Posted May 29, 2022.

Previously on AUF…

The door to Musa's room opened, and she turned around. Riven was there, with his normal cocky grin.

"Er… hi," Musa said, trying to push the discomfort out of her voice. She couldn't forget how Riven had betrayed them and joined with Mandragora. Although he had been spelled, it still filled her with dread, the same way she'd felt when he'd joined Darcy in her freshman year at Alfea.

Stop this, she scolded herself. He's still the same person he once was. She faked a smile, looking up into his eyes.

"Why're you so down today, baby?" Riven teased, cradling her in his arms. "You're not acting all peppy and excited like normal. You're not being my girl."

"I'm just tired," she said. "Being a Guardian Fairy is a lotta work."

"Well, you and I are going to be the greatest couple," Riven said, vigorously rocking her in his arms. "We're going to be dancin' and prancin' all over the floor. Everyone'll love us."

Musa caught a whiff of Riven's breath, and groaned. "Riven, how much have you been drinking?"

"Just a glass, here and there," Riven answered, smiling.

"A glass here and there" usually meant he was borderline drunk. She groaned, sitting down in her chair.

She wondered when he was going to propose to her. Brandon had proposed to Stella after their graduation. Sky also proposed to Bloom at the Dominian Liberation Ball; their official engagement-ceremony would be next spring. Truth to be told, she didn't know if she'd accept if Riven proposed to her.

"You're so cute when you pout." Riven sat on top of her lap.

"Riven, please, never do that" – Musa grumbled – "and get off." She tried to push him off, but he was too heavy. He leaned forward and roughly pressed his lips against hers. Musa eventually gave in, allowing their tongues to meet.

Please get me through tonight…

-o-o-o-

Krithi frowned, thinking of Roxy, how Ogron had laughed when he described her reaction to Cherie's injury. "You should've seen the look on the girl's face," he had said. "That girl is so easy to break down, when you go after her heart."

Krithi could imagine how painful it must've been for Roxy to have her companion injured. After all, she could barely imagine how she'd react if Chai were injured. She needed to talk to someone about who the Wizards were and what she'd seen. She picked out a white disposable phone from her pocket, turning it on.

"Hello?" her mother said on the other end of the line.

"Amma," Krithi blurted out, "I need your help. The Wizards – there's something wrong with them!"

"What do you mean?" Nandini answered, slowly and deliberately.

Krithi froze. Something was very, very wrong here. She opened her mouth, ready to tell her mother her suspicions – that Ogron had attempted to kill Roxy and her pixie. Realization shot through her as she stared through the phone.

"You know," she whispered. "You know who Merlin is, and who the Wizards are! A group of crooks." Her voice cracked. "And you're making me work for them!"

"Krithi, listen," her mother cried out, suddenly sounded very emotional. "I didn't have a choice! I had to" –

"Sell me over to their side?" Krithi cried back. "Why? What was so important you had to" –

"Krithi, if you would just listen for a" –

Krithi tapped the 'End' button, throwing the phone into a bush.

-o-o-o-

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. "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.

"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. "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."

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. 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!"


CHAPTER 36: THE CONFERENCE

On the Matter of the Hybrid Courts

Not everywhere are humans and fairies enemies. In several lands, particularly in the Seven Realms, there are "hybrid courts" where humans and fairies convene together for justice. The highest hybrid court, in Paradise, is led by the Major Fairy of Justice and a human leader. It is crucial that these courts continue during these difficult times.

– from the Book of Fay


Geneva, Switzerland

"Krithi, please listen to me," her mother pleaded.

It was a Friday afternoon, just before the big conference coming up ahead of them. Krithi and her mother were standing together in their hotel-room; Krithi's arms were crossed as she glared at her mother.

"You used me all of these years," she protested. "You knew all along what Merlin's plan was; still, you let me go ahead with it."

"Krithi, look at how the fairies are destroying our world," Nandini whispered. "They're laying siege to all of the civilians, and they're hurting all of us." She looked desperate. "We have to stop them!"

"Yes," Krithi answered defiantly, "but not the Wizards' way. They wanted to trap the fairies in stasis – and that was wrong!"

"Krithi, that's the only" –

Krithi had heard enough. Grabbing her bag for the conference, she headed out the room, slamming the door shut.


"Go!" Bloom shouted.

Riven watched as Roxy flew above the treetops, facing down Layla. The Androsian princess lifted a shield, shouting, "Go ahead, take me down!"

Roxy growled in rage. A blue aura shined around her, and she shot an arrow of light directly at Layla. Layla avoided it instantly, shouting, "You need to do better than that!"

"You have great powers," Bloom added, "but you're lacking in focus and discipline. You need to form a battle-plan." She shook her head. "Try again!"

On and on it went. Riven marveled at how much Roxy's style reminded him of his own, back when he'd been at Red Fountain. How he'd practiced with Brandon and Sky, viciously slashing at them with nothing but anger in his heart. He shook his head, sadness overwhelming him as he remembered those times.

As much danger as there'd been, those were the good times. Back then, he hadn't felt the need to use drugs or alcohol in order to cope. Though he'd still had anger issues, as his therapist had liked to put it, he had grown when he and the other Specialists had been sent to the Resort Realm. There, he'd bonded with Musa, learning how to calm his temper.

And then his father had died. He'd been killed by the disease the Trix had spread through Magix, the disease Typhoon. Though he hadn't had a good relationship with his father, or either of his parents for that matter, it had filled him with incurable rage and grief. He'd stopped caring about everything, even to the point where he'd allowed himself to be captured by Valtor.

After Musa and the other Winx had saved him, nothing had been the same again. He had hidden his grief, not even telling the other Specialists about his family-situation. He'd moved back into his mother's place, but as she was a severe alcoholic herself, it hadn't been exactly the most healing environment. It was through her that he'd started coping with substances, first through alcohol, then with drugs he could find in the street. He'd gone with them on the trip to Obsidian, hiding a flask of wine in his pocket. He sighed, remembering the time they'd been in the hidden library of Sparx…

Riven was standing guard of the door, his eyes narrowed as he listened to the hologram of the Book of Fate talking. The hologram was a man wearing a leather jacket, his head bowed. The hologram lifted itself up, gazing directly into Bloom's eyes.

"I am Lord Bartlebee," it said. "I was the scribe of King Oritel of Domino, and I have been waiting for the princess of Domino for several years. If you have just opened it, it must be you, young princess of Domino."

"It is me," Bloom began, but Tecna stopped her.

"It's a recording," she said. "A hologram. I sense it'll only play once. We have to be quiet and listen."

Just then, Riven heard a noise in the corridor. Eyes narrowed, he headed out to the corridor, towards the sound. He saw black sparks ahead of him in the window. "What the heck is that?" He lifted his two swords, shouting, "Who's there?"

Suddenly, something pinched him in the back of his head. His alcoholic, immunocompromised body began to jerk out-of-control, and he felt himself slashing wildly at everything. He shouted out, fear and anger taking over his mind.

He hit the wall, collapsing. His eyes went unfocused, and then they closed, darkness overtaking his mind.

And now Riven was with Roxy, Bloom, and Layla, watching as they trained. A black-haired girl with narrow eyes walked up to him. "Hi."

"Hi, Musa," Riven said awkwardly. He couldn't forget that they had broken up – even though it had been only a few months before, it had felt like eternity. He swallowed, not meeting her eyes.

"It is time for us to go," Musa whispered. "We need to go on our mission to Paradise." She smiled at him. "I trust you and the other Specialists, as well as the Pixies, will manage the conference."

Riven nodded. While the Winx would be at Paradise, facing the seven Faerie Queens, he and the other Specialists would be taking care of the conference.

The conference, which was being held in the UN Convention Center, would host humans and fairies alike. It would be their first attempt at bridging the human and fairy worlds, so that they could find peace instead of bloodshed. He pulled on his tux, staring at himself in the mirror. Earth fashions are weird. Sighing, he turned towards his door, heading out of the hotel.


Krithi headed to the convention center, which was just a block down from her hotel room. She eventually made it into the center, staring around.

The convention center was just like the Red Fountain stadium, only larger. It was jam-packed with presidents, prime-ministers, diplomats, and, in some cases, royalty. Unlike most of the UR realms, most of Earth had some kind of republic government or the other. She gazed to the left side of the convention center, and let out a gasp.

The fairies had arrived. The Amazon and Arctic Fairies were there, as well as several others who clearly did not pledge allegiance to Queen Morgana. They were staring at the humans, their eyes narrowed.

Good thing the press isn't here. They were allowed outside the building, but were banned from the lobby onwards. She gazed at the human leaders, who were staring at the fairies with equally-wary eyes.

"Attention!" the chairwoman shouted, banging her gavel on the desk. "It is time for us to convene." The room immediately fell silent; even the fairies saw her with rapt attention.

"We have a proposal," she said, "from two members of the famed group known as the Specialists." She raised her voice. "Please welcome Krithi Venkatesan and Timothy Singh to the stage!"

Krithi walked up to the stage, standing next to Timmy. The Specialist gulped as he pulled out a copy of their plans, handing it over to the other Specialists and Pixies. They walked down the aisles, handing the papers to each diplomat.

"As you all know," Krithi said, breaking into the silence, "we are having our first human-fairy conference in over seven hundred years. There is precedent of this happening all over the world, in various different "hybrid courts". Panels of both humans and fairies would make judgments equally and fairly, and in select parts of the world, justice thrived all around.

"We are reinstating the First Hybrid Council of the Twenty-First Century right now. Thank you for your cooperation." She looked as Timmy lifted his paper to his glasses.

"These are our plans for more sustainable cars and trains," he said. "As you can see, they run off of water-power; however, due to the way the engines are built, they actually move faster than oil-powered cars and exhaust much less pollution. We also have a plan to reduce the amount of plastic in the oceans. Using a substance called Morphgel, which is made out of water-molecules, we can completely eliminate plastic from our usage" –

A diplomat raised her hand. "In this report, you say that Morphgel is imported from the… planet of Andros." Evidently she was getting used to the fact that there were several populated planets in existence. "So, we would be in-debt to Andros just to get these Morphgel packages."

"Well, the planets are all indebted to each other for some reason or the other," Timmy answered nervously. "For example, Linphea exports the most flowers, Zenith exports the most computers, Magix exports the most potions" –

"So these humans are refusing to pay a little extra to keep nature safe?" Diana sneered. "Typical. It's what we expected."

"Well, I wouldn't expect a fairy to understand progress and innovation," the diplomat fired back, "especially when you're so hell-bent on destroying the progress we've made" –

"Order!" The chairwoman banged her gavel.

Krithi exchanged a nervous look with Timmy. It was only the beginning of the conference, and already it wasn't going well. She frowned, hoping things would improve.


Riven frowned as he watched the arguments going on and on, between the humans and the fairies. Though no one confronted the other, after the chairwoman had demanded order, they resorted to passive-aggressive comments against each other. It was clear that nothing was going according to plan. I promised Musa I'd take care of this, and I failed.

Then again, it certainly wasn't the first time. He swallowed, remembering his time in Obsidian with the Winx and the Specialists, just moments after Bloom had turned the key into the lock of Obsidian…

"Earthquake!" Stella had squealed.

Riven gasped as the earth shook around him. Suddenly, a voice appeared in his head, whispering, "That is only the beginning."

A cruel smile appeared on his face. "That is only the beginning," he whispered, his lips moving involuntarily. He screamed at himself internally, begging himself to stop talking.

Why am I doing this? Every step he took was not under his control, every moment controlled by some outside source. There was only one explanation: someone was possessing him. Like an out-of-body experience, he could only watch helplessly as he moved through the Obsidian jungle.

The path was clearing up. The rocks were moving aside, allowing them to head forward. Ahead of them was a black void, filled with dark energy.

"On the other side, we'll find what we're looking for," Bloom whispered.

"Okay, so who's gonna take the first step?" Tecna asked.

Layla pushed her hand forward, into the black goo. It overtook her arm, and she let out a giggle. "It kinda tickles." She disappeared into the void. The other fairies made to follow her, but stopped as they heard a voice.

"Greetings!" someone shouted from behind. Riven turned around, staring at Mandragora and her beasts. Sky lifted his sword.

"Come on," he shouted, "let's face them off and stop them from getting the Winx!" He ran forward.

The Specialists launched into battle. Riven stayed put, even though he willed his muscles to stay put. Suddenly, Mandragora shouted, "Riven, the key!"

"Huh?" Musa turned around, just moments before she was supposed to enter the void.

"Riven, don't!" Sky shouted, but it was too late; Riven felt his muscles moving. He ran towards the key, snatching it out of the keyhole. Not a moment too soon, for just then, Sky kicked him.

"What's gotten into you?" he demanded. Riven felt himself smirking, glaring at Sky.

"Nice move," he jeered, "but you're too late!" Mentally, Riven willed himself to stop, to stay put, do anything – but he was already up, lifting his dual swords.

"No!" Sky shouted. He grabbed his own weapon and dueled Riven, nearly knocking him down. Riven pleaded with himself to stop, but his movements were not his own. He lashed at Sky, trying his best to knock him down.

But Sky was the superior swordsman. He lifted his sword, ready to strike a catastrophic blow at Riven –

Suddenly, a red figure leapt in front. Riven's sword slashed her, and he stared in horror. Sky stared in horror as well, his own eyes widening.

It was none other that Musa.

"Musa!" Bloom yelled as she disappeared into the black portal. Mandragora let out a chuckle.

"Nice work," she jeered. "Now the Specialists will be easy to handle!" Green, jelly-like bubbles appeared around Sky, Brandon, Mirta, Timmy, and Nabu. Riven stared in horror. Musa collapsed at his feet, her eyes wide.

"Why did you do it, Riven, my love?" she whispered. "Why?"

Those words still haunted Riven. Months after, and he still couldn't forget how he'd betrayed Musa, how he'd betrayed all of them. He swallowed, lowering his head at the memory, his eyes nearly closed.

The sound of shattering glass woke him up. Startled, he stared as the door opened. Warrior Fairies walked down the aisle, their eyes glinting with malice.

Immediately, chaos reigned. Humans scrambled out of their chairs, running straight towards the exit, which was locked. The lead Warrior Fairy shook her head.

"Don't even try to escape," she said. "We will attack and take you all down, as traitors against Queen Morgana!" She lifted her hands, creating hexes.

"Quick!" Mirta gasped. "We have to stop them!" She drew out her laser-knife, running straight towards the fairies.

Riven followed her, drawing his swords. I hope this works… He drew his knife, ready to defeat the fairies of war.


Krithi drew her iron knife, facing against the lead Warrior Fairy. The fairy glared at the iron knife, immediately dodging its attacks.

"How dare you wield iron against us, human?" she snarled, fury etched into her face.

"You don't have to do this," she said. "You don't have to ruin this convention. You just need to drop your hexes and let your desire for revenge go!"

"I will not," the woman answered coldly. "You are all traitors."

Krithi realized there was no reasoning with the fairy. I can't do anything… Taking advantage of her stillness, the fairy pinned Krithi to the wall.

Krithi gasped out in fear as the Warrior Fairy held a hex to her neck, causing it to bleed. She whimpered, wondering what she was going to do…

"Step away from my daughter!"

Krithi's eyes widened. Her mother was glaring at the Warrior Fairy, fierceness in her eyes. The fairy immediately dropped Krithi and turned back to her. "Want a match?" she jeered.

"I just want you to leave all these people alone," Krithi's mother answered. "They've done nothing wrong!"

"Exactly what I'd expect from a human," the Warrior Fairy laughed. Krithi's mother shook her head.

"What the Wizards did to you was despicable, too," she said, "but that doesn't mean you attack all humans."

She's finally accepted it! Krithi realized. Her mother turned to her, her face warming. "It's because of my daughter I understand that."

"Help!" a voice shouted behind her. Krithi gasped as she saw what was going on.

Riven had fallen to the ground. The humans he was trying to defend were staring at him in horror, and then at the fairy who was threatening them. They backed into a corner, whimpering in terror and fear.

Before Krithi could react, she felt the Warrior Fairy slash her. Krithi backed up in horror, blood welling from her back. She turned around, drawing her iron knife as she continued the fight.


Moments passed. Riven stared at Musa's precious face, shocked at what he'd done. Musa had leapt in front of him, and he'd slashed her. He felt tears drip down his face, tears he'd never seen before. He placed his hand on Musa's wrist.

Nothing. He couldn't make out any pulse, anything. Mandragora stood over him, cackling.

"Welcome to your new home, Riven," she jeered, "a place of darkness. Now before meeting your new friends, we'll just kill off your old ones." She lifted her hands.

The green bubbles began to tighten on the Specialists. Riven stared as the Specialists cried out, nearly suffocating. He lowered his head, ready to admit defeat and turn over to Mandragora –

Then, just as suddenly, a warm ray of energy shot through him. Bloom's Dragon Flame pierced through his heart, energy she was using for positive reasons. He opened his eyes, staring around.

He remembered the days he'd spent with Musa. How he'd kissed her, gone out with her, and had fun with her. He lowered his head, a black tear escaping down his eyes.

And just like that, the enchantment disappeared. He turned towards Mandragora, his eyes flashing.

"You'll pay dearly for this," he snarled. Running at her, he slashed her across the face, and she let out an agonizing yell.

And just like that, the spell on the Specialists broke. They ran to join Riven, their eyes flashing. "Let's do some exterminating!" Sky shouted.

"I've been waiting for this." Mirta flexed her fingers.

The Specialists dueled Mandragora's beasts. Riven ran to Musa, whispering, "Are you okay?"

"Yes," she panted. "What happened, Riven?"

"I was under Mandragora's spell," he whispered. "I've had a hard time figuring out what it is I'm fighting for."

"Have you finally figured it out?" Musa whispered back.

"Yes," he answered. "For you." And then he leaned down and kissed her.

And now, the kiss still tingled through Riven's lips. Lying in limbo, he remembered all of the great things he'd done with Musa, with everyone. How he didn't want that friendship to end.

And I won't let it end. Determination shot through him. I'll make sure to rise up, and to continue fighting – for Musa and for balance across the world. I'll make sure we don't fail! He opened his eyes.

"You're awake!" a voice squealed. "Help defend us!"

Riven stared forward. The Warrior Fairies were surrounding him and several diplomats. He drew his sword, ready to fight.

But he was greatly weakened, and the Warrior Fairies knew that. They smiled, ready to beat him down –

"No, you don't!"

Riven whirled around in surprise. Lady Aurora was flying towards the Warrior Fairies, anger in her eyes. She glared at them.

"If you don't step away from those humans," she demanded, "I will freeze you into bits!"

"So you're a traitor, huh?" a Warrior Fairy sneered. "You're joining with those Winx?"

"As a matter-of-fact, I am," Aurora answered boldly. "I will help the humans defeat you." She nodded to the human diplomats. "Anything you have made out of iron – use it to fight!"

Iron buckles came out. The fairies cried out, turning around as they were attacked by iron. They flew out of the chamber, disappearing out the door.

"Is everyone all right?" Riven called.

The humans were staring at Aurora in disbelief. "You saved us," a human said in disbelief, "when you didn't have to. We thought you'd side with the Warrior Fairies!"

"We're all on the same side," Riven answered. "I know that for sure." The human chairwoman nodded.

"Let's get to a vote," she said. "Those of you in-favor of Ms. Venkatesan and Mr. Singh's proposals, raise your hands."

She hadn't even finished uttering the words when hands raised up. Riven's jaw dropped as he stared at the crowd.

Everyone was raising a hand.

"Motion passed!" the chairwoman shouted, banging the gavel. A cheer went up in the room, filling everyone with delight.

Riven grinned. Now I know this mission was a success… He gazed forward, nothing but happiness in his heart.


Next chapter:

The Winx go to Paradise to challenge the High Faerie Queen in her court.

Each of the Winx face on a different Faerie Queen in battle.

Roxy fights against Nebula.