Black Flames

Summary: After returning to Alfea, things start to go downhill for the Winx after they learn Valtor is still alive. Slowly Bloom starts to uncover the dark side of her power as well as herself that leaves her wondering who she really is.

Disclaimer: Winx Club is owned by Rainbow and Viacom. I, the author, do not own and or profit from anything. Please note none of my personal views are reflected in this work of fan fiction.


Chapter One

"Goodbye Mom, bye Dad. Don't worry, I promise I'll call often." Bloom called as she slowly walked down the steps in front of Mike and Vanessa's townhouse and onto the sidewalk towards downtown, the fairy had quickly popped by her childhood home to spend some quality time with the couple who raised her and say goodbye to them before the Winx, Specialist and herself returned back to Magix.

It was bitter sweet to think in forty-eight hours she would be returning to Alfea, the place that she had always called her second home and resume the life she left behind when she and the Winx accepted the mission to find and protect the last fairy of Earth. That day felt like it had happened only yesterday, but here they where now, their mission was completed, the Earth fairies where now free, Roxy was planning on attending Alfea next school year and Earth's belief in magic was restored.

Things really couldn't have gone better.

Bloom frowned, I'm really going to miss this place, the keeper of the great flame shoved her hands in her jacket pockets as a cold gust of air hit her, the warm seasons where long gone. The fairy looked up at the sky, suddenly the place she had called home for sixteen years, the place she knew like the back of her hand. It was different- it had changed…as did she.

Everything was changing and the truth of the matter was it scared her.

As did the future. She had no idea what was going to happen when she returned to Alfea, would there be a new mission awaiting her and her friends? Was the entire magical dimension once again in danger? After the class her and the Winx where teaching was over what will she do? They had Love and Pet… and the band too.

What about her and Sky, would they ever get married? Off all the questions this one stuck out the most. Ever since he had become king they had seemed out of sync with one another, she couldn't help but to start to believe they were growing apart and the sparks where gone. A shiver when up her spine, it seemed as if her and Sky had been together forever and Bloom simply couldn't picture her life without him in it.

Worried of what life would be like without her love, Bloom wrapped her arms tightly around her chest, her eyes drifted downward. The princess let out a sigh as she crossed the street until her feet lead her into the local Pizza Hut. The bells on the door chimed as she opened the glass door and walked inside. As Bloom advanced towards the counter she looked around the nearly empty eatery. She counted a grand total of seven people; a family of four gathered around a circular table in the middle of the dining room, a older couple drinking a large cup of Pepsi Lady and the Tramp style as they looked each other lovingly in the eyes and lastly a middle aged woman setting alone at a table who was eyeing Bloom over and over.

Bloom shifted nervously as she waited for someone behind the counter to wait on her. "What can I getcha?" A tall and lean woman in her early twenties inquired.

"I'm picking up an order for Peters," the woman nodded and when to get the order that was ready to go in the rack.

"Whoa. I was wounderin' who ordered all theses pies! There is almost enough to feed a small army," she light hearty joked.

Bloom looked sheepish as she let out a small giggle, "Yeah, I guess you could say that. There for me and my friends, it was kind of my turn to get dinner."

The woman nodded as she picked up the slip to add up Bloom's total. After reading over the small paper she looked up at Bloom, then back to the paper and made a face. "Wait. Bloom Peters, oh my God I didn't recognize ya." Bloom look puzzled," Don'tcha remember me, Jordan Campbell? We use to be in English class together with Mr. Stones."

Bloom's expression changed as memories from her life pre-Alfea resurface. "Oh, oh. Jordan how could I not remember you."

Jordan nodded her head, "Ha-ha, I know. Man those where the days. And I can not believe you forgot 'bout me!"

"Sorry Jordan, I just have a lot on my mind…" Jordan studied Bloom's face and raised an eyebrow, "It's nothing, really."

"Oh-kay if you say so B." Jordan leaned up against the counter, "So how have you been? I haven't seen you since you -quite mysteriously if I may say -when off to school overseas."

"I know it was really sudden and I really am sorry for not saying good-bye before I left, it's complicated." Bloom looked her friend in the eyes, "I'm sorry."

Jordan nodded her head, "It's okay I understand. Things happen, so what have you been up to?"

Bloom put her hands in her pockets, "I finished school not too long ago, found and reconnected with my birth parents. I was living with them for a while until me and some of my friends decided to move back here for a bit."

"Sounds exciting, I didn't even know Mike and Vanessa weren't your biological parents."

Things suddenly became awkward and they both stopped talking, if Cee Lo Green's newest single wasn't playing faintly in the distance background they could have heard a pin drop. "I found out a while ago it was a pretty big shock." Bloom paused for a moment and took things in a different direction, "So how are you? Is Megan still being a royal pain?"

She shrugged, "Yes! Aside from my annoying little sister, I'm good and enjoying every minute of college. What did you end up going to; with your GPA and mega brain I'm willing to bet you got in everywhere." Just as Bloom started wracking her mind for a good answer, Jordan's boss came out and told her to go back to work. "Sorry. Duty calls, maybe we'll get a chance to catch up later."

After promising she would, Bloom paid for the pizzas and started to advance towards the glass door. Just as she was about the reach for the handle she felt a hand on her shoulder, caustically the princess turned to her left. "Um hi?" Standing beside her was the middle aged woman who had been watching her. Now that Bloom was close enough to the woman she was able to get a better look at her, after giving her a quick once over Bloom cleared her voice. "Is there something I can help you with m'am?"

The woman didn't speak, Bloom slowly took a step away from her. "Are you she?" the woman final asked.

Bloom raised her eyebrows, "Am I who?"

"The Chosen One of course, the keeper of the Great Dragon's Flame? Tell me, are you she?"

Bloom blinked, how did this woman know she was the keeper of the Dragon Flame? Not many people on Earth even knew she was a fairy when she was in her civilian forum. That is unless she wasn't from Earth… "

As if she could read Bloom's mind she quickly imputed. "Relax. I know all about you, I have come here to warn you."

"Warn me of what?"

"Of what lies ahead of you dear child, the darkness in the light. You must be careful of the flames."

"Wait what does that even mean, "careful of the flames"?"

The woman looked left and right, "I have said too much as is young fairy. But trust me when I say stay away from the black flames." The woman looked alarmed, "I must go now. But bewared Bloom."