Chapter 10

Merlin was overjoyed that he now had a red super suit. He jumped up and down and accidentally launched himself through the roof. Ralph looked at Pam, smiled, shook his head, and flew after Merlin through the hole. He stopped next to Merlin, who was floating above the cottage.

Ralph said, "Turn invisible and fly to that far hill."

Merlin listened to Pam, his new suit, and performed the movements to turn invisible and fly. He landed next to Ralph, who had turned visible. Ralph and Merlin talked for a long time, with Ralph giving him many tips and precautions about using the suit's powers.

When they returned to the cottage, Pam had already repaired the roof.

The following two days went by quickly. Pam and Ralph made as many herbal remedies as possible to supply the hospital. Ralph finished all the blacksmith projects, bolting the doors while working at super speed.

On the third day, Ralph and Pam got up early. Pam fed and wrapped the baby in a warm cloth. They hugged Merlin, said goodbye, turned invisible, and flew to where the transverse portal would appear. Ralph hadn't been given a time when the portal would appear, so they sat invisible with Pam's cape over the baby's basket to keep it hidden.

Pam and Ralph knew that the trip through the transverse portal through time was rough, getting knocked around a lot. They would put the baby between them, with Pam holding the baby basket and her cape over it. Ralph would have the edges of his cape and arms around Pam, holding her tight so they wouldn't be separated while traveling through the portal.

At last, the portal started to appear. A shimmer appeared in the air, and a single line of light showed. Electrical sparks emanated from the slit, and it got larger. The sparks and crackles got louder. A guard heard the noise of the slit opening and ran down the rampart wall walkway, ready to kill another demon.

Ralph and Pam became visible, assumed the huddling positions as planned, and moved toward the portal. Once they got close, they could feel the stretching and were pulled into the portal. As their bodies were stretching, a crossbow bolt flew from the rampart wall through the air, just missing Ralph's head by a couple of inches, and got pulled through the portal with the family.

Ralph, Pam, and the baby tumbled through the transverse time portal. Ralph and Pam's backs took the brunt of the beating, being hit by unknown forces. This lasted for what felt like a long time but was only a few minutes. They stretched out of the portal, popped back into shape, and fell unconscious to the floor of the quantum generator building. The baby cried loudly, and a crossbow bolt rattled on the floor.

A medical team was there when the portal closed, ready to care for the time travelers. All three were taken immediately to the medical center, little Ralph screaming the whole way.

After the time travelers were taken away, the science and tech crew shouted and cheered for having successfully brought the First, Second, and newborn back through time alive. One of the technicians walked over to the portal columns, picked up the crossbow bolt from the floor, and held it up, saying, "Hey, guys, look at this."

Ralph and Pam both had their backs and legs beaten and bruised. Because the baby was between them, he suffered no injuries of any kind, but he cried continuously. After a couple of hours, Ralph and Pam regained consciousness and were happy to be home. Both suits were inactive because they had to be recalibrated to the current frequencies. The suits were removed, and hospital gowns were given to Ralph and Pam.

Pam took screaming little Ralph and placed him on her breast. He immediately quieted and began to suckle. All three stayed at the medical center for two days and were released. Pam requested that diapers, baby clothes, and a baby carrier be brought from their house. She had been purchasing items for the baby for a couple of months before she was gone. She hadn't had time to set up the baby room yet so that still needed to be done. Eric sent a Hero construction team and designer to Ralph and Pam's new house to finish the baby's room.

After one week, both suits were back at 100% functionality, and Ralph and Pam could fly with the baby back to their house. While waiting for the suits to finish the recalibration, Ralph and Pam were debriefed on their adventure in the early Middle Ages of the MIB universe with Merlin, the magician. No other Heroes had ever traveled back in time, let alone to an alternate universe. Again, another first for the First.

When they got to their new house, Pam said, "Ralph, at last, we are home."

Ralph hugged Pam and said, "As long as I am with you and the baby, anywhere is home."

The End