Episode 8: Mallory's Scorn
Morning arrived and the Ducks were up and on the ice for practice.
Mallory, however, was feeling a bit different; she seemed to be 'blue' and she didn't want to do practice with her comrades.
"Are you all right, Mallory? You look depressed," Subria asked when the Duck went to the bleachers to sit down.
"I feel awful, which I usually don't, and I really want to get rid of it," Mallory replied.
"You're just feeling blue, maybe there is something that'll cheer you up," Subria said.
"I think I know just the thing," Tanya replied when she skated up, "How about a girl's day out, you, me, Pearl, and Subria just shopping for whatever you like."
"Actually, shopping sounds wonderful to me," Subria answered and Pearl nodded.
Mallory gave a smile and a nod, "That's better, so, how about noon?" Pearl asked and Mallory gave another nod.
()()()()()()
At 12, the four females, both human and duck walked around the mall, looking at shops that interest them.
"Hey look, a new jewelry shop," Subria replied, pointing to a newly constructed building.
They looked at the window display of necklaces, earrings, and brooches; the jewels looked both fake and authentic, but Pearl could tell the difference.
"Come in," a shop employee said, "Today's our grand opening, so everything is half-off!"
The four women went inside, amazed by the display of every jewel that glowed in the sun.
Mallory then noticed a brooch that shaped like a sword with a tiny red-colored gem in the hilt.
"How much is that?" she asked the employee.
"Normally its 59.99, but today its 10 dollars," the woman replied.
"I'll take it," Mallory said, handing over her cash.
Pearl looked at a plate that had smooth gemstones and the sign said 'Worry Stones: Place all worries away'.
"Interesting," she said to herself and bought an amethyst stone, but it would be for Mallory, not for herself. However, her spine shot up as she sensed something unusual in the shop.
Pearl looked around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary as she and her friends left.
()()()()()()()
Later that evening, the four women returned to the Pond, where the guys had looks of excitement.
"What did you guys do while we were gone?" Tanya asked.
"Laser tag," Nosedive answered.
"Hey guys, would men think I'm a fencer if they see me wear this?" Mallory asked, showing them the sword-shaped brooch.
"I don't know, try it on," Duke said and Mallory placed the brooch on the left-side of her shirt.
"Actually, wearing a sword brooch does not make you a fencer," Subria replied, but Mallory didn't seem to hear.
The female duck was silent, her face drooped down, and she was still.
"Mallory? Are you okay?" Pearl asked, noticing the sudden change in her friend.
Suddenly, Mallory's fist flew past the princess' face, missing her by mere inches.
"Whoa! Mallory, what's gotten into you?!" Wildwing demanded, but Mallory slammed her fist into his chest and he fell to the ground.
"Mallory!" the ducks shouted.
Then, a bright light appeared in Mallory's hand and a sword appeared that looked like her brooch.
"Oh my gosh! That's the 'Sword' page!" Pearl shrieked as the 'Sword' swung passed her face.
"It is possessing her, we need to get it out of her hand," Subria informed and Duke stepped forward, "Hey Mallory!" he called.
The female mallard stopped and looked at the saber-wielding Duck.
"I challenge you to one duel; if I win, the old Mallory comes back; if you win, well, you do what you want to do," he announced and the possessed Mallory nodded.
The two sword-fighters stared at one another, holding their weapons like fencers and then the battle began.
The 'Sword' and Duke's saber hit each other and the others were careful not to get caught in the fight.
"C'mon Mallory, I know you're in there, the 'Sword' is possessing you!" Duke said to the female mallard, but she didn't seem to listen.
After a few minutes, it was clear that Duke was becoming exhausted and Mallory didn't even sweat.
"Duke, use your hilt to hit it out of her hand!" Pearl shouted to her friend and he nodded.
Just as Mallory charged, Duke planted his feet to the ground, and swung the hilt of his saber at the female mallard's hand.
Mallory dropped the 'Sword', "Grin, grab her, she is still possessed, but when I have the spell in the book, she'll be fine," Pearl said and Grin took hold of Mallory.
"Be calm my friend," he said to her, but she struggled to get free.
Pearl, having the spell book in her hands, calls out, "'Sword', I command you to return to the spell book from where you came!"
The 'Sword' vanished and it took residence in a vacant page in the book.
Mallory's eyes then returned to normal and looked at Grin, "Uh, you can let go of me," she said and he did.
"What just happened?" Mallory asked, clearly unaware of the event.
"You were possessed by a spell page; luckily Pearl summoned it back to the book before you could do any damage," Wildwing explained to her.
Pearl showed the page to Mallory and she gasped, "You mean my brooch was…oh nuts," she replied.
"Don't feel bad, since you were the one who bought it, it is technically yours, and Duke's, since he disarmed you," Pearl explained and Mallory gave a little smile. Pearl handed over a feathered quill and Mallory signed her name onto the 'Sword' page.
I also have something that might make you feel better when you feel blue," Pearl said and held out the amethyst worry stone.
"A worry stone, I should've thought of that, thank you," Mallory replied, signing her name on the 'Sword' page and Duke did the same.
Mallory took the stone and then adds, "You know, I don't feel down right now."
Everyone gave a chuckle and they were eager for a new day to begin.