Chapter Text
Lizzie swam around. Swimming came easily for her, which helped her case that she deserved to rule here.
The folks she was helping were young merlings, ones that haven't swam in water that much. While Lizzie didn't have a tail to help, she had her wits and some strong arms and legs.
"Back and forth, back and forth," she called out to the kids, “You’re doing amazing!”
“Thank you, Queen Lizzie!” They called back.
“Just Lizzie, kids,” she said, fondness in her voice, “I am your equal.”
The kids laughed as Lady Marceline came up to her. Mar smiled as the kids ran past her, “You really have a knack for this.”
“Like I said,” Lizzie repeated, “Swimming is my life basically. Anything on the agenda?”
“King Joel requests a meeting with you tomorrow, but not really. You should relax for a bit. You deserve it.”
“I guess… Tell the teachers that if they need any help, they can ask me.”
Mar nodded, “Noted. Anything else, Ocean Queen?”
“Lizzie fine,” she sighed, “I hate ‘Queen’. It makes me seem conceited.”
“The King of Mazeala uses it.”
“And he’s very concieted.”
Marceline laughed, “Okay, Lizzie, enjoy some time off.”
Lizzie nodded, walking to her room. She looked in the mirror. Her hair was an ugly mess. She got out he brush and starting tugging when she noticed something shiny behind her ears.
“What the?” she murmured to herself.
She tucked her hair behind her ears and gasped.
Scaled protruded around fins where her ears should be. They were pink, blue, and shiny. Then she finally noticed her hands.
There was scales coming out of her hands, making them blue and pink and shiny. Noticeable.
She quickly got gloves and put them on. She was imagining this, she had to be.
“Lizzie!” Lizzie jumped as she turned around to find Pearl and Gem coming at her.
She hide her “ears” as she said, “Hey guys…”
“What’s with the gloves?” Pearl asked, “It must be hot here.”
“Lady Marceline suggested it,” Lizzie quickly said, “Helps with swimming.”
“Really,” Gem questioned.
No, Lizzie thought, but nodded, “Yep! What can I help you ladies with?”
“We were checking in,” Gem said, “Seeing how you are-”
Gem suddenly looked behind her, jumping slightly, “There! You have got to hear that! It literally said your names!”
Pearl looked apologetically at Lizzie before turning to Gem, “Hey, again, it’s just the wind.”
“But- but I heard it! I swear I did.”
“Of course. I think you’re just tired, though.”
“I’m not… I’m just…” Gem sighed, “Fine. Sorry Lizzie, but I am tired. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Nope, not all!” Lizzie said a little too loudly and quickly.
Pearl cocked an eyebrow, but nodded, “Okay? See you later.”
Both waved as they flew off. Lizzie smiled, made sure they were actually gone, and ran off to her mirror. She pulled back her hair to reveal more scales.
Lizzie shuddered. What was happening to her?
—
Katherine was pacing. Why? Because she was concerned.
She woke up this morning in cold sweat to a voice telling her it was her destiny to save the Overgrown.
She was confused because they’re was no way she would save anything. She was an amnesiac “ruler” who didn’t know where or how she got in this world.
Still, Shelby believed in her. Even after Katherine told her she had amnesia, she still stuck with her.
Which was wonderful, in her opinion.
She sighed, walking outside. She walked towards her cave, where the flowers grew abundantly. It was her favorite place in the world. She would just stay there for hours. She hasn’t taken anyone there yet, but she wants to with Shelby.
There she is!
Katherine stopped. What… was that?
“Hello?” she called out into the cave, “Anyone there?”
Only us, your majesty!
“And who is us?”
The flowers, of course. What kind of fae would you be if you couldn’t talk to us?
“Um… Fae?” Katherine was confused, “I’m sorry, but I’m not…”
Then what are you? You have fairy wings and can talk to flowers.
“Um… an abnormal human?” Katherine shook her head, “No… it doesn’t matter. You’re wrong and I’m probably making this up! It’s all in my head!”
Except it’s not. Accept your destiny, Savior of the Overgrown!
“NO!” Katherine yelled, leaving the cave. She ran as fast as she could to her room.
When she got there, she shrank into a ball and starting crying. Why was this happening to her?
Katherine couldn’t stop. She was bawling, tearing at her hair and scratching vigorously. This was a dream, she would wake up with her memories and everything and she would be safe and this was fine this was all fine-
“Kat?” a familiar voice popped up from behind the “abnormal human”, “You good?”
Katherine looked up to find Shelby. She blushed a little in embarrassment, “Y-yeah. S-s-sorry you had to s-see me l-like tha-that.”
Shelby sat next to Katherine, putting her hand on her back, “It’s okay. Let it out.”
Katherine shook her head, “No. I have to stay strong. For… for everyone.”
Shelby smiled sadly, “Crying is a good way to get out emotions. If you won’t cry, tell me what’s happening.”
Katherine was still scratching when Shelby took her hand and squeezed. Katherine sighed, “I… the flowers spoke to me. Told me I was a fae.”
“Didn’t we already know that?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t want it to be true. Because… I’ve been having dreams lately…”
“What kind of dreams?”
Katherine sighed, “ones saying I’ll save the Overgrown. That I’m the only one who can protect my nation… It’s stupid.”
Shelby shook her head, “It’s not stupid. You are here for a reason. And that reason is because you are amazing, the only person who can save your nation.”
Katherine sniffed, “Really?”
Shelby beamed, “Of course!”
Katherine laughed, “I… thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Shelby nodded, bringing Katherine to her feet. The gnome was so much shorter than the fae, making Katherine giggle. Shelby huffed.
“Hey!” Shelby indignatly said, “I’m big and tall.”
“Of course,” Katherine smiled, “By the way, why are you here?” she hesitated, blushing again, “Not that I don’t want you here, because I do, but-”
“It’s fine,” Shubble’s smile was gone. It was replaced by a spiteful frown, “You remember the demon that destroyed my home?”
Katherine nodded, “Yeah, of course I do.”
“He’s back.”
“W-what?”
“He’s here. In the Overworld.”
Katherine stared at her, “For real?”
Shubble nodded, “About as real as it gets.”
Katherine’s head was spinning, “What does that mean then?”
Shelby put up two fingers, “Two things. He could be here to kill us all…”
“Not good.”
“Or he’s here for something else. Something a whole lot worse.”
—
Sausage was nervous. He hated being around Joey. Sure, Joey was nice and all, but he either flirted with the warrior or caused trouble.
“What’s up, Joey?” Sausage asked, totally not freaking out.
“I saw something the other day,” he had an evil glimpse in his eyes, “Something amazing.”
“And that amazing thing is?”
Joey smiled back at him, “What if I told you that there is a demon in this world.”
Sausage just stared at Joey before laughing, “Oh boy… Joey, demon’s aren’t real.”
“Fish people are real. Elves are real. Why not demons?”
“Because no one has every seen one before,” Sausage smiled, wiping his tears from laughing so hard.”
“Well I have,” the parrot screeched, “And he is hot!”
Sausage grinned, “You think a nonexistent demon is, and I quote, hot?”
Joey nodded vigorously, “And to prove it to you, we’re going to summon him.”
That got Sausage’s attention, “Excuse me, what?”
“You’re chaotic! You’ll be a perfect sacrifice!”
“SACRIFICE????”
“Not actually. We’ll just make Xornoth think that.”
“Oh that’s much better. And who’s Xornoth?”
“The hot demon.”
“Of course.”
Joey put on puppy dog eyes, “Come on, Sausay-poo. Pweaseeee?”
Sausage sighed, “Fine. But one time! If Pearl caught me…”
Joey zipped his lips, “No one will know. Come on!”
Sausage groaned as they set up the summoning setup. This was stupid. Still, Sausage was a little superstitious. So doing this kept sending chills through his body.
Finally, they were finished and Joey started chanting from a book. Sausage looked around, bored.
“Are we done yet?”
Joey looked at Sausage with annoyance, “No, silly. We’re just getting started!”
“Ugh, I just want to go home.”
“And why would you do that?”
Sausage turned around to face a… A demon. Joey wasn’t kidding about the demon.
Or how pretty he was.
“Shoot,” Sausage mumbled.
Joey laughed, “Xornoth! Hey man. How you doing, handsome?”
Xornoth cackled, “Very good. I have a favor to ask.”
Joey nodded excitably, “Of course! What is it?”
“A wedding, tomorrow. I need the wizard.”
Sausage coughed, “Excuse me? What… what wedding?”
“The Mezeala King and Ocean Queen. He’s proposing today, then a wedding tomorrow. Everyone will be there. Including the Crystal Cliffs wizard.”
“Gem?” Sausage asked, “What… what do you want with her?”
“She is the key to my victory. She has the End Portal in her grasps. I’ve tried corrupting her, but her mind is… strong.”
“So, Mr. Demon man, if what I’m saying is what you said, you want Gem to be under your control?”
“Basically that’s what I’m saying.”
Sausage frowned, “No way. She’s my friend. No way am I letting you hurt her.”
Xornoth furrowed his brow, “Fine. We’ll do this the hard way.”
Tentacles shot up, their crimson glow pulsing through them. Sausage just stood there, shooked.
Then everything went blank.
—
Joel took Lizzie’s hand. She insisted that he be careful not to take off her glove, which he found strange, but didn’t question his love.
“Get in,” he bowed to Lizzie as she giggled, getting into a boat.
“A romantic cruise, perhaps?”
Joel winked, “Maybe… maybe not.”
Lizzie let out a lighthearted groan, “You’re the worst.”
“I know,” Joel smiled, “Why you love me.”
Lizzie kissed him, “I do. And I will forever.”
Joel blushed. He had the most amazing girlfriend ever.
Joel hopped into the boat, steering it towards the spot. When they got there, they were greeted by a sea lantern platform.
“Joel?” Lizzie questioned, “What is this?”
“A very special platform, obviously.”
Lizzie rolled her eyes, “Thanks. Clears up a lot.”
Joel laughed, then got out a button. Lizzie stared at it with confusion.
Joel nudged the button towards the pinkette, “Push it.”
Lizzie raised an eyebrow in disbelief, but did what she was told. She gasped when she heard gears rolling besides her.
A giant concret ring appeared in the middle of the ocean. Lizzie looked around in awes as Joel got onto one knee and pulled out a ring.
Lizzie turned back to Joel, then stood still, shocked at the kneeling man.
“Lizzie,” Joel started, tears starting to flow on both people, “Since the moment I met you, I knew we would be together forever. You have always loved my quirks and mistakes, taking me for me. Seeing me in a light that isn’t one made by society. By seeing me as me, and not a king. So, Queen Elizabeth Shadow, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Lizzie blurted, “Yes! A million times yes.”
Joel started crying, placing the ring on Lizzie’s gloved finger. He got up and hug and kissed his fiance. His fiance. He could get used to that.
“I have everything prepared for a wedding tomorrow. A dress, food, everything,” Joel said, “I can’t stand another moment not married to you.”
“Joel?” Lizzie asked.
“Yes, my love?”
“How do I deserve you?”
Joel touched her forehead with his, “I could ask the same, my love.”