The Butterfly Girl: A Star is Born

The Investigation

[Sophia]

Apollo and I woke up the next day, seeing the twins waiting for us in the kitchen, looking for something to eat. They must've been here for some time. After a quick breakfast, we all headed back to the tree house, hoping Teri would show up. And sure enough, she did. We talked, but eventually, Apollo changed the conversation and started speaking about his concerns. About things he and I talked about last night. They quickly came to understand, also admitting the strangeness of it all. It certainly felt like one big coincidence, but it felt too soon to really propose anything. That was until Teri spoke up.

"You know... I have had to deal with some... threats recently."

"What? What kind of threats?" the twins asked in surprise.

"I mean... Apollo, those creatures from before. In the lake? I've been finding more of them recently. I think they're looking for my kingdom. No one's been hurt, thank goodness, but it's been quite concerning. I don't know where they're coming from..."

"You sure you don't want us to help you?" Apollo asked.

"Well, funny thing, I was thinking about it, but I was afraid to bother you. Especially now that we know there really are... monsters out there, we need to be more careful. I can't stand to think about any of us getting hurt."

"So... what do you want to do?"

"Well....." Teri hoisted herself out of the pond and sat on the edge, letting her long tail hang in the water.

"I think... we should try another investigation. A... careful investigation. We need to know more about where these creatures are coming from. You two have been fighting against them for years, and I'd really appreciate your help in keeping them away from my home."

Apollo and I nodded, already determined to make sure nothing would happen.

"So... what should we do?" I asked. Teri thought for a moment. She glanced at each of us before finally getting an idea.

"Okay, how about this...? Sophie, I want you to come with me to my home. We should look around the area outside of the kingdom and see if we can find out how those creatures are getting in and where they might be coming from."

"Um... okay?"

"What about us?" the twins asked.

"I think you should stick with Apollo and head to the lake. See if we can't find those creatures from the surface. They might be coming from somewhere else entirely. I think it's safer we we go into groups, just in case. I think you'll be safe as long as you don't actually go in the water."

"So... you just want us to look around?" Apollo asked.

"Yes. I think it's best we start with something simple and go from there. I want us to be prepared in case those creatures turn up again. The more prepared we are, the better chance we have against them if they ever decide to attack us."

"Hm, okay. I think I see what you mean. Let's do that then."

"Yeah, that sounds easy." the twins agreed.

While Apollo and the twins went off to survey the lake, I quickly went back to the house to change into a swimsuit and met Teri back at the tree house before we too headed off to the lake. I had a bubble charm rolling around in my mouth, and I was trying to be careful to not accidentally swallow it because I was freezing.

Winter was surely on the way. I had already stopped wearing shorts weeks ago. I was starting to think that Apollo should've gone instead. After all, he's a better swimer.

Teri and I walked to the cliffs edge, overlooking the lake. I carried her as carefully as possible and I huffed my wings downwards to slow our decent until we made it to the bottom. She dove into the lake without hesitation and waited for me. Just letting the water roll onto my feet sent cold shivers throughout my body, and as I inched further into the water, I started bouncing and jumping around. It was just that cold. I had to stop by the time the water got up to my waist. I could see that Teri was getting a little impatient.

"Oh, come on! It's not that cold!"

"Yes it is."

I shoved my arms into the water and braced the cold, my teeth chattering as my entire body shivered in the water. I took a few more steps in, finally letting my wings sink in with me.

"Make sure you swallow the charm after you get in. Don't chew on it or else it won't work!"

"I got it, I got it!"

I let out a shaky exhale before tilting my head upwards and forcing myself to swallow the charm. Once I did, I continued to inch in further. My head and my shoulders were the only things left exposed. I breathed sharpily as the freezing water got closer and closer. But at the same time, I was also starting to feel... a bit... light headed. I was... having trouble..... focusing.....

"Sophie? Sophie!" I heard Teri call to me.

My head drifted above the water for a moment, until I felt something wrap around my legs, surprising me as I was pulled under. I instictively held my breath and quickly shut my eyes as I was dragged deeper under the lake. After a moment or two, I was starting to feel a little better.

I suddenly felt Teri grasping my shoulders, trying to get my attention. I finally let my breath go and opened my eyes. Everything felt... normal. But I was still freezing cold.

"Hey, I told you to swallow the charm after you get in the water. It can be very dangerous if you take it before, even if you leave your head above the water. Are you okay? Can you keep moving?"

All my senses returned to normal and I could focus on her. I curled up my body into a ball as I shivered.

"Y-yeah, I'm okay. Let– let's just do this fast before I freeze."

Teri let me go and started leading the way further into the lake.

"You're not going to freeze, the water is perfectly fine. Just keep moving, that'll warm you up."

I exhaled sharply through my nose. Bubbles flew out and ascended as Teri and I descended. I used my wings to push me further, but kept them folded once we entered the dark tunnel. To me, it felt like we were taking a lot longer to get through than we did the first time. Once we made it through, I saw the familiar glow of Teri's kingdom in the distance and we headed towards it. It was just as mesmerizing as it was before. It felt like I was swimming straight into a dream.

Teri took me back to her room, towards the open balcony. She said we could rest here a moment before we pressed on. I gladly did so. She went into her room to look for something, but I stopped paying attention to her and turned to look at the beautiful city before me. I hovered over the edge of the balcony and let myself drift down, sitting neatly and staring into the dark distance. If I sat still enough, it didn't even feel like I was underwater anymore, and the effects of the charm made it easier for my mind to just... drift.

I wondered what it was like to live down here. I could almost see people in the distance, swimming along the streets. Some of them almost looked like Teri. I wish I could get closer to see them in better detail. How was this place able to even exist here? How long had it been here? Did they build this all themselves?

I thought about what would happen if humans had discovered this place. They'd probably dig it all up. Turn the entire area into a big industrialized research facility, destroying all the nature around it. They probably wouldn't even bother negotiating. They'd just threaten everyone, arguing over who has the right to lay claim to this land. I bet they'd kidnap some of Teri's people, test them, cut them open, just to understand why they are the way they are, instead of just politely asking them. Either way... they'd all be killed one way or another. Stupid humans...

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" said Teri from behind me, almost making me jump. I didn't hear her get close to me. She was holding something in both arms, but didn't look down at me. She was looking out in the distance, like I was.

"Yeah... it is." I replied quietly. I pulled myself back in the feeling of weightlesness. The glow of the entire kingdom against a dark background. I felt like I was somewhere else entirely. Yet I was still on Earth.

"My Mother used to say that she'd do whatever she had to... to keep her people safe and happy. She wouldn't do... anything to keep it that way, but she always did her best. I like to think... she was born for this role. She always seemed to know exactly what to do..."

I looked back up at Teri who had a much less... cheerful expression on her face. I'm not sure why it felt strange to see her like that.

"Even though she's not here, I'm still determined to my best. For the sake of my home. I know she would've wanted that."

I couldn't... think of anything to say about that, so I pointed to the objects in her arms.

"So... what's all that?"

Teri snapped back to the present and handed me something folded.

"Oh, here, try these."

I took the items from her and unfolded them. It was... some sort of light blue outfit. The material was light, almost silky. But almost... slippery at the same time.

"I know you're not used to being in the water as much as I am, so... this might help keep you warm. It's just an old outfit of mine, I don't wear it much anymore."

"Wow... uh, thanks."

The pale blue outfit was a long skirt and a flowy blouse with long sleeves, but the back part remained open because of my wings, but it didn't feel... awkward. I finally stood up to see the entire length of the outfit. Teri thought it suited me. She said it was pretty. I finally pointed to the other object in her arms. It was taller than her whole body, and out of all the blues and greens within the entire area, this was much more... gold in tone. Teri held it proudly with one hand to the side and spun it around for me to see in better detail.

"It's my Mother's trident. Her weapon. She hardly ever carried it around with her, it was mostly for show. Like special occasions. I used to try to play with it when I was little and my Mother had to stop me before I hurt myself. Ever since... she disappeared, I've been... practicing with it. With all these... creatures showing up, I want to do my best to protect my people. And... my friends."

I felt a strange... pang in my chest at the end of that sentence.

"Is it heavy?" I asked.

"Yeah, a little bit. When I was little, I could barely lift it. But I'll get better with it, as long as I practice often."

I took a moment to observe Teri.

"It's so cool... I like it. It suits you."

"Really? You think so?"

"Yeah. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in no time."

Teri smiled at me.

"Yeah... okay, let's get going! We've got a lot of ground to cover."