The hum of the Astral Express thrummed beneath Stelle’s feet as the train coasted gently through the shimmering skies toward Penacony Paperfold University.
Outside, the world was a shifting swirl of dreamscapes—vivid bursts of colors that twisted and morphed like clouds caught in a cosmic breeze.
Inside, however, there was an air of caution. March 7th drummed her fingers nervously on the back of her seat, casting a glance toward Stelle and Danheng.
“Okay, look—last time we came here, we had to fight off slumbernana monkeys. I’m just saying we might be walking into trouble again. Those things smelled like sweaty socks.”
Stelle gave a light-hearted shrug.
“Yeah, but this time, they said no more monkeys.”
March grinned but still looked unconvinced. “That’s what they say. Who even names a disaster ‘slumbernana’ anyway?”
Danheng leaned against the wall, his spear resting beside him, and gave a quiet sigh.
“We should be prepared for anything.”
Despite their hesitation, they accepted the university’s invitation again.
After all, this time wasn’t about disaster or cosmic horrors—it was a festival. A fun, totally safe festival. Right?
...
Onto the dreamscape grounds, they were greeted by a sight that could only belong to a place like Paperfold University.
The campus was transformed into a dazzling festival scene—bright lanterns shaped like folded cranes floated in the air, and streams of multicolored lights wove like ribbons through the sky.
Everywhere they looked, delicate origami creatures fluttered around—folded butterflies and birds, foxes that ran along tables, and paper flowers blooming underfoot.
“Whoa…” Stelle breathed, her eyes widening.
March 7th’s jaw nearly hit the floor.
“This is so much cooler than last time! And no monkeys!”
Danheng, characteristically unbothered by whimsical dream decorations, took a step forward—and was immediately smacked in the face by a floating letter.
SMACK!
“Guh—!” He stumbled back slightly, blinking at the offending piece of paper that clung stubbornly to his face. March tried very hard not to laugh but failed miserably.
“That letter’s got good aim,” she snorted as Danheng peeled it off with quiet annoyance.
Before any of them could read what it said, a voice cut through the dreamlike air.
“Ahhh, my stars! If it isn’t my favorite troublemakers!”
The three of them turned, just in time to see
Mr. Reca appear from seemingly nowhere—like he’d folded himself right out of thin air.
The eccentric director looked as wild as ever, his hair in disarray and his eyes gleaming with manic enthusiasm.
“I knew you’d come back!”
Mr. Reca exclaimed, clapping his hands together.
“The Astral Express crew always knows when the winds of creativity are blowing! And boy, are they blowing!”
March leaned over to Stelle and whispered,
“Is it just me, or does he look even crazier than last time?”
“He definitely looks crazier...”
Stelle whispered back, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Reca waggled his eyebrows.
“Now, I know you might be wondering what’s going on—well, let me tell you! I need actors. Not just any actors, but you three. I’ve decided that you’ll be the stars of my latest film!”
YOU ARE READING
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙚...? - ʀᴏʙɪɴʜɪʟʟ
Fanfiction◜✧ A flim made by yours truly, Mr. Reca.
