When a collaboration between schools goes right, or should we say, wrong...

Willow could not stop her eyebrow from raising, clearly not impressed when she heard what was going to happen.

A collaboration between Red Fountain and Alfea was starting so they could defend themselves, as Cloud Tower had disappeared and started randomly disappearing and flying around. Headmistress Gryffin was missing, and the one particular girl named Selina, who apparently was at the center of all this, made Liatris' skin crawl.

Selina had been one of her friends who had abandoned her when she got into a fight with Bloom. Something told Liatris her former friend would play an important part in what was brewing, and it was not a good thing.

'You want us to work together with Red Fountain?' Willow asked, as her opinion was voiced by several other first years. The other fairies who had been there from the beginning and had survived several attacks on the school barely stirred at the news but for the new fairies it was a frightening prospect, especially Willow and Liatris who both did not even have time to wrap their heads around the fact that there was a school with boys specializing in fighting.

'Yes, Willow. While the Winx and their team of Specialists try to find out more about this new threat, we will need to defend ourselves and our school. I understand the idea is scary to you, but it will come to a confrontation sooner or later, if you want it or not. And when it comes, I prefer my students to be protected.'

Willow sighed but nodded as the other first years made affirmative noises, somewhat calming down after hearing they would be able to protect themselves.

'The Specialists will be visiting us at Alfea and actively participating in some of your classes. You will all get defensive courses so you can protect yourselves.' Liatris groaned at the idea, not wanting to think about how difficult it was going to be. She was really not much of a sportsperson, and she really sucked at p.e. in highschool.

'Joy!' Liatris muttered, rolling her eyes. Lein laughed at that, her eyes twinkling in good humour. She could not call the girl a friend just yet, but she was by far the classmate Liatris and Willow got the best along with. Liatris grinned back at the girl, thinking about what was going to change in the future.

At least, she would be able to see Etran, so that was a good thing.

The days slowly trickled by at Alfea, as the school made some adjustments for the cooperation with Red Fountain. The Winx were still gone, so their classes were momentarily suspended, Liatris finally feeling a bit less nervous. She had gotten used to the school, gotten used to the curriculum and the idea of using magic.

She hummed as she walked through the corridor, a soft breeze blowing through the windows, her summerdress moving with the wind. It was a rather warm day today, so Liatris had opted to wear sandals and a lose summerdress, enjoying the warm sun coming through the glass.

She took her books and walked outside, deciding to find a calm spot in the woods surrounding the school, and trying some more spells. 'Liatris! Where are you going?' Griselda asked, a stern expression on her face.

'I was going to study outside Alfea.' Griselda nodded. 'Do not go too far. We do not know what this threat means. Be careful and if you even get a notion something is out of the ordinary, I want you to come straight back here and report to one of the teachers.'

Liatris nodded in confirmation and turned around, grabbing her purse with her books and some food and drinks, putting it over her shoulder as she walked outside the school. She even brought a blanket to sit on.

The fairy of the Dark Stars eventually found a calm spot in a clearing, sending a quick message to Willow where she was. She rolled out her blanket, spread out her books and got to work.

A few hours later, and Liatris was positively tired. She had not only studied for History and Potionsclass, she also tried some spells to see how far she could go. 'One last time and than I'm going back.'

The fairy bowed over to read the instructions in her book, how to make a good attack. She marked a spot on a nearby rock and stood back up, gathering her powers in her hands. She gasped as the stars on her body started to burn, much more painful than before. Liatris was concentrating so hard on the pain that simmered in her tattooed stars that she did not see the power that was accumulating in her hands.

'GO!' Liatris threw the sfere towards the rock, her eyes widening at the size of the thing. An explosion grew before her, as Liatris ducked, a barrier appearing around her. The fairy of the Dark Stars coughed at the rubble and cloud of dust that flew around and eventually fell down, but her mouth fell open when she saw what she had done.

She had all but destroyed the clearing, not only the rock, but every plant, tree and rock in the vicinity. The control of her powers was clearly not that just yet.

Regret immediately surfaced at the carnage she had caused, as a sigh left her lips. 'Hands in the air! Who are you?' Liatris froze at the voice that made the command, as she turned around with her arms in the air, heart beating nervously in her chest.

'Liatris?' a voice asked. 'Etran?' she whispered, not completely sure it was him. The man she had met in the swamp marched over to her, nothing of his friendly demeanour apparent. She understood this was his 'leader' facade, as it was clear he was the one that commanded the people behind him.

'Are you allright? What happened? Were you attacked?' Liatris shook her head as she dropped her arms, a sad smile appearing at the scene behind her. 'I did this.' she whispered, regret clear in her voice.

'How?' One of the specialists asked. 'You cannot be that powerful. Only Bloom and the Winx are...' Liatris looked up at the mention of her old friend's name.

'Well apparently, I am. Though that was not my intention. I was studying some new spells.' Liatris snapped, her shoulders going rigid as the other specialists started to whisper. 'That is quite enough, Crain. It is clear she did not mean to.' Etran came to her defense, throwing her a smile. 'Bloom was in the beginning not so good at controlling her powers either. People tend to forget that, now that she is one of the most powerful fairies in the dimension.'

The fairy of the Dark Stars nodded as she took her stuff, putting them in her bag. 'We'll escort you back. Come on.' Liatris followed the group of specialists, her regret still clear in her eyes.

A few days later, and Liatris' regret had diminished greatly. She understood now that her power could be destructive, if not controlled. And she was still learning, so she was allowed to make some mistakes.

The Specialists were not present all the time but it did make it weird when they were. Liatris often saw Etran walking by, and soon found herself getting to know him better, but who would not, with such a friendly character?

That was also when she met Iorias, a cousin of Layla by her mother's side, and Etran's best friend. He and Willow immediately hit it off, and when she was not around Liatris, she was with Iorias.

Their defense classes were hard, to say at the very least. This was one of the first times they would have a class together with the Specialists, as they had to learn to work together when attacked, and what better time than now?

Liatris felt a smile appear on her lips as Etran waved at her, joined by Crain, Iorias and some other specialists. 'Ready?' Iorias asked in good humour, brown eyes twinkling in anticipation. 'Not really. But I don't think we really have a choice.' Liatris grinned as a panting Willow joined them, putting her hands in her sides as she tried to get her breath.

'Why are you panting?' Iorias asked, as Willow shook her head. 'Forgot something in my room. I was scared I would be late.' Their conversation was interrupted as Griselda marched towards their class, commanding everyone in a row with her glare.

'Today, you will learn how to work together in a coordinated attack or defense. You will be put in two groups, fairies and specialists mixed, and will need to battle with each other. The group that wins gets a little surprise.' Codatorta joined Griselda, explaining some more things to the boys.

'Do not forget that a good defense is as important as a good attack. So keep track of your defenses!'

Liatris blinked moments later, as she was put in a group with Willow, Lein, Etran, Iorias and some other fairies and specialists. 'What are you waiting for? Go ahead and transform. Do not let a moment go to waste.'

Liatris grinned at Willow as both girls shared a smile, standing back to back as they readied for transformation. 'Dark Stars transformation!' Liatris called out as Willow shouted at the same time. 'Magic Silverlight, come to me!' The wellknown stars appeared as did the silver light bulbs, and everyone in their group seemed stunned for a moment as the girls transformed.

'What are you waiting for? Come on!' Willow snapped at the other fairies. 'There is no moment to lose...-' 'WATCH OUT!' That little bitch Marin had taken note of their groups' slow reaction, and had started attacking straight away.

Willow groaned as she shook her head, eyes blazing positively silver. 'Shield of eternal silver!' Liatris' friend called out, as a silver shield surrounded them, thick and impenetrable.

'Come on, transform!' Lein also bit out, her patience wearing thin. Lein had the power of healing, but that power came with an agressive side as well. 'Healingstones !' Lein shouted, with a flick of her fingers, bright yellowy stones appeared around her, shooting beams of white and yellow at their enemies.

The beams were strong enough to break through Willow's shield, and go to the other group. The fairies in their group finally grew out of their stupor, transforming one by one.

The following hour was nothing but rapid action, fairies and specialists attacking and defending each other. Both groups were strong, and there was not really a clear winner so far. 'Ten more minutes! Give everything you have!' Griselda warned them, spurring them on for one more coordinated attack.

'Willow, bring that shield back if you can! We need to coordinate for a minute!' Etran called out as Willow blew out a breath but nodded and gathered her powers once again. 'Shield of eternal silver!' Liatris remarked the shield was not as clear and was showing cracks, just showing how tired Willow was.

She thought for a moment and than an idea sprung to life. 'Fortify!' Rubyred stars flew out of Liatris' hands, landing at the base of Willow's shield. 'Maximize!' Liatris called out again, with a flick of her hand. The stars grew in height and width, the edges eventually touching each other.

'Star shield connect!' Liatris was panting at the end, but the stars started to glow as a beam of rubyred power that seemed to crackle, like electricity, connected the stars and eventually went around the whole shield. Willow's silver shield had an extra layer now, and it was strong enough to protect them.

Liatris landed on her feet, concentrating on keeping her stars strong. Etran threw her a questioning look but she shook her head. 'Don't count on me anymore. That was the last of my power I had left.'

They came quickly up with a plan, and it seemed their defense and attack worked. Liatris' and Willow's shield, though it cost them so much power they almost fainted, blocked any attacks the other group tried. They rebounded and threw the attacks back to the fairies, some specialists and fairies being knocked out.

But the big hero was definitely Lein. When Candace and Marin threw a double attack, in one last desperate bid of winning, Lein was the only one who anticipated it. Liatris and Willow were blown back, as their shield broke, Candace and Marin laughing haughtily as all the others also fell.

'Next time, watch your back!' Lein bit out, a vengeful smirk appearing on her lips. 'Healendo!' A white sfere shot out of nowhere, flying into Marin and Candace who fell down next to the rest of the members of their team.

'Lein's team wins!' Liatris shouted in happiness. 'You did it Lein! You were great!' The others joined her shouts, Lein blushing but grinning, her eyes vibrating with happiness over her victory.

And their surprise you may ask? Let's just say they got a well deserved break. 'This is the life.' the fairy of the Dark Stars smirked, as she sat at a little table, enjoying the sun, the rest of their team surrounding her. 'It was nice of the teachers to take us out for lunch, don't you think?' Etran asked as Liatris nodded, a cry of laughter sounding next to them, Lein spitting out her food as Iorias panted, flames almost coming out of his mouth. 'Hot! Hot! Hot!' Willow grinned, handing him a glass of water. 'I did tell you that dish was way too spicy.'

Liatris hummed, looking up at the sun and closing her eyes, stretching her legs as she waited for her food. Etran smiled, also turning and stretching his legs, eyes closing as well.

'Very nice.'