We were young and friends once, but that is long gone now
Liatris groaned and turned around in her bed, hearing her mother downstairs. She looked at the clock and saw it was only eight in the morning, which was way too early, if you asked her.
She heard the comforting snore of her father further down the hallway, who had had a nightshift and was catching up on sleep right now. Liatris turned around in her bed, and snuggled deeper into the covers, intend on getting back to sleep.
That plan flew out of the window when her cellphone started blaring, the silence in the room disturbed. Liatris groaned and sat up, her mop of long ashblond hair falling around her. She fell out of bed, going to her dresser where her cellphone was lying. Her eyebrows creased when she saw who it was.
'Hello?' Liatris murmured, walking to her window and sitting on the chair next to it. She could see her neighbour was already putting her linen outside, waving at Liatris when she spotted the girl at the window. 'Indigo transformed!' a voice shouted through the receiver. 'What? Willow, calm down! You're going to fast.' Liatris whispered, closing her door so she wouldn't wake her father.
'Indigo transformed into a fairy!' Willow screamed again, breathing heavily through the phone. 'How?' 'She just transformed this morning! She is freaking out and mom and dad are not here! I called them and they will not be back before tonight! Mum told me to calm Indigo down, but I'm freaking out myself!'
Liatris took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. Magic had returned about a year ago to Earth, and more and more fairies and witches were manifesting. Indigo, her best friend's Willow younger sister was sixteen, so it was possible. The Winx had also defeated Tritannus recently, and that made it all the more confusing.
'Stay calm, Willow! I'm going to prepare myself and I'll meet you in two hours at that breakfastplace we always go. You bring Indigo, and than we'll see how we can help her from there on.' Willow calmed down and took a deep breath, laughing nervously. 'That's a good idea! I'll see you at 10:30 there.'
Liatris flew to the bathroom, quickly showering and putting her hair in a long ponytail. She put a long maxidress with sandals on, took her purse and raced down the stairs. Her necklace, a long silver chain with a red stone in the form of a star, was glistening on her neck. She had had it as long as she knew, a good luck charm she had gotten from her mother. Her mother was superstitious like that, but she liked it and she almost never took it off.
'Where are you running off too?' Her mother asked in the doorway, as she saw Liatris grab her keys. 'I thought you didn't have work today.' Liatris ran to the kitchen and kissed her mother on the cheek, grabbing her carkeys on the way. 'No, I'm not. But Indigo has manifested as a fairy, and Willow is freaking out. I promised I'd go and see how I could help.'
Liatris was out of the door before her mother could respond, stepping into her car. She blasted the radio up and drove to the breakfastplace, seeing Willow and Indigo standing on the sidewalk.
She had always thought her friend Willow was beautiful, the girl with silverblue hair and golden eyes was absolutely stunning. Indigo was a copy of her sister, but her hair was more a dark silver with blue and she had silver eyes, instead of golden.
Liatris stepped out of her car, walking to her friends. 'Well? How are you two feeling?' Indigo smiled nervously, Willow having regained some sense of control. 'I'm not sure. I feel strong, like I could do anything.' Liatris nodded and hugged her friend and squeezed Indigo's shoulder, than clapped in her hands.
'First things first. First breakfast, than you're going to tell me in detail what happened and than we see how to get you to a magic school. I know the college of Tir Na Nog recently opened, we need to see how to get you in there.' Willow nodded, relief evident on her face. 'Mum mentioned something like that on the phone.'
They were quickly seated at a little table, the sun shining warmly through the window. 'I'll have the eggs and bacon, and a coffee with it as well please.' Willow and Indigo also ordered, a silence falling over their table. 'So, tell me. What happened?'
Indigo looked at Willow who nodded and sighed, her hands folding themselves around her cup of coffee. 'You know Indigo used to have nightmares? I heard her scream and I thought it might be that. I ran to her room and when I opened the door, I found her floating!' Indigo swallowed loudly, taking a bite of her breakfast that had arrived.
'Indigo woke up, and than a light started to shine around her. She managed to form some kind of ball of power in her hands, and it took all the colours of the rainbow. But it was so unbelieveably bright. At once, she stood there in new shiny clothes and wings!' Willow gasped, as Liatris munched on her bacon and eggs.
'All the colours of the rainbow huh? And it was very bright? I think your powers may have something to do with rainbow and light...' Indigo nodded, as if she just knew. 'I am the fairy of rainbowlight.' she admitted.
'Okay, now that is out of the way, we should try to figure out how to get you to Tir Na Nog.' Time passed by as they planned it out, Willow promising to contact the school first thing Monday. 'There is one thing I would like to see.' Liatris later admitted, when they had gone to Willow's house, all three of them calmed down and full of breakfast.
'Could you try to transform, Indigo? I would like to see it.' Indigo shrugged, nerves back in an instant. 'If it does not work, it is okay. But what better time than to try now?' Willow encouraged her little sister. Indigo sighed and than stood up with a decisive nod.
Indigo closed her eyes and concentrated, and at first nothing seemed to happen, but than they could see it. A bright light appeared out of nowhere, all the colours of the rainbow swirling inside it. It flew to Indigo, and soon she was enveloped in it.
Indigo opened her eyes, the power of the rainbow swirling in her eyes, and than the light enveloped her complete body.
Indigo's hair flew up and tied itself into a high ponytail, a white top and skirt forming around her body. At least, it looked white. If you looked closer you could see the colours of the rainbow glittering on the clothes, depending in which light Indigo stood.
White highheeled sandals formed around her heels, the straps going up to her knees. Eventually wings with all the colours of the rainbow grew out of her back, ending Indigo's transformation.
'Amazing!' Liatris whispered. 'Try to fly. Indigo!' Willow laughed, Indigo feeling more confident now that she had managed to transform. They spend hours in the yard, trying the array of Indigo's powers.
It was the next Saturday, when Liatris was working, that she heard from Indigo again. Willow's sister had enrolled in Tir Na Nog college, and they could tell she had a promising future. Liatris was working in a retail store, at the age of eighteen almost nineteen, taking a year off to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. Her friend Willow did the same.
For Liatris' parents it was all the same, as long as she was happy. Liatris smiled at the customer before her, thanking them and wishing them a good day, when Willow came walking in. Her best friend since the age of fifteen, the girls were as close as sisters.
'Liatris!' Willow waved. Liatris looked up with a smile from the counter, Willow stopping before her. 'Hi, do you want to go get lunch? I'm on break right now.' Willow grinned at her friend. Liatris looked at her manager who nodded, and than both girls were off.
They both sat outside at a little café next to the mall they worked, enjoying the sun. 'How is Indigo doing?' Liatris asked, as she took a bite of her salad. Willow sat back with a sigh, a glass of water in her hands. 'She is doing great! She loves going to school there, and one of her former classmates is there as well, so she knows someone.' Liatris hummed, finishing her meal and also sitting back.
'Do you ever wonder?' Willow asked. 'Wonder what?' Liatris asked. 'How it would be to have magical powers...' Liatris sighed and closed her eyes. 'Sometimes yes. But not everyone is made to be extraordinary.' Willow sighed as well and nodded. 'But hey, since your sister manifested, maybe you also have powers. Those things often run in the family.' Willow laughed, Liatris grinning in response to her reaction.
'Do you want to go to the Fruity Music Bar tonight? There is a concert. I think even the Winx are performing.' Liatris nodded, ignoring the uneasy feeling she had in her stomach. 'Okay.'
The rest of the day flew by, Liatris going home for dinner and preparing herself for going to the Fruity Music Bar.
'Where are you going again?' a voice asked when Liatris walked into the kitchen, intent on telling her parents she was going out. 'We're going to the Fruity Music bar. There is a concert going on.' Cos Mistydrop, Liatris' father nodded and hugged his daughter. 'Be careful and have fun!' Liatris smiled at her father, waved at her mother in the garden and went out of the door.
Willow was already waiting in her car before the door, Liatris quick to get in. 'Thank you for coming to get me, but I could have driven myself.' Willow shrugged. 'How often did you drive me somewhere when I didn't have my license? This is just my way of repaying the favor.'
Fifteen minutes later they were at the Fruity Music Bar, Willow parking the car and both girls walking to the entrance. They waved at some of their former classmates they recognized and went in. They sat at one of the tables outside, which was close enough to see the stage and hear the music.
A girl with rose hair walked up to them, asking them what they wanted. 'I'll have a soda. And she as well.' Willow ordered when Liatris nodded at her. 'Your hair is pretty tonight.' Willow shrugged, a bit of a blush on her face. 'I did some curls in it.' Liatris nodded and took one of the ends of hair, turning it around. 'You should do it more. It suits you well.'
'Hello Gardenia! Are you ready for some good music?' Liatris almost spit out her drink when she saw who was on stage. 'Liatris? Are you okay?' Willow's voice faded into the background, as Liatris felt her memories rush back. Bloom! Bloom was standing on the stage!
Fifteen year old Liatris looked at Bloom, whose anger was radiating off of her. 'How could you?' Liatris did not know what to say, tears gushing out of her eyes. 'I did not! Bloom, you have to believe me! Please!' Bloom huffed, gaze in her eyes going cold. 'Why would I believe you?' she spat.
'You are my best friend! I would never betray you like that! You have to believe me, please. Bloom!' a broken whisper left Liatris' lips, but Bloom looked at her as if she was a stranger. 'Former best friend you mean. Never come near me again.' Bloom hissed, turning around and walking away. It did not matter how much Liatris called out Bloom's name, the girl did not react.
That was the last time she saw her best friend, her heart breaking in a million pieces. Bloom ignored her at school, and so did her other friends, and Liatris was essentially alone. Her parents eventually took her to another school, at the other end of Gardenia. There she met Willow, and they had been best friends ever since.
'Liatris!' Willow's voice grew alarmed, as Liatris blinked her memories away. 'Remember that friend I did not part well with?' Willow nodded, knowing Liatris did not like to talk about it, since it brought the desperation, hurt and loneliness Liatris had felt in the past back. 'That was Bloom.' Liatris whispered, her heart throbbing as she remembered how alone and desperate she had felt.
'Bloom of the Winx?' Willow asked as Liatris took a sip and tried to relax. 'Yes. I have not seen her in years, and when I heard she was one of the Winx, I tried to stay out of her way.' Willow looked at the Winx performing and bit her lip, guilt reflecting in her eyes. 'I'm sorry. If only I had known.' Liatris smiled and shook her head. 'We were bound to run into each other sooner or later. She'll probably not even see me. Let's just enjoy the night. They do play good music.'
Both girls enjoyed their evening, and soon it grew late, the sun setting behind the ocean. 'It's almost midnight. We should get going.' Willow said, as both girls stood up and walked towards the exit.
'I did enjoy myself. And you Liatris?' 'Willow, look out!' Liatris called out, but her friend collided with a boy, falling on the ground. 'My head.' Willow groaned, scratching her head as she tried to get up. 'I'm sorry! I did not see you there. You need some help getting up?' A hand appeared in Willow's vision, the girl smiling and taking the hand.
A boy with brown hair grinned at them, her friend excusing herself profusely. 'I did not see you. My apologies.' He laughed and shook his head. 'That's okay. Accidents happen.' 'Brandon, are you ready to go?' A blonde walked up to them, followed by Liatris' calamity.
'Sky, what is going on? Liatris?!' Bloom hissed in disbelief, Willow's face changing into a defensive one as Liatris stilled. 'What are you doing here?' Bloom said, voice incredibly cold. Seeing from the stunned looks on the boys faces, this was not in her habit. Willow huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
'If you need to know, we came here to enjoy the music. I'm Willow, Liatris' best friend.' Liatris snapped out of her stupor, face closing down. 'Long time no see, Bloom. Congratulations on the concert, it was great.' Bloom laughed, but there was no joy in it. 'As if I need congratulations from you of all people.' Liatris nodded and sighed, understanding Bloom still felt the same as three years ago.
'That's what I thought. Let's go Willow.' Her best friend scrunched up her face, threw a glare at Bloom and followed Liatris. 'What a...' Liatris shook her head. 'Some things happened that I never got to explain. She thinks I betrayed her. I would have reacted the same. I only wish I could have explained what happened, if only to clear the air.'
A scream left the Fruity Music Bar, Liatris and Willow turning around and running back in. Willow stopped, causing Liatris to run into her friend. 'What?' Willow's face was pale as she pointed to the figure in the middle of the room, the Winx and Specialists all on the ground.
The figure lifted her hood, a beautiful woman appearing. She had long black hair that seemed to flow around her, just like her clothes, something akin to a black crown on her head. Black power oozed from her hands, long black nails playing with the swirls of power around her, an evil grin appearing on her face.
'Where is it? The scepter?' the woman hissed, Bloom and Stella in her grip, as both girls writhed in pain.
'What do we do?' Willow whispered. 'I don't know. We have no magical powers! We can do nothing. I bear no love for Bloom, but I do not want her to get hurt!' Liatris whispered furiously back. They looked over the counter they had hidden themselves behind, the woman still hissing something about a scepter.
'Found you!' A vile voice hissed, Willow and Liatris turning around in fear. A blast made them fly back, Liatris flying into a table, Willow blasted away near Tecna. The woman appeared before Liatris, making her go up and black strings swirling around Liatris. They bound themselves around her, and also around her throat. Liatris started to choke, gasping for air as her vision went black.
'Let her go!' A bright light, a silver one, engulfed the room. Willow stood in the middle, the light seeming to come out of her. 'You let her go this instant!' Willow snapped, hands changing into fists. 'I mean it!'
The silver light seemed agitated and at once came at great speed to the woman, colliding with the black power swirling around her friend. Liatris got some room to breathe, taking in deep breaths of air.
'You think this light can do me harm?' the woman hissed again, but Willow stood her ground. The black engulfed the entire room, apart from the light coming from her friends body.
'Maybe not much, but this will. Let her go and I might not kill you.' Liatris' mouth fell open when no one else than her mother stood there, dark blue power swirling around her. 'I will show you what a witch of the Night can do.' Her mother cracked a furious grin, eyes boring into the villain.
'Willow, come here.' Amaryllis Mistydrop ordered, the silverblue haired girl too stunned to say anything. 'You let her go, right now.'
The woman laughed, her eyes going entirely black. Amaryllis cracked a grin. 'You leave me no choice than.' What followed was blurry to Liatris. She saw black, darkblue and silver collide. Dark spots were appearing around her vision again until a voice cut through it.
'Hold on! I'm freeing you!' Bloom stood before her, and was burning through the bounds, Stella having gone to help Willow and Liatris' mother. What Bloom did not see was that one of the tendrils had hooked itself on her necklace and started to pull on it.
'Wait Bloom! No, my necklace!' Liatris screamed, but it was too late. The star on her necklace cracked and eventually broke and evaporated.
What appeared next was more stunning however. Several stars, rubyred stars, appeared around Liatris, eventually forming into two giant ones above her head. Power seemed to swirl inside them and Liatris did not know what to say.
Everything calmed for a moment and than at once the two stars seemed to collide into Liatris, a seering pain coming from her chest. Liatris did not see the giant red star appear on her chest, nor did she see the sphere of rubyred appearing around her.
Liatris coughed and felt her body go heavy. Willow's scream of anger 'What did you do to her?!' cut through the black, but it was not enough.
The last thing she heard was the scream of her name leaving her mother's lips, as Liatris fell to the ground and lost consciousness.