Of Fairies and Noontime

Time

Lue carried Dask into the stump through one of the large windows on the side of the building. Lue pulled Dask inside, and they brushed themselves off. Dask shoved his knife in his pocket and gave Lue a high five.

"We did it! Boo-yah!" Dask exclaimed.

Lue scratched the back of his neck. "Boo... yah?"

"It's just an exclamation. It means that I'm excited." Dask said with a shrug.

Suddenly, there was a strange beat coming from somewhere. Dask and Lue looked around, trying to locate where the noise was coming from.

They found the source. Lord Brilland came out of the shadows of the stump, clapping his hands slowly. The two boys looked around, seeing multiple different thrones. They realized all too soon that they were in the Magic Council's meeting room.

Catra, Ellabelle, Mistress Heartwinger, and Hadley had made it to the top of the staircase, but stopped after hearing voices. They hunkered down at the top of the steps, listening and waiting for the right time to enter.

Hadley's eyes became the size of a full moon when she located Dask. He looked so adventurous in that plaid earflap hat. Seeing him stand before someone so terribly evil made her terrified, but it also intrigued her to see his intelligence and bravery in the face of danger. She watched closely.

"An effort was made, boys, but it seems it was all for nothing." Lord Brilland said, his crooked teeth exposed through his disgusting smile. "What exactly were you trying to do in this attempt?"

"Dismantle those security fireflies," Dask said, scowling. "You have no right to be spying on innocent fairies in everything that they do every day."

Brilland was already offended, but this emotion was fueled when he noticed Dask's wingless back. His facial expression shifted as he lifted his nose in the air. "Ohhh, you must be one of our prisoner's little friends," He added, his tone mocking.

Dask's scowl deepened. "What did you do to my best friend? Don't try to sugarcoat it, buddy, I have a pocket knife and I'm not afraid to use it!" He yelled. His voice echoed through the empty room.

Hadley held her hand over her heart. Being called a best friend wasn't something she took lightly.

"Your threats don't worry me, boy. Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong. Your friend has been... taken care of." Brilland replied. It was obvious that he was choosing his words wisely.

Dask had already had enough. He pulled his pocket knife from his brown coat, whipping out the shiny blade immediately. Brilland didn't miss a beat, retaliating by pulling out his wrinkly wooden wand.

"Don't test me," Lord Brilland said, raising one ugly eyebrow. "Your puny knife is no match for my magic. You have no idea what you're up against."

Dask shrugged, playing it as cool as possible. "Yeah, but I can try," He said.

That was all it took. Brilland struck both boys with his wand, encasing them in electric handcuffs and raising them in the air. They floated there. Their attempts to struggle resulted in their strongholds zapping them.

Hadley scowled. She started to stand, but Ellabelle grabbed her wrist, giving her a look that clearly said, "don't do it!"

Hadley knew that this was the time for action. She had to help her friends, new and old.

The other girls could do nothing but follow her unexpected lead.

"Hey! Dinosaur!" Hadley yelled across the room. Ellabelle and Heartwinger took their wands out, as if on cue. Hadley smiled confidently. "Nobody traps my best friend and gets away with it."