With special permission from Madam Baba Yaga, Faybelle cheerhexed a spell to reverse all the magical chaos she’d created over the last couple of days. She chose to perform it on the athletic field—the one place where a cheer wouldn’t raise suspicions. There weren’t many students around—just the Ever After High Croquet Team, and they were on the far side of the field with their hedgehogs and mallets.
Magic, magic, hear my cry. (stomp)
Dark deeds, dark deeds,
say bye-bye. (stomp)
Magic, magic, in your face. (clap)
Erase it all,
without a trace. (stomp)
As the fairy dust cleared, and she lowered her pom-poms, there was a long stretch of not knowing. Had it worked? Or had she, the daughter of the Dark Fairy, once again failed to achieve her magical goals?
Then, on the horizon, six figures appeared—in flight. A shiver darted up Faybelle’s spine, for it was a spelltacular sight to behold. But, alas, even as the six fairies soared and dipped, her own wings hung against her back, as wilted as forgotten flowers.
“Our wings work!” they exclaimed as they landed beside her. They began to bounce up and down like, well, like cheerhexers.
“But weren’t we chasing someone?”
“You were chasing Humphrey.”
“We were?”
“Oh my godmother, how embarrassing!”
These were all good signs. Not only did their wings work, but they’d also clearly gotten over Humphrey. No lovesickness meant they were no longer under a spell and would be ready to practice. Things could get back to normal. Except for Faybelle, who was still under a curse.
But there was no time to wallow in self-pity. She hexted the team for an emergency practice session.
“Hurry up!” she called as Hunter, Nina, and Holly ran onto the field. “What took you so long?”
“I was getting a trim at the Tower Salon,” Holly said, though this wasn’t obvious, because her hair still hung to her knees.
Nina was carrying an armful of books. “I was studying for my Environmental Magic exam,” she explained.
An ax was slung over Hunter’s brawny shoulder. “And I was chopping wood for Hagatha’s new wood-fired pizza oven.”
Because Faybelle couldn’t hover, she stepped up onto a bench to ensure that her teammates could see her. “The team is back to normal, so we don’t have to forfeit after all. I think we can still master the inverted pyramid, but we have to make up for lost time.” She put her hands on her hips. “Where’s Farrah?”
“Here I am!” Half flying, half skipping, the blue-haired fairy waved as she approached. “My wings are back to normal! They’re not sick anymore. Justine is going to let me audition.” Though this did not surprise Faybelle, it still stung. So much effort for what?
“That’s great,” Holly and Nina said as they hugged her. But when Farrah looked at Faybelle, her smile vanished.
“What about your wings?” Farrah asked.
Faybelle untied the cape and let it fall onto the bench. She didn’t need to hide her wings. The fact that they still hung lifeless was as clear as the Ever After High sky. Despite her condition, she’d muster some pride! “Apparently, dark fairies have such a complex wing structure it takes longer for them to heal.” She raised an eyebrow, daring anyone to argue with that obvious fact. No one did. She clapped her hands. “Okay, enough chitchat. We have work to do. Let’s practice our cheer for regionals.”
Everyone grabbed pom-poms. Then, chanting the cheer Faybelle had written, they performed their pivots, turns, and kicks in perfect sync.
Spell!
Say what? Say what?
Spell!
That’s what we do!
We spell,
We spell for you!
The final grand move, the one that would blow the audience away, was the inverted pyramid. At least, that was the plan. With looks of trepidation, Hunter took his place. Then, with a boost from the rest of the team, Holly and Nina balanced on Hunter’s shoulders, forming the second row.
“Looking good,” Faybelle said. “Next row.”
Two of the fairies flew and landed carefully on the outside shoulders of the second row. Farrah then flew and landed gently, one foot on Nina’s inside shoulder, one foot on Holly’s inside shoulder. There was some wobbling.
“She’s stepping on my hair,” Holly complained.
“Steady,” Faybelle said. “Focus.” One of the fairies elbowed Farrah. “Hocus focus! How are you doing, Hunter?”
His face was turning red. “I’m okay. Just hurry it up. I can’t do this much longer!”
As soon as the three rows were steady, she called for the next row.
The last four fairies took to the air, then gently landed on the shoulders of the third row. Farrah’s knees buckled, but only for a moment. Nina began to sag. Faybelle clenched her jaw. They were so close. Faybelle held her breath. The pyramid teetered to the right, then the left.
“Whoa,” Hunter moaned.
“I can’t hold on any longer,” Nina warned.
“Anything that is worthwhile requires great focus,” Faybelle told them, quoting her wise old professor. “Close your eyes and think of nothing but this pyramid.”
As her team followed their captain’s instructions, the inverted pyramid took its perfect upside-down shape.
Faybelle gave them a standing ovation. The trophy would be theirs!
One by one, the fairies alighted, and the team gathered for a group cheer.
Stomp (stomp, stomp), stomp your feet!
Ever After High (clap) can’t be beat!