Wow. Took me long enough. Anyway here's another chapter. I'll try not to take so long for the next one :L Sorry

All day there had been excitement in the air. Anticipation of the dance had put everyone in high spirits including the professors. The only thing anyone could talk about was the dance, the gifts, the dresses, and of course the boys. With a flutter of her eyes and an innocent smile Valerie had convinced Professor Palladium to let the class finish early so the girls could prepare for the evening.

"I'd like to see you use that trick in the simulation exam Valerie" Astrid said as they left the class. Valerie flicked her hair behind her shoulders and cocked her head at Astrid.

"You should be thanking me- we'll have more time to actually look decent"

"And less time to study"

"Don't be such bore Astrid. I'm sure half a lesson won't change your grades"

"It adds up in the end"

"Trust me, we need the extra time, you haven't even picked a dress"

Skylar's class was the last to finish, meaning she was the last one to return to the dorm. When she walked in the first thing she noticed was the mountain of clothes piled on the study table. Blaze was picking up single pieces of clothing, examining it, and then tossing it back on the pile while sucking on a sugar cane. Valerie was spraying a treatment into her hair and combing her fingers through it. Astrid was leaning back in a chair reading one of her text books as a spell worked at painting her toenails. Aura paced in front of the window talking quietly on the phone- Skylar noticed the troubled look on her face.

"Skylar! We're doing a clothes swap, come and pick something to wear tonight" Valerie beamed.

"Wow, this is... wow" Skylar stared up at the looming tower of clothes. She could already see a few pieces she liked.

"Every girl and her pixie is out buying a new dress- it'll be impossible to buy anything original so we decided this was our best option" Astrid said not looking away from her book. Blaze threw another dress back onto the pile and slumped onto the couch.

"I'm not going to find anything I like" she said twirling the sugar cane in her mouth.

"Seriously? These clothes are beautiful" Skylar held up a turquoise strapless dress to reinforce her statement. Blaze just shrugged.

"The clothes are nice but they don't suit me, red hair and pale skin isn't easy to dress with"

"Don't be dramatic" Valerie said not noticing the glare Blaze gave her. Before she could open her mouth to argue back Aura stepped in between them.

"My mother doesn't want me to go" she said looking at her feet.

"What? Why?" Valerie said twisting around.

"She said it's a distraction from my studies" Valerie rolled her eyes.

"Oh please, it's not a distraction it's a break. Aura you have to go" Aura said nothing she simply looked at Valerie and walked into her room.

"Aura your mother won't even know!" Valerie shouted to her. Aura just shut the door.

"Why does she just cave in like that? She should stick up for herself" Valerie said looking to the other girls. They heard her but made no response. Astrid slammed her book shut and placed it on the floor.

"I'll talk to her" she said rising to her feet.

Aura and Skylar's bedroom was dark besides the lamp that Aura had switched on. Aura didn't look up when Astrid walked in and sat at the end of her bed. She said nothing, only looked at Aura.

"I really want to stay in Alfea but if I defy her she'll pull me out" Astrid leaned in closer to Aura.

"I used to have the same mind set as your mother, I still do kind of. I was convinced that success would bring happiness. But in the week that I've been here I already know that's not true"

"My mother doesn't care about my happiness. She only cares about winning the Throne" Aura stared off to the corner.

"No one else understands the pressure being royalty holds. We hold the future of our kingdoms on our shoulders. What we do now will affect the future but sometimes we need to just look out for ourselves- it's something you'll wished you had done when you're older" Aura looked back to Astrid's sincere eyes. She smiled at her.

"Here I was thinking you were all work and no play"

"I am but Stella sent me here to change that- I'm kind of starting to understand what she was talking about"

"Hmm, my mother sent me here to be more like you- focused on study. Maybe we should swap families" Aura quipped playfully.

"I'm not too big on snow, and I think you'll find Solaria a few degrees hotter than your liking" Aura shuddered at the thought of sweat dribbling down her back.

"But Aura, if you want to go-"

"I do, I'm just... spineless like my family says" Aura returned her look to her feet once more. She tucked her knees up under her chin.

"Don't let other people decide who or what you are- especially your mother. Sometimes breaking the rules isn't such a bad thing" Astrid got off the bed and looked down at Aura.

"It's your life Aura, you can live it however you want, and besides your mother has no way of knowing if you went or not" Aura gave a limp smile to Astrid. Her isolated pose with her knees tucked into her chest, toes pointed inwards, and shoulders rolled forward contrasted Astrid's confident posture.

"I'll think about it" Aura shrugged.

"Well don't think too long or you'll be late" Astrid said as she walked out of the dark room.

The girls continued to pamper themselves until the room was cast in the golden, orange glow of the sunset. Blaze and Skylar still hadn't picked a dress while Valerie and Astrid were almost ready. Valerie pouted in the mirror as she applied a red lipstick to suit her smoky eyes. Astrid braided her hair down the sides and pinned it. The rest of the golden strands flowed down her back. She had on a floral print bodycon dress with a peplum flowing from her waist. She paired it with strappy sandals- heels made her feel like a giant.

"Skylar, I think I just found a dress you could wear" Blaze said pulling a dress from the pile.

"Yes! That's my goddess dress, its adorable" Valerie exclaimed. Blaze held it up to Skylar. It was a floor length lavender dress with a plunging V-line.

"You have the perfect complexion for it" Astrid commented. Skylar took the dress into the bathroom.

"Now I just have to find something" Blaze muttered. Valerie scoffed as she put the lid back on the lipstick.

"No you just have to stop being fussy" Blaze narrowed her eyes at her.

"Excuse me Val, but not all of us grew up in a rich family who go to ball parties every weekend. I've never been taught how to dress and act formally so don't get impatient when I'm doubting myself"

"Impatient? I'm trying to help you but you won't listen to any of my suggestions" Valerie pouted.

"Cool your wings, this is supposed to be a fun night, try not to ruin it" Astrid said sternly. Both the girls looked to Astrid. She stared back- her posture unmoving.

"Sorry Blaze, I'm a bit pushy sometimes" Valerie feigned sincerity. Blaze could see through her apology but could feel Astrid's fierce eyes on her.

"That's ok... but if I'm not ready in time feel free to leave. I'll catch up" Astrid went back to fixing her makeup and hair. An awkward look was shared between Valerie and Blaze but both continued what they were doing in silence. Skylar broke the tension when she walked out. Valerie's eyes widened in excitement.

"You look gorgeous!" Blaze's mouth dropped as she looked Skylar up and down. Even without make up she looked beautiful. The lavender colour suited her olive complexion and dark hair and eyes.

"Please let me do your makeup!" Valerie swept up all her cosmetics and placed them on the floor. She dragged Skylar down in front of her. She began applying a foundation to her skin. Astrid went back to her seat and started reading again. Blaze gave up on looking for a dress and resorted to eating another sugar cane.

Aura's door opened. In the doorway Aura stood wearing an aqua strapless dress. Again the girls were all dumbfounded by the difference a nice dress and makeup could make.

"Is it too much?" Aura asked. Blaze shook her head slowly. In the light the dress glinted and sparkled much like Aura's icy blue eyes. The makeup she wore made her skin look dewy.

"You look beautiful" Valerie eyes lit up as she took in every inch of Aura. Astrid placed the book down and gave Aura an approving look.

"We need to go soon, stars are starting to rise" Astrid said.

"Ok let me just finish Skylar's makeup and we'll go"

The constellations were high in the sky when the Red Fountain students began heading through the gate. The girls made finishing touches to themselves and began heading out the door. Blaze found a dress and Valerie did her makeup but she didn't have shoes.

"Just go, I'll meet you there" Blaze pushed them out the door.

"Remember nude coloured shoes!" Valerie called out to her before Blaze shut the door. She leaned on it and looked around the room. It was a complete mess. Clothes were on every piece of furniture, cosmetics spread across the floor, and loose strands of hair were scattered everywhere. She frantically looked in Astrid's closet. It was bursting with clothes and the variety of shoes was amazing to Blaze but she couldn't find any nude coloured ones.

"Urgh! You have every other colour Astrid!" Blaze said to herself. She shut the wardrobe and ran to Valerie's room.

"I can't believe how early we started getting ready and we still managed to be late" Astrid huffed as the girls approached the double doors leading to the ballroom.

"Trust me being late is better than being early. You want to get there after the party starts, when everybody's already in the mood" Valerie assured. Valerie pushed both doors outwards slowly revealing fairies and specialists dancing with each other. Valerie stood in the doorway- hands on her hips looking around the entire room with a smirk on her face. She had achieved what she was aiming for- to be wearing something different. Most of the girls opted for a primp and pretty look while Valerie donned the earthly vintage 'little black dress'. Her look was no doubt sexy and a little controversial but any attention was good attention to her. As the girls walked through the dance floor they picked up looks from wondering eyes. Aura trailed behind the others and it was she who was spoken to first. A tap on her shoulder brought her eye to eye with her cousin Dayton- who was donning his Summer Isle court suit and his usual charming smile.

"Dayton" Aura gave him a hug- ecstatic to see a familiar face.

"Aura my sweet cousin, I had no idea you were attending Alfea. You look beautiful!" Dayton exclaimed appreciating her dress and short curls.

"Thank you. Well after our first trial Queen Winterlynn thought coming to Alfea would benefit me"

"And has it?"

"Yes, but not in the way she expected it to" a sly grin spread on Aura's lips. Dayton couldn't decipher what she meant but pressed on anyway.

"So do you feel more confident now that you're learning new tricks?"Aura's shoulders slumped down and the grin disappeared.

"I'm learning new things but I don't know if it will help me in the tournament. But I don't want to leave Alfea. It all just feels... hopeless" Dayton pulled her chin up to look her in the eyes.

"Aura, you need to believe in yourself and be strong or you will just crumble. Actually maybe there's something I can help you with"

"Really? How?"

"AURA" a loud voice shouted over the music- breaking some of the serenity.

"We'll talk about it later I think your friends want you" Dayton nodded towards Astrid who was waving Aura over. Valerie was standing next to Astrid talking to someone. He wore a black suit with a red tie. He had dark shoulder length hair and a fringe that seem to cover most of his face. But he's most noticeable feature to Aura was his height. Next to Astrid he looked like a dwarf. A chuckle escaped from Dayton.

"I can see Alix is pulling his charm on the ladies" Aura looked to him quizzically.

"The short guy- his name's Alix" Dayton chuckled.

"Introduce me to him" Aura looped an arm through her cousin's and began walking through the crowd.

"Sure. He's a pretty awesome kid"

"Are you two close?"

"He only started this year but we've been hanging out a lot. It kind of sucks he's a mute though" Aura's eyebrows almost flew off her face. Dayton laughed at Aura's reaction.

"Don't worry even without a voice he's still the funniest guy I know. He's as charming as they get"

"Oh" was all Aura could say. They drew closer to the group. Dayton observed Astrid and Valerie. He leaned in to whisper in Aura's ear.

"I'm very lucky that you have acquainted yourself with the prettiest girls in the school" Aura covered her mouth to disguise her girlish giggle.

"Especially that brunette. What's her name?" Aura whispered back to Dayton.

"Valerie" Dayton made a seductive low growl. Aura elbowed him.

"Such a jezebel" Dayton said just before they finally approached Astrid and the others.

"Guys this is my cousin Dayton- Prince of Summer Isle" Dayton took Astrid's hand and kissed it gently. Astrid stopped herself from rolling her eyes. She wasn't sure if it was because of his royal blood or he was simply trying so hard to be charming. Either way Astrid instantly felt unimpressed by him. Valerie on the other hand felt her cheeks flush when he kissed her hand.

"This is Valerie and this is Astrid- my roommates" Dayton and Valerie's eyes lingered for moment until Dayton remembered that Alix was still there.

"Ladies, this is my friend and fellow student Alix. He's from Melody and as you've probably figured out he's the quiet type" Alix bowed to each girl. He turned to Aura and gave her a questioning look. Aura was completely surprised and impressed by his expressive face. It was though he spoke with just simple looks and gestures. Aura could almost hear his voice asking- and your name is?

"I'm Aura" Alix smiled gingerly with admiration in his eyes- he seemed to like her name.

"By the way Skylar went back to the room she said she forgot something" Astrid interrupted.

"You have other roommates?" Dayton asked. Aura nodded.

"Yes, Skylar and Blaze are my other two roommates"

"Well then I shall feverishly anticipate meeting them" Dayton grinned. This time Astrid did roll her eyes. Dayton was really starting to rub her the wrong way. Everything he said just seemed so... fake.

"I have to go catch up with someone I'll be back later" with that she waved to them and walked off not giving Dayton the opportunity to show off his Prince Charming manners. Valerie felt a ping of annoyance at Astrid's departure- being royal herself she thought she would appreciate Dayton's company.

Alix smiled at Aura and held his palm upwards to her. Again Aura could sense that he was asking for a dance. She smiled back and took his hand- the two walked off into the crowd. Dayton and Valerie shared an enthralling look. The opportunity presented itself without any effort on Dayton's behalf- he wasn't about to waste it.

"Valerie, would you care to dance?" He asked presenting his hand to her.

"I would love to" she smiled at him and took his hand. Dayton pulled her in and put an arm around her back and began leading her through a waltz.

Blaze had found nude colour platforms to wear with her white dress. However, she hobbled the entire way- having never worn heels so high before she felt completely uncomfortable.

"Should of just worn my boots- at least I can walk in them" she huffed to herself. She was also constantly pulling the dress down as it kept riding up her legs.

"I look so stupid. How do fairies do this?" You're not a fairy. So stop trying.

Blaze pushed the thoughts away. She was going to become a fairy she had already decided on it.

She hobbled her way to the double doors and rested her hand on the door handle. She hesitated. The same fear she felt on the first day had risen inside her again. What if they see through me? So many people in one room, someone ought to notice I don't belong. She shook her head and took a deep breath in. Just has she was about to push the door open a shadow flickered at the corner of her eye. She twisted her head around and peered down the abandoned corridor. Everything stood hauntingly still. Muffled music could be heard on the other side of the door. Other than that the only other noise was her shallow breath. She stood still for a moment longer before finally concluding that the shadow was her imagination. She opened the door again and music and chatter washed through the doors. However, even with the noise ricocheting through the corridor she still heard it. The snicker. She turned her attention back to the corridor- still the same as before. She lingered in the doorway a moment longer before pulling it shut again and slipping off the heels. She crept down the corridor towards the snicker. She held her breath and her whole body tensed with anticipation. Adrenaline was beginning to pump through her. She reached the end where the corridor parted into a T section. She peered down both ends. Nothing. She kept herself pressed against the wall as she crept down the right corridor. A shadow swept across the wall opposite her. She leapt into a stance and frantically looked around.

"Quit trying to scare me and come out!" Her voice bounced off the walls but no one called back.

"What am I saying? You're too scared to come out aren't you?" She mocked.

A snicker was her only reply. Only this time it was directly behind her. She didn't turn around in time. Her entire body was thrown against the wall from behind. She smashed against the wall and fell to the ground. She looked up to see a shadow move from the wall across the ground towards her. She shot up to her feet and tried to dodge the shadow on the ground but it out manoeuvred her and wrapped itself around her feet. She was pulled to the ground and dragged by her legs further down the corridor. Again she felt her body flying through the air except this time she didn't crash against any walls. Instead she was caught mid air by a sticky stringy substance. More and more of it sprayed at her cocooning her. She struggled against it but it only seemed to tighten. Finally her whole body was wrapped in it and she was suspended upside down.

"Seriously? What's your deal you freak?" Blaze managed to yell. She saw the shadow on the ground again. It began rising from the floor and shaping into something. It shaped into a humanoid figure before finally rendering into a young teenager.

"Aw the little fairy is all ready for the ball" She teased. Another girl descended from the ceiling from the stringy white stuff that was wrapped around Blaze. She reached the bottom and stood next to the shadowy girl.

"Great. Two freaks" Blaze muttered.

"I hope you're comfortable in my web"

"You're so thoughtful" Blaze quipped. The shadow girl snickered- the same snicker Blaze had followed.

"So how should we finish this Arachna?"

"I might have an idea" Arachna said to her dark counterpart. She lifted her hands above her head preparing a spell. Blaze squeezed her eyes shut.

"What are you doing?!" A young fierce voice called down the hallway. Blaze fluttered eyes open.

"We're just having fun" Arachna said innocently.

"You stupid little witches! I ask you to keep an eye on the dance while I search for the gifts and I come back to you two messing around" The voice triggered recognition in Blaze. She'd heard it before.

"This fairy attacked us Ivy, we we're-"

"IVY?" Blaze practically yelled in shock.

"Who is that?" Ivy walked around Blaze to see her face.

"B-Blaze? What... what are you doing here?" Ivy asked in much softer tone.

"I'd tell you but... uh... I'm about to pass out" Ivy glared at Arachna.

"Let her down!" She demanded.

"But Ivy-"

"Let her down!" She spat. The webs around Blaze began loosening until her body fell to the ground. She hit the marble floor with a loud thud. She groaned as she pulled herself up. A sudden realisation hit her- Ivy was here. She delayed in recovering herself from the floor to think up something to say to Ivy. Anything except the truth.

"Blaze, I can't believe it" Ivy chuckled to herself. Blaze finally stood up to meet her properly.

"You really have sunk low" She said with a smirk. Blaze swallowed hard before she spoke.

"Look Ivy... this is-"Blaze began. Ivy held a hand up to her.

"Don't bother Blaze. You did what you had to do. Now let me introduce you to my girls, this is Arachna and this is Hilda" Blaze blinked a moment trying to interpret the whole situation. She's not even mad.

"Yeah I'm well acquainted with these two" Blaze shot them a dirty look- they returned it.

"Ivy why are you even talking to this fairy!?" Hilda asked with her hands on her hips.

"She's no fairy- she's just a witch in fairy's clothing" Ivy looked at Blaze- she looked proud.

"This is your blood bonded sister from Rodend?" Arachna's face was painted with shock.

"It sure is" Blaze and Ivy stared at each other. Ivy was still smiling.

"So...uh... what are you doing at Alfea anyway?" Blaze finally asked. Ivy put an arm around her shoulder and began leading her down the corridor. Hilda's face scrunched up in disgust. Both the witches stomped back down the corridor. Ivy leaned into Blaze and whispered-

"I'll show you"

Skylar had left her Velocity necklace in the bathroom when she changed into her dress. When she was walking through the crowd she had reached up to her neck to touch it but realised it wasn't there. In her moment of panic she called to the other girls and told them she had forgotten something. She then hastily made her way back to the dorm room- her heart pounding against her chest. It wasn't until she held the cold, round emblem in her hands that she finally relaxed. She twirled it in her fingers the entire way back to the party. Whether it was because Theron gave it to her or it was her means of escape the necklace was an item of comfort- something she didn't think she could feel in her situation.

Just relax. I need to just relax and enjoy the night. Skylar paused in her tracks, closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Growing up Shay had taught her many forms of meditation. Being that her powers are strongly connected to her emotions more so than most fairies made mediation her greatest weapon.

She exhaled slowly feeling her heart beat slower and slower. Her eyelids lifted gradually and she continued down the hall feeling entranced. When she rounded a corner she walked straight into two girls.

"Urgh! Watch it fairy!" a voice spat. Skylar was jolted from her mild trance when she felt a large web thrust her against the wall. She struggled in the white tangle of spider web but it useless. She couldn't peel herself from the wall.

"Arachna! Ivy said no more fighting" one of the girls said.

"Oh to Oblivion with Ivy! She's too busy catching up with her stupid fairy friend" Both the girls stepped closer to Skylar. Finally facing her captors she realised they were witches. Up until now she assumed they were just a couple of Alfea students playing a prank. Her heart began racing again. Witches in the school, on the night of the dance, casting spells could only be a bad thing. Her body tingled as she resurrected energy inside her- spreading it to every fibre in her body.

"So then what do you propose we do with this one hmm?" The darker looking one said. Arachna gave a sinister smile to Skylar.

"Let's see how much she likes spiders" Arachna reached a hand towards Skylar's cheek but before she could touch it a wave of energy combusted from inside the web. Both witches were thrown against the far wall. The energy radiating from Skylar seemed to melt the remains of the web.

"Oh you're so dead!" Arachna said lifting herself from the ground. Skylar stormed over to her- her body transforming. A violet coloured light surrounded her and as it diminished a pair of wings protruded from her back. It was obvious by her fairy form that she came from a long line of holy women as her clothing mimicked that of an ancient Priestess Guardian of the Storm. A large disc shaped plate covering her shoulders and half her chest shined of silver- designed to protect her heart. A purple halter top reached half way down her stomach leaving her bellybutton bare. The matching skirt that sat on her waist was topped with a thick silver belt that hung down the middle reaching the end of her skirt that stopped halfway down her thigh. Her shoes were wrap-around gladiator sandals. Silver cuff wrist bands on each arm completed the transformation.

The fairy form's ancient roots influenced its look. Its purpose was to show that the Priestess did not need to cover herself in full body armour because traditionally she was peaceful.

"I've been waiting for a good fight" Arachna said as magic began materialising in her palms.

"Get out of my school!" Skylar could feel the electricity sparking between her fingertips. Arachna thrust another web at Skylar. It wrapped around her body however in her fairy form the substance was weak against her. She simply ripped the web from her body and tossed it aside. Arachna's eyes widened in panic. She prepared another one that was stronger but Skylar didn't give her the chance to use it. A bolt of lightning erupted from her hands and shot Arachna straight through the middle. Electric magic pulsed through her entire body paralysing her. Hilda watched her friend get zapped and decided it was time to step in. She melted into her shadow form and moved across the floor towards the fairy. Skylar saw the shadow and levitated towards the ceiling. Hilda shot up from the ground and wrapped around Skylar's foot. She was electrocuted the instant she touched her. Hilda's shadow form dissipated as she fell onto her back. She looked at Skylar with hatred in her eyes.

"Think you're that good huh? Entities of the Shadow Land I call upon you as your master, reveal yourself and do my bidding" Lights in the hallway flickered as Hilda chanted. Two shadows rose up from the ground. They were tall and thin- tall enough to reach Skylar. They were completely black and had no face or any human features other than what looked like a head and shoulders. Otherwise they were just freakishly tall people. They had her trapped in the hall as they were on either side of her. She zapped one with electricity but it seemed to have no effect. They moved in closer to her- Hilda cackled as the fairy tried flying around them but their height made it impossible they could reach her no matter which direction she went.

"You're magic is nothing to them- their entities" Hilda chortled. Arachna was slowly recovering from her paralysis as she watched the two dark entities close in on Skylar. Their outstretched arms wrapped around. She gave a final scream before they completely smothered her in darkness. Hilda turned to Arachna with a smirk spread across her white lips.

"This is why I should be in charge not Ivy" Hilda said. Arachna rose from the floor her limbs still numb.

"Well if she hadn't gotten the jump on me I'd still have it under control" Arachna slurred. Hilda rolled her eyes.

"Alright boys, she's all yours. Take her back to Shadow Land" The entities didn't respond. They were still trying to contain Skylar- but something wasn't right.

"Is that supposed to happen?" Arachna asked referring to what looked like the two entities melding together around Skylar. The smile was gone from Hilda's face.

"I-I'm not sure" she stammered. Suddenly the entities were growing smaller. They seemed to be disappearing around Skylar.

"I said go back to Shadow Land- obey me!" Hilda yelled but to no avail as the dark beings were almost completely gone. Skylar's glowing form could be seen as the entities were being sucked into her body. Finally the last of the darkness was absorbed by Skylar. Her eyes fluttered open to see the residual of the dark energy evaporating and Hilda and Arachna staring up at her dumbfounded.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Hilda screamed up at her. Skylar couldn't comprehend what was happening all she remembered was being consumed by the darkness and then she opened her eyes and they were gone. Hilda's fury concentrated into dark magic in her palms. She shot it up at a dazed Skylar but there was no impact. The magic simply fizzled out against her skin.

"What?" Hilda couldn't believe Skylar's resistance to magic. Skylar realised what happened and narrowed her eyes at Hilda and Arachna. She aimed her hands at them and retaliated with her own magic. However, it wasn't her magic that came out- it was a stream of black pouring from her palms. The black streams formed into the two tall entities. Skylar cocked her head. The two shadow entities towered over Hilda wailing in their ancient language.

"I-I'm sorry! It wasn't my fault it was her!" she pleaded. One of them turned to Skylar but then went back to Hilda continuing to wail.

"I didn't know she could do that, I'm sorry" her eyes swelled up with tears. The entities began disappearing into the ground- having been humiliated enough. Skylar presumed they were returning to the world they were summoned from. Hilda slumped to her knees. Arachna was frozen still from shock.

"Do you know how many offerings and sacrifices it will take to summon them again?" Hilda moaned.

"This why they say don't do black magic" Skylar teased. Hilda shot her a dirty look.

"You stupid fairy! This is your fault" Skylar and Hilda stared each other down. Arachna grabbed Hilda's shoulder.

"You hear that?" Both the witches listened for the sound. Skylar didn't drop her guard until she heard it as well. A screaming in the distance- coming from the party. Hilda's face turned furious.

"She did it without us!" she screamed.

"Come on before she abandons us as well" Hilda grabbed Arachna's hand and pulled her down the corridor. Skylar headed in the opposite direction of them back towards the party. As she got closer the screaming got louder.

Ivy and Blaze walked side by side down a narrow corridor. Ivy spoke eagerly of Cloud Tower and how she was one of the most popular witches there and almost every teacher's favourite student. She talked about all the new magic she learnt in only her first week.

"It's amazing the things they teach us Blaze, my powers grow every day with every new spell I learn" Ivy said almost dreamily. Blaze gave no response she had remained quiet the entire walk and Ivy had only just noticed.

"So what do they teach fairies? What spells have you learnt?" It took a moment for Blaze to register Ivy's question. What spells have I learnt?

"Well, we haven't really been learning spells. We've mostly been learning compounds and origins of magic. First semester is mostly theory while second semester is more practical" Blaze said matter-of-factly. Ivy scoffed.

"Lame! You left Rodend to go to a school that doesn't even teach you anything useful. Speaking of which what in the great magic dimension were you thinking in coming here Blaze?" Blaze shot her a look.

"So you are mad?" Her tone held a pinch of annoyance.

"Well I'm not exactly happy about it, look at you! You're in a dress! I mean the fact that you thought coming to Alfea was your only option-" Ivy noticed Blaze lower her head shamefully. Silence lingered between them until Ivy put firm hand on Blaze's shoulder. Her long fingernails digging into her skin.

"Look Blaze... I don't agree with your choices but... if this is what you want then who am I to argue?" Blaze looked into Ivy's piercing eyes. Blaze could tell just by the look Ivy gave her that she was being truthful. Her lips kinked into a smile.

"Ivy that means-" Ivy put a hand up to Blaze.

"Let's not get all mushy over this. Just promise me you won't change. If you want to become a fairy fine... just don't lose the witch in you... don't forget about our bond... don't-" Ivy hesitated. Blaze leaned in closer to hear Ivy whisper.

"Don't forget about me" They looked into each other's eyes and a whole lifetime of memories flashed before them. Particularly one memory- the night that they slashed their palms and became blood sisters. It was a ritual very common in witches. The silence was broken when Ivy shot her arm up to point at a door.

"That's what we're looking for" The two girls trotted over to it and Ivy pulled the both doors open at once. Her eyes gleamed when she saw the chest at the centre of the room. Blaze looked around at the rest of room quizzically.

"What exactly is your plan?" She asked. Ivy approached the chest and opened it. Inside were hundreds of little parcels wrapped in golden silk that illuminated the room. Blaze approached her from behind as Ivy picked up on the golden parcels to unwrap it. Inside was glass elephant. She held her palm flat so the elephant stood up right. Blaze picked one up as well.

"What are these?"

"These are the gifts from the Red Fountain boys to the Alfea girls" Ivy eyed the elephant mischievously. Blaze unwrapped hers- it was a glass tiger. Blaze cocked an eyebrow.

"A glass menagerie? That's what everyone's getting?"

"Yep" Ivy snickered.

"Seems... kind of lame" Ivy burst into laughter.

"I know right! These boys are so desperate for girlfriends!" The girls wrapped the glass up in the gold silk cloth and placed them back in the chest.

"So you still haven't told me what we're actually doing" Blaze said.

"We're spelling them- a little bonus surprise for the girls" A look of worry replaced Blaze's smile.

"You're... not going to hurt them... are you?" She asked timidly.

"What? No! Look I may not like fairies, and I may be a witch but I don't hurt people Blaze, you know that" Blaze just nodded her head in response.

"Ok I was just checking" Ivy rolled her eyes.

"Ms Griffin's got rules, the only aim tonight is to ruin the dance- no one has to get hurt. It's just a little prank like the ones we pulled on Rodend" Blaze smiled at the memory of the fun they had as orphan children.

"Now come let's make this party interesting"

Astrid had made rounds around the room. She greeted and chatted with all the people she knew- which had been a lot more than expected. Particularly Red Fountain students who Astrid had met in Solaria when they trained with Brandon. Graduating as one of the top swordsman of Red Fountain Brandon offered to train prospective students in the summer break on Solaria. In turn Astrid had already met a lot of them. She'd also met a lot of the Alfea girls- princesses she'd met at royal balls. On top of that there were the students who heard word of her relation to Stella and wanted to meet Astrid. After conversing with practically everyone in the room she retreated to a corner and leaned on the wall. At the corner of her eye she saw someone approach her and stand next to her side. It was Prince Dayton- Astrid almost moaned.

"How is your evening so far Astrid?" he asked chivalrously. Astrid shrugged.

"It's ok"

"Not up to your expectations?"

"The party is fine but I go to these type of things every second week almost" Astrid explained.

"Really? What gives you such a busy social schedule?" he asked leaning on the wall next to her.

"Stella will throw a party for pretty much anything- she keeps us all social and busy" Dayton nodded his head.

"Ah yes I heard of your relation to the Solarian Kingdom. Well then it looks like you and I are going to be seeing a lot of each other in the future" Astrid looked at him for the first time since he approached her.

"Why is that?"

"Summer Isle wants to grow a strong bond with Solaria- become allies. Our Kingdoms have a lot in common. We even practice a lot of Solaria's solar magic. Being that the two of us are both part of the royal family and are potential rulers it will be up to us to form this bond" Dayton stared down to Astrid- she shook her head at him.

"Hate to burst your bubble but I'm not in line to take the throne. Only family born under the Sun can rule Solaria. Only Radius's family were born under the Sun, I was born under the Stars"

"I see, how... traditional" silence passes between the two of them until Dayton pulled himself from the wall and stood in front of Astrid.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you haven't been asked to dance yet. Would you care for a dance Astrid?" Dayton presented his hand to Astrid. She didn't move to take it.

"Unless you prefer being a wall flower" he cocked an eyebrow to her. Astrid hesitated for a moment she didn't really want to be in Dayton's presence but at the same time word about her seemed to spread quickly in the school and the last thing she wanted was for people to say she was some sort of stubborn shrew. So she hesitantly took his hand. He gave a lopsided grin when she did. He led her to the centre of the dance floor and gripped her hand in his as they began swaying to the rhythm of the song. Both had the same royal flair when it came to dancing. High postures, gentle grip, and good rhythm however there was an unsaid battle between the two as to who was leading.

"What happened to Valerie?" Astrid asked wanting to break the silence.

"Her hand in dance was in high demand tonight. It would have been rude to keep her all to myself"

"Hmmm" was all Astrid could reply with. Their dancing was interrupted by Miss Faragonda's announcement that the gifts were ready to be presented. Students began huddling around a chest as Red Fountain boys picked up golden wrapped gifts and presented them to eager Alfea girls. Dayton bowed to Astrid.

"Excuse me a minute" with that he disappeared into the crowd. Astrid looked at the other girls as they began un-wrapping their gifts. All she could see was that they were small glass ornaments. Her observations were interrupted by Valerie's ecstatic voice.

"Astrid! They're giving out the gifts!" Astrid rolled her eyes.

"Yes I know, I think Dayton just went to grab one" Valerie's eyes lit up.

"Do you think he'll give it to me?" Astrid gave her cynical stare. Before she could make a sarcastic remark Dayton stood between them. He held one of the golden gifts in his hand. Valerie put her hands to her lips hiding her smile- she looked as though she was being proposed to. She gently picked it up from his hand and un-wrapped it. It was a glass butterfly. Her eyes formed into two crescent moons and her lips formed an 'awww'.

"It's beautiful" she whimpered.

"Just like you" Dayton responded. Astrid felt her eyes roll into the back of her head. She was about to turn and walk away when Dayton grabbed her shoulder.

"I got one for you too" he said holding one out to her. She eyed it for a moment before slowly taking it from his palm.

"Thanks" she said.

"Dayton that's so sweet of you" Valerie said sweetly slipping her hand into his. She blushed when he entwined his fingers into hers. Astrid un-wrapped the gold fabric to reveal a glass stallion. She held in her flat palm unsure what to do. All she wanted was to get as far away from Dayton as possible. Valerie thought he was being a gentlemen but Astrid suspected that he was trying to mock the fact that she did not receive a dance from anyone nor a gift. Is he doing this on purpose?

Everyone was too busy gushing over the gifts that no one noticed the smoke forming inside the glass. No one except Astrid. She held it up to eye level and watched a dark smoke swirl inside of the stallion. It seemed to grow bigger and bigger, filling up the glass.

"Is it supposed to do that?" She asked. Dayton and Valerie's noses were almost touching when she looked up to him. He made no reply. She looked back to the stallion and noticed it was morphing- it was growing bigger. Her eyes widened.

"It's been spelled!" she yelled as she threw the glass against the floor smashing it into tiny pieces. The smoke dissipated accompanied with a demonic shriek.

"Astrid! What's your problem?!" Valerie huffed. Astrid ignored her and looked around the room as people started noticing their gifts were changing. They were growing bigger.

"Smash the butterfly!" Astrid ordered. Valerie held the butterfly to her chest.

"No! It's my gift"

"It's the only way to break the spell!" she yelled. Valerie felt the glass moving in her hand. She opened her palm and the butterfly fluttered to the ceiling.

"I- I don't think they're supposed to do that" Dayton stammered.

"They're doing that because they're spelled!" Astrid howled summoning cosmic magic to her palms. She shot it at the butterfly but missed. Suddenly all at once the glass menagerie erupted in size.

Screams filled the hall as people were suddenly being attacked by oversized glass animals. The butterfly was the size of a baby phoenix. It turned and prepared to swoop at Astrid. However as it got closer she shot with a minor star spell. It shattered into pieces mid-flight showering Astrid, Valerie and Dayton in shimmering glass. Astrid turned to the other two.

"Let's get out of here!" She bellowed. She led the way towards the door, pushing people out of the way. Dayton put his arm over Valerie protectively and followed closely behind.

The double doors burst open and a crowd of panicked students poured out just as Skylar reached it. She hovered over them and watched as they all stampeded towards the courtyard. Amongst the crowd she could see Astrid forming a hole through the crowd with Valerie and another male following closely behind. Her eyes skimmed across the crowd as she looked for Aura but there was no sign of her. Skylar formed electric balls in her hands and flew through the doors.

Aura was thrust to the ground as people rushed for the exit. She pulled herself to her knees but was knocked back to the ground. She lifted herself again only to have her jaw be met with someone's knee. She was thrown back against the floor. Her hand cracked when someone stood on it. She coiled when she felt a foot ram into her stomach when a girl tripped over her. She lay on her side and tucked her knees into her chest and used her arms to protect her head as she was trampled. She felt someone grab her waist and rip her up from the ground. They put their hand into her hers and dragged her out of the crowd. Their black hair whipping as they dodged oncoming students and glass animals. Aura was relieved to know that Alix hadn't abandoned her. Instead of leading her to the door Alix was heading to the other side of ball room- where the dome windows were. Just as they were about to reach it a creature pounced in front them blocking their way. It was tiger- a very large one. Its jaws could easily fit over Alix's head. It paced in front of them for a moment with its tail swishing. Its paws made a clinking noise every time it touched the ground being that they were made of solid glass. When it positioned itself to pounce at them Alix moved to stand between the glass predator and Aura. He readied into a battle stance but had no weapon instead he clenched and unclenched his fingers to limber them. Glass claws emerged from its paws as it lowered itself. Finally it leapt through the air towards Alix. Aura clenched her fist and instinctively conjured a spell. However before she got to use it the tiger erupted into tiny specs of glass. In a flash Alix twisted and wrapped his arms around Aura's head. His back taking the impact of the flying shards of glass. He slowly unwrapped himself from her and looked to see their saviour. He smiled and waved to someone behind Aura. Aura turned to see Skylar hovering above them in her fairy form.

"Come on the others are already outside!" She yelled down to them. Alix gestured towards the windows. She looked over her shoulder towards the door and saw that it was still blocked with a congestion of people. She narrowed her eyes at the windows and flew towards them. When she was close a bolt of lightning rushed from her hands and shattered the window. Alix grabbed Aura's hand and led her towards it. The ball room was on ground floor so getting out was easy. Alix lifted Aura up to the window and she jumped down on the other side. Alix followed behind her. Skylar turned to look at the catastrophe happening behind her. Most of the students had evacuated and the professors were fighting back against the creatures. The creatures weren't strong but they had numbers. Skylar could feel her magic beginning to deplete and she didn't want to be inside when her transformation ended so she flew out the window and met the others in the court yard.

Astrid led Valerie and Dayton to a bench across the crammed courtyard. It was beneath the tallest blossom tree. Valerie sat down on the bench and Dayton kneeled down in front of her, his hands on her lap.

"Are you ok?" he asked quietly. Valerie nodded at him.

"Are you?" she questioned. Dayton shot her a playful grin causing her to smile back. Astrid looked through the crowd keenly searching for her other dorm mates.

"Astrid!" she turned her head towards the voice shouting her name. Aura pushed through a crowd of people with Alix closely behind. Astrid trotted over to meet them. Unexpectedly Astrid engulfed Aura in a hug when they reached each other. Aura hugged her back. Astrid checked herself and pulled out of the friendly embrace. She patted Aura on the back.

"Are you hurt?" She asked noticing Aura was hunched over and gripping her side.

"Yeah I got trampled a bit, someone kicked me in the ribs pretty hard" Aura grimaced.

"I know a really good healing potion for bone fractures and bruises" Valerie called out from the bench. Aura waved to her.

"Yes please" Astrid rubbed Aura's shoulder, unsure of how to ease her pain until she remembered Alix was standing there.

"How about you Alix, you ok?" she asked. Alix nodded his head eagerly with a dim smile on his face.

"He saved me, I would of been a lot worse right now if he didn't come along" Aura said looking to Alix appreciatively.

"If he didn't come and save you I wasn't too far behind" Skylar said from above them. She fluttered to the ground and landed beside Astrid. Alix grabbed Skylar's hand shaking it and bowing his head as he did so.

"No worries friend I wasn't just going to leave the two of you behind" Skylar said assuming this was his way of thanking her.

"Skylar I didn't get the chance to introduce you this is Alix, Alix this is Skylar" Skylar gave a wave.

"Hi Alix" Alix bowed at her.

"What happened to you anyway?" Astrid asked.

"Yeah you were gone for so long" Aura pitched.

"I was attacked by witches on the way back. Then I heard the screams" Aura's face scrunched up in confusion.

"Witches? What were witches doing in Alfea?" she asked. Astrid answered her.

"They were ones who spelled the gifts. Just some stupid prank probably" she sounded almost annoyed that she hadn't figured it out earlier.

"Well either way they've ruined the dance" Aura said.

"Not for everyone" Skylar said playfully. She pointed her chin at Valerie and Dayton as they now sat closely side by side. They talked too quietly for the girls to hear what they were saying. All three of them stood there silently staring until Skylar piped up.

"Where's Blaze?" Aura and Astrid looked at each other quizzically. Astrid shrugged her shoulders.

"Last I saw her was back at the room when we left" Aura nodded in agreement.

"I'll go see if I can find her" Skylar fluttered back up into the sky and flew over the heads of the students as she searched for Blaze. Alix, Aura and Astrid went over to the blossom tree and sat beneath it- exhausted from the night's events.

Towards the left tower amongst some bushes stood the four witches. They leant around the corner and watched as the students filled the courtyard. They had a good laugh at all the panic they had caused with a simple spell. However the fun had ended when the students had all calmed down and loitered in the courtyard awaiting their professors to emerge from the ballroom.

"The looks on their faces was well worth the risk, it's priceless!" Ivy snickered putting an arm around Blaze.

"Yeah we gave them a good fright" Blaze said less enthusiastically. Ivy squeezed her shoulder.

"You see? You're still a witch. Don't let them tell you any different. They don't know you like I do" The other two witches groaned from behind them.

"Ivy can we go?" Hilda whinged.

"Give me a minute!" Ivy snapped. She grabbed Blaze's hand and pressed her palm against Blaze's. A green mist emerged around the two palms. Suddenly Blaze felt a burning sensation in her hand and tried to pull away but Ivy held her still.

"Ivy! That hurts!" she hissed. Ivy's grin grew wider on her face. Finally she released her palm. Blaze ripped it away and looked where she was burnt. Her skin had a green deformation etched into her skin.

"You poisoned me"

"I marked you. So you don't forget who you are" Blaze looked up to Ivy as she stroked her hand.

"Thanks... I guess... Wasn't really necessary" Ivy laughed and slapped Blaze firmly on the back.

"You make me laugh sister. Come visit me anytime in Cloud Tower" she said as she began floating into the sky. The other two witches followed behind her. Blaze waved to Ivy.

"Don't be stranger Blaze" Ivy called down. The witches disappeared into a portal. Blaze turned back to the courtyard and looked over the crowd.

"Ok time to find the others"

Red Fountain students were instructed to leave and Alfea students were ordered to say goodnight and return to their dorms. Dayton kissed Valerie on her cheek causing her to blush once more.

"Good night Prince Dayton" she said sweetly.

"Good night" he returned. He was about to turn away when he remembered something.

"In a couple of weeks it's my cousin April's princess ball. I'm allowed only to bring one guest. If you're not busy would you care to join me?" he asked. Valerie nodded.

"I would love to" Dayton winked at her.

"It's a date" he kissed her hand and walked over to Aura and Astrid.

"So I guess I'll see you back at home" Aura said. Dayton looked up to the corner as he thought for a moment.

"Well... I was actually going to ask if you wanted lessons from me" he said looking back at her. Aura cocked an eyebrow.

"What lessons?"

"Sword fighting. You said earlier that you still weren't confident in the tournament. I said that I might be able to help you. So if you're interested in learning non-magic based combat I'm willing to teach you what I know" Dayton gave her a reassuring smile.

"Wow... thank you Dayton. I- I guess I should, I mean anything I can learn should help me right?"

"Well it can't hurt to have a backup in case your magic fails" Aura thought for a minute and slowly nodded her head.

"Yeah ok. I'll do it" she said excitedly.

"I'll call you tomorrow and we'll organise a time to meet up. Until then" Dayton bowed to his cousin. Aura curtseyed back. Dayton turned to Astrid and bowed again. She stood unmoving.
"Bye Dayton" she said not returning the formality.

"Bye Alix" Astrid said a bit more cheerier. Aura and Alix stood facing each other as they awkwardly leaned in for a hug then changed their minds and decided to kiss but then stopped and went back to trying to hug. They gave up and put their arms to their sides. Aura looked at the ground embarrassed. Alix looked anywhere but at her. Dayton nudged him in the shoulder.

Aura felt a peck on her cheek but when she looked up Alix had already slinked away into the crowd with Dayton following behind. She brought a hand up to her flushed cheeks. They would have been cold when he kissed it but now they were warm from blushing. Her moment was ruined when she heard Blazes loud voice booming behind her.

"Ladies! What a night eh?"

"Where were you all night?" Astrid said shouldering her.

"Ah you know... around" In the distance Ms. Griselda was hurrying students back to their dorms.

"We should probably go back to the room" Valerie said getting up from the bench. Skylar nodded in agreement when she noticed Blaze's bare feet.

"Blaze... did you go to the party without shoes?" all the girls looked at her feet then looked at her face.

"What? No, I burrowed a pair of Valerie's nude platforms" she huffed as she continued to walk towards the entrance.

"Then where are my shoes now?" Valerie asked concerned. Blaze stopped in her tracks trying to remember where she left them. She took them off in front of the double doors leading to the ball- the same doors everyone used to escape the glass creatures.

"Damn it!"

Thanks for your patience I hope this chapter was enjoyable. In the next chapter Skylar goes searching for answers of her strange new ability she discovered on the night of the dance. Blaze begins to feel guilty about ruining everyone night and is torn between becoming a fairy or staying a witch. Aura begins to have strange dreams that quickly turn to nightmares- or are they more than that.