Unknown Happen Stance

Chapter 42: 'You Do It Yourself When You Want Something Done Right. Act Now!

'When You Want Something Done Right, do it Yourself! Stop Talking! Go Act!'
Which Disney villain said this line. "'When you want something done right do it yourself!'"? (A hero's companion has also said it too.)

But deep down in her heart, a sinister relic of the past was furious at her decision. Like Stella, Musa had a passive-aggressive temper—one that could flare up without warning. The young fairy of Music was all too forgetful about the dark shadow residue left behind, lodged deep within her, making her sorrow and anger ten times heavier than they should have been. This dark remnant threatened to escalate her temper into a pathological state that could be frightening.

As the Enchantix for the water stars trial rippled through her thoughts, tangling with her emotions, Musa suddenly felt a sharp pang of pain. "Ow!" she cried, clutching her head in her hands. The shadow residue was mentally taunting her, dragging her back to her worst memories—the echoes of hurt and betrayal that haunted her from the past. The dark remnant she had picked up on Solaria, in that cursed dark rain, was now activated, fed by her growing annoyance and frustration at herself for not staying true to her empathy.

"How dare you!" it bellowed inside her mind, a voice laden with bitterness and fury. "I will show you how wrong you truly are, Miss Musa!"

"Stop it!" Musa mumbled desperately trying to shake off the assault on her consciousness. The pressure in her head was becoming unbearable.

Evie looked stunned, witnessing a mental battle unfold before her—a sight she had heard about but never seen in action. "What is this?" she gasped her voice trembling with concern. "It feels like a darker energy than anything I've ever felt from my mom's witchcraft or Ursula's sea deal potions and spells."

Across the room, the Onyx Shard that Arista had given Musa was sitting quietly on a desk, suddenly flickering to life. The artifact began to pulse with a bright ruby red light. "Dark Shadow Residue detected," it intoned in a whisper, its voice echoing with an unmistakable sense of urgency, meant to alert those nearby of the looming threat surrounding Musa.

Evie's eyes darted toward Musa's phone, the screen illuminated and open. "Maybe she wrote something down about this. This is a strange little gadget." She peered at the display, noticing a document titled "Shadow Residue."

"Wow, what is this?" she murmured, reading aloud. "Shadow residue comes from a dark rain caused by a Sorcerer who conquered planets by stealing their most precious magic sources, casting the planets into the influence of a shadow residue swarm that splinters into individual people. This Sorcerer, Valtor—his magic is dark cosmic shadow residue and dark dragonflame powers aptly named Shadowfire. The shadow residue from the cursed rain was discovered first in Princess Stella of Solaria and vanquished by the Witch of Dusk, Arista, who turned it into this onyx shard that immobilized it in time and has the power to detect other pieces. Combating Cure: Currently Unknown."

As Evie absorbed the information, Musa was lost in the tempest of her internal struggle. The voice of the shadow residue echoed louder in her mind, assaulting her with memories that clawed at her heart. Images of failure, being cast aside, and the harsh words from her father, along with the betrayal of supposed friends, looped through her thoughts—a relentless tide of anguish.

"You can't escape me!" it whispered darkly. "You have never truly escaped. You want to help others? You're not worthy!"

Musa's breathing quickened, her heart pounding. "No! I won't let you control me!" she shouted internally, fighting against the suffocating grip of despair. Waves of anger washed over her, but she fought to push back, clinging to the hope and kindness she had been trying to cultivate in herself.

"They will see you for who you are—a failure, a shadow of the hero you pretend to be!" The dark energy swirled around her, tormenting her with the whispers of inadequacy.

In that moment, Musa visualized the Fa family—the warmth of their hospitality, their unwavering support. She recalled their reassuring voices, each one a reminder that she was loved and accepted, that her past didn't have to define her future.

"You're wrong! I am growing!" she declared, her voice rising above the turmoil. "I won't let my past dictate my journey!"

But despite her fiery resolve, the dark whispers did not fade completely. Musa felt the heaviness of the shadow residue pressing against her mind, its persistent taunts refusing to let go. She remembered her notes on her phone, the words flashing before her: Combating Cure: Unknown. Every individual's path to healing was different, and Musa had yet to unlock the secret to her own and find the unique cure that would counter her weakness.

The voice grimaced, sensing her uncertainty. "You see?" it taunted. "You're trapped, and your friends can't help you with a cure they don't understand! Give in; let me guide you!"

Evie, witnessing Musa's struggle, felt a rush of urgency. Without saying a word, she stepped closer, her presence a comforting anchor amidst the chaos. Then, with a determined glint in her eye, she began to speak. "Think, Evie—there has to be some way you can help. That's right; Mom always said when you want something done right, you do it yourself. Enough talking; I must act."

With that resolve, Evie took Musa's arms gently, guiding her in for a comforting, sister-like hug. "I'm here; you can deal with those night terrors while I hold you too, you know," she whispered softly, while Musa's head rested against her shoulder just as Evie's own mom had done for her.

As they embraced, the warmth of sisterhood enveloped them, a reminder that together they could face the darkness ahead. Musa felt a flicker of hope igniting within her, fueled by the bond she shared with Evie—a spark that would push her to find the strength to continue fighting.

As Musa and Evie embraced in the comforting warmth of sisterhood, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The air thickened, and the shadow residue that had been haunting Musa began to boil in response to Evie's kindness. It pulsed with dark energy, growling at the interference of Evie's bold spirit.

"So that's how you want to play it, Lost Isle Princess," it taunted, its voice echoing with malice. "I'll make it tough, Miss 'Shine the Light Brighter' on her story."

Evie felt the cold, sinister vibrations ripple through the room, and for the first time, she saw the shadow residue materialize before her. It took the form of a man's silhouette—dark and menacing, its features obscured, but the malice radiating from it was palpable.

"I won't be as easy as my brothers," It sneered, the shadows swirling around it like smoke, distorting the air.

Evie stood her ground, a determined glint in her eye. "I'm not afraid of you," she replied coyly, winking at the shadow, her voice steady despite the weight of the darkness surrounding them. Her playful attitude seemed to frustrate the silhouette even more, its growls intensifying as it swirled in agitation.

"You think your light can penetrate this darkness?" it roared, the air vibrating with its fury. "You'll find that hope and creativity won't save you here!"

Unfazed by the threat, Evie tightened her grip around Musa. "Maybe not, but together we can face whatever nightmares you conjure," she declared, her voice unwavering. "Just wait and see."

In that moment, a radiant aura emanated from Evie, her resolve shining like the sun, as if in direct defiance of the shadow's menace. The darkness hissed, recoiling from the unexpected brightness. The room seemed to shimmer with potential—Evie's light clashing against the oppressive shadow residue that sought to sow despair.