Up in Smoke

Ch 5

Back in Fairy World, Crash was trading notes with Cupid. Cupid was very glad to have Crash's help.

Cupid stated, "Well, thank you for your help."

Crash replied, "Welcome. This has been a lot of fun."

Cupid asked, "What has?"

Crash admitted, "Helping out."

Cupid pointed out, "You do that all of the time with saving the world from Cortex."

Crash responded, "Yeah but that feels more like my job than something I like to do."

Cupid asked, "Fair. What is Cortex up to?"

The hero of the island answered, "Last I saw him, he was still in the iceberg."

The god of love stated, "Iceberg, eh?"

Crash nodded, laughing, "Yeah he really screwed up with making Crunch and Coral, although that doesn't say very much."

To that, Cupid laughed.

...

It was true what Crash had said, Cortex was still stuck in the iceberg with Uka-Uka. But some of the ice was starting to melt away. The ice melted in half. The half that had Cortex still in it floated down river, towards the island. The ice was melting even faster now as it slowly made it to land. Before anyone could react, a shivering Cortex was loose from the ice.

The evil scientist was back in action. Cortex looked on the island, seeing that it was deserted.

He said to himself, "W - where is everyone...?"

He shivered and sneezed as he slowly walked up to Crash's house. His body temperature was very low and he needed shelter. He hesitated when he got to the door but knocked anyway. When the door opened, to his shock, no one was home.

He stammered, "H - hello...? Anyone here...?"

He walked to where the kitchen was and when he confirmed there was no one there, he started to make himself Wumpa Tea. 'When life gives you lemons,' he thought. He grabbed a blanket out of the hall closet, wrapping it around his body. He sniffled. He was probably going to be sick now for a while too. Well that was just great.

Well, he might as well make the most of it. He looked at Coco's tablet, seeing that it had been three years since he had made Crunch and Coral.

He stammered, "T - three years...?" He looked down at his phone before remembering that it was dead. He 'borrowed' one of the chargers and started to charge it up. He sneezed, hard. He commented, "W - well if no one is here, I might as well make myself at home."

He had finished making his tea and got himself untangled from the blanket. He felt absolutely awful. He sipped his tea rather quickly as if it was going to disappear. He knew that he shouldn't be there but he didn't have anywhere else to go. Everyone else probably thought he was dead or still on the ice block with Uka-Uka.

Cortex got himself ready for a shower later on. He thought, 'Uka-Uka...what am I going to do about that...? Do I want to be evil anymore...? I mean, I like it a lot but I lost my family because of it. Nina went to be with her mom. Not that I blame her.' After his shower, Cortex toweled himself off, grabbed a robe and decided to crash on the couch nearby.

He could figure this out but when he was feeling better. He wrapped himself in the blanket and passed out.

"I'm sorry Nacey... I'm sorry Nina..."

...

"Mom...?"

Nacey perked up, seeing her daughter was there. They had decided to have dinner at the hotel with Mr. Tang. Ellison was currently in the kitchen, making homemade tacos.

Nacey looked at her and commented, "You felt that too, didn't you?"

Nina confirmed, "Ahuh. Looks like Uncle Neo is alright."

Nacey took a breath, "Well, that's one bridge I will cross later on."

Nina blinked, "Why? It's me he'll be mad at."

The brown haired woman chuckled, "You? He's never mad at you."

Before Nina could protest, Ellison came in and had some homemade sweet tea for the ladies.

Ellison told them, "There we are ladies, homemade sweet tea."

Nina regarded, "Thank you, Mr. Tang."

Ellison questioned, "Forgive me for overhearing but who were you two talking about?"

Nacey explained, "My brother Neo and Nina's uncle. We think he might be alright."

Ellison raised a brow and started to say, "And that's not a good thing? I mean I never met him but you two are very lovely ladies. Surely your brother..."

The goth girl pointed out, "Well, he's done a lot of bad things in the past. He's been in jail recently."

Ellison was about to say something but then realized to go and check on the food he was preparing. He excused himself. Nina took a sip of her tea, impressed that it wasn't too sweet. Nacey did the same, thinking to herself. What was she going to do? Neo was her brother, sure but he had no idea what was going on in Dimmsdale.

He was still frozen when the Darkness came. He has no clue what was going on.

"Ms. Cortex?"

Nacey broke out of her thoughts, seeing that her tacos were getting cold. Nina had eaten most of hers and Ellison was still working on his.

Ellison asked, "Are you alright? Did I do something wrong?"

Nacey reassured, "Oh no, sorry. You are fine. I was just thinking about Neo."

Ellison replied, "I wish I had some advice for you but I am an only child."

Nacey responded, with a small smile, "I appreciate it, Mr. Tang."

Ellison corrected, "Ellison. Please."

Nacey commented, "Then call me Nacey."

Ellison chuckled a bit as Nacey dug into her meal finally. Nina smiled, she was glad that, if anything, her mom was getting a new friend.

...

Timmy had a rough night's sleep but it was finally Monday. His parents had returned earlier that day so they were making breakfast. Of course none for Timmy but that was fine, he wasn't all that hungry. He was anxious to meet Mr. Tang. His fairies were in their usual hiding place: the fishbowl.

Wanda whispered, "Are you alright?"

Timmy whispered, "Just wish Mr. Tang would hurry up and get here already!"

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Cosmo whispered, "Wow, you got asap!"

Poof whispered, "I think you mean esp, dad."

Tamara scolded, "Timmy if you are finished whispering with your goldfish, could you get the door?"

Terrance was reading the sports page, "Yeah after all, these scores aren't going to read themselves!"

Timmy walked out of the kitchen, rolling his eyes. He wasn't in the mood for his parents right now. He opened the door and there was Mr. Tang.

Timmy commented, "Morning Mr. Tang."

Ellison stated, "Morning Timmy. Are you ready to head over to the school?"

The pink hatted boy nodded as he instructed, "Sure, just give me a minute to grab my things." Timmy turned grabbing his things as his fairies poofed to his side as his 'things'. Timmy replied, "Ready!"

Timmy closed the door to his house as they started to walk to the school.

...

Wishmaker1028: Another chapter bites the dust! I hope everyone is enjoying the story! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!