Title: make red our fountains with enemy blood
Category: Cartoons ยป Winx Club
Author: Cahaya Sidur
Language: English, Rating: Rated: T
Genre: Tragedy
Published: 31-03-18
Words: 2,681
Disclaimer: I do not own Winx Club.
AN: This one is one that I had always wanted to expand into a story but never found the time or motivation to do; in case anyone is wondering, this is why the Winx were involved in this story despite them seeming to have an insignificant role in this one-shot. I hope that anyone reading will enjoy this small snippet.
Many of the characters might be OOC, and for that I apologise.
Background info for one-shot: This is based off Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters' movie, where Thalia has been turned into a tree (and yes, I understand that the movies aren't the best representation of the books). In this, Helia existed before the events of Winx Club.
Laughing at his girlfriend's words, Sky wrapped an arm around her waist, walking through the colourful stalls adorning what was usually the Red Fountain fighting arena. As a fundraiser for several charities, Red Fountain was hosting the 250th annual Summer Charity Fair. Many alumni had been invited, the Specialists being no exception. The weather - which Sky suspected Saladin had something to do with - was perfect, with not a cloud in the sky. A cooling breeze swept around the fair, keeping all those there cool.
Naturally, the Specialists had invited the Paladins over, eager to prove Red Fountain's superiority over Linphea Academy, the school which both Paladins had gone to before graduating and enrolling in Linphea College. And since the girls were free and had also been invited as special guests to encourage more people in attendance, the group found a rare moment together where they could wander around and not worry about fighting an enemy.
As they collected food and managed to snag a picnic table for themselves, the conversation started flowing about Red Fountain's rich and extensive history. Stories and anecdotes were exchanged as the boys attempted to outdo themselves to the Paladins and their girlfriends.
"Oh, and what about the old Sage Tree in the back?" Daphne asked, stabbing a forkful of salad. "I've heard that it's been there for centuries."
"What's the old Sage Tree?" Bloom asked, interest piqued. Sky had never mentioned anything like that to her before.
Sky chewed his mouthful of burger thoughtfully. "It's actually not as long as that, Daphne. It's only been around for a decade or two."
"And to answer Bloom's question," Timmy joined in, "the old Sage Tree is the tree which provides a magical barrier to protect Red Fountain from any ordinary magic attacks. But specialised attacks, especially those from within - like when the Trix struck - the tree can't protect against."
Musa sighed. "Pity. That would've really helped us out."
"Tell me about it." Riven rolled his eyes. "What's the use of a magic tree if it can't even protect us?
Sky whacked him over the back of the head. "Don't be disrespectful. Even if the tree hadn't done anything then, it has been protecting generations of specialists."
"So what's the story behind it?" Thoren asked, setting his fork and knife down.
"Well," Brandon cleared his throat, "it's said that some time ago, three of the school's best specialists were put together into a squad. They had been sent to collect some foreign dignitary into the school, but had failed. For whatever reason, the dignitary sacrificed himself to allow the three to escape, and so Headmaster Saladin ensured that his death would not be in vain. That'd he'd continue to protect students even after death."
"Wow." Daphne swallowed. "That's quite a tale."
"Yeah." Sky nodded, eyes faraway. "We've always heard of them: Ewan, Kempe and Ansgar. They were the fastest, the strongest, the cleverest."
"And yaddah, yaddah, yaddah." Riven yawned. "Boring."
Musa rolled her eyes at him.
"After all this, I kinda want to see the tree." Nex said.
"Yeah, me too." Aisha piped up, smiling at her boyfriend.
"We can go after lunch." Sky said. "It's probably going to be the quietest then, when everyone's watching the festivities."
Ansgar hadn't known what to expect when he had been called to the Headmaster's office with his squad. Ewan and Kempe were striding beside him, the former's face openly worried while the latter remained almost stubbornly silent. Upon seeing the golden doors that led to the Headmaster's office, Ansgar exchanged a look with his friends, then steeled himself and knocked on the door.
"Come in," a friendly voice called from inside.
Swallowing, Ansgar led the other two in, where they came to a stop in front of the Headmaster's desk. Saladin looked as serene as ever, though his eyes were heavy with burden. With a start, Ansgar realised that Codatorta was standing in the corner, eyeing them carefully. Saladin gestured to the three chairs that were in front of the desk, and motioned for the boys to sit. When they sat down, he waved his staff, closing the door and locking it securely.
"Now, boys." Saladin wasted no time. "I called you here not because you're in trouble," muted sighs of relief from Kempe and Ewan, "but because there is a mission I would like you to complete. Codatorta had assured me that you are his best students, and we need nothing less for this mission."
"With all due respect, Headmaster, what's the mission?" Ewan asked.
Saladin smiled. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you. Not until you accept, in which case you will have to go through with it."
The trio exchanged startled glances. This was serious. Specialists were rarely sent out for confidential missions like this, especially those who had not yet graduated. Ansgar eyed his friends, raising an eyebrow. Kempe shrugged, while Ewan looked more concerned.
Seeing that, Ansgar turned to the Headmaster. "Will the mission be very dangerous?"
Saladin's eyes twinkled in amusement. "Every mission is dangerous, Ansgar." His expression turned serious. "But yes. Exceptionally so. Should you choose to accept, which I will remind you you are in no way going to be pressured to, you will be facing a number of dangers, both magical and physical."
Ansgar eyed Ewan again. It was his vote he needed. Ewan looked at the Headmaster, asking him another question. "What is at stake, Headmaster?"
Saladin interlocked his fingers, leaving his staff leaning against the table. He seemed to be sizing the squad up. "Well, Ewan. It isn't anything immediately dimension-threatening, but for reasons you might soon find out, it is preferable that an asset of ours doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
Ewan looked down once more, and Ansgar could see the clear conflict within. The dark-haired boy had a strong moral code, and that, combined with the reason he had joined Red Fountain in the first place - his sister's death - would be at war with his fear of the unknown. Eventually, Ewan nodded.
Ansgar looked up. "We accept, Headmaster."
Saladin smiled, his shoulder relaxing a fraction in relief.
"We're almost there!" Ewan called out to the rest, relief evident on Kempe and Ansgar's dirt-streaked faces. Blood was trickling down the side of Ansgar's head from a previous wound, but he hastily wiped it away.
"Shite!" Ewan swore as he peered out of the undergrowth they were hiding under. "They're at the front gate!"
"Is there any way around it?" Helia's small voice asked, serious despite his age. His face, too, was grim-streaked and his clothes were tattered and burnt, but determination shone in his features.
Ansgar hesitates. "There's the forest from the back, but it's much longer. And if we get lost, we can't call for help."
"But it we go by the front, we're definitely going to be attacked." Kempe scowled. "And the students will get attacked too if they go."
Ewan sighed heavily. "Guys, I don't want to be a quitter, but I'm exhausted. We all are. There's no way we can take them all on." He rubbed a soothing hand down Helia's back, the child's body trembling at the thought of another fight. Ewan could sympathise - Helia had held up the bulk of their battles, including the last one against several fire elementists, and he looked like he was ready to collapse.
Ansgar bit his lip. He was the leader of the squad, so the final decision would fall to him. "Alright, but we've got to be quiet about this. That's the only way we're going the successfully make it back."
There were three nods in response.
"Let's go then." Ansgar turned and started leading his squad through the forests. Turning to them, seeing their scared but determined faces in the moonlight, he was unexpectedly struck with a surge of affection for these three bedraggled boys. They had been through so much together, even though it had only been a week, and they were now brothers. Brother-in-arms. He didn't know what he'd go if any one of them was hurt in the process. His eyes fell on the smallest member of the group; Helia was stumbling on his feet. Despite his impressive and frankly, quite terrifying displays of magic and superhuman capabilities, he was still just a child.
This was more than just a mission to him now. It was to protect his brothers, who were depending on him to protect them.
The forest was thick, even though moonlight streamed through it. In the dark, every small sound and rustle that wasn't made by them was amplified and served to fray their already frayed nerves.
And then Ansgar caught sight of a flaming torch attached to a brick wall, and felt relief she in him. They were now only a couple of metres away from safety. There was a 200 metre sprint they would need to take in open fields to reach safety, but he was sure they could do it.
They had to.
"Alright, guys." He turned to them when they reached the edge of the forest. "Just a 200 metre sprint and we'll be home. Safe."
But the response he received was one that made his blood turn cold.
"Isn't that sweet? To think you lot were so close." A mocking voice, and Ansgar turned to see a troll nearby, hefting his club onto his shoulder. Before Ansgar or the others could draw their weapons, the troll swiped his enormous hand at Kempe, who went flying into a tree nearby, landing with a thud and staying frighteningly still as blood trailed down his face and closed eyelids.
"Kempe!" Ewan shouted, drawing his broadsword and shield. He charged at the troll, dodging the troll's club and sliced off its arm, causing it to roar in agony.
Ewan was roughly thrown to the ground by the troll swiping his uninjured hand in his direction before clamping his bleeding stump.
Ansgar activated his own hatchet, ready to charge, only for Helia to shout in alarm. "Ansgar, there's more of them!"
Ansgar turned with growing dread at the figure of at least five more trolls who were lumbering towards them. And Kempe.
Clutching his hatchet tightly, Ansgar threw his hatchet at the troll's face, causing the beast to fall backwards, an expression of surprise forever etched into his face. "Ewan!"
Said specialist got up, rubbing his head.
"We need to get Kempe!"
Ewan nodded, dropping his sword and shield onto the ground. He rushed over to his friend with Ansgar, knowing full well that the time his leader - his brother - had bought was minimal. Helia was right on their heels, looking up with worry.
"Hurry up! They're on their way! They're right there!"
Ansgar grunted as he lifted Kempe's tight arm over his shoulder, Ewan supporting his left. "Let's go!"
The roar from behind them stunned them for a moment, the footsteps growing menacingly louder.
Shooting a glance behind him, Ewan's eyes widened. "We're never going to make it!"
"Yes you are!" Helia ran towards Ewan's shield, picking it up.
"Helia!" Ansgar bellowed, only for the boy to shoot them one last smile and then shout at the trolls.
"You want me? Come and get me!"
"Helia!" Ewan shouted, but it was too late, and he was forced to watch the boy sprint away onto the darkness. With a roar of delight, the trolls picked up speed but in a different direction.
"What do we do?" Ewan looked at him desperately.
"We need to get Kempe out of the way. We won't be able to help Helia!" Ansgar ordered. Ewan nodded instantly, increasing his speed into the open fields.
"Anyone there?!" Ansgar shouted. "We need help! Anyone?!"
There was movement within the castle, and Ansgar felt his hopes raise. And then the side door opened, and Ansgar wanted to die in relief. Headmaster Saladin and Instructor Codatorta came running out, the vice-principal heading for Kempe, picking him up and rushing back in, while Saladin worriedly eyed the two.
"Where's Helia?"
"Out there, sir! We called him to come back, but we couldn't do anything!" Ansgar was already running back to the forest. With a magician as powerful as Saladin on their side and fresh and battle-ready, the trolls didn't stand a chance.
And then Ansgar's hopes shattered completely.
There was a sudden cry of pain, a sickeningly loud thud, and a small body came sailing through the trees to land by the trio's feet. Ansgar immediately knelt next to the boy, eyes wide with shock as he quickly checked for the boy's pulse. Helia's eyes were open, and blood was dripping out of his skull, which was caved in from the impact.
"Helia." Ewan said tearfully, gripping the boy's cold hand. He looked back up. "He's not going to make it. He's lost too much blood."
Saladin fell to his knees next to Ansgar, and the leader of this squad watched as the Headmaster of Red Fountain closed his eyes, his staff's gem glowing slightly. Reaching out a weathered hand, he ran a hand down Helia's smooth cheek. Helia's eyes didn't focus on him, looking something up at the sky that no one else could see.
Magic emanated from the staff, and wrapped around Helia. Both specialists immediately backed away as the grass beneath them started growing roots, the roots twining themselves and surrounding Helia's body as the boy started melding with the ground, his eyes still open as a tree slowly sprouted from the body.
"Helia." Ansgar whispered under his breath, placing a hand on the tree. He watched in amazement as a blue shield seemed to form from the tree, surrounding the forest and forming a dome around the castle. He looked up in alarm as the trolls approached only to stop short at the shield, unable to get in. They banged their fists several time, but were unable to get in as the shield merely rippled around their touch, not giving in.
"There's the tree." Sky started, only for Brandon to interrupt excitedly.
"Hey, is that Kempe, Ewan and Ansgar?"
"No way!" Timmy quickly made his way to the front, eyeing the three alumni of Red Fountain, who were sitting or leaning against the tree in some way. "What are they doing here?"
"Well, Saladin did say some alumni would be invited." Sky stated. "They must've got invited too."
"Why don't we go and say hi, then?" Thoren asked, clearly confused at the excitement of the specialists.
"We can't just-" Brandon started to answer indignantly, only for Ansgar to spot them and wave a hand in greeting.
Kempe turned, almost uninterested, while Ewan continued reading his book.
"What are you lot doing over here?" Ansgar asked, the lilt of his accent giving him a jovial tone.
"We wanted to see the old sage tree." Daphne answered, seeing that none of the specialists were going to say anything. "I've heard so much about it."
"Aye." Ansgar nodded.
There was still nothing from the boys.
Daphne sighed to herself as she continued the conversation. "I heard that you three were the ones who escorted the dignitary that day?"
Kempe snorted. "Dignitary, huh? Is that what they're going with?"
"Kempe!" Ansgar hissed. "It was classified."
"Yeah, was." Kempe straightened up. "He's dead, so why should it matter?!"
"Kempe!" It was Ewan this time, slamming his book shut.
Kempe turned away from them, glaring at the group. "You want to know the truth?" He didn't wait for them to answer. "It wasn't some foreign dignitary we were getting. It was Saladin's grandson! Six-year-old boy, and we failed to get him to Red Fountain safely! He died because of us!"
Silence met his statement.
"Kempe." Ansgar now, quieter.
Kempe doesn't say anything. Instead, he straightens and leaves. Ansgar shoots them an apologetic look as he straightens and leaves as well. Ewan shoots them a tired smile, gently places a hand on the tree, then turns and also strides away, leaving the group to look up at the tree.
