Chapter 26: Darkness Falls
Silence reigned over Alfea. Not a word was spoken between the many people, all of them tensely manning their posts. The alarm had been turned off, so only the wind could be heard as it blew through the school.
And then the rumbling began.
"THEY'RE HERE!" a spotter yelled from his rooftop position. "THEY'RE COMING IN FROM THE WEST!"
"YOU HEARD THE MAN!" Saladin yelled. "SHIFT POSITIONS TO FACE WESTWARD!"
In the distance, the monsters made their way between the trees, or in the case of the berserkers, through the trees, casually toppling the younger pines to make way. Above them all, the witches awaited the battle from their gruesome thrones.
"Looks like they saw us coming!" Stormy called.
"Doesn't matter!" Darcy called back. "First wave, attack!"
Hordes of dark warriors and creepers below surged forward, crashing into the walls of the courtyard with tremendous force. The walls began cracking under their assault.
Then the alchemical grenades hit, their grey glow completely annihilating the troops. And just like that, the first wave was destroyed.
"Wait, what just happened?" Stormy asked surprised.
"So that's how they did it," Darcy stated, rubbing her chin. "Well played".
"Hey, an explanation would be appreciated!" Icy called.
"Alchemical grenades!" Darcy yelled back. "Completely destroys our troops! But I know how to handle this! First heavy-wave, destroy that wall! Second wave and first air-wave, attack the artillery positions! Second air-wave, go for the air forces!".
The ever-loyal dark creatures did as commanded. A troop of berserkers and warriors with heavy weapons surged forward. They began bashing the wall, quickly causing several sections to crumble, even as more artillery-fire bombarded them. The warriors quickly died off from even a glancing hit, but the berserkers were capable of taking two to three shots before dying. As the walls crumbled into dust, the remains of the first heavy wave continued their charge towards the awaiting courtyard defenders, followed by air and ground-bound horrors making their way through the hole in Alfea's defences.
"FOCUS ON THE BERSERKERS!" Xanti called out to the artillery positions, which began firing at the approaching giants.
Meanwhile, Cordatorta and the airborne troops under his command engaged the flying horrors. Soon, the battlefield was a complete mess as the lines met and battle was joined.
Riven danced around one warrior's blow before decapitating it. He then parried a swing from another before running it through. "Am I imagining things or are they slow today?" he asked Lucy, who was directing several hornet-like creatures to harry the approaching monstrosities.
"No clue. I'm not used to fighting these," she replied.
Brandon pulled the reins on his dragon, directing it against the one of the raiders. It tried to dodge, but was too slow to avoid getting toasted by the dragon's flames.
"Hah. It's like a shooting gallery today!" Cordatorta called as he directed his own dragon. He touched his communicator and asked: "Belisma, are you seeing this? It's like they're only half as quick as usual".
"So I've noticed," came the elf's reply. "We're popping them out of the sky like balloons".
Timmy adjusted his rocket launcher, fired and watched as the explosion ripped a berserker's arm off. He turned to Techna and asked: "How are you doing?"
"Eh, killed three of the big guys before I ran out of shells," Techna replied annoyed. "You know, I'm going to go down there and beat them up with my pipe".
"Oh. Be careful," Timmy advised as the scarred girl headed off.
"Hey, I'm always..." Techna started, before stopping with a thoughtful look. "Actually, never mind".
"Way to make me feel better about this," Timmy called after her.
Griffin lashed out with her hands, a gale force wind clearing the ground in front of her of warriors and creepers. A berserker tried crushing her, but the witch headmistress dodged before its sluggish attack could even get close to hitting her.
Musa dodged back as a dark warrior swung its weapon, before hitting it in the chest with a concentrated sonic blast that launched the creature backwards. She and a couple of other fairies were currently keeping several advancing creatures away from a hastily repaired wall of the school.
"Keep it up. We cannot let them enter the school," Flora noted, as she commanded several plants to rip into the attacking monsters with their thorny vines.
Faragonda extended her powers, forcing several attacking creatures to the ground, just as the emerald dragon that was Wizgiz dived down to bathe them in flames.
Not far from them, Saladin swung his staff around, directing a dozen weapons to massacre the approaching creatures. He turned when he heard the sound of wrenching metal, and saw that several creatures had forced their way through the iron gates of the courtyard. The warlock concentrated and assumed control of the gates, causing it to smack into the invading creatures with enough force to launch them several meters back.
Suddenly the sound of a horn could be heard over the din of battle, moments before a yellow double-decker bus flew up the road at high speed. It ploughed into the dark warriors, breaking and scattering them, before turning through the gates and braking, using the momentum to swing the back of the bus into several other dark warriors.
People stared as Sky jumped out of the bus, followed by a dizzy looking Bloom. "Hey everybody," the blond prince started. "Am I too late or did you leave some dark-spawn for me too?"
...
"It would seem your 'brilliant strategy' is failing," Icy commented.
"I don't understand," Darcy loudly replied. "Before they were struggling with creatures in these numbers. Now, they are beating them with ease. It doesn't add up".
"Or maybe having you as a commander is worse than just rushing them like they did before," Isabella suggested.
"Do you think they found other ways to counter our troops?" Maria asked.
"Don't know. If they have, it just necessitates an even quicker victory," Darcy added, as her mount began stomping forward. "I'll personally lead the next wave. Feel free to join in".
"Don't mind if I do," Icy replied as her mount followed.
"Sure. Let's march into a warzone. No way that'll get us hurt," Stormy muttered before following after her friends. Below them, the many minions surged forward to assist their commanders.
"So, how do we get through the shield?" Stormy called as they approached the school. "I mean, the big guys can barely get through. How are these long-legs supposed to squeeze through?"
"Simple. They are not," Darcy replied. "Observe". Her mount suddenly stopped writhing its hands and instead extended them, shadowy tendrils shooting from its fingers.
At the top of Alfea, a student was about to fire his weapon, when he suddenly tensed.
"Dude, you okay?" the girl beside him asked in concern.
His body suddenly jerked unnaturally, pointing his weapon at the highest point of Alfea, where the school's shield generator was.
"Hey, what are you doing?" the girl asked.
"He... Help... Me," came his strained voice, before he pulled the trigger. Seconds later, the projectile hit the generator, ripping it to pieces in a powerful explosion. Then the guy fell to the ground with a pained grunt.
Above them, the glowing shield disappeared and the witches' horrible mounts stomped into the courtyard.
Riven stared up at the colossal horrors, before turning to Sky and calling: "Yeah, we saved you some. Here's three you can get all for yourself".
"Yeah, no, not feeling suicidal," Sky called.
"I must admit that I am impressed by their display of resistance up until now," Darcy called to her allies. "But it ends now".
Their mounts extended their hands. Suddenly, several front line fighters stiffened unnaturally, before turning towards their comrades. As one, they engaged, attacking their allies with stiff movements.
"Hey, snap out of it," one called as he blocked an attack from his ally.
"Can't... Help... Sorry..." came his comrade's strained reply as he tried impaling his friend with a spear.
"Icy, keep the frontline occupied. Stormy, attack the air-forces," Darcy ordered. "I'll take out those artillery positions". Her mount began striding forward, every step piercing the rocks of the courtyard with a resounding thud.
The draconic form of Wizgiz dived to attack Stormy's mount, but the creature lashed out with its pointy leg, trying to impale the transformed teacher. The green dragon gracefully dove through the air, avoiding the strikes from the creature.
At the artillery positions, Avalon turned to Xanti and said: "I have to stop those things. Can you people hold out here in case of an attack?"
"Yes, yes, just go and stop those things. We'll try to provide covering fire," the bald leprechaun replied loudly as she loaded up her weapon. "EVERYONE! TAKE OUT THOSE BIG THINGS!"
...
"Musa, focus on the dark creatures. I will attempt to pacify those who are being controlled," Flora ordered, as she tied a controlled Red Fountain soldier to the ground with vines.
"Thanks..." he gasped.
"Will try," Musa replied, before sending a pulverising soundwave into the head of an attacking dark warrior.
Above them, lightning and fire lit up the sky, as Stormy tried to blast the airborne defenders with high-powered bolts of lightning.
Icy, meanwhile, was enjoying herself flinging frozen projectiles at the people below, while her mount stomped at them with its massive spiky feet.
Meanwhile, the artillery positions got ready to fire, when suddenly, Darcy's mount seemed to split into several clones that began walking in different directions. Confused, the people began firing uncoordinated, each trying to hit the Darcy approaching their position.
On the ground, Faragonda forced several controlled students to the ground, while Griffin pelted an approaching berserker with wind-borne rubble. Saladin, meanwhile, was busy using his powers to disarm controlled students, while everyone else was divided between fending off approaching horrors and tying up the controlled people.
Sky picked up the shield from a fallen soldier and jumped a dark warrior, slicing through it.
"Dragon's scaly ass, this is completely out of control!" he exclaimed before running another horror through. "I'm not even sure how we're surviving this".
"Yeah, luckily for us, the dark thingies really aren't bringing the A-game," Riven commented while finishing off an opponent. "Not that I am complaining, mind you".
"No, you're not," Sky said, bringing low another opponent. "For once".
Beside him, Bloom was using smaller bursts of fire to incinerate approaching dark creepers.
Meanwhile, Techna was wrestling with a controlled student and trying to force her to the ground.
"Ple... Please do... Don't break... Any... Anything..." she hoarsely requested.
"I'm trying, but whatever's controlling you is not making this easy," Techna replied in a frustrated voice.
In the air, Avalon eyed the multiplied Darcy's by Alfea's roof. He concentrated and a bright light spread from his body. Seconds later, all the Darcys by the roof disappeared, the real one turning visible in the middle again.
"CRAP, THEY WERE ALL FAKE," Xanti yelled.
Darcy didn't react much to her broken ruse, instead mentally ordering her mount to attack. The twisted being raised its massive legs and brought it down on some students who were busy trying to reload their weapons. With a terrible crash, it smashed them right through the roof.
Avalon dove, his blade ready. Darcy eyed him and covered herself and her mount in obsidian darkness. The paladin went in, the light radiating from him dispersing the darkness. He flung a wave of cutting light at where the creature had been seconds before, but his attack hit nothing. He instinctively flapped his wings, barely managing to avoid being impaled on the creature's leg as it lashed out after him.
...
Stella had to blink an extra couple of times after she witnessed Bloom plant a fireball in the face of an approaching horror. As the redhead passed by, the blonde felt compelled to ask: "Didn't you lose your powers and stuff?"
"Not really. Talk later. Where's Faragonda?" Bloom quickly replied.
The Solarian princess pointed and Bloom hurried across the battlefield
"Miss Faragonda! Miss Faragonda," Bloom called as she weaved through the various fighters.
"I see you have returned to us," the elder fairy noted as she forced several controlled students to the ground. "And your powers to you".
"Yes. I had a chat with Daphne and she revealed something," Bloom started.
The earth suddenly shook and the two of them turned to see a berserker making its way towards them. Faragonda raised her hands as the creature torpidly raised its fist. Then it seemingly froze, not making a move.
"What did you do to it?" Bloom asked.
"Nothing," Faragonda replied.
The giant horror suddenly started dripping, as if its skin was melting candle-wax, before it tipped over, its legs ripping apart as it did.
"I think it just died," Faragonda noted.
"Right. It's happening!" Bloom exclaimed in realisation. When she noticed the headmistress' curious look, she explained: "Daphne told me that my dragonflame was never stolen. The Army of Darkness is running on limited energy. And it seems they're running low".
All across the battlefield, the twisted creatures were slowing down. Some were easily killed in the middle of a sluggish attack, while others collapsed and melted away on their own.
Above them, Darcy's mount lashed out against her airborne opponent. This time, Avalon wasn't fast enough. The creature's powerful leg smashed one of his wings, shattering it like glass. The paladin fell to the ground with a whump. Seeing its opponent was temporarily stunned, Darcy's mount raised one of its great appendages to finish the job. Suddenly, its legs wobbled and the creature shook unsteadily.
"Wait, what's going on?" Darcy asked as her mount stumbled under her. "Would you stop that and kill him already?"
The creature unsteadily raised its leg again, but by then Avalon had recovered and reconstructed his wing. He soared into the air, easily dodging a slow strike from the creature, before he cut off one of its legs with a swing of his blade.
"Alright, seriously, what is going on?" Darcy asked annoyed and looked around. The sight shocked her. In the air, the raiders were falling apart, most of them easy prey for the defenders and the others just falling from the sky. Berserkers were toppling over, warriors dying in droves and she couldn't see any creepers left. The entire army was literally falling apart in front of her eyes. The creature buckled under her again as Avalon continued his assault. The creature's spindly legs were cut one by one and Darcy tried to no avail to direct the creature away from the paladin. Then the creature was bombarded with alchemical grenades, each blow dissolving chunks of it, causing the creature to collapse with a wretched cry. As its main body hit the yard with a dull thud, Darcy was flung from her seat, rolling painfully along the stones. She lay still for a moment, groggily feeling the throbbing pain from numerous bruises and scrapes. She carefully opened her eyes, looking straight into the face of Techna.
"Hiya there. How's it going?" she cheerfully asked, although the way she was twirling her pipe made the comment seem somewhat menacing.
"I surrender," Darcy stated quickly.
"Aw, really?" Techna asked a bit disappointed. "You're sure you don't want a final fight? Just a little one?"
"I may have some combat prowess, but I am surrounded by hostile combatants and my knack is ill suited for this," Darcy explained. "So no, I'm surrendering".
"You sure you don't want just a teensy little final battle?" Techna asked hopefully.
"You just want an excuse to pummel me with that pipe, don't you?" Darcy asked with a raised eyebrow.
Techna nodded happily.
"Yeah, that is not going to happen," Darcy replied.
"Damn it, I've been looking forward to beating the crap out of you ever since you three started this campaign," Techna said disappointedly while pouting.
Meanwhile, Stormy was panicking. He mount swayed unsteadily, making it hard for her to take aim, and the creature was constantly bombarded from all ends. Below her, Knut ripped two legs in one direction, Faragonda pulled two in another direction and Griffin blew the last in a third. The creature barely managed to remain standing as its footing was ripped in every direction. Then she heard a roar and looked up.
Wizgiz in his dragon form and Cordatorta on dragonback were diving at her. She frantically tried blasting them with lightning, but barely managed to singe the great beasts before they collided with the creature, snapping its legs and sending it to the ground. Stormy felt her entire skeleton rattle as her mount landed hard. She dizzily looked up, just in time to see Palladium and Zarathustra place their hands on the creature. Seconds later, it dissipated, causing Stormy to fall on her ass.
She weakly looked up at the two elves, sighed and said: "I'll come quietly without any trouble".
"That would be a first," Zarathustra grumbled.
Icy was feeling exceptionally livid. Around her, their minions were dying off left and right and both of her companions had been taken down. Meanwhile, her mount was buckling like crazy, parts of it sloughing off as the creature was seemingly melting.
"WOULD YOU STOP DYING, YOU STUPID THING!" Icy roared in frustration.
On the ground, Bloom looked up to see the final of the three usurpers struggle with her mount. Its legs were cracking and bits of it rained down on the ground below. The redhead concentrated on what energy she had left in her. It wasn't much, but she could feel it burn brightly within her. It was nowhere near the strength of her other explosions, but she didn't mind. She was certain that this wouldn't be enough to hurt her, but it would be enough to bring Icy down. With a yell, she let her powers loose, a concentrated blast of primordial flame surging through the air. Icy barely managed to notice the attack before it detonated against her mount's legs, ripping them apart in a fiery explosion. With a scream, Icy clung to her throne as the beast under her collapsed. She landed hard and angrily glared at the people assembled before her.
"IT WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS!" she furiously yelled. "I HAVE THE POWER OF THE DRAGONFLAME! NONE OF YOU INSIPID, FEEBLE LOSERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO STAND IN MY WAY!"
"You're wrong, Icy," Bloom called. "Darcy's ritual never took my dragonflame. It only took the magic it had gathered, which was limited. And you've, as you probably noticed, just ran out".
Icy glared murderously at the redhead, veins bulging as her temper flared and raw hatred consumed her. "I! WILL! END! YOU! ALL!" she roared. "IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO, I WILL END YOU!"
"Big talk from somebody who, like, just got her bottom handed to her," Stella commented.
Icy exploded in an unintelligible noise of anger that could not by any stretch be called a word. As ranks of people moved in to detain her, she furiously ripped a piece of paper from her pocket.
"Oh. So that's where it went," Darcy commented.
"What is it?" Techna asked.
"Your 'teensy little final battle'" Darcy quoted.
Icy unfolded the paper, glared at the ritualistic instructions and focused, her surging adrenaline empowering her already enhanced magic. Her essence reached out and began its work.
On the battlefield, the last of the dark creatures spontaneously fell apart as their vital spark was drained. Stormy and Darcy felt a painful tinge deep inside themselves as the remaining stolen energy was ripped from them. Icy's eyes widened as she felt the extra energy pour into her. She lifted her hands, a bloodthirsty smile plastered on her face, as ice grew around her.
"Stay back .We have no idea what she's trying to pull," Saladin sharply ordered.
The ice continued to grow, shift and alter, exponentially increasing in size by the second, until it rose from the ground, Icy protected inside the massive ice golem's core. The frozen colossus towered over the people, easily as tall as Alfea. It stomped forward, Icy's voice echoing forth: "I WILL END YOU! I WILL KILL THE LOT OF YOU!"
The creature lifted its hands and tried to crush the people below, the entire courtyard shaking as its attack left deep craters in the ground.
Icy maniacally laughed and yelled: "WHAT'S WRONG?! WEREN'T YOU GOING TO ARREST ME FOR BEING A BAD GIRL?! COME ON, WHERE YOU GOING?! STAND STILL SO I CAN FINALLY SQUEEZE THE LIFE OUT YOU!"
Grenades smashed into the frozen being, but most of them had no effect, being designed purely to eradicate the dark creatures.
"DAMN IT! NOT WORKING!" Xanti yelled. "SOMEBODY GET US SOME PROPER EXPLOSIVES, STAT!"
Above her, Cordatorta lead the air forces into an attack on the golem, dragon fire and projectiles chipping off shards of ice.
"I'LL SQUASH YOU ALL! SQUASH YOU LIKE FLIES!" Icy roared. Icicles grew on the golem's form and launched. Cordatorta's dragon roared as one of the projectiles pierced its wing and the creature made a hard emergency landing on a nearby roof.
Cannonball sized ice cubes shot from its frozen hide, as Icy bombarded the students, soldiers and volunteers that were hurling spells, explosives or just shooting at it. Techna and Musa leapt to the side as one of the projectiles smashed the fountain to pieces.
Icy turned around inside her massive construct, eyeing the ground below. She noticed Bloom running away, assisted by Sky. "YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" Icy roared as the ice golem smashed the ground, layers of frost growing from the impact point. Bloom, Sky, Brandon and several others were forcefully stopped as ice grew around their feet.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Icy yelled as her construct stomped forward. "BUT I WILL FIND ANOTHER WAY TO GET WHAT SHOULD BE MINE!" The construct raised its fist to crush the redhead. "BUT NEXT TIME, YOU WONT BE THERE TO MESS THINGS UP!"
Bloom looked up in fear while Sky desperately tried to chip away at the ice with his sword.
Suddenly, a bright beam of searing light hit the golem's back, tunnelled through it and blasted out of its chest. Icy stared in shock at the hole besides her, water dripping from the melted ice. She could feel her skin throb painfully where the blast had almost hit her, the intense heat causing her skin to redden and blister. She looked behind her to see Stella fall to her knees.
"Are you okay?" Flora asked as she tried to get the blonde princess back up on her feet.
"Glirpl," Stella weakly groaned as her legs kept buckling under her. She had focused all her magic through her sceptre, hoping to stop the golem.
"YOU'RE NEXT!" Icy yelled before returning her attention to Bloom. The golem lifted its fist again, getting ready to smash the redhead. The white haired witch stared with sadistic glee as the golem's fist fell. Centimetres from hitting the people below, the frozen hand suddenly stopped.
Isabella stared dumbfounded at the hand, before noticing Faragonda, who was straining to keep the hand from crushing the people below it.
"SO YOU WANT SOME TOO!?" Icy yelled as the golem lifted its other fist to crush the fairy headmistress. "FINE! I'LL CRUSH YOU TOO! I'LL KILL YOU ARRRRRGHHHH!" she yelled as a sharp pain exploded in her neck. She looked around for the source, only to see the small bug that had bit her neck. "GET AWAY!" she yelled as the insect buzzed around her head. She flung freezing spells in every direction, trying to kill the creature, as it continuously stung her exposed skin. Finally, it darted out the massive hole in the golem. Icy furiously looked around, hoping to find out who had been responsible for that. Then she noticed the smirking face of Lucy in the crowd. "THAT'S IT! YOU'RE DEAD!" Icy yelled, mentally willing the golem to march forward. That's when she suddenly noticed the sudden feeling of vertigo she had ignored while trying to kill the insect. She looked around in confusion, only to notice that the massive golem was slowly floating. On the ground, Faragonda and Griffin struggled together as their respective powers slowly lifted the frozen construct into the air.
"WHAT IS THIS?! PUT ME DOWN!" Icy angrily yelled as she slowly floated away from the school.
"I... Say we... Give her... What she wants," the straining Griffin commented with a smirk.
The headmistresses both moved their hands down and the massive golem dropped towards the grounds, crashing into the forest outside Alfea and splintering into several pieces. Shards of ice sprang in every direction, as the construct's body was completely shattered.
Silence dominated the school.
"Well, let's go check it out," Belisma commented.
Moments later, she, Faragonda, Griffin and Saladin made their way to the slowly melting remains of the golem. It the middle of its shattered body lay the still body of Icy, a couple of her limbs bent in unnatural angles.
"Is she dead?" Griffin asked.
Saladin moved to the downed witch and touched her neck. "There's a pulse," he confirmed. He turned to the others and relieved said: "It's finally over".
...
A week later, Griffin and Mirta found themselves back at Alfea. Many of the superficial signs of the battle were gone, but some scars remained. An entire wing of the school had yet to be rebuilt and the student body was noticeably reduced. The witches made their way through the school, until they found themselves at Faragonda's door. After knocking and hearing the fairy headmistress': "Come in", Griffin entered the room, Mirta waiting outside.
"Ah, Guinevere. It's good to see you," Faragonda greeted her. "Please, sit down".
"Thank you," Griffin replied as she sat down. "So, how's everything going?"
"Better," Faragonda sighed. "Still, this conflict has left deep wounds. So many have been taken from us, not to mention that we've had therapists running in and out all the time these last couple of days. Some students have even had to be temporarily institutionalized to help them fully recover. Bloom, for example, has been sent to a very good facility on Harmony. She occasionally comes back to take some classes and see her friends. She will most likely be able to take the exam when it comes". Faragonda sighed again.
"I get the feeling there's another reason you mentioned Bloom," Griffin stated.
"There is," the fairy headmistress admitted. "The news of her being a princess from Domino got out pretty quickly in the confusion that followed the final battle. It'll take some time, but eventually, she'll be noticed by the other royals, regimes and countries. I'm not sure how that will affect her".
"Politics. Fighting a horde of monsters seems easy in comparison," Griffin commented.
"Speaking of that, what happened to those three?" Faragonda asked.
"Well, they're secured in jail for the time being," Griffin stated. "Their case will be taken up in a couple of weeks. Mostly because they need to find a neutral jury and I doubt they'll find any who's neutral about this in Magicalis".
"Yes, Saladin mentioned that when he talked about Knut," Faragonda said. "I doubt he'll get a harsh sentence. Saladin is still going to vouch for him after all".
"As far as I'm concerned, he's earned it," the witch headmistress stated. "Now, the reason I came over is of course not just because I want to swap news with you. I actually have an important issue I need to discuss with you".
"And that would be?" Faragonda asked.
Griffin turned in her chair and called: "Mirta. You can come in now".
The doors opened and the redhead timidly made her way in.
"And what can I do for you?" the fairy headmistress asked kindly.
"Well... I have had a lot of time to think recently. What with being a pumpkin," Mirta started uncertainly. "And it made me realise something about myself".
...
Days later, Mirta and Lucy wandered into the courtyard of Alfea, the two of them carrying a lot of luggage.
Flora was sitting on a bench by the entrance, when she noticed the two of them and greeted them with a: "Hi. I heard you were coming today".
"Yeah, well, might as well get the moving over with," Mirta said.
"Right. I think your girlfriend here can be the pack-mule from here on," Lucy said before unloading herself and stretching with an audible cracking from her back. "So, you sure you wanna be a fairy now?" she asked. "Because I can still haul these all the way back if needed. Not that I particularly want to, you know, but might as well give you the offer".
"Thanks, but no," Mirta said gratefully. "I'm just not cut out for it. It hurts too much to think of all the bad things in my life. You've always been stronger than me in that regard, you can handle it. But I think the fairy way suits me better".
"Right. But you do realise you'll be weaker, right?" the gangly witch asked. "I mean, you took the test before deciding which school to join. Your magic is strongest when powered by the negative".
"Maybe. But it's not all about being as powerful as possible," Mirta pointed out.
"Eh, suit yourself," Lucy said. After a moment, she added: "I'm going to miss you".
"Likewise. But I'll stay in contact," Mirta promised.
"Well, I imagine I can get some of your time whenever you're not fooling around with her," Lucy said, tipping her head in Flora's direction, causing Mirta to visibly blush. "Anyway, I'll be heading off again. See ya'll around".
"See you," Mirta called as her friend left the school.
"We will stay in contact," Flora called. "Now, let us get these things to your room".
...
Weeks passed and one sunny day in late spring, headmistress Faragonda found herself on a podium that had been erected in the courtyard. By her side stood her staff, and in front of her were the majority of the students. Behind her, there was a gigantic tarp covering the recently rebuilt wing of Alfea.
She turned on the microphone and said: "My dear students. I thank you all for showing up today. We have, after much work, finally finished the reconstruction and repairs of Alfea. However, I decided that one change was necessary. We have only recently made our way out of very dark times. Times where all hope seemed lost and the only thing we could expect was death. Nevertheless, we persevered and we survived. Not unharmed, not without scars, but we survived to make a better and brighter future. Sadly," she began as her tone became more sombre. "Not everyone managed to get through. Therefore," she stated, as the tarp behind her was pulled off. "I decided to have this raised, in honour of those brave souls that sadly didn't survive these trying times". Built into the wall of the wing was a massive stone, its surface filled with the names of the fallen. "This stone is dedicated to those fairies who fell in battle. I have been assured that similar stones will be raised at Red Fountain and in Magicalis. And I know for a fact that Cloud Tower has already raised on at their school. Let us never forget these brave souls. May we honour their sacrifices by making the best of the lives we have. And now, I request of you all, a moment of silence".
...
A couple of months passed. As the sun set, the courtyard and surrounding area were filled with cheerful students. Coloured lights hung above, long tables were filled with food, drinks were passed around and the air itself was charged with joy. The students of all three schools were assembled at the graduation party, a party dedicated to both those who moved up a grade and those who were leaving the school, so tables had been set up even on the greens outside the school to accommodate the many people.
"I am so happy I chose to come back for this," Bloom stated as she dug into her food. "It's nice to see things be so happy here".
"Yeah, it was getting a tad bit too gloomy for my taste," Techna said. "Don't get me wrong, I completely get why everybody would be a bit bummed after all that's happened, but I'm glad to see that they can still get down".
"So am I," Flora stated. "It signifies the return of a healthy mental balance".
"Hey, Stella," Bloom called, getting the blonde's attention away from Brandon who was sitting beside her. "Is it normal for the schools to get together like this or is it just because Red Fountain is still undergoing reconstruction?"
"Oh no, it's normal," Stella said. "We shift around, changing school from year to year. Next time is Red Fountain's turn, so I hope they got the place up and running by then".
"Give it a couple of months and they'll be done" Brandon said.
"So, like, how did your exam go, by the by?" Stella questioned the redhead.
"Not great, but above average," Bloom stated. "My end of year summary is pretty great though".
"Me and Flora are among the top five in our class," Musa said happily. "And Stella managed to move up to third grade, so there's the surprise of the year".
"That's right, keep, like, pushing the girl with the laser powers," Stella grumbled while rolling her eyes.
"So, speaking of Suntop, I hear you two are a couple now," Techna interjected. "I mean, it was pretty obvious before, but I heard you made it official".
"Made it official?" Bloom questioned, before jokingly suggesting: "Like, what, you announced it to the press".
"As ridiculous as it sounds, yes, I tots had to do that," Stella sighed. "I'm a princess and he's closely attached to the Eraklian royal family. So we have to make stuff like that official. Otherwise, rumours start flying".
"Really? Man, royalty is complicated," Bloom remarked.
"And how is that working for you?" Flora asked.
"Not much difference so far," Bloom commented. "Then again, I've been spending time in a clinic recovering my magic, health and sanity. But I've gotten a lot of get well gifts recently".
"Tip of the iceberg," Stella mumbled.
"Speaking of couples, how about you and Timmy?" Flora asked Techna.
"Going great so far," Techna said. "There's been a few hiccups, but nothing major".
"By the way, you two, like, went on a date days after the final battle," Stella commented. "Where did you go? Me and Brandon couldn't find anywhere that was open".
"The local crashcar arena was open," Techna replied gleefully. "I mean, not that the arena was unharmed, but they just used the rubble as extra challenge".
"How romantic. Hovercars crashing into each other," Musa added dryly.
"Well, it was fun," Techna replied with a smirk.
Over at the teachers' table, Faragonda was trying to be heard over Palladium's, Griffin's and Wizgiz' alcohol fuelled singing. "I asked you, how did you fund the rebuilding?"
"Ah, that's what you said," Saladin replied. "A lot of countries donated. Many of them have had great use of our education and our military service through the years. Therefore, they were more than eager to assist. Of course, a few of them think this will put their kids in a better position next year, but they are fools if they think I'll be so easily swayed by money".
"Doesn't surprise me in the least," Faragonda sighed, as the song in the background died out due to Griffin sliding out of her chair.
"It's been a rough year," Saladin commented after a moment.
"That it has," Faragonda said.
"It could have been worse," Zarathustra commented.
"What do you mean?" Saladin questioned.
"When those three were draining us, I used my powers to infect the drained emotions with positive thinking," the scarred elf explained. "As a result, all the monsters were weakened from the start".
"And those three had not considered that the energy they had stolen was finite," Faragonda added. "You're right. This could have been a lot worse". She looked up and noticed Avalon walking over to them. "Oh, hello Avalon. Come to join the festivities?"
"Sadly, no," the paladin replied. "My order has sent me on a mission, so I'll be leaving in an hour or so. In fact, I might be gone for a while, depending on how this mission goes".
"Really? Is it something you are allowed to share?" Saladin asked.
"There was no decree of silence, so yes," Avalon replied. "It's a simple search and rescue mission. Renowned director Argulus Cato went off with a team of his to Underland in search for a proper setting for his newest movie. 'The Dark Lord of the Deep Realm' I believe it was called. Nobody's heard from him or any of the others in a while, so they're sending me to scour the subterranean realm and bring them back".
"Well, best of luck to you then," Saladin said.
"Many thanks, sir," Avalon replied, before setting off, just as Knut returned with a big bowl of food. "Ah, Mr. Knut. I was hoping to see you before I left".
"You were?" the ogre questioned.
"Yes. I wanted to say that it has been an honour to meet you and that I am proud of having had the opportunity to fight alongside you," Avalon nobly declared.
"Aw, shucks," Knut replied a bit embarrassed.
"Hey, is that Knut?" Stella questioned as she threw a glance over at the teacher's table. "What's he doing here?"
"That's right," Brandon said, as he suddenly remembered something. "After the case was closed, and by the way, he got off the hook thanks to all the help he had given us, Saladin offered him a job. He's our new close-combat teacher and shares wilderness survival with Belisma".
"Good for him. He's earned it," Bloom commented. "Well, let's toast to a great year".
"And may the next one be even better," Flora said as she raised her glass.
"And with less horrible monsters," Stella added.
"And less annoying witches," Musa said.
"What you all said," Techna said as she added her glass to the toast, causing laughter to spread amongst the girls.
The graduation party continued into the night.
...
Authors note:
Well, that was something. Hope you all enjoyed it
So, now let's get some thanks out of the way. We'd like to thank Rhanar, Warlord1, Hat'n'Cloak and Delfinoluma102 for being betas in this.
Also, since I have a YouTube channel (Links in my profile) and since we figured you might have some questions, we were thinking of doing a Q&A video, were you can ask about anything. Of course, the only thing we won't reveal are spoilers from the follow up to this fanfic (Which will come, don't you all worry about that). Just post your questions in your reviews and we will answer them on Sunday the 16th November.
Thanks for all the reviews and such, you have been a great audience
ArachCobra and Givenea