Crossover

Chapter 16 The Friendship Element

Chapter 16
The Friendship Element

    One miniscule square window towards the top of the room in the tower was the only visible opening to the outside world. The sunlight shining through told Vanessa it was sometime during the day. She stood against the wall, her hands bound in chains for hours it seemed.

    At the sound of footsteps, Vanessa turned her head. Moments later, the door opened and Ms. Malone, who she now knew as Myrtle, appeared.

    “Well, it seems as though your friends managed to defeat my dragon,” she spoke casually, pacing gradually closer to Vanessa.

    “You mean Aria is okay… she woke up?” Vanessa demanded as her hands made another pointless jiggle in the chains.

    “Yes,” Myrtle sighed in a bored tone. “As usual, true love’s kiss saves the day.”

    Well, at least Aria is okay, Vanessa thought to herself, as her breathing grew heavier. That’s more than I can say for me right now.

    Myrtle, seemingly reading her mind smirked. “I bet you are wondering what happens next.”  

    “Are you going to kill me?” Vanessa asked softly, attempting to meet the witch’s eyes.

    Myrtle merely let out a soft chuckle. “If I wanted to kill you, Miss Cooper, I would have done so by now.”

    “Then why are you keeping me here?” she demanded more boldly, lifting her head up higher.

    “Honestly, more out of curiosity than anything else.” As Myrtle caught sight of Vanessa’s puzzled expression, she clarified, “You see, Miss Cooper, in this world true love plays a strong role. It is almost always strong enough to make someone willing to risk their lives to rescue their loved one. Around here, that is quite common. The princess always has a true love, willing to do just about anything to save her.”

    As she spoke, Myrtle strolled casually about the room, but then came to a dead stop to look into Vanessa’s eyes, and added, “But you, young Miss Cooper, bring in a whole new element to this story.”

    “And what might that be?” Vanessa asked, nervously.

    “Friendship,” Myrtle answered simply, resuming her casual pacing. “You see, as I mentioned, the princess always has a true love, but nothing much is mentioned about her friends. I am curious to see just how strong your friendship is with Princess Aria. Does it hold the same strength? The fact that you came here for her shows that it is relatively strong. Now, we will just have to see if that friendship power goes the other way around.”

    “You want to see if she will come here for me,” Vanessa concluded in a voice barely above a whisper.

      Myrtle let out a pretense doleful sigh. “Feelings of true love do emerge stronger and more rapidly here I have noticed. It is possible Aria and Derek will go on to live happily ever after.”

      Vanessa took in a nerve filled breath before asking, “What is going to happen to me if Aria does not come?”
     
      The witch shrugged. “Well, seeing that your true love is likely someone in the other world who has no idea where you are now, Aria is probably your only hope for rescue.” She shot Vanessa a vile smirk. “I suppose if she does not come then I will win somewhat after all.”
     
xXx

      Firmly gripping the magic sword, Aria took in a deep breath as she approached Myrtle’s tower. She had no idea how she was able to locate this lair without much difficultly. It must be something about this world. Aria did not waste much time pondering on this. Right now, her main focus was getting her best friend out of this place unharmed.

    As she tiptoed down the dim lighted hall, Aria wondered how evil Myrtle really is or how people even became villainous in this world. Are they just born that way? According to Adora, Myrtle had been evil long before her birthday celebration, but she never mentioned how or what exactly changed her. Once upon a time, Myrtle was a gift-giving fairy. Now, she has transformed into an evil witch obsessed with revenge. The idea of a person changing in that extreme baffled Aria.

      Aria’s mind then turned back to the real reason she came, to rescue Vanessa. Her plan seemed quite simple played out in her mind; find Vanessa and get out of here alive. Unfortunately, Aria had a feeling it would be much more challenging than that with Myrtle.

      Moving forward with caution, she thought how easy the princess had it in the fairy tale story of Sleeping Beauty. All she had to do was sleep and get rescued. Once the prince kissed her and she awoke, all her problems were solved. Both the dragon and witch were already defeated and she lived happily ever after with her prince. Aria, on the other hand, had to deal with the dragon and now the witch, and honestly, she had absolutely no idea what will happen between her and Derek. Just a couple hours ago, the thought of him boiled her blood and now suddenly she developed these new feelings for him. Perhaps they were buried deep down within her mind all along.
     
      Aria approached a wooden door at the end of the hall. She thought she heard the sound of chains rattling. Thinking it may be Vanessa, Aria took in a deep breath and opened the door only to find no one there. The room seemed bare and dark with just one small window towards the top.
     
      The door she came through made a sudden slam shut. Aria whirled around in startle, her breath growing rapid.
     
      “Why hello there, Princess,” a familiar voice came from the corner of the room. “Glad to see you have awakened.”
     
      Slowly, Aria turned her head to see Edmund wearing the same charming smile he used to first lure her in. Only this time, that smile did not have the same effect. Aria found that what Adora said indeed turned out to be true. As she looked upon the man she once claimed to love, Aria could honestly say now that she felt nothing for him.
     
      “Where’s Vanessa?” Aria demanded through gritted teeth, trying to conceal her fear.
     
      “I would have thought you would be pleased to be reunited with the man you once claimed to love,” Myrtle’s deadly tone coolly breezed in from behind the shadows.
     
      Aria turned her head to her other side to find herself face to face with the witch who cursed her as an infant. She stood with the same long wavy dark hair and smooth white pearl skin Aria remembered back when she thought of her as Ms. Malone.
     
      “It was not real,” Aria muttered simply.
     
      “Too right you are,” Myrtle sneered as she casually stroked her fingers along a candlestick hanging on the wall. “Now, what I am curious of is why you are not currently enjoying your happily ever after with your true love.”
     
      Aria gaped at her in disbelief. “You still have my friend. How can I enjoy my happily ever after, or whatever, knowing that Vanessa is trapped here with you?”
     
      The witch shot her a curious look. “Is she really that important to you?”
     
      “Yes,” Aria answered, gripping the sword more firmly. “Now, where is she?”
     
      “No need to get boisterous.” Myrtle let out a sly grin as she grabbed hold of the candlestick she had her fingers on. “I made sure to keep her close by.”
     
      She pulled downward on that candlestick, her body still facing the princess. At that moment, a potion of the wall began to revolve, revealing Vanessa to be on the other side in chains.
     
      “Aria!” Vanessa eyes lit as they fell upon her best friend though her tone sounded conflicted as she shot the witch a nervous glance and uttered, “You came.”
     
      “Of course,” Aria panted as she began to approach her.
     
      Myrtle, however, blocked her path and raised her wand, prepared for attack.
     
      “Please,” Aria begged in desperation. “I came alone just like you asked. Just let her go. I’m the one you want revenge on.”
     
      As the words escaped Aria’s mouth she did not feel nearly as brave as she attempted to sound. The last thing she desired was to be trapped alone in Myrtle’s territory with just the witch and Edmund for company. However, as it appears, this evil fairy will accommodate her no matter what. If Myrtle agrees, at least Vanessa would be safe.
     
      Myrtle briefly glanced at Vanessa, who furiously shook her head, and responded, “I think it would be more entertaining for me if she were to stay and watch what happens to you next.”
     
      Aria took a nervous step back, but demanded, “Are you really going to kill me just because my parents did not invite you to my birthday celebration. Do you know how many parties I have never been invited to? Not once did it ever cross my mind to actually kill someone over it.”
     
      To add even to Aria’s shock, Myrtle began to laugh. “There is quite a simple explanation for that, Princess.”
     
      Aria drew in a sharp breath. “And what would that be?”
     
      Myrtle stepped closer to her with a deadly grin. “I’m evil.”
     
      “That’s it?” Aria asked, slightly thrown off by the blunt response.
     
      The witch held her evil sneer. “That is it. You see, Princess, in this world good and evil appears more black and white than your world portrays.” 
     
      “You just suddenly decided to flip the switch and turn bad,” Aria uttered quietly, “without a second thought?”
     
      Myrtle simply shrugged. “What can I say, evil is more fun. You should try it sometime. I bet there is someone in your world you would enjoy taking revenge on.”
     
      Trying to force the scene of Kendal sticking gum on her hair to the back of her mind, Aria shook her head. “No, I’m not that kind of person, Myrtle.”
     
      Myrtle raised her wand higher. “Suit yourself.”
     
      With a wave of her wand, Myrtle shot out a lightning beam strait towards Aria. Luckily, Aria was able to block it with her sword. The very moment the lightning made contact with the sword, it simply dissolved. The princess looked down at the sword she grasped, her eyes widened. She had no idea it would be this durable against a fairy’s wand. It appeared Greg’s magic was stronger than Myrtle’s.
     
      The witch, on the other hand, appeared much less surprised as she dully looked over to her accomplice and tilted it towards Aria. “Ed, retrieve that sword.”
     
      Ed lunged at Aria, but with her reflexes acting sharper than usual, she quickly dodged out of his path causing him to clumsily slam into wall knocking himself unconscious.
     
      Myrtle rolled her eyes. “Well, so much for that. It looks as though I will be taking you on myself.”
     
      Aria gulped but maintained a firm grasp on her weapon. Myrtle, her fiery eyes lighted up, threw everything she could at her opponent, while Vanessa’s eyes widened in fright. All the lightning, beams, and flames proved, however, ineffective against the forged sword. The battle continued on for nearly half an hour before, Aria finally managed to redirect one of the witch’s light beams directly at her, causing her body to slam against the wall. Before Myrtle had the chance to reclaim her fallen wand, Aria pointed the sword directly at her chest.
     
      The wicked fairy did not show any fear, meeting Aria with her daring eyes. “What are you going to do now, Princess, kill me?”
     
      Aria paused, her mind unprepared for this moment, but then shook her head. “No. I’m not like you, Myrtle. I will not murder someone just for the sake of revenge.”
     
      Myrtle tilted her chin up. “Well said. So what are you going to do then?”
     
      Keeping the sword in its position, Aria bent over, hastily, grabbing the wand. “I want you to leave this kingdom and never return.”
     
      “Is that an order, Your Highness?” Myrtle challenged with slight sneer.
     
      “Yes,” Aria stated darkly, refusing to lower her weapon.
     
      “Very well,” Myrtle consented. “As you command.”
     
      At that moment Myrtle vanished, dust hovering above where she last stood. Aria suddenly had this sunken feeling informing her that this may not be entirely over, but at this moment she did not take up much time to dwell on this.
     
      “Aria, are you okay?” Vanessa demanded in worry as she rattled her chains.
     
      “Yeah.” Aria held up her arms and shrugged. “She didn’t hit me at all.”
     
      “I can’t believe you actually came all by yourself,” Vanessa commented in a slightly dazed tone.”
     
      “Of course.” Aria walked over to her, still holding the sword. “You’re my best friend. Did you actually think I wouldn’t come?”
     
      Vanessa sighed, looking downward. “I don’t know. Its just something Myrtle said about how true love in this world pretty much outweighs everything else.”
     
      “Well, I didn’t grow up in this world,” Aria stated firmly, as she began to raise the sword. “Now, let me get you free so we can leave this place.”
     
      Vanessa beamed at her best friend, but that smile soon transformed to panic as Aria raised the sword higher. “Aria, wait! What are you doing?”
     
      “I am going to cut the chains loose,” Aria replied simply, and then let out an understanding smile. “I know my aim usually sucks, but I did just throw this sword right through the dragon’s heart on the first try so it might be better here.”
     
      “Yeah…” Vanessa pointed her fingers to Aria’s right side. “But just to be safe maybe instead try the key over on that table against the wall.”
     
      “Right.” Aria turned her head in that direction. “That’s probably a better idea.”
     
      Aria went over to grab the key and immediately set her friend free. The next moment, the two girls embraced one another tightly. They did not let go until they heard a stumble from the side of the room. Aria turned her head, just remembering that Edmund was still there.
     
      Rubbing his head, Edmund looked at them and asked Aria, “Did you defeat Myrtle?”
     
      “Yes,” Aria answered, trying not to stutter. “I banished her from this kingdom, and for helping her you are banished as well.”
     
      Edmund only smiled at her, winked and then bowed stating, “As you wish, my princess.”

      Instead of making an immediate departure, he continued to bow.

    What's he doing? Aria thought, trying to charm his way out of this?

    “Yeah okay, go,” Aria commanded as she rolled her eyes.

    “Do I have to go where Myrtle went?” Edmund asked.

    “I don’t care,” Aria replied, uncertainly. “Just leave the kingdom.”

    As the door shut behind him, Vanessa pointed her eyes in that direction. “Um, Aria, don’t you think you let them off a little too easy?”
     
      Aria sighed, knowing she was probably right but said, “I couldn’t think of anything else. What was I suppose to do, kill them?”
     
      “Well, Myrtle did try to kill you,” Vanessa reminded her.
     
      Aria briefly put her hand to her head. “Yeah, but I don’t know. It just felt like if I killed her I would be sinking to her level or something. Also, the thought of actually killing someone kind of makes me shudder.”
     
      Vanessa gave her a sympathetic smile. “Yeah, I guess I know what you mean.” Her eyes then moved to the ground, spotting something. “Hey, what are we going to do with Myrtle’s wand?”
     
      Aria picked it up and looked down at it. “I don’t know. I guess keep it as a souvenir.”
     
      Vanessa stared at, awed. “I wonder what all it can do.” Her eyes then sparked with an idea. “Maybe you can try to use it to put warts all over Kendal’s face. That would get her back for the whole gum thing.”
     
      Aria did let out a brief chuckle but asked, “Do you not remember anything I said about not wanting to sink to Myrtle’s level?”
     
      “Yeah, I guess you shouldn’t do that,” Vanessa agreed, but then held out her hand. “I’ll do it.”
     
      As much temptation as she felt, Aria shook her head. “No, I really don’t think we should mess around with this.”
     
      “Oh come on,” Vanessa pleaded as the two began to make their way towards the exit. “We have to try it out on something. Maybe we can use it for homework, or I know! Maybe there is some kind of spell that would make me smarter. I would love to see the look on Walter’s face if I know the answer to a question he didn’t.”
     
      “I think he would know something’s up,” Aria muttered, jestingly. As Vanessa turned to give her that hey look, she added, “Well, you didn’t believe me when I said I through the sword right through that dragon’s heart.”
     
      “I never said that,” Vanessa protested with a grin. “Its just you have to admit that is pretty difficult to picture. I mean, I have watched you try to toss a crumpled up piece of paper in a trashcan right in front of you and still miss.”
     
      “Well, it did happen,” Aria insisted, as they walked into the outdoors. “Just ask Derek.”
     
      “Whatever you say,” Vanessa mumbled and then looked at her friend curiously. “Speaking of Derek, what is going to happen between you and him? I mean, obviously his kiss worked. Does that mean he is your true love or whatever?”
     
      Aria let out an exasperated sigh. “Honestly, I have no idea what will happen. This really is not as simple as it is in the fairy tale.”
     
      As the girls continued on back to the wizard’s cottage, Aria’s mind kept trying to process everything that just happened. What her best friend said was indeed true. Adora’s spell made it so that true love’s kiss would awaken her. Even so, Aria was not sure she was ready to admit she loved Derek, not yet at least. One thing she could be certain of now, she no longer hated him.