Disclaimer: Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video and Winx Club belongs to Iginio Straffi and Rai S.p.A (NOT 4Kids!). Song 'Alive A Life' belongs to Kamen Rider Ryuki.
Note: This follows the Rai version of Winx as the 4Kids version butchered it too much, like with every anime it dubbed.
Chapter 62: Dream! The Servant's Secret!
Fargonda's office…
"So what's the deal, Ms. Faragonda?" asked Stella. She, Ranma, and the rest of the Winx were standing before Faragonda sitting at her desk. Next to her was Nodoka along with Shampoo and Ukyou.
"Well, my students, I've received a request from Dark Lake Academy to send some student guest speakers to their campus." Replied Faragonda.
"Oh, the magic academy in the Kingdom of Serenia?" asked Flora.
"The very same, Flora."
"Dark Lake? Sounds grim…" commented Ranma.
"Ranma…" said Nodoka, giving her son a disapproving look, which he gulped at.
"Considering your magical feats, I thought it would be logical to send you seven."
"Oh, it's an honor, Ms. Faragonda!" said Musa.
"Well if it will get me time off from school, I'm all for it!" added Stella.
"Hey! Shampoo want go, too!" said Shampoo.
"Same here!" added Ukyou.
"Sorry, Shampoo and Ukyou, but this is for students only." Said Faragonda.
"Besides, I've some tasks for you two to assist me in." said Nodoka.
"Awww…" said the two female martial artists.
"Sorry, you two." Said Bloom sympathetically.
"Still, Xander could use the company." Said Tecna.
"Yeah, you're right." Said Ukyou. They've been getting close to the amnesiac boy as surrogate older siblings.
"In any case, we accept, Ms. Faragonda. When do we leave?" asked Layla.
"You leave tomorrow morning, so be sure to get some rest."
Opening (Kamen Rider Ryuki style, 'Alive A Life')
Music starts as glass breaks with Ranma passing in the back. One by one, Ranma, Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, and Layla walk towards the screen on each beat before showing from above the group walking out in different directions. Ranma is seen from behind as he holds up Sky's sword, then switches to Ranma-chan holding up a ball of flame. Shot of the two opposite each other as they slowly look up towards the screen where Ranma-chan spins off into Ranma's form before vanishing and causing the Specialist Souls to line out behind Ranma.
Asayake ni tsutsumarete (Embracing the morning glow)
Hashiri dashita yukubeki michi wo (Starting on the path to be ran)
Ranma stands in the city streets of Magix as people walk about. It shows shots of him, Ranma-chan, and the Specialist Souls
Jounetsu no BEKUTOORU ga (The passionate vector)
boku no mune wo tsuranuiteyuku (Is piercing through my chest)
Scenes from past events play on a piece of glass.
Donna kiken ni kizutsuku koto ga ate mo! (No matter what harm from danger)
More scenes play as side profiles of Shampoo and Ukyou come out from the middle of the screen in a mirror effect. Finally shows profile flashes of each of the Phantom Specialists before fusing into Ranma's profile.
Yume yo odore (Jump to the dream)
Kono hoshi no moto de (In the side of this world)
Nikushimi wo utsushidasu (Reflect on hatred)
Kagami nante kowasuhodo! (Break through the mirror)
Ranma does some katas amid some falling glass. Amid the shards are images of each Specialist mimicking Ranma's movements. Group shot of the Winx as they stand with their hair blowing in the wind before they are shown in their Enchantix forms before flying off.
Yume ni mukae (Face towards the dream)
Mada bukiyoudemo (Although still awkward)
Ikiteiru hageshisa wo (The tempest of living)
Karadajuu de tashikametai! (is recognized in the body)
Xander opens his eyes as he holds up his hand amid falling shards. Shows a shot of the City of Magix as Ranma walks in from the front along with Ranma-chan on the other side. On top of a building, Nodoka stands with her katana as her robes blow in the wind. Ranma and Ranma-chan walk towards the screen as they slowly walk closer to each other, fusing into one and getting obscured in light. The title logo appears one last time.
End opening
Kingdom of Serenia, country roads…
Rain poured down hard on the country roads, leaving puddles everywhere. Not only that, it also had strong winds and thunder. The trees, grass, and other plantlife swayed chaotically from the gusts. Despite its name, the Kingdom of Serenia is famous for its terrible storms, and this was one of its worst ones yet. The wind was so strong it blew away whatever wasn't nailed down.
At a certain fork in the road was a street sign reading "Dark Lake Academy" on it, pointing towards its location to the right. It was an old-style signpost and looked to have seen better days. Because of that and the strong winds, the sign snapped off of the wooden post due to the strain and blew away into the foliage.
A few minutes later…
A large old-style chauffeur car was driving through the heavy storm down the country roads. Because of the conditions, it was going slowly to avoid any accidents as its headlights attempted to give visibility to the road. Ranma was at the wheel driving the car as Bloom and Stella sat near him in the front seat. Flora, Musa, Tecna, and Layla sat in the back, which was thankfully roomy. All of them were wearing heavy rain trenches.
"Good heavens, what a terrible storm! Is it always like this here?" asked Flora as she looked out the car window. She couldn't help but feel sad that nature was getting pounded by the wind and rain.
"I knew we should've taken that other taxi. It won't be long before we all end up in a ditch! I just know it!" said Tecna.
"Geez, well how was I supposed to know that the driver would get drunk at the first stop? We were in a hurry, right?" said Stella.
"We also had to drop him off at the inn to sleep it off. It was the only way to get to the school in time." Said Bloom.
Stella looked over to Ranma. "Do you really feel like driving? Can you stay on the road?"
"Of course, Stella. Just don't distract me." Said Ranma as he drove.
"I'm freezing! Is this Dark Lake Academy very far away?" asked Layla.
"No, no more than a half hour at the most. If it weren't for this damn storm…" said Musa.
"They really shouldn't have sent us." Said Tecna in regret. "And when we get back, we even have to prepare a written report. What a pain! Faragonda's usual insanity!"
"Well still, it is a prize trip." Said Musa, trying to be positive. "I would a thousand times prefer a trip to an unknown kingdom to going to school!"
"That's true, and they say that Serenia is a beautiful country." Said Flora.
"Nice trip, almost underwater!" said Tecna in annoyance. "Once we arrive, we'll have to go right to bed with fevers!"
"Hold it girls!" said Ranma as he hit the brakes. "There's a fork in the road."
The girls looked forward through the wet windshield to see the road splitting off in two directions.
"Which way do we go?" asked Bloom.
"I don't know, there's no sign on the post!" said Ranma. "Just great…"
"I would say to the right." Said Tecna.
"How can you say that?" asked Musa.
"The road to the left seems easier." Said Layla.
"Hold it!" said Stella. "I have a way to settle this." She takes out a gold coin from her coat. "Heads, we go left. Tails, we go right."
"That's your idea?" asked Layla incredulously. "Leaving it to chance?"
"You want to sit in a car in the middle of the rain?" asked Stella. She flips the coin, which came up heads. "Heads! We go left!"
"Well it's a lead anyway." Said Ranma as he drove down the left path. "Just hope we chose the correct path."
"See? Speed and decisiveness are needed! Don't worry, Ranma. I feel that it is the correct road and that we'll be there in a flash!" said Stella with confidence.
One hour later…
"In a flash, eh? In my opinion, we're lost!" said Layla.
"Crap… there's nothing but forest and countryside everywhere we go…" said Ranma as he drove. "Just where in the hell are we? I'm starting to feel like Ryoga…"
The other girls give Stella annoyed glares.
"Hey! Why are you all looking at me? I had no more idea than you did which was the right road! I just tossed the coin!"
"We won't reach the academy in time! Maybe we should turn back." Said Flora.
"I'd like to, Flora, but the roads are just too narrow here to maneuver around." Said Ranma.
"And if we leave the road, we could risk getting stuck and not be able to move at all." Said Bloom.
"Man, this bites! I knew I should've called in sick!" said Musa.
Stella looked out the side window and noticed something. "Hey! There's a light down there!"
"Huh? Where?" asked Ranma.
"Up there, on top of that hill on the right! That must be Dark Lake Academy!"
"Finally! We've arrived!" said Layla.
"Alright! Now we're getting somewhere!" said Ranma as he made his way towards the source of the light.
Moments later, the place came into view, revealing a deep magenta-colored three-story brick mansion.
"Huh… this doesn't look very academy-ish to me…" said Ranma.
"Oh no! This isn't Dark Lake Academy!" said Bloom.
"Well maybe there will be someone inside who can tell us how to get there." Said Flora.
"I'll go." Stella volunteered, feeling responsible for leading them wrong. She exits the car as she holds the hood of her coat close to her face. "Wait for me. I'll just be a second."
Closing the car door, Stella ran up the steps to the mansion and knocks on the large double door. There was no answer.
"Well? It's not as if there's no one home…" said Stella in annoyance as she knocked again. "Hello! Anybody home? Open up please! Yoo-h- uh?"
The blonde heard the telltale signs of a deadbolt lock moving.
"Finally!" said Stella as she held up strands of her wet hair. "Oh no, look at my hair! Tomorrow I'll be a mess and-"
"Uh… hi."
Stella was cut off when one of the large double doors opened and was greeted by a blue-eyed blonde girl no older than herself. Her hair went past her waist and wore a drab light blue peasant dress with a white apron. From the look of it, she seemed to be a kind of maid but possessed a beauty that contrasted with her poor material appearance.
"Uh, hi there." Greeted Stella to the girl. "Uh, listen, my friends and I are lost. We're looking for Dark Lake Academy. Could you tell us if we're on the right road?"
"No." replied the girl.
"No, what?" asked Stella. "It isn't the right road or you can't tell us?"
"I really don't know. I hardly leave my room, let alone set foot outside the mansion." Said the girl apologetically. "However, my little birds didn't say anything about an academy, so I don't think this is the right road. I'm sorry."
Stella was alarmed when she heard that. 'Looks like the right road was the right road…'
Musa rolled down the window to call out to her blonde classmate. "Hey Stella! What do we do?"
Stella walked back to the car. "She says she talks to animals. How weird. Anyways, apparently this isn't the right road after all."
"Well crap…" cursed Ranma. "We're nowhere near our destination and it's already dark out!"
Overhearing the group, the girl came forward and called out to them. "Why don't you come in? There's space in my room and you can all warm up. I'm always alone anyway."
The car passengers all looked at each other.
"So what do you girls think?" asked Ranma.
"I'm cold. A warm place sounds really good right now." Said Flora.
"I agree. Come on, everyone, I'm already a mess!" said Bloom.
They all get out of the car, holding their coats tightly around themselves. Ranma quickly pulled his hood over his head when he got out. Thankfully, his hooded trench was thick enough to completely block out the rain so his curse wouldn't activate. Locking up, they quickly ran up the stairs to the door.
"Thank you so kindly for the hospitality." Said Flora.
The girl led them all inside the mansion to the main hallway with a large stairway. "Welcome! My name is Milly."
"Hi, Milly. My name is Bloom." Bloom then gestured to her friends. "She's Stella. These are Musa, Tecna, Layla, and Flora. The boy is Ranma."
"Hello." greeted Flora.
"Hi there." Said Layla.
"Yo." Said Ranma.
"Well it's certainly nice to meet you all." Said Milly. "Come! It's a bit warmer in my room."
"Lead the way." Said Musa jokingly.
"Milly!"
Everyone stopped after hearing another voice and looked up to see an older woman with grey hair tied in an elaborate top bun. She wore a purple dress that looked to be of the Victorian era. The woman gave off a cold demeanor as she stood at the top of the stairway. Unlike Milly, the older woman was far less inviting.
"Who are these people? Why did you let them in?" the older woman asked in annoyance.
"Uh… they got lost, Lady Cordelia. I'm just offering them shelter from the storm."
"Hmph. You have work to do! Don't take any more time than is necessary!" said Cordelia in a commanding tone before she went back up to her room.
"Yes, Lady Cordelia…" said Milly as she looked down.
"Sheesh, what the hell is her problem?" asked Ranma, not liking the old woman's attitude.
"Yeah, no kidding…" added Layla.
"Come. My room is this way." Milly said despondently as she led the way.
Milly's room…
While the rest of the mansion's interior was quite lavish and posh, Milly's room was very run down and unkempt that even the wall plaster had numerous holes showing the bricks underneath. It was almost bare save for a single bed, a chair, a stool, a storage chest, and a grandfather clock. If anything, it was more like an unused storage closet than an actual room. Thankfully, there was a fireplace to keep the room warm.
"I know it's not much, but please make yourselves at home." Said Milly.
"Thanks, Milly." Said Bloom.
The group nodded, just grateful to have a warm room to stay in rather than the tight cold confines of the chauffeur car.
"Also, that lady is rather cold. Is she your mistress?" asked Tecna.
"My aunt adopted me when I was small and lives in this house with Rospunda and Villania, her two daughters."
Ranma raised an eyebrow at those names. 'Rospunda and Villania? Don't mean to judge, but those don't sound like names belonging to pleasant people, and if they're the daughters of that old lady…'
"Aunt Cordelia is very good to me. She lets me live here with them and in return, all I have to do is the housework." Said Milly.
Ranma and the girls were shocked upon hearing that.
"Wait just a minute! You mean you clean, wash, cook… you do all the work in other words, and those three take it easy!?" asked Stella.
"Well, yes. I wouldn't know what else to do!" Milly admitted.
"I thought you said she was your aunt, right? What kind of family treats their own as a servant?" asked Ranma incredulously. This certain situation hit pretty close to home for him as his own father treated him more like a bargaining chip than an actual son.
"We're not actually related by blood, though." Said Milly. "They're foster family, but the only family I know."
"Trust me, Milly, that kind of family you can do without. I should know." Said Ranma.
"No, you don't understand. Aunt Cordelia always says that the world is a wicked place and that I would not be able to survive! Therefore, it is better for me to just stay in the house forever…"
The Alfea students couldn't believe what they were hearing. No matter how they look at it, that was traditional gaslighting.
"What a sly old devil…" said Stella.
Bloom decides to ask something else. "Don't you have any friends, Milly? Are you always alone?"
"Oh not at all." Replied Milly as she gestured to a birdhouse hanging on the wall. Holding out her hand, a small white bird pops out and perches on her hand. "These are my little birds. They come to visit me often." She pets the bird's head. "They are happy to have a few crumbs, and they are good company."
"Ooh, how sweet!" said Flora.
Milly heard some tapping on the window and saw three more birds outside. She opens the window to let them in. "Come in, little ones! Over the fireplace, you can dry off for a bit." The birds chirped happily as they flew over to the fireplace to perch on. "Aren't they cute? Sometimes lots of them arrive and they sing for hours."
"Do they take requests?" asked Musa, getting a laugh from everyone.
It was cut short when the grandfather clock started to chime.
"Oh! It's so late!" said Milly in a panic. "The party is in an hour and I have to prepare the dresses for Villania and Rospunda!" She immediately ran to open the storage chest.
"Huh? What party?" asked Stella.
"The Debutante Ball!" replied Milly as she frantically pulled out two big stuffy gaudy dresses from the chest. "My cousins are going there with my aunt and I have to prepare the dresses for everyone! I have to take them to them right away!" She struggled to get the dresses bundled up in her arms as she was barely able to see over them. "You all just wait here. I'll be right back!"
"Hey, that looks difficult for you to carry. I could hold them for you if you-" started Ranma.
"No, Aunt Cordelia would get mad!" insisted Milly as she went past the pigtailed boy and out the door. "Thanks for offering, but I'll do everything."
With that, Milly closed the door. The Alfea students couldn't help but feel worry and sympathy for the servant girl.
"What the hell?" said Ranma. "This just doesn't feel right at all!" He couldn't help but feel the girl reminded him of Kasumi in the past. The only difference was that at least the former elder Tendo girl had been given more respect and appreciation for what she does.
"Just what I was thinking!" agreed Stella. "You all see what's going on? Let me through, I want to see something."
She takes off her coat as she was now in her casuals and walks past Bloom towards the door.
"Stella? Where are you going?" asked Bloom.
"I want to see what's really going on. You all wait here." Replied Stella as she left the room.
"Hold on! I'm coming with." Said Ranma as he followed the blonde Faerie after taking off his coat to be in his kung fu outfit.
Shutting the door, Ranma and Stella spot Milly struggling to not drop the dresses as she walked up the tall stairway.
"There she is…" said Stella.
"Quietly now…" said Ranma as they followed a good distance behind Milly without getting spotted.
The couple rounded the corner of a hallway where they see Milly enter through a door causing the light in the room to shine out the opening. Ranma and Stella quickly approached the door, pressing themselves against the wall as they peeked through the crack. They saw Milly meeting up with Cordelia who stood on the side with her arms folded, a cold expression on her face. Also in the room are two unattractive girls in undergarment dresses who looked about one or two years older than Milly. One was a tall skinny lanky girl with sharp angular features and a mess of frizzy dark brown hair that seemed to poof out. The other is opposite as she is a short pudgy freckled girl with rounded features and red hair done up in a topknot ponytail.
"I'm here." Said Milly as she held the bundle of dresses.
"It's about time you got here! Do you think we have time to spare!?" said the lanky girl angrily.
"I-I'm sorry…" said Milly as she looked down.
"I don't want to hear it! Just set our dresses over there!"
Milly submissively obeyed and started to set the dresses up.
The pudgy girl was sitting before a makeup desk mirror applying lipstick. "Lazy wretch! Can't you see that I still have to put on my makeup?" She turned to look at Cordelia. "Because I'm the most beautiful, right, Mama? I will be the most beautiful one at the ball!"
"Of course, Rospunda. You and your sister will be the best!" said Cordelia.
The lanky girl known as Villania walked up to her pudgy sister. "The truth is that I will be the most beautiful! Heehee!"
Rospunda gets up from her chair angrily. "Paaah! It's not true! It's not true!"
The two sisters immediately got into a fight and pulled at each other's hair.
"YOU VIPER! AAUUGH!"
"WITCH! GYAAAAH!"
"Wow, what a happy family." Ranma sarcastically commented from outside the door.
"Seriously…" added Stella.
Cordelia angrily breaks the two up. "Calm down, you idiots! You don't want to turn your skin red!"
During the scuffle, the makeup desk was bumped, causing a lipstick pen to fall and roll out the door.
"AAH! MY LIPSTICK!" shouted Rospunda as she ran towards the door.
Ranma and Stella silently panicked when they saw the heavyset girl about to exit the room. In an instant, Ranma quickly scooped Stella up in his arms and jumped upward. Rospunda came out the door and picked up her lipstick pen before re-entering the room.
"Do you know how hard it is to get this brand!?" said Rospunda as she came into the room.
Up in the rafters was Ranma and Stella. The martial artist used his hands and feet to hold himself horizontally face up while the blonde faerie was lying on top of him facedown as the rafters were too close to the ceiling. As Ranma held on, he couldn't help but blush as Stella wrapped her arms around him to prevent from falling. It wasn't made any easier that he could also feel her shapely breasts squishing against his chest. Once the coast was clear, Ranma dropped down to the floor silently as he held Stella in his arms. The Saotome Cling-to-the-Ceiling-and-Hope-No-One-Looks-Up Technique worked like a charm.
"That was close…" said Stella as they resumed eavesdropping on the room.
"Never mind your stupid lipstick brand! We have more important matters to discuss!" said Cordelia as she got her two daughters' attention. "The Debutante Ball is very important for anyone who wants to marry a rich young man from high society. This evening, Prince Hargon will attend as well, and if he chooses one of you, we'll be set for life!"
Ranma and Stella frowned when they heard this.
"Greedy gold diggers, huh? Why am I not surprised?" said Ranma.
Rospunda and Villania look at Milly in disdain as she gets their dresses ready.
"And I could finally have real servants and not a maid like this stupid Milly!" said Rospunda.
Villania whispered to Cordelia. "Milly isn't coming to the party, is she, Mama? She will stay shut up in the house?"
"But of course, Villania. Why do you ask?" said Cordelia in a matter of fact tone. She then addresses Milly. "You stay home, Milly, and everything better be in order when we get back!"
"Yes, Lady Cordelia…" said Milly sadly.
Outside the door, Ranma and Stella were appalled at what they had just heard. They could barely keep their anger in check.
"Well I've heard enough!" said Stella.
"We better head back before we're seen." Said Ranma.
Stella nods as she and her male companion went down the stairs to return to Milly's room where the rest of the Winx were waiting.
"You're both back! So where did you two go?" asked Bloom.
"What did you find out?" asked Tecna.
"What I suspected, unfortunately." Replied Stella. "Milly is being treated worse than a slave, while Cordelia and her daughters take it easy."
"She's forced to work without complaint. It's complete bull crap!" said Ranma.
"Oh my, that sounds horrible!" said Flora.
"There's got to be something we can do!" said Musa.
Bloom looks down in thought as the sounds of the rain echoed from outside the window.
Later…
Milly waited by the base of the stairway as Cordelia, Villania, and Rospunda descended wearing their formal dresses. Cordelia was in a purple dress while her daughters were in gaudy dresses with really wide frilly skirts.
"We are going to the ball. Milly, you stay here and clean Villania and Rospunda's rooms, is that clear?" ordered Cordelia as she walked up to Milly.
"Yes, Lady Cordelia." Replied Milly.
Cordelia walked past her while Villania bumped Milly away while smirking. Rospunda suddenly knocks down a vase sitting on a table next to the base of the stairs, forming a large crack in it.
"And you will also fix the vase you just broke. Hehehe…" said Rospunda in a condescending tone.
Milly looked at the broken vase on the floor then at the retreating forms of her so-called 'family'.
"We will leave directly through the garage. Then you'll also clean it. With this rain, there will be mud everywhere." Said Cordelia as she led herself and her daughters out.
"Yes, Lady Cordelia…" said Milly as the three harridans left.
Once the door slammed shut, Milly turned around looking down as tears formed in her eyes. Looking up, she noticed her seven guests looking at her with worry.
Ranma stepped forward. "Milly… we heard and saw everything…"
Milly shook her head. "Aunt Cordelia and her daughters aren't bad… sometimes they joke around… but it doesn't upset me… really!"
Ranma was at a loss. 'How could she defend those three harpies after all they said and did to her? This girl is pure to a fault…'
"Hey, how old are you?" asked Stella to change the topic. "I bet you're older than you seem."
"Actually, today I just turned eighteen." Replied Milly.
"You mean it's your birthday today? Then you must go to the ball as well!" said Stella.
"Yeah! Great idea!" agreed Musa.
Milly was shocked at the suggestion. "What!? Oh, no! I can't leave the house! I have no experience! It's too dangerous out there!"
"Forgive my language, Milly, but that's a load of bull!" said Ranma. "This is exactly what those three witches want you to think!"
"Don't you understand that they're doing it on purpose?" said Musa, backing Ranma up.
Stella placed a hand on Milly's shoulder from behind. "Outside is life… your future! You are more beautiful than the others, and you could find a boy who would love you!"
"No… no… I…" started Milly.
"Actually, I think that's why they kept you confined in here." Said Stella.
"But… I can't… I have to stay in the house! I can't…" said Milly as she turned away to keep them from seeing new tears forming in her eyes.
"Then we'll go to the ball together and we will teach you." Said Layla with conviction.
"Great idea, Layla!" said Musa.
"We'll make you a fabulous gown!" said Flora.
"And we'll teach you how to dance!" added Bloom.
"I'm too ashamed! I don't want them to see me!" said Milly as she covered her face.
"Then the answer is simple: just wear a mask. Actually, it will give you a touch of mystery, and that never hurts." Suggested Stella.
Milly looked up. "Huh? A mask?"
"Of course! But we have little time, so we need to start right away!"
A short time later…
Milly stood on a stool as Flora and Musa took her measurements while fitting a draft gown on her. An embarrassed Ranma was forced to look away. At a table nearby, Bloom and Stella were working on dress sketches.
Bloom looks at the latest sketch she made. "Hmmm… yes, this will do nicely. I would say we have our design!"
Stella looked over Bloom's shoulder to see. "Oh yes, I'd say that's perfect!"
Bloom called the others over. "Okay, here's what we're going to do…"
Once they see the picture, they all nodded. Stella then approached Milly. "Okay, let's unite our energies and create some magic. Let's go!"
"I normally do battle magic, so I don't know how much help I'll be…" said Ranma.
"Actually, do you recall that magic enhancement spell Nodoka-sensei taught us in ki manipulation class?" asked Flora.
"Oh right, that one!" Ranma goes into a meditative stance as the six faeries encircled Milly.
"What's he doing?" asked Milly.
"He's just going to give us a little boost to speed things up." Replied Layla.
To Milly's surprise, the Phantom Specialists emerge from Ranma's body, who then placed their hands on each girl's back, causing them all to emit auras of light. The Winx then held out and pointed their hands at Milly, where they shot out swirling beams of sparkling light that engulfed the girl.
"Lascia che ci sia un bel vestito, elegante e ben fatto, che questa sia una serata da ricordare per sempre, e che Milly risplenda più luminosa di qualsiasi stella!"
The draft dress Milly had on soon began to glow and illuminate. The rest of her body from the neck down shone with light as the dress separated into pieces as they came off of her, which they then began to intertwine with each other and returned back to her body to create a completely new dress.
When Milly opened her eyes, she looked down at herself to see she was now wearing a beautiful white strapless dress with matching elbow length gloves. Around her waist was a pink silk sash and at the front of the dress was a pink rose emblem between her breasts. The flowing skirt hugged her hips quite nicely which spread out at mid-thigh for better movement. It was long enough to hide her high heels as the edges of the skirt were triple-layered with blue and purple frills. Not only that, Milly's unkempt hair had been expertly done up into elegant curls.
"Ooooh! It's breath-taking!" said Milly.
Once the spell had been cast, the Phantom Specialists fuse back into Ranma, who then comes out of his trance.
"Looking good, Milly!" said Ranma.
"Because he's a boy, you know that's a good response and the truth!" said Stella, causing Milly to blush. "And now for the finishing touch!" Stella then uses her magic to materialize a simple pink ballroom mask, which she then hands to Milly. "What do you say now?"
Milly takes the mask and fits it on her face, which fit like a glove. She goes to look at herself in the mirror, astonished that the beautiful girl is actually herself. "It's fantastic…" She turned to the Alfea students. "But you're all coming, too, right? Like you promised?"
"Don't worry, we're with you one hundred percent!" said Ranma.
"That's right! Besides, you think I of all people would miss a party?" said Stella.
Later…
It had thankfully stopped raining by the time they got outside to get in the car. Ranma gets the engine running once they were all piled inside.
"Good thing the car still works!" said Ranma. Sitting at the front with him was Musa and Tecna, while Bloom, Stella, Flora, and Layla sat with Milly in the back.
"Okay, we're all here. Let's go before we suffocate in here!" said Tecna.
Bloom's eyes widened in realization. "Oh no! I forgot about something important!"
"Huh? What do you mean?" asked Stella.
Bloom looked to Milly. "Milly, where is the palace the ball is taking place? Do you know?"
"Me? No…"
"Crap!" Ranma cursed as he hit his head on the steering wheel. "We're screwed!"
"No! This can't be happening! Not now!" said Stella.
"What are we going to do now?" asked Flora.
Milly looked out the window and noticed one of her birds trying to get her attention. She suddenly gets an idea. "That's it! My little friends will certainly know!"
"Wait, what?" said Tecna.
Rolling down the window, Milly talks with the flock of four birds. "You know where the royal palace is, don't you? Please show us the way!"
The birds chirped in understanding and flew ahead of the car.
"It looks like they understood! Let's follow them!" said Tecna.
"Of course they understood, it's fantastic!" said Milly as she kept sight of her feathered friends.
Ranma put the pedal to the metal.
"Speed up, Ranma! Being a bit late is chic, but being too late is rude!" said Stella.
"Hold on!" said Ranma as he sped up.
Grand Palace of Serenia…
The palace is a large beautifully built structure that served as a shining beacon in the normally stormy kingdom. Invited nobles and guests walked up the stairs towards the large lavish double doors.
The ballroom was large and spacious with a polished marble floor and elaborately-crafted pillars. Many attendees mingled and danced, while refreshments were served at the numerous tables at the sides.
From the entrance, Ranma entered and stood. He was dressed in formal kung fu attire consisting of black pants with black dress shoes, and a red long-sleeved coat top with an image of a phoenix flying over a cloud embroidered with gold thread. Since it was a formal event, Ranma's usual attire wasn't going to cut it, so Stella spelled a new outfit for him.
From the entrance, Ranma made way for his female companions. Currently, all the Winx were in their Enchantix forms as they ushered in Milly. Because of their nearly provocative states of dress, the Faeries stood out like sore thumbs. All the attendees looked at them in awe and wonder.
"Here we are! Hee hee hee!" giggled Stella as she could feel all the eyes in the room glued to her and her friends.
"Oh my… look at all the people! What should I do now? I… I'm sacred…" said Milly nervously.
Stella sits herself down on a nearby plush chair. "Just sit down and look around in a charming manner, then all you have to do is wait!" She accentuates this point by crossing her very sexy bare legs, which earned her some looks from the men.
Nearby, Cordelia and her two daughters, Villania and Rospunda, looked at the group with disdain.
"Did you see that? Buch of shameless harlots! Just who are they?" asked Villania in annoyance.
"Ugh, what ridiculous dresses! And that one with the mask!" said Rospunda arrogantly.
"Calm down! Don't get upset!" whispered Cordelia.
"But all the boys are looking at them! Who will notice us?" complained Rospunda.
In fact, the eligible young men in the room began eying the latest visitors.
"They are strangers, I've never seen them before."
"How gorgeous! Should we introduce ourselves?"
"The one with the mask is really beautiful!"
Most of the men started giving the Faeries flirtatious and predatory looks, which wasn't a big surprise considering their Enchantix outfits were quite skimpy and revealing.
Stella sensed this and quickly gets up, hooking her arm in Bloom's to pull her in whispering range.
"Uh oh… we're attracting too much attention! If they all start to flirt with us, it could be trouble!" whispered Stella.
"What should we do?" asked Bloom.
Ranma saw trouble and decided to intervene. Brushing past the crowd of hot-blooded young men, he reached the girls and slides himself between the redhead and blonde Faeries. Placing his hands at their waists, he pulls the two girls close to him while saying, "Sorry, guys, but these girls are all with me."
Stella and Bloom blushed at the forwardness, but smirked when they realized what he was doing and played along.
"Yeah, we're with him, sorry!" said Stella as she and Bloom hugged Ranma back.
Flora, Musa, Tecna, and Layla also crowded around the three.
"Yeah, we're all a group." Said Layla.
The men could only look down sadly and in disappointment.
"Of course they'd have someone…"
"Lucky guy…"
"He must be some kind of pimp…"
Ranma couldn't help but feel embarrassed about the last comment.
"Nice save, Ranma." Whispered Bloom.
"Sure, no problem, Bloom…" said Ranma.
"Now we have to leave the field open for Milly." Said Stella.
"You're right. Let's get out of here." Agreed Bloom as she and the others left to go out on the balcony.
Milly began to panic and rushed up to Stella. "Wait! Where are you going? You're not leaving me here alone, are you?"
"Calm down. We'll keep an eye on you without being seen, okay?" Stella assured while giving a wink. "For now, just sit tight." She gestured to a plush chair before following the others out onto the balcony.
Milly looked scared, but sat down as she had been told while nervously looking around. From behind the doorframe, Ranma and the Winx watched her.
"You sure about this, Stella? She looks like a nervous wreck right now." Said Ranma.
"Don't worry, it will all work out." Said Stella.
They all waited until someone came and approached Milly. He was a dashing young man with blue eyes and blonde hair tied in a simple ponytail. He wore a white suit with black boots, a red sash belt, and a read nobleman's longcoat with gold trim. From the appearance, the young man looked to be a prince.
"There you have it! The best-looking boy has noticed her." Said Stella. She looked at Ranma. "Present company excluded, of course."
Tecna used her powers to do a scan of the young man as a holo-image of him formed before her. "And talk about a great catch! According to this, that's Prince Hargon, one of the top three royal families of Serenia Kingdom!"
"Whoa! That is a great catch!" said Stella.
"Isn't that also the name of the guy those three hags are shooting for?" asked Ranma as he recalled what he and Stella overheard back in the mansion.
"It is, and that would be the icing on the cake!"
Milly sat nervously until she heard a voice.
"Hello there."
She looked up to see the princely young man looking at her before kneeling to her level.
"I am Prince Hargon. May I have this dance, young lady?" He held out his hand to her.
"Oh! Uh… what?" said Milly in surprise. If she was nervous then, she was panicking inside now. She turned to look out the balcony exit where she saw Ranma and the Winx smiling at her while making gestures to go on. Steeling herself, Milly stood up. "Then… ehem… yes, you may…"
Unknown to her, a bit of Milly's skirt was caught under the chair's legs. An audible rip was heard when she took a step.
"Oh no! My new dress! Excuse me!" said Milly in a panic when she saw the rip up her skirt. She hastily ran to the balcony. "Stella! Stella! What should I do?"
Prince Hargon could only watch in confusion at what had occurred. He was a little let down that the beautiful girl suddenly bailed on him.
On the balcony, Stella diagnosed the damage on Milly's skirt. "Nuts! Now it will have to be fixed. Give me a hand, girls!"
Bloom looked inside the ballroom and became alarmed when she saw Rospunda and another girl beginning to approach Prince Hargon. "This is bad! Other admirers are coming!"
With Prince Hargon, he saw Rospunda hold out her hand to him while flashing a bright smile that seemed to have had too much effort put into it.
"Since you are free, you could dance with me! Heeheehee! Right?"
Prince Hargon was a bit perturbed by this pudgy girl's offer, but tries to be polite about it. "Well, to tell you the truth…"
Another girl with short curly blonde hair in a strapless dress cuts in front of Rospunda, much to her anger. "Or with me! I'm as free as a bird!"
The two girls immediately got into an argument with each other, much to the prince's embarrassment.
"Well look…" started Prince Hargon.
From the balcony, the Alfea students looked worried.
"This is bad. He looks like he's about to get swarmed." Said Ranma. He looks to Milly, who was being tended to by Stella, Musa, Tecna, and Layla. "How long until it's fixed, Stella?"
"We're nearly there!" replied Stella.
"Better hurry. We need to intervene somehow."
"Just what I was thinking, Ranma." Said Bloom. She looked to Flora. "Flora, go keep him occupied for Milly. We can't let anyone else have a go at him!"
"Understood." Said Flora as she walked back into the ballroom. She calmly saunters over to Prince Hargon, getting his and the other two girls' attentions. "Excuse me, Prince Hargon? My friend is coming back right away. She sent me to apologize for her."
"Oh, really?" asked Prince Hargon, grateful for the intervention as the other two girls glared at Flora. The fact the newcomer is very attractive is also a major plus.
"In the meantime, we could dance." Offered Flora as she looped her arm in his, urging him to follow. "I'm her best friend. Call me Flora."
"I see. Could you tell me something about her? She is so mysterious…" said Prince Hargon as he walked off with Flora, leaving Rospunda and the other girl behind.
"Did you see that? She just butted in!" said the blonde girl in annoyance.
"Hey! I saw him first! I should have had the first turn!" shouted Rospunda indignantly.
Flora and Prince Hargon danced for a while as Stella, Musa, Tecna, and Layla were frantically trying to fix the rip in Milly's skirt.
"And done!" said Layla, much to Milly's relief.
"Hurry, Milly! The current song is over! Get back inside!" said Stella.
Flora and Hargon bowed to each other once the dance was over.
"You dance gracefully, my prince." Said Flora. "Thank you for the opportunity."
"My pleasure." Said Hargon. "Now what did you say your friend's name was again?"
Before Flora could answer, she sees Stella and Bloom gesturing to Milly as they usher her back onto the floor. "Oh! I didn't say. Hee hee! Excuse me now, but here she comes!"
"Huh?"
Stella urges Milly forward. "Your turn now, Milly. Go!"
Just as Milly walked forward, she winds up bumping into a waiter holding a tray of drinks. It was disastrous as Milly yelped after having gotten soaked in beverages.
"No! My dress!" cried Milly.
From the balcony, Ranma could only facepalm. "Of all the miserable rotten luck!" He couldn't help but sympathize with the girl as he knows full well what it's like to be drenched at inopportune times.
Stella takes the floor as Bloom quickly takes Milly back onto the balcony to fix the problem. "I'll go entertain the prince. You take care of Milly."
"Got it." Said Bloom as she escorted the distressed girl to the balcony.
Stella walks up to greet Hargon. "Hi there! Teehee! There was a little emergency with my friend, so she sent me to say hi to you!"
"Oh, you, too?" asked Hargon in confusion. "But when is she coming back?"
"Right away, right away! Heh heh!" said Stella as she took his hand. "Meanwhile, let's dance, okay?"
Hargon decides to take her up on it and leads her. "Oh, I get it. More and more mysterious, eh? Because of that mask…"
Back on the balcony, Bloom was in the process of drying off Milly using her magic to make a hot wind.
"There… the heat of the Dragon's Flame has never been used for something like this, but it seems to have worked." Said Bloom.
"Keep it up, Bloom, it's almost dry!" said Musa.
Stella was enjoying her waltz with Prince Hargon as Cordelia, Villania, and Rospunda glared at them.
"Graaah! Her, too, now! When will it be our turrrrrrn?" Villania complained impatiently.
At that moment, Bloom finally finished drying off Milly's dress.
"There, you're ready. I'll signal Stella to bring the prince this way." Said Bloom.
She heads for the door and waves to Stella, who was too wrapped in the waltz to notice.
"Stella? Stella! Why isn't she coming back here?" said Bloom in annoyance.
"Just great… she's lost herself in the moment." Said Ranma.
"Well I'll fix that…" said Musa as she walked over to the pair.
"You dance very well. How about another one?" asked Hargon as he bowed to Stella.
"Why not? You dance very well, yourself! Perhaps- AAAH!" Stella was cut off when she was suddenly pulled away by Musa grabbing one of her hair tresses.
"You've had your fun, Stella!" said Musa before turning to Milly. "Go, Milly!"
"Yes, thank you!" said Milly as she entered the ballroom.
"Would you mind telling me what you were waiting for!?" an annoyed Bloom asked Stella.
"Sheesh… spoilsport…" said Stella.
Prince Hargon waited a moment when Milly finally appeared before him. "Oh! It's really you! Finally! What happened to you earlier?"
"E… excuse me… I was a bit dizzy and… ah!" said Milly before she stumbled forward.
Hargon quickly rushed up and caught her before she fell. "Don't be afraid. I've got you now."
Being helped to steady herself, Milly couldn't help but blush as she looked at Hargon. 'He's so handsome…'
"May I have this dance, my lady?"
"You may…"
The music starts as they go into a waltz. Milly and Hargon moved gracefully in time with the music. As they dance, Milly finally found her courage and let herself get lost in the moment. She couldn't believe what she could've missed in her life had she stayed at home and silently thanks the seven guests she offered shelter to.
Milly and Hargon remained focused on each other, enjoying each other's company, and as far as they're concerned, no one else was around. It was definitely love at first sight.
From the balcony, the Alfea students looked on with approval.
"They are a beautiful couple… do you see how they are looking at each other?" said Bloom.
"Oh yes, it looks like we've succeeded!" said Flora.
"Despite the bumps on the way, it was worth it." Said Ranma. "Third time's the charm after all."
"Yeah, I guess." Said Stella, still annoyed how she got pulled away.
"Now now, Stella, we were here to help Milly." Said Tecna.
"Sigh… yeah, you're right." Said Stella. Her eyes then lit up. "But hey, the night's still young! Hey Ra-"
She stopped when she didn't see Ranma, then looked to see Musa standing before him.
"Hey Ranma, want to dance?" asked Musa.
"Can't see why not." Replied Ranma as he took Musa's hand and danced on the balcony.
"Hey! She stole my idea!" said Stella indignantly.
Bloom, Flora, Tecna, and Lyla couldn't help but laugh.
The night went on at the Debutante Ball. Each of the Winx managed to get a chance to dance with Ranma on the balcony, but the real show was with Milly and Hargon. They've shared some refreshments and mingled with each other, then later dancing the night away. During their dancing, Milly and Hargon engaged in some small talk to get to know each other better.
The only ones not enjoying the ball are Cordelia, Rospunda, and Villania, the latter two dropped off on a nearby couch.
"He's been dancing with her all evening! It isn't faaaaaiiiiirrrr!" complained Rospunda.
"What are they doing now?" wondered Villania.
Prince Hargon stood with Milly by his side as a royal guard in a green uniform tapped his flagged staff on the floor to get everyone's attention.
"May I have your attention, please!" said the guard as the whole room went silent for his announcement. "Prince Hargon would like to make an important announcement! In accordance with the tradition of our kingdom, Prince Hargon publicly declares that he is in love with this young lady, and solemnly asks her to agree to become his fiancée!"
That got everyone's attention and immediately applauded in congratulations.
"WHAAAAT!?" shouted Cordelia and her two daughters.
"Oh wow." Said Ranma.
"Congrats, you two!" said Layla.
The royal guard turned to Milly. "Now, Miss, we request that you revel your face and real name."
Milly's previous nervousness was gone. "Oh yes! Now I can! However, I don't have any other name. My name is Milly." She pulled off her mask, revealing her face for all to see.
The guests looked with shock and awe as they beheld Milly while Cordelia, Rospunda, and Villania looked on in absolute disbelief.
The other guests soon talked among themselves.
"Wait! She is the perfect image of our beloved Queen Aldesia!"
"It's true! She looks just like her!"
"What if she's the Queen's daughter, Princess Iris, who was kidnapped shortly after she was born?"
"Yes yes! She really looks like her!"
"Huh?" said Milly in confusion. This was all news to her. 'A princess? Me?'
The people cheered at the revelation.
"Long live Princess Iris, our new queen!"
The Alfea students were also shocked at the news.
"Whoa, didn't expect that." Said Ranma.
"Milly is a princess?" asked Bloom.
"And she was kidnapped as a baby? By whom?" asked Stella.
And old nobleman walks up and answers them. "We never found out. Princess Iris disappeared from her cradle many years ago and the kingdom was left without an heir. When the king and queen died in an accident, Count Neropulos took power as regent! Since then, that crook had free rein in the kingdom. But now, if the princess has indeed returned, things will change drastically."
"Count Neropulos, huh?" said Bloom.
Suddenly, an old man with grey hair and a bushy hanging mustache angrily made his way to where Prince Hargon and Milly were at. He wore a dark blue nobleman's coat with blue pants, black boots, and a black collared cape.
"What's this nonsense!?"
"Well judging from how pissed he is, that must be the guy." Said Ranma as he gestured to him with his thumb.
"We can't be sure it is the princess! We must have proof!" Count Neropulos demanded as he glared at Milly.
"There is a way to tell." Said the royal guard as he stepped up. "Little Princess Iris had a star-shaped mole behind her right shoulder." He gestures for Milly to turn around and lift her hair out of the way. She does so, revealing that her bare shoulder did indeed bear a star-shaped mole. "Exactly like this!"
"So it's true! It really is her!"
"I told you so! The resemblance is remarkable!"
"Our little princess has returned!"
Milly was shocked beyond words. "A princess? I'm really a princess?"
"It's not true! She's not a princess!" shouted Rospunda as she and Villania stomped forward at Milly.
"Yeah! She's just Milly, our maid! We know her very well!" said Villania as she pointed accusingly at Milly.
"She has always lived in our house and she should just stay there! Ghaaah!"
Everyone gasped in shock at what the two sisters had said, realizing what had happened.
"Shut up, you idiots!" shouted Cordelia, though it was too late as her two foolish daughters had just exposed themselves.
All the noblemen and noblewomen glared at the three, causing the two daughters to hide behind their mother.
"So Cordelia kidnapped her!"
"It's true! She and her daughters kept her prisoner!"
"They are enemies of the state!"
Cordelia gets defiant. "You bunch of morons! If you think that I-"
"Silence!" shouted Neropulos. "Don't say a word! You can defend yourselves at your trial! Arrest them!"
Several uniformed guards armed with spears came in to arrest the three conspirators.
"How dare you! I'm a lady!"
"Ow! Watch where you're pointing that thing!"
They were soon carted off by the guards.
"Did you see that? Those three got what they deserved!" said Bloom.
"Really! That guy Neropulos really acted quickly." Said Musa.
"And he spoiled the party! Hmph!" said Stella.
"Guess party's over." Said Ranma.
He and the girls looked at Milly, who was still shell-shocked after learning the hidden secret of her origins.
At that time, The Winx reverted to their normal forms, dressed in their weather coats. After everything that had happened, no one felt like dancing anymore.
Milly sat on a couch with Stella and Flora sitting on either side of her. Ranma, Bloom, Musa, Tecna, Layla, and Hargon stood before her in worry.
"I feel so sorry for Cordelia and her daughters. I'm sure they don't deserve to go to prison…" said Milly.
"Oh Milly… you're just too good, girl." Said Stella.
"She's right, you know." Said Bloom. "If the accusations against them are true, they should be punished for their crimes."
"Honestly, going to prison is the least those three deserve!" said Ranma. "I'd have done worse!"
"But…" started Milly as she looked down. "I really want to talk to them. I'm sure they will tell me the truth."
"Unfortunately, I don't think that's possible." Said Prince Hargon.
"Why not? It's my business! Can't you help me? I have to know who I really am!" asked Milly as she looked at the others with a pleading look.
"Well, I…" said Bloom.
"I think we can try." Said Hargon as he put a hand on Milly's shoulder. "We'll go to the prison and ask to talk to the prisoners. I know some of the guards and maybe they'll let us in."
"Milly smiled. "Oh yes, that would be fantastic!"
"Okay, we'll all go, Milly." Said Bloom as she and the others followed the now royal couple out the door.
"I'd love to hear what BS excuses they'll spew for doing what they did." Said Ranma.
"You and me both." Said Stella.
Prison entrance…
Like most castle prisons, This one was no different as it was dark and dreary with its stone walls and gilded gates. Standing guard at the entrance were two bald heavyset men.
"No one can see the prisoners, under direct orders of Count Neropulos!" said one of the guards, denying the group entry.
Hargon shook his head and faced the group. "What a shame. I don't know those guards, so I'm afraid we'll have to resign ourselves."
"Hmmm… they're a rough bunch, I say…" said Stella. "If they are as simple-minded as I think, a certain kind of magic will work…" Without the guards seeing. Stella conjured up some magical mist and shot it at them. The guards were taken by surprise, but soon collapsed to sleep. "Great! It worked! Now's our chance! They'll be out for at least a half hour!"
Hargon searched a guard for the key and used it to unlock the gate entrance. They enter the prison where they descend a deep stairwell that gradually got darker the further they went. As they neared a certain level, the group heard a voice.
"It's a good thing you didn't say anything! I had you arrested and taken away before you could expose yourselves!"
The group was shocked hearing what was said.
"Huh? That voice…" said Bloom as she and the others continued to listen in.
They hid themselves behind the wide stone pillars and peeked over to see a dimly lit cell that held Cordelia and her two daughters. What surprised them was that Count Neropulos was also in the cell having a secret talk with them.
"Tonight I'll let you escape. That way, there will be no trial and no one will know what really happened!" said Neropulos.
"My daughters and I will need a lot of money to live in exile. Kidnapping and keeping that brat hidden for years was very risky!" said Cordelia. Villania and Rospunda were sitting on the cell bench behind her.
"I know! I would have preferred to have gotten rid of her when she was a tiny baby, but the prophecy was very clear, unfortunately." Said Neropulos.
"Exactly. We had to wait until she turned eighteen."
"I still don't understand how she got to the ball and ruined all our plans!"
Everyone was shocked at what they overheard.
"Why that bastard!" said Ranma.
"It's all true! Neropulos and Cordelia were in cahoots!" said Stella.
"He made Milly disappear so he could take control of the kingdom!" said Bloom.
"And now he's setting them free so they can escape and remove all evidence…"
Milly was once again shocked at hearing the horrible truth of her caretaker's intentions.
"It's true… it's all true… how could they…" said Milly.
Ranma looked to the girl. "Sorry you had to hear that, Milly, but it's the truth. They don't deserve your sympathy."
The group stopped when they heard Neropulos again. "Now leave! I'll tell everyone that you escaped!"
The cell door opened. Hargon reacts with anger as he grabbed a nearby spear. "I can't allow that! Stop them before they escape!"
Just as Neropulos led Cordelia, Villania, and Rospunda out of their cell, Hargon suddenly appeared before them holding his spear threateningly. Behind him stood the Winx and Ranma.
"You will pay for what you did to Milly, you blackguard!" said Hargon.
"What!?" said Neropulos in surprise.
Cordelia and her daughters got nervous at the unexpected development.
"Rospunda! Villania! Run!" shouted Cordelia as they tried to make a break for it.
"Eeeek!"
Their path got blocked off by vines, courtesy of Flora's powers. The three then get cornered by Hargon who pointed his spear at them. "You're not going anywhere, you witches!"
Rospunda and Villania could only tremble cowardly as Cordelia cursed under her breath.
Neropulos made his escape from the prison.
"Go! We'll catch up with you once we make sure these three are locked back up!" Said Tecna as she, Musa, and Flora assisted Hargon and Milly.
"Got it!" said Ranma as he, Bloom, Stella, and Layla gave chase up the stairs.
Running up the stairs, they see the usurper reaching the prison entrance.
"There he is up there! Don't let him get away!" shouted Stella as she pointed at his retreating form.
The four chased him through the palace hall where he made his way up the staircase. Seeing two spear guards, Neropulos called out to them as he ran past.
"I'm being followed by assassins! Stop those harpies!" shouted Neropulos.
The two guards pointed their spears at the quartet. "Stop right there!"
"Out of the way!" said Ranma as he grabbed the end of one of the spears and backhands one guard in the face, slamming him into the wall unconscious.
"Don't bother me!" said Layla as she incapacitated the other guard by incasing him in a Morphix blob and sliding him down the stairs.
"Let's hurry!" said Bloom as they continued to give chase.
Neropulos cursed under his breath that his pursuers hadn't been slowed down. He ducks into his room where an oddly-shaped jar sat on a lone pedestal.
"Now that I have been found out, there is no escape, but at least I will have my revenge!"
He ran towards the jar and removed the lid, where ethereal mists began pouring out of it. Soon, a large monster resembling a snake with clawed arms and a demonic head emerged from the jar. The door was kicked open by Ranma who was followed by Bloom, Stella, and Layla.
"What the hell!?" said Ranma as he and his female companions were stopped in their tracks by the monster's appearance.
Moments later, Flora, Musa, and Tecna managed to catch up and were also stunned.
"Oh cripes!" said Tecna.
Neropulos turned to laugh at the Alfea students. "Hahaha! This evil slave has always been my secret weapon! If I can't have the kingdom, then no one will!"
"Spoken like a true sore loser!" said Ranma.
"Everyone quick! Transform!" shouted Bloom.
"WINX ENCHANTIX!"
The jar demon lets out a gout of flame at the Faeries.
"Ahhh! Watch out!" said Musa as they quickly scattered.
"Go! Kill them all!" ordered Neropulos.
The jar monster slammed a clawed hand on the floor where Ranma quickly dodged. It started taking swipes at the other Faeries and spitting out flames, but was unable to get a hit due to their mobility.
"Girls! In this sort of situation, force is the simplest solution!" said Tecna.
"In other words, whack on it until it's beaten? Works for me!" said Ranma.
They all launched a barrage of magical attacks on the jar monster.
"DRAGON SHOT!"
"RAY OF LIGHT!"
"NATURE'S VOICE!"
"SONIC WAVE!"
"DIGI-ASSAULT!"
"TIDAL CRASH!"
The jar monster writhed in pain from the onslaught, forcing it back towards the jar, then Ranma jumped up while charging his ki.
"MOKO TAKABISHA!"
The final attack caused the monster to recede further into the jar as if retreating.
"Come on you stupid useless beast! Destroy everyone and everything!" shouted Neropulos in anger. The jar monster continued to retreat into its confines, but also decided enough was enough. To Neropulos's horror, the monster suddenly grabbed him. "What!? What are you doing!? Let go of me!" Unfortunately for him, the monster was through taking orders and dragged its former master into the jar with it. "NO! LET ME GO! NOOOOOOOOOO!"
The corrupted count's screams faded once the monster dragged him inside of the jar. Seeing his chance, Ranma grabbed the lid and sealed the jar. "I'd say that's pretty karmic."
Stella came forward and placed her hand on the lid, giving off sparkles. "You know what they say: never create a spell that could turn against you. Heeheehee! And just to be sure, I'll add a little extra magic so that the lid will stay on forever."
"Good idea, Stella. That count better get used to his new roommate."
Stella turned to the others. "Let's return to Milly and Prince Hargon. I think this business has finally been officially resolved."
Ending
Order had been restored in the grand palace. Cordelia and her two daughters had been once again jailed and will be tried accordingly for their crimes. Because of their valor and deeds, Ranma and the Winx were given high honors and gratitude of the kingdom for finding their lost heir.
The next day…
The Alfea students met up with Milly and Prince Hargon in the grand hall.
"So you've been officially recognized as the legitimate heir to the throne and you are now engaged to Hargon?" asked Ranma.
"That's fantastic, Milly!" congratulated Bloom.
"Allow us to be the first to congratulate you! You are actually a queen now!" said Stella.
"Oh, my friends, how can I ever thank you enough?" asked Milly as she wiped a tear from her eye.
"Though I suppose we should call you Iris now, since that's your real name." said Musa.
"You're right. This is a new life for me, and I should start it with the name my real family gave me." Said Iris. She turned to Hargon as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thanks to all of you, I found a kingdom, and a man I love!"
"Milly or Iris, you are still my one and only." Said Hargon as he held Iris close.
"Hargon…"
The newly engaged couple share a passionate kiss, which the Winx started to coo excitedly at the scene while Ranma just gives a smirk. The four birds from before also flew in and orbited them for effect.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man in an indigo uniform and a sort of techno monocle walks in.
"Excuse me, are you Princess Stella Solaria? I have come looking for you from Dark Lake Academy."
The students turned to look at the man in surprise.
"Oh right… I almost forgot about that…" said Stella.
"We have been waiting for you since yesterday, young ladies and young man! May I ask what you have been doing all this time?"
Ranma stepped forward. "What we've been doing?" He counts off of his fingers. "Let's see, we saved a princess, unmasked a usurper, kicked a monster's butt, and then… well, doesn't that seem like enough for you?"
"Huh?"
The girls all laugh.
End ending
To be continued…
Preview…
Bloom: That was quite a tale we lived there!
Layla: I still feel the urge to move, though.
Musa: Oh! Princess Galatea? What brings you here?
Stella: An invite to a royal party on Melody? Everybody make way!
Tecna: Music, singing, dancing, the works, apparently.
Ranma: I never had birthdays like this before.
Flora: We just need to watch out for party crashers.
Ranma: Oh man…
Layla: Next time, on Ranma Club, 'Dance-Off! Musa's Beats of Life!'
Musa: The rhythm flows through my body…
Author's notes
One of my longer chapters. This was based off of one of the comic stories that I found interesting. Thanks for sticking with me all this time, guys. Also, it looks like my TVTropes page is expanding more!
Please read and review!