Posted April 3, 2022.


CHAPTER 28: THE KING'S RESORT

On the Matter of the Major Fairy of War

The Major Fairy of War is the High Faerie Queen's chief advisor in matters of battle and defense. Historically, she has led campaigns against the humans who damage nature and try to destroy it in any way. Her role is to stop humanity from becoming too powerful.

From what I have seen, the current Major Fairy of War, Faerie Lady Nebula, seems to be quite vengeful and ruthless. She will stop at nothing to keep humans in their place, sometimes unfairly so. I hope that she will change; otherwise, I fear disaster will strike.

– from the Book of Fay


Orlando, United States

The helicopter flew over Florida, the Winx, Pixies, and Specialists staring down at the verdant land in amazement. They let out gasps of happiness.

"Look at that!"

"Isn't it beautiful?"

Musa turned towards Riven, who was silent. Irritation rose up in her throat as she thought of how he'd behaved the previous night, how he'd spoken to her. She shook her head, remembering what had gone on…

"What," she had asked slowly, rage building in her heart, "are you doing here?"

"I'm here to, well, help you on your mission to save the fay," Riven answered. "Faragonda told me about it, and I said I'd come help."

Now Musa laughed – a cold, cruel-hearted laugh. "Do you think we're dying for your help?" she sneered. How could Riven be so presumptuous? How dare he come here and ask to help?

"Listen, I know I've done some stuff I shouldn't have," Riven said, scratching his head, "and, well, I just wanted to say I'm sorry" –

"You're sorry?" Musa exploded. Her entire body began to shake, and she was sure fury was pouring out of her eyes. "What do you mean, 'you're sorry'? That doesn't begin to cover how you stabbed me in the back. I mean, you're on drugs and alcohol and everything" –

"Was," Riven answered coolly. "I was in rehab these last few months. The detox was difficult, but I'm here now, drug-free and a reformed citizen of the Magical Dimension."

Musa stared at him, for a moment taken-aback. Then her gaze hardened. "That doesn't excuse what you did."

"Whatever," Riven shrugged in the most infuriating way possible. "I'll be on my way, then." He turned around and headed towards the park. "The other Specialists have accepted me back – on the condition I apologize to you, of course. They didn't say anything about you accepting it. I'll be on my way, then." He turned around and headed to the Specialists' apartment.

"Riven." Now Musa was even more furious. "If you screw this up for us even one little bit, I swear I will have you shipped on the next intergalactic flight to Magix."

There was no response. Growling, Musa stormed back into her apartment, slamming the door shut.

And now Musa was staring at the flowering land below them, taking it all in slowly. She wasn't going to let Riven – or even Nebula's ultimatum from before – ruin today for them. Today, they were going to have fun. Roxy walked up to her.

"I've never been to the States before," she said. "I can't wait." On her shoulder, Cherie smiled.

"My parents took me to New York when I was little," Bloom gazed down at Florida. "Of course, compared to Magix, it's kinda dull."

The helicopter landed. Musa climbed out, her entire body stiff after sitting for so long. She looked up as a man with blond hair and a bowtie appeared.

"Welcome, welcome!" he shouted as the Winx and their friends disembarked. "Good to see you, ladies and gentlemen! Very fine, indeed!" He extended his arm.

"My name is Jason King, head of the King Corporation," he said. "On behalf of all of America, I would like to welcome you, Winx, Specialists, and" – he gazed at the Pixies – "erm, their friends – to the United States!"

Musa smiled up at him. "Thanks," he said. The man turned around, heading to a ridiculously long white car.

"Get on in," he said. "It's going to be quite a trip."


The limousine drove down the road as Roxy gazed outside, admiring the view. Beautiful palm trees rose in the air, filling the scene with verdant greenery. Flowers were coming up, and she could make out the beautiful birds flying nearby, streaking the sky with grace.

"So, explain this to me," Amore said, "what is the point of a theme park?"

"What's the point?" Jason stared at them in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, why do you need all those rides?" Stella asked. "What's the point if you can just fly?"

"Stella, humans can't fly," Roxy said, stifling a laugh. She gazed at Bloom, who was grinning as well.

The rest of the Winx, the Pixies, and Specialists looked confused as well, though. Roxy realized that, in their homeworlds, there was simply no need for luxury locations such as theme parks. After all, if most people could fly, there was no need for the thrill of rides. She gazed out the window, seeing as they pulled up to a resort.

"This is King's Resort," Jason explained, "the place where many of our guests come to stay for the night. We have several resorts, but this is one of the best." He pulled up the car to the parking-lot.

Roxy stared as she got out of the car. She had never seen such big flowers, or such large blades of grass. She frowned, staring forward.

She could tell this place was very, very expensive. People were spending lots of money of this make-believe, fantasy world. In addition, she could tell the grass was overfertilized, as were the flowers, too. From the look on Flora's face, she sensed it as well.

"Let me show you to your rooms." Jason said, climbing out of the car. Uncertainly, the Winx, Specialists, and Pixies followed. "I've taken the liberty of assigning the rooms myself." He led them down the hall, towards the hotel. Checking them in at the counter, he motioned up the steps.

"The rooms in the east wing are for the young men," he said, "and the rooms in the west wing are for the young women and their Pixie companions. Now go on."

Roxy nodded, climbing up the stairs with the other women. She gazed at the other Winx, asking, "What do you think about this place?"

"It seems nice," Bloom was the first one to speak. "Clean, comfortable, and friendly. That Jason King seems like a nice person."

"He definitely is," Lockette agreed.

"He's not the best at managing environmental issues," Flora said, "but I agree with Bloom."

"I don't know why we even need a theme park," Musa had her arms crossed. "It just seems like a way for humans to throw around money. You can tell there's lots of it here."

"And what's wrong with having lots of money?" Stella asked, looking slightly offended.

"Nothing," Musa clarified. "I just can't help but think there's something off with this place. That's all."

"Whatever." Roxy sighed, picking up Cherie. "I'm going to bed." After that long journey, she was beat.

"Sounds good," Bloom agreed. "Let's reconvene in the morning." They headed down the hall to each of their rooms, each woman in her own thought.


The next day, the Winx were up bright and early. It took some time to wake the Pixies and Specialists, all of whom were exhausted, but they managed to make it somehow. Jason was waiting for them, a smile on his face.

"How did you sleep?" he greeted them.

Musa smiled. She'd slept fairly well, thanks to the ridiculously soft bed. She sat down at the table with the others, piling breakfast onto her plate. Jason sat down next to them.

"So, our stop today will be Mystical Kingdom," he said, "one of the several Kingdoms in this theme park. Mystical Kingdom is famous for its magical splendor and excitement." He led them down to the limousine. "Ready?"

The group nodded, heading down with him. They soon passed by a group of spectators, all of whom were staring at them. Word must've gotten out that we were here. They smiled, shouting and cheering at them, though, per order of the security guards, keeping their distance.

"We love you, Winx!" one of the patrons shouted. "Thank you for saving our world!"

Musa frowned, thinking of the vengeance fairies. We kinda actually made things worse… But she knew she couldn't say anything.

They climbed into the car. Soon, they had reached Mystical Kingdom, and everyone climbed down. Musa stared at the park, taking it all in at once.

According to her map, she was on Main Street. Fancy shops lined the road, filled with beauty and wonder. She could make out the flowering trees, filling the world with beauty.

At the end of the road was a giant castle, one that towered into the air. Its turrets were pink, similar to how the Alfea Castle looked. She stared at it, taking it all in at once.

This place must've taken a lot of money to build. She could tell, just by how immaculate the buildings were and how clean and shining everything looked, that there was a lot of money in the maintenance, as well.

"Now here's what I want you to do," Jason King said. "I want you lot to join the parade with our King Cast Members. You don't need to do much – just smile and wave at the people on the streets. That's all." He led them towards a restricted area of the park, where other Cast Members were standing. Musa stared at them, and burst out laughing.

They were all wearing the most ridiculous outfits she could imagine. The weight of the costumes themselves seemed to be bearing down on several of them. A few of the Cast Members glared at her, and so she quickly shut her mouth.

She glanced over at Riven, who was suppressing a smirk as well. For a moment, she smiled at him briefly, but then she remembered what he'd done to her. Frowning, she turned away.

"Now – transform!" Jason ordered.

Immediately, Musa transformed into her Etherix. All of the others transformed into their forms – the Winx to their Etherix, and Roxy, Mirta, and Nabu to their magic Winx. The Specialists and Pixies were already in their uniforms. Jason motioned for them to march out.

The spectators gasped in astonishment as they saw the Winx and Specialists leading the march. "Is that – really them?" a crowd member gasped.

"They look so real!"

"Are they becoming part of King's Corporation as well?"

Musa forced a smile to her face as she waved to the people on the street. This is stupid… She glanced over at Roxy, who also looked tired of the march as well.

Fortunately, it didn't last too long. They made their way to the castle, and Jason led them up the steps inside the castle, unlocking a restricted door. He nodded at the Winx.

"This is Ash Ella's Castle," he said. "Founded in honor of the all-time star of our first movie, Ash Ella. My father's father founded this company out of nothing, all with a desire for creativity and cartoons. He soon transformed his great works into an art, which so many people still enjoy. My father created this theme park as a testament to that greatness, to fill people with happiness and desire." He nodded. "And now, we have an even greater opportunity – thanks to you Winx."

"What do you mean?" Musa couldn't keep the confusion out of her voice. Jason smiled.

"Thanks to you and your powers," he said, "I have the greatest opportunity in the world. I will be able to sell many more movies, with you as the stars. We are also planning on building an entire new Kingdom just for fairies. In return, you will be richly rewarded, with huge paychecks for your contributions. Nothing will be more amazing than that." He opened a huge contract with over a hundred pages in it, skipping to the very back.

"I just need you to sign here," he said, "then the deal is on."

Musa frowned, realization coming over her. He wants to use us to make money! Bloom looked uncomfortable.

"Would you excuse us for a moment?" she asked, pulling the Winx, Pixies, and Specialists aside. She frowned to them.

"I don't like the sound of this," she said uneasily.

"What's the problem?" Stella grinned. "It sounds like more fame and fashion – I'm looking forward to it!"

"Stella, we're all either princesses or Guardian Fairies of realms!" Layla pointed out. "We don't have time to star in movies!"

"But it sounds like fun," Chatta protested. Musa shook her head.

"There's more to it than that," she said. "This guy has offered us all that money can buy, but we don't need any of that. Plus, there's something just so wrong about all this."

"The guy is sleazy," Roxy agreed, crossing her arms.

"I think I know what it is," Flora said. "What we do – all the heroics, the adventures – we don't do it for the money and fame. We do it just to help people." She took in a breath. "I think we should tell him we're not taking his offer."

"How many of us agree?" Sky asked.

Everyone's hand went up, including Stella's. Bloom let out a sigh of relief.

"All right," she said. "Now let's go and tell him."

The group walked back towards the office, Musa feeling relieved. We did the right thing… She stared forward, and then froze.

Nebula and her group of fairies had arrived. They had Jason tied and gagged to the chair, and he was staring at them in desperation. She smiled.

"Make one step forward," she warned, "and your friend is gone."


Next chapter:

The Winx defend Jason King and his resort.

Roxy faces off with her mother.

Diana and the Specialists fight.

Note: Ash Ella is a parody of Cinderella.