Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Rex scowled at his best friend Deacon who was about to refuel their bus.
"What?", Deacon huffed at the blond. "It's not my fault we went out of gas."
"We are never going to catch up with them!", Rex hissed sharply. "We are advancing slower than a turtle going uphill."
"Well, sorry we needed to leave our jet in New York, bruh", Bodhi came to his black friend's defense. "After you decided to take the bus without talking to us first."
"So all that is basically your fault", Taj added reproachfully. "You are a great leader, aren't you?"
"Fuck!" Rex glared Kaz who was leaning against the bus and about to apply beige eyeshadow. "Kaz, a little help over there?"
Kaz just shrugged in disinterest. "Sorry, T-Rex", she muttered absentmindedly. "You're always in the wrong. And the others are always right, so."
Frustrated, Rex slammed his fist against the bus's metal layer.
"Whoa there, dude", Taj said with a laugh. "Don't let the poor bus suffer because you are incompetent and impatient. As far as I remember, you said, quote, More haste, less speed."
"Fuck that!", Rex spat aggressively. He turned on his heel to walk into the small shop of the gas station. "I need an energy drink. Or a hot-looking, willing woman to hump. Depends on what I will find first."
"Sex addict!", Kaz shouted after him, purposely ignoring how the other three guys threw her weird glances. Probably because she and Rex had ended up humping each other a couple of times in the past, but that was irrelevant. To her, Rex would never be more than a friend…a friend with benefits, if you will.
Deacon looked in the round questioningly . "Okay, and what now?"
"Dude, you and Rex usually tell us what to do", Bodhi pointed out and scratched his redhead. "I'm way too lazy to come up with a plan."
"Yeah, me too", Taj agreed.
Deacon sighed resignedly. "Why did I ever think it was a good idea to include you guys in our world domination plans?"
…
After a lot of begging and sweet talking, the group of five was now continuing their trip to Arizona with an old Cadillac Kurt's dad had restored not long ago.
"So much better than travelling with a stolen car", Kurt deadpanned for the hundredth time. "I'm sure we upset some poor middle-aged widow that has to support her family. How is she supposed to bring her children to school now? Or run errands?"
"We had no other choice", Santana answered for the hundredth time. "Can you shut up now?"
"Maybe we stole that car from someone who deserved it", Rachel offered.
With a frown, Kurt looked over to her. "Oh, do you think so? From someone who … I don't know, slept with other people's boyfriends?"
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Oh no, not that story again…"
"I already apologized, okay?" Rachel scoffed. "What else do you want from me?"
"Oh, I don't know…I guess I would be happy if you stopped ruining my life whenever you get the opportunity."
"And I would be happy if you stopped being a prick about all that!"
"Ookay, guys", Sam blurted out with a forced smile. "I guess we need a break now so I will pull over."
Santana shortly glanced out of the window – and started smiling. "Wait – is that building over there a hotel of the Barlowe Hotels – chain?"
The shiny letters on the plate saying Barlowe Hotels next to the building's ample, illuminated driveway confirmed her assumption. Barlowe Hotels was one of the most prestigious hotels in the states – and also one of the most expensive ones.
"Are you nuts, Santana?", Rachel berated her. "One room in that hotel costs more than both my dads earn in a month!"
"Trust me, Manhands, I will take care of that", the Latina-witch answered smugly.
Ten minutes later, they were standing in the spacious lobby of the hotel.
"What can I do for you, ma'am?", the receptionist, a boy with braces, asked politely.
But Santana just placidly dialed a number on her phone and motioned him to wait.
"Do you have any idea what her plan is?", Kurt whispered to Mercedes who in return shrugged.
"Oh, hey, Lucy Q", Santana purred into her phone "I'm at the reception of a Barlowe Hotel in Litchfield, Illinois…"
"Wait, we're in Litchfield?", Sam whispered in the round, suddenly excited. "Like, Litchfield of Orange is the New Black?"
"The Litchfield you mean is a prison for women which is in New York, Samuel", Kurt pointed out, annoyed. "Besides, I'm pretty sure it's fictious."
Rachel shrugged. "I have no idea. I don't watch superficial dramedies."
Meanwhile, Santana handed the receptionist her phone so that the woman on the other end of the line could talk to him. They had no idea what she told him, but in the end, he gave them the keys to the King Suite – without them having paid one single penny.
"I hope you will enjoy your stay at Barlowe Hotels", the receptionist said, almost awestruck, and Santana smiled from ear to ear. "We got all inclusive, so thank me later", she explained when they were walking down the aisle to their suite.
"But how…?"
"Well, robot boy-"
"Still no robot, Satan-"
"I know the wife of the owner of Barlowe Hotels, she was part of my old coven and still owes me a favor."
"Is that woman a witch too?", Mercedes asked curiously.
Santana laughed. "Yeah, but not as awesome as I am. But never tell her so."
"Duly noted", Rachel muttered.
When they entered the suite, they all collectively gasped for air. The living room was spacious, just like the flatscreen that covered the entire wall. The chocolate fountain in the center was a sight to see, a staircase led to the second floor with the bedrooms.
Santana handed them their keycards. "Alright, there are three bedrooms, and since it was me who made sure we will be treated like kings and queens here, I get one room all to myself. And now, leave me alone for the next five hours, I will take a bath in one of our whirlpools."
And off she went. Sam immediately rushed over to the chocolate fountain with sparkling eyes.
Mercedes yawned and stretched her arms. "Alright, if you excuse me, I will take a nap on one of those heavenly soft king size beds. Maybe I will dream of Soraya again and find out more about myself. Kay, bye, and please don't kill each other, you two." She waved at Kurt and Rachel before she went up the stairs.
Like two pouting kids, the two of them turned away from each other – until Kurt took his key card and stomped to the exit. "I'm leaving", he snapped at the remaining two.
Rachel just scowled at him and Sam muttered something with a mouth full of chocolate berries.
"What a madhouse", Kurt huffed before he slammed the door behind him.
For a while, Rachel was tempted to run after him and tell him to stay in their suite for safety reasons, because Brainwarp was probably still searching for them, but then again, Kurt had called her a bitch and she was still mad at him. Pouting, she went over to the massage chair and grabbed the Forbes magazine on the table. If Brainwarp killed him, it was too bad for him. Right now, she refused to worry about him. She would relax and dream of her future success on Broadway and endless standing ovations.
…
Shocked, Soraya looked at the dead bodies in front of her. She knew things would get out of hand once she used her powers. Her powers were highly dangerous, if not in control, they could cause more harm than help her.
The soldiers in front of her have been burnt to death, only thanks to her. Tears were streaming down her face.
"Soraya? Are you alright?" Omari touched her shoulder.
She looked up to him and sobbed. "I'm a monster, Omari. Just look. Those people died because of me."
"That's not true, Sor", he negated. "They wanted to kill us, and not only us, but everyone else that is against Cleopatra's regime. You just saved our lives. You are a true heroine."
"It's just so hard to believe that", she sobbed helplessly.
"Shshsh…" Omari pulled her into a tight hug and stroke her back. "You had no other choice. You did the right thing…"
Mercedes panted when she woke up. That dream was the by far most emotional she had about Soraya. She could feel her guilt feeling, her pain, and – oh god, where were those shiny particles coming from all of a sudden?
She sat up and looked down her hands. It was her. Her skin was glowing slightly, and the room was full of floating shiny particles that reminded her of sparkling white confetti. She touched one – and jerked her finger back because those particles were burning hot.
The curtains already had tiny burning marks, as well as the rug and the bed linen. Shocked, Mercedes jumped out of the bed and fled to the bathroom nearby, but the particles were following her. She was the source of those particles.
Shit. What the hell was happening to her?
…
Kurt angrily kicked the rock in front of him while he took a walk at the hotel's park.
Stupid Pop band. He kicked the rock another time.
Stupid Diego. Another kick.
Stupid Rachel who dared to sleep with Diego. Another impulsive kick.
Stupid Brainwarp that tried to kill him because he overheard their world domination plans! That kick was so strong the rock hit the bush nearby.
"Ouch!"
Ouch? Someone was hiding in that bush? Wait, that voice was familiar. Mad, Kurt stomped to the bush and dragged out the elbow that was sticking out now. "What the hell, Blaine?", he scoffed. "Are you stalking me?"
Blaine ripped his arm away. "What do you think? Of course, I'm stalking you. I still think you are working for Brainwarp."
"Why do you even think that Brainwarp is up to something?"
"Cooper's anonymous witness overheard them talking about their brainwashing plans, but we still have no proof.", Blaine explained contritely. "You are the only clue we have at the moment." He got up and brushed his pants.
"Now, listen up, Anderson, because I won't tell you twice", Kurt barked. "We are in no way accomplices of that stupid band, do you understand? Actually, we are on the run. They want to kill us because we know about their plans."
Blaine cocked his head to the side. "And why didn't you tell me so sooner?"
"When?", Kurt yelled at him. "Literally when?! After you kidnapped me? Or that time at the bar when I thought you were flirting with me harmlessly?"
Sheepish, Blaine rubbed his neck. "Yes, sorry about that. But I thought you were a threat. I think I owe you an apology. And maybe a drink."
Oh. Kurt didn't expect that. "Only one drink?" He cocked one eyebrow. "You abducted me and wrongly accused me of planning to take over the world, and you think one drink will cut it?"
"You're right", Blaine answered with a grimace. "How about I invite you to the best bottle of Scotch this place has to offer?"
"Sounds great", Kurt laughed and followed him inside to the hotel bar. Actually, Santana had gotten them all inclusive, but Blaine didn't have to know...
…
Tons of chocolate covered strawberries and bananas later, Sam decided to ditch the chocolate fountain.
"Gosh, I think I need to puke", he groaned and looked around. Rachel had abandoned the massage chair long ago to go to the hotel's spa, Santana had an appointment with the masseur now, and Kurt still hadn't returned from his walk. He wondered what Mercedes was doing now. Was she still sleeping?
He went up the stairs to check on her. "Mercedes?", he said tentatively. The door to her bedroom was not closed. He peeked around the corner – and gasped when he found it empty, but the entire room was full of tiny burn marks. Frowning, he entered – and thought having heard some sobbing from the bathroom. That didn't sound good. Was she hurt? Without thinking, Sam rushed to the bathroom door which was not locked, luckily.
Careful, he turned the knob and entered. "Mercedes? You okay?"
What he saw now was truly a sight to behold. Thousands of shiny tiny particles were floating in the air, and when he looked down, his eyes widened. Mercedes was sitting in the empty bathtub in her clothes, hugging her knees and sobbing, and also weirdly glowing.
"What-?"
"Don't come any closer", she pleaded when he wanted to walk towards her. "I don't want to hurt you."