Sierra's Sidekick

I was resting and preparing to return to Marleybone, studying the Spiral Cup, when I heard a familiar voice. "We should have shared the Cup, Mma, but that's how it goes. You defeated me handily in the final match. I think you will be a fine detective."

I turned around and gasped. "Grace! You're back!"

"Yes, for the time being," said Grace. "I have to pack a few things before I travel through the Spiral Gate to Valencia. Tell me, how goes your journey?"

I told her about Christina and Austin and about my meeting with the Gearhead and how they kidnapped Baxter. "You've gotten good replacements, yes?" said Penny with a sad smile.

"They will NEVER replace you two!" I sobbed, hugging my staff to avoid glomping onto my friend. "Why did Ambrose do this to us?"

Grace shrugged. "I'm sorry, Mma. Rra Ambrose saw my potential for perceptiveness and knew I could work well as a spy for Clever Agnes. I am currently an honorary member of her crew. She is a good pirate captain, her crew rallies around her. But she needs much help - her kind don't use magic, they need a Wizard, someone who is also skilled in espionage. Please understand."

"I tried to tell that Rra to stuff it," said Penny angrily. "But he wouldn't listen."

"Luckily for you," said Grace, sighing. "I..."

I sighed. "It's okay," I said with a sad smile. "I should know that when we get stronger and more experienced, we may not be able to do what we want - so many people want the help of our powers. I've already had to clean up the streets of Marleybone for the police. I understand. You should just go and do the mission for that pirate, and not worry about me. We're still friends."

"Before I left," said Grace. "I wanted to give you a gift to remember me by... I don't know if we can adventure again but if I am unable to return... no, I wouldn't say that, I am sure to return, but I don't think I will have time to travel with you, I will be very busy filing my reports to Rra Ambrose. This 'Armada', I've learned they plan to find an ancient city called El Dorado and if not stopped..." She shook her head. "Penny and I have come up with a boon for you, something to help you."

"Something to help me?" I asked.

"Yes," said Penny. "Someone to help you fight your class of enemies, Myth enemies. I don't really like the idea of being 'hatched', but... if it will help you..."

I gasped. "You don't mean..."

Without warning, Grace teleported us to the Pet Hatchery. "Rra Purreau," said Grace. "I wish to hatch an egg pair with my secretary and Mma Fairyfriend's beast." She turned and smiled. "I know your Strange Beast is old enough to hatch, you've been talking about feeding pet snacks to Lady Mindy."

I realized what was going on as Dr. Purreau placed our pets on the strange device and attached the wires to them. "But... if this works, you'll get a Strange Beast too, which is useless for you - you don't have Myth spells and Mythblade is worthless and the talents are all myth-related..."

She silenced my protest as the Doctor pulled the switch and our pets squirmed as energy was siphoned from them. I turned away, not wanting to see the hatching take place. "It is all right, Mma," said Grace, smiling. "I have no need for any companions, I have my secretary. Penny's child will be a boon to you, Penny told me that if she 'hatched' with your pet, you will get a Siren and it will retain the power of calling that my secretary has, though it will take more power to use for you than it does for me. Still, it will be powerful against your foes. My pet will make a fine house guardian."

The sharp cry of pain signaled the end of the hatching and I held an egg. Lady Mindy was returned to me as was Penny to Grace.

As I left, I heard Grace whisper. "No matter how far we are, our hearts are connected." Penny then added. "We will never forget you, Mma."

I turned around, but they were gone. I shook my head and walked back home, but when I got to the Spiral Gate, the egg hatched into an exact replica of Grace's 'secretary.'

"Are you my momma?" she squeaked.

"Uh... I..." I stammered but she hugged me.

"Momma! I'll be your friend!" she squealed. I looked into her cute blue eyes and melted. I smiled.

"You need a name," I said. "Princess Gracie... because you are a part of my friend, Grace." I didn't know if I was ever going to train this girl - my garden had gone to pot - but I knew Princess Gracie would be a valuable sidekick until I really needed Lady Mindy's Mythblade.

(Fitting denounment to the relationship between Grace and Sierra, I hatched the Siren and Strange Beast as they had the money to pay for a hatching and now Sierra owns a Lil Siren of her own, which will probably be useless as it will require all of Sierra's pips to cast Sirens. I might have Grace finish up Vigrid - I bought the area with Crowns on the main account - but from now on she is in Limbo. I feel bad but I cannot afford to upkeep three accounts. Until I get a job, one of the accounts must be sacrificed into free-to-play and Grace's account is the one I don't like playing the most. Anyways, just wanted to make this little interlude before Chelsea Court. Ciao!)

Well, not exactly.

(Huh?)

Let me tell you about Vigrid Roughland...

And for those of you wondering... Penny's daughter is another mermaid called MISTER MIKE. Yeah, Penny's rarer than the Strange Beast so it was the dominant hatching species. Not like she could use a Strange Beast. :p