The Mare of the Mist
Sofia and Madeline were flying on Minimus.
"Here we go!" Minimus flew through the crowd.
"Great trick, Minimus!" Sofia smiled.
"Can you do it going down?" Madeline asked.
"Let's find out!" Minimus grinned.
Minimus flew downwards.
"WA-HOOO!" The girls cheered.
Suddenly, winged unicorn flew in front of Minimus, who had to swerve to avoid him.
"Hold on, girls!" Minimus yelped, as he awkwardly descended to the ground. "Suffering saddlebags, what was that?"
"I don't know." Sofia frowned.
The flying unicorn flew past them again, and crashed into the stables.
"It's Skye!" Madeline smiled, as she and Sofia dismounted Minimus.
"That's Skye?" Minimus frowned.
"Oh, we've missed you!" Sofia squealed as she and Madeline hugged Skye.
"And I have missed you, my princesses!" Skye smiled.
"Huh, that's a long hug." Minimus approached. "Hi, you must be Skye. Heard so much about you!"
"Skye, this is Minimus." Madeline declared. "One of our best friends."
"My apologies sir, for the near collision." Skye apologised.
"That's okay." Minimus shrugged. "The girl's told me that you're new to flying, right? So, anyhoo..."
Skye laughed humorlessly.
"I was, my good man." He admitted. "But since I last saw them, I've become quite accomplished." He flew in a circle to prove his point.
"Ah, here you are, princesses!" Chrysta flew into the stable.
"Chrysta!" Sofia amiled.
"Hello!" Madeline beamed.
"Good to see you." Chrysta nodded. She then turned to Skye. "What happened? I saw you almost hit that flying donkey, then you were gone!"
"Flying donkey?!" Minimus frowned. "Wait a minute..."
"So, is it time for more Protector training?" Sofia asked.
"Today, you get your Which-way Bows!" Chrysta announced, conjuring up a small red and purple bow.
"Wow!" Madeline gasped.
"This little beauty can get you out of a lot of jams." Chrysta declared. "Tell it where you want to go, and boom! A magical arrow guides you there. Watch." She pulled back the bow's string. "Which way is the castle?"
Chrysta released the string. An arrow appeared, spun in the air, then flew off in the direction of the castle.
"That's amazing!" Sofia smiled.
"It is one of the most important tools of a Protector." Skye announced.
"Go ahead, girls, give yours a try!" Chrysta urged. "Flick your wrists, and quickly put your hands into position. Straight up, and snap it!"
The girl followed Chrysta's instructions, and summoned their Bows (Sofia needing two tries).
"Wow." Madeline grinned. "...Wait, mine doesn't have a bowstring!"
"Mine neither!" Sofia nodded.
"Of course there's no bowstrings!" Chrysta smirked. "You've gotta get 'em from the Mare of the Mist!"
"The who of the what?" Minimus frowned.
"The Mare of the Mist." Skye repeated.
"One thing at a time." Chrysta urged. "First, we've gotta get you to the Isle of Unicorns!"
"Ah-he-he-hem." Skye cleared his throat.
"Oh, right." Chrysta stopped. "I forgot. See, since you're not magical, and wingless, you're gonna need a flying steed for Protector assignments like this."
"And I have humbly volunteered for the job, my princesses." Skye announced.
"Oh... That's so sweet, Skye." Sofia smiled.
"Wait, what?!" Minimus gasped.
"I have volunteered to be Sofia and Madeline's Protector steed." Skye bowed.
"Great." Chrysta nodded. "Now that we've gotten that out of the way..."
"But Sofia and Madeline already have a steed." Minimus protested.
"Oh? Where?" Skye asked.
"Right here!" Minimus announced. "Me. Because I also volunteer to... to do the thing!"
"You want to be a Protector steed?" Chrysta asked.
"Sure, why not?" Minimus shrugged.
"Wow, I am impressed." Chrysta smiled. "I mean, it's not often Protectors-in-training get two offers like this. So who's it gonna be: the unicorn, or the flying donkey?"
"Again with the flying donkey?" Minimus growled.
"So we have to pick just one?" Sofia asked.
"Uh-huh." Chrysta nodded. "And I don't mean to rush you, but we really gotta get moving."
"Chrysta, could we speak to you in private for a moment?" Madeline frowned.
"Okay, sure." Chrysta sighed.
"Excuse us, guys." Sofia told Minimus and Skye.
The girls followed Chrysta outside.
"You want us to choose between an old friend and a new one?" Madeline asked.
"Uh-huh." Chrysta nodded.
"But how are we supposed to do that?" Sofia frowned.
"Pick the one who'll help you the most." Chrysta declared. "Personally, I'd pick the unicorn. But you know, that's just me."
"Can't we just take both?" Madeline suggested.
"Good thinking, Maddie." Sofia agreed. "There are two of us, and two of them. It would all even out."
"No." Chrysta shook her head.
"Is that a rule"? Madeline frowned.
"Well, no." Chrysta shrugged. "It's more of a guideline."
"Good." Sofia smiled. "Because we really feel like we should take both."
"You can't do that." Chrysta insisted.
"Why not?" Madeline asked.
"Because you two are the Protectors of the same place." Chrysta reminded them. "So you have to stick together, work as one. That means you only get one steed."
"But how can we tell who will be the better Protector steed if we don't try them both out first?" Sofia asked.
"I guess that makes sense..." Chrysta mused.
"I'm glad we're all in agreement." Madeline smirked.
The girls walked back into the stable.
"Good news, guys." Sofia announced. "We're all going!"
"Great! What?" Minimus and Skye said in unison.
"Think of it as a try-out." Chrysta declared, as the two glared at each other. "Whichever one of you does better on the assignment will get the job permanently."
"I think it's pretty obvious who that's gonna be." Minimus smiled.
"Indeed it is." Skye smirked. "But do not feel bad. After all, I am a unicorn."
"I meant me." Minimus growled, as Madeline got on him.
Sofia got on Skye, and they all took off into the air.
Minimus: Our long and famous history
Will show that I'm the one you need
And there can be no mystery
For I am your Protector Steed
They counted us out when they knocked us down
But we gave it another try
Then we beat them all and we won the Crown
Cause that's just how we fly
We're like arrows through the sky
Pick me
Do I need to mention
We've been side by side
To the Kingdom's ending and back again
It fills my heart with pride
Skye: Pick me
Do I need to mention
I'm a unicorn
I'm the noblest steed
I'm what you need
A rose without a single thorn
And I got a horn
I don't get lost
I don't get mad
On that you have my sacred word
And I would add, I'm a unicorn
In case you somehow had not heard
With me as your guide, you will never fail
We'll be poetry in flight
Minimus: Well if he's a poem, we're an epic tale
With chapters left to write
Skye: Hey, there's no need to pick a fight
Just pick me
Do I need to mention
There's no time to lose
Cause your job depends on how all this ends
And who you choose to choose
Minimus: Pick me
Do I need to mention
I'm loyal as can be
As you're friend, I'm sworn
Skye: But I'm a unicorn
Both: The answer's obviously
Pick me
Pick me
Pick me
Minimus: Hey, over here
Pick me
Skye: Pick me
Minimus: Pick me
Both: Pick me
Soon after, they landed at the Isle of Unicorns.
"Welcome to the Isle of Unicorns!" Chrysta announced. "This area here is called the Vale of Mists."
"Is this where we find the Mare?" Madeline asked.
"It is." Chrysta nodded. "But it's not gonna be easy. She's skittish, and she moves quick."
"I can keep up." Minimus claimed. "I'm really fast!"
"Yes, but can you see her in the mist?" Skye challenged.
"Guys, please." Sofia urged.
"Okay, you gotta get the Mare of the Mist to give you both a single strand from her mane." Chrysta instructed.
"That's going to the bowstrings for our Which-Way Bows?" Madeline surmised.
"Correct." Chrysta nodded. "Two things, though. Number one: She'll only give you the bowstrings if you're true of heart."
"There's no-one more true of heart than Sofia and Madeline." Minimus smiled.
"On this, we agree." Skye nodded. "But privee, what does 'true of heart' mean exactly?"
"That you do what you know is right, no matter what anyone else says." Chrysta explained.
"Oh, yes!" Skye smiled. "That is definitely my princesses!"
"Then there's nothing to worry about!" Chrysta grinned. "Except number two: the Mare only comes out one day a year, so you've gotta do it by sundown."
"Sundown." Sofia nodded.
"Got it." Madeline declared.
"Okay then." Chrysta smiled. "I'll wait for you right here. Off you go."
"Right." Sofia nodded.
"Who should we ride?" Madeline asked. "I did come here on Minimus..."
"And it was pretty perfect, right?" Minimus smirked.
"So it's only fair that we switch this time." Sofia declared. "I'll go on you, and Madeline will go on Skye."
"Listen, princesses, Protectors don't mess around when they're in a hurry." Chrysta frowned. "They don't waste time with transportation. They decide what to do, then do it!"
"Right." Madeline nodded.
"Climb aboard, princess!" Skye told Madeline.
"Come on, Minimus." Sofia smiled. "You're with me."
"Great..." Minimus sighed. "One less rider does mean less weight..."
Both equines and their riders took off into the sky. As they flew, Minimus moved closer to Skye.
"Was there something you wanted?" Skye frowned.
"No, just keeping, er... keeping an eye out." Minimus said awkwardly. "Making sure you're both okay."
"Thank you." Skye said curtly. "We are both fine, sir."
Sofia gave Minimus a reassuring pat on the neck as they descended.
Up ahead was a white winged mare with a purple mane.
"Look!" Madeline pointed.
"Is that her?" Sofia asked.
"'Tis she." Skye nodded.
"So beautiful..." Minimus smiled.
"Chrysta said she's skittish, guys." Madeline reminded them. "So let's be quiet."
"You got it, Maddie!" Minimus nodded.
"Come on, Maddie." Sofia urged. "Let's walk up to her slowly, so we don't scare her off."
"Besides, it's still my turn with Madeline." Skye declared.
"She just rode you!" Minimus protested.
"Only for a few minutes!" Skye retorted.
The Mare rose her head in response to the noise.
"Guys!" Madeline hissed. "Quiet, remember?"
"She's right." Skye sighed. "You stand thither, I'll stand yon. Thither and yon."
"I got it, I got it." Minimus nodded irritably. "I'm yon!"
"No, you're thither!" Skye shoved him.
"You're thither!" Minimus shoved back.
"I'm yon!" Skye protested.
"Get your thither out of my yon!" Minimus yelled. "Ow, hey!"
The two started fighting, and tumbled down the ridge. The Mare, spooked, fled. Meanwhile, Minimus and Skye stopped on a rock.
"We're fine!" Skye groaned.
"Yeah, we're fine!" Minimus added.
"Your arguing scared the Mare off!" Sofia scolded them.
"You're supposed to be helping us!" Madeline yelled.
Chrysta then contacted them.
"Hey, how ya doing?" She smiled. "Got your bowstrings yet?"
"Um, not yet, Chrysta." Sofia admitted.
"We found her, but... we may have scared her off." Madeline sighed.
"Sorry about that." Minimus apologized.
"I blame myself... and him." Skye declared.
Minimus growled angrily.
"Okay, two things." Chrysta declared. "Number one: I told you taking both of them would be trouble! And number two: hurry up! You've got a job to do, princesses!"
Chrysta ended the "call".
"So, what should we do?" Minimus asked.
"Well, first, the two of you have to try to get along better." Sofia announced.
"Agreed." Minimus and Skye chorused.
"And we have to find the mare again." Madeline added.
"is that her yonder?" Skye asked. "In the sky?"
"Just a cloud." Minimus snorted.
"Methinks 'tis she." Skye insisted.
"Well, methinks it's a cloud." Minimus frowned.
"Guys, she ran off this way!" Sofia called.
"She left tracks!" Madeline added.
"Told you it was a cloud." Minimus smirked.
Not far away, Sofia and Madeline were following the tracks, which suddenly ended.
"She must've taken off right... here." Sofia surmised.
"Look! Way up there!" Madeline pointed to a cliff where the Mare was standing. "It's her!"
The Mare suddenly took off into the sky.
"See? It is her!" Skye told Minimus. "Let us fly, my princess!" He told Madeline.
Both equines and their riders took off after the Mare.
"There!" Sofia pointed.
"We're gaining on her!" Madeline added.
They closed in on the Mare, who flew downward in response. The Mare led them through many twists and turns, before flying into a fog bank.
"Where'd she go?" Sofia frowned, unable to see too deeply into the clouds. "Can you see her? Minimus, are we... lost?"
"It's... possible." Minimus cringed.
Skye bumped into Minimus.
"Where's the Mare?" He asked.
"Yeah, where is she?" Madeline added.
"She's somewhere in the mist." Sofia frowned.
"Perhaps I might be of some assistance." Skye lit up his horn.
"Skye, that's fantastic!" Madeline grinned. "We can use your light to find her."
"You'd better hop on too, my princess." Skye told Sofia.
"I'm okay, Skye." Sofia declared. "Minimus and I can follow if we stay close."
"As you wish." Skye nodded, slightly downcast. "Onward, my princesses! To find our elusive quarry!"
As Sofia and Minimus followed, a large winged shape suddenly flew past.
"Was that the mare?" Minimus asked.
"Nay. T'was a High Cliffs Hawk." Skye replied.
"Are you sure?" Minimus frowned.
"This area is home to them." Skye declared. "Ahead, there! See?"
Madeline saw a winged shape below.
"Yes!" She nodded. "That's the Mare! Good job, Skye!"
"I shall get you to her, my princess!" Skye swooped down.
"Not if I get Sofia to her first!" Minimus growled.
"Minimus, wait-!" Sofia yelped, as Minimus sped up.
As they emerged from the cloud, another High Cliffs Hawk flew by, forcing Skye to halt.
"You missed her, Skye!" Minimus declared. "The Mare went this way! Follow me!"
"Wait, guys!" Madeline yelled as Minimus sped away. "That's not the Mare!"
"Shall I follow them, or the Mare of the Mist?" Skye asked.
"I... I don't know..." Madeline frowned. "Come on, Madeline. Think like a Protector! ...Okay, let's follow Sofia and Minimus. I don't want them to get lost in the mist."
"As you wish, my princess." Skye nodded, flying after the others.
"Minimus! Sofia!" Madeline called.
Up ahead, Sofia and Minimus were still chasing the Hawk.
"Did you hear something?" Sofia frowned.
"Just the wind in my ears!" Minimus smiled.
At that moment, Chrysta called Madeline.
"Hey, how we doin', Maddie?" She asked.
"Great!" Madeline smiled. "Super! Almost done!"
"Good." Chrysta nodded. "'Cause, er... tick-tock. You're running out of time!"
"Sorry! Call you back!" Madeline ended the call.
"I'm right behind her!" Minimus cheered, as he reached a large cloud.
"Are you sure, Minimus?" Sofia asked, as they flew through the cloud. "Because- watch out!"
A cliff was on the other side of the cloud. Minimus stopped just in time.
"Whoo!" He gasped. "That was close!"
Skye and Madeline then crashed into them, and they all dropped to the ground, which was, luckily, not too far below. They landed in a straw nest.
"Is everyone okay?" Madeline asked.
"I am unharmed." Skye announced.
"I think so." Minimus nodded.
"I'm good." Sofia smiled.
"You don't look so okay to me." Chrysta suddenly appeared.
"Chrysta?" Madeline frowned.
"How did you find us?" Sofia asked.
"You kidding me?" Chrysta snorted. "With all the noise you're making? So, what happened?"
"We, uh, we... we lost the Mare." Madeline confessed.
"Because we were following a hawk instead." Sofia added.
"Because of me." Minimus sighed. "It's... my fault."
"It's not your fault." Sofia assured him.
"You're right." Chrysta agreed. "It's Sofia and Madeline's fault. This happened because you couldn't pick just one steed."
"We know." Madeline sighed.
"It's just so hard to choose between our friends." Sofia added.
"I know it is, girls." Chrysta nodded. "But this is your job. If you want to get your bowstrings and be Protectors, you've gotta make a choice. Right now."
"Minimus, you're one of our best friends." Sofia declared. "But-"
"But Skye's better at this." Minimus sighed. "I get it."
"He does know the Mystic Isles." Madeline pointed out. "He knew about those Hawks..."
"And you heard Chrysta." Sofia added. "We have to pick."
"Whatever you say, girls." Minimus sadly walked away. "See you back at the stables. if you ever happen by that way again..."
Minimus spread his wings and took flight.
"Oh, Minimus..." Madeline sighed.
"Okay, that's settled." Chrysta smiled. "Now, you two need to get back to work."
"This doesn't feel right." Sofia frowned.
"Trust me, you have a better chance of finding the Mare now." Chrysta declared. "And you learned a couple of things. Number one: always listen to me. And number two: ...Okay, there is no number two."
"We shouldn't have made him go." Madeline groaned. "Minimus, come back!"
But Minimus was already too far away to hear her.
"Girls, there's no time for that." Chrysta insisted. "You two are running out of daylight."
"Come, my princesses." Skye urged. "I will help you complete the task."
"Ready, Maddie?" Sofia asked.
"Okay." Madeline sighed, reluctantly climbing on Skye alongside her sister.
"Next time I see you both, you'll have those bowstrings, right?" Chrysta asked.
"Right." Sofia nodded.
"Let's just get this over with." Madeline muttered.
Skye took off back into the clouds. As they searched, they spotted the Mare on a glad below.
"Look! Sofia pointed. "There she is!"
Skye landed closely to the Mare. Sofia and Madeline dismounted, and slowly approached her.
"My name is princess Madeline." Madeline curtsied.
"And I am princess Sofia." Sofia added. "We're training to be the Protectors of the Ever Realm."
"Yes, I know who you both are." The Mare smiled.
Sofia and Madeline conjured up their Which-Way Bows.
"Mare of the Mist, may we please have hairs from your mane so we can string our Which-Way Bows?" Madeline requested.
"No, you may not." The Mare responded.
"No?" Sofia gasped.
"Only those who are true of heart are worthy of a magical bowstring." The Mare declared, before galloping away.
"Wait, come back!" Madeline called.
"I don't understand, my princesses." Skye frowned. "You are completely worthy!"
"No, we're not." Sofia declared. "We have no bowstrings, the Mare is gone, and apparantly, neither of us is true of heart!"
"And our friend is probably lost out there in the mist!" Madeline added.
"So, what shall we do?" Skye asked.
"What we should have done before." Sofia declared. "We're going to get Minimus back."
"But what about the Which-Way Bows?" Skye asked.
"That doesn't matter right now, Skye." Madeline told him. "If being Protectors mean sending our best friend away, then maybe we're not supposed to be Protectors."
"Couldn't have put it better myself." Sofia smiled. "Let's go, Skye."
"As you wish, my princesses." Skye nodded as followed.
Up ahead, Minimus was flying through the mist. Unable to see, he collided with a rock.
"Yep, ran into that rock before." He groaned. "A couple times..."
As he kept on going, Minimus crashed into the nest from before.
"Ow!" He grunted. "Aaaand the hawk's nest again. I'm going in circles... story of my life."
Minimus tried to fly out, but his hoof was stuck.
"I'm stuck!" He groaned. "I'm never getting outta here!"
The Hawk returned to its nest, glaring at Minimus.
Meanwhile, Sofia and Madeline were still searching.
"Minimus!" Madeline called.
"Where are you?" Sofia yelled. "Minimus!"
The Hawk screeched at Minimus.
"Sorry!" Minimus continued his attempts to escape. "I'm trying!"
Two more Hawks arrived. Minimus ducked in fear.
"Minimus!" Madeline called.
"What was that?" Minimus looked up. "I could swear I heard..."
"Minimus!" Sofia yelled, as Skye neared the nest. "Minimus!"
"Sofia? Madeline?" Minimus gasped. "They're looking for me! Girls, down here!"
"It's him." Madeline declared, as the Hawks screeched. "It sounds like he's in trouble."
"Go, Skye!" Sofia urged.
"I shall fly like the gale of a hurricane!" Skye declared.
"Hurry, girls." Minimus cringed, as the Hawks screeched more loudly.
Skye emerged from the clouds. The Hawks had to leap into the air to avoid him.
"Excuse us, Hawk family." Madeline apologized.
"Pardon us." Sofia added, as they circled the nest. "We're just trying to get our friend."
Madeline freed Minimus's hoof.
"Minimus, follow us!" She urged.
Minimus joined them as they flew away from the nest. They landed on a ridge, not too far from the mist.
"I'm so glad to see you." Minimus declared, as both girls hugged him. "I was sort of completely lost, and there were the Hawks, and-"
"We're sorry, Minimus." Sofia sighed. "It was wrong of us to choose between the two of you."
"Because you're both important to us." Madeline declared.
"Oh no, it was my fault." Minimus insisted. "I don't blame your for choosing Skye."
"I must apologize as well." Skye confessed. "My conduct towards you was unbecoming of a unicorn."
"Oh no, it was me!" Minimus replied. "I was jealous of you the minute I saw you!"
"Jealous of me?" Skye frowned. "But Sofia and Madeline chose you over the Which-Way Bows."
"What? No!" Minimus spluttered. "They didn't! Girls?"
"You're our friend, Minimus." Madeline declared. "And we never should have told you to leave."
"You were right." Skye agreed. "It is I who should go. Minimus is your brave and loyal friend. If you were both true to yourselves, princesses, you would have chosen him as your Protector steed, not I."
"Skye, you're absolutely right!" Sofia smiled.
"Farewell, my princesses." Skye nodded. "May you and Minimus have a joyous partnership."
"No, no, no." Sofia shook her head. "Not about that."
"Yeah." Madeline nodded. "She means the part about being true to our hearts, right?"
"Right. Minimus, while you were gone, the Mare refused to give us any strands of her mane." Sofia explained.
"What?!" Minimus gasped. "She thinks the two of you aren't true of heart? Well, I'm gonna go give her a piece of my mind!"
"No, she was right." Madeline admitted. "Chrysta said being true of heart is doing what you think is right, no matter what."
"And when we told you to go, we weren't doing what we thought was right." Sofia continued. "That's why the Mare didn't give us the bowstrings."
"Well, maybe she'll give both of you a strand of her mane now." Minimus suggested.
"Do you think we can find her?" Madeline asked.
"The day's not over yet!" Minimus and Skye said in unison. "We said that at the same time!" They both laughed.
"Come on." Sofia urged. "We have to hurry."
"You must both take Minimus." Skye instructed. "He is faster!"
"But Skye's glowing horn will light the way." Minimus countered. "Go with him!"
"How about I go with Minimus, and Sofia rides with Skye?" Madeline suggested.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Sofia nodded. "Let's go!"
"Skye, a little light, please!" Minimus requested.
"Let us soar, Minimus!" Skye lit up his horn.
Both girls climbed on their steeds, and they took off into the air once more. They flew through the mists, Skye leading the way. They reached the glade once more, with the Mare ahead, eating some grass.
"There she is!" Madeline pointed.
Both girls dismounted, and moved over to the Mare.
"Excuse us, miss Mare?" Sofia asked. "It's us again. Sofia."
"And Madeline." Madeline added. "When we saw you earlier... you were right. We weren't true of heart."
"We picked a new friend over an old one." Sofia admitted. "And we knew it wasn't the right thing to do."
"But we hope you see we've learned." Madeline continued. "Mare of the Mist, may we please have two hairs from your mane?"
"Princess Sofia and princess Madeline, you have indeed shown yourselves to be true of heart." The Mare announced. She flicked her mane, causing two strands to fall out and drift into the girls' waiting hands.
"Thank you." Sofia and Madeline said together.
"May you use them wisely." The Mare smiled.
The mare flew up into the clouds.
"You did it!" Minimus cheered.
"Well done, my princesses!" Skye smiled.
"Light 'er up, Skye." Sofia instructed.
"Yeah, let's go find Chrysta and tell her the good news!" Madeline declared.
Skye lit up his horn, then stopped.
"Would any of you perhaps recall where she might be?" Skye asked.
"Don't ask me." Minimus shrugged. "I couldn't find her with four hooves and a map!"
"Wait, the Which-Way Bows!" Sofia realized.
"That's right!" Madeline nodded. "They can show us the way to Chrysta!"
"Why didn't I think of that?" Minimus and Skye said together.
Sofia and Madeline conjured the bowspulled back their bowstrings.
"String the bow..." Sofia recited, as they attached the bowstrings.
"Pull it back..." Madeline continued, as they pulled the arrows back on their bowstrings.
"Take us back to Chrysta, please." They said together.
They fired the arrows straight up into the air. They exploded, and a glowing trail stretched across the sky. Sofia got on Minimus, and Madeline got on Skye, then they both followed the trail. They reached Chrysta shortly after.
"Well, looks like you both got your bowstrings." Chrysta smiled. "And look who's back!" She smiled at Minimus.
"We couldn't have done it without them." Sofia smiled.
"Both of them." Madeline grinned.
"So you followed your hearts, no matter what anyone else said." Chrysta declared. "Even me. Nicely done. But you still gotta answer one last question."
"Who's gonna be our Protector steed?" Sofia guessed.
"Right." Chrysta nodded. "Who's gonna fly with you on all your future assignments?"
"We know exactly who we're gonna choose." Madeline smiled. "Skye."
"I am honored." Skye bowed. "But would you not be better served by the noble Minimus?"
"No-one can serve us better in the Mystic Isles than you, Skye." Sofia announced.
"But back home, in the Ever Realm, no-one can serve us better than Minimus." Madeline added.
"Oh." Chrysta mused. "Hmmm, interesting..."
"Sounds good to me!" Minimus and Skye said together.
"Well, it's never been done before..." Chrysta admitted. "But we've never had Protectors like you before."
"So we can have both?" Sofia smiled.
"Sure, why not?" Chrysta grinned.
"We make a great team." Madeline declared, as she and Sofia hugged Minimus and Skye.
"Ahem." Chrysta cleared her throat. "Yeah, that's really sweet. But can one of you use their Which-Way Bows to take us home?"
"Allow me." Madeline conjured up her Bow." Which-Way Bow, take us home!"
Madeline fired the arrow into the air, creating a new glowing path. She got on Minimus, Sofia got on Skye, and they followed the path alongside Chrysta.