“Good question,” the fox replied, rubbing his chin in thought. “I don’t really know. The Dark Thorns never miss a thing, so I’m sure they have a reason.”
“I bet you’re right, mate,” Mr. Jollysnaps added.
“Oh, and there is one more detail I forgot to mention.”
“Well, spit it out my little genius,” Flamario said with a big devilish smile.
Not only are the Kingdom Crystals hidden, the locations in which they are hidden magically change from time to time as well.”
“Ahhhh, and now I see the importance of the where and when,” Flamario said.
“Precisely my friend. Precisely indeed,” the fox said with a sly smile.
The golden coach continued on across the sky.
Daylight had all but disappeared. The animated ban of Patrons were exhausted from their long journey through the woods and over the snow-capped mountains. Far below, and now well behind them, sat the tiny little village where Raphael had once lived. As they passed over the mountain top, the sun glowed softly in hues of orange and purple on the horizon of an unfamiliar, grass-filled valley below. No sign of where Raphael may live, could be seen. Everyone took a minute to catch their breaths, as Midnight’s curiosity got the best of him.
“Do you see anything?” the cat asked Ben, who was bent over catching his breath.
“See . . . what . . . you . . . silly cat?” Ben replied—his words broken by several deep breaths.
“Anything that looks remotely like Raphael’s workshop.”
Ben stared intently towards the valley below, as he tried to discover what his friend could not. “No sir, I don’t see a bloomin’ thing.”
Frustrated by Ben’s words, Midnight turned to a set of younger eyes, hoping his luck may change. “Michael, scan the valley below and tell me if you see anything, would you please.”
Michael stared towards the valley, scratching his head. “Uhhh, nnnnope, I, I don’t see anything either.”
“Ha! You see, you furry feline. Our young lad here can’t see any better than me,” Ben proudly proclaimed.
“Well of course he can’t,” Featherwink said, standing on Charlie’s shoulder.
“Oh really,” Midnight snipped at Ben. “Do you really think you can see as well as our young friend, Michael?”
“Ho-ho, hold on fellas. Just because you can’t see anything, doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be seen,” Featherwink said.
“I beg your pardon little frog, but I’m quite sure you can’t hide something out in plain site,” Midnight said, pointing his furry paw towards the empty valley below.
“I am afraid I have to agree with the cat on this one,” Provo squeaked out.
“As do I,” Sassyfran added.
“If you just give me a second, I’ll introduce you to somebody who can clear things up,” the frog replied. He flew off Charlie’s shoulder and onto a large rock—the perfect stage for a tiny frog. Standing on his hind legs, Featherwink began to sing out in frog language, creating a beautiful sound like no other. His body shimmered, emitting a soft, purple glow. The music echoed through the mountains, carrying upwards towards the snow-capped peaks.
“Look, what is that over there?” Charlie said, pointing towards the highest peak of the surrounding mountains.
“I see it too,” Ben added.
A steady stream of sparkling snow swirled through the air, growing in size, as it moved closer towards Charlie and the others. Spiraling faster and faster, it formed a funnel-like mass, which emitted bright, radiant light from it’s core. And then . . . the funnel dissipated, the light receded, and a beautiful winged fairy was revealed. Her translucent figure hovered effortlessly in the air as her white gown and long, curly, snow-frosted hair danced and flowed gently around her pristine figure. Her skin was a radiant crystal blue, and her eyes, a deeper shade of indigo blue—which sparkled as she looked upon those who stood before her. In her right hand, she held a wand made of clear crystal, tipped by a brilliant white light. From underneath her gown, flakes of snow gently fell, cascading through the air and evaporating before reaching the ground.
“When I was a wee lad, a wise, old Patron once told me a story about a snow fairy who dwelled among the mountains of the Watchmaker. But I thought he was making it up. I never knew she actually existed,” Ben quietly whispered to Midnight.
“So, little man with the curly orange hair, you’ve heard of me before?” the fairy asked with a kind smile.
“Ye, yeah, yes,” Ben stuttered—embarrassed that she had overheard what he had said.
“So, kind fairy, would you do the honor of telling us your name?” Midnight requested.
“I am Neve, snow fairy and silent protector of the watchmaker.”
“See, I told you she was the snow fairy,” Ben mumbled to Midnight.
“Yes. Well, I guess you were right, now weren’t you?” Neve said with a tiny giggle.
The little red headed man blushed even more—being it was the second time he had been caught.
“Hello, Neve, it’s me again. Featherwink. I hope I, I didn’t bother you?”
“Of course not, Featherwink. It is always a pleasure to see you, my little friend.” The frog and the snow fairy were close friends who had been introduced to each other many years ago by Frank—a good friend to both.
“We are trying to find our way to Raphael’s workshop. Is there any chance you could point us in the right direction?” the frog asked.
“Well of course.” Neve rose high into the sky, waved her magic wand, then recited:
Hidden in the land below, where trees, grass, and flowers grow.
Reveal to us so we shall see, a place where the watchmaker, is sure to be.
The tip of Neve’s wand burst into a radiant ball of snowflakes. She cast her arm forward, sending an enormous cloud of snowflakes over the empty valley below. When the flakes reached a center point in the sky they exploded and shot in all directions, sparkling and tingling, like a giant firework. They quickly spread, covering the entire sky above the valley. Like a giant snow globe, the flakes peacefully floated downward.
To the amazement of Charlie and the others, the blanket of flakes did not reach the ground, but instead, began to reveal hidden shapes of buildings, roads, signs, wagons and other things. At first, everything was snow covered and no details were visible. But as the last flake came to rest, they quickly began to melt, revealing a quaint little village that did not exist seconds before. The cobble stone streets were populated by dozens of cute little houses, shops and things that were elaborately decorated with ornate patterns. Children frolicked and played as they ran about the village, with mothers following closely behind, making sure the little ones stayed out of harms way. A baker was standing out in front of his store, manning a table full of delicious goods he had worked hard to make, and was now trying to sell off before sundown. The blacksmith was pounding away on a new set of horse shoes for a lucky steed, which stood outside his barn. And a small group of jolly men stumbled out of the local tavern, joking and laughing as they made their way home for dinner. Behind it all, the low setting sun highlighted every nook and cranny—giving the village a warm, soft sense of peacefulness.
“Well I’ll be,” the mouse said, rubbing his eyes.
“I don’t believe it,” Ben added.
“That’s quite a spell you cast,” the cat said.
Charlie stood staring in silent amazement.
“So where? What? Huh? How, how is that even possible?” Michael stuttered.
“Yes, how did you do that? I’ve never seen anything quite like it before,” Sassyfran said.
Neve giggled modestly. “It’s really quite simple dear,” she said to Michael. “That is, if you believe in the magic of fairies.”
“Oh, there you go,” Michael said in a sarcastic tone. I suppose next you’re going to tell us that all you need is a little faith and trust?”
The fairy tilted her head in curiosity, as she looked at Michael.
“You know, ‘faith, trust and pixie dust,’ from the Peter Pan movie?” Michael said.
Neve giggled again. “Have you already forgotten where you are, Michael?” the snow fairy asked as she continued to hover in the air.
“In WONDER?” the young boy answered hesitantly.
“Exactly. And while you are in WONDER, don’t you find it easy to believe that anything is possible? Including the ability to fly like Peter Pan?”
“I, uh, guess so?” Michael replied, as the others followed along with the conversation.
“Well then, let’s see if we can make that happen, shall we?” The snow fairy waved her wand through the air—magic snow flakes shot out in every direction, gently falling upon the heads and shoulders of Charlie, Michael, and their friends. Instantly, they all began to rise up off the mountainous terrain. Their faces beamed with excitement, except for Midnight—who was having a most difficult time getting oriented in the air.
“Hold on tight, Provo,” Sassyfran said to the furry little mouse nestled in her grassy head of hair.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” the mouse replied with a big grin.
“You too little fella,” Charlie said to the frog, who he thought was on his shoulder. But to his surprise, Featherwink had already taken flight.
“How quickly you forget, young man,” the frog replied, as he circled the boy repeatedly. “I too, have wings.”
Charlie giggled with delight. “Oh, how did I ever forget. Sorry my friend.”
The entire group was now aimlessly floating high above the mountainside—where they had been standing, mere seconds ago. The ban of merry friends had no idea what to do next.
“Is everyone ready?” Neve asked.
“Absolutely,” Charlie said, with youthful excitement in his voice.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Michael added.
“Can we please get this over with,” Midnight said, as he continued to roll like a barrel in the air—while Ben laughed hysterically at the expense of his friends misfortune.
“All right then,” the snow fairy said. She flicked her wand—pulling everyone into formation. “Follow me!” Neve slowly took off towards the village below.
Michael, eager to fly, extended his arms out and focused on the snow fairy. Much to his surprise, he began to move forward. “Charlie, catch me if you can.”
Charlie, seeing what his brother had done, followed suite and took off like a shot towards Michael. “Here I come,” he hollered.
Ben, sensing it was time to go, grabbed hold of Midnight’s large, striped tail. “Ready, my friend?”
“Are you kidding me?” the cat replied. “I can’t see a thing with you pulling me by my tail.”
Ben took off, with Midnight in tow, trying to keep up with those ahead. “Quit your wining, fluffy, and enjoy the ride,” he said with a smile from ear to ear.
Sassyfran and Provo gladly joined Ben and Midnight to keep the frustrated cat calm.
As they soared through the sky, towards the village far-far below, incredible thoughts of pure joy raced through the minds of Charlie and Michael. This was a moment they would remember forever.
Chapter Eleven
As Neve and the others approached the watchmaker’s workshop from the sky above, it became obvious that this was much more than a humble little workshop for an ordinary craftsman. In fact, it was more like the village focal point. Standing over two stories tall, with a giant clock tower sitting atop its steeply peaked, wood-shingled roof, the watchmaker’s shop was covered from top to bottom with elaborately detailed, stone and wood carvings of timepiece gears and mechanisms, marionettes, toys, nutcrackers, animals, trees, flowers and other elements of nature. It was quite a site to behold. The clock atop the tower was nothing short of magnificent, it was ginormous, masterfully carved, and painted to resemble a traditional cuckoo clock. As the group flew in closer, the clock struck six and began to move—convincing Charlie and the others that it actually WAS a real, fully functional, giant cuckoo clock. There were three life size men enjoying food and beverages at a picnic table, as four dancing maidens twirled and circled around—entering through the right door of the clock, and exiting out the left door. To the left side were several animals, including a deer, several rabbits and a skunk—all moving their heads to the rhythm of the clock chime. And on the right side were two large, brown bears. One was sitting atop a tree stump tapping its foot to the chime, while the other was laying on its back with all four legs extended upward, as it tried to balance a large barrel of honey by rolling side to side. It was the most incredible cuckoo clock Charlie or his brother had ever seen.
As everyone landed in the cobble stone street in front of the watchmaker’s dwelling, they walked up and gathered by the front door. Excited from their Peter Pan-like flight, everyone in the group was full of chatter, while continuing to gaze upwards and side to side, admiring the incredible craftsmanship of the watchmaker’s home.
The snow fairy kindly called for attention. “Alright. Alright everyone. We mustn’t be so loud. You never know who may be listening. Which reminds me.” She flew high above the village, waved her wand, and once again, snow flakes spread all around, forming a transparent dome which covered the village. Immediately, the surrounding area outside the dome turned to clouds of white—similar to what Charlie and Michael had seen when they looked out of Geppetto’s bedroom window the year before. It was like nothing existed outside the village.
“What was that you just did?” Charlie asked the fairy.
“She hid us from intruders,” the frog replied.
“You mean, the village is invisible again?” Provo asked.
“Yes, Provo,” the fairy replied.
“But, but—then, where are we?” Michael asked.
“The watchmaker will explain later. Now go and enjoy your visit,” the fairy replied, as she rose into the air and disappeared—leaving behind traces of sparkling snow flakes, which gently floated to the ground.
Catching everyone by surprise, the front door opened. “Well-well, would you look at this. We have visitors,” the old man said to his two cats, who circled and rubbed up against the watchmaker’s legs to show their excitement.
“Hello Raphael, I brought some friends along that wanted to meet you,” the frog said from atop Charlie’s left shoulder.
“Oh, yes-yes-yes. Come in, come in—so we can get acquainted,” the watchmaker replied. He opened the door wider to allow everyone in. “Please make yourselves at home.”
Charlie, Michael, Ben and the others entered, taking in their surroundings.
Raphael’s secret workshop was much different than what the boys had expected. Unlike the quaint workshop they had imagined, this shop was on a much grander scale. The dimly lit, sunken living room had an enormous fireplace, which was flanked by two fifteen foot tall, intricately carved totem poles that were built into the wall. Each, with faces of every expression imaginable, masterfully carved into their surface. The light from the fireplace added an even deeper sense of mystery and character to the faces. Sitting on the fireplace mantle were various posable figures made of wood. All with legs dangling over the edge. There was a toy soldier, a brown teddybear, and a princess dressed in blue on the left, and an elephant, a frog with a straw hat, and a woodsman with a beard, on the right. Hanging on the wall above the marionettes was a very large painting, with an ornately carved, wooden frame. It was a painting of a small boy sitting on his father’s lap.
As Charlie looked closer, it appeared the boy was made of wood, though he did not resemble Pinocchio in any way. Instead, this wooden boy had brown eyes, sandy brown hair, and he was tall and lean. He was dressed in shorts, a button down shirt, and an ornately-stitched vest, with long white socks. His vest and shorts were brown, his shirt white, and his tie, red. Atop his head was a traditional brown hat with a blue band and a white feather. The father figure in the painting resembled the man who had just welcomed them in.
“So, who exactly is Raphael?” Charlie qu
ietly asked the frog on his shoulder.
“He is the watchmaker, young man. Have you any doubt?” the frog replied.
“No, not really,” Charlie said.
“I sense indecision in your voice. What is it you are thinking?”
“Well, the painting on the wall.”
“Yes, what about it?”
“It is an old man with a wooden boy. You know. Like in Pinocchio. So I was thinking…”
“Ah, now I understand,” the frog replied. “The painting reminds you of Geppetto and Pinocchio? Don’t forget, everything you see in WONDER is conceptual or an unrealized dream. None of the finalized Disney characters exist here. They are well preserved within animation cels, or hard drives, to protect them from the evil clutches of the Dark Thorns and the FOTO army.”
Charlie nodded to acknowledge the frog’s words.
The man who let them in had a generous, well-rounded waistline. His face was plump and jolly with welcoming eyes, full, rosy cheeks, and a large round nose, on which his circular glasses rested. His gray hairline had receded somewhat, though it was still very full along the sides and back. And he was clothed as one would expect a master craftsman to be clothed, with a light blue shirt and socks, black pants, brown shoes, and a brown leather apron.
“Follow me,” Raphael said, as he led Charlie and the others into the dimly lit living room, up two shallow steps, and through another doorway with a hand carved wooden sign overhead that read: MAKING HAPPINESS.
As Charlie and the others passed through the doorway, everything suddenly became brighter—changing the mood from comfy and cozy to colorful and lively. Dozens of candles were scattered throughout the room, and hanging above, were two large circular chandeliers—providing an abundant supply of light, covering every square inch of the enormous room with twenty foot high ceilings. The wall facing them as they walked into the room was filled with shelving from top to bottom, and was paired with a ladder that had fanciful scrolling on its side rails. It could slide back and forth like a library ladder. The towering shelves were occupied with countless numbers of colorful, and very playful, timepieces, music boxes, nutcrackers, wagons, animals, and other interesting things. The far wall to the left had a large bay window, with two sets of shelves flanking it, and one long shelf above. All were filled with wooden, posable figures, including young girls and boys, old men and women, dancers, kings, queens, soldiers, and jesters—not to mention, a slew of circus animals and fairytale characters. And the wall to their right was occupied by Raphael’s work bench. The bench was centered with shelves on each side that were fully stocked with paints, paint brushes, pencils, piles of sketch sheets used to plan out his masterpieces, and so much more. On the sides below the bench were half opened drawers overflowing with every type of tool you could imagine. And on the messy bench itself, sat several vices, a large magnifying glass with multiple lenses, and a variety of brushes, tools, wood shavings and things that had been used on his most recent projects.
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