If Corona were a person...

Corona, one of the many subjects of Mother Earth, is ordered to do her job, to save the planet's habitats and animals...

Art by Simone Ford

---

All was calm in Mother Earth's palace. Hidden, underground, far from the reach of humans, flowers and plants bloomed everywhere, making the green palace seem as if it were made entirely of vines. Surrounding the palace, as if the building were the heart of some magnificent creature, various habitats sprouted here and there. Oceans, forests, deserts, snow and more lived side by side, as if it were normal and not a slap in the face to human science.

Animals run around, always keeping a safe distance from the palace.

Corona watched this, from the balcony of her room, one of the few subjects of Mother Earth allowed in the palace. An immense red poppy bloomed on a vine on top of Corona's green head.

She breathed in the smell of ice, pollen and sea salt all rolled into one as the flower opened its petals and a little pixie, dressed from head to toe in red, walked out of it.

"Madam Virus, Mother Earth bids your presence in the throne room. Come at once." he said with a sleepy voice, as if the poppy seed hat on his head influenced his very being.

Yikes, Corona thought. Wonder what Mother wants now.

"Tell her I'm coming." Corona answered, in her venomously sweet voice. The man nodded and snapped his fingers. The poppy closed it's petals and started shrinking until it became a red flower bud on a vine once more.

Corona sighed and turned on the heel of her sneakers, one of the few human inventions she appreciated. She walked out of her room and started heading towards the throne room. Curious glances came from Corona's fellow viruses as she walked out of the Virus Hall.

---

"Madam Virus has arrived your Majesty!" announced a dwarf-sized girl as she flapped around the throne room with beautiful shimmering wings, followed by her usual entourage of butterflies.

The throne room had no walls or roof. Instead, oak trees on the sides formed columns and their gigantic branches interlocked, creating a type of canopy roof. In between each tree was what at first seemed like glass, but were instead enormous and very thin layers of honey, the same bees used in their honeycombs. The yellowish tint was interrupted by swirls of colors and live flowers that came out of the honey, creating images. Corona, who by then was used to the grandeur of the throne room, still looked around with wide eyes at the honey windows, as large as the ancient oak trees, thin enough for sunlight to filter through. Corona looked down at her feet, that were sinking softly on the soft green carpet that led to the throne. She walked towards it, her heart beating rapidly with anticipation and fear.

Corona approached the throne and touched her hand to her forehead, her other hand holding her elbow, the customary sign when greeting royalty. She remained still for a few seconds, bowed slightly and sat down on the fluffy chair that was rising from the moss carpet.

For the first time since she entered the room, Corona looked up at the throne. It was made of all types of materials, water, ice, flowers, vines and wood all seamlessly woven together to form what seemed like a gigantic flower with a side missing. Here a chair like object lay, and on it sat the queen herself.

Mother Earth.

Although the queen could take any shape she chose, her preferred form was the that of a woman. Mother Earth had long, flowing locks of black hair that reached her bare feet. Her dress was one made of the softest and brightest fabrics, a watery like waterfall with gold engravings that sparkled on it. Her dark skin, intelligent eyes and plump lips were framed by a crown made of flowers and leaves with vines that trickled down into her thick hair. She smiled prettily, a creature of beauty and grace.

"My dear, it's been far too long since we've seen each other." Mother Earth said pleasantly with her musical voice.

"I must agree. Tell me, why now of all times?" Corona answered, hiding her annoyance under a fake smile, her pointed teeth glittering dangerously.

"The same as ever, I see. You never liked pleasantries." The queen answered in all her grace.

Corona didn't answer. In reality, she knew exactly why the queen had summoned her. To finish the job the others couldn't do, Corona thought.

The queen looked at Corona, her most lethal weapon as if she could hear her very thoughts.

"I see. You already know what to do. I must look to you, my poisonous dagger, to finish the job your siblings couldn't. Let no one survive." Mother Earth said.

"No one? But, your Majesty-"

"Shush." the queen interrupted. "Don't tell me you have become soft after so many centuries. You know what happens to those whom I do not need anymore." Mother Earth threatened, her eyes glinting with villainy.

Corona gulped and despite herself, felt a shock of fear penetrate her heart as she thought of the useless Polio, thrown out of the palace when Mother Earth learned that he had let the humans find a vaccine against him. But Corona shoved her fear deep down and let out a laugh filled with malice and a promise.

"Never. Trust me, my queen, I have only hardened in the past millennia. I shall succeed where others have failed and bring you glory." Corona announced. She stood up and touched her forehead and bowed once more to the queen.

Without permission she turned and left the throne room, leaving the frail Mother Earth behind.

Because, despite her beauty and anger, the queen was slowly dying. And the only way to save herself was to kill the ones who had made her sick, who had hurt her in the first place. The humans.

And the only way to exterminate them quickly and without the mess of a war, was through her most dangerous weapons, the Viruses.

And the most dangerous of them all was Corona herself.

How do you think the dinosaurs died? Not because of an asteroid, but because the rage and poison of an ill-known virus had been unleashed. And now, once more, Mother Earth had ordered Corona to do her job.

But unlike last time, Corona had lost her assassin heart and had replaced it with wisdom and most importantly of all, compassion. As Corona walked back to her rooms, a memory resurfaced.

---

It had been a sunny day and Corona, younger and more impulsive then, had dared argue with the queen.

"There are other ways! Why don't we teach them instead of killing them off one by one! You're Mother Earth, lover of all creatures and yet you would kill an entire species! Stop!" Corona yelled, standing on the same green moss carpet in front of the throne and queen.

"Control your temper. I am simply doing what's best. We have given many chances and yet these retched humans continue to destroy Earth with no regard towards the planet. I will not stand by as everything is broken. The humans must go." Mother Earth answered, still gentle as a queen should be, but her eyes venomous.

"NO! Order Black Plague to return. There are other ways! Why don't you teach the humans, make them open their eyes. Why must you kill them? Why?!" Corona screamed.

"I must do what is best for this planet! And you, my champion, should stand by me in this decision. I remember a time when you were bloodthirsty for the dinosaurs." The queen answered, her calm breaking to reveal anger.

"I was a fool. Now I know there are other ways, and I beg you to open your eyes. Please." Corona's anger deflated, leaving the young virus defeated on the floor.

"Very well. I will tell Black Plague to ease a little." Mother Earth nodded, cunning shining in her eyes.

"I'll owe you, won't I?" Corona asked, for despite her boldness and quick temper, she was still smart.

"Yes. The humans perhaps don't deserve to all die." The queen said.

"Thank you, your Majesty." Corona answered. "I will organize a team that will help teach the humans."

---

Corona came back to the present. Her plan had not gone well. The humans had not learned as she had promised and today Corona found herself tied to an unbreakable favor. The humans stood no chance. Unless, Corona thought, no don't think it. Or she will know.

(To be continued...)