Till The End Of Time
by: Ricia Fedora
Disclaimer: Don't own Megavolt...he's Disney's. All other characters are mine.
Thanks: To all who know the creator behind the creation.
********
"I swear to protect the order and to serve well the Masters of Time. I am the Keeper of the Sacred Pocketwatch. I am Keeper Fedora like my fathers before me. Blessed be the name of Sebastien who was the first of the chosen. Blessed be the name of Chronos who bestowed upon us the gift. Blessed be the Guardians who have died for their teachings. Hear my promise Masters and etch it in the flow of time. From Here where our kingdom lies to There where we hold sway. Time is everything." Ricia slowly opened her eyes and stared at the pocketwatch. "Time is everything", she softly mumbled again. She pushed herself away from the desk, once again cursing the wheelchair. She had long since been too weak to walk anymore and the doctor had said it was best. It still sucked. She frowned as she caught a glimpse of her reflection. Her brown and black hair had gone silver and her eyes had darkened. She shook her head. No point dwelling on it.
She wheeled herself into the kitchen where her husband was trying to cook dinner. She smiled. He had actually turned out to be a decent cook, surprisingly enough. It was good cause her cooking was hazardous to a person's health. "Hey honey, what's cooking?"
Megavolt rolled his eyes and smiled. He leaned over to kiss her. "It's a surprise."
Ricia frowned. "Should I be worried?"
Megavolt stirred something. "No. I got the recipe from a very nice vending machine downtown."
Ricia was about to ask what a vending machine could possibly know about cooking but they decided it wasn't worth it. "Where're the kids?"
Megavolt thought for a moment. "Thompson said something about going to a friend's house and Indiglo's in her room."
"No I'm not"
Ricia turned to see her daughter walk in the room. Indiglo Emperion Sputterspark or just plain Indi, had waist length rust colored hair and crystal blue eyes. Unlike Thompson, she had inherited her mother's avian features and had cream colored feathers, however,she was every bit as feminine as Ricia was not. This was caused mostly by one of her friends making a comment about her "freakish cross-dressing mother". Ricia didn't mind though. Whatever made her daughter happy was fine by her..as long as it didn't involve bail money.
Indi looked into the pot. "Looks great Dad. Vending machine?"
Megavolt smiled with pride. "Yup. Downtown."
Ricia shook her head in wonderment. She was always surprised by Indi's uncanny ability to understand the electrical appliances the way her father did. No matter how hard Ricia tried she couldn't quite grasp the concept. Oh she adored the toasters and treated every last gadget in the house with respect...but she envied her husband's and daughter's gift sometimes. She pushed the thought away and looked up at her daughter. "Do you know where Thompson went? I need to speak with him."
Indi frowned and smiled slightly. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
Ricia put a hand to her chest in mock horror. "You killed him and buried him in the backyard didn't you?"
Indi crossed her arms. "Who told??"
Megavolt laughed but then looked worried. "You didn't...did you?"
Indi looked surprised. "No! I swear by the Masters I haven't touched one funky hair on his troll like head."
"Oh really Princess of Dorktavia?", Thompson walked into the room looking amused. "Have you gazed upon your own horrific persona this day?"
Indi raised a hand which started to spark with electricity. Thompson did the same. Megavolt dashed between them while Ricia idly wondered about how much fabric softener the household went through each week.
Megavolt grabben both their arms. "That's enough! You know the rules about electrocuting each other. Now give your sibling a hug."
Thompson sneered. "I'd rather lick the floor of a Hamburger Hippo."
Indi sneered back. "That's the only action you'll ever see."
Megavolt's mouth dropped open. "That's it. Go to your room Indiglo and you too..."
Ricia held up a hand. "Wait! Sorry Megs but I need to talk with Thompson."
Thompson looked quizzically at his mother while Indi stomped off to her room declaring the unfairness of it all. Megavolt shook his head mumbling something about teenage daughters, then turned back to his culinary masterpiece. Thompson followed Ricia into her workshop. It was his favorite room in the lighthouse. Filled with clocks and clock parts, there was a peace and tranquility in there that he just couldn't get anywhere else.
Ricia picked up a handful of springs and studied them for awhile. Finally she looked up at her son and smiled sadly. Thompson frowned and knelt down. "Mother? Are you alright?" He looked into her eyes and his face twisted in pain. "Mother?" She reached other and ruffled his hair...something she hadn't done since he was a young kid. "Mother I'm too old for that! I'm seventeen!"
Ricia sat back. "You're never too old. But anyway this doesn't concern your maturity level...or maybe it does. Have you been studying?"
Thompson looked slightly guilty. "Some...Father has gone through it with me. Why can't you teach me...?"
Ricia shook her head. "We've been through this. The Keeper cannot teach the Heir. That's what the Guardian is for...and to protect you when it's your turn."
Thompson frowned. He looked at his mother. Unlike his little sister, who was four years younger then him, he could remember when his mother was stronger. He hated how she was slowly getting weaker and weaker as the years...no as the months went by. He wrapped his arms around her in an awkward embrace and mumbled a prayer half from a distant memory. "May the Masters protect the Keeper who protects all from the impending chaos."
Ricia hugged him back. "And protect the Heir who shall follow the Keeper's way"
"Mother?"
"Hmm...?"
"Have...the Masters called for you?"
Ricia pulled away and patted her son on the cheek. "Go study."
Thompson watched his mother turn away and engage herself in an old clock. He knew the conversation was over, but he had a feeling his troubles were just beginning.
*******
"I'm not an invalid! Put me down!"
"And you plan on what? Rolling down the stairs?"
Ricia scowled but finally relented. Havng Megavolt carry her downstairs to the car was romantic....in a goofy, humiliating kind of way. They couldn't live in a normal house..noooo. They had to live in a place with the world's longest staircase. Stairs were evil. Stairs were created just so one day Ricia Fedora-Sputterspark would have to humble herself enough to carried down them. She had a brief fantasy about beating their creator senseless. She snickered.
"Um...Ricia? What's so funny?"
"Hmmm? Oh nothing."
Megavolt looked at her strangely but dropped the subject. He didn't actually enjoy carrying Ricia anymore then she liked being carried. It was hard for him to face how much her strength had depleted. The beautiful strong woman he had married had been replaced by a frail creature who he feared would wither away. He kissed her softly.
She was startled. "What was that for?"
"I...I love you."
She smiled. "I love you too." She looked back at the staircase they had descended. "But I hate those damn stairs!"
He frowned. "Maybe, we could build some kind of elevator..." He looked down to see his wife's eyes drooping closed. She buried her head in his shoulder. He shook her gently. "I'm sorry Ricia, but the concert."
Ricia forced herself to stay awake. "The concert. Thompson and Indi worked so hard. I'm awake. I'm alright."
He placed her in the passenger's seat of the car then dashed back upstairs to get her wheelchair. When he returned she had already slumped forward asleep. Well...there wasn't any harm in her sleeping on the way. Maybe then she could get through the concert. Maybe. He carefully buckled her seatbelt before getting into the car himself.
*******
Indiglo hated performing. She hated all those eyes staring at her. Not like Thompson, he was used to being stared at. It wasn't everyday one saw a purple rodent after all. She watched him pick up his violin and play a short warm up. He was fantastic and for a brief moment Indi was proud. But the pride was soon replaced by sadness. No matter how hard she tried, she could never be him. She'd never be the Heir. Always the second born...always second best. Her parents insisted that she was important. Insisted she was every bit as important and talented as her brother. There were no favorites. No favorites?? Then why? Why did Mom and Dad spend so much with him? Why didn't the Masters answer her? She believed! She was a good servant! Why??
"Indi?"
"Huh?" Her brother was staring at her.
"The Masters don't answer me either."
Indi's face paled. "Wha...? How?"
Thompson turned and walked towards the stage. The concert was about to begin and he didn't want to be yelled at. Indi grabbed her flute and dashed after him still confused.
*******
"The time has come."
"My lord?"
"We have our chance. The time is now?"
"Time??"
He did indeed see the irony in his words but no matter. Truth was truth...and time was time. For now anyway. He studied the duck kneeling in front of him. So loyal...so idiotically loyal. But he was needed. Noticing his lord's gaze he looked up in confusion.
"M-my lord? Have I done something to offend?"
Chaos leaned back. "No...no Richard you've done nothing to offend. Now leave. Find the Keeper...and the Heir. We have business."
Richard Fedora, he whose name was forbidden in the Order of Time, jumped to his feet and eagerly ran off to find those he once called kin.
*******
"Cold."
Megavolt blinked open his eyes. It was still dark out. He looked over at Ricia in confusion. She had overworked herself that day, so determined to stay awake to hear her children play. They had both played beautifully and even Megavolt,who normally didn't care for classical had been moved. "Ricia?"
His wife's body shook and her eyes were tightly shut. "So cold. Don't leave me. Please, please don't leave me."
It wasn't the first time it had happened. For months Ricia had had fits of terror in her sleep. They were all the same. At first they had startled Megavolt. He had thought she was having a nightmare. They kept returning each more frantic then the last. He had learned to stay calm...but who was he kidding? He was scared as hell. "Ricia. Ricia it's alright. Can you hear me? It's alright. I'm here...I'm not leaving." He pulled Ricia closer to him, trying to get her to stop shivering.
She clung to him. "They're coming. They're coming." Her cries rose in pitch and she pushed away from him.
Megavolt sat up in surprise. "Ricia?" Her eyes were open but it was clear that whereever Ricia was, it wasn't with him. It was damn frustrating. He wanted to protect her...but how? How could he fight agaist something that didn't seem to be there? His powers were useless agaist whatever was destroying her.
"Now...now....time is now. Time is now. The Heir must be ready. No time. No time. The Keeper...she...she..." The clocks chimed and Ricia fell into Megavolt's arms.
******
This cannot happen
This cannot be allowed!
The Heir cannot be swayed,
The Keeper is irrelevent now.
We face the Traitor
******
"Mr. Sputterspark?"
Thompson blinked open his eyes and looked at the teacher. It was a substitute and Thompson had allowed his mind to wander. Bad idea.
"Mr. Sputterspark, if it's quite alright with you, I'd appreciate if you could stay awake."
Thompson nodded. "Sorry Mr. Haberdasher, won't happen again."
The teacher frowned and studied Thompson for a moment, causing the boy to shudder inwardly and make a quick circular motion with his hand. Mr. Haberdasher, a cream colored duck with brown hair and green eyes, took a step back. Then he smiled. A cold smile.
Richard had found the Heir.
*******
"But I don't want to stay in bed!"
"You are sick and you are staying put! Now eat your soup."
"I don't want soup. I want to get up!"
"Tough."
"Don't talk to your mother like that!"
Indi sighed. There had been a bomb scare at the junior high so she was home early. Her father had to step out to get a few things, but he had left instructions that her mother was not to move. Her mother wasn't being very cooperative though. Indy frowned as she noticed something strange. Her mother wasn't whining anymore, but she figured that was just because she had fallen asleep again. No, there was something else. It was quiet. Too quiet.
The clocks had stopped.
Indi's eyes widened as she stared at the figure on the bed. "Mom? Mom??" She reached into her mother's pocket and clasped the watch. She clutched it to her chest. "You can't have her! Oh please not yet! Dad and Thompson aren't here! Please! Please Masters not yet!" She started to sob.
Ricia's eyes snapped open. "Thompson!"
Indi stopped and stared. "Mom? Oh Mom!" She flung her arms around Ricia's neck and let her tears fall.
Ricia was surprised but hugged her daughter back. She pulled Indy away and looked at her. "Thompson is in trouble. I have to go. Please Indi, it's important."
Indi blinked a few times. Then she ran to get her coat.
*******
Megavolt sat back in the driver's seat. He had been to a few doctors in search of anything that would make Ricia more comfortable. Her disease was so uncommon that no doctor could prescribe anything but rest. He had argued with one so badly that he had been bodily thrown out. Course it didn't help that the particular doctor had been one of the ones working at the hospital when Megavolt decided to cut off their electricity all those years ago. Whoops.
"Guardian"
Megavolt slammed his foot on the brake and was almost hit from behind. A car sweared by his, it's driver giving him a death stare.
"Guardian"
"Who...? Who's there?" Megavolt looked around him, getting ready to zap the intruder.
"We are not there. We are here. And you are required."
"Required for what?"
"The Heir must be protected."
"The Heir? Thompson? What's wrong with Thompson?"
"The Heir must be protected. He will be required."
Megavolt felt a headache coming on. "Required? He's required?"
"The Order must have a Keeper."
"You have a Keeper!"
"He will be required."
Megavolt stared ahead of him in confusion. He will be required? But that meant...Ricia!
*******
"I'm sorry Mr. Haberdasher. I shouldn't have been daydreaming. Can I go now?"
Richard looked closely at Thompson, making the boy extremely uncomfortable. He raised his hand to make the circular gesture but his hand was grabbed by Richard.
"Stop that! It won't work! They can't protect you. Not anymore."
Thompson stared wide-eyed at him. He was terrified. "Please. Let me go."
"No. You are the bait. You will lure the Keeper here."
"Mother? Leave her alone!" Thompson raised his hand which sparked with electricity. Suddenly a pain shot through his body and he dropped his hand.
Chaos walked into the room. "Now,now boy. None of that."
"You...you're..." Thompson shook in terror. He looked over at Richard. "You're not a teacher are you?"
Richard smiled. "I was once. But I found a better use for my life. I now serve Chaos. As will you."
"Never! I am of the blood Fedora! I will never betray the Order"
Chaos shrugged. "Do or don't. Either way you will be dealt with. As will the Keeper"
*******
Megavolt flew into the lighthouse at top speed. "Ricia? Indy? Thompson? Anybody?" He walked into his bedroom and looked at the unkempt bed.
The empty unkempt bed.
Ricia was gone.
Dammit.
*******
"Mom, are you okay?"
Ricia breath was becoming shallow and forced but she nodded. "I'm....I'm alright honey. Just...just...."
Indi nodded and pushed the wheelchair into St Canard High School.
******
Chaos smiled. "The Keeper approaches."
Thompson swallowed his fear. "Leave her alone! She's sick!"
Chaos looked at him. "I know, young Heir. The Keeper is dying. She is very weak. Too weak to prevent me from taking the first step." He motioned out the window.
Thompson gasped at the storm outside.
Thompson?
What?
Thompson?
Indi?
I'm scared. I'm so scared Tommy
Richard looked at him surprised. "So the bond between the Keeper's children is true."
Chaos looked bored. "Hmm..yes. Very interesting. But the girl is unimportant for now. She'll die with everyone else."
"I will not allow that Chaos"
Thompson turned to look at his mother and his sister. Indi looked at scared as he felt, but his mother looked perfectly calm.
"Come now Keeper, be reasonable.", Chaos motioned to the maelstrom outside. "It's beautiful in a way."
Ricia glared. "It is not! It's an abomination of everything my family has fought to protect!"
"Protect at what cost?"
"That doesn't matter."
"Doesn't matter? You pay with your life and your soul! Did you tell the young Heir that? Did you tell him he would die the same slow death as you?"
"It's an honor!"
"An honor to die for time?"
"We all die for time."
"Not so Keeper! I will never die for time. Nor will my servants"
"No instead your servants will be forced to live in that storm out there! Driven to pure insanity and eventual death as their own lives are cancelled out! Well I won't let it happen! As low as Fedora blood still flows you cannot win!"
Chaos grew quiet for a moment, studying Ricia carefully, "I am aware of that. You will not leave here alive."
Richard looked up. "Nor will your children."
Ricia turned to look at the traitor. "Nor will you."
Richard paled. "What are you talking about? Is that a threat?"
Ricia sighed. "No. It is not. You are a Fedora. He won't allow you to live."
"I am not a Fedora! I...I left the Order! I am the Traitor remember?"
"As long as Fedora blood flows. Any Fedora blood...and that includes yours."
"No! No it doesn't! I was promised immortality! I was promised!" He turned a confused and scared look at Chaos, "My lord? I'm not! I'm not of Fedora!"
Chaos smiled. "You are Richard Fedora...you are a Fedora. You have served your purpose."
Richard backed away. "No! Please my lord! Please don't do this! There is nothing for me on the other side! There is nothing for me!"
"That is not my concern."
Ricia stood up from her wheelchair. "Leave him Chaos. This is our battle."
Chaos looked at her. "You wish to die on your feet? Admirable."
Ricia raised her hand. "Skip with the pleasantries! If we fight, we fight now!"
"Agreed! The Order will die this night!"
A green light encased Ricia as she brought out the pocketwatch. "We'll see Chaos"
Meanwhile, Richard had gone over to Thompson. "I will prove my worth! I will kill the Heir." He raised a knife but was tackled by a small figure.
Thompson flinched. "Indi! Indi get away from him!"
Indy screamed as Richard plunged the knife towards her chest. Suddenly a bolt of electricity hit him and he collapsed.
Thompson looked up. "Father?! How did you get through that storm?"
Megavolt looked confused. "What storm?"
Thompson chuckled as Indi ran to hug their father, "I love you Father...don't ever change."
Megavolt smiled, but the smile quickly turned to a frown. "Where is your mother?"
Indy silently gestured to the battle. Megavolt was startled to see Ricia standing but was more surprised to see the green light that encased her and the blue light that encased the other person. They shot as each other with the same colored light. He stepped forward to help his wife but was pulled back. He turned to glare and possibly electrocute the person. He was startled to see himself looking at his son.
Thompson looked sad. "We shouldn't interfere, Father. Mother wouldn't want us to. She has to fight this battle...alone."
Megavolt stared at Thompson, then looked at his daughter. She simply nodded her head. He turned angerly away but consented. His Ricia didn't want to die in a bed, wasted away into nothing. Too weak to breathe. She wanted to die on her feet, fighting for what she believed in. She wanted to die avenging her parents' deaths. He didn't completely understand but he would grant her wish. Even if it meant losing her.
Ricia was too busy defending herself against Chaos' attacks to notice what was going on around her. The light was intensfying. Masters help me...please.
"Don't be afraid."
Ricia gasped at the sight in front of her. A young purple duckling stood smiling at her. Outfitted in black and grey robes she looked older and more elegant then her age should have allowed. Ricia blinked back tears. "You're...you're me? How? Why?"
The young Ricia laughed. "You gave up your soul? Yes, but only for awhile. I am what you lost Ricia. The Masters will return to you what you have lost. It is time!"
"And time is everything"
Ricia's husband and her children looked in shock as the Ricia turned from Chaos and tossed the watch to Thompson. She smiled calmly at them and dropped to her knees. Chaos' blue light engulfed her.
A thousand voices spoke. "We have our Keep returned to us. Welcome the new Keeper."
Thompson looked at the watch and at his mother's still form. He aimed for Chaos who had fallen to his own knees in exhaustion.
The Lord of Chaos looked up and laughed. "No, this battle is not yours. But rest assure young Keeper...it will be." With that he disappeared in a flash of blue light.
*******
"Will he be alright, Dad?"
"Of course Bright Eyes! He has the knowledge of all the Keepers with him!"
Ricia stared through the glass of the pocketwatch as her son. He would be okay...but what of Megavolt and Indi?
Jakob knew his daughter's thoughts, "Thompson will protect Indi...and Indi will protect her father. They have friends, they'll survive. And someday the Masters will make a place for them I promise."
Ricia just nodded, content to watch the scene enfolding before her.
*******
Thompson placed the lit candle next to his mother's picture. He picked up the black fedora and stared and it a moment before placing it on his head. Holding up the pocketwatch he closed his eyes. "I swear to protect the order and serve well the Masters of Time. I am the Keeper of the Sacred Pocketwatch. I am a Keeper of the blood Fedora like my mother before me and her fathers before her. Blessed be the name of Sebastien who was first of the chosen. Blessed be the name of Chronos who bestowed upon us the gift. Blessed be the Guardians who died for their teachings." Thompson opened his eyes and blew out the candle. "Blessed be the name of Ricia who served and honored the divine harmony." He sat down and bowed his head "Hear my promise Masters and etch it into the flow of time. From Here where our kingdom lies to There where we hold sway. Time is everything."
The End.
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