Author's Note: So bored, and I had this lying around. If anyone is interested in me writing more of this then tell, otherwise this might be it. By the way, this is a Prequel, which means you read the other one and then read this. The other one, I think, is better if read without knowledge of this one. Still, even though the basic plot is known I hope I can made it interesting.
Summary: In a time of uncertainty when the ink is flowing more than any fairy can remember two special fairies arrive in Pixie Hollow to stir up even more trouble. Prequel to The Darkest Fairy.
Warnings: A lot of OCs, violence, death of said OC characters (not all of them), set in the time when Clarion is born through when she named queen.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Belongs to Disney and – well, I'm actually not entirely sure who wrote the actual series it's based off.
Chapter One
Birth of the Sisters
It was a small giggle that burst into a full out laugh as grubby hands reached for her father's silly nose. The laughter caught the last autumn leaves on the old oak tree. Together the leaves wound in and around each other. One was a bright red, the kind that tourist came to stare at; the other was becoming that dead brown with a few chips missing from the crinkling edges. The wind picked both up, throwing them around in a dance.
They followed the usual route, both of them, twining and moving at an even pace to the second star on the right. It wasn't long until it was there, the leaves twining together over the ocean spray that led to Pixie Hollow. A fast flying fairy blinked in surprise at seeing the two together, but caught the leaves in his winds; just to be sure he had the right one.
They twirled over the grasses, waking sleeping fairies who hadn't believed that the new fairy would be coming that night. Fairy lights flickered on and whispers played through the air. The remaining fairies started flying ahead of the fast flying fairy, going and sitting with their other talent-kin as they waited for the new ones to appear.
Both leaves settled down on the stump and there was a gentle murmur. Had there been two new baby laughs at the same time? A portly dust fairy sprinkled magic on both of them. The leaves started to unfold. The red leaf stood tall, very tall, she was wearing a bright red dress, something that with thin straps on her shoulders and low neck. It clung tight to her body with a slit that started at her knees and the dress tapered to one side. Her skin was a white golden hue and she had dark blonde hair. Her blue eyes looked with wonder on everyone who surrounded her, mouth open in wonder as everyone whispered to each other in amazement. She was beautiful and the red specs in her hair almost made it look like she was wearing a crown.
The second leaf moved and whimpered a little. Everyone looked down at the body trying to hide behind the tall fairy. She was dark against the night sky, but her black contrast to her sister's light and betrayed her presence. She had light brown hair and bright hazel eyes. Her clothes were deep green buttoned vest, and dark brown pants, though it wasn't as dark as her skin. Anything else about her was impossible to tell, what with her scrunched behind her sisters legs.
"Hello little ones, it is good to see you made it alright," if the Queen thought it odd to see two new fairies so close together on the same night she didn't mention it. "Come now, let's see about those wings."
The Queen of fairies moved forward, the dark fairy quickly skirted around to avoid the queen. In contrast the lighter fairy moved toward the queen as if mesmerized by her beauty. The dark one was then left in the predicament of trying to stay away from the unknown queen and also stay behind her sister. The poor thing made a pathetic noise from behind her sister and quickly had to move in front of the light fairy to avoid the Queen. Giggles filled the area as the fairies watched their actions; even the Queen let loose a regal chuckle.
The lighter fairy watched impatiently, craning to see what the Queen was going to do to her wings. It wasn't out of fear but excitement, unlike the darker fairy who was frowning at the Queen looking ready to pounce if the Queen did anything threatening against her sister. Because that was what the older fairies had started to whisper together. It hadn't happened in centuries, but it was possible.
The Queen dipped her hands in a bowl supplied by some other fairy and brought out a gold dusted hand to run it up the light fairy's weak wings, dragging the girl up. Before the Queen could get the second fairy she was already moving her weak wings while trying to keep a grip on her sister's dress and was reaching to hold her hand. The Queen shook her head in amusement and ran dust covered fingers along the girl's wings. The little girl practically catapulted herself into her sister's arms sending them both back down into the stump.
"Alright talents gather round," called the Queen gently while reaching into the dust again and then scattering it over the stomp. The new fairies watched in fascination and horror as little mushrooms popped out. Each talent brought forth a representation for their respective kin and left with a small smile to the lighter fairy, and a few even were able to catch the eye of the darker fairy and give her a reassuring smile. This was a little harder seeing as she was crouched behind her sister, holding the lighter fairies legs and trying to become as small as possible. The lighter fairy didn't seem to mind, continuing to look around at her new surroundings in wonder and excitement.
"What are those for?" said the lighter fairy pointing at one of the talents. The darker fairy looked around them, seemingly unhappy to be surrounded by the talents and pressed her sister's legs closer to her.
"They will help you figure out what your talent is," said the Queen and then made a motion that welcomed the fairy to try them out. The young red fairy smiled at the prospect and made to go forward, while the darker one whimpered and clung so tight to the other fairy that the poor thing almost tripped.
The red fairy gave her sister a serious look and the darker one let go of her sister with an unhappy whimper. The lighter sister walked forward, eyes debating which one to try first. The darker fairy frowned unhappily and scrunched up into a ball in the middle of the circle clutching at her knees but never letting her sister out sight.
The lighter fairy continued forward. Her eyes quickly locked on the snowflake. She reached forward and the delicate design disinagrated under her fingers. She gasped and backed away, looking at the snow talent-kin who sent her a reassuring smile and shrugged to tell her it happened and it was alright. The young fairy sent them a quick smile and moved on. Her eyes latched onto a small orange leaf and she strode confidently toward it. She reached forward quickly as if that would keep the talent from being destroyed by her touch again. The mushroom became dark and the leaf slipped from her fingers. All emotion seemed to disappear from the young fairies face as she looked where the light used to be.
The darker fairy made an angry scared noise. The lighter sister glanced quickly behind her and then squared her shoulders angrily. She set her next target as the tinker hammer. Little feet beat angrily against the wood. She paused looking at the hammer and reached forward, only to lose any emotion when it didn't work. Another noise from the darker one was ignored except for the red fairy to turn mechanically toward the next talent. She reached toward the globe of light and then curled back in shock when it seemed to start moving toward her. She backed up into another mushroom where another thing bumped into her back. The young fairy turned to see a dust fairies cup moving toward her. The poor girl started shaking slightly in fear as the two talents converged on her and then settled in front of her. The red fairy hesitantly reached toward both and as soon as her hands had gripped them the light shone from them with the intensity of the sun, completely overwhelming all fairies in the area.
There were whispers across the place. Not only was she powerful talent but she also had two. That was completely unheard of. The Queen interrupted with a cough.
"Will the talents please replace those used so the next sister may find her talent," said the Queen gently, but making sure her fairies understood that they were to stop gossiping. The talents in question did as told and the lighter fairy went to her sister and pulled her to her feet. The young one continued to grip at her sister, not wanting to let go. The dust and light fairy watched the queen and when she nodded she shoved her sister toward the talents.
There was a collective gasp that made the darker fairy turn to run back at her sister. But the lighter one just gave her a stern glare and crossed her arms. Hunched over, the darker fairy shakily made her way to the nearest talent to their back. She stared at it for a minute, to most it looked like a harmless paintbrush, but from her expression it had morphed into some sort of fairy eating monster. The dark fairy moved forward cautiously and until she was just a step away with her hands held at her chest. She glanced at her sister who made a shooing motion at her. The dark fairy eyes flicked back to the paint brush and her hands moved from her chest to graze against the handle.
The fairies held their breaths, ready for the paint brush to fall and the little one to break into tears. But instead it was the dark fairy who turned away, without even waiting for the paintbrush to fall and moved onto the next. A few fairies gasped and a few called out. The paintbrush hadn't fallen and was instead following the oblivious dark fairy. The dark fairy reached the next talent and brushed her fingers across it. The thing didn't fall and, as the dark fairy kept moving, it followed behind her. There was a whisper of shock, both fairies had two talents.
But the dark fairy kept moving, her hands brushing each talent before moving on. They all watched in wonder as every talent began gathering behind the dark fairy. The girl now stood tall, a small content smile on her face as she finally finished her circuit to stand from the last mushroom. The talents surrounded her, glowing steadily brighter until the it was just as bright as her sister. Once again drowning the surrounding area in light so bright that one couldn't see in front of her eyes.
They died down and the talents floated in the air around the dark fairy. Her skin absorbing the light around her as she stood tall with her hands spread, a small knowing smile spread across her face. The moment ended and all the talents came tumbling down, the tinker hammer hitting the dark fairies foot. There was a second of silence and shock, and then the dark fairy burst into tears while clutching at her foot.
The lighter sister immediately went to her crying sister and took her in her arms making shushing noises.
"This is preposterous," whispered the winter minister as he tried to resettle his crown and looking back at the Queen while crossing his arms and glancing at the twins with suspicion.
"Now, now this sort of thing was bound to happen eventually," said the spring minister. "We just have to figure out what to do with them until we decide a permanent schedule for them."
"They are much too reliant on each other," said the winter minister strictly. They all looked down to see that the twins were still on their own, seemingly now engrossed in their own world and playing a hand game.
"I do not think that it would wise to separate the darker fairy from her sister," said the portly summer minister looking down at the two playing. A watery smile slowly reforming on the darker ones face.
"So where should we place them?" asked the Queen and then glanced down. "Perhaps we should put them with the light; they do make up most of the population of the fairies."
"Ah, but that would scare the darker one, she seems like such a timid little thing," remarked the fall minister and they all glanced back at the two. The lighter one was still trying to play the game while the darker one tried to snuggle into her sister. "And no, Moris, we are not separating them. I refuse to have all of Pixie Hollow having to listen to the darker one's cries, it looks like she could be a screamer if she really put her mind to it."
The others chuckled in agreement and the Winter Minister sighed in defeat.
"Then it is decided," spoke the queen with finality.
"Yes milady," said the ministers as one. The queen descended down in front of the playing fairies. The dark one noticed her first, hiding behind her sister who then looked up to see the queen, her eyes becoming eager as she moved forward as fast as she could against the tugging dark fairy digging her heals into the stump.
The queen signaled for the dust fairy who had brought them to life to come over. He blinked in surprise but hurriedly flew to her. Teardrop glanced behind her and squeaked. She glanced back at the queen and then attempted to burrow into her sister's back. The dust fairy tried to stifle a laugh, and the queen glanced to the side as the other two dust fairies came to either side of her.
"Where are we go – ow," the light fairy glared at her sister who had pinched her. Obviously the darker one had no intentions of going anywhere. The light fairy turned to snap at the other but the Queen cleared her throat.
"No dear, your sister is right, there is one more thing we must do before I leave you in the care of the dust fairies," said the Queen. Both looked at her in interest. Even the dark fairies head poking from behind the lighter fairy so that her eyes could stare up at her. "Don't you two want to know your names?"
"Yes," said the lighter one instantly interested and even the darker one had a spark of interest in her eyes. The queen smiled and nodded.
"Alright, you," said the Queen looking down at the lighter fairy who looked ready to jump out of her skin in anticipation. "My young dust and light fairy, your name is Clarion."
The young one looked down at herself in wonder, as if a name had somehow changed her.
"And you," the dark fairy shrank behind her sister. Eyes up but only just. "My little collection of all talents." The queen swore she could see a blush in those hazel eyes. "Your name is Teardrop."
The fairy smiled happily before she hid herself behind her sister again. Though this time out of embarrassment and joy. The dust fairies moved forward to take them to their spot, but it was Clarion who stopped them this time.
"What is your name?"
"I am Queen Bright," said the Queen with a majestic smile and flew backwards. Soon she was a ball of light that moved through the branches with the ministers following close behind, ready to talk to the other about what they would do with the twins.
"Alright you two," said one of the fairies. She was a small thing with a huge smile. Her golden hair was twisted in braids into a bun on either side of her head. She had glowing golden skin, green eyes, and an acorn hat hanging to the back of her held by a thread of grass. "I'm Golden."
"And I'm Shimmer," this fairy had a rougher deeper voice. She had wavy hair pinned behind her head and deep green eyes that were magnified by her glasses. She was taller than Golden, but not as tall as the twins. Her dress was a mix of brown and green, reaching all the way to her shoes and she carried the no-nonsense stance perfectly with only a hint of mischief twitching through her folded fingers.
"And I'm Dusty," said the male fairy, scaring Teardrop into clinging with even more force to her sister. He was a robust fairy, not tall, but a sturdy frame and big brown hair that stood a good few inches in the air around him. He had a welcoming face and gentle hands.
"My name is Clarion," said the lighter sister making as if to jump at the other fairy and give him a hug. Teardrop grabbed onto Clarion and dragged her hurriedly back to her with a distressed sound. "Oh, come on Teardrop, doesn't he look huggable?"
The dark fairy chanced a quick look at Dusty, her eyes went wide and she quickly hid her head back in sister's back. Dusty chuckled, put his acorn top on Teardrop's head. The poor girl jumped and gripped the thing as it started to fall, giving Dusty time to scoop Clarion into a quick hug. Teardrop glared at the boy as she retook her sister's arm and pulled the beaming Clarion back into her clutches.
"Enjoy this time little fairy," said Shimmer taking to wing and hovering a few centimeters from the ground. "We're the nice ones in the group."
"Hey!" said Golden while scrunching her nose. The others laughed nervously and it took both Clarion and Dusty to get Teardrop to move from her spot on the stump. Clarion urged her sister up saying that Shimmer was probably just kidding, while Dusty snuck up behind the skittish sister and scared her into Clarion's waiting arms. Teardrop pouted all the way up to the next level where both fairies stared in wonder at the dust-kins work place.
A steady stream of gold came out of a branch several feet above their heads. It pooled in together in a lake of gold dust that gave off enough light to see the entire area clearly. But best of all the dust gave off the scent, sound, and feeling of magic. Clarion leaned forward, ready to jump into the pool and just swim in the pixie dust. It was intoxicating. But Teardrop kept a firm grip on her sister, Clarion might be impulsive enough to jump into something that had the same properties as quicksand, but Teardrop was rational enough to know that it was a rather moronic idea.
"We would show you the rest of Pixie Hollow," said Shimmer with a flourish of her hands.
"But it's late and you two have a long day in head of you depending on what the bosses decide," said Golden with a witty smile as she covered Shimmer's mouth so she couldn't speak. Shimmer did not look amused and Teardrop had to hide behind Dusty's acorn to hide her smile while Clarion chuckled openly.
"So, where is she?" demanded a gravely voice sending Teardrop to suck in fear behind her sister. Clarion looked where the voice came from and her jaw dropped. Standing in front of her was an old knarled fairy. The fairies hair was white with a few brown high lights, her were eyes were practically hidden by her sagging and wrinkly skin, and her skin tone was a pasty white. Her back was hunched and a knarled hand was holding a staff that she leaned heavily against. When she snarled Clarion realized that the other was even missing a few teeth."What are you staring at girly?"
Clarion's eyes widened, her back stiffened, and her hand reached behind her for her sister. Teardrop, confused that her sister was frightened by something glanced from behind her hiding spot.
"Your shadow has eyes," said the old fairy while limping forward and squinting at the dark fairy visible by her hair and the fact she appeared darker than the night beyond the lighted area.
"Sunshine, this is Clarion," said Golden flying next to the old crone and pointing at the lighter sister. "And behind her is her sister Teardrop."
"Hm, sister's eh? Well, no matter, the dust girl can stay but her miner sister has to go to her talent-kin," said the old crone, whose name was Sunshine. Clarion didn't really think she looked like a Sunshine. She looked more like a witch.
"Well, little miner fairy, go!" and Sunshine struck faster than Clarion thought anyone could. Since the old crone was aiming at her sister Clarion caught the walking stick, which was then aimed at her. Teardrop attacked. A snarl and she had flung herself at the attacking dust fairy caught Teardrop in the stomach and flipped her over. Teardrop caught herself in midair, throwing wind behind her to make sure she landed as close as possible to Sunshine. When she saw that Sunshine no longer was poised to attack and instead looking at her in shock. Teardrop seemed to realize she was out in the open and tried to shrink back into the shadows until Clarion flew in front of her.
"A fast flying fairy is just as unwanted as a miner-kin," said Sunshine after getting her bearings.
"It's complicated Sunshine," said Golden putting a hand on the old crones arm. The old woman gave her a dry glare while the Golden smiled sheepishly back. Shimmer rolled her eyes at the two and took over.
"What Goldy means is that those two aren't normal. Clarion isn't only a dust fairy, she's also a light fairy. Teardrop's all of them," said Shimmer grimly. This didn't seem to completely translate to the crippled fairy.
"I don't want the dark one here even if she doesn't have a talent."
"No, no Sunshine," said Golden stepping in front of Shimmer who had made to dive at the old crone with a snarl. Dusty had grabbed the irritable fairy by the waist and thrown her acorn top over most of her face. Clarion and Teardrop watched with slight alarm. "What we mean is that she went around and all the talents reacted to her, glowed as bright as the sun."
"The Queen asked us to take them both in until they decided what to do with the twins," added Dusty letting go of Shimmer who flew off and into the Home Tree, probably her room, with a huff.
The old crone looked back at the twins. Clarion smiled at her as friendly as she could. Teardrop hid further behind her sister. She really did seem to be her sisters' shadow.
"I don't like this," said the old fairy finally. "Nothing against you two sprites, but I smell something unsavory in the air. Well, with all the new dust fairies." Sunshine shot an irritated glance at where Shimmer had flown off to. "And the influx of tar, no, not good signs at all. Very well, we will put the both of you up, though I doubt that the dark will be staying very long. Clarion will have more chance of that since she is half our kin and the Queen thinks it necessary."
And with that the old bag left with Golden gripping her arm and chatting to her as they headed for the room at ground level. The twins got a good look at the old things wings and decided that there was no way they were usable, and that probably accounted for the reason that she seemed inclined to walk.
"Alright you two," said Dusty, the only fairy left and looking rather awkward. Clarion dragged Teardrop to her side herself and glared at the boy as if daring him to try and take her sister away. Dusty just shook his head in defeat. "Don't worry Clarion. A lot of talents actually live here, especially light fairies, there's a good chance you'll end up rooming together no matter what the Queen decides."
Both fairies appeared to relax at this bit of information.
"Come on, um… Teardrop are you mute?" asked Dusty. Teardrop frowned and hid her head further behind her sister. Dusty felt a nervous twitch run through his body and he wondered what he should do if she was. Should he tell the Queen, try to find her before the made the final decision on the two.
Clarion elbowed her sister roughly in the gut.
"Not mute," said Clarion's back harshly. Dusty sent her a winning smile that Clarion promised to pass on with her own smile.
"Alright, now let me show you the room we set up. We had expected you to be a dust fairy. Not that we want more. Not that we don't like you to, but it would be less of a worry if we had less dust fairies not more. It means more tar… I'm sure that Sunshine will show you in the morning. Here we are."
It was a small one roomed thing. There was a bed near the big window that faced some sort of light inside the tree. There was only one bed. The nightstand was on the other side of the room and had only a few extra pieces paper on it. Then on the remaining wall was a closet, probably for their clothes.
"Sorry, it was only built for one. I can get you some extra blankets, but one of you has to sleep on the floor, we'll get another bed put in here," said Dusty.
"This is perfect," said Teardrop, startling Dusty, and making him jump a good inch in the air when she flew past him and into the room, and into the closet.
"I'll have to draw the shades for her," said Clarion with a soft sigh.
"Are you alright with the dark?" asked Dusty noticing one of the many problems he was sure was going to come with powerful twins during this time.
"Yeah, I mean she has to deal with the light during the day, I'm fine with the dark during the night. Don't look so nervous, we'll get along fine," Clarion walked over to the window and drew the shade. Teardrop peaked out of the closet with a brush, scowled at Dusty and went back in.
"I guess I should be going," said Dusty.
"Bright dreams Dusty," said Teardrop while coming up behind her sister with the brush, apparently satisfied with knowledge that he'd be leaving.
"Bright dreams Teardrop, Clarion," and with a nod from the lighter sister he slipped out. His was his watch that night. He had a long night of waiting and maybe giving an extra sprinkle of pixie-dust to get through the night. It was boring and he usually dozed off, but tonight he was sure that his thoughts would be focused on two new, special, fairies.