№23|Fireworks
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“Since Emmanuel is unable to battle, the winner is; Damien!” Keiko announced. Marmalade jumped down from the stands, running towards Emmanuel, “what did you do to him?!” Marmalade yelled, pushing on his chest.

“Do you need a replay? I’d be happy to add you to my statue collection.” Damien smirked, twirling his spear in his hand. “Don't you come near me with that devil stick!” Marmalade hissed, “get me a damn medic down here!”

The medical team rushed down, placing Emmanuel on a stretcher. “Don't worry, Manny, you’ll be good as new,” she growled at Damien, “and that bitch will pay.”

Once reaching the medical ward, they placed Emmanuel on the hospital bed as the healers worked on reversing the spell. “How long will it take?” Emma asked. “3-4 hours, you’ll welcome to watch the games back in your seats, we’ll inform you when we’re done.”

“No!” Marmalade hissed, “I’m staying here while you heal him, you work under my mother, I don't trust any of you.”

“As you wish, Miss Marmalade.” the healers nodded slightly, Marmalade pulled up a chair, holding his hand, “you fought well, Manny.”

“You gonna be okay, sis?” Cruella asked. “Yeah, since the first day is over, you should all go out, have some fun, I’m gonna stay here.” Marmalade smiled, kissing Emmanuel’s hand.

Gillain rested his hand on Marmalade’s shoulder, “keep an eye on the nurses, they seem fishy.”

Marmalade nodded slightly. “Get going already, I’m sure you want to spend time with Rosemary.”

Gillian blushed, “sh-shut up!”

As the group left the medical ward, Rosemary walked back out of the stadium when she felt someone’s eyes peeking at her, “Rosemary~”

She stopped, shivers running down her spine, “come on lovely, let’s go back to the room, we can play like old times.” Blaze cooed, playing with her hair. “Why are you here?” Rosemary grimaced.

“To win you back, my love, to save you from that animal.” Blaze scoffed, referring to Gillian. “Why do you hate him? He’s nice, he appreciates me more than you ever did! This morning, he brought me breakfast in bed, when was the last time you did that for me?” Rosemary scolded, her hands on her hips.

“You never wanted breakfast in bed.” Blaze rolled his eyes. 

“When we dated, I asked you many times to do something romantic like breakfast in bed, but apparently you were too busy with those hoes at the strip club.” Rosemary squinted her eyes, marching closer towards him.

“You never considered my needs, it was all about you, you, you! Gillain on the other hand, is extremely generous, he’s even taking me around town tonight,” she turned on her heels, “so if you excuse me, I must get ready.”

“I don't think you understand Rosemary, you coming with me wasn’t a request,” Blaze caught her wrist before she could walk away, “it was an order.”

Rosemary slapped him across the face with her free hand, “you can't order me around anymore, I left your guild long ago.”

Blaze rubbed his cheek, “damn, woman,” he clicked his tongue, “you’re always so troublesome.”

He was about to walk away with her in hand, but he stopped when he sensed a terrifying aura behind him, “didn’t you hear what she said?” Gillain’s voice flatlined, his nails digging into Blaze’s shoulder, “she said you can't order her around anymore, and if that slap was any indication, I think she wants to you let go of her.”

Rosemary felt Blaze’s grip loose, “this has nothing to do with you, Gillian,” Blaze pressed his hand on Gillian’s chest, pushing him back slightly, “so run along now, dog boy, me and Rosemary have catching up to do.”

“I don't think so, Blaze,” Gillian grinned viciously, his nails craving into Blaze’s arm, “you obviously don't understand when women say no, they mean no!” Gillian twisted his arm, dislocating it, “so think of this as punishment for not knowing what consent is and isn't.”

Gillian let go of his limp arm, Blaze pressed his back against the wall, “damn you...Gillian!”

Gillian was already walking away, his arm slung around Rosemary’s shoulder, Blaze’s cries were merely an echo in the night.

Sergio and Emma watched from the hill tops as the sun began to set. Neither said a word as they stared into each other’s eyes, completely entranced by their partner’s beauty.

Sergio brushed his fingers across her cheek, taking in her soft, fawn tanned skin. “You look beautiful in the sunset, Emma.” Sergio completed, he could feel her cheek under his finger heat up.

Emma intertwined her fingers with his, “it’s incredible, just the feeling of your fingers on me makes me feel safe.”

Sergio kissed her nose, “mi amour, promise me, win or lose, you will never forget me.”

“Forget you?!” Emma sat up, “how is that even possible! Sergio,” Emma kissed his lips, “look at you! I mean, you...and the things you do to me…how am I supposed to forget all that?! It’s impossible!”

“We’ve been together for 30 years, think about that, really think about that. Over those thirty years, I’ve loved you more and more every day,” Emma sat in his lap, “stay with me tonight, Sergio, please, don't leave me…”

“Mi amour, I wish I could, but-” he was cut off by Emma’s lips, “don't say it...don't say you have to leave.” Sergio heard her whimper, “come on, please...we have not see each other in years…”

“I’m already risking it by using the clone, Emma…” Sergio warned her. Emma sighed, “then...since we have a few houses till nightfall...everyone out on the town,” Emma played with his collar, “let’s have some fun like old times.”

Sergio picked her up, bridal style, “why Emma? Nagughy aren't we?”

“Shut up,” Emma hit his chest, “I love you Sergio, that’s why I want tonight to be about us.”

Cruella bit down on her jelly doughnut, “Hex! Look! I’m a vampire!” Cruella smiled, jelly spilling from her lips. “Can you be anymore adorable?” Hex chuckled, Cruella wiped his lips.

Cruella smirked, passing Hex her purse as she put her hair in pigtail, “I love you Hexy-kun~” Cruella cooked, her animalia made cute cat ears and a tail. Hex fell back onto the ground, blood squirting from his nose, “so...adorable…”

Cruella giggled and took out the pigtails, her animalia disappearing. “Come on, we gotta spy on my brother and Rosemary!” Cruella pulled Hex through the tow, her black and white hair flowing behind her.

Hex smiled, “you look sincerely happy.”

“I think it’s because when I used to walk through this town I would be scared because of the torture Juniper would inflict on us publicly. But, now that you’re here…” she clutched his hand, “I feel much better.”

“I’m glad,” Hex kissed his cheek, the two crouching in the bushes as they watched Rosemary and Gillian dine over fondue. Rosemary bit down on the chocolate covered marshmallow that Gillian fed her, “tasty,” she muttered through her marshmallow filled mouth.

“I can't believe you’ve never had fondue before? It’s just melted chocolate or cheese.” Gillian said, feeding her a strawberry. “I always wanted to go to a fondue restaurant with Blaze but he never seemed to have the time.” Rosemary sighed.

“Forget about him, he’s old news.” Gillian gave her an assuring smile, “so tell me about yourself, something other than Blaze.”

“Well, Mama’s sister, Kassandra, is my mother. Which makes me, Gabriella, Hex, and Ector cousins.”

“Rosemary, I already know that, I meant something about you.”

Rosemary bit her lips softly, “I just recently went back to college for aviation maintenance.”

“Have I’ve seen any of your work?”

“Yes, the plane that brought you here.” Rosemary smiled. “You built that?!” Gillian eyes went wide. “Yep, built from scratch.” Rosemary nodded, eating another strawberry.

“That’s amazing! I couldn't imagine building an entire plane from scratch!” Gillian chuckled. “I’ve been building stuff since I was little. My first success was a mini jet made out of Lego.”

“I think the only thing I built out of Legos was a small house that barely stood.” Gillian shrugged. Rosemary smirked, “come on,” Rosemary was about to pay for the check but Gillian shook his head, “I got it.” Gillian smiled, paying for the dinner.

Rosemary held his hand as they walked through the town, “where are we going?” Gillian questioned him and Rosemary entered the Target, walking towards the Legos section.

“Which one should we build?” Rosemary had her hands on her hips, scanning through the sets. “Oooh!” Rosemary tried to reach for the Death Star Lego set on the top self but she couldn't reach it.

Gillian brought it down for her, “Death Star? I like your style!”

Cruella had hearts in her eyes as she watched her brother on his date, “he’s all grown up!” Cruella sobbed.

“Shh! They’re gonna hear you.” Hex warned her, they duck down when Rosemary and Gillian looked behind them when they heard crying. “Did you hear that?” Rosemary tilted her head. Gillian shrugged, the two continued walking through Target.

Cruella was about to follow them but Hex picked her up, slinging her over his shoulder, “come on, we gotta stop stalking your brother and Rosemary.”

“Where are we going?” Cruella asked. “I heard there were fireworks in a couple of minutes and all of us are going to be on the hill to watch them.” Hex informed her as the walked up the hill to see the team sitting there.

“Do we really have to watch these fireworks?” Cruella whimpered. “I thought you liked fireworks?” Hex was confused. “I do...just not these.” Cruella muttered.

“Is it because they’re too loud? I got some earplugs if you need them.” Hex pulled out a set of ear plugs. 

“No, no...it’s just…every year they set off fireworks to celebrate the start of the tournament. To some people it’s a symbol of hope and celebration,” Cruella shivered, “but for me and my siblings, who were forced to participate, it just meant that we would have to survive 7 more days of tourture.”

As the fireworks went off, the Golden Ruby Dragons were celebrating and watching in awe. Cruella, however, had silent tears streaming down her cheeks. The memories her horrid childhood coming back to her.

Hex held her hand in his, “stop crying, Marshmallow,” Hex wiped her tears, “I know watching fireworks is hard for you,” Hex kissed her lips, “but this time, you don't have to watch them alone,” he placed her in his lap, nuzzling his nose into her neck, “this time, I’m here with here.”

“I’ll show you just how great fireworks can be.”

Saree couldn't sleep, ever since her sister Valeria returned, her heightened vampire senses went into protective mode when she was with Ector. Like now, as she held him close in bed, growling at the thought of her sister breaking the two of them up.

“Saree…” Ector sifted in her arms, “stop growling. I’m fine.”

Saree nodded, “sorry, it’s just my vampire side is just getting overprotective.”

“Just sleep,” Ector kissed her cheek, “it’ll help your worrying.” Ector yawned, falling asleep.

“Yeah Saree,” Saree froze, when her father’s voice rang through the shadows, “get some sleep, I’m sure your mate’s heart won't be torn out by morning.”

Saree hissed, “get out!”

“Do you know how hard it is to find you? You’ve made it quite the struggle.” Maldue groaned. “I left because you forced me into an arranged marriage!” Saree scolded. “You could have been Queen of the Coven but instead you choose this human?!” Maldue glared at him.

“Yes,” Saree pulled him close, “he’s my mate, dad, Ector showed me a new side of life outside of the coven!”

“Simon could have given you that!”

“Simon only used me for sex.” Saree growled, “Ector actually cares about me, he appreciates me, he takes the time to actually learn things about me.”

Maldue marched towards Saree, his eyes glaring into hers, “when will you learn not to trust humans?!”

“When will you learn to leave me alone?!” Saree shot back.

Maldue backed off, “fine, one day you learn that humans can't be trusted.”