CHAPTER 059: Vision for the future...

Cuchulain tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.

"Ugh. Maybe I'll just get a soda and do some thinking."

He opened his door, only to find a puffy eyed Mistress Stunlock about to knock. Unsure what to do, she knocked anyway.

"Ow, what is the big idea?"

"... Your services are no longer required."

"What!?! I mean, let's talk about this. What happened, weird sister?"

"Master has someone else to protect him now."

"Well, it was creepy you wanted that job in the first place. Do you want to talk about it, maybe?"

"Ew, no."

"Come on, try me. I think I have more experience, being a prodigal son and all."

"When did you return?"

"You can cast aspersions all you want either in the room or at the vending machine. I really can't have you standing in front of my door in the middle of the night."

She chose to enter the room, this time. It was like a normal hotel room, if someone had added piles of dirty laundry everywhere. Mistress Stunlock took a seat on a chair, and Cuchulain sat on the bed opposite her. Desperate to stay on retainer, Cuchulain pried the story of tonight's events from her.

"So, just because you realized your first crush was never gonna happen, that doesn't mean you can't still give it your all in the tournament."

"What would be the point," she responded while casually tossing a copy of the auction pamphlet. He turned to the bookmarked page, only to wince at the item on display.

"Lovey Dovey Shotgun Wedding Ring? Are you sure you want to be a hero? Okay, sorry! I have to pay for those bulbs you're breaking."

"Now you see why your services are no longer required."

"Just hold on! There has to be something here worth fighting for, still."

"Why are you so keen to stay here? You should love getting the chance to cut and run."

"Uh, I just don't think you should throw it all away. I am a cautionary tale, remember? Isn't there any other goal you could obsess over?"

She nodded her head firmly and replied,

"Yes, become stronger than Captain Cosmonaut!"

"Okay, it doesn't quite sound like you've moved on, but whatever. I can at least work with that."

He skimmed the catalog during all of this, searching for anything that could keep her in the competition. Finally, on the second to last page, he found it.

"Here! You could definitely use this!"

"A bone key?"

The key, if it could even be called that, was carved from a piece of bone. On the head was the pattern of a skull.

"Not just any key, little creepy sister! You remember when I left for Ireland, right?"

"Is it possible to forget such an event?"

"Well that wasn't my first choice when running away. I originally wanted to stay much closer to home, and this key relates to that."

He dug through several piles of laundry, until coming upon a folder. He passed it to her, and continued his explanation.

"What do you know of the Hypogean Caravan?"

"It doesn't exist. With how many underground buildings there are, how could a subterranean world remain hidden?"

"I thought so too, but it does exist! I found a door leading there myself, and this key goes to the lock on that door."

"So you're idea is to run away later?"

"Yup! If you want to get stronger, what better way than to battle? Plus, if you discover some rare treasure down there, becoming stronger than Captain Cosmonaut isn't a stretch."

She studied the file carefully, comparing photos of the door in question to the auction's information on the key.

"How come the people running this auction aren't aware of it's value? They have it mislabeled as a consumable skeleton key."

"Beats me, but I can see you are interested. Would this count enough for you to let me enjoy the next few days in peace, here?"

"... Will you ever become a hero again?"

"I won't ever use that terrible power, no."

"Fine, goodbye."

She got up to leave, only to find a handsome cycling instructor about to knock on the door.

"You're friend is here, soccermom74."

Too tired to argue with her, Cuchulain simply waved her off.

"I just stopped by to show you the itinerary. Is everything still good?"

"Yup, you are seeing my crisis averted face."

"It looks similar to your 'I've lost everything' face."

"I'm going to bed. Goodnight!"

THE NEXT DAY...

Cosmo and the John walked up the steps to the Fantasy Lounge's second floor. The other All Star League members were already there, waiting with banners and streamers.

"Congratulations," they shouted in unison.

"Jesus, does everybody watch that show," the John complained.

"What are you talking about, its the top trending story," Running back responded while pointing to his cellphone.

"I must say, I am lucky to have buddies like you all."

"Does that mean what I think it means," Her Majesty asked.

"Correct," Cosmo responded, "I am retiring from hero work. My final command as Captain is we implement the succession plan immediately. Please, forward your pick for successor before the year's end."

"What? What are you saying, Cosmo?"

He looked at the John's confused face and sighed.

"Dmitri, not everyone is a workaholic. In fact, I was hoping you'd retire with me."

"Why?"

"You're old, your nemesis is dead, and you have a spouse who is dying to make up for lost time. Besides, isn't that why you trained your sidekick so hard?"

"Yeah, you are the lucky one here. That Lynn will probably wind up Captain, with the head start she has; hell, I haven't even picked a successor yet," the Running back chided.

"I guess you are right. Gee, I can't wait to see how happy she'll be to hear the news."

"Okay, hush. The matches are about to begin..."