Magical Girl?! But I Was a Dude!

Chapter 14: Glitterpuff's Royal Rebellion

Chapter 14: Glitterpuff's Royal Rebellion

You’d think after foiling the Great Glitter Heist of Sparkle Hills, life would return to its absurd version of normal. But of course, this world had other plans. Just as I was starting to enjoy the peace and quiet—well, peace if you don’t count Glitterpuff frolicking in the town square, leaving trails of sparkles behind him—trouble was, once again, lurking.

I was sitting by the fountain, eating a cupcake (no glitter, thank goodness), when Fluffbuns came zipping toward me in a panic.

“Glitterpuff’s in trouble!” she squeaked, her tiny wings buzzing like a hyperactive hummingbird.

I paused mid-bite. “Trouble? What kind of trouble could a gigantic glittery beast possibly get into?”

“It’s his royal duties!” Fluffbuns said, flailing dramatically. “His family’s come to town!”

I nearly choked on my cupcake. “Wait, Glitterpuff has a family?”

Fluffbuns nodded rapidly. “He’s part of the royal family of Sparklelandia! Didn’t you know?”

“No, I didn’t know,” I said, exasperated. “Why does no one ever tell me these things?”

“Well, now you know!” Fluffbuns squeaked. “And his royal parents, King Sparkleton and Queen Glitterella, are here to take him back to the castle for his royal duties. But Glitterpuff doesn’t want to go! He likes it here, with us!”

I groaned, already sensing the chaos brewing. “Let me guess, they’re demanding he return to Sparklelandia and take the throne, right?”

Fluffbuns nodded. “Exactly! And if he refuses, they’ll probably banish him from the kingdom forever!”

I sighed, standing up. “Alright, let’s go talk to his royal highnesses.”

---

The royal couple of Sparklelandia was exactly what you’d expect from rulers of a glittery kingdom. King Sparkleton was a massive creature like Glitterpuff, except his fur shimmered like molten gold. He wore an unnecessarily large crown that seemed to shed tiny, golden sparkles with every step he took. Queen Glitterella, on the other hand, was a daintier version of Glitterpuff, with a sparkling silver mane that flowed behind her like a celestial river of glitter.

They stood in the middle of the town square, looking down at Glitterpuff, who was hiding behind a stack of overturned barrels.

“Glitterpuff, my son,” King Sparkleton rumbled, his voice deep and commanding, “it is time for you to return to your duties. The throne of Sparklelandia awaits.”

Glitterpuff let out a mournful whine, shaking his head and covering himself with more barrels.

“Glitterpuff, dear,” Queen Glitterella chimed in, her voice soft but stern, “you cannot stay here with these common folk forever. You are destined to rule the kingdom.”

I stepped forward, trying to mediate. “Uh, Your Highnesses, maybe Glitterpuff isn’t ready for the whole ruling thing. He’s kind of become part of our village, and—”

King Sparkleton turned his glittering gaze on me, raising a regal eyebrow. “And who are you, commoner, to interfere in royal matters?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Snoofles beat me to it, bouncing up from behind me. “We’re his friends!” Snoofles declared proudly. “And Glitterpuff belongs here, with us!”

Queen Glitterella sighed, brushing a glittery paw across her fur. “Friends, you say? But what about his responsibilities? The kingdom needs him. The Sparkle Parliament is in disarray, and the Glitter War is on the horizon.”

“The Glitter what?” I asked, genuinely confused.

Fluffbuns zipped in between us. “The Glitter War! It’s a battle that happens once every century in Sparklelandia to decide who gets control of the Glitter Mines!”

“Glitter Mines,” I repeated, rubbing my temples. “Of course.”

“We need Glitterpuff to rally the troops,” King Sparkleton continued, his voice booming across the square. “Without him, the kingdom will fall into chaos.”

“Uh, has it occurred to you,” I said cautiously, “that maybe Glitterpuff doesn’t want to be a king? Maybe he just wants to live a peaceful life here, rolling in glitter and eating cupcakes.”

Glitterpuff poked his head out from behind the barrels, nodding furiously.

King Sparkleton and Queen Glitterella exchanged a glance, looking somewhat taken aback.

“But… he’s a royal,” Queen Glitterella murmured. “It is his duty to rule.”

“Maybe it’s his duty,” I said, “but it doesn’t mean he’s happy about it. Shouldn’t he get to choose his own path?”

For a moment, the royal couple stood in silence, pondering my words. Glitterpuff, sensing the shift in mood, cautiously stepped out from behind the barrels, his glittery eyes filled with hope.

King Sparkleton sighed, his massive shoulders sagging slightly. “Perhaps… you are right. Perhaps we have been too focused on tradition, and not enough on what our son truly wants.”

Queen Glitterella nodded, her glittery mane shimmering as she moved. “We never considered that he might be happier here, living among the common folk.”

Glitterpuff let out a joyful roar and bounded over to his parents, nuzzling them both. They chuckled, patting their son affectionately, sending showers of sparkles into the air.

“Well,” King Sparkleton said with a chuckle, “it seems we have been outvoted.”

Queen Glitterella smiled. “Very well, Glitterpuff. If this is where your heart lies, we will not force you to return.”

Glitterpuff roared happily, doing a little celebratory dance that knocked over more barrels. The villagers, who had been watching the entire scene unfold, erupted into cheers.

“I guess that’s that, then,” I said, relieved that the Glitter War—or whatever chaos was about to happen—would be someone else’s problem.

Snoofles grinned at me. “You did it! You saved Glitterpuff from a life of royal boredom!”

I shrugged. “I guess even royals deserve to have a little fun.”

As King Sparkleton and Queen Glitterella prepared to leave, they turned to me one last time.

“You are a wise one, commoner,” King Sparkleton said with a nod. “If ever you need our assistance, you need only summon us, and the royal family of Sparklelandia will come to your aid.”

I gave a polite bow, trying not to laugh. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

With that, the royal couple vanished in a burst of glittery light, leaving the village in peace once again—well, as peaceful as it ever got in Sparkle Hills.

As Glitterpuff pranced around, free from his royal duties, Snoofles floated up beside me. “I think things are finally settling down.”

I gave him a sidelong glance. “Don’t jinx it.”

Just as I said that, a loud crash echoed from the bakery, followed by the familiar roar of Glitterpuff enthusiastically diving into another tray of cupcakes.

I sighed. “Yep, totally settled.”

Snoofles just giggled. “At least we don’t have to deal with a Glitter War!”

I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help smiling. “Small victories, Snoofles. Small victories.”