Chapter 10

"Thanks again, for the ride boys!" Stella snuggled close to Brandon, linking her arm through his.

"It was no trouble!" Timmy pushed up his glasses for the umpteenth time from the tip of his nose.

Stella, Musa, Tecna, and Flora all watched as the Specialists moved and worked around the ship like a small colony of bees.

"So where are we going first?" Musa kicked her feet up on the seat next to hers, "Let me guess, Stella gets first dibs?"

Stella raised her chin, "Of course, royalty first!"

"And how do you plan on getting your Enchantix, your highness?" Musa asked.

"I haven't got a single idea." Stella moaned, "I mean, what do they mean by sacrifice? There is nothing about me that I am willing to sacrifice for a random citizen."

"Who says it's random?" Tecna looked up from her computer, "Studies show that nine out of ten fairies know the person they save. It's more than likely that you will know and will be willing to sacrifice for that person."

"Well, this had better be worth it." Stella folded her arms and tapped her foot. "Are we there yet?"

Riven, the pilot of the ship, turned and glared at Stella, "Make yourself comfortable, princess."

"What does that mean?" Stella whispered to Musa.

"How should I know?" Musa shrugged."

"He's your boyfriend!" Stella whisper-shouted.

Musa stared, "So?"

Stella screwed up her eyes, "What kind of relationship do you two have?"

Musa didn't respond, but instead looked out the window.

Flora giggled in the back, "I can tell this is going to be a long adventure."

King Radius wasn't surprised when he saw the ship land by the palace. Faragonda had told him in advance of what the Winx girls were planning. Forcing them into their Enchantix? He had never heard of such a thing. He didn't even know if it was possible, but he promised Faragonda he would do what he could, he just wasn't sure if what he had prepared was such a safe plan. In fact, he knew it wasn't safe, but it had to be done.

"Your Majesty," The King's personal attendant entered the royal quarters, his face was calm but when he spoke, his voice shook, "Princess Stella has arrived, shall I take her below?" A small bead of sweat ran down the side of his paled face. He knew the plan, and he didn't like it either.

The King of Solaria hesitated. It wasn't that he doubted his daughter's power, but what lied in the dungeons of the palace struck fear even in his own heart. He almost said no, but instead sighed before nodding and giving the attendant his consent.

"Good luck my little sunshine." He whispered to the air.

"I have to get my Enchantix down there?" Stella pointed down the entrance to the dungeons. "Okay, there is no way I'm going down there, its pitch black down there!" She glared at the attendant, "Bring me my father." She threatened.

The attendant looked like he would melt under Stella's glare. "I'm sorry, your highness." He squeaked. "But this is your father's orders."

"C'mon Stella." Brandon grabbed her hand. "I'll go with you."

Flora nodded. "We'll all go with you."

Stella's expression softened, but she didn't let go of Brandon's hand. "I'm the fairy of the sun, I don't do darkness."

Brandon gave an encouraging smile. "You're the most dazzling fairy I know, I know that you can kick whoever's butt is down there waiting for you."

Stella took a hesitant step beyond the entrance. She gripped Brandon's hand as if her life depended on it. Brandon tried to ignore the fact that his left hand was slowly going numb.

Flora, Musa, and Tecna walked behind as Stella led the way into the stone dungeon. They travelled down multiple flights. Not a single torch was in sight. Stella summoned her scepter and used it to guide the company further and further down below the palace of Solaria.

"I'm detecting a very large life-form behind the door here." Tecna stopped and pointed at a prison door completely made of a mix of magic, steel, and iron. "This looks exactly like the door that the attendant described."

Stella bit her lip. "Okee dokee, let's get this done and over with." She approached the door, broke the magic seal on the latch and slowly opened it.

"Stella!" A voice screeched from inside, it was high-pitched, deafening, and frightened.

Stella ran into the cell. It was a large spacious cave. Broken stalactites and stalagmites were scattered across the damp floor. Stella flinched at the sight of the giant gashes on the walls. Whatever was in here was incredibly strong and incredibly large.

"Stella!"

In the center of the cell, hanging from a cluster of chains by her hands, was Queen Luna. Her intricate and flowing gown was torn and muddied. Her golden hair was ratted and unkempt and her eyes were wide with fright and horror, tears brimming at the edges.

"Mom!" Stella screamed. She transformed and flew up to her mother. "Are you okay?"

Her mother shook her head, "Don't turn away from the beast." She sobbed.

Stella grabbed her mother by the shoulders, "Mom, look at me. What is going on?"

"Stella, behind you!" Brandon shouted from the entrance of the cell.

She turned around and blanched.

It was a dragon, but not like any dragon anyone had seen before. Completely made of shadow and darkness, the beast shifted between solidity and dark smoke. Its red venomous eyes locked onto Stella's radiant power and spread its black leathery wings, preparing to attack. Stella skillfully avoided the dragon's quick and deadly strikes, but she knew she wouldn't be able to keep the act up forever. She had to do something to stop him.

"Stella!" Tecna shouted from below. "Aim for its eyes! Blind it!"

Stella studied the red eyes, they were small, but she could easily strike them. She launched a volley of spells at the burning pupils. She was so concentrated on casting her spells, she didn't see the black tail strike her from behind. The pain was excruciating and Stella plunged towards the ground.

Brandon threw his blade aside, he had to catch her. He reached up, ready for her to land in his arms. But once again, the dragon's silent tail struck and launched the specialist across the other side of the cell.

Stella crumpled onto the ground. She laid still for what seemed like hours. Slowly her eyes focused on her surroundings her. Above, she watched her friends fight for her, but the dragon was ignoring them and their spells. His red eyes were once again locked on only one person, one victim.

"Mom." Stella breathed. She looked over, the Queen was helpless and the beast could easily obliterate her; but Stella wasn't about to let that happen.

The Fairy of the Sun summoned every ounce of power within her, she could feel the dragon's darkness draining her but she fought the exhaustion. Her body ached and her wings felt like they were breaking as she lifted herself up into the air. She gritted her teeth and pushed through the pain, her body was coated in her own sweat. She glanced over and saw the dragon's jaws wide open, a spark of fire bursting into a jet of flame.

"MOM!" Stella rocketed towards her mother, who was in the flame's line of fire. Panic swept over her, she wasn't willing to lose her mother. With her wings holding her steady, Stella created a shield, completely made from her own light.

The jet of fire slammed against the shield. Stella could feel the heat surrounding her and her mother. It was intense, and the air grew thick and it became hard to breathe. Stella could feel the fire's magic tearing at her shield, tearing at her life. The shield of light starting to melt, and fold in on itself, the heat became more and more intense; more painful. For a single moment, she thought about breaking the shield and saving herself. But her mother was far more important. It didn't matter what happened to Stella, what mattered was keeping her family together, keeping the hope of her parents reunited alive. She had to keep the hope alive, no matter what. She waited for the searing pain to burn her flesh away, to feel the flames lick her skin.

But no pain came, in fact, her pain started to subside. A warm, friendly glow surrounded her. She saw her bruises, her scars and cuts vanish away. She felt clean, whole, and powerful. What were once broken and nearly useless wings now were powerful, large, and golden wings. She felt her new magic channel through her body, renewing her strength, her hope. She grinned when she saw her gorgeous blond locks flowing behind her. She was powerful and beautiful, a perfect match. She spun around; expecting to see the shadow dragon waiting for her, but it was gone.

"Mom!" Stella zoomed over to her mother.

The Queen was surprisingly already freed and her gown was mended and her hair styled and pulled back. "Well done, Stella. You passed our test and gained your Enchantix."

"You mean you created that…that thing?" Stella shouted.

"Well, actually your father helped me." Luna blushed. "But yes…it was simply a creation made to help you gain your Enchantix."

"Help?" Stella glared. "That was far from helpful."

Radius ran into the room, his face flushed from running. "Luna, Stella are you alright?"

"We're fine." Luna assured him. "The test worked, and just look at our daughter."

Radius admired Stella's golden transformation, "You certainly do look beautiful."

Stella grinned widely. "Thank you Dad!" She pulled both of her parents into a tight hug. "I'll be back soon to tell you guys everything, but we have to keep going! I love you!"

Stella, Brandon and the girls quickly said their farewells and left the cell without another word..

"You look good, honey-bun." Brandon whispered on the walk to the ship.

"I look fabulous!" Stella squealed. "I can't wait to try out my new wings for real!"

"Looks like you won't have to wait long, look up!" Tecna shouted.

The Winx girls glanced up at where Tecna was pointing. High up in the sky between the two suns were the Trix. Tight in Icy's grip, someone was struggling to be free.

"DAD!" Musa screamed.