A Strange Sisterhood

  ( Newbie )

  Don't get up. Don't get up. Don't get up.

  Newbie chanted the words in her head, as if they might suppress the fallen villain and prevent it from rising for another round. Only when she saw the silver unicorn knight and iridescent bunny ballerina link arms and dance in victory did she finally breathe once more.

  "They... did it?" Newbie asked. "They did it!"

  "The it has indeed been done," said Merrymint.

  Despite contributing nothing, Newbie joined in the celebrations by skipping and swinging in joyous arcs. "Fairy Princesses are amazing! They're incredible!"

  "We're incredible," said Merrymint with a flick of her spectacles.

  Newbie's entire body prickled and tingled.

  An action-packed future of heroism awaits!

  That was when Candy Town's bell tower chimed once more, only this time its reverberations rolled over a wonderland in crumbling ruin. The battle was over, but both the devastation and the battered behemoth remained.

  "Oh no! We have to check that no one's hurt under all of this!" Just as Newbie was about to race to the closest collapse, Merrymint's stave rose to block her path.

  "Relax, Newbie! No one lives here. No one besides the Mayor, anyway, and he knows to keep well clear when things get rowdy!"

  Newbie squinted at the surrounding destruction. There were an awful lot of homes and establishments for a solo resident. "Then where is everyone?"

  "Oh, that's easy!" Merrymint thrust her stave skyward, pointing toward the vibrant arch above with all the drama she could muster. "Rainbow City, baby!"

  Newbie peered up at the bands of colour and blinked repeatedly, yet no matter how many times she fluttered her eyelids, the claim made no more sense. "Well... what about all this mess? It'll take years to rebuild!"

  Merrymint seemed utterly unconcerned. "Nope! Come tomorrow afternoon this whole place will be spick-and-span. As good as new!"

  Newbie shook her head in disbelief. "Surely we at least have to do something about that!" She jabbed a digit in the direction of their fallen foe, who was still tossing and turning like one struggling to get out of bed in the morning.

  "Mister Bear? Heck, once he's patched up he'll just head on home," said Merrymint.

  Newbie groaned and buried her face in her fluffy gloves. She hoped that by rubbing her features enough, things might become clearer.

  Up until now, she and Merrymint had been alone atop the rooftop, so she couldn't help but jump when another voice spoke out.

  "Such are the woes of the ill-informed."

  Newbie lifted her eyes from her fingers to see another Fairy Princess, all pretty, pink and proper. She had appeared without making so much as a sound.

  "Ahoy-hoy, Puddin'! How long have you been there?" asked Merrymint.

  "That's Princess Puddingpuff, if you wouldn't mind. Let us not instill lackadaisical language in our neonate sibling. And in answer to your question, long enough to know you've neglected to mention this entire conflict was merely a charade."

  She spoke with flourish, as if priding herself on each and every syllable. One glamorously gloved hand gripped a flounced parasol. In the other rested a dainty teacup filled with thick white.

  Is that... cream? How can she drink something so sickly?

  Much like her name, Puddingpuff's dress appeared dessert inspired. Ruffled silks and smooth velvets formed layers like those of a decorated cake, though grounded by lofty platform boots.

  "Sorry, Princess Puddingpuff, was it?" asked Newbie. "I didn't notice you either. Forgive me. I'm -"

  "Newbie, obviously." Laced fingers waved dismissively. "You needn't apologise. You've quite enough to take in." Puddingpuff leaned a little closer and lowered her voice to a near whisper. "You may wish to take notes. One can never be too certain which morsels may prove pertinent in future..."

  "Uhm, right. Thanks," said Newbie. "So, what did you mean by charade?"

  Puddingpuff pursed her lips, then rolled them from one side of her mouth to the other. "...Perhaps it would be best you redirect said enquiry toward your cordial acquaintance here. You'd do well to put your trust in her."

  Somewhat puzzled, Newbie turned to Merrymint, who was scratching at the back of her neck.

  "Golly! I should've said earlier. This was all training. We do it every evening. Y'know, to make sure we're strong enough for the real thing!"

  "So... Mister Bear is...?" started Newbie.

  "A pawn at best. A punching-bag at worst," said Puddingpuff.

  Newbie hung her head and sighed.

  "I'm sorry, Newb'! It super slipped my mind! You weren't too worried, right?" Merrymint tucked her stave beneath an arm and took Newbie by the shoulders. Thumbs dug into tight muscles, and circular motions melted pent-up tension.

  "Well, I wasn't not worried," moaned Newbie.

  "I get it, I get it! It looks rough, right? But we try not to hurt each other too much! Right, Puddin'?" asked Merrymint.

  "Prin-cess Pudd-ing-puff."

  "Yeah, that's what I said!" Merrymint winked. "I didn't catch you during the battle. You not get involved today either?"

  "I opted to observe from afar," said Puddingpuff. "I'm afraid I'd only hinder our brave heroes' efforts should I enter the fray directly. Regrettably, I have not the brawn, endurance nor magical prowess to -"

  "Hey, Newb'," interrupted Merrymint. "You wanna go meet the team?"

  Newbie looked to the unamused pink princess, then to Merrymint's carefree face, and finally over toward the victors still amidst their jolly jig. "Is that ok? You don't think they'll mind? I don't wanna barge in, or anything."

  "It'll be fine! They'll love you!" Merrymint gave an infectious smile.

  "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" said Newbie. "Are you coming, Princess Puddingpuff?"

  "I'm afraid I've other matters to attend. Though, it was a pleasure meeting you, Newbie. I do hope we can become good friends."

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  When Newbie had first seen the other Fairy Princesses leaping atop buildings and skipping between rooftops, she'd been most impressed. Yet after a little encouragement from Merrymint, she found her fairy legs quite capable, even if her technique was still on the clumsy side.

  Soon enough, the pair arrived at the epicentre. The stuffed monster lay groaning amongst sugary rubble whilst the ballerina and knight danced triumphantly. Not wanting to interrupt, and feeling a little awkward about presenting herself from nowhere, Newbie partially hid behind Merrymint. Though someone else cut the cheers short instead.

  A stitched doll of patchwork fabric and string hair raced toward the fallen bear. She didn't appear human, yet lacked the jewel-like eyes of a Fairy Princess. Instead, she seemed to perceive the world through twin buttons, much like the fallen giant she tended to.

  "What is she?" whispered Newbie.

  "That's Dollymop," whispered Merrymint. "The Royal Tailor I was telling you about. The one who makes our outfits."

  Like everything Newbie had experienced thus far, it made sense in only the most whimsical of ways.

  Who better to handle textiles than a being made of cloth, I suppose.

  "Mister Bear!" Dollymop wailed. "What did they do to you, my poor baby?"

  Mister Bear raised his huge head and whined as the lady embraced him. She patted his fur and peppered his woollen boo-boos with synthetic kisses.

  "You ok, Mister Bear?" asked the unicorn knight. "Were we too rough?"

  "Too rough?" The bunny ballerina clicked her tongue. "As if." She crossed her arms tight, taking an unsympathetic stance that clashed with her cutesy appearance. "Besides, he started it."

  Dollymop scowled. "That's literally his job!"

  Returning from her second unplanned flight, Cherrychomp arrived on the scene. She seemed excited to join in the celebrations, only to be met with a stern button gaze.

  "And as for you!" snapped Dollymop. "You didn't have to eat his brains!"

  Mister Bear nodded and grumbled in agreement.

  "Well then they shouldn't be so yummy!" said Cherrychomp.

  "Yummy?" asked the ballerina. "Isn't it just cotton?"

  "No, 's'not cotton. Is fluffy an' tasty!" argued Cherrychomp.

  "What are you even talking about?" asked the ballerina. "Look. It's all stuck in your teeth!"

  Cherrychomp parted her lips and went cross-eyed in an attempt to see the fibre-flossed gnashers.

  "Come here, I'll get it," offered the knight.

  But Cherrychomp dipped away. "No! Is style! Is fashion! Everyone in Rainbow City is doin' it!"

  The ballerina clicked her tongue once more. "Don't be ridiculous! You can't leave it in there!"

  And just like that, both the knight and the ballerina were chasing the little red fairy, all while the stitched doll hurled accusations and shook her fist.

  Merrymint may have found it funny, but the more time that passed without their presence being noticed, the more uncomfortable Newbie felt. She was just about to jump and shout to get it over with when another fantastical figure joined the party, causing her to flinch back.

  The unnerving silhouette she'd spotted finally dropped from the heavens, and with mighty force. Chocolate slabs shattered beneath socked and sandalled feet on impact, and although such a loud landing was already enough to grab everyone's attention, the avian also gave her wings a whooshing flap for good measure.

  The eyes of every Fairy Princess Newbie had seen thus far had been beautiful, even her own, yet the two great saucers before her were on another level. They loomed like honeyed moons amidst the darkest of nights, making Newbie feel small and vulnerable, like they were seeing right through her.

  "Are you all blind?" asked the feathered fairy. The slight curve of her lips was a little unnerving when paired with such intense eyes.

  The gathering fell quiet. That was until they followed the golden gaze and multiple gasps sounded.

  "A new sister has emerged to join our family." The feathered fairy strode forth, her fists clenched tight. A white robe and blonde bowl cut swayed on approach. "I'm Princess Sunshine, firstborn."

  Newbie tried to keep the intimidation from her voice. "A pleasure to meet you all."

  "Brilliant," said Dollymop. "Another brat. Just what I needed."

  Fortunately, the others seemed far more friendly.

  The knight offered a gauntlet. "Welcome! I'm Cutiehorn." Her handshake was a little too tight, as if she didn't know her own strength.

  The ballerina opted to raise two ribbon-braced fingers instead. A gesture that made her digits resemble the ears atop her head. "Yo! Name's Bubblebun."

  "Cutiehorn and Bubblebun." Newbie nodded. "Fitting names!"

  "Don't worry," said Bubblebun. "The whole 'Newbie' thing doesn't last long. You can pick your own name once you've figured out a vibe."

  Cherrychomp wiggled her way between the pair, pushing to the front. Her hands went straight to her hips and she raised her chin high. "I knew Newbie before she was cool!"

  "...And how long is that, exactly? Like, an hour?" asked Bubblebun. "She must be fresh from the cocoon."

  "Any signs of magic?" asked Cutiehorn.

  "Have you met Queen Titania?" asked Sunshine.

  "What's your favourite colour?" asked Cherrychomp. "Is it red? Mine's red!"

  Newbie raised her hands and fumbled for words, unable to keep up with the questions. Suddenly being the focus of so much attention turned her vocal cords to jelly.

  "Hey-hey-hey!" sang Merrymint with a wave of her stave. "Give her a little space. Let a girl breathe!"

  "Get a load of Merrymint, acting all responsible and stuff!" said Bubblebun.

  This seemed to catch Sunshine's attention. The faint smile faded. "...Merrymint, have you been chosen as Mentor?"

  "Me? Oh-no-no-no! Not at all! We tried to see Queeny earlier, but she was busy." Merrymint turned to Newbie. "Your Mentor will teach you the ropes. Help you develop your magic and stuff."

  "It's usually Splishsplash," said Cutiehorn.

  "It's always Splishsplash." Bubblebun rolled her eyes. "And she's a total hard-arse."

  Cutiehorn frowned at Bubblebun with disappointment, then looked to Newbie apologetically. "Don't stress. Splishsplash isn't all that bad. Teaching the ways of a Fairy Princess just happens to be a lot of responsibility."

  "I suppose we'll find out tonight." Sunshine's slight smile returned. "May Queen Titania choose wisely."

  The anxiety of meeting a queen fizzed through Newbie's core once more. It felt even stronger now that she'd witnessed some of the spectacular feats the others were capable of. "Tonight? What's tonight?"

  "Tonight we feast!" declared Merrymint dramatically.

  "Every night we feast," said Bubblebun. "And every morning. Being a Fairy Princess is hungry work."

  "Though it'll be all the more delicious with a new sister at our table," said Cutiehorn.

  "A new friend," said Bubblebun.

  It hadn't been all that long since Newbie had stuffed her face with fruit, and yet she was already famished. Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment as her belly gurgled. Fortunately, the others appeared just as hungry. Bubblebun rubbed her stomach and Cutiehorn licked her lips at imagined treats. Cherrychomp seemed almost possessed at the mention of the feast and began to drool. Merrymint stepped in to wipe the saliva away with a handkerchief, then snapped her back to reality by ruffling her scarlet scalp.

  "F-food!?" Cherrychomp cried.

  "Soon! C'mon, let's head back," said Merrymint.

  As the group began their ascent, Newbie turned to the tailor who was still searching high and low.

  "How do you lose a button-eye the size of a carriage?" asked Dollymop.

  Mister Bear whined.

  "Uhm... Would you two like some help?" asked Newbie.

  "Forget it," said Dollymop. "You'll only get in the way."

  Newbie frowned.

  I guess she's not in the best of moods right now...