A/N: I apologize for not updating my Brandon/Stella story yet but I will very soon, I´m working on it. I actually posted this chapter a couple of days ago, but I wasn't really content, so I decided to start over lol. And again, thank you for supporting this story! Give me your ideas/opinions, please!

Chapter 29: Masks

"Been sittin' eyes wide open behind these four walls, hopin' you'll call
It's just a cruel existence

Like it's no point hopin' at all"

Diaspro picked up the newspaper, taking a closer look.

"Bloom doesn't waste her time…" she mused, while drinking her coffee. Bloom´s picture was on the first page, and there was an entire section dedicated to her story and how there had been an imposter living in the palace of Domino. Not even a month and already she was famous. She chuckled.

On the next section was yet another article on Valtor. The press, as well as the vast majority of the Magical dimension continued asking themselves the same question: What was the wizard truly after? Only a few knew the answer to that question…

She set her cup down and walked over to her bureau, picking up her mask. It was rose-coloured, and her dress was perfect for the occasion. While Valtor planned Stella´s fall, she would be at the masked ball the princess had organized. Rumor had it that she would be announcing her engagement to Sky´s squire, Brandon. Another traitor who also supported Sky´s relationship with Bloom.

As Bloom´s best friend, Princess Stella had decided not to invite Diaspro to the celebration. But her parents, even as minor royals, were indeed on the guest list. It was the perfect connection. After all, who could miss a show like that? Correct?


"Sky, hey it's me", Bloom said into the phone, while walking through the royal gardens. Mike and Vanessa had come from Earth to meet Marion and Oritel. And so far the King and Queen were treating them like royalty, out of gratitude and kindness. Right now, they were taking a tour of the royal gardens since Bloom told Marion that Vanessa loved flowers and owned a shop.

"Bloom, how's it going?" he asked casually, on the other end.

"Sky, you´ll never guess, my adoptive parents are finally here", she said, smiling.

"Sky?" she asked again,

"Forgive me Bloom. I´m pretty busy, I´m in a meeting with Saladin and a couple of other specialists to form a strategy to increase security. We want to be prepared", he explained. And there was that subject again…she groaned… What Valtor was really looking for was closer to him than he imagined…

"Oh. I understand…I guess…I´ll see you tonight, at Stella´s party then?" she asked. She could hear a voice in the background, a girl´s voice…

"King, we require your attention"

"Will do, Bloom. And I´m sorry, I have to go now. I´ve just been so busy, especially now with-"

"Its fine, Sky. I understand. Goodbye", she said quickly and hung up. Who was that? Sky claimed to be busy now as King and moreover with all these new security procedures due to Valtor´s threats. But he just seemed so distant. Could there be someone else? She really needed someone to talk to…

She joined the tour group once again. Her aunt Emma had also decided to join them. She was Oritel´s younger sister. And like Bloom, she was one of the very few who survived the attack on Domino all those years ago, only because she had moved to Tir Nan Og. Emma had dreams that she wanted to accomplish and so she did. She wanted to be known for her own work, and not just recognized as King Oritel´s little sister. She wanted to become a writer. Emma had short blond hair and green eyes. She looked a lot like Daphne, just a bit older.

"Bloom, honey, is everything alright?" Marion asked her.

"It is…" she said simply, but Marion didn't look too convinced.

"Bloom, may I have a word with you?" she said calmly. Bloom nodded.

"Yes…?" she asked, as they moved away from the group. She found it oddly difficult to call Marion ´mother´ while Vanessa was around. And Marion seemed to notice as Bloom stalled after every sentence.

"It´s okay honey. Mike and Vanessa are wonderful people, you were very fortunate", she said,

"Bloom, are you sure you wouldn't like to depart with us to Stella´s party?"

"I can't, mom I´m sorry. I promised the girls I´d go back to Alfea and get ready with them. We´ll go to Solaria on the specialists´ ship", she said, trying to look calm.

But in reality she was more worried than anyone else. Even though Stella was caught up in the organization of her wedding, and despite the fact that Musa was working on her music with her producer, the girls were still getting ready to face Valtor and his "new" founded group of villains, Tritannus and the trix.

Valtor´s silence had her beyond nervous. Like the calm before the storm. Had he truly forgotten her? Was it because he was with Diaspro now? The idea of Diaspro and Valtor still made her uncomfortable for some, incomprehensible reason. A reason she had no desire to explore. Whether it was out of fear, or out of deception. But she owed it to Sky to leave things with Valtor untouched.

"Mom?"

"Yes dear?" Marion responded.

"You were the last official keeper of the dragon´s flame, weren't you?" she asked. Marion nodded, observing her suspiciously.

"Is…I mean…did you ever feel…a connection so strong to someone that you almost couldn't destroy it?" she asked. Marion sighed, and nodded, knowing exactly where her daughter was headed with this.

"Bloom, my princess", she said, hesitating. She seemed to contemplate her answer for a moment.

"Honey, we don't always get to choose the ties within us or the people we share them with. In our case, we were given a difficult task as guardians of the dragon flame, and additionally, we´ve had to fight the bond with its dark counterpart for ages. You must be strong honey, I know it isn't easy. The dragon flame has a heart of its own… But nevertheless, it lies within you and only you can decide over it. You have a good heart Bloom, just like each of the previous keepers. As protector of Domino and of the ultimate power I trust that you will make the right decision no matter how difficult it may be", Marion said, placing her hands on Bloom´s shoulders.

"And what exactly would that be?" Bloom asked,

"That's something you´ll have to find out on your own. Only you can know the answer to that question", Bloom nodded and hugged her mother lightly.

"Bloom, just one more thing. Everyone is out there, wondering what this man is looking for", she said, and paused.

"Watch your back, Bloom. Be alert! We can provide all the security you need, but there will be times in which you´ll have to fight for yourself. Just you. Please be strong", she said, firmly. Bloom nodded, only partially understanding what her mother meant. And she had a feeling that Marion spoke more out of experience than out of worry. It felt strange, as if she and her mother, having being the keepers of the dragon flame, shared another type of bond, or even a secret…

"Go on dear, Mike and Vanessa are wondering where you´ve been. And you´ll have to go see the Winx soon. You mustn't be late", she said, leading Bloom in the garden´s direction once again.

"Don't forget mom, it's a masked ball. Make sure to keep your identity a secret", Bloom said, winking.


The Grand ballroom at the palace of solaria was darkened, neon lights were placed, and every pillar was lighted. Hundreds of guests began entering, confirming their assistance while the guards checked each invitations cautiously. No faces. Only masks.

Earlier that day at Alfea, the Winx had helped put a protection spell over each of the pieces of the codex, which were later sent to their respective secret locations. People feared that the witches or Valtor would attempt to steal any sort of powerful magical object, being that Valtor had the ability to absorb all of its power. But there was still one left, unprotected…

People now thought, and were convinced, that all the wizard wanted to do was destroy the dimension any way that he could and bring his mother's back to take revenge. Many of the parents even arrived at Alfea, asking to speak to Ms. Faragonda. They all worried about their daughters´ safety.

Bloom fidgeted with the mask in her hands. She wore a strapless silver gown, while Stella wore a golden colored one that glimmered even in the dimness of the room. It somehow matched her blond hair, making her look all the more beautiful. The girls were all behind the curtains of the stage, adding the final touches to their makeup.

"You ready, little sister?" Daphne asked her, ready to put on her traditional Nymph-originated mask. She wore a turquoise gown with matching eye shadow that emphasized her deep green eyes. Bloom smiled.

"Daphne, you look incredible!"

"Good evening, Bloom", someone said behind her.

"Thorin! Hey, did Sky come with you…?" she asked, almost fearing to be disappointed

"He did. He´ll be searching for you once the ball begins" Thorin said, smiling. And then setting his gaze on Daphne, who seemed to blush.

"Thorin, this is my big sister, Daphne. Daphne, Thorin is Sky´s cousin", she said.

"It is my pleasure", he said, bowing and kissing Daphne´s hand gently. The girls couldn't help giggling.

"Mine too", she said, a bit jittery. Bloom had always thought Daphne returned Demetri´s feelings, well apparently not…

"I've never been this nervous", Stella told them.

"You look great Stella, and you´re people love you. What´s there to worry about?" Musa asked, already putting her mask on.

"Think any of the guys will recognize us?" Flora asked, giggling.

"I certainly hope not, I´m planning to scare Timmy" Tecna said, as the girls laughed.

"People of Solaria! We present to you, the grand ruler of our prestigious realm! King Radius!" The royal guards announced. The king stepped out to greet the multitude of people that awaited. He gave a small speech of gratitude to the citizens.

"Stella, you´re up next!" Flora squealed.

"She´s right, we should go out there with everyone else now, Stel" Tecna said.

"We´ll be sure to take plenty of pictures!" Bloom called as they all left. Stella took a deep breathe,

Well, here goes nothing….

"Princess Stella!" she heard her name being announced. As she stepped out from behind the curtain, her people cheered for her and she smiled widely, trying to ignore the fact that standing next to her father was Cassandra. Sure enough, her friends all had their phones and camera´s out, taking her photographs. Representatives from the MagixWeekly Magazine had arranged an interview with her after the ball. SolariaStyles Magazine was also up front with their photographers.

Chimera stood on the second floor, watching Stella enviously. She had everything that Chimera didn't. Tall, blond, slim as a model, no wonder her people loved her…it was always about the looks wasn't it? It wasn't fair, it just wasn't!

Flashback

"Are you ready Chimera?" the countess asked. Her daughter had already put on her dress and makeup, and she looked radiant!

"Ready as ever, mother. Let's just hope everything goes according to plan", she said nervously.

"We don't have to hope for anything, Chimera! It will happen the way Valtor said it would. Don't forget he´s the most powerful wizard in the magical dimension. We aren't being aided by just anyone", she mused. Chimera took a shaky breathe and steadied herself.

"You´re right, I can do this",

"Now remember, when the time is right, while Radius introduces me to the Kingdom as his fiancée, you will cast the spell to weaken Stella. Once Valtor has done his part in the Infinite Ocean, the effects of the spell will take place", the countess explained to her daughter once again. There was no room left for errors.

End of Flashback

Brandon gazed at his fiancée, captivated. She was beautiful, inside and out.

"Today, before the presence of my beautiful daughter and you, my people, I would like to announce my betrothal to this wonderful woman, Countess Cassandra!" the King announced as the people continued to cheer. Stella placed a hand on her forehead. Besides the news making her sick to her stomach, she also felt a little frail.

"Thank you, all. I only wish to do my best to support Radius during his sovereignty" Cassandra said proudly.

"Sky, check it out. Something´s not right with Stella", Brandon noted, observing his fiancée's reaction.

"It must be the King´s announcement. Somehow, I don't think the news made her happy", Sky told him.

"My daughter, Princess Stella of Solaria will also make an announcement of her own later this evening, isn't that so, Stella?" the King said, and gazed at Stella, awaiting her approval.

"Stella?" he asked, observing her, curiously. The audience remained expectant.

"I think someone has a bad case of stage fright" Musa whispered to the girls.

"I-I…" Stella said, not removing her hand from her face.

"Are you feeling alright, dear?" Cassandra asked her. Stella was beginning to see white, her breathe quickened. She gave her father a quick nod.

"Excuse me!" she said, lifting her dress and leaving the stage in a rush. The guests began to murmur amongst each other.

"Let the festivities begin!" the King declared, signaling for the music to begin playing quickly while the guests stepped onto the dance floor.

"Stella!" the King called after her, but Cassandra stood in his way.

"Radius, darling. Give her space. I´m sure the news took her by surprise, she needs time to assimilate our engagement", she told him. The king sighed.

"Perhaps you´re right. I know my daughter has always wanted Luna and I to reconcile. She must be disappointed. But if I know Stella, she´ll accept it, in time. At least, I hope so", he said worriedly.

"She will, darling, she will", Cassandra said to him, taking his hand in hers.

"Shall we?" she asked, motioning to the dance floor.

"Cassandra…I´m beginning to feel rather ill myself" the king said, sounding distressed.

"Radius?" someone called. The king turned around at the sound of that voice…

"Luna?"


"I've been looking sad in all the nicest places

I see you around in all these empty faces

I've been looking sad in all the nicest places

Now I´m in a cab, I'll tell them where your place is

What is happening to me?"

The music played loud, with Musa as Dj. Bloom walked amongst the dark ambience and the crowds of people, searching for Sky. This masked ball Stella organized had been one of the best party ideas she´d had. It was intriguing to say the least…

"Sky…?" she asked, placing her hand on someone´s arm. The stranger turned around, revealing a pair of jade eyes and pale skin.

"I-I´m sorry, sir!" she apologized quickly moving past him.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. In the dimness of the ballroom she could make out a tall figure, wearing a cape, with shoulder length hair…

"Sky", she said smiling. He pulled her close, taking in her scent…not saying a single word…


"Sky" she said, taking his hand. The brooch on her dress. It was the one he had given her,

"Diaspro?! Wha-what in Eraklyon´s name do you think you're doing here?" he whispered angrily, or rather yet, dumbstruck. After all the trouble she had caused, she still had the audacity to come waltzing into Stella´s party?

"Sky, I don't expect you to understand. Just listen to me! It won't take more than a minute", she pleaded. Even through her mask he could see the desperateness in her eyes.

"No. It's as simple as that, you and I have nothing to talk about",

"Sky, you never gave me a chance to explain to you what really happened!"

"Diaspro you knew you had a home, you knew very well who your parents were and where your place was. And yet you chose to steal someone else´s. What more is there to say?" Sky said dryly. His ex had done pretty low things, but this had been by far, the lowest. However, he was refraining from pressing charges on her, himself. Because since he was now King, Diaspro would immediately be locked away, and mostly out of consideration to her parents. But in reality, it was where she should have been.

Diaspro took his hand in hers.

"You really don't remember any of the good times we shared? Sky, we were so happy before her! What happened to us?" she demanded. Sky pulled his hand away, roughly.

"You need to have one thing clear. Bloom is my present, and my future. There is no us, Diaspro. Our engagement was arranged, and considering that I hadn't met the love of my life, or that I hadn't even known was love was at the time, I did my best to keep things flowing. But my life changed when I met Bloom. It was then I realized that what you and I had was an arrangement, not a relationship. It wasn't love", he said, wholeheartedly.

"It might not have been love for you, but what makes you think it wasn't, for me?" she asked. Sky chuckled.

"There was love on your part, alright, love for fame, love for money, for the high status and luxurious life you figured you would have as my wife. And the last thing you ever cared for was me",

"Sky, I´ve changed. I´m not the same Diaspro you knew back then, losing you made me see that!" she said, clinging to his arm. But he pulled away.

"I´m sorry Diaspro, I have my heart and life set on one person",

"Why not make me that one person, Sky?"

"Because my heart has already chosen..."


"Allow me to congratulate you, Countess" Luna said, gravely. Cassandra glared darkly at her. The queen was a vivid reflection of Stella, only older.

"Thank you…your majesty" she said through gritted teeth. She couldn't stand this woman! The title of queen belonged to her.

"Radius I must speak with you, urgently" Luna said to him. Radius gazed at her in utter confusion,

"I shall give you both a moment", Cassandra said uncomfortably. As much as she wished to know what this was about, she first had to make sure that Chimera had done her job correctly. After all, she and Radius were now engaged and Luna wasn't a threat for her. She was in the past now. And Cassandra, was his future.

"Radius how could you do such a thing?!" she demanded. The King seemed flabbergasted,

"Do what exactly? Formalize my relationship to the Countess? You and I are divorced Luna!" the Queen took a moment to recuperate her composure,

"How could you make such an announcement without speaking to Stella about it first?! I saw her reaction up on stage and she didn't seem the least bit pleased! I have nothing against you wanting to move past our failed marriage but you must consider our daughter´s feelings! You know how difficult our divorce was for her",

"As Stella´s father, I can very well determine what is best for her. Cassandra and I have agreed to speak to her after the ceremony. It´ll only be a matter of time until she accepts it! Don't you dare accuse me of not caring enough for Stella" he said, angrily.

"I beg your pardon? Cassandra and you decided? You may have Stella´s custody and you may be marrying another woman but I am still Stella´s mother and every and any decision that concerns my daughter must go through me! Not Cassandra! It doesn't matter who you marry Radius, no one will ever take my place in Stella´s life!" she nearly yelled, out of breathe.

"Oh…" the King began losing his balance, his skin becoming pale.

"Radius?" The Queen asked, startled by his sudden faintness.

"Luna…" he whispered, leaning into her for support.

"Guards!" she called immediately. This was too sudden to be a common illness, she could feel it. Something strange was definitely going on!


Bloom hugged him closely and moved slowly to the sound of the music.

"I just wanna keep calling your name

Until you come back home…

I´m sitting eyes wide open and I´ve got one thing stuck in my mind"

"I´m glad you decided to keep your identity a secret", Bloom said, smiling. It was a masked ball after all, she was pleased to see him wearing one.

"Did you ever feel…a connection so strong to someone that you almost couldn't destroy it?"

He tucked her head underneath his chin, and hugged her back.

"We don't always get to choose the ties within us or the people we share them with"

"Sky, who was that woman you were with earlier today, when I called you?" she asked, nervously.

"It lies within you and only you can decide over it"

"You're the only one for me", he whispered.

"Watch your back, Bloom"

That voice…it was different. It sent shivers down her spine…but then…

"But there will be times in which you´ll have to fight for yourself"

"Sky?"


Song Lyrics: "I don't want to Live Forever"- Zayn Malik and Taylor Swift.