Of Fairies and Noontime

Breach

Brilland's eyes grew wide as he surveyed the perimeter of the stump. There seemed to be no sight of anyone anywhere. He knew what he saw on those screens, and there was no way there could be no problem at all.

Brilland went back down to the meeting room, where Larkdale had come back in.

"Lady Larkdale, I must speak with you at once!"

"I heard something," She said, tightly gripping Brilland's shoulder. "In the dungeon. I know I heard something."

"You don't think there could've been a breakout, do you?" Brilland inquired. Lady Larkdale furrowed her brows.

"I don't want to jump to conclusions. However, if there has been a breakout, we know who to turn to." She sighed.

"Heartwinger?" Brilland asked in a low tone. Lady Larkdale closed her eyes and looked out the large windows, looking heavily distressed.

"I didn't spend my entire life re-building this Council for hooligans like the Mistress to rip it from my hands. If she wishes to go against me, then she can no longer be on this Council."

"Yes, m'lady." Lord Brilland nodded. "What should we do?"

Lady Larkdale sighed. "It is a dark day for the fairy realm. This village has seen evil that it never should have seen. We must scan the area. Gather all the security fireflies you can, and make them find the intruders."

Lord Brilland cringed. "Um... well... about that-"
"Don't tell me..." Larkdale exhaled, her tone harsh.

"Well... someone's been disabling my fireflies. I don't know who, or what, but-"

Lady Larkdale cut him off with a growl. "Fine! I will do it myself. Don't leave these halls until we've captured and killed them all; every last one of them!"

Lady Larkdale left the meeting room and made her way outside, slamming the door behind her. Lord Brilland turned around and looked at his static-filled security screen, making his insides bubble with anger.

Ellabelle looked up, seeing Catra's eyes slowly open. Her face exploded with excitement.

"Catra? Catra, can you hear me? Blink twice if you can hear me!" Ellabelle said, slightly shaking Catra by the shoulders. Catra obeyed Ellabelle and reluctantly blinked two times, followed by a smirk. Ellabelle immediately helped Catra to her feet, allowing her to balance herself out, then pulled her in for a hug.

"I had the strangest dream..." Catra said, feeling her head.

"Let's walk and talk. We made it to the dungeons." Ellabelle said with a smile. "While you were sleeping, I found these letters carved in the side of my wand." She explained, showing Catra.

"Ree? What does that even mean?" Catra asked, scratching her head.

"I think it's an acronym for something." Ellabelle replied.

Catra stuck her tongue out. "Ugh, more mysteries. When will it stop?"

"At this rate, probably never, but it allows for an exciting life, right?" Ellabelle asked Catra, poking her lightly in the side. Catra raised an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't exactly call your life 'exciting.' I'd be more prone to use the word 'excruciating,' or... 'agonizing.'" She responded with air quotes.

"Meh, I've learned to live with the pain, I guess." Ellabelle shrugged. She then held up her wand, and it instantly brightened, as if it were a night light. "Now... which of these cells is Hadley in?"

Catra frowned at the bones and cobwebs in various cells around them. "Yikes. Looks like a lot of people didn't have the luxury of surviving in this place," She mentioned nervously.