Imaginations ran wild. The Nightmares went on the offensive. Even the Author’s room took part in the battle, sending the stars that were in the water hurtling through the divide out to the Nightmares. It was a battle like no other and neither side was willing to back down. Some of the children created dinosaurs and dragons and fierce predatory beasts that bit and clawed at their enemies. Others dreamt up giants made out of brick and stone that protected the children and delivered strong punches to the swarm of Nightmares. The Author and the Wilde children faced off against Apnea at the center of the battle; chaos surrounding them. The Author started off the offensive by throwing out his Knight and Rook warriors; who were all too happy for a rematch. As they distracted the monster, the Author stood resolute, awaiting to enact his next plan. Sam wanted to keep Apnea from getting to the other children, so she knelt to the ground and placed her hands there. She created a wall that surrounded the monster, the Author, and her and her brother. She bricks from the wall flying at the monster and then refortifying the wall. Isaac created little, red toy planes that buzzed around the monstrous creature. The planes dive-bombed and exploded against Apnea. When the explosions occurred, Nightmares fell off of Apnea like debris. After a good amount fell off, the Author could see parts of his brother's clothes stick out and it gave him an idea. The Author threw seeds on the ground. He created a cloud above them and had it rain down on the seeds. The terrain was changed to that of a grassy field with a multitude of different plants. He found a string of ivy and pulled and pulled at it until it coiled in his hands like a rope. Just as he was ready, as fate would have it, the chess piece warriors were defeated. The Author swung the ivy rope around his head like a lasso. He threw the rope and as it sailed through the air it split in two and wrapped itself around its mammoth arms. The Author pulled until Apnea’s arms were tethered to the ground. Light formed around the Author’s hands then he plunged them into the chest of Apnea and began to tear Nightmares from the body. Sweat dripped down his forehead as the creature resisted. “Give me back my brother!” The Author demanded. A tremor shook the ground and made Sam’s wall crumble. A horde of Nightmares rushed in and covered Apnea. “Very well then,” the creature responded with a sick, ghastly grin. Sandie was then vomited from Apnea’s chest. Apnea tore the ivy and rose on its own power. More and more Nightmares poured into the creature and every jaw watching went slack. The creature towered over them, taller than a tree. “No...It can’t be..” The Author cried. “Author, what’s going on?!” Isaac demanded. The Author quickly waved his hand and a swirling mist surrounded them. They were teleported further down the bridge, along with all the other children and Teddy. Defeated, the Author fell to his knees and lowered his head. “I’m sorry, we’ve failed.” He slowly rose back to his feet and created a train long enough to house all the children. He carried Sandie and placed his body gently on the train. “All aboard, children.” He called dismally. Reluctantly the children board, Teddy and the Author ushering them on. The Wildes were the last to board and before they did, Teddy and Isaac embraced. “Good luck, on ya,” Teddy said. Isaac only nodded then boarded the train. Sam fought back tears and the lump growing larger in her throat. She bit her lip and embraced the Author tightly. She thought maybe if she could hold on to him long enough, that she could wake up and the last few weeks could just be a bizarre dream. “I’m truly sorry, young one. I had a plan, but, the other denizens must have been too afraid to show. Now that Apnea can operate on its own, I really am out of ideas and out of hope.” He patted her shoulder and let her go. “Now, I’ve got a special mission for you. The train will lead you back to the woods outside of Pawsgard. Be careful! Take this and find the field of flowers, if Lionheart is there he will be able to wake you all up for now. If not, you will at least be safe, the Nightmares can never get there.” He reached inside his coat and pulled out a quill with a golden feather. It was light as air and made her fingers tingle. “Here,” he said. “This will get you through the portal. Again, I am truly sorry.” He gave her a slight push and she knew that it was time for her to board. She stood, holding a bar, as the train departed, first slowly then increasing to breakneck speeds; and she didn’t take her eyes off the Author until he was all but a small, black dot on the horizon. The train sped through the mist, across the bridge, and through a swarm of Nightmares, evaporating them. The gargantuan figure of Apnea swiped at the train, but its speed was too much for the lumbering movement of its arm. It continued on, the opening of the Author’s door moving closer and closer. Sam hung her head and was about to head in to join her brother; her hope that the Author would come rushing after them now dashed. Just before she crossed the doorway, she saw something across the water that made her stop in her tracks. “Stop the train!” She bellowed. She ran to the front of the train and saw that there was no conductor. She closed her eyes and she created forts and forts of pillows that kept appearing before the train until it slowed to a stop. Isaac and the children came to see why they had been jerked from their seats; they hoped they weren’t under attack. “What’s going on?” Issac demanded, staring at his sister. Feathers flew around them and the train let out a long sigh. Sam pointed out over the water. “Look,” she said. From the distance, they saw three unicorns running on the water. Underneath their trotting feet came a trail of rainbow light that shimmered in the water. Behind the three, an army of unicorns raced in the direction of where the children were standing. A trumpet sounded on the opposite side. One of the children spotted them first and then all the others turn to look. The children saw an army of Mermaids being led by the Queen and Aster. Sam fell to her knees. She didn’t to whether to laugh or to cry. In the knick of time, help had arrived; hope was rekindled.