The unicorns made their way onto the bridge, while the mermaids surrounded them on each side. “Sorry, we are so late,” Jasmine said. She nuzzled her against Sam’s neck. “There were forces trying to keep us at bay, but we have prevailed.” “It’s good to see you!” Sam held tightly to Jasmine’s neck. “Likewise,” said Oolong. Sam hugged him as well. She recounted their fighting the Nightmares, the rejection of Sandie, and the Author’s call to retreat and final stand. There were dismayed faces all around. Then a voice behind her startled her. “Looks like my brother is in a bit of a pickle.” Sandie emerged from inside the train. He walked with a bit of a limp, but there was a fire in his eyes. “Now that our allies have arrived, I think it's time we turn this train around.” He struggled as he lifted his hands and the train rose off the bridge and was spun around and faced the way it came. “All aboard, everyone,” Sandie called. It made Sam giggle at how similar the brothers were. The children and unicorns all boarded the train; another car being added to fit everyone. The mermaids readied themselves. When all were set to go, Sandie launched the train forward. They raced back the way they came and Sam was surprised when she looked out the window and saw that the mermaids were keeping pace with the train. “Do you think this will work?” Isaac asked Sandie. “This is our best chance.” He replied. The train and mermaids raced forward. Soon, they were able to see the black cloud of Nightmares and Apnea, larger than it had ever been before. There were beams of light shooting out from within the cloud. Sam’s heart sank at the thought of the Author fighting alone with no hope. She wished she could call out to him and tell him that help had arrived. As if reading her thoughts, Taali appeared half-running, half-flying alongside the train. She smiled and jumped from the train onto the tiger’s back. The other children applauded her on the successful landing. Taali pushed off the ground and up into the air. She pushed ahead of the train and clawed through the cloud, made a swipe at Apnea, and landed next to a battered Author. Teddy was laying on the ground unconscious. “Wh-what are you doing here,” cried the Author. She quickly told the tale of the unicorns, the mermaid, and Sandie and how they were all on the way. The Author cried and hugged Sam tightly then moved her out of the way from an attack. Taali jumped around landing hits on Apnea. Then, out of nowhere, there was an ear-splitting sound as the train crashed into the monster’s back. Isaac and Sandie created small clouds that caught the children and floated them to the middle of the battle. The unicorns floated down like dandelion seeds; Lady Grey used her wings to glide down. The children and Sandie surrounded the Author like a shield. The unicorns lined up in front of them. The mermaids surrounded the bridge in the water. As Apnea pieced itself back together, the Queen and Aster let out a hypnotic siren song. The creature was stunned in place. The rest of the mermaids flipped out of the water, slashed at the creature with their trident, then flipped back into the water on the other side of the bridge. The unicorns galloped around it and let loose rainbow beams from their horns. The Nightmares couldn’t handle it and began falling off and squirming on the ground due to the song. All of the children focused all their dream creations on Apnea and attacked. The Author and Sandie tended to Teddy. The onslaught of attacks and the siren song, in time, made Apnea shrink. Twenty-five feet. Fifteen feet. Soon, he shrank down just a few inches taller than the Author. All the dream world denizens paused; the singing ceased. They formed a circle around Apnea; guaranteeing no chance of escape. Apnea wheezed and then laughed. “I am forever. As long as strong dreamers exist and dream, I will have Nightmares to grow stronger,” Apnea gloated. Is there nothing we can do? Sam thought. She thought of parents and their children in hospital beds. She thought of all the joy she had in the dream world; her journey and all the things she’d seen. A tear ran down her face and for the first time, in a long time it seemed, she felt like a lost little child that wanted her mom. Then an idea struck her. She pushed through the throng of people and animals and sprinted towards Apnea. She wished she had a quarter for each confused look. The Author reached out to stop her, but she dodged underneath him and kept running. When she got to the monster and embraced it. She recalled all of the love and warmth from her mother’s hugs and let it pour from her and into the monster. Isaac was the only one that saw a glimpse of a smile before Apnea began to convulse. It let out a roar and struggled to break free, but Sam was not to release it. Soon it stopped struggling, its body went limp, turned to dust, and then was carried off in a breeze. She watched the particles drift away, oblivious to everyone around her staring in amazement. The entire room was muted until the final particle disappeared, then a roar of thunderous applause broke the silence. “Now, that was something truly remarkable,” the Author exclaimed. “I really wasn’t sure what that would do,” Sam said sheepishly. “Well, it was a stroke of genius, if I must say!” Exclaimed Oolong. “I didn’t really think too much about it,” Sam said. “I just really missed my mom.” No one voiced it, but a collective aww radiated from the crowd. They gazed at her with misty eyes; all except her brother, who rolled his eyes and gave her a soft, loving smirk. Sam sighed. “Is it all over, then?” The Author went over to her, gave her a side-hug, beamed at her with pride. “I believe it is, young one.” The water calmed and the breeze stopped. After what seemed like an age, the world seemed that it was relieved and finally at peace. Then soft vibrations were felt. They didn’t panic anyone, if anything, it felt strangely comforting. From the direction of the Author’s door came a golden light. Stepping through the light was Lionheart. “Although I see now it wasn’t necessary that I join you sooner, I do apologize for my tardiness. I ran into an old friend and brought him with me,” the grand cat remarked. Trailing a few feet behind Lionheart, a familiar gray horse walked dumbly and staggeringly towards them. “Earl Grey..” Sam muttered under her breath. “I will need your help again, Samantha. But, before that, there are thanks that need to be given.” Lionheart turned to the mermaids, bowed to the Queen, and thanked them for what they did. The mermaids nodded without a word and dipped beneath the surface and returned to their realm. Before she slipped away, Aster gave Sam a friendly smile and a wink, knowing that one day they would meet again. Lionheart parted the crowd of children and unicorns and made his way to the unconscious Teddy, being comforted in the lap and hands of Sandie. The lion lay on his belly and whispered thanks to him. He breathed a breath of life and Teddy’s nose twitched. “Just a few more minutes,” Teddy called. “Do get up, old friend.” Sandie laughed. The crowd laughed as Teddy sighed, opened his eyes, and with a grunt stood up. Lionheart then walked over to Issac. He stood on his hind legs and hugged him. He licked him on the cheek and Issac disappeared. Lionheart went around doing the same thing for the rest of the children until they were all gone, except Sam. The only ones left now standing in the room were Sam, the Author and Sandie, Lionheart, the unicorns, and the horse. “Now, it is your turn, my friend.” Lionheart turned to the horse. “Samantha, please come here.” Sam walked over to them. She shed a tear and put her hand out and the horse touched his nose to her hand. “He gave more than anyone else in this battle. So, not only do I give him my highest thanks, but we are going to restore what was lost. Samantha, if I could have his horn, please.” She began to tell him what happened to the horn when she felt an unnatural warmth in her pants pocket. She looked down and saw that the horn was sticking out of her pocket and glowing brighter than before. She quickly pulled it out and gave and Lionheart had put his paw over her hand as he had her put the horn on the horse’s head. The lion closed his eyes and Sam felt magic in her palms and soon the horn reattached itself. They stepped away and within moments Earl Grey shook his head. His eyes were filled with wonder and majesty once more. Beautiful, giant wings grew from his back. He shed a tear and nuzzled his neck on Sam’s. “Thank you all.” He cried. Earl Grey ran over to Lady Grey and they embraced. The unicorns all bowed to Lionheart and he bowed to them; mutual respect unspoken. They jumped onto the water and ran back towards the open door, leaving rainbow trails on the water’s surface. “Let’s go home,” the Author said to Lionheart. “Very well,” he said. Lionheart let out a deep roar and the room began to blur around them. The scene shifted and as it came back into focus they realized they were back standing at the edge of the lake.