Chapter 3 – Many Meetings

Bloom left Lake Roccaluce at that very second and flew to Alfea as fast as her beautiful Enchantix wings allowed her. When she landed in the school it was almost dark, the air was warm, and it was a beautiful night - Bloom hoped it wasn't the last beautiful thing she would see for a long period of time. It will be alright. She told herself.

Bloom passed through the almost empty corridors of Alfea, walking straight to Faragonda's office without noticing the surprised glances of some fairies, probably because Bloom was still in her Enchantix form and with a very serious expression on her face. She knocked on the door of Faragonda's office and waited for a reply.

"Come in" She heard the headmistress say.

Bloom entered the office and closed the door as calmly as she possibly could.

"Oh Lord, Bloom…! What in world is the matter, my dear? Why are you transformed?"

"I-I just came here as fast I possibly could…"

"It's ok, Bloom…please take a seat and tell me all about it dear" Bloom did as she was told and transformed into a normal girl again. She sighed. There is no time to lose Bloom, calm down.

"Miss Faragonda, I'm sorry about coming here like this-"

"Oh, my dear, you don't have to apologize just tell me what's going on"

"So, this afternoon at my last class I started hearing my sister's voice calling out my name, I could hear the agony in her voice so after class I flew to Lake Roccaluce to meet her"

"And what did she tell you?" Asked Faragonda, now, looking deeply into Bloom's eyes, worry starting to mirror in them.

"She told me that she had been researching the Tree Ancient Witches because she wanted to save our planet and our parents. She spoke to me about the creation of the Magical Universe and about the battle between the Great Dragon and its opposite force the Dark Dragon, known now as Ajagar. She told me that this force has awaken once again and that it is coming for me for it wants the Dragon's Flame. She said that we must get ready because the Tree Ancient Witches are coming for me and my power in order to serve their biggest and true master. Daphne also advised me to go to Domino and look for more answers there…."

"Oh my, so it is true…"

"What do you mean?" Asked Bloom feeling now more than ever that Miss Faragonda was hiding something from her.

"My dear, Bloom, as you know I have many friends in all the realms of the Magical Dimension and news of a shadow rising had already reached me, but no one knew who or what it was"

"Why didn't you tell me anything?"

"I didn't want to worry you without reason, no one was sure that there was indeed a dark force rising from the ashes until today"

"And what about the Dark Dragon, I didn't even know of his existence… what are you hiding from me headmistress?"

"Bloom… I'm sorry I didn't share this information with you, but most people don't know of the Dark Dragon's existence… only people in the Council of the Wise know about him and very little they share with the outside world. That evil was supposed to be buried, it wasn't supposed to exist even and the Wise prefer not to remember such dark times" She paused and seeing Bloom's expression soften she then proceeded with her explanation "I came to discover of the Dragon's existence by chance, when I meet one of Wise – Hiems – but that is an entirely different story. I hope you can forgive me…"

"There is nothing to forgive headmistress and I'm grateful you shared this with me" Reassured Bloom "But how are we going to deal with the Three Ancient Witches?"

"Do not worry about that Bloom, your mission and priority is going to Domino as soon as possible"

"But I-"

"There is nothing you can do here, my dear, we are not going to win this fight by force but by beating the clock and you're our only hope of succeeding"

"When should I leave?"

"Tonight, but first I'm going to put a team together"

"Miss Faragonda, I really think it's best for me to go alone"

"Nonsense, I won't allow it! I'm calling a meeting right now"

In a few minutes, all the teachers were in Faragonda's office – even Saladin and Griffin. The rest of the Winx were also there and everyone was in silence, they expected nothing better than bad news. Bloom explained everything that Daphne had told her and what was to come. Then, everyone started talking at the same time, asking a lot of questions or simply expressing their fears and how bad of a situation they were in. After a while, Miss Faragonda clapped her hands, and everyone shut up for the first time in seven minutes.

"Now, that everyone knows the truth and what is going on we need to decide what we are going to do. I say that we put together a team to go with Bloom on her mission to Domino and the rest of us just stay well alert and guard the schools"

"Shouldn't we warn the Council?" Asked Saladin.

"I don't think we should involve the Council in this" Replied Miss Faragonda "At least for right now"

"One only warns the Council when the situation is the end of the Magical Dimension" Agreed Miss Griffin.

"But isn't this it?" Asked Saladin.

"Maybe it is but I believe we should only speak with the Council when it is most necessary, for now we are going to do our best with the task at hand" Answered Miss Faragonda.

"Very well, Red Fountain will stay at high alert at least until Bloom comes back. I will send on this mission my best Specialists - Sky, Brandon, Helia, Timmy and Riven" Assured Saladin.

"Thank you Saladin" Said Miss Faragonda, grateful for her fellow's always generous help "The Winx will go with Bloom on this mission of course and I'm going to ask Griselda and Professor Palladium to join them as well"

Everyone was surprised by the last members of the group that were about to join the mission, for it was unusual for the professors to come along.

"Faragonda, are you sure? Me and Griselda could be very helpful here" Asked Professor Palladium who was more surprised than everyone else by the headmistress's request.

"I am sure you could but there is something telling me that they are going to need your help on this mission"

"Very well"

"So, it is settled! You're leaving at midnight sharp; we will meet at the Simulator Room in just a few minutes and for the rest of you thank you for being here"

"Thank you for warning us!" Said Griffin.

"Good luck!" Said Saladin.

And so, the meeting ended there. The Winx left the office and walked to their dorm to put some warm clothes on. They were all getting dressed when Bloom sat on the bed and looked at her dark blue heart pendant. Everyone was being put in danger because of her; it wasn't fair to her friends, even if they wanted to help. It is a choice that they all must make for themselves and if they decide to help you let them. Bloom remembered Daphne's words. But even if it is their choice it doesn't make me stop worrying about their safety.

"Bloom, sweetie, are you alright?" Asked Flora.

"I was just thinking that because of this power that I possess I'm putting all of you in danger"

"We were already in danger with or without you and we are not going to leave you alone ever, you're a Winx and no one is left behind" Said Musa.

"We are with you Bloom, until the end" Said Tecna.

"And no matter what you say we will always be by your side" Agreed Layla.

"Thanks girls" Bloom whipped a tear from her face.

"And besides…"Said Stella "The boys are coming with us!" They all laughed.

"Even in the eminent end of the World you only think about boys" Pointed Musa.

"If I don't, I'm going to start depressing like Bloom and then who would be left to make you guys laugh, hum?" She asked with her tongue out.

"Well, I suppose you're right!" Said Bloom still laughing "Glad you mention it, I'm actually happy to see Sky, I haven't talked to him much lately" She confessed.

"See…! Not everything is bad after all! Even in the worst situations you must always look for something positive" Said Stella.

"You sound like Griselda!" Said Layla.

"Impressive remark, Miss Layla, very impressive indeed" Said Stella in a very bad attempt of impersonating Griselda. They all laughed.

"Well, it is surely going to be interesting having the professors with us" Commented Tecna.

"True, I just hope they don't give us a hard time on this mission, there is already enough pressure" Said Stella.

"I hope so too" Agreed Flora.

"I think if Miss Faragonda felt that they should be there we should trust her" Said Bloom.

"You're right and it might be fun, well… at least the most fun there is possible to have in a situation like this" Said Musa.

"Girls… I want to thank you… for everything, for always being there for me and for being the best friends a fairy could possibly wish for" Said Bloom.

They had a little group hug and finish getting dressed, at last.

They walked to the Simulator room, ready for the mission ahead. Bloom's heart was much warmer since she talked to her friends about what was on her mind and so she felt much better and hopeful about the task at hand. When they got to the Simulator Room the Specialists and teachers were already there along with Miss Faragonda. Each Winx ran to the arms of their Specialist and it was taken a little bit of time for a small but beautiful reunion.

Bloom felt Sky's lips touch hers and it felt like it had been forever since they last kissed. His lips were anxious looking for hers, attempting to erase the time that had passed. He hugged her tight and none of them said a word until the end of that embrace.

"I missed you so much" Said Sky in almost a whisper.

"I missed you too" Said Bloom with a small smile" I'm just sorry that the first time we meet after so long is on this circumstances"

"It doesn't matter, what is really important is that you are here with me" Said Sky.

Bloom smiled. They held hands and when Sky was about to kiss her again.

"I'm sorry, dear students, but you must go at last; please step on the silver platform so we can start your journey and remember this is not a simulation!" Said Miss Faragonda.

And so, everyone walked to the platform and got ready to leave. When everything was ready and in place, Faragonda said her final goodbyes.

"Good luck everyone and be careful!"

And then she pressed the red button for it was time for their journey to begin. Bloom felt Sky's hand brush against hers and then holding her hand very firmly while her surroundings changed from the Simulator Room to the cold landscape of Domino.

Something was different though. Those hands that had once been warm were now cold as ice.

Ignoring those feelings, Bloom looked ahead, her heart burning with desire to end that battle once and for all. Domino.