Chapter 22 - Whatever You Imagine

Back in the restricted section, Malaria was moaning and groaning over her plan being ruined again! "No, no, no, NO!" the sorceress screamed as she smashed some nearby objects, "Why does that little brat have to win again?!"
"Gee, I don't know," said Eddie with a worried face, "Maybe she's just trying to show off to her friends about how brave she thinks she is."
"I don't think that's the answer," said Malaria as she calmed down a bit, "I think what's going on is that this girl is smarter than I thought she was. I might know what to do, but I'm not sure. I'd better talk to my necklace's spirit again and apologize!" So she waved her fingers over her necklace pendant and said, "Oh, spirit of my magic necklace, I ask you for forgiveness. I have misused your help, but I still seek your advice!"
Just then, the ghost from her necklace appeared! "Oh, Malaria, you useless snail!" he insulted, "Why must you disturb me again?"
"Please, great spirit," begged Malaria, "I apologize for screwing up again. I just want another answer!"
"To what?" the spirit asked as he looked at wrinkles around Malaria's eyes.
"I just want you to tell me how to kill Bethylasia!" Malaria cried.
The ghost laughed and said, "YOU?! Needing help to kill someone?! If you could kill the Pagemistress easily, I don't see any difficulty in killing your cousin's youngest granddaughter!"
Malaria grimaced and motioned for the ghost to look inside her crystal ball. An image of Becca and her friends coming to the fantasy section appeared and Malaria said, "Do you see this girl? She's smarter and stronger than I thought she was. She needs something that she fears the most – something very frightening!"

The spirit kept looking at Becca and recognized her. "I know her!" he said, "She's a common school girl from the real world who fears dangerous animals, especially ever since her best friend was killed by a grizzly bear!"
"Grizzly bear, huh?" pondered Malaria, as she thought a bit, "Spirit, I need some advice on how to include a brown bear in the World of Fantasy."
"I'm afraid you can't do that!" said the spirit, "But I can give you advice. However, this is the LAST time I'm helping you. Got that?"
"Yes."
"Very well," continued the ghost, "In order to kill this girl with a bear, you'll have to meet her in person, and then turn into a bear!"
Malaria was dumbfounded. "That seems utterly impossible!" she argued, "I can't just appear out of nowhere and…"
"That's the point!" said the ghost, "You have to wait until the right time to kill her. You wanted help, didn't you, so this is the advice I'm giving you. Good day!" With that, the ghost disappeared into thin air.

After the spirit left, Malaria told Eddie, "It's time to go! We're going to the fantasy section, and stay in hiding until the time is right!"
"But your Excellency," protested Eddie, "What about the animal friends and the characters from fairy tales? Won't they see you and report you?"
"Of course not!" insisted his mistress, "We'll change ourselves into an inanimate object, and we'll wait – just wait!" She then picked up a ball full of glitter, and then threw it on the ground while Eddie picked up his suitcase. Then the raven and sorceress disappeared under a cloud of glitter and smoke!

Meanwhile, in the World of Fantasy, Becca looked all around in amazement. She had never seen so many magical things in person; she only saw them in pictures within her favorite books. Fairies played among flowers, a pan played his panpipes, and sparkles appeared everywhere! As they travelled, a voice began to sing:

Whatever you imagine
Can one day come to be
There are dreams to awaken
Roads to be taken
Follow them and they will set you free!

Becca saw Mother Goose fly through the sky on her gander, and waved to her. The nursey rhyme mistress waved back before some mice appeared beside Adventure. A fairy waved her wand, and the mice turned into horses, just like in Cinderella!

Whatever you imagine
Is where your heart can go
There are worlds filled with treasure
Time without measure
To learn whatever you may need to know!

Becca saw the seven dwarfs climbing a far-off hill, and then she saw a cow jumping over the moon! She and Horror both laughed at the sight.

Imagine,
And you and I can fly past the sun
And leave all our doubts and fears behind us!
You'll see that's just what can happen
If you look inside your mind!

Some sparkling pixies appeared, and landed in Becca's hands. They danced and performed a show for the girl as she smiled.

There's no limit to
The wonders you can find!
Whatever you imagine
Can make your life brand new
There are miracles waiting
So keep concentrating
And I promise that if you do
Whatever you imagine can come true!
(Whatever you imagine)

The pixies then got mischievous and decided to take away Becca, Fantasy, Sci Fi and Mystery's glasses! "Hey!" Becca laughed, "Give me back my glasses!"
Fantasy and Mystery happily played along, but Sci Fi got aggressive with the pixies and chased after them! "Clam down, Sci Fi, it's just a game!" giggled Fantasy.
As everyone followed the pixies, Humpty Dumpty waved at the group, only to fall off his wall; Dorothy Gale followed a yellow brick road with her dog, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Lion; Alice followed the White Rabbit; and Rapunzel let her long, golden hair down out of her tower window.

Whatever you imagine
Can make your life brand new
There are miracles waiting
So keep concentrating
And I promise you
Whatever you imagine will come true!

A few minutes later, the sky was getting dark. Becca and her friends caught up with the mischievous pixies and retrieved the glasses. After placing her own glasses back on, Becca looked off in the distance and saw a grand palace, along with some fireworks being shot in the sky. "Looks like a grand party is going on there!" she gasped.
"Not just any party," said Fantasy, "That's the Pagemaster's annual party to celebrate the day he was coroneted as the ruler of Libralia!"
"You know what?" Becca said with a sad smile, "I think I'm ready to go home. I should tell the Pagemaster that I've done my part of the quest, and Bethylasia can do the rest."
"Are you sure?" Sci Fi asked with concern, "You could check us out in the real world, or go to that party."
Becca thought for a moment and said, "I don't think that party would be too bad. Maybe I could spend a little extra time here and go to a grand ball for the first time?" She was just about to run to the castle, but Fantasy stopped her.
"Wait a minute, honey!" said the squirrel, "You can't go dressed like some peasant! Remember when I said I was the one who helped Cinderella? Well, we may not have a pumpkin or mice, but I can certainly change your appearance a bit."
Becca smiled a big smile and said, "That would be wonderful!"
"Okay, now what's your favorite color?" asked Fantasy.
"Hmmmm," said Becca, "I kinda like dark colors – such as purple or indigo!"
"I choose purple," said Fantasy, "Now, close your eyes, honey! And don't open them till I tell you!" Becca happily closed her eyes and Fantasy gently touched the girl with her wand.

In a matter of seconds, gold sparkles flew all around the girl, and slowly, Becca's appearance transformed into something else – her hair was done in a bun, a white tiara appeared on her head, and she donned a purple gown with golden sparkles at the hem of her skirt, white elbow-length gloves, a black choker with a pearl in the center, and a pair of flat shoes made out of onyx! "Okay, Becca, you may open your eyes now!" said Fantasy.
Becca looked down and gasped. "It's a gorgeous dress!" she beamed, "In fact, it's the most beautiful dress I've ever worn – or seen in my life!"
Fantasy smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it. But I think you should have a few chaperones to take you to the ball."
"What are ye talking about?" Adventure asked with a raised brow.
"Close your eyes, and I'll show you!" said Fantasy. All the other animals (except Sheila) closed their eyes, and Fantasy touched each of her friends with her wand before using the wand on herself.

In just a few minutes, the animals all became humans. Fantasy turned into an African American woman with magenta-dyed hair tied in a large bun and lavender eyes; she wore a lavender dress with puffy sleeves, pink motifs on her bodice and skirt, a pearl necklace and matching earrings, and hot pink wrist gloves. Adventure turned into a man with light skin, brown hair with a matching mustache, and brown eyes; he wore a white dress shirt, a black captain's jacket with a matching cravat, breeches and a tri-pointed hat with a white feather, gold epaulets, a gray vest, white gloves with a matching belt and stockings, and black shoes with gold buckles. Horror turned into a man with light skin and blue hair while keeping his heterochromia; he wore a white shirt with a matching vest and stockings, a light blue cravat, a blue and black jacket, black trousers, and gray shoes with gold buckles. Science Fiction turned into a woman with light skin, while keeping her black hair and brown eyes; she wore a silver Russian-style court gown with long, split sleeves, a red sash, white gloves, a pearl necklace, diamond earrings, and a silver tiara. Mystery turned into a man with light skin while keeping his mahogany hair and green eyes; he wore a white dress shirt with a matching vest, a black and white jacket with gold epaulets, a gold and white belt, gray slacks, and black boots.
Becca looked at her friends with a speechless look and said, "Wow! You guys look amazing!"
Everyone opened their eyes and looked at each other with amazement, complimenting on how gorgeous they looked. Horror's voice had also changed into that of a handsome man's, asking, "Are we ready for the ball, mistress?"
Becca smiled and replied, "I think so. Come on, Sheila." The little kitten hopped into her mistress's arms, and everyone walked towards the palace.