Never Hurts To Help

Chapter Thirteen: The Beginning

Yay! Chapter 13! I'm glad people enjoyed Sylvia and Wander's conversation last chapter, and their escape from the lava below the temple. Now we'll see if they can get to the surface and escape the planet. And I'm pretty sure there was a villain lazing around somewhere…

This is it: the last chapter of this story. It sort of crept up on me, and I didn't realize this would be the end until I started writing it. I hope you enjoy it, and I'll have some more notes at the end.

The hall around them shook with another tremor from below. Whatever had caused the initial shake had clearly set something very dangerous in motion.

Sylvia picked herself up, resisting the urge to glance through the hole in the floor beside her. She was pretty sure she wouldn't like what she'd see.

"Okay, little guy, we gotta go!" Unlike her, Wander was hanging over the edge of the hole, mouth a wide 'oh' of awe. Sylvia grabbed him by the back of his torso, slinging him onto her back once again. She was seriously wishing she'd thought to put her saddle on. It would make it much easier for the little alien to hold on. Of course, this wasn't exactly what she'd pictured doing today.

The floor quaked under her as she ran, pillars and ceiling trembling ominously.

"Uh, what was that ya said about tha ceilin' collapsing?" Wander's voice still didn't quite carry the panic that seemed warranted.

"Not the time!" Sylvia snapped. She darted back into the main hall, and almost into two of the reptilian guards who were talking by the entrance. Barrelling past them, she ignored their surprised yells, and Wander's cheerful greeting. The ground seemed to buck under her, and then one of the stone tiles to her right burst up like the cork from a bottle, propelled by a spray of hot gas and molten rock.

Then the guards were running as well, pounding along behind, though she felt fairly certain they weren't running after her and Wander anymore.

They sped through the hall and out under the trembling doorsill, just ahead of several falling rocks and slightly more ahead of the creeping lava behind them.

Things seemed a little more stable out in the natural cave the temple had been located in, but Sylvia figured it still wasn't good to linger for too long. She could still feel the ground shaking under her feet, and she wasn't sure where the entrance they'd come through was anymore, or how they were going to get back up that smooth rock slide they'd fallen down.

Taking a second to re-orient herself, she noticed that the reptilian soldiers had caught up to them, but didn't have time to deal with that fact at the moment. Another tremor passed through the ground and cracks started to spread out from the collapsing temple.

"What even started this in the first place?" Sylvia muttered. She meant it rhetorically, until one of the guards piped up from her left.

"Uh, probably her ladyship's sonar canon. It's pretty powerful."

Wander tisked disapprovingly from Sylvia's back.

"Well, that's just awful! I thought she was gonna stop using that thing. It always knocks down some real nice buildings!"

At Wander's voice, both soldiers tensed, and Sylvia watched their eyes go from her to the nomad on her back. She took a step back, wishing Wander didn't have to call attention to himself at every opportunity.

"Well, it's been fun, but I think it's time for us to go." For more than one reason. She moved back again, still trying to pinpoint the best place to go. The guards moved with her, not exactly as though they were chasing her, but with intention, as though to keep her in sight.

Suddenly, an ominous noise from somewhere above her had Sylvia craning her neck back to get a glimpse of the high ceiling. Cracks were running rapidly across this surface as well, and Sylvia had only a moment to curse and leap out of the way before a big section of ceiling collapsed in a shower of rock and dirt.

And their ship.

Sylvia goggled at the familiar small black vessel, haphazardly lying on the pile of rubble. It looked like it had gotten a little banged up from its tumble down the hole, and was covered in a thin layer of rock pieces and dust, but it didn't look too badly damaged. It would be hard to tell until she tried starting it up though.

Still, this was possibly the best chance they had, so she swallowed her surprise and dove for the ship, feeling Wander's arms tighten around her at the sudden movement.

The ship was partially buried, and she worked furiously, throwing rocks out of the way until she could yank the door of the ship open and dart inside.

And realize she was alone again.

Sylvia stuck her head back out of the doorway, to find Wander waving frantically at their former pursuers, who were backing nervously as the lava crawled closer over the rock.

"C'mon, fellas! It's not safe here!"

The soldiers turned at his voice, darting forward, ducking inside the ship right behind the little nomad, making the cockpit immediately cramped.

Sylvia was officially not comfortable with this, but they didn't exactly have time to argue. As soon as she'd verified Wander was on his way, albeit with some unexpected companions, she bent over the controls, hurriedly trying to assess if the ship would even fly.

She pulled the lever and felt the engine stutter to life. The whole craft seemed to buck slightly as it shook off the rest of the rocks covering it, and started to lift slowly into the air. Outside, more guizers were going off, hot jets of gas and rock exploding around them. Sylvia adjusted the nose of the ship, aiming for the hole it had fallen through. She just hoped she could keep it steady on the way out.

A guizer exploded right in front of them, and Sylvia slammed down her foot on the pedal on reflex, just managing to adjust to keep the ship headed for the hole in the rock above them. They shot through what seemed to be a long shaft in the rock, up and up, almost vertical as they climbed, and then they were out, back in the fog-shrouded landscape with the giant ship looming over them.

It was a changed landscape, boulders rolling and falling as all of Quarth shook. The soldiers ran helter-skelter and the fog had gotten so thick, fed by the heat from below, that Sylvia could barely see any of it.

She'd seen worse opportunities to get out of dodge.

"Ride's over, chumps!"

Sylvia pulled the controls sharply to the right, tilting the ship on its side midair. She kicked across the crowded cockpit, hitting the door handle to open it, and grabbing Wander's arm at the same time to keep him with her. The two soldiers gave a surprised yell, tumbling through the open door to land in a heap on the ground.

"Sylvia!" Wander sounded slightly reproachful. "That's no way ta treat guests!"

Sylvia rolled her eyes as she straitened out the ship again, grabbing the door handle with her tail to shut it again.

"I'm sure they'll be fine. Right now, we need to focus on escaping, so hold on!"

Wander nodded, fastening his seatbelt. He gave Sylvia a trusting smile, which she looked away from, feeling an uncomfortable feeling twist through her. Wander seemed to fully believe she would get them out of this, and she hoped she'd be able to. She glanced around quickly, then up at Lady Infinite's ship. Some kind of weapon was visible, pointed down at the planet's surface, and Sylvia could only conclude it must be the sonic cannon the soldiers and Wander had mentioned, a big black funnel shaped gun of some kind.

Getting her bearings, she flexed her hands on the controls, all set to send them up and away. She could only hope the big ship wouldn't be able to bring any other weapons to bear in time to stop them.

"Sylvia, look!"

A group of soldiers below them seemed to have rallied slightly amid the chaos. They were standing in an area that was relatively clear, and had clearly noticed the ship emerge. Several of them were pointing those metal net launchers up at them. Sylvia didn't wait for them to fire, even though she wasn't sure if they would even be effective against the ship's hull. She slammed her foot on the pedal once more sending the ship up higher, up away from the surface of the planet. Several of the launchers went off, their projectiles falling short behind their tail as they climbed.

She hadn't realized their trajectory would bring them quite so close to the mothership. She watched, as though in slow motion, as their vessel passed right by the big windows at the front of the behemoth, and there was a moment where her eyes locked with another pare through the window; angular, slitted and golden coloured in a white, serpentine face, surrounded by looping, pearl coloured coils and furious clenched hands. She felt a chill run down her spine at the fury radiating from those eyes. She registered Wander waving excitedly in the corner of her vision, then their ship was past the windows and out into the depths of space.

Though not free and clear, but any means. They could still be tracked, hunted down and captured before they got far enough away. They had to find somewhere to hide, somewhere safe to turn off their ship so it couldn't be detected. Lady Infinite was no doubt already gearing up to follow them, after hopefully collecting her soldiers from the chaotic surface of the planet below.

This in mind, Sylvia didn't waste any time. The radar had picked up an asteroid belt nearby, and she made her way cautiously into the center of the careening rocks. With a bit of maneuvering, she was able to land their craft in a hollow on one of the bigger asteroids and shut down the engine.

Silence.

Only then did she let out a breath she felt like she'd been holding forever.

"Guess that was her, wasn't it?"

Wander didn't have to ask who she meant.

"That was Lady I alright. She didn't look too happy but," he smiled placidly, "I'm sure she'll get over it."

Sylvia wasn't positive she agreed. Somewhere out there, she figured the massive ship was already working its way around the asteroid belt, looking for them.

"I suppose we should wait here for a while and hope she gives up the search."

"Yeah!" Wander's smile widened. He was giving her that look again, like she'd done something impressive. "That sure was some fancy flying! Ya got us out of there, an' you were even able to rescue the ship!"

"Yeah, well…" Sylvia tried to ignore the warm feeling inside her at Wander's praise. "How else would we return the ship to that flab-drassing glorph we stole it from?"

"Sylvia!" Wander's voice squeaked, vibrating with happiness. "Ya mean it? You'll help me take it back?"

Sylvia shrugged one shoulder.

"Sure. I mean, I said I would, didn't I?" Her eyes slid away from him and out through the window at the little slice of asteroid field she could see, distant stars tiny pinpricks of light. "Then, when we've finished doing that, I guess we'll have to find somewhere else to visit."

There was a sudden silence from the little alien, a silence which seemed to spread all through the darkened ship and the dead rock they had landed on, and Sylvia's stomach sank. Maybe, in the end, he'd decided he didn't want her coming with him. She still wasn't sure why she wanted to, only that, when she thought about it, she didn't want to do anything else.

She couldn't picture going back to bounty hunting, not after the experience she'd had with Wander, and imagining traveling on her own, sleeping and cooking and scraping to get by, all be herself, seemed like such a dull, lonely existence. Logically, she knew traveling with Wander would lead to a host of problems and dangers. Grop, she'd already experienced some of them, but in spite of all of that, she'd also had a lot of fun. She'd liked having someone to chat with and cook for, and someone to sleep next to at night. Even the danger they'd landed in had at least been exciting, and it had been strangely nice to have someone to look out for and plan eith. Wander had seemed confident that traveling together would work out, and he'd already been right about a few things she never would have believed.

Even so, nervousness clenched inside her at his silence. He'd asked her to come, back on Quarth, and she knew he'd meant it, but the fear that he might have thought better of it now trickled down inside her like cold water.

Her gaze was unwillingly pulled back to Wander to find him frozen, eyes stretched wide and mouth tiny and barely visible. Then, all at once, he seemed to vanish from his seat and something practically knocked her over. Her arms were full of the furry, orange creature and she was nearly deafened by a high-pitched shriek of pure happiness that probable broke right through the sound barrier.

"Ya won't regret it, Sylvia, I promise! We'll explore the galaxy t'gether! We'll try new foods an' make new friends 'an just have so much fun!"

Wander's arms were wrapped tight around her, and Sylvia found her head was resting on top of his hat. Somehow, her arms seemed to be around him as well, though she didn't remember hugging him back. She didn't do hugs, and yet she was struck again by the inexplicable feeling that this was right. They seemed to fit together like two pieces of a puzzle, as if this was how things were supposed to be. After a few moments, she pulled back slightly and Wander detached willingly enough, though his face was still stretched into the widest smile she'd ever seen.

Sylvia still felt slightly uncomfortable hugging anyone, but she'd probably get used to it if she was going to be traveling with Wander. That thought was actually kind of nice.

"Sooooo…" Wander sat back in his seat, tapping his forefingers together. "We've got some time ta wait here until Lady Infinite gives up the search. Ya wanna see some magic tricks?"

Sylvia laughed, and was surprised by how light she felt, how many of her worries suddenly seemed small or unimportant. It seemed like a million years ago when she'd been sitting morosely in the library, snapping at Wander for making that suggestion, and just being happy in general.

"You know, little buddy," she smirked as Wander gasped with joy at her use of the nickname, "I think I would."

"Guess we'll have to keep a watch out for those jokers," Sylvia observed. Lady Infinite and her massive ship were still a worry at the back of her mind, even after they'd waited a good twelve hours before starting the ship again, and seen no sign of the conqueror since leaving the asteroid.

They were heading off now after leaving the ship for the bounty hunter to find, back on the planet they'd taken it from. Wander had insisted on leaving a note, and a batch of cookies that he'd baked and arranged like a bunch of flowers, tied with a ribbon. The orble moved with them as they walked, serine and silent and still looking far too fragile for Sylvia's tastes. Wander had assured her it was fast and maneuverable, and 'the best way to travel around the galaxy.' She supposed she'd see about that.

"Prolly not all that much." Wander shrugged his thin shoulders. "This galaxy's a li'l ways outside Lady I's territory. I'm guessin' that's why she wanted ta meet us this far out. Dunno if we'll get ta see her an' all her buddies fer a while."

"What a shame that would be." Sylvia roller her eyes, though she couldn't stop the small smile at her companion's…unorthodox outlook. "Well, so much the better! We've got enough 'conquerors' in this galaxy already."

"Like who?"

"Lord Hater for one. The meanest, nastiest scum-scuzzler you're ever going to meet. Trust me, we're going to have to be careful to avoid his planets as we travel."

"Sounds like a plan!" Wander gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to match his dazzling smile. "First up, let's find that karaoke place you were talkin' about. I hear Mameck IV has a really fun nightlife!"

Sylvia frowned. She wasn't sure the little nomad had taken her warning to heart. She could already tell that she was going to have to be looking out for the safety of both of them while they traveled. Wander seemed much more focused on the fun he thought they'd have.

Still, she had to admit she was looking forward to seeing the galaxy this way, not as a bounty hunter or a con artist, but just having fun with a new friend. Sure, both she and Wander had a few enemies, villains and loan sharks and other unsavory characters who would probably be after them as they traveled, but she couldn't find it in herself to worry about that too much. They'd deal with those problems when they came. Now, if only they could avoid making any new enemies, or ending up in life threatening danger for a few days, that would do a good deal to keep her happy.

"Hey, Wander?"

"Yeah, Sylvia?"

"How do you store everything in your hat?"

"Well…"

As the orble headed off into the depths of space, stars glowing faintly all around the fragile shell they were walking inside, Sylvia couldn't help being optimistic about the travels ahead of her, and about the strange little nomad she'd had the good fortune to capture, and the better fortune to befriend.

Although she would still maintain he was at least partially crazy.

"What do you mean, 'it's magic?!'"

Thanks for reading!

This story has really been a pleasure to write, and I've loved all of your comments and feedback while writing it. It was so much fun to explore how Wander and Sylvia might have met and gotten to know each other.

I do have a plan in the works to do a story based on my ideas for season 3, and I am actually planning to bring Lady Infinite back as a villain for that season. I couldn't have her interact with our heroes too much in this story, because I didn't wand Sylvia to realize that Wander wasn't always her buddy's name, among some other things. It felt too early for her to find that out.

I hope you'll be back to read that story when I start it, and feel free to check out some of my other WOY stories if you like.

Thank you so much to everyone who read and enjoyed this story with me. It's been wonderful sharing the journey with you!