Posted April 10, 2022.
CHAPTER 29: MORGANA'S PLEA
On the Matter of the Major Fairy of Nature
The Major Fairy of Nature is responsible for keeping all of nature intact and keeping the earth stable. She is considered one of the most important Major Fairies of all. Her leadership position makes her second only to the High Faerie Queen of Paradise.
Our current Major Fairy of Nature, Faerie Lady Diana, seems to be quite fierce. She will do anything to protect nature, and doesn't allow anyone to cross her. Like Nebula, she doesn't care for humans very much. However, there is a soft heart inside of her, as soft as the flowers she cares for.
– from the Book of Fay
Ash Ella's Castle, United States
Roxy stared forward in horror, watching as Nebula cackled. Bloom stared at her, clenching her fists in fury.
"You let him go!" she shouted. "You're hurting an innocent man!"
"Innocent?" Nebula sneered. "I don't think so. He and his people developed this land into a theme park! And now he wants to profit off of fairies!" Her eyes were on fire.
"Let him go!" Chatta repeated. "Or we'll knock you down!"
"Typical human greed," Nebula laughed. "Earning money and other material gains. That's all this man cares about."
Roxy had to admit, Nebula had a point. This guy really does only care about money. But she knew that wasn't a justifiable reason for his death.
"This park needs to be destroyed." A burgundy-haired fairy with lime green eyes walked forward. She wore a stunning, pink-and-blue dress, and her lime-green wings fluttered. Her eyes were malicious as she stared at the Winx.
"For too long, humans have intruded on nature," she said. "Land has been developed, turning into pollution-monsters such as cities and abominations such as this. Nature will reclaim back the park." She lifted her hands. "Nature, I command you, rise and protect this world!"
Immediately, vines lifted out of the ground. They rose high into the air, destroying several rides. In the blink of an eye, billions of dollars' worth of work was demolished. From behind his gag, Jason King let out a cry of horror.
"Humans build so many great things!" Bloom cried. "Sure, they've cut down trees and developed lands, but so many beautiful things have come out of that. Like this park, for instance! You can't do this!"
"I shall do as I please," the burgundy-haired fairy answered coolly. "I, Diana of the Rainforest, shall not be disrespected like that" –
"That's enough," a voice called. Roxy spun around, fury rising in her throat.
Morgana was standing in front of her, her expression grave. She wore her signature green dress, and was gazing at Roxy with something like sorrow in her eyes. Roxy clenched her fists.
"I just want to talk to you," she said. "That's all."
"Well, I'm not talking to you," Roxy answered defiantly. Musa stood next to her.
"Roxy, get away from here," she said. "We'll hold these fairies off!"
Roxy nodded, flying out the window. She flew over the theme park, disappearing into the sky.
"This has been a great time," Diana laughed, "but I'm going to have some fun." She flew out the window, heading straight towards the jungle she'd just created. Sky lifted his flying saucer.
"We'll deal with her," he said. "Winx and Pixies, you handle Nebula!"
"'Handle' me?" Nebula sneered. "No one does that." She tried to fly out the window, but Bloom hit her with an attack-spell. She hit the ground, gasping.
"You'll pay for that," she snarled. Turning around to face the Winx, she attacked.
"Light spear!" Stella shot a ray of magic at Nebula, but she dodged. Tune and Digit linked hands, shouting, "Pixie Convergence!" The spell hit Nebula, tossing her down.
"No," she shouted, eyes full of rage, "you won't get away with this!" She lifted her hands, pointing her rage at Jason –
But Flora blocked Jason, using her shield. "Nature's energy!" she shouted, shooting energy at Nebula. Nebula cried out as she hit the wall, glaring at the Winx.
"Goodbye," she spat. Flying out the window, she disappeared.
"After her!" Layla shouted.
"Wait," Bloom said urgently, "we need to help Jason!" She looked at the Pixies. "Do you think you can unbind him from the chair?"
"You're on!" Chatta grinned, flying to the ropes. Amore and Piff pulled the gag out of his mouth. He stared at them, looking stunned.
"This is what you led me to?" he yelled. "You destroyed all of my family's work!"
"We didn't do anything!" Tecna hissed. "It was those fairies who did it!"
"I want you all out of my park," Jason snarled. "Now."
"We're not going anywhere," Bloom answered. "We're going to stop these fairies from attacking you, and get to the root of the problem. I promise."
Roxy flew towards the roller-coaster. People were fleeing the park, being ushered out by park staff. She flew onto the cart of the roller-coaster. The operator stared at her in horror.
"Get the coaster moving!" she commanded. He stared at her.
"But" –
"Do as I say!" Roxy's eyes glowed with anger. The operator nodded weakly.
The engine started. Roxy buckled herself in as the roller-coaster sped ahead, flying at high-speeds. Let's see Morgana catching me at this speed! She grinned, pleased with her genius plan –
"Roxanne!"
Are you freaking kidding me? Roxy glared upwards. Morgana was flying towards her, her wings glowing bright – clearly, she had activated some speed-wings. Roxy patted the seat next to her.
"Care for a ride?" she jeered. The coaster continued to speed up, heading towards the top of the track.
"Please listen to me, Roxanne," Morgana pleaded. "I don't want to fight you – I just want you to listen to me! You" –
"Not listening." Roxy glared at her as the ride spun again, doing more loop-de-loops. "I've already told you – I'm not joining your revenge!"
"Roxy, think of how powerful you could be," Morgana pleaded. "You're so young – you don't understand what I and your foremothers have been through! Please listen to me, Roxy" –
"I may be young, but at least I'm not addled," she snarled. She lifted her hands. "Scorpion's talon!"
Morgana cried out as the spell hit her, just as the rollercoaster came to an end. She stared at Roxy, something like anger and – grief? – in her eyes. She shook her head.
"I knew I'd have to do this the hard way," she said. "Diana!"
The burgundy-haired fairy flew up towards her. "Yes, Your Majesty?" she asked. Roxy stared in horror at what she saw below.
The Specialists were all tied up in vines – with the exception of Riven. In a flash, Diana disappeared, taking the Specialists with her. Morgana nodded solemnly, turning to Roxy. "Join me, and I'll let them go."
"You guys are big into blackmail, aren't you?" Roxy sneered. "Well, guess what? I'm still not joining you."
Morgana stared at her. For a moment, Roxy thought she saw something like respect flash across Morgana's eyes. But then her gaze hardened, and she nodded.
"Goodbye," she said. A flash of black came across her, and she disappeared into the dark.
"What happened?" Musa stared around the park in horror.
The entire park had been turned into a jungle. Many of the rides were destroyed, and all the people who'd once been there had disappeared. It was complete chaos. Roxy and Riven ran up to them, looking horrified.
"They captured the other Specialists!" Riven shouted. "There was nothing I could do. Roxy couldn't convince Morgana to let them free, either!"
"We have to find them," Bloom declared. "Winx, we have to go!"
"What about my park?" a voice called after them. Jason glared at them, looking furious. "Aren't you going to do anything?"
"Jason." Musa stared at the man. "I'm sorry about what happened to your park. But I think we can kill two birds in one stone." She gazed at the Winx.
"We need to travel to Diana's lair," she said. "That must be where she's keeping the Specialists. And then if we can convince Diana to stop her revenge" –
"We can free the world from being a jungle!" Tecna realized. "Great plan!"
"Are we all set to go, then?" Stella asked.
"Yes," Musa nodded. She turned to Jason.
"I'm really sorry about what they did to your park," she said, "but I promise you – we will fix it. I hope you understand." Jason King nodded, looking relieved.
"Very well," he said. "I will also start making measures to make this park more eco-friendly. As many of the buildings will need to be rebuilt, we will build them all with LEED Certification and start running on biodiesel. You have my word."
"Thank you," Musa smiled. Stella grinned awkwardly.
"So," she said, "where is Diana's lair, exactly?"
Roxy sat in the apartment next to Eldora, her fingers clenched. The elderly woman smiled, her voice cheerful as she told the Winx and Pixies what to do.
"The Amazon Rainforest, of course!" she smiled. "That's where they will be held."
"That's where Diana's queendom is?" Flora asked in surprise.
"Yes," Eldora answered. "Sometimes referred to as the Lung of the World, it is the only natural habitat of Earth that hasn't been conquered by humans."
"Oh, great," Stella huffed. "More vines, jungles, and bugs everywhere? I'm seriously getting tired of this."
"How are we going to defeat her?" Musa wanted to know. "She's obviously a very powerful fairy; in her queendom, she'll only be stronger."
"Each of you has a special spell connected to Etherix," Eldora answered. "You will have to use those spells in order to unlock your full potential. Those spells are highly connected to nature, and will help you restore any environment that is in-need." She pointed to Roxy. "And you, my fairy, have a special task."
"What?" Roxy crossed her arms.
"You must open your seven chakras."
There was a silence. Then Roxy laughed, sarcastically. "And what the heck are chakras?"
"Chakras are wheels," Eldora explained, "located in certain parts of your body. They are magical centers of power and strength. I can tell your friends have some chakras open, due to their experience and hard work; however, yours are completely closed. When they are closed, they limit our magical ability; however, when they're open, they give us limitless power."
"And why do I get the 'limitless power'?" Roxy grumbled. "Why not the others?"
"The others have the power of Etherix," Eldora answered, "which puts them at the same level as the fairies of vengeance. You, however, are only a Winx fairy. You must connect to your inner self."
"Is this another wacko meditation thing?" Roxy groaned. Just what I need.
"Yes." Now it was Flora who spoke. "I have done meditation with my great-grandmother. I can teach you."
"No thanks." Roxy shook her head. "I'm not opening any chakras."
"If you don't," Eldora warned, "then you may not be able to defeat Queen Morgana and her fairies of vengeance. Though your raw power is incredible, you lack refinement and discipline."
That halted Roxy. Her expression changed, from incredulous to irritable. "Fine, then." She shook her head. "This has got to be the most annoying assignment anyone has given me."
"So we'll leave first thing in the morning," Bloom said. "Everyone, prepare for our next mission."
Next chapter:
– The Winx go to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil.
– Flora uses her special Etherix spell.
– Roxy opens her first chakra.
