Chapter 12: Gretel

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by fade-darker

by fade-darker

Nice ending there, Hansel. Really showing my last couple bold endings up. Thanks.

You're welcome!!!!

Anyway, before my brother and the others found me, I woke up in a very dark room. The only light source in this dungeon appeared to be the small candle with a glass covering over it. It did little to illuminate the room, but with my other senses I could feel chains binding my wrists together and my ankles separately, then both to the cold, damp, brick wall behind me. I was facing the candle (luckily), and could make out a grey outline around an obviously wooden door.I tried to squint my eyes and see the rest of the room, but the small light just wasn't enough. Finally, I gave up trying to see, and began to try and pull free of my binds. I struggled with them, but only ended up with cuts into my ankles and wrists.I turned to the candle, trying to reach for it. I worked as hard as I could, my mind focused on the small flame emitted from the wick. And then, it was in my hand!Not all of it, but the light! The flame! A very small light had showed up in my palm, hovering above my pale skin. I shivered, but tried to stay silent. It had heat to it, as well, but strangely, it didn't hurt or burn... Just then, Candor walked in dressed in a very fancy-looking purple suit and tie. He faked a gasp when he saw the tiny flame in my hand. "I figured you'd get it soon enough, Gretel... You have so much potential, you don't even know the most of it yet..." He spoke with the false sweetness in his voice again, staring at the surprised look on my face.

I turned my eyes to slits; snarling at him. "Oh, a fierce one, are we? Well don't worry," He turned away, then turned back with a picture in his hand that he'd alchemised. I looked closer, and in the small wooden frame stood three figures. "These are the only people alive that you love," I began to recognize the people... Hansel... Kiki... Where was Benji? Did I truly love him? Who was the last figure? I squinted my eyes further as Candor stepped forward and I saw him... Rumpelstiltskin... I loved him? Was this some mind-trick? "No, this is no trick, my dear. This is true. Benji is dead. And yes, you've fallen for the Dark One." "Dark.. .One?" I asked, confused. "He is a sorcerer of dark magic. The best of the best, I shall say. That is one of the reasons I have stolen you away," "And the other reasons?" My voice trembled, scared for the answer. And who was Rumple; really? "Well, darling, you are quite pretty," He laughed. "And your powers are unlike them all, Gretel..." "W-what do you mean?" "I will show you." And with that, Candor snapped his fingers and my bonds disappeared. He forced me to my feet and looked straight into my eyes. I saw his, as well; deep red with evil. I shivered, and when he pulled away I followed; watching my feet.

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We stood in a dark room; almost as dark as my cell. He stood at the door, which was closed. He smirked and nodded to me, signalling me to begin trying to create the flame again. I thought hard; concentrated. I held out my hand, which was growing warmer by the second. Finally, a small, orange flame appeared. His smile grew and he nodded. "Make it bigger. Stronger. Think harder, Gretel." I tried; really tried. Not for him, but for me. I had never known I had these powers; whatever they were. I wanted to know how to use them. Slowly, I could see the flame growing. As his eyes lit up in the glow of my fire, he nodded solemnly. "Now let go of the thoughts. Think of anything else but the power." I shook my head quickly. I needed to concentrate; I didn't know what would happen if I let go! But, he was stubborn. He nodded again, eyes turning to slits as he watched my hand.Finally, I gave in. I let my mind wander to the safety of my friends and brother. After a second, I turned my mind back to watching the flame, but didn't think about keeping it there. It hadn't changed. I was doing it! Magic!

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Afterwards, I was laying on a new bed in a new room. I was dressed in a black and purple gown that Candor had alchemised. I clasped my hands above me and played with a fireball I'd created moments ago.Candor walked in, a candle and a glass of water in his hands. He set the items on the nightstand. "I suppose you might not need this, but I thought just in case these other powers worked-" "Other powers?!" I questioned, surprised he hadn't forced me to practice those too. We had practiced for hours in that room!"You are a bender, Gretel. The only bender. It's a form of Dark Magic, and it is very rare. You have the powers of Fire, which we have already explored." "Yes, but there's more?" He nodded. "I have studied you for years, my dear. Fire, Earth, Water, and Air all into one girl..." He trailed off, looking not at me but past me.I, confused as I was, attempted to take the water from the glass with my powers. After concentrating for a second, it disappeared from the glass and appeared in my hands as a ball; just like the fire! "It works that way, yes. You don't need liquid water, either. You can pull it from the air-" "Woah, really?!" I asked, shocked. He nodded, and I stood. "I suggest you stay calm with this, Gretel. You could hurt yourself, and then my only specimen-" I dropped the water onto the floor and whipped around to face Candor. "Specimen?! I let you order me around, and I'm your SPECIMEN?!" He waved his hands in the air. "Of course! I did capture you, after all!" "Well... well... Ugh!" I screamed and a small electric shock exploded from my hand. "Wait, calm down, Gretel, I suggest you don't-" "You won't be 'suggesting' anything, Witch!" I screamed again, louder and higher, angry.Then, the electricity surrounded me. After that, the world went black as Candor's face changed to shock and worry.