Chapter 4 #2
We watched in awe as Shitty Ritchie’s neck began to slowly knit back together.
Candy’s chant grew louder and more dissonant.
The Fonzies’ sang counterpoint. I could feel the words and melody vibrate through my body.
The limbs in my hands began to affix to the tiny man.
It was shocking and amazing. Where the top of Gideon’s leg had been muscular and wide, it now was the perfect size for Shitty Ritchie’s body.
Of course, the rest of the leg was all Gideon and didn’t match at all, but the magic was working.
Tim’s arm was the same story. Where it had been wide at the shoulder, it had withered into something that could secure itself to the tiny Immortal. Shitty Ritchie had always kind of looked like he could have worked in a circus freak show, but now… he was at a whole other freaky level.
Candy’s body began to convulse. Gideon was right there and wrapped his arms around her.
I spared a quick glance and was shocked that his leg had already grown back.
The Grim Reaper’s regenerative power was strong.
As was Tim’s. He had both of his arms now and was fixated on holding the donated appendages in place.
Shitty Ritchie still looked dead, but I was sure his face wasn’t as ashen as it was only minutes ago.
Maybe, it was wishful thinking. I chose to believe it was real. It had to be.
As Candy Vargo continued to tremble violently, the Fonzies began to do the Hand Jive.
In unison they did the Stroll over to the Keeper of Fate and surrounded her.
The moves morphed into a frantic Jitterbug.
Small pops of glistening white magic formed bubbles in the air as the bad boys with hearts of gold continued to dance.
It was somewhat alarming, but at the same time lovely.
Candy’s spasms slowed as the bikers danced.
“Keep going boys,” Tim insisted. “You’re helping our friend. Thank you.”
The Fonzies didn’t have to be asked twice. The Jitterbug was followed by the Boogie Woogie and then something that looked like moves Elvis would perform if he’d inhaled a massive vat of coffee and had to pee badly. It was batshit, but it was working.
Candy opened her eyes, took in the Fonzies dancing, and weakly laughed. She held up a hand to let them know the dance party was over and gave them a nod of thanks. “You fuckers are good. I should bring you along next time I do some messed up juju.”
“Aaaaaay!” the yelled as they walked back over to their motorcycles and mounted them.
No one would ever believe this. I wasn’t sure I did.
“Is the miniature maniac alive?” Candy Vargo whispered, using Gideon’s arms to balance her still shaky body.
Tim leaned forward and rested his head on Shitty Ritchie’s chest. We held our breath and waited.
“He’s breathing,” he confirmed. “It’s shallow—not regular, but he’s breathing.”
My tears formed again, blurring the scene around me. We’d succeeded. Shitty Ritchie looked as weird AF, but it didn’t matter. Candy had said the arm and leg would eventually match his little frame, but even if they didn’t, we help Shitty Ritchie make it work.
My attention had been so focused on the tiny dummy, I hadn’t noticed that a crowd had formed around us. When I looked up, I gasped. I wasn’t sure if my tears were still making the world blurry, or if what I was seeing was correct.
It was correct.
Surrounding us were Sully, Mike Wazowski, the seven dwarfs and Al Delvecchios. But… there were three of each of them.
“Well, slap my ass and call me Edna,” Candy Vargo said with a chuckle as Gideon helped her to her feet. “What the actual fuck is this?”
The new arrivals, plus the Fonzies, all began to speak at the same time. I caught the phrases, ‘Googly Bear’, ‘You’re the boss, the big hairy boss’, ‘Holy cow’, ‘I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill’, ‘Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, it’s off to work we go’ and ‘Sit on it’.
Unreal didn’t begin to cover it. However, the general atmosphere was filled with excitement and kindness. Candy had been smart in her visualization. As to why there was three of each of the characters? It was a mystery.
“Giving Shitty Ritchie a headache,” the tiny man grunted, much to the thrill of everyone. “Cake holes must be shut! If this continues, Shitty Ritchie will have to take a weewee down the throats of the offenders. AND HE WILL ENJOY IT!”
That shut everyone up except for me.
I screamed. Again. The first time had been in terror. This time it was joy. My throat was raw, but I didn’t care. Shitty Ritchie was alive and still shitty.
Candy glanced around in delight as Gideon and Tim got re-dressed.
She waved spastically at all three Mike Wazowskis who waved back at her.
“Tell you what, fuckers,” she said. “Why don’t y’all gone on over to Arnold’s Drive-In and order up some chow?
Bill’s on me. We need to get some shit done out here and need a little privacy. ”
The sets of doppelgangers grew louder but didn’t leave, until the Fonzies snapped their fingers. “Cool it,” they told the other, as they revved up their motorcycle engines. “Follow the Fonz! It’s time to chow down!”
The trios obeyed, cooling it instantly before dispersing. The dwarfs were the last to go. They were fascinated with Shitty Ritchie and his mismatched appendages.
We had one member of the trinity back. The other two were still missing. As happy and relieved as I was that we’d found and saved Shitty Ritchie, I was now terrified about Alana Catherine’s and Jennifer’s safety.
The mission wasn’t completed yet.