Author's Note: Here's another hit from DA, this time it's "You'll Always Still Be A Royal Couple To Us".

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any characters except mine (Harriet Snooper, Alphonse Snooper, Jenny Snooper, Angel Snooper, Farrell Labrador, Harry Shorthair, Thomas and Mary Labrador, Ellen Shorthair, E.T.C). The following characters belong to my friends on DeviantArt: Alicia, Melanie, and Zoza (Alicia Martin), Hillary Hyena and Ronald Smutt Jr. (Jose-Ramiro), Stephen Fox (Sricketts14381), Valentina Vixen (CartoonprincessML), and Michelle Raccoon (Michelleraccoon).

Chapter 1

Springtime is here in the Evergreen Forest. The snow has melted, the trees are blooming, and the birds have returned from the South after having spent the winter in warmer areas. Of course, springtime is a season for rejuvination, but to George and Nicole Raccoon, it's the season when they started experience one of the most stressful times of their lives-a mid-life crisis.

It all started one morning, when Nicole woke up. She went to the bathroom and had gone to look in the mirror when she noticed something odd. Hidden within her grey fur was a strand of fur that was even grayer than the rest, and the moment she saw it her worst fears had been confirmed-she and George are starting to grow old! And so, with the help of one of their neighbors, they sought out a way to regain the youth that they were begining to lose.

"Here we are, fresh from the blender," said Jenny cheerily, as she proceeded to bring the blender over to Nicole. "This is the special recipe that has been passed down in my family for many generations. I call it 'The Silverfur Mud'."

Nicole sniffed the contents of the blender and frowned. She muttered, "It stinks."

"Hmmm, doesn't smell that bad to me. The original recipe called for real mud and swamp water, but this time I combined those with mashed avacadoes and a hint of vanilla extract to make it smell nice."

"Am I to eat or drink zis stuff?"

"No! It's for your face. And I assure you, this is a foolproof way to looking a lot younger in no time at all." Jenny grabbed a nearby wooden spoon, put it in the blender, and pushed the blender up to Nicole. But Nicole shook her head, pushed it back, and replied, "It depends on ze cure. Why not you try it first?"

"I would...but, seriously, Nicole, you must try it. It worked for me, so it should work for you."

"No, I won't!"

"Fine! We'll try it together..."

"Okay."

Nicole grabbed the blender and they prepared to spread the stuff on their faces. "On ze count of three...one...two...three..."

At that momnent, George came in and saw Nicole and Jenny with the green mud on their faces. He said, "Let me guess...you two are prepping for clown school finals."

"Ha-ha, very funny, George," muttered Jenny sarcastically. "I'm helping Nicole find the cure for aging. She just told me her fur's graying a little more than usual, and...oh, speaking of which, what about your fur?"

"I guess you might say I'm in the same situation. Plus I'm beginning to gain weight."

"Then I have just the thing. Why not try some of my famous Silverfur Mud-"

"N-no thanks."

"Humph, suit yourself."

Just then, Angel came running in with Ellen in her arms. She shouted, "Mom, Mom, Mom! Oh, I have some VERY exciting news! You're never gonna believe this..."

"What is it, Angel?"

Angel took out a magazine and showed it to her. "There's word going around that there's going to be a spring decoration contest, here in the Evergreen Forest! And you will never guess who's gonna be there."

"Really? Who is it?"

"I'm talking about the world-famous expert on interior and exterior decorating, the one, the only...Flora de la Fleur!"

Both women squealed happily and giggled. George spoke up, "Uh, Jen...a little help here?"

"Oh, sorry, George," replied Jenny. "I would love to stick around and help you and Nicole find ways to look younger, but there's been a change of plans. I'm going to team up with Angel to assist her in decorating the town for the Annual Evergreen Spring Fling Contest, so...I'm afraid you're gonna have to deal with the mid-life crisis alone."

Angel added, "Which reminds me-can you do me and favor and watch Ellen for me? I can't put up flowers and babysit at the same time, you know."

Nicole took Ellen from Angel and replied, "Um...all right. Good luck at the contest."

"Thanks! See you two later!"

As soon as Angel and Jenny had left, Nicole slammed the door. She muttered angrily, "Great! Now we wouldn't be able to be young again. What are WE supposed to do now?"

"Well, she did leave some 'Silverfur Mud' behind," replied George, picking up the blender. "It's just about enough for both of us."

"I don't recall you ever wanting to try on a face mask, George. You don't look like you have any wrinkles."

"Wrinkles? The only wrinkles I have are the ones that are on my forehead. And...isn't there one under your chin?"

"Aaagh! Zat does it! Zis calls for extreme measures. Oh, if only there was a way we can be young again, without any fuss or hustle at all..."

Suddenly, the phone rang and Nicole answered it. It was Lisa at the other end. She said, "Hi, Mom. I'm calling to let you know that I'm taking Jody and Greg to the art museum, so if you and Dad would like to come..."

Nicole replied, "Yes, Lisa, yes...of course, we would LOVE to come. It would be such an honor...okay, we'll see you there. Goodbye." She hung up, turned to George, and said, "I'd suggest we go to the art museum. At least looking at paintings will calm us down..."

George and Nicole met up with Lisa at the art museum. While walking down the corridors of the building with Professor Smedley-Smythe, Lisa told them that Bert had chosen to stay at home so he can get everything ready for the spring decoration contest. They then paused to look at a beautiful portrait of a young couple in royal clothing-the odd thing about them is that they bore a striking resemblance to George and Nicole!

"Ah, here is a rare and interesting exhibit that'll be sure to surprise you," said Professor Smedley-Smythe, introducing the portrait. "This picture, dating back to the 15th century, just so happens to be the wedding portrait of Prince Alan and Princess Alanna, of the kingdom of Raccoonshire. According to legend, an evil wizard placed a curse on the royal couple a few days after their marriage, trapping them in the very portrait you see here today. It is said that the spell could only be broken if the ghosts of the prince and the princess could find two mortals to take their place and finish up the job by destroying the evil wizard."

"That sure is interesting," said George. "Who is this evil wizard? And why did he put the curse on the prince and princess?"

Professor Smedley-Smythe pointed to another portrait, this time of an old wizard who looked exactly like Cyril Sneer. Jody said, "Hey, that man looks just like Cyril! I wonder if he and that wizard were related..."

While Lisa, Jody, Greg, and the professor left off to look at the other exhibits, George and Nicole stood there looking at the painting of the prince and princess. George said, "Just look at them, Nicole. This couple may look like us, but they have something that we don't have and that's their youthful appearance."

"If only we were just like that prince and princess," sighed Nicole. She placed her paw on the portrait (which, unbeknownst to them, glowed with a pale green aura). "If we had the same youth and vitality this couple had in times past, we wouldn't have to worry about growing old any more..."

Soon, it was closing time and the family left the art museum to go home. But they were unaware that something strange was about to happen to them.