Author's Note: So we're at the Bat Mitzvah episode. We're getting closer and closer.
There are two songs featured here as per request. The first is "My Best Friend's Bat Mitzvah" from the original Ghost and Molly McGee show, and the other is the English translation of "Very Full" from the Loki TV show. Thank you those who supported the idea.
Enjoy the chapter. Any and all comments are welcome.
It started off with a normal day at school. Molly and Loki sat next to each other in class. Molly was invested in her studies while Loki found it all meaningless. And right behind them both, Scratch was lazing around.
All of a sudden, Libby approached Molly with a letter. It read "Please join as Libby Stein-Torres is called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah."
"A 'bat' mitzvah?" Loki asked.
"Ooh. I love bats!" Scratch said.
"I think it's pronounced 'baat' mitzvah."
"You are correct, Molly." Libby said.
"And what's that exactly?" Loki asked.
"It's basically my 13th birthday, only a lot more ceremonial. It's pretty common among Jewish kids like me. For months, I've been studying Hebrew, practicing my Torah portion, and trying on dresses which have given me stress hives and contact hives." Libby rolled up her sleeve to show off her hives. The sight of them disgusted her friends. "But it'll be all worth it, because while I'm a girl today, on Saturday, I shall become… a woman."
"So where do the bats come in?" Scratch asked before getting squished by Loki's shut book. "Ow!"
"Oh, and Lukas," Libby said, "If you don't mind, could you invite Lucy too. I haven't seen her much since the softball game, and I haven't properly thanked her for everything."
Before Loki could refuse, Molly shot up. "We'll see that Lucy is there."
"Thanks, Molly. See you there." Libby walked off.
"Molly, how many times did I tell you not to decide when I turn into a girl for me?" Loki asked.
"About nineteen times." Molly said. "But you gotta admit, she's due for an appearance right."
'I don't want to be there as Lucy. I don't want to be there, period." Loki said. "Give me one good reason why I would go to some kid's party?"
"Okay, that's a pretty good reason." Loki admitted. He, Molly, and Scratch sat in Molly's bed looking at the videos on her tablet. Each video showed a different girl's bat mitzvah displayed in an extravagant way.
"These bat mitzvah parties are insane!" Molly said.
"An ice volcano and hot fudge lava?" Scratch asked excitedly. "And is that Atomic Pink?"
"Scratch, Loki, this is way bigger than I thought." Molly said. "This is big as a wedding. A sweet 16. Our curse-aversary!"
"I hate that you made that something to celebrate." Loki said. "Look, I admit, these parties online are pretty alluring, but is that really enough for me to go?"
"Um, YES!" Molly responded. "After all…
Molly:
It's my best friend's bat mitzvah
A magical Jewish soiree
It's my best friend's bat mitzvah
Oh, boys, prepare to be blown awaaaaaaaay
"I can see the mashed potato bar now." Scratch said.
Molly:
Sparkling ball downs and gold limousines
Libby-themed decorations
Loki:
The tables do have a beautiful centerpiece
Worth more than a small island nation
Scratch:
Endless buffets
Molly:
Trapeze displays
Loki:
I suppose it might be worth a chance
Loki went on to change into his female form.
Scratch:
They'll have fountains of not only chocolate
But also ketchup, gravy, and ranch
Molly, Scratch, and Loki:
At my best friend's bat mitzvah
Molly:
Celebrity DJs play
Molly, Scratch, and Loki:
At my best friend's bat mitzvah
Scratch:
That's it! I'm converting today
Molly, Scratch, and Loki:
IT'S MY BEST FRIEND'S BAT MITZVAH
Molly:
SO BEAUTIFUL, YOU'LL SHED A TEAR
SHE'S TELLING THE WORLD
SHE'S NO LONGER A GIRL
Molly, Scratch, and Loki:
HER WOMANHOOD IS ALMOST HEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE
The three of them were excited for the party… only to be disappointed. What they thought would be a highly-decorated extravaganza turned out to be a disappointing subpar party with turtle balloons, minimal snacks, and a kiddy pool.
"I see no fountain of ranch." Scratch said. "I'm somewhat disappointed."
"You're disappointed?" Loki asked. "I had to change my gender for this."
Libby, accompanied by her mom, entered the party room and hugged Molly. "Molly! Oh, thanks for coming to synagogue. How was I? Did I look too nervous? Did I look like a woman?"
"Oh, yeah. You rocked the Torah portion. I didn't understand any of it to be honest, but you were great." Molly said. "Oh, and Libby, you remember Lucy."
"Oh, right." Libby said shaking Loki's hand. "I never got the chance to thank you for helping the Lemmings at softball."
Loki rolled her eyes. "You're welcome, I guess. When are the others getting here?"
"Others?" Libby asked.
"You know. The other guests you invited." Loki said.
"Oh, I didn't invite anyone else. This is everyone." Libby said. "You guys were the only ones on my guest list. I'd invite Lukas too, but I don't know him that well."
"Trust me, I think you know just about as much about him as you do about me." Loki commented under her breath.
"Libby, why are we the only ones here?" Molly asked. "What about the kids from school? Or the Wilder Scouts? Or the Lemmings?"
"All I need is you, Rabbi Katz, and my fam." Libby said. She pointed to the rest of her family. "You know my mom. That's Uncle Ted and Aunt Meg and their sons, Joshua and Gordie. Wait. Where's Gordie?"
All of a sudden, a young boy suddenly popped out of a shrub giving Loki an interested look. "Enchante, m'lady. In 97 weeks, I'll be a man."
"Are you trying to impress me?" Loki asked with a face full of disgust. "Sorry, not sorry, but you couldn't impress me even if you could juggle chainsaws while riding a unicycle upside down on a tightrope."
"I kinda wanna pay money to see that." Scratch commented.
"Get outta here, Gordie." Libby pushed her cousin away.
"Wow, you really went all-in on the turtles." Molly said picking up a turtle-themed paper plate.
"Yeah. That's my theme." Libby said. "Oh, I envy turtles. They can curl their soft, vulnerable bodies into their hard shells where none of life's sharp edges can harm them. What a life."
"This might be the first time in my whole life where I've actually felt sorry for a mortal child." Loki said.
"But Libby," Molly said, "This is your special day. You deserve a vountain, a DJ, and a celebrity chef."
"I mean, sure, all that stuff might be nice," Libby said, "But I'm just happy you're here. Sure, having an extra guest like Lucy might be a bit of pressure, but I can work through it."
"Wow. I feel the love already." Loki said with a deadpan look.
"Now, if you excuse me," Libby continued, "I need to prep the turtles for the turtle races. But after that, you and me, we are going to party into the night." Libby danced out of the room.
"I mean, this party is deader than I am," Scratch said, "And I'm dead."
"I knew I shouldn't have been drawn in by an online video." Loki said.
"We're scraping by." Said Libby's mom. The kids turned to see her talking to Aunt Meg. "Books just aren't selling like they used to."
"We live in a digital age." Aunt Meg said.
"Yep. E-books are e-killing us."
Molly gasped turning Loki and Scratch toward her. "Did you hear that? Libby's mom's bookstore is struggling. That's why Libby didn't go big on her big day. She's settling and sacrificing and making do."
"I kinda know what that's like." Loki said. "I'm making do with having to live with you and your crazy family."
"Loki, this is serious." Molly said. "Libby is a shining star, so we gotta give her the bat mitzvah we deserve."
"All right. How many bats to you want? 200? 400?" Scratch asked. "You know what? You're right. It's Libby's big day. We'll just get one thou…"
"No bats!" Molly said.
"And how do you expect to fix this party?" Loki asked.
"With my emergency party supply box, of course."
"You have a… Wait a minute. Of course, you do."
While Libby's family was off preparing the cake, Molly pulled out her kit, and with Scratch and Loki's help, she decorated the entire party with streamers, vases, balloons, scented candles, and lights that spell out Libby's name.
At the end of it all, the party looks much more lively.
"Still needs one final touch." Scratch said pulling out a box. He removed the lid revealing the bats inside. "There you go, bats. Go mitzvah!"
"NO!" Molly yelled grabbing the box before the bats could escape. She quickly went to the nearest closet and locked the bats in there. "No, Scratch! This is the most important day of Libby's life, and nothing is going to ruin it for her."
That's when the door opened up. Sharon, Pete, and Darryl McGee entered. "Molly," Sharon said, "Did you hire me through Gig Pig?"
"Yes, Mom. We need an ice volcano, stat." Molly said handing her mom a red chainsaw. "And you are the best, and only, artist I know."
"On it." Sharon said as she began to work.
"Dad, you're our DJ." Molly said leading Pete to the booth. "No smooth jazz."
"I don't make promises I can't keep." Pete said.
"And Darryl, get us some guests."
Surprisingly, in an instant, the front door slammed open. Darryl was shown as the front of a conga line full of people dancing into the bat mitzvah party.
"But you were just here." Loki said flabbergasted. "How did you get all these people so fast?"
"Loki, people will follow a conga line anywhere." Darryl answered. "Anywhere."
When Libby returned to the party room with her turtles in her arms, she was completely shocked and scared at the many guests that were there. Even with the klezmer music playing, she didn't notice because she was so confused. When she saw Molly dancing in the middle of the room, she ran up to her.
"Um, Molly, where did all these people come from?"
"Mazel tov, Libby." Molly said. "Isn't it great? They're all here for you." Libby tried to hide herself in her turtleneck, but Molly helped get her out. "Hey, this is a turtle party, right? So come out of that shell."
"I knew that turtle metaphor would come back to haunt me." Libby said.
Libby and Molly joined Ms. Stein-Torres on the stage with the cake. Libby's mom held up a candle.
"For the little girl I love to bits, time to get your candles lit…s."
"Something tells me she didn't rehearse that." Loki thought to herself.
Libby took a candle and held it up to her cake. "Candle one is for my grandparents, who've already passed. They may be gone, but their memories will last." She lit her first candle. "And next, for the woman on whom I depend, you're not only my mom, you're also my friend." Libby's mom lit the next candle. "You make me feel save and ever so jolly. Candle three is for my best friend, Molly." Molly took the candle and lit the third.
"She however clearly did." Loki thought once more.
Libby leaned over to her best friend. "Molly, please stay with me. All these people. I'm starting to feel like a turtle without a shell."
"Libby, I'm your best friend." Molly assured. "if you need me, I'm here. I won't leave your side no matter whaaaaaa…" Her eyes caught Scratch making his way to the closet full of bats. A toddler followed him and was about to open the door. "GOTTA GO!"
Without hesitation, Molly rushed off the stage leaving Libby alone with her mom. She made it to the baby and moved him away from the closet. Loki caught up to her.
"What's going on?" Loki asked.
"It's Scratch." Molly said right as the ghost in question floated through the door. "Listen, this is a big night for Libby, and we don't need your bats ruining it."
"It's already ruined." Scratch said. "She's invited turtles up to light candles."
"Well, turtles are what Libby wanted, okay?" Molly asked.
"Well, Libby can have sad turtles or friends at her party, but she can't have both."
"Gotta say, I kinda agree with Scratch on this one." Loki said.
"Et tu, Loki?" Molly asked. "This is just like all the other bat mitzvahs we saw on those videos."
"The girls in those videos seem like they are showing off their bat mitzvahs. Libby doesn't even seem like the kind of child who would even appear as a background character on the news."
"So Libby's a little different. It doesn't mean this party's a disaster."
"Are you sure about that?" Scratch asked pointing over at Andrea. She was leading her fellow kids toward the front door.
"Come on, Fandreas. There's a quinceanera down the street."
"Oh, no! We've got to get them to stay!" Molly gasped. "Loki, keep them here!"
"And how do you expect me to do that?" Loki asked.
"I don't know. Sing a song. Do a card trick… On second thought, no close up magic. Those are horrible."
Loki sighed. "Fine. But only because I don't want to spend the rest of the night at an awkward party."
Loki headed up to the DJ booth and held up a glowing green finger. She pressed it at the booth. Just then, the room became filled with enchanting music that drew the guests back in just as they were about to leave. Libby was back to feeling nervous.
With a microphone in her hand, Loki took the stage. "Get ready, everyone. I'm about to hit you with a very popular song from my homeland. Now, this song was originally written in Norwegian, so this is a loose translation. So bear with me.
Loki:
I'm saddling my mount
When she sings, she sings "come home"
But the trees dance and the waterfalls stop
When she sings, she sings "come home"
When she sings, she sings "come home"
But the trees dance and the waterfalls stop
When she sings, she sings "come home"
But the trees dance and the waterfalls stop
When she sings, she sings "come home"
When she sings, she sings "come home"
When she sings, she sings "come home"
When she sings, she sings "come home"
Shhhhh
Loki commanded for the music to mellow down more silently getting the attention of all the guests.
Loki:
On mountains darkened by the storms
I'm wandering alone
Over the glacier, I'm pushing on
The fair maiden is in the apple orchard
And she's singing "when will you come home"
After a silence, Loki snapped her fingers and the upbeat music from earlier resumed.
Loki:
But the trees dance and the waterfalls stop
When she sings, she sings "come home"
But the trees dance and the waterfalls stop
When she sings, she sings "come home"
When she sings, she sings "come hooooooome"
"TO LIBBY, EVERYBODY!" Loki cried out. However, the aforementioned girl was nervously curled up with her turtle.
Molly saw Libby and went over to cheer her up. "Hey. Who's ready for the hora?"
"Um, heights and being tossed around are two of my biggest anxieties. Can't we just do the turtle races?"
"Oh, of course we can… right after the hora!"
The music ended right as Molly went on up to the stage. Libby however was mor scared than she has ever been throughout the night.
"It's the moment you've all been waiting for! That age-old tradition… the hora! Give it up for the woman of the hour, Libby Stein-Torres!"
Everyone gathered around the frightened Libby and held up a chair for her. Libby took heavy breaths before making a break for it. She disappeared before anyone noticed she was gone.
"She's… probably being shy." Molly said. "Just one moment…" She jumped off the stage and ran into Loki. "Loki, have you seen Libby?"
"Everyone has seen Libby. That's the problem."
"What do you mean?" Molly asked.
"The hora? Just about half of the town ready to crowd a nervous wreck like Libby? I don't know her that well, and even I know that's a bad idea."
"But… I was just trying to make her happy?"
"Molly, she looked like she was happy BEFORE you changed her party." Loki said. "Did you even think about how Libby would react upon seeing this? Seriously, I'm the villain. Stop stealing my thing."
"I… Uh… Look, did you at least see where she went?" Molly asked.
"In the hallway." Loki pointed out.
"Thanks. I'll be right back." Molly said before leaving the room.
After taking a selfie with an ice sculpture, Andrea saw Loki in her female form standing against the wall. With a smile on her face, she approached her.
"Hey, Lucy." Andrea said.
"Oh. Hey, Andrea." Loki responded.
"So, is Lukas here?"
"Uh, no. He had some stuff to take care of back home."
"Well, that's too bad."
"How so?"
Andrea paused for a moment before taking a breath. "Okay. Can I tell you a secret? Just between us girls?"
"Um… Sure, I guess." Loki shrugged. "What is it?"
"Well, don't tell your brother just yet, but I kinda, maybe, sorta have a little cru…"
"BATS!" screamed a random kid.
Everyone screamed and panicked when a whole swarm of bats flew around the room. They flapped around scaring everyone at the party. Soon enough, everyone was left to flee. When everyone left, all that remained were Loki, Molly, Scratch, Libby, and her family.
"What happened?" Loki asked. "Scratch, didn't Molly say…"
"Hey, I'm trying to fight these guys here!" Scratch yelled out trying to swat the bats around him. "Besides, I didn't even touch the door. Molly was the one who opened it."
"She what?" Loki asked. She looked over to Molly who was hugging Libby. She then gave a soft chuckle. "Look at you, using a wrong to right a right."
Everyone moved on immediately to the turtle races. Much to Loki's surprise, the small party that remained were having the time of their lives. They excitedly cheered for their chosen turtles to make it to the end of the finish line. In the end, it was Libby's turtle, Simon, who won the race. She picked him up and placed him on the pedestal.
"Now, this is the perfect party." Libby said.
"Sorry I almost ruined your special day, Libby." Molly said.
"It's okay, Molly. I've learned a lot in the minutes since I became a woman. Like how we're all responsible for our own happiness. It felt good to stand up for what I wanted today."
"Weird." Loki said under her breath. "That never works out for me."
"You're so wise, Libby." Molly said. "Wonder when I'll become a woman."
"Enjoy what's left of your childhood, Molly. It'll be over before you know it."
"From my perspective, you'll die of old age before I blink." Loki commented.
"Hmm…" Heimdall said just as Thor joined him at the Bifrost entrance.
"What is it, Heimdall?"
"I thought I sensed Loki's magic again, but something is strange about this." Heimdall said. "From what I could tell, it was used to… liven up a child's party?"
"That doesn't sound like Loki." Thor said. "Anything else?"
"Well, there was a swarm of bats that just appeared out of nowhere. That definitely sounds like Loki, but my vision tells me that a ghost was responsible."
"Asgardian magic and ghost activity in one town?" Thor asked. "This is strange. Keep an eye out, Heimdall."
"Of course."
Thor walked away from Heimdall with thoughts in his mind. "Loki, is it really you? I don't see how. There's no way anyone could survive that blast in Norway. Still though… I hope you are alive."