A Huckleberry Valentine

Chapter 10: Larissa Strikes Again

"There it is!" Chip yelled.

Everyone was soon standing in front of a large yellow ferry with seats that looked just like popsicles. On the very top of the boat was a large ice cream cone that appeared to be strawberry flavored with a cherry on the top. Right behind the steering wheel was what appeared to be a small bicycle. It reminded Huck of an old-fashioned steamboat!

"Wooooooooooow!" the gang chorused.

"So, what do you guys think?" Chip asked.

"This is real neat!" Huck cried. "It looks just like a steamboat!"

"Yeah, it reminds me of the good ol' days!" Hokey added.

"It does, doesn't it?" Carmella said. "Well, everybody grab a seat, and we'll take you to the other side! I'll steer!"

"And I'll pedal!" Chip added.

As the gang all took their seats, the sun was sinking lower and lower in the sky. As it set, the light from the sun's rays began to shine upon the enormous popsicles that were sitting along the shore. The light reflected and sparkled off of them, creating a bright rainbow that seemed to gleam over the top of the whole island.

The gang all looked in awe at the beautiful sight. "Wooooow!" they sighed.

"It's so breathtaking, gorgeous, stunning, even!" Snag said.

"Yeah," Huck agreed. "It sure looks pretty. But we better get movin'! The sun's goin' down!"

"Right!" Carmella agreed. "We don't want that evil witch, Larissa, to get us! Chip, full speed ahead!"

"Aye aye, Captain Carmella!" Chip called. Then he got on the small bicycle and started pedaling fast. The boat started sailing through the soda pop as the sea sparkled in the setting sun. Just then, the soda pop started changing color, from a yellowish-green, to a bright pink with foamy white swirls of cream!

"Hey! The soda changed into milkshake!" Huck exclaimed. " I've got to try this!"

He took out a large straw and dipped it into the milkshake lake. He then took a great big sip and smiled. "Mmmmmmmm!" he beamed. "This is sweet! It's so milky! And if I had to guess, it's also makin' my tummy a little shaky!"

Huck began to laugh, and soon, Hokey joined in. "Good one, Huck!" the wolf chuckled. "You have one incredible sense of humor!"

"Thanks, Hokey!" Huck replied. "I love jokes!"

"Me too!" Hokey said. "That reminds me of another good one! Why did the ice cream truck break down?"

Huck thought about it for a moment, but soon he had to give up. "I don't know Hokey! Why did the ice cream truck break down?"

"Because it was driving down a Rocky Road!"

Huck began to crack up. "HOKEY, THAT JOKE WAS EXTREMELY HILARIOUS!!" he howled. "That's a real knee-slapper!!!"

Everyone else was laughing as well. "Yeah, that was really funny!" Snag agreed.

"Wow, I didn't expect to get everyone laughing!" Hokey grinned.

Soon enough, they reached the shore, and the castle was straight ahead. "Guys, look!" Huck cried. "There it is!" He pointed to where the candy castle stood. It looked like it was at least forty feet tall! It was made out of every kind of candy you could ever imagine, plus it had cookies, cake slices and bright hard candy columns that held it up! The towers were even topped with cupcake tops!

"Isn't it beautiful?" Huck asked.

"It's fantastical, terrific, magnificent, even!" Snag cried.

'Well then, what are we waiting for?" Coco cried. "To the castle!"