Chapter Twelve
Even though it had always been part of their plans, Darcy had been less than thrilled when she had been given Red Fountain, and it was all Icy's fault.
Back when the three sisters had originally come up with the idea to each inhabit a school as they waited for the next stage of their attack, Darcy had been delighted at the prospect of having a famous fortress with a bloody past as her haunt. Having a whole school's worth of bewitched heroes at her whim was just a bonus. However that was before Icy and her stupid Dragon of Frost went and smashed it to the point where it was just one rockslide away from the whole castle crashing down.
Darcy had of course taken her revenge against her sister, but in her own unique way. The day after their victory at Alfea, Darcy had wasted time and energy sending some of the heroes under her control into the City of Magix to do a bit of shopping on her behalf. She was supposed to be focusing all her attention on perfecting the grip her had on the heroes' minds but Darcy had deemed making her lodgings more liveable of greater important.
That was the reason why Professor Saladin's former office was now decked out with objects that the old wizard would have never purchased for himself.
"I don't see why I have to do it," Darcy said impassively, slouched back in her grand leather chair. In her right hand was an insanely expensive crystal glass goblet that held a finger of equally expensive cognac and her left hand was absentmindedly caressing the black mink fur coat she had wrapped around her. The Dark Witch had preferred to keep the castle as shadowy as possible, so the rooms only source of light came from an open fireplace that, despite its size, gave off very little heat. This was exactly the kind of environment Darcy favoured.
Through the gloom, Icy glared at her over the holi-phone. "I'm just asking you to send out some scouts to search for any trace of whoever broke into Alfea yesterday and rescued that Jinx Club loser. It's not that big a deal."
"Well then may I also remind you that you've got me weaving an extremely complicated hypnotic spell over the minds almost fifty people? I'm having to prefect that delicate balance between total submissive and somehow giving them enough awareness to wrangle dragons and fly squad ships. That's not an easy job, Icy," Darcy hissed. "Besides, prisoner round up and management was Stormy's responsibility."
"It was and guess what? She screwed up – "
"Shock."
" – so we've got to fix it."
"And by we you mean me."
"Well you're the one with the resources," Icy spat.
"My boys aren't ready yet," Darcy told her firmly.
"Oh dragonshit. You might not have all those losers ready yet but I'm sure there's a few under your complete control," Icy said before smirking smugly. "I know for a fact that you've got at least one utterly wrapped around your finger."
Darcy did a fantastic job at not reacting to whom she knew Icy was referring to. "If you're so worried why don't you go out looking for prisoners? It's not like you're doing anything."
"You take that back, wi-atch! I've analysing our current strategies and numbers."
"Well now I'm worried too," Darcy said dryly.
"Shut up! You know, you should be worried because there's a large number of students that aren't accounted for," Icy told her, riffling through some papers. "We're missing eighteen percent of the Red Fountain student body, twenty-one percent of Alfea's and a staggering eighty-six percent of Cloud Tower students, which by the way includes the entire senior class. We have sent rot monster out in every direction and they've only managed to bring in a few stragglers so where the hell the rest hiding?!"
Darcy hmmed as she considered Icy's statistics and she had couldn't deny that they were troubling. While there was no one at Cloud Tower that could ever truly match the Trix's level of magic there were a few that had enough talent to be a nuisance. "You don't think they're trying to put together some kind of resistance?"
"I don't know but if they are we need to hunt them down and crush them before they try anything."
With a heavy sigh Darcy gave in. "Fine. I'll send a few dragon riders out and see if they can find anything."
"Good," Icy snapped and then ended the holi-phone call without another word.
"Eh," Darcy huffed with a roll of her eyes. Downing the last of her drink, the Dark Witch left the glass goblet on the desk and climbed to her feet. Her mink coat fell open to reveal that she was only wearing a black lace bra and panties underneath (1). Far from bashful, Darcy calmly sauntered towards another new addition to Saladin's former office; a large dark mahogany bed.
And lying on his stomach under the black silk sheets was her most thoroughly spelled hero.
"Wake up, puppy dog," Darcy commanded, climbing onto the bed alongside him. Even though he gave all the appearances of being completely asleep Darcy knew he was only really in a light doze. It was so much easier to overpower an exhausted mind than an alert one, which was why she had prevented all her heroes from getting any true rest. Running her long fingernails up his bare back, Darcy smiled smugly to herself as he immediately started to stir in response. He was so perfectly obedient now. "I need you to do something for me."
The hero rolled over and dull, distant violet eyes regarded her in a look of total submission.
When Timmy and Tecna woke up to find that they were alone in their crudely built shelter they decided not to get up right away and lie in instead. They didn't really talk but held each other close as they soaked up their shared heat. It was so comfortable and comforting that by the time they did get up and made their way to one of the campfires, they found that the rest of their friends were already halfway through their breakfasts. And being as smart as they both were they quickly counted that they were one person short.
"Where's Sky?" Timmy asked picking a piece of untouched meat off Brandon's plate. When it hit his tongue he identified it as rabbit and was thankful Bloom wasn't here.
A concerned look settled on Brandon's face. "He's not with you?"
"No," Tecna answered. "He wasn't there when we woke up."
"We figured he had gotten up early and found you guys," Timmy admitted, starting to feel very foolish for just assuming something like that. As the witches of the Rebellion kept reminding them, they were at war and it was dangerous to make assumptions like that.
Brandon quickly stood. "I'll find him."
"He might just want some time to himself," Helia pointed out. While he admittedly didn't know the Prince's character very well and agreed that – given the current circumstances – it would be a good idea to locate him, he didn't think it was necessary for them jump to the worst possibility.
Brandon, on the other hand, did think it necessary. "Well he can have that time to himself as soon as I'm done smacking him over the head for slinking off without telling anyone."
"Are you missing someone?" a new voice asked, and every head spun around to see Chucky standing behind them. Other heroes from his entourage were scattered about speaking to nearby groups, although many of them were now watching Chucky with obvious interest.
"Um, maybe," Brandon replied hesitantly.
"We just kinda noticed that our friend Sky's not here," Stella explained and no one missed the looks Chucky's entourage gave each other. "Is something wrong?"
Chucky regarded them for a moment before answering. "One of our levi bikes went missing last night."
"What?" several people said at once.
"Are you sure?" Helia pressed.
"I'm sure," Chucky said firmly. "The Rebellion doesn't have many bikes and they're a valuable resource to us. So much so that the keys to those bikes are under my personal watch and yet somehow someone managed to lift a set from me and then sneak off in the middle of – "
"Shh!" Musa suddenly shushed him, getting to her feet and staring off into the surrounding trees and mist.
Chucky looked quite affronted. "Did you just shush me?"
"Shhh!" Musa stressed again. "Can anyone else hear that?"
"Harmonic Nebular," Brandon said when he saw Chucky and his friends confused faces.
Everyone seemed to click in understanding. "Oh."
"What do you hear?" Tecna asked her roommate.
"Something's coming," Musa assured them all.
A small crowd had started to gather near them, all listening for whatever it was Musa could hear. At some point Annabelle appeared at Chucky's side. "What is it?"
"We're not sure," Chucky whispered back as he peered into the mist.
"Wait! I think I hear something too," Flora suddenly jumped up, looking more animated than she had been since her captured.
Musa folded her across her chest. "Well yeah. I'm not just making this stuff up, y'know."
Flora was almost ecstatic. "The trees are really excited!"
Now it was Musa's turn to give her friend a weird look. "Right. The trees are excited."
"No, really! Look!"
Several jaws dropped open in surprise as the surrounding trees suddenly started to quiver and an exuberant sound similar to something that might come from a wooden percussions kit filled the air. The wind picked up, causing as few damp leaves to fall loose and spin through the air like dancers to an accompaniment of birdsongs, the first anyone had heard in days. And then out of the undergrowth and the mist burst the missing levi bike and its two passengers.
"Sky!" Brandon called out, but his voice was lost as Flora, Musa, Tecna and Stella all squealed as one.
"Bloom!"
"I don't believe it," Chucky gasped, rooted to the spot in shock, as were many others who had witnessed the arrival. In fact the only ones who seemed able to move were the Winx Club who all rushed over to the bike to embrace their friend before she had even finished dismounting. Once Bloom was fully standing, the group of girls then descended into a huddle of tears, laughter and undistinguishable chatter as they continued to hug one another tightly.
"How'd you find her?" Timmy asked an approaching Sky who was grinning widely at the reunion.
"I had a bit of help," the Prince admitted, looking back over his shoulder at the little Kodoma that was zooming back into the canopy of the Tree. His cryptic answer confused a lot of people, but he did notice a knowing smile creep across Helia's face that he returned full force. Sky then held up the levi bike keys to Chucky. "These are yours, I presume."
"You should be reprimanded for taking that bike without permission," Chucky pointed out as he accepted the keys. "But, given who it was that you found, I'm willing to over look it. This time."
"I appreciate that," Sky nodded, still smiling.
Chucky then laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "You did good, kid."
Annabelle showed her appreciation by giving Sky a quick kiss on the cheek. By now a large crowd had gathered – eager to see if it was true that the Last Princess of Sparx had finally been found – so the Prince couldn't help but blush little bit.
"We've got the Dragon Fire!" someone in the crowd shouted and a sudden roar went up. People were clapping, cheering and stamping their feet in jubilation. There were loud claims that this would change everything. That the Rebellion would win and the Trix would lose. That this would ensure their victory.
~Let's not go planning our victory dinner too soon. This war hasn't been won just yet~ Seleena's thoughts projected across every mind in the crowd, silencing the commotion. ~Charles, Annabelle, would you please escort her Highness to my tent. I will be with you shortly. The rest of you please return to the tasks you have been assigned so that we are ready for the time when the Final Battle actually begins. Thank-you~
Seleena's tent was empty when the group arrived which gave them time to get Bloom settled into one of the chairs as well as introducing her to Annabelle and Chucky. At Annabelle's request some food and water were brought for Bloom by a senior fairy that didn't linger. In the past Seleena had no issue with Chucky and Annabelle having members of their entourage present for meetings, but this time it was silently agreed that the only people in attendance would be the Triumvir and members of Bloom's support network.
The red haired fairy appeared somewhat overwhelmed by everything, which no one would ever blamed her for. Her hands shook slightly as she drank the water brought for her and she didn't even touch the food. Stella sat to her right, their elbows linked in a possessive way that Bloom barely seemed to notice. Sky stood on her left with sturdy hand resting on her shoulder in a display of support. They were a unified force, ready to leap into action like a pair of blonde guard dogs if anyone tried to threaten their beloved Bloom. Their faces were stern and defensive when the opening of the tent blew open and Seleena strode in, wiping her hands on a piece of cloth.
"Sorry about the wait. Calypso and I were just going over something," Seleena explained, tossing the piece of cloth aside and moving to a basin of water to clean her hands more thoroughly. Anyone observant enough noticed that the cloth she had just thrown away had a reddish tint to it, leaving little speculation about what it was exactly that she and Calypso had been going over. Once her hands were clean, Seleena slipped her gloves back on calmly approached the throne-like chair at the head of the table but did not sit down. Instead, she observed Bloom with her usual emotionless expression before saying, "Hello, my name is Seleena."
"Hi," Bloom replied meekly, her shoulders hunched as if she was trying to make herself smaller and less of a target.
"Have you heard of me?"
"Um, Sky told me a little bit," Bloom said, briefly glancing at the Prince before returning her blue eyed gaze back to Seleena's cold, dark one. "You're the one who started the Rebellion. Who brought everyone here and who's been trying to work out a strategy to fight the Witches. I-I-I mean, the Trix."
"Very good," Seleena practically purred, lowing herself down into her chair so smoothly it was like liquid shadow. With her elbow resting on the arm of the chair she brought her fingers up to delicately place them on her chin as she studied the fairy across from her intently.
It was obvious that this was the game changer Seleena had been waiting for and even though Sky could understand that, it didn't mean he approved of the way she watched Bloom like a cat watching a canary. Her excitement caused her pale skin to become almost luminescent and at the right angle there was almost a silver gleam in her eyes. However, as far as movement went, the witch kept any emotion tightly contained beneath still composer.
"Now I'm going to assume that I don't need to explain what our primary objective is," Seleena predicted. "And at this point, information is critical. You were the only one to ever fight Icy one-on-one after she achieved possession of the Dragon Fire. I've duelled Icy before – back at Cloud Tower – but what I need to know now is how this new power has changed her magic."
"Take your time," Annabelle added gently when she noticed Bloom hesitate and Sky suddenly felt a wave of gratitude for the rainbow fairy. Seleena might be calling the shots, but Alfea fairies were Annabelle's responsibility and Sky could tell that she took their protection very seriously.
"Um, well, I guess I should start off by saying that her powers still very much ice-based. There's not much fire to it, if you get what I mean," Bloom shrugged, talking to her hands that were clasped in front of her on the table.
"But I did notice that her attacks felt different to the ones I've experienced from her in the past. Like, it's cold but it's a burning cold. And when she summons it, you get this sense that she's tapping into some . . . infinite supply. It's . . ." Bloom shivered and then continued. "It's overwhelming. I just can't believe she's using the Dragon Fire to do . . . do all this. I mean, it's my magic and it's . . . it's . . ."
"Well, if you're looking for someone who can turn the most positive magical force in the Universe evil, you can count on Icy," Stella tried to joke as she watched her best friends emotions start to get the better of her.
"I don't think it's a matter of good or evil," Helia interjected. "The Dragon Fire is power, plain and simple. It doesn't have morals or agendas. All that depends on the person wielding it, which in this case is Icy, Darcy and Stormy."
"And I think that in some way it's affecting them," Bloom added, her composure more or less back in place. "When I was fighting Icy that last time there were moments where . . . I don't know how to explain it. It was like she was kind of drunk on the power. As well as something else. Something more . . ."
"Reptilian," Seleena supplied, her voice indicating that it was exactly the word Bloom was looking for. The Telepath then shifted in her seat, leaning forward and bracing both her elbows on the table with her fingers threaded together in front of her face. Her dark gaze locked onto Bloom's and the freshmen fairy was unable to look away. "You're scared of her, aren't you?"
"Yes," Bloom answered in a small voice.
"You believe her to be stronger than you?"
"Yes."
"And if it was avoidable, would you fight her again? One-on-one?"
Bloom opened her mouth to answer but then shut it again and dropped her head, too ashamed to even look at anyone. Sky and Stella instantly moved in to gently console her while everyone else silently exchanged concerned glances. The Rebellion's only chance at success was to fight Dragon Fire with Dragon Fire, so if Bloom wasn't willing to fight . . .
Everyone's dark thoughts were suddenly shattered when Seleena gave an indifferent sniff and slouched back in her chair. "Very well. We'll just adjust the battle strategies accordingly. You're dismissed."
A stunned silence rang through the tent as they all blinked at the witch in shock. Even Bloom lifted her head slightly to watch Seleena from behind her fringe. Seleena, in turn, seemed to have lost all interest in the fairy opposite her and was shuffling through some papers she had pulled towards her.
"Excuse me?" Sky snapped, outrage building up inside him at the way Seleena had just waved Bloom off like that.
"I said you're excused," Seleena repeated without acknowledging the edge to the Prince's tone. "Go get some food in her. Poor thing's probably quite hungry despite the fact that she's yet to touch that plate there. I doubt your little group will be requiring another shelter but if you have any issues just speak to one of the seniors and I'm sure we'll arrange something. Thank-you for your time, now if you could see yourselves out."
"Are you kidding me?!" Annabelle suddenly exploded. She slammed her hands on the table and shot to her feet so quickly her chair toppled over.
Seleena let loose an exasperated sigh which did nothing to improve Annabelle's temper. "Problem?"
"Yes there's a problem! You're the friggin' problem!" Annabelle screeched so loudly that no one even bothered to entertain the possibility that it wouldn't be overheard outside the tent. "This is the Last Princess of Sparx! The one we've been waiting for! You can't just toss her aside like that!"
"And why can't I?" Seleena challenged coldly. "I am the one leading this Rebellion. You have heard from her own mouth that she is unwilling to fight Icy so why waste time pinning all our hopes on someone who cannot deliver?"
"Hey!" Sky and Stella objected in unison, but none of them could match the wrath that was radiating out of the other blonde. Annabelle's temper had been simmering for far too long and now it was practically erupting out of her.
"You arrogant bitch!" she spat at Seleena. Annabelle may have only been a small, lithe limbed creature but at that moment she had the power and fury of a person three times her size. Her green eyes brightly, her cheeks flushed with emotion and her soft blonde curls started to stir as if a wind had suddenly kicked up. "You bring us out here with no previsions or plans for attack and then when we finally find the one person who can truly help us you cast her aside because you're too much of a control freak to put even a small amount of trust into someone else?!"
"Trust her?" Seleena seethed, rising to her feet and leaning forwards like a snake rearing up to strike. "What reason do I have to trust a child like her?"
"Because she's the Last Princess of Sparx!"
"A dead and forgotten realm," Seleena countered coldly. "I am not so naive as to cling ghosts of the past and believe that they hold any precedence. I will not risk the lives of my Rebellion on some relic of a forsaken kingdom, regardless of what form it takes!"
Annabelle looked as though she wanted to wrap her fingers around Seleena's throat and squeeze. "How can you be so pigheaded?!"
"All right girls, enough," Chucky tried to intervene but he couldn't stop himself from flinching when the witch and the airy rounded in him.
"Stay out of this!" both girls shouted in unison and no one blamed Chucky when he chose to cower back rather than fight. The two senior girls made an imposing sight as they faced off against one another on opposite sides of the table. One was literally shimmering with livid colour while the other stood tall, cold and monotone.
"Bloom is the only one who can fight Icy!" Annabelle argued.
"I do not believe that," Seleena objected. "There are many people in this Rebellion with magical talent. They may not have the same raw power as the Dragon Fire but they at least have confidence in their abilities. That's a hell of a lot more than what this whelp is offering us!"
"Bloom is the Keeper of the Dragon Fire!"
"She's a freshmen!" Seleena said, stressing the last word. "She is an Alfea first year student who began at the bottom of her class. She didn't even have her wings when she arrived in Magix! She grew up on Earth and didn't even know magic existed until less than a year ago. Whatever birthright she had or whatever power she might possess doesn't add up to squat. She is nothing more than a lost little girl far away from home."
Annabelle's anger had started to burn out, leaving behind a hollow sense of desperation but she still stood strong against Seleena, even if there were tears in her eyes. "Ms. Faragonda believed in her."
"Faragonda," Seleena snorted. "Do you think I'd care about the opinion of someone the likes for her? A woman who stands by and offers up her students as sacrifice instead fighting herself? That decrepit, spineless hag. She's a fool and a coward."
"She is not!" a voice shouted, only this time it didn't belong to Annabelle. Bloom had slammed her closed fist on the table, her entire body shaking in her seat and tears leaking out of her clenched eyelids to spill down her cheeks.
A heavy silence fell over the tent as Seleena regarded the crying Princess for a long time and when she spoke her voice was as cold as ice. "Regardless of what either of us may think, I will not be making her mistake. Now I don't have time to deal with children and their delicate emotions so all of you; get out of my tent."
"But – " Chucky tried but Seleena wouldn't get a word in.
"Out!"
(1) I'm not sure why but that bit of Demi Moore in that fur coat and her undies in the montage to "A Girl Like You" from the second Charles Angels movie as always struck me as a good 'bad girl' vision. It's strong, it's sexual, it's expensive and I can totally picture Darcy pulling it off.
Also there's a little Riven cameo for you all. Hopefully that'll appease you all until he really comes out to play in a chapter or twos time.
Man, that stand off between Seleena and Annabelle was hard to write without swear words, and even then I had to let a few slip through. And I'm sure a lot of you are thinking, "What the hell is this Seleena bitch's problem?" but she has her reasons, as do I.
TBC.
