~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Benicia was trying to relax in the forest. Again. For not the first time in her life. But she was more upset than she had been before. She had thought that Spider was her friend. But then he went and told her such fake stuff about Mara...it was horrible. Ugh, she sort of hated him now, in fact. "Hey there, Benicia." Benicia tensed before she looked up, recognizing Mara's voice. "Ah, Mara!" She sighed in relief. "You'll never guess the day I had." "I'm sure I can," Mara said, a glint in her eyes as she stood behind Benicia, who lounged lazily on the ground. With a groan, Benicia looked ahead, rolling her eyes. "Spider is SUCH a jerk, you know? He came up to me in some cave--like, who does that?--and started talking about you, and how you wanted to kill me or something. Bah! What nonsense," she added, rolling her eyes again. "Innit that right?" She paused, realizing that Mara was silent. Then a cold chuckle filled the air. "'Isn't that right?'" Mara repeated mockingly. Alarmed, Benicia got to her feet, turning to see Mara--and stepping back immediately when she saw the pure, cold rage on her face. "You think you're SO great, Benicia!" Mara growled, stepping forward stiffly. "W-what? What are you talking abou--" Benicia broke off, shrinking back in fear as Mara snarled. "Don't play dumb!" she howled. "You know exactly what you've done. But guess what? I'm tired of being your shadow." Benicia's eyes widened. As she stared at Mara's cold, unfeeling face, she realized that Spider had been right. Which led to another question.... "What...what happened to Spider?" she whispered. Mara actually grinned. "Went down just like Beetle, of course. Well, they both died for the same cause--discovering who I was." Benicia cried out in dismay. "How could you?! You killed Spider--y-you killed Beetle, too?! You're INSANE!" Mara huffed, snarling. "Actually, I'm just a diamond waiting to shine. But now? Now, it's your turn to die." And she lunged, right as a familiar voice howled, "STOP!" ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Story by me, art by me.
