Thirty-Three:
Day Zero, High Noon, the Minotaur approached Castle Manchego.
"I believe I'm expected," said the Minotaur.
"...rrribbit." At the gate stood a kindergartener. "...rrribbit." Instead of leading him through the main corridor, she began to run freely around the tiny living areas of the castle reserved for the coupon fairies. The bumping and crunching and stomping of the Minotaur could be heard throughout the castle. Finally, however, the Minotaur carried the exhausted child into the main hall, where waited Mimbleshaw, Eliza, Brian, and Spot cloaked in his princely form.
"I challenge the King's champion," said the Minotaur.
"No, Monsieur le Minotaur," said Spot. "I challenge you for Mademoiselle Princess, whom you have taken hostage diabolically."
"Don't be ridiculous," said the Minotaur. "Why should I agree to your challenge? What's in it for me?"
"Myself," said Spot. "And zee crown. That is what you want, no?"
"Very well, I accept," said the Minotaur. "Since the crown is part of your stake in this challenge, it's only fair you should lose the match if it's used."
"Very well," said Spot.
"Excuse me," said the Minotaur to Eliza. "Could I bother you for some water and baking soda? I'll need it later."
"You want a bicarbonate soda?" said Eliza. "You show up asking for things easy enough."
"Consider it a privilege of accepting a challenge," said the Minotaur.
"Alright, alright," said Eliza.
"I will give you more than zee upset stomach." Spot turned into a giant octopus. "I will squeeze zee breath out of you as zee giant calamari, no?" The Minotaur grabbed Spot's cloak. Spot turned into a mouse. "...ha ha, I am too small and too fast for you to catch now."
"Drink." The Minotaur gave the girl the soda.
"Ker-B-E-E-E-ELCH." The frog was now free from Agnes's throat. The frog spotted Eliza the pink-eyed witch and hopped away.
"...le cat." Caught by surprise, the mouse ran too close to the Minotaur, and swiftly found itself bouncing around inside the glass Agnes drained.
"Do you yield the match?" said the Minotaur.
Spot didn't want to say yes and live another day. The caught and exhausted mouse refused.
"Very well." The Minotaur refilled the glass.
"—Spot into the bag," said Brian. The little dog tumbled from the bag, soaked in water and tears.
"You fought for crown and for love both," said the Minotaur. "Now you have neither."