The Mad One: Part Two (special preview)

The City of Neon was not too far from the City of Red Tide, but the two cities had never had any sort of union. The Neon Acolytes were more of the peaceful sort, whereas Red Tide and Red Witch were more, let’s just say, willing to throw punches. It was because of this that Red Witch never saw a need to integrate with the Neon Acolytes. As such, the two cities remained neutral to one another. Which was, for the City States, was a strange and precarious bond.

The Neon City was ruled over by Queen Mazza Hemlock, a powerful thaumaturgist who was able to keep her city in a perpetual shadow so that the neon would always shine brightest. I had always been a strange sight for Mad One to see when she was young. Often traveling with Red Witch, she would see the Neon City upon the hill, both shrouded in darkness yet glowing with the bright neon. It was rumored that Mazza stayed in a perpetual state of meditation in order to keep the city shrouded. Mad One had never delved too far into Neon City to know much about it aside from the Rotting Nectar they make. A highly alcoholic drink that tastes like candy, but can also make the drinker enter a blissful state. During her younger days, Mad One would make many trips to the Neon City to imbibe Rotting Nectar.

This would be Mad One’s first time entering the city as Red Witch’s heir rather than a girl looking for a drink. Word had been sent ahead to make sure Mad One’s arrival would be met, and that a meeting with Queen Mazza would be allowed.

Mad One was given her mother’s favorite car to make her journey, a cherry red chrome machine powered by magic. Depending on how much one was able to produce in a sitting, the car could go into speeds well above what a normal car could. And with Huni Buni’s debris enhancers, the car was going like lightning down the road.

“You’ve been quiet,” Huni Buni remarked to his wife. “Is everything okay?”

Mad One eased back into her seat, arms going slack as she held upon the wheel. Gazing vacantly beyond the windshield, she finally let out a mournful sigh. “It is and it isn’t.”

“You can talk to me,” Huni Buni insists. “You don’t have to be strong around me. You can cry. You can scream. You can tell me anything at all.”

“I know, I’m just...figuring out how I can share it.” Mad One glances briefly from the road to look into her husband’s face. “I’m scared about this.”

“About fighting Sasha?”

Mad One shakes her head. “No. I haven’t been married in a long time, I mean, not to anyone else.”

“You’re worried about your new partners?” Huni Buni laughed. “I’m sorry,” he stopped his giggling. “I know it’s hard, and maybe your level of trust isn’t what it used to be.”

Mad One pulled the car over, slowing it until they were stopped by the side of the road. In the distance she could see the dark shroud of Neon City. Laying her head down upon the wheel, she sighed heavily. “What you said before, when you snapped at me, was that true?”

“I love you so much,” Huni Buni said in a slow, deep tone. “It has never been a question for me. But they had questions. When Sasha beat you, I only wanted to hold you and put you back together. They lost faith, their patience. I was so angry at them, I still am.” His ears twitch side to side before standing again. “Of course they didn’t deserve you. They only wanted your power, what you could offer. They didn’t want you. You deserve partners who want you regardless of if you’re a queen or can fry an egg.”

Mad One smiled at him, her heart heavy yet lifted. She leaned over, kissing the smooth screen of his face. “I love you too, Huni Buni. Thank you for staying with me.”

“You don’t need to thank me, my darling.” Huni Buni touched her face, gently tickling the lobe of her ear. “All I want is to see you happy and thriving again. Your magic is obviously up to snuff. You’re stronger than ever. You just need the right partners to back you up.”