Previously on A New Beginning:
"Right now. Musa is already telling the girls. We're meeting them at the park in ten minutes. I already called Helia. He's on his way back." Riven told them. Timmy grabbed an empty water bottle and snacks. Helia arrived and they headed for the park.
"Musa told us the plan. Flora was out of the room when she did. Timmy, I can't believe you came up with this."
"Hey all I know is that Flora needs a guy before she's 18. You told riven she likes him. I knew he liked her. I put two and two together and bam! They'll be together. Helia already admitted that he loves her. Now all Flora needs to do is admit she loves him and then they start dating. My parents approve. Helia proposes to her and she accepts. They get married. They stay together and rule Linepha and they'll never know that it was all planned by their best friends.
"Helia, I didn't know you were going to be here. I knew I should have changed into cleaner clothes. Stella, why didn't you tell me to change?"
"There's no need to worry Flora. I don't mind if you're wearing your gardening clothes. I myself was just gardening in the Red Fountain gardens. The gardener was ill so I took his place."
"I didn't know you liked gardening."
"It seems there are a lot of things that we like that are the same." Riven glanced at Timmy and winked at him. They started playing truth or dare. Riven spun and it landed on Helia. Helia chose dare and Riven whispered the dare to him. He nodded and motioned Flora to follow him. They stood up and walked a distance away. Musa was silently listening.
"What's wrong Helia?" He took her hands in his before speaking.
"Riven dared me to tell the person I liked that I liked them. And well Flora, I really like you. As more than just a friend." Flora blushed. He knew he had to wait before she told him and he was willing to. They walked back to the park. Timmy spun next and it landed on Flora. She chose truth. Timmy whispered the question to her. She blushed as she listened.
"Stella, don't freak out when I say this." Flora took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I love Helia." She said softly. Stella perked up at this.
"Will you repeat that Flora? You said it so soft I didn't hear it. All I heard was Helia's name."
"I told you who I liked I'm not saying anymore."
"Everyone has to hear it Flo." Timmy told her.
"I already said my answer. I'm not saying anymore about it."
"What's wrong flower witch? Scared to admit who you like? What a shame." A voice sneered.
"I'm not scared to admit who I like. And DON'T call me a flower witch!" Flora stood up angrily. She was glad her sister wasn't with them. "I'm most certainly not going to admit who I like in front of the likes of you!" She added.
"What boring game were you playing anyway?"
"That's none of your concern. Darcy."
"Is that a challenge Flora?"
"You bet it is. One on one. I don't get help from my friends and you don't get help from your sisters."
"Agreed. The first one to call for backup loses." Darcy sneered.
"No planning in advance either." Flora added.
"Let's battle pixie." Helia stood up and was about to attack Darcy but Riven and Brandon held him back.
"Helia, don't react. Once a fairy and witch begin battling there's not stopping them. They'll battle until one of them is weakened or defeated." Riven told his artistic friend.
"And I plan to make sure Flora does neither!"
"Helia, stay where you are! I know what I'm doing." Flora yelled to him. She shot blasts at Darcy. Then an idea came to her. She stopped attacking and landed.
"What's wrong pixie? Are you surrendering?"
"No, I'm not surrendering and I have not been weakened. Come on Darcy. Attack me. You can even slap me. I'm not scared." Darcy went up to Flora and slapped her. Timmy and the others were outraged. Flora only smiled calmly. "Big mistake Darcy. Big mistake." She put her hands behind her before throwing them forward at Darcy. Ivy vines shot from the ground and grabbed Darcy's arms and legs. Her friends were mesmerized. She snapped and the ivy pulled Darcy deep into the ground. Flora turned towards Icy and Stormy. "Who's next?" The witches disappeared. She smiled to herself. "You guys I'm heading for the mall to browse around. I'll be back in a while." She called to her friends. "Oh Timmy, when I get back I need to talk to you about something." With that she opened a portal and stepped through. The portal closed behind her. Timmy stared at the spot his cousin had stood.
That didn't happen the way it was supposed to. Stella said to herself. Then all of a sudden her eyes lit up. She got a mischievous look in her eyes. "Hey guys, I'm going to the mall. Be back in a few." She hurried away.
Girls. I don't know how I stand them. Brandon shook his head at how sudden his girlfriend could change personalities. Stella soon found Flora in one of the flower shops.
"Flora, what are you doing here?"
"I work here. I came here a few months ago and the plants were dying. I asked the owner if I could work here and she said yes. I didn't even need an interview. I've taken care of the plants ever since. I love it here. I told the owner she didn't need to pay me but she insisted. My paycheck is $50 an hour."
"Oh Flora, there you are. I have wonderful news to tell you. You've been working so hard and so long that I've hired another worker to help you. He should be here anytime now."
"But ma'am I love working extra."
"That reminds me. You're getting a raise. Instead of $50 an hour you'll be getting $100 an hour." Just then Helia walked in. "Oh good. You're here. Flora, this is the new helper."
"Flora, you work here?"
"Yeah, I started about three months ago."
"Does Timmy know?"
"Yes, he knows."
"You two know each other? Wonderful. Flora, if you can train Helia and take care of any customers I'd be very grateful. Both cashiers are out."
"No problem ma'am."
"I need to run some errands so you're in charge dear." Flora nodded and her boss hurried away.
"I'm so telling Timmy about this." Stella said excitedly.
"No you're not Stella. This is just between you, me and Helia. Got it?" Stella pouted.
"What's wrong with telling Timmy?" She asked.
"Very funny Stella. Very funny. I know what you're thinking." Flora told her. "Helia, I'll be right back in a moment." She pulled Stella into a backroom.
"Stella, I just met him. Let us get to know each other first. We've only known each other for just over a day."
"But you look so cute together."
"He's a pacifist for crying out loud. He doesn't like to fight." That's when the bell signaling a customer rang. "Just in time. A customer. And I still have to train Helia." Flora and Stella left the back room. Flora went over and helped the customer. The customer paid and left. "Oh silly me. I forgot to put on my apron." Flora grabbed her apron and tied it on. Now to train Helia. She told herself. She gave Helia a tour and then told him the prices. An hour later several customers came in. "Helia, will you take care of anyone who needs it? There are customers waiting at the cashier." He nodded and she hurried to the cashier. The customers quickly paid. Helia helped a few out and then sent them to Flora. Two more hours later their boss came back. Flora slid to the ground exhausted. After half an hour Stella had left leaving her and Helia alone.
"Flora, you really need a break." Her boss told her.
"No, I'm fine really."
"You always work so hard. You work overtime on top of it. You really need a break. Go. Shoo. You need fresh air. Out. Out!" Her boss shooed her outside. "You too Helia. Go on. Out." Helia went to join Flora.
"Hey Flora."
"Oh, hi Helia." Flora greeted as she healed some flowers.
"Will you tell me what you said in answer to Timmy's question? You don't have to."
"I guess you have a right to know. I said- Whoa! Look out!" Flora pushed him down just as a bullet flew by right where they had been sitting. That was too close. Oh crap. How did they find out where I worked? Crap! I've got to call Timmy. Flora told herself. "Helia, head back inside to the flower shop and make sure our boss is okay. I'll deal with these guys." Helia placed his hand over hers.
"Be careful. Be safe. Timmy will never forgive me if you get hurt while I was around despite the fact that I'm naturally a pacifist."
"I will. Now go." Helia carefully stood up and slipped inside. Flora slipped into an outside bathroom and called Timmy. "Timmy. Timmy. Are you there? Timmy, pick up please."
"I'm here Flora. What's up?"
"Timmy, I'm in serious danger."
"What do you mean you're in danger? Helia just headed over there."
"I know. He works at the same place I do. I sent him to the shop to check on our boss."
"Flora, we know you're in there. Come out; come out where ever you are." Flora cringed.
"Timmy, the ninjas are still after me."
"Hang on; we're on our way right now." Flora heard running in the background. Then an engine starting up and taking off. Suddenly the bathroom door was busted down.
"Timmy! Help me!" Flora yelled. When Helia heard Flora scream he took off outside. When he saw her being kidnapped he pulled the fire alarm to alert everyone inside of a danger. Then he went after Flora. "Someone help me!"
"Shut it princess. Your parents have to pay the ransom."
"Helia!" She yelled. He ran at his top speed. He finally caught up to them. He shouted a spell and her captors were blinded. She ran to him. The captors recovered rather quickly. "Helia, what are we going to do?"
"I'll think of something. Stay behind me whatever you do." He told her.
"I wish Timmy was here." She whispered as she clung to Helia's cape.
"You called for backup Flora?" Riven asked as he glided down from the ship.
"Riven, where are the others?" Helia asked. His eyes never leaving the foe.
"They're coming as soon as they land."
"Riven, see if you can stop these guys. I'll get Flora to safety." Helia led Flora back inside. They found a staircase leading to the roof. The ship had landed. Flora hurried onto the ship with Helia close behind her. "Sky, Brandon, Riven needs back up on the ground. Musa, you'll want to go as well. I'll explain to Timmy what happened." Everyone except Timmy and Tecna left. Flora clung to her cousin nervously as Helia quickly explained the situation. Tecna was monitoring the battle down below via the mall cameras.
"Flora, it's too dangerous for you to be working alone at the flower shop." Timmy told his cousin after hearing the story.
"I'm not working alone Tim. Helia just got hired so even if my other co-workers aren't there Helia is."
"I see. Tec, what do you think of the circumstances?"
"Helia, what hours are you working at the flower shop?"
"Hopefully the same hours as Flora. For two main reasons, for Timmy's sanity and Flora's safety."
"If it wasn't for his quick reactions I might still be captured by the ninjas."
"That I am very grateful for. Now these ninjas that are after you know where you work. I'll have to come up with a plan to make sure you're safe at all costs. We may have to talk to father about body guards."
"Timmy, anything but the body guards. Anything."
"Okay then. Body guards would be too obvious anyway."
"Helia, Timmy, the others need some help. According to the mall's cameras… Riven's what? Helia, they need you down there and now! Flora and I will come too. The girls will need all the help they can get now that Riven's been injured."
"Oh no! Helia, you know the art of healing and taking care of wounds right?" Helia nodded. "Take these herbs and use your skills to care for any injuries. GO! Hurry!" Helia and Tecna hurried away while Timmy stayed behind momentarily. "Timmy, I need to tell you something before we have to deal with the ninjas."
"I'm listening."
"I love Helia."
"Flora, when Riven dared Helia what did Helia say?"
"He said he really liked me."
"He didn't say the L word?"
"No, he just said he really, really, really liked me."
"Hmm. He must be waiting for something."
"Yeah, me to tell him the truth about how I feel." Suddenly Helia came running clutching his arm to his chest. "Helia!" Flora ran to him and helped him to a chair. "Timmy, bring us to the parking lot and send for the teachers." Timmy brought the ship down and Flora mentally screamed. That's it! Those ninjas are after me. I need to stop them myself. She gently placed Helia's arm in a cast and sling. "Stay here Helia. I'll be back." She ran outside. She punched the ninja closest to her. She kicked another. She hissed and scared one. She growled and sent another running. The last four surrounded her and she repeated what she had done to the first four as she defended herself. "Leave my friends alone! They're only protecting me!" Flora yelled as she finished defeating the ninjas. "And don't ever! TOUCH MY BOYFRIEND!" She didn't care who heard her as she shouted that. The ninjas ran off. She ran inside to check on her boss. "Ma'am! You're hurt!" She ran to her boss's side. She checked her pulse. "TIMMY! HELIA!" She yelled. The two boys came running. Helia was first to her side. "Helia, she's dead." He was startled but not truly surprised.
"I told her to leave for safety but she wouldn't." Helia took Flora into his arms and held her close. "She told me that because you were her hardest worker that if her life should be taken that you are to carry on the store."
"But I don't know a thing about running a store."
"That's not true. You did an amazing job of running the store while she was gone."
"But then there will be papers and lawyers."
"Flora, you needn't worry about that sort of thing. If you want I'll be a co-owner. We'll share the duty of being there all the time."
"Thank you Helia. You didn't hear what I said when I was fighting the ninjas did you?"
"I kind of did."
"Timmy, will you step outside for a moment?" He nodded and stepped outside. Helia was confused. Flora knelt next o her boss. "I guess I better take care of her wounds before we give a funeral. Will you get the mall manager?" Helia quickly did so. Flora said a hushed spell and her employer's wounds were healed. Helia returned with the mall manager. Helia had already explained what happened. "I'm terribly sorry I started working here. If I hadn't this wonderful person would still be alive." Flora told him.
"No, it wasn't our fault. I told everyone to say in the stores closest to them." The manager objected.
"I've healed her wounds. My cousin or I will arrange the funeral. I take full responsibility for paying for it." Flora had stood when the manager entered. "Has Helia told you her last words?"
"Yes and I fully agree."
"Thank you. The thing is; Helia and I are part of the winx club. We are often sent on missions for long periods of time."
"That is perfectly okay. I understand fully."
"Then it's settled for the funeral. If it's alright with you I would like to make this a co-ownership with Helia. So if I am unable to be here he can take my place."
"That's what I was thinking. Wonderful." The two new owners shook hands with the manager and got to work placing 'closed until further notice' posters in the windows.