The cool morning air of November hung over the property. Their vacation was nearing its end. And though the boys had not been with their parents in days, there was no need to worry. Magic memory knot spells cast by several Patrons had seen to that. Passing under the train station, the Zastawits family headed down Main Street U.S.A. as Charlie thought to himself, Frank will be waiting near Casey’s Corner to greet us.
“Dad, over there by Casey’s Corner,” said the boy, pointing to his secret friend. “Maybe that gentleman can tell us what time the parade starts.”
Frank was disguised as a general cast member, providing information to those seeking it.
As the Zastawits family approached, the wise Patron gave them a big wave. Instantly, Mom and Dad were placed under another memory knot spell that would last the entire day.
“I really dislike the fact you have to do that every time our parents are with us,” said Charlie, “but I do understand.”
Frank smirked, then replied, “It’s for their own protection, you know this.”
“I do. So where is everyone?”
“Right here,” Midnight replied, wrapped around Frank’s left wrist as a watch.
“And Oteza?” Asked Frank.
Charlie tapped his left, front pocket. Oteza was shrunk down once again to the size of a pen. “Right here,” said the boy.
Frank’s apprentice, also in disguise, walked up from behind, adjusting her cast member name tag.
“Valerie. Nice to see you again,” said Charlie, blushing.
“I thought this would be an excellent opportunity for my young apprentice,” said Frank.
“I am totally fascinated by the Kingdom Crystals,” added Valerie. “Actually finding one would be like a dream come true—and to be part of this goes beyond any feelings I can express right now.”
“You did help us find the second crystal last year as I recall,” said Charlie, with flirtatious excitement in his voice.
Unaffected by her beauty, Michael rolled his eyes. He knew the real reason his brother wanted her to come along, and it had nothing to do with finding the third crystal.
Snapping Charlie back into focus, Frank addressed the group, “Well, everyone, it’s time we head to the carrousel. You can meet back up with your parents later today.”
The boys waved goodbye to their spellbound mom and dad as they headed towards Fantasyland.
******
Frank, Valerie and the boys approached the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, spotting their little friend immediately.
“Ah, there you are, Ben. Sorry to keep you waiting,” said Frank.
“Just got here myself,” Ben replied.
“What do ya say we make our way to the ride queue,” said Frank.”
Valerie was distracted and did not hear Frank.
“Valerie? You coming?” Asked Ben.
Still, she did not reply.
Frank placed a hand on her shoulder, “What is it, dear?”
Valerie gasped and turned towards Frank. “There’s a little girl on the ride that keeps staring at Charlie every time the carrousel comes around. Like they’ve possibly…met before?”
“Well that’s odd. Maybe she has a crush on the young fellow, or simply likes the shirt he’s wearing?” Said Frank. “Lets not jump to any conclusions just yet. When the ride ends and it’s our turn to board, we’ll see what happens then. Agree?”
“Agree,” the young apprentice replied.
******
The carrousel came to a stop and passengers headed for the exit. All that is…except for the little girl, who had been staring at Charlie, and her family.
“What…what is it, Samantha?” Her mother asked.
The little girl remained in silent stare. Her big blue eyes focused on the boy approaching a ride horse close to where she and her family stood.
The chosen outsider mounted one of the interior horses, grabbing hold of its golden pole to pull himself up, as his brother grabbed the furthest interior horse.
Frank mounted the horse next to Charlie’s, Valerie quickly claimed the one beside Frank, with Ben taking the horse to Valerie’s right on the outer parameter of the attraction.
Charlie turned towards Frank with a question in mind, but surprisingly found the little girl standing directly between them.
“Were you there?” Samantha asked.
The boy sat with blank expression. Unsure how to answer.
Frank gave Charlie a quizzical stare, with Valerie eagerly watching over his shoulder.
“Did you see them too?”
In nervous tone, the boy replied, “I…I’m not sure I understand the questions you’re asking?”
“I know I saw you there…waiting to get on the carrousel,” said Samantha.
“The little girl’s mother became very uncomfortable and stuttered out, “I’m so sorry young man. I hope my daughter didn’t frighten you? Please, Samantha. We need to exit so these nice people can enjoy the ride. Picking her daughter up, mother and father worked their way through the maze of horses to the exit.
All the while the chosen outsider was searching his mind to place the little girl.
“I know it was you. I saw you there. I know you saw what I saw!” Shouted the little girl over her mother’s shoulder.
The boy’s mind suddenly cleared. He knew who she was. It was the little girl in his dream.
Samantha continued to shout words of warning. “Be careful! Danger surrounds what you are looking for. Don’t let them get it. Don’t let them get the crystal. Please, don’t let that happen! You saw what they can do. You saw it too. I know you did!” Her body went limp from exhaustion. She laid her head down quietly on her mother’s shoulder and fell fast asleep as her parents walked off towards Liberty Square, confused and scared by what had just happened.
******
The carrousel spun round as the galloping horses went up and down. All the while, Frank watched Charlie out the corner of his eye, wondering what had just happened.
To the right of Frank, his apprentice stared off into the park, wondering just the same.
“Well that was interesting,” Ben said to break the silence, as the carrousel continued on.
“Yes, quite so,” replied Frank, as he dismounted his moving horse and carefully made his way past Charlie and Michael to the center of the rotating carousel. “But, we need to focus on what we came here for.”
“Agree,” replied Ben. “But Frank, I thought the hub only took us to the knights of white horses?”
“It can do so much more than that. Watch and learn, my friend.”
Ben gave Frank a funny stare.
Frank placed his left hand on the mirrored carousel hub then recited the words spoken to him by Richard the Teller:
“Ride so pure, noble and true
Take us to a place known by few
One turn, two turns, three turns, four
Spin us round through your magic portal door”
The magic light charm dangling from Frank’s neck burst into brilliant light, sending the carrousel into a rapid spin.
Colors of the attraction blurred into illuminated steaks.
Charlie and the others held on tight to their horse’s poles as Frank stood steady with his hand on the mirrored hub—laughing like a school boy.
Faster and faster the carrousel spun, washing away all other guests on the ride.
The chosen outsider and his friends continued to hold tight, their eyes forced closed by the g-forces.
There was a flash of multicolored light, followed by a sonic BOOM!
Then, everything went dark and silent.
The carrousel slammed to a halt, nearly throwing the riders from their horses, as the smoke cleared.
Frank quickly walked past the others and jumped off the ride. Placing his hands on the back of his head, he let out a moan.
“What? What is it, Frank?” Asked Charlie.
The wise old man remained in silent stare.
“Frank? Is everything alright?” Said Ben.
The wise old man turned back to his friends and said, “The little girl.”
“What about her?” Asked Charlie.
“She was right,” Frank replied.
“Right about what? asked Michael?
“About WONDER,” said Frank.
“I’m sure it’s still safe, said Midnight as he transformed from a watch back into a big fluffy cat.
Frank continued to look around in disbelief. “No. No it’s not.”
“What are you saying, Frank?” Asked Charlie.
“With the Magic Dream Expander in her hands, the queen and her dark army now have the power to convert whatever they want in WONDER into shadow. To control whatever they want in WONDER. Including elements of the magic rim.”
“You mean the queen was able to bring us here because she has control of the carrousel we used to transport into WONDER?”
“Not only that, she has control of where we are now.”
“I guess the little girl was right,” said Valerie.
“As was Charlie’s dream,” added Frank.
© 2024 Charles E. Zitta. Charles E. Zitta and Disney and the Wonder Within blog novels are in no way part of, endorsed or authorized by, or affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
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