Chapter Twenty-Five: The Bigger Picture

Topaz looked over her shoulder to see Jeremy checking her homework. They'd just got through with her training; he'd been extending those much to her dismay. Now he was there to help her with her homework. The gesture was nice, but she didn't need him. Her grades were satisfactory. The only reason she didn't say anything was because she missed him. He'd been hanging out with his sister and girlfriend so much she didn't want to complain. It was just unlike him to stay so late. Last night, he apparently lost track of time and had to spend the night with her. They didn't have sex; but, it was awkward sharing her hammock. She didn't want to do it again.

"Umm, you're going to miss curfew if you stay any longer."

"That's okay, your homework looks tough and-"

"I-I finished it. I was just double checking the work. You should go..."

Jeremy could tell she was trying to be polite. He was proud of her. She didn't lose control of her emotions even though she was distressed. "Alright, I guess I'll see you tomorrow." He hugged Topaz and jumped out her window. He decreased his gravity to make himself land softly. He looked back to Topaz and Euphoria's room before sighing. He stood underneath it before heading to Red Fountain. A laugh brought his attention back to the dorm. It was Ismene.

"You know, if you're lonely, you can spend the night with me."

Jeremy looked at the witch of nightmares. He had to give it to her, she was enticing. She looked as if she were headed out: green stilettos, black fishnets covering her body, a jean mini skirt and a small t-shirt that read "Baddest Bitch in the Game". He wouldn't indulge her though. "I doubt Orion or Karina would approve."

Ismene rolled her eyes. "Angel-boy? Don't make me laugh. I'm out here waiting for someone else."

"You know, Orion is quite fond of you. Maybe you should give him a shot."

"You know, you should start fixing yourself before you heal other people." Ismene tilted her head; a smirk spread over her black lips. "You're so wrong, visiting little Topaz so late. All to stall going to an empty room..."

"..."

"Or maybe it's not the room. Maybe it's the fear that John will creep into your mind and-"

"Stay out of my head!"

"Are you mad right now? I guess I see how you got wrath. Your stupid sister made me lust. I wonder why I wasn't attracted your rage; it's quite adorable now." Ismene walked over to him and put her hand on his chest. "I know you're miserable. Your brother, your twin, turning evil on a dime... your mother... the way they left you... You're hurting. I was just offering you a distraction; but if you need to talk you know where you can go."

Jeremy swallowed the hurt he felt. Ismene was good. He thought nobody noticed. He kept himself busy and tried not to think about it. "Thanks for being a friend."

The dark-eyed witch scoffed. "I hope you don't think you can talk to me. I meant Topaz."

Jeremy laughed and headed back to his school. Ismene's date arrived and waved for her. She jumped on his hoverbike and escaped seconds before the shield could activate.

The Next Day...

Euphoria took a bite of her salad and continued looking at her laptop. She was reading the newest best seller in Solaria when something blinked on her newsfeed. She continued reading until she finished the chapter and clicked on it. She could hear her friends talking in the background, but she was so in her own world that she wasn't even able to pretend to follow the conversation. She lost her appetite when she read the article.

Millions Protest Legitimization Ceremony

Crowned Princess Semiramis of Isis's ethnicity is not the cause of protest. Princess Semiramis is the daughter of King Sky of Eraklyon and Queen Diaspro of Isis. She was conceived during the ceasefire of the two warring realms. Although Princess Semiramis is set to rule Isis, a legitimization ceremony would place her in line for the throne of Eraklyon. She would be second after her half-brother Crowned Prince Elliott of Eraklyon, First Prince of Domino. The I people view her legitimization as the marking of peace between Isis and Eraklyon. They call her the living treaty; she is seen as a symbol of peace. Her birth was a marker for the end of the war. The war between Isis and Eraklyon has been over for nearly nineteen years; however, this weekend the people of Eraklyon showed the worlds that they are still effected by the war. As a form of protest, people gathered outside the Wall of Fire and died. When asked, those close to the protesting Eraklyonese gave one solitary response. "We are dying behind these walls, turn a blind eye no longer." Many places on Eraklyon remain ravaged by the war. It is a frequent host plant for missionary fairies, witches, and wizards. Inside the Wall of Fire lies a different picture. It is modern, vibrant and picturesque to the old days of Eraklyon. The Wall of Fire gradually expands, but is only the size of a large state currently. King Sky and Queen Bloom refused to comment.

After such an extreme demonstration by the people of Eraklyon, millions have voiced their displeasure of the Eraklyon monarchy and the decision to legitimate Crowned Princess Semiramis of Isis. Solaria, Andros, Melody, Linphea, Domino and Magix have confirmed massive protest against the conditions of the Eraklyonese. The rulers of Zenith decided against attending as well as several Earth leaders. Queen Krystal confirmed her ticket. Most notable on the guest list are the legendary Winx and their offspring. They are confirmed to attend the legitimization ceremony. Like King Sky and Queen Bloom of Eraklyon, there has been no comment.

Euphoria swallowed and sent the link to the Winx. Three minutes later Ismene texted her back and told her to meet in her room. The silver-eyed princess left her friends and went back to the dormitory. She turned the knob and sat on Ismene's bed. Soon, the others shuffled in.

"I guess we know what Nabu's been up to," Ismene sat on her bed. "It costs a lot of money to fund an intergalactic protest. Those people-"

"Those people had nothing to do with Nabu," Topaz explained, tearfully. "People have been thinking about that for years. I thought mommy talked them out of it..."

"This changes nothing." Ismene declared. "We're going. Something big is going to happen and Semiramis is powerless."

"We might be doing anything. My parents have to have a council meeting to see if we should go," Regina mumbled.

Euphoria nodded. "Mine too. I still don't think we should go. I know my dream was real."

"You know we're going. Royalty has a habit of overlooking dead commoners." Topaz glared at Ismene. A sharp burst of wind shattered Regina and Ismene's window. Air started to circulate around around the darker fairy, but soon stopped. Ismene wasn't impressed. "Yeah, you need to fire Jeremy."

"Why would you say something like that? Those were your people; they're more than dead commoners." Topaz's fists were balled tightly. "Are those inside the City of Fire that blind?"

"I know what's going on outside of the walls. I read." Topaz uncharacteristically rolled her eyes. "I can't believe you of all people are calling someone blind. Newsflash: your best friend is an emotional wreck. Maybe if you were a better judge of what's in your fucking face, I'd be more willing to listen to your political stance."

"Ismene, that's enough!"

"It certainly is. We're going."

Jeremy was taking his frustration out on a punching bag. He kept reliving his confrontation with Stormy. He just couldn't get steady in her winds and dodge her lightning. Most of all he thought about John. Never mind his walk on the dark side; he couldn't believe he would set him up like that. That's what hurt most. He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a knock on the window. It was Topaz.

Jeremy opened it and let her come inside. Topaz handed him a towel. "...I'm new to being someone's friend. I-I could never stay put long enough to make any. So I miss stuff. You have to be blunt with me. If you have to take me, shake me, and say something like 'Topaz pay attention!'"

Jeremy laughed. "What are you talking about?"

Topaz played with her hair. "I'm sorry. I should have realized, but I didn't. You have all the right in the world to be sad."

Jeremy laughed again. "Sad? Why would I be sad?"

"My mom is a Linphean traitor and my dad is... I think I'm the only one you can talk to and will understand."

"...I guess you would be." He hugged Topaz. "You know you're going to miss curfew if you stay any longer."

Topaz hugged him harder. "I know." For the rest of the night, they talked about the "evil" members in their family. Even though they were laying in the same bed. Jeremy didn't touch anything minus her hand and shoulder. This surprisingly bothered her, but she didn't say anything. They were friends, nothing more. His consideration meant the world to her. He was happy she trusted him enough to stay overnight, alone with him. He put himself out there and told her everything. "You can't blame yourself. The fast money, adrenaline rush, power, and all that stuff is hard not to get addicted to."

"I guess. I just wish I caught it earlier. He tried to kill Regina, Semiramis, Ismene, and Euphoria. I wonder why he didn't try to harm you; maybe he really did like you."

Topaz frowned. John wasn't the twin she liked. "No."

"I think you two would be cute together." Topaz was one more sentence near tears. He sensed that and stopped. "Sorry, it's just feels good to joke about it, you know?"

"I understand."

"I wonder what he's up to now."

Meanwhile...

Jacqueline woke up with fear. The water was crashing against the beach house she where she was staying. The night was dark. She could only see lightning crack the sky. The waters looked just as stormy. Jacqueline swallowed and did her best not to wake the man beside her. Despite the danger, she walked outside. She felt hypnotized by the storm. She put her fingers through her short, white hair and waited for something to happen.

"ICY!" Jacqueline was hugged by a woman with a frizzy beehive. She froze trying to figure out what icy was supposed to mean. Once the woman let go, she was able to get a good look at her. She was the unconscious woman from the house she fled from. "I've come to take you back."

"Take me back? ...Who are you?"

Stormy's lip twitched. "Who am I? Icy, hello?!"

Jacqueline shook her head. "Your name is Icy?"

"YOUR NAME IS ICY!" Jacqueline flinched. The storm seemed to get bigger when she yelled. "Geesh, Darcy did a number on you. Don't worry. We'll get her back, those Winx brats too."

"I don't want to go. My finance-"

"Another man Icy? He'll leave you too. Now let's go."

"My name is Jacqueline!"

Stormy screamed. "John, Jeremy, Jacqueline?! What is it with these J-names damn it?! Your name is Icy! Act like ICY!" Stormy pulled Jacqueline towards the water. She screamed. As soon as her foot touched the water, it froze. Surprisingly it made Stormy smile. "See, you are Icy."

"Let me go! Get off me, you freak!" The sound of a gunshot halted their steps. Jacqueline sighed in relief to see Jason with his fingers on the trigger, but she soon screamed in horror realizing there was a cloaked figure behind him. "JASON!"

The cloaked man grabbed Jason. The ice witch couldn't even cry as many volts ran through what would have been her husband. Once the cloaked figure was finished, he pushed Jason off his balcony. Stormy's jaw dropped. She wondered if the human was really dead or knocked out. She'd always talked about killing the Winx and her enemies, but had never actually done it. She was also never one to purposely harm bystanders. Maybe it was the same for her son. Suddenly, ice ran up her arm. She tried to pull free from Icy, but found herself stuck. The ice continued to spread until she was frozen over. Jacqueline ran to Jason and tried to get him to open his eyes. John casually walked to her and knocked her out. Icy was arguably the most powerful Trix, but without her memories she was a novice. He went to Stormy and debated leaving her, but the remainder of his conscience couldn't let him. He didn't know why. It wasn't as if she was Jeremy. He put his hands in front of the ice block and microwaved her out.

"Was I the only one that took our blood oath seriously?!" Stormy shrieked. "Darcy and now Icy! I barely recognize her."

"Forget her."

"I can't just forget her!"

"She forgot you." John retorted with a shrug. Stormy grabbed his shirt. She heard his hands buzz as a warning. Thunder crashed as her own. She gave him life; to save hers, she'd take it away. He wasn't about to disrespect her. John looked at her condescendingly, as if he was daring her to attack.

"You wouldn't attack your mother..."

"You attacked Jeremy. You didn't raise us; taking you out won't make me feel a thing."

"His name is Cosmo! Yours is Kevin! Stop it with this jay jay thing! I was in jail Kevin! They took you and Cosmo away from me! Ugh! We don't have time for this. Straighten up and come on!"

John scoffed, "So you're a leader now."

Stormy thought about it for a moment. Without Darcy or Icy she was technically the leader of the Trix; it was just her remaining, but she loved the sound of leader. "I guess I am." She allowed a tornado sweep John up and away until he was too weak to move. She released him at her feet. "If you don't want to be my son, you'll be my henchman. At least until you get manners."

John tried to catch his breath. He glared at her with hatred, but answered, "Alright..." Stormy was pleased and headed back to the hideout with Nabu. "...for now."

(A/N) Jason being dead or alive is whatever you want. if you think John is irredeemable, Jason is dead. Sorry for how long it took to update. I had to redo it because I didn't like the idea of John talking to Topaz like Nabu does to Euphoria. Review!

Next Chapter: Bloom wonders why she couldn't have fallen for Brandon instead of Sky.