Chapter Text
SMACK!
“Oof!”
SMACK!
“No way!”
SMACK!
“Impossible!”
Team B crashed and burned even faster than the first group, the trio quickly getting slapped one after the other.
Eliza scowled.
“Why must modern men be such brutish cads?! They come courting and don’t even have the decency to wear nice suits….Oh, Idia, darling, I knew you were the only one for! No one else comes close!”
Vil’s face screwed into an expression of obvious rage.
“I cannot BEAR this! How could I be outshone by someone as antisocial as Idia?!”
Leona’s lip curled.
“That shut-in probably can’t even sing!” He hissed grumpily. It was beyond unfair that the Bride hadn’t even ACTUALLY questioned his royal blood, and had instead completely written him off for not belting a stupid tune with her…
Eliza’s face darkened.
“Idia’s nothing like the rest of you! Like I said, he’s a perfect prince. I’m sure he’d love to join me in a song. He's just a tad shy at the moment, that’s all…”
Lilia tutted, looking snippily at the ghostly Bride.
“Dear me, those claims are absolutely delusional! It seems to me that you’re projecting your own notions onto poor Idia, refusing to see who he really is. There’s a plethora of lowerclassmen who I’m sure would be more than happy to set you straight about his true personality, if you truly wish to know your future husband…”
Leona snickered, hopping onto Lilia’s little bandwagon.
“Yeah, you might wanna talk to his little band first. Seems like they already have a bit of a locked deal in place, so you might wanna make sure there’s no adoption papers you gotta sign before ya get hitched.”
Floyd sniggered.
“Heeheehee! That was a good one, Sea Lion!”
Eliza huffed.
“I haven’t the faintest idea what you're all blabbering about! Not that it matters, since it’s all just senseless gibberish! I know what I’ve found, and that’s Idia, my perfect prince!”
The Bride flounced across the room, ignoring all of the upperclassmens’ loud complaints.
“This whole endeavor was a complete waste of time. We need to get the ceremony preparations underway. Now, show Idia in.”
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Well, this was major embarrassing…
Getting stuffed into a fancy-pants suit and his hair getting yanked back into an old-timey ponytail was cringey enough. Getting wheeled in on a stand like a stationary movie prop was down right mortifying.
Especially in front of this many people…
“Yeesh, she slapped Idia too? Bridey’s downright ruthless…”
Cater’s extremely accurate quip cut through his thoughts.
The Bride twisted back to glower at the other students.
“I resent that. I’ll have you know I just gave him a teensy poke because he tried to run!”
Is that what she called that smack she’d given him?! His arm still hurt…he wouldn’t be surprised if he had a livid red palm print under his sleeve…
Eliza turned back to him, beaming.
“Just imagine: tonight, when the clock chimes midnight, we’ll seal our eternal marriage with a kiss! Then you’ll shed your mortal form, and together, or souls will depart for our honeymoon!”
“NOOO! I don’t want to do any of that!”
He didn’t want to leave the mortal coil without his manga! He hadn’t collected his dailies today either! Idia tried to flail, his efforts futile against the frozen ghost spell.
He really needed to get out of this, now! No trauma bonded freshmen had busted through the walls of the building yet, but the longer he was stuck here, the higher the chance of that happening became…
“Look, I–I come with a lot of strings attached! And some of them can be…really maniacal when ticked off…” Like when someone stole their stuff…or HIM in this case!
Eliza hummed dreamily.
“Oh, don’t worry dearest! Nothing will ruin our wedding. Not even the most terrifying of beasts could tear us apart!”
Azul frowned.
“Hm, I’m not sure if you truly want to test that theory…”
Trey winced. He wasn’t a huge fan of equating the freshmen to beasts, but he’d also seen Ace and Deuce angry and serious before. And that had just been about Riddle’s rule problem.
Idia was obviously super important to them…he could only imagine how furious they all must be right now…
Idia looked helplessly over at the stuck students.
“Guys! A little help here?!”
Vil stared icily back.
“What part of our current position makes you think that we haven’t exhausted all of our efforts already?”
“It’s finally happening!” Grampy cheered, soaring over to the Bride. “Our princess’s wedding, 500 years in the making! Back in the old days, this event would’ve merited a nationwide celebration…”
Nana sighed sadly.
“Just remembering our neighbors betray makes me want to die all over again…our poor princess, having to wait all that time for love…”
“She might be waiting longer for that, even with the wedding.” Jade murmured softly, making Floyd snort and Azul snicker.
Eliza, however, just beamed.
“Ooh, I have a marvelous idea! I’ll make all these suitors groomsmen! That way, we can have the merry kind of wedding you two want!” She turned back towards all of the now doubly unhappy upperclassmen. “Okay, everyone, you’re all going to help celebrate the start of me and my darling’s life as newlyweds!”
“Can we NOT?!”
Idia’s cries fell on deaf ears.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Crowley looked dismally through the window at the scene.
“So much for our B Team …”
Ace shrugged, turning away from the window.
“Eh, that’s probably enough fake suitors. Styling them for the wedding should keep her distracted enough.”
Riddle frowned.
“But there’s still quite a few ghosts within this part of the building, not to mention the Bride herself.” That, he supposed, was the weakness of baring Deuce, Jack, and Sebek from any part of the building that was “breakable”. It was impossible for them to draw out every ghost if they couldn’t enter all the areas where the specters were.
“Will you four be alright handling all of that by yourselves?”
Ortho buzzed frantically.
“They can do it, but I’m worried about the speed. We don’t have much time till midnight, and there’s still enough ghosts in there to slow you guys down!”
Epel clicked his jaw quietly.
“I could take care of most of them–”
“And then you’d be all spent by the time we make it to him.” Ace shook his head. “And you’re gonna have to be the one to take down her hovering guards; my spell won’t work on them.”
“I mean,” Q glanced hesitantly at the Head Mage. “How much fire damage is too much?”
“Any! Any is too much!”
Grim scowled.
“How are we supposed to make it to Idia on time if you won’t let us fight?!”
Crowley looked sternly down at the freshmen.
“The entire purpose of this plan was to avoid damage to the campus! It is not my fault that the hallways to the cafeteria are made of particularly flammable materials…”
“Ah, worry not!” Rook cut in brightly, smiling widely. “I am more than willing to offer my assistance! I shall distract the multitudes of ghosts so that you may make it to Idia before he is wed!”
Epel blinked.
“R–really?”
“Of course! Helping our fellow man is one of the most beauteous acts! That, and I refuse to let any more mockery of Vil’s fair features continue!”
Ace glanced oddly at Epel, who shrugged.
“Uh, thanks…that’s..helpful.”
“I’ll join you.”
Ace swiveled his head to stare at Riddle.
“Wh–you will, Housewarden?!”
“A Housewarden’s job is to make up for the shortcomings of his dorm’s students, afterall.” Riddle frowned for a moment. “That, and Cater must return to the dorm before tomorrow, or else he’ll be in violation of rule 703.”
Ace’s wings twitched.
“Oh yeah, he did place second in the croquet tournament yesterday…”
Riddle blinked.
“You–did begin to familiarize yourself with the rules?”
“Okay, you do not have to sound that surprised!”
Kalim’s brow furrowed.
“I’d come to..but I don’t think Jamil would be very happy if I went ghost fighting without him…”
Ortho tilted his head.
“Why don’t you go ask him, and then join us if it's a yes?”
Kalim instantaneously brightened.
“That’s a great idea, Ortho! I’ll be right back!”
The Scarabia Housewarden dashed off without another word. Epel watched him go oddly.
“...Umm, is he…actually a Housewarden?”
Crowley waved his hand dismissively.
“Regardless of that, this effort will be Operation Proposal’s last chance! And though I don’t doubt your, *ahem*, skills, we should take special care with our last endeavor! Since she was rather taken with Idia’s tux, I say we create the Perfect Prince Package!”
Ace narrowed his eyes.
“Bold use of the word “we”...”
Epel scowled.
“I don’t think I like where this is going…”
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Riddle and Rook found the suits Sam provided to be rather well-suited for them. Epel and Ace…less so.
Q and Ortho had to take scissors to the multiple layers, carefully cutting neat(enough) holes into the suits so that the freshmen could comfortably wear them, and that comfort was…realtive.
“Ugh, I’m not used to fancy duds like this.” Ace ran his talons cautiously over the suit jacket. “I can’t decide if it's cool and new, or just stuffy and uncomfortable.”
Riddle glanced up from fixing his gloves, doing a double take as the freshman stepped out.
Ace half froze, looking down at his outfit.
“What, did I put something on wrong?”
Riddle blinked.
“Oh, no, I simply–” He hesitated slightly. “I..simply did not know that…you had a tail.”
Ace looked back up, the fluffy appendage flicking behind him.
“Oh, yeah, I do. Normally I tuck it in, but that seemed like it would mess with these pants silhouette or whatever..”
Rook leaned forward, fascination gleaming in his eyes.
“You have the wings of an eagle and the tail of a lion…you are positively gallant, Monsieur Griffon!”
Ace frowned.
“Excus–”
“Do I look weird in this getup?”
Epel stepped out from behind Ace, fiddling with his boutonniere. Rook beamed.
“Far from it! This suit highlights your charming looks and adds a debonair twist! That goes for both of you, of course.”
Ace looked at the junior strangely.
“Charming..? Sure…”
Epel twitched uncomfortably. Despite Rook’s compliments, he felt very out-of-place in this suit. It was…too stiff.
Clearly, it was made for standing and looking like a gentleman, not for climbing and leaping off of walls…
“Let’s go get Idia before he gets married…”
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ortho quickly floated to the side of the main building, easily flying up to one of the windows. The clusters of ghosts that had been patrolling this area were clearly occupied elsewhere…
“EEEEK!”
“PLEASE, MERCY–”
“HE’S GOT MEEE–!”
Ortho waved frantically as Deuce turned a corner in the interior hallways, his friend practically dashing on all fours after the ghosts.
“DEUCE!”
The freshman screeched to a halt, eyes snapping questioningly up to the window.
“T–MINUS THREE HOURS!” Ortho held up three fingers, though he was decently sure that Deuce heard his voice through the glass. But now wasn’t the time to take any chances. Not when Idia was about to become the world’s unhappiest ghost groom!
Deuce shot him a quick thumbs up, immediately turning back to shooting magic back at the spirits, dashing off to presumably find Sebek and Jack.
This was the one part of the plan that they hadn’t run by the Head Mage, and Ortho didn’t intend to now. He thought his friends were well in the right for wanting some revenge, and they were nice enough to get some for him too!
His laser was a little too precise to not cause permanent damage to the main building, so he couldn’t storm in with them. But he could still inform everyone of the timeline, and make sure to record their victory over the ghosts who’d taken his brother!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“More suitors?! Our princess is fed up with the stream of insolent louts knocking on our door! Remove yourself at–GAH!”
The ghost yelped as Grim shot a stream of flames at him, poofing as the blue fire struck him.
Rook blinked, looking mildly disappointed.
“My, you made quick work of that guard. It is a pity, I had just prepared a poem to showcase my worth as a suitor…”
Q glance sideways at the junior.
“I’m..not surprised that you did..”
“What’s all this commotion?!”
A trio of new ghosts flew out from the main entrance.
“Her Highness’s wedding is finally upon us! We won’t let anyone ruin it!”
Riddle flicked his pen expertly out of his pocket.
“Allow me to handle this! I’ll hold them off, you all go and make sure the operation succeeds!”
Epel ducked around a ghost, but didn’t go very far.
“Are you sure? There’s a lot of ghosts, and only one of you!”
Already, due to his flashy flames, more ghosts were pouring out of the interior hallway, circling around Riddle.
Ace, however, dashed ahead, weaving between the distracted spirits.
“Don’t worry, he’s got this in the bag!” He half twisted back as he ran, waving at Riddle. “Light them up, Housewarden!”
“Good luck, Housewarden Rosehearts!” Q called, sprinting after Ace, Grim at her heels.
The corners of Riddle’s mouth turned up ever so slightly.
“That’s the spirit. Until we meet again!”
The lightened group ran through the interior hallways, quickly making their way towards the stairway.
“Hold it right there!”
Epel completely ignored the ghost’s yell, leaping gracefully into the air, catching himself on the stairs with his spider legs, skittering even faster up the floors. Ace leapt after his friend, flying more than running up the flights of stairs.
Rook’s smile gleamed. Such grace and skill, more like creatures of folklore than animals commonly seen in the wild– the freshmen were certainly a sight to behold! It sent his heart a flutter just to see their passion take flight–
“I said halt!”
“Ouch–!”
Epel’s arachnid steps faltered, the ghost’s attack collapsing one of his spiderlike limbs.
Rook quickly turned on his heel, stopping his ascent to face the fast approaching specters.
“May I bid the rest of you to go on without me? I believe my efforts would be better spent facing these ghosts head on.”
Ace hesitated slightly.
“Doesn’t look like we can stop you! Good luck!”
Epel glanced back at Rook, sending his vice housewarden a look of gratitude.
“Thanks, Rook!”
Rook swept his pen from his pocket, lining up his shot.
“Agh! They hit our archer!” The ghosts swelled into a frenzy. An almost crazed smile crossed Rook’s face.
“All of you take care! I believe I’m going to have a most pleasant waltz with these ghosts…”
The freshmen continued up the stairs, dashing around a corner.
Rook blinked up at the flying spirits.
“I must say, I respect your fervent desire to fight for your princess. However,” The junior flicked his pen, skillfully hitting another ghostly archer. “My desire to protect these freshmen is just as profound. And I fear that I am not one to take a fight for such a cause lightly…tell me, how would one hunt a ghost?”
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Idia twitched helplessly in his position at the end of the hastily made wedding aisle, muttering to himself.
“Idia attempts to flee…but his body is numb all over and he can’t move! Looking for a healer! I don’t have any skills that remove debuffs–”
The other frozen students ignored his odd method of coping, trying in vain to free themselves from the Bride’s curse. Puffy glowered down at the group.
“Would you all stop squirming? This is a sacred ceremony! Our Princess’s wish is finally coming true! She’s a pure and noble soul who’s harbored this dream since she was young, and tonight, at long last, her loving heart will finally get what it desires! Nothing could be better…Such a…joyous occasion…”
Lilia pouted.
“I’m not quite sure if I’d define someone willing to go this far for their own self centered desires as pure and noble…but besides that, my lower back is sore from being stuck in this position. Would you at least allow your guests to sit down?”
Floyd yawned.
“Yeah, I’m kinda checked out. Bein’ stuck is booooring–”
“We’ve got a problem!”
Floyd’s complaining quieted as another ghost soldier frantically sped into the room.
“Half of those creatures that infiltrated the guesthouse got through the gate with the help of some other rascals! They’re barreling toward the wedding hall and tearing through our troops!”
“Finally…” Leona mumbled grouchily.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Epel hopped back onto his two legs, sprinting down the exterior hallway. Ace folded in his wings, half diving, half bolting after him.
“Alright, we should almost be at the cafeteria–gah!” He jumped the side, tail narrowly whipping out of the way of yet another ghost attack. “Oh, c’mon!!”
Epel screeched to a halt, darting back towards his friend.
“Get back! I’ll hold ‘em off, you guys get to Idia–...wait, what?”
The ghosts made no move against him, just sitting in…stunned silence? Epel glanced questioningly back at his friends. They’d seemed so willing to attack a few seconds ago…
“Forgive us, Princess!” One of the ghosts all but through itself at his feet. Epel stepped back, looking wildly around him.
“Princess? Where?!” Had the Bride snuck up on them without him noticing?!
“I apologize for our mistake! We didn’t see your beautiful features hidden under those ghastly spider characteristics! You must have come to the ceremony to request help from the terrible curse that’s been placed upon you!”
Epel slowly turned back to the ghosts.
“Are you…talking about me…?”
Ace, Q, and Grim took a hasty step back.
“You poor thing, forced into the companionship of such violent creatures!” The second ghost beckoned Epel towards it. “It’s a travesty that someone as weak and frail as yourself was left to fend for yourself among them! Please, stay behind us while–”
“Who…” The ghost paused at the choked word.
“Hm?”
“WHO ARE YA CALLIN’ WEAK!?!”
Epel lunged towards the ghost, jaw spitting apart, venom spewing from between his teeth.
“WOAH!”
Both ghosts surged backwards, faces somehow growing more white at the sight.
“I’LL SHOW YOU WHO’S WEAK–Gack!”
Epel gagged as Q yank on the back of his collar, half choking him.
“Me and Grim will avenge you, go get Idia!”
“That don’t help prove ma point–!”
Grim spat a stream of flames towards the ghosts. Q stepped forward, shoving Epel towards Ace.
“Go help Idia, before he ends up married!” She snapped. “You can stomp down to the ghost realm and get revenge later!”
Ace snatched Epel’s hand before he could object, dragging him towards the cafeteria. Epel quickly picked up his pace to avoid falling, scowling.
“Leggo of ma hand! I ain’t five!”
“No, but you have a habit of running off when someone ticks you off!”
“I haven’t done that in awhile!”
“Then might as well make sure you keep that great streak!” Ace began to run faster, forcing Epel to focus more on running than arguing. His friend may be fast, but his legs were still shorter than Ace’s, and when he ran at a full sprint, Epel had to run twice as fast to keep up.
He’d probably get beaten to a pulp for abusing this fact later, but with luck, Epel would burn off at least half of his anger when they took down the Bride.
Just like how Ace’s lungs were half burning. Running full speed when you had two massive wings on your back was not easy. Ugh, he might pass out when they got to the cafeteria…