The Cloud Castle

Finally Free!

Will held on tightly to the unicorn's mane as they flew to Ariette's tower. He is a brave adventurer, but riding on the back of a unicorn made him nervous! Behind him, Paulina looked down on the Land of Clouds in wonder.
   "There's Fairywing Village," she said. "And up ahead, I can see the Scarlet River!"
   "It looks like a beautiful painting from up here!" Colette called out.
   "I can see things that we didn't notice before," added Nicky, who was sitting in front of Colette. "There are cloud forests and cloud lakes down there, and all kinds of fairies!"

"It's like we're flying through a dream," Paulina said.
   "Yes," agreed Will. "Fantasy worlds take us to unforgettable places. It's one of the reasons why I love my work!"
   They continued in silence, enchanted by the beauty surrounding them, until they finally saw the tower where Ariette was held.
   "At least we don't have to climb the tower this time," Colette said. "But how will we get inside?"
   "Let's fly as close to the WINDOW as we can," Will suggested.
   Ariette heard their voices and ran to the window. "You came back!" she said, getting her new friends with a brilliant smile.
   "We've come to get you out of here," Will told her.
   "But the unicorns' wings won't let us get any closer," Nicky pointed out.

Colette took Galatea's CRYSTAL from her pocket and looked at it thoughtfully.
   "Try putting it on," Will said. Colette's eyes widened. "Do you think it will make me fly? But I'm not a fairy."
   "It's worth a try," Nicky said.
   Paulina turned to Will. "Do you think anything BAD could happen?"
   "I don't think so," Will replied. "And we're ready to help if anything goes wrong."

After a pause, Colette put the CRYSTAL around her neck.
   Immediately, she sensed a change inside her. She felt incredibly light...
   "You're flying, coco!" Paulina exclaimed.
   "It's true! I can't believe it!" Colette cried as she floated off the unicorn's back. It felt amazing! But she had to focus on the job at hand: helping Ariette.
   She FLEW through the open window, landing next to the fairy.
   "How did you do that?" Ariette asked.
   "Thanks to this," Colette said, showing her the PENDANT.
   Ariette gasped. "But that's Galatea's Crystal!
   Why do you have it? Did something happen to her?
   "No, she is fine," Colette promised. "We met her in the Cloud Castle, and she gave us the CRYSTAL to bring to you."

Ariette's pale eyes filled with tears when she heard this.
   "Ariette! Why are you crying?" Colette asked.
   "Galatea has a heart of gold," she replied. "I don't know any other fairies who would have done the same."
   "You are her best friend, and she would do anything to help you," Colette said. "It's thanks to her that we are here."
   "But why would she give me her crystal?" Ariette asked.
   "We weren't able to steal your CRYSTAL from the Color Pixies," Colette explained. "She knew this was the only way to FREE you."
   Colette removed the necklace and handed it to Ariette. The fairy out it around her neck, and it shone brightly. She happily flapped her wings.
   "Let's go! Grab my hand!" Ariette told Colette.
   Colette obeyed, and she felt a lightness flow through her body again. Then she and Ariette flew out through the window.
   "You did it!" Nicky cried.
   "Hooray!" cheered Paulina.
   

Colette climbed back onto the unicorn with Nicky, while Ariette thanked the others.
   "Now let's get back your crystal!" Will said.
   "It's still at Fairywing Village," Paulina explained. "Things with the Color Pixies did not go well."
   "Colette told me," Ariette said. "But I am not surprised. They are very stubborn."
   "As soon as we mentioned the crystal, they call the unicorns with a silver whistle, and the unicorns took us to the Cloud Castle," Colette said.
   Ariette nodded. "It's a good thing you met Galatea there and she gave you her crystal."
   "And she helped us escape," Will added. "Some of our friends stayed with her, to PROTECT HER in case Queen Nephele suspects anything."
   

"You've done well," said Ariette. "If the queen were to find out what Galatea did, she would be FURIOUS and would severely punish her. But there's another reason we should worry."
   Paulina frowned. "What?"
   "The exchange of crystals between fairies can be VERY RISKY," Ariette replied. "As you know, each crystal represents the nature of fairy who possesses it. If a fairy goes too long without her pendant, she will lose her fairy powers forever."
   "That's awful!" Colette exclaimed.
   "It may already be TOO LATE for me. I do not know," Ariette said sadly. "But I do not want the same thing to happen to Galatea."
   "Then we must HURRY!" Will said.
   Ariette beat her wings and flew off to Fairywing Village, and our friends followed her on the unicorns.