Giving Fantasia: The Taking Fantasia Sequel

Chapter 82: A Jealous Female

Chapter 82: A Jealous Female

Castle rumors were flying. They were hurtling from mouth to ear.

Tinkerbell was in her glory.

"Poor little Miss Virtue! Poor Miss Holier Than Thou! All alone and nobody cares!"

Bun flouncing, Tinkerbell skipped between royal dignitaries and Skyworld executives. She paused for a cheerful word with the Indians, and informed them that Skyworld was her new home. The Underworld was history, she was moving to the skies! Sunshine and rainbows! Winds and clouds! Wasn't that just flitterific!?

The Indians were polite but strangely downcast. In fact, the entire castle was downcast. King Arthur's wedding preparations proceeded halfheartedly and every expression was somber as the evening rain. Even the wedding bells were singing a melancholy tune.

Tinkerbell thought the depression very strange! How could anyone be sad on a day like today? How could anyone be sad with such a wonderful rumor in the air? Peter dumped Wendy! He played her like a doll and DUMPED that little prude! 

It was delicious. Mouthwatering. Tinkerbell was so pleased. She fluttered across King Arthur's castle like a spring butterfly.

"Twinkle, twinkle little star! How I wonder what you are! Little Eagle word for word, killed a virgin Wendy bird! Twinkle, twinkle little star! Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Oooooo goodie, goodie, goodie! Tink you are such a...bitch."

Tinkerbell stopped. She floated backwards, revisiting a wide, dimly lit room. She'd almost bypassed the chamber, it was so dismal and empty inside. On second inspection, Tinkerbell saw the room was dismal, yes. But it was not empty. Seated before the window, head pressed against the pane, was –

"Peter."

Tinkerbell almost sang. Her luck just kept snowballing! 

Wishing Wendy was there, Tinkerbell tried not to shimmer too brightly as she approached Peter Pan.

"Hi Handsome, what's --- Oh. Peter...." 

Wings folding downward, Tinkerbell brushed Peter's cheek. His skin reflected raindrops on window, but as Tinkerbell touched Peter, she felt tears. Real tears.

"Peter. You're crying."

Her anger flared, suddenly suspicious that his tears were for Wendy. Suppressing her scorn, Tinkerbell embraced Peter. As he fell into her neck, she smiled. Sorrow could be manipulated into hatred – all it needed was a little encouragement.

"She hurt you, didn't she?" Tinkerbell rubbed, spreading Peter's pain across his chest. "And now she's gone. She doesn't care if you stare out the window and cry. It's okay Peter. I'm here. And so are you. The One and Only Pan...remember?"

Peter trembled. Tinkerbell kissed his hair, pressed his cheek against hers.

"The One and Only Pan – wild, fiery, and free. Peter, how could she possibly deserve you? She is too tame, too soft, too weak. How could Wendy Darling even begin to reach where Peter Pan flies?"

Tinkerbell sunk into Peter, but he suddenly withdrew. Savagely he flew away, toes scraping the floor until he finally stumbled to earth, one hand squeezing his heart.

To say Tinkerbell turned red would be to say fire burns. The description is accurate, but cannot translate the intensity, the heat. Peter hadn't spoken, but his anguish was clear. He was screaming in sadness, screaming in pain. Even though he had thrown her away, Peter was screaming for Wendy.

Tinkerbell never hated anyone so deeply in her life. She wished Wendy was dead; dead as her romance with Peter Pan.

Suddenly, someone spoke.

"Green with envy. Fortunately a very becoming shade, especially on you."

Tinkerbell darted upright, wings twinkling as she rose. Lighthearted laughter echoed from every corner as she searched for the source. "Who's that? Who's there?"

"Here." the voice whispered behind her.

She spun. There was no one, but the darkness rippled, and she chased the movement  left to right.

"Where?"

A thin chuckle. Aside her ear. "Right here."

Tinkerbell thrashed. She swerved uncontrollably, swiping air. "Where? Where are you?"

"I am everywhere. I am...here."

Darkness tumbled from the ceiling. Tinkerbell cowered but was utterly entranced as the mass gathered into a slender figure with black robes and glowing, molten eyes. Riveted, she stared as the shadowy creature introduced himself.

"I am darkness and fear. I am the King of Nightmares. I am the Boogie Man. I, Miss Bell, am Pitch Black. Oh no – don't run away."

Pitch flicked. Tinkerbell veered sharply as three nightmares blocked her escape. The nightmares snarled, their skeletal bodies heaving towards Tinkerbell as she retreated.

"Nightmares... shadows." Tinkerbell growled at Pitch. "Wendy sent you! She sent you because Peter spoiled her! Well just wait till I'm in Skyworld. I'm going to make Peter forgets Wendy ever – "

"Again," Pitch pleasantly interrupted. "Green – a very flattering hue. But you are mistaken, Miss Bell. I, the King of Nightmares, sent by a little shadow worker?  Please. It's laughable. However...."

Pitch slithered closer. "I believe the Underworld guardian is a common enemy that we both share. I believe we both would like to see her...removed. Permanently." 

Tinkerbell tilted, placing both Pitch and his nightmares in full view. Interestingly, she reviewed Pitch's statement and smiled.

"Do you....Pitch Black.... want Wendy dead?"

Pitch caressed his hands. "Do you?"

Tinkerbell's wings curled to devil horns. "What will cost me?"

"Entrance to the Underworld. And..." Pitch licked his jagged teeth. "A way under the beds."

Tinkerbell absolutely glimmered. "I can give you both. Rather, I can give you the Underworld. Wendy already took care of the rest."

Pitch rolled with mirth.  Although he admired Tinkerbell's hunger for vengeance, he silently mused: A jealous female can be tricked into anything.