Chapter Twenty-One: Ghostly Royalty
Smidgen's paws and head peeped out from within the jewelry chest and with gaining his sights on the apparition of the Mousequeen, the little mouse let out a terrified squeak and quickly closed it again.
The once, two-toned gray, petite monarch was now a translucent green. Even her robe and gloves were the same creepy pigment. Her hollow, bright lime eyes remained fixated at her son, who remained wide eyed, with his paws in his gaping, beige mouth.
The Mouseking stared back at his ghostly Mother. He held his breath and tried to remain still but couldn't… his knees were shaking.
Remember when the King of Mice said nothing scared him..?
He lied.
The Mouseking: (Nervous) Momzie?
The Mousequeen: Who did you expect, the Sugar Plum Fairy?
Her voice had an eerie echo sound to it which didn't help to lighten the reunion between royalties. The big mouse finally blinked but was still shocked… and alarmed.
The Mouseking: (Paws still in his mouth; stammering) But-but… aren't… you, you… dead?!
The Mousequeen gave him a sarcastic smirk and if she had pupils, she would be rolling her eyes.
The Mousequeen: No, I like being see-thru while suspending in midair… Of course I'm dead, you stupid boy! Really… it was like you were born yesterday!
The Mouseking: (Meekly) Actually Mother, today's... my birthday.
The spirit's soul-less sights were squinted upon her cringing, living son. She then slowly soared around the area while scratching her chin.
The Mousequeen: So… why am I suddenly here, instead of down there?
The Mousequeen paused when she noticed the green ember lit candle along with her chest of scrolls. The green rodent stared back at her bewildered son and let out a wicked cackle; and her spiritedly tone made it more disturbing indeed. The Mouseking averted his eyes as she hovered over him.
The Mousequeen: (Laughs and paws on her hips) Well, well, well! So, Mister 'Who cares about spells' decided to poke his whiskers where they don't belong; in Momzie's box of tricks!
She stopped laughing when she spotted on what was atop of her son's head.
The Mousequeen: (Sneering) What are you doing with that! I forbid you to wear MY crown! (Rolls up her sleeves)
The frightened large mouse gasped and ducked when the vexed ghost flew over and tried snatching the crown; but her paw passed right through. Furious, she tried slapping him with her glove to no avail. Her son opened his eyes and watched her trying to pinch his split, right ear. This time, it was he that was laughing as he straightened himself up.
The Mouseking: (Mocking) Ha! You can't scare me, Mother! This is MY crown now! I lead a mighty army cause I'm the Mouseking! Me!
The Mousequeen paused after replacing her glove and buckled over in the air, laughing.
The Mousequeen: YOU… the Mouseking?! Ah hah-hah-hah-hah ah HAH! You couldn't lead an army out of an open box..!
The Mouseking: Mother…
The Mousequeen: …You're even a bigger fool than your string-bean Father ever was..!
The Mouseking: (Annoyed) Mother…
The Mousequeen: …Always not thinking straight. Always stuffing his face! He had to carve a piece of cheese and he wound up inside that fat, black, palace cat..!
The Mouseking: (Gritting his teeth and clenches his paws) Mo-ther..!
The Mousequeen: …Why was I cursed with a dim-witted husband and such a stupid son? If only your brain was as big as your belly…
The Mouseking: (Shouts) MOTHER! BE QUIET!
The ghostly mouse grimaced and held her ears.
The Mousequeen: Ugh! Such a whining worm!
The Mouseking: (Thinking) Look who's talking…
The Mousequeen: (Sighs) Alright, you rude whelp. What do you want to know?
The Mouseking: (Raises both eyebrows) Huh, want… to know?
The Mousequeen: (Throws her arms in the air) Ugh, you stupid boy! You summoned me for answers, didn't you?
Her son recalled the verses on the scroll and nodded.
The Mousequeen: So, the sooner we get this over with, the sooner you can blow out the candle and I can be done with this spell and you for all eternity.
The Mouseking: Right… answers. Mother, do you remember the Nutcracker?
The ghostly royal rodent waved her gloved paw, dismissively.
The Mousequeen: (Scoffs) Oh, please! How can I forget that cursed, young fool who broke my spell on that brat Perlipat and crushed me with pillars!?
The Mouseking: Well, I want revenge for smashing my precious tail!
The Mousequeen scowled at her son while tightening her dark green lips.
The Mouseking: Uh… and for also smashing my precious Momzie, of course.
The big mouse gave a forced smile and the spirit shook her head.
The Mousequeen: Stupidity should never fib, boy. Well, what else does the all-powerful and almighty Mouseking wish to know now?
Her son glared back at his Mother's sarcasm but held his tongue. He still needed answers… correct answers. The Mousequeen loved to lie and whether the spell prevented this or not, he rather not risk finding out the hard way.
The Mouseking: Mother, how do I get into the Land of the Dolls?
The Mousequeen: Hah! That's easy! That silly little king's magician was a clockmaker; his magic surrounded time. You find one of his clocks with doors. After midnight, you turn the big hand counter clockwise to midnight and go in the clock.
The ghostly mouse raised a dark green eyebrow at the inquiring rodent
The Mousequeen: Hmm… why does my stupid son want to know that?
The Mouseking: Ha! Now who's the stupid one?! To get revenge on the Prince of the Dolls of course! And that sneaky girl who made a fool out of me!
To the large royal rodent's surprise, the ghost rose up to the cellar and went through its ceiling! But she quickly emerged back; for much to her annoyance, the spell had her linked with the now enchanted burning candle. But the Mousequeen still had enough time to find what she was looking for. The smirking spirit hovered in front of the big mouse. She bent over, cackling at her son… again.
The Mousequeen: (Laughing) And I'm the one that's dead to the world?! Hans' fair, young maiden and the hero himself aren't in the Land of the Dolls… they're right over your nose… (Points up) …literally. And unlike your head, Hans is no longer made of wood.
The Mouseking scratched his head; he was quite baffled. How was the curse lifted? After all, he was very much alive. How could this be?
The Mouseking: But… I've heard the old magician say the spell would be broken if his nephew slayed me?
His Mother smiled wickedly, her tiny pointy teeth were even more crooked than her son's. She floated closer to him. For although the Mouseking did not remember; the ghost had been near his presence briefly… in another timeless place… right after the he fell into Gingerbread Castle's waters…
The Mousequeen: (Sniggers and whispers) I've got news for you, my stupid son. Hans succeeded. (Points to his chest and yells) You WERE slain!
The large mouse's eyes widened as he took a step back from the crude, cackling spirit and clasped his chest. He absently stared at the floor, having a foggy flashback of being strike by the Nutcracker Prince's blade…
The Mouseking: (Low tone) I remember… falling from the Christmas tree… Then, I'm in… the Land of the Dolls… at that castle… I'm getting revenge on my enemies… Then I fell into water… and-and everything went black… And when I woke up… I was with…
The recalling rodent held his ribbon trimmed tail.
The Mouseking: (Low tone) She saved me… Even when I couldn't be saved… she… saved me. (Gives a light smile)
The Mousequeen: (Arches eyebrow) She? Who's she?
The suspending Mousequeen stared at her quiet son who was stroking his tail's ribbon. She crossed her arms and wiggled her fingers with impatience. When she cleared her throat, the Mouseking dropped his smile and his tail.
The Mousequeen: Ahem! I hate to leave during my stupid son's trip to memory lane… Hah! I'm kidding myself! Yes I would!
The ghostly rodent flew to the chest box.
The Mousequeen: Hey, shorty!
Smidgen slowly opened the lid part way, revealing only his gray nose.
The Mousequeen: (Floats closer) Since I don't have a breath in my body… or a body. I need ya to make yourself useful and snuff out this candle!
Smidgen: (Gulps) Oh… Boy…
The Mousequeen: (Loud and eyes glowing brightly) Get out of there, right this MINUTE!
Smidgen: EEP! (Closes the lid quickly)
The green spirit shook her head at the Mouseking.
The Mousequeen: (Sarcastic) Such wonderfully brave minions you've got.
But the big mouse ignored her remark as he was concentrating on his directive… revenge…
The Mouseking: I want to get back at the Nutcracker! I'll do that by starting off with-
The Mousequeen: (Interrupts) Oh, please! How are you going to accomplish that, by being 'tough'..? Ha-hah! With all those people up there, you and your so called 'mighty army' will get flatter than yours truly was!
The Mouseking became silent, facing the floor; pondering. As much he hated to admit it… his Mother was right. She crossed her arms and wriggled her fingers again in annoyance.
The Mousequeen: Get on with your questions already, you stupid boy!
The Mouseking looked back up at the intolerant ghost. He had a notion.
The Mouseking: (Points to the chest box) Mother, can one of these… spells make a person smaller?
The spectral sorceress gave a toothy, satisfied grin. Her spell-hating son was asking about magic again.
The Mousequeen: (Points to the chest box) Open it. Inside of the lid, there's a hidden department. Open the pouch and grab the bag.
The rodent cautiously walked past the Mousequeen and opened the jewelry chest. From within the metallic container, a trembling gray paw held up a small velvet sack closed with string. The Mouseking took it and the lid quickly closed again.
The Mousequeen: There's dust in there that will make one person shrink till the next sunrise.
The large mouse dangled the velvet bag in front on his brown nose.
The Mouseking: Are you sure this stuff will work?
The Mousequeen: As sure as I am dead! This is magic I've found in that stupid clockmaker's chamber back at the palace. Hah! Why conjure magic when it's easier to steal from someone else?! (Cackles)
The Mouseking chuckled and rubbed his paws together.
The Mouseking: Great! I'll use this on the Nutcracker and his Uncle! Clara and her Father! Even that meddling, little kitten…
The Mousequeen: (Scoffs) Are you deaf as you are dumb, boy?! I said it will make ONE shrink. (Holds up her first finger) There's only enough dust left to shrink ONE person only!
The large rodent was disappointed to hear that. But he figured he could still use this to his advantage somehow. As he thought on what to ask the Mousequeen next, the translucent mouse floated around her son; taking notice at his new attire.
The Mousequeen: What's with the fancy getup? Clothes can't hide the big buffoon underneath. (Stares at his left chest) And what pray tell does the 'A' stand for?
The Mouseking: (Narrows eyes) Mother… I get to-
The Mousequeen: (Interrupts) Let me guess, the 'A' is for-
The Mouseking: (Interrupts) AS I was saying… I get to ask the questions, Mother!
But the callous spirit caught sights at her irritated son's twitching tail and what it was trimmed with…
The Mousequeen: Hah! And what is with that silly, girly bow?! I thought I had a stupid son, not a dumb daughter! (Cackles)
The Mouseking held his ribbon trimmed appendage and growled. He could not ignore anyone who mocked the royal tail.
The Mouseking (Yells) Mother! This ribbon isn't silly! It helps me!
The Mousequeen: How? By showing everyone that you're a sissy?
The Mouseking: No! (Pauses) It reminds me… that I'm-
The Mousequeen: (Interrupts) That you're what..? Special..? Ah ha-ha ha-ha ha-ha ah hah… HAH!
Her son clenched his tail from his Mother's insensitive cackles.
The Mousequeen: My stupid son is something other than a complete failure?! That is the foolish thing I've ever heard!
The big rodent sorrowfully averted his eyes to the floor.
The Mousequeen: (Laughing) I mean, really?! (Points at the Mouseking) YOU..?! Special?! Oh, it's a good thing I'm already dead because I'd die laughing right now at that most ridiculous thing on your ugly, crooked, tail!
The mocking ghost wiped the corners of her glowing eyes as if she had tears while the Mouseking let his tail go and turned his head away in shame from the taunting.
The Mousequeen: Hah! Whoever said you're special either ate some bad cheese or is the stupidest FOOL ever!
The Mouseking's eyes began to gleam pink then red in tremendous anger; which normally only happens with one other hated person… or doll. But that last comment had reached the big mouse's boiling point. Outraged, he stomped over to the Mousequeen; who was lying on her back in midair, still cackling away at his dressed tail.
The Mousequeen: (Laughing) You just can't hide stupidity! Once a stupid boy… always a stupid boy!
The growling beige and tan mouse glared over his ghostly tormentor, his paws tightly in fists with his ears flatten in anger.
The Mouseking: My name… is King Arthur! (Loud) I AM the KING of MICE!
This titled outburst silenced the Mousequeen's laughter. She floated upright,ed only to have her son walk right through her unfazed. This snapped her out of her snarky attitude… quickly.
The Mousequeen: (Angry and yelling) Hey, wait a minute! You can't disrespect me! I'm your MOTHER!
The Mouseking paused, but didn't turn around nor give the scowling spirit even a glance.
The Mouseking: Ha! How can I disrespect something I don't have?! You're, you're DEAD to me!
The green mouse peered down at her suspended, transparent torso.
The Mousequeen: (Cynical) Yeah, no kidding…
The ghost followed the big, growling mouse towards the large jewelry chest. He lifted it up over his head with no struggling what-so-ever. With this action, Smidgen squeaked in scared surprise as he popped out.
The Mousequeen: (Eyes widen and yells) What are you doing with my spells?! (Fist slaps her palm) I FORBID you to do this!
The Mouseking: King Arthur never takes orders from lowly strangers!
The Mousequeen: (Scoffs) Lowly?! How dare you!
The Mouseking: (Loud) And SHE is NOT a fool!
The Mousequeen: (Yelling) Again with the she! Who is SHE?!
The Mouseking: (Loud) I'm done with questions AND with YOU!
And with that said, the strong rodent threw the open chest box over the candle, the enchanted flame ignited over the scrolls. The Mouseking slammed the chest's lid closed; snuffing the last of the green embers. He opened it and all was left inside was heated ash and…
The Mousequeen: (Echoe fading) No-o-o-o-o-o!
…smoke. As what also became of the former Queen of Mice, as she vaporized into nothing.
The Mouseking walked away from the steaming chest box and looked down at the spectral scroll on the floor that caused all this… it being a cast-once spell, had crumbled into fly away bits, once the flame and its concocter had expired.
The royal rodent was startled by Smidgen. The little mouse, still a little shaken from the ordeal, held up the sack for his king who had dropped it during the hectic haunting of the wicked Mousequeen. The Mouseking takes the bag and sits down, heavy in thought.
The Mouseking: (Scoffs) Bah! I don't need that squawking dead witch to tell me what to do with this!
As he stared at the velvet bag, a soft, comforting and familiar voice reminisced in the mouse's mind…
Voice: …such a 'smart' and 'worthy' king.
The Mouseking: (Thinking) She's right. (Looks at Smidgen) I CAN do this…
The little mouse stood next to his mighty ruler, his paws folded near his off-white chest giving a hopeful smile. The big mouse grinned.
The Mouseking: After all… I'm King. (Stands up) I am King Arthur!
The royal rodent withdrew his sword and aimed it high proudly.
The Mouseking: (Loud) I AM KING ARTHUR! (Laughs loudly)
Smidgen hopped and clapped happily at his king's enthusiasm. The Mouseking and his loyal little follower headed out of the crawlspace, back to the other mice.
The Mouseking climbed up on one of the barrels thanks to his sword and put two fingers behind his overlapped incisors and whistled. All the mice stopped at whatever they were doing at that very moment and all surrounded their ruler; he had a plan…
The Mouseking: Have yourselves ready! Tonight, we're taking a little trip! (Laughs)
All the rodents cheered and waved obediently and merrily as they rushed to gather their weapons and themselves together.
The large mouse notices two mice running by. He takes a resounding leap from the barrel and stops the two from their path. Both the mice halt and bow to their king… while bumping their heads in the process.
The Mouseking: You two… come here now!
Tic and Toc were the very same hench-mice that were given the order to drop a trumpet over the Nutcracker Prince; leaving the toy soldier defenseless. Despite being a bit cumbersome, these two were noted for nimbly getting to places and reaching things that other rodents would attempt and fail.
The siblings rushed in front of the Mouseking, saluting but they poked each other while trying not to drop their mousey sized weapons. Smidgen felt embarrassed for them.
Smidgen: (Palms his face) Oh boy…
The Mouseking: Relinquish your weapons.
Tic and Toc looked at each other while scratching their light gray trimmed faces. They both shrugged at that command but did as their king requested. The thin brown mouse, handed over his fork to Smidgen, while Toc did the same with his spoon.
The Mouseking: Take this…
The royal rodent tossed the bag to Toc. Tic tries to take a peep inside but his shorter, gray brother pushed him away and wants to sneak a peek. Smidgen squeaked and put his paws out while shaking his head. Quickly the mice brothers stop fussing over the secretive sack and nervously reversed into playing hot potato with it. After hearing their king's aggravated growl, the siblings about faced him; the tense game ended and the bag was with Tic… who quickly gave it to Toc and smirked, much to his shorter brother's grief. Smidgen palmed his face again.
The Mouseking: You will need that for your next mission…
The King of Mice gives a low malice chuckle as he puts his arm up high, pointing to the oblivious partying people above them…
The Mouseking: You two… are gonna bring me someone…
Author's Note: Fans of the Nuttiest Nutcracker, should get the joke on why the Mousequeen mocks herself as the Sugar Plum Fairy; since the great Phylis Diller voiced the plum fairy in that Xmas special as well as her role as the Mousequeen in the Nutcracker Prince. Also check out an illustration for this chapter in my gallery (GDeNofa) on DeviantArt or simply put the search in for: The Mouseking's Tale: Ghostly Royalty