"Just another false alarm." Zella blew out a sigh as the pain began to subside.
Zeph hung his head. "Again?" The aroma therapy candles were lit, he'd arranged the pillows just right, his phone lied beside him, ready to be used to call a medical helper. "Are you positive?"
"This is my first pregnancy, Zeph, how can I tell the difference?" Zella hung on to her back as she tried to get back up. She had trouble with the extra weight and her plaid blue pregnancy gown had slipped under her foot. "They'll come one day. Muin still hasn't had hers either yet."
"Yeah, but they need to come before I leave," Zeph suggested as he moved his hands around. "Can't you jump start yourself?"
"I'm not a car," Zella said as she took Zeph's helping hand and pulled her gown from beneath her foot. "It doesn't work that way."
"Guess not." Zeph pulled his big Zella beside him. He had an important meeting to attend very soon and the babies were due as well. He could not miss this meeting but he didn't want to miss the birth either. He looked at her tummy in her unfashionable gown. It looked like she was carrying quadruplets, not twins. Hell, that better not be the case.
"Don't worry," Zella assured him. "Xiam said if you couldn't make it, he'd take care of me."
"Yeah, I'm sure those were his exact words," Zeph said as bent down to grab his briefcase.
"Okay, there were some other words thrown in, but the message is clear enough." Zella took Zeph's hand gently. "I'm sorry we can't get through to him."
"Ah, don't be." Zeph sat his suitcase back down so he could hold and pat her hand back. "At least I got through to you, and even Muin's been warming up to me again."
"Well of course, you were always like her big brother." Zella let go of his hand but gave him a smile.
"Yeah. Shoot." Zeph looked at a clock nearby. "Dangit."
"Go, I'll be fine," Zella assured him. "I know this meeting's really important, even if you can't talk about it."
Zeph nodded and grabbed his stuff. He wiggled his tail in front of her. "Watch the news today, alright?"
Zella seemed a bit confused but agreed.
"Do whatever it says, get rid of whatever it says, and don't be afraid, okay?" Zeph patted her shoulder. "Everything's going to be fine." He nodded once more before heading outside to his car. The sooner he went to the meeting, the sooner he could get back.
As soon as the car would start of course.
Zeph banged on the wheel. Not again.
"Trouble again, Zeph?" Zaria's face appeared at his window.
"It's my luck, right?" Zeph tried to start the car again.
"I don't know," Zaria said as she looked at the car, "You had a brand new one the first time and now this one, what, cost twice as much?"
Zeph shrugged his shoulders. He didn't really remember the cost of anything.
"Do you buy a new car every time you have a meeting?" Zaria said chuckling.
"Look, I don't have time for a car to mess up." Zeph banged the wheel again. "Two weeks old and it doesn't work?"
"Your luck is bad," Zaria said laughing, "I can give you a lift to your meeting, but I'm coming back home. I don't want to miss Muin going into labor."
"I know," Zeph said as he gave up on the car. "The sooner I go, the sooner I can get it over with. What's your model because I am not picking the right ones."
"It's called inexpensive but works." Zaria opened his door and let Zeph in. "500 coins wasn't too much to ask."
Zeph shook his head. "Nah, I'd be an embarrassment if I drove anything less than 5,000. No offense."
"None taken. You've got a high status, you've got to look the part," Zaria said as he started it up. "First time. Have any of your cars did that?"
Zeph didn't say a word. He stared out the window as he thought about the meeting. Every Guard would be gathering for this meeting. Everyone connected somehow. Surely with something so huge they would be able to figure out something? Oh yeah, that reminded him. "Zaria, stop here."
Zaria stopped and looked around. "The middle of nowhere again?"
Zeph left the car and headed to the wall. It's looking more and more like I'm going to have to bring them here. He went over to the wall and felt around the panel. It'll be the safest place. He entered the code and watched the walls open. He walked in and over to the door of the house. He opened it and looked around.
Furniture, decorations, appliances, everything he asked for. Only one decorator was still inside.
"Ah, Guardian Zephyr Smilliat." She greeted him happily. "How are you? How is the place? To your liking?"
"Good. Is everything in and working correctly?" Zeph questioned her.
"Everything, everything." The decorator smiled at him. "Look around and when you feel it's all accounted for, please sign the Guard decorator contract."
All the rooms looked good, all the lights were working. He headed upstairs and looked into the baby rooms. "Only one crib? Unacceptable."
"Oh, well, some accessories like extra cribs haven't come in yet," the Guard decorator apologized. "Pardon, Guardian Zephyr Smilliat. They should be in within a day or two."
Zeph nodded and looked around. Other than that, everything looked fine.
"Whoah. You know a ring would work just as good." Zaria's annoying voice came from behind him.
Zeph turned around and saw Zaria. "Hey, you're supposed to-"
"Wait? Didn't feel like it." Zaria looked around the room. "So what, are you gonna show Zella the house and hope she gets the point?"
Zeph didn't understand what Zaria meant. "What?"
"What what?" Zaria looked at him confused. "You're going to make a move soon, aren't you?"
Zeph rolled his eyes. "No," he groaned. "This is extra precaution for Zella, all the babies, Xiam, Iri, Muin, you and I."
"Oh." Zaria looked in the room. "Only see one crib."
"The other will be filled up soon," Zeph said. "You shouldn't have followed me."
"You had decorators in here." Zaria frowned. "Why couldn't I come?"
"Guard decorators. They are trained and sworn to secrecy," Zeph explained as he touched the crib.
Zaria just chuckled. "Wait, Guards have decorators? Because they don't have time to decorate their own stuff," he said laughing. "Are you kidding?"
"No," Zeph said firmly. "Will you quit laughing?"
Zaria tried to. "I don't know, I just think it's really funny. You have secret decorators?"
Zeph walked out of the room.
Zaria chuckled on the way out. "So what are the chances you'll need to use this place?"
Zeph waved his hand in a so-so manner. "20/30. Somewhere around there. Now hurry up, I can't be late."
"Aye aye," Zaria smiled as he passed the decorator. "Keep up your secret decorating skills."
The lady growled at him. "You have no clue how much more money we make."
"Don't hassle the decorator," Zeph warned him as he left.
They left out the wall and sealed it up again, then headed back to the car. It was time to stop dawdling and get to the meeting.
"An announcement will be made today," King Sheward informed everyone. "Covetall will be outlawed by the end of the day."
A lower class Guard whined as he touched his hair. "Oh no…"
Zeph wiggled his tail. No more hiding. It'd been a long time since he'd been able to show his colors. A really long time.
The king passed conotall, a remover of covetall, and had every original rub it over his hair.
More than half of the Guards there still had different colored hair. Zeph rubbed the conotall on his head with no fear, but he would not use it on his tail. Not until he had to.
A middle ranking Guard crossed his eyes and touched his hair. "Let's paint white rings on our head. If it's a target, why not make it look like a real target?"
Zeph moved his tail uncomfortably. That guy had no reason to complain.
"It's alright," The king assured them. "This is the way it should be. If we are going to give them a fight, then we'll do it without hiding anything. We shouldn't have to. Let the colors of our hair be a sign of pride. Let our nature show through our stand." The king made his hands into fists. "We shall make it so that originals of all kinds are once again accepted and we will, one day soon, take over the evolved kingdom and stop them once and for all!"
Mixed feelings could be felt but the Guards cheered for the king.
"Unfortunately," the king whined. "We really don't know how right now."
Yeah, the cheering died down very quickly.
"We will be working on it though. Anyone who has any ideas, please come forward," King Sheward announced.
No one stepped forward.
"Anyone at all?" the king asked again.
"The evolved are way more intelligent and powerful. How are we supposed to come up with something?" One Guard finally spoke up. Others nodded in agreement.
"I figured as much." The king rubbed his eyebrow. "Fine, fine. We will have to stick with what we have. The best way to defeat your enemy is by learning about them. A chosen few will be sent into our enemy's kingdom itself."
Into the kingdom? If we could get through their barriers and fool them into thinking that… Could he get his family back?
"This is by no means easy," the king warned them. "They will be weary of any evolved entering outside their kingdom. This is the biggest problem why we have not been able to investigate them. Until now." He pointed to a door that suddenly opened. An original holding buckets of strange black paint was coming out.
"I introduce to you Gootoo," The king grinned. "Gootoo will only last three days but no matter whether rain, storms, wind, or even conotall itself hits it, it will never rub off."
The man brought the strange black paint underneath the king and bowed.
"No more than a few will go," the king warned. "The less Guards that go, the better the secret gootoo will remain. In the next meeting, no more than a week from now, I want you all to write the best report you can for why you should go, if you want to be one of the few for this dangerous mission. Meeting adjourned."
Zeph stayed still a few seconds as Guards left and right filed out behind him. Gootoo? The Evolved Kingdom? If I could get in there, I could finally get them back. He eagerly headed outside. With my behavior lately, I'm going to have make one hell of a report, I better get started as soon as I go home.
Zella just watched as Zeph continued writing something. It was apparently very important because he hadn't quit once since he came back. Although boring, she couldn't help but smile at the excitement in his eyes. He was definitely working on something very special.
Zella touched her hair gently, no longer hiding it. No one could hide anymore, but the covetall on her tail was still in place. Was it a good thing or a bad thing? She wanted to talk to Zeph about it but he was so absorbed in his writing, she knew she shouldn't.
There was a knock on the door, she went to answer it and smiled hesitantly. "Marni."
At her word, she heard Zeph stop writing and felt his presence right beside her.
"What," Zeph said in a no nonsense tone.
Marni waved nervously and looked at Zella. "Well, I wanted to let you know. I know I'm not the only one now who wants to be with you, but I-"
"No unconditionals right now," Zeph interrupted. "You failed anyhow, now beat it."
"I made a statement and I've got it notarized." Marni handed it to Zella. "It's a promise that if you choose me, then when the children are born, we'll both move in the Dens with them."
Zeph grabbed the paper haphazardly from her. "Fine, I'll remember the effort."
"And here." Marni handed more papers to her. "I made better detailed descriptions about everything and I-I got an extra good recommendation from Xiamipoc Vallencio."
"Huh?" Zeph stared at Marni, a strange glint residing in his eye.
"Xiam still thinks I'm the best for you," Marni said smiling at her. "He's really been trying to help me."
Zella looked at Zeph. So far he had displaZeph good behavior, but she knew it wouldn't last long. Xiam was only helping Marni because he wanted Zeph away from her.
"Your brother's also informed me of a second option," Marni continued. "If by a certain date you still haven't picked anyone, I can petition for two other Guards to look over my credentials."
Zella sighed and tried not to roll her eyes. "Fine, but I'm not looking for anyone right now. As I'm sure you know, Zeph is the father and he's not doing too bad of a job."
"Yeah, I heard." Marni lowered his voice and whispered in her direction. "You're blinded by love." His whisper was not low enough.
"Well, I can blind you in a different way?" Zeph couldn't help but offer his assistance, of course, growl included.
Zella felt like covering her face, what a predicament. She put her hand on Zeph's chest, a signal for him to stay back. "You better go already Marni."
Marni looked sadly at Zella but nodded his head as he walked away.
Zeph growled more as he watched him leave. "Jerk."
"Come on Growly," Zella said as he patted his back. "For being less barbaric than the average male, you sure do have an animalistic side," she teased him. "Go on, you better go work on your paper some more."
"He drives me crazy," Zeph said as he headed over to his papers again. "Now Xiam's helping him. He hates me so much. He's never going to like me again, is he?"
Zella shrugged her shoulders. "Only time will tell, Zeph."
Zeph sat down and worked on his paper some more. No more interruptions surfaced. Zeph worked on his paper through lunch, supper, he even stayed up later than Zella. Whatever he was working on, it wasn't just special.
It was important.
Zella was humming and fiddling around with the second crib that finally arrived. "That looks nice."
"Yeah, they go together well," Zeph said as he wiped his forehead. "Tricky putting together though." He looked down at the crib. "Blue blanket. This one'll be for Tigyr?"
"Yep, and I put the pink blanket in the other one," Zella said grinning. "For Carressela."
"Well, how are they doing?" Zeph knelt down and put his ear on her tummy.
"Hey Carress, Tigyr, you ready to come out yet?" he said as he poked her tummy.
Zella laughed as she felt a poke back.
Zeph poked her tummy again.
"Zeph," she said, laughing as she felt a poke back. "Are you going do this all day?"
Zeph shrugged his shoulders, smiled and poked her tummy again.
"Knock it off, or you'll get more than you bargain for," Zella said blushing. "Trust me, Zaria learned the hard way."
"Oh? Oh yeah," Zeph laughed. "Thar she blows is not good." He stood up as he heard his phone ring. "Yello? Yep." Zeph looked over at Zella. "On the way."
Zella looked at him sadly but tried to smile. She knew that expression. "Have fun."
Zeph knelt back down to Zella's tummy. "Now you two stay in there while I'm gone. I've got an emergency meeting. You can come out when I get back but not until then. Got it?"
Zella felt another poke in her tummy. "Don't be gone too long?"
"Of course not," Zeph said smiling. "You take care, okay?"
"Agreed," Zella said with a sigh. No one had ever called him on his phone for a meeting, it worried her. "Tell me you're not going real far?"
"Not too far, don't worry." Zeph winked. "Don't tell anyone, but around Noisy Falls somewhere, okay?"
Zella nodded, "Alright, but don't be gone too long, I don't know how long they'll stay in."
Zeph nodded and headed downstairs and back to his car. Luckily it started this time. Good thing because there's no way Zaria would come this time. Muin was too close herself. Zeph quickly drove off. Got everything ready, I've gotta get picked. I've done the best job I could on this, I couldn't have done it better.
Still, he stopped one last time at his hiding house. He went behind the walls and through the doors. Everything still looked good, but he wanted to see if the other stuff arrived yet. He grinned from ear to ear as he looked at the cribs. He even saw a stuffed kitten and Tigyr he ordered for the up and coming children. No, his children.
Family.
Zeph stood and stared at the room. He walked over to a crib and looked down. One day soon... He smiled as he gently laid the stuffed Tigyr toy on the inside.…I'll have a real family again. He may have escaped the wrath Zella had dealt with, but his family would still get caught, only two years later. His baby sister and his mother were taken while his father tried to get away with him.
Zeph looked around the room and saw the fake pink flowers running across the room with the blue. Half the room was decorated in lovely shades of pink and red, while the other half was decorated in two different shades of blue. He wandered over to the other crib and laid down the small stuffed pony. "I can't believe this is actually happening. I'm gonna have a family again." He looked around the place one more time. I'll be back real soon.
He headed down the stairs, deep in thought. When the babies finally come, they are really going to be targets. Maybe I shouldn't wait? I should bring her here now. He continued to think as he left. Yes. If things get heavy then the others could come. I mean everything's here, I could take really good care of her and the kids. Why would she even need an unconditional? They're all lousy and she doesn't love them. She loves...or thinks she loves... and I… He grabbed his forehead. "I should not be thinking about that. I need to get back to win that spot and go to the Evolved Kingdom." He headed for his car. "I'm so close, just a little longer." He got in the car and tried to start it up. Well, what if I do get them back? He leaned back into his seat. Then they'd be here and I wouldn't have to be a Guard anymore. Then I-maybe I could. He stared at the steering wheel. "I could stay?"
Nuts. Insane. Yet, somehow, Zeph still ended up stopping on his way to the meeting, at a gaga store. A store where only the most expensive, exquisite, luxurious items could be found.
He stepped out of the car and saw the overdone sign in gold. Just looking, nothing wrong with looking. He stepped through the doors and looked to his left. He'd been in gaga stores enough times to know the layout. He headed to the left and soon found his destination.
Zeph looked at the rings in the display cases in front of him.
"Anything in particular, sir?" The female behind the cases asked, smiling. She grinned even wider as she saw Zeph's uniform. "I-I mean, Guard?"
Zeph could tell by the look in her eyes she knew she hit the big bucks. "Looking." Zeph continued to look at the rings.
"Looking for something special, Guard? For a mother or a sister?" The female smiled as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "Anything at all, Guard?"
"Just looking female," Zeph repeated. Shoot, it's not like there's a real good chance that even if I am picked that I would be able to find mom and mis. Although, I mean if I could, then that'd be it and I could stay. Not a couple years or a few. I could watch Tigyr and Carress grow up and I could-
"I need help, I need something very special!" A man darted in with thick sweat on his brow. He didn't even notice Zeph as he went up to the counter. "My wife is an emotional wreck. Her sister's children have so much evolved in them, that we got the notice that they have to go to the evolved kingdom, but her sister and her husband are just falling in the mix percentage and…." He patted his forehead with a handkerchief. "And they can't go unless they are fixed, and they can't ever come back and-" He moaned as he looked at the man behind the counter. "Is there anything here that can help? Something to let her know even though her sister isn't here, I am? Maybe? I don't know."
"Hang on, it's okay." The original from behind the counter walked to the right. "Perhaps some inhibitor? It is pricey, but for the cost of love, the relaxing essence of it should make her feel better."
They were putting inhibitors in rings now? Xiam had said it was all the rage. "Don't buy that." Zeph stepped closer to the male. "Your wife is losing contact with her family, a tiny inhibitor piece won't make her feel better."
The male clearly felt uncomfortable around Zeph. "I-I have to get her something. I have to do something. My wife, my dear female, means the world to me and she needs something. She's worried that she'll never see her sister or her nieces again. She's worried about what 'fix' means. What should I do P-Guard?"
"Tell her to be happy," The store person chuckled, "I would love to go to that kingdom. Everyone has a teleporter machine like we've got cars. They also have the technology to stay young forever. Ooh, I even heard a rumor they were developing a time machine. Can you imagine, no more worrying about wrinkles?" She giggled. "Anyhow, like I said before, buy her an inhibitor ring." The store person smiled again, still apparently trying to bag an expensive sale. "I'll knock ten percent off for you and you can pay in payments."
"Don't," Zeph said gesturing to the glass. "What color is her hair?" He noticed the uneasiness in the male. "Pardon," he winked. "What's her favorite color?"
"Orange," The male said softly.
Zeph looked at the glass and saw an orange jewel on a ring. "Using the power of the inhibitor in a petty ring makes you look bad, and no matter what the sale person says, it won't make her feel better. She is going to feel bad no matter what, but it's your job as her male to remind her of the good things." He pointed to the ring. "The color she has in her hair makes her uneasy now with the law, but the same color in a ring will bring her more peace." He glanced back at the husband. "Don't forget a dinner, and words. Letting her know you're concerned and care can go much farther than a simple box of sweets and jewelry."
"Oh," the husband said and smiled at Zeph. "You really know women."
"I studied females for 80 years, but that doesn't mean I know them," Zeph corrected him.
He watched as the husband bought the ring and left. He decided that he needed to get going too, there was no need to be in there.
Until he saw it. The special Guard seal was carved into garnet and was mounted on gold with precious diamonds surrounding the edges. It was no ordinary ring; it was a Guard ring. A ring of promise to be with someone when their duties were over. "Can I see that one?"
The person behind the counter beamed as she unlocked the display case and presented the ring. "One of our finest Guard rings actually. Thinking about giving it all up in the name of love?"
Zeph stared at the sparkling ring. "Oh, I know she'd love that."
The person chuckled. "Begging your pardon Guard, but any female would love this."
Zeph continued to stare at the ring. I can't do this, not now. Chances of getting my family out are so thin that I can't do this. He pulled out a wad of coins. "How much?"
Zeph heard the price and gave her the money. He pocketed the ring and left. He headed to the car and got back in.
Zeph stared at the ring while he sat in his car. I'm nuts. Why did I buy this? I can't even give this to her. He snapped the box it was in tight shut again. "I've got to be nuts. Zellaponia Cattral is driving me nuts. I haven't been the same since I met her. I never will be the same again." He groaned and started his car. It wasn't cold outside, so what gives now?
Zeph blinked as he saw his tank. "I forgot to put energy in?" He grabbed his head. He became so obsessed in all his thoughts he didn't even realize his car was running out of power. "Oh no, the meeting!" The one chance to get back to his family, the once chance to finally be happy, maybe be able to make use of that ring.
All his chances were fading away…
He yelled as he hit his steering wheel. "I need to make that meeting, I've got to." He got out of the car and looked around. Surely there was someone who still had power who could help him?
He pulled out his yo-yo from his pant pocket and looked at it. If he was getting out, he wasn't going to walk around with the ring in plain sight. He unhinged a lock in the middle and watched the yo-yo break in two. He took the ring out of the box and stuffed it deep into the left side. He screwed it back together. It wouldn't work now that the string was in shambles, he'd have to fix it later. Right now, he had a much bigger problem. Where was he going to find help?
Zella hummed as she sat on the couch watching TV. Her chores for the day were done and she wanted to do nothing but sit back and relax. She rubbed her tummy, "I know you two are coming out soon, but you really should wait. Your daddy doesn't want to miss you."
Then, the simple news broadcast she had been watching suddenly changed into the worst nightmare of her entire life. Zella's eyes glued, transfixed to the TV as she could feel her hairs on her tail stand on end.
"Citizens of our Kingdom," King Sheward said strongly on the television. "We have bowed down too long to the Evolved Kingdom. They have come in and destroyed us, one by one, just to come back out and act like nothing happened. They continue to wreak havoc upon us and, with the new laws in play, I'm sure they mean us nothing but harm. Well, we shall not take it anymore! As of this day, we shall no longer allow evolved into our kingdom!"
Zella stood up and stayed close to the TV, changing channels rapidly, but all the reports were exactly the same. Places were being overrun and bombed by what many believed to be the evolved.
"Yes, it is confirmed. Warncrest, Hilltop, Wakky lake, and Noisy Falls have all been bombed." The reporter giving the news said sadly. "Rumors are that these are where the Guards met, but this is as yet unconfirmed. Our most heartfelt feelings go out to the families involved in this tragedy."
"Noi..noi…" Zella couldn't finish the word as she listened. Zeph's meeting was near Noisy Falls. It was a very important meeting and he'd never miss it. He never missed any meeting if he could help it. "Zeph."
As more and more places were struck, news poured in. Guard destinations were the confirmed targets. So far, none were found alive.
The person giving the news didn't even know how to keep going. "The...the queen has been found... dead outside the castle... as well as several more P-Guards. Citizens, please, lock your doors, move to safety, find safety if you can! More places are falling that are not Guard related!" Another paper was handed to him on air. "This just in. Twenty Dens and fifteen hospitals are now rubble. This is a state of emergency, please, find shelter, somehow! There's no telling what could be-!"
Then, the channel was filled with nothing but static.
"Hang on, hang on!" Zaria yelled through the door before bursting in. "It's okay Muin, I'm getting her. Easy, it'll be alright." Zaria looked in on Zella. "Come on, sis, we gotta go now."
Zella stared at the broadcast. "Zeph."
Xiam entered the door after Zaria. "You take Muin, Iri and I will take care of Zella. Go."
Iri came in and went over to Zella. "Come on honey, we're going to Grammy Happy's. She's got a hidden area in her house no one can find."
Zella stared at the receptionless screen. "Zeph."
"I know, I know," Iri said as he gently gave her a hug. "We need to take care of ourselves though. It'll be okay, even your parents will be there."
"Grammy Happy went on vacation with Grammy Fornot but she said she was safe," Xiam said confidently. "Come on Zella, we need to go. There's no telling what those evolved will do." He pointed to her tummy. "Think about them."
Zella cried as Iri and Xiam pulled her away from the TV This wasn't happening. This wasn't happening! "Zeph!"