"On the day a fairy was born, they have a patch of colors on their backs." Poppy narrated to the young fairies. "As they grow to adolescence, they undergo a transformation called the metamorphosis, where they either shed their patches or becomes encased in a pupa until they emerge. At their tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fifteenth, sixteeth, eighteenth, or twentieth birthdays, depending on their home country's tradition, a fairy will be tested for their skill in flight in front of the whole community for finally embracing their heritage as fairies."
"Is it true that this wing initiation called trial by air is traditional for all fairies and elves to practice?" Keith asked.
"Yeah, I passed the trial by air when I had my quinceañera." Poppy answered. "It took me years of practice to
"When will we undergo trial by air when we finally have our wings?" CJ Suki asked her.
"Won't be long when you grow your wings." She answered. " When you reach ten or fourteen years old. Though sometimes, the trial comes a little longer."
"Poppy, did you hear?" Branch called as he flew to her penthouse and landed like an eagle. "My cousin Selena's quinceañera is coming up and she's gonna undergo the trial by air, including me."
"Of course I heard, Branch!" Poppy squealed before turning to the kids. "He's what we call a late winger."
"But have you and Selena practice for the trial by air test?" Rose asked him. She was standing by the post, listening to Poppy telling the story to the kids.
"I have been flying past planes, dragons, wild griffins, any flying animals, and strong winds." Branch smirked. "Selena on the other hand, she's had lots of tries but she couldn't do it."
"Why?" Poppy asked him.
"She is very shy and my tiya Marissa told me that she had this trauma about falling into the pool by accident when she climbed on a tree." Branch said.
"What about you, Rose, how did you pass the trial by air?" Poppy asked her.
"You should've seen me during the trial by air, I was able to pass but that is where I got my signature flying trick, the Phoenix Missile." Rose said.
"How were you able to pull that trick?" Branch asked.
"My training for it is very grueling, I have to fly over a sometimes turbulent sea in stormy conditions and I am forced to watch out for not only the flying animals but also for planes from the airbase on a neighboring island." She said. "I can help you guys train for the event."
"Okay, count me and Selena in." Branch said. "I'll tell her that we're gonna start training while my tiya Victoria tries to prepare her Quinceañera."
Rose went to the Dragon Mountains with Branch and Selena. She is a shy, beautiful sprite with brown skin, lavender curls, navy blue eyes, and electric indigo monarch butterfly wings.
"Do you think this is a good idea?" Selena asked.
"It's alright, let's just start with basics." Rose said as she jumped from the cliff and started flying. Branch followed suit.
"C'mon, Selena, join in and fly." Branch called his cousin.
"Okay, primo." She said as she started flapping a bit and she started flying but she immediately landed on the ground.
"Whoa, you just branched." Rose said.
"Branching is the first start for me." She nodded. "I haven't known how to really fly, I'm so afraid to do it."
"Why? What's wrong, Selena?" Branch asked her.
"You don't know how hard it is to fly as cool as you." She answered sheepishly. "I am so afraid to do it."
"I totally get it, trying something new is scary but if you learn how to fly step by step, you'll be ready for the Trial by Air in no time." Rose said. "And who knows, one day, you will find your wings and fly hard."
"Thanks." She thanked her. "But how will I know when I am ready to fly hard?"
"Your phobia actually reminds me of how I was afraid of using my powers." Rose said. "I was traumatized at fourth grade when I burned down the whole school. I avoided using it again until Poppy helped me overcome it."
"You should've seen her about to burn the Party Crashers before she snapped out of it." Branch said.
"Wow, you really overcome your trauma easily." Selena said.
"It's hard but with friends like Poppy, I am able to overcome it." Rose said.
"But your family are always there to help you." Branch added. "We can overcome the air together and show our worth flying in the trial by air."
"Okay, we will." Selena agreed.
Each day, they practice their flying, step by step as Rose showed them how to fly properly. Branch is getting the hang of the flying as he tried to find his perfect flying move, attempting one move after another, which he rejected while Selena still learns how to fly. When the day of the quinceañera finally arrived, everybody was anticipating the trial by air initiation.
"I can't believe it, mi nino is finally going to fly." Victoria cried.
"And my Selena is going to be a woman." Another relative sobbed with her.
Branch and Selena arrived, wearing their initiation outfits for this day. Both Victoria and her sister-in-law cried over this day as Branch and Selena jumped from the ledge and fly together. Branch is getting the hang of the flying, ready to bust the move while Selena just flies normally. It went well for them as Cooper watched from the hot-air balloon.
"Wow, they're doing great." Cooper said.
Little did he know, a woodpecker sneakily pecked on the balloon, causing it to fly out of control. Everybody was shocked when Cooper tries to hang on for his life when the balloon is damaged and the rest of the Snack Pack tried to rescue him but they were knocked out in midair. Branch rushed to save them but they are too many. Selena felt so scared.
"Selena, I need help in saving them!" Branch cried.
His cousin was torn between saving the snack pack or avoid her fears but she remembered Rose's words.
"Find your wings and fly hard."
Selena have finally understood what Rose said and soon enough, she started to soar like an eagle and helped Branch save his friends. They both make it to the end, which made Victoria and Selena's mother prouder than ever.
"Selena, you did it, you have passed the Trial by Air!" Her mother said, crying tears of joy.
"It's all thanks to mi primo, Bernardo, and Rose." Selena said. "They inspired me a lot.
Finally, Selena had her quinceañera and a party was held after the ceremony. Poppy, Rose, and the Snack Pack are there as well, wearing formal wear to be exact. As everybody party all night, they have a very good time.
"Rose, how did you inspire Selena to face her fear?" Poppy asked her.
"She actually reminds me of myself, I used to be afraid to use my fire powers but you guys help me overcome it." Rose answered. "So, I decide to use it as an example to help her overcome her fear of heights."
"Yeah, she used her memory to help her with it." Branch said.
They all laugh together while they watch Selena dance with everybody else in the dancefloor.
