01 Dragon

“So where are we going?” Chelsea asked Danny as they floated through the Ghost Zone.

Danny smiled but didn’t look at her. “I told you, it’s a surprise. We’re almost there.”

Not long after, a castle came into view. It glowed blue-gray on an island with blossoming trees surrounding a moat. People in medieval clothes danced and sang among the trees. A green dragon flew around the castle, occasionally spouting blue flames. No one seemed scared of the dragon.

Danny stopped and held out his hand in a flourish. “This is the domain of Princess Dorathea, or Dora as she likes to be called. She invited me to her birthday party today. Here she comes.”

The dragon spotted them and flew over. Chelsea shrank back, but Danny didn’t seem worried. He smiled at the dragon and floated to greet her.

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“Happy birthday, Dora!” Danny said. “This is my new friend, Chelsea.”

Chelsea gathered her courage as the dragon looked at her. This must be a friendly dragon. Right? She squared her shoulders and drifted forward.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” the dragon said. She had a melodious voice that calmed Chelsea’s nerves. “My people have become used to my dragon form, but I know I can be startling to some. Just one moment.”

Blue flames enveloped the dragon, and a second later, a girl appeared in her place. She was a green ghost wearing a beautiful blue dress that matched her headband. Her long blond hair was braided behind her back. She had sparkling red eyes and a kind smile.

“There, that’s better,” she said. “Thank you for coming to my party. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chelsea. Are you the new halfa I’ve heard so much about?”

Chelsea blushed. “I didn’t know anyone had heard of me. Yeah, I guess I am.”

Danny nudged her with his shoulder. “Halfas are rare, so we’re pretty famous. Don’t worry about it.”

“Come on,” Dora said, “let’s join the party!”