his voice sounded like Tamora's. His eyes narrowed and he dragged Randy to see Tamora and Felix.
"Tammy we couldn't find Daniel, Morgan, or Rose. Did you find Crystal?" he asked.
"No, and I am really getting worried. where could they be?" Tamora asked fighting tears.
"Sarge, Fix-it, you have to know something," Steel said. They saw him drag Randy up to them and Dr. Peters saw the remote.
"Hey that is my hologram voice changer device. You can make holograms that look solid of other people and sound like them. I thought it could be used for a defense attack against the Cy-Bugs. Why do you have it Steel?" Peters asked.
"Tell them what you did Randy," Steel barked.
"I didn't do anything!" Randy shouted.
"Tell me," Tamora growled glaring at him. That look made Randy talk.
"I was angry that I had to take orders from that freak orphan Crystal. It is no fair I have been in this game and worked hard to earn my rank. Suddenly this little orphan finds those bugs, has these freaky powers, and she becomes Sarge it was no fair. So, I hatched a quick plan I usually would take some of Peter's gadgets hoping to get an edge in the game. So, I took that device but couldn't think of any use for it. Till today I heard Crystal and the others tell Peters of their fear of you and that short handy man of yours not wanting them. Since you adopted them they feared once you had your real kids you would throw them away. Peters assured them that you loved them and told them to wait in your office for you were coming to check on things. I took a shortcut and got to your office first. I used the device and made them think you and Fix-It never wanted them and I saw them leave the game," Randy explained. Everyone was in shock and Calhoun glared at him and slapped his face.
"How dare you talk about my kids like that and do that to them. I am going to feed you to a Cy-Bug! No I will shoot you first and then feed you to a Cy-Bug!" she screamed as she shot her gun at him. Randy ducked but got hit in the foot.
"Tammy stop you will kill him!" Felix said trying to take the gun from her. He was just as angry but didn't want to see his wife commit murder. Unfortunately Ralph and Vanellope weren't being much help.
"Shoot him again Calhoun!" Ralph yelled.
"Yeah blast him!" Vanellope cheered.
"Would you two quit encouraging her!" Felix yelled taking the gun from his angry wife. Luckily for him and Randy the gun was out of bullets.
"Oww my foot," Randy moaned.
"Serves you right but come on let's get you patched up," Steel said. He led Randy away with the help of Dr. Peters.
"You better pray my kids are alright or I will shoot off your other foot!" Tamora barked. Hot tears fell from her face as her heart was breaking where were her babies?
"Hey um ma'am maybe we could use Specks to find Crystal," Nightmare suggested. They all agreed and found Specks fast asleep. He awoke and sensed something was wrong.
"Specks, Crystal, Daniel, Morgan, and Rose are missing. I need you to find them," Tamora said gently. She had no idea if he understood her. Only Crystal it seemed could communicate with these bugs but she was hoping. Specks let out a small hiss and sniffed the air. Then he took off out of the game and the group followed. Each one was hoping beyond hope that they would find the kids and bring them home.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review. A special thanks to KungFuPandaFanatic for helping me with the title.