Author's Note: Okay next chapter and I will hopefully be getting a few more chapters up for the side stories too.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Winx Club or Ronin Warriors
Warning: Violence.
Chapter 28) Guidance
The next two weeks blurred together in such a fast pace Bloom couldn't recall if she'd fought with Sky or Icy on one day to another. Touma and Tecna were looking into the tales of the first fairies, the Soul Queen and Soulix. They'd been attacked by Icy when they'd left Magix to go look for the painting. The trix had also attacked a few other worlds but nothing that was serious. It was a tactic that was starting to make Rajura and Anubis nervous.
Right now Bloom was sitting with Daphne, Thoren, and her biological parents staring at the ice tea she had idly stirring it. They'd gathered for lunch but her mind just wasn't here. She was worrying about the trix, annoyed that Sky would come around with Diaspro, and pondering over the story of the Soul Queen. What worried her was that Stella had mentioned to all of them that the Ronin and warlords seemed to be concerned about the darkness that the tale of the Soul queen spoke of.
"Bloom are you alright?"
Bloom looked up in surprise, seeing the concerned looks from her sister and parent. Thoren looked annoyed but she couldn't figure out why.
"Thoren asked you a question Bloom." Her father Oritel stated looking concerned.
"Oh sorry, I wasn't paying attention." Bloom shrugged as she set down the spoon.
"I noticed." Thoren's voice had a bit of a bite to it, which had caught Bloom and Daphne by surprise a little. "I was asking if you have thought about what you're doing? These men, you've been hanging out with are unknown to everyone. Don't you think you should be careful? Wouldn't it be better for us to take what knowledge they've given and work with the graduates of the major academies?" Thoren pressed and Bloom looked away. "So think that you are letting the recent break up cloud your judgement." Bloom gasped at the venom in his tone and looked rather shocked by the accusation. Wasn't it bad enough that the specialist hurt them. Now the break up would be used against them?!
"Thoren!" Daphne chided giving Thoren a very upset look. Even their parents and Bloom's earth family were offering hard stares to Daphne's husband. "Thoren how could you say that?"
"I'm not accusing her. I'm only repeating what is being said, it's something she is going to have to face down." Thoren said in a softer tone. He kissed Daphne's hand and while the action had released the tension and seemed to earn him slight forgiveness from Bloom and their parents Daphne wasn't sure. "The question Bloom needs to consider is if it's true."
"It's not." Bloom said but she couldn't think of a defense as to why. Not at the moment. "I.. I should go." Bloom said pushing away her ice tea as she stood up. She didn't want to deal with the opinion that Thoren had brought up. It didn't seem fair that they should have to defend their friendship with the ronin just because of their past relationship.
"Bloom wait up." Bloom turned around to see Daphne running over to her having left Thoren and their parents, and Bloom's foster parents. "I'm sorry about what Thoren said. I know the truth and I'm sure he does, I just don't know why he would say what he did." Daphne sighed and Bloom smiled.
"It's okay Daphne. I'm sure we can get through a little gossip." Bloom said trying to put on a brave face.
"Yeah but you shouldn't have to." Daphne argued. The whole break up had left Daphne feeling helpless as her sister's pain wasn't something she could help with. Another part of her was angry with Sky, no matter what Thoren said. Over all it had made their marriage tense as Thoren was repeatedly defending Sky even when Daphne tried to make them agree not to talk about it. "You guys are some of the strongest fairies Alfea has ever had. With everything you've done for everyone it's not right for anyone to accuse you guys of being vengeful." Daphne explained as she rubbed her sister's arms.
Bloom sighed but smiled and embraced her sister. It was good to have the support of their families or most of them as there was still some skepticism over the ronin. Her parents had accepted them as allies, but Stella's mother, Tecna and Aisha's parents, and even Flora's father seemed to doubt or wonder about the ronin working with them. Every argument was different but all boiled down to the fact the ronin weren't naturally magical or most of them weren't.
"Yeah, I know. I guess it's just hard to think that we'll be questioned on top of the ronin being questioned. It's not right. No one saw how we met them. How they didn't know us or the witches but knew the trix had to be stopped. No one felt what it was like when the people of earth vanished. The worst part is, is knowing that the ronin went through this before but couldn't share it with anyone. They've lived in secret." Bloom lamented her voice hitting an almost aggravated tone as she finished. She couldn't manage keeping the secrets they had day in and out, guided by virtues that others couldn't see.
"Oh…" Daphne looked down as she had to admit she hadn't thought about the fact that the ronin had faced the dynasty before. Daphne was wondering now how many of them had thought of this or had just accepted the information and not thought of the cost. They'd seen conflict and she herself had been isolated only able to reach out and guide bloom and maybe it was easier to see the troubles they knew as more devastating. Daphne wasn't sure.
"Anyways I should join the others, we still need to figure out that legend, and Stella's new powers." Bloom said perking up a little. Daphne smiled and nodded giving her little sister a hug before stepping back.
"I'll let everyone know. I hope you find something more this time." Daphne smiled and watched Bloom leave. Once her sister was around the corner Daphne turned to go back to her family, and was surprised to see Thoren coming over to her. "Oh Thoren. I was just coming back to join everyone."
"Bloom's not coming back to join us?" Thoren asked as he offered Daphne his arm.
"No she's going to look into a legend she if they can't pin down this new power Stella has." Danphe smiled as she took his arm.
"But they aren't going to ask for the help of specialist or paladins." Thoren said his eyes narrowing a bit.
"I-I don't know. I didn't ask." Daphne said wondering if he'd been listening in on her conversation with Bloom.
"Which means they aren't. Daphne you need to tell Bloom that they should be working with you know people everyone can trust! Not these strangers!" Thoren snapped hastening his step and nearly pulling Daphne along.
"These strangers know the most about what going on. We need them." Daphne argued as she stumbled a bit to keep up with Thoren. "Thoren please slow down." Daphne said as she slipped away from Thoren and stopped. It was only a moment before he stopped and stared at her hard and she stared at him. It seemed neither would back down from the tension that was between them over what Daphne wasn't sure. All she was sure of was she would always protect, love and side with her little sister. Finally Thoren gave an aggravated sigh and walked back to Daphne and once more offered his arm. Daphne wasn't sure why Thoren was so bothered by Bloom's choice not to involve the specialist or her choice not to pressure her sister. These thoughts swam around her head as they rejoined her family to finish eating.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It had been hard to figure out how to proceed and even hard to argue the plan that Touma and Tecna had made to the people in charge. It also was stupid and infuriating to Stella. She was a grown woman, and in line for the throne of Solaria. If it hadn't been for the good attitude of the ronin Stella knew she'd be far more miserable. Yet right now she was finishing the detailing on her nails waiting for everyone else to get here. It had been decided that they wouldn't tell many about their little trip idea over to the Arcanus Library part of the Arcana realm. They needed to look up more on the legend and while they all would pitch in this time they also wanted to show the guys, Nasuti and Kayura what a magical realm was like. To share all the amazing things with them. Stella was finishing up her hair clipping a gold and white sparkly stars in her hair behind her ears right above each pigtail. She looked over her appearance in the mirror and smiled satisfied with how she looked in her tan with gold full knee length skirt, and her red, gold, and white top. It was simple comfortable but still very stylish.
"Stella are you ready?" Tecna asked peeking in on her friend. Tecna had gone back to wearing more tomboy clothes as had Layla, sporting jeans and tee shirts that were easier to move around in. Tecna had even trimmed up her hair making her mod pixie cut look closer to how it had been when they all first met.
"Yeah, is everyone else ready?" Stella asked and Tecna nodded.
"Well Bloom just got back from breakfast and is talking with Shin and Anubis but they are ready to go whenever." Tecna explained. Stella nodded before thinking for a moment on the information she'd been given. Was Bloom okay? Then again Stella noticed that Bloom flocked more to Touma if she was upset, unless he wasn't awake yet.
"Is everyone ready?" Stella asked as they left her room. As they came out into the common room Flora and Seiji were sitting on the couch, Aisha was perched on the arm of the couch talking with Kayura, and Rajura was chatting with Nasuti by the door that lead to the hall way.
"Yeah I believe so. They just are spread around." Nasuti smiled and Rajura nodded to the two fairies.
"I will go get everyone else then." Rajura said and left the room. As he left the rest of the people stood up and started to group together. There was a hum of excitement as more of the group gathered, excitement over getting away from the school for a day, at seeing new things, but for the girls of having a moment of fun and something that would be stress free was the greatest source for the excitement. As everyone finished gathering Stella couldn't help but smile at the wide array of styles. The casual, to fashion forward, to the sporty, dressy casual and tomboyish looks. It was odd and yet refreshing to see Aisha, Musa and Tecna dressed in sneakers and boots instead of the heels they started wearing when they'd been dating the guys.
"So it looks like everyone is ready." Nasuti smiled looked around the group. There were only a couple girls bringing purses and Kayura had taken a liking to a cute little mini backpack that was night blue and had a sakura tree on it with the petals blowing about. There wasn't much needed for a day trip so Aisha, Musa, Roxy, and even Bloom had decided to leave their purses. Tecna and Stella had both insisted they would need theirs but for greatly different reasons. Reasons that left some of the ronin and warlords smiling and the others shaking their heads.
"So how long will it take to get to another realm?" Shin asked as they headed down the hall.
"Well once we are at the transport terminals it's just like the teleport spells that we've used. The bus ride there is about fifteen minutes." Musa explained as she walked next to him. She'd left her hair down with a few elf braids here and there, away to make a stronger difference between her and Kayura. After all they looked like they should be sisters, and both had rather amusing ideas of buying the same outfit and seeing how many mistook them for the other.
"Huh, so is that how you always get around?" Jun asked shifting so he wouldn't be clipped by a student running to her class.
"Well not always. I mean there are other ways but for something like this, a day trip, the transport station would be best. Its both efficient and quick." Tecna explained and Jun hummed appreciating the answer.
The group as nearly to where the bus would stop when the posture of the ronin, warlords, and even Jun shifted subtly. All of them could feel eyes on them and Rajura even cast a glance off to the right seeing, the specialist and a few girls glaring at them. While there was idle chatting going on Rajura, and Seiji refused to completely ignore the contempt being focused at them. Thankfully the door to the bus closed behind Naaza and it seemed the group of specialist and the few girls were going to stay behind. While some of the group grabbed free seats others stood holding on to safety handles and rings. The ride was a smooth and quick with the people only lurching at the stops.
The girls had taken to leading the group off the bus. With all the excitement it almost escaped Aisha's notice that Seiji and Flora were holding hands. Such a small thing had her feeling giddy inside especially after making sure that Seiji was going to be taking Flora to the winter festival dance. She was just making sure that her best friend was going to have a good time, and well if Seiji and Flora got together Aisha wouldn't complain. She knew he was a good man, and his traditional view didn't bug her as much as she thought they would. Maybe it was because of how he explained it, when they spoke about her training with Anubis. Still the group headed into the transport station and the girls went to work explaining everything to the guys, and Nasuti.
It was in a simple statement, magic. Just with a blink they were in a new location, the weightless feeling of the staff never even occurred. It was hard to fully grasp how this could work and yet they all knew that they accepted it. It was just another thing that would be beyond them to explain, something like the jewel of life, or why time was so different in the dynasty. It didn't take long though for the excited girls to take the lead and break the moment of silent awe.
"Hey do you guys think we'll have time to check out this little boutique? I've been dying to see it." Stella stated a big grin on her face.
"Sure, when we're done with what we came to do." Bloom said dictating how their time would be spent.
"If we run out of time I'm sure we could come here again." Shin added and Stella smiled.
"I would enjoy that. I'm kind of curious to see what is at a boutique from a place filled with magic." Nasuti said and Stella stepped back next to her to start gushing about all the wonderful things she'd be able to show Nasuti.
The group stayed together and walked down to the museum where the painting titled Soulix was suppose to be. While most of the group wandered the museum to take in the sights Ryo, Touma, Bloom, Tecna and Stella had gone to see the head of the museum. Stella really didn't want to go and talk about some essay and old painting but this was important. Plus she owed it to Darcy to learn everything about her new transformation so she could kick the witches ass throughly for what she did to the people of Solaria. Still as they walked to see the man in charge Stella couldn't stay focused on the questions they were supposed to ask. They walked down a hallway with large windows letting the sun shine in and it was reflecting off of crystalline pieces of artwork. Stella let her eyes drift over each piece talking in the colors the blues, greens, violets, and oranges. She could hear that Ryo, Touma and Bloom had gotten away from her a bit but she was enjoying the pretty show of colors dancing over the wall.
Yet as she watched them the oranges and yellows started to swirl together and on the wall was a the colored silhouette of herself, in the new transformation. Stella blinked wildly half expecting it to vanish each time she opened her eyes but it didn't. The mix of color's lifted a hand and pointed. As Stella started to turn to look out the window she saw the same silhouette on the window and it beckoned for her to follow.
"Um, Bloom?" Stella called out watching as the silhouette moved from the window to the ground outside. Not a single person stopped and stared at it. It was like they couldn't see it.
"What is it Stella?" Bloom asked giving her a questioning look.
"Tell me you can see the colored shadow on the ground. Cause it keeps gesturing for me to follow." Stella said as Ryo and Touma scanned the outside area.
"The only colors on the ground I see are the reflections of the prisms." Bloom stated. Yet as she spoke both Ryo and Touma's kanji began to glow, and within moments they faded away.
"Something is there…" Touma trailed off as he pressed his hand to the glass window. "I think Bloom and Ryo and I should still go and speak to the head of the museum. Stella, you
should check this out, but take some people with you." Touma suggested and Ryo nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, you could even test out sending thoughts to the others again." Ryo smiled and Stella nodded stepping closer to the window. Her eyes only left the silhouette for a moment as she watched Ryo, Bloom, and Touma leave. She took a deep breath and remembered what Ryo and the ronin had told her about the link they shared. Just think of the people she wanted to communicate with.
~Shu?~ Stella closed her eyes as she thought his name and pictured his large smile.
~Hey Stella, what's up? You guys find something?" Shu asked. Stella could hear his voice as if he was right next to her. She could even feel his slight boredom from being here, and it made her wonder if he could feel what she was feeling at the moment.
~Well, yes but they are still going to talk with the head of the museum. I am kinda seeing something and it wants me to follow.~ Stella explained feeling very awkward as no matter how she thought about this telling someone you saw things no one else did always seemed crazy.
~You're not crazy. Well except about shopping.~ Shu teased.
~Hey that was private!~ Stella shot back and Shu chuckled.
~We'll teach you how to guard what's personal and what's not later. So do you just want anyone who's bored or a specific group?~ Shu asked, but Stella got the sense that he knew she wanted at least a few people with her.
~Just anyone around you, or a couple of people I don't mind who.~ Stella sent back to him. ~I'll be outside.~ Stella opened her eyes and walked down the hall towards a glass door that lead to the outside. She pushed it open and walked towards the glimmering silhouette of herself. Once more it moved leaving the grassy garden and darting over to the sidewalk down aways. When Stella didn't move it beckoned her to follow once more.
"Stella."
Stella looked to the right at the sound of Roxy's voice. She saw Shu, Naaza and Roxy all coming out to join her. As they draw closer to her both Shu and Naaza's kanji's lit up for a moment before fading again. It seemed whatever this was it was triggering the kanji's of the warlords and ronin for some reason. With the small group together they started to follow Stella, as she followed the silhouette down the sidewalk of the city. The longer they walked for, the faster this things would travel making them in turn go faster to keep up. As it reached the city's limits it lifted off the ground as a glowing being with fairy wings, still looking much like Stella had, and started to fly off.
"We're going to lose it!" Roxy stated as the group watched it fly higher.
"We'll have to transform." Stella said taking charge.
"Then to arms!" Shu and Naaza cried nearly in unison as Stella and Roxy drew upon their powers to transform as well. They fairies quickly took to the sky chasing after it while Shu and Naaza ran along the ground in their sub armors. As they covered more ground Naaza glanced over his shoulder and growled at the distance they had covered. If something happened it wouldn't be easy for their divided groups to meet back up, and that left him with an ominous feeling.
"Where is it going?" Shu wondered out loud but wasn't given any response. By the time this thing had slowed down they found themselves at the starting edge of a mountain range the city a small thing against the horizon that would have fit in the palm of their hands. The thing finally seemed to pause for a moment allowing the group to come together, Shu and Naaza on the ground with Stella and Roxy hovering close by. They watched for a moment as the being moved into a nearby cave.
"Should we follow?" Roxy asked. This had gone from something that they were certain of to something else. All of them knew that the witches loved their traps, but there could very well be something here to help Stella.
"It's worth a risk." Naaza said and Shu nodded.
"Plus I'm sure we'll be fine." Shu grinned and started to walk closer to the cave. He knew he could take a hit and give one back of greater strength, Roxy was quick and very determined, Stella was strong and reliable, and Naaza had his poison swords that would eat through anything and his medical knowledge. They'd be fine.
As the group walked into the cave the being of light had vanished, and was nowhere in sight. Each foot step of echoed off the walls along with the soft chiming of the fairies wings beating against the misty air. The fine mist was cool but left them all feeling sticky and uncomfortable. The light from the mouth of the cave was quickly fading the further in the group went. A soft dripping of water from the stalactites above joined the heavy scuffle of their footsteps and the chime of the wings in an eerie way.
Stella and Roxy looked to each other both feeling a source of magic but unable to pin down where it was. With it getting so dark Stella started to focus on creating an orb of light. As the small orb lifted out of her hands her wings lit up as well, casting yellows, orange and gold colors over the dark rocks of the cave. With the new light shadows danced and moved over the walls and floor, and Roxy found herself drawing closer to Naaza, Shu and Stella.
"I'm not so sure continuing is a good idea. We should get the others first." Naaza voiced stopping. Shu and Stella continued to move forward and Roxy stay close to her teacher.
"Just a little further? I can feel some magic around here… I just don't know where." Stella pleaded. She wanted to know about this new power, why she couldn't use fairy dust or reach back and call her mythix wand. "Please Naaza?" Stella begged clasping her hands together and the warlord sighed.
"Fine." Naaza agreed yet the ominous feeling just grew more. Naaza uncrossed his arms as Roxy placed a hand on his shoulder. The group starting to go deeper again not managing five steps before Shu and Naaza stopped and tensed. Stella even could feel it something was wrong. Something had happened. She could feel adrenaline, worry, anger, and duty all coming from the ronin and warlords and even Lady Kayura back in the city.
"They're being attacked!" Shu stated and Stella and Roxy landed and the cave started to rumble.
"We have to turn back now." Naaza ordered but it was too late. The mouth of the cave was gone and lighted runes were spreading over the floor. Naaza growled his armor dawning on him, while Shu and Stella watched the runes.
"Naaza wait stay over here!"
"Roxy!" Stella and Shu yelled at the same time before a bright light engulfed them and filled the cave as it dimmed enough that Shu and Stella could see they they realized they'd been moved. Stella's wings beat the air and lifted herself up as Shu looked around. His fist clenched when he realized he couldn't reach the guys or Kayura, the only connect was to Stella. The other's were being attacked and he needed to get to them but he no longer knew where they were.
"Shu... Look." Stella whispered and Shu let his gaze drift around them. They were standing on a plateau before them were large curling rock structures, with a green glowing lake dividing them from the sweeping structures. Near one of the structures across the lake was the very being that they'd been following.
"Stella wait!" Shu called catching her hand as she started to move forward towards the being.
"Shu I need to know what this is. Is it what we found or something else." Stella explained and watched as Shu's blue eyes narrowed with determination and understanding. He nodded and let go of her hand letting his metal gloved hand falling back to his side as he watched Stella fly over to the being. Shu trusted her, but he also wanted to protect her. Stella smiled at Shu grateful he understood and let her go. Stella took in a deep breath and flew across the lake landing on the stone structures. She could now see carved details into the stones, details of flames, water, flowers, flowing wind and, moon and sun. Stella looked back at Shu noting that the distance was enough that neither of them would be able to rush to the other's side if they needed help. Turning back to look for the being of light Stella stepped closer.
The being passed through stones and rock and gently glided before Stella. It's vaguely fairy form just floating there before her. The soft glow it held was pale yellow and where its eyes should be, the color changed to a pale orange. Its wings were folded laying softly on its back as it observed Stella and Stella observed it. It reached out holding out its hands for Stella, and after a moment Stella placed her hands onto the beings hands.
"Listen closely Chosen daughter of eight, thy power of sun and moon will guide you and yours in times to come." It's voice was soft and serene yet it held the same echoing tone that Kayura's did. "When eight join in heart and soul, and the corruption of nine tamed by the virtuous human soul meet the claimed king of demons dead, times will begin to change again."
"Wait is this like some sort of riddle or prophecy thing? I don't understand why you're telling me this. I just want to know what this new power is." Stella said her fingers twitched with her impatience and growing need to figure out what was going on.
"This isn't a new power but an awakening. The first cycle of a new dawn. It has always been inside you and now you know it." The being spoke again.
"But that doesn't explain why I can't use my mythix or enchantix powers." Stella stated, and the being pulled away its hands. It began to drift back and Stella tried to reach out.
"The power you've begun to awake is incomplete, you will be missing many pieces until all Chosen daughters of eight have awaken to take their place. With only two you were limited but now a third has awaken and you will understand all soon." The being started to fade away.
"A third… Hey wait!" Stella yelled trying to reach out to the being but it was gone, bursting into a rain of sparkling light. As the light touched the ground the dull rocks change, the grim and dark color beginning to wash away. A sharp snap shattered the moment of silence and stalactites began to fall, the rocks shifting and moving nearly throwing Stella into the water.
"Stella! We gotta find a way out." Shu called out as the fairy of the Sun and moon rushed back to him.
"What did she mean a third?!" Stella asked ducking as Shu used his staff to knock away a falling rock. Stella didn't know when he'd called his full armor but she was grateful for it.
"I don't know but we can wonder later. Just stay close." Shu stated and turned his attention to a growing weak spot in the rocks. He could see bits of light peaking through like there had once been a passageway. "Iron Rod Crusher." Shu spun his staff around the energy collecting first in the staff and when he stopped the energy shot through the ground quickly breaking away lifting the rocks making the passageway big enough for them to escape.
"Man I hope Naaza and Roxy are okay." Shu muttered as they started to run and fly down the hall. Stella blinked for a moment wondering why Shu was worried. They had the link right? Yet as she tried to reach out she couldn't feel anyone but Shu.
"We should really hurry." Stella stated and Shu smiled but nodded in agreement.
