Dark's Descent (21 page)

Dreams

      “What's next?” Cassandra asked her mother, sitting on her bed the next day. “You sleep.” Eva informed, “I need two ingredients from the Dream Realm, and I can only make a portal there if I have someone in a deep sleep, so.” Before Cassandra could protest, Eva put her to sleep and opened the portal. “Here I go!” she announced, jumping through.

      Inside the Dream Realm, Eva remembered her friends who were sleeping in Everlanon. “Might as well have some fun while I'm here!” she said, bringing up the blueprints for their current dreams. “Cassandra has two boys with the hots for her! Ha!” Eva smiled, grabbing Will's and Charlie's dream, “I wonder how dreamy it will be if they were together.” Evangeline smashed the instructions together and watched as they turned from a blueprint, to a blackprint. A blueprint is for dreams, and a blackprint is for the other. Nightmares. “While I'm at it.” Evangeline sighed, “Let's fix them all!”

      She twisted Stella's prince into a serial killer, and added herself in Susan's dream. Evangeline changed Vander's cookies into boogie monsters, and gave Vanessa's wet noodle to her victims. “I'm so cruel!” she bragged, “Now I have to get the archiles and Belbad's ax before Cassandra wakes up.”

      Will's dream went sour when Cassie unexpectedly excused herself and went outside. Naturally, Will followed. “Is something wrong!?” he called, “Cassie!”

      Charlie heard Will's voice yelling “Cassie!” It seemed like he was running. Then he appeared in his princely attire and all.

      “What are you doing with him!” Will yelled, “I thought you left him!” Will was upset. Cassie and him were engaged! She was to become the future queen!

      Charlie didn't believe Will was right there. The portal had closed years ago, and him and Cassie were living their happily ever after together. Now Will was here like Cassie owed him something! “Shut up, Will!” Charlie warned, “She's spending time with her boyfriend!”

      Will was disgusted. That jerk thinks he can swoop in and take Cassie from him! They are due to marry tomorrow, and now Charlie is here?

      Cassie backed up and Will walked up to Charlie and looked him in the eye. Charlie stared back.

      Susan enjoyed her family time when a knock came on the door. Susan wondered who could be visiting. She stood up and walked to the door. “Hello,” Susan greeted, opening the door. “Hello, Sue” Evangeline cooed, “How ya doin’?”

      Stella walked down the aisle to her prince. She was as happy as could be. She looked at her, still unnamed, prince and smiled. Stella was about to become a wife! To a prince!

      “Before we proceed,” the prince began, grabbing Stella's hands, “I lied. I'm not a prince.” “What?” she yelled, trying to pull her arms away. “I'm a murderer, and you're my next victim!” he smiled and shoved her up against the wall, tying her hands together. “This place is rigged with explosives.” he explained, “Hope you enjoyed the ceremony!” The man turned around and left the building, locking the door behind him.

      Vanessa went in for another hit, but her noodle was gone! She looked up, and in Will's hand was the soggy pasta. “Looks like you better run!” he teased, raising the noodle. “Ahhh!” Vanessa screamed, running away, “He's gonna noodle me!”

      Vander munched on a cookie. All of a sudden, the cookie turned to mush in his mouth. Very slimy mush. He released his grip and yelled, “Boogie monster!”

      Evangeline picked several archiles from the Archile Orchard. An archile is a round pink fruit, that tasted different every time you tried it. It could taste like an apple, or like cotton candy, but no matter who tasted it, they liked it every time. Once she had enough, she transported them back to her home and went to get Belbad's ax.

      Belbad was the nightmare lord. He created and delivered every nightmare there ever was, and he was pretty good at it. Whether about unicorns or goblins, he had the blackprint for them all. Anyone who disobeyed him was axed. His ax didn't kill them, it squished them into a blackprint, so they spent the rest of their life in a nightmare, until they were literally scared to death.

      Eva knew he wouldn't willingly give her the ax, so she was ready for a fight. Fire in hand, she burst through the door and walked into Belbad's sanctuary. “Belbad! I am here for your ax.” she decreed, “Hand it over and no one gets hurt!”

      “Ha ha ha!” a voice chucked, “Evangeline! I can't believe-” Eva threw him up against the wall and ripped the ax away from him, without lifting a finger. She had been practicing motionless magic, to take her enemies by surprise. “Tell me what you are going to do!” he demanded. “Oh, I think you know!” Eva said, lifting the ax. She swung the weapon and Belbad got sucked in a blackprint. “Pathetic!” she sighed, transporting to now rapidly closing portal. Cassandra was waking up, and Evangeline dove through the escape, losing a shoe in the Dream Realm. “Shoot, I liked that pair!” Eva screeched, as her daughter sat up.

      “Why didn't you ask before knocking me out?” Cassandra interrogated. “Time is precious!” she answered, putting down the ax, “According to the blackprints I found in the Dream Realm, the sleeping spell on your 'rescuers' is going to wear off today instead of tomorrow, so we have to hurry.”

      Secretly, however, she needed Charlie and Stella for the spell. Eva needed to get everything but the heart of the person who Cassandra hates most, and the diamond of reality. Stella's heart will go in the spell, and then the diamond will kick-start it.

      The diamond of reality is not a diamond; it is the most precious thing reality can offer, true love. If she gets the heart first, then Charlie's pleas for Cassie to return to the light might make her daughter good, but then the spell will be cast, and she will win!

      The noodle whacking woke up Vanessa. Vander woke up with a slap by the booger. Susan was killed by Evangeline and woke up. Stella also died in the exploding church and woke up.

      Will and Charlie punched and kicked each other. They both loved and wanted Cassie. Suddenly, Cassie held up her hand and produced a fireball. She threw the fireball at the boys and they both woke up with a heat flash. Charlie sat up. Will sat up. They stared at each other until the others got up and walked away. “I hate you!” Will mouthed. “Ditto!” Charlie piped, standing up, wishing he was still in the dream so he could finish him off. Charlie sighed, “Dreams.”

Beloved Decorations And Twin Blood

      The two ingredients they needed before their guests arrived were the ornament, and the twin blood, both of which the group possessed. Evangeline decided she would pay them a visit before they made it to her tower. She gave Cassandra another sleeping spell, to make sure she didn't pull one of her tricks, and flew out the window and down to about three miles away where the group walked.

      “Hello,” Evangeline greeted, “I'll take that ornament now.” Susan shook her head, “Never!” Evangeline smiled. “You think you're so smart. You think you will win! I have a message for you, you're not smart, and you're not going to win!” Eva teased, and opened her hand, showing off the ornament, “I have a little thing called magic. What do you have? Hope? Faith? That won't help you defeat me!”

      Charlie came forward and yelled, “We have love!” Evangeline couldn't believe what she heard. She fell forward, and held her gut, painful from laughing so hard. “Love is weakness!” she warned, “And trust me, your love will ruin you!”

      Evangeline walked over to the twins, and Susan put them behind her. “This reminds me of that dream you had!” Evangeline cooed, “Or should I say nightmare!”

      Susan wasn't going to take it. That witch was not getting close to her babies! She punched the sorceress in the eye, and again in the nose. When Eva went to heal herself, Susan kicked her in the stomach and twice in the shin. “Ouch!” she screamed as the protective mother grabbed her by her hair, and twisted her around, making her fall to the ground. “You will not hurt my family anymore!” Susan warned, kicking Evangeline with each syllable spoken, “And you are most definitely not getting any blood from my twins!”

      Everyone watched in shock as the principal and mother gave the evil enchantress a royal beating. Susan knelt down close to Evangeline's face and whispered, “And I'm not even mad yet.”

      Eva dropped her hand and sent her decrepit body back to her tower for the long regeneration process that she would have to do now. She put the tower on lock down before crawling into her bed chamber for healing. After the spell was cast, Susan Smith would most certainly be the first to go.

      The group watched as a dome encircled the tower in the distance. “Should've finished her off while we could.” Will grumbled, “What now?”

      Stella knew people like Eva. She was somewhat like Eva. “She'll bring the dome down when she's stronger.” Stella stated, “She won't want anyone to think she's scared of some mere mortals like us.”

      “Hey!” Will shouted, “I am not a mere mortal. I am a prince! In fact, I am the prince of this very land you are standing on!” Charlie rolled his eyes. “Calm down, Princey,” he began, “This is no time for proving yourself. Wait until after we save Cassie to try and win her over. Better yet, don't.”

      Will squinted angrily. “I have nothing to prove!” he blurted, “Unlike you!”

      Will and Charlie started another stare down. “Enough!” Stella ordered. Stella was determined on saving Cassie, and herself, and she was not going to let those two knuckleheads screw up the mission. “Neither of you are getting Cassie if we don't win!” she announced, “Fight later, right now we need to be ready outside of the tower for when the dome comes down!” The now organized group walked towards the tower. They were going to win. They had to.

      Cassandra woke up from her deep sleep. Mother! She told her that she didn't want her to put her to sleep without her permission! She knows that woman is evil, but it doesn't hurt to have manners!

      Walking out to the main room, Cassandra noticed the vial that was to be filled with twin blood. It wasn't very big, so it probably wouldn't hurt the twins too much. She grabbed the vial and conveyed herself outside, where she hid next to a bush.

Vial, vial, in my hand.

Fill with the blood you were meant to contain,

Go right now and get it while they stand,

Quick and quiet so they don't complain!

      The container flew to the twins and stabbed Vanessa, filling halfway with blood. “Ow!” she yelled. Next, Vander topped it off and it returned to Cassandra's hand. Vander rubbed the spot where it poked. “I think somethin' bit me!” he whined as the hidden Cassandra returned inside.

      “Where did you go!” Evangeline screamed from her room. “Relax!” Cassandra insisted, “I just got the blood!” Eva was so proud. Maybe she wouldn't go good after all. Setting the blood on the table, Cassandra went to bed. It was late, and she needed to rest.

Dreams That Make You Think

      Cassie laid on her bed at the Smiths' place waiting for Charlie to call. She studied the ceiling like her and Will used to study the stars. It was white, and textured with many small mountains and valleys. She remembered her first date with Charlie when they looked out from the observation deck in Pennsylvania. They had visited with their families, and took joy in all of the mountains and valleys they saw. It was so beautiful.

      The phone rang and Cassie answered it. Expecting Charlie, she was surprised when Will answered her hello. “I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime. I made a mistake when I broke up with you.” he admitted, “I still love you.”

      Cassie didn't know what to do! She had feelings for Will, but then they broke up and she was with Charlie now! She loves Charlie, but now Will was confusing her. The last time she was this confused was when she chose good over evil, and her birthmother was imprisoned deep beneath Everlanon. She never thought about that again until now, but she knew it was the right choice.

      “Um, Will,” Cassie began, trying to figure out how to let him down easily, “I'd love to go out with you!” Why did she say that? She's taken! “Okay, how about we go to my castle for lunch tomorrow!” Will scheduled, “Does that work with you?” No! Of course not! Her heart belongs to Charlie! “Sounds great!” she agreed, “See you then!” Cassie hung up and rolled over on her bed. Did she just accept a date with Will in Everlanon? That means she's dating two guys at once! At least they are both cute. No! Cassie planned to go on that date with Will and tell him it isn't going to work out. She needs to break up with her other boyfriend.

      The phone rang again and this time, to Cassie's relief, it was Charlie. “Hey.” Charlie greeted, trying to sound cool, “How you doin'?” Cassie giggled and lied, “Good!” She thought Charlie was so cute when he tried to act cool. “Wanna come over?” he asked, “I've got a present for you!” Cassie nodded and remembered that he couldn't see her. “I'll be right over!” she assured sweetly. She got up and ran to her closet, after hanging up the phone of course.

      What should she wear? Cassie searched through her wardrobe and saw many colors. She pulled out a light green t-shirt and blue jeans. She wanted to look casual, and nothing was more casual than a t-shirt and jeans. Except pajamas maybe.

      After getting dressed, she ran outside and was at Charlie's in no time. This was because she still used her powers sometimes, but not for evil.

      Betty answered the door with a smile and pointed upstairs. “He has a surprise for you!” she whispered excitedly. Knowing Charlie, his grandma probably helped him pick out the gift, but it's the thought that counts.

      “Oh Charlie!” Cassie called, opening his bedroom door, “I'm here!” Charlie ran up to Cassie and kissed her on the cheek. “Are you ready for your present?” he asked enthusiastically. Cassie nodded eagerly. Charlie's gifts were always so thoughtful and romantic! He went out in the hall and came back with a basket. Inside the basket was a little puppy and a cute kitten. The puppy was male and the kitten was female. “Aww! They're so cute!” Cassie exclaimed, “I love them! Thank you!” Charlie asked what she was going to name them. “The pup is Bagel, and the kitten is Bella.” Cassie announced with joy. “Bagel and Bella?” Charlie checked, “That's adorable.”

      The puppy was a golden retriever, and the kitten was a Siberian, mostly grey, but it had a little black on its head. Seeing Cassie study the kitten, Charlie put in, “I picked the one I did because its green eyes reminded me of yours.”

      Aww, Charlie is so thoughtful! The kitten's eyes were beautiful! And Charlie said that they reminded him of Cassie's.

      Cassie gave Charlie a hug, and picked up the kitten. It was so small and soft! Charlie picked up the puppy and it licked his face. “Aww!” Cassie sighed. A cutie like Charlie with a puppy was to die for!

      “Thank you again, Charlie!” Cassie said, grabbing the basket and heading out. She went back home with her new pets and put them on her bed. “Adorable.” she determined, “I'm so glad I chose good.”

      The next day soon arrived, and Cassie had pancakes with Charlie for breakfast. “I have a meeting at lunch, so we won't be able to meet up today.” Cassie explained, “It'll be quick, just have to break a deal for work.”

      Cassie was a business intern and she sometimes used it as a cover story for when she's in a pinch.

      “Sure,” Charlie began, “I understand.” Charlie got up and left. It was almost time for Cassie's date, so she kind of had to shove him out the door.

      Cassie got changed into her date dress and got ready to break up with Will. She loved Charlie, and not Will. He had his shot and blew it, now it was Charlie's turn. And Charlie's turn was the last.

      Cassie rode to the portal and went to Will's castle. There was Will, waiting outside his castle as princely as ever. “Hi Will!” Cassie smiled. She figured she would have some food, and announce her love for Charlie and leave, having a new friend. Okay, maybe that wasn't going to happen, but Cassie was going to try.

      “Hi Cas!” Will charmed, “Ready for our picnic?” Cassie smiled again. Time to get this over with. She sat on the ground where Will had a picnic lunch set up. They had some fancy food that Cassie didn't even try to pronounce, but it was good. “This is all wonderful,“ Cassie began, “but-” Will cut in and leaned close to her, “I know you are with Charlie, but I love you and I figured I had to try to whisk you away from him.” Will kissed Cassie on the cheek, giving her chills. Charlie is what was keeping her from going back. She loved Charlie dearly, and knew that he was the one.”

      A whirl of fire took form on their lunch, and standing there, separating them from each other, was Evangeline herself. “Hello Cassandra!” Evangeline cooed, “I figured I'd take care of your Will problem.” She kicked Will back when he tried to fight back. “Say goodbye!” she teased, raising a newly formed sword. “Noooo!” Cassie yelled as the sword went down.

      Cassandra sat up and screamed. What just happened? She looked around, it was the middle of the night and everything was darker than usual. She stood up and looked at the force field surrounding the tower, and down at her old friends. Will, her old mom, the twins, and Charlie. Then she saw Stella. The one who claimed to be her friend, and then kissed her boyfriend! Cassandra hated her. She wished she was dead!

      Then she remembered her dream. Charlie, Will, and the pets. Her mother, slaughtering Will with no hesitation. So evil. Cassandra was evil, right?

      If they won, and evil reigned, what would happen to her friends? Her family? They came all this way to get her. Did they care? They must've cared, because if they didn't, they wouldn't have wasted their time.

      Cassie remembered how she felt in her dream with Charlie, the animals, and even Will. She was happy, and she was good. Cassie looked around her at the dark and depressing place she now lived. It didn't make her happy. And she didn't know how happy she'd be ruling the worlds as the most hated person that ever lived. No, she was evil, and she didn't care what the ungrateful peasants thought. Wait, she did. She wanted to be happy, with Charlie. She wanted her friends and family back. One thing she definitely didn't want was to live here with her birthmother!

      Cassie knew what she had to do. Until Evangeline appeared. “Cassandra, I think you should talk to me about your feelings.” she beckoned, “We don't want a rift in our relationship, for we have a big day tomorrow. I am letting your visitors up to watch us cast the spell, isn't that exciting!” Cassie thought. Cassandra thought. No, it wasn't exciting, Cassie didn't want to be evil! Yes, it was most definitely exciting! Cassandra loved being evil!

      “I am excited.” The words dropped from Cassandra's lips like icing through a piping bag, forced. Cassandra was gone. Cassie was back. A dream was all she needed. One of those dreams that make you think.