25. The Next Life Fairy

Mara lent back against a tree as Roxy walked around her, looking up at the sky as it darkened further and rain started pelting down, lightning bursting through the clouds as the thunder roared soon after each strike.

Roxy had transformed again as she kept guard of Mara, using her powers to get some of the forest creatures to help her stand guard including a very dazed looking bear family.

Mara looked down sadly and sighed as the sounds of the battle kept on going. She felt so helpless, just sitting in the forest waiting for something to happen. She didn't want this, she didn't want any of it and yet she was supposed to save everyone. She couldn't do it, she just knew she couldn't, after all, she wasn't the brave one. The only reason she's made it through all the attempts on her life is because of the selfless acts of The Winx Club. She wasn't brave, she wasn't strong, she wasn't anything and everyone kept trying to make her something she wasn't.

As she titled her head and closed her eyes, all she thought of was that.

"I'm nothing. I'm nothing. I'm nothing."

And then all of a sudden, everything was gone. She was standing alone in a room of white. Clouds began to roll in across the floor and got thicker and thicker until Mara could barely see her feet anymore. She looked up, as a beam of powerful light struck her. She pulled away, shielding her eyes before the light dimmed and she could see clearer. Someone approached her, a slender figure with giant wings like those of an angel. The figure stepped forward and stopped for a moment, considering Mara.

"Who are you?" Mara breathed, having seen this before, in a reoccurring dream. "I've been seeing you all year, but you've never spoken to me. Who are you? I need you, now. Help me."

The figure began to walk towards her again, slowly and gracefully before the figure was right up close to her. Her skin was porcelain white and her facial features were all in perfect balance, with giant blue eyes and long flowing white hair, wearing a long blue graceful dress, with sparkles running down it continuously almost like waterfall. Her wings were the largest Mara had even seen and a feathery white, with a beautifully bedazzled crown sitting on the figures' head.

Suddenly, Mara knew who the figure was. Who had been trying to communicate to her all year, trying to help her come to terms with everything that had been happening, however Mara was too scared to accept her, but now… now it was time.

"You know Mara," the figure responded, in a very similar voice. "You've always known. And now you know what you must do."

Mara nodded, as a few tears escaped her eyes.

"I'm scared," she managed.

The figure reached forward and touched her cheek, wiping away her tears.

"Me too," the figured responded, before the whole world went bright again.

The world seemed to shatter into a thousand pieces as Bloom found her body being thrown from one place to the next, the only thing she was focused on however was the two hands she clutched with her own on either side, those of Layla and Stella's. She wasn't sure if everyone else was there, she couldn't see anything but she could feel them and that was enough for her.

Her stomach churned as the world pulled itself back together, reassembling itself like the pieces of a now completed jigsaw puzzle and then everything stopped.

She opened her eyes. She had let go of Stella and Layla's hands and was now lying face down on the grass, back in her normal clothing.

She looked around, seeing Stella and Layla on either side of her, their eyes closed before Bloom then saw the bodies of Flora, Tecna and Musa just behind Stella. Her vision was cutting in and out and she struggled to keep her eyes open before she felt a pair of strong arms pick her off the ground and carry her away, in between her black outs she saw Stella being carried beside her by someone else before everything stopped again

Her eyes fluttered open and she immediately sat up, being slowly placed down again by a pair of soft hands. She looked up.

"Sky," Bloom breathed, as her blonde haired fiancée came into vision. "What's going on? Where am I?"

"You're in Alfea," Sky said, looking down at her and smiling before helping her slowly sit up. "You made it back, Flora and Tecna explained everything. They were the first to recover, then Stella and now you. Layla and Musa are still coming 'round."

Bloom looked around the room. They were once again in the nurses office, however it was now one very large room, with hundreds of beds all sprawled out across the area and people were everywhere. The six girls were in a circle in the left corner, but there were hundreds more very injured looking fairies and specialists around the room.

"What happened?" Bloom asked, shocked.

"When you guys went through the portal, Than and Desdemona came out," Sky explained, softly. "They destroyed everything and then declared war on the school until we hand over Mara and Roxy."

"Mara and Roxy? Mara got away!" Bloom cried.

"Yeah," Sky said, smiling. "Roxy flew in after you guys a few seconds after you left, we tried to stop her, but you know how determined she gets. She flew out with Mara a few seconds later, with Than and Desdemona at her heels, but they got away in time. We haven't seen them since."

"And what's going on here?" Bloom asked.

"We fought, and whilst we've had no causalities obviously, people are really injured," Sky explained. "Some, injured beyond any repair. If The Guide had been in position, they would be dead."

Bloom gasped a little, before suddenly three pairs of arms wrapped around her and hugged her tightly.

"Bloom! Thank god you're okay!" Stella cried, she, Tecna and Flora landing down on her bed and grinning at her.

"We were worried," Flora said, smiling.

"I'm fine," Bloom responded. "How are Musa and Layla?"

"Musa's stirring," Riven called, from the next bed as he placed a cold cloth on his laying girlfriend's forehead.

"And Layla's woken up a few times," Brandon informed her, walking over to them with a glass of water and offering it to Bloom, who guzzled it down. "I'm sure she'll be up within the hour... hopefully."

"Why an hour?" Bloom asked. "Where are Desdemona and Than?"

"Gone," Sky responded. "For now anyway. When you guys arrived, you landed right in the center of the quad. He was impressed with your bravery and gave us one hour to bring him Mara and Roxy, or else he will come back and tears us all apart."

"We can't give him them," Bloom said, sternly. "The universe will be in much more danger if we do."

"We know Bloom," Brandon answered. "But we're not strong enough to fight again, we barely had enough people to hold them off before, we're even worse now."

"We've got to do something," Tecna proclaimed.

"It's up to Mara now," Stella said, slowly. "She needs to become The Guide and then she can finally battle Than and finish this nightmare!"

"I hope she and Roxy are okay," Bloom said, worried.

The hour started passing quicker than anyone would have expected. Layla and Musa soon awoke, both girls seeming to be much weaker than the others, but wishing to fight with them. The teachers put up a large shield over the school to protect it and evacuated as many young students as possible, with students over sophomore year being allowed to stay and help if they desired. The older witches from Cloud Tower were also summoned by Ms Griffin as this effected everyone, not just fairies and Ms Faragonda sent out a distress call, however there was no way help would arrive before Than and Desdemona returned.

Bloom stood out at the top of the east tower, looking out over the students below, most seeming quite frightened but ready to help out. She had still heard nothing from Roxy or Mara and was more worried than ever about them; however it seemed The Guide hadn't been restored because everyone was still immortal. The school, however, was not. The teachers tried to repair as much as they could, but the school would not withstand another attack, Alfea would be destroyed much like Red Fountain was in Bloom's first year and there was little she could do about it.

"Bloom, the hour is almost up," Sky's voice said from behind her before he came to stand beside her. "They'll be here soon."

Bloom sighed; looking over her fiancée who she noticed had a long cut along his face from the battle before.

"We won't make it will we?" she asked, sadly. "I mean, we can't die… but I bet Than could find a way to make an immortal life torture every day. He will tear the world apart to find Mara and there's nothing we can do."

"I'm sure we'll figure something out," Sky responded, calmly. "We always do! Now come on, the others need you."

He extended his hand and she took it, the two walking down the stairs and through the now empty corridors. There were giant holes in the walls, scorch marks were everywhere and entire wings of the school had been ripped apart by the previous attack. Bloom couldn't help feeling like she was walking to her own demise.

"Bloom."

Bloom stopped suddenly, Sky looking around at her confused.

"Bloom. Listen to me Bloom. "

"Bloom?" Sky asked, as Bloom stared straight ahead of her. "Are you okay?"

"I'll meet you there," Bloom said, somewhat monotone.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Bloom said, quickly. "Go, I need a minute."

Sky remained still for a few moments, his fiancée barley moving before he slowly let go of her hand.

"If you're sure," he said, slowly. "But if you're not down in two minutes, I'm coming back for you."

Bloom nodded, before Sky walked off, glancing back at her every few seconds before disappearing behind the corner.

Bloom couldn't move or speak; it was as if she was seeing herself from the outside, wiling herself to move but she couldn't.

Suddenly, a figure appeared from behind a nearby large vase and Bloom found herself screaming in her head, wishing to lash out and attack the person but she couldn't move.

"I can hear what you're saying you know," Desdemona explained, somewhat softly.

She was in her normal clothes, and instead of the bitter expression she usually wore on her face, she seemed to be looking somewhat, remorseful. She walked towards Bloom and stood a mere few centimeters from her, Bloom wanted to punch her in the face but she couldn't.

"I'm sorry I have to do this," Desdemona said, "but I didn't think you would listen of your own free will."

Listen to you, yeah right! Bloom thought, sourly.

"But you have to," Desdemona answered, looking behind her anxiously. "We haven't got time, I'm here to help you."

I don't want your help!

"I don't blame you," Desdemona responded. "But please, give me a chance, after all you never did before."

All of this, just because we didn't pay attention to you. You're going to destroy EVERYTHING, because of THAT!

"I know, that's why I'm here," Desdemona said, quickly. "All I wanted was for someone to care for me, and I was filled with so much hatred because you guys didn't, it consumed me. Than doesn't care about me, he doesn't care about anything. What's the point of being all powerful if you haven't got anyone to share that with? I don't want to be feared, I want to be loved… please believe me Bloom."

I do, but I can't trust you.

"I don't expect you to," Desdemona said. "But I want to help you. The scepter. You have to destroy the scepter. When I brought Than back, I used a spell from the Fairy Compendium book that was in my family for generations. The scepter is his life force, it keeps him in this world and not in Limbo where he belongs. If you destroy the scepter, he gets pulled back forever."

So you put the book in the library for me to find?

Desdemona nodded, "It was the only way you could stop the gargoyles, I knew it would destroy you and I didn't want that to happen."

Bloom paused, running everything through her mind. Could it be true?

"I'm going to release you now, so if you want to attack me go for it," Desdemona said, slowly. "I deserve it anyway, I won't fight back."

Desdemona waved her hand and Bloom felt herself returning to her body, taking deep breaths and recovering. It was a very strange experience and she felt a little light headed.

"Is that the same thing you did to my friends?" Bloom asked, curiously.

"Yes, I elect what memories you can get back and when," Desdemona explained.

Bloom nodded, Desdemona seeming a little uneasy.

"I'm not going to fight you," Bloom responded, slowly. "I don't think you're evil."

"Thank you," Desdemona said. "I don't think anyone else will agree though."

"Will you stay and fight with us?" Bloom asked. "We could use someone like you."

"I can't," Desdemona said, backing away a little. "I have to go, I can't be here. I'm sorry Bloom. Good luck, I truly hope you can defeat him."

Desdemona clapped her hands together and disappeared.

"Bloom!" Sky yelled, running along the hallway right through where Desdemona had just disappeared. "I saw that girl! She was there before with Than, she disappeared just before the fight though! Was she hurting you?"

"No, she helped me," Bloom said, slowly. "Come on."

Bloom and Sky ran along the hallway, the final minute of the hour about to finish. They reached the quad outside where hundreds of students stood just behind the gate, groups of specialists and fairies up on each of the towers, with the teachers, Winx Club and Specialists standing right at the front; Bloom and Sky making their way through the crowds to them.

"There you are!" Stella beamed, running over the Bloom.

"What happened?" Flora asked.

"I know what we have to do," Bloom said, the Winx Club and Specialists crowding around her. "Destroy the scepter. That will destroy Than."

"How do you know that?" Riven asked.

"I spoke to Desdemona."

They gasped.

"Desdemona!" Stella shrieked.

"What makes you think she was telling the truth?" Layla asked.

"I trust her," Bloom said, the others seeming less convinced. "And you guys trust me right? Just get me the scepter and he'll be gone forever."

"Unless it's a trap," Brandon pointed out.

"What else do we have to go on?" Bloom asked, Brandon shrugging his shoulders.

"Okay everyone, listen up!" Ms Faragonda exclaimed, standing to face the group, her voice being amplified by a spell. "I don't know how this battle will end, but know that we will fight regardless of the outcome. We are students of Magix and the future of the universe is up to us. We may fall, but we know that we fell protecting everyone; our friends, our families and our freedom. No matter what, we will stand together!"

The crowd cheered loudly, the students seeming scared but determined to fight.

Suddenly, Ms Faragonda started to glow, her body shook and her eyes rolled back into her head, the old woman falling flat onto the ground, unconscious.

"FARAGONDA!" Bloom cried, running towards her and bending down next to her.

"Touching speech, but it didn't do anything for me," Than's voice said, before the wizard appeared in a beam of shadowy light, stepping right through the force field and grinning with his scepter in hand.

"Than!" Bloom hissed, angrily and Than marched towards her as Professor Palladium and Professor Wizgiz lifted Faragonda onto a bed of golden vines and it flew her inside.

"Nice to see you again Bloom," Than said, wickedly. "Your hour is up and I don't see Mara or the pink haired fairy anywhere. Must have scared them away like I did with the last Guide and her pathetic protector."

"Her name is Roxy and you're not getting her or Mara!" Stella snapped, stepping up to stand beside Bloom and glaring at Than.

Than laughed callously.

"No problem, this can be my little warm up act before the grand finale," Than hissed, excitedly.

"Where is you little pal Than?" Sky yelled and Than shook his head.

"It was always kind of a solo act anyway," he hissed. "And here's the program for tonight: first I will destroy this school, then I will pull apart each of your little limbs and you can live the rest of your immortal lives, truly separated from everyone else."

"Not if we have anything to say about it!" Tecna proclaimed, her and the rest of the Winx Club standing in line with Bloom and Stella, the six girls glaring at him.

"Challenge accepted I see," Than said.

"WINX BELEVIX!" the six girls chanted, transforming into their glowing Belevix transformations.

"And it begins," Than stated, eagerly.

Just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and to let you know that the final update will be next Friday, so get ready for epic finale! (well, I hope it's epic...)
Thanks once agan for reading and remember to review! x