[IC] Stranger Beetles

[Metronome]

"Doesn't he like to hang out in that creepy shadowy place where, if I was a lion patriarch telling my son that he would inherit my kingdom, he definitely wouldn't get that place?"

[Beetlejuice96]

"Yes, darling, in all it's dark evilness." Ash replied. "Good thing I came along to help lighten things up."

[Metronome]

Beetlejuice smiled, but then remembered the difficult conversation he was going to have to have with Ash later. He frowned a little.

"Well, I guess we better not keep the hyenas waiting." He grabbed their shoulders and poof'd them to Abby's shadowy hideout.

[Beetlejuice96]

"Lawrence! There you are! How dare you keep me waiting!" The shrill voice of his mother piercing around them. It made Lydia shiver a little.

[Metronome]

Beetlejuice frowned. Abby was really going there, huh? "Knock off the shit, Abs. The gig is up. Put Lydia right or we'll end your sorry existence!"

[Beetlejuice96]

A shadowy figure appeared before them, white eyes glowing angrily at them. "Why should I? You're not attached to her, are you?"

[Metronome]

"You know I am!" Beetlejuice snapped, "You were there at that facility. You've put this kid through enough. Don't make me ask twice, Abby." He growled, looking meaner by the second.

[Beetlejuice96]

"What proof do you have? I've been in the Netherworld since your sorry ass left." He smirked. "You have nothing."

[Metronome]

"Proof?" Beetlejuice growled, "You think I need proof?!" He advanced on the demon menacingly. "This ain't the living world, buddy. We don't do 'fair trials' around here. If I want to end someone, then I do it. With my mom gone, I'm one of the most powerful demons left, and maybe I'm tired of being held back!"

[Beetlejuice96]

"Now, now, Lawrence, don't lose your temper." Abaddon said, backing away from him.

[Metronome]

"You fix my kid before I show you 'losing my temper'", He threatened. He was starting to get that angry, red glow

[Beetlejuice96]

Abaddon yelped in fear before waving their hand, darkness surrounding Lydia. "Bee-!" She exclaimed before disappearing from the Netherworld. Back in the living world she bolted upright with a gasp before coughing and panting heavily.

[Metronome]

"What did you do to her?!" Beetlejuice demanded, charging at the demon and snatching him by the throat, hauling him into the air.

[Beetlejuice96]

"Ack! She...She's back in her body! I swear it!" Abaddon choked out, struggling to escape. "Would I lie to you?"

[Metronome]

Beetlejuice dropped him. "You better hope so." He gave the demon one last threatening look before going back to Ash. He poof'd them back to his portal, and then headed back into the Maitlands' living room.

"Lyds?"

[Beetlejuice96]

"Beej!" Lydia exclaimed as she hugged him. "What happened? Why's everyone crowded around me like I died?" She asked, having no memory of being in the Netherworld.

[Metronome]

"You kinda' did, kid," He wrapped his arms around her, "You scared the hell out of us. That shapeshifting sack of shit tried to take you, but I don't think he'll be messing with us again any time soon." Beetlejuice looked up at all the faces in the room: relieved, exhausted, confused.

"Maybe we should all get some rest, huh?"

[Beetlejuice96]

Lydia nodded in agreement before looking at everyone who was there. "I think it might be a little crowded for this house." She admitted. The Maitlands, two demons, a gang of six, her father and herself in a house meant for a couple or small family. Yeah, that'd go over well.

[Metronome]

"Maybe we should head home then?" Iggy asked, looking at Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice looked at Lydia, seeing what she thought about the idea.

[Beetlejuice96]

Lydia glanced at the leader of the ragtag group before running over and enveloping her in a hug. "Thank you, Iggy. For everything. I'll come visit you guys when I can, okay?" She said, trying to hold back tears. She didn't want to say goodbye to the ones she considered family, but deep down she knew it had to be done.

"Come here, kid." Toph said, holding her arms out for a hug which Lydia happily gave, Max and Malcolm joining in.