Tedward leaped into action, swinging his sword at the monster. The blade connected to a scaly forearm. The creature snatched its limb back, snarling. With its other arm it swiped at Tedward. He launched himself into the air, flipping head over heels and landing on the headboard, sword at the ready. The monster blew a mighty gale of frosty breath at him. Tedward dodged to the left, nearly crashing into the Batman lamp on the nightstand. He slapped a paw against the wall and pushed, using the momentum to fly at the creature.
He got in one good strike right across the monster's face. The monster got in a strike of its own, though. Its claw opened a gash across Tedward's midsection. He fell to the floor, dropping his sword.
Dazed, he lay there for a moment. Sitting up gingerly, he inspected the wound. Not bad enough to be fatal, but bad enough there was stuffing poking out. He tried to tuck it back in as best he could and retrieved his sword.
Dylan still slept, oblivious to the battle. If Teward couldn't vanquish the monster himself he would need to wake the boy and hope he screamed. That was a sure-fire way of dispelling monsters. The only trouble with that method was that the boy would then remember enough of the nightmare to be traumatized, giving it the power to return. If Tedward could slay the beast, Dylan would settle back down into a deeper sleep and never be the wiser about what happened.
Tedward steeled himself, gripping the sword hilt tight. The monster was once again looming over the bed, spreading it's cold nasty darkness closer and closer to the sleeping child. The mighty warrior surveyed the floor to see what might be useful. Dylan's old mini trampoline sat in the corner, now covered with various Star Wars Legos.
YES. That will do.
Tedward moved stealthily to the back of the room, then took a running go and jumped onto the trampoline. Legos went flying. So did Tedward. Through the air, sword held high, bow tie flapping. He landed on the monster's back, sinking the sword deep into its hide. It jerked, roaring in anger, but Tedward held on, twisting the sword in deeper. He kept up the pressure and in moments the beast sank to the ground, its shadow dissipating as it died.
Tedward slumped to the floor, exhausted. He lay there until morning when Dylan woke and found him injured.
**
"Mommy, Teddy needs surgery." Dylan held his favorite bear up for his mother.
She examined the bear carefully. "What happened to him?"
"I don't know. I found him that way. Can you fix him?"
"Of course, baby." She ran a hand through Dylan's hair. "Let me go get the sewing box and I'll fix him right up. Why don't you go get a snack? I cut up an apple for you."
He got the apple and carried it back to his mom's work room, standing in the doorway. She had Teddy on the table, leaning over him while stitching the strange cut across his tummy. Dylan had no idea how that happened, unless maybe he caught on something when he fell off the bed. Dylan couldn't remember. He took a bite of apple and was about to leave when his mother spoke.
"What kind of monster was it this time?"
"A frost beast. They're rare but dangerous."
Who said that?
"You did a wonderful job, Tedward," his mother said. "As you always do."
"I am charged with the boy's safety, it is my sacred duty. But I love him too, you know."
She smiled, cutting the end of the thread. "I know. We are so lucky to have you. Dylan is such a special boy."
"The strength of his imagination draws these creatures. They will never relent. Neither will I."
"You're a mighty warrior, Tedward." She picked up the bear carefully and made to leave the room.
Dylan ducked around the corner into the bathroom before she could see him. His breathing came in short choppy gasps. Was that real? Did he really just witness his mother having a conversation with his teddy bear? What in the world?
He crunched another bite of apple. As he chewed he thought things over. There was only one conclusion that made sense. Dylan whispered to himself, "My teddy bear is a mighty warrior. That is the coolest thing ever!"
