Disclaimer: I do not own the Winx Club, nor its characters; they belong to Ignio Straffi and Rainbow.
Author's Note: I had been meaning to write a story for this series for some time, but never really sat down and figured what this story would be about. Anyhoo, I am quite a fan of this series, despite it being for a younger audience. So, please enjoy reading this story just as much as I enjoy writing it.
The Garden of Everything - Prologue
During my search to figure out the connection each fairy has with her element, I stumbled upon an amazing discovery. Though Sparx is considered to be the most powerful realm in the Magix dimension, and that the Dragon Fire is indeed the strongest element there is, something more powerful exists. Nature, it seems, cannot be tamed, and because of this, there is no alternative but to let it run its course. Dictating something so natural and wild will bring on terrible consequences- so dire, even I, Faragonda, cannot bring myself to understand. Tampering with nature is a crime above all else.
I learned through my discoveries that nature is a gift, given to us by the most powerful being… Gaea. She, who created the red earth, brought balance and harmony, and created those who would uphold that balance and harmony. She, our mother, the first mother of all creation. She has many names; Mother Nature, the Goddess, Divinity… there are too many to name, but they are all here. However, a strange thing had occurred, something I had not noticed the first time. When her work was done, she settled onto a small planet she had formed with her powerful arms and her bountiful heart. Linphea. Here, on this small planet, where nature grew everywhere and dictation was unheard of, she rested and lived out her days. When her time had come to return back to the earth, she fused with Linphea, her soul coursing through all the plants and underneath its future inhabitants would walk upon. Every tree that grew tall from the earth was her doing- only Gaea could dictate nature, but she was no free with her spirit that she felt no need for laws.
The people of Linphea grew around nature, learning how to take care of it, using it wisely for their survival, and figuring out all possible magical abilities nature could provide for them. In time, Linphea became one of the few planets that rarely used magic and relied on nature and the course it set. There was no tampering with the environment, and all natural creation did what it wanted to do; the people simply followed and learned where their planet was taking them. In time, each individual would have found a connection to the planet; they could breathe in the air and feel the energy course through them, giving them the breath of life.
It was around this time that the guardian fairy of nature was born, Flora. She did not know it yet, but her connection with nature would be a strong one, possibly stronger than any fairies and their own bond. It seemed, unlike all other fairies, that Flora's connection to the earth of her planet would stretch father than Linphea, possibly farther than the entire realm of Magix. However, this hypothesis was only that; it has not been a wise thing to assume greater ends when one story has just begun. Flora is destined for great things, though I fear the sacrifice will be all too great. She will need her friends more than ever, though it will be up to her to accept them, knowing too well what the outcome may be if she becomes distracted.
I was like this with Bloom, a fairy who had lost her kingdom and her family, but was able to find them again after so many ordeals. It was more than satisfying to finally see her reunited with her birth parents again, and take her place with the royal family of Sparx. On Linphea, however, there is no royal family system. The hierarchy of this planet is from a sage. It would make sense that Flora would have been the princess of her world, but since nature is the highest form of power for Linphea, they do not believe in such things. But, she was chosen to carry out the will of Linphea by studying at Alfea and earning her different transformations, making her extremely powerful. Given her hard work, there is something that bothers me. Gaea chose Linphea as her final resting place before she returned to the planet. There is something I seem to connect together; I believe that Gaea chose Flora to continue her will.
Without a doubt, this would make Flora more than just a fairy. Because Gaea had chosen Flora, though this is simply a hypothesis, it would mean that Flora would indeed be the reincarnation of the great goddess herself. I have spoken to Griffin and Saladin, and they both seem to agree with me. It is hard to explain, but they think that all the pieces fit together. I had never thought that I would have to worry about one fairy so much, especially not after the journey with Bloom, but Flora's true powers have not awakened yet, and since she would no longer be a fairy, I am unfamiliar of when her powers would start to surface or what her transformation would be. No living being has truly seen a goddess before, so her form can be anything, though knowing that this is Gaea, I am sure it has to do with the earth and nature.
Flora does not know this yet- I am not even sure if her parents had informed her, or if they even know of this. The rule on Linphea is not to tamper with nature, including Gaea herself. I hardly think anyone on Linphea knows of this, though I think it is for the better; I do not need Flora to be bombarded with praise and worship from her people. Like all living things, nature included, they need space to breath. I am sure if the vessel of Gaea were to be crowded, the goddess herself would become angry. Facing her wrath would be unwise, and could harm Flora more than anyone else. However, my research is far from complete; the connection she shares with Linphea is an obvious one, but if she is indeed Gaea's reincarnation, and the goddess herself has a connection with all worlds and realms, I must see if this is the same with Flora.
Many tales have centered around Gaea, and many of them, if not all, say that she was the creator of Earth. If that is Gaea's birthplace, then it would be wise to have Flora read all that there is to Gaea and the mythology that surrounds her. It would seem so ironic, considering that we ourselves are fairies, and to the humans, we are but creatures of mythology. Working aside from the parchments copied from Linphea's vast history, I stumbled upon a mythological book that centered around Greece and all their ancient gods, goddesses, heroes and titans. According to the Ancient Greeks, Gaea was a titan, but for Linphea, she is considered to be a goddess. If these two Gaea's are the same, then I will see to it that Flora, and perhaps the girls, will enjoy a history lesson told by humans. I will not send them to Earth, as it would be safe to keep Flora here; if her powers were to awaken around humans, chaos would ensue, and the barrier between magic and non-magic folk will be destroyed. Though the girls' last mission was the make the humans believe in magic, this magic is too different from what they have learned at Alfea. Earth's magic is ancient and definitely untamed. It would be horrendous to see what would happen if the slightest mistake were made. And that is why I will keep Flora here at Alfea.
Saladin has shown much interest with this, and like Flora, I will need all the help I can get to make sure Flora sees this through. I have considered in contact the Company of Light to help me on this, but I am still awaiting their answer; it is something hard to digest- the entire realm of Magix thought that Sparx was the most powerful realm in the entire dimension, and though this is true, it was still created by Gaea. To think that such a sublime being has chosen Flora to carry out her will- but what her task is, even I do not know. From all that I have read, Gaea would travel across different planets, restoring peace and balance to those who have lost it. Each time, she would sacrifice herself in order to bring back the harmony that she had first created. And each time when chaos would take over, she would be reborn from the ashes and begin again. A never-ending cycle that still continues on, even if Gaea's presence is inside the planets. She controls the laws of nature through them, ensuring that all is well, but her law is just enough so that she is not dictating her own movements.
What worries me the most is the sacrifices Flora will have to make. I am not sure she is ready to throw away everything she holds dear in order to save so many realms- she is still too young, but Gaea has chosen her- this was done for a reason. I have yet to inform the other girls as well, but for now, all the teachers of Alfea, Red Fountain, and Cloud Tower know the situation. I fear for Saladin's grandson, Helia, as I know he will take this the worst of them all. I can feel he will not be ready to let Flora go when she makes her choice as Gaea. Even I am not ready to let her go- there is still so much for her to see and do- but I cannot go against what has been set for thousands of years. If this is Gaea's will, then it has to be done, for all our sakes.