Chapter Two: The Toy Man's Scheme (Part 1)

It had been decided; friends were a worthwhile thing after all! Ethan's lips had never hurt this much in his life. There he was, sprawled onto a flower field surrounded by a couple of misshapen Crying Trees. They were trees, dark and crouching, yet unable to hold water - thus making it seem like they were crying. They were the reason behind the beautiful flowers in the flower field; but really, really annoying to sit underneath. Growing up, he'd been drenched SO many times, and he couldn't even get angry at them! It wasn't like they were alive or anything.

And yet...

While he was contemplating tree-murder, his eyes locked with a bird nestled above his head. Bluebell, his father's best friend and companion from his time at Ever After High. Supposedly.

Feeling his mood sour, he turned to his side, remembering why he'd been so happy in the first place.

He'd managed to make a friend!

Granted, he and Blane hadn't been able to spend any time at all; but ever since that day, (it had been 6!), he had sneaked inside the village several times, and he'd been lucky enough to find Blane three times.

At first, it was odd; neither of the two knew what to say. It wasn't like Ethan had ever played with a friend his age before, but he also noticed quickly that Blane needed a distraction as well. The bruises on his arms and the look in his eyes told him enough.

It all started once Ethan proposed they go hunting for tadpoles. The walk on the way to the forest was taut with unspoken tension. Like something was wrong, and unlike before, Blane hadn't bothered to hide it. It was awful, and the worst part? He was 50% sure he knew the reason.

His family.

Not every family had good intentions - a concept that would have made him snort in disbelief merely two weeks ago, but now, it was closer to a fact than anything else.

It angered him, but Blane? Blane lived it. That alone was horrible enough. What could he even say to that?

His whole being was jittery, cold sweat dripped down his nape. He didn't know what to say. The forest looked cold, even to an Enchanted Forest native like him. Was it always this way? Was the stone path always this narrow, had the way to the tadpole swamp always been this muddy and dark?

Conflicting feelings abounded inside him; he evaded them by filling the silence with stories of his favorite places inside the forest.

'Now, the tadpole swamp might be nice,' he began. 'But it's nothing compared to the Triple Waterfalls by Undine's River. They always run, even in winter! I'll never get how,' he exhaled, hoping his little story drew Blane out of his foul mood.

No such luck.

'Well, maybe I can stay out here if things get too awful,' he heard the boy mutter quietly.

Ethan stilled. His heart hammered in his little chest.

What was he meant to say?

He could feel it too, if he stopped talking, as he did, to fill the empty silence - there was something - hurt, pain, whatever it might be - inside Blane that he was... afraid, to confront head-on.

Because truthfully, he thought as he scrambled to make sense of it all, how do you talk to somebody whose pain you didn't understand? He wasn't like Blane - he was quickly angered, a doer instead of a thinker. He wasn't used to giving people chances, and looking at the way Blane would shrink in on himself when he thought he wasn't looking, he didn't think he'd ever want to.

What had they done to him? Why was he so glum?

And, his traitorous thoughts began to whisper, how would he feel if somebody you just met acted like they had all the answers?

He didn't want to answer that.

So he did what he could do.

Distract!

Luckily, he didn't have to. Just as Blane took another step, his whole body was drenched!

'Wha, what?!' Blane yelled despite himself. He took a handful of water to his hand, raising it to his nose and dry heaving afterward.

'What is this?! It smells like twelve-day-old curdled milk,' he scrunched his nose in disgust.

'Pfft!-'

The quiet forest was interrupted by Ethan's hands clasping his mouth. He hadn't meant to laugh, but he couldn't stop himself.

The shocked laughter continued. Blane rounded on him, leveling him with a disbelieving glare. '

Did...did you do this,' he accused, and Ethan propped his arms up in protest.

'No, I didn't! It's just, I,' he crouched, repressed laughter making him tear up a little, 'I can't believe you fell for that! Everybody knows not to stand so close to the edge of the path! Otherwise, you get doused by the Trees,'

'I,' he laughed, 'I thought everybody knew,' he tried to explain, but it all sounded like rubbish to him.

Blane didn't seem pleased.

He hurried inside the Forest with wicked speed. That got Ethan out of his joyful mood.

'Oh, come on! It wasn't on purpose,' Ethan began, but Blane wasn't budging. Then, halfway to the tadpole swamp, he was hit in the face with a misplaced palm leaf. It smacked the joy right off his face. Blane snorted.

'Hey!' Ethan squawked, hand on his chest not quite believing Blane's deal. 'What's the big idea? I said I was sorry,'

'Oh, I'm sorry,' Blane shot him a look. You're not mad, right? I thought you were the forest expert.'

As Ethan squinted at the boy, not quite believing his apology, he could see the cheeky look in his eyes - and that realization made him do a double-take.

Blane did that on purpose. Blane did that on purpose...!

'Oh my Wand,' Ethan exclaimed in disbelief. 'Did you do that on purpose? Did you flip your crown? Never mind that, are you really Blane Duckling or are you just some sort of evil twin?'

Exasperated, Blane pursed his lips and looked as if he found Ethan to be very strange.

'Ugh, enough, I won't do it again, now would you knock it off?' he replied, walking faster. 'You're so weird.'

But Ethan wouldn't let it go. His smile gained a dark tint to it.

'Stop?' he repeated, making sure to be as dramatic as possible.

'Not possible. I thought you were just some shy, meek guy, but now? Now that I know you can take it? We will do great things, my friend.' His whole body buzzed with excitement. 'Oh, this is hexcellent! The possibilities!'

'Ethan? Why do I hate the way you said that?' Blane squeaked, fear in his eyes. Then he exclaimed, 'And for your information, I am that way!'

Ethan snorted. 'No, no, no, no - You can't convince me. I just gained somebody to do Fantasy Bookball moves with, you can't take that away!' Just like that, they started to bicker and complain, tadpoles forgotten. And a friendship was born.

The next day, they decided to stop by Farmer Brown Back's farm to sneak some of his famous Magic Mangoes. And while he'd spend half a day convincing Blane not to chicken out, their yield had been impressive. The legend had been true!

Who knew that Blane was such a great storyteller, and even crazier, that his story had been the truth? It baffled Ethan, it truly did; that these silly stories he heard now and then ended up as fact once he mustered up the energy to confront them.

The mangoes they ate that day had been so delicious, he didn't think anything could ever top that. Lost in his memories, his smile set off the cautious bird; enough to comment on the change.

'What's wrong with your face? It twitched a little,' he stated, catching Ethan unaware. Ethan didn't like being caught like that and simply shrugged.

'Trick of the light,' the boy answered. It was a rather warm day.

The bird huffed and puffed, his chest showing off an oddly shaped, brilliant blue and purple plumage.

'Oh, don't give me that... Is it serious? Do you need help? Oh, I should get your father, he'll know what to do,' the crow rambled, switching between accusatory and panicky tones. He paced frantically on a thick tree branch.

Ethan's lips twisted in displeasure. See, this is why I never tell you anything, he couldn't help but think. Bluebell was his father's friend growing up, not his! And whenever Bluebell thought he was getting into trouble, he'd run off and tell his father before he'd even taken half a step!

It was exhausting, thought Ethan.

Perhaps feeling the shift in the air, the bird dropped from its perch on the branch and onto the grass. Ethan's gaze shifted, from the curious vanilla-scented bellflower to the blue-colored menace. The bird heaved a small sigh.

'Ethan,' the bird began. 'Have you been anywhere...different? You don't seem well, my boy,' Bluebell stated. 'You seem...displeased with me, all of a sudden. Are you alright?'

'I'm fine,' Ethan answered. 'Nothing to worry about. I just like my privacy.'

The bird scoffed. 'You've had plenty... and is it such a crime to spend some time with little old Bluebell? Why, I've known you since you were a babe,' the bird's tone changed - suddenly warm and nostalgic.

'Ethan,' he tried once more. 'I won't press, but I can tell something's on your mind.' Bluebell walked closer to the boy, shielding the harsh sun away from his eyes with his wing, showing off feathers of gradient purples and whites. 'Will you not tell me?'

Ethan's heart swayed; it was true. Bluebell was almost family. But he hated how the bird treated his secrets; he'd learned that lesson last chapter, when the Mann Household decided that Ethan lost his share of his Febrewary Fable Tarts to 'wolves'. Liar! He'd found a bird's feather inside his basket three weeks later.

As far as Ethan was concerned, it was every man, boy, and bird for themselves. The nerve!

But...he thought, heart thawing at the wounded look the traitorous bird wore, so earnest and pure.

Maybe...he could be trusted. This time.

'Um,' Ethan began. 'It was nothing. It's boring, really - I was just thinking about my new friend.'

Bluebell's eyes gained a twinkle. 'Oh!' he exclaimed. 'A friend? What joy!' the bird raised his wings to the sky.

'A friend! What kind of friend? Tall, short? Nice, rude? You must tell me more,' the bird beckoned. 'I can't stand this curiosity, it's simply maddening!'

Bewildered, Ethan let out a disbelieving snort. 'It's nothing big,' he said, 'His name is Blane. He's from the Duckling Family. You know, the one from the Four Leaves Village.'

'Four Leaves?'

'Where we spent New Chapter Day.'

'Fascinating. A story involving a duckling...wait, don't tell me - Black Swan! Could he be the next Odette, then?'

'Close. Ugly Duckling,' Ethan replied.

'Ah.' the bird hummed. He flew to the heavens, ruminating over the information he'd gathered.

'Still, I'm so proud of you! Gaining a friend so close to your age. As you know, all your age-mates have gone to Kingdergarten already - there aren't any children left this side of the Enchanted Forest! To have found a friend on New Chapter's Day, no less,' the bird mused, 'a fortunate coincidence indeed.'

Ethan stilled. 'But that can't be right,' the boy muttered.

'I saw a bunch of kids on New Chapter's Day! It wasn't just him,' he had forgotten about Kingdergarten altogether - but it was true!

Thinking about Kingdergarten made Ethan stop and think. Somewhere along the line, he'd forgotten how strange his family dynamic was; and how unusual it was for somebody his age to be so attached to his father's hip like this. If he looked at it from another perspective, it seemed almost childish of him. Like he was some big, boring baby.

It rubbed him the wrong way.

He bet most kids his age were off to the Main Lands; enrolled in Kingdergarten, meeting fairies, climbing bean sprouts, and finding everything from witches to candied houses. Maybe, Ethan imagined; they were out there, following their Destiny; princesses learning about magic, knights about bravery, and cursebreakers about curses from near and far! His brows furrowed with longing. That sounded so amazing! Imagine that! Being apprenticed by their Destinied Parent (Parent with a Destiny), exploring the world! There was no way they were bothering with something as droll as his lifestyle - following his father around like a little shadow and kicking rocks on his own by the murky pond.

That was no life for a tin soldier, he thought, incensed.

They were doing things.

Probably important, amazing things...Ethan couldn't help but feel a sliver of envy envelop his heart.

A foreign thought sprouted out of nowhere- why couldn't that be him?

'Bluebell?' he asked, voice small and uncertain. 'How come I'm not at Kingdergarten?' The bird jolted, eyes wide.

'A-Ah! Well, you know how your Father is, he likes to be left alone,' the bird explained frantically. However, he could see that it didn't convince the boy, so he changed gears.

'Besides,' the bird hurried to state, 'It is only the High School portion of Magical Schooling that is - er, compulsory.' Bluebell saw the way Ethan's demeanor changed, and he descended closer.

'Look, young man. Truthfully, I don't know what your Father's intention is with this whole - thing,' the bird gestured rapidly with his wings, 'But I know he has your best interest in mind. He wouldn't hurt you. In fact, I often find it's the opposite,' the bird huffed a little laugh.

Ethan's frown lightened slightly. 'Brighten up,' soothed Bluebell. 'You'll be on your little hero's journey soon enough. Your father won't deny you that, you have my word,' the bird asserted.

Ethan sighed, a smile on his face. 'I suppose you're right. Thinking about Kingdergarten just made me antsy, you know? I want to go out there soon, Bluebell. Out there with the others. This has been fun, but...' his brows furrowed as he turned, 'I don't want to miss out on anything else. Today, it was a friend, but tomorrow it'll be something else,' the bird regarded Ethan oddly, his eyes a blend of pity and some other, unknown emotion.

Ethan's stomach bubbled with a strange foreboding, but he shook it off.

'I want to be brave. I can't be when I'm used to everything I see. You understand that, don't you, Bluebell?'

But Bluebell did not answer. It rattled Ethan's nerves, so he turned to the bird, only to see the bird had completely left him in the dust; he had flown away!

Ethan was in disbelief. 'What- Bluebell!' he yelled, confused.

'It's dinnertime already! Last one home gets their treat taken!' the bird taunted - and Ethan ran, eager to protect his slice of Fairy-Flan.

Hey! It was a forest, and deserts were far and few between! Ethan kicked it into overdrive.

Above, Bluebell allowed himself to dwell on young Ethan's words. In truth, he saw no problem with the boy's dreams; in fact, they reminded him of an old friend. Yes, while he couldn't personally find fault with Ethan's wishes, he knew someone who would. He felt a smile stretch on his beak before dread sank in.

How in the world would he explain this to Sterling? That his son wanted to go to Kingdergarten? And leave them behind, already?

'That boy...why, he's grown up much too quickly,' he whimpered to himself. 'If only he hadn't noticed...'

Knowing Sterling's infamous temperament, especially when it came to things like...Destiny...well, it was safe to say, Bluebell feared for the future.

Both for Ethan, the cheeky little boy he'd helped raise, and for Sterling; his best friend.

And for his sentimental memories, of the ever-famous Ever After High. So much had happened - things that he didn't think Sterling would ever overcome.

To this day, he still hasn't!

'I'm sorry, Ethan,' the bird shook in fear. 'I'll have to retract my word.'

'In time, you'll understand.' the bird told himself, readying himself for an explosive afternoon.

'Sigh...'

It was hard, being a pet sidekick.

Especially when your Destinied Partner wasn't even supposed to live till 18.