I AM SOOOOOOO SORRY EVERYONE! NEVER HAD MY SURGERY I PLANNED, MOVED INTO AN APARTMENT WITH FRIEND FOR 2 WEEKS BEFORE SHE UP AND WENT HOME AND I HAD TO MOVE OUT BACK HOME FOR A WEEK THEN MOVE INTO AN APARTMENT ALONE, TOO MUCH WORK AT WORK, SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY THINGS DUDES AND DUDETTES! FORGIVE ME!
Chapter 50: Misfortune Hunters!
*Aria's POV*
Today was another day in Riverdale. I had gone home, did some of my homework, and studied for finals that were less than 4 weeks away before going to work. My arm was still in the cast but it should be off by the time finals are over… Hopefully. I was half way there when I saw Betty with a kid.
*That's weird. It's not Betty's babysitting day.* I thought as I waved at her with a smile.
"Hey Betty. I thought you weren't babysitting today?" I greeted then asked as I met up with her.
"I'm not. But Mrs. Boyston had a doctor's appointment so I'm watching her son, Timmy, for her." She told me. I smiled at the kid.
"Hello Timmy. I'm Aria." I greeted. He smiled and waved at me.
"Are you getting paid?" I asked Betty. She shook her head no.
"I'm doing this as a favor." She told me.
"That's very nice of you Betty, but just be careful alright. You still need money to do things and too many acts of kindness will catch up. Remember, No good deed goes unpunished." I tell her wisely. To me, it was true sometimes. Betty just rolled her eyes at me.
"Alright. I'll remember." She told me before Timmy tugged her arm.
"Well, I'm taking him to the park. I'll see you later." She told me.
"Bye Betty. Bye Timmy." I waved both goodbye as we went our separate ways.
*Why do I feel like she won't listen to me at all.* I thought as I sighed. Betty was sweet and kind hearted, but gullible and foolish as well. Anyhow, I made it to work a few minutes early and started helping Pops out. Since he knew finals were coming up, he let me come in to work an hour later so I'd have time to study. I did Tuesdays through Thursdays only so I wouldn't become overwhelmed in my studies. Archie came in half an hour later, along with Jughead, then Reggie and Veronica later on. I took their orders and served them. Reggie started flirting and Jughead kicked him from under the table to get him to stop. Basically, the usual. I went over to get more drinks for the gang, upset to hear Reggie and Veronica talk about how 'She's sweet enough to give Mary Poppins tooth decay' and what not. I just never understood why Reggie and Veronica had friends, let alone Veronica dating my cousin. In my view, Reggie and Veronica were made for each other. I left with the used cups and skated into the back to drop them off. When I came back out, I saw Reggie on the floor in shock and Betty standing in front of him. I curiously skated over.
"Um… What exactly happened?" I asked Betty.
"I opened a fortune cookie, I helped someone, got $50 for helping him, came back and told them and Reggie fell in shock." Betty told me shortly.
"So… A fortune cookie came true?" I asked her in slight confusion.
"Yeah. I got a cookie in the mailbox." She told me. Reggie fixed himself up as Veronica gave a smug smile.
"See? She did it for money after all." Veronica said in a snooty tone.
"Now hold on there. I doubt it. I know Betty and, as too sweet as she is, she would never do something for just the reward." I defended Betty, hating Veronica's attitude.
"Aria's right, and Betty helped that man out before she knew he was rich." Archie agreed with me.
"Well, I wish someone would give me a cookie like that." Reggie said glumly. I then felt a hand on my butt.
"You'll get a knuckle sandwich, on the house, if you don't remove your hand Mantel!" I scolded darkly. Before he made a reply
'Whack'
Something hit him in the back of the head.
"Ouch!" He yelped, removing his hand to rub his sore spot, as the object bounced off the back of his head and land on the table. I looked and saw a fortune cookie with a little piece of paper that had Betty's name on it.
*Too weird.* I thought to myself as Betty took the cookie.
"Ah. Another one for Betty." Archie said happily.
"Way to state the obvious Arch." I mutter as Betty opened the cookie.
"Where do these keep coming from?" Reggie asked in an annoyed tone.
"That's actually a good question." I muttered as I looked around. I didn't see anyone.
*Definitely a weird mystery.* I thought as Betty read the cookie. I didn't pay much attention as I decided to look around outside. I thought I heard someone but saw no one in the ally. I shrugged and went back to work. I went to the kitchen then came back to see the table empty. I frowned as the bill wasn't paid… Heck! I never gave it to them! I sighed and groaned in annoyance, feeling like this had something to do with Betty's cookies.
"I'm missing out on something then." I muttered as I cleaned up. I totaled up the bill, went to the register, then put it all on their tabs. I hated doing that, but hey, what can you do? I cleaned up and was able to leave early, since it was slow. It was 5:45 pm and I was almost home.
*Wait… GAH! I FORGOT TO DO MY ART PROJECT! NO NO NO! IT'S WORTH MOST OF MY GRADE!* I thought in a panic as I then thought of Betty.
*She'll help me think of what to do for it.* I thought as I rushed to her house and knocked on her door. Betty answered and saw me.
"Hey Aria, something wrong? Oh! Was it about the bill? I'm so sorry." She said but I shook my head.
"The bill is on a tab. I need help with an art project. I forgot to do it. Could you help me with some ideas?" I asked her with pleading eyes.
"Oh sure. Come on in." She said as she let me in. I smiled.
"Thanks Betty, I owe you one." I say softly as I went past her.
"No problem, that's what friends are for." She said sweetly. She was always kind and sweet.
*I wonder if Ronnie is only nice to me because I'm Archie's cousin… I doubt Betty's like that.* I thought randomly as I sat in the kitchen.
"I'm not sure what to do. The project had to be based on a type of fable." I say as I sighed.
"A fable?" Betty asked as she grabbed 2 cups from her cabinet.
"Yeah, like 'The Scorpion And The Frog.' or 'The dog and her reflection.' How these stories teach you a lesson, that's what the painting is supposed to represent in a way, except more modern or based on an event." I say as Betty went to the fridge.
"What's 'The Scorpion and the Frog' about?" Betty asked as she stopped, hand on the fridge handle, to look at me.
"It's a story that teaches you not to be so trusting. A frog fell in love with a scorpion, because of his charm, and he asked to ride on her back to cross either a pond, lake or ocean depending on the story." I start explaining to her.
"What happened? Did the Frog let it?" She asked me as she seemed more interested in the story.
"Well, duh. It wouldn't be a fable without a lesson. She accepted and let him climb on her back. She then swam, but as she swam, the scorpion smiled and stung her many times. By the time they were across, she died and he was unharmed." I said as she gasped and covered her mouth with the tips of her fingers.
"That's awful!" She tells me. I just nod.
"That story teaches, no matter how kind or sweet someone or something is, don't be so trusting/naive. It will always come with a price, that could be your life." I warned her.
"But it's only a story." Betty said as she opened the fridge.
"It's a tale of warning, Betty. Like, not to fly to close to the sun or don't be greedy, this is like those. A warning in a story." I explain to her.
"Well, I don't think that's-hey! Another cookie." Betty suddenly said as she pulled a cookie on a plate out instead of a drink. It wasn't just any cookie though. It was a fortune cookie.
"Betty, who put that in here?" I asked as I looked around. I grew nervous, but Betty seemed to shrug it off.
"Maybe my dad or my mom." Betty said casually as she opened the cookie.
"You can bring joy to a sad couple, by answering the want ad." She read out loud.
"Betty, that's suspicious! Someone is obviously taking advantage of you!" I say as she grabbed the paper and looked through it.
"You're too suspicious Aria, I doubt I'd find-Oh my gosh! Here it is!" She said then redirected the conversation. She then put the paper in front of me and pointed to the ad.
"Would honest person please find lost heirloom. A silver dagger Last seen in basement of the Statlemeyer Mansion. Many thanks." I read out loud as my brows furrowed.
"Betty, it's a trap! I feel like it's a huge set up!" I scold as I stood up.
"But the cookie said-" She started but I interrupted.
"Betty stop! It's a trap or a trick! Something is wrong! I can feel it! It's screaming with sirens going off at this point! Why can't they go?! Why an honest person only?! And how convenient that the cookies tell you all these things!" I scold even more harsh than I ever had before.
"If you feel it's a trap, come with me then. If you feel you need to keep me safe, after all, safety in numbers." She says calmly, though I could tell she was holding in some anger.
"Alright, fine. I will. I'll prove that these cookies are the scorpion's charm." I tell her as I crossed my arms. Betty sighed but guided to the location, where our search, and trouble, were about to start.
*Later on Aria's POV*
I had to open the map, since we didn't really know where the mansion was. We walked all the way there, found where the old unused one way road was to it, and hiked up to the place. It was a creepy beat up abandoned mansion, isolated barely on the outskirts of town. We just looked at the place in shock.
"This place has been abandoned for years. Pretty spooky." Betty said softly.
"We don't have to do this Betty. It's condemned. We could get hurt in there, or the parasites could get us sick." I say as a caution. But Betty shook her head no as she ignored me.
"But, if anyone could help a sad couple, Betty Cooper can." She said with determination. I smacked my palm on my forehead.
*I swear, sometimes, she's a typical blonde.* I think as I looked at her.
"I'm going to have to follow you to keep you safe, huh?" I asked her, as she looked at the mansion with determination.
"No. You can stay out here if you want." She says as she starts walking to the place. I sighed and followed her.
"Yup. I'm going in too." I grumbled, as Betty refused to heed my warnings.
*Third POV*
The female hunter got mad at the fact Betty wasn't alone.
"Darn… She brought a friend." She muttered to her partner.
"So? Two would be better if both are nice." The guy said as he felt sore still.
"Shut up. We need to lure her away." His female partner whispered as he watched Betty open the door and start to go in.
"Meow! Meow!" The guy suddenly started meowing.
"What are you doing?!" The woman hissed quietly at her partner.
"If I meow, she'll think I'm a hurt cat and come over." He whispered back as he meowed perfectly, sounding identical to a hurt cat. Aria heard this and froze.
"Betty! You go on! I hear a hurt cat!" she cried out to her friend, who was at the bottom of the basement.
"Alright, hurry up though!" Betty called up as she looked around. Aria ran to the cries, that were near a bush. She called for the cat and opened the bush, just to be nabbed by the two hunters and restrained.
"Betty! He-Mmph!" Aria called out before gagged. Betty heard this and started up the stairs.
"Aria? What's wrong?" She calls, but as soon as she was half way up, the stairs turned into a slide. Betty cried out as she fell backwards, through an opening on the floor, and down to a secret room under the basement. She oofed and stood up, but saw there was no way back up.
"Oh Aria." She said in a worried tone. Aria was being held hostage, tied and gagged, as the hunters smiled.
"You're now our back up, just in case Miss Goodie two shoes decides to try and not give us the dagger." The woman said with a horrible grin. It was then Aria realized that everything was a trick and Betty was in danger. Aria went to fight, but the guy sat on her.
"Ah-ah. We worked too hard for this." He taunts as Aria grunted from his weight. All she could do was hope Betty wasn't in trouble. Meanwhile, Betty looked around.
"I don't know about this…" She muttered before shaking her head.
"Buck up Betty! The fortune cookies haven't harmed you yet. You go girl! Find that dagger!" She said, giving herself a pep talk, before finding an entrance and walking through it. She worried about Aria, but the sooner she found the dagger, the sooner she could get out.
"Who knew there was a maze under the old Statlemeyer place." Betty marveled as she looked around. She then came across the first trial. A gold plated measurer, like those the Egyptians used, filled with gems on each side. It looked odd, one side longer than the other, as there was writing on the wall behind it that shined above as well.
"Please take one." Betty read out loud. She looked at it in question, but didn't think much of it.
"If you say so." She says with a smile as she reached and grabbed one from the longer side. It tilted up a small bit, and once it did, it opened a secret passage in the wall while blocking off the other path. This was the opposite of what happened to the two hunters, which Betty didn't know about. Betty heard the movement and looked to see the walls changing her path.
"Oh." Betty spoke softly in surprise, but didn't question it, as she started down her new path. It was dark, so she started feeling the wall to guide her. Meanwhile, Aria was trying to wiggle again, refusing to be a pawn, but the man was heavy. Thankfully, he wasn't sitting on her broken arm. She was starting to bounce him a small bit though, hoping to move him. The woman saw this and hit her head hard with her boot.
"Quit squirming brat. You weren't even supposed to be here." She snarled as Aria felt a bit dizzy.
*Those boots hurt* She thought as she decided to stay still.
*If I save my strength, I might be able to get away and have Betty not give them the dagger… Though, why do they need her?* She thought as she tried to keep her mind off the headache she was now getting. Back to Betty, she saw a patch of light before hearing chirping sounds by her feet.
"Aw. A baby bird fell out of it's nest." She said worriedly, not even thinking how a bird could be down in a secluded maze. She only thought of doing the right thing as she bent down and picked up the baby bird. She stood and looked at it, as the block piece it was on shifted up without her notice, and realized it wasn't real. A timer started ticking, counting down one minute before the trap would release.
"Gosh, this isn't a real baby bird, it's just a toy." She spoke in awe as the timer already reached down to 45 seconds, and still going, before release. Betty looked up as the timer, that she didn't know was there, reached 30 seconds.
"Well, I'll put it back in it's nest anyway." Betty said, as she saw the nest above her on a tiny perch, while the timer reached 25 seconds left. Betty started climbing, toy bird in hand, up all the way to the top, about 13 feet up, before putting the bird in the nest. Suddenly, the timer stopped at zero and spikes from both sides shot out of the walls, barely under her feet, as she went wide eyed at the blade sound and looked down.
"Wow! Good thing I climbed up here!" She exclaimed in surprise as she shimmied her way to the other side before jumping and landing safely.
"Now, to find that dagger!" She said with determination, instead of fear, as she pressed forward. Betty turned a corner, barely walked two feet after, before seeing a plank of wood with sharp rust nails sticking out of it right in front of her feet.
"I better move that. Don't want someone to accidentally step on it." She said as she bent down. She failed to notice the slice in the wall, only seeing the wood. She bent down all the way and
'WOOSH!'
An ax flew over her head, barely missing the top of her high pony tail in the process. She heard the woosh then a loud clang before gasping and shooting straight up and looked behind her. She barely saw the ax that came at her and now saw the double edge sticking out of the wall.
"If I hadn't bent over, I would have lost my head!" She exclaimed fearfully as she put fer free hand to her neck in both shock and fear. Betty put the wood around the corner, safely out of harms way, as she walked into a room. She smiled brightly at what she found. The dagger, sticking out of a chest lock.
"The dagger! I found it!" She exclaimed happily as she walked forward to it. She went up the small steps, right in front of the chest, and without thinking she pulled it out if the lock and examined it. It had a gold handle, covered in lovely gems, as the pure silver blade shined brightly. The sad couple will be so happy!" She exclaimed brightly as her back was now away from the chest. Betty didn't realize the mistake she had made from doing that. The chest opened up and a light shined from it for a few seconds before vanishing. You see, that dagger was a special lock, the only one to use actually because of the special silver and the gems aligned a special way to make it one of a kind and demon proof, to keep a certain type of demon locked in it. One that could never leave the earth.
"And now that you freed me, I too, am happy!" A demonic, yet soothing but mischievous voice, replied back to her from in the chest. "Huh?" Betty questioned as she turned to the now open stone chest, a stern look upon her face. Something told her that that voice belonged to something bad. Suddenly, long boney fingers exposed them selves, then wings, then horns, until green eyes were seen, eyeing Betty from within the chest. This was an odd type of gargoyle. Not like normal ones, oh no. This one was different from its protective brethren. It was demonic! It's claws tapped along the edge of the chest playfully and hissed, as he eyes Betty happily yet sadistically, as if he couldn't decide whether to harm her or set her free… for now.
"Hello darling." It drolled out as his tongue flickered about, almost reptilian like. Betty gasped in shock at the horrid creature in front of her. She screamed as she ran the other way, hoping she could get out, as the gargoyle came out. It suddenly shed it's stone skin to reveal reptilian skin, another thing that made him different was having reptile blood and skin, as he walked out of the room and into the hall happily. He smiled, a few fangs sticking out of his mouth, as he smiled and hissed. He took a few seconds before deciding to leave her be and walk to freedom after so many years. As he walked, Betty ran back to where she fell and saw she could now exit. She didn't hesitate and climbed up quickly before escaping the mansion. Escaping that creature! The couple saw her running and dragged Aria over to her, as Betty ran into the man. Batty gasped as she looked at the couple.
"Who are you?" She asked them.
"Brad and Whitney, Fortune hunters at large." The lady introduced. Finally, Aria knew their names, but a lot of good it did right now. Betty soon noticed Aria but was too late as Brad had grabbed Betty's arm so Whitney could snatch the dagger. Once they got it, they let Betty go.
"No you're not! You're the man I helped across the street! And you're the lady who dropped her book! Why do you have Aria!" She demanded.
"That's right, girly girl. We tricked you into obeying our fortune cookies, because you're so darn nice and helpful." Brad said in a sweet mocking tone.
"And gullible! No one but a good natured person could've survived that maze and that's you doll face. You're friend here wasn't supposed to come, but tricking her into finding an injured cat was easy. She was a back up in case you didn't give us the dagger." She said and tossed Aria at Betty.
"Aria! You ok?" She asked as she ungagged her. Aria finally understood now.
"Betty, What happened down there? Survived? Was there something there?" She asked her friend with worry. Betty then realized something. She needed that dagger back. She untied Aria then looked at them.
"But I released some kind of monster back there." Betty exclaimed to them.
"You what?!" Aria nearly flipped after hearing that.
"That's right. The Melodonia demon, trapped by professor Statlemeyer years ago by dagger, kept him imprisoned." Whitney tells them both.
"Give it back then! We need to trap it! It's obviously bad!" Aria yelled at them.
"Yeah! And scary! So give it back!" Betty added in as both girls tried to get it. Brad easily pushed them both back though.
"No, I don't think so. Riverdale ca deal with the creature, Brad and I are heading off to cash in on this priceless dagger." Whitney said with a smug smile to match her tone.
"Thanks for your help, miss good deed." Brad taunted as he chuckles while leaving with Whitney. Aria's blood boiled while Betty was upset.
"I… I was… Set up..." Betty said in shock and sadness.
"Don't start now Betty. I won't even say Told ya so, but we need to get that dagger. Come on!" Aria said, but Betty moved away from her.
"Betty?" Aria questioned as Betty looked really upset.
"You were right… I'm the frog, and they're the scorpions… The cookies were the sweet words to trick me..." Betty said in horror and sadness. Aria knew she was right, but also knew she needed to comfort Betty. She was about to speak, until she heard stomping, creaking, and hissing. Both girls turned to see the demon right there. Aria paled at the sight of it. This was worse than she imagined. Betty pulled her into a bush with her before the demon could see them.
"Hehehe… Now to cause some destruction." It hissed out happily before it started walking away. Aria shuddered at the sound of it's voice.
*Aria's POV*
Once the coast was clear, they ran. They ran fast and far until they made it to Betty's house. The girls needed a plan. Aria was willing, but Betty was so upset and distraught that she couldn't focus. Aria had turn the TV on and saw the destruction.
*This'll only grow worse… We need that dagger though.* She thought as the gears in her head started turning.
"Betty, we need to get that dagger now." I tell her as I turn to her.
"No." She tells me. I blinked in surprise.
"No? No? But… But Betty… You always help out when needed." I try to comfort her.
"I'm done helping! It's nothing but trouble!" She tells me suddenly. I was shocked by both her tone and attitude.
"Betty Cooper! Not all good deeds lead to trouble! You just need to know who to help! Like your friends! Like me!" I say in shock.
"No! I'm done helping! If you want that dagger back, you go get it!" She snapped as she stood up. I grew angry at that moment.
"Fine! I will! I'm willing to stick my neck out for the town I love!" I scream and storm out. I ran home and grabbed my hover board.
"If she won't help me, then I'll do it myself!" I huff as I turned the board on and hovered into town quickly. I followed the destruction and fear all around Riverdale, hoping to find the thieves or the demon. I had found the demon 1st as an Idea popped in my head.
*I hope they're still at the house.* I thought as I threw a rock at it. It hissed and glared at me.
"Hey ugly! Wanna play!" I taunt as I circled around him. He hissed as he watched.
"I'll make you pay for that." He hissed out quietly. I laughed.
"Catch me first!" I yell before zooming off. I looked and saw him on my tail. I smirked as he fell for my trap. I sped up a little to test his speed. He picked up speed and was gaining fast. I stepped on a button and went even faster as he kept up nicely. I swerved and manoeuvred around different objects, like crushed cars, broken glass, shredded metal, water spilling from hydrants ect., and hurried to the mansion. I swerved to the back and saw the car there.
*Perfect.* I thought as I turned the corner. Bad idea. The demon was there and he put his arm out, so my belly hit his arm very hard, and my board flew into the bushed. I oofed and felt sick as I suddenly fell.
"I win red." He hissed out as he gave a wicked smile. I decided to play along and smiled back.
"Yup… You did." I said tauntingly to him.
"You tricked me here!" He hissed out as he hovered over me. I then did the unexpected. I chuckled before lightly laughing. He then went from angry to confused.
"Why laugh?" He asked.
"Because I thought of who should suffer your destruction, just for pure entertainment." I tell him. He then gave an interested look.
"Really?" He hissed out.
"Yes, but… I doubt you wanna hear it… Since you're probably gonna kill me and all." I say nonchalantly with a shrug. He then got in my face, an eager look in his eyes.
"Ooh.~ Tell me." He says to me.
"Hm." I say and put my finger to my chin.
"I don't know… Maybe it's too good an idea to waste sharing with you." I taunt and smile.
"Tell me now! I wanna know!" He nearly yelled as he started a tantrum.
"Ok ok." I say and crawl to show him the green car.
"They're gonna drive off soon. If you chain them to the tree, they won't know and they'll speed out of here. It'll cause a crash, lots of destruction, and perhaps a few serious, even deadly, injuries." I whisper as I felt him hover over me. He grabbed my head to look over it at the car more, then chuckled as he pushed me into the ground.
"Clever clever… I'll get back to you after." He hissed out as he darted off. I rose and chuckled, loving how easy that was, just as Archie, Reggie, Veronica and Jughead show up.
"I love it when a plan gets even better." I mutter with a smile. My plan? Simple. Get the demon to wreck the treasure hunters' car, steal the dagger back, then get him back in the chest. With Archie and the gang here, it'll be better.
*Wish Betty was here though.* I thought as I saw my plan go into action. They were going to ram the gang, but then the chain tore the back wheels off, causing them to stop and crash into the windshield. I saw Archie grab the dagger and say something, but the demon looked mad as he approached Archie.
*He wants the dagger!* I thought as I ran out of hiding. He closed in on them.
"Archie! I'm open!" I cried out. He threw it over the demon and I caught it.
"You! You tricked me! I'll get you!" The demon screamed loudly at me.
"Uh oh." I squeaked out before running. He nearly caught up, but Archie drove up and hit him with his car. I kept running and grabbed my board.
"Aria hurry! Archie cried as the demon, who had been flung into near by bushes, started coming out. I hopped in the car, into Jughead's and Veronica's laps, and Archie drove off. The demon was chasing us, but soon fell far behind. I heard Archie mention the mansion and smiled.
"Took the idea right out of my head cous." I say as I felt stomach pain. The two helped me up as we got there. Once there, I showed them where to go and then we fell in through the maze. I landed on my feet and stumbled away before the rest fell in a pile.
"I can't believe Betty came down here all by herself." Veronica said as they stood up. I looked at the words on the door and knew why the couple wanted Betty in there.
"Only a person, who's pure of heart and sees good deeds as dear, may pass unharmed and so retrieve the treasure hidden here." I read out loud to them.
"No wonder they chose Betty for this job… Not that you're not perfect too, but-" Jughead was starting to say but I stopped him.
"I got it. No worries." I say with a smile as I guided them in.
"Veronica! Reggie! Don't! Touch! Anything!" I say sternly to them.
"Why not?!" Reggie argued.
"Because you're self absorbed and greedy! And I don't want either of you to do something stupid! Mainly you Mantel!" I scold as we saw the 1st trap.
"I won't! He said rudely.
"Take only one." I read out loud.
"Ok. Simple." I say as I reached for one. Then Reggie stopped me.
"Why take one?! Take them all!" He said as he reached.
"Reggie! Don-" Archie started but, even before I could stop him, he took a handful. Then the secret way sealed up and the floor started opening. Before we all fell in though, someone pushed us out of the way.
"Betty?!" Archie said in shock. I looked up and saw Betty. She was dressed like an explorer, but it looked good on her.
"Betty! You came back!" I exclaimed happily as I got up and hugged her.
"I knew you'd help!" I added as I showed her the dagger.
"Here." I say as she took it.
"Thanks." She said as the gang got up.
"I know you're here to save us, but why?" I asked her suddenly.
"Well, I was feeling pretty bad about myself and my goody goody ways, but then something happened. My father was injured by one of the demon's bad deeds. That's when I realized that being helpful is more often a good thing. And I decided I wasn't going to let anymore people be hurt by my mistake. You were right though, not just about selective helping, but that helping the town you love is more important than doing nothing." Betty told us then told me the last bit. I smiled at her.
"So, thanks to Greedy there, I take it we need to go a different way?" I asked her.
"Hey! I'm not-Ow!" He started saying before I punched him. I then started wailing on him.
"I told you not to touch anything and you did! The writing said take one! You had to be greedy!" I screamed as I kept hitting him. No one stopped me for a bit.
"Ok ok Ow ok I'm sorry!" Reggie yelled before I stopped. I calmed down before bowing to Betty.
"Lead the way." I say as I gesture to follow her.
"I won't know this way, but everyone listens to me!" She says sternly before leading the way. We all followed quickly as we heard the demon come down here.
*Time skip to the end of the maze, Aria's POV*
After so many trials, a lot being tough with a cast on my arm, and nearly getting caught by that demon a couple times, we finally made it. It was a small room with a big stone chest in the back.
"There! That's the chest we have to get the demon in, then slam the lid shut and slide the dagger in to lock him up!" Betty exclaimed.
"Ok, but how?" I asked her. I didn't get my answer, as I heard a hissing sound right near my hear.
"You won't! Give me the dagger!" The demon hissed as he grabbed me. He still thought I had it.
"Stop! I have it!" Betty shouted as she showed him.
"Ah… The good deed doer has it… Give it to me!" He ordered. Veronica backed away while the guys tried to help me. He used one hand to keep magic on me so I couldn't move, then used his other hand to send the guys into the air and onto the ceiling.
"Betty! Trap him!" I call out as I felt the magic tighten up.
"There's no way a nice person like you could ever lock me up in that nasty box. Now could ya?" He taunts her, thinking she wouldn't do it. He approached her, hand out, as Betty hid the dagger behind her back.
"You're right. I couldn't let that happen." Betty suddenly said in a sad tone.
"What?! Betty! Wha-" I started saying, but the magic tightened up on me more, making my wheeze in pain.
"I thought not." He taunts as he got in her face. He never wanted to hurt Betty directly though. Not once. Probably being too good.
"Don't do it Betty! He's evil!" Archie warned her from the ceiling.
"I have to Archie. I have to be helpful, even to someone as bad as him." She exclaimed sadly. I was going to say something, when I noticed a painted stick behind her back. I understood immediately.
"Do it Betty! Help him!" I say suddenly.
"What?!" Everyone except the demon and Betty gasped out.
"See? Even your friend wants to help. Now give me that dagger." He hissed out playfully yet threateningly.
"Go fetch!" Betty said as she tossed the stick in the chest.
"A since of humor I see… I like that." He says joyfully before again.
"And as soon as I get that dagger, I'll treat you to a joke of my own!" He says as he released his spell on us and tossed Betty aside and ran to the chest.
"Except I'll be the only one laughing!" He said then laughed as He dove in the stone chest. Betty then shut the chest.
"Laugh this one off joker!" Betty said before slipping the dagger back in the lock hole. I didn't listen to the conversation, since I figured out what they were going to say, and took a deep breath of relief.
*Betty finally learned to be a bit wiser… And I think I know what to do for my project.* I thought as I rejoined the group in heading out. Jughead pulled me close and kissed my cheek.
"You ok hun?" He asked me softly.
"A bit sore, but I'm good." I say with a smile as I kissed his cheek too. Betty lead us to safety and we all climbed out. We made it to the car and started driving back to town. I smiled at Betty.
"So Betty… I know what I'm doing for the Art project… But I need your help with one small thing." I say softly to her.
"And what's that?" She asked me.
"I need you to model for me." I say to her.
"Sure. Ok. I can do that. I did say I'd help you, and you did try to help me." Betty said as we smiled at each other. Archie dropped everyone off at their houses, after we all made sure people weren't too hurt and needed help, while I went to Betty's. I had her pose twice and sketched what I wanted. I then painted and took my time as Betty watched. Once done and dried, Betty loved it. It was shy her holding a fortune cookie, the monster slipping out of the chest after she freed it, then her in the new look tricking it before sealing it away again. It shows the fable, but her learning from it.
"Wow! This looks great!" Betty exclaimed happily.
"It's at least worth a B." I say as I yawned a squeaked yawn.
"I say an A+!" Betty said cheerfully.
"Want me to keep it here?" She asked me.
"No, it's cool. I don't wanna be a bother." I say softly.
"Oh, ok. Hey Aria?" She said softly. I turned to her.
"Yeah?" I asked before I suddenly felt her hug me.
"Thank you. You're an amazing friend." She said softly in my ear. I hugged her back.
"Anytime." I say as I pat her back gently. After the hug, I covered my painting up and headed home. Once it was put away safely, I went to Archie's room and sat with him as He typed up the article from Betty's side. I typed mine and then we made the conclusion together.
"And so, the demon was imprisoned once more and Betty learned to balance her trusting goodness with a bit of common sense. ~Aria. We're ll glad to know someone like Betty Cooper! ~Archie. Even if, and I don't blame her one bit, she never touches fortune cookies anymore. ~Aria. ...In a little town called Riverdale! ~Archie and Aria!"
We finished and I smiled.
"I guess the frog killed the scorpion and found the cure for it's sting." I say with a small smile.
"What?" Archie asked, not sure what I meant. I chuckled and shook my head.
"Don't worry about it. See you in the morning." I say as I got up and headed to bed.