Chapter 17 – Strike 2 Part 2
Okay, so this chapter will be very confusing so I apologise in advance!
For this chapter, when I refer to one of the girls' names, I'm referring to their soul, not the body they're occupying.
Soul Body
Kim Riley
Riley Violet
Violet Lilly
Lilly Kim
The first thing Violet noticed as she started regaining conscious was that she was no longer on the hard floor. Instead, she was on something warm and soft. As she regained more senses she noticed she didn't hear any whines of machinery or clanks or tinkering. She didn't even smell the faint odour of oil.
Violet groaned and stirred. Her hand flew to her eyes to remove her blurry vision. She suddenly felt a pair of hands gently grab her hands and brought them away from her face.
"Babe, you're awake!"
The pair of hands gently pulled Violet into a sitting position whilst Violet chuckled.
"Don't call me that." She whispered, her brain still trying to wake up.
"Why wouldn't I? I always call you that."
Violet suddenly registered the voice speaking to her. She whipped her eyes to her left and saw Michelangelo sitting beside her, worry clearly etched on his face.
"Mikey!" Violet cried, pulling her hands from his. "What the hell?"
Violet crawled further back on the bed away from Mikey. His eyes widened at her movement, but Violet barely registered the look because her eyes suddenly took in her surroundings.
She was on a large double bed with messy sheets, action heroes and comic books littered the floors and shelf in the corner, and the desk behind Mikey had empty pizza boxes and sketches all over. Violet's eyes fell back onto Mikey, who studied her actions carefully.
"…are you alright, babe?" He asked gently
"Stop calling me that!" Violet cried, "Mikey, it's me!"
Mikey laughed nervously.
"I know it's you, Lills. You must have hit your head hard on the floor."
Violet shook her head frantically.
"What do you mean? I'm Violet, not Lilly."
Mikey's eyes widened. Before he could say anything Violet jumped off the bed and ran towards the nearest bathroom. She ran over to the mirror by the sink and screamed at what she saw. Instead of her beautiful light brunet locks with light brown streaks her hair was now golden with tan coloured tips. Her aqua eyes, that reminded her of the element she controlled, her eyes were now a sky blue, so light that when the light hit them you would guess they were white or light silver.
"I'm Lilly," She whispered in shock
Violet heard a stampede of feet coming down the hallway. She jumped when 2 more panicked girls burst into the bathroom, run over to the mirror and scream.
Violet looked at her sister's nervously. On the outside she could see Kim and herself standing before her, but she knew they weren't really…well them.
Kim turned around and smiled sheepishly at Violet. "Cute top." She commented
"Ah…Lilly?" Violet guessed
Kim, well Lilly, nodded and waved briefly. Violet looked over at herself and raised an eyebrow as she turned around.
"Riles." She said
Violet and Lilly nodded before they all lapsed into awkward silence.
"Morning!"
They all jumped and turned around at the voice. Standing in the doorway was Riley…or rather Kim.
Kim's eyes widened as the trio before looking down at herself. She nodded in understanding and looked up at her sisters sternly.
"What did you three do?" She hissed
Riley held her hands up in defence. "Whoa, I had nothing to do with this."
Kim's eyes turned to her youngest sisters, who both looked at their feet and shuffled nervously.
"It was Violet's idea!" Lilly cried, pointing at herself.
"Lilly!" Violet cried, glaring at herself. "This is weird! I'm yelling at myself!"
1 hour later
Kim, Riley, Lilly and Violet sat in the living room of the lair in dead silence. Lilly and Violet sat next to each other nervously while their older sisters sat across from them. Riley's arms were crossed and she was glaring at them, while Kim's hands her folded in her lap and she kept her eyes focused on the ground. The guys, thankfully, had left them alone after being reassured the girls were all fine.
Kim sighed and looked up at Violet and Lilly. "You two…switched our minds?"
"Not on purpose!" Lilly cried
"The spell was only to relieve you of your stress." Violet said, for what she felt was the millionth time that day.
"Yeah, well great job with that. This situation doesn't stress me out at all!" Kim groaned, her face falling into her hands. "My wedding is a few hours away and I'm not even me!"
Riley patted her shoulder. "We will reverse this before that walk, Kim. Don't panic yet."
"I feel sick." Kim moaned before she ran towards the bathroom and slammed the door shut.
Her sisters winced as they heard her heaving. Riley looked back at her sisters and glared.
"You two had better fix this. And fast." She hissed before she stood and started walking to the bathroom. She turned back and glared again. "And do not tell the guys. They'll only worry."
"How do we keep this a secret?" Violet asked
Riley rolled her eyes. "Act like the person you've become."
"You're going to act like Kim?" Lilly laughed, "Yeah, good luck with that."
Riley growled softly before she continued walking to the bathroom. "Ki-I mean Riley! Are you okay?"
The bathroom door closed and Violet and Lilly sighed in relief. Lilly looked over at Violet.
"What do we do now?" She asked
"Well, I'm going to Rayon to find a counter spell. You're going to stay here to make sure Kim and Riley don't blow this secret."
Lilly groaned. "This is going to go as well as our last secret."
"Please. What's the worse that could happen?"
"We misuse each other's powers and hurt someone?"
Violet and Lilly's eyes widened. Before they could say anything they heard a crash. They looked up and saw the bathroom door burst open and fly off its handles.
"Sorry!" Kim, in Riley's voice, cried out.
Lilly looked over at Violet. "You'd better get to Rayon now."
Kim, in Riley's body, sighed as she sat in the kitchen with a cup of tea. She looked pale and her stomach was giving her trouble. She heard footsteps and looked up to see Leo. She smiled wide.
"Leo! Hi sweetie." She said adoringly
Leo stopped where he stood. "Hi…Riley?" He replied
He slowly walked over to the counted behind Riley, his confused eyes looking Riley up and down.
"…You lost a bet against Lilly again, didn't you?" He suddenly smirked
Kim was about to object until she realised who she was and quickly nodded. "Er, yes!" She replied, "Yes, that is exactly what happened."
Leo chuckled as he made himself a cup of tea. "Hey, no worries Riley. I've seen Mikey and Raph do embarrassing things at the expense of a bet. I'm used to it."
With that said Leo exited the kitchen. When Kim was sure he was gone she sighed in relief.
"Hey!"
Kim jumped at the sound and spun around to face Violet. Well, it was Violet's body.
"Ri-Violet!" Kim quickly corrected, "Where have you been?" She hissed
Riley's hands went up in a quickly gesture to calm Kim down.
"Chill, I was in the bathroom." She chuckled, "Anyway, I have something for you. I want you to use it. Trust me, okay?"
Kim raised an eyebrow before she shrugged. "Alright, I'll humour you." She said, rising from her seat. "Where to?"
"The bathroom."
Kim stopped. "Oh hell no." She said
Riley groaned. "It's not gross!" She said, "Look, just go in there and use the damn thing okay? It'll make sense when you're in there."
Kim sighed and walked into the bathroom with Riley following behind. The door shut and Riley leaned against it, waiting. Eventually Riley saw Lilly walking up to them.
"Okay we have t-minus 3 hours before Kim has to walk down the isle." She said, "Violet, Drake and Emily are currently searching through the castle library to find a counter spell. They'll make it to the wedding in time though."
Riley looked at her sister for a long moment. "What are you hiding?" She asked
Lilly smiled sheepishly. "We have to get Kim ready for the wedding now. And by Kim, I mean-"
Riley groaned. "You." She sighed, "Okay, I'll grab Kim and we'll head out to the site. Hopefully, April and Casey are already there with our catering and flowers."
Suddenly the bathroom door opened and Kim walked out. Her eyes widened at her sisters and she sighed.
"What?" She asked
Lilly smiled sheepishly. "It's time for my wedding preparations."
Kim rolled her eyes, trying not to get angry. "Alright, let's head out now."
"Just let me use the bathroom and then we'll head out."
Kim and Riley nodded and left to grab their bags. Lilly walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. She walked over to the sink and grabbed her toothbrush and toothpaste. The toothpaste was empty.
Lilly groaned. She threw the toothpaste into the bin beside her…and stopped. She looked closer into the bin and saw a stick. Lilly's eyes widened. She grabbed some toilet paper and then picked up the stick. The breath left Lilly's body as she saw the plus sign on the bottom of the stick.
"…holy crap…" Lilly gasped
"Lilly!"
Lilly jumped and dropped the stick. She quickly swore and had just enough time to throw it back in the bin and stand up when Riley walked back in. She raised an eyebrow at her sister.
"Are you…ready?" She asked hesitantly
Lilly quickly nodded. "Yep. Never better. Come on, we have a wedding to salvage." She rushed out before she practically ran out the door.
Riley watched her sister go before she shook her head and followed her.
Violet screamed in frustration as she slammed another book shut. Numerous books sprawled out around her as she sat at a table in the castle library. Emily was on a ladder to her left and Drake was reading through parchments at the end of the library.
Drake lifted his gaze and looked up at his charge.
"Everything will be alright, Violet." He said
"How?" Violet cried, looking up at him. "I switched my sisters' bodies on the day of Kim's wedding!"
Emily looked down with an encouraging smile. "You didn't do it on purpose, Princess."
Violet smiled at the small gesture, but it didn't last long. Her head fell back into her hands and she moaned.
The doors to the library suddenly opened and all three jumped. In walked Lord Renaldo, Sir Vladimir and Sir Albert.
"Sir!" Vladimir cried, "Sir Albert and I have been looking for you." He glared at Renaldo. "We do not know why this one is here."
"Oh I'm just here to speak to Princess Lilly." Renaldo sneered
"But she's-" Emily started
Drake raised a hand and Emily immediately stopped. "But she is very busy at the moment, Renaldo. You may speak to her later tonight."
Renaldo smirked at Drake. "Of course, sir. Whatever you say." He chuckled before he started walking out the library.
When he reached the doors he turned back around with a wide knowing smile. "Today is a wonderful day for a wedding. Is it not?"
With that, he walked out with the doors closing behind him. All of the occupants stared in wide eyes disbelief at his comment.
Drake narrowed his eyes. "How did he know?" He hissed, "We never made a public announcement. The only ones who knew are in this room now."
"Sir, he must be involved in this fiasco." Vladimir said, "None of us would betray you or the princesses."
Sir Albert nodded. "He is right, sir." He agreed, "Vladimir and I have been suspicious of the young Lord since the incident in court."
Violet's eyes widened. "You think he had something to do with this switch?"
"Not possible." Drake said, "He would have to have eyes and ears no matter where we are."
"…he is a sorcerer, sir." Emily muttered quietly, "Surely, he would have a way of finding out using magic?"
"Let's just say for argument's sake that he did." Drake started, "How could he be involved in this spell without being there?"
"Is there a way he could've used a different spell on someone?" Emily asked, "I mean, maybe he didn't cause this spell, but what if he cast a spell that interfered with the one Violet cast?"
Violet looked up at her with a wide grin. "Emily, you're a genius!" She cried, "I need to find an interference spell!"
"But Princess," Vladimir started, "Your time is up. We have come to take Lord Drake, Emily and yourself to the wedding."
Violet's eyes widened. "No!" She cried, "We still have an hour! Please, let me stay longer. I have to fix this."
Drake nodded. "Alright. We will all stay. Sir Albert, Sir Vladimir, grab a book! We don't have much time left."
Kim paced the floor of her music room while Lilly and Riley watched. Kim was dressed in Riley's beautiful red dress with a black sash, indicating her maid-of-honour status while Riley wore the same red dress without the sash. Lilly stood in Kim's wedding dress, feeling awkward. The dress was a strapless satin a-line dress with sparkles on the bodice and a white ribbon around her waist. Her hair was up in a French bun, some loose curls framing her face. She wore Kim's tiara and the veil was pulled over her face.
Kim looked up at the clock on the wall and felt panic rising within her.
'10 minutes.' She thought, 'Where is Violet?'
Knock knock
April's head poked in the doorway with a wide grin spreading across her face.
"You girls all look so beautiful!" She gushed
"Thanks," They responded
April raised an eyebrow at the reaction, but deemed it as nerves.
"You have 10 minutes to go. The guests are all here. So exciting!" She said before slipping back out the door.
"What do we do?" Lilly moaned
'This is bad. This is bad.' Kim thought frantically, 'Is this a sign? No, of course not. I'm marrying Leo. I want to marry Leo.'
Knock knock
"What?" The three cried
The door opened and Leo popped his head in with his hands over his eyes.
He chuckled. "Wow, don't bite my head off." He teased, "I know I'm not supposed to be here, but I'm letting Kim know the royal paster is here. Her wedding is almost here."
Kim's eyes widened. "Our."
Leo's smile faltered. "No, Riley. I mean 'her'." He said, "It's what Kim's always wanted. She'll get the throne now."
Kim's eyes filled with tears. "Don't you want to marry me?"
Leo chuckled. "Riley you're acting very weird again." He shook his head, "I have to get back. See you soon."
The door shut and Kim looked back to her sisters with tears in her eyes.
"…He didn't answer the question…" She whispered
"He thought he was talking to me!" Riley cried
"He…He didn't say 'our'." Kim added
Riley and Lilly ran up to their broken sister and hugged her tightly.
"He's just nervous." Lilly encouraged
"He didn't know it was me." Kim continued
"You sounded like me, that's why." Riley said
"He…does he not want to marry me?" Kim asked, letting her sisters go.
"Of course he does!" Riley yelled, "He wouldn't have done this if he didn't."
Kim's eyes slowly met Riley's. "Then why did he mention being queen? And why even specify the paster as 'royal'?"
Before the two could answer her the doors burst open and Violet ran in out of breath and, thankfully, wearing her bridesmaid dress. In her hands she clutched an old leather book.
"Did you find it?" Lilly cried, "Because we're close to having a bigger problem here!"
"Kim has to marry Leo now!" Riley agreed
"We're about to find out." Violet said
"What?" The other three cried
"You don't know?" Lilly yelled
Violet ignored her as she opened the book to a particular page and began chanting.
"Guided spirits
Hear our plea
Annul this magic
Undo the magic acted here
Reverse the spell so all is clear
Let it be."
A bright yellow light erupted from the book and swirled around the room. Strands of the light engulfed each of the girls. When the light faded away they each opened their eyes and looked around.
Kim looked down at herself and saw a beautiful white wedding dress. Her hair was up, a tiara on her head, and a veil in front of her face. She smiled wide.
"I'm me again!" She cheered
"Me too!" Lilly cried happily
"And me." Violet smiled
"Thank god!" Riley laughed, hugging herself. "Oh I'm never doing that again."
"Come on, you have a wedding to attend." Violet smiled at Kim
Violet, Riley and Lilly all grabbed a bouquet of flowers each and stood in front of Kim. The doors opened and Lilly led the way to the ceremony in their dojo. Kim's heart thudded loudly in her chest as she past through her old home for years.
"Hi Leo," She smiled
"You're late." He said, crossing his arms
"No, I'm not." Kim replied, "It's only-" She stopped, looking down at her watch. "Oh, Leo. I'm so sorry."
"Kim, for the past two days all you have done is lock yourself in your bedroom or your study doing work for Rayon. I've barely seen you lately. All you do is work, whether for classes or for Rayon."
"Does that bother you?"
"Yes, it does. Because we haven't seen you. We miss you."
Kim shook her head as she exited the music room and filed into the living room.
"I've lost so much time, Leo. Time I could've spent learning about my heritage, about my future. And I want to become ruler."
"But at what cost?"
"What I said the other day…about having a choice and giving up the throne…I didn't mean it! I don't want that."
"Then what do you want, Leo?"
"I don't know."
"Well…when you do know, come find me."
She walked up to the dojo doors and held her breath as they opened and she could see the ceremony ahead of her.
April and Casey did a great job. Blue and white decorations hung all around the room, surrounded by yellow flowers. The floor had a trail of yellow petals leading up to where Leo stood with the royal paster. He and the guys wore simple black tuxedos Lilly had made for them.
"What if it was an option?"
"Why? What, do you want get married?"
"I wouldn't mind being married to you. Would you mind being married to me?"
"No. No, not if... not if that's what you wanted, because I don't want to force you into anything. I mean, is... is that what you want?"
"I want you. So...okay."
"So…Really? We're...we're getting married?"
"We're getting married."
Kim looked up the isle and saw Leo. His eyes never left hers, but yet a smile did not adorn his face.
Kim stopped.
When you compromise your beliefs for the sake of gain, that's a lack of integrity.
"Compromising my beliefs for the sake of gaining my mother's kingdom is a lack of integrity?"
Riley stopped, feeling something wasn't right. She turned around and saw her sister standing in the middle of the aisle, deep in thought. Her heartbeat sped up.
'What, exactly, have I gotten us into?' She thought miserably. 'Did I make the right choice?'
"Her wedding is almost here."
"Our."
"No, Riley. I mean 'her'. It's what Kim's always wanted. She'll get the throne now."
Kim slightly shook her head and continued down the aisle, although her steps were smaller and slower. Riley still didn't move in front of her though.
"Don't you want to marry me?"
Leo chuckled. "Riley you're acting very weird again." He shook his head, "I have to get back. See you soon."
"…He didn't answer the question…"
"He didn't answer the question." Kim whispered, her eyes low to the ground.
From his cauldron Renaldo was laughing manically.
"Yes, that's it princess!" He laughed, "Let the doubt fester into your heart. Let it consume you until the only thing you can feel is pain."
Renaldo kept laughing as he watched Kim's dilemma that was her wedding.
"Such bad luck to have doubt on your wedding day." He smirked triumphantly
"He didn't answer the question." Kim repeated
Kim gasped as she felt herself losing breath, her chest tightening painfully.
'What am I doing?' She thought despairingly, 'He doesn't want to marry me. He never did.'
Riley felt like she was watching a movie in slow motion. Each beat her heart made timed with the slow motion she was watching.
Kim stopped walking.
She looked up at Leo, hurt.
She whispered something only she could hear.
Her eyes filled with tears.
She dropped her bouquet.
She turned around.
And did the thing Riley knew Kim was used to doing most of her life….
…she ran.