Author's Note: The duel! The action! The suspense! The- I'm shutting up now, I promise.
Disclaimer: I don't own it and I'll never own it. Damn Butch Hartman to hell.
Chapter Sixteen: Fear Not the Reaper
Timmy awoke with a pounding headache, the taste of blood in his mouth, and a shooting pain running up his arm. A quick glance told him his bucktooth was lying somewhere near his left arm, the one without a broken hand, and his right hand, was, indeed, quite broken. He couldn't move it all without a lurching, nauseating pain coursing through his body.
Memories flickered by and he recalled the reason for his condition- Gary. No doubt in an effort to 'punish' him for his recent actions towards Tootie, Gary had knocked him senseless. Okay, perhaps that was putting it mildly, but he'd rather not think about how badly he'd beaten him right now. He'd rather pass out again, but somehow, he didn't think that was in the cards.
Along with the shooting pain came the recollection Cosmo was dueling Juandissimo. His own pain reminded him of the pain Cosmo would undoubtedly suffer at the hands of Juandissimo. He had to get there and quickly, before something drastic happened that was somehow his fault.
But how on earth was he supposed to get up? Usually, he leaned on his right hand to launch him, but not even thinking about it caused him to grit his teeth in agony. Perhaps if he rolled over on his left side and shoved…
Here goes nothing…Gaining momentum by rolling onto his right first (this induced a yelp that frightened away several inquisitive cats); Timmy managed to push off the ground, only to fall back on again. Fate was a cruel, cruel master and he was about sick of it. Damn it, he had to be there! If he wasn't there…
Well, truth be told, he wasn't sure what he'd do when he got there, but maybe he could prevent Cosmo from doing anything incredibly stupid, like casting a spell that, when reflected back upon him as it was bound to be, killed him. However, that purposed Cosmo listened to him, which, given the recent circumstances in the treehouse, was proven not to be the case.
Still, his gut instinct told him he had to be there. And if he had to pick his bleeding, swollen, broken self off the cold, hard ground himself, he would. If he screamed his bloody head off along the way, well, screw them. If they could hear him scream like a banshee and still not come to his rescue, they deserved to have their eardrums blown out. It was only fair.
At times like these, I could really use you, Wanda…Timmy thought, suppressing a painful scream, grinding his left hand into a fist and biting so hard down on his lip, it split open. Wonderful, another thing that hurt like hell. It'd be a miracle if he ever made it to Lorenzo's, at this rate.
Desperate, he reached out the only way he knew how, since the neighborhood was ignoring him- he screamed in telepathy. Since Tootie was too far away, nor would it help if she heard him (although, at this point, he wasn't sure she wanted to hear him at all), he focused on The Other, and, by proxy, Wanda. If they didn't hear him, well, then, he'd have to force himself up again, maybe on his bad hand, and then, whenever he healed, he'd really make Gary pay.
Not that he wasn't going to pay already. No one beat the living shit out Timmy Turner and got away with it. Sooner or later, he'd have his revenge, and it would be bloody. Hmm…a comforting thought amidst the anguish circulating through his body.
((Lorenzo?)) Timmy sent weakly, aware that his pain, like his emotions, was communicated through the link. God…I know I must be desperate, to reach out to the one person I hate the most…I guess this really is a test to see if he's changed. If he hasn't, I'm leaving myself open for all sorts of sexual favors…
Shuddering at what The Other could do in his incapacitated state, he awaited his response. With his recent bout of luck, he'd not only receive nothing in response, he'd wind up being on the receiving end of a mental attack. It was ironic- he'd wanted to die so much, he'd forgotten what true pain was like. And believe him, he hadn't missed it.
((Timmy! Where are you? Gary's here all ready…dunno where that annoying little girl was that was trailing him, but he's here.
((And you're not…are you all right? You don't feel all right to me. You feel like someone beat the living shit out of you and left you for dead,)) Lorenzo remarked astutely, using what little he had of Wanda's light powers to heal him. Timmy shuddered, the white magic cleansing his wounds and setting his bones back in place.
There was silence. Timmy had no inclination to prove his theory correct and shuffled a little. Perhaps now, now that his hand had stopped burning, he could rise. He hadn't needed Lorenzo's help after all…maybe just Wanda's.
((Gary did this, didn't he? There was a smug air about him when he strode into my mansion. Uninvited, might I add.)) Very gently, like a soft tug, he felt his hand knit back into the form it was before Gary extracted his revenge. Lorenzo was helping him? Why?
Rejuvenated, Timmy sprang to his feet, without thanking either The Other or Wanda, who had extended her recollection far enough so that she could vaguely recall him. Of course, she'd acted through him, since, in her own body, Juandissimo could reclaim her at any moment, so it was a joint effort. However, at the moment, Timmy really could care less about either of them. He needed to be at that duel.
Briefly, however, as he set himself ready to run at a snail's pace, everything returned. The broken hand, the missing tooth, the blood in his mouth, the pain in his groin and chest, everything. He lurched, colliding quite painfully into a nearby tree.
((What do you say?)) Lorenzo snapped. ((I have precious little energy as it is, and you don't even have the common decency to thank me or Wanda, who will die if I run out of energy, for healing you? What makes you so deserving of that energy? Perhaps I ought to keep it; it seems to serve me better.))
((You bastard.)) Timmy panted, clinging to the tree and consciousness for dear life. ((I thought you loved me.))
His vision, growing blurry, cleared briefly. It appeared as though Lorenzo was reconsidering his stout stance. He did love Timmy and it wasn't right for him to linger like this…even if it meant risking his life and Wanda's.
But there was Wanda to think about too…If Cosmo lost the duel, she'd forever lose her memories of him and her soul, previously blackening, would turn entirely black. She'd become a fairy to fear, a possible harbinger, if convinced, of doom.
The fact of the matter was this- did he love Timmy enough to put two lives on the line? How much was his sire worth to him, to heal him in the face of his own grievous deficit?
((I do love you, Timmy…are you well enough to find your way to my mansion by yourself or do you need the benefit of the healing? I can heal you, but only if you really need it,)) Lorenzo explained, mentally encompassing his sire in a mental embrace. Too weak to resist it, he merely stood, frigid.
((I'll make it on my own, if you're not going to help me. Why should you? No one else has!)) Timmy shot back, limping slowly away from the treehouse. You motherfucker…
((Stop!)) The Other snapped, literally paralyzing Timmy from the waist down. However, he hadn't quite halted him in time and he fell over, landing on his right leg. Pain shot up his hand and his leg, causing him to curse loudly. Once again, no one came to help.
I hope you all rot in hell, you bastards…
((I can tell you're lying to me and if you take one more step, you run the risk of harming yourself further. I'll heal you again, and this time, I won't take back my energy. Just be careful…if Wanda ends up in the wrong hands, she's too weak now to fend him off.))
((Then what the hell do you want me to do?!)) Timmy snapped back. ((Not take your energy and let her fend him off while I stand here, helpless, unable to see if Cosmo's making another predictably stupid mistake?))
((Timmy…I want you to take my energy. But it has to be willingly, or else it'll end up hurting you more. Please…I know how much you hate me and I know you much you distrust me, but if you don't let me help you, you could get seriously hurt running off half-cocked to my house. I can't take that risk, not for only my sake, but for yours.))
His life's a double edged sword. Anything he does, he has to make sure I'm still alive, or he'll feel the effects too. Checks and balances are nice, for a change…
Shutting his eyes tightly and wishing the riveting pain would cease, Timmy nodded mutely. He knew Lorenzo couldn't see this, but he felt light headed. If he wasn't careful, he'd pass out again and he might not wake up in time.
((Yes?)) He pressed gently, sensing his sire's anemia. ((Please don't faint on me again, love.))
Reluctantly, aware that perhaps Cosmo's future rested on his decision, he agreed. He really had no choice in the matter though…and he disdained being at Lorenzo's mercy yet again. If he rescinded his promise, Timmy would be up shit's creek without a paddle. He'd better hope The Other wasn't likely to…
Then a thought surfaced. If he were injured enough, Lorenzo would feel the pain as well. Unless he'd protected himself with a shield, which, given what he'd told him, he doubted, fainting could prove disastrous for not only just him, but Lorenzo and Wanda. The domino effect, if you will.
((Close your eyes, my dear…)) Heat coursed through his body, like dipping himself in a Jacuzzi with just the right amount of bubbles. He grinned, temporarily forgetting his woes in the face of this.
So what if Cosmo was having a duel with Juandissimo? So what if Wanda's very essence was on the line? So what if Tootie had abandoned him? He had the warmth…none of them had it…
And so what if Lorenzo had violated him as often as he'd wanted to? He had the warmth…nothing else mattered. Nothing else in the world…
((Don't relax too much!)) The Other quickly, chastised, snapping him back to reality. ((Wanda overdid it out of nerves.))
Damn…so that's what heaven is…warmth…and the feeling of being loved and sheltered…
((You still have to get here and if you keep delaying, I can't promise Cosmo isn't going to do something stupid and end the damn thing before it even begins!)) The Other snapped and, with a great mental jerk, shoved Timmy along on his way. The effort proved exhaustive, however, and he ceased halfway down the block.
((But, wait…he left awhile ago, didn't he?)) Timmy asked, running as best as he could. His feet pound the pavement, which he barely saw. All he could see, in his mind's eye, was his destination, all the way on the other side of town. Curse The Other for making his house so damn inconvenient to get to. Didn't he have a concept of closeness?
((I did…that was why I picked this spot. Besides, if it were in town, Pauline could get me. That girl frightens me…)) Timmy could feel The Other shudder and then resume his normal, cool stance. Were he in the mood to flicker up a lip, he would have smirked at his creation's misfortune. Ah, to be attractive and to have fans, what a disaster.
((And, yes, he did leave awhile, from what Gary snapped at me before barging in like he owned the place. I must say, you certainly have a knack for creating beings that are self satisfying, present company excluded of course.))
No, you mean included. Do you mean to tell me you aren't as self absorbed as that cocky bastard? I mean, who does he think he is? He tries to steal my life again and he acts as though he owns everything…
Yeesh…next time I make something, I think I'm going to make sure they don't exaggerate my worst features.
With a tinge of annoyance, since The Other hadn't answered his question, only provided him with more aggravation, Timmy retorted, an edge to his mental voice, ((I didn't ask you if anyone had told you, I was asking if you knew where he went!))
((Well, how would I know that? Am I his keeper?)) Lorenzo remarked sardonically, smirking. ((If anyone knows where he is, it'll only be him, since I doubt you're his confidante.))
((Shut up!)) He snapped, his neck burning in anger. ((Just tell me what I need to know and leave me the hell alone, you perverted, ego-maniacal, self serving, self righteous, perverted bastard!))
((My, my, I had no idea your vocabulary contained so many adjectives. Very well, then, although you still haven't thanked Wanda or me for your healing, I'll tell you…oh, dear.)) Just then, static, which, until now, had never entered a conversation with his anti fairy, crackled on the link and it went dead. It reminded him eerily of Tootie and, once again, he lamented his decisions towards her.
True, he was furious with her for leaving him like that, with no explanation, but his own behavior had been abhorrent. He'd pushed her away with one hand and invited her with the other, eventually growing to the point where he was pushing her away more than inviting her. He hadn't even apologized, either…
But never mind that, for the moment. There was plenty of time to think about just how badly he went wrong with Tootie, later. Currently, there were more pressing matters at hand.
((Oh, dear what?!)) Timmy roared through the line, but, a sound akin to a dial tone ensued. The lights were on, but no one was home…
Scowling, he picked up the speed as best he could, nearly tripping over a dog. The owner barked some nonsensical remark at him, to which he flipped the finger before spurting away. He wasn't sure, in retrospect, he'd told the dog or its owner to go fornicate with themselves, but, in hindsight, it probably hadn't made much difference.
Although his breath was scant, he raced recklessly ahead, heedless of anything in his path. The world be screwed, he had urgent business. Crocker himself couldn't delay him.
The sun beat down upon him, but he failed to notice. Only a few more blocks…a few more blocks to Cosmo and Wanda and Juandissimo and the duel…
"Hey!" Sophie, stranded by Dimmsdale Park, called. She held up her hand to halt him, but he didn't see her. It wasn't his fault she didn't know her way…let her find the duel if she wanted to by herself. He didn't care.
"Hey!" She darted after him, but, for once in his life, he managed to out maneuver someone and disappeared behind an alleyway, leading to a backstreet that turned out in front of Lorenzo's house.
One more block…
The mansion gates were unlocked and Timmy, barely noticing the long driveway, darted up it. His lungs were burning and his legs were fit to quit, but he plunged on. A few more steps…
Wide open, the door greeted him, its black paint reminding him unpleasantly of death. Well, if Cosmo and Juandissimo were dueling to the death, he'd rather it were the latter. But he'd be here to help…
A few more rooms…in the foyer…with the staircase looking out over the area…I know the place well…
Oxygen deprived, Timmy collapsed on the first step, his chest heaving. Lorenzo darted down the stairs, aided him up to the viewing place where they could see Juandissimo and Cosmo perfectly and waited. It wouldn't be long now…
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(Thirty minutes before)
Cosmo knew he ought to head first to the duel, but he wasn't that stupid. Okay, yes, in the grand scheme of things, he was about as smart as the dog Timmy had switched his brain with, but he knew the sheer lunacy of rushing into a duel unarmed. Sure, there was his wand, but in an unfair battle, what good would it be?
And there was no doubt in his mind Juan would battle unfairly. It was practically his code, considering what he'd done to his wife. The restraints were off…and if need be, Cosmo knew he must have a weapon.
So, despite the security, he'd poofed into the Fairy World armory. They were all abuzz about a missing item, a transistor, but as Cosmo had neither seen it nor knew what it was, he disregarded them. Besides, if he was going to purloin an item from their defense, he shouldn't draw attention to himself.
You see? His mind worked without Wanda…just not spectacularly.
Checking quickly, Cosmo poofed into the armory, suspiciously unguarded. No wonder Lorenzo had taken that item so easily- it was like taking candy from a baby…if the baby were a rock.
Hmm…three quarters of the things he saw here he didn't know what they were. Well, as appealing as they were, he couldn't really use an item if he didn't know what the hell it was. What if he pulled the trigger of that nice, orange blaster and accidentally created a void through which Juandissimo tossed him carelessly in?
There was Wanda to consider too…what if he found something that hurt her? He couldn't deal with that, literally. He'd be a mess.
Sparkling, half hidden, he finally located what he sorely needed. It shone like a beacon in the storm, and he grinned to himself. Sure, he was an idiot, but he knew what this did very well.
But he'd overstayed his welcome. Outside, he could hear guards conversing, wondering if it was a good idea to leave the room unattended like that. His mouth opened to tell them no, it wasn't, but he thought better of it and merely poofed away. By the time they entered the room, he was gone.
Upon returning to Earth, he realized that, without Wanda, sometimes his thought processes were clearer than with her around. She had a hypnotic effect on him, but, also, without her, he could barely recall the days of the week. She kept him sane and he was slowly fading in her absence.
Now, however, he knew he'd never have to suffer with that again. He'd get that bastard…make sure he never touched his wife again, and never visited again…ever. He was going to eliminate him from existence.
------
Smirking at his opponent's tardiness, Juandissimo floated about, already silently congratulating himself on his victory. All there was to do was a small matter of murdering her husband, then Wanda would be his forever. She'd never cheat on him because she'd never have anyone to cheat with. Yes…he'd get her for that bit of insubordination.
Remy was watching him from the alcove. He had to admit, the towheaded boy was a little bizarre. If he didn't know any better, he'd swear he had a crush on him.
But, no, that notion was preposterous. Remy wasn't making googly eyes at him, wasn't blowing him kisses when he thought his head was turned, because that was kind of fruity…and Remy wasn't fruity. He just needed a girlfriend.
Filing his nails and waxing his torso, he glowered at Lorenzo, clutching Wanda to his chest. What gave him the right to touch her like that? He was defiling her just by association. Bastard…
And where was his equally intrusive, irritating godson? He could see another boy, one whom he did not know, with a curl in his black hair, and a 'cool' outfit, and a bucktooth, yes, but he did not think this was Timmy. Timmy was, at the moment, far more lean than this one.
Maybe, like Cosmo, he'd chickened out. Like godfather, like godson. He really didn't care, either way, but he found it mildly amusing. They were both wimps.
In his hands, his wand hummed. It presented him with an image that made utterly no sense, so he discarded it as a rambling. Wands tended to that…if you didn't take them seriously. And aside from Wanda and the threat Cosmo posed, Juandissimo took very little seriously.
Shaking his head, he checked his watch. Perhaps the buffoon could not read time, it certainly wouldn't surprise him. How he'd won over Wanda was beyond him…
But it didn't matter. As soon as he was dead, he'd take a brief gander at Wanda's memory before he wiped her completely clean and made her his drone. He'd pique his curiosity first.
However…to prevent any intervention, he had to do another thing first. Waving his wand about, he erased her recent and regained memories of Cosmo again. The wipe would not be permanent and it probably did her more damage than good- memory erasures tended to do that, cause brain damage.
But she'd be his…again and forever.
Before he knew it, thirty minutes had passed and the green fairy was a no show. Hmph…maybe he'd failed to understand his letter. He might have overestimated Cosmo's brain power.
Settling down in the air, Juandissimo shut his eyes and began to nap, dreaming of murdering Cosmo while winning Wanda over finally…Wanda…
He awoke to a sword point at his throat. Cosmo, his eyes narrowed to slits, threw another sword at his chest before backing away slightly. What was this? The buffoon had swords? But swords were so arcane.
Mentally, he cast a spell, ensuring that if he needed his wand or he grew bored of this duel, he'd be able to find his wand at a moment's notice. The poor fool would never knew what hit him until it was too late.
"No magic. I don't trust you," Cosmo hissed. "At least if I die this way, I'll know what killed me."
Hmph, for a buffoon, his reasoning actually has some semblance of sense. In the wake of his death, he'll have a revelation. Poor tragic hero.
"That is fine by me. I duel well by sword," Juandissimo replied, holding his sword en garde. Cosmo matched his position, surprising him. What if the moron knew how to duel with swords? No, that was preposterous. He probably selected the swords because they were pretty, not because he was proficient at arms.
Shutting his eyes and concentrating, Cosmo focused on not how he was going to attack, but how he was going to defend and how to slip through Juandissimo's attacks. Sword play was the only thing he'd ever learned in his life that he'd ever shown a true knack for, but, after he'd desiccated one of Jorgen's prize possessions, he'd been forbidden to use it. So, his actions might be a little rusty, but at least he didn't have to think about them. This was his area of expertise, not Juandissimo's. Therefore, he stood a chance.
Juandissimo, unaware, twisted his hands around the hilt. It glowed with an amber tinge, one he vaguely recognized but could not lay claim to. Were he quizzed about it later, he would be unable to come up with an answer.
Thrusting with his hips as well as his sword, Juandissimo cast a shot aimed at Cosmo's chest. Almost a second nature, Cosmo parlayed it, permitting Juan to believe he'd scored a hit until the last split second. For now, he'd feign ignorance. If he acted as stupid in this as he was in everything else, the Spanish fairy would let his guard down.
"You know, after I murder you in front of Wanda, I shall purge you finally from her memories and claim her as my wife. She will have no one to reclaim her," Juandissimo said conversationally, fearing nothing from his opponent. He was a fool in love and he was never going to beat him. Good riddance to bad rubbish; that was his motto.
Without realizing it, his defenses were crumbling slightly. He'd attacked Cosmo but left himself wide open for an attack. Cosmo, figuring on this, permitted him this. A few more mistakes and then he'd make his move. There was no hurry.
Dueling with swords always placed Cosmo into a trance, one which he could not be easily aroused to anger. Yes, he had heard Juandissimo and, yes, some part of him had registered it, quickly furiously, but the outward appearance remained the same, cool and collected. Feigning indifference always infuriated people, especially when they were purposefully trying to infuriate you.
"Do you not care, green fairy?" Juan mocked, thrusting yet again with his hips (Remy nearly fell over the guardrail, his saliva dripping on the wood. Lorenzo scowled, conscious that in due time, he'd have to clean that up. Damn).
"I have already made love to your wife-"
"You raped her," Cosmo replied stoically, his tone shocking Timmy. Why was he being so cold about this? He loved Wanda and this jerk, this son of a bitch had raped her, goddamn it! What the hell was wrong with him?
Meanwhile, above, Lorenzo scrutinized Cosmo. There was something different about the way he held himself, and the way he held his sword was nothing short of masterful. This was not a fairy rushing into something…which puzzled him. Cosmo never thought anything out, not that he knew of.
Unless dueling was something he didn't have to think about…perhaps…
Smirking at his sire's reaction, Lorenzo kept his mouth shut, preferring to let him wonder aloud. If he was smart, he'd figure it out. Then again, he'd never placed much stock in his intellect.
Sniggering, on the side, in the shadows, Remy folded his arms across his chest. The buffoon's so stupid, he doesn't even know what rape is! It'll be poetic justice to murder him, my love! Do it now, damn you!
Just slice his head off!
Gary, separate from both Remy, Lorenzo, Timmy, and Wanda, cast a disparaging glance at the four before returning to gaze at the duel. Although he hadn't conferred with Lorenzo, he privately shared his opinion. There was something different with the way Cosmo held himself, as though he were prepared for a battle. He certainly hoped this was the case…Wanda in this state, with Juandissimo controlling her, was a dangerous fairy indeed.
"I didn't hear any complaints at the time," Juandissimo replied nonchalantly and Wanda, in Lorenzo's arms, gritted her teeth. He saw a pink aura envelop her as she fought to get to Cosmo and become fully aware of the duel.
((Liar…I was unconscious…you bastard…I hate you!)) Wanda snapped in The Other's head, taking him aback. He had to remember this was the Wanda Juandissimo had created, not Timmy's Wanda. He knew Wanda would never curse otherwise, especially not like this.
The obvious conclusion to draw to her line was that it had been forced, as Cosmo had suggested. The idea didn't surprise him a tad, but the lack of response on Cosmo's part did. How could he stand there idly by?
If anyone had hurt his Timmy like that, they'd be minus their balls. Oh, wait…he'd hurt his Timmy like that…oops…
((Timmy, I'm sorry,)) The Other sent, bewildering his sire.
((Huh?))
((Never mind.))
Okay…
"Yeah, right. You didn't hear anything above your own screaming," Cosmo replied, also nonchalantly. The ease with which he took this battle was unnerving. Would nothing move him to anger?
"How dare you!" The Spanish fairy retorted, sharply darting to cut his neck, but Cosmo struck the blow away as though it was nothing. There was no change in his demeanor, nor in his face.
"How dare I what? State the obvious? That's what I do, isn't it?" He stated, holding his blade out but not striking. He was biding his time…waiting for the moment…
"Si. You lack the capacity to state otherwise," Juan mocked, flexing his magnificent muscles. His shirt ripped off and Remy, already drooling, fell over in shock. Lorenzo cast him a brief glance, sniggered appreciatively, and gazed back at the two floating beings.
Not now…this is too obvious a time…and he can't realize I know his defenses and actions so well.
His eyes fell upon Wanda, nestled in Lorenzo's arms. Her eyes were clenched shut, her fists balled in rage. He wondered if she even knew where she was much, less what was going on.
Then again, that'd make her akin to him, previously. Dueling brought out a nature seldom seen in Cosmo, a cool, logical one. He possessed the ability to cognate coherently, he just never used it. The amount of mental effort it merited as well as the sensation of being in a trance frightened him into avoiding them.
Juandissimo had no idea that, although Jorgen had regained one of his stars after Cosmo had lost it after a mishap, he'd lost it again due to him. But this had been a well-thought out idea…with the wrong fairy in place. When he'd come out of the trance, he'd denied he'd thought of it. It was easier to deny than to confess he knew more about what was going on than the head of Fairy World.
And what was truly ironic was he only knew these things while he was within the trance. As soon as he exited it, all his knowledge flittered away like a hand cupping water. He'd never told anyone about this, other than his mother, who'd found out herself by accident.
That was why she was so protective over him, because he could kill if he had to. She didn't think him capable of it, but, after the incident with Jorgen, she'd clamped down. No girls…especially not Wanda, whom she'd never liked.
"What is the matter, buffoon? Can you not come up with a witty retort? Do you lack the brain power to?" Juan crooned and Remy applauded. In an area where one could hear the dropping of a pin, his applause echoed. Everyone, aside from Cosmo, whose eyes were glued to Wanda, and Wanda, whose eyes were shut, turned to gawk at him.
"Fool…" Eschcolex hissed, inaudible. "Soon…"
It'd make him happy if I told him I was a moron. It'd make me happy to realize that he's completely unprotected…but not now…he must continue to think he has the upper hand…
"You cannot protect your woman, whom I rightfully stole, and you cannot protect yourself from my onslaught. It seems almost too easy to destroy you," Juandissimo smirked, thrusting with his hips and the sword again. But, this time, Cosmo caught glimpse of something he hadn't anticipated.
Its golden edges glittered in the light of the sword and, when he moved, Cosmo parlayed the sword, but failed to notice the item beneath it. Perhaps he too had found the duel too easy…
When he'd taken the swords, however, he'd left his wand in their place. He'd poofed to Lorenzo's mansion, albeit with difficulty, sans a wand. Other than the sword, he was unarmed.
Beaming at his opponent, Juan ground his wand tip into his throat. Cosmo, unarmed other than the sword, raised it warily to combat, but the arm holding it froze. In fact, his whole body felt surprisingly stiff.
"Honest battle is so tiresome. You will never strike me, merely parlay my shots as a coward would. I prefer to do battle my way."
Concentrating, he felt another presence enter his mind. ((Wanda?))
((You are Cosmo, are you not?)) She replied, in the same tone as he had before. An involuntarily shiver passed through him- this wasn't his Wanda, not by a long shot. But he needed her to loan her power…she, at the moment, possessed a greater prowess at magic than he.
((Don't you remember me? I'm your husband!)) Cosmo whined, but no avail. She'd forgotten him again…
((No…Juandissimo is my husband…according to him…)) Here she faltered, unclear. No scrap of her past could she recall, despite Lorenzo's urging. There was nothing…how did she even know who he was? He was Cosmo…what did that mean to her?
((NO!)) Cosmo screamed, breaking out of the trance and bursting into tears. One trickled down his cheek and Juandissimo as well as Remy snickered. Aw…the poor little fairy wouldn't have his little reunion before he died. The world's smallest violin was playing the world's saddest song.
Juandissimo…you bastard…you erased her memories again…no…
((Yes. Why are you so surprised? You act as though there is an alternative to my gorgeous, well groomed husband.)) Were Cosmo capable of measuring intellect, he would have realized that, with a memory erase, came brain damage, which affected the fairy's intellect. In other words, every time Juandissimo erased her mind, she became stupider.
Pure fury filled Cosmo's being and, for a second, he blacked out. There was only one option left to him…the last ditch effort to make her remember him and breaking down the barrier. If this didn't work…there was nothing.
Shutting his eyes and blocking out the sound of Juandissimo's derisive laughter as he proclaimed his self right and started a typical villain monologue, Cosmo enacted a memory, but not just any memory…It was the only one he knew that could possibly stand a chance, possibly because Juandissimo didn't know it existed.
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(The day Fairy World stood still…)
"Waandaa…why won't you go out with me?" Cosmo whines, bending on one knee in one of Fairy World's many parks as though he's proposing. He's done this every time he's asked her out, and it hasn't worked any time. She likes him, she insists, but only as a friend.
But what doesn't she like about him? He's got it all, looks, charms, and his mother writes his name on his underwear. How many other guys can say that? Not many, he's special.
Okay, so he forgets his name sometimes, that makes him special too. That's what his mother says, while shaking her head. Sometimes, he catches her muttering that he's an idiot, but he grins it off. She doesn't mean it, no one does. He's a genius.
But if he's such a genius, why can't he get the cutest, sweetest, smartest girl in the Fairy Academy to go out with him? He knows, from talking to her, that she isn't happy with her boyfriend, Juandissimo, and he wants to make her happy. That's all he's ever wanted, to make her happy.
Yeah, so maybe he's not as smart as Juandissimo is, but so what? Cosmo's more than a pretty face, he's also a pretty body. And…uh…maybe a pretty boy too…
It drives him insane to think that Juandissimo forces Wanda into things when she's not ready, like sex. They'd been together for about six months and all of a sudden, he'd pressured her into the sack. When Cosmo had heard that, he'd wanted to drive his wand through his throat. No one orders his Wanda around other than him…and, most of the time, she rolls her eyes at him anyway.
She won't listen to him when he tells her he loves her, either. He isn't sure if she doesn't believe him or if she doesn't care. But he wants her to feel the same…to love him back…that's his life goal.
He's never looked at Wanda like Juandissimo, like he wanted to use her. He just wants to see her smile…she never smiles anymore. Every time he looks at her, she has a pained expression on her face and she lowers her head.
Once, he caught her crying and tracing a scar on her breast. After he'd gotten over the fact he'd seen one of her breasts, he'd realized Juandissimo had taken advantage of her while she was exposed before him…Bastard.
She knows he hates him, but she doesn't do anything about it. He's fairly certain she's terrified to break it off, which is why she humors him so much. But he's sick of seeing her cry.
"Cosmo, I can't. I have other plans," Wanda smiles, but he can tell it's forced. Tears form in her eyes again and she rubs them furiously, turning from him.
"I have to go." Raising her wand, she starts to poof away, but Cosmo grabs her arm and halts her. He wraps his arms around her and, before she can object, he kisses her lightly on the lips.
"No…you don't have to go. Wanda, you deserve better than him. I'm an idiot, and I know what he's doing to you," Cosmo murmurs, running his fingers through her hair. She freezes, having felt sparks from the brief lip lock. Stuck, she listens.
"I know he…he forces you when you don't wanna…I know he sometimes hurts you that way…and I know you cry. I've seen you, even when you don't want me there.
"I hate it when you cry, Wanda. I cry every time you cry, because it hurts so much to see you in pain…I love you, Wanda. I know you don't believe me, but I do…" Cosmo whispers, tears surfacing again.
"And now I'm crying again because you are…" And he's right. Wanda's crying again, her whole body shaking with sobs. His words have hit home and, despite her denial, she knows he's right.
"I know I'm not much…I know I'm not him an' I don't have that body…but do you really need all that? Don't you want someone who loves you for who you are, not for your body? I want the whole Wanda package, not just the appetizer. The appetizer doesn't taste as good if you're not paying for the meal."
The corners of her lips turn up, but she still does not smile.
"Wanda…stop crying…I don't want you to be sad ever. I want you to be happy…like I am when I look at you. When I hold you, nothing else matters. The world stops because you're in my arms.
"I love you. I'll never stop loving you, even when I'm old and gray…and I only want what's best for you. I dunno if I'm best for you, but I can tell you Juandissimo is the worst thing," Cosmo murmurs, his arms wrapped about her waist. If he raised his hand, he'd have felt her heartbeat triple.
"I really have to go," Wanda murmurs, turning in his arms and poofing away. His heart sinks- she's still chosen Juandissimo over him. Could she really be that shallow?
No…he's just not good enough to convince her. Settling down on a floating bench, he watches the other lovers jealously. He's lost his heart so badly to a woman who lets herself be abused by her boyfriend.
His eyes shut and a tear falls, followed by another. Before he knows it, he's sobbing his heart out, wrapping his arms around his legs.
"What's the matter? Why are you crying?" Wanda whispers, poofing back in. He opens an eye warily, but sees no Juandissimo. Hmm…
"'Cuz you're gonna go back to that jerk and let yourself be-" Cosmo wails, but she presses a finger against his lips and, then, removing it, brushes her lips against his.
He gazes at her, astounded. What's going on? Why's she kissing him? Not that he minds, but…why isn't her boyfriend going nuts?
"No, I'm not. I broke up with him just now…because of you. I think…I think I love you…" Wanda murmurs, placing her arms around his neck.
"Wha? When did this happen?!" Cosmo cries, completely dumbfounded. His hands, adoring her swirly pink hair, course through it again. It's silk against his fingers.
"The first night Juandissimo…forced me. You were there when I came home and, even you didn't know why I was crying, you started crying too…
"I know you're not exactly a manly man…but you love me enough to start crying when I do…and you love me enough to come up with that speech, which must have taken a long time," Wanda smiles, finally, and, through his tears, he smiles back.
"Yeah…about a month," Cosmo replies and she laughs. It's a light, lifting sound and his heart soars. He's made her laugh!
"Why am I not surprised?" Wanda quips, laughing again. He grins, happy again.
"I love you, Wanda," Cosmo murmurs, kissing her on the lips. Instead of a spoken reply, she kisses him back, placing his arms around her waist.
((And I always will.))
------
A flash of light erupted and Juandissimo, blinded, backed up. The wand fell from his grasp and disappeared, reappearing in Wanda's hand.
A pink and green glow enveloped her and she flew out of Lorenzo's arms, the glow becoming a shield. Everything Juandissimo had introduced to her cascaded away in a waterfall of false memories. The past versus the 'past'…the truth versus the lies…
Finally, with his sword back in his hand, Cosmo lunged, taking Juandissimo completely and utterly by surprise. The Spanish fairy barely had any time to react as he struck first at his arm, slicing the poison tip inside. Juandissimo cried out, rising his blade in defense.
However, before he attacked, the poison began to slow his defenses, and he thrust one final time, into Juandissimo's heart.
"No…" Remy whimpered, tears streaming down his face. In slow motion, he saw the love of his life pass out and then, ultimately, stop breathing. He slid out of mid-air, landing on the floor and then dissipated into purple fairy dust, blown away by a stray breeze.
"NO!" With a heart-wrenching sob, Remy launched himself from the guardrail and, in slow motion, fell down to where Juandissimo's body had been. However, before he hit the floor, he vanished, amidst the mocking laughter of Eschcolex.
However, before anyone could think about the peculiarity of this, Wanda's shield disappeared into herself and the wand shattered into pieces, which consequentially turned to ash. Lorenzo, taken aback, gawked at her as her eyes opened and her hair, everything, turned back to normal.
"Cosmo!" Wanda screamed, flinging herself upon him and knocking the sword out of his hands. ((Oh, Cosmo…Cosmo…))
((You really did forget my name, didn't you?)) Cosmo teased lightly, kissing her on the cheek. She grinned back at him before she kissed him passionately on the lips and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Wanda!" Timmy cried, darting down the steps. He tripped over his own feet, however, and landed in an ungainly mess at the foot of the stairs.
Lorenzo did not offer any aid…in fact, he'd vanished soon after Remy had. Weird…
Gary remained, but, with an ugly look at Timmy, he kicked him and darted out without a second glance. Apparently, he was disgusted with the fact Timmy had miraculously healed himself.
Breaking the lip lock reluctantly ((We're being watched, Cosmo.)) ((So?)), Wanda beamed at her godson. There was a brief second while they exchanged looks before he flung himself atop her, crying in happiness.
"Wanda! Wanda, you're back! Wanda!" Timmy cried, sobbing into her chest. Tears streamed down her face as well, blissful tears. She remembered him…she remembered everything…
"Wanda!" Cosmo cried, wrapping his arms around both Timmy and Wanda. They clung to each other, finally together again…
------
"No!" Remy screamed, inconsolable. "No…no…no!"
Weeping unabashed, he clung to Eschcolex's robes, only, creepily, he beamed back at him. Finally, the moment of reckoning.
"You'll do anything to get that bastard back, won't you?" He hissed, stroking his hair with his bony hand. Remy shuddered and gazed up at him, beginning to nod slowly.
"You'd give up anything, wouldn't you?"
Again, he nodded.
"Anything?"
He nodded.
"Then I've come to collect my tithe." Waving his bone scepter, he, needing no spell, removed a silvery object from Remy's chest. It glittered in the darkness…
"Your soul."