Chapter 5
things had been tense for the next couple of months while Thomas and his Friends were preparing the play he had written.
The sets had been built and the costumes were ready to go. They were able to go through the rehearsals without any more incidents from Daisy who decided to keep her mouth shut since the principal reminded her that her grades were not the best and this could definitely boost them up.
Meanwhile, she was still keeping an eye out on Thomas and lady’s relationship. The two of them had grown rather close over the couple of months they had been practicing for the play. lady had slowly been able to gather more confidence in her life and was able to Comfortably play her role. but she was still a bit nervous about the fight scene between her and Daisy. She feared a repeat of last time but she also knew that Thomas would jump in to save her if she really needed it.
but tonight was the big night!
Everything was ready and everyone was in their seats in the theater room of the school.
backstage everybody was in their costumes ready to go.
Thomas was doing a final checklist to make sure that everything was ready and everybody knew what they needed to do.
Thomas was checking on lady to make sure she had her costume ready to go As he was doing his last checks to make sure everything was in its place.
Thomas knocking at the door to the changing rooms: “ lady are you ready? the play will start within 15 minutes.”
lady answering from within the changing room: “ yes I am almost ready. but you can come in if you want.”
Thomas at that point opened the door and walked into the changing room. He was about to say something when he saw lady’s Costume. Of course, having requested it be made he knew what it looked like but had never seen it on her before.
It was a very demonic looking black dress with an open midriff and showed off just enough cleavage that it wouldn't be considered inappropriate for school play but just enough to show off the demon Aesthetics of the dress. She also had a pair of fake horns that she was supposed to be wearing but those were laying on the table. She had also used a spell to temporarily turn her beautiful blonde hair into a beautiful metal gray.
Despite her temporary demonic look he became a little bit flustered at her beauty even in a demonic dress.
Lady looked over to Thomas: “ I will be ready in a few minutes. and just so I remember correctly I'm supposed to be on stage within 25 minutes?”
Thomas for a moment didn't answer, still mesmerized by her beauty and then his penny dropped and he answered her.
Thomas: “ yes! I mean yes. you're supposed to be on right after the scene where Daisy basically begins Stealing all of the crops they still have as payment for her services. after that we'll transition to your scene and the rest you already know.”
Lady: “ Okay thank you. but also Thomas are you okay? you see a little red.”
Thomas began blushing very deeply at that.
Thomas: “ I'm okay, just a little bit nervous about tonight. oh I just remembered Timothy wanted to talk to me about something! so I gotta go bye! break a leg on stage!”
Thomas immediately ran off after closing the door but bumped into Timothy before he could make it 15 feet away.
Timothy: “Everything okay Thomas? you seem quite flustered?”
Timothy then noticed where Thomas had just come from and gave him a cheeky grin.
Timothy: “ So you saw lady in her costume right? Do you like how it makes her look?”
Thomas blushing a very deep Scarlet: “ Timothy can we please not have this discussion right now. I am barely holding it together and I have to open the play in 14 minutes.”
Timothy still with his cheeky grin: “ come on Thomas we all know you love her and that is the reason why you have been trying to help her get her confidence up. but what I can't understand is why?”
Thomas: “ why what?”
Timothy: “ why didn't you just ask her out on a date already? the two of you have grown rather close over these last couple of months. so why don't you just ask her out on a date already?”
Thomas let out a deep sigh: “ because I know she wouldn't feel comfortable thinking she isn't worthy of me. but in reality I don't feel worthy of her. I know that's quite silly to think but I really really feel that way. She is just such a great girl Who has just been beaten down by a very nasty Girl Who only cared about herself. but ever since we were little I could see someone inside of her that if let out she would Bloom into something wonderful. So that's why I am trying to help her gain confidence so she knows that we are on the same level and that I don't care if she doesn't have a lot of money. heck I don't even care about her beauty. She has more beauty inside of her than every single painting in the world a thousand times over. It's just sad that she isn't capable of seeing that herself. I just hope that one day she could see that and finally stand up to Daisy and realize that she has no power over her. but until then I'll continue to help her to the best of my abilities.”
Timothy gave his brother a clap on the shoulder: “ that's very mature of you Thomas. I am proud of you. Now come on, we have a show to put on.”
Thomas agreed and went off to get his mic to open the play.
but what both of them didn't realize was that lady had been listening in on them the whole time and was actually blushing that her crush wanted to help her because he loved her. she also began thinking about what he had said. that she had something inside of her that if it was let out that it would make her a better person and the able to stand up towards her bully of a cousin. Also the comment about her being more beautiful than all of the paintings in the world really struck a chord with her.
eventually she came to a decision: that she wasn't going to let Daisy push her around anymore after tonight! starting tomorrow she will stand up against her and never allow her to tell her what to do ever again!
Eventually the play was about to start when Thomas came on to the stage.
Thomas waved to everyone: “ hello everybody! My name is Thomas Billington and I am the writer and producer of this play. This took a lot of time to make and a lot of time to write and I owe a big thanks to everybody who helped make tonight possible. but since I'm not one for big speeches I just want to get you guys to the play so how about we get on it?”
Everybody in the audience began cheering as Thomas took his exit stage left to go and sit over with Timothy and Amelia. both of them would be working as the technical team for the play ensuring that everything was in its place.
The play started out just like when the rehearsal started with Gordon dressed all up like some old librarian or Scholar sitting in his library of books.
The first part with Daisy went just about as well as the rest of the rehearsals went. she was completely uninterested and didn't even look to be doing her best.
Thomas actually facepalms when he noticed how bad Daisy was being during the play itself.
Luckily it didn't take long with Daisy helping the villagers in return for some of their very few vegetables they had been able to grow for the road. Percy had joined her as a traveling companion to help her get the diamond back to his home. to the annoyance of Daisy's character.
After that lady’s scene was up and Thomas was hoping that she would do a great job.
The scene was of a dark throne room with lady sitting down on her throne with her head down towards her lap so the audience couldn't see her face.
At that moment one of her “Generals” Rosie came in in her monkey form looking very demonic as well holding a green diamond.
Rosie: “ My queen I have retrieved one of the Diamonds we need to make your plans a reality!”
lady at this point looked up and the audience could see her blood red eyes and her sinister grin on her face.
Lady in a sinister tone: “ good… put it with the other ones. We only need one more to complete my plans and finally give us what we deserve. Am I right girls?”
After lady said that demonic versions of Emily, Rebecca and NIA approached from The Shadows.
They were dressed up as demonic generals and heralds of Her Majesty.
all of the generals: “ yes my queen.”
lady standing up from her throne and pointing towards the stage: “ then go and get me that final diamond!”
At that point all of her general's left and the curtains once again went down for the stage to be altered for the next scene.
Alice was also helping backstage to make sure that all of the props were in the correct position and also helped with the makeup.
Gordon when he wasn't on stage also volunteered to help.
Henry and Eleanor were also working backstage since both of them didn't like standing on the stage. plus Henry couldn't actually wear any costumes because of the tree growing from his left arm that Eleanor was living in.
but they didn't mind because they would rather help out backstage.
Thomas meanwhile was actually groaning about Daisy's lazy performance. The audience was cheering for her because she was the “hero” of the story but they were definitely not cheering for her acting skills.
When the play hit halfway there was a long intermission period where the audience could go and get some snacks before the play continued and the actors could get some time to catch their breaths and for their makeup to be touched up.
Thomas was actually in a corner alone continuing to complain about Daisy. Timothy noticed this and went over to his brother.
Thomas leaned up against the wall with one arm holding his clipboard and the other one supporting his face.
Thomas: “ I can't believe she isn't doing her best. She is being exactly the same as she was during the rehearsals. she is dragging the play Down.”
Timothy: “You're right there brother. Everybody here seems to be performing at their best besides her. and she has been boasting to everyone about how much the audience is cheering for her. I hope she realizes what comes next.”
Thomas looks at his brother: “ to be honest I really doubt she even remembers that part of the story. I mean during the entire time we have been rehearsing and during the play She hasn't noticed that her character has slowly and slowly been doing more and more mean things. It will probably be a surprise when she finds out the real character she has been playing.”
Timothy then had a little smirk: “ that will be a site to behold and at least lady is performing her part perfectly. I really really believe she is becoming the audience's favorite. but don't worry Thomas I don't think she will choose stardom over you.”
Thomas began blushing Scarlet and just walked off while his brother was laughing.
After a while the play continued with Daisy and a small group of the villagers traveling to the nearby Kingdom to get directions towards the Demons stronghold from the King played by James.
Like almost all of the other actors James was an expert at his craft and was able to betray a king very well.
and the fact that he was in a beautiful red with gold lining King costume only sweetened the deal for him.
Thomas was watching from backstage with a smile on his face.
Thomas: “ James really is a star tonight. He might be the best performer of the play.”
Amelia came over in her fox form with a small smirk: “ only second to Lady of course.”
Thomas then began blushing an even deeper Shade of Scarlet than before.
Thomas: “ Are you two going to continue teasing me about this until the two of us hook up?”
Amelia with a sweet smile: “ I don't know what you're talking about.”
She gently began walking away with her tails swinging left and right.
Thomas just took a deep breath and let out a sigh: “ those two are going to be the death of me someday.”
As the play continued they finally came to the dramatic final battle between Ladys character and Daisy’s character.
Daisy had revealed her True Colors after retrieving the Diamonds but decided to use their powers for herself.
villager Percy: “ but you promised you would give us our diamondback! without it our lands will become infertile and we will starve!”
King James: “ And my kingdom will be destroyed if I don't get that diamond back! It is vital for my people's survival!”
Daisy: “ I don't care! I will gladly sacrifice a few lives for this kind of power. ( she made a Fist and the power began Collecting around it) besides you guys won't use these diamonds for anything useful. I, on the other hand, will use them for something useful. I will use them to become queen of the world and everyone will bow to me!!”
Lady: “ That's not what the Diamonds were supposed to be used for! it's not the reason that I spent so many years trying to gather them!”
Daisy just huffed: “ You would have just used the power to conquer the world yourself! You are just like me! ( Daisy blasted her with some magic from her hands) actually let me scratch that. You are nothing like me. you pretend like you're some big shots by sitting on that throne of yours. but in the end you're just a weak pathetic little fox that can't do anything! You are nothing!”
Lady was lying on the ground and was looking at Daisy. This was something she had been facing her entire life not just for the play itself. she was actually tempted to just roll over and play Dead even if it was not in the Script. but then she saw Thomas giving her a determined look. lady realized that this was the perfect moment to finally stand up to Daisy even if she had to do it during a play.
Lady standing up: “ I am not nothing! I am the powerful demon Queen of this land! And I am going to use those Diamonds to fulfill my people's deepest desires! And I do not care what you or anybody else says about that! I am not doing this for me but for my friends! the friends that have stood beside me through thick and thin! you are the one that is nothing! you only crave power and will do anything to get it or anything else you want! well today that stops.”
Both Daisy and lady entered into a brief but epic looking battle that made everybody in the audience sit on the edge of their seats.
The battle ended with Lady becoming victorious and ceiling Daisy away in a bubble as a “ punishment” for her crimes.
She then ended up using the Diamonds to turn her and her friends into their original light forms and getting rid of all their demon essence.
As this was happening her dress changed to cover more of her body but still looked incredibly beautiful. of course Thomas was blushing at the sight of her in this dress too.
as the play came to an end Gordon began explaining the finale.
Gordon: “ and so our story came to an end. the former demon generals began making their own ways through life. The bird woman general married the King of the Red Kingdom, the two cat ladies ended up living a very long and happy life together. The monkey general went to live with the Farmer monkey and help him grow crops.
as for the demon Queen herself?”
Before Gordon could finish lady dragged Thomas from backstage and used a magic spell to transmute his clothes into something appropriate for the play.
Lady With a big smile: “ she was able to find her own happiness after a long time. she was able to find somebody who looked at her and could see the person inside of her as well as the beauty of her outside. she was Smitten with this young warrior that had conquered her heart and made her life feel whole.”
everybody lookt Shocked as lady kissed him right on stage!
Thomas initially was shocked as well but eventually melted into the kiss. Everybody in the audience went wild as the curtain came down with the two still kissing.
After the curtain had gone fully down the two of them broke the kiss with Thomas having a cheeky smirk.
Thomas: “ I don't remember that being part of my story or in the play?”
lady with an equally cheeky smirk: “ well I improvised on the spot. and I… hope you… approve of it?”
Thomas: “ I definitely do.”
Lady with a big smile: “ thank you. So when do you want to go on a date?”
Thomas was immediately taken aback but before he could answer lady spoke up again.
Lady: “ I overheard your conversation with Timothy. and I really appreciate that you wanted me to be comfortable with myself before trying to ask me out. also thank you that you like me for who I am and not how I look… it really struck a chord with me.”
Thomas: “ your welcome and I did mean every single word I said lady. every last one of them.”
The two of them then leaned in for another kiss officially becoming a couple.
The two of them broke up when they heard cheering from the backstage area and looked to see their friends cheering for them.
Emily: “ finally! it took the two of you long enough.”
Rosie: “You can say that again Emily.”
Gordon grumbles as he hands over 100 pounds to Alice who just smirked.
Alice: “I told you Gordon that lady would confess first.”
Gordon grumbling: “I was certain that Thomas would confess first.”
Alice just began chuckling as she handed over the money to Lady.
Alice: “ Buy yourself something good lady. you deserve it.”
lady accepted the money with a smile: “ I will definitely put this to good use.”
Timothy at this point looked over towards the curtains: “ I think we should give the people an encore before we end things? is everybody okay with that?”
Everybody agreed with Timothy and all of them went on to the stage one last time and took one big bow. Daisy on the other hand remains backstage looking Furious at what happened. she was under the impression that she was going to be playing the hero instead she was playing the villain the whole time.
After their final encore everybody went backstage to get their dresses off and get back into their regular clothing.
lady had just changed completely back when suddenly she was attacked by Daisy when she was exiting the changing rooms.
Lady took a few steps backwards but remained standing as she gave an angry look towards Daisy.
Lady: “ What was that for!”
Daisy: “ for stealing my spotlight! and I hope what you said in the play was just an act about you and Thomas.”
Lady gave her a deep scow: “ And what if it is true? what are you going to do about it?”
Daisy: “ I'm going to make sure that your reputation is completely ruined! and whatever dreams you have you can kiss them goodbye because me and my dad will…”
Before Daisy could continue lady cut her off.
Lady: “ So that's what you going to do? when things don't go your way you're going to run to Daddy who is going to use his illegally gained money to try and ruin mine and my parents life more than he already has? How pathetic are you daisy! All my life you have been literally Mean, bullying me and making me feel more worthless than pieces of dirt. Well that stops today! I am sick and tired of you Daisy! so leave both me and my friends alone! And don't even think about coming in between me and Thomas. he will never give you the time of day since he knows you only like him for his money! Now leave me alone to enjoy the night with my friends!”
Everybody was looking towards the two of them as lady had let out years of Boiled up anger. Daisy wanted to respond but she noticed somebody coming over towards them which gave her a smirk.
Before lady could ask what she was Smirking about, somebody grabbed her arm and began squeezing it tightly.
when Lady was finally given the opportunity to look who it was her Uncle George.
George with an extremely pissed off look on his face: “ you do not speak to my daughter like that you disgusting rat!”
Lady gave a cheeky smirk: “ actually I'm a kitsune not a rat.”
George then forced lady down onto the ground and held her arms behind her back.
George: “ You are what I say you are! now you're going to break up with the Billington boy and let my daughter have him or else I will make sure you will regret it for the rest of your life!”
Lady began growling at him: “ Thomas makes his own choices! I do not have to tell him to do anything! it's up to him to decide if he wants to date your daughter, not me!”
George then began pressing her face down onto the floor very hard: “ well if he doesn't want his “precious girl” to be hurt then he better do what I say!”
lady at this point had enough and transformed into her fox form and lit herself ablaze with fire so hot it burned a golden color causing her uncle to let her go while screaming as his hand was slightly burned.
George: “I will sue you for this! I will make sure you and your family will have nothing left!”
Lady wanted to respond but a different voice responded instead.
Voice: “ actually I wouldn't do that if I were you. this was clearly self defense and any judge would see it like that given the evidence and the Witnesses.”
Everybody turns around to see a woman with azure blue hair And Crimson Lake eyes in a blue azure suit.
The woman looked very familiar to a lot of the group but couldn't place their finger on it.
George in an annoyed tone: “Now who are you?!”
Woman: “ I am Anna McIntosh Attorney at Law. and I am representing miss lady stone and her family in the upcoming court case against you for theft of their inheritance alongside many many other charges.”
Everybody looked shocked! especially Daisy and George.
George: “ How are they able to start a court case against me!? I made sure that no court or lawyer would ever listen to their case! and besides I doubt they will be able to pay you.”
Anna just gave a smirk: “ actually I am doing this for free since one of the clients is my daughter's best friend. Plus us Macintosh women protect our friends and family at any cost. besides, your power does not reach as far as you think.”
George with a deep growl: “ what are you talking about? I have more power than you can ever imagine! I will be able to sway any judge that this is brought forward too!”
Anna: “ not when the judge is the king and queen of sodor.”
George then began laughing: “ you really think the king and queen will come and listen to something way beneath them? they will just see it as a massive waste of time.”
Anna continued smiling: “ actually under ancient Sudrian law that says: if the crime is severe enough then you can summon the king and queen to preside over the trial. and I think that inheritance theft and bribery of multiple officials is a major crime. also the fact that you have been threatening miners and have just assaulted a minor in front of a hundred Witnesses I am pretty damn sure that the king and queen will be more than willing to listen to us. and from what I've heard they are not people that like to take bribes so you won't be able to use your money to get out of this. so I would count your days that you still have your power. because it's going to be taken away from you. Now get out of here before I call the police!”
George didn't want to risk her pointing out that bribing the cops was illegal and get him arrested so he just took his daughter and left the room.
Meanwhile Anne began being bombarded by questions from her daughter's friends. Eventually she was able to calm them down and answer some of their questions.
Anne: “ Amelia called me a few months ago about lady’s family's situation and I took an interest in it. and I am speaking the truth that I am doing this for free because you're my daughter's friend but don't expect me to always do it for free. I am still a lawyer and I need to pay my bills. plus I'm not charging you because I'm pretty sure you can't afford my services otherwise.”
Lady nodded: “ okay but what about the evidence to convict him? I very much doubt that he would just leave evidence lying out in the open.”
Amelia then gave a smurk: “ and that is why I first called my aunt before calling my mother.”
Thomas: “ What does your aunt have to do with any of this?”
Amelia: “ My aunt Is ex special forces. Specifically she used to be an intelligence officer and is capable of getting information in multiple ways. including espionage.”
Percy: “ your aunt is a spy!?”
???: “I actually prefer scout more than spy. it's far more accurate to what I do.”
Everybody looked around but couldn't see where the voice that had just spoken came from until another woman jumped down from above and landed quietly wearing a spandex suit. she also had blue hair and red eyes And her facial features were exactly the same as annes!
Woman: “ hello everyone I am Dawn mckintosh. it's very nice to meet you all.”
Everybody looked surprised as the newcomer looked exactly the same as Anne.
Amelia decided to elaborate: “ they are identical twins. In fact the only way to tell them apart is by their voices and a weird birthmark on their left and right shoulders. besides that they're completely identical.”
Dawn: “ Thank you Amelia. And as for the evidence you mentioned Thomas? He isn't as clever as he thinks in hiding his evidence. I mean I was able to find it without even having to break into his home. he basically buried all of his secrets into his tool shed… it was very amateurist if you ask me. Even breaking into the safe for the evidence was extremely easy because the safe he had was completely rusted through. It was the easiest job I ever had to perform. but despite the extra evidence and the real will in our Possession we would still need a little bit more evidence that I wouldn't easily be able to get without looking suspicious. that's where my wonderful niece came in.”
Everybody then began looking towards Amelia who just gave a smirk and held up her phone and played back a video of what had just happened with George.
Amelia: “I picked up a thing or two from my aunt. I have been secretly following him around whenever he is near Lady and recording everything he says and does as some extra insurance to make sure that we secure a Conviction for his crimes.”
Everybody once again looked shocked that all of this had been happening behind their backs and none of them knew. not even Timothy who leaned into a whisper to his brother.
Timothy: “ Now I know how she is able to know what she gets for Christmas from me every year. I have to step up my game to surprise her.”
Thomas could only agree.
lady on the other hand felt extremely grateful.
Lady: “ Thank you guys so much. wait until I tell my parents about this. we might finally be able to get him out of our lives for good!”
Amelia: “ Actually they already know. We informed them this morning and they are also extremely grateful.”
Anne: “And we already have set up a court case next week so you won't have to wait for long to be free from that horrible horrible excuse of a man.”
lady’s chest had filled with more hope for the future than she had ever felt in her entire life!
She may not have had a lot of money but she did have a lot of friends and in the end that would be her uncle's ultimate downfall.