Chapter 24: Three Challenges
"Either this is a dream, or it's the most beautiful place in existence," said Kitty as she and the others marveled at the natural wonders of The Vale of the Faeries; the rays of sunlight shining through the ancient trees in which the houses and other buildings of the fairy kingdom had been naturally grown; the fields of flowers containing blossoms of every color of the rainbow and beyond, the air itself which had a crisp, clean sent that had a trace aroma that could best be described as pure magic.
Then there was the fairies themselves; thousands of them in all sizes, age groups and races, each with unique wings that produced a unique hum when they flew. All in all it gave the fairy kingdom a dreamlike quality that Apple, Raven, Dexter, Maddie, Briar, Dexter, Lizzie, Kitty, Ashlynn, Hunter, Avery and Madison found irritable.
"If this is a dream," said Madison as she and the others smiled and looked around in peaceful awe, "I don't want to wake up."
"Couldn't we stay here, Raven?" Ashlynn asked as she and Hunter held hands, "just for a while? You know…just to catch our breath."
"We've been going pretty much nonstop since the beginning," said Dexter, "a break would be a lifesaver."
"Just for a little while, Raven, please?" Maddie asked, "pretty, pretty please with humdingers and sauerkraut on top?"
"What?" a naturaly confused Raven asked, which snapped her out of her awed state, "I…we can't stay here. Remember, we came here to talk to Oberon and Tatiana about fairy dust."
"And how long will that take?" Briar asked, "we could be here for some time now, so we might as well enjoy The Vale's hospitality."
"But we can't eat or drink anything here," said Apple, "nor can we allow ourselves to be lured into staying here in any way or form."
"She's right," said Avery, "I get it, the fairy kingdom seems like heaven, but it's not."
"So no matter what," said Raven, "keep your head."
"You don't have to tell me twice," said Lizzie.
"Oh come now," said Alicia Starbright as she hovered next to Lizzie, "if us fairies truly wanted to keep you here, we'd hit you with some water balloons filled with water from one of our lakes or streams."
"Water from the Vale of Fairies would do the trick," said Raven.
"But if you really want us to leave in the end," said Dexter to Alicia, "why bring us to your king and queen? Wouldn't it be easier for them to come to us at the boundary?"
"Well…yes and no," said Alicia hesitantly, "yes in order to keep you brave warriors from succumbing to the temptations of our kingdom, but it would be rude to have the king and queen come to you."
"It's unwise to insult royalty," said Apple, "especially ones so important and powerful as Oberon and Tatiana."
"Polite as well as wise," said a strong male voice. Our heroes looked and saw two especially tall fairies approaching them, both possessing features that were more elvish than fae.
"Your majesties," said Alicia as she bowed in midair, at which Raven, Apple, Avery and the others also bowed.
King Oberon was the taller of the approaching pair, with long black hair, tanned skin and deep green eyes, well muscled and possessing an aura of kindness and compassion, yet beneath, like a coiled snake ready to strike, lay vast reservoirs of rage, ready to be unleashed on those who struck the king's ire. He wore earth-toned robes and a crown that was both carved from wood and forged from gold at the same time, as if grown from sunlight made solid.
Queen Tatiana was slightly shorter than her consort, graceful as a willow tree and as beautiful as a summer day, with a heart full of love and light, yet also full of courage and righteousness. She had long blond hair, blue eyes and a pale yet radiant complexion. She wore blue and green robes, while her crown was both carved from wood and forged from silver, as if grown from material moonlight.
"Welcome, brave travelers of this world and others," said Queen Tatiana as she held out her arms in admittance, "though our land has remained hidden and our people cloistered behind our borders, we gladly welcome you to our Vale."
"Thank you, your grace," said Avery, "and thank you for seeing us on such short notice."
"On the contrary, young hero," said King Oberon, "we've been expecting you for some time."
"Your coming was long foretold in our sacred scryings," said Queen Tatiana, "though much of the future remains unclear, we have been preparing for your arrival."
"We know of your quest to forge The Eyes of Effervescence," said King Oberon.
"You are?" Madison asked, "that's great, 'cause there's the question of some fairy dust, and…" she was then silenced by a sharp hiss from Briar, whom sent her a look of 'don't interrupt!'
"We are aware that you need a quantity of our dust for the forging," said King Oberon.
"Uh, yeah, about that," said Ashlynn. She then looked at Raven, "you never told us how much fairy dust we need."
"Just how much is needed to make a pair of enchanted glasses?" Kitty asked.
"Uh…let me check," said Raven as she pulled out her notebook and began flipping through the pages, "let's see…Odamantine, check…sand from The Shores of Infinity…we got that…oh, here it is, fairy dust from The Vale of the Fairies…wow!"
"'Wow' what?" Dexter asked.
"Uh…we may have a bit of a problem," said a slightly nervous Raven.
"How much is 'wow?'" Briar asked.
"I'm so sorry, your majesties," said Raven in a worried tone to the fairy king and queen, "I should have read the instructions more carefully."
"How much is 'wow?!'" Hunter asked.
"It can't possibly be that much of our dust you are asking for, child," said Queen Tatiana.
"Raven," said Maddie, "be a dear and tell us how much is 'wow?' Pretty please with steak and kidney pie on top!"
"Ten pounds," said Raven.
"Wow," said an impressed Madison, "that is a lot of dust."
"Which is why I really messed up," said Raven, "it's not just ordinary fairy dust, but raw dust that has yet bonded to its respective fairy."
"You've lost me there," said Hunter, "I mean, dust is dust, even fairy dust, right?"
"You know nothing, Hunter Huntsman," said a disapproving Lizzie.
"Fairy dust is pure, unrefined magic that enhances the powers of the fairy who uses it," said Raven, "once they take some, that dust is bonded to the individual fairy and only he or she can use that amount of dust. As for how fairy dust is made, or how it's refined so it can be bonded to individual fairies, that's something not even my mother could figure out," said Raven, "and she knew more about magic than anyone else in her generation."
"And it is a secret that shall remain a secret," said King Oberon, "it is our most sacred and ancient duty to protect the source and refining of our dust from any and all outsiders."
"We have no intention of exposing your secrets, your grace," said Avery, "yet we truly need to make The Eyes of Effervescence."
"So, please, your majesties," said Apple, "will you give us some of your dust?"
"We might as well go back to Book End and forget the whole thing," said Raven in a defeated tone, "there's no way they'll let us have ten pounds of the stuff."
"Do we really need ten pounds?" Madison asked, "that sounds like a little too much."
"Only a little?" Ashlynn asked.
"We do need ten pounds," said Raven, "and we'll never get it."
"Then what the hell was it all for?!" snapped Kitty, "running all over our world to get some weird metal and sand, all to make some stupid enchanted glasses. And now when we're almost done with the damn thing, you're giving up? What the hell, Raven!?"
"Is there a reason you won't let us have some of the dust, your majesties?" Briar asked.
"Now, wait just a minute," said an annoyed Alicia, "no one said you wouldn't get some of our dust!"
"On the contrary," said King Oberon, "we were prepared to give you some."
"Just…not so much all at once," said Queen Tatiana, "it takes time to collect and refine our dust."
"And you don't have ten pounds of the raw stuff just laying around," said Dexter in a defeated tone.
"As a matter of fact, we do," said King Oberon, "yet…we're hesitant to part with so much."
"Our dust is essential for our people's magic," said Queen Tatiana, "and to give up so much all at once will hinder our kingdom greatly."
"Then we might as well go home after all," said a defeated Raven.
"No," said King Oberon, "we are willing to part with the dust that you require."
"But we must be sure that you shall use it with pure and sincere intentions," said Queen Tatiana.
"Are intentions are pure and sincere," insisted Apple, "how can we prove it?"
"By partaking and completing three challenges," said King Oberon, "a test of Truth, a test of Love and a test of Courage."
"All three you must complete without fail," said Queen Tatiana.
"And if we fail one?" Briar asked hesitantly.
"Then we will be unable to give you the dust you require," said King Oberon.
"Make no irrational judgments," said Queen Tatiana, "we fully support your cause against the evil infecting the land."
"When the time is right we will strike back at the foul beings whom seek to corrupt the world," said King Oberon, "and it will be such a strike that will make them regret ever coming here."
"I'm sure they will regret it," said Raven, "but…"
"Those are our conditions," said Queen Tatiana in a tone that wouldn't accept any arguments, "complete the three challenges and you shall have the dust."
"And if we refuse?" Avery asked.
"Then you are free to go," said King Oberon.
"What do you think?" Ashlynn asked everyone in a hushed tone.
"I think we're being given the runaround," said a suspicious Kitty, "if they were serious about letting us have the fairy dust, they'd hand it over."
"But they don't have a lot of dust to begin with," said Dexter, "they need it for their magic."
"And you believe that?" Kitty asked, "there's more going on here than we've been told."
"Of there is," said Raven, "fairies, they don't lie but they don't always tell the whole truth, and I don't think we should pry into their secrets, or else."
"Or else what?" Kitty asked as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Or we could end up suffering from some rather unpleasant curses," said Raven, "like being turned into an animal for a hundred years, or put into an enchanted sleep for a thousand years."
"A thousand years?" a shocked Briar asked, "I can barely stand the idea of sleeping for a hundred. I say go for it!"
"Me too," said Madison, "let's do their challenges. I mean…how hard can they be?"
"Three tests," said Lizzie, "Truth, Love and Courage."
"Ultima," said Avery in an offhand manner.
"What's that now?" Maddie asked, "ultimate what?"
"Sorry," said Avery, "just remembering something from when I was younger. A friend of mine played a lot of old computer games. Anyway, I agree, we should at least attempt the challenges."
"And what if we fail one of them?" Kitty asked, "or all of them for that matter."
"Then at least we would have tried," said Lizzie as she shuffled her deck, "for it is better to try and fail than never to try at all."
"And that's the truth," said Raven. She then looked at the fairy king and queen, "we'll do it."
"Outstanding!" said a joyful King Oberon, "we shall prepare for the challenges immediately."
"Ah…just so we'll know," said Apple, "just what will the three challenges involve?"
"Truth, love and courage, duh!" said Madison, "seriously, how hard can they be?"
…The Enemy Base…
"I have recently been finding myself in the middle of a quandary," said Manfred as he sat in a meeting room at the head of a table. One side held Drs. Falchion, Stiletto and Scimitar, while Ophelia and Cuthbert sat on the other.
"Why is it," said Manfred as he stood up and walked around the table, "that, with all the resources of Dai-Shocker, Foundation X and The Obsidian Council, can we not DESTROY A RAGTAG COLLECTION OF TEENAGERS AND CAPTURE ONE SILLY LITLE GIRL!?"
"We…" started Cuthbert, but was interrupted by Manfred.
"And why is it that the corruption of this world been all but stopped?" Manfred asked, "it's been days since an attempt to plant a Negative Seed has been made. And let us not forget the latest fiasco."
He then glared at the three Foundation X scientists, "your latest creations, the Plant Worms, failed miserably."
"We didn't know that Avery Manning was capable of summoning the Hyper Zecter," said Dr. Scimitar meekly.
"Tendo Souji didn't summon it to begin with," said Dr. Stiletto, "it presented itself to him when he needed it."
"We'll try harder next time," said Dr. Falchion.
"Damn right you will!" said an irate Cuthbert as he stood up, rubbing at his now healed but still sore arm, "we'll all have to try much harder, now that Apple, Raven and their companions are within The Vale of the Fairies."
"I'll dispatch more Worms immediately," said Ophelia, "I'll flood the fairy kingdom with Worms, and send a Negative Seed or two just for kicks."
"You really are an idiot," said Cuthbert venomously, "I've been sending Worms to infiltrate the fairy kingdom ever since the campaign started. So far none have penetrated The Vale's boundary."
"The only way for an attacking force to enter The Vale is through that portal," said Manfred.
"And you can open that portal?" Dr. Stiletto asked.
"I have one or two ideas," said Manfred.
"Then you'd better hurry," said Ophelia as she indicated the digital countdown on the wall, which was now at 12:07:41:29. "The deadline set by The Obsidian Council is rapidly approaching."
"If only we could recall the Cyber Worm from his hunt," said Dr. Falchion, "his powers would prove more than a match for anything the fairies could throw at him."
"We do have another Worm that could fit the bill," said Dr. Stiletto, "Something we had to shelve; Project Chimera."
"Oh, Project Chimera," said Dr. Scimitar, "we never got around to finishing it."
"Finish what?" Manfred asked.
"Yes, do tell," said a slightly annoyed Cuthbert, "this is the first I've heard of Project Chimera.
"Our first successful attempt at modifying Worm DNA," said Dr. Falchion, "earlier experiments resulted in unstable and unusable Worms, but the Chimera Worm was proof positive that we could manipulate Worm DNA."
"And this creature, you still have it?" an intrigued Manfred asked.
"It's here in the lab," said Dr. Falchion, "would you like to see it?"
"I would indeed," said Manfred.
"I want to see this Chimera Worm too," said Ophelia.
They all adjurned from the meeting room and followed Dr. Falchion through the base's corridors. Along the way they ran into a slightly flustered Dr. Halberd.
"Ah…Mr. Lazarus! Ms. Katzenberg! Mr. Snyder!" said Dr. Halberd, "if I could just have a moment of your time…"
"Not now!" said an annoyed Dr. Stiletto, "our esteemed representatives from Obsidian are busy!"
"Yes, but if I could just…" said Dr. Halberd.
"Oh, go play with a chemistry test or something!" said Dr. Stiletto irately, "now scoot!" At that she and the others walked away, leaving Dr. Halberd alone in the corridor. Yet he wasn't alone.
"They seem to have little if any respect for you," said Clare as she emerged from around the corner.
"They will in time," said Dr. Halberd, "they will," he then looked at Clare, "with your help."
"Yes," said Clare mischievously, "with my help."
The three scientists and three bureaucrats reached an area of the lab that had been sealed off by three sets of locked doors, each set augmented with high energy lasers, reinforced steel and explosives.
"Is this level of security truly necessary?" Manfred asked.
"It's not to keep anyone out," said Dr. Stiletto as they passed through the third set of doors, "it's to keep the creature in."
They entered a large chamber that was empty save for a single, bright overhead lamp that illuminated a circular pit in the middle.
"It's down there," said Dr. Scimitar as he pointed at the pit, "the walls are lubricated to prevent the creature from climbing out."
"I'm already out," said a voice that came from the shadowed area of the room, startling the scientists and bureaucrats.
Emerging from the darkness was an ordinary man with ordinary features and clothing.
"How'd you…?" Dr. Scimitar asked.
"Escape from where you put me?" the man asked, "it wasn't easy, that's for sure. You abandoned me to isolation. There wasn't much for me to do but try to escape."
"Well…we're glad to have gotten to you before you truly did," said a slightly nervous Dr. Stiletto.
"Oh, I don't blame you for locking me away," said the man, "I'd do the same thing if I were in your shoes."
"This is the creature you were so proud of?" Manfred asked.
"I was their pride and joy for a while," said the man, "physically I'm perfect, well, almost perfect. Here, I'll show you." the man then morphed into a Worm that had features of several animals; lion; alligator, vulture, piranha, poison dart frog, sea snake, jackal, honey badger, adder, condor, plus half a dozen more species that couldn't be immediately identified, giving the creature the appearance of a nightmare of a living nightmare.
"You call that perfection?!" exclaimed a disgusted Manfred.
"I call it bad comedy," said an outraged Cuthbert. He then glared at the three scientists, "why didn't you destroy this abomination?"
"How could we when we created a true killing machine?" Dr. Scimitar asked.
"Despite his…chaotic…appearance," said Dr. Falchion, "the Chimera Worm is without a doubt the most lethal Worm in our arsnal."
"Then why is it here instead of wrecking havoc on the world of Ever After?" Ophelia asked.
"Because I'm insane," said the Chimera Worm after it morphed back to its human form, "or so my creators tell me. Personally I feel like the sanest being in this very room."
"He won't obey orders," said Dr. Scimitar, "too much free will. It's the one flaw in him that we couldn't engineer out."
"So, you won't obey," said Manfred as he walked up to the Chimera Worm, "but will you follow a request?"
"Depends on the request," said the Chimera Worm, "and how nicely you ask."
"Then would you kindly do away with some rather pesky children that have been bothering us?" Ophelia asked as she smiled warmly, giving a rather convincing performance of a compassionate soul in need of an enormous favor.
"For a smile like that," said the Chimera Worm as he too smiled, "I'll do it. I always liked smiles for some reason. The world is too serious and could use more smiles."
"Wouldn't killing bring more frowns and tears than smiles?" Cuthbert asked.
"Not when I give out the smiles," said the Chimera as he mimed cutting a person's cheeks, "I give people smiles that they take to their graves."
"Then there's nothing more to say," said Manfred, "I'll prepare the means to invade The Vale of the Fairies, while our…interesting friend shall prepare as well. Drs, please have a Negative Seed ready."
"If I may," said Dr. Scimitar, "I believe that the Chimera Worm can be improved before sent out on his grand mission."
"Improved? How?" Ophelia asked.
"With the addition of another DNA sample to his chimeric code," said Dr. Scimitar.
"You want to add more?" Cuthbert asked, "he's already an amalgamation of a zoo and an aquarium!"
"But not a botanical garden," said Dr. Scimitar.
"Of course, the remaining Plant Worm," said Dr. Falchion as he pulled out a tablet and pulled up a streaming video, where the Nightshade Worm had been forced into a distillation tank. The creature was thrashing and screaming in agony as it was boiled to death, while the steam from the tank was filtered and processed into a glass vial the end of a large array of glass and copper tubing.
"The Nightshade Worm partly redeemed itself with its information," said Dr. Falchion, "yet the failure of it and its four fallen comrades couldn't be overlooked. So, I ordered it rendered down to its base genetic code for analysis and later reconstruction."
"It is possible that the purified DNA could be spliced into the Chimera Worm," said Dr. Stiletto.
"Oh please!" said an eager Chimera Worm, "let me have the new genetic code! The quest for perfection is an endless struggle!"
"I don't know about this," said Ophelia, "the creature is already a monster's monster, why make it even more of a nightmare?"
"To truly terrify those wretched fairies and those meddling brats out of their skins," said Manfred, "do it! Enhance the creature!"
"Oh, thank you, sir!" said an overjoyed Chimera Worm as he shook Manfred's hand, "I won't let you or the others down! Your enemies are already dead!"
"See that they are," said Manfred, he then glared at Drs. Stiletto, Scimitar and Falchion, "or I'll see to it that your creators are punished in your stead." With that he walked out of the chamber.
"You heard the man!" said an irate Dr. Stiletto to her colleagues, "our necks are on the line now!"
"Then we had better get it right this time," said Dr. Falchion.
"So let's get you spliced up already," said Dr. Scimitar to the Chimera Worm. With that they walked out of the chamber, with Cuthbert and Ophelia following behind outside of earshot.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," said Ophelia to Cuthbert, "and when I have a bad feeling about forthcoming wickedness, it's serious."
"I know it's serious," said Cuthbert, "this Chimera Worm has free will. I don't like it, not one inch of it."
"And it's about to be made even more powerful," said Ophelia, "if it should succeed in destroying Apple White and her protectors, then what?"
"And independently thinking monster that none of us can control," said Cuthbert, "The Obsidian Council will have our heads on spikes for it."
"Then we'll have to make sure that the Chimera Worm doesn't cause further mischief after it has completed its task," said Ophelia, "one way or another, that abomination must be destroyed."
"If not by us, then definitely by Avery Manning and the other Riders," said Cuthbert, "why risk our necks in an attempt at sabotage when our enemies are quite capable?"
"What if they aren't?" Ophelia, "what if the Chimera Worm destroys them? Then we'll have to destroy it ourselves, and then Manfred will know we did it. The only way I can see to destroy the creature without being exposed is to somehow help our enemies," her face then expressed feelings of loathing, "and I wish we wouldn't."
"Yes, quite the conundrum we're in," said Cuthbert, "to help our enemies or destroy the creature ourselves? Either way, we'll be taking an enormous risk. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, we watch and wait."
"Then we'll wait," said Ophelia.
…The Vale of the Faeries…
"You just had to ask how hard the tests could be," said an irate and exhausted Briar to Madison as she, Hunter, Ashlynn, Madison and Kitty, sat under a large tree, all of them looking as if they had just ran marathons, terrifying marathons that was.
"At least you guys got a good workout," said an equally exhausted-looking Lizzie as she, Maddie, Raven and Dexter, sat nearby, "my brain hurts."
"My midbrain and brainstem hurts!" said Maddie as she clutched at her head, while, Raven and Dexter also looked as if they had headaches.
"Look on the bright side," said Apple, "we've completed two of the three challenges.
The first challenge was the Test of Truth, in which Raven, Dexter, Maddie and Lizzie all stood before a set of enchanted scales, similar to the scales used to judge the dead in Ancient Egyptian mythology.
Each scale had a feather balanced on one part and a crystal shaped like a heart on the other. The scales were equally balanced when Raven and the others stood before it. At that point they were asked a series of questions about themselves. If they answered truthfully, the heart crystal got lighter and rose higher than the feather, but for every lie, the heart crystal gained a little weight.
Fortunately Raven and the others told more truth than lies, with the lies concealing personal aspects of their lives, secrets they don't want anyone to know. Lizzie and Maddie had very little secrets, yet Raven and Dexter had more than a few, secrets that they were too embarrassed to confess.
Yet their hearts failed to completely outweigh the feathers, and our heroes passed the Test of Truth.
Expecting the Test of Love next, our heroes were thrown for a loop when Queen Tatiana said that the second would in fact be the Test of Courage. That involved forcing Madison, Briar, Ashlynn, Hunter, and Kitty to experience several illusions that were so realistic, they might as well have been real.
Each illusion depicted a common phobia that our heroes had to overcome; falling from heights; arriving naked in class during a test that they didn't study for, drowning, spiders and snakes, enclosed spaces and last of all, fear of the unknown.
Madison and the others passed through the illusions with relative ease, yet when they encountered the final one, they found themselves pushed to the breaking point. They were placed in total darkness and last ten minutes without completely freaking out. This was harder than it seemed, for while Madison and the others were left virtually blinded, their other senses were heightened to the point where even the sound of their own heartbeats was almost deafening.
Yet there was more noise than heartbeats in the darkness. Rustling sounds, clicking sounds, slithering sounds, that and more which gave the impression of an unknown horror in the darkness with Madison and the others.
Yet despite the intense psychological pressure and almost overwhelming stress, Madison and the others kept their cool and passed the second challenge.
"So now there's only Love left," said Aver as he and Apple looked at each other with uncomfortable eyes, "and it'll involve us."
"What makes you say that?" Dexter asked, "for all we know, what they meant by love, it could be friendship."
"The bonds of friendship are as strong as a mountain, yet as fragile as a leaf on the wind," said Maddie.
"You know, that actually makes sense," said Ashlynn.
"It wasn't supposed to be Riddlish," said Maddie.
"Well, what do you think they'll do to us?" Madison, "play 'The Dating Game?'"
"Nothing so drastic," said Queen Tatiana as she and King Oberon approached our heroes.
"Then what is it?" Avery asked.
At that King Oberon revealed a small jeweled box. He opened the box to reveal a large ruby, big enough to be carried by two people.
"Now that's a rock," said an impressed Briar as King Oberon as he and Queen Tatiana lifted the ruby out of the box and left it hovering in midair at about waist height.
"So what's this do?" Hunter asked as he and the others gathered around the ruby.
"It is a means of measuring the heart," said Queen Tatiana, "specifically, the compatability of two hearts."
"It identifies and measures the strength of love," said King Oberon, "look closer."
Our heroes leaned closer to the ruby and saw that the gem was divided in half, as if two half of the gem had been perfectly placed together and made whole, yet the seam dividing it remained.
"There are many levels of love," said Queen Tatiana, "love between friends, love within families, and the most powerful love of all; True Love."
"If you two would stand on opposite sides of the ruby," said King Oberon to Raven and Maddie. At that the two girls did as they were asked.
"Now place your hands on the gem," said Queen Tatiana. Raven and Maddie did so and the two halves of the ruby lit up with a warm light.
"This light represents the love between two best friends," said Queen Tatiana.
"Fascinating," said Lizzie as the rest of our heroes took turns touching the ruby. The gem lit up with slightly different levels of love between pairs of friends.
But then Ashlynn and Hunter touched the ruby and it lit up brighter than before, startling them and the others.
"This is the light of true love," said Queen Tatiana, "two hearts beating as one, harmonizing to produce a light that no darkness can extinguish."
"Wow," said an amazed Hunter as he and Ashlynn looked at each other, their faces illumined by the light of their love.
"Is that all you can say? 'Wow?'" Ashlynn asked, "just 'wow?'"
"Well…uh…how about…awesome?" Hunter asked, "cool? Neato? Nifty?"
"Is that the best you can do?" a slightly annoyed Maddie asked, "come one! Try for something big!"
"I'm open to suggestions," said Hunter.
"Oh, well then," said Maddie as she crossed her arms and placed one hand under her chin in thought, "let me see…mmmm…how about…Oh! I got it! Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"
At that both Madison and Avery burst out laughing.
"What?" Maddie asked, "what's so funny? I wasn't trying to be funny," she looked at Raven, "was I trying to be funny just now?" she then looked at her watch, "and I'm actually on time for once."
"Sorry," said Avery as he and Madison calmed down, "just something from our world."
"It was an unintentional jape," said King Oberon.
"But well worth it," said Queen Tatiana, "and even unintentional laughter can bring that much more light to the world."
"And now the moment has come," said King Oberon, "Apple White, Avery Manning, please come forward."
"Us?" Avery asked as he and a confused Apple looked at the two fairy monarchs.
"Yes, you two," said Queen Tatiana, "please step up to the crystal."
"Well…okay," said a slightly nervous Apple, while Avery also looked nervous.
"Why do they want to test Apple and Avery?" Briar whispered to Ashlynn, "they're just friends, right?"
"Maybe," said a curious Ashlynn, "or maybe not."
By now Avery and Apple were on opposite ends of the ruby. Reluctantly, as if afraid of what would happen, they reached for the gem.
But then the ground began to shake as Negative Roots sprouted all over.
"Holy crap!" exclaimed Madison as first one, then dozens of Salis Worms began swarming into the area.
"I thought the fairy kingdom was protected!" said Briar as she punched and kicked away a Salis Worm that got too close.
"It is!" said Alicia Starbright as she blasted a Salis Worm with her magic, while Raven blasted another into oblivion, "there's no way they could penetrate The Vale's boundaries!"
"It appears that the enemy has found a way," said King Oberon. He then grabbed a Salis Worm and ripped it in half, while Queen Tatiana blasted another into ashes.
But then more Salis Worms began flooding the area, just as two large branches of Negative Roots sprouted up and ensnared King Oberon and Queen Tatiana.
But then one of the vines was blasted away by Hunter's Drake Grip, while Kabtuo Zecter, Ketaros Zecter and Gatack Zecter flew in and cut the roots, freeing the fairy monarchs.
"Protect the King and Queen!" shouted Alicia Starbright as she and dozens of fairies flew around their rulers, while Queen Tatiana grasped the ruby to her bosom.
"You all get to safety!" said Avery as he, Madison and Dexter caught their Zecters, "we'll deal with this riffraff!"
At that Avery, Madison and Dexter clicked their Zecters into place, while they and Hunter all shouted "Henshin!"
HENSHIN
Energy hexagons flowed from the four Zecters, transforming Avery, Madison, Hunter and Dexter into the Masked forms of Kabuto, Ketaros, Drake and Gatack.
"Be safe, dear friends!" said Queen Tatiana, "I fear that the enemy has far more than an invasion planned!" with that she, King Oberon and their fairy guards hurried out of the area.
"Now this is what it is all about," said a boastful Manfred as he, Cuthbert and Ophelia stood in a clearing deep within The Vale. A Negative Plant was slowly but steadily rising, spreading its insidious roots throughout the fairy kingdom, while more and more Salis Worms were emerging from a large portal, through which was a distorted, black and white image of the enemy lair.
"Spreading fear, sorrow and darkness," said Manfred, "the principals that The Obsidian Council pride themselves on."
"Gee, and here I thought we were in it for the money," said an annoyed Ophelia.
"Profit is important," said Manfred, "as is the destruction of those who stand in our way. Now, assuming those meddling brats live up to expectations, they'll show up to ruin our day any minute low, at which time they'll receive a rather nasty surprise."
"Just as you'll receive a surprise when that freak of a Worm is put in its place," muttered Cuthbert, "an free thinking Kaijin is just too dangerous."
"Are you sure that the creature you selected is up to the task?" Ophelia asked.
"We'll know if those wretched Riders aren't up to the task," said Cuthbert.
Just then came several explosions that destroyed dozens of Salis Worms.
"Cuthbert!" shouted Raven as she charged up several fireballs, while Drake aimed his Drake Grip at the villains, while Kabuto aimed his Kunai blaster and Gatack aimed his shoulder cannons. At the same time Briar, Maddie, Lizzie and Kitty stood ready, while Apple waited a few paces back with Ketaros and Ashlynn.
"Well, the gang's all here, more or less," said Manfred.
"I don't think we've had the pleasure," said Kabuto.
"The pleasure's all mine, Avery Manning, Kabuto," said Manfred, "I am Manfred I. Lazarus, Inhuman Resources for The Obsidian Council."
"Another dark proxy," said Raven, "either we're doing our job right or you guys are doing your job wrong."
"A bit of both, Raven Queen," said Manfred, "I was sent to put things right with my dark colleagues."
"Believe me, Nightdancer," said Cuthbert, "I never asked for his help."
"Stop calling me that!" snapped Raven, "and how did you bastards get here?"
"The Vale of the Faeries has an impenetrable boundary," said Lizzie.
"Not with the technology The Obsidian Council has at its disposal!" said Manfred triumphantly. He then indicated the distorted, black and white portal, "this Tear allows the connections between two different dimensions."
"Of course," said Raven in a thoughtful tone, "The Vale, it's in a slightly different dimension."
"And these Tears, they work both ways?" Kitty asked.
"Of course," said Manfred.
"Good," said Kitty as she flashed her claws, "then I get to kick your sorry ass back to wherever you came from!"
"I doubt it," said Manfred. He then looked at Raven, "I'll make this offer once; surrender and present yourself to The Obsidian Council, or watch as your friends are destroyed one by one."
"Oh, please let me destroy them," said the Chimera Worm as it emerged through the Tear in its human form, "I so want to leave this life with a smile on their faces."
"A psychopath Worm?" Ketaros asked.
"A perfect Worm," said the Chimera Worm, "one that only wants to spread smiles throughout the cosmos." It then morphed, earning cries of horrific disgust from our heroes.
"And I thought it was an abomination before," said a nauseated Cuthbert as he and an equally disgusted Ophelia looked at the Chimera Worm which, in addition to its nightmarish zoological mishmash, now had nightshade blossoms sprouting throughout its body.
"What's the matter?" Manfred asked, "is perfection so shocking?"
"Here's what I say about perfection!" shouted Ketaros as she rushed at the Chimera Worm.
"No! Don't!" shouted Kabuto, yet his warning came too late as the Chimera Worm grabbed Ketaros and delivered a devastating punch that knocked her to the ground, damaging her armor so much that the transformation was canceled. Madison rolled several times before stopping, groaning in dazed pain.
"Did someone catch the number of that bus?" Madison groaned as Kitty and Briar helped her up.
"That is the perfection I speak of!" exclaimed Manfred as the Chimera Worm cracked its knuckles and stretched, "raw, unfiltered power!"
"What? No ability based on its animalistic traits?" Cuthbert asked.
"Apparently not needed in this case," said Ophelia.
"Oh, this is bad," said Ashlynn as Briar and Kitty brought Madison over, "this is very bad."
"It's not over yet!" said Drake as he pulled the tail rotor on his Zecter, while Kabuto and Gatack flipped the horns on their Zecters.
"Cast Off!" they shouted as Kabuto and Gatack flipped their horns all the way while Drake pulled the trigger.
CAST OFF
Their outer armor blasted away, hitting and destroying dozens of Salis Worms as their inner armor was revealed.
CHANGE: BEETLE
CHANGE: DRAGONFLY
CHANGE: STAG BEETLE
"Good for you," said Manfred. He then looked at the Chimera Worm, "Send them to their makers."
"Gladly," said the Chimera Worm. It then accelerated and vanished.
"Clock Up!" shouted Kabuto, Drake and Gatack as they pressed the buttons on their Zecters.
CLOCK UP
Accelerating into hyper time, the three Riders began fighting the living nightmare that was the Chimera Worm.
Back in real time, Kitty, Lizzie and the others were holding off the Salis Worms, while Raven was looking for an opening to destroy the Negative Plant.
"Why persist, Raven Queen?" Manfred asked, "this world is doomed, so why go down with the proverbial sinking ship?"
"Because this world is my home, you rat!" shouted Raven, "in fact, you kinda remind me of a rat!" she then cast a transfiguration curse at Manfred, intending on morphing the vile villain into a rodent.
Manfred confidently backhanded the curse away, sending it towards Cuthbert. He was hit and instantly transformed into a large rat with his own facial features. This caused Ophelia to start laughing hysterically, while the morphed Cuthbert looked up at her and squeaked his anger.
"I'll save you the trouble, Raven Queen," said Manfred, "while I have little offensive power, my defenses against magic and other forms of attack make me all but immortal!"
"We'll see about that!" shouted Raven as she threw a fireball at Manfred, only for the villain to catch the flames and blow them out as if they were as small as a burning match.
Raven tried a bolt of lightning, followed by more fireballs, all Manfred either deflected or dodged easily.
"You're just wasting your energies, Raven Queen," said Manfred, "the more you struggle, the easier it will be to subdue you. It'd be a simple matter to deliver you to Obsidian on a stretcher, yet wouldn't it be more dignifying for you to walk into the council chamber with your head held high and a confident smile on your face?"
"I'll go with you to Obsidian when hell freezes over!" shouted Raven as she threw a freezing spell at Manfred, whom caught the spell and condensed it into a fist-sized ice cube.
"Thanks," said Manfred as he licked the ice cube, "I was getting thirsty."
"I'm starting to wish he had come first," said Ophelia to Cuthbert the rat, "he's clearly having an easier time against Raven than you ever did." At that Cuthbert jumped up and began scratching Ophelia's face, earning a shriek of pain and anger from her as she grabbed and threw him to the ground. He landed hard and morphed back to his human appearance.
"The next time you touch me, you'll lose a hand!" shouted Ophelia as she took out a small hand mirror and examined the scratches on her face.
"Don't start with me!" shouted Cuthbert as he got up and straightened his clothes.
"Yes, you two bicker like the children you are," said Manfred. He then looked at Raven, "you can keep resisting until you pass out, Raven Queen, the end result will still be the same."
Raven then saw that more and more Salis Worms were pouring into the area, surrounding Maddie, Briar and the others as they struggled to keep Apple and Madison safe.
CLOCK OVER
Just then Kabuto, Drake, Gatack and the Chimera Worm returned to normal time, with the three Riders looking ready to pass out. Their armor dented, cracked smoldering in a few places, while the Chimera Worm looked hardly exerted at all.
"Don't give up, Raven!" shouted Gatack in an exhausted tone, "we can still win!"
"You sure are confident, for a dead man," said the Chimera Worm. "So how about I give you a hug."
"What?" a confused Gatack asked.
The Chimera Worm took advantage of Gatack's confusion by Clocking Up, racing behind Gatack where it returned to normal time and grabbed Gatack in a bone-crunching embrace. "I'm gonna hug the life right out of you, blue beetle boy!"
"No!" shouted Drake and he and Kabuto tried to rush in, but were suddenly surrounded by Salis Worms, unable to get to their friend as sparks flew from Gatack's armor. The transformation canceled as Gatack Zecter flew off of Dexter's belt, leaving him fully open to the creature's crushing attack.
…The Deep Dark Woods…
"Wait!" shouted Daring, causing Tobias, Cerise and Cupid to stop.
"We can't stop here!" said Cupid, "you know how fast it gets dark in these parts!"
"We'll be surrounded by Warg packs before we know it if we don't get out of the woods!" said Cerise.
"There's something else here besides us," said Daring.
"Yeah, Wargs," said Cerise, "I can't smell them yet, but they're out there."
"No, this is no Warg," said Tobias as he looked around, "this is something not of this world, or any world."
"In that case," said Cupid as she drew an arrow to her bow, "alright, you! Whoever or whatever you are, come out!"
"And if you're looking for trouble," said Cerise as her eyes flashed yellow, "you've found more than you can chew!"
"I don't want any trouble," said a female voice from among the trees, "I'm here to help."
"Show yourself then!" said Tobias, "prove that you are no enemy!"
At that a woman in her late teens to early twenties stepped out from behind a tree. She was of medium height with long brown hair tied back in a ponytail. She wore a white blouse, a blue skirt with brown button-up boots, with a pendant on a neck choker.
"It's okay," said the woman, "I'm a friend."
"What kind of friend walks these woods alone with night approaching?" Tobias asked.
"A friend whom is more than she seems, Tobias Kosgrove," said the woman.
"How do you know my name?" Tobais asked in a surprised and suspicious tone.
"I know all your names," said the woman, "Daring Charming, Cerise Hood, C.A. Cupid."
"You know us," said Cupid, "but who are you?"
"Or what are you?" Cerise asked.
"You can call me Elizabeth," said the woman, "Elizabeth Comstock, or Anna Dewitt, it makes no difference."
"Okay…Elizabeth," said Daring, "so…"
"There's no time to explain everything," said Elizabeth, "what's important is that The Alabaster Council sent me to help."
"You're a proxy," said Cerise.
"One sent to even the playing field," said Elizabeth, "your enemies are using a piece of extremely dangerous technology that I have to destroy."
"How dangerous?" Daring asked.
"Dangerous enough to destroy reality as you know it," said Elizabeth, "I also have to get you to Apple, Raven and the others. They're fighting the enemy inside The Vale of the Faeries, and they need your help."
"The Council told you all this," said Tobias, "but how are we to get to them? Just where is this Vale?"
"On the other side of the realm," said Cerise, "that's what I've heard. None of my family have been to the fairy kingdom in a long time."
"We'll get there sooner than you think," said Elizabeth. She then turned around, placed her hands in the air and acted like she was trying to open something that required a lot of effort. There was a high-pitched noise and a flash of light that revealed a distorted, black and white portal that showed a different forest on the other side.
"What was that?" a startled Cupid asked, while Cerise and the others looked equally shocked and confused.
"It's called a Tear," said Elizabeth, "I can open and close them naturally, but The Obsidian Council, they are using an unstable machine to make them. If I don't destroy that machine, it'll damage the fabric of reality beyond repair. This Tear will lead you to your friends. Go on, it's perfectly safe."
Cerise cautiously walked up to the Tear, sniffed the portal and put a finger through it. Her finger distorted and turned black and white, but returned to normal when she pulled her hand back. "It seems safe," she said to Cupid, Tobias and Daring.
"If you think so, then it must be so," said Daring. He then looked at Elizabeth, "you coming too?"
"I have a different destination," said Elizabeth, "but we'll meet up afterwards. Now get going before it's too late!"
"Let's do it!" said Cupid to Cerise, Daring and Tobias. At that the four of them stepped through the Tear and into The Vale of the Fairies.
Cerise looked back and saw Elizabeth waving at them from the other side of the Tear, before the mysterious girl closed the black and white portal.
"That was strange," said Cupid, "and I'm a demigoddess."
"We'll debate the strangeness of life later!" said Tobias, "come on!"
With that the four of them ran forward and came upon the are where Raven and the others were.
"By the stars!" said Daring as he sensed how many Salis Worms were in the area.
"What is that thing?!" a disgusted Cerise asked as she pointed at the Chimera Worm as it held Dexter in its crushing embrace.
"This is your last chance, Raven Queen!" shouted Manfred, "surrender yourself or watch as your friends die one by one!"
"But not before I improve their smiles," said the Chimera Worm as he released one arm from Dexter and held a claw up to his face, "a slice here, a slice there and he'll be smiling forever!"
"NO!" shouted Daring as he drew his new sword, grabbing the attention of everyone, heroes and villains alike.
"You guys!" exclaimed a joyful Apple, "but…how did you…?"
"There'll be time for explanation soon enough," said Tobias as the Sasword Yavier appeared in his hand, "there's plenty of dirty work ahead of us all!"
STANDBY
Sasword Zecter then burst up from the ground, skittered up to and jumped into Tobias's hand, "Henshin!" he called out as he clicked his Zecter into place on his sword.
HENSHIN
Energy hexagons flowed out from the sword, covering Tobias in the Masked form of Sasword.
"Get's get them!" shouted Cerise. With that she, Daring and Sasword charged into the throngs of Salis Worm, with Cerise using her strength and speed to damage and destroy the creatures, while Sasword easily sliced Worms left and right, causing each creature his blade cut to explode.
Yet when Daring's blade damaged a Salis Worm, the creature burned away as if it were paper held to a lit flame, the Latin words on his sword glowing as he effortlessly cut his way through the vile monsters.
All the while Cupid was providing support with exploding arrows that destroyed several Salis Worms with each shot, all in all taking the pressure off of Maddie, Briar, Ashlynn and the others.
"Oh, new friends to make," said the Chimera Worm eagerly as he tossed Dexter down and advanced on Sasword, Daring and Cerise. Raven and Apple rushed to Dexter and pulled him to safety.
"How is he?" Raven asked as Apple examined Dexter.
"He's got broken ribs," said Apple, "but I don't think there's any internal bleeding. He'll be fine with rest."
"Raven…" said Dexter in a strained tone, "you think…if we had…touched the ruby…"
"How bright would it have been?" Raven asked, "I don't know, but it would have been bright." With that she bent down and kissed Dexter on the lips.
"Look at them go!" said Lizzie as she and the others watched Daring and Sasword hack the Salis Worms apart, "whatever lessons that blind sword master taught them, I want to sign up!"
But then the Chimera Worm reached Daring and swung an punch at him. Daring ducked and struck back with his sword, causing the creature to flinch as the enchanted blade penetrated his abominable skin.
"No! No this cannot be!" exclaimed the Chimera Worm as it looked at its wounded arm, "I can't be harmed! I'm perfect! Perfect!"
"No you're not!" shouted Sasword as he pressed the tail down on his Zecter. Energy crackled as his armor segments separated, "Cast Off!" he shouted as he pressed the tail all the way down.
CAST OFF
The armor segments blasted away, revealing the streamline armor beneath, while also destroying more Salis Worms.
CHANGE: SCORPION
"I'll get you!" shouted the Chimera Worm, "I'll give you all smiles you'll never forget!" it then rushed at Sasword and tried to grab him, yet Sasword ducked and struck back, delivering two cuts to the creature's midsection.
At the same time Daring delivered more cuts to the creature. Each time the Chimera Worm was damaged, it tried to strike back at both heroes, yet they easily dodged the counterattacks as if the creature was moving in slow motion.
"Looks like your perfect plan has flaws," said Cuthbert smugly to Manfred.
At that Manfred looked as if he was ready to rip Cuthbert's head off, "don't you ever disrespect me like that, if you value your life! Now help me resolve this situation before any further complications arise!"
"As a matter of fact, Manfred," said Cuthbert, "I do have an ace up my sleeve. It's back at headquarters, but thanks to your Tear machine…"
Just then the large Tear back to the enemy base flashed and closed up while several Salis Worms were in transit, cutting them in half which exploded instantly afterwards.
"What happened?" a genuinely surprised Ophelia asked.
"Something that shouldn't have had!" said Manfred irately, "for if what I suspect has happened has happened, then a lot of heads will roll!"
"Hey! Don't copy me!" shouted Lizzie.
Just then two blasts of magic shot out and hit the Chimera Worm, nearly knocking it down.
"Destroy the invaders!" shouted King Oberon as he, Queen Tatiana, Alicia Starbright and about a thousand fairies, hurried into the area, blasting the remaining Salis Worms into oblivion.
At the same time, Daring delivered a hard cut that severed the left arm of the Chimera Worm, while Sasword cut the creature's right ankle, forcing it to its knees.
"This cannot be! I am perfect!" said the Chimera Worm as it managed to get back up, energy crackling across its body, "I am perfect! PERFECT! PERFECT!"
"It's gonna blow!" exclaimed Cerise.
"Not in my kingdom, it won't!" said an irate Queen Tatiana as she cast a shield spell around the destabilized Chimera Worm. The shield contained the creature as it exploded with much more destructive force than other Worms. Had the blast not been contained, a large are of the fairy kingdom would have been laid to waste.
"I think we should withdraw while we are still able," said Ophelia.
"I agree, this time!" said Manfred. He then summoned a shimmering gray door, which Cuthbert and Ophelia ran through. "You'll rue the day you resisted Obsidian, Raven Queen! I swear it!" with that he walked through the door, which vanished after him.
"Cowards!" snapped King Oberon, "he dares to defile our kingdom, and then runs at the fist sign of defeat!"
"Villains are always cowards," said Sasword. He then powered down as he, Daring, Cerise and Cupid walked up to Raven and the others.
"Hey, little brother," said Daring to Dexter, "I'm back."
"They fixed your eyes?" Dexter asked.
"No," said Daring, "but I'm better in other ways."
"I thik we've all got a lot to catch up on," said Raven, "but for now…" she then summoned a fireball and threw it at the Negative Plant, burning it to ashes, while the Negative Roots crumbled to dust, leaving their telltale stains on the land and trees.
"The corruption has reached The Vale," said a concerned Queen Tatiana.
"We're sorry, your grace," said Avery after he and Hunter powered down, "we should never have come here."
"The enemy would have found a way into our kingdom soon enough," said King Oberon, "yet the damage inflicted is great."
"It will take time to remove the taint and restore our land," said Queen Tatiana, "just as it will take time to remove the taint throughout the rest of the world."
"You can do that?" Raven asked, "clean up the mess left by the Negative Roots?"
"In time, yes," said Queen Tatiana, "yet, for the time being," she then signaled to Alicia Starbright, whom nodded in acknowledgement. She then gestured to several fairies whom teleported out, then teleported back in with ten large pouches.
"Is that…?" Raven asked.
"The promised dust," said Queen Tatiana, "Take it, it is yours."
"What..? No! No, we can't take it!" said Raven, "we didn't pass the final test!"
"Apple and I have to touch the ruby," said Avery, at which Apple nodded.
"What ruby?" Cupid asked.
"A ruby that measures the strength of love between two individuals," said Ashlynn.
"And you want measure Apple and Avery?" Cupid asked, "you don't need some enchanted ruby to do that. They're soul mates, plain and simple."
"What?" Briar asked, while Raven, Madison and the others looked at Cupid with confused eyes.
"How do you…?" Apple asked.
"Hello? Demigoddess of love here!" said Cupid smugly, "I've got a sense for these things. Oh, Daring and Cerise are dating, sort off."
"It just…happened," said a happily smiling Cerise as she and Daring held hands."
"The Prince Charming of Snow White's story hooking up with the daughter of Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf," said Hunter, "wow."
"It's enough to give Headmaster Grim a quintuple heart attack and then some," said Maddie.
"Didn't your narrator friend tell you this?" Raven asked.
"He should have!" said Maddie, "why didn't you tell me, Mr. AndrewK9000?"
Hey, it's not my fault that you don't pay attention to me all the time.
"Well, I will from now on," said Maddie.
"Regardless of who loves who," said King Oberon, "by defending our land against the forces of darkness, you've proven your strength of love, the love for our world."
"But don't you need your dust to heal The Vale of the taint?" Raven asked.
"For us fairies, a little dust goes a long way," said Alicia Starbright, "we'll be alright. Now take the dust already."
At that Avery and Apple accepted the sacks of fairy dust.
"But…I don't understand," said Apple, "how can Avery and I be soul mates? We're from different worlds."
"Since when has that been a barrier to true love?" Queen Tatiana asked, "though it seems confusing now, you two were meant to find each other. Your hearts and souls are two halves of the same whole. If you want proof…" she then gestured and the ruby was brought out, "…touch it."
Avery and Apple handed the dust to their friends and, ever so slowly, touched the ruby. Instantly it lit up brighter than when Ashlynn and Hunter touched it.
"Now that's love!" said an impressed Lizzie as she shielded her eyes from the intense light. But the light was different. Instead of the red hue expected to come from a ruby, it was more blue, like that of a sapphire.
"What does this mean?" Apple asked as she and Avery stepped away from the ruby.
"It means you're hiding your feelings for each other," said Cupid, " deep down, deep in your heart of hearts, you've been in love with each other since the moment you two met, but you're still confused about how you feel."
"I…I can't deal with this right now," said Avery, "I…we…I went back in time a few hours ago for crying out loud! I'm still trying to get my head around that!"
"It's simple, just find a TARDIS," said Madison.
"What's a TARDIS?" Briar asked.
"I'll tell you later," said Madison, "and the two reluctant lovebirds can figure things out later too. Right now we've got to get this dust back to The Base."
"We need to make The Eyes of Effervessence if we're ever gonna figure out The Storybook of Legends," said Raven.
"I agree," said Apple, "Aver…we…we'll…"
"We'll talk when the world isn't on the verge of doomsday," said Avery.
"Yes," said Apple.
"Then this is goodbye, and good luck," said King Oberon.
"Safe journey back to your homes!" said Queen Tatiana, "and remember, wherever your travels take you, you'll always be welcome here in The Vale."
"You guys were awesome," said Alicia Starbright as she flew up to Avery, "I'm gonna give you the best goodbye hug in the history of everything!"
"Wait a second!" said Madison suspiciously, "what's that on your lips?"
"Huh?" Alicia asked, "just some lip gloss, that's all."
"Since when do fairies use human cosmetics?" Raven asked suspiciously, "unless…what kind of lip gloss?"
"It's not lip gloss," said Cerise as she sniffed the air, "it's berry juice, snozberry juice to be exact."
"You were gonna try and kiss me," said Avery, "and then kiss Apple."
"One taste of that juice and we'd be stuck here!" said an irate Apple as she tried to hide a smile on her face.
"Just long enough for you two to work out your feelings," said Alicia in an admonished tone.
"Alicia!" said Queen Tatiana sternly, "we gave our word that they'd be free to go!"
"I was only trying to help," said an ashamed Alicia Starbright.
"We appreciate the gesture," said Avery, "no hard feelings."
"Let's just go before they break out the snacks and punch," said Hunter.
…The Enemy Lair…
"How could this have happened?" Manfred exclaimed as he examined the wrecked remains of the Tear machine, "this area was designated for maximum security!" he then glared at several Worms in human form and a handful of technicians, then glared at one technician in particular, "and you! Do you expect me to believe that the entire surveillance network was completely offline for two minutes? During which the saboteur snuck in, destroyed the device and snuck out without anyone catching even a glimpse of the intruder?! Well?!"
Manfred then struck the hapless technician across the face with enough force to knock him to the ground, knocking out four permanent teeth, then glared at Cuthbert, Ophelia, Drs. Falchion, Scimitar and Stiletto, "I want this situation resolved and I want it resolved five minutes ago! And I want a new plan on resolving the overall situation on my desk by tomorrow morning! Remember!" he then indicated the countdown, before stalking out of the lab.
"That could have been much worse," said Cuthbert as the technicians help up their comrade, "one or more of us could be dead."
"Well…Mr. Snyder," said Dr. Stiletto, "I hope you have a plan to turn the situation around, for all our sakes."
"I'm working on it," said Cuthbert, "I still have an ace up my sleeve."
"You and your ace," said Ophelia irately.
"Oh, and you have a better plan?" Cuthbert asked.
"No, but I can come up with a better one that you ever will!" snapped Ophelia.
"In your dreams you will!" snapped Cuthbert. With that the two villains stalked out of the lab in opposite directions.
"This is not going well for any of us," said Dr. Falchion.
"I feel so sorry for the Chimera Worm," said Dr. Scimitar, "he never really had a chance."
"Yes, his unstable properties made him quite unsuitable for battle," said Dr. Stiletto, "but enough of that. We still have much to do and little time to do it in."
"What I can't understand was how the Tear machine was destroyed so easily," said Dr. Falchion, "or how the saboteur got away."
"Perhaps it's one of those mysteries that will remain unsolved," said Dr. Scimitar.
"Maybe so," said a suspicious and annoyed Dr. Stiletto, "or maybe not."
Elizabeth walked out onto the roof of a lighthouse built in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, looking out at the stars, a confident smile on her face. She then opened another Tear and stepped through to parts unknown.
…The End Is Just the Beginning…