Chapter 5: A Perplexing Puzzle

Sometime later in the night, Dire Crowley and Briar are standing in front of an old rundown area. It has old and rusty looking fences, dried and spooky looking trees, a staircase that leads to a building that seems old and rundown.

Briar asks, "Uh, you want me to live here…? This is too much character, if you ask me."

"Isn't it delightful?" Crowley questions.

"Uh yeah. Seems nice," Briar says, sheepishly.

Then mutters, "And kind of spooky."

"Right, scoot inside now," Crowley says, pushing Briar to the gate."There you go."

The two then walk up the stairs and to the door. Briar opens the door and walks inside. The headmage follows after her. To Briar's shock, the dorm seems to look a lot worse on the inside. There are old curtains, furniture, including a desk and a bookshelf, a chimney with some old photos, and some lights.

"This should keep the elements at bay for the time being. Now, I should return to my research. Do try to find some way to busy yourself. But don't let me catch you wandering the campus! Ta!" Crowley says.

With that, Crowley then leaves the dorm and closes the door behind her. Once he left, Briar looks around to see the place is run down and is covered in dust.

"Wow. This place is so rundown," Briar says to herself.

She then moves her ringer across a furniture close by and looks at the thick layer of dust covering her ringer.

"And very dusty," Briar says.

She sighs, "I guess I'll have to make do with what I have. I better start cleaning up."

With that, Briar looks around and finds a broomstick, a duster, and a rag. She soon finds the kitchen and finds a bowl, and fills it with some water. She then walks into the lounge of the dorm. Briar begins to dip the water in the cloth, and begins to clean the windows. Soon, she begins to sing.

Briar:

Oh, Sing sweet nightingale

Sing sweet nightingale

Hi~gh above me

Briar is able to clean some of the windows. Then picks up the duster and dust some of the areas of the dorm.

Briar:

Oh, sing sweet nightingale

Sing sweet nightingale

Hi~gh above

Briar continues to dust and clean as she continues to sing. Unknown to her, something or someone very small is secretly watching her from an entry that leads to the hall.

Briar:

Oh, sing sweet nightingale

Sing sweet nightingale, hi~gh

Once she's done dusting, she picks up the broom and begins to sweep the floor.

Briar:

Oh, sing sweet nightingale

Sing sweet nightingale

Briar sweeps the floor as the dust is pushed across the floor.

Briar:

Oh, sing sweet nightingale

Sing sweet

Oh, sing sweet nightingale, sing

Briar continues to sweet, dust, wash, and do all kinds of cleaning.

Briar:

Oh, sing sweet nightingale

Oh, sing sweet

Oh, sing

Briar continues to clean up the lounge as she sings a song. Soon enough, the lounge looks more decent and cleaner.

"There. It took a while, but the lounge looks good for now," Briar says to herself.

She hears thunder and pouring coming from outside. She looks out the window to see that it's pouring rain outside.

"Looks like it's started to rain," Briar says.

Briar then continues to do some of the cleaning in the dorm.

But suddenly hears the sound of the door opening, followed by a familiar voice, "GWAH! It's pouring out there!"

"Wah!" Briar says, a little surprised.

Briar turns her head to see a familiar little cat-like creature hurrying inside the dorm and quickly closes the door. To Briar's shock, the creature is Grim.

Grim laughs, "Bwahaha! That look on your face is priceless! Like a bat that got blasted by a water gun!"

"Grim?" Briar says, confused and surprised.

"That's right. I really scared you," Grim says with a grin on his face.

"But what are you doing here? I thought you were taken away and thrown out?" Briar asks, surprised.

"As if I wouldn't just sneak back onto campus the second I escaped pryin' eyes. You all got no idea what I'm capable of! I ain't given' up on goin' here just 'cause I got kicked out one measly ol' time. And if you think otherwise, you don't know Grim!" Grim says, with confidence.

"Uh… okay," Briar calmly says.

Then introduces herself, "My name is Briar Hawthorne, it's nice to meet you."

"Yeah yeah. I heard your name back at the chamber. And as you remember, I'm Grim, soon to be a powerful mage. Once I get myself to go to school here," Grim says.

"Why are you so determined to go to this school?" Briar asks.

"Isn't it obvious?" Grim questions.

Then happily says, "I was born to do this! I'm a magical prodigy who's got the makin's to be one of the greatest mages who ever lived! So I've been waitin' and waitin' for that black carriage to come for me."

Then Grim lowers his head in depression, "And yet…"

"And yet the carriage didn't come for you," Briar sadly suspects.

Grim nods his head in reply.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Briar says.

Grim looks at Briar and is a bit surprised by her sympathy for him.

He then says, "Hrmph! That Dark Mirror's got no eye for talent! That's why I took the initiative and came here myself."

"Is that why you came to the chamber, so you can get admitted to the school?" Briar asks.

"That's right. You humans don't understand what mistake you're makin'! No lettin' me in is a great loss to the world!" Grim answers.

Briar giggles in reply, "You sure are itchin to get here, huh."

"That's right. I'm going to go to this school and nothin's gonna stop me…" Grim says.

Just then, a drip of water hits Grim's head, making him scream, "Mrrao!"

Then panics, "C'mon, scoot over! I'm gettin' dripped on here!"

Then another drop of water falls on him, "Bwah! Another hole in the roof! These flamin' ears are like my trademark, y'know? I can't let 'em get doused!"

Briar looks up to see the drop of rain coming from the ceiling. In fact, it looks like this place has a few holes.

"Oh dear, looks like we have a few leaks," Briar says.

Then turns to Grim, "I better go find some buckets to keep the rain out."

With that, Briar soon begins to search for some buckets around the lounge, much to Grim's confused expression.

"I dunno why ya don't just magic these holes away? You could have it fixed in half a jiff," Grim replies.

Briar turns to Grim and questions, "Uh Grim, remember when we were at the chamber? You remember what the mirror said to me?"

That's when Grim remembers, "Ahhh, right. You can't use magic at all… said something about it being sealed."

Then says in remark, "Pffft. Man, you're useless."

Briar crosses her arms with a disapproving look on her face, "Then why don't you do it?!"

"Heh? You want ME to help YOU?" Grim asks.

Then says in remark, "Ha! You got the wrong idea. I'm just a stranger takin' shelter from the rain. You ain't the boss of me. If ya had some cans of tuna to trade, well, that'd be another story. But I don't work for free."

Just then, more drops of rain water continue to fall through the ceiling.

"Yikes, these leaks are getting really bad," Briar says.

Then turns to Grim, "Look Grim, I know our meeting isn't expected, but we really need to take care of these leaks. Plus if the headgemage finds out you snuck back here, he'll throw you out. If you can help, I might be able to ask the Headmage for some cans of tuna for you, and let you stay at the school."

"Hmm, when you put it like that…. Alright. I'll help, but only because I don't want to get wet, and there's going to be tuna," Grim says.

"Then let's hurry and find those buckets," Briar says.

With that, Briar and Grim begin to search for the buckets in the rundown dorm. Luckily, since Briar is able to clean the lounge a bit, it's a little easy to search, but so far, they haven't found any buckets. Briar then walks into the hall to see if she can find any buckets to use.

Briar looks around as she says to herself, "There has to be some buckets or something we can use somewhere."

Suddenly, she hears a loud thud, causing her to turn around to see if anyone is around. So far, no one is in the hall other than herself.

"What was that noise?" Briar wonders.

Briar walks down the hall to find anything for the dripping water. Just then, she hears a banging sound, and the sound of something falling to the ground.

"What was that?" Briar asks, "Huh?"

Suddenly, she hears a scream, "Aaaaaah!"

Briar becomes surprised and turns her head to see something running towards her.

To Briar's shock, what she sees is actually a small girl that is practically up to her knees. She is wearing an aquamarine green color Victorian era dress that comes down in two layers, with a white collar and a black ribbon around her neck. On the front it has a black corset layered over a white blouse, and around it is a white. She is also wearing a white hair accessory that is similar to a bonnet with white lace like ribbons on each side of her face. She is also wearing white socks with laces and black mary janes. She has long light brown wavy hair that goes up to her waist.

"What's wrong?" Briar asks.

"I… I… I don't like the dark… too scary," The little girl says.

Briar pats the girl on the head, "It's okay. It's okay."

"Thank you," The little girl says, and looks up.

To Briar's surprise, she sees that the girl is the whitest type of skin, but even if it's realistic, even her sea green eyes look realistic, this girl isn't human at all.

"A… a doll?" Briar says, confused.

The little girl, that is a doll, is frightened and moves back a little in fear.

"Don't be scared, I'm not going to hurt you. What's your name?" Briar replies.

"Sereia," The little doll says.

"It's nice to meet you. What are you doing here?" Briar asks.

"I… I was lost… and found this place and been here for a few days. I was a little frightened and barely left except to find food. I then hear some singing and it sounds very nice," Sereia shyly answers.

She blushes and says, "I guess it's you. Your singing is very pretty."

"That you. It's very sweet," Briar says.

Suddenly, they hear a loud crashing noise, making Sereia hide behind Briar.

Just then, three ghosts of different shape and size, with gray cloaks and top hats appear before them, and disappear. The two girls scream in fright.

There is laughter, "Yee hee hee… Bwa ha ha ha ha ha."

Then the voice says, "We haven't had visitors in ages!"

Then another voice says, "Oh, I'm just itchin for new friends!"

Then the three ghosts appear again and one of the laughs, "Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Both of the females panic, "Gh-Gh-GHOSTS!"

Just then, Grim walks in, "Hey, keep it down over…"

But notices the ghosts and screams in fear, "AAAH! GHOSTS! GHOOOOOOSTS!"

The lightly round Ghost says, "All the people who used to live here got scared of us and ran away."

The large ghost says, "We just want a new ghost to play with! What do you say, buddy?"

"I… I don't think they're fooling around," Briar says.

"They're… they're really going to kill us?" Sereia asks, frightened.

Grim is shivering in fear and hides behind them as well, "Eeeeep!"

But soon tries to be brave, "I'm a master sorcerer! I ain't afraid of any dumb ghosts!"

With that, Grim unleashes his fire power, "Myahaaa!"

But the ghosts quickly move out of the way.

The skinny ghost says, "Nuh-uh. Not even close."

The large ghost teases them, "Over here! Over here! Ah ha ha ha!"

"Lea-leave us alone, you mean ghosts!" Sereia panics.

Just then, the young doll throws water attacks at the ghosts from out of nowhere, but they dodge the attack.

"You miss us!" The slightly round ghost says.

With that, Grim and Sereia begin to throw attacks, but the ghosts continue to dodge them.

Grim begins to grow frustrated, "Argh! They keep disappearing and reappearing!"

Then has his eyes closed as he throws more fire power around the drom. It almost hit Briar.

Briar panics, "Careful Grim, you're going to set the whole dorm on fire!"

"Shaddup! I don't need any lip from you, human!" Grim angrily says.

Sereia turns to Grim and says, "Bad kitty! Don't be mean to Briar!"

"And who are you supposed to be?" Grim asks.

"Her name is Sereia and we don't have time for this," Briar says.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Grim asks.

"Look, we're surrounded by ghosts so we need to work together and beat them," Briar says.

"Right," Sereia says with a nod.

"Well…" Grim says, thinking about it.

Then Briar says, "Maybe if you help us get rid of the ghost, it can show the headmage you're good enough to go to school here."

"Really?" Grim asks.

"We can try," Briar says.

Grim quickly tries to blast the ghost, but they dodge.

Grim says in frustration, "Myah?! Hmph… I'm Grim, Master Sorcerer! How come I can't even hit one of these little…"

Just then, the ghosts appear and they begin laughing at them.

Grim angrily says, "Ganging up on us… Yer a buncha cowards!"

Then Briar says, "Maybe I can help you guys."

"How?" Sereia asks.

"I can tell you when the ghosts are gonna appear and you two can blast them," Briar says.

Grim groans in frustration, "Fine. You tell us which way the ghosts are and me and the doll will hit them where they hurt!"

"You got it," Briar says.

"We… we can do it… um, right?" Sereia asks, concerned.

"Don't worry, we'll hit those ghosts out of here," Grim says.

Just then, appears and approaches Grim.

Briar calls out, "Gim, there's one on you left!"

Grim quickly turns around and fires his fire power at the ghost.

The ghost screams, "Aaah! It buuurns!"

"Ha, got one!" Grim says.

Then Briar calls out, "Sereia, on your right!"

Sereia turns around and uses her water to shoot water at the ghost.

"Blech! I'm soaked with water!" The chubby ghost panics.

"I… I did it…" Sereia says, surprised and is actually glad.

Grim turns to Briar, "Keep it up, just like that… And let's clear out the whole lot of 'em!"

Then turn to Sereia, "You ready, doll girl?"

"Re-ready," Sereia answers, nervously and yet, tries to be brave.

Grim and Sereia nod their heads together.

Just then, Briar shouts, "Grim, to your left!"

Grim breaths his fire at the ghost, but it dodges.

One ghost says, "Missed by a country mile. Heh heh heh!" Then makes a crazy face and disappears.

"Hey girl! You gotta be more clear with the direction and get the timing right! I can't hear you from this!" Grim cries out.

"Okay," Briar calls out.

Just then, the chubby ghost appears behind Sereia, frightening her.

"OoOOoh, secret talk? I want in c'mooooon!" The chubby ghost says.

Sereia tries to fire at him with her water magic, but he dodges.

Sereia cries out, "No! Stay away!"

"Yeah! Stay way, way back!" Grim shouts.

"Guys, you need to calm down," Briar calls out.

"Easy for you to say!" Grim panics.

"These ghosts are scary!" Sereia says, frightened.

"Don't worry Sereia. Remember, you're not alone in this," Briar says.

Sereia smiles and nods her head in reply.

Then Grim says, "Then let's go beat up some ghosts.

Just then one of the ghosts appears behind Grim.

"Grim, you're left!" Briar calls out.

Grim then turns and breathes his fire power at the ghost, and is able to strike on it. Then another ghost appears near Sereia.

"Sereia, to your right!" Briar calls out.

Sereia makes magical bubbles and does the same.

Surprised, Sereia says, "I… I got one."

Throughout the fight, Briar calls out where the Ghosts are, while Grim and Sereia use their magical abilities to attack them.

Grim grins and says with confidence, "Now THAT'S more like it! I knew I was a total whiz with magic! The great Grim can handle more than a few ghosts without some human's help! MYAHAHAHA!"

Unknown to him, the ghost is behind you.

"Grim, on your right!" Briar calls out.

Grim turns around and sees the ghost catching her by surprise.

Briar says, "Now's not the time to get distracted."

"I don't need you to tell me that!" Grim says.

"Come on guys, we have to work together to get rid of these ghosts!" Briar says.

The three nod their heads. With that, Briar continues to tell the group where the ghosts appear, and the three continue to use their magic to stop them in their tracks. Brim burns them. Sereia soaks them with her water and bubbles.

Grim throws his fries, "Eat this!"

Sereia blows water and bubbles, "Take this you mean ghosts!"

The three continue to work together to battle the ghosts. Briar instructs Grim and Sereia, and they perform their attacks on the ghosts.

Sing Sweet Nightingale: Disney Cinderella