Interlude V

  ( Cecilia )

  Cecilia watched Mero's eyelids twitch, and studied how air whistled through her barely parted lips.

  How can she sleep so peacefully after what she's done?

  Cecilia hated herself for understanding Mero's reasoning. Just acknowledging that they had far fewer competitors, and thus, a greater chance at saving Mama made her feel sick. Fairies were supposed to be heroes, not heartless killers.

  If today's finals involve hurting anything or anyone else, I'm withdrawing immediately. No ifs. No buts.

  They'd agreed to spare Mama the gruesome details, though so many others had returned sobbing and stained that the trial's grim nature had been obvious. Thankfully, Mama hadn't pried. She'd merely been there, ready and waiting to embrace them. To make everything feel just a little less awful.

  Cecilia sat up and stretched. The light of day was creeping through the entrance of their tent. From outside came sounds of excitement. She took a slow, deep breath, then snatched her gown.

  All heads were turned in one direction. Sprouting up from a neighbouring clearing and stretching high above the trees was a great biscuity tower.

  Cecilia squinted at sections of the coiling course, eyeing icing sugar ledges and candy lace ropework. "Do they expect us to climb that?"

  "Scared?"

  Cecilia spun around. Roselina's tired yet thorny glare was upon her. Blossoms adorned the flowing fabric of her dress as always, though the sabre she usually carried upon her hip was absent.

  "Oh, Lady Roselina..." Cecilia addressed her softer than usual. "Uhm, are you ok?"

  "Am I ok? What kind of question is that?" Roselina whipped her nose skyward. "It is the day of my ascension."

  Cecilia thought back to the noble's moonlight face, streaming with tears and blood. Silver stained scarlet, stabbing into a screaming steed. "I just meant... It wasn't easy for any of us. But for you -"

  Roselina marched closer. "You think me weak? Soft? Spoiled?" Eyes narrowed. Head tilted. The next word popped. "Pampered?"

  "Uh..." Cecilia hesitated. What else was she supposed to think of one who arrived alongside a parade of servants?

  "Were you under the delusion I look down on you because of something as meager as status or wealth?" asked Roselina. "The title perhaps? Lady. A mere word."

  Cecilia's jaw tightened. The snob had done more than that. She'd run her and Mama from the path, then tossed a bloom to them as if paying respect to a pair of corpses. "Then why? You know nothing of my family!"

  "And you nothing of me. You think I'm some petty, indulgent toff who wastes her days courting lords over feasts of excess? I have trained my entire life for this." Roselina's gaze lashed up and down, as if beholding some unclean beast. "And not just my body. The geography and politics of the three queendoms. The subtleties of science and mysteries of magic. The intricacies of economy and the hidden horrors of history. I studied until my eyes stung. Day after day, night after night. So tell me, you who hobbled here, dragging the sick and injured, tell me of your motivations. I was born to better this queendom. Why are you here?"

  Cecilia's vision dropped. "My Mama... She needs help..."

  Roselina leaned in, her whisper laced with floral fragrance. "Selfish."

  Cecilia tried to restrain a rising temper, but could feel her breath burn. Her response was raw. It ripped through gritted teeth without a thought. "I. Don't. Care. I don't care about you, or the queendom. I care about my Mama, and I am going to save her."

  Roselina replied not with words, but with hot, wet hatred.

  The spit hit Cecilia's cheek. Her fist clenched. Arm tensed. If the entrance flap of her tent hadn't lifted to reveal Mero's peeking face, she would've swung.

  Roselina pushed past her, heading towards the tower. "Oh, and you're wrong. I do know one thing of you and your 'family'... That you lied to even be here."

  Cecilia watched her fingers unfurl. The trial hadn't even begun and she'd already almost broken her oath.

  Mero shuffled to her side, as if she'd done nothing wrong. As if they were still friends. "...What was that about?"

  "What do you think?" grumbled Cecilia. "Last night she had to kill her petalpony."

  Sore spheres locked on their departing rival. "She didn't have to."

  Cecilia took her second steadying breath of the day, trying to resist the urge to cast aside her only ally. "Mero... I can trust you, right?"

  Scarred lips fell flat. "Of course. Why would you ask?"

  Cecilia sighed. "...I guess the pressure's just getting to me."

  Together, Cecilia and Mero helped Mama through the trees. Her coughing fits were growing worse, and gooey red left her lips more often. Each time they had to stop, Mero's moist eyes fixed on Cecilia, as if to reinforce how essential their victory was.

  They were somewhat relieved when they reached the clearing, for surrounding Candy Dandy's colossal erection was a wibbling, wobbling fortress of jelly. Cecilia watched as some of the volunteers tested it. They'd climb two or three rotations up the winding tower, spare a moment to glance around nervously, then allow themselves to fall. The moment they made contact with the castle, they were sprung back into the air, again and again, losing momentum with each consecutive bounce until they finally jiggled to an unsteady stop.

  "Well that looks fun," said Mama.

  Cecilia bit back the urge to ask the question that was surely on everyone's lips.

  Has anyone tested it from the very top?

  It was better not to dwell on such things. Mama already worried enough.

  "If one of us wins, maybe we can ask Mister Candy Dandy to make us a whole house made of jelly," Cecilia joked.

  Mama smiled.

  Mero did not. "When," she squeaked. "When we win."

  "Just be careful." Mama craned her head back. "It's a long, long way up. If you get too scared, it's better to stop and come down safely, ok? I won't be disappointed. I promise." She gave each of them a loving pinch on the cheek.

  Spectators amassed, and not just the usual guardians and locals. Several royals from the palace were also in attendance, no doubt eager to see the makings of their future family.

  For Cecilia, who'd always adored hearing stories of the Fairy Princesses, it was a real treat. She admired Princess Bravesail's impeccable naval uniform, and Princess Razzledazzle's vibrant peacock feathers. Princess Choccyrock stood with her hips cocked to one side and an expression that was all attitude. Then there was Princess Snugglehug, slowly waving with her long, sloth-like arms.

  Even the Queen's Ace was in attendance. The shining pearls upon her dress almost as bright as her wide, beaming smile.

  Princess Pearlypop... How could you suggest such a cruel penultimate test?

  Mero bumped Cecilia's shoulder. A gentle reminder to remain focused as the competitors lined up before Candy Dandy. Less than a dozen had passed to the final trial.

  "I take it the first to the top is the winner?" asked Roselina.

  "Ho-ho, if any of you can," said Candy Dandy. "Otherwise, whoever is able to climb the highest will claim victory."

  I've not seen the others climb much, but physically, I should stand a fair chance.

  Glares danced, but one amongst the group garnered more scorn than the rest. Mero.

  "Ho-ho... I suppose I needn't warn you all how dangerous this is. We've done what we can to reduce the risks, but one of you is to become a Fairy Princess, and will face threats like no other. Once again, if you are not feeling confident, I ask you to withdraw now."

  The crowd fell completely silent. Not even a single whisper was passed as they strained to hear whether any of the girls would bow out. Cecilia knew better than to doubt her challengers. They'd not back down now. Not after last night.

  "Ho-ho... well then. If you're all ready?" Iced eyes swept over each of them in turn.

  Cecilia crouched, readying herself to burst forward.

  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

  "Begin!" roared Candy Dandy, swinging his cane like a general declaring a charge.

  The moment Cecilia kicked off, she felt something crash against her side, making her stumble the next few steps and lose her head start. She looked back to see Mero had fallen, or more likely, had been pushed.

  "Go!" squeaked Mero from the floor.

  But Cecilia was already on her way back, and hauled Mero up.

  "You should've left me!" cried Mero as they both began to run.

  Cecilia held back her response. It was better to save breath. The other competitors were already passing through the gelatinous gates, only to discover the jelly was not only there to break their fall, but present an obstacle in itself.

  Together, the adoptive sisters teetered and tottered across the unstable fortification. When Cecilia tumbled and accidentally plunged her hands deep into the gummy ground, Mero was there to pull her free. When Mero tried to lean on a swaying wall, only to rebound off it, Cecilia was there to catch her. Not everyone was so lucky. One of the girls had managed to get herself lodged up to the waist, and now wept as the others raced past to claim her dream for themselves.

  As the group raced up the spiralling tower, they faced increasingly difficult challenges. One moment they were skipping across chocolatey peanut cups. The next they were swinging between powdered bonbon platforms using liquorice laces. The first real test, however, was an array of rotating wafer tubes.

  Cecilia and Mero watched as the two girls ahead approached separate pipes with differing techniques. Roselina chose to crawl through the middle, while the other girl clambered atop.

  "Through or over?" asked Cecilia.

  As if to answer that question, one of the delicate wafer pipes crumbled, and the girl who'd attempted to walk over it fell screaming down to the jelly below.

  "Through!" squeaked Mero.

  Cecilia was brawnier and heavier than the others. At times this had provided her an advantage, but now that additional bulk proved a burden. Crawl too fast, and the crispy construction would break, but wiggle too slowly and the rotation would have her rolling helplessly. The concentration required to hit that delicate balance brought perspiration to her brow.

  She was over half-way when a silhouette eclipsed the light at the end of the tunnel.

  "Go, Mero! I'll catch up!"

  Only, the shadow didn't respond. At least, not vocally. They reached for the tube's exit and started to tear. Violent vibrations shook through the surrounding straw.

  "Stop!" Cecilia hurried her crawl. Wafer cracked beneath scurrying limbs, revealing a dizzying drop. They were already higher than they'd seen any of the volunteers dare to jump. "Please!"

  A high-pitched shriek rang out, and one black profile collided with another. Shrouded figures flailed. Yelps and cries sounded as skin was scratched and hair pulled, until one shadow split away.

  "Mero!" Cecilia called, hoping her ally had triumphed. "I'm not going to make it!"

  "Yes you are!" a voice squeaked back. "Hurry!"

  And Cecilia did. Her heart spiked with each fragment that fell away. The wafer started to slant. Started to fall. With no other choice, she made a leap of faith, launching herself through scattering crumbs towards the safety of the ledge.

  Scarred fingers snatched her wrist, and Mero squealed in struggle. With their efforts combined, Cecilia found herself on solid sugar once more. For a moment she could only pant, listening to the sounds of wafer shattering and bouncing below.

  "Thank... you..." she gasped.

  Mero's face had taken a beating. The scrap had been short, but vicious.

  "Are you ok?" asked Cecilia.

  Mero nodded. "It was Roselina. She's the only one ahead, I think. If we can catch her, all we have to do is hold the others back, and we'll win!"

  They pushed to their feet and sprinted towards the next obstacle, though one phrase lingered in Cecilia's mind.

  We'll win.

  They both knew only one would be chosen, and of the two of them, Cecilia was clearly better suited to holding back the other competitors. In other words, if they were to follow through with that plan, she'd be placing Mama's health and her own future entirely in Mero's hands, a girl she'd known for a mere week. A girl who'd initiated sudden and savage slaughter just a few hours earlier.

  Up gummy worm bridges and through sherbetfalls Cecilia and Mero raced, hot on Roselina's heels. Each sweet-scented hurdle and instance of teamwork narrowed the gap.

  Below and behind, cries rang out as others fell. The further they climbed, the fewer yet more fearful those screams became.

  Twirly treetops grew distant. Spectators shrunk to dots. Just glancing around caused Cecilia's vision to sway. Even the most basic of movements became unbalanced, like she couldn't trust her own body.

  Candy Dandy might've doubted the girl's abilities, but there they were. Cecilia, Mero and Roselina stood upon the final ledge before the final stretch. It was just the three of them and the rush of the sky.

  The remainder of the climb was a sheer surface. A cookie spire with neither ropes nor handles.

  I guess we have to make our own path...

  Cecilia wrestled with a particularly stubborn choccy nugget, desperate to yank it out and create their next hold. When it didn't budge, she grabbed on to it and leaned back, using her weight to pry it free. A panicked yelp shot through her throat as it suddenly broke away, and almost took her tumbling.

  "I'm ok!" called Cecilia, hoping to believe her own trembling words.

  "Keep going!" squeaked Mero from below.

  Cecilia dared to check on Roselina's progress. They were neck and neck. Boisterous winds tugged at the noble's gown, scattering petals.

  "Let's stop this!" called Cecilia. "We can come to an agreement!"

  "With you?" hissed Roselina. "You shouldn't even be here!"

  "It's too dangerous!" tried Cecilia. "I know you're upset, but -"

  "Upset? You lied to gain entry! Majesty is dead because of you!"

  Majesty? So that was her petalpony's name...

  A strong gust battered ears and whipped hair into eyes.

  Cecilia clung to the cookie, trying to flatten herself against the rough surface. "I'm... We're sorry, ok?" she cried. "Just promise you'll take care of our Mama, and we'll let you win!"

  "We don't have time for this!" screamed Mero. "They're gaining on us!"

  Two other competitors had reached the final ledge, and were beginning their ascent.

  "Climb!" begged Mero. "We're so close!"

  "If you don't have what it takes, then give up," said Roselina. "I do. I am rising above!"

  The noble scaled with renewed vigor. She made reckless leaps for precarious holds, as if nothing else mattered. As if her life depended on victory. All the while, the raging gales took more and more of her blooms, leaving behind only thorny stalks.

  "Dammit!" With no other choice, Cecilia forced herself ever higher.

  Just focus on the climb. Eyes up. Only up!

  Yet Roselina was pulling further and further ahead.

  "Faster!" squeaked Mero. "For Mama!"

  Cecilia's heart hammered so hard she could feel it through her entire body. It drummed in her throat. Throbbed through her skull. Even her tightened fingers tensed with the rapid thudding. She eyed an especially large chip protruding above, and took a chance. With a roar of effort, she jumped up and latched on. Fingers dug deep. Strain spread through her back.

  Crunch.

  Cracks spread before her eyes. Sugar dust whirled with wind. Hands scrambled. She was lucky to find fresh purchase before a part of the cookie surface crumbled away entirely.

  Every breath became laced with fearful whines. Her leap had brought her a few precious seconds, but almost cost her everything.

  I... I can't do this. I can't. I can't!

  "Cecilia?" squeaked Mero.

  Cecilia pressed her forehead to the tower. Her body refused to stop shaking. Billowing currents plucked the tears from her eyes before they had a chance to run.

  It's over. We tried so hard. All for nothing. Mama... I'm sorry!

  Roselina was almost at the top.

  "Cecilia!" screamed Mero. "Hold on tight!"

  And she did. Muscles clenched. Knuckles whitened.

  Mero grabbed onto Cecilia's ankle and started hauling herself up. Scarred hands pulled at clothing and heels dug into flesh, using Cecilia as a ladder. Scaling a person was far swifter than the flat cookie surface.

  Mero had but one request upon mounting Cecilia's shoulders. "Win!" With that, she pounced.

  Roselina screamed as fanatical fingernails sank into her leg. She was just a few inches from victory. A single reach would do it. Her arm extended.

  Mero lunged for the limb and bit down. Her feet pressed to the spire and kicked. She twisted and jerked, straining as if trying to haul back an aggressive hound. There was no sense of self-preservation in her actions. No desire to win. She had but one goal. To stop Roselina the only way she could.

  "Enough!" cried Cecilia, as wide-eyed as she was helpless. "Stop!"

  But it was too late. Two screeching figures fell. They passed Cecilia. They passed the pair of competitors below. But they did not pass the ledge. Their bodies impacted upon its edge. Icing shattered and crumbs sprayed.

  A crimson bouquet burst from Roselina's lips. Her spine was bent. Badly. Limbs spasmed. Fingers twitched, but made no attempt to grip, not even as she started to slip. A moment later, she was gone, leaving behind nothing but a red smear.

  Mero too lay perilously close to the edge. Bloodied. Motionless.

  No! No one else was supposed to get hurt!

  The summit may have only been a short struggle away, but Cecilia had made her decision. She'd never be able to look Mama in the eyes if she let Mero fall. The doubts and mistrust she'd felt just moments ago now made her nauseous with guilt. All Mero had ever done was push them both forward. Now she was hurt, and mere inches away from further injury or worse.

  "Out of the way!" Cecilia swung and dropped past her competitors, plummeting with far more abandon than she'd climbed until she reached her sister.

  Mero's limp form was cooling. Her chest was still.

  "I... I don't know how to fix this," Cecilia whimpered. "Help!" she called to the two competitors above. "Please help!"

  Only one of them spared the briefest of glances.

  "Ok. It's ok." Cecilia carefully scooped Mero up in her arms and held her close. "I'm going to get you help." She peered from the edge.

  Far, far below, the contorted mess that had been Roselina lay in Snugglehug's arms. A crowd gathered, like ants swarming carrion.

  Did... Did they catch her? ...Will they catch us?

  Cecilia gulped. Her unsteady vision wavered over the jelly fortifications. The volunteers might not have tried jumping from such a height, but she was about to.