Wings

Catania was beautiful. Her hair was down for the first time since Mariposa had met her, and where her wings used to be a transparent grey, blue, and pink, they were now silver with blue and lavender highlights, making them look more crystal-like. Her dress had also changed, tuning a more deep purple with shimmers all over it, she also now had a silver and purple necklace with crystallites decorating it.

"Your wings look beautiful!" Mariposa said, her face flushed. "You look beautiful!"

Catania laughed, looking over Mariposa. "You don't look half bad yourself."

It was only then that Mariposa noticed that she had changed as well. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her dress had changed to resemble her wings, and her wings were orange at the base.

Mariposa twirled to show off her look, and Catania joined her. Soon they stopped, dissolving into giggles.

Catania pulled Mariposa in for a tight hug, then pulled away, flying down to check on the other crystal fairies. Mariposa following behind her.

"Father!" Catania yelled, flying down to him as he walked out of the ballroom.

"Catania!" He pulled her in for a hug. You're flying! And your wings, they're beautiful!"

"Thank you," Catania said with a giggle, twirling again.

"I'm so, so proud of you." 

Mariposa stood off to the side, watching their interaction with an amused smile on her face. But she didn't get closer, since she didn't know how the King would react to her coming back after she was banished.

That didn't stop the King from noticing her, however. And she tensed up when they made eye contact, fearing the worst.

"And you, Mariposa," He started, and Mariposa resigned to her fate of being banished again. Maybe she could sneak in to see Catania. No, that wouldn't work. She can't sneak past other fairies. But perhaps- "I owe you an apology."

Mariposa stared at him in shock. Had she just heard him correctly?

"I misjudged you." He continued, walking closer to her. "I was wrong. If its any consolation, I think you're a great match for my daughter."

Mariposa flushed, but before she could stutter out a reply, a certain bat spoke up first.

"Come on, Misstress! Get up, babe! We still got a chance! We can do this!" Boris cheered, flying around the Gwyllion.

The Gwyllion groaned as she got up, then looked around in panic when she realized her staff was gone. "My staff! Where's my staff?!"

The King shot a glare at her, walking over. "Its gone, Gwyllion! Just like you'll be when I'm done with you! Any last words?"

"Father! No!" Catania pleaded, running in front of him. "You mustn't harm her!"

The King looked very confused by this. "What?"

"Remember why all this happened. Gwyllion asked us for one crystallite one. And we have so many, but we said no."

"And that gives her the right to destroy us?"

"No. Not at all." Catania replied, shaking her head. "But destroying her isn't right, either."

The King was not impressed. "What do you suggest we do?"

"What we should have done in the first place." She turned to the Gwyllion, holding out her hand.

Zee turned to Mariposa, confused. 

Mariposa smiled at her. "She's being a friend and maybe making one too."

The Gwyllion took Catania's outstretched hand, standing up.

"I'm giving you your freedom and a chance to start over. I know that's not always easy, so maybe this will help." Catania reached into her pocket and pulled out her crystallite necklace.

"Y-you... You're giving me a crystallite?" The Gwyllion asked, surprised. "After everything I did?"

"I'm writing a wrong," Catania replied, clasping the necklace around Gwyllion's neck.

"I... I don't know what to say." Gwyllion said. The crystallite on her necklace started to glow, and everyone stared in amazement as she began to transform, growing taller, her grey hair shifted into red, and her black dress changed into a white one with gold highlights.

"Thank you." She said once her transformation was complete. "I hope I can live up to your faith in me."

"You're kidding me, right?" Boris scoffed, flying over to them. "Come on! We had 'em! You've changed." He crossed his arms and turned away from them. "You used to be cool."

Gwyllion chuckled. "Come my pet; we have much to think about." She said, turning and flying away. 

Boris groaned but followed her anyway. "Hey, if you don't want your shiny things anymore, can I have them?"

The King watched them go, then turned towards his daughter. "You may be a child, but in some ways, you're wiser than I'll ever be."

"Thank you, father," Catania said, pulling him in for a hug.

Once they pulled away, the King looked at Mariposa. "I would like to repay your kindness."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Mariposa said, she thought for a moment, then an idea popped into her mind. "There is... One thing you can do for me.

"You could meet with Queen Marabella, maybe ally with her."

The King thought for a moment. "... Very well. We shall leave at noon. We should all get some rest for the time being." He turned and walked into the ballroom to address his subjects.

Catania looked at Mariposa. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted."

"I am too. We should probably head to bed."

"I'll walk you back! Or, well, fly you back now." 

Mariposa chuckled and smiled, taking off in the direction of her room. Catania flew next to her, taking her hand and intertwining her fingers with Mariposa's.

They flew back to Mariposa's room in silence, just enjoying each other's company. 

It wasn't long before they got to Mariposa's room. But both of them were reluctant to leave the other.

Then, Catania got an idea. "I'll be right back." She said, before flying down the hall.

Mariposa watched her go, then went into her room, going over to her bookshelf and browsing the books again.

It wasn't long before there was a knock at her door.

"Come in!" Mariposa yelled, looking over her shoulder at the door.

Catania walked in, wearing her short purple dress. Her crown and necklace were off, most likely in the bag that was carrying. It looked like she was all packed up and ready for the trip to Flutterfield.

"I thought that maybe I could sleep over here tonight if you're up for it, I mean," Catania said, a hopeful expression on her face.

Mariposa smiled and nodded. "Of course, make yourself comfortable."

Catania smiled gleefully, setting her bag down next to Mariposa's and walked over to stand next to her. "See anything interesting?"

"I see plenty of interesting books. I don't know which one to pick." Mariposa replied, looking back at the bookshelf.

Catania hummed, scanning the bookshelves for a specific book. She smiled when she found it, pulling a book off of the second shelf. "Try this. I think you'll like it." She said, handing Mariposa the book.

Mariposa took it and read the summary. "Wow. This sounds pretty good. Thanks."

"Of course!" Catania smiled, grabbing a different book off a shelf. She then walked over and sat on Mariposa's bed, leaning against the headrest.

Mariposa sat down next to her so that they were shoulder-to-shoulder. 

Once they were both comfortable, they each began to read their books.

It was quiet, Anu and Zee were off doing something. Probably something that would result in a mess. But they didn't care. That was a problem for the future Catania and Mariposa.

Mariposa was a few chapters into her book when she felt a weight on her shoulder. Glancing over, she saw Catania, who had fallen asleep while reading. 

Mariposa smiled and grabbed Catania's book, marking the page and setting it down on a nightstand.

Mariposa continued to read her book for a little while longer. She was so entranced with it that she didn't notice when Catania wrapped her arms around her waist.

Mariposa stopped reading after two more chapters when a giant yawn interrupted her reading. She decided to stop for the night, marking her page and placing the book on top of Catania's.

It was only then that Mariposa noticed their position, and flushed deeply, her face going a bright red.

Catania shifted again, pulling Mariposa closer to her, tucking her head into the crook of Mariposa's neck. Her face looked so peaceful.

Mariposa decided that it wasn't so bad. She wrapped her arms around Catania, a happy sigh leaving her lips.

She could get used to this.