Crazed Stunt

"Eleka namen namen atum atum eleka namen..." I chant. This is my favorite spell. Not because it sharpens my pencil, but because it looks and sounds incredibly like the chant Elphaba says from the stage play "Wicked". I was singing it one day and it ended up sharpening my pencil. Sometimes I say it randomly and end up sharpening my instructor's toes. Oops.1

"That was alright..." my instructor says "enthusiastically", "But the pencil is really sharp..." I watch as the pencil immediately rips through the paper she is trying to write on.2

"I don't want to go out there. You know I just STINK at these spells!" I complain. 3

"Well, I'm so sorry for you," my instructor replies. She pushes me out and I find myself in a semi-large arena filled with people. I'm supposed to be spell fighting. What good is a spell that helps color-coordinate outfits when you are in a fight?! I watch as my opponent literally struts out. Her head is held high, she's wearing a broad smile, and she's waving to the crowd as if she's some sort of celebrity. Boy, would I ever have fun if I knew more, pardon me for saying this, VIOLENT spells. 4

"Pryce versus Kataleena." A ding sounds.5

"Putna fyre, putna fyre," Kataleena immediately says softly. A raging fire burns around me, and I'm stuck. Great. And only, what, twenty seconds into the fight? 6

I use the best of my skills: Throwing dirt on the fire. It works! Which means it is now my turn.7

I notice that Kataleena's outfit looks strategically planned out, so I reverse the color coordination spell. "Fazhin whithut citysins hilpno!" I thrust my hands forward and Kataleena's outfit changes into something that looks like what a colorblind five-year-old picked out. Kataleena gasps and reels back. There is nothing she can do about it, so I gain one point. 8

"Yeu hahafve nao leems!" I fall over, as if my arms and legs are gone. Since, this time, there is nothing I am able to do, one point goes to Kataleena. 9

See, beginner fights are extremely short. Each person gets a limit of 5 spells. My next 3 spells are used to make a sandwich, pour a cup of water, and make an incredible-tasting Italian Ice. Fine, blame me for being hungry. 10

...But what does Kataleena use her spells to do do? I can't even say them, they are so humiliating, but I can tell you that they had to do with very, very strong spells for beginners. Finally it's my turn to use my last spell. 11

I chant something that I remember reading in a book in the real world. In the book, the spell made stuffed animals come to life. What does it do in the magical realm? It apparently gives you complete control over the person of your choice!12

I make Kataleena walk into the wall, express her deepest, darkest secret (but out of respect, I won't say what it was), insult the judges, and just be plain rude.13

In the end, Kataleena in all her pompous, snobby attitude, ended up winning. Boy can I never wait until the next time I see her...14

...15

Here I am, 11 months later. I have forgotten about Kataleena. Well, until this very moment, that is, when I just mention her. I am standing in a different arena now, one filled with sand on an almost-deserted island in the Bermuda Triangle, every magical being's favorite place to stay.16

"You're going to do great," my instructor says, "You've improved so much from when I first trained you!" Sound different? Yes, my first instructor got fired!! Hallelujah!17

"I don't know..." I say cautiously, "I AM still part human, you know."18

"That may be, but you're moving along fine. Now head on out there, being late doesn't help the cause." My instructor gives me an encouraging smile and a wave before she steps through the door.19

"Pryce versus Kataleena." A ding. WHAT?!20

I come face-to-face with Kataleena. You already know what sort of adjectives I use to describe her. I can already feel the deep hatred building up from inside of me. Just looking at that smirk on her face makes my eyebrows narrow. No doubt does she remember me.21

When we meet each other in the middle of the arena, she says in a low, threatening voice, "This...Will be fun."22

Oh, it's on.