Hello, everyone! How are you all doing today? Where I live, it's raining, but it's still a pretty good day nonetheless. Today's update is going to be about Flora and their journey to Linphea.
Previously on AUP…
"I'd sooner trust a Venus fly-trap than the UR. They might as well make a united government and sell all our civil liberties." She shook her head. "I don't know what they teach in that school over there."
"We learn so many things at Alfea," Flora protested. "We learn how to defend ourselves, form great friendships, save the world" –
"Ha!" Bisabuela snorted. "All warriors ever do is cause misery! Now, Linphean warriors are honorable; they know not to conquer and maraud. But you are born into a good priestly family, girl, and you should not be a Linphean warrior, much less a UR one!"
-o-o-o-
"Is everyone okay?" Flora asked.
"Everyone," Griselda said, "except"…
"Ms. Faragonda," the five girls said in unison. The deputy headmistress swallowed.
"Correct," she said. "No one knows what's happened to her."
"Then we know what our next mission is," said Bloom. "We're going to find Ms. Faragonda and bring her back home."
-o-o-o-
Flora walked up to the tree and placed her palms on its bark. Stepping back, she turned to face the other girls. "It is her."
"Our fairy-dust should have her out in no time," Stella declared.
"It's not quite so simple, Stella." Flora frowned. "The oak tree has grown around Ms. Faragonda's life essence. She is the tree."
"So… we can't hurt it without hurting her?" Layla asked.
"Well, we've gotta do something!" Bloom declared. "We can't let Ms. F stay like this! Especially after everything she's done for us!"
Musa walked up to the tree, her voice barely an echo.
"Ms. Faragonda," she said, "I don't know if you can hear me, but don't worry. We're gonna save you. I promise."
CHAPTER 15: FLORA'S TRIAL
"Good," Griselda nodded. "We have our answer."
Layla, Musa, and Flora were in Griselda's office again. An hour had passed since they'd found Faragonda, but once they'd found the information, they wasted no time in going to see the deputy headmistress. Griselda turned towards the window, frowning. "You figured it out?"
"Yes." Flora nodded. "I called my parents and told them the situation. They told me to come home to Linphea."
"And then what?" asked Musa.
"We need to see the Sage of Tierra," Flora answered. "She's a famous priestess in the City of Trees, the capital city of Linphea. But we have to hurry. I spoke with my mother, and she said now that a half-moon has passed, this spell will become permanent once the sun sets in Magix tonight."
"Then we'd better hurry," Musa declared.
"Actually" – Layla frowned. "I won't be able to come."
"What?" gasped Musa. "You can't ditch Ms. Faragonda like that! She needs us!"
"I'm sorry," Layla winced. "I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for something important. My parents are coming to Magix City today. They need to speak to me about something urgent."
That can't be good. Flora stared at Layla. "Is Andros in trouble?"
"I don't know," Layla answered. "But I have to go."
"All right," Griselda sighed. "I shall send Stella of Solaria with you, then. Miss Flora, I'm putting you in charge of leading this quest."
"Okay," Flora nodded. "Don't worry. We should reach Linphea by dawn and be able to return tomorrow at nightfall. You should probably know something, though…"
"What is it?" asked Griselda.
"The Sage of Tierra's my bisabuela."
Flora's great-grandmother had never been kind about the UR. She hated its very existence, the fact that it had to be there to dominate relations between the realms. A woman well over four-hundred years old, she had a very conservative view on realmwide issues.
And yet, her wisdom was known throughout all the realms. Flora hoped her bisabuela would see reason and eventually, acquiesce and help Faragonda.
The two-hour flight to Linphea was quiet. Griselda had arranged transport from Red Fountain, and Ben, a Red Fountain junior, was flying them. Flora, worn out from the battle, had collapsed on her chair and fallen asleep. Stella and Musa were Enchantix fairies, and therefore didn't need a nap. She woke up with a start as the ship touched down towards Linphea, sensing the atmospheric changes at once.
"We're here," Flora said at last as they entered the realm. It was a beautiful, fertile land, but even its beauty could not excite her spirits. "The City of Trees is this way."
"Are your parents meeting us?" Musa asked as they climbed off.
"My parents weren't able to make it," Flora answered, "but my little sister, Miele, is coming. She's going to take us to the City of" –
"Flora!" a voice called. A ten-year-old girl wearing a short sprigged dress and flowers in her hair ran towards Flora, her eyes bright.
"Miele!" Flora hugged her sister, picking her up the ground. "It's good to see you!"
"Where's she?" Miele asked, looking at Flora in confusion. "Where's your girlf" –
"Mirta's not here with us," Flora interrupted quickly. "She's back at Alfea. Two of my friends are here instead to take us to Bisabuela." She nodded at the others.
"I'm Musa Xi," said Musa.
"And I'm Stella di Solaria," Stella added proudly.
"No way!" gasped Miele. "You're a princess?"
"Totally," Stella smiled. "And a fashionable one, too. I can give you tips in style, if you ever want a boyf" –
"Anyways," Flora said quickly, cutting Stella off, "Miele, could you show us to the Enchanted Stairway?"
Miele beamed, happy to be of service. "It's right this way!" She ran towards the copse.
The other girls followed her, and gasped. Flora grinned as she stared up at the capital city of her realm, at its beauty and natural splendor.
The city was made of the tallest trees Flora had ever seen. Birds chirped and sung in harmony, and flowers and mushrooms grew just as tall as the trees. The hills were gorgeous, green and fertile.
"We've got to get up there," Flora said, pointing up to the top of the trees.
"No problem," Stella smiled. "We'll just fly right up" –
"That doesn't work," Miele answered. "The Enchanted Stairway is run by strong winds. We won't be able to reach the top that way."
"Then how do we get up?" asked Musa.
"We take the express," Miele grinned, pointing to a large leaf on the ground. Wind swirled around and picked up the leaf, spiraling it upwards.
"Hop on!" said Flora.
The girls dove onto the leaf as it flew into the air, sailing through the trees. Miele let out a whoop. Flora grinned as she stared around.
It's so nice to be home again, she thought contentedly, staring around her. It's so nice –
A screech above her startled Flora. Confused, she stared above as she saw black pájaros dulces, flying towards the leaf. Their normally calm eyes were menacing, and she gasped as one slammed at their ship.
The girls screamed as they were attacked. These birds aren't the slightest bit aggressive! She let out a gasp as it barreled towards Stella, its eyes murderous and cold.
"HEEELP!" Stella screamed as she was tossed towards the edge, grasping tightly onto the raft for dear life. "I really hate heigh" –
Her hands gave way; to Flora's horror, she was battered off the raft by the wind. But instead of falling to the ground, her wings took hold, catching the air and soaring into the sky. Gasping in awe, she turned around at her friends and yelled, "My wings are stronger! They can handle the wind!"
"I'm coming, too," Musa grinned. "Let's finish these birds off!"
"Hang on," Flora protested, "we don't want to hurt them! They would normally never attack us like that. Something must be up!"
Musa and Stella exchanged glances. "Do ya think Valtor's around?" Musa asked.
"I don't know," Stella answered, "but" –
"HEEEEEEE!" Miele screamed in fright. Flora turned around and saw, with horror, that a bird had picked her little sister off the leaf. Miele screamed, trying to break free, but the bird held tight.
"I'm coming!" Flora shot a nature storm at the bird, who squawked. To her even greater horror, the bird flew away, dropping Miele out of its clutches.
"Sun catcher!" Stella sent a ray of light to the screaming girl, who stopped struggling as her gravity was temporarily suspended. With all of her energy, Stella pulled Miele up to the leaf, where she at last collapsed in Flora's arms.
"Okay, it's time to take these down!" Musa said. "Attacking only makes them angrier, Stell. I vote we dust 'em!"
"How do we know these overgrown birds are really spelled?" Stella asked, looking at them in distaste. "Maybe that won't work."
"And maybe it will," Flora answered. "Try it, both of you!"
Stella and Musa linked hands, summoning their Enchantix pouches. Yellow dust merged with purple, and they both closed their eyes.
The dust scattered all around the birds, who stopped and howled in surprise. Flora watched as a white light enveloped the birds, so bright she had to look away. When it was over, the birds squawked timidly and flew away.
"Woo-hoo!" Stella cheered. "We did it!"
"And there's the City of Trees!" Miele added, pointing to the treetops ahead of them. Flora smiled as she saw the homes built into trunks of trees, the fairies dancing on the treetops and flowers and toadstools. It's so beautiful there… The leaf landed on a mushroom, and Flora stepped off.
"Come on," she said. "It's time to see my bisabuela."
The leaves jingled as they walked from branch-to-branch, and Flora marveled at how easy these branches were to walk on. They were wide, almost the size of a paved road, but were intertwined, making it much more fun. She had heard of the City of Trees, but this was her first time coming here, and it was the most amazing thing she'd ever seen.
The homes were built into trees of trunks. Linphean people were very friendly, and they waved to them from their windows as they passed by. At the top of the elongated flowers and mushrooms, fairy children were dancing, playing together in the beautiful paradise they all shared. The blue sky was bright and cheerful as they walked towards the Tree of the Elder.
"Those flowers are beautiful!" Musa gasped, pointing at a bunch.
"Aren't they?" Flora grinned. The flowers were flores del iris, a rare type of flower that changed color from day to night.
They walked towards the árbol sabio, the tallest tree in the city. As soon as they entered through the hollow, the atmosphere changed. Flora gazed around the interior of the tree, letting out a gasp of awe.
Beautiful designs were carved into the sides of the trees. She could make out, through the dim light afforded by the sun, that they were very ancient. This is so beautiful… She stared forward, noting the curved wood of the platform in front of them, where the Sage was supposed to sit. This is so beautiful – but where is Bisabuela?
"Alfea girls," a voice above them said. "Including my bad girl Flora. Come here."
Flora stared up at Iztel Fernández, who was walking into the hollow from a back entrance. She was wearing a brown robe that reached all the way to her toes. Her white hair flowed down to her waist, and she stared grimly at them. "UR girls setting foot in this sacred place."
"Bisabuela," Flora protested. "We're not UR girls. We have to save the headmistress of Alfea. Please, help us."
"And why should I?" Priestess Iztel asked irritably. "Ruined my realm, that's what they all did. This UR reduced Linphea to the status of rubble. Big, stinkin' corporate governmen' came and ruined us, that's what it did. Under the false name of 'peace', created a higher order where Linphea has ta bow down to the will of Magix and Zenith, Domino too before it was destroyed. That Malvilla woman, she ain't known the first thing 'bout natural beauty, imprisoned all the poor animals from all the realms."
Flora sighed. Her bisabuela was centuries older than her, so of course she had been alive when Malvilla was headmistress of Alfea. If her bisabuela was to be believed, she was a crooked, cheating marauder with no respect for anything other than the status of her school.
"And that Faragonda woman," Iztel continued, "she seems to be goin' the same way" –
"Hey!" Stella fired up. "Don't diss our headmistress!"
Iztel's eyes snapped up. Flora stared at her friend in disbelief, stunned. Oh Linphèana... She shot her friend a desperate look.
But Stella wasn't by any means finished. "If you knew her, you'd know what a totally amazing woman she is. She took down that jerk Valtor right in front of all of us, and lost, but she still had the guts to do it! Not to mention, she's taught us so much about how to be real fairies! So if you're gonna help us, then help us instead of sitting around whining because your precious realm can't get it together!"
There was a silence. Flora, Musa, and Miele stared at Stella, completely taken aback. Flora squeezed her sister's hand, letting out a high sigh. We might as well turn back right now... Tears began to form, and she closed her eyes.
And opened them again as soon as she heard Iztel's laugh.
"You've got good friends, Flora," she chuckled. "I like her." Flora swallowed as she gazed up at her wise great-grandmother's eyes.
"The answer is this," she said. "If you wish to free your headmistress from imprisonment's grasp, you must reverse the flow of time."
"Wait, you already know about Faragonda being trapped?" gasped Musa.
"What do you think?" Iztel answered. "We priestesses have our own network of information. We communicate with each other so we can learn."
"Wow," said Flora in amazement. Iztel snorted.
"This is why I wanted you to become a priestess, girl," she said. "You'd be learning and reflecting, instead of wasting your time on this martial nonsense." She sighed. "You must go to the Black Willow in the Marshlands."
"The Marshlands?" asked Flora, startled. "I thought that was a wasteland."
"Of course you did, you silly girl," Iztel said. "It used to be the most beautiful marsh of all time, until the Great Fire of 728 in the Age of Blood, courtesy of Zenith" –
"Bisabuela!"
"Fine," Iztel muttered, breaking off from what would have been a two-hour rant. "There were two willows on the plains. One was killed and the other was badly charred. In grief, she began to weep for her sister. Her grief was so intense that the water flowed out of the cave and up the cliffside, all the way to the top of the mountain."
"A river that flows upwards?" gasped Musa.
"That's what I just said," snapped Iztel. "One drop of that water will turn back time and revive your headmistress. In order to harvest it, you must touch the water without touching it. I'll leave that one for you young 'uns to figure out." She let out a snort. "So go to the cave and get some water."
"Will do!" Stella said. "Let's go, girls!"
Right, thought Flora. They had no time to waste. Ms. Faragonda will remain a tree forever if we don't go...
"Oh, and there's one more thing, Princess Stella of Solaria."
Stella halted. Flora could see her eyeing the old woman with annoyance. "What?"
"You are going to break the spell on your father, correct?"
Stella growled. "Of course I'm not letting that jerk Cassandra control him. So?"
"If you wish to free him, you must proceed with caution," Iztel answered. "You may be tempted to rush out and do everything quickly, but that will not work. Too many young people these day just rush out and react, instead of taking the time to think. At the same time, you cannot be too hesitant and not act when the time is right, like those useless world leaders out there." Her eyes flashed. "And if nothing else, I will say this: you have good instincts, Stella of Solaria."
Bisabuela must really like her, Flora realized. It took a lot for the old priestess to give anyone a compliment, much less an impulsive girl like Stella. Stella's face flushed, and then she turned to the girls.
"Okay," she said. "So whaddya say we go and free Ms. Faragonda?"
Half-an-hour later, the girls were walking towards the cave. They walked urgently, their boots clinking against the ground. They had no time to waste; Faragonda's fate depended on them all.
Miele wasn't with them. Before heading to the cave, Flora had sent her home, much to her chagrin.
"But I wanna help you save Ms. Faragonda," she had protested.
"You can't, sweetie," Flora said gently. "You did a great job leading us to the City of Trees; we all appreciate you very much for that. But you're too young."
"But I'm a fairy!" Miele pouted.
"And you're going to be a great fairy when you grow up." Flora smiled. "But the girls and I will handle it now. Ladybug, take her home."
She picked up her sister and placed her on the ladybug, with the same ease as when she'd bathed her or change her when she was a baby. The ladybug soared into the air, and then Miele was off.
And now, they were entering the cave. There was a waterfall outside that extended all the way upwards, up the mountain. In the cave was a majestic, black willow with flourishing green leaves. Next to it was the charred stump of what had once been a tree, a very old one.
"This is beautiful," gasped Musa.
"So cool," agreed Stella. She was about to reach down and touch the water, but Flora stopped her.
"Wait!" she said. "You don't want to touch that, Stell. You could become a little kid again!"
"Oh," gasped Stella, pulling her hand away. "Then what do we do?"
"We have to touch the water without touching it," Flora reminded her.
"Obviously we need a cup or something," Musa pointed out. "I wish we'd thought to bring it ourselves!"
"No problem!" Stella picked up a large boulder from the ground. Sending solar energy into the rock, she melted the surface, creating a dent that would hold a fairly large amount of water. She grinned triumphantly and bent down towards the river.
A sudden flash of lightning hit Musa squarely in the chest. Flora jumped, startled, as the Trix appeared, cackling.
"You three!" Stella yelled, putting her hands on her hips.
"Musa!" Flora shouted. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Musa panted, pulling herself to her feet. She glared at Stormy.
"What are you jerks doing here, anyways?" Stella snarled. The three laughed.
"Destroying your little plan, that's what," Icy crooned.
"We've got some nature spells to cast," Darcy added. "Or rather, I have. It involves a new power Valtor gave me. Watch and learn!"
The witch sent a wave of nebulous energy into the water. Flora watched with horror as the water turned murky and black, grimy and unfixable. We'll never be able to bring this back to Ms. Faragonda now...
Icy and Stormy laughed. "Good work, Darce!" Icy smirked.
"Okay, it's showtime," said Darcy, her eyes blazing purple. "We're gonna finish you pixies off."
"No, it'll be we who finish you off!" Stella fired back. "Bring it on, hotshot!"
Icy fired a volley of ice at Stella, who dodged. Musa took on Stormy, slamming her with a sonic boom. And Darcy flew towards Flora, darkness in her eyes as she sent forward a dark wave.
No! Flora winced as the nuclear darkness hit her. Feeling nauseous, she pushed back with all her strength, hitting Darcy with a lotus spell.
But Darcy repelled it disdainfully, and with horror, Flora realized they'd gotten stronger. She stared at them, aghast. "It was you who set the birds on us!"
"It was," Darcy smirked. "I've also got some more for you, too." She shot a dark spell at Flora, who set up a green shield. Using up all the energy she could, she held the barrier tight, preventing it from hitting her. The dark spell went into the shield, and then there was no more.
Darcy gnashed her teeth in annoyance. "You're the only loser here without your Enchantix. Why is this so hard?"
"Because this is my home territory," she answered, hope rising in her. "You're not going to destroy it."
"Oh, I already have," Darcy laughed. "We heard all about your headmistress, living in a tree. There's no hope for her."
With a sickening feeling, Flora realized she was right. And if Ms. Faragonda isn't freed, then what chance do we have against Valtor?
"You're wrong!" a voice behind them said. "My sister Flora will never give up!"
Flora whirled around. Standing behind them was Miele, right in the entrance of the cave. Her eyes were bright and alert as she glared at Darcy, her hands balled into fists.
"Miele!" Flora ran up to her, trying to catch her sister in her arms, but the fight had made her considerably weaker and she was fighting for breath. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm – saving you from those witches!" Miele panted.
"As if!" Icy had stopped fighting Stella, and was turning around to gaze at Miele with interest. "Who is this little pipsqueak?"
"I'm Flora's sister, and I'm not a pipsqueak!" Miele fired back. "I'm a fairy!"
The Trix broke into laughter. Stella used their distractedness to her advantage, slamming Icy and Stormy with a solar blast. They gasped in outrage, slamming into the wall.
To Flora's even greater horror, Miele ran towards Darcy, howling. With a purple gaze over her eyes, Darcy picked up a nebulous spell in her hands.
"All right," she snarled, slamming it down, "if I can't break you, Flora, then maybe you need some convincing!"
No! Flora watched, horrified, as Darcy slammed all her power at Miele. The fledgling fairy was no match for the experienced witch, and she screamed in horror as she was thrown into the water.
"Miele!" Flora screamed. She could hear the Trix laughing above her, and whirled around in pain and anger. "That was my sister!" she snarled, setting a Venus fly-trap at them. Not waiting to see if it'd caught its target, she flew down, swimming through the water.
She hadn't even time to take a breath, and her body was growing heavier and slower by the second. Come on, come on... Her lungs were on fire, and every pore of her body screamed at her to swim back up to the surface and save herself.
But she knew she couldn't do that. I'm going to save my sister, no matter what cost. It was her fault this had happened, and she would live with her pain. At the bottom of the river she caught her sister, fighting against the spots of darkness in her vision.
Flora scooped her sister in her arms and created a water-repelling bubble around Miele. Her sister frantically gasped the air, her blue cheeks turning red. "Flora, what are you doing?" she cried.
Flora knew that time was running out. The darkness had covered half of her vision, and she felt as if a rope was strangling her by the neck. She didn't have enough energy to save both of them.
But I do have enough for Miele... With the last of her magical-energy, she pushed the bubble upwards until it zoomed out of sight. Breathless and exhausted, but also relieved, she fell down, the water possessing her as she sank to the bottom of the bed.
She'd heard that suffocation was painful, but there was nothing. Only... peace. Letting her last breath out, she closed her eyes. The last thing she saw was Miele's bubble shooting up to the surface of the river, into the light.
Flora opened her eyes. Something was around her – pink, tight walls with natural energy pulsing inside. She felt dry, warm, and safe, as if nothing would hurt her. Sitting up, she stared around at the walls.
Where am I? How had she gotten here? Was this the realm of the dead, the Otherworld of the gods? But if I'm dead, then how come I feel so whole?
She stared down at her brown body, completely naked. It was then that she felt it. A soft wind caressed her body, pollen glittering around her as she stared around.
Her body was covered in soft, olive sparkles. Then her outfit began to form. A short dress, in different shades of pink, flowed as if it was made of flowers itself. Stripes of blue were at her breastbone. Flora watched breathlessly as green vines snaked up her legs, fading to dark blue. She gazed down at her chest and saw a pink, flower-shaped pouch between her breasts. Pink flowers appeared on her head, and her hair styled itself, going up in ringlets and falling down.
This is my Enchantix, she realized. I – I got my Enchantix! I'm a full-fledged fairy now! Staring around, she felt magical energy rush over her shoulder blades. Like buds bursting into bloom, a pair of dark pink wings unfurled out, with green highlights and blue jewels.
The world around her changed. Flora watched as the pink roof above her parted, moving way to reveal a green cocoon. I was in a flower this whole time! The rose burst into bloom, from a fledgling bud to a blossoming flower.
And just like the flower she stood on, Flora felt reborn. A new burst of energy rushed through her, sending waves of natural energy into her veins. She could feel nature itself connecting with her, sending its radiant vibrance into her body. And now... it's time for the showdown. The cocoon dissolved, and Flora found herself standing at the bottom of the river.
She quickly created an air-bubble, rising up to the surface. Her Enchantix wings were unaffected by the water as she swam, repelling it as easily as butter. Bursting into the sky, she hovered magnificently in the air, gleaming triumphantly at the witches.
Musa and Stella gasped in amazement; Miele stopped crying. The witches were eyeing Flora with outrage as she flew towards them. She lifted her pink-and-blue floral pouch from her neck.
Olive-green dust sprinkled into the murky waters, cleansing them at first touch. Within seconds, the water had turned from its sordid black to a gleaming, azure blue. Darcy shouted out indignantly at her spell's change.
Flora smiled. Focusing her new powers on the tree, she whispered quietly to it. Please help us out, she thought. Punish those witches for sullying your water and for nearly killing my sister Miele. I ask of you, bereaved willow, do not let them get away with this.
She had never commanded trees before. She'd only ever commanded magivines and other magical plants she could create in an instant, plants that rose up from the ground and decomposed as soon as they were no longer fed a constant stream of energy. She could also command other non-magical plants, such as already-existing ivy and vines, to trip a person or wrap themselves around an intruder. Trees were different, however; they had a heart of their own, which was why they could never be commanded, only requested. And she had never been able to do that before with simply her Winx or Charmix power.
But it worked. The willow was seething with anger, and responded attentively to her call. With her help, the willow extended a branch forward, grabbing Icy, Darcy, and Stormy. The three were dumped into the river, howling and screaming as they disappeared under the surface.
"Way to go, girl!" Stella cheered. "That's some real power there!"
The three witches crawled out of the water unceremoniously, sopping wet. Flora flew to the ground and stared at them in fascination.
They had gone from being young adults to little girls. Younger than Miele, their faces and hairstyles were distinctly juvenile. They had identical pouts on their faces as they looked at each other.
"You looked like that, Ice?" Stormy asked. "I forgot you wore your hair in ponytails."
"And I forgot you never had hair to begin with," Icy snarled back.
"Hey, what's this?" Darcy picked up a stone on the ground, streaked with the water of the Black Willow's tears. "That's pwety." She held it to her chest, but Stormy grabbed it.
"I want it!" she snarled.
"I saw it first!" Darcy defended herself.
"Hey, it's mine!" Icy bullied her two sisters, grabbing them both with her superior strength. "I'm the oldest!"
Flora watched the antics of the three triplets with amusement. How is it that they're so predictable? Musa stepped forward.
"Hey, you'd better buzz off home right now!" she warned. "Unless you want a good ol' spanking!"
The three witch tots squealed and ran out of the cave, the stone falling to the ground. Flora, Musa, Stella, and Miele stood together and laughed until their sides ached.
As they stood together, Flora sat down and held Miele in her arms, gazing at her sister lovingly. Miele brushed a strand of Flora's hair out of her face, laughing. "Thanks for saving me, sis."
"You tried to defend us first," Flora smiled. "Already I can tell your heart is in the right place." Miele grinned and snuggled against Flora's chest.
Flora knew she'd never forget this moment. The moment she'd risen to magical maturity, but also a quiet moment of pride and love. She knew no matter what, she would never forget what had made her rise to this ancient power of nobility and sacrifice.
"Let's go!" Musa shouted as the ship touched down on Gloomy Wood Forest.
Ben nodded. "I'll open the compartment below," he said. "You girls fly down. I don't know where Ms. Faragonda's tree is, but I'm sure you'll be able to find it."
"Don't worry," Stella grinned. "Flora's got that under check."
"We've got to go quickly, though," Flora said, staring at the sky. Because of the delay the Trix had caused, it was almost twilight, the sun just on the horizon. "Once the last rays of sun set, we won't be able to save Ms. Faragonda!"
"Door is open," Ben answered. "You girls go!"
The three transformed and flew out of the ship compartment, zooming in front of it. Flora led the way, closing her eyes.
Ms. Faragonda, she thought, let us find you.
She sensed Ms. Faragonda's tree ahead of them, towards the north. Heart plummeting, she gasped. "Ben's dropped us too far from her tree! We'll never make it!"
"Yes we will!" Stella grabbed her hand. "Our Enchantix wings are much faster. You just have to know how to use them!"
"Stella has been practicing in Enchantix Class, and she and Layla have been teaching me new skills all week," Musa added. "So don't worry. We'll be fine."
Flora nodded, following them. Enchantix Class was run by Ms. Faragonda, which she would join now that she'd grown new wings. Assuming we free her in time... She glanced up and saw that a third of the sun was now below the horizon.
"Don't watch that!" Stella shouted, grabbing her hands. "Let's just go!"
"How do I use my fast wings?" Flora asked.
"Just focus within and feel your wings," Stella answered. "You'll be able to take magical energy from your inner reservoir to power your wings. It will affect your ability to cast spells, though."
That doesn't matter, thought Flora. The important thing is getting to Ms. Faragonda. She focused within and closed her eyes, linking hands with Stella and Musa.
A strong vine of energy grabbed her, snaking into her wings and giving her control. She could feel energy gathering between her wings, itching to go at a faster speed. But now I can... Letting go of her friends, she zoomed towards the north.
She led the way, following her senses that connected her with the tree to the north, the tree that held their headmistress' lifeline. We have to get there... Heart pounding, she soared towards a tree...
And stopped as soon as four witches appeared.
"Oh no!" gasped Flora, slowing down. She sensed that the witches were under Valtor's control, and they shot an attack spell at her, one which she narrowly dodged. Musa flew forward, her eyes blazing.
"You go ahead, Flo!" she yelled. "We'll take care of this!"
Flora nodded, racing frantically with the water under her arms. A third of the sun was under the horizon; she had no time to waste.
I have to get to the grove, she thought. She flew frantically, flying against time.
She reached the grove of the tree, grabbing the saucer of water. And then she froze. Valtor was standing right there, a smile on his face.
"Well, well," he smirked. "Fairy of nature, here we meet. So nice to see you."
Flora hovered, paralyzed with panic. No, no, no... She shot an ivy vine at him.
But he effortlessly dodged, flying towards her. She screamed as he bound her in an electric cage.
"Looks like your poor headmistress isn't going to be saved," he jeered. "So sad."
Flora glared at him, trying her hardest not to burst into tears. Not now, not now... Her Enchantix, all for nothing. Valtor smiled, staring up at his prisoner as he spoke.
"I sent those witches after you to stop you from getting the water, which they obviously failed at," he said. "But I am here, and you are no match for me, little fairy."
That's not true, Flora thought. She had her Enchantix, and although she may still be weaker than Valtor, she wasn't going to fail. I have to do this. She focused her energy on the trees, calling to them. Trying to stall Valtor for as much as possible, she said, "What are you going to do to Bloom?"
"Bloom?" Valtor snorted, though she saw a surprised look in his eyes. "What would I care about that pathetic fairy?"
"I know you're after her," Flora said boldly. "It's not a secret that she has the Dragon Flame. You're going to do something to her."
Valtor laughed. "After I finish you off, yes. But I'll let you know that I'm saving her for the very last." His eyes burned. "You have no idea how easy it would be for me. She could be gone in an instant if I willed it, after all the power I've accumulated."
The trees listened to Flora's call. Flora forced her mind to work in two hemispheres as she stared at Valtor.
"You haven't answered my question. What do you want with her?"
"You think I'm going to give away all my secrets?" Valtor laughed. "As if. You mistake me for a novice, young fairy." He looked up as the trees twisted towards him, and gasped in surprise. "What" –
His words cut off as the branches grabbed him, pulling him by the waist. Gasping, Valtor tried to pull away, but was trapped. The electric bars disappeared. Flora smiled at him, sending him a stream of pollen dust as an insult.
"I think it's you who mistook me as a novice," she said smartly, flying away.
She had to be quick. She had no idea how long Valtor would be held, and in any case, the sun was barely above the horizon. Only a few rays penetrated through, illuminating the air. I have to go... She reached Faragonda's tree and grabbed her water.
"Here goes nothing," she whispered, pouring water over Faragonda's face. Combining it with her fairy-dust, she spiraled around the tree, from the roots, through the branches, and up to the crown. The sweet-scented dust spread everywhere, the young tree glittering from top to bottom.
And as the final ray of sun shone down, the tree burst into light. A white flash covered it from root to crown, and Flora fell to the ground, kneeling.
In the flash of bright light, an old woman stepped out, smiling. She placed her hand on Flora's head, and the nature-fairy looked up, relieved to see her headmistress at last.
"Smart girl, Flora," she said. "I think you passed your final exam with flying colors. You have grown very much from your first day as a freshman at Alfea."
Flora looked gratefully at her headmistress, remembering her first day at Alfea. How scared she'd been, until she'd met Bloom and the others. And from then on, she'd grown, from a shy, apologetic girl to a loving, mature fairy. Her ability to profess her love to Mirta last year, after she'd helped her heal the Flower of Life, was proof of that growth and maturity. And now, she was a Fairy of Nature at last.
A shout behind her told her that Valtor had freed himself from the tree's clutches. Faragonda turned around, her eyes blazing.
"Now, Flora," she said. "Let's take him down together!"
Valtor smiled. "I don't think that will be necessary," he said. "This battle I concede to you, but not the war. You are free, Headmistress Faragonda, but do not mistake freedom for mercy, as you will be one of the last to fall." He bowed. "Flora, fairy of nature, until we meet again."
He vanished, presumably to Cloud Tower. Flora looked at Faragonda, who smiled gently and placed her hand on Flora's shoulder.
"Valtor's right," she said. "We will meet him again. But you have now joined the ranks of the Higher Art, Flora, and you will train with me to learn new skills. That, I am sure of."
Flora nodded, gazing at the almost-dark sky. Stars were beginning to appear, and she knew the battle would be long and arduous. But I can at least learn the Higher Art now. She held her head high.
And then help my friends take Valtor down.
Flora's joined the Enchantix squad! Woohoo! I made it a lot more dramatic than it was in the series, so I hope you enjoyed it!
Also, I'm adding the 'Previously on AUP' section just to remind you of events that happened before, particularly in the chapters where intensity is high. It's similar to the 'Previously on Winx Club' section in the 4Kids version. I always liked how they did that, just because it adds to the suspense of the show.
Next chapter:
- Faragonda reveals some important information.
- Layla's eighteenth birthday arrives.
- The Winx take their semester finals.
Stay tuned for next week's update!
