Brandon pulled his cape around his shoulders, making his way through the corridors to his first training session of the day. Most of his lessons so far had been boring theory work. He'd been stuck in a classroom with teachers who apparently were specialist legends in their youth, but were now so old they didn't even know how to cat fight with a three year old, let alone take down a murderous villain or an angry beast. But at the same time, Brandon wasn't exactly looking forward to his session with Codatorta. Not after the last time.

Besides, he could hardly focus. All he could think of was Stella. Sky had said that all of the girls were having their magic taken from them. That was ten thousand times worse than Brandon's punishment, and he couldn't help but feel responsible for it. It had only been one night, it couldn't be worth that much. It was ridiculous. The rest of the Winx hadn't even done anything wrong. He frowned. Surely there was more to it than just that night. There had to be... He shook the thoughts from his head as he stepped outside and followed the path down to the arena.

Behind him, he heard footsteps running to meet him. He turned to see Helia coming towards him.

"Brandon!" He called, his cape billowing out behind him.

"Hey, Helia." Brandon said distantly.

Helia frowned. "You okay?"

"Yeah, fine." Brandon replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"I heard about the girls." Sighed Helia, falling into step beside Brandon.

"Yeah..."

"It sucks. All for one night?"

"I don't believe it." Brandon stated. "There must be something other than that. There just has to be."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. But I plan on finding out."

The conversation ended there as the pair entered the arena, making their way down the steps to join the rest of their class who were gathering in the centre. Brandon stood to the edge of the crowd alone with his thoughts as Helia pushed his way through to join Sky, Riven and Timmy. The last of the specialists filed in, and shortly after Codatorta arrived.

"Class." He briefly greeted them.

"Afternoon professor." Everyone replied half heartedly.

"So, today we'll be looking at physical defence. You find yourself in a fight, no weapons. How do you protect yourself?"

"Take their weapons?" Someone asked.

"And have your hand cut off? I think not." Codatorta answered bluntly.

Everyone looked around blankly, no more answers coming to anyone's minds.

"Right then, get into partners, now." Codatorta instructed.

Everyone paired up. Brandon just stood there waiting for someone, anyone to come to him. He really didn't care who. Soon enough, Sky appeared beside him.

"Hey." He said.

"Hi." Brandon replied.

"You okay?"

"For God's sake! Why is everyone asking me that?" Brandon hissed.

"Um, because it's simple conversation?" Sky said, slightly taken aback by the sudden outburst.

"Okay then, physical defence..." Codatorta began teaching his session.

Sky turned back to Brandon and whispered, "Although you don't seem okay..."

"I'm fine."

"Still thinking about Stella?" Sky asked, genuine sympathy in his voice.

Brandon sighed. "Yes. Stella and all the rest of them. It's so stupid. Their magic?"

"Yeah, it is a bit over the top, but-"

"Brandon, Sky." Codatorta's voice cut through their conversation. "Since the two of you seem to think that you're both too skilled and talented to listen and learn, you can both come out here and demonstrate to the class physical defence."

The pair glanced sideways at each other.

"Now, please."

Reluctantly, Brandon and Sky shuffled to the front of the class.

"Sky, select your weapon." Codatorta instructed.

Sky went and picked up his signature blue phantoblade, turning to face Brandon, who stood there with a blank expression on his face. Sky twirled the blade in his hand. Brandon raised his eyebrows at him questioningly. Sky just shrugged his shoulders in response.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Codatorta asked, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly, almost in a smirk.

The pair of friends still just looked at each other, waiting for their professor to let them off on a warning, and repeat the explanation. But it didn't seem like that was happening. And then Brandon spotted another one of the professors at Redfountain heading down into the arena, followed by a tall, well built blonde, dressed in the specialist uniform.

"Can I help you, professor?" Codatorta asked.

"Yes, this is your newest pupil, Aeron." The professor replied. "He just transferred here."

Glad of the distraction, Brandon and Sky crept back into the crowd of their class. Brandon eyed this Aeron. He had definitely been trained well at whatever school he'd been to before. He was tall and extremely well built, with huge biceps and a well toned six pack showing through the tight uniform. He had a well shaped face, everything perfectly in proportion. His perfectly styled golden blonde hair framed his face nicely. He had deep, crystal blue eyes that eyed his new classmates as he descended down the stairs.

Brandon nudged Sky. "You've got some competition, Blondie." He laughed.

"Oh, shut up." Sky rolled his arms, nudging him back.

The two professors began to talk, whilst Aeron moved in to join the class.

"So, this is Redfountain." He said simply. "Not as bad as I thought it would be."

Brandon and Sky shared a look.

Riven scoffed. "Excuse me?"

"Well you know, moving schools can be difficult. I was told that coming here would take me further than my old school could. Apparently a few of the guys here are already famed heroes. Can't say I recognise any of you though."

Riven scowled, and looked like he was about to retaliate, until Helia placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head slightly.

"What school did you go to exactly?" Brandon asked.

"Apollyon's school for young warriors." Aeron replied.

"Apollyon?" Sky questioned. "The realm of warfare?"

"Exactly. Hence the school for young warriors."

"Ugh." Riven rolled his eyes. "Private school kid."

"So are you from Apollyon then?" Helia butted in, stopping Riven from getting too carried away.

Aeron smirked at Riven. Brandon didn't like the way he looked at them all, like they were all inferior, little kids he didn't have time for.

"The very prince of the realm." Aeron replied, with a sarcastic bow.

Riven rolled his eyes. "That's just what we need, another royal snob."

Helia laughed. "Watch out Sky! Riven called you a snob."

"Told you you had competition, another blonde prince, Blondie!" Brandon smiled, following Helia's lead at trying to ease the tension.

Aeron laughed along with them. "Prince Sky of where?"

"Eraklyon." Sky said reluctantly.

He, unlike Aeron, didn't enjoy running around telling everyone of his royal status. Nor did Riven like listening to it.

The group fell into fairly normal conversation, and slowly, Aeron softened up, and became more open and friendly. His snobbish behaviour fell away, and he settled right in with the crowd. Brandon found himself coming to semi like this new kid. He wasn't as stuck up as he had first seemed, and once he fell into the talk, he seemed okay. Riven was still a bit bristly, but to be fair, he's bristly with everyone.

The conversation didn't last long though, as Codatorta turned back to his class and began again. Sky and Brandon looked at each other triumphantly. He didn't seem to notice their absence, and didn't call them back up.

"So Aeron, welcome to Redfountain. Today we're looking at physical defence. What to do when you have no weapons, and your opponent does. Perfect timing really, we were just about to have a demo from Sky and Brandon."

The two boys' faces fell, as they made their way back to the front of the class. And then another stroke of luck came, once again saving Brandon. One of Saladin's secretaries appeared at the top of the arena.

"Sorry to interrupt professor," She called. "But Saladin would like to see Brandon in his office."

"When?" Codatorta asked.

"Now, if possible."

Brandon looked at his professor hopefully.

Codatorta looked displeased. "Yes yes, okay. Brandon, dismissed."

"Thanks sir."

"You were lucky this time, but talk through my class again, and there will be consequences."

"Yes, sir." Brandon replied, grinning mischievously at Sky and running out of the arena to Saladin's office.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Stella and the rest of the Winx sat in their dorm, all shifting uncomfortably on the sofas. Any minute now, Professor Palladium would walk through that door, and then their magic would be gone. No one spoke. No one saw the point in it. Nothing could be said to lighten the situation. Stella felt sick. So many thoughts swirled through her head, mixing together, merging into one huge lump of confusion. She felt cheated and betrayed. How could they do this to her? To her friends? The girls had done nothing wrong, why put them through this? Why punish them all because she felt love towards someone? Things aren't the same as what they used to be. She should be allowed to love whoever she wants to. Her love with Brandon was the best thing that had ever happened to her, and now she was going to lose it? It just wasn't fair!

A sharp knock at the door tore Stella from her anguished thoughts. She felt sick with nerves now. What would it feel like, having her magic taken from her? Would it hurt? How would she adjust to life without it?

Everyone else must have been thinking along the same lines, as no one moved to get the door. The knock sounded again, more forceful this time. Eventually, Flora rose to her feet and opened the door. In came Professor Palladium, followed by Griselda and Ms Faragonda. The girls looked at their teachers, almost as of they were trying one last time to change their minds.

But that didn't happen.

"Okay then girls." Professor Palladium began. "This will be a strange, new experience for all of you. Having your magic taken from you is a difficult thing to go through, and therefore I must talk you through what is going to happen and how you will feel."

The Winx nodded.

Palladium continued. "It will feel at first like nothing is happening, and then you will get the normal sensation that comes when you summon your powers to use it. This feeling will become more intense as your power builds inside of you, as it all rises to the surface. And then, I'm sorry to say, the pain will kick in. Remember, that your magic is a part of you, and it is being taken away."

"Thanks for the reminder." Musa huffed.

"So naturally, it will hurt a bit. And afterwards there are some...side effects."

"It gets worse?" Aisha cried.

Palladium ignored their protests. "For a start, when it first leaves you, you may...become unconscious for a while. And after that, extreme weakness for a few hours. Followed by at least a day of excessive tiredness. But from then on, these ailments will slowly lift and then you'll be back to normal."

"Just without our magic." Musa crossed her arms.

"Yes." Faragonda took over. "We don't want to have to put you through this girls, but a lesson needs to be learnt.

"We didn't even do anything!" Musa half yelled, earning her a stern glare from Griselda.

Faragonda looked at her for a brief moment, a look of regret taking hold in her eyes, but she then ignored the comment and turned away to a black chest Palladium had carried into the room. She handed the Professor a glass orb, took 2 herself and left the remaining 2 to Griselda.

"So, who's first?" Palladium asked, his eyes darting between the 5 girls.

No one moved in response.

"Okay then." Palladium said. "I'll choose."

Stella looked sideways at her friends and saw Flora's face fall as Palladium's gaze landed on her.

"Flora?"

She nodded, and slowly rose to her feet, standing before her teachers. Palladium opened a small opening in the top of the orb, and summoned some of his own magic, which swirled inside the orb and then reached out to Flora. As the magic touched her, she began to glow with her own energy, a faint green colour. The glow slowly grew stronger. Flora seemed okay so far. And then, the energy from Flora shifted, and began to stream towards the opening in the orb, swirling inside. And Flora began to scream.

The Winx looked at her in concern. Her arms were thrown out to the side, her head to the ceiling. Her scream carried complete and utter pain in it, and no one wanted to imagine what Flora must be going through, never mind experience it for themselves. The glow of her energy grew fainter and fainter, whilst the orb glowed ever stronger. Until finally, it stopped. Palladium closed the lid to the orb. Flora's cries came to an end, and she swayed on her feet.

"Flora?" Aisha asked.

She didn't respond, her eyes blank. Her knees shook, and her legs gave way beneath her. Aisha leapt to her feet and caught her just before she hit the ground. Flora's eyes slid shut and her breaths became slow and shallow as Aisha laid her gently to the ground.

"Will she be okay?" Aisha cried, turning to Palladium.

"Yes." He replied. "As I said, this process will have many effects on you. But Flora will recover, as will all of you."

Stella shakily got to her feet, and went to stand in front of Professor Palladium. Huge butterflies flew wildly around her stomach. Now, she was terrified of having her magic taken away from her. But she didn't want to have to watch any more of her friends go through it either. Better to get it over and done with.

"Ready Stella?" Palladium asked.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. Palladium opened the orb, and released his own energy, just as before. Stella felt her breath catch in her throat as the magic came towards her. Then she felt the warm, tingling sensation as her own magic flowed to the surface, and she lit up the room with a bright yellow glow. The sensation grew stronger and stronger, and Stella closed her eyes as she prepared herself for the pain that was to follow. And slowly, she began to feel parts of her drifting away, with sharp pangs of pain. At first, the pain came in intervals, but suddenly, it became a constant feeling, a huge shockwave overcoming her being. She screamed in agony, until the last drop of her magic was sealed away in the orb. And then she felt herself sinking, everything going black just before her body made hard contact with the floor...

A/N: Oh my gosh guys, I am soooo sorry for yet another seriously overdue update, but here it is now. I'm not even gonna guess as to when the next chapter will be up, it all just depends on the time I have and whether or not I can actually write a decent chapter in that time. But no way is this going to go on hold, so just bear with me and keep an eye out for those updates ;) Thanks for reading and please review!

Gemma Cane xx