Gen 3 Chap 28 (Finale) – The Boy and The Lie

Le Author’s Note: Generation finale. Wow. never thought I’d write out 28 chapters of 1 gen. I tended to keep them short. And looking back, I understand why I loved each heir so far. So! After this chapter (which I cried a little through… I really don’t know why.) it will be an heir vote. A few warnings: Time skipping in no particular order except to keep a slight time frame… Language, there’s a gif, and… blood. Long chapter.

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Winter, a year and a few months later from Ezreal’s disappearance

No One’s POV:

Irelia was once again, over her father’s house. Pacing, lamenting and ranting about her missing brother. It has been a long time since anyone has heard anything from Ezreal, not a letter or a call. A bewitching message or messenger animal. Nothing. Zip. Nada… It was still making Irelia furious beyond all belief.

“–and he just ups and disappears without a trace! And cloaking spell! CLOAKING! Jeez, are you sure we can’t contact the police or something!?”

Ezra has learned that although his daughter has been meek in many aspects in her life, when it comes to her twin she is the most outspoken person he has ever met. Though he is worried to death about his son, he has also learned of the ways of the world in his solitude after the kids moved out. They do live in a supernatural friendly-ish town but that didn’t necessarily mean the police were eager to jump on a case as… transparent, as this. And that was putting it lightly.

Ezra once again, explained this to his daughter (the level headed one he used to think) who was pacing quicker.

“The police won’t help with this. Especially if Ezreal has this strong of a spell going on. The most they’ll do is chalk it up to a runaway with a girl.”

“With our other dog?? Daaad.”

Well… he tried.

“What am I supposed to do? The same thing over and over? Just work at my cafe? In my garden? Make potions? Pretend everything is ok!?”

“I thought it was a bakery…”

“Kotetsu convinced me to change it.”

“Kotet– who is–”

“I just don’t understand how he can even FATHOM a justified reason to disappear off the face of the earth! And Sadie! He took Sadie! Spark is a totally different dog now! It’s like he had a personality change or something!! Why isn’t Uncle Genesis helping or Grandpa Henry with his–”

“Hey, take a breather ‘Relia. Now. I’m going to make a late breakfast. And I have a few things to tell you. Most important, your grandfather…” Ezra says after he got tired enough of her raving. He briefly wondered if she got that from her mother. Jasmine… huh, now there’s a name he hasn’t spoken out loud in years. But his mind was always filled with her smile. It’s the main reason he never dated or remarried for that matter.

“Fiiine. I’m getting tired anyway. Also, what about grandpa?”

“Why don’t you stay over for the night? This… isn’t pleasant.”

***

A few months before Irelia’s meltdown, Some where in Midnight Hollow

Ezreal’s POV:

This place is a fucking dump. I don’t plan to stay here for long though. I just needed a shelter of some sort… so I broke into this abandoned house. No one was really around in this town since it mainly came alive at night. And they didn’t particularly care who did what as long as it never came back to them.

I took out the huge book I brought from home about fairytales and read the same story again. My 18th time this year. Most of that was done on the road with Sadie… Doesn’t matter now, I’ll just bide my time until nightfall.

***

It took a while, but I found it. The place where this girl has been hiding. Hiding from me. Hiding from me with my orb she stole from me. Sadie helped tremendously with it. She refused to leave my side during this entire journey. Honestly, she’s the one who found out where the rat was hiding. In fucking dreary ass Midnight Hollow…

 

Briar.

 

I hate her. I thought it was love but I supposed it twisted into hate when I figured out she stole. The absolutely only person I told about the orb. ‘I keep it in my office.’ ‘Why?’ ‘To keep it safe.’ ‘Oh.’ Why did I trust her? Why did those eyes make me want to give her the world? Why now that every time I think about it, I want to… hurt. Hurt her.

 

Briar, Briar.

 

That pink hair.

 

Briar, Briar.

 

Those big eyes.

 

Briar, Briar.

 

The way she said my name when we–

I stopped right before the door. I probably look like hell but that doesn’t really matter now does it? She’s in here. I can feel it. I can sense… her long, pretty, soft legs. I can sense everything from her. Everything but what she planned. I looked at the door, stared at it for longer than I had to. Normal door, no magic surrounding it. No magic surrounding the area honestly. So why did it take me forever to find this little shack in a creepy town? Doesn’t matter now, I found her. After walking and traveling across the country… I found her.

Briar Fucking Rose.

I kicked the door down. I didn’t know what to expect, maybe projectiles coming at me? But I really didn’t expect to see her so calm. Just, looking, at me. Calmly… I hated it. I despised it.

“You could’ve just knocked and I would’ve let you in Ezreal.” That voice. That sweet, sweet voice. Siren call? Maybe.

“Where is it?” I question, not wanting to get into pleasantries or remember what she smelled like. Berries.

“Oh come on ‘Zreal, why not catch up? It’s been almost a full year.” I didn’t answer. That nickname she gave me… the way it broke me, I hated it. The power it held. The way it made me melt into her. I felt a little anger radiating off of her.

“My… orb.” I manage to say through gritted teeth. She smiled. She knew the power she was holding over me.

“You know, I never loved you, my heart belonged to another. You were very quick to fall for me though. It was cute.” “Why did you steal from me?” “Oh ‘Z, you adorable soul. I can tell you the tale of how I came to your sweet, little, filthy, town.” She said with a smirk. I shifted on my feet. Didn’t say anything, glanced around, eyes snapped back to her. She sighed and continued talking.

“I knew your family way before you even knew about me. That night you saw me walking? And you thought I was just a poor, lonely, lost girl… Almost romantic, but I wasn’t there by coincidence. I was looking for your family and what luck! You came out of your dad’s house, saw me, and took me in. Memory loss? Oh dear, you poor, poor boy. You fell for it. It was so easy. Memory loss, for taking away my bunny from me. I was going to go after your father but you seemed so much more gullible.”

I swallowed a lump that formed in my throat. She played me like a fiddle and I… let her. I knew that but I let her. But just because my uncle killed my mother and Genesis killed him before he could take away both of my parents? Why was it so easy to do that to me?

“You were so blinded by love. You didn’t even think about what was really going on. In your office, that’s it. The orb was in your office so I looked. And I found it, then I left and you never heard from me again.” She stopped talking, picking up a little doll, playing with it, putting it back down. A little blonde doll with a blue dress. Perfectly in tact. Like she thinks she will be in a few moments…

“Briar where’s–” “You don’t even know my name. I’m not Briar Rose.” She interrupts me. That almost surprised me except I read about it during my journey here. I was just so used to calling her Briar… “Briar Rose’s story is complete as you must know. She died, while still being in Happily Ever After. No, see, my name, is Zella. Zelladine to close family, Zella to friends… Briar to anyone I can manipulate. Nice to meet you!” She says cheerfully. “Who are you…? No story has you in it.” I say slowly, racking my brain to figure out where she belongs.

“I’m her sister, the never mentioned sister. And I killed her. I wanted what she had so I removed her from the world.” She says it almost triumphantly, with a smile, staring at me. She walked around her table and pulled out something from behind the counter. My orb. “I wanted to bring him back, so I could have my own Happily Ever After but… I could never get this to work. Is it some kind of magical—”

I was on her then. Holding her down with so much force from my anger that she could hardly fight back. I grabbed the orb away from her and jumped back up, moving back fast as she got up and ran towards me. There was going to be a fight and only one of us would be walking out of here alive. I’ve been practicing my conjuring skills just for this moment, this moment of life and death. I knew she wasn’t going to let this thing go gently. While we were grappling at one another I managed to pull back and call my bat. Although it caught her attention she didn’t stop her assault and charged at me again, this time shrieking. I took a swing and she fell. Maybe I did want to hurt her but I didn’t want to kill her. But before I could turn and leave she jumped up again, biting at my legs. Resilience, I’ll give her that. A thought came to me then. If I died here, no one would know. Another swing, and another, another, another.

***

She stopped moving awhile ago. I stopped hitting a while ago. Now I was just here catching my breath. Hunched over her body… Well that image will never be erased from my mind. Great. There’s blood and brains everywhere and I can’t sit… That’s ok, I’m getting out of here anyway. Gods, it soaked through the rug….

“Fucking… bitch.” I curse under my breath. Taking care not to step in any blood, I made my way to the door. I was almost there when I heard a sound. I stopped dead in my tracks and listened. The sound came again, louder. It sounded like… whimpering? Now crying. A… baby? Oh shit. The fear that gripped me when I turned around was nothing like the fear I had when I saw what lay behind that closed door.

An infant… Time frame was right. Almost a year… And we did… It had her hair. Or did it have mine? It was dark. I looked around the room, searching for something to carry… the infant. I couldn’t leave it here, unfortunately. That wouldn’t be right and would be on my conscious. Not to mention what dad would– Dad. Well, this is a fine pickle you’ve gotten yourself into this time Ezreal Xavier.

I found something to wrap the kid in, made a makeshift napsack to carry them on my back. Again I took to the front door, equally focusing on the crying infant and my steps to avoid blood. I tried to quiet the child before leaving, only succeeding when I started humming a lullaby. I’m sorry kid, I didn’t know you existed. If I did, I would’ve tried a little harder not to take your mom away. I would’ve tried a little harder to be a better human. I started making my way back to where I was being holed up, where Sadie was, so we could get a move on back home.

***

The early morning a day after Irelia stayed with their dad

Kotetsu’s POV:

I wake up in the middle of the night because… I just do. I’m not a light sleeper or anything, more of a night owl. I sleep all day and this morning, that was still basically night (It was 3am), I was thirsty. So walking… er gliding, I prefer not to wake the dog who would then wake Irelia with his growling, I spotted a very familiar color pattern. Navy, yellow, and teal. How the hell did he get in here without– witch. Right. Spells and whatever. Wait… Is that a baby next to– I’m just going to silently glide back up the stairs.

It wasn’t long before he actually got up. I was basically floating in Irelia’s room for about 3 more hours listening to the outside of the door. I knew that if she found out he was here before I had a chance to soften the blow, the entire house would come crashing down. A year alone with Irelia and you start to notice her little… habits. Her temper has gotten extremely worse though, so I try my best to relax her… It’s how I got the privilege of floating in her room instead of chilling in my super comfy, full of genie dust, no room to really stretch out, lamp… I hate that thing.

I slipped out quietly right as Ezreal was about to go back down the stairs.

“Shit… is my spell waning?” He asks himself in a hushed tone.

“Damn is that how you greet your best friend after a year? But nah, I just happen to have been up at 3 and went downstairs for a drink of… something, and I saw you. Came back up and waited.”

He didn’t say anything for a while, just stared, I was starting to think he zoned out until he asked:

“You banging my sister now?”

I broke out into a laugh which he expertly cover with another spell.

“Come on man, my magic can only be spent for so long. I need to recharge.”

“When did you get so good at magic? Control for one, an eternal cloaking spell for two.”

He didn’t answer and started to go downstairs.

“Who’s the kid Ezreal?”

A dead stop. But no answer. I sighed and turned around to go back into the room, but not before telling him to wash his face.

***

Around 10 I made them breakfast, my famous strawberry rhubarb pancakes, which I know they both actually love buuuuut you could cut the tension between the two with a meat cleaver if you tried hard enough.

“They’re delicious right?” I ask trying to lighten the mood a little. All I got were grunts from both. I sigh slightly. Perhaps I would need a higher power to help with this.

Irelia downed her pancakes, probably not wanting to be in the same room as her brother for longer than what was absolutely necessary. Yeah that was probably a good idea.

“You eat like you have somewhere to be.” Ezreal says after his twin gets up. The look she gave him would scare Death himself if he ever saw it. Ezreal didn’t drop his icy stare back though.

“I’ll be… in the living room.” Irelia states through gritted teeth and walks hastily away. I hear Ezreal do an audible sigh.

“I’ll clean up. Just go talk to her but be extremely cautious. She’s like a minefield now-a-days.”

“Oh. Great. Dammit.”

“This had better be good Ezreal. You don’t know how much I hate looking at you right now.”

“Hey, don’t act all high and mighty ok? Just let me explain. It’s… it’s long.”

“Then it looks like you better get to explaining.”

“Look, the girl… I dated… for a… *sigh* ok. Zelladine Rose was the girl you met about a year ago yeah?  Told you I met her coming out of dad’s house on my way back home and whatnot. We were dating, at least I thought we were. Turns out she was using me to get to the orb dad gave me which she stole–”

“Zella…dine? I thought her name was Briar.”

“Yeah me too. Turns out she killed her. They were sisters. Anyway she stole the orb from me, that grandpa had, gave to dad, then to me. I didn’t know she stole it until one day I was actually looking for it to test out some shit. When I found out she, and I knew only she could because she was the only one I told about it, stole it, I tracked her down. It took about a year, it’s why I left so suddenly, and why I didn’t want anyone finding me. I’ve been practicing that cloaking spell for ages and I finally got it down. The thing is, I used it nonstop for an entire year and I think I’m at my limits… Long story short, I got back what I lost so I came back.”

I listened in on the tale… I feel that Ezreal was hiding more than that huge secret he got upstairs but he has to be ready to tell. I also hear a very subtle, but audible ‘what the fuck’ from Irelia.

“You ran after a girl because she stole some stupid orb from you!? You completely cut off all contact from your family so could find her!? YOU HAD SADIE WITH YOU THIS WHOLE TIME AND YOU DIDN’T THINK TO CONTACT ME!?”

“You don’t know what the fuck I’ve been through Irelia, don’t judge me based on–”

“I can judge you because you’re my brother. My twin, Ezreal. What you did was stupid, beyond stupid! You almost drove me insane with this little stunt! YOU LIED!!”

“Hey, guys, maybe, calm down before you both say something that–”

“Shut up Kotetsu!” They both yell. I cringe a little, thinking of the sleeping baby upstairs. I really hope she’s a heavy sleeper, but I doubt it.

“Hazel couldn’t even find you! The strongest witch in the family! Spark was going crazy without his sister! He hardly leaves my side now! You are such an idiot! I should have dad disown you for this! You don’t even know grandpa passed!”

“Seriously!? You don’t know half the shit I had to go through! This orb is extremely important, my life– our lives were in danger because it was out of my hands! I was the one responsible for it! And don’t give me that shit about Hazel being the most powerful if she couldn’t even pinpoint my location. And what were you doing? Playing in your little bakery!? You know what, this is stupid. Talking to you is pointless!”

Somewhere upstairs I heard a pipe burst. I looked to Irelia who I could tell was about to go off the rails. I grabbed her and pulled her away.

“You need to call you father.”

“I’m not going to–”

“Irelia, shut up and listen to me, for once. Call your father before you destroy your already fragile relationship with your brother.” I stared into her eyes and saw them soften ever so slightly. At least I got one shred logic into her, she pulled out her phone.

***

Within a few minutes, their father was there mediating. Too soon I would say, I hope he didn’t speed. But even if he did, he arrived safely. I went upstairs to check on the pipes and Ezreal’s child.

When I peeked downstairs some time later, floating, I could hear the last remnants of their conversation. It wasn’t spying per say, I just wanted to know. Although what I saw broke my heart and I sat at the top of the stairs, just taking in information.

“Dad… dad… daddy…” Ezreal choked out. His tears were like a river and every time he tried to talked his breath hitched. “I… I didn’t…”

“Ezreal, you’re ok now, you’re home. I’m here. Just tell me.”

“I…. killed her dad. I had to. She was going to kill me if I… I didn’t want…”

“Oh, Ezreal… it’s ok. You’re safe.”

“I didn’t mean to take her mom away. I just wanted to get back here.”

“……her?”

“I…. have…. a daughter.”

Ah, so there it is. The other secret he was hiding. I could tell it was eating him up. I have a feeling it still will in the long run. I secretly wished for Irelia to wish for her brother not to suffer but she actually never wishes for anything. I just feel bad that I can’t really do anything right now. But patience is my strong suit.

It was a few hours until Mr. Xavier got ready to leave. I was in Ezreal’s room keeping the little one company since she woke up after the yelling and fighting. She’s pretty dang cute in my opinion, but I have a soft spot for kids. Always did. Ezreal came up to get her but when he saw me he asked if I could take her down to his dad. I noticed Ezreal has some reservations when it comes to even looking at his daughter. I took her down with him following behind and after a very awkward greeting to their dad, I handed her over and went to find Irelia.

“She has your mother’s hair which, subsequently, is also yours…. hm, her mother’s eyes?”

“Yeah.”

“They’re nice.” No response. “Ezreal, you need to take care of her.”

“I really… don’t want her.”

“You will not abandon her. You took away her mother and you have to take responsibility for that.”

“I don’t… want– why? No, I know that but I can’t be a… father. I can’t even look at her without–”

“What her name anyway?”

“I… I don’t know. I found her after…”

“…then start with that son. Find her a name. I made a huge mistake with you and your sister. I was depressed and missed the best years of your lives while wallowing in that. I refuse to let you do the same to her.”

“I’m so scared.”

“I was too. But the good thing I had was my father… and the good thing for you is that you have me. I’m not perfect, but I can help you. You also have a sister and… whatever Kotetsu is to you guys. Genesis, Sephora, Hazel… you even have an entire side of family you never met. You have support Ezreal.” He hands the little one to Ezreal who looks like she would rip his head off given the chance.

“You are not alone. I promise you that… I’ll see you later. And Ezreal?”

“Yeah dad?”

“I’m glad you’re back. Don’t do that again.”

“I won’t.”

Maybe if Ezreal remembers that, he could get back on track with his life. He’ll always have the support he needs, whether he utilizes it or not, is completely up to him though.

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Le Author’s Note 2: Yes, Henry died… and yes there is a reason. I should do a lore of this world as my mind understands and makes it… On paper first! The heir vote will be updated shortly. Thanks for reading!

Gen 3 Chap 20 – The Coldest Year

Le Author’s Note: DON’T HATE ME!! Super short chapter. Horrible Photoshop skills.

WARNING: Language, blood and gore. Maybe some feels, maybe not.

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Ezra’s POV:

Earlier That Year

Somehow, it turned cold without me knowing. Henry said it was cold all year but I didn’t notice it. How can summer be cold anyway? Whatever, it doesn’t matter. What mattered was that I found Jasmine but everyday that passed, her trail grew colder and colder.

I even made it daily routine to go to the consignment shop the elves were supposedly working at but day after day, I never saw them. They’ve been replaced by two other people, people who absolutely hated me asking questions. One of such was a lovely lady by the name of Sofia Carlton. It was normally she who would send me out of the shop.

“Come back again Ezra? I told ya, them elves up and left town ages ago. The shop was for sale when I acquired it.” That I knew, my father filled me in on those details when he seen the elves disappear into a portal. Without Jasmine, if I may add. My father and Genesis scoped the place out, checking behind every book shelf, in every corner, room, floorboard and wall panel. All for naught. My father’s orb couldn’t even find Shiro on the map and that’s what it boiled down to. Although Shiro’s orb was still in my father’s possession, he could still make himself disappear. Annoying to say the least.

“I’m not here about the elves this time Sofie. Have you seen a white figure running around here with my wife in tow?” I asked, deciding to change my approach, but I still got the same look.

“If I saw ya blue haired honey running around with another guy I would’ve called ya as soon as I set eyes on her. But no one fits that description that came through these doors. Trust me Ezra, you and ya folks bug me so much I know to contact you. I have all ya numbers so why don’t you just take your tired face home? Or at least stop loitering around here. Being related to magic sure don’t help you none in this, that’s for sure.” I didn’t reply to that and instead, chose to turn around a get out of there. I hated the smell of her sickly sweet perfume anyway. Always makes me want to gag.

I went across the street to the town center and sat on the fountain. It started raining as soon as I got there but I didn’t mind. Matter of fact, I welcomed the rain to wash away my sadness. Although this nightly was cold, that didn’t stop a few butterflies. Strange, all thing considered but I didn’t think too much on it. Heavier things weighed on my mind. I’ve been distracting myself from her disappearance but sometimes it still hits me like a brick. My father is constantly making sure I don’t fall back into depression (however slight that was when it happened.) and keeping the other half of the family involved with me too. I don’t need their sympathy but I do miss hearing their voices. Jay and Eihime’s kids are practically grown; Ei’s in high school practically done and Jay’s just starting high school.

Lilith is in Egypt doing God knows what. With who? Some dude named Akeem whom I immediately do not like. Who is he to take my little sister out of the country? Dad is worried, he said there’s something he isn’t ready to tell her. Of course he wouldn’t tell me. Liberty is still doing well for herself. She and Matthew broke up after he cheated on her, the bastard. I wish I had been there but I know Libby can take care of herself and probably gave him a new face.

I broke down after a while. It feels as though everyone in my family is getting on with their lives just fine and mine is falling apart. Maybe it’s because I’m the weak one. I mean, I couldn’t hold it together when I first found out she– No, not going back. I can’t, my children need me. I need them…

I mentally slap myself and start to head back home. No more sulking, no more being depressed. But I just needed a sign. Doesn’t even have to be huge, just… something to let me know she’s still ok. I didn’t plan on that sign coming in the middle of winter.

***

I received a random letter in the mail one winter’s Saturday. I got up and out of bed to get the mail and there was a folded piece of paper on top of it. I took it back up to my room and carefully read the contents. Of course it had to be Shiro, who else? Couldn’t have been those elves, Henry confirmed they were no where near here anymore, call it a hunch he felt that Jasmine was still in Twinbrook.

And hey, here comes the moment we all have been waiting for. How could any of us know? How did he even get her? Did he really have her? I didn’t care, I had to go. So I got dressed and raced out the house with Genesis and Henry confused. I didn’t know if they followed or not, I hopped in my car and sped like a demon and all that was going through my head was her name. Jasmine. I would get her back. Jasmine. I can hold her again. Jasmine. Kiss her, she can see our kids. Our family isn’t broken anymore… Jasmine.

***

I got to the graveyard. Shiro was there, just as he said, standing behind her and… touching her. I ran up to him, yelling. He looked at me and put up his hand. He made a tsk tsk sound and showed me what he held in his other hand; a knife. An ordinary kitchen knife. He grabbed Jasmine by her hair. She didn’t resist. It was like she was in some sort of trance. He brought her to her knees and yanked her head up so her throat was exposed. I yelled her name but got no response.

 “She can hear you but those elves did a number to her little brain. She’s basically a mindless slave right now.” Shiro says through his cynical, evil smile. I take a hesitant step forward. There was no way for me to close the distance between us in time, but I could always try.

“Let her go Shiro.” I demand and he just shakes his head. “Letting her go would be too easy Ezra. I’d rather slit her throat right here, right now.” He says as he bring the blade of the knife to her throat.

“Tell me, how did you find her?” I ask and he tilts his head to the side. “It was quite easy really, after I found out where the elves hid their little magic book, I found the spell, reversed it, and kidnapped her. Of course it took me all autumn to find the damn book.” He pressed the knife against Jasmine’s throat and she lets out a tiny squeal that broke my heart.

“Let her go Shiro… please.” I try once again and he just laughs.

“No. But now that that’s done, say goodbye to your little whore Ezzy.” Shiro says to me as something in his eyes flick.

“Don’t!!” I shout and make a dash for him. I was too late, he was lightning fast and in one swift motion he kissed her forehead before slitting her throat right in front of my eyes.

Blood sprayed and I tackled him, hard. I started punching and didn’t stop.

“Hahahahahahaha!” Punch, punch, punch. “Keep hitting me, it won’t bring her back.” How is he managing to talk through this?

“Let her go Ezra. She wasn’t good enough anyway.” He says with that sick grin still plastered on his face and he overpowered me, easily flipping me on my back and pinning my wrists down with what seemed like an invisible force.

How is he capable of doing this? He grabbed the knife, it didn’t fall far from when I tackled him. All the while, he never loses his grin. His high shrill voice rings out through my head.

“Did you really think you could save her?? You couldn’t if you tried! Those damn elves would’ve eaten her alive with their life sapping energy. Just like when she was first with them.

She was so fucking weak Ezra! I could bend her to do practically anything for me. But then Under-Esterdale changed her, the Queen changed her and I lost my hold on her!

I deserve to be with her but no! Genesis just had to find you first! YOU ALL RUINED FUCKING EVERYTHING I WORKED FOR AND I’LL KILL YOU FOR IT EZRA! I swear to all the gods I will fucking DESTROY YOU!”

He raised the knife and flipped it to fit to stab me. Right before he brought it down something stopped him.

Two shots rang out. Shiro’s eyes went from malice and fury to shock. The knife fell from his hand landing severely close to my face. He brought his hand to his side slowly, to his face equally slowly. Crimson red dripped from it.

“…wow.” Was all he said before he fell off of me on his side. I immediately pushed myself back from him and look up to see Genesis holding a gun.

“You ok Ezra?” I didn’t respond, I just turned to her. I needed to get to her. Please let her still be alive. I reach her, pick her body up, its ice cold. She doesn’t have a pulse. No, God no. Please! I hear screaming.

Genesis’s POV:

I knelt down besides that annoy pure white being when Ezra didn’t give me a response. I wanted to make sure he was dead. He wasn’t, not yet at least.

“I.. I always thought… the bloody queen would kill me. She… wanted… me dead. I thought, decapitation, ya know? He..hehehehe.” He breathes in ragged breaths and I don’t feel sympathy.

“Kinda… anticlimactic… don’t ya think?” His eye rolls up to meet mine. I simply stare at him, slowly losing his life. He started shivering. Still no sympathy.

“Ah, fuck… I… still… fucking hate you.. Genesis.” He says with his final breath and I stand. “I fucking hate you too Bunny Boy.” That was when Ezra screamed.

I see her body and I see her blood. I hear him screaming and I know I can do nothing to help. I drop my gun and fall down next to them, silently willing Ezra to get a hold of himself. After a moments hesitation I wrap my arms around him and pull him away from her. It’s cold, she’s cold. The snow is too pristine and I want to leave. I pick her up and motion for Ezra to get up and follow. At first he doesn’t respond but then he slowly makes his way to a standing position after a second motion from me. We began to walk, leaving Shiro, taking Jasmine. He stops me and takes her body from me. We walk in silence, him crying, and me trying not to but failing.

This is the coldest year I’ve ever had to deal with.

Gen 3 Chap 19 – Depression… Progression

Le Author’s Note: I don’t think I say this enough but thank you everyone who reads, likes, comments, and provides feedback on this legacy. I know I’m not an exceptional writer but I do like doing it. Thank you all!

Warning: Language.

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“Baby,

can you be a little bit stronger?

Baby, cause I need a little longer.

You’re an earthly comfort
Yet so divine, yet so divine.

I never see you anymore.”

---

“Hiya Mister Ezra’s dad! Can the twins come out and play today?” Hazel’s cheery voice rang out and Henry had to shush her quickly.

“Hey, Henry. Hazel, be quieter. Inside voices dear.” Genesis says softly. He glances around quickly, noticing two figures superbly absent from this early morning scene.

“Actually Genesis, there’s something I need you to do for me.” Henry says slowly. Genesis can see the wear and tear of time on his best friend’s features now a days. Taking on the responsibility of raising Ezra’s kids was taking its toll.

“Yeah sure what?” Genesis asks and Henry’s eyes got a slight spark in them. “I need you to take the kids to the park today. I need help with Ezra, he’s wasting away so I called in some reinforcements.”

“Reinforcements? Hm, wonder who… but yeah I’ll take the kids. Hazel and I will take great care of them, won’t we babydoll?” “Yes sir papa!” Hazel agrees then covers her mouth giggling. “Sorry Mister Ezra’s dad.” “It’s ok Hazel, the twins are in the backyard actually.” Henry says and Genesis nods, leading Hazel out the backdoor, stepping over dog toys in the process. Henry notices this and shakes his head. He really needed Ezra to get off his ass and stop wallowing in self pity.

Henry had thought his younger brother would have no doubt tried to take his orb back (deactivated when Ezra spiraled into this… shell he’s in) and use it for his seemingly endless nefarious plots against him. But so far… nothing has happened on that front. He sees Genesis hop in his car with the kids and goes upstairs to try and get Ezra out of bed… once again.

“Get up.” Henry storms into Ezra’s room. The truth is, he’s tired. Mentally and physically.

“Do you knock anymore?” “I don’t give a damn about knocking or not. Get your ass up Ezra, now. I’m tired of you being holed up in this room like you’re some type of hermit. You need to get out, socialize, be with your kids. They’re growing up fast.”

“They remind me of her.” Ezra chokes out, stifling a sob before it could escape. He didn’t look at his father, he didn’t want to. Just like he didn’t want to know where his children were right now, although he heard some little girl downstairs earlier. It was early… too early to be up. He just wanted to sleep. Henry wasn’t having it.

“I will be damned if I sit around here doing your job of raising your kids. Up, now.” Ezra simply rolled on his side away from his father’s voice. Henry was losing it.

“You will get you ass out of this bed. You will see your children grow up. You will be a father. With or without Jasmine around.” A cringe, then retaliation. “I didn’t see you at all in my childhood, only in dreams. Why are you getting on me about this!? I told you I couldn’t do this alone!” “You aren’t doing ANYTHING!! Don’t bullshit me on not being there when you were growing up, that was the biggest damn mistake of my entire life and if I could go back I would’ve let that entire world burn to the ground! Just to see you and your sister grow up!” Henry yells. He shouldn’t have, he should’ve kept his composure but he didn’t. He suffered a subconjunctival hemorrhage, followed by hyphema. Henry covers his left eye with his hand and sighs deeply.

“Get dressed, go downstairs.” He says to his suddenly stubborn son. “I don’t really want to.” Was a reply back. “I wasn’t asking. Don’t make me hurt you Ezra.” Henry states and walk to the bathroom across the hall. He needs to check out his eye, blood is still in his line of sight and that’s not good.

---

Ezra’s POV:

I put on my clothes and headed downstairs, like my father ordered me to. I wasn’t feeling to good about our argument we just had. I knew I put in some low blows but to hear my father regret saving his homeworld for the sacrifice of my childhood made me feel even more shitty. I seen that bright crimson appear in his left eye too, that’s not a good sign.

Before I made it even a third of the way down I seen some incredibly familiar shoes and it dawned on me; my parents came here. I stopped at the base of the stairs and stood staring, unbelievably at the scene before me. My eyes watered and tears spilled.

“Mom…? Dad…?” I choked out. They each gave me a sympathetic smile but my mom spoke first. “We heard you were… sad.” “We also heard that little exchange.” My dad said frowning slightly.

I ran to hug them but my mom held on the longest.

“Why didn’t you call us Ezra? We’re always here for you.” “I don’t know…” I sad simply and that was the truth. I should’ve called them sooner. Henry came down the stairs soon after and my mom immediately turned on him.

“Henry! What happened to your eyes? They aren’t blue anymore, and why are you covering one of them? What’s with the ears too? You look older, I though you didn’t age.” My father chuckled slightly, his hand covering his eye was trembling, ever so slightly.

“If you really must know, I gave some of my life energy to Genesis when he did his future fusing. That sent my eye color back to their usual boring brown. Strange how that worked really. I uh… I need to get my eyes checked out soon but hey, I can tell you two all about me later. Ezra is the issue right now.” I looked down, wanting to avoid this confrontation as much as possible. It was like an intervention. Not like I was on drugs or anything, I just… can’t find my drive.

“Yes, Ezra is the issue. Tell us what happened, son. Your mother and I are extremely curious as to why you left us out of your life so much” “Anubis!” “No, he’s right mom, I’m sorry.” I say and lead them to the kitchen table where we all sat and talked about the current issue of… me.

“One more thing, you look like hell boy.” Anubis said and I nodded weakly. “I know dad.” We began our talk.

***

It was later in the day when Genesis came back with the twins. They looked like they had fun and when they saw me downstairs in God knows how long, they couldn’t hide their excitement. I called them over to meet their grandparents and looked to the floor. Every time I see them my eyes start watering. Could I really be a father?

“So, who are they daddy?” Irelia asked while her brother hung onto her. “We’re your grandparents sweetie. Lyra and Anubis.” “I thought grandpa Henry was our only grandparent.” Ezreal says nonchalantly casting a quick glance around to make sure Henry wasn’t in the near vicinity.

“They’re also your grandparents. Henry is my father and Lyra is my mom.” I try to explain, Irelia connected it first; “Ah so grandpa Anubis is your step daddy, daddy. I get it.” “I don’t but it’s cool. As long as I can get some candy.” My son says.

“By the way Juliet, do you think they have candy right now?” “Can’t say for sure Romeo but you can always ask. Grammy looks more inviting than grammpy.” They whispered amongst themselves. I smile in spite of myself. I heard about Ezreal’s little candy addiction (thanks to Genesis) from my father, who was currently keeping Genesis and Hazel occupied. I loved my kids, I really do, I just wish constantly that Jasmine was here to see this.

After my parents got to know my little duo a bit better, they left to their hotel. I still couldn’t believe they traveled all the way from Aurora Skies to here. Which reminds me, I’ll have to ask for pictures of Eihime’s and Jay’s kids. Well, updates on all the family really.

“Hey dad, can you read us a bedtime story? Pleeeeease?” Ezreal begged. I was about to decline when Genesis stepped in.

“Actually, I have a story that I promised to tell Ezra a while back, wanna hear it?” He asks me and it takes me a longer time to decide than anticipated. Irelia declined for me. Second time in one day that I felt like shit. I apologize to them before disappearing upstairs into my room again. I hate this feeling.

I got undressed and sat on my bed, contemplating what my father had said earlier. He was right, I couldn’t just stay holed up in my room all the time. I needed to go out and do something. Help in the search of finding Jasmine. It seems as though the twins are getting along fine without her but I am worried about them growing up with just me. Would that affect them negatively? I really needed to find her soon… starting tomorrow. Tonight, I’ll sleep once more, then tomorrow I’ll go to those elves.

***

 The next day yielded no leads on Jasmine’s whereabouts. People in town say they never even saw her. How was that possible when apparently her aura was off the charts? Someone must’ve noticed her and if not her then the elves. But even my father said that little consignment shop was abandoned. He watched it practically every day, switching shifts with Genesis.

Most weeks I spent working out. I needed something to do when the kids were at school because when they were home, I spent practically every moment with them. I was immensely glad when they didn’t reject me because I was out of their life for a while. Matter of fact, they welcomed me with open arms, literally. Although my father and I had our second argument it never changed how much he wanted to help me. His way of making up for him not being in my childhood I guess.

I was also grateful for Genesis keeping Hazel around, the twins loved their “cousin” and I couldn’t help but wonder what Sephora thought about her daughter switching around so much. Genesis says he has it under control but I’ve seen him being grumpy a few times after he got off the phone with his wife.

Either way, I’m getting better about her missing. No doubt those elves had something to do with it and when I find them, someone is going to pay. I promise that.

---

***Lyrics: ‘You Suck Charlie’

Gen 3 Chap 18 – The Disappearance of Jasmine Xavier (Ezra’s Tragedy)

Le Author’s Note: Sympathy needed for Ezra.

---

6:03 AM

That morning when she walked out the door. Where was she going? How did she become so quiet? Why didn’t she let me in?

‘Try harder.’

Was it because I wasn’t there enough? Did I make her feel like I didn’t care?

‘Not working.’

Was she really the type of person to just leave like that?

Could anyone atone for her? Insanity? Memories? Maybe she hated me. Those little spots of red on her cheeks were false. Her laughter was false. Her eyes… no. She loved me, but something was pulling her.

‘I really want some strawberries.’

***

Ezra’s POV:

8:48 AM

I blinked slowly.

How did I get here again?

Oh right. I called them… well… contacted them through the orb. When did my dad and Genesis become the go-to of who I call first? Why wasn’t it my mother or…Anubis?

Because they can’t teleport. I needed someone immediately and they came. But… when was that?

“Strawberries? Really Genesis?” “What? Hazel wants ’em too, don’tcha baby girl?”

“Strawberries, yes!” Hazel enthused and the twins repeated what she said.

Earlier this morning I suppose, when I found out she left.

“Gone…” I whisper. “Oh, Ezra, are you alright? You passed out again.” My father inquires coming over to me. He was holding the orb in his hands, twisting it slightly around I glance briefly at him before my attention falls on the playpen that housed my twins. God they look like their mother. A sob escaped my lips before I could stop it and Genesis sighs.

“Listen, Ezra, she only left like, what, a few hours ago? Who’s to say she won’t come back?” Genesis says and although I could tell he was trying to be uplifting, it wasn’t working. I could feel that something was immensely wrong when I woke up this morning. The house was too still and when I looked out back she wasn’t there at her alchemy station. No breakfast smells either. She was just… gone.

“She’s not coming back. I can feel it.” I groan, I didn’t care if they thought I was pathetic either. I just wanted this feeling to go away. Was it because of what those elves said? Did they do something to her to make her leave?

“This is troubling… He’s around here.” Henry states and huffs.

“He? Oh don’t tell me bunny boy is here too. How?” Genesis asked picking up Hazel. She didn’t want to be and put up a fight that didn’t go anywhere.

“That’s what I want to know… Ezra, can I ask you a favor?” “…What?” “Get up and get yourself together, watch the kids. Genesis and I are going to find Shiro and maybe Jasmine too if he had anything to do with it.” Henry states and stares at me. I suppose watching Hazel would be a welcoming distraction; she liked to enchant toys to come alive and play when she got bored enough. That should keep me on my toes at least.

“Yeah, I can do that.” I say, slowly getting up. “Good, see you later. Don’t let my little girl hurt herself.” Genesis says following Henry out the door. As soon as the door was shut I slumped my shoulders. I hope they would find her.

***

How did it come to this? My murderous uncle was in my house, with my kids, UNCHAINED. I knew them finding Jasmine was slim but not this slim. God I hate him staring at me. And he looked… different.

“Where is she Shiro?” “Where’s who? Why was I dragged here? Who’s brats are those?” Shiro fired back with his own questions and I shook my head.

“What are you doing here in Twinbrook anyway? Stalking my son and his family?” Henry asks and a look of realization came over Shiro’s face.

“Family…? Well I can see only two of them are his so the other one must be yours Genesis. Where’s Jasmine, Ezra? Off getting screwed by someone not you?” He laughs and I clench my fists. “Shut it. Tell us where she is and there won’t be a problem.” I say he simply stares at me. I stare right back noticing little things that changed about him. His hair, for one… the ears for two… and three, his shoes where black instead of blindingly white.

“Ohhh, I get it, you think I’m responsible for her disappearance yes? Well, I’m not. I didn’t even know you two where in town. I just know there was a powerful aura of magic that I don’t feel anymore. Was that your Jazz baby? Could be dead.” His eyes never left mine and I randomly sputter, “What happened to you?” “I don’t have my orb. I don’t particularly search for trouble anymore. Why?” “You look… completely different.” I say and Henry scoffs. “I was actually curious about that too.” Genesis comments and Shiro rolls his eyes.

“I simply moved the hair out of my face. Is that so dramatic?” “Ears?” “It’s a headband. I’m still attached to who I used to be.” “Who you still are… Shoes. Where’s your hat?” Henry interjects. “Oh those… I threw those away. Too bloody you know.” He grinned and laughed. That’s when I snapped. I got up and attacked him.

“YOU BASTARD! YOU KILLED HER!!” “THE HELL EZRA!?” “YOU AND THOSE DAMNED ELVES!” “E-Elves?”

The kids were crying, I was still trying to kill my uncle but somehow he hardly had a scratch on him. When I came to my senses I could hear Hazel wailing to her dad and Shiro in a low voice asking is that the kind of example I wanted to set for my kids. I wanted to punch him again.

“Lay one hand on him and you’re dead Shiro.” Henry threatens. As a result, Shiro lost the fire that was just in his eyes.

“Ok Ezra. I can let this slide. For now. Never knew you had a temper. Always seemed like a weak link to me. Whatever, I don’t know where she is. Maybe, instead of taking your loss out on me you should talk to those elves your were screaming at me about. Henry, I will personally castrate you if you come near me again. Hazel will find herself without a father too Genesis.” Shiro says and leaves out the house, pushing Henry out the way in the process.

“It’s ok Princess, daddy’s got you.” I looked to where my kids were to find them still staring at me with wide eyes. I groan inwardly and stalk off upstairs. I can’t take this. Henry watched me go, I assumed he would take care of the twins… I feel so broken.

“Come on kiddos, it’s getting late. How would you like a sleepover with your cousin Hazel?” I heard my father say before I made it all the way upstairs to my room. When I crossed the threshold I shut the door and lay on my bed, still fully clothed. I couldn’t do this… I need her back.

***

“So, Little Miss Witch is missing… Ezra made a huge mistake with this. I’ll find her, and slit her throat. It’s only fair… an eye for an eye.” Shiro let out a high pitched giggle that only he could hear. He was going to make that boy’s life a living hell. Starting with the girl he fell in love with.

“Would be fun if he watched too.” He says to himself. Now all he needed was his orb back and he could go back to being the mischief maker he was. This nomadic lifestyle was good enough, after he kills Jasmine, he’ll flee and take up residence in some other town. Why not? He only gets to live forever.

---

Le Author’s Note 2: On a completely unrelated note….. Shiro is actually kinda hot bloodied.

Or maybe I just like seeing him suffer. His face is as perfect as a porcelain doll… maybe someone will break it. Also the rabbit ears, the honest to god truth why Henry and Shiro have them is because they stay true to their roots. The Hare and White Rabbit. Mainly Henry has them for Hazel, makes him seem less stoic and scary to her. Shiro has them because no matter how much he hates being called Bunny Boy, he can’t throw away his past so instead of the red hat he once wore, it is now bunny ears, symbolizing innocence to get people to trust him. Of course, I still would never trust him but I can’t say the same for other people. Why didn’t he just go with no accessories? Weird little man…

Gen 3 Chap 16 – Stranger Things Have Happened

Le Author’s Note: Well, sad news on my end; my dog ran away about 3 weeks ago and I still can’t find her so with her missing, that brought on a bout of semi depression but I did manage to snap pictures for this chapter. If my writing isn’t up to snuff, I’m sorry but losing a dog you’ve had for years is like losing a child.

---

“Beauty comes in many ways. For us, it’s these two.”

“Way to be philosophical after passing out in the delivery room. You should’ve seen you’re face when the doctor said ‘twins’.”

“I wasn’t expecting two… one yes but twins? How are we going to manage to pull this off?”

“Together. Besides, don’t multiples run in your family anyway?”

She was right. Multiples did run in the family, lucky me.

***

No One’s POV:

“Not again…” Jasmine sighs when she heard the squeal of laughter coming from their living room. Having to raise twins was hard, not as hard as some made it out to be but hard all the same. With Ezreal and Irelia, they were strangely in sync with one another. If one got hungry so did the other one. Sleepy, bathroom breaks, playtime, anything. It didn’t matter because it always seems as though they were conjoined at the hip… or mind.

Rounding the corner she sees her children running after each other and making silly faces, trying to outdo one another. She shakes her head but her heart is happy. She couldn’t have asked for more. These two were like angels, well…

“Ezreal Romeo Xavier! Put your sister down this instant!” She yelled when her son put her daughter on his small shoulders. Fearing the worst she rushed to them and scooped Irelia into her arms before they could fall.

Of course, no matter how angelic they are at some point, they’re both tomboys and getting them to be safe is the most complicated job for the parents. Ezra works most days, all day so it’s just Jasmine, the twins, and the dogs. When Ezra is home he makes it a ritual to spend practically every second with the twins. Although she doesn’t mind, she does wish for Ezra to be home more. Then maybe that way she could sell more of her elixirs. Speaking of… she has yet to see a paycheck from her current elixirs. Perhaps they didn’t sell?

“Ok you two, eat up. Then after you can play in the playpen. Just don’t spill it like last time, Ezreal…” Jasmine says eyeing her son and he simple gave her the sweetest smile that could melt even the hardest of hearts. “Sigh… you both are amazing.” She says before there was a knock on the door. “Who could be visiting at this early hour?”

“S-Sora?” A surprise to say the least. She was just thinking about the shop. “Hello Jasmine, you must be very surprised but I came to give you something.” He says and Jasmine notices a slip of paper in his hands. But more important than that… “How did you know where I live?” “Hm? Oh, uh, Cotton Candy over there saw you walking home one day and… you know, you haven’t been to the shop lately so… here’s your check.” He hands it out to her and she hesitates. “…Or I could just keep the money? That’s fine too…” “It’s not that I don’t want the money, I just find it odd why you waited so long to bring me it, or you could have mailed it.” “Long? I’m sorry but I am a busy individual. I also don’t trust Panda-Bear with my work as much as one might think. Plus, you could’ve came to the shop to pick it up.” He points out glancing again at the brightly colored elf that accompanied him on this journey, he of which was now staring at the plants, trying not to listen in on their conversation. So far, it was working. Panda-Bear can be very oblivious at times.

“Uh… Why do you call him that?” Jasmine asks and Sora scoffs. “I mostly variate what names I call him by what he do–” He was cut off by a crash from behind Jasmine.

“Damn, hang on Sora.” She says and dashes back in the house. Ezreal wasted his food… again. Perhaps he wouldn’t have this problem if she knew the exact way to handle this. Saying ‘no’ wasn’t helping. He still seems to think that the dogs need to be fed extra food.

“Need help? I’m good with kids.” A slightly high male voice says from the doorway. Jasmine looks around the corner to see Panda-Bear peeking in. Although she wants to readily agree she can’t help but keep her guard up around these two.

“Um, I’m good, thanks. I’m used to this, Ezreal is just a little more rowdy than Irelia.” She says wiping Ezreal down. Such a mess, perhaps he gets it from her? She can’t say, she doesn’t remember her childhood, let alone anything that’s her past from before Under-Esterdale. Before she could register what was happening the puppies came bounding in straight towards the spilled food. She was too late to even stop them from that. Maybe extra help could work. She’ll have to ask Ezra first. Either way she invited the two individuals in as soon as the mess was cleared and the twins were safely placed in their playpen.

“So, you’re good with kids Panda-Bear?” Jasmine asks tiredly. “Oh very! The little angels are the light of my life. If I could I would have some of my own.” He says and both Jasmine and Sora look at him with confusion.

“I uh… don’t particularly like any gender… I’m asexual.”

Both Jasmine and Sora looked surprised. Of course in this day and age it wasn’t really strange just… well for Jasmine, she thought he was beyond question, undoubtedly g–

“That’s a damn lie Cotton Candy. You should be ashamed of telling it.” Sora states while Jasmine shoots him a glare. “Oh, right, kids. Sorry, hard to control when you do it so often.” he shrugs. “I just don’t want the first word out of my children’s mouths to be a curse word… Anyway, I’ll gladly take it up with my boyfriend about your offer Panda-Bear. Ezra and I could use all the help we can get with these two.” She says glancing back and seeing her children playing peacefully, for now. “Now, I’ve been a terrible hostess, would either of you like something to drink?” She offers and Sora stands up abruptly.

“Actually, no you’re fine. We have business to take care of elsewhere. Thanks for the offer though, come on Panda.” Panda shoots Jasmine an apologetic look which wasn’t really necessary, she would have to get used to Sora’s brashness sooner or later. As the two individuals left the house she turned to her twins. A devilish smile appeared on her lips before she scooped them both up and placed them next to her on the ground.

“Alright, talk. This is how we’ll spend today.” Unfortunately for her a long, arduous journey lay ahead.

***

“Come on Jules, say ‘mommy’. Or ‘daddy’, I don’t really care which as long as you say one of them.”

“Arf!” “No, Spark, not you little guy. Irelia here needs to learn how to talk.”

“Sweep.” Irelia said surprising Jasmine. “Yes!! Your first word! You’re catching up with your brother.” She says immensely proud of her children. If only Ezra were here to witness it… well, too bad, he’ll just have to teach these two to walk. She picks up Irelia and Ezreal taking them upstairs for a nap but something that surprised her even more was that Ezreal wasn’t tired like his sister. Strange, she’ll have to look that up later. For now her little Romeo would be fine just playing with their toys.

Ezra’s POV:

“So Romeo and Juliet said their first words today and since I missed it I have to teach them to walk?” I ask Jasmine and she nods. In all honesty I hated leaving her alone all day with twins and dogs. Because of my job I missed a milestone in my kid’s lives and I will forever feel bad about that, but I couldn’t just up and quit my job… well… maybe I can?

“I had a visit today from the elves. Panda-Bear offered to babysit sometimes.” She says softly. “Wow, great I was just thinking about quitting my job actually. I don’t like leaving you here alone all day… but why were they here in the first place? Missed your elixirs?” “Well, that and to drop off my most recent check.” She states. I could feel she wanted to say more so I pressed her for information. “…and?”

“It feels as though they want something from me but I can’t pinpoint what. I don’t know how to approach the subject either.” “We can invite them over, try and see what’s up.” I offer and Jasmine looks hopeful. “That would help immensely Ezra.” “I know it would Jas, now how about I put Ezreal to sleep and we can have some time for ourselves?” “Sounds perfect.” She smiles and kisses me before heading up the stairs. I pick up Ezreal and do the same, making a mental note to schedule a doctor’s appointment for the twins. For some reason, them being out of sync worries me.

***

“Explain this to me again. You guys have been searching for her for how long and now that you found her, you want to bring her back?”

“For over 10 years. I’m assuming her memory loss is because of that other worldly shit.” Sora states clearly getting annoyed. “I don’t know how else to clearly explain this. Jasmine is our guardian and we need her back to protect the portal.”

“…forgive me but, I’m still not buying it.” I say simply. When we invited the two elves over the next morning (by Jasmine going to the shop) I wasn’t expecting this wild of a tale. Apparently elves aren’t even supposed to be in this world but these two are (along with some of Sora’s kids) just hanging around. Well, these two had a reason… a far-fetched reason but…

“Ok, think of it like Jasmine being the chosen one for something.” Panda-Bear starts out.

“Was this Guardian stuff decided when I was born or something?” Jasmine intercepts. “We.. aren’t sure, we just know that you were there at the portal ever since we were there. Then one day you just, disappeared, then, just as suddenly you pop up but with a memory loss.” Panda-Bear looks sad for a moment, but it was quickly replaced by a smile. “You know, it weird how you were chosen for this instead of a member from our clan.” He says distractedly, glancing at Sora.

“Either way, I’m not doing it. I have a family, there’s no way in hell my children are going to grow up without a mother.” Jasmine says and I wholeheartedly agree.

That’s when Sora got angry. “God dammit, this isn’t your choice. Neither of you have a choice in the matter, she needs to come back one way or another and I’ll be damned if you having a ‘family’ would stop this. She has a duty to fulfill and memory loss is not going to keep this shit on hold.” “You have no right to say that Sora, after all, you let your sons live here.” Panda-Bear says.

“You leave my sons out of this. My family is safe and fine. Your family is not Ezra. If she stays, the forces that want her back will take her back. Your consent or not, she does not belong here.” “And what right do you have to say that? She was doing just fine until you two came along–” “She was doing just fine because she wasn’t in this plane of existence! You idiot boy… her presence is disrupting the whole flow of–“

“Both of you. Out of my house now.” Jasmine says sternly. “I refused to be talked about as though I am not here and about a matter that shouldn’t even involve me. OUT.”

Panda looked half scared for his life scrambling to get out of the chair with Sora huffing out an angry sigh. “Although I am angry I must warn you, if you want your children to survive, rethink your decision. Let’s go Pixie Stick.” Sora walks out of our home with an apologizing Panda following.

“Sorry about him, perhaps we can talk this over again but uh… good bye for now.” He says and dips out of the house, leaving Jasmine and I alone.

“Can we take a walk Ezra?” “Dogs and kids?” “Yeah…” Let me tell you, four dogs, two toddlers, and two parents aren’t a perfect combo for a walk. But if it made Jasmine feel better that’s all that matters. I just hope that those elves don’t bother us again. One can never be too sure, though, stranger things have happened. Being married to an elf guardian would just be something else to tack up on the wall of oddities in my head.

Gen 3 Chap 15 – Twinbrook

Le Author’s Note: Welcome to ARC 3!! Honestly, it’s not that grand, but it does build up characters… plus I’m going to try out a certain type of genre in some chapter (i.e. Horror/Gore). It’s a later chapter so don’t bee too excited (no one’s excited I know T-T). Anyway~ I’m going to miss Henry and Genesis… they were fun to play around with but I can’t hold on to them forever (*puts Genesis in a totally different save file*). I actually just noticed Henry looks really good without his glasses. No wonder Ezra’s a cutie. Enough babble, on to the next episode!

—————————————————————————————————————

Welcome home, as my father would have undoubtedly said when we were beamed here.

‘It’s a little brown house, perfect for you and Jasmine… big yard space for the dogs…’ ‘So how did you afford it?’ 

He never told me. Always say the way he acquire things isn’t important since it happened in the “past”. Not fully furnished, we have to do that ourselves, but furnished enough to live in.

The first floor is an open kitchen/dining/living room type deal. Laundry room, garage with a car.

‘That car is yours Ezra, I assume you would need it. Can’t walk around all your life. Don’t wreck it, Genesis worked hard getting you that.’ 

Second floor had two bedrooms, a master and a smaller one.

‘Grandkids from you two I imagine; one day, for now the dogs can sleep in there.’

One bathroom. Maybe with the extra space I could set something up…

“This house is amazing! Tell Henry and Genesis I said thank you!!” Jasmine says going through the house. I pull out the orb that my father gave to me. ‘Shiro shouldn’t come back for this… but if he does, I need to explain it to you, how to protect you and Jasmine. But mostly, what’s really important is that you never let it out of your site…’

“Amazing thing… like a cell phone but not really. Just a two way device that lets me talk to Henry.” And Genesis if I wanted to be honest, he constantly talks to me about how I’m liking it here so far and there’s honestly not much to say. We just got here. Phoenix and Kona love the yard so I guess that’s a plus.

“By the way, upstairs has absolutely no wallpaper in the rooms. And, there’s no decorations… We’re going to have to go shopping!” Jasmine laughs. I could tell she was overly excited for some reason that even she couldn’t tell me about. I guess, a new town would be good for a memory jog… Speaking of new town, we’re in Twinbrook. A slightly swampy place but good for living. Apparently nothing out of the ordinary happens here.

I place the orb on a pedestal my dad also installed in the house. ‘Carrying it around all the time gets tiring, when  you’re home you can leave it on the little table upstairs.’ He practically thought of everything and I was extremely grateful for that. It stayed small at first but then morphed into a bigger shape to fill the holder. I activated the orb and waited for a few minutes before Genesis’ face began to form in it.

“Well hey Ezra, how ya doing?”

“Uh, good I guess… is my dad around?” I ask him and he narrows his eyes at me. “It’s nothing bad Uncle Genesis, I just need to ask him something.” He leans back away from the orb and yells for Henry. Soon my father appeared.

“Ezra.” “Hey dad, can I ask you something?” “Shoot.” My father looked extremely tired and rundown but I suppose that is a side effect when working with Genesis. “So I noticed that technically, I only have about, 800 bucks to my name… can I borrow some money….? Please?” I ask and Henry’s eyes actually light up and he smiles.

“Oh Ezra, Ezra, Ezra… You should know the answer to that.” He says and I stare blankly. He sighs and shakes his head and when he looks back at me his eyes hold a mischievous glint of amusement. “You went to college Ezra, you hold a degree in Fine Arts and Communications.” “So…?” He laughs. Literally, but when he composed himself he stared at me hard before yelling; “GET A JOB.” then deactivating his orb. Well…. damn.

I walk out of the room to find Jasmine smiling at me. “Well, I heard that. A job it is then. But what type of job?” She wonders and I shrug. I did have two degrees but I don’t want to do anything with them in their fields… music? Yeah I play the guitar, out of hobby, not a money maker. And Jasmine… well…

“I could… maybe, sing? Or… be self-employed?” She thinks and her being self-employed stuck out to me. She’s a witch. She could brew potions or something and I told her this. She beamed at me a immediately wanted to do it so we made a trip to Twinbrook City Hall to register her. Me? Well, I just got a job at a car dealership… It’ll last until something else comes along.

***

Jasmine’s POV:

I was excited. I don’t know why, I just have a really good feeling. Like, something amazing is going to happen. Self employed alchemist, me? Oh yes, score. I’m not entirely sure on how this town views supernaturals but I wasn’t about to flash my powers around anyway. I asked Ezra to go on home because I wanted to start my career right away. I already had a few potions on me (just in case) so I immediately went to the consignment shop in town to sell them.

When I walked through the door a deep, booming voice greeted me and when I looked up I was met by a really buff guy behind the counter.

“Uh…” “I asked, could I help you, ma’am?” The clerk asks one more time and I shake to clear my head. “I’m sorry, yes. I would like to sell my elixirs please.” I say and he stares at me for a moment.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t accept magical artifacts. Too much controversy.” he says completely stonefaced. “But… I thought that… I mean, why? Aren’t you an elf? How could you not?” “Twinbrook is a quiet town. A plain town, I’m assuming you just got here since you so blatantly point out the magic in others. I’d appreciate it if you never said shit about my elfism again. People have gotten used to me which in turn has allowed me to own this shop and sell things I deem safe. How would I even know if your potions are safe to sell to the public?”

“I would never do anything to hurt anyone so carelessly.” I say looking at my shoes. I felt ashamed that I didn’t think that through. What would I do if I could find no one to sell my wares to… or for me?

“But you have done it?” he asks and I didn’t speak. I would say no but how can I when I can’t remember a lick of who I was before? I could have been a completely different person than I am now. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.” I say honestly and the man looks surprise at my answer.

“My name is Sora. I am an elf as you are a witch. I have lied to you. I do sell magical artifacts but not to commoners. Only other supernaturals, I have a facade to keep up. I needed to test your genuine, Miss…?” “Jasmine… how did you know I was a witch?” “You give off a powerful aura. I sensed it before you even came through my door… Jasmine.”

“Yes?” “I will sell your elixirs, but if I were you I would be way more careful.” Sora says as he takes my small bag of elixirs from me. “What do you mean more careful?” I ask him and he looks at me as though I was completely incompetent.

“You have an extremely powerful aura. If I felt that 10 feet from my shop who knows who else could’ve felt it. Keep that in check. Out my shop now, you’re tainting it.” He says coming around the counter and shooing me out of his shop before I had a chance to protest. When I was out the door he immediately put up a ‘Closed’ sign and simply stared at me until I walked away and couldn’t see him or his shop anymore.

A voice comes from the backroom of Sora’s shop…

“Was that… really Jasmine?” it asks. “Yes. She seemed to have no recollection of me. I suppose that’s good.” “But also no recollection of her past in general. That’s strange, no?” “Perhaps… amnesia… she did disappear for a while. Again.” Sora says rummaging through the vials, organizing them, and pricing them.

“Sorakota, she’s going to have to come back… either by her will or against it. We have to make sure of that.” The voice sighs. “I didn’t want to have to do that again, she seems to like it here.” “Business is business cotton candy.” Sora says and the voice huffs. “That’s not my name!”

***

Ezra’s POV:

When Jasmine got back it was starting to get dark. She walked through the door but didn’t say a word to me nor the dogs even though they greeted her with their normal enthusiasm. She just went straight to the fridge, which was now fully stocked thanks to me, and started preparing something. Looked like my favorite. She kept sighing while she was cooking too which concerned me even more.

“Jasmine?” I venture while she gobbled down the spaghetti she just prepared.

“Yes?” She asks between bites of food. “Are you alright? Did something happen while you were out?” “No. Well, yes? Maybe? I don’t know. I was going to sell my elixirs at the consignment shop and the guy there, his name is Sora, he called me out on pointing out his supernatural-ness because he said basically everyone knew about supernaturals here they just don’t like them and he said I have a powerful aura which gave myself away as a supernatural but I didn’t even know I was suppose to be hiding it so–” “Ok, calm down. Slow down, this guy basically offended you right?” “Well, no, complimented really. Right before I left he said I had a powerful aura but I should be careful with it. It might alert some anti-supernaturalists I guess. I offended him actually.”

“So, did what he say bother you? Do you remember anything from your past? You’re quiet…” I ask her and she shakes her head. “Still a blank but for some reason what he said did strike something within me. I just don’t know what. I wish I could remember something…” She mopes and I put my hand over hers. “For now, let’s just finish dinner and rest. It’s been a slightly long day and I start work early tomorrow morning.” “Right… congratulations by the way. I’m happy for you.” Jasmine says and picks at her food. I mumble a thanks and dig in to my plate. She’ll feel better in the morning.

***

Before she drifted off to sleep I sat besides her on the bed, trying to make her feel better and after a while it worked. It doesn’t take much to cheer her up with she’s normally an optimistic person. It just seems like her past is haunting her in ways she doesn’t understand. I’ll try my best to help her with that.

“Ezra, do you… really like me? Like, even if I turn out to be someone different, will you still like me?” she asks me before I moved to my side of the bed. I smile down at her worry. “Of course I will. Nothing can change the way I feel about you.” “Not even that slight crush you have for Melanie?” “That’s… honestly, that’s just a crush that’s being crushed further down every moment I spend with you.” I say and that put a smile of her face. “If you say so… sometimes it feels as though we’re just… friends I guess.” “I’m sorry for making you feel that way.” I say leaning down to kiss her. Then I kissed her again, and again. We got lost in each other and I hoped I showed her my feelings were true to her, and only her.

From that night, every night we slept together we cuddled. It’s almost as if she was afraid of me to let her go throughout the night. Not that I minded it, it simply felt as though there was a deeper meaning to it. For me at least.

A few months later we found out that Kona was pregnant, Jasmine was over the moon to have puppies. She kept gushing about how cute the were going to be. I suppose I expected it after all the late night adventures Phoenix and Kona got up to.  After a while she gave birth to two puppies; Spark…

…and Sadie. I could tell already Phoenix’s favorite was his daughter. She took after her mother on the energy level. It seems as though her sleeping is the rarest thing to see. Spark takes after his mother on the curiosity level. There’s not one thing he has licked, sniffed, knocked over, or just simply got into. Well, Sadie too, so I guess all there is to say is that these puppies are handfuls, but they’re a welcome distraction from life.

***

Jasmine has been going to the consignment shop every time some of her elixirs sell to pick up her check, and to sell more. One day she told me that there was a different person there that wasn’t Sora. He was friendly, nice, sort of like a child. She told me his name, as weird as it may sound, was Panda-Bear. For some reason, that sounded familiar to me. He was also an elf, like Sora. I suppose they became friends after a while.

***

We’ve been in Twinbrook for a few months now and Jasmine was, once again, acting strange. She got up in the middle of the night on multiple occasions to run to the bathroom and throw up. When I found out I asked her to go to the doctor but she refused, saying it was something she ate. I know Jasmine’s cooking, she doesn’t get sick from her own stuff.

My suspicions were confirmed when I came home from work one day and found her quietly crying in the bathroom.

“I’m sorry Ezra…” “Why? What’s wrong?” “I’m pregnant. I’m so sorry.” I didn’t understand why she would be sorry so I just held her and told her it would be ok, she should be happy, I wanted kids… at least, with her. She came to accept the fact after a while. We were going to be parents. I was going to be a dad… I was… I don’t know a thing about raising kids.

The months flew by with maximum help from my dad and Genesis considering he already had a kid. At least some things from the future were happening already. Jasmine was due any day now and I was a nervous wreck. Hovering over her, hovering over the puppies, reading book after book of parenting guides and how-to’s. I’m pretty sure I was getting on everyone’s nerves because even Phoenix didn’t hang around inside the house too much anymore. Outside was ultimately more peaceful for him. I couldn’t help myself, what if something went wrong? What if I’m not a good dad… what if… I’m just not good enough for anything?

—————————————————————————————————————

Le Author’s Note 2: Yeah… rushed this chapter because I really want to get into the Arc already and it only really starts after Jasmine has a child. Get ready to see more of Panda-Bear and Sorakota though, they play a semi-important role in this. I’m so freaking happy with how the puppies turned out, they’re like perfect mixes of Phoenix and Kona. I love them so much <3<3<3<3 Ezra doesn’t really know how to convey his feelings towards Jasmine, poor baby, he’ll learn soon enough.

Gen 3 Chap 14 – Surprise!

Le Author’s Note: I don’t think I put a note in the last chapter… which means I forgot to mention mister Errol is NOT my sim. He was made by umbramuse, author of The Bedlamisbi. If you haven’t read it, go check it out, it’s really funny and I love the characters. Um, this chapter… I guess I should a put a warning about language; Fun Uncles Can’t Keep Secrets, Sugar Honey Iced Teas, and a few Dogs Are Man’s Numbness. Lots of confusing time travel mumbo jumbo. Blame Genesis. Awkward relationship things. Blame… uh… Henry, he doesn’t get blamed for anything so yeah.

Let’s scruffufle!

—————————————————————————————————————

It was the next day when Genesis came back, moping. He’d found out all about his past and everything from Sephora and now here he was, laying on the couch sighing every other moment. It didn’t take long for something to distract him though. A knock came on the door and he got up to answer it.

“Can I help you?”

“Whoa! Look who looks like shit! How ya doin’ buddy? Bad? I bet, been there before.” Genesis stared at the newcomer… for a very long time before it registered.

“Hi me.”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!” Door slam. “HEEEEEENNNNNRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” “WHAT!?” Thomping of feet. “LOOK!”

“…..Uh…..” “EXPLAIN THIS SHIT!” Genesis yells staring at himself. and Henry rubs his neck. “I can’t.” “WHAT THE FUCK!??”

“You know, if you let me in, I can explain Gen Rummy.” The other Genesis says from outside. “Do NOT CALL ME THAT!” By this time, Jasmine and I were up. “Let him in.” “WHY!? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?” “You’re freaking out…” “HELL YEAH I’M FREAKING OUT GODDAMMIT THAT’S ME!!! HOW THE FUCK DOES THAT HAPPEN???”

“Inside voice guys! But seriously, this is urgent. Pretty please let me in with cheese on top?” And they stared but Henry pushed past Genesis and let the other Genesis in.

“So, start explaining.” Genesis says to himself and the other Genesis smiled brightly. “Take a seat first before I begin my tale of woe.” So we did.

“So, you all know who I am. I’m that handsome devil right there.” He points to Genesis and Genesis in turn scoffs. “I’m you, basically, from the past future.”

“What? What even is that?”

“It’s like the point of existence where the past and future collide. Right now I’m in the past, so I’m future you but not that far into the future. Time-Hopper that I am, I need my past self’s help.”

“Why me?” “I just need you, specifically. I fucked up, like I do in every plain of existence in any time period. But this time I can fix my mistake.”

“The time period from where I’m from is a little… how do I put this, STRICT. I’m breaking a few major laws by just being here so I really, really, really need to be quick…” He glances to where Jasmine and I are seated. “You two, oh man your kids are awesome in my time.” We both blush. “I wasn’t supposed to say that, you’re technically still in that ‘odd platonic just friends but want to never be separate from each other’ state. Cute. Hey, how’s Sephora, Gen Rummy?”

“Why don’t you know?” Genesis asks himself and for a moment the other Genesis’s smile falters but he recomposes himself. “Oh I know, she’s fine. Just peachy. Marvelous and all that, I need to see her.” “Oh hell no.” “I knew I’d  be difficult.” And the other Genesis continues on with his story of a future that’s in complete disarray. Destroying everything, a big worldwide company taking over the world at an insanely fast pace. He even mentioned the past Strangetown, when Genesis bought the town.

“Seriously, that’s fascinating and all but what does that have to do with me? Right now?” Genesis interjects once again and his other self stops talking for a long while.

“She’s dead. They killed her because of my mistake.” He says and Genesis actually punches him. It was quick but brutal. Henry jumped up and held him back.

“YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! HOW DARE YOU–” “I CAN”T STOP IT! Every moment I go back to, every chance I get it’s the same! Sephora dies because we reconnected. Without her we couldn’t have regained our memories so we need to meet her. Hazel needs her mother so–” “Who’s Hazel?” “My daughter.” “Our daughter.” “Yes, ours. But only if you do not do the same things I did.”

“Why this Genesis though? You could’ve went to any other time period and picked a different Genesis.” Jasmine asks and I agreed.

“Because this Genesis is the only one to not fuck up. I cannot mess with the time space continuum anymore than I have already so therefore I cannot undo my mistakes.” “What about when I disappeared from here for 10 years?” “I didn’t know where I went– no, I knew I just, that place is like a totally different world. Under-Esterdale has no longitudinal nor latitudinal coordinates I could lock onto to pop into that time stream. It’s like a dream, it’s there but isn’t. I need to protect this Sephora, the 10 years of me absent Sephora, for Hazel.”

“UGGH. Let’s get this over with.” “You mean to do this? I would have thought otherwise.” Henry asks and Genesis shrugs. “I have a daughter, sometime in the near future. If Sephora does accept my proposal then we’ll be parents… I don’t want to risk that any more than me forgetting her again.”

“You proposed? When?” Jasmine perks up. I didn’t know Genesis even had a ring on him. “Yesterday, after we were done talking. I asked her to marry me and she said to wait. If what past future me is saying is in fact true, then I assume she says yes. Now how am I gonna help you?”

“Mmm… fusion.” We all stared. What? “You and I, my past self, have to become one in the same.” “Won’t that fuck up the time space continuum?” “I’d rather not live in a world where Sephora does not exist. Tried that for three days, built a time machine and came here after I went everywhere else. So.. fusion. If I live… no we live, in this time period as one, you’ll know what NOT to do to ensure our one and only’s safety because I know what I did. Perks of being a Time-Hopper.” “You left your daughter. And I built a time machine?”

“I did what I had to and yes sir. Plus, I’ll get to experience it again, but for the first time too.”

“Fine, let’s do this.” Genesis says and fist-bumps his self. Honestly this just confuses the hell out of me but whatever. Go with the flow… except I can’t, when Jasmine and I are supposed to have kids. I’m not even sure how this girl feels about me.

“So how does this fusion thing work?” I ask them and they both looked to Henry. “Oh no, no, no, no. Me? Really?” “Yeah Henry, nice to see you healthy again by the way man. Need your Orb O’ Wonders.” My father stared at the two until he just sighed and shook his head. “Let’s get this over with. I already knew this was bound to happen anyway.” “Wait, you did? Come on Henry, you got to tell me these things.” Genesis pouts and the other one just laughs. “So, this process should be sort, but complicated… no distractions, no audience. That means you two need to go.” Future Genesis points to Jasmine and I. Well, I was interested in how the process takes place but if I can’t… I wasn’t going to push it.

“You wanna take the dogs for a walk?” I ask Jasmine and she nods. Good that she agreed because we have some things to talk about… like our future for one, how she even feels about me for two.

We walked to the only diner in town; Phoenix and Kona in tow, surprisingly there were workers there. 1 cook, 1 waitress. We ordered something and sat in silence even after our food arrived and left. Not even small talk happened except for the ‘What are you having?’ ‘Ah, I- I don’t know… a burger I guess.’. That’s it, no ‘we might be parents, how do you think Genesis is doing, is this relationship even real, how do you feel about–‘

“This is weird now…” She interrupts my rambling thoughts and for a moment I didn’t know what she was even referring to but then it dawned on me.

“Oh… yeah. I was just thinking about it.” “I know. Do you think what Future Genesis said is true? Do we really have kids?” I stared at her for a moment then dropped my gaze. No one could say for sure because well, that was a different time frame. Just by him telling us that changed the future and since we know that…

“I wouldn’t mind it though. A family, with you.” She gets up and leaves before I could register it what she said. What she— WHAT!? “Jasmine..”

I clipped Phoenix’s leash back on him and started to jog to catch up with her. It started drizzling while we were in the diner but it’s letting up now. Does she really…?

“Jasmine!”

Walking.

“Jasmine, I know you can hear me, did you mean that?”

Still walking.

“Jas–”

“I don’t know if I can! What if I have another life like Genesis? He was a trillionaire, what could I be? What if I have someone waiting for me and I feed into my feelings for you and, and, and–”

I couldn’t help it. I kissed her and I have been waiting so long for that. It was… magical, to say the least. To say the most, it felt like I was kissing a goddess. A shocked goddess, but still, finally.

I released her and she stared at me, mouth wide, out of breath. I stared back, out of breath with a look of determination on my face. She had two options, reject or accept. If she slaps me so be it… but if she accepts…

“I’ve waited for a long time to kiss you Ezra. I didn’t want to seem pushy.” she says softly, catching her breath. “I figured I might as well get it over with. I have feelings for you and I figured you had feelings for me even though you tried to hide them… constantly.” I say to her and she rubs her shoulder sheepishly. “I know, Henry told me not to a while ago and I always feel like he judges me for not obeying him.” “I don’t think my dad is in a position of where he could tell someone who they can or can’t date… let’s go back, it’s getting dark.” Jasmine nods and follows me back to our house where I’d hope Kona and Phoenix were, they bolted off together a little bit earlier and there’s no telling what they would do.

When we got back it was silent. Except for the racket coming from the kitchen but when I turned to look all I saw was Genesis… not sure which one, he had on some new clothes and when he looked up from his scour of the fridge he smiled brilliantly at us.

“You two! Did it happen yet?” he asks us and Jasmine and I exchange a look. “Oh yeah, it happened. Righteous. Well if you two are curious the fusion went well. I’m new and improved and old school at the same time! More chipper buuuut you don’t mind right? Better to have a happy Gen then a gloomy grumpy Gen. I’m making food. Want any?”

“Uh, we ate while we were out… where’s–” I start but didn’t finish because my questioned was answered. My father came out of the bathroom looking more tired than usual but generally the same. No glasses though…

“Ah, you’re back later than planned… Fusion went good, made me sick but I’m ok… Genesis is cooking… Um…” “Dad, are you sure you’re ok?” I ask him because he was slightly swaying on his feet. “I”m fine… I will be. I need to lay down.” He walks off to the bedroom he shared with Genesis, assumingly to lay down.

“He’ll be fine… the combination of two Time-Hoppers took a tole on him and that orb he used. Speaking of which, here.” Genesis hands me an orb, my father’s? “That’s Shiro’s orb. Not your dear old dad’s. Makes no sense for him to have two and he only uses one so he wants you to have this one. Pretty sure Shiro can’t do nothing about it.”

“Pretty sure?” “99.99999 percent sure kid. You can use it to world hop, like your dad, if you want.” I thought about it. I mean, world hopping is fascinating in itself. Plus who knows what might happen while doing that. I did want to do it with one other person though and if she doesn’t want to…

“That’s amazing then! Imagine all the places we could go Ezra.” She says smiling. Fear for nothing.

“So… how does this work?” “I think you should ask Henry about that. I’m more of a time guy… he’s the world guy. Plus I won’t be staying here for long. Got to get back to Sephora and what not. I did promise to fix her house after all… need to bring citizens back, regenerate the town etcetera etcetera.” He says between bites of food.

“Does Henry know?” “Henry’s staying too, it’ll be just you Jas, and the dogs. Plus by Henry staying I get to visit my old friends down in U.E. Win, win. Didn’t Melanie tell you something about that?” I thought back and yeah, Melanie did say something about Henry staying with Genesis in whatever time period he’s in. So that leaves me to my own adventure… with Jasmine. “What happened to Henry in the future?” I ask and Genesis’ red eyes flicked to me darkening and dancing playfully. “It didn’t happen yet, won’t happen actually, what does it matter?” “Curious I guess.” “Don’t be too curious Ezra, it’ll kill you. ”

He gets up to wash his plate and leaves me sitting and wondering. I suppose all I really have to do is talk to my dad. I can make my own adventures. I spin the orb around in my palms. My own adventures…

—————————————————————————————————————

Le Author’s Note 2: Short arc eh? This is the end of Arc 2 which in turn could be named Genesis’ Arc since it was mostly about my baby. But hey, EzraxJasmine progress! That’s what Arc 3 is all about anyway. Love and tragedy… MUAHAHAHAHA! *ahem*  Maybe I should just write Genesis’ own story one day. Maybe…

Gen 3 Chap 13 – A Town Called Strange

“Whose house is this?”

“Ours.”

“How did you afford this?”

“I didn’t.”

“You stole someone’s house?”

“No, I just… well… I suppose that’s a yes? No one lived here in the ’40’s.”

“There’s a car here. Someone has to live here now.”

“Actually… no. I uh, took it off the market.”

“How?”

“Look the technicalities about how I acquire certain things aren’t important right now.”

“…thief.”

“Am not!”

“…Is Sephora here?”

“She’s in town, yes. This is her hometown… also yours, technically speaking.” Henry says as he paces the front yard, staring at his orb.

“I am not setting foot into a stolen house.”

“Suck it up Jas, this is important.” Genesis says looking around. I could tell that nothing was jogging his memories.

So, once again I find myself stuck in a more than awkward situation with the ones who I now refer to as “The Gang”. “The Gang” as I call it, consists of Genesis, Jasmine, Henry, and me; Ezra Xavier.  “The Gang” or “The Squad” as Genesis likes to call it, has gotten into quite a few mishaps before coming here. Like appearing in the 1920’s right in the middle of traffic which caused police questioning, or causing a stir in a pirate town. Like really, you don’t just steal a pirates gold Genesis. Either way, we had some adventures before coming here and some closer relationship boundaries for Jasmine and I. Still don’t know if we’re a ‘thing’ yet but who’s to say what could happen here? And where is here?

A desert called Strangetown. Like really, this place is deserted… and huge. How are we going to find one girl in all of this?

“I found her. But… it’s not pretty.” Henry says. Well that was easy… Genesis’ eyes dart to him and he visibly tenses. “Her home… it’s not pretty, she’s fine but this town is practically dead on it’s feet.

“I need to see her. Now.” Genesis says and to that my father nods. It’s not like we have a distinct choice, after all, we are searching for Genesis’ past. With a little bit of direction and a brand spanking new car, we were on our way to what we’d hope would be a good reunion.

***

Well, I may have been wrong about a good reunion. From what I’m seeing, this house is… quite frankly, not even suitable to be called that. The door is falling off of it’s hinges, broken windows, dead trees. All that sitting in a type of crater with what seems like little cesspools of water. This can’t be where this girl lives, can it?

“I… feel horrible.” Genesis says softly staring out of the window. “My leaving couldn’t have done this…”

“It may as well could have. Although, the town should’ve helped…” Henry says parking the car. He gets out and Jasmine and I follow, staring at the house that should’ve been pretty. The house that Genesis was so nervous on approaching.

“Hey, Genesis, come on. It can’t be that bad. She has to–” “What if she doesn’t remember me? What if she does and hates me for leaving?” “You couldn’t have stopped that. Come.”

Balancing on the thin strip of land, we all walked up to the broken front door. Genesis just stood and stared into the house before Henry called inside asking if anyone was home. A few moments later a gi– no, woman. She’s a woman much older by her eyes but youthful in her looks. This woman came down the stairs and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the broken man before her. The man who was so hell bent on finding her, who had some quirks to him but all around a great guy now stood facing a past he hardly remembers. I can’t even imagine how that feels.

“Genesis…” She says with her mouth covered. She doesn’t cry but it looks as though she’s in a great deal of pain. Genesis turns his face away and simply says “I’m sorry.”

It didn’t feel right leaving those two but it’s what my father said we had to do. ‘They’ll reconcile.’ Were his words, still it actually hurt me to see Genesis so… empty. But still, we had to leave them, in that tiny, dirty, broken house.

 ***

“Do you think they’re ok? It’s been a while.” Jasmine says breaking the silence that fell over us while we sat and waited for some type of news.

“I’m sure they’re fine, why don’t you two go out and see what’s around town?” My father suggested, he’s been way more quieter than usual and it sort of concerned me to the extent that I actually asked him was he bothered by what Genesis was doing. After all, he didn’t have a problem with finding Sephora nor driving to where she was. He only said one word and that was a no so I honestly can’t figure out what else might be bugging him.

“That’s actually a great idea, come on Jas.” I say getting up and heading out the door. I needed time to get away from that small house. Smaller still with Phoenix and Kona running in and out through the back door. I debated for a moment about bringing them but decided against it, they were having their own sort of fun.

We arrived at a very lonely park in this very lonely town and sat on the swings. I was mostly contemplating on what I could do to find out more information on Genesis since he is from this place. Must be some sort of archives around right?

“You’re in deep thoughts aren’t you?” “Huh? Oh, I guess, I dunno.” “I do, you always scrunch together your eyebrows when you deep think.” Jasmine says with a smirk. I never realized I did that and it was interesting to know she noticed that about me… Makes me wonder what else she notices about me.

“Hey, since we’re in a desert, aren’t you hot with that on?” I ask her and she stops swaying for a moment, thinking. “Surprisingly… no. I don’t know why, just feel normal.” She answers and I decide that that’s a good enough answer but another arises in my mind. “So, what are we?”

“What do you mean?” “Are we, friends… a couple…?” I trail off and watch her blank expression. Maybe that wasn’t a good idea. I still was a little iffy on how she felt about me and most days it was flip-flopping. “Hey, you wanna see if their computers still work at the library?” She offers completely and effectively ignoring my gentle prob of information. “I uh, sure, yeah, let’s do that.” “Great!” She hops up bouncing back through the plot of land that makes a park and across the deserted street into an old brown building. I don’t think I’ll be asking her any relationship type questions for a while.

Surprise, their computers still had juice to them. Juice and internet capabilities (score). Jasmine and I browsed around after I showed her how to work the computer properly and soon she was searching up everything from flowers to missing persons. It was on the subject of the latter that she found something that we might find useful.

“Ezra… look…”

A newspaper clipping. One with a certain guys face right on the front. But this guy on the page looked so much calmer than the one I know. He looks self assured and nonchalant. Like he knows something we don’t… But he was still Genesis. Different time, same guy. That smirk is something I’ll never forget.

“He’s a trillionaire? Whoa…” Jasmine speaks softly staring at the screen. I read the strange format of this town’s newspaper and studied it some more.

“Why does it have two different years? And why didn’t they put out a search party?” I questioned. “Because by that time he was already gone, to Under-Esterdale.” Jasmine answers and I sat silently for a moment. I found the author of the article, his name written on the side, like literally written, in pen or pencil. “Errol M.? I wonder if he’s still around.” “Strangetown sure has some odd customs. If this newspaper is from 1943 did they just remaster it and put it in their archives in 2006 or…?” “I’m not sure Jas, but we can find out. Let’s tell Henry–” “Or we could just figure out if Errol is still around and get all the information we need.” “How are we going to find him?” “Did you forget that I’m a witch? I have a homing spell you know. Although it might be tricky since I don’t know what this guy looks like.”

Well… try it.” And she did, most of the time I actually do forget Jasmine’s a witch because she never… well, hardly ever, uses her powers. Only when she’s in a bind, like, if I had magic I’d be using it for everything! Cooking, cleaning, making something… the works. But she just uses it when she needs it.

Her spell conjured up some bubbles… bubbles that showed little pictures and most of them were empty. All but one.

“Look! The bubble close to the floor has a picture of someone in it.” I say and she nods. “Must be Errol. Let’s find out where he is exactly.” Jasmine says and the one bubble with the picture started to enlarge. We could see the guy’s face clearly now and Jasmine made the bubble pop, once again casting the spell but this time with more certainty.

“51, Division 47. Let’s go Ezra.” She pulls me out along the road to an apparent destination only she knows and about an 30 minutes later, we find ourselves in front of a house, seemingly normal and huge.

“So what if he’s not home? Or dead?” Like the rest of this town seems to be. I thought to myself looking around. Buildings, but no people.

“He won’t be dead, if he was, my spell wouldn’t have worked. And if he’s not here we can wait right?” “Yeah but, it’s hot.” “You’ll be fine Ezra.” I have only once seen Jasmine like this; so determined for something, and that was when we found a little lost girl when we were lost. She stopped at nothing to find that girl’s parents and only when we returned to where she belong did Jasmine rest. I vaguely remember thinking that maybe that girl reminded her of herself somehow and asked if she had any recollection of her memories but she just shrugged it off when I asked. Jasmine also told me that maybe she’ll have a trigger word like Genesis, something that might jog her memory.

“Can I help you?” The door opens and a man’s deep voice comes out. When I turned towards the voice I don’t know why I expected some old guy limping on a cane but that was not what I was met with. Instead of old tired eyes we were being studied by a pair of icy blue eyes on a sunken, tired face. They looked cold, and uninviting.

“Actually yes, we are looking for an Errol?” Jasmine ventures and the man’s eyes flicked with recognition. “We wanted to ask him about an article he wrote.”

“I wrote many articles. I was a journalist for this town.” The man says crossing his arms. So he’s Errol. Interesting to know.

“Great, so you remember the piece you wrote about the missing trillionaire?” “Genesis Grimm… who are you people?” “May we come in? We have a few questions for you.” Jasmine flutters her eyelids and Errol grunts but moves aside for us to be allowed in his home.

“So, what can you tell us about the article you wrote?” I question and he sighs. “Everything, I wrote it because it was headline news, I was the journalist on duty to figure out what happened but every bit of info I had lead me nowhere.” “Why? No one saw anything?” Jasmine asks fiddling with her rings. “No, not a thing. I even ask his so called girlfriend and she didn’t even know what happened. All she knew was that he left to go into town earlier that day and never came back.”

So the gist of the story is that Sephora, the woman we partially met only knew that Genesis was heading into town for something. No one saw him going in or coming out of any stores so that’s where the trail went cold.

“How did you know he was a trillionaire? Did he flash money around?” “No, I simply know that he must’ve been rich because before he came to our strange little town it was desolate, like now. After he came he bought out every building, in cash, to own. We didn’t really question it because hey, someone is trying to help this place and we were helped. We were actually known to other cities for a while. We did actual trading, had internet access, tourists! It was amazing, he was a savior to us. He was everyone’s friend, everyone knew his face and then one day; gone. Just vanished into thin air…”

“Well what did you guys do? Surely you could have kept up the trading and things?” Jasmine inquires but Errol shakes his head.

“It was Genesis’s money that he got from somewhere. We, ourselves, we don’t know how to make commerce, we didn’t even know what to show tourists when they came. We simply followed him. The few of us left, we’re still trying to find him. Especially his girl and nephew but its been 10 years. No other city has seen him, no state, no country…” “10 years? Why does the article say 1943 then?” “I… sometimes get confused of what year we live in. The newspaper company chalked it up to the radiation waves in the air plus the science research facility actually got word that people in 1943 actually read the Strangetown News, current edition.” He explains and Jasmine and I exchange a look. “Strangetown, is a very, very, strange town.”

We thanked him for his time and said our goodbyes. Walking out of that man’s home made me more confused that before we even got there. We slowly made our way back to our house with the information we collected. We we got there Henry was sleeping and Genesis still wasn’t back. Jasmine went off to cook something so that just left me. I decided to play with Phoenix until the food was done and after that we all simply sat around. Again. Henry toyed with the information we gave him but there was nothing we could do until Genesis got back. After a while we all went to bed, even my father again and that worried me. Hopefully, tomorrow could shed some light on this situation.

***

No One’s POV:

In the very early morning, where everyone was deep into their dreams, one soul was up; staring at the town he’d just arrived in.  Thinking.

“Wowza, place hasn’t changed a bit, but I bet I have.”

He makes his way down to the house Ezra and the rest resides in humming an eerily familiar tune only one other person knows.

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.

Gen 3 Chap 10 – Catching Ezra

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. 

—————————————————————————————————————

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?”