Faragonda sighed as she looked at the bright orb in front of her.
"Oh miss Stella…"She muttered with a small smile as she graded the girl's paper.
She snapped with her fingers and the bright orb disappeared and was replaced by another one. The headmistress gasped and blinked several times to make sure she really saw what was in front of her. This orb was completely black.
"This must be a mistake…"
She walked towards her magic mirror and made a movement with her hand. The face of Headmistress Griffin appeared.
"Yes?" the witch asked annoyed.
"I need your help Griffin." Faragonda said. "I have something that you've got to have a look at."
Griffin nodded and within a minute, the witch transported herself towards Faragonda's office.
"I was grading the Winx's assignments from Cloud Tower." Faragonda said. "And this orb was amongst them."
Griffin frowned deeply as she examined the black orb.
"Is there any chance this belongs to one of your witches instead of one of the Winx?"
"Definitely not." Griffin muttered.
"But how can a fairy conjure such darkness?" Faragonda almost whispered.
"It's not all darkness…see that there?"
Griffin pointed to the middle of the orb. Faragonda came closer and saw it too. There in the middle of the orb was a very small golden spark.
"What do you think is that?" Griffin asked.
"I am not sure but I know someone who will."
Faragonda walked back to her mirror and now the face of Avalon appeared.
"Professor I need you in my office right now."
"Oh…uh certainly Headmistress I'll be right there." Avalon said.
"What do you suspect?" Griffin asked.
"I'll tell you when professor Avalon is here, but I hope I'm wrong."
"Come on Flora you can do it!" Musa shouted.
The fairy of Nature trapped her enemies, trees that had come to life by dark magic, in thick vines.
"Very good Flora!" Palladium said through the microphone. "Alright who wants to go next?"
Samara, who had enjoyed watching the elf's growing enthusiasm, stepped forward.
"My turn."
"Very well, just step onto the platform and think of an environment and an enemy you want to face." Palladium said.
Samara nodded and crossed Flora as she walked through the door.
"Good luck!" Flora said.
The door closed behind Samara and the fairy walked onto the platform.
"Ready?" Palladiums voice echoed through the room.
"Yep."
One by one the lamps started to glow and the platform moved away. Samara didn't flinch and concentrated on her vision. A lake appeared in front of her and behind her tall dark trees. The sky was dark except for the full moon which cast an eery light. The fairy turned around when she heard sound coming from the forest. A dark smile appeared on her face.
"That sure looks creepy." Layla said.
"Does anyone know where that is?" Tecna asked.
"Not somewhere around here, that's for sure." Stella said. "Eraklion maybe?"
"Do you know where professor?" Tecna asked.
She looked to the elf but got no response. Palladium was watching the simulation with a frown. Samara had turned towards the forest, changed into her fairy form and was now holding a silver orb in each hand ready to strike. But he couldn't see what she was aiming at.
"What's that?" Musa asked pointing towards the trees.
Suddenly dark creatures crawled out of the trees. Their skin was dark grey and they had long black hair. Samara started firing her orbs towards them. Each one was a hit. More and more creatures appeared and Samara backed up towards the lake. As they came closer Palladiums heart stopped. He had recognised the long ears and sharp nails.
"Dark Elves…"
Samara was still attacking the dark elves with a serie of different magic while flying above them. It was unbelievable. The full moon behind her made the whole spectacle look very impressive.
"I didn't know she was this good." Layla said. "Did you?"
The other girls shook their heads.
"She isn't defending herself at all." Tecna said. "While that was what we came to practise."
"I guess the best defense is a good offense." Layla said.
Within a few minutes there were no enemies left. Samara landed and stroke her hair out of her face.
Palladium looked at her with open mouth. His mind was working at top speed.
How did she know all those attacks? And why would she choose dark elves for enemies? She knew exactly how to defeat them but how? Is she doing this to mock me?
"Professor?" Musa aksed.
Palladium blinked a few times before looking at her.
"I would like to go next."
"Oh yes, certainly." The elf quickly pushed some buttons and looked how Samara and Musa switched places.
The fairy of the Moon walked towards a couch in the corner and sat down with a content look on her face.
"You were amazing!" Stella said as she walked towards her.
"Nah it was okay." Samara said. "I could have done better though."
"Where was that?" Tecna asked.
"Somewhere on Eraklion." Samara said. "For sentimental reasons."
Palladium glanced at her before focussing back on Musa. One of the double doors opened and Bloom came in.
"I'm not too late I hope." She said.
"Not at all, Musa is busy now, you can go after her." Palladium said.
"Is your date with Avalon done already?" Stella asked teasingly.
"He had to go to Faragonda's office." Bloom said with a pout. "Just when we were getting somewhere…" "I think I saw my parents…and he gave me this necklace that belonged to my mother."
The fairy proudly showed the necklace she was wearing.
"That's awesome!" Layla said.
"It's a bit big but it can do." Stella said.
"Bloom, you're up." Palladium suddenly said from behind the group of fairies.
The girl rushed towards the elf.
"You're last and then we'll have to stop." Palladium said.
Bloom nodded and stepped inside. Samara stood up from the couch and stood next to Palladium as Bloom started. The environment was Domino, white and cold. The fairy of the Dragon Flame used her fire magic as huge snow monsters rose up from the ground.
"That's easy, using fire against giant snowmen." Samara huffed.
Palladium glared at her with a frown.
"Perhaps it is." He said slowly. "Unlike you, how did you come to the idea of Dark Elves?"
Samara shrugged. "I read about them in a book professor Avalon gave me."
"Ah yes he mentioned he lend you a book." Palladium said. "Is that where you learned all those spells from?" "That was far beyond the abilities of a second year student."
Samara smiled at the elf. "You know I am a bit of an overachiever when it comes to my education professor."
Palladium did not know how to respond so he turned back towards the window. Bloom had destroyed all of her enemies and was ready to come out of the simulation. The other fairies walked towards them.
"Ready for dinner?" Stella asked. "I'm starving."
"Not yet, I'm heading towards the library." Samara said.
"After such a busy day?" Flora asked. "Shouldn't you rest a bit?"
"No, you know me Flora, always studying." Samara said as she shot a wink towards Palladium.
The professor felt the tip of his ears turn warm and was happy that no one else seemed to notice. The fairy of the Moon walked out of the room.
"I was starting to get worried about her being so down lately." Layla said. "But it seems that whatever was bothering her, she got over it."
The other girls walked out of the room as well, thanking Palladium as they left. The professor muttered a response and sat on the couch, letting his head fall into his hands.
Samara walked towards the corridors at a steady pace. She looked over her shoulders as she turned into a long corridor with doors on each side. One last look before she opened one of them.
"Ah there you are."
"I couldn't risk anyone seeing me go in here."
"Still it took you long enough…Celena."
A wicked smile appeared on the fairy's face.