[ Next day - afternoon ]

  When I wake up I find myself lying in bed. Not only that, but I'm also in my own bedroom again. I wish they would stop doing that, moving me while I'm sleeping. But why don't I even notice that? So mysterious.

  I'm wearing PJs, so Rachel must have held them against my body, which usually does the trick. It's one super convenient way to change clothes, let me tell you that! But something tells me that she still has a passion for toy dolls and has one hidden away somewhere. Why else would she keep them in my room? I certainly don't need them, only their clothes. Mmm, that somehow sounded....weird.

  I wonder what that message was all about, after defeating that scorpion monster. I was going through a final evolution, but my reflection in the mirror still looks exactly the same!

  "Eehhhhhh........no, that's new. How many tails do I have now?!! 1...2.....9 tails!! I actually have 9 fluffy tails now?! No way.......just look at the fluff! And yet....they're not heavy at all."

  What's better than the fluffiest tail in the universe? 9 of them! I'm sooooo gonna love cuddling with them ter!

  There are a few doll dresses lying on my bedroom table, but there are also 3 dolls. I swear, my room looks just like a little girl's room now. Maybe Rachel is waiting to find a home for them? It's a waste to throw them away, sure, but why keep them here? Well.....I don't really mind, and the one with wings really does look cute with all the fluff. Hehehehe....but I have even more fluff now!

  I choose a pink dress because I'm in a rexed, girly mood and I know that mom doesn't mind. Might as well enjoy wearing them, right? Besides, it has an ice cream cone on it, so it's not too girly.

  The bedroom door is ajar, and I easily fit through the opening. My wings don't produce any sound in this state, only in my combat mode, so it's perfect for flying in nature and such. Just a rexing flight without the annoying buzz behind me.

  I fly downstairs and take a left turn, ending up in the kitchen. But there's nobody there, so I fly towards the living room and see a few new faces. There's mom and Rachel, but also a guy in an Air Force uniform and a young dy wearing the female version of that uniform.

  "Ahhh, there's our little monster killer right now!" Mom said, definitely very happy to see me.

  "Good morning," I said. "Sorry, I seem to have missed a few things?"

  "It's good to see you up and about, Ann. You got us worried."

  I nd in mom's hands and look up. "Yeah, sorry about that. It's good to be back, mom."

  She winks and then says "it's afternoon, actually. Rachel is already preparing coffee and fruit. Why don't you join us and nd on the table?"

  I look at the kitchen and see Rachel indeed preparing things for me. She noticed and we both smiled, because she's just like a big sister to me.

  "Thanks, Rachel!" I shouted, and then nded on the table.

  "Before I introduce you to our guests, how many tails do you now have? I lost count." Mom asked, but she was definitely teasing me.

  "I have 9 of them now! And yes, I also got other very welcome upgrades. Shields too! It's because of all the crystals they keep feeding me. And before you ask, I tried to hide my tails, but I'm stuck with 9 now."

  I then focus on our guests, since it would be impolite to keep them waiting. "I'm Ann Finley, nice to meet you." I waved at the guests in our home.

  "Likewise, it's a privilege to meet you. I'm Major Rees, and this is Lieutenant Benson."

  She nodded once, "pleased to meet you, Defender Finley."

  "Em.......I know that ranks and such are important, but I'm not in the military. Please, just call me Ann, okay? Everyone does, even mister Thompson. Oh...shouldn't he be here too?" I looked around, just in case I missed seeing him earlier.

  The Major replies "no, he has other duties to attend to, but will keep in touch. Please allow me to get you up to speed. The President has ordered you to join our 1st Tactical Extermination Squad. We're fighting monsters at the front lines, and we need your fairy dust to breach through their defensive lines."

  "I see. So...how does that work...exactly?"

  "We'll brief you on our way there, but as you already suggested during your interview after the battle, you and us will team up. You will weaken our target in any way you can, after which we will send it back to hell."

  I grinned because of his colorful metaphor, but then my smile vanished."Wait....you mean...NOW? I just got here!"

  "No, you have earned a moment of rest."

  And how long is a moment? Better not ask them."Riiiight. Can't wait to see them being squashed by your defenses. What are we talking about? Air attacks, missiles, tanks?"

  "Since our enemy isn't able to follow our conversations, and all parties present have signed a non disclosure agreement, I can answer that question. We have long range tactical missiles standing by for the really big ones. More manageable sizes will be dealt with by A10s, F16s and Apaches. Ground support is also avaible."

  "Cool, so you have Thunderbolts?"

  "We do. Are you familiar with them?" He looked surprised.

  "Am I? Ha! My dad was beyond impressed by those and made me memorize them. He mostly loved the impressive machine gun, of course."

  "Yes, bugs don't stand a chance against those, unless they use shields. And that's where you come in."

  "I understand. Do you also equip your birds with AGMs?" Birds are airpnes. Dad would have loved joining me here.

  "What are AGMs?"

  "Eh....fire and forget missiles, like Hellfires? They are armor piercing, and are also perfect for use on the A10s, giving them long range abilities."

  "You seem well informed, Ann. The Hellfires are still in the experimental phase. How did you learn about those?" He gnced at his colleague for a moment.

  "Eh....they are old news where I come from. I would take a different approach, though."

  "Really? By all means, share it with us. We're all on the same side here."

  "True. Okay...I would try to collect my fairy dust, and pour it into a Tomahawk. Launch them from a nearby sub or from a high altitude aircraft, like a B52.

  Once the shields are gone, let your A10s do what they do best and use the Apaches to open fire from a few miles away. It's much faster than letting me fly over the battlefield."

  He nods, and then smiles. "Your idea has merit, but of course we already thought of a simir delivery method. And no, we're not pnning to let you approach the big ones."

  "The scorpion was big." I said. They let me near that thing too, right?

  "No, that was a small css monster."

  "No way...are you kidding me?"

  "Not at all. While these smaller ones are found all over the pce, the big ones are our true nemesis. They can't be stopped through conventional means.......and withstood a direct nuclear attack in the Pacific Ocean."

  Bingo, I knew they had tried that already."My god....they are aquatic too?"

  "Some of them are, yes."

  "I never asked Thompson, so allow me to ask you. Are monsters everywhere? Or only in our country?"

  "No, they are everywhere, and we're coordinating efforts worldwide. But not all nations have the needed firepower, and we can't give it away like candy. The safety of our people, as cruel as it may sound, is our top priority. But as I said, we share our findings and will help where possible, but that help is limited. We're hoping that you can finally make a difference."

  "How much fairy dust do you need? I'm not exactly a weapons factory...just saying."

  "We're aware of that. Our goal is to focus on the big targets first, and make our way to the smaller ones gradually. Our mission is to prevent the extinction of mankind, and that's exactly what you will be supporting us with. So....we'll need all of your fairy dust...every day...every ounce."

  "No pressure...okay, I'll do my best. But no guarantees. I have no idea how to make that much, but I can always ask the other fairies for advice."

  "Yes, we've read the report. We can use all the help we can get. Maybe they're willing to part with some fairy dust as well?"

  I shake my head. "Um....I wouldn't get your hopes up. They are super kind people, but when I ever so carefully asked if they were willing to help....I was rejected immediately. I don't want to antagonize them."

  "Good point. Just...try."

  "Of course. But where will you take me? I don't know if there are fairies near that pce."

  "We'll take you to Florida again, or what's left of it. It seems that the bugs have chosen the pce for its climate and are consolidating there. Many of the very big bugs are now there. If we can strike many at the same time, it will not only boost morale, but also save countless lives."

  "Okay, that's good to know. But what about those bug stones? Will you be targeting those too?"

  "Of course."

  Suddenly I got the shivers, and then saw a message.

  =================WarningDestroying mana buds will destroy all life on Earth.=================

  When I told the Major about this message, he was quite surprised."I see, so they're called mana buds? And who exactly gave you this intel?"

  "I have no idea! But this thing never lies!"

  "How accurate is that information?"

  He's beginning to annoy me. It's not like I'm making any of this up!"Why don't you blow up a bug stone and find out? You'll have your information, but you probably won't be around to gloat about it! It said: destroys...all....life. Period. Sounds pretty clear to me. Why don't you believe me? I'm on your side!"

  "There's no need for that kind of agitation. I can't go to General Nieves and tell him that a fairy received a mysterious anonymous message which told us not to shoot those damn bug stones!"

  The dy next to him, the Lieutenant, said "Ann...we are fighting a losing battle right now, and people at the top are getting nervous. The bug stones are a very tempting target."

  "Yeah, I can understand that! Then........then let's study those things before we blow them up. I can touch them and maybe help with the science instruments you want to use."

  Both military officers gnce at each other and nod. The Major then says "we'll discuss this with the General. But just so you know, we're not the ones deciding what will happen. But I'll make sure to get your warning across."

  I take a deep breath, and then reply "very well, that's all I can ask for."

  After that heated discussion, we enjoyed a good cup of coffee and I devoured half an apple for a te lunch.

  "If you don't mind, Ann. We would like to see your upgraded combat mode. Do you think that it's safe to try that here?" The Major asked.

  "Not in my house, go outside please." Mom sounded very polite, but the message was clear....we don't want to get on her bad side.

  "We could leave for Florida, if you prefer that option." The Lieutenant asked her superior.

  But I answered the question before he could."No way, I just returned home! I need to recharge once in a while. Besides, even the President promised me! Rachel's going to bake a chocote cake and I'm not going to miss that for the world! I know you want me in Florida, but not yet, okay?"

  "We have a box of crystals in the car. Can't we entice you to come along? You'd have something to snack on while we get you to the sunny south." The Major tried to entice me to come along.

  "Heheheh.....sorry, chocote cake sounds better, no offense. But.....you could leave them here and make me go with you in....a day or two?"

  "We agree! We would have been happy if you said a week, but this is much better than expected."

  "Bummer...I should have said a week!" I facepalmed.

  "Hahahah, you have much to learn, Ann." Mom said.

  "Yeah...but still....two days with my family...sounds awesome! And kicking some big bug butt sounds enticing too!"

  "That's the spirit!" The Major said. "Now why don't you show us your upgrade? Ma'am, is your backyard an option?"

  "Sure, just don't let her near my windows. And for god's sake stay away from her tails, Thompson warned me about those."

  "We were pnning to. Alright, miss Ann, let's see what you got."

  I follow them into our backyard and nd on the wn, far away from the fence and any windows. They are also keeping their distance from me.

  "This should be safe. Combat mode!" I feel my 9 tails assuming an attack position, but the stingers are still in their safe standby position. But the dizziness I feel is overwhelming, the whole world suddenly looks strange.

  "My god.....are you okay, Ann?!" The Major said. He rushed over to me and kept me from falling, but noticed that I needed some time. I was simply fbbergasted.

  "What...happened?" I asked, while slowly beginning to realize that I wasn't hallucinating.

  "You're one big fairy, that's what happened." He offered his hand and we shook hands before I even noticed. "Finally we get to meet on equal footing, Ann. I'm beyond impressed. This means that you can fight the really big ones now, right?"

  "Eh.....I'm not sure. Sorry, I need a moment. Am I really human again?" No, I remember seeing my tails...so.....just a big fairy?

  "No, you look the same as you did before, only...big." The Lieutenant said while staring at my chest area for a moment.

  "AAAAAHHHH!" We were startled by a scream next door. Emily's head is clearly visible above the fence, but she quickly leaves. Not even 10 seconds ter she rushes through our garden door and crashes into me, hugging me. "Aaaaaann!! You're big!"

  "Hi Emily, I missed you too!" I said, while enjoying her hug.

  "My god, you are super cute!" She gave me a peck on my cheek, which felt embarrassing in front of the military officers, and then she released the hug. "You look amazing! I can finally squeeze you without killing you! But what's with those teeth!"

  I was still trying to figure out why she kissed me, when I realized that she waited for an answer. My teeth?

  I take a look at my reflection in the garden door and see gruesome teeth there. Not sure how, but not wanting to see those actually made them go away, repced by normal human looking teeth. Magic......don't knock it until you try it!

  "Ahem." The Major said. "I hate to break up this reunion, but we're in the middle of a demonstration."

  "Oh? Oooooh....oops." Emily stepped back. "Sorry, go on. Heeeey, your teeth...ah....sorry, okay, okay, I'm gone. Sheesh."

  I look at her and wink. We can finally have fun together. Go swimming, watch movies, go on a bike ride. Not that I need to ride a bike, but still.

  "Ann?" He asked.

  "Oops...sorry, my mind was wandering. It's good to be big again! I can't wait to eat that cake!"

  He smiled and waited until my grin had disappeared. "Now show us what you can do."

  I nod and see my tails moving forward, resembling a scorpion. My stingers appear as well. My wings are buzzing loudly and I fly high up into the sky, then circle around our home and do a few flybys.

  After a few minutes I nded in front of him, with my shield enabled. I think I'm already used to this size."I'm faster, and more agile. My fairy dust is loaded and ready for use. Not sure, but I think that I can supply you with lots now." I disabled my shield again.

  "Very impressive. Do you think that we can collect your dust? Or will it vanish?"

  "I'd love to show you and test it, but it can't be used near electricity or technology."

  "There's none here. Wait...car keys and cell phone. Lieutenant, you too, put them inside."

  "Yes, sir."

  When they returned, they asked Emily to return home, but she decided to watch the show from her position above the fence, to the annoyance of the Major.

  "Ann, I know it doesn't look like much, but this bucket will have to do. If you could load some fairy dust into it, we'll leave and have it analyzed. Deal?"

  "Sure, just don't let it spill in your car or get near microscopes and such. Trust me..."

  "Noted, we'll be careful."

  I fly up and try hovering above 6 feet about the bucket, just to be safe. "Fairy dust!"

  That's when a one heck of a green snowfall started happening.

  "Stop! That's plenty!" The Major shouted.

  However, the snow just kept pouring out of me, even after I shouted to make it stop. It finally ended when I closed my eyes and focused on seeing Emily ter. Not sure why, but it helped to stop the fairy dust coming out of me. I don't even know where it's coming from. From my wings?

  When I nd next to the bucket, I see that the dust has become a liquid and has filled the bucket more than intended. The Lieutenant takes the bucket away, trying to go into our home, but sees mom shaking her head. She seems to understand mom and instead of entering the house, uses the garden door to get to their car.

  A few minutes ter the whole wn started to sparkle, like sunlight reflecting on freshly fallen snow....which now that I think about it, is basically what just happened.

  The grass starts to grow until it reaches my arms. I'm standing on the spot where the bucket stood, so not much dust fell there. But all around me is a jungle of grass. Then came the next surprise.New pnts appeared, and they quickly formed flower buds which started to blossom in all sorts of colors.

  "Woooooow. That's so cool." Emily said, but I had difficulties seeing her through the very tall grass.

  "Major?" Mom asked.

  "Yes, Miss Finley?"

  "Someone is going to mow my wn today, and it's not me."

  "Um....we'll send someone over, is that acceptable?"

  "Today, or I'll ground my child for messing up my garden."

  "Heey! What did I do?" I shouted. I could hear them, but not see them, so I flew up and then nded next to them.

  "You did that. Not me, not them. He's basically your employer and he made you do that. So he has to fix your mess." Mom is grinning, so she's only teasing him....probably.

  "Em....can't argue with her logic." I nodded.

  He ughed. "You are one special fairy, I'll grant you that. Ann, enjoy your two days. We'll get back to you. Oh, before I forget. How much dust do you have left right now?"

  "You want even more?"

  "No, you misunderstood. We need to know your capacity, if we're going to use it in battle."

  "Ah, right. Let me check. About...95% remaining, but I already recharged while we were talking. So....I used maybe 10% of my capacity?"

  He smiled. "That's a lot of dust. I wonder where you're storing it."

  "Hehehe, I was wondering about the same thing. I think it's in my wings. Or...magic?"

  "Magic....the solution to everything. Talking about magic a few years ago would have meant my immediate dismissal. And now, it's just another fact, just as much as the grass is green and the sky blue."

  "Yeah....we live in strange times."

  He saluted. "Well done, Defender. Rest well and prepare for an epic battle. The tables have turned. If you can kill those bugs, I'll buy you so much chocote cake that your fairy dust turns brown. Have a nice day."

  I kept grinning until mom pulled me into a hug, startling me."Well done, girl. I'm very proud of you."

  I feel my muscles rexing and enjoy her embrace, also putting my arms around her."Mom....I'm home."

  "Yes, Ann. You finally are. Can you stay like that?"

  "I think so, yes."

  "You might want to be careful with Emily. She won't leave your side now."

  "Hehehe...I know. I'm happy."

  "This means that you have to go to school now. Maybe you can ride there together?"

  "Whaaaa?"

  "Just kidding, Ann! Sheesh, pranking you isn't even fun. You're too easy to tease!"

  "I know. But still....this size solves many issues."

  "And creates new ones." Rachel said, who then also gave me a quick hug.

  "Like what?"

  "You don't have a normal sized bed."

  "Um......that's very true. Maybe I'll change back to fairy size for the night? No need to buy new furniture."

  "You are too considerate, Ann."

  I nod, but both mom and Rachel say at the same time "NIIIICE."

  I blink at their reply. "Hey! I was going to say that!"

  "Hahaha, we know, honey, we know."

  Rachel added, while we were walking towards our living room "we still don't have the option to buy regur clothes for you. Your wings are a mystery to the tailors, so you'll have to keep using the doll clothes. It's another miracle that you can keep wearing them while you're big."

  "Good point. They could have torn, making me stand there in the nude."

  "Happy to see you understand." She smiled.

  "Maybe my skill also works on normal sized clothes?"

  "Only one way to find out." Mom replied.

  I guess I really do have a goddess somewhere. Just in case she's listening: "....thanks, goddess!!" I said while looking at the ceiling.

  Mom nodded, "you are welcome, child. Hahahaha."

  I spent the afternoon catching up with Emily, and she wondered if the term 'combat mode' also had other meanings. It took me a moment to consider what she was referring to, and when she blushed....I took the hint.

  She then invited me to go shopping with her mom in the morning, and I immediately agreed. Finally I'll be able to taste a bit of real life again. After that she wants us to go swimming in her pool. Not sure how or if that's going to work, though.

  Oh...and the Major actually sent someone to take care of our backyard. We heard him cursing when he realized that the grass had basically turned into strong bamboo.

  ===========================================Name: Ann FinleyAge: 17Gender: female

  Family: nature spirits Race: fairyCss: Cn Defender (level 4 -final)

  Mana capacity: 57000 / 57000 (current / max)Venom charge: 51000 / 51000 (current / max)

  Racial skills:-purification-outfit-transtion-concealment-fairy dust-compass

  Css skills:-attack mode (speed/agility)-shock-stinger-burrow-shields

  Titles/achievements:-crosser of worlds-natural enemy of monsters===========================================