Chapter 10: Striking Back
…The Steam Vault…
"Okay, so how does this work?" asked Raven as she and the others watched Robecca, Ghoulia and Jackson hook up a series of cables from the workshop door to one of Hexiciah Steam's gadgets, while more cables connected to Ghoulia's laptop.
"Now that we have Ever After as a point of reference in the Multi-Verse," said Jackson, "we can use Hexiciah's inventions and modern technology to locate and establish a wormhole back to our world."
"It's more complicated than that," said Robecca, "but in essence, yes."
"Will it take us back to Monster High?" asked Clawdeen.
"In theory, yes," said Robecca, "though there is a significant margin of error to take into account."
"How significant?" asked Avery.
At that Ghoulia moaned something.
"'Very significant,'" Frankie translated.
"You have to understand that time and space aren't always in sync," said Jackson, "ever notice when you're looking at your watch, a digital watch, the second counter seems to pause for two or three seconds before continuing?"
"He's right, I've noticed that sometimes," said Cupid.
"Me too," said Gil.
"It's not an error in the watch as the 'experts' would leave you to believe," said Jackson, "it's basically a hiccup in reality, a slight deviation in time and space, so slight that most people simply don't notice it."
"That kind of hiccup in reality can cause the exit point of the wormhole to be somewhere else," said Robecca, "it could be off by as little as a fraction of an inch or as great as a hundred miles or more."
"You mean we could wind up halfway around the world?" asked Clawdeen, "or halfway to the moon even? And all because of a hiccup?"
"Which is why Ghoulia's writing a program to compensate for those hiccups," said Jackson. "If it works, we won't be off by more than a few miles."
"What about materializing underground?" asked Raven, "or inside solid rock for that matter?"
"I don't want to materialize in solid rock," muttered a worried Maddie, "there's no tea inside solid rock."
"We should be able to see what's on the other side of the wormhole," Jackson, "so we'll know if there's anything wrong. It'll basically be like stepping through a door, only from one dimension to another."
"Wait, I think I've seen this show before," said Chad, "remember 'The Librarians?'"
"Oh, I loved that show!" said Jessie, "I'm so glad they didn't cancel it!"
"Well, if I'm getting what Jackson and Robecca are saying," said Chad, "then it'll be like on that show."
"I didn't see that show," said Tobias.
"I've got it on my Cloud," said Chad, "once we're back on Earth and have wireless reception again, I'll download it."
At that Ghoulia moaned in frustration and slapped the side of her laptop.
"What's wrong now?" asked Avery.
"She's having trouble with her laptop," said Jackson, "She tried running a simulation of her wormhole calculations and the thing froze up. We need to network at least another laptop for the extra computing power, and I don't think mine is enough."
"And we need another computer because…?" asked Jessie.
"Because, without enough computing power to test the wormhole device," said Jackson, "we could end up lost in the multi-verse, or worse, dead."
"That's a good reason for another computer," said Jessie.
"You can use mine," said Sasha, "I'll be right back."
A minute later found Sasha back with her laptop, "I just hope mine can handle this kind of processing. It's my spare; my primary laptop's at the repair shop with a cracked screen."
"As long as it's functional, we'll be fine," said Jackson as he and Ghoulia began networking the devices.
"I have to warn you, though," said Sasha, "mine's an older model and I've had problems with it."
"What kind of operating system does it have?" asked Jackson.
"Uh…Vista," said Sasha.
"We're going to die!" said Jackson to Ghoulia, whom moaned and rolled her eyes.
"Oh, for crying out loud," said Preston as he walked up to Ghoulia and gently pushed her aside, "this is how you network computers." With that he sat down and began typing at the laptops. A minute later the program was running and shortly afterwards, a green 'Complete' window opened on Ghoulia's computer.
"Unreal," said an impressed Jackson, "not only did he network all three laptops, completed the calculations and run the test, he did it in record time." He then looked at Preston, "how'd you do that?"
"Advanced intelligence and computer skills are just two of my many qualifications as an Alabaster Proxy," said Preston, "among other talents."
"And you didn't tell us this before?" asked Jessie.
"You didn't ask," said Preston.
"Makes you wonder what other secrets you guys are hiding," said Clair as she looked at Sasha.
"A lot," said Sasha, "but nothing evil or dangerous."
"That remains to be seen," said Avery.
It was then that the networked laptops completed a second test, which came back positive.
"I think we're ready to go," Robecca, "just as soon as my father's invention locates our home world, we can open the wormhole."
"And how long will that take?" asked Raven.
"Good question," said Frankie, "there's like…I don't know how many universes out there. How will we find the right one?"
"My father configured his invention to home in on our world," said Robecca, "I know it doesn't make sense, but to me, it does."
"Well…as long as you and your father know what you're doing," said Avery.
DING DONG
"What was that?" asked Lagoona.
"Sounded like a doorbell," said Apple.
"Don't be ridiculous," said Robecca, "my father's workshop doesn't have a doorbell.
DING DONG
"That was a doorbell!" said Frankie as she walked to the workshop door.
"Wait! We haven't imputed the wormhole calculations!" said Jackson.
But Frankie opened the door of the workshop and in walked a man wearing a business suit and bowler hat, carrying a briefcase and umbrella.
"Oh, excuse me," said the man in a refined English accent, "I must have gotten the wrong exit coordinates. This certainly isn't Estorion VI."
"Uh…no, this is The Steam Vault," said Frankie, "can I help you, sir?"
"No, it's alright," said the man, "let me guess, you younglings are just starting out on trans-dimensional wormhole travel, right?"
"Well, yes, we are, sort of," said Raven.
"I thought so," said the man, "my wormhole generator must have locked in on yours by mistake. A bit of advice, recalibrate your device's settings often. Errors and deviations often pop up more often than you think. Well, I'd best be off if I'm going to make my appointment. Good day and best of luck!" with that the man tipped his hat, walked out and the door swung shut.
"That…was weird," said Robecca as Frankie opened the door again, revealing the gray emptiness beyond.
"I've a feeling we'll see even weirder before we're done," said Tobias.
At that Ghoulia moaned something.
"Yeah, we'll be sure to recalibrate every time we generate a wormhole," said Jackson.
A short time later our heroes were ready to attempt to go back to Monster High. At the door was Frankie, Lagoona, Clawdeen, Elissabat, Clair, Chad, Apple, Avery and Tobias.
"Why can't I go with you?" asked Raven.
"You're still tired from recovering the broach," said Dexter.
"I'm not tired," Raven insisted, "I'm perfectly fine."
"You're not, Raven," said Apple, "and you're still recovering from everything that happened back on Ever After. You need to rest."
"I rested for two days straight," said Raven.
"Well, I want you to rest for at least one more," said Apple, "as your friend and medical advisor, I insist that you stay."
"Easy enough for you to say," said Raven, "you're going."
"Venus could be hurt," said Apple, "I'm going because I'm needed."
"Well, I could be needed," said Raven. She then looked at Maddie, "and I don't see you getting ready to go."
"I'm needed right here," said Maddie as she stood in the kitchen area, waiting for a kettle to boil, "someone has to make tea and snacks for everyone!"
"I'm just not needed," said Dexter.
"Face it, Raven, you're staying," said Cupid as she fletched new arrows, "I'm not going this time because I've got work to do."
"So do I," said Raven. She then looked at Avery, Frankie and the others going, "What if you run into a situation where you need magic?"
"We'll make do," said Frankie.
"Or find another magic user," said Clawdeen, "is Casta Fierce still on tour?"
"If we run into a jam that really needs your touch, Raven, we'll call for you," said Avery.
"How will we be able to do that?" asked Lagoona.
"Don't worry, I've got it covered," said Jackson as he worked at his laptop, "I'm sending you ghouls an app that'll allow you to call The Steam Vault whenever you want."
"You run into trouble? You need to come back or need help? Just give us a call and we'll reopen the wormhole," said Robecca, "now, if there aren't any more questions or concerns."
"Uh…actually…" said Tobias.
"Splendid," said Robecca eagerly, "Ghoulia, whenever you're ready."
At that Ghoulia gave an affirmative moan and activated the wormhole program.
The workshop door opened, revealing a picturesque grassy meadow.
"That's not Monster High," said Frankie.
"Hmmmm…" said Robecca as she walked to the door and looked out, "no, it's not Monster High."
"It's definitely nowhere near Monster High," said Clawdeen as she sniffed the air on the other side of the door.
"How do we know it's even our world?" asked Lagoona as she cautiously stepped outside, wincing slightly at the bright sunlight. She then held up her phone to check for a signal.
"It's our Earth, I'm sure of it," said Jackson.
"But where?" asked Avery as he, Apple and Tobias stepped outside, followed by Clair and Chad.
"Hang on, I'll check the GPS," said Lagoona as she activated the map app on her phone. "Where…Great Barrier Reef! We're in Kansas!"
"Kansas?!" exclaimed Frankie as she and Clawdeen pulled out their phones to check the map apps.
"Well, of course we're in Kansas," said Clair sarcastically, "look at all the cornfields." True enough, there were several cornfields around the meadow.
"Perfect, just perfect," said an irate Frankie, "We're in the middle of the country, while our school and friends are in the hands of the enemy and so is my car!" She then activated another app on her phone, "at least Hector has lowjack."
"Wait! Don't!" shouted Jackson, "get back in here, Frankie! You, Clawdeen and Lagoona! Get back in here!"
"Why? What's wrong?" asked Clawdeen as she, Lagoona and Frankie walked back into The Steam Vault.
"I should have remembered," said Jackson, "you ghouls, you need to leave your phones here."
"Our phones?" asked Lagoona as she looked at her iCoffin, while Frankie did the same with hers.
"None of you can take your phones when you go back to our world," said Jackson, "the enemy can track them."
"Of course, Obsidian's in control of Monster High," said Robecca, "so they have everyone's contact numbers."
"They don't have my contact number," said Dexter as he, Raven, Cupid, Maddie and Apple held up their mirror phones, while Avery and Tobias held up their phones.
"No, but if Obsidian is as technologically sophisticated as I think they are," said Jackson, "they can access a phone's memory remotely, specifically the recent call list."
"And if you called a Monster High student, your info is on our phones," said Frankie, "Jackson's right, we talked about this before."
"They're probably using the contact numbers to track down our friends who got away," said Clawdeen, "oh my ghoul! Howleen!"
"If Howleen's smart, she would have followed the plan and gotten rid of her phone," said Jackson.
"I remember now," said Gil, "'if the worst should happen and we have to run for it, get rid of your phones and pick up burners.'"
It was then that Ghoulia walked over to a storage cabinet, pulled out several prepaid cell phones and handed them out.
"We've set up a secure message service," said Jackson, "as soon as you're back on our Earth, you should be able to access it."
Frankie stepped back through the doorway onto the grassy meadow and almost immediately, her burner phone began to vibrate with messages; texts, voicemail and emails.
"Good grief!" said Frankie, "there's dozens of them!"
"How do we know which one to answer first?" asked Lagoona as she, Clawdeen, Avery, Tobias, Chad, Clair and Elissabat, stepped through the doorway.
"Just pick one," said Elissabat as she tapped the voicemail app, "wait, I can't read it. It's in…I don't know what language that is."
"It's encrypted, another precaution," said Jackson, "just type THX 1138 after tapping each message to decrypt."
"Hey, this one's a text from Venus!" said Lagoona after decrypting one of the messages, "crikey! She's being chased by a Fangire!"
Frankie and the others checked the message on their phones, then Frankie sent out a text, "I just asked Venus if she knows where she is and that we'll come get her."
"Assuming she's still alive and free," said Clair, "that text was from yesterday."
Frankie then got a response, "she's alive and safe," she then got a follow up message, "for the moment. That Fangire is still after her. She's hiding in an abandoned farmhouse."
"If I'm reading the map right," said Avery as he checked the map app on his phone, "the coordinates she gave us puts Venus less than ten miles from here."
"How are we going to get to her? Walk?" asked Chad.
"Take these!" shouted Ian as Lance tossed a set of car keys and a toy car to Chad.
"What is this supposed to be?" asked Chad.
"You've got a lot to learn about being a Rider," said Ian, "especially about keeping your ride close."
"But the car on the ground and pressed the green button on the remote," said Jessie, "and step back, trust me."
"Uh…okay," said Chad as he placed the toy car on the ground. He and the others stood back several paces as Chad pressed the green button on the alarm remote on the key set. There was a chirp of a car alarm deactivating and with a flash of light, the toy car expanded into Jessie's SUV.
"How'd you guys do that?" asked Chad.
"Technology's a beautiful thing," said Jessie.
"We can talk later," said Frankie in an urgent tone as she read another message, "that Fangire's getting close to Venus's hiding place! Let's go!"
"Okay, I'm driving," said Avery.
"Uh, no," said Chad, "Ian gave me the keys, so I'm driving."
"You don't have your license yet," said Clair.
"Well, neither do you!" said Chad. He then looked at Avery, "I'll bet you don't have your driver's license yet either."
"Uh…" said a slightly embarrassed Avery.
"Avery? You don't have a license?" asked Apple.
"Uh…no, I don't," said an even more embarrassed Avery.
"Neither do I," said Tobias sheepishly.
"But you ride a motorcycle!" exclaimed Cupid, "I've seen you do it!"
"Oh, we've got motorcycle licenses," said Tobias, "but they're different licenses than cars."
"Speaking of which," said Dexter, "where are our bikes?"
"Right there," said Avery as he pointed to the left of Frankie, Clawdeen and Lagoona, revealing the three bikes used by Kabuto, Sasword and Gatack.
"How'd those get there?!" exclaimed a highly startled Frankie.
"Plot convenience," said Maddie, "what'd you expect?"
"Well, you guys have bikes, but we don't," said Clair. She then looked at Chad, "how come we don't have motorcycles? Aren't Riders supposed to have motorcycles?"
"That's a good question," said Chad. He then called out to Sasha and Preston, "where are our motorcycles?"
"And how come we never had a motorcycle?" Jessie.
"We had to share the Faiz gear," said Lance, "how come we didn't get a motorcycle to share?"
"Uh…that's a good question," said Sasha.
"I think someone along the line made a mistake," said Preston, "I'll have to talk with The Alabaster Council about it."
"How come Alabaster didn't give us a motorcycle when we got the Faiz Gear?" asked Ian.
"Nobody's perfect," said Preston, "even semi-divine ethereal beings."
"Can you drive, Elissabat?" asked Clair.
"No, and I meant to learn," said Elissabat, "I pretty much hitchhiked my way from Transylvania, across Europe and America to Hauntlywood. After I made it in the movies, I pretty much had chauffeurs drive me."
"Can we talk about this later," said Frankie as she got another text, "Venus thinks that Fangire is getting closer, we've got to move!"
"You drive, Frankie," said Clawdeen as she took the keys from Chad and handed them to Frankie, "I'll navigate."
"How come you get to navigate?" asked Chad as he, Clawdeen, Lagoona, Clair, Frankie and Apple got into the SUV, with Frankie getting behind the wheel and Clawdeen riding shotgun, while Avery and Tobias got onto their motorcycles, with Dexter wheeling his into The Steam Vault.
"Because I said so," said Clawdeen as they all buckled in, "Step on it, Frankie!"
"You got it!" said Frankie as she turned the key in the ignition. It wasn't long before the SUV and motorcycles speed off towards the nearest road.
"We've got to close the wormhole for now," said Robecca, "The device could overheat if we keep it open too long."
"They'll call us when they're ready to come home," said Jackson as he deactivated the wormhole device and the door swung shut, "I programmed their burner phones with the number for The Steam Vault. And don't worry about the enemy tracing that number. If Frankie or the others lose their burner phones, they'll burn, literally."
"And that's our phone?" asked Gil as he looked at an antique telephone set that looked to be from the early 1900's.
"At least we have one," said Ian, "At least we can call them and they can call us."
"Speaking of calling," said Maddie, "we're about to get another call."
Just then Ghoulia's laptop beeped. She looked at the screen and moaned earnestly for everyone's attention.
"It's The Base!" said Cupid as she looked at the screen, "they're calling us!"
Having quickly found a road, Clawdeen's navigation and Frankie's earnest driving soon brought our heroes to a seemingly abandoned farm, the land marked for sale by a realtor sign, the barn and silo showing signs of weather damage, while the fields that had grown crops lay fallow and overgrown with weeds.
"You sure this is the place, Frankie?" asked Lagoona as they drove up to the weather-beaten farmhouse.
"It's where Venus said she was," said Frankie as she parked the car and turned the engine off, while Avery and Tobias dismounted from their motorcycles. "I haven't gotten any more texts from here, so she hasn't moved; she would have said if she did."
Just then, as they were getting out of the car, Claqwdeen tensed up as she saw something approaching in the distance, "We're not alone here."
"Kaijin?" asked Avery as he and the other Riders tensed for action.
"I don't think so," said Clawdeen as she pulled out her burner phone and used the camera app to zoom in on the approaching object, "not unless Kaijin know how to ride a bicycle."
The object in question turned out to be a ten-speed bicycle, ridden by an ordinary girl in her early teens with a worried expression on her face.
"Hey there!" shouted the girl as she peddled up to and stopped near our heroes, "have any of you seen my dog?"
"Oh, sorry, we haven't seen any dogs around here," said Frankie.
"Are you sure?" asked the girl as she got off her bike and walked up to Frankie, "Reggie's a brown and cream-colored German Sheppard. She's six years old and has a green and white collar on her neck."
"Sorry, we haven't seen any dogs around here," said Frankie in an apologizing manner, "we're looking for our friend."
"Have you seen her?" asked Lagoona as she reached for her phone to pull up a picture of Venus, yet she stopped as she realized that her burner phone had no photos at all. She then described Venus to the girl.
"Sorry, haven't seen her," said the girl, "are you sure you haven't seen my dog? Seriously, you can't miss Reggie."
"You couldn't miss Venus," said Lagoona.
"Something's not right," said Tobias to Avery, Chad and Clair, "why's this girl out in the middle of nowhere looking for her dog?"
"She strikes me as a city slicker," said Chad.
"And her accent is out of place with Midwestern America," said Clair.
"That and the fact that a normal human girl is completely un-phased by Monsters," said Avery.
Just then everyone heard Venus shouting from above, "IT'S A TRAP!"
Frankie, Apple and the others looked up and saw Venus hanging out the attic window of the farmhouse, with Venus pointing at the girl. "SHE'S A FANGIRE!"
"Darn, I was hoping to fool you losers even more," said the girl irately, before shifting into a Fangire with features of a chameleon. It then lashed out an extremely long and thick tongue at Avery, striking him in the chest and knocking him back several feet where he landed in a heap against the car.
The tongue then swiped at and knocked Chad down, while the creature's smaller yet exceptionally long tail smashed into Lagoona and Frankie, knocking them both down, while a second tongue lash shot at Avery and Apple. Avery pulled Apple out of the way and they both fell to the ground.
"Watch out!" shouted Clawdeen as she and Elissabat pulled Clair out of the way of another tongue lash. "Clair, you okay?"
"I'm alright!" Clair insisted, "I'm ready to fight!"
"So am I!" said Elissabat. With a flash of light, she assumed her metal bat form, "Elissabat Ikuze!"
She flew over to and was caught by Clair, then bit into Clair's hand, "Gabut!"
The high-pitched whistling sound could be heard as the stain glass patterns appeared on Clair's skin, while the ghostly chains materialized into the Kiva belt around her waist.
"Henshin!" said Clair as she clicked Elissabat into place on the belt. Her body was then covered by rippling liquid metal that quickly shattered, revealing her as Kiva.
The Chameleon Fangire hissed in furry as it rushed at Kiva, whom rushed at it and the two began exchanging blows.
"You ghouls alright?" asked Clawdeen as she helped Frankie and Lagoona up.
"We're fine, love," said a slightly uncomfortable Lagoona, "just a little sore." She then winced in pain, "I could be wrong, but I think I'm bleeding in me chest."
"I think I've got cracked ribs," groaned Chad as he and Tobias struggled to get up up.
"I think my wrist is broken," said Tobias as he clutched at his right forearm.
"I think I also have a concussion," said Chad as he clutched at his bruised forehead.
"Since when are we competing?" asked Tobias.
"Has anyone seen my legs," said Frankie, "I think I popped a few stitches."
"I've got them!" said Venus as she ran out of the farmhouse, holding Frankie's legs, "they crashed into the window."
"Why didn't you warn us about the Fangire!?" asked Lagoona as she and Frankie used an emergency thread kit to stitch Frankie's legs back on.
"I did!" protested Venus, "You guys didn't listen!"
"Well, we're listening now!" said Frankie as she tied a knot in the thread and cut it. She then tried to stand up, then winced in pain as her left leg failed to support her weight, "oh great, my ankle's busted!"
"That's the least of our problems!" said Tobias, "where are Avery and Apple?"
"There's Apple!" said Frankie as she pointed towards the overgrown front lawn of the farmhouse. Apple lay in a dazed and slightly dusty heap, while Avery was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm alright," said Apple as Clawdeen rushed over and helped her up, "I'm just a little dizzy."
"HEY! HELP!"
"That's Avery!" shouted Apple as she looked around franticly, "he pulled me away from that creature and…"
"Here!" said Chad as he pointed to a large hole in the ground, "I think this was a covered well."
"No kidding!" called Avery from down the hole, "I'm caught on some beams and I think I dislocated my shoulder!"
"We'll get you out, Avery!" said Apple as she rushed over to the well, "just hold on!" she looked down the well, seeing Avery trapped halfway down a twenty-foot hole with rocks on the bottom. Avery was holding on with his right arm on a wedged support beam, while his left shoulder was jammed against the side of the well.
But then the well seemed much, much deeper, the bottom stretching off into infinite darkness.
Apple's normally pale face paled even further as terror filled her eyes. She hastily backed away from the well, collapsing to her knees and nearly falling over.
"Apple? Apple?!" exclaimed Frankie as she hobbled over and knelt down on her good leg, "Apple, what's wrong?"
"I…I can't…" said a trembling Apple as she hugged herself, "I can't…"
"Can't what?" asked Lagoona as she and the others hurried over, "What's wrong with you?"
"Oh, no!" said Avery, "I forgot, she's scared of wells."
"She's claustrophobic?" asked Tobias, "all this time she's a claustrophobic princess!"
"We've got bigger problems than that," said Chad, "I don't think Clair's doing so well!"
Everyone looked and saw that for every punch Kiva threw at the Chameleon Fangire, it blocked the blow and returned two, of which Kiva could barely keep up.
"I'm helping her!" said Tobias as he held out his hands to summon the Sasword Zecter and Sasword Yavier, but then winced as his broken wrist was agitated.
"No way you're fighting in that condition," said Frankie.
"I can barely stand up, I'm so dizzy," said Chad as he bent over, "but Clair's got this!"
"It's her first fight as a Rider," said Tobias, "it won't kill her to have some help!"
"I know Clair, she's tougher than she looks!" said Chad, "We've been friends since we were kids. Trust me, Clair has this in the bag!"
As if in response, Kiva landed a hard haymaker to the Chameleon Fangire that left it slightly disoriented. Kiva followed up with several more punches and kicks that knocked the creature back more than a few paces.
"Told you so!" said Chad with no small amount of smugness.
But then the Chameleon Fangire seemed to vanish, it's body shimmering and becoming transparent, distorting the air around it before dropping out of sight completely.
"What? It's invisible?!" exclaimed Frankie.
"It's a chameleon, what'd you expect?" asked Venus.
Just then Kiva was struck by the camouflaged Fangire hard in the torso, then again from the side, then by an invisible tongue lash that knocked Kiva to the ground.
"Okay, now we need to help it," said Frankie as she tried to get back up, supporting her weight on her good leg. Her neck bolts sparked and she sent several bolts of electricity from her arms out towards the battle area around Kiva, yet each bolt hit the ground with no apparent effect.
"How can you zap what you can't see?" asked Frankie.
"You can't," said Clawdeen as she sniffed the air, "but I can smell it! Frankie! There!" she then pointed to a spot several paces behind Kiva. Frankie fired another bolt, this one earning a surprised screech from the creature.
"You just missed it, Frankie!" said Clawdeen, "there! Shoot there!"
Frankie fired off another bolt, only to just miss the stealthy Fangire.
"It's too fast," said Chad, "none of us are fast enough!"
"Clawdeen can catch it!" said Lagoona, "she can smell that mangy lizard and grab it!"
"And get torn apart in the process," said Tobias.
"What we need is Kiva's power, boosted by Clawdeen's senses," said Chad. He then smiled eagerly, "I think I know what's coming!"
As if in response, Kiva pulled out one of the three whistles on her left side and inserted into Elissabat's mouth. A high-pitched whistling could be heard as Elissabat blew.
"GARURU SABER!"
"What the…!" exclaimed Clawdeen as a bright blue aurora surrounded her body and she lifted off the ground. "Oh, My Ghoul!" she shouted as the aurora flared up, covering her completely in its light. When the light faded, Clawdeen had become a silver saber with a purple wolf-like handle.
The sword shot towards and was caught by Kiva. With a whirl of ghostly chains, Kiva's left arm, chest plate and eye markings on her helmet turned purple, while Elissabat's eyes turned purple as well.
Growling like a wolf, Kiva adopted a more feral fighting stance as she looked around, sensing the area. She then threw a hard punch at seemingly empty air that hit the invisible Fangire. The creature let out a surprised and pained hiss as it briefly became visible.
Kiva then slashed at and struck the creature with her sword, emitting a blast of spark damage. The Chameleon Fangire then jumped back several paces and shot its tongue at Kiva, whom responded by unleashing a howling sonic blast from the wolf's head of the sword that knocked the creature's tongue back at it, knocking it off its feet.
"Let's finish it, Clair!" said Elissabat. Kiva then brought the blade of the sword down to Elissabat, "Garuru Bite!"
With that Elissabat bit the blade of the sword, sending a pulse of energy into it.
Day suddenly turned into night as a large moon appeared in the sky, while Kiva placed the grip of the sword in the 'mouth' of her helmet, assuming a wolf-light fighting stance. She then rushed at the Chameleon Fangire as it was trying to get back up.
Jumping high into the air, Kiva delivered a massively damaging slash on the creature that caused it to shatter into stain glass fragments, its pulsating soul rising up and vanishing into the air as daylight returned.
"Wow!" said Clair after powering down, with Elissabat and Clawdeen returning to their normal forms as well, "That was incredible! Let's do it again!"
"Let's find a hospital first!" said a woozy Chad, "I really don't feel good."
"That thing really dropped the hammer on us," said Avery as pulled himself out of the well with his right arm.
"You climbed out of that thing with a dislocated shoulder?!" exclaimed Chad, "man, you're hardcore."
"I saw that Apple was in trouble," said Avery, "I should have remembered that she was traumatized as a child." He then walked up to and sat next to Apple, "it's alright, I'm okay now and so are you."
At that Apple stopped trembling and looked at Avery, "oh, I'm sorry, Avery! I wanted so badly to help you, but…" she then looked at the edge of the well, "but…it was as if I was six years old again and had fallen down the well back home, even though I was only down there for two minutes."
"Two minutes is enough to traumatize anyone at that age," said Clair.
"It's alright, Apple," said Avery, "I'm fine. You just had a panic attack, that's all."
"But I haven't had a panic attack like that in years," said Apple, "why now?" She then sighed, then put on a confident smile, "it's probably nothing, just a flashback. I'm just glad you're okay." She then threw her arms around Avery, whom cried out in pain.
"Oh! Sorry! Your shoulder! Sorry!" said Apple as she backed away from Avery, then looked around franticly, "where's my first aid kit?"
"Good thing I'm here," said Venus as she reached into her purse and pulled out a small felt pouch.
"How did you get here, Venus?" asked Frankie, "and what is that?"
"Something that'll make you all feel a lot better real soon," said Venus as she opened the pouch and poured out a small amount of pollen, "as for how I got here, I really don't remember how I got out of the school when the enemy took over." She then walked over to Frankie and sprinkled some of the pollen on Frankie's ankle and rubbed it in. Frankie gasped in surprise, then sighed with relief.
"Wow, I feel so much better," said Frankie.
"Thanks," said Venus as she moved to Tobias and sprinkled and rubbed some of the pollen onto Tobias's wrist, earning a gasp of surprise and sigh of relief from him. "Anyway," she said as she moved on to Chad's forehead, "I did remember the plans we talked about; I got rid of my phone, picked up a burner and got on the first bus out of town. I was so exhausted by what happened, I fell asleep and the next thing I knew, I was in the middle of Kansas." Having finished with his forehead, Venus bade Chad to lift his shirt, earning a wince of pain from him. She then rubbed some of the pollen onto his ribs, earning another sigh of relief from him.
She then walked over to Lagoona, "open your mouth and close your eyes and I'll give you a big surprise!" she said with a playful smile.
"I'm not having anything to do with that stuff until you tell me what it is," said Lagoona.
"Whatever it is, it's all but healed my ankle," said an amazed Frankie as she stood up.
"And my wrist," said Tobias, while an amazed Chad felt his forehead and ribs.
"It's a special healing pollen I've cultivated," said Venus, "it basically persuades wounds to heal faster."
"If it'll take care of my shoulder, I'll take some," said Avery after Chad helped pop his shoulder into its socket. Venus then gave some to Avery, pouring a small amount onto and rubbed into his shoulder, to which Avery gasped and sighed with relief
"Anyway," said Venus as she walked back to Lagoona, "I knew I couldn't risk using my credit card without being tracked and I didn't have much cash on me. So there I was, trying to figure out how to get back home and get in touch with anyone else who got away, when that Fangire started chasing me. Long story short, I wound up holding up in the farmhouse."
"But how did it find you here?" asked Frankie.
"Obsidian must have eyes everywhere," said Lagoona after finally eating some of the healing pollen.
"The whole world could be crawling with disguised Kaijin and we'd never know the difference between them and real Normies until it was too late," said Clawdeen.
"We'd better get back to The Steam Vault and let the others know," said Frankie.
"Steam Vault?" asked Venus, "you mean Robecca's workshop?"
"It's a long story," said Frankie.
Our heroes then drove back to the meadow, filling Venus in on everything that had happened. They reached the meadow, called The Steam Vault and waited for the wormhole to open.
"Welcome back!" said an eager Robecca as our heroes walked through the door, which swung shut once they were all through.
"I take it you were successful in your endeavor," said Preston as Clawdeen and Lagoona showed an awed Venus around The Steam Vault.
"One friend rescued, one Fangire shattered," said Clair happily.
"Congratulations, Clair," said Sasha proudly, "you've taken your first true step into a larger world."
"You think defeating a Kaijin was the highlight of your day?" asked Cupid, "you ain't seen nothing yet. Wait until you hear what we just found out."
"What did you just found out?" asked Tobias.
"And why is Raven sitting in the corner?" asked Avery.
Frankie and the others then saw that Raven was sitting apart from the rest of the group, trying unsuccessfully to suppress a fit of giggles.
"Did we miss a really great joke?" asked Frankie.
"Oh, what a joke," said a seriously serious Maddie as she prepared a pot of tea, "possibly the most joccularious joke ever told."
"Okay, what's the joke?" Avery asked hesitantly.
"I think you should hear it as we heard it," said Dexter, "from Dorothea and the others on Ever After."
"Hang on, we're still working here!" said Jackson as he, Robecca and Ghoulia worked at the dimensional communications device, "we had a signal to The Base for a few minutes, but we lost it before you got here…got it!"
The viewer then showed Dorothea, Briar, Cerise, Ashlynn and Hunter.
"Avery, Apple, thank goodness!" said Dorothea, "you are not going to believe this."
"We barely believe it ourselves," said Cerise.
"And we wouldn't if we hadn't heard it from Cedar," said Hunter as he held Ashlynn's hand.
"Okay, what is it?" asked Avery.
"You're never going to believe it, Apple," said Briar.
"I'd rather hear it first before I decide if I believe it or not," said Apple.
"Okay, then," said Dorothea, "here it is; It's about The Storybook of Legends."
"Oh don't say it!" said an irate Tobias, "Obsidian's got it?"
"No, it's still safe in The Base," said Dorothea, "but that's not what you need to know. The Storybook of Legends, the book that we risked our lives so much to protect, the book Obsidian is so hot and bothered about getting…"
"It's a fake," said Ashlynn.
"WHAT?!" exclaimed Apple, Tobias and Avery.
"That's what they said," said Jackson as he pointed at Raven, then at Dexter and Maddie.
"And the reason why Raven can't stop laughing," said Dexter as he pointed at Raven, upon whom Maddie was trying to serve tea.
"Here, drink this, Raven," said Maddie, "it'll chase those grim giggles away."
"It's a joke!" laughed Raven, "it's all been a joke!"
…Monster High…
"You know, Cleo," said Amanita, "when I heard you and your boyfriend were being tortured, I like just had to come back and watch," she then sighed, "but this is just disappointing."
"Sorry, Amanita," said an exhausted and dishelmed yet otherwise unharmed Cleo as she sat at a table, her wrists chained to the tabletop, "but it seems Obsidian has a slight deficiency in the torture department."
"Two days and nights of questions and yelling, that's it," said an equally tired yet unharmed Deuce as he stood chained to the wall, "dudes, you guys suck."
"This is just a taste of what we have in store for you two," said Irvin as he, Valentine and Draculaura, sat across from Cleo, while a pair of Shadow Acolytes stood nearby at the ready, "the Shadow Acolytes have had their turn at interrogation, now it's ours."
"Don't make it harder for yourselves that it already is, Cleo," said Draculaura, "tell us where Frankie and the others went with the third Star piece."
"I told those Shadow creeps before and I'll keep telling you," sighed Cleo with annoyance, "I don't know! And I wouldn't tell if I did!"
"Oh, you'll talk," said Valentine smugly, "they all talk in the end."
"Yeah, can we end this already, Val?" asked Deuce, "I could really use a shower."
"Even your odor is masculine, Deuce darling," said an adoring Cleo, "don't give in!" she then glared at Draculaura, "if they truly were going to hurt us, they would have done so by now."
"Maybe we're just holding back," said Draculaura, "maybe just the threat of torture is enough to break you."
"But the time for threats has come and gone," said Irvin, "time to get down to brass tax. I'll have the Shadow Acolytes bring in some sharp objects, some electrical equipment and a vise while they're at it. I loved that scene in Casino, where Joe Pesci's character has that guy's head in a vise."
"Oh, 'Charlie M,' I totally dug that scene," said Deuce.
"You're not helping," said Cleo. She then looked at Irvin, "if you're going to torture Deuce and I, then do it already! But know this! You'll never break our resolve! Our love and strength of heart will carry us through this ordeal, no matter what horrors and agonies you inflict on us! So either get to it or kill us now!"
"What she said," remarked Deuce.
"You heard her!" said Amanita to Irvin, Valentine and Draculaura, "like, bring on the pain already!"
There was a tense few seconds of silence between the three villains before Irvin spoke, "we can't," he said flatly.
"We're not allowed," said Valentine in a slightly embarrassed tone.
"He won't let us," said Draculaura.
"He who?" asked Cleo, "What's preventing you from torturing us?"
"Jeez, Cleo," said Amanita, "I'd thought you'd be so relieved to not be tortured."
"I am, you idiot!" snapped Cleo. She then looked at Irvin, "I just want to know why."
"Might as well tell her," said Valentine, "he'll want to know what we've done to her, one way or another."
"Bring in the viewer," said Irvin to the waiting Shadow Acolytes, whom bowed and left the room.
"Remember when we told you that Amanita put a geass on all the parents of the students and the Monster authorities?" asked Draculaura, "to keep them away from Monster High and out of Obsidian's business?"
"Yes, what of it?" asked Cleo.
"Well, the geass didn't last long for some folks," said Valentine, "it began to wear off as we were securing our hold over Monster High. And without another item from Atlantis at the ready, we couldn't put the whammy out on the internet again."
"You should have like asked me to go in person," said Amanita, "I don't need some rusty item from home. My own charms and whit are geass enough to put the whammy on anyone!"
"In a pig's eye, you are," muttered Deuce.
"Anyway," said Draculaura, "since we knew we couldn't cast another internet geass, we tried diplomacy."
"You'd be surprised how many vampire covens and werewolf pacts we reached out to," said Irvin, "and how many accepted our invitation to an alliance."
"You tried to get Monsters to team up with you?!" exclaimed Cleo, "with Obsidian! Never!"
"You'd be surprised," said Irvin again, this time much more smugly, "the vampires were the easiest to convince; especially after we told them that their queen had vanished off the face of the planet with their precious Vampire's Heart."
"Elissabat," said Cleo, "she's gone?"
"With Frankie and the rest of your precious Ghoulfriends," said Draculaura, "oh, don't worry, I haven't forgotten about them."
"I don't believe it," said Cleo.
"Neither do I!" said Deuce, "no way the vampire covens would ever agree to work with you creeps!"
"Well they did," said Valentine, "and so did a lot of werewolf packs. I can show you the treaty papers signed by each coven and pack if you wish."
"Oh, but you haven't heard the best part yet, Cleo," said Draculaura, "one rather powerful and influential Monster approached Obsidian with an offer of his own."
"He'll support Obsidian in all its future endeavors," said Irvin, "in return for your safety. We're not allowed to harm you in any physical manner, or else."
"Or else what? You'll get a spanking?" asked Cleo, "and anyway, who or what would all but sell their souls to the dark side in return for my protection?"
"Who indeed," said Draculaura as the two Shadow Acolytes brought in a laptop and camera on a cart, which was placed in front of Cleo. Irvin activated Skype and on the other end of the connection was a well distinguished and irate-looking mummy in Ancient Egyptian finery.
"Mr. de Nile?" asked a surprised Deuce.
"Daddy!" exclaimed Cleo.
On the laptop screen, Ramses de Nile looked at Cleo, then glared at Irvin, "we had a deal, Mr. Weis! My daughter was to be left unharmed!"
"We haven't touched her, Mr. de Nile," said Irvin as he held up his hands in a placating manner, "well, we did rough her up a bit, but nothing permanent. Other than that, all we've done is ask a few questions about her friends and the third Star piece."
"That and keep her up for the past two days and nights," said Valentine, "she'll survive a little sleep deprivation, she's fine."
"I'll be the judge of that, boy," said Ramses de Nile. He then looked at Cleo, "are you alright, my daughter? Did they harm you in any way?"
"Of course they've harmed me, daddy!" exclaimed Cleo, "these creeps kidnapped and brainwashed one of my best fiends, took over my school and tried to get me to betray more of my friends! And now they dare to suggest that you, The Great Pharaoh, would even consider siding with the likes of The Obsidian Council! Go on, daddy! Tell them you would never act in cahoots with the likes of them!"
"But I have, daughter," said Ramses de Nile, "I have sided with Obsidian."
"Told you so!" said Cleo spitefully at Draculaura. She then blinked in surprise and did a double take at the laptop, "I'm sorry, what did you say, daddy?"
"The de Nile family has sided with Obsidian," said Cleo's father, "they are now our allies."
"Told you so!" said Draculaura spitefully at Cleo.
"I don't get it," said Deuce, while Cleo was struck speechless, "why? Why, Mr. de Nile?"
"As if I have to explain myself to a peasant such as you, boy!" said Ramses de Nile, "but for my daughter's sake," he then looked at Cleo, "this is a treacherous world we live in, daughter of mine. It isn't like in the old days when the masses and gentry worshiped us. We must do what we must to survive and thrive, even if it means shaking hands with the forces of darkness, even if it means betraying those you considered friends and equals."
"Betraying…what are you talking about, daddy?" asked Cleo.
"Your father's been devoting his resources and employees towards Obsidian's goals," said Irvin, "convincing other Monsters to join us, while dealing with those whom would hinder Obsidian."
"You mean…Oh My Ra!" cried Cleo, "Clawdeen's family! And Frankie's parents!"
"Most of the families of Monster High's students are of the sort whom are blind to the greater picture, my daughter," said Ramses de Nile, "The Stein's, the Wolf's, the Blue's and so many others, they either must submit to Obsidian or be destroyed. It is the only way our kind will survive in the new order Obsidian is establishing."
"Well, there's no way my folks will join with Obsidian!" said Deuce, "they'll fight! Just as everyone else who likes the idea of freedom!"
"Freedom is an illusion, boy," said Ramses de Nile, "just as there is no good or evil; only power, the weak and the strong. The strong take what is rightfully theirs, while the weak are just that, weak."
"I'd love to debate this further, Mr. de Nile," said Irvin, "but we're at a bit of an impasse."
"We need the third Star piece to start looking for the remaining six," said Valentine, "but Cleo's friends have made off with it."
"And she's not talking," said Draculaura, "since you forbade us from being more persuasive, Mr. de Nile, perhaps you can get Cleo to talk."
"Well, daughter of mine?" asked Ramses de Nile, "will you join your family in this bold endeavor that will elevate us to glory and power greater than what we had in Ancient Egypt?"
"What did they offer you, father?" asked Cleo, her face blank except for her eyes that were burning with anger that was on the verge of hatred, "what did Obsidian offer you to betray our world? And what about Neffra? I assume she's already walking the path to hell as well."
"Your sister, while eager to share the coming glory," said Ramses de Nile, "is rather…she's…"
"Neffra's too stupid to be given any responsibilities from Obsidian," said Draculaura, "all she's doing is running messages and small errands, nothing major, but just enough to keep her occupied and out of trouble."
"At least my sister has found her calling," said Cleo. She then glared at Ramses de Nile, "as I have found mine. I'll never join Obsidian, father! Just as I'll never join you in your heartless ambitions!"
"Then you will not assist in locating the third Star piece?" asked Ramses de Nile, "you will not tell where your friends have run off to?"
"As I told Irvin and the others so many times," said Cleo, "I DON'T KNOW! And I wouldn't tell even if I did!"
"So take your crazy ideas of power and glory and shove it, old man!" snapped Deuce.
At that Ramses de Nile sighed with frustration, "so be it." He then looked at Irvin, "my daughter speaks the truth; she does not know, nor will she be of any help to you. Do what you must to keep her from helping her friends or hinder Obsidian, but she is not to be harm in any way or form. Is that understood, Mr. Weis?"
"Of course, Mr. de Nile," said Irvin, "I would never think of doing anything that would jeopardize our alliance." He then looked at Valentine, Draculaura and Amanita, "is that right?"
"Of course, right," said Valentine, while Draculaura nodded in agreement.
"I'm just here to watch the drama," said Amanita.
"So be it," said Ramses de Nile. He then looked at Cleo, "my daughter, in time you will come to understand what I have done and join your family. Until then, think about your choices." With that the image cut out.
"I'll never join Obsidian, father!" exclaimed Cleo, "I'd rather be buried alive for another 3,000 years!"
"You'll think twice about that after what we're about to do to you," said Valentine as he pulled out the enthralling mask, then loaded it with a canister of the enthralling vapors.
"Is that your intention for me, then?" asked Cleo, "turn me into a mindless slave? It's the only way I'll ever do anything for you!"
"Oh, we won't waste the vapors on you, Cleo," said Draculaura as she gave a sinister smile, "no, we've got something else in mind."
At that Valentine walked up to Deuce and put the mask on him. Deuce tried to shrug the mask off, but Valentine released the vapors. Deuce had no choice but to breathe them in.
"Deuce!" exclaimed Cleo as Valentine stepped back, leaving a blank-faced Deuce chained to the wall.
"You can dispose of those chains," said Irvin to the two Shadow Acolytes, "he's part of the collective now."
"Deuce! You've got to fight it!" said Cleo as Deuce was unchained, "you're stronger than some disgusting dark magic gas!"
"He can't hear you, Cleo," said Draculaura smugly, "but he can hear us." She then looked at Deuce, "walk up to her and wait."
"One of the effects of the vapors is that it forces the enthralled Monsters to utilize their power's full potential," said Valentine as Deuce slowly walked up to a now fearfully sweating Cleo, "while your boyfriend has inherited his family's eyes, he's been subconsciously holding back."
"That's why whenever he accidentally petrified anyone, it only lasted for a few minutes," said Draculaura, "but now..."
At that the Shadow Acolytes unchained Cleo and forced her to stand up while looking away.
"Petrify her!" said Draculaura.
At that Deuce took off his sunglasses and looked at Cleo, hitting her with the full power of his petrifying gaze.
"Deuce!" cried Cleo as her body turned to stone. The two Shadow Acolytes walked away, leaving Cleo, a look of utter despair on her petrified face.
"Well, instant modern art," said Amaninta as she walked over to Cleo, "I like it." She looked at Draculaura, "can she hear me?"
"She can see and hear everything that goes on around her," said Draculaura.
"And she'll stay that way until we command Deuce to release her," said Valentine, "We'll give her a few weeks to think things over. Maybe she'll change her mind, maybe not."
"In that case, I'm just going to borrow her for a bit," said Amanita, "Statue Cleo, she'll make a nice piece of art for my new apartment."
"As if I'd inflict such torment on her," said Draculaura, "being locked up with you back in her tomb was enough. If we let you have her, it'll drive her out of her mind."
"We want her to submit, not go insane," said Valentine.
"In that case, I'll just borrow some of your bling for a bit," said Amanita as she wiggled her fingers at Valentine, the ring containing the second Star piece glittering in the light.
"What…! How did you…!?" exclaimed Valentine as he realized that the ring was gone from his finger and on Amanita's, "give that back!"
"I will, when I'm done with it," said Amanita, "now if you'll all excuse me, I've some more shopping to do. Oh, I'm borrowing your credit cards, Valentine, hope you don't mind. Of course you don't mine. Toodles!" with that she flounced out of the room.
"That thieving weed!" exclaimed Valentine, "I'll kill her!" with that he chased after Amanita, just as a very nervous Shadow Acolyte walked into the room.
"Uh…Mr. Wise?" said the nervous Shadow Acolyte, "I'm afraid we have a problem."
"Of course there's a problem," said a slightly exasperated Irvin, "what is it now?"
"Uh…some of the Orphnochs and Fangire," said the Shadow Acolyte, "they've…"
"They've what?" asked Irvin, "spit it out already!"
"They're gone, Mr. Weise," said the Shadow Acolyte.
"What do you mean, gone?" asked Draculaura.
"Just that, they're gone," said the Shadow Acolyte, "twenty-six Orphnochs and twelve Fangire, they've abandoned the former base at the abandoned castle."
"They're probably out looking for humans to kill or feed on," said Irvin.
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Weis," said the Shadow Acolyte as he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Irivn, "they left a note."
Irvin took the paper and read the words on it.
Dear Mr. Weis & company…
We free-thinking Orphnochs and Fangir, are fed up with being treated like disposable mooks. We are fed up with fighting for a hopeless cause such as Obsidian's. And most of all, we are fed up with fighting and dying at the hand and kicks of Kamen Riders, especially the kicks.
We may be Kaijin, but even Kaijin have rights. We will no longer be denied our rights, nor will we be exploited for Obsidian's ambitions, same goes for Dai-Shocker, Foundation X or any other dark organization and/or villain.
With this, we take our leave of you, Valentine, Draculaura, Obsidian and anyone else who wishes to use Kaijin for selfless goals. We take our leave of those whom would command us to fight and die in their battles. We take our leave.
Irvin then read the thirty-eight signatures at the bottom of the letter.
"This has to be a joke," said Irvin as his hands shook with fury, "it has to be some kind of prank, and one done in very poor taste at that!"
"It's no prank, Mr. Weis," said the Shadow Acolyte, "the thirty-eight Kaijin are gone."
"Well," said Irvin through gritted teeth as he crumbled up the letter and tossed it to the ground, at which Draculaura picked it up, flattened and read it, "that's a pity."
It was then that Valentine walked back into the room, "the weed took off in her 'borrowed' car before I could catch her. When Frankie Stein rebuilds a car, she rebuilds it." He then saw the wrathful look on Irvin's face, "did I miss something."
"Apparently we have a mutiny on our hands," said Draculaura as she handed the letter to Valentine.
"Well, imagine that," said Valentine, "a genuine Kaijin mutiny."
"Not for long," said Irvin "they'll regret it, these renegades. No matter how long it takes, no matter the cost, the renegades will regret their decisions, I swear it!"
…Ever After…
"At the count of three, Milton, you will wake up, but you will not remember what we talked about," said Ophelia as she sat on a reclining leather chair, while Grimm lay on a plush couch, his eyes closed and breathing deeply.
"You will remember our discussions about your brother and The Storybook of Legends," said Ophelia, "other than that, nothing, until I say you can remember. Do you understand?"
"Yes," said Grimm flatly.
"Excellent," said Ophelia. "One, Two, Three!"
At that Grimm's eyes opened and he sat up, "what…did it work, Dr. Baumann?"
"I believe you can answer that best, Milton," said Ophelia.
"I…yes, I remember," said Grimm as he stood up and walked to the office window, "my brother, Giles, when we were little, I goaded him into going into that cave. We ignored the stories our father told us and Giles nearly died." He then looked at Ophelia, his eyes beginning to water with tears of regret, "dear heavens, Dr. Baumann, I almost killed my brother!"
"You were a child at the time, Milton," said Ophelia, "you didn't know any better. It's natural for children to test the boundaries set by parents, and also to question their reasons." She then laughed, "the things I can tell you about my parents and the things they told me that turned out to be hogwash, 'all for your own good,' they would say."
"But this wasn't hogwash!" said Grimm, "that cave was an ogre's den and it nearly killed Giles! I should have listened to my father!"
"I know," said Ophelia as she stood up, "you didn't, but you learned from your mistake. You took that lesson to heart and vowed to ensure the safety of everyone."
"The stories must be retold and maintained," said Grimm, "it's the only way everyone can be safe."
"And they will be safe," said Ophelia. "but not as long as Rebecca Queen has her way. We must find where she hid the real Storybook of Legends!"
"She won't tell me!" spat Grimm as he began pacing back and forth, "I've had her imprisoned, stripped her of her powers, only allowed her a bare minimum of time with her daughter, yet she won't tell me where the book is! Each time I ask she laughs at me! She laughs at me! She sees this as a joke! The fate of our world is at stake and all she does is laugh!"
"True villains can only feel pleasure at the expense of other's suffering," said Ophelia.
"She'd do it, you know," said Grimm as he stopped pacing and looked at Ophelia, "she'd hold her silence to the bitter end. Even if our very existence was on the verge ending, if our world was about to crumble to dust, Rebecca Queen would hold her silence, just to spite me, and she'd laugh until the last second."
"I'm sure she would," said Ophelia, whom was already thinking of her next report to Obsidian; how to tell her superiors that The Storybook of Legends that Ophelia and her cohorts had been after wasn't the real book and the only one who know where the real one was, Rebecca Queen, was still locked up.
"Don't forget that Rebecca is lose and with Foundation X!"
I haven't forgotten, Maddie.
"But Ophelia doesn't know."
And what she doesn't know won't hurt her, yet.
"Ooh! A little foreshadowing!"
Not now, Maddie. Ahem, anyway…
"I'm sure Rebecca can be persuaded," said Ophelia, "you just haven't thought of the right means yet."
"As a matter of fact, there is, Dr. Baumann," said Grimm, "but I won't use it! I won't resort to that level."
"Please, tell me, Milton," said Dr. Baumann, "remember, whatever you say here I will keep in the strictest of confidence."
"I do have one means of leverage over Rebecca," said Grimm, "something she cares about more than anything else, more than power and ambition, more than her own life."
"And, this leverage," said Ophelia, "if you use it, would it be enough to convince her to return the book?"
"It may just," said Grimm, "if Rebecca has hang humanity left in her, if she has even just a shred if goodness in her twisted black heart, doubtful as hat may be.
"But I won't use the leverage. To do so would mean a price too high for me to pay, to cross over into true corruption when I have spent my life upholding the values of goodness and order."
"I see," said Ophelia, "well then, you must to what you feel is right," she then walked up to and placed her hand on Grimm's chest, "in here," then on Grimm's forehead, "and in here. For the good of our world, you must do what you believe is right."
"I know, Dr. Baumann," said Grimm as Ophelia stepped back, "thank you, Dr. Baumann, you've given me a lot to think about."
"And you certainly have given me enough to think about," said Ophelia, "enough to recommend to my colleagues that I send you home to rest and complete your recovery. But don't think this is the last of our conversations, Milton; you're still my patient and I expect to see you for our next appointment. And remember that you can call me anytime you wish of you have something you'd like to talk about, anything at all."
"I already have it in my calendar, Dr. Baumann," said Grimm as he smiled gratefully, "and again, thank you."
"Please, Milton," said Ophelia as she gave a warm smile that went beyond the level of a professional relationship, "call me Felicity. I hope that, after getting to know each other so well," she then placed a comforting hand on Grimm's shoulder and gave a more than comforting squeeze, "we can be friends."
"Felicity," said Grimm as he smiled back and placed his hand over Ophelia's, "yes, I'd like that."
'All according to plan,' thought Ophelia as she continued to smile at Grimm.
...The End Is Just the Beginning...