Chapter 1


"Are you ready?" Lori asked as she came intothe bedroom where DrJones was fumbling with his tuxedo.His apartment was located in the new buildingarea in Earlong. He decided he would be living here, instead of living in thecastle, as many have thought he would. But he insisted on living ordinarily,all that glitter and glamour just didn’t fit, he claimed.

He lookedat Lori, and opened his mouth insurprise. She always managed to take his breath away. She was wearing abeautiful dark evening dress, with a low cut on the front and even lower on theback. She wore small but glamorous earrings, which shone brightly when lightfell on them. Her hair was loose, but combed neatly, two curly sidelocks framedher beautiful face.

"Still trying to adjust these buttons." Heanswered, recovering, as he tried to fit the buttons on his shirt into theirholes.

"Oh, you silly wabbit." Lori giggled as shemoved his paws out of the way and buttoned up his shirt. "What would you dowithout me?" She said in a mocking tone.
"I’d probably end up tearing the thing apart." He replied, grinning.
"Well, I guess I can find some time to show you how..." She whispered as she looked into his eyes.

A moment of frustration swept over him as heremembered what kept her busy, but he dismissed the thought. He did not want toworry about it, not tonight. She sensed that brief flicker of frustrationand conflict in him. She hugged him.

He wrapped his arms around her and they stoodthere, enjoying the moment. The one enjoying the warmth and presence of theother. He smelled her perfume, which was exotic...so perfect. She was perfect.

He sighed. Moments such as these were rare.

As she pressed her head against his chest andwrapping her arms around him, she could hear his heart beat, knowing that itbeat for her. She was trying hard to be with him every moment she could, butshe could not visit him often enough, her...job, takes a lot of her time. Shewanted to stay in his arms forever like this, but she couldn’t. Today was animportant day for her brother. She sighed. Taking a step back, she smiled. Hesmiled back at her.

"So," the pause a little awkward "let’s gothen." He said while her ran his paw on her cheek.
She smiled and pulled him slowly to the door."Let’s head to the castle, then...." She said.
As they left the apartment, the door closed andlocked itself.
They stepped out into the warm evening, and gotinto a white hover limousine. The limousine took off into the night.

* * *

A figure huddled in the nearby bushes waslooking at the limousine vanish into the sky. As it was out of sight, theperson waited for a few more minutes, to give the limousine time to comeback, should DrJones and Lori have forgotten something. The figure stepped outinto the open, and headed quickly for the door. It reached for the lock on thedoor, to open it manually. Then, that moment, one of janitors approached. Theperson quickly looked at the man and it’s form shimmered and changed shape.

"Hey, who are you?" The janitors asked, waving an arm, wanting to startle the intruder.

"I’m the security expert, I am ordered to checkthe system in every apartment." The person calmly answered as standingstraighter, more intimidating.

"Oh, " The janitor said, taken aback a bit."Allright, but I will be back in a few minutes to check up on you." He addedquickly, clearly losing face.

The person nodded and got to work again. Onceagain, pressing a paw against the lock, the person concentrated and the lockclicked. The door slid quietly aside and the person entered and got to work...

* * *

The main throne room in the Earlong castle wasa huge chamber, with a tall ceiling, with support pillars on the sides, withstatues engraved into the pillars. The statues represented many heroes andgreat rabbits of the Earlong kingdom. Usually the throne room wasn’t a muchvisited place, used only for recieving guests of high status and to attend toimportant matters. There were two thrones placed on a raised section at the endof the room. A grand double door entrance on the other side. A red carpetusually ran from the thrones to the double doors, but it was replaced by ashorter one, which only ran to the center of the room.

Now the room was a place full of people.Guests, servants, aides and bodyguards moving around. There was a huge table placedin the room. It consisted of three parts, which together formed an ‘U’ shapedtable, the bottom part of it facing the thrones.

Amongst all of them was Queen Earlong. Usuallybeing in a mood that discouraged anyone worthy approaching her, let alone talkingto her. But today, she was smiling and chatting with anyone who was near.

Amongs the crowd were some well known rabbits,war heroes, relatives, a good deal of them were regulars at the War Tavern.Some of them were less known, or totally new.

Finally Jazz and his wife, Eva, entered thehall. They greeted a few guests and headed toward the thrones, after taking adrink from a servant. Some followed the couple with their gaze, some did not,some could not. Following Eva was a strikingly beautiful and fragile lookingwoman, dressed in a light blue evening dress, her white fur shiny. Shelooked stunning. Her eyes were a beautiful void of black and blue. Stunned byher looks, many of them did not know who she was, or what her purpose to behere was. And none of them noticed the way she was looking around, sinkingevery detail into her memory, once again. Remembering every face, no movementescaping her attention. She looked calm, without worry, and she moved with thegrace of a dancer.

"So Jazz, ready for the big moment?" Lori askedas she sneaked up behind her brother.

"Hello Lori" Jazz said, smiling. "Yeah, I’mready, but more nervous than a turtle facing me." He said with a wink. Helooked at his sister, and was still amazed with her beauty. She became quite awoman.
"You look great tonight, sis. I bet Doc’s proud of you." He said, sipping his drink.
"Thanks. Yeah, I can tell he is happy to be with me. I bet you can say the same about Eva." She said smiling.
"I definitely can, she is a beautiful and smartwoman, and I love her alot." He said, taking a glance at his wife.
"Well, you’re the right man for her, that’s forsure. " Lori agreed. "And she loves you with all her heart too. Don’t loseher." She added seriously.
"Thanks sis, I hope you will be as happy too with Doc." He said as he gave her a quick hug.
Lori smiled.

The white bunny was standing near Eva, she hada drink in her paw, but she hasn’t drank any of it yet.She spotted a woman of Lori’s age stepping intothe room, her fur light blue. Doing a quick analysis surprised her again. Theodd but familiar heat signature. She would have thought more about it, but shehas been quite busy. I will look into that later, she thought.

After a few minutes, the royal fanfares played,calling everyone’s attention. The whole crowd shifted its attention toward thethrones, where the Queen, Eva and Jazz were standing, while a step lower wereSpaz and Lori.

Spaz finished his piece of cake, by gulping it down. He stifled a small burp and grinned.
A few moments passed, and then the Queen spoke.
"First of all, I’d like to welcome you to thisfeast. I am happy to see all of you here. Some of you I haven’t seen in a while, and it’s good to catch up on oldtimes. " She said, smiling. Memories washing over her. "The are two reasons forthis feast. First, I am resigning from my position as Queen" She paused, a fewgasps and murmurs could be heard. She waited until it the sounds died down andwent on. " The other reason is that Jazz Jackrabbit becomes King tonight."

The whole crowd was quiet with anticipation andsurprise.

Not wanting to further delay the moment, shewaved an arm and an aide came up, carrying a sword, which lay on a red pillow.The sword was golden. Its name was the Marybyrr.An ancient and valuable relic in theEarlong family.

As she took the sword, Jazz kneeled before her.

She slowly, but with unexpected skill, placedthe blade on Jazz’s left shoulder. Everyone in room the held their breath.

"In the name of Earlong kingdom" She began. " Andthe power infested within me" She continued, then paused. " I crown you, Jazz Jackrabbit, as King JazzJackrabbit of Earlong."
As she spoke the last words, she moved theblade onto his right shoulder. She paused again, and replaced the sword on the pillow. Another aide stood by her sideand held a golden king’s crown on a pillow. The crown was richly decorated invarious colored crystals. On the center of it was a big blood red crystal ,carved to the shape of Earlong Kingdom family weapon.

Queen Earlong took the crown and placed it onJazz’ head.

Jazz did not move.

She smiled, seeing that he truly learned thingsin all these years..

"You may rise, King Jazz." She announced.

Jazz rose. He looked at the Queen. She gave hima polite bow. He gave her a slight nod and a smile. Then looked at his wife andqueen, Eva. He smiled at her as she smiled back. Then he looked at his brotherand sister. Both were smiling, proud of their big brother. At last he turned and looked at the crowd ofpeople. Then he smiled and spoke, "I, will not disappoint you. I will rulewisely. That is a promise I make to this kingdom and all it’s inhabitants. Iwill rule alongside my queen, and keep this kingdom a safe and happy place."

The whole crowd was quiet, his words sinkingin. Finally, people raised their drinks into the air and cheered:

"Long live king Jazz!"

Eva walked up behind him and took his hand, andled him to his throne.

He sat down on it, feeling that things aregoing to change around here very soon...

* * *

I awoke with a start. I looked around, but itwas dark everywhere, I couldn’t see anything, not even my own paws. I tried toget up, but I couldn’t feel my legs. Then I realized I had no body. I screamed, but I heard nothing. Either I had no voiceor no ears...or both.

I calmed down...I recollected my thoughts, and Iwas glad I could still think.

I finally remembered who I was, and whathappened. But I did not understand what I was doing here, and what herewas.

Then Iconcentrated, and I felt a familiar tingling, a presence that I know verywell....yes, it’s him...he tried to save me...and that metallic alien who killed me...

Suddenly it all sank in. I was dead... And I wasinside my savior and friend. That is why I feel his presence so near. But if Iam still thinking...then I still can get out of here...I want to live again, Idon’t want to be stuck here!

Calm down, calm down...panic won’t get youanywhere. Let’s try to see what I can do...

Yes, there...I think I can...

Memories flashed in her mind, some hers, some not. Sounds, images...She smiled to herself,happy that she could at least see and hear something. Then as she went beyondthe memories, she pushed her way toward now.

Suddenly, she could see and hear again. Firstshe heard muffled sounds and saw a blurry image. But as it focused she sawsomeone whom she recognized...a female rabbit...yellow fur... It’s Lori!

She tried to call her name, but she couldn’t.She saw Lori get into a while limousine and it sped off. Then the view shiftedtoward the ground for a moment, and she saw blue feet. She was sure where shewas now.

She snapped out of the thinking as the viewmoved toward a door. It slid aside as it got closer. There was darkness, butsoon a light provided illumination. She saw an apartment. Then view faded abit, she was losing her concentration. She felt tired all of the sudden. Hermind was woozy and tired. But soon passed. Then the illumination died outagain, and a pillow rushed at her as he dropped himself on it. For a moment shefelt tired again, but now she felt happiness, and eagerness. Then the viewbecame black, and she was alone once more.

I have to let him know I am still there. I haveto show it to him somehow...if only....yes, I feel it....I just need to...there...Ialmost got it....done!

I hope that will let him know of me, I doubt Ican manage that again, it is so tiring....I need to rest...

* * *

As the feast ended, DrJones and Lori weresitting in the limousine, both a bit tired and woozy from their drinks.
"I enjoyed this evening, did you?" He asked suddenly.
"Yeah, it was an evening to remember." She answered as she put her head on his shoulder, her eyes half closed.
"Too bad it ended quicker than we would haveliked." He said as he put his arm around her.
She hmm-ed and dozed off for a few minutes. Helooked out the window. He saw streets illuminated by lights, he saw othervehicles flashing by. Then he looked at the sleeping young woman in his arms .
He smiled to himself.

Soon, too soon, the limousine stopped to drop him off.
"Hey...this is my stop..." He said as he gently woke her up.
"Huh?" She said dreamily. "Oh, wait, I’ll walkyou to your door." She added with an tired, yet eager voice.
They got out of the limousine, and told thedriver to wait there. They walked slowly, holding paws, toward his door.Neither of them spoke, each enjoying the last moment together this evening.
Finally, they approached the door. It was time to say goodbye.
"Well Lori, I guess this is it...thanks for thegreat evening, I enjoyed your company." He said. Trying to hide the sadness andfrustration in his voice.
"I hate to say goodbye too, Doc." She saidlooking into his eyes. "I will try to arrange more free time, I promise." Sheadded, her voice starting to choke off. He could see tears appearing in the corners of her eyes. Such goodbyeswere never easy.
"Don’t cry." He gently wiped one of her tearsaway." You know we both will try to be together more often. Besides, we calleach other every day on the comm." He said, trying to comfort her.
"I-I know, but it’s not the same..." Sheanswered, recovering a bit.
"I will go and see you tomorrow, all right?" He said.
She looked up at him, and smiled, obviously happy that he decided to travel all the way to her work again.

Getting to her workplace without a proper vehicle was quite a problem. He always morphed into a vehicle, but the ridewore him out, as he had to go slowly, in order to not be detected.Her ‘work’ was located nearly at the otherside of the planet, and several kilometers below ground level. It wasn’t easyto get there.

"Really? I mean, it’s quite a job to get there..." She said.
"Hey, I will get there, no matter what, okay?" He reassured her.
"Okay, I’ll take you up on that." She said, grinning.
Then her grin faded, and she looked into his eyes, and then kissed him.

Her mind and heart were awash with emotion asher lips touched his... She was lost in the moment, but it ended too quickly.She took a step back, smiled once more, then turned and walked to the limousinewith a brisk and happy dance step. She made sure that he’d come tomorrow.

* * *

He smiled and waved her goodbye as thelimousine zoomed away. Turning, he walked toward his door. The systemrecognized him and opened the door. The moment he entered the house, he startedto undress, the weariness coming back the moment the door closed. Yawning a fewtimes, he went to the bathroom to wash up. Then he came back into the room,flicked the lights off and the literally dropped into bed.

He thought a bit about what happened today,especially remembering the kiss. Then he dozed off, a smile on his face...