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Writer's pictureCharles Zitta

Season of Shadows (Chapter 30 - A Painful Truth)



Jolly and his army of scarecrow soldiers had been helplessly detained deep down in the dungeon beneath the dark, twisted castle as punishment for their betrayal against the queen. While above, the Thorn captains, their crews, and all diabolical beings and creatures of the Shadow Kingdom, were gathered near the front balcony to hear what the supreme ruler of darkness had planned for their next move against the Patron army and all they protect.

With the shadow horseman mounted on his steed next to her on one side of the balcony, and three Dark Thorns on the other, the White-Shadow Queen began to speak in a projected voice over her faithful many. “It has been brought to my attention that the chosen outsider and his group of do-gooders have transported to a place that will aid in them finding the third Kingdom Crystal. The Patrons think they have defeated us. That we are nothing now but a tiny nuisance after leaving us behind, tied up in a mess of silly blue-vine scarecrows, to pursue the orange crystal.” The queen turned to the shadow horseman with a devilish smile, then looked out upon her soldiers of evil, cloaked by her white flowing hair and gown. Raising her staff high above her head, she shouted, “But what they will find out, and painfully find out they will, is that the third crystal belongs to us—the keepers of darkness and shadow in this happy place they call WONDER.” Bringing her staff down hard, it made a mighty CRASH! Bolts of lightning shot upwards from its dragon-head in every direction, filling the dark sky with a thunderous light show of purple, blue and green.

The evil army cheered and shouted with every crack and rumble. Flashes of lightning shot down in every direction, splitting trees, shredding rooftops, sinking boats, blowing up food carts and even dismantling the rickety train tracks which surrounded the dark, grim park. Nothing was spared. It was truly a horribly rich experience. An experience enjoyed by each and every member of the queen’s wretched army.

She slammed her staff down once more, silencing the storm, and said, “Go, my dark and faithful. Find the chosen outsider and his team of Patrons. Search the parks. search the resorts. Search every nook and cranny of what soon will be called, the most miserable place on earth. But when you find them, do not harm them. Your job is to find out what they intend to do next. I want to know everything. Where they are headed, how they plan to obtain the crystal, and when they plan to do so. Everything! Then, and only then, can we set a trap that will allow us to gain control of the crystal, and ultimately…crush the enemy.”

Everyone cheered and howled once more.

“Now go. Bring me the knowledge I seek.” The White-Shadow Queen thrust her staff towards the sky, soaking up the power of the blue moon. She thrust it again, this time towards the army below. A blue, sizzling wave swept across her evil soldiers. Instantly, they were gone. Sent back to reality, disguised as park guests, to search for the chosen outsider and his friends.

The queen slowly turned and started walking back into the castle.

“Where are you going, my queen?” asked Senkrad.

“Come, we have more to discuss,” she replied, while continuing on into the castle.

The three Dark Thorns and shadow horseman turned and quietly followed her in—fading into the castle’s dark facade.


© 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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