Part, A Prelude
There is a land across the rainbow where thoughts take on solid form, where the intangible energies that amass in the imagination take on sustenance, and where all that would transpire in the mind becomes real.
Yet as imagination can lead to the realization of our deepest dreams, it can also twist the subtle processes that make up our mind, drawing upon the phantasms that exist in the recesses and twist them into a fantastical nightmare.
For centuries the Palace of Dreams has kept the border between the two stable, balancing Light and Dark, ensuring that anxiety and terror were locked away, harmonizing the land and maintained equilibrium between the Seen and Unseen.
Yet the Palace of Dreams often comes under attack from those Outside the realms of what is pure and decent. Many times have I witnessed attempts forged by the Forces of Nightmare to subvert our castle and rule this kingdom. "Who am I?", you ask. I am Mother Goose, curator of tales, and now I shall begin this one upon a late Autumn day in a council of war…
"Are the puppets ready to counterattack from all fortified positions?" Queen Mab asked, addressing the entire room. We looked down at the map of war, laid over the dinning table and plastered with notes and models, showing the land in it's entirety. From the blistering cold of the North wastes to the windswept deserts of the West, to the woodland and plateaus of the East, down until the vast tundra of the South, it seemed as though everywhere we were outnumbered, it seemed as though our worst fears had been confirmed, and it was those fears that ironically were currently encircled us, enveloping the land in a sea of darkness. Our counter-measures had been spread too thin, we had underestimated our foe, and it was to be to our undoing.
"Ma'am, all troops are converging on enemy positions but it doesn't look good," one of her elfin councilors advised, "I believe we may be looking a devastating overall loses." A murmur rippled through the room.
King Cole, usually bright and full of energy seemed haggard and pale, he stood up from the table and strode towards his throne. When he spoke, he did so slowly and softly as though weighing the value of each word he said.
"Then we must do the only thing we can," he said, "We must raise the bridge and prepare for the siege. The people outside shall be brought unto the sanctuary " Another murmur, this time of approval.
"Darlings! Indeed the king's advice is as sound as ever," a silvery voice rang through the room.
"Thank you most kindly. As my most faithful aide your advice is most appreciated Winona"
"Oh please! Call me Winnie!"
I spun upon my heal. Winnie…- Winona was the King's Fairy Godmother, as currently she stood upon the balcony which over looks the throne room. She was tall, thin, and glamorous dressed in all the latest finery from all the most expensive shops. After all, what was the point of being a powerful benevolent fairy if you didn't have style? I would sincerely love to emulate some of the class that she emanated, but unfortunately, I cannot upon a librarian's salary. Her horn-rimmed glasses perched upon her nose and she peered over them surveying the room. She fluttered her gossamer wings and floated gracefully down to meet us. She adjusted her skirt and smiled broadly at us.
"Your highness. I would like to talk to you privately" she beamed, ushering the king into a private chamber. I watched them go, and then left to watch the evacuation of the civilians.
The prominent crystalline structure of the castle spirals into the sky, the sun glittered off its shell illuminating the land below. The castle itself rested upon a floating plateau of land -as deep as it was wide- it's roots bare inches from the lake crater, suspended by magic, yet anchored to the ground. The sprawling metropolis surrounded it, filled with hundreds of citizens each with their own lives, now all being ushered into the castle over the golden bridge. Watching from the sidelines, I could see familiar faces here and there: the widow Mrs. Hubbard, currently on income support, carrying her pitbull terrier under arm, Mister Sprat lead his pasty-faced wife through the archway. Closing in on us from all directions was the black wall of a thunderstorm. The sky trembled before it.
"WATCH OUT BELOOOOOOOOW!" A voice bellowed, and looking up, I was just in time to see a massive lump fall out of the sky hitting me in the stomach. I quacked my displeasure. I stood up and surveyed the scene. A tiny little reindeer had fallen from the sky and upon it a rabbit, carrying within its pouch a letter. Upon its chest was a bright green medal.
"Miss Goose, sir" the rabbit said, snapping instantly to his feet and attention.
"Ah…the Easter Bunny," I replied, "This way. The King will be most interested to hear your report"
"Terrible. Simply Terrible." the Easter Bunny began, "Toytown was overcome so quickly. They've taken most of the western lands, a few villages, and there's worse." At this, the reindeer bowed its head, and the light upon the end of its nose flickered.
"Go on." the Fairy Godmother said
"I'm afraid the North Pole has been completely obliterated. Rudolph managed to get out just in time. The workshops, everything. Gone."
The silence resounded around the chamber several times. Queen Mab looked at King Cole, her face white with fear. Winona pursed her lips.
"Your highness," I began, "I think we all know what we must do. We must put into effect the plan which we have often spoken of."
"Preposterous!" Winona injected, "We should not send it away from the castle. The Key should remain here. It is safer here-"
"But," I raised my voice to drown out hers, "I do not believe we should beat about the bush: we all know what is coming. When it gets here, it will take the castle. We can hold them off for days, weeks, or even months, but not forever. If we follow the plan, then it will preserve the sanctity of our land for longer."
"But not for much longer!" Winona objected, she turned to address the king directly, "Your highness, you know me to be loyal to you, Let me take the key! I alone have the power to keep it safe. We cannot send something as valuable as the Key into the wilderness. It will be found and used against us."
"I was hoping you might help there. I can provide transportation. Use your magic to transmogrify the Key. We can keep it hidden, far far away."
She glowered at me. I stood my ground unfazed. We both turned to face the King. He sighed deeply.
"I am afraid desperate times call for desperate measures," he announced. The Elves clapped and cheered. I nodded and stuck my fingers between my lips and whistled. High above the slow "fwap, fwap" of wings resonated around the chamber and spiralled downwards towards us, and ridding upon its crest was the bird I had summoned. The stork saluted me. Everyone's eyes where now on Winona. She sighed.
"Very well. If those are the king's wishes" She produced her sparkly magic wand from her belt and flourished it magnificently. There was a flash and a bang and she was gone, leaving behind the distinct odour of Chanel no5.
"Now, the question remains. Where do we send it?" Queen Mab asked. The Elves echoed her words. I myself walked over to examine the war map laid out on the table. So many dark areas, areas fallen to the enemy. Yet one spot remained. We could send the stork into the sunset, and hope - or pray- for the best.
Another flash and a bang and the Fairy Godmother reappeared. She carried in her arms a golden egg adorned with purple spots.
I took it from her and wrapped it up in a red-polka napkin. I placed it in the stork's beak.
"I should go," Winona, announced, "Someone should watch the guys and girls. Make them more comfortable. You know." With another flourish, she was gone.
"Take care," I whispered to the stork, "Take this as far away from the dark as possible."
He nodded, and flapping its wings began to ascend into the hall. The Elves applauded. The stork powered its wings and flew out of the hall into the skies. We followed to watch the safety of Everything fade into the sunset until it was one small dot upon a vast horizon. And all around the storm was gathering.
[Here endeth the first part of the notes made by Mother Goose]
The silver ring glinted in the lightning flash. Someone else was watching the small dot vanish. She flicked her golden hair behind her ears and summoned her servants. Like monkeys, they wiggled their tails, and flapped their wings. They gnashed their teeth wickedly.
"Listen boys. I need that key back. You will get it back for me, won't you boys?" She grabbed one and pulled it close. So close the rouge-red lipstick was almost touching it, it could smell the minty-freshness of her breath. "You got that?"
She straightened up, and flexed her fingers together thoughtfully.
"At the risk of sounding cliché," she said thoughtfully, "Fly my pretties, FLY!"
The winged-monkeys looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. They flapped their wings, and speed out into the heavens.