Chapter Ten

"OBSIDIAN!" shouted the trolls in unison, and they ran over to greet her, giving her hugs.

"We are SO glad to be home!" said Topaz.

The Winx came out of the ship, looking around, but nobody else could be seen. They went over to the group of trolls.

The old woman looked up at them and smiled. "Hello, I'm Obsidian. I have to say I was surprised to hear from Faragonda out of the blue. You're her students?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Bloom.

"She wanted us to say hello," put in Ruby.

"Girls, Ruby's dad is here to pick you up," said the white-haired troll, "He's waiting in the parking lot."

"Thanks!" said everyone, and ran for the gate.

Obsidian turned back to the fairies. "I understand you've offered to help us with Simon and Snarf?"

"That's why we're here," said Stella, "They got us out of a tight spot with our enemies, so we want to return the favor."

"Thank you, the aid is very much appreciated," she nodded.

"Oh, I'm sorry, we didn't introduce ourselves," said Bloom, "I'm Bloom of Earth, and this is Stella of Solaria, Tecna of Zenith, Flora of Linphea, and Musa of Melody."

Obsidian nodded. "I haven't had a chance to speak with fairies in many years. But that raises a point. I'm afraid our houses would be a bit awkward and uncomfortable for you, and to my knowledge there are no hotel rooms for people your size."

"We are prepared for that," said Tecna, "The ship can handle the six of us overnight."

"Six of you?" asked Obsidian.

"The pilot," explained Tecna, "He has to stay with the ship."

"Very well, then," nodded the old troll, "I'm sorry for the poor hospitality, but we weren't prepared for visitors."

"So we've been told," said Musa.

"That's the other reason we want to help," said Bloom, "If we get rid of Simon, there will be no reason for trolls to isolate themselves any more."

Obsidian considered that. "Yes, but things won't change overnight. We'll have to see how the general population handles it."

The sound of footsteps approaching grew from the direction of the parking lot, and voices with them.

"I would say we have a chance to find out," said Tecna.

"Dad, these are the fairies who brought us home," said Ruby, "This is Tecna, Flora, Musa, Bloom, and Stella."

With her and the other BFFL was an older troll, a few inches taller then the girls. He had dark red hair. The man stopped and stared for a moment at the much taller people, then came over.

"Thank you for bringing our daughters home," said Mr. Trollman, shaking Bloom's hand.

"We're glad to help!" said Bloom.

"I'm proud of my daughter and her friends, defending the troll nation from Simon, but I can't help but worry," he said, "They are just barely teens after all."

"We aren't much older than them, sir," said Musa, "And we've seen them in action. You're right to be proud of them."

The BFFL looked embarrassed, Topaz giggled, and Ruby mouthed a "thank you" at the fairies.

"Sorry to greet and run, but it is late," said Mr. Trollman.

"We understand, sir," said Musa.

Just then Spencer stepped down the ramp. "What about your cycles?" He jerked a thumb over his shoulder into the ship.

"Can we leave them, just for tonight?" asked Ruby, "They won't fit in the car and I'm too tired to drive home. I need my beauty sleep," She primped a bit.

"With you there, girl," agreed Stella. It was only mid-afternoon to her, but she did insist on regular and extended sleep to maintain her beauty.

"Sure, they'll be safe," agreed the Specialist.

"Thank you," said Mr. Trollman, "Let's go, girls."

The BFFL ran over and gave the Winx a hug. "Thank you all so much for everything," said Sapphire.

"See ya tomorrow!" called Topaz, and they all followed Ruby's dad toward the parking lot.

Obsidian, who had stood and watched, looked at the much taller fairies. "We should talk." And she walked up the ramp and into the Red Fountain ship. The fairies followed.

The old woman looked around briefly and sat down with a sigh. Everyone else took seats as well.

"I'm very glad to have the girls home," said Obsidian, "We were beginning to wonder what happened when Faragonda called."

"As I understand, this Simon sent them through a portal and they ended up near Alfea," said Bloom. "They were a real hit with everyone, too. None of us students had ever met a troll before."

Obsidian nodded. "And if he hadn't, it isn't likely you ever would have. I've thought a lot about it since I got the call, and I think this is a sign that the Troll Nation's long-standing isolation should come to an end."

"We hope so," said Flora, " We really like those girls, and we have a lot in common."

The old woman smiled. "I could tell. And they like you, too."

"I really don't like the idea of not meeting Amethyst again," Flora added.

"Topaz is just as fashionable as I am," put in Stella, lifting her chin a bit. "I like having someone to share that with."

"I think Onyx could be a kindred spirit with me," said Musa.

"Ruby and I found we like a lot of the same things," added Bloom.

"Sapphire and I gravitate more toward research than application," said Tecna, "And she's more into physics and chemistry while I go for computer science. But we compliment each other that way."

Obsidian smiled to herself. Had they been trolls, these girls would have made a passable team to employ the Magic of the Five.

"It eases my heart to hear you say that," Obsidian nodded.

"So, what about tomorrow, and confronting Simon," asked Bloom.

"After Faragonda's call I spoke with the Mayor," answered Obsidian, "He feels contact with the rest of the world should be done slowly, and I agree. You're free to visit Trollzopolis, but there will not be any official steps taken now. They want to judge how the normal troll-on-the-street handles seeing you."

"A reasonable experiment," nodded Tecna.

"I think we should use your visit to draw Simon out," said Obsidian, "He hasn't done anything since portalling the girls, but that just means he's getting ready."

"Makes sense," said Bloom. "So... the BFFL will give us the tour and we'll wait for Simon to show up."

"Right. Simon has always been impatient, doubly so when he has schemes going, and that will work to our advantage. The second place on the tour will be a historical site south of the city. There's a park, but not much in the way of other property. It would be a good place for him to ambush you."

"And we'll be away from most of the people, nodded Flora.

"But what's the first place?" asked Stella.

"A high-end restaurant for breakfast," she answered. "All the arrangements have been made."

"This is going to be a tough one," said Stella, "We're hours behind you. We should be eating supper by then."

"Nothing wrong with breakfast for dinner," said Bloom, looking at her best friend.

"If you say so," shrugged the Fairy of the Sun and Moon, "But it sounds weird to me."

"Anybody there?" called an unfamiliar male voice from the bottom of the ramp.

Obsidian stood up. "Come in, Mr. Mayor," she called.

An older troll came into the cabin, rather portly, dressed in a neat suit and tie. His gray hair stood out and up, and was neatly combed. He had that 'politicians' look that would not have stood out in any seat of power anywhere.

After greetings, he got down to business. He explained that meeting others from elsewhere was important to his office. There had been others visit from time to time during his administration, but it was rare.

"I have to say we're very grateful for the help in dealing with Simon," he said, "The opportunity to connect with the rest of the world has all kinds of possibilities, and this is a chance we want to grab with both hands."

"Everything is arranged for tomorrow," Obsidian assured him.

"Fine, fine," he nodded, "Just please keep the damages to a minimum, if you could."

"We'll do our best, sir," said Tecna.

Finally the Mayor took his leave, as did Obsidian. She said that she WAS old, and needed her rest.

After they were gone Musa looked at her friends. "Needs her rest my foot. I'd lay odds that old woman will outlive all of us."

Nobody took the bet.