Interlude IV

  ( Cecilia )

  Cecilia watched bubbles rise and pop, barely able to contain the saliva brewing within her mouth. Potato chunks, carrot slices and onion curls bobbed and softened, their flavours bleeding into one another to form a rich, root stew.

  "Are you sure there isn't anything we can do to help?" she asked.

  Mama pinched Cecilia's cheek. "No, sweetie. You've been working so hard. There isn't much I can do to contribute, so allow me this. You two just rest up, ok? It's nearly ready."

  Cecilia and Mero shared a glance before shrugging their aching shoulders in unison.

  A little over a week ago, the Flossmeadows had hosted hundreds of hopefuls. Day after day, that number had diminished. Now barely two dozen tents remained.

  Mero's sore eyes glistened in the campfire's glow. "It'll soon be over."

  "Kind of a shame," said Cecilia. "It's been stressful at times, but super fun!"

  "I'm so proud of you," said Mama. "Every challenge they've set, you two have overcome it by working together."

  It was true. Neither of them would've made it so far without the other.

  Cecilia provided the muscle. Her days gathering buckets of fruit and slaving away on farms had built her the strength to push, lift and wrestle anything that got in their way.

  Mero might lack raw power, but her sad smile and squeaky voice concealed a scrappy tenacity. Cecilia suspected that even if a stone wall was to block their path, she'd claw and claw until they reached the other side. Not only that, but her shining spirit also inspired those around her. After passing each test, she'd wait by the finish line, cheering the other entrants on.

  "But," said Mama, "I will be more than glad to see this done."

  "Because we'll both be Fairy Princesses?" asked Mero.

  Mama started dishing out the steamy stew. "No, sweetie. Because watching you race through obstacles at such reckless speed worries me. Girls have been getting hurt almost every day. That poor lass broke her leg this afternoon. If anything like that were to happen to you... I... I'm scared that I wouldn't be able to look after you properly, even with the compensation."

  Cecilia reluctantly tore her gaze from the belly-rumbling bowls. "Don't worry, Mama. There's three of us now. Plus, I'm starting to think we might be kind of good at this!"

  "You are. Very," said Mama. "Just be careful, ok? Don't push yourselves too hard tomorrow. I know it's the final, but don't lose sight of what matters. Look after each other."

  Cecilia leaned in and started to blow gently. Ripples spread across the thick surface, breaking upon squares of spice-saturated spuds. "We didn't come all this way just to lose, Mama. Believe in us!"

  Mero observed, then mimicked her.

  They'd been fed well at the camp site. Three times daily, volunteers had prepared them local dishes. Candy Dandy had even allowed them to break off chunks of his constructions to nibble on after each test was done. Though as scrumptious as it all was, after a week away from home, Cecilia was ready for something more familiar.

  A blissful noise hummed from Mero's throat.

  "It's good, right?" asked Cecilia.

  Mero's head bounced rapidly as she pulled the spoon from slurping lips. "It's a gentle meal. Comfortable and warm. It's like chewing and swallowing love."

  Cecilia couldn't help but laugh. "Sure, I guess. We have this all the time in Tuberly. Have you ever been?"

  Mero's next scoop of broth and beetroot paused, then lowered back down to the bowl. "...No. I spent most of my life in Shimmershire."

  Shimmershire? But...

  For a moment, the only sounds were those of the crackling campfire and distant conversations.

  "...I'm sorry to hear that," said Mama.

  Cecilia frowned at her salted vegetables, appetite suddenly absent. "Uhm... Were you there when...?"

  "Cecilia!" groaned Mama. "You don't have to answer that, Mero."

  But Mero raised her chin high. "It's ok. I was there. My father... he rushed me and my brothers inside the moment the first flare launched, hurrying us into cupboards and under beds. He told us to hide, like it was a game. I was the only one small enough to squeeze into the crawl space beneath the floor." She took a deep, slow breath. "First I heard the smashing. Then the struggle. Then the screams. Then..." Her eyes lowered. "Some of my brothers tried to help. Others stayed hidden. In the end it didn't matter, the mutants found them all. I remember thinking, it's all over. No more home. No more family. No more me. I was so sure those were my last moments. That my whole life had led to me lying in the dripping dark, listening to the twisting and tearing... But then she came and burned it all away. Everything and everyone I ever knew was reduced to ash." Disfigured fingers traced scars.

  "Queen Titania... did that?" asked Cecilia.

  Mero smiled. "Yes, but it was a mercy. A kindness. Her flames cleansed my family, so they could pass pure. Without her, they would've feasted upon others, spreading pain and suffering and... and..." She shook her head. "Queen Titania is the light in the dark, and one day, we'll join her."

  "...You understand what Mero is saying, right?" asked Mama quietly. "If you see this through and become a Fairy Princess, you too will have to confront terrible things."

  Cecilia peered at the campfire, its lashing tongues no longer stifled by the cooking pot. If she were to thrust her hand within, its bite would mark her flesh just as Mero's, yet without it, the night would have them cold, blind and hungry.

  "...It's ok," said Cecilia. "Whatever evils await us, we'll face them together."

  That night, one of the volunteers woke them. With bleary eyes and yawning maws, they ventured from their tent. All across the Flossmeadows, girls were stumbling toward the edge of the clearing, where Candy Dandy awaited, bathed in the red glow of a lollipop lantern.

  "What's going on?" grumbled Cecilia.

  "A penultimate trial," said the volunteer.

  "Penultimate?" asked Mama. "And without warning? Why so late?"

  "I'm not certain. We weren't expecting this either," said the volunteer. "But please don't trouble yourself. There is to be no spectators this time. Candy Dandy is taking the girls alone."

  "What?" asked Mama.

  Cecilia turned to reassure her, only for Mero to beat her to it.

  "It's ok, Mama. We'll take care of everyone."

  Cecilia gave a groggy smile. Mero had settled in to their family so quickly and easily, as if it was fated.

  They waved a worrisome Mama farewell and followed Candy Dandy into the shrouding thicket.

  Sparse silver rays cut through the curly canopy. Glowing fungus and bumblebulbs splashed their surroundings with strange colours.

  "Is this safe?" whimpered one of the girls.

  "It's fine. We're together, and Mister Candy Dandy will protect us!" said Mero.

  To which, the bloom-laden noble known as Roselina laughed. "Fools! There's obviously guards maintaining some manner of perimeter. Perhaps even Fairy Princesses. I wouldn't be surprised if they're out there watching over us right now. There's no way they'd risk my life."

  Many of the girls peered this way and that, trying to glimpse traces of frilled elegance skipping through the dark.

  Cecilia rolled her eyes. "Of course. Remember that in the event of an attack, we're all to sacrifice ourselves for the great Roselina."

  Roselina whipped her nose high. "So you are capable of telling the truth."

  Cecilia gritted her teeth.

  I'll bet I could push her over before she drew that sabre of hers...

  Mero squeezed in between them. "Miss Roselina has a point. Fairy Princesses have to be brave, right? This trial could be intended to scare us. A test of courage. It's important that we all stay strong!"

  Candy Dandy came to a stop before another of the Flossmeadows clearings. They'd used it in days prior, yet now the looming moon illuminated not confectionery constructions, but an array of veiled tables. Cloaked shapes of varying sizes and dimensions sat atop them, each accompanied by a label.

  "Girls..." Candy Dandy's voice lacked its usual jolly reverberation. "Before we proceed, I require your attention. Please listen very carefully." He turned and raised his lollipop lantern, tinting iced eyes scarlet. "The penultimate task is unlike anything you've faced thus far. It will be too much for many of you, and there is no shame in that. Please believe me when I say this: I would much rather you walk away now than force yourselves through something you'll regret."

  Worry rippled through the girls, but Cecilia and Mero nodded to one another in understanding.

  We've not come this far to turn tail now.

  "When the Queen's Ace suggested it, I initially refused to oversee such a test..." continued Candy Dandy. "Thankfully, Queen Titania herself intervened, and has offered a compromise. Should all of you refuse to participate, then I have been granted the authority to cancel the trial and pass everyone into tomorrow's finals."

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  "And if someone does wish to participate?" asked Roselina.

  Candy Dandy took a moment to consider his words. "...Then there will be winners and losers..."

  Cecilia clenched her fists.

  Me and Mero are winners. I'll make sure of it.

  "...There is one more thing I believe you should all know," said Candy Dandy. "Something that has remained a closely guarded secret up until this point, but considering what awaits, I feel it only fair to warn you. Before you decide whether to proceed or not, know that tomorrow's final will yield only one victor."

  Concerned whispers turned to cries of outrage. Hands shot up. As always, one voice was louder than the others.

  "You mean to say that out of all of us, only one will become a Fairy Princess?" snorted Roselina.

  "That is correct," said Candy Dandy. "In other words, if you are not confident in your abilities, I strongly suggest you go no further."

  Cecilia tried to process the situation. From the start, they'd all assumed an entire sisterhood would be selected.

  There's got to be some kind of mistake!

  She shakily turned to Mero, whose head was low and lips flat. Many of those around them only remained because of her encouragement. They were surrounded by rivals of their own making.

  "...Sis'? If either of us wins, we'll look after each other, ok? Mama too, right?"

  Wet eyes blinked to life. "Of course!" Mero squeaked. "We're family. Both now and forever!"

  "More like frauds," muttered Roselina.

  Cecilia flexed frustrated fingers.

  "...With all that said, those of you willing to continue, please find your tables," said Candy Dandy. "Except for you, Lady Roselina. You will follow me..."

  A smirk spread across the brat's oh-so slappable face. One that practically screamed, I told you I'm important.

  The girls waded through the field, flowing between tables like the gentle current of a rocky brook. Eyes passed across tags, and names were read in hushed whispers, as if they were all afraid of waking some sleeping giant.

  Cecilia felt a quiet presence shadowing her. She looked back and returned Mero's sore-eyed smile with one of her own. It was good to have someone watching her back, even now they were competing for a single prize.

  A loud cry rang out from across the field, jolting every muscle in Cecilia's body. As abrasive as the sudden spike in volume was, it did not seem to be an expression of fear or disgust. One of the girls that had already found her table was peeking beneath the cloth and mewling with affection.

  "Sis'." Mero had located their tables upon the back row.

  They took their positions side by side. The shape beneath Cecilia's cloth was square-shaped and of a middling size. A series of short, high-pitched sounds emerged from within, like fragmented whistles.

  Mero's was silent, and by far the smallest of any in the field. She flipped the sheet away without hesitation to reveal a glass jar. At first, Cecilia believed it completely empty. Only after squinting did she detect the solitary ant scurrying in circles.

  When they'd first arrived, volunteers had asked them a set of questions. They'd all seemed so trivial at the time. Little had they known that one amongst them would become so very relevant.

  Pulling the cloth away exposed a small crate filled with straw and scattered egg shards. A pair of shiny black eyes locked on to Cecilia and the chirping became frantic. The tiny bundle of fluff clumsily waddled closer, its goofy little wings wiggling. It pushed against the box's edge, as if desperate to reach her.

  Even back when Cecilia had first heard Mero's ridiculous answer, she couldn't understand how anyone could think an ant cuter than a duckling. Seeing the two creatures side by side did little to change her opinion. She couldn't resist lowering a hand to feel its soft warmth nestle in her palm. Within seconds, it had stolen her heart.

  I'll spoil you and love you forever and ever!

  "What is the meaning of this? Explain yourself!" cried Lady Roselina from the clearing's edge. Tied to a tree was the very white petalpony she'd ridden to the trials.

  Candy Dandy began to speak. Regretful words reached Cecilia's ears. Sounds that soon became little more than ringing. Her vision began to sway. Began to blur. She retracted her hand, much to the needy duckling's dismay.

  A test of dedication? I can't... I won't!

  Eyelids tried to clear away the obscuring glaze so she could look to her competitors.

  "But you said we don't have to do this?" asked one girl.

  "We can refuse!" cried another. "Everyone, we just have to refuse!"

  That's right! Candy Dandy said that if everyone refuses, we all pass to the final round!

  To Cecilia's utmost relief, it seemed the other girls were all as offended by the proposed test as she was. Even Roselina, for all her faults, had her arms wrapped around the neck of her petalpony, shaking her head and sniffing back tears.

  Hope returned to Cecilia's heart. Deep respect and appreciation fluttered through her body.

  It's going to be ok! We're all in agreement! We'll refuse as one, and pass together!

  Cecilia turned to Mero, the words "All your bridge building really paid off, sis'!" readied upon her tongue.

  Smash.

  Broken glass rattled upon the tabletop. The singular, stunned ant righted itself and began to dart through the maze of crystal shards.

  The others began to panic. Shrieks rang out.

  "Wait!" cried Cecilia. "It's not dead!"

  She rushed forward, only for Mero to beat her to it once again. Her scarred hand slapped down, crushing the lonely insect, its body lost somewhere within the smear of human blood.

  A dreadful silence descended.

  "Miss Mero... what have you done?" uttered Candy Dandy.

  Screams erupted, both those of dying animals and those of girls horrified at the sight of splitting fur and spilling organs. Some snatched up the cute creatures they'd been presented with, cradling them to their chest protectively, whilst others abandoned the trial and fled towards the forest.

  Candy Dandy desperately called for calm. He tried to stop those in flight, but his attempts to block their path with gingerbread walls only heightened their panic.

  Cecilia looked to her chirping fuzzball. When she'd been asked about her favourite animal, she was going to say butterfly. She'd thought that might've been what the volunteer wanted to hear, but she'd decided to tell the truth at the last moment. She'd never regretted honesty so much before. Not that killing a butterfly was ok, but this was definitely different. There was a sense of recognition when she met the duckling's beady peepers. They were two life forms, so very different, yet able to acknowledge and adore one another from first sight.

  "I can't do it," she whimpered. "I'm out."

  Mero's eyes widened. She was appalled.

  After what she's done... After what she's caused... How dare she look so shocked?

  "You have to!" squeaked Mero. "For Mama!"

  Cecilia clenched her teeth and thrashed her head from side to side. "This isn't what Mama would want! She's kind! She's gentle! This... this is -"

  A chilling neigh rang out. Roselina's petalpony rose up, kicking its front hooves before collapsing. A dark sheen spread through its white, flowery mane.

  Again and again, Roselina plunged her floral saber deep, star-like sparkles streaming from scrunched eyes. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

  Cecilia would've believed it all a nightmare, yet no matter how intense or gruesome the chaos, she did not wake. Then, amidst the disorder, Mero darted forth. Scarred, bony hands dived into Cecilia's crate and wrapped around undeveloped feathers.

  "No!" Cecilia reached for Mero's wrists. She should be stronger. She should be able to stop her. Yet her weak grip only trembled around the scrawny arms.

  Mero raised the duckling high, then swung at the table's edge.

  Crack.

  Cecilia's body jerked back.

  No...

  An unfamiliar, wretched sound gurgled from her lips.

  No, no, no...

  A cold wave washed across her body. Arms fell limp. Knees struggled. Her vision refused to leave the shattered mess, its webbed feet still kicking. A smeared stew of brittle bones as broken as the shell it'd crawled from. Each twitch of the one remaining wing was slower and subtler than the last, until it ceased moving entirely.

  Cecilia wondered what her duckling's final thought had been. Fear? Hate? Confusion? Did it understand that she wasn't responsible? Did it think its mama would save it?

  "It's ok. It's over," said Mero so very softly. "You did well. You did what you had to do."

  "No... I... I didn't..." Nausea riddled every word.

  "You did what you had to do." In the darkness, Mero's wet eyes reflected the moon as twinned deathly spectres.

  Cecilia's legs gave out. She fell upon flattened flowers. Fluffy seeds scattered to dance through the night. Covering her ears did little to block out the screams. She tried to ignore the scarred hand resting on her shoulder. Bloodied digits rubbed and squeezed in attempted comfort, but only stirred her gut.

  Numbing, deadened calm eventually descended upon the field. Even those few who'd passed the trial refused to celebrate. Cecilia's throat stung as she watched the 'losers' cling to their warm, precious pets.

  Candy Dandy slowly made his way around the participants, his voice hollow. "Miss Cecilia... Miss Mero... Congratulations. You may proceed to the final trial. Go get some rest. I'll clean up here."

  "...No," whispered Cecilia.

  Mero's eyes bore down upon her.

  Candy Dandy leaned in closer. "I'm sorry, what was that?"

  Cecilia's gaze queasily drifted between the two. The sound of her sickly swallow was louder than the words that followed. "...I want to bury it. It's the least I can do..."

  Earth caked her hands and crept beneath her fingernails. It felt cold. Colder than the crumpled thing she gently lay to rest, yet not nearly as cold as the wet gaze watching over her.