Le Author’s Note: I’m back. My birthday was on the 23rd and I celebrated by playing with puppies and spending time with my fiance. AND! Getting back into the swing of things with the Xavier’s. This chapter is LONG. Some cursing. Nothing major…. I missed these guys so much.
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Henry’s POV:
There’s the house. The house where my son is. My son that I failed to protect. That’s in the past now and I simply need to focus on the future. Getting Ezra back. Possibly killing The Red Queen and her minion and getting my son back.
“There’s a shed around the back. Thinking… Ezra could–”
“Possible but no, Genesis. She would want someone to keep an eye on him and her being down a henchman would put her to keep her bodyguard with him and she–”
“Would be vulnerable. So if Ezra’s not in the little shed then he’s in the house. Damn.” Genesis says with a huff.
“Yeah… so the house is what we need to focus on.” I say mostly to myself. That annoying, stupid, pink, ugly house… “We need to break in.”
“Henry, there’s a spell I think I can use for this.” Jasmine says quietly and I much as I wanted to trust her, one of her little flaws couldn’t be good right now. I shake my head slowly, and she goes back to being silent. We make our way up to the side of the house carefully, slowly, silently…
The twins, as bubbly and energetic as they normally are, were also silent for once. Waiting for some type of leadership from either of us. I sigh, still debating on our original plan of allowing Jasmine and them to be distractions. No one could say what would happen to them if caught by the Red Queen’s guard dog. Just when I was about to speak up again, something turquoise and purple caught my eye.
“Cashmere.” I state simply as the cat looks like it’s been caught doing something it shouldn’t have.
“Meeerrow. Henry, Genesis, and the lot. What are you all doing snooping around here?”
“I could ask you the same.” It gets a terribly mischievous grin on its muzzle before answering.
“Well I got wind that mon soleil du matin was captured and being tortured… Sad non? Here to rescue him?” Cashmere says, swishing his tail.
“…how did you know? I thought you went into hiding.” I say eyeing the feline.
“Unless he was there when Ezra was taken. He always seems to pop up at the most convenient times.” Genesis says from behind me.
“Whaaaaat? Me-yow! Accusations hurt. But… maybe I was, maybe I was not. Maybe I’ll let you sneak in without an issue… but more than likely I won’t. I do love mon soleil du matin, but seeing him executed wouldn’t hurt either.” Cashmere says as he jumps on the hedge dangerously close to a lamp.
“Don’t you dare, you feminine feline.” Genesis threatens but as anyone could’ve guessed, it was entirely too late. Cashmere expertly kicks the lamp with enough force to send it to the ground making a loud crash. Smiling mischievously he darts off not soon after into the distant mountain area.
“Shit, run and duck!” Genesis commands and we all found a close place to hide right next to the house. “Everyone, think of a blank wall.” Genesis hisses to all of us except one. Jasmine. She’s sitting on the ground and we can’t do a damn thing about that because footsteps could be heard. And it’s getting dark…
***
No One’s POV:
“You stupid girl! How many times have I told you not to interfere! How dare you try and escape!?” Her voice rang sharp in everyone’s ears. And by everyone, one means Knitemair, Lily, and… well, Ezra.
You see, Lily had a plan, a poorly though out and even poorer executed plan but she tried. And failed miserably. She unlocked his cell, careful to remind him that she could turn him in if he tried to run, and tried to run away. Simple yes? Simple no. What Lily failed to realize is that Knitemair was good at his job even though he looked as though he didn’t care about it. Her thoughts of her past lover occupied her mind enough for her to forget about him and book, caught red handed with Ezra right behind. One quick trip back up the flight of stairs and one useless plea later, here we are; with The Red Queen about to lose… her head.
Ezra’s POV:
Seen that coming from a mile away. Sounded like it hurt… probably did with that scepter in her hand. I glance up from my peripherals to look at the demon they call Knitemair. Well he is just that, a nightmare. When he caught us I didn’t know what to expect but it sure as hell was not the invasion of my mind. It felt as though he touched everything, everything. From childhood to now. It was the most gut wrenching experience I ever had the dishonor of going through… and then it just left. He simply ordered us (mentally mind you, I don’t think he speaks out loud) to go into the house, upstairs. That’s where she was waiting. The Red Queen. She was, actually, quite beautiful. Not as beautiful as someone I know but still, it was there. Hidden, under that hideous scowl. She order me to sit near the window and well… she started yelling… and then that slap. Wow…
I glance back down at my feet, finding something more interesting there than them fighting. Knitemair shifts ever so slightly closer to me looking as though he’s listening for something. For what exactly I don’t know. And then a crash, it could be heard through the yelling…
“Father would’ve stopped you!”
“Your father’s been dead, and so is that stupid fling you messed up my whole plan with!”
*crash*
“Emillio…”
“Knitemair… that sound.” I see him nod and swiftly turns and darts down the stairs. Then I was left in the room with these two. I could run but that spiked scepter has me thinking twice. After all, I’m pretty sure The Red Queen can throw a very precise throw. Perhaps that sound was my father… but if so then we’d both be in this mess together. Better than being alone but…
This…
Does not make me feel immensely better either.
***
“Why did you get caught?” I ask her simply and she looked at me with a pained expression.
“Your protective spell… it failed because I let my emotions flare. My sister got me angry and–“
“That’s… that isn’t was I asked.”
“I needed to help you Ezra. The reason you got caught was because of me. Henry didn’t trust me to help much on our rescue mission for you but I had to do something… I couldn’t see you get hurt again, I couldn’t bear it.” Jasmine says softly. I smile slightly knowing that Henry and probably everyone else was outside waiting for an opportune moment to bust in here and get us out. But that smile was soon gone after I realized that’s almost impossible… who knows what could happen with Lily now that she was back in her mother’s clutches?
“He locked the door from the outside. We’re stuck in here…” I say and I could’ve sworn I seen a blush on her cheeks but I disregarded it.
“Actually… I have a spell, it might work if she’s willing to help…” Jasmine says looking out the window into the darkness.
“She? She who? I honestly don’t want anymore girls around that are crazy.” I say not meaning to hurt Jasmine’s feeling but the look she gave me proved otherwise.
“Melanie. The Red Queen’s sister. I’ll send out a S.O.S to her. I have a feeling Genesis and Henry won’t be able to do this alone.” I watched as she took a deep breath to calm her nerves, mumbled a little something and waved her arms around before her hands started to glow. She smiled to herself, clearly proud of her work.
Glowing letters appeared before us spelling out the word: Help. Simple message but how will this Melanie know about it?
“And now, send.” Jasmine states and the letters fly through the closed window out into the night. “Well, at least I did something that I hope will work. All we have to do is wait and pray that we don’t die here.”
“At least there’s a bed to sleep on. You can have it… I’ll be ok.” I say to her and she shakes her head and keeps standing. I took that as a sign and made my way over to it and laid down. At least it was comfy.
“Ezra… can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” Wondering why she asked if she could ask me piqued my interest and I looked at her curiously.
“…all the time you’ve known me… do you think, um, well…” She dropped off.
“Come on Jasmine, the worst thing that could happen is a couple of seconds of awkwardness.” I say trying to make her feel better and she sighs.
“Do you think it’s possible for me to come with you when you go back? I mean, I know I’m not technically from here, I had a life before this. I just don’t remember it.” I think for a moment but only for a moment. There’s no harm in letting her tag along is there? Especially regaining her lost memory of her life? No, no harm at all. I nod and she lets out another sigh, of relief this time. “It’s getting late… I wonder if those guys are still outside.” She says mostly to herself but that caused me to wonder too.
“I don’t know, I just hope they’re safe too.” I say softly, glancing towards the window.
“Hey, Ezra…?”
“Hm?”
“Can I lay next to you? If that’s not… weird?” She asks quietly and my eyes dart to her face, searching for an answer as to why. She sways on her feet uncertainly and looks away.
“…if you want.” I say slowly. I kinda had a slight feeling about Jasmine. I assumed she did like me, at least a little, but always thought Genesis was the one which is why I never went further than casual small talk with her… but maybe…?
“Great, thanks. My feet are almost killing me.” She says as she lays down with her back to me. “Well, um, I don’t know if this will be a good night, so far it hasn’t been but…”
“Yeah, I get the gist of it.” I say and lie awake while she drifts to sleep. Amazing considering this situation. I was going to stay up all night, or at least, that was my plan.
Somehow… it didn’t turn out that way. This peaceful moment seemed like it was cut short too by a loud bang and then yelling. Jasmine and I bolt awake and stare at the door. First hearing muffled voices (man these walls were thick) then yelling and I noticed one very important voice.
***
“–son back!”
“Never! I want this kingdom, all to myself! If my worthless daughter can’t do it then I will. And how in the hell did you lot get in here!? Where’s Knitemair??”
“It’s actually quite simple… big sister.” A quiet, cool voice says.
“…Melanie.”
“That’s me! How’s it going sis? Been a while since you became power hungry hasn’t it?” Melanie says. The Red Queen tsks and takes a step back.
“Indeed it has been a while since I became queen. A while since I eradicated the useless residents… a while since you ran to hide in the forest and live with your little woodland friends. So, tell me, little sister… why are you here and how did you get in?” The Red Queens says, each word laced with venom. Lily sat behind her, still as a rock, but listening and watching.
“I received a call of help… so I made my way away from my home towards here. Where the message originally came from. I met Henry and Genesis, you know them, you practically employ them; and we went straight to my lovely Vivek’s home. Boy was he glad to see me. From there, we devised a plan. After all, Vivek is the time lord–“
“Go figure.” Genesis says and Vivek shoots him a look. After all, he kept it a real good secret.
“–Now, there’s only one witch around here, and that’s young Jasmine, who may be new to the witch-hood, hardly has any control, but a message is a message. So, as Henry so blatantly busted up in here saying, where’s Ezra? Give him back.” Melanie finishes. I took that as my chance to pound on the walls and door alerting them as to where we were.
“Knitemair–!”
“If I may, your demon boy can’t help you. I paused time for him, in the room over there, so he’s technically stuck in suspended animation.” Vivek states matter-of-factly. The Red Queen stares.
“How did you get pass his psychic ability?”
“We have a cat, two actually, that helped.” Cashmere pipes up. “You see, Maggs over there is such a lovely minou that when I asked her to help, she readily agreed. Tell me where le démon is, I tell ma poupée, he stops time. Maggs is a very, very, très helpful kitty when she wants to be loved.” He grins and winks and Maggs meows. Lily snickers a little which unfortunately, did not help at all.
“You got my CAT TO HELP? I swear so help me gods that I will DESTROY. EVERY. LAST. ONE OF YOU!!!” The Red Queen roars and was just about to charge when Lily suddenly jumps up and grabs her by her hair.
“You’re a bitch mother!! I refuse to let you ruin my chance of being free from you again!!” Lily screams, yanking her mother back. Melanie took that distraction as an opportunity to take out the small substance she was planning on using to drug her sister, and anyone else, who put up too much of a fight.
“Let’s get Ezra.” Henry says to Genesis.
“And Jasmine.” He says back and they make their way to the opposite room across from where Knitemair was. When they reached it they kicked the door down, all while the Red Queen was ranting and raving.
“Well, well, don’t you two look closer.” Genesis says and Jasmine and I both blush, remembering how we woke up.
“Are you hurt Ezra? Jasmine?” Henry asks, looking me over and I nod. “We’re fine Henry, just get us out of here. I can’t stand being in this place one second longer.” Jasmine says and Genesis dutifully steps out of her way.
“It’s quiet…” I say noticing the eerie silence that wasn’t there a moment ago. We all go out and soon find out why.
The Red Queen was on the ground curled up with another blue haired girl next to her and Lily was burying her face in her hands.
“What happened to her?” Genesis asks and the blue haired girl turns her head slightly towards the sound of his voice.
“I put her to sleep momentarily. I also gave her a concoction of mine to get rid of this place in her.” She turns fully around and her eyes meet mine. “So, you’re the one who caused all this ruckus. Ezra Xavier.” When she said my name my heart stopped for a few seconds. She was beautiful, no, more than that… she was stunning; and hearing her say my name made me want to know more about her story. Where she came from, how she got here… would she stay here? I was quickly brought out of my thoughts when she got up and bounded over to us.
“Well, you’re a lot more plain than what I was imagining but you are the March Hare’s son. No offense Henry, and take that as a compliment Ezra.” she giggles and I blush deeply. “Jasmine! How have you been? I got your message so I know you’ve been practising your magic.” She turns to Jasmine with that same bright smile and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Mouth stuck… great job me.
“Melanie… I can’t keep… this time pause–“
“Oh shoot! Sorry Vivek, honey. Let me finish up.” Melanie, the girl who caused me to react in a way I never reacted before, says and I felt a pang in my chest. Honey?
Knitemair looked as though he was on pause when she opened the door. It looked like he was just getting up to do something… She walks into the room and I see she puts something into that demon’s mouth when she took off his mask and necklace. After a moment she backs out of the room and gives Vivek a nod. He mumbles something and slides down the wall and Knitemair falls to the floor, looking bewildered. He catches sight of Melanie and gets up slowly.
“I can’t hear the voices anymore…”
“No, I fixed that for you. Come here.” She beckons him and he walks over to her.
“I feel… free, Melanie. Thank you.” His quiet voice hardly reached over to where I stood, watching intently. “What did you do to me?”
“The same thing I did to my sister. I took her powers away. This place does things to people that shouldn’t happen, given the wrong herbs and roots. Arabelle found a way to control that and used it on many of the inhabitants here. But I fixed that, she can’t do anything anymore… neither can you.” Melanie explains and I grew another form of respect for her. Single handedly she practically saved us.
“I’m still stuck here aren’t I?” Knitemair asks her and she nods.
“You were born here. Like Arabelle, me, Henry… but you can visit Above.” “I owe you my life also, please allow me to aid you.”
“We can discuss this later… for now, let’s just go. Guys?” She says and we all agree.
“Now wait just a minute! I am NOT staying in this stupid house alone! Take me with you or… or…” Lily says.
“I been patting her head for the longest… I thought she was devastated.” Cashmere says stroking the cat’s fur and looking between Lily and the rest.
“Well, if Henry says so.” Melanie says helping Vivek up.
“…you know I don’t beg Henry but… please. I have nothing left.” She says still looking angry.
“Hmm…” My father doesn’t say anything for a moment. “If Knitemair would allow you to.” He says after.
“I allow it. After all, she wasn’t evil like her mother. She just wanted out, like me.” Knitemair says looking down with his sad eyes. “Then it’s settled, let’s go.” Henry says turning on his heel and going down the stairs. Melanie gave one last look back at her older sister and sighed. She grabbed onto Vivek and helped him down the stairs and soon, we all made our way back to Genesis’s house.
***
No One’s POV:
“Well, this place is gaudy.” Lily sighs looking around. She knew she wasn’t going to a plush palace but a little cleaning couldn’t hurt.
“Is it your mother’s place?” Knitemair asks from behind her.
“No but–” “But nothing. Stop complaining.” Knitemair cuts her off and continues rocking back on forth on his heels. No one has ever seen him so in motion before and the movements amaze them.
“Yeah plus, you don’t have to stay here. It’s my house… and will you two stop cuddling!?” Genesis says eyeing Vivek and Melaine. Vivek was stupid using his ability that long… but seriously, the guy was a Time Lord; who knew? Not only did he hide that really well from not only Genesis but Henry, the guy who could read anyone like a book, he made it seem like he was seriously only a wallflower!
“Shh, Genesis. He’s resting. He’s had a very hard day.” Melanie says in her soft, cool voice and Genesis scoffs, walking over to his fireplace and poking it.
“It shouldn’t have been that easy… Something’s not right…” Henry mutters to himself thinking of what he could’ve missed.
“Actually, it was that easy. My powers were not that amazing… what you guys made me out to be was a total lie.” Knitemair says causally and Henry narrows his eyes. “You don’t believe me?”
“No. You’re a demon for one–” “Actually, I’m not.” “For two, for you to have the ability to practically predict anyone’s next move and you take a pill and it’s suddenly gone–“
“Hey, I worked hard on those!” Melanie interjects.
“It was a strong pill… Your voices, er, thoughts was what allowed me to do that really.”
“I just don’t understand…” Henry mumbles. “Just worry about getting Ezra back home. Its been how long since he was away?” “I… I’m not sure. But without Shiro’s orb I can’t–“
“Orb? You mean this thingy?” Melanie asks and pulls out a medium sized crystal ball. “I found it on my doorstep one day with a note attached to it. ‘Give this to the stupid brown hare.’ I just held onto it for… well, our reunion Henry. Here.” She hands Henry the ball and he studies it. Everything was falling into place… too easily, but it was Shiro’s orb. Nick in it and everything.
“Thank you Melanie. You seem to have been just the thing we needed. I’ll tell Ezra in the morning, for now, I’ll let him sleep.” Henry says thinking of his only son and how excited and happy he would be. He was down in Henry’s room sleeping with his beloved dog; Phoenix, who missed him greatly. Jasmine was also there doing who knows what but probably keeping Kona company since The Twins went home earlier before the rescue ended. It’s been an eventful day.
It was quiet for a moment with no sound from anyone until Genesis spoke up.
“Who’s hungry?”
The Legacy of the Xavier's 