Somewhere in the Pacific, a pair was urgently preparing for a special event, as they stood on the front porch of a suburban bungalow, just as the sun was starting to rise in the sky.

"Is everything ready?" The woman nodded. "Of course, we've been preparing for this for years, you know this."

He rubbed at his jaw, a nervous tick he had never quite gotten over. "You're right of course, but even so, I'm frightened."

The woman, Lucille, walked over to him, placing a hand on forearm, detaching his hand from his chin. "I know, you are, I am too, but this has to happen, we need to be there."

Sully straightened up, his nerves steeled by Lucille's words. "You're right, she needs us, and I won't let her down."

"No, we won't let her down." Lucille reached for Sully's tie, tugging it tight. "There, now you look presentable. How do I look?"

Lucille gave a small twirl, showing off the dress she had picked for this once in a lifetime event. The dress was a brilliant blue, perfectly complementing her silver hair. Her face was no less stunning than the dress she wore; the only wrinkles on her face were the laugh lines she claimed he had given her over their many years together. All bathed in the faint light of the setting sun.

"You look positively radiant, my love." Sully answered "It's a shame our Layla got her good looks from you, else it may not have come to this in the first place."

"Oh, quiet you." Lucille admonished him, "I won't have you saying things like that. This is supposed to be a happy occasion, and I think you look quite dashing without that bulky thing on your head."

Sully let out a gasp, "Surely not! The helmet was central to my mystique! Never could I have wooed you so many years ago, had I been without it!"

"Please, Sully." Lucille giggled "The mask does nothing for you, I prefer to see your face, and I know your daughter does too. I only wish you would leave all your baubles behind, if only for today."

“Darling, you know I can’t.” Sully protested. “What if someone attacks the ceremony? Everything has to be perfect for our little girl!”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Sully, I love that you care so much about her special day, but please, do it for me?.” Lucille clasped his hand tight in hers and looked him in the eyes.

Sully could only hold her gaze for an instant before admitting defeat. With a sigh his head dipped low, breaking eye contact. Sully glanced at his wrist for a moment before he reluctantly unclasped the shiny gold watch from his wrist and dropped it into Lucille’s waiting hand.

Lucille looked back up at Sullivan, her head cocked slightly, as if waiting for something. “What?” Sullivan asked, “Really?” Lucille prodded. He squirmed under Lucille’s emerald gaze, struggling desperately to maintain eye contact. “Nothing else Sully? Nothing at all?”

“No?” he said weakly. Lucille’s playful smile turned to a glare before he could so much as blink. “Sullivan M. Simmons, you will relinquish your trinkets this instant, or so help me you’ll be cleaning the beach for a week!”

“Fine, but they’re not trinkets. They’re potent magical artifacts." Lucille rolled her eyes. "Sully!” She demanded. Sullivan let out a heaving, dramatic sigh and began turning out the pockets of his tuxedo piling the relics high in Lucille’s palms. Each one was easily powerful enough to level cities, though few were intended for such wanton destruction. A few moments later, Sullivan was pulling nothing but air from his pockets, much to Lucille’s displeasure.

Sullivan, noticing the look on his wife’s face, couldn’t help himself. He grinned. “Expecting something else dear?” Lucille looked back at Sullivan. “You really don’t have anything else?” She asked. “Sorry to disappoint, my love.” Sullivan smirked.

Lucille looked back at Sullivan’s hand, his eye twitched, Lucille snapped her fingers, a grin blooming on her face. “I’ve got it! Take off the ring!” “Really, after all these years, now’s when you ask for a divorce?” Lucille chuckled, “You wish, you old codger! You’d never do better than me anyhow. Now hand over the ring!”

Sullivan laughed, “Well, you got me. I guess you win this one dear.” He said with a wide grin. “But mark my words, It’ll be the last one.” He slipped the old silver ring off and gently placed it on top of the small pile of similar artifacts in Lucille’s palm as if the cherry on a delicately iced cupcake.

“Certainly,” Lucille remarked, “No dragon could ever wish for a better crowning jewel to their hoard.” She pulled Sullivan’s head down and pecked him on the cheek. “Thank you.” She whispered. “I know how much it means to you.” He replied, softly.

“It’s time for us to go.” Lucille said, “Of course!” Sullivan cried, “We mustn't be late for my daughter's special day!”

“Do you have the gifts for the registry?” Lucille asked “Yep, one bottle of Mortlot, chock full of supernatural energy, straight from Paris itself. Only the best for the soon to be newlyweds!” “Did you lock the house door?” “Locked, checked, and locked again!” “Wonderful!” Lucille exclaimed, “Finally, the most important thing of all. Do you have Layla’s embarrassing baby pictures?” She asked. “I never leave home without them!” Sullivan cried. “Perfect, then we’re good to go!”

With the leathery sound of massive wings unfurling, the couple was hurtling across the Pacific Ocean, on a straight course for Hopper City.