Here we are, the latest installment in the Musa & Tegryn series. Just to set the scene, this is taking place around two months after Day of the Ifrit - Teggy's out of plaster and back on his feet, nothing has been seen or heard from the Trix, and life has pretty much gotten back to normal. There are one or two elements of the early parts of Season Three in here, although ultimately this and future storylines will follow a much different course.

I hope you all enjoy it! Well, enjoy it enough to review it anyway!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Winx Club, although I wish I did. But Tegryn, the Starz and other new characters are all mine. Character bios can be found in my forums. And if you have the time (and inclination), please vote in my new poll - it's on my forums.

And so, the story begins... but without the random quotes - I'll be giving you vaguely relevant song lyrics instead, starting with...

You could end up with a smack in the mouth
Just for standing out, now really (1)

It has to be said, the Cloud Tower School for Witches is hardly the most inviting of places.

Set atop a steep jagged peak in the darkest parts of the realm of Magix, its sharp pointed spires form a sinister silhouette, like a set of unearthly talons straining upwards to rip a chunk out of the sky. The building's sinister gothic overtones and sweeping walkways twisting this way and that give it the look of an ancient tree that has become gnarled and knotted with time. Indeed, rumours persist to this very day that Cloud Tower is not just an ordinary building, but an actual living entity complete with its own beating heart - some honestly believe that this is true, while others merely dismiss this as a witchtale (2) used to keep those goody-goody pixies off their patch.

Whatever the truth, Cloud Tower is distinctly uninviting... so what better time to visit this most delightful of places than the end of November, when the sky is at its gloomiest, the clouds are at their thickest, and the rain and winds are at their coldest, all marking autumn's final clumsy lurch into the depths of winter?

In their wisdom, Principals Faragonda and Griffin had decided that would indeed the best time for the sophomores of Alfea to have a week off their normal studies and take part in a little student exchange, an exercise first practiced in the previous year when the Winx Club's class had the honour of being the first. Now, this year's stint was into its second-to-last day, and none too soon as far as most of them were concerned.

Coming to the end of the morning period (although with the awful weather outside, it was almost impossible to say that the morning had even begun), we find Tegryn, Anyuna, Charlotte, Mimi and Nini in the vast teaching auditorium along with the rest of their class, most of them sat nervously in the front row with their witchy comrades perched behind them, tittering and making all sort of snide comments as the newcomers try to get to grips with dark magic. Being girls of pure goodness and light, many of the fairies found it difficult to get in touch with their dangerous side, although Charlotte seemed to have found a knack for it - simply thinking about the monstrous Ifrit that had endangered her homeworld just a few months before still made her blood boil. Likewise, Anyuna simply had to remember the awful injuries suffered by her dear friend Tegryn - oh, how she would meet Icy right now and tear her a strip or two. The twins on the other hand were more concerned about what sort of beats they could lay down for their debut album, and were quietly debating whether a goth-rave fusion would have any place on it. If only they could find a witch kind enough to let them listen to their music collection...

Tegryn, being a fellow whose magic had originated from witches, found the classes a whole lot easier than his friends, thanks in part to Discorda who was only too happy to sit on her semi-bonded companion's lap offering her advice as she was so fond of doing. Whilst the others were struggling to even produce a spark, he sat there juggling a crackling ball of deep maroon as though it was second nature, drawing the occasional murmur of approval from the CT natives - after all, anyone who could waste Lord Darkar deserved their respect, even if he was hanging with a bunch of snot-nosed pixies.

Even Griffin herself was impressed, watching him like a hawk from her desk with a quiet sense of satisfaction. She had been told beforehand by Faragonda of the nature of his magic, she had seen the after-effects of his power for herself amongst the devastation in the bowels of Shadowhaunt, and now she had the pleasure of seeing him in action for herself.

"I'd love nothing more than to have him enrol here at Cloud Tower." she thought to herself. "He would make a fine warlock, and not only could I help realise his full potential, his sheer natural aptitude would see this school's ratings go through the roof!"

She couldn't help but smile at that last thought - getting one over her old friend and rival Faragonda would give her no end of pleasure.

She was shaken from her thoughts by the school bell, which was music to the ears of the average Cloud Tower student. For the Alfea girls though, it was like an ultra-annoying drill burrowing into their ears - its only saving grace was that it was telling them it was time for lunch.

"Oh man. About time too!" Anyuna muttered as she gathered her belongings together.

"Yeah, you said it sis!" Mimi replied.
"I'm starving!" Nini added.

"No guys, that's not what I meant." Anyuna answered back, before spotting Tegryn reaching into his pocket and pulling out his mobile phone. "Still trying to get hold of Musa, huh?"

"Yep. I wonder why she isn't answering." he said as he held down the speed-dial number. He sat back down, tapping his finger on the small desk in front of him as he waited.

"Hi, it's me, Musa! Can't get to the phone right now - go on, lay a message on me!" BEEP!

Tegryn sighed. Much as he loved hearing her voice, he'd much rather he wasn't just listening to a recording.

"Hey babe, I'm still missing you loads. Can't wait to see ya. Big hugs from me and the gang! Byeee!"

"That's so strange. I hope nothing's wrong." Charlotte said. "Have you tried anyone else's number yet? Maybe you'll have more luck."

"Worth a shot, I s'pose." he replied with a shrug. He flicked through his contacts list and tried Bloom's number first... and tutted as he was greeted with a recorded message.

"Nope. No luck there." he mumbled as he scrolled down to the next contact on the list. His face broke into a little smile as finally he was greeted by a live human voice.

"Hey Teggy - what's up?"

"Hi Brandon. Say, you got any idea where the girls are?"

Brandon stopped and thought for a second. "School, I guess. Why?"

"Well, I've been trying to get hold of Musa for a couple of days now, but I just keep getting put through to her voicemail. I've tried texting her as well, but she ain't replying. Bloom's not answering her phone neither. You don't suppose they've gone off somewhere, do ya?"

"It's news to me if they did. I just spoke to Stella about a half-hour ago, and she said they're all there in Alfea."

"Stella? Okay, I'll give her a go. Thanks for that bud."

"No problem Bro. So how's life in Cloud Tower?"

"Oh, simply marvellous!" Tegryn replied cheekily. "Everyone's so cheerful here, and the decor... wow! It's so uplifting!"

"Hey, don't knock the decor - I happen to like it!" Discorda snapped.

"Sorry Dizzy!"

"And don't call me Dizzy!"

Tegryn chuckled, gave the little pixie a hug before she got the chance to go all sulky on him, then turned his attention back to Brandon. "Listen mate, I'd better go. Thanks for helping."

"That's alright. Catch you guys later."

Tegryn flicked once more through his contacts list until Stella's name popped up. "Right then Stell, let's see where you're at!"

Before he call her however, their attention was drawn to Miss Griffin who was now stood in a rather imposing fashion.

"I'm glad you girls..."

"Ahem?" Tegryn interrupted.

"...and boy... are so eager to stay behind and get more acquainted with our own brand of magic but it's time for lunch now, so if you wouldn't mind?"

"Yeah, we really oughta walk and talk." Mimi suggested.
"I'm still starving!" Nini added.

They stood up, Tegryn rather shakily - although his broken bones were more or less healed, the whole of his left leg still ached like nobody's business, and so standing up after sitting for an hour or two was something of an effort. They were paraded out of the teaching space and through the gloomy torch-lit corridors while Tegryn held the phone tight to his ear, trying hard to ignore the small flickering flames lighting the way. (3) He waited patiently as the phone dialled out, then broke into a grin when a familiar chirpy voice answered.

"Hello-oo!"

"Stell! How are ya?"

"Ooh, just peachy! You?"

"Oh, we're cool! Say, is Musie around? I've tried phoning her but her mobile's been off these last coupla days. Bloom's too."

"Oh. Um... well, they're all here but, err, they can't come to the phone right now. They're doing homeworky stuff. Hey guys, it's Teggy - say hi!" Stella yelled. Tegryn strained to hear their response, but the only sound he could make out was a faint but frantic "Eeeep!" and the princess's vain attempt at shushing it up. He shook his head and laughed.

"Oh Stella - you've forgotten my little Polli's a truth pixie, haven't you?"

He sniggered as he heard Stella cursing under her breath, which of course prompted Tune into giving one of her "That's most unladylike! And from royalty too!" outbursts.

"Okay Teggy, you got me. They're not here."

"Where are they then?"

"Andros."

"Andros?! Why?"

"I dunno. Layla said something about mermaids going crazy, or something like that. Whatever it is, it ain't good. I stayed behind to stall the teachers."

"And a grand job you're doing too! So, is Polli behaving herself?"

"Yeah, and the other pixies too. Seriously though, I'm not cut out for this pixie-sitting business. Surely that's servant's work."

"Servant's work? Nah Stella, it's a labour of love! Listen, if you hear from my little princess, tell her I love her and I can't wait to see her again, okay?"

"Will do! Bye-eeee!"

Charlotte scratched her head as Tegryn slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"They're on Andros? Why would they go there? It makes no sense."

"Maybe they fancied a bit of sea air?" Anyuna suggested, to which Charlotte gave a shudder.

"The sea? Ewww! All wet and damp and horrible! Give me a nice hot desert any day!" she squealed as they turned a corner, right before Tegryn bumped into something. Well, less of a something and more of a someone - a pair of Cloud Tower girls to be exact, who were now sat sprawled at his feet after landing squarely on their behinds.

"Arrgh! You stupid little pixie! You spilt my coffee!" one of the girls yelled angrily, her piercing green eyes staring daggers at him as she tried to wipe the unsightly brown stain off her white crop-top. Tegryn began to apologise, but then broke into a little chuckle as he recognised the pair.

"Well well well - if it isn't Morgan and Noire, my little prom-crashing queens!"

"You know these girls?!" Anyuna asked, shocked that he would even be associated with this sort.

"Oh yes. Remember the bat-in-the-cake thing at the Prom last year?" (4)

The Starz nodded.

"That was them." Tegryn explained as he offered his hands to help them up. Morgan angrily slapped his hand away and clambered back to her feet. Noire wasn't so impolite and took his hand, allowing Tegryn to haul her up onto her feet. She patted herself down and fixed her long black hair, sweeping a few of her thick curls behind an ear.

"You and your pretty little friends would do well to watch where you're going, pixie-boy," she said coldly, gazing at him almost hypnotically. "After all, I'd hate to be the one to mess your perfect hair up."

Morgan gasped excitedly. "Speaking of messed up, I heard Icy did one hell of a number on your leg."

Tegryn gulped when he heard this. "How the hell did you know that?"

"News travels fast!" the young witch replied with a wicked grin on her face. "From what I heard, your leg got totally shredded. Show me the scar and I might just let you off!"

"Tssch! You're kidding, right?!"

"No way! Come on, show us!" Morgan said as she lunged suddenly lunged downward and grabbed the bottom of Tegryn's left trouser leg. "It's this leg, isn't it? Come on now, don't be shy!"

"Oi! Get off me!" Tegryn yelled as he tried to push her away, before losing his balance and falling to the floor. By now, quite a crowd had built up, cheering and shouting loudly as their home-girl Morgan wrestled at Tegryn's leg like a spiky-haired terrier whilst grabbing the Starz, just to make sure they didn't spoil the entertainment.

"Go on Morgan!"
"Get him!"
"Hex him good!"

Suddenly a powerful sinister voice rang out, echoing off the hard stone walls for extra dramatic effect.

"Just what on Magix is going on here?"

Morgan and Tegryn froze and looked up to see Griffin glaring down at them, looking even scarier than usual.

"Well?" she demanded.

The pair scrambled to their feet, and Morgan hurriedly put her arm around Tegryn.

"Oh, it was nothing Miss - just having a bit of fun with my friend here. Isn't that right Teggy?"

Tegryn scowled for an instant - he hated anyone but his friends calling him 'Teggy'.

"That's right... Moggy, just a harmless bit of fun." he replied gruffly.

The crowd sniggered at Morgan's new nickname. However, she was less than impressed - as far as she was concerned, she and Noir were at the top of the freshman pecking order, and she certainly didn't like this show of disrespect in front of her friends. Griffin was also rather indifferent to this lack of discipline.

"It certainly didn't look like a harmless bit of fun to me - it looked more like a common schoolyard fight."

"No! It weren't a fight! Honest!"

"And your poor grammar isn't doing you much good either, Morgan. You may not like it, but these girls... and boy... are our guests here and I will not tolerate this behaviour again. Do I make myself clear?"

"But Miss..."

"DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"

Morgan, Noir, and pretty much everyone else quailed at this booming outburst. Griffin was scary at the best of times, but when she was as angry as she was now, the word 'frightening' took on a whole new meaning. And to be honest, she had every right to be angry - she had been entrusted to ensure the fairies' safety and well-being whilst on campus, and if word got out to Faragonda about this little episode, she'd probably never hear the end of it.

"Yes Miss." Morgan and Noire mumbled, wearing suitably hangdog expressions on their faces.

"Good. Now I expect you all to sit down, eat your lunches quietly, and stay out of trouble!"

With that, the principal marched off, leaving a silent crowd in her wake. Tegryn turned to Morgan.

"Yes, you girls stay out of trouble now!" he said cheekily, playfully ruffling her hair.

Morgan slapped his hand away and looked on as he and his friends joined the queue for lunch. To say she was seething would be a major understatement - not only had she had been totally humiliated in front of her friends, he'd now completely messed up her hair, her precious spikes which had taken the best part of half an hour to get just right. Her whole body was shaking with rage, and she clenched her fists tight.

"Why, that bloody..."

She was stopped by Noir placing her hand gently on her shoulder.

"What you gonna do Morgan - start another fight in front of the rest of the teachers?" she said soothingly, using her soft voice to try and dampen her friend's hotheadedness.

"Well what do you suggest?"

"I suggest a little trip to the school library."

"The library?"

"Yes. You'll find book smarts come in handy once in a while... especially when it comes to dealing with arrogant idiots like him."

1. 'Mis-Shapes' by Pulp

2. Witchtale - kinda like a fairytale, but with no happily-ever-after.

3. Tegryn's afraid of fire, as revealed in chapter 4 of 'Oh Brother!'.

4. Morgan and Noire crashed the end-of-year prom as part of their Cloud Tower entrance exam by filling a fake cake with dozens of bats (see chapter 31 of 'The Big Question').