Save the Day

As Felix told him, the island was shorter running back. The trees were approaching far faster than Shrek recalled when his journey was in reverse. The children were shooting questions and observations of their environment almost nonstop. Shrek didn't have the energy nor patience to respond to them. As far as he was concerned the children were safe in their arms and felt comfortable enough to be their typical, energetic selves. His priority in that moment was his wife, she was the person he was least expecting to see accompanying him. Especially when it seemed that the witch knew that she was coming.

"Why'd ye come back?" he asked breathlessly.

"Because I couldn't just leave you and wait!" she exclaimed.

"I was handling things just fine," he let the irritation briefly break through. The witch predicting Fiona's arrival made him suspicious and far too worried. No matter how happy he was to see her and have her help with the kids, her presence was not a good thing.

"Oh really? Well it didn't look like it from what I saw," her eye roll and snapped response was all Shrek needed to hear to know she wasn't in the most patient of moods either. Still, she needed to know-

"He knew ye were coming... she, the witch knew you were coming," he ignored her previous statement, "She wanted ye t'come."

That was enough to make his wife hesitate. Or was it just to catch her breath? They were running after all, "...how? Wait..." she slowed a little, Shrek slowing with her, "Merlin... Merlin said she was calling me."

Shrek looked to her grimly, he felt the dread forming in the pit of his stomach. "Well, fer now, let's just worry about getting out of here." Felix had a plan, he held onto that thought with all his might. It was all he had control over in that moment. If destroying the island didn't work, Shrek wouldn't know what to do. A disaster would happen and his wife and children would be right in the middle of it. It was his worst nightmare.

As the family entered the trees they heard a familiar voice, "Shrek? Kids?"

"Donkey?" the ogre spoke in response. The pair slowed to a halt looking around. They heard Artie calling them. They looked at each other. The children started shouting back to their family. Shrek knew they would have found a way to follow him, the kids would have been saved with Fiona there or not. He shot a brief irritated glance at his wife. Everything just made him all the more uneasy.

"Looks like it's a party, hm?" Fiona smiled at him.

He rolled his eyes in return. As much as he predicted it, they were still defying him. "I told ye not t'come after me!" he spoke accusingly at them, as they met.

"Man, you were gone for ages, Shrek!" Donkey exclaimed.

"What else could we do?" Puss added, shrugging.

Heaving a sigh, Shrek continued the group's journey, slower this time. The forest area was difficult to navigate. He kept a scowl on his face as they chattered completely oblivious to the danger they were all in. Though, they heeded Felix's warning and stayed away from the path, Shrek led them a little further away from it just to be sure. They had a straightforward journey; no mist, no flash backs, just walking. It only confused him all the more.

"Why'd ye even want t' come here?" his voice was weary.

"We're here to save the day! We're a team, right?" Donkey was enthusiastic, despite everything.

"Yeah!" the triplets cheered together. Getting bursts of laughter from everyone but their father.

"I'm not sure yer all part of the team yet," Shrek spoke pensively.

"Yet being the key word," Artie chimed in.

"Don't," Fiona laughed.

Though, the group's humour was brought to an abrupt end as they collectively heard a low rumbling noise. Shrek looked to the ground, he could feel it under his feet. "We need t' get moving, now," his warning was taken seriously. They tried to go faster. The ogre didn't take his eyes off the ground, he didn't want to trip, not with the children. The rumbling paused and restarted several times before the group suddenly came to a startling halt. Puss and Artie in the lead, stopping abruptly.

"Boss, it's water," Puss used his sword to gently push aside some leaves. It was almost as if they were in a giant fish bowl. The water didn't spill into the island where it was exposed, but they were definitely below the surface. Artie lifted a shaking hand and pushed it through the barrier. The liquid began running down his sleeves and he withdrew his dripping hand. He mutely turned back, meeting the ogre's eyes. His mouth sewn in a grim line.

"Oh no!" Donkey blurted, "What are we gonna do? We'll dr -oofhey!"

Puss jumped from Artie's shoulder, landing hard on the animal's back, silencing him. "The niños," the cat hissed at him. Donkey's ears sheepishly fell, smiling nervously at the ogre parents' glares.

The ground rumbled around them once again as they all stared helplessly at the trees that encased them. Holding the boys against him with one arm, Shrek draped the other around his wife. They both shared a glance before looking at their family.

"What happens if we don't get out?" Fergus asked quietly.

"Everything will be fine, baby," Fiona was quick to offer reassurance. Though Shrek could tell that even the children weren't convinced. Their concerned expressions didn't move. Fergus buried his head into Shrek's shoulder. The ogre couldn't even think to express how much he hated the situation. The rock in his stomach only grew.

"We will get out," Artie pulled at the greenery, "I'll get us out." He tore away vines that shielded the water from the island, until an expanse of water was cleared right in front of them. He put his head as close to the barrier as he dared and looked up. "I... I can't see the surface, we're deep. We... we couldn't swim," he faltered a little.

Shrek felt Farkle's grip tighten and Felicia mumbling frantically about not going in the water to her mother. Guilt joined the interesting cocktail of fear, sadness and anticipation the ogre was already feeling. If they all managed to survive this, he had definitely given his kids an intense fear of the ocean.

The island rumbled louder, it even seemed to move, throwing everyone off balance. It was a difficulty trying to stand, but the ogre quickly picked up on what was happening. The water they could see suddenly appeared to be flowing, flowing very quickly in a downward direction. It could only mean they were going up. Before he knew it, the island broke the surface. Though there was no time to celebrate. The group's cheers were cut off as Shrek ran through them, out of the trees. They all followed suit. He could just about see the people on the ship running around, throwing ropes and ladders. They didn't put down the planks used to board the boat. He was glad, there wasn't enough time.

They ran across the dark, moonlit pebble beach. Shrek took Felicia out of his wife's arms as she climbed onto the boat. He passed each child up to her in turn, Puss climbing up alongside them.

"Shrek, the water is coming!" Donkey paced around Shrek's legs in a circle.

"Alright, if ye shut up we can get there quicker," the ogre scooped his short friend up under one arm. "Get up there," Shrek gestured for Artie to get aboard the boat.

He shook his head, "You go first."

"I don't think so, kid. Go," Shrek nudged him.

"No, Shrek," he refused adamantly, "I'm the king, I have to go last. Stop protecting me, I'm not a kid anymore."

Shrek took a breath. Artie was right, he reminded himself yet again.

"Hey guys? Whatever you do, can ya do it quickly?" Donkey alerted the pair to the rising sea level.

With a grunt, Shrek climbed aboard the ship, releasing the animal onto the deck. He looked back, almost offering a hand to the young king, but he didn't. Artie climbed up behind, barely even giving a second glance to the ogre, immediately shouting orders to move. Shrek's stare at the king was cut off, Felicia jumped at him, her arms in the air. He couldn't stop the grin from spreading over his face, catching her and swept her up into his arms.

"We did it, daddy, we did it!" she exclaimed.

He knelt down, Fiona was already sitting on the deck, cradling Fergus in her arms, Farkle jumping between them. Someone from their kingdom's crew handed Fiona a blanket. The one Shrek had made into a bed for them on that first night. The night that seemed so long ago. The parents smiled at each other. Shrek caught Farkle with his other arm, steadying the giggling child. "Oh aye, we did it."

"We all did it," Fiona gushed at them, "You were so brave."

The children launched into their confusing recount of the events that Fiona missed. Shrek took the opportunity to go and join the others, find out the plan and tell them to scrap whatever it was and to just head back. He couldn't wait to step onto the ground, and not magical ground at that. He couldn't wait to get home. But for now, he'd take what he could get.

Shrek glanced back to his family. Fiona had wrapped the blanket around them and was holding them as they chattered at her. She didn't even seem like she was listening, just gazing at them in much the same way she had when they were first born. She didn't look like she was ever going to let them go. He could read her lips as she told them she loved them. A wistful smile spread across his face.

"We're going home," Artie spoke the words he wanted to hear.

Shrek nodded. He almost spoke, but he didn't. He was tired, exhausted. He turned back to his family. The kids were still talking, but the three of them were leaning against Fiona, their energy completely spent. He took a step towards them-

"Wait, Shrek..." Donkey's voice gave him pause. The ogre turned back, rolling his eyes. "You're welcome, yanno, for the idea of going to Merlin, then going off course and all that."

He froze, it was true. It was all their idea, he had refused to do anything. But- he had already thanked one person only a little earlier, his gratitude had been used up. Artie was staring at him, as was Puss. He internally cringed, dragging an argument into his mind about how they shouldn't have come to get him. But Donkey continued-

"It's not like the kids are alive or something because of us," Donkey continued, there was humour in his voice, but he could tell they were serious. The group all turned to Fiona, she looked back, smiling contentedly, hugging the three children. "We saved your butt, Shrek!"

His eyes lingered for longer than theirs. He couldn't get enough of the sight. "Alright, alright," he shook his head, looking sincerely at them, "Thank-"

Shrek's thanks were cut off as there was a loud explosion. Gasps and yelps were sent around the ship as all eyes were drawn towards a giant gushing of water from where the island once was. The tidal wave crashed down onto the water's surface, sending waves that rocked the boat from all ways. Orders began to be shouted. Artie looked at the ogre helplessly as people were calling for him, but Shrek was quickly distracted by the shrieks of his children. He made his way as quickly as he could to his family. Ignoring all and anyone else. He wasn't going to make the same mistake again. They were fine, Fiona's grip was tight and she was already sitting on the deck against a couple of crates keeping her steady. The children cried nonetheless. The ogre fell to his knees next to them. He pulled Fergus out of his mother's arms, allowing Fiona to better comfort their other two children. He held his son against him, shielding his face from all the chaos and commotion that was racing around them.

"Hey, don't cry," he spoke softly. He knew the child was tired, the three of them were. Fergus sniffed and looked up at him, his bottom lip wobbling. "It's okay, we're okay. It's just the island, it's gone now," he assured him.

"It's gone?" he blinked tearfully at his father.

The sea began to calm, the waves less violent. "Aye, it can't hurt ye anymore."

"That was a loud bang," he rubbed at his eyes, a smile creeping onto his lips. Though his face suddenly fell, "Daddy, what happened to Felix?"

"Uh..." he was speechless, though Fergus watched his face expectantly.

"Man overboard!" a new commotion launched into action as people began gathering at one side of the ship.

Shrek listened to the buzz, relieved at the change of topic. Truthfully, he didn't care if someone had toppled overboard, as long as it wasn't part of his family. Someone else could conduct the rescue mission. His was over. He held his son close as his gaze was fixed on the people huddled together. He heard the captain's voice, "That's no one from the ship." The ogre's eyes widened. "Who is that?"

"I've gotta go," he peeled his son from him, giving the child back to Fiona with a knowing look.

"Shrek?" Fiona's voice was soft. He turned back to her. "Just make sure it's safe, okay? Before he gets invited along," she was wary. He nodded at her. She was right. She took a deep breath, and resumed her comforting of their children.

If their guesses were right, Felix's plan hadn't quite worked out. Shrek pushed men out of the way to see the culprit of the diversion. They were already throwing rope out for him to take hold of. And there he was, Felix, very much alive.

"Do we pull him in?" Artie's question was quiet, subtle.

"...Aye," Shrek spoke after a pause. There was a chance everything was fine. If not... he wasn't sure. He couldn't let the boy drown, not after everything else. His mind jolted back to what the witch said; people lose because they don't want to hurt Felix. Shrek sucked in a breath as men dragged him onto the ship in a sodden heap. It couldn't hurt to ask the boy first.


Felix lay against the wooden deck, he was breathing hard, still coughing and spluttering. Though almost drowning wasn't his main concern. Something wasn't right. He didn't open his eyes for a while, he could hear many gathered people surrounding him. It hadn't worked; the spell to completely end his existence. He couldn't try again now, not in front of everyone. His breathing became easier, he gripped onto the wooden planks, pressing his fingers hard against them. He was tense. He couldn't shake the worry. But it felt different, everything felt different. He just couldn't put his finger on it. His thoughts were brought to a sudden end as he heard heavy footsteps get close and a hand, a large hand, settle on his shoulder. He was roughly shaken, "Hey, you okay?" it was the familiar voice of the ogre. Felix opened his eyes. The ship was lit by lanterns. There were mumbles. "Give the man some space," it was a new voice. "Get back to your positions," the voice held authority as he heard the shuffling of people moving away. "Felix?" Shrek's voice again, "Is it... you?"

Felix gulped, the ogre was referring to the witch. He had to respond. He had to prove himself. He pushed himself up, sitting, coughing some more. "It's me," he confirmed. He was met with a strange group of individuals, Shrek, a man he could only assume to be a king by his crown, a donkey and a cat... wearing boots.

"Hey, this the guy who stole the kids?" the donkey spoke. Though no one seemed to be alarmed.

Shrek rolled his eyes, "I already told ye," he nudged the animal away. "Prove that it's you," he was wary.

Felix took a breath, his mind drawing a blank, "When we first met you were carrying me, under your arm... you um, you didn't shake my hand, but you told me I could fly," he offered.

The king looked to the ogre who nodded his confirmation. Shrek then lowered himself to his knees, "Are we safe?" he leaned close to Felix, speaking in a hushed voice, "With ye here?"

Felix stared into the distance for a moment, intermittently glancing to the sky. He searched inwardly for any signs, any familiar tingles or feelings. There were none. It was odd. It was peaceful. "I can't feel her, I can't feel her presence at all," he looked up at Shrek with hopeful eyes, "I haven't felt this way since... since... before she took me."

The ogre gave him a small smile and stood. He offered a hand to help him up. Felix took it, standing, he was dripping from head to toe. He chuckled awkwardly, trying to not meet the gaze of the company around him. He'd not been with so many people for the longest time. He felt at a loss.

"Felix, this is Artie..."

"Um, King Arthur," the king threw an irritated glance to the ogre.

"...Donkey and Puss," Shrek finished the introductions. Felix smiled at them hesitantly. "Now, I'd love t' know what happened and what didn't happen. But as long as we're all safe, this is the guy ye talk to," he gestured to Arthur, who looked back at him with an odd expression. "The king here is in charge, I'm done," he held his hands up. "I'll be over there," he gestured back. Felix followed his direction, there was the ogress with the children. A smile crossed his face, they were sleepy, leaning against their mother. He waved at them, gaining half smiles and small waves back in his direction. Though the ogress's gaze was less than friendly. He quickly returned to the conversation at hand. "Emergencies only," Shrek continued, he then looked amusedly at Arthur, "and that doesn't include girlfriend trouble." The ogre chuckled and walked away, the two animals in tow.

Felix watched Arthur cringe, but only for a second. He took a breath and cleared his throat, pulling back the kingly exterior that seemed to have been non-existent with Shrek around. "We need to work together here," Artie spoke seriously.

"Of course, of course," Felix nodded eagerly.

"Any changes you feel, whatsoever, I want to know about it," he spoke sternly. His tone was authoritative but he was small, he didn't look like a king aside from the crown that sat upon his head. Still, everyone listened to him. Felix nodded again at his instruction. "We need a plan, if something begins to happen... What will that be?"

Felix glanced to the sky, though he realised it made the king tense up suddenly. "It's fine... I'm sorry... It's a uh, habit," he explained himself awkwardly, making a mental note to stop himself. "But if something happens... I'm not sure what we can do. I'll leave the ship. No matter where we are. I'll leave..." he blinked at the ground for a moment, "Yeah, I'll leave." He could feel the king staring at him. He quickly glanced up, Arthur's face bore a mixture of concern and sympathy. He looked back down to the ground again, fighting the urge to look at the sky.

"Who's this?"

Felix snapped his head back up as there was a female voice. The pretty girl stood behind Arthur, close enough to touch him, but she didn't. His eyes trailed up to the top of her head, she wore a tiara. It wasn't difficult to figure out the connection between the two royals.

"Oh, hey," Arthur turned to her, "I was going to look for you, but people needed me." She nodded, but her eyes didn't move from studying Felix. "This is Felix, he..." Arthur searched his face. Felix looked to the floor once again, he couldn't really be described. Was he their friend? They didn't know. Was he the villain? Quite possibly. "He was on the island, he looked after the kids." The princess nodded once again. "Felix, this is Princess Elena, my... um..."Arthur paused suddenly.

Felix could feel the awkward washing over the situation.

"We intend to marry," Elena gave an eventual explanation.

He simply chuckled and bowed his head at the princess. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

"Oh, please, Princess Elena will do just fine," she smiled hesitantly at him.

Felix knew it was courtesy for a princess to offer a hand when introduced to someone, especially by their partner, but she didn't. She was scared of him. Felix struggled to keep the smile on his face. Of course people were scared of him. Even Shrek was scared of him. Felix took a deep breath. He had been wishing to leave that island for many years, but perhaps it was the best place for him.

Voices called for King Arthur, Felix watched his face fall. A group of sailors and men with swords were watching them carefully, waiting for him. Felix anxiously glanced to the sea and back again, a quick glance to the clouds for good measure. He didn't know if they were right to be scared. That in itself wasn't helpful. Arthur looked at the princess, he gave a fleeting goodbye. She didn't seem to react. Before Felix knew it, it was just him and the pretty girl stood together in silence.

"The king surely is lucky to be marrying you, if you don't mind me saying," he broke the silence, saying the first thing his brain could grasp hold of, "You're beautiful, Princess." He could feel himself blushing.

"There's no need to flatter me," she frowned, "Forgive me, the journey has been terrible, I'm such a mess," she slowly and carefully sat upon a crate, clasping onto her forearms, and looked around. Her frown deepened in her distress. "I didn't bring a mirror."

Hope ignited within him. He smiled, gingerly sitting beside her, "Ah, but Princess..." he put his arms behind his back, drawing a small hand mirror with his fingers before feeling the cool surface in his hands. "I have one for you," he revealed it to her. Small magic tricks were often what won people over whenever he had guests stay at his house. He enjoyed seeing the joy it brought them.

The princess's face lit up with surprise, she smiled, her cheeks reddening. She reached out to take it but paused, expression falling just a little. "Was that magic?"

"Y-yes, it was," he nodded, "But not the bad kind... not at all! Very simple magic," he held out the mirror to her, "It's just a normal mirror," he turned it over and back again.

"Thank you," she gently took it, gingerly looking at her reflection.

"It's the same as one my mother once used," Felix figured an explanation would help the situation. He didn't want people to be scared of him. He didn't want her to fear anything. Her dark eyes were on him again. She looked more at ease, she gave him a small smile. She gently pulled the tiara out of her hair and placed it on her lap, tugging at the ribbon that held her hair behind her ear. "Here," he drew a brush in the air, and handed it to her.

"Thank you," she spoke sincerely this time, smiling at him, "You're too kind, sir," she allowed a giggle. He took the mirror from her hands, and held it up for her as she brushed her dark locks back into place. He couldn't help but smile at her words.

Silence took over the pair of them, he felt odd watching her. He wasn't sure if it was appropriate to watch a princess in such a way, especially when her husband-to-be was also on the same ship. He looked anywhere else, trying to distract his eyes. He caught sight of the flags. They displayed an island, striking green against the blue of the flag representing the ocean. "Oh, this is... uh, embarrassing, please forgive me, Princess, but what kingdom do these beautiful flags belong to?"

"The noble kingdom of Far Out," she smiled distractedly, pulling the ribbon tight in her hair.

"Wonderful," he nodded, breathing a little in relief, before pausing to chuckle, "For a moment I thought you were going to say Far Far Away." He smirked a little, that would be a disaster.

She barely reacted to his statement, "Yes," she spoke absentmindedly. Felix was confused, it was as if she knew what he was talking about. She didn't see the way his eyebrows knitted and continued, "King Arthur's boat disintegrated in the ocean back at my kingdom, we had to kindly give them a new one."

"Wait-" Felix felt the alarm rising within him, "We're not going to Far Out?"

"No," she giggled at him a little, grinning into the mirror as she finished fixing the tiara in place, "That's where we've come from. We're going to their kingdom," she nodded to Arthur standing with a group sailors, "The kingdom of Far Far Away." She took the mirror from his frozen hands, "You're kind to give me such a beautiful gift."

Felix's eyes widened in horror. He felt his mouth go dry as he struggled to find words. He nodded at her.

She sighed, briefly looking back to Arthur, "I'm to be crowned Queen when we marry," she continued speaking for a moment, but she suddenly paused, narrowing her eyes at him, "Are you okay? Is there something wrong with Far Far Away?"

He knew she was concerned for her marriage. Though they had bigger problems than any superficial kingdom faults. He looked to the sky, watching the clouds draw in. This was her mission. The one she had been waiting for. Felix felt sick, he needed to leave. She could take over his body and... He looked around. There was nothing. Just endless water and their one boat.

"No, no, no, no," he stood and staggered away from the princess. He frantically looked around them. He tried to speak the destructive words, the ones he was planning to say but he couldn't. His lips wouldn't form the words, his voice just muttering nonsense. He began to catch the attention of others.

"Felix?" Arthur's voice was clear.

Felix stared at him with wide eyes. He was the king of the kingdom she earned her name from. From doing terrible things to. The kingdom she often obsessed over. Felix shook his head. "I need to go," he announced, "I need to get away from everyone."

He ran for the railing on the ship, he looked down at the waves. He shook his head, pausing his plight. Of course she could hurt them without him. She could rock the boat over, create a storm so great they could never leave, anything. Him leaving would be abandoning everyone who had just showed him great kindness. He could stay and try to help, but the fear took over him. He was intensely afraid of being the person to give the destructive spell that ended any hope they all had... the one who's face the survivors would remember as the villain. He was always so afraid of that. He always tried to be a hero. He recalled the flame, the blue colour, for him to save the day... she had cast some kind of spell over him which meant he couldn't end his own life. Of course, it would help him save the day. Only, it wouldn't be their day he was saving. It would be hers.

He turned as thunder clapped in the sky.

"Felix?" there was Shrek's voice.

He didn't know what to say. There was nothing he could say. There was never anything he could do. Panicked people began to advance towards him, Artie, Shrek, crew members, they were all firing questions at him, shouting at him, begging him for a response. He couldn't respond, he couldn't even breathe. He could only stand there and mutely watch. Not for a spell, but for fear. Tears prickled his eyes, he silently gasped for air as the panic felt like a blanket that was smothering him.