The Suite Life X

1 - Lighting Up The Night

Throughout the annals of recorded history, no matter the time or place, there have been those regarded by their world as heroes. They have always come in many forms, whether they are calculating or instinct-driven, or even something else entirely. The heroes mentioned in this tale may come from the most unlikely of places, but... Ah, forget it. Let's get on with this, already!

---

The sun was just beginning to set somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, bathing the sailing S.S. Tipton in a bright orange glow. Manning a smoothie stand on-board in an area of the ship known as the Sky Deck was a blonde teenager by the name of Zackary Martin, though most called him Zack.

In truth, though, "manning" might be considered too strong a word, considering that he was currently unconscious on the stand's counter. One could chalk that up to an exceptionally slow day business-wise.

Nevertheless, someone was about to give him a very rude awakening.

"Zack. Zack... ZACK!"

The teen reluctantly opened his eyes to a near mirror image of himself, aside from a few features like a higher voice and being taller overall.

This was his younger, identical twin brother, Cody Martin. He was accompanied by his on again-off again girlfriend, a Kansan brunette by the name of Bailey Pickett.

"Glad you could join us," the exasperation was clear in his voice. "How long were you out -this- time?"

The shorter twin yawned. "Maybe about 30 minutes. Why?"

He opened his mouth, practically on instinct, to deliver a mini-sermon on work ethic, only for it to die in his throat when he looked around and got a better view of the situation.

"You know what? I don't have to say anything this time, because all those people over there are saying plenty for me."

He held out a motioning hand toward a seemingly endless line of teenagers behind him, including a certain larger friend of his who feebly attempted to wave at him.

"Ugh..." Zack's head hit the counter again as he realized that a monumental task was ahead of him. Night would fall before he was finally finished.

---

Meanwhile, in her (and Bailey's) cabin on the ship, hotel heiress London Tipton was busy shuffling through tabloids, looking for anything she could gather on the latest fashion trends. She has been voted as one of the "Top 10 Most Fashionable Youths" by Jobs Business Magazine. She was far from content with that, however.

She had to be number one.
"Nope... Nope... Who even wears those anymore? Ugh!"

She let out a discouraged sigh. After some thought, the young Asian woman had made up her mind to go for a Smoothie.

Constant thinking was frustrating enough for her on its own. She absolutely refused to do so on an empty stomach!

---

Getting to the bar, she was greeted by Cody and Bailey, not that she paid them any real attention as she moved past them.

"Zack, I'm so glad to see you! I need a medium smoothie, Strawberry Banana, stat. It's an emergency!"

"Sure it is," he mouthed, not really looking at her. He made the drink in question before turning back to her. He got halfway through "Here you go" before flinching upon locking eyes with her.

"Sorry!" The words were said almost reflexively.

The young adult raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"Um..." Luckily for him, a good excuse for his actions was now dripping off of him through his clenched fist and a now broken cup. "For, uh ruining your smoothie. Here, uh, let me get you a new one… There you go.”