Not much longer before the truth is revealed! R&R

Chapter 21: Into the Palace

Suddenly she felt all of his weight being lifted off of her. Her tears kept her view blurry but she could make out a very familiar figure beating the life out of her attacker. Before she knew it, Bishop was lying on the floor unconscious with an angry Brandon hovering above him.

"Stay away from her!" he roared, picking Bishop back up by his shirt.

"It's okay Stella, you're going to be okay", Bloom said hugging her closely and smoothing out her hair to calm her down. Stella hugged her best friend back, scared out of her mind. She hadn't realized until then that Tecna stood speechless by the gym´s entrance.

"I-I´ll get Professor Avalon!" she said, hurrying out.

"Ms. Faragonda needs to know about this. The school obviously needs more security!" Bloom said, staring angrily at the senior specialist. Realizing that he wouldn't be getting anything out of Bishop, Brandon dropped him on the floor and walked over to Stella.

"Princess, I´m sorry he hurt you. I promise I won't let him anywhere near you again", he said holding her hand. Stella simply nodded, still not saying a single word. She shut her eyes tight.

"I swear…" he whispered, kissing her hand gently. Bloom continued holding Stella, rocking back and forth slowly.

Soon, Professor Avalon arrived to take Bishop away with the authorities for attempting to hurt a student and invading a private institution.

"Ma´am, should I notify Headmaster Saladin of this evenings happenings?" Griselda asked Ms. Faragonda.

"Actually, Ms. Griselda, I think I´ll speak to him myself. This kind of situation is unacceptable and mustn't happen again!" she answered, grimly.

"How´d you guys find me?" Stella whispered to Bloom.

"Brandon came to the dorm looking for you. He said you were supposed to meet him for your date. When Tecna told him you had already left we realized something must have happened. Tecna used the same device to locate you that she used for me", Bloom explained.

"Bloom, Stella, Brandon…please come to my office. I think we could all use a cup of hot tea to calm our nerves", Ms. Faragonda said patting Stella´s head gently. Brandon thanked her quietly as he helped Stella up. It would be a long night…for everyone.

A few days later…

"Has there been any news on Bishop?" Bloom asked Sky, who was sitting on Bloom´s couch inside her room.

"He´ll be spending some time locked up until his parents decide what to do with him. How´s Stella doing, sweetheart?" Bloom sighed.

"Well…she´s been better. What Bishop did to her isn't something easy to get over",

"I understand" he said, grimly.

"That idiot earned us a pretty bad reputation as it is. Saladin´s a good man. I think he´s part of the reason why Stella decided not to press charges", Sky said.

"She knows the school´s not at fault", Bloom agreed. Stella knew perfectly how it would affect all of the specialists if she pressed charges on one of Red Fountain´s students. Many of the parents would probably want their sons in a better institution. Even the press would be involved and that wasn't good.

Sky stared at Bloom, thoughtfully. She looked at him confused.

"Bloom, I´ve missed you" he said, caressing her cheek. She smiled.

"I´ve missed you too", he leaned in, kissing her on the lips. Bloom shut her eyes tight, trying to enjoy the kiss, but when she did, it was Valtor she saw.

Flashback

"I´m just trying to prove to you…the outside world can be more disastrous than the isolation you complain so much about now", she was speechless.

Valtor stood up, not letting go of her arm. Bloom refused to look him in the eyes, not taking her gaze off his chest.

"There's nothing you can say that´ll make me doubt my relationship with Sky", he lifted her chin, staring eye to eye.

"Really? Are you so sure? "

"Absolutely", she said in a shaky voice. The wizard looked amused all of a sudden,

"I´d like to test your resolve", he said in a low voice, pulling her closer to him. Her breathes were becoming unsteady as he held both of her arms firmly, preventing her from pulling away. Almost unconsciously she closed her eyes. She felt his cool lips press onto hers…

End of flashback

Sky placed a hand on the back of her head deepening the kiss and kept his other hand around her waist. Slowly he began to place himself above her, laying her on the couch. Bloom could feel her breath quickening, she could do this….it was Sky, her Sky, her boyfriend. Then why was it so hard? She found it difficult to breathe suddenly. It wasn't like the old times where they could do this so comfortably.

"Sky, stop!" she said, pushing him off forcefully and standing up. Sky groaned.

"What is it now, Bloom?" he asked, annoyed.

"Excuse me?"

"Haven't you noticed that ever since you came back you´ve been acting so differently towards me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Bloom, when was the last time you called me? When was the last time you tried to kiss me? When was the last time we went out for dinner like we used to?"

"Sky…I´ve just, I´ve had a lot on my mind"

"And I haven't?"

"I don't mean to be unfair, but I just- every time I try kissing you I remember Valtor and then-"

"Whoa, whoa…" Sky interrupted.

"So while you're with me all you really have on your mind is that-that…"

"Sky, it's not what you think, it's just-"

"I don't need to hear more Bloom, you obviously have a lot to sort out. But keep this is mind, it's all or nothing Bloom. I refuse to be your second option because your first just so happens to be some evil psychopath who the entire dimension is after", Bloom glared at him. How could he be so senseless? Sky left the dorm all but slamming the door behind him.

"Aghhhh!" she screamed out of frustration, throwing one of the cushions at the door. What bothered her most of all was the possibility that Sky could be right. How could she have let herself develop any kind of affection towards someone so undeserving?

"I´ve had the worst day today, I really shouldn't be around people", Stella muttered walking into Bloom´s room. Bloom laughed.

"Oh yeah, than what am I?"

"You´re a fairy, its different", they both laughed at Stella´s antics.

"I get you, it hasn't exactly been my day either", she said, sighing. Suddenly, she had an idea.

"Stella you don't feel like going to class today do you?"

"Not any more than you do. Why?"

"What do you say we take the day off and go somewhere?" Bloom offered.

"So where we goin´?" Musa chirped in, entering the room with Layla.

"We´re going to Domino" Bloom said winking as the three of them looked at her like she was crazy.

"Bloom, Domino´s been frozen for years. Why would we go there?" Layla asked, puzzled.

"There´s a lot I still haven't told you guys. I´ll fill you in on the way".

"Okay, but how´ll we get there without a ship?" Musa asked.

"Hello?! Have you forgotten my skepter? I can get us there in no time! As soon as I get us all clothes for the freezing cold weather we can go"

"No need Stella, what you're wearing is just fine" Bloom said, with a wink.

"Whoa…" Musa said as they stood there, in the very center of the city.

"This…is Domino? The frozen Domino where we nearly got eaten by ice crabs, Domino?" Stella asked, dumbfounded.

"This is it", Bloom said proudly, breathing in the fresh air.

"It's beautiful", Layla exclaimed.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Domino has a mall doesn't it?" Stella asked, ready to run off.

"Hold it Stella, Bloom you´re meaning to tell us that….you´re parents are here? Alive?" Layla asked. Something wasn't right about all of this. Bloom sighed.

"They are Layla. But like I told you guys earlier we can't go anywhere near them or else Valtor will trap them in Obsidian again forever",

"Now that's just cruel…so close and yet so far away", Stella said.

"Hey, what about your sister, the nymph?" Layla asked.

"Oh, Daphne. Well, I don't really know…" she said, realizing suddenly.

"Don't you think they´ll recognize we´re foreigners?" Musa noted.

"It's very unlikely. Royalty is infrequently seen outside of the palace, unless of course they decided to make a visit to the city for some reason…"

"Layla´s right, but today won't be that day girls, so let's hit the mall" Stella said eagerly. Musa looked thoughtful,

"So Bloom, why haven't you ever tried to sneak a peek? You know, like that one time at Cloud Tower?"

"Curiosity killed the cat Muse", Stella said, as they walked through the city.

"Yeah but, I mean could it really be that hard? Aren´t you even a little intrigued?" Musa pressed. Bloom considered it for a moment.

"Well, I did see them once…but it was too dark and I only saw them from afar. I don't know guys, it seems like too much of a risk…I wouldn't want to hurt them", Stella chuckled.

"Risk, huh? That certainly hasn't stopped us before",

"What do feel like doing Bloom? We could wait until the evening, it's usually the time where everything is a little less hectic in a palace, wouldn't I know" Layla said. Bloom gave it some thought. It would be exciting to get a closer look…the only time she had ever seen the palace was back when the Winx went with her and Domino was frozen…

"Well then, let's do it! Valtor doesn't have to know", she said, feeling the adrenaline course through her veins.

"Yeah! Just like the old times", Musa said, laughing.

"Alright then girls, we have time to kill. Let's hit the mall and then we can plan this out at lunch" Layla said, eagerly.

"I sure wish Flora and Tecna had come along…" Bloom noted.

"Don't worry Bloom, next time it´ll be the six of us sneaking into your palace, no worries" Stella said as they all laughed at her comment.

"Is it just me, or the guys on this realm are kinda cute", Musa said, just as a tall guy with light skin and grey eyes strolled by on his skateboard, smiling at them.

"Flora, sweetheart", Helia greeted as he took a seat. They had agreed to have a cup of coffee at Alfea´s courtyard. Nothing too special but they definitely needed time together.

"Hey Helia…" she said glumly.

"Hey why the long face", he asked gently and began tickling her. She laughed unwillingly.

"Helia stop that!" he laughed,

"Not until you tell me why you´ve been so down. Does it have to do with what happened to Stella this week?" he asked, letting go of her.

"Not really, Helia we need to talk…I just-", she stuttered. He held her hand,

"Helia….?" Someone said, quietly.

"Krystal, hey" he greeted. Krystal seemed perplexed for some reason. Helia stood up,

"Krystal this is my beautiful girlfriend, Flora, Flora this is Krystal", he introduced. Flora blushed slightly and smiled at his presentation. Maybe it wasn't all as bad as she thought after all. She stood up as well,

"Hello Kyrstal", she said quietly. But the girl merely nodded and remained quiet.

"Krys, is something wrong?" Helia asked. She cleared her throat after a moment.

"It's nothing, it was nice meeting you, Flora", she said quickly and took off.

"That was strange", Flora noted. Helia shrugged.

"I noticed the same thing. I wonder what's wrong with her. But, sweetheart you were going to tell me something, please go on", he said. Flora smiled,

"It wasn't really important", she said, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek.

"I guess all I wanted to say was, you´re important to me Helia, and I wouldn't want to lose you. And it's not something easy for me to say but I-", she continued before he kissed her, cutting her sentence off.

"That´s not something you ever have to worry about. I love you Flora", he said. He turned for a moment and saw Krystal watching them from a far. When she noticed his stare, she immediately turned and left the court yard.

"Flora honey, wait here for me. I´ll be right back", he said. Flora nodded taking a sip of her coffee.

"Krystal! Krystal, wait up!" he called, running after her. She stopped, she was tired and all she wanted was to be left alone. She would have to face her feelings for him sooner or later. Better later. She couldn't face him now.

"What is it, Helia?" she looked…upset, teary eyed.

"You didn't look so good back there, are you alright?" he asked. She rolled her eyes and continued walking without answering.

"Krystal, will you please talk to me? Is something wrong? You know you can trust me-" he continued walking after her, trying to match her pace. She whirled around, suddenly.

"Trust you? I can't trust you Helia", she said, fighting back the tears.

"What? Krystal, I thought we were friends. Did I do something wrong?" he asked as she started walking again, and fast.

"Krystal just answer me!" she stopped in her tracks and faced him, taking him off guard.

"You really don't know what's wrong with me, Helia? Not the faintest idea?" he looked at her wholeheartedly,

"I really don't",

"This…this is what's wrong" she said, and leaned in suddenly, kissing him on the lips. When they parted, Helia was speechless,

"I let my foolish heart get the best of me", she said, as he stood motionless,

"You´re obviously very happy with your girlfriend, I don't know what I was thinking", she went on with a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Krystal, please don't-"

"I have to go. Goodbye Helia", she said walking away, leaving him dumbfounded.

"Krystal…it can't end like this…" he whispered.

"Hey Sky, this letter came for you in the mail", Riven said handing him a golden colored envelope. It looked like the kind of envelopes his parents usually sent out from the palace.

"News from Eraklyon?" Brandon asked. Sky observed it carefully.

"No…this isn't the seal of Eraklyon", he noted. The seal printed on the envelope was one he hadn't ever seen before. He opened it carefully,

"It's…an invitation to somebody´s party?" Brandon said, confused.

"Not just any party. According to this, the King and Queen of Domino are inviting me to…a coronation ceremony?" he read, confused.

"Sky, are you listening to yourself? Domino doesn't exist anymore. Your girlfriend, the princess of Domino, can confirm that", Riven said flatly. Sky shoved the invitation at him.

"Here, read it for yourself",

"It´s probably someone´s idea of a sick joke. I hate to say it but Riven´s right. Domino doesn't exist anymore Sky. Someone probably just trying to get to you. I mean mostly everyone here knows you´re Bloom´s boyfriend",

"I really hope Bloom hasn't gotten one of these. I know a prank like this would really hurt her" Sky muttered.

"It's Icy, Darcy and Stormy, that I´m sure of. They mustn't have anything better to do with their time", Riven said handing back the invitation. Sky took it, annoyed.

"It's ridiculous, I´m throwing this thing out"

"Wait, does it have a time or date?" Brandon realized.

"Yeah, it does. This Friday, at noon", he read. Riven snorted,

"Ha! They even set a date! Those witches are pathetic",

"They can't do this to Bloom! I´ll get to the bottom of this", Sky swore. Friday at noon. He´d be there.