Author's Note: Yes, you guys are reading properly, this is a long, overdue update. I can't believe it's been 10 years. I don't even know if I still have any active readers, but if you are still here reading my story, I would like to thank you so much for giving this baby of mine a chance. This started off as a one-chapter story, and here we are, 9 chapters later (more like 10 years later).

I am open to catching up with some of you via PM and see how you guys are doing :)

Disclaimer: Don't own anything but Inner Voice. And lots of overdue fluff lol.

Tattoo

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

Chapter 9: Light and Darkness

"Seven!"

Another huff and a puff.

"Eight!"

Cue another huff and puff.

"Nine!"

You could hear claps from the background, "Come on Trix, just one more!"

In between breaths, a thought came into her mind, maybe accepting defeat and flat-out giving up seemed like such a good idea to Trixie Carter. Both of her arms were shaking at this very moment, no longer able to bear weight. She was just about to complete her third set of 10 push-ups; she wondered if it was necessary to reach her tenth push-up. She has come a long way, compared to yesterday, when she first started her physical wizardry training. She couldn't even complete one full set; for her to be capable of achieving not just one, not two, but three full sets? Now that's a whole new record, and there was no going back for this mama. She felt like a whole new woman.

…Well, her transition to being a bad-ass wizard was still a work in progress.

I mean, it hasn't officially been 24 hours since it first started.

"Ten!"

On that cue, Trixie fell face flat on the ground, immediately welcoming the cool grass against her sweat-drenched skin.

"I have such a love-hate relationship with push-ups." She was desperately catching her breath, "when is this torture going to be over?"

"...But Trix, this is just our warm-up. We haven't started our training session yet."

"Jakey, you're really trying me today."

Smirking, Jake Long patted her shoulder, faking an apology. "It's all love."

"But Jake, you said that I'd have to do daily morning workout sessions, before our wizard training." Trixie took a moment to gasp for air in between her sentences. "I achieved that today, but yet, you still got me over here dying with these damn push-ups."

Jake shook his head with a snort, doing the best that he could to hold in a laugh. "...Ma, running isn't considered a workout session."

Trixie gawked, "...Well, to me it is!"

And there was his mocking smirk, "Of course you'd say that."

Propping her arms back up from the ground, Trixie glared daggers but then held back as she realized that if she glared just hard enough, she could risk shooting beams at Jake from her eyes...again. He barely ducked fast enough from yesterday's incident.

Sensing her slight apprehension, Jake immediately flinched and ducked, covering his face. "And please don't shoot me!"

Trixie pulled her tongue out jokingly, "Come on! It was only one time, and it won't happen again."

"Just trying to protect my face, anything but my beautiful face."

"...Boy, bye."

They both laughed, with Trixie knowing Jake well enough to just be joking around.

The recall of the funny incident immediately prompted the new wizard to get back on her feet, brushing off the dirt that clung to her clothes. Seeing as Trixie anticipated Jakey to be the typical sergeant-like, crazy strict trainer, she had to ditch her casual comfy clothes. She learned the hard way; to this moment, her white sweater has not recovered at all from yesterday's abuse.

Thus, she opted for a simple black workout jumpsuit, which was sleeveless, cute, and comfortable for her to move around in. Usually, she wore simple sweats with a short-sleeve top. But baby, her confidence was going up, and it was sitting higher than the moon.

A week has flown by since she got stabbed in the heart, and Trixie slowly took notice of the changes. She has lost almost 10 lbs, and most of the fat from her stomach and arms was slowly coming off. She could also see the muscles slowly popping out, especially her legs. The hamstrings were coming through for the girl. They were making a small peek-a-boo appearance, but definitely noticeable enough. Her confidence was over the roof; whenever she'd stand in front of the mirror, she couldn't help but flaunt what she was working with.

And this was even before her first day of training with Jake - which started only yesterday, mind you.

From an outsider's perspective, you would think that Trixie has been regularly training.

But all this must've been the result of her weird, wizard genes or magic.

She didn't know whether this was a blessing or a curse. A question came into her mind, then voiced out loud.

"If I already changed physically, wouldn't it be best to focus only on magic, Jakey?"

She'd hoped he'd reconsider this, but of course, Jake being Jake, he answered with, "Nice try, Trix. As much as you dread this, you must get used to the endurance." For a moment, he looked off into the distance, seriousness making its rare appearance. "Magic alone takes so much energy from your body to the point where you can hurt yourself by overusing it. Hell, it can even kill you."

Fear had a hard time being swallowed in that moment, but for what felt like a million years, Trixie gulped. "...Oh shit."

He briefly closed his eyes as the wind quietly swayed with the leaves enveloping the two teenagers. It was a sight to see, watching Jake being in tune with his surroundings, welcoming nature's soothing embrace. "It's been 4 years since we sealed away the Dark Dragon, but danger and criminality are still among us. You can never be too comfortable."

"Right. I almost forgot about that, with how peaceful life has been."

"Unfortunately, it's not the case. Gramps and I would still get alerts on any creatures who are in danger."

Jake would always have to tend to missions as a descendant of dragons, it was his responsibility to protect the magical creatures living. Looking back to all the memories of her joining in on his missions with Spud, she couldn't believe they were still here in one piece. There were so many close calls, and she and Spud were only humans. Back then, to her, it was just a fun vibe, but now she recognized how she had underestimated the seriousness of Jake's role as the American Dragon.

He began this role at the tender age of 13.

Trixie slowly took a step closer to Jake, curious and slightly concerned. "You're only 17, and you've probably seen so many horrific things. How are you not burnt out?"

Jake opened his eyes, onyx irises staring intensely through Trixie's brown irises. "I've accepted reality for what it is."

Such a dark statement, Trixie didn't like how he said it so smoothly. What had happened during the years that the two weren't friends? Back then, Jake had such a glowing, positive, bravado attitude. He had so much life. But now, it was like he changed…more like matured, but scarily fast. It made her wonder how many enemies he had to kill during that period to be this numb.

"You know we're friends. I'm always available if you want to talk about it." Some of her wanted to reach for his hand but shook against the idea. That'd be too much for the two, more like for her. Trixie was prepared for any reaction, but she wasn't ready for the warmth illuminating his eyes.

Jake sincerely smiled, "I'll remember that for next time. Thank you."

Trixie smiled back, "Now, back to training. What do you need me to do next?"

Jake beckoned for Trixie to follow as he guided her to the corner of the field; where their wooden targets awaited for their return. "Alright, Trix. Before we jump any further into our session, lift up your hand and try to flicker some energy for me."

On that command, she slowly lifted up her hand up, at the same time forcing her eyes shut.

Breathe in, breathe out.

She had been practicing perfecting better on magical energy control all day yesterday.

While there was a slight progression, she was still struggling to shoot beams at her target. She hated admitting this, but her improvements with her power weren't coming in fast enough. On one hand, it had only been less than 24 hours since she started this journey, so she reminded herself to give her body some grace.

But why, oh why, was she constantly blocking when it came to something as simple as shooting up beams?

Her hand trembled up into a fist as faint purple energy slowly emerged out of her grasp.

'Deep breath Trixie, concentrate,' Trixie thought, as a bead of sweat trickled down from her forehead.

Jake urged, "Don't push it. Trixie, relax. Connect with the energy. It's part of you."

Both eyes closed, she unballed her fist, and a very slim line of purple beam shot up into the sky, fading away into the sunset.

As a proud teacher, Jake smirked and nodded in approval. "Good job Trix, that's a good start."

Trixie plopped into a cross-legged sitting position, defeated. "Jake, let's be real. That was a weak-ass beam strike."

Jake shook his head, face-palming. "Trix, you need to be easy on yourself. It's only been 24 hours."

"I really hope this gets better. This is lowkey embarrassing."

"Trix, be patient."

"I literally made a deal with the devil, died, and re-birthed as a new being. And now I have nothing to show for it," Trixie lifted her hands up in the air beggingly. "...like fuck me."

"...That's what she said."

Eyebrow quirk cued from yours truly, though a smirk failed to stay at bay. "Jakey, really?"

Jake shrugged his arms to that, no sign of guilt to his statement. In fact, he was also rocking a playful smirk, "What can I say, you asked for it."

He received a very playful eye-roll to that. He was lucky his home-girl hadn't accidentally struck him yet. "Have you always been a perv, mister?"

Trixie had to question herself whether she was tripping out, but she swore something flashed into Jake's eyes, a mischievous glint as his smile grew. As though he was taunting her to find out for herself.

Maybe it was all in her head.

There was no way he'd be this bold, especially when he was dating oh-miss-perfect Rose.

…But a part of Trixie was curious about this mischievous side of him.

Mentally, she gave herself a slap. 'Girl, don't you dare. He is with Rose. And you guys just became friends, focus on training,' she thought to herself.

Holding herself back from blushing, Trixie cleared her throat, "...Yeah, never mind. I don't think I want to find out."

Jake laughed, "I'm joking. I just wanted to lighten up your mood." Trixie giggled along, but a part of her couldn't help but feel like there was more to that joke. "But foreal though, you need to take this as a lifestyle, rather than a race of time. G and Fu have trained me for years to be a skilled dragon. Take the time to get to know yourself, embrace the journey, and build self-confidence. That's how you become a powerful creature."

Trixie sighed, slowly getting up from the ground. "There is no shortcut to this, is there?"

Jake made a beeline to the woman as he attempted to grab her hand, assisting her in standing up. "Since when is there ever a shortcut to life?"

"Touche," she sighed at his statement as she finally got into a ready stance.

Well, sort of. She attempted a ready stance, but her spiritual hormones decided otherwise.

Her hand was still held by Jake. From his side, he probably didn't find the action abnormal.

But to Trixie, the action never stopped to make the world freeze.

Literally.

Ever since the restart of their friendship, the two have been spending an increasing amount of time together, playing catch up from when they had stopped being friends. She kept up on Jake's interests in new hobbies aside from his dragon duties, and the current doings of his family members. The more time they spent, the more comfortable they got with each other. She forgot how much his laugh, smile, and aura gave her butterflies. Every moment she constantly had to give a reality check to herself and to think with her mind rather than her heart.

On that note, she moved her hand out of his grasp, remnants of a purple glow on her fingertips. Her eyes couldn't help but notice the tremors, which were minimal but noticeable when closely examined.

Trixie didn't have to look to catch Jake staring at her fingers observantly. "Trix, have you come to terms with your new identity?"

"...Slowly, I've come to accept my new reality." She answered, not just to him, but more so to herself; almost sounding believable.

Trixie asked herself this question every day since she got stabbed by Inner Voice.

The images of that transformative night still occupied her mind.

The feel of Inner's hands gripping her shoulder as the knife plunged into Trixie's heart.

The sight of blood pooling on the concrete ground of the community park.

The knife, soiled with her fresh blood, being licked clean.

Her identity was taken away from her by force.

However, Trixie had come to accept that. It took some time and a lot of advice from Jake to recognize what had happened, but there was nothing to do about it except move on and embrace it. And that was exactly what Trixie would be doing.

'...But am I a monster for loving this about myself ?'

You're not a monster, Trixie. You're a dark wizard. Embrace all of you.

Trixie gasped, "Inner, you're back?!"

"Trix, you good?" He softly placed his hand on her shoulder in an attempt to soothe her down. He looked around the two of them in question. "Who are you talking to? I don't see anyone."

Trixie could hear Inner's sultry chuckles from the back of her mind. She forgot how irritating her voice was. Slowly, the world around her was fading away. She felt her soul being consumed again by a purple abyss. This time, it was warm lavender—comforting, welcoming, and familiar.

Please, not again.

Trixie internally hoped to God that she wasn't being dragged back to the world of the unknown.

The last time she was there was when she died and when she first fainted in school.

Please tell me y'all fucked. It's been how many days now since you guys became friends again.

"Shut the fuck up!"

Geez, Trix. With that attitude, you'll never get laid.

Trixie's heart pounded as the purple energy surged from her fingertips, its warmth seeping into her skin like liquid fire. For a fleeting moment, the world around her blurred—the familiar scent of cut grass, the distant hum of Jake's voice, and even the cool breeze seemed to vanish into an overwhelming lavender glow.

The familiar, sultry chuckle of Inner whispered from the recesses of her mind. "Trix, aren't you happy I'm back?" the voice purred, almost caressing her thoughts. It wasn't the first time she'd heard it, but today it carried an unsettling urgency.

A sudden wave of memories crashed over her: the cold shock of the knife piercing her flesh, the metallic tang of blood pooling on the concrete, and the agonizing moment when she felt herself slipping away. Those memories twisted into a dark echo, each beat of her heart thudding like a warning drum.

Before Trixie could steady her breath, she felt her body lift off the ground. Panic mingled with a reluctant exhilaration as she hovered above the training field, suspended by the mysterious pull of magic she barely controlled. Jake's concerned shout broke through the haze. "Trix! Grab something—anything!" His voice, laced with urgency, tethered her to the present.

Struggling against the seductive pull of the abyss, she flexed her arms as if trying to claw back control. The space between her and Jake expanded even as she strained to remain present. "No… I'm not letting you take me again," she thought fiercely, her inner turmoil igniting a spark of defiance.

As the lavender energy threatened to envelop her completely, the world around her fractured into shards of raw emotion. Fear, grief, and a stubborn will to survive collided within her chest. She could almost feel the ethereal weight of every regret and every lost moment—each one a chain that had nearly dragged her into oblivion before.

The energy pulsed, and at that moment, Trixie remembered Jake's words: Magic alone takes so much energy. You must build yourself up first.

Summoning every ounce of inner strength, she focused on the steady rhythm of her breath. Inhaling deeply, she tried to anchor herself to the present, to the feel of the cool air against her skin and the reassuring pressure of Jake's outstretched hand below.

"Inner, I'm not ready for you," she whispered, her voice cracking with a mix of defiance and vulnerability. The alluring darkness hesitated as if surprised by her newfound determination. The purple glow flickered erratically for a heartbeat; its tendrils recoiled from her fierce, silent command.

Jake's eyes, filled with worry and hope, met hers across the divide. "Trix, fight it. You're stronger than this pull," he urged, his tone both soft and insistent.

With a final, shuddering effort, Trixie willed herself down. Slowly, the force that had begun to lift her subsided, and her feet found the solid ground once more. Every muscle in her body trembled from the exertion and the emotional onslaught. She sank to her knees, tears mingling with sweat as she gasped for air, her heart hammering out a determined beat of survival.

Jake immediately knelt beside her, his concern evident in his eyes.

"Trix, are you okay?" he asked gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from her damp forehead.

She offered a shaky smile. "I'm alright… just a lot to process." Her voice wavered between exhaustion and vulnerability.

After a pause, Jake's tone softened further as he asked, "That Inner Voice of yours—it sounded so real. Can you tell me more about her? Who exactly is she?"

Trixie hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground as memories and raw emotions began to swirl inside her. "Inner isn't just a voice nor a nemesis from stabbing me," she murmured. "She's... part of me. A remnant of everything I've lost and every pain I've endured. I feel like she's the echo of my darkest moments—the knife in my heart, the blood on the concrete, all of it. But, strangely, she also carries the weight of my survival. Like a shadow that follows me, reminding me of what I was and what I could become."

Jake listened intently, his eyes searching hers as he tried to understand the tumult within. "So she's your darker reflection? The part that holds all the hurt but also the strength to overcome it?" he ventured.

Trixie nodded slowly, her fingers tracing patterns in the air where remnants of magic still lingered. "Exactly. I don't think I can ever completely silence her. She's always there—whispering doubts, stirring up memories I'd rather forget. But sometimes, she also pushes me to remember that I survived even in my darkest moments. That maybe I'm stronger than I think."

Jake reached out and gently took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. "Trix, learning to balance that darkness with who you want to be is not easy. But I believe it's a journey you're meant to take. And you don't have to do it alone."

A soft smile tugged at the corner of Trixie's lips as she squeezed his hand in gratitude. "Thank you, Jake. It's just... sometimes I feel like if I let her in too much, I risk losing control again."

"Control isn't about shutting parts of yourself out," Jake replied earnestly. "It's about understanding and harnessing them. I know you're more than just the sum of your fears, Trix. You're a warrior—both in body and spirit."

At that moment, as the cool breeze rustled through the trees and the distant sounds of their training resumed, Trixie felt a newfound resolve. Every setback, every dark whisper, was a part of her journey—a test of whether she could embrace all facets of herself—not just the light but the darkness as well. Even if it meant facing the echoes of her past, she would learn to master them rather than be consumed by them.

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

Spud sat alone in his dimly lit room, the first rays of the sunset barely teasing the edges of his scattered thoughts. His eyes were fixed on the small, witchcraft tattoo etched into his palm—a silent testament to the morning Inner had come calling. In the quiet, the memory of her deliberate strike against the wall resurfaced, leaving behind a jagged crack that mirrored the fractures within him. Her parting words had been as enigmatic as they were haunting: a warning, a challenge, a plea.

For three long years, a promise—made in the heat of youthful reckoning—had kept him from reaching out to Jake and Trixie. Silence had been his shield, a way to hide the chaos of his inner world. But now, the echo of Inner's warning stirred something in him. With each passing moment, the pull of isolation grew heavier than the burden of unspoken words. It was time to face the past, however painful it might be.

Taking a shaky breath, Spud rose from his bed. Clad in an old jacket that had seen better days, he stepped into the early evening chill. Every footstep echoed with the weight of lost years and unspoken regrets. The city was still quiet, as if holding its breath when he found himself before Jake's door—the threshold to memories both cherished and painful.

With trembling fingers, he knocked softly. The sound was tentative, laden with the burden of a promise long kept. As he waited, his mind replayed that critical encounter with Inner—the warning, the pain, and the realization that he was not immune to the magical creature he fought. Well, more like cowered. However, amid the haunting memories, a spark of resolve flickered. Perhaps reconnecting with his old friends could be the first step toward mending the broken parts of his life.

He didn't know what to expect from this visit, Spud recognized the necessity. He didn't know what he was up against in terms of mystical creature, and why he was being targeted, and why did she look like Trixie.

All the questions that required an answer from his former best friend.

When the door creaked open, Spud's heart pounded from his inner battles and a shock that nearly stopped his breath. Standing in the doorway were Jake—and, unexpectedly, Trixie. Spud's eyes widened in disbelief. For as long as he could remember, a promise had kept him and Jake apart from Trixie, a barrier forged in the tumult of old secrets and unspoken vows. Now, here she was, her familiar smile and determined eyes softening the guarded expression on Jake's face.

"Spud…?" Jake's voice emerged cautiously as if testing whether the years apart could be bridged in a single moment.

Spud hesitated, his mind racing. The presence of Trixie—someone he had assumed would remain distant—added a weight he hadn't anticipated. "I—I didn't expect…you two together," he managed, his voice trembling with both surprise and uncertainty. He swallowed hard, the memory of their old promise mingling with the raw hope of reconnecting.

In that fragile moment, the silence stretched between them—a silence filled with the unsaid, the weight of lost time, and the promise of mending what had once been broken. Spud's gaze darted between Jake and Trixie, each carrying their own story of absence and change, as he stepped hesitantly into a future where the past, with all its promises and betrayals, was poised to be confronted once again.

Jake stepped aside, his hand in the air, gesturing for Spud to enter. "You can come in."

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

From the darkened corner of a silent street, Inner Voice watched with a cold, calculating satisfaction as the door to Jake's house swung open. The sunset barely illuminated her hidden vantage, yet every detail was etched into her mind. She had planned this moment carefully—a subtle push that would shatter old promises and spark new connections.

Inside, the reunion was tentative but real. Spud, still trembling from his earlier encounter, was welcomed in with cautious warmth. His hesitant smile, laced with desperation and longing, flickered as Jake, eyes guarded yet softening, stepped aside to let him in. Trixie stood near the doorway, a mix of relief and uncertainty playing across her features. The unspoken history between them, once locked away by promises and painful memories, now bubbled to the surface.

In that charged moment, Inner Voice's thoughts swirled. Her whispered command—"Be my friend"—had been far more than a simple request. It was an insidious seed planted within Spud's mind, one meant to erode the very barriers of their old bro code. She had not meant friendship in the innocent sense but a connection that tethered him to Trixie, to the magic that pulsed between them. Watching Spud cross that threshold, breaking years of self-imposed silence, confirmed that her plan was unfolding exactly as she intended.

From afar, she could almost feel the electric tension among the trio. Every cautious glance, every hesitant word, carried the weight of unspoken betrayals and forbidden hope. Inner Voice relished the irony: Spud, driven by the raw sting of her earlier manipulation and his own desperate need for answers, had shattered the promise he once held sacred. Now, here they were—old friends reuniting, each step drawing them closer into a tangled web of magic, history, and new beginnings.

The door closed behind them, and for a brief moment, the sound of laughter and tentative greetings spilled out into the cool air. Inner Voice allowed herself a dark smile. The plan was set in motion, and the past was bending to her will. The connection she craved wasn't just with Spud—it was with Trixie, with every emotion, every memory, and secret she could now exploit. In that silent vigil, as the three reunited in a space filled with hope and unspoken longing for friendship rekindling, Inner Voice knew that the boundaries of old promises were crumbling, making way for a future crafted in both light and shadow.

Author's Note:...And cut! So much to unpack from this chapter. Do you think Inner Voice meant well for Trixie? What do you think happened between Spud and Jake?