EP.163|Where's the Color?

“This is weird.” Shadow Freddie stated. Despite its name, the shadow realm was usually filled with color and happiness. Now it was bland and filled with with dull colors.

Every girl wore black skirts and a white polo shirt, with a weird symbol on it, with black overalls and black flats. Every boy wore a white polo shirt with the symbol, black slacks, and black dress shoes.

“This isn't right, dad always told me the Shadow Realm was colorful and all the houses looked like something out of a story book. This,” Freddie struggled for words, “i-it’s bland!”

Zeref walked up to one of the girls, “what happened here? Where’s all the color? Where’s all the crazy houses?”

The girl looked conflicted, on the one hand she wanted to say everything, but on the other, she couldn't risk getting hurt, “I-I-I can't say.” she ran off before Zeref could ask her anything else.

“I think the no color is making me sick.” Operetta groaned, holding her stomach. “Or maybe it’s her morning sickness.” CJ corrected.

“Either way, it’s making me sick.” Operetta gagged. “Alright, CJ, take Operetta to the bathroom, we’ll try to find someone to talk to.” Heine directed, CJ nodded and entered the closet store near them.

The store was called Boogie Woogie, CJ rushed into the bathroom with Operetta where she threw up. “There there, just keep throwing up those fluids.” CJ tried to comfort her, but what do you say to a pregnant woman while she’s throwing up?

“Stop patronizing me.” Operetta groaned, her and CJ sitting on the floor of the bathroom. “You okay Operetta?” CJ asked, wiping the vomit off her cheek. “I just...don't feel pretty…” Operetta sighed.

“Operetta, I’m not going to lie, if I liked girls and wasn’t with Carlos, I swear to the gods and goddesses I would so fuck you.” CJ admitted, making Operetta chuckle

“Thank you,” Operetta smiled “it’s just, when I look into the mirror, I just feel, fat.”

“But your beautiful the way you are Operetta, you shouldn’t worry about being insecure. What you have to focus on is being your best self for our newest VK member.” CJ poked her stomach.

“Try thinking about a time when you felt really loved, maybe that might work.” CJ suggested. Operetta then thought back to the night before they left the Demonic Islands.

Operetta laid in bed, wrapped in the arms of her demon, she smiled when Hunter pulled her in closer “mine…” Hunter mumbled incoherently.

“I’m all yours Hunter.” Operetta whispered, kissing his forehead. Hunter growled softly, Operetta chuckled, I wonder what he could be dreaming about…

“SHUT THE HELL UP!” Hunter shouted to Magdir.

“It’s true though, your girl will die soon.” Magdir cackled. “Didn't I just say shut the hell up?! Twin Swords!” Hunter conjured up two sharp swords made of blood and attacked Magdir but he just blocked it with both his hands.

“Not bad,” Magdir lowered his hands, “but not good enough. Diamond Blast!” Hunter was blasted away by Magdir’s bast, knocking his back into the wall.

“Hu...Hunter…” Operetta’s was rasp. “Don't worry, Operetta, I’ll take him down.” Hunter promised her. “I...I don't think I...can hold on anymore...the curse...it’s,” a heavy cough interrupted her.

“Operetta...” Hunter held her hand gently. “Hunter, thank you.” Operetta smiled weakly.

“What the hell are you thanking me for?” Hunter noticed Operetta’s eyes slowly closing, “hey, don't close your eyes! Didn't you say we were going to travel the world together after the battle?”

As much as it hurts, Operetta chuckled “I guess...I can't travel with you...anymore…”

“What the hell do you mean? Your going to travel with me! Just hold on.” tears swelled up in his eyes.

She placed her hand on the demon’s face, her tears slowly falling down her eyes. Despite her tears, she looked happy and peaceful. Not a hint of regret or sadness in her watery eyes.

“Fate sure...has a funny way of getting us...to where we are now. After all the obstacles...I’m so happy...that you stayed by my side...even in my last moments.” Operetta’s skin started turning pale.

“Thank you...for falling in love...with me…” Operetta used her last amount of strength to lift her body and place her final kiss on the demon’s lips, her eyes closing peacefully as she dropped to the ground.

“No...don't close your eyes...didn't you promise me?” Operetta didn't respond. That’s when Hunter lost it, he clutched her dead body in his arms as he screamed to the heavens “NO!!!”

“This is the reality,” Magdir had the audacity to speak, walking towards the demon “the reality of what happens when a demon loves.”

“No...no…” Hunter muttered, sadness, pain, suffering stirred through his head and body “Music Note, please...come back…”

Magdir rested his hand on Operetta’s hand. Hunter growled, a dark surrounded him “GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!!!”

“Fine, at least let me end your suffering,” Magdir a black energy blast at Hunter and Operetta “by letting you die with her!”

Hunter shot up from his bed, his breathing heavy, his face covered in sweat. Crap...this dream again. Hunter wiped his drenched face. It’s been a while since the last time the dream threw me off that bad.

Operetta softly rested her hand on his clenched fist, making Hunter flinch “Hunter, what’s wrong? Your shaking so much and sweating cold…do you want me to get Freddie?”

You always worry about me so much, Music Note, I must look really bad. Hunter removed his hand from over his eyes.

Hunter took a deep breath in and out, trying to calm himself down “it was just a bad dream, I’m fine, Operetta,” Hunter smiled at her, trying to lead her off his scent “go back to sleep, don't worry.”

Operetta climbed on top of him “Operetta? Wha-” Hunter stopped when he felt the arms of his mate wrapped around him.

“Don't close your heart to me, Stupid demon,” Operetta chuckled, soon, her voice became softer just like her hug “I can feel your pain in waves and it hurts me too.”

Hunter’s eyes began to tear up “Operetta,” Hunter hugged her back, taking in her cherry blossom scent “I love you.”

Hunter buried his face in her chest “I’m a fucking mess and you’re still here, how come you haven’t left me yet?”

“I love you, Hunter, I really do, and I want you by my side,” she rested her hand on her stomach, “by our side,” she kissed his forehead “through thick,” she kissed his cheek “...and thin”

Operetta rested her forehead on his, loving smiles on their faces “I want to make new memories at your side,” Operetta kissed him passionately “the ones you would like to remember for the rest of our lives.”

Operetta laid on the bed, Hunter hovering over her, her hand on his check “I ain’t good with words but I’ll say this, I promise to protect you and our baby’s happiness and cherish this life with you, Operetta.”

Operetta was stunned speechless “Hunter…” she smiled, kissing him again “then...I want to promise you the same thing, I want to make you happy too, Hunter.”

“Tch, you already do, Music Note.” Hunter looked at his Music Note and smiled, “all my past mistakes has led me to you and our baby. You two are the light that makes me feel alive, thank you, Music Note.”

Operetta chuckled, coming out of her flashback, CJ gushed “that’s so sweet, I never thought of Hunter as the mushy gushy type.”

“Hunter may act tough on the outside, but deep down Hunter’s and big softly.” Operetta smiled, she’s always loved Hunter because of that.

“What about you? What’s your loveliest moment with Carlos?” Operetta asked. “There's a lot of them, buy if I have to narrow it down to one, it would be a couple days ago, after I fought Pan.” CJ reminced.

“Carlos! I can walk by myself.” CJ pouted, at the moment, Carlos carried CJ bridal style to an unknown location.

“No walking this time mi princesa (my princess), I have a surprise for you.” Carlos smiled widely.

“Carlos, I wanna go back to the castle.” CJ sighed. “You haven't been outside since you fought Pan. You need to see the sun.” Carlos stated.

“Why does it matter? Just take me home, Carlos.” CJ moped. “No can do, cause were already here.” Carlos placed CJ down at the ship deck of the Jolly Roger to see it was a beautiful picnic was set up, small orb lights lining the ship.

“Carlos,” CJ was speechless “I-I-I…”

“Do you like it?” Carlos asked, hoping the answer was yes. CJ kissed his cheek “it’s beautiful.”

“Good, now sit, I found the recipe to your favorite dessert,” Carlos pulled out a bowl of pudding “banana cookie pudding!” CJ’s eyes lit up.

“Carlos, you know me too well.” CJ smiled, her smile then soon faded when she realised she was one the same ship she fought Pan on. The same ship the hat her father loved so much was destroyed on.

“Your father said it was okay, it wasn’t your fault the hat got damaged.” Carlos told her. “But, I was the one you let it get cut…” CJ looked down in shame.

“Mi amor (my love),” Carlos kissed her lips softly, he noticed tears trickling down her face “why are you crying?”

CJ wiped her tears “that hat was passed down in my family from generation to generation, I wanted to give it to our kids...but now I can't…”

Carlos was shocked, “yo-you thought abo-about us having kids?” CJ looked up at him, blushing “y-yeah, did-didn't you?”
Carlos smiled “of course I did princesa,” he kissed her again “your the only one I want a family with.”

“Carlos, I’ve never felt the way I do with you with anyone else,” CJ held his hand in her “it’s like we’ve met before. I know it sounds insane, but when I met you, I could sense this connection between us.”

“I felt the same thing, for a while I thought it was my animalistic, but now...I feel like it was something else. I don't know how to describe it, but, every night I see these two people named Axel and Sabrina.” Carlos began, CJ had a semi shocked look on her face that Carlos didn't notice.

“I have no idea who they are but they seem important, the guy, Axel, he reminds me a lot of myself actually. Everything about him seems so familiar but anytime I try to remember anything about this “Axel”, I always come up blank.”

Carlos looked up and finally noticed CJ’s surprised face “what?” Carlos asked. “That girl Sabrina, she’s the one I see in my dreams, she’s hella strong Carlos. Like you said, I feel like I’ve seen this Sabrina before but I just don't know where.”

“I wanted to tell you but I was afraid you think I was insane or just not care.” CJ admitted. Carlos chuckled “1) you’re insane, but in a cute way, ya know? And 2) whatever it is, we’ll find out who Axel and Sabrina are together.”

CJ smiled and kissed him again, “your right, I am insane, but you still love me.”

“I think your really gonna love me when I showed you what I got you, close your eyes.” CJ nodded and closed her eyes, waiting patiently for her gift.

Carlos noticed CJ peaking a bit “princesa, you can't cheat. You gotta keep your eyes close.” CJ sighed, chuckling a bit “do I really have to? What’s with all this mystery, Carlos?”

“Haven’t you ever heard of “surpises”? Just go with, CJ.” Carlos went into his bag and pulled out a medium sized box. “Alright, I have my eyes close.” CJ now fully closed her eyes.

“You really can't see anything, right?” Calos asked, waving one hand in her face as the other opened the box and put the surprise in front of her knees.

CJ shook her head, “nope, now can I open my eyes?” Carlos nodded “open your pretty eyes.”

CJ opened her eyes and looked down to see it was her father’s hat “look what your awesome man got ya!”

CJ covered her mouth in shock “n-no way...how did you…?” CJ ran her fingers over the velvet material of the hat to see on the rim was now lined with gold and on the hat band was a little buckle in the shape of a wolf with a sword in his mouth and it had two feathers coming out of the band, one gold and one red.

CJ felt the side of her neck and smiled, it’s the same as my mark, I can feel his power in the buckle.

“I’m...I have no words…” tears streamed down CJ’s face. She cried into Carlos’ chest “are those happy tears?” he asked, CJ nodded and responded “mmh, I’m really...really happy!”

“I can't believe you found it! I thought it was destroyed when I was fighting Pan.” CJ admired her hat.

“When you were knocked out I went through the damge and found it almost in shreds, so I took it to my mom and she taught me how to sew it back together. It wasn’t easy though, I pricked my fingers a lot, but imaging your happiness was all worth it, CJ.” Carlos smiled goofily.

CJ held the hat close to her chest. Mom, dad...for the longest I left so lost...no matter what I did my heart was broken. But I found someone that picked up all the pieces and took away my loneliness.

“Carlos, thank you! I love you!” CJ tackled him in a hug.

Mom, dad, I’m okay now…with Carlos by my side, I’ll never be lonely again.

Carlos smiled, rested his hand on her cheek “seeing your happiness is all I need, ya know?” CJ giggled and nodded, sitting in between his lap, the two looking at the clouds go by.

Carlos rested his chin on her shoulder as CJ pointed out funny clouds.

CJ, do you know I’d do anything to protect your happiness. Carlos looked at her large smile, one of the many reasons why he fell in love with her.

It doesn't matter if it you do or don't know...I just feel so happy by your side...I promise, if we’re together, I’ll do everything in my power to protect that smile.

CJ chuckled, coming back to reality, she loved that day. “I can't believe Carlos remade your hat.” Operetta was surprised, she didn't even know that Carlos could sew!

“Yeah, I guess our boys really do love us,” CJ got off the floor, helping Operetta up “so how are you feeling?”

“Better, thanks for sitting with me, and holding my hair back.” Operetta thanked her. Her and CJ walked out of the bathroom too see Shadow Freddie, Freddie, Zeref, and Heine all gathered around a coffee table.

“There you two are, jeez Operetta, were you throwing up all your organs or something?” Shadow Freddie taunted. “No, but it felt like I was.” Operetta groaned, sitting on one of the bean bag chairs.

“So who’s that?” CJ asked, pointing to the girl next to Shadow Freddie.

She has light purple-blue skin with grey hands and lower arms. Grey-colored patterns, invoking shadows, swirl up from her ankles to the middle of her lower legs.

Her hair is pastel green with blue and purple stripes which reaches to her hips, and her eyes are purple-pink yet glow green in the dark.

“This is Nylora Boogeyman, she's a friend of the family.” Freddie introduced. “It's nice to meet you.” Nylora politely greeted.

“You're the daughter of the boogie man?” Zeref asked. “Yep. That's me.” A voice behind Zeref made him jump out of his seat.

“That never gets old.” the man laughed. He is a tall middle-aged man with a slim build and slightly tanned skin.

He has short black and gray hair as well as a thick mustache and eyebrows, and green eyes.

He wears a gray overcoat with yellow linings, a yellow dress shirt and a black necktie. His pants are the same color as his overcoat.

His yellow-buttoned undercoat and fingerless gloves match his cordovan shoes, under which he wears yellow socks.

“Mazus Boogeyman, nice to meet ya.” Mazus shook Zeref's hand. Zeref, who was still a bit shaken up, looked at Mazus weirdly.

“I know this is going to sound weird but, aren't you supposed to be a giant burlap sack filled with insects?” Zeref asked.

“Oh, you mean this?” Mazus transformed into the giant burlap sack filled with insects.

He got close to Zeref face, “boo!” Zeref quickly jumped into Freddie's arms.

“Boogey, you practically scared Zeref half of death!” Heine laughed. “Heine! I haven't seen you in years!” Mazus exclaimed, hugging Heine.

“You two know each other?” Operetta asked. “Yeah, me, Heine, Chernabog, and Facilier have been friends for the longest. We all were part of a spy organization when we were younger.” Mazus replied.

“He's the reason why me and Chernabog are together.” Heine smiled, if it weren't for Boogeyman, Belle wouldn't have been born and neither would have Ben.

“So, I hear your searching for your friend Ben?” Boogeyman said. Freddie nodded “yep, Araden took him and Mal.”

Mazus and Nylora shivered a bit “did you say Araden?” Mazus had a dark aura surrounding him.

“Ye-Yeah…Mazus, we didn't mean to upset you.” CJ gulped, Mazus was scary when he was mad.

“No, it's fine,” Mazus sighed, staring at the picture of him, Nlyora and another woman about Mazus age.

She young woman with wavy, dirty blond hair and blue eyes.

She wears an orange top with a beige vest, light brown trousers with orange stitches on each side, and dark brown boots.

In addition, she wears her wedding ring on her left hand and a bootlace necklace around her neck.

Heine noticed the sadness in Mazus' eyes, the girl in the picture was Karma Boogeyman, that was his wife.

“Anyways,” Mazus looked away from the photo “if he's here, he's most likely in the camps.”

“Camps?” Operetta questioned. “Ever since Araden and his two little henchgirls came in here, they've been ripping families apart for the littlest of things.” Nylora scowled.

“They put them in the camp, which is basically a hell on earth, and they never come back.” Mazus sighed.

“Who the hell is running this camp?” Freddie asked, rage filling up in her body.

“Winter White and Briar Rose.”

~A/N~

Hey guys! Who loves surprise comebacks! I know I do!

I was waiting to use Briar for something and then it came to me! Why don't we have her come back because she and Winter took over the Shadow Realm!

Anyways! I'm thinking about adding Mazus' story to the Twisted Tales, he'll most likely be the 5th or 6th story.

But, besides that, what do you think Ben is doing in the camp? Will ghe others be able to save him?

And what about the 16 shards in the mirror realm? Will Evie and the VKs be able to get them in time to save Mal!?

Find out in the next episode of Good At Being Bad!

Stay Sweet,
Sugar_And_Spice125 💕