The whole commissary went quiet as all the characters thought it over. It was highly likely that they were leaving someone out of their equation, but who could it be? Who or what was just as invested in the upcoming war as they were? Who at that very moment was also assembling in secret and forming plans to dominate the fairy-tale world?
The answer hit Bree like a bolt of lightning. The realization made her gasp so loudly, all the characters jumped.
“I know!” she exclaimed. “We’re forgetting about the witches! We know they have access to the Otherworld because one of them kidnapped Emmerich using the portal at Neuschwanstein Castle!”
“I think you’re onto something!” Jack said. “Conner, do you remember the night we followed the Masked Man to the Witches’ Brew? The witches were meeting because they were afraid they’d get blamed for the missing children—they were paranoid a witch hunt was coming. It’s very likely they began plotting to take over the fairy-tale world as a way to protect themselves.”
“Then the Masked Man invaded with the Literary Army,” Goldilocks said. “The witches probably kidnapped Emmerich so they would have leverage against your uncle, so maybe they plan to use Alex as leverage against us!”
“Of course the witches are up to some vile scheme,” Red said. “I mean, they’re witches—hello! I wouldn’t be surprised if that goat who took Charlie had something to do with it! The Lost Boys and I found the missing children in her basement—Morina probably kidnapped them to purposely stir up paranoia in the witch community so they had a reason to plot a takeover! I bet she’s behind the whole thing!”
Everyone froze and looked at Red in shock. If she was correct, it was a little unsettling how easy it was for her to figure out Morina’s intentions.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Red said. “It takes a conniving genius to know a conniving genius. Obviously, there’s a type of woman Charlie’s attracted to.”
“But how could the witches know we’re planning to defeat the Literary Army? How do they know we’re a threat?” Conner asked.
Bree looked at him like the answer was obvious.
“Conner, they figured out Emmerich was your cousin before you or your uncle did,” she reminded him. “I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard for a witch to look into a crystal ball and figure out what we’re doing with a bunch of interdimensional beings inside a children’s hospital!”
Unfortunately, it made sense. A witch could easily have crossed into the Otherworld and snuck into the hospital without being detected. They could have used magic to overpower Alex and take her back to the fairy-tale world as a hostage. Conner had prayed for a clear answer all week, but he’d never guessed how much it would complicate matters.
“Let’s lay everything out on the table before we go any further,” he said.
“Which table?” the Tin Woodman asked.
“Also a figure of speech,” Conner said. “Not only do we have to liberate the fairy-tale world from the scariest villains in literature and slay a mythological creature before it turns us all into stone, but we also have to defeat an evil coven of witches before they use my sister against us.”
All the characters in the commissary shared glances with wide, timid eyes. The Blissworm cheered—it couldn’t wait for the battles to begin.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Conner said. “This is a much different fight than you signed up for. If the witches are involved, then we’re easily outnumbered, especially if they have my sister. I was confident we could defeat the Literary Army, but I’m not sure we can win the war.”
Conner rubbed his hands together, desperately trying to think of a way to get the odds back in their favor. Jack had a seat beside him and placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder.
“For once, I’m with the Blissworm,” Jack said. “We’ve seen a lot of scary situations over the years, but we’ve always gotten through them together. Yes, there were many times when a little of your sister’s magic went a long way, but we would never have pulled through if it weren’t for both of you. Now look around, Conner—you’re surrounded by an army from your imagination! That means there’s a piece of you inside each and every one of them, and even if it’s just a fraction of your bravery, your aptitude, or even your wit—I know those bastards won’t stand a chance against us.”
It was the exact pep talk Conner needed to hear, and it also inspired all the characters in the commissary. Jack’s words even made the pirates of “Starboardia” look up from the television for the first time in days.
“It’ll be dangerous,” Conner said.
“We love danger!” the Lost Boys shouted.
“Some of us may get hurt,” Conner added.
“Speak for yourself,” the Cyborg Queen said. “I can adjust feelings in Settings.”
“And regardless of what happens, at the end of the day, we’ll all be heroes!” Bolt said, and flipped through the air.
Conner couldn’t help but smile at his characters’ willingness to help him. He’d never thought his own creations could inspire him so much.
“All right, all right,” he said. “It’s going to be a challenge, but we can do this. Tomorrow morning we’re going to go into the fairy-tale world and we’re gonna kick some Literary-Mythological-Witchy butt!”
All the characters cheered. The Blissworm was happy they were finally on the same page.
“DID YOU HEAR THAT, MEN?” Robin Hood said. “WE’RE ON THE EVE OF WAR! WE SHALL FOLLOW THE SORCERER VALIANTLY INTO BATTLE AND WILL BE SHOWERED WITH RICHES AFTER OUR VICTORY!”
“Robin, no one is getting paid,” Conner said.
“OH,” Robin Hood said. “THEN WE SHALL BE SHOWERED WITH COMPLIMENTS FOR OUR GOOD INTENTIONS! AFTER ALL, PRAISE IS THE CURRENCY OF THE BRAVE!”
Suddenly, the doors opened and Bob and Charlotte rushed into the commissary. They were flushed and out of breath, as if they’d run the whole way there. A moment later, Trollbella entered behind them—they had moved so fast, she couldn’t keep up.
“Mom, I’ve got good news and bad news,” Conner said. “The bad news is Jack and Red didn’t find Alex, but the good news is—”
“We know where your sister is!” Charlotte panted.
Conner couldn’t believe his ears. “You what?”
“Turn on the news!” Bob told the pirates. “Channel Four! Hurry!”
“But Ricky just let Lucy perform in his club!” Auburn Sally said.
“CHANGE THE CHANNEL!” the entire room yelled in unison.
The pirates reluctantly changed the channel, and everyone gathered around the television to watch the news. A reporter appeared on the screen, broadcasting live from somewhere in New York City.
“I’m standing on the corner of Thirty-Ninth Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, where police have stopped all vehicles and pedestrians from going any farther,” the reporter said. “The NYPD are preventing everyone from entering a two-block radius around the main branch of the New York Public Library. Police officials have yet to say the reason for such precautions, but one thing is certain, something dangerous is happening at the library.”