Hey guys. Welcome to chapter 2 of this here fanfic. I thank those who have already read and reviewed the first chapter. I've been feeling really good about writing again and it makes me feel pretty awesome. I haven't written in a while so it really feels good to be back. Also, I don't have a set release schedule, but I'll be posting hopefully on or two times a week if not more depending on where I am in the story and what I am doing at home, Any who read and enjoy.

-Samsungpony

Chapter 2

"Wait, what? New York City. Are you serious?" Margaret stammered from the passenger seat as Gregor slowly drove out of the Cemetery. Her voice was quavered as she spoke. She seemed quite shocked by Gregor's statement and just how blunt he was about it.

"I'm quite serious, Margaret. There's nothing left for us here in town. And I have no way to pay for anything here anyway," Gregor replied with little emotion, focused more on driving then on the conversation. As he pulled onto the interstate, Margaret stared at him in utter confusion.

"Gregor, the house isn't this way. If we're going out of town shouldn't we get our stuff at least?"

"Not at all. I got us a change of clothes so we aren't tromping around in these nice ones. We won't need more than one pair anyway. Not where we're going," Gregor figured that would at least give Margaret an idea onto what he was thinking, but she still just looked confused.

"If it's New York were heading to wouldn't we need more than one change of clothes? Unless there's something you aren't telling me?"

"Margaret," Gregor started shaking his head,"Isn't it obvious that we aren't staying in the city. We're going below the city. Back to our other home." Margaret near fainted at the news. She was utterly shocked and stunned at the fact that Gregor even considered it. It had been years since they had been back there and she could hardly remember anything beyond giant roaches and pale skinned, purple eyed people. Gregor still had his picture and his much better memories however.

"Are you sure they'll let us back?" Margaret finally asked after several silent minutes. She had curled up with her arms wrapped around her knees. She didn't even look at Gregor when she asked. Gregor looked at her with a reassuring smile and reached over to pat her on her knee..

"Oh, I'm positive they'll let us back. I mean if they miss us as much as we miss them then there would be no reason for them to not want us back. Who knows, they may even need us for whatever reason. They always seem to need our help in some way whenever we show up."

Gregor could only hope that what he said was true. He had been thinking on a whim that morning as he had packed clothes for him and Margaret and thought back to the only other place he thought they could go. The Underland would be the best place to turn to in a time of his need, considering that he was there for them so many times all those years ago. Saving them from a plague, saving their queen, saving an entire species, and ending a war and making relative peace seemed like plenty for them to just give Margaret and him a place to live. However, Gregor had no clue what was going on there. He hadn't known anything since they moved. At least when they were still in New York he got lucky and had some minimal contact with his companions below. But in Connecticut there was no chance of that.

The two siblings rode quietly for the rest of the ride. They were each entranced in their own thoughts about their future. It was not long ride at all, only a little over an hour and a half from the quiet Connecticut town they lived in to their old home in the city that never sleeps. Gregor pulled into a parking space in front of their old apartment building. That was the first place he thought of for easy access to the Underland. However, he still wasn't exactly sure how to get down.

"Bro, how do you intend for us to get down there?" Margaret asked voicing Gregor's thoughts. He just shook his head.

"I have no clue. We could head to central park and try there or see what's goin on in the laundry room here." Neither idea was a strong one considering the chances of having a way down was next to nothing. He thought about writing a note and dropping it down the grate to see if someone would find it, but he knew that could take days. He just needed time to think. "Hey, let's just get out of these clothes and into something more comfortable before we really think about this."

Margaret agreed fully wanting to get out of the hot black skirt she was in, so Gregor grabbed the duffle bag out of the backseat of the truck and gave it to her, sending her inside to change in the visitor restrooms in the lobby. She came back out a few minutes later with a pair of shorts and a t-shirt on carrying the bag. She tossed it to Gregor who caught it and rushed inside to change. He had packed himself a light t-shirt and a pair of jeans. 85 degrees and Gregor still wore jeans as he had since he could remember. Out of the bathroom he came and back to the car he went to the waiting Margaret. She was dancing on her feet anxiously waiting for Gregor's return.

"What are you so happy about?" Gregor chuckled at his younger sister.

"I know how to get down," she chanted to him, "I know how to get down! We just gotta wait for the currents. Just like the first time we tumbled down there. They'll carry us and we won't have to worry about going splat or waiting for a flier."

Oh boy, did Gregor feel like an idiot. For having been there so many times, he still forgot about the simplest thing like the currents. If they were there, then they would just drift down and be perfectly fine at the bottom. Or close to fine as long as they didn't come across anything to unpleasant. And could find their way through the maze of tunnels there. But it was their best bet. Their only chance really.

"What are we waiting for then. Let's go see if we can catch a ride down." The two siblings waltzed into the lobby and quickly darted to the stairs to the laundry to avoid any unwanted attention. Especially because they weren't supposed to go down there because they didn't live there anymore. The laundry room was the same as they had last seen it. Rows of washers and driers stood before them like sentinels stationed for combat. The room was gloomy and had poor lighting. Dust bunnies hid between and behind the machines. The grate was right where it needed to be behind the same drier. And it had a nice surprise waiting for them. There was the telltale sign of the currents: a slight vapor was pouring out of the grating.

Gregor grabbed the grate and wrenched it from the wall, pulling it clean away. The tunnel behind was dark and descended down so far that it was impossible to see the bottom. The air was crisp and dry almost stagnant. Gregor looked at Margaret and motioned towards the grate.

"Ladies first," Gregor chuckled as Margaret ducked her head into the hole in the wall and dropped down into the darkness. Gregor waited a few seconds before he took a deep breath and plunged himself in as well. He still didn't like falling especially after Ares death. Then he had been fine knowing that someone would always be there to catch him. Now he had nobody to catch him and his fear of falling had slowly eased its way back into his conscious life over the last few years.

Gregor had forgotten how erie the fall was. The vapor had floated up all around them almost like it was cushioning their fall. However, they were still falling at an exceptional speed. Gregor's clothes were ballooned as he fell and he couldn't see more than a few feet in every direction. When he tried to scream for Margaret to see where she was his words got stuck in his throat due to the speed of the fall. Wanting to catch up with his sister Gregor moved his body around so that he was facing straight down and tucked his arms against his sides. He picked up speed zooming down like an arrow. He saw himself pass a blur which he assumed was his sister, so Gregor pushed his arms out and flipped his body around so he was falling back first again. He could barely see Margaret falling almost directly above him.

The fall was taking a long time and Gregor had forgotten just how long it could take to drop down to the underland. He thought they should be getting near the bottom due to the vapor dissappaiting just like the very first time. His clothes started to resettle on his body and he could feel a slight updraft. Then he got scared.

The land was not right below his feet. They hadn't landed yet! Slowed down they had, but yet they were still falling. Gregor looked down and saw just feet below him was the ground. He braced himself for impact.

THUD!

Gregor slammed into the ground, hard, and the wind was knocked out of him. His lower back was gonna be so sore he thought. As he struggled to regain his breath he heard a slight squeal of distress and then…

Thud!

Margaret landed square on Gregor's chest. The wind was knocked out of him again. She looked at him for a second before climbing off him..

"Sorry about that,bro." Gregor just waved her off as he clambered to his feet and started to regain his breath. He took in his surroundings with his hand resting on the back of his head.. The tunnels branched off in every direction and he had no idea which direction they were supposed to go. He looked up and studied the vent they had plummeted down. There was no vapor left in the tube. Only one reason for that.

"Looks like we got lucky," Gregor stated, "The currents ended right before we landed. If we were any later we would have been two smashed overlanders here instead." He unconsciously rubbed his sore back. Margaret was staring at him waiting for his lead. But Gregor had no lead, no plan, and no idea on which of the tunnels would lead them to the humans. If he picked wrong they could go anywhere and to anyone. People that wouldn't like them.

A noise behind Gregor, caused him to spin around and reach to his side where his sword used to be. But as he knew there was no sword there. He pushed Margaret behind him in an effort to shield her from whatever may be coming. He was ready if he had to fight.

"Who is there? I do repeat, who is there?" came a voice from the tunnel right in front of Gregor. It wasn't the biggest tunnel nor the smallest and was not one that Gregor would have chosen to go down.

"I'm just an overlander and so is my sister. Who are you?" Gregor answered in his strongest voice. If it was a human he would be safe. But if it was a rat he could be in serious trouble. He knew it wasn't a spinner or a crawler as they talked in unique ways, but both rats and humans spoke in the same way. Gregor shifted his feet around on the ground looking for a rock or anything he could use as a wepon. Nothing presented itself at the moment.

A torch light slowly crept into the open area. The human holding the torch looked over Gregor and Margaret. His eyes wandered from his chest to Gregor's face. When he looked Gregor in the eyes he jumped back in shock causing him to almost drop the torch. Gregor reached out to calm the man, but he only backed away more.

"You are no normal overlander. No you are the warrior. We were told you were never going to return to us. That we would have to make do without the aid of you. But yet you have come back. This is unheard of."

Gregor was surprised by his words. When he had left for the last time he had uncertain that he would ever come back. Luxa had known this herself. And when he sent a letter to her telling her that they were moving she most likely got the worst idea. The idea that he was forever leaving and would never come back. She probably told this to the military to keep them in their best shape and condition so they would not rely on someone that would not be coming back.

Gregor spoke then. "I was not planning on returning. Not that I did not love it here, but I was in no situation to return. And yet here I am. I have returned and this time I am in need of help from the underland. I am in need of somewhere to go and belong. If you would good sir, could you lead me and my sister back to Regalia. I would love to see it again."

The words were tactful and full of quick thought. Words to calm the stunned man and influence him to help them out. It seemed to have worked as well, because the soldier was slowly straightening up. He gestured for them to follow them. He lead them down the tunnel and around twists and turns and down forks that split two or three times. They occasionally passed other soldiers who gave them curious stares and the rare gasp of astonishment at those who recognized him. It was a long walk and Gregor had to start carrying Margaret after a while. She was tired and couldn't keep pace with both of the older men. Even Gregor was starting to tire.

Finally Gregor could see a light at the end of tunnel. A literal light from hundreds of torches burning brightly in Regalia's multipurpose Arena. It was empty except for the few men assigned to guard the entrance from the tunnel. When they saw their comrade coming they parted and let him pass along with Gregor and Margaret. The arena was mostly the same as it had always been. Stone bleachers ran up the sides and a soft moss made up the field. The massive stone doors stood opposite them, closed to bar sight of the city. The Soldier who found them sent a guard to the palace to give notice that two overlanders would be coming. He did not specify that it was Gregor and his sister, however. The man saluted and whistled twice, before a flier landed and he took off. The head of the guard there whistled again. A purple colored flier they did not know landed in front of them a few moments later.

"Welcome Overlanders," the female bat said to them not recognizing who they were, "I shall be flying you to the palace." Gregor thought it weird to be climbing onto the back of a flier again after all these long years. The bat was not as big as Ares had been and wasn't even as large as Luxa's golden bat, Aurora. But yet it had no problem carrying Gregor and Margaret who knew exactly how to ride on her.

"What is your name?" Gregor asked the bat before she took off.

"I am called Artemese, overlander," the bat replied. Gregor nodded his head and looked around as the Artemese took off from the ground and flew from the arena. Gregor was taken aback from the beauty of the city. He had seen it so many times and yet he was still stunned by the beauty of it. The smooth stones, carved so intricately and built so beautifully. It was a stunning work of architecture. And nothing was more beautiful than the royal palace which stood the tallest and had the most beautiful carvings and the smoothest walls. Gregor could see the lift that took citizens from the ground to the high hall. Or at least those that did not have fliers to carry them up. The palace loomed closer and closer as they flew over the city. Artemese slowed as she neared the palace.

The purple bat cruised into the high hall, hovered for a minute before dropping to her feet. Gregor jumped from her back thanking her for the ride and grabbing Margaret off her back. He whispered something in the bats ear which made her laugh. Gregor laughed as well. Artemese took off and flew away while Gregor turned to watch her go. As she disappeared into the cityscape, Gregor turned to look at the assembled group before him. He recognized all of them.

Vikus, still proud, stood leaning on a cane. One side of his body hung loose and weak from the stroke he had suffered all those years ago. However, he looked stronger than he had then even though his age was greater. He still looked like the homely old man that had greeted him when he first came and lead him through so many prophecies and journeys.

Mareth stood strong and straight. He was his ever jovial self with a smile on his face and a laugh just waiting to be released from his throat. Even with only one good leg, he was still a major role in the running of the Regalian army, training the men and keeping everyone as good as they could be. And he was still strong as a bear to top it all off.

Howard, the head doctor of Regalia, stood there as well in his doctor attire. He looked tired and stressed, but when had he not. Even when Gregor left, Howard had been a mess. Tired and stressed from the amount of time he was needed in the hospital. And even while he looked tired he still seemed happy. He was a good guy and had a heart for helping people and keeping things the way they were.

And on top of those three Gregor saw the best person yet. Queen Luxa stood straight in her purple silk dress. She had a band of gold around her head representing her crown. Her hair had grown out and was braided down her back. Her eyes were the same as when he left. Stern and soft and such a shade of purple that he loved them. She was just as stunning as he had imagined her being.

When the 4 underlanders saw Gregor's face they all were taken aback for a moment. No one had expected this. Vikus stumbled and had to regain his balance, Mareth just smiled more, Howard raised his eyebrows in surprise, and Luxa… well her mouth fell open and she fell to her knees in utter shock. Definitely not what Gregor had been expecting.

"Hey, guys. I'm back", Gregor said with eyes only for Luxa.

Yep, I did it again. Get to something interesting and then just drop a mini cliffhanger. It's kinda my thing. So guys please leave a review to tell me what you think of the story and my writing and what not. Also tell me if I made any mistakes in grammar or spelling or even just story stuff. Anything will help me do better.