Magical Girl? I’m not sure about this.

Alex was ready to launch her toy ship for a test cruise. She carefully backed it into the reservoir at a boat launch, much like a trailer would be maneuvered into the water.

Everyone from the floating island gathered to witness the launch. Notably, Merumeru and Ariel were absent. This was surprising, especially for Ariel, who usually showed great interest in ship operations due to her class. However, she had apparently grown bored and left with Merumeru. Aqua simply commented that they were up to "shenanigans."

A dozen islanders huddled together, clutching their cloaks against the chilled wind that rippled across the dark, glassy lake. Alex imagined their breaths would be visible if not for the perpetual mist covering the island.

In the shallows, a toy-sized clipper ship rested, its dolls frozen in place on the deck, their miniature sailor uniforms impeccably clean and pressed. Alex took a deep breath of the cold air and began to dance.

Like clockwork, an unseen force animated the dolls. Tiny sailors hurried to their stations, pulleys snapping tight causing sails to rise from their spring-loaded mechanisms.

The dolls teamed up to get the main flywheel spinning in the bowels of the ship and the propeller whirred to life, cutting through the water with steadfast determination. The ship skipped across the lake, deepening into the fog, turning around and emerging again. Alex couldn’t let the ship get too far out of sight, lest her skill lose its hold on the dolls. Yet the real wonder hadn’t happened yet.

The dolls swiftly reconfigured the mast to deploy the balloons. Other dolls lit enchanted candles under the openings. They flickered against the cold air but slowly, surely the balloons filled, lessening the ship’s draft.

With one last adjustment, the ship lifted free from the water.

A gasp of delight rippled through the recently liberated crowd onshore as the clipper ascended with gentle grace. They craned their necks, captivated by its upward glide. The propeller shifted, longer blades extending, and though it spun slower, it was now optimized for air, not water. Alex's ingenious design meant a single, complex propeller could adapt to either medium, eliminating the need for a swap. The ship completed a soft, sweeping circle above the lake.

Testing complete, the ship's dolls extinguished the candles, and after a few minutes, it began its descent, landing softly on the lake with a gentle sploosh. She had done it. Alex had successfully created a toy that could be scaled up to assist a particular sea elf in returning to the ocean. All that remained was to gather the necessary resources.

“I’m really surprised Ariel isn’t here.” Alex surveyed the crowd, just to make sure Aqua wasn’t pulling her leg.

“Funi has been gone for a while too.” Fufi plopped down in the water and floated next to the toy boat.

“Aqua are you down there?” Alex stopped dancing when Fufi brought a line ashore so they could pull the boat back on the trailer.

Aqua plopped her head out of the lake. “Hello Alex, it seems like you finally have some time to talk now.”

Alex ignored the subtle jab and guided the boat back on the trailer. “Is Ariel and Merumeru down there with you?”

“Sorry,” The nereid shook her head. “They have been out adventuring. At least that was the last I heard. I thought you were informed earlier.”

“Not one of your cousins has checked in with news of them lately?” Alex gasped. “Something might be wrong.”

“Other than the annoying thing about the winter court.” Aqua paused. “I don’t think anything is likely. The fire clan might attack, but not in winter.”

Alex had a sinking suspicion that she was leaving something out.

“Anyway,” Alex strapped the ship down on the trailer and turned it and the carriage back into card form. “I should take the ship to the river. Anyone need anything?”

Cassius stepped forward. “Lovely Alex, far be it from me to overstep my welcome.” The young nobleman flashes a charming smile.

Alex felt a flutter in her chest, and her cheeks reddened a bit. Did she find this pompous boy attractive? Wait, when was she even into men?

He continued. “But perhaps it would be best if everyone stayed in the castle for the winter. The walls, roof and plumbing are completed and with things getting colder it might be better to have people stay together to conserve heat.”

“I don’t see why that wouldn’t be a problem.” Alex shrugged and picked up the card. “Yeah it is my land, but I don’t think I have done anything of note in that place. Hopefully there is enough material to make furniture for everyone.”

The crowd liked this. For whatever reason they might have just assumed that all their hard work would benefit someone else.

“As to answer your question,” Cassius continued. “I’d be happy to accompany you but I know that me and my family have to stay here.”

“Okay if nothing is needed Fufi and I will be heading off.” Alex headed out to the mostly-complete castle, got changed in a room to the plumber outfit with Fufi and they hopped into the portal pipe to go to Bob and Martha’s farm.

As they popped out in the portal nexus, it became obvious quickly that something wasn’t right. Chicken feathers littered the grove and there was ice all over the place.

“What happened here?” Alex looked around. There were some chickens roosting but not as many as she remembered.

“Was Bob and Martha’s farm attacked?” Fufi flew up on the wall and looked around. “Yes, it looks like their house got frozen.”

Alex, sensing that there might be an enemy nearby, summoned the carriage. This was tricky because of the obstacles and the extra large trailer pulling a boat attached, but she found a spot that didn’t run into the tree or the pipes after walking in circles a few times.

With her three dolls in hand she opened the pipe-gate and peeked outside.

The chickens clucked ominously.

A cow moo’d off in the distance.

Fufi flew up and did a quick loop around the farm.

When she landed Alex asked. “Is there an enemy nearby?”

“I don’t see anything. But with all the tracks it is like an army passed through here.” Fufi sounded frustrated. “Why didn’t Aqua tell us anything if the forest was being attacked?”

“Ki said that winter would bring trouble.” Alex recalled the Nymph’s warning. “Is this what she meant?”

“Perhaps,” Fufi contemplated the situation. “But still, why would the winter court attack without warning?”

“Let's check and see if Bob and Martha are alright.” Alex headed to the farmhouse.

The farmhouse looked like someone turned it into an ice cube.

Alex looked inside but it was only thick, completely frozen ice on the inside. “Hmm, this isn’t good.”

Fufi flew out and checked the workshop. She came back a moment later. “The workshop is the same. Oddly, the animals are fine.”

“The only other place they could be is the grotto.” Alex headed to the ravine. “Otherwise they fled or something worse happened.”

Fortunately, Bob and Martha were discovered in the grotto, which had undergone some recent modifications. Upon entering, the main common area was empty. However, a passage led to several rooms and a kitchen area. Behind a door, Bob was found in his favorite chair, while Martha sat beside a metal wood stove, knitting.

“Hello” Martha noticed the bird and magical girl first. “I didn’t think we’d ever get visitors again what with the demons rampaging past here.”

“Demons came. How did you escape?” Alex said with a start.

“We were hiding because we got a couple of warnings.” Bob stood up. “Let me tell you the whole story. Some girl with a white flowing robe with a big sash around her middle came and said that all the humans needed to leave the forest. Something about how we abused the hospitality we were given and needed to go. Merumeru helped make some rooms for us here a while back so we packed up, and stocked some extra supplies here. But then the darnedest thing happened. This foot tall woman with insect wings came flying by and said that she’d got turned into a fairy and was looking for the way out of the forest. If she didn’t escape then she’d have to join the winter court.”

“After talking a bit, she said that a horde of ice demons was coming from the north and we needed to get moving.” Marta added.

“Well, we are not exactly spring chickens and didn’t fancy our chances of outrunning a horde of demons so we did the sensible thing and set up here.” Bob said.

“When the demons came about a day later.” Martha continued where Bob left off. “They tried to enter the grotto but it didn’t go well for them.”

Bob rubbed the back of his head. “That there statue moved and blew a kiss at the imps that stepped inside.” He gestured to the wall in the direction where the common area was by the entrance. “Well a pink heart flew from her mouth and obliterated the whole lot of the demons.”

“After that they taunted us to come out and fight them for a while.” Martha said. “But they eventually stopped. Seeing that you all are here I’m guessing that they are not waiting outside for us to step out of the grotto.”

“Luna protected you!” Fufi explained, her voice proud.

“Have you seen Merumeru or Ariel?” Alex asked the pair. “They are missing.”

Bob and Martha both shook their heads.

“No, not for at least a week.” Bob looked up in contemplation. “Last I talked to them, the slime was all bouncy and Ariel said that they were going to hunt demons. They didn’t say where though so I’m not sure where to start looking for them.”