gates.
âGood afternoon,â a fairy guard said, greeting them. He wore the official white-and-pink castle uniform. He tipped his cap and smiled. âWhat brings you lovely fairies here today?â
âHello,â Cocoa responded bravely. âWeârehere to see Princess Lolli.â
âIs she expecting you?â the guard asked. He eyed the five fairies carefully.
Cocoa was about to answer, but the words wouldnât come out. She was too embarrassed to admit that the precious eggs were gone! She didnât know what to say to the guard.
Berry stepped forward. She fluttered her long pink wings. âCocoa is the Chocolate Fairy watching over the spring eggs,â she said. âShe needs to speak to the princess at once.â
While Cocoa didnât like people speaking for her, she was very relieved that Berry had stepped in. She turned to her friend and smiled. She was thankful that her friend understood how hard this was for her.
The guard nodded his head, and two Royal Fairies blew their shiny caramel trumpets to announce their arrival. Then the guard lifted the heavy white chocolate gate, and the fairies flew inside.
Cocoa took a deep breath as her feet touched down on the red licorice bridge. As she and her friends crossed the chocolate moat, Cocoa grew even more concerned. She looked around at all the candy in the Royal Gardens. If Mogu was able to send the Chuchies over to get the chocolate eggs, what would stop him from taking more candy? The whole kingdom was in danger! She hoped with all her heart that this egg situation would be fixed. And that she could put a stop to Moguâs candy stealing.
A Dangerous Plan
The five fairies found Princess Lolli in the throne room watering a multiflavored jelly bean plant. She looked up and smiled at her guests.
âHello,â Princess Lolli called. âWhat a nice surprise to see you all here today.â She lifted the heavy leaves of the plant. Gently, she pluckeda few ripe beans. âWould you care for some fresh jelly beans? The green apple and grape are especially tasty.â
Cocoa stepped forward. âNo, thank you,Princess Lolli,â she said. âWeâre here with some very bitter news.â
Looking concerned, the princess placed the golden watering can down. She waved the fairies into her chamber. There was a pink throne bejeweled with little pieces of dazzling sugar candies, and there were pink velvet couches for visitors. âCome inside,â she told them. âTell me what has happened. You all have such sour faces!â
The fairies followed the princess into the
room. Before they even sat down on the princessâs
regal couches, Cocoa blurted out, âThe chocolate eggs have been stolen from the nest in Choco-late Woods!â
âStolen?â Princess Lolli asked. She sat in her throne. Her face no longer showed a smile, buta frown.
âYes, princess,â Berry said. She moved closer to her. âRaina and I saw a bunch of Chuchies taking the eggs across the river.â
The princess touched her wavy strawberry-colored hair. âMogu,â she whispered.
âThatâs what we think,â Dash piped up.
âOh, princess!â Raina cried out. âCocoa wants to cross the Frosted Mountains! I told her that it wasnât safe, but she still wants to go!â
Cocoa smiled at Raina. She knew her friend was just nervous for her. âThe eggs were my responsibility,â Cocoa said bravely. âI made a promise to protect the eggs. I want to go get them back.â She stood up and walked closer to the candy throne. âThe chocolate eggs mean so much to all of Candy Kingdom,â she pleaded.âThe Egg Parade is in two days!â
Princess Lolli looked thoughtfully at Cocoa. âTraveling across the Frosted Mountains is a dangerous journey,â she warned.
âI know,â Cocoa replied. She lowered her head. âBut I need to go. The eggs were my