Chapter 9

The fox plush was in the Jones' car, in the back with Coraline as she was telling her parents about her two latest " dreams " as the car stops in front of a place called " Northwest Garden."

Coraline: ( to her parents: ) . . . there were garden squash like balloon animals, and snap dragons. Oh, and upstairs I saw a real mouse circus, not pretend like the crazy man's in our house. And behind the house was a huge forest with a medieval tavern with talking animals that act and dress like humans, and Merita was singing a duet with a deer playing piano.

Coraline's Dad: ( to his wife: ) You sure you won't come?

Coraline's Mom: Don't fret, Charlie, they'll love the new catalog. At least, they'll love my chapters.

Coraline's Dad then opens the door, and Coraline's Mom looks at Coraline.

Coraline's Mom: I did not call him crazy, Coraline. He's drunk.

Coraline's Dad then leans in to Coraline, and pinches her nose.

Coraline's Dad: Well, I guess I'll see you around, you dizzy dreamer.

Coraline cuts him off, embarrassed.

Coraline: Dad! I'm not five anymore.

Coraline's Dad sighs, and the fox plush watches him head up to the steps to the building from the car window without Coraline or her mom noticing as they drove off. They drove to a uniforms department store, and when Coraline and her Mom left the car and went into the store, the fox plush whines as it was left in the car. The fox plush then watched Coraline from the back car window, and saw that Coraline showing her mom a pair of colorful gloves, only to get told to put them back, and the fox plush whines at how upset Coraline got for not getting the gloves. It then went back to place and act lifeless when Coraline and her mom got back in the car with the uniforms, and began the drive home. Coraline was sitting in the passenger seat, and the shopping bags were in the back with the fox plush, who glanced at the shopping bags with curiosity.

Coraline: ( to her mom: ) So, what do you think's in the other apartment?

Coraline's Mom: I don't know. Not a family of Jones imposters and a kid with sharp canines.

Coraline: Then why'd you lock the door?

Coraline's Mom: Oh, I found some rat crap and I thought you'd feel safer.

Coraline: They're Jumping Mice, Mom! And the dreams aren't dangerous; they're the most fun I've had since we've moved here.

Coraline's Mom: Your school might be fun.

Coraline: With those stupid uniforms? Right.

Coraline's Mom: Had to give it a try.

They then pull into the driveway, and Coraline leans in the back and grabbed the fox plush before she grabbed the bags and went inside, Coraline's Mom was now in the kitchen and looked in the fridge. Coraline places the bags down and puts the fox plush on the kitchen table.

Coraline's Mom: How do you feel about a mustard-ketchup-salsa wrap for lunch?

Coraline: Are you kidding me?

Coraline's Mom: Mmm... Had to go food shopping anyway. Dad's planning something special.

Coraline: Gross-gusting.

Coraline's Mom: You wanna come along? You can pick out something you like.

Coraline then sits down in a chair, and pets the fox plush.

Coraline: Oh, like the gloves?

Coraline's Mom: Look, Coraline. If things go well today, I promise I'll make it up.

Coraline: That's what you always say.

Coraline's Mom then rolls her eyes, shaking her head, and opens the door to leave.

Coraline's Mom: Won't be long.

Coraline's Mom then left and shuts the door behind her.

Coraline: But I might be.

Coraline pulls open the key drawer, looking for the key to the small door, but it wasn't there. She looks around, then spots the key hanging on a hook above the door. Coraline then stands on a chair and snags the key. She then grabbed the fox plush before going to the little door. Coraline then unlocks the little door and pulls it open to see the tunnel to the other world.

Coraline: I knew it was real!

She then crawls into the tunnel, bringing the fox plush with her. And they got into the other world and left the little door, the fox plush sprung to life, and jumped out of Coraline's arms and started making happy yipping sounds at Coraline.

Coraline: ( to the fox plush: ) That'll probably never get old how you just spring to life here.

The fox plush then happily followed Coraline into the kitchen to see that there was a bunch of food and a note on top of a gift waiting for her. Coraline then reads the note and opens the gift to see that her " Other Mother " had made her a new outfit. She then looked down when she heard small whines, and saw that the fox plush was giving her puppy dog eyes while pawing at the table.

Coraline: I don't think plushies can eat, buddy.

The fox plush continues giving her the puppy dog eyes, and she gives in.

Coraline: Alright, alright. You little goof.

Coraline then takes a cherry off of one of the cupcakes, and tossed it to the fox plush. The fox plush jumped in the air and caught it, and happily ate the cherry.

Coraline: Whoa. Cool.

( Meanwhile with Merita )

Merita was wearing a different outfit, and was in the theater in the Other Spink and Forcible's, sitting next to Other Wybie as they both waited for Coraline.

( A/n: What Merita is wearing )

Merita: ( Whispers to Other Wybie: ) I bet ten cents that the cat is going to try to warn Coraline when she leaves the house to come here, and she won't believe a word he said.

Other Wybie nods his head, agreeing to what Merita said. They then heard yipping and saw Coraline and the fox plush being led by a Scottie dog to them. Other Wybie looks at Coraline warmly, and Merita gave Coraline a warm smile.

Coraline: Hey, guys.

Coraline then sits down next to Merita, and the fox plush jumped onto Coraline's lap.

Light flash, the audience quiets, then the curtains open on a seaside setting with rotating waves. Other Miss Spink rises up on stage left, in a mermaid suit.

Merita: ( whispers: ) Why? Just why?

Coraline: ( shocked, whispers to Merita and Other Wybie, grabbing Merita's arm: ) She's practically naked!

Othe Miss Spink: ( singing: ) I'm known as the siren of all seven seas. The breaker of hearts by the bay.

A flat cut-out ship manned by cut-out men rows in behind her.

Other Miss Spink: ( singing: ) So, if you go swimmin' with bow-legged women, I might steal your weak heart away.

She bows her head and the audience of dogs thump their tails. Spink is lowered through the stage floor, the scenery changes, and on the right, a huge scallop shell rises up with the Other Miss Forcible, Merita's eyes widened at what she was seeing.

( A/n: I don't own the image. And how did they get away with this scene, I don't know. )

Coraline: Oh my god.

Merita: ( closes her eyes, and covers the fox plush's eyes ) Nope. I refuse to keep my eyes open or let the plush see this. Let me know when it's over.

Other Miss Forcible: ( singing: ) A big-bottomed sea witch may bob through the waves, and hope to lead sailors astray, but a true ocean goddess, must fill out her bodice, to present an alluring display.

Merita kept her eyes closed as the dogs thump their tails and Coraline and Other Wybie clapped.

Merita: ( whispers, to Coraline and Other Wybie, while keeping her eyes shut: ) I am disappointed in both of you right now.

Merita then frowned as she heard the familiar sounds of Miss Spink and Forcible arguing with each other, but she kept her eyes closed and listened to the performance.

Other Miss Spink: ( singing: ) Beware of old oysters, too large in the chest, let's banish them from the buffet. I'm far more nutritious!

Other Miss Forcible: ( singing: ) You smell like the fishes!

Other Miss Spink: ( singing: ) Did I hear a banshee?

Other Miss Forcible: ( singing: ) You're sea-green with envy

Other Miss Spink: ( singing: ) This mermaid enchantress-

Other Miss Forcible: ( singing: ) No, I " Birth of Venus!"

Merita then smiled slightly as she heard the sounds of the stage setting fall apart, and opened her eyes once the music stopped and when the curtains closed and the dogs howl with laughter.

Merita: Welp. That's over.

Coraline rolled her eyes at Merita with a smile as Merita uncovered the fox plush's eyes.

Drums roll. A Scottie dog pushes a large bucket of water, labeled " pool ", onto center stage. Spotlights tilt up to the top of very tall diving platforms where the old ladies now stand.

Merita: Oh. My. Berries.

Coraline: ( whispers: ) I can't look!

Other Miss Spink: Ready to break a leg, Miriam?

Other Miss Forcible: Our lives for the theater, April!

The two old ladies begin to bounce on the diving boards. As they bounce up, the two unzip fat suit disguises from which emerge their younger selves which leap to catch matching trapeze bars that swing into place. Coraline laughs with relief and amazement while Merita was shock. They were wearing bathing suits and then began to swing over the stage.

Young Forcible: What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason!

They fly past each other on their trapezes, double up, catch one another hand to ankle.

Young Spink: How infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable!

Merita: ( whispers, to Coraline and Other Wybie: ) Am I the only one that doesn't understand a word they are saying?

In a sudden change of direction, they swing out over the audience, trapeze bar lowering and pulled Coraline into the air, she hollers, terrified while the fox plush held onto Coraline's shirt for dear life. Merita watched in shock.

Merita: And...I didn't see that coming.

They tossed Coraline one to the other, flipping and spinning, as they continue their lines. Coraline's screams become cries of exhilaration, the fox plush continues holding on for dear life.

Young Forcible: In action like an angel!

Young Spink: In apprehension how like a god!

Coraline: Ahhh!!!

Young Forcible: The beauty of the world!

Young Spink: The paragon of animals!

Coraline swings face-to-face to the dogs in the royal box seats where one of the dogs licks Coraline's face.

Merita, the fox plush, and Other Wybie watched as the acrobats toss Coraline up into the air and dive into the large bucket below. They rise up, unhurt, just in time to catch Coraline. Thunderous thumping from the canine audience, and clapping from Merita and Other Wybie, in applause, and Merita pulls out a rose from her pocket and throws it to Coraline.

Once the performance was over, Merita and Other Wybie escorted Coraline up the stone stairs from Spink and Forcible's apartment with the fox plush in Merita's arms. The Beldam and the Other Father, with a huge full moon rising behind them, wait at the top of the stairs. The fox plush instantly acted lifeless so the Beldam wouldn't find out about it being alive.

Other Father: ( to Coraline and Merita: ) Hey there.

Beldam: ( to Coraline, only: ) Was it wonderful, dear?

Merita and the fox plush watched in sadness as Coraline followed the Beldam and the Other Father towards the porch while telling them what happened with excitement, and they walked up the front steps once Coraline finished, saying it was like magic.

Beldam: ( to Coraline: ) You do like it here, don't you, Coraline?

Coraline: ( to the Beldam: ) Uh-huh! ( Turns to Merita, as she noticed that the ginger was following them inside ) Aren't you coming inside, Mery?

Merita: I'm going to take a walk to stretch my legs before hitting the hay. You guys go ahead.

Beldam: Splendid idea.

Other Father: Don't be gone too late, Merita.

Coraline: Okay. ( To Other Wybie: ) Good night, Wybie.

Other Father takes Coraline inside. Both Merita and Other Wybie, at the bottom of the stairs, looked guilty and sad. The Beldam glares at them, and makes a huge, false smile then points at them. Merita forced herself to smile while the Other Wybie just lowers his head. The Beldam then went inside. Merita began walking away from the house, but Other Wybie grabs her arm, and she knew by the look in his button eyes that he was asking her what she was doing.

Merita: You heard what Coraline said. The Beldam won again.

The fox plush whines in response to what Merita said, and it jumped out of her arms and began climbing up to the window to Coraline's room. Other Wybie then gestures to her, Merita knew what he was trying to say.

Merita: Wybie, think! If I turn into any of my three fox forms in front of Coraline, what do you think her reaction will be? " Ahh! Monster! ", " Freak! ", oh, let's not forget " Demon! " I may be insane, but ( sighs ) how can I do anything but hope that I made that fox plush strong enough to protect her. Because, remember? I am cursed! The handbell! ( Tears up ) I'm going for that walk, now. Don't hold up.

As Merita walked away, Other Wybie sighs in defeat.

( An half hour later )

Merita was picked up by the scruff of her neck and carried out of the garden by the Beldam, who was upset.

Merita: Ow! What is it now?! What did I do! Let go you're hurting me!

The Beldam said nothing she just dragged Merita inside the house to the hidden door to Merita's room, and put a muzzle on Merita before she tossed Merita into the room and locked the room.

Merita: No! ( Tries to open the locked door ) ( tears up ) What did I do?! Please! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

Merita then tried to take the muzzle off, but it gave her a electric shook, making growl in pain. Merita then frantically began shifting between her fox and a bipedal fox forms trying to get the muzzle off, but the muzzle keeps shocking her everytime she'd tried. Then, she began shifting into a different, scarier form, unlike her other two fox forms, her fur wasn't bright orange, instead it was a dark shade of purple with a tuff of black fur on her head and a skull face, she was about ten feet tall in this form,and was extremely thin and had three tails in this form.

( A/n: Merita's final fox form. What do you think? )

Merita then began scratching at the walls and destroying stuff in her room with her razor sharp claws, and screamed as she let out all her pain and frustration, not knowing that no one could hear her.

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That's it for this chapter, I hope you like it

Till next time my agents of mischief 😜