Darev: My thanks to Robert Teague, Kiku, and anika22 for reviewing the last chapter and for some very insightful notes and inquiries.


3. Pledges

"No one takes revenge in order to achieve anything except revenge itself."

Count Gyula – Trinity Blood


"Sisters? What's that all about?" Stormy whispered to Darcy when they could at last speak in private.

After dinner, the girls proceeded down a stretch of hallway that seemed longer than the others. There weren't any windows or partitions of any kind. A string of chandeliers, gold-pressed and with a hundred candles each, lined the roof of the ceiling over their heads. Darcy was made very uncomfortable by all the light. She had her hand up to protect her eyes, which squinted underneath her palm.

At the front of the procession, Diaspro walked with chin up, a perpetual smile forever cemented on her perfect face. Chimera walked just behind her with her hands folded at her waist. She seemed to be docile around Diaspro, as proven when she walked with her head slightly lower, an indication of who was the stronger fairy.

Behind the fairies and ever watchful was Icy. She never took her eyes off either of them. If she distrusted Chimera she distrusted Diaspro even more for she was the one in charge and Icy did not play second fiddle to anyone...least of all another woman.

That left Stormy and Darcy bringing up the rear. Stormy studied the scene before her with great interest. She did not grow up in opulence. Stormy came from a regular working-class family that couldn't even afford just one of those golden chandeliers let alone a hall full of them. Even the silverware back at the table was more expensive than anything she had in her house growing up. She felt intimidated and perhaps a bit humbled at all the finery around her.

What unnerved her more was Icy. She had been on edge every since she told her that a fairy broke her out of prison. Stormy had been just as shocked when her cell door opened and she saw Chimera standing over the unconscious guards with a key in her hand. At first she did not even know she was a fairy. Chimera gave off what was called a grey aura - a spiritual essence that clouds one's senses. It made it harder to discern whether she was of the light or dark spectrum and it wasn't until she revealed herself as a fairy that Stormy's preconceptions began to turn upside down.

At least Diaspro made more sense. Granted she was a fairy but there was tremendous dark energy emanating around her. She could sense it from across the room before Diaspro introduced herself to the witches. It's no wonder Icy was so on edge, Stormy thought. If a fairy could emit an aura as dark as a witch there's no telling what else she could do.

That made her dangerous. A woman to respect and to fear.

"Ugh. I don't know." Darcy had just answered Stormy's question concerning Diaspro's past comment. "Am I...sweating?"

"A little bit," Stormy answered. She made sure to keep her voice low so that Icy would not hear. "You're not looking too good. Is it the light?"

"Gotta be. You'd think these fairies were blind not to be able to see in this."

Stormy studied her sister. Darcy was always the most level-headed of the trio and hence the easiest to talk to. She usually kept her emotions to herself and never displayed any signs of weakness. That was not the case this moment. This time she looked ready to keel over at the slightest breeze. "Maybe you ought to sit down."

"I'm fine. Just...just tell me when we get there."

Dropping the subject - Darcy was always too proud - Stormy returned to admiring the decor. True it was bright. Stormy preferred a more gloomy atmosphere with strong, stone walls. A few drafty windows letting in a breeze and a crack of thunder here and there and she was a happy witch. Still there a certain sense of foreboding that did not escape Stormy. This was not a welcoming place. Put in a few spider webs and add the occasional creaky door for ambience and you'd have a pretty good hideout.

At the end of their little trek was a large pair of bronzed doors cut into the shape of a half-crescent. Two large statues stood on either side. They were stone minotaurs holding halberds; wicked mid-range weapons half as tall as the minotaur holding it with an axe on one end and a bladed spoke on the other. The guardians remained silent as the women approached the door. It opened.

Inside was a lounge with a roaring fireplace at the far end. There were no windows here either. The entire room was closed off from the outside and smelled of a variety of flower that none of the witches, who hated flowers save for those they could use in spells and hexes, could name. Five plush chairs awaited them. Each had red cushions lined with golden arms and legs. The legs were shaped like animal claws, giving the impression of a four-legged beast. At the top of each chair was a protrusion that resembled a crown with a hexagon stone. It was here that Diaspro bade her guests to sit.

Once everyone had seated themselves, Diaspro moved over to the fireplace. A roaring fire cast her shadow outward as if it were trying to leave the girl but was unable to do so. Diaspro eyed the licks of flame before raising her gaze to the painting above it. It was a woman in an elegant purple gown with red eyes and long brown hair sitting on silver chair with a garden in the background.

"Well?" Icy said to her back. "Are we going to talk or are you just going to space out all day?"

Diaspro was amused by her attitude. "Your dossier said you were short-tempered, Icy." Diaspro turned to her. "It also said you were a born opportunist. I find that hard to believe as you seem unable to see the opportunity I'm giving you."

Icy's brow went up. "What dossier? What are you talking about?"

"I have files on all of you." She eyed each witch. "And you as well, Chimera."

Chimera held her tongue and said nothing.

"I have read them thoroughly and have come to the conclusion that you are the best women for the job."

"Which is getting back at the Winx Club right?" Darcy said. She purposely chose the chair furthest from the fireplace though she was still sweating up a torrent.

"Indeed. We all have grudges against those Alfea brats, but alone we were no match for them."

"Speak for yourself." Icy crossed her legs, reclining against the chair as if it were a throne. "We can hold our own against those buzzing bimbos. It's our allies that have failed us in the past."

"Really?" Diaspro gave her a knowing stare. "As I recall, the Army of Decay was under your complete control and even with that you were unsuccessful."

"More successful than you trying to steal your boytoy away in the middle of the fight. We saw you during the battle at Red Fountain. Miss Griffin's seeing orb let us watch the whole thing. You flew in to try to save Prince Sky from the fight. He refused. Then you up and left only to try to steal him back two years later during the Millennium Party." Icy smirked. "Using a potion to win a man's affection. Even I think that's low."

Normally Diaspro would snap at anyone who spoke to her that way. To her credit, she managed to keep her brows from curving. Only a slight flaring of the nostrils proved Icy's words had hit home.

"I don't think you should be running this operation," Icy stated plainly.

"Are you challenging my right to lead?"

"Challenging? I mock it!"

"Ooh." Stormy was excited. She loved seeing a good fight.

But Diaspro didn't give in to Icy's challenge. The blonde instead broke out into a fit of laughter, catching every girl in the room by surprise. "Oh Icy. You are so naive." A slender hand came up to her chin. "Do you really think I'd let you take command of my operation?"

"Like you have a choice."

"Oh I do. Just like you."

"Wha..." Icy was caught off as a metal band coiled around her mouth and pulled her back into the chair. Similar bands did the same thing for her arms and legs, restraining her wrists and ankles, respectively.

"Hey!" Stormy got up only to be pulled back into her seat by the same bands. Darcy had been too busy suffering the heat to react in time. She was bound before Stormy's outburst.

Chimera was the only one still free. Shocked, she looked to Diaspro for answers.

"A precaution, dear Chimera, and nothing more." She glanced at her. "Please remain seated."

Chimera obeyed though made it a point to keep her hands on her thighs and feet straight down, away from any binders.

With the witches properly restrained, Diaspro spoke to them in a business-like tone. "Now that you are ready to listen, I suggest we get this first council underway."

The Trix fought but were unable to free themselves. They could not summon spells nor incite incantations with their mouths bound. They were at her mercy.

"First let me make this abundantly clear. I, Diaspro, heir to the throne of Quartz, am in charge here. I have the resources. I have the money. I have set up this base of operations for us and everything in it, magical or otherwise, responds only to me." To insinuate the point, Diaspro snapped her fingers and the chairs came to life. They began to walk and carried the ensnared witches closer to the fire. They stopped just a foot away. The heat was so intense that the girls could not even open their eyes.

"I own everything here. The ships. The weapons. Even you. Now I would like us to be on friendly terms but if you so much as try to usurp my authority again and there will be three less people at the dinner table." The chairs leaned closer. Icy, Darcy, and Stormy wriggled like worms. It was so hot. The flames were practically licking their faces. "I had Chimera break you out for a reason. Would you like to know what that reason is?"

One by one, the witches acquitted and with Diaspro's nod the chairs backed away to a tolerable distance from the fire but still very close that their heads beaded with sweat.

"In addition to being formidable witches," Diaspro went on, pacing about the room. "You three have experience fighting the Winx Club. You know how they think. How they will react. You know their strengths and weaknesses. I'd be a fool to not even consider adding you to the roster. Also your knowledge of the dark arts will come in handy. Add to that the psychological effects of having you wreak havoc on an unsuspecting universe and we're bound to get their attention."

Darcy mumbled something indecipherable. Diaspro had the band around her mouth removed. "What was that?"

"I thought the whole part of this operation was to remain underground. If we start making noise it's bound to attract unwanted attention. Namely those fairies we're trying to hurt."

"Things have changed since you've been in the big house. I don't suppose you know that Bloom's engaged."

Three sets of eyes widened. "What?" Darcy asked.

"That's right. She and Prince, that is, King Sky are to be married. Needless to say our little fiery-haired princess has bigger things on her mind than hunting down the three of you. You see there's the little matter of rebuilding Domino from the ground up. Bloom found her parents you see, and reconstructing an entire kingdom is not easy. Especially with a wedding to plan."

"Domino is back?" Darcy said. "How? When?"

"My, my. You three are so out of the loop. The entire universe has passed you by."

The Trix glared at her.

"Listen you..." Darcy tried to speak but the metal band slapped her shut before she could finish.

Diaspro turned on the Trix with a dangerous glare. "No. You listen. I have worked too hard and too long to let you treat my plans like they're some toys you can steal. I put this all together. This is my scheme. My citadel. My rules. Now unless you want me to reunite you with your ancestors I suggest you make a decision. This is your choice, Icy." She looked the witch square in the face. "Follow my orders and have your revenge or," She stepped aside. "The fire awaits."

Icy glared at her, but the heat of the fire was too great and her eyes began to tear.

"Well?"

Icy growled like some caged animal before she finally calmed down. "Mmmm."

Confident she had the witch where she wanted her, Diaspro had the chair remove the restraints. Icy was free, but she did not attack.

"Alright."

Diaspro waited.

"We'll do as you say." For now.

"That's not good enough."

Icy wrinkled her nose.

"Swear on the River Styx."

An audible gasp filled the room. It came from the two witches still in their bonds. Even Chimera who was not one for ancient lore knew the implications of making that oath. It was an unbreakable promise. Whoever swears on that fabled river must keep their oath less a terrible fate befall them. Witches were a superstitious lot. Problem is that most of their superstitions had a way of coming true.

"I'm waiting." Diaspro pressed Icy.

Blue eyes met honey and for a moment the glare between them was brighter than even the fire. Yet when one pair blinked, the other narrowed. The choice had been made.

"I swear..." Icy tried to contain her rage. "By the River Styx...that we will follow you in this plan to its conclusion. By this covenant we are pledged." Icy touched her finger to her forehead and bowed it slightly, sealing the pact.

Diaspro seemed satisfied with that. "Good enough. I doubt we'll be seeing much of each other when this is over anyway."

The restraints disappeared. Darcy fell out of her chair and snuck around it, anxious to put it between her and the fireplace. Stormy rubbed her wrists. Icy just sat that. Her eyes never left Diaspro.

Looking at Chimera, Diaspro bade her a happy wave. "See. We're all friends now." Her voice was too cheery to be authentic. Diaspro was rubbing salt in the wound. She had just humiliated and threatened three of the most dangerous beings in existence. Chimera began to rub her shoulders nervously.

"Now," Diaspro started, pretending not to notice Icy staring at her. "Let us go around the room and share our most hated stories about the Winx Club. Stormy, why don't you start?"


The meeting had taken longer than Chimera would have liked. For a moment there she was honestly afraid that Diaspro would make good on her threat and toss the witches into the fire. She found she was relieved it had not come to that. Chimera respected Diaspro for the power she wielded. Now she learned to be very afraid of her.

When the princess first approached her, Chimera practically jumped at the chance for revenge. She wanted so much to pay back Stella after the humiliation suffered on her and her mother, the countess Cassandra. To Chimera, Diaspro was a messenger from Nemesis, Goddess of Vengeance and Retribution. She had prayed to the goddess for many nights, hoping against hope that her prayers would be answered. Chimera took Diaspro's arrival as a sign. Nemesis had granted her request. Now all she need do is follow up on it.

Chimera was not one for second-guessing herself, but there were times when doubt did creep into her mind. When her mother came up with the plot to overthrow King Radius and take over Solaria, Chimera, being the obedient daughter, went along without hesitation. It's not that she didn't want power or prestige. Chimera wanted all the good things in life. She grew up privileged; a big house, servants, a well-rounded education. But when it came right down to it, she was only the daughter of a countess. She had no real authority. The desire for power was embedded in Chimera at an early age.

Her family held a deep-seated hatred for the royal family. Their reforms were making it harder for those in the nobility. The king's radical changes to centuries of tradition, introducing democracy where there was once hierarchy, social mobility where there was once a strict class system and equal rights for all citizens of the realm.

The notion of sharing a table with ogres, trolls, and degenerates sent shivers down Chimera's spine. She would rather go into voluntary exile than live in such a travesty of society.

Then there was Stella.

How she hated that girl. Spoiled. Whiny. Selfish. Dishonest. Cruel. Arrogant. Conniving. She was what was most wrong with Solarian society. Her demeanor and way of thinking was what was tearing their realm apart. Centuries of culture, history, and pride shattered in just the few short years she was alive. If Radius and Stella had their way there would be no Solaria...only a mockery of what was once the greatest kingdom in all the realms. Chimera would not let that happen. She would succeed where her mother had failed.

She was looking outside the window in one of the top floors of the citadel. It was still raining and Chimera began to wonder if the sun would ever shine on this place. Solaria was a world of eternal light. Even when night came they had the stars to illuminate their streets. Chimera found herself feeling homesick. She longed to stroll in the sunlight gardens outside her family estate. Then she remembered she did not have an estate anymore. King Radius had stripped her family of name and rank. Knowing that bastard he probably tore it down to make room for cheap homes for less-deserving people.

That one thought caused her blood to boil. This discretion would not go unpunished.

She heard footsteps approaching somewhere to the right. She spotted Stormy making her way toward her from the other side of the hall. Her heeled footsteps echoed loudly on the marbled floor. Unlike Darcy, she made no attempt at sneaking around. From the looks of it, Stormy was not one to hang in the shadows. She was direct and deliberate like the winds she commanded. A storm went where it wanted and did as it pleased.

Chimera expected an argument to ensue. She had no idea what Diaspro had planned for the witches but she knew that as a fairy and her accomplice the Trix would take their frustrations out on her. Chimera had already come to near-blows with Icy and Darcy. She prepared herself for the worse.

"Let's talk," Stormy said. She had just stopped before Chimera, placing both hands on her thin waist. Stormy gazed at her with scrutinizing eyes, like she was looking at a question she could not properly discern. Her non-aggressive posture took Chimera by surprise. She found herself expecting a fight whenever the Trix were involved. This was the third time she'd be disappointed and she found she was glad.

"What about?" Chimera faced her. She kept her hands at her sides though she flexed her fingers instinctively out of expectant reflex. If Stormy saw it she did not show. She seemed more intent on glaring Chimera in the face.

"Diaspro made it pretty clear what she wants out of us. Personally I can respect her motives. I'd be pretty pissed off if a guy did to me what Sky did to her."

"You mean you'd be jealous?" Chimera asked. "I thought witches didn't care for boyfriends."

"You have a lot of misconceptions about us."

"I only speak from experience."

"Really?" Stormy smirked. "I didn't think there were that many witches on Solaria. Too bright and cheery."

"We have witches. You and your sisters are only the first ones I've ever spoken to face to face." Chimera looked her over. "Speaking of which, you three don't look alike. Are you paternal triplets?"

Stormy's laughter filled the hallway.

"What's so damn funny?" Chimera did not appreciate the inside joke at her expense.

Stormy's mirth subsided. "We're not related."

"But you call yourselves sisters."

"We're a coven. All members of a coven refer to each other as sisters."

Chimera digested this information. "So you're like some evil sorority then?"

This time Stormy became flustered. "Sorority? No! That's not it at all!"

Chimera took a cautious step back.

"A coven is a sacred pact made between witches. It means you pledge your life to one another. Any attack on one of us is an attack on all. You're closer to each other than members of your own family. You are family. Once a coven is made there is no going back." Stormy calmed down. "Needless to say we don't take forming covens lightly. When I first met Darcy and Icy we couldn't stand one another."

"What changed?"

"That is a long story," she admitted. "Right now I have some questions I want answered."

"How about this?" Chimera suggested. "You ask a question and then I ask one. That way we're both satisfied."

"You gotta be kidding me."

"Why not? We're on the same side. Getting to know one another will help us work better as a team."

Stormy sighed. "What is it with you fairies and being buddies? You're like leeches that latch onto the first thing you come across."

"I may just be a parasite to you, Stormy. But I'm also the girl that broke you out of prison and helped you escape. Doesn't that at least earn me some brownie points?" Chimera was getting a little sick and tired of the hostility. Okay, so she wasn't fond of witches. At least she didn't try to antagonize them every moment she got. "We don't have to be friends, but we can at least be civil around each other."

"This from the girl who tried to overthrow the king of Solaria."

Chimera smirked. "Well...it was a bloodless coup."

Stormy found herself smiling at that. "Point taken. Fine. We'll do it your way. But I go first." She crossed her arms. "I get you're mad at Stella and her friends for what they did to you, but what exactly can you do? I mean, what do you have that's going to make them pay?"

Leaning against the windowsill, Chimera said, "I take it you're asking what it is I have to offer to the group."

Stormy nodded.

"Connections." Her eyes brightened at the statement. "I used to go to Beta Academy before my family was exiled from Solaria. I still have people there. Not friends exactly but girls I have a lot on. Dirty little secrets they don't want getting out. Reputation is very important at Beta."

"So you're blackmailing them? Nice." Stormy looked at Chimera with newfound admiration.

"They know better than to say no to me. Beta has access to a lot of powerful spells and magic. It's also located in one of the largest trading sectors in the galaxy. My girls keep their eyes to the ground and pass on whatever they learn to me. Then there's Solaria." Chimera smiled devilishly. "My family still has agents posted throughout the kingdom. We have people working inside the palace who can update me on whatever the king's doing."

"How does that help us?"

"In addition to being my home, Solaria is also one of the more powerful realms in existence. Princess Stella is daughter to the king. You can bet she tells her daddy everything that's going on which gives us an insight into the workings of the Winx Club."

Stormy nodded. "I see."

"My turn," Chimera said. "You guys have been fighting the Winx Club for ages. Are they really that powerful? I mean there has to be some weakness you've discovered that we can exploit."

"There are a few. I mean they are fairies afterall. No offense."

"None taken," Chimera spoke through a forced smile.

"It's just that they keep powering up. It's like a bad TV show where the good guys get new powers and transformations each season and the bad guys are left with the same old shtick. Then people wonder why we always lose. I mean first it was the Charmix and then the Enchantix." Stormy groaned. "Do not get me started on that last one. The weird purses were bad enough. I mean what were they going to do? Hit us over the head? They were impractical." She shrugged her shoulders. "Anyway, when they got their Enchantix we were pretty much beat. You wouldn't think near-naked chicks with needlessly big wings would prove that challenging but they beat us...again and again." It hurt to say that last part. "Even when Baltor juiced us up in Cloud Tower we were still outclassed. Our best spells. All our hexes. They were nothing. They were just too strong."

"You're telling me. Stella practically took back the palace all by herself. I mean what is it about the Winx Club that keeps making them stronger?"

"You tell me."

"Huh?"

Stormy sat beside Chimera on the edge. "You're a fairy. Haven't you achieved your Enchantix?"

Chimera looked shamed. "No. According to the rules you have to save someone from your own realm. It has to be a great sacrifice or something. Like putting yourself in the line of fire. Only then can you transform."

Stormy smirked. "I take it you won't be taking a spell blast for Stella anytime soon."

"Like hells!" Chimera laughed and Stormy joined in. it wasn't long before they both paused and looked at each other. "Did...did we just have a moment?"

"Nah." Stormy looked away. "We just hate Stella is all."

"Right."

(Awkward Silence)

"So whose turn is it?" Stormy asked.

"Well you asked about my Enchantix so I guess it's my go." Chimera looked at Stormy. "That pledge Icy made on the River Styx. Does that mean you have to do everything Diaspro says?"

"Not everything. Only so long as it pertains to our mission."

"But does that make you her servants or something?"

"Of course not."

"Then what happens if you break the oath? Does something bad really happen?"

"We're witches. We're always surrounded by something bad."

"Oh?"

"You think we want to follow Diaspro? Anyone of us would have said no. But now that Icy's made the pact, we are bound by it. The River Styx is nothing to take lightly."

"I don't get it. How can you allow Icy to make that decision for the two of you?"

"It's all about the coven. How do I explain this? Our covenant connects us by blood and by spirit. We are responsible for one another and what affects one affects the group." Stormy went on to explain. "When we work together, our magic is stronger. The more witches in a coven, the greater our power becomes, especially with those who share a common bond. Kind of like your convergence thing. You should have seen us in senior year. We were so untied we were able to awaken the Army of Decay. It took the combined forces of Alfea, Cloud Tower, and Red Fountain to take us down and that's just with the three of us."

"The fact is I think we lost our edge." Stormy lowered her head in sadness. It was a rare sight on a witch so feared by many. "Darcy would tell you that each defeat has made us stronger, but the truth is we've become more divided. We used to fight over who would be Darkar's main witch and in the end that S.O.B betrayed us. We managed to join forces one last time in Realix but still couldn't keep it together."

"Then there was Baltor." Chimera saw her shiver. "What a creep. What did we ever see in that fairy?"

"I thought he was a wizard."

"Figure of speech. Anyway...our coven was tested yet again and once again we failed. It seemed that while Bloom and her friends were getting stronger, we were getting weaker. They were untied while we barely held it together. We spent more time competing with each other than we did working together. When we put our differences aside there wasn't a damn thing we couldn't do. We became the most feared witches at Cloud Tower because we were united. No one could work together like we did." She blew out a breath of air. "That all ended after we were sent to Light Rock Haven. I don't think we ever got over that defeat. Icy least of all."

"Is that why she's so angry all the time?"

"Uh-uh." Stormy shook her finger. "It's my turn now. How well do you know Diaspro?"

Chimera was made uncomfortable by the question. "Not well. She came to me and asked me to join forces with her. I accepted."

"That's it? Did you even know her reputation?"

"Of course I did. It's just...I had nothing else better to do."

"That's a poor excuse." Stormy stood up. She towered over Chimera. "Revenge is an art, fairy. It's not something you do occasionally."

Chimera stood up to put some distance between her and Stormy. They stood three feet apart, this time on opposite ends of the window. "I know what revenge is okay? I spent several nights dreaming about it."

But the witch was not convinced. She shook her head in a derogatory manner, muttering something that Chimera could not make out under her breath. "You put up a tough front, but you're still new to this game." She looked at her seriously. "It's a dangerous game. We're basically declaring war on the universe by doing this. You may have to do things you never thought you'd do in your life." She pointed at Chimera. "And I'm not talking about stepping on a few toes."

"Well what are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about having to hurt people. Maybe even kill. Can you do that?"

"There's only one person I want to hurt."

"And she's a lot stronger than you ever were. Not to mention has a posse that you have no chance at beating by yourself. They're going to push you. They're going to beat you. Are you willing to do what is necessary?" Her face left no room for excuses. She wanted a straight answer from Chimera.

Chimera did not hesitate. "I can. I will."

"Really?"

"Dammit, yes!" Chimera blurted out. "I'm sick of being treated like the child around here."

Stormy smirked. "Then I take it you and Diaspro aren't exactly BFFs."

Chimera was clenching her fists. She hated being talked down like this. It was her mother all over again. "I will do what I have to do."

Seeing the look on her face, that spark of determination that belied the terrible rage within, Stormy saw something she only saw in the mirror. She felt a strange connection with this girl like she was almost a younger version of herself. The question is how did she feel about that? Chimera was a fairy, but one with potential for darkness. Just how far would she be willing to go?

"Then let's do it."

Chimera's rage subsided.

"You've got the right attitude." She scratched her chin as she studied Chimera. "But that dress doesn't suit the new you." Grabbing her by the shoulders so that she could not turn away, Stormy spoke to her openly. "It's not enough to be bad. You've gotta look the part."

"H-How do I do that?" Chimera asked softly.

The witch smiled. "You just leave that to me."