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  He immediately climbed out, however, and led the way for her. She bit her lips and followed. Together they snuck outside, but the guards spotted them as she opened the back door. They managed to escape stupid animated creatures left to guard her. “What the hell is this, Disneyland?” A male voice growled as the mouse charged a walking tree.

  “Help!” the woman said.

  Henry looked over to her and then nodded. “No kidding,” he muttered. Henry Winter was the town's best handyman. He had a work truck around the corner, but knew he had to think fast and use what was on hand. Fortunately, he'd been working on busting up a concrete path. He'd wanted to use a jackhammer, but the job hadn't paid enough to rent one. Instead, all he had was his trusty sledge. It would have to be enough he thought, moving in.

  He slammed one furniture thing apart, then a walking folding chair with a clang. A third chair went flying into the tree. He hit the tree, making it groan and turn away. A second hit knocked it off its roots to topple over to the ground.

  “Come on, we must flee!” the woman urged, grabbing his arm. She gained an ally in the man who helped her escape. Hero. Homeless people who lost jobs and homes when the local factory closed were being scooped up to become soldiers of Wizard.

  The princess and Henry escaped and freed a few others. “What the hell is going on, Bedknobs and Broomsticks remake or something?” an old guy demanded, fending off a broom.

  “You see any wires or cameras, Kev? Snap that thing then go help the others!” Henry ordered, as he fended off an empty suit of armor. Fortunately, it was made out of cardboard so his hammer smashed it easily.

  “Damn, I love this thing,” he muttered, kissing the business end.

  Town folks looked out their windows to see what was going on or paused in their daily life in confusion. Some blinked in confusion when they saw animated objects and costumes moving about the town. When they saw the orcs that followed, they at first laughed thinking it was some sort of elaborate prank. Then one of the orcs grabbed Lucy by the hair, and she screamed as it lifted her up by it.

  John stepped in with a “Hey!” but was gutted by an orc for his trouble. That savage act sent the population into a panic. They ran, but many were caught.

  From a distance they saw a line of their friends and another line of monsters returning in their clothes. They realized they were being turned into ogres, orcs and other creatures. Some fainted; others fell into hysterical denial.

  Many fled with their families only to be caught up and dragged back to be changed. Others, however, ran into Henry who stopped them from running. “Keep running and you'll just die tired, or worse, end up like John and the others,” Henry said, shaking his head as he smashed an orc. “Come with us if you want to live!”

  “It's like some nightmare!”

  “Yes it is, and it's going to get worse before it gets better.”

  “So, what do we do?”

  “We work together. We find some weapons and we fight. And we get the word out,” Henry growled.

  “Like anyone will believe us!”

  “It's something,” he said, then chuckled shaking his head. “Heh, no, I wouldn't believe us either,” he said. “So, we're on our own.”

  Additional groups were recruited as they fled. Sarah, Brian, Shane, Pema, and others saw them and joined their convoy. Kids and adults joined them rushing out to jump into the vehicles. Most were terrified, but all were determined. They babbled about what was going on until Henry explained.

  “Where are we going? Where can we go?” Pema demanded.

  “There,” the princess urged pointing to the cave. When they got there, they set up in it. They listened as the princess explained the situation. “We don't have time to argue or be frightened. I'm sorry this…this evil came to your world. Truly I am. But with your help we will stop it. Together,” she vowed. Henry nodded.

  “You don't have to fight,” Henry said, stepping up. “But if you don't, if you just run and hide, well, you all know what will happen. They'll find you. They'll dig you out, drag you to him and then you'll be turned into one of them or worse. Those things need to eat sometime,” he warned.

  They shivered. Parents held their kids shoulders. “So, what do we do?”

  “We fight. If you can't, then hell, that's fine, but you can do other stuff. Make stuff, dig, whatever. But we've got to do it and fast,” he said. “There is no one else so don't even bother with the why me crap.”

  “He'll come here for it; it's the only source of magic in this realm. With it he can link to your Gia, to your elements here eventually. That is how he's using the others he's changed. They aren't just his foot soldiers; they are an interface for him to your world's power.”

  “We don't have magic here,” a kid said. “That's only in stories,” she said then looked away.

  “Is this true?” The princess asked turning to Henry. He nodded and then shrugged. “Then I pity you. I would never wish to live in a world without magic!” she said, throwing her head back.

  “Should you cross over and then close the portal from the other side?” Henry asked.

  She shook her head no. “No, to do this it has to be done here,” she said. “But first we must set up defenses. He will come for us once he knows our intent,” she warned. He nodded grimly.

  “The portal is one way, from my realm to yours. We must get the artifact and close it,” the princess said telling the other defenders as they formed up. “I will give you power and teach you, but we must be quick,” she said.

  The princess set up shop teaching them how to use magic in quick spells that acted like memory downloads. She used her abilities to form a magical conduit for them from her dimension. She enchanted animals to help them fight along with the animals that came through the portal. “It isn't enough,” she said. “You will have to use your wits to think of more,” she urged.

  “I think I have an idea,” Henry said. He grabbed Pema, the town's sculptor. He dragged her to one side and then pointed to an embankment of dried clay. “Think you can use that?” he asked.

  She looked at the clay and then down at her hands. After a moment she nodded. “Yeah. I'll need my tools and some water,” she said.

  Wonder filled the others as they swung about, enchanting objects or trying to fly. “We need to focus people! Not play!” Henry ordered.

  “Spoil sport,” Sarah grumbled but came down. Her cat meowed annoyed at being parted with her. She hugged him close.

  Pema had ignored the games and had instead taken a bottle of water and gone over to the bank of clay. She pulled a glob off and then began to kneed and shape it. The sculptor's fast work gave the breath of life into the clay; a small figure the size of the palm of her hand jumped off of it when she was done. “Oh! That was easy!” She said startled.

  “It is when you put your mind to it,” Henry said, nodding to her. “Got the idea folks?” he asked. The others nodded. “Let's get to work then,” he said. “Time’s a wasting,” he urged.

  They created wards out of the five basic elements: earth, wood, fire, air, and water. Just as they finished, the magical animals and clay golems surged forward as walking chairs and other things came down the hill. They fought off the first wave of enchanted things; then the first of orc enemies were sent to secure the portal. None of the orcs escaped; all were caught and transformed back to normal by the princess.

  ~~~---==(*)==---~~~

  Tim cringed as the things…some sort of animated folding chairs shuffled him forward. He bowed to the Wizard seated on what looked like a throne.

  “Ah, a wise one,” the Wizard said, cradling his staff. “Have you come here to amuse me?” he asked mockingly.

  “No sire, to serve you,” Tim said, bowing.

  “Then kneel lackey,” the Wizard growled.

  Tim did as he bid knowing there was no other choice. He bowed his head but snuck a glance at the Wizard. The guy really had the Jafar look going, but it wasn't perfect. From the Asian slant of his eyes…he sh
ivered when the Wizard pointed the staff at him.

  “So, you wish to serve me as my faithful minion?” the Wizard asked. Tim nodded. “Arise then, and tell me your name,” he purred.

  “Tim. Tim Conway,” Tim said keeping his eyes carefully downcast. The guy had freaky eyes, like cat eyes, he thought. Tim was a slacker but always looking out for a score. He'd done some petty things and usually got in trouble with the law. Twice he'd been snagged by the sheriff for crap Rob the “Robin Hood of town” had done making him boil with resentment. “Despite what they were doing,” he turned to indicate the chairs and things around him. “I was on my way here to see you when they found me,” Tim said.

  “Sure you were,” the Wizard purred, eying him. He stroked the snake head on his staff. “You think I believe you?” he asked.

  “You can use a spell or whatever,” Tim mumbled. “Or yeah, take my word for it. I see you've got power. I don't. But I know the area. You can use me. I'm willing to help.”

  “For a taste of power,” the Wizard said. Tim nodded.

  “You will serve me well minion, or you shall be destroyed,” the Wizard warned.

  “Yes, sire, whatever you ask,” Tim said, bobbing a nod. “Just as long as I get to pay some people back for the crap I've had to deal with around here,” he said sulking.

  “We shall see,” the Wizard said, eyes gleaming. He chanted, laying power into Tim. Tim flinched then froze as he was pulled into the air. After a moment his clothes changed into a set of robes with arcane symbols. “You shall serve me as one of my acolytes. You will do as you are bid or my spell will tear you apart,” the Wizard warned.

  Tim nodded again gulping as he was set down.

  “You shall tell me of what I need to know then I have a task for you to perform. The portal must be secured, and the fools I sent before you have not reported back. Should you perform well I will reward you,” the Wizard said.

  Tim's eyes gleamed with greed. He nodded, more eager now.

  The con artist planned to gain as much power as possible and then turn on the Wizard. Of course, the Wizard recognized the signs. “I can see your ambitions, your greed. Temper it with this little mortal,” he hissed, eyes flashing as his hands worked. A spell wove around the con artist, causing excruciating pain. “Should I die, you shall die as well,” the Wizard warned.

  ~~~---==(*)==---~~~

  “The portal is a wound to my realm. We must shut it,” the princess urged.

  “Okay, I'm all for that. No offense, Princess,” Henry said. “So, how do we do it?” he asked, dodging a small dancing flower as it came through the portal. The princess murmured a spell, and the thing turned, then bowed to her. She nodded regally then waved her fingers. It moved to the side to secure the area.

  “Magic is pouring out of the portal, damaging the magical realm and flooding the cave with life. We must close it, but to do that we need the artifact,” the princess said.

  “Okay,” Henry said slowly, looking about. Mushrooms were growing explosively on the walls. Other things were coming out of the portal. The princess enchanted each. Some she sent back to stop the tide of magical creatures coming through; others she ordered to stand guard.

  Plants grow fast, earth…he frowned thoughtfully. Magic wasn't his thing. He'd dabbled in a few games, but he was a bit rusty. Still, the general idea came to him quickly.

  Magical animals came out of the portal and looked about. They bowed to the princess. “I am only letting those through who wish to help or can do so,” the princess said.

  “Ah,” Henry said and nodded. He looked about, feeling…different. The entire area glowed with unearthly light. Crystals were formed in the walls and ceilings; the magic spread from the portal outward. The princess shaped some of the crystals into batteries to store magic.

  “I am giving you and the others power. Use it wisely to defend us,” the princess urged.

  Henry felt power course through him like electricity. At first he hated it, he flinched thinking he'd be burned. But with it came knowledge, some bits that came together. He nodded grimly as his hands and then hammer glowed. “Right, we'll need some help. And we'll need to buy some time,” he said.

  “Go to it my champion,” the princess urged.

  ~~~---==(*)==---~~~

  The Wizard set himself up in the magic store and waited. Soon a procession of prisoners came forward, being dragged, sometimes kicking and screaming by his first minions. These he transformed into ogres, orcs and monsters, letting his whim and sense of humor play. He turned vehicles and other equipment into mechanical dragons. He turned motorcycles into rolling fire breathing knights, and construction equipment into more mechanical monsters. It was exponential, each thing or person he transformed found and brought back others to transform. He'd have a new army shortly he thought. A better, more powerful one eventually, for each version would improve in time, he grinned. He cackled, but kept a wary eye on his crystals. He'd need to recharge soon, he thought.

  “That fool had better not fail me,” he growled. He sensed energy flooding this realm and nodded. So, it was true, he thought, the realm was pouring its soul into this dreary mundane world. He would have to be careful though; should it be allowed to go too far, it would drain his homeland…and he didn't want that. He turned as two orcs hustled a woman forward, each holding a wrist.

  “Next customer!” he cackled as she screamed. “My, you are a screamer,” he said coyly as he lifted his staff to her. Power ran through her. The orcs backed away as she flopped about, thrashing. When her transformation was finished, a screaming banshee was left. “Go,” the Wizard ordered. “Secure this dreary place so none can escape. I'll need all the fodder for sword meat later,” he said with an airy wave of his hand.

  The banshee bowed then floated off into the sky.

  ~~~---==(*)==---~~~

  “I've got a plan. But it's risky,” Sarah said. The other kids looked at her. she smiled. “We're going to decoy them. But we'll need a wig and some other things,” she said. She turned to Mary. “Mary, you are the closest we've got to the princess in size,” she said.

  “Lucky me,” Mary muttered.

  Sarah and the others went out to distract the orc and buy the defenders time. She laid out her plan as they moved out.

  They scouted the enemy camp from the sewer line, then came up with a plan. One of the kids put herself out as bait. “Oh, woe is me,” she hammed, putting one hand to her forehead. “Whatever shall I do?” she said in a mock southern accent.

  “Don't overdo it,” Sarah muttered, using a borrowed cell phone. “I know you love acting, and you are quite the ham miss piggy...”

  “Are you calling me fat?” Mary growled. “Just shut up and remember you owe me,” Mary muttered back. “Glad I'm wearing my tennis shoes under this get up,” she grumbled.

  “It's the princess! Get her!” An orc howled, pointing to her.

  “Uh oh, time to scoot!” she said, lifting her skirts.

  “Good luck!” Sarah said through her blue tooth as the girl ran.

  She was a track star; she bolted when the orcs came for her. They ran after her. “Here we go! Sarah said. She pulled a line that laid across the street. It was attached to a light pole; it snapped up to trip the orcs. One turned to snarl at her, and she yipped in fright and ducked away.

  “They are in the sewers!” The orc snarled, pointing to the sewer drain as the Wizard arrived on the scene.

  “Well, don't just lay there fool! After them!” The Wizard ordered, kicking the orc into action. The orc fawned at him but kept moving. He landed one good kick on the rear, then shot a bolt of energy into the seat of the orc's pants. The orc yelped and jumped, then moved faster but clutching at his rear.

  “Imbeciles. I'm surrounded by morons and imbeciles,” the Wizard sighed. “You just can't find good minions these days,” he said mournfully.

  ~~~---==(*)==---~~~

  One girl had a blond wig and the princess dress on to draw them after her. She was scared
but led them on a planned chase.

  The orcs ran after the kids, baying like wolves, snarling and slavering. The kids were justifiably terrified, wide eyed with panic, but stuck to the plan. They still tried to keep their heads though, trying to use their smaller size and intelligence to stay alive.

  The girl rounded the corner and waved frantically. “They are coming!” she said as she kept going. “You're up!”

  “Lucky us,” Shane said. “I've always wanted to do this though,” he said, looking over his shoulder to Brian. Brian gave him a thumbs-up, then cranked the pipe wrench to get the water flowing. Shane braced himself, holding the brass tip. He peeked around the corner then jumped out as the Orcs came around their end.

  “Surprise!” he said, pulling back on the trigger. Water sprayed out hard. “Wow!” he said, going back in surprise. Brian was there to catch him.

  “Remember, lean into it!” Brain yelled.

  “That's what I'm trying to do!” Shane yelled back, moving the water spray about, knocking the orcs off their feet or back.

  Once Brian was sure Shane had it, he pulled out cans of motor oil and tossed them over Shane's head and into the mix. Some of the oil was picked up by the water spray and sent into the faces of the orcs. The rest splattered the area for good measure.

  The teens used the fire hose and motor oil to keep the orc's busy and off balance. An enraged orc got to his knees and threw an ax at Shane. He dodged it. “Phew! That was close!” he said, giving the orc who'd thrown it a full face of water. “Eat water you bastard!” he growled. “How do you like that! Best shower you've had in months! Get it up your nose you asswipe!” he growled. He frowned as the water pressure began to taper off. “Hey! What gives?” he demanded.

  The thrown ax hadn't been a complete miss. It had cut through the hose enough for the water pressure to drop. Angry wet orcs snarled at them. “Um, time to go!” Brian said hurriedly, pushing the others to move faster. The orcs waved their weapons and rushed forward after them.