Chronicles, by Polybius the Younger Part 2

The Candyman

Unbridled power is a terrifying thing, more so when it's wielded by a subject whom you can't discern. The reign of Helia brought significant changes not only to the Butterfly Kingdom but also to Mewni as a whole. From 394 - 411 the rule of law and peace were absolute. No monster dared to attack a settlement, no thief sought to steal a loaf of bread and no ruler thought to throw away countless lives in the pursuit of greed. Helia had accomplished what no monarch had ever done before, a rule of "perfect law". Of course, this feat has no basis in governance or administration. Quite the contrary, its success was due to a minor but significant factor.

Fear

Helia's power was so great that it terrified the masses. People went to bed worrying that the world would end if some cook happened to upset the queen during dinner. Even the usually shady House of Bell were on their best behavior during Helia's tenure. The Sun Queen was aware of this perception and regarded it as nonsense, though she was able to make light of the situation in her own way...

"Apparently my people are afraid of me. An incredibly silly notion but its worth having some fun with. I commisioned a fanciful goblet made of gold and covered in the most expensive jewels available. After receiving it, I placed it right in front of the fountain at the square and left without saying a word. If someone takes it, I'll let them keep it..." - Helia Butterfly

This goblet sat there undisturbed for years until it was retrieved shortly before the announcement of the queen's death.

Of course, such a thing did not happen overnight. Helia's first three years as Queen were ripe with lawlessness and strife, a carryover from her mother's disastrous rule. The first notable event was Caym's Rebellion, better known as "The Last Stand of the Raven". From 385 - 391, one of the largest monster uprising took hold. One of the most infamous and sadistic monsters in recorded history, the number of victims Caym claimed are unaccountable. An accomplished swordsman and tactician, he acquired a special ring that enabled him to control the wind, hence his epitaph "Caym of the Thousand Winds". In 391 a. M his boldness was on full display when he marched onward to the capital with an army of monsters and slaves. Despite his talents, he ultimately proved no match for the queen and after his death, his armies scattered and the enslaved were free. This moment is so iconic in Mewni history that a mural of his defeat is in full display at the Grand Venusian Cathedral. Still, a letter addressed to Qina Loveberry (One of Helia's few friends) raises many questions on the historical accuracy of these allegations...

"...I must confess Qina until I met him, I thought all monsters mere uncouth brutes. Caym shattered that illusion as he carried himself with a sense of dignity and honor. When we met on the battlefield, he did not charge at me in fury but instead made a case for his kind. At first, I thought it absurd, but we slowly reached an accord. A world where monsters and mewmans can live side by side? Truly a noble goal and something worth fighting for. Alas, I knew no one would accept it, for the hatred is still strong in their hearts. Though his followers sought a peaceful march through the capital city, I stood my ground. Caym then suggested a one on one duel. If he was victorious, his army would continue its march on the city. If I won, the army would disband and go their separate ways. It was a glorious duel and Caym's wind magic was on a different level than anyone I've ever fought, but in the end, he fell. Even now I'm slightly saddened by the result..." - Helia Butterfly

The following year saw the return of C. Zenuv Riceph, an exceedingly powerful demon from the dreamscape. During the reign of Estelaria, Riceph unleashed a chaotic nightmare of insanity in a remote area of the countryside. Christened "Madmeggedon" by its harbinger, it took Estelaria, her siblings and nearly the entire army of the Butterfly Kingdom to subdue the deranged creature. The damage done by Riceph was so catastrophic that a cover-up was instilled, with only members of the Royal Family and House Redbird being privy to its existence. Helia's opinion of Riceph is detailed in another letter to Qina...

"...When word reached me that the legendary Zenuv Riceph had once again returned to Mewni, I was ecstatic. Finally, something I could test my magic on without restraint. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was a white floating triangle with an eye in the center with stick hands and feet. It looked like something a child would draw! Not only that but it spoke with a deep voice and laced its speech with obscenities! How could one take that seriously?! After telling me nothing would stop its Madmawhatever this time, I shot it in the eye. It screamed like a buffoon and after blasting its arms off, it started running. After a single finger snap, nothing of it remained. Such a letdown..." - Helia Butterfly

Of course, these incidents were mere stepping stones for a much grander incident. Unlike Caym or Riceph, the actions of the Candyman cannot be excused by racial animosity or madness. They were done by a man of sound mine, a mewman like you and myself. Though few will argue that the perpetrators got what they deserved, the spectacle that the people witnessed after the fallout fully cemented Helia as a figure to be feared. It brings to mind something my father once told me.

"Sometimes the scariest monsters lurk among us"

From 389 - 394 a. M the Butterfly Kingdom was beset by a famine epidemic. Due to a sudden pest outbreak, many farmers were unable to fulfill their crop quota, not helped by the long fierce winters that visited those years. Food was scarce, as such desperation took hold amongst the poor. It was in 389 a. M that rumors began of parents "selling" children to lessen the mouths to feed. The term "Returning the Child" came to refer to parents who would murder or abandon their newborns to save on food (sometimes even consuming them). Though reports of missing children began as early as 389 a. M, a noticeable rise of incidents occurred in 393 a. M. By then, both of Helia's parents had passed away, her mother a scant three months into the year. Though not one to display emotion in court, according to her husband, Helia was deeply affected by their deaths... 

"Auntie Venus and Helia had one of the stranger relationships I've ever seen. In public, Auntie would dote on Helia without shame which aggravated her to no end. But behind closed doors, they were like two sisters of differing worlds. One was immature and loud, the other serious and quiet. Even if Auntie did something that greatly upset Helia during the day, she was instantly forgiven by sundown. I remember the night after Auntie's funeral, I caught my wife weeping in the corner of the bedroom. Though she tried to downplay the situation when she noticed my presence, I assured her there was nothing to hide, especially when dealing with the death of a loved one. She spent the rest of the night crying in my arms..." - Clovald Butterfly

On the first autumn day of 393 a. M, the Royal Family could no longer ignore the issue. Parents from Alanzo, Gimmsville, Corwin, and Kirkwood all arrived at the castle with the same problem: Missing children. As Helia explains...

"...I planned to do some research this morning but instead was forced to grant an audience to some commoners. They all speak the same thing. One evening, they hear bells proclaiming "The Candyman is here!" and they instantly succumb to sleep. When they wake up nearly every child is gone. When asked what the perpetrator looked like, they could give no answer, only that he rode a strange looking carriage. This plight is beneath me if anything they share fault. Any parent worth their salt knows you tell your children not to talk to strangers. Still, the news greatly distressed my husband, who suggested we set up checkpoints and warning signs across the country roads. A fine idea, I've already sent word to begin preparations. Whomever this Candyman is, he'll be sitting in the dungeon within a fortnight..." -Helia Butterfly

The proposed solution did nothing to deter the mysterious perpetrator. If anything it made things even worse. Not only were children still disappearing but guards and knights were also vanishing. The final straw came when a fourth checkpoint was found barren and deserted...

"This Candyman is surely a bold one. Not only has he passed through our checkpoints but he's also taken to picking them clean. Every soldier, every valuable, every bit of equipment, gone, only leaving the fortifications untouched. I enlisted the help of an old associate of my mother who specializes in tracking and even she came up empty-handed. Clearly, there is more to this fellow than his ridiculous name would suggest. It appears a more personal touch is needed..." - Helia Butterfly

After analyzing the Candyman's routes over the past month, Helia surmised that his next stop would be Owlsbury, a remote hamlet located 10 miles from Moonbrook. On a hunch that the mass sleepings were a result of some magic, Helia came up with a plan...

"...I applied some alterations to mother's glamours. These revised spells will convert the appearance of the subject to that of a small child. I suspect that whatever the Candyman does to put the adults to sleep, it doesn't affect children. It would be wise to bring some extra hands as well, so I'll be taking my husband along with two knights..." - Helia Butterfly

Whilst Moonbrook sat on the edge of the eastern wood, Owlsbury was nestled deep within. Founded by miners during the time of Queen Etheria, the area boasted a substantial silver deposit. Its name comes from the constant hooting of the owls at night. The town was built atop a rocky hill, surrounded by trees, marshlands, and mountains, with woods so thick they blotted out the sunlight. At its height, it boasted a population of 1800 but alas, the silver deposits had by then, completely dried out.  Now it was a ramshackle little place striving for relevancy. According to records, by the time Helia arrived at the village, the population had dwindled to 50. In a correspondence with her friend Qina, Helia describes her time there in more detail...

"The place had a very profound stink to it. On our way there, the only consistent thing you could make out was the dirt road we were following. When we finally made it to the front gate I nearly gagged. The sentries were clad in rusted iron armor, covered in filth and sported ghastly looking teeth of green. Our "guardian" (The associate I mentioned a few letters back) told us it's because they eat frogs, as typical game is scarce around here. After granting us passage, we ascended up a hill to the village. You should have seen the fortifications surrounding this place, I swear, you'd think they were preparing for some kind of foreign invasion. The village itself consisted of a series of crudely constructed houses, surrounding a vast dirt road with a single well standing in the square. Apparently, visitors were a rare sight because as we made our way through town, nearly every resident was staring at us (need I go into detail why that bothers me?). The soil here was hard. rocky and muddy with scarcely any grass. The trees up here were not as thick as below but they still managed to blot out a good portion of sunlight. Water poured down from the hills above onto the houses and trees before settling in the woods below. The stench wasn't as bad up here, but it still smelled. Whilst our "guardian" conversed with the village elder, my husband, the two knights and I took a little stroll. You should have seen it Qina, behind these shacks, aisles of crops encompassed nearly every backyard. It was obvious the land was not meant for habitation but they somehow managed it. The fact they were able to grow anything at all was a miracle in itself! - Helia Butterfly

It was then the two crossed paths with a group of kids. Helia, Clovald and her knights (Titania and Oberon Firefly) had assumed the forms of children here. The story was that their "guardian" was a looking for work as a lumberjack and thought this a good place for a fresh start. This prompted laughter from the children, who revealed that the wood here was impenetrable. No one had felled a tree here even when the village was booming. Apparently, the Light of Power saw this as a challenge...

"...she turned her gaze to a tree and lifted her right finger against the base of the wood. Without saying a word, a brief flash of light erupted from her fingertip. In less than 10 seconds, the tree fell,  landing in the foliage of the woods. The sound rouse the attention of the locals, who quickly came to investigate. The children stared at her in awe, though it was hardly a surprise to me..." - Clovald Butterfly

Helia's arrival ushered in a sort of renaissance for Owlsbury. She would enchant the local's axes to enable them to fell the great timbers and even taught some of the villagers how to read. The wood was large and strong making it very versatile in use. The durability of the wood fetched it a fine price from neighboring communities. For the first time in years, money was flowing into Owlsbury. In just one week Helia had turned a village that was nothing into something, a miracle if there ever was one. The locals seemed to agree and started referring to her as "Blessed Child" and "The Daughter of God"...

"...those people thought me some sort of divine figure! I helped them fell trees and they proclaimed me the second coming of Celestia? That in itself is ridiculous but when I would leave the house they'd lower their heads and greet me with prayer. Can you believe that? Some may find it flattering but I just see it as insulting! By the end of the first week I was all but prepared to call it quits but my husband convinced me otherwise..." - Helia Butterfly

It was around this time a rather peculiar figure was sighted around town...

"...I saw him numerous times over the weekend. His appearance was most unsettling. He was a tall fellow of thin stature with sharp features, almost akin to a fox. I never got a good look at his eyes as he always narrowed them to slits plus he always sported this creepy looking wide smile. His hair was short, save for the back which reached down to his neck and was platinum blonde in color. Though he dressed the part, he was certainly not one of the villagers nor even a commoner for that matter. His clothes were far too clean and his teeth were a pearly white (Every noble knows you don't get teeth that white unless you bleach them). When the guards and I would play with the kids, he'd stare at us for long periods of time and then out of the blue, just walk away. None of the villagers seemed to notice him, even though he showed up around eight times over a two day period!

Clovald would eventually confront the man. According to him, the man smiled and responded in a soft but visibly mocking tone...

"Forgive me, young master, I just like looking at the youth play. All of you are so full of energy! I'm rather jealous really. When you get to be my age, you don't have that luxury..." 

I must confess, after hearing this, I was terrified.  Everything about him unnerved me. The way he walked, the way he spoke, the way he looked, nothing about it seemed right..."  - Clovald Butterfly

Come sundown on that very same day, a carriage would arrive, with bells ringing and an announcement proclaiming the Candyman's arrival. Children were ecstatic whilst the adults quickly succumbed to slumber. As Owlsbury's youth flooded the streets, Helia put the next part of her plan into motion. She recounts...

"...We could've avoided everything if I just shot them dead right there Qina. Even recounting the event makes me ill...

He arrived in this ridiculous looking carriage. It was large with double doors on both sides with no windows (save for the front), a garish red in color with a swirling roof of white (cream I guess?). No rider was visible at the front and the carriage was pulled by four red horses that moved very unnatural. When the carriage came to a stop, two figures emerged from the front compartment. A fellow matching the description of someone my husband had encountered earlier and a morbidly obese man in a red jacket and black top hat. The village children had surrounded the carriage and as anticipated, every adult was knocked out (save for my "guardian" due to her condition). Though my husband and knights insisted we apprehend the two, I was more interested in playing the part further for something about these two intrigued me. We would play our roles to the letter and once we arrived at their hideout, dismantle it whilst uncovering the fates of the missing. Our "guardian" would serve as back up in case anything went wrong which I doubt would. If only I knew at the time...

The four flocked to the carriage and acted accordingly, whilst the two men gave out candy to the children. Being closer, Helia was able to give a more detailed description of our hefty friend...

"...He was much shorter than the other man, about 5'3'' give or take. His face was bloated, his eyes barely visible through all the fat on his face (They were violet in color). His mouth, though small, had very pronounced lips, almost like a pair of slugs. Strands of platinum blonde hair peeked from the top hat he wore, which covered his entire forehead and his nose was broad and pink. Clothing wise, he wore a red jacket, brown gloves, tan pants and black leather boots. Fairly ordinary attire granted but they were impeccably clean..."

After all the children were given candy the two men opened the carriage and offered them a "Night of Fun". While a few children were wary of leaving the village without consulting with their parents first, they were won over by the enthusiasm of two. They were promised that they would be "returned by sunrise" and that their parents "wouldn't suspect a thing". It was here, the five were separated. Helia went into the carriage with the other children while her husband and knights were placed up front (what their guardian was doing, I cannot say). Helia sat with two girls she became acquainted with in the village...

"...one was a tall girl with red hair, the oldest one in the village. Her name was Joan and she aspired to become a knight when she got older. The other was a young girl named Mira, a shy mouse with long dark hair. She came to me one day and asked if I could teach her how to read. She proved a quick learner. I then (not by choice) became her confidant, presumably because she knew I wasn't one to talk secrets. Most of what she said was typical for someone at that age but she did confess as to having a liking for my "brother". As silly as it sounds, I didn't like hearing that..." - Helia Butterfly

Bear in mind, Helia and Clovald were masquerading as siblings during their time in Owlsbury. Whilst Helia was in the back carriage, Clovald, Titania, and Oberon were in the front compartment with the thin man and rider. He recounts...

"The thin man was wearing similar attire to the rider, save no hat and differing colors (white jacket instead of red). He was also sporting a pair of glasses, which he didn't have before. I asked why we were sitting up front and not with the rest of the kids. The thin man smiled at us and said: "I like you three! Seeing as how I like you, I'm giving you the special VIP treatment. Isn't that nice of me?" He continued with: "Besides, all children love sitting up the front..." He paused, opened his eyes (violet to my surprise) and dropped his eternal smile before asking: "You are children aren't you?"

The three of us quickly nodded. I can't explain it but losing that constant expression just made him creepier. It felt like a bunch of snakes were coiling around my throat. After that, his expression returned and he simply responded: "That's good..." - Clovald Butterfly

After an hours ride, the carriage would arrive at a secluded region located on the eastern coast. It was separate from the mainland, requiring a bridge to access. The area was lit up like a candlestick and from a distance, one could make out rides, tents and practically everything that would make a child smile. The most distinctive piece was a majestic castle that rose high over the park, not even the Ferris Wheel dwarfed its size. Clovald took notice of something before entering...

"I saw what looked like four people hawking livestock and horses at a group. Customers no doubt, though even then I thought the animals acted rather oddly. Much too wild and unruly to be sold. One poor horse was beaten countless times because it wouldn't stay quiet. What caught my attention though was the beater in question, an aged woman with (graying( red hair and eyes, colors you usually associate with a Redbird. Also, she sported swan cheek marks..."

When the carriage finally came to a stop, the children were let out and simply told to "have the time of their lives". Helia was still unable to locate her husband and knights. Though she wanted to start investigating, her two friends insisted she come with...

"I wanted to get my investigation underway but Joan and Mira insisted we go on some rides. I told them that I had to find my siblings (a lie) but they then said they saw them with one of the Candymen. They told me to loosen up and have fun for once, In Joan's words...

"I've known ya for about a week and yer so high strung n' serious. You gotta relax a bit! Have some fun! Clover's alright, he punched out a drunk that tried t'grope me one time! Ya might be the daughter o'god or whatever but yer still a kid. Have fun!"

Fun to me is reading and furthering my magical talents but for some reason, I was swayed by her words. I supposed an hour of rides wouldn't hurt and I'd be lying if I said I DIDN'T have fun. Still...considering what happened afterward...it wasn't worth it..." - Helia Butterfly

Meanwhile, her husband and knights were in the company of the thin man. Clovald explains... 

"The thin man took us around the park showing us all the rides and attractions. None of us dared to flee, for he warned us beforehand in that creepy voice: "Don't be running off now! Kids who don't listen to what adults say tend to get lost...or hurt..." After showing us everything the park had to offer, he brought us into the castle. The aesthetics inside were unlike anything I've ever seen. Columns stretched down halls and the floors consisted of a glossy marble. Nearly every window was stained, showing figures I'd never seen before. An intriguing display I'll admit.." 

It was then the three were taken to the castle's basement, which to their surprise encompassed the entire island. Countless pieces of machinery were being operated and maintained by enslaved prisoners. The King spotted men and women forced to push great wheels, carry heavy equipment on their backs and build equipment all whilst being whipped. Clovald would later learn that many of these prisoners were stationed at the ill-fated checkpoints they instituted months back. Breaking out of character, the King angrily demanded an explanation for all this. Their mysterious guide merely grinned and said:  

"This place doesn't run itself! If kids came here and nothing worked they wouldn't have fun yes? Parks are supposed to be fun! These wonderful people all work to make that dream a reality! Give them a round of applause!" 

He clapped mockingly and afterward, gestured for us to follow. I was still angry but decided the best course of action was to continue our charade a bit more. It was then Titania whispered to me about the glasses. She suspected they were Skywynne's elusive "Lens of Truth" as she had seen an illustration of them once.

After this minor revelation, the man stopped and looked at us, his eyes opened. He asked: "Oh? And how did you come across that?" - Clovald Butterfly

Not long after, The Sun Queen would get a front-row seat to the park's true nature...

"We were seated at a picnic table, awaiting a round of mew fries. Joan was all smiles and Mira was giggling earnestly. I vomited on the roller coaster, something they found amusing (I did not). Still, I was enjoying their company, they were good kids, much more mature then you'd expect at that age. After about a minute, something caught my attention. A child in front of the tent was crying in pain. I rushed over and was shocked to see hooves where his hands should be. His body contorted and gradually changed. It was a slow, horrifying transformation and all the while he continued screaming until finally, his form was that of a horse. It was then I began hearing screams in all directions. Children slowly changing into animals, I saw one turn into a pig, another a goat. It was then I heard two familiar sounds...Joan and Mira. I tried every spell I knew but nothing would stop it, not even a Stasis spell. Diane morphed into a donkey whilst Mira took the form of a pig. Gradually, the childish screams were slowly replaced by the cries of animals. As I looked around and was confronted with the sight of livestock everywhere, the revelation finally hit me and I fell to my knees. It felt like I was in a dream. My eyes locked on what used to be Joan and Mira, hoping by some miracle they would turn back. Instead, I was rescued from my confusion by another voice...

"Whats this!?" I turned up to see an elderly woman with whitening red hair, red eyes and most curiously, red cheek marks in the shape of swans. She turned around and screamed: "ONE OF THE BRATS DIDN'T TURN! GET A PAIR OF CHAINS OVER HERE!" - Helia Butterfly

Shortly before this, Clovald, Titania, and Oberon would reunite with the carriage rider...

"...we tried to make a run for it earlier but their numbers were too great. All it earned us was a beating and chains. The thin man took us to a room with a wide-eyed view of the park. As we walked in, the first thing that caught my attention was the children. Boys and girls, all of whom couldn't be older than 11 or 12. About 5 of them surrounded the carriage rider who was staring out the window, whilst the others were going about doing what appeared to be housework. All of them were clothed in these overly designed white dresses with their hair adorning either a ribbon or bow. Upon seeing this, a disturbing thought came to mind and I nearly gagged at the implication. When the carriage rider finally turned to look at us, he no longer wore a hat, leaving his forehead exposed. I counted seven colored jewels jammed in there, with the largest one, a pearl, being at the center. No doubt about it, he was the one in charge. He seemed to be in jovial spirits, greeting the thin man warmly...  

"Vermeil! Still holding onto those kids? I trust your suspicions proved correct!"

"Indeed, brother! I thought it strange the whitehead was able to see me earlier. Why else would I wear those ugly things when we were just rounding up some stock?" Taking off the glasses, the thin man threw them at his brother who caught them with ease. The fat man let out a big laugh and then pulled out a pocket mirror. The image of that swan cheeked woman from before appeared. He told the woman to begin preparations...

Clovald would then witness what he'd later call "The most repulsive act I've ever seen". While carrying a pitcher of beer, the dress of the girl crossed her legs and she fell to the floor. The shattered pitcher combined with the new big stain on his carpet drove our fat friend into a rage. He proceeded to beat the poor child whilst calling her "every foul obscenity in the book". Clovald screamed for him to stop but he was ignored. Instead, his actions earned him a couple strikes courtesy of the man's brother. The King, however, refused to back down and kept yelling for the man to stop. Eventually, he did...

"..When I finally got his attention. He walked over, lifted me by the neck and said: "Fiesty little one, aren't you? I like that! Guess what? You're gonna be keeping me company tonight." 

By Celestia, his breath was utterly rancid. I nearly vomited from the stench. He then gave me this wide toothy smile whilst carrying me over to the beaten child. He lifted the poor thing and told me: "Course I like em dressed pretty and since you're so concerned over this little shit's well being, I'll let you use hers..." 

That was the final straw. I was just about to kick the sick bastard in the gut when a man burst into the office. He babbled something about "dead guards" until he was silenced by a sword exiting his mouth. It was the woman whom my wife chose to play the role of our "guardian". I confess, her timing was most impeccable...- Clovald Butterfly

I'd like to take a moment to mention an oddity amongst these testimonies. While a large number was derived by correspondence, some were also lifted from diaries and journals. This "Guardian" Helia and Clovald speak of is never referred to by name once, even in personal entries which shouldn't necessitate such secrecy. In fact, while examing some of the surviving manuscripts I discovered instances where the spacing seems to suggest a name was once there but was removed. Nearly all these instances are in some sort of context to this mysterious figure. What is at play here, I don't know but I can say in earnest that whoever it was, they did not want their identity revealed in the strictest sense. What follows is the only in-depth description of the individual...

"Such agility and strength, the way she fought was borderline supernatural! She wielded a black zweihänder in her right and kept her left to her back. She was shrouded in countless layers of clothing, some pieces of local design, others foreign. The only visible part of her was her eyes, which were an unnatural icy blue. I confess, that even when we lived in Owlsbury, I never got a good look at her face (she was rarely home). Truth the told, the getup she was sporting should have by all accounts weighed her down but it didn't deter her in the slightest. There were moments when I actually lost sight of her..." - Oberon Firefly

What followed was a skirmish between the mysterious guardian and the two brothers. During the confusion, Clovald and the two knights were able to escape their confines and rallied the children for an escape. The Guardian managed to dispose of the carriage rider with ease but the thin one proved a more equal opponent...

Whilst the king and my sister went about gathering the children, my eyes were glued to the duel. The fat man laid unconscious across the room, taken down in a single strike. The thin one, however, proved more formidable, conjuring two flaming swords out of thin air. A clash of fire and steel followed and what I saw defied normal comprehension. Their footwork was impeccable, so much so that they appear to leave behind "afterimages" when they moved. It was speed the eyes simply could not see. This, however, was overshadowed by their combat prowess. These two were master swordsmen in every category. On both sides, every strike was either guarded, parried or dodged. While all this was happening, the thin man never once dropped his ever constant expression. Even as we fled he was nothing but smiles... - Oberon Firefly 

As Clovald and the others fled for the lower floors, something unexpected happened. Blinding light flooded from the castle windows, engulfing nearly every part of the island in a pale yellow. Clovald, who knew what exactly was happening ordered everyone present to "get down on the floor and under no circumstances look up".This was a special moment in Mewni history. For about 2 whole minutes, Helia had assumed her mewberty form. Such a thing rarely happened and the reasons will soon become apparent. The light emitting from her body was so bright that it was if the sun itself had just risen. Night became day for a brief moment, water began to evaporate at an alarming rate, trees began to dehydrate and the closer you were to Helia, the hotter it became. By the time this display ended, nearly the entire park was ruined...

"When we finally made it outside, I could barely believe what I was seeing. Every ride was in the process of melting like a cake and every tent and canvas top had vanished into nothingness. I spotted some fires taking hold near one of the docks and numerous park workers screaming in agony. Some had their eyes completely seared clean while others had horrific burns covering them. Her majesty's control over her powers has some precision as none of the animals were affected. As we went about putting out the fires I looked out to see that the coastlines had shrunk and the pines on the mainland had lost some of their green lusters. Not long after, the shrouded woman from before emerged unscathed from the castle along with the underground prisoners. From what I heard, the thin man fled somehow..." - Titania Firefly

Come morning, the gates of the capital erupted and about 124 people arrived in chains. At the front was the queen, the king, her two knights, plus the shrouded figure. Behind the prisoners marched the former enslaved citizens, the Candyman's abused toys the newly transformed children. Helia's face was twisted in anger whilst the prisoners were screaming in agony as they marched. According to one citizen's account...

"...Every prisoner was dressed in a long rag for modesty's sake save the incredibly fat fellow behind the queen. He marched stark naked in chains. By Celestia, was he a horror show! The entire left half of his face was burnt black, his left eye completely gone with just a hollow socket. A bunch of gems was stuck in his forehead, all of them with burn marks. His left arm was reduced to a blackened stump and his right ear was completely gone. Burns and puncture wounds covered all the fat visible and though I couldn't get a clear look, his lower regions looked completely charred..." 

When Helia reached the square she turned face to the public and gave her most famous speech. Her voice wasn't the usual monotone but loud and fierce. Anger and rage were etched on her face and she did nothing to hide her contempt for the criminals before her. She declared...

"In all my years, never before have I witnessed such crimes of horrific nature. To call these people monsters would be a disservice to monsters! For not even a monster would stoop to the levels of depravity these people have! These creatures are beyond redemption! Starting right now, they will confess their crimes for all to hear one by one! Those who refuse will rot away slowly in dungeon cells!" - Helia Butterfly

With just one exception, every prisoner walked up and confessed. Once the confession was given, Helia would place her finger on their forehead and a beam of light would erupt from the back of their head. The carcass would then be tossed aside for the next in line. It goes without saying that what was heard left the public in shock...

"...we gathered children and turned im into livestock, then sold em for double the price..."

"...sometimes the boss would get frisky and demand something special for the night! We'd grab some highborn brat, let the boss have his fun, then send a letter to his folks, promising a safe return in exchange for a tidy sum..."

"...boss always said no one would miss a poor brat. They's a waste of space and contribute nothing to society as a whole. So we turned im into things that would help society..."  

"...made a killing off selling those brats. I regret nothing..."

It's said some of the criminals were even killed by some of the onlookers. People volunteered to take the lives of these criminals presumably because even they couldn't stomach their actions. Allegedly, Helia had no issue with these requests, only that the result didn't take too long. Finally, when a woman with red eyes, strands of whitening red hair and swan cheek marks appeared before Helia, she stayed her hand. She glared at her for a minute before saying...

"I know you...years ago my mother recounted to me a story concerning her best friend. She lied and betrayed her and as punishment was exiled from the country. Now decades later, here you are again. Swan Redbird yes? What have you to say for yourself?"

Whatever sanity was left in Swan fell to pieces after this, as she was reduced to a giggling simpleton. Since she did not confess, she was not killed. By the end of the day, the entire Candyman operation was dismantled with every participant dead save three.  It also saw the return of Skywynne's Lens of Truth. One of the most sought-after magical artifacts, they eluded the royal family for over a century until they arrived with Helia that fateful night. To the shock of the entire court, Helia would crush the spectacles, seeing them just as guilty as the Candyman's followers...

"They are just as complicit in that man's crimes as his lackeys! What those people have done can never be forgiven! These Lens will share the same fate I sentenced his followers! Death!" -Helia Butterfly

However, in a letter addressed to Qina Loveberry, we learn...

"I intended to destroy those wretched things from the start. Seriously, they look like a typical pair of glasses, what's stopping some dolt from swapping them with a replica?  Apparently, the head of the treasury did because he was highlighted in red when I wore them. Such an imbecile...

Still, I'm not a fool. Such a power is indeed quite useful and it would be a shame to see such a thing go to waste. I went about draining the magic from them on the trip back home. They were sucked dry long before we even entered the Capital. The "truth" those glasses revealed is now my own.

Still seeing people constantly highlighted is becoming an eyesore. I think I'll enchant it onto a ring or bracelet, at least then I can turn it off..." - Helia Butterfly

Following the executions, both Swan Redbird and the Candyman were imprisoned in the dungeons. On the way to his cell, the Candyman boasted that starving him would accomplish nothing for "He had been fasting for three centuries". In Helia's letters, she makes a short but poignant comment on this revelation.

"..he's a bigger idiot than I thought.." - Helia Butterfly

Helia quickly went to work. She wanted to know why were they turning children into livestock? How long had it been going on for? And most importantly, how can it be reversed? Swan's fractured sanity would yield nothing and the Candyman would prove uncooperative...

"...this wretch is quite durable, I'll grant him that. Even after all that has transpired, he's still lucid and refuses to talk. He won't even moan in pain! I would never expect someone of such gross stature to be capable of such a thing. His will is strong but even the strongest of wills can be broken. I'll make him talk... - Helia Butterfly

After a week of torture, The Candyman finally loosened his tongue, though his arrogance "hadn't lessened in the slightest". He revealed his name was Hershel Nero Albus and that he was heir to the throne of "the greatest civilization in history"...

"This wretch claims he is 639 years old and descended from the extinct western empire. At first, I thought it complete and utter nonsense but he wasn't highlighted in red when he spoke. Either he's so deluded he believes his own lies or the magic of the Lens isn't as trustworthy as initially thought. Regardless, he spoke of the jewels on his forehead and his relationship with his brother. The jewels were a "mark of royalty" and manifested in the skulls of all the nobility from birth. It was what distinguished "the chosen" from "the refuse of the earth". His brother did not share this distinction and was going to be discarded but he convinced his parents to spare him. He told me...

"For all my talents, magic has always eluded me. It eluded all of us! How is that we, the chosen, could not use the power of the gods? In Vermeil I saw something special, a spark in his little eyes. Though he did not possess our glorious mark, I knew he could wield what we could not. Everything I've acquired, all that I've accomplished is tied to my decision in sparing him! He owes his existence to me! Mark my words brat, though your power is impressive, Vermeil has 598 years of experience under his belt! He is putting into motion the plan that will return to me my birthright! You and all the trash that inhabits this land will bend the knee! Mark my words!"

This little tirade costs him one of those jewels. He finally screamed for the first time. Quite pleasing I must say... - Helia Butterfly

Needless to say, Helia didn't care about his birthright, only his operation. What prompted him to do such things and most importantly how to reverse it. Though it took weeks, Hershel would finally talk after enduring enough punishment...

"When we washed up on these shores, our way of life was forever changed! We are the Highborn! We exist for the refuse to serve, to stare at in awe, to give them purpose! Do you honestly think we'd lower ourselves to the ways of our slaves? We were treated with scorn and hatred, persecuted by the descendants of the very trash that once served us! Every day was a battle for survival for the two of us. Years came and went and until finally, we witnessed the birth of a new dynasty. A dynasty founded by one with no mark on her head. Most damningly, she wore a crown, something our line never partook in! It was then I realized! Why bring attention to ourselves when we can just as easily manipulate the ignorant masses? Let the refuse have their common-born queen! With my knowledge and Vermeil's magic, we'll build our own kingdom. Something that exists in the shadows, away from the prying eyes of the trash. Over time we met others who with similar mindsets and so long as they bent the knee, they would live alongside us in greatness! Why do you think that red-cheeked woman was with us? She was born in the comfort of nobility and you take it away from her? She came to us willingly so she could live the same way she did before! In greatness! If anything you are far worse than she ever was..." - Hershel Albus

Helia, however, wasn't impressed...

"This man is a deluded windbag. He believes that since he was born in high standing, he has the right to do whatever he pleases. It's the sort of attitude you'd expect from a spoiled child. After five minutes of yammering about how great he was, I pierced him about 32 times in the gut. I then asked him how many children he converted. He looked at me and said they kept ledgers but because of my actions, they were most likely destroyed (he lost a finger for that) When I asked how long he'd been doing this and he told me his brother discovered the formula four years ago, so they started around that time. When I asked how it worked, he smiled with all his pearly white teeth in display and replied: "Give a brat enough candy and you'll soon make an animal out of em!"

He never smiled at me again after that." - Helia Butterfly

All signs indicated that Vermeil was behind the phenomena that transformed the children, however, his whereabouts were unknown. Hershel admitted he had no direct hand in the creation of the candy, only distributed it. If anyone knew how to counteract the effects, it was Vermeil. Helia quickly issued a bounty of 1,000,000 gold suns for Vermeil's capture. Despite an extensive search, days would pass, then weeks and finally months with no information on the whereabouts of Vermeil Gaius Albus. Though Helia had every apothecary and alchemist in the kingdom working on a cure, there is no evidence to suggest she was successful. Helia would soon give birth to Celestia and if legend is to be believed, forbade her from eating candy. Helia's dismantling of the Candyman would cement her status as a figure of fear, for shortly after, crime quickly fell to record levels. 

The fates of the Candyman's victims are unknown but it's logical to assume the worst case scenario. Owlsbury never recovered from the tragedy and the town was abandoned 20 years later. Swan Redbird's fate is unknown and Hershel would repent for another 14 years. The last sighting of him, courtesy of a guard, is as followed...

"Mark dared me to look through the cell, said if I saw him I wouldn't eat anything for the rest of day. Not one to back out of a challenge, I accepted. At first, I saw nothing, but as I looked closer, I spotted him huddled in a corner. First things, first, the cell smelled awful. I could make out piles of shit and piss stains all over the place. The man was morbidly thin, to the point he looked more skeleton than man. Burns covered his entire body and the only limb he fully retained was his right arm. Everything else was either a blackened stump or missing digits. He had no nose, ears, lips or teeth, the only surviving things left were his right eye and whitened hair, which was so long it reached the floor. On his forehead, I could make out seven black holes, and the fingernails on his only surviving arm were exceedingly long. At first, I thought him dead, but as I kept on looking I noticed he was breathing. Whatever he did to deserve that, I don't want to know..."

On the night Celestia inherited the wand, Helia would receive a letter from a guard who claimed it was from someone who presented himself as an ambassador from Laurel. Qina, who was present, noted the color in her friends face "drained slightly" and she immediately issued an order to apprehend the man. The letter, which Helia unknowingly dropped, was quickly scooped up by Qina. The transcription of the letter reads...

Greetings Your Highness!

We've never been properly introduced, but I'm quite sure you know me. It's been such a long time! Last time we met was when I was handing out candy to the kiddies, such good times wouldn't you agree? How is your husband doing? I tell ya I feel so bad for hitting him that one time. He's a good man, the way he stood up to my brother like that. Gotta say, you sure know how to pick em! I just wish I had yer knack for picking a spouse. Maybe then, mine wouldn't keep dying every two decades...

Oh, but where are my manners! Surely you must be wondering why I'm writing this out of the blue? We weren't exactly "penpals" after all! Well, it concerns my brother. You've been taking care of him for the past 14 years and I wanted to check up on him. Gotta say you did a fantastic job! Dunno what exercise program you have him on but he's slimmed down so heavily (no pun intended), that I'm rather jealous! Living accommodations? Perfect! Dental Work? 5 stars! All in all, very satisfied! Especially like what you did with those rocks in his head, I tell ya, he never shut up about those damn things! Personally, I always thought they looked silly...

Still, I'm sad to say there was one little thing that didn't get a passing grade. That being skin care. Don't get me wrong, I love the black and red burns, it's just that there was still...too much skin hanging. Also, he got a bit nasty when I came to visit. Not to worry though, I've given it my own personal touch! I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results! I'd love to write more but sadly, I'm lacking in time. Take care of yourself now! And do write back, I'd love to hear your response!

P.S Big fan of your writing! Quality literature! Look forward to your next book!

Love - V. A

Qina recounts...

"When we arrived at the jail cell, a bloodied one armed skeleton awaited us. The cell was hot, covered in blood, feces, and urine. Helie searched the cell from top to bottom, seemingly for a secret passage but could find none. We then went on a widespread search of the area in search of the mysterious man but found not a trace of anyone..." - Qina Loveberry

The release of the Qina/Helia letters opened up a new perspective on this centuries-old case. Many questions were answered but many mysteries remain. Was a cure ever found? What became of Vermeil Gaius Albus? Were they truly descendants of the old empire? How were they able to live for such a long time?

Truly a riddle for the ages...