The Happiness Thief (TEGSA)

→05. The future unveiled←

Night has fallen, and Maxwell is pretending to wind down for bed - or so his parents believe. After a quiet dinner with his family, Maxwell slips into his nightclothes and flops onto his bed. He shuts his eyes tight, and his mom, Clara, assumes he's drifted off to sleep. She flicks off the lamp and closes the door to his room.

As soon as the door clicks shut, Maxwell's eyes spring open, and he whispers a soft call for Happiness. In an instant, she appears, floating in on a radiant golden mat. Maxwell's eyes widen in surprise, matched only by his excitement. Happiness beckons him to climb aboard, but Maxwell hesitates, his mind racing with concerns. "What if my parents come in and I'm not in bed?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

Happiness's smile grows wider as she anticipates Maxwell's concern. "Don't worry, dear Maxwell! I knew you'd think of that, and I've taken care of it," she assures him. With a flick of her eyebrow, she signals to her magical pet, Mewto, who materializes out of thin air. Mewto nods in response, and a swirl of vibrant colors - bright blue, orange, and green - envelops him. In an instant, Mewto transforms into a perfect replica of Maxwell, a lifelike duplicate that seems utterly convincing.

Maxwell's eyes widen in amazement as he stares at the duplicate Mewto, his hand reaching out to touch the replica's shoulder. He expects it to be transparent or at least somewhat ethereal, but to his surprise, Mewto feels solid and real beneath his fingers. "Whoa!" Maxwell exclaims, his voice filled with excitement. "This is so cool!"

Happiness gestures for Maxwell to join her on the golden mat, and he eagerly obliges. As they settle in together, Happiness whispers a command to the mat, instructing it to jump. Just before they soar out of the room, Happiness glances back to see Mewto, now in Maxwell's form, lying peacefully on the bed, a gentle smile spreading across her face.

As they soar above the city, Maxwell's eyes bug out in wonder at the breathtaking view. He spots his favorite ramen shop, the park, and even flies over Rosie's house, where a party is in full swing - balloons, cake, and friends all celebrating together. Rosie's beaming face catches his attention, and Maxwell's expression falters, guilt pricking his conscience for making her cry earlier. He looks down, his eyes clouding over with regret. Happiness notices his melancholy, but decides to let it slide for now. Undeterred, Maxwell's gaze drifts upward, and his jaw drops in awe as he takes in the celestial wonders above - the twinkling stars, the moon, and the vast expanse of the night sky.

Happiness's expression turns resolute, her eyes sparkling with intensity. "Maxwell, hold on to the end of the mat tightly," she instructs him firmly. "We're about to travel through a portal!" Her voice is laced with a hint of excitement and a dash of caution, as if she's preparing him for an adventure that will leave him breathless.With a deep breath, Maxwell grasps the mat's edge, and suddenly, a massive blue vortex materializes before them. The air seems to shimmer and distort, and then they're hurtling through the swirling portal. Maxwell's eyes go wide as he's enveloped by a kaleidoscope of colorful sparkles, twinkling lights, and shimmering effects that dance around them,leaving him utterly mesmerized.

As they emerge from the portal, Maxwell and Happiness are thrust into a somber, dark blue and black sky. The air is heavy with an unsettling stillness, as if the very atmosphere is holding its breath. Maxwell's gaze darts around, trying to take in their surroundings, but there's nothing to see - no landmarks, no stars, just an endless expanse of darkness. "Where are we, Happiness?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper, the silence making him feel like an intruder in this eerie realm. Happiness's enigmatic smile is her only response, before she reveals, "We are in the future, Maxwell. And you will understand why soon." Her words hang in the air, shrouded in mystery, leaving Maxwell with more questions than answers.

As they float through the dark sky, Happiness's gaze suddenly locks onto a vibrant, eye-catching sign - a purple and pink board adorning the facade of a shop. A hint of excitement flickers across her face as she declares, "We're heading towards Uptown Funk, a club that's all the rage among teenagers. It's the perfect spot for birthday bashes and casual hangouts."

Maxwell's eyes linger on the sign, his curiosity getting the better of him. "But why are we going there, and why is it called Uptown Funk?" he asks, his tone tinged with intrigue. Happiness lets out a musical chuckle, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah, the name is inspired by a song by the talented Bruno Mars. It means to let loose, to have fun, and to embrace the funky vibes," she explains, her words dripping with excitement.

Maxwell nods his head, the meaning behind the club's name clicking into place. Happiness, sensing his understanding, gestures to her mat, and it responds by surging forward, accelerating their descent. In no time, they land softly on the street.

[A/N- The fifth musical prompt is used as a spot,a place where teenagers celebrate their birthdays or hang out after highschool/college. I hope you liked the chapter,stay tuned for the next one.]