Welcome to this particular page of the website. Here I share with you some of my personal works. I hope you enjoy!
Read this: Squidward's Bakery
NOTICE: The Myurian Quest (I listed the prequel, prologue and chapter 1) has a website of its own, I hope to see you there, if you haven't already joined our website.
PREQUEL:
Myuri was once your average land, which was no larger than a forest in the massive realm of Questalia. Questalia was ruled by a valiant young lady named Espiosa. She soared to the very top of the tallest tree within the entire realm, and there, she could see it all. Before her, a realm of havoc beyond havoc, streams of blood, and countless cries of agony. She was beyond infuriated, and banished nine-hundred-ninety-eight of the dimensions within the realm. She left a lone Myuri and Perestrella, but at her death, both kingdoms were infuriated, and decided to break the alliance. Both kingdoms then claimed war, and day and night fought furiously. Arabella, the new ruler of the realm of Nuria loved war, unliked her dead mother, Espiosa. She brought back the kingdoms from wherever they were, and to the surprise of most elders, Nuria grew more peaceful. All kingdoms were restless with which to battle, and there was always more time spent planning for war, than the actual battling.
Note: It's really short, sorry.
PROLOGUE:
There are many reasons why opinion and judgment simply cannot work together. Like for instance what one sees as a nightmare could be one’s dream, and you’re great envied for something that you wish to simply get rid of. And that is where you wish to trade lives with one. But what can be a nightmare, or what was once a dream could just turn into a reality that you have to accept, get used to, or even learn to enjoy. For this is how you make the best of life, although you resent the truth. And so you may venture to many places to escape it, or perhaps voyage upon more adventures than you’d ever dream of, maybe sail through every ocean, every island, every village, town, city, or unexplored place? Or maybe a destiny that may be a nightmare could turn around into a dream come true, allowing you to do far beyond what any believe you are capable of doing. Life is an unpredictable thing, but in Myuri, no one knows whether right-side up is upside-down, or the other way around! For life is a mesmerizing quest in this dimension, that reflects off whether you’re a villager, a royal, a warrior, a soldier, a ruler, or even a protector. But for four protectors everything has changed, from a destiny- a prophecy, a dream for many skillful warriors, to a nasty nightmare that the four long to be awoken from. But with new thoughts, new people, new allies, and completely new lives, the four may just see the situation, as everyone else sees it…
Chapter 1- Start from Small
The sun shone with great enthusiasm and jubilee, its gentle rays lining the stone flight of stairs, as Kanata trailed on, staring into the dusk sky with her curious, violet eyes that had gotten her into much trouble before. Loving adventure was the key to getting lost, and appearing in a dark soul’s life.
Kanata had had this experience many times in the past, but she would never forget her trip to Congrella, the main village of the entire Myuri. She had once lived happily in a foster home with loving, middle-aged foster parents and many other children, but after overhearing men in a carriage speak of a path in the forests leading to a land of great fortune, Kanata set off at once. She was positive that there would after all be nothing in the forests, no path or anything such, but instead found herself following a sandy, beige hued path that cut through the forest and many jungles ahead. Kanata could no longer see the pleasant, Evergreens that made up the main forest of Mei, but instead spotted an old, battered, wooden billboard that read CoNgReLlA in very odd print. Paint of all colors was splattered upon the sign, and behind it stood the most magnificent, wealthy village Kanata had ever laid eyes on.
Two long aisles of small wooden cabins or adobes stood, with a long, wide path that cut in between both aisles with great ease. Carriages, stands, horses, and pedestrians all strode here and there, dotting the place and chattering. In the center, what seemed to intersect both strips of homes stood a bold, chestnut hued, wooden well. She even well recalled the voices of the three officials that spotted her, and carried her by her elbows all the way up to the main castle all the way in the back of the village, and how the young man in charge that seemed to be at most fourteen sat at the throne with great pride and confidence gleaming in his coal-like eyes.
The young man by the name of Ardin gave a drained, crackled laugh and stared abundantly into Kanata’s bold, cat-like eyes. But what she mainly remembered, was how she was his queen for many months, until claiming her rights and escaping the castle.
However, the foster home she called hers was now a miserably failing market of fruits with mold and coal along with torches and swords. The men that she had known as neighbors could hardly remember her, seeing as it had been long ago since she lived there, but finally explained that it was burned down by bandits of Espiarus, a long time enemy of Myuri, although it was a distant island still in the dimension.
Kanata’s heart sank, she had lost her birth parents, and now the only two people in the world that loved her, and once took care of her. But she refused to be cut down, and fought with herself to let go and simply live a new life in a small adobe home at the rare of Mei. But no time had passed before men that served under Ardin at long lost found her a year later, and only a few days ago, explained that she would be a protector of Myuri, and defend it forever with her life. And now, here she was in preparation of becoming a protector by meeting a withering man in a mountain in the farthest back mountain of Mei.
And here she was today, at this very moment, climbing the flight of stairs leading into the entrance of the withering man’s castle.
Just then, the great doors of the large, stone castle very slowly opened, showing a small room of dull, soft colors and dust. The very step in which she stood on began to float, and soon stood in the large doorway of the castle. “Greetings, young one.” The relatively aged man spoke with a cracked but somewhat peaceful voice.
Kanata dipped her head in respect and smiled slowly. “Good evening, sir. And thank you very much for the… lift.”
The elderly, jolly, old man said no more but just smiled and gestured toward the plush red couch beneath a large gaping window of red, velvet curtains, in which was covered with dust. Kanata simply obeyed and took a seat on the hard, lumpy couch.
“Dear sir, I am wondering if the other protectors would be here,” Kanata questioned in a small, shy voice. The wide smile on her face shrunk until it was entirely diminished into a tiny frown.
“They’ve already come and gone at separate times,” he explained. “Now enough with the ‘sir,’ and please do call me Terrance, as what many called me in my days of youth.”
“Why of course, sir- Terrance,” Kanata stammered with great hesitation. Terrance took a seat on the couch by her, and smiled fondly.
“Ardin explained that he made an excellent choice choosing the protectors he did, and so he wishes for me, an old gentleman to put a spell-“
“I’m sorry to interrupt, sir- Terrance, but I’ve heard many times in my fourteen years that there is simply no magic in Myuri,” Kanata uttered, afraid to anger the elderly man.
Giving a long, crackled laugh that was if anything not smooth, Terrance sighed, and spoke again, “I was once a great ruler of the most powerful empire in Perestrella, as you know a neighboring land, a very large one. I made a trip to Myuri, and settled down, where I lived a happy life, and finally submit to your new customs. I served under Ardin from then up till now, and now will be giving the upcoming protectors eternally their current ages. So in other words, forever shall you be of fourteen years even when you’re to be forty, and when I’m to be perhaps a goner.”
Kanata smiled gently, and laid a hand on Terrance’s shoulder. “Sir, I mean Terrance, how are you to do that?”
“You’ll know if you be silent and follow me,” Terrance explained, and jumped to his feet. He strode down the hallway of mahogany carpeting and pale, peach, hued wallpaper.
He gestured into a small room of wooden floorboards and plain, white walls, then continued down the hallway.
Kanata entered slowly, and stared around. There was nothing but an empty closet in which was wide open, and a tall, wavy mirror. Kanata stared into the mirror and gazed at her dark, night-sky, hued short silk dress, slightly above her knees. Her elbow length, copper hair was pulled back into a bun with two wisps sticking out from behind her ears.
At that very moment, Terrance stepped through the doorway grinning. “I found the old heap back in my bedroom, and I truly am sorry for the rather long hold-up.” Terrance heaved the thickest spell book one had ever seen. He flipped right into the core of the book, then began chanting some words after setting as wrinkled, pale, hand on Kanata’s shoulder.
“Well, you are free to go,” Terrance shrugged. “Perhaps if you are done packing, I would always love some help exploring those ancient underground tunnels the basement leads to.”
Kanata couldn’t believe she was saying this, but knew it was for the better. “No thanks, sir. That sound much delightful, there isn’t enough time in the days anymore.” Kanata could still not catch on to what she had just muttered, but decided that all she wished to do was return home and sleep, for some reason the little bit of excitement for being a protector had faded, although she was grateful of Terrance’s doings.
The two days sped by, and now it was a frigid midnight, of the hot Sundime night Kanata was to leave and rise to power as a protector of Myuri. She simply stood and stared through the gaping window of her home, until a very executive looking carriage lead by five black stallions stopped outside of the adobe. The stagecoach smiled, and waved politely at Kanata, but nothing could make her feel better, except for a smiling girl of her very age that sat waving and staring at the same time with her melodic, purple eyes, that somehow reminded Kanata of butterflies.
Kanata slipped in through the open door of the pumpkin shaped- and for that matter colored, carriage. “Hi,” she mumbled, without the slightest bit of enthusiasm.
“Hi,” the girl dressed in pale pink explained. Her long hair was tied in two thick loops, flowing down her shoulders. “I’m Reina, who are you?”
Kanata turned away slowly. “I’m Kanata.” Sighing, Kanata leaned back on the plush, soft, velvet seat in the back of the carriage; it was of some sort of rowan hue.
Reina only grinned, then turned to the stagecoach up in the front. “How many more days, my good sir?”
“Wait… days?” Kanata exasperated.
“Of course,” Reina explained, yawning, as she began to lean very far back on her seat. “It took us about three days to get from Royalty Village, Ara to Mei, Corrionder your village.”
Kanata was silent. “Sir, where else shall we be going?” She turned to the stagecoach after what seemed to be about five minutes of silence.
“Revendra and Eurandala,” the man explained, grabbing a whip and giving one of the horses a slash.
“Oh,” Kanata murmured.
Reina sighed, thinking about her life seeing as Kanata was obviously not in the mood to talk. If anything, Reina had lived a tough, miserable life, in which at some point, anyone would have given up on, but Reina was always optimistic and joyful.
She had once been the lovely princess of Ara, when she was eleven years old. However, soon enough, her father, Revony, a great warrior was slain, although days before, he had killed the almighty Loom, the ruler of Espiarus. He was the only thing his daughter, Kylani, had left, seeing as only a moon ago, his wife passed away with the Ebony Fever.
Kylani swore revenge on the man, but after his death realized there was only one way to avenge her dead father: through killing Reina, the pride and joy of Revony.
However, the moment Revony died, everything changed for Reina. Her own mother banished her from Ara, claiming she never wished to see her face again. And never did she. Reina lived with a couple of farmer and his family, until she was discovered by Kylani. Kylani captured her at once. But Reina remained determined to live. She pleaded to Kylani to spare her, and she would fight and serve under Kylani.
Kylani agreed, but a year later when Reina was thirteen she turned an entire army of Kylani’s guards against her, and persuaded them into assisting her to escape. They helped Reina to Congrella, where Aaron, the great ruler of them wished for her to be his fiancé, enchanted by her beauty. But the next day, Aaron was dead, and once Reina had found out the devious secret behind his death, she escaped Congrella, and returned to the Fishing Village in Ara, where she lived alone in the back of a market.
Reina heaved a sigh of exhaustion. “Do you know, sir, of where Espiarus is?”
Looking puzzled, the stagecoach turned back, his gentle gaze awkward and mildly suspicious. “Of course I do, but I don’t suppose you would want to go there, now would you? It’s been an enemy of Myuri for a millennium now.”
“Ah,” Reina hesitated. “Thanks, sir.”
Kanata sighed. “Eurandala and Revendra are both distant, you know. I think that it’s about time we stop for the night.”
“I suppose you’re right,” sighed the stagecoach with a sluggish yawn. His gaze fell upon Reina, whom was obviously fighting sleep.
Kanata in the meanwhile set her duffel bag on the floor and pulled out of it a gleaming clarinet of some sort of black materiel that had to be made of iron, unless it would have long been broken after all the great scraps she and it had fought together.
Reina pinned her with a curious stare and a small grin. “What’s that? A clarinet? For what?”
Kanata hesitated. “It’s my weapon… and it’s a clarinet.”
“Oh, I see,” Reina explained, and heaved to pale pink fans. “You seem pretty down. Why’s that?”
“Well, firstly, I was down since two days ago,” sighed Kanata. “And now it’s just misery to be so far from home. And the fact that my birth parents didn’t want me… or died, and my foster parents, dead- it’s just…”
“Oh,” Reina muttered. “I’m sorry. Maybe I can tell you a pity story of my own some other time. As for now I must say, I am rather exhausted.” Reina sighed, and lay on her side as if the well-cushioned bench was a bed.
Kanata in the meanwhile stepped out of her seat and ventured up and out of the carriage. Her gaze fell upon the many trees in the surrounding. The trees seemed to be a large ocean, and where the carriage stood on, a small island, so tiny you could call it part of a channel.
All of a sudden, from every bush that bordered the island, men dressed in heavy armor rose. She couldn’t see their faces through their heavy helmets, but could already see the smirks on their faces, when one spoke, almost as if he were laughing. “You’re surrounded.”
“Am not!” cried Kanata, holding a strong fist. She heaved her clarinet and pointed it forward. “I’m a protector of Myuri, and of myself!”
The captain of the soldier squad gave a cold, icy cackle. He simply lifted his sword, and the vast army charged. Kanata sunk into a split to avoid one of the soldier’s slashes, then thrust her left leg into the air, sending a forceful kick upon the outraged, soldier’s nose.
Kanata slipped through the army, and upon a strong, yet rather rigid tree branch where she grabbed up a vine and practically soared across to another tree. A handful of soldiers marched up, but only a handful. Kanata stared awkwardly as she watched the army slowly diminish, as if being their lives were quickly being vacuumed away. Finally, the crowd-clearer revealed herself: Reina, wielding twin, pale pink, horizon fans. Kanata smiled, somersaulting off the branch and onto her feet.
The only word she found appropriate, was, “Whew!”
Momentarily, the stagecoach climbed out of the carriage smiling briskly. “Whuh was that?”
Kanata shrugged. “It’s as if those men knew we would be coming, sir, I would hope that we could perhaps advance to a more safe, public place.”
Shrugging, the stagecoach gestured into the carriage, and heaved a tired sigh. “If old Charlie ever hears of that, I am so fired!”
Reina only smiled, following Kanata into the carriage. The somewhat young man closed the door behind himself, and gave the horses each a powerful whipping. The carriage was soon bounding forward, until reaching what seemed to be a parking lot outside a large inn.
Reina lay awake, alone in the frigid, carriage, shivering. She heaved a sigh of great exhaustion and opened her heavy, thick, pink backpack and pulled out a quilt of many colorful patches, and soon faltered to sleep, dreaming of her grandmother.
When dawn arrived, the carriage was already on the go, but what awoke Reina the most, was the young man sitting in front of Kanata, eating what seemed to be an egg salad sandwich. He was smiling gleefully, although he said nothing.
Behind him, Kanata was knitting what looked like a fuzzy, baby blue materiel. “Who’re you?” perked Reina, poking her head at the blue-eyed boy.
Jumping, the young man glanced behind him. “Darren. I suppose you are Reina.”
“You suppose correct,” Reina grinned. “Hey, we must have just passed through Eurandala, by now!”
“We have, we’re in the rare of Revendra, we should be meeting your little friend momentarily, and make the way back to Congrella. It’s quite a distance, but I think we’ll make it in time, at about late dusk.”
“I hope,” sighed Reina. “I can’t wait to arrive at the beach home on the Protector’s Island.”
Kanata gazed behind her. “We stopped at a lake earlier to wash off, you know.”
Reina sighed. “Now I do, and I wish I didn’t. All the more reasons we should stop or hurry up so I can take bathe in a spring on the island.”
Darren sighed. He was simply reading an ancient book, its pages hugged by two thick, chestnut colored leather covers. Golden words were engraved, reading: Myuri Records.
Just then, a very fine young man with musty, dark brown hair, pale skin, and emerald eyes pulled up, wearing a black duffel bag, its handles gripping onto his shoulders.
He entered the carriage, looking much miserable and hesitant. “Hi,” it looked like he had gone through a great battle in his heart, on what to say.
Reina beamed. “Hi, and you are?”
Staring awkwardly, the wide-eyed boy made a small smile. “I’m Eric, I suppose you are Reina.”
“How would you know?” Kanata cocked her head and stopped knitting, then returned to the pale, baby blue sweater.
“Well,” Eric uttered, sheepishly.
“Cut it out, Kanata,” Reina smiled and gave her a playful push on the shoulder.
Hours passed, many of them. In fact the sun was setting above the horizon, as the carriage paraded through the gates of Congrella. Never did a larger smile spread across Reina’s face.
“Hold your horses,” the stagecoach grinned, once he saw the look on Reina’s face. “We still have ought to cross the ferry, it’s a short distance to the Protector’s Island, as you know, and soon you’ll arrive and spend the night of the rest of your lives.”
The villagers roared with excitement, throwing countless flowers at the carriage. Kanata couldn’t help but grin and wave out the small window.
Finally, the carriage arrived at a large station of multiple ferries. Kanata could already see the Protector’s island, in fact it was right in front of them, a meter or two across. The ferry ride took but only ten seconds, then the carriage, and the protectors, not to mention the stagecoach, stood standing in the white, soft, sand, face to face with the largest beach house one had ever seen.
It had a dainty white roof, with glass walls, brick intersecting along with wood. A large gaping window stood lined with glass.
Kanata smiled, but her smile faded at the sight of Ardin standing inside the beach home. He thrust open the door, and grinned, opening the door. Reina smiled as she exited.
“Well, I wish you good luck,” Ardin explained. “Through all the hardships we’ve faced, you are here to end them. Your work will most likely begin tomorrow. I shall send a messenger with a book to guide you through your training.”
Kanata sighed, and sat down in the sand as she watched the stagecoach leave. Her heart sank farther, and farther as every moment passed. She was homesick and miserable, thinking of what she would be doing, if she were to be back in Mei.
Finally, she followed Darren into the beach home, and glanced around, her frown very much turning upside down. Her feet stood on copper tiles as her violet eyes observed the many picture frames hung on the white walls. A foot of from leaning on the glass wall, a white, leather sofa stood, with four wooden legs that looked like four pirate peg legs. Two sequined, red pillows were sat on the couch.
Ahead, a dining table of a crimson, chestnut sort of hue stood, four wooden chairs, padded with a red cushion stood by the table. In the center was a flower vase, of one red rose and a pink tulip.
“Come on, Kanata,” Reina perked, poking her head out of the kitchen. Kanata entranced the kitchen through the sliding, white, wooden door. It was a formal kitchen of gleaming, orange square floorboards, with a black, granite counter, and solid orange cabinets, with tinted windows revealing floors of glass plates.
“I’m sorry,” Kanata muttered, turning to Reina. “I know exploring would be an awful fun, but I am rather tired, after all that. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Reina followed her up the flight of stairs, and entered a random room, or pink furniture. She simply changed into a pale pink nightgown and tucked herself beneath the pale pink blankets, thinking of dawn, and mourning every moment of the night
Site can be viewed here: www.freewebs.com/draccora
PROLOGUE
From Hermia's eyes...
"HERMIA,oh Hermia," FATHER pleaded. I knew in my heart, forever would I wish to remain in Draccora, where I was happy, merry- but was forced to part.
"FATHER," I persued, gently. I shook my head and leaned close to him. "FATHER, forever shall you be in my thoughts, you are the only family I have, and you must trust that you have raised me well enough, to leave and take care of myself. All Draccorins are independent, and there is nothing you can do to change this."
He looked at me, fighting tears from his dull, coal eyes. But I couldn't look back, this was for my safety, and for my father's heart. The reason that I was to depart to Earth was because a raid of young and beautiful woman had struck upon us Draccorins. Those wretched, high-positioned warriors of the kingdom of Arestaria were always after us, to take us in as their wives or congupines. Men like them personally disgusted me, so shallow, obnoxious, brutal, and brainless.
I couldn't deny though, some were good-looking, but had the worst souls of all- always being so caine and shallow.
Finally, I turned around, and gazed at my FATHER with my mournful, iridescent violet eyes. FATHER turned away, to ashamed to let me go. But I wasn't, it was for the better, unless I was to be enslaved or wedded to an obnoxious hypocrite that would never love me for anything else, but my appearance.
I stepped slowly, as if walking upon thin ice, although if I were walking on thin ice, I would be on my knees, praying to God, and apologizing for an wrongs I committed in the past.I sighed to myself, I could hear my FAHTER's cries, his shouts, his orders to hurry, or I would be captured, but my body didn't allow me to run, and leave behind my memories, and my loves in Draccora. But I would have to- for my safety, and for his heart.
"Good-bye, Draccora, good-bye," I whimpered. No, I couldn't cry, nor look back in shame and sorrow, this was my final decision- no turning back. I shut my eyes into tiny slits, and dipped my foot into the purple ocean of magic- the portal to... EARTH...
Without delay, I used magic, to create a roof for me to sleep beneath. And I welcomed myself to the neighborhood- for no one else would. I lay there, thoughts, memories, regrets, words, too many words. Too many unnecessary words. Burning. Burning in my mind, my heart, my soul. I needed to return home, but I couldn't. However, I simply needed the essence of Draccora to accompany me, and began down the steps of my home. There stood an ordinary basement- not anymore.
Uttering, spilling mouthfuls of words in a lulling spell, I watched in agony as a flash of golden light gleamed, and vanished. I was left at peace, the basement only an illusion, but truly a portal to Draccora.
Chapter 1- DRACCORA
A millennium later...
Ariona's eyes...
I sighed, as I relentlessly climbed the countless steps up to Dr. Stemmington's science lab. Dr. Stemmington is simply a thirty-year-old, complicated scientist, that really looks into the unknown, and is willing to put his own life at the line for the sake of learning.
"Good morning, Dr. Stemmington!" I yowled, as I flopped in through the dull, gray door. I sighed, and seated myself on one of those high chairs by a lab station.
"Oh- Ariona, morning to you," Dr. Stemmington coughed, not even bothering to look up from his microscope.
There was silence for what felt like one whole, entire hour, one burning, intense, hour, although to my surprise, only one minute and thirty seconds had passed. I heaved a long, tired sigh, wondering why I had even bothered to attend Dr. Stemmington's that day, for it was as if hen would ever need my assistance anyways. Maybe to take out the trash. I suppose it was enough for me to be his shameless "apprentice," anyways.
"Ariona?" hesitated Dr. Stemmington, still not looking up. "Do you mind going down to the basement and getting me... a tube of pink liquid... should be on one of the shelves."
I grinned, and stood to my feet.There was another sudden- drastic pause. I stared at the man, dressed in a white labcoat, black pants, and black loafers, while I simply wore a white tank-top, white-jean capri, and white sandals. "... Sure Dr. Stemmington," I hesitated, and began towards the vault, which was blanketed in dust. After a long, tiring struggle, the vault door caved, and allowed me to begin another journey- down the many, creaky steps of the basement staircase.
I sighed, as I gazed upon the entire dingy, flat, cluttered cellar. No potion- just a shelf, a rolled up carpet, ice skating shoes, and quite frankly, nothing else. I began back up the stairs, and after another wrestling match- me vs. the vault door- I once again entered Dr. Stemmington's lab- for quite the surprise.
Nothing.
Silence.
Gone.
Empty.
It was as if nothing had ever lived in that room- or for the building for that matter. After standing still- frozen with anticipation, I finally managed to bo break free from the spell, and exited the building.
I was beyond spellbound.
The plain, musty green meadow that once stood before the science lab, was now a hauntingly beautiful, shimmering meadow of pale pink strands of grass that appeared to be two feet tall. In its center, sat a brisk, silver clear pond, that was a pure as the moon was beautiful. I gazed behind me, only to watch the lab disintegrate into nothingness. That was enough. I fell to my knees, my heart pounding, pleading for God's mercy.
Just then, a withering sorcerer with a flowing, snow-white beard stepped forward, in awe.
"Y-You must be Ariona," he whispered. "Follow me to my home- the only safe place."
I was too confused to decline. Too confused...
He seated me upon a wooden chair by the wall of his small adobe home, and pulled up another one directly facing me.
"Listen," he whispered. "I'm Dimmitrious... you may not believe me, but you've just stumbled upon Draccora, a hidden, long-lost realm far from Earth, and it's in peril- great peril."
I sighed. "You've got that right. I anything but believe you."
"Well, you'll have to, because... you're prophesized to save Draccora from its many opposing kingdoms, and bring it to peace. You're our last chance, without you, Draccora shall fall, and be ruled under the kingdom of Arestaria, in Draccorin language, that means poison."
"I'm lost," I muttered. "Just explain to me- how did I get here?"
"I think I know," Dimmitrious explained. "Oh, Hermia!"
"Hermia?"
"Yes, Hermia," Dimmitrious sighed. "Yes, yes. A millennium ago, she cast a spell, making the illusion of a basement. She was always homesick, so made it a portal top Draccora."
I nodded, although I wasn't so sure that I was fully awake."Sir," I hesitated.
"Yes?"
"I understand that you're depending on me to go to war and save your realm from its many enemies... but I was in the middle of something back at.... Earth," I stammered. "Please, please help me return to Earth- where I was, for that matter."
"Of course," Dimmitrious explained, seeming relieved to my liking. "Now, you wait here. I'll return with a spell book." He then lowered his glasses, narrowed his eyebrows, and pinned me with a stare. "Don't go with anyone."
I nodded, very slowly, and sat there, humming a tune.
Just then, from out of nowhere, a slender man dressed in a black jumpsuit zapped into the room. I stared at him with my wide, violet eyes. He gazed around at once, and I almost laughed as I watched his jaw drop at least a foot.
"And who are you?" the man asked. "I'm How- Glint."
I smiled. "I'm Ariona."
"A-a pleasure to meet you," Glint hesitated. "Any friends of Dimmitrious should come along with me."
"Sorry, no can do. I'm waiting for Dimmitrious to return with a spellbook so he can take me back to Earth, where I rightfully belong," I muttered.
"Well, you mustn't worry. I'm an incredible friend of Dimmitrious. He always loves it when I take a friend of his along to my place for a drink," Glint shrugged. "We could go for some tea."
I shrugged. "OK... whatever."
Glint grinned, and I followed him down the busy roads- busy with horse carriages and horses alone, for that matter.
His home was far off, behind a hill of pale pink, gleaming grass. It was of brick and rustic steel.
"Now," he began, seating me down upon a a hard, wooden seat. "You wait here, I'll be in the kitchen. Don't leave your seat."
Relatively suspicious, I waited for him to exit the room, and enter the kitchen, then peeked into the little window which was firmly planted upon the door.
I stared, and my eyes widened. He was pouring a liquid of white hue, labeled, Poison 267- Do NOT drink. Gaping in horror, I shoved myself out the front door, making quite the racket, and as uncontrollable fear streamed down my heart, I tripped, and was soon rolling down the hill, which at least was quicker.
Hearing at once, Glint practically threw himself forward. However, tripping, his head knocked upon the kitchen counter, a drop of the poison then ran down his throat, and ate away. Momentarily, he crashed upon the cold, hard floor, his eyes closing for the last time.
I finally landed upon Dimmitrious's home, and breathlessly fell into his arms. I then gazed upon the mournful, exhausted sky, and watched dusk eat away at it.
"And where did you go?" Dimmitrious demanded.
"A man by the name of Glint asked me to tea. I saw him poison it, so I ran away," I muttered. "I'm really sorry! Sometimes I can be so naive."
"Listen, the spell doesn't work at dusk, so I can't allow you to return to Earth until dawn the next day," Dimmitrious explained. He seated me once more and sighed. "Early tomorrow, I'll take you to the cave of prophecies, it will explain everything."
I nodded. "I wonder what happened to Glint," I muttered, suddenly.
"Oh please. Stop calling him Glint, he's Howell of the kingdom of Arestaria, our main enemy. The Poison Kingdom. Whoever is to kill you, will win a great amount of money. Now, rest."
Chapter 1- Mrs. Crout and the Plant Contest
"Delivery, for Mrs. Crout!" called a voice, the mail man slipped in an envelope into Mrs. Crout's mail box.
" Thanks!" called Mrs. Crout as she grabbed the letter out of her mail box. She gasped, she had made it to the finals in the Plant Contest she had recently entered... well after all, she was the master at planting! World wide, she was a star for her skills! Every October, her neighbors came to her house for pumpkins, every November, people came for fresh vegetables, every December, crowds came for her Christmas trees, and every summer, everyone came for her fresh fruits.
Mrs. Crout readied her seeds in a pot. She filled it with moist, black soil and marked where she gently placed the seeds. A month or so later, she soon had a gorgeous Carnation with not a yellow leaf. She sprinkled water in it, as well. Meanwhile, an furious farmer watched in envy, thinking of his plant, which was not half as beautiful as hers. Luckily, he had been planning a back up plan.
When the sky turned black, and everyone was asleep, he snuck into Mrs. Crout's backyard. He grabbed her Carnation and ran off. But too bad, the Carnation dropped on the road, it's pot cracked and the dirt poored and spilled on the ground, and the Carnation's life simply dropped, as well.
"Well, at least Mrs. Crout has no chance of winning, not without her beautiful Carnation," thought the farmer, despite he could no longer enter the Carnation in the contest.
Mrs. Crout wasn't at all near tears when she saw her Carnation was missing. "Henry, maybe I could do a trade with the old farmer across the street. I've got a few choices of seeds I'm sure he'd want," Mrs. Crout explained to her husband, Henry.
"Yeah, go get'em Tiger," muttered Henry, too busy reading the paper to pay attention.
The farmer heard their conversation. He soon formed another evil plan in his mind. So she will come and trade with me, I think I got just what she needs he thought brightly. So he grabbed some oregano seeds and labeled them as squash, but however, there was one mistake in his plot, he'd forgot to switch the bag this one was see through. He as well wasn't aware that the seeds in which he had labeled "squash," were oregano.
Hours later, Mrs. Crout flew by, Mrs. Crout came over with Sun flower seeds. "I'd like to make a trade," said Mrs. Crout. "My sun flower seeds for your squash." Mrs. Crout smiled smugly as she saw through his bag, and his plan.
"A trade it is," he didn't realize his error.
Delighted, Mrs. Crout began her work. She first researched on oregano.
Oregano grow purple flowers in the summer and are great house plants.
That was all Mrs. Crout needed to know. It was summer time! About a week later, beautiful purple flowers were already growing in the silky, gorgeous oregano leaves. Every time she sniffed her oregano plant, she could smell and taste victory.
Months flew by, it was the day of the finals! The farmer dave Mrs. Crout a confident glare, she returned one. The farmer took his Daisy down town torwards the contest, Mrs. Crout did same with her oregano.
After the judges judged every plant, they all agreed that Mrs. Crout's was the most impressive of all the plants. Victory was hers!
Furious, the farmer tried to think of another plot but couldn't, he could only ask if Mrs. Crout and him could be... friends. After he confessed that it was him who had done everything, and said he was sorry.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to be, however, in the next contest, we will be rivals," Mrs. Crout explained.
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Chapter 2- Mrs. Crout and the Plant Shower
Gloria yawned and stretched as she sat up in bed. The sun lit her room, as it soared through the red, velvet curtains that fenced the large window that peeked over her head. Mrs. Crout was awfully excited for the summer get-together, in which she and her neighbors would at her house every June 15.
Mrs. Crout edged towards her wardrobe and opened its two doors, which were a vibrant chestnut hue. She pulled out a tan T-shirt, blue jean overalls, and brown boots, stained with mud and grass. Gloria was an artist, everyone said, and didn't care about what clothing she would wear.
"Gloria, could you get the phone?" called Henry. "I'm a little busy with breakfast."
"Fine," Gloria responded. She knew this was no lie, because she heard the sizzle of carrots, and the crunch of mixing lettuce and cabbage. Mrs. Crout answered the phone, and smiled.
"Why hello, Charlie. Yes, sure. Any time. Yeah, of course, why not? Sure, if you're not too busy I can show you how. Oh, you are, that' too bad," sighed Mrs. Crout. "Sure, I'm coming right now, bye!" Mrs. Crout set down the phone. Does anyone still say "bye" back? she thought.
Henry sighed. "Gloria, who was that?" he asked, as he poured in some coffee into Mrs. Crout's mug. He sipped from his, and stared, waiting for an answer.
"It was Charlie, I'll have my coffee when I get back,'' explained Mrs. Crout. "He needs me to well... help him organize his vegetables, and set up his first garden."
Henry rolled his eyes. He despised Charlie, or any man who had anything to do with Gloria. No one really cared about this, because it wasn't too obvious.
"I think I'm going to have a long day, Henry. And I know when I'm going to have one. So could you maybe pick up Lily and Kori?" asked Mrs. Crout.
"Sure, if I have time off from gardening," Henry shrugged. He pulled up the newspaper and began reading the first article: Monsters in Montana?
Mrs. Crout stormed over to Charlie's. "Morning, Charlie. Am I late? I hope I'm not. Could you please show me your problem?"
"You're not too late. I really need you to sort these," explained Charlie, as he showed her a stack of carrots and other vegetables. "Could you possibly arrange them?"
"I-I-I... I guess I could..." sighed Mrs. Crout. It was a terrible mess! She could, but why would she want to? And how long would it take!
With this, Charlie waved and rushed to his car. "Bye, I got to get to the baker quick. Today's going t be packed with customers!"
Mrs. Crout finished quickly, then rushed out to answer the scream of two children. "Help, help!" it cried in agony, through what seemed like thousands or tears bubbling through the children's eyes.
"Yes, what? I am coming, so stay calm!" Mrs. Crout rushed to where the scream was coming from with a fire extinguisher, and jumped in front of the house sniffing, but finding no scent of ash or fire.
"Mrs. Crout, hooray!" cried Jack, as he and Anna appeared on the porch. "We need your help, this is one big problem!"
"Yeah," added Anna. "And if you don't help us with in the next five seconds, then we're calling the police, or worse, our mother!"
"Anna, be silent," snapped Jack, angrily. "Oh, forgive her, Mrs. Crout. She doesn't have the best of manners. She tends to be rather feisty."
"Oh, don't worry about it. I think she's an angel! Now, what do you need?" asked Mrs. Crout, smiling warmly. "You did call for help, did you not?"
"We did. We put some seeds in this pot, here, and well, we watered it as soon as we set them into the ground, but how come there's no orange in here yet?" Jack and Anna asked in unison.
Mrs. Crout, laughed, then gave a fond smile. "Oh, of course they're not growing, you two. You just set in the seeds yesterday, plants can't grow so quickly. Did you grow into what you are now, when you were first born?"
"No. You mean it will take years for our plant to grow?" demanded Anna, worriedly. "This is terrible, we need more help!"
"No, Anna. That's not what I mean," laughed Mrs. Crout. "It will take a few weeks for an orange to grow. All you need to do is give it some water every day, don't over water it, and give some sunlight, be sure of that. When it grows to big for the pot, transfer it to a larger one, or in your backyard. It will grow into an orange tree, not just one little orange."
"How does it look right now?" asked Jack. "Do you think it's doing alright? When will it become a tree?"
"I hate to well... be... if you're patient, it will grow much faster," explained Mrs. Crout. She did not want to crush the two children by saying it could take a year.
Just then, a long shriek of pain flew into Gloria's ears. "Help, this is serious, help, call the cops! I need help, no, no, HELP!"
Mrs. Crout screamed. "I'm coming, I'm coming, I'll call the cops! Stay calm, I'm coming, I'm coming! Stay right there, I'm coming!"
Ms. Rogers stood whisking around for Mrs. Crout as she sat down on her lawn. "Mrs. Crout, great that you're here, and here just in time, should I say?"
"What is it? You said it was serious," explained Mrs. Crout. "Is it? What's the problem. Everything seems nice and tidy, you seem to be managing your front yard well."
"There's just one problem! I don't know what to do with these extra potatoes! What can I make with them? Where should I put them? Better yet, what should I do with them?"
Mrs. Crout sighed. Some problem she thought. "You can make a meal for tomorrow's summer get-together at my place."
"Oh, great idea!" she explained, and without saying thank you, she trudged away. "Maybe baked potatoes, or egg salad, hmmm..."
Mrs. Crout then rushed down the street, to answer another call. "Mrs. Crout, hurry, hurry, hurry! I need your help, I really do!"
Gloria rushed down to the house in which the scream for assistance was coming from. "I'm here, what do you need? It's better be serious!"
Juliet smiled. "It is, serious. What should I do, play my piano, or read the book Fabric of the Cosmos?" she asked, thoughtfully.
Mrs. Crout screamed. That's anything but serious! she thought. "Now seriously, what is it? What do you want from poor old me?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" laughed Juliet. "Wrong questions! What is this plant?" she pointed to an orange hued flower, with thorns down its mint colored stem.
"It's a rose. Can't you see those sharp thorns, that intense heat in its peddles that look like priceless silk! Of course it's a rose, what else would it be, a crocus?" demanded Mrs. Crout.
"No, I suppose," sighed Juliet.
The rest of the day went on same for Mrs. Crout. It was late evening when she arrived home. She used this time to prepare a salad from vegetables she had picked fresh from her garden. With labor, she completed it and set it into her fridge. Exhausted, she threw herself on the couch and fell right away to sleep.
Henry arrived home soon from Lucky's, and sighed, sympathizing his poor wife. Just then, an idea came to his mind. "That's it!" he cried, and stormed out the door to summon his neighbors. "Everyone, come!"
Everyone who was still outside rushed to Henry. "Yes?" they asked. "What do you need, exactly, Henry. Mrs. Crout is in your house, no need to be worried about her."
"Please, just summon everyone who is not here, here!" ordered Henry, sighing. "I have an announcement to make, an important one."
All the neighbors sat, listening thoughtfully.
"As you know, Mrs. Crout is a great help to this neighborhood. She helped all of you today, with no offense, the most unreasonable reasons. We need away to thank her, we need to, well, show her how much we appreciate her," explained Henry, as he stood on a large rock before his lawn. "I know how we will do this! We'll all hold a plant shower for her tomorrow, before the plant shower, when she comes out looking for us. Alright, Juliet, you take the children and help the find crocuses, roses, and carnations. Here's a book on flowers." Henry sorted groups and put them in charge of particular plants. He then waited for them to return, so he could give his next orders.
Soon, everyone returned to where Henry stood, and waited for his next orders.
"Good to see you're back with all your plants. Group A, with five flowers, peel out their peddles, with the rest, just keep them the way they are, if they are roses, take out their thorns carefully. Group B, please just keep your plants and gather them in this basket. Group C, clean those vegetables and berries," ordered Henry. "When you're done, gather them in this barrel. I'll keep them safe away from Gloria, for until we use them. We'll shower her as soon as she comes outside to see where everyone is. Group A, you will hide behind the blueberry bush right next to the house. Group B, you will hide inside the small rose home, and be careful of their thorns, Group C, you will hide in Juliet's lawn in her front yard. No offense to you, Julie, but your grass is a little long. I need a volenteer to let me drive their car."
Mrs. Adam's arm shot up to the sky first. "Alright then, Mr. Adams, I'll drive your car down the road, then park it at your house. When you see Mr. Adam's blue HONDA, then with your basket of whatever plant I had you gather, run up and swing it at an angle that will get Mrs. Crout hit with all the plants in it! Is this clear, done?"
Everyone nodded. "Then that's the plan, DONE!" explained Henry.
The next day, when Mrs. Crout walked out the door, gazing around for any of the neighbors/invites, she saw no one. Not even Henry. "Anyone? It's 3:30 P.M., where is everyone? Hello?"
Just then, a dark blue HONDA drove by, and quick footsteps were heard. Groups A, B, and C rushed to where Mrs. Crout stood and swung! She screamed with joy as she drowned in plants.
"Thank you Mrs. Crout!" everyone cried in unison. "You're the greatest, kindest, and most modest gardener who ever lived!"
Tears of joy ran down Mrs. Crout's cheeks. "I've never been so surprised and touched in my life. No one has ever been so kind or cared so much for me to do something like that the way you did it," she sobbed. "Thank you so much everyone, it means a lot to me that this many of you care this much for me."
"Of course we do, Gloria," explained Juliet. "You're been so kind to us, especially yesterday, when you helped us all without any hesitation. We're so sorry we didn't act gracious to you, but your kind husband Henry opened our eyes, Mrs. Crout you deserve everything you just got."
Mrs. Crout smiled. "It's always fun to help. Yesterday I was just overwhelmed and I hope you all forgive me if I was rude to not be honored to help you. It's what I live for! Now come on, and let's get this party started!"
Everyone laughed and followed Mrs. Crout inside the house. Gloria stayed behind and waited for Henry she hugged him and smiled warmly. "You're the best husband who ever lived, I couldn't ask for a man better than you!"
The party was remembered from that day forward, for it's true meaning, and especially, most of ALL, Mrs. Crout's big shower...
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Chapter 3- Mrs. Crout and Karen
Mrs. Crout yawned and stretched as she stared around at the morning light, flowing through her window. "It looks like a beautiful day! I can't wait to get up and greet my flowers, so how come I'm not getting up yet?" thought Mrs. Crout. She already heard her kids, Lily (age ten) and Cory (age 7) down stairs.
"Gloria, your flowers grew a little over night," called Henry. "I can't wait for you to see them!"
"Me neither!" Mrs. Crout responded, in a joyous tone.
Mrs. Crout had lately been wanting another friend other then Mr. and Mrs. Morin. It was getting hard to think about life without friends, for her. Well, she only had one friend, you know as Mrs. Morin, the mother of Jack and Anna, in the story, Mrs. Crout and the Plant Shower.
"I'm on my way Henry," called back Mrs. Crout, as she opened her wardrobe. She pulled out her tattered up gardening dress, old gardening gloves with moss all over, and knee length gardening boots that were still muddy and made squeaky noises from when they were left out of the rain.
On the dining table, everyone had a plate containing a slice from a wheel of cheese.
"Good morning Gloria, you're fifteen minutes late for breakfast, but we're still glad you could make it," explained Henry, in his same mannerly tone. "Would you like milk with that or freshly squeezed orange juice?"
"I can get my drink myself," responded Mrs. Crout. "But thank you for the offer."
"Don't mention it."
Mrs. Crout stepped into their backyard, first. "Ahh... the sweet smell of a good morning from the flowers." She did her usual morning harvest and rushed to the front yard.
"Why hello, Mail Man, what brings you here?" asked Mrs. Crout, desperate to have a conversation with someone. "So? Anything special?"
"Well first Gloria, I work as a mail man, you have mail. And second of all, the only thing special that's going on with me is your special delivery," the mail man responded, in a tone that made Mrs. Crout feel stupid.
The mail man tossed over her mail and her invitation to the Summer Plant Contest. Just then, Mrs. Crout whisked around to see woman about in her twenties walk up to Mrs. Crout's driveway. "My name is Karen! You must be Mrs. Crout... Gloria Crout, right?" asked the girl, Karen. " Well I'm sorry to bother you, but I love gardening, too and that's why I'm entering The Summer Plant Contest, too! I'm a fan, a hopeless fan!"
"Why thank you!" said Mrs. Crout. "Do you have any plans? I'd love to take you to The SweetLand Bakery. "You know, Charlie Baker?"
"Oh... ALL right!" responded Karen. "For some of his fresh coffee?"
Soon the two were closer than ever, they gardened together, they ate together, they grew flowers at the park, they gardened in each other's gardens, and they ate salads together. But even better, they helped each other take care of their plants for the contest.
It was the morning of the contest, Gloria didn't waste a second, not even to think about the contest, about the farmer who had once almost ruined her chances of winning, not even about who her opponents could be. She just quickly dressed in her gardening clothes and flew down the stairs for a quick breakfast of leftover salad and coffee, grabbed the car keys, and climbed into her car.
She had forgotten Karen's words: Well I'm sorry to bother you, but I love gardening, too and that's why I'm entering The Summer Plant Contest, too! I'm a fan, a hopeless fan!
And now what a surprise it would be for Gloria, when she would find herself competing against her best friend!
"Welcome everyone, to The Summer Contest!" the host greeted everyone. There was a great applause. "With us today will be two honored guests, Gloria Crout, and Karen Martial!"
"What?" thought Mrs. Crout, "what does he mean, Karen's not- wait I forgot she is, I'm doomed!"
Gloria rushed to the locker room, where Karen must be in. As she stepped in, she heard a locker close, and the quickest of foot steps rush away.
The competition began. Mrs. Crout grabbed out her plant from her locker. "Hey! This isn't my plant!" cried Gloria as it was her turn to present her plant. She whisked around to see Karen, wearing a poisonously sweet smile on her face. Karen then waved Mrs. Crout's carnation her direction when no one was looking. Fuming, Mrs. Crout had no choice to present a cactus. There were many gasps and murmurs. At that, Mrs. Crout couldn't take it, she rushed off stage sobbing. This contest was nothing she expected it to be, it was a humiliation!
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Chapter 4- Mrs. Crout's Revenge
"Henry! I can't stand Karen!" scowled Gloria as she stepped in to the house, out of her car.
"Hmm... mm-hmm..." murmured Henry, not really seeming to be paying attention. He soon burst into laughter. "yeah, right crazy dog who thinks he can drive HA-HA!" Henry was obviously reading the newspaper.
''I mean seriously!" Mrs. Crout explained, throwing her arms into the air, she obviously didn't notice that Henry wasn't paying attention. "She humiliated me!"
"Yeh... yeh... yeh..." Henry murmured. "This crossword puzzle is so easy, that's obviously elephant!"
Mrs. Crout made her way icily into the kitchen, and instantly began snacking on leftover salad.
"Hi mommy!" greeted Kori as she leaped into Mrs. Crout's arms. "How was the contest?"
"Terrible! A humilia- I mean wonderful, never been better- heh...heh..." said Mrs. Crout sheepishly. She had corrected herself just in time.
"Gloria, it seems like something went wrong, will you care to tell me-later?" asked Henry, finally looking up from the newspaper. "What did Karen do... weren't you friends about a week or two ago?"
"Yes... we were... then."
"Now?"
"She stole my beautiful carnation... how could she? And she replaced it with a-a-a-a-a- cactus!" Mrs. Crout finally burst. "What are we to do... she shouldn't have won! I should have!"
Lily, Mrs. Crout's ten year-old daughter tip-toed through the kitchen and ducked under the table right as Henry looked up. Her ears perked with sorrow and embarrassment for her poor and pitiful mother. She watched her mother sob and weep as she marched upstairs. What Kori and I need to do, is come up with a plan that will show what Karen did! thought Lily, as she let the words that poured forth from her parent's mouths continue to run through her ears. As she listened more carefully and more thoughtfully, a perfect plan skimmed through her mind.
"Mother!" called Kori, from the kitchen, as she saw the look on her sister's face. "Can I have some of the leftover salad, please?!"
"In a minute, dear. I'll be there in a second!" replied Mrs. Crout, as she hung her purse and glanced at Henry, at Henry, in a frustrated way. "Last night's or the one I just made five minutes ago?"
"Which ever one is fresher," shrugged Kori.
Using her chance, Lily rushed up to her father. "Daddy, could you please give us two a ride to where the contest is being held? I want to prove that Karen is the reason of Mrs. Criout's loss!"
"I'd like to, too, but we can't fight your mother's battles, sweetie. And how would we do that?" Henry asked, staring at his daughter's bright face.
"I'll show you, I promise, if you take us," answered Lily, smiling widely.
"Then let's go to the car! Hey, what about Kori? You want her to come?"
"Don't worry, father. She's doing her part of the plan at this very moment," replied Lily, smiling.
"Alright, then let's go before the contest ends!"
The two climbed into the car and drove off down the road, a zig-zaggy one for that matter. They arrived at exactly 6:00 P.M., and dashed backstage in the locker room as soon as they arrived. This was because if they were seen, what terrible things could happen.
"There is Mrs. Crout's locker, for every contest held here," remarked Lily, "there is Karen's every time SHE competes."
"Now what's you're plan, Lily?"
"First, do you know what mommy's combination is?" asked Lily.
"Yes, because, when I enter contests, or when I did, I used the lock she is currently using," explained Henry, as he pressed around on the lock. He then opened the locker gently, so it wouldn't shriek and creak, and divert attention to the locker room. "Now, Lily?"
"Father, do you not smell the sweet and juicy smell of the carnation's essence? I smell a stolen carnation, and I know just where it was stolen from!" cried Lily. "Don't you get it, we need more proof, father. Please, go get Kori, Jack, Anna, Charlie Baker, Felicia, Felix, Caroline, and Shan!"
Henry obeyed, reluctantly.
At every creak Lily heard, she clicked one number on the lock of Karen's locker. She wasn't frustrated when she discovered that it was the wrong combination, it wouldn't effect the plan she had thought of. Lily hid under a bench while she waited for her father to return with all their friends/neighbors. When Henry returned, Lily led the army to the front of the stage, and with her father, the two summoned the audience and contestants of the competition. "To the locker room, everyone!"
They followed, and listened carefully, as Lily began. "That was not Mrs. Crout's entry, she did not enter a cactus, how man of you were surprised when you saw her, with that cactus?" Lily counted the show of hands. "I expected that many hands! We all know that she's the best gardener in town, no offense to any of you. You should have been surprised, all of you! That wasn't her entry, and the carnation Karen entered wasn't hers, either. It was Mrs. Crout, my father and I have proof!" She had Henry open Mrs. Crout's locker, and had everyone sniff the sweet, juicy smell of a carnation, which was contained in the locker of Mrs. Crout's, and only in Mrs. Crout's. "Now let's go smell Karen's locker, shall we?" There was no scent of anything but a wet, cactus. "That was was the scent of Mrs. Crout's so called entry, wasn't it? Well, what Karen did was, she snuck the cactus into Mrs. Crout's locker, with this very combination cracker. She then stole the carnation," Lily pointed to the name on the combination cracker, then glared up at Karen. "Does this look like yours?"
"Fine, the little girl is smart. It is mine, but I will not lose again, and I will not be caught again! But you can't take my trophy back, can you?" sniffed Karen, glaring.
"Yes, we can," responded the host of the competition. "If you don't return it to Gloria Crout at this very moment, well as soon as she does come, then you will be banned from all the future competitions. Now someone, please summon Mrs. Crout at this very moment. Henry did, and when he and his wife returned Mrs. Crout, wiping the tears out of her eyes accepted the trophy, and held it up to the sky. The crowds cheered, all but a furious Karen, who stormed away muttering the words: It's not over, Gloria, it's not! No one heard, nor noticed, when Karen left the room, with a malicious smile on her face.
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Chapter 5- Mrs. Crout's Thanksgiving
Mrs. Crout climbed out of her warm bed, and into the cool of the autumn breezes. With a wide smile on her face, Gloria selected a pair of blue jean overalls, stained with patches of dirt and mud, a white sweatshirt underneath, a pair of muddy, brown boots, and filthy gray gardening gloves.
"Oh, Gloria!" cried Henry. "C'mon downstairs, Sandra's Mixed-Up Garden is on!" This garden here is really mixed up, I'll tell you that much!"
Gloria hurried down the long, wooden staircase. She loved to watch how Sandra Edison would save a really mixed up garden. "I'm coming, Henry!"
"That's great, because breakfast has been waiting like the television, which has also been waiting for you to turn it on," laughed Henry. "I got ya!"
"You sure did," responded Mrs. Crout, as she stoked Lily's hair tenderly. "Ah, Lily, you could've told me!"
Mrs. Crot then walked to the garden and returned with a large basket filled with carrots, corn, lettuce, tomatoes, and potatoes. She then grabbed some other herbs and greens in the garden, then steamed the vegetables in a large simmering pot of Thousand Island dressing. Henry added hand fulls of garlic and sprinkles of sunflower seeds and pumpkin scoops. Lily poured in some fresh tomato slices, potato chunks, and diced up carrots. She helped Kori cut up potato skins and wash other vegetables.
"Henry, I'm going to need you to go buy some bread so we can have toast for breakfast. The girls and I will continue with out dish for tomorrow's Thanksgiving feast at Charlie's," explained Mrs. Crout.
Henry snarled as soon as he heard Charlie Baker's name, but he obeyed Gloria, and walked off in the direction of Grocery Smart Mart.
"Mother, is the Thanksgiving feast tomorrow?" asked Kori, as she sprinkled in two cups of butter and five sprinkles more of garlic.
"Well of course it is, sweetie! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving day," laughed Mrs. Crout. "We always have a feast on the real Thanksgiving day, and you know that, sweet-pea."
Lily sighed, Same old Kori, she thought. "Mother, do we now add in some bits of onions?"
"Thanks so much for reminding me, dear," Mrs. Crout smiled. "You are one super salad maker! One day you might be as great as a salad maker as I am."
Lily smiled. "You really think?" the words of her mother made Lily feel better about herself. "I guess... maybe."
"Me too, right?" asked Kori. "For a first grader, I guess I'm pretty great, huh?"
"You certainly are, my dear, you certainly are," sighed Mrs. Crout, who was busy sprinkling in some beans and chestnuts, for a little crunch.
Henry soon returned, and toasted four slices of bread. He did this as Mrs. Crout simmered salad and added in mini sized tomatoes.
"Hey, Lily, be a dear and turn on the television to channel 46 for Sandra's Mixed-Up Garden," called Henry, from the kitchen. "Breakfast will be there in a minute, with freshly squeezed orange juice, too."
"Sure," responded Lily. She grabbed the remote, and flipped it to channel 46. Then, Kori and her sat at the couch with blankets waiting for their breakfast.
Henry soon came over with two plates of toast and two cups of sweet orange juice that smelled of mixed citrus fruits.
The next morning came quickly, and the family checked on the salad, which was now warm and whenever you opened the pot it was stored in, steam and moisture would come forth. It smelled like a mix of all vegetables, cooked with their unique flavors blended together, forming the most splendorous aroma imaginable.
Gloria then grabbed a large wooden spoon and mixed the salad here and there. "It smells delicious, I wish that we could eat some, but there's only so much of it!"
Henry nodded. "I'm sure it will be a favorite, this evening. By the way, what will we eat as turkey?"
"That's simple. Charlie has baked some bread that looks just like turkey," explained Mrs. Crout. "I know, bread has eggs in it, but anything is better than pure meat."
Henry shrugged. "Now we add in some fried lettuce slices, salted and dipped in butter, with sprinkles of salt and a pinch of pepper."
The family worked on the finishing touches to the perfect salad, and poured the salad into a large punch bowl. They let it sit in the refrigerator to cool, since all salads were normally cold and crunchy. "Let it sit," Gloria explained.
Evening came, and the Crouts were thrilled to be attending the neighborhood's first big Thanksgiving feast. Mrs. Crout opened the door to the refrigerator, and brought the salad out of the fridge. Then, everyone in their best clothes walked across the street to Charlie's for the feast. Mrs. Crout remembered when he had come to aid the Karen problem a month ago. She was sure to thank him as soon as they arrived.
Henry rang the doorbell, and then the family waited, as they listened to the sweet echo of the doorbell's ring. Finally, the chestnut-colored door flung itself open, and there Charlie stood, with a familiar figure by his side.
"Hello, Charlie. And... you... too... Karen..." Mrs. Crout trailed off. "I didn't expect you to come, I truly didn't. In fact, Charlie why is she- never mind. Shall we forget about our past, and think of only today, Karen?"
Karen only snarled and walked off.
"I'm sorry, Gloria, care to come in so I can explain my reasons?" asked Charlie, trying to make a smile. "I'm really sorry."
"I know you are. And it's okay, I understand that you were probably secret friends, huh?" Mrs. Crout sighed, and walked in with her family trailing behind her.
Charlie smiled. "Hey, Gloria. The reason is... well, Karen really is a great gardener, you have to admit. I invited her because it was the only was I could get her to give me the correct fruits and herbs and vegetables for the dishes I wanted to make for the feast. I'm sorry, id you really don't feel comfortable... you can do what you want."
"Ahhhh Charlie, I'd never miss the feast for anything and any witch and you know it!" laughed Gloria. She raised her voice when she said witch, so Karen could hear.
"Yes, Charlie. I really am a great gardener, aren't I?" explained Karen, as she walked up to Mrs. Crout and Charlie. "Now, my only question is, how come you didn't ask Gloria for those vegetables? I mean, you to are the closest of friends, and you live closer to one another. I live on another street, I just really want to know, why me, why not Mrs. Crout?"
Charlie was silent. He stared at Gloria for support, but she did nothing but stare back at him dependently. "The reason is... I-I- I-... well..." stammered Charlie.
"I'm a better gardener and you know it! You just don't want to hurt the dumb old lady's feelings do you?" Karen exploded.
Gloria's eyes widened with anger. Her eyes lit up like a jack-o-lantern's, and she edged closer to Karen, with such a glare that her eyes were only but two small slits of rage. "All right, punk! You don't know who you're messing with!" cried Mrs. Crout. She grabbed a baseball bat right our of Felix's hands and rushed at Karen with it, swinging it right at her head. Karen ducked at the nick of time, and glared.
"Let's handle this one with a little more dignity, shall we?" asked Karen, snarling.
"What do you mean dignity? I'm not the one who lost the summer contest, am I? Oh yeah, that was you!" sniffed Mrs. Crout. "I'm the woman with all the dignity, you lost all of yours when you lost! Oh wait, who am I kidding, you never had any dignity!"
"Look who's talking," sighed Karen. "Now will you let me finish my sentence?"
"Fine."
"Well, we all know that I'm the better gardener, but how about we prove this to Gloria here?" asked Karen. She smiled. "We will go and grab a plant from our garden. This is a real test, because none of us were prepared for a big contest, were we?"
Mrs. Crout smiled. "Well all show you a thing or two, Karen."
"Hope that you do. Now let's go," snarled Karen.
The two both rushed back to their homes. Karen reached her home first, and through the backyard she went. She laughed and smiled as she grabbed the red crocus she had been planting for now a month. This plot was more perfect than the other.
The tow gardeners returned at Charlie's moments after they exited their backyards. They then presented the plants they had selected.
Mrs. Crout had picked an oregano pot plants, its flowers still stood out, but were as small as buds, since summer had by now passed into autumn. Karen snickered.
"I was working on this one, this beautiful crocus. I think we see who's won, don't we? Do we not see who the obvious better gardener is?" demanded Karen, as her voice was raised to a higher volume.
Everyone was silent. They stared back and forth at Mrs. Crout's then Karen.
"Hold up!" cried a small voice, it was young Anna's.
"Yes? Are you trying to deny the honest truth? demanded Karen.
"Yes, I am. I know what and why you've done what you've done."
"Elaborate," sniffed Karen. "Child, do you dare?"
"Is it not obvious, that well, no offense, but Charlie's been asking for needed fruits and vegetables from Gloria like he's going to a free farmer's market? It is to me! Charlie felt guilty about this, and so he thought about who other great and close by gardeners were. The only other person he could think of was Karen. A BIG mistake. When he came to Karen's, I'm sure she knew why he was there asking for vegetables, instead of at Gloria's. She explained that she would give him the needed ingredients if in return he invite her to the Thanksgiving feast. She plotted this, and so she had her crocus long ready for the plot. It was simple to figure out, no one had heard of Karen for forever, the evil lady was probably already cackling about a new plot, tied up with something smart and evil," explained Anna.
"Sounds true to me," shrugged Jack. "We all know that Karen is... well... evil."
Soon, everyone thought about Anna's words. There was much stammering and murmuring, until it was all agreed that Anna's words were most likely true.
"Well, Karen, fuss up. We all know Anna's right, so just say yes or no," sighed Shan.
"The girl is smart, and the girl is lucky," hissed Karen. She then rushed torward the door.
"Karen, I'm sorry about tonight. It was a truly smart plan if it weren't so... well... evil. You may join us in the feast, if you'd like, Karen," invited Charlie, warmly. "Now come on, and join us. Eat anything you'd like, dig in!"
Karen smiled. She edged back in, and joined the party, forgiving herself and her evil.
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Chapter 6- Mrs. Crout and Karen- Way Back When
-Tammy Chang
Mrs. Crout stared out the window. She was thinking of the villainous Karen. Karen had once been her best friend. But then Karen had to ruin it, revealing her secret love of gardening. From then on, the two became bitter rivals, with nothing but hatred for one another. Gloria gazed down the street as Karen, her hair still mouse-brawn and only slightly tinged with gray, emerged from her spit clean home to water her lawn and weed her vegetable garden.
“Hey, Mom,” Lily said, “She seems familiar. Like I’ve seen her before.” Mrs. Crout looked at her daughter fondly. Lily seemed to always know what her mother was thinking. “Where would you have seen her, dear?” Mrs. Crout asked. “She’s not one of your little friends, you know, and I don’t think she has kids.”
“From one of your albums!” Lily explained excitedly. “Remember? You knew someone named…named…Amanda Karen Hutchins. You told us stories about her! You said that she never knew your real name was Gloria!” Lily continued, “ You fooled her into thinking your name was Donna Judy Luda.” Lily giggled.
But Gloria was suddenly serious. Then Karen…Karen, her worst enemy might actually be her old friend Amanda?! Gloria rushed to her room, frantically. She flipped through her albums. She gasped in horror. Yes, the faces were one and the same. Karen had once been her best friend! If only Karen had introduced herself using her real name, Amanda, thought Gloria sadly. Things may have been different.
Gloria suddenly remembered an old scene that had happened when she and Karen were young, only seven, or eight, at the oldest.
“Hey, Donna,” Amanda said. The two friends were at Amanda’s grandmother’s house, weeding the garden. “I hate this, don’t you?” Gloria shook her head happily.
“I like this,” she said proudly. “I want to be a gardener when I grow up. And enter contests, like your grandma.”
Amanda wrinkled her nose. “My grandma wants me to garden too,” she admitted. “But I’ll only do that if something happens to her…just to make her happy.” She paused, and looked at her grandma. For the first time, Gloria noticed how weak and ill Amanda’s grandma looked. She turned to face her friend, and was just in time to notice sadness on Amanda’s face.
“But if I do become a gardener, and enter contests too,” she said, trying to look happy, “let’s promise to stay friends forever!” Gloria hugged her friend. “I promise!” she whispered.
And as Gloria remembered that day, she felt tears come to her eyes. That was a promise she would make Karen-and herself-keep!
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Chapter 7- Magnolia
Mrs. Crout gulped as she walked up the door steps to Karen Spring's house. Her arch enemy and rival. In her hands, a pot or moist soil containing the most gorgeous silky, blood red rose any had ever seen. With hesitation, Gloria pressed the doorbell of Mrs. Spring's home, and caught herself trying to flee. Had it only been just yesterday that her daughter Lily Crout had discovered significant information about her past with Karen?
"Oh it's just you, you moron," Karen snorted. "Something you want to rub in my face, a new trophy you've won? I'm not interested. I'm giving up my carrier as a gardener!"
"What about your grandmother?" Mrs. Crout demanded. "You promised you'd continue her legacy, you can't quit, you can't!
Karen was silent. Just then, a stream of salty tears flooded from her teary, watery eyes. "H-H-How do you know?"
"Karen, I know you remember," Mrs. Crout sighed, gently. She reached over and lay a hand on her former best friend's shoulder. "We were once the best of friends, we promised we always would be. And I want to keep that promise. I hope you do, too."
At that moment, a young girl about Lily's age trudged over. She had bright copper hair, pale peach skin, and gentle jade eyes. "Mother, will you help me unpack?"
"Oh... uh, sweetie, wait for me in your bedroom," Karen tried to speak normally through her tears, but the child saw through this. "Magnolia, run along now, please."
Mrs. Crout smiled. "Oh, Karen! I didn't know you had a daughter. I didn't know you were even married."
"I was... but it's a long story," Karen sighed. She wiped the last of her tears and grinned. "Gloria, if I can call you that, would you like to come in?"
"I'd love that," Mrs. Crout walked in. "You should help your daughter, now, Karen. And maybe we could talk and get back together as best friends."
"Oh, sure!" Karen smiled. She was about 54 years old, almost 55. But being born in December always had its ups and downs.
Magnolia walked into the room with a small smile on her ace. "Mother, I'm so glad to be settled back here in Reno, rather than New York where father is. Here it's peaceful and silent."
"Oh, hello there, sweetheart. I am Mrs. Crout," Gloria greeted her with a fond smile. "I hope I'm not causing trouble for you."
"Why would you be causing trouble for me?" wondered Magnolia. She wore a floral pale green and white tank-top for the heat of the summer, and a white jean mini skirt and pink walking sandals. Her copper hair was combed smoothly and done in two French braids.
Karen flashed her daughter a grin. "OK, Magie, either go to your room or play in the frontyard- or backyard."
Magnolia beamed and hurried to her room. She grabbed out a recorder and walked outside to the front porch to play around with the plants.
Karen smiled. "Gloria, I'm positive you want to know why all of a sudden Magnolia is here. I'd love to explain before we skip to anything else."
"Sure," Mrs. Crout beamed. Then let's go outside for some gardening and maybe some coffee, too."
"I once was married to a young man named Elvis Wrights. Together we lived happily in New York city until I insisted on a trip to Nevada to see the snow. By now Magnolia was about five or four. I truly fell in love with it, here in Nevada. When we returned, I longed to spend every single day of my life here in Reno. I brought this up to Elvis, and he confirmed that we were certainly not moving, for he had lived every year of his life in NY," Karen sighed, she sounded miserable. "He said for me to return and see for myself if I would like it there. I spent a half a year until he complained and gave me no other choice but return and like it there, but I knew that I'd never enjoy life if not in Nevada. He said that he wouldn't have it. It took us years to come up with an agreement, until finally we saw that the only other way for us to be happy was if we split up. he said he would only let me go if he got to keep Magnolia. But the reason Magnolia is here now is because she complained to her father that she wanted to see me and Nevada again. Elvis said that he would let her go, and she would pick to stay wherever she liked better."
Mrs. Crout was silent. "A split? He loved New York, I see."
"He did and he always will."
In the meanwhile, Lily had just finished breakfast, a rather big breakfast. Henry was out at work mowing lawns and doing other gardening services.
"Kori, change the channel," hissed Lily. "No one here watches Blue's Clues but you. Besides, you're in first grade!"
Lily sighed and flashed off the television. "Where'd mom go off to?" She noticed the front door open and hurried out the door. "I'll be right back, Kori!"
Just then, she saw Magnolia walking her dog down the sidewalk. "Who are you?"
Magnolia smiled and glanced upwards. "I'm Magnolia Springs, daughter of Karen. What's it to you?"
"I just want to know," scoffed Lily. "That means you're Karen's daughter."
"Pretty much so, if you're talking about Karen Springs the legendary," shrugged Magnolia, with a smirk on her face.
"My mother's a better gardener than yours, and I'm probably a better gardener than you, too," Lily sniffed. She didn't have such a good feeling about this Magnolia girl.
"That's where you're wrong," snapped Magnolia. "I'd love to prove it to you. I hope you're not a sore loser, because if you're challenging me, you're sure to lose."
Lily sniffed and walked up the Spring's porch as Magnolia passed by. "Mom, are you in there?" Lily tried to be brave, for she needed to be remembering how mean Karen was.
"Oh, honey," Mrs. Crout called. "I'm here. How was your breakfast?"
"Fine, mom," Lily cocked her head at an awkward angle. "Why are you at Karen, your arch enemy's home?"
Karen grinned. "Not anymore."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Karen, perhaps I should be leaving now. Dinner at my place this evening. Bring Magnolia," Mrs. Crout beamed.
"Gloria, let's bring the children to the park to play, and then the two of us will cook dinner and pick them up at dinner time," Karen smiled.
Lily jumped. "You mean Kori, Magnolia, and I?"
"Yes, dear! You'll get a long with Magnolia so well," Mrs. Crout smiled warmly at her daughter.
Lily gulped. "Cory and I will start walking."
"Not without lunch," Mrs. Crout explained.
Karen hurried to the kitchen and grabbed out a package of cold roast beef, thin slices of cheese, and lettuce. With this, she grabbed out two slices of white bread and and packed the sandwich in a paper bag. She then packed a small apple and juice pack.
"I'll see you in a bit at my house, Karen. But for now's I have to get Cory and Lily's lunches and snacks ready. I'll send them over so Magnolia and them can start walking to the park," explained Mrs. Crout.
"Quite alright. In that time I'll go off to see where Magnolia has gone about," Karen smiled. "Take your time, Gloria."
Mrs. Crout and Lily hurried back to their home and into the kitchen. Mrs. Crout got to work with dicing apples and mixing together vegetables and rolls.
"Alright, you children have a good time with Magnolia at the park. Be sure to start walking back at about 6:00, just be sure to be back by 6:30, supper time," Mrs. Crout explained.
Lily carried the basket and she and Lily began across the street to Karen's. Magnolia was waiting, wearing a backpack and holding a paper bag. She snorted and began walking, Lily and Kori on her trail.
It was all silent until they arrived at the park. By now it was about 1:30. Lily set up a picnic towel on the field and the three sat down to have their lunches.
Lily snorted. "I don't see why y mom would like your mom if she gave birth to you."
"What have I ever done?" cried Magnolia.
Lily never wanted to accept this, but she hadn't even quite met Magnolia but already felt envious and angry at magnolia. She got to wear whatever she waned, take walks on her own, and be independent, something Lily wished she was allowed to be.
Lily remained silent, but not Kori. "Why are you even here disturbing the peace of Acorn Street?" demanded Kori.
"I'm in the fourth grade, I'll have you know! You can't talk to me like that," snarled Magnolia.
"I am, too. You're not so big, Magnolia."
For the rest of lunch, no one spoke to one another. On occasion, Kori would ask for help and plead to go to the playground.
"Not until I'm done tossing the trash," Lily explained. She collected their paper plates and and cups and tossed them in the trash can. "Hey, Kori, wait for me outside. I'll be in the bathroom."
Kori walked over to right outside the restroom and waited when all of a sudden, Shayna, her best friend, spotted her. "Oh my goodness! Kori what are you doing here? Come on, let's go to the playground."
Kori beamed. "Oh, yes, sure!" Kori followed Shayna onto the playground, the two began swinging and sliding.
Lily exited the restroom and glanced around for Kori. "Magnolia, what happened? Where'd Kori go off to?"
"You're interested, why?" snorted Magnolia. She flashed Lily a glare. "I don't know. Go find her. I have no interest in that brat what so ever."
Lily sniffed and walked off, surprised to find magnolia following her. "What do you want?"
Magnolia sighed. "How is your life?"
"My life is probably better than yours. I have a sensible mother who cares for me and a father who has a job," Lily snapped. "While you're a brat who gets everything she wants."
Magnolia was silent. "That's not quite it. My parents are divorced. My father lives in New York, and I know they'll never get back together."
"Then what's all the stuff about your clothes and dogs and rooms and recorders and flutes and..." Lily was silent.
"You're right, Lily," sighed Magnolia. "You probably are better at gardening than I am. I can only play recorder and plant seeds and be impaitient. I know you probably hate me, but we're going to have to at least treat each other like friends if we want out moms to be content."
"Somehow, I don't think that will be so hard," sighed Lily, smiling. "To tell you the truth, the moment I saw you I was already jealous of you."
"Why?"
"Well, you could walk your dog by yourself and where those clotes. You could be independent! I wish my mother would let me do so," sighed Lily.
Magnolia smiled. "Come on, now, let's look for Kori."
The two finally found Kori climbing ladders and doing the monkey bars. "Kori, what are you doing here!" cried Lily. "I told you to wait for me outside the bathroom!"
"Sorry, Lily! Shayna found me and she wanted to play with me," Kori pleaded. "I'm really sorry."
"Well, say good ye to Shayna. Tell her you'll see her tomorrow, just wait for today and Sunday to be over," Lily exasperated.
"Bye, Shayna! See you tomorrow," called Kori. She then followed Lily and Magnolia. "What time is it, Lily? Mom says we have to be home for dinner at 6:30."
"It' about 6:10, Kori," Magnolia glanced at her watch with a small grin on her face. "Let's get back home and have dinner. Maybe my mom will let me sleepover."
"Oh, I hope so," Lily flashed her friend a grin. "Friends?"
"Friends."
With that, the three arrived home, just in time to see Mrs. Crout and Karen set the table with large salad center piece and sandwiches with rolls and mixed fruit with grape juice sitting on the counter top.
"Home just in time, girls," laughed Karen with a small smile on her face. "Mrs. Crout and I were talking, and we've agreed that Magnolia will be spending the night here if that's OK with you."
"That's great!" cried Lily. She grinned at Magnolia. I can't wait to show her the school on Monday, thought Lily. What a great week she would have!
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(Heh, heh, Spongebob fan fiction! Enjopy!)
Spongebob heaved a tired sigh as he sat by his large, undersea pineapple home. Patrick was sighing heavily, and wearing his same headphone, which every second reminded him to breathe.
"There's nothing to do but blow some bubbles, and I bubble... stuff is out," Spongebob folded his arms, and broke another sigh.
"What do you mean puddles there are only puiddles in June and... summer... right... wait it is June! Well... you know what I mean,t there are no puddles, silly," Patrick laughed, and Spongebob normally would have laughed at him, but wasn't in that sort of mood.
"I said BUBBLES! Blow some BUBBLES!" cried Spongebob.
"Uh, no you didn't!" Patrick protested, folding his arms and closing his eyes, he then turned his back to Spongebob.
"Oh, give it a rest, nver mind!" Spongebob murmured. He walked a few yards in awe, Patrick followed, his jaw dropping, also. "Patrick, are you thikning what I'm thinking?"
"Yes... what are you thinking?" Patrick stared at Spongebob with wide-eyes.
"We could have fun with that big rock, and maybe we could talk to that squid with the big head and really big nose," Spongebob smiled.
"Hey, I do not have a big head, nor a big nose," Squidward protested, gazing at the two with steam coming from his head.
"Oh, hi Squidward, it's you! I didn't know you had such a big head and big nose," Patrick smiled casually.
Squidward glared, his teeth chattering with anger, as more smoke simmered from his large, bald head. "Don't you two rascals come in!"
Just then, a meal fish and his wife glared. "So we can't even come into your bakery! I knew we should've gone to Krab's Bakery. Come on honey, let's get outta here, this guy's a jerk."
''Wait! No, don't go! I was talking to Pink and Squarepants over here!" cried Squidward, frantically. He then flashed the two another infuriated glare.
Spongebob turned to Patrick, shrugged, and entered followed by Patrick, before Squidward could bother to do anything.
Patrick began towards a counter, covered with bread upon trays. "I wanna get bread, I wanna get bread!" he cried, with a large, tooth grin on his face.
"No you can't get bread, you have to b-" a female fish and her son glared.
"Oh, so we can't even get your bread. Come on, hon, I knew we should have gone to Seastar Pastries. I hear they have great service," the female fish explained, and she and her son began towards the door.
"Wait, wait ma'am! I wasn't talking to you I was talking to Pinky over here!" cried Squiward, following after her.
"I don't care who you were talking to! I've seen better customar service from a toaster!" the female fish cried, and stormed out of the bakery.
Squidward then gazed at the two sulking. "That is it. That is the final straw, you have crossed the LINE! GET out!"
"Oh, so you're kick'in out a customar, good-bye, Mister Tennisballs!" cried a male fish, and he zipped out of the bakery almost at once.
"Wait, sir! One, I was talking to Pinky and Squarepoants. Two, my lastname is NOT TENNISBALLS!!!"
Squidward, sighed, calmed himself down a bit, and turned over to the door in the back up the bakery. After one more moment of silence, he jumped into the air, and screamed at the top of his lungs: "SECURITY!!! GET THESE NITWITS OUTTA HERE!"