The Masquerader and the Jester

by Circusgoth31

Summary:

After two years of studying abroad in Switzerland, you return to your hometown of Rainbow Hills. Transferring to an unfamiliar school as the new girl isn't easy, not to mention you're now a part of an all-girl superhero team called the "Glitter Force." But after encountering a villainous jester named Rascal, you begin to question your true identity, and maybe even your sanity.

[Cross-posted on Wattpad under darkconfetti and on Quotev as Circus Goth]

Chapter 1: Author's Note

Before you start reading this story, there are some important things I must disclose. First off, the reader character will be a female, fourteen-year-old middle school student with lilac-colored hair and eyes (simply because every other Glitter Force member is a fourteen-year-old girl with colorful hair and eyes to match). For those of you who don't like the color purple and don't identify as female, I apologize in advance. Secondly, I won't be using any placeholders (such as 'Y/N' or 'F/C') in my story. I personally don't like them, and just think they're unneeded. Lastly, there will be slight mentions of mental health issues, abuse, and character flaws some people may consider to be problematic. You have been warned! All of this serves a purpose, however, to give the characters, the plot, and the story's message greater development. Please also keep in mind that this is my first time writing a reader-insert fanfiction. Constructive criticism is welcome, just don't be rude about it. That's it for now, I hope you enjoy this story!

Chapter 2: New In Town

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Fairground Terror" -Robert Austin

The first thing you notice is the lack of stars in the night sky. Not even Sirius, the brightest and most brilliant star, can be seen in Earth’s atmosphere. Only the golden glow of the full moon keeps you company on this dark and lonesome night. Flashing lights and vivid colors emanate from the surrounding carnival game booths, concession stands, and amusement park rides. From afar, the sound of calliope music can be heard playing loudly. This eerie, otherworldly melody causes your heartbeat to quicken its pace. Hot tears prick out of the corner of your eyes, making it all the more difficult to find an escape in this maze of madness. 

After many unsuccessful attempts at finding an exit, you collapse onto your hands and knees from exhaustion. Cold wind brushes against your damp face, leading you to wipe any sticky moisture off your skin. It’s uncertain as to whether this dampness came from sweating, or crying. Regardless, any hope of leaving this carnival soon diminishes. You stand up, and stagger towards the neighboring bumper car attraction to rest, only to stop when a peculiar sound reaches your ears.

Pivoting towards the direction of the noise, you spot another person in the distance. You smile at the thought of finally getting help and leaving this place behind for good. Without hesitation, you begin sprinting towards the stranger. The closer you approach, the better you can make out his physical appearance. He turns out to be a tall jester, with purple hair and what appears to be a tri-colored fool’s cap on his head. A long-sleeved colorful jumpsuit adorns his slim figure, coupled together with a plum-colored cape, and black pointed-toe boots. His unique and clownish style, along with his ability to ride a unicycle in the dark, was a spectacular feat. You didn’t expect to run into one of the carnival performers this late at night. Still, his apparent familiarity with the fairgrounds was all the reassurance you needed.

“Excuse me!” you shouted, drawing closer to his moving form. 

The jester stops pedaling his unicycle, turning to face you with an amused expression. “Oh my, what is a little girl such as yourself doing at a carnival so late at night? It’s after hours!”

 Now standing directly in front of him, you notice his pointy elfin ears, and white half-mask. What catches your attention the most, however, are the black eye-slits of his mask. You remain transfixed on these eyes of his, almost forgetting the reason why you approached him in the first place. “I’m lost, and I can’t find my way back. I don’t know where my parents are either. Could you please help me?” You fidget with your hands, awaiting a response. The jester’s tight-lipped grin widens, displaying his razor-sharp teeth. During this brief moment, you notice the eye-slits of his mask move...

You bolt upright in your bed, gasping for air. The heavy pounding of your heart makes it hard to breathe, prompting you to place a shaking hand over it. After taking several minutes to ease your rapid heart rate, you start inspecting your surroundings. A relieved sigh leaves you upon being back in your bedroom, and not at the carnival with that creepy jester. It had been another bad dream, one that you hope to never relive again. Even so, you can’t shake off the sense of dread that lay dormant in the pit of your stomach. Strangely enough, you still feel like you’re trapped inside that maze at the carnival. It was only a dream. It’s not real. He’s not real! Pushing these troublesome thoughts back, you try to focus on something other than that dreadful nightmare. You glance over at the nearby alarm clock, only to jump out of bed after perceiving the time.

For the duration it takes you to get ready, you internally scold yourself for not waking up earlier. The thought of how your parents might react to finding out you overslept causes you to tense. Thankfully, they left for work hours ago, and you didn’t plan on telling them about this anytime soon. Just as you’re about ready to leave the bedroom, you make the mistake of peering at your reflection in the full-length mirror. That’s as good as it’s going to get for now. As much as you prefer to further enhance your appearance, you can’t afford to miss the first day of school. 

Subsequent to departing your bedroom and grabbing your school bag, you make a beeline for the front door. As you pass the kitchen, your stomach instinctively rumbles. You freeze in place, contemplating on whether or not you should grab a bite to eat. After much consideration, you decide to skip breakfast in hopes of not disappointing your new teacher with more prolonged tardiness. Having reached this conclusion, you exit the house and make sure to lock the front door behind you. 

To your dismay, the town of Rainbow Hills still felt unfamiliar. Uncertainty about the whereabouts of the local middle school causes you to whip out your smartphone, and type ‘Rainbow Hills Middle School’ into the Google Maps search engine. A few seconds later, the phone screen displays a clear visual of the quickest route to take. Without delay, you take off towards the direction of the school, all while keeping your eyes glued to the digital map at hand. As a result, you end up running a red light at the crosswalk and almost ram into an elderly lady. 

By the time you reach the school and find the right classroom, you’re already out of breath and on the verge of collapse. In an attempt at steadying yourself, you lean against the sturdy classroom door. You press one ear against its cool surface, listening to the teacher’s muffled voice lecturing to the class. Of course school was already in session, you predicted this would happen before you even left the house. Nevertheless, you turn the doorknob and reluctantly make your way inside. Upon entering the classroom, the teacher stops talking and faces you with a sympathetic expression. “It’s quite alright dear, there’s no need to be shy. I’m Mrs. Mason, and I’ll be your homeroom teacher.” 

You nervously shuffle your feet, ruminating on an appropriate response. “So...you’re not mad at me for being late to class?” 

“Of course not! Although, I would advise you to not be tardy again, unless it’s an emergency. Since it’s your first day here, I’ll give you a pass.” Her response was a lot better than you originally anticipated, alleviating some of your anxiety. That is until you hear the next words leave Mrs. Mason’s mouth, “Why don’t you introduce yourself to the rest of the class? We would love to learn more about you.”

After what felt like an eternity, you reach the center of the classroom and hesitantly make eye contact with the other students. Out of everyone in the class, one girl especially stands out to you. She wore her dark magenta hair up in two cone-shaped buns, giving her a cute and lively appearance. You find her most striking feature to be her warm and encouraging smile. This alone gives you the incentive to begin speaking to the class.

 “As you already know, I was late to class today. Sorry about that, I should really hit the gym. Or maybe I should cosplay as the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland . You know, the one who’s screaming about how late he is? That doesn’t mean I’m a furry though, so don’t expect to see me at this year's furry convention.” Awkward laughter, and hair-twirling follow your opening statement. All of the students remain speechless, except for a red-haired girl who lets out a hearty laugh. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that!” You lower your eyes and take this moment of silence to mull over something less foolish to share. 

Near the front of the classroom, a soft voice calls, “How about starting off with your name?” Your eyes meet with those of a petite girl with shoulder-length yellow hair. 

“I can’t believe I forgot!” you exclaimed, “Thanks a bunch!” Right when you’re about to reveal your name, your stomach emits a deafening growl. Your cheeks heat up, giving rise to the classroom’s supposed increase in temperature. “Sorry, I forgot to eat breakfast this morning...”

“I brought along an extra Pop-Tart! Would you like one?” someone offered. Near the back of the classroom, you notice a girl with dark green hair in a high ponytail, motioning towards her backpack. You nod in response, struggling to keep yourself from salivating. 

Mrs. Mason clears her throat. “Now is a good time to remind everyone that food and drinks are prohibited in my classroom.” She turns towards you with an apologetic smile, “Do you think you can wait another thirty minutes?” Once again, you nod your head, trying not to show any visible signs of disappointment.

You turn your attention back to the green-haired girl. “Thanks for the offer! I’m sorry I can’t take it.”

She chuckles, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s no problem at all! I keep forgetting food’s not allowed in class.”

In due time, you resume addressing the rest of the students. “Thank you all for your patience. I want to apologize for messing up so much. I was hoping my introduction would be a lot better than this.” 

“There’s no need to be sorry,” a calm voice spoke, “You’re doing exceptionally well for your first time.” Pinpointing where the voice came from, you catch sight of the speaker sitting next to the green-haired girl. Her long indigo hair, and gorgeous face resembles the elegance of a high society lady. In fact, her outward composure even inspires you to try to act more calm and collected. With this intention in mind, you thank the girl for her encouraging words, and restart your introduction. You begin with your name and age, along with how pleased you are to meet everyone. In addition, you mention that you were born here in Rainbow Hills, and just returned last week from studying abroad in Switzerland. Once you finish talking, Mrs. Mason and your new classmates begin to applaud. It’s almost as if your previous blunder never happened.

Mrs. Mason thanks you for speaking to the class, and recommends that you take the empty seat near the windows. In compliance with her wishes, you stride towards the vacant desk at the back of the classroom. To your surprise, you end up sitting behind the girl with the magenta hair, and the redhead. Shortly after settling down, both girls turn around to face you. 

“You did an amazing job up there! I remember how hard it was for me on my first day of school.” the magenta-haired girl said, “I’m Emily by the way!”

She outstretches her hand, which you shake. “Thank you! It’s nice to meet you, Emily.” 

The red-haired girl behind Emily follows suit, shaking your hand. “My name’s Kelsey, nice to meetcha! I would've helped you out earlier, but I got in trouble last time for trying to help Emily on her first day.” 

“I remember that! Can you believe that was just a year ago? Time really does fly when you’re having fun.” Emily said, giggling.

“Oh girls,” Mrs. Mason interrupted, “I’m sorry but the chit chat is going to have to wait till after class. I must get back to my lecture.” You, Kelsey, and Emily all nod your heads and apologize in unison. For the remainder of the class, Mrs. Mason reviews a couple chapters the students had read in a book titled, To Kill a Mockingbird . In other words, you have a lot of reading, and catching up to do. Sooner or later, the school bell rings, signalling the start of the lunch break. When you reach underneath the desk to grab your school bag, you come to a horrible realization: you forgot your lunch. If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought you were a leading character in a tragic soap opera. 

When the other students stand up to leave for lunch, you miserably trudge behind them. As you reach the classroom door, a chipper voice calls your name. You turn around to face Emily and Kelsey, together with the other three girls who supported you during your introduction. 

“Would you like to have lunch with us?” Emily asked. 

This unexpected offer of hers causes you to raise an eyebrow. “You’re talking to me, right?”

“Of course, silly! Who else would I be talking to?”

“I don’t know, a ghost?”

 You notice the green-haired girl shudder at that last word. Kelsey laughs at her friend’s reaction and gestures towards you. “See what I mean? This girl’s hilarious!” Unknown to everyone other than yourself, you weren’t trying to be funny. Still, you chuckle and act as if that were your intention all along. 

Meanwhile, Emily continues to stare at you with pleading eyes. You had originally planned on spending the lunch period by yourself. Nevertheless, you accept her offer, causing Emily to squeal with delight. Her friends also appear to be satisfied with your answer, which only further reinforces your good judgement.

After exiting the main building, you and your five classmates arrive at the school’s outside courtyard. A quaint gazebo stands in the center, surrounded by linear walkways and freshly manicured lawns. You follow the girls inside and take a seat on one of the benches. At once, the other three girls, excluding Emily and Kelsey, start introducing themselves. It turns out the yellow-haired girl is Lily, the green-haired girl is April, and the blue-haired girl is Chloe. Collectively, you greet all three of them and exchange friendly smiles.

When each girl takes out their individual lunch box, April is the first one to notice the absence of yours. “Don’t tell me you forgot to bring your lunch!”

You slump your shoulders and groan. “That’s exactly what happened.” 

“That’s awful! Don’t worry though, I’ll let you have some of mine. I think I packed too much anyways.”

Kelsey leans towards April to get a better view of her lunch, and snorts with laughter. “Ya think? That’s enough to feed all six of us!”

“At least I’ll never go hungry!” April playfully retorted.

You let out an audible sigh, catching the attention of both girls. “Thank you April, but I’ve caused you enough trouble already.”

“Nonsense! You haven’t caused me any trouble at all.” 

After much persuasion, both by April and your ravenous appetite, you accept her offer. Pretty soon, the rest of the girls start offering you portions from their lunch. You’re reluctant at first, but your classmates refuse to take no for an answer. At last, you give in and gather your newly acquired lunch. “I really appreciate all your help. But I can’t understand why any of you would go out of your way for someone you just met.”

“I don’t see why not. You seem like a modest and kindhearted girl to me.” Chloe said, smiling.

Lily nods her head in agreement. “I think so too! And besides, it looked like you were having a very hard time this morning. It’s the least we could do!”

You stare off into the distance, until the pop of a Ramune bottle rouses your attention. “Oh, thank you! I’m glad to hear that. It’s just...hard to believe that you’d do something so nice without expecting anything in return.”                                                

Emily stares at you with a bewildered expression. “I don’t find it hard to believe at all. Kindness is free!”

“And sharing is caring!!!” a childlike voice shouted. It sounded like it came from underneath the benches, right by Emily’s backpack. All five girls immediately jump out of their seats and crowd around the source of the noise. Emily murmurs something incomprehensible, which only further piques your interest.

“What was that?” you asked.

Lily spins around to meet your gaze. “Oh, nothing! It’s just Emily’s ringtone, that’s all. Don’t worry about it!” Why would everyone get so upset over a ringtone? You ponder over the reasons for this, but decide to drop it after much reflection. Questioning them further will only entail more defensiveness, along with a possible shift in their attitude. 

Before you know it, your classmates are back to eating their respective lunches, acting like nothing ever happened. “So,” Emily started, “Tell us all about your time studying abroad in Switzerland! Some of my favorite fairy tales come from there!”

You catch sight of Chloe leaning forward in her seat. “Please do, I’d love to hear all about it.”

“Actually, I’d like to learn more about all of you. I’ve talked so much about myself already. It wouldn’t be fair to keep hogging the spotlight.” Both Emily and Chloe’s smiles fade, making their disappointment evident. Fortunately, the other girls didn’t seem to mind one bit. They instantly seize the opportunity to talk about themselves, with Chloe and Emily soon happily joining in. 

Despite all of today’s mishaps, you still managed to make a great first impression on these five girls. That was more than you could have ever expected or hoped for. Even so, you can’t afford to let your guard down around them.                                                         

Notes:

Author's Note: Thank you so much for taking the time to read the first chapter of my first Glitter Force fanfiction. Kudos and helpful comments are very much appreciated! I'm a very busy girl, so updates may not be as quick as I would like them to be. Regardless, I will try to write new chapters as frequently as possible.

On the subject of the reader character, I will unfortunately not get the personality of every single person reading this story 100% correct. Also, there are a few specific (and flawed) characteristics I'm going to add for the sake of the plot. My goal is to ultimately make the reader a vague, yet interesting character. I have a lot of things planned for her, so stay tuned!

Chapter 3: Tightrope Walking

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Gymnopédie No. 1" -Erik Satie

By some stroke of luck, you manage to make it out of the school grounds in one piece. Hordes of restless students swarm past you onto the crosswalk, eager to leave the world of academia behind. A few feet away, the unwelcome addition of impatient car honking fills the streets. In hopes of drowning out any more unwanted noises, you pull out a pair of earbuds from your backpack and place them in your ears. Once connecting them to your phone, you start playing your favorite song. You hum along to the music, leaning back against the wall near the front entrance.

School ended not too long ago, and you have yet to figure out how to spend your remaining free time. Earlier, Emily and the others informed you that they would be busy after school with extracurricular activities. This left you to fend for yourself against any impending boredom. Truth be told, you weren’t in any mood to deal with homework right now. Returning home isn’t something you’re too fond of either. All you know for certain is that you need a break.

Finally, after much deliberation, you decide to spend the afternoon reacquainting yourself with the town of Rainbow Hills. You figured it would serve as a wise precaution against getting lost in the future. Additionally, you could get in some good exercise, and enjoy some much-needed solitude. A part of you still wants to reject this idea though, because of the possible resurgence of any unpleasant memories it might bring. Unfortunately, seeing as you were living here again, you knew that would be impossible. Still, there were some areas of town you plan on avoiding like the plague. After reaching this conclusion, you straighten up and head in the opposite direction of the middle school.

You proceed to stroll down the paved sidewalk while listening to your music. Every so often, groups of middle school students and an occasional bike rider would pass by. Their presence wasn’t minded, so long as they didn’t disturb your steady pace or walk too close. Nevertheless, you move away from the street and find sanctuary in the shade of the neighboring trees. The gentle autumn breeze, together with the crunching of scattered leaves beneath your feet, helps put your mind at ease. Any leftover apprehension you had earlier is soon replaced by a carefree sense of tranquility.

For the next half hour or so, you continue to wander through Rainbow Hills. Along the way, you stop by a scenic viewpoint overlooking the ocean and admire the gradual rising and falling of the waves. You then set out towards the outdoor shopping district. Many recognizable sites from your childhood greet you, conjuring up feelings of nostalgia you didn’t know you had. These sentiments soon lead you to visit a large, sparsely-populated park on the outskirts of town. Shortly after arriving, you cross the verdant terrain over to a thickly wooded forest bordering the park. Towering trees and lush vegetation surround you on each side as you enter the woods. You amble along the forest trail for some time until you stumble across a familiar patch of sneezeweeds. Instinctively, you turn left and veer off the main path. A few minutes later, you happen upon a secluded area you know all too well.

A large pond sits undisturbed in its center with various rocks and boulders scattered around its outer margin. An abundance of wildflowers and fresh grass cover the ground, complementing the landscape with a wide array of vibrant colors. Beyond the small clearing lay an assortment of tall trees and shrubs, basking in the warmth of the sun. In the midst of taking out your earbuds and turning the music off, your ears are met with the sweet sounds of chirping songbirds.

For a while, you stand there frozen, powerless to stop the sudden influx of past memories. Before leaving for Switzerland, you would often come here to play after school with your childhood best friend. No one else seemed to know about this part of the woods except for you two, which only made it that much more exciting. You named this particular area “The Secret Garden” after a book you read as a kid. It was one of the few places where you felt free to be yourself without any ridicule or judgment. Vivid recollections of happier times unfold before you like a stage play at a theater. The longer you visualize the scenes on the imaginary stage, the bigger your smile gets. That is until the bitter reality of the present pushes its way into your mind.

Things could never go back to the way they once were, and how you felt didn’t matter in the end. Your lower lip begins to quiver as you fight the oncoming tears threatening to spill down your cheeks. Due to the lack of tissue paper at your disposal, you use the sleeves of your school uniform to excessively wipe away the water from your eyes. It soon becomes evident to you just how big of a mistake it was to come here. From the moment you returned to Rainbow Hills last week, you promised yourself that you’d never return to this place. No matter how hard you tried to listen to your head, your heart ended up winning in the end. The desire to walk away and leave the place of your youth behind was strong. However, as fate would have it, you were exhausted and needed to rest.

Once you get your unwanted emotions under control, you find a spot near the pond to relax. You recline your back against a smooth boulder and settle into a more comfortable position. Several minutes pass by in leisure before the sounds from the surrounding forest die down, leaving you with only your thoughts. It starts out a minor inconvenience at first, but soon becomes unbearable when old feelings begin resurfacing. For this reason, your eyes dart around in search for any physical form of distraction. Fortunately, you remember the notebook you brought along in your school bag and reach for it, along with a single black gel pen. This journal was originally supposed to be used for school purposes, but you needed an effective outlet to express your overwhelming emotions. Oftentimes, you would hear from others that writing down your emotions in a journal was therapeutic and good for the soul. There was only one way to find out if that was true or not.

You flip to a blank page in your notebook and write the first thing that comes to mind. Straight away, you find yourself writing your innermost thoughts at an astonishingly swift pace. The words come out sloppier than you intended, and some parts were particularly challenging to write. Even so, it wasn’t as important as the end result you hoped for. After filling out about seven pages or so, you start to feel a weight being lifted off your shoulders. As you slump back against the supporting boulder, your muscles begin to relax as well. A sigh of content leaves you upon closing your journal. It never crossed your mind just how much energy this type of writing would consume. All in all, you found the activity to exceed your expectations. If another negative situation like this one were to happen, you’d definitely be willing to do this again. In the meantime, you close your eyes and savor the gentle caresses of the wind…

Velvet darkness clouds your vision, enveloping your immobile form. A deafening silence accompanies the surrounding shadows, along with a warmth unbefitting of the dark. For reasons unknown, you find it hard to move and open your eyes. When you finally do, you notice everything remains stagnant and unchanged. The only visible difference is the thin white line in front of you, resembling a tightrope. It stretches endlessly into the void, without any hint of stopping. You look over your shoulder to see if there’s anything else out of the ordinary. Only more darkness greets you, destroying any hope you might’ve had of finding another exit.

For a while, you just stare at the white rope, hesitant to cross. You’re unsure of what would happen if you were to somehow lose your balance and fall. As much as you don’t want to take that chance, you’re also not too keen on staying here forever. Eventually, you inch forward and place one foot down on the rope. It didn’t sway or falter under your weight, leading you to exhale some pent-up breath. Finally, after much procrastination, you come to the decision to cross.

You try your best to suppress the shaking of your hands and position your other foot on the tightrope. One foot in front of the other foot. In front of the one foot, in front of the other foot. These are the words you chose to play on repeat in your mind. As additional support, you had your arms extended out on either side as a way to help maintain balance.

So far, you were fourteen steps ahead from where you started, only making a few minor slip-ups along the way. In spite of this, progress was slow, and there was still a long way left to go. How long is this rope, anyway? Is there even an exit? Am I destined to always stay in the dark? Before you can add any further to your train of thought, you lose your footing and fall.

You open your mouth to scream, but nothing comes out. At that moment, a cacophony of piercing screams and wails emerge all at once from every direction. Immediately, you squeeze your eyes shut and cover your ears to block out the dreadful noise. Every new shriek causes the ringing and throbbing of your eardrums to intensify. The lower you descend, the louder they get. You continue to fall for what seems like hours before someone, or something catches you. In an instant, all the sounds cease completely.

Absolute stillness permeates the air once more, with the fear of plummeting any further temporarily subsiding. However, there was still a nagging feeling at the back of your mind that something was wrong. Whoever was holding you had unnaturally cold hands and nails sharp enough to draw blood. For this reason among others, you squirm in their grasp, causing the one carrying you to dig their nails deeper into your skin. As if aware of the discomfort they were causing you, they let out a dark chuckle. Your breath hitches in the back of your throat upon realizing the identity of your so-called rescuer. Just as you suspected, you find yourself face-to-face with the same jester from before.

A faint red glow appears in the hollow eye-slits of his white mask. He leans closer to you with agonizing slowness until his face is mere centimeters away from yours. “Looks like you’ve fallen into despair~!” At long last, you find your voice and scream...

Similar to this morning, you wake up in a cold sweat and on the verge of a mental breakdown. What happened to be different this time was that you weren’t in your bedroom, and the sun was close to setting. It was already so late, you should’ve been home by now. You release the clumps of grass clenched in your fists and grab your school bag, journal, and pen in a haphazard manner. Scrambling to your feet, you hightail it out of the forest clearing.

While sprinting past the trees, you think about your parents. Knowing them, they were probably home right now, wondering where you are. The possibility of risking their disappointment was enough to push yourself to run faster and harder. Luckily, the decision to rest earlier helped to restore most of your energy to its former state. Once you make it out of the dense wilderness, you cut across the park and head towards the direction of your home. Not long afterward, the sun sinks below the horizon, giving way to nightfall. Flickering of nearby street lights follow, illuminating the road with a vibrant yellow. Before long, you arrive at the shopping district.

Miscellaneous restaurants and shops align the street, exuding an air of merriment unique to Rainbow Hills. Large numbers of people traverse the street and sidewalks with groceries and shopping bags in hand. You run at a slower pace, trying your best not to bump into anyone, especially the elderly or any small children. All was going well until a group of girls walk into the middle of your path from the nearby Starbucks. In hopes of avoiding a collision, you try your best to decrease your momentum and skid to a halt. Despite this, you end up crashing into one of the girls anyway and fall onto your butt. “Hey, watch where you're going! You almost made me spill my drink!” she yelled.

You stand up and rub your eyes, immediately discerning the girl’s distinct voice. “Sorry Kelsey, I wasn’t watching where I was going...again.”

A look of recognition dawns on her face upon seeing you. “Hey don’t sweat it! Nice to see you again,” Kelsey gives you a wide toothy grin as you take her hand and rise to your feet. “You must be in a big hurry to get somewhere.”

“I am! I lost track of time and now I’m heading home” you said.

Emily moves forward a couple of steps, nodding her head. “I feel you! Back where I used to live, I’d always end up staying at the library until closing time. It didn’t matter how often I went, my parents still got worried every time.”

“Well, hopefully your parents were understanding.”

“Oh, they were! I love them so much,” Emily said, “I don’t know where I’d be without them.”

You rub the nape of your neck, directing your vision elsewhere. Right when you’re about to change the subject, you hear Lily let out an audible gasp. She points to a spot on the ground, near your feet. “Oh my gosh! I love your journal!”

Following her line of sight, you freeze when you catch sight of the aforementioned item. In your hurry to get home, you had forgotten to put the notebook away in your school bag. With a steadfast resolve, you snatch your journal from the ground, holding it close to your chest. “Oh, u-um, thank you!”

“Is that notebook for school by any chance?” Chloe asks, taking a small sip of her drink.

Although her question was simple in nature, you couldn’t help but feel like you were being interrogated. You bite your lower lip and clutch your journal tighter. “Yeah, it’s for math.”

“I respect that!” she said, smiling, “If you’d like, we can exchange notes and form a study group. I’ll try my best to help you catch up with the rest of the class.”

“That would be great, thank you!” It honestly didn’t sound like a bad idea. Chloe seemed like a smart and reliable person, and you did need help catching up. You contemplate over which days and hours of the week would work best for you when something unexpected appears out of the corner of your eye. Turning your head towards the place of the movement, you’re able to make out a strange silhouette against the moon.

“I should get going! I promised to watch a monster movie with Calvin later,” April said.

Your eyes remain fixated on the figure in the sky. “Would that monster happen to be a gray anthropomorphic wolf wearing a blue leather biker suit?”

“No it’s––wait a minute!! That sounds like–”

“Ulric!!” Emily shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at the wolf. The rest of the girls get into a defensive stance, each of them pulling out a small pink compact of some sort.

How do they know each other? Is he an enemy of theirs? More questions like these follow, arising in your mind with great celerity. You had no idea what was going on, but judging from the way the wolf was laughing, you knew it couldn’t be good.

Ulric floats down from his spot in the sky, stopping only when he was about six feet away from reaching the ground. His face twists into an angry scowl, baring his teeth at your classmates. “We meet again, Glitter Force!”

Notes:

Author's Note: New year, new chapter! I was originally going to update in November, but life happened. Sorry about that!

This chapter was definitely more passive, I wanted to explore the psyche and internal struggles of the reader character. It's build-up for what I have planned for this story. Not to worry though, there will be more action in upcoming chapters. Jester husbando will be there too, I promise

Chapter 4: Glitter Warrior

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Superhero" -Johnny Hollow

What’s the Glitter Force? Is that the name of some club they’re in? You would have to ask your classmates these questions later when they weren’t being confronted by a tall, angry wolf. Based on what you’ve seen and heard so far, it was obvious Ulric and the five girls despised each other. The reasons for this apparent hostility weren’t yet known to you, but it seems to go deeper than what you saw on the surface.

“Go away, furball! Can’t you tell when you're not wanted?” Kelsey yelled.

“Why you little brat!” Ulric balls his fists, looking ready to pummel her to the ground when his nose catches a whiff of something. “What’s that disgusting smell?” He raises his snout to sniff the air, trying to pinpoint the direction the scent was coming from. His face scrunches up upon making eye contact with the girls. “Ewww it’s pumpkin spice lattes!”

April cradles her drink protectively in her hands. “How dare you insult pumpkin spice lattes! You’ve crossed the line!”

“Yeah, whatever! I didn’t come here to judge your choice of coffee though...” Ulric scoffed, pulling a purple hardcover book out of thin air.

Chloe calls your name, diverting your attention away from the wolf. “Get out of here! It’s dangerous!”

You’re about to do just that when you witness Ulric squeeze a small object in one of his fists. “I’ve come to paint the world’s pages black and bring about an unhappy ending!” He smears some substance onto the open pages of his book, which triggers a strange reaction from the environment. The once beautiful night sky changes into an unnatural shade of blue, coupled with the moonlight increasing in intensity. One by one, all of the surrounding shoppers drop to the ground. A dark aura materializes around them before getting absorbed into Ulric’s strange book. He chuckles to himself, clearly admiring the misfortune he’s caused. “That’s right! Give me all of that beautiful negative energy!”

Without warning, your knees begin to buckle and shake. You stand firm and tighten your leg muscles in an attempt to fight whatever force is pushing down against you. But this countermeasure still wasn’t enough to prevent your body from trembling. Even so, surrendering wasn’t an option. If you gave up now, you would end up immobile and brimming with negative energy like the rest of the townspeople. You use whatever remaining strength you have to keep yourself upright. A series of sharp pains shoot up your legs and strike the nerves in your body. Unable to take the excruciating torment any longer, you collapse onto the ground. Of course, I’d end up like this, I’ve never been able to do anything right. I’m so useless. The same dark aura that subdued the locals consumes you and overpowers your senses. All five of your classmates shout your name in alarm while Ulric reveals his sinister intentions to turn something called the “Wheel of Doom” another click and revive his master. Before long, the darkness takes a hold of you, leaving you no choice but to give in.

Once again, you’re trapped inside the pitch-black dimension you’ve come to loathe. But unlike last time, there was a deathly chill accompanying you, the likes of which you’ve never felt before. Stuck in a state of vulnerability, you’re powerless to stop the cold from devouring you whole. It envelops you with unprecedented quickness, causing your already aching muscles to burn with even greater intensity. Your lungs constrict and pulsate, making it impossible to cry out for help. Any attempt at moving your limbs or making a sound is rendered useless, leaving you to wonder if this was how you would die. Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, the voices make themselves known. Some of the voices take the form of your family members, while others resemble those you knew from the past. You could even hear your voice within the mix, berating and insulting you.

“Your parents would be happier if you were never born.”

“You’re a mistake! Nobody will ever love who you truly are!”

“You’ll never have any real friends!”

“Your life will always be hell.”

More venom-coated remarks like these follow, relentless in bringing up all your deepest insecurities. Every repressed thought and memory you had sprung forth in rapid succession. As time passed, the disembodied voices only grew louder. In an attempt to drown out the noise, you bite down on your lower lip and let out an inaudible whimper. You try not to cry as the harsh gnawing of your teeth causes warm blood to trickle down your chin. This painful sensation and the metallic smell accompanying it were almost enough to make you vomit. Seemingly aware of your struggling, the voices cease their insults and begin laughing instead. The laughter was boisterous and unabating; it reminded you of spectators at a theater watching a hilarious comedy act. You didn’t know which was worse: the insults or the laughter. Powerless to do anything else, you silently plead for help. Make it stop! Make it stop! Please make it stop! I can’t take it anymore!

Eventually, you find that you’re able to move again, which somehow results in all the voices vanishing. You take a moment to collect yourself and search for any visible signs of escape. When you find nothing of the sort, it comes as no surprise. After all, you were quite literally trapped inside a turbulent state of mind. While you continue to mull over your current predicament, you come to a bizarre conclusion. Could this perhaps be a physical manifestation of your state of mind? It was only when you started thinking pessimistically that you ended up in this dark space. The pain and physical exertion only seemed to serve as means of pushing you further into a depressive submission. If your mind was how you got into this state of despair, perhaps it was also the way out. There was no way of knowing unless you tried. You take a deep breath and think about something other than your distress. How were your classmates faring against Ulric? Were they suffering like you? You sure hoped not.

For the time being, you think only of the five girls. From the moment you first stepped foot in Mrs. Mason’s classroom, they’ve been nothing but kind and welcoming. They didn’t poke fun at you during your awkward introduction and even invited you to hang out at lunch. Despite having just met today, you wanted to repay them for their generosity. A sudden warmth fills your heart as you muse over the fun times you might have together. Could you possibly become...friends? Your thoughts are cut short when you hear a loud crash and the sound of Lily and Emily’s cries.

It didn’t take long for you to register the fact that you somehow tapped into the outside world. None of your other senses wanted to comply, thus leaving you with only your hearing as guidance. Ulric’s harsh laughter fills the air, allowing his enjoyment in the two girls’ distress to be known. This, coupled with the recollection of him trapping you in here, was enough to make your blood boil.

Heavy footsteps trod closer in your direction, stopping short only a couple of feet away. “What have we got here?” Somehow, even without your eyesight, you could sense the smirk in Ulric’s voice and his judgmental leer on you. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much negative energy coming from one person before, how amusing! Perhaps I should take this girl back to the Shadow Realm to be Nogo’s personal energy source.”

“Don’t you dare!” April shouted in between breaths.

Chloe joins in to voice her disapproval. “Leave her out of this!”

Ulric ignores their objections, leading you to believe that his attention hadn’t strayed from you. It felt like hours had passed before he spoke again. “What's this?” You had no idea what he was referring to until you heard something being lifted off the ground and the sound of paper shuffling. It soon dawns on you just what he held in his hands. “Ooh it’s a diary~” Ulric snickers, “Let’s have a read, shall we?”

Your heart stops in your chest as you wait for the inevitable to happen when Lily swiftly intercedes. “Stop! Have you no shame in invading someone else’s privacy? This is low, even for you Ulric!” The unadulterated rage lacing her voice takes you by surprise. It wasn’t the tone of voice you’d come to associate with the sweet and timid Lily. Then again, you’ve only known her for one day.

Ulric growls in response. “Shut your trap Glitter Peace, I’ll do as I please!” An unknown entity shouts the words “super buffoon,” followed by what you assume to be the sound of rubble crashing down onto the pavement. All five girls cry out before being silenced. Ulric clears his throat and begins to read:

The first day of school was wonderful, but I’m afraid it won’t always be that way. I did meet some nice girls who seemed to want to be friends, but how do I know they’re not just pretending? For all I know, they could be talking smack behind my back and plan to humiliate me later when I least expect it. This wouldn’t be the first time others have fooled me into thinking they care. No matter how hard I try, I can never keep any friends. My best is never good enough. I’m afraid of having positive expectations for fear that I’ll be disappointed and hurt even more than if I’d never had them to begin with. I seem to attract misery and despair wherever I go, but I hope this time will be different. After everything I’ve been through, I want to smile and laugh again. I’d give anything to have someone who cares about me.

For a moment, everything is still. This stillness is soon cut short and replaced by Ulric’s muffled laughter. It gradually increases in volume until it turns into an outright guffaw. “That was the most pathetic thing I’ve ever read” Ulric howled, “What’s so good about friendship anyways? It’s just a dumb fantasy! Believing in such nonsense will only lead to inevitable suffering and heartache, this should be common knowledge. This girl doesn’t need to lift a finger to make herself look like a fool. At this point, it’s in her very nature.” You were thankful you didn’t have the misfortune of seeing your classmates’ reactions, or yourself for that matter. Maybe Ulric was right, perhaps you were a fool for still holding onto that small shred of hope. Wishing for things to get better never helped you before, why would it now?

“You’re wrong!” April’s voice rang out, “Friendship is one of the things that makes life so great. There’s absolutely no shame in wanting it for yourself or others. You would have to be crazy not to want it.”

“And who are you to judge someone else’s hopes and dreams anyway? She’s not hurting anyone! Not only that but you’re going out of your way to hurt someone who’s trying to better herself. Just when I thought you couldn’t get any worse, you manage to surprise me” Kelsey shouted.

Lily calls your name loud and clear as if addressing you directly. “I don’t know if you can hear us, but I want you to know there’s nothing wrong with you. Whatever you’re going through, we’re here for you all the way. I’m sorry if we did anything to make you doubt us.”

“We’re all fighting our own internal battles just like you, there’s nothing to feel ashamed of” Chloe adds, “What’s important is that you continue to persevere and have hope, unlike Ulric here.” The aforementioned wolf scoffs at her comment. He’s about to finish the first word of his retort when Emily interrupts him.

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting a happy ending, especially during the hard times. Our struggles only make us stronger and will never be in vain!”

With a shaky breath, you allow some unshed tears to spill freely down your cheeks. Any leftover tension you unknowingly harbored leaves you. The girls’ kind and encouraging words resonate with you, and the prospect of becoming their friend no longer seemed as unattainable as you had previously thought. This new chapter in your life is just the beginning of a brilliant story. How it starts, progresses, and ends are your choices alone to make. With every obstacle you encounter, you’ll make sure your story ends happily, no matter what.

Without knowing how it happened, you find that you’re now able to open your eyes. Whatever responses you planned on giving are lost when you’re met with the disorderly scene before you. The shop fronts of the nearby buildings were in shambles, with various debris such as glass and concrete littering the ground. Large dents and cracks cover the streets, and the plant life bordering the sidewalk lay in ruins. You couldn’t fathom how this level of destruction took place, but you were able to gain somewhat of a better understanding by seeing your classmates. At least, you thought they were your classmates. Their faces hadn’t changed, and neither had their respective demeanors. But the corresponding colors of their hair had taken on a slightly different hue, and the length and style of it had been drastically altered. Not to mention your confusion surrounding the colorful, flashy outfits they now wore. Moreover, you notice a small plush sheep toy standing behind the girls. Was it moving just now? You would have continued analyzing this and the girls’ appearances had it not been for the sound of thundering footsteps approaching you.

You come face to face with a large, unholy abomination barreling toward you while yelling “super buffoon” at the top of its lungs (does it even have any?). The creature was sporting a large, red clown nose and a sharp-toothed smile befitting a shark. Strangely enough, its entire body was a giant Starbucks cup, which would have been laughable if you weren’t currently fearing for your life. You scream and sprint in the opposite direction of the monster. As you race past the remaining stores, you try to ignore the aching of your ribs and the heavy pounding of your heart. Every part of your body was screaming at you to stop, but your mind kept encouraging you to push forward. Nevertheless, this internal conflict ceases the moment a giant gloved hand grabs you.

The clown-like creature grips your form and lifts you into the air until you’re eye-level with it. “Super buffoon!” it yells once again. You squirm against its hold and wince when its handgrip on you tightens.

“Let go of me and quit yelling those stupid words!” you wheezed.

“Not gonna happen!” Ulric said, teleporting beside you. You clench your jaw and send him the nastiest look you could muster. The only reaction you’re able to get out of him is a haughty smirk. Ulric’s response, along with his presence, further serves as fuel for your already built-up anger.

“Shut up! Who are you to impose such toxic negativity onto others? All of this suffering just to revive some cruel master and satisfy your sadistic tendencies? You’re sick! You deserve to endure the same agony you put me through! Mark my words, when I break free of this clown monster, you’re going to be in a world of hurt!”

What follows is an awkward silence. Even the massive buffoon holding you captive seems to be contemplating your words. Ulric soon breaks out of his brief daze to return your death glare. “Little girl,” he spat through grit teeth, moving towards you until you were only inches apart. “If it weren’t for your excess of negative energy, I would pulverize you right here and now.” His close proximity, deep voice, and serious demeanor should’ve frightened you, but it didn’t. You open your mouth to give a witty comeback when Ulric is struck upside the head by a compressed ball of wind.

He yelps and hurtles toward the ground at a sickening speed. “Got him!” April shouted. Kelsey and Chloe both close in on the clown creature and deliver swift blows to its body. The girls’ attacks were effective enough to get the creature to let go of you. However, your relief is short-lived when you start plummeting toward the ground.

Luckily, Emily was there to catch you just in time. Her triumphant expression fades upon seeing your disheveled state. “Are you okay?”

“I am now,” you said, smiling. Emily nods and returns your smile. She carefully lowers you to the ground before leaving to assist Kelsey and Chloe. You turn towards the street and quickly duck your head to avoid colliding with Lily and April. Both girls shoot past you and crash into an unsuspecting flower shop, each one groaning from the harsh impact. You’re about to run over and help them but halt when you hear a growl coming from behind you.

Deep within the wreckage and billowing smoke, Ulric emerges. His eyes lock on yours, leading him to scowl and stride towards you. Without a second thought or coherent plan, you return his stare and draw closer. A look of bewilderment crosses Ulric’s features at your actions, followed by an amused expression and mocking laughter. “Oh? You’re approaching me? Instead of running away, you’re coming right towards me?”

You give a light chuckle, refusing to be swayed by his words and menacing aura. “I can’t beat the crud out of you without getting closer.”

“Hah, what are you going to do? Give me a time-out? You have no powers! You’re just a weakling!” Ulric said, shaking with laughter.

Why must they always laugh? You push this thought aside, standing firm and holding your head up high. “True...I have no powers, and I’ve never fought a wolf before. But I can’t stand by idly while you hurt kind girls, destroy my hometown, and infect people with negative energy. I’ll do everything I can to set things right, no matter what.” Things seem to finally be looking up for me, after all. A sudden burst of white feathers appears in front of your eyes. Shared gasps from Ulric and the five girls are the last sounds you hear before you’re enveloped by a radiant purple light. You close your eyes to block out the bright light and as your feet lift off the ground.

When you reopen your eyes, you’re met with a beautiful yet puzzling sight. A vast, sparkling lilac sky surrounds your floating form, filling you with warmth. This new dimension was the complete opposite of the dark one from before. The ties of gravity were nonexistent here, allowing you to float freely. A large, rejuvenating smile spreads across your face as you twist and twirl in midair, reaching for new heights. Out of nowhere, a small pink compact materializes in front of you and lands in your outstretched hands. As if that weren’t surprising enough, the cute sheep-like toy from earlier also appears before you, wiggling its stubby body. “Congratulations, you’ve taken your place on the Glitter Force! I wasn’t expecting there to be another member...” the plush said, with the last sentence being uttered more to herself. “Anyways, put the glitter charm into the compact and say ‘Glitter Force makeover’ and let it do the rest!”

Your mouth falls agape at her strange request. “This is real, right? I’m not just dreaming?”

“Of course it’s real, silly! Now hurry up, we’ve got a super buffoon to defeat!”

You give her a firm nod and proceed. “Insert glitter charm!”

After placing a purple bow-shaped charm into the compact, an unknown woman’s voice arises. “Activate glitter pact!”

Knowing full well you didn’t have time to ask questions about who that voice belonged to, you choose to ignore it and say the following words, “Glitter Force makeover!” A small beam of purple light shoots out of your compact, followed by gold starry glitter, and a velour makeup puff. “Glitter puff, apply shades of power!” You dab the glitter puff onto the opened compact, causing it to emit an ethereal glow. On instinct, you pirouette and observe the trail of sparkles coming from the glitter puff. You spin a couple more times until all you could see were the trailing sparkles merging into mauve clouds.

One by one, each article of your school clothing is replaced by more resplendent clothes and accessories to match. It was the same outfit the other girls wore, only yours was purple. Your hair also changes in style and length, with its color transitioning from deep violet to lavender. For a finishing touch, you gently press the glitter puff to your cheeks. A magical force takes a hold of you as you make a graceful descent. “A whimsical dream, iridescent and bright: I’m Glitter Fantasy!” You strike a dramatic pose and witness the beautiful lilac dimension fade before your eyes. There was a slight pang of disappointment upon leaving, but then you remember why you were sent there in the first place.

“Not another one!” Ulric wailed. “Five glitter gals was bad enough!”

“Well I say, the more the merrier!” Emily said, drawing near. She turns towards you and places a gentle hand on your shoulder. “Welcome to the club, Glitter Fantasy! I know you’ll do great!”

You stop scrutinizing your new outfit and smile as you make eye contact with her. “Thanks, Emily! I sure hope so…” The imposing stature of the super buffoon obstructs you from finishing your train of thought. Its creepy smile widens when you take a step back and clutch your glitter pact.

“Smash her super buffoon!” Ulric instructed. The creature obeys and swings its fist at you, which ends up meeting the ground. You dodge just in time, but the force of the punch launches you several yards back. Upon landing on your feet, you leap across the pavement and fly towards the monster. You land several punches to its cylindrical body, only to earn some grunts in response. Other than that, your attacks didn’t appear to do much damage. You use your fists and legs to strike blow after blow, each one with more fervor than the last. Finally, you manage to knock the super buffoon down. As it crashes onto the already ruined pavement, you take a moment to catch your breath. It was difficult to ignore the painful throbbing of your hands and feet, but you wanted to hold out against the enemy until your classmates regained their strength.

“Glitter Fantasy!” the stuffed plushie called out, “Channel your glitter spirit into the glitter pact!”

“My what now?” You had no idea what ‘glitter spirit’ was or how you could place such an intangible thing in a physical compact.

Chloe was able to provide an explanation. “What she means to say is to think positive thoughts. Focus on the good things you’re hoping to accomplish, like protecting innocent people and saving the town. But also believe in your ability to make that happen. You’d be amazed by just how much you can accomplish.”

Her explanation made sense, and you could understand how concentrating on doing good and remaining optimistic was necessary for this situation. Still, you’re unable to provide a proper reply and end up averting your gaze. Another question was itching in the back of your mind that you couldn’t bring yourself to ask: How can someone know they have what it takes to do good?

As if sensing your worries, Emily spoke up. “You can do it, Fantasy!”

Kelsey joined in on the encouragement. “You're doing great! Don’t sweat it!”

“I believe in you!” Lily cheered.

“And remember,” April added, “Stay determined!”

Once again, their kindhearted words lift your spirits and help push out any anxiety-ridden thoughts. “C’mon spirit, shine on through! We’ve got spirit, how about you?” you cheer. At that moment, the glitter pact attached to your skirt begins to glow with sparkles emanating from it. You marvel at this spectacle while trying to figure out what to do next.

“Go Glitter Fantasy! Focus your spirit into the glitter pact and use your Cloudburst!” the plush sheep shouted.

“Alright,” you hold the compact close to your heart and shout, “Sparkle Cloudburst!” A lavender cloud funnel shoots out of your hands and hits the super buffoon square in the nose. It wails as it stumbles backward and crashes onto the pavement. You pump your fist into the air to celebrate your victory. It was finally over…

Or so you thought….the super buffoon picked itself back off the ground with a heavy groan. There were several large dents and scratches covering its body, but no permanent damage was done. “It’s weak, now’s our time for Princess Mode!” Emily said, “Ready, girls?” The other Glitter Force members nod their heads and insert a glitter charm into their materialized wands.

“Princess wands, give us your glitter power!” they shout. Golden beams of light pour out from their wands, followed by five magical pegasus horses appearing. You didn’t think it was possible, but your classmates were now wearing even more dazzling clothes than before. They each get on top of their corresponding pegasus and charge toward the super buffoon. “Pink! Orange! Green! Blue! Yellow! Painting the sky with the colors of hope! Pegasus power attack! Rainbow Burst!”

A large multicolored blast strikes the creature in the nose, but unlike your attack, this one finishes it off for good. It let out one last agonizing screech before disintegrating. Four tiny objects appear in the place where its nose once was and fall into Emily’s hands. “Good job, everybody! We earned four glitter charms!” the talking plush said.

Ulric remained motionless in the sky, seething over his defeat. You smile, relishing the sight of his disheveled state. Serves him right! He scowls at the other Glitter Force members and makes eye contact with you just before vanishing from sight. As soon as he leaves, the sky turns back into a natural dark blue and the townspeople begin to rouse. From what little you could observe, they could not recall passing out or having any negative energy sucked out of them. Instead, they turned back to their typical routines. The destruction and debris from the fight were gone and the buildings and streets had been magically restored. Even the pumpkin spice lattes were unharmed, much to everyone’s surprise. It was as if the battle with Ulric and the super buffoon had never taken place. You’re a bit unsettled by how quickly everything has returned back to normal. Was this whole event another figment of your imagination? You were getting ready to pinch your arm just in case when you notice the five girls approaching.

“Woohoo! We did it! Another happy ending!” Emily cheered, giving you an unexpected, bone-crushing hug, “Fantasy, you were amazing out there! I’m so happy you’re part of the Glitter Force now!”

You’re relieved when she finally releases you so you can catch your breath. Still, you find her enthusiasm contagious. April, sensing your desperate need for oxygen, gently pats your back instead. “Welcome aboard!”

You put on your best smile. “Thank you so much, but you were the ones who were amazing! Without all of you, I would’ve been a goner.”

“Saving the world is pretty amazing work!” Kelsey said, “But I’m glad you're okay!”

Lily hands you back your journal. “Here you go! I’m so sorry about what Ulric did. I can understand why you didn’t want to tell us what its true purpose is.”

You open your mouth to explain, but nothing would come out. Chloe speaks up just in time. “You don’t have to explain. You’ve had enough to deal with for one day. We should all head back home and get some rest.” Everybody, yourself included, agreed. But before you could, the plush sheep from before jumps into Emily’s arms. You could see that she had white fur, curly yellow ears adorned with pink bows, and heart-shaped markings near her eyes and forehead. She also wore a pink frilly collar around her neck and had a curled yellow tail that complimented her ears.
“I didn’t properly introduce myself,” the plush said, sticking out her stubby appendage, “My name is Candy! It’s nice to meet you!”

You eagerly shake her arm and tell her your name. “It’s nice to meet you too, Candy! You are the cutest little sheep I’ve ever seen.”

Calling her this ended up being a big mistake. She wriggles in Emily’s grasp with a reddened face, shaking her arm. “I’m not a sheep! I’m a pixie! Sheep aren’t anywhere near as cute as I am!” She stuck out her tongue and you couldn’t help but chuckle. So did everyone else, which confused Candy.

In the end, you didn’t come back home as soon as you thought you would. You were too busy talking and sharing laughs with your new friends, which now included Candy. They offered to explain the Glitter Force and your new hero duties in more detail next week. Since this matter was top secret, you asked where they would hold the discussion. They refused to disclose the location because they wanted it to be a surprise, which made it all the more intriguing. This, coupled with the load of homework you had to catch up on, was pretty overwhelming. Even so, you don’t remember feeling so enthusiastic about something in a long time. An exciting adventure with new friends and cool powers awaited. What could possibly go wrong?

Meanwhile, in a dark and distant realm, a jester stands over a crystal ball shrouded by shadow. Little did you or any of the other Glitter Force members know he had been watching the battle with Ulric. For the entire duration of the fight, his line of sight never once strayed from you. He peers down into the slightly fuzzy image of you smiling and conversing with the Glitter Force with an unreadable expression on his face. “...Glitter Fantasy...wait till you see what I have planned just for you!”

Notes:

Author's Note: Dang you guys!! It's been over a year since I updated this!! For those of you who have been patiently waiting, I apologize so much. I've been going through a lot in my life. A lot of tragic things have happened, but there have been some good too. I've found that I have more energy and time to write so the next update shouldn't be nearly so long. Thank you for your patience and support! Also yes...I had to add in that JoJo reference.

On another note, I have a theme song for Ulric that plays during this battle. It's "Werewolf Baby" by Rob Zombie lol!

Chapter 5: Jester's Playground

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Nightmare" -Nox Arcana

 To say that today’s events were exhausting was the understatement of the century. You couldn’t recall when you had ever been so tired. After returning home, you were scolded by your parents for coming back so late at night. Dinner had also turned cold, so you had to reheat it and eat alone at the dining room table. Shortly afterward, you went up to your room, threw on some cozy pajamas, and brushed your teeth. Sleep came as soon as your head hit the pillow and it was off to Dreamland you went…

 …Dreamland turned out to be a fascinating place. Without any recollection as to how you got there, you find yourself sitting at a long table with a white, polyester cloth draped over it. A large assortment of porcelain teapots and tea cups were on top of the table, some of which were oddly designed. There were also hundreds of elegant three-tiered serving trays, each with a multitude of finger sandwiches, scones, biscuits, madeleines, berry tartlets, and French macarons. The scent of elderberry tea mingling with warm sugar was especially strong. There were several strange things about this land besides the out-of-place tea party. For one, the sky was light green with a blazing blue sun overhead. Every square inch of ground was covered by pink knee-length grass that sparkled in the sunlight. These grassy meadows appear to stretch out to the ends of the earth, except for the majestic purple forest ahead. Perhaps the strangest of all was the company you found yourself with.

They were sitting nearby, enjoying the hot tea and treats set out before them. You were already acquainted with these three individuals. Out of all the weird creatures you’ve come across in your dreams, they appeared the most often. To your right sat a chubby orange animal named Leopold, who had the head of a feline and the body of a caterpillar. His outfit consisted of a crimson pinstripe vest and a faded black bowler hat. He held a violin in one pair of his many arms and was playing a Beethoven number you recognized as Minuet in G Major, WoO 10, No. 2. He uses another set of arms to grab handfuls of biscuits to stuff in his mouth.

Across the table from Leopold sat a beautiful glass doll, who was berating him for his poor etiquette. Her body was completely transparent, except for the pink jewels that made up her eyes. She had her glassy hair up in two shoulder-length ringlet pigtails and wore an elaborate Victorian-era dress. The doll, who was known as Florence, was delicately holding her tea cup and demonstrating to Leopold how he ought to conduct himself.

Lastly, sitting a couple of seats down from Florence was a lanky man named Mr. Waxwell. He had a candlestick for a head and was clothed in a black tuxedo, which is adorned with a prominent bow tie. The poor man was trying to sip his tea, but the steam from it was causing parts of his waxen face to melt. His bony hands, which were holding a teacup and saucer, were shaking sporadically. How could he drink without a mouth or any facial features for that matter? You would never know. Leopold finishes playing his Beethoven piece, which is met with polite applause from Florence and Mr. Waxwell. Afterward, all three of them acknowledge your presence and greet you. 

“My dear, it’s been way too long since we’ve gotten together” spoke Florence. “But you’re three minutes late to the party. Where are your manners?”

 Leopold throws several biscuits in your direction, several of which hit your face. “Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to hit you. I just wanted you to have some before I ate them all. They’re delicious!”

 “H-Hello,” said Mr. Waxwell with a quivering voice. “I-I hope you l-like the t-t-tea! Much better for you than it will be for m-me.” 

 You chuckled as you bit into one of the shortbread biscuits thrown at you. “Wow, this is pretty good.” Leopold’s chest swells with pride as if he’s the one being complimented. “Also, I wasn’t aware that we were having a tea party. I think the last one was four months ago.”

 “Five months ago to be exact,” Florence said. “But you seem a little worse for wear, so I’ll forgive you.”

 “Jee, thanks!” you sigh, finishing your biscuit. “I did have a crazy day though.”

 Mr. Waxwell perks up upon hearing this. “Oh, d-do tell! Is Rainbow Hills p-pleasant? Did school go w-well?”

 You explain everything about your day to them, minus all the bad parts. The two unpleasant dreams, the embarrassing introduction, the visit to your childhood hangout, Ulric reading your diary, and any other insecure feelings were excluded from your narrative. “My goodness, that would be enough to tire anyone out.” Florence gasped. “A nice cup of tea will do the trick. Is there any particular flavor you want?” You gaze at all the teapots close by and ponder over your choices. It was difficult to choose which one you wanted since the flavors ranged from gingerbread, chrysanthemum, and rose quartz, among many other unique ones. In the end, Florence ends up pouring you some gooseberry tea due to your indecisiveness. It was steaming hot, but otherwise pretty tasty.

 Mr. Waxwell nods in approval. “New f-friends, superb powers, and outstanding c-courage. This journey sounds tough, but I know you will f-flourish.”

“Wow, that’s so amazing! You’re amazing! You’re like a real superhero now!” Leopold shouted. You didn’t know if your face burned from all the compliments or if it was just the hot tea. “If I were a superhero, I would have the power to create any delicious treat I wanted with only my mind.”

If Florence didn’t have gems for eyes, you know she’d be rolling them. “Oh please, you have enough on your plate…literally” She motions towards the scones and madeleines littering his plate to the point where the bottom of it was completely concealed. Florence then turns her attention towards you. “For you, my dear, it’s figurative.” You couldn’t disagree with her there.

“I wonder what kind of battle you’ll have to fight next,” Leopold said.

 “And what sort of ruffians y-you’ll have to beat. N-no matter what, never give into d-defeat. ” Mr. Waxwell added.

 You shrug, reflecting back on how unpredictable your first day was. “I have no idea what awaits me next.”

 “I do~!” a familiar high-pitched voice cooed.

 Florence, Mr. Waxwell, and Leopold emit loud, startled gasps. You, on the other hand, feel the back of your throat constrict. It was that jester again, but unlike the previous two nightmares, something about him seems different and you can’t pinpoint what it is. He floats nonchalantly several feet above the table with a devious grin on his face. “My, my, you’ve got yourselves a cute little tea party and you didn’t even bother to invite me.” He feigns a look of heartbreak before erupting into a series of chuckles. “Hope you don’t mind if I brew up some trouble.” Without warning, the jester jumps down onto the table, landing on his feet and sending many teapots, plates, and trays flying. All three of your companions scream, bolt upright from their chairs, and make a run for it. Florence was the first to disappear with a resounding ‘poof.’ The fire on top of Mr. Waxwell’s head extinguishes before he also poofs out of existence. Leopold trips over his many arms and legs as he struggles to distance himself from the jester. He let out one last cry of protest and vanishes, leaving you alone with your tormentor. The tormentor in question stares at the spot where Leopold was last and snickers to himself. “Guess I’m not very popular.” He then turns his attention back on you. “I must say, your friends are quite interesting. Is that really the best your mind can conjure up?”

 You inwardly seethe at the thought of your three aforementioned friends running away like cowards, even though you would’ve done the same. But your body refused to budge, no matter how much your mind pleaded for it to do otherwise. “Not willing to talk? C’mon, don’t be chai,” said the jester. He saunters across the table, crushing any leftover tea cups and saucers under his curled black boots. All you could do was watch, transfixed with horror as he reached the head of the table in front of you. 

“Now let’s see here…” He rubs his chin in thought while eyeing a nearby display of small teapots and cups. “So many great choices, but I think I’ll go with this one.” The jester reaches for a dainty, cherry red teapot and pours it into a complementary cup, which he brings up to his eager lips. He didn’t so much as flinch while drinking the scalding liquid. “Delicious! My favorite flavor, pure chaos~!” He licks his lips over his ever-widening smile. “Now, where were we? Oh yes, Glitter Fantasy! What an unpleasant surprise to see you, and right when we’re testing out the new Super Buffoons too.”

 “W-What are y-you d-doing here? Y-You can’t exist! S-Stupid jester!”

 “Tsk tsk! That’s not very welcoming! Is that any way to treat a party guest?” the jester said, wagging his finger disapprovingly. “And you ought to call me by my name, Rascal.” At that moment, your airway closes up, obstructing any more oxygen from reaching your lungs. You choke on your saliva, which results in a series of coughing fits. In a feeble attempt to collect yourself, you lean forward and grip the edge of the table as a means of controlling your erratic breathing. “Careful now, you’ll hurt yourself!” Rascal reaches out his hand, but you shrink back before he can make contact. 

You fall out of your chair and scramble backward, separating yourself from him as much as possible. “A-As if you care! S-Stay away from me and stop haunting my dreams!”

Rascal appears slightly taken aback upon hearing this. “I’ve been haunting your dreams? What an honor and a privilege, especially coming from a lucid dreamer such as yourself!” He jumps down from the table onto the pink grass below. “But I’m afraid that I wasn’t actually present in those dreams of yours, unlike right now.”

“W-What do you mean?”

“Well, you see, my master Emperor Nogo is exceptionally talented in many areas, one of them being dreams. With enough negative energy, I was able to restore one of his neglected inventions.” Rascal pulls out something small from one of his pockets. He opens his hand and reveals a silver, teardrop-shaped item. It levitates and spins a couple of inches above his palm, emanating waves of dark energy. “This is called a Dream Portal! It allows the user to visit the dreams of anyone of their choosing, so long as that person is asleep. My master is such a genius! I have no idea why he would abandon such a valuable device. Oh well, at least I’m putting it to good use.”

 You stare at the spinning teardrop, finding it hard to look away from its rapid motions. When you finally do, you’re met with Rascal’s amused expression. “Just leave me alone already!”

 He closes his hand around the Dream Portal and returns it to his pocket. “No can do! You’re a part of the Glitter Force now, which means you’re a threat to Emperor Nogo. Anybody who stands in the way of my master and his plans must be dealt with accordingly.” You back away from his imposing form, prompting him to step one foot closer to you. Every time you move backward, Rascal takes that many strides forward.

 “G-Get away from me! I hate you!” you spat.

 “Oh my, you’re so feis-tea! But I suppose that’s to be admired.”

 “Stop with the tea puns already!” You were so focused on Rascal that you failed to notice the light green sky darkening. A loud rumbling sound comes from above, accompanied by strong gusts of cold wind. For a brief moment, you and Rascal both take your eyes off each other to gaze overhead. An incoming cluster of dark purple clouds drifts across the sky, blocking out every visible patch of green. Heavy shadows are cast over the ground, which dulls the previously colorful landscape. Once the blue sun is completely obstructed, it begins to rain. It only takes a few minutes for you to become soaked by the torrential downpour. You run your fingers through your dampened hair and groan. To make matters worse, Rascal whips out an umbrella from thin air, seemingly unaffected by this unfortunate turn of events. While struggling to block out his casual whistling, you wipe away the warm water clouding your vision, or at least you thought it was water. The heavy droplets falling onto the back of your hands were leaving behind scarlet stains. 

I-Is that blood?!

 “Such lovely weather we’re having, don’t you think?” Rascal hummed.

 You groan and squeeze your eyes shut, putting all your focus and might into gaining control over this environment. On a few rare occasions, you’ve been able to manipulate the content of your lucid dreams, whether that be over the tangible surroundings or the inhabitants. In silence, you pray that it would happen again, or better yet, that you wake up from this nightmare. A few minutes pass, but nothing changes. “This can’t be happening! This can’t be happening! This can’t be happening! This can’t be happening!” 

 Rascal’s mirthful laughter brings your attention back to him. “I could watch you struggle all day! Now really, you ought to have an umbrella of your own. What kind would you like? One with a floral pattern? Or maybe polka dots are more your style? Even better, you could have a starry purple one like mine. We’ll be matching!”

“Shut up!” you scream, further distancing yourself from the jester. With no other viable option at hand, you make a run for it, grateful to finally move again. You have no clue where you’re going, but anywhere was better than with him.

“Oooh, a game of cat-and-mouse! How exciting~!” You didn’t have to glance back at Rascal to know that he was following you. No audible footsteps could be heard, giving the impression that his pursuit was by air. More rumbling comes from above, coupled with heavier rainfall. The ground below softens, resulting in thick mud splashing inside your shoes. Physical fatigue was building in your legs, which only further exacerbates your discomfort. Even so, you refuse to allow these setbacks to hinder your progress and continue pressing forward. But as luck would have it, a sudden onslaught of frigid winds pushes back, making a swift pace all the more difficult. Just when you think your circumstances couldn’t get any worse, distressed wailing starts coming from the clouds. It was as if they were sentient beings, mourning over someone’s tragic demise. This uncanny resemblance, together with more drawn-out crying, elicits an involuntary shudder from you.

The desolate landscape continues to stretch with no end in sight. Every once in a while, within your peripheral vision, you could spot Rascal frolicking in midair with his umbrella on hand. You clench your fists and run harder, trying not to cry from frustration. Here you were, exhausted and on the brink of collapsing, while he wasn’t so much as breaking a sweat. This was nothing more than a game to him, but for you, it was a run for your life. 

The chase goes on for quite some time, seemingly endless like the terrain before you. Rascal’s leaps and twirls were becoming less frequent, making his growing boredom evident. You, on the other hand, were struggling to catch your breath from all the strenuous running. Finally, an indistinct object comes into view, hovering a few feet above the ground. Upon drawing closer, you’re able to discern the faint outline of a door. There was no telling where it would lead to, but that didn’t stop your heart from leaping in your chest. As soon as your hand touches the doorknob, you twist it and jump through the open entrance.

 Everything inside was pitch black, except for the long, spiraling orange slide beneath. There was no time to prepare or take any safety precautions before you’re thrust down into the murky abyss. During your descent, you mull over several conflicting options. On one hand, there was a strong urge to get off this winding slide, due in part to how dizzy it was making you feel. At the same time, apprehensiveness was building up at the thought of reaching your destination, if there even was one. More importantly, there was no sign of Rascal. Ever since entering through the door, no other sounds had reached your ears except for the pounding of your heart. It was tempting to look behind to see if Rascal was close by, but the fear of slipping off prevents you from doing so.

Every once in a while, your breath hitches during the sharp twists and turns. You try to ignore the churning of your stomach, but it only grows more persistent. The front of the slide lengthens whenever your feet draw near the edge, while simultaneously forming a path of its own. Within the depths below, soft fairground organ music begins to play, cutting into the pervading silence. In an instant, you’re propelled off the slide and plummet into thicker darkness. You let out a piercing scream, fearing the possibility of a hard landing. That’s why it comes as a surprise when you fall on something soft instead. Slightly dazed, you sluggishly get back up and take in the new surroundings.

Up ahead lay a glassy labyrinth of elongated funhouse mirrors. Flashing lights adorn its outer perimeters, illuminating the otherwise bleak domain with vibrant rainbow colors. Positioned above each mirror are lofty archways, upheld by red and white striped posts. The ground and ceiling were indiscernible on account of their jet-black shade, which resemble the murky dimension you just came from. You alternate between stepping forwards and backwards, uncertain as to whether to enter or not. All of the mirror images in the hundreds of reflecting surfaces mimic your hesitance with strained motions. Despite the prevailing circumstances, you couldn’t shake off the sense of foreboding in your gut. It was uncertain whether this came from the hall of mirrors or Rascal’s continued absence. The upbeat music from before was a lot louder now, making it all the more difficult to think. In the end, you decide to set foot in the maze, only because it was the better alternative to waiting around for Rascal.

 Ten minutes had passed and you were already growing frustrated with the countless fake entrances. This was mainly because of the repeated, accidental head-bonking against the hard glass. As a preventative measure, you stretch out your arms and carefully feel around the mirrored walls. The light pounding of your head was minuscule compared to the fear and impatience plaguing you. At this point, anything was preferable to this mundane wandering. You instantly regret ever thinking this when a sudden thump comes from afar.

 “Oh Glitter Fantasy~!” You freeze at the sound of Rascal’s voice. Fearing the worst, you jerk your head from side to side, only to find all your reflections doing the same. “Not going to say hello? You’ve been so cold and distant, oh how it pains me so. But not to worry, I’ll let it slide!”
 
Desperate to escape the jester and his awful puns, you resort to aimlessly slamming your body against any adjoining surface. In the few instances where there was an opening, it almost always leads to you losing your balance and tumbling down. The ringing of your ears intensifies and is made worse by the blaring organ music. “Come out, come out, wherever you are!” His voice was all-encompassing, making it difficult to tell where it was coming from. But one thing was certain: it was a lot closer than before. 

There was still no sign of him anywhere, but you knew better than to slip into a false sense of security. As if to confirm this, the grating of nails scraping glass pierces the air. You cover your ears to drown out the noise and continue to collide with more mirrors, powerless to prevent the panic from setting in. The numerous mirrors replicate before merging back together again. Laughter bounces off the walls and closes in from every side. The spinning of your head escalates, leading you to sway back and forth until falling down. A shrill giggle coming from behind snaps you out of your stupor. You’re hesitant to peer into the glass reflection, afraid of what would be staring back. When you finally do, your breath catches in your throat. 

Rascal stands behind you with an unnaturally wide smile. “I found you~!” At once, you get to your feet and try to make a run for it, but Rascal is quicker. He grabs your wrists and slams your back against the glass so hard that it shatters. “Did you actually think you could outrun me? How foolish!”

You gaze into the dark, dilated eye holes of his mask and tremble. “No! No! No! No! No! Go away! I told you to go away!”

“Must I repeat myself?” Rascal muttered. “You pose a threat to my master and his plans of bringing an unhappy ending to the world. That’s something I can’t allow to happen, no matter what.”

“Unhappy ending?! As if we need any more of those! There’s already plenty of unhappiness to go around…more than I can bear…” The last thing you wanted to do was cry in front of him. You repeatedly bash the back of your head against the glass in a frantic attempt to divert your emotional pain into something physical. Rascal’s grip around your wrists tightens to the point where it starts cutting into your blood circulation. “You’re not real! You can’t exist! You’re just a figment of my imagination! You’re not real!”

“Is that so? You certainly thought the ‘gray anthropomorphic wolf wearing a blue leather biker suit’ was real.”

 “H-How did you know that’s what I said earlier? Were you s-spying on me?” you gasped.

 “You catch on quick, dearie! Indeed, I was watching your every move from afar. You put up quite a fight, I must say. But in the end, it was useless.”

 “No it wasn’t, I did pretty well for my first time!”

 “Is that what you keep telling yourself? Deep down inside, you know that’s not true. I can tell by the way your eyes are shifting.”

 “S-Shut up!” you whimper, trying to diminish the shakiness of your voice.

 “I could smell your insecurity from a mile away. If only I could taste it too…” Rascal slowly licks his lips, providing a glimpse of his sharp fangs. You cringe and wish the mirror pressing against your back would swallow you whole. “Don’t lie to me, you’re well aware of how weak your attacks were. That Cloudburst of yours only managed to knock the buffoon down and nothing more. Not only that but you’re the only Glitter Force member who hasn’t defeated one on the first try. It’s sad, really.”

 “…I told you to shut up…”

 “The truth hurts, doesn’t it? Why don’t you just quit now and save everyone the trouble?”

 “I won’t quit! I may not be the best fighter, but the girls, Candy, and the townspeople are depending on me. If…If I can make even the smallest bit of difference in their lives, then that’s good enough for me.”

 For a split second, Rascal grits his teeth before his expression once again morphs into one of amusement. “Don’t flatter yourself! The Glitter Force and that pixie are only tolerating you out of pity. You were right the first time when you thought they were fooling you because they are.”

 A fresh wave of nausea hits you, along with the sour taste of bile rising in your throat. “You’re wrong…you don’t even know them.”

 “Oh, but I do! I know them a lot better than you do, and for a longer time period too. But by all means, keep deceiving yourself. You’re doing a great job at that!” The floor seems to sway under your feet as his last two remarks ring in your ears. 

This isn’t real! He’s not real! This can’t be happening! You blink back the tears forming in your eyes and begin hyperventilating. Through the blurriness, you could make out the intense red glow coming from Rascal’s eyes. “You will quit the Glitter Force, do you understand? If not, you’re going to have a bad time…that I can guarantee!” Redness floods your entire vision, with it being the last thing you see before everything fades away.

 Similar to yesterday morning, you shoot upright in bed with a resounding scream. Only this time, you felt much worse. It wasn’t like you haven’t experienced a lot of nightmares in the past, on the contrary. Even so, you were usually rested by morning. The fatigue from last night was still present, but now with more mental and emotional strain. Waking up with Rascal gone wasn’t enough to quell the racing of your heart. There were still occasional bouts of coughing and stomach pains from the lingering sickness. 

Eventually, the shock and discomfort brought about by the nightmare subside, allowing your mind to wander to other things. You glance at the alarm clock on top of the nearby bedside drawer and are relieved to find that it was only 6:19 a.m. But this relief is short-lived when an unfamiliar object is seen laying next to it. You lean over the bed to take a closer look, allowing curiosity to override any leftover sleepiness. What you see makes your blood run cold.

It was a joker card.

Notes:

Author's Note: Did Rascal just quote SANS?!?!! He did because I said so. I also made him a pun master because I find it quite suiting to his character. Anywho, this has to be my favorite chapter so far, for obvious reasons. I had planned to publish this before Halloween but a bunch of work was piled on me. I'd like to give a big thanks to all of my lovely readers for their support!

Chapter 6: Of Legends And Lore

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Legends" -Kerli

“The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. Don’t forget that on your science test next week,” Mrs. Mason said, jotting down a reminder on the chalkboard. “That’s it for today’s lesson. Class is dismissed!” The school bell rings on cue, signaling the end of the day. Countless students rise from their seats and push past each other to leave the classroom. You’re in the process of slipping out undetected when a hand grasps your shoulder.

When you turn around, you’re met with a concerned look from Chloe. She says your name before adding, “We need to talk.” You look past her to view the other Glitter Force members and hesitantly nod. Chloe turns around and motions for you to follow her, which you do. Mrs. Mason finishes grabbing her belongings and says a quick goodbye to you all before departing. This now left you and the Glitter Force as the only remaining students in the classroom.

Kelsey is the first to speak when you approach. “Girl, you’ve been avoiding us all week. What gives?”

“We’re not upset with you, just worried,” Lily hastily added.

“Are you still trying to process what happened last Friday?” April asked.

Slowly, you nod your head, knowing full well that this was only a half-truth. You were still pretty shaken by Rascal appearing in your dream and twisting it into a terrible nightmare. Ever since that night, his words continued to play in your head, especially his last warning. Rascal had said that if you didn’t quit the Glitter Force, you were going to have a bad time. If your ordeal with him last week was considered a ‘good time,’ then you really didn’t want to find out what a bad one was like. But you refrain from telling your new friends this and softly chuckle instead. “Yeah, I’m still in disbelief about the whole thing. I hope you all didn’t take my avoidance personally. I just needed some time to collect my thoughts, that’s all.”

The five girls let out collective sighs of relief. Emily draws near and gives you a warm hug. “I’m so glad to hear that! We’re a team now, but more importantly, we’re friends. I promise you’ll have a great time on the Glitter Force.” She pulls away to smile at you, and you can’t help doing the same.

Candy jumps out from Emily’s school bag and gives a little victory dance on a nearby desk. “Hooray! Hooray! Fantasy’s back!” You and the girls giggle at her enthusiastic display.

“Also, if you have any questions about our superhero duties and powers, please let us know,” Chloe said.

“Chloe’s the go-to person for everything, she’s like a human encyclopedia,” Kelsey snickered, earning a bewildered look from the aforementioned girl. “She’s even created study guides and quizzes on all sorts of Glitter Force subjects, which she has us take so we don’t forget.”

“I still don’t know how you had time to do all of that,” April said. “But it’s impressive!”

Chloe’s cheeks turn slightly pink. “It’s part of an effective strategy, alright? We need to always be prepared for whatever the villains throw at us.”

“Like bad temper tantrums when they lose!” Candy said, giggling.

There was still one question itching at the back of your mind. Feeling it safe to do so, you ask, “Why did you all join the Glitter Force?” The girls and Candy give you quizzical expressions in response. “I mean, obviously it’s because all of you were chosen to save the world from an unhappy ending. But are there any other reasons besides that?”

Lily is the first to answer. “It was a lifelong dream of mine to become a real superhero. The day Emily and Kelsey welcomed me as an official Glitter Force member was one of the best days of my life. Before that, I was just an ordinary introvert drawing comics. I feel like I’ve grown braver by helping others and working on a team. The world can be a dark and scary place, so I want to do all I can to bring more light into it.”

“The main reason I joined the Glitter Force was to protect my little brothers and sisters,” April explained. “My family means everything to me, and I can’t stand the thought of anything bad happening to them. I also realized just how much harm Emperor Nogo and his goons were causing other families, such as Candy’s. Saving them isn’t just something I need to do, it’s what I want to do.” When her family is mentioned, Candy slumps her shoulders and stares at the ground with downcast eyes. Emily scoops the dejected pixie into her arms, reassuring her that everything would be alright.

Chloe takes her eyes off Candy and Emily to meet your questioning gaze. “The goals of the Glitter Force are in-line with my moral values, which is enough for me. I’ve been involved in many school clubs and extracurricular activities, but never anything like this. Fighting evil and protecting the vulnerable is something I strive for in every area of my life. It’s been a great learning experience and has opened many doors to better serve the school and the community of Rainbow Hills.”

“Those are all great reasons,” you said, turning your attention to Emily and Kelsey. “How about you two?”

Kelsey explains her reasoning first. “Before I joined, Emily was the only member of the Glitter Force. She’s my friend, I couldn’t just leave her to fight those cheap fairytale villain knock-offs on her own. Nogo’s causing so much damage, and it would be worse for me to do nothing. Justice has never been served by simply wishing for it. Action needs to be taken! That’s why I’m here, and I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

“I’m just happy I get to be a part of a real-life fairytale!” Emily gushed.

Kelsey playfully rolls her eyes and chuckles. “Typical Emily…”

“What? It’s true! I love protecting people’s smiles and giving them hope for a better future. A little happiness can go a long way and I’d like to see Jubiland restored. But that’s not all, I want to give the whole universe a happy ending.”

You meditate over their various responses. “That’s pretty admirable!”

“I think so too!” Candy said with a chipper tone. Her demeanor had reverted to what it was before April brought up her family. “What about you?” Everyone stares at you with inquiring eyes, awaiting a response.

“...I’m not sure yet,” you admitted. Truthfully, you wished you had a virtuous and heartfelt reason like the other girls, but nothing came to mind. You still didn’t know if you were the right fit for the Glitter Force. Becoming the newest member of this team wasn’t something you anticipated, it just happened by mere chance.

“That’s okay, I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon!” Lily said, giving you a reassuring smile. “Maybe you’ll find out what it is after our discussion in the Li-”

Emily covers her mouth before she can finish her sentence. “Don’t reveal our top-secret meeting spot!”

Lily passively nods her head, leading Emily to remove her hand. “Sorry about that, I forgot!”

“It’s alright, I think we’re all a little excited about our ultra-spectacular orientation for our newest member.”

“Now I’m even more curious as to where we’re going,” you said.

“You’re about to find out,” Kelsey starts heading toward the classroom door. “It’s about time we left this stuffy place. C’mon!”

Following Kelsey’s lead, you, Candy, and the rest of the girls exit the classroom. From there, you all traverse the long hallways and descend to the first floor. Most of the students and teachers had already left by now, making it easier to navigate through the building. Before long, your group comes to a halt in front of a sliding green door. Kelsey pushes it open, allowing you and the other girls to step foot into the room, which turns out to be a small, well-kept library. All of the walls were lined with sturdy oak bookshelves and displays, each filled with an array of texts organized by title, subject, and grade level. The minimal decorations and muted colors comprising the interior further contribute to its dull atmosphere. Despite its modern aesthetic, there were no computers, printers, or any technical devices to be seen. You scan the remainder of the windowless room and notice something else amiss. “Um, where are we all going to sit? There aren’t any tables or chairs.”

“Oh, this wasn’t where we planned to meet,” Lily said.

“It isn’t? What other place is there? I don’t see any other doors.”

Emily giggles and utters your name. “You’re thinking too small, come over here!” You comply and approach the bookshelf she and the other girls were huddled around. “Ready?” Candy and the other four girls give affirming nods. Emily moves one row of books to the right, and another set below to the left. She then proceeds to separate the books in the upper row to both sides. A glowing pink light begins to radiate from the now-empty shelf space before transforming into a large portal. As soon as it does, you and your companions are sucked in through the entrance.

Once inside, you’re met with a gleaming spectacle of rainbow colors. Your terrified shrieks fill the void, greatly contrasting with the excited ones coming from the others. Shortly after getting pulled in, you and the girls emerge on the other side with a heavy thud. You rub the side of your head and allow your eyesight to adjust to the new scene. Compared to the middle school library, this one was a lot grander. Bookshelves of vast proportions tower overhead, with the outer trimmings consisting of twisting roots and branches from the adjacent trees. Below that lay a vast green field speckled with flowers and large toadstools. Rays of soft green light illuminate the grass from overhead, accompanied by several luminous floating orbs. In the middle of the clearing stands a giant tree trunk resembling a small cottage from a fairy tale. Trails of ivy and colorful mushrooms curve around its exterior, leading up to a red scallop-trimmed roof. Its quaint appearance was made complete by a couple of windows and an arched wooden doorway. You continue to marvel at the magical forest setting. “Whoa, this place is amazing!”

“It sure is!” April said. “Welcome to the Library of Legends!”

“Also known as the official Glitter Force headquarters,” Chloe added.

Emily links her arm with yours and starts pulling you in the direction of the tree trunk. “Just wait till you see our secret base!” Everyone follows you two through the doorway into the wooden cottage. The interior is filled with homey touches like a small indoor library, a kitchen, and an upstairs balcony. You follow the other girls and take a seat at the table in the center of the library.

Kelsey is the only one who remains standing. “Does anyone want hot chocolate? I’m gonna go make some.” All the girls, including Candy, nod their heads. “How ‘bout you, new girl?”

“Yeah, I’ll have some,” you said.

“Great, I’ll be right back!” Kelsey exits the room and makes her way toward the kitchen.

“I wonder when Pop will get here!” Lily said.

You raise an eyebrow upon hearing this unusual name. “Who’s Pop?”

“He’s my big brother!” Candy said, perking up. “I think I see him through the window.”

“I’ll go ahead and open it.” April leaves her chair to unbolt the nearby window. To your great astonishment, what enters the room isn’t a pixie but a flying blue book. The front and back covers flap furiously, propelling the book forward until it smacks straight into Emily’s unsuspecting face. She falls out of her chair and groans from the impact.

“Whoops, sorry about that…again!” came a voice from the book. It retracts in midair and opens up its pages to allow a pixie to emerge, who you assume to be Pop. He lands on top of the table but not before getting tackled to the ground by Candy.

“I missed you so much, big brother! It’s been ages since I’ve seen you!”

“C-Candy,” Pop gasps in between breaths. “It’s only been a c-couple of weeks, but I’ve missed you too.”

The smaller pixie releases Pop from her tight hug and jumps backward to allow him some breathing room. “A couple of weeks too long if you ask me, but I’m happy you’re here!”

“We’re happy you’re here too!” Lily said, with the others nodding in agreement. Emily picks herself up off the floor and takes the empty seat next to her.

“Thanks, girls,” Pop scans their faces before making eye contact with you. “You must be our newest member, Glitter Fantasy. It’s nice to meet you!”

“It’s nice to meet you as well.” You take this moment to scrutinize his peculiar appearance. Pop was slightly larger than Candy and resembled a plush lion. He had a pale yellow body and curled ears, along with a fluffy orange mane and tail. One part of his mane covered his eye, leaving the other one with the green heart-shaped marking exposed. “You’re such a cute lion!”

“Cute?! I’m not cute!” Pop snarled before striking a vigorous pose. “I’m a mighty warrior!”

“The fiercest warrior there is!” Lily praised. You give her an incredulous look, unsure of whether she was joking or being serious. Telling by her awestruck stare and reverent tone, it was definitely the latter. Nobody appeared to be surprised by her reaction except for you and Pop.

He blushes and starts backpedaling. “Oh, uh, well thanks! I guess that’s tru–” Pop slips off the edge of the table and crashes onto the nearby chair. “....ow!”

“He’s fierce alright,” you whispered under your breath, pushing back the laughter threatening to spill.

Pop jumps back onto the table, taking care to brush off any dust from the fall. “No need to panic, I’m okay,” He loudly clears his throat before proceeding. “Anyways, we should begin the second official Glitter Force orientation.”

“This is the second one? When was the first?” you asked.

“Shortly after all five of the Glitter Force warriors assembled. There was only supposed to be one orientation though. I just don’t get it…I wasn’t counting on there being another member…”

“That’s what I said!” Candy blurted.

You’re taken aback by their persistent disbelief. “Why not? How come there’s only supposed to be five members?”

“Because that’s what was in the prophecy––the one foretold by Queen Euphoria herself,” Pop said.

“Well, maybe Queen Euphoria was wrong.”

Everyone lets out loud, drawn-out gasps at your statement. At that moment, Kelsey enters the room carrying eight mugs of hot chocolate on a platter. She immediately stops to survey all the horror-stricken faces. “Ummm what happened? I feel like I just walked in on a crime scene.”

Pop points his stubby arm in your direction. “She said Queen Euphoria was wrong about the prophecy!”

“Is that all? Honestly, no one can be right all the time, not even Queen Euphoria.” More collective gasps ensue.

“Thank you Kelsey, for stating the obvious,” you sighed. “I swear everyone’s acting like I’ve committed some atrocious sin.”

“B-but the queen has never been wrong…” Candy stammered.

Kelsey carries on with serving everybody their hot chocolate. You thank her when she hands you the one in a lavender mug before resuming the conversation. “Well, if she was right, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

“She makes a good point!” Lily admitted.

Chloe speaks up, getting everyone’s attention. “We’re getting a little sidetracked here. I’m sure Pop has other important matters to attend to, so we should be mindful of his time. Let’s also try to be respectful when talking about the queen. I know her absence has been hard on all of us, especially Pop and Candy. And whether there’s supposed to be a sixth Glitter Force member or not, we’re really glad you’re here.” She and the other girls send you warm smiles, which you return in kind.

“Oh yeah, who is Queen Euphoria exactly? And what is Jubiland?” you asked. “I feel like they play a major role in all this superhero stuff.”

“Indeed they do! Allow me to explain!” Pop said, pulling a bright pink book out of nowhere. He opens it and turns to the first page, which depicts a floating kingdom in the sky. There was an ornate castle situated in the middle, surrounded by dainty cottages, beautiful grasslands, and colorful balloons. “This is Jubiland, also known as the Kingdom of Happy Endings. Candy and I were born and raised here. It’s a magical, far-off land where fairytale characters reside, such as Cinderella, Puss in Boots, and Little Red Riding Hood to name a few. Queen Euphoria is the ruler of Jubiland and the only non-pixie in the entire kingdom.”

“She’s so smart and kind! Everyone in Jubiland loves her,” Candy said.

“Euphoria was the best queen we ever had. There was so much peace and joy during her reign. Looking back, it was easy to take that for granted.” Pop loudly exhales and takes a quick sip of his hot chocolate. “But everything changed when Emperor Nogo attacked.”

You lean forward in your seat and watch Pop flip to the next page of the book. “He’s the one Ulric was trying to revive, right?”

“That’s correct! Emperor Nogo is the evil ruler of the Shadow Realm, which is the Kingdom of Unhappy Endings. It’s the dark and desolate realm he and his subordinates call home. The ultimate goal of Nogo and his minions is to bring an unhappy ending to the entire universe. He’s Queen Euphoria’s counterpart, the night to her day, the Yin to her Yang, the Mr. Hyde to her Dr. Jekyll, the–”

“We get the point!” Kelsey groaned.

“Whoops, sorry I got a little carried away there.”

April snorted. “You think?”

“As I was saying, it was a day just like any other in Jubiland, August 5th to be exact. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was morning when Emperor Nogo and his legion of evil goons infiltrated the kingdom and carried out a full frontal assault. We were all unprepared and resorted to using whatever was lying around to fight back. But there was one thing we had that the Shadow Realm army didn’t, and that was a benevolent ruler. Queen Euphoria put her life on the line to protect us and fight Nogo. If it weren’t for her, I don’t think any of us would be here today.”

A quiet sniffle comes from your left. “S-Sorry, this part always makes me sad,” Lily said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Emily gently pats her back. “There, there!”

“I understand how you feel Lily,” Candy sighed.

Pop’s expression dulls upon seeing the sorrowful state of Lily and his sister. “Queen Euphoria used up every ounce of her strength to save us and our kingdom, including the Glitter charms, which are the sources of her power. Emperor Nogo took advantage of her weakened state to steal these charms and transform them into buffoon noses. What Euphoria meant for good, Nogo twisted into instruments of evil.” When he meets your bewildered gaze, Pop turns aside to address you specifically. “The buffoon noses are the objects used to create monsters out of inanimate objects, otherwise known as the buffoons.” You remain seated with your mouth agape, absorbing all of this new information. That explains why your team received four glitter charms after defeating the super buffoon. It made a lot more sense now.

Once again, Pop turns to another page. “All hope seemed lost when Emperor Nogo stole the charms, but Queen Euphoria had one last trick up her sleeve. She used the remainder of her magical powers to seal him away, but not without some repercussions. After having all of her power drained, Euphoria’s body began to petrify. Before completely turning to stone, she instructed Candy to find the legendary rainbow warriors. With both rulers in a comatose state, the battle ended in a draw. Emperor Nogo’s minions retreated afterward, prioritizing the wellbeing of their master over conquering Jubiland.”

Without thinking, you raise your hand, which catches Pop’s attention. When he signals for you to speak, you ask, “How come Emperor Nogo decided to invade Jubiland?”

“Because he’s evil!” Pop replied, making sure to accentuate the last word.

“I understand, but that doesn’t explain his motivation. Do you know the actual reason?”

The pixie scrunches his face in concentration with Candy following suit. “Maybe he was just so angry that he ended up taking it out on us,” she said.

“Maybe Nogo, being in a high position of power, grew bored of all of his wealth and possessions.” Lily surmised. “He might’ve attacked Jubiland to gain more of these things.”

April stares into the distance and strokes her chin. “Or he could’ve done it to make a name for himself so others would show him fear and reverence. Tyrants throughout history have done terrible things for power and fame, so that wouldn’t be too surprising.”

“At this point, we’re just speculating,” Chloe said. “But there is something Pop mentioned earlier that stood out to me.”

“And what would that be?” he asked.

“You said that before dispatching Candy, Queen Euphoria told her to find the legendary rainbow warriors. Did I hear that correctly?”

“Yup, you sure did!”

“If that’s the case, where did she specify that there were only five? And how come they were called the rainbow warriors and not the Glitter Force?”

“Uhhhhhhhhhh…” Pop droned, turning towards Candy with a puzzled stare.

But she looked just as dumbfounded as he did. “I don’t think she told me how many there were. I think I just assumed it!”

You and everyone at the table let out prolonged groans. “Candy, this is important stuff! How could you forget?” Kelsey whined.

April pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs. “Well, she couldn’t recall how Emperor Nogo’s attack on Jubiland played out during our first orientation, remember? I guess we should’ve seen this coming.”

“Let’s not be too hard on Candy,” Emily pleaded. “She’s still so young and was likely very overwhelmed by the queen turning to stone right before her eyes. There was so much going on that day, I probably would’ve made the same mistake if I was her.”

Candy gives everyone a strained smile. “Thank you, Emily! I’m sorry for messing up!”

“It’s okay, Candy! We still love you!” Lily said. Everyone else at the table confirms her statement, relieving the small pixie of her guilt.

“So the Glitter Force wasn’t the original name for our superhero team?” you asked, changing the subject.

Candy shakes her head. “Nope! All of you were originally called the legendary rainbow warriors, but I thought that sounded too serious. The Glitter Force was cuter and more fun, so that’s the team name I came up with.” To your surprise, the other five girls appear just as taken aback by this.

“Well, that explains a lot!” Kelsey laughed. “I don’t know why none of us ever thought to ask that.”

“I like it, it’s grown on me!” April said.

Emily giggles. “Me too! It’s glittertastic!”

When Pop turns to the next page, it shows a striking image of Emily, Kelsey, Lily, April, and Chloe assembled in their dazzling superhero attire. “The main goal of the Glitter Force is to revive the queen and save Jubiland,” Pop explained. “This can only be accomplished by defeating the buffoons and getting back the glitter charms.”

“And here’s the charm chest to store them all in!” Candy chirped, setting a pink handheld trunk down on the table. Less than a quarter of the slots were filled, which was an indication that there were still a lot more glitter charms to collect.

“And how will Emperor Nogo be revived?” you inquired.

“With negative energy! His minions, also known as the Shadow Realm generals, gather this energy from any non-magical creature nearby. They use this strange black paint rumored to be Nogo’s life force to smear the blank pages in the Book of Despair. This is done with the intent of manifesting an unhappy future. As a result, any victim unfortunate enough to be caught under their spell will fall unconscious and release all the negative energy stored deep within them. Every time this happens, a device called ‘The Wheel of Doom’ will turn, much like a revolving hand on an analog clock. Once it makes a full rotation, Emperor Nogo will be revived.” No wonder Rascal was so fixated on unhappy endings—he was looking forward to Nogo’s imminent return. After that, all that would be left to do is watch the world burn. This frightening prospect causes an involuntary shiver to run down your spine. You rest your hands around the outer surface of the hot chocolate mug, greatly appreciating the warmth it emanated.

“What’s the Book of Despair?” asked Emily, “I don’t ever remember hearing about it.”

“It’s an arcane book said to have been passed down from one Shadow Realm monarch to the next. Although there’s been limited evidence, some Jubiland scholars have suggested that the Book of Despair was created by the very first ruler of the Shadow Realm, King Thespis. It was intentionally left blank so that the user could insert their will into the pages. But this change can only occur under two conditions. First, the user has to harbor ill intentions in their heart when handling the book. Secondly, they’ll need to have that specific black paint I mentioned earlier, which will get absorbed into the pages. From there, the book will take on a life of its own and unleash a fresh wave of despair. As you might’ve guessed by now, it’s an extremely dangerous object, especially in the wrong hands.” Pop’s detailed explanation is met with uncomfortable silence and shared looks of unease. There was also a heavy sense of foreboding in the air that made it difficult to breathe.

“Bro, how do you know so much of this stuff? I feel like my brain is gonna explode!” Kelsey exclaimed, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

“I spend most of my days in Jubiland’s Royal Library poring over historical records and documents, it’s part of my job. I also work with a lot of academics from different lands. Sometimes we’ll share our research and theories to gain more insight.”

“Ugggh, you’re so lucky! I wish I could do that instead of going to school,” Emily whined.

Pop chuckles. “Sorry Emily, but you’ll need to spend a lot more time in school before you can take on this kind of work. Once our side wins and everything goes back to normal, you could always attend Jubiland University after high school. That’s where I got my Ph.D.”

Her face lights up as soon as she hears this. “I can do that?! That would be a dream come true! Now I’m feeling motivated to actually do my homework.”

“I hope this will encourage you to attend our weekly study sessions more often. You’re already falling behind in two subjects,” Chloe said, casting her a worried stare. Emily’s only response was to rub the nape of her neck and avert her gaze.

“Let’s go over our superpowers now! That’s my favorite part!” Lily suggested. Pop nods and flips through several pages in his book until finding the one he was looking for. The first page shows Emily wearing her flashy pink Glitter Force attire with her magenta hair in two knee-length pigtails. You learn that her superhero name is Glitter Lucky and that she has a special attack known as Sparkle Storm. The next page portrays Kelsey in an orange version of Glitter Lucky’s outfit, but she had most of her shoulder-length hair tied up in a large bun, with the remaining strands hanging down. Her usual burgundy hair was now a bright orange color to complement her clothes. She went by the superhero name Glitter Sunny and had a distinct ability called Sparkle Fire.

The following page depicts a more confident version of Lily, otherwise known as Glitter Peace. Her superhero outfit was the same shade of yellow as her hair, which was pulled into a high ponytail. Like Emily, her hair was a lot longer and splayed out when transformed. She had a unique power known as Sparkle Lightning. Up next was April, who went by the name Glitter Spring. Her long, thick hair was bright green in the picture, contrasting with the short, dark green hair she had now. Most of it was worn in a high ponytail while the other sections were gathered in two small pigtails framing her face. She had on the same clothes as the other girls but with corresponding shades of green. The special ability she used was an air-based attack called Sparkle Shot, which turns out to be the compressed ball of wind you saw hit Ulric during your first fight.

Chloe appears on the following page with her vibrant blue Glitter Force uniform and knee-length hair of the same color. Her hair was similar in style to how she normally wore it, except that it was now layered, with the longer strands being separated into four sections. She had a special power known as a Sparkle Blizzard, which utilizes both icy and snowy elements. The girls take great care in explaining how their abilities worked and when they used them in battle. To your dismay, a Glitter Force warrior could only use a special attack once per fight, otherwise it would drain her remaining powers. They provide you with several examples of this, but it proves unsuccessful in lessening your disappointment. You also find out they have Tiara and Princess mode abilities, which include upgraded outfits and hairstyles.

Once you gain a better understanding of the girls’ superhero personas and powers, Pop suggests going over the enemies you would be facing in battle. This leads to him sifting through more pages in his book, stopping when he arrives at a picture of a familiar wolf. “Here’s Ulric, the big bad wolf you faced in your first battle. He’s rude, sarcastic, and a huge narcissist. Despite always losing to the Glitter Force, he still thinks he has what it takes to defeat them all on his own. Ulric’s greatest strengths are his speed and reflexes, so that’s something to watch out for.”

“Not the kind of wolf you’d want to run into at this year’s furry convention, eh?” Kelsey snickered, lightly nudging your side.

You feel your face flush hot. “I was super nervous when I said that! You’re never going to let that go are you?”

Her playful smile morphs into a cheeky grin. “Nope, never!”

Pop turns to the next page, which shows an image of a villain you didn’t recognize. It was a large red troll with an afro, two small horns, and prominent lower fangs. He was dressed in a coarse brown cloth and tiger skin shorts, reminding you of something a prehistoric caveman would wear. “This is Brute, an infamous troll known for his brute strength and ruthlessness. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, but you still shouldn’t let your guard down around him. Brute has a tendency to show up at the most inconvenient of times and gets a sick satisfaction from ruining other peoples’ fun.”

“He’s such a bully,” Lily cried. “He’ll specifically target me because I’m sensitive and makes fun of me whenever I cry.”

“Is Brute the one who keeps leaving you nasty comments on your artwork on Instagram?” Candy asked.

April nods. “Yep, that’s him alright. Brute’s been trolling all of us on every social media platform and we’ve had to set our accounts to private because of it. He’s been going by the username ‘Meanredtroll13’ so he’s not exactly discreet about it.”

“And his profile picture is the Trollface,” Kelsey said, rolling her eyes. “Doesn’t he know that’s a dead meme?”

You shake your head disapprovingly. “I haven’t even met Brute and I already dislike him. It sounds like he has nothing better to do than to pick on others, what a sad way to live.”

After voicing your criticism of the troll, Pop flips to another page revealing the next villain, who was a small hunched crone. She was wearing an emerald cloak, with the hood obscuring most of her face. The only discernible facial features of hers was a large hooked nose and a few teeth protruding from her mouth. “This is Brooha, the wicked witch of the worst. She’s cruel, cunning, and the brains behind many evil schemes against the Glitter Force. Despite her old age, Brooha’s proven to be a very skilled adversary, especially with her inventions and magical potions. The precision of her attacks is also top-notch, so keep that in mind when you fight her.”

“Who knows what sort of weird stuff she puts in her potions…” April said.

Chloe’s face twists into one of disgust. “Please April, for the sake of our collective sanity, let’s not entertain that thought.”

When you catch a glimpse of the next villain in Pop’s book, your heart stops. A large lump forms in your throat as you try to make sense of the figure on the page. You clasp your shaking hands and try to control your breathing. Gradually, you begin rocking back and forth in your chair while remaining fixated on the image. It was him…it was Rascal. Pull yourself together! He’s not real! You’re just imagining this! Everything around you blurs in and out of focus except for the lanky jester in the book. A faint voice calls your name, growing louder and louder and louder and louder and––

“Are you okay?” It was Emily. You snap out of your trance and quickly examine everyone’s faces, which were each laced with deep concern. Small traces of fear remain on Candy and Lily’s, further exacerbating your regret. There was no way you could downplay this as some random joke or accident. Feigning ignorance also wasn’t an option since it would arouse suspicion. Acknowledging your behavior was unavoidable, so you had to say something…anything.

“I’m sorry for worrying you all! I’m terrified of clowns and that jester really creeped me out.” At once, you figuratively cross your fingers and hope they’ll buy your excuse. You also want to avoid the possibility of them prying into your so-called fear. A tight knot forms in your stomach at the drawn-out silence, further contributing to your growing anxiety.

“I totally get it…just looking at him is enough to give anyone nightmares…” Lily said, with a slight tremor in her voice.

April shudders before sending you a weak smile. “He’s definitely the creepiest out of Emperor Nogo’s subordinates. There’s this unsettling air about him that I can’t explain. It’s different from that of the other villains. I’ve actually changed my mind about clowns because of him, and watching the trailer for that scary It movie certainly didn’t do me any favors…” Chloe looks like she was about to say something but refrains from doing so. Kelsey, Emily, Pop, and Candy each affirm your negative feelings toward Rascal and leave it at that. Nobody was teasing you or making a big deal out of this, and for that, you were grateful.

“Sorry Fantasy, but I must carry on with this...” Pop turns his attention back to the book and points to the jester on the page. “This is Rascal, the leader of the Shadow Realm generals and Emperor Nogo’s second-in-command. We’ve only fought against him twice, so we don’t know a whole lot about his abilities. However, I was able to take note of a couple of things. When engaging in battle, Rascal will use these special, multipurpose playing cards. They can transform into a wide range of weapons, shields, and even a portal. His stamina is also extremely high, so I definitely recommend making exercise a priority if you want to defeat him. And another thing, I probably don’t have to tell you this, but don’t be fooled by his fun and colorful appearance. Behind his clownish facade is a heart of darkness that relishes in others’ despair. Rascal is sadistic and extremely unpredictable, and that’s what makes him such a formidable opponent. If possible, stay away from him!”

Slowly, you swallow the large lump that had formed in your throat and nod. Pop’s confirmation of Rascal’s existence and depraved character fills you with an overwhelming sense of dread. It all seemed so surreal, like reality itself had been tampered with. This can’t be right, he was supposed to be imaginary. But everyone around you recognized the jester and the evidence in front of you was too blatant to ignore. You make every mental effort to suppress any visible signs of discomfort, eager to proceed with the orientation so that your mind could focus on something else.

As if to grant your unspoken wish, Pop moves along to a page depicting a gargantuan creature. He had a white face and big red nose befitting a stereotypical clown, along with two glowing red eyes. Five colored baubles adorn his raven-colored hair, which was gathered in five large points. His outfit consists of a white ruffled collar around his neck and a dark purple suit bedecked with multicolored diamonds and two oversized red buttons. The sleeves covering his oversized arms were a light shade of purple, supplemented by dark purple bands near his shoulders and wrists. You pretend to be frightened by his appearance in an attempt to make your lie more convincing. Luckily for you, it worked.

Pop sends you a sympathetic look before beginning his exposition. “Last but not least, we have the evil monarch of the Shadow Realm, Emperor Nogo. He’s the very embodiment of suffering, despair, and sadness and he makes sure to let everyone around him know it. I don’t think there’s any magical creature out there who doesn’t know his name. Nogo is known far and wide as one of the most notorious rulers in the history of the Shadow Realm. In fact, it was around the 1930s, the time of America’s Great Depression, that Nogo overthrew its last king and began his reign. To this day, I’m still unsure whether that was a coincidence or not. He’s been in power for almost 100 years now…” He sighs and takes a long sip from his hot chocolate mug. “We don’t know anything about his abilities besides absorbing negative energy, which serves to fuel his strength. I’m scared to think of what the extent of his powers will be once he’s revived.”

“Don’t worry, that time hasn’t come yet and we’ve already made tremendous progress,” Emily assured. “We’ve got Fantasy on our team now and you to explain all the really important stuff. We'll do everything we can to make sure Queen Euphoria is revived first, I promise.”

“Thank you, Emily! I can always count on you to lift my spirits,” Pop said, smiling contently. “Well, I think that’s it for our Glitter Force orientation. Is there anything else you girls want me to go over?”

Chloe raises her hand right away. “Yes, there is one thing! We didn’t cover the different types of buffoon noses.”

“Oh yeah, I can’t believe I forgot about that! Thanks, Chloe!” Pop sifts through more pages in his book and reaches one showing a red-nosed buffoon monster. “Here’s the first buffoon prototype, otherwise known as the Red Nose. It contains one glitter charm and can be defeated by a Glitter Force warrior’s special attack. Buffoons with these types of noses are the easiest to beat.”

The following page reveals a bigger buffoon with a different-colored nose. “This is the Blue Nose, which is just an upgraded version of the red one. But unlike the Red Nose, it doesn’t contain any glitter charms and can’t be beaten by a single attack. The buffoons sporting this kind of nose can only be defeated by the Tiara Mode Torrent, which is a Glitter Force group attack.” Pop flips to a page featuring a more intimidating buffoon than the last. It had discrete facial markings and a red nose with a purplish tint. “Finally, we have the Super Buffoon nose––the latest development in clown nose technology. This one is stronger than the Red and Blue Noses combined, and it’s immune to the Tiara Mode Torrent. Even so, there is a way to beat the Super Buffoons and that’s with the Rainbow Burst attack, as you saw with Ulric. These noses will typically hold anywhere between two to four glitter charms. I think I’ve covered all the different buffoon noses so far, but I doubt those will be the last ones we see.”

At once, you shift your focus to the five girls, indecisive over who to specifically ask your question to. “So, defeating a Super Buffoon takes a whole team?”

“Yep, it’s a team effort,” April answered. “Those monsters are as tough as nails! I don’t think any of us could defeat one by ourselves, that was only possible with the red-nosed buffoons.”

“Hmmm…interesting…”

Chloe turns in her seat to face you. “Before I forget, could I get your cell phone number? I want to add you to the Glitter Force group chat.”

“Sure, that would be great!” You and Chloe exchange numbers, leading the other girls to pull out their phones and do the same.

Once you’ve added your five friends to your phone contacts, Kelsey steadily rises to her feet. “Is everybody finished with their hot chocolate? If so, I’m gonna take the drinks back to the kitchen.”

You and everyone at the table nod, gathering the empty cups together. As she’s in the process of collecting them, you take note of their diverse range of colors. Aside from the pixie-sized mugs, each of the regular ones was a pale shade of the rainbow. At that instant, a random question crops up in your head. “ Pop, there’s one last thing I need to ask you!”

“Sure, what is it?”

“Earlier, during the orientation, we were talking about the legendary rainbow warriors. I’ve just become the sixth member of the Glitter Force and there’s a total of seven colors in a rainbow. Every color is here except for red…do you think there’s a red Glitter Force warrior out there?”

Kelsey is halfway through the room when she stops in her tracks and jerks her head towards you. The others respond by gawking at you with their mouths agape, all except for Pop. He just stares into the distance with unwavering eyes. “I–I don’t know…maybe…if you consider her. But it couldn’t be…that was such a long time ago…”

“You mean there is a red Glitter Force member?! Do you know her?” Emily gasped.

Pop shakes his head. “If the seventh member is the one I’m thinking of, then no. I don’t know for sure if she’s the first rainbow warrior, but if she is, I have no idea where to find her. She vanished under very mysterious circumstances, long before I was born. Once I return to the Jubiland Royal Library, I’ll look deeper into all the books and records about her and her possible whereabouts.”

“Thank you, that would be a huge help!” Chloe said. “If you find anything important, please get back to us as soon as you can.”

“Of course, I’ll try my best!” His content smile vanishes when he notices the troubled look on his younger sister’s face. “What’s wrong, Candy?”

She returns his stare and lets out a soft whimper. “I’m sensing a lot of negative energy in town…one of the bad guys is trying to write another unhappy ending.”

Notes:

Author's Note: This chapter was around 7,000 words, that’s the longest one I’ve ever written (so far). I’m totally wiped out lol! In the meantime, I have some commentary to add to this informative chapter! For one, I really really really wanted Nogo and his goon legion to storm Jubiland on January 6th because of the memes. But alas, it didn’t fit into the timeline of this story, so I made it August 5th instead (aka. National Clown Day in the USA).

Also, I know the og rainbow (ROY G BIV) has indigo and not pink. But Emily is pink so the rainbow won’t have indigo because plot. It’s ROY G BVP now! And regarding King Thespis, he’s actually based on an Ancient Greek poet by the same name. He’s often been called the Inventor of Tragedy, and that’s why I found it fitting to make him the Shadow Realm’s first monarch. It’s almost as fitting as Nogo gaining power during the Great Depression and you know what that means….

 

Nogo caused the stock market crash of 1929!!!!!!!

Chapter 7: Power Hungry

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Mama Said Knock You Out" -Five Finger Death Punch

“Oh no!” Emily cried, scooping Candy into her arms. “I’m sorry Pop, but we have to go!”

“There’s no need to apologize, saving the world comes first,” said the pixie. “We need to hurry up before it’s too late!”

You and the girls all nod and grab your glitter pacts. Straightaway, you follow the others to one of the wooden bookshelves in the small library. Emily moves one row of books to the right and another set below to the left. The glowing pink portal appears after she separates the books situated above in two different directions. When everyone is getting ready to leave the secret base, you glance back at the table to where your school bag was. 

“Don’t worry, we’ll come back and get our belongings later!” April assured. You send her an appreciative smile before returning your attention to the portal. As soon as a blinding light flashes from its entrance, you and everyone else get pulled inside. 

Once more, your group is propelled through the mysterious rainbow funnel. This means of transportation wasn’t as frightening as the first time, mostly because you now knew what to expect. Nevertheless, you still scream and flail your arms the entire time until safely arriving on the other side. You and the other Glitter Force members land on your feet and take in the environment. 

The first thing that catches your eye is the sky above, which somehow transformed from a cerulean blue to a light red color. There was also the strange addition of dark-striped clouds scattered overhead. None of the surrounding restaurants, shops, and business centers had been tampered with, but the same couldn’t be said about the townspeople. Droves of them lay unconscious on the adjacent sidewalks, filling the empty streets with anguished cries and pessimistic remarks. Large concentrated waves of negative energy were pouring out of them and getting sucked into an open book, which was in the possession of a red troll you recognize as Brute. “Yes! Keep it coming, folks! I want more of that delicious negative energy!”

“The only delicious thing you’ll be having is a knuckle sandwich!” Kelsey yelled.

Brute directs his eyesight towards her and groans. “Ugh, not again! Why do you Glitter girls always have to ruin my fun? I’m not in the mood for glitter…especially on my knuckle sandwich.”

“Well too bad, so sad!” April shouted. “You’re not getting any fun or sandwiches, that’s reserved for heroes only.”

“Oh yeah? Well, I’m about to unleash a whole lotta pain onto you guys!” Brute pulls out a buffoon nose from one of his pockets and raises it for everyone to see. “I’ve reserved this just for you, Glitter Force! Super Buffoon, come on down!” 

A massive influx of dark energy gushes out of the nose, marking the beginning of the transformation process. It takes on a new form by merging with one of the nearby buildings. “Super Buffoon!” it screeched, positioning itself into a fighting stance. You gawk at the monster’s outlandish appearance before throwing your head back to laugh. 

Out of all the objects the Super Buffoon could have merged with, it just had to be the local McDonald’s. Cartoonish arms and legs were jutting out of its rectangular body, complementing the curly red afro in place of where the roof would normally be. It also had the same facial features and clown makeup as the buffoon Ulric conjured up. The longer you stare at the monster, the funnier it gets. No other sounds were able to penetrate your ears except that of your hysterical laughter. The rest of the Glitter Force weren’t laughing anywhere near as hard as you were, but they did seem to find the buffoon’s appearance to be just as ridiculous.

“A McDonald’s? Really?” Kelsey said, rolling her eyes. 

Brute glares at her. “S-Shut up! Your talk of knuckle sandwiches was making me hungry!”

“Well, you won’t be hungry for long. Not after we’re finished serving up a happy ending,” Emily said, reaching for her glitter pact. She turns towards the rest of the girls and then locks eyes with you. “Ready, girls?”

All of you follow her lead and pull out your glitter pacts. “Ready!”

Upon opening the compact, you’re enveloped by a brilliant light and taken to the beautiful lilac dimension from before. From there, you transform into your superhero attire alongside the other girls. Once you’re finished, you swoop down and utter your Glitter Force catchphrase. “A whimsical dream, iridescent and bright: I’m Glitter Fantasy!” Afterward, you and your five friends come together to strike heroic poses and announce your presence. “Shining bright! Here comes the Glitter Force!” 

The colorful, shimmery realm quickly fades away before being replaced by the disorderly scene back in town. Brute and the Super Buffoon give your team exasperated stares, with the former voicing his evident disapproval. “I’m so sick of always having to watch your stupid transformation sequence! All those rainbows and sparkles are making me nauseous!”

“We’re never going to stop, not until you and your evil Shadow Realm goons stop trying to give the world a sad ending,” Lily yelled.

“Not gonna happen! In fact, it’s about time I dish up some unhappy meals!” Brute shouted. He uses one of his arms to swing his spiked bludgeon and points it at your group. “Strike ‘em down, Super Buffoon!” 

The monster grunts and rips the giant golden ‘M’ off of the neighboring pole. It immediately flings the sign in your team’s direction, which you and the other girls dodge just in the nick of time. To your relief, Pop and Candy were also able to make it out unscathed. You leap high above the ground and watch the ‘M’ crash into a mattress store below. Shortly afterward, it rebounds back into the Super Buffoon’s giant gloved hands. 

All of you were now scattered about, unsure of how to proceed. April and Kelsey make the first move by shooting toward the super buffoon with their fists raised in the air. Before they can land a punch, the creature swings back its arm and hurls the ‘M’ sign at them. It hits Kelsey first and then springs back to whack April from behind. Both girls let out pained screams as they hit the pavement. A large cloud of dust emerges from the deep crater formed by their landing. Right when the super buffoon catches the ‘M’ in its hands, Chloe uses the swirling dust as a cover to fly towards it. She delivers a powerful kick to its face, managing to send it back several yards.

“Nice going, Glitter Breeze!” Emily cheered.

Chloe turns around to face her and smiles. “Thanks, Lucky!”

“Watch out!” you and Lily cried.

She heeds the warning and jerks her head back toward the enemy, but is unable to evade the oncoming attack in time. The ‘M’ sign whips through the billowing dust cloud and smacks into her. Chloe streaks past you and crashes into one of the tall buildings. Swiftly, the sign follows her course, leaving more destruction in its wake. 

At once, you, Emily, and Lily approach the super buffoon from different sides to attack. As soon as the ‘M’ returns to its hands, the monster throws it straight at you. You veer off to the side and dodge the sign while continuing to charge at the large creature. Emily was also able to avoid it, but Lily wasn’t so lucky. The ‘M’ bounces back sooner than expected and strikes her in the back. She screams and plummets toward the ground before hitting it headlong. Your anger was growing with each additional assault against your friends. Gritting your teeth, you try to push these negative feelings aside and replace them with more optimistic ones. When the glitter pact fastened to your skirt begins to glow, you channel this newfound energy into your outstretched hands and shout “Glitter Force Sparkle Cloudburst!”

A lilac cloud funnel shoots out from your hands towards the super buffoon. At the same time, Emily directs some energy into her hands and uses her Sparkle Storm. Your cloudburst funnel only scrapes the surface of the monster’s body, barely leaving a scratch. Emily’s attack, on the other hand, manages to hit it head-on. The super buffoon staggers back as a result and falls to the ground. You come to a standstill and float down, not taking your eyes off the creature. A small frown makes its way onto your face when thinking about the incident that just took place. On one hand, you were happy that Emily was able to inflict damage on the enemy. Brute and his buffoon had to be defeated, regardless of who ended up landing a hit or not. As April had said earlier, it requires a team effort to take down a super buffoon. So why do you feel so downcast? Maybe it had to do with you already using up your special attack. But the negative sentiments surrounding your usefulness persisted long before that… 

The super buffoon gets back on its feet and groans, making sure to glare daggers at Emily. In the meantime, the rest of the Glitter Force also pick themselves back up and prepare to fight. Pop and Candy emerge from the wreckage and take their places alongside you and the other members. As soon as they do, the buffoon grabs the ‘M’ to fling it at your group. “Breeze, Peace, Sunny!” Pop yelled, catching Chloe, Lily, and Kelsey’s attention. “All three of you catch the sign, quickly!” They nod and run in the direction of the speeding ‘M.’ Chloe and Kelsey take a hold of the outer margins, while Lily seizes the middle. With labored breaths, they heave it out of sight, away from the buildings and the townspeople.

“Now you don’t have that stupid sign anymore!” Kelsey huffed, facing the buffoon.

Brute narrows his eyes and scowls at her. “We don’t need one to defeat you dumb school girls. That was just an appetizer! Get ready for the main course!” On cue, the super buffoon opens its large mouth, revealing two sets of razor-sharp teeth. “Have some grieveburgers and cries!”

The monster starts spitting out round-shaped objects in every direction. Each one was coated in negative energy, making it difficult to discern what exactly they were. Some whiz past you like speeding bullets while others strike the concrete with sickening cracks. Pop and Candy’s cries get drowned out by the tumultuous noises of the flying projectiles. You make every effort to avoid them while remaining focused on the buffoon. Chloe is in the process of summoning her Sparkle Blizzard when she’s hit and thrust backward. Not long after she’s attacked, Lily and Emily also get pelted by the objects. Meanwhile, Kelsey was jumping and swerving from side to side, all while provoking the monster with a slew of creative insults. 

Out of everyone on your team, April was the most successful at dodging and countering the attacks. She seemed to be in her element, almost like this was some kind of routine for her. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if she turned out to be a star athlete. But for someone who wasn’t on any school sports team, you were doing a pretty good job holding your own.

As it turns out, you spoke too soon. A particularly blunt object hits you in the stomach, slamming you to the ground. You wheeze, clutching your stomach from the harsh impact. There was a faint buzzing sound in your skull from smacking your head so hard against the pavement. Everything hurt and you wanted nothing more than to cease all movements. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option since you were in the middle of a fight. You roll over and lay on your back so that you’re facing the red sky. Once your eyesight adjusts, you’re met with the unwelcome sight of Brute. He was watching everything take place between the Glitter Force and the super buffoon, laughing at the sight of your friends struggling. For a second, his cold eyes lock onto yours, relishing the sight of your pitiful and helpless state. You scowl at him and clench your fists. While his attention is redirected elsewhere, you continue to gaze at him with unbridled rage. There’s only one thing you’re hungry for and that’s vengeance.

With strained efforts, you lift yourself up and get to your feet. Your heartbeat quickens as you feel a sudden rush of energy. I’ll give you something to cry about! Once most of the pain subsides, you push yourself off the ground and fly toward the troll. “Hey, you!” His head snaps forward upon hearing your voice, shocked that he’s actually being confronted. “Why are you just standing on the sidelines like a coward?! The buffoon is doing all the dirty work while you don’t lift a finger! All you’re good at is laughing at us, but you won’t be laughing for long!” You swing your fist at him, but Brute jumps back just in time. Despite his evasion, it didn’t dissuade you from trying to throw more punches. 

“I can do whatever I want! What’s wrong with you?! Are you freaking crazy?!” Brute yelled, backing away to avoid another punch. “Wait a minute, you’re the newest Glitter Force member! Ulric told me all about you!” He swings his spiked bludgeon at you and misses.

“Oh really? Well, I hope he did so with his tail tucked between his legs!” This time you try kicking him, since you were tired of using your arms.

Brute dodges and swings his weapon at you again, which you end up jumping over. “He said you have a ton of negative energy, the most he’s ever seen in a person. Is that true?”

“How am I supposed to know? I wasn’t able to see myself when my energy was being drained.” The two of you continue to fight each other, coming up short with each additional attack. You were growing increasingly frustrated at being unable to land a hit on him, and wished you hadn’t used your special ability on the super buffoon. This villain was supposed to be the stupid one, and yet you couldn’t deliver a single blow. 

Right when all hope seems to be lost, an idea pops into your head. With a quick glance at the scene playing out below, you feign a look of surprise and gasp. Afterward, you turn back to Brute wearing a triumphant grin. “The Glitter Force has just beaten your buffoon, see for yourself!”

Immediately, he stops what he’s doing and jerks his head down to get a better look at the girls. “Awwh man! For real?”

At that moment, you propel toward him at a breakneck speed and knee him hard in the gut. Before he can react, you draw your leg back and kick him in the same place. Brute is thrust back several feet before falling on his back, all while remaining in mid-air. He clutches his stomach, doubling over in pain. If looks could kill, you’d be dead from the one he was sending you. “You…you dirty cheat! You tricked me!”

A haughty smirk makes its way onto your face. “It was worth it just to see you in the same position I was in.”

Right when Brute opens his mouth to retort, a familiar cry pierces the sky. Both of you take your eyes off each other to peer down below. The other five Glitter Force members were assembled with their white wands held in the air. “Princess wands, give us your glitter power!” Five stark, golden rays of light radiate from their wands, enveloping the area around them. As soon as the light disappears, the girls reemerge with upgraded hairstyles and outfits. Each one mounts their corresponding pegasus horse and charges at the super buffoon. “Pink! Orange! Green! Blue! Yellow! Painting the sky with the colors of hope! Pegasus power attack! Rainbow Burst!” 

The colorful blast hits the monster square in the nose, jolting it backward. It emits an ear-splitting shriek before vanishing altogether. A couple of glitter charms end up falling from where the buffoon once stood. Lily catches them in her hands and cheers. “Hooray! We did it!”

“Great job, girls! You all did very well!” Pop said. 

Brute rises to his feet with his expression souring at the girls’ victory. He turns to you and growls. “Next time, I’ll smash you all into dust! You glitter girls haven’t seen the last of me!” He teleports out of sight, leaving you alone with your disorderly thoughts and emotions. Strangely enough, you didn’t want him to leave. He was a good outlet for your pent-up frustration, and you wanted to continue giving him a piece of your mind. But he was long gone now and the exhaustion brought about by the fight was starting to take its toll. Besides, you’d much rather spend this time celebrating with your friends.

You gently float down from the sky and watch it change back to its normal blue shade. Without knowing how it happened, the buildings and the debris littering the ground revert back to their original states, including the McDonald’s. Shortly after noticing this, the townspeople begin to awaken and carry on with their business like normal. They scurry off in different directions, completely oblivious to what had just taken place moments ago. Once your feet touch the ground, you start heading toward the other Glitter Force members and the two pixies. At this point, everyone was back to wearing their school uniforms, yourself included. 

You draw closer to them, now able to make out the conversation. “Ugggh I’m so beat,” April whined. “All that fighting made me hungry! I want food!”

Kelsey chuckles. “When do you not want food?”

“Oh shush! I can’t be the only one who’s feeling energy-depleted. I need to refuel! How about you guys?” April looks around at the others, hoping to gain some validation.

“Yeah, I could eat something,” Chloe said.

“Me too!” Candy shouted. Pop, Lily, and Emily all nod their heads in agreement.

Kelsey throws her hands up in defeat. “Okay, okay I get it! What do you feel like?”

“McNuggets!” Even from a distance, you could see April practically salivating.

“Seriously?! After what just happened, you want McDonald’s?!”

“Calm down, Kelsey,” Emily giggles. “I think it’s quite fitting. What better place is there to celebrate our victory than in the fast food restaurant we just beat? After all, we did just earn three glitter charms from there! What do you think, Fantasy?” You smile and open your mouth to answer, but another voice speaks over you.

“I wouldn’t celebrate quite yet, Glitter Force!”

You stop dead in your tracks, feeling panic starting to creep in. Right when you’re about to make a run for it, a chain of purple cards swiftly circles your petrified form. They close around your wrists and ankles, bounding them tight to the point where your bones start throbbing. Pop, Candy, and the rest of the Glitter Force gasp in horror as they look past you with awestruck eyes. Your breath hitches in your throat when you feel long arms snake around your waist and a sharp chin rest atop your head. “Let go of me!” you cried, thrashing around to the best of your ability.

A contented sigh leaves the mouth of your captor. “No can do, dearie!” His chin shifts slightly, indicating that his attention was now on the Glitter Force. “Well done, girls! I thought it would be ‘M’possible for you to beat that super buffoon, especially on an empty stomach.”

“Go away, Rascal! You and your puns are unwelcome here!” Lily shouted.

April glares at him and reaches for her glitter pact. “Get your hands off our friend you creepy clown!”

“Not going to happen! I’ll be taking a little glitter charm of my own~!” he said with a lilt in his voice. Rascal pulls you even closer before springing several yards back, taking you along with him. You cry in protest and thrash around some more, but to no avail. 

This triggers a protective response from the Glitter Force and the two pixies. They immediately start charging at Rascal in an effort to rescue you. Everyone wore angry expressions on their faces, but Chloe looked especially livid. She pulls out her glitter pact, getting ready to transform. “I’ve just about had it with you swooping in after a battle and kidnapping people! First Candy and now Fantasy! What do you have to say for yourself?!”

“Just one thing,” Rascal snickered, leaning over your shoulder to leer at her. “Arrivederci~!” And with that, he whisks you off into the unknown.

Notes:

Author's Note: There you have it…a pun and another JoJo reference! You’re welcome! I’m really glad I got this chapter pumped out, it was really fun to write. The next one is going to be super interesting…so stay tuned~!

Chapter 8: Shattered Reflections

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Enter the Circus" -Christina Aguilera

One moment, you were in town with the Glitter Force and the two pixies. In the next, you weren’t. They were nowhere in sight, resulting in your cries for help falling on deaf ears. Rascal continues to hold you close while he’s in the process of teleporting the two of you. Darkness envelops your vision for a brief second before being replaced by dim purple lighting. The sudden clacking sound of Rascal’s boots hitting the ground reverberates throughout the room, signaling your arrival. 

Even though you had reached his intended destination, Rascal still wouldn’t let you go. For this reason, you lean your head forward and quickly throw it back, smacking him hard in the jaw. He lets out a high-pitched whimper and releases you to grasp his injured face. The purple cards confining you loosen as a result, providing you a chance to escape. You wriggle away from the cards holding your ankles and wrists together and make a run for it. Whacking Rascal didn’t come without repercussions, however. There was still a light pounding in the back of your skull from the impact. Still, it was the best thing you could think of.

While fleeing from the jester and trying to find an escape, you examine the strange room in greater detail. Most of it was cast in dark violet hues by the stage lights aligning the curved walls. The only remaining areas untouched by the purple light were the ceiling and walls, which were both coated in pitch black. All the obscure shadows and faint lighting make it difficult to discern the sheer size of the place, but it appears to be some sort of indoor circus arena. Right now, you were halfway across the large circular stage in the center of the room, heading toward the arched vomitorium. It was positioned alongside a series of wooden benches surrounding the stage. There was no telling where the passageway would lead to, or if it was even an escape at all. But you had to get away, that’s all that mattered.

Just as you’re nearing the exit, Rascal teleports in front of you without warning. He had his hands on his hips, appearing slightly vexed. You skid to a halt to avoid running into him and end up slipping. An involuntary yelp leaves you upon hitting your back against the cold hard floor. Another object falls onto the ground, making a rattling sound before settling down several feet away. Rascal glances at the place where it landed before turning his attention to you. “Such a bad girl! Didn’t you learn anything from last week? I’ve already told you that you can’t escape me!”

You prop yourself up with your arms and glare at him. “I’m the bad one?! You literally just kidnapped me!”

“Hmmm touché! But I don’t just go around kidnapping people without a reason.” Rascal hovers his foot over the item that fell and gently presses down on it. He drags the object towards himself, causing it to produce an unpleasant scraping sound. Your eyes practically bulge out of their sockets upon realizing what was now in his possession.

“My glitter pact!” At once, you scramble to your feet and sprint toward the jester. He kicks the pink compact into his hand and waves it teasingly. “Give it back!” You leap into the air to grab it, but Rascal lifts it just out of reach. His smirk widens when you continue to jump for it. Every time you’re close to snatching the glitter pact, Rascal raises it higher to where it just barely brushes your fingertips. It took almost no effort on his end to keep the compact away, mainly due to his tall stature and agile movements. The little patience you had left was wearing thin, exacerbated by the fear of losing your only possible defense against him. 

When all your efforts at grabbing the pact prove fruitless, you resort to throwing a punch at him. His hand immediately shoots up to seize your wrist, which was inches away from meeting the side of his face. You gasp, surprised by how effortlessly Rascal blocked your attack. He turns his head and sends you a wry smile. “How predictable!” A sharp pain shoots up your wrist from his iron grip, leading you to wince and pull back. Rascal tightens his hold in response, adding more to your discomfort. You stop struggling when a faint red glow starts coming from his eyes. “Do that again and you’ll be sorry!”

Paralyzing fear creeps in as you consider the possible implications of his threat and the strangely calm demeanor that went with it. The hairs on the back of your neck stand up under his intense gaze. You gulp and whisper a quick apology, not wanting to risk angering the jester any further. It was pointless to keep fighting, especially since his abilities and reflexes far outmatched yours.

Rascal releases his grip on your wrist before reverting to his cheerful self. “Good, so glad that’s settled.” With a snap of his fingers, the jester summons a drove of purple playing cards. As soon as they appear, the cards start to swarm toward you, leaving you little time to react. The playing cards wrap around your wrists, binding them together once again. You shift uncomfortably under the restraints and give Rascal a dirty look. His irritating smirk remains plastered on his face. “Don’t think for a second that I’m just going to let you off the hook, not after what you pulled with me and Brute. Although I must admit, it was hilarious watching you clobber that idiot,” Rascal snickers and starts making his way toward you. “Not sure why the other Glitter Force members haven’t thought of attacking a Shadow Realm general head-on. You certainly think outside the box, I’ll give you that.”

You avert your gaze from him and pout, unsure of how to take his compliment. Rascal spins around on his heel before taking his place next to you. He wraps his arm around your shoulder, pulling you close to his side. “Hey now, turn that frown upside down! If you play nice, I’ll let you go~!”

His close contact and friendly mannerisms leave a sour taste in your mouth. “I don’t believe you…I can’t trust anything you say!”

“Ouch! You cut me deep, Glitter Fantasy…but your reasons for not doing so are entirely justified…”

There was a slight shift in his tone of voice near the end, prompting you to look up at him. Rascal appeared to be deep in thought, with his lips slightly pursed. In an instant, the jester’s pensive expression is replaced by a cheerful one. He faces you wearing a playful smile. “By the way, I’ve got a surprise! I think you’ll like it~!”

“I doubt I’ll enjoy whatever you have in mind.”

“I beg to differ! All your hopes and dreams are about to come to fruition!”

“What are you talking about?”

Rascal giggles and starts leading you to the other side of the arena. “Just wait and see!” His hold around you tightens as he strides across the room, leaving you no choice but to accompany him. The jester chuckles when you start jogging to keep up with his brisk pace. You scowl at him and choose to stay silent the rest of the way.

Out of nowhere, a colorful banner falls in front of your face, followed by a shower of rainbow confetti and balloons. You shriek and instinctively cling to Rascal without thinking. Upon registering what you’ve just done, you gasp and push him away. The eye slits of Rascal’s white mask narrow, glistening with amusement.

When the last of the balloons hit the ground, the jester leaves your side to leap in front of the rectangular banner hanging above the stage. Multicolored diamonds line the edges and surround the large words in bold print which read, ‘ Étoile Circus Academy.’ Your jaw drops as you stare ahead, unsure whether this was real or a figment of your imagination. Rascal does a couple of cartwheels and flips before striking a theatrical pose in front of the banner. “Surprise! Now you can finally make your dream come true!” You continue to gape at him and the sign above. “Speechless? I knew you would love it!” After joyously spinning around in circles, the jester springs toward you, holding a slip of paper in his hands that wasn’t there before. “My dear Fantasy, you’ve been accepted to Étoile. See for yourself!”  

Slowly, you scan the contents of the paper that Rascal held. “How…how did you get this?”

“A magician never reveals his secrets and neither will I. But it’s no secret that you’re one lucky girl! Now you have a full-ride scholarship to the most prestigious circus arts school in the world. How wonderful is that?” Rascal bounces on his toes, grinning from ear to ear.

“B-But I haven’t even applied here! How can this be?”

“Why, just about anything is possible with the right resources. Now you don’t have to go to that boring old school with the Glitter Force anymore. You can leave this place behind for good and start a brand new life.” Rascal wraps his arm around you as the stage lights in the arena begin to change color. The once dreary room was now lit up with bright hues of pink, blue, and green. He motions toward the sky with a dramatic wave of his arm and hums. “I can picture it now: A life full of happiness and endless fun! What more could a girl ask for?”

“This is all to get me to quit the Glitter Force, isn’t it?” You clench your fists within your restraints and let out a shaky breath. “And to think you would resort to this to get me to do so…”

“Lighten up, there’s no need to be so cynical! The experience of a lifetime is right in front of you, and you're going to throw it away just like that?” Rascal snaps his fingers together, causing the large banner, balloons, confetti, and the paper in his hand to disappear. All the colorful lights turn off and revert to their former violet hue. “And for what? A bunch of whiny brats you just met? Such a shame that you’d give up such a great opportunity for them, especially after they excluded you from their Rainbow Burst attack against the super buffoon. Clearly, they think you’re unfit for the job.”

“That’s not true! I-I was the one who fled from the group to fight Brute on my own. And besides, I’m not strong enough to help out in any meaningful way…” Your voice trails off as you ponder over what to say next. Something Rascal brought up in your past nightmare comes to mind, leading you to grimace at him. “But you, you made it seem like I was weird for not defeating a super buffoon on the first try. None of my friends were ever able to defeat one on their own either. The only buffoon that can be beaten by a single Glitter Force member is a red-nosed one. You’re such a liar!”

The jester doesn’t show any outward sign of anger or hurt at this accusation. Instead, his smile grows wider. “I didn’t lie about anything. During our encounter in the hall of mirrors, I said you were the only Glitter Force member who hadn't defeated one on the first try. Not once did I specify what kind of buffoon it was. I think you’re reading a little too far into things!” Rascal leans forward to where his face was inches away from yours and lightly flicks your forehead. “Also, I wouldn’t carelessly throw around the term ‘liar’ if I were you. I’d suggest removing that noticeable log from your eye before trying to take the speck out of someone else's, hmmmmm?” Your face heats up as you stumble over your words and fail to come up with a proper comeback. Eventually, you snap your mouth shut to prevent any more embarrassment. Rascal chuckles and comes to your side once more. “Anyways, there’s something else I’d like to show you.”

You let out an exasperated sigh. “What now?”

“Something to make you reconsider the terrible decision you’re about to make.” He starts steering you toward an oblong dressing mirror on the opposite side of the arena. Its vintage appearance contrasted heavily with the rest of the room, leading you to wonder why you hadn’t noticed it before. The mirror had an elaborate, gilded frame surrounding its pristine glassy surface. A faint ethereal glow emanates from it, reminding you somewhat of the book portals. Strangely enough, you felt like the mirror was calling out to you. Before you know it, you and Rascal are standing inches away from the glass. “Take a good look in the mirror! What do you see?”

“A tired girl and an evil, annoying clown.”

Rascal shakes his head. “Wrong! Take a closer look!”

“That’s literally all I see. Is this some kind of joke?”

“Not in the slightest. You’re familiar with the sequel to Alice in Wonderland , yes?” You nod, unsure as to where he was taking this. Sensing your visible confusion, Rascal continues. “This mirror is none other than the Looking Glass from that very tale. When Emperor Nogo’s forces raided Jubiland, we broke into the castle and took every treasure we could find. I ended up snagging this beauty, thinking it would come in handy someday. Turns out I was correct!”

“How’s it coming in handy exactly?”

“Like this!” He grabs your bound wrists and uses them to press your hands against the mirror. The whole surface immediately turns into an opaque lavender, kickstarting some sort of magical chain reaction. You and Rascal’s reflections were no longer visible through the shroud of color. “See? It’s hand-y, just like I said!”

You glance at both of your hands and groan. “I really should’ve seen that coming…”

He snickers before turning his attention away. Rascal peers ahead into the mirror and makes a resounding clap with his hands. “Speculum speculorum!” The glass surface brightens significantly in response, almost blinding you from the sheer intensity. “Search her heart, oh Looking Glass! Show us the way and let us pass!” In the blink of an eye, you and Rascal get pulled into the mirror and flipped upside down. The two of you land on the other side before taking in the scene. 

Both of you were inside a huge circus tent slightly resembling Rascal’s indoor arena. Only this one was a lot more lively and elaborate in design, like something out of a dream. The smell of fresh popcorn and cotton candy greets you as you take in the various sights and sounds. A galaxy of glittering, multicolored stars and crescent moons twinkle above, covering every inch of the ceiling and walls. High above the ground, numerous acrobats, trapeze artists, and aerialists twist and swing to the rhythm of the upbeat music. Down below, musicians in uniform synchronously circle the stage playing various brass instruments and drums. Clowns, jugglers, contortionists, and a wide diversity of circus performers also march onto the stage and surround a space in the middle. The floor in the center opens up to make way for a rising cylindrical platform. A beautiful woman wearing a grandiose outfit stands on top of it, waving merrily at the audience. At that moment, all of the ground-level circus performers begin singing. Boisterous cheering and applause come from the audience upon her arrival, giving you the impression that she was the circus ringleader. 

When seeing her smiling face, you do a double-take. “Hold on a second! Is that…me?!”

“It would appear so,” Rascal said. The dazzling circus display was so enthralling that you forgot he was there. 

You continue to gawk at your alternate self with conflicting emotions. Several physical attributes of hers mirrored yours, such as the color of her hair and eyes. Other features had changed due to age, but her radiant smile was what drew you in. It was genuine and infectious, and the longer you stared, the more you felt compelled to smile as well. A random audience member tosses her a rose, which she gracefully catches in her hand. 

After what felt like ages, you find your voice again. “There’s no way this is real…”

“It’s not, but it could be. Opportunities like this only come once in a blue moon,” Rascal hummed. Rainbow confetti falls from the sky as all the circus performers strike a finishing pose. Once the singing and music draw to a close, all the spectators rise from their velvet-padded seats to give them a round of applause. “Your dream is within reach, go on and take it. This is what you’ve always wanted: to have a traveling circus. Oh, what fun it’ll be to travel the world, run your own show, and be free at last. Nothing and no one will hold you back anymore. On top of that, you can become that confident and imposing woman on stage, the reflection of who you’ve always wanted to be. Finally, at long last, happiness can be yours…all you need to do is quit the Glitter Force~!”

“Rascal?”

“Yes?”

“There’s something you’re forgetting.” 

“Oh? And what might that be?”

“I’m a lucid dreamer, which means I can consciously disassociate from fantasies.” You spin on your heel and look him straight in the eye. “I’m not quitting the Glitter Force and that’s final!” 

Rascal’s smile slightly wavers as he meets your gaze. “Wow, you’re tougher than I thought…mentally at least.”

“I have to be when I’m around you! You planned all of this!” you snapped.

“I didn’t plan all this…not entirely anyways. The Looking Glass reveals the heart’s desire, it was just working the way it was intended. But it did serve its purpose. Now I know for sure your dreams haven’t changed.”

“That was a long time ago, those dreams are dead!”

“That’s not true! If it were, we wouldn’t be here right now.” Rascal stands up to his full height and motions toward the stage. “Say what you like, the heart never lies. Deep down inside, you still want to run your own circus.”

“And who do you think introduced me to that dream in the first place?! I could’ve dreamed of becoming a doctor, a scientist, a teacher, an animator, a writer, or some other normal job. But you ruined all of that! You introduced me to a world of magic and wonders! How can I go back after that?!” 

You avert your tear-filled eyes away from his and watch your alternate self and the other circus performers depart from the stage. Shortly afterward, the crowd of spectators disperse and start heading toward each of the three exits. You’re barely phased when a great number of them pass right through you. They merely served as reminders that this Looking Glass world was nothing more than an illusion. 

A maelstrom of painful memories and emotions wash over you, overpowering all the self-restraint that remained. Unable to hold back any longer, you fall onto your knees and allow the pent-up tears to finally fall. All the jubilant sounds of the circus are drowned out by your wailing sobs and a faint cracking. “Wha-What’s going on?” Rascal gasped. He whips his head around, trying to find the source of the noise. Giant cracks start covering the ground, ceiling, and walls of the tent. One of them appears in midair between the two of you, which manages to shift the jester’s attention over to you. The eye slits of his mask instantly widen upon making eye contact. Not long after that, the circus and all of its splendor shatter.

In an unexpected turn of events, you and Rascal had somehow returned to his gloomy circus arena. The jester surveys the room with a surprised expression before heaving a disappointed sigh. “I guess the Looking Glass can’t contain negative energy, that’s something I completely overlooked. It’s such a pure object, I should’ve expected this.” Several minutes pass by as you continue to sob. A fresh stream of hot tears rolls down your inflamed cheeks and hit the floor. Through misty eyes, you watch the dark waves of energy pouring out of you with indifference. The echoing of Rascal’s boots hitting the ground reaches your ears. He stops short once he’s standing a few feet away. “Glitter Fantasy, do you realize the vulnerable position that you’re in? If I really wanted to, I could kill you right on the spot.”

“If that’s what it takes to finally get away from you, then so be it!” You look up at him and feel your features contort with anguish. “Why’d you have to come back, Rascal?! I wanted to forget all about you and erase you from my memory…especially after that horrible day. But you keep infiltrating my dreams and my reality. Deep down inside, I knew you weren’t just a figment of my imagination. I never wanted to see you again! But you’re never going to leave me alone, are you?”

“Not unless you quit the Glitter Force.”

“I-I just can’t do that,” you said, sniveling. “Emperor Nogo wants to bring an unhappy ending to the entire universe. If I stepped back now knowing this, I’d feel responsible for all the terrible things that would happen.”

“Still determined as ever, I see. That part of you hasn’t changed one bit.” Rascal sighs, peering down at you. “Trust me, I would like nothing more than to leave you alone to your own devices. But I must prioritize the well-being of my master. As Emperor Nogo’s servant, I choose to do his will above all else, even my own.” 

“So, I’m stuck with you?”

“I guess that’s one way to put it.” You feel your heart sink as an onslaught of tears pours forth. Rascal brushes a slender hand through the dark waves of negative energy surrounding you, watching it linger before dissipating. “Your negative energy is truly something to behold. It still managed to come out, even without the Book of Despair . I’ve only ever seen this happen with one other person.”

“What are you going to do then? Drain me like some kind of energy vampire?”

“If only I was an energy vampire, then I’d be of greater service to Emperor Nogo. Maybe my fangs give off that impression,” Rascal giggles, opening his mouth to lick his sharp canines. “But no, I’m not going to drain you of negative energy. I’ve got a better idea!”

Your eyes narrow, disliking where this was heading. “And what’s that?”

“So glad you asked!” Rascal starts circling your hunched form with his hands held behind his back. “It’s a quid pro quo of sorts! We both know full well that you’re the weakest member of the Glitter Force. You’ve joined the party late and haven’t unlocked special abilities or Princess Mode like the other girls. It’s only a matter of time before this interferes with the battles against the super buffoons. Without any growth, Emperor Nogo’s revival would draw nearer and the city would remain in a state of disarray. The citizens would have all of their negative energy drained and become empty husks of what they once were, devoid of any life and purpose. No fourteen-year-old girl deserves to bear that much burden, that’s why I’m offering you a way out.” Rascal stops pacing once he’s standing in front of you and kneels. You scoot away from him and frown, unsettled by his creepy smile. “I’m willing to train you so that you’ll be able to withstand any super buffoon and Shadow Realm general that comes your way. If you accept my offer, you’ll be able to catch up with the rest of the Glitter Force. Who knows, you might become even more powerful than them. You’ll be a serious force to be reckoned with.”

“What would be in it for you? I know you’re not doing this from the goodness of your heart.”

“Good observation, I was just about to get there. In exchange for your training, I’ll need you to help me find three items to aid my master. They’re scattered across the globe and under tight security, so it’ll be no easy task. I’ve got no leads as to where they might be, but as a member of the Glitter Force, you have access to a treasure trove of information. You’re also in the unique position of having both glitter powers and excessive negative energy. All of this will be very useful in gathering these items for Emperor Nogo.”

“I knew this wasn’t going to be good! You still want Emperor Nogo to be revived, so it wouldn’t make any sense that you’d want me to defeat him. Once he’s awakened, he’ll destroy the universe and everyone in it, including me. Whether I become a strong Glitter Force warrior or not, it wouldn’t make any difference.”

Rascal rubs his chin, allowing your words to sink in. “I must admit, I hadn’t thought that far in advance. But I’m willing to make a couple of adjustments further down the road, and luckily for us, we still have time. So whaddya say, dearie? Are you in?”

You swallow the thick, heavy lump that had formed in your throat. “What will you do if I say no?”

“Nothing much, just approach your Glitter gal pals and the two pixies. I’ll tell them the truth about you, where you really came from, and our history together.”

You feel the color drain from your face. More tears spill from your stinging eyes as the severity of his words sinks in. “You…you wouldn’t?!”

“Oh, but I would. If you really thought of them as your friends, you’d tell them the truth. Don’t think I didn’t notice that little facade you’ve been putting on around them. You can dupe those pesky school girls, but you can’t fool the fool,” Rascal said, gesturing towards himself. “After all, I know you better than anyone could.”

Out of everything he’s said during your time here, his last sentence stung the most. You start shaking and weeping harder, filling the arena with pained cries. “I hate that you’re right! I hate it! I hate it! I hate it! I hate you! I wish I’d never met you!”

A long time passes before he gives a solemn reply. “I know!” It takes a while for your crying to die down. After what felt like hours, Rascal abruptly stands up. “Wowee! That was a whole lotta tears, I’m surprised we haven’t died from drowning in them. They were enough to fill up this whole arena. This calls for tissue duty!” The jester closes his right fist and uses his other hand to pull something from the top of it. A small pink handkerchief emerges from his enclosed hand, followed by a slew of other colored tissues. “Yellow, blue, blue, orange, pink, green, blue, yellow…I’m just not finding the right color here.” He grumbles in frustration as he continues to pull out more tissues. Each one was interlinked with the other, forming a chain that reached the floor. “Aha! Here’s one!” Rascal whips out a couple of purple handkerchiefs, which he separates from the others. All the other tissues drop to the ground and vanish.

From there, Rascal starts heading toward you, but not before slipping on a random banana peel. He yelps and lands on the floor with a hard thump. “Ow, that hurt! How’d that stupid banana peel get there? That’s only supposed to happen in cartoons!” Try as you might, you were unable to suppress the laughter that had been building up since the handkerchief trick. You try reaching for the purple tissues but couldn't due to the cards binding your wrists. “Oopsies! I forgot about that, here ya go!” With his unoccupied hand, Rascal snaps his fingers together, releasing the restraints. 

Immediately after that, you rub your sore wrists and yank the two tissues from his grasp. You use one of them to wipe away the leftover tears and the other to blow your congested nose. Once both of the tissues were used and abused, you crumble them in your hands and search around the arena. “Umm, I don’t see a trash can anywhere! Is there one you can summon up?”

“Let’s see if I can make one!” Rascal takes the handkerchief you wiped your tears with and unfolds it. Instead of a normal drenched tissue, he’s greeted by a sudden spray of water to the face. You double over with laughter, unable to stop the smile from tugging on your lips. “I can see you're getting a huge kick out of this,” Rascal huffed. “I’m just thankful I didn’t open the other tissue. Can you imagine how disgusting that would be?” Imagining him in such a snotty predicament had you clutching your sides in hysterics. It’s only when your ribs and stomach start aching that you finally stop. 

Rascal rises to his feet, taking you along with him. “Glad that’s out of the way,” he said, brushing away some strands of wet purple hair framing his face. “Notice anything different?” 

Confused as to what he was referring to, you furrow your brow and shake your head. A surprised gasp leaves you once you finally figure it out. “My negative energy! It’s gone!” Rascal quickly averts his gaze, his cheeks flushing with a tinge of pink. “Those mishaps with the banana and the tissue? That was on purpose?!” You gawk at him in disbelief, contemplating what to say next. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thank you. Don’t get used to me saying that though.”

“I won’t! I’m just playing the role of the court jester, it’s in my very nature after all. Everybody needs a good clowning now and then. Anyways, about that offer I mentioned–”  

“Ughhh I had a feeling it would come back to this,” you said, rolling your eyes.

“Business isn’t the most interesting subject to talk about, I know, but I must carry on. You’re a smart girl, I know you’ll understand. This offer will benefit both of us in our pursuits while limiting the major risks along the way. It’s a win-win for either side! This will be a secret pact between you and me. The Glitter Force and the Shadow Realm won’t know a thing about any of this, not even Emperor Nogo.” 

You bite your lip and clasp your fidgety palms. “I-I don’t know…”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you can’t trust the Glitter Force. I know you want to, they seem like such nice girls after all. But they’re just using you to revive Queen Euphoria and save Jubiland. If your side ends up winning, which I doubt it will, you’ll no longer be of any use to them. You’ll all go your separate ways and forget about each other. Those goody two-shoes are just as self-serving and fickle as the rest of us. You can’t trust them, or anyone else for that matter. All you’ve got is yourself to look after! Think about what’s best for you.”

“That’s true, everyone is only out for their self-interests. They’re kind and fun to hang out with, but if they knew who I really was, they’d turn their back on me. I can’t make the same mistake again.”

Rascal’s mouth curves upwards into a sharp-toothed grin as he extends his hand. “Is it a deal then?”

“You’ve really backed me into a corner here.” With hesitant movements, you place your palm in his and slowly shake his hand. “It’s a deal! I’ll probably regret this later, but what better choice is there?”

“Excellent! I knew you were a smart cookie!” Rascal firmly shakes your hand three times before letting go. “Well, I should probably send you home now. It’s such a bummer though, I don’t want our fun to end.” The disappointment lacing Rascal’s voice was enough to make you cringe. It was hard to tell whether he was being sarcastic or genuine. Getting kidnapped and manipulated didn’t exactly count as a fun time in your book. Then again, Rascal wasn’t exactly normal (or sane for that matter). Knowing him, he might’ve actually enjoyed his time. 

Now that you think of it, you had no idea how long you had spent with the jester, or just how late it was. The possibility of disappointing your parents again with your tardiness makes you think twice about returning home. But if the choice was between staying with them or Rascal, you’d choose the former. With this in mind, you approach him tentatively and open your palm. “I’d appreciate it if you sent me home, but I’m not leaving without my glitter pact.”

“Right, of course!” Rascal leans forward and tucks a few pieces of hair behind your ear. His hand lingers there for a moment before he pulls back. You scrunch up your face, confused as to why he would make such an unnecessary gesture. That is until you spot the pink compact in his hand. “Huh? Whaddya know! It was behind your ear this whole time! Who would’ve guessed?”

“Give me that!” you grumbled, snatching the glitter pact from his hand. Once it’s in your grasp, you open it and examine all the little trinkets inside.

“It hasn’t been tampered with, I promise!” he said, quick to catch onto your suspicion.

“Only time will tell.” Unable to find anything out of the ordinary, you shut the compact and hold it close. “Now can we leave? I’d prefer not to get scolded again for coming home late.”

“As you wish~!” Rascal courteously bows as a flurry of purple cards surrounds you both. They obstruct your vision of the arena and replace it with a blanket of darkness. Not long after that, the cards scatter, revealing an all-too-familiar place. “Well, there you are! Home sweet home!” As expected, it was already nighttime. Most of the neighboring houses were completely dark, signaling just how late in the night it was. To your dismay, a few rooms in your house were still lit, which meant your parents were still awake.

“Thanks for the ride, I guess! It definitely beats traffic!”

“Glad I could be of service!” Rascal said, patting your shoulder. “I suppose I should get going. I’ve still got to babysit Ulric, Brute, and Brooha, and lecture those three idiots on their recent failures.” He spins around and gives you a friendly wave. “It was a pleasure, Glitter Fantasy! We’ll get started on your training sessions sometime this week. In the meantime, get some rest, you’re going to need it. Ta-ta for now!” A large playing card swoops in out of nowhere and carries him off into the night sky. 

Once he’s out of sight, you frown, unable to shake off the sense of dread in your gut. “What have I done?”

Notes:

Author's Note: Hooey!! Sorry for the late update, my last semester of school was literally hell in a handbasket. But I'm done with it for good now and I'm never going back, mark my words!! I'll be updating more frequently from now on! Plus, the plot has thickened. Now things are really going to start kicking into high gear.

Also, "speculum speculorum" is a Latin phrase that translates to "mirror of mirrors." I wanted to add that in because it sounded cool lol! Can you imagine Rascal whispering sweet somethings in your ear in Latin?? It's making me blush just thinking about it AHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Chapter 9: Wild Card

Notes:

Chapter Song: "My Masquerade" -Delain

After Rascal leaves, you enter your house, hoping to make it to your bedroom undetected. Unfortunately, that wasn’t what ended up happening. The bedroom door was just within reach when you were confronted by your parents. As expected, Mom and Dad were pretty upset by you returning home at 9:30 at night. They proceed to give a 30-minute lecture on the importance of coming home before sundown and proper communication. Despite not being the biggest fans of smartphones, they made it clear that they would prefer a call or a text if something came up. Most of what they said ended up falling on deaf ears, however. You had simply dealt with enough for one day. 

Once safely inside your bedroom, you head over to the small bookshelf in the far corner and use the book door code. By some stroke of luck, you had memorized which directions to move the books from having watched Emily do it a couple of times. Upon arriving in the Library of Legends, you enter the secret base to retrieve all your school belongings. The thought of lingering around to admire the library’s nighttime atmosphere was enticing. But the drowsiness and fatigue that had built up throughout the day was too strong to ignore.

After returning to your bedroom, you grab your phone and send a text message to the other Glitter Force members, letting them know you came back safe and sound. You were brief in your explanation, choosing to leave out important details such as your insecurities, making a deal with the enemy, and how you had actually arrived home. Instead, you told them that you pushed a distracted Rascal through a magic mirror, which was where he intended to trap you. Another fabrication you chose to include was that you had escaped through an open portal that the jester had carelessly left open. On top of that, you made sure to emphasize that he didn’t know where you lived, and how grateful you were for it.

All five girls immediately respond, flooding the group chat with worried and sympathetic text messages. They also weren’t shy about expressing their strong disdain towards Rascal and his actions. When questions about your time with him arose, you deflected the topic by using trauma and coulrophobia as an excuse. Thankfully, that was all it took for them to stop prying any further. Not long after that, you cut the conversation short, letting them know that you needed to get some sleep. Everyone understood and wished you a good night’s rest.

Since then, a week has passed and things have been calm for the most part. There were no super buffoons to fight or Shadow Realm generals trying to manifest an unhappy ending, much to everyone’s relief. In the meantime, Chloe has been helping you with homework and reading assignments. Thanks to her, you were almost caught up with the rest of the class. You were also getting better acclimated to Rainbow Hills Middle School and the Library of Legends. All things considered, it was an enjoyable, stress-free week. That was until Rascal teleported into your room yesterday at midnight. His purpose for doing so was to remind you of your first training session tomorrow afternoon. Nevertheless, no amount of physical or mental discipline could’ve prepared you for what was to come…

Right now, you were in the midst of an all-out fight inside Rascal’s indoor arena. The jester levitates overhead, wearing a cheeky grin. For the umpteenth time, you push yourself off the ground and try with all your might to strike him down. You repeatedly swing both arms at your opponent, narrowly missing him each time. Rascal dodges the oncoming attacks with ease and chuckles when your punches become more unruly. When every attempt at hitting him fails, you try delivering a swift kick to his heel to knock him off balance. He jumps out of the way and backflips in mid-air, managing to avoid another attack. 

With limber movements, he uses one of his arms to grab a hold of a nearby tightrope to land on. When his boots touch the rope, you try kicking his shins. Rascal bounces on his heels and straddle-jumps high above your leg. During his descent, he twists to the side and delivers a strong kick to your ribs. You wheeze and cough up some saliva before plummeting to the ground with a hard thud. The sudden impact stirs up clouds of dust and debris, which obstructs your airway and causes you to hack up more sputum. 

Rascal watches you struggle as he floats down. “Glitter Fantasy, is that all you’ve got? We’re only fifteen minutes in and you’re already a tired, sweaty mess. How unbecoming of a glitter warrior!” 

“Oh shut up!” you spat, massaging your aching muscles.

Your animosity toward the jester only results in high-pitched giggles from his end. “My, my what an angry face! That snarl, it’s more befitting of a rabid dog than a teenage girl. And that raging fire in your eyes! If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were eager to kill me.” 

Once he’s back on the ground, you arise and begin striding toward him. “It’s funny you say that because it’s not so far from the truth.” You waste no time flying toward Rascal to deliver another round of punches and kicks. He maneuvers around every one of them with a gleeful expression. 

When you take a slight pause to breathe, Rascal takes that chance to grab you by the throat. You gasp for air as he effortlessly lifts you off the ground. His black, hollow eyes scrutinize every inch of your face as he brings up it to be eye-level with his. “Rule number one of fighting: never let your guard down.” He pulls back his arm and effortlessly tosses you halfway across the arena like you were nothing. A pained groan leaves you as your body smacks the hard floor. Rascal ambles across the center stage and shakes his head disapprovingly. “Tsk, tsk, how pitiful!” He stops walking once he’s standing a couple of feet away from your battered form. “Oh, and there’s something else I should mention. It’s best not to be careless with your emotions, especially anger. Feelings like that have the potential to cloud your judgment and make your movements more predictable. Not only that, but emotional people are much easier to manipulate and destroy. That brings me to rule number two: in battle, you must take control of your emotions, not let your emotions control you.”

“And how do I do that exactly?” you said, propping yourself up.

“Identify what you’re feeling, reframe the thoughts surrounding it, and figure out how to make that emotion work for you. It can be a benefit or a hindrance depending on how you use it.” 

You pick yourself back up with labored breathing. “That’s much easier said than done!”

“I’m not denying that, these things take practice, which means you’ll need to start developing some improv skills. And lucky for you, you’ve come to the right place.” Rascal spins on his heel in tight circles, laughing along the way.

“What’s theater got to do with fighting exactly?” 

“Everything!” The jester ceases pirouetting and clasps his hands together. “The battlefield is a stage, so you might as well put on a good show. Certain characters go off-script, the plot may take an unexpected turn, or you might slip up despite endless rehearsing. Much like emotions, fights tend to be more on the unpredictable side. That’s why improv is so necessary! Learning how to deal with uncertainty and adjusting accordingly is important.”

“That does make sense! Who knew such different disciplines could be so similar?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying, which reminds me of rule number three: always keep your mind open to alternate ways of doing things.” A purple card materializes between two of Rascal’s fingers, which he holds up close to his face. “Now, shall we continue our training~?”

From that point forward, more fighting ensued. You throw a multitude of jabs and kicks with reckless abandon, all while trying to maintain a calm composure. That was proving difficult with the way Rascal was mocking your failed attempts at striking him. As the training session raged on, his attacks became more relentless. With each additional wound inflicted, your energy and motivation were beginning to diminish.

You get in a defensive stance and raise your fists in the air, pushing back the exhaustion threatening to prevail. Rascal snickers and flings three playing cards from a distance. You swerve from side to side and barely avoid getting hit. With a sharp exhale, you gather your remaining energy and thrust your arms forward. “Glitter Force Sparkle Cloud Burst!” You’ve been saving this attack for last, intending to use it only as a last resort. Rascal’s smile widens upon seeing the massive purple cloud funnel headed his way. At the last minute, he summons a giant card in mid-air, absorbing the attack and redirecting it back toward you. A single, predominating thought enters your mind moments before getting hit head-on. You gotta be freaking kidding me!

A sharp, burning sensation penetrates your chest upon impact. Your eyes roll back as you hack up a small amount of blood and collapse. In an instant, your Glitter Force attire and magical powers fade, serving as a stark reminder of your defeat. The musty smell of blood and sweat fills the air as you drift in and out of consciousness. The excruciating pain that came from the jester’s redirected attack was all you could think about at the moment. Right when your vision begins to fade, sturdy arms flip you over so that you’re facing the ceiling. Rascal wraps one of them around your shoulders while using the other to bring a bottle of water to your lips. Without a second thought, you latch greedily onto the opening and guzzle down the ice-cold liquid. The fresh wounds littering your body start to close up and all the pain that came with it dissipates in an instant. It was only when you finished drinking that you were fully cured. “What kind of weird healing water is this?” you asked, starting to come to your senses again.

Rascal grabs the empty bottle and tucks it away. “Why, none other than magical mermaid water, of course. It’s the Neverland kind so it’s of the finest quality.”

“Really? That’s pretty cool!” The wonder and awe that came with this revelation were soon replaced by bitterness upon remembering what recently transpired. You shove the jester away and send him a stern glare. “Why did you go so hard on me?! Did you forget that I’m new to this whole thing or that it’s my first training session? I didn’t get any tips on how to fight until halfway through! This was unfair and completely one-sided!” 

“Oh, boo-hoo! How heartbreaking that you weren’t given a fair chance! Sooooo tragic!” he jeered sarcastically, wiping a fake tear from his eye. “Well guess what? None of the enemies you come across are going to care that you’re a beginner. They’re not going to go easy on you or make adjustments. What they care about is destroying the Glitter Force and giving the universe an unhappy ending. That’s it!”

“I understand that but still, I’m nowhere near your level. Had it not been for that magical mermaid water you gave me, I’d probably end up being hospitalized for my injuries or in a coma. Or worse…I could be dead.”

“Well, in that case, I would’ve given you my world-famous jester juice.” A small, purple juice box with a tiny black and white fool’s cap around the brim appears in his hand. He takes a small sip and exhales through his mouth. “It’s simply to die for~!”

“Cut it out, Rascal! I’m being serious here! I don’t want to go through something like this every time we train. If this is how it’s going to be, then I’m not going to bother trying.”

“Okay, fine! Have it your way!” he huffed. His smug grin and the jester juice in his hand vanish as he rises to his feet. Shortly afterward, Rascal leans forward to offer you his outstretched hand. “Care for a game of cards?”

You take his hand and allow him to pull you up. “Um, sure! What are we playing?”

“Since you’re wanting to take things easy, I was thinking Old Maid. As you progress in your training, we can start playing more strategically-complex games like Le Truc and Écarté. Fair enough?” he asked, smiling once more.

“Sounds good to me!” 

From there, you follow him to the opposite side of the room. Rascal whips out a large red cloth from out of nowhere and drapes it over a broad space several feet above the ground. Once the ends of the cloth reach the floor, he pulls it back to reveal a round table and two wooden chairs. He motions toward the furniture set he just conjured with a wave of his hand. When there’s a lack of reaction from your end, he stands upright and frowns. “Hmph, you’re no fun!”

“What do you expect? I’m tired!” you said, taking a seat.

Rascal pulls out the remaining chair across from you and sits down. “That’s no excuse! It was an impressive trick!” He grabs his stack of trademark playing cards and sifts through them until finding the one he was looking for. For about a minute, he stares at the face of the card before discarding it.

“What was that?”

“A joker! We’ll only need one for this game!”

“So the joker is going to be the old maid? I thought a queen would be used for that.”

“You take things quite literally, don’t you?” Rascal said, sneering. “We do things outside of the norm here. I’ll have you know that most people exclude jokers entirely from their card games, despite their vital roles as the wild card and highest trump.” Rascal grimaces and turns his attention back to the deck in his hands. “If only every game were like Euchre!”

“Euchre? I think I remember you saying that was your favorite card game a long time ago.”

“You’ve got a sharp memory, dearie! Euchre holds a special place in my heart. It’s the card game that helped introduce jokers into the modern deck we have today. If only we could play, but it’s for four players only, and playing against yourself gets tiring after a while.”

“What do you mean by that?” Rascal smiles deviously and snaps his fingers together. Three motley-clad look-alikes appear beside him, all wearing the same mischievous expression. You eye each duplicate with disgust and shudder. “Okay, you’ve made your point! One Rascal is bad enough, I don’t need three more!” 

Rascal snaps his fingers once again, causing all of his clones to vanish. “If you can’t handle a couple of clowns, I don’t think you’re cut out for the circus business.”

“It’s not clowns I can’t handle, it’s you. Haven’t I made that clear enough?”

“Not one bit. Ever since we’ve been reunited, you’ve done nothing but shower me with praise and affection. And to think your deep love for me was coated in falsehoods this whole time? What a travesty!” Rascal said, feigning heartbreak.

You roll your eyes at his heavy sarcasm and melodramatic display. “Ha ha! Very funny! Now are we going to play Old Maid or not?”   

“Oh yes, the game! We can’t forget about that!”

He gets ready to shuffle the deck in his hands when you intervene. “Wait! I’ll be the one to shuffle the cards!”

“Wow, your distrust runs deeper than I thought. I may be crafty, but when it comes to card games, I always play fair.” Unconvinced, you narrow your eyes and place your open hand on the table. Rascal grits his teeth and reluctantly hands over the stack of purple cards. “Very well…”

You count the remaining 53 cards and inspect every face to make sure there were four corresponding suits for each one. It was only after realizing that nothing was amiss that you begin shuffling the deck. Rascal rests his chin on his palm and uses his other hand to drum his fingers against the table. The rate at which his sharp nails hit the surface picks up the longer you shuffle. Annoyed by his impatience, you stop and deal out the cards. Once all of them are handed out, you and Rascal begin to play.

Both of you sort through your cards and form pairs, making sure to place each one on the table. So far, Rascal had three pairs laid down, which was two pairs less than what you had. After spreading out the remaining cards, you offer him your hand. He selects the second-furthest one from the left and adds it to his stack of cards. Next, Rascal takes his turn to fan out his deck. You draw a three of spades and continue to repeat the same process as before.

As the game progresses further, you decide to break the silence. “Why did you kidnap Candy?”

Rascal does a brief double-take as he draws another card. “Where did this come from?”

“It’s been on my mind ever since Chloe mentioned it.” You pick a card and keep your gaze fixed upon him. “That night you snatched me away from the Glitter Force, you said that you don’t go around kidnapping people without a reason. I believe that to be true since Chloe didn’t mention anyone else from our group being kidnapped. I want to know why you did it and I want the truth, no lies or fabrications.” Taking a deep breath, you try to ease your grip on the cards in an attempt to conceal the rage bubbling up inside.

“Very well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to tell you. All five glitter gals know why, so you were bound to find out eventually.” Rascal takes his turn and forms a pair before returning his attention to you. “The reason is simple: she is the key to unlocking the Miracle Jewel.”

“And what’s that exactly?”

“It’s a magical, royal heirloom of Queen Euphoria’s. It has the power to grant any wish, which is why I’m trying to find it.”

“But why do you think Candy can unlock it?” you asked, drawing a king of hearts.

“Because I’ve seen her power,” Rascal explained. “It’s an incredible thing to witness! I don’t think she even realizes her potential.”

“Are you sure you’re talking about the right pixie? I haven’t seen her fight or use any magical powers against Ulric and Brute.”

“You just haven’t been around her long enough to tell,” Rascal picks another card from your hand. “It’s only when the stakes are high and the Glitter Force is on the verge of defeat that her power shines through. She’s been the key to unlocking their special abilities, like Tiara and Princess mode. Had it not been for her, you wouldn’t even be part of the Glitter Force.”

You take a card and form another pair. “Now I can understand why you’re so interested in her. Still, that doesn’t justify you kidnapping her, especially when she’s done nothing wrong.”

Rascal rests his chin in his hand and leans forward. “You may end up changing your mind about that. Tell me, if you had the Miracle Jewel in your possession, what would you wish for?” There was a twinkling in his eye slits and an eagerness about him that was hard to ignore.

You softly chew your lower lip and shift under his intense gaze. “Oh? Uh, um, well, there are so many things to wish for, it’s hard to choose just one.”

“Yes, choosing only one wish can be quite frustrating. Also, wishing for an infinite number of wishes doesn’t count. So what is it then?”

“If that’s out of the question, then I’m still unsure what I would wish for.”

“Whatever is said in this circus, stays in this circus. You can tell me!” 

“I don’t want to!” you snapped.

Rascal’s smirk grows even wider. “Oh? So there is a wish? Please tell me!”

“No!”

“Please?”

“No!”

“Please?”

“No!”

“Please?”

“No!”

“Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?” Rascal begged.

You clench your fists and feel your cheeks heat up. “Just drop it already!”

“I’m afraid I can’t! My curiosity has been piqued and I can’t go back now. I’m going to keep pestering you until you tell me. Pleeeeeeeease?”

“Okay, fine! If it’ll make you shut up, I’ll tell you,” you yelled, glaring at the jester. “If I had the Miracle Jewel, my wish would be to never feel any pain again. That way, my life will be free from suffering and heartache.”

You were expecting Rascal to downplay, laugh, or make fun of your wish. Instead, he nods and sends you a look of approval. “Not bad! I’ve heard a lot of stupid wishes like endless riches, fame, career success, immortality, beauty, you name it. But your wish actually means something!”

“Okay, now that I told you what my wish would be, what’s yours?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you kidding me?! What about giving the universe a bad ending?!”

“Emperor Nogo can do that without some stupid Miracle Jewel.”

“Then why do you want it so badly?”

“So I can destroy it,” he said, giggling. “It’s a symbol of hope for Jubiland and the rest of the world, and their hope is exactly what I want to crush.”

You take a deep breath through your nose and exhale slowly. “Rascal, you need a therapist. Scratch that, you need a whole army of therapists to fix your evil black heart. I can go on and on about why destroying the Miracle Jewel is wrong, but this is simply beyond me.”

“But crushing peoples’ hopes and dreams is one of my favorite pastimes!” he said, pouting. “It makes me happy!”

“You’re only proving my point!” 

He grumbles something under his breath and returns his focus to the game. The tension in the room was thick as the two of you carry on playing Old Maid in silence. With each passing turn, the number of cards in both of your hands continue to dwindle until they were in the single digits. As the game draws closer to an end, Rascal resumes the conversation back to where it left off. “Actually, there is one thing I would wish for.”

You raise your eyebrows at his confession. “Really? What would that be?”

“It’s a secret,” he said, playfully sticking his tongue out. 

“If you’re not going to tell me, then why bring it up in the first place?!” you scolded, yanking a card from his hand.

“So I can catch you off guard and win!” Rascal chuckles and lays down his last pair on the table. “Looks like you’re stuck with the wild card!”

You reluctantly glance at the last card you pulled and spot the joker. Sighing in defeat, you return Rascal’s stare with a strained smile. “Jerk!”

“Hey, lighten up! It’s just a game!”

“Easy for you to say! It’s just so frustrating because I keep losing!”

“There’s no need to take your failure so personally. I’m just smarter and more strategic when it comes to combat, card games, and everything else. Human beings just can’t compete with my sheer intellect.”

“If my knowledge was the size of your ego, I’d beat you in just about everything.” Accepting defeat, you place your remaining cards down and gather the ones lying on the table into one pile.

“Want to know how I ended up winning?”

“By cheating?”

“No, silly! It was by your face!”

“Excuse me?”

“You need to work on your poker face,” Rascal said, gathering all of his cards. “The average player wouldn’t have figured it out, but I did. Whenever you had the joker in your hand, you would always fixate on a specific section. Not only that, but your body would stiffen when I’d draw a card away from that area. Remember rule number two and you’ll fare better next time.”

You throw your head back and groan. “It all makes sense now!”

“Don’t worry, with my theater and improv training, you’ll be a star in no time. These are areas we’ll cover more next week!” Rascal motions for you to give him your cards, which you do. He shuffles them and performs another magic trick with his hands to make them disappear. “Now, there’s something of importance I’d like to discuss.”

“Is it the Miracle Jewel? Or is it the three items you want me to help you find?”

“It’s one of the three items. The Miracle Jewel is something I’ll be pursuing on my own. And I’d suggest not mentioning that particular object to the Glitter Force or the pixies since it would draw heavy suspicion.”

“I wasn’t planning on it. So what item will we need to collect?” Rascal summons a medium-sized purple card and slides it across the table. On the face of the card was a picture of a gold, heart-shaped locket necklace. The bold text above the image reveals the name of the object. “The Heart of Pierrot?”

“Yes! It’s the name of a golden necklace that belonged to a famous old clown. It may look unimpressive to the ordinary person, but I assure you, there is a great power hidden inside the locket. So far, this is the item I have the most leads on, which is why I brought it to your attention.”

“Pierrot? As in Pauvre Pierrot?” you gasped. “I remember you telling me stories about him and the other clowns when I was younger. This is amazing…except for the fact that you’ll be using his necklace for evil.”

“Once again, I’m impressed by your memory!” Rascal marveled. “And yes, I am talking about that Pierrot. But he’s long since dead, so he won’t mind me taking his necklace.” He ignores your disapproving stare and continues. “Based on the scarce information I’ve been able to find, I suspect it’s located somewhere in Europe. That’s where you come in! Your homework is to find out more about the Heart of Pierrot and where it’s hidden before our next training session.”

An awkward, drawn-out silence follows his request. Imagining yourself poring through every book in the Library of Legends to find information on this one object was enough to compound your rampant stress levels. You let out an audible gulp and feel the color drain from your face. “H-How will I be able to do that exactly? There’s so much to go through! On top of school work, I doubt I’ll be able to find it in one week.”

“Ask Glitter Breeze how she’s able to sort through a bunch of library books. She’s a straight-A student and the two of you are having study sessions together, so I’m sure she can help you most in that area. Simply tell her that you want to learn more about Jubiland and the Shadow Realm as a way to aid the Glitter Force, that’ll butter her up.” Rascal reaches over to give a reassuring pat on your shoulder before retrieving his card. “Don’t disappoint me now, or the consequences will be worse than a couple of sleepless nights. So what’s it going to be?”

“I’m getting really sick of your threats, Rascal!” You massage your temples and think over the possible ways to best complete this task. There’s no doubt that Chloe would be useful for organizing and narrowing down research topics. But she was only one person and you needed all the help you could get. The only other individuals that could serve as valuable assets for this assignment were Emily and Pop. Emily would be a great source of help because of the extensive amount of time she spends in the Library of Legends reading fairytales. Pop, on the other hand, does research for a living and is more knowledgeable in that area than both girls put together. If you can persuade all three of them to help, you’ll be much better off finding the Heart of Pierrot. After careful consideration, you finally acknowledge Rascal. “I’ll do the research!”

“Good girl!” He arises from his chair and approaches you, making sure to ruffle your hair when he does. “Come now, we still have more training to do!”

You slump your shoulders and nod before standing up. Hopefully this time, Rascal would be more reasonable and fair during battle. But that was probably just wishful thinking on your end. When it comes to that jester, there’s just no guessing what kind of tricks he’ll pull next.

Notes:

Author's Note: Wild card + wild summer! I would've published this earlier, but I had a three-week vacation (which included me being trapped in Greenland for four days lol). My Greenland and Denmark trip was fabulous and just the thing I needed now that I'm done with school forever.

And if anyone asks why I chose Old Maid as the card game Rascal and reader-chan played, it was because I was lazy. Ain't no way I'm writing about more complex card games in vivid detail, that was the hardest part to write in this chapter lol! And the jester juice thing...an inside joke (something that popped up in my head at 2 in the morning).

Chapter 10: The Heart Of Pierrot

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Annen-Polka, Op. 117" -Johann Strauss II

After training with Rascal, you reached out to Emily through text asking for a personal tour of the Library of Legends. As expected, she got excited by this proposal and agreed to show you around. Her passionate love for the library left no room to explain the reason behind the request, much to your relief. Thanks to her, you were able to get familiarized with the layout of all the bookshelves and the categories for each one. Spending more time at the library and learning about its diverse selection of books made you appreciate it that much more. The Library of Legends not only had every single fairytale in existence, it also had an entire section dedicated to magical items and artifacts.

When your next study session with Chloe came up, you brought up the subject of effective research strategies. You took Rascal’s advice and expressed the desire to learn more about Jubiland and the Shadow Realm as a way to aid the Glitter Force. Aside from asking for her help, you also requested to get in contact with Pop for more professional research tips. Chloe was strongly in favor of your pursuit and loved the idea of consulting Pop, wondering why she hadn’t done the same thing sooner. In the meantime, she taught you how to operate the Rainbow Hills Middle School Library Database for schoolwork. 

Once Chloe was able to borrow the charm chest from Emily, she used the glitter phone charm to call Pop. As it turns out, he was an even more valuable resource than you had originally anticipated. He taught both of you how to narrow down your search with keywords, pick reliable sources of information, organize data, and other time-efficient techniques. Overall, the daunting quest for the Heart of Pierrot was coming along much smoother than expected. 

To avoid drawing suspicion, you only frequented the Library of Legends around midnight to retrieve books from the magical item and artifacts section. Fortunately, no one caught you rummaging around during those times. In the past six days alone, you’ve searched through thirty books for any mention of the Heart of Pierrot. Every break between school and homework was dedicated to finding its whereabouts. Your patience was wearing thinner as the deadline and Rascal’s impending visit loomed closer. But it was right when all your hard work and efforts seemed most in vain that you finally found it…

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

“Wakey! Wakey!” a chipper voice cooed. 

“Five more minutes…” you murmured groggily, turning your head to the other side.

A faint chuckling is heard nearby before a sharp fingernail pokes the side of your cheek. “No can do, sleepyhead! Rise and shine! There’s a beautiful moon out tonight~!” Upon registering whose voice it is, you fling yourself upright with a startled gasp. The unwelcome sight of Rascal and his proximity were enough to give you a heart attack. He flashes you a fanged grin and casually waves. “Nice to see you again, Glitter Fantasy! Looks like you’ve been sleeping on the job.” 

You furrow your brows, unsure of what he’s referring to until you inspect the surrounding space. Instead of a cozy bed, there was a messy desk filled with miscellaneous books, papers, and writing utensils. The table lamp continues to burn bright, illuminating the clutter with a warm yellow glow. But even with the light still on, both Rascal and the bedroom remained blurry. Slowly, you rub your eyes and yawn before acknowledging the animated jester. “How many times do I have to tell you to stop visiting me in my room unannounced?”

“But where else am I supposed to go? You said you didn’t want to hold meetings in public,” Rascal pouted.

“I don’t know, I’m tired. What time is it?”

“One in the morning!”

“It’s that late?!” you croaked. “W-When was the deadline again?”

“Right now!” Rascal takes several steps closer and places a firm hand on your shoulder. The hollow black eyes of his mask dilate as his iron grip tightens. “So tell me, have you found where the Heart of Pierrot is?”

You nod, squirming under his touch and piercing stare. “Y-Yes, I did. One of the books I read called Fairytale Treasures of Scandinavia says it’s in the town of Copenhagen in Denmark. If I remember correctly, the necklace is being guarded under a lake at an amusement park called Tivoli Gardens.”

In an instant, Rascal’s serious expression vanishes as an amused smile makes its way onto his face. He throws back his head and begins shaking with silent laughter. Gradually, his soft chuckles grow louder until they turn into boisterous howls. “That makes so much sense! They couldn’t have picked a better location for Pierrot’s necklace! Of all the places to hide it, it had to be Tivoli!”

“Shhhh! Be quiet!” you rasped, bringing a finger to your lips. “My parents are asleep in the other room. Did you forget that?” You glance toward the bedroom door, silently praying that no one would come barging in. 

Rascal covers his mouth with both hands to stifle his laughter. Shortly afterward, the sound of groaning and the shifting of bedsheets comes from next door. “Is everything alright in there?” Dad called out.

“Yeah, Dad I’m fine! Just another weird dream!”

“Typical…” He lets out a deep yawn, followed by the sound of his head plopping back down on the pillow.

A couple of minutes pass in silence before Rascal speaks again. “My apologies, I just found the location amusing.”

“Clearly,” you sighed, still weirded out by his reaction. “Why’s that so funny anyways?”

“Because it’s one of the only places on Earth where Pierrot is still a relevant figure. It’s like these pixies aren’t even trying to be careful. Either they’re brain-dead or extremely prideful in their ability to guard the locket. It’s probably a mixture of both!”

“If it’s so obvious, why couldn’t you figure it out? Why’d you have me slave away to find it?”

“I couldn’t rely upon pure speculation! I needed proof and an exact location.” Rascal takes the opened hardcover book from the desk and examines the contents of its pages. “Now I have the evidence, so there’s no need for that sour attitude. You’ve done a good job making yourself useful!”

“Thanks! Can I go back to sleep now?”

“No can do, there’s still more work to be done.”

“Seriously? Like what?” you groaned.

He closes the hardcover book and returns it to the desk. “Accompanying me to Tivoli Gardens, of course!” Rascal’s smile grows even wider as he lets out a delighted squeal. “It’s been so long since I visited. I’m so excited, I can’t contain it!”

He starts bouncing on his toes, leading you to take a few steps back. “Please contain it! I’d prefer to keep my room intact. Also, you want me to go with you? When?”

“Right now! What better time is there? Copenhagen is nine hours ahead, so it would be around ten o’clock in the morning. That’s the perfect time to go, don’t you think?”

“Well, yeah, that is a good time. But this is so last minute, I would’ve liked more time to prepare before traveling to another country. And I’m so tired…I need more sleep.” You yawn as if to emphasize that statement. 

“There’s no need to worry about travel, I can take care of that. Do you know what time you fell asleep at your desk?”

“Hmmm, I think it was around six. I didn’t even get to eat dinner. I was so exhausted!”

“Then you’ve got around seven hours of sleep, which is pretty good if you ask me,” Rascal said. “As for the food, we’ll get you some grub once we’re in Tivoli. You can let out your inner glutton with no judgment!”

“I hope you’ll be paying then––for both the food and the tickets.” This last-minute arrangement to Tivoli Gardens prompts you to examine your attire, which was a Rainbow Hills Middle School uniform. “I guess I should get changed then.”

“Make sure to wear some comfortable pants and sneakers for walking and running around in. Bring your glitter pact too! We might end up needing it. Oh, and also put on a hoodie! You’ll need to cover that lovely purple hair so no one will suspect our innocent heroine of being a criminal accomplice.”

“Forced criminal accomplice!” you corrected before walking toward the closet. “Also, could you please poof out of this dimension or something while I change? I need some privacy!”

“Yes, of course! I’ll give you five minutes tops!” He holds up five fingers and wiggles them around before vanishing.You sigh and shake your head. “What a weirdo!” 

For the next five minutes or so, you gather the exact articles of clothing Rascal specified and change into them. You make sure to choose plain garments and gloves with natural colors in hopes of drawing less attention. After changing outfits, you tie your hair back, throw the hood over your head, and pull the drawstrings of your jacket to secure it in place. Finally, you retrieve your glitter pact and place it in one of the unzipped pockets of your hoodie. Once everything is taken care of, you head over to the full-length mirror next to the bed and stare vacantly into it.

On cue, Rascal makes his inevitable return, materializing right beside you. He peers down to scrutinize your choice of clothing while stroking his chin. “Hmmm, not very fashion-forward. But it’ll do, I guess.”

“I’m trying to blend in, not make a statement.” You continue to gaze at your reflection, unable to ignore the dark bags under your eyes. “I look so tired…”

“You just look like an average college student! But not to worry, we’ll get you caffeinated.”

“So long as it’s not jester juice, I’m good.”

Rascal snickers and pats your back. “Very funny! Now do you have your glitter pact?” You nod, showing him the pink compact before returning it to your jacket pocket and zipping it shut. He claps his hands together, appearing satisfied. “Perfect! All that’s left to do is get you masked up.”

“Masked up?!”

“Yes, masked up!” he drawled, sending you a judgmental stare. “Your face is still out in the open for all to see. We can’t have that!” Rascal gestures towards it as a way to support his argument. 

You roll your eyes and groan. “Okay, true, I can’t show my face or I’ll be recognized. But a mask is going to draw more attention and that’s the very thing I’m trying to avoid.”

“Well, it’s the best thing we’ve got. It’s either a mask or having your reputation tarnished. Pick one!”

“Okay fine, I’ll go with the mask! I just hope it doesn’t fall off while we’re there.”

“You mustn’t worry about that. I can just enchant it to stay on, like I do with mine.” From out of nowhere, Rascal conjures up a paper-mâché mask and holds it out in front of him. The face is milky white with black triangular accentuations above and below the eye slits. A single, dark teardrop is positioned underneath the left eye, adjacent to where the painted red lips are. “This is a Venetian Pierrot mask! Pierrot is a well-known character at Tivoli so even with it on, you won’t stand out too much. It’ll be like wearing Mickey Mouse ears to Disneyland. No biggie!”

Reluctantly, you reach out to take the mask from his hands and run your fingers over the smooth material. You take one last glance at the jester before holding it against your face. A pale blue light emits from the mask to seal it in place. Immediately, your hands shoot up to try to remove it. A feeling of panic sweeps over you when the mask doesn’t budge. “T-This will come off, r-right?”

“Of course it will, but only after we bring back the Heart of Pierrot. This is for your protection, so there’s no need to be so frightened.” Indifferent to your struggles, Rascal turns his attention aside to summon a giant playing card in midair. The face of it shows a live scene of a clear blue sky, with the occasional white cloud drifting by. “Let’s get a move on, I haven’t got all day!” 

With one last glance in the mirror, you sigh in defeat and cease all efforts at removing the mask. As you approach Rascal and the hovering card, your hesitation to leave grows. “Ummm, do you expect me to just step through and plummet to my death? I can’t fly without my glitter powers!”

“Fear not! I have just the solution!” Rascal snaps his fingers together, summoning another large card. This time, it was positioned horizontally with only the backside visible. The jester climbs on top of the card and extends his hand as an invitation to come onboard. “Whaddya say, dearie? Care for a magic card-pet ride?”

You press your lips together and exhale through your nose. “If falling from the sky won’t be the death of me, your puns certainly will.” Despite your witty reply, you take his outstretched hand and step onto the purple card, being careful not to fall along the way. Once you both sit down and get settled, you turn to Rascal to speak. “Does this card have any seatbelts?”

“Nope! What fun would that be?” As soon as that last word leaves his lips, the card lurches forward and shoots through the portal, leaving you no time to prepare.

Once outside, your senses are immediately assailed by the outside elements. The warm sunshine beats down upon you and Rascal as the magic card meets resistance from the gusty winds. When it starts to wobble and jolt, you shriek and cling to him. “I don’t wanna die! I’m not ready to die!” He giggles at your fearful display and wraps his arm around you. You freeze, cringing at his seemingly protective display. It was difficult to decide which was worse: holding onto Rascal as your only hope for security or having him reciprocate the gesture.

Without warning, the flying card makes a sharp dip and begins to dive. This sudden movement elicits another shriek from your end, leading you to cling onto Rascal even tighter. You didn’t have to see his face to know that he was enjoying every minute of this, making this experience even more unbearable. 

Every now and then, groups of albatross birds would swerve out of the way to avoid getting knocked down by the speeding card. One particular group reacted with angry squawking, going so far as to change directions and start pursuing you and Rascal. He confirms your suspicions when he utters the following line. “We’ve got company~!” Slowly, you mimic his actions and look behind, hoping this was just another one of his cruel jokes. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

A flock of furious birds were close behind, screeching and flapping their wings with great intensity. The leader propels forward, staring at you and Rascal with immense hatred in its beady black eyes. As the bird draws closer, it tries to nip at your masked face, missing each time. Despite its failed attempts, it wasn’t enough to ease your worries.

You dig your nails into Rascal’s arms before shaking him. “Please make them go away! I don’t know how much more I can handle! Please Rascal, I’m begging you! Just send us to Tivoli Gardens already!”

His close-lipped smile doesn’t budge an inch when he notices your panicked state. He leans over and uses his unoccupied hand to pat your head. “Who am I to say no to such a fragile, scared little girl.” You clench your teeth and resist making any disrespectful comebacks. It would be unwise to get on Rascal’s bad side, especially now. Your life was in his hands after all.

He summons his regular deck of purple cards and tosses them at the flock. Each one smacks an albatross hard in the face, causing them to screech and veer off course. The onslaught of cards was enough to cause every bird to fall headlong into a small pond far below. Once they’re all taken care of, the giant card proceeds to lower you and Rascal closer to the ground until landing inside an isolated alleyway. Immediately, you jump down and rush to the nearest trash can to dry-heave. You try your best to hold it in, especially since the mask is glued to your face. The last thing you wanted to do was to coat your face with foul vomit.

“There, there! It’ll be okay!” Rascal said, gently massaging your back.

You pivot towards the jester and smack his hands away. “Why would you do this?! That was the worst magic carpet ride ever! It was nothing like Aladdin ! I thought I was going to die! And those birds…don’t even get me started…”

A look of surprise crosses Rascal’s face. “I knew those pesky birds frightened you, but I didn’t think you hated our journey that much. I thought this would be a great start to our day in Tivoli Gardens. I found it absolutely thrilling!”

“You’re serious?”

“As the plague!” Any second now, Rascal would deliver a punchline and reveal that he was joking. 

But that reaction never came. No taunts or backhanded remarks followed. You gape at his placid expression and shake your head in disbelief. “Wow, you weren’t kidding!”

“Of course not, now let’s get going!” 

Without further ado, Rascal grabs your hand and pulls you in the direction of a distant, red brick building. Its elegant and historic architecture closely resembles that of the Victorian Era. The arched windows, helm roofs, and towering turrets on every corner contribute to its timeless charm. It was unclear whether this structure was part of Tivoli Gardens or not, but it appears to hold some sort of significance. This was confirmed by the continuous flow of people entering and exiting through its numerous doors.

Rascal speaks once both of you are in front of the building. “This is Copenhagen Central Station, otherwise known as the largest railway station in Denmark.”

“That’s cool! Why couldn’t we use this place to get to Tivoli?”

“Because there’s no need. Tivoli Gardens is just across the street!” Rascal points to his left to where the entrance to the amusement park is located. Underneath the blue, grandiose Tivoli sign is the box office. 

“Well, that’s convenient!” You and Rascal wait for the traffic light to turn green before crossing the busy street. From there, the two of you get in line and wait to buy tickets to Tivoli Gardens. It was hard not to ignore and shrink back from the many curious stares you and Rascal received. The children nearby spoke loudly about how weird both of you looked and were especially insistent on peeking at your Pierrot mask. It felt like a painstakingly long time before you and Rascal finally reached the front of the line.

A plump, blond man motions the two of you forward to the ticket booth. Rascal links his arm with yours and approaches the man with a jolly grin. “We’ll take two tickets to Tivoli Gardens please!”

The man at the booth scrutinizes both of your faces longer than necessary before responding. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. Not unless your friend removes her mask.” You freeze in place as the man motions toward you with a look of indifference. 

“B-But why?” you stuttered.

“I need to see part of your face. It’s park protocol! Sorry, I don’t make the rules.” His response leads you to slump your shoulders and bow your head. There was no point in arguing further, especially since the amusement park rules were out of your control. 

“Could you explain this then?” Rascal points to a green signpost next to the ticket booth. It had an image of a surgical face mask with the words ‘face mask required’ plastered above it.

The blond man glimpses at the sign and sighs. “That requirement was only there for the Coronavirus pandemic, which has since passed.”

“Then why is the sign still there?” Rascal asked.

“I don’t know, I didn’t put it there. Look, just have your friend take off her mask and we can get you both in.”

You wring your hands together and stare at the ground with downcast eyes. “T-This isn’t fair!”

Rascal’s irritation starts to break through his chipper demeanor. He wraps a protective arm around you, sending the man a defiant scowl. “How can you be so cruel to someone who’s gone through so much in life? My best friend and I have traveled halfway across the world to come here. You have no idea what she’s going through!” He raises his voice for dramatic effect, causing everyone else waiting in line to fall silent. Even some bystanders passing by stop what they’re doing to listen.

You decide to play along by pretending to cry. “I-I don’t have much time to live…” He pulls you closer as your fake sniffles grow louder.

“I didn’t want to be put in the position to explain my best friend’s sufferings, but you leave me no choice.” The man at the booth tries to interject, but Rascal speaks over him. “She’s embarrassed by her disfigured appearance, which is why she wears a mask. By asking her to remove it in public, you’re putting her through extreme distress and causing traumatic memories to resurface. Not only that, but she has stage four cancer. She only has three months left to live and her last wish was for me to take her to this amusement park before she dies…” His voice trembles near the end as his face contorts into one of pure anguish. You lean your masked face against Rascal’s chest and pretend to sob harder.

The visitors waiting in line were growing more restless with the increased wait time and angrier at the situation playing out before them. Some people have their smartphones handy to record the conflict, while others start voicing their disapproval toward the box office employee. 

“Haven’t they suffered enough? Just let them in already!” a young couple behind you yelled.

“Ableist scumbag!” a blue-haired woman screeched.

“Disgusting anti-masker! Have you no shame?” an old bearded man shouted, shaking his fist.

More people in the crowd hurl insults at the man, while others voice their sympathy towards you and Rascal. Even though you were frustrated with being denied access to the park, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for the man at the booth. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights, paralyzed by fear and remorse. “I-I’m so s-sorry, I had no idea,” he stuttered, pulling out two wristbands. “T-That’ll be 878 Danish k-krone!” Rascal hands him the specified amount of money in exchange for the wristbands. Afterward, both of you enter through the gate into Tivoli Gardens.

Once the man and everyone else in the crowd are out of earshot, Rascal begins to snicker. “They totally fell for it! That was hilarious! And nice thinking with that ‘I don’t have much time to live’ nonsense. Looks like you’re cut out for improv after all!” He clutches his sides and laughs some more as the two of you descend the staircase to the main grounds.

“Thanks, that was the best excuse I could come up with,” you said, eyeing the surrounding rides and snack booths. “I still don’t know if this whole mask thing was such a good idea though. It caused a huge scene and made that man a target.”

“He deserved it! He should know better than to get in my way.”

“He was being overbearing with the mask, but he was just doing his job. And where did you get that money from, anyways?”

“I stole it!” he said, casually.

You give him a disapproving stare. “Rascal, that’s bad!”

“You say that like I should care!” 

You were about to retort when your stomach emitted a low growl, which was loud enough to get Rascal’s attention. “Say no more, let’s get you some food!” You avert your gaze and nod, allowing him to direct you to the left side of the park. It wasn’t long before you both arrived at an indoor food court known as Tivoli Food Hall. There were a total of 15 food stalls packed inside the small structure, with a diverse selection of international cuisines and dietary options. Each stall had something for everyone, making it easier for you and Rascal to decide on what to eat.

After your orders are ready, both of you find a table in the crowded courtyard next to Tivoli Food Hall. You ordered a simple meal with a highly caffeinated beverage to keep you awake. Rascal ended up getting a Danish smørrebrød and Faxe Kondi soda. Upon sitting down, you wonder how it would be possible to eat if you couldn’t remove the Pierrot mask. As if Rascal had read your mind, he makes a motion with his hand, further enchanting it by opening up the mouth portion to mimic the movements of your lips. This allowed you to eat with ease, all without having to adjust or remove the mask. The two of you continue to receive curious stares from the strangers nearby, much to your dismay. But he didn’t appear to be bothered by the excessive attention or imprudent comments made about his appearance. 

“Rascal?”

“Mhmm?” he mumbled, taking a bite of his food.

“How are you not bothered by all these people staring at us?”

“Why should I be? I don’t care what they think.” He swallows his food and takes a big sip of his soda. “The opinions of a bunch of worthless humans have no impact on my life whatsoever. I doubt we’ll ever see them again. Are you that insecure as to allow a bunch of wandering eyes to bother you?” 

“Maybe I am,” you said, frowning. “I wish I had your confidence.”

“I do have a bunch of amazing qualities, don’t I? But there’s no need to fret. Think on the bright side: Soon, Emperor Nogo will drain them of all their negative energy and wipe them out of existence. Then you’ll never have to worry about getting judgmental stares ever again.” 

The sheer joy Rascal got from his last remark did nothing to alleviate your insecurities. If anything, it only served to increase your discomfort. “You sure have a funny way of comforting others, if that was even your intention.” Right when you are about to finish eating the last of your meal, a piercing cry comes from behind.

A beautiful peacock sporting a magnificent display of blue and green feathers stood inches away from the table. The bird meets your gaze and waddles a little bit closer, with the bell on his red collar jingling along the way. His big, brown eyes shift between your face and the food on your tray, making the intentions behind his visit clear. Rascal diverts his attention away from his meal to acknowledge the peacock. “Just what we need, more pesky birds. Go away! Shoo!” He attempts to deter the creature from coming closer by flicking a crumpled-up paper straw wrapper at him. It lightly hits the bird on the head, causing it to jolt and ruffle its feathers. Other than that, he shows no other sign of distress and continues to draw near. 

“Nice going, genius!” you said sarcastically, chuckling at Rascal’s disgruntled expression. In hopes of annoying him further, you motion the peacock to come closer by luring it with a piece of food. The bird nudges the scrap with its beak before yanking it out of your hand and swallowing it whole. Hungry for more, the peacock looks at you with pleading eyes and inches closer. You give Rascal a sidelong glance and notice his irritation growing. “What’s your problem? He’s nothing like those angry birds from earlier.”

“Doesn’t matter! I’m not a fan of animals, especially peacocks! They’re obnoxious!” he huffed.

“Lighten up! You’re acting like he’s some kind of menace. He’s just doing what any other normal bird would do.” You feed him another scrap from your plate and watch him scarf it down. The red collar, jingling bell, and the metal tag attached to it pique your curiosity, prompting you to reach over and touch it. To your surprise, the peacock allows you to flip over his metal tag. “How cute! His name is Clancy! What a fitting name!”

“Can we leave now?” Rascal groaned, taking another sip from his drink.

“Yeah, we can go! I was done with my food anyway.” The two of you rise from your seats and throw away the leftover plates, utensils, and napkins. Once that’s taken care of, you and Rascal exit the courtyard and start heading towards the center of the park. “Now what?”

“Now we start going on all the rides!”

You turn to him, perplexed. “But aren’t we on a mission to get the Heart of Pierrot?”

“Of course we are, but we’re not going to snatch it in broad daylight with a bunch of people around. That would be stupid! Why not have fun in the meantime and wait until it gets dark to take the necklace? It’s not every day that you get to spend time at the world’s second-oldest amusement park, which has been around for almost 200 years.”

“It’s that old?! I had no idea!” You survey the park grounds and its old-world charm with a greater appreciation. The quaint restaurants, cafés, and gift shops scattered throughout the vicinity looked like something straight out of a fairytale. Each one is surrounded by a multitude of colorful flowers, lush foliage, fruit trees, and decorations. As gorgeous as these sections of the park are, it didn’t compare to the magnificent marble palace up ahead. It had a beautiful blend of Danish and Moorish-style architecture with an assortment of intricate designs etched onto the walls. There were also regal arches, minarets, and domes overlooking the freshly manicured garden. In the center stood a water fountain alongside a series of evergreen shrubs and purple and white hydrangeas. The palace exudes an air of elegance and luxury that complements and contrasts with the rest of the park. You come to a stop once you’re in front of the building to admire the view. “What is this place?”

“The Nimb Hotel! It’s a five-star, luxury resort for rich people,” Rascal explained.

“Really? That’s interesting! I wasn’t expecting such a place to be located inside of an amusement park. I’d love to stay the night here sometime.”

“I doubt you’ll ever be able to afford it.” His cocky grin grows wider when you glare at him. You try to think of a clever comeback but get interrupted by a familiar cry. It was coming from Clancy, who was walking over to you and Rascal. The jester’s smirk disappears when he notices the peacock. “Ugggggh, not him again!”

“Looks like we’re being followed.” You smile and bend down to pet him. He nuzzles up against your hand before hopping over the white wire fence into the garden. The peacock races across the green lawn to a miniature replica of the Nimb Hotel. There was a small opening underneath where Clancy stuck his head to rummage around.

Rascal clasps your hand and yanks you in the opposite direction. “Now’s our chance to ditch him!” The two of you barely take a step forward before the peacock returns with something in his beak. Clancy leaps over the fence and bites down on the object, causing it to squeak. He drops his toy on the ground and gives you both an expectant look. You reach down to snatch it, but Rascal beats you to it. Without a second thought, he retracts his arm back and hurls the object far away. Clancy lets out a happy chirp and starts sprinting in the direction of the toy. Rascal watches the bird depart before letting out a satisfied sigh. “That should do the trick! Now that he’s gone, we can finally go on the rides.”

“Sounds good to me. I just hope we don’t have to wait in the lines for too long.”

“We won’t! I’ve got that covered!” He winks at you while ignoring your questioning gaze.

Rascal kept his word and got the two of you to the front of the lines, thanks to the mysterious V.I.P passes he showed to the ride attendants. Knowing him, these passes were either stolen or created on a whim. Unsurprisingly, most of the people who had been patiently waiting in line were not pleased by this turn of events. But the wait time for each ride was around an hour long, so you didn’t complain. 

Half of the day was spent going on as many rides as possible, except for the small kiddie attractions. Rascal was a huge fan of the roller coasters and the spinny rides, which was made evident by his loud hooting and hollering. His favorite one was an overly-turbulent roller coaster called The Demon, which he made you go on with him many times over. It was only when you complained about bile rising in your throat after the eighth time that he finally agreed to move on to other attractions. 

Riding on the Ferris wheels and bright-colored carousels was a nice change of pace, helping to ease your churning stomach. Rascal wasn’t as much of a fan of these types of rides, but he did enjoy riding a giraffe on one of the carousels while passionately singing “La Donna è Mobile” from an Italian opera called Rigoletto . His energy and desire for thrill-seeking increased with every ride, which made it more difficult for him to contain his giddiness. The consequences of this manifested when the two of you went on the bumper car attractions and the dragon boats. He had no qualms about deliberately ramming his vehicle into others, especially those with small children in it. If anybody got upset, he’d feign ignorance and act like it was an accident.

Every once in a while, Clancy would return with his squeaky toy in his beak and wait for the two of you by a ride exit. As expected, Rascal got angry each time and would find some way to get rid of the peacock. His most interesting and creative attempt at deterring him was to lure the bird onto a scary ride called the Villa Vendetta. Clancy whined and scurried away when you and Rascal approached the entrance of the attraction, and it wasn’t long before you wished you had done the same.

The Villa Vendetta was a unique ride where a group of people would walk through a series of haunted rooms in a creepy, decrepit mansion. Rascal volunteered to take the lead while you trailed behind, which ended up being a huge mistake. During the start of the ride, the two of you traversed through the first story of the mansion, which wasn’t so bad. Each room was filled with vintage and gothic decor, coupled with the faint sound of a phonograph playing 1920s music in the background. However, the mildly unsettling atmosphere quickly took a turn for the worse upon entering the second story. 

Blood and gore were staining the peeling wallpaper, which coincided with the disembodied voices, grainy pictures covered in scratches, and shadowy figures popping in and out of your peripheral vision. You lost your calm composure when one of the scare actors, who was dressed up as a demonic porcelain doll, jumped out from behind one of the window curtains with a shrill cackle. Several more instances like these followed, and each time they did, Rascal deliberately walked slower just to annoy you. He even had the audacity to strike up small talk with the scare actors, asking them about the weather and the current state of the Danish economy. It seemed like hours had passed until both of you finally reached the exit. If there was anything to be learned from this, it’s that Rascal is the absolute worst person to go on scary attractions with.

After that frightful experience, the two of you strolled through some of the flower gardens, visited gift shops, went to the Tivoli Aquarium, and explored the fun house. Rascal was especially fond of the latter attraction, much more than any six-foot-tall jester should. You suffered second-hand embarrassment when he began bouncing off the walls, flipping, and cartwheeling through groups of unsuspecting kids. It was difficult to catch up with him or keep him away from trouble. He was much more rambunctious and hyperactive than any child you’ve seen so far. Little by little, you were becoming more drained, both physically and emotionally. It got to the point where you had to pull Rascal aside and ask for a break. Thankfully, he didn’t object and agreed to stop somewhere close by to rest and grab a bite to eat.

Right now, you’re having a late lunch at a charming, outdoor café. Rascal had already eaten and was standing in front of your table, creating an assortment of colorful balloon animals and hats. His rationale for doing so was to compete with the balloon shop across from the café. He was unimpressed with their selection, claiming that he could make superior balloons with his eyes closed and sell them for more money. So far, he was proving himself to be correct. Swarms of people of all ages gathered around Rascal at every opportunity, watching in awe as he perfected his craft. They put in their personalized requests for the types of balloons they wanted and were more than willing to pay outrageous prices for them. You refused to complain, however, especially after he made you a purple narwhal balloon animal free of charge.

Eventually, Rascal got tired from the repetitiveness of the task and retired from balloon-making. Everybody in the remaining crowd reluctantly departed, voicing their disappointment. He does a double-check to make sure everyone around him isn’t paying attention before poofing the leftover balloon supplies out of existence. Once that’s taken care of, Rascal takes the seat across from you at the table and counts all the Danish krone he earned. “Well, that was easy! If I had continued this for another hour, I’d be able to afford an overnight stay at the Nimb Hotel.”

“Seriously?!” you gasped. “Don’t get me wrong, you are the most skilled balloon artist I’ve ever seen. But still, I wasn’t expecting you to make that much in only thirty minutes.”

He lifts his chin to meet your gaze as his hollow eyes crinkle in delight. “A compliment from Glitter Fantasy? I never thought this day would come. How sweet~!”

“Please don’t read too much into it.” 

From somewhere in the distance, an audible groan of frustration could be heard. You and Rascal take your eyes off each other to face the source of the noise. It came from one of the repairmen, who was fixing an object wedged in between one of the street lamps. He was standing on top of a ladder and using a rag to aggressively scrub off something. Another repairman was positioned below, holding a bucket of soapy water. “How’s everything going up there?”

“Terrible! There’s this pitch-black ink covering one of the cameras. I can’t get it off no matter how hard I scrub,” complained the repairman above. He stops what he’s doing to peer down at his coworker. “Can you bring me a stronger cleaning solution?”

The other man shakes his head. “This is the strongest kind we have. I don’t understand, we’ve never had this problem before. One by one, all of the security cameras have stopped working.”

“All of them?!”

“Every single one! The weather’s been great all day, so the only possible explanation for this is vandalism. But none of the cameras were able to catch anything suspicious, which is what makes this so strange…”

It was as you were processing these tidbits of information that it finally hit you. You turn to Rascal, raising a figurative brow. “Pitch black ink, huh?”

“Indeed!” The corners of his mouth quiver up into a conceited smirk, appearing pleased with himself. Judging by his expression, you could tell he was trying really hard not to laugh.

“How did you get away with this? I never saw you do anything! I didn’t even see any security cameras around.”

“I took my chances whenever we were in a busy area or if we happened to walk past a large group of people. You didn’t notice because you were distracted, but I can’t exactly blame you. Anybody who’s sleep-deprived and visiting a foreign amusement park for the first time would have their mind on other things.” Rascal notices your silence, seeing it as a sign to continue talking. “What? Did you really think we were just going to fart around all day and do nothing of importance? As much as I love the rides here, that wasn’t the main reason for covering every nook and cranny of this place. I’ve been scouring the premises for cameras this whole time.”

It takes a minute for his explanation to sink in. “Unbelievable…I thought you were just procrastinating. You never told me your strategy or true intentions.”

“And why should I? That’s something stupid, small-minded villains do, like my subordinates for example. They can’t hold their tongues and always end up spilling their plans to the Glitter Force before carrying them through. And yet, they wonder why they keep losing every time.”

Out of stubbornness and pride, you remain silent, not wanting to say anything that might feed Rascal’s ego. You’d never admit it, but he was a cunning strategist and an evil one at that. On top of this, he had completely caught you off guard. His outwardly cheerful and energetic demeanor had been the central point of your focus, leading you to forget the manipulative schemer lurking underneath. Even with all the fun rides and carefree joy surrounding him, he was already plotting his next move and figuring out how to best execute it. Pop’s warning of the jester’s unpredictable nature plays in your head, serving as a reminder to never let your guard down.

“Oh, Fantasy! Earth to Fantasy!” At once, you push back any ruminating thoughts and shift your focus back to Rascal, who is waving a hand in front of your masked face. When he’s certain he has your attention, he withdraws it at once. “Looks like you had your head up in the clouds. How was the view?”

“Pretty great, honestly! No annoying jesters to be seen,” you sarcastically replied. 

There was a sound of flapping wings approaching from above. Rascal’s teasing smile is immediately replaced with a deep scowl as he watches Clancy land on the table. “How about annoying peacocks?”

“Nope!” The giggle you tried to suppress bursts forth unexpectedly. You didn’t know what was funnier, the timing of Clancy’s arrival or Rascal’s ongoing feud with him. He starts shuffling over to Rascal as you continue to laugh, not caring that your reaction might upset him further. 

The jester leans forward and motions for the peacock to draw closer. “C’mere, birdie! Want me to play with your widdle toy?” Clancy responds by biting down on his squeaky toy and shaking his tail feathers. He waddles closer until the distance between them is only an arm’s length away. Rascal takes that chance to snatch the object from the bird’s beak before lifting it out of reach. He materializes a red balloon in his other hand and ties the string around the toy. Clancy emits a surprised cry when it begins to levitate off the ground. While he hops on his toes to try to catch the toy, Rascal summons a handful of larger balloons and wastes no time in tying all the strings around him. “Don’t worry, you’ll float too~!” he chuckled, observing the bird flail and lurch forward to nip at the toy above.

You watch with apprehension as the strong wind carries Clancy and the squeaky toy high into the sky until they’re nothing more than black dots. Rascal takes notice of your prolonged stare and scoffs. “I don’t see what your problem is. He’s an absolute nuisance!”

“No, he’s not! He’s just a peacock who doesn’t know any better. Besides, I doubt you’ll be able to get rid of him for long. Clancy will be back eventually.”

“Not this time!” Rascal said with an air of confidence. He rises to his feet and dusts off his hands before placing them on his hips. “If you’re finished with your lunch, we should get going. There’s going to be a pantomime show shortly that I’d like you to see.”

You stand up and grab your narwhal balloon animal. “Pantomime shows still exist?”

“Not exactly! Tivoli Gardens is the only place in the world where it’s still professionally performed.”

“How wonderful,” you sighed, unable to suppress the excited tone in your voice. The heart beating inside your chest began racing with exhilaration at the thought of experiencing such a rare art form.

Before stopping by to reserve seats, Rascal wanted to buy some snacks to munch on during the performance. His suggestion was too attractive to ignore, despite eating a full meal not too long ago. Both of you swing by a concession stand selling a small selection of cotton candy-themed treats. After receiving both of your orders, Rascal led you to the outdoor pantomime theater, which was located close to the Nimb Hotel. 

The outer portions of the stage were modeled after ancient Chinese architecture and embellished with rich hues of green, red, and blue. An upturned roof and a series of gilded frames adorn the exterior, complementing the oriental designs and peacock curtain in the center. Rows of wooden benches lay in front of the theater, with about half of the seats already occupied. Luckily, you and Rascal were able to snag two spots with a clear view of the stage. You take a seat and begin eating your dessert, waiting for the stage production to start. “What’s the name of the show we’ll be watching?”

Rascal swallows the bite he had taken out of his cotton candy burrito and answers. “From what I recall, today’s show is titled Pierrot is Madly in Love. It’s supposed to be a comedy!”

“Pierrot is in it?! Not the real Pierrot, but his character?”

“That would be correct. Pantomime did originate partly from Commedia Dell’Arte, after all. It would only make sense for classic characters like Pierrot to star in these types of productions,” he explained, taking another bite out of his burrito. A sudden movement from the center stage catches both of your attention. The feathered section of the curtain rises while the peacock’s body sinks into the floor until both are out of sight. This action, along with the hushed voices from the audience, was an indication that the show was about to begin.

Even though it was a pantomime, you could still follow along with the story and the characters being introduced, partly thanks to Rascal’s commentary. From what could be gathered, a stingy, wealthy man named Cassander was trying to arrange a marriage between his daughter and a foolish rich suitor. The daughter, whose name is Columbine, wanted no part in this arrangement. She was in love with another man named Harlequin, who returned her deep affection. You recognized Harlequin as the famous jester from some of the childhood stories Rascal shared with you long ago. Eventually, a familiar white clown made his appearance on stage. It was none other than Pierrot himself, who was also madly in love with the fair Columbine. Unfortunately for him, his romantic feelings were not reciprocated.

Classical music accompanied the slapstick humor and ballet sequences, bringing an assortment of different sounds to an otherwise silent production. Every time Pierrot was on stage, booming laughter from the other attendees drowned out the orchestra. The audience was especially boisterous as the scene on stage unfolded before them. Harlequin, with his trademark diamond-patterned costume, whacks Pierrot senseless with a large stick. Columbine stands to the side, covering her mouth and silently giggling as the white clown gets beaten. You finish the last of your snack and sigh. “Poor Pierrot…”

“Hmmmm?” Rascal hummed, taking his eyes off the performance to give you a questioning stare.

“I just don’t understand why everyone finds this so funny. I love the dancing, music, and costumes, but I don’t like how the humor is always at Pierrot’s expense.”

“That’s just how humans are,” Rascal said, seething. He lowers his gaze with a look of deep contemplation on his face. For a split second, a red glow emits from his eye slits before vanishing. “But there’s still something about human nature I don’t understand. What is it that causes people to laugh at the humiliation of others? What makes humiliation so special that it becomes an instrument of comedy? It’s striking to me––the degree to which others will objectify someone because of his role.”

You stare at the jester in astonishment, not expecting this kind of response from him. “I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t understand it myself. And when you say ‘role,’ are you referring to clowns?”

Rascal nods, returning his attention to the stage. “That’s exactly what I mean! A clown is a role like no other. Human authors and playwrights created clowns specifically to make a mockery out of them. How would you feel if you found out that the only reason for your existence was to be poked fun at and humiliated for the amusement of others?”

“I would hate it…” you said, trying to picture such a miserable existence. Your frown grows deeper as you watch Harlequin continue to strike a defenseless Pierrot. “If they’re the ones enduring so much for the sake of making others smile and laugh, it’s only fair that they experience happiness as well. A better happiness––the pure kind that doesn’t come from the suffering of others. They deserve to smile too! After all, there wouldn’t be a circus without clowns.” 

A brief moment of silence follows your remark, prompting you to turn toward Rascal. To your surprise, he was already facing you with a vacant stare. His impassive expression and lack of response made it difficult to discern what he was feeling. Before you have the chance to question him, he opens his mouth to speak. “Glitter Fantasy…I guess some things haven’t changed.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, nothing!” Unwilling to elaborate further, Rascal breaks eye contact to watch the show, leaving you to try to comprehend his cryptic response. The remainder of the pantomime panned out with almost everyone getting a happy ending. Harlequin won Cassander’s approval and got his blessing to marry his daughter. Even the foolish rich suitor, who was originally supposed to marry Columbine, found love with the family’s maid. Pierrot was the only character who had an unhappy ending. After getting rejected and heartbroken by Columbine many times over, he made several failed suicide attempts. In the end, he gave up trying and spent the rest of the show wallowing in his grief. 

Eventually, the pantomime came to a close, with all of the performers appearing on stage to bow and receive generous applause from the audience. After the peacock curtain closes, you and Rascal rise from your seats and exit the vicinity. The sun was in the early stages of setting, casting a golden hue on the horizon. Before nightfall came Rascal suggested eating some dinner from an Italian restaurant he loved called Mazzoli’s. While you both waited for the food to arrive, he recounted several embarrassing facts about his Shadow Realm subordinates. 

According to him, Ulric is infested with fleas and can’t seem to get rid of them no matter how hard he tries. Once, he went so far as to shave off all his fur, which ended up doing more harm than good. Then Rascal shared about how Brute has an irrational fear of horses and has recurring nightmares about them eating his hair. As if those two recollections weren’t funny enough, he also mentioned that Brooha wears adult diapers. By the time Rascal was finished, you were laughing so hard that tears were spilling down your face. You weren’t sure if Rascal intended to lighten the mood by sharing these details about his underlings, but you’re glad he did. Now you had some private information to use against them later.

Once you and Rascal are done eating, the two of you head toward the center of the amusement park. There was a large, green lawn in the middle with numerous lawn chairs and benches facing an outdoor stage. The street lamps bordering the lawn start to flicker on, along with the decorative lights on the nearby trees and bushes. You take in the spectacular surroundings before setting your sights on the stage ahead. “What’s this for?”

“It’s mostly used for rock concerts and other musical performances. Speaking of which…” Without prior notice, Rascal leaves your side to run towards the empty stage. 

“Wait! Rascal!” You call his name a couple more times before running after him; albeit, at a slower pace. He leaps onto the stage and spins around to face you, striking a pose. Soon enough, you reach the front of the stage and stop to catch your breath. “Please don’t tell me you’re doing what I think you’re doing.”

There’s a hint of mischief behind his cheeky grin, which grows wider after hearing your protest. “If that little brain of yours is thinking I came to perform, then you would be correct. As a jester, I have a sworn duty to entertain the masses through theatrics.” Rascal spins on his toe, conjuring up an accordion while his back is toward you. His expression brightens as he plays the first note of his instrument, observing your reaction.

You glance from side to side and watch several interested people stop whatever they’re doing to approach the stage. A sense of panic sweeps over you as you face him again. “What do you think you’re doing? We’re supposed to be secretive! Isn’t that why you destroyed all the cameras? Get down from there!”

“There’s no need to fret, my dear Fantasy! We’re just getting started! Why not end our visit to Tivoli Gardens with a bang?” He continues to play with ease, unbothered by your flustered state. More people flock towards the stage with fervor, with some of them pulling out their smartphones and cameras.

“Rascal, no!” you said through clenched teeth.

“Rascal, yes!” he gushed, swinging his hips from side to side as the music from his accordion grew louder. A swarm of excited spectators nudge and push you as they await his performance. The jester onstage smirks at the scene before him and opens his mouth. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, creatures of all ages! Boy, do I have something great in store for you tonight!” His powerful voice carries over the audience and earns some enthusiastic hoots and hollers in response. The pace and tempo of the accordion start to pick up, mimicking the beating of your heart. Encouraged by the crowd, Rascal opens his mouth and begins to sing.

 

“Come quick, gather ‘round

We have something profound

For those who are downcast and lowly

It’s a song full of splendor

You’re sure to remember 

Of the one, of the only

Tivoli”

Many audience members cheer and clap along with the upbeat music, with a great number of them recording the performance on their phones. Rascal dances across the stage floor, leaping and twirling before making his way back to the center.

 

“Tivoli Gardens, it’s a marvelous place

Full of excitement, to put a smile on your face

Breathtaking sensations and festivities abound

Here in the gardens, true joy can be found”

 

“We have thrilling rides and carousels, to give you a spin

And tons of entertainment, you won’t know where to begin

Like theaters and pantomimes to bring out a laugh

And musical productions by our talented staff”

 

“With endless fun and fantasy, what more could you want?

Flower gardens, gift shops, or quality restaurants?

It’s a place for everyone, inclusive and carefree

You’ll find merriment and laughter, that I can guarantee”

With each stanza he sang, you felt your stress and trepidation ebbing away. Behind the mask, you were grinning from ear to ear, unaware of how your mood had shifted so quickly. It was hard not to be filled with unadulterated joy at that moment. Rascal’s wide vocal range and smooth voice were mesmerizing, to say the least. His innate ability to sing so beautifully while improvising, dancing, and playing a musical instrument made him unparalleled in the realm of entertainment. Happiness radiates from him in waves as the tapping of his heels accompanies the accordion music. Judging based on his outward appearance and the quality of his song alone, you would never guess that he was an evil, misanthropic villain intent on destroying the universe.

 

“Tivoli Gardens, what a magical place

Full of amusements, that you’re sure to embrace

Fairground games and adventures galore 

Here in the gardens, there’s so much to explore”

In an unexpected turn of events, Clancy floats down from the sky and lands on the edge of the stage. He shuffles to the center to where Rascal is performing and jerks his head to awkwardly stare at the audience. If the jester noticed the peacock’s sudden arrival, he gave no visible indication of it. Slightly, you tilt your head to the side, puzzled by how the bird was able to break free from the confines of the balloons. The answer to your question is revealed when Clancy coughs out the remnants of several balloons. Despite this, Rascal continues to entertain the masses and sing his heart out.

 

“We have a fun house and aquarium to brighten your day 

And wonderful attractions that will complement your stay

Like Ferris wheels and bumper cars to tickle your fancy

And a luxury hotel with a peacock named Clancy”

On cue, the aforementioned peacock ruffles his colorful feathers and starts bobbing up and down to the song. As he’s doing so, Rascal creates a clone of himself, who looks almost identical to the original. The only differences were the lack of singing and accordion-playing that accompanied the other jester. Passionate clapping, whistles, and cheers erupt from the crowd at this marvelous spectacle. 

For a short time, Rascal’s duplicate mimics his creator’s dance movements before heading to the front of the stage. As a result, everyone surrounding you starts acting more rambunctious, indifferent to the discomfort they’re causing you. Some people step on your feet and jab their elbows into your sides, knocking you forward. Rascal’s clone takes that chance to grasp your hand and pull you onto the stage. Once you’re standing upright, he holds your hands and gives you a playful smile. Straightaway, he leads the dance by swinging both of you around in a circular motion. It was unknown whether you were able to keep up with him due to shock or Rascal’s magic, but you were grateful to not embarrass yourself in front of such a large audience.

He releases your hands, watching you pirouette several times over before bringing you to a standstill. From there, Rascal’s clone pulls you into his embrace and picks you up bridal style. By instinct alone, you kick your legs in the air and allow him to swing you around the upper part of his torso. Once you’re back on your feet, he holds your waist and spins you in the direction of the other Rascal. The duplicate poofs out of existence while the original jester starts to wrap up his song.

 

“So come on down to Tivoli,

where the fun never ends

Let's make good memories together,

with our family and friends”

Right when you think you’re going to crash into Rascal, he throws his instrument up into the sky and catches you with one of his arms. To everyone’s astonishment, the accordion continues to play in mid-air as he leans you back into a low dip. You lift your eyes and meet his gaze, feeling the adrenaline rush from all the excessive dancing. He winks at you before facing the audience to sing the following lines.

 

“Come and join the magic,

let your spirit roam free

Here in Tivoli Gardens,

there’s no place I’d rather be”

While Rascal holds onto the last note of his song, he extends his other arm to catch the falling instrument, which is still playing on its own. In the meantime, Clancy strides over to position himself ahead of both of you. Once the music from the accordion stops playing, all three of you turn to the audience and pose.

There isn’t a speck of green on the lawn due to the sheer abundance of ecstatic people crowding around the stage. They erupt into uproarious cheers and applause, filling the air with unprecedented levels of enthusiasm and energy. Everyone in the crowd shares bright smiles and a unified sense of gratification. Your face behind the Pierrot mask mirrors theirs as you glance back at Rascal, who appears to be just as satisfied. A murky, purple haze clouds your vision as the audience disappears from view.

Once the smoke clears up, you find that Rascal has teleported the three of you to a lofty tree overlooking Tivoli Gardens. You were each reclining against a series of thick, sturdy branches, which felt surprisingly comfortable. Dense, green foliage covers the outermost sections of the tree, helping to shield your group from any prying eyes. Clancy slept for the remainder of the night while you and Rascal chatted and watched some of the fireworks. These were hours well-spent until the inevitable time came to steal the Heart of Pierrot.

Tivoli Gardens ended up closing at 11:00 p.m., but it wasn’t until midnight that the park was completely void of people. Only then did Rascal teleport the three of you to the ground, in front of the dragon boat attraction from earlier. All of the miniature boats were set aside by the ride entrance, providing a clear view of the tranquil lake. The silver moon cast a gentle light on its surface, which reflected the shimmering starry sky above. “Well, here we are!” Rascal announced.

You take in a deep breath, alternating your vision between the lake and the moon. “So, this is it?”

“This is it!”

“How are we supposed to reach the underwater chamber where the necklace is?”

“By the power of the full moon. That’s the only explanation that’s coming to mind anyway. But first, we need to get rid of him…” Rascal sighed, pointing at Clancy.

You gaze at the peacock and frown. “You make a good point! I don’t want to get him involved. This could be dangerous!”

“Uggh! That’s not what I meant-”

“And he lost his squeaky toy from earlier!” Pouting, you kneel and outstretch your arms towards the peacock, who takes this gesture as an invitation to draw near. Once he’s within reach, you pull him into your embrace and stroke his soft feathers. “I’ll miss you! Thanks for annoying Rascal for me!” The jester groans upon hearing that last sentence while Clancy returns your affection, nuzzling the side of your mask. Afterward, you stand up and turn to Rascal. “Do you think you can make him a new toy or something?”

“Already on it!” With a wave of his hand, he summons a small item resembling a familiar pixie. It looks exactly like Candy, only there were two black Xs where the eyes should be and a tongue sticking out of its mouth. A gasp of horror escapes your lips upon seeing it, causing Rascal to burst out laughing. Clancy bounces on his toes and chirps, unable to contain his excitement. Immediately, Rascal retracts his arm and gives the toy a firm squeeze before hurling it out of sight. As expected, the peacock spins around and darts in the direction of the object. “Bye-bye birdie!” sang the jester, giving him a mocking wave. Once Clancy is gone for good, he acknowledges your silence and prolonged stare. “What? You disapprove of my dark humor?”

“Was it really necessary to model his toy after a dead version of Candy?”

“Absolutely! One hundred percent!”

You shake your head and resist the urge to argue with him. “Well, let’s go steal the Heart of Pierrot and get that over with.”

“That’s the spirit!” Rascal cheered, grasping your hand. In one fell swoop, he makes a giant leap toward the lake, taking you along with him. Bracing yourself for a wet impact, you hold onto the jester and squeeze your eyes shut. When you land on something solid, you reopen your eyes and gawk at the following scene.

Without knowing how or why, you and Rascal were standing on top of the lake. The glistening water felt dry beneath your shoes and seemed to be moving, even though it wasn’t. Tapping the surface with your foot does nothing to break the illusion or trigger any sort of response. Rascal’s soft chuckling pulls you out of your stupor. “Still not used to magical properties?”

“Of course not, I’m human! How is this happening?”

“It’s the moon’s magic!”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Just a few more seconds…” Rascal said, ignoring your comment.

“What do you me-” Your unfinished question gets interrupted by an abrupt click coming from the bottom of the lake. The fullness of the moon was now perfectly aligned with the faint outline of a circle below. As a result, it begins to emerge from the depths and take shape, parting the blue waters surrounding it. All movements cease when the circular device breaks through the surface, appearing to be some kind of door. It’s white and decorated with studded gems, engravings, and inscriptions in an unknown language. “Hey Rascal, are you able to translate this?”

“Yes! It says, ‘If you want the treasure beneath the tide, unlock your heart’s magic from deep inside.’ Heh, some negative energy should do the trick!” He places his hands above the gate and channels a sufficient amount into it. The dark magic courses through the engravings and fills up the entirety of the door before getting spit back out. Rascal’s breath hitches as he takes a step back. “What? This doesn’t make any sense! That should’ve worked!”

“The door looks beautiful and pure! Of course, it’s not going to take negative energy.”

“Well, you never know! Appearances can be deceiving! I think the only way it will open is from light magic,” he said, eyeing you with a lopsided grin. Begrudgingly, you take out your glitter pact and hold it over the door. In the meantime, you close your eyes and think about saving your friends, Pop, Candy, and all of Jubiland. The desire to protect them and become a more powerful Glitter Force warrior fills your heart and mind with a comforting warmth.

“I think it’s working~!”

Rascal’s jovial voice awakens you from your trance. The glitter powers you channeled from your compact envelop the door, filling the engravings with a light purple glow. Another click comes from the door before it opens, revealing a long marble stairway below. You place the pink compact back in your jacket pocket and smile. “This glitter pact really did come in handy. I’m glad you reminded me to bring it.”

“Me too!” Rascal’s expression mirrors your smile as he stands up and starts descending the stairs. You follow him down until both of you are standing in front of another door. Unlike the first entrance, this one was light blue and rectangular, with seashells, rainbow kelp, and starfish-shaped ornaments covering the exterior. Thankfully, it didn’t require any magic or effort to open it. 

The vast chamber on the other side of the door was mesmerizing beyond belief. It resembled an underwater paradise fit for mermaid royalty. Every corner of the room was filled with vibrant coral reefs adorned with precious jewels, pearls, and gold. They lay alongside a dazzling display of towering kelp forests, Turritella shells, and bioluminescent flowers, which illuminate the otherwise darkened chamber. The boundaries between reality and fantasy seemed to blur the more you stared. Rascal, on the other hand, didn’t appear all that phased. “We need to hurry up and find the Heart of Pierrot,” he whispered. “If we stay in this room for much longer, I’m going to be seasick.”

“Okay, I understand. But I don’t see how we’re going to find a necklace in such a huge garden. It could be anywhere-”

“Found it!” Rascal points to a giant purple clam in between two marble columns. A golden locket lay inside its mouth, next to a sign that read ‘Please don’t steal the Heart of Pierrot.’

“Oh…well that was anticlimactic!” You’re about to take a step forward when Rascal stops you.

“Careful,” he whispered. “Two annoying pixies are guarding the necklace.”

Sure enough, he was right. Positioned above each marble column was a plush velvet pillow with a periwinkle pixie resting on top of it. They look a lot like Candy and Pop but were of a different species, appearing to be some kind of hybrid between a cherub and a mermaid. Luckily, they were both fast asleep and snoring loud enough to drown out your approaching footsteps. Rascal trails behind, pulling you back when a flaming sword materializes ahead. You whisper a short thanks, grateful that your mask and hoodie didn’t get scorched.

Unsure how to proceed forward, you glance back at Rascal and shrug. He mouths the words ‘I’ll take care of it’ and steps in front of you. Using an impressive combination of stealth and surprise, he slides on his back beneath the spinning sword and emerges on the other side unscathed. The front part of the blade whirls around to face him before striking. Rascal conjures up numerous purple cards to form a round shield, which he uses to block the incoming blow. While defending himself against more merciless attacks, his unoccupied hand summons a giant playing card overhead. An empty black void covers the face of it, serving as a vacuum for the flaming sword. It writhes and struggles to break free from the pull during its attempts to lurch toward Rascal. At last, after much strain on its end, the sword is sucked into the void.

By some stroke of luck, the pixies slept through the entire battle. The jester silently snickers at their unbothered state before making the giant card and its smaller counterparts vanish. He sends you a sharp-toothed grin, motioning over to the golden locket a few feet away. You release the breath you didn’t know you were holding and nod.

Rascal springs up from the floor as you begin crawling toward the Heart of Pierrot. Carefully, you lower your arm inside the clam’s mouth and grab the necklace. It felt rusty and battered from old age but delicate to the touch. Strangely enough, you could feel the raw emotions emanating from the heart-shaped locket. You cradle it in your hands, sensing its desire to be protected. Upon rising to your feet, you notice a tiny slip poking out of the heart. Curious about the contents of the paper, you use your fingers to pry open the locket.

“Fantasy, don’t open it!” Rascal gasped.

But it was too late. Immediately after the locket opens, an intense white light comes pouring out. The brightness and the concealed power that came with it send you flying backward until you slam into the wall on the opposite side of the room. The pain from the first collision worsens when you fall to the ground with a resounding thud. You grit your teeth from the harsh impact while trying to mentally process what just happened. There was no doubt that the ruckus caused by this blunder was enough to awaken the pixies.

“Intruders! Intruders!” a high-pitched voice screamed. “They’re trying to steal the Heart of Pierrot!”

“C’mon, Ramiel! We need to capture them before they get away!” the other pixie cried.

“Not if I have anything to say about it!” Rascal’s voice was calm and collected as he was heard teleporting beside you. All that could be seen was the blurry outline of the jester, who was examining your motionless form. Before you know it, he picks you up bridal style and sprints towards the exit. “I’m impressed that you still managed to hold onto the necklace and that measly slip,” he whispered in your ear. You cling onto the aforementioned items and nod, trying to ignore the dizziness and throbbing in your head. The light from earlier still temporarily blinded you, which makes you all the more grateful for Rascal’s assistance.

“I-I’m so sorry for messing up! I had no idea the locket would react that way…” you sighed.

“That’s quite alright! What’s done is done! Besides, I enjoy a good chase every now and then.” His cheery tone and optimistic response weren’t what you had expected at all. If anything, you were bracing yourself to get scolded or threatened. There must be a logical reason for responding the way he did.

The sound of tiny flapping wings is heard not too far behind. Both of the pixies were in pursuit and seething with rage. “We won’t let you get away with this! We’ll stop you if it’s the last thing we do!” one of them yelled.

“What’s wrong, pixies? Feeling shell-shocked?” Rascal chuckled.

The last pixie who spoke growls in frustration, leaving the other one to chime in. “Why shouldn’t we? You’re stealing a very important treasure!”

“Sounds like you two have your flippers in a bunch! I, on the other hand, am feeling fin-tastic!” You couldn’t help but laugh at Rascal’s puns, especially at such an inconvenient time like this.

“You won’t be feeling that way for long! Just wait till we wipe that prideful smirk off your face!”

“What are you going to do? Krill me? It’s hard to take such crabby pixies sea-riously. I think it’s time I bid you two adieu.” In the blink of an eye, Rascal hops into the air and spins around to deliver a swift kick. He manages to strike one of the pixies with such force that it crashes headlong into the large clam in the distance.

The other one barely avoids getting hit by Rascal’s boot. He takes a brief pause to glance at his injured companion upon hearing the commotion. “Uriel nooooooo!” His whole face turns bright red as he whirls around to glare at the jester. “You’ll pay for this!” From out of nowhere, he pulls out a miniature bow and arrow and starts firing at the both of you.

“Hooey! I’m so scared! I’m quivering in my pantaloons!” Rascal jeered, dodging all of the incoming arrows. Once the marble staircase is within range, he leaps onto the first step and starts running at breakneck speed. 

Visible panic appears on the pixie’s face as both of you get closer to the exit. “Stop this instant!” He continues to fire a great number of bows at the retreating jester but to no avail.

“You honestly expect me to listen? You’re a lot dumber than I thought,” Rascal said, snickering. He summons the giant card with the dark void from earlier between the two of you and the approaching pixie. The flaming sword emerges from the blackened face of the card and shoots towards your pursuer, who lets out a blood-curdling shriek. It’s relentless in striking the pixie down, leaving him no other choice but to retreat.

Eventually, you and Rascal emerge on the other side of the gate. A sea of twinkling stars and the full moon shines overhead, providing a much-needed sense of peace. The majestic sight draws out a relaxed sigh from you, allowing you to loosen your stiff posture. Rascal continues holding you as he floats closer to the moon. “Well, that was fun! Let’s head back to your house, shall we?” You nod your head and yawn, wanting nothing more than to fall asleep in a nice, cozy bed.

Thankfully, there was no magic card-pet ride or other chaotic mode of transportation to take you home. Instead, Rascal made the reasonable choice of teleporting straight to your bedroom. Both of you arrived by plopping onto the edge of your bed with heavy breaths. His reaction stemmed from pure bliss, while yours came from a place of fatigue. The alarm clock on the bedside drawer displays the time, which is around 4:30 p.m. This was made evident by the sparse, golden rays of sunshine coming from the bedroom windows.

You place Pierrot’s necklace and the small piece of paper on your lap, flipping the latter one over. “Sooooo, what does it say?” Rascal asked. “Is it of any importance or did you cause us all this grief for nothing?”

You knit your brows, staring at the contents on the slip of paper. “I don’t get it…it’s just some old ticket. Take a look!” 

Overcome with curiosity, Rascal removes the ticket from your outstretched hand and examines it. “Hmmmmm, how interesting! It’s an admissions ticket to the 1923 Rabbit’s Moon Festival.” He lets out a gentle hum, giving you a look of approval. “I believe we’ve just found our next clue. I’m certain this is where the next item is being held. Good girl! Besides the minor slip-up with the locket tonight, you did pretty well.” With a snap of his fingers, Rascal disenchants the Pierrot mask, allowing it to fall off. 

“Thank you! I’m so glad to be rid of that mask!” You wipe the sweat off your exposed face and smile. “By the way, what’s the Rabbit’s Moon Festival? Is it still being held? And what is the second item exactly?”

“Slow down! One question at a time,” Rascal said, chuckling. “The Rabbit’s Moon Festival is an autumn celebration held in honor of Yùtù, the moon rabbit. He’s the close companion and grand chancellor of Chang'e, the royal empress of the Lunar Empire. Every November, the Rabbit’s Moon Festival takes place in the capital of Yuè Chéng for three days straight. It’s been a tradition for around 2,000 years, so I doubt it’ll be going away anytime soon.” 

“Wow, I had no idea! That’s amazing! And this is taking place on the actual moon?”

“Yes, of course it is!”

“Then why haven’t all the astronauts discovered the Lunar Empire?”

“Because it’s in another dimension, silly,” he explained like it was the most obvious fact in the world. “And to answer your second question, the treasure we’ll be stealing is the Rag-Bag of Dreams. That artifact is going to be a lot harder to obtain, especially after what happened tonight.”

Your fingers and left eye start to twitch as you mull over the possible consequences of your actions. “Y-You think s-so?”

“Of course, even without your slip-up from earlier, it’s to be expected. Chang'e is pretty serious when it comes to protecting her empire and her people. The good news is that we still have a couple of months to plan until the festival.” But alas, Rascal’s response wasn’t enough to quell your escalating anxiety. You were still shaken up by the locket incident and were fearful of other pixies and non-human authorities finding out about it. Or worse, they could discover your true identity as a teenage girl and Glitter Force member.

“If you say so…well, I’ve heard and experienced a lot for one day,” you said, slumping your shoulders. “I need to sleep!”

“That’s for sure! I could tell by your bloodshot eyes. You humans are so weak!” Rascal stands up from the bed and does some brief stretching. “I’ll go ahead and let you rest. Au Revoir, Glitter Fantasy~!” He gives you one last wave before teleporting out of your bedroom and into the unknown.

Once he’s gone, you kick off your shoes and slump onto the bed. Sleep weighs heavily on your eyelids as you yawn and nestle into the nearest pillow. The creeping sense of dread remains in the back of your mind, but it isn’t enough to overpower the profound exhaustion from the day. You’d never admit it to Rascal, but the time spent at Tivoli Gardens was a lot of fun. Excluding the horrible magic card-pet ride, Villa Vendetta attraction, and semi-successful heist, it was a wonderful experience filled with entertainment, excitement, and laughter. Before falling into a deep sleep, one last thought enters your mind.

I can’t get attached to him like I did in the past. Never forget what he did to you.

Notes:

Author's Note: This has been the longest chapter I've ever written for this story–a total of 13,501 words to be exact. That's crazy!!

Tivoli Gardens, the setting for this chapter, is based on an actual amusement park I visited in Denmark last summer. It was amazing (better than Disney, in my opinion). I used a lot of real-world experiences in this chapter, including the cotton candy burrito, which actually exists!! Rascal would eat it 100%!

I would also like to thank everyone for their patience. I had planned on releasing this chapter around November or December, but at that time, I went through one of the most painful experiences of my life. I'm healing, but it's a process. It makes me happy that people love this fanfic so much, so thank you again!

Also, full credits to sezzles149 for the 'Brute's irrational horse phobia' idea lol! It was too hilarious to pass up!

Chapter 11: Behind The Curtain

Notes:

Chapter Song: "The Swan" -Camille Saint-Saëns

A sprawling expanse of tall grass and wildflowers sway quietly in the gentle breeze as the sweet scent of citrus fills the air. Large groves of orange trees ripe with white blossoms and succulent fruit surround the blue meadow in the clearing. All the small lanterns hanging from its branches illuminate the dusky purple sky with golden hues. A teenage girl dances underneath the orange orchards in the soft lantern light. Short, black curls caress the sides of her face, framing her rosy cheeks and painted red lips. She wore a white sugar-loaf hat and garments resembling a Black Dahlia. Her frilly dress billows and twirls around as she dances, providing a glimpse of her bare legs. You stand a good distance away, watching the scene unfold.

The sound of a twig breaking snaps the young girl out of her cathartic state. Immediately, she turns in your direction with a hint of curiosity in her brown eyes. "Who are you, and why are you here?"

You're about to open your mouth to answer when another voice speaks over. "P-Pardon me, I-I didn't mean to interrupt." A teenage boy clad in all white emerges from the dense thicket of orange trees behind you. You instantly recognize him by his loose-fitting garb, ruffled collar, black felt hat, and clown makeup. "I was collecting some oranges for dinner in the fields and couldn't help but admire your dancing. B-But I'll take my leave! Sorry for bothering you!"

"You didn't bother me! What's your name?" asked the girl.

"P-Pierrot!"

"How funny!" The girl covers her mouth to chuckle. "Your name sounds very similar to mine. I'm Pierrette!"

The young clown takes several steps forward, passing through your apparitional form. "Golly! How the stars have aligned! I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Tell me, Pierrette, do you believe fate has brought us together on this lovely night?" A faint glow appears on his cheeks as he sends her a bashful smile.

"Who knows! Why should I bother my pretty little head with such silly things? I live in the moment and go wherever I please. Fate has no say in my life or my future."

"Well, I suppose free will does play a big role in our lives. But I pray you are using yours well."

"Oh, I am," Pierrette said, giggling. "I wouldn't want to live life any other way than I do now. My life's purpose is to laugh, dance, have fun, and be admired."

"I can certainly help with that last part." A slight tinge of pink appears on Pierrot's white cheeks as he approaches her. "Would a fair lady like yourself care for a dance partner?"

"I wouldn't be opposed, but why are you so smitten with me? I've had plenty of boys fall in love with me and give me their hearts, but never have they fallen for me as quickly as you have. We just met, and you barely know me."

"That's true! We aren't well-acquainted and there's still so much about you that I don't know. But I've loved what I've seen in such a short time. Not only are you radiant, but you have a passion for dance and possess a fierce, independent spirit. I would be honored if you granted me the privilege of getting to know you better."

"You're such a silly clown!" Pierrette laughs, twirling a thick strand of her dark hair. She draws closer to Pierrot until they are only a few inches apart. "Spending time with you would be very entertaining. But there's something about me that you must know." The moment this sentence leaves her mouth, the scene fades to black.

For a while, everything remains in an empty state of deafening silence. That is until another episode begins to materialize and play out. There was still the same setting of the blue meadow and orange trees, but unlike last time, the two teenagers appeared to have aged a couple of years. The pale, full moon shines down upon the waltzing pair under a tapestry of shimmering stars. Pierrot leads the dance with an unforeseen confidence as he guides Pierrette in time with the music. A vintage phonograph was placed far off to the side, playing a beautiful Chopin piece. The two of them continue to twirl and glide across the grass as one. You gaze at the dancing pair, admiring the fluidity and preciseness of their movements.

"Pierrette, my prettiest partner! You're the only one I'd care to dance with," Pierrot hummed. "Do you think you could ever love me the way I love you?"

She shakes her head, staring at him with wistful eyes. "No! How can I love you when I have no heart? It's like I've told you many times over, I was born without one. I'm incapable of loving you or anyone else. It's funny...I thought I'd be happier without any heart at all. I'd have no worries in the world, no emotional attachments to anyone, and no heartache. Now I'm not so sure..."

"I remember...what a sad way to live! My little sweetheart, I truly pity you." He spins her around with one hand on her waist while the other one reaches out to lightly cup her face. "But what if you had a heart of your own? What then?"

"Then it would beat for you alone."

Pierrot's frown transforms into a beaming smile as he ceases waltzing. Pierrette furrows her brows, making her confusion evident. He chuckles when he sees her face and begins guiding her to a nearby orange grove. "I have a surprise for you!"

"Oh really? How exciting!" She skips and swings their clasped hands together.

Once they're under the shade of an orange tree, he comes to a halt and embraces Pierrette before pulling away. The yellow light from the hanging lanterns shines upon the pair as Pierrot adjusts his white ruffled collar and removes a slender chain from around his neck. Your mouth falls open at the sight of the familiar object.

He cradles the gold, heart-shaped locket in his gloved hands. It looked brand new and a lot shinier than you remembered. "I molded this from the half of my heart. It took a whole year to create, but I poured every ounce of my love into it."

Joy transforms Pierrette's face as she lets out a delighted squeal. "Oh my buttery stars! You actually made this?!"

"I did! I wouldn't give such a heartfelt gift to anyone except for the girl I love. Now watch this!" Pierrot raises the heart to his lips and kisses it three times. It was only after the third kiss that the locket started to throb like a real, living heart. He takes her dainty hand in his and places it over the golden heart. "It's all yours!"

"Thank you, Pierrot...no one has ever done something like this for me before."

"Anything for you, Pierrette!"

The clown's lovestruck smile grows wider as she fastens the chain behind her neck and places the heart over her bosom. "Now it will beat just for you!" The gentle, thumping sound from the heart reaches your ears, growing louder with each beat. Not long afterward, the rhythmic thumping is replaced by an obnoxious buzzing that only you can hear. It pierces your ears and reverberates until the noise becomes too much to handle...

Reluctantly, you open your eyes and groan while rolling over in bed. As it turns out, the annoying buzzing noise was your phone ringing. Yawning, you reach for the cell phone lying on the bedside drawer and answer it. "H-Hello?"

"I'm so happy you picked up," Emily shouted. "Please meet us at the Library of Legends at our secret base ASAP. It's an emergency!"

Every ounce of sleepiness vanishes in an instant as you bolt upright in bed. "What emergency?"

"I don't know yet, that's what we're going to find out. Pop flew in through my window just now looking extremely panicked. He told me to contact everyone from the Glitter Force and that he had something important to share. That's why I'm calling you!"

You gulp, feeling your heartbeat quicken as you scramble out of bed. "I'll be there in five."

"Thank you so much! I'll see you then!" When Emily hangs up, you brush your teeth and hair and quickly throw on some clothes. You text your parents letting them know that you'll be hanging out with some friends before glancing at the time. It was 3:45 p.m., indicating that you had slept for almost half the day. This was to be expected, however, especially after the eventful day at Tivoli Gardens with Rascal.

Immediately, you head over to the bookshelf on the other side of the room and use it to travel to the Library of Legends. You, Lily, and Kelsey all arrive at the library simultaneously, amidst the trees of the magical, indoor forest. The three of you then proceed toward the secret base and find the rest of the Glitter Force members and the two pixies already waiting. Everyone appeared on edge, which did nothing to alleviate the tense atmosphere. Pop was standing at one end of the table in the indoor library with a serious expression. Once he notices you and the other girls entering the room, he begins to speak. "I'd like to thank all of you for coming here today, especially on such short notice."

"What's so important that you had Emily call all of us here?" Kelsey asked. "I was just getting ready to go outside and play volleyball."

"I was going to get to that. Please understand that I wouldn't interrupt your Sunday without a good reason. Two major events happened recently: one good and one bad. This concerns all of you and I would be doing the Glitter Force a huge disservice by not sharing this."

"It's that urgent?!" Lily gasped, taking a seat at the table alongside you and Kelsey.

Pop nods his head and sighs. "Yes, it is. I know this is going to be a lot to take in, so I'd like all of you to take a vote. Let me know if you want to hear the good or the bad news first."

You clasp your trembling hands under the table and try to push back the anxiety building up. Breathe. Just breathe. It's not what you think it is. This train of thought is cut short when Chloe responds. "I hate to say this, but I'd prefer it if we started with the bad news first. I'd rather get that out of the way and end our meeting on a lighter note with the good news. What do you girls think?" She scans all the faces in the room excluding Pop's, waiting for some kind of objection. Instead, everyone nods in agreement, with you being the last to do so.

"So, what's the terrible event that happened?" Emily asked, turning her attention to Pop.

You rub your clammy palms together and avert your gaze, silently dreading what Pop is about to say. He pulls a roll of pink newspaper out of thin air and sets it down in the middle of the table. "This is the most recent publication from The Jubiland Times. Take a look for yourselves!"

April snatches the newspaper bundle. "I'll go ahead and read it." She holds the print up to her face and begins to recite it word-for-word:

 

HEART OF PIERROT STOLEN BY RASCAL THE JOKER AND HIS MYSTERIOUS MASKED ACCOMPLICE

On October 9th, around midnight, a treasured artifact known as the Heart of Pierrot was stolen from Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park located in Copenhagen, Denmark. For the past century, the Heart of Pierrot has been locked away inside a heavily guarded chamber beneath Tivoli Lake. No outsider has ever set foot inside the chamber, nor have there ever been any attempts at stealing the necklace until now. The infamous and formidable joker named Rascal, otherwise known as Emperor Nogo's second-in-command, stole the prized necklace last night with the assistance of his masked accomplice.

The identity of the one accompanying him remains unknown. Their race, gender, species, and special abilities are unknown as well. Fortunately, the investigation team at the Jubiland Law Enforcement Agency is determined to unmask the Masquerader, which will be the term used to refer to this individual moving forward. It is a mystery whether the Masquerader is a new Shadow Realm general, a friend of Rascal's, or some rogue criminal. Either way, the Jubiland Law Enforcement Agency has enlisted the help of investigative units from other lands such as Fanland, Regno Commedia, and the Lunar Empire to put a stop to this criminal.

Ever since the petrification of Queen Euphoria on August 5th, Rascal and the other Shadow Realm generals have remained untouchable. Thankfully, a Jubiland pixie by the name of Candy is on a mission to assemble the prophesized team known as the Legendary Rainbow Warriors, which is the world's only hope of defeating Emperor Nogo and his Shadow Realm subordinates. Until then, extra security and other preventative measures will be added to guard Pierrot's other treasures. A prominent advocate behind these changes is none other than Ramiel, one of the pixies who was guarding the Heart of Pierrot in Tivoli Gardens.

One of our journalists approached Ramiel for an exclusive interview this morning. "Trying to capture and detain that psycho joker and his partner was an absolute nightmare. I had no idea he was so infamous, but it all makes sense," he said. "Somehow, he captured the flaming sword protecting the necklace and turned it against me. It took all night to fend off and tame it."

Uriel, the other pixie guarding the Heart of Pierrot, also agreed to a brief interview. "I just wish we could have done a better job at protecting the treasure," Uriel said, as his eyes started welling with tears. "We were sleeping and dreaming of dancing gumdrops when they infiltrated the chamber. For one hundred years, nothing has happened here, which made us complacent and unprepared. I hope everyone will forgive us for our terrible mistake."

Of course, these two innocent guards who have dedicated their lives to protecting the treasure are not to blame. Neither are the unsuspecting employees at Tivoli Gardens, who unknowingly admitted Rascal and the Masquerader into the amusement park. Another one of our journalists visited Tivoli Gardens while operating incognito in human form. He gathered more information about the devious duo from a box office employee named Søren Rasmussen.

"I faced harsh backlash from a lot of the attendees yesterday because I refused to let them in at first. I tried getting the jester's best friend to remove their full mask since I'm required to see every visitor's face before allowing them to enter the park. But after learning that his masked friend was severely disfigured and had stage four cancer, it really tugged at my heartstrings," he said. "In the end, I made the right decision to admit them into Tivoli Gardens."

When questioned about why he believed this was the right decision, Søren answered, "Because attendance rates have dramatically skyrocketed ever since. Yesterday evening, the jester performed a spectacular song about Tivoli Gardens on the Open-Air Stage. It's gone viral all over social media, and management is thinking about making this song the park's official jingle. Folks from all over the country are coming over just to see the jester. Even foreigners are buying online tickets and making overnight reservations at the Nimb Hotel. He's become an overnight sensation! Never have I seen so many people attend Tivoli in one day. It pains me to tell them that we don't know who he is and that he's not a park employee or performer."

There have also been several anonymous reports from Copenhagen residents, who claimed to have seen a giant flying card yesterday morning around 10 a.m. The pictures and videos taken of the card were too dark and blurry to discern, making it difficult to identify whether it was related in any way to Rascal. So far, this is all the information we could gather concerning this incident. If anybody knows the identity of the Masquerader or the Heart of Pierrot's whereabouts, please contact the Jubiland Royal Guard or the Jubiland Law Enforcement Agency. In the meantime, we advise everyone to make a collective effort to avoid the Masquerader and the jester.

 

April places the newspaper down on the table with a look of deep shock on her face. "This is so much worse than I thought!"

Lily nods her head, frowning. "It's terrible! Not only did Rascal steal a precious artifact, but now we have that evil Masquerader to worry about."

"If I ever see that masked menace trying to give the world an unhappy ending, I'm going to kick their butt," Kelsey said.

"But how do we know the Masquerader is one of those Shadow Realm goons?" April asked.

Kesley exhales, rolling her eyes. "Because April, who in their right mind would ever willingly associate with Rascal, much less commit a crime with him? No one good, that's for sure. Whoever they are, they must be in the Shadow Realm or someplace close by. I can feel it in my gut!"

They continued speculating while you sat frozen in fear, staring at your lap with unblinking eyes. It took every ounce of mental strength and willpower not to have a full-on panic attack right then and there. The strong urge to scream, cry, and hyperventilate stays at the forefront of your mind, despite your desperate attempts at bottling them up. You hope your body language and facial expression gave no visible indication of distress from hearing the bad news. If they did and anyone in the room questioned it, you hoped your past excuses would work like before. More than anything, you wanted your identity as the Masquerader to remain a secret.

A hand touches your shoulder, temporarily breaking you out of your thoughts. Emily utters your name and sends you a sympathetic smile. "Are you okay? I know how hard it must be to hear about Rascal, especially after he kidnapped you. This bad news certainly isn't helping with your trauma and fear of clowns, is it?" You shake your head and stay silent, permitting Emily to continue talking. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

Deep down inside, you wanted to tell her to get the others to stop talking about the Heart of Pierrot, Rascal, and the Masquerader's identity. That way, Pop could get straight to the good news and everyone would forget about this particular incident. But as you open your mouth to answer, Candy starts yelling. "And what about that song Rascal sang about the amusement park? How did it become so popular? I bet it sucks!"

"I just pulled it up on YouTube," Chloe said. "Unbelievable...it hasn't even been a full day and it already has 20 million views." She shows everyone her cell phone screen and begins to play the video, resulting in everyone huddling closer for a better view. For the entirety of the recording, Rascal dances, sings, and plays his accordion with an upbeat fervor. Towards the end of the song, you appear on stage alongside the jester and his clone, dancing the night away. It was just as you remembered it, only now you were experiencing the performance through a different lens.

Once the song comes to a close and the video ends, Chloe turns off her phone screen before setting it down on the table. A couple of minutes pass until she finally breaks the prolonged silence. "I don't understand why Rascal would deliberately put himself in the public eye like this. It's not like him to be so careless. He must've foreseen the consequences of his actions and knew this would eventually catch the attention of the Jubiland authorities." Chloe pinches the bridge of her nose and groans. "It just doesn't make any sense."

"He did it to mock us," Pop said through a strained voice. "Rascal was fully confident that he would get away with stealing the Heart of Pierrot, so much so that he was willing to put on a public stage performance like this. This wasn't about lifting people's spirits with a fun concert or fulfilling some lifelong dream of performing. It was to send a message, plain and simple." The pixie grits his teeth and balls his fists before slamming one repeatedly on the table. "Darn It! Darn It! Darn It!" Ragged breathing follows his outburst as he tries to regain his calm composure.

For a minute, you contemplate Pop's explanation and his reasoning behind it. It certainly made the most sense, and it was very in character for Rascal to do something like this. When he found out the Heart of Pierrot was being guarded in Tivoli Gardens, he even mentioned that the pixies were braindead and prideful in their ability to guard it. This had, in turn, led to his assumption about them being unprepared, which had proved to be correct. But Rascal's careless actions on the Open-Air Stage made you want to strangle him, especially because of all the problems it was now causing you.

"Big brother, can we get to the good news now? I hate seeing you so upset." Candy approaches Pop and pulls him into her embrace.

He hugs her back, nodding. "Of course we can!" After they pull apart, Pop faces your group. "I've said everything I needed to say on this matter. I'm just worried that this might be related to the Miracle Jewel. You all know how much Rascal wants it, which is why he kidnapped Candy. He thinks she's the key to unlocking its powers. We can't let that clown get his hands on it, or steal any more artifacts. But it's still a mystery as to why he'd go out of his way to take that specific necklace."

"Don't worry, Pop! We'll protect Candy," Emily said. "And if we see Rascal with the Heart of Pierrot, we'll defeat him and return the necklace to Tivoli Gardens. Everything will work out in the end!"

Pop relaxes his stiff posture and exhales. "Thanks, Emily!"

When there's a pause in the conversation, you raise your hand, catching the pixie's attention. "What's the Miracle Jewel and why does Rascal believe Candy's the key to unlocking it?" By pretending to know nothing about this subject matter, you figured you'd draw less suspicion than if you hadn't brought it up at all.

"That's right! You don't know! I keep forgetting," Pop said, uttering that last part to himself. "It's a magical jewel of Queen Euphoria's that's said to grant any wish. Right now, we're still unsure why Rascal thinks Candy's involved with the Miracle Jewel."

"Thanks for the explanation! That makes a lot more sense." For a brief period, you replay your conversation with Rascal from last week in his circus. What if your wish was granted? What would life be like if it were void of any pain or suffering? Such an existence seems unfathomable and contrary to the life you've lived so far, which is what made it so appealing in the first place. A wave of guilt washes over you as you entertain the thought of using the Miracle Jewel for yourself. You make several attempts to suppress this desire, but it only comes back stronger each time.

Thankfully, Pop's upcoming announcement pulls you out of your self-centered thoughts. "Now, onto the good news! After many hours of research and several sleepless nights, I finally found the red Glitter Force warrior."

"You have?!" Emily gasped.

"Yep! Not only did I find out her identity, but I also discovered her whereabouts. That last part was the most difficult."

Lily's eyes brim with curiosity as she leans forward in her seat. "That's so awesome! Are we going to meet her? Who is she?"

"You're going to find out today," Pop said, smiling at her sudden bout of enthusiasm. "About a week ago, I visited her at her home, if you could even call it that. It took a lot of begging and pleading, but she finally agreed to arrange a time to meet with you all. That time just so happens to be this afternoon!"

"Yay! That's wonderful news! I'm so excited!" Candy squealed, bouncing on her feet.

"And what perfect timing too," Chloe said. "With Rascal growing bolder in his pursuits and Emperor Nogo's revival drawing nearer, we need all the help we can get."

Hearing about the discovery of the red Glitter Force member gives you mixed feelings. On one hand, you're happy to have her be a part of the team. The thought of Emperor Nogo destroying the universe and giving it an unhappy ending was beyond frightening. On the other hand, she was just one more person to put on a facade around. Keeping secrets from the Glitter Force and the two pixies was exhausting enough as it was. But you were grateful that Rascal decided to include improv as part of your training, especially before meeting the last Glitter Force warrior.

Pop clears his throat, causing everyone in the room to fall silent. "Before we leave, there's one last thing I should mention. The person we're going to meet isn't used to visitors, so please be respectful and on your best behavior."

"Of course! We'll make sure she's happy and comfortable," Emily said, rising from her seat. You and the rest of the Glitter Force do the same and approach the front door. After exiting the clubhouse, your group heads for one of the colossal bookshelves.

As you're all getting ready to leave the Library of Legends, April calls Pop, catching his attention. "Where are we going, anyway?"

"Uhhhhhh, someplace where there's a theater curtain. Although, I haven't got any specific place in mind..." He turns around to face the rest of the girls with an inquisitive look. "Do any of you know where there's a private theater of some sort?"

All of you contemplate in silence before Chloe makes a suggestion. "How about we go to the Student Council room? We have a little Punch and Judy puppet booth all set up for a storytelling event we'll be hosting at one of the elementary schools."

You perk up upon hearing this, remembering several instances when Rascal took you to see Punch and Judy shows by the seaside. "Whoa, really? That's so cool!"

"And awfully convenient too," Kelsey added. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

Chloe nods and uses the book door code to transport all of you over to the Student Council room. Once everyone is settled and on their feet, Pop races toward the red-and-white-striped puppet theater. It stood a head taller than you and the other girls and was made out of cardboard. Decorative curtains frame the entrance and enhance the simple backdrop, which resembles an old British town. Positioned above the makeshift stage was a handmade red and gold sign with the name of the show in bold print. Overall, you were impressed with the hard work and creativity Chloe and the rest of the Student Council put into making this theater.

Pop jumps on top of the raised ledge and closes the stage curtains before spinning around to address everyone. "Watch carefully! This is different from the book door code! From now on, we'll call this 'the curtain code.'" One of his stubby arms reaches up to pull the left curtain to the side and back three times. He repeats the same motion with the right curtain before parting both sections. A glowing blue light radiates from the entrance and transforms into a portal. Immediately afterward, you, Pop, Candy, and the rest of the Glitter Force get sucked in through the opening.

Everyone emerges on the other side unscathed before taking in the new environment. All of you were standing on top of a stretch of sparkling pink sand surrounding a large body of crimson water. In the distance is an island with a small, ivory building in the middle of the lake. An array of vibrant colors and soft lights dance across the glassy surface of the water, reaching the pristine sands and carved marble walls around the beach. The source of the ever-changing and shifting rays is a giant stained glass dome enclosing the secluded haven. Altogether, the mesmerizing scenery exuded a tranquil atmosphere that was almost impossible to replicate back on Earth.

"Whoever this girl is, could you talk to her and see if she'll rent this place out to us?" Kelsey asked, directing her question to Pop. "This would be the perfect place to throw a Glitter Force beach party."

The pixie chuckles and shrugs his shoulders. "I'm not sure, but I can ask. It certainly makes for a stunning summer retreat, doesn't it?"

"Absolutely! I'd love to spend a whole day here just painting the landscape," Lily gushed.

You and the other girls continue admiring the coastal setting before Pop places his nubby hand in his mouth to whistle. It reverberates throughout the entire dome, resulting in Candy giggling and bouncing on her toes. She tries mimicking her brother but ends up failing miserably. Pop's gesture causes you to scrunch up your face, confused as to why he would whistle out of the blue like that. His motive for doing so is revealed when something starts heading in your group's direction. As it approaches closer to the shore, you're able to discern the object in greater detail.

It turns out to be an extra-long gondola with a sleek, elegantly-crafted exterior. The narrow hull inside the boat had several rows of padded seats with complementary armrests. At the front of the craft lay a golden lantern, hanging from a metal prow to light the path ahead. Out of all of the boat's features, the most bizarre one was the two oars propelling it forward, completely independent of a gondolier. Calm waters gently lap up against the bottom of the gondola as it comes to a standstill by the shoreline. To provide everyone easier access, the boat positions itself so that the side faces your group. 

"All aboard!" Pop called, motioning you all towards the gondola. Candy and the rest of the girls' smiles grow bigger as they make their way to the boat. You trail behind and get ready to climb onboard when you hear a cracking underneath your shoe. The source of the noise came from a white shell, which was now split down the middle. This leads you to gaze at the assortment of other seashells nestled in the pink sand, which was now littered with pixie- and human-sized footprints.

You end up sitting in the last row of the gondola, next to Candy. The oars rouse from their motionless state and start stirring the boat towards the small island. For the duration of the trip, the girls excitedly chatter amongst themselves while you and Candy speculate what kind of creatures could be living under the crimson lake. The rhythmic splashing of the waves accompanying the smooth ride contributes to the serenity of the scene. Soon, all of you reach the island and disembark the gondola to step onto the rocky shore.

Upon closer inspection, you could now identify the ivory building as a Renaissance-style theater. The grand, imposing structure was planted in the center of the isle among thick patches of wildflowers. All of you climb the wide staircase ahead and reach the front entrance of the building. Pop knocks three times on the polished wooden door, announcing your group's arrival. At once, the large doors swing open to welcome everyone inside, allowing you all to enter. To your surprise, there was only one room in the entire building, which was much larger than the outside made it appear to be. For the time being, you, Pop, Candy, and the rest of the girls marvel at the interior and the proscenium stage near the back of the theater.

"So, you must be the legendary Glitter Force I've been hearing all about."

All of you jerk your heads in the direction of the feminine voice and gasp. You had expected the last member of the Glitter Force to be a middle school-aged girl, which is why it comes as a shock when you see someone who looks to be in her late twenties or early thirties. She was the most beautiful woman you've ever seen in your life, appearing to have stepped straight out of a Rococo oil painting. Her natural beauty, coupled with the way she carried herself, made her the living embodiment of grace. There was also something familiar about her that you couldn't quite place.

"Hi, you're gorgeous," April blurted out.

"Aren't you a sweetheart?" The lady covers her mouth to laugh before acknowledging everyone else in the room. "It's a pleasure to see all your lovely faces at the Théâtre des Funambules. I'd love to get to know each one of you personally and learn more about your experiences in the Glitter Force." The gentle fragrance of wild roses accompanies her as she shuffles towards your group in her floor-length crimson dress. Your gaze remains fixed on the woman, admiring how her upturned eyes, glossy lips, hair, and heart-shaped mark on her cheek were all the same shade of dark red. Among other eye-catching features were her porcelain white complexion and the profusion of long, thick hair pulled back into a bun.

"It's such an honor to be meeting our final member. We're so happy to have you on the team," Chloe said, bowing. Not wanting to be impolite, you and everyone else follow her lead by mirroring her body language.

"You girls are so polite. I can see why Pop is extremely fond of you all."

"Thank you, miss...miss..." Emily rubs her chin in thought before sighing in defeat. "I'm sorry, what's your name?"

"Allow me to introduce myself!" The woman curtseys before giving you all a friendly smile. "My name is V! It's so nice to meet all of you."

"What a cool name! Is it short for anything?" Kelsey asked.

"Not exactly-"

"And how old are you, anyways?" Candy added. "I thought you'd be younger like everyone else."

Lily and April soon join in to deliver another round of questions, with the latter being the first to voice her thoughts. "I think I remember Pop saying you might be the first rainbow warrior. Is that true?"

"If it is, what was it like fighting solo? What were your most epic battles?" Lily asked, drawing closer.

V presses her lips together, growing paler with each additional question. Nobody seemed to notice her visible discomfort except for you, Chloe, and Pop. You immediately open your mouth to intervene, but the pixie beats you to it. "Girls, I know you're all excited to be meeting V, but please don't overwhelm her with so many questions. She's not used to visitors, remember?"

Kelsey, Candy, Lily, and April let out a collective gasp before bowing. "We're sorry!"

"I accept your apologies! I know none of you meant any harm by asking," V said, sighing. "But it must have been exhausting to travel all the way here, on top of taking the gondola across the lake. Could I offer any of you something to eat or drink? I have Italian sodas, rainbow cookies, and freshly baked cannolis ready to serve."

Everyone whips their heads towards her to nod repeatedly, clearly pleased with the offer. V giggles and motions all of you to follow her to the other side of the theater. The pixies and the rest of the Glitter Force start heading towards the indicated space while you stay behind. It wasn't that you didn't find the food and drink offerings appealing. Rather, you preferred to explore the theater more while you still had the chance. You weren't sure if anyone in the group noticed, but you could tell V shifted the conversation as a way to divert attention away from herself. For whatever reason, she didn't want anyone meddling in her personal life or history as a superhero. This only served to pique your curiosity, which you hope no one noticed. V's diversion tactic was easy to recognize because it was one you frequently used in social situations.

In the meantime, you give yourself a self-guided tour through the vast theater. Fancy ornaments, classy furnishings, and gold embellishments were scattered throughout the room, providing an ambiance of sophistication and refinement. The walls are lined with red damask patterns, antique mirrors, Renaissance paintings, and brass wall sconces that illuminate the space in fluttering light. Mahogany altar tables, refurbished pews, and ornate cushioned chairs were graciously positioned throughout the large venue. From the overhead lay a giant crystal chandelier, which further contributed to the theater's prominent charm. Despite all these details, the part of the room you were most drawn to was the series of bookshelves lining the walls.

You scan most of the book spines, briefly glancing at the titles. The Library of Legends had books of every recorded fairytale, whereas this place seemed to have every written theatrical work in existence, including stage plays, ballets, and operas. It was difficult to tell how much time had passed as you skimmed through numerous scripts and plays. One book particularly stood out on account of its gorgeous leather-bound cover and interesting synopsis. Hoping to read an act or two before you leave, you pull the text from the shelf and tuck it underneath your arm. As you're in the process of departing, a small alcove in between one of the bookshelves catches your eye.

On the shelf and curved walls were items that appeared to hold great significance. One of them was a faded silver rose inside of a vintage glass vase, alongside a hanging pair of old pink ballet shoes. Additional items include a ceramic dove figurine, a tambourine, and a small framed picture of V with an unknown pixie. They were both staring straight into the camera with beaming smiles on their faces. The two of them looked so happy together, leading you to wonder why the pixie was nowhere to be found.

"So this is where you wandered off to." You practically jump out of your skin and yelp upon hearing the voice, causing you to drop the book you were holding. V stands a couple of feet away, trying to stifle her laughter. "My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you. I simply wanted to check in since I noticed your absence."

Still somewhat startled, you hastily pick up the book from the floor and feel your face heat up. "Oh, uh, no worries! I appreciate you checking in, and I'm sorry for not letting you know where I was going earlier."

"Think nothing of it." V glances down at the book you had dropped and gasps. "You're reading King Lear?"

You scoop up text, dusting off the front cover. "I was planning on it, but I haven't started yet."

"Well, you've got good taste. It's one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. But I'm surprised that a young girl like yourself would choose a tragedy as great as this one. I'd expect someone around your age to be drawn to comedies."

"Comedies are nice and all, but tragedies do a better job of reflecting the harsh realities of the world. I find that genre to be much more relatable." Without thinking, the words came pouring out of your mouth. Your breath hitches upon realizing that you put yourself in an emotionally vulnerable position. "S-Sorry if that came across as strange, I-"

"You make a good point. Tragedies are often accurate representations of real life. It might have been a major reason why human playwrights created them in the first place. The audience can relate and feel like they're not alone in their sufferings. They can cope with their negative emotions while still being entertained."

"Well said! I think you're right about that."

You and V exchange warm smiles before she speaks again. "By the way, I am more than happy to lend you that book."

"That's not necessary! You don't have to! I wouldn't want to be a bother."

"It's my treat! I am perfectly content with letting you borrow it, so long as you return it in great condition," V said, winking.

"Thanks! That's so thoughtful of you!"

"You're very welcome. Also, it just crossed my mind that I haven't got your name." There is a slight pause in the conversation, presenting you the chance to introduce yourself. Once you do so, she shakes your unoccupied hand, uttering your name. "It's so nice to meet you! I hope we can become good friends."

"Me too! It's nice meeting you as well." The warmth she radiated, together with her kind words, made you feel welcomed. Out of all the possible Glitter Force candidates you could've met, you're glad that V was the last member. Thinking about your superhero team leads you to glimpse back at the framed photograph on the shelf. "If you don't mind me asking, who's that pixie in the picture? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

V looks at the alluded photograph, heaving a sigh. "Her name was Adora. She was my best friend, and it's all thanks to her that I became a superhero in the first place. Sadly, she passed away and is no longer with us. It's such a shame...I know she would have absolutely loved you and the rest of the girls."

You frown, staring at the image of the pink, cat-like pixie. "I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish I could've met her. She looks so sweet!"

"Thank you," V said, with sadness lacing her voice. "Anyways, I think we should head back to the group. They're probably wondering why we've been gone for so long. Besides, Adora wouldn't want us to stay wallowing in grief. She'd want us to smile." V manages to muster up one, with you doing the same. Shortly afterward, both of you make your way over to the back of the theater.

Before long, the two of you enter a charming lounge area. The space was thoughtfully curated with stylish furniture and luxurious décor. Chiseled marble statues and pretty flower arrangements adorn the area, producing a harmonious blend of comfort and class. Kelsey, April, Chloe, and Candy were munching on their snacks and seated at a round dining table. Meanwhile, Emily, Lily, and Pop were sitting on a plush burgundy sofa, sipping on their drinks. Once Emily notices you and V approaching, she motions both of you over. "I'm so glad you two are back. Come join us!"

Lily smiles and calls your name. "Wait until you see V's marionettes! They're so cool!"

You raise your brows, curious and uncertain as to what she's referring to. Right on cue, two exquisite, life-sized marionettes enter the room holding silver trays with different refreshments. Their transparent strings move on their own accord as if by magic, carrying them across the floor. Their movements were natural and fluid as they replenished everyone's plates and glasses. When they arrive at your table, the male marionette approaches you and extends his tray to offer you an Italian soda. After examining the various flavors on the bottles, you point to one with a light purple color, letting him know your choice. He fills an empty glass with the drink and hands it to you. You thank him as he and his female counterpart turn to exit the lounge.

For a while, you listened and engaged with Emily, Lily, Pop, and V in deep conversation. The diverse subjects touched upon included school, the Library of Legends, fairy tales, shared interests, and your everyday lives. Every so often, you chimed in, voicing some of your thoughts and opinions on certain topics. Emily also brought up how you were the newest member of the Glitter Force, which piqued V's interest. This, in turn, led you to talk about your glitter powers, the adjustments you've had to make, and how becoming a superhero has positively impacted your life. Once everybody is finished eating and drinking, V rises from her seat and calls for everyone's attention. "Since we're all gathered here today and I have the marionettes out, I was thinking about having them put on a show on the theater stage. Is that something you would all like to see?"

With great eagerness, you and everyone nod before standing up. All of you voice your excitement as you clean up any leftovers on the dining and coffee tables. V snaps her fingers, summoning the marionettes to the lounge area. While they collect the empty plates and glasses, your group leaves to follow her until arriving at the theater. Everyone sits in the first row, with you taking a seat next to V. "What are we watching?"

"Swan Lake! It's one of the most popular ballets of all time, and is a personal favorite of mine."

"Oh, that's a classic! I've only seen it once as a kid and I remember loving it."

"Well, hopefully, the marionettes' performance can help recapture that love."

"I'm sure it will, and I know everyone else will love it too," you said. The two of you share cheerful smiles before turning your attention to the stage. Candy and the rest of the girls let out excited gasps when the red velvet curtain rises. You lean forward and draw in a breath upon seeing multiple porcelain marionettes in front of the stunning backdrop of a park.

For the next hour or so, the costumed performers elegantly dance and maneuver across the stage. Their silent movements and immaculate display conveyed an array of emotions and storytelling, much like the pantomime show at Tivoli Gardens. The classical Tchaikovsky compositions playing in the background enhanced the production, creating a sense of exhilaration and enchantment. Overall, the marionettes did an excellent job of captivating your wonder and leaving behind a lasting impression.

At some point in the ballet, you glance over at V, curious as to whether she was as engrossed in the performance as you were. What you didn't expect was the sight of her melancholic expression. The corners of her mouth were turned up, but her eyes told a different story. They were glossy and brimming with tears, resulting in your smile fading. A part of you wanted to comfort her and ask if she was alright. But another side didn't want to put V in a more vulnerable position, especially since she probably thought nobody noticed her current condition. All things considered, you chose to stay silent and not pry into her business.

When the ballet performance ends, you and everyone else stand up and give the marionettes a big round of applause. All of them face your group and politely bow as the red curtain descends. Once it touches the floor of the stage, the lights surrounding the theater brighten once more. The girls and the two pixies flock towards V, who is back to being her usual self. They're quick to give thanks and share their love for Swan Lake and the magical marionettes. You were hoping to share your appreciation as well, but not before Pop addresses V. "We'd like to thank you for opening your theater up to us, and for being such a gracious host. Truly, you went above and beyond with everything."

"Thank you Pop, for convincing me to invite all of you here today," V said. "I enjoyed meeting everyone, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all again."

Candy faces her brother, pouting. "We're not leaving, are we? I wanna stay!"

"I'm afraid so. V has other tasks that require her attention."

She nods, crouching down to give Candy a consoling pat on the head. "He's right, there are certain projects that I need to take care of. But if it were possible, I would spend all the time in the world with everyone. I know our visit has been short, but it's the quality that matters."

Candy wipes a few stray tears from her eyes before jumping into her arms. "I'm gonna miss you so much!"

V returns her hug and stands upright, taking the pixie with her. "I'll miss you too!"

"Group hug!" Emily shouted, embracing the pair. You, Pop, and the rest of the girls laugh and follow suit, crowding around to form a giant cluster of affection.

After parting and exchanging some sentimental farewells, V guides you and your group to the front entrance of the theater. Just as all of you are getting ready to leave, Lily makes a sudden remark. "I'm so excited that you'll be joining the Glitter Force! We're going to have so many fun adventures together." V responds by biting her lower lip and averting her gaze, catching Lily by surprise. "You are joining, aren't you?"

"It's not that I don't want to join, or that I don't care for you all. It's just-"

"What about Emperor Nogo wanting to destroy the universe and create an unhappy ending? Don't you care?" Kelsey interrupted.

All remaining traces of peace are instantly wiped off V's face. "Wait a minute! Emperor Nogo is involved?!" Her scarlet eyes widen as she places her trembling hands over her mouth. She stood frozen and aghast, staring off into the distance.

Kelsey turns to Pop to gape at him. "You didn't tell her about Nogo?!"

"I was going to, but I didn't get the chance," he explained. "When we met, most of the time was spent trying to convince her to meet with all of you."

Chloe takes a deep breath before addressing V. "This must be a lot to take in. I'm not sure what you know about Emperor Nogo, but we could really use your help. Once the Wheel of Doom is finished turning, he'll be revived. Billions of lives are on the line, and we may never get another chance at defeating him. The fate of the whole world rests with us."

"Nogo's involved, and that changes things..." V rubs her chin in thought with a look of deep concentration. After a moment of prolonged silence, she breaks out of her stupor and faces everyone with a determined expression. "Alright, I'm in! Say hello to your new Glitter Force member. I'll do everything in my power to stop him from causing more destruction, but I will need some time alone to process all of this." All of you sigh in relief and nod, making sure to voice your unwavering support and approval of her decision.

You tuck the King Lear book under your arm and wave goodbye as you, Pop, Candy, and the rest of the Glitter Force exit the theater. Compared to your group's arrival, the journey back home wasn't as eventful, but that didn't make it any less fun. For the duration of the boat ride, everyone reminisced about today's events, the delicious drinks and snacks, and their favorite parts of the ballet. Internally, you were grateful that no one brought up the Tivoli Gardens incident with you and Rascal, at least for the time being.

The rest of the night was spent finishing your homework, scrolling through social media, and reading the first act of King Lear. In the first scene, King Lear announced his plan to his daughters to divide his kingdom among the three of them. The eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, were quick to flatter their father with insincere praise and affection. Cordelia, the youngest daughter, was the only one who refused to lie about her feelings. She didn't produce the flowery language, lavish speeches, and adulation the king was looking for. Instead of buttering him up and feeding his ego, she expressed her love in simple, familial terms. As a result, King Lear became enraged and disowned Cordelia. In the end, her honesty and resoluteness were what got her punished, not the lies and flattery. It was a memorable scene in the play that had replayed in your mind until you fell asleep...

The dream from last night picks up back to where it left off. Everything remained the same as before, from the blue grass meadow and orange groves to the colorful wildflowers. But unlike the previous dream, it was daytime outside and the lanterns hanging from the trees were unlit. An older Pierrette, who now appeared to be around eighteen years old, was making a flower crown out of the white blossoms from the orange orchards. She sits in the grass with her arrangement, basking underneath the violet sun in the rose-colored sky. Off in the distance, you spot the familiar figure of Pierrot, who's holding a bouquet of orange blossoms. His long sleeves and baggy clothes flutter behind him as he prances towards his lover in the clearing. "Pierrette, my beloved!"

Hearing his call, she sets aside her flower crown and turns around to face him. Once he's in front of her, Pierrot stops to catch his breath before holding out his bouquet. "For you, the love of my life!" The white clown spins loosely from side to side with a toothy smile, completely enamored by the young lady before him. "I do apologize for leaving a couple of weeks ago without telling you, but I wanted this to be a surprise. So, you know how the orange blossoms on the east side of Fanland are the sweetest and most fragrant of all? Well, that's where I've been this whole time, collecting these for you. I hope you weren't too lonely!"

"I wasn't," Pierrette said, rising to her feet. She meets his gaze and takes the bouquet before walking away to the nearest orange grove.

Pierrot's smile fades in an instant as his arms fall limp by his sides. "What's the matter with you? Did I do something wrong? Your heart still beats for me, doesn't it, Pierrette?" He follows her at a frantic pace until they're both under the shade of a large orange tree.

"You didn't do anything wrong. And as for my heart, surely it still beats for you..." Her voice trails off as she fishes around for something underneath her black satin top. She pulls out a golden chain and dangles the necklace in front of his face.

Pierrot brings the heart-shaped locket up to his lips and places a chaste kiss on it. Instead of beating as it should, the heart lay bare in his gloved hand, dull and lifeless. He chokes back a sob as he meets her impassive stare. "You killed the heart I gave you."

"Nonsense! I did no such thing! My heart continued to beat only for you, even while you were gone."

"Maybe in the literal sense, but not figuratively. A dozen others have handled this, and have made a toy out of it." He blinks back several oncoming tears as he holds a tight grip on the locket. 

"No, they haven't-"

"You're lying! Do you think I don't know my own heart?! What exactly happened while I was gone?"

She places her hands on her hips and takes a deep exhale. "While you were away, I was all by my lonesome, trying to find good ways to pass the time. When I was down by the lake, a swarm of my admirers flocked around me, trying their best to cheer me up. They noticed that I was different somehow, and I explained to them that I had gained a heart. All of them were curious and wanted to hold it, and I refused...at first." Your frown grows deeper as you watch Pierrot slowly fall apart. Pierrette continues to talk, unaffected by his disheartened state. "But this young man named Harlequin was adamant about holding it. And he was so charming and flirtatious, I couldn't refuse. There was also one of the poets who wore it during a mazurka dance, and the cupids who played bob-cherry with it. Oh, and a young folly who used it as bait when catching a fan-fish from the lake. It took forever to get that one back! And-"

"Unbelievable..." Pierrot's voice cracked, finally allowing his tears to fall. He wraps his arms around himself as his body starts shaking with sobs. "I was gone for a couple of weeks and this is what you do! I was naïve to trust you! I thought what we had was real! Here I was, getting ready to propose and everything..." And with those words, he left, clutching the gold necklace close to his chest. All you could do was observe him from afar, feeling your heart break with his.

Notes:

Author's Note: I've had a ton of motivation lately, and I'm so happy to have gotten this chapter out (despite how hectic my life has been lately).

Regarding the content of this chapter, I wanted to reference the original source material for the dream sequences. The scenes are based on a short story called "The Black Pierrette: A Fairy Fancy With A Modern Meeting" by Berta Ruck.

Also, I based Adora after my recently deceased cat. I miss her dearly and it's been so hard without her around. I hope she's at peace.

Chapter 12: Something Wicked This Way Comes

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Exorcism" -Kat Von D

Warning: This chapter contains dark and disturbing subject matters that some people may find triggering. This includes brief mentions of child murder, rape, and pedophilia. Reader discretion is advised.

“Relax, dearie! Everything will be fine, so just calm down.”

“I am calm!” you shouted.

Two weeks have passed since Pop, Candy, and the other Glitter Force members learned about the Tivoli Gardens incident. But even with time, you were still nervous and on edge about your identity being exposed. This led you to beg Rascal to increase the frequency of your training sessions, and to place more emphasis on improv. You would never admit it to him, but you weren’t sure how much longer you could keep the figurative mask on in front of everyone. As expected, the jester relished in your desperate pleas and panicked state. Nevertheless, the pleasure he got from this waned over time as you continuously voiced your frustrations.

“Remember rule number two?”

You groan, disliking his patronizing tone. “Yes, I remember. ‘You must take control of your emotions, not let your emotions control you.’ You’ve made me repeat this so many times, it’s practically ingrained in my brain at this point.”

“Well, you could have fooled me.”

“Look, I know I’ve been annoying you by constantly bringing up my fears. It’s been annoying me too. But ever since The Jubiland Times published that newspaper article about us stealing the Heart of Pierrot, I can’t stop worrying. I don’t know how we’re going to take the Rag-Bag of Dreams without getting caught.” Frowning, you place the improv props back in Rascal’s trunk and take a seat on one of the chairs close by. You grab some water from the table next to you and take a long chug from it. 

Rascal sighs, sitting down next to you. “Since when has worrying ever benefited anyone? It won’t add a single hour to your life. You’re wasting energy that could be better spent on more improv sessions. Besides, we still have a month until the Rabbit’s Moon Festival.”

“That’s true!” You set the empty water bottle back on the table, casting him a worried glance. “And you’re sure no one in the Shadow Realm knows about our crime?”

“I’m absolutely positive! We don’t get newspapers delivered to the Shadow Realm anyway. Under Emperor Nogo’s dictatorship, there’s no such thing as freedom of the press. Everything his subjects know is pure propaganda!”

“Well, that’s reassuring, even though I don’t agree with that type of government.”

“Yes! I can assure you that no one in the Shadow Realm will hear a thing about it, especially Ulric, Brute, and Brooha. If they do, they’ll have to deal with me.” A creepy, unsettling smile spreads across his face at the thought.

You swallow a lump in your throat before letting out a brittle laugh. Deep down inside, you were grateful to no longer be on the receiving end of his wrath. “Right…” A buzzing from the phone on the table breaks you out of your stupor, prompting you to grab it. After reading the message on the screen, you tuck the device into your pocket and stand up. “Thanks again for the training, Rascal, but I should get going. Emily just texted me and said she needs me to meet up with her and the rest of the girls.”

“Hmm, I see where your priorities lie,” Rascal said, rising from his seat. He takes several steps forward and summons a giant playing card. It levitates a couple of feet off the ground with numerous scenes flashing across its face. “So, where’s the meeting being held?”

“That’s funny! I just texted her that same question.” At once, the three dots above the text box disappear and get replaced with a new message. “I guess we’re meeting at Emily’s house.” This choice of location was puzzling, especially since every important meeting so far was held at the secret base. 

A few more images appear on the card before it settles on a tall yellow house with a red roof. Rascal makes a slight bow, gesturing toward the display. “Voilà! Here you go, princess~!”

You raise a brow at the new nickname, uncertain about this change and why it was made. “Uhhh thanks!” As you’re walking over to the hovering card, a sudden thought crosses your mind. “Hold on a second! How do you know where Emily lives?”

“I have a stack of data on every Glitter Force member and keep tabs on them. It’s in the job description, after all. Of course I’d know where they live.”

You gape at him, scrunching up your face in disgust. “That’s really creepy! I hope you’re not spying on us when we’re naked, showering, or using the bathroom.”

“Ewwww no, I’m not a pervert! Even I have standards,” Rascal said, looking repulsed. “If you continue making such ridiculous assumptions, I’ll drop you off hundreds of miles away from Glitter Lucky’s place.”

“Never mind! Forget I said anything!” Besides himself, the portals Rascal created on his cards were the only other method of transportation to his circus. It was up to him whether or not you had a smooth and convenient trip back.

With one last goodbye, you step through the portal and arrive on the other side. From there, you knock on the front door and are greeted by Emily’s mom, who welcomes you inside. You head to the second story of the house and find Emily and Candy sitting around a low table in her bedroom. The three of you greet each other and catch up as you wait for the rest of the girls. Once everyone has assembled and taken their seats, all of you shift your attention to the pink charm chest on the table.

Kelsey opens the protective casing before turning to Emily. “Well? C’mon, what are we waiting for? We have the last three glitter charms to add to the chest!”

Emily nods, pulling the aforementioned items out of her pocket. “Okay, here we go! The last three glitter charms!”

“I wonder what’s going to happen once you put them in. Something crazy, maybe?” April asked, pondering out loud.

Candy stands on top of the table, beaming down at the charm chest. “I hope so!”

“As long as it’s not the bad kind of crazy,” Chloe added.

You and Lily exchange lighthearted smiles and giggle. Candy takes the glitter charms from Emily’s hand before returning to the chest. “Alright! Everybody ready?” Everyone gives affirming nods, eager to see what happens next. “Then here we go!” The pixie places each charm in its slot until all of them are filled. After she does, Candy takes a couple of steps back as her eyes sparkle with anticipation.

Without warning, a golden glow envelopes the charm chest as a large beam shoots up from the surface. The moment it reaches the ceiling, brilliant sparks and glitter rain down on your group, leaving everyone awestruck. An abrupt flash comes from the chest before the beam dissipates and everything returns to normal. Everyone soon regains their senses, with Candy being the last to do so. Bewilderment clouds her features as she approaches the chest, which is still filled with glitter charms. “Uhhhhh, what happened?”

“Well, that wasn’t there before,” Emily said, motioning toward another object on the table. It was an ornate white clock with gold embellishments and bright pink accents. Two angelic, extended wings frame each side of the clock’s face, which has fourteen panels in seven colors surrounding a circular mirror. There was also a jewel-toned section on the lower panel where a single glitter charm could be inserted. 

“What do you think it could be?” Lily asked.

Emily leans closer, scrutinizing the clock’s face. “Isn’t it obvious? It’s a ummmm, it’s a…I don’t know.”

“There’s no instruction manual, but maybe we can figure it out ourselves.” Chloe mimics her friend’s actions while rubbing her chin in thought. “We collected all sixteen charms…”

“Yeah, and that was supposed to revive Queen Euphoria, right?” April asked, glancing at everyone for some kind of reassurance.

Kelsey nods. “Yeah, but instead of the queen showing up, we got this.”

You knit your brows together and face Candy. “You’re from Jubiland, right? What do you think this is?”

The pixie meets your questioning stare before turning to examine the device. She traces the intricate designs and studded gems with her nubby hand. “It’s some kind of amazing gadget that does incredible things!”

Lily draws closer to peer at the lower panel of the clock. “But how do we use it?”

“Uhhhhhhhhh it-”

“You don’t know what it is either,” you said, sighing. “If you were so unsure, you could’ve just said so.”

Candy opens her mouth to retort but her attention is diverted by a flapping noise coming from outside. You and the rest of the girls follow her gaze and spot a familiar blue book flying through the open window. It enters the room and smacks straight into Emily’s unsuspecting face, causing her to fall backward and hit the floor. 

Kelsey snickers. “Right in the kisser!”

“Sorry about that, Emily!” Pop hops out of the opened pages of the book, landing upright. All of you greet him with welcoming smiles before he opens his mouth to speak. “I’ve got some amazing news! That strange object is actually-”

“Big brother! Yay!” Candy tackles Pop to the floor, catching him off guard. “I missed you!”

The bigger pixie returns her hug while struggling to pull their weight off the floor. “I missed you too, Candy, but please get off. You’re crushing me!” She whispers a quick apology and gives Pop adequate space to pick himself back up. Once he does, he starts heading over to get a better view of the new gadget. He jumps on the table and holds it out for all to see. “This object is none other than the Legendary Royal Clock! I’ve done a great deal of research and learned all about it. This clock possesses magical powers, and if you can unleash them, the Glitter Force will be stronger than ever.”

All of you share excited glances, voicing your curiosity and approval. Lily’s face lights up as she stares at Pop in admiration. “Wow! You are super smart!”

A flush creeps up the pixie’s cheeks at her compliment. “Oh stop!”

“But how does this clock tell time?” Emily asked, inspecting its round face. “There’s no hands or numbers on it.”

“Ah, well, you just have to, uhhh…” Pop’s voice trails off as he starts tapping on the item. “Hey, clock! Start working! Yoo hoo!”

You exhale and roll your eyes. “Guess that wasn’t part of his research!”

“That should do it!” An impressive display of rainbow lights burst forth from the colored panels of the clock. Pop’s chest swells with pride as he casts all of you a knowing smirk. “There, see? I knew that would happen!” The vibrant rays are soon replaced with a three-dimensional projection of a beautiful, golden woman. Her kind eyes and radiant smile were framed by an abundance of long, wavy hair that reached her feet. She wore a frilly floor-length dress, a crown accentuated with four large feathers, and had two glowing halos above her head. Despite being unacquainted with this woman, there was something about her that made you feel at ease. 

“It’s Queen Euphoria!” Emily gasped. “Greetings, Your Majesty!” Everyone collectively bows their heads to greet her, while you remain silent and awestruck. 

Her smile grows bigger as she acknowledges everyone. “Greetings, Glitter Force, and congratulations! By successfully gathering all of the charms, you have called forth this Royal Clock, whose powers will be of great benefit to you. But before you can unlock it, you must summon every ounce of your powers, especially Candy.”

Chloe slightly tilts her head to the side. “Summon every ounce of our powers? And Candy too?”

Queen Euphoria nods before a mixture of recognition and terror overtakes her face. “Oh no!”

“What is it?” Emily asked.

“I feel a dark presence outside!” Everyone whips their heads around to glance out of Emily’s bedroom window. While all of you were listening to Queen Euphoria, the sunny afternoon sky had transformed into a gloomy, unnatural shade of blue. 

Pop frowns, clenching his fists. “The Emperor’s goons are back!”

Emily picks up Candy and holds her close. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get going!”

“You must hurry! Best of luck to you, Glitter Force!” After uttering these words, Queen Euphoria vanishes from sight, along with any sense of peace her company brought. Before long, the two wings on both sides of the Royal Clock begin to flap, lifting it off the table.

Candy jumps on top of the floating clock while you and the rest of the girls marvel at the scene. “I told you it was amazing, didn’t I? Follow me!” She giggles as the object soars through the air and flies out of the window. Feeling determined and resolute, you and the rest of the team depart Emily’s house and start racing toward the source of the darkness. 

Eventually, all of you arrive at a park that’s partly under construction. Ulric was floating in the sky with his arms crossed, appearing nonchalant. He starts cackling when he spots your group advancing towards him. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Glitter Force!”

“What do you want, Ulric?” Emily shouted. 

“Nothing much, only some negative energy. But I’m not just a taker, I’m a giver too. Which reminds me, I’ve got a special present for you all.” The wolf smirks and pulls out a round black object.

Lily furrows her brows. “Is that a bowling ball?”

“Oh yes, toooootally…not! It’s a black buffoon nose, you idiot,” Ulric growled, tossing the item repeatedly into the air. “Because somebody with an over-inflated ego decided that only fighting super buffoons wasn’t good enough.” His eyes narrow in contempt as he directs his cold gaze toward you. It was obvious that he was referring to the time when you strayed from the group to fight Brute.

You return his threatening stare with a scowl and huff. “Like you’re one to talk about egos!”

“Well unlike you, mine is valid.” He raises the black nose, displaying it high for all to see. “Twilight Buffoon, come on down!” An enormous amount of dark energy pours out of the object, preceding its transformation sequence. Unlike the last two times, it doesn’t exclusively merge with an inanimate object. After the buffoon nose fuses with a nearby construction crane, Ulric joins in to become one with the monstrous entity. 

The final result of its transformation was a colossal, yellow bulldozer with two gray ears and a pair of burly arms. Its face consisted of Ulric’s enlarged eyes, a black clown nose, and a painted purple mouth with fangs. “Twilight Buffoon,” it screeched. 

“Now that’s freaky,” April said, shuddering.

Kelsey nods, cringing at the sight of the buffoon. “It sure is!”

“Is Ulric really inside it?” Chloe asked.

“We’ll find out soon enough! It’s Glitter Time!” Emily whips out her glitter pact, waiting for all of you to do the same. “Ready, girls?” All of you nod in unison, lifting your matching pink compacts. 

Shortly afterward, you and the other five girls transform into your corresponding superhero attire and assemble around Emily. All of you strike flamboyant poses and announce your team’s recurring catchphrase. “Shining bright! Here comes the Glitter Force!”

The surrounding rainbow colors and sparkles fade away as the park and Ulric’s monster form materializes into view. “Hah, now! Twilight Buffoon!” He springs high into the air before making a sharp dive with a raised fist.

“Incoming!” Chloe hollered. All of you heed her call and throw yourselves out of the way before Ulric’s large fist meets the earth. You leap several yards back as debris and rubble fly from the newly formed crater. There was barely any time to prepare before Ulric’s arm whirls around to strike again. He manages to hit Lily, April, Emily, and Chloe and send them hurling backward. Somehow, you and Kelsey were the only ones to effectively dodge his punch.

Ulric’s cruel, booming laughter reverberates throughout the park as he watches the fallen girls groan and struggle to pick themselves back up. “I love it! Why haven’t we done this kind of thing sooner? This is awesome!” All of you glare at him and get ready to fight back when a blood-curdling scream pierces the air.

“Big brother! Help me! Ahhhhhhhhhh!” Candy shouted. She pounds on the confines of a floating crystal ball that she is trapped inside. You let out a low gasp when you spot the familiar face of her captor.

“Thanks for the tip, little fellow! Now I know how to keep them from acquiring the Royal Clock’s powers!” Rascal giggles and backflips into the sky away from Pop, who had been hiding behind one of the bushes. “I owe it all to you, you helpful pixie!” He makes a mocking bow and grins at Pop’s visible distress.

Ulric’s lips draw back into a snarl as he swivels toward the jester. “Rascal! Why are you butting in?!”

“I thought you might need help. You usually do,” he said, making a subtle dig at his subordinate’s failures. Then he turns his attention to the Glitter Force, with his pompous grin growing wider upon meeting your gaze. “Unless I’m mistaken, the Royal Clock will be of no use to you, so long as your fuzzy little pixie friend remains a prisoner in this Dream Ball of mine.” He gestures toward Candy, who is now unconscious and floating inside the magic purple ball. You continue to stare at Rascal with your mouth agape, still taken aback by his unexpected appearance. It was only a couple of hours ago that you were both doing improv training in his circus. There hadn’t been any unusual behavior or warning signs that would’ve led up to his intervention. And how did he know about the Royal Clock? What did Pop say to cause Rascal to think Candy played a role in unlocking its powers? How long had he been eavesdropping on all of you?

Your riddled mind races with more unanswered questions like these, slightly tuning out Emily’s raised voice. “Rascal! You better let go of her!”

“Or what, Miss Bossy? No, I’m afraid you won’t get any help from this one. She’s going to be in Dreamland for a while. For a good long while!” The jester flashes his sharp teeth into a sickening smile, taunting you all by playing with the Dream Ball. “Be honest! Would anyone actually care if I just killed this fuzzball?”

Everyone, excluding Ulric and Rascal, lets out horrified, drawn-out gasps. April immediately voices her revulsion. “All of us would care! You’re sick!”

“How dare you say something so horrible,” Lily yelled. 

“Disgusting,” Chloe spat.

Rascal snickers and continues to perform all kinds of circus tricks with the ball. “What? Don’t pretend you haven’t thought about getting rid of her. You won’t have to deal with her grating voice and annoying personality ever again. All of you ungrateful brats should be thanking me.” He ceases his movements once the Dream Ball lands in his hands and redirects his focus on his underling. “There, I’ve done my bit, Ulric. The rest is up to you! I suppose even you can’t screw it up now.”

“Your bit?! All you did was stuff a pixie into a little ball,” Ulric snapped. “Watch me do the real heavy lifting! I’m gonna destroy the Glitter Force!” He throws his arm back and roars before delivering another swift punch. All of you prepare to dodge his attack and are left with no other choice but to leave Rascal alone for the time being.

The battle waged on, proving to be more difficult and physically draining than the last two. Even Kelsey and April, the most athletic members of the team, were losing strength and momentum. Thanks to Rascal’s training, you had outlasted most of your teammates and ended up giving Ulric a good fight. Nevertheless, you didn’t know how much more you could take before collapsing from exhaustion. You’re about to pick yourself back up when all of you are thrust into the air by Ulric’s heavy landing.

One by one, you all hit the grassy surface with great force, impelling Pop to cry out. “Be careful, girls!”

Emily grunts, trying to get back on her feet. “No problem, Pop! We’re fine!”

“It’s gonna take more than that to stop us,” Kelsey said, lifting herself off the ground.

You pant and roll on your back, turning towards the pixie. “Yeah, don’t worry, we’ll save your sister!”

“Save her? What if I told you she won’t want to be saved?” Rascal said, butting in. He had been floating in the sky, silently observing the fight between the Glitter Force and Ulric in his Twilight Buffoon form. You, Pop, and the rest of the girls’ visible confusion prompts him to continue speaking. “You see, your friend’s having a lovely time right where she is. In fact, I think the pixie has forgotten all about you by now.”

“Yeah right! Like we believe that,” April shouted.

He squints in response, with a twinkle of mischief behind his eye slits. “Inside the Dream Ball, your little friend is living in a pixie dream world––a world of sunshine, rainbows, flowers, and endless fun. There are no worries, no problems, and plenty of yummy treats to eat. A place where everyone’s happy all the time! Tell me, seriously, who would ever want to leave a place like that and come back to the real world full of pain, suffering, and heartache? Hmmm? Who would be such a fool?” When he mentions the real world, his gaze shifts to you. It doesn’t take long for his knowing stare and insinuation to finally dawn on you. Your eyes widen as you freeze in place, stifling a gasp. 

A while back, when both of you were playing Old Maid in his circus, Rascal goaded you into revealing your wish: to never feel any pain again. More specifically, you expressed the desire to use the Miracle Jewel to free your life from suffering and heartache. Rascal had been extremely insistent on hearing your wish and would not let the subject matter go. Was this the reason why? Did he use your wish to create the Dream Ball and trap Candy inside of it? Would you and the rest of the girls become imprisoned eventually? It sounded like a marvelous invention on paper, but you knew there was a dark and sinister undertone behind it. After trapping Candy inside of it, Rascal made a lighthearted joke about killing her, or at least you thought he did. Was the Dream Ball really capable of such horrors? This thought alone was enough to send a chill down your spine. 

“You’ve got it all wrong, Rascal,” Emily yelled. 

He looks at her with a mixture of interest and bewilderment like she just sprouted six extra heads. “Huh?”

She continues talking, undeterred by his reaction. “You heard me! The real world may not be perfect, and it can be depressing at times, but the bad stuff is just a part of life. If everything was always perfect, we wouldn’t appreciate all the good.”

Rascal cringes at her response and watches as the other girls speak their minds, with Kelsey being the next to do so. “There may be a lot wrong with the world, but so what? If you only focus on the bad, that’s all you’re going to find. It’s a miserable way of living if you ask me. Without a lot of trial and error, I would’ve never made such good memories with my parents helping me cook the perfect okonomiyaki.”

“Life would be dull and boring if everything was perfect,” Lily added. “Some of my best works of art came from errors. Sure, I was upset about it at first, but I was able to adapt my artwork and create something more beautiful than what I had originally planned.”

April nods her head. “Yeah, and winning a soccer game wouldn’t mean much if you never lost any. Where’s the fun and companionship with that? There’d be no point in celebrating! The challenges I’ve faced have brought me closer together to my family and friends. It’s made our bonds stronger!”

“And there would be no fun in getting an ‘A’ if you never worked for it and always got one. This world may be fallen and full of brokenness, but that’s what motivates me to make it a better place. We would never grow and develop better character without trials, something I’m sure you’ve lacked,” Chloe shouted.

“You know nothing of my trials,” Rascal snapped, clenching his fists. He trembles with pent-up rage, staring at Chloe with a hostility you’ve never seen before. Based on the other girls’ expressions, you knew you weren’t the only one shaken up by his sudden outburst. “Such gullible fools! Blinded by such unrealistic optimism! The only reason any of you have such a positive outlook is because you’ve led such easy, sheltered lives. To think your biggest hurdles so far have been burning food, messing up a drawing, losing a sport, and failing a test. How pathetic! Your naivety makes me sick!” Rascal lays great stress on that last syllable as a deep red glow begins to emit from his eyes. His voice brimmed with such intense hatred and disdain that it chilled you to the bone. But you also couldn’t help but wonder if he resonated with your wish more than he led on.

“Don’t listen to him, girls,” Pop shouted. “There is so much truth and wisdom to seeing the glass half full. I know many pixies and creatures that have lived difficult lives who would agree with everything you’re saying.”

Rascal peers down at him and snarls. “Shut your mouth, pixie!” For whatever reason, he immediately turns to look at you. As soon as he does, he reverts to his chipper and playful behavior. The red glow from his eyes disappears as well, almost like his spurt of anger never happened. His ability to switch extreme emotions at will was unsettling, to say the least. You remain baffled as you watch a cocky smile replace his previously tense features. “What’s the matter, Glitter Fantasy? Cat got your tongue? You’ve been awfully quiet! Is it because you agree with my sentiments? Is that why you didn't stand up to me like your stupid little friends did?”

You grit your teeth and slightly avert your gaze. “My friends aren’t stupid!” There was more you wanted to say, and you so badly wanted to deny his claims, but no other words would come out. Rascal putting you on the spot like this was enough to send you into a silent fit of rage.

“Stop making such baseless assumptions, Rascal! That’s not the reason she was silent! Right, Fantasy?” Chloe turns her head to look at you for confirmation.

“Oh, of course,” you lied. 

“Whatever you say, FeBreeze!” Chloe glares at Rascal for his choice of nickname while he chuckles at her reaction.

“Let’s not waste any more time! Candy needs you!” Pop shouted, addressing your group. “Make her hear you! Wake her up!” He screams her name, hoping his voice reaches her. All of you follow his lead and do the same, amplifying your voices in unison. 

A moment of silence passes before Rascal speaks again. “Well, while we’re waiting for your little friend, go on and destroy them, Ulric!”

“I was just about to!” He grunts and throws himself into the air once more, preparing to crush your team with his body. “Twilight Smash!”

“Let’s go, girls! It’s Pegasus Time!” Emily shouted. Everyone nods, lifting their wands and getting into position. Since you didn’t have a wand, all you could do was let out a dejected sigh and watch as the other five girls transformed into their princess modes. The feeling of being watched compels you to whip your head toward Rascal, who is staring right at you. His mouth and mask eye slits were downturned in an exaggerated fashion, silently mouthing a ‘boo hoo.’ He lifts his hands near his eyes and pretends to wipe his nonexistent tears away. Rascal’s blatant attempt at mockery succeeds in pissing you off, leading you to scowl and turn away without responding. You harshly bite down on your lower lip and allow feelings of anger, jealousy, and inadequacy to fester. If only Candy, Queen Euphoria, or some other magical force were around to bestow you with a complementary glitter wand and charm…

“Pink! Orange! Green! Blue! Yellow! Painting the sky with the colors of hope! Pegasus power attack! Rainbow Burst!” The girls ride their magical pegasus horses with style and make a nosedive towards Ulric. “Here we go! Rainbow Burst!” They use their combined powers to shoot a vibrant, multicolored light beam at him.

But Ulric’s unperturbed look and following words take you by surprise. “It won’t work this time, sorry!” For a split second, his black Twilight Buffoon nose glows before an uncanny purple energy pours out of his open mouth. The girls cry out in pain as it engulfs them, causing them to collide headlong into the solid ground. Your breath catches in your throat at the sight of their princess mode outfits and pegasus horses disintegrating. In a flash, you sprint over to the girls and try your best to help them recover. Unfortunately, there was nothing you could do about the various bruises, cuts, and deep scratches littering their bodies. All five girls lay dormant in their regular superhero attire, drifting in and out of consciousness. Somehow, Pop got caught up in all the turbulence and ended up in the same condition as your friends. By some mysterious circumstances, you were the only one that was spared.

“What?! No way!” Rascal’s voice pierces the air as he eyes the glowing Dream Ball in his outstretched hand. A couple of seconds later, the object breaks, releasing Candy from her magical prison. She floats down and makes a soft landing on the ground before rousing from her deep slumber. Rascal continues to gawk at her, clearly stunned by this turn of events. “No one’s broken free of the Dream Ball before! Ah, but take a look behind you, pixie. You’re too late, I’m afraid. Unless you’ve come to see your friends defeated!”

Candy swivels her tiny body around and spots the broken, battered forms of the five girls. “No…it can’t be!” Her eyes start brimming with tears as she races over to the group. “Lucky!”

Emily stirs awake and smiles at the sight of the pixie approaching. “H-Hi Candy! Welcome back! I-I’m glad you’re okay!” She uses her remaining strength to wipe the streams of tears rolling down Candy’s cheeks before passing out. 

The pixie begins to sob hysterically as she turns to face you. “Wha-What happened, Fantasy?”

Your lower lip trembles as you try your best to stay composed. “They used their Rainbow Burst attack against Ulric in his Twilight Buffoon form, but it didn’t work. He ended up overpowering them with this dark energy and now they’re like this.”

Rascal throws his head back and howls with laughter. “Now aren’t you sorry you left that happy Dreamland? This place must be such a downer!” He grabs a handful of popcorn from a bucket he summoned and starts eagerly munching on it. “Mmmm, there’s nothing more delicious than a deadly dose of tragedy~!”

“It’s deadly?!” you shrieked.

Rascal tries his best to suppress his laughter as he finishes swallowing his popcorn. “Of course it is! Despite all the nonsense your delusional friends espouse, life isn’t a fairytale. Unhappy endings are much more common than happy ones, and there are some serious consequences to interfering with Emperor Nogo’s plans––a very poor choice, I might add.” You feel the color drain from your face, completely at a loss for words.

Candy continues to bawl her eyes out over the sorrowful state of her friends. “Lucky! Breeze! Peace! Sunny! Spring! Pop! Wake up! Please, wake up! Don’t die on me!”

“Really? Is that all you can do? Like your crying is going to do them any good.” Rascal jeered, unable to stifle his giggles any longer. “Well, if you’re sad now, just wait until I––hmmm?” He doesn’t have the chance to finish his sentence before witnessing a huge surge of energy coming from Candy.

She stares him dead in the face with a determined glint in her eyes. “I’m not sad, you big bully! I’m mad! These are my best friends in the whole world you’re hurting! I love them with all my heart! They’d do anything for me, and I’ll do everything I can to stop you from killing them! Everything!” Her power transforms into a fiery phoenix, which catches everybody off guard. It turns out Rascal was telling the truth about Candy’s powers awakening whenever the Glitter Force is on the verge of defeat.

The culmination of Candy’s powers compresses itself into a tight ball before erupting into small orange flames. Countless sparks fly in every direction before vanishing into thin air, leaving nothing but a tiny glitter charm in its wake. It falls from the sky and makes a miraculous landing inside the slot on the lower panel of the Royal Clock. An ethereal voice comes from the device, which you now recognize as Queen Euphoria’s. “Royal Clock, awaken!” A series of striking, iridescent lights pour out of the clock, causing Rascal to squint and shield his eyes.

“Oh, big deal,” Ulric said, scoffing. “Destroy!” He growls and rushes toward the clock, preparing to destroy it. The pure luminosity from the device overpowers him, chipping away at the black ink on his Twilight Buffoon nose. In the end, it was reduced to nothing but a regular red clown nose.

“That’s the spirit, Candy!” you cheered. Not wanting to let this opportunity go to waste, you spring to your feet and spin around to face Ulric. You place your hand over your glitter pact and channel every ounce of your will and optimism into it. “C’mon spirit, shine on through! We’ve got spirit, how about you?” Sparkles begin emanating from the compact, which you use to control and redirect your attack. “Glitter Force! Sparkle Cloudburst!” A large, powerful burst of lavender shoots towards Ulric, successfully hitting him right in the nose. He lets out one last cry before his Twilight Buffoon form dissolves altogether. You grin and pump your fist into the air, overjoyed with your first victory. Two glitter charms fly into your hands, which you place in the charm chest nearby.

Ulric was back in his normal werewolf form, blue biker suit and all. He rubs the side of his head and lets out a guttural groan. “Uggh, I liked it better when it was just the buffoon getting beat up. I’m out!” The wolf glares at you one last time before teleporting out of sight. His disappearance results in the clear afternoon sky reverting to its normal shade of cerulean blue. The destruction and rubble left over from the battle also cease to exist, leaving behind a peaceful and undisturbed park. By this point, you and your friends had already transformed back into your regular, everyday clothes. All of the girls and Pop were now fully conscious and no longer injured. Candy was the only one in a comatose state, most likely due to the exhaustion that came from using so much of her powers. You, Pop, and your five friends gather around her lying form and attempt to rouse her.

“Candy! Wake up,” Emily called, cradling the small pixie. Candy stirs and shifts her head from side to side before opening her eyes. This is all it takes to make the corners of Emily’s mouth quirk up. “There you are! You had us scared!”

Lily squeals with excitement, bouncing on her feet. “Fantasy told us about your cool phoenix power and how you helped to awaken the Royal Clock. You were so wonderful!”

 “Thank you, Candy,” Kelsey said with a relieved sigh. “I don’t know what we would’ve done without you. We’d probably be dead, who knows.”

Candy wears a beaming smile as she scans all of your faces. “Awwww, thanks everyone! Now it’s like I’m really part of the Glitter Force, ‘cause instead of just enjoying another happy ending, I got to make the happy ending happen. And Fantasy did too!” 

You couldn’t help mirroring the chipper smile she sent your way. “It was a team effort! Well done, Candy! We’re all so proud!”

“Let’s not be too hasty~!” All of you whip your heads around towards Rascal, who is no longer gorging on his bucket of popcorn. “What’s all this about a happy ending?”

“Why are you still here? Get lost!” April yelled.

The jester shakes his head, tucking his arms behind his back. “This isn’t an ending, and there’s certainly nothing happy about it. As a matter of fact, your troubles are just beginning.” Without warning, he throws another Dream Ball toward your group. There wasn’t any time to prepare, fight back, or defend yourself. At the last second, you feel a hefty chunk of the ground lift under your feet and propel you out of the way. 

You land on a soft patch of grass several feet away, trying to process what just happened. The terrified shrieks and anguished cries coming from your friends are enough to make you bolt upright. Your jaw drops at the sight of the girls and the two pixies trapped inside the Dream Ball. They scream your name and pound their fists on the confines of the ball, staring at you with pleading eyes. For fear of losing them, you scramble to your feet and scurry towards the magical floating ball.

“Ah! Ah! Ah! Not so fast!” With a slight wave of his hand, Rascal motions the Dream Ball over. It complies with the jester’s commands and flies into his hand as if it had a life of its own. Rascal sends you a devious grin, taunting you with the ball that was just out of reach.

You huff in annoyance before slumping your shoulders in defeat. Left with no other options, all you could do was make occasional glances between Rascal and the raised slab of land that had saved you from sharing the same fate as your friends. “Why did you spare me?”

“Because we’ve got a lot to talk about!”

“Like what? Why couldn’t we have talked earlier today?” you asked.

“It wasn’t under the right circumstances. With those losers out of the way, we’ll have complete privacy, just the way you like it.”

You roll your eyes, crossing your arms. “When I told you I wanted to meet in private, I didn’t mean trying to kidnap and murder my friends so we can do so. But I’m sure you knew that already.”

“Bingo!” Rascal points finger guns at you and clicks his tongue.

Your only response is to give him a deadpan stare. “Okay, enough playing around! Let my friends go!”

“No can do, princess! You just don’t get it! Life is a dream in the Dream Ball!” He crinkles his eyes and nose at you while spinning the magic ball on his finger. “No pain, no worries, no homework! In fact, in here, you don’t have to work at all. Just sleep, play, and have fun! I couldn’t get them to leave if I wanted to. I bet they’re having so much fun in the Dream Ball that they’ve forgotten all about you by now.”

“You know what? Fine! If you won’t let them out, I’ll go get them myself.”

“And how do you plan to do that? Hmmmmm?”

“By going in after them, duh!” You were growing more irritated with his condescending attitude. 

“Well, be my guest! But I’m warning you, once you go in and discover that happy, carefree world, you’ll never want to come back.” He holds the Dream Ball in front of him as it begins emanating dark purple energy.

“I’ve disassociated from countless lucid dreams and the Looking Glass illusion. I’m sure I’ll manage.”

“Very well! I’ll grant you your wish,” Rascal said. “There are important matters I need to discuss, anyway. I could use this setting to my advantage. And as long as you’re all stuck in there, you can’t unleash the power of the Royal Clock.”

“Wait, what?!” Before you could ask for any clarification, the same dark energy encompassing the Dream Ball surrounds you. The last thing you hear is Rascal uttering ‘Bon Voyage’ before you’re sucked into the magic ball…

…It was difficult to discern how much time you had slept before awakening. You were riding on top of a white horse around an old-fashioned carousel. The horse, like many others, rises and falls in a steady rhythm as part of the attraction. They appear to prance and gallop in place as their painted bodies gleam under the soft glow of colorful lights. Gentle, upbeat fairground music plays in the background, providing a sense of childhood wonder and whimsy. The strong urgency to rescue your friends gets pushed to the back of your mind as the merry-go-round continues to spin in a mindless haze.

Surrendering to apathy and idleness, you’re left with no other option but to ride the carousel over and over again. You wrap your hands around the twisted brass pole of your horse, watching the whirl of bright colors and porcelain pass by. An old song from bygone days pops into your head, which prompts you to sing the following lyrics:

“Round and round the carousel 

around and round we go

Where are the horses leading us and why 

nobody knows” 

 

“Childhood joy and innocence

it passes in a blur 

Monotony and growing pains are here

to cause a stir” 

A chipper, buttery voice chimes in to sing the following stanza:

 

“This ride is never-ending 

it spins around all day

The carousel is in control and I 

don’t have a say” 

You jerk your head towards the neighboring horse and are met with the unwelcome sight of Rascal, who’s casually perched on top of the saddle. A teasing smirk flits across his face upon seeing your dumbfounded expression. “Hello, dearie~!”

“Oh great, it’s you,” you sighed, voice dripping with sarcasm.

He chuckles, leaning against the pole of his horse. “Sooooo, how are you enjoying the ride?”

“It’s okay, nothing special. But what am I doing here? Why am I at a carnival? This makes no sense!”

“Why wouldn’t you be? There wouldn’t be a Dream Ball without a Dreamland amusement park!” Rascal summons a fluffy pink treat in one of his hands as an offering. “Care for some cotton candy?”

You shake your head. “No thanks, I’ll pass!”

“Your loss!” The jester takes a gluttonous bite of his snack, moaning in satisfaction.

A few minutes pass in silence, providing you adequate time to gather your thoughts. “How did you know about the Royal Clock and Candy’s involvement with it?”

“We have a Shadow Realm handbook that records relevant events the moment they occur. It’s one of those unfinished books where the rest of the pages are filled depending on our accomplishments and failures as Emperor Nogo’s generals.” You allow his explanation to sink in, surprised by the striking similarities the Shadow Realm handbook shared with the Glitter Force one. Rascal finishes eating his cotton candy and answers the second part of your question. “As for that little pixie, I overheard that lion-looking fellow talking about the Royal Clock. He said that the queen was especially insistent on that pipsqueak sister of his to summon every ounce of her powers to unlock it. I’m not one to bypass such juicy gossip, so he left me no other choice but to keep listening. In the end, I just couldn’t resist using the Dream Ball to capture her.” He acknowledges your disapproving stare before scoffing. “If there’s anyone you should be angry with, it’s that male pixie. He shouldn’t have been discussing such private information out in the open.”

“First of all, don’t shift the blame on Pop. I mean sure, he could’ve been more careful talking about the Royal Clock and Candy, but you’re the one who chose to eavesdrop. It’s not his fault you kidnapped Candy,” you said. “Secondly, you brought the Dream Ball with you, which means you planned on interfering from the start. Not to mention that the Dream Ball sounds too much like my ideal world to be a coincidence. You pestered me into revealing my wish at your circus so you could create it!” The grip around the brass pole tightens as you yell out that last sentence.

Rascal chuckles and wags a disapproving finger at you. “Nuh-uh! I’m not the genius who created the Dream Ball, that would be Emperor Nogo. But your wish certainly inspired me to choose that specific invention.” His confession, coupled with his sing-song voice, was almost enough to tip your anger to its boiling point. But before it can, Rascal makes the following remark. “You haven’t seen it in action, but you’re more familiar with the Dream Ball than you think.”

“What do you mean?”

“Those three wayward souls are still trapped here. You remember them, don’t you?” Without breaking eye contact or saying a word, you nod. For a moment, Rascal quietly studies your expression before casting you an amused smirk. “There’s not a trace of sympathy anywhere on your face. Can’t say I blame you!”

“Can we talk about something else, please?”

“Why are you changing the subject now? You’re the one who brought up the Dream Ball in the first place.”

“There’s nothing more I need to add. Besides, I can’t waste any more of my time. I need to go rescue my friends!” You withhold the urge to comment on how tired and unmotivated you felt from riding the carousel. It’s a mystery whether this outcome was unrelated to the ride, or part of its diabolical design.

“I wouldn’t act too hastily, you might regret it~!”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s about time I told you the dark truth the Glitter Force has been hiding from you.” 

This was all it took to get your undivided attention. Rascal leans forward, motioning for you to draw closer. You comply, allowing curiosity to get the better of you. “Seriously? Like what?”

“It’s about Jubiland and those who live there.” Rascal frowns as his eye slits droop downward. “Things aren’t always what they seem to be. The outward appearance of the fairytale kingdom deceives many. Jubiland’s greatest weapon has always been deception, which is to convince others that what is evil is actually good and that what is light is actually darkness.” 

“I don’t understand! Can you please explain what you mean by that?”

“Of course! There’s nothing to be gained from hiding something so important from my darling protégé.” Rascal cocks his head to the side, displaying a wide grin. “Jubiland is hiding some dark secrets about its residents. Not only that but those who have committed such horrendous atrocities are allowed to get off scot-free without any fear of punishment. Queen Euphoria and the rulers before her are aware of their misdeeds and refuse to do anything about it, making them complicit.”

You knit your brows together and swallow the dry lump that had formed in your throat. “What did the Jubiland residents do that was so bad?”

Rascal perks up, like he had been anticipating this exact question. “It’s funny that you ask! I have plenty of examples, but I’ll only provide a few to prove my point. Take Peter Pan, for instance. He’s beloved all over the world for his rambunctious and youthful nature, earning himself the title of ‘The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.’ But what most people don’t know about him is that he’d take his obsession with youth too far…”

“H-How so?”

“He had stringent rules in place, especially for his Lost Boys. And might I add that Peter targeted these unfortunate children and kidnapped them from their loving parents. His motivation for doing so isn't yet known to me, but I’m all too familiar with their fates,” Rascal said before lowering his voice. “Growing up was against the rules, you see. So, you can guess what Peter did to the Lost Boys when they inevitably did.” You shake your head, feeling a tight knot growing in the pit of your stomach. Rascal leans close to whisper in your ear. “He killed them.”

You jerk your head back and emit a startled gasp. “That can’t be true!”

“Oh, but I’m afraid it is. When they grew up, whether physically or emotionally, he ‘thinned them out.’ The lucky few that escaped became pirates with Captain Hook, the original lost boy who escaped Peter’s evil clutches.”

“B-But I haven’t heard that version…”

“You just watched too many Disney movies, and I would know. Back then, it wasn’t the right time to tell you the truth, but now it is. Trust me, I know it’s hard to believe that these beloved characters committed such heinous and sinful acts. I’m only telling you this because I’m afraid you’ll be misled, deceived, and destroyed if I stay silent.” You rub the nape of your neck as cold sweat begins forming on your brow. Rascal gives a reassuring pat on your shoulder before continuing. “And sadly, Peter Pan isn’t the only child murderer in Jubiland.”

“You’re kidding me?”

“Oh, how I wish I was,” Rascal said, sighing dramatically. “Not many people know the origin story of the Pied Piper either. As the tale goes, it was the year 1284, and there was a terrible rat infestation in the German town of Hamelin. The locals were getting desperate for help, so much so that they were willing to hire just about anyone. That’s when the Piper showed up, promising to make all their troubles disappear. With his magical pipe-playing skills, he was successful at luring the rats away from the town towards their watery graves in a river nearby. Despite this, the people refused to pay him, so he decided to retaliate.” You fidget and wring your hands together, already knowing where this story is headed. Rascal confirms your worst fears when he speaks the following words. “One day, when all the adults of Hamelin were at church, he played his pipe again, this time targeting the children. They ended up meeting the same fate as the rats––all 130 of them.”

You place your hands over your mouth to stifle another gasp. “The Pied Piper killed that many children? But why?! They didn’t do anything! It was the adults who refused to pay him.”

“That may be true, but the children were the future and hope of Hamelin. Getting rid of them would jeopardize the town and the adults who run it in every way, whether it’s through emotional, financial, or economic means.” Listening to Rascal’s explanation fills you with immense dread, putting you at a loss for words. He takes your stunned silence as a sign to continue talking. “Everything I’ve told you so far is only the tip of the iceberg.”

“You mean there’s more?!”

Rascal’s expression hardens as he nods. “Sadly, there is! Prince Florian, Snow White’s husband, is popular with the pixies and is viewed as an upstanding citizen in Jubiland. They completely overlook his sick and perverted side. Did you know he first fell in love with Snow White when she was dead and resting inside the glass coffin? Prince Florian visited her every day and spent hours on end admiring her corpse. And that’s not all! Can you guess how old Snow White was when they married?”

You felt sick to your stomach, trying to hold back the bile rising in your throat. A part of you didn’t want to know the answer, but your morbid curiosity overpowers your better judgment. “I don’t know…can you give me a hint?”

“How many dwarves were there in the story?”

When his insinuation finally dawns on you, it takes every ounce of mental willpower not to vomit. Your heart pounds like a drum in your chest, with each beat echoing the weight of the horrors Rascal had unearthed. “That’s so disgusting!”

“Tell me about it,” Rascal said, cringing. “Prince Troylus is another royal who prefers his women on the younger side. He’s the prince from the original Sleeping Beauty fairytale. In that story, the prince doesn’t wake up the princess with ‘true love’s kiss.’”

“H-How does he awaken her then?”

Rascal’s mouth presses into a hard line, trying to prepare himself for what he’s about to say. “When he found the underage Princess Zellandine in an enchanted sleep, he raped and impregnated her. She eventually conceived her baby, who ended up waking her by withdrawing the flax from her finger––the very same flax that caused her to fall into a deep slumber. The princess only realized who the baby’s father was when she found the ring the prince left her.”

Each moment stretches heavy with the gravity of this revelation as you grapple with the implications of all that you have learned. Everything you thought you knew about fairy tales was a lie. This moment marked a considerable shift in your reality, leaving you haunted by the knowledge that some truths are darker than you could have ever thought possible. Even though you preferred hard truths over sugar-coated lies, part of you wished to remain in blissful ignorance. Possessing a childlike naivety and premature state of mind was the less depressing alternative, despite not being beneficial in the long run. Still, you wanted so badly to believe that Rascal was lying, or playing a cruel prank on you. “Please stop messing around! I swear, if you’re telling me all this dark stuff to mess with me, it’s not funny.”

“I would never joke about something like this!” Rascal’s raised voice and solemn demeanor catch you by surprise. He narrows his eyes and sends you a sullen look, making his offense evident. “Jubiland has a lot of skeletons in its closet––more than you can imagine. They will protect their own if they look and think like them. Outwardly, they appear like beautiful whitewashed tombs, but on the inside, they’re full of every kind of wickedness under the sun. You should have seen how they treated two of my favorite colleagues when they were in dire need of help.”

“I-I’m sorry, this is a lot for me to take in. I want to do the right thing, but I’m unsure what to do or where to start. What exactly happened to your colleagues?”

Rascal’s expression softens after hearing your apology as he loosens his grip on the carousel pole. “I guess I should be more considerate of your mental state.” He slumps his shoulders and lets out a long sigh before meeting your gaze once again. “Besides my master, I’m not close to anyone in the Shadow Realm except for two others. One of them is called HE, otherwise known as ‘HE Who Gets Slapped,’ which is the title he gave himself when he used to work as a clown at the Parisian circus. His story is a tragic one.”

“Really?” you asked, furrowing your brows.

“Yes! In his earthly life, HE was a hard-working scientist who labored day and night to prove his theory on the origins of humans. Sadly, he made the mistake of telling his wife and best friend that he finished his research and was ready to present it to the Academy of the Sciences.” Rascal pauses to take a deep breath before continuing. “As it turns out, his wife was having an affair with his best friend, who was none other than Baron Regnard. One night, when HE was sleeping, his wife stole his research papers and gave them to the Baron. You can imagine his shock when he found the Baron taking credit for his work at the academy the next day. HE tried to confront him, but the Baron refuted his claims and called him his lowly assistant before slapping him in front of everyone. They all laughed at his distress and enjoyed watching him get degraded. When HE sought comfort from his wife, she admitted to her affair and called him a clown, leaving him no other choice but to leave his old life behind and flee to the circus.”

“How cruel! I don’t understand how people can be so mean.” Your expression mirrors Rascal’s disapproval after hearing HE’s backstory. “But as sad as this is, what does this have to do with Jubiland?”

“I was just about to tell you that,” Rascal said, mouth twitching. “HE lived a life filled with betrayal, humiliation, and unrequited love. And it didn’t help that he met an equally horrible end. After his life on Earth, HE was a drifter and a wanderer, with no place to call his home. He craved a sense of happiness and belonging that was foreign to him, leading him to travel to Jubiland in hopes of living there.”

“And that didn’t end up happening, did it?”

Rascal lowers his gaze and shakes his head. “No, not at all. Jubiland claims to be a haven for the marginalized, but it’s not. They rejected and laughed at him, just like those close-minded fools back on Earth. It was Emperor Nogo and the Shadow Realm that welcomed him with open arms. It was my master who gave him a home and appointed him as his royal scientist.”

This new insight about Emperor Nogo takes you by surprise. “Really? Nogo did that for him?”

“Of course he did. My master isn’t so evil and heartless as the Glitter Force has led you to believe. He has a soft spot for tragic characters.” A warm smile graces Rascal’s features upon mentioning his superior. “Emperor Nogo also helped out Rigoletto, my other colleague. He lost everything––his job, his home, and his daughter, who was the only remaining family he had. All of this was at the hands of his ex-boss, the Duke of Mantua. The Duke spread a nasty lie about him in Jubiland, which was the very same rumor that had haunted him in his earthly life. Not bothering to check the credibility of the source, those living in Jubiland believed that Rigoletto kept his daughter as a lover, which is preposterous. But I shouldn’t be too surprised! It’s so like them to believe a handsome duke over an unattractive, hunchbacked court jester.”

You visualize what it would be like to undergo the same treatment and frown. “That’s awful! Did he ever receive justice?”

“He did, but not from Jubiland. Thanks to Emperor Nogo, Rigoletto is now the Shadow Realm’s duke. The Duke of Mantua also ended up getting killed during our most recent attack on Jubiland, so that’s a plus.”

“I see…” The carousel continues to spin round and round, leaving you melancholic and lightheaded. It blurs your surroundings, in much the same way Rascal had blurred your reality. When you first joined the Glitter Force, the right and wrong paths to take seemed so clear. But everything he had revealed leads you to question where your loyalties should lie. Ever since the jester reappeared back into your life, you felt like a shadow of your former self. The real world and the people living in it weren’t as black and white as you thought. Instead, they were varying shades of gray, representing the moral ambiguity you felt at the moment. You press your lips together into a slight grimace before making eye contact with Rascal. “So, everything you told me about Jubiland and the fairytale characters is true?”

“It is! I swear on the life of my master.” Rascal uses one of his hands to make a crossing motion over his heart. This was enough to dispel any remaining doubts you had about the authenticity of his claims. Then again, they were too detailed and specific for you to believe they were lies. Rascal was undeniably crafty and intelligent, but even you knew he had limitations. There’s a slight trace of understanding in his eyes as he gives you a pained smile. “I know it’s not your fault. It was Jubiland who watered down these fairytales and overshadowed their darker origins with happy endings. Over time, the masses forgot about how twisted and ghastly they really were. And I must admit, Jubiland’s PR Department did an outstanding job changing the public’s perception. So if there’s anything to take away from this, it’s that you shouldn’t trust the false image they want you to see. After all, even salt looks like sugar!”

“I’m at a loss…” You let out a deep exhale, processing and mulling over his words in your head. “What do you suggest I do then?”

“Quit the Glitter Force!”

For once, you actually consider following through with his suggestion. The thought of protecting vile rapists, pedophiles, and murderers is enough to make you sick to your stomach. As harsh as it sounds, you didn’t think such characters deserved saving. Did Candy, Pop, and the Glitter Force really know about all of this? Were they deliberately hiding such crucial information from you as Rascal claimed? You want so badly to believe this part was fabricated, and there’s only one way to tell for sure. Something Emily had once shared with you at the Library of Legends crosses your mind. With a small nod, you utter the following words. “Alright, fine! If I happen to see them again or they find a way to break out of the Dream Ball, I’ll tell them I’m quitting. They’ll be devastated to hear about my reasons for leaving, especially Emily. She has such a big crush on Peter Pan. This is going to break her heart!”

“Ooooh, how delightful~! I knew you’d make the right decision eventually!” Rascal springs to his feet on top of the carousel horse before twirling around the adjacent pole. A series of high-pitched giggles follows as he pole dances at breakneck speed. “Break their hearts! Crush their dreams! Destroy their spirits! Glitter Lucky won’t feel so lucky anymore, not when she loses two fantasies––the one in the flesh and the one in her head! I want to see her mentally break and cry when she learns that her romantic interest is a child killer!”

A smirk makes its way onto your face after hearing his last sentence. “So, Rascal, please explain to me how Glitter Lucky can hide something from me that she hasn’t learned about yet?”

Rascal stops spinning as he peers down at you with his mouth agape. The color drains from his already pale face as he stumbles over his words. “T-That, I-I-I, s-she––”

“Aha! So that was a lie! Emily, Pop, Candy, and the rest of the Glitter Force don’t actually know about any of this! They weren’t hiding anything from me! You just said that to hook me in,” you yelled. Meanwhile, in your head, you ponder over the consequences of leaving your friends and the two pixies behind to fend for themselves. Despite the degenerate behaviors and crimes committed by certain characters, it was unfair to project that onto every single individual who lived in Jubiland. Much like the Shadow Realm and the countries here on Earth, the fairytale kingdom is filled with corruption, injustice, and evil people. It didn’t sit right with you to allow Pop and Candy’s only home to be destroyed because of the actions of others. And despite Emperor Nogo’s benevolence towards HE and Rigoletto, he still wants to destroy the universe and wipe out all life on Earth, including those you love and care about. Now it was more clear than ever what you needed to do.

“So what?!” Rascal snapped. “Everything else I told you was still the truth!”

“Maybe so, but all the terrible things those in Jubiland did doesn’t represent my friends!” You send him an unwavering stare with your head held high. “I’m going to rescue them and fight by their side till the bitter end! There’s nothing you can do to sway me!” 

Rascal’s face hardens and twists into one of pure rage as he opens his mouth to retort. Both of you freeze when two distinct voices call your name, one male and one female. You jerk your head away from the jester and spot the faint, shadowy outlines of Pop and Candy running towards the carousel. “They broke out of the Dream Spell?! Impossible!” Their sudden appearance causes Rascal to grit his teeth in annoyance. He grumbles something under his breath before redirecting his attention to you. “Suit yourself, Glitter Fantasy! And don’t think for a second that you’ll be able to sway me either!” Once he’s finished speaking, Rascal bursts into a myriad of purple playing cards, which get carried off into the distance by the non-existent wind.

“Candy! Pop!” You smile in relief when they finally approach the carousel. “Boy, am I glad to see you two! How did you both break out of the spell?”

“You can thank my sister for that,” Pop said, gesturing over to Candy. “She reminded me of the authentic, heartfelt moments we shared––something this dream world could never hope to replicate.”

Candy nods, puffing her chest out with pride. “If I can break out of the Dream Spell once, I can do it again!”

You muse over Pop’s explanation and Candy’s repeated successes. “So, remembering all the good times and our relationships back in the real world is the key, huh? How interesting! Maybe it can help us escape the Dream Ball too! Have you two found the rest of our team?”

Pop shakes his head. “Not yet! You’re the only one we’ve seen so far. But now that we found you, you can help us find the others.”

“I’d love to, but for whatever reason, I don’t have the energy to leave the carousel.” Your smile vanishes as you avert your gaze.

“Don’t let a stupid ride stop you,” Candy shouted. “Here, let me help!” She leaps over to the carousel horse and grabs your hand before yanking you forward. To your utter bewilderment, her efforts at assisting you succeeded.

Once your feet touch the ground, a newfound rush of energy courses through your veins. “Thanks, Candy! You’re a lot stronger than you look!” 

Her eyes light up upon hearing your compliment. “You’re welcome! I may be tiny, but I’m pretty mighty!”

“That’s for sure!” You take one last glance at the carousel, scowling. In the end, it was the ride that depleted all of your energy and motivation.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Pop yelled. “Let’s go find the others before it’s too late!” You and Candy nod in unison before following his lead.

After some arduous searching, the three of you finally succeed in locating the rest of the Glitter Force. The girls were nestled deep into the heart of the Dreamland amusement park, which was a lot bigger than you had anticipated. All five of them were sitting around a table, gorging on an abundance of various desserts and sugary drinks. They were in a deep trance, completely oblivious to their surroundings and the true nature of the Dream Ball. To make matters worse, they seemed to have forgotten all about you, Pop, and Candy. This made it much more difficult for the three of you to help them regain their senses. You tried recounting fun memories you shared, throwing away all the treats, and luring them away from the table, but nothing worked.

You run your fingers through your hair in frustration and groan. Right when you’re on the verge of giving up, Candy makes a proposition. “Maybe if you try blasting this dream world with your Sparkle Cloudburst, we can all escape and have an easier time waking them up.”

“Great idea, Candy! If that doesn’t wake them up, nothing will!” You grab your glitter pact and use it to transform into your superhero alter-ego. “A whimsical dream, iridescent and bright, I’m Glitter Fantasy!” As soon as the alternate, purple dimension fades away, you waste no time in aiming your special attack at the artificial sky. “C’mon spirit, shine on through! We’ve got spirit, how about you?” Once the compact is fully charged and radiating with sparkles, you channel all of its power into your upcoming attack. “Glitter Force! Sparkle Cloudburst!” Pop and Candy watch with reverence as the lavender cloud funnel streaks hundreds of feet above the amusement park.

All three of you let out collective gasps when a large playing card blocks the path of the attack. The black void covering the face of the card absorbs your cloud funnel until all traces of lavender vanish into the abyss. Then, the giant card flips over, revealing an all-too-familiar jester. “Ooooh that tickled~!”

You growl, stomping your foot hard on the ground. “Ugggh no! Why are you here?!”

“I go wherever I please! You naughty thing, trying to wreck this lovely dream world. Someone’s going to have to teach you some manners!” Rascal grabs a small, round bauble from the yellow portion of his jester cap and bell-styled hair. “I’d summon a Twilight Buffoon, but they’re so much work and I might get hurt. A Yellow Nose should be enough to take care of one glitter girl!” He tosses the object into the air before chanting. “Buffoon! Appear!” Dark energy gushes from the yellow clown nose, obscuring the entire vicinity. It merges with a roller coaster coaster train and transforms into a monstrous creature. 

In the blink of an eye, a malformed purple monster appears before you with a snake-like body. Red diamonds decorate its forehead and eyes, resembling clown makeup. It stares at you with half-lidded eyes and an exaggerated smile, further provoking you. “Buffoon!” it screeched.

At once, the cheerful and lively illusion of the amusement park begins to change, morphing into a nightmarish landscape. A profound sense of dread and unease wash over you as the sky turns into an oppressive shade of black, swirling with ominous, skeletal-looking clouds. The ground was now cracked and barren, littered with jagged rocks and the twisted remnants of dead trees. Their gnarled branches reach toward your group like skeletal fingers, instinctively leading you, Pop, and Candy to take several steps back. As if drained of all life and vibrancy, the remaining terrain is dominated by sickly shades of gray, brown, and purple. Despite the lingering shock you felt from the drastic change of scenery, all you could think about was finding your friends.

“Girls!” Pop screamed.

You and Candy turn around to find all five girls lying face down and unconscious. The three of you sprint towards the group in hopes of reviving them. Candy’s lower lip quivers as she crouches down to shake Emily. “Wake up! Please, wake up! We’ve gotta get out of here!” 

You’re about to attempt to wake Chloe up when Rascal’s fruity voice calls out to you. “Oh, Glitter Fantasy! Someone wants to play with you~!” The colossal buffoon he summoned slithers and twists around one of the jagged rocks before shooting towards you. 

Fearing the possibility of the creature hurting the girls and the pixies, you flee in the opposite direction. Luckily, this course of action worked in luring the buffoon away from the others. As you begin gaining speed, you make sure to send the jester a dirty look. “What’s your deal, Rascal?! Isn’t trapping us inside this Dream Ball of death bad enough? When will you ever be satisfied?”

“I’ll be satisfied when the Glitter Force and those two pixies are buried six feet under.” Rascal lets out a long sigh, giving you a pitiful look. “You know, it didn’t have to be this way. I never wanted to hurt or attack you. All you had to do was make the right decision and leave those worthless losers behind. I’m just looking out for your best interest.”

“I highly doubt that! You have ulterior motives!” Every once in a while, you swivel your head back to make sure the buffoon was still a good distance behind. Eventually, you run into a dead end, leaving you no other choice but to face the monster head-on. As a result, you leap towards the cliff ahead, using it as leverage to propel you forward. You swing your arm back and punch the buffoon square in the nose. It screeches in pain and falls backward, colliding with the hard ground below. A large dust cloud arises from the impact, giving you a chance to catch your breath and respond. “I understand your anger towards Jubiland, I really do, but your deep hatred for my friends is uncalled for.”

“You know nothing of my motives, nor the sinful and self-serving nature of wicked humans,” Rascal said, scoffing. “I guess your experience in Switzerland has taught you nothing!”

The significance behind his words causes your heart to skip a beat. Unpleasant and intrusive memories flash before your eyes, leading you to relive traumatic experiences you tried so hard to suppress. Ragged breathing follows as you fall to your knees and cover your ears to drown out an unknown ringing. You remain in a silent state of perpetual despair, unable to scream or call for help. Your unblinking eyes begin to water as more memories flood your mind. “You’ve gone too far! You’ve gone too far!”

Your weakened condition proves to be detrimental, almost causing you to forget about the buffoon ahead, which was now recovered and ready to attack. Rascal ignores you and floats by the monster before addressing it. “What? Come now, buffoon, don’t tell me you can’t handle a single little girl.” This seems to trigger a heightened response from the creature, motivating it to streak towards you with abnormal quickness. You wipe the leftover water from your eyes and watch in horror as the monster descends upon you.

“Glitter Force! Sparkle Shower!”

You and Rascal gasp as a torrent of red rain pelts down on the buffoon, who wails before plummeting headlong into the ground. More billowing smoke rises from the wreckage, obscuring the identity of your rescuer. Once the fumes begin to disperse, the jester clenches his jaw and narrows his eyes at the newcomer. “So, it’s you…Glitter Valentine! I thought you were just an urban legend!”

“In your dreams!” An elated smile spreads across your face at the sight of V. Her long crimson hair was pulled off to the side into a French braid, complementing her ethereal superhero outfit. It shared many similarities with yours, except it had red accents and more flowing, lightweight fabric. She glances down at you with a sympathetic expression. “My goodness! Are you alright?” You cover your mouth and cough several times before nodding. V appears convinced with this answer and diverts her attention back to Rascal. “Only a scoundrel would attack a girl when she’s in deep distress. Your cowardly way of fighting brings dishonor to your master.”

Rascal takes a deep inhale, lips drawing back into a snarl. “...what did you say?!” 

“You might want to get your hearing checked. I said, your cowardly way of fighting brings dishonor to your master.” V sighs, shaking her head in disapproval. “Honestly, I wasn’t expecting such a reckless and juvenile boy to represent Emperor Nogo, much less be his second-in-command.”

“You’re wrong! I’ve done nothing but honor my master! I’m worthy of being the leader of his Shadow Realm generals! I bring Emperor Nogo the fear, honor, and reverence he deserves!” Rascal flings countless playing cards her way, which all end up exploding within close range. 

V dodges all of his attacks without so much as a scratch. Her lip curls up into a smirk as she meets his deranged stare. “It appears I’ve struck a nerve.”

“Buffoon! I order you to eliminate that nasty harlot!” Rascal bares his teeth, pointing at V. You recoil in disgust––both at his choice of insult and the monster slithering towards her.

“Don’t worry about me, Fantasy! Focus on waking up and saving the other girls!” V’s confident eyes sparkle as she meets your gaze. “I have the utmost faith in you!” Immediately afterward, she focuses all of her efforts on fighting the buffoon. 

With a reinvigorated rush of urgency and determination, you dart over toward your five friends. To your dismay, Rascal chooses to pursue you instead of staying behind, leading you to groan. “Ugh, leave me alone!”

“No can do, dearie! Between you and that wretched woman, I much prefer your company~!”

“Well, I don’t feel the same way!” You push yourself to run faster, trying in vain to broaden the distance. Bittersweet memories from your childhood pop into your head, making it more difficult to suppress your tears. “Rascal, you’re so different from when I first met you. You’re a lot meaner now than you were in the past. Then again, everything you showed me back then was nothing but a facade!”

His only response is deafening silence, neither choosing to confirm nor refute your accusations. You pay him no mind as Candy, Pop, and the five girls come into view. They were standing up and no longer unconscious, providing a much-needed sense of relief. This feeling was short-lived, however, when your friends still appeared to be in a deep trance. Rascal takes note of your deep frown once you’re in front of them, using that moment to speak up. “So, what are you going to do?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to do everything I can to release them from your Dream Spell. Then, we’re breaking out of here! You can push me around all you want, but I’m never giving up! Not until we’re back in the real world!”

“What’s so wonderful about the real world, anyway?” Rascal smiles, glancing at the half-conscious girls. “Your friends seem perfectly happy in this world. And after all, who can blame them? No chores, no school, no having to get up early, just fun and games all day long!” 

The mentioned benefits are enough to chip away at your resolve, but you’re quick to recognize where your train of thought is headed and change course. “Yeah, the real world really sucks sometimes, but it’s my friends that make it more bearable. A perfect world means nothing if you can’t have genuine relationships. These aren’t my friends, not the ones I know!”

Rascal chuckles, placing his hands on his hips. “Ohhh? Well, good luck with that! Your friends no longer even remember who you are, girlie!”

“Only because you’ve got them under that stupid spell! You stripped them of their free will, but they’ll come to their senses eventually. And I’m going to keep fighting until they do!”

“You tell him, Fantasy!” Pop cheered.

Candy nods, pumping her fist in solidarity. “Say it louder for the people in the back!”

“You all delude yourselves! The real world is nothing but hard work and misery. And what does that get you?” Rascal conjures up a giant playing card next to him, which displays various scenes of each girl struggling with their unique set of challenges. It felt intrusive and unethical to peer into the private lives of your friends, but you couldn’t bring yourself to look away. A series of segments centering on Emily is the first to play on the face of the card. There were multiple instances of her putting aside whatever she was doing to liven up somebody else’s mood. “You always put on a smile for others and put their needs before your own. But when you need cheering up, no one ever comes to your rescue.” The last scene shown is one where Emily is sitting at her school desk looking downcast while many people pass by without a second glance.

The sequence of events playing on the card shifts, this time focusing on Kelsey. It shows her failing repeatedly at a big volleyball match being held at school. Rascal gestures over to the red-headed girl, who grows more and more frustrated every time she misses the ball. “You practice and practice and still you know you’ll never be the best. There will always be someone better.” After the match, a brunette girl on her team gets swarmed by a flock of admirers while the volleyball coach hands her a trophy with an engraved title reading, ‘Most Valuable Player.’ Kelsey was standing off to the sidelines, trying her best to mask her deep hurt. 

Once again, the scenes on the card change their focus over to Lily. She was hunched over a desk in her bedroom, staying up late to draw a picture for the Cleanup Club’s annual poster competition. “You finally work up the courage to reveal your hidden talents to the world, and what’s the result?” The next scene shows all of the submitted posters displayed in the school hallway, with Lily’s only receiving an honorable mention. “You get a pathetic consolation prize, how heartbreaking!” Rascal feigns a sorrowful expression while taking a glance at the flashback. Lily leaves Emily and Kelsey behind at the exhibit as she runs down the hall with her eyes glossed over and welling with tears.

The next succession of memories centers around April, who was practicing and performing in the school’s annual relay race alongside the other Glitter Force girls. “You work hard to be the leader! You inspire everyone to give it their all, but then you yourself let the team down. How humiliating!” Rascal watches with sadistic amusement as April trips and falls a couple of feet away from the finish line. Other competing girls representing different classes pass her by, resulting in her team coming in at last place. Emily, Kelsey, Lily, and Chloe try their best to console her, but to no avail. April hangs her head low and buries her face in her hands before sobbing.

The last girl to appear on screen was none other than Chloe. Numerous scenes of her studying, finishing homework assignments, tutoring others, performing student council duties, participating in archery club, and volunteering at school play on the card. With each additional flashback, Chloe grew more and more exhausted. Rascal seems to notice this as well, compelling him to make the following remark. “You try to set a good example. You study hard, play by the rules, and always do your best, but somehow you know it will never be enough.” The last scene cuts to Chloe sitting at her desk in front of a makeup mirror in her bedroom. She swallows a handful of pills to stay awake and applies concealer under her dark eye bags.

It tugs at your heartstrings to watch the girls struggle. For some unknown reason, seeing these other sides of your friends made you feel closer to them. Without warning, your thoughts get interrupted by the face of the card blacking out. “And as for you…” Rascal’s face goes blank as he slowly turns to face you. Your eyes widen as you freeze on the spot, overcome with crippling fear. 

“Yeah? What about her?!” Candy shouted. 

The possible consequences of Rascal unveiling your past and deepest insecurities in front of Pop and Candy were unfathomable. If he revealed anything of the sort, you were unsure how you’d take it, but you knew it would be catastrophic. Beads of cold sweat drip down your forehead while you remain paralyzed to the core. You lick your lips and mouth the words ‘please’ and ‘don’t do it’ over and over again, hoping he would get the message loud and clear. 

It seemed like hours had passed before Rascal responded. “Oh, nothing~! I just wanted to give her some much-needed advice.” He giggles and shifts his attention over to you. “Glitter Fantasy, life in the real world is just one failure after another. Here you don’t even need to try, so you never have to fail. If you really love your friends and want what’s best for them, you’ll leave them here.”

“Yeah, but you’re forgetting one important thing, Rascal!” Candy takes several defiant steps forward until she’s standing next to you. “Never trying might mean you’ll never fail, but it also means you’ll never win! That’s why Fantasy will keep getting back up no matter how many times you knock her down! That’s why she’s part of the Glitter Force!”

“That’s right…” Your body relaxes as you cast the small pixie a gentle smile. “Thanks, Candy! What you just said made me realize there’s something else Rascal forgot about.”

The jester snorts. “Oh? And what might that be?”

“Failure is never fun, and oftentimes it hurts. But the only way to truly fail is by giving up. If my friends and I had given up after our first mistake, we would have never grown into the people we are today,” you said, placing a hand over your heart. “We’re more than just friends and more than just a team. We’re the Glitter Force, and no amount of persuasive arguments or illusions will ever change that. That’s why we’re going to defeat you!”

“Awwwww, what a sweet and touching speech! But I’m afraid you’re wrong about that last part.” Once again, Rascal motions over to your five friends, who are still hypnotized by the Dream Spell. “You might have to try it again. I don’t think your friends heard you, or maybe it’s that they just don’t care.” He throws his head back and starts convulsing with laughter, unaware of the large shadow encroaching over him. 

“What a load of rubbish!” The massive purple buffoon from earlier collides straight into Rascal, catching him off guard. For a split second, he makes eye contact with you and lets out a high-pitched whimper before he and the buffoon are both thrust into a distant cliff. V makes a graceful descent next to you while eyeing the crash site she just created. She dusts off her hands and places them on her hips, wearing a satisfied smirk. “That’s what you get for calling me a harlot!”

“He called you that?! How rude!” Pop gasped.

Candy blinks slowly, tilting her head to the side. “What’s a harlot?”

The older pixie shuts his eyes and exhales through his mouth, making his discomfort clear. “I’ll explain later.”

Meanwhile, V sends you a reassuring smile. “Don’t listen to him! Your speech was so admirable and heartfelt, I’m sure it got through to your friends.” 

“It sure did!” You whip your head around and feel a huge wave of relief wash over you at the sight of Kelsey. She was standing a couple of feet away, fully conscious and sporting a cheeky grin. “I heard you, Fantasy! Loud and clear!”

“I thought it was a beautiful speech! It was so touching, my eyes were starting to water.” Lily approaches you and wipes a stray tear from her eye as if to emphasize her point.

Not long afterward, April and Chloe congregate around you, with the latter being the first to voice her thoughts. “Thanks for the wake-up call, Fantasy! We needed it!”

April nods. “Yeah, we all heard you! Sorry it took so long!”

Their energy and warmth were infectious, creating a heightened sense of love and connection. Your heart feels light in your chest as you welcome their embrace. All of the tension leaves your body as everyone comes together to give you a big group hug, including Pop, Candy, and V. A content sigh leaves you as you bask in their affection. “It’s alright! What matters most is that you’re all here now!”

“It can’t be! The Dream Spell is broken?!” Rascal emerges from the cliff ruins, clutching his injured shoulder. He makes determined strides toward your group and glowers at every member with an insatiable hatred. His hollow eyes were brimming with an intense bloodlust until meeting yours. A mixture of shock and repulsion overtakes his face as he continues to stare. “Y-You’re glowing?! Is it still possible?” Everybody turns to gape at you with surprise, confirming his suspicions. 

“Up there!” Pop shouted, pointing to something overhead.

All of you follow his gaze and watch as a purple, crescent moon-shaped glitter charm floats down into your glowing hands. As a result, the pink glitter pact attached to your skirt begins to sparkle before transforming into a white pegasus scepter. You start squealing and jumping up and down, waving it around for all to see. “Yes! My princess wand! I finally got it!” Everybody except Rascal claps and congratulates you, which helps to overshadow your past insecurities.

Out of nowhere, the Royal Clock materializes in front of your team, levitating off the ground. A golden light similar to the one surrounding you encompasses it before bursting with a blinding luminescence. Rascal groans and shields his eyes from the intensity. “No way! That sudden surge of energy! Can it be?” He emits a piercing scream as the nightmare dimension of the Dream Ball shatters and is reduced to nothing but ashes and broken dreams.

Some time passes before you blink your eyes open again. You, Rascal, Candy, Pop, the Glitter Force girls, and the buffoon from earlier were all back at the vacant and undisturbed park. Pop’s voice was the first to break through the silence. “Hooray! You did it! You all broke free of the Dream Ball!”

“If I were one to take these things personally, I might be a little upset. But fortunately, I have another buffoon up my sleeve.” Rascal floats next to the yellow-nosed buffoon before fishing out a tube of black paint. He squeezes it in his fist, smearing a copious amount of dark paint on the monster’s nose. “Hold still! You’re getting a makeover!”  

The creature changes colors and expands in both size and power. It growls before advancing towards your group. “Twilight Buffoon!”

“It’s princess time!” Emily hollered.

All of you give her a resolute nod, with V being the last to do so. Her pink compact transforms into a matching princess wand while she extracts a red rose glitter charm. “You’ll have to excuse me! It’s been many years, so my skills might be a little bit rusty.”

Without further ado, all of you place your corresponding charms inside the empty slots of your wands. “Insert Glitter Charm!” all of you chanted in unison, raising your pegasus rods into the sky. “Princess wands, give us your glitter power!” Seven electrifying colors shoot out from the tips of the wands and take on pegasus horse forms. From there, all of you transform into your princess forms with more bedazzling outfits and hairstyles than before. Finally, at long last, you could truthfully and confidently announce your name as ‘Princess Fantasy.’ For the first time ever, the seven of you assemble for a finishing attack, forming a complete picture of the legendary rainbow warriors. “Glitter princess power activate! Altogether! Glitter Princess Mode!”

Emily places a heart-shaped glitter charm into the Royal Clock, activating it. “Summoning the power of the Royal Clock!” The fourteen multicolored panels surrounding the circular mirror light up, filling the air with an extraordinary vibrance. 

In a surprising turn of events, Candy pops into your sparkly dimension. “When you hear the chime, it’s time for a happy ending!” She pushes down on the fuschia-colored jewel on top of the clock, triggering a new magical chain reaction. A fiery, orange phoenix emerges from the Royal Clock and caws before streaking ahead. Each of you mounts on top of your matching pegasus and follows its lead.

“Pink! Orange! Green! Blue! Yellow! Red! Purple! Painting the sky with the colors of hope!” All of you ride your pegasus horses in style and charge toward the twilight buffoon while chanting the following words. “Phoenix Power Attack! Royal Rainbow Burst!” You and the rest of the girls raise your wands and aim a supercharged beam at the monster. At the last second, the blazing phoenix swoops in to absorb and redirect the attack, making it more powerful than before. The magnified rainbow beam smacks into the buffoon with blunt force, consuming it whole. It shrieks in pain as it begins to disintegrate, with the black clown nose being the last to go. Two glitter charms appear in its place and fall into Candy’s stubby hands.

“Yay! We got two glitter charms!” The pixie does a little jig as she places the items in the pink charm chest. 

While Pop and the rest of the girls flock towards her, you shift your focus over to Rascal. He clenches his fists and seethes with silent rage as he peers down at your teammates. Even with all of the lively chatter in the background, you could still make out his frantic mumbling. “I don’t know how, but the brats have found a way to unlock the power of the Royal Clock! And now Glitter Valentine is a part of their team, which makes things so much worse. That means I have to find the Miracle Jewel! Time is running out!” As soon as Rascal finishes his sentence, he teleports out of sight. 

Pop’s talk of the legendary phoenix and the Royal Clock gets drowned out by your tumultuous thoughts. Your eyes remain glued to the spot where the jester once was, ruminating over your shared interactions. You wanted nothing more than to join the others and celebrate, but couldn’t bring yourself to do so. When you least expected it, Rascal had cropped up back into your life, flipping your world upside down. Each time he found you in a weakened state, he took advantage, shattering both your mind and reality. Before him, you recognized yourself, but now you felt like an imposter.

You were someone who walked the line between good and evil—a line that grows more blurry with each passing day. Joining forces with someone who tried to entrap and murder your friends doesn’t equate to morality, or a healthy conscience for that matter. But it was the better alternative to being vulnerable and opening your heart, right? After all, you were making it up to them by fighting on their side and working hard to defeat Emperor Nogo. The best-case scenario is that they remain in a blissful state of ignorance and stay at a distance. Nobody knows the person behind the mask––no one except for a certain jester.

There is no one and nowhere left to turn to but him.

Notes:

Author's Note: Thank you all for your patience with this chapter! I hope you all enjoyed two episode's worth of content. I poured a lot of research and emotion into this, not to mention that it was almost 16,000 words. I tried balancing this with my vocational education, moving apartments, and leaving my hometown for the very first time. Creative writing always soothes my soul, and I  find immense joy in writing Rascal.

Also, in case anyone was wondering, I wanted to add the beginning of the He Who Gets Slapped 1924 silent film to HE's backstory. I know it was nonexistent in the play, but I just feel like it added more depth and tragedy to his character, so I included it. I also removed some of the Glitter Force dialogue I found cringe, so you're welcome lol!

On another note, I found it interesting how in the Dream Ball episode, Rascal says, "No one's broken free of the Dream Ball before," implying that there have been others trapped inside who haven't been so lucky. Who are the three pixies who played with Candy during her visit? That will be revealed eventually.

Sources Used: Little Snow White by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (The Brothers Grimm); Sleeping Beauty by Perceforest; The Children of Hameln (Deutsche Sagen) by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (The Brothers Grimm); Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie; He Who Gets Slapped by Leonid Andreyev; and Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi

Chapter 13: Tricks and Treats

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Halloween" -Siouxsie and the Banshees

As it turns out, Rascal was telling the truth about the grave origins of classic fairy tales. Despite knowing differently, a part of you still wanted to believe it was nothing more than a cruel prank. This internal conflict weighed heavily on your mind for the rest of the night. It was also the primary motivator for conducting deep-dive research on the topic. What you found confirmed Rascal’s claims and led you down a dark rabbit hole you were unprepared for.

You met up with everyone in the Glitter Force in the following days to discuss your findings. Candy was excluded from the conversation, much to her dismay. But everyone agreed that it was for the best after you warned them about this subject not being for the faint of heart. At first, Emily, Kelsey, Lily, April, and Chloe were horrified by what you shared, but they eventually reached a point of unwavering skepticism. Every time you tried combatting their disbelief, they just insisted on how kind and loving all the fairytale characters in Jubiland were, including the depraved ones you had mentioned. On the other hand, Pop and V didn’t want to even entertain the subject and thought you were reading too much misinformation online. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t persuade them to think otherwise. In the end, no one believed you. You were dumbfounded by their persistent refusal to open their minds and conduct their own research. Sadly, there was nothing you could do but take your mind off this dilemma to plan for your upcoming Halloween slumber party.

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon, and you were in the kitchen, setting up the last of the decorations. You finish hanging the orange pumpkin string lights on one of the walls before stepping back to admire your handiwork. Altogether, it had taken approximately three hours to decorate the house for the Halloween party tonight. If it weren’t for your parents’ help, this daunting task would’ve been much more time-consuming. A satisfied sigh leaves you as you head over to the refrigerator for some refreshments. After grabbing a water bottle and a few snacks, you take a seat at the dining room table and enjoy a moment of solitude. 

This silence is short-lived once your mom enters the kitchen with a bag full of empty boxes and containers. She places the bulking sack on the floor before taking a long chug from her glass of water on the counter. In the meantime, you munch on some snacks and mindlessly scroll through your phone, ignoring her presence. “Phew, that was a lot of work,” Mom said, wiping the sweat from her brow. “I’m so glad we’re finished!”

You take a swig of water and nod. “Yeah, me too!”

“So, are you excited about your sleepover party?” Mom asked as she began rinsing the leftover dishes in the sink. 

“Of course I am! It’s been so long since I’ve had any friends over, which also makes me a bit nervous. I just hope it all goes well.”

“I’m sure it will be fine! There’s no need to stress out about it. The hardest part is over and done with.” She makes her point by motioning toward the various Halloween decorations and furnishings in the house. 

“That’s true! I love the spooky atmosphere we created!”

“Me too, and so will your friends. I’m so glad you finally have some now.”

You take your eyes off your phone, frowning. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“We’re just happy for you, that’s all.” Mom turns off the kitchen faucet and begins putting away all of the dishes in the washer. “I don’t think you understand how relieved your father and I have been lately. You’re actually getting out of the house and spending time with real people, not make-believe ones.”

You open your mouth to retort. “I don’t––” 

“For the longest time, you believed he was a real person, but now you know differently. You’re living in the real world and not fantasyland, or should I say circusland.” Mom playfully rolls her eyes and chuckles. “That imaginary friend you had was this crazy circus clown. What was his name again? Randal?”

“It’s Rascal,” you said, seething. 

“That’s right! Rascal! How could I forget? You talked about him all the time and made up these crazy stories about your adventures together.”

You avert your gaze and clench the empty water bottle in one of your hands. It takes every ounce of self-control and emotional discipline not to lash out at her. Now that you knew Rascal was not a figment of your imagination, holding your tongue took even more painstaking effort. The irresistible urge to defend yourself and argue about the jester’s existence remains at the forefront of your mind. But even if you acted on these desires, your words would fall on deaf ears. More conflict would arise, and an unreasonable punishment would wait on the other side. With a deep breath, you rise from your seat and head over to the back door. 

“Hey, where are you going?” Mom’s voice called out. 

The room grows quieter as you stop in your tracks. Slowly, you turn around and give her a strained smile. “To the backyard to carve a jack-o’-lantern.”

“Oh, of course! You’ve been wanting to do that before your friends arrive. Have fun, dear! Don’t forget––” Her sentence is cut short when you slam the back door shut. From the nearby bench, you gather a large orange pumpkin, a tabletop mat, and a jack-o’-lantern carving kit that you left behind earlier in the day. Afterwards, you storm down the gravel path over to the steps of a quaint gazebo. 

It was nestled in the center of a freshly manicured lawn amidst a flourishing garden filled with lush greenery and bountiful flowers of every color. The white wooden frame, shingled roof, and delicate latticework paint a picture of timeless charm and serenity. Underneath the top railing were hanging planters brimming with pretty florets that swayed under the gentle breeze. Several songbirds in the background sing sweet melodies as the glow of the afternoon sun casts a warm hue over the gazebo. 

Once you step onto the wooden deck, you begin setting up a temporary pumpkin-carving station. After everything is laid out on the mat, you take a seat on the floor and grab a giant knife. The first thing you do is make a circular incision around the stem, exerting more force than necessary. Then, you wrap your hand around the stem and rip the top clean off before using your other hand to scoop out the pumpkin guts. You fling the slimy pulp and seeds onto the clean mat as you continue grappling with your emotions. “I swear, the next time she makes light of my past, I’m going to lose it.”

“Oooh, how gutsy~!”

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the pun master himself. We were just talking about you.” You gaze up at Rascal’s tall, imposing stature as he grins down at you. Instead of his usual jester attire, he wore a dark, aristocratic costume resembling Regency era attire. His long, black satin cape was attached to a high-standing collar, which billowed in the wind. Underneath that, he wore a red brocade waistcoat with golden brooches, coupled with a ruffled white dress shirt and black trousers. Rascal also had his long, multicolored hair cascading down his shoulders, not reaching past his hips. If it weren’t for his familiar white mask, black curled boots, and fruity voice, you wouldn’t recognize him. He emanated an otherworldly elegance and mysterious allure that captivated your senses. “Whoa, cool costume! What are you supposed to be?”

“Thanks, dearie! And isn’t it obvious? I’m a vampire with an insatiable thirst for the crimson flowing through your veins.” Rascal flashed his sharp fangs and licks them before placing a hand over his heart. “Tell me, dearest, would you be so kind as to let me have a taste?”

“Nope, sorry,” you said, nonchalantly shaking your head. “You’ve already sucked away my sanity and any remaining sense of normalcy left in my life. The least you could do is spare my blood.”

“Fair enough!” Rascal chuckles and sits down on the mat across from you. “Could you at least invite me to carve jack-o’-lanterns?”

“You need an invitation? Wow, you really take being a vampire seriously.” You let out a lighthearted scoff, scooping out the last of your pumpkin guts. “Sure, go ahead! I grant you permission!”

“Much appreciated!” A strange giddiness radiates from him as he conjures up an orange pumpkin and a set of intricate carving tools out of thin air. Rascal removes his black velvet gloves and sets them aside before beginning the pumpkin carving process. “How come you’re not wearing a costume?”

“I haven’t gotten the chance to change into mine yet, but I’ll be wearing it later.”

“Ooh, how exciting! I look forward to seeing what you have picked out! Although, I doubt it’ll be as great as mine!”

You scrutinize his tailored vampire costume again, sighing in defeat. “As much as I hate to admit it, I think you’re right. You definitely take Halloween to the next level.”

“Of course I do! Halloween is my second favorite holiday right after Carnival Day.”

“I remember Carnival Day! Those were good times…” You lower your gaze onto your jack-o’-lantern, lost in thought, and grab a smaller knife to carve out the face. Rascal nods in agreement, emptying his pumpkin.

There was a long, awkward silence before he spoke again. “Sooooo…you were talking about me?”

“My mom and I were not too long ago. She still doesn’t believe you exist and thinks you’re nothing more than a figment of my imagination.”

“Oh my, how shocking!” he said, voice laced with sarcasm. After he’s done cleaning out his pumpkin, Rascal begins chiseling something on the front of it.

“Tell me about it! You certainly didn’t make it any easier in the past, especially since you always disappeared whenever anyone came around. But still, I remember you mentioning how you weren’t allowed to be spotted by other humans.” A slight frown appears on your face as you finish carving out one of the eyes. “Even so, I don’t know why my parents refuse to believe me. No one in the Glitter Force believed me either when I told them about the darker side of famous fairytales. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong! Why doesn’t anyone take me seriously?!” Without a conscious thought, you grip your knife and stab the left side of the pumpkin, where you start carving out the other eye.

Rascal chuckles, watching you in amusement. “Isn’t it obvious? Your parents and those dimwits in the Glitter Force are normal, and normal people are a part of the collective ‘hive mind’ of society. If anything or anyone is out of the ordinary, they will either ignore it, deny it, or shun it. It’s almost impossible for them to understand something that goes against their spoon-fed worldview. This has nothing to do with you but everything to do with them.”

“It doesn’t always feel that way. Sometimes, it seems like I’m the odd one out.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Rascal scoffed, returning his focus to carving out his pumpkin. “There are many perks to being an outcast. I, for one, find conformity to be vastly overrated.”

You glance over at him, furrowing your brow. “You really think so?”

“I know so! People who mindlessly follow the crowd are enslaved and unaware of the invisible shackles that tether them. But those who think for themselves and aren’t tied down to societal norms gain freedom. Which side would you choose?”

Seconds pass in careful deliberation before you answer. “I’d choose to be free.”

“Then you have chosen the more difficult path. But I’ve found that what is most challenging is also the most rewarding.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I guess I should give up trying to convince my friends and family to see my point of view and just accept that I see the truth for what it is.” You feel an invisible weight lift from your shoulders as you finish carving out the face of the jack-o’-lantern. 

“Absolutely! Unless you’re a master manipulator, your chances of convincing them are close to zero. And we both know that you suck at the art of persuasion.” Rascal smirks when he notices you glaring at him and presses on. “But even if you weren’t, you’d surely fail. The sad truth is that it’s a lot easier to fool people than to convince them that they’ve been fooled.”

“That’s true! Most people will never admit to being fooled because it bruises their egos, even if learning from their mistakes would help them grow,” you added, further contemplating his words. 

“Right you are, Glitter Fantasy! Right you are!” Rascal puts his knife away and lifts his pumpkin to marvel at his craftsmanship. Shortly after doing so, he tilts his head at an angle to send you a curious glance. “Care to show me your jack-o’-lantern? You were the first to finish, after all.” You nod and twist your pumpkin around so that it’s facing him. The design had no intricate or extraordinary features and consisted of an amateur-carved face. It might have turned out better if Rascal wasn’t such a distraction and if you had more time and practice. He muffles a snort into the back of his hand at the sight. “That’s it? Really?”

“At least I tried! I’d like to see you do better,” you huffed, crossing your arms. 

Rascal turns his jack-o’-lantern around to face you, earning an astonished gasp from your end. On the front of the pumpkin was a magnificent carving of you, Pop, Candy, V, and the rest of the Glitter Force. All of you were smiling and huddled close to one another in an optimistic portrayal of friendship and unity. Each engraving was carefully placed, creating an impressive display of depth and dimension. It was a mystery how he was able to create something so detailed and complex in such a short time. You also found his choice to carve out images of you and your friends to be just as confusing. That is, until Rascal reaches over to grab a large knife.

You grimace and recoil in horror as he begins stabbing the face of his jack-o’-lantern. Spurts of slimy juice trickle down the front as he repeatedly thrusts his knife into the pumpkin with glee. What was once a beautiful work of art was now reduced to a revolting, chaotic mess. The only part of the carving left untouched was your image. Nevertheless, your eyes remain transfixed on the scene, unable to look away. “Rascal, I know I’ve said this before, but you have serious issues.”

“All of the best artists do,” he said, giggling. “Art is supposed to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comforted. This wasn’t merely a pumpkin carving but a work of performance art as well. That last demonstration was quite symbolic, wouldn’t you say?”

“I don’t know about that. Vincent van Gogh may have cut off his ear, but I still find you more disturbing, especially since I know what you’re capable of.” You let out a deep exhale and glimpse back at Rascal’s jack-o’-lantern in distaste. “As for the symbolism, I think you’ve grown too cocky, and that’s saying a lot. You’re acting like we’ve already been defeated.”

“The Glitter Force hasn’t been beaten yet, but they will be once Emperor Nogo is revived. My master is too smart and powerful to be defeated by a bunch of school girls, two pixies, and some bimbo.”

“We’ll see about that! You’re making a big mistake of underestimating us. In case you’ve forgotten, we beat you not too long ago.” A buzzing sound comes from your phone, prompting you to take a look. The lock screen lights up with a new text message from Mom, reminding you that it is now 4 o’clock. It would take at least two hours to do your makeup and get dressed in your Halloween costume. This realization compels you to gather the pumpkin-carving knives and the messy tabletop mat. “As much as I’d love to finish debating the fate of the world, I have to get going. The Halloween party I’m throwing starts at 6:30, and you’re not invited.”

Rascal clutches his chest in a dramatic display while his expression contorts into one of mock heartbreak. “Ouch, you wound me, Glitter Fantasy! How could you be so cruel?”

“Well, I highly doubt you’d want to spend your time with a bunch of girls you hate.”

“True, but spending Halloween in the Shadow Realm is so boring,” Rascal groaned. “Ever since Emperor Nogo was sealed away, everyone’s been too depressed and on edge to celebrate. Ulric spends his night howling at the moon, Brute steals candy from trick-or-treaters to indulge his gluttony, and Brooha gets way too invested in black magic for my liking. What’s a poor jester like me to do?”

“Find a way to entertain yourself! You are a jester, after all! I’m sure there are other ways for you to spend the spookiest night of the year.” After collecting everything from the wooden deck, you shoot him one last look before turning to leave. “I’ll see you later, Rascal! And don’t even think about stalking us.”

“Very well! If you insist!” Rascal retrieves his black velvet gloves and stands up before brushing the dust off his costume. With a theatrical wave of his hand, both the damaged pumpkin and the mess left behind vanish. The corners of his mouth quirk up into a cheeky smile as he faces you. “And as for the stalking, I can’t make any promises~!” Before you can think of a snarky comeback, Rascal winks and bows as he teleports out of sight.

You let out an exasperated sigh before shaking your head. “I swear, he’ll be the death of me!”

For the next couple of hours, you concentrate all your efforts on applying makeup, styling your hair, and putting on the Halloween costume you had picked out. But as time passed, the stress that came from fixing every noticeable flaw in the mirror became overbearing. You didn’t want to look mediocre or underdressed compared to your friends. It’s been two years since you last celebrated Halloween, and you wanted this night to be perfect. Anxious thoughts penetrate your mind as you attempt to steady your breathing. What will they think of me? What if they don’t like my costume? What if they think my Halloween decorations are weird? Will they get bored of the activities I have planned? What if––

A faint knocking on the front door interrupts the commotion in your head, leaving you unsure of whether to be worried or grateful. You take one last glance at the mirror before exiting the bedroom and racing downstairs. By the time you reached the front entrance, Mom was already there with the door open to greet your friends. As they introduced themselves and made small talk, you take a moment to admire their costumes.

Like always, Emily was the first girl to catch your attention. Her magenta hair was styled in two low braids, complimenting her blue gingham dress and sequin ruby slippers. From what you could gather, she was Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz, while Candy was dressed up as Toto––Dorothy’s small black terrier companion. You could see Candy’s tiny head peeking out of Emily’s woven picnic basket. A startled laugh slips from your mouth when you spot Kelsey dressed up as Ulric. She wore his trademark blue leather biker suit, black boots, and a gray wolf mask over her face. It was by far the funniest Halloween costume you’ve seen yet. Meanwhile, Lily was clad in a painted mecha robot suit made entirely out of tin foil and cardboard. Based on what she had told you earlier in the week, her costume was handmade and from a classic ‘90s anime she loved.

April was dressed up as a swashbuckling pirate and had a fake cutlass sword sheathed inside the scabbard by her hip. Chloe was Elsa from Frozen , which was made evident by her long, off-the-shoulder crystal blue dress and loose French braid. You found her character choice to be especially creative, considering that they both shared snow and ice-based magical abilities. V’s outfit was comprised of an ethereal, jewel-toned dress, huge gossamer wings, and an amethyst crystal wand. She was dressed up as Titania, the fairy queen from the Shakespeare comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream . Altogether, everyone’s Halloween costumes were impeccable and beyond your already high expectations.

Once all of the girls laid their eyes on you, they immediately jumped on the opportunity to compliment your makeup, hair, and outfit. Emily convinced your mom to take a group photo of all of you by the decorated living room. Any leftover insecurities and doubt you might’ve had faded into the back of your mind once you saw the pictures. Everyone was huddled close together in various poses, wearing infectious smiles and a myriad of goofy expressions. Moments like these were a good reminder of why you were throwing a Halloween party in the first place. The quality of the costume and the accuracy of your character makeup seemed insignificant compared to the big picture. What mattered most tonight was making fond memories and having fun with your friends.

The next five hours were spent participating in numerous activities both inside and outside of the house. After everyone had gotten settled and unpacked their sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and toiletries, all of you devoted a big chunk of your evening to trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. It was only when your bags were heavy and overflowing with treats that your group finally agreed to head back to your home. From there, you and your friends used the baking supplies in the kitchen and some Halloween candy to make homemade cookies. While the cookies were being prepared in the oven, the pizza your mom had ordered earlier was finally delivered to the front door. All of you spent the rest of the evening gorging on pizza, cookies, and candy in front of the television in the living room. Classic Halloween movies such as Hotel Transylvania and Hocus Pocus played on-screen as you and the girls shared plenty of laughs and special moments to last a lifetime.

The whole night passed in a blur, making it difficult to keep track of the time. When the second movie came to an end, you suggested playing a game of Truth or Dare , which quickly escalated into a chaotic cesspool of memes and regrets. Right now, you were clutching your ribs, doubled over in maniac laughter. Most of the girls in the room were in similar states of hysterics as Kelsey continued filming April on her phone. April crinkles her nose and tries not to gag as she finishes eating a slice of candy corn pizza. It isn’t long before she hacks up some of her food into the clean napkin at her disposal. “Ewwww, that was so disgusting!”

“That’s what you get for hogging most of the pizza!” Kelsey bursts into a series of giggles, unable to contain it any longer. “I am so posting this on social media!”

“That’s not my fault! The hours we spent trick-or-treating made me hungry.” You could practically see the cogs turning in April’s head before a devilish smirk creeps up her face. “And if you put that video online, I’ll post the one of you running around the neighborhood on all fours while howling at the moon.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Kelsey gasped.

“Oh, but I would!” The two girls continue bantering back and forth while the rest of you chuckle at their antics. A faint pounding on the front door causes the room to fall silent, leading you all to exchange worried glances.

“Who could be here this late at night?” Lily asked, turning to face you.

You glance over at the time on your phone and shrug. “I have no idea! The last of the trick-or-treaters came at 9 o’clock, and it’s almost midnight.” 

You’re about to make your way to the front entrance when V stops you. “I’m not letting you answer the door alone. Who knows what kind of creeps are out at this time of night.”

Chloe nods. “V’s right! It would be unsafe to open the door this late. Halloween is practically over.”

“Yeah, this is giving me the heebie-jeebies,” Candy said, shivering.

You agree and get ready to sit back down when the banging at the front entrance resumes. But unlike the first time, these knocks were louder and more aggressive. This insistent pounding on the door is enough to put everyone on edge, yourself included. It feels like a long time before the tension is broken by Emily’s shaky voice. “T-Things might get worse if we ignore it. If we must answer it, we’re all going t-together.” Everyone nods and rises to their feet, clutching their glitter pacts close.

The girls gather around you on every side as you inch towards the front door. Beads of sweat begin forming on your brow as your trembling hand reaches for the door handle. After taking some deep breaths, you finally muster up the courage to turn the knob. Slowly, the door creaks open to reveal a dark, hunched figure on the other side. “Trick or treat!” All of you gasp in horror when you realize who that raspy voice belongs to.

It was Brooha. Her yellow, beady eyes were peeking out from underneath her dark green hood. A shrill cackle leaves her as she flashes a crooked smile at your group and holds out a jack-o’-lantern candy bucket. “Give me some treats, or I’ll put a hex on you!”

“Not a chance, you old hag!” Candy spat. 

Brooha’s wrinkly face twists into a scowl. “I wasn’t giving you a choice in the matter.”

“That’s just stating the obvious,” you said, rolling your eyes. “How did you find out where I live, anyways?!”

“It wasn’t hard! I typed ‘annoying brats’ into my GPS, and well, here I am.” Brooha casts your group a smug grin, earning more disapproving stares from all of you. 

“For someone as ancient and senile as you, I’m surprised you even know how to use a GPS,” Kelsey shot back.

“How dare you insult my mental sharpness! I’ll have you know I’m still in my prime!” With an annoyed huff, Brooha retrieves a hardcover purple text from her jack-o’-lantern pail, which you recognize as the Book of Despair . She opens it before squeezing a small tube of black ink in her other hand. “Allow me to demonstrate by giving this wretched world an unhappy ending!” Brooha then smears the ink onto the blank pages of the book, triggering a dark vortex. It disperses just as quickly as it had formed, leaving behind a macabre, cobwebbed green sky. A plethora of negative energy coming from numerous unseen residents gets absorbed into the text, causing Brooha to let out a sinister cackle. “Such lovely negative energy, my favorite kind of treat! It’s just what I need to turn the Wheel of Doom another click and revive my master, Emperor Nogo!” 

All of you get into defense mode and open your glitter pacts. There were no words or glances that needed to be exchanged. You and your friends all knew what had to be done. With quick haste, everyone transforms into their Glitter Force ensemble before coming together to shout the group catchphrase. “Shining bright! Here comes the Glitter Force!”

Brooha clenches her fists harder, glaring down at your team. “You won’t be shining bright for long! Not when I pummel you into smithereens!” She grabs a black clown nose from one of the pockets in her cloak. Her bony hand tightens around the object as she raises it high for all to see. “Twilight Buffoon, come on down!” The transformation sequence proceeds like clockwork as the small witch fuses with the jack-o’-lantern bucket and the black nose in her possession. 

An enormous creature with a round orange body and gargantuan proportions is the final, calamitous result. Brooha’s protruding eyes grew in size, complementing the monster’s black hooked nose, jagged purple mouth, and strange green mark on her forehead. Its colossal form towered over your house with its fists raised in a fighting stance. “Twilight Buffoon!” it screamed.

“Monster mash them, Twilight Buffoon!” She’s the first to initiate the attack as her large, outlandish arms close in on your team from both sides. Her onslaught leaves all of you no choice but to leap into the air to avoid getting hit. Smoke arises from the collision of her fists, temporarily blinding you with the flying dust particles. Excessive coughing ensues as you try to draw breath and regain your bearings. Soon enough, the fumes diffuse only to reveal the buffoon’s clasped hands already positioned above to strike. By the time this registered in your mind, it was already too late. 

“Twilight Buffoon! Graveyard smash!” Its attack sends you and the other girls plummeting to the ground. The wind gets knocked out of you as your body crashes into the sidewalk below, resulting in more showering debris. You hack up the fluid filling your lungs and groan in pain, rolling onto your side. All of your friends were in similar states of disarray, struggling to recuperate after the jarring impact. Your muscles cry for relief as you push yourself back up into a sitting position. Just a few hours prior, this neighborhood was lively and bedecked with colorful lights and spooky décor. Each conjoining street had been teeming with enthusiastic trick-or-treaters of all ages. In only a short period, Brooha’s Twilight Buffoon form had reduced it to a disheveled wasteland rife with rubble and remnants of mangled Halloween decorations. 

A newfound adrenaline surges through you as you stand back up. The searing pain in your limbs fades into a dull throb as your anger burns to an immeasurable degree. You get ready to give Brooha a piece of your mind, but Emily beats you to the punch. “If you believe you can take us out with that attack, think again! We’re not going to let you ruin this fun holiday!”

“Oh, ho, ho! How bold of you to assume we recognize the same holiday! You youngsters celebrate Halloween, which is nothing more than the watered-down version of Samhain,” Brooha said with a condescending sneer. “I miss the good old days when this holiday centered around death, darkness, and the spirit realm. Now it’s nothing more than a capitalist ploy to sell candy to bratty children.”

“Well, your views are outdated!” Lily shouted. “Halloween is about conquering darkness and fear, not cowering from it. Like every other day of the year, this holiday is better spent when people are happy and enjoying themselves.” She takes several courageous steps forward and holds her hand up in a peace sign. Then she spins at the speed of light as watts of electricity surround her form. While Lily is charging up her next attack, you recount something specific Rascal said when he first kidnapped you and brought you to his circus. The slightest hint of approval laced the jester’s voice when he mentioned your ability to think outside the box. You would never admit it to him, but his acknowledgment caused your heart to swell with pride, especially coming from a skilled and strategic fighter like himself. Rascal’s words continue echoing in your mind as you sneak out of Brooha’s line of sight.

“Glitter Force! Sparkle Lightning!” Lily’s surge of electricity transforms into a yellow beam and flies toward Brooha with remarkable swiftness. You take that chance to leap up into one of the few shaded trees that remained intact from the buffoon’s destruction. The dense foliage surrounding it gave you the advantage to hide until an opportunity came to strike. Its location was also right in Brooha’s blind spot, providing you with an adequate view of her back. 

In an unexpected turn of events, Brooha’s hand swoops down to snatch a giant animatronic Jack Skellington figure from someone’s front lawn. Seconds before Lily’s yellow beam engulfs her, she hurls the object into its trajectory and watches it take the brunt of the attack. It shrivels up into a burnt crisp and falls helplessly by the roadside. Brooha’s eyes narrow down at her in contempt. “Is that really the best you can do, Glitter Peace? Don’t make me laugh!” She takes Lily by surprise when her leg sweeps down to kick the charred remains of the Jack Skellington figure at her.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to dodge in time. You flinch when Lily takes a tumble and hits the pavement head-on. Candy and the other Glitter Force girls quickly come to her aid as she cries in distress. Brooha laughs at her misfortune and proceeds to mock her inability to fight back. While her attention is on your teammates, you climb to the top of the tree before leaping out of your hiding spot. As much as you wanted to be there for Lily, you couldn’t let this sneak attack go to waste.

Lavender sparks burst from the glitter pact as you focus all of your energy on your next attack. “Glitter Force! Sparkle Cloudburst!” Brooha’s next insult catches in her throat as she whips her head around to face you. But by the time she spots the purple funnel-shaped cloud headed her way, it is already too late.

She screams and flounders around from the harsh impact, swaying back and forth before her body hits the concrete. Gradually, you float down from the night sky, keeping your eyes locked on Brooha. Your chest swells with triumph at the thought of landing another attack on an enemy, much like what happened with Ulric during the last fight. For this reason, you couldn’t resist rubbing your victory in her face. “I bet you didn’t see that coming! That’s payback for coming to my house uninvited!”

She begrudgingly rolls over onto her back to glare at you. “How dare you strike me from behind, you filthy scoundrel!”

“Awwwh! What’s wrong, Brooha? Did you crap your diaper?” you said in mock concern, snickering at her perturbed reaction.

“How did you know about my dia––I mean?! Stop spouting such nonsense! I don’t wear diapers!” Her defensive demeanor and sudden outburst were enough for everyone around you to start howling with laughter. You can’t help but join in, finding it humorous how close she was to confessing the embarrassing secret Rascal had shared with you. Speaking of the jester, you could have sworn you heard him chuckling just now.

 You immediately swivel around to survey the shady tree you had emerged from moments ago. There was no sign of his porcelain mask, penetrating eyes, or mischievous grin peeking out at you. Not even the abundance of autumn leaves hanging from the branches showed any signs of disturbance. Perhaps his eccentric giggling was nothing more than your mind playing tricks on you. 

The sound of Kelsey’s booming voice abruptly pulls you out of your daze. “Good one, Fantasy! You know what they say: Denial is a river in Egypt.” 

Candy continues to laugh while doing a little jig. “Brooha crapped her diapers! Brooha crapped her diapers!”

At this point, Brooha was trembling with so much rage that she looked like she would spontaneously combust at any second. She grits her teeth and springs to her feet with enough force to shake the ground. “You whippersnappers are going to regret getting on my bad side!” Brooha displays her gaping jaw filled with several rows of teeth sharp enough to penetrate steel. Monstrous-sized projectiles begin spewing out of her mouth in every direction with reckless haste. There was no care for who or what got hit, so long as you were all pulverized in the end.

Immediately, you join your teammates on the ground and try to avoid getting caught in her wide range. This proved difficult due to the sheer force and speed of each object. Upon closer inspection, you could make them out to be an assortment of overgrown candies coated with negative energy. Each projectile she used included candy corn daggers, circus peanut marshmallows, Necco wafers, and hard garlic candies. A piece of garlic candy grazes your body as you barely avoid getting scathed. It slams into your neighbor’s gray pick-up truck, but the putrid stench still lingers in the air. The foul odor wafts through your nostrils, causing you to gag and sputter. You wrinkle your nose and wipe the water forming in your eyes as you send Brooha a burning stare. “You really are an evil witch! Why would you choose such disgusting candies?!” 

“I did it to spite you, and I’ll do it a thousand times over!” she snapped. 

April cringes, using her foot to nudge a particularly stale sweet lodged in the road. “Okay, but did you have to include those cursed circus peanut candies? They’re nasty, not to mention outdated. Get with the times, Grandma!”

“I’m getting really sick of your ageism! Haven’t you brats ever learned to respect your elders?!” Spittle flies out of Brooha’s massive mouth, leading all of you to wince and duck for cover to avoid getting hit.

“Respect is earned, not given,” Chloe yelled. “You’ve lived long enough to know right from wrong, so there’s no excuses!”

Emily crosses her arms and nods. “That’s right! Anyone who goes out of their way to hurt others and destroy their homes isn’t worthy of respect. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are!”

“Why you little––I’ll make every one of you pay!” Brooha screeches in defiance before shooting more rotten candies out of her mouth. They rain down on your group with expert precision, with each object that misses striking the ground with a blunt force. 

V conjures up a huge, transparent red rose petal just in time to shield your teammates. All of you gape up at it in wonder, admiring the way each candy shattered upon impact. She sends Brooha a stern glare, unwavering in her stance. “It’s about time you retired! We’re sending you back to the nursing home!” She briefly scans your faces before casting you all a knowing smile. “It’s Princess Time!”

You and the other girls nod as your glitter pacts transform into pegasus wands. A unique glitter charm materializes into each one of your hands, which all of you insert into the empty slots. “Insert Glitter Charm!” Once all the charms are secured tight, everyone lifts their rods in unison. “Princess wands, give us your glitter power!” Each color of the rainbow fires out from the tips of the wands before transfiguring into radiant pegasus horses. Once they do, you and the rest of the Glitter Force undergo a magical metamorphosis into your magnificent princess forms. At last, your teammates gather together to strike a finishing pose. “Altogether! Glitter Princess Mode!”

Out of nowhere, the Royal Clock appears, levitating off the ground. It bathes your group in a glorious golden light as Emily places a heart-shaped charm inside of it. “Summoning the power of the Royal Clock!” 

All the panels surrounding the mirror brighten and come to life as Candy pops into your sparkling rainbow realm. “When you hear the chime, it’s time for a happy ending!” She flips over to land on the magenta jewel on top of the clock, which manages to activate it. The same fiery, orange phoenix from before emerges from the device and pierces the air with its resounding cry. In a flash, the bird flies ahead, signaling to your group to follow its lead.

Each of you mount your mystical pegasus horse before charging in the same direction as the phoenix. “Pink! Orange! Green! Blue! Yellow! Red! Purple! Painting the sky with the colors of hope!” you all cried. “Phoenix Power Attack! Royal Rainbow Burst!” With all seven pegasus wands raised high, you and the rest of the girls aim your upcoming attack at Brooha. The orange phoenix swoops in to swallow the streak of light and redirects the amplified attack back at her. She emits an ear-piercing cry of defeat as her twilight buffoon form gets engulfed by the bright rainbow beam. Her colossal body and black clown nose crumble and disintegrate until there’s nothing left. All that remains is her small, motionless figure lying face down on the concrete.

One glitter charm appears where the black buffoon nose once was before falling into Candy’s nubby hands. A joyful smile graces her round face as she places it inside the pink charm chest, which randomly appeared out of the blue. “I’m so happy we won a glitter charm! This is the perfect way to end our Halloween!”

All of you mirror her enthusiasm and nod before your Glitter Force princess ensemble reverts to your flashy Halloween costumes. In addition, every decoration and piece of property destroyed in battle also returns to normal, including the sky. Nothing in the neighborhood was left damaged except for Brooha’s pride. Her sharp, ragged breathing is all it takes to catch you and your teammates’ attention. 

“Curses…” Brooha groans as she finishes rolling over on her back, gazing mindlessly at the starry night sky above.

With a weary sigh, you start heading over in her direction, with Candy and the rest of the Glitter Force following suit. It was as you were walking over that you accidentally stepped on a piece of chocolate. Against your better judgment, you pick up the candy bar and continue to approach Brooha until you’re only a few inches away. “You’re not you when you’re hungry. Snickers satisfies!” you said, tossing the gooey chocolate at the witch. Her eyes remain fixed on the midnight sky as she unwraps the Snickers bar and takes a tentative bite. All of your friends give her judgmental looks and giggle while you raise a brow at her apathetic demeanor. “Better?”

“Better…” she mumbled. 

“Good! So glad you finally got your treat!” The fake smile on your face vanishes in an instant and gets replaced with a genuine scowl. “Now get out of my neighborhood and never come back!”

Brooha matches your animosity as she slowly stands upright. Not long afterwards, she summons a small broom and perches on top of the wooden handle before it starts levitating. Once it’s several feet off the ground, her eyes narrow into slits as she casts your group a look of deep hatred. “I’ll get you my pretties, and your little pixie too.” Candy shrieks and hides behind Emily, making Brooha cackle. Shortly afterwards, she flies off towards the full moon until she’s out of sight.

Lily glances down at a quivering Candy and sends her a reassuring smile. “Well, at least she called us pretty.”

“To be fair, she was just making a Wizard of Oz reference, but I’ll take it,” Kelsey said.

V covers her mouth to stifle her chuckling. “I figured she couldn’t be that nice.”

As of now, you and your friends were overcome with exhaustion and drowsiness from the turbulent events of the night. As a result, you all return to your abode, eager to settle down and rest. Everyone takes turns putting on their pajamas and brushing their teeth before returning to the living room to watch more television. Few words were exchanged as you and the girls lounged around on the couch and the floor with sleeping bags. Meanwhile, a Halloween movie about a vampire with sharpened pencil points for fangs played on the screen. The plot centered around him trying to protect the Kingdom of Pencilvania against a horde of erasers, who were trying to erase him and his home from existence. As bizarre as the movie was, it still managed to help you fall asleep while making way for an equally bizarre dream…

…somehow, you find yourself sitting on a tombstone in the middle of a spooky graveyard. Any ounce of fear you might’ve had melts away upon scrutinizing your strange surroundings. Everything in this dreamworld had a grainy, cartoonish atmosphere and was in black and white, including the entire stretch of the land and the creatures inhabiting it. Despite its reputation as a resting place for the dead, this cemetery was brimming with life and full of all kinds of activity. The inhabitants appeared straight out of an American 1920s cartoon, with flailing rubber-hose limbs, white gloves, black noses, and exaggerated pie-eyed expressions. There was a group of skeletons of various shapes and sizes playing brass instruments in front of a Gothic mausoleum. An even larger crowd of diverse characters surrounds them, dancing along to the upbeat jazz music. The creatures ranged from swinging ghosts and flapping bats to anthropomorphic cats, werewolves, and hooting owls. You remain perched on the tombstone and watch the scene from a distance, slightly bopping to the beat. 

“Gee whiz! Ain’t this the bee’s knees?”

You glimpse over to the side and do a facepalm upon spotting the source of the voice. “Rascal! What are you doing here?!”

“What? Can’t a poor sap like me dream-hop every once in a while?”

“It’s not like I have a choice whether you show up in my dreams or not, especially with that Dream Portal Emperor Nogo made,” you sighed. “You always appear out of nowhere when I least expect it! We need to have a serious talk about boundaries and––are you even listening to me?!” 

The jester was taking full advantage of his monochromatic, cartoon body by stretching and twisting his noodly arms and legs. “What was that? I was too busy admiring my new appendages.”

You massage your temples, groaning. “Never mind! Even if you did hear me, you still wouldn’t listen.”

“Awwh, there’s no need to feel so down! I know just the thing to lift your spirits!” Rascal catches you by surprise when his outstretched hands grab yours.

You let out a startled yelp as you fly off the tombstone and into his gangly arms. After snapping out of your brief stupor, you tilt your chin to meet his cheerful gaze. “Really? Like what?”

“A nighttime rendezvous in your backyard, by the flower garden. You look like you could use a breath of fresh scare.”

“But I just fell asleep not too long ago, and I’m tired,” you sulked.

“Now, now, there’s no need for that sour attitude! I think you’ll find this offer quite eerie-sistable! And besides, I’ve been dying to see you.” Rascal flashes you a fanged grin and winks, making you more flustered.

A moment of silence passes before you hang your head in resignation. “If I say yes, will you stop making awful Halloween puns?”

“You have my word! I’ll show you just how dead-icated I am!” He bursts out laughing when he meets your peeved expression. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist making that one! I’ll allow you five minutes at most to wake up, or I’ll do it for you~!”

“Okay, fine…” You quietly grumble about this being a terrible use of your free will as you clench your eyes shut, channeling all of your efforts into awakening from this spooky dreamscape. And just like that, Rascal’s frenzied giggling is the last thing you hear before rousing from your deep slumber.

Notes:

Author's Note: I know it's not October anymore, but I couldn't resist posting a Halloween chapter since it's my favorite holiday. I also needed a valid excuse to add vampire Rascal into this because AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I'd definitely let him suck me dry!

The ending dream sequence was inspired by the Disney Silly Symphony Skeleton Dance cartoon from 1929 (it's a classic). Also, I left reader's Halloween costume ambiguous so people can imagine themselves dressing up as whatever they want. And good news: Glitter Force is available to watch on the Internet Archive website if you need a refresher, so you're welcome.

Bonus: Totally Real Deleted Scene

Rascal: Wanna hear a joke?

Reader: Uggh, fineeee

Rascal: What do you call ghost boobies?

Reader: What?

Rascal: Paranormal entitties

Reader: (-______-)

Chapter 14: Nighttime Waltz

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Veils of Starlight" -Derek and Brandon Fiechter

Upon awakening, you’re met with pitch-black darkness. The air is still as you scan the living room for any movement. Everyone was motionless and sound asleep, with the occasional snore breaking the silence. This alone is enough to release any leftover anxiety and tension. Before leaving the cozy confines of your sleeping bag, you close your eyes and take several calming breaths. In the meantime, the next several minutes are spent contemplating your next moves as you stare at the pale moonlight streaming through the nearby window. Its soft, ethereal glow was cast across the room onto the tranquil faces of the other girls. Even with the added illumination from the moon, none of them stir awake, which finally compels you to head to the backyard to meet Rascal.

A quiet exhale leaves your mouth as you tiptoe out of the house, making sure not to bump into anyone or anything along the way. As an extra safety precaution, you stealthily open and close the back door before locking it behind you. From there, you traverse the familiar gravel pathway leading to the gazebo. You were halfway across when it split into another path leading in the opposite direction. Upon noticing this, you take the other trail away from the gazebo and stride toward the flower garden in the distance. Despite all the years spent relaxing and playing in this familiar setting, its beauty never ceases to amaze you.

In contrast to the wild terrain of the Secret Garden in the park you used to frequent, this area has a unique charm of its own. After entering, you’re greeted with a dazzling display of manicured flower beds, pink garden lights, and delicate blooms of every color. A meticulous arrangement of red roses, white starflowers, blue snapdragons, yellow tulips, and various others complements the surrounding green foliage. The fresh fragrance of blossoms intermingle with the crisp night air, enticing you to stay and explore further. 

In the heart of the garden was a gray cobblestone patio with a serene, Parisian water fountain positioned as the centerpiece. It has a large lower basin and a wide array of intricate, elegant designs etched into the stone. A picturesque statue of a small cupid carrying a bow and arrow rests on top of the upper basin, forming the fountainhead. Steady spurts of water pour out of its puckered lips to create a glistening veil around the middle portion of the structure. The gentle, melodic sounds of droplets falling into the basin below provide a soothing chorus to the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. Altogether, it wasn’t an ordinary flower garden, but a living and breathing work of art.

It doesn’t take long for you to spot Rascal, who’s sitting on one of the metal benches facing the water fountain. He was back to wearing his usual clownish attire and hairstyle, adding another piece of familiarity to the scene. The jester gives you a friendly wave before patting the space next to him. Nervous laughter spills from your lips as you wave back before approaching. You sit down and fidget your hands together, giving him your full attention. “S-Sorry to keep you waiting! I didn’t want to wake the girls up!”

“You should be sorry! It would be wise not to test my patience in the future.” You gulp and stiffen under Rascal’s intense stare until he bursts into a fit of giggles. “I’m just messing with you! There’s no need for that serious face!” 

He playfully sticks out his tongue at you, earning an annoyed groan in response. “Uggh, I’m way too tired for this! What time is it, anyway?”

“It’s three in the morning!”

You rub your eyes, failing to suppress a yawn. “Why did you want to meet at such an ungodly hour?”

“What better time is there for a nighttime rendezvous?” Rascal sends you a cheeky grin before directing his gaze to the flower garden. “Besides, this place is a lot prettier at night.”

You follow his line of sight, nodding. “Yeah, you're right. I never noticed how beautiful the flowers look under the moonlight. Then again, most people aren’t hanging out in their backyards at 3 a.m.”

“But we aren’t most people, are we?” A faint chuckle leaves him before he tilts his chin up to peer at the full moon. His gaze softens as an uncharacteristic display of peace appears on his face. 

“I guess not.” Your vision alternates between the jester and the luminous silver moon above. It was placed amidst a sea of sparkling stars, bathing the darkened landscape with a brilliant glow. There were no clouds to obstruct its presence in the vast expanse of the inky sky. The corners of your mouth curve into a small smile as you admire the splendid scenery. “Can you believe we’ll be up there soon? I know we’re not going with innocent intentions, but I’m still so excited to actually step foot on the moon.”

“I think you’d like it. It’s an enchanting place.” Rascal leans back, humming in content. “I’ve only visited twice…without my master’s permission. The Lunar Empire is universally famous for its delicious star cakes. When I first went to the moon, I went through a crazy amount of trouble just to try one.”

You laugh, imagining the possible havoc Rascal could’ve wreaked for some galactic dessert. “Are they really that good? I find it hard to believe you would disobey Emperor Nogo for any reason.”

“Yes, they really are worth trying. I was much more willing to defy his orders in the past, even for some star cakes. It’s hard to describe their taste, but they have a dreamy flavor. Whenever I eat one, I want to dance the night away and do the most wonderful things.”

“Is that so? If I get you some, will you stop attacking the Glitter Force and trying to destroy the universe? That would be a wonderful thing to do!”

He chokes out a laugh, shaking his head. “Not a chance! There’s a difference between wanting to do something and actually following through with it.”

“Well, at least I tried!” You let out a dismal sigh, making a mental note to try a star cake during your trip to the moon. The thought of a dessert being so delicious that it could inspire Rascal to do some good was enough to pique your interest. While you mull over its supposed dreamy taste, your mind slowly drifts to Emperor Nogo. “Rascal, why didn’t you ever tell me the name of your master in the past? Why did I have to find out through Pop and the Glitter Force? We spent so much time together, and you only referred to Nogo as your master. I thought we were…” Your mouth immediately snaps shut for fear of finishing that sentence. Several bittersweet memories flood your mind at once, which you struggle to restrain. 

Rascal’s smile wavers as he lightly rubs the nape of his neck. He opens and closes his mouth multiple times, contemplating the right words to say. Eventually, his black, hollow eyes meet yours, leading him to grimace. “I…can’t tell you that!”

“Why not?” you snapped. “Now that I think about it, you were always so secretive with me. It’s not fair! I never knew about the dark side of your personality, the evil emperor you serve, or where you lived. I actually thought you were good, like a superhero! You always popped in and out of sight to distract me with circus tricks and fun times while concealing who you really are. Why did I have to learn about you through other people?” Frowning, you cross your arms and huff, hoping your anger gets across to him. 

Rascal becomes quieter and less animated as he stares at you with downturned eyes. “You wouldn’t understand…not now, anyway. The timing isn’t right!”

“Will it ever be? You know much more about me than I know about you.”

His pointed ears droop slightly upon hearing your harsh tone. “If everything goes according to plan, then yes. Telling you now would ruin everything. You don’t realize what I’m doing or why, but later you will understand.” Judging by his facial expression alone, you knew there was more Rascal wanted to say. But for whatever reason, he remained silent.

It was difficult to tell whether he was being genuine or luring you into a false sense of security. This wouldn’t be the first time he’s manipulated you into doing his bidding. And on that fateful day, he had broken his only promise to you. All of the reasons for not trusting him significantly outweighed any reason for doing the contrary. But against all better judgment, the implication behind his words was too enticing to ignore. Like always, you end up listening to your heart over your head. “Will you really reveal everything and answer any questions I have later?”

“Yes!”

You send him a stern glare and raise your hand towards him. “Pinky promise?”

Rascal chuckles and locks his pinky with yours. “Pinky promise~!” He immediately perks up as you untangle your finger from his. “Since you brought up the subject, I am open to revealing some things about myself.”

“Really? Like what?”

“Well, one fun fact about me is that I was born on April Fool’s Day!”

“Wow, that’s actually quite fitting! How come we never celebrated?”

“Oh, believe me, I wanted to! But I always had to stay in the Shadow Realm that day, and we never celebrated birthdays there.” His shoulders droop as his lower lip protrudes in a sulky pout. “You humans are so lucky to have birthday parties! I always wanted one! Unbirthdays just can’t compare!”

“Is it really forbidden to celebrate birthdays in the Shadow Realm?” You can’t help but pity him when he slowly nods his head. “That sucks! Nogo is such a downer!”

“Don’t be too hard on my master! I know he has good reasons for it.” Rascal twirls a strand of his purple hair and gives you a reassuring smile. “Speaking of birthdays, this April I’ll be turning seventeen!”

Your eyes practically bulge out of their sockets as you try to process this unexpected piece of information. “Wait––what?! Seriously?! You’re sixteen?! I thought you were in your twenties! Then again, you look the same as when we first met!”

“That’s right! I’m only two years older than you!” He giggles and playfully boops your nose, leaving you flabbergasted. “Magical creatures like myself don’t grow the same way humans do. Like my master and those living in the Shadow Realm and Jubiland, I’m basically immortal and I don’t age (at least not on the outside).” You continue to be at a loss for words, staring at him in stunned silence. The jester wears a smug grin as he motions towards himself. “I know what you’re thinking: ‘How does Rascal have such flawless, wrinkle-free skin and I don’t? What’s his skincare routine? It’s unfair for someone so fabulous to age like fine wine while I age like milk.’ But I’m afraid you have no choice but to stay green with envy. I know it sucks that your mortal species is cursed with inferior genetics, but it is what it is.” 

“Oooooh, you’re so close!” Sarcasm laces your voice as you roll your eyes. “Actually, I was thinking about how you could have possibly been conceived. I assume you’ve always been over six feet tall and fully grown. How can a woman give birth to you without being ripped apart? Magical creature or not, this is impossible to wrap my head around.”

“You actually think that was how I was born? Really?” Rascal doubles over and starts convulsing with laughter, much to your chagrin. A minute or so passes until he finally calms down enough to provide a proper explanation. “I don’t have a mother! Emperor Nogo created me and my brother from this mysterious black goo. And unlike human babies, our brains were already fully developed by the time we were born.”

“What?! You have a brother?!” you gasped.

“More like I had a brother. He went by the name Joker, and we were identical twins.” 

Rascal's disposition had quickly turned apathetic upon mentioning Joker, which raised more questions than answers. You would’ve been more surprised to learn about how he was conceived if it wasn’t for the fact that he hid his brother’s existence from you for all these years. This alone was enough to cause a bubbling rage to build up that threatened to spill forth. But Rascal’s willingness to reveal more about himself helps you remain composed. Instead, you choose to pose another question regarding his twin. “What happened to him?”

“He died several years ago of a broken heart, shortly before we parted ways. All of his color was drained, you should’ve seen it.” Rascal’s expression remains blank, lacking any sign of empathy or grief. You were unsettled by how unfazed he appeared by the mention of Joker’s death. At the same time, you couldn’t help but wonder if his brother played any role in Rascal’s disappearance from your life. 

You sigh, sending him a quizzical look. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you don’t seem too upset by his death.”

“That’s because I’m not! We may have appeared identical on the outside, but we couldn’t have been more different on the inside. Joker and I never saw eye-to-eye on anything, and he had no desire to serve Emperor Nogo. His demise was inevitable, and he only has himself to blame. That’s what he gets for being stupid and weak.” You instinctively flinch at his cold response to his twin’s death. There was another question you wanted to ask, but Rascal beat you to the punch. “By the way, you did nothing wrong that caused me to keep my brother’s existence a secret.”

Your mouth falls agape as you freeze in place, itching to find some kind of excuse. “H-How did you know I was thinking that?”

“It was written all over your face!” Rascal snickers, leaning forward to pat you on the head. “Such a silly girl you are~! There’s no reason to blame yourself! This has nothing to do with you, so I wouldn’t take it personally. My brother was a loser and never worth mentioning, that’s all.” You groan and mentally kick yourself for being so easy for him to read. When it comes to Rascal, you really did need to work on your poker face. The jester retracts his hand and shifts back into his previous sitting position. There was an eeriness to the way his carefree expression quickly morphed into something more cold and threatening. “I know I said I was open to revealing more about myself, but I would appreciate it if you didn’t ask any more questions about Joker.” An unspoken warning lingered behind his words for you to comply or face the consequences. You’re tempted to bring up how he was the one who mentioned his twin in the first place, but you end up holding your tongue. Even though you knew him as the jolly, hyperactive clown from your childhood, it would be stupid to provoke him and unleash his wrath.

Therefore, you shrink back and nod while thinking of more questions to ask. His unconventional birth pops into your mind, prompting you to change the subject. “Ummm does it make you sad not to have a mom? Do you wish you had one?” 

“It doesn’t hurt at all, and I am undecided about wanting a mother. I’m pretty content with my current living situation. Besides, it’s hard to miss something you never had. I don’t know what it’s like to have parents, and I doubt I ever will,” Rascal said, rubbing his chin in thought. “A parent is someone who brings you into existence and raises you, right? In that case, Emperor Nogo is the closest I have to a father figure, but I don’t see him as such. He is my lord and a god deserving of deep worship. Calling myself his son would be disrespectful since I am unworthy of such a title.”

“That makes sense! It would be hard for me to imagine not having my parents. Speaking of that, are you somehow related to the standard deck of cards? You have a knack for card games, especially Euchre, which is why I ask. After learning more about the fairytale characters, I wouldn’t be surprised if the royal card family existed somewhere.”

“Aren’t you the observant one?” An amused glint appears behind Rascal’s squinted eye slits as he smiles at you in approval. “Indeed, the royal deck of cards exists in the land of Cardalia, alongside the Tarot family, the Old Maid, and other card characters. But as far as I’m concerned, I’m not related to any of them. The first card deck was created by the British during the Middle Ages, and Jokers only existed because of the introduction of Euchre. We originated from the French cards, but my master was kind enough to bring me into this world.”

“Wow, you really are a jackpot for interesting lore! I’m shocked by how much you know for someone who’s only sixteen.”

“Awwww, another compliment from Glitter Fantasy? I must admit, I’m a little starstruck~!” Rascal clutches the sides of his face and giggles while wriggling around in his seat. His giddy, over-the-top display makes you cringe at how insincere it seemed, making you wish you could take back your compliment. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long for him to settle down and resume the conversation. “I wouldn’t be as knowledgeable as I am now if it weren’t for Emperor Nogo. He was in charge of my education and gave me unlimited access to the Shadow Realm’s Royal Library. I’ve spent half of my lifetime there reading books and learning as much as possible to serve my master better.” 

It didn’t come as a shock to learn that the Shadow Realm also had an official library. During your Glitter Force orientation, Pop had mentioned how he spent a lot of his time at the one in Jubiland. Perhaps if the circumstances had been different, Rascal and Pop could have bonded over this shared interest and become friends. You mull over all the ways Rascal’s intellectual curiosity could have possibly aided Emperor Nogo, which gives rise to the following question. “Did you feel like all the time reading in the library was worth it?”

“Absolutely! All of the information I’ve gained has been put to great use…to an extent. With great knowledge comes great power, but also great sorrows.” A mixture of panic and guilt flashes across his face for a split second before settling into his usual jovial expression. Nevertheless, the air of nonchalance and quick emotional composure following this slip-up wasn’t enough to deter your interest. It was as if Rascal had inadvertently said something he wasn’t supposed to. As if to confirm this, he ignores your questioning glance and immediately changes the subject. “By the way, I found your Halloween costume quite fitting. And if I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought your makeup was your real face.”

“Uhhhhh, thanks? I honestly don’t know how to feel about that.” Awkward laughter spills from your lips before the implication behind his comment sinks in. You let out a groan of frustration, jabbing your elbow harshly into his side. “How did you know what costume and makeup I was wearing?! You were stalking me tonight and watching me through that tree! I knew it! It wasn’t just my imagination!”

“Ouchie! That hurt! You don’t have to be so cruel!” Rascal’s lower lip juts out into a mock pout as one of his hands rubs the side of his torso. “I told you I couldn’t make any promises on the stalking, remember?”

“Yes, I remember! It’s still rude though!” Not to mention embarrassing! You avert your eyes, hoping he won’t notice the hot flush creeping up your cheeks.

But unfortunately for you, Rascal definitely noticed. A soft chuckle leaves his lips before he turns your chin to face him. The piercing black eyes of his mask penetrate through yours as he gently strokes your jaw and coos. “Ah, ah, ah, there’s no need to act coy with me, dearie! Watching you from the sidelines has become my favorite form of entertainment. Seeing you fight back and struggle gives me such a thrill. It’s a temptation I couldn’t resist~!” Your body becomes rigid with fear, together with another emotion you can’t quite place. Rascal uses one of his pointed black talons to tilt your chin higher so he can study your expression. He parts his lips, providing you a glimpse of his razor-sharp fangs. “Speaking of temptations, care for a dance?”

“M-Me? Dance? With you?!” you sputtered, getting caught off guard. “But it’s 3 in the morning!”

A twinkle of mirth appears behind Rascal’s eyes as he stops to giggle. “There’s no better time to dance than at 3 in the morning.”

“But there’s no music!”

He responds by reclining in his seat and snapping his fingers together. Out of nowhere, disembodied music begins to play, featuring an invisible ensemble of classical string instruments. A dynamic range of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses creates a light and airy melody, with emotion accompanying every note. Regardless, it still wasn’t enough to quell your worries. Rascal seems to notice this as well, leading him to cock his head to the side. “What’s the matter? It appears you’ve run out of excuses.”

You lower your gaze, twiddling your thumbs. “I…I’m just nervous. It’s been a long time since I’ve danced.”

“It hasn’t been that long! We danced on stage at Tivoli, remember?”

“Yeah, but that was different. Your magic saved me from embarrassing myself in front of that huge crowd. I know there’s no one around watching us this time, but…” There was the itching inclination to mention how the most nerve-racking part of his offer wasn’t so much the act of dancing, but rather who you’d be dancing with. Unlike the time at Tivoli Gardens, this felt much more intimate and close to your heart. It wouldn’t be like the past when the two of you did the Hokey-Pokey, the Chicken Dance, or some other goofy jig. Things between you and Rascal have changed drastically––your whole relationship dynamic is different now. Never again would it return to what it once was.

“You’re making this awfully hard on yourself!”

You snap out of your stupor before staring at him, dumbfounded. “S-Sorry! What?”

“My dear Fantasy, you’re overthinking again and working yourself up over nothing.” Rascal stands up to his full height and leans back into a stretch before facing you. Both of his hands grab yours, pulling you off the garden bench. “Whatever you’re thinking about, I want you to stop! Right now, we’re just two dizzy dreamers dancing the night away. Just for tonight, forget about the Glitter Force, the Shadow Realm, and everything going on between Emperor Nogo and Queen Euphoria. We’re here to have some fun, nothing more.”

Over time, it’s become more difficult to discern whether Rascal was being genuine or not, especially after experiencing his more sinister side. Even so, the comforting nature behind his words and the soothing tone that went along with it had a profound effect on you. You scrutinize his face, which has no traces of any malice or deceit. His cordial smile brightens upon meeting your eyes, causing your heart to skip a beat. Perhaps it was your inner child speaking, but you wanted so badly to take him at his word, despite everything he’s done. You wanted to believe he wasn’t all evil and that deep down inside, there were traces of empathy and warmth in his black heart. There must have been some authenticity behind the kindness, laughter, and shared memories during your childhood. It couldn’t have all been a facade, right?

With a deep breath, you push all of your remaining anxiety to the back of your mind and mirror his smile. “I suppose one little dance couldn’t hurt anyone.” 

“Atta girl! That’s the spirit!” For a brief moment, Rascal bounces on his toes and lets out an excited squeal, clasping your hands close to his chest. Then, without warning, he launches himself high into the air, taking you with him. You suppress the urge to scream as you’re boosted off the ground, still fearing the possibility of waking up your friends and family. Still, the fear of falling was greater, leading you to clench your eyes shut while clinging onto Rascal for dear life. Eventually, both of you come to a standstill, making it safe to observe your surroundings.

Thanks to Rascal, the two of you were now floating a hundred feet off the ground. You make the stupid decision of looking down at the faint outlines of your house, the flower garden, the gazebo, and your entire neighborhood. Panic takes hold of you as you tremble in Rascal’s arms and begin hyperventilating. “What the heck is wrong with you?! At least give me a warning! I don’t have my glitter pact with me! I don’t want to fall! I don’t want to die! Please put me down!” Your knuckles start turning white from how hard you were gripping his cape.

Rascal lowers his voice into a low whisper and brings a finger to your lips. “Shhhhh! There’s no need to be so frightened. Everything will be fine!”

“Easy for you to say! Your magical powers aren’t stored in a tiny charm or a fancy pink compact. I thought we would dance with our feet on the ground, not in the sky!” You hang your head low in defeat and let out a small whimper. “One wrong move and I’m a goner! If I say or do anything you disapprove of, you’ll drop me…”

A suffocating silence wraps around the two of you like a thick, heavy fog. The disembodied music comes to a brief halt as the air grows still with an unspoken tension. Hesitantly, you look back up and find that all of the sparkle and life behind the jester’s eyes has vanished, only to be replaced with something dull and empty. His lips quiver into a small frown to match the rest of his somber expression. And yet, despite everything, he never loosened his grip. “You really don’t trust me, do you?” Rascal’s voice had lowered into a monotonous drone that contrasted with his usual chipper tone. This dramatic shift in his mannerisms left you speechless and struggling to come up with a response. He notices your internal conflict and sighs as a small, optimistic smile graces his face. “Well then, I guess I’ll have to change that.”

The classical music from earlier resumes where it left off, almost as if your recent dispute never happened. Before long, the previous tension dissipates as Rascal gently grasps your hands in his and starts leading the dance. You chew harshly on your lower lip and break into a cold sweat as you try your best to keep up with his pace. “Even if I did trust you, I’m still scared of falling.”

“Tsk tsk! Glitter Fantasy, it’s truly ironic that you’re so worried about heights. Your magical ability involves clouds, and you also stay afloat like one when you’re fighting.”

“But right now, I’m not Glitter Fantasy. I’m just…me.” You frown and avert your gaze, finding it hard to maintain eye contact. “Could you please use your magic to help me dance again? Like you did at Tivoli Gardens? I can’t do it on my own.”

There is a brief pause before Rascal replies. “I think you could do it on your own, but if that’s what you wish, then I will make it so!” His hold around you tightens while his other hand leaves your waist to snap his fingers together. Thanks to his mysterious, magical abilities, you were now soaring and twirling through the air. You felt as light as a feather, leading you to clutch Rascal’s hands for fear of drifting away. He chuckles and pulls you close, finding amusement in your uncertainty. “Oh, and by the way, you might want to work on your confidence, or at least learn to mask it better. Failure to do so could be a major disadvantage in our next mission.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!” You grit your teeth in frustration, making your displeasure with his accusations evident. Unfortunately, Rascal’s observation was nothing short of correct, and you couldn’t refute it without lying.

“Not to worry! I’ll show you all the tricks of the trade in our next training sessions. But for now, let’s enjoy ourselves! And if you get scared, just keep your eyes fixed on me, okay dearie?” 

You nod and do just that, allowing him to take the lead. He maintains a confident yet tender grip on your hands as your fingers interlace with his. Rascal guides you onto the imaginary dance floor with exquisite poise, coupled with a level of experience unbeknownst to you. A newfound curiosity takes root in your mind as you meet his fixed gaze. “Have you done any kind of waltzing or ballroom dancing before?”

“Yes, I have. I’m no expert at it, but I know the basics.” Rascal makes slow and sweeping turns, gliding the two of you across the sky. You let out a startled gasp and almost faceplant into his chest when he makes an exceptionally large stride backward. An airy chuckle leaves him as he gives your hands a light, reassuring squeeze. “I do realize how intimidating dancing can be, especially when you’re so new at it. It seems like only yesterday when I first attended the Shadow Realm’s Annual Masquerade Ball.”

“Is that where you learned to dance so well?”

“To an extent! I learned mostly through trial and error, but I’m grateful I didn’t make a fool of myself like some of my old dance partners did.”

“Old dance partners, huh?” You furrow your brow and try to ignore the small knot forming in your chest. “I sure hope I’m not the worst one you’ve had.”

“Far from it! I’ve had loads worse than you!” The callousness lacing his voice should’ve unnerved you, but it didn’t. On the contrary, a strange wave of calm washes over you, together with a hint of pridefulness.

The tempo picks up as you sway to the ebb and flow of the music, pajamas billowing in the gentle breeze. Your steps become more synchronized with his, forming a harmonious dance. Both of you rotate and spin around as one underneath the radiant moon and silver shimmering stars. Whether it was the serene nighttime atmosphere, invisible symphony, or lack of sleep, you didn’t know what compelled you to ask the following question. “Speaking of dance partners, did you ever develop feelings for any of them?” 

Upon seeing Rascal’s reaction, you snap your mouth shut into a hard line, already regretting your decision to ask. “Feelings? As in romantic feelings?!” His expression contorts into one of deep revulsion as his movements become less coordinated. “Definitely not! I wouldn’t touch any kind of romance with a hundred-foot pole. Not to be confused with Ulric, but I’m kind of a lone wolf.”

“I see!”

“What brought about this question?” he asked.

“I honestly don’t know.”

Rascal gets back into his previous rhythm, regaining his confident flair as he whisks you around. “Perhaps you just needed to sate your curiosity.” Without warning, he abruptly leans you back into a low dip, supporting your back with a sturdy arm. He inches his face closer to yours until the tips of your noses touch. “Or maybe, you just equate nighttime waltzes with romance.”

Your heart starts racing under his intense stare and proximity. He left you stuttering and struggling to come up with a coherent response. “B-But doesn’t waltzing and ballroom dancing involve romance? I’m so confused!”

“Not really~!” Rascal pulls you forward and twirls you back into his embrace. Based on his expression alone, you knew he was getting a kick out of your flustered reaction. “There was never anything romantic about the annual Masquerade Ball in the Shadow Realm. It’s just an ancient custom our kind has preserved since the dawn of time, unlike you humans. For whatever reason, your species has abandoned royal balls and any public formal dances entirely. I guess thousands of years of tradition meant nothing. What a letdown!”

Now that you thought about it, he was right. You had no idea why people all over the world decided to remove such important staples from their cultures. Sure, there’s the recent phenomenon of school dances and nightclubs, but that wasn’t the same. Coming to terms with this made you value and cherish this form of dancing even more. A strange warmth engulfs your chest as you squeeze Rascal’s hands with an unexpected tenderness. “Well, I’m glad I got to have this experience, even if it was under bizarre circumstances. I would’ve enjoyed going to the Masquerade Ball with you if things were different.” 

Rascal’s eyes widen like saucers, appearing taken aback by your comment and change in demeanor. Eventually, his lips tilt upwards into a heartfelt smile that reaches his hollow eyes. “Likewise!” There was an affectionate and genuine quality behind it that left you speechless. You hadn’t witnessed him smile like that in a long time––not since the two of you parted ways.

Both of you begin a slow and graceful descent back to the ground as the all-encompassing, classical composition draws to a close. The blending of various string instruments reaches a crescendo before settling into a soft, intricate melody. Regardless of pitch, the music conveyed a wide range of deep emotions, much like the ones you felt at the moment. It evoked a deep sense of intimacy and nostalgia that tugged at your heartstrings. Your eyes remained locked on Rascal’s, whose line of sight never strayed from yours. 

Wisps of his violet hair sway in the breeze, framing the contours of his narrow face. The rest of his styled, polychromatic hair emulates the same motions, dancing gracefully in the wind while still maintaining the illusion of a jester's cap and bells. Silver moonlight reflects off his porcelain mask, giving his appearance an even more otherworldly quality. Besides gushing over Rascal’s cool and unique style as a kid, you never gave too much thought to how he looked. But right now, you wanted nothing more than to commit every physical detail to memory. You didn’t know why you felt this way, but the fluttering of your stomach and quickening heart rate were significant signs of concern.

“Oh, Fantasy! Earth to Fantasy!” Rascal waves a hand in front of your face, snapping you out of your daze. 

Both of your feet were planted firmly on the ground, and the music had ceased playing altogether. There was no telling how long you had been zoned out, but it was enough to make you heat up with embarrassment. “S-Sorry, I’m here! What did you say?”

Rascal stifles a giggle before patting your shoulder. “The fatigue must finally be getting to you. I should let you rest! It is almost 4:30 after all!”

“What?! Is it really?”

“Indeed! Time flies when you’re having a good time, but all good times must eventually come to an end.”

“Much like our friendship.” Immediately, you cover your mouth and gasp, not knowing what compelled you to say such a thing. Rascal grimaces and recoils his hand, noticing this abrupt shift in attitude. In silence, you mentally scold yourself for saying something so out of line and for putting yourself in this vulnerable position. Nothing could be done to retract your statement, leaving you no choice but to elaborate. “Tonight was so much fun, and it brought back a lot of memories. You were my best friend. I know you didn’t view me the same way, but our relationship and the time we spent together meant everything to me.” Trying to calm your nerves, you take a deep breath and try your hardest not to cry. The emotional pain and turmoil he had inflicted upon you was insurmountable. It was the worst betrayal you had ever experienced in your life. “I know you said you would reveal everything and answer all of my questions later, but there’s one thing I have to know right now.” Your body and voice tremble from all the pent-up emotions, which didn’t go unnoticed by Rascal. “Did you mean what you said before you left?”

A look of pure stoicism was plastered on his face, making it difficult to discern what he was thinking or feeling. If anything you said did take him by surprise, he certainly didn’t show it. An uncomfortable heaviness hangs in the air, which Rascal spends in deep contemplation before finally answering. “No. Everything I told you that day was a lie.”

“Really? Do you mean it?!”

After much deliberation, he casts you a wistful smile and nods. “I can’t allow myself to reveal anything more than that. But rest assured, princess, someday you will have your answers. All I ask is that you remain patient. I promise the wait will be worth it!”

One of the crushing weights you had carried for so long is lifted instantaneously, making way for newer and better emotions. His words ignite a hopeful longing in your heart as your posture relaxes. Without thinking, you pull him into a big hug and nuzzle your face into his chest. Your arms tighten around him as you inhale his funnel cake cologne. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have no idea how much this means to me!” This sudden display of affection is met with silence as Rascal stiffens in your embrace, causing you to let go. Not long after that, you shuffle backward and clear your throat, avoiding his eyes. “Sorry, I don’t know what came over me! Forget I did that! G-Goodnight!” At once, you spin on your toes and start running towards your house, leaving Rascal too stunned to speak.

Before long, you sneak back into the living room, grateful to see that all your friends are still asleep. Carefully, you slip into your sleeping bag with nothing but tumultuous thoughts to keep you company. You toss and turn from time to time, attempting to drown out the unanswered questions plaguing you. Why did Rascal lie? What motivated him to do such a thing? Was it of his own volition? Did he regret lying? If he could go back in time, would he try to stop the chain of events that would change your life forever? That would change you forever? Silencing these intrusive thoughts proved difficult, even though you knew ruminating was pointless. Eventually, your mind drifts to the events of the night and the jester who made it possible. Preserved images of Rascal’s fanged grin, brazen staring, theatrical gestures, and outlandish fashion embed themselves into your brain. Butterflies begin forming in your stomach as you recall his colorful laughter and the sensations brought on by his feather-light touches. Recollections of being held in his protective embrace while dancing in the night sky replay in your head until a deep sleep overtakes you…

…the smell of bacon and deep-fried batter wafts through your nostrils as the faint sound of morning television plays in the background. Numerous voices fade in and out of earshot, causing you to stir. The increase in the volume of the girls’ chatter made you restless, and it got to a point where you could no longer fall back asleep. With a heavy groan, you rouse from your slumber and rub any remaining traces of sleep from your eyes.

“Oh, yay! She’s awake!” Yawning, you turn to the side to meet Emily, Lily, and Candy’s welcoming smiles. They had shifted their attention away from the flat-screen television to greet you, with Emily being the first to do so. “We’re so happy you’re up!” 

“Yeah! Would you like to watch Bluey with us?” Candy asked

Before you can answer, Kelsey intercedes. “Let her have some breakfast first! It’s almost one o’clock! She must be starving!”

Your eyes widen in shock upon hearing the time. “Is it really that late?”

“Yeah, everyone’s been awake since around ten. I had no idea you were such a deep sleeper,” Kelsey said, chuckling. She was behind the kitchen counter, gathering some food onto a large plate. “I was just starting to clean up. Luckily, I was generous enough to save you some breakfast, but it came at the cost of fending off April. I barely escaped with my life.”

April snorts, playfully rolling her eyes. “You are such a drama queen!” 

She and Chloe were sitting at the nearby dining room table on their smartphones. There were a couple of empty seats next to them, reminding you of the only absent Glitter Force member. “Ummm, where’s V?”

“V had to leave early because she had some stuff to take care of at the theater,” Chloe said, looking up from her phone. She appears somewhat downcast by this fact before reverting to her previous cheerful demeanor. “But she wanted us to give you this once you woke up.” She gestures over to the occupied space next to them.

At once, you turn to Emily, Lily, and Candy and excuse yourself before heading over to the dining table. After sitting down on one of the empty seats, you take a closer look at what V left behind. Your heart swells with joy as you raise the small bouquet of purple lilacs to your nose. The lovely fragrance brightens your mood even more, much like the vintage card that came with it. It had a delicate, red rose on the cover with your name inscribed in cursive. Promptly, you open the card and begin reading the elegant font inside:

Thank you so much for your hospitality and for inviting me to your amazing Halloween party. I had the most wonderful time, and I know the rest of the girls feel the same way. It’s been ages since I’ve celebrated this holiday and dressed up in costume. Thanks to you, I got to relive some of the best moments from my youth. My dear, you are an absolute joy to be around, and I look forward to making more memories with you.

All the best,

V

P.S. Once you have finished reading King Lear, I would love to know your thoughts. We can chat about it and other tragedies over a cup of espresso. Please feel free to stop by the theater any time.

“She’s so thoughtful! I miss her already!” You carefully set the card aside before shifting your focus onto the lilac bouquet. “I should put these in a vase and water them. I want these flowers to last as long as possible.”

“I’ll take care of that,” Kelsey said, approaching the table. “In the meantime, enjoy your breakfast. Eat while it's still hot!” 

She sets a plate of food, a drink, some silverware, and a napkin down in front of you, which you graciously accept. “Thank you so much, Kelsey!”

“No problem! Enjoy!” With quick haste, Kelsey takes your bouquet and starts heading to the kitchen, mumbling about there being vases in one of the pantry cabinets.

“I’m so excited for you to try Kelsey’s cooking,” Emily squealed. “She makes the best Japanese pizza!”

Lily glances her way, raising a brow. “Really? I think they’re more like pancakes than pizzas.”

Candy jumps up and down on the couch, singing a little tune. “Pizzas? Pancakes? Doesn’t matter! It’s delicious!”

“And that’s what matters most,” Chloe said. “But if correct terminology was being graded, you would both get a C minus. The actual name of the dish is okonomiyaki, which is a teppanyaki dish from Osaka, Japan. It can be grilled, boiled, or pan-fried on an iron plate known as a teppan. Okonomiyaki is most often made with meat, seafood, eggs, cabbage, vegetables, and bonito stock.”

“I appreciate the educational lecture, like always!” Kelsey chuckles and places the vase of purple lilacs in the center of the table, making sure to fill it with plenty of water. “Still, I think you’re being awfully generous with their grades.”

The girls continue arguing over okonomiyaki, leaving you alone to eat your breakfast in peace. Emily was right about Kelsey making the best ‘Japanese pizza.’ It was flavorful and had a nice consistency, and you enjoyed the way it melted in your mouth. You take a brief pause from eating to sip from your drink. At that moment, April turns to face you with a teasing smirk. “Soooooo, you slept for an awfully long time. You must have been having a wonderful dream you didn’t want to wake up from. Did a handsome prince happen to sweep you off your feet?”

You spit out your drink and start coughing, struggling to regain your composure. “Ugggggh, April! What kind of a question is that?!”

“Aha! So you were dreaming of a prince!” she shouted. “Don’t even try to deny it! Your whole face is turning bright red!”

Fresh panic and desperation sweep over you as you fail to suppress images of a certain chaotic jester from materializing in your head. Occasionally, flashbacks of Rascal in his vampire costume with his hair down would crop up, making matters even worse. Your hands shoot up to clutch your burning cheeks before you glare at April. “You’re self-projecting!”

“I don’t think sooooooo!”

“At least you had a pleasant dream…” You and April stop bantering to give Chloe a shared look of concern. Candy and the other girls also pause their conversation to peer in her direction. Chloe frowns, knowing full well that she owes everyone a proper explanation. “I don’t mean to bother you all, it’s just…this dream I had last night felt so real. And you were in it!” She wears a grim expression as she comes face to face with you.

An involuntary chill runs down your spine as you swallow the dry lump in your throat. “I was?”

Chloe slowly nods. “I’m afraid so. I haven’t mentioned it all morning, but your conversation with April reminded me of it.” She exhales through her mouth, mentally bracing herself for what she was about to say next. “The dream started with me waking up and getting out of my sleeping bag to use the bathroom. I was about to enter the hallway when I saw something strange out of the window. It was you––you were outside in your pajamas…with Rascal…”

At that moment, you feel all the color drain from your face. A heavy wave of nausea ripples through you as you try to process her words, replaying them in your mind. “W-What?”

Everyone was holding their breath, not daring to move a muscle or utter a single word. It felt like forever before Chloe spoke again. “Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, especially since you’re afraid of clowns. But still, when I saw the two of you, it felt like I was wide awake. Rascal was showing a fondness that I had never seen before, and you were hugging him so tightly like he was a long-lost friend you hadn’t seen in ages. Then there was the look on his face when you hugged him: it was euphoria in its purest form.”

“But that’s ridiculous! Fantasy would never do such a thing!” Candy yelled.

Emily cringes, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, and I can’t imagine Rascal ever showing affection or having a soft side like that.”

“Which is probably why it was a dream because you have to be asleep to believe something that crazy,” Kelsey added.

Hearing Chloe describe your last encounter with Rascal in explicit detail was starting to take an extreme toll on your body, even with the others coming to your defense. Your nerves become shot as you mull over the possibility of them discovering your identity as the Masquerader and your past relationship with their second-deadliest foe. Cold beads of sweat form on your brow as you contemplate what to say next without sounding suspicious. Multiple negative scenarios of you responding incorrectly play in your head, each being darker than the last. But the thought of Rascal’s reaction to being hugged by you was both surprising and powerful enough to keep every negative emotion at bay. It served as a calm in the turbulent storm taking place in your mind.

Lily is the next person to voice her opinion. “I’m so sorry you had to see that, Chloe, even if it was a dream. Do you remember what happened next?”

Chloe meets her gaze, pausing to think. “Sort of. Everything was a bit hazy after that. All I know is that I used the bathroom and that when I returned to the living room, Fantasy was fast asleep in her sleeping bag. My mind must have been playing tricks on me. I think I’ve been exhausted  from the two all-nighters I pulled for our math exam this week.”

“That makes a lot more sense! But you really need to start prioritizing more rest.” April sighs, shaking her head in disapproval. “Even straight-A students like you can’t perform your best without good sleep.”

“Yeah, and it probably wasn’t a good idea to eat all that Halloween candy last night,” Lily said. “I often get nightmares when I eat a bunch of sugar before bedtime.”

“Both of you make some great points, and I appreciate the concern.” 

Chloe, Lily, and April exchange amiable smiles while voicing their gratitude for each other’s friendship. Not long after that, everyone moved on to sharing their upcoming holiday plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Nevertheless, you couldn’t savor this much-needed shift in the discussion for long. It had finally dawned on you just how lucky you were to have returned when you did. If Chloe saw you hugging Rascal before using the bathroom and came back to find you in your sleeping bag, then that means you snuck back in during the short time she was absent. You thought you saw all of the girls sound asleep when you returned, but looking back, Chloe’s sleeping bag did appear slightly less full than everyone else’s. How could you have missed such an important detail? Was your sleep-deprived state to blame? Or was this caused by Rascal taking up too much space in your mind?

A couple of hours pass before everyone leaves your house to head home. Most of them wanted to stay longer, but it was a Sunday, making it a school night. In the end, it didn’t matter whether you were in the presence of your friends or all by yourself. Rascal continued to consume your every thought, leaving you more disgruntled and fearful by the hour. It didn’t take a genius to pinpoint what you were feeling. You knew exactly what this new emotion was, and you didn’t like it one bit. 

In fact, you hated it.

Notes:

Author's Note: So happy to have posted this chapter!! Now things are getting serious(er)! This Rascal lore is just the tip of the iceberg! There is still more to be revealed (my mind has been consumed with it for way too long). The next chapter is going to have a lot so Chapter 14 will probably take longer than my usual updates (sorry in advance).

I really loved the thought of Rascal having an identical twin brother since there are two Joker cards in the deck. I was flip-flopping between whether to add this idea in or not, but decided I should since I saw this amazing piece of artwork. The desire to create a backstory for it motivated me and there's still more lore I'm going to add to Joker.

Also, I just couldn't resist writing the okonomiyaki//Japanese pizza banter lol!

Chapter 15: Fly Me To The Moon

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Heavenly Garden" -Park Hyejin (DEVSISTERS)

“I look so stupid.”

“No, you don’t! You look out of this world~!” Rascal nudges you and winks before glancing back at the Looking Glass mirror to snicker. Fortunately, he hadn’t used it to suck you inside and have you live out your sugar-coated dream of owning a circus. But staring at the current reflection made you question whether this alternate use of the Looking Glass was any better. 

Your deadpan eyes behind the mask peer back at you, conveying a strong, unspoken hatred. Thanks to Rascal, you were now dressed in a loose-fitting pink onesie with curly, poodle-like fur. This same faux fur also covered the pink avant-garde boots, paw-shaped mittens, and two detachable tails he had you wear. In addition to this, Rascal had enchanted another mask onto your face to conceal your identity. Unlike the Venetian Pierrot mask you wore to Tivoli Gardens, this one resembled an unknown creature that could be best described as alien. The entirety of it was white with a yellow star-shaped nose, a painted purple smile, fake rosy cheeks, and thick black lashes around the eye holes. To top it all off was an old-fashioned, pink bonnet, floppy poodle ears, and two sets of striped antennas. Rascal appeared equally unrecognizable but nowhere near as ridiculous. Thanks to your begging and pleading, he wore a disguise and a full-face mask like yours. Surprisingly, he had agreed without protest, knowing full well that he couldn’t be as lax as last time, especially after getting caught stealing the Heart of Pierrot. 

Rascal wore a skin-tight, electric green bodysuit similar to his usual attire, but without the clownish aspects. The black platform goth boots, spiked choker, vinyl claw gloves, and spiky hoop earrings in his pierced elven ears accentuate his outfit further. His mask was the same shade of green as his clothing and included beady black eyes, painted black lips, and a creepy grin with blue, needle-like teeth. He had also gone through the trouble of spray-painting his multi-colored hair black and styling it into liberty spikes with small black baubles at the tips. Altogether, you found his appearance a bit terrifying, but Rascal argued that extraterrestrials had vastly different outlooks on what was considered scary compared to humans. It was difficult to decipher whether he was telling the truth or using this as an excuse to dress how he wanted. But in the end, it didn’t matter. His excitement and willingness to dress up alongside you made you feel less alone. 

“Is everything alright, dearie?”

“Sorry! I must have zoned out again!” You take your eyes off the Looking Glass reflection to answer him. “Everything’s great!” Rascal frowns, unconvinced by your response. An awkward silence passes before you exhale and shake your head. “Okay, fine! You got me! Everything isn’t great! I’m feeling so nervous, and it’s eating away at me. It’s my fault we got caught stealing the Heart of Pierrot. You told me Chang’e is serious when it comes to protecting her empire. I don’t want to mess everything up! What if this time we aren’t so lucky? What if––”

“Relax! Everything will be just fine! We’ve been improvising, creating characters and backstories, and practicing three times a week for the past month and a half, have we not?” You slowly nod, leading Rascal to pat your shoulder in reassurance. “That’s right! We’ve worked hard and prepared as much as possible. Both of us spent the last three hours rehearsing everything. If things go wrong, just improvise. I’ve seen a lot of improvement since you first started.”

“Really? You have?”

“Of course! If I were you, I would be very proud. Replace that fear with confidence, and you’ll be drastically reducing your chances of screwing up.” Rascal stands up to his full height before withdrawing the Heart of Pierrot from one of his pockets. He cradles the golden locket in his palm, admiring it. “What matters is the end result! How we achieve that result doesn’t matter nearly as much. That said, it would be advantageous to have the least amount of resistance possible. But we’ve had more time to prepare than we did at Tivoli, so I’m not too worried.”

The anxiety that once plagued you slowly dissipates as the gravity behind his words sinks in. “Thanks, Rascal! I admire your confidence and advice!”

“Aww, what a sweet and touching compliment, and from my star pupil no less!” He excitedly sways his hips from side to side, temporarily forgetting about the heart-shaped necklace in his hand. “Whoopsies! I should store this away for safekeeping!” In the blink of an eye, the locket vanishes from his grasp. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s ditch this circus and steal the Rag-Bag of Dreams!” Rascal summons one of his giant playing cards, making it hover several inches above the center stage. It provides a glimpse of an inky backdrop dotted with twinkling stars.

“Okay, just no magic card-pet ride this time, please.”

“Uggh, fine! We’ll do things the boring way!” Rascal groans before swerving around to face you. He immediately perks back up and leans forward to offer you his hand. “There’s no time to waste! The Rabbit’s Moon Festival awaits!”

“Okay! Let me text my parents first, and then I’ll join you.” With quick haste, you take out your smartphone and start messaging them, not wanting to keep Rascal waiting too long. It was currently Saturday, around noon, which provided a better opportunity to craft a believable excuse. You told them you’d be spending the day catching up on homework with one of your friends and wouldn’t return until later tonight. Once that’s finished, you turn to Rascal with a question. “Would it be okay if I brought my phone? I’d like to take some pictures of the moon.”

“That wouldn’t be wise,” he said, sighing. “We’re already under intense scrutiny by the Jubiland authorities, among others. It would be best if there were no evidence of our visit. But I’d highly recommend bringing your glitter pact just in case things take a turn for the worse.”

“That’s true, and you make a good point! Besides, I don’t even know if the moon has Wi-Fi…” Reluctantly, you leave your phone on one of the small tables by the Looking Glass mirror. Then, you tuck your pink glitter pact inside your travel-size bag and sling it across your shoulder. “I’m ready whenever you are!”

He nods and grabs your hand before leaping through the portal. His abrupt and steadfast movements cause you to yelp in surprise. Your grip tightens further as you’re pulled into the face of the card. Soon, both of you emerge on the other side and are met with an otherworldly scene.

You remain in reverential silence, taking in the magnificent surroundings. The topography and architecture of the Lunar Empire stood in stark contrast to any place on Earth. Pale blue moondust covers the rocky surface, brightening the vast landscape with an ethereal glow. Its luminescence was bright enough to make every other light source obsolete. Nevertheless, there were pink, lotus-shaped lanterns floating above the polished jade pathways, contributing to the city’s aesthetic appeal. Quaint shops, boutiques, bakeries, restaurants, businesses, and other oriental buildings line the glassy road, reflecting the colorful clusters of stars in the galaxy. An eclectic mix of aliens and creatures wander through the streets and sidewalks, bringing life to the elegant and whimsical district. There were also misty mountains, lush valleys, and monolithic jeweled structures on the outskirts of town.

You continue to observe the picturesque scene, mesmerized. “We’re definitely not in your circus anymore.”

Rascal giggles, nodding. “Most definitely not! This is Yuè Chéng, the capital of the Lunar Empire. The Celestial Palace, where the Rabbit’s Moon Festival is being held, is only five minutes away. Teleporting straight over there would’ve appeared suspicious, so I brought us here to blend in with the crowd.”

“Good thinking!” You freeze when a sudden thought crosses your mind. “You didn’t forget the tickets, did you?”

“Not a chance! I always come prepared!” Rascal conjures said tickets out of thin air before waving them in your face.

“Okay! I just wanted to make sure! Even you aren’t immune to making mistakes,” you said, pausing. “Did you steal these tickets?”

“What do you think?”

“I think I’d charge you as guilty for such a crime!”

“Oh, dear! Has Glitter Fantasy become a legal prosecutor now? Whatever shall I do?” He cups the side of his cheek in mock worry. 

You roll your eyes behind the mask and sigh. “I forgot you don’t concern yourself with morality.”

“Well, that makes two of us since you’re accompanying me on this heist.” Rascal links his arm with yours before guiding you in the opposite direction from town. “Now, c’mon! We have a festival to attend and I’d prefer taking the scenic route.”

You nod, knowing it would be pointless to argue any further. He leads you down one of the jade pathways winding through a small park. Expanses of manicured lavender grass surround the sidewalk, brimming with moonlit wildflowers, succulent plants, zen gardens, and golden pavilions. Several miniature pagodas with multi-tiered roofs are also scattered throughout the grounds, providing ample shade and sanctuary for visitors. The serene moonscape is further enhanced by floating sky gardens and groves of crystalline trees ripe with unusual fruits and vegetables. Giant insect-like creatures and flying fish swarm around them to taste the lush berries and vegetation. Overall, the park embodied a harmonious balance of architecture and wildlife, painting a picture of tranquility and cosmic brilliance. 

More lotus-shaped lanterns light up the path ahead as you marvel at the view, humbled by its sheer beauty and design. This moment of silent appreciation is broken by a sudden gust of wind, leading you to shiver and cling tighter to Rascal’s arm. “Is it always this cold on the moon?”

“I suppose so! It’s a good thing there’s a piping hot mooncake tree ahead.”

“Mooncake tree? Did I hear that right?”

“You certainly did! It’s just over this bridge!” Up ahead lay an arched drum bridge with decorative railings positioned above a flowing stream of milky, semi-transparent water. The reflective surface remains undisturbed, with the only sound being the gentle rush of water over the occasional rock. Both of you are halfway across the bridge when you spot various koi fish and other aquatic creatures swimming among the extravagant coral reefs. It blended seamlessly with the rest of the environment, contributing to the peaceful atmosphere of the park. 

It didn’t take long before you two were standing in front of a translucent, silver tree. Large pods, tiny glowing orbs, and turquoise leaves made of crystal shards hang from its thick branches. You face Rascal, gesturing toward one of the pods. “Is this where we get the mooncakes?”

“Yep! But I’d recommend not touching any part of the tree while the mooncakes are baking; otherwise, you’ll burn yourself. Just follow my lead, like this!” He curls his clawed hand into a fist and knocks on one of the pods before cupping his palms underneath it. 

Once he’s done, you imitate his exact motions and watch as the pods you both knocked on begin to glow. Steam permeates from each one, prompting you to cast him a questioning glance. “Does that mean it’s baking? How long will I have to wait until they’re done?”

“Yes, it does! And it should only take a minute or so for them to finish.” He bounces on his toes and lets out a delighted squeal. “This is so exciting! You never know what flavor or phase of the moon you’ll get!”

You knit your brows together, not understanding what the last part of his sentence meant. That is, until a golden cake shaped like a waxing crescent moon pops into your open hands. It felt warm and had a sweet aroma. This, coupled with its fluffy cloud-like texture, entices you to take a bite. But before you can do so, Rascal sinks his sharp, blue teeth into one of the thin, curved ends of your cake.

“Hey! What gives?!” you whined.

“Mmmmmm, cinnamoon flavor! My favorite~!” Rascal moans in satisfaction as he swallows it down. “Sorry, dearie! I just couldn’t help myself!”

“You don’t sound sorry to me! Next time, just ask me and I’ll give you some!” You let out an annoyed huff as your sight alternates between your cake and his. Rascal’s is shaped like a waning gibbous moon, making it larger than yours. Upon realizing this, you peer down at your mooncake and frown. “It’s not fair! Your cake is bigger, and I still haven’t tried mine yet!”

“Not to worry! I don’t plan on having any more of yours, since I’m saving my appetite for the Grand Feast.” Rascal hums in contentment as he splits his cake in half. He offers you the piece without the giant bite mark, which you’re grateful for. “Here’s some of mine! It’s an osmanthus mooncake, so it tastes like flowers!”

“Uhh, thanks?” A shimmery orange substance oozes from where Rascal had split the cake. He returns to scarfing down the rest of his dessert like a starving animal, not bothering to savor it. You pause to examine yours closer before bringing it up to the purple lips of your mask. “Would you mind enchanting my mask to move again? Like with yours?” Rascal nods before snapping his fingers together, allowing you to open and close your mouth with ease. Once you’re done thanking him, you take a bite out of his mooncake. It had a unique blend of fruity and floral flavors with a faint hint of apricot. “Wow, this is pretty good! I thought these would be similar to the Chinese mooncakes, but they’re not.”

“Of course they’re different! We’re not in China,” Rascal said, like this was the most obvious fact known to man. “All mooncakes grow on trees and are only available here. They’re free to pick and eat, unlike star cakes.”

“Star cakes aren’t free? Do they grow on trees, too?”

“Nope! They’re sold at this family-run bakery called Starvey’s, so you have to buy them with lunar currency. I’m sure there will be a booth at the festival selling them since star cakes are in such high demand. But you’d be lucky just to get your hands on one, especially since they sell out so quickly.”

“That’s good to know!”

“Yep! Hopefully, we’ll have a chance to try one while we’re there!” There’s a longing behind his words as Rascal offers you his arm once more. “But let’s not stand idly by and let such a great opportunity go to waste. Shall we continue walking?” You nod and relink your arm with his while holding your mooncakes in your other hand. 

Both of you resume walking through the park, drawing closer to the exquisite palace ahead. In the meantime, you munch on the rest of your cakes, enjoying the warm taste of osmanthus and cinnamoon. It ultimately succeeds in regulating your body temperature, helping you withstand the cold lunar climate. You finish eating the last piece before acknowledging Rascal. “I can see why the cinnamoon one is your favorite. It was delicious!”

“Isn’t it? Unlike osmanthus mooncakes, the cinnamoon-flavored ones are rare. You’re one lucky girl! It’s a good thing neither of us got the green cheese mooncakes. Those are nasty!” 

“Are they really that bad?”

“Are you kidding? They’re disgusting! I don’t understand what it is about green cheese that the locals love. I find the smell and taste absolutely abhorrent!” You’re about to respond when a loud rumbling comes from Rascal’s stomach. “Uggh, I didn’t realize just how hungry I was! Remind me to order a starfait when we arrive.”

“Starfait? Is that the galactic version of a parfait? I swear, all you eat is sweets and junk food!” You chuckle, shaking your head in disbelief. “From mooncakes and popcorn to cotton candy burritos! How in the world do you manage to stay so skinny?”

“I’m convinced I have a black hole in my stomach that I’m unaware of. It must suck away all the extra calories,” Rascal said, giggling. “But I’m nowhere near as bad as Truffaldino!”

You cock your head to the side. “Who’s Truffaldino?”

“He’s a con artist from Bergamo and an even bigger glutton than Brute, which is saying a lot. Truffaldino has starred in many stage plays, but he’s most famous for his role in the comedy, The Servant of Two Masters. I’m not particularly fond of him!”

“Really? A con artist disliking another con artist? Do tell!” 

"If you were educated in the realm of theater, you would realize just how baseless that comparison is.” Rascal’s masked eyes narrow at you in contempt, disliking that you grouped him in with Truffaldino. “Unlike me, he’s a scoundrel who lives to eat and fornicate by any means necessary. For a short time, he worked as a servant for Florindo and Beatrice, who were unaware of his dual roles. This led to all sorts of mayhem and strained relationships between them, all because Truffaldino wanted to double his wages and satisfy his insatiable hunger. One of the most well-known scenes from the play involved him serving food at a restaurant to both of his unsuspecting masters while helping himself to the portions. Truffaldino is loyal to no one but himself. I, on the other hand, desire to serve my one true master, Emperor Nogo.”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry! I was just teasing! I didn’t know anything about him when I made that comment.” There were some uncomfortable parallels between your current situation and Truffaldino’s that were hard to ignore. “If anything, I think I share more in common with Truffaldino than you do. Am I really any better than he is? I’m fighting alongside the Glitter Force while sneaking behind their backs to help you. Although I claim to share their values and goals, my actions contradict what they would want. My loyalties are divided, all because I’m scared.”

Rascal spends some time in contemplative silence, mulling over your words. Eventually, he sighs and gives your hand a gentle squeeze. “You’re not like Truffaldino! For one, you’re self-aware, and two, the motivations behind your actions are different from his.”

“You really think so?”

“Absolutely! I know you like the back of my hand!” Rascal raises his unlinked arm and flaunts the back of his clawed black glove. Then he lowers it as his demeanor turns serious once more. “But still, no one can serve two masters. It’s impossible! When we’ve finished collecting all three items for Emperor Nogo, you will have to pick a side. For Truffaldino and many others like him, it has always ended the same way. There are limits to how long a person can maintain a charade until they break, and you are no different. Eventually, you will have to choose whom you’ll serve. If not, it will lead to your downfall.”

Fear grips your heart as you internalize his words and the tragic implications behind them. It was difficult to comprehend whether they served as a warning or a threat. Despite all the years spent with Rascal, he remains an enigma. Would he be the harbinger of your supposed downfall, or would it come from somewhere else? An invisible set of heavy weights latch onto your every step as you sweat profusely behind the mask. “What should I do? I don’t want to meet a bad end! I don’t want to be the cause of my undoing!”

“My dear Fantasy, it’s going to be okay!” Rascal comes to a sudden halt, meeting your worried gaze with his own. He stoops down until the two of you are at eye-level before caressing and entwining your gloved hands together. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed your increased anxiety as of late. I apologize for causing you so much distress; that wasn’t my intention. I only wanted to bring awareness to this important issue so you can avoid meeting the same fate as so many others.” He exhales slowly before continuing. “All of this must feel so overwhelming! It must be hard to deal with this on top of infiltrating the Rabbit’s Moon Festival. What was I thinking?”

“You weren’t thinking,” you said. 

“You’re darn right I wasn’t! Here I thought my disguise was perfect, but I forgot my thinking cap.” Rascal knocks on the side of his head for comedic effect, followed by a hollow echoing. A burst of laughter spills from your lips at his unexpected response. He then proceeds to mime an invisible hat out of thin air before placing it on his head. “Oof––that didn’t go according to plan! My liberty spikes punctured my new thinking cap! Tell me, dearie, what should I do? It’s turned hole-y!”

You clutch your sides as more laughter springs forth. “No matter what type of disguise you wear, you will always be a clown!”

“Well, you know what they say: you are what you eat! But clown cuisine isn’t my favorite! They taste too funny!”

“Rascal, stop!” You lightly shove him and continue to laugh, despite your witty reply.

“You know you love it!” He chuckles alongside you and waits until your laughter dies down. Once it does, Rascal cradles your hands in his and rubs soothing circles into the back of them with his thumbs. “Just remember, you don’t have to pick a side right now. There’s still plenty of time to make a decision. But when the opportunity presents itself, don’t forget about the jester who trained you and fought by your side. I’m the one who came to your rescue when you opened the Heart of Pierrot by mistake. I helped you escape the underwater chamber when you couldn’t move. I equipped you with knowledge of Jubiland and its residents so you wouldn’t be deceived like the rest. Isn’t that right?”

His soft tone of voice and comforting touch catch you off guard. A flush creeps up your face under his gaze. “That’s true! You did do all of those things!”

“I most certainly did!” Rascal hums as his masked grin grows in size. “Remember that I’m here for you and that you’re never alone! No one will ever understand you the way I do!”

“T-Thank you!” His words lull you into a meditative trance. You reflect on all the times he got you out of trouble and how careful he was not to blow your cover in front of the Glitter Force. The positive emotions brought about by these recollections draw you in deeper, almost causing you to miss Rascal inching closer to you.

“Before we set foot in the festival, there’s something you should know.” Your heart pounds hard in your chest as he closes the distance. He eyes you intently before lowering his gaze onto your purple mouth. His line of sight fixates on this area as he cups your cheek. Shortly after that, his thumb brushes the side of your lips to the outer edges of your mask. “You’ve got mooncake crumbs on your face!”

Rascal snickers and wipes away the leftover crumbs, snapping you out of your stupor. He pulls away, leaving you disappointed with the lack of physical contact. You’re at a loss for words as you reach up to touch where his hand once was. Then, you take a sharp breath before glaring at him. “T-That was so unnecessary! Just tell me next time and I’ll wipe them off myself!”

“Oh? But where would be the fun in that?” His playful tone makes you even more flustered, leading you to grit your teeth and avert your gaze. Thankfully, your mask served another purpose in obscuring your burning face. Rascal catches on to your reaction and sighs. “Hmmmmm, you must be really nervous about our mission. Shall we go over our roles again?”

At that moment, you were grateful for his obliviousness. While you were indeed anxious about slipping up at the Rabbit’s Moon Festival, it wasn’t the reason for reacting the way you did. “Yes, I would appreciate that!”

“Okay! Remember that I enchanted both of our masks so that our eyes and mouths move. That way, the aliens at the festival won’t know we’re wearing them. Also, just for the record, I’m the lead singer and guitarist of a Martian deathrock band.” Rascal gestures towards you with an expectant look. “And you are?”

“His prissy poodle sidekick,” you groaned.

He pats the top of your head, ruffling the patch of pink fur underneath your bonnet. “Bingo! Very good! And unlike dogs back on Earth, cosmic canines…”

“...walk and talk like humans.”

“You took the words right out of my mouth! See? There’s no need to fret! You’re fully prepared!” Rascal takes your hand and starts pulling you towards the Celestial Palace. “One more thing: remember to cooperate, and I won’t put a muzzle on you~!”

You shudder, picturing yourself in such a compromising position. “Noted!”

Before long, you two approach the back of the line leading up to a ticket booth in front of an enormous golden gate. The employees working at the stall made sure the registration process ran smoothly and without any difficulties. All the attendees were quick to show their tickets before putting on their wristbands. It wasn’t long before both of you reached the entrance, with Rascal being the one to present the stolen tickets. Luckily, there weren’t any signs of suspicion, making this experience more enjoyable than the one at Tivoli Gardens. One of the workers hands Rascal two platinum wristbands before wishing you both a pleasant time.

Once the other aliens are out of earshot, your body relaxes. “Well, that went better than I expected.”

“Agreed! There weren’t any dumb rules for masks,” Rascal said. “Still, I wouldn’t let my guard down because of this.”

For the next minute or so, the two of you recite your roles before arriving at the palace courtyard. The scent of sweet incense fills the air, blending seamlessly with the rich, resonant sounds of guzheng and erhu music. A profound sense of awe washes over you as you take in the grandeur of the place. In the background stood a majestic jade castle of massive proportions, reaching the heavens above. It was positioned alongside rising towers and pagodas with sweeping gold roofs. Covering the outer walls are high-arched windows, silk tapestries, classical sculptures, and diamond accents. Thick marble columns, adorned with intricate carvings of crescent moons, stars, and flowers, support the structures surrounding the courtyard. Each pillar provided a shaded alcove over the expanse of territory below, which was filled with various landmarks, sacred shrines, and statues of important figures. Scattered throughout the grounds were jeweled fruit trees, blue bamboo forests, exotic shrubbery, and landscaped gardens, coexisting alongside the current festivities.

Color-changing lanterns illuminated the marketplace, where numerous stalls and vendors were selling unique goods and services. Refreshments and entertainment venues were placed on every corner, ranging from game booths and concession stands to live performances. The entire vicinity was bustling with activity and teeming with aliens of all shapes, sizes, and styles. They laugh and talk among each other, with the majority wearing flowing silk that came alive with every step. One half of the courtyard was comprised of the marketplace, while the other side had an abundance of round tables and chairs. In the center was a small, rainbow lake with sparkling, iridescent waters. There was also a stage resembling a full moon, where musical artists were performing live concerts.

“You look mesmerized!”

Rascal’s sing-song voice breaks you out of your daze, causing you to snap back to reality. You continue staring at the vibrant scene ahead before responding. “I can’t help it! I’ve never seen a place like this in my life! I wish the cities back on Earth were this beautiful!”

“Oh, don’t we all? Modern earthly architecture is so shabby and dull! I’ll never understand why humans lack artistic flair nowadays!” Rascal grimaces, making his disdain known. “So admire the scenery while you can! I don’t mind as long as you don’t get distracted or break out of character.”

You give him a resolute nod, showing just how serious you are. “I promise I won’t!”

Rascal coos and ruffles your head. “Such a good widdle doggie you are~!”

“Uggh, stop it! You’re embarrassing me!” His overly affectionate display causes you to step back and bump into someone from behind. Rascal snickers when you fall onto your butt and take the unfortunate stranger with you. 

You scowl at Rascal before turning to the other alien, whose body was lying on the pavement. “I’m so sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was going!” Immediately, you rise to your feet and offer the stranger your hand. “Here, let me help you!”

“Thank you!” said a gentle, feminine voice. You and another figure nearby assist the poor lady in standing upright. Upon closer inspection, you saw that she was a woman. She almost appeared human except for her transparent white skin, which was made entirely out of air. Her long, ombré orange hair was pulled up into a yoko-hyogo hairstyle, complementing her blue eyes and red lips. The lady grabs a handkerchief from her starry kimono to dab her tear-filled eyes. “My apologies! I wasn’t watching where I was going either.”

“There’s no need to apologize! I hope I didn’t make you cry!”

She shakes her head, sniveling. “No, not at all. I was already crying because of my husband’s inability to attend the Rabbit’s Moon Festival. I’m only allowed to see him one day out of the Earth year, you see.” The lady takes a deep breath as she tries to regain her composure. “Oh, but enough about me, I would love to know who you two are. You both appear to be extraterrestrials.”

“Indeed, we are!” Rascal appears beside you and places a firm hand on your shoulder. “My name is Vexlar, and this is my extrafurrestrial friend, Xddcc. She’s quite the clutz, isn’t she? Xddcc usually makes quite the ruckus when she meets others.” His nails sink into your flesh as his grip on you tightens, subtly communicating his disapproval. 

Your eyes widen when you remember the important detail you missed: barking. “Bork! Bork! It’s true! I was shocked and speechless when I knocked into you! Bork!” If you hadn’t practiced barking so much in Rascal’s circus, you would’ve been mortified doing this in public.

Rascal loosens his hold before rubbing your sore shoulder. “Ah, yes! The poor thing was all spaced out! But who can blame her? It’s been eons since she’s left the house!”

“It’s such an honor to meet you, Vexlar and Xddcc!” A warm smile graces her face as she erupts into some lighthearted chuckles. Afterward, the woman bows her head and body forward in greeting. “Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Orihime of the Vega Star!”

“Orihime? As in Princess Orihime? The Celestial Maiden from the Tanabata legend?!” Rascal gasped. He makes an overdramatic bow and nudges you forward, urging you to do the same. You immediately comply, feeling your guilt skyrocket when you realize you bumped into a royal.

“There’s no need for formalities!” Orihime pulls out a floral-printed fan to hide her creeping blush. “Truly, I want to be treated the same as everyone else at the festival. Just think of me as a humble seamstress on vacation with her pet. That reminds me, I would like to introduce you both to my kitsune, Kūko.” She motions over to the anthropomorphic, sky-blue fox beside her. You recognize him as the other figure who aided you in assisting Orihime when she fell. Kūko is several inches shorter than Rascal, but has the same muscular build as Ulric. He was dressed in a black, constellation-patterned kimono and wooden geta sandals. Like Orihime, his whole body is also comprised of air. But unlike his owner, he has nine distinct tails poking out of his garments. 

Your eyes alternate between the pair before bowing. “It’s so nice to meet you, Orihime and Kūko! Bork!”

The kimono-wearing kitsune bows back in silence, keeping his red eyes locked on you. Meanwhile, Orihime lowers her fan to reveal her face, which was now flush-free. “What a well-trained dog! You should be proud, Vexlar!”

“Dawwww, thank you, Princess! You’re too kind! I could say the same for you!” Rascal places a clawed hand over his chest, radiating a charm similar to when he performed his concert at Tivoli Gardens. He was displaying a counterfeit kindness, but his acting was so impressive it almost convinced you otherwise.

“You are more than welcome,” Orihime said. “I don’t mean to pry, but may I ask where you two are from? I haven’t met many aliens with your names or choice of clothing.”

Rascal exudes an air of confidence as he answers her question. “No offense taken! We traveled here from Deimos, one of the two moons orbiting Mars. While Xddcc and I are both of extraterrestrial descent, we’re living on Deimos to tour with my bandmates. I make a living as the lead singer and guitarist of the deathrock band, Alien Hex Fiend.”

“That makes a lot of sense! I heard Deimos is the music capital of the Milky Way, but I have yet to visit. Perhaps I can stop by on my way to my home planet.”

“Oooh, that would be spectacular!” Rascal gushed. “And what is your home planet?”

“While I was born and raised in the Vega Star located in the Lyra constellation, Kūko and I are currently residing in Uranus. We are extrajovians, so living on a gas planet isn’t out of our comfort zone.”

Rascal bites down on his lower lip, trying his hardest not to laugh. You glare daggers at him, knowing exactly what was going through his head. “Knock it off,” you whispered through gritted teeth. “You’re so immature!”

Rascal ignores your plea and asks another question with a fake innocence lacing his voice. “Uranus, huh? Based on what I heard, that place is warm, wet, and foul-smelling. Is that true?”

“No, not at all! I don’t know where you could have heard such falsehoods from. It’s such a great planet to live on! Uranus has an icy climate and doesn’t smell, so it has the complete opposite traits of what you were told.” 

You let out a quiet breath, grateful that Orihime didn’t catch on to his implied joke. Both of them talk about more space-related topics while you continue standing on the sidelines. Rascal was skilled at fabricating stories and adapting quickly to foreign circumstances, so that wasn’t an issue. However, you were growing more uncomfortable under Kūko’s stare. His eyes were locked onto yours in deep concentration, making you more self-conscious about your disguise. At some point, you had to break eye contact and chose to play with one of your fake tails.

“Well, it was a pleasure chatting with you, Princess!” Rascal’s chipper voice breaks through the tension. He makes another courteous bow before pulling you close to his side. “But I must feed my little doggie over here! I can tell she’s getting hungry!”

“It was a pleasure chatting with you as well. And, of course, I understand. There are other matters Kūko and I must also attend to.” The pair mirrors Rascal’s polite gesture before turning to leave. “Please, take care! I hope to see you both again!”

“Likewise!” Rascal and Orihime exchange friendly smiles while you and Kūko remain silent. Not long afterwards, both of your groups begin heading in opposite directions. 

You release a breath you didn’t know you were holding. “Thank you for ending the conversation early. I had no issues with Orihime, but Kūko’s staring was starting to bother me. It felt like he would’ve seen through my disguise if I had stayed any longer.”

“No problem, dearie! It was obvious you were feeling uneasy!” He ushers you towards a section in the marketplace filled with food and beverage stalls. “I was also eager to leave, but for different reasons. I need to get my hands on a galactic starfait or two! Besides, we didn’t come here to make idle chit-chat with a bunch of nobodies.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call Orihime a nobody. She’s a celestial princess!”

“I don’t keep up with the royals, unless it’s my master or a certain Princess Fantasy.” Rascal jabs you as a teasing glint appears behind his beady eyes.

Your voice goes up an octave, failing to suppress a squeak. “Umm, I wish you wouldn’t include me.”

“Oh, but I must! I would have to be an idiot to exclude you from my repertoire of entertainment.”

When he spots a shady, secluded opening between two empty food stalls, he doesn’t hesitate to yank you inside. You lurch forward, almost colliding into his chest. “Hey! What’s your prob––”

Rascal covers your mouth, shushing you. “Sorry for catching you off guard! This may be our only chance to talk in private. I need to relay some important information, so keep your voice down.” You nod, feeling your anger dissipate upon hearing his explanation. He removes his hand and brings a finger to his lips. “This is a top-secret assignment I’ve saved just for you. But unfortunately, to complete said assignment, we’ll have to part ways.”

His last sentence causes your heart to sink. “W-What?! But why?”

“So we can avoid drawing suspicion! We also need to gather the ingredients as quickly as possible. The sooner we have them, the better!”

“We need ingredients?!” you rasped, struggling to mask your frustration. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“I’ll reveal everything after our mission is complete. That’s a promise! But for me to keep that promise, you have to comply!” 

You scowl, crossing your arms. “Okay! I’m listening!”

“I need you to search the marketplace for a cosmic lighter and five packs of supernova sparklers. These items should be in the section by the blue bamboo nursery. And don’t worry, I left some lunax I stole inside that small bag of yours.” This unfamiliar term prompts you to furrow your brow in confusion. You ignore the stealing portion of his comment since you’ve become unfazed by his kleptomaniac tendencies. Rascal catches on to your uncertainty and elaborates further. “Whoopsies! I forgot! Lunax is the name of the lunar currency used on the moon. There should be more than enough for you to purchase what I asked for.”

“That’s not the only part I was confused about. Why do I need to buy these specific items?”

“They’re for the Celebration Ceremony! I’ll gather the rest of the ingredients on my own. Oh, and another thing, keep this on you at all times!” Rascal pulls out his pack of purple playing cards from thin air. He picks a card out from the deck and tucks it underneath one of your fake floppy ears. “If operations are to run smoothly, you must not remove this card.”

You scrunch up your face at his vague instructions. “But why? What’s the point of sticking a card under my ear?”

“No more questions! Time's a-wastin’! Aliens are approaching the stalls nearby! They must have returned from their break.” Rascal approaches you from behind before shoving you out of the small alleyway and into the crowd. Fortunately, you didn’t crash into anyone or draw too much attention. Even so, you were irritated from being manhandled in such a rough way. You spin around towards the opening you had just emerged from, getting ready to lecture him. But by the time you do, Rascal is already gone. 

With a dismal shake of your head, you huff and observe several aliens settle into the previously empty booths. As it turns out, Rascal was right about their return and wasn’t just using it as an excuse to leave. There weren’t any footsteps or visible indications of their arrival, giving you a newfound appreciation for his heightened senses. The worker aliens running the food and beverage stalls wouldn’t have been pleased to catch the two of you loitering nearby. This realization compounds your insecurities, making you uncertain about completing the task without Rascal’s help. Nevertheless, he was nowhere to be found, and there was nothing you could do to change that. You were on your own.

For some time, you wander around the massive marketplace alone, trying to find the blue bamboo nursery Rascal had mentioned. So far, you’ve been unsuccessful, coming up short every time. You were starting to become disoriented from the bright lights, blaring noises, and chatter coming from every direction. The overly crowded spaces and long lines at the stalls only made matters worse, contributing to your sensory overload. A shaky hand reaches up to wipe the top of your mask, forgetting that the beads of sweat coating your forehead came from underneath. Upon realizing this, you slump your shoulders and sigh, unable to fight back the creeping sense of hopelessness. No matter how hard you tried, it didn’t seem like you were any closer to reaching your goal.

“Excuse me! Can I help you with something?” came a light, silvery voice. 

You jerk your head to the side and spot a gorgeous lady carrying a gold, starry hebao pouch. She was staring right at you, leading you to gesture towards yourself. “Bork! Are you talking to me?”

“Of course I am! Who else would I be talking to?” 

“I’m not sure! Bork! How did you know I needed help with something?”

“You’ve visited this part of the marketplace three times already, looking like a lost puppy. Perhaps that’s what you are!” The youthful woman lets out some high-pitched giggles as she approaches you.

“Was it really that obvious? Bork?”

“Yes, but only because I’ve been attending the Rabbit’s Moon Festival for so long. I can tell when someone knows their way around or not. What are you searching for?” As she draws closer, you can better make out her appearance. She wore a traditional, yellow and white Hanfu dress with intricate embroidery. The colors and style of her clothing harmonize well with her pale yellow skin and sparkling gold hair, which was pulled up into two high buns. Her hair was adorned with a pair of clips with tiny dangling stars.

You take a moment to admire her cute outfit before responding. “Bork! That makes sense! I’m looking to buy a cosmic lighter and some supernova sparklers for the Celebration Ceremony. Bork!”

“Oh, how exciting!” Her face lights up once she hears the reason behind your search. “I know exactly where they are! I’ll come with you to Feng Xin’s Firework Emporium––that’s where they’re being sold.” 

Her offer to help brings you to wave your hands dismissively. “You don’t have to go through the trouble! Bork!”

“It’s no trouble at all! I’m still on my break, and I have nothing else to do. It’ll be fun!” The fabric of her dress twirls around as she spins on her toes, squealing in excitement. Then, she grabs your hand and begins to guide you in the opposite direction from where you came. “Oh! I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Starlina! What’s yours?”

“It’s nice to meet you, Starlina! My name is Xddcc! Bork!”

“Wow! Xddcc sounds so foreign! Where are you from?”

“My owner and I are living in Deimos, which is one of the moons of Mars. How about you? Bork!”

“I’m from the Lunar Empire, so I’m a local. I’ve visited Deimos a couple of times with my sisters to attend Luna Galactica’s concerts. I absolutely love it there!” A fascinated twinkle flashes behind her lilac eyes as she leans closer. “Do you see a lot of celebrities when you’re out and about? Have you ever met Luna? It would be amazing if you did!”

“Bork! I haven’t, sadly. I don’t really get out that much,” you lied.

“Awwh, that’s too bad! I would’ve loved to have heard some stories outside of my favorite magazines.” Starlina’s smile falters, making her disappointment clear. “But I guess it’s true that you haven’t gotten out much. You don’t live that far from Earth’s moon, and yet, I’ve never seen you here.”

“My owner persuaded me into coming, which is why I’m here. Bork! This is our first time going to the Rabbit’s Moon Festival. Bork!”

“Really? It’s your first time?” Starlina asked, perking up. “Oh my stars! No wonder you looked so lost wandering the marketplace alone. But don’t worry, you’re going to love it here! There’s so much to see and do! Also, where is your owner?”

You wince when she mentions Rascal. Once again, you’re reminded of him leaving you alone to fend for yourself in an unfamiliar place without advanced notice. “My owner’s off buying souvenirs while I’m gathering all of the supplies. He got carried away by the excitement of such a new experience. Bork!”

“I don’t blame him! It’s hard not to get carried away when you’re here, which reminds me, don’t blow through your wallet on all the food and merchandise. If you’re not careful, you may end up leaving the festival completely broke.”

You chuckle, nodding. “I’ll keep that in mind! Bork!”

For a while, you and Starlina walk while engaging in various conversations. She provided an overview of tonight’s schedule, which included a big intergalactic music lineup, the Grand Feast, the Moon Dance, the Milky Way Awards, and the Celebration Ceremony. Her detailed accounts for each event had you looking forward to the rest of the night. Starlina’s love for the Rabbit’s Moon Festival was contagious and helped put you at ease. It managed to replace your fear and uncertainty with joy, almost making you forget the real reason behind attending the festival. 

Eventually, the two of you arrive at Feng Xin’s Firework Emporium, which is right across from the blue bamboo nursery. This shopping outlet and the ones next to it were much bigger than the food and drink stalls. The emporium is plastered with colorful, eye-catching banners featuring promotional offers and posters showcasing different fireworks for sale. Inside the large booth were neatly arranged shelves, tables, and displays with every kind of firework imaginable. Both of you agree to split up to minimize the time spent searching for the items. She offers to gather the five packs of supernova sparklers, while you have the easier task of finding the cosmic lighter. You’re in the process of finding said object when a strange sound comes from one of your floppy ears. 

“Hello, dearie! How’s it going?”

You practically jump out of your fursuit from the unexpected voice before ducking behind one of the shelves. Then, you move the fake ear with the attached card closer to your lips. “R-Rascal?! Where are you? How are you doing that?!” you whispered, hoping not to draw any attention.

“I’m still away on business, thank you for asking. And isn’t it obvious? I’m speaking to you through the card I tucked under your ear.” Rascal takes a slight pause to chuckle. “Those slim boxes you humans use to call and send messages to each other inspired me to test this out. This was an experiment I wanted to put into practice, and it worked. I had no idea my cards could be used in such a way. I really do amaze myself sometimes!”

You take a deep breath, allowing his explanation to sink in. “So, you’re communicating with me from a distance and using that purple card of yours as a cellphone? Am I getting that right? Or maybe I should start calling it a cardphone…”

“That’s correct! And ooooh, a cardphone! I love the sound of that! Your creative input is much appreciated!”

“Hey Xddcc! Is everything okay?” Starlina called out.

You quietly shush Rascal before peeking your head out from over the shelf to answer. “Everything’s fine! Bork! Sorry for worrying you! I’m just dealing with a bad case of space ticks! But don’t bother coming over, it should only take a minute or so to fend them off! Bork!”

Starlina nods, still appearing concerned. “Space ticks sound awful! I’m so sorry! I’ll give you some space to sort that out!”

After muttering a quick thanks, you return to crouching behind the shelf and resume your conversation with Rascal. “I kind of got my paws full at the moment. I’m at Feng Xin’s Firework Emporium gathering the ingredients. I should be finished soon!”

“Excellent job! I knew you could do it without me! And you conned an unsuspecting alien into helping you, too? My, my, you’re craftier than I thought!”

“When you put it that way, it sounds awful!” You can’t help feeling a pang of guilt when he mentions Starlina. Still, his praise and faith in your ability to accomplish such a daunting task on your own overshadows any lingering concerns.

“It does, but it shouldn’t matter since it’s for a good cause. I’ll let you finish your assignment and fight off the ‘space ticks’ without any more interruptions,” Rascal said, chuckling. “Once you’re finished, meet me at the Star Shrine. Ask your little friend if she happens to know where it is. Tell her you want to make some wishes! That’s where we’ll exchange the ingredients! Ta-ta for now!” He makes a clicking sound with his tongue, indicating that he had hung up and that the conversation was over.

Shortly after ending your call with Rascal, you find the cosmic lighter among a selection of small trinkets. It came in a pastel yellow, star-shaped container with the outline of a flame in the center. Without hesitating, you snatch the object and start heading to the front register. Starlina was staggering to the same place as you with her hands full of stacked rectangular boxes. You tuck the cosmic lighter underneath your arm to grab a couple of containers, hoping to lighten her load. “I didn’t realize the supernova sparklers came in such heavy boxes. Bork! Sorry for not helping you out sooner! Bork!”

“No worries! You needed to take care of your space ticks. Besides, I knew what I signed up for when I offered to find these for you.” Despite her reassurance, a small sigh of relief leaves her when you remove two boxes from her arms. Both of you then make your way over to the alien working at the register. “What luck! We didn’t have to wait in line!” You and Starlina set the items down on the counter in front of the employee, who starts scanning the barcodes on each one. “Also, there was a deal on the supernova sparklers. It was ‘buy three boxes and get two 50 percent off,’ so we came at a great time.”

“Wow! I didn’t realize that! Bork! Thank you so much for all your help! Guess I won’t be leaving the festival completely broke after all! Bork!” By this point, the alien at the register had checked out all the items, which totaled up to 8,685 lunax. Initially, you thought this was a lot of money, until you found plenty of coins to cover the cost. There was still an adequate amount of currency left in your handbag, relieving you of any financial-related worries. Additionally, it came as a huge benefit to have your receipt and ingredients stored inside a compressed, prismatic hexagonal cube instead of a bag. It fit into the palm of your paw-shaped mittens, which made it easy to place inside your travel-size carrier.

Once the two of you are done shopping, you express your desire to Starlina to visit the Star Shrine and make some wishes. She was more than happy to tag along, voicing her excitement at the idea. Starlina did her part to lead you down the jade pathway through the blue bamboo nursery and magical moon gardens. It was a pleasant stroll full of carefree chatter, mostly from Starlina’s end. For most of the time, she babbled on about her favorite space soap operas and celebrities, along with the latest fashion gala being held in Venus. It was a nice opportunity to listen and immerse yourself in a universal culture separate from Earth.

Before long, you two come to a halt in front of an ancient-looking structure, with Starlina announcing your arrival. “Here it is! The famous Star Shrine of the Celestial Palace! You can find this type of shrine on every planet and moon in the Milky Way, but this one holds a special place in my heart.” She keeps her gaze fixed on the small shrine, which was tucked away in one of the corners of the moon garden. A giant, glowing star rests atop the curved roof, bathing the entrance in a golden light. Its architecture is comprised of pastel blue beams, star-shaped engravings, yellow crescent moon embellishments, and other ornate decorations. Fragrant candles and torches illuminate the interior, which has a statue of a silver dragon and a wooden altar filled with small tokens, incense, and offerings made by visitors. But what caught your attention the most was the glistening fountain.

Starlina motions you forward before skipping towards the back of the Star Shrine. You follow her lead, quickening your pace. There weren’t any other aliens inside, which left you both alone to admire the fountain in peace. It was made of gold and had a celestial, star-faced woman donning a wispy cloak carved onto the front. Twinkling starry jewels surround her on every side amidst the streams pouring into the round basin below. The entire galaxy seemed to sway within its effervescent waters, igniting a profound sense of wonder within you. Without taking your eyes off the fountain, you tap Starlina on the shoulder. “Is this where we make our wishes? Bork!”

“It sure is! Just fold your hands together and hold them in front of your heart like this.” Starlina demonstrates these motions and smiles when you do the same. “Then, you close your eyes tight and make a wish. But remember not to say it aloud or tell anyone afterwards, otherwise it won’t come true.”

“Got it! Also, are you allowed to make more than one wish? Bork!”

“Of course! Make as many wishes as you’d like! But we can only pray that all of them will be granted.” Starlina turns to face the fountain and bows her head, squeezing her eyes shut. You imitate her every move and knit your brows in concentration. A sacred silence spreads through the shrine, leaving you with nothing but the unspoken desires of your heart:

If this shrine really has the power to grant wishes, please hear my voice. Like always, I wish to live a life free of pain and heartache. I also want a happy ending for me, Pop, Candy, and my friends in the Glitter Force. I want the universe to be spared from a tragic ending and for there to be peace after the battle with Emperor Nogo. Hopefully, we win and emerge victorious in our fight against him. That reminds me, I also wish for reform in Jubiland and justice for those they have hurt and discriminated against. Not only that, but I want every offender who has been protected by Jubiland to be held accountable for their horrible crimes.

Lastly, Rascal…I would like to remain on his good side, but I’m scared of getting hurt by him again. I don’t think my heart could take it, especially because of these new feelings I have for him. As much as I want to return to the days of our friendship, I’d like us to be something…more. This brings me to my last wish, which is for Rascal to return my affections. I want him to have a happy ending as well, and I’d like to be by his side when he does.

Slowly, you open your eyes and wait for your vision to shift into focus. Starlina meets your wandering gaze with a bright grin. “There you are! I was finished making my wish a few minutes ago. You must’ve had a lot on your mind.”

“Ummm, yeah, there were many things I wished for. Bork! I hope they all come true! Bork!” After all, the fate of the universe depends on it. 

Starlina nods. “I hope they do too, for your sake!”

“Uggh, are you two done yet? Hurry up! I’m tired of waiting!” Rascal’s irritated voice comes from the card attached to your ear. Your eyes almost bulge out of their sockets as panic settles in from his unexpected cardphone call. “There’s a thicket of white moonberry bushes nestled between the purple wisteria trees to the right of the Star Shrine. Meet me there and don’t forget the items you collected. If you do, you’ll regret it~!” He cuts out at that instant, leaving you alone to ponder his whereabouts and how you could meet him without raising suspicion. 

This internal conflict drives you to glance at Starlina, who didn’t appear to hear anything Rascal said. Her only response is to send you an inquisitive look. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s great! Bork! We should start heading out! Bork!”

 “We definitely should! My break is coming to an end, and I don’t want to keep my sisters waiting.” Starlina grabs your hand before pulling you out of the shrine. 

Shortly after resuming your walk, the two of you come across the thicket of white moonberry bushes. They were next to a pair of giant purple wisteria trees, just as Rascal had mentioned. This was your chance to separate from Starlina, at least temporarily. There had to be a believable excuse for fleeing to the bushes, but nothing was coming to mind. A few moments of silence are spent in deliberation until an idea finally pops into your head––one so crazy, it might actually work. Taking a sharp intake of breath, you push back any unwanted thoughts and the embarrassment this could bring. It was now or never.

With a loud yelp, you squirm in your fuzzy pink onesie while contorting your face in fake anguish. “I’m so sorry! Bork! I have to tinkle behind the bushes real quick! I can’t hold it anymore! Bork!”

“Oh, that’s right! There aren’t any bathrooms nearby, and you’re a cosmic canine.” Starlina makes a shooing motion towards the bushes with one of her hands. “Go ahead and do your business! I’ll just be here, looking away!”

“Thank you so much! Bork!” 

At once, you make a beeline for the moonberry bushes. Seconds after arriving, you leap forward to take shelter inside its large shrubbery. You quickly get settled, ignoring the mild discomfort from the scraggly twigs and thorns. A minute or so passes without any activity until a faint rustling comes from the opposite side of the bushes. Without warning, a solid body collides with yours, sending you sprawling onto your back. The sudden impact causes you to wince in pain as you adjust to your new position in the prickly undergrowth. As soon as you open your eyes, you’re met with a startling sight.

“Hello, dearie!” Rascal’s masked face was hovering inches above yours, sporting a creepy, jagged grin. Both of his hands were placed on each side of your head, trapping you in place. Then, his smile fades as he shakes his head, tisking in disapproval.  “I must say, you don’t wear tardiness well.”

“Owww, my head…why did you do that?!” You massage the sides of your skull before glaring up at Rascal. “I didn’t realize I was being timed. There was no warning, and you only contacted me after I arrived at the Star Shrine.”

“Ah, yes, I suppose that’s true, but business is business. I had to make sure my star pupil didn’t forget why she’s attending the Rabbit’s Moon Festival in the first place.”

“Not to worry, I didn’t forget! But you came into the bushes after me! Where were you?”

“I was taking cover in one of the purple wisteria trees, waiting for you!” Rascal giggles, holding out his open palm. “Now, let’s get on with the exchange, shall we? I’ll need my cosmic lighter and supernova sparklers, pleeeeeease!”

“I feel like a shady drug dealer…” With a soft grunt, you rummage through your travel-size carrier until finding the hexagonal cube. You present it to him, quirking a brow. “Satisfied?”

Rascal examines the cube from every angle, making sure nothing is amiss. He opens it before briefly peering inside. Once he’s done, he retracts his head, wearing a look of approval. “Yep! Well done, Glitter Fantasy! I’ll be taking this with me and placing it with the other ingredients.”

“Oh, good! I’m glad this is over and done with! Will you be joining me again?”

“Not yet! There are other matters I need to take care of first.” A smug grin appears on his face as he leans closer. “Why do you ask? Are you missing me~?”

“Ugh! As if!” You nibble on your lower lip, feeling your cheeks burn hot with shame. 

“Well then, I guess you won’t mind if I leave.” He hums in amusement and crawls backwards to give you some space. “But fear not, I’ll still keep in touch through the cardphone. Catch up with you later! Ciao!” With one last wave, Rascal teleports out of the bushes to who knows where. 

You frown once he’s out of sight, failing to suppress your disappointment. There wasn’t any other solution but to get your mind off Rascal for the time being. Moping around in the bushes and feeling sorry for yourself wasn’t an option. This spurs you to crawl out of the bushes before scurrying back over to Starlina. She notices you approaching and waves. “Glad to see you back in one piece! You must’ve drunk a lot!”

“That’s quite the understatement! Bork!” you said, adopting this excuse. 

From there, both of you continue conversing while treading down the path leading out of the moon gardens. Some time passes until you two arrive at the food and beverage section of the marketplace, where you assumed Starlina worked. This guess turns out to be correct when she stops in front of a midnight blue booth. Golden star ornaments and silver spangles decorate the exterior, surrounding an eye-catching sign in the middle. You read the name aloud before gasping in surprise. “I didn’t know you worked at Starvey’s! Bork!”

Starlina giggles, nodding. “I take it you’ve heard about our bakery and its universally-famous star cakes? Word really does travel far and wide. Starvey’s has been in my family for an entire millennium.”

“Starlina! You’re late! Where have you been?!” a stern voice called out.

Another voice soon chimes in. “Yeah! Where were you?! I’ve been waiting forever to go on my break!”

Two young ladies identical to Starlina appear behind the stall, wearing displeased expressions. Nervous laughter spills from Starlina’s lips as her smile becomes strained. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to cause any trouble! I lost track of time after meeting this cosmic canine from Deimos.” Upon mentioning you, she links her arm with yours before approaching the front counter. Her voice returns to its chipper tone as she introduces you. “This is my new friend, Xddcc! It’s her first time at the Rabbit’s Moon Festival. She was lost and separated from her master! I couldn’t just leave her alone in the busy marketplace. Also, I helped her find the fireworks emporium, so I spent my break being of service.”

You send the two women an awkward wave, hoping your presence could alleviate some of the tension. “H-Hi! Nice to meet you! Bork! I can’t believe you three run the star cake bakery. Bork! I must admit, I’m a little starstruck!”

Starlina and the other two aliens burst out laughing, leaving you speechless and confused. The reason behind their laughter becomes clear when Rascal snickers through the card. Your body turns rigid as the muscles in your jaw begin to twitch. Amid your social anxiety, you had unintentionally made a pun. Rascal’s clownish tendencies were rubbing off on you, and you hated it.

The laughter ceases when one of the ladies introduces herself. “You are quite the jokester, Xddcc! My name is Starlight, and I am the eldest sister! It’s a pleasure to be acquainted.” She wore the same traditional, yellow and white Hanfu dress as Starlina, but her sparkling golden hair was tied in a knot-and-ring updo. 

The woman next to her is also dressed in the same attire, with the only noticeable difference being her loose, wavy hair and starflower barrette. “And I’m Starlette, the other sister! It’s nice to meet you!” Both of them bow at the same time, prompting you to follow suit. Once everyone is finished exchanging pleasantries, Starlette removes her apron and hands it to Starlina from across the counter. “Count your lucky stars you met Xddcc! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be so lenient, but don’t get any ideas.”

Starlina puts on her apron before facing you. “I had a stellar time hanging out with you, Xddcc! Hopefully, we’ll see each other again at the Celebration Ceremony!” She gives you a quick hug and departs, not giving you a chance to bid her farewell.

Starlette casts you one last smile before turning to her remaining sister. “Since Starlina came back late, I’ll be taking an extra-long break. Take care of the bakery, big sis! Love you!” She pats her on the shoulder and heads to the back of the booth until she’s out of sight.

You and Starlight are the only two remaining in front of the Starvey’s booth. Her expression softens upon meeting your gaze. “Thank you for accompanying my youngest sister and keeping her out of trouble.”

“Oh, it was no problem at all! Bork! She was a great help, and we had a lot of fun! Bork!”

Starlight makes her way to the opposite side of the counter to search through one of the display cases. After finding what she’s looking for, Starlight withdraws a cute, miniature box and presents it to you. “Here’s a star cake free of charge, as a token of my gratitude.”

“Are you sure? But star cakes are in such high demand! I wouldn’t want to impose! Bork!”

“It’s no problem at all! In fact, I’d suggest you take advantage of this opportunity before the lines form and grow long again.” Starlight’s posture slumps as she lets out a slow exhale. “Starlette and I closed the bakery temporarily to make more star cakes and restock supplies. It’s been a hectic night!”

“I bet! I hope the rest of the night is less stressful for you and your sisters,” you said. “But seriously, thank you so much for the star cake. Bork!”

Starlight regains her previous collected composure, casting you a warm smile. “You’re welcome! Besides, it’s your first time at the Rabbit’s Moon Festival. It’s the least I could do!”

You return her smile before opening the box to look inside. As expected, the cake is shaped like a five-pointed star with a light and fluffy texture. But there were some noticeable differences, such as its luminosity and color-changing attributes. It was so exquisite-looking that you almost didn’t want to eat it. Recent recollections of your conversation with Rascal in the flower garden play in your head. He described star cakes as having a dreamy flavor, and said tasting one was enough to make him want to dance the night away and do the most wonderful things. With him in mind, you ask Starlight the following question. “If it’s okay with you, could I have one more star cake? Bork?”

“Of course! I’ll exchange yours for a two-pack!” Starlight retrieves your package before returning it to the display case. She grabs a rectangular box as a replacement and hands it over to you. “These are our limited edition rainbow and moonbow-flavored star cakes. You will have to let me know which one is your favorite!”

You nod, tucking the box inside your carrier. “Thank you so much! I will, and I look forward to it! Bork!”

After receiving your pack of star cakes, Starlette emerges from the booth with a starry kinchaku handbag. She and her sister exchange goodbyes, promising to meet each other at a later time. Then, she spins around to greet you with a smile. “Hello, Xddcc! Care to join me in reserving a table for the Grand Feast?”

You pause for a moment as a certain jester comes to mind. Rascal hadn’t specified where the two of you should meet once he completed his tasks. But it wouldn’t hurt to tag along with Starlette to the Grand Feast. Besides, Rascal was still able to keep in touch through the card, so you saw no issues. “Sure! I don’t have anything else planned besides the Celebration Ceremony. Bork!”

“Spectacular! Let’s start heading over before all of the good tables are taken. I’d prefer one by the lake in front of the full moon stage. Follow me!”

A new burst of energy courses through you as you follow Starlette to her planned destination. For the remainder of the walk, you two were engaged in conversation with Starvey’s as the topic of choice. You wanted to know what it was like to run a millennium-old bakery, and Starlette was more than willing to spill all of the details. The other side of the courtyard had a lot more open space, with ample room for aliens to dance, play, and dine. A blue extraterrestrial with 12 limbs was singing and playing multiple musical instruments on stage, basking in the applause. Numerous anthropomorphic, dragon security guards were stationed around the vicinity, wearing serious expressions. It was uncertain whether security was always this tight at the Rabbit’s Moon Festival, or if it was because they were here to guard the Rag-Bag of Dreams.

Both of you were relieved to find an empty table with some menus on the left side of the lake. You and Starlette exchange elated smiles before sitting across from each other. She notices your attention shifting to the dragon guards and speaks. “The Rabbit’s Moon Festival wasn’t always so heavily guarded. But ever since the Masquerader and that jester stole the Heart of Pierrot on Earth, Chang’e has increased security.”

You swallow the dry lump in your throat and try to remain calm. “Wait, you heard about that?!”

“Sweetie, the whole galaxy knows about it, especially here since Pierrot was born and raised on the moon. Another one of his treasures is being guarded here, which explains the heightened security.” Starlette’s expression turns sullen upon mentioning the clown. “Pierrot…it’s been forever since I heard that name. The Rabbit’s Moon Festival of 1923 was the last time I ever saw him.”

You gape at her, eyes widening. “You knew Pierrot? Bork?”

“Yes, we were well-acquainted! Did you also know him?” Hoping to clear up any confusion, you shake your head. Starlette sighs before continuing her train of thought. “I heard he died. I never got to say goodbye, which is a shame because his last visit here ended on such a bad note.”

“It did?”

“Yeah, he was involved in a huge fight that broke out in front of our Starvey’s booth. You see, there was this troublemaker at the festival who ate our fresh batch of star cakes. We had spent the entire day slaving away to make them for our customers…” Starlette frowns as she recounts this experience. “Anyways, Pierrot caught him in the act when he came to pick up his cloud-flavored star cake, which had sadly already been eaten. That’s when they started to fight…half of the marketplace got destroyed in the process.”

“That’s crazy!” you gasped. 

Rascal’s disgruntled voice comes from the card. “Truffaldino…”

His unexpected comment compels you to ask the following question. “Did this troublemaker happen to be Truffaldino by chance? Bork?”

“I’m not sure! I never got his name! Nobody could catch him, not even the security guards. It was such a mess!” Starlette said. “But I do remember what he was wearing. It was a colorful, diamond-patterned leotard.”

You take a brief moment to pause, trying to recall why that choice of clothing sounded so familiar. But alas, nothing was coming to mind due to brain fog. “Did Pierrot ever get his star cake afterwards? Bork?” 

“Unfortunately, not! We just so happened to run out of baking ingredients that night, and I had to be the one to break the bad news. Once he learned of this, Pierrot left the festival crying…I never saw him again after that…” She lowers her downcast eyes onto her lap, ruminating. “I regret staying behind to clean the wreckage instead of comforting him. Marketplace stalls and lanterns are replaceable, but somebody’s life isn’t.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss, and for what happened at the festival. Bork! If you don’t mind me asking, how did you meet Pierrot?”

“We met through a mutual friend. I’m close to Moonette, one of the Moon Maidens who lives at the Celestial Palace. Pierrot is her cousin, so we were bound to meet sooner or later.”

“He is? Does that mean he’s royalty?! Bork!”

“Sort of! Mother Moon, Pierrot’s mom, came from an esteemed royal bloodline, but his father was a commoner. Against her family’s wishes, they married and moved to the town of Moonbury––a farming district two hours away from here. That’s where they chose to live a quiet life and raise their son.”

“Pierrot is purple-blooded!” Rascal said, snickering. 

You ignore his unnecessary commentary and continue talking. “That’s so interesting! Bork! I heard plenty of stories about him as a pup, but I didn’t know anything about his family background. Bork!”

“Oh, yes! It’s not surprising that the humble clown I knew came from humble beginnings.” Starlette opens her mouth to say more, but gets interrupted by a booming, disembodied voice on-stage. 

“And now, before the Grand Feast begins, we have our final performer! Let’s give it up for Luna Galactica!” A stylish extraterrestrial with magenta skin and sparkling white pigtails approaches the stage with her dance crew. The audience erupts in boisterous applause, filling the air with ecstatic hoots and hollers. After turning on her microphone, Luna thanks everyone in attendance and starts to sing.

Starlette bounces in her seat, squealing. “Oh my stars! I had no idea Luna Galactica was in tonight’s music lineup! This is amazing! She’s my favorite pop star of all time!”

“Uggh, she can’t be serious!” Rascal groaned. “Luna’s music sucks harder than a black hole! This girl has terrible taste in nep-tunes!”

Your voice lowers into a harsh whisper. “Rascal, shut your mouth!” 

He lets out an irritated huff. “I’m calling meteor-ocrity for what it is, and you’re offended?! Girl, please!”

“What did you say?” Starlette asked, raising a brow. 

You jolt in your seat, almost forgetting that she was here. “Oh, um, I-I mean, people in the audience need to shut their mouths. Bork! I want to hear this song in all its glory! Bork!”

She chuckles, nodding. “I couldn’t agree more!”

Luna Galactica and her alien dance troupe continue to perform on stage with an upbeat fervor. Ever since she arrived, the atmosphere had significantly livened up, and so had the fans. At some point, two eager admirers attempted to throw themselves at her feet, but ended up getting tackled by the dragon security guards. Of course, this didn’t stop Luna from singing her heart out and entertaining her loyal fanbase, much to Starlette’s delight. Every once in a while, she would cheer and shout words of encouragement, clearly forgetting about the comment you made earlier. You, on the other hand, were sipping from the glass of moon milk you ordered during the performance.

Altogether, Luna had performed a total of 10 pop songs before exiting the full moon stage with her crew. Since then, the audience had quieted down, allowing you and Starlette a moment of peace to chat. That is, until you hear a familiar voice.

“There’s my fuzzy extrafurrestrial friend~!”

Notes:

Author's Note: Hey y'all! I'm back with a massive update! There was so much that went into the moon chapter (a total of 25K words to be exact). Crazy? I know! I decided to split it into two chapters instead of having a giant one. That way, you can all have a break lol!

Now, time for some fun facts! For the event Rascal and Reader-chan are attending, I took inspiration from two sources: (1) The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, and (2) Kenneth Anger's 1950 Rabbit's Moon short film (starring Pierrot and friends). I mashed the two together to create the Rabbit's Moon Festival. I'm not too familiar with Chinese culture, so I apologize if I get anything incorrect. Of course, this is the world of the moon, so I combined a bunch of whimsical elements besides Chinese ones.

There are a couple of references I should mention as well. I thought it would be fun to include Truffaldino from the 18th century Italian comedy, The Servant of Two Masters, written by Carlo Goldoni. And Alien Hex Fiend, Rascal's fictitious band, is somewhat of a reference to one of my favorite deathrock bands, Alien Sex Fiend. As for Reader's alien name, I borrowed it from the pilot episode of The Amazing Digital Circus, simply because I thought it was funny and fitting. Vexlar just came from an alien name generator and it sounded cool lol!

When it came to Rascal and Reader's make-believe hometown, I decided to go with Deimos for a very simple reason. According to Greek mythology, Deimos is the personification of dread and terror (a.k.a. foreshadowing of what's to come heheheheheh). It's also one of Mars' moons, and Mars represents the Roman god of war hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Chapter 16: Fly Me To The Moon Part 2

Notes:

Chapter Song: "Blue Night" -Vasiliy Agapkin

Warning: This chapter contains dark and disturbing subject matters that some people may find triggering. This includes mild violence and attempted murder. Reader discretion is advised.

Immediately, you whip around and spot Rascal with his hands resting on his hips. He takes several steps forward before ruffling the top of your head. You stiffen under his touch, trying to conceal any outward signs of embarrassment. After that, he takes a seat in the empty chair next to you and meets Starlette’s gaze. Her eyes shift between you and Rascal until finally settling onto you. “Xddcc, who is this?”

“His name is Vexlar, and he’s my master. It was his idea to take us to the Rabbit’s Moon Festival. Bork!”

Starlette’s smile brightens as she extends her arm towards him. “Hello, Vexlar! It’s nice to meet you! I like your style!”

“It’s nice to meet you as well!” Rascal mirrors her expression, appearing overjoyed. He reaches over the table to eagerly shake her hand. “And thank you for the compliment! You clearly have excellent taste in fashion! May I have your name?”

“It’s Starlette!”

“Starlette, huh? What a splendid name, and quite fitting for this occasion.” Once they’re finished exchanging greetings, Rascal wraps his arm around you and pulls you close to his side. “Any friend of Xddcc’s is a friend of mine!”

“You’re much too kind,” she said, giggling.

He removes his arm to grab the menu in front of him, scanning all of the different options. “Well, we should probably order some food and drinks. I’m star-ving!”

Starlette snorts and erupts with laughter. “You’re hilarious! I can see where Xddcc gets her sense of humor from.”

“My dear doggie learned from the best! She’s absolutely over the moon for my comet-y.”

Your eye twitches as you give Rascal a strained smile. Starlette continues convulsing with laughter from his space-themed puns. “I can see why! Oh! That reminds me! If you're looking for drink recommendations, I suggest ordering milk from either the Big Dipper or the Little Dipper. They each have the saccharine taste of sugar stars! It’s delicious!”

“I might just have to take your word for it,” Rascal said. “But I also wouldn’t mind some gravi-tea!”

“That’s not even on the menu!” By this point, Starlette was doubled over in hysterics, leaving you to ponder over the menu offerings in silence. At first, you thought Rascal’s presence would make you happier, but it was dampening your mood instead. The reasons behind this aren’t yet clear, giving rise to even more frustration.

Thankfully, it isn’t long before one of the waiters stops by the table. Both Rascal and Starlette order milk from the Big Dipper, while you choose the milk from the Little Dipper. The waiter jots down all your requests on his notepad and recommends some popular appetizers and entrées before leaving. Once he’s out of sight, Rascal returns his attention to his menu, humming in contemplation. “Let’s see here…the moonzerella cheese pizza looks good, and so does the stardust soup. But the Saturn Special also has a nice ring to it!”

Starlette peeks up from her menu to giggle. “Vexlar, you’re too much! Please stop before I die from laughter!”

While you’re all waiting for the drinks to arrive, Rascal and Starlette continue to chat, revealing more about each other along the way. She told him all about working at Starvey’s and what it was like living in the Lunar Empire. As expected, he was elated to learn that her family’s business was the one that baked his favorite star cakes. When it came time to talk about himself, Rascal delivered. He fabricated every aspect of his alien way of life, ranging from his career as a deathrock singer and guitarist to his personal life with you. His false narrative sounded incredibly convincing, with Starlette hanging onto every word. Every so often, you would chime in to confirm or add on to a specific incident he had mentioned. 

Eventually, the waiter returns with three glasses of milk and hands them over to each of you. After setting down your beverage, you take a moment to marvel at the exotic colors swirling in your drink, which didn’t exist back on Earth. Rascal taps you on the shoulder, breaking you from your trance. His face lights up as he shows you the inside of his glass. “Amazing, isn’t it?”

“It sure is! Bork! I’ve never seen anything like it!”

“I bet you haven’t! These kinds of drinks are rare, so make sure to savor every drop. But remember not to double-dip!” Rascal winks as Starlette tries to contain her laughter. Instead of responding with a witty remark, you merely roll your eyes and look back at the menu to decide what to eat. 

Some time passes before Starlight and Starlina arrive at the table with two other men. They greet everyone before taking their respective seats. Rascal introduces himself as Vexlar to the newcomers while expertly embodying his alien persona, with you trying to do the same. As it turns out, the two male aliens accompanying Starlight and Starlina were none other than their boyfriends, Orion and Ophiuchus. Orion had short purple hair, green eyes, and light gray skin. He wore a white tunic, a shimmering black cloak, and a prominent belt featuring three glowing stars. Ophiuchus had a less humanoid appearance, given by his red scaly skin, slit nose, and vertical blue pupils. His lean upper torso resembles that of a man, while the lower portion of his body has serpentine coils. Every finger and strand of his shoulder-length black hair is comprised of alien-looking snakes. Unlike Orion, he was dressed in gothic clothing similar to Rascal’s current attire. 

For a while, all of you make small talk and discuss the upcoming festivities of the night. Their presence was effective in brightening your mood, mostly due to Rascal and Starlette having other aliens to talk to. You chuckle as Orion recounts a story of how he fought a 60-foot-tall galactic scorpion in Pluto with nothing but a puny dagger. From time to time, Starlight would pitch in with her commentary to describe what it was like watching from the sidelines. This somehow made his story even funnier and had you sputtering and coughing on your milk.

Everybody’s conversations come to a halt when an elegant woman with floor-length, ebony hair walks onto the full moon stage. She wore a ceremonial robe made of luxurious fabric and an elaborate headdress, along with an abundance of jewelry. The massive holographic screen above the stage displays her face for all to see. You knew this woman was an important figure based on how the crowd fell silent at her entrance and the entourage of dragon bodyguards trailing behind. She adjusts the microphone in front of her and clears her throat. “Greetings, my beloved guests! It is I, Chang’e, the empress of the Lunar Empire!” A respectful round of applause follows before she speaks again. “I would like to thank you all for attending the 2,634th Rabbit’s Moon Festival. It has truly been an honor to have maintained such a joyous tradition for all these millennia. Every Earth year, around this time, humans in a region called China celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. At this event, my admirers pay their respects through food offerings. As many of you already know, most of these gifts are repurposed for everyone here to enjoy at the Grand Feast, which I always take great pleasure in.” 

There were traces of optimism behind her every word, which is why it comes as a shock when her expression and tone turn solemn. “However, as much as I would like for this to be a purely happy occasion, there is something I must address.” A lot of aliens whisper amongst each other as they await Chang’e’s next announcement. “In October, a treasured artifact called the Heart of Pierrot was stolen from a heavily guarded chamber on Earth. This egregious theft was committed by none other than Rascal the jester––Emperor Nogo’s dangerous and crafty lieutenant. Recently, he has taken on an accomplice known solely as the Masquerader, who assisted him in stealing this prized item. Despite every effort taken by nations across several galaxies, the identity of this individual remains unknown, and any information related to them is scarce. For this reason, we have increased security and safety measures at the festival. As an extra precaution, we also advise all attendees to stay in pairs and not to wander off alone.” 

There are more gasps and hushed whispers from the crowd, who have all taken on the empress’s melancholic demeanor. Rascal maneuvers his hand under the table to give your thigh a light squeeze. He wears a fake look of concern on his masked face, but you knew he found Chang’e’s warning humorous and was getting a huge kick out of it. All you could do was replicate everyone’s worried expressions and pretend this wasn’t negatively affecting you.

Chang’e casts her audience a sympathetic smile before concluding her speech. “That being said, we should not let this bad piece of news dampen our spirits. We will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our attendees. The Rabbit’s Moon Festival has always been remembered as a day of peace, unity, and merriment. Fear will not destroy everything we have worked so hard for. Do not forget about this, or the company of your loved ones, when you celebrate tonight. In the meantime, please enjoy the Grand Feast we have prepared. Thank you all for your time!” Once she’s finished, everyone in the audience begins applauding, cheering, and showering the empress with praise. You and Rascal also clap for the sole purpose of maintaining your innocent facades.

Soon, Chang’e exits the stage and makes her way towards a secluded spot with her dragon bodyguards. After the excitement from the crowd dies down, the waiter from earlier visits your table to take everyone’s orders. Rascal ends up choosing the Saturn Special while Starlette gets the stardust soup. When the time comes for you to order, you select an otherworldly dish, knowing full well that eating alien cuisine was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you might never experience again. Starlight, Starlina, Orion, and Ophiuchus tell the waiter their desired drinks while requesting more time to decide on entrées.

The next couple of hours were spent chatting and consuming a wide range of diverse foods, which were all served on satellite dishes (much to Rascal’s delight). After finishing your dessert, you and a couple of others visited a huge buffet table that seemed to stretch on for miles. This was where the food offerings Chang’e received from the Mid-Autumn Festival were being served. These options included, but were not limited to, xiao long bao, dim sum, chow mein, jiaozi, peking duck, wonton soup, zongzi, and plenty of others. One of the best parts of the Grand Feast was that all of this was being paid for using Rascal’s stolen money. Of course, this came at the cost of your morality, along with eating enough food to feed an army. It got so bad that you had to sit down and rest because you felt six months pregnant and could barely walk. As expected, Rascal relentlessly teased you for this, but he was still kind enough to keep you company when almost everyone at the table left. 

More time is spent talking and goofing around before everyone returns to their respective seats. Once they do, the same disembodied voice that had introduced Luna Galactica on stage makes the following announcement. “I hope you all enjoyed the Grand Feast provided by our kind and generous empress, Chang’e. As much as we could spend all night savoring the wonderful refreshments, we must move on to our next event. It’s a timeless tradition that has been passed down through billions of generations, and is as ancient as the Lunar Empire itself. So grab your partner and put on your dancing shoes because we’re about to begin the Moon Dance.”

Immediately after the announcement is finished, everyone springs from their seats and starts scrambling across the courtyard in search of a dance partner. Unsurprisingly, Starlight pairs off with Orion, while Starlina partners up with Ophiuchus. The pressure to choose a partner prompts you to whip your head around to face Rascal. You’re about to ask him to dance when Starlette clings to his arm. “Vexlar, can you please be my partner? I’ll be lonely without you around!”

Rascal alternates his vision between you and Starlette before finally addressing her. “Of course! What kind of a man would I be to leave a lady all alone?”

“Thank you so much! You’re such a gentleman!” She squeals and bounces on her feet before ushering him away from the table.  

For the next minute or so, you struggle to maintain your composure. Little did Rascal and Starlette know that beneath your calm exterior was a boiling rage threatening to erupt. This was the only chance you had to experience the Moon Dance with him, and she ruined it. There’s nothing you wanted to do more than yank her by the hair and tell her to get lost. But as the distance between them and the table grew, so did your resolve. Now it was clear why your mood had dampened when he joined you both at the table. It all made sense now…you were jealous. 

While you stood motionless to brood over your loss, most aliens had already picked their partners and were waiting for the Moon Dance to begin. Truth be told, you hadn’t been motivated to find someone else to pair up with, and were thinking about sitting out altogether. That is, until someone taps you on the shoulder. You immediately spin around, only to come face-to-face with a familiar alien.

It was Kūko––Princess Orihime’s sky-blue kitsune. Keeping his stoic expression, he bows and offers you his paw as an invitation. “It’s nice to run into you again, Xddcc! Would you care to be my dance partner? Kon?”

His rich, baritone voice takes you by surprise, especially since you hadn’t heard him speak when the two of you were first introduced. What’s even more shocking is the fact that Kūko remembered your fake name. It was flattering to say the least, not to mention that out of all the aliens in attendance, he went out of his way to ask you to be his partner. Dancing with him was much preferable to being left alone and looking out of place. With this in mind, you smile and lay your hand in his. “Thanks, Kūko! I’d be more than happy to dance with you! Bork!” He returns your smile before guiding you towards the tightly packed section of the courtyard. 

When every attendee is paired up and a good distance away, all of the round tables and chairs disappear, as if by magic. Nothing but the pale blue, lunar surface remains, providing more than enough space for everybody to move around freely. While they wait for the dance to begin, you take that chance to ask Kūko a question. “What’s the Moon Dance like? I’ve never done anything like this. Bork!” 

“I find it to be exhilarating, but if it’s your first time, it might be a bit overwhelming. It goes by pretty quickly, so if it’s not to your liking, you won’t have to endure it forever. Kon!” he said, giving your hand a reassuring squeeze. “The Moon Dance is performed collectively instead of on an individual basis. Everyone moves across the floor in pace with the music to form all of the moon phases, starting with the new moon and ending with the waning crescent. All of us will then assemble to create the shape of Yùtù, the moon rabbit, before ending the dance. Does that make sense? Kon?”

“I think so! The explanation is much appreciated! But I apologize in advance if I stumble and can’t keep up. Bork!”

“Don’t worry! I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen! Kon!”

Whimsical music starts to play out of nowhere as the unseen announcer speaks again. “Now that everyone is paired up and settling nicely, let’s begin the Moon Dance.” 

Every alien gets into position, giving off the impression that they knew what they were doing. Kūko continues to hold your hand as he spins you around to face him. He lowers his other paw onto your waist and smirks, keeping his eyes fixed on you. You respond with some awkward chuckles before both of you start swaying in sync. 

Despite what Kūko said earlier, the Moon Dance wasn’t progressing as fast as you had anticipated (or hoped). Instead, time seemed to slow down whenever the crowd formed a new moon phase, making you more antsy. Even when you tried concentrating on mimicking your partner’s moves, your mind always drifted back to Rascal. The recent memory of the two of you dancing in the night sky plays in your head. You missed his touch and the protective hold he had when whisking you around in the air. His comforting words had alleviated your fears, and he never loosened his grip or let you fall. Those details become embedded in your mind and heart. No matter how much you wanted to deny it, you still wished you were dancing with Rascal instead of Kūko.

A dull ache fills your chest at the thought of him doting on some other girl. Whenever it came time to switch positions, your eyes would always dart around to see if you could find them. Kūko seems to notice your attention wavering and clears his throat. “You seem distracted! Kon!”

His observation was correct, making you even more self-conscious. “Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind! Bork!”

“Worried about your owner? Kon?”

Your body stiffens as you nod. “Yeah, he’s an idiot! Bork!” 

At last, you break eye contact and feel your tense muscles relax slightly. In all honesty, you still couldn’t get used to Kūko’s brazen staring. There weren’t many instances where someone’s prolonged gaze had ever made you so uncomfortable. Perhaps you were reading too much into it because of the disappointment you felt over Rascal, or maybe you were just overwhelmed by everything that’s happened today. Either way, you were looking forward to the Moon Dance ending. 

It was as you and Kūko were twirling near the edge of the rainbow lake that you finally spotted him. The first thing you notice is the way their bodies are pressed together. Rascal’s arms were wrapped around Starlette’s waist as he held her close. He was guiding her across the courtyard with a bizarre grace, all without losing his confident poise. Their movements were fluid and beautiful to watch, almost as if they had danced together before. Starlette’s long, wavy hair cascades around her as she grins from ear to ear, giggling. Both of them are in mid-spin when her starflower barrette begins to loosen. Her once jubilant expression contorts into one of worry as she attempts to grab it. Noticing her distress, Rascal leans forward to take her barrette before securing it in place. You’re able to make out his next words as his hand tucks some of Starlette’s hair behind her ear. “Careful now, or you’ll lose more than just your barrette!”

A dark blush creeps up her face. “T-Thank you! I promise to be careful next time!”

Everything that had transpired was enough to send you into a silent fit of rage. And the worst part of all is that there’s nothing you can do about it. Your lower lip trembles as you turn away, trying to suppress the mental anguish brought by this incident. A startled gasp leaves you when Kūko jerks your body forward. “Xddcc, there’s something I must confess! Kon!”

“What is it? Bork?”

Everyone starts congregating towards the center of the courtyard to form the shape of a rabbit. The encompassing classical music continues to play as Kūko steers you both over to the crowd. His breath quickens with the increased dance pace as his paws become clammy with sweat. “So, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been staring at you a lot. There’s a reason for that! Kon!” You get ready to ask if your discomfort was that obvious, but Kūko doesn’t give you the chance. “I must admit, ever since I first laid eyes on you, I’ve been captivated. Your curly pink fur is as delicate as cherry blossoms in full bloom. And your yellow star-shaped nose is more radiant than a thousand burning suns. Whenever you bark, it feels like my ears have been blessed by a choir of angels. I love everything about you, from the tips of your two tails to the beautiful antennae resting atop that pretty head of yours. For my whole life, I never believed in true love…until meeting you. Kon!”

Every possible thought and response you might’ve had vanish in an instant. You gawk at him unabashed until you find your voice. “Excuse me, what?! Are my ears deceiving me? You can’t be serious…”

“Oh, but I am, pupcake! Deep down in my heart, I know you’re my soulmate. We’re meant to be together, Xddcc! Forever and always, until the light of the last dying star fades. Kon!”

At long last, the Moon Dance comes to a close, and you couldn’t be more grateful. The music fades into nothingness while the surrounding aliens break away from their partners to walk over to the front of the full moon stage. Nervous laughter pours from your lips as you back away and attempt to slip out of Kūko’s grip. “Well, um, it was uhhh, nice dancing with you! Bork! I really should get going! Bork! I have other plans!”

But as luck would have it, his grasp on your hand tightens. “Wait! Aren’t you going to reciprocate my feelings? I just poured my heart and soul out to you! Kon!”

“Ummm, no! This is all so sudden, and your confession came out of nowhere. Quite frankly, I’m still in shock. I don’t understand how you can fall in love with me so quickly when we barely know each other. Bork!” You pull away again, but to no avail. 

“That can change if you give me a chance! Please! I’ll make it worth your while! I know we haven’t known each other long, but I have loved what little I’ve seen of you. Kon!”

“I’m sorry, but my answer is no!”

“Why not? Is there someone else you have feelings for? Kon?”

You shrink back, averting your gaze. “Yes, there is, actually…”

Kūko spends the next moments in drawn-out silence, all without relenting his grip. Hours seem to pass before he finally responds. “Well, whoever he is, I hope he comes to his senses and sees you as the hideous, stuck-up broad that you are. Kon!”

“Excuse me?!”

A cruel smirk spreads across his lips as his eyes turn cold. “Are you deaf? I said, ‘I hope he comes to his senses and sees you as the hideous, stuck-up broad that you are.’ Pink is the ugliest color, and it looks like you haven’t groomed your fur in ages. You’re nothing more than a filthy mongrel, but that’s to be expected of someone who isn’t purebred. Kon!”

It came as a drastic shock just how quickly Kūko’s sweet persona had twisted into something malicious. Nevertheless, this switch-up didn’t stop you from defending yourself. “Seriously?! Just a minute ago, you complimented my pink fur and compared it to delicate cherry blossoms! Bork!”

“Pheromones clouded my better judgment! If you actually used your brain, you would know that! Kon!”

“Ah, pheromones! So that’s the putrid stench I’ve been smelling this whole time? It almost reeks as bad as your attitude! Bork!” You clench your fists, scowling. “Do you ever think before you speak?! Your butthole must get really jealous of all the crap your mouth spews!”

With enough concentrated effort, you finally manage to yank your hand out of his hold. Kūko was left fuming by your comeback and ability to escape his iron grip. “Bringing buttholes into this conversation really shows how immodest and classless you are! Just when I thought you couldn’t get any more trashy, you surprise me! Kon!”

“Like you’re one to talk about modesty and class! Your inability to handle rejection is way more immodest and classless than anything I’ll ever say,” you barked. “As for the butthole subject, I couldn’t help bringing it up. I was reminded of why you’re from Uranus! Bork!”

“Oh? And why is that? Enlighten me! Kon!”

“Because you’re an as––”

“Xddcc! There you are!” a voice called out. 

Behind Kūko, Starlette happily waves at you from a distance and starts running over. You groan, not wanting to entertain the woman who stole Rascal as your dance partner. She was one of the last people you wanted to see right now. But if it were between her and the mentally unstable kitsune, you wouldn’t hesitate to choose her company. Without another word, you leave Kūko behind and sprint in Starlette’s direction.

The first thing you notice upon approaching is the absence of a certain deathrocker alien. “Ummm, where’s Vexlar? Bork?”

“I’m not sure! One minute he was with me, then the next thing I know, he’s gone!” Starlette said, frowning. “But maybe he’s already at the full moon stage, waiting for the Milky Way Awards Ceremony to start. C’mon! I’m sure we’ll find him there!” You let out a disgruntled sigh and nod, following her towards the rainbow lake. 

While both of you are walking over, Starlette turns to you, wearing a cheeky grin. “Soooo, speaking of Vexlar, is he single?”

“I don’t know! Don’t you have a boyfriend like your sisters?” you snapped. Truthfully, you had no idea if Rascal was seeing anyone, souring your mood even further.

“No, I don’t have one…” Starlette’s eyebrows furrow in concern. “Is everything okay? You seem really upset!”

“I’m fine! Bork! It’s just…I didn’t have a great time at the Moon Dance…” It was the truth, and the main reason why you were feeling so agitated. Her choice to dance with Rascal and her obvious crush on him were other contributing factors, but you weren’t about to reveal that any time soon.

“I’m so sorry to hear that, especially since it was your first time. Did it have anything to do with the fox you were dancing with?”

You hesitate before nodding. “Yeah, but I don’t feel like talking about it. Bork!”

“Okay, but if you ever need to vent, I’m here for you!” 

“...thanks! Bork…”

A large number of aliens were already gathered for the Milky Way Awards Ceremony, waiting in anticipation. Two groups were positioned alongside a narrow strip of gold carpet in the middle, leading up to the front steps of the stage. Starlette clears a path through the crowd and reserves an open space near the center-right of the lake. 

Most of the spectators quiet down once Chang’e arrives with her dragon bodyguards. Her raven black hair and majestic robes trail behind her as she walks down the gold carpet and ascends the steps, gracing the stage with her regal presence. Once she and her bodyguards reach their intended destination, Chang’e grabs the microphone and speaks once more. “Greetings, my beloved guests! I, the empress of the Lunar Empire, have returned to host the Milky Way Awards Ceremony. But before we begin, I would like to remind you all of why the Rabbit’s Moon Festival exists in the first place.” She waits for the applause from the audience to die down before continuing:

“A long time ago, on Earth, there was a steep and lofty mountain standing amidst an uncharted wilderness. This mountain towered so high, its summit pierced the clouds and the heavens, overlooking the entire world below. Humans considered this region inhospitable, which left the animals as its only inhabitants. Four of these inhabitants included a fox, an otter, a monkey, and a rabbit. 

One fateful night, these four animals stumbled across a starving beggar, who was exhausted from climbing to the top of the mountain peak. The man was weak, malnourished, and on the brink of death. He begged the animals for some food to satiate his hunger for another night. All four of them agreed and split up to search the mountain for anything edible to eat. But alas, there were no fish in the streams, no fruit in the trees, and no crops ripe for picking. At some point, the animals returned to the beggar empty-handed, but the rabbit refused to give up.

He gathered some twigs, grass, dry leaves, and wood to start a bonfire. Once the fire was ignited, the rabbit threw himself into the flames to serve as the beggar’s meal. Touched by his noble and selfless sacrifice, the man took off his disguise, revealing himself as the King of the Gods. As a reward, he resurrected and deified the rabbit before taking him back to his palace on the moon. The beggar from this tale is my father, the Jade Emperor. And the heroic rabbit who gave his life for a stranger is none other than the grand chancellor of the Lunar Empire, and my dearest companion, Yùtù. Let us give him a round of applause!”

Chang’e motions over to the front of the carpet, where a jade-colored rabbit with white whiskers stood. Yùtù’s nose twitches before hopping towards the full moon stage. Enthusiastic clapping, cheering, and praise follow as he approaches the empress and takes his place beside her. Once he does, Chang’e resumes her speech. “The purpose of the Milky Way Awards Ceremony is to honor virtuous and selfless acts of service, like Yùtù’s. We will be revealing the names of this year’s winners, who have all contributed to the betterment of the Lunar Empire.” 

For the remainder of the ceremony, she announces the names of aliens from the Milky Way to receive their awards. When called, each one walks down the carpet to join the empress on stage. All of the nominees received their gold trophies from Yùtù, gave speeches, and thanked Chang’e before sitting down in the row of seats behind her. The winners included Princess Kaguya, Atlas, the Moona Lisa, Luna Galactica, the Moon Maidens, Mama Quilla, the Spinner of Songs, Khonsu the Moon God, the Man on the Moon, Orihime and Hikoboshi (with the latter unable to attend), and the Cow Who Jumped Over The Moon, whose name is Clarabelle. Starlette was overjoyed to see Moonette, her close friend, being presented with an award alongside her sisters. Rascal, of course, groaned and voiced his disapproval through the cardphone when Luna earned the title of ‘Best Musical Artist.’ At least now you knew he was watching the awards ceremony, but you didn’t know where from.

After the nominated aliens are seated with their trophies, Chang’e makes another announcement. “Thank you! These are all of our Milky Way Awards winners for tonight. Before we proceed with the Celebration Ceremony, I will bestow each of the nominees with a special gift for their charitable contributions to the Lunar Empire.” She motions one of her guards over to draw closer. A red, burly dragon carrying an antique chest walks onto the stage before kneeling in front of the empress. Chang’e extracts a small key from her robe pocket before inserting it into the keyhole of the trunk. Then, she withdraws a shabby brown bag from the box, causing you to freeze in place. “The gifts they will be receiving are kept here. It may not look like much on the outside, but do not let appearances deceive you.”

“Unbelievable…” Rascal emits a choked gasp and starts seething, his voice becoming strained. “To think the Rag-Bag of Dreams would be used in such a way…”

“Inside this bag are miraculous, handcrafted dreams rumored to be so wonderful that those fortunate enough to receive one will never feel sorrow again.” Chang’e raises the artifact high in the air for all to see. “Each dream is stored inside a small, rainbow marble, which I will pass out to the winners.” 

“The only dreams they’ll be receiving tonight are broken ones!” 

That high-pitched, booming voice––you knew it all too well. You pinch the bridge of your fake nose, cringing. Must he always make a spectacle out of everything?

Everyone in the crowd and on stage speaks in hushed, worried tones, sharing a collective sense of unease. Meanwhile, the dragon bodyguards were jerking their heads around, frantically searching for the speaker. The once jubilant atmosphere was now charged with a heightened tension as an unseen, imminent threat loomed near. Chang’e maintains her composure and steady voice, almost as if she had anticipated this. “Who speaks?! Show yourself!”

Two firecrackers shoot up behind the stage from opposite sides of the rainbow lake before exploding on impact. A plume of thick gray smoke emerges from the collision, forming a dark, ominous cloud overhead. Some aliens nearby start to scream as the black, shadowy silhouette of a certain jester takes shape. The outlines of his face and hair are illuminated by a blinding light bursting in the center. At last, his downturned, crescent moon-shaped eyes and unnaturally wide grin materialize as he peers down at the onlookers. “My, my! I’ve got quite an audience tonight! Really, I’m honored by such a huge turnout! I’m so sorry to have kept you all waiting!”

Chang’e clutches the Rag-Bag of Dreams close to her chest, glaring up at his giant profile. “So, it is you––Rascal, the infamous jester! You have finally made your appearance!” 

“Awwww, the esteemed empress of the Lunar Empire recognizes me! I’m so touched!” Rascal’s voice takes on a cheery, mocking tone as his eye slits crinkle in amusement. “I apologize for stealing your spotlight, truly, I am! But as the star of the show, I can’t help shining the brightest!”

“Guards! Attack!” Chang’e shouted. All of the dragons whip out large, state-of-the-art firework bazookas and aim them at Rascal before shooting. Multiple rockets are fired towards him, detonating upon reaching the murky cloud of smoke. The crowd watches with bated breath as a long, heavy silence fills the air. 

Deranged laughter emerges from the blast once the fumes disperse. Rascal’s giant silhouette remains, along with his ever-widening smile. “I appreciate the enthusiasm, really, but the show hasn’t even started yet! But fear not, my dear audience! The first act is about to commence!”

More maniacal laughter follows as one of the occupied chairs on the stage bursts into colorful sparks. One of the Moon Maidens lets out an ear-splitting shriek as fire begins trailing up her robes. Her two siblings leap from their seats and pull out their fans in a desperate attempt to extinguish the flames. “Please! Someone! Help my sister!”

“This girl is on fireeeeee~!” Rascal sang.

“Moonette!” Starlette cries before pushing through the crowd, hoping to reach her friend in time. 

Chang’e grabs Yùtù and sprints towards Moonette, muttering an incantation. The jade rabbit transforms into a large sheet of water, which she drapes over the distressed woman. As she’s doing so, a blur of movement streaks above you. The aliens nearby noticed this as well, as evidenced by how they were shouting for the empress’s attention.  

By the time your attention shifts back to the stage, the fire has already been put out. Moonette was drenched from head to toe, sobbing hysterically. Her sisters try to console her as Yùtù changes back to his rabbit form. He glances at the front of the stage and yelps before yanking on Chang’e’s robes. She follows his gaze and gasps upon finding the source of his distress. 

“Looking for something~?” Rascal hovers by the holographic screen above the stage, dangling the Rag-Bag of Dreams in front of her. He was back in his original jester form and had somehow managed to remove the black dye and restyle his hair to its previous state. Both the outfit and the alien mask he wore earlier were also gone, erasing Vexlar from existence. “I knew you would drop everything to save one of your subjects! How predictable!”

“You really are a heinous criminal, and far worse than the newspapers made you out to be. To think you would put an innocent bystander in harm’s way as a distraction to get what you want.” Chang’e withdraws a silver jian sword from underneath her robes before launching herself into the sky to attack. 

Rascal grins and hurls the bag away as her sword cuts through him at full speed. “Nice slice, Your Majesty! Too bad it’s all just smoke and mirrors!” Her blade severs his upper torso, which poofs out of sight, along with the lower half of his body. 

“It was only an illusion?! How cowardly!” Chang’e wails in frustration before commanding her guards to search the premises. But little did she know, the real Rascal had just teleported in front of the ominous cloud of smoke from earlier. 

“Yoo hoo! Over here!” Once again, the jester dangles the Rag-Bag of Dreams out of reach, taunting her. Before Chang’e can react, Rascal takes a giant leap backward into the gaping maw of his shadowy silhouette. The shadow opens and closes its mouth to give off the impression of chewing. After swallowing him whole, it finally speaks. “That was quite fun, wouldn’t you say? Too bad you lost! Oh, but enough with the theatrics, the main performance is about to begin!” Insane giggling follows as he recites his next lines. “Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Creatures of all ages! Step right up! Gather ‘round! You won’t believe your eyes! Behind this curtain lies a ghastly concoction of delight, horror, fantasy, and terror! Welcome to the darkest show unearthed! It may be the last one you ever see~!”

Immediately, a sequence of potent explosions set off at once from every part of the courtyard. A powerful gust of hot air carries over from the blasts and hits the audience at full force, leading you to shield your eyes. You attempt to drown out the ear-shattering screams as panic sweeps through the crowd. Some of the aliens catch on fire, along with various parts of the stage, sending everyone into a frenzy. Countless attendees run for cover, trampling over the weakest among them in desperation to flee. Gut-wrenching shrieks, cracking wood, and breaking bones pierce the air, magnifying the rampant chaos and destruction. One of the award winners, which you recognize as Clarabelle the cow, lets out a pained moo as she falls off the stage. “Arson! Arson!” she cried. 

The marketplace, palace gardens, and full moon stage were all consumed by the searing flames. Smoldering smoke and flickering embers obscure your vision as you push through the restless crowd. There weren’t any openings or visible means of escape in sight. You take quick, shallow breaths, feeling yourself on the verge of hyperventilating. Left with no other options, you dig into your handbag and fumble with the items inside until you find what you’re looking for. You clutch your glitter pact, channeling your will. Please, help me escape! I need to escape! I wish to find safety! Do something! Anything!

In an instant, a lilac, cloudy haze forms around you. The mist spreads far and wide, obscuring the environment until all you could see was purple. Numerous attendees voice their disapproval at yet another obstacle hindering their departure, but you pay them no mind. Somehow, even with your surroundings shrouded by dense clouds, you felt safer. A newfound determination washes over you as you zoom past hordes of confused aliens. After some time, the frantic voices fade away, leaving you with nothing but the faint sound of crackling fire. You had no clue where you were heading, but it didn’t matter. Right now, your top priority is finding shelter.

A while later, the lavender clouds dissipate, revealing a familiar place. It was the Star Shrine you and Starlina visited earlier. For whatever reason, you had ended up here. Deeming it safe to do so, you take a moment to catch your breath. You were covered in sticky sweat, which exacerbated your discomfort behind the mask and fursuit. The violent pounding of your heart threatens to tear your chest open as you gasp for air. Only now did you realize just how exhausted you were from running nonstop.

You drag your sluggish feet through the entrance, wheezing along the way. After much effort, you finally reach the wooden altar by the dragon statue for some much-needed respite. To your surprise, the shrine is completely isolated, raising more questions than answers. Out of the massive number of aliens in attendance, how had none of them discovered this place yet? Was Chang’e and her bodyguards evacuating them elsewhere? They must’ve known about the Star Shrine like Rascal and Starlina did, right? Any reasonable person would feel relieved to have privacy and solitude in a silent sanctuary, so why weren’t you? Unlike the first time you visited this shrine, something seemed off.

It feels like I’m being watched.

Once that thought crosses your mind, the atmosphere takes a sudden shift. A chill runs down your spine at the drastic drop in temperature as an icy chill seeps into your bones. Thick, murky fog begins to condense and circle your hunched form, almost as if it were studying you. There’s a palpable, suffocating stillness as the minutes drag by with agonizing slowness. Nothing but the incessant pounding of your heart keeps you company as you break into a cold sweat. You felt cornered and vulnerable, akin to prey under the watchful eye of a predator. Before long, the whirling mist gathers in front of you like a ghostly apparition. Two glowing red eyes burn through you as the surrounding fog starts taking shape. During the transformation process, you experienced a range of different emotions. At first, there was terror, then confusion. Finally, there was unbridled fury upon recognizing who it was. 

“...Kūko…”

The distinct outline of a nine-tailed fox materializes before you. “Took you long enough! Just how stupid are you? Kon!”

Your breath catches in your throat, too stunned to think of a clever comeback. “How…How did you find me, and why?!”

“Isn’t it obvious? Ever since you rejected me so coldheartedly, I’ve been keeping tabs on you, Xddcc. After that annoying jester’s terrorist attack, I noticed you reaching into your bag before a mass of purple clouds broke out, covering the entire courtyard. It’s not surprising that a wretch like you is into witchcraft. Kon!” Kūko scoffs, scrunching up his snout in disgust. “Most of the aliens were blinded by it because they’re extraterrestrials, but I’m an extrajovian and I live on a gas planet. I can see through any kind of vapor or gaseous substance! Did you actually think you could get away from me? Kon?”

“Not everything is about you! I was trying to escape the fire and explosions! I expected everyone in the crowd to do the same, if they’re sane that is!” you snapped. “Does Orihime have any idea how sick and narcissistic you truly are?”

“Nope! She hasn’t got a clue, but what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. Kon!” His misty body reverts to its previous vaporous state. Kūko takes a deliberate step closer, causing you to scramble back until you hit a wall. The fox continues taking more steps forward, casting a looming shadow over you. There’s a predatory gleam in his eyes, conveying a dark bloodlust that leaves you petrified. He smiles and licks his sharp canines, as if savoring the fear he knew he was instilling. “Oh, and I forgot to mention, I used my powers when following you here. I can create a heavy fog powerful enough to disorient anybody within range. Everyone who might’ve taken refuge at the Star Shrine got misdirected and led elsewhere, which just leaves you and me. No one will hear your cries for help! Kon!”

“Y-You’re c-crazy! You’re actually crazy!” Your hand shoots inside your handbag in hopes of finding your glitter pact. Kūko flies at breakneck speed and tackles you before seizing your wrist. He twists it at an unnatural angle, forcing you to let go of the only defense you had. A few stray tears roll down your cheeks as a sharp pain shoots up your arm. You clench your jaw, stifling an agonized scream. “Let go of me! Please, just leave me alone and get on with your life!”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that! Kon!” You squirm and thrash around in his unrelenting grasp, using every ounce of energy left to break free. Kūko responds by tightening his arm around you, crushing the air from your lungs. He snatches your handbag with his other paw before hurling it towards the opposite end of the shrine. “You won’t be needing that anymore! Kon!” The strong desire to escape intensifies to an immeasurable degree as you twist in Kūko’s hold with a newfound sense of urgency. A harsh, grating laugh leaves him before he lowers his voice an octave. “It’s no use struggling! You’ll just hurt yourself before I do! Kon!” 

“W-Why?! Why would you go so far over someone rejecting you?!”

“Because I am the oldest and most powerful form of kitsune. I’m highly esteemed by many across the Milky Way, and live a luxurious life most aliens could only dream of,” he hissed, baring his teeth. “What would others think if they heard a lower-class cosmic canine turned me down, or that I was trying to court her?! I have a reputation to uphold! It would ruin me! I serve a celestial princess and have connections with the highest-ranking noble families in the cosmos. I’m not about to let a lowly tramp ruin that for me! Kon!”

“But that’s your fault! You’re the one who chose to pursue me in the first place!” Until now, he had somewhat kept his composure, biding his time. But hearing you blatantly call out his hypocrisy triggers a primal rage within him. 

Kūko’s eyes burn with an untamed ferocity as his previously confident facade shatters. In the short time you’ve known him, you have never seen him look so feral. His body emanates a menacing aura, and his blue, vaporous skin begins to swirl at a turbulent rate, much like a raging cyclone. He raises his paw over you, protracting his claws in a threatening display. “You’ll regret rejecting me! Prepare to meet your demise, Xddcc!” You emit a bloodcurdling shriek when Kūko swipes down to slash your throat. All you could do was squeeze your eyes shut and pray for a miracle as you awaited your end.  

But the impact never came. 

Hesitantly, you peek one eye open and spot Kūko’s arm pinned to the wall. He growls as he tries to remove the object embedded in his wrist. “What’s the meaning of this?! Who did this?! Kon!” he shouted.

“I did.” From within the darkness, two piercing, red orbs appear. Soon, a spindly figure emerges from the shadows, taking several steps forward. 

Your heart leaps with joy upon seeing the face of your rescuer. Meanwhile, Kūko’s breath hitches, ears pressed flat against his head. “You…you’re that jester! The one who stole that prized bag from Chang’e and started the fires! Which means…” Realization dawns on his face as he turns to gape at you. “You’re the Masquerader!”

“That’s correct! And I’ve come to collect said Masquerader!” Rascal’s body radiates with an unseen hostility as his blazing eyes narrow into furious slits. He strains each syllable, pure venom lacing his voice. “Now, I’d suggest getting your filthy paws off her, you worthless, disgusting mutt!” Every muscle in his arms and legs twitched, as if he would snap at any moment.

Kūko yanks his arm back with all his might, still unable to break away from the object holding him hostage. Upon closer inspection, you could now make it out to be one of Rascal’s playing cards. When all of his attempts fail, Kūko grimaces at the jester, snapping his jaws in defiance. “Screw off! What’s your relationship with her, anyway? Kon?”

“She plays an important role in reviving Emperor Nogo. No amount of magical fog will ever stop me from finding my partner in crime.” Once he’s standing in front of you both, he crouches down until he’s eye-level with the kitsune. Rascal grabs his unbound wrist with inhuman speed and slams it against the wall. His other hand trails up Kūko’s restrained arm before landing on his purple card. “Jeepers! You’re not very good at cards, are you?” 

“Get away from me, if you know what’s good for you!” He recoils, mouth drawing back into a snarl. 

“I don’t think so!” The jester lets out a dark chuckle before effortlessly plucking the card out of his wrist. Trickles of blood seep out of Kūko’s injury and stain the sleeve of his black kimono. In a flash, Rascal replaces the hold on his wrist with his hand, pinning it to the wall. Sharp nails sink into his airy flesh, leading Kūko to whine. His thumb moves at a torturously slow pace over the gash made by the card. A sudden yelp leaves him when he deliberately digs his nail into the wound. “Oh, dear! Did that hurt? I’m so terribly sorry!” Rascal cooed mockingly. “But you brought this upon yourself when you harmed my little star. I won’t let you lay another hand on her. I’ll make sure of that.”

There’s a loud, sickening snap as he breaks Kūko’s wrist, causing him to thrash harder in his grasp. Your ears begin to ring as a series of anguished howls fills the air. More cries of extreme distress follow as Rascal breaks his other wrist with sadistic glee. He takes his time toying with the kitsune, who continues to scream without ceasing. “H-Have you no mercy?! You twisted, evil clown! Y-You’re crazy! Kon!”

“Crazy doesn’t even cut it!” Rascal leans his face closer as his red eyes burn brighter. “If it weren’t for your status as the celestial princess’s house pet, you’d be rotting six feet under the moon. Now be a good doggie and scram, before I change my mind!” 

Kūko whimpers and springs upright before bolting out of the shrine with his nine tails tucked between his legs. The last thing you see is a peculiar blue item attached to the back of his kimono. Once he’s gone, there’s an explosive blast outside, followed by fireworks crackling and a faint cry. Rascal stands up and peers at the front entrance, giggling. “I just had to end our night with a bang!” Soon, the red light vanishes from his eyes as he helps you to your feet. His voice takes on an uncharacteristically soft tone as he spreads his arms out in invitation. “Are you alright, dearie? C’mere!”

Without hesitating, you throw yourself into his arms, failing to stave off the tears. You cling tighter and bury your masked face in his chest, sobbing. “Thank you so much for saving me! I thought I was going to die! I probably would have if you hadn’t shown up!”

Rascal pulls you closer, stroking your back. “You don’t need to thank me.”

“Why wouldn’t I? This is the second time you’ve come to my rescue! All of this is my fault! I should’ve been more cautious. I had a weird feeling about Kūko, and didn’t listen to my gut. I should’ve seen this coming! I should’ve declined his offer to dance! I should’ve been nicer when rejecting him! I––”

“Enough with the shoulds! None of this is your fault! In these specific types of situations, the victims are never to blame.” He grows quieter, adopting a more serious tone. “I shouldn’t have left you all alone at the festival. I was selfish and prioritized quickly executing my plan over your safety. That almost cost you your life…” Rascal looks at you, wearing a frown on his normally chipper face. His voice slightly wavers as he bows his head. “...I’m sorry…”

You slowly blink your eyes, dumbfounded. Rascal, of all people, was apologizing to you. Never in your wildest dreams did you think such an anomaly would take place. Still, it’s a welcome change, even if it takes a while for your initial shock to wear off. “T-Thank you! I accept your apology! I already knew what your goal was when accepting this mission. And nobody could’ve predicted something this crazy happening, not even you. I’ve never met such an unhinged psychopath in all my life!”

“Yeah, that fox was a total lunar-tic! Who knew the Rabbit’s Moon Festival would be such an emotional solar coaster?” He meets your displeased expression with a playful smirk. “But jokes aside, you were a star performer tonight! Let’s get you back home for some rest, ‘kay?”

“Thank you, Rascal…that means a lot.” You feel your cheeks flush as you blink back the remaining tears. “Oh! Before we go, I’ll need to get my bag. Kūko threw it somewhere in the shrine, and it’s too dark to see.”

His grin widens as he pulls the mentioned object out from behind his back. “I’m already lightyears ahead of you!”

“I really should’ve seen that coming!” Rolling your eyes, you grab the bag and sling it across your shoulder. But the amused smile and laughter that follows betrays you. Eager to return home, you rush to Rascal’s side and grab his hand. You squeak in surprise when he scoops you into his arms from off the ground. His only response is to stick out his tongue before teleporting both of you away from the moon.

Soon, the two of you arrive in your darkened bedroom, landing on the comfy mattress. He removes his arms from around your waist, allowing you to roll over to the other side of the bed. The next minute or so is spent lying down to catch your breath, with Rascal being the first to break the silence. “Well, that was eventful, wasn’t it?”

“That’s putting it lightly!” You yawn, feeling the exhaustion creep in. “Also, would you mind disenchanting my mask? It’s getting hot and stuffy in here!”

“Of course, princess!” Rascal snaps his fingers, enabling you to remove it with ease. 

You thank him and wipe the excess sweat from your face before shimmying out of the loose-fitting onesie. Next, you kick off your boots and remove the paw-shaped mittens, detachable tails, floppy ears, and pink bonnet. Then, you detach the card from one of the fake poodle ears before handing it to him. He adds it to his deck and makes your costume vanish with a flick of his wrist. Afterwards, you plop onto the bed, nestling the back of your head against the pillow. There’s a throbbing pain in your wrist from lying it down the wrong way, leading you to wince. “Ouch!”

“Something wrong?” he asked. 

“Yeah, I think Kūko sprained my wrist when he tackled me. It really hurts!”

Rascal shuffles his purple deck before pulling out a card. He lifts it between his two fingers, providing you with a clear view of the face. A green glow emanates from it as he gently moves your wrist towards him. You knit your brows in confusion when he presses the face of the card against your flesh. Gradually, the pain and the fresh bruise on your skin begin to disappear, leaving you awestruck. “This is amazing! I didn’t know your cards could do this!”

“I can do almost anything with these! They are wild cards, after all!”

“Just like their owner!” 

Rascal snickers at your comment. “Most definitely! I’d say they’re in the right hands!”

While your wrist continues to heal under the jester’s care, you inquire further about the catastrophe at the festival. “Those ingredients you had me buy…they were used to start the fires and explosions at the awards ceremony, weren’t they?” 

“When did that thought cross your mind?” 

“Shortly after your ‘darkest show unearthed’ began, but I should’ve realized it when you created that giant smoke cloud from the firecrackers.”

“Your observation skills have certainly improved,” Rascal said, humming. “I did use that cosmic lighter and the packs of supernova sparklers you bought earlier for that purpose. While you were out searching for the ingredients in the marketplace, I went shopping for the galactic starfaits, moondust, and starlighter fluid. After our exchange in the moonberry bushes, I combined everything to create a bunch of handmade explosives. It’s a special skill I acquired when I visited the moon in my youth.”

“But don’t you think firebombing the whole festival was taking it too far?”

“Not at all! At first, I intended for the explosives to serve as a distraction during the Celebration Ceremony. But once I discovered Chang’e was using the Rag-Bag of Dreams for her benefit, I changed my plan. I planted plenty of bombs around the courtyard, just in case something went wrong. My hunch turned out correct because things did indeed go very wrong.” Rascal alternates between clenching and unclenching his fist, suppressing an unspoken rage.

“I can’t say I agree with your methods. There were innocent aliens at the festival that had nothing to do with it.”

“Which is why I didn’t tell you the real reason behind gathering the ingredients. If I did, you wouldn’t have been on board.”

“That explains a lot,” you grumbled.  

“Speaking of the Rag-Bag of Dreams, I wonder if there’s any clue as to where the final treasure is located. Y’know, like the admissions ticket you found in Pierrot’s locket after we left Tivoli Gardens.” Rascal perks back up as he summons the brown bag and sets it down on your bed. He unties it before rummaging around with his unoccupied hand. Eventually, he withdraws an old piece of folded parchment and opens it. A quick glimpse at it was all it took for him to scoff. “How fitting!”

“What is it?”

Rascal flips the paper around and places it in your lap. “See for yourself!” 

You pick it up with your free hand, inspecting every detail. It was a faded black-and-white poster advertising a festival. The name of the event is in bold print on top, which reads, ‘Carnevale di Venezia.’ Located below was a statue of a flamboyant figure, whom you recognize as Harlequin. He wore his trademark checkered costume, hat, and mask, posing dramatically with his sword. More details were added to the statue in red ink, which weren’t part of the original design. A giant clown nose was drawn above his mischievous grin, coupled with a pair of red horns and a protruding devil’s tail. Given that the paper was found in Pierrot’s bag, it wasn’t surprising to find Harlequin depicted in such a negative way. “Do you think the final item is located here?”

“Obviously! Venice is a cultural hot spot for Commedia Dell’Arte and other forms of Italian theater. It’s the perfect place to hide Pierrot’s last treasure, which I suspect is somewhere inside the Harlequin statue in the poster,” Rascal said. “There will definitely be more security at the Venice Carnival after the stunt I pulled tonight, so be prepared.”

“I suspected as much!” You sigh, tracing your hand over the date listed on the paper. “When is the Venice Carnival?” 

“It should be coming up soon! Every year, the carnival begins at the end of February and lasts until the start of March, typically around two weeks. We’ll have more time to prepare than we did for the Rabbit’s Moon Festival. I’ll choose a day for us to go in January, when more information becomes available.” The green glow from his card vanishes as he examines your wrist from every angle, smiling to himself. “Are you feeling any better?”

“I am, actually! Thank you!”

“Then I’ve done my part to keep my accomplice in tip-top shape.” Rascal nods in approval before scooting over to the edge of the bed. “I should get going and let you sleep. It’s been a hectic day, after all!”

Your hand immediately shoots out to seize his wrist. “Wait!” His eyes widen as he turns to you in surprise, causing your face to heat up. “S-Sorry! I just forgot to give you something!” After grabbing your handbag, you reach inside to retrieve a rectangular box. “I remembered you telling me about how delicious star cakes are. While you were away, I stopped at the Starvey’s booth and got some for us to share.” 

However, your heart sinks when you open the package. Both of the star-shaped cakes were smooshed and no longer in their original, pristine condition. The inside of the box was in a complete state of disarray, with sparkling cream and thick, colorful frosting smearing the sides. What was once an extraordinary display is now a chaotic clutter of confections. It was unclear whether this was the result of escaping the festival fires or if it occurred during your scuffle with Kūko, but it didn’t matter either way. Rascal was going to be disappointed and angry with you, regardless. You lower your head and press your quivering lips into a tight line, trying hard not to cry again. “I-I’m sorry! The star cakes…they’re ruined…”

A minute passes in silence before Rascal speaks. “Well, this is unexpected.”

“I know! They looked a lot better when I bought them…”

“That’s not what I’m talking about!” He lets out a light, airy chuckle before patting your head. His gesture catches you off guard, leading you to stare at him with your mouth agape. Rascal removes his hand and meets your shocked expression with a tender smile. “It’s been ages since I’ve received any kind of gift. How did you know I love rainbow star cakes? That’s my favorite flavor!”

“I honestly had no idea! I planned on having you pick the cake you wanted first.” You continue to gape at him, dazed. “I’m surprised you’re not upset!”

“Why would I be? I mean, sure, the cakes aren’t flawless like they’d normally be, and the presentation leaves much to be desired. But what matters most is how it tastes! I couldn't care less about how they look. That would be petty!” Rascal’s hollow eyes soften as he gives your hand a gentle squeeze. “Besides, you went out of your way to get two star cakes when you could’ve easily just gotten one for yourself. You also went through the trouble of keeping them safe amidst all the chaos. That speaks volumes, and for that, I give you my thanks!”

Time stands still as his compliment and change in demeanor flood the inner recesses of your mind. Your heart flutters with joy as you savor the lingering touch of his hand, wishing it could forever be imprinted on your skin. The fact that Rascal recognized your efforts and thanked you for it is enough to put you in a state of deep bliss. All you could do at that moment was smile and squeeze his hand in return. “You’re welcome!”

Without a moment to waste, Rascal summons two plates and forks to eat with. Unsurprisingly, he chose the rainbow star cake, leaving you with the moonbow-flavored one. The taste was exactly how he had described it back at the flower garden. It had a dreamy, whimsical flavor that made you feel on cloud nine. Now you understand why Rascal went through painstaking lengths in his youth to get his hands on one. Someday, you hope to eat another star cake, which is now one of your favorite desserts. But after the terrorist attack at the festival, you highly doubt you’d be returning to the moon any time soon.

Once you two are finished eating, he collects the forks, plates, and cake box before making them disappear. He gathers his belongings and gets ready to leave when you call his name. “Rascal! Please stay!”

The jester hesitates for a moment before returning to your side. He wears a calm smile while his eye slits flicker with curiosity. “Something on your mind, dearie?”

“Yes, actually!” You frown as a particular memory resurfaces. “…did you like dancing with her…?”

“I’m not sure what you––oh! Are you talking about Starlette?” You avoid his eyes and give him a solemn nod. He draws in a reluctant breath before speaking again. “Hmmmm, how do I put this? It was uninspiring, for lack of a better word. She was awfully clingy, and it was starting to get on my nerves.”

“I see…” You sink further into the mattress as your muscles begin to relax. His response, and the slight grimace upon mentioning her, felt like an answered prayer. Only then do you muster up the courage to reveal your true thoughts, which have plagued you ever since the Moon Dance started. “To be honest, I hated dancing with Kūko. I wanted you to be my dance partner.”

“That would’ve been a lot more fun.” Guilt flashes behind his eyes for a split second before reverting to something more uplifting. “I do wish things had worked out differently, but I’ll make it up to you. Just you wait!” He gives you a playful wink, causing your heart to skip a beat.

“Thank you!” Sleep begins to weigh on your eyelids as another memory from the night reemerges. “Rascal?”

“Yes?”

“Before you broke Kūko’s wrists, you referred to me as ‘little star.’ It’s been so long since you called me that. I never thought I’d hear it again.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Your eyes narrow in disbelief. “But I heard you say it! How can you not remember?”

“Probably because it didn’t happen, silly!”

“I’m not silly! You called me ‘little star.’ It was clear as day!”

“You must’ve been hearing things.” Rascal lowers his voice, now laced with concern. “Are you sure you’re alright? It’s not uncommon to experience auditory hallucinations when stressed or sleep-deprived, especially after what you’ve been through.”

“But I––”

“Shush!” He brings a finger to your lips, silencing you. “No need to work yourself into a tizzy! It’s been a long day, and you need to rest up for our training sessions.” There’s more you want to say, but Rascal doesn’t give you the chance. “Do you remember the lullaby I used to sing to you at night?”

You yawn, trying to fight the urge to fall asleep. “I do! But––”

“Oh, excellent! Your memory sure is sharp!” Rascal drapes a warm blanket over you and adjusts the pillow beneath your head. Once he’s satisfied, he sits back down beside you and starts to sing:

“When all is still in the dark night sky

The white moon softly sings 

So close your eyes 

Listen to her voice

And all the wonders it brings”

 

“Her serenade of slumber 

Beckons the stars

To a place of eternal rest 

Where every dream comes alive 

And wishes shine

Dancing merrily at her behest”

All the pent-up fatigue from the day sets in as your eyelids begin to droop. You slump against the mattress and start dozing off, allowing Rascal’s soothing voice to lull you into a sweet slumber. 

“Comfort and sleep await weary stars

In the depths of the starry sea

Within the dark, shines a hopeful light

In the depths of the starry sea

In the depths of the starry sea”

Your consciousness begins to drift as the world around you fades to black. Rascal utters one last sentence before you succumb to a deep sleep. “Sweet dreams, Glitter Fantasy~!” 

…you blink your eyes open and find yourself in an unearthly realm. The familiar rocky surface of the moon stretches before you, barren and void of activity. There were no other buildings in sight except for a gray barn surrounded by acres of abundant crops and used farm equipment. A slight breeze carries the sound of carefree whistling, along with the strong scent of soil and moondust. Nestled in the middle of an indented crater was a little boy, who appeared to be around the age of 10. His white clothing, ruffled collar, and clown makeup gave away his identity as Pierrot. He also had the Rag-Bag of Dreams in his possession, which was in better condition than when you last saw it. Pierrot whistles an upbeat tune while filling the brown bag with vibrant colored silks, rainbow ribbons, glittering gemstones, and other lovely items.

Three identical young women wearing flowing robes of misty blue enter the scene. Silver fillets ornamented with jeweled crescent moons lay on top of their heads. Their silky, unbound hair was the same shade of silver, glowing like the luminescent moon. You immediately recognize them as the Moon Maidens from the Milky Way Awards Ceremony. Starlette had mentioned earlier how they were Pierrot’s cousins, so seeing them here wasn’t too out of place given the context. Out of all the sisters present, Moonette is the first to speak. “What are you doing, Pierrot?”

The little white clown continues to work, eyes never straying from the bag. “I’m making dreams!”

“Oh! How dear of you!” the oldest-looking sister chirped. “Pray tell, how do you make them?”

“Yeah! What do you make them from?” asked the final maiden.

Pierrot chuckles, finally glancing their way. “Out of my mother’s rag-bag, of course! Or, as I like to call it: the Rag-Bag of Dreams!”

Moonette and her two sisters draw closer to him. “How stellar! What’s inside it?”

“Do show us, Pierrot!”

“Yes! Please, let us see!”

“It’s filled with the prettiest and most precious things imaginable!” Pierrot wears a big grin as he faces the Moon Maidens, raising the brown bag from his lap. He reaches in with a gloved hand and starts pulling out various items to show them. “Here are some white and fuchsia flower petals I collected from the Moonshine Moors. And this crystal dewdrop came from the Constellation Caverns. Oh, and see here, a rosy scrap of the dawn’s soft robe, a golden web of sunlight, and the foamy crest of a sea green wave. But the loveliest of all is this silver scrap of moonlight. I love it! Look at how it shines!” The three sisters marvel at the dazzling object in his hand and voice their approval. You tiptoe over for a closer look, temporarily forgetting that no one would notice you in Pierrot’s childhood memory.

Without warning, the front door of the barn swings open, revealing a middle-aged woman. She wore a high-crowned hat over her long gray hair, along with a full skirt, apron, and starry purple cloak. The lady storms over to the Moon Maidens, curling up her lip in distaste. “Idling again? Off with you, now! Shoo!” All three girls let out frightened squeaks before lifting their robes to scurry for cover. Once they’re out of sight, the older woman turns to the small clown, who had grown timid in her presence. “Pierrot, how many times must I tell you not to waste time with those three?! They may be related by blood, but they are a bad influence. Those girls neglect their royal duties at the Lunar Empire to chase that planet boy band down the Milky Way. Lazy, meritless creatures! What are you doing, anyway?”

“Hello, Mother Moon!” He rises to his feet and bows, fiddling with the brown bag in his hands. “I was only making dreams, nothing more.” 

“Making dreams? But there is so much work to be done and so little time! I raised you to be better than this!” she said, scowling. “Dreams, dreams, dreams! Why waste your time on such nonsensical things? There are enough dreams in this world! We don’t need more!”

“With all due respect, I––”

You flinch when the barn door slams open again, only this time it was an old man with white hair and pockmarks on his face. A high-crowned hat rests on top of his crescent moon-shaped head, which is identical to Mother Moon’s. He was sporting patched overalls over his oversized white shirt, coupled with a pair of worn-down slippers. “What’s all the ruckus?!” The old man strikes the ground with his cane and hobbles over to meet the two figures outside. 

Mother Moon groans, making her dissatisfaction evident. “Our son is dilly-dallying around again! This stupid boy has been wasting his time making dreams with my rag-bag. Who knows how long he’s been at it!”

“Strange whims you have, my boy! You were always a weird one!” The old man scoffs, giving his son a judgmental stare. “What do you expect to do with such foolishness?! No one can earn a living by selling dreams!”

Pierrot sighs, nervously shuffling his feet. “Maybe not, but I can give them away.”

“Bah! Give them away? Are you serious?! Perhaps I did drop you on your head when you were a baby!”

Pierrot ignores his parents’ complaints and persists. “But they are worth a smile at least! There’s much more to life than making money!”

“That’s enough!” You cover your mouth and stifle a horrified gasp when the old man whacks him with his cane. Mother Moon doesn’t react or bother coming to Pierrot’s aid when he falls. Even in his defenseless state, he continues to yell at the defenseless clown. “Money makes the world go round! Money is why we have a roof over our heads and food on our table! Society is broken and rife with problems because of ruffians like you! Idlers, dreamers, mischief-makers––bah! Who needs ‘em?! Come, into the house with you!”

Mother Moon crosses her arms, nodding. “There’s moon milk to be churned!”

“And green cheese to be made!” the old man added. “Green cheese means money! It’s something of value, unlike dreams! Remember what I always said: Those who avoid labor shall not eat!”

“You are right, Father! Green cheese is important, especially in Moonbury. I don’t doubt that one bit! But one valuable thing doesn’t take away the value of something else.” Slowly, Pierrot stands up before brushing the moondust off his white clothes. He rubs the spot where he was hit, wincing. “There are many across the galaxy who desire good dreams. For every soul who rejects a dream, there will be another who treasures it dearly. Those who are poor, crestfallen, and alone can have hope when they sleep. Imagine meeting creatures, visiting kingdoms, eating snacks, and doing fun things that only exist in the land of dreams. Oh, there’s nothing in all the world better than that!” 

Pierrot raises a hand to his heart, his gaze steady and resolute. “Someday, I shall have a little dream shop on the moon, and over the door it will say, ‘Pierrot, the Dream-Maker.’ And whenever you see a baby smile in its sleep, or a tired mother smile at her work, you will know they are buying my dreams. And the only currency they will pay with is a smile!”

There’s a long, silent pause as Mother Moon and the old man mull over his words. After a while, the latter of them breaks the silence. “Bah! That’s the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life! Now get to work, and make some green cheese before I knock you out cold! Maybe then you’ll learn not to rely on fictitious dreams to save you!” Without sparing him another glance, they depart and enter the open door of the barnhouse.

Pierrot was left alone with nobody to keep him company, which excluded you, of course. He frowns and lowers his head, letting out a dejected sigh. “...I hate green cheese…” And with that, he heads inside the gray barn, dragging the rag-bag behind him.

All you could do was watch helplessly from a distance, grappling with the heartache that formed during the dispute. Had Pierrot known you were there, you would’ve comforted him to the best of your ability. You wanted to alleviate his pain somehow and reassure him that his desire to create good dreams wasn’t stupid nonsense. In fact, you found it to be quite the opposite. It’s too bad you couldn’t tell him how wonderful his little dream shop sounded. If given the chance, you would have been his first customer.

Notes:

Author's Note: This was A LOT, oh my goodness! There is so much to unpack and I'm excited to reveal more in the upcoming chapters. Thank you all for reading and your continued support! It's inspired me to pump out more content! I published these the night before my birthday, so here's a present for you all!

Now, onto the lore! There were many different versions of the moon rabbit legend, but ultimately, I decided to combine the ones posted by the Island Folklore and Shen Yun Performing Arts websites. I added some of my own ideas to it as well, but only because I wanted to fit it into the context of this fanfic. As for Kūko, our yandere incel, his name comes from a type of sky fox from Japanese mythology. He's not 100% accurate to the kūko kitsune of legends, but they were known for being the good kitsune and only interacting with humans to do good deeds (how ironic, but not really cause he's a 'nice guy' and it's all surface-level lol). In Japanese, "kon kon" is the sound foxes make, so I simply used "kon" in his dialogue. The lore I used for the Pierrot dream came from The Dream Maker: A Fantasy in One Act by Blanche Jenning Thompson, published in Drama: A Quarterly Review of Dramatic Literature, Volume 12 from 1922. The star cakes, the Moon Maidens, and the Star Maidens (who I named Starlina, Starlette, and Starlight) came from this play. Of course, I added my own twist to it.

And Rascal's dramatic entrance, how could I forget?!?! When he introduces the main act of his terroristic performance, I added the beginning stanza from the song "The Greatest Show Unearthed" by Creature Feature. Seriously, this is Rascal's theme song!! It's crazy how well it fits him!!

Speaking of songs, I want to make a special shout-out to jessicaDragonic. Thank you so so much for creating an amazing Rascal x Reader Spotify playlist inspired by my fanfic!! I am absolutely over the moon (pun intended)!!