Re: Brownie
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:28 am
Part 3
Once they left the open fields and meadows and started down the lanes towards the Color Castle Sam started slowing down, gradually moving from a gallop to a canter then finally a slow trot. Sprites were everywhere but no sooner did they see Brownie and Sam headed their way then they dropped whatever they were doing and, with shrill squeaks and cries, bolted inside their homes, slamming the doors behind them.
Brownie really didn't blame them although he felt bad for scaring them. He supposed that if he were a Sprite, and something bad had happened to Rainbow Brite he'd be a bit scared, too, if a stranger came galumphing unannounced into Rainbow Land!
Brownie's attention shifted from that cloud and the Color Castle to watching where they were going. He didn't want to accidentally run into a Sprite after all. Or go crashing through a garden and step all over lovingly tended flowerbeds. Or . . .
"Wait! No! Whoa!"
Trotting around a corner the Color Castle was straight ahead. And so were two Sprites, both green, pushing a cart full of flowers. They took one look at the huge unfamiliar horse trotting their way and bolted . . . leaving the cart blocking the lane. And Sam wasn't stopping. He wasn't even slowing!
"Eeeeeeeeee!"
Clutching tightly Brownie held on for dear life. He felt Sam's muscles bunch . . . then felt a gentle lift . . . then a thump as they landed, Sam having vaulted the cart in a single, utterly smooth glide. His hooves lightly drummed as he trotted towards the Color Castle, and the whicker he made sounded both amused and teasing, almost as if he was saying, 'What? You didn't think I could jump that itty bitty cart?'
Actually Brownie was positive Sam could jump the cart. He just wasn't so sure he'd manage making it over along with Sam!
Trotting towards the wood bridge leading to the main entrance of the Color Castle Brownie glanced back up at the roiling black cloud overhead. He hadn't been mistaken: it was, beyond any doubt, exactly overhead the Color Castle. They slowed to a walk as they reached the bridge, and Sam's hooves made a deep, echoing clop with each step. Something just . . . didn't feel right. He'd seen Sprites all over the place coming here but, now that he was at the Color Castle, well . . . it seemed empty.
He'd just reached the middle of the bridge when three things happened, all at the same time. He got a sudden pins-and-needles feeling all over; Sam must have, too, for his head jerked up, he came to an abrupt stop and he whickered in alarm. A strident, fierce, high-pitched voice called out, "Stop right there! Or else!" And from within the depths of the Castle strode a horse and rider.
And not just any horse and rider either!
It was Stormy, and she was certainly living up to her name, a truly ferocious, thunderous expression on her face. One little hand was fisted and held straight up, overhead, while her other imperiously pointed a finger straight down to the ground in front of him. "Hold it right there!" she demanded, as Skydancer belled his own challenge, a truly wild neigh, nostrils flared wide, revealing the deep red interior. The bridge jolted as Skydancer pawed the planks, and all Brownie could think of was, 'Oh jeeez! It's Stormy!'
Well, that explained the cloud overhead. That had to be a thunderhead. And the pins-and-needles he was still feeling simply had to be a lightning bolt somewhere up there. And one with his name on it, too! Ooooh, he was going to have to be very careful indeed!
He didn't know much about Stormy to be honest. Well, other than both name and personality seemed to match. And he certainly hadn't expected to run into her! Actually, he hadn't thought he'd find anyone here but Sprites, since all seven of the Color Kids had been headed up to Murky's. But now that he thought about it (which wasn't exactly easy to do, what with his heart pounding and his mouth suddenly dry as sand) he did remember about Stormy. And wasn't there two others, as well?
Ah. That must be them, he thought, spotting two headed peeking around the main entrance, one at each side. That one must be Moonglow, he reasoned, as the other had light pink hair pulled into pigtails held in place by two wide yellow ribbons. That one, then, must be Tickled Pink.
He didn't spend but a moment thinking about them, though. Not when he had the immediate problem of a quite literal storm brewing right before him!
"OK. I'm stopped. Now what?"
Stormy blinked at that. She hadn't expected a response like that! Keeping one tightly fisted hand overhead she demanded, "Who are you? And what are you doing here?"
Brownie tried not to sigh. Which was actually pretty easy to do when facing a fiery, thunderous girl capable of blasting you with bolts of lightning! But he was getting quickly tired of being asked those same questions over and over!
"OK. I'm Brownie," he said, touching his chest with his fingers. "And this is Sam," he continued, patting the top of Sam's head, and without adding 'my horse'. "And I'm looking for Rainbow Brite. Have you seen her?"
Oh jeez! That didn't go over too well! Both Tickled and Moonglow softly gasped, pulling their heads further behind the doorframe, while Stormy just looked . . . well, more stormy. The pins-and-needles felt even worse, then Skydancer took several steps closer until his muzzle was almost touching Sam's. Skydancer snorted, frosty plumes jetting out. Sam just gazed down, for he was a bit taller than Skydancer, and simply looked, his expression clearly saying, 'My, how amusing. Do you know any other tricks?' Sam, obviously, wasn't a bit awed or impressed by Skydancer.
Brownie wished he could say the same about his feeling regarding Stormy. He certainly was awed and impressed by her! And no little frightened either!
"Why are you looking for Rainbow Brite?" she demanded, leaning forward, a stern jut to her chin as she locked her eyes onto Brownie's. "What business do you have with her?"
He started to answer but found his tongue all tied. She kept staring at him, with a pair of fiery orbs that gleamed and glittered a very unusual, almost sea foam green. They were quite pretty eyes, actually, and he wondered what they looked like when they weren't snapping with anger. Although when they were . . .
He leaned a bit forward, gazing closer. "You know, when you're mad, it looks like little lightning bolts flash in your eyes. It's really quite pretty."
Stormy rocked back a bit, her eyes rounding a little, while twin giggles pealed from the doorway, and Sam lowered his head and snickered. Suddenly Brownie clapped both hands over his mouth. "Was that out loud?" he asked in a mortified whisper, and the giggles grew even louder. His face abruptly felt sunburned and he ducked his head.
Peeking up he spotted Tickled and Moonglow peering around the door again, this time with huge grins on their faces. His felt even hotter now, and even his ears felt on fire!
Leaning forward again, fisted hand still upright, Stormy repeated, "Why are you looking for Rainbow Brite?"
All three gasped when Brownie softly replied, "I found her Color Belt. And I have it with me."
Tickled and Moonglow scooted around the doorframe and dashed over, stopping just behind and to either side of Skydancer. "You do?" "You have?" "Oh, that's wonderful!"
Stormy wasn't as impressed. She just stared at Brownie and challenged, "How do we know you're telling the truth? How do we know that's really Rainbow's belt? That it's the real Color Belt? How do we know it's not a trick?"
Softly sighing Brownie held his hands out, palms up. "You don't."
Stormy's brows dangerously lowered as Tickled and Moonglow softly gasped. Brownie just gave a little shrug. "I'm sorry, but you don't know. If I was wicked and evil I'd just lie and promise that it wasn't a trick, that it was the real Color Belt."
Stormy thoughtfully nodded. Clear as day (or, in her case, a winter blizzard) she wanted to believe it was the real Color Belt. But just as clear —and understandable— were her suspicions.
"So I don't know how to assure you. I can do two things, though, and maybe that'll help."
"Oh? Like what?"
"First off, let me tell you how I found it." Brownie carefully explained just how he'd come in possession of Rainbow's belt. He made it very clear that it was just sheer, blind dumb luck that he'd seen Murky hide it away. That he, himself, had been hiding, frightened and terrified of being seen (although he didn't add that he'd, somehow, managed to hide inside the tree instead of just behind it; somehow he thought they'd find that a bit unbelievable. Heck, he still didn't believe it!).
He missed the look Tickled and Moonglow exchanged with each other. As much as they liked Red and Buddy (well, they liked everyone, of course!) neither could ever picture any situation or circumstance where either of the boys would ever admit to being terrified.
Then he related what he'd overheard Murky say about his 'Master Plan'. Then finally told about meeting the Color Kids and Starlite, and how that had turned out.
"I can't say I really blame them," Brownie softly said. "I'm not sure I'd've believed me if I had been them."
At least the pins-and-needles feeling had (mostly) gone away, and Stormy had finally lowered her hand. "OK. So what's the second thing?" she asked.
Taking a deep breath Brownie gazed at Stormy for a moment before leaning his head back and looking up at the sky. "I swear upon the Rainbow, and all that it means," he said, in a very formal tone. Then he lowered his eyes back upon Stormy. "And upon the lighting, and thunder, and wild storms," as Stormy's eyes widened at that. Next he gazed at Moonglow. "And upon the moon and stars above," then finally looked back up at the sky and closed his eyes. "And upon the Sphere of Light," he softly said, "that all I've said is true, and that I believe I carry the real Color Belt."
It grew very quiet after that. Even Skydancer was silent. Finally Moonglow broke the silence. In her low, soft, semi-dreamy voice she pointed to the horizon, where the sun was setting. "We don't have much more time Stormy. It's almost nightfall."
Reaching into his belt pouch Brownie removed the Color Belt at last. Holding it across both palms he offered it to Stormy. "Please," he softly begged. "Rainbow needs this."
He didn't know what was finally the deciding factor. Maybe it was all of it. Stormy nibbled her lip, glanced at the setting sun then gazed back at him, a look of fleeting desperation in her eyes. She was a free spirit, very self-sufficient and self-reliant, and not at all dependent upon others. And she liked it that way. Oh, yes, having friends was nice, too, she'd learned. As was pitching in and lending a helping hand.
When that didn't get in the way of making a huge storm that is!
But this?
Whoa there!
It was one thing to pitch in and help out now and then. But right now, right this moment, Rainbow Brite was under a spell and in terrible danger, with the setting sun showing how little time was left, her Color Belt was missing, stolen by that awful Murky Dismal, and all the Color Kids save Tickled Pink were gone as well. Normally when Rainbow was absent Red Butler took charge. Or, if not him, then Twink, Rainbow's sprite and de facto chief of all the sprites. Not that Stormy was in Rainbow Land all that often, but she couldn't remember a time that one or the other hadn't been present. But right now, it was her, and Tickled Pink, and Moonglow. And Red had specifically asked her —her!— if she'd watch over Rainbow Land and Rainbow Brite until he and the others returned with Rainbow's Color Belt.
Except it didn't look as if they'd be returning. Or, at least, not any time soon. And if this Brownie character was right, they might not be returning at all! And if they did, they sure wouldn't have Rainbow's belt, not if he really had it!
Stormy wasn't used to making decisions this terribly important. It was one thing to decide whether to snow five or six inches, or to toss in a few extra lightning bolts in a thunderstorm. But this time she literally had the fate of Rainbow Land in her hands, and her decision could spell salvation or destruction of Rainbow Land, and of colors and happiness everywhere!
She nudged Skydancer with a knee, turning him 'round. "This way," she said, as the wood planks thunked under her horse's hooves. "Rainbow's inside. And this better not be a trick!" she growled, as the roiling cloud high overhead rumbled as well. "Your horse may be fast, but he can't outrun my lightning!"
Brownie just stood there. "Maybe you should bring her outside then," he said after a couple of seconds.
"Why?" Stormy asked, suspicion quickly blossoming again. Then was quite shocked at his answer.
"Once we're in the Castle it'll be kinda hard to get a lightning bolt inside," he said. "Actually, almost impossible I'd think. Especially without accidentally hitting anything or anyone else. So if it'll make you feel better, I can wait out here until Rainbow comes or you bring her."
Looking over her shoulder she waved him on. "Oh, I wouldn't be too sure of that!" she said, sounding fierce but her eyes twinkling this time as a little smile played on her face. Actually he was right: it would be very hard. But the fact that he'd said that, and was willing to wait outside where she definitely wouldn't have a problem, well . . . that made her feel a lot better about this whole affair.
Brownie followed Stormy and the others inside. Tall as the doorway was, Brownie still had to lean way over Sam's neck, and his back still brushed up against the top of the door. Once inside he straightened up, and his eyes rounded as he did, looking all around in awe. There, right in the middle of the room, was the Color Console itself! It looked dark at the moment, the color pipes and ball dim and unlit. Then again, none of the Color Kids were sitting at their stations, so perhaps that was it. At the back of the wide, spacious room were two sloping staircases heading up, each step it's own vibrant hue, making it look like twin rainbows had formed the stairs.
But his attention was immediately captured, his breath catching in a gasp, by the small spangle of sprites gathered near the Color Console. For in their midst, surrounded by them, was Rainbow Brite herself!
A Rainbow Brite who, dreadfully obviously, was in dire straits, for she seemed frozen, like a statue, not moving at all, and surrounded by a dull gray shimmer that was barely visible but definitely didn't look good.
Without thinking Brownie dismounted, sliding off Sam's back. "Ahhhh!" then "Ow!" as he dropped from high up and landed on his rump. His face felt on fire again he stood up then waited for Stormy to dismount, too. Which she did, with far more grace than he had!
"What happened to her?" he asked Stormy as they walked over. Both were instantly surrounded by anxious worried sprites that chattered away at high speed. "Did you get the belt?" "Is Rainbow going to be OK?" "Have you seen Indigo? Is she OK?" (that was Hammy, of course)
"Shhhh!" Stormy hushed the sprites. Turning to face Brownie she answered him. "I don't know. We don't know. They told me that Rainbow had gone out for a walk after lunch with Puppy Brite. She was taking a break from coloring all the fall leaves. They'll be falling soon, you know. Then it's my turn!" she smugly said, then her face fell as she looked back at the seemingly-frozen Rainbow. "Next thing they knew Puppy Brite was racing back inside, barking like mad. And when they all ran out, they found Rainbow like this already, with Murky holding her Color Belt and fiendishly laughing as Lurky drove off."
Whatever had happened sure seemed to have happened fast. Rainbow's hand was almost to her mouth, which was partially opened as if she'd been frozen in the middle of drawing a startled gasp.
"So . . . what are we supposed to do?" Brownie asked.
"Don't you know?" Tickled softly spoke up.
"Who, me?" Brownie asked, shocked. "How would I know what to do?"
Moonglow gave a little shrug, as if saying 'Don't ask me.'
"I . . . I don't know what to do either," Stormy said, sounding unhappy. "Red just asked me if I'd watch over and guard Rainbow Land while he and the others were gone. I knew they were after Rainbow's Color Belt, but I didn't know why they needed it so badly. Well, other than the obvious reason," she gave a little shrug. "I just assumed," she unhappily admitted, "they'd know what to do with it once they had it."
Moonglow suddenly gasped. "It's almost nightfall!"
Brownie looked over his shoulder at the doorway behind him. It was decidedly darker outside. Not quite night, no. But it certainly was twilight; dusk had definitely fallen. And while this twilight was certainly much more inviting than the perpetual gloomy one in the Pits, there was also something decidedly ominous about the arrival of dusk tonight.
"Stormy, here," Brownie said, thrusting the belt at her.
Stormy almost recoiled back, eyes wide, and hands up in front of her as if to push the belt away. "I don't want it! It's not mine!"
"Put it on Rainbow!" he said.
"Me? Why don't you do it?"
Actually the only real reason Brownie wasn't putting it on Rainbow was, well, silly as it sounded, he felt very awkward and self-conscious about doing that. Rainbow was a girl after all, and well . . . yanno? It just didn't feel right or proper.
"Oh here!" Tickled said, taking the belt from Brownie with an exasperated yet amused look. "Boys!" she snorted.
"Wait!" Brownie suddenly cried out.
Tickled froze while Moonglow and Stormy looked at him. "What?" Tickled asked.
Looking around Brownie pointed to some of the sprites. "Can you bring us star sprinkles please? As many as you can carry, and of all the colors. And as fast as you can, too!"
"OK!" "You bet!" "We'll be right back!"
All the sprites dashed off, eager to help and happy to have something positive, helpful and useful to do at last. Brownie felt quite relieved and grateful that, for once, someone wasn't questioning him or his motives.
"Why do you want all those star sprinkles?" Stormy asked. For a change she didn't sound challenging; instead she simply sounded curious.
"Uhhh—," Stormy's question caught him off-guard. Just why had he blurted that out? He tried marshalling his thoughts, but having all three of them gazing at him the way they were wasn't making that terribly easy.
"Well," he finally said, his words coming quite slow. "Rainbow's belt uses star sprinkles, right? Sometimes she uses her belt to power star sprinkles, but sometimes she uses star sprinkles to power her belt, yes?"
Both Moonglow and Tickled firmly nodded right away, with Stormy following a few seconds after them, her nod a bit slower. Her powers were much different than Rainbow's and, unlike either Moonglow or Tickled —or Rainbow Brite herself, for that matter— didn't require silly things like color crystals or star sprinkles. And unlike the two girls, she didn't really have all that much experience with the 'inner workings' of Rainbow Land. But she did seem to remember a time or two when Rainbow had used star sprinkles to energize her belt . . . or at least she'd thought that was what Rainbow had been doing. Sneaking a peek at Moonglow and Tickled she felt a lot better at how positive those two seemed to be.
"Well then," Brownie continued. "I just think it would be a good idea to have star sprinkles ready if she needed them, than to have her need them and not have any right at hand."
Well, that sure made sense, all three girls thought. But what he said next threw them all a curve.
"Especially since that shimmer around her gives me the creeps and willies."
"Erm . . . ah . . . what 'shimmer'?" Tickled asked.
"The one that's all around her," Brownie answered. Then he felt quite awkward and insecure at the look all three of them were giving him. "You know! That grayish eerie shimmer?" he said, an almost desperate hopeful lift to his tone.
The three peeked at Rainbow, then back at Brownie. Then peeked at Rainbow again, then back to him once more. He felt about an inch tall at their expressions, and he really didn't have to hear them say anything to realize they weren't seeing any such shimmer!
"I don't see anything," Tickled softly said, not wanting to make Brownie feel bad but, well, she honestly really couldn't see anything like a shimmer. "How about you Moonglow? Stormy?"
Stormy just shrugged and shook her head, light purple tresses billowing like wind-tossed clouds while her single light purple-and-sea foam green braid whipped about. She didn't need to look a third time to make sure. Moonglow, however, did take a third, much longer glance, intently gazing at Rainbow, tipping her head back and forth. "I'm sorry Brownie," she softly said in a dreamy tone. "But I don't see anything like a shimmer."
Holding his hand up to his head Brownie sighed. 'Great!' he thought. 'Just spiffy keen great! Now they all think I'm batty!'
"We got 'em we got 'em!" "Here you go!" "Is this enough?" "Hey, watch out! Don't spill them!" "Gangway!" "Now what?"
Brownie spun around, extremely grateful for the arrival of the sprites, each one carrying a big pail of star sprinkles. At least they'd helped provide a distraction from what was quickly growing into an uncomfortable, unnerving situation!
"OK, great! That was really quick!" he said. "Now just set the buckets down close to Rainbow, so if she needs them they're right there." Within two blinks they'd done just that. "OK now, Tickled?" he said, looking at her. "I guess we're as set as we can be. Try putting her belt on now, OK?"
Tickled nodded then stepped behind Rainbow. Reaching around she snaked the Color Belt around Rainbow's waist, concentrating so hard the tip of her (pink, of course) tongue peeked out past her lips. Almost a minute past, during which everyone fretted, the sprites most of all. "Hurry Tickled!" one cried out, then they all started chiming in. "Oh yes hurry!!" "Please hurry!" "Oh, is Rainbow gonna be all right?" "Oh I wish Red was here!" (That was Romeo, of course).
"What's taking so long?" Stormy grumbled.
Tickled cutely grunted as she struggled to attach the belt. "I dunno," she muttered, tongue tip sticking out even more now. "This is harder than it looks!"
It hadn't looked all that hard to Brownie. Then again he'd never tried fastening a belt around anyone before. One thing for certain sure, he knew: if he'd have tried putting the belt on he'd probably have dropped it several times by now, and his face would have been brighter pink than Tickled's tresses!
"There!" Tickled triumphantly cried. "Got it!" She stood back as everyone watched, holding their breath.
And held . . . and held . . . and held.
"Sunny skies and fair weather!" Stormy cried, stomping her foot, as far overhead came an ominous rumble. "Now what? Why isn't anything happening?"
"I don't know!" Tickled wailed, looking close to tears.
Brownie found himself moving before he realized he was. It was like . . . something . . . was driving him. Without thinking about it, without considering all the possible ramifications, he stepped past Stormy and Moonglow, eased his way through the agitated, frantic spangle of sprites and the pile of buckets and pails, and walked right up in front of Rainbow.
Walked right up . . .
And touched the rainbow arch at the front of Rainbow's belt.
A brilliant, coruscating flash so bright it literally stunned him knocked him backwards several steps, as the girls and sprites all squeaked, squealed or yelped. Tripping over a bucket behind him Brownie wound up with his bottom almost stuck in the pail of star sprinkles, as in front of him a dazzling, eye-tearing explosion of light burst out. A wide rainbow band of light streamed from the color belt, in a blink of an eye winding its way 'round and 'round Rainbow until she was completely enveloped in radiant, luminous hues.
It continued for seconds . . . and seconds . . . and seconds. And now there was a tooth-aching whine, almost at the edge of hearing. It brought tears to Brownie's eyes, and all the sprites clapped hands over their ears. The girls, too, winced, although Stormy was the only one that didn't cover her ears. She just gritted her teeth and unblinkingly stared at the blinding blaze of light before her.
And then that whine started fading . . . as the rainbow started dimming. As Moonglow gasped, a hand to her lips. "It's nightfall!" she cried out.
Squirming and struggling Brownie finally tipped the bucket over and made an undignified exit from the impromptu prison. Sprawling on the floor he looked up. Looked up and saw the rainbow within that sinister gray shimmer start fading. "The star sprinkles!" he cried out. "Throw them on her!"
Everyone seemed frozen in place, the sprites most of all. Brownie stopped trying to regain his feet. Instead he scooped up a double handful of star sprinkles (they happened to be red ones) and tossed them at Rainbow, who was utterly encased and obscured behind the wavering, fading rainbow.
They disappeared as soon as they'd landed. But the rainbow visibly brightened, too. "Throw the star sprinkles!" Stormy and Tickled hollered out, suiting action to words. Within moments every sprite, all three girls and Brownie were pitching handful after handful of star sprinkles, each one lending strength and brightness to the now pulsing and straining rainbow.
*FOOM*
Suddenly the rainbow exploded outwards, expanding out as a sphere and fading as it went. The tooth-grating whine vanished in an instant. And there stood Rainbow Brite, eyes widening as she gasped, hand reaching her opened mouth, finishing the gasp of shock and surprise she'd started hours ago.
"RAINBOW!"
Every voice but one shouted out Rainbow's name at the same time. The sprites erupted in excited, happy and relieved cheers, and Tickled and Moonglow's were just as exuberant. And Stormy's wasn't all that much softer, to be honest. Only Brownie hadn't yelled out, and that was because he'd been too stunned by the blast that had freed Rainbow.
"Ooooooh!"
Rainbow suddenly wobbled, her face turning quite pale. Before her knees could actually buckle she was instantly supported by all the sprites. "Rainbow! Are you all right?" "What's wrong?" "Are you OK?" "Do you need to sit?" "How about some water?" "Help her sit down!"
Moonglow was weaving back and forth on her feet, looking terribly torn. "I have to go! It's nightfall! I'm sorry!"
"It's OK Moonglow. We know. Thanks for your help. We'll be alright . . . now," Tickled said, giving Moonglow an encouraging smile.
Moonglow gave a quick, distracted wave as she scooted to the door, almost bowling over Nite Sprite who was, at that very moment, dashing inside to find Moonglow. Moments later they were both off in the dark, heading off to do their nightly work together.
In the meantime the sprites inside were helping a very groggy, very woozy and wobbly Rainbow over to her emergency bed. While all the Color Kids had their own suite —as did Rainbow herself— there were rare occasions when they slept on the ground floor. Usually because of Murky and Lurky's doings, or similar situations when Rainbow Land or its residents might be in immediate danger. That way they had safety in numbers, and also could answer any immediate crisis.
Tickled turned down the top sheet and blanket while Stormy stood at the other side of the bed, watching as the sprites helped Rainbow sit down. Brownie, though, remained sprawled on the floor, still feeling quite weak. He'd also lost his glasses, and was carefully patting the ground searching for them. That had been a truly spectacular light explosion, he thought. He could have sworn, though, that that ominous shimmer he'd seen earlier had seemed to explode outwards as well, shattered into a bazillion pieces.
Finally locating his glasses Brownie was very relieved to see they hadn't broken. He wasn't quite blind as a bat without them, no. Then again, as bats weren't exactly blind, and as they saw more with their ears than their eyes . . .
Rolling up onto his knees he slipped his glasses back on. He really hadn't been sure what to expect, but having a rainbow go off in his face like that hadn't been anything he'd pictured. Nor had Rainbow being anything other than alert and OK. That he'd pictured, yes: having her, well, 'cured' and everything back to normal, and perfect again. Somehow he'd envisioned that once Rainbow had her belt back again she'd be fine. Wasn't that the way things were supposed to happen, after all?
'OK, maybe my glasses did get messed up', Brownie thought, softly frowning. He was seeing the oddest sparkles. Like dull, dark gray glittering on the floor. Crystalline splinters that were slithering and moving.
'Huh!?'
Taking his glasses off he used the hem of his tunic to rub the lenses. Maybe he got star sprinkle dust on them or something. Slipping them back on again he peered towards the doorway.
"Ummm . . . Stormy?"
Stormy was a bit preoccupied at the moment, watching as Tickled got rainbow tucked in. Once Rainbow was snugly tucked in and comfy, though, hail and sleet! did she have a bunch of questions for her!
"Ummm . . . ahhh . . . Stormy?"
Rainbow looked up at Tickled, her normally lively and sparkling eyes dulled with terrible fatigue and something much worse: etched into those depths was terrible despair and desolation, as if she'd seen a glimpse of something unspeakable, bleak and despairing. "The Achromic Abyss," she whispered.
"What was that Rainbow?" Tickled asked, leaning closer, as did Stormy, for Rainbow's voice was barely audible.
"The Achromic Abyss," Rainbow whispered again, shuddering as she did. "Murky . . . Murky was trying to banish me to the Achromic Abyss."
Stormy looked at Tickled, who shrugged in response to Stormy's unspoken question. "I've never heard of that," she admitted. "Sounds pretty awful though if you ask me."
"STORMY!"
"WHAT!?" Stormy yelled, turning around and glaring at Brownie, her expression abruptly thunderous again. Couldn't he see she was doing something importa—
Oh.
Oh my.
"Ummm . . . could you do something about that?" Brownie asked in a very calm, almost too calm voice as he pointed at the doorway. "Maybe? Please?"
Actually, it wasn't the doorway he was pointing at. It was what was in the doorway.
Well, she assumed something was in the doorway, anyway, as she no longer could see outside through the doorway. She had the oddest sensation of being . . . drawn . . . towards it. Drawn the same way, she imagined, that leaves and debris were drawn towards one of her very rare funnel clouds. A sort of inexorable vacuum suction.
Brownie looked so pale he resembled white pine, she noticed out of the corner of her eye. Just as he noticed him suddenly lurch sideways on his knees, interposing himself between her and . . . whatever the thaw that was.
And whatever it was seemed to, well, slowly start flowing towards her. Rather like sickly syrup. Although she wasn't quite sure if it was as much flowing towards her as she was being drawn towards it.
For a moment she felt an emotion she wasn't at all used to feeling: fear. And then suddenly that fear vanished, blown out like a candle in a fierce wind, as an equally fierce fury rose inside her. Skydancer abruptly whinnied as he reared up, a long, loud scream of defiance as Stormy raised both tightly fisted hands up in the air over her head, her lightning barrette glowing like molten gold.
"Duck!" she yelled out. Brownie didn't need any coaxing. He'd already been heading to the floor the moment he caught Stormy's expression. The fact that every hair on his head was standing straight up only speeded up his descent.
He really really hoped Stormy could do something. Because the one thing he was absolutely positive about was that he couldn't do a doggone thing!
Brownie had no idea what that thing was. He was also quite sure he never, ever! wanted to find out what it was, either! All he did know was that the glittering, eerie crystalline splinters and shards he'd thought he'd seen had, slowly at first then with a speed that was frightening, slithered across the floor towards each other. And as they'd met, they joined, merging somehow together, forming a vertical, spiraling whirlpool.
A gateway.
To a place, a realm, that would in comparison make the Pits appear as bright and lively as rainbow Land.
**BOOM!!**
A flash brighter than anything he could have imagined, even brighter than the earlier rainbow explosion, lit the interior of the Color Castle at the same time the detonation lifted him bodily off the floor then slammed him back down into a darkness that swallowed him whole.
"You OK?"
Groaning Brownie barely made out the words. His ears were still ringing, and his eyes didn't want to focus for some reason. Blinking he looked up. Somehow he was now on his back and gazing up at three Stormys that wavered and merged and separated over and over. Three Sams, too, all of which were leaning their heads down and softly whuffling his hair with warm, hay-scented breath.
Weakly he nodded. "I've . . . been better," he groaned.
"Toldja I could get a lightning bolt inside!" Stormy said, a smug little smile on her face. Brownie couldn't help but grin at her expression. She looked so haughty! But if anyone deserved to feel proud and arrogant she certainly did!
He went to sit up, saw three Stormys split into six, then his face suddenly felt very warm as his head felt very big and light, and that was the last thing he remembered.
Once they left the open fields and meadows and started down the lanes towards the Color Castle Sam started slowing down, gradually moving from a gallop to a canter then finally a slow trot. Sprites were everywhere but no sooner did they see Brownie and Sam headed their way then they dropped whatever they were doing and, with shrill squeaks and cries, bolted inside their homes, slamming the doors behind them.
Brownie really didn't blame them although he felt bad for scaring them. He supposed that if he were a Sprite, and something bad had happened to Rainbow Brite he'd be a bit scared, too, if a stranger came galumphing unannounced into Rainbow Land!
Brownie's attention shifted from that cloud and the Color Castle to watching where they were going. He didn't want to accidentally run into a Sprite after all. Or go crashing through a garden and step all over lovingly tended flowerbeds. Or . . .
"Wait! No! Whoa!"
Trotting around a corner the Color Castle was straight ahead. And so were two Sprites, both green, pushing a cart full of flowers. They took one look at the huge unfamiliar horse trotting their way and bolted . . . leaving the cart blocking the lane. And Sam wasn't stopping. He wasn't even slowing!
"Eeeeeeeeee!"
Clutching tightly Brownie held on for dear life. He felt Sam's muscles bunch . . . then felt a gentle lift . . . then a thump as they landed, Sam having vaulted the cart in a single, utterly smooth glide. His hooves lightly drummed as he trotted towards the Color Castle, and the whicker he made sounded both amused and teasing, almost as if he was saying, 'What? You didn't think I could jump that itty bitty cart?'
Actually Brownie was positive Sam could jump the cart. He just wasn't so sure he'd manage making it over along with Sam!
Trotting towards the wood bridge leading to the main entrance of the Color Castle Brownie glanced back up at the roiling black cloud overhead. He hadn't been mistaken: it was, beyond any doubt, exactly overhead the Color Castle. They slowed to a walk as they reached the bridge, and Sam's hooves made a deep, echoing clop with each step. Something just . . . didn't feel right. He'd seen Sprites all over the place coming here but, now that he was at the Color Castle, well . . . it seemed empty.
He'd just reached the middle of the bridge when three things happened, all at the same time. He got a sudden pins-and-needles feeling all over; Sam must have, too, for his head jerked up, he came to an abrupt stop and he whickered in alarm. A strident, fierce, high-pitched voice called out, "Stop right there! Or else!" And from within the depths of the Castle strode a horse and rider.
And not just any horse and rider either!
It was Stormy, and she was certainly living up to her name, a truly ferocious, thunderous expression on her face. One little hand was fisted and held straight up, overhead, while her other imperiously pointed a finger straight down to the ground in front of him. "Hold it right there!" she demanded, as Skydancer belled his own challenge, a truly wild neigh, nostrils flared wide, revealing the deep red interior. The bridge jolted as Skydancer pawed the planks, and all Brownie could think of was, 'Oh jeeez! It's Stormy!'
Well, that explained the cloud overhead. That had to be a thunderhead. And the pins-and-needles he was still feeling simply had to be a lightning bolt somewhere up there. And one with his name on it, too! Ooooh, he was going to have to be very careful indeed!
He didn't know much about Stormy to be honest. Well, other than both name and personality seemed to match. And he certainly hadn't expected to run into her! Actually, he hadn't thought he'd find anyone here but Sprites, since all seven of the Color Kids had been headed up to Murky's. But now that he thought about it (which wasn't exactly easy to do, what with his heart pounding and his mouth suddenly dry as sand) he did remember about Stormy. And wasn't there two others, as well?
Ah. That must be them, he thought, spotting two headed peeking around the main entrance, one at each side. That one must be Moonglow, he reasoned, as the other had light pink hair pulled into pigtails held in place by two wide yellow ribbons. That one, then, must be Tickled Pink.
He didn't spend but a moment thinking about them, though. Not when he had the immediate problem of a quite literal storm brewing right before him!
"OK. I'm stopped. Now what?"
Stormy blinked at that. She hadn't expected a response like that! Keeping one tightly fisted hand overhead she demanded, "Who are you? And what are you doing here?"
Brownie tried not to sigh. Which was actually pretty easy to do when facing a fiery, thunderous girl capable of blasting you with bolts of lightning! But he was getting quickly tired of being asked those same questions over and over!
"OK. I'm Brownie," he said, touching his chest with his fingers. "And this is Sam," he continued, patting the top of Sam's head, and without adding 'my horse'. "And I'm looking for Rainbow Brite. Have you seen her?"
Oh jeez! That didn't go over too well! Both Tickled and Moonglow softly gasped, pulling their heads further behind the doorframe, while Stormy just looked . . . well, more stormy. The pins-and-needles felt even worse, then Skydancer took several steps closer until his muzzle was almost touching Sam's. Skydancer snorted, frosty plumes jetting out. Sam just gazed down, for he was a bit taller than Skydancer, and simply looked, his expression clearly saying, 'My, how amusing. Do you know any other tricks?' Sam, obviously, wasn't a bit awed or impressed by Skydancer.
Brownie wished he could say the same about his feeling regarding Stormy. He certainly was awed and impressed by her! And no little frightened either!
"Why are you looking for Rainbow Brite?" she demanded, leaning forward, a stern jut to her chin as she locked her eyes onto Brownie's. "What business do you have with her?"
He started to answer but found his tongue all tied. She kept staring at him, with a pair of fiery orbs that gleamed and glittered a very unusual, almost sea foam green. They were quite pretty eyes, actually, and he wondered what they looked like when they weren't snapping with anger. Although when they were . . .
He leaned a bit forward, gazing closer. "You know, when you're mad, it looks like little lightning bolts flash in your eyes. It's really quite pretty."
Stormy rocked back a bit, her eyes rounding a little, while twin giggles pealed from the doorway, and Sam lowered his head and snickered. Suddenly Brownie clapped both hands over his mouth. "Was that out loud?" he asked in a mortified whisper, and the giggles grew even louder. His face abruptly felt sunburned and he ducked his head.
Peeking up he spotted Tickled and Moonglow peering around the door again, this time with huge grins on their faces. His felt even hotter now, and even his ears felt on fire!
Leaning forward again, fisted hand still upright, Stormy repeated, "Why are you looking for Rainbow Brite?"
All three gasped when Brownie softly replied, "I found her Color Belt. And I have it with me."
Tickled and Moonglow scooted around the doorframe and dashed over, stopping just behind and to either side of Skydancer. "You do?" "You have?" "Oh, that's wonderful!"
Stormy wasn't as impressed. She just stared at Brownie and challenged, "How do we know you're telling the truth? How do we know that's really Rainbow's belt? That it's the real Color Belt? How do we know it's not a trick?"
Softly sighing Brownie held his hands out, palms up. "You don't."
Stormy's brows dangerously lowered as Tickled and Moonglow softly gasped. Brownie just gave a little shrug. "I'm sorry, but you don't know. If I was wicked and evil I'd just lie and promise that it wasn't a trick, that it was the real Color Belt."
Stormy thoughtfully nodded. Clear as day (or, in her case, a winter blizzard) she wanted to believe it was the real Color Belt. But just as clear —and understandable— were her suspicions.
"So I don't know how to assure you. I can do two things, though, and maybe that'll help."
"Oh? Like what?"
"First off, let me tell you how I found it." Brownie carefully explained just how he'd come in possession of Rainbow's belt. He made it very clear that it was just sheer, blind dumb luck that he'd seen Murky hide it away. That he, himself, had been hiding, frightened and terrified of being seen (although he didn't add that he'd, somehow, managed to hide inside the tree instead of just behind it; somehow he thought they'd find that a bit unbelievable. Heck, he still didn't believe it!).
He missed the look Tickled and Moonglow exchanged with each other. As much as they liked Red and Buddy (well, they liked everyone, of course!) neither could ever picture any situation or circumstance where either of the boys would ever admit to being terrified.
Then he related what he'd overheard Murky say about his 'Master Plan'. Then finally told about meeting the Color Kids and Starlite, and how that had turned out.
"I can't say I really blame them," Brownie softly said. "I'm not sure I'd've believed me if I had been them."
At least the pins-and-needles feeling had (mostly) gone away, and Stormy had finally lowered her hand. "OK. So what's the second thing?" she asked.
Taking a deep breath Brownie gazed at Stormy for a moment before leaning his head back and looking up at the sky. "I swear upon the Rainbow, and all that it means," he said, in a very formal tone. Then he lowered his eyes back upon Stormy. "And upon the lighting, and thunder, and wild storms," as Stormy's eyes widened at that. Next he gazed at Moonglow. "And upon the moon and stars above," then finally looked back up at the sky and closed his eyes. "And upon the Sphere of Light," he softly said, "that all I've said is true, and that I believe I carry the real Color Belt."
It grew very quiet after that. Even Skydancer was silent. Finally Moonglow broke the silence. In her low, soft, semi-dreamy voice she pointed to the horizon, where the sun was setting. "We don't have much more time Stormy. It's almost nightfall."
Reaching into his belt pouch Brownie removed the Color Belt at last. Holding it across both palms he offered it to Stormy. "Please," he softly begged. "Rainbow needs this."
He didn't know what was finally the deciding factor. Maybe it was all of it. Stormy nibbled her lip, glanced at the setting sun then gazed back at him, a look of fleeting desperation in her eyes. She was a free spirit, very self-sufficient and self-reliant, and not at all dependent upon others. And she liked it that way. Oh, yes, having friends was nice, too, she'd learned. As was pitching in and lending a helping hand.
When that didn't get in the way of making a huge storm that is!
But this?
Whoa there!
It was one thing to pitch in and help out now and then. But right now, right this moment, Rainbow Brite was under a spell and in terrible danger, with the setting sun showing how little time was left, her Color Belt was missing, stolen by that awful Murky Dismal, and all the Color Kids save Tickled Pink were gone as well. Normally when Rainbow was absent Red Butler took charge. Or, if not him, then Twink, Rainbow's sprite and de facto chief of all the sprites. Not that Stormy was in Rainbow Land all that often, but she couldn't remember a time that one or the other hadn't been present. But right now, it was her, and Tickled Pink, and Moonglow. And Red had specifically asked her —her!— if she'd watch over Rainbow Land and Rainbow Brite until he and the others returned with Rainbow's Color Belt.
Except it didn't look as if they'd be returning. Or, at least, not any time soon. And if this Brownie character was right, they might not be returning at all! And if they did, they sure wouldn't have Rainbow's belt, not if he really had it!
Stormy wasn't used to making decisions this terribly important. It was one thing to decide whether to snow five or six inches, or to toss in a few extra lightning bolts in a thunderstorm. But this time she literally had the fate of Rainbow Land in her hands, and her decision could spell salvation or destruction of Rainbow Land, and of colors and happiness everywhere!
She nudged Skydancer with a knee, turning him 'round. "This way," she said, as the wood planks thunked under her horse's hooves. "Rainbow's inside. And this better not be a trick!" she growled, as the roiling cloud high overhead rumbled as well. "Your horse may be fast, but he can't outrun my lightning!"
Brownie just stood there. "Maybe you should bring her outside then," he said after a couple of seconds.
"Why?" Stormy asked, suspicion quickly blossoming again. Then was quite shocked at his answer.
"Once we're in the Castle it'll be kinda hard to get a lightning bolt inside," he said. "Actually, almost impossible I'd think. Especially without accidentally hitting anything or anyone else. So if it'll make you feel better, I can wait out here until Rainbow comes or you bring her."
Looking over her shoulder she waved him on. "Oh, I wouldn't be too sure of that!" she said, sounding fierce but her eyes twinkling this time as a little smile played on her face. Actually he was right: it would be very hard. But the fact that he'd said that, and was willing to wait outside where she definitely wouldn't have a problem, well . . . that made her feel a lot better about this whole affair.
Brownie followed Stormy and the others inside. Tall as the doorway was, Brownie still had to lean way over Sam's neck, and his back still brushed up against the top of the door. Once inside he straightened up, and his eyes rounded as he did, looking all around in awe. There, right in the middle of the room, was the Color Console itself! It looked dark at the moment, the color pipes and ball dim and unlit. Then again, none of the Color Kids were sitting at their stations, so perhaps that was it. At the back of the wide, spacious room were two sloping staircases heading up, each step it's own vibrant hue, making it look like twin rainbows had formed the stairs.
But his attention was immediately captured, his breath catching in a gasp, by the small spangle of sprites gathered near the Color Console. For in their midst, surrounded by them, was Rainbow Brite herself!
A Rainbow Brite who, dreadfully obviously, was in dire straits, for she seemed frozen, like a statue, not moving at all, and surrounded by a dull gray shimmer that was barely visible but definitely didn't look good.
Without thinking Brownie dismounted, sliding off Sam's back. "Ahhhh!" then "Ow!" as he dropped from high up and landed on his rump. His face felt on fire again he stood up then waited for Stormy to dismount, too. Which she did, with far more grace than he had!
"What happened to her?" he asked Stormy as they walked over. Both were instantly surrounded by anxious worried sprites that chattered away at high speed. "Did you get the belt?" "Is Rainbow going to be OK?" "Have you seen Indigo? Is she OK?" (that was Hammy, of course)
"Shhhh!" Stormy hushed the sprites. Turning to face Brownie she answered him. "I don't know. We don't know. They told me that Rainbow had gone out for a walk after lunch with Puppy Brite. She was taking a break from coloring all the fall leaves. They'll be falling soon, you know. Then it's my turn!" she smugly said, then her face fell as she looked back at the seemingly-frozen Rainbow. "Next thing they knew Puppy Brite was racing back inside, barking like mad. And when they all ran out, they found Rainbow like this already, with Murky holding her Color Belt and fiendishly laughing as Lurky drove off."
Whatever had happened sure seemed to have happened fast. Rainbow's hand was almost to her mouth, which was partially opened as if she'd been frozen in the middle of drawing a startled gasp.
"So . . . what are we supposed to do?" Brownie asked.
"Don't you know?" Tickled softly spoke up.
"Who, me?" Brownie asked, shocked. "How would I know what to do?"
Moonglow gave a little shrug, as if saying 'Don't ask me.'
"I . . . I don't know what to do either," Stormy said, sounding unhappy. "Red just asked me if I'd watch over and guard Rainbow Land while he and the others were gone. I knew they were after Rainbow's Color Belt, but I didn't know why they needed it so badly. Well, other than the obvious reason," she gave a little shrug. "I just assumed," she unhappily admitted, "they'd know what to do with it once they had it."
Moonglow suddenly gasped. "It's almost nightfall!"
Brownie looked over his shoulder at the doorway behind him. It was decidedly darker outside. Not quite night, no. But it certainly was twilight; dusk had definitely fallen. And while this twilight was certainly much more inviting than the perpetual gloomy one in the Pits, there was also something decidedly ominous about the arrival of dusk tonight.
"Stormy, here," Brownie said, thrusting the belt at her.
Stormy almost recoiled back, eyes wide, and hands up in front of her as if to push the belt away. "I don't want it! It's not mine!"
"Put it on Rainbow!" he said.
"Me? Why don't you do it?"
Actually the only real reason Brownie wasn't putting it on Rainbow was, well, silly as it sounded, he felt very awkward and self-conscious about doing that. Rainbow was a girl after all, and well . . . yanno? It just didn't feel right or proper.
"Oh here!" Tickled said, taking the belt from Brownie with an exasperated yet amused look. "Boys!" she snorted.
"Wait!" Brownie suddenly cried out.
Tickled froze while Moonglow and Stormy looked at him. "What?" Tickled asked.
Looking around Brownie pointed to some of the sprites. "Can you bring us star sprinkles please? As many as you can carry, and of all the colors. And as fast as you can, too!"
"OK!" "You bet!" "We'll be right back!"
All the sprites dashed off, eager to help and happy to have something positive, helpful and useful to do at last. Brownie felt quite relieved and grateful that, for once, someone wasn't questioning him or his motives.
"Why do you want all those star sprinkles?" Stormy asked. For a change she didn't sound challenging; instead she simply sounded curious.
"Uhhh—," Stormy's question caught him off-guard. Just why had he blurted that out? He tried marshalling his thoughts, but having all three of them gazing at him the way they were wasn't making that terribly easy.
"Well," he finally said, his words coming quite slow. "Rainbow's belt uses star sprinkles, right? Sometimes she uses her belt to power star sprinkles, but sometimes she uses star sprinkles to power her belt, yes?"
Both Moonglow and Tickled firmly nodded right away, with Stormy following a few seconds after them, her nod a bit slower. Her powers were much different than Rainbow's and, unlike either Moonglow or Tickled —or Rainbow Brite herself, for that matter— didn't require silly things like color crystals or star sprinkles. And unlike the two girls, she didn't really have all that much experience with the 'inner workings' of Rainbow Land. But she did seem to remember a time or two when Rainbow had used star sprinkles to energize her belt . . . or at least she'd thought that was what Rainbow had been doing. Sneaking a peek at Moonglow and Tickled she felt a lot better at how positive those two seemed to be.
"Well then," Brownie continued. "I just think it would be a good idea to have star sprinkles ready if she needed them, than to have her need them and not have any right at hand."
Well, that sure made sense, all three girls thought. But what he said next threw them all a curve.
"Especially since that shimmer around her gives me the creeps and willies."
"Erm . . . ah . . . what 'shimmer'?" Tickled asked.
"The one that's all around her," Brownie answered. Then he felt quite awkward and insecure at the look all three of them were giving him. "You know! That grayish eerie shimmer?" he said, an almost desperate hopeful lift to his tone.
The three peeked at Rainbow, then back at Brownie. Then peeked at Rainbow again, then back to him once more. He felt about an inch tall at their expressions, and he really didn't have to hear them say anything to realize they weren't seeing any such shimmer!
"I don't see anything," Tickled softly said, not wanting to make Brownie feel bad but, well, she honestly really couldn't see anything like a shimmer. "How about you Moonglow? Stormy?"
Stormy just shrugged and shook her head, light purple tresses billowing like wind-tossed clouds while her single light purple-and-sea foam green braid whipped about. She didn't need to look a third time to make sure. Moonglow, however, did take a third, much longer glance, intently gazing at Rainbow, tipping her head back and forth. "I'm sorry Brownie," she softly said in a dreamy tone. "But I don't see anything like a shimmer."
Holding his hand up to his head Brownie sighed. 'Great!' he thought. 'Just spiffy keen great! Now they all think I'm batty!'
"We got 'em we got 'em!" "Here you go!" "Is this enough?" "Hey, watch out! Don't spill them!" "Gangway!" "Now what?"
Brownie spun around, extremely grateful for the arrival of the sprites, each one carrying a big pail of star sprinkles. At least they'd helped provide a distraction from what was quickly growing into an uncomfortable, unnerving situation!
"OK, great! That was really quick!" he said. "Now just set the buckets down close to Rainbow, so if she needs them they're right there." Within two blinks they'd done just that. "OK now, Tickled?" he said, looking at her. "I guess we're as set as we can be. Try putting her belt on now, OK?"
Tickled nodded then stepped behind Rainbow. Reaching around she snaked the Color Belt around Rainbow's waist, concentrating so hard the tip of her (pink, of course) tongue peeked out past her lips. Almost a minute past, during which everyone fretted, the sprites most of all. "Hurry Tickled!" one cried out, then they all started chiming in. "Oh yes hurry!!" "Please hurry!" "Oh, is Rainbow gonna be all right?" "Oh I wish Red was here!" (That was Romeo, of course).
"What's taking so long?" Stormy grumbled.
Tickled cutely grunted as she struggled to attach the belt. "I dunno," she muttered, tongue tip sticking out even more now. "This is harder than it looks!"
It hadn't looked all that hard to Brownie. Then again he'd never tried fastening a belt around anyone before. One thing for certain sure, he knew: if he'd have tried putting the belt on he'd probably have dropped it several times by now, and his face would have been brighter pink than Tickled's tresses!
"There!" Tickled triumphantly cried. "Got it!" She stood back as everyone watched, holding their breath.
And held . . . and held . . . and held.
"Sunny skies and fair weather!" Stormy cried, stomping her foot, as far overhead came an ominous rumble. "Now what? Why isn't anything happening?"
"I don't know!" Tickled wailed, looking close to tears.
Brownie found himself moving before he realized he was. It was like . . . something . . . was driving him. Without thinking about it, without considering all the possible ramifications, he stepped past Stormy and Moonglow, eased his way through the agitated, frantic spangle of sprites and the pile of buckets and pails, and walked right up in front of Rainbow.
Walked right up . . .
And touched the rainbow arch at the front of Rainbow's belt.
A brilliant, coruscating flash so bright it literally stunned him knocked him backwards several steps, as the girls and sprites all squeaked, squealed or yelped. Tripping over a bucket behind him Brownie wound up with his bottom almost stuck in the pail of star sprinkles, as in front of him a dazzling, eye-tearing explosion of light burst out. A wide rainbow band of light streamed from the color belt, in a blink of an eye winding its way 'round and 'round Rainbow until she was completely enveloped in radiant, luminous hues.
It continued for seconds . . . and seconds . . . and seconds. And now there was a tooth-aching whine, almost at the edge of hearing. It brought tears to Brownie's eyes, and all the sprites clapped hands over their ears. The girls, too, winced, although Stormy was the only one that didn't cover her ears. She just gritted her teeth and unblinkingly stared at the blinding blaze of light before her.
And then that whine started fading . . . as the rainbow started dimming. As Moonglow gasped, a hand to her lips. "It's nightfall!" she cried out.
Squirming and struggling Brownie finally tipped the bucket over and made an undignified exit from the impromptu prison. Sprawling on the floor he looked up. Looked up and saw the rainbow within that sinister gray shimmer start fading. "The star sprinkles!" he cried out. "Throw them on her!"
Everyone seemed frozen in place, the sprites most of all. Brownie stopped trying to regain his feet. Instead he scooped up a double handful of star sprinkles (they happened to be red ones) and tossed them at Rainbow, who was utterly encased and obscured behind the wavering, fading rainbow.
They disappeared as soon as they'd landed. But the rainbow visibly brightened, too. "Throw the star sprinkles!" Stormy and Tickled hollered out, suiting action to words. Within moments every sprite, all three girls and Brownie were pitching handful after handful of star sprinkles, each one lending strength and brightness to the now pulsing and straining rainbow.
*FOOM*
Suddenly the rainbow exploded outwards, expanding out as a sphere and fading as it went. The tooth-grating whine vanished in an instant. And there stood Rainbow Brite, eyes widening as she gasped, hand reaching her opened mouth, finishing the gasp of shock and surprise she'd started hours ago.
"RAINBOW!"
Every voice but one shouted out Rainbow's name at the same time. The sprites erupted in excited, happy and relieved cheers, and Tickled and Moonglow's were just as exuberant. And Stormy's wasn't all that much softer, to be honest. Only Brownie hadn't yelled out, and that was because he'd been too stunned by the blast that had freed Rainbow.
"Ooooooh!"
Rainbow suddenly wobbled, her face turning quite pale. Before her knees could actually buckle she was instantly supported by all the sprites. "Rainbow! Are you all right?" "What's wrong?" "Are you OK?" "Do you need to sit?" "How about some water?" "Help her sit down!"
Moonglow was weaving back and forth on her feet, looking terribly torn. "I have to go! It's nightfall! I'm sorry!"
"It's OK Moonglow. We know. Thanks for your help. We'll be alright . . . now," Tickled said, giving Moonglow an encouraging smile.
Moonglow gave a quick, distracted wave as she scooted to the door, almost bowling over Nite Sprite who was, at that very moment, dashing inside to find Moonglow. Moments later they were both off in the dark, heading off to do their nightly work together.
In the meantime the sprites inside were helping a very groggy, very woozy and wobbly Rainbow over to her emergency bed. While all the Color Kids had their own suite —as did Rainbow herself— there were rare occasions when they slept on the ground floor. Usually because of Murky and Lurky's doings, or similar situations when Rainbow Land or its residents might be in immediate danger. That way they had safety in numbers, and also could answer any immediate crisis.
Tickled turned down the top sheet and blanket while Stormy stood at the other side of the bed, watching as the sprites helped Rainbow sit down. Brownie, though, remained sprawled on the floor, still feeling quite weak. He'd also lost his glasses, and was carefully patting the ground searching for them. That had been a truly spectacular light explosion, he thought. He could have sworn, though, that that ominous shimmer he'd seen earlier had seemed to explode outwards as well, shattered into a bazillion pieces.
Finally locating his glasses Brownie was very relieved to see they hadn't broken. He wasn't quite blind as a bat without them, no. Then again, as bats weren't exactly blind, and as they saw more with their ears than their eyes . . .
Rolling up onto his knees he slipped his glasses back on. He really hadn't been sure what to expect, but having a rainbow go off in his face like that hadn't been anything he'd pictured. Nor had Rainbow being anything other than alert and OK. That he'd pictured, yes: having her, well, 'cured' and everything back to normal, and perfect again. Somehow he'd envisioned that once Rainbow had her belt back again she'd be fine. Wasn't that the way things were supposed to happen, after all?
'OK, maybe my glasses did get messed up', Brownie thought, softly frowning. He was seeing the oddest sparkles. Like dull, dark gray glittering on the floor. Crystalline splinters that were slithering and moving.
'Huh!?'
Taking his glasses off he used the hem of his tunic to rub the lenses. Maybe he got star sprinkle dust on them or something. Slipping them back on again he peered towards the doorway.
"Ummm . . . Stormy?"
Stormy was a bit preoccupied at the moment, watching as Tickled got rainbow tucked in. Once Rainbow was snugly tucked in and comfy, though, hail and sleet! did she have a bunch of questions for her!
"Ummm . . . ahhh . . . Stormy?"
Rainbow looked up at Tickled, her normally lively and sparkling eyes dulled with terrible fatigue and something much worse: etched into those depths was terrible despair and desolation, as if she'd seen a glimpse of something unspeakable, bleak and despairing. "The Achromic Abyss," she whispered.
"What was that Rainbow?" Tickled asked, leaning closer, as did Stormy, for Rainbow's voice was barely audible.
"The Achromic Abyss," Rainbow whispered again, shuddering as she did. "Murky . . . Murky was trying to banish me to the Achromic Abyss."
Stormy looked at Tickled, who shrugged in response to Stormy's unspoken question. "I've never heard of that," she admitted. "Sounds pretty awful though if you ask me."
"STORMY!"
"WHAT!?" Stormy yelled, turning around and glaring at Brownie, her expression abruptly thunderous again. Couldn't he see she was doing something importa—
Oh.
Oh my.
"Ummm . . . could you do something about that?" Brownie asked in a very calm, almost too calm voice as he pointed at the doorway. "Maybe? Please?"
Actually, it wasn't the doorway he was pointing at. It was what was in the doorway.
Well, she assumed something was in the doorway, anyway, as she no longer could see outside through the doorway. She had the oddest sensation of being . . . drawn . . . towards it. Drawn the same way, she imagined, that leaves and debris were drawn towards one of her very rare funnel clouds. A sort of inexorable vacuum suction.
Brownie looked so pale he resembled white pine, she noticed out of the corner of her eye. Just as he noticed him suddenly lurch sideways on his knees, interposing himself between her and . . . whatever the thaw that was.
And whatever it was seemed to, well, slowly start flowing towards her. Rather like sickly syrup. Although she wasn't quite sure if it was as much flowing towards her as she was being drawn towards it.
For a moment she felt an emotion she wasn't at all used to feeling: fear. And then suddenly that fear vanished, blown out like a candle in a fierce wind, as an equally fierce fury rose inside her. Skydancer abruptly whinnied as he reared up, a long, loud scream of defiance as Stormy raised both tightly fisted hands up in the air over her head, her lightning barrette glowing like molten gold.
"Duck!" she yelled out. Brownie didn't need any coaxing. He'd already been heading to the floor the moment he caught Stormy's expression. The fact that every hair on his head was standing straight up only speeded up his descent.
He really really hoped Stormy could do something. Because the one thing he was absolutely positive about was that he couldn't do a doggone thing!
Brownie had no idea what that thing was. He was also quite sure he never, ever! wanted to find out what it was, either! All he did know was that the glittering, eerie crystalline splinters and shards he'd thought he'd seen had, slowly at first then with a speed that was frightening, slithered across the floor towards each other. And as they'd met, they joined, merging somehow together, forming a vertical, spiraling whirlpool.
A gateway.
To a place, a realm, that would in comparison make the Pits appear as bright and lively as rainbow Land.
**BOOM!!**
A flash brighter than anything he could have imagined, even brighter than the earlier rainbow explosion, lit the interior of the Color Castle at the same time the detonation lifted him bodily off the floor then slammed him back down into a darkness that swallowed him whole.
"You OK?"
Groaning Brownie barely made out the words. His ears were still ringing, and his eyes didn't want to focus for some reason. Blinking he looked up. Somehow he was now on his back and gazing up at three Stormys that wavered and merged and separated over and over. Three Sams, too, all of which were leaning their heads down and softly whuffling his hair with warm, hay-scented breath.
Weakly he nodded. "I've . . . been better," he groaned.
"Toldja I could get a lightning bolt inside!" Stormy said, a smug little smile on her face. Brownie couldn't help but grin at her expression. She looked so haughty! But if anyone deserved to feel proud and arrogant she certainly did!
He went to sit up, saw three Stormys split into six, then his face suddenly felt very warm as his head felt very big and light, and that was the last thing he remembered.