EP.37|Unlocking The New Me

“Ben, is everything okay?” Mal asked as Ben walked out of Milton’s off. “Yeah.” Ben smiled. “Good, cause that was hella hot.” Mal smirked, kissing Ben roughly. “Mal, are you okay?” Ben chuckled.

“Y-ye-yeah!” Mal blushed. “Come on, I wanna practise a new spell on one of you.” Mal smiled as they entered their room. “So, who wants to be the guinea pig?” Mal asked. “Not it!” Everyone yelled, except Carlos.

“Great, Carlos! You’re gonna me my guinea pig.” Mal smirked taking out her wand. “Some are here. Some are ther. Salsa dance everywhere.” Mal chanted as a green stream of light came out of her wand and hit Carlos.

“Hit the music.” Ben nodded and started playing salsa music. Carlos’s eyes turned red with specks of white and gold specks in them.

Carlos looked at CJ. Buzz was struck dumb. Time slows. His heart melted. He approaches, drops to his knees, takes CJ’s hand.

“Mi florecita del desierto...! Yo nunca he visto la belleza verdadera hasta esta noche! (My desert flower...! I have never seen true beauty til this night!)” Carlos said in spanish, his voice sounding like poetry to CJ.

“What did you do to Carlos?” CJ asked. “I didn’t finish the spell.” Mal answered. “Look at his eyes.” Zypher pointed out as Ben looked at Carlos’s new red eyes. “He’s sorta unlocking the Crinx.” Zypher said.

Abruptly, Carlos grabs her, yanks her to him. As CJ stands awkwardly, Carlos performs a solemn, impassioned courtship dance around her. Finally, Carlos takes CJ in his arms.

“¡Ven conmigo! ¡Te mostraré las maravillas de la galaxia, y juntos lucharemos contra el despiadado héroe! (Come with me! I will show you the wonders of the galaxy, and together we will fight the hero's)” Carlos hand brush softly against CJ’s skin making her blush.

“Hhee.” CJ laughed nervously. This side...of Carlos...it’s beautiful… CJ smiled. “Bailar conmigo.” Carlos whispered. Carlos spun her around the room amidst the teasing catcalls of their comrades.

Zeref completely lost his sombre demeanour and chortled. Even Jasper let loose a chuckle of mirth. CJ's face flushed bright red. Carlos then collapsed onto CJ, the two falling on to the couch.

Carlos blinked twice, his eyes turning back to normal, he then noticed he was lying on something soft. “Did we get new pillows?” Carlos asked. “Ac-” Ben the covered Jasper’s mouth with his hand. “Yes, we got new pillows.” Ben smirked. “Ben! We did not get new pillows.” CJ mouthed. “You’re right Ben. 2 medium sized pillows. Well, I’m going to bed.” Freddie smiled as she went upstairs. “Good night Carlos.” Freddie smield.

Carlos is on my chest! Why is my heart beating so fast? My pulse is racing! My face is hot! The room is spinning! What’s happening?? CJ thought as she felt Carlos head shift a bit on top of her chest.

CJ looked at his childish face as he slept. “You idiot.” CJ sighed as she went to sleep. Soon as she did, Carlos slowly got up and groggily walked outside.

Ever since the vacation, Carlos been getting headaches whenever he’s around the gang. Mostly CJ. “Stop it...stop hurting…” Carlos growled. “Please…” Carlos muttered. “Get me CJ…” A voice inside his head said.

“Why would you want CJ?” Carlos asked sitting by the pool. “Just get me CJ…” The voice repeated. “N-no.” Carlos said as the headache got worse. “Why do you want CJ?” Carlos asked.

“Listen to me...I’m here to help.” the voice said as Carlos looked into the water t0 see his reflection. “And how is getting CJ supposed to help me?” Carlos asked as his reflection changed into one of a black panther.

“Hello.” The panther greeted. “What the hell are you..ah!” Carlos groaned in pain.

“My name is Alvarez. I’m your Crinx.” Alvarez introduced. “Where did my reflection go?” Carlos asked. “We don't have time for that. Carlos, I must warn you about something.” Alvarez said.

“What’s going on?” Carlos asked.

“Something is coming. Something bad. I sense it. The aura of this school is all off. Something gonna happen, I want you and Ben to keep an eye out for any suspicious. Anything out of the ordinary. I already explained this all to Ben’s crinx, Zypher, just be on guard okay.” Alvarez warned. “Wiat, Ben has a crinx? Why am I just now learning of this?” Carlos asked.

“Ben unlocked his the night of the Karaoke bar. He’s got his animalistic trait from the Beast causing him to unlock it sooner. You adapted yours from Dude, you’re what we call a Half-Adaptation, causing you to unlock your Crinx after Ben.” Alvarez explained.

“Woah, that’s a crap load to process.” Carlos sighed. “Well you’re gonna have to process more.” Alvarez said. “Go get Ben. There’s something else I need to tell you. Ben and Zypher will explain more.”

Carlos then walked back inside to see CJ sleeping. “So, that’s CJ.” Alvarez chuckled. “Not gonna lie, she’s kinda perfect for you.” Alvarez added. “Shut up.” Carlos muttered as he went up to Ben’s room to see him and Mal sleeping.

“Ben. Ben wake up.” Carlos shook his slightly as Ben groaned as turned towards Carlos. “Carlos? What do you want? It’s like 2 am.” Ben groaned.

“I know, but I need your help.” Carlos whispered. “With what?” Ben asked getting out of bed. “Um, this is gonna sound crazy, but this panther called Alvarez needs to talk to me. He’s supposed to be my Crinx. He said you had one too and that you and somebody called Zypher will explain more.” Carlos began. “Say no more.” Ben interrupted.

“Wait, you know?” Carlos asked. “Yeah.” Ben answered as they walked outside to the pool. “Hello Ben.” Alvarez greeted. “Hey.” Ben smiled, rubbing his eyes.

“Now, where is Zypher?” Alvarez asked. “There better be a good reason why you’re up this early.” Zypher yawned as Ben’s reflection turned into that of Zypher’s.

“This panther named Alvarez wanted to talk to us.” Ben said as Zypher sighed. “Great, Alvarez is here.” Zypher scoffed.

“Hello you too, Zypher.” Alvarez smiled. “You two know each other?” Carlos asked. “Sadly, we do.” Alvarez sighed.

“That’s a story for another time though.” Zypher added. “For now, there is something you must know, Carlos.” Alvarez began, his voice with a little worry in it. “Alvarez. Should we even be telling him this?” Zypher asked.

“It’s fine, only they will know for now. You have to promise me whatever we say never leaves this room.” Alvarez said as both Ben and Carlos nodded. “Now, let us begin.” Alvarez sighed.

~RK~

“Carlos. Are you okay?” Alvarez asked as Carlos shook his head, hyperventilating. “I told you we should've told him.” Zypher and Ben sighed. “He’ll be okay.” Alvarez sweat dropped. “I hope.” Alvarez added.

“Carlos, calm down.” Alvarez said calmly. “Calm down?! I don't think that’s possible!” Carlos exclaimed. “Look at me! A lot is at stake here. Me, Ben, and Zypher can get in serious trouble for just telling you this.” Alvarez shortly explained.

“Okay, I’m calm.” Carlos sighed. “Good, now, be on the lookout for anything suspicious. Anything that is out of the ordinary.” Zypher instructed as Ben and Carlos nodded, both Crinx’s reflections fading away.

“We’re in a bigger shit now, huh?” Carlos sighed. “Yeah, get some sleep. We’ll start searching tomorrow.” Ben insisted as both him and Carlos went back inside.

Ben went into his room to see Mal was awake. “What are you doing up honey?” Ben asked. “It’s nothing, just some nightmares that’s all.” Mal sighed.

“Wanna talk about it?” Ben asked, sitting on the bed, as Mal faced him. “It’s stupid.” Mal said. “Hey, look at me.” Ben then lifted up Mal’s face.

“Nothing you say is stupid.” Ben added, kissing Mal softly. “Fine, in the nightmare, we were all in like these chambers filled with a green poison. It kept burning, I could feel my skin burning off. I just wanted to wake up but then I heard laughing, almost cackling, I couldn’t see anything thru the bubbles but a pair of multi-colored eyes.”

“It was almost like they were looking into my soul, enjoying the fact that I was suffering. I then started feeling like I was changing, like my cells were being ripped apart and attached once more.”

“I looked down to see I was changing into some sort of monster, I had black claws and everything. Then there was a really loud scream and my head started hurting, it almost sounded like somebody was crying for help.”

“Begging almost. Then everything went black and I woke up. You weren’t there so I thought something happened to you.” tears began to stream down her face. “I was so scared. I thought you died. Or somebody took you.” Mal cried into his chest.

“Mal, shh… I’m fine...we’re all fine…” Ben assured her. “Zypher.” Ben started. “Things are happening far more quickly than I expected.” Zypher sighed.

“What the heck are we gonna do?” Ben asked, worriedly. “Me and Alvarez will think of something, for now, comfort you fiance.” Zypher answered.

“It’s just a nightmare.” Ben assured her. “Ben. Are we gonna be okay? Am I gonna be okay?” Mal asked as Ben kissed her softly once more before pinning her to the bed softly.

“You’re gonna be okay. You just need to trust me. Nothing’s gonna happen to you.” Ben said, kissing Mal’s neck. “Ben, ah!” Mal moaned. “As long as I’m here. Nothing’s gonna happen to you.” Ben smirked against her skin.

“You still smell like lavender.” Ben smiled. “Lavender body wash, you should try it sometime.” Mal chuckled.

“I like it on you better.” Ben whispered. “And why is that?” Mal asked. “I don't know, lavender just goes with your personality best.” Ben answered, taking in her scent.

“You know just what to say, don't you.” Mal snickered. “What can I say Mal, you bring out an entire different side of me.” Ben said, kissing down to Mal’s fingertips. Kissing the top of her ring.

“In a couple of months, I get to call you my wife.” Ben reminded her. “And I get to call you King Ben.” Mal reminded him. “You know, the words King Ben coming off your lips sound sexy in a way.” Ben smirked.

“Is that so?” Mal smirked. “Well, King Ben, you just gonna keep looking at me or are we gonna actually do something?” Mal asked, emphasizing the words ‘King Ben’.

“Feisty aren’t we?” Ben chuckled. “It’s not my fault your argument with Milton got me all riled up.” Mal smiled. “Okay, fine, let's have some fun.” Mal smirked

~HK~

“That was amazing.” Mal smiled. “You know, my parents would always tell me not to do “that” before we were married. But since they’re gone, I can care less.” Ben chuckled. “Wanna go again?” Mal asked.

“Please don't.” Freddie called out from the other room. “Sorry Freddie.” Ben laughed. “Say that to my ears!” Operetta yelled. “Sorry Operetta.” Now it was Mal’s turn to laugh.