Chapter 46: "So I'm leaving for Andros"
The girls watched in shock as the mud around their friend started to glow. Some of the fairies had already transformed and were flying over the river trying to get to Flora, while avoiding the magical mud tentacles trying to snatch them from the air. However, before they could reach her. The mud under them was slowly turning an unusual pastel pink. The agitated surface slowly started calming down. They watched in surprise and relief as what looked like their friend's silhouette surrounded by pink and green glitter, broke the surface and stopped in midair a few feet above the lake. It took them all a few seconds to understand that their friend had been saved by her own Enchantix transformation. The glitter or more exactly fairy dust spread out around the fairy falling into the contaminated mud like a small little firework show.
Bloom was standing on the side cradling protectively the small vial their friend had sacrificed herself for. She watched in amazement as the fairy dust slowly gave the river it's beautiful turquoise blue back. The mud disappeared and was replaced by the clear tear water again. But her friend was not done, as she was fluttering her beautiful healing wings over the river, she had created a giant moving plant behind the distracted witches. With a simple move of her hand, the plant obediently pushed the three witches into the river next to them.
After the comical show of ten years old Trix running away in fear. The girls decided it was time for them to go back to Alfea. Fortunately, with Stella's scepter they were back in the magical forest in less than a minute. Bloom instantly handed over the vial to Flora as they approached the large oak tree.
"You do the honors Flora." The pixies were flying around them throwing dozens of questions at their fairy friends, asking about their mission. But the girls were too focused on the flower fairie's actions to give them their full attention. Flora slightly bent forward opened the small little bottle and poured its content on one of the tree's bigger roots. They gasped in surprise when the tree started to instantly get smaller and thinner; and five seconds later where once stood a huge oak tree, in its place was their teacher and a small acorn at his feet. All of Flora's friends immediately cheered at the sight of their professor safe and sound; Flora was glad they were standing behind her at that moment because she could not stop the tears of relief and joy from falling down her cheeks.
Dimitri seemed to be the only one who noticed her tearful expression because he pulled her towards him and embraced her gently in his arms. She felt the weight of his arms on her waist and his hot breath against her ear as he whispered to her.
"Thank you for saving me, Darling"
However as usual their little private moment did not last long. They separated quickly as soon as they heard one of the pixies, the one with roses in her hair, chuckle and sigh.
"How rom…" but as soon as the first syllables came out of her mouth she was tackled to the ground by the little pigtailed monster. "SHhhhh." the blond girl whispered to her obvious friend. Luckily no one took that much notice of the weird interaction between the two pixies. The arguing pixies only reminded Dimitri and Flora that they had an audience and they needed to keep their interaction to a minimum. The girls were already suspicious, they did not need to confirm their budding relationship right now especially when Dimitri and Flora barely understood it themselves yet. All the girls spoke a few words to the professor, telling him they were happy he was back. Then they started their march through the forest back to the school.
However the joyful mood quickly disappeared at the sight of a worried looking Faragonda standing at the school gates waiting for their return.
"I am of course glad to see you free from that terrible curse Professor, but I bring bad news from Andros." Layla quickly stepped forward. An expression of worry gracing her face as soon as she heard the director's words.
When Faragonda knew she had everyone's attention, Faragonda started explaining the terrible fate of Andros.
"The Omega portal has been left open for two long, not only are some of the prisoners waking up and freeing themselves from their ice prisons, it has also been reported that the magical waves emitting from the gate are too strong. The two planet's energy should have never been in contact for so long. They are destroying each other."
"Andros and Omega are being destroyed, because the gate was opened?" Bloom repeated her headmistress' words in confusion. Faragonda nodded in confirmation. Layla quickly turned towards Stella.
"Please Stella! Use your scepter and send me to Andros. My parents are still there. I need to make sure they're okay. I need to find a way to stop it. Andros is my home." They all could hear their friend's voice breaking at the end of her sentence. This was devastating news especially for the poor girl.
"Layla, I can't let you let you go alone, it's too dangerous…" But before she could continue speaking, Bloom immediately volunteered to accompany their friend to Andros.
"We'll go with you, Layla. You can count on us!" She exclaimed determinedly. Layla nodded in thanks after they all agreed with their red headed friend's words.
While Flora nodded and confirmed she was coming with them, she tried to ignore Dimitri's stare on her. While she was saddened to leave him so soon, she could just ignore one of her friends in need of help. She hoped Dimitri would understand and forgive her.
However, Stella was the first to point out a problem in their little improvised trip.
"I already used my scepter twice today, I don't think it has enough energy right now to do a third trip." She explained to her friends. But Tecna was quick to offer a solution.
"Actually, Timmy and I worked on this project this past summer. We tried to miniaturize the teleportation system used in the school simulator. We finished it and tested it last week. It's just in my room. Let me grab it. It should be able to teleport six people with no problem." They all cheered for their friend's amazing genius mind. Layla also hugged her tightly, grateful to have a way to go home.
They all quickly organized themselves while Tecna went to get her new gadget. Stella, Musa, Bloom and Layla decided to quickly go get some bottles of water and some food from the kitchen since they had not eaten since early this morning and it was almost 3 pm in the afternoon. Flora also knew they would probably use the time to send a few text messages to their friends in Red Fountain so they were updated on what was happening.
Flora decided to stay behind, luckily the girls did not ask too many questions when she explained that she had a few questions about Omega and Andros she wanted to ask to Faragonda. They knew she liked being prepared and knowledgeable before going into anything dangerous.
However, what the flower fairy really wanted to do was talk. And not talk with Faragonda but the serious looking young man standing next to her. As Faragonda left to continue her crystal ball call with the high mage of Andros, Flora slowly turned to Dimitri. She would not make the same mistake as last time. They needed to be honest to each other. Communicate. She knew she had hurt him last time when she had left without telling him. she would not repeat that error.
She took a breath and collected all her courage.
"So I'm leaving for Andros…"
Stupid Flora, who starts a serious conversation like that?
"Yeah, you are…" She quickly tried to fill the awkward silence she had partially created.
"It's not because I want to leave you or anything, I wish I could stay, but I can't, I mean I just got you back, and I was so scared, and now you're back but now I'm leaving again and I wish I could stay but…" She was filling the silence too much.
"I understand," he said calmly. But Flora's brain did not seem to process it.
"I wish we could go together, but Faragonda does not seem to want you to leave and you're probably still tired from the spell and fight, and you have to understand i can't just let my friends go in a dangerous situation without me, i just can't. And it's not because I don't care about you or I want to leave you, no, no, no. I want to be with you. i missed you so much but I need to go and…"
"Flora!" He grabbed her shoulders as an attempt to make her stop talking.
"I understand." He repeated more slowly while staring into her eyes.
"You do?" She asked, completely surprised.
"I know you, you need to help them. You have this weird urge of helping everyone around you. I don't get it completely but i respect it. And honestly even if I tried to stop you would still find a way to go. I asked Faragonda earlier while you were making plans if I could go with you, but she said no. She does not think I'm physically okay to go anywhere yet. She also does not think the royal family of Andros would accept a sentenced prisoner in their kingdom, good intentions or not."
She nodded in acknowledgement.
"Promise me one thing though." She stood in front of him with rapt attention.
"Be careful and come back."
"That's two things." She replied.
"Flora!" He reminded her that he still needed an answer to his promise.
"Yes Dima, I promise to be careful." He held her tightly in his arms. He made sure that no one was around before pecking her gently on the lips. His way of sealing the promise.
A half hour later, he was watching them standing next to Faragonda, disappearing one by one. He probably did not realize that he stared at the spot where his flower fairy had once been standing long after she had vanished.
