Chapter 13

Rescuing the Princess

"So let me get this straight," Derek analyzed as Adora finished explaining Aria's situation, "Aria is suppose to be like Sleeping Beauty or some kind of fairy tale princess, right?"

"Yes, well, that's your world's interpretation of the story," Adora answered.

"And I'm the one who is suppose to kiss her to wake her up?"

"Precisely."

"Wait a minute," Vanessa interjected. "Isn't a prince supposed to kiss her?"

"Oh no, dear. It doesn't have to be a prince. I know your version of the story says so, but my spell specified that it only has to be true love's kiss and Aria will awaken."

"What makes you think I'm Aria's true love?" Derek demanded.

"Trust me, I can tell. I must say, in your world, love works in very strange ways, but all in all, it is still the same," Adora replied dreamily.

Vanessa still was not finished asking questions. "What about Edmund? Was he actually the witch in disguise?"

"No, no, darling. Edmund is just one of Myrtle's minions. She just calls him Ed. He's not really as handsome as he appeared. She must have used her magic on him to make him seem charming."

"She did a good job," Derek grumbled. "Aria was all over him."

"Aria just liked him because he was actually nice to her," Vanessa rose to her best friend's defense. "Unlike some people."

"Hey, I was never mean to her. I just joked around with her for something to do."

"So the only reason you tormented Aria was because you were bored?"

"What can I say? High school is a pretty dull place, especially Sheerwood. Besides, don't you think torment is kind of a strong word for what I would do to her? God! Why are girls always so dramatic?"

"That's enough you two!" Adora interrupted. "We're just about there."

The three continued to walk along the pathway with Adora leading the way. Vanessa and Derek decided best to walk in silence as opposed to bickering. Instead, observed their surroundings. Everything in this world seemed so unreal. The grass and trees were unnaturally green. The flowers blossomed more elaborate and colorful than either of them had ever seen back home.

Vanessa then remembered she still had not finished asking Adora questions. "So Aria's real parents are the king and queen of whatever this place is, right? Are you related in Aria in any way?"

Adora answered, "Aria's parents are the king and queen of Galatia but, no, I am not a relative of hers. I'm just one of the fairies that gave her a magical gift for her first birthday celebration. My gift to Aria was actually what saved her life."

"Okay, how is this not like Sleeping Beauty?" Derek wondered aloud.

Vanessa was the one who answered, "Because Sleeping Beauty did not mention anything about high school and in the fairy tale the princess was rescued by a prince, not some jerk jock."

Derek opened his mouth to retaliate when…

"We're here!" Adora announced cheerfully as they approached a small cottage.

"I thought Aria would be in a castle or tower or something," Vanessa commented.

"She is, but we have to stop by the wizard's place first to make sure we have everything we need."

An old man with a long grey beard came out of the cottage.

"Who's that supposed to be, Dumbledore?" Derek asked.

"I'm thinking more like Merlin," Vanessa commented.

"No, that's…" Adora thought for a second. "Oh, I can never remember his name. Let's see, I think it started with a g…"

"Gandalf?" Vanessa suggested.

"No, no. It was a rather unusual name," Adora continued to ponder until she remembered, "GREG! That's the one!"

"Greg? What's so unusual about Greg?" Derek asked.

"It's not a very common name in this world," Adora replied.

"Adora!" the wizard, Greg, beamed. "How wonderful it is to see you or any fairy for that matter. None of you ever come by anymore."

"Yes, well, I have been watching over the Princess Aria, though unfortunately Myrtle still managed to get to her. Greg, we need your help."

"Oh, Adora, my dear. I'm afraid there's not much I can do. You see, Myrtle's got the princess in an old deserted castle guarded by a dragon."

"Wait a minute," Derek cut in. "Did you say… dragon?"

"Yes, my boy. I'm afraid so," Greg answered. "Only what's most deadly and dangerous for Myrtle. I wouldn't dare go up against her."

"There must be some way you can help us," Adora pleaded. "Anything."

"Let's see," Greg rummaged around through his supplies. "There may be something I can give you to help with the dragon problem."

Greg pulled out a small pipe. Vanessa and Derek both stared at it curiously wondering how a pipe would help them against a dragon. The wizard then muttered a quick enchantment causing the pipe to form into a large silver sword that glowed. Both Derek's and Vanessa's jaws dropped in amazement of what they just saw.

"Here you go, young lad," Greg held the glowing sword to Derek. "This will help you against the dragon.

Instead of taking the sword as Greg expected, Derek backed away and said, "Hold on a second. I'm not going to fight any dragon. I'm sorry, but I don't have a death wish."

"You're just going to let her die!" Vanessa shouted at him.

"She's not dying. She's just sleeping," Derek shot back. "Besides, Aria likes to sleep a lot anyway, doesn't she?"

"How do you even know that about her?" Vanessa demanded.

"Hey, I've known Aria almost as long as you have. I remember in kindergarten, the teacher would always have a hard time waking her up after nap time."

Vanessa looked at him surprised. "I forgot about that."

"You see," Adora chimed in. "Derek, you and Aria have this special bond that neither of you are aware of. You are the one who is meant to save her."

"I wouldn't go as far to say that," Derek argued. "Just because you've known someone a long time doesn't mean you're in love with them."

"Yes, but you remember little things like that about her, not to mention you felt concern about her when she went missing," Adora said firmly.

"I'm still not fighting a dragon," Derek declared stubbornly.

"Fine!" Vanessa suddenly said angrily. "If you won't fight the dragon then I will." She reached her hand out to Greg. "Let me have that sword."

The whole room just stared at her in silence until Adora said, "Oh darling, I don't know about that."

Vanessa breathed more calmly and continued, "Look. Your spell only says that Aria's true love has to kiss her. It doesn't say anything about how he has to be the one to actually rescue her. How about I slay the dragon and then Derek goes in and kisses Aria?"

Adora and Greg exchanged glances then Adora said, "Well, I don't see why not. Greg, go ahead and give this brave young woman the sword."

Just as the wizard begun to hand the sword to Vanessa, Derek interrupted, "Wait," he paused. "I'll do it. I'll slay the dragon."

Both Vanessa and Adora smiled at him and Greg handed the shining sword to Derek instead. Just as Derek's hands touched the sword, it lost its glow and appeared as a regular sword.

"Well, that's encouraging," Derek said, sarcastically.

"Don't worry. It happens to all guys," Vanessa joked.

Derek glared at her while Greg reached back for the sword and said, "That's odd. Let me see if I can fix it."

When Greg once again held the sword it returned to its glowing state. "Ah! Here you go."

But when Derek held it again, it went back to looking like a regular sword. It had the same effect when Vanessa held it, but the sword did glow for Adora.

Greg scratched his head. "I'm not sure what's wrong with it."

"Oh, we don't have time for this!" Adora declared impatiently. "As long as the sword is sharp, it will pierce the heart of the dragon. Come on, you two. Let's go. Good bye, Greg, and thank you!"

"Are you sure it's okay?" Derek asked concerned while holding the plain sword.

"Yes, I'm sure," Adora assured him.

The three left the wizard's home and made their way to the castle where Aria slept. When they arrived, they observed a dark, gloomy, palace, guarded by a dragon almost as tall as the castle itself.

"Well, this is your time," Adora looked to Derek. "Are you ready?"

"Does he really have to go alone?" Vanessa asked nervously.

"Don't worry. I'll be alright." Oddly enough, Derek felt calmer and more confident. "Besides, this is fairy tale world. Doesn't this place always get happy endings?"

Adora nodded but Vanessa said, "Let's just hope mixing our world into it doesn't mess things up. Good Luck!"

Vanessa gave him a quick hug while Adora patted him on the back and smiled gratefully. Derek then made his way to the castle hoping to find Aria and not get incinerated in the process.

The dragon let out a blaze of fire as it saw Derek. Luckily, Derek was able to dodge the flames. His heart raced rapidly with fear. He wasn't sure exactly how he was supposed to slay this dragon. Derek feared that if he attempted to throw the sword at its heart, he would miss and then be without a weapon. Grasping the sword, Derek ran towards the entrance to the castle.

Derek noticed the walls of the castle were unaffected by the dragon's fire. He figured he would be safe inside so he entered. Finally reaching safety, Derek took a moment to catch his breath. He decided he might as well go ahead and look for Aria and deal with the dragon later.

Derek searched throughout the castle, but every room was empty. Then a thought occurred to him. Aria could be in the highest room in the tallest tower. That sounds like something that would be in a fairy tale.

As it turns out, Derek was right. When he finished marching up the stairs of the tallest tower in the castle, he finally found Aria. She wore a dazzling golden gown and a small diamond tiara. Derek had never noticed her beauty until now.

Derek walked slowly to the bed where Aria slept knowing what he must now do.

Well, here goes, Derek though as he bent over and gently planted a kiss on Aria's lips.