The Broke Legacy: Gen 5.3
Previous update: Gen 5.2.
Chip's birthday came up a few months later.
As a child, Chip Broke was a well balanced mix between his mother and father's facial traits.
The General Grunt and Puck often joked about who their grandson's resembled the most.
But Chip's special trait, his amazing intelligence, showed up since he was barely a toddler.
By the time he was three, Chip was able to build an exact replica of the Twikki ruins with his lego blocks.
And at five, he could play the piano with such a confidence and grace that amazed his own mother.
Although no one at the Broke household could compare to Chip's prodigious learning abilities, that didn't mean they weren't smart.
Quite the opposite situation, actually.
Cody still worked hard with his Grandfather's unfinished projects. For example, he had found some old blueprints for a new robot design that would keep burglars away for good. It seems that night when his few toys were stolen as a baby had affected Cosmo more than he ever let anyone see during his life.
Lyla became more interested in the Cuisine world with each passing day.
She loved to watch her father as he worked on his newest project: As Londoste's new executive chef, Buck was assigned the task of creating a new dessert selection for the fancy restaurant. Therefore, he spent several nights trying out new sweet recipes for his bosses.
Buck and Lyla also bonded through their guilty pleasure.
They were closet fans of Natasha Una's "Grilled Cheese for Every Ocassion" cooking show.
They found fascinating the way she came up with a million ways to serve and amaze her guests through her almost unhealthy obsession with grilled cheese sandwiches.
Cody, Lyla and Chip were all a bunch of nerds.
At least according to Tommy, who didn't share those odd pastimes with them.
Therefore, the closest thing he had for a playmate was Edward, but he was just a baby!
So, Tommy had to look for new ways to have fun during those long, hot, and extremely boring summer days.
"When I dance they call me Macarena
and the boys they say que soy buena
they all want me
they can't have me
so they all come and dance beside me
Move with me
Chant with me
and if your good I'll take you home with me!"
"Would you please drop it, Thomas! I'm playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 24, not some rubbish, vulgar song!"
"Awww, you are such a party pooper, Chip!"
Thankfully, the arrival of Ophelia Nigmos, had put an end to Tommy's search for someone who'd share his love for sports and games.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Nigmos. It's Tommy. May I speak with Ophelia, please?"
"Hey, Phi! It's me!
Are you done with the dishes?
Awesome!
Yeah... I'm this close from dying of boredom!
Please ask your mom if you can come over and play!"
____________________________
It'd been six months since the day in which Tommy and Ophelia had met.
Not one to let a potential new friend waiting, Tommy had wasted no time and greeted his new neighbor as asked.
"Hi! Ophelia! I'm Tommy."
"Hello... you can call me Phi... if you want to..."
"Sure, Phi! Let's go outside!"
Since the start for his first year at Elementary School, just a couple months before, Tommy had developed a deep interest for sports.
Basketball in particular.
As he watched the older kids bounce the ball and run across the courts at recess, he wished he'd be able to join a team one day.
Perhaps the school's selection? That'd be a dream for the six-year-old.
So, he had asked for a b-ball hoop for his birthday and spent most afternoon practicing.
He hoped he'd impress Phi with his still shaky skills.
"Broke approaches the hoop! He shoots and....!"
"And he misses... Man! Why is it so hard to score in this game? They'll never stop making fun of me!"
"Who?"
"The big kids at school! When I ask them to let me play b-ball, they always laugh and say they'd never allow a little poof like me in their team."
"A what?"
"A poof... a little fart... that's my nickname at school..."
"I think it sounds cute!"
"You are crazy, Phi!"
"No, I'm not! May I call you Poof?"
"Eh... sure. You are not making fun of me, right?"
"Of course not! And to prove it, I'm gonna show you how to play basketball!"
"Really? Where did you learn to play b-ball?"
"Well... my Dad was part of his College's team, and he taught me when I was very little."
"Listen, Poof: The key to learning how to shoot with a higher arch is to use your legs and not your arms to add height to the ball, as you flick your wrists. Now watch..."
"Whoa! That was awesome, Phi!"
"As my Dad always says, you just need to practice. I don't even like basketball and still I learned to shoot, so I'm sure you'll get it pretty soon!"
"Then your Dad must be very smart."
"Yup! He's a chemist and he was recently hired by SimPharmaceutical. Inc. to work in the research area."
"Really?! My Great-Grandpa was chief of the research area, and when he died my Aunt Eighty took over. My uncle Cody says that the people in that lab develop a lot of neat stuff like medicines and vaccines."
"Dad was very happy when he got the offer. He says that he'll learn a lot in the labs and maybe he'll earn enough money to buy a big house with a garden for us. I miss my friends at Sim City but... as long as Mom and Dad are happy, it's all right. I can still call and write to them..."
"Yup! And you already have a new friend in Strangetown too! Don't worry, Phi. You'll love this town, I promise!"
____________________
And Tommy did his best to fulfill his promise.
Ophelia had became a constant presence in the Broke household.
Even Chip, the "über nerd" (according to Tommy), joined them sometimes.
"Marco!"
"Polo!"
But not everything were fun and games, though.
In Ophelia, Tommy had also found a confident to rely on.
It was so easy to talk to her. She never made fun of his nicknames or silly pranks.
She just listened and smiled as Tommy told her everything he knew about his family and alien blood.
Other kids were still closed to the idea of half-alien beings living among them, but not Ophelia.
But Ophelia rarely talked. Well... she did talk about her parents and her previous life in Sim City.
But she never mentioned the topic that interested Tommy the most.
She never talked about Olive Specter.
So one day, Tommy brought the topic up.
"Hey Phi... how come you never invite me to your place? Is it because of your Aunt?"
Ophelia sighed. Tommy winced as he realized that his question had been a bit blunt.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to!"
"No, it's all right, Poof. I knew this topic would come up one way or another... it's just that..."
"Yeah?"
"Mom says I'm exaggerating but... Aunt Olive is scary."
"Well, she IS scary! Every kid in this town is afraid of her!"
"I'm not afraid of her, Poof. I'm terrified of her! She's always giving me these odd looks as if I were a strange bug or something. She's always angry at me, especially when she finds me playing with my dolls. I hate when Mom and Dad go out at night, because I have to stay with her... all alone. She just stares and stares, as if she knew something about me that I can't even imagine! I've also caught her looking that way at Mom and Dad."
"Did you tell them about it?"
"Yes, but Mom just laughed and said I watch too much TV. She says we must be grateful with Aunt Olive because she's letting us stay with her until we can afford our own house. And she always act so sweet and nice with them, but..."- Ophelia blinked back her tears and shook her head.
"Ophelia?"
"I've heard them, Tommy!"
"What?"
"The noises! Aunt Olive has several rooms locked. She has forbidden me to even approach the doors but... I know she's hiding something bad inside there. I hear horrible noises coming through the doors at night. Dad says that Aunt Olive is also a scientist and that those noises are just her machines working but I don't believe it. I've been at Dad's lab and there are no scary noises there!"
Tommy took Ophelia's hand.
"Don't be afraid, Phi! I believe you, and if that witch tries to do something, I'll... ask Mom and Dad to let you stay with us. You can have my bed!"
"But..."
"It's all right! I can sleep in the couch!"
Ophelia smiled."Thank you Tommy... I'm really, really happy to have you as my friend... "
________________________
"...I'm really, really happy to have you as my friend...
Actually... you are the other reason why I'll stay right here..."
He'd kept his promise during the many years they'd known each other.
It'd been 25 years since they'd become friends, and 20 years since they'd fallen in love.
And that night they were celebrating 10 years of marriage.
It was amazing how fast the years went by.
But even more amazing how, despite all the problems and obstacles they'd found in their way, Buck and Rose Mary were still as in love as they were when they were just a couple of teens sharing their first kiss in the attic.
The Grunt and Broke families threw a huge party to celebrate this landmark.
Everyone they knew and loved the most was there to wish the couple many more years of love and happiness.
Well... almost everyone.
"Where is Helena?"- asked Cody once the dinner was over.
"Well, Helena's always been quite unpunctual, but I'm pretty sure she'll show up... eventually."- said Tim- "I hope so..."
Despite Helena's lateness, the party went on as planned.
Everyone was having a good time. The couples danced in the back while the kids chatted with Tank and the General in the living room.
Tank's wife, Kristen, was currently visiting their daughter Nancy at the boarding school she had enrolled into when she became a teenager.
Nancy had inherited the General's interest in the Army and wished to be part of the ranks one day.
"Well, at least our family's Military tradition will continue through Nancy..."- thought the General as he sighed.
Tank noticed the change in his father's mood.
"Is everything all right, Father?"
"Yeah... it's nothing, Tank. I'm just not used to staying up so late."
"I can take you home if you are not feeling well..."
"No, it's OK. It's your brother's party and I want to be part of it.
"All right, Dad. As you wish...
Tank wasn't convinced, but he didn't insist any further.
Deep inside, he knew the reason behind the General's gloomy attitude: Buzz wished that both Lyla and Ripp were there. He knew that Lyla would be so proud of her youngest son and his family, as well of Ripp's crazy adventures in the outer space and Tank's prolific career in the police forces.
The General and Lyla barely made it to their tenth anniversary. By then their marriage was already crumbling... and she disappeared two weeks later.
It'd been 30 years since then, and the General of course had already lost any hopes to see her beautiful blue eyes again.
He'd lost all hope to tell her he loved her... and that he was sorry for everything...
___________________________________
"Hello, everybody!- Helena's loud, cheerful voice was heard above the music-
"Have you seen the time, Helena Summerdream? It's almost Midnight! Where were you?"
"I'm sorry, Dad. I know I'm late, but I was a bit busy getting Rosie and Buck's presents ready."
"Thank you, Helena"- Buck said shyly- "But you shouldn't have bothered, really..."
"Ah, ah, ah! I'm pretty sure you won't think that as soon as I show them to you!"
"Well then,"- said Rosie arching an eyebrow- "Where are these amazing presents that made you arrive so late?"
"Just a minute! HEY GUYS! THEY ARE WAITING FOR YOU!"
The whole room became silent as soon as Helena's "presents" walked through the Broke's main door.
The silence lasted just a few seconds, before it was interrupted by a series of loud gasps from all the guests in the party.
"Whoa, Calvin! I think we've really surprised them, don't you agree?"
"Yup. Although I guess that's an expected response when someone like you finally takes a bath!"
"Shut up, you smartass!"
Buck was the first one who approached the newcomers.
"Ripp... Is that really you?!"
"Captain Ripp Grunt from the Fourth Space Pirates Division in the flesh, little Bro!"
"I... I can't believe you are here!"
"Well, I couldn't miss my brother's tenth anniversary party, now could I?"
"Uh..."
Both Calvin and Ripp exchanged hugs and greetings with their loved ones, who just couldn't believe that they were back from an extremely long absence in outer space.
For the first time in 15 years, the Grunt family was reunited at last.
"Seriously, though, I'm so sorry I missed your weddings and the birth of your children."- said Ripp as he looked at his brothers.- "And I'm sorry I made you suffer like that, Father. But now that I see you all right and safe, I realize it was worth it..."
Buck smiled- "Well Ripp, there's always time to catch up, right?"
"You bet there is! This time I'm staying for good... It's really ironic but... I'm so glad to be back in Strangetown. I never imagined I'd end up missing this place... missing you so much..."
The years had gone by quickly,
And a lot of things have changed for both the Grunts and the Brokes.
But the most important thing of all, the love that kept these families together, was still as strong as ever.
They could only hope that nothing would ever change that...
_________________________________________
Months went by.
Wanda and Puck enjoyed their retirement together.
Puck was busy working on his first novel, based on real events that took place in Veronaville during his youth. Bottom and Tamara had kept him informed about the fate of Hermia, Juliet and all his high school friends. He was really shocked when Bottom told him about the mysterious murder of both Romeo and Juliet on their wedding night. He just couldn't understand how a grudge as intense as the one between the Monty and Capp families could eventually destroy them like that and he hoped he'd be able to transmit his horror through his writing.
Wanda worked in the Quality Area of the Virtual Gaming Inc. She tested the new prototypes at home and sent her feedback to the developers through e-mail, hoping they could fix the programming mistakes before the game went on sale.
Both of them were still as madly in love as ever.
Calvin visited the Broke household frequently.
He sometimes missed his old job as a Pollination Technician, but couldn't be happier to be back with his family.
He had married Helena one night, with only Ripp and Pippin as witnesses. And Helena was expecting a baby girl in just a couple months!
The Drama Llamas had disappeared a couple years after Calvin's departure. Through an old acquaintance, Rosie knew that Dawson had married a journalist named Tosha Go and worked as a music producer in Sim City. Max had retired from the music scene and worked as a photographer in Weirdsquare.
Calvin and Rosie no longer dreamed of being rock stars as they did in their youth, but they still enjoyed playing and composing.
Therefore, they decided to work together and compose pro-alien songs. Rosie had a close relationship with several young musicians that'd love to perform one of her compositions. Slowly but steadily, the two cousins were re-building their music careers, despite the unexpected interruptions that destiny had thrown at them during their lives.
Tim was currently enjoying a break after completing the filming of his latest action movie, "International Sim of Mystery, Maxis 003".
He loved to take care of his small garden, and soon discovered that talking to his plants not only kept them thriving, but also helped him as he memorized the scripts for his future roles.
And as for Marsha, she also had discovered a new hobby in this time.
One that kept her awake most nights.
It all began during one of Calvin's visits.
It was a matter of time before the topic of Hobbes was brought up during their conversations.
Neither Tim nor Marsha knew exactly how to approach Calvin in this matter.
They expected him to be mad at them after the strange events that fateful day.
To their surprise, Calvin was not angry at them.
"I'm actually glad that things happened the way they did. I can see that you two are so happy together, and my brother really enjoys his new life as a Pollination Technician..."
"But Calvin... you told us that the Graslaxian Justice Council is looking for Hobbes! He's been accused of High Betrayal for letting you and Ripp escape! How can you be so calm about your own brother's situation? Aren't you worried about his well-being... about his life?!"
"Of course I'm worried, Marsha. But I know my brother and I'm sure he's all right, wherever he is. He's a smart guy and an amazing pilot, so the Graslaxian Council must have lost his trail by now..."
But Calvin's words weren't enough to keep Marsha from worrying about her former boyfriend. Despite what his letter said, she felt responsible for his sudden departure, so the fact the Hobbes was now considered a criminal was also her fault. If only she hadn't been so selfish!
"What's wrong, Marsha?"
"It's nothing, honey. Just a bit of insomnia..."
"Just a bit? You've not slept in weeks..."
"Nah, you are exaggerating. Besides, it's almost four in the morning, and I'm sure Edward will wake up any moment now..."
"Is there something I can...?"
"Yes, Tim. Stay in here and sleep while I go downstairs to prepare Edward's bottle. You're leaving to Takemizu Village in just a couple days, so you need to be well rested for the new film."
"All... all right..."
Just like every other night, Marsha made a small detour before fetching Edward's bottle.
The Broke's old telescope hadn't been used in a while, but it still worked as it did back when Beau was first abducted by the Graslaxian forces.
As she looked through its lens, Marsha hoped to find a signal, a clue, anything that'd let her know that Hobbes was all right.
Her prayers were answered a couple weeks later...
Marsha ran outside just as the small spaceship was silently landing on the Broke's front lawn.
The driver's skills were pretty amazing, for the landing was so smooth that if it weren't for Marsha's stargazing no one in the house would have noticed its arrival.
And, just as she expected, Marsha found Hobbes waiting for her right next to the ship.
They stared at each other for several minutes. Both were reluctant to move, for if this was an illusion, they feared it'd disappear with the slightest movement.
Once he was sure that Marsha was not an illusion, Hobbes took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.
And that gesture was strong enough to make Marsha break down in tears.
"Marsha..."
"I'm s-so sorry... H-Hobbes..."
"There, there... please don't cry..."
"I've b-been so w-worried..."
"Don't be, Marsha. I'm all right... I'm home..."
Marsha and Hobbes spent the following hour catching up on everything they had done the last six years.
Hobbes had joined the Renegade forces: A band of outcast aliens from different races who followed the same mission as the Graslaxian forces, with the exception that they were looking for humans who were willing to get abducted and carry their spawn. The Renegades didn't believe that forceful abductions were the answer to their current problem, and that it only led to more reject and fear among sims.
"So... are you happy with your life now, Hobbes? Do you regret leaving this planet?"
"I miss my planet... and I miss my family. But I'm happy with the way I am now. Besides... I've found someone in the Renegade forces..."
"Really? Who's the lucky girl?"
"Her name is Stella, and she was also raised in Sim Earth. We... we are expecting our first spawn in just a couple months. We wish to get married by the Earth standards one day... once the war between the Renegade and the Graslaxian forces is over..."
"I'm seriously risking my safety by coming here. It's obvious that the Graslaxian forces are keeping a close eye in Strangetown, hoping they'd catch me if I showed up here..."
"Then why...?"
"Well, I had to make sure that Calvin and Ripp made it back safely. Mister "I'm a space pirate, fear my skills! ARRR!" Grunt might be the captain of the Pirate's fourth division, but he has no idea about the correct usage of an interstellar map. So, we've been leading them back to Earth, without their notice. And... well..."
Hobbes stood up and took Marsha's hands.
"I also wanted to make sure that you and Tim are happy. I realized how much you loved Tim when we were in College, but was too stubborn... too selfish to accept it. In the end, Calvin and Helena's actions showed me that if we wanted to be happy, I had to let you free... and I also needed to free myself from my family's expectations and fulfill my dream of joining the Graslaxian forces. I'm sorry I waited until our Wedding day to do so... it was cowardly of my part..."
"I was also a coward, Hobbes... I actually thought about running away from the ceremony and never return, whether Tim had shown up or not."
"Then it's a good thing I left that letter for Tim. I asked him to show up at the wedding and marry you instead... but I guess things didn't go as I planned..."
"Well... we ran away in the end. And our actions hurt Tim's family more than we expected. Your father was also devastated... and he hasn't spoken to his sister in years. Please, Hobbes! Do something about this!"
"All right... I wasn't planning a long stay, but I'll stop at my father's home before I leave. It's time I do my part on cleaning this whole mess..."
"Thank you..."
"Well... I guess I should go now. I'm so glad I was able to see you again, Marsha. You are as beautiful as I remembered..."
"Will you come back?"
"Sure... I promise. I want to meet your kids, after all. Please give a hug to Aunt Wanda, Uncle Puck and Cody in my name... and tell Tim that I'm proud of him. And that I'm also grateful to him for making you happy."
"I will... Hobbes..."
"I'll always love you, Marsha. Despite everything..."
"I love you too. Please come back soon..."
_________________________
Andrew Broke hadn't been happier in years. Between Calvin's return and Hobbes' brief visit, he had many new reasons to celebrate.
But he soon realized he didn't have a friend to share his joy with.
So, he showed up at the Broke household. He was a proud man, but was eager to accept how stupid he had been for so long.
He apologized to Puck...
Puck forgave Andrew easily. He was just glad to have his best friend back.
But Wanda... she wasn't willing to forgive her brother as easily as Puck did.
"You broke our promise, Andrew! Remember what you said to me that night, when our mother came back from the grave? I was terrified of our future, but you said that as long as we had each other, we'd be all right."
"Wanda... I..."
"I've missed my brother for so long. You were my first best friend! My confident! What would our Grandpa Beau think if he were watching us, Andrew? Letting a stupid grudge keep us apart! Breaking the family in half!"
"I'm... I'm so sorry, Wanda. I've regretted everything I said to you that day. I was hurt... and then I was too proud to accept my mistakes. I've missed you too... and Puck. We... we don't have much time... not anymore. Will you accept me back? Please..."
Wanda smiled and hugged her brother.
"Of course I will... silly Andrew. Always too proud and stubborn for your own good..."
Being reunited with her brother after so long was the best thing that had happened to Wanda in a long while.
Seeing the three friends together at last, talking and joking as they did during their youth was enough to make Wanda smile.
The familiar glint in her eyes was back for good.
Wanda and Andrew spent his final three months together.
Andrew died in his home one autumn morning.
Wanda missed him, of course, but she was glad she had had one last chance to say good bye to him.
"Take good care of him, Mom... Dad... I'll be joining you soon..."
__________________________________________
Despite the sad news that Andrew's death brought to the family, the Brokes spent the following year in peace.
Until that night, when the series of events that'd led to the family's doom began...
There were always odd noises coming from the Specter household.
Creon and Willow Nigmos, close family friends and neighbors, often explained them as a side effect of Olive's experiments.
Cody had worked on his Grandfather's lab equipment long enough to realize that those noises weren't normal at all.
Especially not the ones that were heard that night.
Concerned by his brother's assumptions, Tim called the police.
He hoped that Cody was just exaggerating, but deep inside he knew that something very wrong was going on in that house.
He still remembered Olive's hard eyes the few times he had seen her in the park when he was just a boy. The way she kept staring at Calvin and Hobbes always terrified him. Uncle Andrew used to call her "That Old, Nasty Witch" after she had refused to give him back his ball when he was a kid too.
But Uncle Andrew had recently died from old age. And Olive Specter was obviously much older than Andrew!
Why was she still alive? What was going on?!
A police car parked in front of the Broke household a couple hours later.
Srgnt. Alice Miller, a close friend of Tank Grunt, had bad news to report.
"Excuse the late hour, Mr. Broke, but since you were the ones who reported the strange activity taking place inside the Specter house, I should inform that your suspicions were correct: Creon and Willow Nigmos died last night under strange, but apparently accidental circumstances..."
"According to the girl, Ophelia, everything seemed normal. Her Aunt, Olive Specter, had gone to an old friend's house for dinner and she was playing with her toys while her mother took a bath and her father fixed the trash compactor.
It seems like there was a short circuit malfunction in the house. Ophelia reports that the lights flicked for a few seconds, so she looked for her parents to see what had happened.
We found Ophelia crying over the corpse of her father, who was electrocuted as a result of this malfunction.
Her mother also died in the tub, for the radio she was listening to while she bathed also exploded, electrocuting her.
There are no other signals that could imply that their deaths weren't the result of a truly unfortunate accident.
The little girl is so stressed... thank Goodness she still has her Aunt to look for her.
Mrs. Specter was truly shocked when she arrived and found her niece and husband dead.
___________________________________
Creon and Willow Nigmos were buried in the Specter's graveyard the following morning.
Ophelia was devastated. She couldn't believe she had lost her mother and father that way.
It truly wasn't fair!
Cody tried to calm her down to no avail.
Although he barely knew the Nigmos, Buck was also deeply saddened by Ophelia's loss.
He had missed his mother so much as a child, that he couldn't imagine what it'd be to lose both parents at such a young age.
He hoped that somehow Phi would still grow up surrounded by the love and caring she deserved. He'd make sure of that...
"Phi was afraid of the w-witch! She-she must have done it, Dad! I should have asked Phi to move with us as I promised! I don't want her to stay with her Aunt..."
"Calm down, Thomas. I understand you are upset, but you can't blame Mrs. Specter for something she didn't do. It was an unfortunate accident, Tommy... and we'll take care of Phi from now on. Now, go and give a big hug to her. She needs it..."
As he watched his son hug his best friend, Tim wondered why Olive Specter was absent. It was her own niece's burial after all!
Once the service was over, the Brokes returned home. But not before Cody and Tommy glanced at a lonely tomb right in the middle of the graveyard...
_______________________________________
That night, Tommy approached his Uncle.
"Hey Cody, may I talk with you for a minute?"
"Sure, Tom. What's up?"
"Can we talk in a private place...?"
"A-All right... let's go to my room.
Once they were alone, Tommy wasted no time and brought up his discovery.
"You saw it, didn't you?"
"What?"
"That tomb! It said "Lyla Grunt"! Chip and Lyla's grandma is buried in Phi's garden!"
"Yeah... I saw it..."
"Uncle Buck has missed his mom for so long, but he still hoped she was alive... He's gonna be so sad when he knows the truth..."
"Yeah... unless..."
"Unless what, Cody?"
Cody stood up and walked to the other side of his room, where an odd and creepy telephone stood.
"What is this phone, Cody?"
"Has Tim told you the story of our Grandma Bella?"
"Uh... I don't think so..."
"Well, Grandma Bella died when my mother, Wanda, was born. My Grandpa was very upset, because he didn't want Uncle Andrew and Mom to grow up without their mother. Grandpa studied a lot of stuff for years and in the end, he discovered a way to bring dead people back to life..."
"Really? Awesome!"
"Yeah... he only brought back Grandma Bella. And that was a good thing, otherwise Aunt Tamara and Aunt Natalia wouldn't exist. According to Tim, Grandpa Cosmo used this phone to call the Grim Reaper..."
"Who?"
"The Grim Reaper. He's the one who takes the souls of the dead people to the other world. Grandpa Cosmo called him and asked him to return Grandma Bella to life. It seems like you can use this phone to bring back anyone, as long as they didn't die from old age..."
"So that means we could bring Lyla Grunt back, right? And Phi's Mommy and Daddy too! That's awesome, Cody! Do you thing we could use this phone too?!"
"Well..."
"That phone is extremely dangerous, Cody. Grandpa even tried to destroy it once, but couldn't. He always got so angry when it was even mentioned its existence."
"Why? What does it do?"
"It's a phone that can help you get in contact with Death itself..."
"What? That's cool!"
"Of course it's not cool! Listen to me, Cody. You must promise me you won't ever, EVER, touch that phone. Do you understand?"
"I... I promise..."
"Cody? Are you all right?"
"Huh? Sure, Tommy! It's not like I'm a little kid anymore and I've studied Grandpa Cosmo's memories. It'll be fine..."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's nothing! Go change and get ready, but make sure no one sees you. We'll have to escape as soon as everyone is distracted."
"Tonight we are gonna bring someone back to life..."
___________________________________
"I don't understand this, Cody. What is she doing here? When did she die? Perhaps she lived here all her life and never contacted Uncle Buck and his brothers!"
"I'm curious about that myself, Tom. I don't think she forgot about her children, though. We could ask her directly as soon as we bring her back to life..."
"So it's really true what Tommy said? You can bring Chip's Grandma to life with this phone?"
"Yeah.. it is possible... I've never seen how it works, of course."
"That's awesome! Let me call the Grim Reaper too! I'm gonna ask him to bring my Mom and Dad back too!"
"W-wait Ophelia! I don't think you should call him... you are still a kid and this is not a regular phone call..."
"I-I'm gonna call him first. If-if he bri-brings Lyla Gru-unt back, I'll ask him to bring back y-you m-m-mother and father too..."
"Really?"
"Y-yes... I-I pro-promise..."
__________________________
"Mom! Dad! Uncle Tim!"
"What's wrong, Chip? Why are you so pale?"
"I know it's wrong, but I listened to Cody and Tommy talking... and they are going to call the Grim Reaper! I... I think they are in danger!"
__________________________________
With shaky hands, Cody picked up the auricular. There was only a red button on it, and it served to communicate with Death itself.
Cody pressed the auricular to his head, his stomach churning and twisting as he waited for someone to answer.
Death's voice was so soft and cold, that Cody felt an uncomfortable shiver run through his spine.
He tried to sound firm as he requested the soul of Lyla Grunt.
"Very well, Cody Broke. I shall bring back Lyla Grunt as you requested, but I'm sure you're aware of the high price to do that..."
"What price?"
"In order to take a soul from my pool, I need someone else's soul to take its place. So, who are you offering in exchange of Lyla's soul?"
"Are you insane? I don't have a soul to offer! I can't offer you someone in exchange of Lyla Grunt's life, that's just wrong!"
"Really? Then what a about the one thing that most people value way above their immortal souls?"
"Huh?"
"I mean money, boy. I request one million simmoleons for Lyla Grunt's soul..."
"I... I'm just a teen. I don't have that much money..."
"Then I'm afraid I can't..."
"I... I have my savings for College! It's not much but..."
"Very well... I'll take your.... 1200 simmoleons then..."
"So, you're gonna bring Lyla Grunt back?"
"I will, but be aware that for such a short amount of money, a fraction of what I requested, you shall only get a small fraction of her soul..."
A thick, red smoke surrounded Lyla Grunt's grave...
"Oh no!"
"W-what's wrong, Cody?! What's going on?"
"I knew it! I knew that you Broke fools would eventually fall in my trap! I've waited for so long to get my revenge, and that day has finally arrived!
"The Broke family. Such a bunch of presumptuous fools! You think you can use your intelligence and your so called "alien technology" to get everything you wanted, right? But you can't fool Death twice!"
"Isn't it right, my dear Lyla? I didn't expect these foolish children would resurrect you instead of my stupid niece, but this is much better than what I had planned. Isn't it deliciously ironic? Now you can get your revenge too! You must be hungry after spending thirty years without a meal. Don't these kids look tasty? Go..."
"Go and eat their tender brains! Ophelia's too! She's no longer useful to me..."
But before the monster once known as Lyla Grunt could even touch Tommy and his friend, a strange force stopped her.
The zombie tried to get free from the invisible being that had a grip on her to no avail. She was like a puppet...
A puppet under the control of a very angry puppeteer.
"Don't you DARE touch them, you monster!"
Armed with the strange present he had received during his honeymoon, Tim Broke was ready to kill both Olive and the strange monster that was threatening Tommy, Cody and Ophelia.
But he wasn't alone.
"Olive Specter, you are under arrest on the charge of attempted murder of these children. And I shall investigate the truth about Willow and Creon Nigmo's murders..."- said Tank Grunt as he pointed a gun at Olive's head.
"Yeah, and if your monster... pet tries to harm these kids, I will kick its ass! I'm the captain of the fucking Space Pirates, so don't mess with me!"
When Olive realized who were the ones helping Tim in their rescue mission, she laughed loudly.
"This... this is just PERFECT! This is almost beautiful! The Grunt brothers together! Ready to defend the descendants of Cosmo Broke from the one thing that old bastard took away from them!"
"What the Hell are you talking about?"
"Well then..."- Olive looked at the zombie and said- "Dear Lyla, you've got visitors..."
The zombie turned around. Buck, Ripp and Tank couldn't hide their shock... and horror.
"What the fu...?"
"Mother?"
"What has she done to you?"
"It is time everyone in Strangetown knew the truth about the Broke family! And I shall explain it to you tonight..."