Dance Stance Final Remix

A Middle Grade novel by Chris Wunderlich
with art by Naia Iezzi

Available now on Amazon! Click Here!

A storm brews while three friends listen to hip-hop, stream video games, practice dance moves and binge-watch anime. When lightning strikes they’re magically sucked into a brand new game–one where dancing summons magical powers, anime foxes mingle with video game monsters, and cyberbullies’ comments take on physical form. Will these friends manage to master the game, become viral streaming sensations and topple the internet trolls?

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           The sun was setting, casting burnt-orange beams across the dappled pink and purple clouds. My best friend in the whole world, Briar the dance-fighting cat-girl in yoga pants, was posing with confidence in the middle of the road. My other best friend in the whole world, Namika the squirrel-girl rocking giant headphones and a hoodie, stood nearby on the sidewalk checking her cellphone. I stood behind her and itched my fox-fur anxiously. The long road was lined with vacant concrete office buildings, storefronts with cracked neon signs, and yellowed streetlights that had just buzzed to life. The golden glow of the sun splashed long shadows behind everything it touched. Briar closed her eyes and wiggled her whiskers, content in the warm light. I don’t know how she remained so calm. A Blasto-dog stood in front of her, at least three times her size, snarling and stamping its feet. The thing had razor-sharp horns and gnashing teeth, and the nastiest wet dog smell you could ever imagine.

            “Is it safe for us to stand so close?” I asked Namika.

            “Briar!” Namika hollered as she waved her phone, ignoring my question. “It says that this enemy’s weakness is lightning!”

            “Got it,” Briar replied confidently.

            With that, Briar shot out her arms, aiming them straight up. Her feet crisscrossed. She arched her back. She looked the Blasto-dog right in the eye and kicked her legs high into the air. She looked like a world-class ballerina—all smooth moves and confidence. Her shoes lit up and became electric. The sounds of heavy, electronic drums began to sound. The dance routine summoned an orchestra of crackling guitars, then a droning bassline, and topped everything off with laser-like blasts of synthesizer. She kicked out one leg and pointed her foot towards the Blasto-dog. A bolt of lightning shot out and zapped the monster, sending it flying backwards.

            “All right!” Namika cheered.

            “That’s how you do it!” I roared.

            But to our surprise, the Blasto-dog recovered, looking angrier than ever. He stamped his feet and shook the ground. The road crumbled beneath him. The sound of thunder arose, and a choir of ghostly wails accompanied the creature’s tirade. The wind picked up and before we knew it, the street felt like it was being hit by a hurricane. I grabbed onto Namika as she squeezed her phone. Briar braced herself. I could barely see as the wind blew into my face, pushing my fur back. I thought for sure we were going to be blown right down the street.

            The monster’s attack came to a climax as he slammed his huge haunches down with one final stomp. A gust shot across the area in every direction. A “No Parking” sign uprooted from the road and whippedtowards Namika and I. Before I could react, it skimmed across the top of my head, trimming my little fox hairs down to stubble, and smashed into the building behind us.

            Briar responded by continuing her dance routine, this time faster than before. When her song reached its peak, another lightning bolt blasted from her shoes. The Blasto-dog launched high into the sky, out of view. And in the last light of the sunset, Briar stood in victory, catching her breath.

            Namika turned and faced me, all wide-eyed and shaken. I was still in shock, barely aware of how close the street sign had come to bonking me right in the face. Namika held up her cellphone, displaying a series of rising numbers.

            “We won!” she said. “Boy, it’s a good thing you’re so short. That sign almost whacked you right between the eyes!”

            “I like the new haircut,” Briar called out as she pointed to my head. “That was a close one.”

            “Nice moves, Briar!” I called back, stammering as I regained composure. I rubbed my paw against the short, little hairs still left on my head. “Next fight, I’m wearing a helmet.”

            That’s when I learned just how dangerous the world of Dance Stance Final Remix could really be. But I’m getting ahead of myself.