Chapter 5
In a dark green evening gown with magenta jewels down the sides, Jade pours over an old-looking book full of ancient texts. Her eyes glow green with magic, and the text glows along with it. Jumping onto the desk, Dec walks directly in front of the book, causing Jade to lose her focus.
"Only minutes until the Witches' Gala and you're still in your room reading books. Why shouldn't I be surprised?" he gloats, his crystal blue eyes staring right at her.
She doesn't look up from her book, "I'm reviewing some advanced spells. The Wizards are looking for a powerful Witch, and I need to be at the top of my game tonight."
Dec steps onto the book, firmly planting himself in between its pages, "What you need is to enjoy yourself tonight. You're already a powerful Witch, you don't need to worry about beating the others. Believe me, I've sat in on some of your classes."
Jade looks up at her cat companion, and her lips press into a small smile. She pets him on the head, "Thank you Dec."
She gets up and walks toward the door, and as she waves her hand for her magic to open the door, Dec follows her across the room.
"Oh, and could you bring me back some of those pastries with the cream filling? Pretty please?"
Jade peeks out from behind the other side of the door, "Should you really be eating those Dec?"
He twists his body to the side, "Remember, I have no girlish figure to look after."
"Just making sure."
Still in their Fairy form, Ancrua hangs over Silver's shoulder as they reach the other side of the secret passageway. Most of the passageway behind them has collapsed, with no visible way to remove the debris.
"Oh my gosh, this was a horrible mistake! How are we going to find our way back to Alfea?" Silver worries aloud.
Ancrua rolls her eyes, "Whatever happens from here on out is all your fault. Just thought I'd make that clear."
"How did you find the passageway in the first place, Ancrua? A secret passageway between Alfea and Cloud Tower?" she asks, ignoring Ancrua's comment as she sits her down to rest.
"It was created a long time ago by Witches looking to pull pranks on the Fairies at Alfea. But nowadays Fairies use it too to prank the Witches," Ancrua explains through tired breath.
Silver gasps, "But that isn't in the Fairy spirit! We should be making friends with the Witches, not pulling pranks."
Ancrua rubs her arm and shakes her head, "I know you think Fairies are all still about making friends, rainbows, and sunshine, but that just isn't true. Only certain Fairies become as powerful as the Winx Club, and everyone wants their level of power, not to mention their outfits. It's every Fairy for herself."
"But that's missing the entire point of being a Fairy! Fairies should be there for each, not trying to get ahead of one another," Silver argues with persistent optimism.
Ancrua balls up her fists, and the irises of her deep blue eyes glow red for a split second before she blows up into a rage of anger, "Ugh! You're such a loser you can't even see what's right in front of you! Why did I agree to come with you?! My reputation will be ruined once people hear we've been hanging out."
Silver covers her lips, "You...do you really mean it?"
She crosses her arms, turning her head away, "No duh. Now get out of here. I'm not playing your stupid little games anymore. You're on your own."
Tears start welling up in Silver's eyes, as she starts backing away, "Well...if...if you want to be left alone...are-...are you sure you're going to be okay alone here-"
"Yes! Now go!" she shouts.
The words shock Silver, and she trips, falling to the ground on her behind. Scrambling up, she runs to the other side of the cave. She thought she and Ancrua were really starting to become friends. Maybe she was wrong…
The end of the tunnel leads to an opening in the roof. Silver flies up and hits her head on an old wooden bucket. She looks up and realizes that the opening leads to another wishing well, identical to the one at Alfea. Except this one is covered in thorny vines and surrounded by a misty forest. Flying out of the well, Silver flies up to the top of the forest and spots, just a few yards ahead, Cloud Tower. The purple spiral sits atop a jagged mountain, with stormy clouds circling its thin towers.
Silver takes a deep breath, pulling her shoulders back and puffing out her cheeks, "I'm coming for you, Jade."