A New Shade of Violet

The era of fairies had been one of tradition. No chaos, no change and no disruption. It was an isolated world, away from humans and other creatures, creatures with the ability to end the very existence of fairies. But the fairies were safe; the community was safe. That is until one particular female fairy turned eighteen and reached the coming of age. 1

Lavender was the daughter of two very influential and gifted fairies in the community. She sometimes felt like living up to her parents, Summer and Blake, was too much of a challenge to handle. She was beautiful with hair the color of sand on the shores of the streams and eyes of a startling unusual shade of violet. She wore the regulatory gown in soft lavender to accentuate her deep purple wings. She was the shy short, much like her mother was at her age, but was just as gifted and quick-witted as both her parents. 2

“Lavender!!”3

Lavender’s eyes flew open and she sat up quickly in her hammock. The hammock swayed and then flipped over, tossing Lavender onto the ground. She rubbed her back frowning in pain. It seemed there could not be a day that she did not display her tendency to be clumsy. No matter. It was her birthday today! She would be an adult in the community! She would be able to be married, to have children, and–she squirmed excitedly-make a difference. 4

“Lavender, wake up sleepy girl! Breakfast is almost ready!”5

“Coming, Ma!” Lavender called in her soft voice. She ran a comb through her hair and entered the main room of her family dwelling. “Well?”6

Summer turned and smiled, her ice blue eyes twinkling. “Well what, Lavender? Sit down and eat your breakfast.”7

“Ma!” Lavender said. She stood up straight, her arms held out wide. “ Do I look any different?”8

“You’re still my beautiful Lavender.” Summer’s smile wavered as tears welled up in her eyes. “ Oh but you are growing up so fast.”9

“Oh Ma,” she replied blushing, “don’t cry.”10

Summer wiped the tears from her porcelain cheeks. “ Oh, I know I am just being silly. Your father had to leave for the Capital early but he will be home to give you the proper blessing.”11

Lavender smiled at that and began to eat her breakfast.12

“Rayne, if you are going to surprise Lavender for her birthday, then do get on with it!” Lavender’s best friend, Chloe, whispered to her twin brother, Rayne. They matched each other completely, black hair and green eyes with beautiful smiles. 13

Rayne paid no attention to Chloe as he peered through a window in Summer and Blake’s dwelling. His breath caught in his throat as his green eyes settled on Lavender. “ She is so beautiful,” he breathed. 14

“Rayne, I am begging you, make this quick!” Chloe insisted. Rayne pressed his palm against the window and set a jet stream of ice into the kitchen. 15

Lavender gasped as a wall of ice formed in front of her, with the words “Happy Birthday” carved into it. She blushed. “ You may come in now, Rayne …Chloe, also. Thank you.”16

Rayne and Chloe entered the dwelling, brilliant smiles on their faces. Rayne bowed to both Summer and Lavender and in turn, they’d curtsied. “ Happy Birthday, Lavender,” Chloe said, placing a kiss atop her head.17

“Yes, happy birthday, Lavender,” Rayne repeated, his palms starting to sweat.18

Lavender smiled. “What a lovely surprise, thank you so much.” Rayne smiled, letting his curly black hair fall into his face.19

“We’ve another surprise for you, but we must kidnap you to show you, Chloe said, grabbing hold of Lavender’s arm. “ May we Summer?”20

Summer turned. “ You may but I’d like my daughter back without any demands of ransom.”21

“Of course,” Chloe smiled practically dragging Lavender out of the dwelling. 22

“What on earth is the surprise?” Lavender asked, brushing her long hair out of her face. “Chloe, Rayne?” Neither of them answered. “Oh, come on, you must be joking; where are we going?” 23

Rayne turned to answer Lavender and immediately forgot what he was going to say. Her purple wings gleamed in the early sunlight, making her glow. He seemed momentarily incapable of speaking. 24

“ It’s a surprise, Lavender,” Chloe answered, taking her hand in hers. “Trust me, you will enjoy it completely.”25

Lavender chewed her bottom lip nervously but followed her friends nonetheless. Chloe and Rayne were both adventure seekers while Lavender was much like her mother, very cautious and careful. She told herself that her friends would never get her into trouble so she tightened her grip on Chloe’s hand and let them take her to her surprise. 26

“ Do you feel any different, Lavender?” Chloe asked.27

“ I don’t feel different at all. Should I feel so?” Lavender asked, brushing a branch out of her path. It was very early in the day but she could already feel the sun beating down on her neck. They sky was a clear blue but there was not even a breeze to cool them off. 28

Chloe shrugged, wiping the sweat from her forehead. She looked as if she wanted to stop, but she kept moving forward. “ By the grace of Magic, I wish we could fly.”29

“ Why are we NOT flying, Chloe? Would it not be quicker…and much cooler?” Lavender pointed out.30

“ If we fly, we will be detected and we must not be detected where we are going,” Chloe explained.31

Lavender stopped in her tracks suddenly, letting go of Chloe’s hand as a branch whacked her in the face. She did not seem to notice that it had hit her. “ We’re going to the edge of the community aren’t we?” she asked, her voice wavering. 32

“ Yes of course,” Chloe answered, exasperated. “ Now we must get going.”33

“ Its not allowed. We’d be punished forever,” Lavender replied softly, her violet eyes troubled.34

“ Oh nonsense, Lavender,” Chloe said. “ Everyone goes there for their coming of age. I suppose even your mother and father did.”35

Lavender could not imagine her mother doing such a risky thing. “ Oh but…” she started to protest.36

Rayne finally seemed to gain back the ability to speak. “ Don’t worry, Lavender. No one ever gets caught. You are safe with Chloe and me.” He held out his hand to her, surprised at his own boldness, not even knowing if she would take it. 37

“ Oh I suppose you are right,” Lavender replied in as calm a voice she could muster. She hesitated then slipped her fingers into his. 38

It seemed to take forever to reach the end of the community. With each step, Lavender’s dread grew. She was nervous at the prospect of encountering something that was talked of in whispers in her whole life and Rayne’s warm hand in hers only made her heart beat faster. 39

“ There it is,” Chloe pointed out softly. 40

Lavender let go of Rayne’s hand, much to his disappointment, and moved closer. “ Its an actual barrier, “ she said, studying it. It seemed to be clear, a barrier that extended around and over the community. “Is it…Magic?”41

“ Some of the strongest Magic possible,” Chloe said, her hand hovering in front of the barrier. 42

“ It holds more power than you can ever imagine,” Rayne explained. “ The Magic pulsates off of it…you can see wisps of the ancient silver Magic streaming from it.”43

“ You can touch it Lavender,” Chloe said, pulling her hand back. “ You can feel the full power of Magic.” 44

Lavender reached her shaking hand toward the barrier. She felt the warmth of Magic in her fingertips and palm. There was a sudden uncontrollable urge to feel the Magic, the power, and she pulled her hand back quickly, her heart pounding in her chest. “ I can’t. I don’t...I don’t think I can’t handle the power.”45

“ Oh Lavender…” Chloe began to sigh. She stopped suddenly and her eyes widened. “ The barrier…it’s gone! Bless my gift, it’s gone!!”46

Lavender turned back around and gasped. The barrier had indeed, disappeared entirely. “ I didn’t do it! I didn’t even touch it!” she exclaimed, backing away from where it once stood. 47

“ You are gifted in Magic, Lavender, but you could not make the entire barrier disappear,” Rayne said, frowning. “ I don’t understand it.”48

Lavender and Chloe came to stand closer to Rayne, more cautious and wary than they were before. Lavender latched her arm through Rayne’s, scared, glancing around.49

“ Look, Rayne, what’s that over there?” Chloe said, pointing in the distance.50

There was a stream right past where the barrier once stood and several creatures were gathered there. Lavender’s fear grew as she saw that she did not know what they were. They seemed similar to fairies, the same size, the same bodies, same features. They did not have wings, however, and they lacked anything to clothe their bodies. Lavender felt a blush creep onto her cheeks, trying to take notice of their exposed bodies. Their skin was not the color of flesh, but instead they were green, blue, red, brown and other colors. Their entire bodies were of these colors, their skin, eyes, hair…everything.51

“ Impossible,” Rayne muttered, staring at these creatures. “ They’re sprites…that blue one there, he’s a water sprite and…”52

Lavender and Chloe looked up at him in shock. “ You must be joking, Rayne,” Lavender whispered. “ Sprites only exist in stories.” 53

“ Apparently not,” Rayne replied. He turned to his twin sister. “ Chloe, head back to the community. Gather the elders, tell them of the barrier and the sprites. Get the adults: Summer, Blake, Melina, Dimitri, Aden, Lily, Ma, Father, all of them. Warn them.”54

Chloe glanced at the sprites in fear. “ Oh no, Rayne, don’t make me go alone.”55

“ Chloe, you are a much faster flyer than Rayne and I; you must go,” Lavender insisted.56

Chloe hesitated. “ All right, I’ll go,” she agreed. “ Do be careful, the both of you.” Her wings began to flutter and she sped off. 57

“ Look Rayne, they’re coming closer,” Lavender pointed out. Her entire body was trembling in fear as she moved closer to Rayne. “ What could possibly want?” 58

“ I don’t know,” Rayne replied as the sprites halted on the banks of the shore opposite them. 59

One stepped out in front of the others, clearly the leader. He was taller than the others and was an assortment of colors. “ Bewitched one,” he called. “ Where is your leader?”60

“ Bewitched one?” Lavender questioned Rayne in a whisper.61

“ He can sense our Magic. Sprites do not have the Magic…only the leader, the Elemental leader. The others have only the magic of their element,” Rayne explained to her. He stepped forward to answer.62

“ No, not you, boy,” the leader snapped. “ I wish to speak to the girl, the bewitched one.”63

Lavender looked up at Rayne, her eyes wide in shock. Her? Why her? Rayne shook his head. “ You will speak to me…”64

“ This is not the time for demands,” the Elemental leader said. “ I wish to speak with the girl.” 65

Lavender let out the breath she had been holding inside of her and stepped forward. “ What are your intentions, sir?” she asked, trembling. Rayne reached for her hand and she took his gratefully. 66

“Centuries ago, the fairies and sprites agree to a treaty. We have come to renegotiate,” a red sprite spoke up, letting a ball of fire sit carefully in his palm. Lavender guessed he was of the fire element.67

“ The elders are on their way,” Lavender explained. “ I am sure that they can help you…”68

“ My name is Pangeo,” the leader said, “and they cannot help us. We need to speak with the leader…you.” 69

Lavender frowned and looked up at Rayne, who was as perplexed as her. “ I fear you are confused, I am not…”70

“ Silence,” Pangeo interrupted. Lavender shut her mouth, not wanting to risk offending this strange creature. “ You are Lavender, are you not? The Violet fairy?”71

Lavender’s hand flew to her open mouth in shock. She had never been addressed as the violet fairy, but she could deny that it spoke of her. No else carried the color of violet the way she did. No one was as violet as she was or named for a similar color. “How did you…”72

“ We were told to come to see the Violet fairy on her coming of age. She would be a symbol of peace and justice and she would set things right.” Pangeo frowned. “ This land is ours. Fairies of long ago stole it from us. A treaty was signed because we were too weak to fight back.”73

“ I…I …I don’t understand,” Lavender stammered.74

“We’ve come to take our lands back and you are going to help us, Miss Lavender,” Pangeo demanded. 75

“ She will do nothing of the sort,” Rayne said, coldly.76

Lavender held up her hand to silence him. She was afraid. She could not explain what was going on, but she knew she had to be brave. She knew she possessed courage somewhere deep down. “ I am afraid that I can be of no help. So many fairies and their families dwell here. We cannot possibly move them from their home. We are a peaceful community.” 77

Pangeo shook his head. You disappoint us, Miss Lavender. We do not want to resort to drastic measures to get what we want.”78

Rayne looked behind him, nervously, searching for Chloe. They needed the adults and the elders. This was a situation that he and Lavender could not handle alone.79

“ Rayne, no!” Lavender screamed, as an arrow shot by a water sprite flew towards him. Her fingertips started to Glow and she threw out a barrier to block Rayne from the arrow. 80

“ Ah, tricky little girl,” Pangeo smirked. “ Not for long.” At that, the sprites were armed with weapons, bows and arrows, spears. Air sprites raised their hands to the sky; fire sprites erupted in flames. They all called to their elements and more sprites appeared. 81

“What are they doing?” Lavender asked, taking his hand. 82

Rayne’s face had paled. “ They’re preparing for battle.” He held his hands up in front of him, his fingertips glowing. “ We have to fight.”83

“ We what?” Lavender asked in panic. Her wings began to flutter and she had the urge to fly away. She saw Rayne’s scared but determined face. She knew she had to be the same. She raised her own hands, her fingers trembling. “ Okay.”84

“ Don’t make the first move,” Rayne hissed. “ Let them…”85

Lavender nodded. They stood there, waiting, hearts beating rapidly in their chests, for what felt like an eternity. Pangeo stepped forward, his arms raised above his head. Magic streamed from Lavender’s fingertips as arrows came flying at her. She built a strong blue barrier in front of them and immediately centered on an attack spell. ‘I never thought I would have to use this,’ she thought, breaking her concentration for a split second. Ice flew from Rayne towards the sprites. Water and fire came from all directions and the wind had picked up an unusual speed. Together, Lavender and Rayne began defeating sprites. Lavender did not flinch as water, fire and other elements rammed into the barrier and sped off and sped of in other directions. 86

“Lavender, watch out!” Rayne shouted.87

Pangeo was moving through the crowds of battling sprites, undisturbed. Lavender paled as she saw that he was calling all the elements to him. He centered on them and threw them towards her. The barrier shattered, sending a wave of Magic all around them, and crashed right into Lavender. She fell on her back, hearing a loud crack. Her entire right arm went numb. 88

“Lavender!” Rayne cried, throwing out spells randomly as he ran over to stand next to her. He held out his hand to her and she used to it to stand back up, wincing. “ Fly…away, get out of here…”89

“ No,” she said firmly, her eyes ablaze. She held her left hand up, trying to ignore the pain in her right wrist and threw Magic back at the sprites. Pangeo’s eyebrows went up, but he did not halt. He continued to throw his power of mixed elements her way. Lavender blocked it the best she could, sweat pouring down her face and arms, fighting harder than she ever thought she could. Rayne was next to her, fighting off all sprites that sent harm towards her. ‘We can’t do this,’ Lavender said, seeing defeat as another spell hit her in her side. ‘There is no possible way.’90

“Lavender, duck!!”91

Without thinking, Lavender ducked. She glanced up once and saw fairies coming from all directions, using their powers and Magic to keep the sprites from advancing. Summer landed next to her and helped her up, watching the battle taking place before them. Her eyes were wide in terror but her mouth was set in a firm and determined line. Dark blue Magic flowed from her fingertips and out towards the sprites. “ Are you okay, Lavender?” she asked, not breaking her concentration.92

“I’m fine, I’m fine, let me go,” she said, standing up straight and focusing on her Magic again.93

“No, stop,” Summer said firmly. She looked upward. “Lily!”94

Lily flew down to land next to them. “ This is impossible…nothing like this…”95

“Lily, protect Lavender. Make sure she does not use her Magic,” Summer said, preparing her wings for flight and keeping an eye out for loose Magic. Lavender opened her mouth to protest. “ No! The sprites are using your Magic as fuel. You only make them stronger.”96

Lavender took a step back, confused. “ I don’t understand,” she whispered.97

Lily looked down at her, a serious look on her face. “ You will, Lavender, you will.” She held up her own hands, building a wall of protection around them. They watched as the battle raged on around them. Several times, the elements seemed to come close to killing the fairies that she loved, but Lavender held on. She didn’t understand what her mother had said, but she knew not to use her Magic. The sprites were beginning to lose the battle and she knew she had done all she could have.98

“ Fall back! Fall back!” Pangeo shouted to his troops. “ Fall back!!” Slowly the sprites let go of the connection they had with the elements and starting moving backward. Lavender was relieved to see that they were leaving, retreating away from the community. Pangeo turned and his eyes searched the scenes in front of him until they found Lavender. “ We’re not finished with you, Miss Lavender! You will help us!” With that, he turned on his heel and they disappeared into the forest, away from them. 99

Lily waited a second longer to see if they would return and then let go of the spell bounding the wall. Lavender ran out, glad to be released, but immediately collapsed to the ground, exhausted. Rayne came running over and scooped her up in his arms. Blake and Summer came up besides him. 100

“Bring her over here, Rayne,” Blake said solemnly, pointing to a log a few feet away. Rayne walked over and set her down gently. She sat down, swaying a little, but nonetheless, stayed up.101

“ What happened out there?” she demanded softly, not noticing her broken wrist or the cuts and bruises all over her body. “ Why were they here?”102

Blake and Summer exchanged looks. “ You are the Violet fairy,” Summer said simply. 103

Lavender shook her head. “ I don’t understand…what does that mean?” She started to sway a bit and had to grab onto Rayne’s tunic to keep from falling over.104

Blake sighed. “ Years ago, the fairies came and took over the lands that the sprites had accompanied for centuries. It was wrong…but the sprites were weak and powerless and this land was fertile and rich. They made a treaty, but they were not at all happy about it. It was said by the Chief Elder in those days that a fairy that would be known as the Violet fairy would be born as a hope to the sprites who wanted their freedom and their land back,” he explained. 105

“Me?” Lavender said, her head pounding from all the new information.106

“ We had hoped that you weren’t, Lavender,” Summer said. She sighed, trying hard to not get emotional. This was not the time for emotions. “ It seemed impossible to keep you from your destiny, especially today, though we tried. You see, the Violet fairy would betray her kind, her community, her family and friends to help the sprites.”107

“ But I would not do that!” Lavender protested. “ How can anyone possibly believe that I am the Violet fairy?” Summer and Blake just stared at her, while Rayne touched her purple wings gently. She lowered her eyes. “ But I couldn’t, could I? I couldn’t betray…”108

“ We are hoping to stop that from happening, by telling you the truth,” Blake said. He glanced behind him. “ It is a responsibility that you have to bear, my daughter. One that I’m sure no one would want.” He stared at her for a moment. “ I must go check on the others, make sure that everyone is healed properly.” He looked up at Rayne. “ Please take care of Lavender for me.”109

Rayne came to sit next to Lavender, unsure of what to say to her. Her beautiful face was troubled and she did not seem to want him to heal her. “ Rayne…can you believe this?” she asked softly, as he began to heal the cuts on her arms. She glanced up and saw that Chloe had joined them once more and she managed a small smile of thanks.110

“ No, I can’t,” he replied, just as softly. He looked at her, straight in the eyes. “ And I don’t believe that you could ever betray any of us.”111

Lavender stared right into his green eyes for a moment before tearing her eyes away from them. “ I can’t do it,” she said. “ I can’t handle it. I’m not gifted enough, I’m not brave enough.”112

“Not brave enough?” he questioned, in disbelief. “Now surely YOU must be joking. I have never known a braver fairy than you…” 113

She heard the sincerity in his words and couldn’t help a small smile. She winced as he healed the broken bone in her wrist. He smiled apologetically and kissed the inside of her wrist and then her forehead. Both spots were left tingling. “ Thank you Rayne,” she replied softly, squeezing his hand. She let go quickly and let him continue his healing. 114

Blake came back over, his face still as solemn as ever, though there was a hint of pride and adoration in his eyes as they laid upon his daughter. “ It is time,” he said, coming up to stand in front of her. He placed his hands on either side of her head and bowed his head over her. “ I, Blake, father of you, Lavender, give you the blessings of Magic. May you become everything you hope and may you make a difference here in the community. May you grace us all with your gift and leave your impression here forever. I bless you, my daughter, on your coming of age.” His words echoed out in the silence and he kissed the top of her head. “ This is war, my dear…your destiny awaits.” 115