Crow

by Vishnu Pinnaka

“Let’s get to work,” said David.

  All of them kneeled down to create the body.

  First they created a small snowball and rolled it across the ground to make it larger.

  Once the ball was large enough, the four worked on the middle.

  After the middle was finished, they created a snowball for the head.

  Soon, the four finished the body.

  “Woah! We are really good at shaping snowmen,” Vanessa exclaimed, proud of them all.

  “Yeah, we’re a great team,” agreed Eric.

  David then walked to a nearby tree where a small twig had fallen. He walked back to the snowman and used the twig to draw two annular eyes and one mouth.

  Olivia then picked up three stones off of the ground. She used them as buttons and put them on the snowman.

  Eric had collected two more twigs and put them on the snowman as arms.

  Finally, Vanessa went closer to the snowman. She took a deep breath and waved her hands. A small purple light came out of her hands. The light went over to the snowman and hovered over its head. Slowly the light transformed into a hat for the snowman. The hat was very detailed and intricate. It looked very difficult to make.

  Vanessa then used her magic to create a scarf and mittens for the snowman.

  “Great job, Vanessa! Creating complex objects is very hard. You have gotten really advanced at magic,” Olivia complimented.

  “Thanks Olivia! I guess the more we practice, the better we get at magic.” Vanessa beamed.

  The rest of the four were also impressed. They all then looked back at the snowman.

  Suddenly it blinked its eyes. It then moved its hands and mouth. Slowly, it started sprouting legs and stood up. The snowman was now alive.

  “Hello there! What are your names?” he asked cheerfully.

  “I’m Vanessa, and these are my friends David, Olivia, and Eric,” Vanessa answered pointing to the rest of the four.

  The others nervously waved.

  “Well then, what’s my name?” the snowman questioned without losing his cheerful tone.

  “Um, your name is…” Vanessa started to utter as she tried to think of a suitable name.

  “How about Nigel?” said Olivia.

  “Ooh! I like that name. From now on, you can call me Nigel,” the snowman remarked.

  “Nigel, how do you know how to speak?” Eric asked curiously.

  “When we were given life, we were also given intelligence. This is why when we fell down from the clouds as snowflakes, we heard the conversations of you humans. This allowed us to learn how to speak,” Nigel answered matter-of-factly.

  “Huh, you’re really smart, Nigel,” Vanessa replied.

  “Yeah, I’m impressed,” Olivia said.

  “You guys are too kind.” Nigel blushed (which the four didn’t know he could do).

  “Wow. Well, what do you want to do now, Nigel?” David asked.

  “Hmm, what do human children do in snow?” Nigel asked.

  “They do this…” Vanessa said and she created a snowball with her hands which she threw at David.

  “Hey,” David remarked, surprised, but after he wiped the snow off of his face, he created a snowball himself.

  He then threw it at Olivia.

  “It’s on,” she said and threw a snowball at Eric.

  The snowball hit him in the face.

  “Well, that’s cold,” he said and threw a snowball at Nigel.

  “So this is what human children do with snow. It seems fun,” Nigel said and he created a snow ball with his twig-hands.

  He then threw the snowball at David and yelled, “Snowball fight!”

  In a few short minutes, wads of snow were flying in the air. The four were covered in snow, and Nigel had gained a couple of pounds.

  After the four shook off the snow and Nigel shook off the weight, Nigel spoke, “What do you guys want to do now?”

  “Why don’t we use the snow and magically create stuff? It would be great practice,” Olivia said.

  “That would be so fun,” Vanessa exclaimed.

  “Ooh! That would also be fun to watch,” Nigel said excitedly.

  Each of the four got to work. They all concentrated and moved their hands. The snow then started to move.

  Four objects were being formed.

  Vanessa was creating a statue of a sword, Olivia was creating a statue of a shield, Eric was creating a book, David was creating a giant heart, and Nigel was watching intently.

  “It seems that we have all officially mastered the art of creating objects with magic,” Olivia said proudly.

  “Yeah, well done everyone,” Eric amiably said.

  “You are all so talented,” Nigel complimented, impressed.

  David suggested, “Maybe we should go back inside. It’s getting quite cold and besides, why don’t we introduce Nigel to Mr. Hale?”

  “G-g-good idea,” Olivia said, shivering.

  “I can’t wait to meet this Mr. Hale,” uttered Nigel.

  The four led Nigel inside. Unfortunately, the heating system was on high to keep the building warm, and Nigel was slowly creating a puddle.

  Apparently, Nigel didn’t know yet what happened to snowmen in warm temperatures because he was still smiling.

  “Hey, why do I feel all watery?” Nigel asked naively.

  “Oh, it’s nothing, Nigel. Don’t worry about it,” Eric said, scared.

  All of the four were worried and quickly led Nigel to Mr. Hale’s penthouse.

  Once they were inside, Olivia quickly yelled, “Ivy, Mr. Hale! Come quick!”

  Ivy and Mr. Hale quickly rushed out.

  “Oh! It’s an emergency,” Ivy hollered pointing at the giant puddle that Nigel had created.

  “Why is it so hot in here?” Nigel asked unknowingly.

  “I know just what to do!” Mr. Hale rushed into the kitchen.

  He quickly opened a cabinet and pulled out a tiny bottle. In it were many red pills. He opened the top and grabbed one.

  Vanessa screamed, “Hurry!”

  Mr. Hale rushed over to Nigel and popped the pill into his mouth. Nigel suddenly stopped melting and magically returned to his normal size.

  “Aah, that feels much better,” Nigel said calmly.

  “What was that pill?” Olivia queried.

  “That was a semper pill. It has magical powers that allow whatever substance you put it in to last forever. This will allow your snowmen friend to live forever without the danger of melting. Speaking of which, what is this snowman’s name?” Mr. Hale answered and turned to Nigel.

  “Glad that you had that,” Eric said, relieved.

  “I’m Nigel, pleased to meet you,” Nigel introduced himself to Hale.

  “Please, the pleasure is mine,” Mr. Hale said warmly and shook Nigel’s twig hand.

  In the following hours, the group had all got comfortable in the living room. They all started talking and had a pleasant time.

  “So let me get this straight, the children built you and then Vanessa created your scarf, mittens, and hat?” Mr. Hale questioned.

  “That’s correct, from what they told me, since I didn’t actually see them create me,” Nigel replied.

  “Wow, Vanessa! I’m so proud of you,” Mr. Hale said, impressed.

  “Thanks, with a little practice, I think we all got better,” replied Vanessa.

  All of a sudden, Nigel spoke, “Thank you all for letting me spend time with you, and thanks, Mr. Hale, for giving me the pill. However, now that I can live with no danger of melting, I want to live my life like a magian. I want to settle down in Crow City.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to stay with us?” asked Olivia.

  “We would love to have you here with us, Nigel,” Mr. Hale said kindly.

&n
bsp; “Thanks for the offer, but I feel like I belong somewhere else,” Nigel politely refused.

  Everyone else nodded. They led Nigel to the exit.

  “Farewell!” The four waved to Nigel.

  All of them were sad to see him go.

  Nigel noticed this and answered with a smile, “Don’t worry, I am sure this won’t be the last time you see me.”

  The four nodded and smiled.

  Nigel then took a deep breath and walked out.

  The four then went back into the living room and sat down. They thought of Nigel and how much fun they had with him. They all wished he would be happy.

  All of a sudden, they heard a knock on the door.

  “I wonder who that could be,” Mr. Hale said as he walked over to answer the door.

  He opened it and smiled. “Everyone, come over here!”

  The four and Ivy walked over to him.

  Standing outside of the door was a group of carolers. There were magians and figons. They were all wearing snow-covered overcoats and held booklets with carols.

  They started singing:

  “The sun is setting early,

  and the fields are covered in white.

  The atmosphere is filled with cheer,

  and the lights are shining bright!

  Jolly Yulestice!

  We were once cursed with despair,

  until the Yule King came.

  He rode on his crystal sled,

  that was pulled by creatures tame.

  Jolly Yulestice!

  Once the creatures were released,

  they spread around delight.

  The sounds of laughter and good times

  did brighten up the night.

  Jolly Yulestice!

  The nix created enchanted snow.

  Aeters the arbor serpent did grow.

  The melodia horse galloped around

  and spread good tunes abound!

  Jolly Yulestice!

  Yulestice is the day we celebrate

  The creatures’ gifts we had received.

  We thought winter would be filled with pain,

  so when we were wrong, we were relieved!

  Jolly Yulestice!

  The Yule King gave us one

  last gift,

  before he left us through

  a magical rift.

  The gift was a wish that

  every magian does acquire.

  The wish could grant anything,

  even your deepest desire.

  Jolly Yulestice!

  Jolly Yulestice!

  Jolly Yulestice!

  So now we celebrate Yulestice,

  The day the Yule King arrived

  and because of him on every winter,

  happiness and bliss has thrived.

  Jolly Yulestice!

  Jolly Yulestice!

  Jolly Yulestice!”

  Mr. Hale clapped. “Bravo!”

  “That was amazing,” Olivia said.

  The rest of the four also applauded and the carolers continued to chorus. After that, they sang another carol. And then another. After at least ten songs, Ivy managed to make them leave by handing them some pudding she found in the kitchen.

  “Glad to see that at least the carolers are the same here as on Earth,” Vanessa joked.

  As everyone was making their way back into the living room, Olivia asked Mr. Hale, “Do we really get a wish?”

  “Of course you do. Every magian gets a wish on Yulestice,” Mr. Hale answered.

  “Can it be anything, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone?”

  “Of course,” Mr. Hale responded.

  “When do we ask for it?”

  “At the last hour of Yulestice. Precisely twelve,” Mr. Hale answered.

  “What would you wish for?”

  “Hmm, I guess I would wish for something that would improve myself. Such as being more grateful, being kinder, being smarter…”

  “Or being braver,” Olivia interrupted.

  “Exactly.”

  Olivia nodded and she rejoined the rest of the four as they sat down on the couch.

  Suddenly, a clock in the living room struck nine.

  “Well look at the time, I think it’s time we go to sleep. After all, tomorrow is Yulestice,” Mr. Hale said.

  “I can’t wait,” Eric exclaimed happily.

  The four all walked up to their rooms.

  After Olivia reached her room, she walked inside and pondered, “Can I wish to lose my fear?”

  The next day was Yulestice. All of the four were excited. As soon as they woke up, they rushed down the stairs.

  “Happy Yulestice,” they said to each other with a smile.

  Mr. Hale and Ivy then walked towards the four.

  “Happy Yulestice,” they both said fondly.

  “Happy Yulestice,” the four answered happily.

  “I believe you four have some presents under the tree!” Mr. Hale grinned.

  “Presents!” the four exclaimed, and they rushed over to the tree.

  Once the four reached the aeter conifer, they found many wrapped gifts waiting for them.

  Quickly, each child looked for the boxes with their name on them.

  Once they found each present, everyone excitedly unwrapped them.

  Each of the four had received a magical hat that could tell you if someone was lying, a candle that could last forever, a pair of glasses that could see fifty miles away from them, and magical shoes that would let you fly. All were from Mr. Hale and Ivy.

  “This stuff is so cool, I want to try them out right away,” Vanessa remarked.

  David laughed. “Of course you would.”

  “Thank you both,” all of the four said very gratefully.

  Mr. Hale smiled. “You’re very welcome! Happy Yulestice!”

  Olivia and Eric got an additional two presents from Everett Wintergreen. When they unwrapped them, they saw that they had both received a snow globe with a statue of an ice cream inside. Every time they shook the globe, the flavor of the ice cream changed. Along with the snow globes, they had also received a note from Everett.

  Dear Olivia and Eric,

  I just can’t express my gratitude. A thousand thanks for what you have done. The new “magical ice cream” idea was a huge success! We now have special ice cream flavors such as “shrinking strawberry,” and “hovering huckleberry”. The company has grown so much and we have had so many sales. I owe all of this to you. Peppy and I have been getting along great and we hope to see you again soon! Happy Yulestice!

  -Everett

  “I am so happy for them,” Eric said.

  “Me too,” Olivia replied.

  The rest of the day, Mr. Hale, the four, and Ivy spent some time together. The four helped Ivy make some Yulestice cookies, and after that, they all sat in the living room and talked.

  “I can’t believe how this year has gone by,” David reflected.

  Olivia agreed, “Me neither, we started this year on Earth living our lives normally, and then...”

  “We get taken to a magical planet where we live our lives extraordinarily,” Vanessa finished the sentence.

  “Yeah, and life on Magia has been more exciting than Earth ever was. But more significantly, it truly feels like home,” Olivia admitted.

  “I think visiting Magia is the best thing that happened to me,” Eric confessed.

  “Ditto,” David agreed.

  “Likewise, having you here has been wonderful,” Mr. Hale said.

  “Hear hear,” Ivy agreed.

  Finally, the clock struck midnight and Mr. Hale spoke, “Alright everybody, it’s time for our Yulestice wishes. All you have to do is close your eyes, and simply ask
for it.”

  “Glad it’s simple,” commented Vanessa.

  They all closed their eyes and wished.

  After a while, they opened their eyes. There was a brand new vacuum cleaner in front of Ivy.

  “Yes! The brand new model! This can clean the entire apartment in only a matter of seconds,” squealed Ivy.

  Ivy was the only one who wished for something physical. Everyone else asked for something spiritual.

  Each of the four desperately wanted what they asked for to come true, especially Olivia.

  At the end of the day, the four had greatly enjoyed celebrating Yulestice, but more importantly, spending time together.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Sneaking Into The Archives

  Beneath Crow City, in A.S.H.’s archives, three men in black coats were wandering around trying to be unseen. The archives were a huge room. The ceiling, floor, and walls were white like the rest of the agency. There were rows and rows of shelves filled with files and books.

  The leader then spoke, “That agency filth thought that they could keep us out with all of their security. Those dunces.”

  “Everyone is so happy after Yulestice, I don’t like it,” Amos uttered sadistically.

  Terence asked the leader,“What do we do now, boss?”

  “What do you think, Terence?” the leader spoke, annoyed. “Find information on the Black Crown!”

  The two men nodded. They searched around the archives trying to find information. When they failed, they returned to the leader with their heads down.

  “Did you find anything?” the leader inquired.

  “No, we’re sorry, boss.” Terence looked away.

  “Ughh, why must everything be so inefficient?” the leader spoke, irritated. “Even if we can’t find any information on the crown, I won’t leave empty-handed. I think the agency won’t mind if we borrowed a few of their mirorvators.”

  The men all laughed sinisterly and walked out of the archives undetected.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  A Magical Test

  When it was time for the four’s next magic conclave, Mr. Hale led them into the lesson room.

  This time, it was empty.

  “What are we going to be doing today? There’s nothing in the room that seems to help us,” David asked, perplexed.

  “Today, I will be giving you a magic test, to see where you are. In this test, I want you to do certain things magically. I have seen you all perform magic, and I have got say, you have gotten very far,” Mr. Hale explained.