Chapter 427
"Friendship?"
Ash held his eyes on the two eyes, quickly tracing the contours and shades of them. Brock's almond-brown skin, Misty's orange-red hair. The dolls were modified and shaped to resemble his companions.
He studied the face of the woman on the swing. She looked familiar. He'd definitely seen her somewhere before. Before his mind could trace the roots of his mental symmetry, Roman said, "Alexa, what happened to you?"
(Alexa?) Ash thought, studying her face. The sky-blue doe eyes, flat lips, heart-shaped face and pink highlighted tips of blond hair. "Oh," Ash gawked as he realized Alexa Bliss was the sentry that guarded the lives of Brock and Misty.
Alexa lowered the dolls, laying them on top of her dark ruffled skirt and into her lap, "They've been very worried about you," she pointed to Ash.
"You turned my friends into dolls?" Ash asked.
Alexa shook her head, "I didn't do anything. He did."
"He?" Ash looked around. Besides Roman and himself, no one else was among them. "Who are you talking about? The Fiend?"
Alexa nodded.
"Where is he?" Ash demanded.
"Pika!" The mouse growled, ready for battle.
"He's gone away." Alexa said. "Gone away to never return."
"What?"
Alexa exhaled, "It was all so perfect. You were going to come into the woods to save your fans, get ambushed by The Fiend and then I'd have three, no," pointing to Roman, "Four dolls to play with." She sighed and pouted, "But Vince just had to go and fire The Fiend."
"Fire him?" Roman grunted, "The Fiend works for Vince?"
Alexa waved at them, "I'm breaking the fourth wall."
"Oh," Ash and Roman both nodded.
"Anyway," Alexa cleared her throat, "Dumb old Vince had to go and fire him which means, I'll just give you your friends back and stop being evil."
"Huh?" Ash and Roman exchanged confused glances.
"Don't look so weird," Alexa pouted, "If anyone was confused it was everyone who saw the news when Vince fired The Fiend. I mean, really, the guy was the next big thing and you fire him? I mean, really?"
"Ummm," Ash scratched his head, "So what's going on?"
"I'm going to give you your friends back, okay?" Alexa placed the dolls on the ground.
"Soooo," Ash slowly caught on, "We don't have to battle you?"
"Nope." Alexa shook her head, "There's no point. I already told you that I'm rejoining the Swords, right?"
"Hold on," Roman crossed his arms, "How'd you get off Zion? Wouldn't you still be under Sithis' control?"
"Bray Wyatt took me from Sithis." Alexa explained. "Took me and we were a pair, a team, so you don't have to worry about Sithis' brainwashing with me."
"Oh," Roman shrugged, "Well, I guess that makes sense."
Ash shook his head, "This rots. I don't get to have a battle."
"You get your friends back though," Alexa winked.
"It's a bit anti-climactic though," Ash whined.
"So was Vince firing The Fiend." Alexa retorted.
Roman agreed, "She does have a point."
Alexa looked down at the dolls, crossed her arms behind her back, "What was the spell again?" She thought aloud. "Oh yeah, right? Returno!"
In a quick flash of silver light, the dolls were gone and in their place stood Brock and Misty.
"Well, that wasn't as complicated as I thought it'd be," Ash admitted.
"Nope," Alexa shook her head, she stood in front of them, the layers of makeup gone and the black overalls were now shorts and a tanktop, "And it's good to be back with The Swords."
Ash turned to Roman, "Do you think I should have Pikachu zap her, just to be sure she's not with Sithis?"
Roman thought for a moment, "If she were with Sithis, why would she be hiding in the woods with them and not out there spying on us. What she's done fits the bill of Wyatt more than Sithis."
"Or what if Sithis knew we would think that so he had her right here to throw us off?" Ash countered.
Roman shrugged, "I think we can trust her. Well," looking at Brock and Misty who were feeling out their returned bodies, "Looks like you've got some catching up."