Artwork by jamieravenheart. A huge thank you to her for doing this

The news of the Mayor's request spread throughout the town of Greenville: kill the fairy of the Moors with the promise of a great reward. Not many were willing to venture towards the woods after what had happened today. The men told wild tales about trees that came to life, destroying their vehicles and a winged green woman that had magic. Most of the people thought they were crazy. A few believed them. But others remained cynical.

The Mayor decided the only one who was brave enough to venture into the woods was the peasant boy. He would kill the fairy. Once that was done, he could proceed with his plan to expand his town and create a shopping mall. Once-ler's mother had told  the Mayor about her son's ambition to become a successful businessman. Oh yes. If the price was high enough, the young man would be more than  willing to kill the green winged demon. He had been very generous to the  young man: he paid him handsomely to pass him information, even got him  a job to work in his office and became a mentor to teach him about the  world an empire in the business world.

He summoned Once-ler to his office. He had come up with a plan to try and sway the young man to do his bidding.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" asked Once-ler.

"Once," said the Mayor. "How'd you like to get a head start on that business empire you mentioned?"

Once-ler's blue eyes lit up upon hearing this. He had been wanting to get started for quite a while. Fiora had allowed him to gather the tufts from the  Truffula trees with the promise of never doing any harm to them. He had created his first Thneed-yet no one seemed interested in buying it. Business was almost dead.

"That'd be nice," he said hesitant. "I guess. But what do I have to do?"

"Oh, let's just say it's a task that will guarantee you a lot of money.  Enough to keep you afloat for a year if you fail within that time." He  paused for a bit. "You see, I've had plans to create a few buildings on a  property, but I haven't been able to do so because of that annoying  little Lorax. And now that this...fairy has become Guardian, it's hindering my plans even more."

"Her name is Fiora," Once-ler said.

"Whatever,"  the Mayor replied dismissive. "The point is, I need to get rid of her.  My intuition says she won't be swayed by any deals."

Once-ler looked more confused. "I'm not sure what you're trying to say, sir."

"I want you to kill this fairy."

Once-ler's eyes widened at this request. His stomach immediately sank into a pit.  He felt bad enough for spying on her and her home. He had heard about  the terrible battle that occurred today. But another part of him wanted to get ahead with his business, but to murder Fiora?

"I don't think I can do that, sir," he said.

"Why not?" the Mayor asked.

"It's just...she's been kind to me all these years. She's...well, she's my friend."

The  Mayor arched an eyebrow. But still, he could find a way to turn a friend against another. After all, being in a position of power, he could manipulate everyone around him. All it took was a little green and things would go his way. After all, it took him many years and bribes to proceed with his business plan to get the mall approved, but there were many environmental lawyers that wouldn't accept his bribes.

"How much would you do it for?" the Mayor said. "I'll pay you three times what I've been giving you."

Once-ler quietly thought about how much money he needed for supplies, building permits, and a lot of things he needed to start his business. He could hear his conscience saying otherwise. He couldn't do it. Murder someone so innocent.

"I can't," he said. "Killing someone is just...wrong."

"Understandable, Once. But if you'd like, I can provide you with what you need to do the job. Just give her something that'll put her to sleep and you can take it from there. It'll be easy."

Once-ler rubbed his neck nervously. "I-I suppose..." he stammered. "But...I just don't think I can do it. It's too much to ask."

"Well grow some balls!" the Mayor growled frustrated at the filibustering.  "Be a man! Haven't I been a father enough to you? And haven't I been  generous enough?"

Once-ler flinched. "I'm sorry, sir," he replied. "I appreciate everything you've done. But why do you want me to kill her?"

"The fairy trusts you. She'd never suspect you."

"But this would anger the Lorax if we kill the fairy."

"True. But that's the point: the fairy could be his weakness too. If we get rid of the fairy, perhaps this would destroy the Lorax emotionally speaking. We could both proceed with our plans: you can build your business and I can build my shopping malls. And I can guarantee you that your brand product will be everywhere once I build it."

"Seems awfully cruel, sir."

"Well, sometimes in the world of business, you have to be ruthless. You have  to do what you gotta do to keep your business alive whether it's lying, stealing or cheating."

"That doesn't seem right either, sir. I thought it was about customer satisfaction. Marketing."

"It is. But that's below the surface. The world of building an empire is much more cut throat than you think. It's so competitive that it's like survival of the fittest. And you, young man, if you need to survive, you need to be strong. You won't get anywhere behaving humbly. Do you get  what I'm saying?"

Once-ler listened, taking it in. The Mayor seemed to have valid points. Though he didn't like the sound of that, but he desperately wanted his dream to live. He wanted to be rich and famous. He wanted to have everything that he didn't have in his childhood. Money was the only way to get it.

"It does make sense," he said. "I'll do it."

"And once it's done, bring me proof. I want to see it."

"What...kind of proof?" Once-ler looked even more uncomfortable at this request.

"Anything. I don't care. Figure it out."

****

Once-ler went to the border of the Moors, calling Fiora's name once again. His stomach felt queasy. The Mayor had shown him the money so that he could start. It was enough money to keep him afloat for the first year at least. Yet could he kill Fiora? He thought about how kind she was. All the good times they spent together as children, playing and laughing. Then their love for each other. He had heard what had happened from the Mayor-how Fiora had created an army to destroy his construction vehicles. How she had driven them away from the forest.

Once-ler carried a flask, filled with a crushed drug that was provided by the Mayor. All he had to do was get Fiora to drink it and she'd fall asleep, then he could kill her. She'd never know that it happened.

"Fiora!" he called again.

Distracted with his thoughts on the assassination, he heard a swish behind him. He shouldn't have surprised given he was so used to Fiora arriving like  so. Her face expressed suspicion this time.

The green fairy looked at Once-ler with narrowed eyes. He looked just about the same since the last time they met: he wore the same clothes. Grey vest and striped pants. His untidy black hair tucked under his grey hat. While she was more wary since her first battle with the humans from today, she couldn't help but feel a slight flutter in her heart seeing the human she once loved. Knowing she was now the Moors' protector, she kept her teacher's words in mind about how untrustworthy humans were, she remained stone-faced.

"So, how's life with the humans?" Fiora asked softly.

Once-ler looked at the ground uncomfortably. Since their first kiss, he had been disappearing a lot, following his ambition and spent little time in the  Moors.

"Not good," he answered, licking his lips. "Look. I've come to warn you, Fiora. The humans-they mean to kill you."

The  fairy raised her eyebrow, listening carefully. She had once loved the  human. Now she wasn't so sure. After the terrible battle from today, she had learned the truth about human nature: how cruel, greedy and envious  they were.

"Please, Fiora," said Once-ler desperately. "You have to trust me. Besides, I made my decision. I belong here with you."

He cupped Fiora's cheek, feeling the vines that grew beneath her flesh. The fairy relaxed, shutting her eyes. Her suspicion had melted away, hearing Once-ler's words. She felt happy once again to have the one she loved back.

They sat beneath Mother Tree, speaking of many things just like old times. Naturally, she forgave Once-ler for his folly and ambition. The two of them watched the lightning fairies dance over the  water with the humming-fish that leaped out, making splashes. They ended up sharing a drink together from Once-ler's flask. Fiora's wings wrapped around him like a warm blanket, holding hands with the human she loved. The sweet taste of mead that spread across her tongue.

Eventually, Fiora relaxed and rested her head on Once-ler's shoulder, falling into a deep sleep. Once-ler held her for a little bit, feeling a sense of guilt of what he was about to do. He had to carry through with the plan.

Making sure she was in a deep sleep, he lay Fiora on her side, resting her head on the root of Mother Tree. He pulled the gun out of his pants, shakily aiming it at the fairy's orange, flower-adorned head.

Yet seeing her sleeping there so peacefully. How kind she had been to him. Her love for him. Throwing the gun down, he sobbed, feeling sick at the thought of murdering someone so innocent and kind. He couldn't do such a thing. She didn't deserve to die. If he had failed, who knew what would  happen? The Mayor wouldn't fund his business. His mother would emasculate him. He'd be disgraced.

He couldn't kill the fairy and yet he needed the money to start his business. Yet how was he going to  prove to the Mayor that he had killed Fiora? He looked at her wings and an idea came to him.

There was no other way.

"I'm sorry," he said sickly.

He reached into his sack and pulled out an iron chain. Stretching one wing out carefully, he bit his lip nervously as he brought the chain where  her wings met her back. The metal glowed red, followed by a nasty hissing. The smell of burning flesh and feathers permeated the air. In a trembling  movement, he cut the first one, watching the wing flop on the soft, dewy grass. Nausea overpowered him and he vomited in the bushes. Sniffling, tears in his eyes, he decided to finish the job. Once this was over, he'd have his money and his business would take off.

Once it was done, Once-ler used  a rope and a cloth, tying the giant green wings together before leaving the Moors. He could hear his conscience screaming how could he do this. This was such a betrayal to his friend and love, yet reasoned that it was better than killing her.

He dragged the heavy wings towards his cart that waited outside the borders. Melvin, his mule, had been waiting patiently at the border. He seemed to frown when he saw when his master had come back with something heavy. He sensed he had done something despicable and looked disgusted. Once-ler could barely look at his animal companion. He was disgusted at himself as well.

"Don't judge me," he said, feeling a lump in his throat. "I had no choice, Melvin."

****

By morning, the sky was gloomy. The Moors were foggy and chilly. Fiora woke up, feeling rather groggy and a sharp pain on her back. She tried to shake the feeling away. Groaning, she sat up and the pain became worse. Something didn't feel right. She felt much lighter than she usually did. Reaching over her shoulder, she noticed her wings were gone! Once-ler  was too. All that was left behind was an iron chain nearby on the ground with some burnt green feathers stuck to it. Two long, cauterized wounds were on her back, leaving two stumps where her wings once were.

Her face fell in horror from the shock of it all.  She began to sob as she realized what happened. Once-ler had betrayed her. He lied to her. He stole her wings! He broke her heart...and permanently this time. Sobs of horror and betrayal emitted from her throat.

Why?! her mind screamed. How could he do this to me?!

And yet she knew the answer all along. The Lorax was right. Humans were greedy and selfish beings that were not to be trusted. Once-ler was no  different from the rest of them: he would always be loyal to his kind and his world even if it meant betraying her. Now she was paying the price for not listening to her teacher.

How could she have been so blind? Now she fully understood why the Lorax kept humans away from  their home. And she had led one here by befriending him.

She let out a scream of anguish and horror. Then laid down at the base of Mother Tree, completely broken, sobbing as she felt her heart shattered. A part of her inside had died: one that believed in harmony and peace between the humans. One that believed in love.

Like her wings, it was gone forever.

****

Once-ler hung his head as he continued to ride through the town of Greenville towards the Mayor's office. He presented the fairy's wings before the  Mayor. The little man touched the giant feathers, staring in awe and amazement at their magnificence.

"She's dead then?" the Mayor asked.

Once-ler nodded silently, still feeling sick from the whole ordeal. He could still hear the fairy's screams in his mind after he left the Moors. The Mayor thanked him and handed him a silver suitcase filled with money that was agreed upon. He took the case and went right to work on building his business.