by Robert Teague
This story was written for the entertainment of Winx Club fans, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story may be reproduced, provided no changes are made, and you let me know.
Author's Note: This takes place after the end of Season Two, at the start of summer vacation.
Chapter 1
The six girls who comprised the Winx Club stood together in the quad of Alfea, discussing their plans for the summer. They were waiting for the next bus to Magix, accompanied by their luggage and pixies. The pixies were talking together, and looking forward to seeing their bonded fairy's homeworlds.
The Red Fountain boys had elected to stay at the school for the summer, and take some extra classes. They would be out on field exercises, and have little chance to visit their girlfriends.
"Bloom, how will we get in touch with you, since there's no magic on Earth?" asked Layla.
"Oh, Tec was nice enough to add a module to my laptop that will keep it connected to the Realm Wide Web. We can all send emails and IM when we want to," answered Bloom. "And my cell will still work."
The others gave their thanks to Tecna, who merely looked calm and replied, "It was the logical thing to do, since we don't want to be out of contact with her." She added, "Does everyone have everyone else's information?"
"Tecna, I still need yours," said Stella, "I forgot to get it the other night."
Having anticipated this, Tecna reached in a pocket and gave Stella a plastic card. "It's encoded with everyone's data, just in case you forgot someone else."
Stella blushed lightly and grinned as she took the card. "Always looking out for me." She put it in her purse.
Tecna raised an eyebrow. "Someone has to, since you won't do it for yourself."
They all laughed, catching the attention of the pixies, who ended their conversation and joined their fairies. Kiko jumped into Bloom's arms, and she cradled the bunny lovingly.
"There's the bus!" said Musa loudly, pointing.
And indeed, the hoverbus was coming down the road through the forest, slowing down for it's Alfea stop. A number of students picked up their bags, heading for the arched entrance. Standing beside it were Prof. Griselda and the headmaster, Ms. Faragonda.
Griselda was marking off names on a clipboard as they passed, and Faragonda was speaking to them, telling them goodbye.
The Winx Club picked up their bags, and headed for the bus.
Bloom took a last look around, and spotted a familiar figure emerging from the Administration Building at a run. As the other student drew closer, Bloom could see she was crying, holding an envelope.
"Mirta!" she called, "Wait! What's wrong?"
The other paid no attention and ran into the dorm building.
This drew the attention of her friends.
"Mirta?" asked Musa, looking around, "Where? What happened?"
"She ran into the dorm," said Lockette.
"We'd better go find her, something is wrong," said Bloom, dropping her bag, and putting Kiko down. "Pixies, if you wouldn't mind, keep an eye on our luggage, please."
"Certainly, Bloom," said Digit, "You see to your friend."
"But we'll miss the bus," protested Stella.
"We'll catch a later one, come on," said Bloom, and headed for the dorm. The others dropped their luggage and followed.
Mirta's room was at the far end of the corridor. Because of the shape of the building, it was a small single. It was well known she was a witch, and even after a full year at Alfea she still had few friends besides the Winx Club girls. If her room had been a double, it would have been very difficult finding someone willing to room with her.
As they approached the room's partially-open door, they could all hear loud crying. Bloom was there first, and went inside, closely followed by the other five.
"Mirta? What's wrong?" asked Bloom.
The red-headed girl was on her bed, lying on her side, clutching a pillow and crying into it. At the sound of Bloom's voice, she looked up. Her face went through several emotions, settling on anger. She got up, and took an attack position.
"Go- go away!" she said, loudly, "I'm a w- witch, and I'm e- evil! Ill hex you all, if you don't leave now!" her hands began to glow a faint orange. Tears streamed down her face.
"Mirta! It's us! Your friends!" said Musa, taken aback.
"Witches have no friends!" retorted the girl, "We walk alone!" The orange glow increased in brightness.
"Mirta, you aren't being logical," said Tecna, "We wish to know what's wrong, so we can help you."
"YOU CAN'T HELP ME!" screamed Mirta, "NO ONE CAN!!"
At those words Flora, in the back, turned and left at a run. Nobody noticed.
"Mirta, please," said Stella, "We're worried about you."
"Don't be," snarled Mirta in answer, "I hate you, and you hate me, end of story!" The orange glow grew brighter.
This shocked the others, and they looked at each other.
"How can you say that?" asked Bloom, tears appearing in her own eyes, "You know better!"
In answer, Mirta flung a bolt of magic that hit the floor at Bloom's feet, causing her to jump out of the way.
"GO AWAY!" screamed Mirta. "I'll hurt you!"
"I'll immobilize her with Morphix, until she calms down," said Layla in a low voice. A hand suddenly touched her shoulder.
"Don't," said Flora, "I'll take care of her."
She went to the front of the crowd, and took a step towards the distraught girl.
"Flora..." said Mirta, in a low, menacing voice.
"Sweetie, would you really hurt me?" asked Flora. "Would you really sever the bond we've shared for the last year? I'm your friend, and want to help."
"I-- you--" said Mirta, uncertainty in her voice. Her hands lowered and the orange glow grew fainter.
"Please, Mirta, trust me. I only want to help you," said Flora, taking another step.
Mirta raised her hands, tears streaming down her face. The glow returned.
"Are you going to hurt me?" asked Flora, gently.
"YE--" said Mirta, and seemed to lose her breath. "YE--" The orange glow disappeared, and she raised her hands, balled into fists, toward the ceiling. She closed her eyes and screamed, a loud wail of despair that broke the hearts of everyone in the room. She dropped to her knees, and began pounding her fists on the floor, crying harder than ever.
Flora was instantly kneeling in front of her, grabbing at her hands. "Stop! Stop!" she said, finally getting hold of her wrists. "You'll hurt yourself!"
Mirta looked up into Flora's eyes, and in that brief moment of contact, a lot was exchanged between them. Flora saw hurt, anger, loss, despair, shock, and hopelessness. Mirta saw only concern, love, friendship, and willingness to help.
Mirta suddenly lunged at Flora, wrapping her arms around the Nature Fairy's waist, and crying into her blouse. "I'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorry," she said through her crying.
Flora held her close. "It's okay, sweetie, it's okay. Go ahead and let it out." She stroked the dark red hair.
The other Winx girls gave an unconscious sigh of relief, and clustered around Flora and Mirta, touching the ex-witch and murmuring words of concern.
After a while, Mirta's crying grew less, and she calmed down a bit. Flora felt the arms around her loosen their grip. Mirta raised her head and looked around at the others, who showed nothing but concern for her.
"Flora..." said Mirta.
"Just relax," said Flora, "This will help." She tossed a bit of dust into Mirta's face.
The girl blinked twice, then closed her eyes and slumped down, fast asleep.
"What was that?" asked Bloom.
"Sleeping pollen," answered Flora, "She'll get about two hours of deep, dreamless, restful sleep, and hopefully will be out of her hysterics when she wakes up. Help me get her on the bed."
They got the sleeping girl on the bed, took off her boots, and covered her with a blanket.
Bloom looked around to see Stella holding an envelope and two sheets of paper. Her other hand covered her mouth, and her eyes were wide in shock.
"Stel, It's rude to read other people's mail. As a princess you know that," said Bloom.
Stella looked up. "I know what's wrong with her. This letter explains everything!"
"Well, what is it?" asked Tecna.
"It says here she's been disowned by her family!" said Stella, and they all gasped.