~~~Previously~~~

Rosella began training in order to understand her magic a little better, even going so far as to learn some archery from Alex. Rave defeated Alex and made him a prisoner in Splendora's tower once more, hoping to draw out Rosella. Rosella arrived at the tower and battled with Rachel, breaking Splendora's spell. Afterwards, Rachel headed back to Alfea and left Rosella all alone. Rave appeared before Rosella, telling her why he hated his family so much. Echo appeared and placed Rave in a sound cage as he was about to let Rosella escape.~~~

Alfea

Rachel walked through the entrance and looked over at everyone, keeping her head down. How could she possibly explain her actions? Would they even trust her after the things she had done? 'I wouldn't blame them for hating me right now.'

Catarina took notice to Rachel and ran to the entrance, hugging her. "Rachel. It's great to have you back."

Rachel was completely surprised about the hug and let a few tears fall. "Catarina."

"Let's go see the others." Catarina said, pulling Rachel over to the rest of the group.

Zane looked over at Rachel and quickly looked away. "I'm sorry for hurting you Rachel."

Rachel smiled a little and placed a hand on Zane's shoulder. "You don't have to apologize. I'm glad that you did. I didn't want to hurt anyone. Actually, I'm the one that should be apologizing. I let that witch control me and hurt my friends. How's Rexx and Carmen?"

"I'm alright." Rexx said. "Thanks to Rosella, both me and Carmen are alright. However, Carmen isn't doing so well. She will live, but she won't be able to fight. Echo shredded her wings."

Rachel looked down and held her arm. 'How could I possibly make it up to them?'

"Don't worry, Carmen will be just fine. We will find a way to restore her wings." Flora said, smiling.

Rachel nodded and sat down beside Zane. "I'm not sure if I can fight. After everything that I've done, I'm a little afraid."

"You don't have to afraid." Zane said. "We'll be right beside you all the way."

Rachel smiled a little and laid her head on Zane's shoulder. "It's Rosella I'm worried about. I never should have left her."

"You saw Rosella." Colton said.

Rachel nodded and stood up. "I only left because she asked me to. She just wanted to save Alex and keep us from getting hurt. That's why she surrendered. They won't hurt her, not yet at least."

"Those witches will attack again." Zane said, sighing. "They won't stop until they capture me as well."

Catarina fisted her hands and looked out towards the forest. "I can't stand those witches. They have gone too far. We have to hit them with everything we got."

Gale took Catarina's hands and nodded. "That's just what we will do. We can't go off battling them just yet. There's nothing we can do until Carmen gets better. Not to mention that Rexx and Rachel are still weak from their own battles."

"I will get to work on a potion to help Carmen." Flora said, walking inside Alfea.

Catarina smiled and hugged Gale. "I know that Gale. Perhaps I should go help Flora." With that, she took off after Flora. "Could you use a hand?"

Flora nodded and walked into the greenhouse. "We should be able to find some plants in here that will help. Your magic should be able to strengthen the effects just enough to restore Carmen's wings."

Zane sighed and stood up beside Rachel. "We have a long way to go before we can face those witches again."

"In that case, I suggest you get training." Helia said.

Rexx sighed and dropped his shoulders. "Saw that one coming."

"What happened to all that energy you always have?" Colton asked, laughing a little.

"It doesn't work so well when you are in pain." Rexx said.

"Charmix!" Within a flash of light, Rachel transformed and smiled. She wore a purple, single-strap top with a light blue sash and indigo looking skirt, having one side reach just above her knees. On her skirt was a light blue heart-shaped crystal with purple leggings. Her boots were indigo in color with purple heels and light blue band around the top with a silver gem hanging off them. Upon her strap was rainbow colored pendant. Her hair is dark blue and reaches just below her shoulders. As for her wings, they are like flowing fabric in shape and light blue in color. The inner workings of her wings are purple with four light blue, heart-shaped crystals, one on each wing.

"I have plenty more gems and crystals Rexx." Rachel said.

A look of fear came upon Rexx's face as he rubbed the back of his head. "That won't be necessary. Training sounds really good right now. Let's see what you got surfer boy."

"If you're sure you are up for it." Colton said, smiling and summoning his light javelin.

"Who do you think has the advantage?" Rachel asked.

"That would be Colton." Gale said. "Rexx is still weak, but he can put up a fight if he needs to."

Rexx summoned his inferno chakrams and walked with Colton to an open space away from everyone else. "Ready whenever you are Colton."

Colton smirked and charged at Rexx. "I won't go easy on you just you're hurt. Light Javelin Burst." Within seconds, a burst of light shot out at Rexx.

Rexx quickly dodged the attack and threw his chakrams. "It's going to take more than that."

Colton managed to dodge one of the chakrams as the other struck his side. "That hurt a little."

"Those two still have a lot to learn." Gale said. "Rexx gets a little too excited about battle and Colton has some self confidence issues. Let's go Zane."

Zane looked at Gale and sighed a little. "You know I can't."

"You can still fight, even without your lightning." Gale said. "Maybe we will figure out a way to bring out the magic. You can't rely on magic alone Zane."

Rachel smiled a little and started pushing on Zane's back. "Go on Zane. It will be good for you."

Zane sighed and followed Gale to an open area of the quad. "Don't even think about going easy on me."

Gale laughed a little and summoned his wind tonfa. "I wasn't planning on it. Just give it your best shot."

"I have everything we'll need to help Carmen." Flora said.

Catarina smiled and nodded. "I just hope this works. We don't have much time to figure this out."

Flora nodded and started working on the potion. "That should do it. All you have to do is use your magic on it."

Catarina released a breath as her hand began to glow a soft purple. "Hold on a little longer Carmen." Within an instant, a ray of purple energy mixed with the potion. 'Things seem to be going great.'

"It's ready Catarina." Flora said. "Now to get this to Carmen."

Without hesitation, Flora and Catarina made their way to the infirmary and over to Carmen. Carmen was still unconscious from her last battle and in her fairy form. It was a complete mystery as to why she had yet to return to normal.

"Lift her head up." Flora said.

Catarina nodded and gently lifted Carmen's head. 'Everything will be alright Carmen.' Sighing, she watched as Flora gently poured the potion into Carmen's mouth.

"It will take time for the potion to take effect." Flora said. "Let's just hope that she recovers in time to help fight."

Catarina smiled as Carmen returned to normal. "At least she has returned to normal. All she needs now is rest. I can tell by her aura that she wants to fight."

Splendora's Base

Echo chuckled as she watched Rave cower in his cage. "You truly are pathetic. Did you really think that you could get away with betraying the mistress? Tell me, why were letting the unicorn go? Don't tell me that she actually got to you."

Rave looked over at Echo and glared. "I don't have to explain myself to the likes of you."

"You should choose your words carefully." Echo said. "These shadow snakes should keep you company if you try to escape. Were you planning on helping your brother Rave?"

Rave growled and struggled against his bindings. "The only one that gets to kill him is me and I won't let anything stand in my way. You can't hold me here forever."

"We shall see." With that, Echo walked out of the dungeon.

Rave waited until Echo was gone before shifting his gaze to the stone floor below. 'Why was I going to let Rosella go? Before that moment, I would have captured her without any problems. Was it something she said? No, she was just trying to trick me. Somehow, she got into my head. I won't make that mistake again. Or perhaps, there is still a part of me that cares about my brother. No, that can't be it at all.'

Splendora smirked as Rosella opened her eyes. "I was wondering when you were going to wake up. Did you truly believe that you would get away from me? Such a naive girl. Now then, I suggest you hand over that horn of yours."

Rosella slowly lifted her head and narrowed her eyes at the witch. "You will never have this horn."

"Is that so?" Splendora asked. "I wonder if he will feel the same way."

Within an instant, Alex appeared in front of Rosella. Opening his eyes, he stared in disbelief at her. "Rosella. What are you doing here?"

"Surrendering of course." Splendora said. "Give me your horn princess."

Rosella turned her gaze to the witch and shook her head. "I would rather die before giving it to you. Besides, my friends will stop you."

"You don't stand a chance witch." Alex said.

Splendora chuckled as a black dream-catcher appeared behind Alex. "I will get what I want fairy. You know what I am capable of princess. It makes me wonder just how much he can take." At that moment, a red aura flowed from Alex and into the dream-catcher. "I can turn all his dreams into nightmares. Are you ready to give me that horn now?"

Alex cried out in fear and struggled against his bindings. 'What is this feeling? I've never been so frightened before. It's as if everything in my mind has turned into nightmares.'

"Leave him alone." Rosella said.

Splendora smiled a little and rubbed Alex's face. "I can't do that princess. You know what to do. That is, if you want to end his suffering." Within seconds, a cloud of red smoke surrounded Alex. "I can push him over the edge and force him to obey me."

Alex closed his eyes in an attempt to get away from his fears, but his mind still made them real. 'Nothing I do can make them go away. Rosella please, do not give in to this witch.'

"You're the only one that can save him." Splendora said. "What will it be princess? I can kill him with his own fear. Your horn or his life."

Rosella let a few tears fall before sighing. "Alright, you can have it. Please, let me help him."

Splendora smirked as the crimson smoke disappeared. "That's a good girl." Within an instant, Rosella was set free. "You have one minute."

Rosella quickly ran over to Alex and used her healing magic to heal his mind. "Let him go."

"Give me your horn first." Splendora said, holding out her hand.

Rosella looked down as her horn appeared in her hand. "Take it."

Splendora smirked and took the horn, chuckling. "Excellent. Thanks to you, the entire Magix dimension will belong to me."

"Let Alex go." Rosella said. "You have what you wanted."

Echo appeared behind Rosella and smiled. "Not gonna happen princess."

"She's right after all fairy." Splendora said. "Why would I let him go? Now you can watch him die. Get rid of him Echo."

Echo smirked as a dark purple aura surrounded her. "With pleasure my mistress. Sonic Bolt."

Alex cried out in pain as the spell hit and fell to the floor.

"Alex?!" Rosella called, holding him close. "You have my horn. Why can't you let him go?"

Splendora laughed and kicked Rosella in the stomach. "It's quite simple really. I want your friends to come here, so I can destroy them. You all have been a thorn in my side for far too long. Red Fountain has already been taken down. Cloud Tower shall be the next to fall. Echo, bring me Zane."

Without hesitation, Echo disappeared into the shadows. 'This should be fun.'

"As for your precious specialist." Splendora said, kicking Alex across the room. "Perhaps I should just kill him right now."

Rosella continued to cry as she watched Alex being kicked. "Why are you doing this?"

"You will find out soon enough." Splendora said.

Alfea

"You're not doing so well Zane." Gale said, holding out a hand to help Zane up off the ground.

Zane looked away as he took Gale's hand and pulled himself up. "We should just forget about this training. The more time we waste, the stronger those witches become. Besides, we don't even know what has happened to Rosella. Alex could very well be dead right now."

"So much negativity." Catarina said, walking up beside Rachel.

Rachel sighed and turned her attention to Catarina. "I've never met anyone like him before. How's Carmen?"

"Carmen will be fine." Catarina said. "She just needs to rest. Maybe Zane needs a little more motivation."

Rachel smiled mischievously and laughed a little. "This should be fun." Without another word, she walked over to Zane and Gale. "I will take it from here Gale."

"Don't hurt him too much Rachel." Catarina said.

"What is she doing?" Helia asked.

"She's going to kick Zane into shape." Catarina said.

Zane sighed and shifted his gaze to Rachel. "Forget about it Rachel. There's nothing that anyone can do."

Rachel sighed and kicked Zane in the ankle. "Don't be an idiot. It's time that you stopped thinking that way. Even if I have to beat it out of you. Now then, let's get down to business. Just try to stop my attacks."

Zane shook his head and walked a few feet away from Rachel. "Fine. I just don't believe things are going to work out very well."

Rachel smiled as her hands began to glow a dark blue. "Let's find out what you can do. Crystal Blast."

Without hesitation, Zane quickly pulled out his whip and struck most of the crystals. However, he didn't notice the few that flew past his whip and struck his legs. "That hurt."

"You have to do better than that." Rachel said. "A hit like that can easily weaken your maneuverability. Luckily, those crystals weren't strong enough to do any real damage. Concentrate on what I do and try to predict what's going to happen."

Zane nodded and pulled the crystals out of his leg. "I'm ready."

Rachel smiled as a larger blue glow appeared around her hands. "Pay close attention Zane and react. Crystal Bolt."

Zane watched Rachel's movements and struck the crystals with his whip, before jumping to the side. "Is that all Rachel?"

"That's much better." Rachel said.

Gale joined the others and took a seat on a nearby bench. "I feel sorry for Zane."

"Rachel is doing great at breaking through to him." Helia said.

Catarina laughed as she watched Rachel. "That's Rachel for you. She's always been that way. If anyone can get through to him, it's her."

"How about we train together Catarina?" Stella asked.

Catarina nodded and took a step back from the group. "Charmix! Catarina, fairy of Aura."

"Don't think that I'm going to go easy on you." Stella said.

Catarina smiled, "I would be upset if you did."

"Magic Winx! Charmix!" Within an instant, Stella had appeared in her charmix transformation. "There's no need to go all out. It wouldn't really be fair if I used my bloomix against you when you're not even close to that level. Is that alright with you?"

Catarina nodded and flew up into the air. "I have to agree with you on that one. It will be nice to fight on even grounds."

"I wouldn't really call it even." Stella said. "I do have more experience than you do."

Catarina laughed as her hands began to glow a soft purple. "Let's get things started." The energy began to swirl around her hands, forming into a purple orb. "Aura Blast."

"Rising Sun." Stella formed a light sphere and shot it out towards Catarina's attack. When the attacks struck, they caused a small explosion and faded away. "It's going to take more than that."

"I'm just warming up." Catarina said. "Aura Shot." Within an instant, a beam of purple energy shot out at Stella.

Stella flew up above the attack and sent out a beam of her own, an orange one to be exact. "Ray of Sunlight."

Catarina saw the attack coming and moved to side, right before it struck. "This is getting interesting."

"Sun Wave Supernova." Within seconds, Stella's scepter began to glow before sending out a yellow ball of light.

Catarina was struck by the attack and was knocked down a few feet. 'I have to think of something quick. If I was fighting one of those witches, they wouldn't wait for me to attack. Acting quickly is my only chance of surviving.' Shaking off the attack, she flew around the courtyard and stopped behind Stella. "Aura Spike." Lilac spikes of energy struck Stella from behind and knocked her to the ground. "How's that?"

Stella returned to normal and started to catch her breath. "That was pretty good. I'm going to be feeling that attack for a while."

Catarina laughed a little and landed on the ground, returning to normal. "Sorry about that Stella."

"Ready for one last attack Zane?" Rachel asked.

Zane nodded and readied himself. "Whenever you're ready Rachel."

"Crystal Reflection." Within no time, crystals shot out at Zane and bounced off nearby surfaces. "The crystals will come from different directions Zane. You have to figure out the right way to react."

Zane noticed the crystals coming at him and used his whip to block most of them. However, a few of the crystals managed to strike and knock him to the ground. 'That didn't go as well as I planned.'

"Are you alright Zane?" Rachel asked.

Zane winced in pain a little and nodded. "I'm fine. I was just caught off guard a little."

Before Rachel could get over to Zane, a menacing laughter filled the quad. "This isn't good."

"You're precious Zane won't be alright for long." Echo said, appearing behind Zane.

Rachel glared as a dark blue energy formed around her hands. "Stay away from him. Crystal Blast."

"How pathetic." Echo said, chuckling. "Let me show what true magic looks like. Sonic Echo."

Rachel cried out in pain and fell to her knees, along with everyone else. "Zane."

"Rachel?!" Zane called out, trying to stand up. His attempts were pointless due to the crystals in his side.

"We have to do something." Flora said, wincing in pain.

"Magic Winx! Bloomix!"

"Flora, Fairy of Nature."

"Stella, Fairy of the Shining Sun."

"Musa, Fairy of Music."

"Let's show this witch what we're made of." Stella said. "Light Spectrum." A beam of spiraling pink and yellow energy shot out towards Echo.

Echo smirked and quickly dodged the attack. "It's going to take more than that princess."

"Try this on for size." Musa said. "Infinite Echo." In that instant, a crescent-shaped purple sonic beam of energy shot out at Echo.

"Spring Shower." A multi-colored beam shot out towards the witch and combined with Musa's Infinite Echo.

Echo winced a little and smirked. "Not bad, but I'm not that easy to take down." It was then that shadow threads wrapped around everyone in the quad. "As much as I would love to destroy you all, I must go now."

"You will fail." Zane said, struggling to break free.

Echo looked down at Zane and kicked him in the stomach. "Did you really believe that you could get away? The little unicorn has already given up her precious horn. You fools don't stand a chance." She chuckled as a sound cage formed around Zane. "There is nothing these weaklings can do to stop my mistress." With that, she disappeared with Zane behind her.

"Zane." Rachel said, looking down. "It was my magic that weakened him."

Catarina placed a hand on Rachel's shoulder. "It's not your fault Rachel. We'll get him back. I promise."

"That witch used cheap tricks." Stella said. "She is so going to pay for that."

Rachel slowly stood up and stared up at the sky. "We can't wait any longer. Those witches have to be stopped."

"We can't just rush into things." Musa said. "Don't forget that some of us are still weak. We wouldn't stand a chance in our current state."

Rachel fisted her hands as tears flowed down her face. "I can't just stand by and do nothing."

"I think I know what's really going on." Catarina said. "You like him, don't you Rachel."

Rachel relaxed a little and glanced back at Catarina. "I don't know. Maybe. If something happens to him, I don't know what I would do."

Splendora's Base

Echo appeared in front of Splendora and threw Zane on the floor. "Those pesky fairies actually thought they could save him."

Zane looked up at Splendora and glared. "They will stop you."

"I've already won little boy." Splendora said, rubbing his face.

'This is all my fault.' Rosella thought. 'All my friends are getting hurt and there's nothing I can do. Without my horn, I'm powerless. Please forgive me everyone.'

"It's time for you to play your part in this Zane." Splendora said, as the shadow threads bound him to a large crystal. "Lucky for you, I can't do anything until sunset and that's not too far off. Leave them here to suffer."

Within an instant, the two witches disappeared in a cloud of dark smoke. Rosella, Zane and Alex were left all alone in the throne room. Rosella held Alex close and looked over at Zane. How could she possibly explain to him why she gave up her horn? In fact, she wouldn't be surprised if he hated her for it.

"Rosella." Zane said, wincing a little. "Why? Why did you give in to that witch? Do you have any idea what you have done?"

Rosella looked down and let a few tears fall. "You can hate me all you want Zane, but I had no choice."

"What do you mean?" Zane asked. "You always have a choice and you chose to give that witch exactly what she wanted. No one will be safe once she's obtained the horn's power."

Rosella continued to cry as Zane's words became harsher. "She was going to kill Alex. It was the only way to save him. I couldn't stand watching him suffer."

A look of shock came over Zane's face, causing him to look down. "Rosella. I'm sorry. It must have been hard for you. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that."

"It's alright Zane." Rosella said. "I'm sure that you would have done the same thing. Now, I'm far too weak to fight back and time is running out. I did manage to heal him, but he still hasn't woken up."

Zane glanced back over at Rosella. "Things will work out. Everyone has been training hard and Carmen should be awake soon. Someone will come to help us."

"Do you really think they will be able to win?" Rosella asked.

"We need to have faith in them." Zane said. "Only by working together can they stop them. And they're going to need our help."

"How can we help them?" Rosella asked. "I can't use my magic, Alex is unconscious, and you're tied to that crystal."

Zane sighed and smiled a little. "We will find a way. Try to stay positive alright."

"I hope you're right Zane." Rosella said. 'All I want right now is for Alex to open his eyes.'

Rave opened his eyes and looked around, realizing that he was all alone. No one was coming to save him and no one cared about what happened to him. 'I'm not sure how much more of this I can take. At least the snakes have disappeared. No one in their right mind would come to my aid. Not that I actually care if anyone comes for me.'

"How pathetic." Splendora said, appearing in front of Rave. "If it weren't for your betrayal, you would be free right now. It's a shame that your brother can't see you right or vice versa. Don't worry, he's not dead yet. Then again, he won't be waking up anytime soon."

Rave glared at Splendora and struggled to break free. "You won't hold me here forever."

"Do you honestly believe that?" Splendora asked. "Soon, no one will be able to stop me. You will remain my prisoner until the day you die." Laughing, she rubbed the side of his face before disappearing.

Rave shivered a little at Splendora's touch and relaxed when she left. 'I have to get out of here.'

"If we do manage to survive this," Rosella began. "I want to help Rave."

"Why would you want to help him?" Zane asked. "He's evil and wants Alex dead. Rave was hunting you and he fooled everyone."

Rosella shook her head. "There is still good in him. He was letting me go before that witch showed up. Rave was trying to help me and I think there is still a part of him that cares for Alex."

Zane wasn't sure what to say at that point. If Rosella truly believe that Rave could be saved, then who was he to disagree with her. 'Letting Rave go is not a good idea. I can't forgive him for the things that he has done. Even if we save him, he will still continue to come after Alex. Rosella is too kind and I can't do or say anything to change her mind.'

"You don't have to help him if you don't want to." Rosella said. "I will save him on my own if I have to."

A cloaked figure stood outside the tower, staring up at the great structure. 'And so begins the start of a new order. That is, if those witches are no stopped. I have to warn people about this. The question is, why haven't they attacked Cloud Tower?' Within seconds, the figure took off towards Alfea.

~~~Next time~~~

The fairies and specialists must come up with a plan to rescue Rosella, Alex, and Zane. Someone from Rave's past pays him a visit. Just who is the mysterious stranger that showed up at Splendora's tower? Will Carmen awaken in time for the next battle? Find out next time on Scoutix Club. ~~~~~