PART I
The rest of the day, and through the night, the human girl and the fairy rested. Because Martin had to go to the museum that evening, he had their family friend Mrs. Perkins come over and watch over Lizzy. And reluctantly, he told her of the existence of fairies. For a minute, Mrs. Perkins didn't believe him, until he took her upstairs and showed her. To say that the elder woman was surprised, was an understatement. As much as she wanted to say something, Martin made her promise not to tell anyone, to keep the fairies' homeland a complete secret. After seeing a sight that was once considered myth, she gave her vow to keep the secret.
The morning London sun shone through the open window in Lizzy Griffiths's room, making her stir. As she made movement, she also felt pain, throbbing pain, on the sides of her head.
"Ohhhhh," she groaned, taking her fingers and rubbing her temples. Just then, as she tried to open her eyes, she felt burning, that scared her.
"Father!" she called out in fear, not knowing what was going on. Martin was downstairs in the kitchen, when he heard his daughter.
"Lizzy!" as he stopped what he was doing, and headed to her room, to see her sat up in the bed, eyes shut tight.
"Lizzy," he said, "thank God you're awake." He then sat on the side of the bed where she laid.
"Why are my eyes burning?" she asked, very afraid of what was happening.
"It's a long story," her father said, "but try to open your eyes now, very slowly." With apprehension, Lizzy carefully lifted her eyelids to the open position, and what Martin saw, surprised him.
"Whoa," he muttered, "Queen Clarion was right, it is because of that."
"Who's...Queen Clarion?" she asked in confusion.
"She's the ruler of Pixie Hollow, where the fairies live," Martin replied. He then proceeded to tell her of his conversation with the queen, and the reason behind her passing out yesterday. "Look and see who spent the night with you," gesturing to the other side. Lizzy turned around, to see her green-cladded fairy friend asleep on the pillow.
"Tinker Bell," she said softly, sadness laced her young voice.
"From what Queen Clarion told me," Martin said, "they didn't know if Tinker Bell was going to live or die. That hawk attack severely traumatized her. But it was the nightmares after that, that nearly killed her."
"Poor Tinker Bell," as the sadness really came out. The first real best friend she has, and this tragedy had to happen. More than anyone, her heart went out to the fairy. She then looked up at her father. "What was that burning in my eyes?"
"It's the bond between you and Tinker Bell," he said.
"You mean...our bond of friendship?"
"I believe so," he said, "though I don't know how it connects..."
"I can explain," said a voice coming from the window. Martin and Lizzy turned, to see Queen Clarion flittering through the open window, with six other fairies following behind her, as one flew over to the sleeping blond fairy.
"Good morning, your highness," Martin said, with the respect due a monarch.
"Good morning Martin," she replied with a smile, as she flittered over to the girl, "and you must be Lizzy. Tinker Bell talks a lot about you."
"She does?" she asked, smiling.
"Yes she does," the queen said with a giggle, "and from what I heard from your father, she's the best thing to happen to you in the last couple of years."
"Yes," she replied, with a bit of sadness, "but it's alright, because I believed that you all were real, and I felt better." She then saw the other fairies hovering around the queen. "I remember you all from last summer!" saying in slight shock.
"That we are, sunshine," Vidia replied with a smirk.
"Vidia!" Rosetta quipped with a reprimand, then turned to the girl, "sorry, that's the way she is. I'm Rosetta, and this is Iridessa, Fawn, Silvermist, that's Mecida, and over there, is Vidia," thumbing at the purple cladded fast flyer.
"Wait, how can I hear you talk?" Lizzy asked. Clarion smiled.
"Because of your acceptance of Tinker Bell as she is, despite her disability, you and your father have been granted Never Land's gift, to hear and communicate with us. And it also created a bond between you and her, a bond of friendship that can not be broken."
Lizzy gazed over to the sleeping fairy, who was now beginning to stir. Clarion flittered down to the waking blond tinker.
"Oooohhh," she groaned, moving her head around on the pillow. Then, she felt the burning. Jerking up, she kept her eyes closed, as fear swept through her being.
"Tink," Mecida said, "calm down-" Tink began gritting her teeth, showing a struggle going on.
"Can't...let it...get...to me..." she muttered under her breath, as the burning increased. Her tiny body began convulsing, as she tried to resist what was happening. Finally, Queen Clarion flittered down to the two.
"Tinker Bell," she said softly, "do not resist-"
"Got...to...resist..." saying through clenched teeth, as her body glowed red. Many of the fairies knew where this would lead, but this is a different situation altogether. Going to her knees, the blond tinker continued to resist.
"She's having an adverse reaction," Mecida said, "she thinks that whatever is happening, is trying to make her go unconscious. It's her natural instinct of defense kicking in."
"What can we do?" asked the queen.
"We need to keep her calm-" Suddenly, a screeching was heard from in front of them.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Tink cried at the top of her lungs, in agonizing pain, as a swath of heat permeated the room.
"Tinker Bell!" Lizzy yelled, to get her attention, but to no avail. And before they knew it, the fairy took off out of the window, with a staggered, strongly heated, bright red trail behind her. Everyone stared in amazement at what just transpired.
"What just happened?" asked Martin, as he stood up.
"It's the power that connects her and Lizzy," said the monarch, "she sees it as a threat, and is trying to resist it. If we don't stop her, she'll burn herself to death."
"As well as set half the countryside on fire," said Rosetta, "we gotta go after her!"
As the fairies took off after her, Lizzy quickly got dressed, and she and her father went outside. Heading to their carriage, Clarion stopped them.
"I don't think you'll be able to catch up in that," she said, "you'll need to fly."
"You have any dust?" asked Martin.
"As a matter of fact, I do," she said smiling, "I am the ruler of Pixie Hollow, you know," as she wiggled her fingers and pixie dust surrounded Martin. He suddenly started to float in the air. Yet there was one thing missing.
"What about me, your highness?" asked Lizzy.
Clarion flew down to the girl. "You already have the magic to fly. Concentrate, and think happy thoughts."
Lizzy closed her eyes, and thought about the good times she and Tink shared last summer. Suddenly, she lifted off the ground, with little specks of pixie dust shown. Before long, she was flying once again, as she had when they first met. Martin then grabbed his daughter's hand.
"Come," said the queen, "time is of the essence," as the three flew after the stricken tinker.
Tinker Bell had no idea what was happening. The nightmares of that hawk attack were gone, yet, what was this energy, and why was it trying to overtake her? All she knew is that she didn't want to go unconscious, or even worse, suffer a fatal state of shock. What a terrible way to die. Her mind and body now in fight or flight mode, she was unaware of her bright red glow, that now was married with intense heat, which was affecting the summer foliage more than the sun was. In fact, many of the leaves were being severely scorched by the fairy's fly-by. This is not a good sign.
PART II
In the air, Martin, Lizzy and Queen Clarion flew with haste, to catch up with the others, in hopes to stop Tinker Bell, before she unknowingly do serious harm to the countryside.
"Your majesty," said Martin, "what did they mean by 'setting half the countryside on fire'?"
Clarion flew in between the two humans. "As I told you," she started, "Tinker Bell is a very special fairy. She is what is known as a Super Talent. Her talent and skill is very strong, which in turn magnifies her other qualities, such as her emotions and sometimes, her energy. The Union of the Phoenix is to tap into her potential, and bring it out to its fullest. Her connection with Lizzy is very strong, as it is with her sister."
"Tinker Bell has a sister?" asked Lizzy.
"Yes, a winter fairy named Periwinkle. Born of the same laugh, they discovered each other the winter before last. They are the first pair of twin sister fairies in Never Land's history. Which make Tinker Bell an even more rare of a fairy."
She then gazed at Lizzy. "You have the ability to get through to her, and bring her back to her senses. All that Tinker Bell has been through has wore hard on her, and she's still somewhat fearful. Only you can do that, Lizzy."
Lizzy gave a look of determination. "I will, your majesty," she said. Martin smiled.
"I need to make a stop," Clarion said, "you two keep following her staggered trail," as both nodded, while she veered off to the direction of the primary fairy camp.
Far ahead, Tink's circle of friends, excluding Vidia, kept their distance, due to the intense heat that came from their friend, and began to make them sweat.
"I've never seen anything like this," said Silvermist, "what's happening with Tink?" asking anyone.
"It's her connection with Lizzy," Mecida answered, "this is the first time anything of this kind has ever happened in Never Land. No one, not even the Queen, knew how it was going to turn out."
"You mean," said Iridessa, "that Tink doesn't know what's happening to herself?"
"No," said the healing talent, "her body's been in survival mode since that attack. She's perceiving the presence as a threat, and wants to overcome it and get rid of it. Instead, it's conforming to her will, and converting her talent and passion into pure element."
"WHAT?!" all four fairies yelled in shock.
"And if we don't stop her," yelled Rosetta, "everything she passes by will be scorched or burned! Half of the countryside will be engulfed in flames!"
"Let's go!" said Fawn, as all five fairies flew with due haste.
Tink had gotten so far ahead, she wasn't even looking where she was going. All she knew is that she didn't want to die. And the determination only increased the power's output, making her akin to a tiny ball of sun.
As Martin and Lizzy nearly caught up with the other fairies, a flurry of them just past them.
"Where did they come from?" Lizzy asked.
"I don't know," her father replied, as another fairy pulled up between them.
"Those are some of my best water fairies," answered Queen Clarion, "in case things get out of hand, they, along with two storm fairies, can conjure a rainstorm to stop any spread of fire, that Tinker Bell may unknowingly cause." Just then, here eyes shot open. "Oh no," she muttered, "she's growing unstable! We must hurry!" With that, all three took off even faster.
Parts of the countryside outside London, observed by some residents in neighboring hamlets, became brighter, and hotter all of a sudden, as a couple saw a tiny ball of fire red shoot by, bringing intense heat. Some of the older ones, particularly those who believe in the 'fairy-folk' legends of old, barely made out what it was in that little ball. Yet the heat prevented them from seeing anything else.
In Tinker Bell's mind, thought became cloudy with paralyzing fear. Fear that she'll hurt the ones she care about, especially Lizzy and her father. After all they've done, accepting her for what she is now. The power overtaking her was too much. So her decision was made.
I'm sorry everyone, especially you, Lizzy, she thought, as she changed direction.
Rosetta and the fairies had just caught up with their friend, when she made an abrupt move. Instead of heading straight out, she headed straight up, past the clouds.
"Where's she's going?" asked Sil, a bit confused.
"This doesn't look good," said Mecida with a grim gaze, "if it's what I think it is, London is in for a sunburst of a rude awakening."
"Are you saying-" Dessa said, before the healing talent cut her off.
"You all know Tink's nature, she'd give all she has to protect her friends," pausing, "including her life..."
The other four gasped. "She's going...to sacrifice herself...to protect...us...?" said Fawn, choking up some.
"That's what she thinks, but we can't let her do that." Just then, three others arrived on scene.
"Where's Tinker Bell?" asked Queen Clarion, with concern.
"She went up above the clouds," Dessa said, pointing upwards.
"We must hurry," the monarch said quickly, "the power inside her must be controlled, or no telling what will happen." She then glanced at the flying girl. "Lizzy, you're the key to stopping her."
Lizzy nodded, as the queen, followed by the others, scurried above cloud cover.
The many nimbus clouds that slowly glided over London held its secrets. From rainstorms to allowing the sun to shine through, anything was possible. For fairies, and other avian, it was typical sight, to prevent being seen by mortals.
The fairies and two humans passed the clouds, to be greeted with clean, fresh air. As if it came just for them to breathe. It is rare for humans to even be at this height, as they had no way to fly, period. Looking around, they found the sight they were seeking, and it was not good.
Convulsing with resistance, Tinker Bell glowed a deep shade of red, a shade that only told of the damage to come, if it did happen. The wooden limbs were burned off, revealing her stumps of an arm and leg. Part of her dress was also gone.
"Tinker Bell," Queen Clarion said, as she flittered towards the glowing fairy, "we want to help you-" She grunted, still embroiled in a mental struggle. Suddenly, she belted a yell, that magnified the heat, and dissolved some of the clouds. She panted heavily.
"It's not working," Mecida said, "her thought is too clouded."
"Let me try," said Lizzy, as she floated towards her fairy friend. Just then, the human girl's eyes began to glow, in an attempt to make the connection with her.
"Tinker Bell," she said softly, "I understand how you feel. What's inside you doesn't want to hurt you, it wants to help." For the first time in many minutes, the fairy lifted her scarred face, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her expression was sorrowful.
"I'm...sorry...Lizzy..." she whispered, as the heat grew to near overbearing temperature. Inside, Tink began to feel something she hadn't had in months...peace. The hawk attack had disrupted her life, and changed it forever. As much as she wanted to live with it, part of her could not. Though she was just nine seasons old, she had accomplished very much in her short life. Something no other fairy has done. And if she was to die, she'll do it, knowing that she is protecting her friends.
I never got a chance to tell Terence how I feel, she thought as the heat began consuming her, guess he'll never know.
Suddenly, she felt something surround her, as if protecting her. Whatever it was, it pushed her into something soft, and embraced her. And just as quick, the intense heat that threatened to consume her, died down and went out. Tink felt her temples throbbing, and burning. And, a voice spoke to her.
"Tinker Bell," the voice said, "I can't bear to see you go through so much pain," sobbing, "you're my best friend. I don't want to lose you." Backing away, off balance, she looked up at her human child friend, who was crying. Her eyes were aglow as well.
"Lizzy," she whispered, as she flew up to her face, and hugged her cheek. Lizzy placed her hand behind her. The tear that she cried, along with Tink's met, and glowed. A fire red surrounded both of them, in the form of a bird. The entity flew up high, then came back down upon the two, creating a bright sunny display that is nothing short of amazing. When it hit, it sent both the girl and the fairy hurling towards the ground from a high height.
"Lizzy!" Martin said in shock, as he steeply dove to catch his daughter.
"Get Tinker Bell!" the queen called, as the fairies dove to catch her, only to be met by a brown owl.
"Hoot," Fawn said in relief, as she saw him catch his master in the nick of time. The owl hovered, with Tink on his back, before the other fairies.
"Are they safe?" asked the queen.
"Tink's out like a light, again," said Mecida, taking her pulse, "her heart rate has stabilized. The danger has passed."
"Lizzy's fine too," said Martin, "she'll get another full night's sleep tonight."
"Good," replied Queen Clarion, "take Lizzy home and let her rest. We'll take Tinker Bell back to the camp. She'll be out for more than a day, with all that's happened today. Rosetta, Silvermist, Fawn and Iridessa, see that Martin and Lizzy get home." The four fairies nodded, as the human male flew with his daughter back to their cottage. None of the countryside residents had no idea that a magical outbreak nearly occurred in their midsts, right under their noses.
