12. IT'S TOO LATE

Since Marlon convinced other fish to repay Francine for what she did for them, they were heading on Vereor's chamber. Toys were leading them.

'' Chotto matte, kimi-tachi! We still are on risk to get caught by crocodiles or these satanistic guys in cloakes.'' said disturbed Yuri.

'' Calm down, koneko-chan.'' aswered Wild Strawberry, full of confidence.'' If they appear on our way, my friends and I, will teach them not to mess with toys.''

'' Koneko-chan?'' teenage koi fish was surprised that she just was called '' kittie'' by a plushie toy. Two turns further they met a group of Confessors, but they

didn't really matter, or rather – Wild Strawberry surely did not. She touched the floor with her paw, a stalk of giant wild strawberry grew up from beyond the

floor, grabbing and disabling the Confessors.

'' Let me out of these bushes, you... you ! ! ! '' growled female voice of one of them. Tenshi swam closer to this Confessor and took the hood off,

exposing one familiar fish they once were unpleased to meet.

'' Lola? Not you again!'' groaned Oscar.

'' Surprised?'' chuckled Lola.

'' Not really. I outta know that you won't let things be like this and you find a way to take revenge on some of us, especially on this girl.'' answered Oscar.

'' Where is Francine?'' asked Koori, he had a desire to freeze her to death.

'' Actually, I can tell you where she is now, but I don't think it would change anything.''

'' What is that supposed to mean? Talk now!'' Koori grabbed Lola's throat and squeezed strongly.

'' I told him it's not such a good idea, but he keeps saying: She has the most terrifying nightmares in whole Universe, so SHE is the chosen one.''

'' Chosen? For what?'' Koori's voice turned more aggressive and his increasing wrath streamed through his paw. Lola was more and more cold on her

throat. It started freezing, she couldn't breath.

'' Aaah, Koori... You're chocking her.'' whispered Not-Quack.

That was the thing he wanted to to. '' It doesn't matter if she dies here and now. We can ask any other Confessor about Vereor's intentions.''

'' Quit it!'' shouted Tenshi, stamping with her leg.'' You are not Charles Lee Ray! Stop! Stop it!''

'' But...''

'' BUT we have no time for such things. We gotta find Francine before something bad happens to her.''

Koori left Lola alone, she could breath again.

'' So, what do you mean by the chosen one?'' asked Wild Strawberry.

'' Vereor said something like: Only the woman with the most terrifying nightmares and thoughts in the Universe is worth to rule all worlds and

dimensions, right by my side. She is the only one who is allowed to become the Queen of Demons.''

'' WHAT?'' shouted Marlon, Lenny and toys.

'' Don't yell at me. These are Vereor's words, not mine.''

'' Let's go, Koori.'' demanded Mantis.'' We have no time for it.''

'' Hey! HEY!'' someone cried from the other side of the corridor. It was Issunboushi. '' Hurry! Come with me to the chamber! It's about Francine. It's terrible!''

Thinking no more, toys and fish followed Issunboushi. They entered the chamber, whacking the door. Vereor was sitting on his new golden throne, on the other

side of spacious room.

'' Oh, so you, toys, set the prisoners free and came to get your friend back. Just as I thought.'' said Vereor, who didn't really care about it.

'' Where is Francine?'' asked Wild Strawberry, squeezing her paws from wrath.

'' Oh, I'm so sorry, but none of you will ever see her again.''

'' Talk now, what did you do to her?'' said Marlon frustrated.

'' Maybe she would answer your question by herself. My Queen...''

The Lord of Fears and Nightmares looked aside, someone went from behind the throne, as he ordered.

They saw a female demon in a sexy, long black dress, she had pitch-black hair, longer than herself, snow-white skin, fire-like eyes, razor-sharp teeth,

pointed ears, giant bat wings, devilish tail, sharp nails, dark make-up.

'' Oh, hi sweeties! Nice to see you again. Unlike those fish here.'' she said with her voice also changed. Fishes and toys were shocked hearing this.

'' Francine, why are you saying such things?'' asked Tenshi unhappily.

'' I'm not Francine anymore. My name is Alucardia. I am the Queen of Hatred and Sorrow. Guards! Guards! Take those fish back to the dungeon. I will take care of

them later.''

Crocodiles, who were hiding behind the curtains, grabbed fishes, but they weren't sure about what to do with toys.

'' Let them stay here.'' ordered Alucardia. Crocs did as they were told. Koori wanted to go after them and fight, but Tenshi held his arm and sadly

twisted her head. There was no sense to fight as long as Francine is the Demon Queen.

A little while later Marlon, Yuri and the others were prisoned again. Terry asked August, Freddy and Julius for a private talk.

'' What's up, Terry?'' asked Freddy, as they found a place no one could hear them in.

'' Listen, boys. That supernatural girl from other dimension is the demon now, isn't she? So, nobody can stop me from doing what I wanted to do for years.''

''What do you mean?'' asked Julius curiously.

'' I'm going to finish what Caesar started. I'm gonna make Don Lino suffer. But I need to get these two TV News fish before I take my revenge.''