Meanwhile, a lot of people were already in the foyer wishing Jazz a Happy Birthday, the princess was sitting in a neon red and blue chair at the far end of the foyer by the stairs. It was on a high platform where she could see the whole foyer. A large cake was sitting on a big table nearby with a lot of food surrounding it. The people attending were either sitting at the many tables, chatting against the walls and some were even dancing to the loud music playing through the speakers on the wall.
Jazz sat in her chair looking very bored, tapping her foot on the floor and a claw on the chair. She was trying to spot Tara and Josie but couldn’t see them yet.
“Come on, the plan had to have worked. I haven’t gotten a contact about Albie being near the security bot.”
She spotted her mom talking with a few of the sub-commanders and Max was chatting with some old friends of his.
“Damn it.” She slammed a fist on the chair.
Tears threatened to come but then she finally spotted Josie coming over.
“Phew, sorry Jazz, some guy wanted me to dance with them.” She crossed her arms.
“Oh, I was getting worried.”
“I think it worked out.”
“Where’s Tara?”
“She-“
Suddenly they saw Tara running over with a plate of cake with some already stuffed in her mouth.
“Really?” Josie groaned.
“Vhat? It’s good cake!” Tara said swallowing what was in her mouth.
“So Albie is over by the bot? I didn’t hear a blast.”
Just then she got a notification from the bot.
“ALBIE-HERE-WITH-ROYALTIES! PROCEED-WITH-INCLUSION?”
Jazz wanted to jump for joy but that would give her away. She grinned madly and looked at the others.
“The plan continues, I’ll be back!”
“Got it!” The two animal demons said together.
Jazz approved of the inclusion, pretended she had to pee and headed to the elevator nearby while the other two kept their eyes on Toxic and Max who hadn’t noticed. Jazz ran to her room and opened the window just as the bot was hoisting Albie up on its head.
“ALBIE!”
“Jazz!”
“Quick get in!”
Albie leaped and Jazz caught him by her ponytail and pulled him into the room accidentally letting him tackle her to the ground.
“SORRY!” Albie yelled.
He helped her up but she laughed.
“It’s okay! Welcome to my room!”
“WHOA!”
Albie was amazed by everything, it was like a bigger version of his room. He gasped at the massive bed, dressers, walk-in closet, the speakers on the walls, the neon-red carpet, TV and computer setup.
“Amazing!” He smiled.
“Heh, it’s missing one thing though that you have.”
“What’s that?”
“A sweet string guitar.”
Albie blushed as he got a good look at her dress.
“It’s not that bad.”
Jazz looked down at the dress and blushed hard.
“It’s…too pink! I got enough pink on my face.”
“Still, at least it’s just for tonight.”
“Hope so.
The two stared at each other trying to figure out what to say next.
“Well uh…”
“So uh…”
“…”
“…”
Jazz then grabbed him into a hug.
“I’m glad you came, sorry you can’t go downstairs.”
“It’s okay, I got my phone to keep me busy.”
“I’ll bring you some cake, as long as Tara doesn’t eat it all.”
“Hah, she’s a big eater.”
“Yeah, and yet Josie has the bigger mouth.”
The two burst out laughing before Albie quickly shuts his mouth.
“Shit, I’m supposed to be a secret.”
“Yeah you’re right. I should probably get back down before mom notices I’m gone, I’m so fucking bored.”
“It’s that bad huh?”
“I want the ceiling to collapse on everyone right now.”
“Heh, I understand.”
“Well, I’ll see you in a bit. If you break anything I’ll pierce your heart.” She warned with a wink.
This left Albie a little terrified before she left the room and shutting the door behind her. Able knew to keep quiet and sat on her bed glad it wasn’t squeaky. In case something went wrong, he saw if he could hide under the bed or in the closet, both were suitable options. He thought about turning on the TV but worried the volume was loud and would blow his cover. He went to the window and saw more people still coming in.
“Geez, a lot of royalty, and I’m the only commoner.” He sighed.
With Jazz, she met with Tara and Josie back in the foyer.
“Plan was a success!” She cheered.
“Hell yeah!” Tara said.
“Phew, I knew we could do it.” Josie said.
Max had seen that cheer and went over to Toxic.
“They look happy.” Max said.
“Yeah, she’s finally changing her mood.” Toxic smiled.
Max rubbed his chin.
“I hope that’s all.” Max said.
“Why? You think something happened?” Toxic asked.
“Well no, but…still.”
The two turn to the girls who were grabbing more cake, strangely…Jazz had a second plate being held in her extra hand.
“Huh?” Max was confused.
“Jazz usually piles a lot of cake on one plate.” Toxic said.
The three then look at each other before heading to the elevator next to the stairs. Once they were in, Tara pressed the button and as the door closed. Jazz caught Max and Toxic looking at them.
“Oh no.” She worried.
“What?” Josie asked.
“I think they saw us.”
“They probably think ve’re going to your room to chill und get some air.” Tara figured.
“I hope so.”
Once on the fourth floor, they raced to Jazz’s room and knocked.
“It’s us!” Jazz said.
Albie felt calm as he almost hid under the bed, the girls came in and Jazz handed him the extra plate.
“Thanks!”
“So…jealous yet?” Tara teased.
This earned a scowl from Josie making the bat roll her eyes.
“I think they saw us coming up here.” Jazz said.
“It’ll be okay, I can hide.”
“Good thing you’re skinny, unlike batty over here.” Josie said.
“Excuse me?” Tara sneered.
“Well I know I am.” Josie smirked at her.
“You’re lucky I’m eating this cake und vearing a dress.”
“So you’re admitting you’re a little heavy?”
“VHY YOU-“
“Enough, we can’t draw attention.” Jazz growled.
Albie only rolled his eyes. As they starting chatting about other things quietly, Max and Toxic had just exited the elevator, but Toxic stayed by it.
“What’s wrong?” Max asked.
“I’m sure we’re overreacting, I’ll stay here in case it’s nothing.”
“Okay, maybe you’re right. But it doesn’t hurt to check right?”
“Go on then.”
Max headed towards the room with his ears doing their best to detect noises in the quiet hallway. Slowly creeping to the door, he listened in.
“So he just gives up all that power? They built up so much to it.”
“I know but it was hurting his friends.”
“That’s how I would’ve ended the story.”
“Yeah, though making decisions like that can be difficult for an author.
“AUTHOR?”
He remembered the conversation he had with Toxic and Jazz about Albie being an author. Hissing like a cat, he kicked open the door and Toxic gasped from the elevator. Albie and the girls jumped in horror as Max stormed inside.
“I HEARD THAT! IT’S YOU! THAT DAMN COMMONER!” Max shouted.
“SHIT!” Albie shouted.
Max cracked his knuckles before stomping towards him, but the girls blocked his path.
“HOLD ON THERE KITTY!” Tara growled.
“LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Josie yelled.
“MAX! STOP!” Jazz demanded.
Max did stop and realized he couldn’t just remove Jazz, but the other two…
“THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU TWO, BEAT IT!” Max shouted.
“Vhat did ve discuss last time, YOU DON’T BOSS US AROUND!” Tara shouted.
“YOU REALLY WANNA GO?” Josie challenged.
Max, still in a fit of rage, stood his ground.
“I’ll take my chances with both of you this time.” Max nodded.
The two went to punch him at the same time but Max blocked their hits with his arms. But as he tried to retaliate, he’s sucker-punched by Jazz stunning him, allowing Jazz to ram her spiked pony-tail fist into Max’s face knocking him down and damaging his grill mouth from the spikes.
“AUGH!” Max shouted.
Albie was backing away until he tripped and fell onto the bed. That’s when they all saw Queen Toxic coming into the room. A big scowl was on her face, her eyes filled with malice, her gloved claws clenched into tight fists. Max sat up rubbing his grill before looking up at Toxic and scooting away. Tara and Josie were frozen as Toxic walked up to them.
“You two want to take your chances with me?” She asked in oddly calm voice.
The two shuttered in fear before backing off.
“No ma’am.”
“Not at all your highness.”
Jazz and Albie were now in her sights, but Jazz remained in front of Albie.
“Mom! I can explain!”
“No…I know everything.” Toxic said.
She stared daggers into Albie’s eyes, the poor demon couldn’t help but stare back. He knew it was all over, the night was ruined because of him. His life was ruined because he agreed to come, he had no more freedom now. No doubt the Grim Reaper was going to give him a teasing about this.
“You somehow got passed the barrier and BROKE INTO THE CASTLE?” She accused.
“No, that’s not what happened mom!” Jazz cut in.
“But how did you get past?” Max asked.
Albie was unable to speak, his voice was gone and only quiet noises came out his mouth. Sweat was pouring down his face and he could’ve sworn he pissed himself.
“MOM! I INVITED HIM HERE!” Jazz yelled.
“What?” Toxic gasped.
“IT WASN’T FAIR! HE’S MY FRIEND! I DON’T CARE THAT HE’S NOT LIKE US!”
“BUT I DO!” Toxic growled.
“MOM YOU’RE RUINING EVERYTHING!” Jazz cried.
Tears and electricity exploded from Jazz’s eyes as she ran at her mom and tried to push her away, but Toxic wouldn’t budge. Toxic’s emotions and mental state were scattered, her mother instincts were too powerful to stop, she could only feel a burning rage at Albie for standing in her castle unauthorized. She vowed the day she birthed Jazz that she would always be there for her and know what was best. She saw Albie as a threat and no matter how many tears Jazz spilled, Toxic knew her daughter would understand soon. But Toxic was about to make one critical mistake, and Max knew it.
“TOXIC THAT’S ENOUGH! I TOLD YOU I’D HANDLE IT!”
Max went to grab Toxic from behind, much to her anger.
“GET OFF ME CAT!” She snarled.
“YOU’RE THE QUEEN, YOU HAVE A REPUTATION TO HOLD ONTO! YOU CAN’T H-“
Toxic elbowed him in the grill mouth making him shoot more blood from his mouth. Then Toxic turned and sucker-punched him back into the wall. Albie looked towards the window, then back at Toxic.
“Your highness I’ll leave! I’ll go home, I’ll-“
“COME HERE!”
It happened so fast, Toxic lunged, knocked Jazz out of the way, then slammed her electrified fist to Albie’s skull, hard enough to crack it right through the middle with some small pieces flying off. Albie goes flying over the bed and onto the floor on the other side. The second he hit the ground, the others were staring in horror, even Toxic. It was silent as they all looked at each other. Toxic stood there in disbelieve of what just happened, she had allowed her strong emotions to get in the way of her morals and commit violence on someone who her daughter believed was innocent and wasn’t a threat to the family. Then, she heard Jazz scream.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
She ran to pick Albie up who was out cold, his skull was cracked and blood oozed from his mouth. She looked up at Toxic in rage who took a step back, sweat slowly slid down her face.
“MOM WHAT THE FUCK!”
“I…I didn’t…” Now Toxic had lost her voice.
Tara, Josie and even Max went over to Albie.
“Okay…that was too hard Toxic. But you shouldn’t have done that, I warned you. As queen you can’t assault someone who’s not a threat!” Max sighed.
“YOU BROKE HIS FACE!” Tara shouted.
“You…what is wrong with you?” Josie asked in disgust.
Toxic covered her mouth and backed away.
“No…I didn’t mean to crack his face. I was only doing what I thought was right.”
Jazz’s pupils vanished as she yelled more at her mother as electricity circled her body.
“YOU RUINED MY BIRTHDAY! YOU RUINED MY FRIEND’S FACE! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!”
Toxic could not respond to Jazz as her daughter continued to cry.
“Your highness?”
Everyone jumped before looking at the door where a bunch of the royals were standing, having heard the commotion. Even some of the guards and chefs were there looking horrified.
“Whoa…”
“Did she break a kid’s face?”
“I knew she was strong but…”
“Your highness what have you done?”
Others began to talk amongst themselves about what just happened and saw how devastated Jazz was who was hugging the unconscious Albie. Toxic needed to diffuse the situation and Max tried to tell her it was too late.
“Everyone please, this was all just a mistake.” She said.
“We know you were protecting your daughter…” One said.
“But you didn’t even let him explain his side of the story, and Jazz clearly wanted him here.” Another said.
“But he’s…” Toxic was cut off.
“Commoner, royal, who cares? They were friends!” A third person said.
“I…”
Everyone looked at her like she was Satan himself, they obviously were too afraid of her and appalled that she broke Albie’s face and Jazz’s heart. They began to leave.
“NO WAIT! WHERE ARE YOU ALL GOING?”
But no one answered her and everyone began to leave the castle, the party was ruined and so was a bit of Toxic’s reputation.
“No…don’t leave yet!” Toxic pleaded.
But it was no use, Max face palmed.
“I was just going to restrain him and order the bots to throw him through the barrier.” Max said.
Jazz had begun to slowly calm down as she looked between Albie and the window. She knew she needed to get him home.
“I’m taking him home, he’ll be safer here, away from…” She trailed off eyeing Toxic and Max before facing the window.
“Jazz wait!” Toxic yelled.
Jazz said nothing, just grabbed Albie in her ponytail and leaped out of the window, Tara and Josie leaped out with her. Toxic raced to the window and watched the three flee through the barrier and head towards the hills.
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