Emma & Malcom Peabody

Chapter 23: Napoleon/The party part. 1

-Oh... this is gonna be so cool!-exclaimed Malcom going out of the WABAC with a wide smile on his face.

They hadn't used the time machine for a long time, at least for him. It was quite easily to get used to time-traveling, and he was already missing his adventures around time, because well, they couldn't use an excuse for going to their grandfather's house every week... their parents would start to suspect something... Thanks goodness, they didn't need to use any excuse that day because there was a party of business men at Peabody's Industries, so, they convinced their grandpa to let them use the WABAC while everyone else was on the ground floor of that giant flat that belonged to their family. Peabody accepted with one condition: they had to stay at the WABAC's floor until he came for them. The twins didn't have any problem, as long as they could use the machine...

-I still can't believe our grandpa let us use the WABAC again!-

-Don't be so happy...-pointed his sister going out too.-Remember that Napoleon isn't a really nice history figure...-

-Maybe, but he was really short! His pride was no doubt bigger than him...So, I want to see if I'm taller than one of the worst rulers ever!-he confessed excited

Emma stared at him and rolled her eyes.-I am taller than you, Mal-she commented with a smirk

-No, you are not...-

-Sure I am-

-No!-

-Yes!-

-No!-

Suddenly, a strange sound behind some trees was heard, followed by a whisper. The twins stood quiet, forgetting about what they were arguing about and looked at each other with a worried expression.

The blonde girl accommodated her glasses and narrowed her eyes, trying to look what was there.-Malcom!-she called taking something from inside the WABAC and giving it to him.-Check out if everything is alright-

The boy realized that she had just given him a sword.-What?! Are you crazy or something?-

-C'mon... it can't be anything that bad-she pressed a bottom, making the time machine invisible.-But just in case... this place isn't as safe as it looks-

-Why don't you go instead?-

-Are you scared?-she asked with a smirk

-OF COURSE NOT! Watch me out, girl!-he advised walking to the trees

Even though he denied his fears, he was really scared. Well, perhaps he wasn't as brave as he wished. Bravery is something that comes from you, not something that can suddenly appear. But being afraid is not the same as being a coward, and that was something perhaps Malcom should have known. Maybe he was brave, because he was afraid, but he still went, conscious of the risks he was taking.

The red-haired kid started to walk closer to the place where the mysterious sound came from, shaking like a leave every time more. Once he was close enough, he jumped into the shrubs. Surprisingly, there was absolutely nothing!

-Uh?-he questioned frustrated before frowning.-We did such a big deal for this?! There's nothing, Em!-he shouted to his sister with relief.-And you that were shaking of fear!-

Emma rolled her eyes.-Sure, Malcom, sure...-

-I still can't believe you make a big deal of every single strange sound!-he laughed.-It may have been a rabbit!-he said turning around and walking back without looking.-Next time, you'll go... I won't be losing time in nothing!-

-Sorry, big baby, but we aren't in the best moment of this country, should I remind you?-

-No, thanks... you told me the whole boring story while we were coming-he said acting as if he was really tired of listening to her

She rolled her eyes again. They were in France, January of 1805, a month after the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as the France's king. The city of France wasn't really agreeing with their new emperor, but they didn't really have another option. The French Revolution was just a few decades ago and the country wasn't going through the best times, so they couldn't plan another revolution, at least yet.

In that moment, Malcom stumbled with a rock and fell against the ground.-Ouch!-he said touching his head and looking up to see someone staring at him. It was another kid just like him, of around his same age. He also was red-haired, but wore glasses. He was actually really similar to him, so similar that it was quite creepy.-Ah!-Malcom screamed

-Ah!-the stranger screamed too

-What happened now?-questioned Emma running to where he was to discover the kid staring at them.-Damn-was the only thing she said, realizing who that kid was

-Who are you?!-asked the both boys at the same time

-Me? I asked first!-protested Malcom

-Malcom...-muttered his sister, trying to shut him up

-Moreover, you were the one who was spying us...-

-Malcom...-

-You are really crazy if you think I'm talking first!-

-MALCOM!-she shouted making the both stare at her

-What?!-

The girl sighed as she rolled her eyes.-I'm really sorry, but we have to come back now-she took his brother's Arm.-It was a pleasure to meet you-and she started to pull him away

-Wait, you... Penny?-the stranger kid asked confused

-Penny?-asked Malcom confused.-How does he...?-it didn't take a lot of time for Malcom to realize that that kid was no one else than his own father.-Uh... That's why you wanted us to leave, right?-

-Duh!-his sister exclaimed folding her arms

-Who are you two?-asked Sherman one more time

-We're dead-muttered Malcom to Emma, thinking that he may discover that they are his children

-I'm Lisa and he's my best friend Malcolm-the blonde lay.-What's your name?-

-I'm... Sherman-the kid presented himself doubting

-Nice name, now... we must come back-

-Yeah, our parents are already worried about us-

-Sherman?!-called a familiar voice behind them

The siblings wide opened their eyes in fear as they turned around to see their biggest fear coming true: Mr. Peabody was coming along with a pretty blonde girl, who they guessed it was their mother.

-From all the ages, all the days, all the hours... Why?!-Emma questioned to the sky, looking at it as if it was the one to blame

-I knew using the machine was wrong, we should have never gone to that floor of the penthouse-commented Malcom making Emma glare at him as if she could shoot daggers from her eyes.-What?-

Once the time-traveler duo was close enough to see them clearly, they gasped.-Penny? Sherman?-Mr. Peabody asked in an angry tone

-Oh, great...-his grandson muttered rolling his eyes, the last thing he needed was his grandfather telling him off!

-Shut up-Emma whispered.-Penny? Who's that Penny you two are mentioning that much?-she bit her lip.-My name is Lisa, he's Malcolm, and we have to go...-

-You two are going nowhere without telling us an explanation-the genius dog continued.-I don't believe any word you are saying. Do you expect me to believe that you are extremely similar to Sherman and Penny just by chance?-

-What? Who are you to telling us anything? You're a talking dog! If a dog can talk, then two persons can be similar!-slapped Malcom back

-Well, he's definitely not Sherman if you ask me; Sherman isn't that strong verbally-commented Penny with a smirk

-Hey!-the kid with the glasses exclaimed

-And she isn't me... I'll never be that unfashionable-

-Hey!-Emma exclaimed in a defensive way while her brother started to laugh with all his strengths

-She insulted you! She really did! Haha!-He continued laughing for some seconds more, until Emma punched his Arm.-Ouch! That hurt! It really hurt!-

-See, Ms. Peterson? She isn't so different from you if you let me say it-the white beagle added raising an eyebrow

The blonde girl only rolled her eyes.-Why don't we let these weird dudes and go back?-

-Well, we can go back to why on Earth you two did what you've done?-he said with a frown that made Sherman look to another side and Penny roll her eyes again

-Fine, so... weird dudes, how are your names?-

Emma's mouth almost fell to the ground. Her mother was just like Jessica when she was her age! How was it even possible? In the present she was cute and nice to everyone... how come was she that way? Sure, that explained many things about Malcom. But her mother was right, despite the looks; they were two completely different persons. Then, another question came to her head, why did she change?

-I'm Malcolm and she's Lisa-answered the boy noticing his sister's angry face

-Otherwise known as Sherman and Penny, right?-

-How many times should we say that we are not them?-

-I must say that the personalities are different, of course... but who knows? Perhaps you found my body-changing machine and that's why you are acting so weird-

-You have a body-changing machine?-asked Penny and Malcom at the same time with a wide smile

-Don't you dare-commented Emma and Sherman to their companions at the same time too

Peabody folded his arms at the two siblings.-Are you talking or not?-

-Ok... but think it in this way, Mr. Peabody-said Emma folding her arms too.-We both understand how the time-space continuum works like, right? We both know that sometimes knowing something can change the future... and knowing why we are here or who we are is definitely going to affect your future. So, I think it'll be the best for everyone if you don't know those answers-

The white beagle opened his mouth, but then closed it. What if she was right? What if knowing those answers was going to affect their future? But then again, it could easily be a Penny's trick, using his own words against him. Otherwise, why could it affect their future? That's when he decided to stop questioning things to them; he decided to discover who they were by his own, without them confessing.

-I'll do so; if you two help us-said Peabody after a bit of thinking.-I need you to give something to Napoleon-

-An adventure! Awesome!-opined Malcom super excited.-Quite better than a history project, don't you think so?-he said to his sister with a smile

-What kind of thing?-

Parties had never been one of the Sherman's favorite things to do, and that party was not an exception. He hated almost everything about those "rich men parties": the suits, the food, the elegance, the nonsense chatting about what they are going to do on winter... But well, he had to assist to that party if he wanted to be the next Peabody's Industries' boss, on in other words, if he didn't want to let his father down. After all, that seemed the kind of ambient that his father used to like. Even Penny seemed to like it... why didn't him? Why would he rather be on his laboratory continuing working instead of being on a relaxing party?

Maybe that was another thing he'd never change about himself: he wasn't really sophisticated or elegant. He'd rather wear his white shirt, his black trousers and normal shoes instead of the most expensive ones from the most expensive store in New York.

-Oh, honey, look!-exclaimed Penny, who was beside him.-Mr. and Mrs. Perry is here!-she said excited pointing to one of the most millionaire persons ever

-Yeah, why don't you greet them?-

-Me? Why don't we go greet them?-she asked not giving him the time to answer, because she had already taken him into another bored talk about how many money they had won the last year

After some minutes of talking, Mr. Peabody appeared behind them.-Nice to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Perry-the white dog said getting closer to his son

-Oh, the pleasure is all ours, Peabody! We haven't seen Sherman since his wedding with the lovely Penny Peterson-commented Mrs. Perry touching her dyed blonde hair.-He's certainly going to become a great boss for Peabody's Industries!-

-Exactly-he turned to see Sherman.-Sherman; can you come with me for a second?-

"Thank you, God" he thought.-Of course, father-he said in a serious tone

Once they were away enough from the Perry couple, the white beagle decided to break the silence between them.-Thank you for coming to the party-

-Oh, it's ok, I mean... never mind-

-Wow, wait! Don't explode of excitement!-he said in a sarcastic way

-Is it too obvious that...?-

-That you hate being here? Yes-

-Great...-

-But, I don't blame you, I hate these parties too-

Sherman stared at him.-Do you?-

-Of course. Everyone here thinks that is on the top of the world even though they don't know what the word "living" or "friendship" or "relationship" means... they only know the word "money" and being "sophisticated"-

The red-haired man let out a laugh.-Yeah, they think they're too much with all their super expensive suits!-

-And the way they all look: like the perfect marriage... even though we all know they cheat to each other all the time-the genius dog laughed too

-Exactly!-Sherman laughed.-And let's not talk about their spoiled children with their ultimate smartphone!-

After some laughter more, the both sighed. It was nice to still be a family after all they went through. They were father and son, and it was good to remind it once in a while.

-Sherman, I know you hate these parties... but years passed since you came to a party, so I couldn't come up with an excuse, sorry-

-It's fine, really-

-Yeah, I couldn't come up with an excuse for you to come... but I can come up with an excuse for you to disappear for some minutes-

His son looked at him in surprise.-Would you?-

-Don't even mention it... you can go to the penthouse-

Sherman bowed and hugged his father.-Thanks, dad!-he smiled and walked towards the elevator as fast as he could

That situation reminded him why he used to adore spending time with his dad: sometimes he was the only one who knew exactly what was in his mind. There were times in which not even Penny noticed how he was feeling; only his father was able to do that all the time. Lately they had been talking about business and they had started to forget those smart jokes they used to share and those nonsense laughs. But it was nice to feel as if time had never passed by, as if he didn't have so many responsibilities as he did, to enjoy them like they used to do.

In the moment in which he was about to get inside the flat's lift, he stumbled with someone.

-Oh, I'm really sorry-he said standing up and seeing a familiar woman on the floor

-It's ok, I'm not hurt and...-Ally looked at him surprised.-Mr. Peabody?-

Sherman stared at her. She had almost forgotten that every person that worked on the company, along with all the "rich people" were usually invited to the industry's parties. Anyway, he didn't really stare at her because of that... he wasn't sure about what it was: the lack of make-up compared to the one that she usually wore or a blue tight dress that she was wearing... but the thing was that she looked absolutely beautiful.

-Oh, I'm so sorry!-she said again standing up

-No, I mean, it was my fault-he accommodated his glasses.-I wasn't looking where I was going-

-Well, we have something in common there-the dark-haired mumbled with an awkward smile

That comment made him look at her confused, but curious about what she really meant. Anyway, he decided to move on, as if knowing the answer wouldn't be something he'd really want to know.-So, were you going to take the elevator?-

-No, I was really looking for the exit...-

-The exit? The party has just started-

-I know but... I don't feel really comfortable in this kind of parties... no offence!-she said putting her hands in defense

-Well, we have another thing in common there-he muttered with an awkward smile too

-You... Don't you like these parties?-

-Not really... but the exit is over there-he said pointing to the right.-You just have not to get lost between that entire people-

-Oh, thanks... can I ask you something?-

-Sure-

-Where are you going?-

-I'm... kind of' taking a break of this place-

-Really? But the party has just started-she said folding her arms and imitating him

-Ha-ha, really funny, Ms. Edwards-he commented with a sarcastic laugh, even though he couldn't stop smiling

-So, see you later, I guess-she said starting to walk away

In a kind of reflex act, without thinking, Sherman stopped her.-Wait!-

-Yes?-

-I'm going to the penthouse from the flat... would you like to know it?-

She stared at his question a bit confused and surprised, but at the ending, she nodded.-I don't see why not...-

So... as you see, Sherman's image of Ally is slowly changing... but will it turn on a friendship or more? And what about Emma and Malcom? Will Mr. Peabody discover who they are? And what's what he needs the twins to give to Napoleon?

Find out on the next chapter :D

PS: what do you think of Ally? Would you want her to be good or bad?

Thanks for reading! And please, don't give up on the story :)