Mariposa and the Fairy Princess Junior Novelization (Barbie) Read online

  Special thanks to Diane Reichenberger, Cindy Ledermann, Jocelyn Morgan, Kim Culmone, Tanya Mann, Emily Kelly, Sharon Woloszyk, Carla Alford, Rita Lichtwardt, Kathy Berry, Rob Hudnut, David Wiebe, Shelley Dvi-Vardhana, Gabrielle Miles, Rainmaker Entertainment, and Walter P. Martishius

  BARBIE and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel, Inc.

  Copyright © 2013 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  www.barbie.com

  Published in the United States by Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, and in Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto. Random House and the colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

  eBook ISBN 978-0-449-81636-3

  Trade Paperback ISBN 978-0-449-81635-6

  randomhouse.com/kids

  Random House Children’s Books supports the First Amendment and celebrates the right to read.

  v3.1

  Contents

  Copyright

  Title Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Mariposa the Butterfly Fairy flapped her delicate shimmering wings and soared through the sky. She tilted her head toward the sun to feel its warmth on her cheeks and took a deep breath, smelling the sweet scent of flowers wafting up from the fields below. Mariposa grinned at her best friend, Willa, who was gliding along beside her. What a lovely morning in Flutterfield!

  The two Butterfly Fairies were headed to the palace, where Mariposa worked in the royal library. The morning flight with Willa was Mariposa’s favorite part of the day. It gave the friends a chance to catch up and take in the beauty of their city.

  The girls weren’t the only fairies out and about on such a glorious morning. The sky buzzed with activity as fairies zipped this way and that, carrying backpacks, briefcases, and breakfast. While the passersby might have been headed to different places, they all seemed to recognize Mariposa.

  “Morning, Mariposa!” one fairy called.

  “Hi, Mariposa! Thanks for the suggestion on the book!” another shouted across the sky.

  Mariposa nodded and waved to each passing fairy. She had to admit, she was something of a celebrity in Flutterfield these days. It was all because of the Skeezites, scary monsters who preyed on Butterfly Fairies. Recently, the Skeezites had threatened to attack Flutterfield. But with the help of her fairy friends, Mariposa had returned the city to safety. Ever since then, she had been getting a lot of attention. It seemed she couldn’t go anywhere without someone recognizing her.

  “Excuse me, Mariposa?” a woman called from behind them.

  Mariposa and Willa turned and saw the woman hovering nearby with a young girl.

  “Yes?” Mariposa replied, stopping to talk.

  “Sorry to bother you,” the fairy began, “but I was hoping you might have a chance to say hello. My daughter is a big fan.”

  “Of me?” Mariposa asked, flattered.

  The little fairy girl nodded vigorously. “I know all about how you and your friends got the big, scary Skeezites out of Flutterfield,” she announced.

  Mariposa gave the girl a warm smile. “Oh, it wasn’t just me. There were lots of fairies who helped. Willa helped,” she explained, pointing to her best friend.

  The little fairy girl leaned close to Mariposa. “Is it true you’ve read every book in Flutterfield?” she asked in an awed whisper.

  Mariposa let out a laugh. She did love to read, but she wasn’t sure anyone could read all the books in their enormous royal library! “Well, not every one,” she answered with a wink. “But there’s still time.”

  The fairy girl giggled and then rooted around in her schoolbag. She pulled out a quill and a notebook. “Will you sign my book?” she asked eagerly.

  “Really? Okay,” Mariposa said, feeling slightly embarrassed. This wasn’t the first time someone had asked for her autograph, but it still felt strange that so many people should know her. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to it. Nevertheless, she took the quill, turned to a fresh notebook page, and began to sign her name.

  “And whenever you’re looking for book recommendations,” she added, handing the notebook back to the girl, “come by the royal library in the palace. I’m there every day.”

  The fairy girl excitedly clutched her notebook to her chest. “I will, for sure! Thanks so much, Mariposa!” she exclaimed. “Bye!”

  The mother fairy reached for Mariposa’s hand. “Thank you,” she said gratefully.

  Mariposa waved to them both as they flew away. It sure was fun getting to stop and speak with so many of the citizens of Flutterfield. Being famous had its perks!

  Just then, Willa’s voice snapped Mariposa back to reality. “Hey! How come I never get an autograph?” she whined, pretending to pout.

  Mariposa grinned and poked her best friend playfully in the arm. “Because you never have a pen!” she joked.

  The two friends cracked up and continued flying to the palace.

  “You must be the most famous librarian ever,” Willa said.

  “Royal historian,” Mariposa corrected her. “And I chose the best job in the world. I get to spend all day with the biggest book collection in Flutterfield—it’s perfect!”

  The girls flapped their shimmering wings and flew high above a field of gorgeous Flutter Flowers. Suddenly, they heard a loud screech.

  EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKK!

  Mariposa stopped and looked around. She spotted a familiar furry pink puffball racing through the sky. It darted this way and that, almost knocking over several fairies as it barreled right toward Mariposa. She braced herself as the high-energy puffball crashed right into her knees.

  “Easy, Zee!” she said, laughing and helping her bubbly pet puffball steady herself.

  Zee flapped her arms and squeaked loudly. Mariposa! she seemed to say.

  “I’m right here. What is it?”

  Zee jumped up and down wildly and pointed toward the castle.

  Mariposa furrowed her brow and focused. What was Zee trying to tell her? “The queen wants to see me right away?”

  Zee nodded.

  “Did she say why?” Mariposa asked.

  Zee shrugged. She didn’t know. Maybe the queen was planning on throwing Mariposa a surprise party. She pretended to hide and then yell Surprise!

  “That would be a surprise,” said Willa, “since it’s not Mariposa’s birthday.”

  Mariposa giggled. There was only one thing to do. “Let’s go find out!” she cried. “Zee, lead the way!”

  At the palace a short while later, Mariposa carefully opened the door to the throne room and stepped inside. Willa and Zee followed.

  Zee gave a low whistle. Check this place out!

  Mariposa looked around the lavishly decorated space and let out a breath. Even though she came to the palace every day for work, she rarely had a chance to leave the library. She couldn’t believe that such a beautiful room had been right around the corner all this time!

  She tried to calm her nerves by taking a deep breath. Mariposa knew that Queen Marabella ruled her kingdom with kindness, but still, it wasn’t every day
that the queen summoned her.

  At the far end of the long, narrow room, Mariposa saw two large, regal thrones. Queen Marabella sat in one. Her son, Prince Carlos, sat in the other, and Lord Gastrous stood nearby. The queen motioned Mariposa forward.

  “Mariposa,” she said in a warm voice. “Thank you for coming.”

  “Of course, Your Majesty,” Mariposa replied, curtsying deeply. She turned to the prince and repeated her curtsy. “Prince Carlos.”

  “Good morning, Mariposa,” the prince replied smoothly.

  Lord Gastrous cleared his throat arrogantly. “Ahem,” he said, glaring at Mariposa.

  “Oh!” Mariposa exclaimed. She was so nervous, she’d almost forgotten to curtsy in his direction as well. “Lord Gastrous,” she said, sinking down extra low to make it up to him.

  The lord gave her a smug nod.

  Queen Marabella spoke. “Mariposa, tell me, what do you know about Crystal Fairies?”

  Mariposa bit her lip. “The Crystal Fairies? From Shimmervale?”

  Zee wrinkled her nose and stuck out her tongue. Crystal Fairies—yuck!

  Mariposa thought for a moment. She wasn’t sure why the queen would be asking her about Crystal Fairies, although from her reading, she had learned a fair amount about them. She wondered which facts the queen would be most interested in.

  “Well,” she began, “their land is built on an amazing natural energy source called Crystallites, and the Crystallites heat and power everything in their realm.”

  Carlos leaned toward the queen. “I told you she’d be the perfect choice,” he whispered.

  “Hardly,” Lord Gastrous grumped. “She hasn’t mentioned that they’re vicious, vile, and the sworn enemies of the Butterfly Fairies.”

  Mariposa cleared her throat timidly. “With all due respect, Lord Gastrous, I don’t believe that to be true.” All of her reading had shown her that the Crystal Fairies were peaceful. But she knew many citizens of Flutterfield distrusted them.

  “Aha! You see?” Lord Gastrous said, waving an annoyed finger in the air. “Misinformation! I’ve been around long enough to know who our enemies are.”

  Willa tugged on her best friend’s arm. “Mariposa, Crystal Fairies are scary and cruel,” she said.

  “Only because that’s what we’ve been led to believe,” Mariposa replied. “It’s what’s in our fairy tales. But the real history is different. Look.”

  Mariposa walked toward a thick, ancient-looking book resting on a table nearby. She opened the book to a picture of Crystal Fairies and Butterfly Fairies dancing together in front of a beautiful shimmering waterfall.

  “Centuries ago,” she continued, showing the picture to the queen, “Butterfly Fairies and Crystal Fairies were allies. Then the Crystal Fairies accused the Butterfly Fairies of trying to steal their Crystallites.” She turned the page. “The Butterfly Fairies denied it, the Crystal Fairies didn’t believe them, and everyone got angrier and angrier. Then the two sides declared themselves eternal enemies and vowed never to have contact again.”

  Willa took the book from Mariposa and leafed through it. “Okay,” she said. “But what about the part where the Crystal Fairies grind Butterfly Fairy wings to make their bread? Where’s the picture of that?”

  Mariposa shook her head. “You won’t find it; never happened,” she said matter-of-factly.

  Lord Gastrous pounded his fist on the arm of his throne. “Preposterous! Your Majesty, the girl has no idea what she’s talking about!”

  “But I do!” Mariposa exclaimed, taking a step forward. “Your Majesty, all the horrible stories about Crystal Fairies are just that: stories.”

  Queen Marabella nodded approvingly. “And that’s exactly the thing on which we should base our decisions: research, not hearsay.” She cast a sideways glance at Lord Gastrous. “I’m convinced,” she announced, fixing her gaze on Mariposa. “You shall leave for Shimmervale as Flutterfield’s royal ambassador at once. You will live with their royal family for one week and prove that Butterfly Fairies and Crystal Fairies can be friends.”

  Mariposa’s mouth dropped open. Her? A royal ambassador?

  Zee pretended to faint.

  “But Crystal Fairies are dangerous!” Willa protested. “If Mariposa goes there, she’ll be—”

  “Welcomed as an honored guest,” Queen Marabella interrupted. “That’s what King Regellius assured me.”

  “The Crystal Fairies will love you, Mariposa. I know it,” Prince Carlos added, trying to reassure her.

  Mariposa could feel everyone’s eyes on her. She knew they were expecting her to go along with the plan. After all, it was a royal request. But Mariposa was unsure. What if she let the queen—and the city of Flutterfield—down?

  “But who will look after the royal library?” she asked, stalling.

  “Willa can manage it,” the queen replied.

  “She can?” Mariposa asked uncertainly.

  “I can?” Willa echoed.

  “Of course she can,” Prince Carlos declared. “And I will help also.”

  Mariposa wrung her hands. She was honored that the queen thought she could perform such an important job. But it all was happening so fast! She’d never traveled alone outside of Flutterfield before. What if she got lost? What if they didn’t like her? She took a deep breath.

  “I—” she started. “I’m sorry. I can’t.” She covered her face with her hands and raced from the throne room.

  A little while later, Mariposa sat in her favorite thinking spot on the outskirts of Flutterfield with Zee curled up in her lap. Mariposa loved to watch the stars from there. Their twinkling always seemed to calm her.

  Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the quiet. “Ah, Willa told me I’d find you here.”

  Mariposa turned toward her visitor. “Hello, Carlos,” she said.

  The prince sat on the soft ivy leaves next to Mariposa and was quiet for a moment. Then he asked, “Why won’t you go to Shimmervale?”

  Mariposa stopped petting Zee and sighed. Carlos had asked the question she’d been dreading all afternoon. “I don’t think I’m ambassador material,” she admitted softly.

  Prince Carlos looked surprised. “But you’re the smartest fairy I know!” he cried. “You’ve read every book on Shimmervale.”

  “Yeah, I’m great with books,” Mariposa replied. “But making peace with the Crystal Fairies? I can’t do that.”

  “I know you’ll win them over,” Carlos insisted.

  Mariposa shook her head, unconvinced. “But what if I don’t? What if I say or do the wrong thing? What if I make things worse?”

  It was Carlos’s turn to shake his head. “You won’t,” he said confidently. “We all believe in you. Just be yourself. And remember, the best way to make a friend is to be a friend.”

  Mariposa thought about that. It was good advice. Still, she wasn’t sure she had enough courage.

  “Oh,” Carlos continued. “I almost forgot. My mother asked me to give you this.” He reached into his satchel and pulled out a delicate, glowing flower.

  Mariposa gently took the flower in her hands, feeling the warmth of its light.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  Zee’s eyes bulged out of her head. Wow! Beautiful is right!

  “It’s a Flutter Flower,” Carlos explained. “It’s made from the most precious magic of Flutterfield. Whenever you have doubts, just take it out and it will remind you of us.”

  Mariposa smiled. Somehow, looking at the Flutter Flower’s beauty made her realize just how important this mission was. She had a chance to help others appreciate what made Flutterfield special. How could she pass that up?

  Mariposa straightened her shoulders and looked Carlos in the eyes. “Okay,” she said, determined. “I’ll go to Shimmervale.”

  Carlos pumped his fist in the air: Yes! He took her hand in his and laid out the plan. “You’ll be welcomed on the outskirts of town,” he explained.

  Mariposa nodded. Her mind was already ra
cing with everything she needed to do to get ready.

  “Guess I’ll see you when I get back, then,” she said, gliding into the air with Zee at her side. “Bye, Carlos.”

  “Good-bye!” Carlos called. “And good luck!”

  I’ll need it, Mariposa thought.

  Back in her room with Willa and Zee, Mariposa stared at her bookshelf. She tried to decide which books to pack for her trip to Shimmervale. But it was impossible to narrow down the list, so she just grabbed as many as she could carry. Then she turned to Willa and continued her instructions.

  “Okay. Monday, the new manuscripts come in. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you need to lead guided tours. On Wednesdays, the tapestries get touched up and cleaned, and on Friday, we read books to the elderly,” she said.

  Mariposa hoped Willa was paying attention. Leaving the library in someone else’s hands—even if they were her best friend’s—was stressing her out! “Willa, did you get all that?”

  Willa looked up from the notebook she was furiously scribbling in. “Yes. I think so,” she said unsurely. “What was that thing you said? After ‘Monday’?”

  Smiling, Mariposa rolled her eyes and blew out a breath. She would just have to trust that the library would still be standing when she returned. She flew to her suitcase with her pile of books and dumped them in. “There!” she exclaimed, brushing her hands together. “Is there anything I forgot?”

  Willa and Zee looked at her suitcase overflowing with nothing but books.

  “Um…,” Willa started, “your clothes?”

  Mariposa slapped her forehead. “Oh. Right,” she said sheepishly. “Hmm.” She eyed her suitcase. There didn’t seem to be any room!

  “I’m on it,” Willa announced, taking charge. She zoomed around the room and returned to the suitcase with a little pile of clothes. She moved aside a few books and stuffed the clothes in a small corner. Now all they had to do was close it. First Willa tried sitting on the suitcase. Then she tried jumping on it. But it was no use—the suitcase was too full!

  She motioned for Mariposa and Zee to help. Working together, they shoved and squeezed until finally they managed to close the suitcase.