Hi everyone! Merry belated Christmas! I was hoping to finish this chapter by Christmas, but I injured my typing thumb while using an unfamiliar knife to open a present. I had also received some news that very much surprised me and took me off guard (don't worry, it's good news!), so I've been taking the last few days to process it.
Before I write anything else here, I'd like to thank noukina018 for leaving a review on my original story "Trouble" that I wrote around 10 years ago. You had asked me a really good question regarding the lack of Karena's family and it's not something I really thought about when I wrote it (as my relationship with my own family was not in a good place at the time). As we all know, Karena's mother died at the hands of a drunk driver, which plagued her for 11 years. Karena's relationship with her father, if you've read "A Robinson Storybook," was not in a good place due to her mother's death and she needed to step outside her father's shadow, like I did when I moved out of state from my family. Moving to the future alone was Karena's way to move forward from her past and be with her new family, much like when I moved alone out-of-state in 2019 and got married into a new family in 2022. If you continue reading my stories, I briefly touched on Karena's grandparents, which by the time she moved to 2037, they had passed away (I think). Karena did reunite with her father in that timeline and he, not Donatello, walked her down the aisle at her wedding. In my previous story before this one, "Worlds Between Worlds," I did talk about Karena having a few friends before she moved to the future. Thankfully, my relationship with my family is now in a better place, and I will give you all a spoiler alert here: Karena WILL see her father for one last time in 2049. We are actually not that far away here. I did do another time jump in this chapter just for the holiday, so we got closer to that time.
Karena Edwards-Robinson is my past. Lilianna Hamato is my present. And both Lilianna Hamato and Anna Swan are my future.
With that said, I hope that answered your questions and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "TMNT," "Meet the Robinsons," "Toy Story," nor "Lord of the Rings: the Third Age," nor do I own Mark Schultz's "The First Noel." I only own Lilianna, Ryan, Athena, Venus, Isamu, Karena, Diana, James, and Anna.
May 6, 2046 - Pacific Bay, California, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
I woke up and went downstairs, thankful I was off work today. I smiled at the smell of breakfast waiting for me. But when I walked into the dining room, I saw a depressed Anna sitting alone at the table, her fists underneath her face.
"Hey, Anna," I greeted her with a frown. "Are you okay?"
Anna shook her head.
"Breakfast is on the counter," she told me in a depressed tone.
I went into the kitchen and I was floored; it looked like Anna cooked a buffet! I glanced in the refrigerator and all the eggs and breakfast items were gone. Anna cooked everything. I frowned, realizing she did not sleep much last night. I grabbed some bacon, toast, eggs, and sausage, and then I grabbed a second plate for my friend. I carried both plates to the dining room table and sat down with her.
"I already ate," Anna lied. "But thank you."
"Anna, what's wrong?" I asked. "Is everything okay?"
My half-elven friend let out a frustrated sigh.
"I finally read the last page of my father's journal," Anna explained. "And I realized I've been wasting my time."
"Doing what, exactly?"
"Watching over his tomb. He had asked me to promise him I wouldn't watch over him in the tombs. In fact, he wanted me to promise him to live my life fully and to carve my own path. I did the opposite."
I frowned.
"So you wallowed, couldn't sleep, and spent hours cooking all of our breakfast food?"
"Hey, when I'm sad, I cook," Anna explained. "But now what am I supposed to do? We're in totally different worlds. He's dead in one world and I'm alive and alone in another."
"Hey! You're not alone here."
"But you're not family."
"No, but if you open up and let me and James in your life, then we could become your family. Your father would want you to be happy, not stay in the past and grieve over him for the rest of your days. Didn't you just tell me he wanted you to create your own path?"
"Maybe I don't understand," Anna snapped. "How could he have so much faith in me? How could he be so confident that we would see each other again? There's Valinor where the elves and select few go to live forever. Men were not welcome there. Where else would my father go? He's gone for good and I'll never see him again!"
Anna threw her plate of food at the wall, the plate breaking and the food spilling on the wall and on the floor. Then she abruptly walked out of the dining room and up the stairs. I heard a slam of the door upstairs and I let out a sigh, preparing myself to clean the floor and the wall. Anna clearly had not handled her father's death well, especially if she had grieved for one hundred years.
"Good morning, Lily," I heard my husband greeting me.
"Good morning," I sadly replied back. "Sorry about Anna waking you up."
"Is she okay?"
"I think... I need to call my mom. She's lost her mother, and my father, uncles, and Auntie Karai lost a father. Any one of them would help Anna more than I would."
ANNA'S POV
I lied on my bed, tears falling down my face. Was I just now crying because my father was gone? It had been one hundred years since his death, and I had never cried once. But now that I was here, away from his body, he was truly gone, and there was no hope of my ever seeing him again.
I suddenly heard knocking on the door.
"Who is it?" I asked tearfully.
"It's Lily."
I wiped away my tears, got up, and opened the door for my friend.
"Hey," she greeted me.
I suddenly broke down crying again. Lily did not hesitate to embrace me and I hugged her back, my tears falling on her shoulder.
"Shh, you're safe, Anna," Lily soothed me, rubbing my back. "Everything is going to be alright."
"I'm so sorry I broke one of your dishes," I confessed. "I felt... angry, sad, confused."
"You're still grieving your father. It's okay. It's just a plate. I can replace it."
I felt angry again. Lily could replace a plate, but I could not replace my father. I let go of the hug and walked over to the window.
"Why? Why could my mother live forever but my father cannot?"
"I wish I could answer that," Lily replied with a frown. "But I'm not God. That's not my decision to make. Anna..."
Lily paused, took a deep breath, and let it out.
"Do you believe in some sort of god? Was there something like it in Middle-Earth?"
"Yes, the Valar. But my father always believed there was someone else above the Valar, and it was because of this deity that my father felt he had a purpose to being in Middle-Earth."
"Did sin exist in Middle-Earth?"
"Of course, we sinned! There would never have been a war otherwise! Sin had existed from the very beginning, as if death always existed. Was it like that here?"
"No," Lily answered. "The world was perfect in the very beginning of time. Until a serpent tempted the first man and woman to eat the forbidden fruit. They disobeyed God, and as a result, everyone's destiny ends the same way: death. No one lives forever here because of sin. And you're right. If sin had not existed, we would never have a war."
I let out another sigh.
"Why was my father so confident we would see each other again?"
"Have you read his journal from start to finish?" Lily asked.
"Yes. But I never read the last page until last night. I... never accepted his death. But my being here... now I don't have a choice but to accept it. I have to face the facts: I will never see my father again."
Lily pondered for a moment while still frowning.
"Could you tell me more about your father?"
For the first time since yesterday, I smiled.
"His name was Berethor. He was the Captain of the Citadel Guard and the Fountain Guard of Gondor. He was very noble, so kind, fearless. He loved his job and he loved his family. He loved serving King Elessar and he loved teaching me how to fight and be honorable. The only times he would frown was if Adan or I got in trouble, disobeyed him or Mother."
I walked to my satchel and took out the drawing of my father. I handed it to Lily.
"I remember what my father looked like as if he was here yesterday."
"This is amazing!" Lily replied in awe. "You have another gift. I can't draw that well. Venus is the artist of my generation."
Lily laughed, looking at the picture again.
"You have his nose and his hair color. And what about your mother?"
I took out the drawing of my mother from her journal and handed it to Lily.
"Her name was Idrial. She was in charge of the houses of healing in Minas Tirith while my father worked with the guard. She hated fighting, but she always found a solution. She had the gift of foresight, after all, and so do I."
I suddenly heard Lily's phone ringing. She took out her phone and answered, still holding my drawings.
"Hello?"
Lily immediately frowned in confusion.
"That can't be right. I thought it was a paid internship?"
Lily sighed in frustration.
"No, I still want to do the internship. I just wish I had known sooner that I wasn't going to get paid. I already put in my two-weeks notice at my current job and this is my last week."
Lily and I glanced at each other and frowned together.
"Thank you for telling me. I'll manage somehow. Good-bye."
She hung up.
"Is everything alright?" I asked.
"Can you meet us in the dining room? I need to fetch my husband."
I walked out of the bedroom, went down the stairs, and sat at the dining room table. I hoped everything was alright with Lily. Shortly after I sat down, Lily and James showed up.
"Is everything okay?" James asked.
"I was just on the phone with the Pacific Bay Police," Lily explained. "They had called to confirm all the details of the internship with me and I discovered my internship is not a paid one."
"What?! Why are they just now telling you this?"
"I don't know," Lily replied, sounding stressed. "But now I may have to take back my two-weeks notice at work so that I can continue to earn money."
"Lily, you've been stressed this entire year just from working at the hospital," James rationalized with worry in his blue eyes. "You need to leave."
"James is right," I chimed in. "If you don't like what you are doing, then it's not worth staying there. And besides, I want to help you by getting a job and paying rent."
"Anna, no," Lily objected. "That's out of the question. And besides, I get taxed for that."
"Seriously?" I asked with annoyance in my voice. "Why do you need to pay taxes for helping your friends? We were never taxed in Middle-Earth. We paid everything to the T."
"It sounds like all of our politicians need to live in Middle-Earth for a while," James replied. "The whole point of the Revolutionary War was to not tax without representation."
"That's true," Lily said. "But the taxes we pay go to better modes of transportation or at least some sort of improvement of the world."
"Try convincing the government that," James angrily replied.
"Okay, look," I intervened. "I'll be looking for a job so that I can find my own place to live. But I want to help you, too."
"Anna, don't worry about us," Lily replied with a small smile. "We'll make it through. But James, how are you going to pay the bills? All the money my parents gave me is just about spent on the mortgage."
"I'll get a second job," James answered. "We will find a way, sweetheart. God's provided for us this long, and he always will."
"James, you're going to work yourself to death," Lily said with concern.
"Hey, if you can do it, so can I."
"I never worked two jobs!"
"No, but you worked full-time and went to school full-time. Trust me. I can work two jobs and provide for us."
"And I'll work and gather my own food," I proposed. "Please don't worry about me."
"Anna, you're living with us," Lily objected again. "As far as I'm concerned, you're family. It's what my dad would do if this happened to him."
"Would I be taxed if I just gave money to you?" I asked.
"No."
"Then, it's settled. I'm helping, too."
Lily let out a sigh, shaking her head while bearing a smile.
"It seems I am outnumbered," she said with a chuckle.
"Lily, this internship will be worth it," James assured his wife. "And besides, would you be having a job there if things are successful?"
"Yes, as either a police officer or a secretary to the profiler."
"Then just focus on that for the summer," I suggested.
I let out a sigh.
"Lily, I am so sorry for breaking one of your dishes and making a mess. I'm sorry I got so... angry about my father's death."
"Hey, Uncle Leo felt exactly the same way when Splinter died. You are human, believe it or not. It's okay to feel this way."
Lily and I got up and shared an embrace.
"Just be the woman your father would want you to be," Lily whispered.
I nodded in agreement before we were joined by James.
December 4, 2046
LILIANNA'S POV
So much has happened since Anna and Isamu entered our lives back in April. I left my job at the hospital and embarked on my internship with the Pacific Bay Police Department. While I was not paid for the internship, I had made quite the impression on the entire team and I was hired on as the profiler's assistant. I made a lot more money in this job than I did at the hospital, and I was able to support myself and my husband again.
James took a second job at a Starbucks to make do, and he ended up helping Anna get a job there as well. Anna had done so well there that she was promoted to a managerial position within weeks. I insisted she save all of her money instead of trying to help James and me; instead, I asked my father for help and he was more than willing to help out.
Anna passed her LSAT with flying colors and started applying to various law schools in Southern California. I prayed she would have better luck than I did. While she studied for the LSAT, worked at Starbucks, and applied at all those law schools, she worked on her grief. My parents and I worked together to help Anna move forward from her old life in Minas Tirith. Anna had earned enough money to lease her own car. She was still living with us, and I was her teacher on the road. She was a much better driver than I am.
Justine started planning her wedding to my cousin Ryan soon after she recovered from Isamu's birth. Justine had already told me she wanted to get married when she graduates with her nursing license and her master's degree in 2048, the same year Athena and Venus graduate college. She had asked me to be her matron of honor; Venus, Athena, and Karena were to be her bridesmaids. As for Ryan, Wilbur would be his best man and James will be a groomsman. Diana and Isamu would also participate as flower girl and ringbearer. Justine was still deciding to this day whether to marry in New York, Ryan's home, or Todayland, their new home.
My focus on this Christmas season was, well, to have Christmas spirit. After encountering some trouble with the mortgage payment, I entered December with no Christmas spirit whatsoever. But today, I learned I was not the only one without spirit. No one at the police station was ready for Christmas due to stress. It only brought me down more.
I drove home and greeted James and Anna in the kitchen. Anna had cooked a delicious dinner for us: beef Wellington with mashed potatoes and green beans. We sat down. James prayed for the meal, and we started eating in silence.
"So, how's everyone's day going?" Anna asked.
"I'm doing good," James answered. "What about you?"
"I'm doing okay."
"Thinking about your dad again?"
"Every day," Anna answered before glancing at me. "Lily, you've been quiet since you got home. Is everything okay?"
I let out a sigh.
"My not having Christmas spirit is one thing," I explained. "But hearing everyone else not having spirit... it really brought me down. I don't mind not being happy as long as everyone else is. Does that make sense?"
"Like sacrificing your own happiness for someone else's?" Anna asked.
"Exactly that. Do either of you have any suggestions?"
"Be the Christmas hype," James answered.
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"How can I be the Christmas hype if I don't have any spirit to begin with?" I asked.
"Sometimes you need to look at things from a different perspective," James explained. "You just said no one has spirit at the station. Lily, you're studying to be a psychologist, a profiler, a counselor. You listen to people. Christmas is the season of giving someone hope. Let someone know you'll pray for them or be some sort of inspiration for someone."
I pondered this for a few minutes as we continued eating.
"Well, there is a door decorating contest at work," I said out loud. "Maybe I can do something about that."
"I'll help you with that," Anna chimed in. "If I'm understanding this correctly, decorating your office door doesn't have to be commercialized. I've been watching Christmas commercials for months now, so I understand the hype. Do something different. Like James said, think about giving your boss a decorated door that means something to yourself and to your colleagues."
"Lily's father traveled the world before," I replied with a smile. "Maybe I can do something with that."
"Oh, I know!" Anna exclaimed excitedly. "Why not handpick different countries around the world and find a tradition that speaks to you to share with me? Ever since I transported here, I've wanted to learn more about the world."
"Plus, aren't you learning ten languages on that app?" James asked me.
"That's me," Anna answered.
"Wait, you too?" I asked excitedly. "What languages are you studying?"
"Well, Latin is a strong one for lawyers, so that's my primary language. I'm also learning French, Italian, Japanese, Irish, Korean, Spanish, Hawaiian, Welsh, and Norwegian."
"Dang!" James exclaimed. "You should definitely travel around the world, Anna."
"Yeah!" I said happily. "I didn't know you had it in you."
"It comes with learning English and Elvish in Middle-Earth and living for two hundred years," Anna replied with a smile. "Plus, I've seen all of Middle-Earth in my first hundred years of life."
"I could start listening to Christmas music too," I said, going back to my dilemma. "Anna, you're a good singer. Maybe you can help me."
"Sure! I'm willing to learn more about what Christmas is."
"They didn't have Christmas in Middle-Earth?" James asked.
"No, but I remember my family celebrating some kind of holiday in December, and we were the only family in Minas Tirith who celebrated it."
"A birthday?" I asked.
The half-elven woman shook her head.
"All of our birthdays were in the spring and summer. So, James, what will you do to help out?"
"Pay the bills."
"Oh!" Anna and I grumbled at the same time before taking another bite.
December 5, 2046
ANNA'S POV
Lily and I had carpooled to our jobs to save us money everyday since I leased a car. So today, we made it a primary focus to listen to Christmas music on the way to work. Lily worked in the Jazz Town district of Pacific Bay while I worked in the district of Ocean Shore.
"So, what's the first song?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the road.
"Let's see," Lily said, scrolling down her phone. "It looks like The First Noel."
Lily started playing the song and I listened to it. There was something about that song that sounded familiar to me. I started singing along with the male voice.
"As they looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far. And to the earth, it gave great light. And so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel. Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel. Noel, Noel. Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel."
I smiled as I heard a violin, a guitar, and a piano in the background transition into the next verse. I continued to sing.
"Then entered in those wise men three, full reverently upon their knee. And offered there in His presence their gold and myrrh and frankincense. Noel, Noel. Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel."
I suddenly gasped as the music turned grand.
FLASHBACK: December 23, 10 FO - Minas Tirith, Gondor
I was sitting at my desk in my room doing my homework when I heard my father singing happily. I tiptoed out of the room and knocked on my little brother's door. Adan opened the door.
"You hear Father singing, too?" Adan asked quietly.
"Yes," I answered excitedly. "Come on! Let's go see why he's so happy!"
I took my brother's hand and led him to the hall of our fifth-level home in Minas Tirith. Both our parents were there with a huge pine tree in the corner of the room. Our mother sat in a chair making candles inside some sort of globe while our father painted a metal star in another chair. Both of our parents had big smiles on their faces. Suddenly, our father began to sing again, and he sounded so majestic.
"Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord that hath made heaven and earth of nought. And with his blood mankind hath bought."
Both our parents stood up from their chairs.
"Noel, Noel!" Father continued to sing happily. "Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel."
Father placed the silver metal star on top of the tree while Mother used her magic to place the candles all around the tree.
"Noel, Noel!" Father sang again as he and Mother gazed up at the star. "Noel, Noel..."
There was a pause, and Father gazed at us with a kind smile on his face and sang softly.
"Born is the King."
PRESENT
Tears came to my eyes as I brought myself back to the present and finished the song.
"Born is the King of Israel."
We had made it to the police station just in time for the song to end.
"Anna, are you okay?" Lily asked.
I was stunned. I could not answer her.
"What happened?" Lily asked again. "Did you have a vision?"
"No, a reminiscence from the past," I answered, still breathless. "My father sang this song all those years ago. And there was a Christmas tree and everything. I remember my parents decorating the tree, and my brother and I received gifts. But the one thing I never understood was the name Israel. That's not a name often heard in Middle-Earth, nor is it a place on the map."
"Well, I can answer that," Lily replied. "Israel is a country here on Earth. It's in the Middle East, very close to Egypt. Israel was where God's people made their home originally. But how would your father know about Israel, or even this song?"
"I don't know. There's nothing about it in his journal. But he has talked about a god who is above everyone, even the Elves and he started to believe in him."
"Was anything out of the ordinary in your father's life?"
"He was stabbed with a Morgul blade during a battle in Osgiliath before all his adventures began. Mithrandir-- I mean, Gandalf, found him and brought him to Lothlorien for the Elves to intervene his transformation into a wraith. His mind had been clouded in shadow for so long after that, but there was a source of light, too. My father could have been dreaming about this world during that time and that's how he may have possibly known this song and about Israel. But throughout my entire life, my father was very happy with his life and always seemed to have hope. It was rare that he was angry or sad."
"Hmm..."
Lily pondered for a moment.
"May I have your father's journal?"
I was surprised at this request. But I had known this woman long enough for me to trust her. I smiled, reached into my satchel, and handed her my father's journal.
"Maybe you can read between the lines," I said with hope. "My father's dead, so there's no interference here. I don't think he'd mind if you read it."
Lily smiled in return.
"Thank you, Anna, for trusting me. I promise to take very good care of it. I do have theories, and I'll tell you what I have found when you come pick me up."
"That sounds good."
We hugged each other before Lily got out of the car and walked into the station. I started the car again to head to my own job.
LILIANNA'S POV
I waited outside the police station for Anna to come pick me up. I had read her father's journal in its entirety and it was definitely full of surprises. Berethor had overcome all odds against him to have a fulfilling life, but he had achieved more than that in the end.
I paused my thoughts when Anna pulled up to the station. With a smile, I got in the car, and we took off for home.
"How was work?" I asked her.
"It was very productive," Anna answered. "I got all of my goals achieved and we have not received a single complaint."
"That's awesome! You are a very motivated person, Anna."
"That is thanks to you and your parents for helping me all this time."
I smiled, appreciating the compliment.
"What about you?" she asked.
"My day was just as productive," I answered. "I read your father's journal and he showed a lot of potential."
"Have you found anything related to The First Noel?"
"No, but the part of his journal where he talked about his dreams was a fascinating read."
"Oh, yeah. The dreams about some man being nailed to a cross and dying there?"
"Yes."
"And then my father had dreams about this same man," Anna continued as she drove. "Saying that he is the Messiah, performing all kinds of miracles, like healing the sick, making the blind see, making the deaf hear. It's stuff my mother would do in the houses of healing. But there's no magic in this world, and there was no magic in my father's dreams either. When my father first started singing at home, we all thought he was crazy. But he sang that song every year until his death, just before my mother and brother's last Christmas in Middle-Earth."
I frowned. Berethor had died during the Christmas season. And yet I felt a glimmer of hope in his daughter's soul.
"Why don't we sing some more Christmas songs?" I suggested, taking out my phone.
"Sure!"
I turned on the music. The next song was Alan Jackson's version of Away in a Manger. Anna, very quickly, learned the words to this song and sang along. She sang the second verse and I noticed her smiling when she sang the name Jesus.
"I don't know why," Anna spoke. "But the name Jesus gives me hope of some kind."
And then she sang the third verse, and she could not finish singing the song; instead, she started to cry.
"Hey, why don't we pull over so that you're not putting us in danger, okay?" I suggested.
Anna nodded, parking the car on the ground. I reached out to hug her and she embraced me, her tears falling on my shoulders.
"Christmas is about Jesus, isn't it?" Anna asked tearfully.
I nodded gently, feeling joy in my heart.
"And do you wanna know something else?" I asked and she nodded. "The man your father kept dreaming about was Jesus. Jesus did all of these things and defeated death to give us the chance to be with him forever."
"Does that mean...?"
I grinned.
"Based on all that I've read about your father, I have to believe that he knew about Jesus through his dreams."
"And that means...?"
"That means he had every right to be confident he will see you again," I replied with my own confidence. "He's not dead, Anna. He's alive, and he's living within you. He's never left you. All you need to do is believe that, and believe in Jesus like your father did."
Anna cried again but this time she was smiling through her tears and putting her hands over her heart.
"Lily, tell me everything."
December 18, 2046
ANNA'S POV
Lily and I returned home from our jobs and I immediately went upstairs to my bedroom. I reached into my satchel and took out my father's journal, and then I took out my drawing of him. I smiled, now knowing he was not truly gone. I placed my left hand over my heart, now knowing my father was living there.
"Hi, Dad," I said to my drawing with a soft chuckle. "Yeah, that's what fathers are called in this world. I hope that's okay. But I wanted to talk to you. I know now that you can hear me over one hundred years later. So much has happened the last six or so months. I got transported to this new world. And while it is way more complex than our world, it is a wonderful world filled with wonderful people. Lily and James have taken amazing care of me, and Lily's parents have helped guide me through my grief. But a couple weeks ago, something amazing happened: I remembered you singing a Christmas song."
I grinned.
"Christmas exists here, Father, and everyone I know celebrates it. Your dreams of Christmas and of Jesus are very real. You and Lily helped me realize that. And because of that, you and Lily led me to Jesus with a newfound hope that we will see each other again. I feel like a brand new woman full of hope - your hope."
I laughed.
"Oh, if only you could see me now. I have my long hair pulled up in what's called a ponytail. I know Mother's hair was in a braid and so was mine. But I like the feeling of a ponytail. I feel... sophisticated. I'm a barista who makes coffee and many complex coffee drinks, but not for much longer. I put in my two-weeks notice today. Lily told me about her last job and I've taken it. I'll finally be able to afford my own place to live in this world, and I'm excited about it. It will get me one step closer to becoming a lawyer."
I laughed again.
"Oh, I wish I could see the look on your face if I had told you I was going to be a lawyer. All of my defending Adan brought me to this point. Now I'm just waiting to see which schools will accept me as a student. You would be very happy to hear that women have a place in this world. Women are leaders, too. And Father, I dream to be just the kind of leader you were, to be honorable, understanding, and kind."
I let out a sigh.
"I miss you, Father. And I love you, so much. I've never forgotten you, and I pray I never will. Please be with me now, and I will pray the same to Jesus."
I heard knocking on the door.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"It's Lily."
I set the picture down on the bed and walked to the door to open it. Lily had an understanding smile on her face.
"You heard me?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Is it odd?" I asked, this time while biting my lip.
"Hey, your father was buried in Gondor, so there's no grave for you to go to here. I'd say in this case, this is very human and very normal."
I smiled, grateful Lily was understanding.
"This is the happiest I've ever seen you," she continued. "I'm glad I was able to help you find hope again."
"Well, today it was needed. My father passed away on this date over a hundred years ago. But yes, it's different this time."
"Well, we will see if this will make you happier " Lily replied, holding up a letter. "It's for you, from the California Western School of Law."
I took the letter, opened it, and started to read it. I grinned.
"Good news?" Lily asked.
"I got accepted!" I answered happily.
Lily screamed happily before we hugged each other.
"Now that it's come to light, I do have some other news to share."
"Oh?" Lily replied. "What's that?"
"You know your old job?"
She nodded.
"I applied for it and I got the job. I put in my two weeks at Starbucks. I'll be a tech, but I'll be working the front desk and supply room. I'm pretty much going to be an administrative assistant. And I'll get paid the same as you did when you worked there."
"That's awesome! Hey, listen, I hope they'll treat you better than they treated me. But knowing you, I don't think we have anything to worry about. You kick butt no matter where you go."
I laughed hard.
"And also with that said, I'm going to be looking for my own place to live come January."
"Oh!" Lily replied, her smile turning into a look of surprise. "Well, I'll admit, I'm going to miss you being here with us."
"I'm going to miss it, too," I replied with a fond smile on my face. "You and James have helped me so much with finding my footing and moving forward. And the best part of it all is knowing my father is with me."
"Do you need help finding a place?"
"I'd like that."
"But first, we need to knock out our trip to New York."
"I'm very much looking forward to that. One whole week in New York. What's the plan for that?"
"Well, there are some friends I want to introduce you to," Lily explained. "I met them in Todayland and then they married, started a family, and moved to Connecticut. And then I want to show you my childhood home that got transformed into a wedding venue. And then, well, time with my family."
"I am looking forward to meeting everybody," I replied.
"Dinner's ready!" James yelled from the kitchen.
"Come on," Lily beckoned me. "Maybe I can pull out a bottle of cherry wine to celebrate your news."
"I've never heard of cherry wine before," I replied.
"Oh, you'll love it!"
We wrapped our arms around each other as we walked out of my bedroom and down the stairs for dinner.
December 21, 2046 - New York City, New York, USA
"Anna, wake up."
I felt myself being shaken awake.
"What is it, Lily?" I sleepily asked.
"Welcome to New York City!"
I quickly sat up and gazed outside the window. I let out a gasp of delight. There were so many skyscrapers as tall as Minas Tirith, if not taller. I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Look over there," Lily told me. "That's the Statue of Liberty, a beacon of hope for immigrants and for us."
I glanced at the big green statue holding a torch up high in one hand and a book in the other. Lily was right. I felt some hope from the statue.
"And there's the World Trade Center," Lily continued, pointing to the tallest skyscrapers in the city. "History has not been kind here, but hope always arises from tragedy."
"What happened?"
"If I told you, you'd want off this plane."
I felt confused at Lily's response but decided to shrug it off for now. I continued to gaze out at the city before our plane landed.
I followed Lily and James out of the gate and into what they call the terminal. I was in awe at how busy this airport was. There were lots of people bustling around me. I felt more frightened than I did when I first came to Pacific Bay. So many people!
I jumped as I felt someone taking my hand, only to find relief that it was Lily.
"You look like a deer in headlights!" Lily said with laughter. "Come on! My parents should be meeting us in the baggage claim."
"Donatello and April, correct?"
"Very good!"
I followed Lily down the escalator and to the baggage claim. Surely enough, I spotted a purple-masked humanoid turtle in a lab coat and a red-haired woman in a black jumpsuit.
"Hi!" Lily yelled excitedly.
Her parents turned around and had the most delightful smiles on their faces. They ran to their daughter and embraced her. I smiled at the sight. Then, Donatello released the hug, walked over to me, and hugged me. I felt comfortable to hug him back.
"It's so good to see you again, Anna," he greeted me. "We're happy you're here."
"Thank you, Donatello."
The turtle released the embrace and gave me a look of amusement.
"Only a few people call me Donatello. Please call me Donnie. You are definitely comfortable enough to be around me."
I laughed, knowing he was right. He may not be psychic like his daughter, but he read my body language very well. Suddenly, I felt someone hugging me on the side and it was his wife April.
"I'm so glad you could make it!" she greeted me excitedly. "How have you been?"
"Much better," I answered happily. "I feel much better about my father now and I'm so excited to be here, even if it is overwhelming!"
"Well, I'm not sure if I'll be making this any better," April replied. "We're taking you to the lair where you'll be meeting everybody in the family. They all want to meet the future lawyer of the Hamato Clan. But I must warn you that it's in the sewers."
"It wouldn't be the first time," I replied. "I remember walking down the sewers in Osgiliath a time or two."
"Gondor has sewers?" Donnie asked with surprise. "I didn't know that! Well, I'm glad you won't be freaked out. Shall we go?"
I followed the family into an even more interesting vehicle that does not fly in the sky. The vehicle, which Donnie called the Shellraiser, stayed on the ground. I was very impressed when Donnie revealed it was one of his first inventions when he was a teenager. I enjoyed exploring the Shellraiser. And then, I felt a jolt; we had just entered the sewers.
Donnie eventually parked the Shellraiser outside of the lair. I walked through the turnstiles and I was immediately in awe. This lair, indeed, reminded me of the sewers of Gondor, and it was beautiful. I smiled as I followed the family in.
"Hey, everyone!" Donnie yelled. "We have company!"
Two beings - a blonde woman and a turtle with a tail, came out of hiding and gasped.
"LILY!" they yelled happily.
They ran to her and the three of them hugged each other with happy tears in their eyes. I smiled, admiring that these women had a special relationship with each other.
"Guys, guys, I want you to meet my friend," Lily told them, introducing them to me. "This is Anna Swan. She got transported here from Gondor and has been living with me for many months. Anna, these are my other two cousins Venus and Athena."
I shook their hands. Venus, like Lily, only had four fingers in her hand that came from her part-turtle physiology.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Anna," Venus replied with a gentle smile.
I was floored to hear Venus' voice sounded just like mine. It felt heartwarming.
"Venus-chan, hajimemashite. Athena-chan, hajimemashite."
The two cousins dropped their jaws in awe.
"You know Japanese?" Athena asked. "That is awesome! Uncle Leo's told us about you, about how you might be our lawyer. I think after that greeting, you totally should!"
I laughed.
"Do not worry, Athena. I have already agreed to be your lawyer. But may I ask you something?"
Athena nodded before I continued.
"Your father is also a humanoid turtle, is he not?"
"That's right. Michelangelo is my father."
"How come you are totally human?"
"Athena picked up my genes," another blonde woman said, walking into the room. "I'm Renet, her mother."
"Anna," I replied, shaking her hand.
"You're a real elf? That's so grokking cold!"
I was confused at first before I figured out that was how she spoke. I smiled and bowed my head gratefully.
"Mona!" Renet shouted. "Get in here! There's an elf in our lair!"
Next came not one, but two creatures. One was another woman, this time with short black hair with dyed blonde hair in the bottom. The other was... some kind of lizard-like creature with a tail identical to Venus's. I quickly figured out this creature was Venus's mother.
"What's this about--"
Karai paused when she saw me.
"Oh, Anna! Kon'nichiwa! It's good to see you again. This is Mona Lisa, Raphael's wife."
I shook Mona's hand, which also had four fingers on it.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Anna," Mona said with a kind smile.
"You and your daughter look and sound a lot alike," I replied with a fond smile. "It is an honor to meet you."
"I see that you are from a noble world," Mona replied. "But may I ask how you know of Karai?"
"I met her and her husband at Justine's graduation."
"Speaking of which!"
We turned around to see Justine walking in with a baby boy in her arms. She held her free arm out as we embraced each other.
"It's wonderful to see you again!" Justine greeted me as Isamu cooed happily.
"It's great to see you too," I replied happily. "So where are all the others?"
"Raphael is on his way home from work," Mona explained. "He's a detective with the New York City Police."
"Mikey's on his way home, too," Renet chimed in.
"Speaking of husbands, Leo wanted to see you, Anna," Karai said.
I bowed to her and then I walked in the dojo, which reminded me very much of my own room in Minas Tirith. I smiled fondly, feeling my father's spirit all around me. I saw Leonardo kneeling in front of the tree with his eyes closed. I joined him, sitting down with my legs crossed.
"Do you know how to meditate, Anna?" Leonardo asked me.
"Hai, sensei. My mother trained me on meditation to help others who are worthy."
"Very good. Now, close your eyes and let everything go. I have prepared a special present for your first Christmas on Earth."
I closed my eyes, took some breaths, and let everything out. My mind was empty. Everything was dark.
"Merry Christmas, my daughter."
I felt confused at the voice I heard. Could it be?
"Father?" I called out. "Is that you?"
"Yes, I am here. And rest assured, I am safe."
"I can't believe I'm actually speaking to you right now," I replied in awe. "May I see your face?"
"Unfortunately, no. Where I am at, if you were to see my face, you would already die. And I know in my soul that you still have a long adventure ahead of you."
"I have so many questions to ask you. Are you in heaven? Is it real?"
"It is very real, Anna. But that is all I can reveal. I am no longer of Middle-Earth nor of Earth. I understand you have questions. Some can be answered by the people who surround you, who are your new family. Others are better left unknown. But I assure you, daughter, all will be revealed in due time. We will both share many stories together when you join me here. Until then, know that I am always with you in body, mind, spirit, and soul. I love you, my Anna."
"I love you too, Father."
I felt my father's spirit surrounding me and then I woke up. I glanced over at Leonardo who smiled at me.
"Thank you," I told him, returning the smile. "It was something I needed since I came here."
"Donnie's told me about your journey through grief," Leonardo explained. "Berethor was a big part of your life and I wanted to find the bridge between you two. Now, I wish to ask you another question: are you up to sparring with my family? We'd like to know you more and this is the best way to do that. My brothers should be home any minute from their jobs."
"I'd love to," I answered with a grin.
"Well, then pick your weapon."
Leonardo led me to the wall of weapons. I did not hesitate to pick the sword.
"Of course, the katana. I remember our duel in Todayland. You have been trained very well."
Leonardo and I waited in the dojo until the rest of the Hamato Clan entered. There were a few people who came in whom I did not recognize. One was a young man with the most interesting hairstyle possible: there was a swirl in the front of his black hair. He wore a blue shirt with an upside-down lightning bolt, blue jeans, and sneakers. Next to him was a woman with curled brown hair, and she wore a purple shirt and blue jeans. Lastly, there was a little girl with them, and I correctly assumed she was their daughter.
"Thank you for coming, everyone," Leonardo greeted them. "Wilbur, Karena, this is Anna Swan. She will become our newest member of the Hamato Clan as our lawyer once she graduates from law school. Anna, I'd like to introduce you to Wilbur, Karena, and Diana Robinson, who have treated Lily like family since she found her way there."
My eyes widened with surprise as the Robinsons came up to shake my hand.
"I've heard a lot about you, Wilbur."
"All good things, I hope," he replied with a grin. "Lily's told us quite a bit about you, too. It's nice to finally meet you after all this time."
"Anna, I knew Berethor in my adventures through dimensional travel," Karena told me with an empathetic smile. "I'm so sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," I replied, even more surprised that a total stranger knew my father.
I was speechless after that. I was ready to fight, ready to take my mind off this revelation.
"Athena, you'll face Anna first since you're the youngest," Leonardo said.
I smiled at Athena's choice of weapons. She specialized in archery, matching her weapon of choice with the Greek goddess of the same name.
"Hajime!"
Athena released an arrow and I easily deflected it with my sword. She continued to fire and I continued to parry. We eventually got close to each other and we did a series of kicks and punches against each other. Remembering my training with my father, I easily knocked Athena out.
"Venus!" Leonardo shouted.
The half-Salamandrjan, half-turtle got herself ready with weapons I've never seen before. They looked like huge forks.
"What are those?" I asked.
"These are sais, Anna!" Venus shouted with a grin.
She charged at me. My fight with her was going to be interesting. Her moves were mostly jabs with her sais and I used my judgment wisely on whether to parry or to dodge. I eventually knocked Venus down with a roundhouse kick to the stomach.
"Did Lily train you in ninjutsu while you were in California?" Venus asked weakly.
"Believe it or not, that was my mother," I answered.
"Ryan!"
I turned to see Ryan, whom I had met before, preparing to fight me with a spear. This fight was also going to be easy.
"You're a good fighter, Anna," Ryan told me. "I'll give you that. Let's put that to the test."
"Let's go!" I shot back.
I remembered my training with a Rohirrim outrider named Eaoden. But Ryan's moves were very complex. I dodged and parried throughout the fight. But I also remembered my father's maneuvers against Eaoden when they trained with each other and I applied it to my own battle here. I used Ryan's own spear against him, hitting him in the leg and then the side, knocking him down.
"Dang, you are good."
"Lilianna!"
"I think she's going to turn," I heard Athena whispering to Venus.
Lily took a few steps forward while Athena put on a song, Lindsey Stirling's Carol of the Bells. I wondered why Lily just stood there. Suddenly, she started to spin around. There was a flash, and I had to shield my eyes. Lily, who had worn a purple dress and purple heels with her long red hair in a classy bun, had transformed into a woman with a braided crown, wearing a white dress with brown armor and brown boots over it.
"Aumanil," I breathed, finally understanding Lily's secret.
"Are you ready, Anna?" she asked in a slightly deeper tone of voice and a kind smile.
"Yes," I answered with a grin.
Aumanil took out not a spear, but a staff. She beckoned me to charge. I ran to her and I swung my sword at her. As if she could read my mind, she dodged my move.
This time, fighting Aumanil was a challenge. She read every single move I had made, so I had yet to strike her. On the other hand, she had yet to strike me as well. Her movements with the bo staff were very fluid, like the Anduin River. Her shadowboxing and aerobics skills were just as impressive.
Our fight had lasted for five minutes so far. Athena had played the song for the third time. I suddenly felt motivated to try something new. I felt the water rising behind me. I raised my left hand while swinging my sword behind me. Then I thrust my sword and my hand forward, my hand touching the blade. I felt the water rush past me and onto Aumanil.
I felt shocked. I did not think I would be able to use that move again, never mind it being in a different universe. But words could not describe how I felt next; Aumanil was totally dry! She had her arms crossed in front of her face as if the titanium bracelets she wore were her shield. I looked around and saw that everyone else was dry as well. Wilbur was holding his hands up as if he, too, had some sort of invisible shield above them.
"WHAT?!" I yelled with shock. "That's impossible! That should have hit you!"
"I am just as surprised as you are," Aumanil replied with widened eyes. "How did you do that?"
"I... I don't know."
I dropped my sword.
"I must have been so motivated with fighting you that the memory of my using that water attack returned to me," I explained hesitantly. "I never thought I would be able to use it here."
Leonardo let out a sigh.
"Aumanil, Wilbur, Anna, I'd like to see you all privately. Everyone else, that is all for now."
The four of us remained in the dojo while everyone else left to do things at their own pleasure.
"It sounds like we have a lot to discuss," Leonardo started our conversation.
"Yeah, like how you got your powers!" Wilbur chimed in, and he sounded shocked.
"Lily and Leonardo already know," I explained. "But my mother wore a ring of power in Middle-Earth. She taught me how to use the waters and the light to defend myself and to heal others. She wore a ring, but she explained to me that these powers can be used without the use of one."
"Like just now?" Aumanil asked.
"Yes. I just felt the water rising behind me and I knew I could use that to my advantage."
"If Wilbur had not taught me how to create a shield with my own powers, then it would have worked," Aumanil explained. "That shield was actually something I just learned myself. And these powers that you had and have now? The three of us, and maybe even Donatello and April, can help train you to use them."
"Is that possible?" I asked in awe.
"Hey, if I can use a superpower that just came naturally to me as I grew older, so can you," Wilbur answered with confidence. "There is a lot of hope within you. We all can see that. Your parents raised you really well. I'm sure Lily told you already, but April also has psychic powers and can shield herself. Donnie, while he doesn't have psychic powers, helped April and Lily develop them. I promise you will be in good hands here. We will train you and get you to where you need to be."
"Well, I'm already in as the future lawyer of the Hamato Clan," I replied. "I might as well see this through. And besides, it's something I can talk to my father about when I see him again."
"Hey, I am proud of you!" Aumanil said, raising her tone a little to let some of her secret identity through. "You came to us as a deer in headlights, not knowing where you are or what you needed to do. And you were still growing your father. Now, look at you! You got accepted into law school, your time of grief is over, you have a newfound hope within you, and you discovered you have powers you are willing to let grow. You are such an amazing woman and all of us are proud to get to know you!"
"I've barely known you and you've already impressed me," Wilbur replied. "When my mom told me you came from Middle-Earth, I didn't believe her. But now that I'm seeing it with my own eyes, I'm happy I'm here getting to know you. I have a very busy life, but I will do everything I can to help you grow in your powers."
"If you don't mind me asking, what do you do, Wilbur?" I asked.
"I'm a historian. I do research on world history and apply that to any time travel disturbances. I get to analyze ancient documents, which is the coolest job I could ever have. I also double check to make sure the timelines are normal, because one second of a disturbance in time can drastically change the timeline. Now, I cannot explain your presence here, Anna, because I do not specialize in trans-dimensional travel."
"That's okay," I replied with a smile. "I'm here with a new purpose. What that new purpose is..."
I paused, smiling at Aumanil before resuming.
"... only God knows."