Chapter 18

Symon's Revelation

As they stepped inside from the garage into the villa's kitchen, Galen and the others were greeted by the rest of the group. When Zhal stepped in with Egad in his arms, all the gallery swarmed over with worry. Egad assured them with his weak voice that he would be alright, he just needed some medical treatment and rest, along with some good food, drink, and a nice, relaxing bath. He took the time to pet everyone in the gallery on the head, reassuring them. Everybody chucked, stating their agreement with their master.

After he was petted, Chaos looked over at Mick, who was leaning back against a nearby wall, arms folded. The transporter fox appeared very annoyed and irritated from his pose and expression. Despite this, Chaos was very grateful that Mick had come through for them, delivering his master and coven brothers back safely. He was getting ready to thank the transporter for a job well done, picking up the rest of his payment in an envelope on the counter, and started to walk over to give it to him.

Mick unfortunately, paid Chaos little heed as he turned his head towards the living room, one of his ears perking up a bit. Mick then got up from leaning on the wall and walked out of the kitchen into that area, completely ignoring Chaos, leaving the young half demon-wolf confused.

Mick stepped into the luxurious and posh living room, seeing Symon lounging on a long and large couch, relaxed and carefree, watching a live G-Zero race on a large, flat-screen television that nearly took up the entire wall it was mounted on. His father no longer had the handcuffs on his wrists, and didn't look harmed in the slightest, a glass of wine in one hand and the TV remote in the other.

"Late again, junior." Symon said playfully, not even turning away from the TV.

Mick huffed in irritation, his hands on his hips. "Was that whole thing just an act?!" The younger Daniels demanded.

"They desperately_needed your help, son." Symon's reply was flat and stern as he turned off the TV. He set his glass of wine and the remote on a coffee table as he stood up. "They came to me, knowing that you _wouldn't go through with the job, seeing as you don't like doing getaways. They are good people, however. I can tell." Symon turned around, facing his son, his next statements sounding much more chipper. "That, and after they told me the details, I wasn't about to leave them on the side of the road. That's just not what I do. Anyways, where is the mysterious chap that they needed to rescue? I would very much like to meet this fellow."

Mick rolled his eyes and motioned to the kitchen with a thumb. "In there." He said, his tone a deadpan.

Symon patted Mick on the shoulder. "Good man." With that, he walked into the kitchen, intent on meeting the mysterious rescuee.

Mick again let out an irritated huff as Symon walked off. "Fine, then! Don't mind me!" He said sarcastically, throwing up his arms. "After all, I put my own goddamn hide on the line today just to save your sorry ass!" He finished with a jabbing index finger in Symon's direction. Then, he flopped onto the couch, exhausted, and frayed.

"Ingrate..." Mick muttered, picking up the TV remote, switching it back on and looking for the action movie channel.

# # # # #

Symon walked into the kitchen, seeing the rest of the group that had introduced themselves to him as the Elite Gallery of the Phoenix Coven earlier. They were tending to someone sitting at the kitchen's table with large band-aids and basic ointment, voices buzzing with concern.

As Symon walked up, he saw the mysterious stranger, drinking a glass of fine fruit juice, who he recognized immediately despite his tattered clothes and obvious injuries.

"Ryan?!" Symon exclaimed. He ran up to arms distance, as his old friend looked up at him. "What in the bloody hell happened to you?!"

Egad watched as his friend looked into his eyes. "Symon... It's good to see you again, old friend..." He spoke with a weak voice, sounding tired. "It's not as... Bad as it looks..."

"Oh, ho-ho-ho-no! No, no, no-no-no! Do not even start that bollocks routine, Ryan! That's not going to fly with me, nuh-uh!" Symon snapped, examining his friend's injuries before anyone could react as he peeled back the dirty bandages on his body with extreme care.

Symon went pale when he examined the chest wound. "Good heavens, by the twin stars... Who did this to you?! This wound is on the verge of become infected! It's a miracle Gangrene hasn't set in..." Symon looked around at everyone in the room, all the Elite Gallery standing in shock.

Symon instantly got greatly irritated, a comical, angry expression on his face. "Oh, by Corneria's Blood Eclipse... What is everyone doing just STANDING around for?!! Did all of you sudden develop wanker's cramp in the brain?! This man needs proper medical attention, not just some bloody plasters and ointment! I need antiseptic, tape bandages, gauze, and medical tape! Stat!"

Everyone jumped slightly at Symon's sudden demands. Even Galen was stunned and stupefied by the sudden outburst. "Uh..."

"Don't tell me you were so thick-in-the-head to forget proper medical supplies..." Symon growled in exasperation, facepalming.

Amon, who couldn't help but feel insulted by the statement, managed to get his bearings. "No, we brought military-grade medical supplies and equipment with us. It's all in the main bedroom-"

"THEN DON'T JUST STAND THERE LIKE A BUCH OF THICK-HEADED GITS!!! GET HIM INTO THAT ROOM AND ON THE BED, SO I CAN TREAT HIS INJURIES BEFORE THEY THREATEN HISBLOODY LIFE!!!" Symon roared, his demeanor going over the top as if someone had pressed a button that put the elder Daniels into berserk mode! Everyone in the room started quaking in fear, in one form or another. The shorter members of the gallery even took a few steps back, some cowering in fetal position after Symon's sudden outburst.

Symon caught on quickly, and took a few deep rage-induced breaths, trying to calm down. "...Okay, look: If you don't trust me with this, then I'll give you some reassurance. I know what the bloody fuck I am talking about! I served six tours on the Cornerian Medical Frigate 'Angel of Mercy' during the Lylat Wars as the Chief Medical Officer. I oversaw all the other knobby doctors and nurses on that ship and have treated everything from poison-laced wounds to amputated limbs. Now, any other questions or two cents doubting my credentials, lads?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"Good." Symon spoke, glad that they got the message. "Now: get him into the room, and on the bed." He commanded, motioning with both hands. "...and someone better be bloody-damn prepared to assist me with this."

No one wasted anymore time. Symon followed Uniko, who led him through the villa to the main bedroom, followed closely by Galen, Amon, and Zhal. Amon and Zhal carried their master with delicate care while Galen grabbed his glass of fruit juice, along with the container. Egad couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Symon, my friend, you have not changed a bit..."

Jet trailed a distance behind, noticing Mick following as well, who had heard all the commotion. Jet could tell from Mick's expression that he was surprised and confused on how his father knew this other fox.

"Your father... Is he always like this?" The fennec asked.

Mick shook his head while facepalming from embarrassment. "I would tell you 'no,' but I don't think you would believe me..."

"Mick!!" Symon shouted from the main bedroom. "Just because everyone else is busy, doesn't mean you can just stand around like a lazy little sod! Call your wanking boyfriend butt-buddy and have him meet us here immediately! I'm going to need his expertise!"

"DAD!!!" Mick yelled, the sound echoing through the villa as his face instantly went red. "How many times..." The younger Daniels threw his hands up in frustration after a few seconds. "Oh, screw it! Fine! I'll be in the kitchen!" Mick walked back down the hallway in that direction, grumbling in embarrassed rage as he got out his smart phone.

Jet crossed his arms, Zarch walking up next to him. "You know... If you looked up 'dysfunctional' in the dictionary, it would have a picture of those two." Jet said.

Zarch nodded in agreement, not needing to say a word.