Chapter 1
Alfea, we're back!
'Are you all set to go?' Amaryllis asked her daughter, the now 20-year old Liatris nodding at her mother. She was going back to Alfea, for her third and final year.
She would hopefully gain Enxhantix, and than take her place at Domino's court. As the wielder of the Dark Stars, she would be, just like Bloom, protector of Domino and it's people.
And in a way, also the back-up defender of the Dragon Flame. Should it ever come to war, it was Liatris' duty to fight and protect Bloom, or die trying.
She had been quite shocked when she found out, and her mother had been furious with Oritel and Marion, but this was her fate.
Liatris had no say in the matter, neither did Willow and Indigo. Both girls were connected to her, Willow's silverlight and as a back-up, Indigo's rainbowlight, there to keep the Dark Stars under control should Liatris ever lose herself again like during her first year.
Her mother and father would also move back to Domino when she graduated, her father going back to being one of the heads of the palace security and her mother would continue to be the Kingdom's dark power consultant, since her mother was a witch.
Her mother had been consulting Domino and sometimes other kingdoms, her new job since Liatris had started studying at Alfea. Her mother's official title was "Dark Magic High Consultant" even though she did it from a distance.
Neither her mother nor her father had wanted to move away from the place they had called home for so many years, not while Liatris had not graduated yet.
But alas, those were worries for in the future.
Her relationship with the Winx you might ask? They were civil towards each other, but that is where it ended. They were not friends with the Winx, and Liatris doubted she ever would be.
Though she and Flora did keep in contact, so she guessed she could call Flora her friend.
Etran had been her boyfriend for a while now, having dated casually for a few months before making it official. Willow and Iorias were coming close to the one year mark, having even been introduced to his parents.
'Liatris! You ready?' Willow called out, waving from next to her parent's car. Liatris waved back, winking at Indigo. Willow's sister smiled back, turning back to her conversation with her friends, girls she had met at Tir Na Nog college. Indigo would be returning to Tir Na Nog college as well as them, though she departed later in the afternoon.
The fairy of the Dark Stars nodded, giving her parents one last hug before joining Willow.
It was always a bit sad to leave her parents behind, but it was soon forgotten when Alfea came into view. The school had also started to feel like a home, and it made her sad knowing this would be the last year she would stay here.
They settled quickly into their room, Lein coming over to talk about her summerholiday. They had become good friends with the girl, and she had even come and visited Willow and Liatris during the summer, staying one week with Willow and one week with Liatris.
Willow's phone started ringing a cheery tune, Iorias' face flashing on the screen. Liatris winked at Willow, before shooting a text to Etran, asking him when he would meet her.
She had been invited to attend a dinner with his parents, and his older brother, his wife Daphne as well as Bloom and Sky would be there. Liatris was not exactly thrilled, but they had been dating close to eight months now, so she could understand he wanted her to meet his parents.
He had already been introduced to her parents during summervacation and while that went very well, Liatris was scared to hope the same.
She settled on a red midlong dress, with black heeled sandals. Her hair went down in waves down her back. It covered her tattooed stars mostly, and it was formal enough for the dinner.
'Have fun at your dinner!' Willow grinned, turning back to the television while she painted her toenails. Liatris gave her a nervous smile, taking a deep breath before closing the door to her room and going downstairs.
Etran was already waiting next to the ship, giving her a grin when she approached. 'Don't be so nervous, you look absolutely stunning.' Her boyfriend winked, giving her a kiss on her cheek and squeezing her hand. 'I am sure my parents will love you.'
Liatris followed him into the ship, nodding at Sky and Bloom. 'You think so?' she whispered to Etran, while he put in the coordinates to Eraklyon. 'Ofcourse.' Etran smiled, squeezing her hand one more time before turning to the screens in front of them.
Since the lessons only started the day after tomorrow, she figured it wouldn't be too bad if she was home late tonight.
The butterflies in her stomach reached a crescendo as she stepped out, looking at a gigantic mansion. For a moment she had forgotten Etran was a cousin of Sky, and his family was part of the higher nobility and also extended royal family.
'Let's go.' Etran said, Liatris trying to ignore her churning stomach. 'Here goes nothing.'
All in all, it went quite well. Etran's parents were friendly, if a bit distant, but that Liatris could understand. She hoped, with time and getting to know them better, the awkwardness would disappear.
Daphne and Thoren were an absolute delight, making sure she felt included and welcomed. Bloom was friendly if a bit distant, but Liatris could respect that. Both went on with their lives, and that is what mattered.
'How do you like Eraklyon so far, Liatris?' Etran's mother asked, Liatris just starting to answer when some kind of alarm started blaring.
'Something or someone has attacked the royal palace. We need to go, now!'
They came to...chaos. 'Etran, what do we do?!' Liatris' voice trembled. 'I have not even reached Enchantix yet. I am not sure I can even be of any help!'
'There you are, niece.' a voice hissed at once. Liatris stopped in her tracks, turning her head to the woman who had started this mess two years ago. Bloom bristled, recognizing the woman who had attacked them in the Fruity Music Bar back then.
'You! I knew you were just biding your time.' The woman lifted her hood again, giving them a mocking grin. 'How is my sister, Liatris?' The fairy of the Dark Stars swallowed when the attention of everyone turned to her, Etran throwing her a confused look, his parents also looking confused and angry.
'Is she still the backstabbing bitch that betrayed me all those years ago?' Liatris' expression went from confused and scared to glacial. Etran whispered her name, his gaze going to the rubyred power that was starting to form in her hands.
'My mother decided that even though she had dark powers, she could use them for good. You wanted to end everything in chaos, and my mother didn't!' Liatris bit out, heart beating rapidly in her ears.
The woman laughed, black power curling around her. 'But you feel it, don't you?'
A silence fell over the room, everyone's gaze falling on her. 'You feel that darkness growing every day and I can tell, it is harder and harder to fight it off.' Her aunt grinned coldly, a crazed look gleaming in her eyes.
'I came here to give you and all those that serve the light a last warning, niece.' The woman's gaze fell over the royals, guards and specialists, her eyes staying a second on Bloom, before refocusing on Liatris.
'Gain your Enchantix, the Scepter will come to you of it's own will.' the fairy of the Dark Stars shook her head, power sizzling out and crumbling to her knees.
Etran called out her name, sinking to his knees next to her. Thoren saw the taken aback expression on his brother's face, and he too was shocked at the look of fear that was present on Liatris' face.
'I don't want it!' Liatris hissed, her voice trembling. Her aunt cackled, her laughing ending in a high shriek.
'It will come to you, wether you like it or not.' The woman grinned one last time, her eyes seeming to burn with evil. 'We will see if you can use the Scepter for good, though it's power is as dark and wicked as the Dark Stars that burn so bright on your body.'
Her aunt chuckled darkly, before disappearing into thin air, her voice trailing behind her. 'And when you lose the battle with yourself and give into the darkness, I will be waiting.'
'With open arms.'
'What is the meaning of this, son?!' Etran's father's voice boomed through the throneroom a few hours later, Sky's parents sitting stonefaced on their thrones, Sky and Bloom also clearly not sure what to say.
'I told you Liatris was the fairy of the Dark Stars!' Etran shouted back, standing in front of his girlfriend, Liatris too stunned and lost in thought. Daphne sat next to her, giving her a needed pat on the back.
'You did not say her mother was a witch!' His father shouted back. 'And that she is the niece of the calamity we have been trying to fight for two years!'
'Because it has nothing to do with her parents! It would be the same as convicting Bloom for when she was changed into Dark Bloom against her own will!'
A silence fell over the room, Etran seizing up his father. 'I love her, and I do not care that she might harbour dark powers! What matters is what she uses them for. And nothing you say will change my mind.'
Etran's father opened his mouth to retort, his mother intervening. 'He is right, darling. You cannot convict Liatris for something her aunt did. Her mother is known for being a good person and helping where she can.'
She gave Liatris a warm smile. 'Do not doubt yourself Liatris. Work on getting stronger and gaining Enchantix, and if the Scepter comes to you, we will all help you. You have my word.'
The fairy of the Dark Stars nodded, sighing as she stood up. 'We should get going.' Sky said, Etran nodding.
'And do come visit us again soon, Liatris.' Etran's mother winked, patting her on the back. 'My apologies for reacting the way I did, Liatris. Ofcourse you cannot help who your family is.'
Liatris laughed at that, Etran's father giving her an apologetic smile back. 'I was thinking the same to be honest.' The fairy grinned.
'But if I ever feel I am losing control, I have more than enough people to pull me back. I will get stronger and when I can, I will help defeat my aunt. She cannot be saved.'
'Well, that sucks. But at least, his parents have accepted you, and that is what matters, right?' Willow said to her that night, Liatris nodding in agreement.
She turned on her side, wishing her friend a good night. She would do her best to get strong, and if the Scepter came to her, Willow and the others would be there to help if they even had an inkling she was losing control.
But those were worries for in the future.
For now, everything was fine, and she had the approval of Etran's parents. That was more than she could wish for.
With those thoughts swirling in her head, Liatris finally fell into a deep sleep, excited to see what the day after tomorrow would bring.