Imagination-Chapter 8

    A sea of stars had been laid out at their feet. Unity Pond shone like the clearest crystal and sparkled with tiny pinpricks of light, making it appear as if a galaxy was swirling on the surface. Looking up at the verdant canopy of lush leaves and vines above, one could see that the water was reflecting the light of thousands of glow worms, pulsing shades of blue and white. Fireflies floated lazily through the air, their beating wings not making a sound.  A soft breeze from an unknown source rippled the blades of grass. The leaves rustled slightly above, the trees sending hushed whispers to each other. 

    Phineas took it all in, turning in a small circle as he surveyed the lights above. They sparkled in his eyes, "Amazing."

    "It's so beautiful," Isabella exclaimed, wrapping her arms around herself.  "What do you think, Ferb?"

    Ferb looked around at the scene before him, eyes catching on a small patch of purple flowers growing on the bank. To his surprise, one leaned towards towards him, waving a friendly petal. 

    Ferb took a small sidestep away and shrugged.

    Meanwhile, Phineas had bent down to touch the clear glass water. His finger broke the surface, sending out small ripples in all directions. His reflection flickered and flashed as the pond changed, yet continued to stare back at him. 

    "Phineas!" Isabella repeatedly tapped his shoulder. 

    Raising his head, Phineas followed her finger to where it was pointing across the Pond. He rose to his feet. 

    There was a man. He was lounging in the shallows on the opposite bank, his dark blue hair shining in the light of the glow worms. He looked young, with pale skin that glimmered unnaturally. His expression was neutral and he didn't blink as he watched the teenagers. He must have been there the entire time, so quiet he went unnoticed. 

    Ferb's eyes traveled down to where legs should have been connected to the man's bare torso and blanched. 

    A large blue and silver tail flashed beneath the water's surface. 

    "Conway," Muriel called to the merman. "I've brought the Imagi!"

    Conway stared at the fairy for a moment, then turned his head and whispered to the trees on the far bank. 

    Almost immediately, a figure swept out of the shadows, willows branches swirling. She glided to the water's edge, her airy white gown trailing behind her. Her raven black hair fell like a waterfall down her back, brushing against the gold brace around her waist. Phineas, Ferb, and Isabella immediately took note of her large slightly pointed ears that dipped out away from her head. Her lips parted into a smile. 

    "Welcome," she spread out her hands. "I am Queen Ianira of Fay Valley, Leader of the Southwest Realm. You seem to have met Lord Conway, Leader of the Imagi Nation Seas. Our fellow Leaders will join us shortly."

    "Hi," Phineas said, dipping into a small bow. "I'm Phineas, and this is my brother, Ferb, and my friend, Isabella." He gestured to his companions. 

    "They are all true Imagi?" Ianira blinked curiously at Muriel. 

    "One more than the rest," Muriel shrugged. 

    "I believe it is the young blood of whom the fay speaks," a mellow, weathered voice sounded from the trees. The branches parted and a massive scaly face appeared on the far bank, followed by a large snake-like body, winding from the shadows. 

    Ferb and Isabella both took a step back as the gray dragon spread out on the opposite shore. After settling down and crossing his forelegs, the dragon bowed his head.

    "I am Wavern, Leader of the Skies and North. And you," he extended a clawed finger towards Phineas, "are the Imagi."

    "Are you certain, Wavern?" a new voice asked.

    Phineas, Ferb, and Isabella turned to face the new creature that emerged from the shadows. He was taller than Queen Ianira, with pale skin, adorned in a long green cloak. Large sharply pointed ears peeked out through his dark green hair. 

    "Hey look, Ferb," Phineas whispered, tapping a finger to his head. "You're not the only one."

    Ferb shot Phineas a glare.

    "That's Procopius of the Eastern Realm," Muriel whispered to them. "All business."

    "It is most certain, Procopius," Wavern answered the elf. 

    Procopius nodded, then surveyed the adolescents, pausing as his eyes passed over Ferb, "Disbelief is strong in that one."

    The other Leaders eyed Ferb as well.

    "Indeed," Wavern said. 

    "But the true Imagi is here," Ianira gestured to Phineas. "His aura is strong. He should be able to counter it."

    "You look awfully young," Procopius addressed Phineas. "What is your age?"

    "I'm fifteen," Phineas replied.

    Eyes widened and the Leaders looked at each other nervously. Procopius crossed to Ianira and whispered rapidly in her ear. She whispered back and he turned to Muriel.

    "Fay, why did you bring back such a young Imagi?"

    Muriel started, "What? Don't tell me you're blaming this on me."

    Procopius waited.

    "He isn't that young," Muriel remarked. "There's a big difference between this," she stooped, waving a hand near her ankles, "and this." Muriel stretched her other arm and waved her hand above her head. 

    Ianira folded her hands. Procopius cast a glance at Conway, whose tail flapped against the water. Wavern's gaze remained locked on Phineas. 

    "Look," Muriel crossed her arms. "You never told me when you flicked me through that dumb portal that he had to be a certain age. I was supposed to find a true Imagi and I did. Plus others!" She gestured frantically at Ferb and Isabella.

    Phineas suddenly cleared his throat, taking a step forward, "Excuse me. May I say something?"

    Wavern bowed his head, granting permission.

    Phineas took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders, "Your world is in trouble. Muriel said...an evil is coming. I came back with her because I want to help. Whether I'm what you asked for or not, I am willing to stay...and fight for you."

    "And we've come to help him," Isabella spoke up, taking Ferb's arm and stepping forward to stand beside Phineas.

    "This isn't the first time we've faced danger," Phineas added. "We've-!"

    "Have you faced all the powers of hell?"

    The teens glanced around for the source of this, yet another, new voice, then sprang apart when it dropped from the branches above them.

    "That's what the Darkness is, you know," the upside-down creature said. He was an odd thing, roughly the same size as a small child, resembling a cat with his brown fur and ears. 

    "Hobgoblin," Procopius said. "Would you mind coming down and introducing yourself properly?"

    The hobgoblin gave him a salute then flipped off the branch to stand before them. He stood upright like a human and was dressed in a thin navy blue shirt and leggings, with a green cloak over his shoulders. His brown boots came up to his knees and black gloves with the fingertips worn off were on his hands. A little black nose twitched slightly and one large ear rotated all the way around to follow the caw of a raven that passed overhead. Green eyes sparkled like emeralds at them. 

    "Teslick, at your service," he smiled. He shook hands with Phineas, Ferb, and Isabella. 

    "Nice to meet you," Phineas greeted.

    Something flickered behind Teslick's eyes before he grinned at Phineas, nodding his regards.

    "Wait a second," Muriel raised a finger. "Who is this?"

    "Teslick is a resident of my realm," Procopius replied. "He is a mapmaker and explorer, and knows the Imagi Nation better than anyone."

    Teslick puffed out his chest.

    "I have asked him to guide the Imagi as far as the Dragon Range." 

    "So the whole 'leader' position is taken care of?" Muriel questioned. "Well, I'll be on my way then. Nice meetin' ya Phineas, Isabella...other guy," she waved at the teens. She started to fly back through the willows. 

    "Just a moment, Muriel," Ianira called, the fairy pausing to turn back around.

    "It was decided," Ianira said, tucking her hands into her sleeves, "that you join the Imagi on his quest to the Forbidden Boundary."

    "What?!"

    "You didn't think we'd let you off that easy, did you?" Procopius teased lightly.

    "I don't believe this," Muriel tugged on her hair. 

    There were some intakes of breath from the Figments at this statement.

    "Sorry, sorry," Muriel waved them off. "But I seriously have to go with him to face the Darkness?" She did her best to keep the tremble out of her voice.

    "It is merely requested that you use your Magic to aid Phineas," Ianira explained. "He will do the rest. If..." she turned to him, "that is his choice."

    Phineas glanced around. All eyes were on him. He hesitated slightly. Though he had already expressed his desire to save this magical world, all the information Phineas had received that day came tumbling back down on him. 

    The Darkness was the embodiment of all the evil thoughts and desires of mankind, fueled by lack of faith, fear, and Disbelief. It was rapidly advancing across this land, destroying all in its path, leaving nothing but hatred and fear in its place. And only a Imagi could stop it.

    It will kill everything...and everyone.

    All the powers of hell...

    Phineas felt something brush against his arm and glanced down. Isabella touched his shoulder lightly, looking up into his eyes.

    Don't be afraid.
    
    Phineas gave Isabella a small nod, then faced Ianira again.

    "I have made my choice."

    And I am not alone.

    A soft smile spread across Ianira's face and to Phineas' surprise, she stepped down into the water. The nymph crossed Unity Pond, the surface breaking and glimmering around her legs. Ianira stepped up onto the opposite shore to stand before them.

    Isabella blinked in astonishment. The long white dress was not wet. 

    "Thank you, Phineas," Ianira said. "Your bravery...will not be forgotten." She reached out and took his hands in hers.

    The breeze suddenly picked up, rustling the leaves around them and sending soft waves across the Pond. Ianira raised her head into the wind, hair blowing out behind her. She closed her eyes, the other Leaders doing the same. Phineas' eyes widened as he watched the Figments' color brighten. Ianira's skin looked a bit healthier and Conway's scales shone a bit brighter. Teslick and Muriel stretched out their arms to watch their own changes. 

    The wind slowly died down and the Leaders opened their eyes. Phineas blinked up at Ianira. She smiled again, giving his hands a squeeze before letting go.

    "Thank you," she repeated. The nymph turned back to the other Leaders and nodded. 

    Procopius called out, "Haerviu!"

    The elf waved his hand and the air near the willow branches flickered. Haerviu came through a moment later, dusting off his cloak and glancing back at the trees, brow furrowed. 

    "Haerviu," Ianira said, the wood sprite turning to her. "Could you tell them to lay out the banquet? Our champion is here."

    Haerviu looked at Phineas, then back at Ianira, "Yes, your majesty." He disappeared through the branches again. They could hear his muffled voice as he called out to the Figments on the other side.

    "You'll be able to eat in a little while," Procopius said. "Then you will rest. Phineas will begin his journey in the morning."

    "Just me?" Phineas questioned.

    "It may be best if your friends return home," Procopius began.

    "But we can't just leave him!" Isabella interjected. "He needs help!"

    "An Imagi of his strength doesn't-"

    "No."

    Everyone turned to Conway, who was splashing impatiently at the water. Using his forearms, he pushed himself off the bank, rising up on a small column of water. The merman glided across the Pond, positioning himself before Ferb. Ferb could now see why Conway's skin was so shiny: dozens of skin colored scales covers the merman's upper body. Ferb took a tentative step back. 

    "They all must go," Conway said, voice surprisingly deep. His gray eyes were clouded, the sea before a storm. "And this one," he continued, gaze still locked on Ferb, "must go to Hemkyst." 

    Ferb didn't know what Hemkyst was, but thought it best not to question. 

    Procopius blinked at the merman, then turned to Wavern, "Is that what must be done, Wavern?"

    The dragon turned his scaly face upwards, "The winds are changing."

    The elf took the reply as a confirmation and spoke to Teslick, "Can you change the course?"

    Teslick reached into his cloak and drew out a scroll. The hobgoblin knelt, unrolling the parchment on the grass. His hand opened one of the pouches on his belt, selecting a charcoal pencil. Teslick dabbed the tip against his tongue, then began to scribble on the map.

    "It would make more sense to start out to the west. We can go through Fay Valley, and avoid the highlands. We'll get to Hemkyst pretty fast, but we'll have to travel farther to reach the Northeastern Pass. We'll have to cut into Wheatling territory..."

    "Can you ascend sooner into the mountains?" Procopius asked.

    "I don't think we have the provisions to sustain them. It would take longer and be more difficult, for sure."

    "Alright," the Leader nodded. "Do what you must."

    Teslick nodded back, then scribbled some hasty notes on the map. He used his thumb to smudge something out, then wrote some more. 

    Teslick suddenly rerolled the scroll, straightening up as he tucked it back into his cloak, "Okay, done." 

    Procopius bowed his head in approval and Ianira folded her hands. 

    "Well, that's settled," she smiled. "Teslick, Muriel, could you lead Phineas and his companions to the rooms we had set aside. They will need to change into some more...suitable clothing." The nymph blinked curiously at their jeans.

    "Right away, your majesty," Teslick grinned. He tugged on Phineas' sleeve, "Follow me, Phin." The hobgoblin started off, parting the will branches and disappearing to the other side.

    "Why does he get to be the leader?" Muriel grunted, crossing her arms and zipping out after him.

    Phineas, Ferb, and Isabella blinked at the Leaders for confirmation.

    "Go," Ianira said. "Eat and rest. An arduous task awaits you at dawn."

    "Thank you," Phineas replied, starting to follow the other Figments. He held open the branches for Isabella, then passed through after her. The barrier flickered around him again, brighter than before. 

    Ferb watched his brother disappear, then turned to face the Leaders. 

    "You say," he began, "that Disbelief is strong in me. Then why do you want me around?"

    "We are Leaders, Ferb," Wavern said. "We see things in others that often go unnoticed... sometimes even by the individual himself."

    "Whether you Believe now, or not," Ianira added, "you need to go on this quest. For both Phineas...and yourself."

    Something in Ferb's chest tightened and he had to look away.

    "I will be there for Phineas," Ferb said, voice barely above a whisper. He turned and parted the willow branches, fingers gripping the leaves tightly, "But only until I can wake up from this dream." Ferb slipped quickly through the barrier, leaving the Leaders and Unity Pond behind.

    He did not see the branch he had held turn brown, the dead leaves beginning their slow downward spiral to the ground.