Season of Shadows (Chapter 43 - Farewell To A Friend)

It was a victory none the less, as Frank, Charlie, Michael and the others all stood and silently took in the remains of WONDER’s Twilight Tower of Terror. The air smelled similar to burning Rome on Space Ship Earth, as smoldering piles of smoking debris continued to burn slowly—hot embers glowing red-orange.

“I’m going to miss him,” said Alexios.

“He was such a happy gent, considering where he came from,” Ben added.

The group collectively turned and began walking slowly towards the magic carousel that had unexpectedly brought them to this unfortunate day. A day none of them would ever forget.

As they approached the carrousel Charlie could not help but ask, Frank, do you think it wise to use this thing again?” I mean, it’s why we ended up here in the first place, isn’t it?”

“You know, the boy does have a point,” said Ben.

Frank looked around the group, as to measure their thoughts by observing facial expressions. Then he turned to Charlie and answered, “I think we’ll be OK this time. After all, the queen has been subdued. At least for the moment, has she not?”

Alexios cleared his throat as to interject. “Speaking on the boy’s behalf, I would have to say we won’t be seeing her evil highness for the remainder of this day. Or for that matter, any of her soldiers of darkness.”

Charlie gave his feathery friend a humble smile of gratitude, then added, “No, I guess we won’t.”

“OK then, I say we get on with it before they do decide to show their ugly faces again,” said Alfred.

“I’m with Alfred,” said Abigale, then Clara, Michael, and eventually, everyone else.

Frank wasted not another breath, before saying, “Everybody step aboard the carrousel and steady yourself. Everyone climbed atop a painted horse and held on firmly to their pole, as Frank placed his right hand on the mirrored carousel hub then recited the magic words:

“Ride now foresee, a special task at hand

Take us places safe, away from this land

One turn, two turns, three turns, four

Spin us round, through your magic portal door”

The magic light charm hanging from Frank’s neck burst into brilliant light. The carrousel slowly rose off the ground, hovering ever so quietly. Its magical power source began to hum and wind, louder and higher pitched, as she began to turn slowly at first, then a little faster, and faster, and faster, until they were spinning so quickly that the colors of the magic attraction blurred into illuminated steaks.

Charlie and the others held on tight as Frank stood steady with his hand on the mirrored hub—laughing once again like a school boy.

Faster and faster the carrousel continued to spin, washing away all darkness they were eager to leave behind.

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. Everyone’s horse magically broke free of the carrousel and shot off galloping through the air into what looked like a very blurry, yet very bright, view of the simulated Magic Kingdom in WONDER as everyone opened their eyes and took it in.

The carrousel horses hit the ground running, as they raced down Main Street USA towards the castle—weaving in and out of joyful, simulated guests. Theme park music filled the air, as did the smell of buttery popcorn, hot dogs and cotton candy along the way.

“WHOAHHH there big fella!” Said Frank as he pulled up next to the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. Dismounting his horse, the wise Patron looked back down Main Street USA, waiving for his friends to catch up and join him.

Ben was next to arrive, along with Midnight wrapped around his wrist as a watch. Then Charlie and Oteza, Michael, Clara and Henry arrived—followed by Abigale, the sprites and Alfred.

Last, but not least, Alexios swooped down, landing on one of the horses empty saddles.

“Well, it looks like everyone is here,” said Frank.

“I say we all enjoy a bucket of the good smellin’, finger lickin’ popcorn, then call it a day.

“Exactly what I what I had in mind,” Frank said as he looked around at his friends. “It looks like we all could use a good night’s rest after the day we just had.”

“It’s settled then. Everyone off to the Main Street Popcorn Cart we go,” said Abigale

******

Frank and the others sat quietly amongst a simulated Town Square of bustling guests, enjoying their popcorn and taking in the magic of Disney before them. It was a pleasant seventy five degrees and the soft glow of the sun was slowly fading over the west side buildings. A cardinal landed on the shoulder of Town Square’s scarecrow Mayor.

Midnight stared at the bird with teary eyes, not worried, of course, that guests would think it odd a cat was sitting freely in the park, cause naturally, they were in WONDER, and anything is possible in WONDER.

Ben caught the emotions written across his furry friends face. Putting his hand on Midnight’s back he said, “I know friend, it hurts. The old mayor was a good friend, he was.”

“Without him we would have never succeeded in getting the crystal,” Clara added.

Charlie paused on Clara’s words. Thinking, he pulled the crystal out of his pocket and inconspicuously handed it too Frank.

The old man glanced upon the boy with a kind smile and said to all, “Yes, without the help of our jolly old mayor, none of this would have been possible.” Then he carefully placed the crystal in the front left pocket of his pants. He tapped the lumpy outside with his hand to confirm it was safe and secure.

“Yep, he was a good one. No argument there,” said Alfred, wiping a tear from his eye.

Henry put his left arm around his old friend to share in his grief, while clearing his eyes from tears with his right. “Not a happier scarecrow in the square.”

“Not a better example of happiness that I can think of,” Abigale added.

Charlie and Michael sat side by side on the curb. Quietly taking in the words of their Patron friends. Quietly paying their respects to a friend they had lost that day in battle.

“Just so you know boys, he would have done anything for either of you,” said Alexios.

Charlie and his brother looked to the owl with saddened eyes.

“Anything to make sure nothing, no mater how dangerous or evil, would ever harm either of you.”

The boys turned back to the cardinal on the scarecrow’s shoulder…as did everyone else sitting on the Town Square curb.

“I think the one thing we can take away from this day…the one thing we should never let go in our hearts. Mayor Jolly Scarecrow was never afraid to show his true character, no matter how difficult, or challenging, the situation became. He was that one small glimmer of hope, born out of the queen’s evil Shadow Kingdom. Which shows us, that no matter how dark, desolate or impossible things may seem, there is always the possibility that something good can grow from it. Therefore, to honor our friend, and so we never forget the unfortunate series of events that took place, thus ending his life, I ask that this period in our lives be remembered as the season of shadows.”

© 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.