"Homecoming"

Daphne could feel the butterflies form in her stomach the moment Bloom suggested they return home, to the Sparks Castle on Domino. Bloom's brightly expressive eyes sparkled and shimmered as she day-dreamed out loud of what the homecoming would be like. However, Daphne was not nearly as excited as her little sister, for the last time she had seen her beloved home it had been falling apart, people where spread out across the floor-dead. Needless to say when someone spoke of the royal castle Dap's mind flooded with a very different mental picture than Bloom possessed. To the red-head it was a beautiful castle that only topped off her childhood dream of life as a fairy-princess, but to Daphne it was a nightmare filled with bad blood. Cold chills ran up her back at the mere thought of returning.

"Are you coming, Daphne?" Bloom asked as she opened a portal.

Daphne jumped, slightly startled. "Yes, of course." Slowly, but surely Daphne walked towards her smiling sister.

"Later, Bloom! Bye, Daphne. See you later." Called out Stella as Bloom walked into the portal. Originally the five other members of the club had wanted to tag along and provide moral support to both emotional sisters, that is until Daphne reminded them all how sensitive the entire ordeal was and that it would probably be for the better if it was keep within the family and low profile until everyone was better adjusted.

"It was nice really getting to spend time with you all, we should get together soon." Daphne waved good-bye as she put her hand in the portal.

"Once you get a cell phone text us!" Tecna chimed in.

Daphne smiled, still not sure what a cell phone was or if she would actually get one herself, "Sure. I will have Bloom pass it on." With a final good-bye and thank you, Daphne emerged herself completely inside the portal. There was no turning back now.

After nearly two decades under the water, the feeling of traveling by portal was yet another thing to add to her list of strange things. Luckily the preferred choice of travel was fast, within minutes the two sisters had arrived outside the castle. "Home sweet home," Bloom said cheerfully as she helped her sister up. After dusting herself off, Daphne by chance glanced upward at the castle. Her eyes widened, never had the castle looked as grand as it did before her at that very moment. Flowers where blooming all around the yards, birds where singing gleefully and the flag of Domino hung high up in the air proudly. Domino had re-built its' self and was grander than ever. The Sparks Castle that was etched inside Daphne's memory was a thing of the past.

"Why don't I show you around the outside of the castle first? Mom and Dad are still in a meeting."

Daphne nodded her head, still awestruck. With a smile, Bloom grabbed her sister's hand and the two sprinted to the garden.