Author's Notes: Ok, so I suppose technically, this ends the arc. I wasn't going to have the farewell scene last so long, but it seemed to work out in the end, so I am overall pleased with it. Not too much else to say for the beginning, so I hope you can enjoy the read!

Chapter 20: Farewell, Foster's!

"Double D, I really just want to thank you for everything." Mac stated, looking up at him.

Double D, along with Eddy, Mac, Bloo, Frankie, Herriman, Wilt, Eduardo, Coco, and with Goo in the back, had gathered in the backyard.

Mac reached into his backpack, and revealed the shining Emerald Star. "Here." he said. "You guys need this way more then I do."

"Thanks." Double D said, gratefully taking the star.

"Ok, one down!" Eddy shouted. "Geez, it feels like it's been 8 months since we started or something! Uh, well, whatever."

"Yes, yes, I know you're feeling impatient." Double D sighed. "And we'll get underway."

"All of us at Foster's appreciate your assistance." Mr. Herriman said.

"Oh yeah, thanks a lot, buddy!" Wilt said.

"Gracias." Eduardo chimed in.

Coco made what sounded like a grateful clucking.

"Well, we better get to packing." Eddy said. "I mean, we got to head out to grab the next one, right?"

Double D nodded. "Go on Eddy, I'll join you in a minute."

All of them cleared away from the area, except for Mac, Double D, Goo, and Frankie.

Double D turned his back on those who remained in the area, and looked in his hands. He held the strange parchment that Masque had used before. It was a small sheet, with a single bar of music. It was about then that he realized that each note had a very small word underneath it. As he read the lyrics to the song, he was astonished by the simple words:

"The Fourth Relic sleeps."

Double D rubbed his chin. "…fourth relic? I thought there was three. How… intriguing. I wonder-"

"Um, excuse me, Double D."

Frankie was standing nearby him.

"Yes?" he asked with a friendly tone.

She held out her hands towards him. In her palms were the remains of the mask. It was still the same pearl color, though the sides were a little burnt, and a few marks were left on it. Other then that, it was still in alright condition, and still wearable.

Double D wasn't quite sure what to say.

"Double D, I think you should take this mask." She said.

"…uh, why?"

"…well, he was pretty powerful, so… maybe if you work some of your scientifically analysis on it, you'd be able to figure out more about the kind of power you're up against." She said. "And besides, I knew the guy. I'm sure that he wasn't totally evil… or at least until he met Beldam, anyway."

"…well, alright." Double D said, taking the mask from her. "I'll make sure to keep it safe."

"Good." She said. "…well, I need to contemplate on everything that's happened… so I hope you don't mind if I leave now."

"I understand." Double D stated. "Go and rest."

Frankie smiled and walked away.

Double D looked over toward Goo and Mac, the last two still there.

"Mac, thatwassotottalycoolandawesomeandsweet!Imeandidyouseejusthowbadlythatguywasbeatenthanksto-"

"Goo." Mac said, holding his own arm toward her. "Please, not now."

Goo silences. "You alright?" She asked.

"I don't know, really." Mac said.

"What's bad about it? You helped save the whole house!" she shouted. "…and me."

"Oh, well, yeah, I guess, but still…" Mac continued. "I just didn't know things were going to end like that."

"Well, you're still my hero, Mac!" Goo shouted, giving him a sudden hug.

Mac blushed in surprise, until she jumped back off him a few seconds later.

At first, Mac wasn't sure what to say, but after a while, he slowly came to his senses again. "…well, if you really feel that way. I should feel better."

"Yeah, see, there's the Mac I know." Goo said. "So… tellmewhatitwaslikedidyouseeanycoolstuffor-"

"Double D!"

This shouted seemed a lot more distressed then the previous ones.

It was Goombella, who was rushing right towards them. She bore a rather scared face. "Double D!"

"What is wrong?"

She came to a stop at his feet. "Double D, they're all gone!"

"Who is?"

"All of them! Rolf, Jimmy, Punio, Koops, the entire team!" She shouted. "They vanished!"

Everyone else couldn't believe their ears.

"No way, impossible!" Double D shouted. "I doubt that everyone would have simply vanished. Tell me, what happened?"

"As soon as your battle ended, I rushed away from the others to go find you guys. I couldn't find you after a while so I ran back to tell them, but… they were all gone." Goombella said.

"…and that's it?" Double D asked.

"That's it." Goombella said. "There was nobody there, and I couldn't find them anywhere else in the house!"

"I don't get it." Double D said, making a fist with one hand and clutching the mask with the other. "There is no possible way they would have built then nerve to leave us now."

"That's just it!" Goombella shouted. "I think something terrible just happened to them."

"…then was this battle, just a diversion for a larger trap?" Double D asked.

"It might have been, but I can't say anything for sure." She said.

"I'll bet this entire battle for the house fell right into Beldam's plans!" Double D stated.

"You think so?" She asked. "But she lost."

"But they have vanished. We're not too powerful with a smaller group, which is what she wanted all along."

Goombella nodded. "…you're right, it's starting to make a little sense. But did she really come here under our noses?"

"Most likely. Look, Eddy is still present. He has just returned to the house, so he should be inside with the residents."

"I'll go get him right now!" she exclaimed, before rushing off toward the house.

Mac and Goo had seen the whole thing.

"…you guys going to be alright?" Mac asked.

"Yes… we can handle this for sure." Double D said.

Goo, however, seemed to think a bit differently. "…hm… wellremembethatonetimewhenyouwereinthatotherworldandyouneededhelpsoyouhadtogoandgetsome-"

"Goo." Double D sighed, placing his free hand over his head. "Please, slow down."

She chuckled and held her own head. "Sorry. Anyway, remember that one time, when you were in that other world and you needed help?"

"That was multiple times, Goo."

"Whatever." She replied. "Every time you needed to get help, you searched for it, and found it from someone. And you're already at a place where can find the largest collection of friends."

Double D nodded. "You're right… but then on the other hand, you suggest that I… adopt an imaginary friend to take with me?"

"Yeah, maybe that work." Goo said with a shrug.

"Actually, that wouldn't happen." Mac said. "The rules of the house say that you can't adopt until you're 18. Terrance once tried to do it while lying about his age."

Double D nodded. "I understand."

He turned back toward the two children. "Don't worry about it, I'll find someone out on the road who can join us, definitely."

"I think you already have." Mac said.

Goo and Double D were surprised. "…huh?"

"I'll go." Mac said. "Well, that is, if you will let me."

Double D wasn't sure what to say. An 8 year old hero was asking him to join.

"Um… well…"

"I promise I'll be the best fighter I can be! Plus, I have this super-cool attack pattern idea that might come in handy." Mac replied.

"But Mac, what about Bloo?" Goo asked. "He's not going to be unadoptable anymore."

"I'll have to take him with me too." Mac said.

"…do you really want to do this?" Double D asked, still in shock. "Once you join up, we can't return here until it's over. Your lives will be in constant jeopardy, and you'll be marked as a wanted man by Beldam!"

"You need me." Mac said. "So does the world… Bloo needs me too. That's why We have to come along, please!"

"Ah, alright." Double D said, worried that Mac would yell a bit more. "You and Bloo can both join us."

"Whoo!" Mac and Goo both shouted, exchanging a high five.

At that exact moment, Bloo walked out into the yard. "Hey, what are you so happy about, Mac?"

"Guess what, Bloo!" Mac shouted excitedly. "We're going with Double D and his team in their adventure!"

Bloo's eyes widened. "… you mean we have to leave home… and face all those bad guys?"

Mac nodded. "…well-"

"And dragons, and mad scientists, and pirates and ghosts and loose-cannon sports proctors?"

"Sort of-"

Bloo's mouth turned into a wide grin. "Dude… this ROCKS!"

"Yeah, I does!" Mac shouted, giving his blue friend a high-five.

"We'll get to see the whole world!" Mac shouted.

"Ah, wellinthatcasecanyousendmeapostcardfromaustrailia?" Goo asked.

"Deal." Mac said.

"Ok, guys, go ahead and get ready. We'll be departing on the hour." Double D said. "Meet me by the front door when you're ready."

It was amazing how things had come to an end. Double D, Eddy, and Goombella all searched for their missing group, but had found nothing. It was yet another mystery added to the mysteries, ("Just another day's work." as Eddy would say with a smirk.) Oddly enough, they later found out that

Terrance never returned home out of the entire mess. The kid who wanted to cause so much mischief had fled in the end, farther away then the entire town, as it had seemed. Terrance was soon declared missing by authorities.

Mac and Bloo packed as fast as they could, shoving every item they could fit in as possible. Goo stayed with Mac as he packed up, asking him many questions about the battles, and how he felt about what was coming up ahead. Mac's response was simple: "I gotta do this, for the house's sake."

Bloo, of course, took a much more modest approach into answering: "Well, everybody needs Bloo, but I gotta go with these guys for now. They need me a lot more then these guys do, if that's even possible."

By the time Eddy finally came to remember, Jib was apparently long gone. He was completely unsure about what had become of the mysterious entity. As far as he knew, he was run away, just like Terrance, because he was also declared missing. Eddy kept an eye out all the way until the time came when he had to pack himself.

At long last, everyone had gathered in the front area. Though all of the cars were still there, they could only take one, due to Double D being the only able driver out of the 5. Eddy's persistence finally made him choose the flame-painted van, though it now towed Rolf's Shed cart and the Kanker's Trailer. All of their bags had been packed into the trailer, leaving enough space in the van to seat them all.

"Mac, are you sure this is alright with everyone?" Frankie asked.

"Positive." Mac said. "I had a talk with my mom, and she said it was alright as long as I e-mail my school stuff, and keep in touch all the time."

"Well, you better." Goo said. "Keep us constantly updated about your trip, will you?"

"You can count on it!" Bloo shouted. "I'll come back with all sorts of things and marvelous stories about it! Bloo, the awesome hero!"

"You guys have a lot of fun out there, alright?" Wilt asked. "I mean, if that's ok."

"Adios, mis amigos…" Eduardo said. He began to slow down, as small tears of joy formed at his wideset eyes. "Ah, I will miss you so much!" he said, sobbing a bit. Wilt tried his best to comfort the gentle giant.

"Cocococo." Coco clucked.

"Thanks, you too." Mac nodded.

"Oh yes, my boys!" Madame Foster said. "Have a blast out there, and tell all of the other imaginary friends out there I said 'Hi!'"

"It was indeed a pleasure meeting you all, Master Eddward, Master Eddy, and Miss Goombella. Please tell your other cohorts- I mean companions that I said so, when you find them. And of course, Master Mac and Master Blooreguard… bon voyage."

"Hmph, take all the time you need." Duchess said. "Infact, you don't have to return at all if you please."

"Put a sock in it." Frankie said with a shaking fist. "We're having a moment here, don't ruin it!"

Goo was one of the last to speak. "Wellyouguyshaveagoodtimeandcallmeeverydayok?"

"No problem." Mac replied back.

"I hope to see you guys again soon!" Goombella shouted.

"Call me again when you need a villain to beat!" Eddy called back toward them.

"Please, take care of yourselves!" Double D shouted. "I'm sure our paths will cross again."

"I'm going to be the top fighter, protecting the world from evil, just was I was meant to!" Bloo shouted. "I'm gonna come back a superhero!"

Mac smiled. "See you later everyone! I promise I'll return safe and sound with Bloo!"

With that, the 5 of them turned towards the van. Double D jumped into the driver's seat, while Bloo hopped into the passenger seat. Mac, Eddy, and Goombella shared the back seat, which was just before the waterbed.

"Ready to kick it?" Bloo asked.

"Yeah, let's do this." Mac replied.

Double D nodded, then turned on the van, who's engine's revved to life. The radio began to blast rock music (which Double D instinctively turned down). Finally, he pressed on the gas pedal, and the van began to pull away from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. Everyone exchanged one last wave, before the van pulled away from the house and into the streets. Mac and Bloo continued to watch the house until is vanished from sight. Both of them knew that there was no turning back now, or from this point on.

"So then, we're we goin'?" Bloo asked, with enthusiasm.

"Our next location is South America." Double D said.

"Yep." Eddy added in. "The next star's down there, and we gotta find it."

"Oooo.." Bloo and Mac said, both starring at each other with amazed expressions.

A few hours passed beyond that point. They were now headed due south, toward the southernmost area California. They were towns away from Foster's home, and the sun was beginning to set over the western skies. Double D was on an unoccupied road that was headed parallel with a beach. When he looked at his rear-view mirror, he could see the sun's reflection over the calm ocean waves.

During the drive, Bloo had fallen asleep, with his face buried under a plaid red hat, and his two arms behind his head. He wasn't snoring though. According to Mac, unless he was having an absurd nightmare, he would be a silent sleeper.

Goombella passed her time with one of her biology books. She didn't have that much interest in the subject, but Mac on the other hand was amazed about the sciences of another world. He flipped through a series of pages, asking questions to Goombella as he did.

"And this creature here?" Mac asked.

"That's called a Pokey." Goombella said. "You'll normally find those in the desert, but they also tend to hide in the oddest of places too. Not too much is know about them, because U-Goom biologists try to avoid them most of the time, because they are dangerous and are notorious for injecting their pray with poison."

"Astounding." Mac said, continuing to read. "I gotta go and visit your world someday."

"Who knows, maybe you will." She said.

"Yup." Eddy said, trying his best to sound like he was interested in the conversation. In reality, the shorter Ed had no idea what they were talking about, but he was also trying to sound as if he knew as much as she did.

Double D couldn't help but give out a small, chuckle. Luckily for him, nobody had heard it. He paid his attention back toward the road. So far, it looked as if there was nobody else driving on it. Odd, considering it was a pretty public area. Again, he looked out toward the ocean and saw the same serene look.

"…wow, this one here looks pretty cool too." Mac said.

"Oh, that's called a piranha plant." Goombella said. "They are found on tropical islands, woods, and snowlands. All of them are poisonous or can cause numbness, so they aren't too friendly."

"Uh, sorry to stop such an interestin' conversation…" Eddy said. "But I'm a little hungry. You guys mind if we go and eat at someplace?"

Double D looked back toward him. "Sorry, but local maps say there isn't a restaurant for miles on end."

Eddy gave an annoying moan of agony. "…but I'm hungry."

"He has a point." Goombella said. "I'm a little famished myself."

"Same here." Mac said.

Bloo gave an incoherent mumble in his sleep.

"I promise, we'll at the next food stop." Double D said. "Please, just don't pressure me with it, alright?"

"Ok." they all replied, aside from Bloo.

About 45 more minutes passed. They had yet to find a restaurant, and thus they had kept ridding along the side of the beach. By now, the sunset was more avid, changing the color from a slightly dark blue to a near orange. There were a few seagulls flying nearby, and the van's reflection could be seen in the ocean. The roads were a bit more bumpy, causing or two "jumps" now and again.

By now, Goombella and Eddy were asleep as well as Bloo, yet Mac was still reading the book. Double D looked ahead, seeing the road continue to go on. He gave a yawn, admitting that he was getting a little tired as well.

The young boy who was still awake looked down at his baggage for a second. From the open rucksack which he was carrying with him, a small picture of the residents of the house could be seen.

Mac looked away from the book, and peered out into the ocean. It was crystal clear and calm. The sunset was beautifully casting it's amazement of colors over the sea. His figure cast a long shadow over the passing roadways. As opposed to the warm climate outside, it was considerably calming to feel temperatures around 60 or so degrees. The seagulls, the calm waves… and the caravel… it was so…

"Wait a minute." Mac said. He looked again, this time focusing on the ship that was apparently sailing parallel with them in the ocean. It was clearly a sort of caravel, an old fashion ship that resembled a colonial schooner. Though the distance made it hard to say for absolute certain, it visibly had a main sail, and then a smaller sail in the back. There were other figured walking on it's decks, which he assumed was it's crew. He couldn't count them for sure, but it had to be somewhere between 3 and 8.

"Hey, Double D, look at that." Mac said, pointing toward the ocean. Double D turned his mirror, and spotted the ship.

"…how odd." he said. "…is it me, or is that caravel sailing at the same speed and direction as we are?"

"I dunno, I guess it is." Mac said. "I wish I could see it."

"…I wonder if it's a spy ship sent by Beldam." Double D said.

"Might be…" Mac said."

Double D sighed. "There are no other roads to turn away from here."

Then, to their surprise, they could hear the sound of something whistling through the air. It was very distant at first, but it gradually became louder.

"Double D!" Mac shouted.

He looked again and screamed. There was a cannonball, piercing through the air at a very high speed, headed right toward them.

The frightened driver took a quick swerve to the left. The ball struck the road, missing the van by a foot.

BOOM!

Shards of road were sent flying in all directions, some of which hit the van. The very sudden jolt awoke Goombella and Bloo instantly. Eddy, however, gave a moan. "Is it morning already?"

BOOM!

Now Eddy was at full alert.

"What the heck was that?" Goombella asked.

"Look, over there!" Mac shouted, directing everyone's attention to the ship.

Another cannonball struck nearby, sending them swerving to the right in order to avoid it.

"It's got to be Beldam." Goombella shouted.

"No, it's the cops, they've come for me!" Eddy shouted, diving under his chair.

"Are you kidding?" Bloo asked. "It's pirates!"

"Pirates?" Mac asked with a tone of disbelief.

"…it could happen." Bloo said, trying to look innocent.

Another explosion quickly passed on by. Double D was having a hard time steering.

"I have to stop!" Double D said. He let go of the gad and slammed the brakes. At once, everyone went flying forward at the van's abrupt stop. Their trailers shook and rattled for a bit as they did, until their halt was complete.

Everyone jumped out of the van and rushed in front of it. The ship, which had been shooting at them, ceased fire and was making a turn. The heroes knew that the ship was coming right for them. Double D stood in front of everyone, and held both of his hands outward.

"Fireball!"

A huge blast of fire rushed forth from his hands, shooting over the ground, then over the ocean, finally headed toward the ship. It struck the front, creating a blast of fire. He could hear the ship's crew giving shouts of surprise and anger.

"They shouldn't mess with the best, should they?" Bloo asked.

"Wait, now they are shooting something else!" Goombella shouted.

Double D looked ahead. There was another object flying toward them, but this time, it wasn't a cannon at all. It appeared to be the figure of a person, whom had somehow flung himself in the air. Whoever it was, he was approaching fast, with the velocity of a rocket.

"How can someone do that?" Double D asked himself, as he watched the person headed right towards him and his own group. "Who is this guy?"

"DOUBLE D, HE'S HEADED RIGHT FOR YOU!" Mac shouted.

Double D realized that he was the actual target of this guy. It was too late to jump out of the way, because whomever it was, was approaching too quickly.

"NO!" Double D shouted, the instant before impact.

Author's Notes: I'll admit, this one was considerably shorter then the other chapters, yes. Though it's mostly meant for transitional purposes anyway. So then, I have set a fairly good amount of twists, or so I hope. As for the ship that attacks them in the end, yet, that does have to do with the next crossover. To some, it may already be obvious, but I still refuse to reveal what it is yet. You can try and make a guess here, and then see how close you are to being right when I release my next chapter. Until then, thanks for reading thus far and please review!