Heroes Vs. Villains

The Glowing Pond

Anthony tossed and turned in his sleep. He wakes up and looks down to Sophia, sleeping soundly next to him. He gets up and leaves the bedroom to roam the castle grounds.
Out on the grounds, on this lovely new moon, there was a large pond. The pond was bottomless. It was enchanted.
At 3'o clock every night. The lake would glow a bright blue. An iridescent blue that had become Anthony's favorite part of the castle since he was a boy.

The pond began to glow bright and Anthony looked into it. He began to remember Ruby and their last night together.

•4 years ago•

"Prince Anthony, it's quite rude to summon me with nothing to offer." She says. Anthony sits by the pond. Ruby watches as it glows. She walks over to it and cups the water in her hand. She's mesmerized by the water and how it reacts with her. Anthony grabs her hand, causing her to drop the water. He smiles at her and she gives him a look of confusion. He caresses her cheek and leans towards her to kiss her. She pulls away and laughs. "Is this why you summoned me? Prince Anthony, don't be fooled. I attract a lot of people, but it's mainly business related." She says. Anthony rolls his eyes and pulls her back in. She pulls away again and steps back. "You're with Sophia, do you really want to break her little heart." She says. Her voice luring him to her. "I don't care about her. After I'm king, I'm hoping to either banish her or ship her off. She's very annoying and I honestly cannot deal with it." He says. Ruby sits across from him and shrugs. "I don't care about your feelings towards Sophia darling. Unfortunately, she's not my problem yet. My question is why are you attempting to get with me?" She asks. Anthony smirks. "I like you a lot. You're very beautiful, I've enjoyed our time that you call business. I want to continue seeing more of you." He says. Ruby sighs and gets up. She walks away from Anthony and he quickly follows.
"Why don't you want to love me?" Anthony asks. Ruby turns to him and walks up to him. "I'm seeing someone. Someone I actually like, not trying to lure." Ruby says. Anthony looks at her in sadness and hurt. "Ruby, I really like you. I really really like you. I want you every second of the day, every time I'm with Sophia, I'm wishing it was you. Please give this a chance." Anthony begs. Ruby shakes her head. Anthony shakes his head as Ruby backs away from him. He grabs her and kisses her. He lets his hands explore her body and his tongue roam her mouth. He picks her up and lays her down on the grass, by the pond. Ruby pulls away from his lips, prompting Anthony to kiss her neck. She inches her hand closer to the pond and is able to create a small blob of water around her hand. She throws it onto Anthony and he rolls off of her. She stands up and walks away. "RUBY!" He yells out. She stops and looks back at him. She walks back up to him and crouches to him. "Leave me alone Anthony. Our deal is intact and will go in effect, but it seems you have some demons you may want to deal with before you become King." She says. Anthony gets up and walks up to her. "Please, just one more time before we stop." He begs. Ruby shakes her head and rolls her eyes. "You're sick Prince Anthony, now please, stop bothering me." She says. She vanishes into the darkness leaving Prince Anthony alone.
In pain and in anger.

•••

Anthony combs through his blonde locks and sighs deeply. "Is there a reason why you're thinking of Ruby?" A voice says. Anthony snaps out of his thoughts and turns to Hana. She walks towards the pond and steps into it. She turns back to Anthony, waiting for an answer. "Claude and I both knew about your little rendezvous with each other. You're lucky James doesn't know. You're also lucky no one knows you're still in love with her. My question is, why are you in love with someone who isn't your betrothed and who isn't in love with you?" Hana asks. She walks around the pond waiting for an answer.

"Hana, why are you actually here?" Anthony finally says. She looks up and smirks. "I'm here to distract you until Ruby gets back, plus I can read thoughts and yours were quite loud if I can hear them from my cave." She says as she walks around the pond. Anthony sighs. "She is coming back. She has too. But just to keep you occupied. Think of all the times you spent with each other." Hana says. She disappears from the pond and reappears behind Anthony. "And then think about how angry James will be when he finds out you're in love with his precious Ruby." She says into his ear. Anthony pushes Hana away from his ear and she laughs. "I'm usually not this terrible so do forgive me Prince Anthony, but James will gut you for even thinking of her in that way." She says. Anthony sighs heavily. "He'll never know Hana. I wouldn't put Ruby in that position, no matter how hurt I was and am, I can't do that." He says. Hana smiles a bit, she walks up to him and places her arm on his shoulder. "I'm happy to hear that, but unfortunately I have to cause a little bit of trouble." Hana grabs Anthony's head and whispers into his ear. He pulls away from her and she chuckles. "Sorry Anthony, but my little whisper chant will be repulsing you every time you see or touch Sophia. Have a wonderful night." Hana says. Anthony lies flat on the grass by the glowing pond. Confused.