This chapter has been in my head for a while. I was wondering how I should go about this when I am following the storyline of the show while the same time, I am not. I'm sure my twists are noticeable because despite the horrendous quality of the first story, I am still going by what I had in there so that this story isn't like fifty plus chapters. With the way I write, I could take a season of a show which is like fourteen episodes and extend it that much farther. I need to learn not to drag things on, but I guess that's another thing to love about me, right? Probably not. Thanks for reading.

~Rolyn~

Chapter Ten: Press

"How did you guys manage to get a mission?" Rolyn all but scoffed as she gestured to the group of boys. It wasn't common for heroes in training to receive missions when the whole reason they were training was to execute said missions properly. The fact that their ship had crashed landed in the middle of a swamp didn't help.

"Aren't those reserved for specialists?" Piper added as she crossed her arms over her chest and perked a brow. Dawn chuckled at the heroes-in-training's expense.

"Well," Jason drawled taking a step forward, not so coincidentally in Rolyn's general direction. "My father believed that with our advanced proficient skills, we needed to have a little field training under our belt since we'll probably be given the title specialist well before our time." The werewolf smirk arrogantly and there was a resounding scoff among the girls, minus for May.

"Was it those advanced proficient skills that had you crash land in a swamp nowhere near your school?" Alex snorted with a sardonic smile. The twitching of Jason's brow was the only physical evidence of the jab made towards his pride.

"What was your mission?" May inquired, shifting the conversation to spare Jason further discouragement. He looked like a kicked puppy in comparison to the monstrous wolf he was supposed to be.

"We were instructed to apprehend a troll that had been engaged in questionable acts." Zindell explained. "However, we had engine failure and ended up here. To top it all off, we lost our prisoner." He finished with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Hmm…" Piper hummed thoughtfully as she approached the ship, completely ignoring the boys as she shoved past them. She examined one of the engines that were smoking profusely due to their failure, as Zindell had called it. After closer inspection, Piper could tell it was easily nothing of the sort. The engine had a hole in it caused by an outside attack by the way the metal was bent and where the scorch marks were located. Piper narrowed her eyes as she took a step back.

"Don't worry about it," Drew voiced suddenly. Piper glanced over her shoulder to look at her brother, only to be met with one of his infamous icy glares. "It's our mission and we can handle it so you can just get back to whatever you were doing." He added with a flippant wave of his hand.

"We could help." May offered. "Finding the troll and getting the ship patched up will go faster if we all work together." She smiled timidly with a nervous shrug of her shoulders. Drew turned his glare on her and her smile easily melted away. Despite May's ability to manipulate the fire that resided within her, she felt colder than ice under this boy's gaze. There was a malice May never knew in his eyes.

"It's our mission." Drew ground out. "We don't need the help of you freshman fairies."

May didn't respond although everything in her was begging for her to bite back at the crowned prince. He had no right to be condescending. Anything he speculated that they were capable of…that she was capable of, was just that: a speculation. He had no idea how well—despite their differences and how awkward they were sometimes—these four girls worked as a team. They were an asset not to be second-guessed in the brunette's opinion.

A tense silence hung between the two groups before Drew began handing out orders that his team begrudgingly followed. It was never stated that Drew was the leader of the group. Headmaster Josh would have mentioned it, but it was wise not to cross what the green haired prince said. Drew was smart, almost conniving, so remaining on his good side while dealing with his less than pleasant attitude was much better than being on the receiving end of his distaste.

"C'mon Paul…" Aden murmured, offering the girls an almost apologetic look, on Drew's behalf. All of them had remained silent as the boys split up. Paul and Aden would work on repairing the ship, or at least getting it in the sky and lasting until they reached the Battle Tower while Drew, Zindell and Jason went to track the troll. Jason had shifted into his massive wolf form and was now following the scent left behind by their escaped prisoner.

"Why is your brother such a jerk?" Alex growled towards Piper while crossing her arms over her chest. Piper sighed and shrugged her shoulders. Alex accepted the answer, momentarily forgetting that Piper was a genius and she knew more than people gave her credit for. She may be weak when it came to the idea of emotional intelligence, but she was at least more aware than Drew. She had Zindell to thank for that. He was an excellent right hand for Drew seeing as he was everything the prince wasn't.

Piper knew exactly why her brother acted the way he did. She just prayed to the ancestors that her friends didn't feel it. Piper almost smiled…Yes, she actually had friends. No ladies in waiting, no nannies…friends, as estranged as they may be. They were probably the reason she didn't end up like Drew. That behavior was hereditary.

"Don't mind him," Piper sighed with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"Yea, why don't we just get back to our assignment," Rolyn said as she took a couple of steps back. "Since those boys obviously have everything under control." She rolled her eyes and Alex and Dawn murmured in agreement.

"I don't know…" Piper murmured. "Do you guys see the way the engine was destroyed?" She questioned as she gestured to the hissing and still smoking engine of the ship. Each on glanced at the ship, not exactly recognizing what Piper had picked up on so easily. "With the way the metal is bent and the placement of the scorch marks, the ship was attacked from the outside. Someone shot them down."

"Could it have been the troll?" Dawn gasped.

"She just said that the ship was shot down from the outside, Pinky. The troll was on the inside." Alex stated flatly while crossing her arms over her chest. Dawn pressed her lips into a pout.

"There are small traces of magic there too…so it wasn't a creature." Piper added.

"Well if whatever shot it down uses magic, then that narrows it down to like a hundred million people." Rolyn clipped sarcastically.

"Or just one." Piper said as she raised a green glowing hand towards the ship. "With a sensory spell, I may be able to figure exactly who did this."

"Piper!" May whined suddenly. Piper jumped and gave the brunette a strange look. "We're not supposed to use magic."

"We're not using it for our assignment, May. The boys could be in danger." Rolyn argued as Piper focused her sensory spell on the ship. Glittering green energy slithered from her hand and slinked towards the burnt engine of the ship. May bit into her lip as the energy wrapped around the destroyed engine before retreating back into Piper's hand. Once the green glow had faded, Piper opened her hand, palm up and a green transparent image of a familiar witch flickered to life.

"Marissa…" Piper breathed with slightly narrowed eyes. May swallowed at the sight of the vindictive witch. Even though it wasn't the girl in person, the image captured her likeness to a tee. The crooked smile made May shiver.

"When there is Marissa, you know there is Jasmine and Michelle." Rolyn added with a nod. "But why did they shoot own this ship? They couldn't have done it just for the fun of it."

"Last I heard, they were on lockdown at Black Fountain." Alex said with a shrug of her shoulders. "They wouldn't risk getting into further trouble unless they really had a reason." She surmised.

"I'm guessing they were after the troll." Piper finally said with an affirming nod. "Jason said they were bringing the troll in for questioning, so maybe that troll knew something about them that they didn't want anybody else to know."

"Why do your theories have to be so intelligent?" Dawn groaned while slumping her shoulders.

"I am the fairy of intellect and technology." Piper deadpanned. Dawn pursed her lips for the umpteenth time that day.

"Do you think the witches are still around?" May questioned lowly. Piper's lips turned down at the corners as she considered the question. After a moment, Piper shrugged.

"If they are, the boys could be in danger." Dawn gasped.

"Didn't Drew say they could handle this themselves?" Rolyn mocked in a whiney voice while twisting her expression in distaste. Alex nodded in agreement as her brow crunched together.

"I think we should get back to our assignment." The purple haired half witch said with an affirming nod. "If the witches wanted the troll, they got him, why would they stick around? It isn't our problem. Professor Carnivine might get worried."

"Well, let him worry!" May inserted suddenly. Alex jumped and gave the brunette a strange look. "I have a feeling that those witches are still around and if they are, the boys will need our help."

"Curse your need to be noble, May. It makes the rest of us feel guilty." Rolyn groaned as she slapped her palm to her forehead. May smiled sheepishly at her. "We'll just make sure the witches aren't still around, once it's confirmed, we have to get back to our assignment and make it to Clear Crystal Meadow."

"Couldn't you have been a little nicer towards the girls?" Zindell sighed as he trailed a few paces behind his charge. Drew made no indication that he had heard what the younger boy had said. He kept his narrowed green eyes trained forward as they followed Jason closely from behind. The transformed werewolf kept his nose close to the ground as he kept on the trail the troll had left behind. It wasn't that hard to identify seeing as trolls had distinctive, unpleasant smells. "May will never like you if you continue to mistreat her." Zindell smiled.

That little comment got Drew's attention.

The green haired crowned prince shot Zindell a dirty look over his shoulder. "And what makes you think I want that sorry excuse for a fairy to like me? I could care less how she feels about me." Zindell's smile didn't falter as he locked eyes with the prince.

"May is very important to this dimension, not to mention very powerful. Even you have to admit that. You were there the first time she accessed the power of the Dragon's Flame." Zindell retorted. Drew turned his head to face forward. How could he forget such a massive display of power? "She has also been nothing but kind to you…to all of us really. And to think that a few months back, she thought she was a mere human, incapable of little. Give credit where credit is due."

"I will when she does something worthy of credit." Drew chided.

"Why do you insist on being so uncouth with her?"

"Why do you insist on bringing her up to me?" Drew paused and Zindell did as well. The green haired prince didn't turn to look at him, but Zindell knew Drew had something more to say. Jason paused as well, lifting his muzzle from the ground to glance back at his two teammates. "I could care less about the girl. Continue to force her down my throat and there will be consequences, understood?"

Zindell laughed once behind closed lips. "Understood, your highness."

Drew didn't miss the sarcasm in Zindell's tone, but he decided not to address it. The conversation was as good as done. He'd make sure that his keeper would deal with a cold shoulder for the rest of the day. Yes, Zindell usually was persistent when it came to Drew on whatever topic that he decided to speak on. Sadly enough the topic for the last month or so happened to be that girl.

Drew didn't like her. He knew of her significance and he was aware of her power completely, but that didn't mean he had to like her. She was too naïve and trusting. It didn't help that she was from Earth. She didn't know what she was up against when it came to Magix, especially with powers and a lineage like her own. Why his little sister associated with such an undereducated common fairy, he would never know.

They continued through the swamp in tense silence, getting further from the ship and avoiding deep trenches filled with bubbling mud. It wasn't until Jason paused and threw his head back to howl that Drew finally allowed himself back into reality. Jason's muzzle curled back as he growled, keeping his eyes trained ahead. He probably found the troll.

"Well look what we have here…"

Or not.

Jasmine smirked as she crossed her arms over her chest. As always, Marissa had a manic look about her that would causes even the strongest of men to feel unease while Michelle looked as bored and impassive as always. Drew cursed his luck because honestly, he had no time for these three. Hadn't they caused enough trouble for the school year? And they weren't even finished with their first semester!

"Now we know you're looking for something…" Jasmine sighed with a shrug of her shoulders. "But we are oh so sorry to tell you that what you need, we also need. We can't have that troll spilling any secrets, now can we girls?"

"Absolutely not!" Marissa pitched.

Michelle merely blinked.

"With that said, you can head back to your ship, which Marissa accidentally shot out of the sky by the way, so I offer my sincerest apologies for that," Drew rolled his eyes and Jason continued to growl. "We'll handle the troll from here."

"I don't think so." Drew deadpanned.

Jasmine locked eyes with him before her smirk widened. She could see it…those little traces of darkness that skittered on the edges of light. It existed in most half-breeds, but in many cases it was either or. Either you had positive Quintessence or negative. One always outweighed the other, but appeared that his bright side and dark side were still fighting for the dominant role.

Maybe she could help end that fight.

Jasmine simply nodded and Marissa sprung into action. A clap of thunder was the only warning given before lightning struck. Jason hopped to the side, barely missing getting electrocuted. Marissa didn't pause; bolt after bolt tore through the sky as clouds started rolling in, magically turning the sunny blue skies into a sea of gray.

Zindell stepped in front of Drew, nudging him back in the process just as another clap of thunder sounded and lightning flew down towards them. Wordlessly, Zindell brought his hands up, conjuring a gritted dome to surround the two of them. He knew Jason could handle himself and he was around for the sole reason that Drew didn't have to fight. Heaven knows what would happen if the prince did.

When the lightning struck Zindell's shield and merely bounced back, Marissa pouted. Her attacks were quick and precise, but lacked power. Michelle on the other hand was opposite with slow acting attacks that caused more damage than one would believe. It was because of this that muted green smoke slithered from her outstretched hands and surrounded the dome protecting the prince and his lackey.

Zindell inwardly cursed as the smoke made his shield crack like glass. He knew he couldn't keep it up for long. As the cracks began to grow, Drew furrowed his brow and reached behind him, pulling out an emerald sword from its sheath. It looked just like the gem in every way down to how transparent it was. There was no metal in the sword; it was a weapon forged from precious crystal.

Zindell glanced back at Drew who simply nodded. Zindell's shield fell. The green smoke that flowed from Michelle's hands slithered towards them, although after a moment, the smoke ignored Drew and went straight for Zindell. Seeing the as his chance, Drew charged at Jasmine who smiled almost eagerly as though she expected the attack. Off to the side, Jason had Michelle pinned under his large paws. A gust of wind rectified that, but Drew didn't have time to worry about the werewolf at this point.

Drew swung at the witch of ice but she caught the sword before it could hit her.

"Aw…no magic?" Jasmine taunted as her hands began to glow a faint blue. Drew seethed as his sword was rapidly being encased in ice. When the ice began to grow towards the hilt, it encased his hands and he showed no evidence of how much the freezing temperature stung his hands. "I'd think you'd be very capable with a fairy mother and with your father and his…powers."

The ice was creeping up his arms.

Drew ignored it as his eyes momentarily widened at the mention of his father.

"You thought no one would notice?" Jasmine continued to taunt. "There is no hiding it…especially from a witch. I wonder if those fairies know…is your sister the same way? No wonder the two of you seem so lifeless."

"You know nothing about me." Drew hissed.

"I know enough." Jasmine retorted. "You're weak and you're losing a fight against yourself."

Drew's eyes narrowed into a death glare before the ice surrounding his arms and sword was suddenly encased in blackness. Jasmine tried her best to resist her triumphant smile. Avoiding another attack from Michelle, Zindell's eyes widened as he watched ice fly to reveal Drew's sword no encased in black flames.

"Oh no…" Zindell growled. Seeing where this was going, Zindell decided he had no time for hesitating anymore. "Sleep…" He jumped at Michelle and tapped her forehead once. That was all it took to have the senior witch out like a light.

"I'll show you weak…" Drew sneered as he brought his sword up. Jasmine's watched with a smile as the sword came down and wedged itself into the ground. The ground split open and more onyx colored flames erupted from the open fracture in the ground. Jason, whimpered as he scurried back away from the fire, seeing nothing like it. Jasmine couldn't help but laugh as the flames moved and shot out at her. This was exactly what she wanted to see. This was dark energy at its best.

"Drew!" Zindell grabbed the crowned prince by the shoulders, but immediately jumped back when dark flames flew towards him.

"Zindell!"

Zindell mentally cursed again.

He glanced back to see Piper staring at him with wide eyes. The rest of the girls had their focus elsewhere though. All eyes were on Drew as winds picked up and the flames grew in size. Jasmine, finding herself biting off more than she could chew, finally made a retreat, ordering Marissa to retrieve Michelle so they could go on their way. The witch of storms did as they were told and the teleportation spell was cast when they disappeared in a clap of thunder.

Just because the witches were gone didn't mean Drew would stop. The earth shook and more fissures began showing up.

"Transform." Piper said quickly.

"Why? What's happening?" Dawn called out.

"Just do it!" Piper yelled back.

Flashes of light illuminated and swallowed each girl as they each connected to their quintessence and moved into their fairy forms. May found that it wasn't as tiring as it usually was once she found her wings flapping rapidly behind her.

"Zindell, what happened?" Piper asked as she came to the boy's side and helped him to his feet.

"That witch taunted him." He explained with a shake of his head. "She could sense it in him, I guess." Piper clenched her eyes shut. This hadn't happened for a while…not since before Drew's freshman year at Battle Tower College. Their mother had managed to handle it back then and from that day on, Drew couldn't go anywhere without Zindell, one of the few who could negate this power. This kind of power was formidable…most dark magic was and it took a pure heart to make it settle. There could only be pure positive quintessence.

"What's wrong with him?" Alex asked as she hovered over the pair. "The trees are crying out! The flowers are screaming in pain!" With her quintessence came her inevitable bond to nature. She felt its pain and it showed in her face. "It's making me weak."

"We have to stop him." Piper said quickly.

Dawn needed no more instructions. "Radiant sun!" The clouds left behind by Marissa were quickly pushed away as the sun came back into view. The fairy of the sun raised her hands, her own ball of solar energy growing in her hands. She moved her hands forward, aiming them at Drew before letting the attack go. Everything happened in a split second.

Dark flames devoured the attack completely and Dawn blinked in surprise.

"Fury's lullaby!" Rolyn twirled her scepter and soft notes of music filled the air. The song was barely there, almost like it was fading in and out. It materialized as glimmering green energy that swam around Drew's head. There was no change in his behavior. Black balls of fire with shining red eyes flew at the princess of music and she narrowly missed the attack.

Turns out Dawn and Rolyn's quintessence wasn't pure enough in spite of them being fairies with full positive quintessence. Alex probably wouldn't fare any better seeing as she was a half-breed and Piper knew she wasn't exactly qualified for this either. "May…" The strawberry blonde murmured. She turned towards the brunette. "May! You have to press you quintessence against his!"

"I…" May began but Piper shook her head.

"You have to." The fifteen year old pressed.

May kept her eyes locked with Piper's seeing the desperation there. It didn't take long for the brunette to come to a decision. May took in a breath, praying to God that she didn't go overboard. Even though she mastered her transformation and was able to access the power of the Dragon's Flame, she didn't have much control. She could kill Drew if she wasn't careful and she knew no one wanted that. She didn't want that.

Extending her hands towards the green haired prince, May began to channel her energy into her palms. The entirety of her hands began to glow a faint red as translucent flames danced along her fingertips. As if sensing the power, dark flames shot towards her, only to curl back when they got to close.

"That's it…" Zindell encouraged the brunette. "Keep going, May!"

The air pulsed with the power that was slowly being emitted from the brunette's hands. The lost Princess's entire body was on fire with vibrant flames that danced and curled and roared with the ferocity of a dragon. The flames shot out from the brunette, wrapping about the black fire that still poured from Drew's sword. They slowly began to dissipate as May's fire took the form of a dragon and glided along.

With the dark flames gone, Zindell extended his hand out and Drew's emerald sword went flying into his open hand. The dragon forged from May's fire gave one last roar before disappearing as well and with its departure, Drew collapsed.

Ah, I absolutely suck at action scenes. I hadn't a clue what I was doing, but hopefully everything made sense. That was so hard for me! Which is probably why it took so long, but this certainly arises some questions, right? I am totally veering away from the actual Winx path at this point…or maybe not. It'll be a back and forth thing I guess. Now with this done, I can go ahead and relax a bit before getting a jump on ML. I hope you all liked this new chapter. There will be a (vague) explanation next chapter so…look forward to that. Thanks for reading.

Feedback would be much appreciated.

~Rolyn~