Chapter 8

Other Wybie walked in Merita's room to check on her, and he stand there in shock as he saw that not only Merita is in her bipedal fox form, her once fluffy fur was cut short, making her look almost like a cat.

Merita: Oh, hey, OW.

Other Wybie gestures to Merita's now shorthair bipedal fox form, asking her what happened to her fur.

Merita: You'll find out later. Right now, I need to get ready for Coraline.

Other Wybie raised his brow at her with a smile, Merita know what he was thinking.

Merita: I'm not doing that. I'm just... I'm just going to put on a show for her. Just lead Coraline to behind the house and follow the path to the place I made when she gets here. Now... Leave, I need to change in my human form.

The Other Wybie gives her a thumbs up before leaving the room. Merita then took a deep breath before she grabbed her scissors and what's left of her sewing supplies.

Merita: Alright, let's do this.

( Slight Time Skip, with Coraline )

Coraline was sitting in her room with the fox plushie as her parents were too busy with work to spend time with her all day, but she was too busy wondering what Merita's surprise could be. Coraline then got in bed, and she hugged the fox plushie as she fell asleep. And woke up to the sound of the jumping mice, she then brought the fox plush with her as she followed the mice to the Little Door, and she went to the Other World. She then saw her " Other Mother " and Other Wybie in the kitchen, seemingly to have been waiting for her. Other Wybie noticed that the fur of fox plush was the same color of Merita's bipedal fox form's fur, making realize what she did with the fur she'd cut off.

Beldam: Hello, Coraline!

Coraline: Hi. Is Merita here? She said she had a surprise for me today.

Beldam: No, she's waiting for you where the surprise is. I wish I could tell you what it is, but she made me swear not to spoil it. She also told Wybie to lead you to it when you got here, so run along. Have fun!

Coraline and Other Wybie then walked outside, to behind the house. Once the two got outside, the fox plush Merita made Coraline, sprung to life and jumped out of Coraline's hand, making her gasp as the little fox plushie gave Coraline a cute little " yip " as it tail wagged.

Coraline: ( to the little fox plush: ) So, that's what Mery was talking about when she said that you had a little surprise in ya when you are here, little guy. You come to life here.

The little fox plush jumped around Coraline happily, and she then picked it up with a smile. Other Wybie was in complete shock, as he didn't know that Merita could do that.

The two then noticed that a path of glowing fox paw prints was leading somewhere in what looked like a huge magical forest behind the house.

Coraline: Whoa. Where did that come from?

Other Wybie shrugged his shoulders in response. The two then followed the path to what looked like a medieval tavern in the middle of the woods, the sign said " Kitsune's Tavern ".

( A/n: What Kitsune's Tavern looks like. I don't own the image. )

Coraline: Okay, I don't know if I even want to know how Merita found this place. Also, what's a " kitsune? "

Other Wybie once again shrugged his shoulders. The two went inside and were amazed by how it looked on the inside.

( A/n: What the inside of Kitsune's Tavern looks like. What do you think? )

Coraline: Cool-

Coraline then noticed that there were tall bipedal animal creatures of various species and of different shapes and sizes, and were wearing medieval styled clothes, and she noticed that only the bartender had button eyes. There was also a handbell hanging on the wall behind the bar table beside the bartender. The bartender waved " hello " to Coraline and Other Wybie with a kind smile, the fox plush glared at him protectively, Coraline pets the plush's head to calm it. The two walked to the bar table and sat down on the tall chair at the table.

Fox Bartender: Well, well, you two must be the two must be our precious Merita's friends.

Coraline: Hi, I'm Coraline.

Fox Bartender: Oh, I know, Merita doesn't shut her mouth about you and your mute friend there. What are you two thirsty for? Tea? Milkshake? Or would you like to try some of our freshly made apple juice? It's on the house.

Coraline: Mango milkshake?

Fox Bartender: Ya got it, kid. ( To Other Wybie: ) How about you?

Other Wybie holds up three fingers, and the bartender nods his head.

Fox Bartender: Apple juice, got it.

Coraline: Speaking of Merita. Do you know where she is? She said that she had a surprise.

Fox Bartender: Yep. She's getting ready. She should be here...

The handbell then suddenly rings, and all the fox creatures in the tavern turned to the way back of the tavern, Coraline and Other Wybie looked at what they were looking at and saw a wooden stage in the way back of the tavern with a bipedal deer wearing a musician outfit on a piano beside the stage.

Coraline: Uh... ( To the Fox Bartender as he hands them their drinks: ) How do you know Merita?

Fox Bartender: ( to Coraline: ) She performs here sometimes. She said that the song she's singin' is to a certain " firecracker " aka you, kid. ( chuckles )

( With Merita, behind the curtains of the stage )

Merita is now a human and was incredibly nervous mentally but because of the enchanted handbell, she had a smile on her face. She was wearing an outfit that she'd made herself, with a pair of black flat shoes with white long knee high socks. And her hair was now short.

( A/n: This is what Merita is wearing, what do you think? )

The curtains open, revealing Merita to the crowd, Coraline's eyes widened at Merita's new look while Other Wybie was in complete shock.

Coraline: Whoa...

Merita then saw Coraline and the Other Wybie at the bar table with the fox bartender and the fox plush she'd made for Coraline. The handbell then rang again, and the deer began playing the piano and Merita began to sing a duet with the bipedal deer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96lwAGESRAY

( A/n: This is the song that she's singing. I don't own it. )

Deer pianist: ( singing, a bit sadly, with a smile: ) I will always think of you. I see your face when each day's through. And days go past...

Merita: ( singing, with a sad smile: ) Oh so fast...

Deer pianist & Merita: ( singing, together: ) But memories, they last...

Merita: ( singing: ) Summer, winter, year by year.

Deer pianist: ( singing: ) year by year...

Coraline watched as Merita continued her performance, the fox plush was still protectively glaring at the fox bartender, who was watching the performance with a stern expression. The Other Wybie made a few nervous glances at the handbell, as he knew that it was the enchanted handbell that the Beldam uses to control Merita whenever she refuses to do something the Beldam wants her to.

Merita: ( singing: ) I'll hear the song inside my ears.

Deer pianist: ( singing, a bit sadly: ) Trying to restart...

Merita: ( singing: ) That'd be smart.

Merita & the Deer pianist: ( singing, together: ) But thoughts of you haunt my heart...

No one in the tavern seemed to noticed that three shadows of three kids, one a boy, one with braids, and the other was tall with a hat, appeared in the far corner as Merita continued her performance.

Deer pianist: ( singing: ) No, I don't wanna be alone now.

Merita: ( singing, sadly as she noticed the three shadows: ) Oooh.... Oooh....

Deer pianist: ( singing: ) Just biding my time.

Merita: ( singing: ) Oooh....

Deer pianist: ( singing: ) I need somebody dearly. And darling, you'd be sublime.

Merita: ( singing, sadly: ) Spring and autumn, up and down.

Deer pianist: ( singing: ) Up and down...

Merita: ( singing: ) I keep trying to escape this town.

Deer pianist: ( singing: ) And I just might...

Merita: ( singing: ) I'll take flight...

Merita & Deer pianist: ( singing, together: ) Maybe tomorrow, not tonight...

The music then stopped, signaling that the song was finished. The crowd cheered and clapped in applause, as well as Coraline and the Other Wybie were clapping in applause to Merita's performance, and the fox plush made a happy " yip " sound while looking at Merita. Merita then did a curtsy before the stage curtains closed, and she walked off the stage to the bar table. The Fox Bartender then gives Merita a chocolate milkshake, and the Other Wybie's button gleamed in worry as he knew that chocolate is toxic to the ginger.

Fox Bartender: Here, kid. Good job, today.

Merita gave a tired smile, and Coraline looked at her with a huge smile. While Merita was distracted by Coraline, the Other Wybie quickly slid the chocolate milkshake away from Merita, and switched it with the cup of apple juice that he hadn't drank because he was busy watching the performance, so Merita doesn't get sick by the chocolate in the milkshake.

Coraline: That was amazing. I didn't know you could sing, Mery.

Merita: I usually don't do it much.

Coraline: Also, what did you do to your hair? I mean, you look great, it's just, I'm not used to seeing you like this.

Merita: ( lies: ) I thought I could need a change in style. So, I cut it myself, which is why it looks messy. Mother was surprised by it too.

Merita then looks at the fox plush, who looked at her with its tail wagging happily.

Merita: And I see that you liked my gift.

Coraline: Yeah. They're adorable. How did you make them be able to come alive here?

Merita: Sorry, firecracker, but if I told ya, it would ruin the magic of it.

( Slight Time Skip )

The trio walked back to the house, and the Beldam greeted them with a smile. The fox plush instantly acted lifeless when they went near the Beldam.

Beldam: Did you like the surprise, Coraline?

Coraline: Yes! There's a forest and a tavern behind the house! And there was a deer playing piano! It's was amazing.

Beldam: I'm happy to hear that, Coraline. How about you two head to bed, I'm sure you both are tired by now.

The two girls then walked inside, Merita went to where her room was while Coraline and the Beldam went to Coraline's room with the fox plush in Coraline's hand. Merita went in her room, and grabbed three small teddy bears that she'd made and began walking to the mirror that was hiding the ghost children's room. She walked inside with a sad smile as she looked at the three ghost children with the teddy bears behind her back. The ghost children's room had a many plushies that Merita had made for them since she found out about them.

Merita: Kits, I'm back, and I brought you each something.

The three ghost children looked at Merita, though it wasn't shown by their expressions, she could tell they were excited. She then showed the ghost children the teddy bears she made them.

( A/n: The Tall Ghost girl's teddy bear that Merita made her. )

( A/n: The Sweet Ghost girl's teddy bear )

( A/n: The Ghost Boy's teddy bear )

Ghost Boy: Thank you, Miss kitsune.

Sweet Ghost Girl: Yes, thank you, kitsune.

Tall Ghost Girl: They're so cute.

Merita smiled at the ghost children, even though she didn't know why they call her " kitsune " or what it means.

Merita: Anything for you three. As long as the four of us are stuck with the Beldam together, I'll always make sure you at least have some happiness.

Tall Ghost Girl: What happened to your hair, kitsune?

Merita: Oh, uh, I did something that weakened me a little for a little while, but it's nothing to worry about. I promise. I should go, the Beldam might be looking for me...

Merita then wrapped her arms around the three ghost children, she was trying to hug them even though they were ghosts.

Merita: I'll be back.

Merita then left the room and began walking to her room, acting if she never entered the ghost children's room. The Beldam then came out of nowhere, and stopped the ginger from entering her room by harshly grabbing her arm.

Beldam: ( to Merita, coldly: ) Tomorrow will be the final wonder, don't screw it up and keep a smile on your face, or I will lock you in your room and muzzle you, Fox. Understood?

Merita: ( with a fake smile: ) Yes, Mother.

The Beldam then scoffs before she lets go of Merita's arm and the ginger goes into her room and closes the door behind her. Merita lets out a tired sigh, holding back the tears that formed in her blue eyes.

Merita: I hope the magic I used to make that fox plush will be good enough to protect her... Please, please, let it be good enough. I... I don't want to lose her... she's basically one of the few things that's keeping me sane right now...

Merita then grabbed her hair with tears rolling down her face, as we can see that slowly bits and pieces of her sanity were being taken away from her treatment from the Beldam and her situation. Merita then begins making herself remember the memories of her and Coraline, and her memories of the other Pink Palace residents to keep what's left of her sanity intact. She then slowly made her way to the mattress on the ground that was her bed, and she hugged her knees as she kept remembering the days she spent with Coraline, and the people she'd met in the real world.

Merita: Happy thoughts, Mery. Happy thoughts.

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

What did you think about this chapter?

Till next time my agents of mischief 😜