Today

  ( Sunshine )

  She howled at the mirror. Tight fists thundered against its surface. Cracks spread, fracturing the cruel window.

  Beyond, the reflection acted independently. It crawled on all fours like a beast. A ravenous, slavering animal that prowled around a fallen Queen.

  No matter how much she screamed or beat at the mirror, the reflection would not stop. Drooling jaws neared royal flesh. Teeth pressed to skin, denting deeper and deeper, until blood pooled and ran.

  The monarch's stomach split open, and the reflection buried its face in blossoming viscera. Teeth gnashed and head jerked, ripping rubbery chunks to slurp and gulp.

  All the while, the quivering Queen wept, radiance fading with every bite.

  Sunshine's eyelids slowly lifted. Once upon a time she'd wake throughout the night to spew her disgust, but she'd long since grown numb to the horror.

  Weak. Pathetic. Useless even in dreams...

  She examined her hands in the light of her bedside faefire. It must've been almost a century since she'd seen them so undamaged. Every day she would test herself by grabbing the iron chain hidden in her drawer. But not yesterday. Yesterday had been different.

  You should be ashamed.

  They'd chased Cherrychomp around the palace for hours. Sunshine had swooped down corridors and soared through halls. She'd worked with Winterwish to try and corner the little red fairy. When that had failed a dozen times, they'd joined forces with the competition, Merrymint and Bubblebun. Even as four, Cherrychomp somehow slipped through their grasp time and time again, like she'd mastered every hall, like the entire palace was her playground.

  It should've made Sunshine angry. Furious. Failing normally filled her with rage. Her temples would throb, her heart would race and her skin would sear. Losing was an unbearable itch she couldn't scratch. But not yesterday. She hated to admit it, but despite losing she'd actually had fun. At times she'd even had to hold back laughter. Such a thing would've been inconceivable mere days ago.

  Happiness unearned. How do you hope to best Splishsplash when you can't even catch Cherrychomp? Fun won't earn Mother's approval.

  Sunshine rolled to the edge of the bed and lowered her legs.

  Cutiehorn's sacrifice earned her favour. That faesteel could've been yours if you hadn't failed.

  She reached for the bloodied drawer and pulled. Undefeated links rattled into view. For a moment she wondered how many times she'd have to endure the ferric burn before it made a difference. Before she gained something from the pain, be that resistance, or even the fabled 'resolve'.

  Your neck. Wrap it around your neck.

  She stared at the iron and the stains surrounding it, and for the first time, asked herself why? If every day could be like yesterday, then how much did she truly care about what Splishsplash and Cutiehorn received?

  She looked to the golden mace propped against the foot of her bed. Truth. It was scratched. It was dented. It was flawed. It was riddled with imperfections.

  Trash. Just like you.

  And yet...

  "It's enough." Sunshine's face creased in a way she still wasn't used to. A genuine, heartfelt smile. "It'll do just fine."

  She gently pushed the drawer to a close.

  Sunshine wasn't sure what the day would bring, but something was due. Last night they'd been told to assemble in the Grand Hall before dawn. No one was to be absent. No one was to be late. A direct and absolute order from Mother herself.

  She'd been determined to get there first, yet arrived to see someone had beaten her to it. At the foot of the great staircase, the Queen's so-called Ace stood with perfect posture, as vigilant as ever.

  She beat you again. She always beats you.

  Placid pools spotted her, and the Splishsplash gave a single, frustratingly neutral nod.

  Sunshine looked to the prismatic trident by her rival's side whilst squeezing the handle of her own weapon. She inhaled slowly, then panned the room. It seemed they were alone. There was no one by the mighty doors or peering down from the upper balconies.

  She cleared her throat. She moistened her tongue. She parted her lips and took a slow sip of air. "...Good morning." The words tasted bitter as they left her mouth, as if betraying a hundred years of unresolved hostility, and yet, she was glad to have said them.

  "Good morning," said Splishsplash.

  After a long and awkward wait, Cutiehorn and Bubblebun joined them. The ribbony rabbit gave the subtlest of head tilts in reluctant greeting, whilst the knight offered her silver hand once more. This time, Sunshine shook it on her own accord.

  Next to arrive were Winterwish, Merrymint and Cherrychomp. The little red fairy was still snoring upon the emerald princess' back, drool dripping.

  "Ahoy-hoy, everyone!" chirped Merrymint.

  "You couldn't wake her?" asked Cutiehorn.

  "Don't worry. We have a plan," said Winterwish.

  Uncertain glances and shrugs rippled through the group. Though that was nothing compared to the confusion that followed when the Royal Tailor descended the stairway.

  "I can't think of seven faces I'd like to see less this time of morning."

  "Lady Dollymop? What are you doing here?" asked Winterwish.

  "Well I'm certainly not present by choice," she grumbled.

  "Summoned like the rest of us, I'd assume," said Puddingpuff.

  Sunshine hadn't noticed the snooty socialite arrive, and from the looks on the others' faces, neither had anyone else. The pink princess had a habit of concealing whip-like snaps of speed within distractions, then acting calm the moment heads turned. Truly ridiculous behaviour. Yet this morning, her attempted grace was tarnished. The others might not notice, but Sunshine's sight easily detected the accelerated pulse drumming beneath powdered flesh and the subtle quivering of lips from hastened breathing.

  That decorated tart is up to something.

  Distrust of Puddingpuff was one of the few things Sunshine and her rebellious thoughts agreed on. From the day of her emergence, the insolent cow had acted as if she was already superior. Like the whole world should be grateful she'd finally graced it with her pretentious presence.

  "...Make that eight faces," sighed Dollymop.

  "Any ideas what this is about?" Bubblebun's iridescent eyes were fixed on the knight beside her.

  "I've not been told anything," said Cutiehorn.

  Bubblebun clicked her tongue. "Some leader you are." Her tone had been jestful, but from the way Cutiehorn's shoulder slumped, it had struck a nerve.

  Click, clack. Click, clack.

  Sunshine grew tenser at the approaching sound. Her blood raced, stomach stirred and muscles tightened.

  "Quickly, Winter'! It's go time!" said Merrymint.

  The frosty fairy hurriedly delved into her pocket and pulled out a small napkin bundle. She waved it under Cherrychomp's nose. Nostrils flared. Sharp teeth parted and clamped down upon the package, gobbling food and napkin alike. Yet even as she munched, the little red fairy continued to snore.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  "You've gotta be kidding!" cried Merrymint.

  Snowflake pupils darted, desperately looking for ideas. "Uhm... Uhm... Oh! I've got it! Cherrychomp, it's snowing!"

  Ruby eyes flung open. "Snowin'!?" Clumps of chewed food sprayed across Merrymint's hat.

  "Well golly, thanks, Cherry'," groaned Merrymint.

  Cherrychomp hopped off, looked around, then put her hands to her hips. "Fibbers! This ain't no snowin'! I know snowin', an' this ain't it!"

  "Sorry..." mumbled Winterwish with a frown.

  Oaken doors swung open. Subdued divinity blessed the hall. Mother had arrived, cloaked head to toe in black, like a grieving widow. The ever-gauntening features and darkened bags beneath her eyes only added to the resemblance.

  "My girls. My beautiful, beautiful girls. Gather round and listen closely. Time is short and I will not be repeating myself."

  She's not looking at you.

  Sunshine acted on instinct, rushing forth and pushing her way to the front of the crowd, like she were a moth to Mother's flame.

  Cutiehorn took to one knee, using the faesteel shield to support herself. "Your orders, my Queen?"

  "In a few moments I will be departing. I must meet with my sisters, Obonia and Useelia, upon the Divide of Queendoms." Gasps and questions sounded out, but Mother waved her hands for quiet. "I will be no more than a few hours, regardless of outcome. I apologise for not announcing this sooner, but I'm sure you'll all agree that we could not afford to make our enemies aware of my absence."

  She's still not looking at you.

  Sunshine strained her spine and raised her chin high.

  "We will remain strong, my Queen," said Cutiehorn. "We will not fail you."

  "Whilst I'm away, you're all to follow..." Mother's burning eyes peered towards Splishsplash, then paused. "...Cutiehorn's orders. Do you all understand?"

  "Yes, Queen Titania," several muttered, voices weak with uncertainty.

  Cutiehorn clanged her shield against her breastplate, the sound echoing through the vaulted space. "Sisters!"

  The rest of the princesses snapped to attention like a pack of well-trained hounds. Even Mother flinched.

  "Yes, Queen Titania!" the group repeated, this time with zeal.

  Mother gave a quick, shaky nod, then strode toward the main doors, though Sunshine followed closely.

  She'll never look at your ugly face again.

  "Queen Titania! Queen Titania!" she called. "Please allow me to accompany you!"

  Mother answered without stopping. Without looking back. Without meeting her gaze, as always. "No."

  The word hit like a slap to the face. Sunshine's jaw tightened and fists clenched all the harder.

  You disgust her.

  Only once they were outside did Mother half-turn her head, as if speaking to an invisible figure by her side. "...Your sisters may have need of your swift wings."

  Exhilaration surged through Sunshine's body like a rising tide. She sucked in a deep breath so she might appropriately voice her appreciation. "Yes, Queen Titania!" she roared.

  Monarch wings spread wide and Mother took off into the dark sky. She flew both lower and slower than usual. There was no flash of flame. No glowing fireball. She simply slipped into the lingering night, as if becoming one with it.

  "Has she ever left before?" asked Winterwish.

  "Not in my lifetime," said Merrymint.

  "...Nor in mine," said Dollymop. "For the three Queens to meet must mean the situation is serious..." She craned her head upward. "You're late, dammit!"

  Mister Bear loosed a pathetic whine as he descended from the sky beneath a cluster of balloons. It seemed Mother had rallied all of her most trusted allies.

  A heavy hand clunked upon Sunshine's shoulder. "You have the best vision," said Cutiehorn. "Could you take a high vantage point and keep watch? You know, just in case."

  Sunshine looked to the silver eyes. Then to the others around her. Most were wincing cautiously, as if she were a bomb that could explode at any moment.

  They hate you.

  But not Winterwish. Her frosty orbs were filled with hope.

  "Sure," said Sunshine.

  She watched the day break from the palace balcony. The very spot Mother had watched from the last time she'd clashed with Splishsplash. The black scar where Candy Town once stood had finally cooled.

  Below, the merprincess observed others mingle, silent and motionless, as if studying their actions. Dollymop and Mister Bear appeared to be admiring the artisanal design of Cutiehorn's shield. Bubblebun seemed to be showing Cherrychomp how to throw a punch, whilst Winterwish and Merrymint conjured up chill winds.

  Just a few weeks ago the frosty fairy had been as incapable as they come, but no longer. Now, emerald gusts helped to shape her incredible power. Under Merrymint's guidance, Winterwish cast forth waves of icicles and called up glacial walls.

  You would've made a terrible Mentor...

  "Yeah," said Sunshine, without a hint of remorse.

  Her faint smile was fleeting. One of their supposed allies was missing, and likely had been for some time without anyone noticing. Sunshine had half a mind to track Puddingpuff down and drag her back kicking and screaming. But she couldn't just abandon her post. It was the first responsibility the new her had been granted. The new her that didn't fuck everything up. The new her that helped her family.

  That was when something drew her attention to the East. A distant, unremarkable cluster of trees within the stretching sea of shimmering green.

  "...Tuberly?" she whispered to herself.

  The reason for her focus was difficult to identify at first. There'd been no felled trunk. No swaying of leaves, nor fleeing flock of birds. No physical disturbance of any kind, rather, there was something off with the magic.

  From such a distance, and obscured by the mirage-like movements of the Enchanted Forest's residual energies, it was almost impossible to pick up on, but now that she'd spotted it, there was no mistaking the sickly stain for anything else. Without a doubt, it was the very same eye-invading, mind-melting wickedness she'd witnessed in Candy Town just before its fall.

  Ichor!

  Her ribs tightened. The sounds of her sisters below quietened, drowned out by her own ragged gasps.

  She prepared to drop down and warn them. Hesitation. Her belly twisted like a knot.

  Last time you fucked up. They won't want getting in the way. Cutiehorn will have you stay behind. They'll race into danger without you.

  Her gaze traced the silver knight's lacking side, then shifted to Winterwish and Merrymint, still practicing their abilities in blissful ignorance.

  "No one else gets hurt." Sunshine took a deep breath and spread her wings wide. "Not again. Not this time."

  The flare shot up the moment she dived forth. A spiralling, screaming light that reached for the waking sky and exploded into a pink butterfly.

  Sunshine took one last glance at her siblings as she raced through the air. She watched as Cutiehorn clanged her faesteel and beckoned the others to order. It would take them time to form a response. Cherrychomp might be quick on her feet, especially in the confines of the palace, but none of them could match Sunshine's speed in the open sky.

  Fear coursed through her veins with every lash of feathers. Cloying memories of petrifying tides oozed through her mind. Last time she'd been weak. Last time she'd been pathetic. But today would be different. Today she wasn't fighting for herself. Today she wasn't chasing pride or giving in to rage.

  Today she would fight for her friends.