“It’s nice to see you too, David.” Mikka said, relaxing her hand that she is used to punch. ‘Dang, that hurt, I hope this doesn’t swell.’

“We got separated.”

“No, shit. The moment I opened my eyes, I was stuck in a forest dressed in a red hood.” Mikka said as the two friends started walking along through the forest.

“I’m the Pied Piper right now. So, I guess you’re Little Red Riding Hood. I think the potion’s taste represents who we are in the stories we selected. Mine tastes like cheese seeing how Pied Piper deals with rats and since cherries are red, that made you the Little Red.” David explains his theory and Mikka nods in agreement.

“Kino and Akari said their potion tasted like candy, right?” Mikka pointed out and David got what she is implying

“Then they are definitely Hansel and Gretel.” David said, he is convinced he is right since they stumbled upon a house made of candy. The two friends approached this house and David knocked on the door, Mikka gave him a look saying ‘Are you seriously going to knock on a witch’s house?’ and David just shrugged at her. Minutes later, the door opened revealing the person who Mikka suspects is the old witch.

“My little Red! My sweet grandchild! What took you so long?” The witch said as she gave Mikka a hug, making David and Mikka confused.

“I see you brought a friend, my child. Come on in, lunch will be ready.” The witch said as she let the two friends go into her candy house.

“Lunch?” David mumbled to himself, clearly feeling there’s something bad going on. ‘This old hag wouldn’t mean-‘

David and Mikka were surprised at the sight of Kino and Akari who’s tied up in a chair. Their mouths were taped, both are struggling to get free.

“I saw these two kids enjoying their meal, eating candy bits from my house. Doesn’t matter, they will be the meal next. My grandchild, could you heat up the oven for me?” The witch said as she pointed at the direction of her kitchen.

Mikka went to the kitchen and David followed her. As soon as they were not within earshot, Mikka quickly said “We need to help them! Can’t you use your magic pipe to enchant the witch?”

“Seeing how she is a witch; I think magic doesn’t work on her.” David said as he scratched his head in frustration.

“How about we follow the original story and push the witch to the oven?” Mikka suggested and David agreed to this. Then just as they planned, Mikka lit up the fire in the oven and called out to her ‘grandmother’. The witch came and then Mikka told her there’s something wrong with the oven. The witch took a closer look at the oven; couldn’t fathom what her grandchild was getting at. While the witch was looking at what's inside the oven, David pushed her inside then locked the oven; burning the witch to her death.

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“Damn, I thought I was a goner.” Kino said, apparently Mikka and David freed them, taking off the tape from their mouths.

“I told you we weren’t supposed to eat the candy.” Akari said as she crossed her arms.

“You did eat it anyway too. Besides, it looks delicious.” Kino replied as he flashed a smile

“Kino, you’re the one who grabbed the books. Do you remember which storybook we entered?” Mikka asked as the four friends started to search for their other friends in the forest.

“The two stories left are Beauty and the Beast and Swan Lake.” Kino said, looking around for the Beast’s Mansion or the lake of swans

“Kill the Beast!” They heard a crowd of villagers holding pitchforks surrounding the gates of a big mansion.

“Why does every time I try to find each one of you, I see you in trouble?” David remarked and he couldn’t help but facepalm

“One of our friends must be the Beast. We must hurry.” Akari said as she run to the crowd

“Akari! Wait!” Kino followed her

“David! Quick! Play that pipe already!” Mikka exclaimed then David played his pipe, targeting the villagers. The villagers are now enchanted, letting go of their pitchforks.

“Now what?” Akari asked, wondering what they should do to the villagers. Then Mikka cracked her knuckles. “Surely, you’re not-“ Kino had a hunch at what’s going to happen next. Mikka punched one villager to his stomach causing him to faint.

“C’mon, guys! we need them to pass out. David can’t play forever.” Mikka stated as Kino hit a few villagers on their neck and they’re out cold. Akari punched a few, they knocked out all of them. David stopped playing, seeing how all of the villagers were knocked out.

“Sheesh, Mikka. How violent can you get?” David said as Mikka rolled her eyes at him

“Let’s just go.” Akari said, heading towards the mansion and the other three followed her. Inside the mansion was so dim and dark.

“Charlize! Lawrence! Juvy! Yuki!” they called out.

“Dear guests, thank you.”

“Was that you?” Mikka said to David, but David denied it. Kino and Akari turned their heads, denying it was them.

“Down here.”

It was a talking candelabra. Akari picked it up, fascinated by it. “We were scared out of our wits on what to do with those villagers.” The talking candelabra said.

“No worries. Where is your Master?” Akari asked as the candelabra led them to his Master. They were led to the room at the west wing. There, they finally see Lawrence and Charlize. Mikka runs to Charlize to give her a hug. “Finally found you two.” Mikka said.

“Shouldn’t the curse be lifted by now?” David asked which all of them got the point. Seeing how Lawrence is still in beast form, they need to break the curse before the last petal falls.

“We were about to do that.” Charlize said as she faced Lawrence and looked at his eyes.

“I love you…as friends.” Lawrence stated followed by Charlize saying “I love you too…as friends.” And just like that, a gleam of light surrounds the whole mansion. They really broke the curse. All of the servants are back to normal and Lawrence is finally in human form.

“Huh…I didn’t know that could work.” Kino said as Akari nodded in agreement.

“Feelings of friendship count.” David stated as the group of friends set out to find their other two friends. They went to the nearest lake they could find. Lucky enough, they saw a group of swans. “Which one of them are Juvy and Yuki?” Charlize asked the important question. Then the sun set, two swans transformed into humans.

“There they are!” Akari said then everything turned black. Everyone woke up from their dream.

“Well, that was a blast.” David yawned

“I'm giving this potion a 5/5 star rating.” Mikka said as she got up

“By the way, Charlize, what were you going to say before we all fell asleep?” Yuki asked then Charlize remembered what she read in the manual.

“It says we’re all going to die for real if we die in the dream.” Charlize said, giving everyone a shock.

“Maybe a 3/5 star rating will do.” Mikka stated and everyone agrees to this.

-End Of Peculiar Sleepover-