Friends

  ( Newbie..? )

  Newbie stumbled up the hill, panting and gasping for breath. Almost every inch of her body was sore and aching. The muscles in her legs felt like they'd been pulverised to jelly.

  Up ahead, her Mentor, Splishsplash, ascended with frustrating placidity. Newbie had truly gone all out, yet the merprincess hadn't so much as flinched during the sparring session, not even when a kick had bent one of her bronze trident's prongs.

  'It would seem unenchanted materials make for lacking tools in fairy hands,' she'd said.

  Such a sober reaction had gotten under Newbie's skin. It was an annoyance she still carried even now that they were done for the day. Her tongue reached for the roof of her mouth. Pressure built. A second later, she released the suction.

  Tut.

  Splishsplash paused and half-turned to address her. "What is the purpose of that noise you keep making?"

  Newbie shuffled to a stop. "...It's just something I do."

  "So it is a hobby?" asked Splishsplash.

  "No. Clicking your tongue isn't a hobby." Newbie rolled her eyes. "You've never tried it before?"

  "I fail to see the advantage of such a motion."

  "It's just a reaction, ok? Nothing to concern yourself with."

  Splishsplash tilted her head. "A reaction to what? If my Mentorship is to be efficient, we require some manner of understanding."

  Newbie folded her arms. "Ok. Fine. I've been working hard all week, yet you've given no praise. I must've improved a little, right? Today I even bent your weapon. A teacher should... well, you know, say rewarding things."

  "...I see. You're saying needy Mentees may benefit from positive reinforcement? I will take that into consideration going forward."

  Needy?!

  Newbie clenched her triceps and pulled the cross even tighter.

  For a moment, the merprincess said nothing, her finger tapping. "...You have indeed improved. Your agility is already second only to my own. In time I believe you will exceed me in terms of mobility. Your magic may lack offensive power, but your reaction time and instincts are impressive. I only wish you would consider taking up a weapon, rather than resort to fists and feet."

  Good.

  Newbie responded with a half-shrug, as if she hadn't cared in the first place. "My fists and feet seem more durable than that fork of yours. What's the point in lugging metal around if it can't handle my blows?"

  Splishsplash glanced back to the bent prong. "That is an issue I will raise with our Queen, but for now, let us return to the palace. Rest is essential for recovery, Newbie."

  Newbie caught her tongue between enlarged incisors before she succumbed to the urge to click it once more. She was far from fond of the temporary name, but every alternate suggestion she'd presented thus far had been shot down. Furyfists. Skullsmasher. Thunderthighs. Ballburster. Apparently her ideas weren't 'Titan-appropriate'.

  The other three princesses had been branded with ridiculous labels. Splishsplash, Sunshine, Cutiehorn. What kind of weak names were those? Weren't they supposed to be fighters?

  At this rate I'll end up being called Hoppypop or something stupid...

  Newbie loosed a disheartened sigh upon their arrival in the so-called 'Grand Hall'. At some former point in time, stained glass windows had supposedly portrayed grand scenes, but so much had been broken or boarded up since that deciphering the original artwork was no longer possible.

  The queendom was anything but wealthy. With funds as tight as they were, Titania wouldn't permit the cost of renovating the entire palace. Local volunteers had done what they could to fix things up with the materials available, but it remained far from glorious.

  As soon as her Mentor was out of sight, Newbie practically collapsed upon the uneven staircase. The rigid corners made for a surprisingly pleasant place to lie, especially when she twisted and turned to press the angles against the arch of her spine. She was busy grumbling and grinding when she noticed a pair of silver eyes peering down at her from a bent balcony above. Silver eyes which quickly retreated.

  "Yo!" called Newbie. "It's a little late to hide now..."

  After a few awkward seconds, the one known as Cutiehorn peeked back over the edge, her expression as glum and brooding as always. "You know you can just tell her if you need a break. She's not as heartless as she comes across."

  Would that actually work? She seems like a real hard-arse...

  "Did Splishsplash Mentor you too?" Newbie wiggled up to a seated position and slapped the step beside her in invitation.

  The crestfallen knight paid the gesture no heed. "She did. For a time..."

  Oh right. I heard Cutiehorn hasn't much magic. Maybe it's a sore subject?

  Since emerging, Newbie had found her fellow fairies to be evasive. She was more than ready for good gossip, yet Cutiehorn was already giving her a nod of farewell.

  "Hold up!" she called. "Where are you going?"

  Cutiehorn paused, as if she wasn't entirely sure herself. "...Nowhere in particular. Just away, I suppose. Someplace quiet."

  "Aren't things quiet enough here?" Newbie bounced to her feet and started skipping up the uneven stairs.

  If she won't come to me, I'll just have to go to her.

  Yet upon making it to the balcony, she found that Cutiehorn took a step back for each of hers. It was like trying to approach a cautious animal. Gradually, they both slowed to a stop, a short distance apart.

  "...Do you mind if I ask you something?"

  The knight gave a clunky shrug. "I guess."

  "We're Fairy Princesses living beneath a rainbow. A living doll makes us the outfits of our dreams. We have access to unlimited candy from a gingerbread man, and can stuff ourselves silly without growing fat... So why are you all so damn miserable?"

  Cutiehorn took a long, deep breath. "...It's complicated. Well, aside from Splishsplash. I'm pretty sure that's just how she is."

  "But it's not how you are?"

  The knight's brow lowered and frown deepened, clearly annoyed at herself for saying too much. "...As I said. It's complicated. Besides, it's not exactly much fun around here, right?"

  Newbie raised a hand, connected thumb and finger to form a hoop, then blew gently. An iridescent bubble wobbled free and drifted forth. "Well, why don't we make it fun?"

  The knight leaned aside, allowing the soapy sphere to pass by. "What exactly do you mean?"

  "Well, I've only been around a week or so, but to be honest, I'm real desperate for a friend."

  "...A friend?"

  "Yeah. You know. Someone to talk to. Someone to hang out with. Someone to be open and honest with." Newbie shrugged. "A little bit of happiness couldn't exactly hurt this place, right?"

  Metallic eyes lowered. "...I'm sorry. It's..."

  "Complicated?"

  "...Yeah."

  Newbie turned to lean upon the wonky railing, causing it to groan in near-defeat. A single splinter snapped free before tumbling to the cracked marble below. The sheer scale and silence of the palace only made it seem all the more lonely. "...I guess I'll just have to wait for the next fairy to emerge. You three all popped out within a few months of each other, right? How long has it been since then? You know, until I appeared."

  When Cutiehorn didn't respond, Newbie looked to her, only to see the knight had closed her eyes. "...Years?" she asked anxiously.

  "A few decades," muttered Cutiehorn. "I stopped counting."

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  ...She's been stuck between Splishsplash and Sunshine that long? No wonder she's sulky!

  Newbie let her head fall to the rail, bumping her skull against the hard wood. "This is gonna suck..."

  Cutiehorn sighed. "Look, I can't be what you're looking for, but... maybe I can provide some company until a real friend emerges? Like, a temporary, makeshift companion."

  Newbie lifted her head and blinked. "Well it's awful nice of you to offer. Some might even say, it's rather friendly of you."

  The subtlest and briefest hint of a smile flickered across Cutiehorn's face. An expression she seemed painfully uncomfortable with.

  Newbie extended her hand. "Listen, I don't mean to be rude, but you kind of look like you could do with a friend yourself."

  Cutiehorn studied the presented palm as if somewhat fearful, then glanced down at her own gauntlet. Clinking fingers flexed. "I'm not sure I deserve such a thing."

  Newbie hopped forward and grabbed Cutiehorn's hand before she could step away, then squeezed until metal creaked. "Everyone deserves a friend!"

  To which the unicorn knight could only wince.

  She'll get used to it. I just need to warm her up!

  "...Why were you watching me anyway?" asked Newbie.

  "Uhm, well..." mumbled Cutiehorn. "I heard you were struggling for a name. You might think it's silly, but I've a suggestion..."

  Sisters

  ( Cutiehorn )

  A Muncher carried the trio over moonlight clouds at swooshing speed. Stars twinkled, clothes fluttered and hair billowed.

  Cherrychomp, whilst more than a little concerned and confused, had done as instructed, though with clear reluctance. Cutiehorn couldn't help but feel for her. After the loss of Merrymint and Winterwish, she had formed an unexpected bond with Puddingpuff.

  I hope this goes smoothly...

  Whilst Cherrychomp leaned forward and directed their flying ride, both Cutiehorn and Bubblebun were braced toward the rear. They clung tightly to the Muncher's stem, their hands almost touching, but never quite.

  "You know, something like this could come in useful." Bubblebun had to raise her voice to be heard above the bustling air.

  "Useful?" asked Cutiehorn.

  "Yeah. If we wanted, we could just fly."

  "Fly where?"

  "East, west, north or south. It doesn't really matter, just so long as we end up somewhere far, far away."

  Cutiehorn tore her eyes from the endless wispy meadows, hoping her sister's expression might make things clearer. "I don't understand."

  "Me, you and Cherrychomp. Heck, why not grab a balloon and take all the kids from the orphanage too. We could leave all this behind and take them somewhere peaceful. Somewhere fun. Somewhere we can be who we want to be."

  Cutiehorn frowned. "The people need us, Bubblebun. We've saved lives here. We'll save more yet."

  Iridescent irides rolled. "There's people everywhere, all with their own struggles. You don't think others would appreciate heroes like us to help out? What makes those here so special?"

  The answer was obvious. "They're the ones we promised to protect," said Cutiehorn. "We're sworn to serve Queen and queendom. We can't just turn our backs on an oath."

  Bubblebun's tongue appeared to lash behind her lips, though the sound was lost to the wind.

  "And it's not just that," said Cutiehorn. "Our sisters need us too."

  "Friends," said Bubblebun firmly.

  Cutiehorn winced. "Still, we can't just abandon them. Sunshine's imprisoned, and if Puddingpuff really is..." she hesitated, not even wanting to say the word traitorous, "...well, we'd be leaving Splishsplash to fend for herself."

  Soapy peepers narrowed and drew close enough to make Cutiehorn lean backward. "...What is it about her?"

  Cutiehorn loosed a subtle, silent sigh.

  "Is it her strength?" asked Bubblebun. "Or the skimpy outfit? ...It's not the fish stuff, right?"

  "Fish... stuff?" Cutiehorn dearly wanted to pinch the bridge of her nose between thumb and finger, but dared not let go of the stem. "What are you even talking about?"

  "You like her, right? More than the others."

  Cutiehorn's vision diverted and cheeks warmed. "Sure. I guess."

  The Muncher's stem loosed a gritty crinkle within Bubblebun's fist. "So, what is it about her?"

  "...She's done a lot for me. Truth is, I'm not sure I'd have made it out of that cell if it wasn't for her. I would've never met you! She's like -" Cutiehorn quickly bit down on her lower lip, as if that might retract the words she'd let slip.

  Bubblebun released the Muncher's stem. Eyebrows raised and arms crossed tight.

  ...I'm not getting out this now am I?

  Cutiehorn groaned "She's like..." her vision fell, "...a guardian, I guess."

  "A guardian? You mean, like, a bodyguard?

  Cutiehorn gave a shy shrug, her eyes still trained firmly on the plump, shiny surface beneath her feet.

  "Wait..." said Bubblebun softly. "You mean like a parent, don't you?"

  Cutiehorn couldn't muster much of a response. "I know it's weird..."

  "No." Bubblebun moved a hand back to the Muncher's stem and gripped, this time close enough to press against Cutiehorn's gauntlet. "It's far from the weirdest thing around here. I just... misunderstood, that's all."

  "Misunderstood how?"

  Bubblebun shrugged. It seemed it was her turn to avoid eye contact.

  Cutiehorn endured the inattention for a short while, before she too looked back to the passing clouds. Up ahead, spires rose from the mist like vibrant icebergs.

  I guess she doesn't want to talk about it. I won't press the issue.

  It was not long before Cutiehorn felt the shimmering glare return. "...What?"

  "Of course you just leave it there," huffed Bubblebun.

  "Well you -"

  "What's 'appenin'?" interrupted Cherrychomp from up front. "Is it a party?"

  "Party?" asked Cutiehorn and Bubblebun in united perplexity.

  Things became somewhat clearer when they looked to the crystal streets breaching below. People had gathered, but not to celebrate. The peacekeepers stood in firm lines, as if dividing two tides. To Cutiehorn's relief, the forced battlelines at least appeared peaceful, though she couldn't help but question the strategy.

  Is there some kind of disagreement? How are people supposed to resolve their differences if they can't talk to each other?

  "You wanna head down?" asked Bubblebun.

  For a moment, Cutiehorn considered whether they had time to mediate, yet the shield and its emblems weighed heavy on her forearm. "No. We need to find Puddingpuff. She's more clued up on Rainbow City anyway. Maybe she'll know what to do. Take us to the Tearoom, Cherrychomp."

  "Eyes 'n' eyes, Cap'in."

  Cutiehorn watched Bubblebun nervously as they drew closer to the pastel structure. Her ribboned feet kicked off the rabbit-paw snow boots, then began to hop on the spot. The winter coat was cast to the wind. Shoulders rolled and neck cracked.

  It was a routine Cutiehorn was more than familiar with. "I know you don't trust her, but we can't go in swinging."

  "You're the one who thinks she might be in danger. We should be prepared for a fight." Bubblebun pulled an arm across her collarbone and twisted her torso. "Besides, you said you wouldn't hold me back."

  That was before I knew you'd be suspecting one of our sisters!

  "I know that, but..." Cutiehorn looked to Cherrychomp, who was still clutching Merrymint's tattered and bloodied hat.

  Bubblebun halted her warm up, her eyes hard opals. "Wake up, Cutiehorn! Did you miss the mass grave we just dug up? Playtime's over. Winterwish and Merrymint are dead. We can't afford to fuck around anymore!"

  The words hit Cutiehorn's gut harder than any punch. Her grasp on the Muncher's stem weakened, and her sabatons slipped upon the cherry's surface. "I... I..." she choked, picturing her sisters lying in the cold just like those they'd discovered. Cold she could now feel from head to toe, despite her armour's thick fur lining.

  "Shit..." Bubblebun's harsh expression melted in an instant. She reached out to steady Cutiehorn. "I'm sorry, didn't mean to... Look, I said it wasn't your fault. It's still not your fault, and never will be, but..." She glanced down. They'd arrived. "We need to be ready for anything."