Toxic was breathing heavily from how bad the situation had gotten, she couldn’t focus and grabbed her head. Max didn’t know what to do about this. He was reminded back to his childhood when he and Toxic were just normal demons who played around and roughhoused a lot with each other. Toxic was always a tomboy, a trait that carried into Jazz. Anytime Toxic was arguing or about to fight someone, he always butted in, usually fighting for her or she’d push him away and fight her own battles.
But there were times Toxic really needed help, and she trusted Max the most to help her. At least until they got older and drifted apart for a few years. Max took care of his family’s car repair shop, and Toxic trained under Lucifer to eventually become Queen of the abandoned Earth. She met her soon-to-be-husband and eventually gained a daughter while ruling over Vibe-Wave. But when the King and Queen’s relationship quickly fell apart, Toxic ordered her husband’s damnation back to Hell and hired Max to build their friendship back up. Max had always been there for her when he was around. And now at a time where his best friend could almost lose her daughter, he needed to calm her down.
“Toxic, please get a hold of yourself.”
“HOW? EVERYONE SAW THAT! THEY’RE GONNA TELL OTHERS, AND THEN LUCIFER WILL KNOW! I BROKE HIS FACE MAX! I’M THE QUEEN! I’M SUPPOSED TO SETTLE DISPUTES WITHOUT VIOLENCE! AND HE WASN’T A THREAT!”
“True, Jazz was defending him.”
“He looked so scared, I don’t want people to fear me all the time…just respect me.”
“You’re reverting back to your old ways before becoming Queen, you said you were done with your violent ways.”
“I did…but I guess I still got a bit in me, she’s my daughter and I’m gonna protect her. But…she can clearly handle herself now. She’s grown, she’s got a little squad, and Albie is one of them despite being a commoner.”
Max sighed, he was glad Toxic was calming herself down instead of him intervening.
“Perhaps we were both too hard on the kid, he seems like a nice guy. And those three really care about him, enough to play games with him almost every night. Honestly, I often think about convincing Lucifer to get rid of that rule, there’s nothing wrong with being a commoner, and Jazz and her friends see something in that way of life that we forgot, we were born just like Albie, and got lucky to have THIS life.”
Max turned towards the window.
“I…hope he recovers.” Max says.
Toxic sat on the bed with tears dropping onto the floor and Max joined her, pulling her into a hug as she sniffled.
“I…I’m so sorry.”
“Shh, it’s gonna be okay. We’re gonna fix this.”
“How?”
“I don’t know…but…we need to think of something. And maybe it’ll start when Jazz comes back.”
“If she decides to come back tonight.”
“I’ll stay on guard outside until she does.”
“Thank you Max.”
Max smiled and patted her back before heading down to the front. Toxic heavily sighed before deciding to head back to the throne room to think, but not before she noticed the small fragments of Albie’s face on the floor. Scooping them up, she held onto them tight before heading out.
“I’m sorry Albie.”
The girls made it back to Albie’s room where they placed him in bed with Josie tucking him in again. The three stood over him not wanting to leave his side, they hadn’t said a word since they got there…until now.
“You okay Jazz?” Josie asked.
The scowl on Jazz’s face never left as she turned away from Albie and towards his desk where the laptop was.
“No…I can’t believe she would do this, and we can’t heal him.” Jazz growled.
“Vell now people are gonna find out about how your mom decked a commoner. That’s not gonna go over vell.” Tara said.
“She’ll have to make a big apology.” Josie added.
“Unless Albie forgives her.”
“You think he will?”
“This is Albie ve’re talking about, he doesn’t even hold grudges.”
The two then notice Jazz was holding up all the bills and the application for the castle work.
“Geez, bills are rough around here.” Tara said.
“That's the application we wanted him to fill out, but he hasn’t submitted it yet.” Josie said.
“Well, I’m gonna do it for him.” Jazz said.
“Really? Toxic would have to approve it and…”
“This will be the only way she can apologize to me for what she did.” Jazz said.
The bat and shark looked at each other worried.
“Vell, I guess it’s vorth a shot.” Tara shrugged.
The three went silent for a bit.
“So…are you going back tonight?” Josie asked Jazz.
“I don’t want to…but…as usual everyone would worry for me if I didn’t. I don’t need any damn search parties.” Jazz muttered.
“Okay then…I guess ve’re off.” Tara said.
The three looked back at Albie.
“Albie…please get better.” Josie said.
She walked over and gently rubbed his horns, then Tara walked over and very lightly tapped his shoulder, and finally Jazz kisses him on the cheek. She was the last to leave as she looked back at him, then finally hopped out of the room. When they got back through the barrier, Josie and Tara returned to their homes while Jazz walked back home alone. She saw Max by the entrance, he looked relieved to see her, but didn’t know what to say.
“Uh…”
“SAVE IT!” She snarled.
Then she thrust the bills and application into his chest.
“Huh?”
“Give them to mom, I’m going to bed.”
She hopped onto the bot that hoisted her up to her room where she slammed the window shut. Max looked over the papers and gasped when he saw how pricey the bills were, then saw that Albie was the only one to fill out the application.
“He…wanted to join us? He’s the only one…no way…”
Max had to let Toxic know about this now! He raced inside and all the way to the throne room where he could hear the Queen still sobbing a little.
“Toxic! You need to see this!”
“Come in.”
Max raced in and handed her the papers, much to her confusion.
“Huh, bills and…is that…”
“No one’s been applying to help at the castle, until now. Apparently, Albie actually did fill one out, he’s the only one.”
It hit Toxic like a freight train, this whole time Albie wanted to help out the royalty if it meant being able to pay his bills easier and then he’d get to hang with his friends more. She was sure it’s what Jazz, Josie and Tara would’ve wanted.
“I can’t believe this…” She covered her mouth.
“I know…but after what happened earlier…”
Toxic didn’t know how much more at fault she could feel, no way Albie would work for them now. He’d probably turn his back on everyone at this point, she had to make things right. She was the Queen, and she knew she had to be responsible for the people of Vibe-Wave, she had to lead by example and express that she wanted people to respect her, not fear her. She looked at Max sternly.
“Max!”
“Yes your highness?”
“I need you to do something for me tomorrow morning.”
“I’m listening…”
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