The Other Half of Her
Bad news! I've got a song for ya this chapter!
Song:
You're Only Second Rate
By:
Jafar from Disney's Aladdin The Return of Jafar
Moving on.
xxx
The entire castle was in a frenzy. Shouts for Princess Lydia to reveal herself echoed from one side of the castle to the next. Hollers to Lezard to surrender himself roared rabidly. Behind curtains, in trap doors, the dungeons themselves - Lezard was nowhere to be seen. He hasn't so much as come up for air. The chase will not be given up so easily. Not before Lydia is found and the threat nullified. The Guards scoured the courtyards, the gardens, and went so far as to check the dozens of cellars occupied by expensive vintages. Whilst the age for alcoholic consumption is 16, Roland prefers Lydia not divulge in a bad habit just yet. That said, he has caught her in the throes of her overbearing curiosity to try a new vintage he's acquired. No such luck in this case. Lydia and Lezard literally vanished into thin air. And the night was passing into an ebony morning.
Miranda was at a loss of breath when she reached The King's main throne room. She rested a hand to the auspicious throne, panting heavily in fright. "Lydia...where are you…?" She pleaded for her daughter to reveal herself. As if she'd sent out a beacon, Roland found Miranda, racing to cradle her by the shoulders. The two saw in one another's expressions that they had no luck in finding Lydia. Baileywick and the children soon joined them in a fit of dry heaving. The poor dears were drenched in vigorous sweat from searching high and low in the castle. Amber herself was so frantic to find Lydia and Lezard that she ignored the stains that would be a nightmare to remove.
"Did you find her yet?" Miranda cupped her hands in prayer. She craved good news.
"No!" Baileywick huffed exhausted. The children shrugged their hands, shaking their heads. "And we've looked everywhere!" Miranda sank miserably. Roland held her close, stroking her back to assuage her. He'd like to advocate that everything will be fine in the end. He wasn't so sure himself, and feared raising false hope. Sofia and Miranda wanted any sort of hope. False or otherwise. They feared what's become of Lydia more than anyone. Regardless of Amber, James, and Roland, it is only Lydia, Sofia, and Miranda left in their family.
"SOFIA!" Feverish flapping roused the surrounding ears.
"Eezeyal?!" Sofia gasped. Eezeyal's exasperated wings gave under their overexerted strain. He flipped uncontrollably. Sofia jogged backwards, catching him in a jump. The poor desert owl was exhausted. His poor little heart was pumping like mad. "Eezeyal! What's wrong?!"
"That's Eezeyal!" James gasped, seeing a light at the end of a tunnel. Rare is it that one isn't in tow of the other. "Lydia must be close by!" Bodies twisted in search of her walking in at any second.
"That's why I'm here!" Eezeyal forced himself to shriek. Sofia faced away from the others, holding Eezeyal close so she can whisper. "Somethin's wrong with Lydia! Ubos says she ain't right in the head!"
"Ubos?!" Sofia can't believe she hadn't thought of it. Ubos could find her no problem. "Where is Ubos?"
"Looking for her! He said to come get you! Guess he figures you can snap her out of whatever's got her in a state!" Sofia was honored Ubos thought so highly of her. The pressure was mounting too. "But, Sofie," Eezeyal clasped his wings to her cheeks, showing her the desperation in his beady eyes, "There's something you need to know about Liddy before you see her."
"Your Majesties!" Constable Miles howled from a corridor. He helped a half conscious guard drag himself into the throne room. Miles' was stronger than his figure belied. The man's height was all that worked against him. "I found him crawling up the steps from the dungeons!"
Baileywick ran to help Miles cradle the guard, lowering him to a spot near the wall. "What happened to him?!" Baileywick tested his pulse, reading the pocket watch for a count.
"That's what he's about to tell you! You won't believe your ears!" By the sounds of it, Miles can hardly believe his.
Roland knelt to the rasping guard. He fought whatever affliction was making it arduous to stay awake. The direness of his message was apparent. "Tell me! Who did this to you?" Roland beckoned encouragingly.
The guard struggled to gain a breath. He mouthed a response. He cursed himself mentally, licking his dry lips. He lurched himself forward. "It was...Princess Lydia!" Horror struck Baileywick and the Royal Family. Miles' head sank dreadfully. The second time was indeed the worst. "She...abducted the prisoner…took him...some...where..." He was fading fast.
"What?!" Roland can hardly bring himself to accept what he's hearing. Lydia helped Lezard escape? No. That can't be the case. "Why would she do this?"
"More importantly," Amber inserted herself, "Where did she take Lezard?" She hoped the guard knew.
"I don't know!" He coughed. He shook himself to stay awake. "All she said was...I'll finish what...Cedric started..." Eezeyal gasped fearfully. The guard fell back unconscious. Miles set him down to let him sleep.
"What Cedric started?" Baileywick repeated baffled. It roused more questions behind Cedric's disappearance. They silently wondered if Goodwin and Winifred were having better luck.
"Sofia!" Eezeyal animatedly shook Sofai. "Cedric tried to drown Lezard!"
"HE DID WHAT?!" She clamped her mouth shut. Oops!
"What wrong, Sofia?!" Miranda asked. Attention rested on the youngest princess.
"Ugh…" Sofia stammered nervously. She racked her brain for an excuse. Eezeyal shrugged defeatedly. No point in dancing around the situation. "OOH! Lydia told me in a letter Mr. Ceedric tried to drown Lezard during her test!" She exhaled in a certain relief.
While horror at Cedric's dirty tactic was expected, Miles displayed rationality toward the circumstances. "Cedric must have learned of Lezard's intentions and tried to do away with him!" Not a farfetched explanation. Eezeyal tapped his beak, confirming he was on the mark.
"And….that led to him not coming home?" Baileywick questioned. "Something more must have happened!"
"That can be solved later!" Roland dismissed. "Cedric tried to drown Lezard, correct?" He pondered a moment. There's only one place Lydia could be. "SHE'S AT THE LAKE!"
"We'll find the fairies and meet you there!" James grabbed Sofia and Amber and raced to where The Fairies were last seen. Miranda and Roland were the first to dart for the lake. They were going to get their daughter back.
xxx
A storm was brewing on Enchancia's horizon. The back stairs would be too dangerous to traverse. Roland led his family, and The Fairies, to a side exit that would take them along the lake's shoreline. The violently rippling water captured Sofia, James, and Amber's in awestruck fright. Miles and Baileywick dodged falling branches weakened by the torrent of wind. Miranda and Roland, however, ignored Mother Nature's tantrum. Their sole concern was finding Lydia, and praying she wasn't being swept up in the storm. Or causing it. The Fairies kept their thoughts to themselves. The arcane pressure suffocating them was by far from natural. A person of immense power and strength stricken them. And they feared - be cause they knew - who was causing it.
A protracted turn increased the level of suspense gripping everyone. What's happening? Is Lydia alright? What is Lezard planning? Round and round the questions spun, weaving abject anxiety that shot like lightning through them all. Miranda and Sofia were on the verge of tears. If they are too late...they'll never forgive themselves. As the turn neared itself end, everyone poured on their speed. The lakeside was coming into full view. The Royal Family, The Fairies, Baileywick, and Miles stopped on a dime. Ice replaced encased their spines. No one dared to utter a word by what loomed a short ways over the lake.
A massive ball of rapidly orbiting wind floated high in the air. The trees whipped wildly. The suits of armor clattered. Branches popped and splintered, threatening to shatter. The water beneath was flattened by an invisible pressure, creating a tiny sprinkle of a whirlpool. Trapped in the torrent of wind, thinning air being squeezed, Lezard clawed at his strangled neck. The wind ensnared him, denying him a solid surface for his flailing feet. His eyes bulging, his lungs burned for the sweet sensation of oxygen. The veins scaling every inch of his body throbbed. Maniacal laughter savored his torments. Red glowing crazed eyes absorbing watching him struggle. An open palm fed the wind, driving it to spin faster, further thinning the air. A tongue hungrily licked the smiling lips. Roland, Miranda, and present company wished their terror was creating an illusion. Luck was not on their side. Lydia was the conjurer of the wind trap. She drifted leisurely side to side about Lezard's cage. She mocked him with the free, blissful air she was privy to. Inhuman cackling came from her.
"Lezard…" She rasped his name. A twisted smile further splitting her face. She lightly stroked the spiraling wind. "You look so cute right now."
"I've never heard Liddy sound like that before." Eezeyal swallowed a lump. He nestled in Sofia's arms, wishing her could turn and forget he saw this nightmare. "Book...what's happening to my girl?"
"What's going on?!" Amber shivered. "What's she doing to him?!" James' instinct had him bring both of his sisters close.
"Oh no…" Fauna whimpered.
"No…!" Flora gasped. "Not this...not again."
"Again?!" Roland crossly remarked. Miranda would like to know what is going on as well. She wasn't aware something like this has happened before.
Flora and her sisters wasn't about to create an excuse. Not right now. "Long story short," Merryweather spared her sister's the blight, "Lydia got up once before while in the middle of her recovery. She went searching for the stranger from the woods."
"Why would she do that?!" Miranda cried. "She should know she's in no condition to move!"
"She's in a state Somnambulism." Flora clarified.
"Sleepwalking?" Baileywick recognized the term. Eezeyal recalled Ubos mentioning Lydia sleep walking. "Lydia sleepwalks?"
"Only when in this state." Merryweather tried to put a positive spin on this. No real luck in that. "The difference being, the one she was after was long gone. She fell asleep in the woods where we found her." It was simple to put her back in the hospital wing at the time.
"The one she's after?" Roland didn't need long to put two and two together. The man from the woods, Lezard - both men hurt Lydia in the worst way. From what they heard about her magic, her emotional state tends to lead her wand hand. "Are you telling us that Lydia is up because she wants revenge?"
"King Roland…" Fauna released a dismal sigh, "Revenge is all that is ruling Lydia's mind at this moment."
Miranda darted past The Fairies. "LYDIA!" She cried. Her smile shifted to a blank frown. "Lydia! It's me! You mother! Look at me, sweetheart! Please! " Her hand maintained the torrent of swirling wind. She slowly twisted around, acknowledging the interlopers who dared to interrupt her. Horror gripped the Royal Family, the Fairies, Miles, and Baileywick. Lydia's eyes were completely white. Her beautiful eyes void.
"Liddy…" Eezeyal whimpered in Sofia's arms. She wrapped him in a protective hug. The Fairies slowly moved, drawing Miranda behind them and to her husband.
"Ly...Lydia, Dear." Fauna tenderly called. Her head twitched down. She seemed to acknowledge them. "Can you hear us?" Lydia's brow furrowed as bright yellow flooded her eyes. Sparks surged from her eye corners. "GET DOWN!" Roland, Baileywick, and Miles lunged and safeguarded their family. Fauna, Flora, and Merryweather twirled their wands. Lightning howled from Lydia's eyes. The Fairies lifted everyone in bubbles, narrowly escaping the bolt. Their dodge left a gaping hole in the ground.
"This is what I get for playing with you, Lez!" Lydia licked her lips. "Guess I'll have to speed things up!" A stream snaked inside Lezard's gaping mouth, slithering down his windpipe. His eyes rolled in the back of his head. The air was being siphoned straight from his lungs.
"STOP!" Lydia's shoulder was struck by a sharp beam. The opening wound retracted her arm. The wind burst like a bubble, dropping Lezard to a less than pleasant landing in the water. Lydia frothed through grit teeth holding her shoulder. A lilypad inflated beneath Lezard, sparing him from the drowning her so richly deserved. Lydia roared animally, glaring daggers at Fauna. She was the only one so far to raise her hand against Lydia. Roland and the others were stunned. "Lydia! This is enough!" Fauna sounded like an entirely different person when she's angry. "You must stop now!"
Lydia dropped herself half an inch to the watery surface. The chilly water tickled her bare soles, stirring goose bumps up her legs. "You never did know how to take a hint!" She snarled, removing her hand from the wound. The blood unnerved the children. "Forever and always, you stand in my way!" Mistful streams sewed her shoulder wound closed.
"Only when your way warps you, and make you forget what you swore!" Fauna shouted heatedly. "Do you remember what you swore? Or are you going to throw it away for HIM?!" She gestured to Lezard.
Lydia rolled her head annoyed. "Always getting in MY WAY, Fauna!" She roared, ignoring Fauna's stab at her honor. "Always with your lectures, and cherub words!" She dusted the mist off her shoulder. "And that STUPID, INANE PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE PERSONA OF YOURS!" Miranda snatched her children close to her. Roland instinctively raised his arms defensively. Fiery red glows gloved her balling fists. "Have I mentioned yet how much I hate that about you?!"
"Lydia…?" Roland gruffly beckoned her, strolling to the ranks of The Fairies. "What's wrong with you? Why are you behaving like this?"
"Always with the criticism, Roland!" She rolled her eyes. Roland was put off by her saying his name. She's never said it with such disgust, "Never really believing in me! TRUSTING ME!" She stamped her foot to shore, cracking the ground. "Lydia has to hold herself to a higher standard! Lydia can't have fun with her magic! She might KILL someone!" She mimicked the numerous voices that never grant her a moment's peace. Possibly the most irritating of them all, "LYDIA HAS TO BE PERFECT 24/7!" A swing of her hands set a few bushes ablaze, reducing them to ash in brief inferno. Sofia and Amber screamed, burying themselves in Miranda's chest. "Well...I don't NEED TO anymore!" Lydia spun around, folding her arms.
"Listen to me! We know why you're behaving like this." Roland continued to plead, braving the gap. "But you have to calm yourself. This isn't you, Lydia!"
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME?!" He roar frightened him back. The Fairies guarded him. "You marry Miranda and suddenly you know what makes me tick?! Get over yourself, Your majesty!" She mocking curtsied. She laughed crazily, swinging limply. "This is the most fun I've had in ages! No headband holding me back! No sense of right or wrong! And the perfect guinea pig for it has a foot in the grave!" Technically, he had a foot in the water. "Maybe drowning him would be more fun."
"Lydia, please!" Fauna made another attempt. "If you keep on like this, Dear, you won't be able to stop!"
"Why would I want to?" Lydia threw an extended leg into a spin. "After all, Fauna...heh-heh-heh…" She ran fingers through he hair, "You always said it was bad to bottle up my FEELINGS!"
"Lydia...please...stop…" She begged with glossy eyes.
"Want to hear something interesting?" Lydia feasibly digressed, rolling up her white sleeves. "I've always wanted to test my mettle against the fairies who claim to be all powerful! To see you all knocked down a peg!" Lydia hugged her elbows tight, not wanting her excitement to burst too soon. Merryweather backed herself to Roland, driving him and the others out of harm's way. "Because, the truth of the matter is, my dearest Fauna," Lydia's flourishing hand struck together like matches. Blue fire scaled her arms to her throat, "I'VE ALWAYS HATED THE THREE OF YOU!" A blaze roared from her mouth.
Flora and Fauna rocketed high. Meryweather drew a black hole, swallowing the fire in one gulp. She flipped the abyssal hole and relaunched the fire. Lydia split the blaze, guiding it behind her back and sending a payload of icy spike tearing through the air. Merryweather marshalled a spare blaze in the hole in her bare palms. Spreading her hands, a blue fire wall melted the spikes to harmless water. Merryweather disliked the shower, but worth it to spare the people behind her. Roland and Miles escorted everyone behind cover. Leaving was not an option. No one was leaving until the matter was resolved.
Lydia cackled with smoke in her mouth. They were going to be entertaining after all. She drew a hand to plunge in the ground. Ethereal chains lassoed her wrists, yanking Lydia's hands to the air. Fauna and Flora fluttered their wings madly. They wrenched their wands in tandem to Lydia's wrestling, practically dragging her. Lydia wasn't impressed. "WANT THIS?!" She turned and crossed the chains. "CAREFUL! IT PACKS A PUNCH!" She wrapped her fingers to them. Static charges traveled the links. Flora and Fauna dropped the chains. The charge conducted in the water, sending the shock to Lezard instead. "Thanks for that!"
"You aren't welcome!" Merryweather stabbed her wand in the ground. Thorny vines rose and dove, wrapping Lydia's arms to her sides. Merryweather swept her wand up. Lydia was pried off the ground. "NOW!" Flora and Fauna conjured shackles similar to Lezards. Lydia grimaced. The shackles soared for her. Lydia snickered and disappeared in smoke. The shackles caught Merryweather instead, throwing her to the dirt.
"OH NO!" Flora and Fauna gasped.
"OH YES!" Lydia stood to solid ice on the water. "TEAR ASUNDER THE SISTERLY BINDS!" Bright lights projected beneath the water. Lydia thrust her hands. Pure light torpedoes shrieked for the two fairies. Flora and Fauna parted a ways. A sweep of their wands redirected the torpedoes, sending them howling for Lydia again. She stood and smirked as the missiles ravaged the water, missing her by a mile. "You'll have to do better than that!"
"We don't want to hurt you, Lydia!" Merryweather protested. She wrestled with her shackles. She hates to admit it, but she and he sisters know how to make good shackles. Maybe she'll reprimand Lydia a little for putting her in this predicament. Lydia snickered at her struggles. Flora and Fauna went to aide her, releasing her from the shackles. "She's making it hard to not hurt her."
"We know." Flora reluctantly agreed. They may have to resort to brass tactics.
"You know what? I'll give you three more credit!" Lydia cat walked back to shore. "You've have always been good for a laugh!" She cackled behind a hand.
Merryweather boiled over. She won't be laughed at by that creature. "THAT'S IT!" She pushed Flora and Fauna apart when her shackles were undone. One spell after the next, Merryweather sent a hailstorm of spells hurtling for her. Lightning strikes, icy pummels, fiery blasts, and a collection of earth's fury. Lydia gaped and threw her arms up. Each attack struck her and the ground close to her. They came in such a barrage she wasn't able to counter. Roland, Miranda, and the others peered from their cover, aghast in silence at Merryweather's fierce attacks. Amber and Sofia almost begged them to stop. Roland prevented them from speaking out. It sickened him to say, but this might be what Lydia needs.
A shroud of dust consumed her. Merryweather unleashed most of her full strength in her final attack. When the dust cleared, a massive scorch mark bedded an unconscious Lydia. Flora, Fauna, and the others gawked woefully at Lydia's form. She seemed to be breathing. That's a small grace. Merryweather left herself winded. She laughed triumphantly. "WHO'S...LAUGHING...NOW?!"
"HA-HA-HA-HA…" Lydia's body dissipated to tiny orbs that spiraled to the air. A new figure materialized in the light. A fully clothed uniformed Lydia reemerged in all her glory. "Oh I do believe that's me!" The Fairies grimaced, growling through their gritted teeth. Their wands materialized in their hands. Roland, Baileywick, and Miles kept everyone out of range. Things were about to grow out of control.
Lydia conjured a hat to her head, giving a quick bow to her Fairy Teachers. "I must admit…" The hat was flipped, distracting from the wiggling fingers, "Your parlor tricks are amusing!" Merryweather was baffled by the magician's garb zapped onto her. Lydia slapped her hat to her head, "I bet you've got a bunny," An enormous bunny was stretched from the hat, "Under your HAT!" A downward swipe crushed the bunny on Merryweather. Lydia laughed and swiped her fingers through the air. Merryweather was swept up in a flurry, "Now here's your chance to get the best of me," Playing cards orbited Lydia. Merryweather was portrayed as the Joker. "Hope your hand is HOT!" Merryweather cringed as she and the cards were squashed in Lydia's palms. "C'mon CLOWNS…" Lydia boorishly thrust her hand. Merryweather and the showering cards plummeted hard to a bush. "Let's see what you've got!" Lydia spun delighted in her decree, opening a hand to the other fairies.
Flora and Fauna were infuriated by Merryweather painful collision. The pair rocketed into the air, wands raised at the ready. "You can try to slam me with your hottest stuff!" Uniform electrical sparks roared from the two wands. Lydia's palm effortlessly deflected the sparks in random directions, "But your double whammy isn't up to snuff!" She balled up the pitiful magic, tossing it disinterested. She launched to the air, touching two fingers to their foreheads, "I'll set the record STRAIGHT," She wrenched them both downward, "You're simply out of date!" Flora was turned into an old woman with a walker while Fauna was a baby with a pacifier. The two glared at Lydia. "You're only second rate~!" Lydia pirouetted on her landing, spreading her hands to the air. She hoped that wasn't all they had.
Merryweather erupted in a rage, flourishing her wand. A dazzling outlined tiger roared in tandem to her anger. "You think your cat's a meanie," The tiger lunged for her, "But your tiger's tame!" Lydia swung a hoop past it, turning it into a kitten. "You've got a lot to learn, about the sorcery game!" The hoop was sent flying, a blinding flash igniting. The Fairies winced, throwing up their hands. "So for your education, I reiterate," Lydia casually snapped her fingers. The Fairies fell in a black hole. "YOU'RE ONLY SECOND RATE!" Lydia clapped. A hole opened up high and dropped the Fairies in the lake.
The Fairies washed up to the shoreline, choking on air. Boots stamped near their hands. "Men cower," She bent mocking, "At the power," She erected her pinky, "In my PIN-KIE~!" She arched her wrist. A bubble inflated, lifting the Fairies to shore. "My thumb is number one," She erected both her thumbs, sheathing them in a glow, "On EVERY LIST!" She clashed the two thumbs, then pried them apart. Whirlwinds sprouted from the soil. The Fairies, Roland, Miranda, and others gaped at the two version of Lydia materializing. One in her Princess Dress, and the other in her casual ensemble.
"But if you're not convinced that I'm invincible," The trio harmonized. The Fairies inched back in their bubble, "Put me to the test!" The three dared, sweeping hands to their chests. "I'd LOVE to lay," They clawed the air, opening three graves, "This rivalry to RE~ST!" The Fairies were dropped in. Amber, James, and Sofia cried horrified when they were buried.
The graves exploded open. Crackling streams shooting to the sky. Red as cherry Fairies raised their wands. The Fairies had had enough. "Go ahead and zap me with a big surprise!" Uniform Lydia taunted. Flora tied the three in chains! "Slap me in a trap!" Princess Lydia snorted. Fauna snared them in a basket. "Cut me down to size!" Casual Lydia guffawed. Swords pierced the basket. Miranda, Baileywick, and Miles covered their eyes. "I'll make a great escape!" Casual Lydia lifted her arm. The traps evaporated, "It's just a piece of cake!" Princess Lydia transformed formed them into birthday candles. "You're only second rate!" Uniform Lydia threw her hands up. Barrels of flames roared, scorching the ground at their feet.
The Fairies spun to retreat. Casual Lydia appeared in their path, grasping Fauna's chin, "You know your hocus-pocus isn't tough enough!" She shoved her off her feet.
Princess Lydia pinched and pulled Merryweather's wing, "And your mumbo-jumbo doesn't measure UP!" Merryweather was thrown into Fauna.
"Let me pon-ti-ficate," Uniform Lydia hovered upside down before Flora, "Upon your sorry STATE!" Lydia's eyes flared. Flora was thrown for a loop by pulse.
"You're only second rate!" Flora bowled into her sisters. The three collapsed exasperated.
Roland, Miles, and Baileywick couldn't stand it any longer. Lydia or not, this madness was going to end. "Zaba-caba-dabra!" Uniform Lydia poofed before Roland.
Casually Lydia sprouted behind Baileywick and Miles, "Liddy's gonna grab ya!" She slapped powerful volts to their backs, dropping them like ragdolls.
Miranda dove to help them. Princess Lydia manhandled her by the wrist, bringing her to meet her daughter's void eyes. "Alakazam-da-mus!" Miranda panicked as her feet left the ground. "And this thing's BIGGER THAN THE BOTH OF US!" She threw Miranda who was saved by Roland's misleading strength. He glared seethingly at her. "So spare me your tremendous stare!" She shooed him off.
James growled, stomping to give his piece of mind. "You look horrendous," Casual Lydia impishly flourished a finger, "In your underwear!" Amber covered Sofia's eyes. James's pants dropped. He covered himself red as a cherry.
"This is En-chan-cia's Fate," Uniform Lydia levitated Amber and Sofia, "The Royals abdicate!" She swung her arm, blowing her sister away. "I'll send your back ends packing in a shipping crate!" Crates packed Amber and Sofia, leaving their heads for the bows.
The three Lydias shrank the Fairies, "You'll make a better living with a spinning plate!" They spun all three on plates, then swatted them off, "YOU'RE ONLY SECOND RA~TE!" Everyone was sent spinning being freed from Lydia, collapsing at the foot of the steep hillside.
"Heh-heh!" Uniform Lydia snapped her fingers. Her doppelgangers vanished in puffs of smoke. The Fairies groaned dizzily. They knew Lydia would be a handful, but they never expected this. "You know something. If you three were going to try and stop me, you should have brought your spines with you!"
xxx
Clover, Mia, Robin, and Ubos gazed on in utter helplessness. The Fairies were being outmatched by one girl treated them as jokes. She may have forgotten about Lezard for the moment, but who knows what she'll do to the others to get back to him. Aside from her assault to Miles and Baileywick, Lydia seemed to keep the damage below catastrophic. In an odd way - Mia, Clover, and Robin aren't sure how they know how - Lydia seemed to be holding back. Her spells either missed narrowly, were rebound, or were lessened to give a minor jolt. Other than that, it was getting pretty fierce.
"This is getting out of control!" Robin fretted. "There has to be something someone can do!"
"Lydia is too consumed by her need for revenge!" As much as it pained Ubos to admit. "She's lashing out on pure anger. Her sense aren't hers."
"Are you saying she can't be saved?" Mia pleaded that wasn't the case.
"She can...it'll just take more than what they're giving." Ubos was in no position to add to the onslaught being waged on Lydia. He was not exaggerating when he said Lydia's senses weren't hers. She's slowly losing herself to her emotional anguish. The tears constantly flowing are proof she has not forsaken herself. But soon, no voice will reach her. And her emotions will dry.
"Ubos!" A voice bellowed. Two orbs circled the castle, landing before Ubos and the animals. Goodwin and Winifred grew from the orbs, unnerved by the storm wrought to Enchancia.
"Goodwin! Winifred! Have you found Cedric?" Ubos begged for good news.
"We can't find him anywhere!" Winifred answered swiftly. Ubos should not be surprised. Of all the times for Cedric to heed Lydia's orders, now was a pretty poor time. While Winifred is saddened her son seems to not be in Enchancia, her attention was strained to the battle near the lake. The Fairies mounted a fortified counter offensive. Meanwhile, a madend Lydia was laughing maniacally as she sent energy balls hailing in every direction. "My goodness! Has she…?"
"Lydia is still in there, but her magic is suppressing her human self!" Clover, Mia, and Robin exchanged stares to figure out what that meant exactly. It was all latin to them. "We must be made to intervene!"
"If Winifred and I intervene, a greater catastrophe will ensue." Goodwin regretfully informed him. Lydia's response to the Fairies is all the more proof.
"Then it must only be me." Ubos decided. The risks are great. There's no telling what Lydia will do when he confronts her. But, as it stands, as he is now he is no better condition to subdue Lydia than the Fairies are. And it doesn't look like Sofia's presence is enough. "Goodwin, my old friend, I do not think Lydia and her family will respond too well to a talking book." He bounced his brow suggestively.
Goodwin chuckled, shaking his head. "As you will." He drew his wand, raising it. "It will only last for a few minutes."
"That is all I require.
xxx
Lydia's shoulders rose and fell as she drew in languorous breaths. The ice caked to her mouth made her breath appear in puffs. Her canine almost resemble fangs she was in such a state of madness. Her matted hair hung messily before her blank eyes. She cackled darkly. Her limply swaying arms summoned an intimidating mist. It rippled feverishly like flames. He body was coated in the mist. Her magic was coming to its zenith. And The Fairies aren't sure how to stop it.
"I can't believe how powerful she is!" Baileywick adjusted his glasses in disbelief.
"This isn't power! It's madness!" Fauna aggressive corrected him. "The longer this goes on, the further Lydia falls!"
"We have to appeal to Lydia! Call her to the surface!" Call her to the surface? Roland questioned. They make it sound like that was Lydia's doppleganger.
"How?" Merryweather wasn't seeing a solution.
Sofia wasn't entirely sure what they were talking about. She did see a small light. Lydia's working up a sweat. "She seems to be running out of steam." She proposed. "Maybe when she's tired-"
"If she gets too tired, she may never wake up again." Merryweather stopped her. She liked the idea, but Lydia exhausting herself is too dangerous a risk.
Lydia clamped her hands over her eyes, laughing crazily as she felt her strength intensify. "This feeling...it's been years!" It's as if the earth itself was fueling her. The very land magic imbues was coursing through her veins. The power to split the world in two was at her fingertips. "The freedom! The unadulterated power! IT'S AMAZING!"
"Was it this amazing five years ago?" Flora challenged. "When that man lured you into the woods?!" She was treading on delicate land. It might be the only way to reach her.
"Hmm? Oh yes! That man from the woods! He was so much fun…" She sounded drunk in her power. Miranda's brow furrowed. So she does remember? "Then he did something to me that completely ruined it! Totally forgot what! That stupid box…I should have killed him where he stood!" Box? The Fairies and Miranda shared the same bewilderment. This may be their chance to shed light on that old mystery. "HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAA! I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HEAR HIM BEG FOR HIS LIFE! DO YOU HAVE THE SLIGHTEST INKLING WHAT PLEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE BROUGHT ME?"
Roland grew tired of her circulating decrees. He will no longer cower while he listens to her spout words he knows she doesn't mean. "If you would be so happy bringing pain to others, why are you crying?" He challenged.
Lydia's expression twisted in anger. She felt moisture spilling to her cheeks. "Not again…" And here she thought she put a cap on it. Why do I shed tears? WHY?!
"Lydia!" Roland stormed near her, stopping a good ways. Enough for Lydia to see how serious he was. "You need to stop! Right now!"
"Why would I want to do that?" She scoffed. She likes it when Roland drops the Iart holier than thou persona. "I'm a Skipped Inheritor, DAD! IT'S OUR JOB TO CAUSE MASS MAYHEM!"
"And who told you that?! Huh?! Lezard? The man from five years ago? Fellow sorcerers?" Roland threw his hands wildly, daring Lydia to state factual sources of who she is. Daring her to prove to him, without a shadow of a doubt, she is everything opinions have made Skipped Inheritors to be. "Who bestowed to you the responsibility of mass destruction?! Who named you a blight on humanity!"
"Society!" Lydia threw her own hands to the world. "Society treats us like dirt! They made us this way!"
"Oh! I see!" Roland snorted derisively. "So you're going to cave to public opinion?!" Lydia's brow shot up. A flicker of her blue eyes was seen. "Wow! I'm amazed! I always thought my daughter was strong, driven, and courageous! Instead, all I see is a weak, pitiful, cowardly child!"
"WHO ARE YOU TO CALL ME A COWARD?!" Seriously, Dad! You're calling me a coward?! Two seconds, this time, her eyes were seen. "You think that crown makes you untouchable? THINK AGAIN!" Lydia flung her mouth open. Her tongue morphed, lashing out as a snake. It's mouth of fangs opened. NO! The snake veered right, biting into bedrock behind Roland. He never flinched at the breeze, or the scales just a hair from his flesh. The snake quickly retracted, swallowed by Lydia. She and others were surprised. She missed. But was it an accident? Or on purpose?
"Lydia…" She tensed at the warm hands hugging her shoulders. She can't bring herself to meet the eyes of King Roland. Those soft eyes with no real inkling of the danger he's immersed himself. "I do not condone what Lezard has done. I will never forgive him for hurting you." He leaned closer, wanting to look her in her eyes. Blank or not. "Just as you will never forgive yourself for what you're trying to do." Lydia ground her teeth, desperately wanting to scream at his ignorance. And his arrogance. "You don't want to cause anyone pain, Lydia. You're just don't know how to expunge your own."
"SHUT UP!" Roland was thrown off his feet. "JUST SHUT UP, AND LEAVE ME ALONE!" Ferocious blades made of invisible air sliced around Lydia. "YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! NOT ABOUT ME, MY DESIRES - NOOTHIIING!" The wind hurtled to Roland, cutting clean grazes in all in its path. Roland threw his arms up.
"ENOUGH!" A baritone figure interceded the wind, repelling it in all directions. The brunt was received by a chest, unable able to pierce it. When the torrential winds passed, wavy mid-back long gray hair fell neatly back into place. A gloved hand held a golden brown hat in place. Piercing hazel eyes locked to Lydia passed circular glasses. "That is enough, Princess!" The mysterious - and well dressed - man commanded, fixing his neat, triangular beard, and golden brown suit. The attack hadn't so much as ruffed his black ascot.
The man's presence raised more questions in everyone except The Fairies. "Thank goodness…" Flora relaxed. She nodded to her sister who went to retrieve Lezard.
The man faced Roland with genuine concern. "Your Majesty. Are you unharmed?" He extended a hand.
"Y-Yes…" Roland cautiously accepted the hand, climbing to his feet. "You have my thanks...but who are you?" A man appears from out of the blue, fends off an attack that could crumble a mountain. It'd be far more surprising if Roland wasn't wary.
"I am a friend, Your Majesty." He bowed graciously. "I've come to help." And hopefully save my pupil. The man pat Roland's arm, asking him to stand with his family. He will be done soon.
"And WHO, pray tell, ARE YOU?!" Lydia growled boorishly. How dare this stranger stand in her way.
The man matched Lydia's dark glare. "The one who is putting an end to this!" Oh Lydia...
"GO AHEAD AND TRY!" Lydia dared him. He was in no mood for her games. The man took one step. Lydia and others blinked. He vanished. "What the-" Two taps came to he shoulder. Lydia spun.
An elven tiara was smashed to her forehead. A finger pressed the jewel, "COHIBETE!" (Restrain) Numbing pressure crushed inside her skull. Lydia howled in agony. Ribbons grew, capping the whole of Lydia's head. They bound her shoulders to the waist, tying her arms tightly behind her back. Her legs lost their strength, crippling to the knees. Amber, James, and Sofia gasped in awe. Baileywick and Miles were equally impressed. They wondered where this man was a few minutes ago. The Fairies could have used him. Roland and Miranda, on the other hand, feared he may have been a bit harsh on Lydia. In spite of her needing it.
Lydia roared animally, thrashing violently to wrench herself free of the bindings. They stretched, but they didn't weaken. If anything they grew tighter the more she fought. "Anáthemá kai pou katágontai apó esas!" She hissed murderously to the well dressed intruder. An odd language.
"That'll be enough out of you." He knelt to her, roughly clenching her jaw. "Answer me! Where is Lydia?" The question coaxed a demented smile.
"What?" Amber darted from hiding, running up to her restrained sister. "You mean...this isn't Lydia?" She poked Lydia's cheek. Sure looks like her.
"Do I look so weak, you pretentious BRAT?!" Amber squeaked, hiding beside the stranger. "By the spirits! I can't stand you!"
"You...you can't?!" The bark mortally wounded Amber.
"SILENCE!" The stranger guarded Amber from the empty words. "DO NOT DARE TO BLEMISH LYDIA'S LOVE WITH YOUR CONTEMPT!"
"WELL IT'S THE TRUTH!" She seethed. "I CAN'T STAND THAT LITTLE PRINCESS! OR HER FAMILY!" James and Roland came beside Amber, comforting her. Don't listen to her Amber! She was genuinely hurt. "ALL OF THESE HUMANS...THEY MAKE ME SICK!" Sofia and Miranda joined them. "THE WAY YOU ALL BERATE AND CHASTISE ANYTHING DIFFERENT! OR BEYOND YOUR FEEBLE UNDERSTANDING!" She dropped her head. The sight of them made her sick. No...I love them. They aren't ignorant. "That man in the woods...Lezard...I should have burned them both alive!"
"I said SILENCE!" The man's foot stamped, causing a small quake. The being went silent, meeting her captor's eyes. "Lydia has no idea what you're doing, does she?" There he goes again. Though it did raise the mystery of who they were talking to. "You asserted yourself while she was asleep! Preying on her hatred for Lezard!"
"How did she do that?" James asked. "Or...whatever this person is?"
"Magic is said to possess a mind of its own. It is also fueled by the strong emotions of the wielder." The stranger elucidated. He clutched Lydia's chin again, displaying her to the Royals. "Lydia's magic is a perfect example. It fed off her lingering disdain for Lezard, and acted of its own accord. Am I right?" He addressed the question to the girl. Her smile was enough of an answer.
"So...wait a second!" Sofia held the presses. "The person talking to us...isn't a person?"
"It's Lydia's magic?!" Baileywick concluded.
"So smart for an old man!" Lydia spat. "You could be Ubos's twin!" Sofia's breath hitched. Maybe it won't be too much to ask that her family doesn't ask about who that it. "But yeah! That's what I am! Hmm...call me Dia." She mockingly bowed her head. "That's Adelea and Lezard's old nickname for my pretty little host."
"I care not what people call you!" The stranger roared. He opened a hand to Flora. "The headband." He ordered. Flora nodded and handed it to him.
"You think that will stop me?" She snorted at him. "All she needs to is take it off, or have another traumatic meeting," She licked her lips hungrily, "And this will start all over again." Sofia, Amber, and James's stomach knotted. It will? The trio cringed. Lydia's never going to be cured, is what she was saying.
"For now, it will suffice!" The man moved to set it on her head.
"Wait!" Roland stopped him with a hand to his wrist. Lydia, the stranger, and the others were stunned by his swift actions. Roland politely removed the headband from his hand. He was moderately impressed by how deceiving the accessory is. And it was the one thing Lydia could count on for the semblance of a normal life. "I ask that you allow Lydia to put it on herself." A sparkle in Lydia's REAL eyes resonated to the heartfelt act.
"Your Majesty…" The stranger understood Roland's desire to help her. But he must be made to understand, "Lydia is not-"
"She is. And she will." Roland approached, kneeling to his daughter. She rejected the hand cupping her cheek, twisting from it like a disease. "She is that strong."
Vibrations from the stranger's pocket watch startled him. Opening the small device, he saw the ticking hand drawing on the final minute. He had little options, and Roland was determined to prove him wrong. Perhaps he will be the one. "As you will, Your Majesty." The man bowed. "I have faith in you." Shining particles flooded his person, making him vanish without a trace.
xxx
Goodwin and Winifred synchronized their wand twirling. The small orbs collected together in a square. Ubos shivered the particle off, emerging in his book form. "Ooh! That was a rush. I've forgotten what it's like to have arms and legs." He started wiggling the tingling off. He forgot his arms and legs were gone. "Perhaps I should consort with someone about rethinking having pages in place of limbs." The jokes are a welcomed lightening to the situation. Nevertheless, Ubos must know his faith isn't misplaced. "Do you think he can do it?"
"I've known Roland since he was a boy." Goodwin pat him on the back. "If anyone can help Lydia, he can."
xxx
Lydia futilely fought at the ribbons, grounding the blasted tiara and staining her face with dirt. Nothing budged. The old man knew his bindings. She quickly lost steam fighting the taut bonds. She panted animally. Roland insisted the Fairies detain Lezard. Lest another magical disaster further destroy the land near his home. Naturally they protested. Claiming Lydia was too dangerous for them to not be there. Roland reassured them she was not. She would never harm her family. The Fairies understood why he'd want them gone. To establish a ground of trust with Lydia. They were apprehensive at first. Sofia, Miranda, Amber, James, Miles, and Baileywick stood behind Roland, wearing the same conviction. Without further arguing, The Fairies departed with Lezard in hand.
"About time!" Lydia heaved. "Those three are more stuffy than Abraham!"
Roland furrowed his brow. "I demand you cease this at once...Lydia!"
There he goes again. She can't believe how unreasonable he's being. "I don't think you heard me, Roland! I'm not your Step-Daughter!" Roland despised that terminology. For him, the term meant not your child. A stranger whose mother you married. "I'm the monster of her every waking nightmare! Oh! What am I saying?! She IS the monster!" She rocked back and forth, laughing madly. "Just like Lezard and everyone said she is! She's a calamity with feet!"
Roland placed a hand to her mouth, roughly moving in close. "Stop speaking of yourself that way! Now!" He glowered. "I won't listen to you disparage yourself!"
Lydia wrenched her mouth from Roland's hand. "Get it through your head! I'm not-"
"You're not a separate being! You're hurt! So you're trying to lessen it by claiming you're someone else!"
"I'm what?"
"I won't pretend to understand magic. But I do know this." His erect finger halted further interruption. "Whenever my daughter - my Lydia," The person he is speaking, "Is emotionally hurt, or becomes frustrated, she lets those feelings project through her words." She turned away. She refused to listen to these ridiculous words. "You're hurt right now, Lydia. A man you had strong feelings for betrayed you in the worst way." Her teeth showed. Don't speak of him. "You want everyone here to feel it. So you lied and said you hated us."
"I do hate you...I HATE YOU ALL!" The tears started to flow again. Gasps came when Lydia's eyes flickered irregularly. "None of you know what it's like! None of you will ever understand!" None of them understand what the word burden means. Eezeyal listened to his owner, his friend, speak so hatefully. It broke his heart. Are these feelings she's repressed. "Having magic as a kid was bad enough! Teachers and Miranda always watching me! Tiptoeing in case I flew off the handle!"
"Oh Lydia…" Miranda never meant for her to feel that way.
"Now this stupid tiara is on my head…" Not the elven one. The one the servants constantly polish. "AND NOW THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING ME!"
"The stress." Miles stroked his chin thoughtfully. Baileywick lifted a brow. "The stress of it all played a part as well."
"Liddy…" Eezeyal moaned.
"I'M SO SICK OF IT! I DON'T WANT IT!" She wants none of it. The magic, the tiara, the titles - all of it! She wants it gone. She's sick of the expectations, the lectures, and - worst off all - the judgements. "And now...and now…Sofia…" Sofia's name was like honey on her lips. "Amber...James…" The horrific white blossomed with color. Lydia's glossy blue eyes raised her family's spirits. "I never wanted you to see me like this! I don't want you being scared of me! Not like mom is."
And the veil rises from Lydia's secrecy. She wasn't keeping secrets to be selfish. She really was scared...of losing them. Lydia dropped her head, unable to look her siblings in the eye. Amber moved to Lydia, lifting her head so she would see her smile. "I'm not scared of you." She swore. She wrapped her arms to Lydia, melting her in the warm hug. "I could never be scared of you."
"Same here." James added himself in the hug. "We love you, Lydia. We would never run from you."
"Then…" Sofia gazed somberly to Lydia. Her hands fiddled with her skirt, "Why won't she stop looking at me like that?"
"Because…" Sofia stroked hairs behind her ear, "I was afraid you were going to have to leave again." Lydia blinked in shock. "Last time...you had to keep leaving for seven years. I didn't want you to go away again."
"You don't...want me to...go away?" No! Of course they don't. Lydia's mind continued to fight within itself. Don't be fooled! They'll leave you as soon as you slip again!
"None of us do." Miranda cupped Lydia's cheeks. "As I've said. We love YOU, Lydia. Powers and all."
"You...you love me?" They love me? They love...us...no...me?
"Indeed we do." Roland kissed her forehead. The storm within Lydia's mind cleared on the spot. The light fully returned to her eyes. "We love you so much, Lydia."
"Dad...Mom…" Overwhelming bliss engrossed her. They love you, Lydia. This is no lie. "Thank you…" She closed her eyes. Her mind, body, and soul found peace. The ribbon pieced away to the air, releasing her from their binds. The tiara broke down the middle, and Lydia fell into Roland's arms.
"Lydia?!" He shouted. No! Please no!
Concerns for Lydia were unwarranted. She woke up almost instantly. And with a pounding headache. "Oww...my head…" She groaned. Her fingers grasped her hair, feeling something missing.
"Here…" Roland set the headband in her hand.
"Thanks…" Lydia set it to her head. A pinch to her whole body made her twitch. It felt so strange, yet right.
"I knew she'd be able to do it." Roland whispered. He's sorry he held the tiniest bit of doubt.
Lydia's vision cleared to the mess surrounding them. While she was curious as to how she got outside in the first place - or, for that matter, when she was brought back to the castle - Lydia wondered if meteors struck the earth. "What the-What the heck happened?" Her family, Miles, and Baileywick acquired cottonmouth and tied tongues, stammering to agree on a plausible explanation. Lydia thought about her missing headband, and noted Miranda's sheepish behavior. "Ugh...not again…" She cursed herself. "How bad was it?" She dreaded to know.
"You...might have...attacked a person or two." Miranda winced. Lydia wanted to fall into a hole. This is worse than she imagined.
"Lydia...are you…" Sofia cautiously approached her, placing a hand to her forehead, "How do you feel?"
Her face was so disheartening. "Can you not look at me like that, Sofie?" Lydia brushed the backs of her fingers to her soft cheeks. "I don't have the strength to be sad right now."
"YOU'RE OKAY!" Sofia tackled her. Roland lost his grip, dropping the girls to the ground. James and Amber tackled her next, laughing heartily. "YOU'RE OKAY! YOU'RE BACK! YOU'RE OKAY!" The trio cheered. Amber and Sofia's legs fluttered.
"I AM! I'm back!" Lydia pet their heads, easing them off of her. Eezeyal screeched joyously, burying himself in the dogpile. Lydia had a hard time translating, but she's sure he warned her to never scare him like that again. "Sorry for making you worry." She scratched under his chin. From on high, Ubos, Winifred, and Goodwin gave silent cheers to the victory. They will congratulate them all in their success later. For now, it was time for family. Lydia glanced to Roland and Miranda. "Thanks."
"Of course." Lydia sat herself up, twisting the knots from her back. She felt like carriages ran her over. "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
"That depends." Lydia cracked her neck.
"On?"
"By the looks," Lydia sighed blissfully at the numerous cracks releasing her tense muscles, "And how you guys aren't bombarding me with questions," Lydia folded her legs, setting her hands in her lap. "Mom and The Fairies told you my secret." She tapped her headband.
"They did." Roland responded bravely. He won't show shame or regret. That time has passed.
"Which brings me to whether or not I'm alright." The smiles gave her a false sense of security. "How are you not mad?"
"Oh, I'm furious...that you thought you had to hide this from me." Roland feigned. Lydia blinked confused.
"I'M MAD TOO!" Amber angrily stamped her foot. "I can't believe you kept something like from ME!" As if it was an outrage that Amber be kept in the dark. She's the person who is supposed to know everything. "I thought you trusted me more than that!"
"No kidding!" James nudged her with a fist. "What'd you think was gonna happen? I'd blow you out of my cannon?" Lydia thought it best to keep that to herself. James might carry it out.
"I'm not happy with you either!" Sofia kicked her shin.
"OW!"
"I can't believe you hid this from me all this time!" Sofia wagged a finger in her face, "Sisters shouldn't keep secrets from each other!"
"But…"
"NO BUTS!" The trio roared. "If you thought we'd be afraid of you, you're wrong!" Sofia roared.
"We're too angry with you to be mad anyway!" James huffed.
"But...but I…" Lydia was spinning with bafflement. This isn't the reaction she was expecting at all. "I don't...understand. How do you not hate me right now? Everyone else did."
"How can we hate someone with so much love inside of them?" Baileywick guffawed. She's silly to think anyone in the castle would hate her.
"Princess," Miles moved close, "You've demonstrated such an admirable ethic in regards to your person. Gone to lengths for others, while most would deem it troublesome."
"Even in a state of madness, you maintained your mind and your heart." Baileywick continued the praise. "You did not grant yourself relief at the sake of others. You protected Alauna and Gwen."
Alauna and Gwen saw me too?! She didn't hurt them. What a relief. But still..."Why are you all being so understanding of this?" She can't accept this. Not yet. Gaining closure would be foolish. "Don't you get that it can get much worse than this?!"
"Lydia…" Roland wanted her to stop for a moment, and listen closely to what they are saying. "The day I married your mother, I swore to love her and her children regardless. Just as she vowed to me."
"But I attacked the rest of you! How can you forgive me for that?"
"Oh you're going to be making that up to us!" Amber swore, pushing Lydia on the back. "You can start by making us milkshakes!"
"Then after that you're cleaning our rooms!" James pulled her by the hand.
"Then doing our homework and laundry!" Sofia added in, pulling her other hand. "Oh, and feeding the pets…" Miles and Baileywick followed after them. They couldn't help laughing at the list of punishments for Lydia. She may never forgive herself, but everyone else will.
Roland chuckled heartily. He's glad such a happy ending transpired. He was worried his family would be broken up again. Miranda hugged his arm, resting her head to his shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay with this?" She doesn't mean to sound doubtful, but she needs her own closure.
"Of course I am." Roland kissed her forehead. "Miranda, whenever I tell Lydia or Sofia that I love them, I mean I love THEM!" From the bottom of his heart, he loves the daughters gifted to him. "Lydia could have been born a troll and I not restrict my affections." Her gently placed a thumb and index finger at her chin. "I love the women that entered my life. I wouldn't trade them." Miranda was swept by his words, rewarding him with a tender kiss.
"HEY! HOLD IT!" Lydia bellowed, miraculously freeing herself from her younger siblings. She was searching the shoreline, scratching her head bewildered.
"Lydia...is something the matter?" Roland worried.
"Yeah…" With all this excitement, she's surprised he didn't have a front row seat to scold her. Or at least insult her for losing control. Honestly, she's insulted he hadn't bothered to show at all. "Where's Cedric?"
To be continued.