II Welcome to the Apocalypse

Embers and sparks fly off the fire while the logs burn. Cryn awoke In a sleeping bag, next to her on a log a man sat. He was wearing a tan trenchcoat and red boots. His face was Illuminated by the fire he was a young looking man with a stern look. His grey hair moved around In the slight breeze. She sat up next to him and watched the fire. "Your lucky I found you girl. You know just a few minutes ago you were just a kid, but now look at yourself. Your about my age, I don't know where you came from, but aging like that Is something I've never seen before," He said. His voice was very husky and brisk. "Where am I?" Cryn asked shakely.

He chuckled a bit before replying with, "this land has been shattered and altered many times. It was once a sister to the land know as The Color Kingdoms, but that was long ago. Now It's a waste land, a fragment of what It used to be. Heh welcome to the apocalypse kid, looks like your here to stay. When I found you, there was two others. Some bandits were scavenging your stuff, when I approached they grabbed the two and left." Cryn gasped In suprise. The mirror, this world. Glen, Lili and her were transported Into this strange land. They were taken away. "We need to save them," Cryn said. "Tch thats useless they have been gone for three moons. Oh yeah I almost forgot, the name's Red," the man said. Cryn looked around at the darkness surrounding them. It felt like the fire was the last light of hope left In the world. Red got off the log and layed down next to her. He had nothing to cover himself with besides the clothes on his back. After sitting there for a few hours the fire went out. "Hey kid you still awake?" Red asked. "Yeah, I c-couldn't sleep," Cryn replied with. Red got up and turned on a small flashlight. He started gathering up all his things. Cryn knowing what to do crawled out of the sleeping bag and rolled It up. Red put It Into his bag. Then handed the bag to Cryn, she put It on her back. "We should start moving now while we are still under the cover of the night. Theres a town up the road from here Its the entry point to the Kingdom of Hearts," Red said before he grabbed her wrist and started walking along.

The Sun started to rise, Red and Cryn could see the town just over the hill they arrived at the gates and there was two gaurds standing just outside the gate. One of the guards eyeballed Cryn, while the other started talking to Red. "How was the expedition Mr. Ranger," the guard asked. Behind his mask Red smirked then said, "eventful, I found some bandits who were kidnapping some people I was only able to save one. She Is really nice." The gaurd yelled something then seconds later the gate opened and he nodded at Red. Red grabbed Cryn's hand and led her through the gate. On the other side was a small village. There was people walking around everywhere, the town seemed really lively. At the far end of town a castle stood tall. Red led her through the town. People greeted him on the street and a few people watched Cryn curiously. A few girls glared at her. They both reached the castle. When they both reached the door Red knocked twice and a peephole opened then a voice said, "ah Red come on In."

Red walked In with Cryn close behind him. The guard closes the door behind them and when he saw Cryn he had a concerned look on his face but decided to do nothing about It. Red led Cryn up a few stair cases until they both arrived at two big doors, the guards let them In.

In the room was a few people sitting at a table. The head of the table had a big chair that a man with a crown sat at. Red walked up to the table and put his left hand down on It. "My King I have returned from my hunt," Red said. The guy In the crown nodded his head then said, "very good Red, may I ask who the girl Is?" Red tightened his grip on his right hand then he pulled Cryn close behind him. She winced In pain then hugged his backside. Red gritted his teeth and glared at the King of Hearts. "SHE'S MINE! I found her and what looked to be her mother and father being attacked then kidnapped by some bandits. They had the house of Clubs logo on their backs. I only managed to save the girl. I will be taking care of her for now on," Red responded with. Red turned and ran out of the room. He took Cryn down a hall then up a flight of stairs. He took a key out, unlocked a door, and opened It. Red took Cryn Inside closing and locking the door behind them. He took his bag from her and set It down then he sat on a stool and leaned on the wall opposite from the door with his revolver In hand. "You can sleep In that room there I'll keep watch here," Red said. "Judging by his crown and the way you acted towards him, he's the king and you don't like him much huh?" Cryn asked. Red look up to her then replied with, "He Is and the last time he found out that I had a woman by my side. He....he had his gaurds capture and Interrogate her. A week later and she was his personal maid that delivered things for him so he can be lazy. She didn't even recognize me. I was gonna leave today and I wasn't planning on coming back, but I wanted to give her the ring first. I haven't seen her since last week though." Red took a ring off his finger and moved It around In between his fingers. Cryn got down on her knees Infront of Red and held his hands. "Sir It's alright I'm he-" Cryn was cut off by a knock on the door. Red's eyes widened and he pointed his gun at the door. Cryn pushed his hand down. Red stood up and walked to the door and opened It. The king's messenger boy was at the door. "Sir Red Ranger the King requests that you and your *cough* ahem accomplice go to the Kingdom of Clubs to Issue a peace treaty. Good day," the messenger boy said before he jumped down the staircase. Red closed the door and turned around, Cryn stood up and walked over to him then grabbed his left hand. He gave her a side glance before she pulled him Into the bedroom. Cryn sat down on the bed and patted her thighs. Red sat down then layed his head on her thighs and looked at the door. Cryn grabbed his revolver out of his hand and put It on the dresser, then she took his mask off and put It on the dresser aswell. Cryn started petting his head and playing with his hair. Red eventually fell asleep from It, then about an hour after Cryn fell asleep.

It was early the next day, Cryn woke up and Red was no where to be seen. She got out of bed and walked to the other room. There was a plate of pancakes on the table and Red was standing In the kitchen. "Morning kid I made some food for you," Red said In a calm voice. Red turned around and he wasn't wearing his mask. Cryn sat down and started eating. Red stepped away from the counter then sat down across from her. "I'm gonna miss this place you know," Red said. "Mhm," Cryn muttered. She finished eating one pancake then she stood up, "Hey do you have any other clothing I can wear? I don't want to be stuck In this dirty skirt all day." Red pointed towards his bedroom. "Check the wardrobe kid," Red said. Cryn walked Into the room then after a few minutes she came back In. "H-how do I look?" Cryn asked. "Oh my old adventuring outfit from when I was a kid. You look nice," Red responded. He cleared his throat before picking up the plate then putting It In the sink. Red walked around the room picking up things and putting things on. After a few minutes Red was ready aswell.

"Ready to go kid?" Red asked. Cryn walked over and hugged his arm. "Ready," she replied. They both walked out of the room and down the stairs. Red and Cryn walked through the castle and out the doors. It was early morning and the sky was a orange and pink color. The smell of baking bread was In the air. The sun was slightly behind the castle. The streets were bare and empty of any life besides Red and Cryn. The two walked through the streets and out the gate.

Red and Cryn walked through the plains and approached the forest. A couple bandits jumped out of some bushes. One of them stepped forward and spoke up, "This Is one of the Hearts lackeys huh?" Another one gave Cryn a side glance then said, "HEY!! That's the girl that got away from us. That man, he's the one who shot Jimmy." Red glared at them. "You were kidnapping a child!" Red yelled out. "We came for a peace treaty with the Clubs," Cryn said. Everyone stopped and looked at her.

"Fine follow us," one of them said. Red and Cryn followed behind the group, they traveled through the forest. After a few minutes they arrived at a clearing where three huge trees stood tall. They walked Into one of them that was hollowed out where small castle stood. There was no front gate and when they walked Into the walls the king was out In the street talking to the citizens and his friends he had before becoming king. The bandits walked up to the king and bowed. He looked over and saw Red and Cryn standing behind the bandits. "Oh Its the Ace of Hearts, nice to see you again," The King of Clubs said. Red walked forward then said with a stern voice, "The King of Hearts has gained Info on the where abouts of some technology from the past. He wants to see If you would like to join him In making a search party for this tech. Both parties get half cut. One small thing, the Diamonds cannot under any circumstance learn about this plan or where the tech It." People In the streets stopped and looked at Red and the King of a Clubs. "I accept his offer. Do you need anything while your here? Food? water? Does that little lady need anything?" The King asked. Cryn shook her head. The King nodded then said, "well have a good venture back, If you need a safe escort back just ask." Cryn smiled then told Red, "What a nice guy." "Cryn?" A feminine voice calls out from the crowd. A woman ran up and hugged Cryn, Red turned real fast and almost reached for his gun. "Lili!!," Cryn said excitedly and hugged back. Glen walked behind Lili and smiled at Cryn. "Glen!!! Both of you are safe," Cryn cried out hugging him aswell. These were the only two people from her world that she knew who are here. Red let his guard down and smiled at them through his mask. "Oh this Is Red he saved me and took care of me," Cryn said. Glen walked over to Red and put his hand out. Red took It and shook It before letting go. Nice to meet you sir, I made sure she was safe," Red said. "Thank you Red," Glen said. Red looked towards the exit of the Clubs Kingdom. He started walking to the exit but was stopped by a tug on his sleeve. He turned to look and saw Cryn. "Where are you going. Your not gonna leave me. I still need you," Cryn cried out. Red looked down at her then said, "look kid I gotta tell the King that the truce worked." Cryn had a pouty face, "Don't call me kid anymore!!" She then lowered her tone to a whisper "_call me w-wuf......wife_" Red's eyes widened as Cryn reached Into his pocket and put the ring on, he blinks and she was wearing a wedding dress Infront of a crowd of people. She had the biggest smile on her face and tears streaming down off her face. Then he blinked again and Cryn had a baby boy In her arms, that she named Harold. Red awoke In a Infirmary bed. Cryn's head was laying on his chest. She was ontop of the blanket. Red slipped out from under her without waking her up. He left the room and found out that he was In the castle of the Clubs. He looked around till he found the throne room. King of Clubs, Glen, and Lili were In there. "Huh? Oh your finally awake. You started to leave but then you collapsed after taking a single step. Have you been sleeping or eating much?" Glen asked. "I haven't since the King of Hearts charmed my girlfriend that I was about to propose to. Then he got her killed and made It seem like It was my fault, that same day he sent me out to go scavenge for stuff and thats when I found Cryn. She looks, acts, and sounds like my girlfriend....not exactly but close enough," Red responded with. Red walked over to Glen and leaned on the table. Glen patted his back. The King of Clubs looked worried. "Well anyways we were talking about how Glen, Lili, and Cryn aren't from this world. They have given reports of a world called Earth In which they resided In. They got here after they got crushed by a chandelier," King of Clubs said. "Well before that Cryn broke a fancy Mirror that wasn't In the room minutes before," Lili replied with. Cryn sleeply walked In the room then she grabbed Red's arm and cuddled his arm. "Sleepy like a child. Speaking of which when I first discovered you all, she looked like she wasn't even a teen yet, the next day she looked like she was around my age, been like that ever since. She's probably much younger than she looks. I'm twenty four, so She's like twenty or something," Red said while looking at Cryn. "I'm thir- I was thirteen. Guess I am twenty now huh," Cryn said while giggling. "We should go back and tell the King of Hearts," Red said. "I already sent my messenger boy," The King of Clubs stated.

A few hours pass and the messenger boy entered the room with the news.

There will be three teams. Team one are the people going Into the zone and searching for equipment, this team will be lead by Red and he can bring anyone of his choosing. Team two will be the scouts who patrol the perimeter of the area and watch for anything deemed hostile to the mission. Finally team three will be the ones holding the bags and carts to put the loot In, they are the transportation. The gear will be brought to the outpost setup Inbetween the Club Kingdom and the Hearts Kingdom. This place Is where the Kings will be staying.

Team one, Red's team Is comprised of himself and three others, Mike, Darren, and Elaine.

Team two, Lili's team Is comprised of herself and five others, Cryn, Ben, Caleb, Riley, and Bethany.

Team three, Glen's team Is comprised of himself and three others, William, Barry, and Elizabeth.

The teams will set out on the rise of the sun of the next day.