As you may already know, I posted a poll to hear from you guys about the stories I want to write soon. Lovely writers such as renwotac1, Roxy Fan 4 Ever and uhirasaokay have messaged me with their comments and suggestions. Thanks! I was glad to see that people liked the ideas and many of you voted, but unfortunately it was taken down and I did not have the opportunity of recording the votes. It would be fantastic if you guys can go to my profile and vote in the poll. I will be revealing the results the first of June, including the ones messaged to me.

There are just two more chapters left. I know I have been going on and on about this being the last til' the epilogue, but I decided to cut this in half. Woho! In the last chapter updated, I made a mistake in the last word. Instead of 'her' I meant 'him.' I already did the alteration and I am fixing all my stories and chapters from mistakes I noticed. I added some additional details to my other stories and the first chapters so you can go check that out if you would like to. Hope you were paying attention and caught the errors. Furthermore, I need opinions for the epilogue. I already have in mind little points that I am going to write about but I need a time set. It would mean a lot to me if you tell me your ideas and thoughts.

NOTE: This chapter was updated two times. I revised and fixed little details and if you like this chapter better than the one I had posted all thanks go to, renwotac1.

Chapter 14

''Daddy is going to kill me in so many ways. He warned me about witches and wizards of Magix, but look at us now.'' Stella exclaims regrettably to the group, particularly Flora and Tecna. ''he'll probably hire bodyguards to take care of me. He'll think I can't handle myself.'' She says while walking with her two friends in front of the two specialists, Sky and Brandon.

Sky, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable, reaches a hand to squeeze her golden shoulder. ''We'll find Bloom, Stell.''

''I hope so.'' She mutters sadly looking over at her companions, her blonde eyebrows quirking in interest.

''What?'' Tecna asks, noticing the peculiar way Stella was knowingly smirking.

''This is the group of the separated.'' She says in an overly sweet tone that is uncharacteristic of hers.

''What?'' the others ask in utter confusion. Stella only laughs and skips closer to where Flora is.

''Sky is very worried about Bloom, more than what his fiancée would like or permit. Flora is not only worried about Bloom but she is worried about Helia.'' She wiggles her eyebrows making the nature fairy blush. ''And don't even get me started on Tecna.'' She mutters, looking over to the nervous fairy.

''What do you mean?'' Tecna almost snaps.

''Oh, nothing.'' Stella sing says.

''No. Tell me what you meant.'' Tecna presses.

''Girls, let's keep moving.'' Flora intervenes, softly.

''Stella, what did you mean?'' Tecna asks again.

The mentioned blonde puts a hand in her hip. ''Isn't it obvious? You are worried about Timmy. We all know you like him.''

''Of course I am worried. We don't know what could have happened to him!''

''See, that's why I did not want to say anything. You are worried because you like him!'' Stella exclaims.

''That is not your business.'' The technology fairy retorts.

''No need to get all snappy. I'm just saying. You should just tell him when you see him; the guy must be blind if he hasn't noticed- ''

Tecna interrupts her. ''We kissed.''

''What!?''

Tecna shrugs, trying to act nonchalant. Why did she had to blurt out that statement to Stella, out of all people? Tecna does not like people to intervene in her love life and now she just opened a door to one of her worst nightmares: boy talk with Stella.

''I'm worried about everyone.'' Brandon admits shortly after.

Thank you Brandon! Tecna sighs with relief for the change of topic. Stella still looked a little surprised, but instead of interrogating her friend started paying attention to the boys' conversation.

''The guys can handle themselves just fine and they'll take care of the fairies.'' Sky assures his friend.

''Yeah, but I am worried about them mentally!'' he exclaims, earning himself a glare from Stella. ''I mean how they feel. Also, I am worried about the barrier. How are we going to get out?''

Sky frowns, looking for the purple colored barrier. ''Do you think you can blow it away?'' He asks the girls.

Tecna shakes her head. ''we'll have to defeat Baltor and lower his magical energy so the barrier vanishes.''

''Isn't there a way you can find him faster?'' Brandon asks her.

Tecna shrugs, opening her wrist device. ''I can try, but maybe Flora can help you. She is better with what Palladium said about the voice of nature.''

Everyone turns to look at Flora expectantly. She nods stiffly, uncomfortable with the leading role, before trying to look for a faster route. Baltor disappeared with a swift of his coat, so there isn't any way the trees saw him running or felt his magical presence around them. Also, he is a dark creature and the flora of the region scares away from dark creatures. However, her moment of meditation was interrupted as a mutt looking animal jumps in front of them from a nearby bush.

''What is that?'' Stella squeals as the animal growls in front of her. Its white fangs were glistening in the darkening late afternoon and its red eyes carnally watched the teenagers.

''Don't know but I don't want to find out.'' Brandon responds to her, taking out his phantom broadsword.

''Those look like gargoyles to me.'' Sky mutters, clutching his phantom blade tightly in his right hand.

''Gargoyles are dark creatures that were carved in many architectural buildings to ward off spirits. However, I don't believe this is a gargoyle.'' Tecna says

''Let's get over with this little puppy.'' Brandon smirks launching his weapon towards the grotesque animal. He cuts the animal's side with an ugly slash before it wails in despair and crawls over to Stella.

''Careful Stella!'' Brandon calls to her as he watches the mutt get close to the fairy. The fairy elevates a few inches off the ground and raises her arms above her head.

''Ray of sunlight.'' A beam of sun energy is shot towards the monster and it wails in agony before running off from whenever it came from.

''Good job, Stella.'' Flora smiles encouragingly.

''They don't like light.'' Sky notes wryly.

''They are the dark creatures Baltor summoned.'' Tecna says remembering the chant summoned by Baltor.

''What creatures?'' Flora asks.

''Back in the clearing, he chanted a spell.'' Tecna reminds her.

''Oh, I remember hearing howls and growls.'' Stella intervenes with an angry shake of her head.

''I say we keep going.'' Sky says.

''What do you think happened to Timmy?'' Brandon asks Sky.

Tecna stiffens.

''Didn't you say he was in the squad ship?'' She asks them.

''Yes but he didn't answer his radio when I tried talking to him.'' Sky tells her softly.

''Maybe I can try.'' Tecna volunteers, prying away the device from Sky.

''He is going to be okay. We have to find Bloom, first.'' Flora tells her friend gently.

The group walks down the rocky path in complete silence before Stella speaks up.

''Sky, I have a question for you.''

''Shoot.'' The other blond tells her.

''Why did you separate Flora from Helia?'' She asks.

''What do you mean?'' Sky asks, dumfounded.

''I mean you could have brought Riven and Musa or Layla and Nabu here with us and have Flora with Helia. Tecna would be there, too so she could have Flora's support and Helia's calming demeanor close to her.'' His cousin explains. Thinking about it, Sky decides what a good idea she pointed out. Being close to the people you care about and knowing they are safe makes you more focused. His worry over Bloom had impaired his judgment and he hadn't thought clearly when assessing the groups.

''That is such a good idea, Stella! Why didn't you say it before?'' Sky asks proudly. Stella grins at him.

''I have my moments.''

''And now you stuck Riven with Layla. Oh boy, those two are going to argue.'' Brandon whistles.

''They must be deep in argument now.'' Stella giggles and Brandon smiles fondly at her with a dreamy look.

Musa coughs loudly, uncomfortable with the deafening silence engulfing their rescue group. Ever since they left, the group hasn't muttered a word to each other. Layla was stalking ahead at an unmatchable pace, Riven was scowling to the ground, Helia was as quiet as ever and Nabu was uncomfortably trying to get close to Layla.

Her exaggerated cough, however; did not break the tension between them. You could literally break the tension with a knife. She starts to imagine ways how to break the silence when they hear a bumping sound.

''What is that?'' Musa asks curiously, her throat dry from the lack of talking.

Riven shrugs, looking around them. ''it's like a hitting sound.''

''Do you think it's outside the barrier?'' Layla asks.

Musa nods. ''I think I hear it. Let's go.''

''Hey! Hey!'' A male voice shouts in an almost imperceptible shout.

''Can we get near the barrier?'' Riven asks.

''Yeah but not too near.'' Nabu responds.

They get closer to the source of sound and to their relief a person they were looking for appears on the other side of the slightly purple and transparent solid wall.

''Timmy!'' They exclaim in relief.

''Hey guys.'' Timmy smiles, his voice muffled by the barrier.

''How did you ended up there?'' Helia asks.

''I was looking for any of the guards that were supposed to arrive when the barrier was activated and the ship blocked off.'' The boy explains.

''Is there anyone out there?'' Layla asks.

''Yes. In fact, we are trying to find a way to break through.'' Timmy smiles encouragingly.

''Who is out there?'' Musa asks.

''Royal guards, Omega Dimension officers, the professors…''

''You mean Faragonda is here?'' Musa interrupts.

''yes.''

''Oh thank God.'' Layla breathes out in relief.

''We are going to be alright.'' Nabu tell her with a little smile.

''I don't know why you guys came! It would have been easier to rescue Bloom if we were alone. We could have flown above the forest, instead of walking with you and your slow pace!'' She snarls irritably.

''That's the thanks we get? How about when we rescued you girls from Baltor back in the clearing? You weren't exactly that independent back there!''

''Oh, you mean showing up, angering Baltor and making him leave with Bloom? Thank you for being worthless!'' She yells.

''Guys, we need to focus-'' Musa intervenes softly, but the teens were too livid to pay her attention.

''That's how they solve their conflicts. Leave them be Musa.'' Riven tells Musa with a shake of his head.

''We contacted help, we are watching over you now, and we are helping you find Bloom. A little thanks could be appreciated. You know attitude is everything when dealing with somebody and your rudeness is just making this a nightmare!''

''You want to know why I am rude?'' Layla asks, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

''YES!'' Nabu yells just as loud.

''Because you are a liar! You are a liar, backstabber, cheater, fake, malinger-''

''So this is about the arranged marriage, huh? when are you going to hear me out!? Did you expect to me to just blurt out 'hey, babe, my parents are thinking of arranging me a marriage with you!'? I was just as surprised and shocked as you''

''What did you just say?'' Layla asks quietly, her face shocked and tears threatening to brim out of her eyes.

''I-'' Nabu cuts himself off as he notices Layla angrily wipe away her tears. He contemplates in either involving her in his arms or giving her space.

''So as I was saying-'' Timmy starts, uncomfortable for witnessing Layla's and Nabu's argument.

''I am in an arranged marriage?'' Layla asks, softly.

''Yes.'' Nabu tells her.

''I'm sorry for not listening to you earlier.'' She tells him with the same soft tone in her voice. Nabu shakes his head and lets the part of him that wants to have her in his arms win over.

''I'm sorry for being so crass when telling you. We both did mistakes, but hopefully we'll get past it.'' He says, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Timmy smiles. ''Take care guys. Reinforcement will come soon.''

''Faragonda would know that we had to come for a reason and hopefully won't punish us. She is very powerful and will know how to handle Baltor.'' Musa replies.

''So we have backup.'' Helia repeats, chanting the same sentence in his head like a mantra to relieve himself of the worry.

''Yes, don't you worry guys. We'll deal with this.'' Timmy shouts.

''We better get going. We should tell Sky about the backup.'' Layla proposes.

The group moves up their assigned route, feeling better than they felt minutes ago. Musa hesitantly moves beside Riven and smiles up at him when he glances down.

''So, Alex, huh?'' Sky asks Stella. Stella turns a rosy pink and starts to stutter.

''He… I… Gosh. How did you find out about… him… me?''

''A little bird told me.'' The prince shrugs, but Stella notices the secretive smile on his face. Then, it dawns on her that Brandon and Sky were speaking to each other again.

''You guys made up?'' She asks happily.

''Now you've noticed?'' Tecna giggles. Stella sticks out her tongue.

''We are friends again.'' Sky smiles.

''That's good.'' Stella says, feeling a contented smile stretch across her face.

''I am glad you guys are talking again. Let's just hope everyone starts talking to each other again.'' Flora says looking over to Stella and Brandon.

''Hmph.'' Stella turns up her nose.

''Don't change the subject.'' Sky warns and repeats. ''Who is Alex?''

''He is from Red Fountain, do you know him?''

''Yes I do, Stell. That's not what I meant. What is he to you?''

What is Alex to her? The guy she manipulated to make Brandon jealous, her replacement to make the hurt fade away, the guy she wishes every day was Brandon.

''A friend.''

''A friend?'' Sky repeats, raising an eyebrow.

''Kind of. We have gone on dates but only mere casual occasions and we have never kissed.'' She whispers.

''You've never kissed?'' Brandon asks, refraining himself from doing a victory dance right there and then.

''No.'' Stella responds flatly.

''Do you like him?'' Sky asks, hoping his cousin is still smitten with his best friend.

Noticing her friend's discomfort, Flora decides to chime in.

''Leave her alone Sky. She went through a tough time.'' Flora scolds.

''Just asking.'' Sky says, raising his hands in surrender.

''Thanks Flo.'' The princess smiles gratefully at her friend.

''Are you still engaged, Sky?'' Brandon suddenly asks.

''Yeah.'' The prince sighs dejectedly.

''You can't call off the marriage?'' Flora asks him.

''It is what is best for my kingdom. I just wish my parents would trust my judgment.''

''Bloom would make a great queen.'' Stella says sighing with glee.

''She would.'' Sky repeats, a smile lighting up his face.

''She would if we find her.'' Tecna whispers to Flora, the nature fairy muffling a giggle with her hand.

''You will make a good queen too Stella.'' Brandon tells her.

''You think?'' She asks.

''Hands down.'' He replies not because it was the right thing to say, but because he genuinely believed it. The girl is a ray of sunshine, she is always making people around her laugh and she is very strong. Also, she is a beauty. Queens must be refined and elegant and she already possesses the flair of a noble.

''Thank you Brandon.'' She smiles, feeling coy at his generosity.

''Your welcome.'' He smiles back, the same dreamy look back on his face.

''How cute.'' Flora gushes, unintentionally breaking the moment. Tecna smiles and Sky chuckles.

''You are blushing.'' Sky notes with a grin.

''Shut up.'' Both Brandon and Stella exclaim at the same time, blushing harder. The others burst out laughing.

''Don't you think it is amazing how we manage to inject humor in a time like this?'' Tecna asks, recovering from her fit of giggles.

''You should have seen back in freshman year the kind of trouble me and the guys stuck ourselves in.'' Sky tells her, a small chuckle escaping him.

''fun times.'' Brandon laughs. Sky then notices that they were a few steps behind. Sky smiles that his best friend had his arm draped around Stella's shoulders and her arm was around his waist, clutching onto him.

''What is that putrid smell?'' Timmy asks the men trying to break into the part of the encased forest.

''Dead animals.'' Another one responds. Suddenly, Timmy felt sympathy towards Flora and Helia. The pacifist specialist would feel queasy and enraged for the atrocity and Flora would feel sad for the poor animal lives.

''They were spelled.'' Another man explains and Timmy begins to worry.

''Spelled by Baltor?''

Unfortunately the man nods. ''think so.''

''Have you found any weak spots?'' A man asks Timmy while taking out a black computer that is connected to a series of explosions.

''Not yet.'' Timmy shakes his head, sadly.

''This man'' a muscle bound man begins, referring to Baltor ''is so deep in trouble. He kidnapped a girl and trapped a large group of teenagers. I heard King Radius and King Erendor are planning to sue his ass off. They'll make him rot in jail.''

''That is if we trap him, fellow.'' His peer exclaims with a loud grunt.

A beeping signal alarms Timmy of a connection. He looks down at his nanograph and to his delight the message came from Tecna.

''Hey Tecna!'' He greets as Tecna's and Flora's faces appear before him. Tecna seems relieved while Flora looked very nervous.

''Hey Timmy. Flora and I found the coordinates to Bloom's location and we might be able to weaken the barrier long enough for other people to enter. I'll send you the coordinates.'' And with that the genius girl hangs up.

''…I am worried about you. I hope you are okay.'' Timmy whispers to himself and she hangs up. The words he had been dying to say hang in the air until the wind carries them off in a swift whisper.

He sighs tragically.

''Problem in paradise?'' A man asks him with a loud chuckle. Timmy does not even respond back to him as he finds the coordinates given by Tecna.

After explaining their roles to the men present and notifying the headmasters of Alfea and Red Fountain, they situate themselves in the position given by Tecna. They wait patiently for anything to happen and they are not disappointed as some few minutes later the barrier blinks and transforms a shade lighter, weak enough to let people pass through.

''It is weakened.'' Faragonda notes with relief.

''That's my girl.'' Timmy says under his breath, too caught up in the moment to feel awkward or self-conscious.

''Let's go.'' Saladin commands.

The magical forest is a dark place at night. Its tall trees block away any light given off by either Magix, Alfea, Red Fountain or occasionally Cloud Tower. The darkness of the forest may be a disadvantage in any other occasion, but in the operation of finding Bloom, it was a huge advantage. Ahead of them was an unmistakable light that directed them towards a low cave.

''Who do you think that is?'' Saladin asks his companions.

''Guess we better find out.'' A guard responds back. The source of the light was coming from a strong fire inside a open cave.

Their feet crunch beneath the dry leaves. The slightly peaking moon creates a halo around a tree and they later find out that the moon was illuminating down on the cave Baltor and Bloom were in.

A strong black magic hangs in the air as they near the hot cave. They manage to peek inside and what they find makes them stop in their tracks. Shaking and sweating a cold sweat was Baltor. His hands were tightly clenched to his sides and for an unknown reason Bloom was in the same state as he was, but lying in the forest floor.

''They are mentally connected.'' Faragonda says, her eyes widening.

''They conjured the Three Ancient Wishes''

So, yes I am a liar. I went on and on about writing only 15 chapters for this story but I recklessly decided at the last minute to have one more chapter until the epilogue. There are two reasons:

1. I did not want you guys waiting too long for an update.

2. I am kind of stuck in the story. I NEED to figure out a way to end this in a big show of romance, drama and happiness. I would love all help, criticism or suggestions you can give me.

Shout out to renwotac1. She is an amazing writer and friend. Go check out her work!

Remember to follow, review and/or mark as favorite. I hope to hear from you guys.

And oh! please do vote in my poll. It would mean the universe to me.

Xoxo