Hard Times in Happilyeverafter

by W Kangas

  One of the tridents turned and saw Alisia in the stream and uncoiled into the water, swimming like a sea serpent. It brought its thinking head close to her and seemed to laugh at her predicament. It went underwater to bite her but ran into her blade instead and floundered in the water for a few seconds before it became still.

  She continued to follow the fish that swam close to her face to show the way. They were at the second stone’s place with the fish circling the spot and seemed excited when Alisia was able to plug the crystal into its home at the bottom of the stream.

  “The next and largest stone goes at the bottom of the stream,” said the fish. “Follow me.”

  The fish swam with its caudal fin right in Alisia’s face, so she could see it dive deep into a pool of water that seemed suddenly to have some transparency. The baker’s daughter dove deep in the pool, following the fish, and saw the spot where the fish happily swam around.

  The crystal fit so well and almost seemed to want inside the small opening in the bottom, like in a socket, and looked to almost glow just a bit as Alisia worked it totally in place.

  “The stream is still alive,” she said to the fish. “I’m sure it will glow soon.” No sooner did Alisia walk out of the water than it flickered for a second like a fluorescent bulb. But now she had drawn attention to herself, and tridents were coming her way from several directions. Once again, they turned their backs on the spiders to get Alisia and were vulnerable from the back side.

  The spiders seemed to almost doubly protect Alisia for some reason. And something important came to her as she held the pouches that once held the crystals. How long would it take for the water to become magic again? She dipped the pouches in the water to fill them and then hustled to the ledge where the dragon lay mortally wounded.

  Ducker, who was up there trying to protect the winged creature, answered Alisia’s call.

  “She is bad off Alisia, and I’m afraid for her and her baby.”

  “I want you to give her some of this water and put some on her wounds.” She tossed the pouches to Ducker one at a time after tightly closing the openings.

  “I’ll try it,” said Ducker. “I’ll try anything.”

  Ducker untied the pouches one at a time and got the dragon to drink. She then cleaned the dragon’s wounds with the water from the second pouch, as Alisia had directed. As she finished cleaning the wounds, the glow started in the magical stream and brought light making it easy to see the full dimensions of the cave.

  “Wait, Ducker, give me back the pouches so I can fill them with the glow in the stream. It might be enough to heal the dragon now,” said Alisia.

  “I hope so; she went to battle for all that is good,” said Ducker. She tossed the pouches down to Alisia, and Alice’s granddaughter took them to the steam to fill while looking at the beautiful colors, which were mostly a clear light green that resembled a soda pop bottle. She continued to look on in wonderment. Then it hit her! She could give the Mad Hatter some water and maybe revive the half-baked cartoons and they could reinforce the spiders.

  The battle was still raging with many losses on both sides. She filled the pouches and hurried close to the Hatter. He was sleeping or unconscious, and she dumped a pouch in his face and waited for a reaction.

  “Blulahlah,” he choked, “but it’s wonderfully good. I can feel and taste the magic,” said Hatter. “Give me more to drink,” he pleaded.

  “No, this is for the dragon, but I’ll pull you to the edge of the stream.” She grabbed his arm and slid him right into the water. “If it revives you, try to revive your cartoons. They could help the spiders beat the snakes.”

  He put his face underwater and said, “This is delicious. I have some strength.” Alisia tossed him the empty pouch. “Feed it to the half-baked cartoons from this pouch.”

  She then ran to the ledge and called for Ducker. She could soon see the potbelly in the glow of the stream standing on the ledge. “Here, Ducker,” she called, “this water was taken on the glimmer; it might work.” She threw the pouches to her one at a time and said, “Rub her wounds and get her to drink a whole pouch.”

  “It’s working,” yelled Ducker back to Alisia, as she threw the empty pouches back to her friend. “She became alert after the first sip and guzzled the rest.”

  Ducker went back to wait on her patient and saw her bite wound healing in front of her eyes. The little dragon suddenly sat up to look at the battlefield. Her eyes were glowing red now as she spied the snakes. “I will make them pay if my strength comes back,” called the dragonette in a sly but powerful way.

  In the distance, Alisia could see the Hatter pouring water on one of the cartoons. Suddenly the Whatyoucallit puffed out in three-dimension again. She could see the Hatter pointing to the battlefield and balling up his fist in anger. The Whatyoucallit loped to the battlefield as the giant gorilla. Alisia watched him in battle as he flattened snakes with his heavy blows.

  The Hatter was running close to where the dam was, as Alisia went to fill the pouches. The snakes were suddenly at a huge disadvantage. The Whatyoucallit got their attention while the spiders bit them from behind. The snake numbers were steadily depleting, and just as the snakes were being overwhelmed, Whistle Head arrived on the scene. He turned red and blew his whistle, then changed to a hammer and went after more snakes. Some of the snakes ran for their lives with the spiders biting many as they fled. But there was a sizable force that made it into the catacombs and somehow disappeared.

  The battlefield, now silent, was strewn with many dead snakes and spiders, while the living spiders and the half-baked cartoons went into the labyrinths after the enemy.

  Alisia turned and saw the dragonette standing on the ledge with its head turning from side to side scanning the battlefield. In one flap of her wings, she was gone into the fray or perhaps to check on her baby.

  Alisia waited for word from the spider chief as she and Ducker nibbled on the vegetables the potbelly had found some time ago.

  Back in the village, the water was flowing from the fountain in far more than a trickle. The problem was there was little or no magic left in the water. When people drank, they still hurt all over, but the actresses kept filling their pitchers and going from house to house.

  Star filled her pitcher and turned it up to drink, knowing there was plenty of water to go around. She suddenly felt young and vibrant. She filled her pitcher again and told Mona to sample the water. Mona drank some and turned to comment on its taste while looking back at Star. Mona then guzzled a large portion of her pitcher and instantly got relief from all her body pain.

  “Fill your pitchers with this fresh water, and get it to the people,” said Star, knowing it was again full of magic. Star took off for the mayor’s cottage and went right inside, saying to Humpty, lying in bed, “This water is close to full strength and you should instantly feel the quality.” She tipped the pitcher for Humpty, and he drank a long, slow drink.

  When he finished, he said, “She did it; she must have done it. There is no other answer.”

  “Who?” asked Star.

  “Alice’s granddaughter had to have done it. She did it. I know she did it. She surely must have done it. I can hardly believe she did it. Did you give some to my wife?” asked Humpty.

  “No, I’m getting ready to help her,” said Star, who just had a thought. I have become the servant. She went into Dimples’s room and saw how pitiful she looked. Her mouth was open, and her tongue was hanging out like she was parched. Star put some drops of water on her tongue, and her bloodshot eyes rolled in Star’s direction.

  “What’s happening; is this the end? Am I dying right here and now?”

  “Drink this,” said Star. Dimples drank out of the pitcher and was filled with energy.

  “I believe you gave me some of the magic water. Is the water flowing in the fountain once again? This I believe, because I feel like going dancing. Did the granddaughter of Alice start the water flowing again?

  “She had to. The
re was no one else who could go,” said Star.

  Dimples was quite ecstatic and started singing opera in German. “Can you sing, Star?” asked Dimples.

  “Not right now and probably never compared to you, but I have work to do, like reviving the townspeople.”

  “You are an angel, Star, but can you tell me if it’s cold outside?” asked Dimples.

  “Yes, very cold indeed,” answered Star.

  “Let’s go get the professor to turn on the Weather Channel,” said Dimples, bouncing out of bed. “And I will help revive the townspeople.”

  “I can take the cold now, because I feel like a million dollars,” called the mayor, getting his coat on.

  When Star went outside with Dumpty’s wife, she felt like the air had warmed considerably.

  “It’s warmer than it was just a few minutes ago. I just can’t believe it could change that quickly,” said Star. “This is so wonderful.”

  Mona was at Snow White’s cottage. “Oh, please don’t look at me. I’m well over a hundred years,” said Snow White.

  “I’ve got your cure right in this pitcher,” said Mona.

  “You mean the magic is back?”

  “It’s back. Alisia must have turned it back on, because the air is getting warmer, and the minute they drink the new water, everyone feels better.”

  “I’m sure glad you’re giving me mine before my prince. I just don’t want him to see me this way.” She took a big drink and felt a surge like the best medicine that could be imagined. “Let me have another drink just for good measure, and then I’ll go check the weather outside to give it time to beautify my old skin.”

  Little Bo Peep had surely lost her sheep, as Sister nudged her to see if she would become conscious. “Just bury me. I can’t move a muscle,” said Bo Peep.

  “I might be able to help that,” said Sister. “Just open your mouth, and I’ll drizzle some water right in your piehole.”

  Bo Peep cracked her mouth while smiling, and Sister gave her a shot. “Oh, let me see that jug; I want to drink a gallon.”

  Charming went to see Big Bad Wolf. He was in his den with a bunch of blankets over him. “Don’t bother me; can’t you tell I’m dying?”

  “I have some magic water for you.”

  “I’m too far gone; I can’t even open my mouth.”

  “I’ll pour it right on the outside, and you lick it, okay?”

  “Do it, and maybe I can move my tongue.”

  She laid some drops right on his lips, and his tongue darted out to taste. “Oh, I have never tasted anything so good in my life. More, please,” he said, shaking all over.

  He drank and drank until he let out a big burp and said, “Excuse me. What is your name anyway?”

  “My name is Charming.”

  “You sure have beautiful eyes, and I might add a wonderful little nose.”

  “The better to see and smell you with, my dear wolf,” said Charming.

  “What beautiful red lips you have, my dear,” said the wolf.

  “The better to close my mouth,” said Charming.

  “Oh, come on, Charming. I want a kiss.”

  “You sure got spry in a hurry Big Bad. I’ve got other patients to tend, so have a magical day.”

  Fashion was sent to revive the cartoons and poured water on the flat toons, and they puffed out like instant balloons. Popeye was ever so thankful and said if he wasn’t married to Olive, Fashion would be his girl for sure.

  Giggles went to see Cinderella and her prince and walked right into their house, knowing nobody could come to the door. “Cinderella, I have something precious for you,” said Giggles, trying to be gracious.

  “There is only one thing that could make me feel better right now.”

  “And what would that be?” asked Giggles.

  “I’ve got a craving for ice cream.”

  “You can’t be pregnant.”

  “It would be better than that sorry magic water you’ve been handing out. But you have kept us alive with it, and if something comes of it, I will apologize tenfold.”

  “I have the very good stuff in this jug, so open your apologizing little mouth.”

  Cinderella drank and drank and felt the well-being go back into her very soul. “I am very sorry I said that, my dear. I don’t think I have ever felt so good, maybe because I felt so terrible just seconds ago. So, the well is up and running again?”

  “Yes, and all is well in Happilyeverafter. Maybe we should have a big party or maybe even a ball.”

  “We just don’t have the resources here for anything like that. What would we do, show up and look at one another?” sneered Cinderella.

  “We’re here to stay, so maybe we can change all that,” said Giggle. “We’ll see.”

  There was a considerable group of citizens at the coffee shop wanting to see the world weather, even though it was still cold and very dark in the valley. They had a new lease on life and wanted to enjoy the feeling of well-being.

  “There has been a break in the plummeting temperatures around the world,” said the meteorologist. “I’m going to be positive about this and hope that our little ice age is going to last just a couple of days.”

  “Wonderful news,” said the citizens of Happilyeverafter in a group cheer.

  Deep in the cave, the battle was over but some of the tridents had retreated deep into the catacombs where Whistle Head, Alisia, a troop of spiders, and the Whatyoucallit Beast were hunting them down.

  “We have to find each one of them,” said Alisia. “You can see how many eggs they lay. If we miss one, there could be this many again in a year, and I don’t want to have to come back and clean this up. I might not be as lucky next time.”

  They struggled through the narrow, wet passageways and didn’t see any tridents. Then they would go back and mark the walls, by scratching them with a rock, to make sure they covered every inch of the maze. When they were satisfied they had seen it all, Alisia said, “You know it’s warmer in this area than the others. I wonder why.”

  “It is warmer,” said the lead spider.

  “Could the tridents have a way to heat the cave?” asked Alisia, mostly thinking out loud.

  “Let’s follow the warmth,” said Whistle Head, “but you, Alisia, and the spiders will have to be our sensors.”

  “Okay, let’s see if we can make it work,” said the lead spider.

  Alisia said, “I’m going left here.” She went several yards and said, “I think it’s colder. I’ll go a few more yards and see for sure.” She walked down the corridor twenty-five yards or so and said, “It is definitely colder here. Let’s go back and take a right turn this time.”

  They did and Alisia said, “I’m sorry, but we’re getting colder again. The warmth must be with the middle walk, so let’s go back.” They did and walked down the middle path until it started getting colder.

  “We need to go back a little and take one of the side paths.” They went back and took a left turn and followed it until it started to get cold. “This is not it. We need to go back and take the opposite path.” They did so and started out on a warm trail. “It’s getting warmer whispered Alisia.” She put her finger to her lips to show the others that she expected to find the aliens on this path and to be extra quiet.

  She led the way as she tiptoed through the corridor with the cartoons imitating her every move. The air was downright warm in this corridor, and Alisia figured she would walk right into the tridents. She did hear scurrying in the distance, as they came to another intersection.

  “You are the stealthiest here, spiders, so peek your head around the corners and come back and tell us what you saw,” said Alisia, wanting the spiders to understand fully before they went to spy down the corridor.

  The spiders talked to one another in their spider talk with mostly squeak being heard. They both went to the right and peeked one of their many eyes around the corner. This corridor was clear for now, but they could check it again if need be. When they looked down the
left corridor, there, in front of them, were four tridents standing in the hall as guards. The Tridents didn’t see the spiders as they inched one eye past the corner of the intersection again. They pulled back as directed and reported back to the group.

  “They have guards,” said one of the spiders.

  “This must be their lair,” whispered the Whatyoucallit Beast.

  Right then, Alisia had a thought that troubled her right to the core of her being, but she kept it to herself. “We have no choice but to go after them. They should succumb to us, if we all dive right into the fray. The half-baked cartoons should lead the way because their bites don’t hurt you, am I right?”

  “You are right, because we are almost like dreams or ghosts with no real circulatory system, but if they sprayed venom all over us, we could lose that way. We won’t wait for that to happen and just take the fight to them in a blitz. If you fall in behind us, you can take care of the ones that go between us, which would be their only hope,” said Whistle Head. The half-baked cartoons stood in front of the party and whispered, “We are ready.”

  “Let’s get right to it then,” whispered Alisia. They came around the corner to the intersection and launched themselves at the tridents. The fighting was considerably more ferocious than on the battlefield. The tridents were spitting venom and the Whatyoucallit turned into a sabre-tooth tiger, spinning like a whirling dervish with claws and fangs coming into contact with the snakes in split seconds.

  The Whistle Head did much the same as it spun the handle and hammer head as fast as a plane’s propeller, but the snakes didn’t give an inch. They stood their ground and spit their venom in long streams at the half-baked cartoons. Soon Whistle Head turned its head into a giant fan blade, blowing the venom back at the snakes. The snakes were fighting for their existence and fought between the cartoons, with the spiders taking aim and launching their fangs at them.