Chapter 4

Makayla made her way to the battle, Batleth in hand she carried extra weapons for Bloom as she had yet to get her powers back. "Bloom!" Melinda called into the crowd. The red head ran over to see what she wanted. "Take these and remember your training." Melinda said simply handing Bloom a broad sword, one set of throwing knives, two daggers, and two hand guns. Bloom stared in shock at the weapons. "Snap out of it Bloom! We don't have time for you to stand there in shock! Put them on now and get ready for battle!" Melinda snapped out her orders. Bloom didn't hesitate to obey. She placed the guns on each hip, strapped the sword to her right hip, and placed the throwing knives around her waist. "You will fight with honor or you will not fight, return the weapons, and will never train with me again I gave the same warning to your parents at the first battle we had while they were still training." Melinda said, before handing her a set of armor to put on. Bloom quickly put the armor on before the battle began.

The army of decay was approaching the school. Melinda readied the students for the fight. "Remember what we have taught you for you will need it all today. Fight with bravery and honor and after the fight is over we shall have our school, our lives, and OUR FREEDOM!" Melinda said hoping to bust mural among the students as they had to fight for their lives.

The army came bursting through the gates of the school. "Today is a good day to die." Melinda muttered to herself as she rushed a monster as they attacked. As the Batleth sliced through the decay monster it grew back every limb. Monster after monster Melinda slain with the Batleth. More came forward. "FIGHT AND WIN FOR NO ONE WILL STOP US!" Melinda yelled as she slain her hundredth monster. Around her the battle raged on.

The battle raged for hours before the monsters withdrew from Alfea. Melinda held the Batleth high above her head as Kayless had, and let out a howl reviling that of Kayless. Bloom along with the Winx and teachers joined in. The other students were shocked as some of their peers had been killed in the battle. "WHY ARE YOU HOWLING?!" They heard someone yell. As the howl ended the students got a crash course at why Warriors howl after the death of someone who died in battle.

Melinda stood in front of the students. "TODAY WE LOST SOME OF OUR OWN BUT WE WILL NOT LET THEM DIE IN VAINE! THEY DIED SO ALFEA CAN LIVE ON! WE WON THIS TIME BUT ONE BATTLE DOESN'T DETERMINE WHO WINS THE WAR! WE WILL WIN! WE'LL MAKE SURE IF IT!" Melinda yelled into the crowd. The students cheered as Melinda said that they would win. She let out another howl, this time everyone on the campus that lived through the battle joined in cry.

After returning to her rooms for the night she moved to her closet. She pulled out what she never thought she would use again. She pulled out a set robes the covered her from head to toe her face would remain hidden, a shotgun she strapped to her back, a .45 caliber pistol she put into the holster at her hip, armor used by every Warrior since Kayless, and a broad sword with the crest of the Domino family that was given to Kayless by his father she placed at her other hip. "The Warrior is back." Melinda said to herself as she transported to the front gates. She walked in and to the center of the courtyard. "ALFEA!" She yelled her voice changed thanks to the robes. "THE HEROES AND WITCHES NEED OUR HELP THEY TOO WILL BE ATTACKED!" Melinda yelled to the students and teachers as she gained their attention. "WHO ARE YOU?" A student yelled to Melinda.

"My name is unimportant but they call me the Warrior!" Melinda said standing tall. Bloom moved to the front of the crowd. She drew her sword and placed the tip on the ground handle in the air and kneeled. "Warrior you are kind to have visited us while in the middle of war. I volunteer to fight with you to save the witches and heroes." Bloom said head bowed.

Whispers broke through the crowd as Bloom kneeled before this stranger. "BLOOM WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Stella yelled. "Showing proper respect for a Warrior of their level as one should." Bloom responded still kneeling. "You may rise young Warrior. You master must be proud of your progress if you know the proper edict already." Melinda said feeling pride run through her as she had yet to teach her the edicts to show a warrior of better skill yet. "She might it is up to her." Bloom responded getting to her feet with the grace of a warrior. "I'm sure she is." Melinda said placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Show me what your master has taught you." Melinda said drawing her sword. "I'm sorry Warrior but I only fight when I have too and only for the right reasons. That was my master's condition that could have made it so she would not teach me." Bloom said bringing her sword into its sheath. "You fight for the right reasons I am honored to be in your presents." Melinda said kneeling before Bloom on one knee head down much as Bloom had done but her sword was not drawn. "The very same could be said about you Warrior." Bloom said.

Melinda walked toward her classroom Bloom following behind with the Winx. Once they arrived Melinda looked around before moving them inside the room. "Now what we need is to head to Domino and see if we can't get Bloom's powers back." Melinda said standing by her desk. "I should tell you all something. You already know who I am." Melinda said before removing her hood. "MELINDA!" The Winx and Bloom yelled seeing their teacher. "Yes I am the Warrior." Melinda said entering another pin into the keypad behind the photo. The opposite wall opened to show another room. "Follow me we need to get you equipped for traversing Domino." Melinda moved to the far wall. "What is this place?" Tecna asked, Melinda sighed. "Tell me what you know of the legend of the Warrior." Melinda said grabbing the things they would need on Domino. "Not much." Tecna admitted with a shameful look on her face. "Nothing is wrong with that Tecna the tale has been lost over time. Sit and I will tell you." Melinda said as she moved about the room. The Winx sat to hear the story. "To know the legend of the Warrior you must know the story of Kayless." Melinda began. "Before Domino came to be what it was before the witches it was a land called Kronos ruled by a tyrant called Molar. As he lived in the wealth of Kronos his people suffered from poverty and starvation. The people of Kronos were once known for their warrior spirits, but Molar had beat it out of them. There was one that would not break, no matter what Molar did, and even to stoop so low as to kill their family. Kayless Domino, your ancestor Bloom, promised a kingdom built on the foundation of honor, bravery, and happiness for his people. With that promise made he rallied many to his call. Three of those who joined Kayless were the Honorable Three, his friends Bolot, Colose, and Tocar. Each masters of their own fighting style but they were equally as powerful. Bolot master of the Blade, Colose master of light magic, and Tocar master of dark magic. The army marched on the capital city, each hungry for freedom, the battle raged for twenty days and twenty nights. Molar fled the battle to seek refuge in the nearby mountains, Kayless too left the battle and journeyed to the volcano at Kesta. There he forged a mighty blade he called the Batleth, sword of honor, from the molten lava. Wielding his new weapon, Kayless went to the mountains to seek Molar's refuge. The final battle took place a top a cliff overlooking the battle in the valley, within the valley many great Warriors from both sides lost their lives. Upon the cliff Kayless and Molar were locked in mortal combat each knowing the fate of Kronos hung in the balance. Finally after another twenty days of battle it was over, Kayless raised the Batleth high above his head and let out a mighty howl. Letting the honored dead in Stovall Core know the spirits of many great Warriors were on their way. Warriors from both sides laid down their arms and took up the cry. For their teachings and leadership Kayless decreed that the Honored Three would continue their teachings. He built the three schools. Bolot took over Red Fountain he made the school for males to learn to wield a blade and control their magic, Colose took over Alfea and made it into a school for female light magic users who were later given the title of fairies, Tocar took over Cloud Tower for female dark magic users who later got the title of witches. They each taught at all three schools but over time the schools changed after the deaths of the Honorable Three. Kayless upheld his promise to his people and Kronos in honor of Kayless was renamed Domino by a Council Kayless put in place to make minor changes for the people. Upon his death and his son taking over the kingdom and ran it the same as his father before him, for the people, Kayless went to Stovall Core but was back with this being said 'You will continue to fight for bravery, honor, and happiness to those you deem worthy. Good luck Warrior.' Though he was reborn many times the Warrior still remembers every life time they have lived. After the first life time upon finding out he had to continue to fight Kayless now named Solaris of Solaria next in line to be king he decided to fight for people who show they fight for Honor and Bravery and that they would gain a strong ally and friend. All those who would try to trick or betray him would pay dearly, often times they would pay with their life." Melinda told the true tale of the Warrior. "Every Warrior had a curse with them though. They would have powerful enemies who would try to get them too break, they too would stoop so low as to kill their family." Melinda added a hint of sadness in her voice thinking of her parents who had been killed when she was four.

"So that's the true story of the Warrior." Stella said. "I had heard a simpler version when I was little. My father said we should be honored we had the Warrior born into our family, but Bloom you should be even more proud you are the descendent of the first Warrior." Stella said, Bloom just nodded standing. Within a magically expanded bag Melinda had put six sets of climbing ropes, two sword for Bloom and herself, enough provisions for three weeks, wood for fires, matches, paper, Birch bark, thermal blankets, and tents. "Girls put these on." Melinda ordered handing each girl a black snow suit. "No thanks." Stella said trying to give the suit back. "Stella you are going to Domino right?"

Stella nodded. "You know it is a frozen waste land right now right?" Again Stella nodded. "You want to keep warm right?" Yet another nod. "Then I suggest you put that on or you're not going." Melinda said simply. The Winx quickly put the suits on.

MEANWHILE AT RED FOUNTAIN

Sky was standing around trying to call Bloom but he found his number had been blocked. 'Why doesn't she want to talk to me? I'm a Prince!' Sky thought in rage. 'If she doesn't love me I'll make her think she does. Now how to do that?' Sky thought.

The army of decay attacked as he started thinking up ideas. The heroes fought with all their might but the monsters were too tough. The decay flew everywhere with each slice of the blade but it wasn't enough. An air ship flew down and hovered high above the ground as the door slid open and that troops within opened fire.

"Prince Sky! We're here to rescue you!" Diaspro yelled from the ship.

"No I must stay and fight!" Sky yelled in reply.

"Sky you're a prince let these peasants fight for you!" Diaspro yelled trying to reason with the boy.

Sky's reply was simply sliced the rope. Diaspro withdrew the troops after that. The heroes around Sky fought while he had been talking to Diaspro. The stables burned to the ground as lightning set it ablaze. The dragons had broke the chains that held them inside the stables in their panic to get out. "HEROES MAKE A STRATEGIC WITHDREW!" Cobitora yelled as the monsters started to over whelm the heroes that survived the battle. As they filed into the battle ships to escape the school the only thought running through the heroes minds minus Sky's. 'Red Fountain has fallen.' Sky was thinking 'She doesn't love me of her own accord I'll use our time at Alfea to make her think she does. Just how?'

The Heroes arrive to Alfea

Faragonda was waiting outside as the ships landed. "Welcome heroes follow the professors they will help you settle in." Faragonda said after Saladin filled her in on what had happened to Red Fountain. Sky rushed over to the headmistress.

"Miss Faragonda do you know where Bloom is?" Sky asked. "Sorry Sky but she isn't here right now she is on Domino trying to get her magic back." Faragonda said. An idea popped into Sky's head as the woman walked away. An evil grin appeared on his face. This didn't go unnoticed by Timmy and Brandon as they had went looking for Sky. 'What is he up to?' They thought as they saw the picture he pulled up on his phone their eyes went wide as they looked at each other thinking the same thing. 'He plans to make Bloom love him!'

Meanwhile with the girls

"Bloom are you alright." Melinda asked as she helped the girl to her feet. They had fallen down into a crevice. Well Bloom had fallen into it Makayla was pulled in as she tried to pull Bloom back onto the newly formed cliff. "Yeah. We got lucky that time." Bloom responded getting to her feet. Melinda nodded pulling out the swords handing Bloom her sword. "You never know what we're going to run into here." Melinda reasoned as Bloom looked at her confused, Bloom nodded taking the sword.

As they made their way through the passage Melinda noticed that they weren't in a cave. They were in Domino's royal castle. Melinda raised her hand to the side of her head and put her index finger and thumb up. What most people would mistake as her saying two, but Bloom isn't most people. She quickly moved in front of Melinda and kneeled facing her. "Bloom rise for you are within your home, the place of your ancestors. I will lead you to the armory your father and mother planned for you to follow in their footsteps. They made weapons and armor. Your parents may have preferred a peaceful solution to problems but they knew from your kingdoms past that battle maybe the only solution if peace doesn't work. Your people warriors unlike any other in years past when your parents began their rain of this kingdom they decreed that their people would not need to teach their children skills needed in battle. In the end that ultimately led to the destruction for their home and their people. Years of tradition ended by one ruler in the end it destroyed their kingdom." Melinda said. She told Bloom of the tradition of Domino of they made their way to the Armory. We they made it Melinda had finished telling Bloom of the tradition of training one's child on Domino. "Your father made it so the people didn't have to train their child should they choose but he was going to train you girls anyway but he never trained Daphne for reasons he never told me but when he asked me to be your godmother he said that come the age of six I could train you if I wished he was to teach you what Honor and Bravery were as he knew I would only train those who showed on and off the battlefield that they can and would uphold both of those. Your parents were brave people I only wish I could have done more. As soon as they found out Miriam was pregnant again they started getting weapons together so they could train you. Then I arrived and your parents pieced things together they noticed that every time I disappeared the Warrior would appear and vice versa. That showed me that they showed intelligence as well. I do miss them more than you could ever know Bloom, they were my dear friends since the death of my parents the closest thing I had to family. I guess the legend is true the Warrior is never meant to have a family." Melinda said as she opened the doors to the armory. Bloom walked in and she looked around shocked here was armor perfect for her the perfect size everything. Bloom picked up a sword and it felt as if it was made for her hand. "Your parents enchanted everything to grow as you did even if you never touched any of it." Melinda said as an afterthought. Bloom then remembered what Melinda had said right before she opened the door. "Melinda what did you mean when you said 'The Warrior is never meant to have a family'?" Bloom asked.

"Simple Bloom the Warrior was destined to love one person and their kids who would survive until long after their death. There is one prophecy about one Warrior having a family longer than that." Melinda said the last part being said after a moment's thought. "What's the prophecy?" Bloom asked, Melinda sighed. "After many years of suffering the Warrior with hair as black as a Raven's feather, a girl with hair of fire, a woman with hair as blue as the ocean's depths, and a woman with hair as black as a raven's feather and a stripe as white as the winter's snow would find love in each other and against all odds they would make a life. The Warrior with raven hair and eyes of chocolate, would finally bring an end to the curse, she would have a family who survived." Melinda paused trying to recall the rest of the prophecy. "I'm sorry Bloom that's all I can remember."