Author's Note: Thank you again to everyone who is still reading, and I hope its because you are enjoying this and not laughing at it. Sorry this is a few days late. The memorial day I'm a bit off schedule, so I apologize for the late posting. I will try to update twice this week to make up for it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Winx Club or Ronin Warriors

10) Grace

The rest of the night had been less tense as the guys did their best to help the girls relax and gave them space to come and talk to them, except for Shu who stayed with Stella for most of the time just in case there was an attack. Ryo, Touma and Seiji set up some guest rooms so that the girls would have their own space. Almost every room had two people bunking in it with the exception of Seiji's room, then again no one argued with the man on space. They put Stella and Roxy in the room next to Shin and Shu and across the hall from Musa and Techna. Musa and Techna were next to Kayura and Mia's room as well as Bloom and Flora's. Though they weren't required to stay with the Ronin the girls figured that it wouldn't hurt for one night. It probably was a good thing as somewhere after dinner Ryo and even Touma had managed to convince Techna to play a few games, and it managed to put Techna more at ease with them. There was no pouting or whining when she won, only questions on how she played and praises. It was very different from when she played with others even Digit had whined sometimes at a loss.

Techna though was grateful that everything had quieted down and now Musa and she were getting ready for bed. Techna ran the brush through her pink hair and glanced to Musa who was taking her hair down.

"Hey Musa, what do you think of them?" Techna asked as she set down the brush and turned to her friend.

"What do you mean?" Musa asked.

"Well do you think they are lying or telling the truth? Do you think they are putting on an act for us?" Techna clarified. She turned away from the dresser and mirror and headed to one of the beds. It had a simple brown comforter and five plush pillow, one of which Techna snagged and pulled into her lap to hug.

"I don't know… I don't think so, it just doesn't seem like that would be their style. I believe it isn't Shin's style at least. He's…. I think there's more about them, something similar to our strength with Believix. Changing people's minds with magic but it's softer, I don't know." Musa rambled as she fell back onto her bed.

"Yeah, Ryo seems nice. It's funny that he's a better sport than any of the Specialist. They would have pouted, or whined if I beat them. If anyone beat them." Techna smiled pointed out the faults that they'd ignored or brushed off because of love. She was trying to work through her pain and talking with Musa and Stella seemed to help.

"Yeah, none of them were happy to see that Aisha could ride just as well, and in some cases better than they could." Musa laughed remembering how Riven hated it when Aisha took control of his bike. "Plus some of them got jealous way to easy, but if we were upset about them being friendly with someone it didn't matter."

"Yeah, you're right there." Techna yawned and fell over on to her side these beds were comfy. "They seem like they are very close. Like they're brothers or something." Techna mused not sure what point she was trying to make as sleep encroached on her mind.

"Kind of like us." Musa finished with a yawn and Techna nodded. Musa looked up to the ceiling wondering about the Ronin. They'd been kind and relaxed from the moment that they spoke to them, though Kayura seemed rather direct she was worried about their allies. Maybe it would be okay to be friend these five guys. It was nice to think that maybe things were turning around that coming here would be a good thing.

~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stella groaned as she woke up for the second time that night. She glanced at the clock to see that it was about 3 in the morning and sighed. She'd had another nightmare, or dream she wasn't sure which. It started out nice, like always but then it would turn cruel. It was usually mostly about Brandon but it would sometimes turn to her family and friends. She'd been so wrong in believe how much he cared for her, that her mind would trick her in her nightmares having her friends and family leave her. She would be alone. Sitting up in her bed Stella hugged her knees to her chest and reassured herself that not one of the winx, especially her best friend Bloom, would leave her alone. Stella glance to Roxy the moonlight shining its silver rays over both of them. Roxy was right there, and she was a friend, a true friend. Brandon had lied on the depth of his feelings but her girls hadn't.

Sliding out of the bed Stella walked over to the window to look at the moon. Out here away from the city the sky was perfectly clear and all the stars could be seen. Stella touched the glass of the window and sighed. It was beautiful out here she did have to give this quaint little place, that. Still as she stood there enjoying the night that reminded her of her mother a light flickered over the yard. Looking down Stella leaned closer to the window in curiosity as more lights were coming on. They had to be coming from the house with the way the light played over the yard. Finding herself very curious Stella headed to the door of the room she'd been given. She braced one hand against the door as she turned the knob and slowly opened it. To her surprise there was at least one light in the hall turned on. Quietly Stella ducked out of the room and shut the door. She stood there for a moment listening trying to figure out why so many lights were on so early and she got her answer. She could faintly hear people talking down stairs. Quietly her bare feet padded across the floor to the stairs and when she got there the conversation stopped for a moment.

Even more curious Stella headed down the stairs her golden and orange night dress shifting around her legs as it came to her knees in length. There was orange lace at the bottom and draped over the top in a slant that came down to her hip. Her blond hair was loose with no head band, hair ties or barrettes in it. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she could see Shu on taking a seat on the couch in the living room, but there was no one else.

"Don't tell me you people talk to something like spirits too." Stella commented as she walked into the room. She smiled and waved when Shu looked to her. Stella walked to the plush chair near the couch and curled up noticing how nearly every light in the room was on. It seemed odd but she didn't say anything.

"We didn't wake you did we?" Shu asked. He rubbed his hands over his tired face and while he had been hoping to sleep some more on the couch he wouldn't be rude to their guests.

"We?" Stella echoed hoping Shu would explain who else was up at this horrible hour.

"Seiji, and Shin. Shin headed out to the lake and Seiji went to meditate or something." Shu yawned. The truth was all three of them had trouble sleeping more so now that it seemed the dynasty was coming back. Shu wouldn't bother Stella or her friends with that though it was their problem, and he wouldn't burden anyone.

"They know its like 3 in the morning right?" Stella asked yawning as she set her chin in her hand and Shu laughed. The big guy laid down on the couch and nodded.

"Yeah, they know, I know. It doesn't matter though. I guess we're anxious waiting for the next strike." Shu said brushing away from the truth. He heard Stella hum and tilted his head back to see her. "You should go back to bed. You are tired."

"Yeah probably." Stella said shifting how she was sitting and curled her legs under her. "What was it like? Fighting the Dynasty? I mean when we fight the trix they are cruel and all they want is power, but we only fight them and maybe a monster or two." Stella said watching as Shu rolled on to his side so their conversation would be a bit more face to face.

"It was hard. They find a weak spot and exploit it, the city was void of life so it was creepy too. Arago the emperor of the Dynasty wanted us dead so he could collect our armor. The first time we fought him it was overwhelming. I thought we'd die, but somehow we made it through. The second time wasn't any easier. Arago wants power and he's cruel so you may find it's a lot like your pass battle or maybe not." Shu shrugged.

"Why does he want the armors?" Stella asked moving the pillow from behind her to the side so she could lean on it.

"Cause our armors are Arago. The ancient one that beat him divided him up and his powers up into the nine armors. So without them he is weaker." Shu yawned and noticed Stella leaning a bit more into the pillow. "You know we can talk tomorrow, why do you go back to bed." Stella blinked at Shu a few tired times. At some point he'd gotten up off the couch and was holding out a hand for her. She took it and he hoisted her up with ease. It had happened so fast she felt more awake now and he could only give a sheepish grin and a soft apology.

There was a soft and tired silence as he helped her navigate back to her room and left her there with a goodnight. Stella sighed and trudged over to the bed. Falling into it she heard Roxy groan.

"Stella?"

"Go back to sleep, I know I am." Stella yawned and a soft moan was the only response she heard. Snuggling back into the blankets Stella closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning things went by rather smoothly and the girls learned that Touma seemed to hate mornings, and seemed to lose his sharp intelligence then. It was almost a relief to see that they seemed to have faults like everyone else. Still by the time noon had come around and everyone was around and had gathered into the living room. Everyone of them was trying to think of how to stop the trix before things got worse. The part everyone was struggling with was Kayura's insistence that the gates of the dynasty couldn't be opened, or left open. It was a point no one was arguing with but it made coming up with an idea very difficult.

The winx girls had even considered if there might have been a portal through the oceans of Andros but it became clear that it would just be the portal to Earth. The nether realm was turning out to be far more difficult to get into than they imagined.

"Hey guys? If we're having this much trouble coming up with a way to get into the nether realm. How did the trix get in?" Techna asked and all eyes turned to her. It may not have been what they had thought they needed to consider but it was something they had to know.

"I don't know. We haven't opened the gates, and even if we did they couldn't have snuck by us." Kayura stated before anyone could a accuse her or her warlords of letting their guard down.

"Maybe they didn't get through a gate? We don't know what they can do maybe they were able to get the the nether realm another way." Touma offered trying to calm Kayura before she unleashed her sharp tongue against them.

"They might have been able to. They've pulled all sorts of stunts and tricks in the past, especially to escape any sort of imprisonment." Bloom answered adding to Touma's theory. Touma couldn't help but smile at Bloom and nod, glad to have some more foundation for his idea. The exchange was something that Kayura didn't miss. It was almost cute to see their exchange, and it was something Kayura would need to look into. Touma was a dear friend and someone she wanted to see happy.

"Okay so they used some way we can't follow I don't see how that helps us." Shu groaned before folding his arms over his chest in agitation.

"Wait, if they teleported or something like that, then the ring of Solaria should be able to help us. I can just-."

"No, we don't know what they want that ring for and I'd rather not see it in the dynasty's hands." Seiji cut Stella off. Stella huffed and crossed her arms finding the blond man's actions rude. "Arago could be waiting for us to do just that."

"Well I'm not staying here while you go and fight the witches!" Stella pointed out placing her hands on her hips.

"She'll be fine I can protect her no problem." Shu chimed in arguing that Stella should be allowed to do what she wanted, plus Shu believed her idea was a good one.

"I think Seiji's right…. Only in that we shouldn't use the ring. What if it gives off an energy signature like the Jewel of Life? If they can track it then they can strike at us without us being able to prepare." Touma explained and Stella, Shu and Seiji all backed down. He was glad to provide the voice of reason her, and was sure Seiji would butt heads with all the girls at some point.

"I think the witches can, they'll know what they're looking for anyways…." Bloom said remembering back to their first year at Alfea.

"Wait maybe we could have Miss F ask the mistress of Cloud Tower if they can help in some way. If the trix got over there maybe someone from Cloud Tower knows how" Musa pointed out and the fairies smiled.

"Cloud Tower?" Ryo echoed an eyebrow raised.

"Uh, yeah… it would take a while to explain maybe at another time?" Bloom covered and while the ronin didn't buy the excuse not one of them pressed the issue.

"So if this works we can get back to the nether realm? To the dynasty?" Kayura asked sounding hopeful and for the first time since the winx had met her showing worry and concern. Her sharp tongue was gone and in its place concern for the men who'd helped her get away. "I know they are fine but I would rather get back to them quickly." She added clutching the ancient staff in her hands. True she could get herself back there but what good would that do? She needed help to save her loyal warlords.

The moment of victory was short lived though as a sudden look of alarm over took the Ronin and Kayura. There were quick glances between the guys before they all nodded in agreement. They could feel two gates of the dynasty opening both in the actual city. Ryo glanced between all of them and each one gave a short nod.

"What's going on?" Flora ventured feeling like they were missing something.

"Two gates to the dynasty opened. It's probably a trap, or at least an attack. We can have two groups check out the gates while the last stays here to guard the jewel of life." Touma said clarifying what they had felt.

"So Flora, Bloom you stay here with Seiji and Touma. Shin, Shu, Stella and Roxy will take one gate, and Kayura, Techna, Musa and myself will take the other okay?" Ryo quickly ordered and there were nods of understanding.

"Alright lets go!" Shu encouraged looking a bit excited for the action whereas Shin seemed more ready to deal with business. The six quickly made their way outside before the fairies transformed and ronin donned their armor. It surprised the fairies how quickly the ronin could move in the armor, running as fast as their zoomix would take them, Lady Kayura also seemed to have no problem keeping up with them either.

Flora and Bloom watched from the window as the other two groups split off while they stayed here. Seiji and Touma came up behind them also watching, witnessing the fairies transformation for the first time and finding it very, magical and entrancing. Seiji placed a hand on Flora's shoulder and she placed her hand over his looking back to him.

"We should prepare. This could be a distraction to get the jewel of life." Touma said, and an unease set over them. This could all be a trap to separate them. Then which of the witches would attack them here? Bloom and Flora knew the witches but they also knew that Touma had only fought Icy while Seiji had gone up against Darcy.

"If Darcy comes she'll try her illusions." Bloom warned and Touma and Seiji nodded.

"Then it's a good thing the truth of illusions are reflected in the sword of Halo." Seiji said as they all walked to the room with the jewel of life. Nasuti came with them and the two ronin didn't argue.

"Hey what's that?" Nasuti asked looking out the window as a light was growing closer. Flora was about to move to check it out too, but Seiji grabbed her hand. Something was telling him it wasn't right.

"NASUTI!" Touma yelled as the glass shattered. The lightning crashed through the room striking Seiji and knocking him back. Stormy was laughing as appeared in the room. Wind and rain wiping in through the window to the point Bloom and Flora had to hold their hair back to see. Bloom's gaze quickly flickered to Nasuti who was being held by Touma and there was a dark blue round aura surrounding both of them. It was a force field, the same size and dome shape as the Griselda Bubble. Flora on the other hand was kneeling over Seiji who was bleeding from the hit he'd taken.

"Wow such losers." Stormy laughed looking towards the jewel of life. She pulled out a piece of paper as she started walking over to it.

"Stormy! Get away from there!" Bloom ordered, being the first to recover from the surprise attack. "Let's go Mythix!" Bloom shouted and transformed, Flora joining her. Bloom quickly moved in Stormy's way while Flora moved to heal Seiji.

"N-no help Nasuti first." Seiji groaned as he stood up. His hand was over his abdomen where he was bleeding. "Armor of Halo." Seiji called out donning his armor, while Flora hurried across the room to Touma and Nasuti. Touma was holding her a fearful look in his eyes, as he dropped the barrier so the fairy could enter. Nasuti had cuts all over her, and there was a large wound from the blast right on her side. It could have been worse if Touma hadn't gotten the barrier up in time. Flora quickly called on her fairy dust and used not only on Nasuti be Touma who had a few cuts on him as well. When Nasuti was healed and coming to Touma put her off to the side. He smiled and nodded a thanks to Flora for what she'd done.

Stormy growled as Bloom physically blocked her path to the jewel. It matched the one on the paper so it was what Arago needed. "Get out of the way loser!" Stormy yelled and wind began to swirl around her hand. "Razor wind!" Stormy cast her new spell after all she'd been itching to try it out against a fairy.

"Dragon Shield." Bloom countered making a shield but the wind was breaking through it. The witches had gotten stronger. Seiji moved behind Bloom glancing at the jewel of life. They couldn't fight the witch in here, but they couldn't get her to leave.

~Take the jewel and use it to lead her out Seiji.~ Touma ordered. ~We need to keep her away from Nasuti.~

~You're right.~ Seiji nodded and quickly grabbed the jewel of life with his free hand. He quickly tossed the jewel to Touma and it didn't go unnoticed by Stormy.

"Hey what are you doing!" She demanded her spell coming to an end and giving Bloom a moment.

"You want the jewel of life? Come and get it." Touma challenged as he jumped out the window. Flora, Bloom and Seiji all managed to quickly follow before Stormy could. The four of them stood together ready as Stormy left the house glaring and growling at them.

"You losers think you're going to keep me from that?!" Stormy demanded her hatred of the fairy fueling her new found power. The sky darkened as Stormy's eyes turned a bright blood red, a twisted smile on her face. She and her sisters had already taken some of the energy the dynasty had to offer, and now the fairies wouldn't stand a chance. The thing they were uncertain of was these warriors, the three in the dynasty were clever but still could be beaten. "Rage Storm!" Stormy laughed as the dark clouds began to swirl down towards her wrapping around her hands and arms giving her full control, while lightning pummeled the ground forcing them all to dodge and keep moving.

Seiji finally planted himself in place as the next bolt started rushing towards him. The sword of Halo had a faint glow as he held it, angling it to block the lightning. It was something like the winx had seen the specialist do in their younger years but as the spells got stronger they didn't block them as often, but relied on the fairies ability to cast shielding spells. Yet it wasn't enough they were still on the defensive and needed to turn the tide. The wind was getting stronger and stronger whipping the two girls hair around and making it more difficult to see. Touma couldn't managed to line up a shot between the wind and having to dodge.

"We have to disrupt her spell." Bloom called out though the request seemed impossible. They needed an idea or a plan of attack. They needed a convergence spell at this point but there was no way for Flora and her to converge without being targeted. As Touma jumped back right by Bloom and she had an idea. "Flora over here." Bloom called and carefully the fairy of nature joined Bloom.

"We need to get to Touma. I have a plan!" Bloom yelled over the wind, firing of a similar magical blast to block another lightning bolt. Flora nodded and followed Bloom's lead down. Stormy grinned as it looked like they were grouping up and hurled one of the dark lightning bolts at them. "Look out!" Bloom yelled and both her and Flora wildly dodged the attack, yet pressure of the explosive when the spell hit a tree throw Bloom to the ground.

"Bloom!" Touma hurried over to her quickly helping her up and moving to avoid another attack.

"Touma, against Icy I shielded you, and then you attacked her. You had a shield around you at the house! Can you create that shield while Flora and I combine our magic." Bloom asked as she pulled Touma away from another attack.

"Yeah… I can. Seiji draw her attention if you can!" Touma yelled before holding his bow out in front of him. Flora quickly landed behind him next to Bloom right before the blue dome aura encased the three of them.

Seiji looked back to see what the others were doing and nodded. The jewel was protected now behind Touma's shield and the fairies had an idea. Turning his violet gaze back to Stormy, Seiji tightened the grip on his sword. He ran towards her, taking advantaged of her fixed gaze on Touma and the fairies. He crouched low and pushed off the ground as hard as he could, the armor aiding his leap.

It was nearly too late to dodge when Stormy noticed the green warrior. His sword was high above his head ready to cut her down, and all Stormy did was smirk. It was so easy to dodge and hit someone who couldn't fly. Stormy moved without effort just right of his attack, her own ready in her hand. The purple lightning lashed out and the pained yelled, made her laugh as smoke rose from the back plate of the green warrior as he skidded across the ground. Stormy landed behind the green warrior her eyes glowing with the dark purple energy.

"You're the one that hurt Darcy. I'm going to enjoy making you pay." Stormy growled watching in malicious glee as the warrior struggled to get up. "Raging Lightning!" Stormy laughed as the green warrior tried to block the attack but the the tendrils of Lightning snaked past the sword and struck him in many spots. The attack convulsed through him forcing his grip on the sword of Halo to relent, his face twisted up with pain while the witch laughed.

Touma kept glancing to the fairies wanting to drop the shield and aid his friend but they had a plan and Seiji and he needed to stick to it. He knew this wouldn't be the first time they'd been hurt nor was it the last. "Just hang on, buddy." Touma whispered.

Flora and Bloom hand joined hands the red energy of Blooms dragon fire flickering over her, while the green energy of Flora's nature power whipped around her. They could feel their hearts beating together their emotions and minds focusing on a common single goal.

"Touma now!" Bloom yelled and the blue armor clad archer dropped the shield and knelt down to the ground. "Mythix Convergence!" Both Bloom and Flora yelled. They had raised their wands above their heads and arched them each drawing half of a circle with the combine energy of their magic glowing within. The magic rushed forth, thousands of beautiful blossoms of fire, while the winds of autumn calmed Stormy's earlier spell.

"Huh?!" Stormy turned in time to see the convergence attack and while she tried to flee away from it the spell followed her, surrounding her. "Ahhhggrr!" Stormy yelled falling to the ground as the spell ended. Her clothes torn and burned her skin show burn marks and gashes from the fairies. She'd failed and couldn't continue the fight. "Next time I'll make you pay!" Stormy promised before vanishing.

Touma was in awe of their combined strength as all the negative force he'd been sensing was dissipating as the spell targeted the witch. Yet he didn't stay in awe too long as Seiji was on the ground and not moving. "Seiji!" Touma called and rushed over to his friend. There was a clear cut on his face and Touma winced as the armor faded away revealing blood stained clothes. He placed his hands over one of the worse wounds not daring to move Seiji, in fear of causing more damage.

"Oh no." Bloom gasped fearing the worst as Flora and her joined Touma near Seiji. Touma turned to beg them for help, not above it as Seiji was his best friend but Flora already was floating over him and a soft dust raining down over Seiji. Touma sighed with relief as the wounds closed and faded into bruises and faint cuts that would be gone in a day or two.

Seiji groaned his hand going up to his head, despite the protest of his muscles and body. Everything hurt but that was normal after a fight, and yet he didn't feel the same exhaustion that followed when the armor of Halo spend energy healing his body. Opening his eyes the first thing he saw was the smooth caramel colored skin and green eyes of Flora, flicking his gaze to the right he saw Touma with Bloom hovering near him. There was worry and relief on their faces. Seiji saw Touma extending a hand as Flora moved back and he took it gratefully.

"Did it work?" He asked his voice a bit hoarse.

"Yeah, we've got the jewel and that woman is gone…. for now." Touma smiled. It may have not been a victory they were looking for but it proved they could work together and aid each other.

"We should go in and get in contact with everyone else." Flora suggested moving next to Bloom as Seiji leaned on Touma.

"I don't sense the dynasty… They must have closed the gates." Seiji commented as they walked back towards the house. Yet for that bit of good new Bloom had a bad feeling in her stomach. She was worried that something had gone wrong with one of the other groups.