(Josie Sayz: This is the twelfth story, from my ‘AMSND’ series that I wrote when I was 15 years old. This story follows in the series of the ‘AMSND’ stories, which inspired me to create the Arcturus High series. This story is very obviously a copy of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. I can actually remember sitting in my brother’s bedroom, watching the Disney film on his VHS TV and making notes for this story… that was over half of my life ago!).
Although each story is a stand alone piece, you can find the rest of the AMSND
series here:
1) A Magic School’s New Dream: https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/01/ansnd-1-magic-schools-new-dream.html
2) The War of Crooked Burrow School: https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/01/amsnd-2-war-of-crooked-burrow-school.html
3) Six Se’enarians Go To Sea: https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/01/amsnd-3-six-senerians-go-to-sea.html
4) The Arrival of a New Headmistress: https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/01/amsnd-4-arrival-of-new-headmistress.html
5) The Day Before the Last (Day of Term):
https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/01/amsnd-5-day-before-last-day-of-term.html
6) The Story of Crooked Burrow School: https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/02/amsnd-6-story-of-crooked-burrow-school.html
7) The End of the Octopus: https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/09/amsnd-7-end-of-octopus.html
8) The King of Magic: https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/09/amsnd-8-king-of-magic.html
9) The Return of Dr Straizer, Featuring Agent 009: https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/10/amsnd-9-return-of-dr-straizer-featuring.html
10) Fifteen-Eighty: https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/10/amsnd-10-fifteen-eighty.html
11) Accidentally in Love: https://josiesayz.blogspot.com/2025/11/amsnd-11-accidentally-in-love.html.)
Ariel and the Seven Dudes
The rain thundered down on the roof of the girls’ lockers, slowly managing to seep through where possible. Zilla slammed her locker door shut with anger. “Why does it rain on my perfect day?” growled Zilla disappointedly. “Why?”
“Zilla, why is today your perfect day?” Lyra asked curiously while closing her and Lola’s locker after putting their coats in.
“Why, it is Larissa and Nicky’s funeral, which now proves that she is dead,” Zilla’s sulky face changed to a huge grin.
“Please don’t harm me, Zilla, but why are you happy that Larissa’s dead… I forgot, I’m sorry,” Lola hesitated.
“Oh, don’t worry Lola; I’ll forgive you… this time. I’m happy that she’s dead because she can no longer be the fairest one of them all, can she?” giggled Zilla to herself.
“I didn’t know Larissa was the fairest of them all,” Lyra said in disgust. “I never thought there was anything nice about her.”
Lola elbowed Lyra and whispered, “I’ve never seen her so happy before, Ly’.”
“Me neither, except for when she’s with Jay,” sniggered Lyra.
“Oh, yes,” Lola smiled to herself, picturing Zilla with Jay.
“Zilla, what about Nicky? I thought you liked him,” Lyra wondered.
“Well we all know I didn’t want him to die, and I’m very upset, but I’m trying not to let anyone notice. Also once I found out that he liked Larissa I decided that I didn’t like him as much anymore,” Zilla explained. The door to the lockers squeaked as Toby ran inside panting and holding something in his hands.
“Lola, look at what I’ve got! It’s a crystal ball – one of the best!” Toby explained with amazement and gleaming eyes.
“Could you do me a favour please Toby? Tell me what you see in the crystal ball when I say some magic words. You should be able to see a picture of me, now that Larissa is dead,” Zilla paused to cough. “Magic, magic crystal ball, whose the fairest of them all?” Toby glared into his crystal ball and all went cloudy. Blue, grey and white clouds floated around inside the crystal ball, (powered by Frandadis juices) and then all of a sudden the clouds cleared and a clear image appeared. His face went pale.
“Toby, are you alright?” Lola gasped worriedly.
“I’m afraid… it’s not you… Zilla,” stammered Toby who was very frightened.
“What? Who? I demand to see,” Zilla yelled with rage. Toby’s small shaky hand handed over his crystal ball. “ARIEL! I should have known. Larissa and Ariel, were good friends, but why Ariel? This is sooo not fair!” growled Zilla furiously.
“Friends? Larissa and Ariel were like sisters!” exclaimed Lola.
“Not now Lola,” whispered Lyra, harshly making hand motions, to warn Lola not to mention anything. Lightning flashed, causing Lola to jump, clutching onto Toby’s hand. An evil grin crossed Zilla’s face. “Zilla, you’re not going to harm Ariel are you?” Lyra panicked. Zilla reassured them that she would not harm anyone… yet.
Ariel entered the Greenwood in the hand of the one she loved – Bert. He was a year older than Ariel and although he had now left Crooked Burrow School and was at college he had the day off and had agreed to spend it with Ariel, she really wanted Bert near her after hearing that Jay could possibly be a murderer. Bert had an agreement with Ariel that he would stay hidden in the ‘EF’ from teachers as he wasn’t supposed to be in the school building, as he had left, but he would meet her and break and lunch time. Parting each others company Bert went to go and meet his friends that he had not seen since he had left school (who were in the same year as Ariel), while Ariel ran to go and meet her friend Elly. Ariel and Elly had been best friends for a long time, and they looked out for each other. They were discussing the most recent murders in the school: Nicky and Larissa. They had been their friends. It was rumoured that Jay had murdered them last week, although no one was certain.
Shada and Samantha were standing in the Scary Stairy Place minding their own business when they were approached by Zilla, Lyra, Lola and Toby. “Shada, Sam, you two were friends with Laz, so you obviously know a lot about Ariel and I just wanted to know about her,” Zilla smiled as if she was up to something, which she was. Immediately Samantha burst into tears.
“Try not to mention Laz around Sam, she’s taking the death hard,” Shada whispered tapping Samantha on the back to comfort her. “Well Zilla, there’s not much you can tell someone about Ariel… well I mean I don’t particularly like her, but I guess she’s nice, if you like that sort of girl.”
“You only don’t like her coz you kinda like Bert,” sniffed Samantha, giggling because she knew it was true. Shada blushed and elbowed Samantha to make her be quiet.
“Do you two think she’s pretty?” Zilla pondered curiously.
“Of course she is. That’s the reason Bert’s going out with Ariel and not Shada because Shada’s ugly,” Samantha giggled, cheering up.
“Hey! Well, I guess you’re right,” Shada said gloomily.
“Thank you girls – see you in P.T.,” Zilla grinned, rubbing her hands together evilly. “I’ve got a plan. Ly, Lo, Tobe, come with me…” Zilla led them into the Greenwood. “My plan is… we kill Ariel.”
“What?” gasped Lola in horror.
“We are NOT killing anyone for you,” Lyra frowned folding her arms. Zilla paced up and down outside the Greenwood’s doors, and suddenly came to a halt.
“What if we tell Ariel she has to hang around with some people she doesn’t normally hang around with and she can’t be with Elly… and she can’t use magic, and if she refuses we tell the Head Teacher that she’s the one who killed Nicky, and she’ll get expelled? How’s that for a plan, hey?” smiled Zilla nodding to herself.
“Well Zilla I-” Lyra began.
“Now you two go, and break the news to her,” Zilla demanded.
“You’re coming with me,” ordered Lyra to Lola who was backing away.
“Okay…but you’ll do all of the talking, right?” hesitated Lola. Lyra nodded.
“Phew.” A small smile broke out on Lola’s sad face. Lyra grabbed Lola by the arm and dragged her with her. Toby was left with Zilla. His eyes were gleaming into his crystal ball. He murmured something under his breath, then raised his eyes and glared up at Zilla.
“What?” Zilla growled at Toby who jumped and ran to Lola and Lyra for comfort.
Time went by, when all of a sudden Elly let out a huge cry. “That’s not fair, why do I get punished too?” she questioned loudly.
“Sorry Elly, it’s just our order. And we’re mega sorry Ariel, but she has spoken,” Lyra told her.
“That’s all right, you guys; I’ll be with Bert. Elly, I can always see you later.” Despite her punishment, Ariel was taking it rather well. Zilla gave Lyra an evil look from over the other side of the Greenwood.
“Ariel, I think you better get going over there because Zilla’s waiting,” sighed Lyra sadly, taking her orders. Ariel approached the table where Bert and his friends were sitting. She sat down on the empty seat and explained to them her punishment.
“Bet you deserved it,” growled Bert evilly.
“I beg your pardon, what do you mean by that? That’s a horrible thing to say,” cried Ariel.
“Well maybe I think that you’re horrible,” Bert replied. Ariel gasped with shock. Her boyfriend, who was being nice to her less than ten minutes ago, now appeared to hate her.
“Don’t worry, or be in a flurry, for I’ll be your friend, now until the end,” Robin smiled. He placed his hand on Ariel’s and blushed.
“Robin, why are you talking all weird?” Ariel giggled.
“I’m speaking in rhyme, from Shakespeare time,” he smiled.
“Robin’s just trying to get into character for the Shakespeare coursework, oh and permit me to introduce us all,” insisted Pete who peered over from his thousand-paged book.
“Thanks… but I already know you all,” Ariel frowned. Pete pouted. “Okay then.”
“This is Louis, who’s always happy,” Pete began. Louis smiled and waved at her. “This is Robin, who’s very shy.” Robin blushed again. “As you can see Bert’s well… grumpy.” Bert had his arms crossed and frowned disapprovingly at what Pete was doing. “This is Fred… FRED, WAKE UP!!!” Fred yawned and then said hello to Ariel before carrying on his nap. “This is Luke. You may want to stay away from him because he’s got a cold.” Luke sneezed so loud that the whole of the Greenwood fell silent. “And this is Charlie, who just sits there and follows us. Oh, and of course, I am the clever one.” Pete grinned, trying to impress Ariel. Ariel giggled at him and glanced over at the book he was reading. Mr. Reffs then announced that it was time for everyone to make their way to Tutorial, so everyone began to leave. On their way out Ariel pulled Robin aside.
“Robin, I need to talk to you,” pleaded Ariel, grabbing Robin by the hand.
“Yes Ariel I’ll talk to you, because it’s something I wish to do.” Robin wondered what Ariel would possibly need to talk to him about.
“Will you hang round with me, because I’m not allowed to be with Elly… and Bert’s all… well… grumpy, and hates me, or appears to,” said Ariel beseechingly.
“Yes I will for I love you, and care about everything you do,” Robin smiled as his heart raced. Ariel looped her arm through his and they walked off to tutor.
The day went on and lunchtime came. Year Tens had been on first lunch and Shada and Samantha were in the Greenwood waiting for Charlie (Shada’s boyfriend) who was in Year Eleven and who had second lunch. They were talking about the most recent deaths to the school – Nicky Marton and Larissa Miller, their good friend. There never used to be a lot of deaths of children in Crooked Burrow School, but all of a sudden lots of people had been dying. There had been several rumours around the school that Jay was the murderer this time, but Shada and Samantha weren’t too sure.
“Shada, would you ever kill me?” Samantha asked curiously.
“Why of course not,” Shada replied.
“Good.” Samantha paused to think. “Do you think Nicky killed Larissa or Larissa killed Nicky?” she pondered. Shada shrugged.
“Would you ever kill yourself for a boy?” Samantha asked.
“I don’t know, maybe. If he was really nice like Charlie.”
“Speak of the devil, here comes Charlie.”
Zilla was keeping guard of the door to the Greenwood to look out for Elly and Ariel to make sure that they weren’t together. She was also looking to make sure Bert was still in a bad mood with Ariel, which was a bonus point in Zilla’s mind because she didn’t even make Bert become evil. Ariel had a plan, to make Bert jealous and get him back. When Ariel entered the Greenwood with Robin she spied Bert. Her first plan of making Bert jealous was to have him seeing her together with Robin, so she immediately took Robin’s hand, which made Robin blush – again. Ariel and Robin approached the table where Bert, Pete, Louis, Luke and Fred were sitting (Charlie wasn’t there because he was sitting with Shada and Samantha). They were about to sit down, when Bert’s anger shone again. “No you don’t,” ordered Bert. Ariel felt her plan was working. “Fine, grumpy! We’ll go sit with Charlie,” Ariel stated. Robin and Ariel joined Shada, Charlie and Samantha at their table.
Zilla had cheered up from earlier and was now in a good mood. “Toby, could you look into the crystal ball of yours again while I say the magic words, because surely Ariel’s more miserable, more boyish and wants to leave school,” Zilla began. Toby got out his crystal ball and placed it on the table. Zilla started the magic spell.
“Magic, magic crystal ball, whose the fairest of them all?” Toby glared into his crystal ball and all went cloudy. Blue, grey and white clouds floated around inside the crystal ball, and then all of a sudden the clouds cleared and a clear image appeared. Toby swallowed nervously.
“Zilla… it’s Ariel still,” stuttered Toby, clinging to his crystal ball, so Zilla didn’t throw it across the room.
“What?!?” Zilla yelled with more rage than Toby had ever seen. All of a sudden she jumped up from her seat with an evil smile, rubbing her hands together.
“What are you thinking?” whispered Lola, amazed.
“Lola, go and buy me an apple, then meet me in the ‘EF’,” Zilla chuckled.
“An apple?” Lola frowned. “Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, just fine. Now go. Lyra, Toby, come with me,” Zilla ordered.
Lola rushed to the ‘EF’ after buying Zilla an apple. Zilla, Lyra and Toby were reading through lots of magic books. Even though Zilla was not an Arian Lyra and Toby were and after being ordered by Zilla they showed her where the magic books were kept. “What are you three doing? And what is the apple for? Are you going to eat it?” Lola asked.
“You ask a lot of questions,” complained Zilla.
“And you haven’t answered any,” Lola sighed as she sat down in a chair.
“Aha! Lola, give me that apple. Now if I mix this… and add that... and… there,” Zilla had got several bottles out of her bag, which each contained juices of Frandadis fruits that she had stolen from her Science teacher Mr. Foote’s desk draw. She had poured and sprinkled the juices on the apple. The apple, which was originally red, was now black. Zilla grinned to herself, licking her lips.
“It doesn’t look good to eat now,” moaned Toby who had really wanted to eat the apple.
“It won’t blow up… will it?” Lyra asked curiously.
“Nope,” smiled Zilla, satisfied. “Once Ariel takes a bite she’ll appear dead, but she won’t actually be dead, and then they bury her,” Zilla smirked. “Which will kill her,” Zilla cackled.
“No way, you’ve gone too far,” Lyra yelled. “I’m not helping you.”
“Me neither,” Lola and Toby spoke together, shaking their heads.
“Shame, because I’ve got three extra tickets to “Magic Secrets from the Experts”, and it’s a shame you three won’t be able to come with me, it really is.” Zilla held the three tickets in her hand, fanning herself.
“Okay.” Lyra, Lola and Toby eventually agreed after being bribed because the tickets to “Magic Secrets from the Experts” cost a fortune. This was a deal too good to say no to.
The seven boys had invited Ariel up to Music with them after school. She had nothing better to do, so she went along. They went into the second Music practice room. All of the boys got out different musical instruments and were all playing a tune for Ariel. She was sat on the only soft seat in the room and was very much enjoying their company and glad that for once they all seemed to be happy together, even Bert. Although Ariel had been having a nice time hanging out with Robin, she still couldn’t get Bert out of her head. Once the boys were done they demanded that Ariel must tell them something, or do something for them. So she decided that she would tell them a story.
“Once upon a time there was a princess, and not many people knew her. One day she met a handsome prince, who noticed her. She automatically fell in love with him. With the help of him she became noticeable by all. Although one day, for no reason whatsoever, he fell out with her. Now days go by and she still waits for him to love her again.” Ariel told her short but touching story, and a tear came to each of the boy’s eyes.
“Ariel can I speak with thee, outside please for you shall see,” pleaded Robin (who obviously was still talking in rhyme).
“Sure.” Ariel exited the Music practice room, closely followed by Robin.
“Ariel will you go out with me, for it seems that I must be, oh so much in love with thee? And every time I see thy face, made of very precious lace, it brings to me such disgrace. When I think that you love Bert, it makes my loving feelings hurt,” Robin begged. Ariel went out to the Music corridor and sat on the floor with her head in her hands almost in tears.
“Robin, I can’t. I’m sorry, I just can’t,” Ariel sobbed.
“Don’t cry for that is okay, maybe it shall be another day,” Robin reassured himself and Ariel. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and then returned back to the second practice room. When Robin re-entered the room he saw that everyone was fighting over the comfy chair that Ariel had been sitting on.
Ariel rubbed her eyes and stood up. She had found out that she had an eyelash, so she could make a wish. Ariel wasn’t really a superstitious person, but thought that she couldn’t do any damage by making a wish as she was already upset. She didn’t think that anything could get any worse. She placed the eyelash on her little finger. “I wish that… Bert will be back to normal and that I will be able to be friends with Elly again,” Ariel wished, blowing off the eyelash from her finger.
Zilla was taking one last look through the book she was reading in the “EF!” earlier on at lunchtime. Lyra was waiting for her outside. Lola and Toby had agreed to go home. The last page (before the back cover) was turned up in Zilla’s book. She gasped. “NO! The spell can be broken by true love’s kiss! Oh, that’ll never happen. All I need to do now is colour it red again,” Zilla reasoned to herself. She hid the book on the “Shakespeare” shelf in hope that no one would ever find it and the antidote would never be found and ran out to meet Lyra. “Hi Lyra, I’m almost ready to go, just hold the poisoned apple in front of you by the stalk please,” Zilla explained. Lyra did as she was told, and within seconds Zilla had coloured it red again (by using the juices of a red Frandadis fruits). Zilla took hold of the apple and together they skipped down the corridor.
Pete had heard that various people were acting suspiciously around school, so due to that and all of the deaths going on they agreed that there was safety in numbers, so they walked Ariel to the bus stop. “Have a trafe sip home, Ariel… I mean safe trip home. And ton’t dalk, I mean don’t talk to strangers,” Pete explained, trying to make sure that Ariel would be safe.
“Thank you Pete. And don’t worry, I won’t.” Ariel smiled. She gave Pete a hug. Then Louis, then Robin, Fred, Charlie (not Luke because he still had a cold) and then Bert. Bert’s face lit up. The boy’s then turned around to go their ways home. As they were walking on, Bert, now realising how much he was in love with Ariel, turned around to say goodbye and walked into a lamppost. Ariel giggled. So did the six other boys.
Zilla and Lyra passed the seven boys on their way to the same bus stop that Ariel was now at. Zilla stayed hidden from Ariel while Lyra went over to talk to her. “Hi Ariel!” smiled Lyra, who was extremely nervous.
“Hi Lyra, are you alright?” Ariel asked.
“Erm… yeah,” muttered Lyra. “I was just wondering… would you like my apple?”
Drew was walking on the opposite side of the road to where Ariel, Lyra and Zilla were. He could sense that Zilla and Lyra were up to something. He secretly fancied Ariel and obviously never wanted anything bad to happen to her. He knew that she was going out with Bert. He could see him not that far away and knew that Bert and his friends could probably put a stop to Zilla and her evil plan – whatever her evil plan was. Drew warned Bert and his friends that Ariel was in trouble. Pete, Louis, Robin, Bert, Fred, Luke and Charlie came running down the road to try to save her.
Lyra almost had Ariel eating the apple. “Go on Ariel, just one bite, it’ll make you feel happier,” Lyra convinced her. Ariel slowly bit into the rosy red apple. She suddenly went pale and collapsed. Zilla saw that Bert and his friends had seen what had happened. Pete, Louis and Luke raced after Lyra, while Bert, Robin, Fred and Charlie chased Zilla before they could escape. Zilla lost her footing, slipped and fell. She couldn’t get up, because the boys had grabbed hold of her. Lyra was caught too. Taking charge Bert immediately phoned for an ambulance, while the other boys held onto Zilla and Lyra.
It was Friday morning and all of Ariel’s friends and teachers were gathered together in the Hall of Crooked Burrow School. In the front of the Hall Ariel was placed in a glass coffin, but the lid had not yet been sealed (it was a glass coffin because she was so beautiful and everyone wanted to be able to still see her). Everyone was amazed. No one could believe that she was dead. That meant that there had been three deaths in less than a month. After everyone had given their final speeches to Ariel she would remain in the Hall until the end of the day when they would bury her. Robin felt extremely upset and felt that it was his fault, even though it wasn’t. “With what I did I meant no harm, for I see we have not come far. Now a poison’s put in place, and released that look upon thy face. I did not mean to make thee sad, and now thou think that I am bad. So with that I shall leave – with one wish… that we should have shared true love’s kiss,” Robin whispered, his voice trembling as tears streamed down his face.
Bert was angry. He couldn’t go in the Hall and see Ariel, he didn’t know why either. After pacing the corridor Bert felt that maybe he needed to calm down, so he decided to find a quiet place to sit in the ‘EF’. As he entered the ‘EF’ he bumped into Mr. Foote. “Sir, what are you doing in the library? Shouldn’t you be working?”
“Oh I was just looking for a book. Shouldn’t you be in the Hall giving your farewell to Ariel?” Mr. Foote asked.
“There’s just one problem, I don’t know if I can,” Bert told him frustrated. Mr. Foote looked at him intrigued. “I’ve been having these… weird feelings lately. It’s hard to explain. Everything I love I suddenly hate, and then I like it again. I have the urge to harm everyone, but at the same time I want to keep everyone safe. Mr. Foote can you help me?” Mr. Foote glanced at the “Shakespeare” bookshelf and noticed that there was a magic book on the shelf. He gasped and removed it immediately.
“What is that doing there?” gasped Mr. Foote worriedly.
“Mr. Foote!” exclaimed Bert. “Were you listening to a word I said?”
“Oh yes,” Mr. Foote jumped. “Do carry on, but could you walk with me? I need to hide this book, so that no mere mortals can get a hold of it.” They walked out of the library and down the corridor and across the boys’ quad towards Mr. Foote’s classroom.
“I don’t think I can do this anymore. I’ve killed Joe, my girlfriend’s dead from an apple,” Bert cried. Mr. Foote was flicking through the magic book. “Sir, are you listening to me at all?”
“Was the apple rosy red by any chance?”
“Yes, of course. Ariel only liked red apples, she wouldn’t eat green ones – I don’t know why.”
“She may not be dead,” Mr. Foote said alarmingly. “From this book I can see that the ‘fruit poison spell’ page has been recently opened (there’s a fresh grease mark on the page’s corner) and if Ariel died from eating an apple she may just appear dead, like the potion Juliet used in Romeo and Juliet.”
“It’s Zilla, she got Lyra to give Ariel an apple… and then Ariel collapsed,” Bert said as he pieced everything together. Mr. Foote nodded. “But just once thing puzzles me…”
“Yes…?”
“Zila’s not an Arian, so how did she cast a spell on the apple?” Bert asked.
“Any mere mortal can cast a spell using Frandadis fruits, surely you know that,” replied Mr. Foote in a patronising tone.
“Yes,” snapped Bert sharply. “I know that. What I mean is: how did Zilla get hold of the fruit in the first place?” Mr. Foote looked down ashamedly.
“I am doing my job properly, honest I am, Bert.” Bert glared at him. “Please Bert, don’t mention this to anyone, please. I’ll lose my job and everything!” Frustrated at Mr. Foote, Bert sighed.
“This is why I had to come back yesterday, to keep an eye on you,” Bert raged. “The only reason why I didn’t go back to college today was because of Ariel’s death. And all you care about is yourself.”
“Bert…” Mr. Foote stuttered. “I can explain…”
“No Mr. Foote. The fact is that you have become too lazy over the past couple of years. It’s your job to look after the Frandadis fruits and to make sure that they don’t end out in the wrong hands, but you can’t even do that right, can you? I spent all day yesterday keeping stock on those fruits for you and you still manage to let Zilla get her hands on some. The next delivery isn’t for another fortnight. What are you going to do if you run out huh?” Bert raged.
Shrugging Mr. Foote replied ashamedly, “I… I don’t know Bert, I.”
“I’m not going to Frandadis Island again for you. I almost got caught by a group of Se’enarians and Mr. Flourfield when they were on their way back from that trip to France three years ago.”
“Yes Bert,” began Mr. Foote in a flurry, “but you Arians were over using fruits and the only way I could keep them in stock was for you to-”
“Mr. Foote, you can’t keep letting just anyone take these fruits, especially non-Arians. You need to be more careful,” Bert insisted. “In fact you need do nothing at all,” he raged. “My girlfriend is dead because of you… because you let Zilla just take Frandadis fruits. You shouldn’t be worthy enough to keep your job!”
“Bert!” Mr. Foote gasped.
“I’m sorry,” Bert said immediately. “I didn’t mean to shout at you like that. It’s just these weird feelings I’ve been having.”
“Don’t worry dear Bert, I think there may be a way to save Ariel… to wake her from her sleep,” Mr. Foote said as he flicked through the magic book he had been holding.
“How do we wake her up?” asked Bert eagerly. “What’s the antidote?” Bert instantly forgot about his argument with Mr. Foote about not looking after the Frandadis fruits properly and immediately wanted to know how to save Ariel.
“Antidote… here we go-” Mr. Foote gulped and looked up worriedly at Bert. “She shall wake by a mortal’s true love’s first kiss.”
“So?” Bert said awkwardly. Mr. Foote took Bert into his classroom and locked the door.
“I know…” Mr. Foote began seriously. “I know that you have real magic running through your blood. Asking you to help me with the Frandadis fruits and such was just a diversion. I wanted to ask you about… about being… the King of Magic.”
“How do you know about that?” gasped Bert worriedly.
“Dear Bert, I know everything - well almost everything… and I know how you can save your girlfriend…”
In the Hall everyone had almost finished saying their last farewells to Ariel. The whole school was in floods of tears. Ariel’s best friend Elly was by her side, along with Robin and the five other boys that Ariel had been hanging around with – thanks to Zilla. Even teachers were upset. Ariel had been a model student; she was nice to everyone, always did her homework, was always helpful and never had detention. Now she was gone – the nicest, prettiest and kindest girl in school gone.
Meanwhile, Mr. Foote had finished explaining to Bert what he needed to do in order to save Ariel and himself from having strange feelings. “Are you sure that this will work? Will it really save Ariel? And will it stop me from being so angry all of the time?” Bert asked unbelievably.
“Yes. Once you pass the King of Magic on to me you’ll become a mere mortal. And with your first kiss with Ariel as a mortal you shall break the spell,” Mr. Foote informed him. He sat down on his chair at his desk and prepared himself for the moment.
“And you swear it’ll stop me from feeling angry for no reason,” checked Bert before they continued.
“Promise!” grinned Mr. Foote. “It has something to do with there being too much power for your teenage body to handle.” After a slight hesitation from Bert, the procedure took place. Bert boldly stood behind Mr. Foote and placed his hands upon Mr. Foote’s head. It was instant. The deed was done. Bert’s powers were passed onto Mr. Foote. Bert felt a little faint, but Mr. Foote felt more powerful than ever.
Bert rushed up to Ariel’s body, which was lying lifeless in the glass coffin. He leant over and kissed her. She slowly awoke and sat up. “What’s going on? Aagh! What am I doing in a coffin?” Ariel screamed. “And… Bert, what are you here for?”
“Zilla made Lyra poison you with an apple and we all thought you were dead. Well… everyone but me. With the help of Mr. Foote I found the antidote, which made you recover,” Bert explained.
“Really?” Ariel gasped with delight.
“Will you forgive me for being horrible?” Bert pleaded.
“Of course!” exclaimed Ariel, clambering out of the coffin. Everyone in the Hall could now see her and see that she was alive, and they all cheered with excitement. Elly ran over to Ariel and hugged her to make sure she wasn’t a ghost. Everyone seemed happy, everyone that was except Robin. Robin was happy that Ariel was alive, but not that she still loved Bert. As the whole of the Hall started to talk about how joyful they were Robin made his way over to Ariel.
“Yes Robin?” Ariel smiled. Robin led her by the wrist to a quieter area in the Hall.
“Ariel, I love thee so, but now it seems that I must go. I leave thee now to thy friend Bert, though now my feelings he has hurt. I hope to be with you someday - hopefully a long, long way away. Now Bert I know his feelings true, but Ariel, I still love you,” Robin sobbed.
“Thanks for being so understanding,” Ariel replied. “I won’t forget you for it.” Ariel left Robin and returned to Bert, greeting him with a huge hug.
Suddenly, Zilla stormed into the Hall after hearing from someone that the burying of Ariel would soon be taking place. “Ariel, how are you still alive? This cannot be! I thought I’d put you to sleep for good!” Zilla yelled angrily. Everyone in the Hall gasped. Pete, Louis, Luke, Robin, Fred, Bert and Charlie ran up to Zilla to make sure that she wouldn’t try to hurt Ariel anymore, or anyone else for that matter.
“Now when I look at your face, I really feel you’re the disgrace. It was you who wished Laz was dead, for a reason in your head. It was Nicky you sought, but his death you have brought. But Ariel’s our friend, from now until the end. You will not kill her, for we all like her!” shouted Robin. The Head Teacher stepped in and grabbed Zilla, dragging her out of the Hall. And they all live happily ever after… until the next time…
- Josie -
