110 109. Holliday Village

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(Gwen POV)

*Six hours ago*

- Then don't be bored and take care of yourself. Oh yeah, don't forget to feed Nebula. - Lex said as he got off the bus.

- Have fun there. - Ashley said as she waved goodbye to Lex.

As soon as Lex closed the RV door, I glared at Ashley and said: - What are you doing? We agreed not to talk to him.

- Oh, sorry, Gwen. I forgot. - Ashley said shyly as she sat down across from me.

- Are you not mad at him anymore? - I asked suspiciously. Since yesterday, I noticed that Ashley has changed a bit and now looks at Lex differently. It looks like something happened between them until I saw it.

Looking into my eyes, and apparently understanding my thoughts, Ashley sighed heavily and sincerely said: - Pff... To be honest, something happened yesterday.

- I knew it. Something happened between you. - Confident in my own right, I said.

- Yes. In fact, we were gone for two days. - Ashley said.

- What? How is this possible? - I asked in surprise.

- We traveled through time. - Ashley said seriously.

Without a moment's doubt that what Ashley had said was true, given everything we'd seen over the past two months, I leaned over to Ashley and demanded: - Tell me more.

- Do you remember Lex talking about how he got outside the universe and met our alternate versions there?

- Yes. He also told us how different they are from us. - I answered instantly.

- Right. In short, that Gwen, only from the future, when she was 30 years old, called Lex for help and I accidentally went with him. - Ashley replied.

- Using the time axes travel spell from the Archamada Book? - I asked, considering my friend's answer.

- Yes. Ben, from that time, had serious personal problems and Gwendolyn decided to call for help the one who understands him best. Namely, a 10-year-old version of Ben, who by that time already owned the Omnitrix.

- Did she also summon Lex? - I asked, considering Ashley's words.

- Yes. Gwendolyn wasn't sure the spell would reach Lex, but she took a chance and it worked out in the end. And as you can imagine, I went with Lex.

- Something happened between you. - I said frowning.

- Yes. - Ashley said with a nod of her head, and then added: - We spoke frankly and made up.

- Is it that simple? Do you understand that he betrayed us? - I asked with anger, only quietly so that Grandpa Max wouldn't hear me.

- Understand. But he's not to blame for what happened. In addition, he sincerely repents of his mistake. Plus, I even got mad at him especially. - Ashley insisted.

- But how can you not be angry with him? He cheated on us with that bitch, he also married her. And instead of confessing everything at once, he was silent, like a coward. As a result, he did not even have the courage to tell everything. Charmcaster did it for him. - I slammed my fist on the table.

- Girls, are you all right there? - asked Grandpa Max, who was now driving.

- It's all right, Grandpa. Never mind, we're just talking. - I said quickly. It was not enough for grandfather to know about the drama unfolding here.

- You're right about everything, of course, but Lex deserves forgiveness. He does so much for us, helps us, protects, teaches and so on. He is not a perfect person, and he also makes mistakes, but at the same time he tries for us. He deserves a little indulgence. Moreover, he is the best of all whom I know. When I started dating him, I knew that I would not be the only one, but I was ready to share, because his pluses outweigh all his few minuses. - Ashley said softly.

- But… - I wanted to protest, but I didn't have anything to say.

- Gwen, look, I know Lex was wrong, but he doesn't deserve to be treated like this by us. As soon as he screwed up, you immediately forgot about all the good things that he did and began to see only the bad. This is very ugly and selfish. - Ashley said sternly, looking into my eyes.

- I… - I tried to say something, but after considering Ashley's words again, I sighed heavily and calmly said: - You're right. Of course you're right. Lex is practically the perfect guy, and I love him so much that I was willing to put up with his harem obsession. But I didn't think he would find another girl so quickly.

- Are you against me dating Lex? - Ashley asked with a frown.

- Of course not. I'm glad you came into our lives. You are my closest friend, practically a sister, and I love you. I'm really glad you're the one dating Lex. But… - I said quickly, expressing my true feelings.

- But... - Ashley said.

- But, I didn't think that bitch would show up and ruin everything. We were doing so well, and then this Destined by Magic appeared and climbed ahead of the line. I was supposed to be Lex's first. I've been waiting for this for several years. - I said angrily.

- You do realize that things could be a lot worse, don't you? - Ashley asked with a smile.

- Of course I understand. Lex, although a male, is at least decent and he does not use girls, but begins a serious relationship. With his good looks and charisma, Lex could change girls like gloves and no one would say anything. - Lowering my head, I said.

- Then why are you angry when you know it's not so bad? - Ashley asked.

- I do not know. True, I don't know. I thought I was ready for others to show up, but I still got hurt when the Charmcaster showed up. - I said honestly.

- Hope is a good girl. Honestly, I like this, as you say, bitch. - Ashley said with a grin.

- Yes I know. I think we can even get along. But I need time to get used to all this. I love Lex and I'm not going to part with him for anything, but for now our relationship should be put on pause. Although, like you said, he doesn't deserve to be treated so coldly, so when he gets back, I'll talk to him and apologize for my behavior. - I said.

- It is right. - Nodding her head, Ashley said, after which she asked with a grin: - Do you want me to tell you what the world of the future was like?

- Yes, tell me everything. - I said with a smile.

For the next hour, Ashley talked about everything that had happened during their journey. I especially enjoyed listening to how cool Gwendolyn was. I knew that I would achieve a lot in my life. And it looks like there's something Lex didn't tell us about his battle against the Aggregor.

When Ashley had fully explained everything, I couldn't help but ask: - So you've had sex?

- Yes. - Ashley blushed a little.

- It's clear.

- Are not you angry? - Ashley asked incredulously.

- I'm not angry, rather, I envy, and I myself don't know why, because I myself decided to put our relationship on pause. Do not pay attention. - I said honestly, not understanding my own feelings.

- I thought you'd be unhappy.

- It's already too late anyway. Besides, you're better than the Charmcaster. But please, you can refrain from showing your feelings in front of me until I'm ready to make amends with him. - I asked, knowing how selfish my request was.

- I do not mind. I know how hard it is for you, so I will support you in any way I can. - Ashley said sincerely, squeezing my hand.

- Thanks. Really, thanks. I know that my behavior is illogical and selfish. My feelings are in a mess, and I myself do not understand what I want. Why is everything so difficult?

- That is life. But it will get better, I'm sure. - Ashley said as she sat down next to me, giving me a little hug.

- I really hope that it will be so. - I said hugging my friend back.

- Girls, there's something wrong here. - shouted Grandpa Max, interrupting our sensual moment.

- What's happened? - Ashley broke off our hug.

- Look. - said Grandpa, pointing to the view outside the window.

There you could see a deserted road, reminiscent of Death Valley, which is not very consistent with the east coast, where we were now.

- How did we get here? - I asked, surveying our surroundings.

- I do not know. We calmly drove along the usual road, and then we instantly found ourselves here. I didn't even have time to blink, as the forest turned into this desert. - Grandpa said with a frown.

- According to the map, we are driving along the same road, on the way to Massachusetts. - Ashley said as she checked the map on her laptop, which she had rebuilt and seemingly improved.

- Could this be some sort of illusion? - I suggested.

- Then why is it so hot in here? - Grandfather asked, pointing to the rising temperature of the environment, as if we really were in the desert.

Before I could say anything, the engine of our RV let out a death rattle and stalled. After driving by inertia for a few more meters, our bus stopped in the middle of this deserted road. Only tumbleweed is missing, for the entourage ... Ah, here it is.

- I don't like this. - Grandfather said displeasedly, getting up from his seat and getting off the bus.

When we all went outside, we immediately noticed a lonely gate that stood in the middle of the desert a hundred meters from us. Next to them were two giant nutcrackers that seemed to act as gatekeepers.

- We are being lured there. - Ashley said quietly, looking at the most suspicious gate.

- Let's go. There is no point in just standing here. We need to figure out what's going on here. - Grandfather said seriously, and went to the gate.

- Can we wait for Lex? - Ashley suggested.

- He's busy with his own business. You shouldn't distract him. Plus, we can figure things out on our own. It's not just that you've been training so hard, right? - Grandfather said with a confident smile.

- Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt for us to be a little independent. - I said thoughtfully.

- You're right, we can't rely on Lex all the time. - Ashley said excitedly.

- The right attitude. - said Grandfather, just as we approached the wooden doors, from which a cold wind blew, not at all in keeping with the surroundings.

Grandpa pushed the door and when we went inside, we saw a snowy landscape, as well as a small European city with Christmas paraphernalia.

- It looks like it's some kind of separate dimension. I felt that we had overcome some kind of barrier separating this place from the real world. - I said.

- And it looks like Christmas is here. - Grandfather pointed out the obvious.

- Maybe this is the village of Santa Claus? Well, real. - Ashley asked with a smile.

- No, it can't be. Why would Santa's Village be in the middle of the desert? Moreover, I know the real Santa Claus and he lives on Neptune. - Grandpa said.

- What? Grandpa, do you know Santa? - I asked in shock.

- Yes, but it doesn't matter now. Let's see what city it is. - said Grandfather and went to the city.

- You just have to tell us this story someday. - Ashley said enthusiastically and ran after her grandfather.

: Grandpa, what do you think this place is? - I asked as I caught up with them.

- I do not know. I would have thought it was some kind of theme park holiday, but how we got here is too suspicious. Not to mention those doors in the middle of the desert, which seemed to lead nowhere, and behind them a separate dimension. It's like some kind of trap. Besides, as soon as we got here, I can't help but feel like I'm being watched. - Grandpa replied with a frown.

- This snow is real. - Ashley said, taking a handful of snow and making a snowball out of it, which she threw somewhere to the side.

- What a strange place. - I involuntarily said.

- Is that an elf? - Ashley asked when we got to town, pointing to a little man with big eyes and pointy ears who was running across the street.

- Here's another. - I said, noticing a few more little people who were running through the streets a little to the side.

- They don't seem to be aggressive. - Grandpa said as he watched the elves decorate the Christmas tree not far from here.

- Maybe we should split up and explore the city? - Ashley suggested.

- Okey. Then you go in that direction, and I will go in the opposite direction. Be on the alert, and if something happens, call me right away. Also, refrain from eating local food. You never know what could be added.

- Okay, Grandpa. We'll be careful. - I said, and Ashley nodded in confirmation of my words.

- Good luck. - said Grandpa, and left to explore the city.

- Where shall we go? - Ashley asked.

- Let's go closer to the Christmas tree. Maybe we can talk to the elves and ask them about this place. - I suggested.

- Okey. - Ashley said and we went to the coniferous tree, which was almost decorated.

Just as we got closer, a sleigh pulled by reindeer passed by. There were gifts in the sleigh, which the elves quickly laid out under the spruce. Finally, another sleigh arrived, already without a harness, on which there was a Christmas star, which the elves immediately hoisted to the top.

When the elves finished their work, I thought this was a good chance to question them, so I turned to the nearest one: - Um… Sorry.

But instead of any reaction, I received complete disregard from the elves. They quickly got into their sleigh and left without even looking at me.

- They didn't pay any attention to us at all.

- Weird. - I said, and then I noticed a heavy stomp of feet coming from behind.

- Nutcrackers? - Ashley asked as she saw a troop of giant, armed nutcrackers approaching us, with clearly malevolent intentions.

- I don't think they're going to sing us Christmas songs. - I said as I created the magic disc.

- We need to find Grandpa. He could also be attacked. - Ashley said as she activated the metal cover.

*BOOM*

Before I could attack the first nutcracker, I was interrupted by a terrible noise from another part of the city. Looking in that direction, I saw grandfather's Jaeger, which increased to ten meters, thereby breaking through the roof of one of the buildings. Dozens of nutcrackers attacked the robot, and grandfather destroyed them one by one.

- You was right. Adficio potentia. - I said, and used the spell to destroy all the nutcrackers at once.

- Let's fly faster, we need to help grandfather. - I said and flew into the air with the help of jets of flame, and flew towards the battle of Grandpa. Ashley followed with me.