Chapter 5: Do You Believe in Magic?

Peters Farm, upstate New York

"And in our top story tonight, things are heating up in the corporate scene over in the Big Apple as Xanatos Enterprises, Nightstone Unlimited, and newcomer Cloudtower Industries are all vying for one of the most lucrative defense contracts in the past five years in the form of an experimental X-ray communications satellite. According to Cloudtower CEO Darcy Finlay…"

A redheaded woman somewhere in the ballpark of thirty years old let out an exhausted sigh as she sank into her living room chair. "I swear, if that's the same Darcy I think it is, then those three officially have more comebacks in them than Madonna. And if Artibani thinks so too, then we can all kiss that weekend in Dublin goodbye." she said to nobody in particular, her gaze turning towards a framed photograph of her and six other young women with broad smiles on their faces. Just as she was sinking into a contemplative moment, however, it was rudely interrupted by the sound of a ringing telephone– more specifically, the ancient landline one mounted on the wall just outside the kitchen. That'd better not be who I think it is.

Sheffield Institute– same time

"Is it just me, or is there something…hinky about the new girl?" Irma asked as she and the rest of the Guardians gathered at their usual table.

"Define 'hinky'." Will replied.

"Think about how she reacted at Weisman's. I mean, why would someone get that confrontational over their hobbies?"

"Probably because she's had to deal with people who've gotten a bit too snoopy about the topic in the past." Cornelia bluntly said. "And if you think that there's something sinister afoot, you're most assuredly wrong."

"One word: Nerissa."

Cornelia suddenly became very interested in the floor. "Point conceded." she half-mumbled.

"Hello, you've reached the Peters residence. To whom am I speaking?"

"Hello to you too, Bloom. How're things going with Sky and…what's your kid's name again?"

"Her name's Daphne, Director Artibani." She exhaled through her nose. "I take it this isn't a social call."

"It's about the satellite contract. More specifically, the possibility that…"

"Darcy's alive and up to something." the two said in unison. "And here I thought we'd finally seen the last of those three."

"Shared sentiment." Artibani replied. "Which brings to business at hand."

"What kind of business?"

"Let me put it this way– it's time for a reunion. What do you say?"

Bloom turned her head towards the hallway separating the living room from the kitchen, her focus shifting to and from each picture on the wall– a graduation photo, her wedding day, the birth of her daughter, a picture of a young woman with dark blue pigtails striking a pose in a Boston Pops t-shirt, a blonde wearing a strapless, sea foam-green dress with pink stripes and a matching pink belt standing in the shadow of Big Ben with a broad grin on her face, and so on.

"Well?"

"Consider me on board. Now, mind filling me in as to just what we'll be doing?"

"Ever heard of the Guardians of the Veil?"

"Who?"

"Short version– they're basically a supernatural damage control outfit tasked with fixing holes in the veil that separates our reality from the rest of the multiverse, and seeing as how you and the others've…well, settled down, taken up more adult responsibilities, and all that jazz, they're our best shot against our 'favorite' trio. Hence why you and your pals are giving going to give them a few pointers in dealing with the less savory members of the Fair Folk. Still want to go ahead with this?"

"Considering the alternative? Yes."

"In that case– catch you on the download."

"You know she only said that once, right?"

"Still never going to let her live it down." And with that, Artibani hung up, and the sound of a dial tone drifted into Bloom's ears.

"Well, looks we're having that get-together after all." she said to nobody in particular as she reached into her pocket and fished out her cell phone (a gift from Trismegistus' R&D division) before punching in the number. "Just wish it hadn't been on business." No sooner had the words left her mouth than she heard a familiar voice come up through the speakers.

"Hello?"

"Nice to hear your voice again too, Stella."

"Same here. So, are we still up for Dublin this weekend?"

"Change in plans courtesy of some…old friends."

Okay, maybe I was too hard on them– but how do I break it to them without a repeat of what happened last time? Briar thought as she made her way through Sheffield's halls, jeering taunts such as "Double, double, toil and trouble!" or "You weigh the same as a duck?" and "Light as a feather, stiff as a board!" echoing through her head. Question is, how do I get close enough without driving them away? Better question– what'll they do if and when they do learn?

"Watch out!"

Briar snapped out of her reverie just in time to avoid crashing into a passing Cornelia. "Sorry about that!"

"You're forgiven this time– but going forward, I suggest you keep your eyes on the traffic!"

"Understood." the Goth replied. "So, where're you headed?"

"English– Mr. Reaves."

"Small world, isn't it?"

Cornelia rolled her eyes. "You could say that. Now if it's all the same to you, I'd recommend we stow the small talk and get moving."

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

For the record, I didn't go in planning to make this a crossover with Winx Club, as the original plan was that the allusions to the show were merely references– but since that cat's out of the bag, I'll fess up that the Gargoyles references were intended to be and still are foreshadowing (and yes, a Gargoyles fic in this same universe is on the docket). As for the Winx Club elements themselves (which were brought in as a result of me watching an episode or two of the Netflix series and subsequently thinking 'I could do a better job of this', followed by poking around the wiki), the Winx themselves are still heroic as they ever were. As for the Trix, they're getting a heavy dose of influence from traditional European fairy folklore (at least the more sinister ones, like the types that randomly abduct people or play baby switcheroo for reasons known only to themselves).

As for other details about this universe, I'm still trying to play some cards that're unrelated to Trismegistus close to my chest, but I will say that there're some non-supernatural players waiting in the wings.