Chapter Text
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a large kingdom by the name of Moondust.
(Yeah I kinda ran out of creative kingdom names.)
It was a most joyous day in the kingdom of Moondust, for the two queens were celebrating the 1 month birthday of their newly adopted son, Prince Catnap.
Residents from all corners of the kingdom came to look upon the baby prince, who was a tiny purple kitten with sweet onyx eyes, and the softest fur, which smelled like lavender.
Two of the guests were the king and prince of the nearby kingdom of Sunstar.
A year or so ago, the king had made a deal with the queens of Moondust and had agreed that when the two princes were of age, they would be wed, and unite the kingdoms of Moondust and Sunstar forever.
When the 2-year old puppy saw the baby kitten for the first time, his eyes sparkled at how adorable he was.
He loved petting him, tickling him to make him laugh, and gently playing with him in his crib.
Their parents were happy they were getting along, knowing their marriage in the future was sure to prosper.
The last guests to arrive at the party were the three color sprites, the guardians of love, hope, and everything good in the world.
In a beam of light, they slowly descended.
First was Roberta, the red fairy of love and happiness. Second, Craftilina, the blue fairy of art and creativity, and finally Hope, the green fairy of passion and energy.
They all immediately go to look upon the baby prince, smiling and gushing about how cute he was, their eyes full of adoration.
They then go to curtsy before the two queens.
“Greetings, your majesties.”
Bobby says. “Each of us will bless the young prince with one gift. No more, and no less.”
The queens nod in approval.
Bobby then walks up to the bassinet.
“Little prince, my gift to you shall be the gift of beauty.”
She waves her wand over the baby prince, making red sparkles gently shower down upon him.
“You will grow up to be the most handsome man in all the kingdom.”
The baby giggles and bats at the sparkles.
Bobby giggles as well, then backs up so that Crafty can have a turn.
Crafty walks up to the bassinet, smiling.
“Tiny prince, my gift to you shall be the gift of song.”
She waves her wand over the bassinet, showering the prince in blue sparkles.
“You shall grow up to have the most melodic voice in all the land.”
When the sparkles had vanished, finally, Hoppy strolls up to the bassinet.
“Sweet prince, my gift shall be-”
But before she could give her gift, she was interrupted by a strong wind, which blew open the castle doors and made all the royal banners blow, causing the guests to panic.
The two queens looked scared, as well as the color sprites, and little prince Dogday hides behind his father.
There was a flash of green lightning in the center of the room, and when the light faded, there stood the most evil and wicked sorceress in all the land, accompanied by her pet raven.
“Why, it’s Ulrike!”
Crafty says, afraid.
Hoppy growls. “What’s she doing here!?”
Bobby gently puts a hand over her mouth. “Shh!”
“Well, quite a glittering assemblage, Queen Catherina.”
Ulrike says, her sharp stilettos clicking on the castle’s floor as she walks forward.
She looks around.
“Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and…”
She glances at the fairies.
“Ohohoho, how quaint. Even the rabble.”
Hoppy growls and tries to pounce on her, but Bobby holds her back.
Ulrike gently pets Poe.
“I really felt quite distressed at not receiving an invitation.”
“You weren’t wanted!”
Hoppy says angrily.
Ulrike looks at her, confused.
“Not want-”
She giggles darkly.
“Oh dear, how awkward I've made things.”
She continues to pet Poe gently.
“I had hoped it was due to some oversight.”
She turns to leave. “Well in that case, I'll be leaving.”
Queen Daisy steps forward.
“And… you’re not offended, your grace?”
Ulrike turns back, smiling.
“Why NO, your highness.”
She says.
“And to show I bear no ill will…”
She says, walking back towards them.
“I too have a gift for the child.”
The three color sprites stand around the bassinet protectively.
Ulrike looks around.
“Listen well, all of you.”
She says, stomping her foot on the floor.
“The prince shall indeed grow up with an air of grace and beauty… beloved by all who shall meet him.”
She then gets an evil glint in her eye.
“But… on his 18th birthday… as soon as he pricks his finger on the thorn of a poppy flower….”
She grins maliciously.
“He will die!”
“Oh no!”
Queen Daisy says, scooping up baby Catnap out of his crib and holding him tightly.
(I know poppies don’t have thorns but y’know, symbolism)
Queen Catherina points at Ulrike who had nothing but rage in her eyes.
“Seize the foul witch!”
The guards try to apprehend the sorceress, but before they can, she starts to laugh evilly.
“Stand back, fools!”
She summons another storm, and with that, her and her pet are gone in another flash of green lightning.
Queen Daisy holds baby Catnap closely, trying not to cry and glancing at Catherina.
Bobby approaches them.
“Don’t despair, your majesties.”
She says gently. “Hoppy still has her gift to give.”
Queen Catherina calms down a bit.
“Can she undo this dreadful curse?”
Hoppy steps forward.
“Unfortunately, I can’t completely undo the curse…”
She says. “But I can try to change it.”
Daisy gently puts Catnap back in his crib.
“Please… anything to save him..”
She pleads.
Hoppy was a bit nervous and hesitant, but the other sprites gently pushed her forward.
“Just do your best, dear…”
Taking a deep breath, Hoppy approaches the bassinet.
She waves her green wand over the baby.
“Sweet prince…
If indeed you do prick your finger on the thorn of a poppy flower…
You shall not die, but instead fall into a deep sleep.”
Hoppy smiles, subtly glancing over to Prince Dogday, who was still scared and hiding behind his dad.
“And your one true love will be the only one who can wake you from your slumber.”
The green sparkles shower down upon Catnap, who looked up at her with his beautiful, sparkling eyes.
It was almost as if he understood.
But Queen Catherina, still fearful for her son’s life, doth decree that every single Poppy flower throughout the land shall be burned, and so it was done.
That very same night, they held a royal bonfire, burning all of the red flowers into ash.