Attack On Candy Town

  ( Newbie )

  Merrymint raced through hallways and leapt down stairs at such a speed that Newbie couldn't help but close her eyes. Even after she was set down and her boots pressed upon a crunchy surface, she continued to cling to the emerald princess tightly.

  "S-slow down!" Newbie stammered far too late.

  "Gotcha!" said Merrymint. "But, we already arrived."

  "It doesn't feel like it," Newbie groaned.

  "You'll get used to it," said Merrymint. "Once you've adapted to your fairy body, you might even find yourself faster than me. Some of the others are super quick on their feet. Think yourself lucky Cherry' didn't carry you!" She laughed.

  Gone was the lavish lushness of the palace interior. Now Newbie found herself outside, upon a roof amidst the sugary hillside town she'd spotted earlier from so very high above.

  "Welcome to Candy Town!" announced Merrymint.

  The emerald princess adopted a wide stance and spread her arms as if theatre curtains were parting to reveal an astonishing scene. In this case, she wasn't being overly dramatic. Candy Town was a sight to behold.

  Bathed in the golden rays of a sinking sun, walls of gingerbread, biscuit and hardened icing formed sweet-scented structures. From chocolate button paving and lollipop lanterns, to tables of nut brittle and marshmallow stools surrounding a caramel fountain, everything and anything in Candy Town doubled as a delicious treat. Even the bell tower from which the tolling reverberated was built from chunky-chipped cookies.

  And yet, as whimsical the town and beautiful the sunset, something was amiss. The steady chiming was a call to arms, for closing in on the picturesque setting was a mighty beast. A rumbling titan of fur and paws. Of stubby, rounded ears and button eyes. Of triangular nose and stitched frown. It was a stuffed bear taller and bulkier than any of Candy Town's constructions.

  A giant monster! A real, actual giant monster!

  "It's huge!" gasped Newbie. "What do we do?"

  Merrymint smiled. "Just hang back and enjoy the show, baby!"

  Newbie whimpered as the colossal cuddler reached the town and started to smash. Toffee shards and assorted sprinkles sprayed into the air with each swing of clumsy limbs. The proud destroyer tilted back a disproportionately large head and bellowed a grumbly roar.

  "What if someone gets hurt?" asked Newbie.

  "Relax," said Merrymint. "Leave it to the professionals."

  The bell fell silent. Its summons answered. Stood atop the town hall were three figures, billowing heroically. Fairy Princesses.

  The shortest Newbie recognised instantly. Beside Cherrychomp was an iridescent, rabbit-eared ballerina and a silver knight who swung her blade in a declaration of defense.

  Cherrychomp grabbed one of the cherries from her belt and tossed it into the air, where it spun and grew. The levitating fruit jerked and twitched until its surface split into a massive maw. She leapt atop the razor-toothed, sloppy-tongued beast and together they launched toward the besieging bear, flinging saliva in their wake.

  That explains the belt!

  "That must be a Muncher, right?" asked Newbie.

  "It sure is!" said Merrymint.

  "Are they... tame?" asked Newbie.

  Merrymint shrugged. "I mean, probably about as tame as Cherry' herself!"

  The bunny ballerina formed an oily-filmed hoop with thumb and finger. Pursed lips blew, expelling a torrent of soapy bubbles strong enough for her to bounce upon. She skipped gracefully from one to the next, blowing more as she went to extend the floaty path.

  Lacking the aerial mobility of the other two, the knight charged on foot, leaping from rooftop to rooftop. Her determined eyes caught the light with metallic lustre, and her ponytail streamed like molten silver. A sleek spike spiralled from her forehead, echoing the unicorn crest of her shield.

  Cherrychomp and the ballerina circled the rampaging raider, taking turns to draw its attention. The bear swung stubby limbs in fierce arcs, as if attempting to swat at bothersome flies.

  Both Fairy Princesses were nimble, yet Newbie couldn't help but worry. She gritted her teeth whilst watching Cherrychomp's Muncher dip and dive, then winced as the ribboned rabbit danced to avoid a barrage of brutal boxing. The more they evaded, the more frustrated the monstrous menace became, until finally, the pair countered with an attack of their own.

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  The bunny bounced from bubble to bubble, closing in rapidly whilst sucking up a deep breath. With chest puffed, she sprang up to the foe's facial buttons and unleashed a bombardment of pops. Rage boomed through confectionery streets as the behemoth wiped its eyes.

  Next it was Cherrychomp's turn. Her Muncher's drooling jaws opened wide before snapping shut. Sharp, scarlet teeth sank deep into fur, delivering a harsh bite to the bear's elbow.

  A pained bawl spilt from a stitched mouth. The monster flapped wildly, trying to shake off the gnawing gnasher. Arms swooshed up and down so quickly it almost appeared like the giant was attempting to take flight.

  The Muncher was locked tight like a hunter's trap, and showed no signs of letting go, but the same could not be said for the little red fairy atop it. Cherrychomp loosed high-pitched wails as she desperately tried to hold on, but her tiny hands could only take so much. Fingers failed, and she was sent spinning high into the air.

  Newbie gasped. Muscles tensed as she readied herself to chase after the far-flung fairy, no matter how hopeless it seemed.

  Merrymint held her back. "Steady. It's dangerous. You're no hero yet!"

  With an alarmed yelp, the Muncher finally noticed its summoner's absence. Like a big red cannonball, it shot up into the sky and chased after its master.

  Please make it in time!

  Despite the distance, Newbie flinched as something, or rather, someone, burst from the heavens. Fluffy white clouds parted to wispy swirls as a shadowy shape plucked Cherrychomp from her trajectory. There the silhouette hovered upon feathered wings until the seeded steed arrived to reclaim its rider.

  As glad as Newbie was of the dark figure's intervention, something about them made her dreadfully uncomfortable, like prey beneath a predator. She tried to squint through the sun's rays and glean something from the umbra, only to notice two great golden orbs were gazing right back at her. A stare that pierced her like twin spears.

  Why...? Conflict is raging, so why is that shadow so focused on me?

  "Who -" Newbie started.

  Clang!

  She ducked instinctively, her body prepared for an impact that never came even as the sound petered out. Just like that, the golden gazer was gone.

  Looking back to the battle, it seemed the unicorn knight had finally entered the fray. Her shield was pressed against a colossal, club-like fist. Considering the vast size difference, Newbie could hardly believe it possible for the silver princess to block an attack. Yet there she was, standing firm.

  The tantruming tyrant, however, was not amused. Trembling fury shuddered through fur. It cranked its uninjured arm back and began to swing it in circles. Round and round, faster and faster.

  At first the unicorn knight appeared undeterred. If anything, she seemed to welcome the challenge. Her shield raised, knees bent and heels dug in. Yet as the arm gained enough speed to become a blur, signs of doubt started to show. A single step back. A glance at her surroundings. Then outright retreat, fleeing from the danger zone.

  "Is... Is this ok?" asked Newbie.

  Merrymint passed over her showman's stave then cracked her knuckles. If anything, she seemed more excited than fearful.

  The wind-up punch landed with enough force to quake the earth. The biscuit building the knight had been standing on just seconds before was utterly annihilated. A thunderous shock wave surged outward, shattering chocolate, cookie and candy alike.

  Stepping out in front, Merrymint adopted a wide, dramatic stance and threw her hands forth. Two cyclonic jets of green leaves burst out to meet the approaching tide of destruction. The rush of minty wind split the radiated ripple in two. A divided demolishing flood passed by on both sides, leaving both Newbie and Merrymint unharmed.

  Newbie straightened her shaking legs as crumbs rained and ruined structures toppled around them. "Thank you."

  Merrymint flicked her spectacles. "Next time you can save me, ok?"

  As glimmering clouds of vapourised sugar cleared, Newbie was relieved to see both the silver knight and the iridescent ballerina still standing in defiance.

  After her hurtling journey, Cherrychomp was back for revenge too. Plummeting down from up high, she had her toothy companion latch on once more, only this time, the Muncher's jaws struck between ursine ears. Enormous arms flailed, but they were too stubby to reach atop the oversized head. The little red fairy had clearly learned from her mistake, and would not be so easily shaken this time.

  Apparently unwilling to let her pet have all the fun, Cherrychomp pounced down and set about the enemy herself. Fairy jaws and claws began to shred, flinging stitches and spitting fuzzy stuffing. In that moment of savagery, the little red fairy appeared even more ferocious than the feasting Muncher beside her. Like a worm to an apple, she plunged her head deep into the torn seams and started to burrow until only her dainty shoes remained kicking outside.

  Panicked howls rang out as the sewn beast thrashed and crashed, causing far more damage in the chaos than it'd managed whilst actively trying. It was so understandably dismayed that it didn't notice the other two Fairy Princesses preparing to finish the fight.

  The ribboned rabbit hopped high with both legs cocked and ready, whilst the unicorn knight charged from the rear.

  A dull thud shook the air as the ballerina's double kick landed with enough power to ping a button eye clean off. Like a cork from a bottle, Cherrychomp was sent flying once more.

  Not again!

  The terrorising toy stumbled, its balance tested. That was when the silver princess slammed into the back of the bear's wobbling leg, causing it to collapse with a cacophonous crunch.

  Newbie clenched her fists and held her breath. For a moment there was only the fading sound of crumbling rubble...