The sun was dipping low, turning the sky pink and orange over Donut Village. Gingy and I were saying goodbye as we left.
"Aubert, I forgot to ask, but where are you from and how did you come here?" he inquired, his icing brows furrowing with curiosity.
"I'm from Sylvestria, and I came through a Stargate," I said, remembering how it happened.
Gingy's eyes got big. "Stargate?"
"Yeah, it's like a magic door to other places," I explained.
"But why are you here?" he asked, looking curious.
"My Papa said I'm here for training," I told him, thinking about what Papa said before I left.
"Training?!" Gingy seemed surprised.
"Yeah, why?" I asked, wondering why he was so shocked.
Gingy looked worried suddenly. "Aubert, how old are you?"
"I'm five," I said, feeling a bit confused.
"You're too young to be here alone for training," Gingy said, sounding really concerned.
I felt a bit scared. Was I too little for this? Did Papa make a mistake?
But then I remembered what Papa always says: "You're strong, and you can do anything if you believe in yourself."
"I...Papa said I can handle anything and that I should trust myself," I told Gingy, trying to be brave.
Gingy's worried expression softened at my words, and he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Aubert, your Papa sounds like a wise man," Gingy said with a warm smile. "And you know what? I believe in you too!"
His words filled me with a sense of reassurance, and I couldn't help but return his smile.
"Thanks, Gingy," I replied, feeling a surge of confidence welling up inside me.
"Bark!"
I looked at the dog that barked. He was wagging his tail and looking happy, but I didn't know what he was saying.
"Hahaha!" Gingy laughed. "Don't worry, Sparky! I'll take you and your brothers home!"
"Bark!" "Bark!" "Bark!"
I giggled at how the dogs were talking to Gingy. He's really good at understanding them!
But then, something weird happened. Gingy's smile disappeared, and he looked all sad and worried all of a sudden.
I felt a little scared. "Gingy, are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh!" Gingy blinked like he just woke up from a nap. "I'm fine, Aubert!"
But I knew he wasn't fine. Something was bothering him, I just knew it.
"Gingy, it's okay-" I tried to say, but before I could finish, Gingy's face changed again.
"Ah! Sparky wait!" Gingy shouted, running after the three donut dogs who were running away.
I felt confused and a little worried. What was going on with Gingy?
I started running after Gingy, my little legs trying to keep up with his big gingerbread ones.
As I raced after Gingy and the donut dogs, the colorful houses of Donut Village vanished behind us, replaced by the towering candy trees of the enchanted forest.
The air smelled sweeter here, like when Mama baked cookies at home, and I could almost taste the sugary scent on my tongue.
"Gingy, wait up!" I called, but my voice seemed small compared to the rustling leaves and the distant giggles of the candy critters.
But Gingy didn't hear me. He was too busy chasing after Sparky and his friends, who were dashing through the trees like playful puppies.
I hurried after them, my little legs pumping as fast as they could go. My heart thumped in my chest, making me feel like a rabbit running from a fox.
Suddenly, I heard a noise ahead – a rustling and a yelp. I rounded a corner and found Gingy and the donut dogs staring up at a huge candy cane tree.
"What's happening, Gingy?" I asked, trying to catch my breath.
Gingy turned to me, his eyes wide with excitement. "Look, Aubert!"
I followed his gaze and saw it – a hidden path winding up into the branches of the candy cane tree, disappearing into the fluffy clouds above.
"It's a secret way into the forest!" Gingy said, his voice full of wonder.
My eyes grew big with excitement. Going on an adventure into the heart of the forest sounded amazing!
"Should we go, Gingy?" I asked, feeling a mix of excitement and a little bit of fear.
Gingy grinned, his icing face glowing with excitement. "Yes! It's going to be the best adventure ever!"
Gingy didn't waste a moment. With a determined nod, he took the lead, and the donut dogs followed eagerly, their tails wagging with excitement.
I hesitated for just a moment, feeling a flutter of nerves in my stomach. But then I remembered what Papa always said: "Courage isn't about not being afraid, it's about facing your fears and doing what's right anyway."
Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I mustered all the bravery I could and followed Gingy and the donut dogs onto the hidden pathway.
The candy cane branches swayed gently in the breeze as we climbed higher and higher, the fluffy clouds enveloping us like a soft blanket.
With each step, the forest seemed to come alive around us. Colorful birds flitted from branch to branch, their sweet songs filling the air. Butterflies made of spun sugar danced in the sunlight, their delicate wings shimmering with every graceful movement.
As we ascended further into the canopy, the air grew sweeter, tinged with the scent of caramel and cinnamon. I could feel the magic of the forest all around me, wrapping me in its warm embrace.
Finally, we reached the top of the candy cane tree, and my breath caught in my throat at the sight before me.
Stretching out before us was a vast expanse of cotton candy clouds, swirling and twirling in an endless sea of pink and white.
"It's beautiful," I whispered, my eyes wide with wonder.
Gingy nodded in agreement, his icing eyes shining with excitement. "Isn't it?"
With a sense of awe and anticipation, we stepped out onto the clouds, our feet sinking into the soft, fluffy surface.
The clouds were surprisingly sturdy beneath our feet, like walking on a giant marshmallow. I couldn't help but giggle with delight as I bounced up and down, feeling like I was floating in the air.
Gingy laughed too, his voice echoing through the cotton candy clouds. "This is amazing!"
"Bark!" "Bark!" "Bark!"
The donut dogs barked happily, their sugary tails wagging as they bounded across the clouds with boundless energy.
"ROAR!"
As the roar echoed through the cotton candy clouds, a shiver ran down my spine, and I clutched Gingy's hand tightly, hoping he'd make everything okay.
"G-Gingy, what was that?" I stammered, my voice shaky with fear.
Gingy's eyes widened with worry, just like mine. "I-I don't know, Aubert, but we gotta go, fast!"
Before we could move, a huge shadow covered us, making the clouds dark and scary.
I looked up and gasped at the huge creature above us. It was a dragon, but not a friendly one like in storybooks. Its scales were as dark as the night, and its eyes blazed like fiery torches.
"G-Gingy..." I whispered, barely able to speak, holding onto his hand as tight as I could.
Gingy's hand shook in mine, and he looked as scared as I felt, staring up at the scary dragon.
"What's that thing?" he whispered, barely louder than a mouse.
"Bark!" "Bark!" "Bark!"
The donut dogs barked as they were scared out of their sprinkles, backing away from the dragon.
Then, something weird happened. A dark feeling filled the air, and I could sense mana coming from the dragon.
My heart raced as I realized what was happening. The dragon was making the dogs act mean, using its magic.
"GRR!"
The dogs growled at us, their eyes glowing red and making me feel even more scared.
I suddenly remembered that this was the same spell I stopped before when I first met them!
"NO!" I cried, feeling so scared as our friends turned against us because of the dragon's magic.
"ROAR!"
The dragon roared, making everything even scarier as it showed it was in charge.
With a heavy heart, I knew we had to do something before it was too late. But when I looked at the dragon, I felt so small and scared.