Chapter 23: The Magic Bag of Tricks (Take 2!)

Peter slid his hand into the Magic Bag of Tricks.

And he closed his eyes.

Peter could not bear looking at the mouse.

He was afraid.

Afraid that this eyes would make him vulnerable. Afraid that the mouse would be able to read the child-like hope buried deep inside every bitter orphan. Afraid that despite his every hope, nothing would change. Afraid that neither the Wishing Star nor the Magic Bag of Tricks, would make life one worth living for Peter Pan.

"Come on…" Peter begged, sticking his arm further and further into the Magic Bag of Tricks, "…please…come on…just this once…come on….come on…"

Nothing.

Peter opened his eyes. He was bent almost completely over. And his arm was thrust disproportionately deep into the Magic Bag of Tricks, up to his shoulder.

Still nothing.

Peter looked at Headmaster Mickey. The mouse cocked his head, appearing not very concerned that Peter's arm had disappeared into the bag without anything happening.

Peter's heart raced. Uncharacteristically emotional, Peter tried to slow down his breathing. Controlling emotions was never his forte, and the mere fact that he was panicking made Peter panic even more!

Clenching his fist in and out, Peter looked to the audience. Immediately, he made eye contact with Wendy. This time, she didn't shyly look away.

Wendy looked right at Peter. She looked concerned. Very concerned. Then, imperceptivity she mouthed two words. "It's okay."

"Whoa! WHOA! Whooaaaaa!"

The whole auditorium leapt out of their seats. Students grabbed each other in surprise then pointed with big smiling faces as Peter Pan somersaulted head-over-heels into the sky.

"Oh my God! Ha ha! Look! Look at Pete!"

"He can fly!"

"He can fly!"

Yes. Peter Pan was flying!

"Peter Pan!" Headmaster Mickey denoted, jumping up and down, trying to snatch Peter as he tumbled uncontrollably out of reach. Exhausted, the headmaster panted as Fauna, Flora, and Meriwether rescued Peter from the rafters.

Mickey dabbed his forehead. "Peter Pan…Magical Power…Flight." Wheezing Mickey waved a tired hand at the poised quill. "No comment….phew…"

The quill and composition notebook bobbed with professional courtesy.

"Peter that was awesome!" Flynn and Aladdin raved as Fauna, Flora, and Meriwether escorted Peter back to his seat. Paddling in air, Peter managed to situate himself comfortably. "How'd you do that?"

Beaming, Peter surveyed the admiring faces regally as a king. "Oh…" Pete said, resting both hands behind his head. He smiled at the ceiling. "…just…thunk a happy thought."

"First magical power." Headmaster Mickey mused, turning to the next page of the Once Upon A Time book. "…can't get much more exciting than that!"

But it did. In the next block of students, more magical powers emerged, each as incredible as Peter Pan's.

"Next, Adam…Magical Power: Beast Transformation. Adam! Adam calm down! Temper, Son. Anger will trigger the beast. But calm will release you."

"Next, Hercules…Magical Power: Strength. Remarkable! Simply phenomenal!"

"Next, Kuzco….Magical Power: Llama Transformation. What? No I'm not kidding, that's your gift. Oh, that was uncalled for young man. Well I'm sorry it throws off your groove."

"Next, Esmeralda…Magical Power: Apparition. That's what we call it when students can disappear and end up someplace el – Esmeralda? Esmeralda? Oh drat! Where did she go?"

"Next, Kenai…Magical Power: Bear Transformation. I think you'll love this power, Kenai!"

"Next, Simba…Mistress Minnie. Could you bring young Simba to the stage. Thank you…Magical Power: Can Hear Stars Talking….well…well, well, well….that will certainly come in handy. Very good. Very, very good for Fantasia."

"Next, Naveen…Magical Power: Frog Transformation. Well that's the bees' knees!"

"Next, Alice…Magical Power: Height Change. Shrinking and growing? Curious. Quiet curious."

"Next, Tiana…Magical Power: Frog Transformation. Another one? Didn't Mr. Naveen just…well ok. I won't kiss and tell…congratulations Tiana."

"Next, Facilier…"

The blithe atmosphere died as Facilier ripped his hand out of the Magic Bag of Tricks. Shrieking, Facilier thrashed back and forth, clutching his chest.

"Easy! Easy, Chief! I've got ya." Jim grabbed Michael as the little boy cried. Horrified, Jim watched Facilier's body collapse in a crooked heap. But he didn't stop screaming. His thin skin stretched over straining neck muscles. His mouth was opened so wide, Jim thought it would split.

Inadvertently, Jim grabbed Wendy's hand. Her knuckles were white.

"Oh someone help him!" Wendy moaned, eyes closed. She looked about to cry. "Someone please just make it stop!"

And then, it did stop. Facilier's body slumped. His finger twitched.

Rapunzel pointed. "Oh my gosh. Wendy. Jim. Tiana. Look."

"What…the…Hell…?"Jim breathed.

From Facilier's body, warped and crooked as a thorn, came a shadow.

Facilier's shadow.

Experimentally the shadow shook itself off. Just like a dog coming in from the rain.

Then, the shadow took one step to the side. Then another. Then another. Engrossed, the students watched as Facilier's shadow left its owner's side. Greedily, the shadow stood unattached.

"Not so fast."

The students jumped as Facilier lifted an arm and snapped his fingers. Grim faced and pouty lipped, Facilier glared at his shadow. "Get on back here."

With a hiss, the shadow returned. Facilier jerked. Clenching his teeth, Facilier waited for his shadow to flap back flat on the floor.

"Facilier…."Headmaster Mickey said, voice quite serious. Gravely, the headmaster regarded Facilier's shadow, sulking on the floor. "Magical Power: Shadow Worker. Rapunzel?"

Rapunzel jolted in surprise as the headmaster called her name. Headmaster Mickey was still watching Facilier, his mind clearly elsewhere. "Rapunzel. You're next."

Faced with the preceding solemn events, Rapunzel nearly tripped walking up stage.

"Oooops." she said sheepishly, sweeping the ends of her long hair away with her foot. "Sorry, Headmaster Mickey. Little nervous, I guess."

"Understandably…"said Master Merlin, looking pointedly at Mickey. The headmaster was still mulling over Facilier.

Master Merlin frowned. "Any time you're ready, Headmaster!" Merlin prompted in a raised voice.

"Oh right…" Headmaster Mickey said, blinking several times. Shaking away his distraction, Mickey offered Rapunzel the Magic Bag of Tricks. "Go on ahead, young lady. No fear."

Rapunzel bit her lip, Facilier clearly on her mind. Then, scrunching her freckled nose, she reached into the bag.

The student body leaned backwards as Rapunzel tensed. Her shoulders quavered. Then, she started to sing. At first it was a whisper. But the tune swelled into a beautiful, haunting incantation. And as she sang, Rapunzel's blond hair started to glow.

Flower gleam and glow

Let your power shine

Make the clock reverse

Bring back what once was mine.

Heal what has been hurt

Change the Fate's design

Save what has been lost

Bring back what once was mine

What once was mine.

"Wow…" Flynn breathed. Flustered, he pushed back his bangs. "That was…wow. Didn't see that one coming."

"I didn't think it was that impressive." Lana said as Rapunzel was granted the magical power of healing. "And her hair – can we talk about split ends please?"

"Hey Pete – " Aladdin said, pointing to the stage. His cheek bulged with popcorn as Genie helpfully supplied binoculars. "Looks like the Pixie's are joining your flying – ducks club."

"Oh yeah…" Peter leaned forward in his seat. "Huh. Well what d'ya know about that…"

On stage, Tinkerbell, Silvermist, Fawn, Iridessa, Rosetta, and Vidia had sprouted delicate transparent wings. It wasn't a surprise to anybody – much like Ariel's family, Tinkerbell and her cousins were of ancient pixie lineage. Most of them grew wings by the time they graduated from high school anyway. Still it was impressive to see the girls lift gently from the stage.

Peter made a mental note to work on his dexterity in flight.

"Yeah…" Peter continued as Headmaster Mickey called Terrence, Bobble, and Clank to the stage. "Yeah, I dated Tink once."

"And by once…" Aladdin clarified as the three boys on stage – also with pixie ancestry – also sprouted wings. "…you mean five minutes before she dumped you."

"Naw…" Peter said as Aladdin and Genie high-fived. "Naw, she's cool. Just a little psycho sometimes. Hey Tink! Nice set of wings!"

"Bite me." retorted Tinkerbell. Then she smiled.

"See?" grinned Peter, as Elsa was called to the stage. "Told ya. Psycho. But most girls get like that around - whoa!"

The students screamed. On stage, Elsa grabbed her wrists. Hunched over as if she'd been stabbed, Elsa watched horrified as ice crystals speared across the auditorium.

"Elsa!" Headmaster Mickey called, desperately trying to reach Elsa through the blizzard. "Elsa! Elsa listen to my voice! Everything is all right! This storm is normal! It's your magical power! Elsa! Elsa don't panic!"

Icy wind blew over Headmaster Mickey as Elsa buckled. The snow and ice started to converge.

"Elsa!"

Out of turn, a strawberry blonde girl with millions of freckles dashed from her sector and onto the stage. Pushing against the snow and wind, the girl forced her way up the icy steps.

"Elsa! Elsa it's me! It's Anna! Your sister! Can you hear – oh!"

With a squeak, Anna slipped on the icy steps leading upstage. Falling forward, she collided into Headmaster Mickey. Her hand fell into the Magic Bag of Tricks.

Gradually as a sunrise, the snow and wind hushed. Then suddenly as the first rays of morning light, the snow ice melted. Warmth spread across the auditorium like a warm summer day.

Elsa lifted her head. Refusing to look at Anna, she looked into the crowd. There were tears in her eyes. Anna too, looking at her sister's back, was crying.

"Elsa and Anna…" Headmaster Mickey breathed. "Compatible magical powers…Winter and Summer. Girls…are you all right? Is…is everyone all right?"

No one spoke.

"Well…" Headmaster Mickey lifted his foot. His shoe squished in a spring puddle.

"Looks like we have to clean up…before we continue. Can't have this state of mess!" Resolutely, Mickey clapped his hands. "Everyone take another break! Five minutes this time! In the meantime….Seven Dwarfs? Could you be so kind…?"

"What do we look like, Bub?" Grumpy booed. "Janitors?"

The students chuckled. Most were enthralled, having never seen a dwarf before. Grumpy, although he put up an excellent front, seemed to be enjoying the attention. Crabbily, he sniffed through a nostril as Doc handed him a mop.

Headmaster Mickey sighed. "All righty folks…five minutes! Then we'll get right into it again…this time starting with…"

Headmaster Mickey turned the page of the Once Upon A Time Book and read. "…Wendy Darling."

Ahhh I am having SO MUCH FUN writing this HOWEVER - I start school again on Monday. I end in mid-April, but that means a month of stress and zero sleep. So, I may be able to squeeze in another chapter before Monday, but def I will update every weekend (as opposed to every day). I really love that you are enjoying the story. Feel free to PM message me about anything, or if you just want to remind me to keep posting on the weekends!