Cocoa blushed. “Thank you, princess,” she said. “I can’t help but feel this was my fault. I gave you my promise to take care of these eggs. Plus, I couldn’t let Mogu take over Sugar Valley!”
“And he won’t,” Princess Lolli said. “At least, not today!” Her eyes sparkled. “Best to trick a troll with sweetness,” she added. “There are other ways, but this is the surest.”
The two fairies hugged.
“Come, let’s bring the eggs home,” Princess Lolli said. “We’ll be back just in time for
Sun Dip.”
Together, they lifted the basket and flew the eggs back to the chocolate nest.
Solid Chocolate
Wow!” Melli whispered to Cocoa. “Everything does look choc-o-rific! You saved the day, Cocoa.”
Cocoa and her friends stood on a stage built of white chocolate in the Royal Gardens. A large white banner hung across the stage. welcome, spring! was written in pink icing letters. Huge baskets of delicious candy flowers and thick red licorice stalks made the stage a beautiful sight. Everyone in the Royal Gardens was waiting for the Egg Parade to reach the castle. And to get a glimpse of the chocolate eggs!
Cheers were heard throughout the kingdom as the Chocolate Fairies marched in the festive parade. Some fairies rode on large floats made of chocolate, from the darkest dark to the purest white chocolate. On each float there were fairies showing off the season’s chocolate treats. Other Chocolate Fairies marched alongside the floats, waving and throwing out candy to the crowd.
The cheers brought a smile to Cocoa’s face. The Egg Parade was a big success, and the prized eggs were definitely the highlight.
“Everything does look choc-o-rific!” Cocoa said, smiling. She looked around at her friends. “Sure as sugar this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for all of you.”
“We didn’t do anything,” Dash said. “You were the one who saved the kingdom!”
“No fairy has ever been able to create candy in Black Licorice Swamp!” Raina cried.
Berry laughed. “Not that any fairy would want to!”
“The fact is that you did save the eggs,” Melli said. “You are a hero, Cocoa!”
“And I have the sweetest friends,” Cocoa added. She reached out to hug her friends. “You all came to help. You dropped everything and came to Chocolate Woods. You gave me the courage to go to Princess Lolli. How can I ever thank you?”
“That’s what friends do,” Raina said simply.
“Sure as sugar, they do!” Melli said, hugging Cocoa. “We are all very proud of you. Really.”
“And Princess Lolli,” Cocoa added. She looked over at the beautiful fairy princess. She was wear-ing her crown iced with the prized royal jewels, and her bright pink regal robe. “You should have seen her. She was so clever. She never gave in to that salty old troll! Her plan worked perfectly.”
Just then the caramel trumpets blared. Everyone looked to the royal gates. The candy procession slowly made its way up a special red walkway made of the finest strawberry and raspberry candies. The Chocolate Fairies all beamed with pride as they walked to the stage.
Princess Lolli sat tall in her dazzling candy throne in the middle of the stage. The Royal Fairies had worked so hard to make the castle sparkle, and everything was perfect. Princess Lolli waved Cocoa over to her.
Cocoa flew over excitedly.
“It’s almost time,” Princess Lolli said. She smiled
warmly at the Chocolate Fairy. “Are you ready, Cocoa?”
“I am,” Cocoa said, full of pride. She leaned in closer and whispered in her ear, “Thank you, princess.”
Cocoa stood tall next to Princess Lolli’s throne. She straightened her special chocolate leaf crown on her head.
She was ready. Feeling like her heart would burst with happiness, she tried to keep her wings still.
Four Chocolate Fairies carried a large sugar basket up to the stage. A chocolate quilt covered the spring eggs inside.
Princess Lolli stepped to the front of the stage. “Welcome to the annual Egg Parade!” she announced. She smiled at the crowd of fairies that filled the Royal Gardens.
The fairies all cheered.
“It is with great pride that I call upon Cocoa, our bravest Chocolate Fairy,” she said. “She has the honor of unveiling the prized spring chocolate eggs. Without her bravery, strength, and solid chocolate heart, we would not have these special eggs to celebrate today!”
An excited roar erupted from the crowd. The fairies were chanting Cocoa’s name. Word had spread quickly of Cocoa’s bravery. Everyone in Sugar Valley knew how Cocoa had made chocolate-covered pretzels appear in the Black Licorice Swamp and how she had helped put an end to Mogu’s plan. The chanting grew louder as she reached the center of the stage.
Cocoa stood next to Princess Lolli, waving to the crowd. Then she looked back over her shoulder. Her friends were cheering. Never had she been so proud!
She took hold of the chocolate blanket covering the sugar basket. With a gentle tug the blanket came off. Sparkling in the bright sunlight
were the chocolate eggs. They were wrapped in the special foil covers created by the Royal
Foil Fairies. The brightly colored designs were bold and beautiful. Each one had a unique design. The Royal Foil Fairies had done a fantastic job. The eggs were a delicious sight!
The crowd gasped. This was the highlight of the Egg Parade! And no one was happier than Cocoa.
“Cheers for Cocoa!” Princess Lolli declared. “Her bravery and her dedication to these eggs are reasons to celebrate. Happy Spring to all the fairies of Sugar Valley!”
The cheers brought a huge smile to Cocoa’s face.
“And now,” the princess declared, “let the chocolate feast begin!”
“I thought she’d never say that!” Dash said happily. She flew off quickly to gather some of the chocolate treats.
“Come on,” Berry urged her friends. “Let’s check out the floats with all the chocolates!” She spread her pink wings and followed Dash.
Cocoa took Melli’s and Raina’s hands. “You heard the princess,” she said. “Let’s eat!”
Together, the three fairies flew after Dash and Berry into the crowd.
The caramel trumpets blasted once again. Spring had arrived—along with the most delicious chocolates ever grown in Sugar Valley.
Cocoa watched her friends enjoying the feast. They gathered around her, grinning. Standing together, they all felt the excitement of the day.
Candy Kingdom was safe from Mogu—for now, at least. And that was definitely a reason for a sweet celebration.
FIND OUT
WHAT HAPPENS IN
Raina, a Gummy Fairy, grinned as she flew over Gummy Forest. Sweet, fruity smells filled the air as she glided down into the forest. She loved the colorful gummy trees and gummy wildflowers that filled her home. From the sky above, the forest was a beautiful rainbow patchwork.
“Lunchtime!” Raina sang out. She swooped down to Gummy Lake in the middle of the forest.
Raina was in charge of taking care of the gummy animals. All of the animals, from the adorable gummy bears to the mischievous gummy fish, loved her. Her kind and patient nature made her perfect for the job.
“Come and eat,” Raina called. She flew over Gummy Lake, sprinkling flavor flakes in the water
for the fish.
A swarm of bright red, green, yellow, and orange gummy fish surfaced and gobbled up the food.
Every day at the same time Raina would give the gummy fish their flavor flakes. The Fairy Code stated that gummy fish needed one serving of flavoring a day. Raina had memorized the Fairy Code Book. Some of her fairy friends made fun of her for following the rules so closely. Berry, a Fruit Fairy, and Dash, a Mint Fairy, were not big on following codes and rules. But Raina liked order and rules.
After giving the gummy fish their lunch, Raina poured the rest of the flavor flakes into a hollowed-out gummy log for the gummy bears. Then she poured in some swe
et syrup to make a sticky mixture. She rubbed her hands on her dress. A few more flavor flakes stuck on her dress wouldn’t matter. Her dress already had every color of the rainbow!
Raina was named after the Great Rainbow that appeared the day she was born. Because she was born under the rainbow, she loved bright colors—which was part of the reason she loved Gummy Forest so much.
She blew a few notes on her red candy whistle, and the little gummy bears came out of their caves. The cheerful little bears all lined up at the tree to get a scoop of their sticky treat. Raina made extra sure their food mixture was as sweet as honey.
The bears all reached out their paws to get their share. A little red bear slurped down his portion quickly.
“Slowly,” Raina said gently. She patted the little red cub on the head. “Nokie, I know that you’re hungry, but there’s plenty here.”
The red bear took his scoop and then waddled over to the gummy tree to lick his paws.
Raina smiled at the line of cute bears. Of all the gummy animals, she liked the gummy bear cubs the best. With their plump bellies and jolly personalities, the bears were fun to be around. Especially little Nokie.
Raina looked over at the tree behind her to see the young cub eating. Nokie was always first in line for feedings. Raina smiled at the bright red cub. Then she tucked her long, straight dark hair behind her ears and began to scoop out the food for each of the bears.
“Hi, Raina!” Berry called out. The Fruit Fairy flew down through the gummy trees and landed next to her friend. “I thought I would find you here.” She pointed to the line of bears. “I see it’s feeding time,” she said, smiling. Berry liked the gummy cubs too.
“Right on schedule,” Raina replied happily. She grinned at the beautiful Fruit Fairy. Berry’s raspberry-colored dress wasn’t stained or creased, like Raina’s dress. And sparkly sugarcoated fruit-chew clips held her hair in a perfect bun. Berry always looked her best.
“What brings you to Gummy Forest?” Raina asked.
Berry reached into the bag that was slung around her shoulder. “I am delivering some fresh strawberry syrup,” she replied. She held out a jar. When the sun hit it, the red liquid inside glowed. “I just made the syrup this morning. It’s berry fresh,” she said, giggling.
“Perfect,” Raina replied. “I’m sure Miro will be happy to have that. She’s over by the gummy flower patch.” She pointed to the young Gummy Fairy watering a bunch of seedlings. “She’ll be glad to get the new flavor for the flower garden.”
Chocolate Dreams Page 4