Chapter Text
“Do you wanna go to the school bazaar with me tonight?”
Vee was caught off-guard. She had been working in the backyard garden Willow had made the first time she was here when Masha had called her and asked her out.
“Um, I’m sorry, but, what exactly is a school bazaar?” Asked Vee.
“ Riiight , you haven’t been a student at Gravesfield Junior High that long.” Said Masha in realization. “Well, think of it as like a little carnival the students and teachers set up.”
“Ooh, that sounds fun!” Said Vee. “Sure, I’d love to go with you!”
“Hey, that’s great!” Replied Masha. “I’ll meet you over by the school later tonight. See ya then!”
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As the sun was setting, Vee was sprinting towards the school. She would’ve showed up earlier, but Luz needed help combing her fur, and now she was running late and hoping that Masha didn’t think that she bailed on them and left. In fact, Vee was so caught up in her thoughts that she ran right into somebody!
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” Said Vee frantically, picking herself up.
“Are you alright, mister?” Asked Masha (who happened to be nearby) as she helped the person up. Now getting a good look, Vee saw that the person was a boy who looked like an older version of Gus, only taller and with longer hair.
“I’m fine.” Said the boy, dusting himself off. “Just, uh, be more mindful of your surroundings, ok, kid?”
Vee nodded,and she and her joyfriend hurried off to enjoy the bazaar, unaware that the boy was staring intensely at Vee, an eyebrow raised.
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“Hey look, they got one of those basketball games here!” Exclaimed Vee, turning towards Masha to point out the nearby Shoot-A-Shot game, only to notice Masha staring in shock at her face. “What?”
“Um, Vee, your face…” Said Masha, pointing at their girlfriend’s face.
“What about it?” Asked Vee. Masha then pulled out their phone,put it on selfie mode, and held it up to Vee’s face, revealing white freckles. “Oh frick, the magic’s starting to wear off!” Said Vee, starting to panic. “If it runs out completely, I’m hosed!”
“Hey, hey, don’t panic.” Said Masha, placing a gentle hand on Vee’s shoulder. “You probably used some of it sprinting here, and panicking is just gonna make it drain faster. So just relax and try to keep your mind off it. Do you need me to walk you through Willow’s breathing techniques?”
“No, I’m good.” Said Vee. “Hey, how ‘bout I try winning you something? That’ll get my mind off-”
“If you're gonna try to play the Shoot-A-Shot game, don’t bother.” Said the bored teen working the game. “Ages ago, some crazy old lady tampered with the machine, and now, no matter how many quarters you put in it, it never works. I don’t even know why we bring out this hunk of junk every bazaar.”
It didn’t take Vee long to figure out that Eda had more than likely messed with the machine during one of her excursions to the Human Realm. Reaching into her pocket, Vee pulled out a snail, plunked it into the machine, and, just as she thought, the game fired up.
“...How did you do that?” Asked the now-shocked teen.
“Um, magic touch?” Answered Vee, not really sure what to say.
The teen suddenly became very smug. “Alright, Ms. ‘magic touch’, if you can score 10,000 points on this game, you can pick any prize on the top shelf.”
As Vee steeled herself, ready to shoot some hoops, Masha noticed that the boy Vee knocked down earlier was staring at the both of them amongst the crowd.
Vee lightly threw the ball, and it bounced off the hoop. “ Ooh, that’s too bad! ” Went the machine.
Vee tried again. Another miss. “ You suck! ”
Yet another miss. “ A toddler’s a better shot than you! ”
Vee was starting to become more enraged as she missed for the fourth time. “ You throw worse than my grandma, and she’s been dead for ages! ”
And another miss. “ If you were on my team, I’d quit being the coach! ”
“Vee, c’mon, I don’t think this is worth it.” Said Masha warily.
“Yes. It. Is.” Replied Vee through gritted teeth. She threw the basketball, and once again missed. “ Hey pal, you just blow in from Loserville?! ”
“SHUT UP!” Screamed Vee as she used all her remaining might to throw the last ball straight through the machine. It then proceeded to bug out, before displaying that Vee had somehow earned 1,000,000 points.
“ Congratulations! You’re Winner! ” Warbled the machine through its busted speakers.
“Hey kid, since I’m probably gonna get in deep trouble for this, I’ll give you one extra prize on the house.” Said the teen.
“Yeah, thanks.” Mumbled Vee as she grabbed an amethyst gem ring and a pink-purple alpaca plushie, before turning to Masha. “We gotta get out of here, Mash. I think I just used up the last of my magic!”
Masha was a bit taken aback, but one look at Vee’s re-emerging tail was enough for them to get the picture, and the two of them proceeded to flee the scene in search of a place for Vee to go full basilisk away from prying eyes.
They were so focused on their search, in fact, that neither of them noticed that not only was the boy from earlier now running deeper into the crowd, but that a familiar thorn in Vee’s side had spotted the basilisk go by.
“Now I got you, demon …” Said Jacob Hopkins, a devilish smile creeping onto his face.
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Masha and Vee had made it to a nearby alleyway just as Vee went full basilisk. “Masha, I-I’m sorry.” Said Vee, tears starting to form.
“Hey now, don’t cry.” Soothed Masha, wiping away the tears. “Look, I don’t have any Hexas Hold ‘em cards on me, since I figured we wouldn’t need them, so why don’t we just get out of here and get you-”
Masha stopped when both they and Vee heard something behind them, and they turned around to see Gravesfield’s local superhero, The Warlock, in front of them, and despite wearing a mask and having his hoodie up, Vee and Masha could see his widened eyes behind the goggles.
“What the-?!” Exclaimed The Warlock. His reaction proved to be the final straw for Vee, who quickly slithered away to who knows where.
“Hey, wait!” Shouted The Warlock as he chased after Vee, though after a few moments, he wound up losing her. “Dangit, lost her…” He muttered before being tackled to the ground by a very angry Masha.
“Hey, what the- get off of me!”
“WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?!” Yelled Masha.
“I said get OFF!” Shouted The Warlock, before pushing off Masha, getting to his feet, and taking off his mask, revealing himself to be the boy from earlier. “And to answer your question, I was just caught off-guard by that creature’s appearance. Though now that I think about it, I guess my reaction can be taken the wrong way…”
“Ya think?” Said Masha sarcastically before walking off.
“Hey, where ya goin’?”
“I’m getting my moped, and then looking for my girlfriend, Warlock.” Replied Masha.
“...Let me come with you.” Said The Warlock after a moment. “Not only will it make up for my screw-up earlier, but I think, if I concentrate enough, I can track her via her magic.”
“Wait, how can you do that?” Said Masha, raising an eyebrow.
“ Welp, mom’s probably gonna kill me, but who cares? ” Thought The Warlock.
“My name is Aster Vanissen, and I am a witch.”
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Vee was gazing into a lake somewhere in the forest, trying not to cry.
“Guhh, this SUCKS!” Exclaimed Vee, splashing at her reflection in frustration after her mind made her see her human form. “Every time I think I have a handle on my life, something like this happens. Guess I’d better head home and apologize to Masha-”
Vee’s train of thought was cut short when she suddenly felt a knife press up against her throat.
“You’re worth more to me alive,” Whispered Jacob menacingly. “So unless you don’t value your well-being, I suggest you do exactly as I say…”
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“So, let me get this straight: Your girlfriend is a shapeshifting basilisk from another dimension, who was brought back from extinction by this town’s centuries-old witch-hunting founder in order to harness their power and exterminate all of the realm’s witches and demons, several of whom are currently residing in this realm.”
“Pretty much, Vanissen.” Answered Masha as they hopped onto their moped and put on their helmet.
“Huh.” Said Aster. “While that’s not the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard by, like, a long shot, it’s definitely the most…”
“...What’s wrong?”
“That white truck.” Said Aster, pointing to said truck as it drove down the street. “I can sense Vee’s magic in it.”
“Oh my god.” Said Masha. “We gotta go get her, hop on!”
“No need!” Said Aster. “You follow the truck with your scooter, I’ll keep up on foot.”
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“Wait’ll the government gets a load of you, demon! They’ll be sure to take me seriously after this!” Said Jacob. “Ooh, perhaps I should tell the mayor about all this.” Then, irresponsibly, he pulled out his phone and called up the mayor.
“Hello?” Mumbled Mayor Terrace, having been roused from her sleep by her phone.
“Dana, it’s Jacob!”
“ Cripes, not this loon again .” Thought Mayor Terrace, pinching the bridge of her nose. “What do you want, Hopkins, I’m trying to sleep. Also, don’t call me Dana.”
“Yes, I understand that,” Said Jacob eagerly. “But let me assure you, I called for a very good reason!”
“Let me guess,” Said Mayor Terrace. “You’ve made another ‘revolutionary’ discovery-”
“I have made another revolutionary discovery!”
“ Saw that one coming. ” Thought Mayor Terrace, rolling her eyes.
“And trust me,” Continued Jacob. “This one’ll completely blow your mind!”
“Y’know, the last time we interacted with one another, you tried to convince me the moon landing was faked.” Said Mayor Terrace, raising her voice. “So how exactly am I supposed to believe you this time?!”
“This time is different, trust me! Also, the moon landing really was fake.”
Mayor Terrace simply facepalmed.
“This time I have solid proof!” Said Jacob. “I actually captured a demon!”
Mayor Terrace was surprised. “Um… you wanna run that by me again?”
“You heard right! Remember that shapeshifter I’ve told you about from time to time?” Said Jacob. “Well, I’m driving it to your house right now!”
“Right now?” Said Mayor Terrace, looking over at her clock. “ Well, I guess I have time to call up my aides .
Ok, I’ll bite. But if you come up to my house and you don’t have the shapeshifter, oooh buddy, you’re in for it.”
“Yeah, sure, whatever, Dana. You won’t be disappointed.” Said Jacob, not really paying attention. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. Byeeee! ”
“AND STOP CALLING ME-!”
“Yes! Everything’s comin’ up Jacob!” Said Jacob as he hung up and flicked on the radio. “Oh heck yeah, I love this song!”
Jacob began singing along off-key, unaware that Aster had just jumped onto the back of the truck. “Masha, grab my hand!” Exclaimed Aster, holding out his hand.
Masha attempted to grab ahold, but she kept missing. “Can’t… Reach… It…” Masha then swerved their moped closer to Aster, grabbed his hand, and hoisted themselves onto the truck, while their moped skidded across the asphalt.
“Huh, I guess it didn’t get too-” Started Aster, only for a semi-truck to run over the moped. “...I’ll buy you a new one.”
“Bow-Chika-Bow-Wow, That’s What My Baby Says, Mow-Mow-Mow, And My Heart Starts Pumpin’...” Sang Jacob, still not noticing the two kids.
“ Great, It’s that creepy museum guy .” Thought Masha, disgusted.
“ ...That song’s still popular? ” Thought Aster, confused.
Aster put aside his thoughts and tested the truck’s back door,which opened with ease. “Rookie mistake, Jacob.” He mused as he and Masha entered the truck, where they saw Vee locked up in a cage.
“Masha, what are you doing here?” Asked Vee. “And why are you with that guy?”
“We’re rescuing you, ya big goof!” Said Masha.
“Think of this as my… apology for how I reacted to you earlier.” Added Aster. “Now, let’s try and make this quick, since last I saw, we’re getting close to the mayor’s house.”
“THE MAYOR?!” Exclaimed Vee.
Masha took off their helmet and began striking the cage’s lock, but it wouldn’t break. “Please, Masha, let me handle this.” Said Aster as he grabbed the lock.
“What’re you gonna do?” Questioned Masha.
“I’m gonna melt off the lock.”
“That’s a great idea,” Started Vee sarcastically. “EXCEPT YOU NEED A HEAT SOURCE FOR THAT, YOU-”
Suddenly, Aster’s hand went red-hot, and the lock melted instantly.
“...Or, maybe you don’t.”
Aster then opened the cage door, and the trio headed back to the back of the truck, which was currently heading up the wooded driveway of the mayor’s house. “Ok, this is it, we gotta jump now!” Exclaimed Aster.
“JUMP?! Are you kidding me?!” Yelled Vee.
“On the count of three, aim for the grass! One. Two. Three, jump!”
The trio jumped off the truck (with Aster making sure to close the back door), tumbling onto the grass.
“...Awesome.” Panted Aster as he helped up Vee and Masha.
“You wanna go see Jacob’s reveal blow up in his face?” Asked Masha, pointing their thumb in the direction of the mayor’s house.
“I’ve already been captured once, I don’t wanna risk it happening again if Jacob or the mayor spot us.” Stated Vee. “Let’s go home.”
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Jacob pulled up to the mayor’s mansion, completely unaware of what transpired in the back of the truck, and approached Mayor Terrace, who was flanked by her two aides, Rebecca and Elijah.
“I can’t believe I’m going through with this…” Grumbled Mayor Terrace as she watched Jacob exit the truck.
“What’s with the two ladies?” Asked Jacob. “I thought we weren’t gonna have an audience, Dana.”
“First of all, don’t call me Dana, and secondly, since we’re dealing with something supernatural, my aides should be on standby.” Said Mayor Terrace pleasantly. “So, where is this creature of yours?”
“It’s in the back!” Said Jacob. “But first, I’d like to make a proposition for you.”
“...Go on?”
“If I’m going to hand over this demon to you, then I want to be hired by the U.S. government!” Said Jacob. “You do have enough power to make it happen, do you not?”
“Well, even though you’re clearly deranged,” Considered Mayor Terrace. “And I don’t have the exact power to get you hired by the government, I could get you a good job with The Helsing Institute or The Avalon Corporation.”
“Eh, close enough.” Said Jacob. “So I get the job?!”
“Now, hold your horses, Hopkins.” Said Mayor Terrace, holding up her hands. “I’m gonna have to see this creature before I make my decision.”
“Of course, of course. Follow me!”
Jacob then led the mayor and her aides to the truck. “The demon is right inside here!” Said Jacob proudly. “Though, fair warning, this reveal may literally blow your socks off!”
“Come on, come on, show us already!” Said Elijah eagerly.
“Feast your eyes, everyone!” Boasted Jacob.”May I present to you… The Shapeshifter! ”
Jacob then rolled up the door and confidently stood facing away from the interior.
“...Is this some kind of joke?” Said Rebecca, unamused. “There’s nothing in there.”
“What?!” Exclaimed Jacob, turning around to see the load of nothing in the truck. “But-But that’s impossible! How did it escape the cell?”
Jacob then looked under the truck, only to find nothing there as well. “ No! This can’t be happening! ” Thought Jacob as he began to sweat.
“Hopkins, what exactly are we looking at?” Asked an exasperated Mayor Terrace.
“Don’t worry, Dana, I can still fix this!” Said Jacob nervously as he began to stand up. “The culprit or culprits may have escaped with the demon, but rest assured, I can still find them!”
“Escaped?!” Said Mayor Terrace. “You promised me that I wasn’t going to be disappointed, and now you’re telling me you don’t have the demon with you?!”
“I-I did have it,” Stuttered Jacob. “B-But it somehow managed to break free and escape. Just p-please, give me another chance.”
Mayor Terrace thought for a moment before making her decision. “This is your last chance, Hopkins. And if you claim to have this demon only to come up empty-handed again, I’ll personally throw you out of Gravesfield a broken, bloody man with my own bare hands. Got it? ”
“Y-Yes, Dana.” Said a terrified Jacob.
“ And don’t call me Dana. ” Growled Mayor Terrace. “Now get off my property.”
“O-Of course ma’am.” Said Jacob before scurrying into his truck and speeding away from Mayor Terrace’s mansion.
“Are you sure giving him another chance is a good idea?” Questioned Rebecca.
“Kind of?” Answered Mayor Terrace. “I only gave him a second chance just to see the look on his face when he fails again.”
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“So the reason why a good portion of the neighborhood moved out was so that the families of your friends could move in?”
“Pretty much.” Said Vee as she and Aster walked towards her house. “Luz had to use a special spell to get the selected people to move to the houses Steve and Mattholomule built out in the countryside.”
“Well, I’m thankful she didn’t pick my family to move.” Said Aster. Outside of his family and the Nocedas, the only other families that still lived on Maple Drive were the Rentiers, the Stevensons, the Fryes, the Heartfields, the Wus, the Yoos, and, unfortunately, the Sweetwaters. “Well, looks like this is your stop.”
“Oh crud!” Said Vee in realization. “I promised Mami that I wouldn’t use too much magic while I was out, so she wouldn’t worry if I’m seen like this, but I used it all and I can’t shift back! Can I… absorb some of yours, Aster?”
“Uhh, sure, I guess.” Said Aster as he stuck his hand out, where Vee noticed some slight scarring on the top. Vee then leaned in and sucked up some of his magic, much to his surprise.
“Huh,” Said Aster, looking at his hand. “That didn’t hurt like last time.”
“What do you mean ‘last ti’-” Said Vee, turning around, only to see Aster halfway across the road.
“Sorry. I tried to do the whole ‘Batman’ thing. Y’know, disappearing when someone has their back turned. I guess it’s kinda hard to do that when you live right across the street. Anyways, I hope to see you again sometime soon, Vee!”
A small smile crossed Vee’s face as she watched Aster enter his house. She definitely couldn’t wait to introduce the others to him. Vee then entered her house, where Camila was waiting in the living room.
“So, how was your date with Masha?” Asked Camila.
“It was great!” Answered Vee. “We actually made a new friend…”