Hello, everyone! This is a really important chapter – short, but important. We've got quite a bit more to cover on Tecna's story before the Incident happens. Are you ready?

Previously on AUP…

"I just saw you walking with that boy, out of a theater," said Vasiliev. "Quite the rebel, aren't you?"

"I'm sorry," Tecna gasped, her eyes wide. "I" –

"You will finish six hundred sets tonight," Vasiliev responded. "If you are not done with the sets by morning, I will contact your parents and inform them, and they will withdraw you from Alfea."

"No!" Tecna's legs buckled. "Please, don't have them pull me from Alfea" –

"Well, you have a choice," the man smirked. "Finish them tonight or face the consequences. That's our deal."

-o-o-o-

"Tecna, you're not okay," Timmy said. "The other girls told me your work still hasn't let up, and it's taking up so much of your time. Can't you get Vasiliev to let you off?"

"I'm lucky in comparison to so many of my colleagues," Tecna responded. "My workload is actually a lot less."

"I don't believe that," Timmy answered. "Your colleagues probably aren't juggling school and a full-time job together." He looked at her in concern. "Is this something I can help you" –

"No," said Tecna forcefully; she couldn't tell him how Vasiliev had ambushed her the other night. "I'm forbidden from showing anyone the code. I could be imprisoned without a trial" –

"Don't worry," Timmy said, trying to look brave. "We'll sort this out together, Tecna. In the meantime, is there anything I can do?" Timmy asked.

The pink-haired fairy paused. I wish I could tell him everything… But to do that would be a death sentence. She swallowed, not meeting his gaze.

"No," she said. "I have it under control."

-o-o-o-

"You made multiple errors here," Vasiliev said disgustedly. "This is not engineering. This is childish nonsense. For that, there will be consequences."

Tecna's eyes snapped up as Vasiliev stood over her. He was close, too close... Her heart beat as he spoke.

"You will no longer see your precious boyfriend," he said.

The lump that had formed in Tecna's throat now exploded. "What do you mean?"

"He has been taking away from your work," Vasiliev said icily. "You are no longer to see that useless boy."

A million thoughts swarmed through her head, not the least defeat. If Vasiliev said she couldn't see Timmy, she could no longer see him. Vasiliev would see if she was going with him; he knew everything about her. He had her controls, after all.

"And if you see him, then we'll have to see if he can live or not."

Tecna's eyes snapped up, and she stared at him in alarm. "No."

"Yes," he answered coldly. "As soon as you see him, his heart will stop."

"No!" Tecna cried out. "You can't!"

Vasiliev laughed. "Oh, I most certainly can," he said. "You can't stop me."

-o-o-o-

"Do you think something's going on with that portal?" Flora asked urgently. "Something so sinister, they can't tell anyone?"

"I was kinda hopin' ya wouldn't say that," Musa answered. "But I'm sure it's not that bad."

"Yeah," Stella agreed. "It's not like that portal's gonna blow up the whole realm, right?"


CHAPTER 20: HINDRANCE AND HEARTBREAK

The weeks went by. Digit was no longer speaking to Tecna at all; in fact, she barely saw the pixie anymore. No one's speaking to me… She closed her eyes, burying her head in the pillow.

She was just so tired. Not just from the work she had to do, but just… everything. She couldn't take it anymore. This has to end somehow…

It was time for her to meet with Faragonda. Under the headmistress's orders, she had to meet with her every Sunday to go over her progress each week. She couldn't say she'd made any progress since the order had come in, though.

As she approached the room, she thought she could hear voices. It was Faragonda's voice, and she was talking in a low voice to a group of girls.

"Sit down, Musa," she said. "I'm afraid this isn't going to be easy to hear at all."

She called the Winx – without me? thought Tecna; a bad feeling was settling in her gut. What's going on? She pressed her ear against the wall.

"Melody is no longer able to hide its drastic situation," Faragonda answered. "In an hour's time, they are going to release this information to the world. Here, Musa." From behind the wall, Tecna heard the rustling of papers.

For a minute, there was silence. Then Musa's shrill cry filled the air, sending everyone into shock. "What's going on?" Bloom demanded.

"I don't believe it!" Musa screamed. "I – how did Melody hide this?"

Hide what? Tecna thought, a sense of urgency coming over her. What's going on?

"This letter is from King Jun," Musa gasped. "He sent this same letter to all the realms, as well as to Ms. Faragonda. Melody is gonna be destroyed by the portal!"

"What?" Stella cried. "What does that even mean?"

"When Valtor used his Dragon Fire to tear it open, it created a massive imbalance in energy," Faragonda explained, sounding grave. "The icy energy of Omega and sonic energy of Melody are at a collide, and right now, Omega's power is much stronger. When the sages constructed the portal, thousands of years ago, they knew this was a possibility; however, the chance of this ever happening was so slim, that they created it anyways. Sorcerers from all over the realms have tried to close the portal for months, but none of them realized that the circumstances were so dire. No one even thought this was a possibility until two weeks ago."

"You mean when Galatea's parents ordered our citizens to evacuate!" Musa gasped. "Why didn't they tell everyone then?"

"They didn't want to create a mass panic," Faragonda answered. "It seemed safer to order the mandatory evacuation, without people knowing why. They've been desperately trying to control the portal, but to no avail. In forty-eight hours, the portal will explode."

"My dad!" Musa cried. "Where's my father? Where's he gone?"

"Your father has evacuated the realm and told me not to let you go," Faragonda answered. "Normally, I would heed such a request, but I truly believe you are the only people who can do anything about it, if at all."

"I don't understand," Flora frowned. "Why do you think we're going to be able to fix this? If the best sages in the world couldn't, how can we?"

It became silent; Tecna didn't have to be in the room to know that everyone else was glaring at Flora. Faragonda let out a sigh.

"I have a hunch, but I don't know if it'll work," she said. "Bloom, you are the only person other than Valtor who has the Dragon Flame. If Valtor's powers broke open the portal" –

"Then mine should be able to close it!" gasped Bloom. "I have to try it!"

"You are to leave immediately," Faragonda said. "But you must be careful, for once the realm hits the Point of No Return, you are to abort the mission immediately and head back home. I want you to be brave, but I do not want you to be reckless."

What? Tecna stared at the door. She's sending the other girls, but not me? She slammed the door open. The Winx and Faragonda turned around as soon as they saw her figure in the doorway, her eyes blazing.

"I want to go!" she shouted. "If Musa's realm is in trouble, then I'm going, too!"

"Tecna," Flora began, but Faragonda cut her off.

"Tecna, you have not been keeping up in your classes at all. I doubt you can perform the same spells as your friends here. I am sending Musa because she is the only Enchantix-level Melodian fairy here, and the other Winx, because I know they will help her. But you cannot help anyone, Tecna, until you help yourself."

"What nonsense," Tecna snarled. "I am perfectly fine!"

"No, you are not," Faragonda answered. "And you will stay here until they come back, and focus on your coursework. It is for your own good, Tecna."

Rage filled up in Tecna, but she could do nothing more than glare at the headmistress. I can't believe she's doing this to me... She turned around and fled, into the quad.

She didn't know why she was acting like this. All she knew was that the time for logic and reasoning was over. I have to help Musa save her realm. She knew that if she didn't do something, the realm would dissolve right before everyone's eyes.

"Tecna!"

Tecna jumped to see Timmy pulling up into the quad, on his hoverbike. He stared at her in astonishment. "Tec, what's going on?"

"I'm fine," Tecna panted.

"No, you're not, Tec! You look horrible!"

"I'm fine," Tecna said again through gritted teeth. Though she knew Timmy was right. She backed away from him slowly, closing her eyes as she remembered Vasiliev's words last night.

"Tecna? Please, can you tell me what's going on?" Timmy said painfully. He jumped off his bike and moved towards her, but she backed away. "Tecna, what is it?"

Tecna opened her eyes. Timmy was right in front of her, a beseeching look on his face. She let it out, forcing herself to keep her tears at bay.

"Vasiliev has banned me from seeing you," she burst out. "He told me if I see you, he'll kill you."

Timmy stared at her in alarm. "Tecna... what are you saying?"

"I can't be with you," she whispered. "I'm sorry, Timmy. I don't want anything to happen to you."

There was a pause. Then Timmy spoke, and his voice was angry. "So you don't think I can face a goon like Vasiliev? Is that really what you think of me, Tecna?"

"That's not what I meant, Timmy!" Tecna cried. "Timmy, I really care about you, which is why I'm telling you to leave. You don't know what he's capable of."

"You think I'm weak, just like all of the other Red Fountain boys," Timmy said accusingly. "You won't even tell me what's going on, just because I can't handle a sword as well as them. You think I'm weak!"

Tecna couldn't respond. That's not true… But, as always, she knew he was right. She could still remember that day last year in Red Fountain, when everything had gone wrong…

She could only remember one time that'd been as debilitating as this, and that was their defeat at Red Fountain last year. The day when the Trix had flown off with the Codex had been one of the worst of her life. She could still remember her failure, clear as day, and how angry she'd been with Timmy for not saving them from the Trix…

"We've got to get up there," Sky had said, running up the steps.

Tecna and Bloom followed him, running up towards the top of the tower. Flora was recuperating on the floor before, and would catch up with them later. Here we are… She drew to a stop as Sky opened the door. Staring inside, she let out a gasp of horror.

The witches were standing in the Crypt. ONLY ONE BEARS THE WEIGHT OF RED FOUNTAIN, was inscribed into the table. There were several objects on the table, and behind it, there was a scale.

With a shout, Sky threw his discus at Icy.

"Hello," Icy said lazily, turning around. "Back for more humiliation?" She shot an attack spell at Sky.

"Let's go!" Tecna shouted, flying at Darcy and shooting her with a hex.

But the witch easily absorbed it. "Oh, come on," she jeered. And then she shot dark energy at Tecna.

Tecna gasped in shock as the dark energy shoved her to the ground. Stormy's powers were stronger than anything she'd ever seen before. No… this can't be happening…

Suddenly, the sound of a blaster shot filled the air. Tecna jumped up and stared over her shoulder.

In front of them was Timmy, holding his mini-blaster and looking absolutely petrified.

"Timmy!" Tecna squealed.

Stormy growled. "That's enough!" she snarled. And then she created a twister.

The two fairies and two Specialists yelled as they were thrown in the air. The Trix let out a maniacal laugh.

"The power of Gloomix almost makes this boring," Darcy declared.

Tecna looked around. Bloom and Timmy had collapsed on the floor, unconscious. She herself could barely get up; even her cyborg limbs were exhausted.

But Sky was still standing.

"No!" he yelled. With a roar of anger, he ran towards Icy.

But the witch simply hit him with an icy attack. In horror, Tecna watched as he fell to the ground.

"One-hundred years sleep, minimum," Darcy sniggered.

No… thought Tecna wildly, staring around; now she was the only one conscious. I have to do something… But she couldn't get up without attracting attention, and in any case, her powers were very weak.

"Now," Icy said, "for the matter of the scale." She surveyed the objects and frowned. From her position on the ground, Tecna could make out a crystal, robed figurine, feather, coin, baton, sword, diploma, and communicator.

"Hmm, the weight of Red Fountain," the white-haired witch sighed, observing the objects. "Magical weight, moral weight, weightlessness, economic weight, social weight, military weight, the weight of knowledge, and communication. Hmm"…

It must be the sword, thought Tecna. Please… don't choose the sword… She held an attack spell in her hand, ready to smash the sword if Icy picked it up.

"Saladin is a magically-enfranchised fairy-male, so it could be the crystal – wait." She looked at the figurine with the robe. "The Red Fountain warriors always wear these pompous robes at events, which they think represent morality. So in order to get the Codex, I have to follow the path of morality"… She let out a snort. "Well, I guess the ends justify the means."

She's wrong, thought Tecna, feeling slightly relieved. I won't have to do anything, then… the scale will blow her up… Pulling herself to a sitting position, she watched as Icy placed the figurine on the scale.

The scale began to creak, moving up and down. Tecna watched with bated breath as the side with the figurine seemed to teeter to the top, not fully supporting its weight. We have it… then…

Then without warning, the scale completely balanced. A platform moved, revealing a spiral-staircase that led to a basement below.

"No!" Tecna cried out. Lifting her hands, she shot Icy with a digital slap.

The witch easily absorbed the blow. Turning around, she glared at Tecna.

"Stupid pixie," she jeered. "How about we render you powerless for some time, so you won't try to fight?" She lifted her hands in the air.

No… Tecna stared as Icy's spell hit her. In shock, she fell to the ground.

She tried to summon her powers, but it was futile. She couldn't stop the Trix from getting the Codex any more than she could stop them from choosing the right object. I was a fool… How could I have made such a miserable mistake? Of course it hadn't been the sword; that was way too obvious. It's my fault…

Next to her, Bloom stirred. "What's going on?" the red-haired girl said sleepily, opening her eyes. "We're – no, Sky!" She clapped a hand to her mouth.

"What's going on?" Flora had just arrived, and was running towards Sky. "Oh no! He has no pulse!"

Forget him! thought Tecna. We'll find a cure later. Right now we need to stop the Trix! She looked at Timmy, who had just awakened.

"Timmy," she whispered. "The rest of us are all weak. The Trix put a power-draining spell on me and Bloom, and on Flora when we were downstairs. You're the only one who can stop this! Please, Timmy." She stared at him desperately. "Please stop the Trix!"

Something stirred behind them. Tecna spun around to see the Trix climbing up the steps, the Codex in their hands. Timmy held his blaster in front of them, glaring.

"Oh, what have we here?" Icy sneered. "Another boy who wants to play hero?"

"Come on, Timmy," Tecna whispered through gritted teeth. Show them who you are… don't let them get away!

But then she saw Timmy's right hand shaking. He lowered his gaze, appearing to be in thought.

"How many times do I have to beat you?" Icy laughed. "Pathetic."

And with that, Timmy dropped the blaster to the ground. "Go," he murmured. "You can pass."

Tecna stared at him in shock. I can't believe this… Why, Timmy? How could you let them go?

"You're a coward!" she cried, running out of the room.

She could hear Timmy calling after her, and Bloom's cries about her immobilized boyfriend, but she didn't care. I can't believe it… She lowered her head to the ground.

We screwed up, she thought bitterly. We screwed up… and now the Codex is theirs. He could've beaten them, but he didn't. She clenched her fists.

I can't believe I ever liked him.

And now Tecna closed her eyes. Last year, she'd dwelled heavily on Timmy's refusal to fight, furious with how he'd let the Trix get away. But now, she realized it had all just been a cover-up, an excuse to project her anger on someone else. In reality, she'd been angry with herself, and had taken it out on Timmy. The whole thing was really my fault…

I didn't care for him, she realized. I treated him horribly… and now it's showing in our relationship. She opened her eyes. Timmy was speaking, sounding angrier and angrier.

"I can't believe this," he said. "I... I thought you were different from the others, Tecna! I thought you loved me!"

"I... do," Tecna whispered.

"Then say it," Timmy said harshly. "Say it, so I know where I stand."

Tecna closed her eyes. She remembered her parents' warnings, how angry they'd been upon seeing her crop-top, and how furious they would be if they knew she was dating. She remembered Digit's voice: I've never heard you tell him that. And then Vasiliev: Interesting how you can love, when it has been scientifically proven to be impossible.

She bowed her head.

There was a silence, and then Timmy spoke. "I was a fool, then. I'm sorry I ever wasted your time." He walked towards his hoverbike, and hopped on.

She watched him go, her heart breaking. She closed her eyes and scolded herself. It was your choice, so stop whining. But still, it felt as if her heart was shattering into a thousand pieces, never to be revived again.

She'd been wrong all along; Timmy had never been the coward. It had always been her, and in the recesses of her mind, she'd always known it. She'd done nothing to stop Vasiliev from taking over her life, and nothing to honor her creed as a fairy of Alfea. What have I done to help my friends? She'd been in a horrible state of mind all this time, destroying everyone else with her pain. And now, when Timmy's life was at stake, there was nothing she could do.

But I won't let him die. She glared at the ground.

The ship will be arriving here soon, she thought. I have to go. Walking into the woods, she closed her eyes, knowing she had to get to Melody.

One way or the other, I'll fulfill my duty to my friends, Timmy, and Vasiliev. This will end now. She clenched her fists.

So I can save Musa's realm from destruction for once and for all.


Yes, Tecna and Timmy just broke up. *sobs* It's even more tragic in light of what's going to happen next.

Next chapter:

- The Winx come across the king and queen of Melody.

- They are met by Melodian merfolk, who have been spelled by Valtor.

- Running out of time, the girls desperately search for Teboc.

See you all soon!