Chapter Text
Casey and Lunella continue to smile at each other for a few seconds in happiness, both almost barely processing the moment.
“Casey?”
“Lu?”
“CASEY!!!”
“LU!!!”
The two girls ran toward each other, after what felt like a lifetime of pain and separation, they were finally able to give each other a loving embrace. Casey felt tears of joy running down her face.
“I-I thought, I would never get to see you again!”
Casey was still barely processing the happiness of the moment, as Lunella was also overcome with joy.
“I know, and I’m so glad you’re ok! I was so worried when I found out, I’m so sorry I didn’t-“
“No, Lu! Don’t you dare apologize for anything! If it wasn’t for you, I would still be under the control of Nightmare, being forced to commit terrible crimes! You saved me Lunella Lafayette, you’re my hero!”
This statement caused Lunella eyes to get wet, as she looked into Casey eyes with a blush.
“Casey, I would never let anything bad happen to you, I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re the most important person in my life…and I love you!”
Lunella worries a bit at the statement, not sure how Casey would react, given she was safe now. Her fear vanishes though, as Casey gave her a kiss on the cheek, causing the hero to turn scarlet.
“Lu, I love you too, I’m sorry I didn’t say it before, and, after I was captured by Nightmare, I was worried I would never get the chance to tell you!”
The two girls looked at each other smiling, blushes on their face, before a portal opened in front of them.
“Ahem, sorry to interrupt the moment.”
Doctor Strange stepped through a portal, as the two girls separated a bit from embarrassment, before Casey walked up to the sorcerer.
“I’m sorry Doctor Strange, I never got to properly thank you yet, if it wasn’t for you and Lu using your magic to stay hidden from Nightmare, he would have ended my life, so, thank you!”
She smiles up at the Doctor who returns the gesture.
“Don’t mention it ki-Casey, I know how evil Nightmare is, and no one deserves what he put you through.”
Casey found her smile dropping thinking about the events, and remembering something.
“But, I-I mean, Nightmare committing all those crimes as me…..how am I going to explain everything? Even if everyone believes me about being controlled, so many people will still be upset, my dads, those innocent animals-“
Casey tried to stop herself, but a few tears started to form thinking about the outcome of the reveal, before Doctor Strange placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Well, usually this would be more of an issue, but, it’s possible I may have recently come across a student who might have a solution to our problem. They were recently caught assaulting, and attempting, to kill some of the other students to take their powers-“
Casey let out a little gasp at the horrible situation, but kept listening.
“I mean, it’s far more likely that someone who was willing to kill others would have been the magical being behind crimes like slaughtering animals, or harming your parents, thus, clearing you of any wrongdoing.”
Casey was shocked at first hearing this, but, was overcome with immediate joy.
“You would really do that for me?”
Doctor Strange nodded.
“Kid, you’re only 13, you’re too young to have to suffer the consequences of Nightmares demented acts. It was out of your control.”
Lunella nodded, and chimed in.
“Yeah! Casey, you’re the purest, nicest person in the universe! It was Nightmare who forced you to commit those crimes, you would have never done them otherwise!”
Casey smiles at Doctor Strange and Lu, before running up to hug her again.
“Thank you.”
Casey whispers as Lu hugs her back, Doctor Strange watches and speaks up.
“However, if you would like, I could ease the memories of the past couple of weeks from your mind. However, that would also possibly erase your interactions and feelings for-“
“NO!”
Casey interrupts, she blushes at her outburst, while Doctor Strange raises an eyebrow, before continuing with her statement.
“I mean, part of me does what to forget, it was terrible, Nightmare is a cruel monster, and he did make me do horrible things, but-“
Casey looks at Lu with a blush and smile.
“I don’t ever want to forget my feelings towards you Lu. Part of me does want to forget the terrible Nightmares, but, no matter what happened, it was you that got me through it! You are the light of my life, the hope that keeps me going, it’s why I love you Lu! You’re the most important person in my world, and I never want to forget that!”
By the end of her speech, Lunella now found tears rolling down her face, as the two girls hugged once again.
“I love you Case, you’re the most important in my world too!”
Doctor Strange couldn’t help but smile at the loving embrace between the girls, growing closer than ever in the face of a Nightmare.
“Well-“
He started, before the two looked at him again.
“I should be going, before I do though, I have something to give you.”
Doctor Strange pulled out two rings and presents them to the girls, who are a bit confused.
“What are these for?”
“These rings are charmed with a spell, Nightmare probably won’t return to your mind, however, he’s most powerful when you dream, so this spell helps protect you from his influence.”
He handed the two the rings, as they both put them on, quickly nodding to one another, and giving the sorcerer a hug, much to his surprise.
“Thanks Doctor Strange!”
“Yeah, thank you so much!”
“Well, haha-“
The Doctor nervously chuckles, as he is taken back a bit by surprise, but also returns the gesture.
“Not used to this much physical affection after stoping demons.”
The two girls laugh and let go, as he smiles at them, opening a portal back to the sanctum.
“Moon girl, Casey-“
He nodded towards the two, as they returned the gesture, exiting through the portal and leaving the couple alone.
“So, now that he’s gone-“
Before Lunella could continue, Casey grabs her and kisses her cheek again, causing the hero to blush, feeling her legs wobbling a bit. Casey giggled, before hugging her new girlfriend.
“You want to go get some ice cream?”
Lunella nodded as the two smile at each other, walking home, hand in hand.
(3 months later)
It had been a few months since the incidents of Nightmare, and things had felt relatively normal.
Casey dad’s thankfully made a full recovery, in fact, they ended up healing at a much faster pace than expected, all their wounds and scars healing in only a few weeks. Doctors couldn’t find any explanation, other than magic.
The pet shop had bought in new animals, as the community had gotten their suspect, in the form of a young sorcerer brought in by Doctor Strange, as the culprit behind the crimes of thievery, assault, and animal slaughter. Forced to give up his powers, the criminal now spends his time rotting away in a prison cell.
Then there was Casey.
She smiled, getting out of bed, while looking at another bright sunny day in New York. Wearing her green dress, putting on her golden hoop earrings, and brushing her long black hair, today was shaping up to be another beautiful day!
She pulls out her phone and starts to talk to her followers.
“What’s up guys? It’s Casey, telling you how important it is to spread the love! Remember, no matter who you are, there are people who care and appreciate you! You have to appreciate what you have, you never know what could happen. Keep spreading positivity and joy, I’ll be back later! #Love #Blessed”
She kissed her dad’s goodbye, and with a skip in her step, stepped outside, a peaceful day looking to greet her. Since it was Saturday, she didn’t have to go to school, instead, Casey could spend all day with the person she valued most.
“Casey!”
Casey sighed at the voice of her girlfriend, Lunella, aka moon girl. Seeing her face was always something that filled her with joy.
“Lu!”
“You ready for movie night? Devils been looking forward to this!”
“Of course, anything with my GF is something I look forward to!”
Lunella blushed slightly, still not entirely used to dating, somewhat due to her awkward nerdy demeanor, but, finding it nice regardless. She got to be closer with Casey, the girl she cared for more than anyone in the multiverse.
Casey meanwhile, couldn’t help but think of how lucky she was. Sure sometimes the memories of Nightmare, and the crimes he forced her to commit, would be in the back of her mind, but she always managed to silence those fears. Part of it due to knowing she wasn’t the one behind them, but, more so because of Lunella.
Her best friend, and girlfriend, hero who would always light her way in life. No matter how Casey felt, seeing Lu would always cause her heart to pump faster, bringing happiness into her world.
“Case? You alright?”
Casey found herself staring with a slight shine in her eyes, blushing slightly, as she moved her hair behind her ear, smiling at Lunella with joy.
“I couldn’t be happier Lu.”