“Well, I followed Peter and Catie into the Mansion. It’s there now.”
“Yeah, I know. We had to go back and figure out what went wrong and fix it. When we returned to Disneyland the second time, everything was back to normal.”
Omah was quiet again for a long time. “Is that what would happen to us? Would our memory be erased from everyone’s minds?” She felt, rather than saw, Wolf’s shrug.
“I can only guess that the answer would be yes. No one would know we ever existed.”
“Are you willing to risk that?”
Wolf didn’t answer. He didn’t yet know. “Think of what it would mean to our families, our fathers. We’d be able to get to know our mothers. They’d have a chance to live the life that was cut short.”
“And we’d never get the chance to know who did this to us or why.”
“I doubt the gray wolf would explain it before we killed him.”
“Your father said the wolf spoke before he died. ‘I’ll see you again,’ isn’t that right? I wonder if that came true.”
An idea began to form in Wolf’s brain. What if that gray wolf had just been a puppet? If someone had been behind the scenes controlling him, the gray wolf dying would have had no effect on the one in control. But, it always goes back to: Why them? Their only connection was Walt Disney. Wolf is a Guardian and Omah…well, she might have been a Guardian if things had worked out. Is that the answer? There were only two people he had encountered over the centuries with enough power to go after them: Nimue and Merlin.
Wolf suddenly gasped as the idea he was formulating started to take more shape. He then recalled that Merlin had him give something to Walt in the jungle of Columbia in 1940. It had been a strange pendant with even stranger powers. At the time, he hadn’t known it had once belonged to Nimue. And she had been chasing after it ever since. The connection to Wolf seemed obvious. But, why Omah? Ah, maybe…maybe Nimue didn’t know Omah failed…. And, if the Guardians were gone, Walt would be on his own to fight Nimue.
“But why attack in the first place? If we just lived a normal life and then died, we wouldn’t have been in her way.”
“What are you talking about, Wolf? What attack? On our mothers?”
Wolf suddenly realized part of what he had thought had been said out loud. “I…I might have a theory, but there’s some unanswered questions.”
“Some? That’s putting it mildly. Tell me what you think.”
Since Omah wouldn’t know about the pendant, Wolf left out some of the particulars that she didn’t need to know. After he was done, he studied her face. “What do you think?”
She shook her head slowly side to side. “I don’t know. What you said is intriguing, to say the least. But, your final question of why still remains.”
“If our mothers weren’t attacked….”
Wolf finished her sentence. “We wouldn’t be here discussing it.”
“Right. So there has to be another reason for us to be given our abilities. Why would someone who desperately wanted something back give us the ability to protect it?”
Omah turned to look at him, the moonlight shimmering in her eyes. Under different circumstances, he would have found the effect intriguing. “But, Wolf, what if we weren’t meant to protect whatever it is. What if we were supposed to work with this Nimue person, not against her? Do you really think she has the ability to do that to someone?”
His skin suddenly crawling, Wolf recalled his trip into the evil fairy’s castle. He had been put under a spell and did whatever she told him to do—even to the point of attacking his brother and his best friend. His voice was a mere whisper. “Yes, she has the ability.”
Flashback – England – 1289
Nose in the air, Wolf had sensed the approach of the pack. He knew they were wolves and that they were coming fast. And…he knew they were coming for him. With a parting warning yell to Wals, “Get in the house!,” he turned and plunged into the thickest part of the trees.
When the following pack easily picked up his trail, Wolf tried to lose them with a twisting, erratic path. He leaped to the tops of huge boulders in an attempt to end his scent. From there he would jump onto a large tree branch and crash into the nearby river, swimming to the opposite side. But, whatever he did, they followed—unceasingly, unerringly. She seemed to anticipate his next move and follow his every step. Even when Wolf did a sweeping turn and doubled back on his own trail, she followed.
For hours the chase continued. Wolf was beginning to feel the effects of the long run and the strain. But, he knew she and her followers would never tire.
He was thinking about opening a portal, any portal that might be near, and escaping that way. He could always come back. But, that would leave Wals and Rose to face her anger alone. They didn’t know where he had hidden the pendant. He knew Nimue would not accept that answer. No, he couldn’t leave them.
In his contemplation, he got careless and missed the turn he should have made. Caught in a narrow ravine, the surrounding boulders were too tall for his leaps and the sides were too steep for his claws to get to the top. Hearing the sounds already behind him, Wolf slowly turned, head down to face the onslaught of fangs and claws that would be on him in an instant.
Only he didn’t face a pack of wolves. Nimue stood behind four of her strongest men as they hurled a weighted net over the snarling Wolf. With nowhere to escape, he crouched down to lessen the impact as the heavy ropes and stone anchors landed on top of him. It was so heavy he couldn’t even lift his head to snap at the hands that slid long poles through the mesh. The men grunted at his sheer weight as the poles were placed on their shoulders and the wolf hung swaying in defeat between them.
In silence they trod back to the Dark Castle, their triumphant leader, the Evil Fairy, ahead of them all.
Flanked by a row of sharp spear points, the net was removed from the exhausted Wolf. He had not been allowed to sleep or eat for two days. Knowing his defenses would be at their lowest, Nimue had finally called him into her presence.
“Welcome to my humble castle,” she smiled broadly, throwing her hands out. “I am so glad you could join us, wolf. May I offer you some water?” She clapped her hands and a terrified lad of about fourteen scurried out of the darkness with a bucket.
Wolf saw the look of fright on the boy’s face and refrained from snapping at him. He could tell the boy was here about as willingly as he himself. Turning his head away from the much-needed water, the wolf stared defiantly back at the woman as the boy vanished back into the depths of the shadows that lurked everywhere in the castle.
Nimue appeared shocked. “What? You aren’t thirsty?” Her eyes narrowed and she spat at him, “Then perhaps this is more to your liking!”
The green orb glowed and the water in the bucket was changed into a bubbling, spitting acid. With a derisive snort, Wolf kicked it away with his hind leg. The acid spilled out of the bucket and ran toward his guards who screamed and backed away from the red, hissing flow.
At first surprised by Wolf’s insolence, she soon began to chuckle. That chuckle quickly turned into full laughter. Her men looked at each other, unsure of what they should do. A couple of them gave a nervous laugh at their mates who were still dancing away from the spilled acid.
“Oh, wolf.” Once her emotions were under control, she let out a deep sigh. “I can see that we would get along famously if you would just let us. You see,” she added confidentially, leaning away from her throne, “I know you are more than just an ordinary wolf. I also know you can talk. You have been too stubborn, or perhaps afraid, to do so. So, I give you permission to speak freely.” A regal hand was waved in his direction.
Wolf sat on his haunches and tilted his head at her, his blue eyes steady. No chance, lady.
“Come now, it’s all right. We all know it’s true, wolf.” She waited for his mouth to open, intently watching the muscles play around his face. When she saw his black lips part, her smile was triumphant.
Wolf just let
his tongue loll out of his mouth. Rather undignified, but that was all she was going to get.
He could see her gray eyes change in anger. “Very well. If that’s the way you want to play it.” Her index finger stroked the waiting orb as her eyes closed.
Seeing the gesture, the swords around him wavered as the guards fell back a few steps. They would have fled the room, but they didn’t dare.
Coming warily to his feet, Wolf’s eyes narrowed as he waited. A streak of green light curled upward from the throne and slowly snaked its way over to him. Around his body it swirled. Tensed, waiting, Wolf felt nothing. He slowly relaxed his stance. Thinking quickly about his options, he decided it would be better if he let her think the spell actually worked. He figured correctly that the next attempted spell might be a lot worse. He closed his eyes so she wouldn’t see them rolling upwards in derision.
“What is it you’d like me to say, madam?”
The deep voice coming from the beast shocked the guards surrounding him. The spears were quickly lowered into place as their eyes widened in fear. They apparently had no memory of their own transformation just days before.
Nimue, on the other hand, was delighted. “I made an animal talk! Oh, imagine the possibilities. I should have tried this years ago with my poor Diablo.” She glanced out the glassless window at the stone raven that used to be her pet. Stuck forever on the turret, it was frozen as if in mid-flight, its mouth open for a warning that never came. That malicious Blue Fairy had done that.
Whatever you want to think, witch. He’d like to be around when she tried it again, over and over, only to fail each time! But, then again, perhaps it’d be better if he wasn’t.
She turned back at his amused chuckle. “Something you’d like to share with the group, wolf?”
“No, not particularly. But, thanks for asking.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Do not push the limits of my good temper, wolf! I can just as easily turn you back into a common brute.”
“My apologies.” When pigs fly.
“I think you know why I brought you here, wolf. I want what’s mine. It has been out of my possession far too long. You know that of which I speak?”
“Yes, Nimue.”
“Ah, you do know who I am. Interesting. And you will take me to it?”
“No, I shall not.”
There was a grunt of “ooh” that went through the surrounding men at his reply. Again they held themselves back from leaving their posts. At least her anger won’t be directed at me this time.
Nimue calmly stood from her throne and descended the four steps. Her men unconsciously leaned away from her as she paced back and forth in front of the waiting wolf. “Well, I see we are at an impasse. I want my pendant back and you do not wish to give it to me.” She stopped directly in front of Wolf and looked down at him, grudgingly respecting the fact that he didn’t cower. “Is that how you see it as well?”
“Yes, madam. That’s a succinct summary.”
She snorted. “You sound more and more like that blasted owl, Archimedes. But, yes, that is where we stand. Unless…” She stopped to tap a finger on her black lower lip. “Unless you decide to join my happy little group here.” A waving hand indicated the men-at-arms, each of whom winced as her fingers flew past his position. “Think of what fun we could have together! The pendant would be shared equally with all.”
Wolf bowed his head briefly. “Again, I must decline the honor.”
She spun on him before he had time to react. Her specter pointed at him, its tip glowing with prickling heat. The black lips formed soundless words as Wolf was bombarded with unseen forces. Too much for him, not even knowing how to resist, the evil penetrated his body and his mind. Scenes of darkness and pain played through his brain, overshadowing his memories of friendship and love and family. Try as he might, already exhausted, he couldn’t fight off the intrusion. He couldn’t regain his own self. Flung to the cold stone floor, spent, he lay panting from the exertion.
When a film darkened his blue eyes, Nimue smiled smugly. “Now, let’s talk about my pendant.” With a swirl of her robes, she retook her throne and settled into its depths.
Wolf staggered into Wals’ small room at the back of the tavern. “There you are,” Wals smiled. “I wondered what happened to you after that pack ran you off. You’ve been gone for days.” He broke off at the lowered head and narrowed eyes. “You okay, Wolf? You look a little beat up.”
Fighting every new instinct deep within him, Wolf could only snap out a few words. “Come with me. Quickly, Wals.”
“You don’t sound very good, Wolf. What’s wrong?”
A growl forced itself out of his mouth and he had to snap his mouth shut. “Can’t explain it. Just come.”
The wolf blended into the darkness of the forest and followed the path to the sea. Wals looked around. “Hey, this is where I met Rose. We haven’t been back here since we were attacked.”
“Quit talking!” Wolf yelled at him.
At the surprised, hurt look on Wals’ face, Wolf shook his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it. I…I’m supposed to kill you now, Wals. That’s what I’ve been sent to do.”
Wals gave him a big grin. “Who sent you? King Stefan? I know Rose’s father wasn’t too happy with her sneaking out that night like she did.”
Wolf picked up a piece of driftwood in his mouth and easily snapped it in his jaws. “This is supposed to be your neck. No, it isn’t the King. It’s Nimue.”
“What?” Wals was shocked. “That…that was centuries ago! How did she get here?”
“She is known here by another name. She follows the pendant. She will always follow the pendant until she gets it back.”
Wals held up his empty hands. “But I don’t have it. You know that. You saw that burly guy take it from Rose. I tried everything I knew to stop him.” He broke off, shrugging his shoulders, angry at his failure to protect Rose.
“Wals, Nimue forced me to join her side. I…she put me under some kind of spell. It’s taking everything I have to keep from leaping at you as I’ve been commanded.”
“You’re serious.” Wals’ eyes got big as the truth of the situation began to sink in. Wolf was acting far too differently for him not to believe. “What do you want? Why did you bring me here? You can’t kill me! I’m your friend.”
Wolf snarled and snapped at the darkness, obviously fighting a powerful force attacking him from the inside. “I know you are, Wals.” The film covering his eyes wavered for a moment as Wolf tried to do the decent thing, the right thing. “That’s why I brought you here. You have to go back.”
“Back to the castle or my room?” Wals was confused. He didn’t know what Wolf meant or what he was capable of doing.
“No. Back to the twenty-first century. You have to bring back help. I…I can’t fight this off by myself. I need help.”
“Who? Who can help with this?”
“Mato.” Wolf winced as the evil in him surged against the thoughts of family and friends.
“Your brother? How can I get to him? He’s back on Tom Sawyer’s Island in 1817!”
“There’s a way.”
“How? The portals only open with your howl. That much I do know.”
“In my locker. In the back there’s a recorder. Get Lance to help you. Use that recorder, or I’m as good as dead,” he panted, hopeless.
“Wolf, I can’t leave you here like this. There must be something I can do.”
“If you stay, I won’t be able to fight this spell any longer and…I…will…kill…you.”
Wals quickly looked about. Unarmed, there was only the broken driftwood near at hand. He had no delusion that the wolf was joking. He knew Wolf was totally serious. Trying to reach out to touch his friend, he quickly jerked his hand back when he saw Wolf starting to snap at him, the dark film coming back to cover his blue eyes. “Call the portal. Now, Wolf! You were always there for me and I’ll do everything I can to come through for you. Remember this: I will be back.”
Wals made his promise, torn by the knowledge that he wanted to help his anguished friend, but, to do so, he had to leave him behind in this condition.
Head back, Wolf let out an angry, anguished howl. It was different than any Wals had ever heard before. Stepping back from the divided animal, he could see the ocean start to change. The fog came very quickly this time, as if sensing the urgency, the desperation of the summons. Falling over themselves, the waves became a swirling whirlpool as lightning split the sky above them.
The electricity in the air somehow sparked the new evil deep within the wolf. In a sudden frenzy, he snarled and bit at the waves crashing onto the sandy shore. Just as the whirlpool neared the beach, Wolf began to turn on Wals, setting himself to jump at his throat. Seeing the legs bunch, Wals took the initiative and threw himself into the gaping darkness.
Wolf sailed through empty air where the man stood only moments before. Turning quickly he bit at the edges of the water. Once Wals had fallen through, the terrifying pit closed and sparkled out, its job was done.
Seeing he was alone and his prey had vanished, the wolf dropped into the placid, lapping water, his energy totally spent. “Hurry, Wals,” he gasped, his sides heaving. “I don’t know how long I can hold out.”
The Island
Omah’s words broke into Wolf’s tormented memory. “Then that must be it. We weren’t supposed to work for Walt. We were supposed to work for her. I wonder what happened.”
Trying to pick up the thread of their conversation, Wolf suddenly put his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. “Have you ever…have you ever had an uncontrollable anger when you came out of a vortex? Have you ever turned on someone you loved?”
HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 4 Page 12