The Quest

A baby's laugh and long trip was all it took for the new never fairy to be born - proclaiming her name to be Rani. Blonde hair and blue eyes, her arrival garments only but wisps of what was left of the laugh that she was 'born' from. And upon the talent ceremony that all never fairies go through, she chose the one that spoke the most to her - the water talent.

The new arrival got along just swell with her other fairy friends and sparrow men. She created new tricks and uses involving water, such as the creation of animal shapes, water fountains, among many things. And, although her time in Neverland was full of fun and bright moments, all came downhill the day when Mother Dove's egg went missing. Legends say, that so long as her egg is protected by her love and warmth, all of Neverland is safe, forever at peace, never changing, never aging. And with Mother Dove's distraught heart, she cannot provide the never fairies with their very much needed supply of fairy dust.

In this state of emergency, Queen Ree gathered all of the fairies of Pixie Hollow all in one spot - to state the current situation, and to choose her team of rescuers, along with providing them with the information they've managed to gather from rumors. For some odd reason, instead of choosing the strongest, the fastest, the keenest of fairies for such a task, the Queen settled with a small group of three fairies - a wind talent, Vidia, a mainland-visiting talent, Prilla, and Rani, a water talent. An odd team, indeed. They, nor anyone, dared question her or Mother Dove's choice of fairies, for they trusted their judgement.

According to the rumors of fairies and other creatures, the egg was supposedly stolen. By whom? Many have different takes on the story. Some say a fairy had stolen it out of spite, other say that Mother Dove maybe lost it by accident, and others say that it was Kyto's henchmen that stole it for his own personal hoard of treasures. After some thorough debating, the fairies decided to go with the rumor of Kyto and his greed - though, for safe measures, a team of scouts have been sent to check around Pixie Hollow and near the tree where Mother Dove lives in.

The team of three were scared. Terrified, even. Of what they'll have to face, of what they don't know what to expect. Speaking of, much less describing or writing or drawing of the fearsome dragon is taboo, unheard of. Though, the group does know that he was imprisoned by a past queen along with the help of lost boys. Hidden in the most tallest mountain of Neverland, in a cave where none dare enter. This is a dragon that has brought about destruction in Neverland, who has reigned fear and terror over the many denizens of this land. And although some believe it to be a fake story to spook the new arrivals into behaving, the three fairies were to face the harsh reality of it all.

Indeed, much like the stories said, the dragon was indeed a fearful beast. A large body was seen in the shadows, with opalescent scales that caught the stray sun light that crept into the cavern, and unblinking red eyes that flashes open the moment he sensed visitors.

"Who goes there?" Said a voice in the shadows, a deep and husky growl that sent a shiver down the three faes' spines.

"That is none of your concern, you fowl beast. We are hear to retrieve Mother Dove's egg, so if you please-" Started the wind talent fae, before getting cut off by a hoarse laugh.

"An egg? Really? I am afraid I've none of that in my hoard. Though, I could look around if you were kind enough to describe this... egg, to me." Rani could sense Vidia shake from anger, and the third fairy has been far too quiet throughout the journey that she doubted she'll say anything.

"It's an egg. I'm sure you've heard of it. It is round, white..." How can they describe an egg? Rani was struggling here. "Neverland needs it, so please..." Another laugh, and a rattling of thick chains moving around and dragging on the cold, hard ground. The louder the noise grew, the more they realized that the dragon was approaching the entrance of the cave - his movements a fluid motion, where each of his scales glimmered and shone as they caught the light in their iridescent splendor. Truly, he was beautiful, though still fearsome. He was at least a couple hundred fairies tall.

"You silly creatures, and your constant pleas... Oh, how you amuse me, so." He chuckled, settling himself only a mere couple of feet away from the group. Though, not because he wanted to, but because that is how far his magical bindings allowed for him to go. "Perhaps I do have something of the sort in my hoard. Yes. My dear tiffen followers have brought it to me, told me of it's... importance. How valuable it is. How much you foolish creatures worship it." His voice was like the sea - despite it sounding like a calming lull, it roared danger and mystery. How husky it sounded, raspy. As if years of breathing fire has taken a toll on him. "Now... I'll tell you what. Let's do a little deal. A bargain, if you so desire this egg." A bargain... The fairies looked at each other before setting their eyes on the dragon, awaiting his requests. Whatever it may be. "I need you to bring me something of equal worth. Some interesting, something of importance to another being. I care not for jewels nor gold, for I so much desire an object that could possibly break a person and drive them mad." Indeed, he is to be feared.

However, the fairies were unsure of what to give him. Thus the bravest one, Vidia, asked: "What sort of item do you seek, beast?" A low growled chuckled, sharp talons tapping the stone between his feet.

"Word has spread that a ship has docked in the sea of Neverland ever since the wards fell." Since the egg's disappearance. "A ship that is of an unknown land is bound to have a bountiful collection of rarities, however... What I seek is something of valuable importance. Something their beloved captain will miss dearly." The terror on the faes' faces must have been evident for the dragon laughed, but spoke again. "But surely you lot won't be able to handle a couple of drunken pirates, so I'll task you to another two options."

"Being?" Said the wind fae.

"How impatient..." The fae rolled her eyes, but the dragon proceeded. "I wish for the comb of the mermaid Queen, but as I am aware of your kind and your obsession with... your wings, then I'll settle with the crown of the Queen of fairies."

"No! Never in a million years will we hand her crown over to you!"

"Tsk, tsk. Impudent little girl. Aren't I being generous with you? Should you not show the least bit of gratitude for thinking of your well-being? It is, after all, just an ornament." As he said this, he turned around and headed back to the inside of the cave. "Run along, now. For you will run out of time before chaos breaks lose." And with that, he was back in the shadows and went back to sleep, concluding the end of this conversation.

The three girls debated on what to do now. What route should they take? Should they risk going into that strange ship and be captured or killed? Should they risk damaging their wings for a comb? Or should they be deemed traitors to Pixie Hollow? It felt as though they have a guillotine lingering above their neck, no matter the choice they make. However, during their flight and their discussions, they came across the ship in question. Yes, just as Kyto had said. The fairies flew closer to get a better look at the crew, and to their surprise... Humans. They were humans. Prilla recognized them straight away, for her talent deals with their children. How did they manage to get past the wards? How did they find this place? Those are questions for later, but for now... The faes began to formulate a plan. Prilla will serve as the distraction for she can communicate with them; the wind fae is the quickest, thus she will do the stealing; and Rani shall stay outside and serve as back up with her magic, if need be. And so, the plan took place.

It was nightfall. Some of the crew was asleep, others were up and guarding the ship from the many creatures that prowl around at night. And the captain... Inside. Prilla went in first, then Vidia, and Rani stayed out - hidden somewhere on the ship's deck. Surely, this men were tired and probably won't notice anything... or so that's what she thought.

A gun shot, then another. Some yelling and the sound of foot steps running around. And right when Rani thought the worst had happened, her two friends shot out through an open gap of the a window, hand in hand as they flew for their dear life with pirates chasing behind them. Nothing in their hands. Mission failed. Rani jumped into position to begin using her magic against them - sending her water in the shape of sparrows their way. Though they did little to no damage, it served as a good distraction. She got lucky a few times if she hit the eyes or ears of these men - vital areas, blinding or deafening them for a few seconds. And just as the other two had gotten far away enough, Rani followed suit.

That went horribly wrong. Vidia explained what had happened. How she went for what seemed to be the most valuable of objects in the captain's room - a gun. A gun so magnificent that surely he will miss it greatly. But, of course, she could not pick it up in her five inch tall body, or did she dare grow into a much decent size and risk getting caught. So, a few mishaps happened, and they were spotted. Rani could not help but sigh at the situation, covering her face as she thought of what to do now. They are now down to two options; quite possibly the worst two, even. "... We can't just steal Queen Ree's crown. We can't." She said in utter desperation.

"Then what do you suppose we do, Rani? We can't just ask those damned mermaids to give us their precious comb. You know how how vain they are!" Said the wind fairy, Prilla nodding in agreement. Rani stared at the two, and then down at the sea.

"... I'll go. It's been a dream of mine to swim, after all."

"Are you crazy? Do you know what damage that can do to your wings??"

"I am aware. But a sacrifice needs to be done, right?" With a smile to her face, "If they get get wet, I'll just wait it out until they're dry. No big deal."

"You can't just willingly ruin your wings, Rani. Maybe we can coax the mermaids to-" And Prilla was cut off by Rani shaking her head at her. This was her decision, a sacrifice she's willing to make to settle peace to Neverland, to not allow more of this pesky humans inside no longer. It is enough with Tinkabella hoarding those children in the woods, after all. And so, the plan was made. Rani will go down to the bottom and steal the comb right when the sun shines its brightest in the sky. But, for now, they rest.

Morning came, and the fairies anxiously wait by the shore for the sun to settle in the center. Most often than not, the mermaids come out to bask at the sun. Well, most of them. Hopefully their queen stays below... or at the very least, leave her comb wherever she keeps it. But that's just wishful thinking, isn't it? In the mean time, Rani prepared for her trip as she put on more fitting clothes - ones that will not get in the way of her swimming, nor of get tangled on objects. This plan has to be perfect.

One hour later, then two, and then three, and it was time for her to go. The sun is high in the sky and most mermaids were on the shores being their usual selves - grooming each other, gossiping, flirting with poor tiffen and sparrow men. And off she went - paddling deeper and deeper into the murky depths of the sea, her wings tucked behind her. She was unsure of where to even look, but still going forth to where it felt right. Where the waters she loved to work her magic into told her to go. And, before she knew it, she found it! A beautiful iridescent color to it, as if crafted from a pearl the size of a rock. But it wasn't alone. No, no. Again, it was mere wishful thinking. Beautiful as rumored to be, the Mermaid Queen sat on a throne of corals and stone. Her green hair hair was half up, half down - where the half up was pinned down with her comb. She sat there, not noticing - or choosing not to notice - the fae that approached her as she picked at her nails. Her gorgeous features molded in what seemed to be eternal boredom, deeming herself too good to be with the others of her kind.

What now? How can she just... steal her comb, when she has it on? She can't just approach the mermaid and straight up take it, nor can she ask for it. Surely, something can be done...

After much debate and thinking, Rani came up with the idea of using her magic. Perhaps manipulate the sea current and entangle the comb to go with the flow of it all. And that is exactly what she did. It will surely exhaust her to use such a great amount of magic, but it'll be worth it in the end. As she casts her magic, she approached the ethereal figure ever so gently - always hiding behind fish or rocks, until she reached the base of the throne. Eventually, the comb was pulled off of the mermaid's hair and it fell exactly where Rani wanted it to. Thankfully, the queen has not noticed. Gotta hurry, though, for she won't be ignorant to the situation for far much longer. Rani quickly picked up the comb however best she could (being underwater working in her favor) and set off to swim in the opposite direction from where the Queen is facing. Though, she was slow. The comb was slightly heavy, even with the water lightening it the weight a little bit.

Just a little bit more. Closer. Closer. The sunlight shining brighter and brighter in the surface. And then she halts. "Where do you think you are going to, thief?" A voice that was oh-so-beautiful, yet full of wretchedness. Rani was scared to look back, however, she still did; she found her wings trapped between two fingers, the large face of the Queen looming over her with utter anger. Never had Rani felt such fear as she saw those sharp teeth that could so easily shred her apart. "I didn't believe it when my dear fish warned me of a fairy breaking into my territory... Well, I believe I've been proven wrong." Rani couldn't make out much of what she was saying, for exhaustion was starting to kick in, but she was trapped and could not go anywhere. Just- What to do? She tried to think, hugging the comb with her tiny arms as if that'll keep it from her taking it back. "Tsk. Give me that, and we'll see about your punishment for stealing and trespassing." She said, going to take the comb away and tugging at it, but no luck. "Need I rip off your wings? Would that make you let go?" The grin that formed in the mermaid's face was one to be feared, but despite Rani's face going pale white, she did not budge. She simply hugged it harder; thinking harder, deeper.

She ended up sizing up - comparing to the mermaid in size, though a few inches smaller than her. The comb was now small enough for her to tuck into her garments, but first she had to make her let go of it. With a flick of her hand, a current encompassed the mermaid, hopefully serving a distraction before she bit the hand holding the comb. A shriek echoed in the water, following by her letting go of both her wing and the comb. Hopefully, the bite was deep enough to keep her distracted. But, just to be sure, Rani gave all of her energy on keeping that cocoon of streams around the mermaid just long enough to give her a chance to swim out and into the sand. Faster. Hurry. Hurry! As she paddled away, her feet reaching the sand by now, she felt another tug to her wings. "You insolent bug!!" Yelled the mermaid, face void of any beauty. The mask of cold and cruel boredom was not on anymore, and all there was underneath it was that of a flesh tearing beast. "How dare you steal from me!!" Another tug, and a rip. A rip that she felt and gave a wincing reaction to. "How would you feel if I stole from you what you cherish most!?" And another rip, another wince and moan of pain. In her sad attempt to swim away, she ended up kicking the mermaid, using her face to give her a bit of speed as she lunged forth and onto the very shallow area of the beach. She was quick to scramble out and away from the water and into the dry sand, the mermaid only crawling up so far in. "Keep it. For just as I've been stripped from a mere possession, you've been stripped from your identity." The mermaid cackled, her sharp teeth gleaming in the sun, her hair stuck to her skin as she sat on the shore, taking in Rani's state of terror. "May the worse befall on you, little fairy, for you deserve it." And with that, she sunk back into the water.

Rani sat there in a state of shock, terror, pain. Though she managed to get away alive and with the comb, the pain of her left wing having been torn, with the very tiny nerves that spread throughout them aching left her unable to move.

Her two companions few in, sizing up as they settled next to Rani. "Are you okay?" Asked the redheaded fairy, looking Rani up and down as she tried to spot any superficial injuries. While the other just stood there, scoffing as if it was an 'I told you so'. "Oh, Rani-- Your wing!" Gasped the gentler fae as she beheld the tear on the fragile membrane. "How could she-"

"Did you get the comb?"

"Vidia! Be sensible! You don't know what she's been through!"

"Oh, please. She knew exactly what she was getting herself into, so does it matter? What matters here is the comb, Prilla. Did she retrieve the comb?" And just as Vidia kept emphasizing it, Rani pulled out the opalescent ornament out of her wet clothes and tossed it onto the sand. The two fairies stared at it, a bit disappointed by how plain it was. Why was it so precious, anyway? Only that wretched queen would know. Vidia bent down and picked it up, brushing away the sand that clung to it before putting it in her bag. "Let's go."

"She can't fly, Vidia." Prilla was still knelt beside Rani holding her wet and shaking body in her own as she sent calming waves of magic her way, easing both the pain and the trauma that she may have gone through. "Do you think you can size down for us, Rani? I can carry you if you're small enough..." Rani gave a small nod and did as told. She was but a small creature next to her companions; small enough that Prilla could scoop up into her hands. Giving Vidia a nod, the two set off into the skies, heading back to the mountains to meet the dragon once more.

"We're back." Yelled Vidia into the cavern, her echoes waking the dragon from what seemed to be a deep slumber. "We have your stupid comb, so give us the egg." Said the Fairy as she held out the comb for the dragon to see. You need not light to see that he smiled at the sight of it, for his eyes gave it away.

"My, my. Weren't you three brave little soldiers? Stealing from the mermaid Queen? Bravo." He mused as he walked over. "Tell me, who was the brave one? Who was the martyr to face that man-eating beast?" He showed no concern, but only amusement. A game. That's all this was to him. His eyes scored through the fairies, noting one was missing. "The water-talent. Of course. Where is she? Was she the queen's meal?"

"She's right here. Now shut it and give us the egg as promised." Said Vidia, pushing harder for she wanted to go home. They were exhausted, and even she knew that Rani needed to get that wing checked up. The dragon could only sigh, for he was not expecting the fairies to go along with his game; his plan for Neverland to self-destruct on it own with the loss of their most precious item.

"Very well." And with that said, the exchange took place - the dragon handing Vidia the egg and she the comb. With the bargain out of the way and the quest successfully completed, the three faes head home. They were all welcomed with much praise, a party, and a special thank you from Queen Ree herself.

But what happened to Rani? Rani ended up going to the royal physician as a thank you from the Queen, or perhaps pity. However, nothing could be done about the torn up wing and thus needed to go - him cutting both of them from the very base of it. Wings are not like flesh, they cannot be sewn shut, they cannot heal overtime. They're... there. They are like a leaf, where one wear can just about change the dynamic of how it flows in the wind. And thus began life as a flightless fairy. Perhaps, this is what the mermaid Queen meant when she 'stripped her from her identity'?

Life without wings isn't all too bad. You can swim without worry, you can enjoy your given talent without the looming dread of wetting your wings. Mother Dove herself has also given Rani an escort of her own to serve as her wings, to show her her gratitude for the sacrifice she made. However, not all is well either. Indeed, she did strip her away from her identity as a fairy. Despite being a 'hero', she is still deemed... incomplete. Imperfect. Crippled. Her fellow fairies treat her alright for what she has done, however, they still feel distant. Hollow smiles, judging eyes, her name a whisper among gossip. An outcast, that is what she has become. That is what the mermaid queen condemned her to.

Today was a special day - Queen Ree's arrival anniversary. A joyous day when all of the Never fairies in Pixie Hollow get together to celebrate her coming of age. Each talent had a task; the baking fairies were in charge of desserts, the cooking fairies of the meals and the feast, the animal talents were preparing a special event of sorts, the water fairies of creating fountains around the courtyard. All of the water talents were working together to create gorgeous fountains... All but Rani. She was told to sit this one out, for her given 'wings' would be a nuisance, that she'll be a nuisance. Though, like most fairies are, the stubborn blonde still barged into the working area to help out. But this decision ended badly Rani lost control of her bird and crashed into into the fountains and the flower arranges, following the already laden feast that the cooks have been prepping since the day prior. Everyone halted and watched the scene unfurl, watch the water splatter everywhere, the garden be ruined and the food scatter. Everything, ruined. And Rani could only flee once she felt all eyes land on her, on her stubbornness, on her lack of wings. On her impudence, on her insecurities, on her fears. As she ran and ran, she could feel it.

The whispers. The rumors. The judging. The insults. The pity. A hero? More like a thief. A filthy thief. She felt naked, laid bare for everyone to gawk at the scars left on her back from the amputation of her wings. Her dignity. Her identity. Damn that mermaid, damn that dragon, damn that stupid egg. To hell with Neverland, with those fairies, with the mermaids and peace. To hell with it all! She could only run farther and farther away from her home, stumbling through dirt and wood and leaves. Run for as far as you can, where your feet can take you. Eventually, she stopped. Tears swelled up in her eyes as she stumbled to a halt and fell to her knees, legs like jelly and quivering as she sobbed out for all that she had endured since the day she was deemed a hero. Cried for what she lost. For what she was and used to be. For the girl that enjoyed flying, that enjoyed being with her friends. Perhaps this was life getting back at her? For stealing? For getting Tinkabella banished the moment she caught her with that human child? For being too naive and happy?

Sobs and moans of grief keep rolling in as she laid on the rotting leafs of Autumn Forest, not minding it that the night was kicking in. The soon the creatures of the night will be on the prowl for a meal. She had just stopped caring. And once she stopped crying and looked up at the sound of rustles, she noticed a book. Larger than her. Leather bound and of the color black. Rani stared at it in confusion, unsure if it was there before. Perhaps her tear filled eyes were playing games with her. Even still, she pushed herself off of wherever she was laying on and approached the book, inspecting it with curious eyes. She felt an odd impulse to touch it. Open it. Read its contents. And that is exactly what happened; the moment her small hand came into contact with the leather, she found herself everywhere but nowhere at once. And then, she felt as though she was spat out of a fabric of time and space... but where? She was in the Autumn Forest just a moment ago, and now she's... in a city.