DAYS OF THE DARK HOLLOW

Author's Notes:

I have only seen the four movies and The Pixie Hollow Games short. I have not read the books, but I do have access to Disney Fairies Wiki and other online resources so some book only characters may appear or be referenced.

This story takes place in the movie universe and is set after SECRET OF THE WINGS

Disclaimer: Tinker Bell, Disney Fairies and all associated characters and content are the property of The Walt Disney Company, the character of Tinker Bell originated by J. M. Barrie. This fan fiction is not intended for profit or monetary gain and exists solely for the purpose of fan entertainment.

This story is a horror, mystery, action/adventure, friendship/romance and is rated T for scary scenes, peril and character death.

Original characters appearing in this story: Dolly, Jeremy, Lockheed, Concord.

It was morning in the Autumn Forest and within the trees were garden fairies just arriving to start their shifts. These early risers quickly began painting leaves and practicing to bring their season to the mainland. In one of those trees was Dolly, who, despite being a recent arrival to Pixie Hollow, already showed not only a remarkable aptitude for leaf coloring, but also a great eye for detail in her work. The leaves she colored always seemed more eye-popping than those of the other leaf painting garden talents in the Autumn Forest. In a few months she would make her first visit to the mainland and thrill the humans with her brilliant work. She couldn't wait for that wonderful day. First, though, she would have to survive this one.

"Hi, Dolly," Terence, the dust talent sparrow man greeted, "here is your ration of pixie dust for the day." He handed her a bag made of wrapped leaves which contained the magic dust that fairies needed. Dolly placed her brush into the paint bucket made from an acorn and then took the bag of pixie dust in her right hand.

"Thank you, Terence," she replied with a cheery smile. Dolly had a personality that matched the bright and cheerful colors she applied to the leaves in the forest. It made her a favorite within her guild and she had many friends among all the fairies, animals and insects who lived in the Hollow.

"How has your day been going?" he asked.

"Lovely. I just mastered a new shade of orange and I can't wait to start using it this fall. How has your day been so far?" Dolly tied the bag to her belt as he answered.

"Oh, you know the usual," he said sheepishly turning his eyes away from her. "I go to the depot; I pick up the pixie dust; the guys make jokes about me and Tinker Bell."

"Like what?" she asked.

"Uh, well, you know, stuff like 'Terence and Tinker Bell sitting in a tree, k-i-s…,'" his voice trailed off, too embarrassed to finish, his cheeks turning flush.

Dolly put her hands on her hips. "Well when are you going to ask her out?" she said like a mother hen.

"It's complicated. We're just friends and I don't know if Tink thinks of me as more than that," his face turning several deeper shades of crimson as he spoke.

"And how will you know if you don't ask her?" she replied.

"That's a very good question. Ah…, well. It's just that… um… I, uh…, I really don't have a good answer," he said looking a bit ashamed.

Dolly flitted off the branch where she was sitting and hovered directly in front of him. She took his chin in her hand and gently raised it. She looked him right in the eye and said, "Don't be afraid, Terence. It's not like your life will end if she says 'no,' but don't worry Tinker Bell will accept your invitation. Trust me on this one. Call it 'fairy intuition.'"

Terence smiled back at her, "Okay, I will. Thanks, Dolly. I'll ask her the next time I see her."

"Good for you. Now go sweep her off her wings." She watched as Terence then flew off to finish his deliveries.

Great advice, Dolly, she told herself. Now why don't you take your own counsel and ask out Neville? Because you're a big coward, that's why. Neville was an artist talent who specialized in painting landscapes and portraits. He was well thought of in his guild and had earned the appreciation of many including Queen Clarion herself.

Why would he want to associate with an ordinary leaf painter like me?

Every time Dolly built up the courage to speak to him, even to just say "hello," that blasted question would always pass through her mind. No matter what, it always dissuaded her and her courage would just evaporate.

Fluttering back to her perch Dolly absent mindedly reached for her brush and knocked it out of the acorn paint can. Looking around she found it several branches below dangling from a thread of spider silk made by her friend, Fez, a type of orb-weaver spider. She flitted down and began to tug on the brush to remove it from the sticky silk.

"Sorry, Fez, I just need my brush," she said. Dolly pried the brush loose from the silk and then looked up to see Fez dashing towards her. The spider grabbed the fairy and immediately began to wrap her in webbing.

"Fez, it's me. What are you doing?" she yelled. The spider didn't respond and continued to wrap the helpless fairy.

"STOP!" she yelled again. As the silk came closer to her mouth she began to scream, calling for Terence or anyone within earshot. When the spider silk covered her face she could only scream within her thoughts. Fez, why are you doing this! I'm not food, we're friends. What's wrong?

A sharp pain told her that Fez had sunk his fangs into her flesh and toxins were invading her body. The last image she could remember was of two fast-flyers racing towards her.

Thanks for reading. Reviews and feedback are always appreciated.