The Red Bird

Chapter 23-The Red Bird Goes Out With A Bang

The cargo carrier flies away, leaving me alone with the Queen. She's wearing full crystal armor to match her crystal sword. 

I look around at the stands, which for once are empty. I'm surprised that there aren't full of spectators looking for a good show. I then spot the cameras. 

"Are we live?" I ask, smirking.

"Always, darling," she says, taking a graceful step forward as she swings her sword lightly. She then turns to a camera and says, "Welcome, everyone, to the elimination of the Red Bird! Today, this fiend will meet her death, just as her mother before her!" She then turns and grins at me. I glower back. 

"Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!" she says in her silky voice.

I decide that if she wants to entertain, I'll certainly add some flair to my performance. Besides, I've always wanted to see if I could kill someone with glitter.

I transform into the most majestic creature I can imagine: A unicorn pegasus, or unipeg, if you will.

I strike a pose, extending my big, glittery wings and showing off my sparkling, golden horn.

The Queen laughs. "What're you going to do? Skewer me?"

"That was the plan..." I reply with a roll of my eyes. "Although, if this isn't good enough for you, we can go back to the basics..." I then turn into an old favorite of mine: the tiger.

"Oh! A big kitty; how sweet!" she mocks, although I notice that she seems to be standing a little farther away from me than she was before.

For once, I really want that animal instinct to take over quickly...

But I guess for now we could play with fire! That's always a good idea!

I take a deep breath and spit a fireball towards her. She shrieks and dives to the side, although she doesn't move fast enough. Her foot is on fire, even though she's wearing armor. Looks like she got the cheap stuff... She rolls around on the ground for a while, trying to put herself out.

I would be laughing, but I'm busy coughing up smoke...

We end up pulling ourselves together at the same moment. There's a flourish of trumpets and glitter rains down on us.

"Ugh! That was supposed to happen before the fight!" the Queen turns to her viewing box and waves her fist. "You're useless!" She turns back to me and says, "Anyway, I thought you might like the glitter. I stole it from your mom."

I lay my ears back and snarl.

She jumps slightly, but covers it with a smirk. "Shall we truly start now?"

"That's what I've been trying to do for a while..."

"You have the same humor as your mom..." she says with a grimace.

(Okay, hold on, Author. Why is there always so much talking in fighting scenes? Can someone just die already?!

Well, you know, I've been trying to kill you for a little while now...

What?! Why?! I'm the main character! I'm everyone's favorite! You can't do that!

Well, someone has to die!

Yeah, the Queen!

No, it has to be someone they care about! Otherwise they won't cry, and then it's no fun... 

Well... Then who are you gonna kill?

That's a secret ;D

I don't think I want to go back to the book... Can I just stay here?