"Clara and the Nutcracker"

Chapter 4

We had traveled for hours through the fog on Marzipan. She had to be the strongest horse in history, because we never stopped once. "If this fog doesn't lift we'll never find the Princess' island," NC said gently. I was laying on his shoulder, tired from all the humidity. At this statement I promptly got up. "Hey," I said playfully tapping his forehead. "We're not supposed to find it easily. She wouldn't be that powerful if it was easy. It just means we're close." I then looked at him sternly. "And so what if we don't? You battled the mouse army, rescued Captain Candy, and saved us from a vicious pile of rock! All without the Sugar Plum Princess." He frowned, not convinced. "The mouse king is too powerful to take on alone." I looked down annoyed. "Besides," he continued. "We've gotta find the princess if your to return home your true size." I looked down suddenly sad. Why was I sad all of a sudden? "That is what you want…isn't it?" He asked me softly. Damn, a loaded question. "Of course," I said, smiling unconvincingly. We turned away from each other and looked on into the fog. I felt I couldn't see anything, in more ways than one. Once again, fate would have it that a little rat on wings had heard our entire conversation.

We continued for hours, a desolate feeling of lost hope beginning to fill us. Despite this, somehow, I was glad because it meant I could stay. Why? I spared a glance beside me. He was a wooden toy. Aesthetically pleasing as nothing else, but a toy. Why…it suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks. I was falling in love with the nutcracker. I was falling hard for an animated children's toy. My heart felt heavy because I could deny the truth to everyone, but myself. I thought I loved Adam, but Adam never made me feel the ethereal happiness NC did. NC made me happy, while Adam had just been a fantasy that ended in me being sad. I was in love with Prince Eric, me an outcast ballerina who was too cowardly to stick to her dreams. Major Mint suddenly snatched me out of my thoughts. "The weather's getting worse. I say we turn about." I was about to agree before Marzipan sniffed and gestured in front of her. "Wait!" I said knowing what I had to do. "It's too dangerous!" He rebutted. "There's been no sign of this mysterious island, not to mention what's going to happen when this ice starts to melt." Ignoring him and swallowing my heart I go out of the carriage. "Marzipan saw something," I said walking out into the ominous fog. "I'm sure of it." NC had got out as soon as I exited and trailed behind me. I took a deep breath and kept walking. I had to think about the kingdom, not my selfish wishes. It's what a Princess would do. That's what I'd be if me and Prince Eric… Shaking away my thoughts I focused on my steps. I could fall in this fog right through the ice and never be found again. Yet I was concerned about love.

As we walked on NC and we stared at the beautiful island before us. It had to be the closest thing a person could get, to heaven on Earth. I won't dare describe the scene for you. It would insult its memory. Major Mint's voice then cut through our daydreams. "No time to enjoy the scenery!" He said once again intent on leading. "Let's find this Princess." Captain Candy stopped him suddenly. "I believe the Nutcracker has earned the right to lead us," he said firmly. "But...but-but, he's wood!" He said pathetically. As soon as he said that I charged for him. It was luck that NC managed to swing me around. "What? You got a problem with that?" I snarled. "I'll resolve that problem! Trust me! I will resolve that problem," I threatened. "Clara," NC said, holding me fast as I squirmed. "No. No." I said chuckling darkly in an unhumorous way. "And the reason we've made it this far," Captain Candy said eloquently interjecting. "I'm only half the reason," he said releasing me, and beckoning for us to go to the front. I smiled despite myself as I felt my heart flutter and walked beside him. "Handing the reigns to a-a…a stump? I've never heard of such a thing." the Major said, lingering behind. NC's firm hand behind my back pushed me along. "You have now," I said smiling.

We walked on, but every step made me feel like a part of me was being ripped away. "Hey NC," I said casually. "Yes?" he asked. "Why do you put up with me?" He smiled at me as though it was a silly question. "It's rather the opposite I believe. You're honest and express your opinions through your actions. That's what makes you a bit…irate." "Irate?" I said snorting. "You mean psycho? I'm barely a lady!" He stopped me and looked me firmly in the eyes. "You are a lady, and much more…" With that we trudged on. Another rock smacked me in my face. I wasn't falling in love with NC, I was in love with NC. I felt like my body was losing its ability to hold me up. We walked through the forest, in it were strangely shaped trees with circular fruits. I vaguely wondered why there were no fairies about. The path was pink, startlingly so, and when we reached the castle I knew why. The entire thing was extremely pink. Frighteningly so, and it was glistening, and beautiful. No doubt the Sugar Plum Princess' abode. NC was elated, I could see it on his face, and he didn't notice as I began to drop back. It hurt to walk. I couldn't…I… My hand held my heart locket, struggling to keep my own heart in my chest as I looked around sadly. The only man who would think of me as a lady. The only man who would think of me as beautiful. "Are you coming?" He asked seeing I was not next to him. "Oh," I said distractedly. "Yes." He continued on, me walking very slowly behind him. I had to stop again. I didn't have to do anything, I didn't. But I had responsibilities, I had to be practical, I had to be… "Clara?" He called again. I sighed and moved forward.

Captain Candy and Major Mint were speeding toward the palace. All three men went to the doors. I saw that they opened of their own volition, but my feet refused to move as I watched them enter. Suddenly the entire palace fell down. I stepped back shocked! It was a trap! Inside a cage airborne by bats Captain, Major, and Nutcracker tugged at the metal bars. "A damn trap!" I growled. "Good job mates!" the stupid bat said. "Off to the palace." "NO!" I yelled as they flew away. I ran into the trees before the bat could find me. "Wait a minute," I heard him say. "Where's the girl!" I held my breath. "Don't matter, no way off this island…unless she's part mermaid." I desperately wished I was. Returning to Marzipan, I saw that the river was once again unfrozen. I detached the horse to graze and I sat defeated on the grass. It sucked to be unhappy in such a beautiful place. " I knew I shouldn't have come…" I mused aloud. "What was I thinking? That I was going to find a magical princess?" I held my head in my hands. "Now I'm stuck on some God forsaken island alone with nothing but a horse." I turned to her. "No offense Marzipan." She didn't really notice. My shoulders shlumped.

I didn't know where I was or how to get back. I didn't know where the mouse king's palace was, and I certainly didn't know how to get off this dumb island. "All this," I said annoyed. "Because I wasn't selfish enough to let NC miss that dumb Princess." I looked at the sky. How dare it be such a damn well pleasant blue! I could die alone here, or…I touched my locket. "I could…always go home," I said silently. "Could claim to be Thumbelina's new age cousin. Hit the road as a major attraction. Get filthy stinkin rich and Lord knows clothes would be more affordable." And I'd never see Nutcracker again. He along with everyone in this world would be dead. I thought of Captain Candy and Major Mint. I thought of the snow fairies and the flower fairies. I thought of the kids I had named Pepper and Ginger. And then I thought of Prince Eric. "No…" I said determined. "What am I saying? I can't leave. I'm their only hope." The weight of the sentence spoke of its truth. I was the only hope for this entire world. "Shit," I cursed, getting up. "If I could just get off this island."

Suddenly I heard a tingle in my ear. Turning I was shocked to see the flower fairy child! "Brunette!" said smiling. "Hello!" She looked at me as mischievously as when she plotted the "beautiful" thing and beckoned me to follow her. She spoke, but I couldn't understand her. I followed her until out of the sky the fairies brought out a vine covered in flowers. In each flower a fairy hold it up. It was shaped like a swing…for carrying someone. Carried over open water with nothing but tiny fairies holding you. "Are you sure about this?" I asked as she presented the seat to me. She pretended to sit down and nodded comfortingly. Breathing heavily I sat down, my eyebrow furrowed tightly in stress. This is why people complain about the things they do for love. "Okay then, lets.." They lifted me up high and I rocked back. "GOoooWAH!" I said as I felt the freeness of my position. "Oh God, Oh God, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die…" I whispered, my eyes closed. I heard a lot of tinkling near my ear, but I kept reciting my mantra. Finally I felt an eye forcibly pried open by a pair of little hands. Opening my eyes I saw myself passing the beautiful scenery. "Wow…" I said in wonder. "This is amazing." I passed the ocean and a lot of rock. On the horizon I saw an ominous looking castle on a hill. Guess they were dropping me straight there. I was the last chance for them too. "I won't fail you," I said boldly. They chirped in response. Gently, they lowered me on the floor of a tower. I was concealed and out of site. Looking in briefly I turned back to them. "Thank you," I said, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude. They answered back and I walked inside.

I held my back against the wall, straining to remember every James Bond movie I had ever seen. Seeing the guards pass right by me, I saw my movie training had been enough. When one needs to find evil, you follow the henchmen. Slowly I inched my way after them. Somehow getting out of the tower, I walked through a series of doors till I reached a balcony overlooking the courtyard. In the center they were building a large bonfire, stocking it with enough wood to burn for days. "Bitches," I growled under my breath. "MORE WOOD!" I heard the mouse king yell. "I want this to be an unforgettable show!" He suddenly turned in my direction. Diving down I crept towards a wooden door. Hm, it looked ominous. Opening it I saw it lead down and had no light. "Long winding staircase. Jackpot," I said smirking and closing the door. It took forever to get there. I estimated I was underground by now. A soft glowing light was just around the corner. I walked on and was startled immediately. Two big heavily armed mice were standing guard and currently had seen me. "Oh," I said with a regal British accent as though they were beneath me. "There you idiots are. His Royal Evilness the Mouse King needs you in the courtyard." They didn't look convinced. "Why are you a girl in a dress?" One growled at me. I rolled my eyes. "How else would we have trapped the prisoners? I was turned into a mirror image of one of them. I won't be changed back until they're executed." I sighed, "You'd better hurry," I said annoyed. "He said if you don't you'll spend the rest of your lives as dog doo…" They didn't move. "…or…was it horse poo?" They nearly toppled me over in an attempt to pass me. I sighed in relief as I heard them fade in the distance.

"Too easy," I used happily. "And look, they left the keys on the hook next to the dungeon. Convenient aren't ya rat boy, " I said going through one set key. The other key opened the vast door. I pushed it in excitement, but then saw the room was empty. All around was an empty dark stone dungeon. Crestfallen and frustrated I began to walk out. "Clara," NC whispered. I stopped, not knowing why and turned around again. My heart was beating fast. Why? "What's wrong with the girl?" the Major said. "We can see her, but she can't see us," he said, hands on the wall. "Oh hear us apparently," Captain Candy said. I looked around, my heart beating faster. "Why would the mouse king post guards on an empty room?" I asked hoping for an answer. I heard none. My heart began to race. I stuck my hand out and walked farther into the room. "Clara," he said to me. Somehow, though it was not words, I heard him. Touching the invisible wall, I smiled. Getting the torch on the side of the door I pulled it out and got in batting formation. "Back up!" I yelled. With all my strength I knocked the torch right into the door. The wall smashed and instantly I saw the Captain, Major, and NC. I jumped into his arms, holding him tightly to me. He held me back before we scrambled away from each other. "Right…"I said blushing with every bone in my body. "Yeah," he said instantly. "We've got to get out of here," I said firmly. "The mouse kings' building a bonfire!" "I don't think its to warm up the palace," NC said bitterly. "Ya think?" I said leading them out.

They followed closely behind me and we watched in horror as the mouse king forcibly gathered all the villagers in a corner. "Sugar Plum Princess or no Sugar Plum Princess, that Rat's got to be stopped!" "Now you're speakin my language," I said cracking my knuckles. "You handle Ratboy, I'll handle interference." NC climbed up on it, and daringly stood on it. "Is this any way to run a kingdom mouse?" he asked him angrily. "Ahh," he said seething evilly. "You're just in time for your party." With his wand he lit the bonfire. It burned and flickered with evil intent. Not caring about the men beside me I tore my dress above my knees and worked the excess into strips… The military men gasped, but I ignored them, wrapping the material around my feet.

Time to go kickboxing. NC jumped down, taking out two mice and catching one's sword. "There's more to being a king than having a crown," he said, his sword pointed at him. "Ho ho," the mouse king laughed mockingly. "Suddenly you're an expert?" NC looked nervous for a minute but then gestured towards his people. "You'll never earn their loyalty until you earn their respect." The mouse king sneered. "I don't need their loyalty. I don't even need them." My eyes widened. Where was he going with this? "Those peasants who do challenge me, living statuary be!" "NO!" I yelled jumping down. NC was shocked to see his people as living stone. I landed on the court and had done nothing but alert the enemy of my presence. He swung his sword at the mouse king and he parried. Meanwhile I faced the soldiers that were trying to get in the way. I tipped a cart of melons, making a few fall idiotically and knock themselves out. Then I went to work. Grabbing a spear I used it as a pole vault to deliver high kicks and slash a few fur balls. The mouse king turned his scepter into an ax, but NC ducked and hit him from behind. He fell against a cart and then got up quickly. "Scrappy little Nutcracker," He said vehemously. "I'm afraid I underestimated you."

I turned to see what was happening. Most of the mice had fled knowing they awaited punishment for failing to restrain NC. "WITH THE BRAUN OF TWENTY AND SIX I'LL SMITE MY ENEMY INTO STICKS!" Turning I saw that the mouse king had turned himself into a giant. He whacked at NC mercilessly. I winced at the blows he failed to parry. Suddenly he was knocked against the bonfire's edge. His eyes were closed. "NUTCRACKER!" I yelled running over to him. "I'll give you a choice Nutcracker," the mouse king leered swinging his scepter. "Dismemberment or Barbeque." "LIKE HELL!" I yelled standing in front of his tarnished form. "You can try to find self worth by destroying everything, but you'll never be more than the scum you are!" I growled angry I had dropped my spear. "You're nothing but a coward hiding behind a magic wand!" Getting in my face the mouse king tried to intimidate me, but I held my ground. "I obviously didn't shrink you small enough! You're mouth is much too big!" I simply glared at him. I wouldn't move, I wouldn't run. This was me, being Clara. "And that is about to change," he said menacingly lifting his wand. He pointed it at me directly. I snarled in his face. "This is bravery you rat!" Behind me NC began to stir. "TO THE ONE WHO VEXES ME! SMALLER! SMALLER! YOU WILL BE!" he yelled. I saw his scepter charge up and prepared to sacrifice myself. "NOOOOOO!" I heard NC yell behind me. He blocked the ray with the sword he had. Upright he pushed it back. When it reflected, it shoved him to the floor where he hit hard.

The mouse king yelled as his scepter disappeared. He shrunk to the size he should be, as small as a mouse. I felt the overwhelming urge to kill him, but was stopped by a grunt on the floor. "Haha! Back to where he belongs! The sewer!" Major Mint hailed. Damn, I had lost my chance. Holding NC in my arms I saw he was damaged beyond repair. He was mangled, to say the least. He was probably never going to be the same again. "Ha," I said tears gathering in my eyes. "I should have never took you out the box." "Don't worry Clara," he said hoarsely. "…I'm just wood remember?" Two hot tears dropped out of my eyes. "You watch how you're speaking to a lady…" I said before hesitantly kissing him on his lips. "…Prince Eric." My first kiss was with a toy…awkward. Suddenly he was surrounded in light. My eyes widened in horror. "Wait! Are you transcending? Stay for a bit will ya!" To my even more potent horror, I saw that NC was turning back into Prince Eric. He was tall, muscular, and dressed in lovely finery. His eyes were the same deep blue they were when he was a nutcracker, and he had brown hair, with no cow like facial hair. My eyes widened as he looked at me with delight. I nearly fainted. Prince Eric…was sexy, hot, too many words that come to mind. "Oh Jesus I can't deal with this right now," I said running into a corner. "That boy is way too fine. Lord forgive me." I idly wondered if I should look back and see if I had left my underwear. Those tight, tight pants he wore did not help. At all.

"It's Prince Eric!" Captain Candy said in amazement. "The Prince!" Major Mint said smiling then suddenly realizing what that meant. "Ooo…the Prince…ooo," I smiled between my hands, which held my throbbing head. The Major could feel shame after all. Eric got up and walked to me, smiling widely. My hands over my eyes I did nothing but stand really still and hope he wasn't coming for me. "Clara?" he asked happily. Boom goes that theory. I suddenly noticed I too was covered in shimmery light. Turning around I saw that my hair was curling of its own volition and a shiny white and pink gown/tutu was replacing my torn dress. On my feet were pink lacy pointe shoes. It touched everything to make sure it was real. I didn't look real. "Of course!" Eric exclaimed. "The Princess has been with us all along!" "What? Where?" I asked breathlessly. "Clara! It's you! You are the Sugar Plum Princess!" My eyes threatened to well up on me again and so I fought it the only way I knew how, with anger. "What the hell are you saying NC? Me? I couldn't be! I was searching for me! Don't you think me'd know?" I growled. He smiled at me instead and said, "It all makes sense." I began to walk away but he gently pulled me toward him. Yup that was definitely Nutcracker. He was touchy feely like that. "You saved me from the mouse king in your parlor, you rescued us from his dungeon, your bravery led to his defeat, and…your kiss broken his spell."

I was sure I was about to explode from the heat on my face, to the heat my body felt just looking at that man, and he was a man. I broke away from him and he allowed me to do so smirking. "You are the Sugar Plum Princess. Look," he said motioning around him. I did after feeling a crown on the top of my head, plus, I could never actually get these curls in real life. It had to be magic. Turning I saw that wherever my gaze fell, all the mouse king's magic was undone. The villagers unfrozen, the dour gray castle walls bright and cheery again. Pepper and Ginger looked up at me, in wonder. Behind me the bonfire turned into a beautiful fountain wreathed with flowers. "Wow," I whispered, before fear went into my eyes. "I…" Seeing my face Eric held my hand. "You've broken all the mouse kings evil enchantments." "But, I can't be the Sugar Plum Princess," I said trying to pull away. "Her understudy maybe, but not her!" Eric held me by my shoulders and smiled kindly to me. "I wasn't just looking for the Sugar Plum Princess, Clara, I was looking for you." I shivered under his gaze and felt myself submitting to this stupid stupid man, whom I loved. "I don't care about what anyone says," he said stroking my cheek. "You deserve to be the Sugar Plum Princess." He smiled at me. "Don't be afraid. I'll stay by you always. Which is hard to do when you keep running. So, no more running away ok?" I laughed and nodded. "And now you're free to take your rightful place as king." He looked down for a moment. "Well that's for the people to decide." "THREE CHEERS FOR PRINCE ERIC!" Captain Candy yelled. "HIP HIP HOORAY!" The people yelled. Over the cheers I whispered in his ear. "Well I guess their mind is made up. Overjoyed I flicked at NC's head. "Still as hard as ever my nutcracker." He laughed and we went into the place of honor.

The fairies dropped flowers in the sky and the musicians played music loudly. I knew all the tunes. I watched in wonder as Pepper and Ginger did adorable leaps and arabesques. I watched in shock as Captain Candy and Major Mint took the floor for…oh no. The RUSSIAN DANCE! They were amazing and completely synchronized. For what Major Mint lacked in brains, he made up for with the lightness of his feet and his overall performance. You had to love it. He preformed some military moves before allowing Captain Candy to take the floor. He astounded us with a series of difficult jumps performed like they were commonplace steps. Me and Eric laughed at his comical nature before they joined together at the end. "OH NO!" I yelled in delight. "He's break dancing! I need to find the fan-club sign in sheet!" Sure enough Captain Candy was threading. They were perfect…until the collision. Right into each other, Bam! I wasn't sure whether to laugh, or clap. I did both. The crowd agreed, applauding loudly as they bowed. They stood up unhurt and cleared the floor. I suddenly felt a chill of trepidation. Everyone had danced…but us. Eric extended his hand out to me. "The only dance left is…" "The Pas de Duex," he said warmly. "I know." "I can't…" "Do you trust me?" he interjected smiling at me warmly. My heart racing, I grabbed onto his hand and let him lead me to the floor. More flowers fell as we walked on. "Hey Eric," I asked before relaxing my grip. "How old are you?" He smiled. "Twenty-one." Hello, I thought. Should've seen that coming. I let go of his hand and got into position opposite of him.

Expecting to be rusty I was surprised when I easily rose to my toes. A harp sounded, starting the music. I made two steps and began my boureé. I made a complete turn with it and saw that Eric was walking in fifth position and then knelt for the first support. I ignored the pain I felt remembering Adam's rejection. Eric was not Adam, and he was about to prove it to me. Taking his hands Ilowered my body into an unsure penché. Gently pulling me down he extended me fully and looked me in the eyes. I could tell what he was saying. You can trust me. I will support you fully. He stood up with me and turned me half way into another penché, face first before turning me twice and ending me in a side arabesque. I wanted to kiss him. Nothing mattered at that moment, but Eric. Never had I ever been so fully supported by a male dancer in my life. I guess I did need a man to support me. I knew I looked beautiful in his arms. Releasing me he stepped back and allowed me to boureé away from him before coming after me and grabbing my hand. This had to be the best promenade I had ever done. He turned me again in a 90 degreed arabesque, and I then spun me in fouetté before dropping me low on his right side. I fell obligingly, completely to his mercy. Then extended for a quick extend to the front to prepare for a simple arabesque. He left me in preparation position before doing a quick petit allegro than doing a temp de poisson, which in reality is like a really cool backwards scissor kick. His moves were smooth, like oil, and he was looking straight at me, smiling. I could do nothing to stifle the silly grin my face wore. Coyly I boureé-d over and copied his jump and he did it again to face me. I did a grand jeté and he lifted me, bring me higher and higher.

I loved him.

I loved him with all my soul and I prayed he knew it. He lifted me till the end of the courtyard. In our own world we danced around the fountain. He spun me in fouettés by my waist and I reached as farther than as I ever could for every move. It sometimes hurt, but the sense of magical euphoria I felt dulled it away. We arabesqued away from each other, matching the music each time. The music had gotten dramatic. The land was brightening as we danced. I could feel all the mouse king's evil breaking. All under the jurisdiction of our love. Jumping into up high in the air he grabbed me and with his arms he dropped me into an awe-inspiring présage. A fish dive, right over his powerful shoulder. I could have cried. He turned with me once and let me land on my left toe, before holding me in a complete vertical split. I stretched it for him. We separated, for the last most powerful lift. With all abandonment, I matched his arms in fifth position and ran on boureé to him. He lifted me high on his shoulder, my left leg bent underneath me, my right turning with his hand, my arms above me in fifth position. It smiled wider than I ever thought possible. I was the Sugar Plum Princess. His Sugar Plum Princess. He gently lowered me, into another arabesque. I laid my head on his shoulder and let my foot rise up. I extended my hands proudly to the sky, knowing he stood behind me. Literally.

He came from behind me and offered me his hand. I instantly took it smiling happily. He walked me in a circle to my original spot and I did elegant boureé turns before turning into him. We walked and I turned with each step. The music was about to reach its climax. My last extension was the highest one and from that I used it to propel me faster in the turns. Stalling an arabesque, he walked around me, showcasing me in every way. The pirouettes seemed endless. My foot tapped down behind me and I boureé-d away from him again, my arms extending to the floor in a tendu. He stood behind me. It was time. With a deep bend of preparation I shot for it. He supported my spins. I shot for the air with my left foot. Almost a line. Wow. We turned out from each other and then stepped in to face one another our arms up, faces close, and held each other for the last magical moment of our dance. I was snapped back to reality when I heard the cheering from the crowd. Despite my embarrassment I could not bring myself to let go if his hand. Two flower fairies dropped a bouquet of roses into my hands. I took it and smiled even wider if possible. Those mischievous little imps!

"Thank you friends," Eric said quieting the crowd. "As your King, I will let the wise leadership of my father be my guide." They erupted in cheers and he waved at them enthusiastically before turning back to me. "None of this would have been possible without you Clara," he said smiling way to sexily for me. "Will you stay? And be my Queen?" Suddenly it was pin quiet. Damn. "Hey, why'd you stop cheering?" I said nervously trying to by myself some time. "Don't mind us. We're just…" Eric turned me back toward him. Smirking he tilted his head. Too cute. The bastard must have been a stud as a teenager. I fiddled with my hair and suddenly pointed up at the clear blue sky. "Hey, it looks like rain. Everybody inside!" I said talking a step. "Clara!" he said laughing and holding my hands. I sighed resigned. "Ok you Nut, I'm only saying this once so listen well." I took a deep breath. "This locket was given to me by one of the most important people in my life, Madame Lafayette. She always told me to always follow my heart. It was…supposed to take me home. As crazy as it seems…" I looked up at him and smiled. "And I mean crazy as hell…I think I'm already there." Bending down he kissed me on my lips. They were soft, not at all like when he was a Nutcracker. And they were hot. The crowd ooh-ed in audacity, but when he released me, I was sure I was going to die of embarrassment. They cheered for us and looking in Eric's eyes, I knew I had made the right choice.

Suddenly I heard a sharp shriek. "I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE HAPPY ENDINGS!" Turning I saw the mouse king was flying on top of his bat Pim. He was dive-bombing, straight at me. Covering my face for impact I was shocked when he instead grabbed my locket. "NO!" Eric and I yelled, but it was too late, he opened the locket. With a crazy laugh he dangled my locket like a war prize. "He's not gonna get away with that!" Pepper yelled. Snow fairies promptly made her a snowball. With precision, she struck Pim, and they began hurtling toward the ground. "PIM! FLAP! FLAP YOU FOOL!" he yelled. I felt the magic working and felt no justification in his end. "Clara!" Eric tried to touch me, and ran a hand right through me. "NO!" I tried to touch him, but I couldn't feel him. The world was getting fuzzy. "Eric," I breathed. "I…" I could say no more. I sadly reached for him, one last time. "CLARA!" His eyes were desperate and heart broken. I disappeared into thin air barely hearing Eric say. "I love you." I felt tears gather in my eyes, but could do nothing but close them and awaited my fate.