"How much further?" Plagg whined.
Tikki rolled her eyes. He'd been asking the same question for the last hour and she wasn't sure how much she could take.
"Plagg, you're beginning to sound like a child! It's going to be at least two days before we reach the border, I can't tell you more than that."
He huffed in response. As if she was the one being annoying.
"Fine. Do you know where the food is that I was promised?"
"You ate it all." Said Tikki, her patience wearing thin.
Plagg let out a groan and clutched his stomach.
As she watched, she began to feel a little sorry for him which was the only reason she said, "Ok fine, you can have some of mine."
She unwrapped a small brown parcel full of Camembert and broke off a piece to give to him. He ate it in one gulp but was satisfied, at least for the moment.
When Tikki looked back at the path ahead of her she saw they'd come across an old, decrepit bridge. It was barely managing to hang over a huge chasm that was at least 3000 ft deep. They paused, debating whether or not to cross it until a shrill shriek came over the hills behind them and made their decision. From far off, it looked like a siren. She was enchantingly beautiful but that wouldn't distract from the fact that she sounded like a banshee that was going to kill them any moment.
"Run! You guys go first. If she gets here before you all get a chance to cross, I'll keep her busy." Cried Wayzz. They were hesitant to abandon their friend but there was no time to waste if they were all going to make it. Trixx was first at the bridge.
"Follow my lead guys, and not all at once." she said, the image of calm although in reality she was anything but.
Getting to the other end of the bridge required an intricate balance of precision and well… balance. Fortunately for Trixx she was swift and light on her feet. Before she knew it she was on the other side with Pollen following shortly after. Then Tikki, Plagg and Nooroo until Wayzz was the only one left to cross the bridge. He started stepping on but the ropes were already beginning to fray. He ran a bit faster and for a moment it seemed like he would make it. He'd outrun the creature and just needed to cross the bridge. Unfortunately, the Universe seemed to have other plans for when he got to the middle the bridge finally snapped. Wayzz screamed as he fell, desperately grasping for anything, anything that could prevent his fate.
From Tikki, who was holding the peacock brooch, a blue light flashed as a winged creature was released from it. It soared down towards Wayzz and caught him in its claws. Everyone's mouths were agape in shock. The creature batted its wings and soared over the edge of the drop and the children could all see just how huge it really was. It lowered its wings and brought Wayzz to safety on their side of the bridge while the creature unleashed one last cry before turning back, realising she could never hope to cross the chasm.
"Wayzz! Are you ok? Did you get hurt? Do you need to sit down?" Gushed Pollen.
"You stayed behind to protect us Wayzz, how can we ever thank you?" Trixx cried, rushing to hug him. Wayzz took a moment to reply, still in shock. Once his heart slowed down enough he spoke.
"Of course I did, you're my friends. But what was that… that thing that came out of the peacock brooch Tikki?"
She also took a while to reply.
"I wish I could tell you. It just started glowing bright blue and then, well, the monster flew out and saved you."
He raised his eyebrows, impressed and very, very grateful that something had been able to save him.
"So the man wasn't lying then. That brooch must be insanely powerful if it can do that."
They all nodded but Pollen caught sight of the Sun, already beginning to hang low in the sky.
"Guys we've got plenty of time to figure it out but we've still got a lot of distance to cover."
"Pollen's right, we've got to keep moving." Nooroo agreed, although he was anxious to get moving for a different reason. The quicker they got to the border, the quicker his slightly-more-than-a-friend would be safe. They all patted Wayzz on the back and set on their way, constantly asking Wayzz whether he was ok. Nooroo, Wayzz, Pollen and Trixx had quickened their pace, leaving Plagg and Tikki walking just behind them. Plagg had to admit he was happy to get a moment to talk to Tikki alone.
"So sugarcube, what do you think that thing was?"
Tikki was very conscious of the fact that he seemed to be trying to have a normal conversation for once.
"I have no idea Plagg. It just seemed to appear when we needed it. One thing's for sure though, it's definitely magic, but this is beyond anything I could ever have dreamed!" Her voice became a squeak as she got excited by the prospect of real live magic being in her possession.
"Is that because you're always dreaming of me sugarcube?" Plagg flirted.
Tikki rolled her eyes. Moment gone then. But secretly she liked his flirting. And the truth was, he had been in her dreams an awful lot lately. More than she cared to admit.
"Plagg!" She smiled as she chastised. Plagg batted his eyelashes, feigning innocence.
"What? I'm curious. It was a perfectly innocent question."
"Sure it was, and macaroons aren't delicious."
If I got a gold coin for every time I wanted to roll my eyes at Plagg, Tikki thought, I'd be the richest girl on the planet.
"They aren't if I'm making them. I don't actually know how to cook." He whispered conspiratorially.
"Well I'm a great teacher, I'll happily teach you sometime."
His eyes lit up as if she'd offered him a lifetime supply of Camembert.
"I'd like that sugarcube." He looked like he sincerely meant it.
"You've got it stinky sock." Tikki found herself smiling constantly that late afternoon.
They walked for a couple more hours until they came across a cobbled path leading up to a dark, looming castle which was awfully convenient. Especially since the Sun has started to paint the sky brilliant shades of purple, orange, red and yellow. Pollen stopped walking.
"We should stay here for the night."
"Yay! I've always wanted to live in a large castle. Either that or a huge mansion with lots of secret passages and secret rooms and it would be packed with butterflies!" He paused sheepishly, "Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself."
"You can always stay with me Nooroo." Plagg offered.
Nooroo blushed, "Thank you Plagg, that's really kind."
Once everyone was out of ear shot, Tikki couldn't help asking.
"Plagg, did I catch you being nice to Nooroo?"
He sputtered as if in surprise but it was hardly believable.
"Hahaha no, why would you say such a thing? I just don't want him yabbering about castles and mansions that's all. I figured if he lived in one for a while he might shut up."
Tikki smiled. Maybe Plagg really did have a sweet side.
"It's ok Plagg. Your secret's safe with me. I think it's nice that you actually care about someone other than yourself, even though you pretend not to."
Plagg blushed knowing she had no idea how much he cared about his friends, especially her.
The seven of them trudged up the path to the castle. Tikki and Plagg made sure their beds were right next to each other that night.