The team continued to make their way through the village, looking for the very person Taylor brought them to see. But no one particularly stood out from the rest.

"This village may be small, but it's hella packed." Mars said. "How does everyone even live here all together?"

"Well, from the looks of it, there's new homes being built around us." Douxie said. "It's like they expect their population to grow."

"Are birth rates typically so high in Transylvania?" Makayla asked.

"Well, seeing as how much history this place has, I'd believe it." Jake said. "I also wouldn't doubt that the death rates were quite high back in the 19th century."

"Right. . . the war between The Dark Sorcerers and vampires." April said. "That must've been devastating for all sides. Even for the humans."

"Alright, finally!" Taylor suddenly said as she caught up to the rest of the group. "You guys walk so fast!"

"Oh, Taylor." Jake said. "I didn't realize you separated from us."

"Just had to take a quick call." Taylor said. "But I'm good now. Now, let's find the woman we've been missing."

With that said, Taylor took the lead once again and went to the front of the group.

"Isn't she a little bit strange to you?" April asked as she leaned close to Jake.

"How so?" Jake asked.

"Well. . . she just randomly separated from us to 'take a call'?" April said. "What if she's hiding something?"

"Babe, relax." Jake said. "I trust her. She's my childhood friend."

"Yeah, one you just met after years of not remembering." April said.

"She means well." Jake said. "I think we just have to go with it. Besides, this is an important time for me. I'm about to meet someone I especially haven't seen since I was born."

"Well, if you're really sure about it then." April said. "I just don't want to see you hurt again by someone you trust."

"Don't worry." Jake said as his expression turned serious. "If something comes up, I'll notice. I won't let myself be betrayed again."

April then grabbed on to Jake's arm and leaned closer as she leaned against him as they walked.

"Hmm. . . she's usually out here." Taylor said. "I guess she must be extra busy with that one old lady who lives here."

"What does she look like?" Mars asked.

"She has long black hair and blue eyes." Taylor said. "And she has a pendant in the shape of a heart."

"That sounds easy enough to find her." Mars said. "I'll look ahead. I'll report back when I find something."

With that said, Mars rushed ahead to find the woman they were looking for.

"Good idea." Jake said. "I guess let's all split up into duos. We'll cover more ground that way."

"Right." Taylor said. "Jake, you can come with me. Kayla and Douxie can go together. And April can go with the weird porcupine."

"I'm a hedgehog." Shane said. "I feel like that should be obvious."

"Wait, why am I not not staying with Jake?" April asked.

"It'll be okay, April." Jake said. "Just go with Shane and I'll be fine."

"But I don't want you to go with her." April said.

"It'll be fine." Jake said. "We'll find her quicker this way. Or do you just not want to go with Shane?"

"Well. . . that may be part of it." April said. "But I also don't want you to fall here her tricks."

"Don't worry, I won't." Jake said. "I didn't even look at her when she was in her underwear back home."

"Excuse me?!" April said in shock.

"I said I "didn't"!" Jake said, putting his hands up in defense.

"Why even bring it up, you jerk?" April asked, as she punched Jake's arm.

"You'll be fine, O'Niel." Taylor said. "Just try and work with me here, please?"

April just sighed as she stepped to the side. "Fine. . ." She said. "I'll allow it just this once."

Jake smiled as he gave April a kiss on the cheek and went with Taylor to find the woman.

"So, where do we look first?" Shane asked.

"Don't talk to me." April said as she turned to a direction and began to walk away.

"Hey, we're a team!" Shane said, following April. "At least let's stick together."

. . . .

With Jake and Taylor, they were walking around the village asking anyone if they've seen the person they were looking for. But no one has seemed to have caught sight of them.

"How has no one seen her today?" Taylor asked. "She's usually so vocal around the village. Maybe she's still cooped up at home."

Jake just sighed as he thought back to April and how she was acting just now.

"She's usually not like this." Jake said. "What's gotten into her lately?"

"You okay, Jake?" Taylor asked.

"Oh. . . yeah." Jake said. "Just thinking out loud."

"I'm sorry that April is acting the way she is." Taylor said. "If it's my fault, I'm extra sorry."

"It's not your fault." Jake said. "But she's never acted this way before. Not even when Natalie was trying to get with me."

"Could it be our history?" Taylor asked. "Maybe she thinks I'm trying to get with you."

Jake blushed at that comment. "Oh. . . well, of course you're not." He said. "Right?"

"I may be undeniably attractive, but I'd never go as far as to take another girl's man." Taylor said. "That's just uncool and seriously over the top."

"Yeah. . . tell that to Donnie." Jake said. "I think he's jealous of us."

"You mean the cutie with the purple mask?" Taylor said with a smirk. "Yeah, I could tell by the way he was looking at you two before we left."

Suddenly, Taylor saw someone in the distance and her eyes lit up. "Wait, there's someone who might know where she is." She said, pointing to a direction. "Let's go talk to him."

Taylor then grabbed Jake's arm and dragged him over to where she wanted to go.

"Hey, Danny." Taylor said. "It's me. I would like to ask you a question."

The man she was talking to suddenly turned around. He had short brown hair, green eyes, and was wearing a white collared shirt, black pants, and black dress shoes.

"Jake, this is Daniel Watson." Taylor said. "He's a friend of your mother's."

"Aww, nice to see you again, Taylor." Daniel said with a smile. "And it's especially nice to meet you too, Jake."

"Wow, you're handsome." Jake said.

"Oh, thanks." Daniel said. "I get that a lot. Both ladies and gentlemen love me."

"So, I have to ask." Taylor said. "Have you seen Jessica around? We're looking for her at the moment."

"Oh, right." Daniel said. "She just went to her home for a minute. She should be right back here."

"Figured." Taylor said. "C'mon, Jake. Let's go to your mother's house."

"Why could've we have done that before?" Jake asked.

. . .

After a few minutes more of walking, Taylor pulled Jake to a nearby house and stopped at the front door.

"This is it." Taylor said.

"Is my mother. . . really here?" Jake asked.

"Knock and find out." Taylor said.

Jake looked at the front door and took a deep breath. He stepped up to it and knocked loudly, before taking a step back.

"You good?" Taylor asked, looking at Jake.

"Yeah. . . just nervous." Jake said. "I'm actually going to meet her. . . after all this time."

Taylor smiled as she stepped back, so Jake could have this moment.

Suddenly, the door opened and a woman came out of the house. She has long black hair, blue eyes, and was wearing a red shirt and black pants. She also had a small upside down heart shaped pendant.

"Huh, who's there?" She asked as she looked at the cyan haired boy at her front porch.

Jake was speechless as he was face to face with his own birth mother who he hasn't seen since he was born. And he instantly recognized her from his dreams thanks to her hair and face.

"Jessica Moon. . . this is Jake Moon." Taylor said. "He's your son."

"My. . . my son?" Jessica spoke out in confusion. "There's no way."

Jake then took off his hat to reveal his full head of cyan colored hair. "It's me, Mom." He said. "You've got to believe it. I've returned."

As soon as she saw Jake's hair, Jessica instantly gasped in shock when she realized. Her long lost son was standing right there on her doorstep. She stepped outside and put a hand on Jake's face.

"It's okay, mom. . ." Jake said with a smile as he tried to keep the tears from falling. "I'm here now. You don't have to miss me any longer."

Jessica then leaned down and wrapped her arms around Jake, embracing him in a tight hug as tears began to fall from her face. Jake returned the big as he couldn't help but let tears fall as well. Taylor smiled at the beautiful sight of such a lovely reunion between family.

"It's been so long. . ." Jessica said as she continued to cry tears of joy. "I thought I'd never get to see you again, my son."

Jake didn't say anything else as he was too happy to make words out. After so long, he had finally reunited with his mother.

"I'll alert the others." Taylor said, softly. "They'll want to know we've found her."

"Yeah." Jake said as he continued to have this moment with his mother.

The two of them continued to embrace each other, not letting each other go for one second. This was a reunion that shouldn't be interrupted. And luckily for them, they got it.

To be continued. . .

Jake Moon, Taylor, and Jessica Moon belongs to me

Makayla Light belongs to makaylaLight435

Mars belongs to KyoMarsha10

Shane belongs to Bakshane93

Tales Of Arcadia belongs to DreamWorks

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