Chapter 17: Pinocchio Part 3

Thomas teleported back to the new house with all the gear from their campsite. Chilli was finishing up some cleaning just as her son teleported back.

"Hey sweetheart, got everything okay?" Chilli asked while getting some cobwebs down with a duster.

"Yeah, got it all here." Thomas paused as he began to set down the bags on the wood floor, "Hey mom, where's dad?" He asked, now putting down the rest of the camping stuff.

"In the attic fixing that leak that Wilbur found." Chilli said, now getting down from the small ladder she had been using to reach the corners of the room.

"Oh, and the girls?" Thomas asked as he used his telekinesis to put everything away.

"I've been keeping an eye out for them. They're at that water fountain outside." Chilli said as she pointed at them outside the front window.

"Oh good," Thomas nodded while putting the last of their stuff away. "Hey, I found this flyer while grabbing our stuff and I thought that, since we're going to be here awhile, that maybe we could take the girls here." Thomas said as he handed his mother the flyer.

"Mr. Blackwood presents 'The Carnival of the Century'?" Chilli said looking at the flyer. She glanced at the text, reading aloud, "'Games, prizes, contests, performers, fun for the whole family…' Well, it certainly sounds interesting. I guess we could, I'll talk to your father about it." Chilli said with a small smile.

"Thanks mom, I think it'll be fun for all of us to have a nice normal family day for once, even if things are a bit weird right now…" Thomas gestured to his mother's human appearance, "In any case, I'm going to go and see if dad needs help with the leak." Thomas said just before he looked out the window and made sure the girls were okay by the large fountain. Thomas smiled softly seeing his sisters playing near the water before he went up to the attic part of their temporary home.

"Dad? Are you okay?" Thomas asked while going up in the small attic.

"Yeah mate, I'm okay. Wilbur's been a tremendous help." Bandit said, finishing up getting the leak fixed so that no water would come in. Wilbur shined his flashlight feature that Thomas had installed prior to them arriving in that universe. "And… That should do it!" Bandit said with a smile.

"The patch has a 98.9 percent chance of stopping any rain water from coming inside this structure." Wilbur calculated.

"Perfect!" Bandit said, now getting down from the attic ceiling. "Thanks for the help mate." Bandit said looking at Wilbur who also hovered down from the attic roof to head-height.

"You are most welcome mate." Wilbur said, trying to copy Bandit's accent.

"I do love that little drone." Bandit said, smiling as Wilbur hovered back downstairs. He appraised the attic room a moment before turning to Thomas. There were two beds with a dresser between them, a wardrobe on the opposite wall, and a small dressing table with a mirror. "Alright so, there's the bedroom up here and then there's the living downstairs with the kitchen next to it. I was thinking you and the girls could sleep up here in the two beds-they'll share, they're small enough-while your mum and I sleep downstairs, y'know to be safe if anyone comes into the house." Bandit explained as he and Thomas started to make their way downstairs.

"Good idea dad. I'll sleep in the bed by the door leading downstairs just in case Bingo sleep walks again." Thomas suggested, remembering how'd he once woken up with Bingo in his room in the early morning trying to eat his socks while muttering about waffles.

"Good idea mate, now we have a plan for sleeping arrangements." Bandit said as they walked into the living room area. Chilli had finished cleaning with Wilbur's help to reach the places Chilli couldn't.

"Alright I think we can properly settle in now." Chilli said, sitting in a chair that was next to the window.

"We should probably get some groceries before it gets dark." Bandit suggested, looking at the clean, but empty, food kitchen.

"You're right, shall we get the girls?" Chilli said, looking at her husband and son.

"Yeah," Bandit replied, grabbing some of their golden coins.

"Alright Wilbur I'm sorry I have to do this but-" Thomas was about to finish his sentence until Wilbur spoke up.

"It's not a problem Thomas, I don't mind really. I understand it's for the greater good of mankind and dogkind that I stay hidden until the time is right for others to understand that I was created to help those in need or in danger." Wilbur said while looking at Thomas and his parents.

Thomas smiled at that, "That's right; I made for you those who don't have a voice to speak up for help. I promise you one day you'll be able to fulfill your purpose Wilbur, remember you are always family here with us." Thomas said, still smiling.

"That's right mate you're a Heeler just like the rest of us." Bandit added with a wink.

Wilbur then displayed a heart on his screen before lightly landing onto Thomas's hand so could put him inside his backpack.

"He's such a sweet little drone." Chilli said with a smile.

"He is." Thomas agreed, putting Wilbur in his backpack.

"Alright let's grab the kids and get some food!" Bandit said as he started to make his way outside the house. Chilli and Thomas then soon followed, closing and locking the door behind them. "Alright kids, we're going to go get some food for the house, come on." Bandit said to his daughters. Bluey and Bingo then looked at their father and then followed him with the rest of their family.

Thomas put Bingo on his shoulders while Bluey held their mother's hand as they walked along the cobblestone path to a store that sold food. After a bit of looking they found a grocer of sorts, once they arrived at the store they walked inside and looked around. It wasn't terribly large, and not nearly as large a selection as the supermarkets where the Heelers or Thomas normally shopped, but it was sufficient. There were various meats on display in a cold-case packed with ice, vegetables and fruits sitting in crates, along with loaves of bread and rolls from the baker. It seemed as though some of the farmers, butcher, and baker had all worked together to furnish the little store with its wares.

Chilli looked at the meat to see if there was anything that she was able to make for dinner. Thomas and the girls looked over to the seafood-being near an ocean there were plenty of fish on display. After looking at the fish they noticed a few lobsters in a tank. Bandit also looked around and found a jar of eyeballs. He swallowed hard, remembering that in the past people didn't have exactly the same sensibilities for food as modern canines, then joined his wife while looking at the meat. Bluey and Bingo were looking at the lobsters and pretending that they had voices and laughing. As Thomas watched the girls Chilli had picked out a few things. Some sausages, a roast, and two loaves of bread along with household things they needed added to the basket. After they were wrapped in heavy paper and twine it was time to go.

Bandit paid for everything and they left the store. Bluey and Bingo walked along ahead of their parents and older brother as Bandit, Chilli, and Thomas all carried their food for the house.

"You're in for a treat mate! Your mum makes a mean roast." Bandit said with a smile.

"I can't wait to try it." Thomas said with a smile as they walked along.

"Well, there weren't many things I could put in the roast… They didn't have the normal seasonings I use aside from salt and pepper." Chilli said looking at her son and husband.

"Don't worry mom, I'm sure it'll be fantastic." Thomas said, encouraging her.

"Thanks sweetheart." Chilli said with a smile.

It wasn't much later when they arrived at their temporary house.

"Look!" Bluey said pointing at their door.

There were two dolls by the door with a small note underneath them. Bandit placed down his groceries on the stoop and picked up the note as Bluey and Bingo picked up the dolls. "To my new neighbors, welcome to Fleetwood village, please enjoy these dolls for the little ones, signed Geppeto." Bandit read out loud.

"Oh how sweet!" Chilli said as she unlocked the door and went inside.

"That's very kind of him. How do we say thank you?" Thomas asked while helping bring in the groceries.

"I know!" Bandit said bringing in the rest of the groceries with the girls coming in behind him. "Why don't we bring him a hot meal? Y'know, when dinner is finished." Bandit suggested.

"That's a great idea dad!" Bluey said looking up at her father while holding her doll.

"Yeah! He'll love Mum's cooking!" Bingo added while she held her doll.

"Then it's settled, I'll get started on dinner." Chilli said as she started to make dinner for everyone. Bluey and Bingo started playing with their dolls on their parents' bed that was in the living room.

"Luckily this place came with furniture." Thomas said as he took Wilbur out of his backpack.

"How may I be of assistance Thomas?" Wilbur asked, hovering in front of Thomas.

"I think we're okay for now, Wilbur." Thomas said, looking at the small drone. "Unless, mom, do you need any help or Wilbur's help?" Thomas asked, looking at his mother.

"Actually, Wilbur, could you shine your light over here so I can put everything in this roast?" Chilli asked, noticing how the sun was setting and believing that the candles they had were going to do a substandard job lighting the room compared to the usual bulbs she cooked by.

"Absolutely!" Wilbur said as he hovered over to Chilli and gave her a light so she could see.

"Oh! Much better! Thank you Wilbur." Chilli said with a smile before finishing up putting things together for the roast.

"You are most welcome Chilli." Wilbur said while displaying a smile on his little screen.

Bandit then started lighting some candles in the living room and kitchen to help brighten it up since it was started to get dark. After about half an hour the light outside had faded and the Heelers were together in the first floor of the cottage. It was a cozy feeling, the five of them together talking and relaxing playing cards as the roast cooked. It really did feel like a holiday for the family.

It was as Bandit dealt a new round of cards to the group sitting on the floor and bed that Wilbur started buzzing, "Chilli, your roast has reached 145 degrees Fahrenheit by internal measure. It is sufficiently cooked to serve at this time."

"Thank you Wilbur, let me get it out then." She stood up and used a towel to gently take the pan out of the oven.

"Mmm… Babe, that smells delicious!" Bandit smiled as he looked at the roast and vegetables in the pot.

She smiled as she returned the towel to a rack by the wash basin.

"Yeah mum, that smells amazing!" Bluey said, walking over to the dish.

"Well, it won't be exactly the same as usual, but I think it'll do." She said, blushing slightly at the compliments.

"I definitely think it looks good." Thomas nodded.

"Let's eat!" Bingo said, licking her lips as she looked at the roast.

"Ah, not yet!" Bandit said as he pulled out a plate from the cupboard, "Remember, we're taking some over to Gepetto to thank him for those toys he made you two."

"Oh yeah…" Bingo said, having forgotten in the moment as her stomach rumbled.

"I still need help setting the table and getting things ready. Why don't you girls help me here and Thomas and your dad can take over the food to Mr. Gepetto?" Chilli suggested.

"Okay mum." Bingo replied.

"Sure mum." Bluey agreed.

"We'll be back in a little." Bandit pecked Chilli on the lips as he took a plate with a serving of the roast and vegetables out of the kitchen. Bluey stuck her tongue out at the affection and made a small gagging noise.

"Just wait, one day you'll know what it's like…" Thomas teased as he followed his father out the door.

They stood side by side next door and knocked on the door.

"Be there in a moment!" They heard Gepetto yell, followed by the screech of a cat.

"Must be Figaro." Thomas whispered to his father.

A moment later Gepetto opened the door. He was wearing the same clothes from earlier, only now they were even more coated in sawdust. "Oh, hello! What can I do for you?"

"We wanted to thank you mate, for the dolls you made my daughters. The girls are back with my wife getting our dinner ready, but my son Thomas and I wanted to drop off some food for you as thanks." Bandit stated clasping Thomas on the shoulder.

"Oh, you didn't have to! I love making toys for the little ones." He smiled.

"It was amazing how you made them. I like making things, but I don't know if I'd ever be able to make something like those. I wouldn't even know where to get started." Thomas said.

"Well, if you'd like I can show you." He said, opening the door a bit.

"You wouldn't mind, we don't want to impose…" Bandit said.

"Please, come in. I'll clear some space to set this down and then I can show you my workshop." He welcomed them in and put the roast on a table that was covered with drawings and bits of wood shavings. He pushed back a door and showed the main room in the house. It was covered from floor to ceiling in clocks and wooden toys. There were dolls, horses, pop-guns, and blocks all over.

"Wow! You made all this?" Bandit marveled.

Gepetto nodded. "Yes, I love to make things, especially toys. I love seeing the happy looks on children's faces when they get to play with something I made." He paused, a bittersweet look crossing his face, "I love children, but I never found the right woman to settle down with, so in my toys I still get to bring joy to children, even if they aren't my own."

Thomas noticed a wooden boy almost finished on a workbench, nearby. He nudged Bandit and motioned toward the doll, "That's a beautiful marionette, is that for someone special?"

Gepetto turned to look at it, "Oh, no, that's for me. He's a puppet I'm making. I call him Pinocchio. I should be finished soon, just a few small touches left."

"Pinocchio, I like it." Bandit said, smiling. "Well, we don't want to keep you. I hope you enjoy the roast."

"Thank you! I know I will." Gepetto smiled.

A minute later Bandit and Thomas were back next door, the table set and the girls and Chilli finishing up pouring water from a pitcher into drinking glasses.

"How'd it go?" Chilli asked as they returned.

"He definitely is a skilled craftsman." Bandit said, "We saw Pinocchio. He's almost finished."

"I think tonight might be the night with the Blue Fairy." Thomas said.

Chilli scrunched her face slightly, "Wait, this blue fairy, she's magic in this universe, right? Maybe we could get her to pull a Glenda the Good witch and return us home?"

"I hadn't thought of that." Thomas admitted. He turned to Wilbur, who was on his dock in rest mode. "Hey Wilbur…"

"Yes Thomas." He replied, hovering in the air.

"The Blue Fairy, she brings Pinocchio to life. So, she's magical. Could she help us get home?"

"Unfortunately, no. She's only a plot device and she can't use her magic to get you home. Her control is limited to only this realm, and even then, she only will exist now and briefly near the story's resolution."

"Great, so a deus ex machina." Chilli sighed. "Well, it was worth a try."

The Next Morning

Thomas woke up in the morning to the gentle light streaming through the attic bedroom's window. It was a pleasant enough temperature, as it was currently spring-time in the storybook universe, it was the exact kind of morning where one can just spend the entire time lying in bed contemplating nothing and everything all at once. Well, he could've if he wasn't sharing the room with his two younger sisters.

As soon as his eyes opened he heard them speaking.

"Oh good! Thomas is awake! We can talk normal now." Bluey stated, clambering down from the bed she'd shared with Bingo the night before.

"Morning Thomas!" Bingo smiled as she also got off the bed.

Thomas stretched as he rubbed his eyes. "Morning… I suppose it would be a good idea for us to check in on our neighbors and see if the Blue Fairy paid a visit last night."

"Yeah! We get to see Pinocchio!" Bingo clapped excitedly.

"Remember Bingo, we can't let him know that we know about the story." Bluey reminded her sister.

"That's right. You can help him along, but we can't tell him about who we really are." Thomas noted.

"Right." Bingo nodded.

"But before you two go anywhere you need to change." Thomas stated.

"What's wrong with these clothes?" Bingo asked, looking down at her dress.

"You wore those clothes yesterday, and then you slept in them. They're not exactly clean." Thomas gestured to the patches of dirt and grime that had accumulated.

Bluey moaned. "Ugh! I hate wearing clothes!"

"Well, be glad you aren't normally a human then." Thomas said, rolling his eyes. "Some of us don't have the luxury of always having fur to cover up."

Thomas helped his sisters pick out clothes-a white and blue dress for Bluey and a yellow and orange dress for Bingo-before excusing himself to stand outside the door and wait for them to change. After a few minutes they were dressed, then he did the same.

"Alright, c'mon, let's get some brekkie then we'll check in on Pinocchio." Thomas said as he led his sisters downstairs. Bluey chuckled at her brother's remark. "What?" Thomas asked, looking back a moment.

"You sounded like dad a second there."

Thomas blushed slightly, "So, I am his son."

"She means you said 'brekkie'. It sounded funny cause you're an American." Bingo stated, also stifling a giggle.

"Well, I suppose I'll have to start sounding like one eventually, it has been a few months now."

The three reached the bottom of the steps to find their parents already awake and making food.

"Morning girls, morning Thomas." Bandit said as he looked up from the pan where he was frying eggs.

"Morning dad, morning mum." Thomas replied.

"Did you see Pinocchio?" Bluey asked.

"Not yet." Chilli replied, "But your father did see a blue light last night, so we're pretty sure the Blue Fairy stopped in."

"I still don't know why you wouldn't let us stay up to talk to her." Bingo pouted slightly.

"Because there wouldn't be any reason to." Chilli replied, "And besides, you all need your sleep. The only reason your father saw was because we didn't get to bed until later."

Thomas raised an eyebrow slightly, hoping he hadn't read too much into his parent's personal lives before shaking his head a moment. "After breakfast I think I'll take the girls to the carnival. Maybe if Pinocchio's around we can take him too."

"Sounds like a good idea. If we can keep him on the straight and narrow it'll mean he gets his boyhood sooner and we get home quicker." Bandit said. "I mean, not that I don't love it here, but I'm not a huge fan of lacking indoor plumbing." He gestured to the outhouse behind the cottage.

"Yeah, it is stinky." Bluey crinkled her nose.

"Why can't we just do bush wees?" Bingo asked.

"Because it isn't polite to do here." Chilli stated, not wanting to go into the anatomical reasons.

"In any case, eggs are done! Let's eat!" Bandit said as he served the food.

It was about twenty minutes later that the family had made a plan. Bandit and Chilli would remain home to keep an eye on Gepetto-Make sure he doesn't get eaten by a whale somehow-while the girls and Thomas went out to the fountain. They figured that they'd wait outside for the inevitable appearance of Pinocchio and Gepetto and invite them to go to the carnival at that point. It wasn't a long wait, as the old man and living puppet appeared about ten minutes after they started playing.

"Hello!" Bingo said, going over to the pair. "My family just moved next door! Thank you for the doll yesterday! Is he your son?" She pointed at Pinocchio.

"Bindi… It isn't polite to point." Thomas corrected using the human name that they'd decided on for Bingo.

"Sorry Thomas." She lowered her hand.

Gepetto smiled, "Yes, he is. His name is Pinocchio."

"Hi Pinocchio!" Bingo smiled, "It's nice to meet you. I'm five, how old are you?"

Pinocchio looked up at Gepetto, unsure.

"He's six." Gepetto replied, noting that the marionette was about three inches taller than the girl.

Bluey and Thomas walked over. "I'm Betty, Bindi's older sister. I'm seven." She said as she rocked on her heels.

"Thomas is taking us to the carnival! Do you want to come with us?" Bingo asked.

"We'd be happy to have you two join us if you'd like." Thomas offered.

"I have to work today, the mayor has requested a special clock for his wife's birthday and it's taking me some time to make it…" Gepetto said, he looked down at Pinocchio, "But that's no reason for you to stay home. What do you say; would you like to go to the carnival?"

"Can I papa?" Pinocchio asked.

"You can. But be careful, and remember to listen to Thomas." Gepetto warned his son.

"I will papa." He nodded.

Gepetto smiled as he patted his head, "Good boy Pinocchio. Stay out of trouble, and be back by lunch!"

Thomas smiled as he welcomed the wooden boy into his group, walking with the marionette's hand in his left and his sister's joined at his right. The four headed down the cobblestone path out of town toward the fairgrounds, unaware of the day that would soon pass.

Back in Brisbane

It was two weeks before Christmas and Stripe hadn't heard from anyone in his middle brother's family for almost two days. He'd tried calling and texting Bandit, Chilli, and Thomas but none of them answered. He was at first convinced that he was just being paranoid, but eventually he decided that he had to check, so he got in his car and drove over to his brother's home. The Queenslander's front door was locked so Stripe used his spare key to let himself in. Worst case scenario I just find out they've been ghosting me for some reason… Nothing's wrong, okay? He reassured himself as he walked through the empty living room. When he arrived in the playroom he noticed a note on the table along with a bunch of colored pens and paper. It was from Thomas.

"Hey Uncle Stripe,

I figured you'd stop by sooner or later to check in. If you're reading this, don't worry, we aren't dead or anything. We're just in an alternate dimension. Mum, dad, and I are there working on rescuing Bluey and Bingo-who are as far as we can tell alive and well, just stuck in another plane of existence. As far as we can tell everything's alright. I have no idea how time there compares to time where you are, so it might be a little while until we return. Please let Aunt Trixie and Muffin know we're okay, and Socks too, if she understands. We hope to be back soon.

Your nephew,

Thomas

PS Also, mum and dad send their regards and apologize for not writing their own notes. It's been a bit crazy getting ready to cross dimensional boundaries. Dad says he owes you one when he gets back."

As Stripe finished reading the note he heard an impact. Looking up he saw a figure in a black suit in the backyard. The black armored man was easily seven feet tall. It was the same figure that Stripe had seen before fighting Thomas on the news. The sun glinted off his onyx armor as Stripe rapidly tried to figure out what to do.

When it comes to life and death situations there are three main reactions. Fight, flight, and freeze. Fight means that your body starts sending adrenaline to your muscles in the hopes that you will be strong enough to deter the physical threat. Flight means that your body focuses on your breathing and blood pumping, trying to maximize your ability to flee. Freeze means that your body numbs itself, preparing for the worst.

At the moment Stripe was vacillating between fight and flight, eventually landing on fight. He grit his teeth as he snarled and flung open the back door, charging at the threat to his extended family with little more than his stocky frame and a career in high school rugby (nearly two decades prior). "Bring it on you cunt!"

Fenrir took a step to the left, leaving the dog to smack into a root and trip, landing on his back with the black monstrosity looming over him. Stripe's eyes dilated as he realized just how much he'd fucked up. He winced, knowing that he was about to be in a world of pain, but felt nothing. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the metallic man still standing in the same spot, looking down at him as he'd been before.

"What the fuck, you gonna do something?" He asked, bracing for an attack.

Fenrir took a step back.

Stripe raised an eyebrow, scooching up onto his bum. "Okay, what is this? You attack my nephew on the local news, show up at his house, and now that I'm charging you-you do nothing?"

Fenrir raised his arms and took another step back.

"What, you're not gonna hurt me?"

Fenrir shook his head.

"But if Thomas was here, you'd hurt him?"

Fenrir hesitated, but after a moment he slowly nodded.

"You ought to be fucking ashamed of yourself attacking a kid, and for what? What did he ever do to you?"

Fenrir lowered his hands and spun them slightly, it was clear he was attempting to explain, but it was lost in the movements.

"Can you talk? It'd be a lot easier than this yes and no thing we're currently doing."

Fenrir dropped his head slightly before shaking it.

"Okay, sorry mate. Didn't mean to strike a nerve." Stripe said, before realizing exactly who he was talking to. Stripe shook his head. "Look, if you can't talk, can you write?"

Fenrir nodded.

"Okay. I can't believe I'm doing this… I want you to explain what the hell's going on."

He nodded again.

Stripe went back to the playroom and grabbed a new sheet of paper and pen. "Here, I'll ask again, why are you attacking my nephew? Did he do something to you?"

Fenrir gripped the pen clumsily, his thick gloves making it hard to hold the pen. He carefully moved it with patient strokes before producing an answer. I have to. If I don't kill him I'll be killed.

Stripe frowned, "That isn't an excuse, taking a life is taking a life. And what sick bastard would kill a kid? He's 18! Even if he is from another dimension."

Fenrir picked up the pen and wrote again. I don't want to do it.

"Okay, then don't."

Fenrir underlined the first two sentences.

"So, you don't want to, but if you don't then someone's going to kill you?" Stripe asked, trying to understand exactly what was happening.

Fenrir nodded.

"Who? And how would they even know, you have a camera in there or something?" Stripe looked at the helmet.

I am under watch, there is no camera, but they can listen in and call me to check at any time. My boss can and will kill me if I do anything outside of his assignment. I have a built in detonator in my suit, which I can't get off, that can be remotely activated to destroy me at any time-not to mention the others in my unit who are fully loyal and will kill me on sight if I fail.

"So you don't want to do this, but if you don't you'll either be blown up or ripped apart by other guys in scary black suits?"

Fenrir nodded.

Stripe sighed as he rubbed his paw down his face. "God fucking damnit. I cannot believe I'm saying this…" He clenched his fist slightly, somewhat unhappy with his tendency toward compassion. "I'll make you a bargain. You want Thomas, that's why you're here. I'm not going to let that happen. But you don't want him for yourself; you want him because you were told you want him, right?"

Fenrir nodded. He wrote again. I don't like killing, I want to help people. That's why I signed up to be a soldier.

"What if I get you out of that suit? We get you free and then you don't have to answer to anyone."

Fenrir tilted his head, suspicious of the kindness.

"You attacked Thomas, but I saw you also saved those kids at the college, right?" Stripe paused, "I get you out of that tin can and we talk, dog to man. You promise me not to go after my nephew and I'll help you out with what you need, okay? Then if your buddies show up we figure out how to take care of them, together." Stripe paused, a dark look crossing his face as he pulled on the giant's chest plate and placed his muzzle against the face shield.

"But if you even think about hurting me or my family, including Thomas, I will eviscerate you and make you eat your own still beating heart." He released, "Do we have an agreement?"

After a moment Fenrir nodded.

"Okay. We have to get back to my place. Bandit doesn't have the power tools we need for this and there's no way I can get my stuff here, I doubt he even has enough outlets to run half of it…" Stripe muttered. "I'm going to put down the back seats in my car and pull it into the drive. I need you to get in the boot and stay low. When we get to my house we'll figure out what to do. But you do anything and I will beat your ass, got it?"

Five minutes later Stripe was driving through the streets of Brisbane, his car barely clearing the speed bumps, as he had an alien soldier in his backseat. He glanced in the rearview mirror at the black suited man curled on the floor.

"Hey, you got a name?" He asked, "If we're going to be dealing with each other I need to call you something." Stripe paused. "I know you can't talk, but I know Morse code. Learned it in the scouts when I was a kid. If you wanna tap out your name I can call you, if not, you can write it when we get to my place."

After a moment Stripe heard a series of taps on the floor.

"F-E-N-R-I-R…" Stripe spelled. "Fenrir, is that right?"

He nodded.

"Okay Fenrir, well, I'm Stripe. Can't say I'm exactly pleased to make your acquaintance, but hopefully, we can figure something out…"

Kodiwolf321 A/N: Looks like Stripe is in for something he may or may not handle, as for the group. their in for something that might be sinister. stay tuned for the next Chapter coming real soon! we also have Loyalguard600 joining us on this story so their will be twice the action coming soon!

The-Suburban-Guy A/N: Oh boy! Well We've got the kids and Pinocchio Heading towards a seemingly innocent carnival, Bandit and Chilli trying to make sure that Geppeto doesn't somehow end up whale food, and Stripe harboring an interdimensional alien and trying to figure out how to break him free from his exosuit. The Heelers definitely have a busy time ahead. If you liked this, please review and then you again for everyone who has been! Stay tuned for next time!