Disclaimer: The show Victorious, its characters, associated copyrights are property of someone else and not me.
Revenge of the Wolf.
Chapter 31 – Ballroom Blitz.
Tori's POV
After explaining to us what the pistachio nuts meant, we all set to work. Julia got on the phone and started to arrange a hasty wizards council meeting. Dawn went into town, to get a doctor to patch Valentina up and set her broken arm.
We've since moved Valentina to one of the bedrooms upstairs, where she can rest.
I went up got Jenna, told her it was safe, got her dressed and took her downstairs to get something to eat. The poor girl was very hungry, in addition to being scared half out of her mind. I told her that all the people who took almost all gone, but for the moment she was safe.
I did realize it was a bit of a sensitive situation. If we just called the local cops, they'd end up crawling around this place, getting into things they shouldn't be getting into. Now Jade told me that there are werewolves in the German government; A completely different pack than that of Margo's uncle. So I convinced her that until the entire criminal gang is rounded up, it would be safer to remain here. Once that happened, she'd be on her way home.
Naturally she asked how long I told her less than 24 hours and until then, she had the complete run of the castle. As soon as we busted Claudia's 2nd in command, Jade would contact her people in the German Government and we could properly secure this place. There's a lot of nasty magic stuff down there and God knows what else, so we had to be cautious.
That left Jade and Una, who took the time to go through some of the papers on Claudia's desk. Mostly however, they continued to bicker and insult each other. Though it was a bit friendlier than when they first met.
Finally we all met back in Clauida's office just around 1:00 Am local time.
"So Julia. Is the meeting arranged?" Asked Jade.
"Yes, I told each one of them them a crisis has arisen and it was something I didn't want to discuss on the phone. I explained that due to the nature of the crisis, the wizard's council had to meet in emergency session immediately. I told them that due to the need for security, they were all to come alone and tell no one of the meeting. They will all be there. They won't be happy, but they will be there."
"Where and When?'
"That mansion we had the party at, just outside of Los Angeles. They will be meeting in ½ an hour."
Jade turned to me. "What about Jenna?"
"Scared, but she'll stay put until our people arrive. She's comfortable and I'v assured her that there is no one here that can be any threat to her. I also told her that one of our number will remain behind as they are hurt."
"Dawn, how is Valentina?"
"I brought the doctor who stitched up her wound and set her arm. He has since been sent home. It's temporary cast. It will hold her until we can get this last matter straightened out. Then we can take her to a hospital. She's sleeping upstairs, in one of the bedrooms."
After scooping up a book and some papers off of Claudia's desk, we left the castle and teleported to L.A.
We arrived just after 4:00 Pm in the afternoon, just outside the mansion. For a moment I looked around and smelled the fresh sea air. I was almost home and judging by the look on Jade's face, she wanted to get here more than I did.
Looking to the group, Jade said. "Is everyone ready."
Once everyone nodded, Jade looked to the manson. "Ok then…one more fish and we're done. Let's reel em in."
No One's Pov.
One by one the wizards arrive and at the appointed time, the council members, minus Claudia, were standing in the now empty ballroom, looking agitated and confused.
At the appointed time, Julia looking like she'd been beaten up, not to mention her clothes torn and covered in foul smelling goo of some sort walked in.
Though she looked like hell, Julia bowled slightly in respect and smiled. "Good, I see you're all here. Thank you for coming."
Ozhan the head of the council, looked her over and eyed her suspiciously. . "Julia I'm not sure what this is about, but we're still missing one member. And what the hell happened to you?"
Julia quickly shook her head. "To answer your second question first, what happened to me and why do I look this way. This kind of thing happens when you tangle with a Demon lord. Ugly looking bastard, I'll tell you."
The others quickly looked at each other with confusion and alarm.
"Demon Lord? Said Colin, the member from Great Britain.
Maria Mendoza, who was from Argentina, looked a bit more worried than the others. "If this involves Demon Lords, we need to wait for Claudia. She is our head of security."
"Well…." Said Julia as she scratched the back of her head. "That's the reason we're all here. And there's no need to wait for her as she won't be joining us."
Beginning to look impatient, Ozhan narrowed his eyes. "Why? Please get on with it, Where's Claudia and why the need for all this secrecy."
"Why, because Claudia, all three of her daughters, several high ranking members of our security force plus a number other wizards, are all dead." Retorted Julia in a rather matter of fact tone of voice.
The effect on the group couldn't be more profound as the members of the council looked to her with complete shock.
After a few seconds of shocked silence, Ozhan managed to stammer. "What?" How?"
"Some sort of an attack?" Asked Avana.
"Yes, it was an attack that left Claudia and 33 other wizards dead, Just a few hours ago."
"This is a serious attack on our kind, who in the hell could have done this."
"I DID!" Rang out Jade's voice from one of the doorways.
As if the news of the attack was enough to shock them, the sight of a woman who was supposed to be dead, nearly floored them.
Stepping into the room, Jade shrugged. "Actually we did!"
In another door, Tori appeared along with Una and dawn in two other doors.
"What trick is this?" Hissed Ozhan, "Some kind of trap!"
Just as the council members started to cast defensive spells, Julia stopped them. "Please, this is no trap. We have an explanation. What I told you about a crisis was very true. And we're looking right into the mouth of a huge one."
Ohzan motioned for the others to stand down, as he cautiously looked over Jade then Una. "Tell us now! What the hell is going on? You were killed, but not only are you alive but you're with two more of you and Tori."
"Ozhan. I see you're in shock and pretty much convinced that I mean you harm. I do not, in fact I'm here to help you. Please bear with me. Yes I did lead an attack that left a council member and 33 other wizards dead. I freely admit that."
"THEN WHY!"
"Just over a year ago, I was kidnapped and replaced with an imposter. After the deception was discovered and I rescued, it was determined that one of your number was responsible. Some 2 months ago, I found a clue that pointed me in the direction of that wizard. I learned that that same wizard was using dark magic and was the head of a rather vast criminal empire. But due to a betrayal of one of my kind, I was left for dead. But tonight I slew wizard and her equally corrupt brethren, who were all part of the resurrected cult of evil wizards named, Nos, qui recturus erit. The wizard and head of that cult, was none other than Clauida."
"Impossible!" Barked Colin.
From the bad she had slung around her shoulder, Jade pulled out a black tome and threw it on the ground in front of the shocked wizards.
"Vernac's Grimoire. I found this and more than a hundred other books just like it on dark magic, in Clauida's study. This one, even has notes written in the margins, in her own hand. Mostly, about how to make the spells deadlier and nastier."
Jade then tossed out some papers on the floor. "Papers, notes, memos, detailing her various criminal enterprises, theft, smuggling, the sex trade, arms sales….you name it, she was into it. Oh and by the way…."
Jade then smiled knowing she was about the drop the big one.
"She was the adopted daughter of the ancient vampire known as Livia. The very same one that I destroyed 4 years ago. She was not only evil, but was raised and groomed specifically, to infiltrate and corrupt your ranks. She was doing a damn good job of it too; she's been playing you for suckers from day one. So tell me do you want to hear a story?'
The members of the wizard council, looking too horrified to speak nodded.
So Jade went into the tale of how that single photograph lead to Prague, the betrayal and having to hid out in another universe to the battle that very night. The only detail she left out was the 2nd in command. All the while, the council members listened with all with shocked and horrified expressions.
"My god….." Said Ozhan. "I had no idea."
"No you didn't, which brings me to the last bit of business. There could be more members of this cult who were not there, but we do know one for certain was absent. That of her 2nd in command."
"We'll have to…."
"Investigate. You don't need to. That person just happens to be here, in this very room. A wizard just as corrupt and evil as Claudia. You didn't have one corrupt member of the wizard's council, you had two."
Jade watched with some amusement, as the various council members eyed each other suspiciously.
For effect Jade walked in front of members of the wizard council until she stopped in front of Carlos. "Two members…Right Carlos. Too bad you missed the party tonight, a real wing ding, as they used to say."
Looking quite insulted, the Carlos, who was from Spain, immediately protested. "This is an outrage!"
At Jade's cue, Una the vampire, who had quickly walked around behind Carlos, zoomed up with super speed and grabbed Carlos, bending one arm behind his back.
"Unhand me you fiend. I'm innocent!" Raged the dark haired wizard.
Looking quite unimpressed, Jade walked up and reached into his pocket. "Don't look so shocked."
Before he could protest any further, Jade pulled out a bag of Red pistachio nuts.
"I remember when we first met, you were eating these and dumping the shells on the floor, despite the fact that there was a trashcan a few feet away. I hear you love them, eat them all the time. Personally, I can't stand them."
Jade then reached into her own pocket and dropped several shells at his feet. "Imagine my surprise, when found these scattered all over the floor in Claudia's private office."
"This means nothing. Ozhan, surely you don't believe this animal."
The Iranian born wizard's demeanor quickly grew cold. "Carlos, I think you have some explaining to do. Perhaps this isn't much, but in my opinion, more than enough to warrant, a full investigation of your activities."
Carlos looked to the others, but their stone cold faces told him they agreed. Just then, he pushed back against Una and at the same time began to cast a spell. But the vampire was far too powerful and quickly threw him to the ground.
"Long story short, asshole. I'm an ancient vampire and in my existence, I've become quite an expert at torture, in fact I'm the ultimate authority on the subject. So you either spill the beans or every second, of the rest of your life will be spent in sheer agony and I'll make damn sure you last a very long time, we're talking decades here. Am I being clear or do I need to demonstrate, just what I'm capable of, because I'd love that. There's a true art to torture and it's something I take pride in."
His look of outrage evaporating, Carlos quietly nodded. "Jade is right."
"Now, I'd better hear about you being all cooperative and answering all their questions or I'll come back here and really make your life a living hell. You're afraid of Jade and rightly so, but me….you should be downright, fucking, terrified of me."
Ozhan looked at Carlos, a trusted friend who had turned out to be a traitor, with contempt. Then he turned to Jade, now looking quite humbled.
"I can't tell you how much all of us are in your debt, for exposing this cancer within our ranks. On behalf of the council I would like to extend a formal apology, for all that you and Tori been through. Please let us know, how we can possibly make this up to you."
Jade smirked triumphantly, if only for a moment. "Well first, you're going to make up every effort to weed out the corruption that has taken root. Second, you're going to need two new members of the wizard council. IF you want to square things with me, you're going to appoint Julia as Claudia's replacement. Plus you'll put her in charge of the investigation to root out that corruption and rebuild your security force."
Julia who hadn't expected Jade to do that, started to protest, but was stopped by Jade.
"Shut up Julia. Tori and I both owe you our lives. I trust you and you're a damn fine wizard. So I'm getting you promoted. I can't think of anyone better to take charge of this, than you."
Jade turned to the council. "So…is Julia you're newest member or are we going to have problems."
When Jade was last here, she couldn't help but notice how smug and condescending they all were. Now, they all looked like they had aged 20 years, their faces a collective mixture, of horror, shock and utter disbelief.
As they quickly complied with Jade's request and instantly nodded in unison, Jade thought.
"They don't look so smug anymore, but then again, I shouldn't talk."
Jade clapped her hands. "Good, its' settled. That concludes my business here, but I will be taking a great interest in your efforts, so don't think I won't be watching. You've got a lot of work to do. I have a lot of work to do. I need to find out if Margo had any helpers, so I have my own crap to deal with. But for now….."
Jade, looking weary, covered in demon goo, bruises and cuts, took Tori's hand and started to walk off. "…it's time to go home."
The chapter title, Ballroom Blitz," is from the song of the same name by the Rock band Sweet.