Chapter 3.15: Revoked

Panicked and confused, Montgomery shot up from his deep slumber the moment he regained consciousness and took his first breath in several years.

“Evalace?” He breathed, his voice raspy and weak.

“Rise and shine, pet.” The mysterious pale woman purred, in a deep, sultry tone.

“What the hell do you want with me this time?” Montgomery hissed.

“Hm.” She chuckled. “Nice to see you too… You know, that really is no way to speak to the person who breathed life into your pathetic sack of bones… again.”

“Where are we this time?” He asked hastily.

“Dragon Valley. I must say this place is rather easy on the eyes.”

Montgomery glared into Evalace’s conniving pale silver eyes, and sighed. “What year is it?”

“Why must you ask so many questions, hm?”

Montgomery slowly let his feet touch the floor, trying to wake them up.

“You can’t just kill me and bring me back over and over again whenever you please. You’ve been doing this for the past fifty or so years, it isn’t right.”

“Oh Mr. Parr-Teague, do lighten up. After all, who says it’s such a bad thing? Who else could say they’ve seen what you’ve seen all in one lifetime, and still hasn’t been alive long enough to age by much? I’m blessing you with a gift, pet. And one minor correction, it’s been eighty-six years since I first resurrected you.”

“…Besides…. I’ve recently received some news from a fellow witch that might make it all worth while…”

“Evalace, you know what would make it all worth while for me. I know you feel it too, just give in. I can make you happy, I swear it.”

A deep laughter escaped from Evalace’s lips, the same deep laughter that terrified Montgomery, but also gave him a rush of excitement all at the same time.

“Pathetic mortal. You don’t stand a chance, give up. It’s sad, really.”

“But I do have the next best thing. Someone found your darling little wife, and she’s looking for you!”

Memories of Donna were only blurry little pictures to Montgomery, after all these years. She rarely crossed his mind, and even when she did, time had completely erased the image of her. All he could remember was the love he had for her, and the forbidden romance that he thrived from.

He felt his heart fall into the pit of his stomach. He tried to speak, but his lips wouldn’t allow him. Finally, he was able to muster up a raspy whisper.

“….You don’t mean… Donna?”

_____________________________________________________________

“…We had a feeling Yellow was rushing things.” Belinda stressed.

“Are you sure you want to do this? Maybe you need some more time to think dear, finding out your husband is, or was alive is a lot to process.”

“I don’t have a choice, madame. I vowed be his forever, and if he’s alive, then my heart belongs to him.”

“…Drinking the elixir and becoming a witch was also vowing to be Yellow’s forever.” Belinda argued, in a soft, melancholy tone. A moment of silence filled the room, as Donna struggled to find a valid argument.

“You must also consider the age difference! That photo was taken years ago, he’d have to be at least the age of Yellow’s parents. Perhaps all you need is some closure, one shouldn’t make such rash decisions on a whim.”

“I fear that I’d be living a lie if I settled with Yellow. Growing old, only to be haunted by the thoughts of what could have been,  when I should be living with the man I was intended to be with all along.” Explained Donna.

Belinda sighed deeply. “Very well. I suppose there is no changing your mind, unfortunately.”

“I should let you know, it was probably a wise decision to come to only me about this, and not my sisters. They’re very stressed, and they wouldn’t have taken this news lightly. We’re very busy these days, so finding time to search for your husband is not something that comes along easy.” Warned Belinda.

“You see, the three of us are dealing with something far bigger than ourselves. Bigger than the legacy, even. A relative, Bella Goth, has gone missing. Not even the three of our powers combined can locate her, something very advanced has intervened, and we feel extremely threatened to say the least.”

“Oh….” Donna frowned. “That’s…. That’s just awful…”

“Ahem!” Belinda cleared her throat. “Not that the well-being of anyone in this family is your concern anymore, sadly. Now! Let’s get started before the other two arrive home, shall we?”

“Get started?” Donna asked, looking puzzled. “What do you mean get started?”

“Oh I didn’t tell you! Must have slipped my mind, silly me.”

“If you’re positive about leaving the legacy and not marrying Yellow, we’re going to have to revoke your magic.”

“My magic?” Donna whimpered.

Donna waited as Belinda began brewing the elixir that would soon drain Donna of all her magical abilities. Donna felt as if she would fall apart, but remained as strong as she always does.

“Now, I know you know what this means. I know you’ve studied the effects of this particular elixir. Revoking magic is serious business, and it will leave you deathly ill.”

“Yes, I know. But I know it has to be done.” Donna whispered.

“But I’m not at all worried about you, dear. I know you’ll be just fine, you’re a very strong young woman, and have the power to fight through anything, even in your weakest of moments.”

“It’s Yellow that concerns me. You are his everything, his life. He happily gave up his world for you, and would continue to do so even if that meant risking his very own life. I don’t know how he’s going to handle this, in all honesty.” Belinda added.

Donna bursted into tears, throwing her arms around Belinda.

“Oh miss Belinda!” She cried heavily into Belinda’s bosom. “I simply cannot stand having to hurt Yellow, he’s done so much for me, I fear he will never forgive me.”

“There there, my dear.” Belinda comforted, lovingly holding Donna’s shoulders. “Yellow would never carry hatred in his heart for you, no matter what. He will forgive you, you know that. Now, chin up, Darling. If you’re ready to drink the elixir, we will begin.”

Donna took a deep breath and nodded slowly. Her mind began racing with indecision and doubt. Ultimately, she decided that it was best to stay true to the man she married first.

And as her mind went blank, Donna watched as Belinda finished preparing the elixir, right before swiftly downing the entire bottle like a bitter dosage of cough syrup.

Belinda once again warned Donna that she will soon fall deathly ill as her magic drained from her body. She then agreed to search for Montgomery when she found the time.

_______________________________________________________________

After what seemed like hours pacing outside of the Crumplebottom house, my heart skipped a beat as Donna came tip-toeing out the door.

“Donna! What happened? What did they say? Do they know where he’s at?” I questioned.

Donna was obviously distraught as she met me in the front of the house.

“Donna honey, are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Ms. Belinda is going to find him when she has the time.” She frowned, holding her face in her palms.

Her words felt like a stab in the heart, but I tried my best to stay optimistic. Maybe once she found him, she’d get closure and realize that no other man could possibly love her like I could.

“And… She revoked my magic…I just drank the elixir.”

“What?” I cried. “Donna, no! You didn’t have to make that decision so soon! Why?”

Donna didn’t speak. But I saw the pain in her eyes. It hurt me so bad. I wondered if she felt the same way. Tears began to stream down my face.

“So that’s it?” I asked. my voice stuffy and nasally. “It’s really over now?”

“Yellow, words could never express how sorry I am. I never did any of this to hurt you, I would have never let things go this far if I had known he was alive..”

Nothing she was saying was helping. I knew that if I were Montgomery, I would want her back too. I understood that. Still, my heart was internally begging for her to change her mind.

“We had so much going for us, Donna. We were going to find my parents, together. Get married one day, have lots of colorful babies, grow old together. My heart can’t take this.”

I clenched my eyes, hoping this was all a horrific nightmare and that I’d wake up any minute now. It didn’t feel real. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop the tears.

Standing on her tip-toes, Donna softly placed her hand on my face.

“Yellow my love, please don’t cry.” She comforted.

Her gentle, sympathetic touch was enough to soothe my heart, if only just for a moment.

I began crying uncontrollably. I threw my arms around her, and took comfort in her holding me back.

“You’ll always have a special place in my heart, that no man, not even my husband could ever replace. I love you more than anything Yellow, and I always will.”

“…Promise?” I sniffled.

“Promise.”

She suddenly pulled away, pressing her hands on the temples of her forehead.

“I… I feel so dizzy…” She worried.

“Donna? What’s wrong, what is it?”

Just like that, her legs went limp and she collapsed in my arms.

I was in complete shock as I began to panic.

“Donna? Donna, wake up, please!” I cried.

It was the elixir, and it was real.