Gen 3 Chap 11 – Time To Go

Today was the day. The day I went back to where I came from. Back home. I must say, I would actually miss this place and all its residents. It may have been weird and every corner I had to look out for death but, it was fun. I expanded my social circle at least. Made a whole bunch of new friends and even found a mate for Phoenix (He and Kona were still inseparable even after I got back). I decided to stay a few extra days to say my last goodbyes and this final day, I found myself talking to Vivek; someone I thought I’d never have a full fledged non interrupted conversation with.

“So, Ezra, happy to be finally going back?” he asks me glancing at Phoenix every few seconds. He’s always been a little uneasy around dogs.

“Yeah but also kinda sad.” I say and he smirks. Like actually smirks; no timid smile or stutter. “It must be because you’ll miss us.” To that, I nod. If possible I would take everyone here back home with me. That way, they wouldn’t be so lonely here… it’s a ghost town.

“You know, you actually saved us… as well as the other way around.” What? Me? How? All I did was get captured like a princess. “If you never would have come along, if you never fell down that rabbit’s trap, then we would all still be cowering in fear. I would probably have never seen my beloved Melanie again and more blood would’ve have been shed.” He said and we talk for hours more.. well it felt like hours when in actuality it was only 30 minutes.

Soon he got up and stretched and announced he had to go home to make sure Cashmere wasn’t destroying his house, or that other weird feline. He wished me a safe trip home and even hugged me before leaving. After of which I decided to find my father.

Which I found outside in Genesis’s backyard… I didn’t even know he worked on this car.

“Hey sleeping beauty! Get enough rest?” Genesis greets me as a walk closer. I smile and nod, after a while I got used to Genesis’s outbursts, cynical attitude, and just all around weirdness. It’s actually a highlight of my day now. “Great, Henry’s been talking non stop about how he can’t wait to get you back because Lyra will be oh so happy. It’s sickening.” I look to my father who has a bemused smile on his face and I have to agree with him, mom would be happy; dad too and if they told anyone, those guys too. I was excited to see my family again, I missed them so much and I bet they missed me… especially my twin.

“So I’m guessing you’re practically ready and everything?” Henry questions and once again I nod. “Great, we just have to wait for the others and then we’ll be off.”

“I still don’t see why we have to drag those two along. How would Knitemair even live Above? He’s a demon, with demon eyes, demon ears, and just creepy.” Genesis says flipping the wrench in the air.

“He’ll manage. Under-Esterdaleian’s always do…”

“Did you say your farewells to everyone then?” He asks me.

“Actually… The Twins aren’t here so no to them, Cashmere, and um… Melanie.” I say blushing at her name. Stupid! She’ll never fall for me, she has Vivek. They’ve been together; stop trying Ezra. I silently chided myself and I notice my father slightly frowning.

“I can give the former your wishes whenever I get back… but Melanie is right over there with Jasmine. I think she was waiting for you. But she has Vivek Ezra, your infatuation with her is dangerous.” He says and tilts his head in the direction of where she was. I sigh knowing he was right about my feelings for her. After all, she was from here and I, not. How would that even work? I walk away from him thinking about it still when I almost run into Jasmine.

“Oh, sorry Jas, I didn’t see you there.” I apologize and she waves it off.

“It’s fine Ezra, I actually didn’t see you either. I was thinking about Above… how it would be.” “Still no memories then?” “No, I’m actually kind of scared, I mean, what would happen to me?” “You’ll be with me, don’t worry. If it happens, we can both go down together.” I laugh and she gives me a grateful smile which made my day even brighter. We got past the initial awkwardness from a few days ago although she doesn’t tell me a lot about how she feels about the whole ordeal though, mostly she stops herself before going off to ‘cool down’. I don’t mind it, it’s cute when she does that.

“You know, I never thought I would be living here. I wonder how my sister will fare without me here…” She muses and I honestly don’t know how to answer her. At least, until I see a flash of light blue out the corner of my eye. She notices it too and soon Melanie is bounding out of the bushes towards us and my heart picks up the pace.

“Ezra! The one and only! Glad I caught you before you went off back home.” She says happily practically jumping up and down. “Now, don’t be a stranger when you do go back. Come and visit sometime, ‘k?”

“Yeah sure… You’re staying here then..?” I question and she giggles. “Of course silly, Genesis and I already talked about but I’m taking over this place. Even thought Under-Esterdale is technically his birth right to rule, he doesn’t want to. So he asked me.”

“So, all hail Queen Melanie?” Jasmine says and we all laugh. I figured someone would have to stay to keep The Red Queen in check… after all, who knows what happened to her after our breakout. “I’m going to go see if Knitemair and Lily are just about ready, see you Mel.” Jasmine says and walks back to the house leaving Melanie and I alone.

“You know, you really did help us. Arabelle always told Knitemair and Shiro you would be the downfall to her throne and you were… directly indirectly. Kind of ironic. Plus you don’t talk a lot for an outsider.” She started walking back towards the bushes and I followed her.

“I simply observe, like Henry. I don’t ask a lot because I can sort of figure it out.” I say. She reaches the bench, sits and then pats the spot next to her. I obediently sit next to her feeling my cheeks heat up being this close to her.

“A quiet observer! You are the Hare’s son. That’s besides the point, it’s probably your nature anyway. There’s something I want to ask you though Ezra.” She trails off and I grow curious.

“Shoot, I don’t bite.” I say anxiously waiting for her question. She smiles at my lame attempt at being comfortable and shrugs. “I dunno, sometimes I feel that your story is just beginning. Like this was just arc one or something.”

“Why do you say that?” “Because Henry, by his nature and fate, is forever bound to be by the near vicinity of Genesis. Genesis by his fate is forever a… how do I say this… he’s a Time-Hopper. By being that, Henry is a World-Hopper. That little orb of his allows him to see some ways into the future.”

“Yeah I know… what does that have to do with me?” I question and she gives me an impatient look. “I’m getting there. Anyway, with Gen being a Time-Hopper, Henry being a World-Hopper for Genesis, they’re bound to get into some type of trouble now. At first being here was fine, Genesis never questioned why or how, he just simply accepted it. Now since your arrival he’s regained some of his memories and he’s told me there is something eating away at him. A distant memory he can’t quite remember.”

“Still don’t see what this has to do with me…”

“Then I’m going to rush this last part. Genesis has a family up there. It’s small right now but when he was reborn from– nevermind. That memory he’s looking for is a girl. Her name is Sephora. You and your father have to find her. Along with Henry finding Shiro, that bunny has a LOT of explaining to do.” She finishes and I stare at her. Why do I have to help in my father’s journeys? What if I wanted to stay at home doing… nothing… Hm, well now that I think about it…

“I still don’t understand why this has anything to do with me.” I say and she lets out an exasperated sigh.

“You’re a World-Hopper’s son. You get adventures automatically. Fun times.” She states and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh shut up, you’re the one acting like you’re a child… But seriously Ezra, be careful out there.”

“How do you know this?”

“Shiro’s ball… it kind of… activated in my care. I seen a glimpse of the future you have… it’s a nice one.” She says sadly which I wanted to ask more questions to but she stood up before I could. “That’s enough for now. Ask your father and pseudo uncle if you still have questions. I’m going to check on my Time Lord and see how he’s feeling. See you sooner or later Ezra. Be careful.” She hugs me then and I actually thought this conversation would go south real quick but thankfully it didn’t. I just have to keep telling myself that she will never be mine and that should do it.

“You know I can be perceptive too sometimes. Even if this might offend you, it’s really cute how you came to like me. Your jaw was practically hanging when I first saw you.” She says and I could feel my face turn several shades of red and she giggles again. “See, told you. You know I’m faithful to Vivek though so keep that crush of yours in check.” She says and I voice my agreement. After all, it wasn’t unreasonable, it was just a crush so I had no problems complying with it. Plus my heart might thank me for it later.

“Well, I guess it’s time you get going kid. I hear them gathering.” And I sigh because I could hear them too. We walked back to where everyone was gathered and sure enough, they were waiting on me.

“Finally! I was beginning to sweat in this weather.” Lily exclaims. “You were going to sweat in the shade?” “It’s hot Knitemair. Can we just go now, I hate it here.”

“Well Ezra, are you ready?” My father asks me and I look back at Melanie. “Go ahead Ezra, you deserve to be out of here. You probably missed a whole bunch of stuff Above.” She urges and she was right. Internet, my own bed, the freedom of walking Phoenix.

“Yeah I’m ready. Let’s go.” I say and with a few cheers, Henry pulls out the orbs and mumbles to them. We all gather around him and soon his orb starts glowing, brighter and brighter with every second that passes.

“See you guys later! Don’t forget about us!” Melanie says as we all begin to disappear. Soon, I couldn’t tell where we were but that feeling only lasted for a few moments as my vision began to clear and I look around. I was back home; in Aurora Skies.

***

No One’s POV:

Jay Xavier and his wife Bianca was playing with their son in the early morning. His parents still asleep in their warm bed. It has been a year and a half since Ezra went missing, a year since their parents fell into a sort of depression. And a few months since Eihime gave birth to his niece and nephew. Life has been sort of normal for Jay, but not the same without his brother.

Bianca Xavier wasn’t particularly playing with her son as much as she liked to. Her attention was being pulled else, she didn’t know why but it was. She soon got her answer when a bright light entered her peripherals and she looked up seeing a whole group of people that weren’t there before at the end of their driveway.

“Jay, who are those people? They mysteriously appeared…” She says in her soft voice and Jay looks up, seeing what she sees.

Yes there are people now at the end of his driveway. People he’s never seen before… and dogs. It couldn’t be… could it?

Jay looks closer and realizes these people aren’t from here.

Why, they couldn’t be.. it’s strange… they’re strange.

But then there’s one figure he recognizes. With a huge unmistakable grin on his face; Jay Xavier sees his brother. He hands Logan off to his wife gently because if he did not, he would’ve dropped the poor kid. He darts inside the house to wake his sleeping parents.

 Time was spent outside in the brisk, late autumn air. Hugs, introductions, glares, and tears. All that mattered to Ezra’s family was that he was back home. Safe.