Hey, people. I'm SOOO sorry I haven't updated in FOREVER, but my laptop is dead! The only time I can really get on the computer is A) when I'm at school, pretending to do homework in the library and B) when my brother lets me on his.
Also, I've noticed that I've been getting a lot of readers, but not reviewers, so click that little blue button, even if you aren't actually a member of FF or not logged in. Reviews make me happy, and I might just have to stop updating if I don't get enough. So let me make this simple: once I have a total of 25 reviews, I update, ok? That should be easy, considering the fact that I'm getting at least a hundred readers every day, usually more! Woots!
Disclaimer: I don't own Michael Buckley's amazing story. *Sigh* Someday, Buckley. Someday...
Anyways, here's your chapter.
The hours dragged by slowly, every heartbeat filling Puck's blood with adrenaline and anticipation. He knew that the elf guy had told him Sabrina needed sleep, but it was…just…taking…so…long. Puck put his ear to her chest for the millionth time, and got excited when he heard a pulse. It was slow, and unsteady, but it gave Puck a spark of hope.
It occurred to him then that he hadn't tried to wake Sabrina up. You know, the traditional way. A kiss. Her cheeks were beginning to flush with color, her fingers twitching. He leaned in and kissed her softly.
Her deep blue eyes opened. All Puck could do is smile, and for two reasons; Sabrina was alive, and he didn't have to keep building suspense.
"Puck," She said, pulling herself upright, "We have a problem."
*~!~*
"Umm…what?" Was all Uncle Jake could manage to stammer.
"I said," Rapunzel annunciated every syllable carefully. "I know how to bring Relda back. Oh, and Puck and Sabrina are on their way," She added.
Jacob Grimm blinked. Then blinked again. Did you know that you're constantly blinking? Apparently, the girls' uncle had to do it dramatically and manually.
"Well, don't leave her standing out in the cold," Said Veronica finally, clearing some books off the sagging old couch to make some room for the radiant princess.
"I don't have much time…" Rapunzel said unsurely, but she sat nonetheless. Daphne almost wanted to bite her palm, like when she was little. Like a few weeks ago.
"You were saying?" Asked Veronica with a cool expression, as if she was slightly annoyed but capable of not showing it.
"I have connections," The tall blond began, "With the rose elf." Rapunzel looked mildly surprised that nobody (except you readers) knew what this was about. When nobody said anything, she went on; "I am sure you are all familiar with the Hans Christian Andersen story, (if not, you are past due to Google it.) about a sprite who witnessed the murder of a sister's lover. He whispered to the girl in a dream, much like he was doing for your daughter." Once again seeing the confused faces, the princess sighed and explained how Sabrina almost died, but got better.
"So, the same thing happened to Granny Relda?" Daphne asked.
"Yes, and no," Rapunzel mused, an overlong blond curl spilling from the towering braid piled on top of her head. "Relda could not get Rose's help, you see. She was turned into a shadow. Don't ask me what they are," She warned. "I only know a little, and you won't like it."
Jake seemed to be fighting against his flirtatious instincts. "Too bad, princess," He said, leaning on a particularly large stack of books, which had been fashioned into something of a chair, courtesy of Daphne and Red nearly two months ago. "We need to know."
Rapunzel sighed again. "Shadows were created a long time ago, before most recorded fairytales. A magician, by the name of Zephyr, wanted to create a magical army. For this, he created the shadows.
"But his idea went out of control. The shadows were much too powerful for him to keep control of, and Zephyr was consumed. Their sole purpose is to multiply, to swell until the earth is covered. Most of the world has been oblivious ever since, but the secret has been passed along for longer than anyone can remember." The story within a story concluded, as the author was too lazy to elaborate any more than that.
"So…Granny Relda is a soul-sucking freaky shadow thing now?" Daphne asked, thoroughly freaked out. Rapunzel nodded sadly. "What can we do?" The little girl asked immediately. This made her parents beam proudly, just a little bit.
"For now? Don't accept any gifts, unless you know for sure where they came from. Don't leave the house unless you absolutely need to. Sabrina and Puck will return in about eight hours. They will know what to do from there." Rapunzel got up, re-zipping her coat and donning her hat, which I have no idea how she fit it on over her hair, but she did. "I may be back tomorrow; it all depends on Puck and Sabrina. Be careful." With that, she got up, and the family listened as her expensive heels gave muffled clicks on the sidewalk, and her sleek, brand-new sports car started with a catlike purr, swung out of the driveway, and sped down the road to Ferryport Landing.
*~!~*
"Yes, I know we have a problem," Said Puck, pulling Sabrina to her feet. She swayed unsteadily. At this turn of events, Puck slung her over his shoulder and began to carry her.
"No, like a real problem," Sabrina said, trying to get down. Puck kept a firm grip on her, not wanting her to fall. She glared at him, but fell limp. She explained to Puck about Granny Relda, exasperated.
"Oh, so the old lady is a bad guy now?" He asked, worried.
"Looks like it," Sabrina said sadly, "Unless we can find a way to get her out of this…trance."
They were quiet for a while, nothing but the sounds of leaves crunching under Puck's feet and birds singing in the treetops.
"Why aren't we flying?" Sabrina asked finally.
Puck raised an eyebrow, then Sabrina's mouth formed a small "O" and she felt rather stupid. Puck smiled ruefully, then set her down so he could kiss her. After kissing him back briefly, Sabrina pulled away, her eyes sparkling. "I think I can walk now," She said breathlessly. Instinctively, Puck reached for the blond girl's hand, and took it in his own. She smiled. Being dead can change your perspective really quickly, you know?
By the time midnight had rolled around, they were starting to see the remains of smashed, half-eaten birthday cakes, and the empty shells of glop grenades. Sabrina felt a bubble of hope well up somewhere around her stomach, smiling at the idea of going home at last. Well, actually she WAS in the house, but let's move on, shall we?
*~!~*
"The children must be disposed of," The tall shadow said to his crowd of fellows. They chattered with gleeful wickedness.
"The fairy boy will be our housekeeper." One said.
"No," One disagreed crossly, and it could be assumed that she was once female, due to her higher pitched voice. "I want to keep the little girl, she will make this place much less dreadful."
"Who are you calling dreadful?" The first demanded.
They proceeded into a flurry of punches and kicks, which did almost nothing to one another.
"SILENCE!" The leader called into the outbreak of noise. They all quieted instantly. "The older girl has slid from our grasp. I have a great need for Sabrina Grimm." He surveyed his audience, and chose the most capable looking. "Gates! Savage!" He called.
Two very evil looking indeed rose to meet him at the stand. "Yes, master?"
"Bring me Heart. I must give her instructions."
I know, the last part was pretty weird, but I watched The Dark Crystal recently and my brain jumped to fanfiction, so there you have it.
Review, or you shall feel the wrath of my corncobs.