EP.32|Festival of The Lights

Lori and Bruce walked into the hotel room, she immediately got tackled into a hug by C.A and Alistair. “You have to stop worrying us like that!” C.A sniffled. “Sorry, I guess I kinda got carried away.” Lori rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

“What took you so long to find her?” Alistair asked. Lori and Bruce quickly looked at each other and back at the group. “She runs really fast.” Bruce answered. “I’m really sorry about flipping out.” Lori apologized.

“You shouldn’t apologize. We should. We never really considered your feelings.” Alistair sighed. “Enough sappy stuff! It’s Festival of The Lights day!” Ben announced. “Festival of the what now?” Bruce asked.

“Festival of The Lights. It’s a celebration of the gods, people set out food and presents at their statues to symbolise their praise for them at the end of the festival everyone sends their lanterns into the sky. It’s like a million little stars.” C.A explained.

“Do we really have to go to this festival?” Freddie asked annoyingly. “Of come on Freddie. It’s just a festival, plus you might have fun.” CJ answered. “I doubt it.” Freddie muttered.

“Festival of the Lights. We had one of those back in the Villain Isle. Except, instead of the gods it would be the 6 Pillars of Light. The ones who discovered the Villain Isles.” Hunter reminisced. “Five original villains?” Alistair asked.

“Yeah. Long ago, when the Villains had no rights. 6 rose up and decided to escape the clutches of the Hero’s and migrate to a paradise where all Villains can live in peace. It wasn’t easy though, the 6 Villains fought long and hard for the right to own the island. Each used their own strength to defeat their enemies.”

“Strength, bravery, healing, beauty, hope, and sorcery. This is what we honor during the 6 Pillars of Light festival and their sacrifice they made during their battle. Hence why you see 6 pillars holding up the island underneath it.” Jasper explained.

“What happened to the 6 pillars?” Lori asked. “After they defeated the hero’s they disappeared. Nobody knows where they went. Which is why we put out food, flowers, and presents, so they can find their way home.” Lizzie answered. “Wow.” C.A said.

“So you guys wanna go?” Ben asked. “Sure, why not.” Mal shrugged.

~B~

“You almost ready guys?” Alistair called out. “Yeah we're done!” Ben yelled back as the group went down stairs into the streets of Olympia. All the streets were lit up with colorful lights and decorations.

“Wow, it’s beautiful.” Bruce gazed in awe. “They really go all out for the festival this year.” C.A observed. “No kidding.” CJ added. “The gods are sure to find their way home with these lights.” Carlos chuckled.

“It kinda reminds me of Dia De Los Muertos.” Evie said, smelling on of the roses. “Look, they have live music!” Freddie pointed out as she grabbed Zeref’s hand and ran towards it. “Looks like they’re gonna have fun.” Jasper laughed slightly. “Festival. Check.” Lizzie whispered as C.A crossed off the word FESTIVAL on her list.

“Where are Bruce and Lori?” Maddie asked, eating a piece of cotton candy.

To answer that question, Bruce and Lori were by the lake making out. “I still don't get why we can't tell my siblings.” Lori said between the kiss.

“If your sister found out she would keep asking us about crazy ship stuff. And your brother, well, I'm his best friend. I just don't wanna drop a bombshell like this on him.” Bruce explained, kissing Lori.

“I still think it's a little bad that we have to hide us from others.” Lori sighed. “Yes, but it's the good type of bad.” Bruce smirked against her neck.

“Here?” Lori asked, her face flushing. “I mean why not? We're all alone.” Bruce whispered. “Bruce, I don't know. I want my first time to be special.” Lori looked away from him. “Okay, we'll wait.” Bruce said, turning to face her.

“I know, I know how hard it is to wait. I'm sorry.” Lori muttered. “It's okay.” Bruce smiled, Lori began reaching her hand towards his glasses.

Her hand was only inches apart from his glasses, but Bruce caught her wrist. “I don't wanna hurt you Lori.” Bruce sighed. “I just wanna see your eyes.” Lori muttered. “No you don't. It only leads to bad things.” Bruce warned her.

“But, it's you. You wouldn't hurt me. Your not Medusa. Your Bruce.” Lori assured him, her hand touching his cheek. “What if I wear your sunglasses, when you open your eyes, I won't be affected by it.” Lori suggested as Bruce sighed, closing his eyes shut and passing Lori the sunglasses.

“No matter what happens. You still love me, right?” Bruce asked unsurely, he then felt Lori’s lips on his. “Oh course. Not even if I’m turned to stone. I will still love you.” Lori whispered.

Bruce nodded and passed Lori the sunglasses. “Okay, open them.” Lori said as Bruce opened his eyes, they were a beautiful shade of emerald green. “Please don't turn to stone.” Bruce muttered.

“Your eyes are beautiful.” Lori smiled. “Thanks.” Bruce chuckled, kissing Lori. “I wanna take off the glasses.” Lori said as Bruce shook his head. “I’m not gonna lose you to the Stone Garden. You mean to much.” Bruce whimpered a bit.

“You’re not gonna hurt me.” Lori reminded him. “I’m gonna take them off. Okay?” Lori asked delicately, Bruce nodded. “You’re eyes are better.” Bruce pouted, looking away.

“Hey, look at me.” Lori demanded, moving Bruce face towards her. “Hello.” Lori smiled, looking into his eyes. “You’re not turning to stone?” Bruce asked as Lori nodded. “It’s amazing, isn't it.” Lori chuckled as they kissed late into the night.

~B~

“I hate this festival.” Maddie growled lowly.

“Alistair! This is a festival for the gods. You can’t say that. The Gods are always watching.” C.A scolded. “I know, I know. I just hate this Juliet Sun girl.” Maddie growled. Juliet Sun was a girl Alistair met the other day by accident, and also cause of their liking for pancakes.

“Oh, remember when the two men started fighting. And you still kept asking for waffles!” Juliet laughed. “Well, excuse me, but I just need to know. If I can have some waffles!” Alistair laughed.

Juliet is a youthful woman with a childlike figure, unlike her partner. She has orange hair in short pigtails that are held up with brown bows, with straight-cut bangs hanging slightly over her face.

She wears a white coat with golden border straps surrounding the cuffs on the coat, waist area, biceps area to go along with two gold lines streaking down the chest area, ending in a skirt with golden frills at the end. She wears white fur-lined snow boots with golden straps to go along with matching white pants.

“Well, Alistair did say she was adorable.” Lizzie stated. “So, he likes adorable huh? Well, 2 can play at that game.” Maddie smirked, and with a flash and swish of her wand Maddie clothes changed from a jeans in t-shirt to a blue kimono dress with white flower designs, which was revealing most of her chest area.

“Maddie? What are you doing?” C.A asked. “I’m gonna fight adorable with sexy.” Maddie smirked as she fixed her shoe a bit.

She then walked up to Alistair and Juliet, sitting next to the food section. Alistair looked up from Juliet to see Maddie, his eyes widened.

Holy...crap...she’s...she’s...amazing… Alistair thought. “Hi Alistair~” Maddie voice sounded sweet like sugar. Alistair was at a lost of words. “I just came to see how the date was going with Juliet Sun.” Maddie added. Alistair stammered with his words.

Just calm down. Just calm down. Alistair thought. Fuck calming down! This is the most perfect timing! Look at her! Dressed in that tight kimono, showing off all her curves, especially over her chest. The other side of Alistair thought as she looked at Maddie’s ruby red lip curve around the straw to her drink.

“So Alistair.” the words popped off her lips. “Wanna go visit the Zeus statue?” Maddie asked, leaning closer into Alistair. All Alistair could do was nod. Maddie then started walking off, until she turned around. “Coming, Lover Boy?” Maddie winked.

~B~

Hunter sat on the edge of Aphrodite's fountain, taking a picture of the flowers. Something about these pictures aren’t right. Hunter thought. “Hey, Hunter.” Operetta greeted. Hunter turned around to see Operetta in a beautiful red, black, and purple kimono.

“You look amazing.” Hunter smiled. “Thanks. Can I be in one of your pictures?” Operetta asked. “Sure. Sit at the fountain.” Hunter answered as Operetta sat on the fountain. Hunter took the picture and looked at it.

She’s beautiful… Hunter thought. “How does it look?” Operetta asked. “It’s amazing.” Hunter answered. “Would you like to buy a rose for your girlfriend?” A lady asked making them both blush.

“We’re not boyfriend and girlfriend.” They both said. “Oh, I see. Would you like to buy a rose for your wife?” The lady asked again. “We’re not married!” The both clarified.

“Really? Okay, do you wanna buy a rose for you friend then?” The lady asked for a third time. “Sure.” Hunter chuckled as he paid for the rose. “I can’t believe that lady thought we were together.” Operetta laughed as they continued walking.

“I know, me and you together, could you imagine.” Hunter laughed also, looking into Operetta eyes. “You and be dating. Girlfriend and boyfriend. I mean, hypothetically, if you wanted to date I’d be fine with that.” Hunter said.

“Right, hypothetically speaking, I would want to date you to. You are really nice, and if I were gonna date anyone it would be you. Hypothetically speaking that is.” Operetta chuckled nervously.

They both loved the other, but when they'll admit, we'll have to wait and see.

Freddie danced in the park to the live music. “Come on. Let’s dance.” Freddie smiled, sawing to the music. “Freddie, I look like an idiot dancing.” Zeref chuckled. “Everyone does at first. But you just need to embrace the music.” Freddie said, pulling Zeref onto the dance floor.

Zeref then started dancing like he was a fish coming out of water. “Oh my gods. Stop. stop.” Freddie sighed as Zeref stopped. “Just calm down. It’s a slow song silly.” Freddie chuckled.

Zeref stuck the spring in his mouth like a rose, caught Freddie around the waist and pulled her closer.

"Whoa!" She yelped and put her hands on his chest to steady herself.

"Dance with me!"

Zeref spun her around the table amidst the teasing catcalls of their comrades. Jasper completely lost his sombre demeanour and chortled. Even Ben let loose a chuckle of mirth. Freddie's face flushed bright red and she took the chance to grab Zeref's hat and yank it over his eyes.

"Hey!" He protested with a laugh and the sprig fell from his lips. "I can't see anything now."

"It's your own fault," she grumbled.

"You're blaming me?"

"Yes!"

Zeref hugged her tightly and caught a sweet, floral scent which he recognised at once. The tea, Freddie's favourite oolong tea, still lingered on her cheek. She often enjoyed it with her favourite fruits and desserts but she liked it mainly because it was named after the Goddess of Mercy, and Freddie strongly believed in second chances.

Zeref tipped his hat back up and looked down at her.

Freddie returned his gaze with large brown eyes that were no longer dull but rather shining in amusement, and her skin had returned to a healthy tinge after all that frolicking, yelling and blushing. She looked radiant and beautiful, just as she did every other day.

Zeref breathed in, allowing his body to relax and meld into hers. He gave a smile, a genuine one devoid of tease and full of affection. "You know what that smells like?"

"What?"

"Forgiveness."

And he pecked her on the cheek making Freddie faint.

Alistair couldn’t believe how hot Maddie was at the moment. Each time she took a step Maddie’s hips would sway side to side. “You coming silly?” Maddie laughed, grabbing Alistair’s hand. “Ye-yeah.” Alistair stammered as they reached Zeus’s statue.

“It’s amazing. Imagine, have people worship you daily.” Maddie smiled. “Yeah, it’s really something.” Alistair smiled. Maddie then tripped on a rock causing the both of them to topple down the hill and onto the beach. Maddie landed on top of Alistair.

Alistair looked at Maddie. “Um…” Alistair stammered. “Shut up.” Maddie smiled as she kissed Alistair. “Alistair. I love you.” Maddie chuckled as Alistair kissed back. “I love you to.” Alistair whispered, making Maddie blush.