The Fall Festival had arrived, a time when parents joined their children in a joyous celebration filled with delicious food and festive activities. "I've missed you both so much!" Jack exclaimed, wrapping his daughters, Paris and Pearl, in a tight embrace.
"We've missed you too, Dad!" Paris responded warmly. Pearl, however, squirmed out of the hug, playfully admonishing, "Dad, stop with the tight hugging! We're in public."
Overhearing their exchange, Marvella's parents, Lora and Death, approached. "Despite what happened in Libera, we're thrilled you've made such wonderful friends," Lora said, her voice brimming with pride. "They seem like good people."
Death nodded in agreement. "We're very proud."
Marvella glanced back at her team and replied, "Yeah, they're great."
Meanwhile, Darling shared a tender moment with her mother. "I've missed you too, Mom," she said, hugging her tightly. In the background, Terrance and Sunshine were engrossed in a light-hearted banter, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Robin and Gary strolled through the festival, observing the joyful interactions between parents and children. "Seeing all the kids with their parents always makes me happy," Robin commented.
Gary nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's nice." His expression turned somber as Robin mentioned his late wife, Mary. "I'm sorry about Mary. I know how much you loved her."
Gary sighed, wiping away a tear. "Yeah... It's life. It shows you shouldn't wait even a second to tell people you love them." Seeing his sadness, Robin reached up, gently touching his face. Their eyes met, and they shared a comforting smile, a moment of understanding passing between them.
"Dad, meet Darling and Marvella. They are so amazing at fighting, it's why we are the best team!" Paris introduced her friends to Jack.
Terrance couldn't resist a retort. "Umm, I think you mean The Variants are the best team."
"And whose name is headlining this story again? Not your team," Paris fired back, causing a ripple of laughter to travel through the group as the friendly bickering continued.
Pearl then brought up their upcoming match. "We'll be competing against the Glamour Girls in the fighting games. Parents, you better be ready to see us win!"
Lora chimed in, "We're counting on it. You girls are our descendants. You better win!" The group laughed again, the air filled with good-natured teasing and anticipation.
Paris then noticed Nadine handing out treats to the families. Seeing her friend, Paris excused herself from the group and made her way over to Nadine.
"Hey Nadine," Paris greeted, her heart fluttering slightly as she approached.
"Oh, hi Paris!" Nadine replied, her face lighting up with a warm smile. She handed a treat to a child before turning her attention back to Paris. "Enjoying the festival so far?"
Paris nodded. "Yeah, it's great. The team and I are looking forward to the fighting games."
"I heard," Nadine said, her gaze flickering towards the rest of Paris's team. "Well, I'm sure you girls will do great. Your team is pretty amazing."
Paris felt a blush creeping up her cheeks at the compliment. "Thanks, Nadine. That means a lot."
There was a brief pause, both of them exchanging shy smiles. Nadine seemed to be about to say something else when a child ran up to them, tugging on Nadine's apron.
"Nadine, can I have another cookie?" the little girl asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.
Nadine laughed, ruffling the girl's hair. "Of course, sweetie. Just one, though. We don't want a sugar rush, do we?"
As Nadine turned to get the cookie, Paris found herself watching her. She noticed the way Nadine's eyes softened when she interacted with the children, the way her laughter filled the air with a warmth that made Paris's heart flutter. She realized then that her feelings for Marvella were fading, replaced by a new warmth, a new fluttering in her chest whenever she was around Nadine.
"Here you go, sweetie," Nadine said, handing the girl a cookie. The little girl thanked her before running off, a big smile on her face.
Nadine then turned back to Paris, her own smile fading slightly when she noticed the look on Paris's face. "Paris? Is everything okay?" she asked, concern etching her features.
Paris quickly snapped out of her thoughts, forcing a smile on her face. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just...thinking," she said, not wanting to reveal her feelings just yet.
Nadine seemed to accept her answer, her smile returning. "Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here, okay?" she offered, her gaze sincere.
Paris felt her heart swell at Nadine's words. "Thanks, Nadine. That means a lot," she said, her voice soft.
They exchanged another smile, a silent understanding passing between them. As Paris watched Nadine interact with the festival-goers, she couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The Fall Festival was turning out to be a day filled with laughter, friendly bickering, and a budding romance that Paris was excited to explore.
Marvella approached Nora, Bellamy, and Jinx, noticing their isolation from the family-filled festivities. "Why aren't you guys with your families?" she asked.
"I've been an orphan since I was a kid, so no family for me," Nora said with a shrug. Bellamy added, "My parents are still upset about me choosing Nora, so no family for me either." Jinx simply said, "My sister couldn't come."
Feeling a pang of sympathy, Marvella extended an invitation. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Why don't you join us and our families?" She reached out, pulling Jinx up from his chair. They all made their way to the table where the Chaotic Girls, their parents, Terrance, Alexandra, and her parents were gathered.
Soon, Xavier arrived with his father. "Hey, guys!" he greeted, taking a seat next to Darling and planting a kiss on her cheek. His father extended pleasantries to Mabel. "It's nice to see you again, Mabel!"
Mabel responded warmly, "You too!" The additions to the table brought a renewed sense of camaraderie, ensuring that no one felt left out during the festival.
As the family settled around the dinner table, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and lighthearted banter. Terrance found himself drawn into a conversation by Alexandra's parents about his studies and interests. His enthusiasm and thoughtful responses seemed to impress them, and he was glad to see Alexandra looking pleased from the corner of his eye.
At the other end of the table, Pearl decided to tease Darling a bit. "Darling, you've got something in your hair," she said, smirking. Darling rolled her eyes, reaching to check her hair, but found nothing.
"Pearl, stop," Darling said, sounding more annoyed than she intended to. Xavier, sitting next to her, let out a chuckle, finding the interaction amusing.
Mabel, watching Pearl and Darling's interaction, leaned over to her daughter. "Darling," she whispered, "If you ever want to break up with Xavier and get with Pearl, I'd support you."
Darling looked at her mother, taken aback. But before she could respond, Death, Marvella's dad, redirected the conversation towards Paris.
"Paris," he began, his voice carrying a certain weight. "How are you finding the leadership role?"
Paris looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "It's challenging, but also rewarding. I'm learning a lot, and my team has been incredibly supportive."
Through the course of the evening, the dinner table was a hub of laughter, shared stories, and camaraderie. Despite the presence of unspoken feelings and personal challenges, the bond between them was evident. They were more than just friends or teammates; they were a family.
In a different location, Morrisa seethed with fury. "They stole my gem! Those brats are asking for it!" she exclaimed.
Felix, her accomplice, asked, "What are you going to do?"
"The school is having a fall festival. They'll be outside for most of the day. It's the perfect opportunity for me to sneak into their room and grab it," Morrisa schemed. "Hmm, maybe I'll even leave a dead body for someone to find, just for them stealing my gem."
With her plan in motion, Morrisa started to walk away. "What do you want me to do?" Felix asked.
"Get our monsters ready for what we've planned, obviously! I'll be back soon; this shouldn't take long." With that, Morrisa left the lair.
Meanwhile, at the Fall Festival, the fighting games had begun. The Chaotic Girls were pitted against the Glamour Girls, while The Variants faced off against another team in the school.
"Welcome to the Fall Festival Competition!" the announcer's voice boomed over the loudspeakers. "Today we have four teams that will be battling it out! Up first, The Variants versus The Tigers!" The crowd erupted into cheers, the tension and excitement palpable as the first match was about to begin.
The atmosphere in the school's battle arena was electric as The Variants and The Tigers faced off for the Fall Festival competition. The Variants, led by Terrance, stood tall, their weapons shimmering under the spotlight.
Terrance, with his Crimson Saber, stood at the forefront. Alexandra, holding The Graviton Scepter, was ready at his side, while Nora and her Vitality Nunchaku took up the rear flank. Bellamy, having chosen the Starfall SMG for this fight, stood ready as their strategic cover.
Across the battlefield, The Tigers, an imposing group known for their aggressive tactics, prepared to charge. Their leader, a formidable student named Rex, bared his teeth in a challenging grin.
The starting signal rang out, and the arena erupted into action. Terrance met Rex head-on, their weapons clashing with a resounding clang. Despite the ferocity of Rex's attacks, Terrance deflected each with a precise swing of his Crimson Saber, his leadership clear in his focused determination.
Meanwhile, Alexandra manipulated the gravity around their opponents using her Graviton Scepter. The Tigers suddenly found themselves lighter than air, flailing comically as they tried to regain their footing. The crowd roared with laughter as Flash, the fastest of The Tigers, tripped over his own feet in his confusion.
Nora, with her Vitality Nunchaku, was a whirl of energy. One of the Tigers tried to sneak up on her, only to receive a swift hit from her nunchaku that sent him spinning into a pile of conveniently placed gym mats. The crowd erupted in laughter at the sight.
Bellamy, with his Starfall SMG, provided cover fire, sending the Tigers ducking and diving for cover. He aimed a shot at a Tiger member's soda can, causing it to explode and drench the unfortunate student, much to the amusement of the spectators.
The fight was intense but filled with humorous moments that kept it from turning too serious. The Variants, under Terrance's leadership, showed exceptional teamwork, turning the tide in their favor with every move.
Finally, with one final spectacular display of skill and strategy, The Variants claimed victory. The crowd erupted in cheers, their laughter and applause echoing throughout the arena. It was an epic battle, but the spirit of friendly competition and camaraderie shone through, making it an unforgettable event for all.
"You four were amazing!" Paris praised The Variants as they returned backstage after their match.
"Thank you!" Alexandra responded, her face flushed with the excitement of their win.
"Wish you the best of luck!" Nora chimed in.
Terrance added, "Really, between you guys and the Glamour Girls, it's going to be a tough competition. I feel like it will probably be a fair fight." His words prompted laughter from the girls, appreciating the friendly rivalry.
"Next up! The Chaotic Girls versus The Glamour Girls," the announcer's voice echoed through the venue. The crowd's anticipation was palpable.
"I hope you girls are ready to get washed up," Mia said, joining in the friendly banter.
"Please, you girls have nothing on us!" Darling retorted, causing a ripple of laughter to spread through the group. The good-natured rivalry stoked the excitement for the upcoming match, the festival filled with enthusiasm and camaraderie.
In the heart of the battle arena, an air of friendly competition hung thick. The Chaotic Girls, comprising Paris, Darling, Marvella, and Pearl, faced off against the Glamour Girls, Mia, Bia, and Lindsay. Both teams, although usually on friendly terms, now stood ready to engage in a fierce yet friendly showdown.
Paris, the leader of the Chaotic Girls, held her Verdant Staff firmly, its green glow casting an ethereal light. Darling, her fingers gently tracing over the icy runes of her Frostbite Grimoire, stood ready. Marvella's Obsidian Phoenix flickered dangerously, while Pearl flexed her fingers in her Aero-Gauntlets, ready for action.
Opposite them, Mia, the leader of the Glamour Girls, gripped her Starlight Scepter. Bia, her hands encased in the Titan Gauntlets, stood by her side, with Lindsay adjusting the Solaris Diadem on her head.
As the signal for the start of the match rang out, Paris swung her Verdant Staff, a wave of energy rippling towards Mia who deflected it with a shimmering barrier from her Starlight Scepter. "Pearl, you're on Lindsay," Paris commanded, her eyes never leaving Mia.
Mia, in response, pointed her scepter at Bia. "Keep Marvella busy, Bia," she ordered, just as she expertly dodged another attack from Paris.
Pearl and Lindsay locked into their own aerial battle. Lindsay, using the power of her Solaris Diadem, unleashed a beam of blinding light towards Pearl. Yet, Pearl swiftly countered, her Aero-Gauntlets summoning a gust of wind that deflected the light.
On another end, Darling and Marvella double-teamed Bia. Darling chanted a frost spell from her grimoire, causing a sheet of ice to form beneath Bia's feet, while Marvella, taking advantage of Bia's momentary loss of balance, struck with her Obsidian Phoenix.
The crowd erupted in laughter and cheers as the fight continued, the teams exchanging friendly jabs and quips even as they parried and attacked. The fight was intense but filled with camaraderie, a testament to their strong friendship.
Finally, with a coordinated attack, the Chaotic Girls managed to disarm the Glamour Girls, winning the match. The crowd erupted into cheers, with Nadine's voice standing out as she cheered for Paris, making her blush.
Their parents, watching with pride from the sidelines, clapped and cheered for their daughters. The girls, despite their competitive spirit, helped each other up, their friendship undiminished by the battle. It was an event that would be remembered for its perfect blend of epic battle and friendly competition.
"Good work!" Mia congratulated, despite her team's defeat. "Literally, you guys beat our butts!" Bia chimed in, prompting laughter from everyone.
As darkness enveloped the sky, it was time to say goodbye. "I’m going to miss you two so much," Jack confessed, hugging his daughters, Paris and Pearl. "We're going to miss you too, Dad. Be safe," Paris returned. "You two be safe as well. We love you," Pearl added. Jack, with a smile on his face, affirmed his love for his daughters before departing.
Marvella's parents, Lora and Death, had their own parting words. "Okay Marvella, don’t get into trouble. Gary is trying all he can to get you girls out of here," Lora warned. "Mom, I’m not a bad kid. I’m sure I’ll be good," Marvella assured her. Lora and Death exchanged a knowing look, unconvinced of their daughter's innocence. Marvella laughed, "I promise I won’t get into trouble." She hugged her parents, and they left.
"You two be safe and take care of each other," Mabel instructed Terrance and Darling. "We will," Terrance assured. "See you, Sunshine!" Darling bid her farewell. "See you two!" Sunshine replied. Mabel and Sunshine then took their leave.
As soon as the adults were out of sight, Darling let her guard down. "Please don’t tell me you and Alexandra are going to get together," she said to Terrance, a hint of scorn in her voice. "Why should you care?" Terrance retorted. "I care because she doesn’t fit the royal family style," Darling defended. "Says the girl who is emotionally cheating on Xavier with Pearl. Which, from what I've heard, isn’t part of the royal family style either," Terrance fired back.
"I don’t like Pearl, I don’t even like girls! You know what, I don’t need to explain myself to you," Darling retorted. Terrance let out a sigh, unloading years of pent-up frustration. "It’s always about you and what you want! Yes, you're going to be the future queen, but that doesn’t excuse you from being the worst person on this planet."
Before he could storm off, Darling spun him around. "You think I don’t know that! I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks about me! We are in this family together, and we've got to maintain the image, whether you like it or not," she declared, brushing past him.
As Darling reentered the building, Pearl was waiting. "Hey, are you okay? I heard yelling. You seem upset," Pearl said, concern etching her face. "Look, Pearl, stop trying to turn me into you! I am with Xavier, and I don’t even like girls! Just stay away from me!" Darling snapped, leaving Pearl hurt and confused. "How can I stay away from you when we live in the same room!" Pearl shouted back, clearly upset. The night ended on a tense note, with unresolved issues and hurt feelings lingering in the air.
Terrance watched as Darling walked off, her words echoing in his head. He sighed, feeling a weight on his shoulders he'd been carrying for far too long. He needed to cool off, to clear his mind.
Walking off the argument site, he found himself in the school's quiet courtyard. The soft chirping of night crickets and the cool breeze did little to calm his agitated spirit. He leaned against a tree, his eyes staring blankly at the star-studded sky.
Just as he was about to descend further into his thoughts, a soft voice broke his reverie. "Terrance?" Alexandra stood a few feet away, concern etched on her face. She'd heard about his argument with Darling.
"Hey, Alexandra," Terrance greeted, managing a small smile. She walked over, standing next to him, her gaze following his to the night sky.
"Want to talk about it?" she asked gently. Her presence was comforting, a soothing balm to his turbulent emotions.
Terrance shook his head, but the look in his eyes told a different story. Alexandra respected his silence, choosing to stand there with him in quiet solidarity. The night passed in comfortable silence, the tension in Terrance's shoulders slowly easing.
After a while, Alexandra broke the silence. "You know, Darling... she's just worried. In her own, twisted way," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The moonlight illuminated her face, highlighting her thoughtful expression.
Terrance turned to look at her, his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to tell her so many things, how he felt about her, how he wished things were different. But he held back, swallowing his confession.
"Thanks, Alexandra," was all he managed to say, his voice thick with unspoken words. She gave him a soft smile and a nod, understanding his turmoil.
They stood there, under the starlit sky, the silence between them filled with shared understanding. It was not a confession, not yet, but it was a step closer. And for now, that was enough.
After a long day, Paris returned to her room, ready for some downtime. She headed to the hiding spot where she had stashed the gem, only to find it missing. "What!" she exclaimed, her heart sinking.
"Looking for this?" a voice echoed from the shadows. Morrisa stepped into the dim light, a smug grin on her face as she dangled the gem in front of her.
"You know, I was skeptical about why my mother chose you as leader. But I see it now. You're like your mother, at least in mindset. But since you're so interested in my plan, I'll share. I'm going to kill all your parents. I've already taken care of my mom. Next will be Darling’s mom, Marvella's parents, then yours. I'm planning to frame Gary. That's why I haven't done anything to him yet," Morrisa taunted, her words dripping with menace.
"Well, joke's on you. Pearl and I don't care about our mom, just like she doesn't care about us. And it was foolish of you to reveal your plan. I can stop you right here," Paris retorted, a defiant glint in her eyes.
"You really think that's my whole plan? Why do you think I've been in hiding? I've got more up my sleeve. I just came here to warn you - don't ever steal from me again, or you'll have another murder on your hands," Morrisa threatened, her words chilling.
As Morrisa turned to leave, Paris lunged at her, grappling with her in an attempt to reclaim the gem. The room was filled with tension as the struggle for the gem - and control - ensued.
Morrisa and Paris grappled, their bodies locked in a fierce struggle for the gem. Paris, despite being weaponless, fought with all her might, her determination to protect her loved ones giving her strength. But Morrisa was equally strong, her desire to carry out her plan fueling her resistance.
They tumbled around the room, knocking over furniture and shattering ornaments. Each tried to gain the upper hand, but the struggle was evenly matched. In the midst of their brawl, the gem slipped from Morrisa's grasp, skidding across the floor.
Seeing her chance, Paris lunged for it, but Morrisa was quicker. She scooped up the gem and dashed towards the door. "This isn't over, Paris!" she called over her shoulder, disappearing into the shadows.
Paris, despite her exhaustion, immediately pursued her. As she burst out of the room, she almost collided with Darling, Marvella, and Pearl. Breathlessly, she filled them in, and without missing a beat, her teammates joined the chase.
They managed to corner Morrisa, using their weapons to keep her at bay. Paris got the gem, and as Morrisa lunged for her, Nadine appeared. "Nadine, run!" Paris yelled, throwing the gem to her. Nadine caught it, turning to flee as Morrisa chased after her.
The chase led them to a balcony. Nadine, in a desperate attempt, activated her Technomorphic Gauntlet. But Morrisa was faster, grabbing the gem and summoning her weapon, the Siphoning Scepter. In a swift move, she pushed Nadine off the balcony.
"No!" Paris screamed, her voice filled with horror as she watched Nadine fall. The world seemed to slow down, the sight of Nadine plummeting etched into her mind. Pearl rushed to Paris, wrapping her arms around her as Paris's knees buckled, her heart-wrenching cry echoing in the night.
Darling and Marvella stood frozen, shock written all over their faces. The sight of Nadine's fall replayed in their minds, a brutal reminder of the reality of their situation. The night was filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the cries of Paris. The loss of Nadine was a blow that hit them hard, a wound that would take a long time to heal.
"You bitch!" Paris screamed, lunging at Morrisa, but Pearl held her back. "Pearl, let me at her!" Paris cried, tears streaming down her face at the sight of Nadine's fall.
"This isn't over, Paris!" Morrisa threatened, before disappearing. Paris ran outside, hoping against hope that Nadine was still alive. But as she reached Nadine's body, she watched her take her last breath. Nadine was gone. Paris let out a scream of despair.
"Paris!" Marvella called out, rushing over. Paris was sobbing, guilt weighing heavily on her for Nadine's death. The others, Terrance, Alexandra, Nora, Bellamy, Jinx, Xavier, Mia, Bia, and Lindsay, arrived in confusion. Seeing Nadine's lifeless body, Nora broke down crying. Her best friend was dead. Bellamy held and comforted his girlfriend while the others stood in shock.
Principal Dean arrived at the scene, looking irritated. "What are you doing out here! You're supposed to be in your rooms!" he barked, then his eyes fell on his daughter's lifeless form. He couldn't finish his sentence, shock taking over.
"Principal Dean... I'm sorry," Paris managed to say through her sobs.
Dean looked at Paris and her team, his face hardening. "You four are officially on lockdown. For the murder of the Queen, for sneaking out, and for killing my daughter."
"What! We didn't kill her! Morrisa did!" Darling protested.
"Enough with the excuses. You all will be on room lockdown until we figure out how to fix you. Guards, take them away!" he ordered. The guards swiftly handcuffed the group and escorted them to their rooms, leaving the scene of the tragedy behind.
Author Note:
Sorry not sorry 😊 I hope you enjoyed and next chapter will be out 12/23. Consider it as a week break from all the chaotic stuff 😂 The last four chapters will not disappoint!
