Author's note: Thanks to antica, LGCoffeeAddict, LivvyXBaby, and Ogehism for the reviews. And Ogehism, I am planning on addressing what was going on in Nancy's head as well as that relationship later. But I think that talk would be secondary considering a dragon is making an appearance. This story is winding down. I'm thinking probably one more chapter to deal with Nancy and Robert and then a final epilogue chapter.
Narissa slowly began backing her way down the stairs, Edward's sword held in front of her. "The most powerful thing in the world," she sneered. "Ha! I don't think so." Narissa uttered a brief cackle. "You have no idea who you are dealing with. You want a show? I'll give you a show." With that Narissa turned and strode towards the center of the ballroom ordering people out of her way. Upon reaching it she thrust Edward's sword into the floor and began an utter an incantation.
"You selfish, evil witch!" Nathaniel cried as he began to rush towards Narissa until Edward reached out and grabbed him. Edward knew that right now that protecting Giselle needed to be their main concern as she would most likely be the target of Narissa's wrath. When Nathaniel looked at him, Edward flicked a glance towards Giselle and understanding dawned on Nathaniel's face. He moved into a defensive position in front of her along with Edward.
As Narissa finished her incantation and became engulfed in magical flames, Edward motioned for Nathaniel to stay with Giselle as he rushed towards the crowd still standing on the steps. "Good people, you need to get out of here," he cried. "My step-mother's magic is a powerful thing and very dangerous." At his words people began running for the exits. Turning to make his way back to Giselle, Edward was surprised to see Robert and Nancy still standing there.
At his questioning glance Nancy answered, "We want to help." Edward opened his mouth to reply when he was interrupted by his stepmother in dragon form. She was already making her way towards Giselle and Edward moved to intercept her.
"All this nauseating talk of True Love's kiss has made me very, very, crabby," Narissa commented. "And I realized something. If I want to remain queen I'm going to need some sort of story for when I go back." By this point Narissa was only a few feet away from Edward and Nathaniel who were directly in front of Giselle. "Hmmm, what if a giant, vicious beast came by and happened to kill everyone. And poor, defenseless, Queen Narissa, well she just couldn't save them. Let's begin with the girl who started it all, shall we?" At this Narissa began to reach out one clawed paw towards Giselle.
"Over my dead body," Edward stated with steel in his voice.
Narissa shrugged her scaly shoulders. "All right, I'm flexible," she said as she grabbed Edward and hoisted him up into the air. Edward began trying to free himself from Narissa's iron
grip as Giselle stared at him in horror. Turning, she began to make her way towards the balcony. Just before she broke through the windows Narissa turned towards Giselle, "Come along Giselle," she called. "I would hate for you to miss this ending." With that Narissa crashed through the windows and flew off, Edward still struggling valiantly in her grasp.
Giselle rushed down the stairs pausing at the bottom to remove her shoes. She reached Edward's sword that was still standing where Narissa had left it. Giselle felt a new sense of determination rush through her. Narissa had done too much to take away Giselle's Happily Ever After and Giselle was done sitting back and letting her. Yanking Edward's sword out of the floor Giselle ran towards the windows. Seeing Narissa had alighted on top of the building Giselle began to climb up the building, thankful that all her years of living in a forest and climbing trees had given her excellent climbing skills.
As she began to climb, Giselle heard Narissa taunting her, "Ah, this is a twist on our story. It's the brave young princess coming to the rescue. I guess that makes you the damsel in distress then Edward darling. Keep up dear; it's time to take our tale to new heights." Giselle continued struggling to follow Narissa's ascent up the building. Upon reaching the summit Narissa let loose with a long string of evil laughs while causing lightning to flash and rain to being to pour down.
Down below, Robert, Edward, and Nathaniel were shielding their eyes from the rain trying to figure out what was going on. Robert felt something bump against his leg. Lifting the object up he realized it was one those rodent balls you could get at any pet store. Inside was a chipmunk that looked like the one Giselle had called 'Pip' at the restaurant. Inside the chipmunk was chattering at him furiously.
"Are you trying to say something?" Robert asked desperately. The chipmunk's squeaks reached new levels of urgency. Nancy turned to Robert and took the rodent ball out of his hands.
With a shock she realized that she could understand the chipmunk's chatter. "He wants to be let out so that he can help Giselle defeat the dragon!" she said incredulously. "Should I let him out?" she asked turning to Nathaniel.
"Yes, my lady," Nathaniel affirmed. "Pip is a very resourceful creature and I only wish I hadn't thwarted his actions thus far." With that Nancy twisted open the ball and all three of them watched as Pip streaked up towards Giselle, Edward and Narissa.
Giselle had finally reached Narissa and she defiantly called out, "Narissa! I'm not going to let you take him!"
Narissa bent her head down to look Giselle in the face. "We're coming to the end of our story now," she purred. "Are you at the edge of your seat Giselle?" Taking advantage of Giselle's distraction Narissa began trying to smack Giselle with her tail. Giselle gave a little
shriek of surprise and she tried to dodge the tail. As she ducked behind one of the spikes in the roof Giselle was thrilled to recognize Pip. He gestured wildly and then streaked up the spire towards Narissa.
Narissa continued to crow, "How about this? And they all lived happily ever after!" Narissa began to laugh hysterically as Pip climbed on her head. "At least I did," Narissa gloated to Edward as she brought him to her face. At this point Pip's added weight caused the spire Narissa was holding onto to begin to bend. As she felt her balance go, Narissa flung Edward up into the air. As he began to drop Giselle frantically flung the sword at him, managing to pin his sleeve to a protrusion of the building to stop his descent.
By now Narissa had begun to freefall, frantically shrieking an incantation. Giselle watched her fall. As Narissa hit the pavement below, a great wave of sparkling black dust rise into the air. With Narissa out of the way Giselle turned to see Edward trying to free himself. He held on to the protrusion with one hand as he tried to release his sleeve from the sword. He managed to do so but before he could get his second hand on the protrusion his grip began to slip. Frantically Giselle began to race towards him screaming, "Hold on Edward!"
Giselle managed to get under him just as his hand finally gave way. He came crashing down on her and together they began sliding down the sloped roof, screaming. Thankfully the rain gutters managed to stop their descent. Nervously both Edward and Giselle peered down at the street below. As the realization that they were safe finally hit them, Edward and Giselle grinned at each other.
Sobering Edward reached out and gently placed his hand in Giselle's cheek, scarcely believing that she was there. "Giselle, you did it," he whispered incredulously. "You defeated Narissa and saved everyone. You were wonderful."
"I just wanted to save you," Giselle admitted as she leaned over and rested her head against Edward's chest. He happily moved his arms to embrace Giselle and hold her close.
"You're the bravest maid I've ever met," he sang softly.
"I was made to finish our duet," Giselle responded.
"And in years to come, we'll reminisce, how we can to love, and grew and grew love, since first we knew love through True Love's kiss," they sang together and then celebrated with a long kiss.