I awoke in an unfamiliar room. Everything was pink and purple. There were rainbow banners above and adorable animal paintings below. Hearts, stars, and cute birds decorated the walls.

Is this where Yu-ki lives?

“She’s awake! Thank you, Poppy!” exclaimed Racheal.

“Yep. She owes me her life.” I feel something fluffy press against my chest.

My vision cleared up.

There was a super colorful Hapi girl in front of me. She was older than me, about sixty, or fifteen in angel years. Instead of hands or claws, she had beautiful brown wings with pink and blue glitter. Two tuffs of feathers covered up her chest and joined to make a heart shape. She was wearing a open neon green bra that framed the feathers which was clearly designed for her. The adorable girl had short ocean blue pigtails with a pink flowery bonnet, with heart ribbons connected to it.

Another angel? She looks so cute. Must be a really powerful angel.

Her dazzling orange eyes turned mischievous.

“You owe me too, virgin girl,” said the Hapi with a sly grin.

“Yeah, sure, whatever. I’m just so happy she’s okay.” Racheal grabbed my hand. “I can’t lose another friend.” She started crying.

“Ugh, stop trying to be so pathetic that guys will bone you out of sympathy. It hasn’t worked before. It won’t now,” said the Hapi angel, patting Racheal’s back.

Racheal broke down in tears and sobbed.

“Hey, don’t be so mean to her. She’s my friend,” I said, puffing out my cheeks with a glare.

“Hey, relax. I saved your life. I’m allowed to tease her a bit. By the way your adorable savior’s name is Poppy.”

“That is such a cute name!” I exclaim, hugging her.

Poppy nods self-assuredly. “Yep. Yep. It sure is.”

Racheal pulled me off from Poppy and lifted me into a warm embrace. “Oh no. You aren’t taking her too, Trappy.”

“It’s Poppy! And I have no interest in her.” Poppy hopped onto the bed.

She has talons for feet. Aww and cute brown tuffs just above them.

“Hey look, you’re almost as tall as me now,” said Racheal.

“Shut up!” yelled Poppy. “Racheal, the innocent virgin lamb and a lamb angel. You two are just perfect for each other. I’m not going to get in the way of that. In fact, I fully support it.” She patted my head with her wing.

Ah. So soft. Like a pillow.

“I’m not into little kids!” yelled Racheal, her face getting flustered.

Poppy leaned back on the bed, wiggling her feet. “Of course not. But hey, nobody else will love you, so why not take what you can get. A hero taking advantage of a little girl’s innocence. How pathetic,” she said, looking up with a mean grin.

“That’s what you think. But I blew one of the guys the other day.”

Poppy sat up with wide eyes. “What!? Which one of those mortals dared to cheat on me!”

Racheal stuck out her tongue. “It’s a secret.”

Poppy snorted. “You mean it’s a lie.”

“Honestly it was so dark. I couldn’t make out his face. Oh, but he was so tasty!” exclaimed Racheal, wiggling.

I had no idea Racheal had so much experience.

“Get out!” yelled Poppy, pushing us out of the room.

Racheal and I left the building and walked outside.

“Why is it so dark if it’s the morning?” I asked, looking up at the black clouds above.

“Poppy wants to be the only source of joy so she got one of her many boyfriends to create a dark coating over the sky. I don’t mind it. Actually makes me chipper.” She grabbed my hand. “Really happy you’re okay. Last night sure was crazy.”

Wait! Phoenix!

“Where is Phoenix?” I asked with urgency.

“I’m taking you to her right now.”

“Thanks!”

“Yeah. I told her to wait for us. We don’t know if her family were among the Cuckatrices I freed last night. She wants to meet with them alongside us.”

“Wait. You can understand her?”

“It’s one way only! My powers let translate my words into other sounds but I can’t understand what she says. Which really sucks. I used to talk to ghosts as a little girl, wish they could talk back to me,” she said with that adorable dorky grin.

“Carry me,” I said, standing on my tippy toes.

“Sure thing, Annie.”

We met with Phoenix just outside the village’s entrance and then journeyed up hill. We eventually arrived at a forest clearing with tons of animals.

“Look at all of them!” I exclaimed, almost falling off Racheal’s shoulders.

“Yeah. You inspired me, Annie. I saved every last one of them. There’s no doubt going to be repercussions when the village finds out, but you know what.” She looked out at all the free people. “It’s so freaking worth it!”

Phoenix hopped out of my arms and rushed to the other Cuckatrices with teary eyes.

She didn’t have to look for them.

Five other birds came out from the flock and nuzzled her.

Her family. She found them all.

Racheal went up to the birds and crouched down.

Phoenix snuggled against her hand. She chirped a thank you, but it was weighed down by her heavy emotion.

Racheal pet her. “It’s fine. No need to thank me.” My hero chirped a response to Phoenix.

My heart started racing. Racheal is just the sweetest girl ever!

I chirped to Phoenix too, congratulating her on reuniting with her loved ones.

She nuzzled me, bringing me to tears.

She didn’t have to say it. I could feel that this was the last time we’d meet.

I grabbed Racheal’s hand for stability and the two of us waved the happy bird family farewell.

I’m gonna miss her. But she’s free now. They all are.

Racheal picked me up and rested my head against her shoulder. “Shall we head to the guild hall?” she asked in a gentle tone.

I wrapped my arms around her. “Yeah. I’m gonna get you a boyfriend.”

Tomato! Her cheeks look like a juicy tomato!

Racheal pulled up her hood, hiding her blush.

We walked down the gloomy rocky path to a building that looked like it was melting into the ground.

“Why does it look like that?” I asked.

“Because. We’re in Dark and Broody Village! Old Bat is depressed, so naturally the buildings are too. This whole village is made of her flesh. I know, crazy, but it’s true.”

Just like Sunny Village.

“So, uh, how many heroes are in this village?”

“A bunch. But don’t worry. You got the best one right here!” Racheal grabbed my hand and pushed open the door, which had the words “you’re going to die anyways” painted on it.

That’s not very pleasant.

I immediately felt heavy upon entering the building. The negative energy surrounding the thirty plus heroes was making it hard to even stand. Most of them were wearing black cloaks like Racheal, hiding their faces under their hoods.

Racheal hopped on top of one of the skeletal tables. “Hey, everyone! Our village finally has a new guardian angel!” She hoisted me up in both arms.

The negative energy vanished.

“So cute!” “Oh wow, a real life girl.” “If I die now, I can be happy!” “Finally, this place has been given a blessing!” cheered different heroes.

“Hold up!” yelled a voice from the back.

It was Poppy.

“Anyone who gets near that girl is excommunicated from my harem. If you don’t want to be left unsatisfied and unprotected, then don’t even think of cheating on me! You don’t even know if she’s a real angel! She’s probably just some little girl that Virgin Lamb dressed up.”

“I am a real angel!” I yelled.

“Admit the truth, Racheal,” said Poppy. “Admit she’s not an angel and I’ll allow you a night with one of my very well-trained men.” The Hapi girl pressed her talon against the hero’s face.

“Screw you! Annie is better than any boy. She’s my friend and my little sister!” yelled Racheal.

“I remember when you wanted me to call you big sister.” Poppy took a banana from the fruit bowl and approached my hero. “We can still make that happen,” she said, poking Racheal’s face with it.

Racheal took the banana and bit it, making the guys cringe. “I don’t need you. I have…where did she go?”

I was on the guild hall’s stage. “Watch the angel take flight!” I exclaimed.

Come on powers. I need you. For Racheal!

My aura wings spread and I took flight. I soared around the room as the guys cheered for me. I spun hearts in the air and made bell sounds with each twist. My performance ended by gripping onto the top of the long pole at the center of the stage. My tail grabbed it and I spun around it, blowing kisses and posing adorably before something slammed into me.

“What are you doing!” yelled Poppy, pinning me down with her talons.

“Proving I’m an angel just like you!” I exclaimed with a fierce glare and puffy cheeks.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

The men cheered us on to fight and strip each other.

Racheal stepped in and grabbed Poppy. “Let her go.”

“No! I worked so hard to get control of this village. All of those guys wanted to kill themselves. Every single one of them. But I danced, snuggled and literally blew away their worries! Their lives belong to me!” yelled Poppy, loud enough for the guys to hear.

The room was suddenly filled with crying men and boys.

“We love you Poppy!” “You were my first.” “You’re beyond the boundaries of sex.” “You’re a goddess!” “We’d never leave you!”

I know how to get out of this situation. Sometimes it takes true bravery to stand up. Other times, you gotta suck in your pride and bow down.

“Everyone! I’m not a real angel,” I said softly.

“What?” “My dick lied to me!” “Are you going to say you’re a boy too?” “Fantasy is the only reprieve from a hostile world.” The men were all freaked out.

“I’m just a trainee. It’s the truth. Poppy here, she’s my teacher.”

“Huh?” Poppy looked at me with a blank stare.

“An angel that dominates other angels!” “So hot!” “Strip her down!” “Stroke her ears!” “Double fellatio!” yelled the men.

Why is everyone in this village so crazy?

Poppy released me and turned to the crowd. “That’s right! This little angel trainee is my student. And only good boys will be allowed to train her,” she said, grabbing the air and making a jerking motion.

The men cheered. Some fainted. Other’s praised their dark gods for the blessing.

I seized Poppy in a hug. “Thanks sensei!”

“Huh? I mean oh uh…hi?” she asked, fumbling around.

Aww. The real Poppy is so cute.

“So, when are my lessons?” I asked.

Poppy shuffled in place. “Oh I uh…I dunno.”

The men were muttering amongst themselves. Doubt was brewing.

“Let me just get a quick bite to eat and then I’ll meet you just outside the guildhall. Hey boys.” She winked at them. “On to Glory!”

“I must be alive because my heart bleeds.” “Life is meaningless without MOE.” “You can drain me all of all my essence.”

“Oh and by the way I know one of you cheated on me with Virgin Lamb,” said Poppy, glaring at the guys.

Racheal grabbed me by my hand and walked me out of the guildhall, being sure to snag a bunch of grapes in the process.

“Did I do good?” I asked, once we were outside.

Racheal affectionately slugged my shoulder. “Yeah you did. Never seen Poppy so flustered.”

“Aww, thanks, Rachie.”

Racheal ruffled my hair. “You are too cute. Never thought I’d ever be so lucky as to get a demon for a little sister.”

“I’m an angel,” I declared, waving my bat wings.

Whoops. Wrong wings.

Racheal crouched down and nuzzled my wings, poking my little hands. “Can you feel that?”

“Yeah. It feels funny.”

“Oh, sorry. So, you really think you can learn from that Hapi?”

“Yeah! I really do. She’s like me so we gotta be friends. I’ve decided.”

“Aww. I love your enthusiasm!” cheered Rachael.

“Hey, did that guy who you umm, blowed on? Was he nice to you?” I asked, fiddling with my fingers.

Racheal’s shoulder’s slumped. “I just said that to tease Poppy. She’s made sure no guy will touch me no matter how bad I want it. If they do, they get a death sentence.”

“She kills them!?” I asked with wide eyes.

“No, but she won’t heal them. Or make them feel good.”

“Oh.” I grab Racheal’s hand. “That’s not a problem anymore, then. Is it?” I grinned.

“How so?”

“Well, I can heal them!” I exclaimed.

“That reminds me. I’m going to go see how Richard is healing up.”

“And I have training!” I punched the air.

Racheal crouched down and kissed my cheek. “Just be careful.”

“I’m not going to get hurt.”

“No. I mean be careful not to become like Poppy. When she first arrived she was a scared lost child. This village changes people. I let it change me but you undid that damage. You gave me my courage back. Don’t let it change you.”

I saluted. “Roger, Sir!”

“See ya!”

“Wait!” I exclaimed, grabbing onto her.

“I’m going to need kissing practice if I’m going to be a great angel! And you promised that when you returned from freeing Phoenix’s family that you would give me a real kiss!”

“Did I say that?” asked Racheal, scratching her cheek.

“You did.”

My hero turned away. “Well I may have sorta, already given it to you…when you were sleeping.”

“Huh?”

“I was hoping that whole true love’s kiss thing was more than just a fairy tail. I mean if romantic love can work, why not sisterly love, right?”

“Well I was asleep so it doesn’t count.” I grabbed her hand with my tail.

“I’m not good at kissing! Okay?” Racheal wiped her eyes. “No experience.”

“Then we’ll get good together.” I hopped up into a kiss.

Racheal grabbed me and tilted my body before placing her lips against mine.

My cheeks flared up.

My lips feel electrified! I didn’t know she had lighting powers too!

“Hey there,” said a voice.

“Eeep!” Rachel jumped and dropped me on the ground.

I looked up at her.

Wow her boobs are big.

Racheal turned away, blushing like it was her first kiss. “Poppy. What do you want?”

Poppy stretched out her leg, which was decorated with multiple bracelets of different colors. She picked out the two black bracelets and handed them to my hero. “One for you and one for your girlfriend.”

“We were rehearsing for a play!” yelled Racheal.

“Really? About what?”

“About two sisters in…just go away, Trapy!” yelled Racheal, running off.

“Too easy. O-hee-hee-hee.” Poppy held her sides as she laughed.

“Hey, why are you being mean to her?” I ask, running off to Racheal.

“You wanted lessons. Then stay here. I can teach you how to get a boyfriend or a girlfriend.” Poppy’s wings climbed up my sides.

My body’s all tingly.

“H-How did you do that?” I asked, fiddling with my hair and wobbling.

“Oh, come on. You’re an angel. We die without male essence. Quit acting so innocent.”

“Male essence? You mean kissies?” I ask, kissing her cheek.

She jumped back and wiped her cheek. “Don’t try and make me gay, you little tease!”

I bowed to my teacher. “Please. Teach me how to be a better angel. I need to be strong so that Racheal and I can journey beyond this place.”

“Wait. So if I teach you how to be a proper guardian angel, then you’ll scurry off.”

“Well I need a ship first and a crew.”

“O-hee-hee! I can sell some of my boys if you have the coin.”

“Wow! You’re really nice!” I exclaimed, shaking her wing.

Poppy pulled away. “Benevolent is the word. I have one rule if I’m going to teach you. You’re not allowed to pass me up at anything. Got it?”

I looked at her with a sad face.

“What is it?” she asked, looking to the ground.

“Whoever said mean things about you, they were wrong!” I exclaimed, patting her head.

Poppy’s cute cheeks lit up with embarrassment. “I’m not ugly! I’m beautiful! Everyone here loves me! They always will!” she exclaimed, holding her sides. “I’m not a miscarriage.”

Poor girl has been through so much. I’ve gotta help her too!

I squeezed in under her wings and hugged her. “You’re super beautiful!”

“Stop it,” she whined. “Stop being so cute.” Poppy pushed me off. “Get up! We’ve got training to do! I’m going to teach you everything I know!”

“Yes, Sir.”

Poppy spanked my butt with her wing.

It was so soft.

“Am I being rewarded or punished?” I asked, my finger against my bottom lip.

“I’m telling you to get a move on! Our powers are an ancient secret. Follow me to the training grounds.”

I nodded.

Poppy led me to a large shack made out different colored slabs of wood. “This place is brimming with negativity.”

“Why is that? Are there ShadowPups that eat you if you’re happy.”

“No, idiot. It’s because of the shitty situation they’re in. This village has a cost. If they don’t get enough money per month, then they lose the right to eat the food, drink the water, etc. And if they’re caught stealing, they’re executed.”

What? That’s crazy!

Her eyes became hollow. “Let’s just go inside.”

Poppy opened the door to reveal the training room.

There were pinky glittery punching bags, hoops dangling from above for flight practice and lots of banana shaped objects. Tons of paintings of her decorated the walls.

She really is an idol.

“Okay, let’s see how strong you are. Give that prissy little flirt a good punch!” she exclaimed, pointing to the punching bag.

I slammed my fist into it, making it squeak.

“Ha! That all you got. I’ll show you how to make this bitch really squeal!” Poppy backed up, got a running start, jumped up, spread her wings to increase speed and then dropkicked the punching bag.

Owwie!

The bag squeaked so loud I had to cover my ears.

Poppy turned and smiled at me. “Sorry you had to see me so ugly like that. I have some anger in me.” She grabbed my hand with her wing. “Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

I smiled. “I won’t. And I think you’re really cute when you get mad. Sorry.”

Poppy’s expression softened. “It’s not easy. Pretending to always be happy. But it’s my job.” She spread her wings. “It’s our job now!”

“If you’re sad or angry. It’s okay to show it.”

Poppy shook her head. She jumped off the trampoline in the room and took to flight. “The heroes of this village need us to be perfect beacons of hope. Doesn’t matter if we’re tired, irritable, or our throat is sore from too much service. We just gotta bury it and keep smiling. It’s our job.” She flew through all the hoops and then landed. “I won’t accept you as an angel if you don’t give it your all.”

I hopped on the trampoline and pictured myself flying.

My wings didn’t come out and I fell on my butt.

Poppy grabbed my booty wings. “That was pathetic! What are these things even for?”

“Watch and be amazed!” I jumped up and landed on my wings. They walked along the ground for a bit. Then I lost balance and fell over. “Whoops.”

Poppy facepalmed. “They don’t do anything. Do they?”

“They can grab things.”

Poppy seethed. “Oh! So you think you’re better than me because I have no hands and you have four!”

I wiped her angry tears away with my tail.

“Five,” she groaned, glaring at my prehensile tail.

“You have feet. They’re so fluffy!” I cheered.

“Yeah and they can satisfy guys better than all five of your hands!” She puffed air out from her nose. “Okay. Gotta work with your strengths. Honestly you shouldn’t be assigned one hero. Are you good with your feet?”

“Oh yeah. I’m an ace at footsies!”

“Show me!” Poppy sat down on the padded floor.

This whole place is so cozy.

I sat down and we pressed our feet together.

“Aww, our toes are hugging,” I said.

“Would you stay focused?” asked the flustered Hapi girl.

I put all my energy into my feet, but she easily overpowered me.

Poppy grabbed my feet with her talons and flung me into the air.

“Summon your wings now!” she exclaimed.

I squinted but was unable to summon them and instead fell into her fluffy wings. “I nestled them. So soft.”

“Yeah, but ugly. I tried painting them, but the color always fades. They’re stuck…brown.” She groans. “Forever.”

“The color just makes your other colors pop more! That’s why you’re called Poppy right?” I ask.

“No. I’m called Poppy because when I’m around. It’s always Spring!” she exclaimed, doing a cute twirl.

I hope Tumble is okay.

A ringing sound comes from outside.

“Lessons over! Time for the real thing!” exclaimed Poppy, pulling me out of her home.

“Huh? What’s wrong?” I ask, almost falling over trying to keep up with her speed.

Poppy opened the door. Betrayer was just outside.

Oh no. Not him.

“You are needed,” he said in a low voice.

Oh, it’s not him.

“Nice to meet you, Sir. I’m Annie.”

The RiftRipper’s body twisted as it made circles around me. “You’re new.”

“Yeah, and you are?”

“Gloom. I hope you don’t suffer the same fate as the last one,” he said, before sinking into the shadows.

“What is he talking about?”

“There’s no time to explain. We are needed in the morgue.”

“The morgue. Hey, if there’s no time, then just explain on the way.”

“Maybe I don’t want to explain. I’ll tell you what you need to know. Got it?” asked Poppy.

“You don’t have to blame yourself for her death,” I said, grabbing her wing.

“What? She didn’t die! She betrayed us! Ran off when things got tough. How dare you blame me!”

“Sorry.”

The morgue was the darkest place of them all. There were skeletons hanged by the windows. The whole building was cloaked in fog too. I bet Racheal would get really hot in this place.

Maybe this is where we should practice kissing.

“Hey, you got a good wiggle going on. As for me. My power comes from my incredible throat!” Poppy breathed in and then the voice of angel came out from her lips.

“Darkness may come.

But there’s no need to run.

You can fight

With my light!” hey voice coated her body in a bright white aura.

“Wow!!” I exclaimed, hugging her.

“Yeah. Bet you can’t do that.”

“I can’t. That’s amazing.”

“Part of being a Hapi and a powerful one at that!”

“I bet your momma was a powerful and beautiful Hapi!”

“My mom is dead. Just…shut up and obey me.” She pulled me into the morgue.

It smelled really bad and was really dark too.

Poppy ran across the room and sent her light energy into the empty torches.

There were a bunch of dead heroes on the ground.

“Grab your pom poms!” exclaimed Poppy, pointing to the table behind me. “You’re going to need them.”

Poppy was led by a man in black to a dead hero.

I hurriedly went to her side.

Poppy tilted her head back and pumped her throat. She then released a globule of spit on the body. “Help me out, Lamby!”

“Yes, Sir!” I spit out as much as I could.

Poppy hummed while she rubbed the spit over the body’s bare chest.

I copied her humming as best I could and followed along.

“For every hero that you see, ten don’t even wake up after the trip. As angels its our job to resuscitate them the moment they arrive! I have about a 5% success rate. I know it’s pathetic and I hate it.” She punched his chest. “Wake up, damn you!”

I joined Poppy. “We punched his chest together.”

Live! So Poppy doesn’t cry!

My tattoos started glowing. Blue energy poured from my hands and entered the hero’s body.

He coughed up water and then he opened his eyes.

“Nice work, Lamby. You make a pretty good assistant,” she said, patting my head.

I nuzzled her wing and she smiled.

The hero sat up. “My legs. I can’t feel my legs!”

I poked his feet. “Relax. They’re right here!”

“I can’t feel them!” yelled the scared boy.

Poppy combed his hair with her wing. “There’s no need to worry. You’re fine.”

“Where am I? Monsters! There are monsters here!” yelled the man.

Poppy leaned up to my ear. “They usually act like this when they first arrive.”

“What’s wrong with his legs?” I asked in a whisper.

“Dimensional transfer is tricky stuff. He’s lucky to be alive. Not sure how long he’ll last.”

He’s just like Ruiz now and it’s because I wasn’t strong enough!

“Hey, no crying. Especially in front of the guys. Don’t know what you think you know about tears, but they are a maiden’s greatest weapon,” said Poppy, whooshing away my sadness with her wings.

“I’ll take him in!” I exclaim with a firm stance. “Is that okay?”

Poppy sighs. “Yeah, it’s fine but he’s not allowed to touch Virgin Lamb.”

“Why are you always so mean to Rachie!” I yelled.

“I wasn’t good enough, so how are you!” yelled Poppy.

Old Bat suddenly materialized in front of us.

“Do you need us?” asked Poppy, putting on a big smile.

“Just wanted to invite you to the festivities.”

“Is today Gloom Shroom day?” asked Poppy.

“No. We’re having an execution,” said Old Bat with a warm smile.

Creepy. Wait. Creepy.

“Can you postpone it? I gotta find Racheal. I bet she’d love to see it!” I exclaimed.

She looks so cute when she gets all hot and bothered.

“She’s already there! The star of the event.”

“You mean she’s the executioner?” I asked.

Old Bat slumped. She gave me an ugly glare. “Really? How dense can you be?” she asked, all the mystery of her voice gone.

Poppy held me with her wings. “Virgin Lamb is the one being executed.”

No. No. No. No.

“You don’t want to miss her big moment, do you?” asked Old Bat with a smile before leaving into a vortex.

Poppy pated my shoulders. “Let’s just uh…keep training. Gotta get you strong if you’re going to protect a boy who can’t walk.”

“We have to save her!” I exclaimed.

“Umm, how we gonna to do that?” asked Poppy.

Yeah. That’s exactly the problem! I can’t just beat that old lady. She’s too strong!

“Face it, Lamby, your girlfriend is gone for. I’ll be here to help out though. You can spend the night with me. I know, I’m sooo generous,” said Poppy.

“Racheal is my friend,” said a wispy voice.

Gloomy!

“You have an idea of how to help?” I ask.

“Lalala! I’m not listening!” yelled Poppy, running off.

I turned to Gloomy and looked at his blank face. “What’s the plan?”

“Create a panic. A rogue RiftRipper going berserk and slaughtering people should do the trick.” His faceless void shifted into a smile.