Well, I'm getting there; only two chapters left after this one. I apologize if the first part of this chapter seems a little vague; the second half, on the other hand, is more in depth. So here it is! See Chapter 8 for disclaimer.
"All done!"
"We did it, Don!" Wilbur and Donnie high-fived (or high-threed) each other after they finally finished the electric cell especially made for Carl Jackson.
"Alright, where is Jackson?" Some Los Angeles policemen came in with handcuffs in their hands. I looked around, and everyone hid except for Wilbur, who was standing next to me.
"He's right here, officer," I answered, revealing Jackson from behind me. What surprised me was that the officers were shocked to see me.
"Miss Edwards? Jonathan? What are you doing here?"
"Jackson tried to rule the world using this remote," I explained, holding up the remote. "But instead, it got me into my television set. He tried to stop me three times, and he almost killed my boyfriend in the process."
"Well done, Miss Edwards," replied the officer. "The whole country's been looking for Jackson for years."
The police left the school with Jackson in his electric cell. Everyone came out of their hiding spots and approached me with smiles on their faces.
"Thank you for saving us, Karena," Obi-Wan Kenobi said as he approached me.
"We owe you one," Hawkgirl chimed in. "And your boyfriend is quite the fighter."
"Don't worry about it," I replied. I walked over to Donnie and I hugged him. "Are you feeling alright?"
"We are now, thanks to you and April," Donnie replied.
"Yeah, thanks for everything, Karena," Leo chimed in.
"No big," I said smiling, and then my smile turned grim. "Donnie, that invention you used to get to my dimension...you have to destroy it."
"What?" Mikey asked, shocked.
"But what if we need you?" Donnie asked.
"You won't need me," I replied. "Jackson is gone for good this time. He's finally been caught after all these years. If you keep the device, there will never be peace in our worlds. I'm going to destroy this remote for good when I move since Jackson's magic is finally destroyed." I turned to my boyfriend. "Will you help me?" My dad then approached Wilbur, and he smiled.
"You're the guy Karena was talking about, correct?"
"Yes, sir," Wilbur replied. "We've been dating for a month."
"Hey, Daddy," I spoke up. "There's been something I've been needing to tell you before you talk with my boyfriend." We left the boiler room and stepped out into the senior hallway.
"So what's up, Karena?" my dad asked.
"Well, remember back at Christmastime when I said I didn't know what I wanted to do after I graduate?"
"Yeah," my dad replied. "Now you know?"
"I'm moving to Todayland after graduation."
"Well, that's great, hon-wait what?"
"I'll be attending Todayland University."
"That's not on the map," my dad responded.
"Dad, I'm serious. You're the only person I have left in this world. This planet will not survive with all the trash going on...possibly like an alternate future I've experienced. In Todayland, there is hope in the world. The future has arrived." I turned my face toward Wilbur, and I smiled. "I started dating this boy because he and his family represent hope. He is everything I could ever have that I couldn't have in this world." My dad looked at me, then Wilbur, and back at me. Then he smiled.
"Will you benefit well in the future with this boy?" my dad asked. I walked over to my boyfriend where we hugged each other.
"Yes," I said, smiling.
"What's your name again?" my dad asked the boy.
"Name's Wilbur Robinson! How can I help?"
"Can I talk with you for a few minutes?" my dad asked with a smile.
"Sure, Mr. Edwards."
"Just call me Jonathan." My dad and my boyfriend walked down the hallway as they talked, and I walked back into the boiler room.
"Your worlds will now be in peace," I said, smiling at the foreigners. They applauded with happiness, and I hugged each representative of their respected worlds. They all thanked me for my bravery, but I shook my head.
"No; thank you for hanging on and giving me hope. You have taught me more than I ever would." I paused, and Wilbur and my dad walked in with smiles on their faces.
"Karena, your boyfriend is very promising and very noble. May you two benefit from your relationship together."
Wilbur and I got more applause from our friends as we hugged each other excitedly. Wilbur took my hand in his as the applause winded down.
"Good luck in your worlds," my father said to our friends. "And Karena, good luck in Todayland."
"Thank you, Dad," I replied. "But I'm not leaving until next Saturday." I pushed a button on the remote, and the 2007 Turtles waved good-bye before entering the vortex. I shook hands with Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman before they went back. Violet then approached me and hugged me.
"Thank you for helping my mom. You have earned our gratitude."
"You are a true superhero," Elastigirl said smiling. The Parr family then went into the vortex to their world. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan bowed, and the valiant group of warriors from Middle-Earth shook hands with me and my dad.
"Our friendship rocked!" Mikey exclaimed, but then cried. "I don't want it to end!"
"We have to, Mikey," Donnie explained. "Our worlds won't be at peace if we continue to see each other. The remote has to be destroyed; otherwise Jackson will come back."
"Thank you for helping us," Leo said. "I guess we're even."
"Nah, I'm pretty sure I've saved your butts three times now," I said with a wink. "Hey, April! Thank you for helping me with the case. I wish I could reward you with something."
"It's not necessary," April replied. "My friends' freedom is enough. Good luck in college." April and her friends went into the vortex and disappeared. There was only Wilbur and his parents left, and I felt something had to be done.
"Hey, Wilbur, dress in black and meet me at my apartment. I have to show you something."
Wilbur showed up at my apartment ten minutes after I got back to it. To my surprise, his parents also showed up, dressed in black. Nodding to each other that we were ready to go, I lead the Robinsons out of the apartment to the outdoors, where my father was waiting. We all started to walk, with me and my dad in front, and after ten minutes, we reached the cemetery. From the gate, I lead the Robinson family to an important grave.
"What is this?" Cornelius asked as we came to a stop.
"Oh my..." Franny gasped.
"My mother's grave," I responded. "She has been buried here for eleven years." Wilbur walked forward and kneeled in front of the tombstone, and he started to read the epitaph imprinted on it.
Evelyn Joan Edwards, born on August 14th, 1968 and died on May 1st, 2002. She was a very spirited woman, and she was a great wife and mother. She loved her job as a musician, and she especially loved singing to her only daughter. Now God has given her a home in heaven, and He is watching over her husband and daughter. Rest in peace, dear Eve, and may we see you again with blessings.
As Wilbur read the epitaph, Franny cried, and Cornelius hugged her. I started to cry myself, wondering what would be happening now if the drunk driving accident had never happened. Both my dad and my boyfriend placed hands on my shoulders, and I crossed my arms to touch their hands.
"Your mother was the most beautiful jewel in the family," my dad said.
"She taught you the most important thing in life: love," Wilbur added to my dad's statement. There was silence for a couple minutes before Wilbur spoke again. "I have a confession to make." I turned around to look at the teenager. "When I didn't exist, my body reformed in heaven, and I met your mother."
I laughed weakly at his statement, thinking that he was joking. But when I saw he wasn't laughing, it was no joke. Wilbur kept a straight face.
"She told me about what you have gone through after she died. You weren't completely healed...and she told me to help you as you helped me. I wanna help you, Karena. I want to be the person you tell your problems to. I want to be the person who hugs you every time you're sad. And I want to be the person who will never give up to make you happy."
"Oh, Wilbur..." I hugged him and sobbed into his shoulder. I could feel his hand rubbing my back as his parents and my dad joined in the hug.
"You'll never be alone, my dear Karena," Wilbur whispered into my ear. I continued to cry, but I started to have hope again as I tightly hugged my best friend.