The sun shone brightly as Christina stepped out of the house with Prince in her arms. Today Christina would teach Prince to fly and she couldn't be more excited.

"Ready?" she asked with a grin.

Prince's response was to lick her cheek.

Laughing, Christina set Prince on a low tree branch before slowly backing away. The young dragon hesitantly opened his wings and looked to Christina for guidance.

"Now, you flap them," Christina explained.

Prince gave a small flap. Then another and another until he was flying to Christina who was excitedly squealing.

"Good Boy! Good Dragon!" Christina praised.

Christina laughed as Prince decided to land on her head before climbing his way down her body and into her arms. She carried her pet over to the swing and sat down her eyes never leaving her dragon. She was so happy. Prince could fly not for very long but it was a start and it made Christina happy. She was so happy in fact that she didn't notice the trio of fairies that flew into the yard until they surrounded her. Christina fearfully looked up meeting Mary's harsh glare.

The daughters of the three good fairies were anything but good fairies. They were snobby, entitled horrible little brats who took pleasure in bullying Christina. They were all a year older than her, taller than her, stronger and faster or so she was led to believe. The ringleader, Mary was tall for her age with black hair and piercing hazel eyes. She often wore pink just to spite her mother and today like every time Christina saw her she was wearing the same pink frock. Next came Fiona who was tall and gaunt, dressed in light shades of green with gold embroidery. Lastly, there was Florence the shortest of the trio her caramel locks twisted into a tight bun under her blue cap. The three circled Christina who held Prince protectively.

"Oh, so you didn't grow wings. How sad!" Mary mocked with a sneer.

"Maybe you should pick somewhere higher from the ground like the roof?" Florence quipped.

"Go on, Christina show us you can fly," Fiona laughed.

"But I can't!" Christina protested.

"How will you know if you don't try?" Mary asked, pushing Christina from the swing.

Prince, as you can imagine did not take this well and snapped at the offending fairy. Which caused her to yelp before viciously backhanding the dragon. Who was sent tumbling backward. Now, this made Christina angry as she rose from the ground wiping the dirt from her face.

"What are you going to do about it, Freak?" Mary taunted.

Christina felt her blood boiling as her skin started to heat up before catching fire. This, in turn, caused the three other fairies to scream as Christina grabbed the leader by her arm and threw her to the ground while the other two flew away crying in fear.

"DON'T HURT MY DRAGON!" Christina screeched as she stood over the cowering fairy, "NOW, GO AWAY!"

"I'm telling my Mom! You'll be sorry!" Mary screamed as she left.

Christina didn't care. She knew Mary would get her mother and haul her back, however, Alissa had seen the whole thing and wasn't phased when the fairies returned. By this time, Christina was in her bedroom watching as Prince kept trying to fly longer than a minute. She caught him every time his tiny wings gave out.

When Prince finally gave up and went to sleep Christina crept to the window in order to hear what the adults were saying.

"Mary started it. She pushed my daughter down and hit her dragon,"

"The dragon tried to bite her,"

"Because she was upsetting Christina. You can't honestly tell me you don't remember how protective dragons are,"

"Your wingless half-breed doesn't deserve a dragon much less a pet,"

"He chose her!"

"And then Christina pushed my baby down,"

"Because that's what Mary did to her!"

"Oh? Did my daughter burn her too because Mary has burn marks on her arm,"

"Your daughter trespassed onto my property and proceeded to harass my child. I highly doubt it's Christina who's at fault for defending herself like she was taught to,"

This argument continued for quite a while to the point where Christina grew tired of listening. The young girl returned to her room to retrieve a book. When she returned she was startled to see Merryweather standing in the doorway. Before Christina had time to react the fairy flew across the room and seized Christina by her braid before quite literally dragging her outside where Alissa stood seething amidst the destroyed rose garden.

"LET GO OF ME,' Christina yelled as her mother prepared to strike down the trespassing fairy.

"You ugly disrespectful brat. Apologize to Mary," Merryweather ordered harshly.

"Hands off my daughter before I blast you into-"

Alissa never got to finish her statement as the ground opened under Merryweather and her daughter. As the two fell screaming into Wonderland Christina stood triumphantly with a grin as she shook the grass from her hair.

"Maybe we should place a protection spell over the house and yard to keep them out, Mommy,"

Alissa watched dumbstruck as her daughter repaired the roses as if they had never been harmed, to begin with.

"How did she get into the house?" Christina asked as Alissa guided her inside.

"Mary lit the roses on fire and her mother pushed past me,"

"I thought they were supposed to be good?"

"Well, yes but not everyone who's supposed to be good is good,"

"Oh,"

"Did she hurt you, Butterfly?"

"No, Mommy,"

Christina was told to stay inside for the rest of the day. Not as punishment but protection. Meanwhile, Alissa cast a more serious spell over her home to keep enemies out and let only friends in. this way, her daughter couldn't be hurt by the 'good' fairies again.

Christina sat in the middle of the floor with papers spread all around her when Alissa went to check on her. She was drawing again.

Alissa closed the door to her daughter's room softly as she turned away. It really wasn't fair to Christina. Life wasn't fair to her. Many a night Alissa laid alone in bed wondering why? And yet, Christina was a spirited headstrong little girl. A happy girl. A girl that wanted...

wings.

Alissa couldn't stand it! The local children excluded Christina calling her names and mocking her inability to fly. They had single-handily crushed her daughter time and time again.

Alissa hated it.

…...

As the summer months dragged on and school grew near Alissa found herself at a loss for what to do. Her mother had a plan in place but it would be a few years before she could act upon it. In the meantime, Christina was to be sent to public school. Just for a year so Alissa would have a solid reason for home-schooling Christina,

Currently, Alissa watched through the window as her daughter was helping her dragon learn to fly. They were up to five minutes thus far.

"Good, Good Dragon," Christina squealed as Prince dropped into her arms yet again.

Christina sat on her swing now safe from bullies. Prince appeared to like the swing often falling asleep as Christina swung back and forth contentedly. She craned her head in order to see the birds as they flew overhead. One day she would join them. Rather, she hoped to. Once the birds were gone from sight she peered back down at her baby dragon.

"At least you'll fly one day," Christina sighed.

"Christina," Alissa called.

"Yes, Mommy?"

"Go clean your face and put on your good dress. We're going to town,"

"okay,"

Christina skipped into the house with Prince right at her heels. Once in her room, she found her good dress which her mother also called her Dorthy dress for no other reason than the resemblance to Dorthy's famous blue and white checked dress. Christina pulled the dress over her head before slipping back into her shoes and going to the bathroom to scrub her face clean. After she had finished she returned outside where Alissa waited with a basket over her arm.

"Ready?"

"Yes, Ma'am,"

Christina loved going to town it was just so exciting to her. The best part was easily the farmers market which was always open on Saturdays.

"After we're done here I'll drop you off at your grandmother's, Okay?" Alissa said as she began filling her basket with all manner of fruits and vegetables.

"Okay,"

The market was bustling with all sorts of activity. So many sights to see, things to hear. It was wondrous. As they shopped, Christina and her mother happened upon a group of children playing ball Christina excitedly raced over hoping to join them and maybe make a friend but as soon as they saw her the other children froze their game forgotten.

"What are you?" the oldest asked.

"A fairy,"

"Nuh-uh Fairies have wings,"

"I am too a fairy," Christina insisted.

"Yeah, sure,"

"Can I play?"

"Sorry, no fake fairies allowed,"

The children ran off leaving Christina standing alone in the middle of the market unsure if it was okay to cry. Slowly against her will tears started to drip flow from her eyes, down her cheeks and unto the ground. Christina ran to her mother clinging to her as she tried not to cry. Why didn't anyone like her? She just wanted a friend. Someone who didn't treat her like an outcast.

Like a freak.

…...

"THEY SAID WHAT?" Maleficent seethed.

"That she was a fake," Alissa explained calmly.

"I feared this would happen. The older she gets the worse it is,"

"I notice,"

Huddled in the corner of the room sat Christina with her nose in a spellbook Maleficent had laid out for her. She wasn't paying attention to the conversation. She was still trying to calm herself after her unfortunate encounter with the village children.

"I'm worried she'll become a recluse," Alissa fretted.

"At least she's trying to make friends which is more than I can say for you at her age,"

"I preferred books. Christina WANTS friends,"

"You're overlooking the obvious here,"

"Which is?"

"Set up a playdate. Take her to the park,"

"A playdate. I really am stupid," Alissa chuckled.

"Stupid isn't a nice word, Mommy," Christina quipped before returning to her book.

Alissa laughed outright.

Maleficent looked at her granddaughter. She was furious on the inside. How dare those children call her granddaughter a fake. How dare they think of her as anything less than a fairy! Christina was a fairy she just lacked the telltale aspect of being a fairy. She was just as bright and fun as any of the other children. And yes, Maleficent realized that just maybe she was being a tad bit biased but it was true. She knew it was true.

Maleficent decided it was time to call on an old friend of hers.

As soon as Alissa left Christina was told to put her shoes back on.

"Where are we going?" Christina couldn't help asking as she slid her shoes back on and put Prince in her bedroom.

"To visit an old friend of mine,"

That statement worried Christina just the tiniest bit but it wasn't wise to question her grandmother. So, she quietly followed her outside where Maleficent asked Christina a very exciting question.

"Do you want to fly there?"

"YES"

So, Maleficent transformed into a dragon just to make her granddaughter smile. Once she was sure Christina was secure she took to the skies, soaring high above the treetops and even higher above the clouds.

Christina was elated. She had dreamed of this for so long. Being able to soar over the clouds was magic. The sun was so warm on her face the clouds were softer than pillows and, she laughed the whole way there. When Maleficent started to descend Christina was admittedly sad but she knew her grandmother couldn't fly all day long so she kept her mouth shut. They landed in front of a cozy looking Tudor style cottage with a hollowed out tree in the front yard. A tree that housed legions of crows that flocked to Maleficent as soon as she reverted back to normal.

She greeted them all and sent them on their way just as the door to the house opened and a fairy far older than any fairy stepped out.

Christina took her grandmother's hand as she led her to the front door and proceeded to hide behind Maleficent when the stranger noticed her. Christina wasn't really sure what to make of this stranger who was not someone she would have expected her grandmother to associate with. The fairy before her had light blue eyes and silver hair tied into a bun. She wore colorful robes with stars on them and a kind expression.

"Don't be frightened young one, I don't bite," the stranger said as Christina buried her face in Maleficent's robes.

"Christina this is Nanny," Maleficent explained, "Say hello,"

Christina took a deep breath and bravely stepped forward holding out her hand as she had been taught.

"Hello," she greeted with a smile

"Hello, Christina. Your grandmother has told me about you. Now, why don't we go inside? I baked cookies," Nanny said, smiling as Christina lit up, all traces of hesitation gone at the mention of her favorite treat.

After enjoying a plateful of delicious freshly-baked chocolate cookies. Christina was excused to play outside. She looked up finding a tree house nestled in the branches of the tree and a rope ladder leading to it which she quickly climbed.

Inside the tree house, Christina found much to her delight stacks upon stacks of books and toys. Odd trinkets of all sorts were stashed away in a small box near the window and from that window, Christina was able to see just how far she'd climbed. The clouds were so close but yet out of reach. No matter, Christina liked the tree house just the same and soon curled up to read one of the spell books.

Inside the cottage, Maleficent and Nanny were having a very important conversation.

"Tell me what you see, Nanny, what does her future look like," Maleficent asked.

"It's bright and happy-"

"But, there's always a but,"

"There's a shadow,"

"Of what?"

"Sadness, self-loathing, it hangs over her,"

Maleficent looked outside where her granddaughter was still entertaining herself in the tree house. She couldn't imagine Christina's light being snuffed out replaced by the hollow emptiness.

"But there is hope for her. If treated with love and care she'll bloom like the most beautiful flower. I have a feeling she's well on her way to that, Maleficent. Just as Alissa was,"

"Do you think when she's older-"

"She's more than welcome to,"

"Thank you,"

…...

Christina was flying. Actually flying! Suspended by a pair of glittering wings not too different from her mother's. She soared over the clouds. Basking in the sunlight on her face. She flew higher and higher with her arms outstretched trying to savor this moment but then the voice broke through.

You can't do anything right.

You're a disgrace.

No one loves you.

You're too different.

You are a freak.

You can't even fly.

Just like that Christina felt herself falling. The ground rushed to meet her.

Everything went black.

…...

Christina sat up in bed with a start. She frantically looked around only to realize she was safe in her room at her Grandmother's castle. Nothing was out of place. The toy chest was across from her bed. The little desk with the flowers carved into it was still by the window. The hopscotch rug was in the middle of the floor and Prince was sleeping on her pillow. Relieved that it was only a horrible dream the six-year-old slid out of bed and cleaned herself up for the day.

After her bubble bath, she pulled her favorite purple play dress over her head with little trouble and went on her way to breakfast. Trying to shake the awful words from her memory. By the time she got to the kitchen, breakfast was waiting for her.

It made her feel safe to see the minions standing guard around the dining room. It made her smile when they wished her a good morning and helped her into her chair. She finally relaxed when her latest read floated over to her.

She was safe just as she should be.

Then why did the tiny bubble of sadness linger?

Christina tried to squash the feeling as she focused on the book open in front of her. Nature related magic was her favorite thing to learn about and she adsorbed everything like a sponge. To be able to grow flowers with a wave of her hand. To summon a wind on an exceptionally hot day or to heal a tree after a nasty storm. She loved learning these things. Of course, when she wasn't learning magic she was learning other things. English, math, science. Normal things.

"What are you reading today?" Maleficent asked as she took her seat.

Christina excitedly pushed the book over to her grandmother for her to see.

"Your mother learned the same type of magic when she was little," Maleficent smiled.

"Really?"

"Yes," Maleficent responded before falling silent for a brief moment, "Christina, has your mother told you yet?"

"Told me what?"

"About school,"

"No,"

"This year you're going to regular school with the other children,"

"I am?"

"Yes, then when you're older you're going to go to the Fairy Academy,"

"Okay," Christina replied, not really certain about it.

Christina wasn't really sure what to make of it. She was going to real school? With other kids? From other stories? She couldn't really make up her mind as her grandmother dropped yet another bombshell on her.

"We're going on an adventure today,"

"Adventure? What kind of adventure?"

"You'll see, dear, you'll see,"

After Christina had finished her breakfast and put on her shoes Maleficent took her somewhere very special. The Moors. This was where Maleficent had lived in her teen years and where she had lived when she had cursed the princess, of course, she didn't need to tell Christina that. No, there was no need to tell Christina that. Instead, she watched with interest as Christina climbed the tree that Maleficent had once called home.

Truthfully, Nanny's solemn words a few days earlier had worried Maleficent greatly. Even at such a young age, Maleficent saw the doubt and Sadness that Christina had hidden within herself. She had seen the nightmare her granddaughter had been subjected to and felt the sadness that had lingered because of it. Hence their visit to the moors.

"Christina?"

"Yes?"

"This is a safe place, okay? I want you to come here whenever you feel upset,"

"Yes, ma'am,"

"Promise?"

"Fairy's Honor," Christina promised, placing her fingers over her heart.

And Maleficent knew she'd keep it.

…...

A few weeks later, Alissa walked Christina to class on her first day of school. She smiled weakly as her daughter skipped alongside her. She had been so excited that morning, bouncing as Alissa braided her hair and smiling as she grabbed her backpack full of school supplies. Now that it was time for them to part, Christina gave her a hug.

"Have a good day, Butterfly. I'll bring Prince when I come to get you after school,"

"Okay, Mommy," Christina nodded before slipping into the classroom.

Please have a good day Alissa internally pleaded as she walked away.