Tragedy starts.
---
The elevator door burst into a million sparks as one very agitated – and very wet – fairy escaped. One look around told Bloom that all was not well within the Queen Sparx, the ship which her boyfriend had so lovingly named in her honor. Her trip to the bridge had been interrupted when the lift suddenly came to a halt and as if that weren't enough of an inconvenience the sprinkler system came on line. Frightened at first, Bloom tried to call for help on the intercom but when that didn't work, which nothing seemed to be at the moment, she resorted to her magic and transformed. She tried to avoid property damage when she could, but there was no way she was going to meet her end in a disfuctioning turbo-lift.
Bloom was known for keeping her cool during chaotic situations and this time was no different. The ship was rocked by countless impacts while a warning klaxon blared overhead. The hallway lights flickered on and off and she could see smoke coming from down the hall. A number beside the damaged lift told her she was on the eighth deck, just one short of the bridge and immediately set off to find a route that would take her there.
A couple or repair robots hovered right by her making haste toward a part of the hull which she noticed, to her dismay, was beginning to buckle. "That can't be good." Bloom had seen enough sci-fi movies to know that when solid metal of any alloy begins to bend like that it usually meant one thing and she didn't survive a near-drowning accident just to suffocate out in the vastness of space.
The fairy ducked around the corner just as she heard a horrible screeching sound fill the air. She didn't dare look back for her ears told her everything she needed to know. The breech tore the metal plating apart and the two robots were sucked out in open space. The rushing air reached around the corners like a searching hand and when it found Bloom it tried to pull her back to the tear. Bloom fought against the vacuum as hard as she could. Her wings beat with all their might, straining her back muscles to the point where she felt they may just pop off.
Then something else caught her attention. The emergency systems of the Sparx were still on line and they just decided to kick in as Bloom was fighting for her life. A massive door began to slide shut just before her in an attempt to equalize the pressure throughout the ship by cutting off the damaged section. "No!" Bloom flapped her wings even harder and when that didn't work she actually considered destroying that door but that would only defeat the whole purpose of her escape. Bloom improvised. Turning her back toward the closing door, she fired off a powerful energy blast that sent her shooting like a blue and red rocket just past the sealing hatch. It closed shut and she was safely on the other side.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Bloom picked herself off the floor and brushed her hair out of her eyes. Another impact sent her back to her knees and she was forced to fly to keep herself oriented. Moving further down the hall she came up to another little problem. Something struck the ship so hard that it sent the ceiling falling down on her. Only quick reflexes saved her from a gruesome demise and she barreled out of the way.
But it wasn't enough to avoid the blast. It sent Bloom slamming into a nearby wall so hard that she almost lost consciousness. Through force of will she stayed awake only to have smoke fill her lungs. Ironic that the very element she wielded was trying to kill her. Well time to remind it who its mistress was. Bloom stood up and created a magical barrier between her and the fire. The flames subsided enough for her to get away around the next corner but as she stopped to catch her breath as she realized that her right arm hurt a great deal. She felt the elbow and winced in pain. Crashing into the wall must have popped something out of place.
But magic had an answer to everything and a single word of healing mended the internal wounds around the elbow. She had minor burns as well but they disappeared just as fast. Now fully healed, but feeling a bit weak after all the force exertion, Bloom searched for the nearest communications terminal and found it beside a restroom.
She hit the button. "Skye, what's going on? Can anyone hear me?" There was only static. "Skye! Stella! Anyone!"
"Bloom?" It was Tecna's voice and though she could not see her face Bloom could tell she was struggling to keep it together.
"Tecna!" she exclaimed. "What's happening, Tecna? I was almost killed."
A terrified voice overlapped Tecna's. "Bloom! Are you hurt! Where are you?"
"Skye, calm down. I'm alright; just a little worse for wear is all. But tell me what's going on?"
"We've entered an asteroid field. Timmy and Tec…heads up!" He said just as the ship shook violently from another hit. A moment later he was back on. "Timmy and Tecna are trying to get us through in one piece but I don't know how much more the ship can take. Have you seen the others?"
"Not since I left the pool. Skye, the ship is falling apart. Are they okay?" Fear entered Bloom's heart as she wondered if any of her friends had suffered close calls with Death as well. "Do you know?"
"I don't know anything at this moment. Look, Bloom, try to find a room and stay there. I'm going to have to take the helm and pilot us out of here myself."
"I'll see to repairs." She heard Tecna say. "Skye, I'm turning over all systems over to you."
"Hang tight, Bloom. Skye out!" with that he cut her off.
"Great." She sighed. She couldn't just hide while her friends were in danger. But how could she possibly find them in this mess? Then she recalled something she had learned in Professor Avalon's class. It was a technique that allowed you to locate loved ones through the power of the mind. Bloom sat down on the floor and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she focused her winx on locating her friends. It took a moment but eventually images began to scroll past her eyelids. She saw Skye, Timmy and Tecna fighting frantically to save the ship; Musa and Riven were running through a hall; Flora had just dressed and was still in the locker room; Brandon, Stella and Layla were huddled inside a utility closet; Helia….Oh My God!
"Helia!" Bloom cried. He was barely emitting a chi and that only meant one thing. Cursing to herself, Bloom tried to focus on his last whereabouts and charged for the observatory. She just prayed she wasn't too late.
---
Musa and Riven heard the cries for help behind a series of bulkheads that had blocked off a door. They tried to retrace their steps back to the gym when Musa's keen sense of hearing alerted them to the plight of their friends. This entire section of the ship was falling apart and it had forced them to take refuge inside a utility room. That frightened voice, of all people, came from Layla whose lungs were slowly filling with smoke.
"Layla, it's me." Musa announced.
"Musa! Help us!"
"Who's in there with you?" Riven asked.
"Bro!" Came Brandon's voice. "Stella's with us too."
"And eager to get out if you don't mind." The princess said.
"Hang tight." Riven looked around. "I think I saw a crowbar beside that fire extinguisher we passed. I'll be back." Riven ran off before Musa could say anything.
"I have to do something." She said and she transformed into a fairy. With her magic powers at their peak, Musa said, "I'll see if I can move these bulkheads with a sound wave." She extended her hands and let out a powerful wave that reverberated throughout the ship. The sound echoed off the halls.
"Musa, don't!" She heard Brandon say. "The hull's too weak. You might damage it even further."
"What?"
"This whole area's falling apart. Sound waves reverberate on metal."
"Which means," Layla added. "Your magic could create a breach."
"I don't wanna die on my vacation, Musa!" Stella said.
"Dammit!" She stopped. "Can't you guys do anything in there?"
"If I had my ring I could teleport us out of here but I left it in my room."
"The fire sapped most of the water molecules from the air, my magic's too weak."
"It's my fault." Brandon admitted. "When the whole thing collapsed I pushed the girls in here for safety. Instead all I ended up doing was getting us trapped. I'm really sorry."
"Knucklehead." Riven returned with a crowbar and heard his last statement. "I'll get you out." Riven slammed the crowbar directly in the middle of that metallic mess and pushed with all his might. Nothing budged. "Hold on."
"Musa, is Riven trying to move that mess by himself?" Brandon asked behind the trapped door.
"Uh-huh." She said.
"And I'm the knucklehead?"
"Shut up!" Riven tried and tried but no matter what he did the fallen steel would not give. "Shit!" He cried.
"Hold on, Riven step back."
"What for?"
"I've got an idea. Leave the crowbar where it is."
"Sorry princess. Ten of you couldn't match my strength."
"My strength is my mind and my music and if you don't move this instant I'll show you just how strong I really am."
"Stop whining."
"Stop being a jerk!"
"Will you two please stop fighting?" Layla yelled. "Riven, move your ass so Musa can help us."
"Come on, Riv. It's getting really hot in here."
"And it's not because of me." Stella said.
"Fine. But if she crushes you don't blame me." The specialist stepped aside while leaving the crowbar where it was. Musa used her magic once again only on the crowbar. "The crowbar gives me a way to concentrate my magic on one single spot so that when I release it," the bar glowed a bright purple/pink. "The resulting shockwave should be enough to dislodge the bulkheads."
"And kill us." Riven muttered.
"Hurry, Musa." Layla coughed. They did not have much oxygen left.
"Almost." The bar began to shake violently. The fairy put as much of her magic as she could into that small but powerful object and when enough energy had been stored, she set it loose. "Go!" the resulting shockwave did indeed push back the bulkheads but it also sent Musa and Riven flying back. The blast was strong enough to put out most of the fire down the hall too thought smoke was still everywhere.
Coughing, Brandon and Layla pushed the door open. All three stumbled out but were otherwise unhurt.
"Nice work…cough...Musa." said her ebony-skinned friend.
Stella chuckled as she collapsed to the floor. "Once again brains triumphs over brawn."
Musa turned to her boyfriend who was still lying on the floor, his pride badly wounded. "See?"
"I found the crowbar." He said in an attempt to exert his role in their rescue. "Wouldn't have worked otherwise."
"Thanks, Riven." Brandon said if just to humor him. "You guys did a great job."
It was their combined efforts that saved their three friends. Riven and Musa had yet to reconcile after their disagreement in the gym, the tension was still there, but they did manage a smile in this temporary truce. But while the rescue attempt had been successful; they were still in danger.
A raging inferno exploded behind the wreckage. Sprinklers kicked in but they only kept the fire at bay, they did not destroy it.
"Move it!" Brandon led the group away from the inferno.
"Where are we going?" Stella asked.
"The hangar. It's the most heavily fortified part of the ship."
"What about Bloom and the others?" Layla asked.
"We left Flora all by herself." Musa said.
"I'll get Flora and meet you guys at the hangar." Riven split off from the group back to where he last saw the exotic fairy.
Musa didn't like being separated from him, but she reminded herself that they still had a lot to deal with so she just let him go without a word.
---
Helia was a man of hidden talents and incredible resourcefulness. In addition to being an artist, he also took up meditation classes that sharpened his mind to a razor's edge. He knew there was nothing he could do to stop the temperature from plummeting inside the domed observatory, so he did the next best thing. Putting his mind into a state of suspended animation, Helia succeeded in slowing his heart rate to a dangerous but controlled level. Sitting Indian-style, Helia's body became stiff as it slowly shut down all unnecessary activities in favor of providing energy to the vital organs.
Of course this would not save him should the temperature drop too low. While the protective shield barrier had gone up over the dome, the weather inside was dropping at a rapid pace. Helia had tried to escape before but the hatch would not comply and therefore his only hope lay in awaiting rescue. His friends would find him. All he had to do was stay alive long enough until then.
It must have been nineteen degrees right now and Helia, wearing a thin green shirt with light brown slacks and sandals, wouldn't have lasted this long had he not undergone meditation. All those hours training in the dojo were about to pay off.
He was only slightly aware of what was going on around him. His mind barely registered the hits on the ship though they would have sounded deafening were he fully alert. But something else did catch his attention. The sound of sizzling metal as if someone were using a blowtorch.
They found me. Were he awake he would smile but he dare not break his concentration.
Nearby where Helia was sitting, the hatch glowed a bright red and began to melt away. When it finally gave Bloom appeared in all her radiant glory. The heat emitted by the fairy had settled on Helia and slowly he began to open his frost-covered eyes. He couldn't speak, even attempting to caused his teeth to chatter, but the look in his grateful eyes was all Bloom needed to see.
"Helia!" She spread her magic to encompass the freezing youth and touched his shoulders. Ice had begun to gather on his face and hair. His body was cold to the touch and his breath was so thick. Bloom used her powers to slowly warm him up and gradually the specialist began to return to normal. Once he was strong enough to move, Helia opened his mouth and with a little bit of effort managed to stutter the words, "thank you."
"Come on." She put one of his hands over her shoulder and floated over to the burned hatch. Once they were down on the deck Bloom closed the observatory by sealing the metal with her fire. Helia was returning to normal; the feeling in his body gradually returning. "What were you doing up there?" The fairy asked.
"Needed some alone time." His voice was weak but getting stronger.
"I don't think any of us should be alone from now on. Skye said we've just entered an asteroid field. I don't know how much more the ship can take."
Helia managed to pick himself up. "Then we must aid him." He almost fell back down but Bloom was there to catch him. Her worried face flattered him but he shook his head. "I'll be alright, Bloom. But we need to find the others and formulate a plan of action."
"You're right. Can you walk?"
Helia took a few cautious steps before nodding. "It appears so. Tell me, do you have an idea of where we may find our friends?"
"I used a special technique to locate you. I think I can do it again."
A huge bang rattled their ears.
"That doesn't sound too good." Helia said just before a blast of steam rolled down upon them. Bloom screamed.
---
"Alright you bastards, let's dance!" Skye was in the pilot's seat. It was now up to him to get his ship out of this intergalactic shooting gallery and he had every intention of seeing tomorrow. Kicking in what was left of the engines, Skye moved the Sparx into evasive maneuvers dodging rocks that ranged from small to great floating mountains. With him at the helm, the ship performed impressive feats of maneuverability. Timmy was providing him navigation data while Tecna saw to keeping the ship intact. Their teamwork proved extraordinary and little by little they saw the ship through the worst of the storm.
"We're almost out, Skye." Timmy informed him. His fingers danced across the navigational display. The acoustic system they were using helped him map out a relatively safe course through the field and Skye came through on every step. "There isn't much left of the asteroids."
"There isn't much left of us!" Tecna had to comment. She couldn't believe how badly damaged the ship was. It was a wonder they were not destroyed already. Tecna had to tilt her hat to the boys' recent upgrades on the Sparx before they had left Eraklyon. Any other ship was have been destroyed by now. Kudos, boys.
"Just a bit more."
"What?" Timmy thought Skye was talking to him but one look at his determined face told him that comment was meant for the ship. As this was the family's royal yacht, Skye did have a personal attachment to this ship, much as Timmy had attachments to any of his computer systems.
"Come on…" Skye spoke through grit teeth. "Almost."
"We're clear!" Timmy exclaimed. The nebula opened up before them. "Great work, Skye."
The prince collapsed in exhaustion on his seat.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news," Tecna began. "But we won't last much longer in this state."
"How bad is it?" Timmy asked.
"Bad. I'm afraid we'll need a complete overhaul before we can get underway again."
"I'll send a repair request to the nearest station." Skye said.
"But the nearest station is light years away!"
Timmy and Skye chuckled aloud. Tecna sighed. "This is no time to be telling jokes, Skye."
"You're right. Tecna, try to get primary systems back on line. Timmy, come with me. We're going to check up on the others."
"Right." Tecna complained. "Leave me with the difficult task."
---
Riven knew who to thank when the ship stopped shaking. He had to admit Skye came in handy sometimes. His piloting skills were second to none though it was his air-headed bravado that irked Riven more than anything. Brandon and Timmy he could deal with. But Skye? Oh, look at me. I'm a prince! Watch me swing my sword! I'm so smart and handsome. Look how pretty my girl is. She's a princess though her kingdom's been dead for years. I know! I'll name my ship after her. It'll be good luck.
"Thanks for jinxing us, asshole."
He found the gym in shambles. Equipment was thrown around to the point where he got a workout just navigating the obstacle course. He worked his way over to the locker room that connected to the showers. Flora was in the showers a moment ago. When he last saw her she was soaking wet and wearing a towel. Hot!
"Musa would kill me." He said to himself. "Like I care. I'll think about whatever I want. Not like she never fantasized about Skye or Brandon." He paused momentarily. "What do they see in those guys?" He was referring to Bloom and Stella. They were his best friends but boy were they one-dimensional. As least he was unpredictable, mysterious and full of surprises. Musa was the luckiest girl at Alfea.
"Hey, Flora." He said upon reaching the locker room. He hoped she was okay. He'd hate to find her lying unconscious and bleeding on the floor…in that towel… still wet…
"Geez!" Even he had to reprimand himself. What kind of man was he to be thinking that way at a time like this? Musa would definitely be pissed.
"Flora!" He called louder. "It's Riven."
A sound caught his attention. Half the lights were still out and one hung dangerously from loose wires. Making his way around the potentially dangerous accident, Riven moved toward the sound. "Hey, is that you?" he came up to a couple of benches sitting beside several overturned lockers. "What a mess." He said to himself.
Something touched him from behind.
For one unaccustomed to being caught off guard, Riven was indeed startled and when he turned brought up his hand to strike at the unknown assailant. Good thing his eyes were as fast as his hands because he stopped mere inches from breaking the beautiful fairy's face. Flora winced and closed her eyes. The attack sent a gust of air through her hair. Riven managed to stop himself but the force behind the attack was such that he had to pull his whole body back to prevent from hitting her and in doing so he stepped back and tripped over the nearest bench. Flora saw this, cried out, and tried to prevent him from falling. She grabbed him, but Riven was by far the heavier and wound up taking her along for the ride. She collapsed on top of him over the other side of the bench.
"Oh!" Said Flora.
Riven looked down on her. "You okay?" His concern was genuine. Her hair smelled divine and it intoxicated him. It took him a moment to realize how warm she was pressed up against him.
"I think so. You?"
"Uh-huh." Red alert! Red alert! Do NOT go to phase two. I repeat, do NOT go to phase two.
"Sorry." Flora said.
"No it's…okay. Accidents happen."
"Yeah." She giggled.
A soft boot touched down next to them. Fairy and specialist looked up upon a pair of nice legs which led to dazzling red mini-skirt, exposed belly, red blouse and two very angry dark eyes. Oh shit!
"Hey, Musa." Flora said seemingly unaware of the forthcoming disaster.
"Musa!" Riven quickly shoved Flora off of him and she fell on her rump. He wanted to apologize but as of right now the only woman he should be focusing on was the one about to kill him. "I…uh…when did you…"
"Just now." She growled. "I see you found Flora."
"Actually she found me."
"I see." She crossed her arms. "And she wanted to properly thank the man who risked everything to save her?"
Flora got off the floor. "Musa, it wasn't like that. Riven tripped and I tried to help him but fell over instead. It was an accident."
"A very nice accident. What do say, Riven?" Musa glared at him. "Took you long enough to get up."
"Musa it's not," If she could only read my mind, he thought. Not long ago he was having impure dreams and now the Fates were punishing him for it. "She could have been hurt. Last time we saw her she was half naked and wet,"
"Funny how you remember that."
Riven mentally kicked himself. "I was worried about her."
"I see."
"Not like that!" He returned her glare. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with the others at the hangar?"
"I thought you may need some help with the whole ship coming apart and all. I can see all you did was help yourself." Musa stormed away.
"Musa!" Riven called. "Dammit!" He chased after her.
Flora dusted herself off before shaking her head. "Love is complicated."
---
Prince Skye found Stella, Brandon and Layla in the hanger as he knew he would. Brandon was military-minded like himself. Seeking refuge is the most secure facility would be just the thing he would have thought of. Indeed the hangar looked as if nothing had happened at all and the shuttles were still clamped down while the supplies were tightly secured.
"You guys okay?"
Stella placed both hands on her hips and scolded Skye like he was a child. "Okay? We almost suffocated to death on this so-called vacation of yours. What were you thinking taking us on this suicidal detour?"
"She's fine." Brandon told Skye. "Layla inhaled a bit of smoke but she'll recover. The med bots are checking her right now." Indeed a pair of medical units were tending to Layla, one supplying her with a tank of gaze while the other tended to her minor burns. "How about you?"
"Tecna's trying to get our main systems back on line. Timmy and I left the bridge to search for the others." He looked around. "Where are the others?"
"Riven went to go look for Flora and Musa went after him. We haven't seen Bloom or Helia."
"I spoke to Bloom not too long ago. She was looking for you guys." Skye's brow furled. He hoped she was okay.
"What the hell happened?" Stella asked.
"Asteroids."
"What?!"
"They're interstellar rocks."
"I know what they are!" She spat. "You took us into an asteroid field? Are you insane?" She looked to Brandon. "Is he insane?"
"They came up out of nowhere." Skye continued.
"How does that happen?"
"We're essentially blind in this nebula so Timmy and Tecna rigged our satellite to,"
"Never mind." She settled down. "How bad is it?"
"Tecna will let us know."
"Skye." All turned to Layla who pushed the little robots out of her way and tried to stand. Her legs were wobbly but she managed to stand and look at him. "I just want you to know that I blame you for all this."
"Layla?" Stella said.
"This is all your fault. Don't try to," She wobbled some more but held her ground. "Don't try to deny it. You got us into this. Save what little face you have left and get us out."
"I'm working on that, Layla. Believe me I'm really sorry."
"I hope none of us have paid the price for your apology." Her voice dripped with venom.
The door opened up. Enter Musa with Riven in tow. She seemed pissed; he seemed flustered; and not far behind came Flora looking as unrattled as ever. "Would you listen to me?"
"Shut it, Riven!"
"But,"
"I said shut it!" She turned on him and he half expected her to cast a spell. She almost did. "You've been nothing but a jerk since we boarded and I don't want to see you, talk to you, or even look at you ever again."
"You realize you're failing on all points right now?"
"Dammit!" She walked away from him.
"Shit! Stupid thing to say. I'm sorry, Musa. Can we just talk?"
"Drop dead!"
"Now what?" Brandon sighed.
"Guys, we have bigger problems here." Skye began.
"Where's Helia?" Flora became worried.
"He went to go paint somewhere." Stella answered.
"I'm sure he's fine." Brandon said. "Helia's the most resourceful guy I've ever met. One time during a mission he,"
Timmy's voice sounded out. "Skye!"
The prince picked up the mobile communicator in his hand. "Go ahead, Timmy."
"You'd better come down here. I've found Bloom and Helia."
Flora's eyes lit up. "Are they okay?"
Timmy didn't answer at first.
"Timmy?" Skye said.
"It's bad, Skye…"
---
Cliffhanger! Nooooooooooo!
Heh. Heh. Heh.