4 Pix!

4 Pix! Violet didn't know if she believed Sprite's story. "Why do you have to catch these fairies all by yourself?" she asked. Sprite puffed up his chest. He pulled a round medal from a bag that hung around his waist. He showed the medal to Violet. "I am a Royal Pixie Tricker. The fairy queen chose me herself. Now, do you have any more questions, or can we go?"

Violet looked closely at the medal. "One more question," Violet said, holding up her hand. "What's all this about a queen and you being a Royal Pixie Tricker? And why do you need my help?" "The queen said that I would meet a girl who is eight years old. She told me to ask you for help," Sprite said. "I'm not sure why. She said something about an old rhyme."

"Can't you remember?" Violet asked. Sprite's wings fluttered impatiently. "It's too long!" Sprite said. "And it doesn't matter. I found you, didn't I? So let's go!" He tugged on Violet's purple hoodie. "Not yet," Violet said. "Not yet? What is it now?" Sprite asked. "I can't just leave," Violet said. "I'm supposed to be playing in my backyard." Violet pointed to the big yellow house in front of them. "My Aunt Anne is inside," Violet said. "It's Saturday. She always watches me when my parents work on the weekend." "So tell Aunt Anne you have to go out," Sprite said. "She'd never let me go running off with a fairy," Violet said.

"But this is so important!" Sprite said. "I'm sure she'll understand." Violet shook her head. "I can't tell my aunt about you," she said. "She wouldn't believe me. "I'll go introduce myself, then!" Sprite said. "No!" Violet said. She grabbed him by his tiny foot. "She'd hit you with a flyswatter. Or flush you down the toilet—or worse!" "Boo-hoo-hoo! No help for you!" Violet jumped at the sound of a strange voice. The voice belonged to another fairy. He was a bit taller than Sprite, but he had no wings. He had a round face. He wore colorful clothes. There were bells on his pointy shoes, cap, and collar.

Sprite frowned. "Pix!" he yelled. "Pix is my name. Having fun is my game!" Pix said. He danced in the grass. The bells on his shoes jingled. Violet couldn't believe her eyes. Two fairies in one day?

Pix opened his hand. A pile of glittering dust appeared in his palm. "Pix will dance. Pix will sing. Pix will trap you in a fairy ring!" Pix sang. "Pix, leave Violet alone!" Sprite yelled. Pix did not stop. He threw the dust into the air. The dust whirled around. It formed a big circle and then surrounded Violet.