Author's note: So this basically takes place after the 6th season of Winx club, Musa and Riven have broken up, Layla (Aisha) and Nex are dating and the rest of the gang is the pretty much the same with of course Daphne and Thoren. Daphne is not part pf the Winx club but is a good friend and sister and similarly, Thoren, Nex and Jared are not part of the squad of specialists that we all very well know. This story mostly revolves around the heroes, but that doesn't mean that the 'fairies', (not just the winx), will be any less in it. This has no link with the season 7 of Winx club whatsoever. And of course, I do not own anything but the story. This story was earlier called : Everything has changed.
Will You be happy, if I come back to you.
Chapter -1
Drip. Drip. Drip. Riven watched as drop by drop rain poured down the window, making a splattering sound as it hit the ground, inducing him to shiver even though he was not cold. Stretching his arm across the counter, he cleared his throat, instantaneously grasping the attention of the receptionist.
"Hello Welcome to Blue Garden Hotel, how can I help you?" She whispered, her cobalt eyes going wide as she smiled.
"Hi" Riven said offhandedly. "I was wondering if any rooms are free Ms…" His magenta eyes landed on her name plate. "Ella"
"Of course!" Ella said, too excitedly, giving a smarmy smile.
"Great." Riven waited for her to continue, blinking, he cleared his throat again, getting uncomfortable under her gaze.
"Yes right. SO, your name…" She turned away, scribbling something down, "Riven right?"
"You know me?" Riven looked at her in astonishment. Here and there, people did recognize him sometimes as one of the specialists who saved the world with winx (not just once) but he still wasn't comfortable with all the attention.
"Who doesn't?" She asked, as if it was too obvious. "Winx club and your squad has saved the world so many times, I have lost count." Ella smiled once again.
"Right." Riven nodded bluntly, not knowing what else to say.
"So I don't think there is a need of an ID, here is your pass-card, and your room number will be E-903." The receptionist handed over the key. "It is a two bedroom. The only one available." She glanced over at him apologetically before typing something down in the hovering screen-computer in front of her.
"Not a problem." He smirked, taking the card.
"You are all alone?" Ella asked all of a sudden and Riven got even more uncomfortable.
"Yeah, any problem?" His eyebrows flew up and the girl in front of him fumbled.
"Um…No…just, last time I heard, you were dating one of the Winx." Ella stuttered, looking away while her cheeks burned a bright shade of red.
Just the thought of Musa was enough for Riven to blink and clear a lump in his throat.
"Well, not anymore." He murmured under his breath so softly that Ella barely heard him. With a tinge of annoyance Riven banged his fist lightly on the desk. Sure he was kind of famous now, but he still had a personal life.
"Not prying. Just wondering." She defended her self, giving him yet another apologetic look. "We are having a Singles night Special tonight, if you want, I can totally save you a seat." Ella smiled, gazing at him hopefully.
"As intriguing as that may seem, I would just be alone tonight." Riven nodded brusquely at her and started towards the elevator.
"Let me know if you change your mind." The receptionist called back.
"Pretty sure I won't." Riven answered, not bothering to look back at the girl.
"Alright we are on!" Sky heard Timmy exclaim in excitement as he reached over to collect his own blue sword for the combat. Turning around, his blue eyes widened at his opponent. Standing right in front of him, in the world's most awkward fighting position was Brandon, with his green broadsword hung loosely across his right fist, the Squire's both arms were stretched droopily at his sides and his left knee was lifted till his waist, which left only his right leg to balance his whole body weight on. The specialists specialized in many things, combat, yes, strategy, yes, agility and balance skills, yes, weaponry, yes, weird fighting stances, no.
"Haae Ya" Brandon shrieked in a high pitched voice, striving to hold his grip on the ground.
"Dude, what do you think you are doing, posing there like some weird ballerina? I thought we were training." Sky couldn't help but laugh at his squire, who at the moment was glaring daggers at him.
"It's Kung Fu man." Brandon informed Sky, placing his left leg back on the ground and crossing his arms across his chest. "It's an ancient fighting art taught on Earth. Timmy, explain it to our laughing king here please." Brandon nodded at Timmy, all the while glaring at the still guffawing Sky.
"According to everything that I know about Kung Fu, that was anything but a fighting kung fu position." Timmy joined in laughing with Sky, who was right now in middle of huge fits of laughter.
"No, seriously, what was that?" Sky asked in between laughing.
"You are just jealous that I learnt a little something when we were on Earth a couple months ago to find that dragon tamer." Brandon smirked smugly, reaching for his broadsword, his grip on the hilt tightened. "We are still on guys, even though it is not an even match." Brandon stated, giving a little cocky smile of his that always made Stella swoon.
"Of course it is not an even match, its specialists versus a ballerina." Sky tutted, pulling his own weapon in position. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Timmy taking out his blaster and shield.
"It's not even because Helias still out, but I don't need an extra teammate to take you both laughing dolls down" Brandon blew out a little whistle as adrenaline rushed into his blood stream.
"Not when you are up against the best specialists of Red Fountain." Sky shot back with the same exhilaration as Brandon.
"Well, I am one of them too." Brandon smirked in a conceited way. And with that the fight began. Sky knew that Brandon will attack first; he always did, so he geared up for defense instead of offense and signaled at Timmy to be ready with his blaster. Brandon, as anticipated, lunged at the blonde specialist with full force, Sky blocked him with his blue shield and Timmy readied his blaster to knock the squire's broadsword out of his hand. But this time something new happened, instead of going in for another sharp blow of his green broadsword, Brandon swiftly moved his right ankle to the side and with impressive professionalism, kicked Sky, inducing Sky to fall flat on the ground. And before Timmy could retaliate, Brandon elbowed the orange-blonde specialist in the stomach which made Timmy stumble over and fall himself.
"And that, little girls, is how it is done." Brandon looked over at the now sitting Sky and Timmy.
"Well, that was new." Sky said, running his hand through his hair, inspecting for any damage, there wasn't any of course. After all, he was a specialist. And specialist specialized in being tough.
"That was Brandon at his worse. Think what I can do when I am in mood?" Brandon's green eyes met Sky's blue ones, and without words, Sky accepted the challenge. It was a typical best friend thing. The two Eraklians had become so close since childhood that now it was like second nature to talk without words, comfort without words and of course challenge without words.
"What say Timmy? Wanna go again?" Sky asked the spectacled specialist sitting beside him.
"You betcha." Timmy grinned, already getting up for the battle.
"With a comment like that Brandon, Riven would have taken you bare handed." Timmy grinned at the memory of their best friend and Brandon and Sky did the same. As annoying as Riven could be sometimes, he still was a great friend to them all and his absence still hurt them beyond words. To put in simple words, they missed Riven, they surely did. After all those years spent together there was no chance in hell that they won't. But it wasn't like they were going to express their feelings like the Winx probably did. The group fell silent for some time and no one dared to talk.
"Alright little dollies, let's go!" Brandon feigned excitement, the first to break the silence.
"Yep!" Timmy agreed, as the three specialists reached for their respective weapons.
"Not winning this time bro." Sky shouted at Brandon, raising his blue sword while suddenly some golden laser strings grabbed hold his weapon. The three guys looked at the corner of the entryway, and standing there was none other than Helia, holding Sky's sword in place with his strings.
"What's wrong?" Timmy was the one to speak, noticing the tension on Helia's face. The pacifist's face was marred with stress and anxiety. Something was up, they knew it.
"The girls." Was all Helia said and the guys already started jogging towards the corridors, not wasting a minute. Timmy watched as a light in the corridors flickered and changed from daylight yellow to mid night blue. Which meant it was dark outside now. With the technology taking its toll on Red fountain, Saladin, the Red Fountain Headmaster had installed time and temperature sensing lights in the school. Brandon never saw the need for this particular decision but Timmy always liked it. But, well Timmy could get enthralled by a simple phone charger for crying out loud, so temp and time sensing lights were something at least. But right now, all the specialists could think about was the Winx Club. Those girls had a knack to get into trouble.
Helia wasted no time as they skipped through corridors and toward their rooms. "So I was talking to Flora and she said that the girls wanted to talk to us and that it's very important. They need us right away."
"That's it?" Sky inquired, looking over at Helia.
"Yeah, she just wouldn't say what is wrong." Helia's voice shook with panic.
"You go get Thoren, Jared and Nex, we will meet you near our Levi bikes." Brandon was quick to command, nodding at Helia.
"Fine." Helia said and walked away, leaving the three boys at the elevator.
Alfea was just some distance away. At least that's how it seemed when viewed from the grand Balconies of Red Fountain. But in reality Alfea was pretty far away, right across Lake Roccaluce. The rain still continued to rain down persistently and by the looks of it, it seemed that it was going to be that way for a few days but the guys just carried on as if it did not bother them. Even if it did bother them, they ignored it.
Nex gripped tighter at his bike's handle, prompting his bike to go faster. If only this damn Levi Bike could teleport. Something was going on, and he knew that Layla needed him and more importantly he needed Layla right now. Seriously why did Winx always get in trouble? Nex swear he would tie them up, if that meant that they will be away from trouble. Whooshing past Brandon, Nex sped up till he was right beside Helia's bike, making some water puddle splash up in the process.
"What do you think has happened?" Nex asked.
"I have no idea; let's hope that it's not something bad." Helia tried to keep his voice even but failed.
"Right." Nex shot back sarcastically, if you knew winx club, you would know that with their luck, anything could be bad, even a holiday.
When it came to panicking, Brandon was always far behind but when it came to Stella, he could be super panicky. If something was wrong with his snookums, he would fight tooth and nail to help her. She was his shining sun and his silver moon. It was cliché and cheesy, but true. The green-eyed specialist desperately strived to calm down his heart, which was running at the speed of a squad jet. He had to get to Stella and had to get to her now. What if one of the rogues they had defeated were back. His mind ran through all the big baddies they had faced. Trix, Lord Darkar, Valtor, Wizards of the Dark Circle, Tritannus, Acheron. They had taken them down once (more than once in Trix's case), they will take them down again.
Sky was hit worse than Brandon. As the keeper of the Dragon Flame, Bloom had always been the most powerful among all the Winx girls, which also made her the most common target for attack. She had been kidnapped by Lord Darkar, had once lost her power to the Trix, had risked her life stopping Tritannus and pretty much saved everybody's life every freaking time. Why did she always have to risk it all the time? It was selfish of Sky to think that but he was just being protective of the girl he loved.
Helia watched as Alfea came into view, the inner glow and warmth of the radiant school felt welcoming as always. The pacifist swerved past a few trees and skidded to a stop in front of the school, deactivating his Levi helmet and mounting off his hovering bike. He started towards the entrance, while he heard a few more noises of dying engines as all the boys joined him. The Winx were all there, gathered around an outside bench. Bloom, Stella and Musa were on the bench while Flora, Tecna and Layla were sprawled on the ground all wearing weary expressions. Even Daphne, Bloom's sister was there.
"Flora!" Helia called out as the fairy of nature came running into his open arms.
"Helia!" Flora smiled, hugging Helia back and politely ignoring the fact that he was totally drenched. A look at her was all he needed to know that something was not right.
"What's wrong?" He asked, clasping his hand in hers as they ambled toward the rest of group. Sky had Bloom scooped up in his arms, as if he will never let her go again, Brandon did pretty much the same with Stella, Nex was holding Layla as if she was delicate china, Timmy and Jared on the contrary stood beside Tecna and Musa, listening to them instead of crushing them with their entire body weight.
"Actually…" Bloom began.
I am a Jimmy-Jammy Treat, Eat me with bread, eat me with meat.
The advertisement droned on and Riven's eyed bugged as he strained them to watch the TV anymore. He had plans for tomorrow but tonight was as unplanned as the rain still pouring down relentlessly.
Man, room service is slow here, Riven thought, rubbing his eyes, frustrated, he switched the television off, watching as the Levi Hovering TV Screen shut down instantly when commanded. Throwing the too complex remote controller on his bed side stand, he reached for his cell. Timmy would have loved to see that remote control that was for sure, he would have loved to open it all up and then try to explain to all the guys what was in it that actually made the channels change, until of course, Brandon and Riven threw some pillows at him (and some even colorful language on Riven's side), Sky's and Helia's disapproval to actually stop the geek from enlightening them on the topic of REMOTE CONTROLLERS any further. God, he missed them, he really did. He was tough, but was not made of stone. He missed those silly squabbles with Brandon, those heated fights with Sky, those hard debates with Helia and that witty exchange of comments with Timmy. He missed the Brother hugs, the back slapping, and the high fiving. He missed everything about his squad. He did not leave his squad behind, he left his band of brothers behind. They all really were brothers. And above all that he missed Musa, so badly that it hurt. Swiping through the phone menu, he opened the phone gallery and an image of him and his squad popped open, all of them giving goofy grins, holding some smoothies in their hands.
It was taken at the Fruity Music Bar on Earth, he remembered, smiling at the memory, when Timmy had ordered a banana smoothie and all the guys had "accidentally" spilled milk on him.
Musa had looked so beautiful singing that day, it was the last day at the Fruity Music Bar he recalled. He swapped the picture for another one of everyone cleaning up the beach and before he could think of it he heard a hard knock on the door.
Finally, he thought, springing to his feet to open the door for the Room Service. He opened the door to find Ella standing in the corridor, her hands scooped up with plates and cutlery. Riven looked over at her, frowning, he was pretty sure that hotels like Blue Garden offered enough staff so that a receptionist won't have to work as a waiter or helper too. He knew what was going on, shaking his head, he let her in.
"Sorry for the delay." Ella said, after she had finished setting the table up for Riven.
"You are a waitress too?" Riven asked bluntly, his voice dripping with disapproval.
"Well…uh…desperate times." Ella flashed one of her best flirtatious smiles at him, blinking lightly.
"Too desperate I guess." Riven shook his head. All he wanted was to stay alone. Was that too much to ask?
"Thank you." Riven said in a dismissive tone, nodding over the door.
"My pleasure." The girl in front of him did not move an inch, twirling her hair; she looked at him hopefully with her cobalt eyes. Riven let out a defeated sigh.
"Well…" Riven nodded at the door again, not wanting to be rude but Riven being Riven could not be polite too long.
"You need something?" Riven asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Uh…" Ella mused, pouting, making her look even cuter (She thought so at least).
"Hmm?" Riven prompted her to answer, his magenta eyes looking directly into her blue ones.
"Just, wondering if you are free tomorrow." Ella smirked, refusing to let go of his gaze.
"I am not." Riven stated curtly. He had had it with these kind of mind games.
"Oh, Okay." Ella replied and he could hear the disappointment in her voice. Even though he was in no mood, he felt like making an amend.
"It's just that I don't feel well." Riven lied smoothly. If he was good at anything, it was lying. He had some way with it, something about the way he lied that made people wholly believe him.
"Was just asking because we…uh..have..a..uh…fest tomorrow." Ella desperately tried to cover up.
"Right" Riven said.
Ella started to leave and when she was sure she was out of ear shot she muttered, "Musa gets them all. Riven and then Jared. Uh…so unfair."
But somehow Riven heard her. Loud and clear.
"SO you are telling me that you guys were planning for this year's Starter Mixer and suddenly heard some voices inside your heads at the same time." Brandon looked over the girls for confirmation. In a world where dragons, monsters, Down landers, fairies, witches, mermaids and many other stuff which could be qualified creepy was completely common, something like this was not out of place but it still managed to creep Brandon out.
"YES!" The Winx almost screamed in unison, annoyed beyond words.
"How many times exactly are we supposed to say that Brandon?" Stella's irked honey golden eyes met Brandon's still surprised green ones.
"Dude!" Sky gazed at his squire with a warning look.
"Am I the only one creeped out right now?" Brandon asked no one in particular, crossing his arms across his chest in a defensive manner. Sure he had speculated worse but that didn't mean that this was anything good.
"Brandon, ssh." Timmy shushed the green eyed specialist so that the girls could continue.
"We are sure that it was Nebula." Flora said.
"The queen of the Earth fairies?" Sky asked and Flora nodded.
"What was she saying?" Nex questioned. None of this made any sense to him.
"She wants to meet us. She said it was something very important." Bloom spoke for everyone.
"What were her exact words?" Timmy exchanged a worried expression with Sky before looking over at Bloom.
"She said that, 'This is something very important girls. Please come to meet us tomorrow with the specialists, all eleven of you are supposed to be here." Bloom stated and her expression was unreadable. Sky suppressed a strong to urge to scoop her in his arms again and comfort her and the way she looked at him; he knew that she wanted the same.
"Are you guys alright?" Thoren spoke, asking the girls standing in front of him. While Daphne and Bloom seemed alright, the rest of the girls looked drained of color, a sure sign that they were all exhausted.
"The thing is establishing a psychic connection over long distances is very arduous. We are drained of our powers right now." Tecna informed him in a clam tone.
"I did not get any such message." Daphne said to Thoren and now it made perfect sense to him. This was why Daphne looked fine and since Bloom was the keeper of the Dragon Flame, maybe she was able to withstand such magic. But the rest of the girls looked as if they were going to pass out any moment and the specialists were by the sides of their girlfriends to support them.
"What should we do?" Sky's blue eyes met with Bloom's warm azure ones and his hand rested on her waist.
"We are leaving tomorrow." Bloom announced, her voice hinting tiredness.
"Yeah, they need our help, maybe." Flora spoke; her usually calm and controlled voice came out too strained.
"The eleven of us?" Brandon frowned at the sound of that, excluding Nex, Jared and Thoren (Since the Earth fairies barely knew them) they were only ten.
"We are assuming that the eleventh one of us is Riven." Musa's usually singsong voice seemed stressed and Brandon looked at her for a moment. After Stella of course, Musa and Bloom were the closest to him and Musa in particular was just like a sister he never had.
"Will you be alright?" Brandon gazed at her, asking the question everyone had in mind.
"Geez, why not?" Musa said, feigning to be tough. But behind all that, everyone knew that she was anything but alright. From time to time, Riven came up in casual conversations and Musa was the first to excuse herself at those kind of times. You need not be a genius to know that she still missed him. It was kind of obvious because Musa was one of those people who never were an expert to hide and conceal their feelings.
So unlike Riven, Brandon couldn't help but think as pity and sadness washed over him. Pity for Musa, and Sadness for Riven. If it was hard for even him to think about Riven, how hard would it have been for Musa?
"We love you!" Stella chirped as all the guys and girls moved around Musa for a group hug.
"I love you guys too" Musa stated, smiling in spite of herself.
"I wish I could come too." Musa heard Daphne say. Everyone was slowly clearing out now. It was decided that tomorrow the Winx and the Specialists will be going to the palace of Tir Nan Og, the palace where the queen of the Earth fairies reigned. And only the eleven of them were going. (Or ten of them at least). Which made Nex quiet cranky and Daphne very guilty as she couldn't accompany her little sister. Thoren on the other hand accepted it without any reluctance.
"It's alright Hon, we were supposed to go to Eraklyon tomorrow anyway." Thoren said to his wife, after their wedding, Daphne and Thoren had some job to be done on his home planet nonetheless.
"We will be fine Daphne. I promise." Bloom told her sister earnestly with Sky's hand laced in hers.
"Give father and mother my regards." Sky said to his cousin. It had been awhile since the king of Eraklyon had been to his home planet and he wondered whether everything was fine there.
"Sure thing bro" Thoren said to Sky, parting away, as Sky started towards Bloom's dorm to drop her off.
"I am fine Sky." Bloom said for the millionth time to Sky, who held her like she was a little baby in his arms.
"Of course you are." The blonde specialist replied. Even though he knew she was more than capable of going to her dorm alone, he had a feeling to not leave her side even for a second.
"Sky!" Bloom feigned annoyance but giggled in spite of herself.
Brandon literally carried Stella in his arms but you couldn't blame him, the fairy of the shinning sun looked really weak. "You will be fine snookums. All you need is a little rest." The brunette said, gazing at his girlfriend. "Brandon, I can walk." Stella reminded him but she wasn't complaining.
Timmy and Helia escorted Tecna and Flora to their dorms too.
Musa smiled at the retreating figures of her friends, deciding to linger around. Layla, not wanting her to be alone, stayed by her side. As much as Jared and Nex wanted to hang around them too, they knew it was best if they gave the two fairies some alone time. After their goodbyes, Nex and Jared walked out into the rain, jogging to their Levi bikes, with a final wave, Musa watched as the two specialists left. Listening to the music the dripping rain made, Musa's lips curved into a smile. The two girls were silent for some time, neither of them wanting to break the sweet silence that had settled between them.
Layla stood beside Musa while Helia, Timmy, Sky and Brandon appeared at the doorway, ready to leave too. She assumed that they were finished saying goodbyes to their girlfriends.
"Bye guys!" Musa and Layla said in unison, waving at them.
"Bye. Take care." Sky said sincerely to both the girls on everyone's behalf. Musa smiled again, watching Sky, Timmy and Helia as they sped away into the rain. Brandon in contrast, loitered back. Sensing that he wanted to speak to her, Layla saw her cue and nodded, starting to leave.
"I am fine Bran." Musa answered the unasked question held in Brandon's eyes.
"I can call him if you want." Brandon offered softly, his jade eyes meeting Musa's azure ones.
"It's alright. Really. It's been like four months now. I will call him." Musa nodded, reassuring him.
"You sure?" The squire narrowed his eyes slightly before smiling.
"Yep!" Musa smiled back. "Now go before this rain gets worse." Musa said, punching Brandon slightly on his bicep.
"See Ya." The brunette said, running towards his Levi bike. Sometimes, Musa really envied Stella. It wasn't like she had any feelings for Brandon or anything, it's just she wondered what it would be like to have such a considerate and sweet boyfriend for a change. She had Jared now, but she never felt that spark with him. For her, it will always be Riven. Blinking, Musa touched her cheek as something tickled her, realizing in horror that she was crying. Musa hated crying, it made her look like a weakling when she was anything but. Thankfully no one was around, so she let herself off guard. Giving way to tears she never knew she had in herself. After awhile, instead of walking towards her dorm, she waltzed towards the rain. Running head-on into the down pour of water, Musa laughed as tiny droplets hit her, seeping into her dark navy blue hair. Stepping into a water puddle, she splashed water around. Water never bothered her, if anything, it made great music. Unlike Stella, who hated getting wet.
"Live, like it's your last day." Musa hummed to her favorite song all the while splashing in puddles. Dancing around, she let the song take over her. Suddenly a tune started playing, which she recognized as the singing whales from her planet Melody. Reaching for her phone in her pocket, she ran for some shelter so that she could speak to the caller. Looking at the caller ID her eyes widened and her heart started racing.
Author's Note: Alright guys please let me know what you think. Share your thoughts. An update coming soon. Peace out!
- Rains without Haven