Posted June 21, 2022. Happy Litha!
Previously on AUF…
"I've been reading the Book of Fay," Tecna answered. "Remember what you said, Bloom, about the eves of Midwinter and Midsummer? Those are the two points of the year where fairies and humans can cross into each other's worlds. Unfortunately, it's also the time when the fay are the most vulnerable."
"So that means"… Stella said slowly.
"The Wizards are going to take her power," Musa whispered. "They're going to do it tonight. At midnight, they're going to steal all the magic from her!"
-o-o-o-
Musa stared up at Morgana, asking, "Um – who are you?"
The fairy bowed. "I am the High Faerie Queen, Morgana Una le Fay. I have spoken to Roxy in her dreams, guiding her forward. Sixteen years ago, I escaped to the human realm, only to end up back here. Fortunately, when I came back here, I was no longer in stasis – using my powers, I was able to reach out to young Roxy here, encouraging her forward." She smiled at the women behind Roxy. "And who might you be?"
"We are the Winx," Bloom said. "We came to free you."
"So young, yet so powerful," Morgana mused. "I am pleased to meet you."
As she spoke, a black-haired fairy walked up to Morgana, her eyes narrowed as she stared at Roxy and the Winx. Musa gazed at her, an uneasy feeling settling in her gut.
-o-o-o-
Musa's eyes grew with rage as she glared at Morgana. Walking up to Nebula, she knelt down.
"I pledge myself to vengeance," she said. "For Riven. I will not rest until those Wizards are destroyed!"
"Musa!" Tune's distraught voice called. "Don't do this!"
"Nonsense!" Nebula boomed. "Forgiveness is for fools. It is what got us last time. I won't be so foolish again."
"Musa, please listen to us," Layla whispered. "Riven wouldn't have wanted this."
"Revenge is never the right path to take," Krithi murmured.
That was it. Musa glared at the Winx, Pixies, and Specialists, fury in her eyes.
"Then we have nothing to say to each other!" she snarled. Following Nebula, she stormed past the mound, tears dripping down until they formed a hole in her heart.
-o-o-o-
"What's the matter, Roxanne?" a voice called out to her. Squinting her eyes, she stared forward at the man who spoke.
Merlin stepped forward, holding the White Circle in his hands. A sneering expression was on his face as he gazed at Roxy, nothing but glee in his eyes.
"We have you at last," he said, his voice echoing around the throne room. "And this time, for good."
CHAPTER 39: MIDSUMMER'S EVE, PART II
White Shadows and Black Light
On the Matter of Camelot
Camelot is home to the court of King Arthur. One of the greatest human kingdoms of all time, under Arthur's rule, it conquered all of the human world. During the medieval times, it was extremely powerful, its influence practically everywhere.
After the Wizard of Light killed Arthur, he mobilized human armies all around the world to kill and imprison the fairies. Under the banner of Camelot, most of the fairies have been imprisoned. Just as Paradise is a fairy stronghold, Camelot is considered to be the place where humans are the strongest.
– from the Book of Fay
Camelot, United Kingdom
Roxy stared down helplessly as Merlin pointed towards her, motioning to his four henchmen – the Wizards of the White Circle. He let out a roaring laugh.
"Queen Morgana will have to come here now," he cackled. "She'll have no choice but to cave into my demands!"
"So you're using me as bait?" Roxy demanded.
"Oh, I think we're using you as a little more than that," Merlin smiled. He turned to Gantlos. "Bring out the poison!"
Roxy stared in horror as Gantlos brought in a large vat of liquid metal. "What is that?" she cried. Merlin's beard parted, allowing him a toothy grin.
"We want your mother to come for you," he said, "and so we're going to make it happen. I think she might need some convincing." He raised his voice, calling out to his brothers.
"Once we wipe out this fairy and her dear mother," he announced, "all of fairydom will be left without a leader. With the fairies bowing down to us, we shall no longer be the cowering humans who constantly fear attacks by fairies – instead, we will be the conquerors! Victorious and brave we shall be, spreading our light everywhere!"
"No!" Roxy cried out, fear in her voice. "You can't do this! You can't do this to my people!"
"Enough wasting time." Merlin turned towards Duman. "Dispense the poison!"
Lifting his hands, Duman levitated the poison into the air, shooting it directly at Roxy. She let out a scream as liquid iron hit her arms, molding into her body. Chemical burns appeared on her skin. She cried out in agony, tears of pain rolling down her cheeks. Merlin laughed.
"We'll soon have you," he said gleefully. "And there's nothing you can do about it."
"We have to save her!" Krithi cried.
She was still in Paradise, gazing over the remains of the battlefield. The Winx stared at each other for one moment; Stella slammed her fist down.
"I can't believe this!" she cried. "It's like the winter solstice all over again! What're we gonna do?"
Krithi couldn't speak. She couldn't even begin to speak about how horrible this day had been. First, Merlin and his Wizards had opened the void, killing Sibylla and sucking all of the fairies they could into it. Next, Riven had given his life to save Krithi from Merlin's blow. And now, Musa had left them in a rage, and Roxy was nowhere to be found.
"My daughter," Morgana whispered. "I'm so sorry." Tears formed at her eyes. "This is all my fault."
Then, suddenly, a sound came from behind them. "Come on, fairies – this is your last chance!"
Krithi whirled around. An image had appeared on the Enchanted Mirror – Merlin's malicious face. He laughed aloud with glee.
"You fairies are so amusing, and so predictable," he laughed. "Queen Morgana, you have two choices right now: either you give yourself and the Black Circle up to us, or watch your daughter suffer in your place."
The image shifted. Krithi stared as she saw Roxy chained to a wall, screaming in agony. Liquid metal was being dispensed around her body, sinking into her with pain. Krithi's heart broke, and she stared in horror.
"No!" Morgana cried out. "Not my daughter!"
"You have until sunrise," Merlin smiled. "If you haven't decided by then – well, I'm sure you know what'll happen."
"There is no choice." Morgana stared sorrowfully forward. "I have to give myself up." She turned around, but Bloom grabbed her arm.
"You can't give yourself up," she said forcefully. "They won't keep their promise. If you give yourself up, you and Roxy will be in Merlin's clutches!"
"Besides," Tecna pointed out, "none of us have the Black Circle. Nebula stole it from us!"
"Then how are we going to find Roxy?" Krithi felt her stomach churning. She stared at the image on the lake.
Behind Roxy, she could make out a rock wall, one with a light background. Behind it stood a familiar castle. Layla's eyes widened as she realized where it was.
"It's Tintagel Castle!" she shouted. "We have to go there!"
"Wasn't that the ancient site of Camelot?" Chatta asked. Krithi nodded.
"It's also the seat of Merlin's power," she whispered. "After he took over Camelot, he designated it as his own. It is where he will be the strongest."
"It's time for us to go." Morgana stood up firmly. "My mind is made up. I will surrender myself to the Wizards in exchange for Roxy's life." A tear dripped down her cheek. "I will not let my daughter suffer any longer."
"Unbelievable," a voice called above them. Krithi spun around as she saw who it was.
It was Nebula. The black-haired Faerie Lady stood above them, smirking. She glared down at Morgana.
"I always knew you were weak," she spat, "but right until this moment, I never knew how truly weak you are." She nodded to her Warrior Fairies. "It's almost time."
"You wouldn't dare attack your High Faerie Queen," Morgana snarled, looking livid. Nebula threw back her head and laughed.
"There will be a new High Faerie Queen today," she jeered. "Today, on the day of the solstice, the tides will forever change. I shall rule over Earth, taking down all who dare oppose me." She pointed downwards towards the Winx. "Attack!"
Krithi gasped as a Warrior Fairy flew at her. Dodging out of the way, she drew her iron knife, pointing it directly at the Warrior Fairy. "Stop this!" she cried. The Warrior Fairy drew to a halt as he saw the iron knife in her hand, glaring.
"You would dare wield iron against us?" he yelled. "Presumptuous human, you shall be punished." He raised his hands. Lifting a sphere in them, he shot it straight towards Krithi –
"Lunar blast!"
Stella's spell collided with the sphere the Warrior Fairy had sent. Krithi looked up, relieved. "Thanks," she panted.
"No problem." Stella stared down and let out a gasp. "Oh no!"
Morgana was being dragged by Nebula and another Warrior Fairy; her hands and mouth were bound. Nebula smiled at them, carrying the High Faerie Queen.
"Bye, Winx," she laughed. And then she flew into the castle, taking Morgana with her.
Musa stood in the castle, staring around at the throne room. The green throne of the High Faerie Queen stood above her, decorated lavishly with wood, silver, and black. While the other Warrior Fairies had left the castle to defeat Morgana, she was left in the castle. She gazed around, watching as a familiar figure flew through the window.
"Here," Nebula laughed. She was dressed in a black lace gown, one which complimented her dark wings perfectly. She held the Black Circle in her hands. "Come and see our prisoner, Musa."
Musa flew forward, staring at a bound and gagged fairy. The woman wore a green dress, and she had a silver diadem on her head. Morgana… Nebula picked the crown off her head.
"This woman you see here is no longer our Queen!" she announced. Cheers sounded from several of the Warrior Fairies. "We no longer pledge our allegiance to her. From now on, Earth will be ruled by our wrath, and our wrath alone!"
We're overthrowing the High Faerie Queen? Musa couldn't help but feel a little nervous. She wasn't sure, after everything she'd seen, that this was the right path.
But she knew she had to go along with it. After all, if Morgana were still to be on the throne, they would never be able to continue their revenge. She swallowed, looking away from Morgana as Nebula smiled.
"It is time for me to take my place on the throne," she announced. Walking over to the throne, she placed the crown atop her own head. A Warrior Fairy helped her sit down on the throne. She raised her arms, shouting, "To vengeance and victory!"
"Yes!" the court shouted. "High Faerie Queen Nebula!"
Musa chanted along with them, her eyes flashing. If Nebula will lead me to the Wizards, I'm sure this would all have been worth it… The chanting ended, and Nebula turned to Morgana. "Take her down to the prison."
Two Warrior Fairies lifted Morgana up, carrying her down the steps. Nebula smiled.
"Now," she said, "there is nothing stopping us from enacting our wrath."
Time seemed to slow down. Every breath was agony, every movement was torture. Roxy let out piercing screams, crying out to the world.
"Somebody help me!" she screamed. "Help me get out of here!"
"I'm afraid there's no one here to help you, Roxanne," Merlin laughed. "You're all alone."
You're all alone. Those words sent chills down Roxy's spine. She swallowed fearfully, remembering all those times when she'd been alone…
Save for Artu, nobody had been there for her the last five years. Ever since she'd started fighting with the other children at school, since she'd ruined her relationship with her father, nothing had ever been the same for her again. Nobody had wanted to be her friend, especially after all the fights she'd gotten into. She'd never had enough people around her to listen to her, to care about her. Save for Musa… She squeezed her eyes shut, remembering how much Musa had helped her all along.
But Musa wasn't there now. Nobody would save her from this. She cried out again in pain, her whole body convulsing at the iron that entered her blood.
Her vision became unfocused. Through the haze, she could see Duman right ahead of her, a diabolical smirk on his face. Suddenly, his face changed. His head twisted and contorted, until she thought she saw Giovanni's face appear on Duman.
One of these days, you're gonna get it," he whispered. "You're not strong enough to stand with those fairies – and everyone knows it."
Roxy stared at him, fear etching in her heart. It can't be… it can't be… Her body grew weaker as she stared down.
Then Gantlos's face changed. So did Anagan and Ogron's faces as well. She saw Ana, Gilda, and Klaus all facing her, each with smirks on their faces. Gantlos-turned-Ana was the first one to speak.
"Of course, you'll never get to be with anyone," she laughed. "You're just a pathetic gay."
"Signora, this girl forced herself on me!" Anagan-turned-Gilda yelped. "We need to take care of her right now!"
"I'm very disappointed in you, Roxy," Ogron-turned-Klaus boomed. "You will never be loved."
"You will never be loved," the four voices chanted in unison.
Roxy's heart seared with the force of a thousand flames. No… that can't be true… She stared forward, writhing as the pain shot through her entire body.
She stared at Merlin, who was laughing gleefully. His face contorted and twisted, until it changed completely. His beard shrank and his hair grew longer, turning him into a woman. There was no mistaking her cerulean eyes.
"Queen Morgana," Roxy whispered, staring at her. Morgana stared back, a blank smile on her face. Tears poured down Roxy's cheeks. She stared at her mother, crying out in pain.
"Why didn't you ever love me?" she demanded. "Why did you abandon me?" Her breath came out in gasps. "Why?"
Morgana didn't answer. The blank smile still remained on her face as she gazed at Roxy, completely indifferent. Roxy collapsed to the ground.
No… She let the poison overwhelm her, filling her with pain as she sobbed.
"We need to split up," Bloom's voice filled the air.
Krithi stared at the castle, where Nebula's warriors had just gone. They have Queen Morgana locked with them… She stared, fearfully, as Bloom spoke.
"Winx and Pixies, let's go to Tintagel Castle and find Roxy," she said. "Specialists and Krithi, go and find Morgana!"
"But" – Krithi protested. Layla laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry," she said. "I promise you, we will find Roxy and bring her home. Besides, we need your skills to find Morgana. You're the only one who can navigate the castle and the prison. You, Musa, and Roxy went there before."
"All right," Krithi sighed. Layla leapt onto Aonbharr's back, steering him upwards.
"Let's go!" she shouted as Aonbharr leapt in the air. The other Winx and their Pixies followed.
Krithi climbed onto Chai's back. "It's your turn now, boy," she whispered. Chai flapped his wings and rose in the air. Sky, Brandon, and Timmy followed on their flying-saucers, while Mirta and Nabu transformed. They soon reached the Enchanted Mirror, staring down.
On the other side of the moat, she could make out a trapdoor. "There we go," she shouted. She flew up to the trapdoor, trying to push it open; unfortunately, it was locked. Mirta ran forward, transforming into her Charmix.
"Blast of the night!" she yelled, slamming the door. It crashed open, and the Specialists rushed forward, heading straight into the castle.
They reached a hall. Statues stood before them, statues of ancient fairy women with austere expressions on their faces. All of them wore the same crown. She gasped, turning towards the Specialists.
"This must be the Hall of Queens," she whispered. "All the High Faerie Queens, over eternity, are immortalized here."
"Then where's Morgana?" Nabu pointed to the front.
Krithi frowned, nudging Chai forward; they walked up to the last statue. The statue of Morgana was gone. A statue of Nebula was in her place, a triumphant leer on her face. Letting out a gasp, she turned towards the others.
"Nebula has taken over," she realized. "She's the High Faerie Queen now."
"How did she make that statue so fast?" Brandon whispered.
Before Krithi could answer, footsteps sounded down the hall. "Quick, hide!" she hissed. Each of the Specialists hid behind a statue; Krithi crouched behind Nebula's. She let out a gasp as soon as she saw who was coming.
A group of Warrior Fairies were walking forward, carrying Morgana with them. They were headed towards the dungeons, grim expressions on their faces. And that wasn't all.
Musa was walking behind.
"We'll lock her in the prison," she heard the lead Warrior Fairy say. Her eyes glinted as she glared around. "We'll make sure she" – She stopped as soon as she caught a glimpse of Krithi, who stared at her in horror.
"The Specialists are here!" she shouted. "Come on, let's polish them off!" The two fairies carrying Morgana darted down the tunnel, while the rest of the Warrior Fairies, Musa included, stood strong against them.
Immediately, Krithi darted forward with her knife, slashing at the fairies. They darted backwards in surprise, taken aback by the iron. Then their faces hardened, and they looked furious.
"How dare this mere human stand against us?" the lead fairy yelled. "Let's finish her off!" She shot an energy-blast directly at Krithi.
But Krithi leapt out of the way, shouting. Mirta shouted out to Musa, her eyes desperate.
"You can't do this!" she cried out. "Musa, you can't allow vengeance to consume you!"
"I need revenge on the Wizards." Musa's eyes were dark and furious, in a way Krithi had never seen her before. "I need to punish them for what they did to Riven!"
"That won't bring him back!" Nabu looked desperate. "Please, you have to stop this!"
This is a waste of our time. Krithi knew that there was no way they would be able to convince Musa to stop her revenge. She turned around to Sky, her eyes flashing.
"I'll follow those people who took Morgana!" she hissed. "You guys deal with the Warrior Fairies!"
"After her!" the lead Warrior Fairy roared, but Krithi was too fast. She turned Chai around, spurring him down the tunnel. The horse neighed as she flew down the tunnel, heading straight towards the prison of Paradise.
She could feel the dampness of the lakebed, and knew that she was in the right place. She caught a glimpse of the High Faerie Queen, weakly carried by the two fairies. One of them turned around, gasping as she saw Krithi.
"Is that the human?" she yelled. Throwing Morgana into a cell, she glared at Krithi. "How dare you come here?"
In response, Krithi slashed at them with her knife. Red welts appeared on the fairies' arms. They launched themselves towards her, but Krithi was too fast. She cartwheeled out of the way, running up to the wooden bars. Holding her knife out, she slashed them down. The wooden supports broke apart; for a moment, everything was still.
And then the ceiling began to fall.
"Quick, we have to get out of here!" the Warrior Fairy yelled, grabbing her comrade. They flew out of the dungeon, leaving Krithi to stare helplessly around.
Without the wooden supports keeping the ceiling from collapsing, she knew, the entire tunnel would collapse. She had to get out fast – and take Morgana with her. She grabbed Morgana's arm, shouting, "Wake up!"
Morgana didn't move. Desperately, Krithi tried to pick her up, but Morgana was simply too heavy. She motioned to Chai. "Kneel down, boy!"
Immediately, the horse knelt. Breathing a sigh of relief, Krithi dragged Morgana onto Chai's back, wincing as the rocks continued to barrel down towards them. Climbing on, she nudged him with her heels.
Never had Chai flown so fast. Krithi hung tightly to the horse's mane with one hand, and Morgana on the other. They raced through the tunnel, pushing against the onslaught of rocks that threatened to crush them whole. The tunnel's opening appeared ahead of them – a bright light that made Krithi exhale in relief. So close… so close…
"Come on!" she encouraged Chai. "I know you can fly faster! Give it your all!"
The horse beat his wings rapidly, pushing them through. Finally, they made it to the end of the tunnel, bursting out into the light. And not a moment too soon – for the tunnel immediately collapsed behind them. Krithi burst out into the open air, staring around.
Nebula's fairies, including Musa, had disappeared. She saw the Specialists tied against the statues, bound in ropes. She immediately dismounted Chai, using her knife to cut them free.
"Thank heavens you're here!" Mirta breathed as soon as she was let out. The Specialists all sighed in relief as she undid their binds. Morgana woke up, wincing.
"What happened?" she asked, trying to get to her feet, but Brandon stopped her.
"You shouldn't get up," he whispered. "You're too weak."
"My daughter's life is in peril." Morgana stood up. "I will not wait around." She glanced at Krithi, her expression hard.
"I want to apologize," she said, "for ever doubting you. Though you are but a mere human, you saved me from death in those dungeons. Your courage is remarkable, Krithi of Gardenia." She bowed down to her.
"Thanks," Krithi stammered. Nabu stepped forward.
"We need to hurry," he said. "Roxy needs our help. We need to get to Camelot, and fast!"
"Come on!" Krithi shouted, remounting Chai. "Let's get out of here!"
She nudged him forward, flying out of the castle. Morgana rode on Aonbharr. The Specialists followed after them on their flying-saucers, heading straight into the night.
The castle of Camelot was before them, rising tall in the air. Musa flew downwards, sadness and anger filling her heart.
She needed to destroy the Wizards of the White Circle. Once she did that, she knew, everything would be as the way it should be. She would finally be relieved of this torturous pain in her heart. She stared down at the ruins, her eyes narrowing as she saw who was there.
The Wizards were standing below – she could distinctly make out Ogron's red hair and Gantlos's blond head. The four of them stood together, pointing at something inside the castle. And that wasn't all.
They were laughing.
Fury rose in Musa's chest like she'd never known before. She sped down, storming straight towards the Wizards. The Wizards stopped laughing and stared at her, leaping to the side. She drew Excalibur from her belt, slashing it at them.
"You'll pay for what you did!" she snarled. Lifting a sphere in her hands, she focused on the wind around her. "Musical hurricane!"
The Wizards cried out as magic enveloped them. They fell to the ground, battered against the castle walls. Musa flew towards them.
"You're gonna get what you deserve," she snarled. She lifted a beam of magic in her hands, ready to destroy them, for once and for all –
"Don't do it!"
Musa turned around, staring in shock. The Winx and Pixies had arrived, and were staring at her with horror in their eyes. Tune flew forward.
"You can't do this, Musa!" she shouted. "You're not them! You can't kill them in cold blood!"
"Cold blood?" Musa felt her insides churn. "What do you mean, cold blood? They murdered Riven!"
"You're fighting a losing battle." Layla looked at her desperately. "Please, try to understand."
"You're the ones who don't understand," Musa yelled back. "If you knew the rage I felt inside of me, you would."
"Nebula is the one starting this power-hungry war!" Tecna pointed out. "Sure, you'll get your revenge – but at what price?"
"Once you get your revenge on the Wizards," Stella added, "do you think you'll feel better? Or will you continue fighting everything and everyone?"
"Enough of this!" Nebula snarled. "Warrior Fairies, finish these Winx off!"
Musa turned around, heading straight into the castle. "The Wizards are mine," she snarled. Heading straight in, she readied her powers, nothing but hatred in her heart.
Roxy struggled against her binds, crying out in pain. The iron had completely melded into her body, and she stood there, helpless against the iron chains. She was going to die, right there in Camelot. Fear pounded in her heart, as did panic. She felt her entire body convulsing in pain, beaten against the wall.
She saw everything in her life. Images of her father, Morgana, the Winx, Cherie, and her hometown of Gardenia flashed before her eyes. She lowered her head, knowing that she couldn't do anything about all those times she'd failed. How Ogron had locked her in Newgrange, how she'd wrongfully set the fairies free, how she'd allowed Merlin to capture her –
But then she saw all of the good things, as well. How she'd freed that little girl from the fire, back in Greece. How she'd defeated the Wizards countless times. And most importantly, how she'd finally made friends – Musa, Cherie, the Winx, Krithi. Those memories came back to her, filling her with an ache in her heart.
I can't let this destroy me. I have to rise above this, and not let the iron take over my body. I won't lose this battle! Focusing on her magic, she concentrated hard.
She could feel the faintest spark in her heart, the tiniest amount of energy lighting her up. She concentrated on that energy, fueling it until it filled her entire body. Her heart began to glow.
"What're you doing?" she heard Merlin's snarl.
Suddenly, the iron chains blasted away. Roxy's eyes glowed white, and a blue aura shined around her body. The iron shackles that bound her wrists broke off as well, leaving red burn-marks where they had been placed. She faced Merlin, her expression furious.
Merlin's eyes widened in horror; for the first time, he looked afraid. He backed up slowly, gazing at her. His eyes hardened.
And then he flew out of the window.
Fury like she'd never known before rose in Roxy's heart. Transforming into her Winx from, she launched after him, raw anger and adrenaline fueling her wings. She shot into the sky, straight after her tormentor.
Jet after jet of blue light shot after Merlin. To her frustration, he was able to evade every single one. Turning around, he shot white light at her. Hit by a blast, she fell onto the castle, knocking against the walls.
Taking advantage of her fall, Merlin knocked her down again. She screamed as she was vaulted off the cliff, free-falling like she never had before. She tried desperately to grab onto the air with her wings, but the fall was too abrupt. She landed on the ground, bruises forming all over her body.
Above, she heard Merlin's cackle. He flew down to her, laughing. Pointing the White Circle at her, he shot a ray of white light, ready to finish her off for once and for all –
But she dodged. The blast hit the castle behind her, and suddenly, it began to crumble. Arthur's castle broke apart completely, dissolving into thousands of pounds of crumble and dust. It fell straight towards her, and she vaulted out of the way just in-time, heading straight towards Merlin.
But she'd lost valuable seconds. A blast from Merlin shot her straight down the ravine; this time, though, she was able to catch on with her wings. She flew after him, ready to take him down –
Suddenly, pain overwhelmed her. Her entire body constricting, she fell onto the edge of the cliff, just centimeters away from falling over. Merlin flew over to her, laughing.
"The poison is doing its work," he cackled. "I told you if you just quietly waited for your dear mother to surrender, I'd let you go. But now – you're paying the price." He lifted his hands, sending white energy at Roxy.
Roxy cried out as the White Circle's wrath enveloped her. I have to break free… But no matter what, there was nothing she could do. She collapsed, her entire body shaking with pain and light.
Krithi stared ahead at the castle ahead of them, Chai racing forward as fast as he possibly could. She gasped as she stared at the Winx and Pixies, who were battling fiercely against the fairies of vengeance. She turned towards Sky, gasping, "Where's Roxy?"
"Wait – is that her?" Mirta pointed forwards.
Krithi stared ahead of her and gasped. Roxy was lying on the cliffside, Merlin hovering over her. She let out a cry of horror. "We have to go and save her!"
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that."
Krithi spun around. Nebula was holding angry, threatening spells in her hands. Though the Winx were doing their best to fight the Warrior Fairies, she knew there was nothing she could do. She turned around Chai, motioning for him to fly after Roxy –
A spell hit her squarely in the back. Falling off of Chai, she hit the ground, gasping. Morgana furiously glared at Nebula.
"You hit her in the back," she snarled, "exactly like the coward you are."
"You dare call me a coward?" Nebula glared at her. "I'm not the one who refused to fight the Wizards on Paradise! If we'd taken quick action then, we wouldn't have to be dealing with them now!"
"What is happening to Roxy?" Krithi cried out. Nebula glared at her coolly.
"Merlin is finishing her off," she answered. "Once he kills her, we'll deal with him."
Krithi felt her stomach drop. "You want Roxy dead?"
"I want you all dead!" Nebula snarled. "Traitors to the cause of justice. You're all nothing but hypocrites!"
"No!" Tears rolled down Krithi's face. She tried to fly after Roxy, but Nebula grabbed her arm.
"We'll start with you, human," she laughed. Binding her against the castle wall with her dark powers, Krithi struggled. Nebula lifted the Black Circle over her face, laughing.
"It's time for the reign of humans to end," she laughed. "Soon, this world shall be ruled by fairies, as it ought to" –
A blast hit her in the back. Squinting, Krithi saw all of the Specialists pointing their weapons at Nebula, shooting her down. The binds undid themselves, and Krithi ran to them, gasping.
"Thanks for saving me," she hissed.
"No problem." Sky nodded. "You're one of us now."
The thought made Krithi's heart warm, but only for a second. Nebula stood up, fury etched in her eyes.
"I shall show no mercy," she snarled. Flying towards them, she lifted another hex, ready for the attack.
Musa ran into the castle, shooting gust after gust of wind at the Wizards. She snarled angrily, her rage knowing no bounds.
"It's time to punish you for all of your crimes!" she snarled. The Wizards cried out as they were blasted against the wall. She glared at them, ready to finish them all off for once and for all –
A crash hit the castle. Crying out in shock, Musa stared wildly around. What was that? A moment later, she got her answer.
The castle began to crumble.
"Quick!" Ogron cried. "We have to get out of here!"
"Oh no you don't!" Musa created a containment sphere around the four Wizards. They tried desperately to free themselves from the sphere, but to no avail. She glared at them, hatred in her eyes.
"Goodbye, Wizards," she snarled. And then she flew out of the castle.
The sound of anguished cries would forever haunt her. She could hear hundreds of years' worth of rock and dust falling on the Wizards, securing their fate forever. Like bugs they were squashed, completely erased from the world. She knew, in that moment, that there was no turning back.
She shook her head – she couldn't focus on what she'd done now, not when Merlin was still on the loose. She stared upwards, letting out a gasp.
Roxy had fallen onto a rocky outcrop. Behind her was Merlin, shooting spell after spell at her. She cried out as pain consumed her. Musa stared furiously at Merlin, fury rising in her heart.
I'm not going to lose another friend! She shot a pink wave of magic straight at Merlin; unprepared, he was knocked out of the sky. She shot another hex at him, ready to finish him off –
But Merlin dodged. Catching onto the air again, he flew after her. "Care for a rematch?"
"You know I do," Musa snarled back, pointing Excalibur directly at him. A beam of white light shot out of it. Merlin effortlessly dodged. To her shock, a white laser-cage formed around her, and she stared helplessly from inside. Merlin let out a cackle.
"You fool," he laughed. "You want to avenge Riven, but you're not strong enough to do it. You never have been, and never will be."
Tears of anger poured down Musa's face as she struggled to push herself out from the binds. He's wrong, he's wrong… Merlin smiled cruelly, turning towards Roxy.
"And now," he said, "you shall have the pleasure of watching me finish her off."
Spell after spell made its way into Roxy's body. She let out a cry as Merlin hit her over and over again, laughing with glee as he tortured her. The pain of crash-landing on the outcrop also burrowed through her body. She closed her eyes, seeing her entire life flash in her mind.
She saw herself as a young, innocent child, living with her father. Completely unaware of that she was a fairy, she'd lived peacefully with him, happy with the simple life she'd led. That simple life was far away now.
Then the vision shifted. She saw the faces of all those who'd tormented her in school. Giovanni, Leonardo, Alessandro, Ana – all of them were standing before her, leers on their faces. They'd known all along she wouldn't make it, and they were right – here she was, right now.
I'm hopeless, she thought. I'll never make it – human or fairy world, I'm doomed.
Then she saw visions. She saw the Winx, particularly Musa, coming to help her. The fire that shined in their eyes, their determined insistence that Roxy was worth far more than she'd thought. And Krithi – who'd steadily been there in the past few months, even going so far as to betray Merlin to save her life. The memories came back to her, filling her with warmth.
She saw all the happy memories she'd had with them – going on missions, defeating the Wizards – even spending time in that darned helicopter together. She remembered Musa's energetic face, Cherie's kindhearted one. And Krithi… She opened her eyes.
She was still lying on the outcrop. The poison had deeply burrowed its way into her body; there was no escaping it now. Soon, she'd be dead. She let out a shuddering breath, staring upwards.
Merlin was cackling above her, lifting a huge white orb in his hands. From what Roxy could tell, it was a killing blow. She clenched her muscles, ready for the hit that would destroy her to the core –
It never came. Instead, she stared upwards as a fairy flew towards Merlin, turning his own spell on him. The fairy was dressed in a red saree and had yellow wings to match. Her silken black hair tumbled down her shoulders, and her entire aura shined pink, like that of an avenging goddess. Roxy's jaw dropped.
"Musa?" she whispered. She stared listlessly – once at the red-clad fairy, then at the Wizard, who was now falling to his death far below.
Then everything went black.
End of Part III.
