Appetite for Destruction

Chapter 11

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ACT 3: EXORCISM
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The silver bullets and steel gun are finished, and Brandon was tasked to go give the bag of items to Stella. Problem is he doesn't know where she is, not near the silver shop, nor anywhere around it. He has to walk all over the city to see where his girlfriend was. Panic starts to seep in his mind and heart as he darts his eyes left and right. After what feels like forever, he spots a lock of blonde hair in the corner of his eye, behind a tree with autumn leaves gliding to the ground. He sighs, relieved to see his golden girl again, and jogs over to her.
"Babe! I'm glad I found you, it felt like hours." Brandon's smile fades as he looks at her face. Lost, confused, riddled with fear and dread. His chill-guy tone softens up more as he strokes a strand of her golden hair. "Stella? Do you want to talk about something...?"

"He took my moon powers..." she mumbles, her lips trembling, fairy wings down and clinging to her back. Brandon puts the bag down, cuddling her in his arms, hoping that would cheer her up. Stella looks at him and continues. "Moon magic is pretty sacred. Of course, you wouldn't know that from watching me fight. Instead I get green patches and coughing. But now, I'm not sure what to do...?"
"Well, I do. We're going to load this gun," Brandon starts, taking the bullets out and putting them into the gun, "and shoot that vampire. And maybe when we do, the magic will get returned to everyone."
Stella takes a deep breath before fixating a confident smile to Brandon. "Yeah! Let's do it!" Brandon frowns. He could tell she wasn't alright by her eyes looking confused and stressed.
"Babe, there's something you're not telling me..." Brandon sighs.
"Whaaat? What could I be upset about? We'll win!", she awkwardly chuckles.
"I know you weren't happy about your moon powers. And now that he has it-"
"Are you trying to say I'm HAPPY he took them away?! That he's now overpowered?!", she snaps. They stay quiet for a few seconds before Brandon cautiously nods. Stella calms down, looking to the floor again.

"...It's not that I'm glad my moon powers are gone it's..it's more complicated, actually. Part of me is worried because moon magic in the wrong hands can be super deadly, but part of me is happy because she...I don't have to...well..."
"Take your time," Brandon interrupts. Stella looks back at him.
"...I never talked much about my mom. We used to be close, she would take me to our planétarium and read me bedtime stories while I admired the stars and moon in the sky. Then, the divorce happened, and I never saw her again. I thought she would care, but...she didn't even say goodbye...Those moon powers are like, the only thing she left that reminds me of her..." Tears start to prick her eyes, two of them making their way down to her cheek and jawline as she bites her lip. "I hate what she did! I hate that I still want her back. I don't want those moon powers I NEVER asked to have them! Sun powers are more useful anyway! I hope she never comes back, she probably has some mage she's banging on the side while dad has to deal with paperwork and monarchy stuff...and I have those green scars."

Stella sighs, leaning on Brandon's shoulder as he rubs hers.
"Listen, starlight. I know you won't like this but...moon powers are a part of you. And you can't change that. Just like you can't change that she's your mom."
"Then what's there left?" Stella whimpers.
"Don't be silly. Those aren't your mom's moon powers. They're yours. You are the fairy of the Sun and Moon, not Fairy of the divorced sun king and former moon queen. Just because you have the same powers as her doesn't make you any less unique. And hey, I fell in love with the brightest star in the galaxy, didn't I?"
Stella giggles at that last bit as Brandon wipes her tears away with his thumb. She holds his wrist in place. "And I fell in love with the best squire and therapist," she grins before pulling him into a kiss.
"Mm- woah slow down, gorgeous," Brandon chuckles, wiping away the citrus lipstick, "Taking down a vampire takes priority, ok?"

Stella pouts, she wanted to tongue him right now. But he's right. She looks down at the gun.
"So we just shoot him with that and the powers will return?", she asks her boyfriend, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe if you power it with your sun magic. Something about sun powers acting as an opposite to vampirism so their contact means mana flows away to another host, in this case-"
"Yeah, yeah, don't infect me with Timmy's nerd talk," Stella teases, sticking her tongue out. They had a plan, but she still wasn't sure. She was just a Sun Fairy and Brandon a Specialist. The threat wasn't the worst but it was a huge gamble. Roll a 20 to stick the steak in him. Anything below, and you lose. "Don't lost hope sunshine. You are our brightest light," Brandon reassures, patting her on the back.

"Stella! We've been worried!"
The pair look over at Flora and Aisha heading towards them. Right, since Ogron teleported they must have been at a loss. "Is everything okay?" Flora asks.
"Yeah. I just panicked," Stella reassures. "What about you guys?"
"Well, there's good news for you, girl!" Aisha giggles, "Since Ogron teleported away, we looked for the cherry tree and...voila!" Aisha and Flora show the maticulously crafted stake, the top so sharp it pierced her skin with no contact.
"Wow that's awesome! But also...Ogron left so he could help Gantlos exorcise me and get my moon powers...So we need to act fast!" Flora and Aisha nod, they didn't have much time before the ghoul preys on Flora or Tecna, or worse, Roxy. At least now they can plan their attack together.