"We need a plan! We can't just waltz in and we don't know who has control," Bloom pointed out. I played with my charm bracelet listening but barely saying anything.

"Well obviously Valtor does," Stella said. "Haven't you noticed his sign every where?"

"The fact that Valtor has total control was a no-brainer," Riven said. "What I want to know is why the people don't have his sign?"

They were quiet as they pondered that.

"They're immune to dark magic as long as their on the turf they were born on," I said dully. They looked at me in surprise. It was the first thing I had said for the last 8 hours.

"What," Timmy asked. I looked at him.

"They are immune," I repeated. He shook his head.

"That's impossible," said Tecna. "You aren't immune to Valtor and the Trix."

I looked at her.

"I also wasn't on my home turf," I told her just as lifeless as before.

"So he can throw the strongest spell he has at them and nothing will happen," Sky asked incredibly. I nodded, slowly picking up life.

"As long as they stay here. That's why his sign is everywhere but on the people," I explained.

"Well that means we can get a few of the people on our side," Musa said. "That's great and all, but how do we get in?" I grinned feeling the old rebellious princess in me stir up once more.

"Do you know who I am," I asked them. "I am the rebellious princess of Trakdyon and she knows every last nook and cranny of that castle. Including the secret entrances."

They looked at each other and grinned. The girls hugged and the boys' high-fived.

"But I have no plans on looking like this," I said gesturing at my pajamas. "And you certainly won't go looking like that."

The girls looked at me in excitement, while the boys didn't look to happy.

"We," I said firmly. "Are going shopping. And I know just the place." Stella laughed and clapped her hands.

"Finally! Shopping!" She floated around the room. I rolled my eyes. Timmy pushed a button and the door opened as the ramp rolled down. I got up and shifted a newspaper into sneakers. My pajamas didn't look like what they were so why worry? And bra? I already had one on. I walked out; Layla hooked on my right and Rascal grumbling on my left. The other girls dragged their boyfriends out of the ship. I flinched at the sight of the town and Layla squeezed my hand in comfort. I smiled at her gratefully. I tugged her.

"Come on," I gestured for them to follow me. I let go of Layla. "This way. I used to come to this place all the time." I found a shop tucked away at a corner. The door was charred and the sign was half gone. I stared feeling my heart sink.

"It used to say 'Fine Gowns and Suits'," I said bitterly. I took a breath and pushed opened the door. I smiled at the familiar bell tinkle and went in the others close behind me. A small mouse scuttled out of a room and Rascal went over to say hello.

"Oh this is a beautiful gown," Stella breathed. I turned to look at a dress she was holding. I stared at it.

"I know that dress," I said quietly.

"And indeed you should, Your Majesty," a wheezing voice said. I whipped around.

"Madame Janya," I said. "It's nice to see you again. I missed your fine gowns and your clucking and fussing that I should be fitting for a dress rather than a coat or some other piece of clothing." Her crinkled eyes went wide, and she hobbled forward with the help of a knurled, wooded cane. She grabbed my hand.

"I thought I was hearing things," she wheezed in a shocked manner. "Everyone tells me I am senile you know." I smiled and squeezed her old hand.

"I never thought that. And yeah it's really me." She smiled showing all her teeth.

"It's good you're back, young queen. A man and 3 teenagers have decided to take over Trakdyon. I am assuming you saw the damage," she said as she hobbled over to the rack of gowns.

"Yeah, and I don't plan on leaving until things are back to normal," I determined. The elderly lady clucked and shook her head.

"I have faith in you, but don't get yourself killed."

"Wait does that mean you won't come back to Alfea," asked Stella in horror. I nodded.

"At least not as long as I can't leave the place in the hands in someone I trust."

Musa looked at me.

"But then we're back to the 6 Winx. You are our 7th," she protested. I shook my head.

"I'll go back when I bring this place back to its old life. Hey Madame Janya?" I called as I ran my fingers over the folds of one of her gowns.

"Yes."

"Do you still have that gown I was supposed to wear for my 15th birthday and coronation?" I asked hesitantly. She drew herself up.

"Did you think I would sell it," she asked insulted. I opened my mouth to protest. "That was and will always be your dress! Of course I still have. I absolutely refused to sell it to someone else. We might have to let down the hem though," she concluded peering up at me. "You've grown quite a bit." She hobbled off to the back. I went after her.

"Wait," I called. She turned. "I need 6 more dresses and at least 5 me-" she waved her hand dismissively.

"Of course, how forgetful of me." She pointed at the Specialists. "You five, that room and no fussing about how much you dislike trying on suits. I don't have any plans on hearing about it." She gestured to the mouse and had a silent conversation. Then it went and jumped onto Sky's shoulder and started to squeak into his ear.

"Hey," he said. "I don't know what you are trying to say." Madame Janya tapped her cane on the floor in astonishment.

"You don't know what he is saying," she said in surprise. She turned to me. "What type of people are they, who can't talk to animals?"

I shrugged.

"Not Trakdyons that is certain," I told her. She shrugged one frail looking shoulder.

"He says to go into the room over there and get going or he'll nip you."

The boys exchanged looks of uncertainty. I huffed.

"Go! Or we'll never do anything." They shrugged and followed instructions. Once they were gone Madame Janya turned back to the Winx girls.

"Follow me." She turned and headed to the back. The girls hesitated before following. I slipped through last and closed the door behind me. I grinned as Madame Janya brought in a floor length royal blue gown. She set it up on a manikin as the Winx girls stared at the dress in awe.

It was a royal blue gown that was strapless and the skirt had little gems picking up the fabric. The strapless bodice had silver outlining it. I slipped forward to stand in front of it.

"Just as beautiful as it was when I first saw it. Perhaps even prettier." She smiled at me and left again to bring in dresses for the other girls. Stella stepped up next to me, her eyes filled with envy.

"That dress is absolutely gorgeous," she breathed. "Why didn't you bring it with you," she demanded.

"It is beautiful," agreed Layla.

"But how does it look on you," Musa asked. I turned to her and smiled.

"Better than you could imagine." Madame Janya came in with dresses on a hanging cart.

"I brought in 6 other dresses. Decide among you and I will help," she instructed. Then she faced me.

"Let's get this dress on you." She picked up the manikin and dragged it into one of the fitting rooms. I shook my head.

"Madame, let me. You'll injure yourself and then where will we be." I added wings to the manikin and she looked at me in surprise.

"You've gotten powerful," she said. I shrugged, carefully lowering the manikin to the floor of the dressing room and took away the wings. I went in and she followed closing the door behind her. She took the gown off the manikin and gave me the smallest hoop she had. I kicked off my sneakers, took off my shorts and t-shirt. She slipped on the hoop and tied it up. Then she slipped the dress over my head. She zipped it up and clipped the clasp.

"Stay here," she instructed slipping out.

"That is a stunning gown, miss," I heard her say. I smiled as I heard her help out my friends then I thought about what Musa had said, about being the 7th Winx. I shook my head; I never said I would join them. I spun looking at it in the body mirror. I sighed. It was a bit short, but Madame J could fix that in a jiffy. She slipped back in.

"I have your companions all done and measured. Now get out of this little cubicle and stand on one of the boxes." She pushed me out and I stood on one of the boxes. The room was empty.

"Hey where are the others," I asked as she started to measure.

"Out in the store. This dress was a surprise to be seen on you and will remain so until you wish for it to be seen. Now stand straight." I smiled at my reflection in the middle feeling the warmth of my emotions taking over again. She snipped at some thread and stuck in needles. Then she sat back on her heels.

"That will work," she commented satisfied. "Where do I send it to?" I smiled mischievously.

"I know that look," she clucked. "You're going to get yourself into trouble aren't you?" I shrugged innocently.

"Send it to my chambers in the castle. All of it." She sighed, undoing the zipper.

"Don't get yourself killed you hear," she warned wagging her finger at me. "Or I'll bring you back from the dead so I can kill you myself."

I laughed, putting back on my clothes and sneakers.

"I'll try," I promised. She waved me out of the room and I left the fitting room braiding my hair, feeling content and satisfied.

I stopped in my tracks the good feeling melting away. Standing there talking to my friends was my childhood nemesis: Prince Ganykco of Occtyum.

I walked over.

"Well, if it isn't old Gany," I stopped a few feet away. "It's been awhile. Tell me, have you missed me?"

He turned to face me, looking me over.

"Apparently you still haven't lost that wonderful humor of yours," he stuffed his hands in his pockets smirking. "Yeah I missed your presence and ability to press my buttons. Too bad you weren't handed over to me as a birthday gift. Then I would be able to talk to you anytime."

"Hilarious," I said sarcastically.

"Now let me ask you something." I waved my hand.

"Go ahead."

"Are you on the stock market of unmarried royalty, I mean you look it. Any guy would have whipped you into shape already," he said carelessly. I stared at him stunned. How could he say that? I saw the boys stir angrily and Stella and Musa draw up ready to blast him for me. I picked myself up from the blow.

"Yeah I am," I said bored. "I'm perfectly fine that way too. I know what I'm looking for. And you never have and never will qualify." I strode passed him and headed for the door. He laughed.

"I wouldn't be in anyway, because I'm already married." I stopped and turned to face him. Madame Janya hobbled forward before I could snap back.

"Look here, I don't want you doing this squabbling in my store out, out!" she waved us out of the store and the thirteen of us left. I walked by him and he grabbed my arm once we were on the streets turning so he was facing me. I slapped him and he let me go startled.

"Don't grab me. If you want something you ask for it," I told him. "Its proper manners." I went to walk by but he blocked me with his arm.

"I'm not done with you just yet you see I know something about your sister you don't." I huffed angrily.

"Why does everybody seem to know something I don't? It's extremely frustrating," I cried. He chuckled.

"I am married."

"You said that. Anybody who's married to you must have been really desperate." He smiled knowingly.

"I wonder," he said scratching the side of his nose. "Would you still say that if you knew?" I snorted.

"I would say it to myself." He looked at someone behind me.

"He was right about you," said a small familiar voice. I turned and gasped. There stood my younger sister, youngest of the Arakdyin family.

"Maddy," I said. "How are you?"

"Confused," she said walking over. I didn't move as she walked right by me to stand next to Gany. I frowned turning back to the two of them.

"What happened to you," she asked. "You never said things like that."

"Madelyne, I see where this is going and you have got to be joking. I can't believe you went and married this big idiot."

"You left and I was the next one in line, besides it was the proper thing to do." I stared at her stunned.

"Proper," I said quietly. "Proper! You used to hate anything that had to do with that word. What happened to me! I think you meant what happened to you? Who changed you like this?"

I looked at her in disgust. She flinched and stepped forward. I shifted lose asphalt, and dry leaves into a glass wall between us two. She blinked startled. I turned my back on her and walked off to the palace. Then I stopped and turned toward her.

"Just for the record of things I never thought I would ever say. You have completely shamed and lost me." I saw her face twist with pain as I turned my back on her.

Someone ran up beside me. I looked over and saw Stella coming up on my right. She hooked her arm through mine.

"Who were they," she asked quietly. The girls came up around me.

"Yeah," Musa said. "Who were the guy and that kid?"

"The guy was my childhood enemy," I sighed in disappointment. "The girl is my younger sister Maddy. I can't believe she married him." I shook my head in disappointment.

"Well you can't predict she would have done that even is you had stayed," Layla said trying to comfort me.

"Yeah, but at least we're here," Musa said softly hooking her arm through mine. I smiled at them gratefully.

"This way," I led them down an alley. The boys were trailing behind. Rascal was waiting at the end of the alley keeping watch as we slipped one by one through a gap in the hedge that blocked off the castle grounds. I slipped through first and Rascal came last. I smiled at the familiar sights and smells. I beckoned and walked over to a statue. I reached up and pushed at the nose. A grinding sound was made and the boys instinctively drew out their weapons. I went through the opening and made sure the coast was clear. I waved for them to follow me. They crept through with Rascal at the rear. I placed my hand on one of the stones and pushed. The door slammed close and the tunnel dove into blackness.

"Hey, you girls," I whispered. "Change into Enchantix."

"Enchantix," they cried in unison. Lights flashed and I backed up shifting into Feary.

"Sorry, boys," I apologized. "You don't have wings."

"Good thing to," Riven commented. I rolled my eyes.

"Stella, some light," I called.

"No problem." Suddenly out of nowhere a ball of light appeared lighting up everybody and the tunnel. I squinted at the glare and looked around the tunnel. I frowned. I fluttered off to my right, but stopped and looked over to my left.

"What's the matter," Stella asked. I looked over to my right.

"We have a problem," I admitted. "I'm not positive which way we should go. One way leads to the prison and one leads to the castle hallways."

"What!"

I looked back to my left then to my right again.

"Let's go this way, most path ways are to the right." I flew off with uncertainty tumbling around in the pit of my stomach. The girls flew slightly behind me while the boys and Rascal ran on foot. I thought the tunnel would never end when Stella's ball of light shone on a door. I landed and opened the door a crack having a bad feeling.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Layla said worried. Slowly I opened it up wide enough so I could see. And felt my heart drop to my feet.

I cringed and turned to the others.

"Well, we are in the castle. Just not the nicest part of it." I turned back to the door and flew in. The sun ball started to follow shedding light in the dark prison. I whipped around and turned it into shackles. I caught them before they could clatter to the ground. I flew in carefully making sure it was deserted.

I waved for them to follow. Rascal padded up beside me.

Can you smell anyone, I asked him. Just because I didn't see anyone didn't mean no one was around. He took a sniff and put his ears flat along his head wrinkling his nose.

It stinks down here, he complained. I rolled my eyes. I don't smell any guards down here. I smell no steel from their weapons. I scratched his head and thanked him. I flew out between the prison cells, all empty and dusty. As we went by them all I looked around.

"It's bigger than I remember," I said. Rascal started to growl quietly and I heard an animal screech. I froze then flew toward the sound passing by an occupied cell. Rascal started to whine and pawed the gate.

"I don't believe it," someone croaked. Chains rattled. "I must be seeing things." I frowned I knew that voice! I fluttered back to Rascal. A man was in there. He looked at my face and his eyes went wide.

"Ariella," he questioned. "No doubt about it, I am definitely hallucinating." He shook his head. I couldn't help myself, I laughed.

"I'm not a hallucination Chris," I said. He stared at me. "Mind if I ask what you're doing down here?" he got to his feet as Stella flew up beside me.

"You can get me out of here first," he said eagerly. I smiled.

"Jailbreak time." I grasped the bars and shifted them into snakes. They dropped to the floor and slithered away. His wrist was cuffed and swollen from the iron shackle.

"Who's he," Stella asked.

"This is my old friend. Stella take off the shackle," I asked.

"No problem, why can't you do it," she asked as she sent magic at it.

"Shifters can't use magic on iron. That's why the prisoners are shackled with iron. Thanks Stella," I said as I landed in front of my old friend. He rubbed his wrist and looked down at me.

"I decided to side with the king and queen and Valtor stuck me in here after several attempts of blasting me to bits. I was the guinea pig and then he poisoned your parents," he said explaining what he was doing in the prison cell.

"You got your fairy," he said congratulating. I nodded.

"Let's go get Rain. Stella stay here to wait for the others. Then follow Rascal out," then I flew off beside Chris.

"So," he huffed. "You're back?"

"Yup."

We stopped in front of a cell. An eagle was in there screeching and tugging at a chain clasped to its leg. He looked at her his face full of pain for her.

I landed beside him.

"You know how when we were younger we would combine our energy and blast things?"

He nodded, grasping the bars and shifting them into thread.

"I still remember how to do that," I told him. He looked at me stroking his bonded eagle's head. I held my hands out. He placed his hands in mine and we sent the energy into our clasped hands. Mine was white like Rascals' fur and his was brown, matching Rains' feathers. We shifted it into a cannon and threw it at the clasp around the bird's leg. It hit with full force and blasted it to pieces. The bird screeched happily and flapped her wings landing on Chris's shoulder. The energy split up and came back to us. He pushed the bird up boosting it into the air. Clashes and shouts sounded.

The two of us looked out of the cell.

"We should get out of here," Chris said as if he was jail broken everyday. I laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Good to have you back," I said cheerfully. "Now let's get out of this dreary place." We ran from the cell and headed in the opposite direction of the noise, the two of us grinning while Rain flew above us. We went left then right, then right again, until we took a wrong turn and ran right into soldiers.

"This oughtta be fun," I said under my breath plastering a smile. I stepped forward.

"I am Queen Ariella, and am jail breaking this prisoner let us through please."

The men laughed as the man in charge stepped forward.

"If you were Queen Ariella where's that white wolf of yours?"

"Good question," I told him smiling. "Rascal!"

Rascal, buddy. I need your help, I put up a stone wall. Like now!

I grabbed Chris and started to run. Dobermans and German Shepard burst through as the men changed my wall into dust. I laughed and turned sharply.

"I missed this, did you miss this," I called over the barking. He grinned.

"You don't know how much. Let's go this way," he said grabbing my hand and pulling me in a sharp turn. The dogs brayed as they skidded around the turn and bumped into one anther. There was screaming suddenly and howling behind us. Chris and I stopped breathing hard turned to see what was happening.

"Ew, that is repulsive," I said grossed out as blood ran from their eyes. Chris grinned. Rain scratched at their eyes and pecked at their faces.

"No that's awesome," he said. I looked at him in disgust.

"Ugh! Only a guy would think that is awesome," I grabbed his arm dragging him after me. "Let's go."

Stop moving, Rascal suddenly said. I can't find you. I laughed as we took another sharp turn.

Look, Rain took care of it; did you get the others out?

Yeah, he grumbled. So you don't need me?

Umm. I stopped and looked around. Rain caught us up with bloody claws and all. Chris offered his arm and the eagle took it. I wrinkled my nose at all the blood.

"Do you know the way out," I asked carefully not looking at the bird. Chris shook his head.

"Not at all."

Yeah I do. You know the way out?

Of course, he said with a smug air.

All right get your tail over here and get rid of that smugness.

Fine, but this time stay put and I'm going to take my own sweet time.

"Ugh," I said irritated. "Stupid canine."

Chris shook his head at my impatience.

"You never were the patient type." He shifted dust and dirt into a chair and footstool and relaxed. I fluttered my wings and sat in the air.

After what felt like 10 years a smug Rascal came padding up to us. Rain screeched and hooked on to his fur.

"Nice of you to show up," I snapped. I shifted Chris's chair and footstool back into dirt and dust dropping him on his bottom.

"Hey!" I jerked my head unfolding my legs.

"Time to go." He nodded and shifted into a falcon. He flapped around getting used to the shape. Rain jumped into the air flew over Rascal as he led us out. I half flew half ran in our escape from the dungeon. Call me crazy, but I was enjoying myself immensely. I giggled as we turned away from up coming guards.

We're almost out, you know we don't do this enough, Rascal said his tongue hanging out as he led us down another turn. At the end of the hallway were the others.

Stella pointed.

"There they are! Hurry up, you're being chased." I laughed. As we got nearer the gate started to slide shut. I smiled.

"Go, go, go," I called. Rascal bounded through. Chris and Rain flew in just as the gate slammed closed. I skidded to a stop.

"Oh no," Bloom cried. "What now?"

"You get out of here!"

Chris shifted back.

"Are you crazy," Riven demanded. "There are at least 50 guards behind you and they're coming fast."

"She has always been crazy," Chris said. He pointed. "The old escape route. Go!"

I grinned and ran off.

"What the? Are you nuts," I heard Stella squeal.

"Ariella," Tecna called.

"Look," Chris said faintly. "She knows what she's doing. I've known her for forever. Now let's go." Then I lost them. I slowed starting to get tired. After all my time sitting around in Alfea I was pretty out of shape, I used to be able to go for hours at an end. I smiled losing energy as I found what I was looking for.

It was the one prison cell with a double gate. It was also the only one with a window in the ceiling.

I shifted the bars into cobwebs and slipped through, once through I shifted them back to the metal. I would have used iron but shifters can't exactly do anything to iron. I stepped into the sunlight area below the window and looked up at it. I flew up and ran my hands along the glass looking for it. I smiled as my fingers ran over a rough knob in the glass. I pushed at it and the window slid open.

"Get her," I heard one of the guards shout. I looked down as the window started to slide open. They unlocked the two gates and ran through their dogs snarling. They ran through and I slipped through the window, closing it immediately.

"Impossible," one guard said in amazement. "That window doesn't open."

Then I lost him as I slammed the window shut. I flew upwards and looked around. I was in the garden and was looking right into the castle music room. I hesitated then flew toward the window placing my hands on the glass peering in. I blinked startled as a blue jay went and sat on the piano stand. I heard it trill faintly and a girl came into my view. I gasped as I recognized her. It was Janett, the second oldest. She looked thin and frail, she looked unhappy and her blond hair wasn't its old shining beauty. It was piled on her head in a careless matter. She sat in the piano chair hunched over, no longer straight and there was no smile. My heart twisted in pain for the sight that had become of my sister.

She placed her fingers on the piano keys.

"Come on," I urged her. "Play." She looked up at the bird and played a single note. Then her hand fell away and she turned her back on the instrument she used to love. I pulled myself away from the window and pressed my lips together angrily. I looked up at the balcony above me.

I really hoped that I would be able to get in through there. I flew up and hovered right above the window and looked in. It seemed empty. It was a bedroom. The bed was made up and in the middle of the room with a curtain at the head. I flipped over and landed carefully on the balcony. I went and gave the glass doors a gentle shove. They didn't open. I shifted the glass in one of the doors into air and cautiously slipped through. I looked around and shifted the glass back to glass. I crept out of the room hoping I wouldn't get caught. I opened the door and slipped out into the hallway silently closing the door behind me. I looked around making sure I was alone then flew off to the left.

Rascal, I called. I'm in the palace. Where are you?

In your den, he answered. Everybody but you is here. Your sisters have returned.

I know. I saw Janett. She looks awful. It's scary.

Yes, but that isn't what I meant. We almost ran into your other sisters as well, all without their mates.

I gasped.

What? Anastacya, and Rose are here too.

Maddy and Fluffy too. I shook my head and took a turn.

Oh. I closed him off and looked at what lay before me. I was going to my room not the main hall. Two double oak doors stood in front of me. I put my hand on it and I received a flash from the day I decided to leave.

"Look she can't stay here forever, she needs to get married," my father insisted. Curious I crouched just outside these doors.

"But they won't marry her. It isn't like she is the perfect obedient princess," my mother said.

"Ariella must be married. I have already sent my letter with the amount of money I am willing to pay."

"How much is it?"

My father's boots clunked as he walked. I pressed my back against the wall and held my breath.

"Only $20,000,000."

My mother gasped, as I pressed back tears of anger.

"That would feed an entire town for at least 2 years, Maryo! You are crazy to be doing this."

"What do you suggest I do. They won't marry her otherwise," he said his voice rising.

"Lower your voice dear! I suggest lower the amount," my mother suggested. I pushed myself away from the wall and ran to my room crying.

I sighed and banged my fist against the doors. It caused a slight booming sound and I flew off to my rooms.