Young Writers Society

“Oh yeah?”

Dawn hummed and said, “My sibling feels far away, but… I think I sense… ice cream, heat, and a funny mouse with big round ears?”

Valeri scrunched her eyebrows together. “Are you talking about Disneyland? But that’s not too far away.”

“Mmm…” the sword turned in the air until it was facing east. “They lie in that direction, I believe.”

(62 words)

“Disneyland’s that way.” Vendetta narrowed their eyes at the horizon. “But how are we going to get in?”

“We could always-“

“No, Amy. We’re not confettiing and entering a theme park.”

Amy pouted, then perked up as she saw a hot pink pigeon approaching. "Hey, a message from Josephinzo the great wizard!"

The pigeon dropped a letter into Valeri's hands, and they shuddered. "I'm not opening that thing." She tossed it to Vendetta like a hot potato.

(46 words)

Vendetta opened it far away from their face, gently easing the envelope open.

A small figure of Jospehinzo burst out of the letter. "Congratulations, adventurers! I've sensed that you've completed the Sword of the Rising Sun! Now it's time for you to head to your new home. The secret base of the WANNABES here in Washington D.C. Amy will show you the way."

Amy giggled. "Well, that settles that! D.C it is then."

Vendetta sputtered. "Ah, no! We're getting Dawn's sibling."

Valeri frowned. “Hey, you think the wizard can hear us?” She bent down to the small figure and asked, “Josephinzo, are you sure about that? Don’t we need to get the bow?”

With an audible pop, the figure turned into a loading icon. Valeri raised an eyebrow at the circle of dots. “Why doesn’t he just call like a normal person…?”

Then the dots reformed into the wizard. “Ah! I have received your question. Mm… come to Washington, D.C. We’ll trade you Amy for a different WANNABE!”

(87 words)

"And then we'll come back all the way to California to get the bow?" Vendetta looked around. "Why can't we just take the portal, grab the bow quickly, and then come back?"

Dawn groaned. "I hate to intrude, but I'd really like to get my sibling back."

Josephinzo’s figure spluttered. “But—“

Valeri eyed Dawn and said, “Well, who am I to stand in the way of a family reunion?”

Amy looked conflicted. “But Josephinzo the High Wizard said…”

“Who cares?” Valeri waved a hand through Josephinzo’s image and it dissipated into a cloud of sparkles. “We’ll get the bow and be right back! Now then, the portal, please?”

(61 words)

Amy sighed, pulling the portal out of her pocket. “Fine! But only so we can get to The Great Josephinzo faster.”

Vendetta smiled. “Thank you, Amy.”

Amy opened the portal, grabbing both of their wrists and dragging them through.

Happy music started to play as Valeri stepped out into the middle of Disneyland. "Ugh... long lines, sweaty people, and the incessant noise..." She groaned. "Alright, Dawn, let's get your sibling and get out of here."

Dawn hummed and rose into the air, turning around as if it were searching for the bow. "I think... I think my sibling is moving...?"

"Okay, so does that mean someone's already found the bow?" Valeri glanced around, wondering if any of the tourists was smuggling a magical weapon in their purses or something. Then a parade came into view, and Valeri squinted at the lead character: Mickey Mouse. "Hey, didn't you say something about Mickey Mouse?"

(113 words)

Dawn bobbed in the air, almost like a shrug. “I said something about a mouse. I didn’t realize it had a name.”

Vendetta wasn’t paying attention. They were ogling at all of the attractions and booths, smiling like they were a little kid again.

Amy, however, grabbed a handful of confetti. “Hey, Dawn! How do you feel about jumping Mickey Mouse?”

“I… I don’t think the mouse would take kindly to being ‘jumped,’” Dawn said hesitantly. “And I feel like you all should know… despite being a sword, I prefer non-violent solutions to problems. I try to be a pacifist!”

“Oh. Wonderful,” Valeri said, dragging Vendetta back from a fishing-for-plushies game. “A sword who literally doesn’t want to be a sword.”

“I didn’t say that! I mean, I can still cut ropes and things!” Dawn offered.

Valeri sighed. “Okay, Amy. Here’s what we’ll do: let’s investigate Mickey Mouse. But nonviolently, as our talking sword here prefers.”

(95 words)

Vendetta shook their head. “Why would Mickey Mouse have a bow? Wouldn’t that fit much better on Merida or something?” They started pacing. “Also, if the bow was on Mickey’s back, it couldn’t see Mickey’s face.”

Amy giggled. “You’re overcomplicating things, Silly! All we need to do is investigate Mickey, realize he has the bow, attack him, and steal it!” She bounced on her toes. “Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy!”

Vendetta sighed. “And what if Mickey doesn’t have the bow?”

“Then we investigate, attack, and steal from someone else!”

“Attack nonviolently, yes?” Valeri raised an eyebrow at Amy, and Dawn turned towards the confetti girl with a thoughtful hum as well. Amy frowned.

“Okay, but if the bow can see Mickey…” Valeri glanced at the parade. “Maybe it’s on one of the other floats?”

(45 words)

“If it’s strapped to a child, Dawn, you’re going to have to get it by yourself.” Vendetta glared at Amy. “I’m not letting Ms. Attack-and-Kill confetti a child.”

Amy grinned innocently, lacing her fingers behind her back. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, silly!”

“Oh, stop playing innocent. We all know your confetti can be deadly.”

Amy widened her eyes and smiled, then pointed to where a bunch of kids and their families were lined up to take pictures with princesses nearby. “D’you think Merida’s bow there might be what we’re looking for? And ooh, I bet confetti would look great on those princesses’ dresses.”

(61 words)