“Melli, you asked a very good question,” Princess Lolli told her. “There are many events we can be prepared for in Sugar Valley. We can try to prevent sour things from happening, but there is much we can’t predict or prevent.” She motioned for the fairies to move closer. When the fairies were huddled together, she continued. “Sadly, many events that happen are out of our control.”
“Like a volcano leaking,” Melli said.
“Or a river overflowing,” Cocoa added.
“Even a rainstorm,” Raina said softly.
“Yes, there are many things that happen naturally here in the valley,” Princess Lolli said. “But working together can make life sweeter and safer. All the fairies in the kingdom should feel very proud for lending a helping hand.”
Raina took the Fairy Code Book from her bag and showed the first page. “That’s what the Fairy Code Book says too.” She read, “‘Nature can’t always be predicted, so take care and be aware.’”
Princess Lolli nodded. “We all need to watch out for one another . . . and keep an eye out for leaking volcanoes!”
All of a sudden Cara came racing up to the group. “Please, come quick!” she cried.
“What’s happened?” Melli asked. Cara looked upset, and Melli worried one of the caramella birds might be seriously injured.
“Please,” Cara begged. “Come now!”
The fairies raced quickly to the animal rescue center. Melli could hardly breathe she was so nervous.
But once there Melli found quite a sight. Instead of finding a seriously wounded caramella, she saw a group of birds happy and clean.
“The caramella birds want to thank you all for your clever work,” Cara said proudly. “I was bursting to tell you, but I promised that I would make this a surprise.”
Melli hugged her little sister. “You’ve been pure as sugar,” she said. “Thank you for helping so much with the rescue center.”
“This is the sweetest part of the day,” Cara said, hugging her sister. “I’m so glad that Caramel Hills is almost back to normal.
“With extra butterscotch!” Dash blurted out. She looked around at the barrels of butterscotch that had already been filled. “It’s like the Butterscotch Festival has come early this year.”
“Dash, that is an excellent idea,” Princess Lolli said, smiling. “Why not have a celebration now? All the fairies worked so hard to rescue the caramellas and save Caramel Hills. I think we should have a party!”
“A bubblicious party!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“I couldn’t think of anything more fitting for this occasion,” the princess proclaimed.
With a declaration from Princess Lolli, the fairies started to fly . . . and soon the rescue center had been turned into a place fit for a royal celebration.
Pinkie, Berry, and Raina were a sugar-ific team again and created delicious bubble gum bubbles.
“A rainbow of bubbles,” Melli said when she saw the colorful decorations. “A sweet touch since the whole rescue mission was made possible by bubble gum!”
Cocoa and Melli joined several other Candy Fairies to whip up butterscotch candies.
“I’m so happy this butterscotch didn’t go to waste,” Cocoa said as she arranged the trays of freshly made candies.
Dash popped a candy into her mouth. “Mmm, you can say that again,” she said, licking her lips.
Everyone in Sugar Valley was enjoying the festivities in Caramel Hills. “Nothing like a delicious turn of events,” Melli whispered to Raina.
“How sweet it is,” she agreed.
A caramella bird landed on Melli’s shoulder and nuzzled her neck.
“Hey, little sweets,” Melli said, recognizing the yellow bird. “Weren’t you covered in butterscotch the last time I saw you?” She rubbed the bird’s neck and listened to the soft cooing. “I’m glad you are feeling better,” she said. “Now let’s try to keep you clean—and safe!”
The bird flew off into Caramel Hills. Melli smiled. She watched her friends enjoying Sun Dip in Caramel Hills. She felt relieved that once again her home was clean.
The quiet and still Butterscotch Volcano stood behind her. She eyed the bubble gum patch on the side. Princess Lolli was right: There was no way to predict another crack or sticky spill. But Melli knew her fairy friends would always be there for her—and the animals. Sure as sugar, Sugar Valley would stick—and work—together. And that made Melli feel extra-thankful.
“Melli!” Cocoa called. “Everyone is loving our caramel chocolate rolls.”
“It feels like ages since we made those,” Melli said. “What a long day!”
Cocoa smiled. “Come on, you must try this butterscotch hot chocolate. It’s double delicious!”
Melli flew over to where her friends and Cara were sitting. She took a cup and Cocoa poured her a serving of the hot, yummy drink. Then Melli raised her cup high in the air. “Here’s a toast to bubble gum and to the best team of Candy Fairies!” she said.
The fairies cheered, and everyone enjoyed the sweet drink as the sun settled down behind the Frosted Mountains.
The sweet smell of peppermint made Dash’s silver wings flutter. The small Mint Fairy was tending to her candies in Peppermint Grove. The weather was turning a little cooler, and there were many mint candies sprouting on the vines. This was perfect mint-chip weather! Dash picked a tiny mint pod from a stem in front of her. Carefully, she opened up the green pod, plucked the tiny mint chips out, and popped them into her mouth. “Mmm,” she said. “Just right!”
“How are the new chips?” asked Minny. The young Mint Fairy flew over to Dash. “I’ve been waiting for those to ripen. How do they taste?”
“Perfect,” Dash reported happily. She handed a pod to Minny. “Let me know what you think.”
Minny put a handful of chips in her mouth and quickly agreed. “Yum, these are good,” she said. “Dash, you are the master of mint!”
Dash blushed. She was excited about the mini mint chips. She thought they’d be perfect toppings for chocolates or even for ice cream. Just thinking about the yummy treats made her stomach rumble.
“Maybe we should take a break for lunch,” Dash suggested. She rubbed her belly. “I’m starving.”
Minny laughed. “Dash, you are always hungry!”
Dash couldn’t argue. “I might be small, but I do have a huge appetite!” she said, laughing.
There wasn’t a candy in Sugar Valley that Dash didn’t love . . . although some she liked more than others!
The two Mint Fairies settled down under the shade of a few large peppermint leaves. Dash was thankful for the rest—and the delicious fruit nectar that she had brought for lunch.
“Oh, look, Dash!” Minny exclaimed. “There’s a sugar fly note for you.” She pointed to the fly circling over Dash’s head.
Sugar flies brought messages to fairies throughout Sugar Valley. The flies could spread information—or gossip—to fairies far and wide. Dash quickly opened the note and then flew straight up in the air.
“Holy peppermint!” she cried. She zoomed around and then did a somersault.
“What did that note say?” Minny asked. She leaped up in excitement. “Must be extra-sweet news.”
Dash flew back down to the ground. “I just got the best invitation,” she told her friend. “You will not believe this. I can’t believe this!” She shot up in the air again.
“What?” Minny begged. “Come down and tell me!”
“This is so mint!” Dash gushed. “Wait till all my friends hear about this!” She scribbled off a note and handed it back to the sugar fly. “Please take this back to Meringue Island as fast as possible,” Dash instructed. “My answer is YES!”
Minny’s eyes grew wide. “Meringue Island?” she said. “Why, that’s all the way in the Vanilla Sea!”
“Yes,” Dash said. “And right near Mount Ice Cream.”
Clapping her hands, Minny cheered. “I know—were you invited to race in Double Dip?” she shouted.
“Sure as sugar!” Dash said, flipping in the air again.
“Dash, that is minty cool!” Minny exclaimed. “I’ve only read about that race. And now you are going to be in it!”
“I can’t believe it,” Dash repeated, landing back down on the ground.
Minny sighed. “I’ve never been all the way to Meringue Island,” she said wistfully. “I’ve heard that the Cone Harbor Festival weekend is supersweet. They have all these amazing flavors of ice cream and candy toppings for fairies to taste, and lots of carnival rides and parties.” She blushed when Dash raised her eyebrows. “I read all about the festival in the Daily Scoop,” she confessed.
Dash smiled. “I know. I’ve read those articles too! The festival seems totally mint,” she said. “And I’ve heard the Double Dip course is one of the most challenging sled races. The race is the last day of the festival.”
“Does that mean you’ll have to race against Menta and Peppa?” Minny asked. “They’ve been the champions for the past two years.”
“So you know about those Mint Fairies?” Dash said, raising her eyebrows. “They make mint ice cream and live on Meringue Island. They definitely have an advantage because they’ve run the course so many times. But this year the race is going to be different.”
“Why?” Minny asked, taking a sip of her drink.
“Because this year I’m in the race!” Dash boasted proudly. “I’ve never been to Mount Ice Cream. But now that I’ve been invited to go, I can’t wait! It’s not every day that a fairy gets invited to race in Double Dip!” Dash’s mind started to flood with ideas. “I can’t wait to start working on a new sled. I’ll need a double sled for this race,” she explained. “And I know just the partner to pick to ride with me.”
“Who?” Minny asked. She leaned in closer to Dash.
“The perfect fairy for the job,” she said. “She’s fearless, and she knows chocolate inside and out.”
“Oh, I’ve read there is that chocolate-coated part of the course,” Minny said. She tapped her finger on her head. “I’ve heard that is the part where lots of fairies fall off their sleds.”
“Exactly!” Dash exclaimed. “So with my secret chocolate partner, I’ll have the winning edge.”
“And a good friend to race with,” Minny said, giggling. “I know you are talking about your friend Cocoa. She’ll be fantastic.”
Taking a bite of a mint, Dash nodded in agreement. “I hope that she agrees. We’d make a sugar-tastic team.”
Dash called over another sugar fly. “I wonder if Carobee the dragon would take my friends and me to Meringue Island. The journey would be so sweet on top of a dragon! I hope he will agree to fly us across the Vanilla Sea.” She wrote her note and handed it to the sugar fly. “You’ll find Carobee in the caves on Meringue Island,” Dash told the fly. “Please hurry, and wait for his reply!”
Dash imagined the green-and-purple dragon getting the sugar fly note. She and her friends had met Carobee when they’d been searching for gooey goblins. While they had been looking for the mischievous creatures, they’d found Carobee. The fairies had become fast friends with the dragon after that adventure. Dash hoped that Carobee would be part of this adventure too!
The fly buzzed off toward Meringue Island. Dash leaned back and took a deep, slow breath in and out. “I just know this is going to be my year to win,” she said. “To win Double Dip is a huge honor.”
“And to beat Menta and Peppa would be a great accomplishment,” Minny added.
“Hmm,” Dash said, closing her eyes, thinking about the moment of glory. “Can’t you see Cocoa and me in the winner’s circle?” She sighed. “This is going to be so mint!” she exclaimed. “But first I have to ask Cocoa to be my partner!”
Helen Perelman enjoys candy from all parts of Sugar Valley, but jelly beans, red licorice, and gummy fish are her favorites. She worked in a children’s bookstore and was a children’s book editor . . . but, sadly, she never worked in a candy store. She now writes full time in New York City, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Visit her online at www.helenperelman.com.
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