Chapter 4: Robyn's Least Favorite Holiday
Many of us are also blessed to know that we have parents or guardians we can look up to, people who make our lives more fulfilling and worth living, whether it's our moms, our dads, our aunts, our uncles, or anything similar in the family. And because of this, we can thank whatever god you believe in (if you have faith) or our lucky stars we believe to have such a wonderful thing as family, knowing how blessed we are.
Other children, however, are less fortunate: some parents barely pay attention to their kids, others neglect or abuse them, sometimes they don't do anything for them and consider themselves to be their top priority.
But enough of that, we have to get to the matter at hand.
* PAGE BREAK *
As we all know (let alone Tom and Jerry knew this), Robyn's mom, Elizabeth, died when the 9 year-old girl was a baby, say about 5 months-old, Michael then realized that he needed someone to look out for Robyn's well-being whenever he was out and about on his archaeological finds.
That's when Pristine Figg came into the picture.
It was not until Robyn was 4 years-old, the so-called "aunt" began to show her true colors and started forcing her "niece" to do a great number of chores after school all around the manor: laundry, cooking meals, tending to the garden, dusting the living room, and so on and so forth.
I'm sorry to say that Michael never caught on to the abuse, for whenever he spoke to Pristine, she always acted as though she were teaching Robyn life skills that the young girl would be required to be to put to use later on in her adult years.
And the so-called "mountain expedition" in Tibet? It was a clever ruse she pulled to have the patriarch of the family disappear, so that the fat lady could dominate the family fortune and abuse the archaeologist's daughter to no end.
"But what does all of this have to do with this chapter?" you will all ask me.
And to that, I shall give my answer, "Long story short: because Robyn was without a mother, it's safe to say that Mother's Day was one day she didn't like as a holiday." And yes, today of all days just happened to be that very holiday.
* PAGE BREAK *
Now on this particular day of all days, after breakfast, Robyn sat alone by herself next to the window in her room while gazing out at the sunny sky. Safe to say, her mind was filled to the brim with bittersweet thoughts as she saw all kinds of families (especially mothers of all shapes sizes and colors) in her neighborhood, complete with children either at, below or above her age celebrating this special day with their mothers.
As she thought about all this and gazed out of her window (as well as watching families stroll by) Robyn couldn't help but think about what it would be like to have her mother still with her and her dad on this day. There were times that she still wished to feel her mother's warm embrace, hear her soothing voice, and experience the love and care that only a mother could provide.
While gathering these thoughts, the young heiress to her family fortune caressed a framed photo of her as a baby which contained her mother, herself, and her father.
It's not that I don't mind Mother's Day, she thought to herself in sadness as tears trickled down her face and onto the framed picture. I just wish that my mother were still alive, that's all. It's just not fair.
Tom and Jerry, who stood outside her bedroom, noticed her melancholy state during breakfast and exchanged concerned glances with each other. So, as they could imagine, Mother's Day was always bound to bring a mix of emotions for their owner and friend, more specifically, the wrong ones.
"Poor Robyn," said Jerry, who felt sorry for their friend.
"I hope that we can find a way to cheer her up," added Tom.
* PAGE BREAK *
The cat and mouse duo then headed on their way to Michael's office, it was there he'd not only work on the family taxes, but also polish and shine all treasures that he'd find on his countless expeditions.
But luckily today, the tall human was making a phone call to his brother Chadwick Phelps Starling, better known by his stage name Chip Starlite the Magician, to come to the mansion and put on a magic show for Robyn as she was down in the dumps.
"Thanks, Chip," he said, ending the call. "I'll see you when you arrive."
"I didn't know you had a brother, Mike," said Tom, as the head of house hung up the phone.
"Neither did I," Jerry agreed, nodding his head. "Let alone a famous magician in the family."
"Well," smiled Michael, "now you do." He showed a poster of his younger brother and started speaking about Chip's marvelous talents. "My brother Chip has always entertained audiences from Las Vegas to Sacramento, and again, from Memphis to Decatur. Matter of fact, he is also a wizard. He has helped brew potions to cure people of ailments that befall them. But it was not always like this…"
"What do you mean?" the two pets asked in unison.
"Before all that," explained the male human, "Chip ran a diagnostic scan on my daughter believing that she too possessed magical abilities that would be passed down. His theory proved to be correct…"
Michael turned his focus towards a window, as if he were remembering everything had happened yesterday.
"When was this?" asked Tom.
"Pull up a seat and I'll tell you," replied Michael.
The pets did so and the man of the household began to tell the story of Robyn's magical uncle, all the while he did so, flashbacks rolled in the back of his mind.
* PAGE BREAK *
The first flashback shown was Chip teaching Robyn a magic trick (more specifically, the turning a quarter into flowers which are hidden behind a person's back trick) much to the infant's delight, Michael and Elizabeth watch in amazement. But in the midst of their admiration of the show, it all comes to a bitter end as the matriarch unexpectedly collapses in her husband's arms and lap.
"This all happened about three to four months after Robyn had been born. At that time, Chip was performing some of his usual tricks for her. Elizabeth and I were there watching, when all of a sudden…"
The next flashback shown was the patriarch trying to get his wife to rise, but to no avail. Chip is also shocked as to what happened, he himself is seen trying to calm his now crying and fussy niece in an attempt to lull her to sleep. Michael later frantically phones for the doctor.
"…Elizabeth, for whatever reason, collapsed into my lap. I phoned the doctor, and when he arrived, I soon learned that my wife had entered a coma and that the odds of her making a recovery were pretty slim."
The last flashback shown was about taking place a few weeks later at a doctor's office. Due to reasons unknown, Elizabeth's health is deteriorating, and she could die if her condition doesn't change for the better. Sure enough, her condition didn't change much at all, it was only by the end of the fifth month Elizabeth barely regained consciousness and the doctor had more results as to what would be taking her good health away.
"A short while later," Michael resumed narrating to the cat and mouse, "we learned that because of an incurable disease, Elizabeth would likely be departing us forever tomorrow at midnight. Before her passing, Elizabeth and I (along with Robyn and Chip) made the most of her last day. She then quietly died in her sleep that night."
When the flashbacks ended, the Starling patriarch sat back down at his desk and rested his vocal chords to take a drink of water.
"So, there you have it, boys, that's all there is to it."
* PAGE BREAK *
There was a long pause before any one of the three friends spoke up, both impressed and stunned about the newfound information that had been presented to them.
"That's terrible," gulped Jerry. "But wait, there are a few things I don't understand."
"Same here," agreed Tom, who had the same train of thought as his mouse friend. "Where did 'Aunt' Figg come into the picture? More importantly, if Robyn stayed under her watchful eye all this time, how is it Robyn never used her magic to help protect herself?"
"I'm sure that Chip can tell you more about that when he arrives," said Michael.
"Indeed I can, broski," said a new voice who arrived at the manor.
Tom and Jerry wheeled around to discover another human entering Michael's office.
From what they saw, he wore a black wizards' hat, a black cape with yellow crescent moons and star shapes and a combination of light and dark wizarding robes. He also had blue eyes matching his brother- and niece, as well neatly groomed medium brown hair, plus a magical ruby ring on one of his fingers.
"Ah, Chip," said his brother, embracing his famous sorcerer and warlock with a hug, "perfect timing."
"Good to see you too, Mike," the wizard said with a smile. "It's been so long." He saw the cat and mouse duo, "And who are these two? More importantly, did I hear them just talk a few seconds ago or am I losing my mind?"
"No-no, you heard us correctly, we can talk," said Jerry, who hopped into Tom's right paw and extended his own. "I'm Jerry, and this is Tom."
"Hello there," said Tom.
"A pleasure," replied Chip, who warmly shook the cat and mouse duo's paws. "You two wanted to know how 'Aunt' Figg took over the family fortune, let alone controlled my niece for so long, right?"
"Yes, we do," replied the cat.
"Very well then, I'll tell you."
And as Chip told his tale to his niece's pets and friends, once again, more flashbacks began to play out.
* PAGE BREAK *
The first flashback that was shown was that of both Pristine and a man a few years older than her who were seen bullying Robyn into doing an excessive amount of chores… and as Robyn worked her shoulder to the wheel per say, it may be established (as mentioned before) that Michael knew nothing about the abuse and neglect his daughter suffered at the hand of the really fat 'aunt' and her the new man, who was revealed to be her brother.
The man's name, as Tom and Jerry (plus the audience reading) would soon learn was that of Nero, and yes, he was named after the Roman emperor who was born December 15th, 37 AD and died on June 9th, 68 AD… also, unlike his sister, he was not fat.
"When Robyn was only 5," Chip began his story, "Pristine brought in her brother Nero. He, like his younger sister, would have Robyn begin almost each and every day with a copious amount of chores."
The first amount of chores Robyn was seen doing were stuff like dusting the various rooms, followed by doing loads of laundry, making breakfast, and so on and so on… afterwards, she was dropped off at school, where in her classrooms, she fell asleep from exhaustion.
"And when she went off to school," continued the magician, "because of her exhaustion, Robyn would more often than not fall asleep in class."
"Hold it," interrupted Tom, who brought the flashbacks to a temporary close. "Didn't you guys have a butler or something?" he asked Michael.
"We did," replied the Starling family patriarch, "but I think somewhere along the lines, knowing Pristine, she probably fired our butler Elliot, as he was the only one who knew about her abuse towards my daughter."
"Then, where is he now?" asked Jerry.
"Luckily," answered Michael, "I've relocated and rehired Elliot, but he only comes by to help out our family every other week. Today just happens to be one of his days off."
"Ah," nodded the cat and mouse duo, who then turned back to Chip. "Continue."
"Thank you," said Chip, who then resumed his story.
"When Elliot was out of the picture," he continued, "it was only a matter of time before Robyn decided to run away from home. She did so countless times."
The next flashback shown was a series of scenes that showed Robyn running away from home, as well as being brought back countless times.
"To Robyn's Nest, no doubt," guessed Jerry.
"That's right," confirmed Chip. "As well as trying to find me, seeing as Aunt Figg frowned upon anything that was considered to be abnormal… like magic, for an example."
* PAGE BREAK *
The next flashback that appeared was one that showed Robyn losing her temper and using accidental magic after suffering so much abuse, both physically and mentally. And because of her pent-up anger, the 5 year-old wound up using a magical beam, which slammed Nero and Pristine into the wall.
"One day," the magician narrated, "perhaps because the abuse was becoming too much for her to bear, Robyn unleashed a beam poured by her anger, which caused her to slam Nero and Pristine into a wall."
As Robyn's magical outburst left the bumbling siblings trembling, they exchanged terrified glances, realizing that they had lost control over the young girl they had been abusing.
Gasping for words, Nero stammered, "What have you done, Robyn?"
Robyn didn't answer as her chest heaved with anger and exhaustion as she stood her ground, her magical aura still crackling with energy. She had finally reached her breaking point after enduring years of mistreatment.
Frightened, like the 'good aunt' she was, Pristine Figg ran to Robyn's room, picked up the phone and called Michael for help… he, in return, called Chip for help.
"Ten minutes later," added Chip, "when he came home, Michael saw the magical aftermath and the terrified expressions on their faces, his protective instincts kicked in."
"What happened here?" Michael demanded, his voice tense.
Robyn's father could sense that something extraordinary had occurred, but he had no idea what.
Outside the house, Pristine and Nero explained everything.
Michael then immediately dialed Chip's number and implored him to come to the manor.
"A few minutes later, I arrived to assess the situation with my brother. "
Together, Michael and Chip concocted a plan. Chip cast a gentle spell that sent Robyn into a deep, peaceful slumber, her exhaustion finally catching up to her. Her powers were temporarily subdued as she dreamt of a brighter and happier world.
"Once Robyn was safely asleep," said Chip as he focused on his niece's memories. "I carefully removed any recollection of her magical abilities and the incident with Nero and Pristine Figg." He paused. "However, to hope for the best that nothing went awry anymore, I left the fond memories intact, ensuring that Robyn's childhood remained untarnished."
One last flashback appeared: in it, the next morning showed Robyn awake with no recollection of the previous night's events and surrounded by loving family members who were determined to provide her with a happier and safer upbringing.
Little did she and her dad realize, it was too good to last… it in return saw her life spiraling out of control once more, which was (as we all know) just the beginning of a remarkable journey for Robyn. One where she would discover her true potential, alongside her loyal friends Tom and Jerry, as well as her magical uncle Chip.
* PAGE BREAK *
"And that's all there is to it," the sorcerer ended his tale.
"Wow, just… wow!" marveled Tom.
"That was incredible," agreed Jerry. "So now that we know the whole story… What are we gonna do to cheer up Robyn?"
"Simple," replied Michael, "we'll make this a very special Mother's Day for her. We'll go to her favorite deli and reminisce on the good times both Chip and I had when Elizabeth was still alive."
Later, in Robyn's room, a knock came at her door, she tilted her head towards it.
Tom, peering inside with concerned eyes, walked inside. Beside him, the mischievous Jerry stood, a small bouquet of flowers in his tiny hands.
"Hey, Robyn," Tom meowed softly. "We know today is a difficult day for you. But we're here for you, just like family."
"We may not have been there to meet your mother," squeaked Jerry, "but from what we've been told, she sounded like an incredible woman."
Robyn, whose eyes were red from crying, managed a tug weak smile on her cheeks and nodded appreciatively.
"Thank you, Tom, Jerry," she said, hugging her animal friends. "That means a lot to me. I just wish I could celebrate this day with my mom, even if she is only in spirit."
"As long as you think about the good times," Michael said to his daughter, embracing her, "and I share with you my fondest memories of her, Robyn, she'll never be gone… no one's really ever gone. They're a part of you, no matter what."
So, for the rest of their day, Michael and Chip shared their memories from some of their happiest events they shared with Elizabeth. They also, as planned, wound up going to a deli, which had sandwiches, salads, soups and the like on the menu, the place was called The Eagle has Landed.
That night, as Robyn slept with Tom and Jerry, unbeknownst to her, with help from Chip, the 9 year-old's secret magical powers activate in her dreams to see her mother hug her.
"I'll always be with you, Robyn," said Elizabeth's ghostly projection. "Even if you can't see me, I'm here."
With that, Robyn smiled in her sleep and felt happy that Mother's Day… err, night.
For she knew full well, if only for a moment or two, she was able to see her mother watching over her from the pearly gates of Heaven where peaceful and good souls who believe in the Lord and his Son where all reside when their time on Earth is up but know for a fact their future in the afterlife is secure.
"But whatever happened to Nero?" you ask.
And to that I say, "Unfortunately, that is a chapter for another time. But you can bet he will be back."
Author's notes:
• So that was the fourth chapter of The New Tom, Robyn, and Jerry Adventures, and as always, please fill free to leave me your feedback.
• Once again, I owe much thanks to niccunningham, for thinking up this chapter and plot.
• And finally: I own nothing in this fanfiction, as such: Tom, Jerry, plus everyone else have their rights and everything else are owned and © by Warner Brothers.
* And the plot (plus other ideas) were all thought up by niccunningham.
- The only thing I DO own, are at least 6/10ths of the words to the story, niccunningham owns the rest as he helped me out.
That said, until the next chapter, my fellow readers and Toons:
I'm M. R. Parkerson signing off…