Dark's Descent

by Basil Bacorn

  Will slammed on the ceiling as an annoying wail slammed back. The sound was putting dents in the roof, and Will was, painfully, fixing them. Where's a hammer when you need it?

  Susan kept driving. She was determined to get away before she had to buy Betty a new van. She turned around a corner and the screams followed. Were they angry? Hungry? Susan didn't know. She just pushed on the pedal harder.

  The window next to Stella shattered and a screech smacked her in the face. Stella screamed, the screech screamed, Stella screamed louder, the screech screamed louder. Stella tossed her hands in the air as the screech surrounded her. She screamed louder than she ever had before, and the screech went silent. “Mmmm...” Stella said, “Scream louder, Eek silences.”

  While Stella thought, the twins woke up. They were napping, but the screams woke them up, even with the earplugs. “BE QUIET!” Vanessa screamed, and everything went silent. The van sped away with no more attacks and Vanessa smiled.

  “Did she just tell the screams to shut up?” Charlie asked Will. “I guess,” he answered, “and it seems like it worked.”

  Evangeline decided to get the troll claw next. She went to the Dark Forest and disguised herself as a beautiful young maiden. She gave herself long luscious brown hair, and light blue eyes. Dressed in a light green dress, she walked through the forest pretending to be scared. Trolls loved ladies. Sometimes for romantic reasons, but mostly for meals. A damsel in distress would surely get some troll-tention, and maybe a prince, but she could handle that.

  “Help! Help!” she cooed, “I'm so lost, and scared! I'm so in distress, and beautiful!” She hoped a troll would come soon, the last thing she needed was to run into the Living Screams during their feeding time.

  A troll leapt in her path, and roared. “Oh, a troll!” Eva exclaimed, “I've always wanted to meet one! I find them very, um, attractive.”

  The troll stood up and slicked back his three hairs. He picked a flower and chewed it up. The troll strutted over to his dame and wrapped his arm around her. “Hey.” he growled. Eva smiled and grabbed his arm, flipping him over on his back. She ripped off his claw and put it in her pocket. “Thanks ugly,” Evangeline taunted, “I needed that.”

  Evangeline ducked as a scream flew past. “Time to go!” she said, hearing a faint engine in the distance. She disappeared in a whirl of flames, scorching the monster.

  After hearing the scream, the troll scurried up a tree just as the minivan passed.

  Think Happy Thoughts

  Cassandra was so bored! Her mother wouldn't let her go get any ingredients and she really wanted to. Then she had an epiphany. She was evil! She didn't need to listen to her mother! Cassandra got dressed in a black gown and looked at the scroll. She decided to get the polar bear hair. It seems easy, how bad could a polar bear be? Waving her hand, she summoned a blizzard to carry her away to the Arctic Circle.

  Susan was ecstatic when she saw the end of the woods. The van pulled out and soon stopped in front of a bridge. Out of gas. They would have to walk from now. Will stopped them. “A warning before we cross the bridge.” he began, “This is the Bridge of Gloom. It has the ability to make anyone who crosses it, so gloomy and sad, that you turn back. So everyone think happy thoughts!”

  Will went first and immediately started thinking about his castle. It was so big! And lonely. He started to think about something that he knew would keep him happy. Who he was doing this for. He thought about Cassie and their happy time together.

  Susan took the twins next. She sang as they went to lift everyone's spirits. Whenever Cassie was sad, Susan would sing to her and in the end, Cassie would look up and smile her pretty smile. That was the highlight of Susan's day.

  Stella walked across next. Happy thoughts. Rainbows are happy, but not enough. She remembered Charlie and Cassie. Stella has been hoping they would get together. She knew that Charlie could never love her as much as he did Cassie and she had accepted it. Cassie and Charlie deserved each other, and they were going to end up together if it was the last thing Stella did!

  The Bridge of Gloom was pathetic! Charlie had been thinking about Cassie the whole trip, and the bridge didn't stand a chance against his love. Charlie remembered Cassie before she changed, blonde hair, green eyes, sweet, and caring. She was so smart. Charlie loved her more with every passing second. He has waited ten years to get with Cassie, and her birthmother was not going to get in the way. Cassie was beautiful, kind, loving, and forgiving. Though her anger could get out of control, Charlie could easily bring her back. He wanted their first kiss. They hadn't had their first date, first kiss, or first dance yet, and Charlie was going to get them. He was determined to get them.

  Susan continued to sing, and the twins hummed along, smiling.

  Stella thought about her happy ending. She wanted to find her one true love, just like Cassie and Charlie did. She wanted to dance through the moonlight, without a care in the world, with her prince. Happy thoughts. A candle-lit dinner on Valentine's Day. She'd be dressed in a red dress, just like a princess. Stella sighed happily.

  Will remembered the first time he kissed Cassie. On the bus, out of the blue. He was a true spontaneous prince. They dated for years, and he was stupid enough to let her go. Don't think about that! Her pretty green eyes, the kind you can get lost in for hours, but have it only seem like seconds. He would twirl her hair as they kissed on the couch. They would sit next to each other, saying nothing at all, just enjoying the other's presence. Their first date, the kiss in the hotel hall, when they laid on the floor, stuck wearing the same shirt. He loved her dearly. He still does.

  Charlie thought of one of his happiest Cassie moments. Dock Six, first band concert. They sat down for what seemed like an eternity, but ended so soon. That was when Cassie kissed him on the cheek. The little spark of joy, just like magic. Heh, magic. If only he knew then, magic. Charlie loves Cassie. He wants to marry her, but first they need to officially become a couple.

  Susan was still singing. She sang every song she knew, from Christmas songs, to pop songs. She thought of Cassie, and how she was going to get her back.

  The group was now half way across, which was further than most make it. Halfway was when the Gloom Bridge switches settings to high.

  “Here polar bear polar bear polar bear!” Cassandra called, freezing to death, “Here polar bear polar bear polar bear!” She's been searching for hours, and still no polar bears. Then she saw her silver lining. A polar bear, just waiting to get a haircut.

  Cassandra appeared behind the beast and leaned over it. She should've worn her winter boots, because she slipped on the ice and landed right on the bear's back. To make matters worse, it was a mommy.

  Think happy thoughts, Cassandra, think happy thoughts. The bear stood up, with the girl on its back. Get the hair and transport away. Cassandra waved her hand to get scissors, but nothing happened. She was too cold to get the motions right. Uh-oh.

  Cassandra held on as the bear tried to shake her off. The bear let out a loud roar and turned over, and laid on its back. Ow. Cassandra was pushed into the cold snow, but she still didn't release the polar bear. It got back up, and went for a run. A really fast run.

  The snow flew in her face and stung her skin as the monster ran full speed through the white hills of the arctic. Happy thoughts! Everything will work out!

  Evangeline returned to the tower with the cloud they needed. “Cassandra!” she called, “I got the cloud! Come out here!” After getting no reply, Eva saw the list open. The paper had a note that read 'polar bear fur'. Oh no! If she gets too cold, her powers will freeze, and who knows what could happen! If Cassandra died, the spell wouldn't be able to be cast, and Evangeline wouldn't be able to get her revenge, and take over! And the fact that she is her daughter. She had to get to an arctic and fast! Since that's where she is from, Cassandra is probably polar bear hunting in the Realm of the Foretold. Eva grabbed a coat and waved her hand. A bright flash, and she was gone.

  Susan felt saddened,
so she sang louder and happier. Joyfully belting out every happy song out there, including the birthday ones, Susan sped up to a skip with the twins.

  Will suddenly remembered the night he threw it all away, the night he broke Cassie's heart. The bridge must be getting stronger! He heard Mrs. Smith sing louder, and soon started skipping, in which Will took part. They had to get off the bridge before it was too late! 'I love Cassie!' he repeated over and over in his head. Cassie. Cassie. Cassie.

  Stella saw the skipping and joined in. She loved to skip! She was always so lonely and sad. The bridge! Stella started humming along to Susan's singing.

  Charlie imagined the kiss that will never happen. Cassie is gone! No, she isn't. She is still there, and Charlie loves her. “I love Cassie! I love Cassie!” he chanted to the beat of the song. The group skipped and sang across the rest of the Bridge of Gloom with ease. The thing was no match for a determined group like them!

  Cassandra ripped a wad of hair out of the beast and it threw her off in anger. The bear whirled around and got ready to strike, when it was burnt to a crisp by a steady stream of fire. “I got the hair, mother!” Cassandra announced. Not saying a word, Eva marched over to her daughter and waved them back to the tower.

  Once Cassandra was in her room, Eva summoned her Seeing Cloud. “Show me the annoying group.” Eva demanded. The cloud showed the group ending their cross of the Bridge of Gloom laughing and smiling. “Ugh,” Evangeline groaned, “they look like they'll get here soon, so maybe they should rest after their long journey.”

  With help of great forces I owe,

  I send a message to the ones who go too fast.

  The group who came is so close, so,

  I give them a nap that'll last!

  Eva cackled as she watched the group lay down and fall asleep. “Think happy thoughts and dream sweet dreams!” she grinned, “Hopefully you don't get eaten in your sleep!” Evangeline whipped around and grabbed the scroll. “That gives me three days at least!” Eva exclaimed, “Now what should I get next?”

  Tu Be Without Magic

  “Can I please go with you!” Cassandra plead, “If you don't let me I'll just go anyway.” Evangeline sighed and agreed to take her. She already had a tomato, skunk's stink, and still water for the spell, and while she rescued Cassandra, she got the arctic snow they needed. Now it was time for the golden flame.

  According to legend, the golden flame was tended to by a ferocious ogre on the island of Tu. There was a whole spiel about the Colored Bridges and a guard dog, but Eva didn't remember. She'd just send herself there, grab the fire, and leave. If anything got in her way, she'd burn them. “Come on Cassandra,” Evangeline beckoned, “We have to go to Tu!” Cassandra snickered. “To Tu!” she yelled, as Eva waved her hand, “This is gonna be so easy!”

  The two appeared on Tu. “This is not where I wanted to land!” Evangeline screamed. She waved her hand, and nothing happened! Something was suppressing her powers!

  Cassandra rolled her eyes and sassed, “Watch this!” She summoned a lion to give them a ride, but nothing happened. Cassandra waved to turn into smoke, but still no success.

  “This island must be able to subdue magic!” Eva screeched. “Don't you mean able Tu subdue magic!” Cassandra joked. Evangeline rolled her eyes at her daughter's stupidity. “Without magic, we can't get the flame!” Eva expounded, separating each word to make her point.

  Cassandra was in disbelief at what her mother said. She had relied on magic so much, that she thought it was impossible to get where they needed to go without it! “Mother,” Cassandra began, “I was fine without using magic, so I'm sure we can do this!”

  Eva scowled, but it was their only option. They had to walk. They had to carry the flame off the island. They had to avoid a vicious dog, and his owner, the ogre. They had to survive this with no magic. They were doomed.

  Cassie's friends and family were out like a light. They dreamed dreams. The kind of dreams that are so realistic, it's just scary. They were the amazing kind of dream that made you sad when you found out it wasn't real.

  Will dreamt of his beloved Cassie. It was after they brought her back and she dumped that lamo Charlie. He took her to his castle where they ate dinner. The chefs made the best meal he's ever had. They had chateaubriand, amongst other dishes, and for dessert, shared a piece of the royal cake.

  The royal cake was a very special recipe in Everlanon. It was guaranteed that it was the best cake you could ever eat. The recipe itself was locked in with all of the other treasures of Everlanon, as well as the chef who makes the cake, in a place that could only be opened by a royal.

  Susan dreamt a simple dream. Her family sitting together, smiling. All were alive, and none were evil.

  Vander dreamt of cookies that tasted really good, and Vanessa was dreaming of smacking Will with a wet noodle. She was so happy.

  In Stella's dream, she was in her very own castle, dressed in a beautiful blue gown. Then a stranger walked in. He was dressed as a prince from a fairytale would dress, and was very good looking. Stella just stared at the one who she thought was a male model. The prince waltzed over to her and kneeled down. “Will you marry me?” he proposed. Stella was ecstatic and acted on impulse. “Yes!” she squealed and the prince stood up to give her a kiss.

  Charlie was happy. He was walking through the park with Cassie as they held hands. They walked a seemingly endless path, and Cassie would occasionally stop to give him a kiss.

  The mother and daughter team walked across the island. It was a large flat landscape, and they could see the castle that the ogre lived in from where they stood. “This is taking forever!” Evangeline moaned. It already had been two minutes, and she didn't even have a throat in her hands yet, let alone the flame!

  The two had nothing to talk about. They were just silently marching, impatiently waiting until they could get out of this place. The island was seemingly recently abandoned.

  The duo trudged through an old barn and were surprised with a decent gift. It was a horse! Evangeline ran over to it and hopped on. “What are you waiting for?” she asked, “Get on!” Cassandra climbed on the back of the horse and off they rode. Whatever Eva had to do to get to a place where she can use her power faster, she'd do. The silky black steed galloped across the plains, racing the wind. They stopped by the castle in the brush, and tied up the horse. It was time to get that fire.

  The two snuck in the open door, and the fire was right there! It was as fire would be expected, only gold in color, and not hot at all. Cassandra picked it up and mouthed for them to leave. As they walked towards the exit, they heard a growl. Eva turned around and saw a massive dog towering over her. A blob of drool dropped from the dog's mouth and landed on Evangeline, soaking her. “Guard dog.” she grumbled.

  Cassandra and Evangeline ran out to the brush, with the beast close behind. They leapt on the horse and galloped away, with the canine bounding after them. “All we need to do is get off the island,” Evangeline explained, “and we're home free.”

  “WHO TOOK THE GOLDEN FLAME?!” a voice thundered. A 75-foot-tall ogre exited the castle and saw the intruders almost to the Bridges of Color. With a few leaps, the ogre stood in the way. “ALL INTRUDERS MUST DIE!” he roared as the horse galloped between his legs. Evangeline made the horse leap forward, and she felt her powers return on contact with the bridge. “GIVE ME THE FIRE!” the ogre demanded. Eva smiled, “You asked for it!” She pointed her finger at the monster and he burst into fire and crumbled to the ground, not having time to scream in pain. Cassandra watched as the giant dog turned and ran away like the puppy it was.

  Dreams

  “What's next?” Cassandra asked her mother, sitting on her bed the next day. “You sleep.” Eva informed, “I need two ingredients from the Dream Realm, and I can only make a portal there if I have someone in a deep sleep, so.” Before Cassandra could protest, Eva put her to sleep and opened the portal. “Here I go!” she announced, jumping through.

  Inside the
Dream Realm, Eva remembered her friends who were sleeping in Everlanon. “Might as well have some fun while I'm here!” she said, bringing up the blueprints for their current dreams. “Cassandra has two boys with the hots for her! Ha!” Eva smiled, grabbing Will's and Charlie's dream, “I wonder how dreamy it will be if they were together.” Evangeline smashed the instructions together and watched as they turned from a blueprint, to a blackprint. A blueprint is for dreams, and a blackprint is for the other. Nightmares. “While I'm at it.” Evangeline sighed, “Let's fix them all!”

  She twisted Stella's prince into a serial killer, and added herself in Susan's dream. Evangeline changed Vander's cookies into boogie monsters, and gave Vanessa's wet noodle to her victims. “I'm so cruel!” she bragged, “Now I have to get the archiles and Belbad's ax before Cassandra wakes up.”