I had been doing research the past few days on the library and what was so special about it. From what I could tell there really wasn't much to gather. I truly didn't understand what was so special about this place, but it's the only lead we have, so we would have to take the chance.
There was no rush for this place, we could take it at any time, so we could prepare, and prepare we would do. But I also had other business, I wasn't paying attention to the date really. It's coming up to the date of the talent show!
Elizabeth had been planning to sing for days preparing for this day, but… Ever since the incident, she has been afraid to ever go on any kind of performance or stage. For now, I'm trying to help her get her courage back, but…
She was in her room, sitting down in a corner, looking down at her song she had written. Tears were falling from her face like rain pouring from the sky. She wasn't bawling, but it was a quiet sobbing she was making, exasperated breaths leaving her mouth in tandem.
I didn't say anything to her, I was undisguised, staying quiet until she felt like speaking to me. What was I going to say to her in this situation? She had planned to do this, she was ready, but now she was maimed, scarred. Even though I could look past what happened, that doesn't mean she cant. I knew how she was feeling in a way though. She looked different then she did before, it must be hard to try and show your face in front of people again after that, it was for me.
"Xeta…" Her voice spoke soft, like if she was just breathing out the words.
-Yeah?- I returned to her.
"I don't know what to do…" She admitted.
-About what?- I asked innocently.
"Should I go to the show, and perform, and quite possibly be humiliated by everyone there… Or don't, and keep the dignity that I have left?" She asked quietly.
-What do you mean… have left? You haven't lost any dignity in my eyes…- I said.
"In yours… Just because it's your eyes, doesn't mean everyone sees me that way… Scarface." She said.
That name confused me, -Scar… face?-
"I've heard people call me that behind my back, it's my new nickname…" She admitted.
That made me boil with rage, anger, madness, and more. My ears perked up, and fur stiffened.
"Please, don't get mad… It's obvious they were gonna make those comments, that's just how it goes.." She said with contempt in your voice.
-Too bad your not good at hiding emotions, I can tell your just as mad as I am,- I said calming down.
"So, I'm an open book… and a bad decision maker, what do I do?" She asked.
I thought for a moment, and an idea struck me.
"Let me try something real quick," I said.
I let my paw with my bright, purple energy, and made sure it was only enough to make light, not hurt or burn.
She backed off, and I quickly explained, -It's okay, I promise, just let me try this… You trust me, right?-
"O-Of course! Yeah, sorry…" She apologized.
-It's ok…- I replied.
I gently took my paw, and while focusing on her scars, moved it across them. Now, while I had no power to heal, I was able to do something interesting.
I backed off, -There, go look in the mirror,- I said.
She got up and did what I said, and when she say what I had done her face glowed with delight. Her scars now looked like they had purple fire flowing from them, making them look like she was a master of fire.
"Xeta! Oh my god! This is incredible!" She exclaimed.
I walked up to her, to her arm in my paw, and stroked over the scars on it. They got the same treatment on the ones for her face, making her look even more like someone able to control fire. She just looked at herself in glee, as if she was a kid in the candy store. I think this was the happiest I had ever seen her.
"Ok, we are hitting Disney levels of magic here, but right now this is awesome," She said.
-I mean, it's basically what I'm usually doing when a start fighting, but instead of using it for me, I'm basically just letting it be on you as a light source,- I explained.
"So wait, what exactly would this be for?" She asked.
-Well, if you are worried about people judging for your scars, lets give them a performance that will blow 'em away,- I explained.
"So… you want to help me? Wouldn't that be kinda cheating?" She asked.
-Well, it's up to you, but hey, it would be like a duet sort of thing you know? And besides, I'm just makin special effect to go along with the song!- I explained.
"I guess so… how cool do you think it would be?" She asked.
-Enough to make you look like a fire god or something like that!- I said.
"Alright, well, let's start prepping okay? We'll meet after school tomorrow to set up alright?" She said.
-Alright, will do!- I replied.
The next day after school we went to my cave and started preparing for our act. So what we were going to do is when she hits the high point of her song, I will her dress, and the sides of her face light up with my energy, so that she will really shine for her song.
Once that happens I will make a pillar of my energy and use it as cover to walk through on go on stage to dance with her.
"So you come out, and then what?" She asked.
-Hm… Haven't really thought of that…- I said.
"Well… what do you suggest?" She asked.
I thought for a minute, trying to come up with a decision, then it hit me.
-How about we dance!- I said.
"Dance!? B-but.. I'm not good at dancing…" She said.
-We don't have to make some complicated dance, it could just be a slow dance, and even better, using the energy I showed earlier, we may be able to add even more flare to the performance!- I exclaimed.
"How so?" She asked.
-While we dance I will have the energy make trails as we dance, of course nothing would actually burn, but I really do think we could knock it out of the park you know?!- I said.
"Do you really think you could do that? What if you tire out while having your disguise?" She asked.
-Hmm… Good point… WAIT! Have you thought of a theme for the song!?- I asked.
"Well, I was thinking something to do with medieval, like a princess, so what would work with that?"
-Just get me a suit of armor, like a prop suit with a helmet, we'll just have to find a helmet in a weird shape, hopefully an animal of some kind, or just a big helmet, I don't know really…- I admitted.
"I know! I'll talk to some people in drama club, see if they could help us out!" she said.
-Alright then, sounds like a plan to me! So, you ready to start practicing?- I asked.
"Alright, let's start!"
We have practiced this a few times now, the dance, and the effects I am supposed to use. After a few days of practicing before the show, we got me an outfit to wear. It was a prop suit of armor, and I practiced using a effects with it as well.
After practicing, singing, dancing, and more, it was time to take it on stage. I was hiding backstage, out of sight from people, not letting anyone see me. I was near the room where Elizabeth was prepping. I had tried to text Bruce and asked if he wanted to come along, but he said he was busy with something, I didn't really know what though.
Anyways, she was preparing. She wanted to wear makeup, but I told her not to hide her scars, there would be no point in it. If this was to help her regain confidence, I thought she would need to not try physical features.
I know as hypocritical as that sounds coming from me, but I don't think she would become an area 51 experiment over a few scars.
Now then, she was preparing her black dress with long sleeves, and a tiara going along with our theme for the song. But all of the sudden, this snobby looking girl walked up.
"Oh look! Scarface is performing!" She said.
Elizabeth briefly ignored her and continued to her things.
"Aw come on, you wouldn't want to go on stage and scare anyone now would you? Think if you're up there, and your scars just start oozing nasty, icky, blood onto the crowd! Oh, I would not want to be you in that situation," The girl continued.
I could tell Elizabeth was starting to get pissed, so I decided to take action, if she hit this girl or screamed out she wouldn't be able to perform. So before she could I came out in my costume of armor, and used telepathy to speak to both of them.
-Hey, you, you better listen up, keep harassing her and I will make sure you aren't allowed to perform, got it?- I told the girl in a stern tone.
She looked at me with a glare and scoffed, "Heh, whatever, snitch," and that was it, she walked off.
"Hey.. thanks," She said.
-Don't let someone like that get to you, just, let's give them a show to remember,- I explained.
"A-alright!" she replied.
We still had a while to wait for our performance. But a few of them were already having to perform.
The first act was a boy performing a magic act, which was actually pretty neat. He performed some classic tricks like sawing someone in half, and he even performed a floating person trick, it was really cool. For his finale he made a bouquet of flowers turn into a cloud of confetti.
Everyone clapped with glee with the performance, as much magic as I could perform, I still probably would never figure out how he did the trick.
The girl from before was doing some kind of traditional dance. It was slow, but she moved in rhythm to the soft music that was playing. It was a good dance, but her beauty betrays the hate and evil behind the ruse.
Before it was about time to go on I noticed that her parents were actually in the audience… that's actually sweet of them to be here.
It was about time to begin, and they gave her the signal, and I went backstage to prepare for my entrance.
She walked on stage, and I watched quietly from the back, the spotlight was on her and everything. Apparently the song she chose was a bit of a reworking of an already existing song.
She then began.
"Everyone…. Can you hear me…. Does my call… Reach you…" She sung slowly, most of her words rolling with her voice.
"You all….. are you listening… Can I…. get to you…" As her song continued, her voice became higher, and faster.
"There's a part of me that wants to make changes… Tired of feeling like I'm always gone… But there's a part of me that, looking from within my soul… a part of me that feels I might not be whole… That I cant… Be… Strong…"
That was my cue, before the next sentence, I quickly started letting my energy flow, and from the scars on her face, and the fabric on her arms and edges of her skirt, my energy erupted, giving the beautiful glow of purple across her body. Everyone in the crowd quickly looked on in awe, amazed by what they were looking at.
Elizabeth then started chanting while the fire flowed around her.
"I"VE BEEN AFRAID! Of everyone I know, all being taken away in stride….! I believed everything would stay, just like how we've used to known! But listen when I say, I swear it here today, no matter what happens my life… is… MINE…..!" On her last verse I let the fire glow even brighter around her, and from a pillar behind her I walked out in the armor, which was glowing brightly with my own flames.
The music became a bit more heavy, and fast, and I came in the knight suit and got on a knee while handing her my prop sword which also had the flames.
She took the sword and continued singing, "Amazing how you looked for me, kept me in serenity, and made me see…"
She took the sword, and raised the sword above each my shoulders, giving praise to when knights were bestowed their honor.
"The way you always looked at me, but I was always young and never had… a clue…!"
She then handed me the sword and I quickly sheathed it like we had practiced.
"Born to live a legacy, existing to fill the needs, as royalty… Of this so called family, that has turned me into a majesty… BUT I don't intend to suffer any longer…! Here's where that description falls apart…! I'm shattering my fears, that turned me into pieces," She then looked in the eyes, before speaking her next line.
"That stood between joining our own hearts… So we wont…. Be… Apart…!"
The purple fire I made glow brighter, without increasing the heat, then we took each other, hands and paws, and began dancing.
"WE'RE NOT THEIR PETS! NOT ANOTHER THING THEY OWN! We wont stay for their demise!"
The dance we had was slow, and soft. Not really keeping a solid motion, but moving in tandem with the other, letting our hearts move us, not our minds. As we danced, every step we took left purple fire following us. It left a beautiful trail that made us not even require the spotlight for people to enjoy the beauty.
"Their power and their influence, can't hold us anymore! We wont be possessed, burdened by all the rest! WE WILL NOT SURRENDER, THIS LIFE…. IS…. OURS….!" We gave one last spin as she let out her last vocal note, and as we stopped and faced the audience, I quickly let all the energy burst, leaving trails of glowing, purple dust flying around the room, giving the whole theater a beautiful glow!
In a flash the applause started rolling in, everyone in the crowed was cheering and chanting, and her parents looked astonished, it seems like they truly weren't expecting all of this. I looked at Elizabeth, and she was smiling, and beaming with joy! She looked so happy. I'd never thought I'd see her this happy again… It was refreshing.
We both gave a bow to the audience and headed off stage. Everyone backstage ran up to us and started asking us questions about how we made the fire happen and all that. But Elizabeth simply said to let us go change before answering questions.
We were in the changing room, she was in a stall and so was I. I got into my jacket and all and walked out disguised. While Elizabeth came out just a minute or so later.
"We were great out there! I can't believe it worked that well!" She then hugged me, and I returned it.
"ELIZABETH!" We both heard. I saw her mother running up and ran into a hug.
"Oh my god that was amazing honey! How did you do all those effects?!" She asked as her father came up.
"Great job honey!" He said with a smile.
"Well, thanks you guys, but uh, see I was only singing, the effects were all thanks to Xeta here!" She admitted.
"OH! That's incredible! You made her singing shine even brighter with that performance, thank you so much for doing that for her!" Her mother thanked me.
I nodded as a reply to her.
Elizabeth smiled, "You guys really… thought I was great?"
"Of course! Everything about your performance was phenomenal!" Her mother stated.
"ALRIGHT! It's time to announce the winner!" The announcer outside said.
"OH! Go get ready! I know you're going to win this!" Her mother said, and we walked off.
We waited for the announcer to give the winner, and then…
"Elizabeth Sivers, and Xeta Shidel! Come on up!" The announcer exclaimed.
We both ran up there, and it seemed that the girl from before was miffed, very miffed.
The principal was the one who actually came out and gave us each an award. It was a medal that we were able to wear. It felt great being up on stage with her and seeing her so happy. I didn't really care if I won, I was just glad she succeeded in what she had planned on doing this whole time.
After the awards were given out, she asked her parents if she could come to my place to spend the night. They thought I would do something like that, but they made me promise that I wouldn't do anything to her, which I wouldn't dare.
After getting out of sight of the school, I used my speed to get us there faster. It was a bit cold today, spring time here wasn't as warm as it should be, but that's just how it goes here. After entering the cave, we sat down, I got to cooking, and she turned on something for us to watch.
It was a show called about an explorer girl, and a robot boy traveling down this abyss, it was really cool to watch actually.
After eating and enjoying the show, she took hold of my paw.
"I really… don't know how to thank you for all you've done…" She said.
-What?- I asked.
"You've helped me for years, been with me for years, you've saved me more than once, you've helped me so many times… I really don't deserve someone like you in my life…" She explained.
I was shocked she said that, but I knew how to reply to her, -You say that, yet I don't deserve someone like you…-
"I haven't done that much…" she admitted.
-You did, in fact, you've done more than you think… through thick and thin, no matter what happened to me, or what happened to you, and it even didn't matter what I was… you're still here, you're still with me, you've stayed with me all this time, through everything… by doing that you saved me, saved me from everything… thank you for everything!- I smiled.
She looked down with a calm smile, and that smile turned to one of pure joy, and she nuzzled her head into my neck, "I love you…"
Her words took me back a bit, but again, I knew how to reply, -I love you too.-
Those words left my mind as I laid my head on hers. And as the night became quiet, so did we, drifting off into a deep sleep.
(? POV)
"Alright, so you know what to do right?" The person I was speaking to on the phone spoke.
"Yeah… I know…" I said back.
"At the library, you will take that injection," I looked at the syringe in my hand as he said that, "And you will fight, or you know what's gonna happen to them…"
I paused for a minute.
"Did I make myself clear?" The man on the phone said.
"Yes… you did. You'll get what you want, and even if I lose they go free right?" I replied.
"Yes… that is an agreement, we wont go back on our word," they said.
"Alright… then, you've got it, as long as you keep your word, I'll keep mine," I said.
"Alright, then we're done here…" The man then hung up.
I gave an exhausted breath, "Sorry… Xeta… Guess I wasn't careful enough…"