2 Months Later

(Mainly M & T)

Tanner and Marie waved goodbye to their friends as they left for the night after a whole day of playing board games. "Cheer up, Tanner! I'm sure they'll come back soon!" Marie said, trying to lift Tanner's spirits.

"Marie, they JUST left; it's going to be a while before they return," Tanner reminded her, glancing back at his cards. She huffed in frustration. "Yea, yea..."

"Well, let's continue with our game. It'll help us pass the time," he said, a mischievous grin forming as he placed a plus 4 card down. "HEY, NO FAIR!" Marie protested.

Tanner's chuckles filled the room, and Marie's angry expression slowly morphed into laughter. Soon, the room echoed with their shared amusement as they continued their game of Uno.

The two of them played for a few hours before exploring other games Garcello and Annie had brought with them. They enjoyed their time while waiting for their friends to return for another hangout. However, their fun was interrupted by a sudden loud crash that shook the opera house's walls.

Marie and Tanner watched in horror as construction workers demolished parts of the entrance, causing sections of the ceiling to collapse. A bulldozer burst through the opposite side of the entrance, sending shivers down their spines.

"Tanner, we have to get out of here!" Marie shouted, scanning the area for a safe exit. "Marie, you know we can't leave! We're stuck here, remember?" Tanner yelled as a large piece of debris landed dangerously close to him, making him yelp.

Marie continued searching frantically until her eyes locked onto the now fully broken stage. A giant hole gaped in one corner. "Over there!" she yelled, grabbing Tanner's arm and pulling him toward the new escape route. With adrenaline pumping, they managed to exit the building just in time to witness the opera house's complete demolition.

They stood there, staring at the rubble, their only link to their past now reduced to ruins. "So... what now?" Tanner asked, peering cautiously from the alleyway, observing the workers and machinery clearing the debris.

Marie contemplated their options. Their friend Jewel had shared some knowledge about the current world, sparking curiosity in their adventurous spirits. Yet, they knew little about this world. Peering from the alleyway, the illuminated streets, colorful cars, bright signs, and a colossal billboard advertising a live show left them awestruck.

"Is this the new technology Jewel was talking about? It's incredible!" Marie thought aloud.

A bright glow interrupted their thoughts. They turned to find Annie and Garcello approaching them. "Marie! Tanner!" Annie called out, running toward them, with Garcello close behind. "Annie! Garcello!" Marie shouted back, floating toward their friends.

Once reunited in the alleyway, Annie bombarded the twins with questions, ensuring they were unharmed despite their spectral nature. Meanwhile, Garcello, catching his breath, leaned against the wall. Annie finally ceased her interrogation and patted Garcello's back as he struggled to breathe.

"Don't say I didn't warn you about smoke being bad for the lungs," Annie teased, her grin growing. "But then again, you've always been this slow since we were little. I'm not surprised you couldn't catch up, and I'm always the one dragging you around." She shrugged, reveling in his bewildered expression.

The twins chuckled, trying to stifle their laughter, while Annie continued laughing. Garcello retaliated with a light smack to the back of her head, which only intensified her laughter. He sighed, knowing that she was too absorbed in her mirth to notice his glares.

Once their laughter subsided, Garcello turned to the twins. "So, little pals," he began, "since you two don't have a 'home' anymore, would you like to stay at our place?"

"We'd love to!" Marie exclaimed enthusiastically, her expression matching her tone.

"If you two don't mind, we wouldn't want to cause you any problems," Tanner added politely.

"It's fine, really! Garcy and I have been roommates for a long time now. We wouldn't mind having more people; I think it would be fun!" Annie chimed in, her excitement evident in her voice as Garcello nodded in agreement.

"Then it's settled, we're staying with you two!" Marie clapped her hands.

"Alright then, you can follow us, little pals. Our apartment is a bit far from here, about twenty minutes. I hope you two won't mind."

"That's perfectly fine with us; lead the way, sir!" Tanner said with excitement in his voice as Garcello and Annie started leading the way home, with Tanner and Marie following closely behind.

As they walked, Marie and Annie engaged in conversation. Annie shared her favorite places and memories with Marie and vice versa. Meanwhile, Tanner and Garcello delved into the details of the current world, and the more Tanner learned, the more questions he had, which Garcello didn't mind at all.

Finally, they arrived at their apartment. Garcello opened the door, and the twins eagerly entered, their eyes widening at the sight.

They found themselves in a spacious living room with a large couch facing a huge TV. Photos of Garcello and Annie adorned the walls, including some from their childhood, when they looked adorable.

"Aww! You guys looked so cute here!" Marie exclaimed, pointing at one of the photos. Tanner nodded in agreement, making Garcello and Annie blush in embarrassment.

As Tanner continued looking at the photos, he noticed something glowing in the dark hallway. He cautiously approached the source of light, and as he flicked the switch, he discovered a small, red creature with black wings and horns sitting there, staring at him with its square eye.

Marie, still in the living room, called out, "Tanner, are you really going to spend all day petting... that?" She floated over to him as he stood mesmerized by the creature.

Tanner blinked a few times, finally accepting that the creature was real. "Aww! Who's this adorable little fella?" Marie half-yelled, making Tanner yelp and turn toward her. "Marie! Since when were you here?"

"Long enough to watch you flip the light switch!" she teased. She approached the creature and patted its head.

"I see that you two have met Bird. Cute, isn't he?" Annie said while chuckling, watching Marie pet the creature. "Well, Garcy and I are going out to get some McDeebles. Will you two be alright on your own?"

Tanner looked at Marie, who was still petting the creature, and back at Annie. "Yes, we'll be fine."

"Alright, see you two soon!" Annie waved as she headed out with Garcello.

"Marie, are you really going to spend all day petting... that?" Tanner asked as he stood beside the creature.

"Absolutely!" Marie replied, her eyes filled with affection for the creature. "But can you at least carry it with you while we check out our new room?"

"Sure thing!" Marie replied, gently picking up the creature and placing it on her shoulder, where it seemed content.

They made their way to the guest room, exploring its vast space. "Wow, it even has two huge beds! If I were still alive, I'd be running towards one and sleeping or probably jumping on them, maybe both!" Marie said, floating above one of the beds and placing the creature on a pillow.

"You'd definitely do both," Tanner chuckled.

Tanner approached a massive TV and grabbed the remote. "These look really advanced. Technology these days is impressive!"

"Yea! Let's ask Garcello or Annie how to use them once they're back!" Marie suggested, still beaming at her new friend on her shoulder.

"Sure, and while we wait, we can play some board games I found in these drawers. There's Uno, Monopoly, and... this weird one with an alligator or crocodile with teeth?" Tanner mused, pulling out a game and examining it.

"Wait, what? An alligator? Let me see, Tanner!" Marie exclaimed, flying over to take a closer look. It was indeed a strange, green reptile figure, challenging to distinguish between an alligator and a crocodile, with peculiar teeth.

"How does this game even work?" Tanner wondered aloud.

"I'm not sure," Marie admitted, "but we can ask them once they return. It shouldn't be long now, I think. But we do have other games."

"Nah, too boring. Uno is much better when all four of us play, and I don't like Monopoly. I almost always land on your houses and go broke! Although I do enjoy seeing Annie in a box that looks like a cell," Tanner chuckled.

They reminisced about those amusing moments when Annie would react humorously while pretending to be in jail. It was almost as if she truly were a mischievous cat, a notion further reinforced by her cat beanie.

Once their laughter subsided, Marie had an idea. "Tanner, Tanner! I've got an amazing idea!" She exclaimed, shaking her brother with excitement.

"Marie, stop!" Tanner pleaded, feeling dizzy from her vigorous shaking. "Alright, what's the plan?"

"I think we should dress up like them using their extra clothes!" Marie suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"What? Marie, we can't!" Tanner protested, shaking his head and sighing.

"Aw, come on, it's just for a moment, Tanner!" Marie said playfully.

"Alright then, but can you at least carry Bird with you while we check out our new room?" Tanner agreed, surrendering to Marie's enthusiasm.

Marie wasted no time and phased through one of Annie's clothes, swapping places with it as if by magic. Tanner hesitated for a moment before joining her, now clad in Garcello's white shirt and gray hoodie.

Tanner marveled at the clothes he now wore. "Wow, I guess you were right, Marie! These are surprisingly soft!"

Marie twirled around in Garcello's oversized hoodie. "And these are just amazing! They're so cozy!"

Annie, still in awe of how the twins looked in their borrowed attire, couldn't contain her excitement. "Seriously, you guys look fantastic! I never thought you'd pull off my beanie and jacket so well, Tanner!"

Tanner smiled, feeling more at ease with their roommates' reaction. "Thanks, Annie. Your clothes are surprisingly comfy."

Marie was equally thrilled. "And these clothes are the best! Thanks for letting us borrow them."

Annie laughed heartily, clearly enjoying the sight. "Well, if you guys like them that much, maybe we should consider sharing our wardrobes more often!"

The twins laughed along with her. "That would be fun!" Marie agreed.

After sharing a meal of McDonald's, conversation flowed easily. They talked about their day, the games they played, and the places they visited. It was a warm and friendly atmosphere, and the twins felt like they truly belonged.

Garcello grinned. "So, do you guys want to watch a movie? We've got a pretty impressive collection."

Tanner and Marie exchanged excited glances before nodding eagerly. "Sure, we'd love to!" Tanner replied.

As they approached the shelf of movies, Tanner marveled at the vast selection. "Wow, you guys really do have a lot of movies."

Annie nodded. "We like to collect them. It's nice to have options for movie nights."

Marie spotted a movie cover that caught her attention. "Hey, how about this one? 'Ghostly Adventures in the Modern World.' It seems fitting, doesn't it?"

Tanner agreed, and Annie smiled. "Great choice! Let's make ourselves comfortable, and we'll start the movie."

The four friends settled down on the couch, with Tanner and Marie in their borrowed clothes, feeling like they were part of a real family. As the movie began to play, they shared popcorn, laughter, and the warmth of newfound friendship.

Little did they know that this chance meeting and the bond they were forming would lead to many more adventures with their ghostly roommates in the days to come.