*Knock, Knock, Knock*
"Mom, I'm home. Dad.
*Knock, knock, knock*
Please open the door and welcome me. I wasn't gone long, I promise.
*Knock, knock….
Wuuaaaahhh."
"Gotcha."
"Oh. Hi, Dad. Where's mom?"
"Ill.
She......she's in the back."
"Ill? But...I...I wasn't gone forever."
"She has not eaten nor slept since your departure. She knew not where you were, or how you were."
"I was in space, Dad."
"We know. That's why she feared for you. Your brother left and always came home. When he didn't, we knew. Once you did the same, that was the last blow."
"But I'm here now. Take me to her. Maybe I can heal her."
"Darius, you are a growing plant. Not a healer. Only Dragons can heal."
"What about the Ants?"
"They..."
"Were infused when Ruby crossed over. Left behind her earthly body, and that was what was feasted off of."
"But....but...…..but I'm sure Tai taught her that."
"As was I."
"She has years of experience under her belt."
"I wear belts.
*Knock, Knock, Knock*
Hi, Mom. How's it going? I heard you have been losing sleep over me.
You don't eat, you don't sleep. What's the matter? I'm back now."
"But for how long?"
"Don't you worry about that. Rest now, and I will attend to you.
'Remember Darius. Use magic only….if they are willing.'
...Would you like some Chicken soup?"
"Blaaaa. You know how much I hate that."
"Then how bout Crab? I don't know much, but I do know that."
"Where are we supposed to get that around here? They are hard to see and even harder to catch. Even with the Magic, Frostwing gave us; I can't even picture it right now."
"Then don't. Let me do the picturing. You're overstraining yourself.
Dad, follow me to the Kitchen."
"What is it?"
"I want to heal, Mom; but she doesn't trust me.
Do you?"
"...If you say you learned it, then I believe. What do you need?"
"I'm going to throw Crabs at you. I need you to catch them, then throw them in the pot to boil."
"Darius, I can't cook. You've seen me with Muffins."
"That's different. I can't either, but I can provide.
Ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be. Please don't pinch me."
".....No promises.
Send em my way. I got the pot all ready."
"Here they come."
*Phueeemmm….Phueeemmm....phueeeem*
*Ting*
"I caught one.
*Ting*
I got another."
*BANG*
Ooooo. Sorry, little guy.
How many do you think we need?"
"Can you catch one more?"
"Fast little bugger. I can't reach. He's hanging from the Chandler."
"I got it.
*Watiiisshhh*
*Snatch*
"....Maybe you are ready."
"That's not the only thing I am ready for.
*Vruuuaammmm*
"Darius, this is no time to show off Gender reve........Serenity?"
"I'm just using her skills for a little bit. You know, she's not that much taller. It's like I am wearing a suit.
Okay. Mallet, claws, Scissors."
"Here you go. Here you go, and...…here you go.
I hope you know what you're doing?"
"Just get the water boiling. I'll pour my magic into the pot."
"But you just quoted that they have to ask first before being healed."
"I'm young. Easier to ask forgiveness then permission.
*Crrrrrrrrrruuuaaaack*
This will take forever. Do you have the pot on?"
"Boiling, roiling."
"Good.
Now we can speed up the process.
Serenity, lend me your powers.
*Poof*
"Now that aint right. The left hand of Jacklyn, the body of Serenity, and the mouth of Darius. What the hell are they feeding you at one Pearl?"
".....Only the good stuff. Advance time. Center cooking.
*Vurruuuaaa….vuurrruuaaa….vurruuaaooooo…vurrruuaaooo…vurrrraooo….rooo.*
*DING*
"I'm still a little guy, so I can't control big things, but why grow up too fast? Turn back, Darius.
*Vurrruuaaamm*
"Take this soup to her. It'll heal her. Say it was from you."
"But..."
"Elwin told me to check in with my trainer, not talk to you. Just took a fast detour. I'll be back."
"When?"
".......Someday."
*Close*
"And there he goes. Where to, I know not.
*Suuuaaapppp*
Mmmmmmmm. This is actually way tastier than I thought it would.
Hold on, honey. Your Hero has saved the day."