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  “What…what just happened?” the dark wizard asked. “Were they demons? Were we just cursed?” He asked, looking at his withering hand. He'd lived for centuries. His youth and appearance kept by his magic, now it seemed to be ending.

  “No,” the potion master said. He pulled up his interface but it faded. He was angry, confused. “I don't understand. It's like my magic is blocked.”

  “You…you fools. Oh god, I am such a fool. We all are. Gray. Don't you see?" The librarian demanded, clearly stricken. She turned to them all leaving the dais. She touched her throat. “The gold and silver pendants. They were in front of us the entire time!” she said, voice rising as books began to drip from her outfit.

  The shape changer was fading to human form and wasn't happy about it. He was shedding and itchy. He growled in distress, whining and itching with his hands, shaking about. “I…,” he coughed and cleared his throat before he tried again. By that time the Magus was nude and human once more. He snagged a table cloth, knocking the wares on top about so he could wrap it around his torso. “The magic they used was powerful. Primal. More powerful than a pair of first years should have had. Far, far more powerful than any of us. They were shape changers.”

  “They are magic!” the librarian said, spinning in place and laughing hysterically until she crumpled to the ground. She sobbed as the others stared at her. Tiny books and pages dribbled away from her turning to fire and ash as they hit the floor. “All the magic, all gone,” she said, one hand up to cradle a book as it burned away. The people around her stared at her. “All…all gone. The last day of magic before it is all gone forever. Gone from the world like it never was in front of us and we didn't see it. Now it is too late.”

  The kids were starting to panic. They had thought they were going to see someone stripped of their powers. Instead…it was them.…it was too much to grasp.

  “The…” The befuddled professor sighed. He took his glasses off, wiped them and then looked at them. His eyes stung. “Well then. I guess that's that. Who would have thought magic would end this way? Who would have thought that the Dragon and Unicorn would show up like that?"

  “My god,” the headmaster murmured. He bowed his head and felt a pang of anguish. No, not just for himself but for his students, for the world. The magic was indeed fading; he could feel it. What would the world be like without it? Some of the sparkle, the meaning would be lost. Faded forever into darkness. Gray, a muddled shade of depressing gray. All of it.

  “Light is supposed to protect those that need protection. To protect the helpless…I was so naive,” he murmured.

  “Good always is,” the dark wizard said, hand on his shoulder. The headmaster looked up to his old rival to see a weary expression on his face. “I…regret my hand in this as well. I won and yet I lost. It is hard to accept,” he said grudgingly.

  “Word will have to go out. We need to tell others,” the communications professor said. He waved a hand and spoke a spell but nothing happened. “We must…is it truly going to end this way?”

  “Apparently so,” the horticulturalist said.

  “Right in front of us the whole time.”

  Angry recriminations began and then faded when the headmaster thundered, banging his staff into the cobblestones. “No. This is not how it is going to end. In finger pointing! We are all to blame. Some had a role bigger than others, but we all had a hand in it. Now it ends. Go. Leave us,” he said waving an imperious hand. He tried to port out but couldn't. He had to get up and walk stiffly out.

  The librarian and horticulturalist did as well, both with their heads held high. The librarian's hand slipped into the horticulturalist's. "The good thing is, it was just our school. Hopefully, some of the others learned from our arrogance and penance," the librarian mused. The horticulturalist squeezed her hand gently. They kept going at a stately pace into a now uncertain future. After a moment, the staff and students followed.

  The End

  Portal

  Jim looked out at his little town in Michigan and shook his head. It had been hammered by the economic downturn and loss of factories in the area, turned into a ghost town in some areas, but still, life remained.

  Kids still played and still went to the school even though they had consolidated all the schools into one facility last year. People still went to church even though there were only two left in the area. “You kids don't play in the street!” Jim called out in warning. Shane and Brian waved but kept on what they were doing. He sniffed and went on his way.

  He nodded when he saw a familiar face. His own tightened a bit; he didn't like what Rob had been forced to become but he understood in theory. Not that he agreed, but hell, he understood. “Howdy,” Jim said as he came up beside Rob and the Chancy girl, Sarah. She had a cat with her, a Maine coon.

  “Quiet day?” Jim asked.

  Rob looked up and snorted softly, then back to the girl. “Hey, easy kid, he's just Jim the sheriff out to do his job. Don't ruffle your feathers or anything,” he said. He hugged her to his side. She hid, holding the young cat close to her body. “He's not going to take Puddles so don't listen to Shane,” Rob said.

  “That's right; I'm not,” Jim said. “As long as you take care of…Puddles,” he said. She looked at him then ducked away. Rob handed her a candy bar and then whispered to her to go home. She looked up and nodded, then shot Jim a dark look before she hurried away.

  “Cute kid,” Jim said conversationally, trying to not point out her ragged clothes or sunken cheeks.

  “Yeah, that she is,” Rob said, looking after her. “She's a good kid,” he murmured.

  Jim nodded. Rob or Robin or Robin Hood was the self-appointed protector of the homeless and helpless in the city. He knew every nook and cranny, every sewer line, roof top, and culvert where people took shelter. He fancied himself as somewhere between a super hero and misunderstood antihero with a heart of gold.

  Jim just thought he was full of shit. But there was no telling Rob that of course.

  “There was another break-in last night. Grocery store down the block. One of the ones shut down last week. No power so the cameras were out,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “That a fact,” Rob drawled.

  “Course you wouldn't know anything about that,” Jim drawled back, leaning against his SUV.

  “Nope,” Rob said smugly. Jim snorted. He knew the food had gone to the people who needed it most. The owners probably had insurance, so they weren't hurt too bad. Since it was a victimless crime, he really didn't feel the urge to do much about solving it.

  “She should be in a foster home. Somewhere safe. The streets are no place for a kid,” the sheriff finally said after the girl looked back over her shoulder and then left.

  “She's with her family. I'm not happy about it either, but the nearest foster home is two counties over. If you stuck her there, she'd just run away and end up on the streets there trying to get back here. Who knows what would happen then,” he said. “They are struggling I admit, but they put her first. I wish they still had a home though,” he said making a face. “Damn bankers,” he growled.

  “Now Rob, you know they are doing what comes naturally,” Jim said, “protecting their investment. Sarah's parents should never have refinanced in the first place,” he said.

  “Yeah. Well, over and done with now. You'd think the man would have a heart and cut them some slack,” Rob growled. “They could have let them stay, reduced the rent or just left them alone.”

  “Squat, you mean. I know,” Jim said waving a hand. “Some did that for a while, but after a while they just trashed the place. Which is why the banks started forcing people out and either bulldozing the house or boarding it up and sending security over to check on it daily.”

  “Yeah, funny, they can afford storm troopers but can't afford to cut a family a little slack or give them a helping hand,” Rob growled darkly.

  He was right; the bankers were heartless and ruthless. Jim flat-out refused to kick a family he
knew had kids out of their home. Some slunk away in the night embarrassed by the situation. Others became prisoners in their own homes despite losing all their utilities. He'd had the coroner pick up six elderly bodies in the past three months. One couple had committed murder suicide; the others had died in their homes, and only the smell and lack of activity had let others know something was wrong. The whole situation well and truly sucked he thought darkly.

  Jim frowned but let the matter drop as he heard kids coming out to play. He turned, watching them tussle in the grass.

  Sheriff Jim and Robin watched amused as kids played with each other, fighting mock battles in the front yard. “Remember when we did that?” The sheriff asked, indicating the kids.

  Robin chuckled crossing his arms. “Yeah,” he admitted. “I remember,” he said wistfully.

  “Man, those were the days,” the sheriff said, taking out a cup of coffee and passing it to Robin. He took out another and took a sip. Robin snorted and took a sip. “Not a care in the world, just homework and the next battle,” he said.

  “Yeah,” Robin agreed.

  “Look Rob, it's not up to me about the damn houses. I tried, honest. But the banks…” he shook his head and spread his hands, careful not to spill his coffee.

  “Yeah, I know,” Rob replied with a suffering sigh. “I know, you're just doing your duty. But man has to survive. We've got to have shelter.”

  “I know. I'm working with Amy to open up one of the buildings. We're going to see if we can get someone to donate a warehouse or something. And we've tried to get the governor and state legislature to intervene. Declare this area an emergency zone or something. But all they care about is declaring it blighted and bulldozing the old houses,” he said darkly.

  “Yeah, I know. We picked up another family.”

  “Why are they sticking around?” the sheriff asked. “Hell, I've thought about just packing up the truck and skipping town!”

  “Some have,” Robin admitted. “But not everyone has a car. Most lost them, repossessed,” he said shaking his head. “Others didn't have the money for gas to get far. And the rest…,” he shrugged again. “This is their home. Where else are they going to go?” He asked.

  The sheriff nodded. They'd grown up here, literally had been born and raised in the town. He sipped at the coffee. “I'm having dinner at my place tomorrow night. If you want to stop by…”

  “Can I bring some friends?” Robin asked, grinning and knowing the answer. He could see it in Jim's eyes. He shook his head. “Course not. I understand. You've got your own worries. They cut your pay and you've got a family and house to support too. I get it.” He downed his coffee and then tossed the cup into a trash can.

  “Three points,” the sheriff said smiling. “Be seeing you around,” he said as Robin turned to leave.

  “Hope not,” Rob said with a chuckle. “Then I'm really in trouble,” he said. Jim shook his head and watched him go.

  “What is the world coming to when your best friend and former deputy has to become a thief and modern day Robin Hood?” he asked no one.

  ~~~---==(*)==---~~~

  In a cave south of town, a slit in the fabric of space formed, then light spilled out as the edges glowed. Energy flashed, lightning bolts streamed from around the portal. The air popped and crackled under the energy discharge. The light around the portal flashed in a blinding display as a Wizard stepped through the portal dragging along a captive with him.

  He was tall, holding a wicked looking snake staff, wearing purple robes. He had black hair and a long face accentuated by his black curled goatee. He had epicanthic folds around his eyes giving him an Asian appearance.

  He was slim with a thick red sash around his waist to emphasize it. He scowled, dragging the blond girl along. “Come along you, there is still another way for me to yet win the day. And your father will rue the day he didn't bow before me as will you,” he growled.

  He turned, lifting her chin with a crooked finger. She stared defiantly at his slitted eyes. “You will regret spurning my attentions, Princess. And soon, you'll scream in agony and beg me to call me master,” he said, cackling as she defiantly jerked her head away. She gasped as he yanked on the glowing leash, strangling as it pulled her along to float behind him. “Come, come, this way. We need to find some materials to rebuild,” the Wizard said.

  He shook his head stroking the crystals tucked into his waistband. He had been foiled in battle in their native dimension, but with a bit of luck, he had used an ancient artifact to get away. Not, of course, before he'd taken his real prize, Princes Efereck, the true power behind the throne. With her he could and would continue to use his magic in this mundane world until it suited him to return.

  And return he would, he thought, thinking of the kidnapped princess. He had forced her to open the portal. “Do not worry, little Princess, we'll return to our…I mean, my realm soon enough, just long enough for me to raise an army. With it I will crush your father for daring to thwart me,” he growled.

  “He'll never see it coming,” he said, laughing. “With these new things, mechanical things I have spied, they will crush his puny army!” He whirled, a red cape unfolding. He took it off, then snapped it out in front of them. He settled himself Indian style on it, then floated her over to his side. His arm wrapped around her and then they were off.

  She squirmed, but he held her firm to the cape. “By rights, I should let you fall for all the trouble you have caused me,” he growled. She looked away but stopped struggling. He smirked at her stroking her hair until she jerked her head away.

  “Now, now, temper temper,” he teased her coyly.

  He had come into the mundane realm loaded with magical artifacts that stored magic for a time. But each would have a price on the user if he used them without the princess nearby.

  They went through the local town. At first he studied the sights, but then he picked up his staff from his right side and started casting spells. He animated toys left in yards, bicycles and other things. Each followed them.

  Eventually he found what he was looking for. “Ah, here it is,” he said, indicating the magic shop and adjacent Halloween shop. “I have uses for both. I do wonder if the proprietors are around though. I do want to…see how powerful their magic really is,” he said. “Odd though, I can't sense any,” he grumbled. After a moment he shrugged.

  The cape landed, and he got off. He pointed his staff at the door and the lock melted. After a moment the doors swung wide open for him. He smiled and pulled his captive along inside. Once they were inside, he turned in the doorway. “Half of you guard this place. The rest go find me others to fill my army,” he growled.

  They looked about the dusty room, but it was filled with odd shapes of things in strange clear containers. Shelves were around the room, many empty. There was a stage with a black curtain on one side of the room. Another counter with empty shelves were nearby. “How…disappointing,” he murmured. “Oh well,” he said.

  He stored the princess in the back room of the magic shop, disgusted that it was parlor tricks, not real magic. He animated some folding chairs that had been stacked in the room to serve as temporary minions. “Guard her!” He ordered. They bowed as he turned in a whirl of his cape and robes and marched out.

  Robin saw a guy break into his family’s old magic shop and scowled. He'd been selling some of the stuff online but for pennies on the dollar. He noted the girl tied up and went to call Jim. But then curious things started to come out of the shop, animated brooms and other things. That made him stop and stare in wonder from his rooftop hideaway. He blinked, then rubbed his eyes, certain he was seeing things.

  When the Wizard came back out of the store, he found a line of things there waiting for him. He nodded and raised his staff to chant. Power flowed from the crystals, and the things came alive. “Go forth and find me more! And bring me people!” He ordered. He turned, feeling triumphant. At last he was building the beginnings of his army. He found a comic store near
by along with the Halloween shop. He flipped through the comics, at first thinking they were spells. “Bah, children's picture books,” he snarled, burning a few into ashes. He blew the doors open on the costume shop. “Ah now, this is more like it,” he murmured raising his staff. He began to turn the costumes and props into the second line of his army.

  ~~~---==(*)==---~~~

  Meanwhile Princess Efereck, the princess he had kidnapped, struggled with her bonds but it was futile. He had her arms pinned behind her back, her hands balled into fists so she couldn't use hand magic. A gag filled her mouth preventing her from speaking spells. Her legs were bound in magical rope keeping her in place.

  She glared about, which was his one mistake. He had mocked her, wanted her to see her undoing he had said before he had left her. His other mistake she thought. His third was the bindings themselves; in his haste he'd used enchanted rope, which had a flaw. Although the knots were enchanted to prevent them from being untied…and the ropes were enchanted to keep the user bound, another could cut the ropes, or in her case, chew through them. She looked about for what she needed. Finally she found what she wanted in the shadows across from her. Her eyes fell upon a mouse hole. After a moment a mouse came out peeking about. She twitched her nose and enchanted the little brown mouse. It stood on its hind legs and then bowed deeply to her. She nodded royally back. Then it looked about, ready to go to work.

  The mouse scampered on all fours carefully across the room using every bit of cover he could find. Eventually, he worked his way to her and then behind her. He then chewed through her bindings, one by one. When he was finished, he chewed through her gag. She shifted, knocking him off balance, but she caught him. She kissed him on the nose, smiling as his whiskers tickled her, then put him in her pocket.