Stay With Me

by duman-anon

Stella, Princess of Solaria has been send to earth along with Winx Club to save the last fairy on earth. Their mission is to protect Roxy, the last earth fairy, and make people believe in fairies again. But while on earth, Stella can't help to feel that Brandon have given up on love. The perfect couple that Stella have always called it, is breaking in to pieces. Worst of all, she c

3. Casanova

"The Wizards of the Black Circle, huh," Tecna narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her hips, clearly angry.
All of the girls were upset, Artu had just told what had happened. On this big day when the girls had encouraged Roxy to tell her father about her being a fairy, the Wizards kidnapped her. Stella was upset just like the other girls. Almost boiling inside.

In the last couple of days, she hasn't gone to the park. Not meeting Duman, even if her mind seems to be about him sometimes. Stella shook her head when she thought about him. No this wasn't the time to think about him or how he tries to give her love advice. If it is someone who knows about love, it is Stella.
"We got to close the shop," Aisha's voice made Stella come back from her thoughts.
"I'll do it," Stella said and stood up. "I know what customers want to hear when they have their appointment canceled."
She walked to the door, turned the sign, and promised the customers some free starter pack for next time they'll come back. Some of them protested, demanding their money back right at the spot. Stella just gave a sigh and asked everyone to send an email about having a refund. When the last one walked away, she closed the door, locked it, and went back to the group.

"Maybe we should call for the Specialists," Flora commented. "so they can keep their eyes open if they would see Roxy or any of the wizards."
"Why should we tell them?" Stella snorted. "We can investigate on our own. If we need them, we call them. And I don't see a reason why we should call them now."
"If you guys can stop talking about the Specialists," Musa snapped. "we can hurry to save Roxy. Winx Believix!"
All of them transformed and switched their wings to Teleport Wings. Ever since they got the Teleport Wings, Stella hadn't needed to use her Solaria Ring to help her Teleport which has been a great help all those years in school.

They Teleported into Roxy's living room, faint of glass being pressed to the floor was heard, and Stella lifted her shoe. Broken glass pieces.
"It sure looks like a sign of a fight," Tecna pointed out and the girls looked around the room.
The shelf was pushed down, broken glass pieces came from the flower pot made of glass, the table was knocked to the side, and books were all over the floor.
"But no sign of Roxy," Tecna continued and her eyes landed back on the girls.
"We got to be able to see what happened," Flora flickered her eyes on the rest of the group, pointing her finger up. "and the best way to do that is to look into the past."
"Right," Bloom nodded. "let's use our new wings for that."
They all switched wings again to be able to see to the past.
"Why do we all need to do it?" Stella asked after everyone had changed their wings. "Doesn't it help if only one of us does it?"
"Now isn't the time to ask dumb questions, Stella," Musa snorted, crossed her arms.

Usually, Stella would lay a comment about that but Musa was right, it wasn't the time to ask these questions now. The whole room became dark purple, almost like in a theatre, the stage opened up behind the curtains. The room wasn't a mess and Roxy stood there, pointing her finger at something that was in the midair.
"Duman, where is my father?" Roxy shout sounded like an echo.
Stella dug her nails into her palms. Why would they need to attack Roxy in her own home? Didn't they put a shield spell around her house the last time they were there?
Roxy had asked Winx if there was any way for them to fix her house to be safer from the Wizards and Winx had helped out with it. But it must have worn off or they broke the spell to be able to get into the house.
More blurry siluets appeared but Stella knew it was the other wizards. They put a rope around Roxy's wrists and covered her mouth with a piece of cloth.
"Grab her," Ogron told the others after Roxy watched Artu running out of the house.
Duman appropriated closer to Roxy, but she backed off and kicked the shelf towards Duman, but he jumped away and the books flew across the floor. Duman teleported behind Roxy and Anagan went towards Roxy as well, pushing away the table.

Duman was quick to grab Roxy's arms but she made sure to kick Anagan hard enough for him to tremble backward.
"C'mon," Duman groaned and dragged Roxy over towards the wall.
Gantlos put another rope spell around Roxy's legs so she couldn't kick. Stella followed her eyes on Duman. He looked rather pissed that Roxy struggled. He showed his teeth when he struggled to keep her still, jerked her arm as a sign to knock it off.
"This is horrible," Aisha gasped.
Stella didn't say anything, it felt sick to watch this, how they kidnapped Roxy. But there was also guilt in Stella. This was the man she has thought of. The man she thought of to go to the park and see if he was there. But it was for good reasons she wanted to meet him right? To show they aren't weak, to frighten him, to fight him. Which she never did.

"Excellent," Ogron said and Roxy glared at him. "thanks to you, the Winx will soon fall to our trap. We promise an exchange and then renege, you'll stay with us sweet little fairy."
There was a malicious laugh coming from him and the scene disappeared. Stella took a step forward, almost like a reach to help Roxy but it was all gone and the mess of the room was clearer than before.
"What kind of exchange could Ogron be talking about?" Musa asked and it was heard clearly her voice was shaking of anger.
"Look," Bloom interrupted. All the girls turned their attention to her, Bloom pointed towards the middle of the room, it sparked purple in the mid-air. "he left a message."
She was right, from the sparkling purple it became a face, Ogron's face.

"You really are amusing sweet little fairies," each time he said sweet little fairies it boiled inside of Stella. It was mockingly, saying they are weak. "but oh so predictable! Now I'm sure you're here to learn the whereabouts of your little friend. Listen carefully, I want the White Circle. If you want to see Roxy again, give it to Duman," next to his face came another sparkling purple in the air and it showed Duman. He had a grin, same grin when he mocked Stella back in the park, the first time they met. His shape turned to Klaus. "-who will be disguised as Klaus at the Fruit and Music Bar. And no tricks or you'll never see sweet Roxy again!"
Both of the messages disappeared.
"Of course he picked Fruit and Music Bar," Musa muttered. "we can't attack in front of a crowd."
"And if they saw us fighting with Duman," added Aisha. "we would look like the bad ones."
"Worst of all," sighed Bloom, looking down on her finger. "he won't keep his promise anyway."

The White Circle shined a bit on Bloom's finger and Stella looked rather gloomy. This is just like Duman said to her in the park, if they attacked them in their fairy form then all of the people would say fairies are bad. Stella closed her eyes as her wings disappeared and her outfit too.
"Stella?" Flora asked.
"You heard what he said," Stella opened her eyes, kept her eyes on the floor. "we aren't supposed to do any tricks. As well as not being fairies, we must come there as ourselves."
"Stella is right," Tecna nodded and took away her wings. "people would be alerted if we showed up as fairies, setting them off to panic. The best we can do would be to try to lure them away from the crowded area."
"But how?" Flora asked and the rest of the girls turned in to themselves. "They would understand if we tried to trick them."
"Let us try to come up with something while we walk there," Musa said.
Musa and Aisha both had their hands towards the living room and swung with their hands in a little dance, making the room cleaned.

"We better hurry then," Bloom looked outside of the window. "it's getting dark soon and that means more people will come."
While they walked it became dark rather quickly. Stella walked first, some rather quick steps. She has faced Duman before, alone. If there is someone who knows how to speak with him, it is her. Even if the last time didn't go well, it was still something.
"Good idea Tecna," Bloom said and Stella blinked to come back to reality. "I'll call Skye and tell him. The guys are probably already there at the Bar and working."
"I'll call Timmy," Tecna said.
And then it was Brandon. Stella looked towards the ground when she walked. She hadn't told the other girls what happened when she and Brandon talked last night.

"Of course I love you!" Brandon moved his hands from side to side.
"You don't act like it," Stella's cheeks were wet, eyes puffy but her voice was clear. "you keep Mitzi in your contacts! You chat with her!"
In her hands, she held Brandon's phone. There is only a chat between them on the screen. Mitzi asks if they can meet but Brandon had said that he worked but she was welcome to stop by.
"I told you," Brandon moved closer to Stella.
It wasn't the nicest place to discuss the topic. They were by the back door of the Bar, the smell of the garbage stung up in Stella's nose, at first she gagged as fast they stepped out there but it seems the smell faded away after her nose got stuffed. The rather small annoying flies flew close to the trash bags everywhere and the rotten fruits that had been missed to be thrown to the trashcan were almost forgotten when they stood there.
"Mitzi doesn't leave me alone," Brandon continued. "I try in a nice way to tell her that I only see her as a customer, I don't see her in private! I tell her to–"
"That is a lie! And you know it! Didn't I catch you in the park with her?!" That's what the whole argument had been about, why Stella dragged Brandon from his work and to the smelly place.
"Only because she followed me!" Brandon raised his voice after Stella cut him off. "I would never cheat on you Stella! I would never meet Mitzi in private!"
Stella sniffed a little, Brandon's phone was covered in her tears. She felt two heavy hands on her shoulders and she looked upon Brandon.
"Stella, do you remember when we were in the cave? Last year?"
She remembers it when she got the curse on her. Black magic from Cassandra who wanted to marry her father. Turned her into a toad monster and she cried so much. Never had she cried so much in her life. Ashamed to show herself for Brandon and the girls made sure he would see an illusion of Stella. But in the cave, when she looked in the Water of Truth and didn't turn to herself, Brandon confessed he had seen her as the ugly monster the whole time. Stella remembers the hug, he held to her hard, arms over her shoulders, and even he cried when she was crying.
"How I said how much I loved you, not for your beauty but for your personality too," he whispered now, a shiver crawled up on Stella when he said those words.
"I remember," Stella whispered back.
"I'm not flirting with Mitzi," he continued whispering. "it… it's all in your head. It was–"
Before Brandon could finish, the door had slammed up.
"Hey Brandon, if you could stop–" Riven opened his eyes and looked at the two of them. "um… sorry for interrupting but Klaus is getting on the nerves that you left your shift."
"I'm coming," Brandon growled back at Riven, upset for the entrance.
Riven had tried to make eye contact with Stella but she only looked down on her feet, crossed her arms. She doesn't want to be seen crying. Riven understood the signals that both Brandon and Stella gave him and left, closing the door after him.
"We talk later okay?" And he left Stella there in the dumpster, literally a dumpster. And she had never felt further away from Brandon.

"Get out of there immediately," Stella woke up from her thoughts and heard Bloom. "don't put up a fight with them– Gantlos? Then we know who is with Roxy and her father. We'll be there soon, and if you can Skye, take some of the guests with you."
Stella maybe was lost in her thoughts again but and didn't get everything that Bloom said but it sounded like a problem. Bloom hung up her phone after shortly and looked around at the group.
"Skye said they managed to make the band not come tonight. Told them there was a flu going around."
"That makes it lesser people at least," Flora commented. "what was it about Gantlos?"
"Skye said that Ogron and Anagan were there, hiding amongst the guests. But they couldn't see Gantlos so we assume that Gantlos is holding Roxy and her father."
"Poor Roxy," Aisha sighed. "I hope they haven't hurt her."
"They will," Tecna looked over. "for centuries they have haunted fairies, ripped their wings off. The same fate will happen to Roxy."
"You can't be any more positive?" Stella asked.
"Sorry. But I wonder why Ogron wants the White Circle, Roxy told us it burned his hands at the barn."
"It perhaps holds a lot of power," Flora said. "a power that Ogron himself can't control. Maybe it is the key for us to end them."
"Roxy got help from the ring at the barn. . . but it also controlled her," Bloom mumbled. "we can hope it is on our side."

Then they started to see the lights of Fruit And Music Bar, there was some faint music but it sounds like it was played from a playlist. But there were a lot of people leaving. Stella noticed a lot of them had angry expressions and most of them spit on the street.
"What happened?" Flora asked when she noticed as well how angry the people were.
"Klaus smoothies sucks tonight," the guy spit out some more saliva. "I almost puked when I had mine."
"Mine had pepper in it!" the girl who was with the guy crossed her arms. "I don't know what kind of sick prank it is but if he wanted to lose his customers, then he succeeded! C'mon Johnny, there is a club that is better than this rotten place."
She grabbed the man's arm and started to drag him away.
"It will be hard for Klaus to get the customers back," Stella said to the girls.
"We can worry about that later," Musa whispered. "let's go in."
Stella walked next to Bloom, and as they walked in, they bumped into other people who made their way out of the Bar. But Stella hardly noticed them when she saw 'Klaus' behind the desk. He seemed to try to make a drink. Duman probably didn't expect this when he would disguise himself as Klaus that he would need to make the drinks. He held up a glass towards a customer who scolded at him.
"One more?" 'Klaus' grinned at the customer.
"Hey, Klaus," a girl passed him, throwing a drink at him but 'Klaus' moved easily to the side. The drink hit the wall and left a mess with shattered glass on the floor. "your drinks are awful tonight!"

Stella bumped her shoulder to the girl or the girl rather bumped into her. Stella just narrowed her eyes at the girl and then at 'Klaus'. He showed a big grin on his face now when he saw The Winx.
"Would you like a sweet smoothie sweet fairies?" Duman's accent broke through and he held his arms open. "It's free on the house tonight."
"Duman," Bloom snapped and walked closer to the desk. "where's Roxy? What have you done with her?!"
"Ah, young people," Duman smiled and he held his hands towards his hips, didn't break eye contact with Bloom. "always so full of questions. Give me the White Circle then we'll talk."
He leaned over the desk when he said the last word and showed a malicious grin.
"Don't even think about it," Stella walked up to the desk, pointed at Duman near his face. "First tell us where Roxy is!"
"How could I then trust you, sun fairy?" Duman asked, leaned back now, and crossed his arms. "You may break your promise."
"So could you," Stella continued. "tell us what you have done with Roxy."
This wouldn't lead anywhere, Stella had the feeling about it. Duman is stubborn and wants only the White Circle.
"I could tell but it would cost," Duman looked around the bar and then back the girls. "your boyfriends were in a hurry to leave this place. Making my business go down. But what more can we expect from young lads?"
He raised his eyebrow at Stella before he looked at the other girls. "They're always off to the next pretty thing."

Stella knew that was meant towards her, he meant Brandon. But she decided to play her own game, pretending she isn't bothered by his comment.
"Or perhaps off to free Roxy," Stella snapped.
Stella felt the eyes of the other girls. Could feel how they didn't agree with that statement.
"How would they know where she is when I haven't even told you," Duman rolled with his hand. "but I would love to tell you only if you gave me the White Circle."
"Enough with these words Duman," Aisha stepped forward. "we aren't here for your foolish games!"
"I'm not playing," Duman looked over at Aisha. "I'm as serious as you. Another drink while we wait?"

A shout was heard, Stella and the other girls turned around. Anagan and Ogron stood by some tables and they stepped forward.
"Duman take the White Circle, now!" Ogron roared.
Stella heard a low growl from Duman and turned around towards him. Fangs started to grow from his mouth, black wings on his back. Eyes were bigger and he looked like a monster that usually lived in caves. Stella was quick to transform herself and was ready to attack.
"Let us get out of the club," Tecna flew up and Stella looked over at her. "so we don't tear down this place apart."
Stella flew next to the other girls when Bloom shouted. "If you want the White Circle, you gotta fight for it Ogron!"
They were quick to fly outside, towards the beach. The girls split when they flew over the beach and Stella heard a growl behind her.

She turned her whole body towards the growl, flying backward, gasping when she saw a big claw coming at full speed. She ducked and Duman tried hitting her again. But something was wrong with his attacks. It was like he thought this was a game, as he let her duck in time for his attacks.
"Enjoying the tag game?" Stella was prepared for shooting a spell.
"I can't help you enlighten my mood, sun fairy," his voice was deep when he went for another attack.
"Solar storm!" Stella shouted, her hands made a ball of light and flew towards Duman.
It wasn't her strongest spell but it made him fall. Stella followed, landing on the sand and looked over at Duman. It seems he was rather annoyed by the bright light that made him unable to see what happened.
Stella held up her hand, ready to shoot again until Anagan and Ogron stepped forward. Anagan's arm was shining in purple when he took the magic from Duman that hurt his eyes. "You fairies have to do better than that!"
Duman became his normal self when the magic was taken from him and he rubbed his eyes, finally able to see what was going on. Anagan took the magic and struck it towards Stella. Her eyes widen, a shield, she needs to make a shield–

In front of Stella, Brandon jumped forward, his green lighten sword cut the magic and it faded down.
"Brandon," Stella gasped quietly, wasn't expecting to be saved.
"Mind if we join the party, my love?" Nabu's voice was heard and Aisha made a flirty comment back.

The other specialists stepped forward, ready to protect the Winx once again. But when they didn't look, Ogron went for an attack and Tecna was fast to make a shield.
"Stella we can combine our magic," Flora came up next to Stella. "let's take Anagan and Duman while Ogron is busy."
"Sounds great to me," Stella nodded and they both flew up.
They flew above Anagan and Duman, Stella threw an eye on Flora and she made a nod.
"Autumn wind!"
"Solar storm!"
In the wind of leaves, it was a bright light that made the leaves bigger and sharper. Anagan ran aside, seeing his next victim with Helia, and Duman just took a big jump and so the attack avoided him as well.
"Here I thought I would be ignored," Duman grinned towards Flora and Stella. "how sweet of you to acknowledge me."
"I'll give you some acknowledge-"
But before Stella could finish her sentence, a blue line caught Duman. He made a gagging noise when it came a bit too close to his neck. It dragged him up in the air. Stella turned around and saw it was Aisha who had caught Duman. Her left hand was controlling the wave that was around Duman, with her right hand she had Ogron and Anagan. Sending a shock wave, a powerful one. When it hit the Wizards they all let out a scream as they flew away and down into the ocean.

"Did you just kill them?" Stella asked.
"I think some water won't hurt them," Tecna commented. "look."
She pointed at the ocean and the Wizards flew up, they were protected by dark magic in the form of a ball around them.
"I should finish them off–" Bloom stopped herself and even Stella froze up.
Stella felt something. Energy. The kind of energy that sends chills down someone's spine, an energy that makes you feel protected, energy from someone strong, from someone you can trust. This type of energy was roaring like a tiger and ran fast as a leopard. There was only one person who had that kind of magic trail, ever since they first came to earth.
"It's Roxy magic trail!" Bloom turned to the other girls and Stella nodded.
"Yes," Flora said. "we feel it too."
"And it seems they felt it too," Musa pointed at the Wizards. They were flying along with the beach at full speed away from them. "we better hurry to follow them!"
Musa didn't wait before she took off, Stella was close behind Musa. The Wizards were fast and had a lead but the Winx could still see them. Until they went down. Almost vanished.
"Girls!" Tecna shouted and pointed down.

At the old factory stood the Wizards. Stella saw something green shining in the dark and they flew down. The green outfit and the green wings outshined with a hint of purple. A golden belt could be seen as well.
"Roxy," Bloom gasped as they landed. "you did it, you transformed into a fairy!"
But Roxy was silent, glanced at them, trembling on her feet over to them. But it wasn't Winx she went to, it was her dad who had been able to escape when no one saw him. And in his arms, he held Artu.
"No no," Roxy mumbled as she fell to her knees next to Artu. "please, please. Artu please you are stronger than this. Please be okay!"
"This is what it has finally come down to," Ogron said and Stella turned her head towards the wizards, narrowed her eyes. "give us the White Circle, this is your last warning."

Bloom stepped forward and spit out her words. "Never Ogron, we won't give in to your blackmail."
The sound of quick steps came towards them all and it was the Specialists who had finally arrived. They all had their weapon out. In a second, Riven rushed forward, swung his sword towards Gantlos but missed when Gantlos made a huge jump backwards. Followed by him was Helia who went for Anagan.
"Bloom," Skye was the only one who went over to the Winx. "take Roxy and her dad away from here. We hold the Wizards back off while you hide them."
"No," Bloom said in a hard tone. "we stay here to fight."
"Bloom, listen to me," Skye said.
Stella looked over when Brandon lost his sword when Anagan ran past him, ripped away his sword and it went down in the ground. Duman had just transformed to a wolf and went to attack Timmy.
"We hold them off as long as we can," Skye spoke again. "what they are after is Roxy and the White Circle, if we can make sure you have time to hide while we fight them, it will make them weaker for you to meet them."

Timmy let out a scream but Stella stepped forward and took the spell she used before against Duman. "Solar Storm!"
He jumped away from Timmy and Timmy was fast to crawl up to his legs to protect himself.
"Thanks for saving him Stella," Tecan commented.
"Winx let's take Roxy and her dad away from here," Bloom turned to the girls as Skye ran over to face Ogron.
They changed their wings to Teleport Wings.
"Grab my hand," Bloom said and they all made a circle.
Flora held her hand on Klaus' shoulder, Aisha held her hand on Roxy's back.
"I know where we can be for a while," Bloom continued before she, and got help from the others, to Teleport to the Train station.

A lot of gasps were heard, and a train rolled into the station. Stella opened her eyes and looked around. People grabbed their phones and held it towards them. The sun had risen and it was early in the morning, it was time for people to head to work.
"He's going to be okay Roxy," Stella could hear Klaus and turned around. "don't worry, Artu has been through worse, remember?"
"Oh dad," Roxy sniffed. "you don't get it, it's my fault he is hurt and that I put you in danger."
Bloom made her way towards them two. Roxy looked up and before Bloom had the chance to speak, she rose up and shouted;
"Leave me alone! If it hadn't been for you, everything would have been fine right now! I don't wanna be a fairy!"
Roxy took quick steps away from Bloom and the rest of the girls. Stella looked with sad eyes at Roxy, remembering the time Bloom went home. Saying she wanted to leave all the magic behind her. It had hurt Stella a lot to hear that from her best friend, but everyone needs their time to heal and grab a hold of their life.

"Roxy, I know what you're feeling," Bloom tried again but Aisha cut her off by grabbing Bloom's hand.
"Not now Bloom," Aisha spoke in a soft voice. "she's too upset."
"Plus we have something worse to think of right now," Flora said. "the Wizards are probably right now looking for us."
"Yeah the boys probably can't fight them on their own," Musa agreeded.
Stella nodded and looked over at Bloom with a smile. "You stay here with Roxy and Klaus, we take care of those Fairy Hunters"

Bloom nodded and the rest of the girls flew up.
"If we split we will find them quicker," Tecna said. "if we find one of the boys then they are most likely near the Wizards."
"Shoot a red spell if you guys need help," Flora said before she headed towards the forest.

They all splitted and Stella flew first over the park. Perhaps not the best first place to look but it was worth it to see if there were any of the wizards there. Stella flew over the Love and Pet shop, flew over the galleria but nothing. More and more people appeared on the streets, more cars and more noises. Stella fought to not lose the strength, being up all night and had the transformation for this long is tough.
"Stella!"
Stella blinked to realize someone had shouted her name and looked to her side, it was Musa.
"Any luck?" Stella asked.
"No, I guess you haven't seen the Wizards either," she flew up next to Stella.
"Then we continued to look," Stella flew towards the center but felt she was followed, she looked back at Musa who was right after her.
"Hey Stella?" Musa flew next to her at the same speed. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Stella raised her eyebrow.
"For how I have treated you lately. That I have laid unnecessary comments towards you and ignored when you spoke out to me about Brandon."
"Oh."
"Stella listen," Musa stopped and Stella did it as well. "I know it is bad timing to discuss this, but I felt jealous."
"Wait, what?" Stella felt lost. Musa was jealous of her?
"You and Brandon. . . have never fought before, have never struggled. Me and Riven? It feels like an always fight and always a losing battle. So when you and Brandon are fighting now, I feel jealous because it's your first one. And I thought how lucky you are to have one fight, while I and Riven have. . . countless fights."
Stella's face dropped to a frown. "No, I totally understand."
More than Musa knew. Stella was jealous of Aisha, but she never thought that the others, especially Musa, would also feel jealous.
"It's okay though," Stella spoke and smiled softly. "I think we all had a bad time on earth."
"But it wasn't okay for me to treat you like that," Musa continued. "So I want to say I'm sorry. For real. If you ever have any more troubles, I will listen and not be rude to you."
Stella put her hand on Musa's shoulder and gave a smile.
"Thank you, but we can probably discuss more about it later."

"You're right," Musa grinned and followed along to fly with Stella. "This is more important. I hope the others are okay."
"They are," Stella assured Musa. "we're Winx after all."
Musa nodded but right after she pointed down. "Look! Gantlos!"
"And that looks like our boyfriends," Stella followed where Musa had pointed.
Riven's hair is hard to miss, and the only one of the boys that has brown hair is Brandon. Stella and Musa hurried down when Gantlos used a spell that made Brandon and Riven fly backwards away from the street. Riven had luck to end up by the pile of sand but they never saw where Brandon went.
"Not bad Gantlos," Musa shouted when they arrived.
Gantlos turned back at them and was ready to attack.
"But your soundic waves are nothing compared to mine," Musa held up her hands quickly. "stereo crash!"
Gantlos held up his arm in defens but he still backed up. This was it, their powers are getting stronger!
"Hey Wizard," Stella snickers. "put your sunglasses on, you're gonna need them."
Gantlos took down his arm and growled but had no time to protect himself again this time. "Universe of light!"
Gantlos let out an awful sound of pain and fell to his knees.
"My eyes!" he shouted as he covered them and some tears fell down.
"Oh please," Stella flew down to the ground with Musa. "you're eyes are the least of your problems. A little piece of advice, change your styling!"

Musa let out a giggle and they high fived each other.
"Great job Stella!"
Stella towards the voice and it was Brandon who had returned. His big smile and eyes shined and he made thumbs up.
"Brandon, you're okay!" Stella hurried over to Brandon and Musa went over to Riven to help him up from the pile of sand.
"You thought a little bit of magic would hurt me?" he laughed and he opened his arms up when Stella came over to hug him.
Stella held hard to Brandon and felt his arms wrapped around her waist. "I just didn't see where you went and thought you had hurt yourself."
"I'm fine Stella, don't worry," Brandon let go of the hug and Stella looked up on him. He had a serious look now. "are you guys alright? Is Roxy safe with you?"
"Don't worry," Stella said. "she's in a safe place with Bloom."
She glanced behind when she heard Gantlos groaned, better not tell where Roxy is while he is too close to them.
"Then we better hurry over to her," Brandon said, grabbing Stella's hand. "before Ogron finds her."
Stella nodded and was about to change her wings to teleport wings but then she heard a similar voice.

"STOP!"
Stella looked behind Brandon and saw. . . Brandon?!
"Don't listen to him!" Brandon who just arrived said and held up his sword. "It's Duman, he tries to lure you guys to Bloom so he can take the White Circle!"
Stella's eyes were big and she let go of Brandon's hand that she held. Her heart started to race, understanding what was going on. No. Which one is Duman?
"You look good with your sword," Brandon, who stood next to Stella grabbed his sword. "but let's see if you're good with it as you're with your mouth!"
The two of them jumped against each other, both swinging with their swords. Each time closer to hurt the other one.
"Riven," Musa shook Riven. "do something! We have to help him!"
"Which one do we help? They're identical, it's impossible to tell them apart!"
And it was true, the longer Stella looked, the harder it was to tell them apart. Every inch, every hair, there was no way she would be able to tell just by the looks who was Brandon. The swings from the swords became more gruesome and violent, closer to cut the other one.
"Looks like Brandon is on his own," Riven continued.

Right then, one of the Brandon's was pushed down to the ground, his sword flew away. The other Brandon put his foot on the other Brandon's chest, ready for one last swing.
"NO! Stop!"
Stella rushed over and the both of the two looked at her. Pausing in their action. Her heart dropped as she felt it was now down on her, to save Brandon. To save Duman.
"Stella, please help me," the Brandon on the ground said.
"No wait," Brandon, who stood up, lowered his sword and looked at Stella. "I'm the real one, believe me! It's the truth!"
"He is lying Stella, he is the one after the White Circle!"
"I'm not the fake one! He is!"
In Stella's hand she prepared her spell. Not a harmful one. But being able to knock the other one out. And if she takes the wrong one, Duman will find Roxy and the wizards will win.
"Stella, I'm sorry for how I have been these past days," Brandon who stood up stepped away and started to walk a little bit towards Stella. "it was all a misunderstood–"
"I'm sorry I left you yesterday!"

Stella gasped as she took a step back. No. Musa held her hand over her mouth after realising what was going on. Both of these Brandon knew the trouble of their relationship.
"Wha– How the hell do you know it?!" Brandon who was closest to Stella asked.
"She's my girlfriend! You are the fake one!" the other Brandon crawled up to his feet. "Stella, I'm sorry I left you yesterday. It was dumb of me to just leave you there at the dumpster when we clearly weren't done with our talk. I know how sad you were and I shouldn't–"
"Stella," the other one cut off. "he spied on us yesterday! He doesn't know anything about us!"
"I would never cheat on you Stella!"
"Stay away from my girlfriend," the Brandon closest to Stella rose up his sword again. "you don't know anything about us and our relationship! You try to tear us apart right now!"
"If it is anyone who tries to tear us apart, it's you, Casanova!"

Casanova.
"Solar Storm!" Stella shouted and shot at Brandon who was without a sword.
Duman had realised his big mistake. He took a big jump and in the mid air and revealed himself. That's when Brandon took his chance to punch Duman hard enough for him to fall to the ground. That was a close call. Stella thought to herself.
"I never doubted you for a second," Brandon said and went over to Stella.
"Liar," Stella just snickers at him.
But inside she was still in shock. She has revealed more about herself to Duman than she had thought. If it weren't for Duman's mistake, she would have actually shot Brandon.

But before Brandon could say anything, a big wave of shock came at them two. Stella flew away with that unexpected attack, hitting first at the wall to then fall to the ground. It spun in her head when she pushed herself up. Of course she had forgotten that Gantlos was around them.
She looked up and saw Riven going for a solo attack. Slowly she sat up, the head was spinning too much. She took the help of the wall to be able to stand up.

Riven was knocked out and when Stella flew again for an attack, another shock wave came from Gantlos and she flew back. She was exhausted. They wouldn't be able to hold them off longer soon. Her back was against the wall as she saw Riven also was down, so was Brandon. Musa went on her own now with Gantlos. But right then was a loud thunder heard and Stella looked up at the sky. It seemed that everyone did it. A thunderstorm, but it wasn't a regular one, it was one filled with magic. And they were not the only one who noticed it, all the people did. The lightning was shooting down at the people and they panicked.
"It must be Ogron who does it," Brandon groaned as he looked up at the sky.
"Musa," Riven ran up next to Musa. "it's dangerous here, let's get back to the group!"
"Okay, expect one thing," Musa gave a smile. "you're on the wrong team!"

And as she shot, Duman revealed himself and was hit against the wall.
"Nice try," Stella said underneath her breath.
Gantlos had already gone over to Duman and after some seconds they were off.
"I say we follow them," Brandon was quick on his feet again.
Stella nodded and tried to stand up, hearing Musa and Riven talking but then she felt Brandon's hands around her. Helping her to stand up.
"Are you okay?" he asked. "Does it hurt badly?"
"I'm okay," Stella assured him. "I think my legs are just shaky."
Musa approcheated them and took Stellas arm over her shoulder so Stella could lean on her. "You guys run before us, we will just be behind you."
"Right," Brandon nodded and they put out their floating hoverboards again to follow Gantlos and Duman. "we make sure they won't hurt others."
Both Brandon and Riven were fast away and Musa looked worried at Stella.
"How are you feeling?"
"It's just the legs, I will be able to stand–"
"Not about that! Duman seemed to know about you and Brandon had fought. Stella I don't want to seem snooping, but did he talk about Brandon leaving you yesterday?"

Stella looked at the ground and sighed. Today was not her day.
"We had a fight yesterday," Stella looked back up at Musa. "and before we were done, he had to go back to work and left me alone."
"Stella, I'm so sorry. But worst of all that Duman knew about it! He used that against you! You were really lucky to pick out which one of them was Duman. How did you do that?"
"Um," Stella just shook her head. "lucky guess?"
A loud train noise was heard and the thunders seemed to be more violent. "I would love to chit chat but I think the others need us!"

Both Musa and Stella took their Teleport Wings and made it to the Train Station. The whole train station was shaking and people had panic. Musa let go off of Stella.
"I'll try with my magic to stop this earthquake," she said before flying off.
Stella looked around and saw Roxy. But she was surrendered by Anagan and Duman, but Roxy hadn't noticed Duman was behind her. Stella gasped and flew over, landing between Roxy and Duman. But her left foot was in pain, the landing made her groan out in pain and standing in a rather awkward position to make sure to not lean on her left side.
"Oh so you're hurt," Duman commented, it didn't sound mocking and neither his face showed he mocked her.
"I have been hurt worse," Stella held up her right arm and made a shield. "Double Clips!"
"I don't want to hurt you, not like this," Duman closed his eyes and–

And nothing. He was rather shocked that nothing happened. Looking frustrated.
"What?!" Duman let out and looked down on his body.
"And here!" shouthed Roxy and stood next to Stella to shoot a spell at Duman.
Stella was confused and glanced behind, Anagan was crawling back on all on his four, Roxy had cast a spell at him and had taken him down. Duman let out a groan as he fell before them two girls. Stella held her hand up to stop Roxy to shoot another spell.
"He is already hurt," Stella looked at her. "something happened to them."

Roxy helped Stella with walking and Duman was quick to get back to the other Wizards. Roxy and Stella stood near Klaus and the other people who had calmed down, thanks to Bloom with opening hearts of courage.
"Why am I feeling so weak?" Ogron groaned when Gantlos helped him up.
"Ogron what's happening?" Anagan asked out in pain.
"I can't even transform," Stella heard Duman say.
"That's right," Bloom shouted. "it is people who are starting to believe in fairies again! Your powers get weaker the more they believe in us. ArrowFlame!"

The Wizards covered themselves, ready for the hit. But before it hit them, they were able to transform away. It was silent for a few seconds before people shouted in cheers. Everyone threw up their hands in joy and hugged each other. Stella smiled but then she felt she was going fast down to the ground.
"Woah!" both Stella and Roxy let out.
Stella landed over on Roxy and Stella was quick to sit up. Roxy had transformed back to her normal self. She laid her hand on her head and let out a sigh.
"Sorry Stella, I wasn't ready for that to happen."
"It is okay Roxy," Stella gave a smile and put her hand on Roxy's shoulder. "you have been in your fairy form the whole night! Of course it went away with that sudden, you made yourself exhausted without knowing it."
"Oh," Roxy said but she still had a smile. "you saw I took them down right?!"
"I saw, you did amazing Roxy!"

The other girls gathered around them. Aisha looked sweaty, while Tecna was covered in dust, and Flora in dirt.
"I guess you all met the wizards," Stella joked.
"We happened to pass by them," Aisha laughed and helped Stella up.
Flora looked over at Artu that was over on the bench and she went over to him. When Roxy saw that, she hurried herself over there with Klaus close behind her.
"Don't worry Roxy," Flora smiled at her. "he will just be fine. With a little bit of help from magic. Flora Enchantix!"
Flora transformed to her Enchantix Form and smiled. "Fairy Dust is the best treatment to get an animal on its legs again."
She poured the Fairy Dust all over Artu. Roxy leaned closer to Artu, soon he opened his eyes slowly. He stretched himself and was up on his legs, tongue out and his tail went forth and back. Happy as ever.
"Artu! You're okay!" Roxy hugged Artu and he let out a bark of happiness. "Thank you Flora! You saved him!"
Klaus held his hands over Roxy's shoulders and looked at all of the fairies. "I think I need an explanation, because my head seems to not be able to comprehend what just happened!"
"Then I suggest we get back home," Bloom said. "there we can talk more about your daughter."
"Hey, Flora," Stella waved at her. "are you able to fix my foot while you're on the Fairy Dust give away?"

. . .

"How's your foot?"
"Oh it is better," Stella looked down on her foot as they walked. "Flora made it all better."
Stella walked with Brandon around the city, it was dawn and the whole day had gone to explaining everything to Klaus about fairies. Roxy had apologised for how she behaved towards Bloom and Bloom accepted the apology. They discussed that it is never easy to be a fairy, hard to not try to be selfish and always be there for others. But Roxy also said she saw a woman speaking with her when she put the White Circle on her finger. Tecna suggested they would give it to Miss Faragonda the next time they speak with her, trying to understand what is up with the ring. The rest of the day Stella had slept.
"That's good," Brandon nodded. "and other than that?"
"Um," Stella gave a shrug and looked somewhere else while they walked. "tired, it has been intense these two days."
"I understand that. But I was thinking more with the fight. You know, between me and Duman."
"Why?" Stella looked now over at him. "Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine. But rather concerned. He must have spied on us after. . . you know."
"The discussion that we never brought up again after you left me?"
"Stella," Brandon sighed. "I thought we were clear that Mitzi has been following me. I don't love her or cheat on you with her."

"No we were never clear on that," Stella stopped in her footsteps. "it is not only about Mitzi either, Brandon. When you work you always flirt with the customers. And only the girl customers."
Brandon stopped too some steps away from her. He looked up towards the sky as he was looking for words.
"I am just trying to give a good service," Brandon looked back down and put his hands in his pants. "I didn't think they would come off as flirty comments."
"Well they do," Stella crossed her arms. "it really brings extra eyes on you when you do that."
"I'm sorry if that's how it comes off Stella," Brandon said. "I didn't think of it."
"Can you please think of it then? Especially when you will work tonight?"
"I will," he smiled and went closer to Stella. "from now on I will think about my comments."
Stella smiled back at that and Brandon held out his arms to hug Stella, laying his arms over her shoulder as he pulled her close to him.
He left a soft kiss on her lips, telling her to be safe while she walked back home before he went over to the work. Stella smiled and waved happily when he walked away but her smile faded and she put her hands in the pocket of her coat.

They had been close to the park while walking and she went over there. If it had been someone else in her shoes, they would've walked home. But Stella isn't someone who listens to others suggestions when she is upset.
She sat down on the bench, yes, that one bench she has met Duman by. She had a piece of her mind she wanted to share, since he is so open to listen to her and give advice.

And she waited. Waited and waited. She looked on her phone, closer to midnight now than last time she picked up her phone. She had been sitting there for two hours. Wasn't he supposed to arrive?
Why would he come? I haven't showed up here for at least a week. He won't probably come.

All her anger she had inside her, all that she would shoot at Duman, scold him off, threaten him, make sure that he stays away, was all gone. She was rather numb now. Wasn't she supposed to stay away from Duman? After the first night and second night she met him, she should've left him. She should have transformed to a fairy and fought him. So why hadn't she done it? Something with Duman was different, that was for sure.
Different as in ripping wings off fairies– then why do I want to meet him?
Stella stood slowly up, glancing at the bench before starting to walk slowly away.

"Leaving so soon?"
Stella stopped in her tracks. Didn't turn around. She knew it was Duman. She crossed her arms.
"You seemed busy tonight to come," Stella answered. "so I thought of leaving."
"I apologise for my late arrival," Duman's voice was different, low and weak. "I still can't transform properly after what you guys did with the people."
"It doesn't matter," Stella snorted, ignoring his apology. "we two don't really have a meeting point here anyway."
"Of course."

It went silent and Stella's heart was racing. Feeling Duman looking at her. He stood some feet away from her but it still felt too close to her.
"Was it you that I–"
"Yes," Duman cut off her.
He knew what her question was and Stella could feel how it burned behind her eyelids. It was Duman she had hugged when he pretended to be Brandon.
"And you spied on us," Stella spitted out between her teeth, eyes down on the ground.
"As I have said, I spy on all of you–"
"No," Stella spun around, looking straight at Duman.
He looked tired, he held his right arm around his chest. It was there Roxy had shot at him. His face had a bruise, there Brandon had hit him. "No you spied on me! I was nowhere near Roxy or any of the other girls! You want to ruin my relationship with Brandon, don't you?!"
"Oh here we go again," Duman rolled his eyes. "my fault there, my fault here. I didn't do a damn shit between you two! Ever thought about that it wasn't I who did nothing?"

Duman turned around and strolled over to the bench. Groaned as he sat down. Stella wanted to say that it was indeed his fault, his fault that Brandon is flirting with Mitzi, flirting with the other girls, his fault that they were fighting.
"I know," Stella mumbled.
Duman seemed to have heard that, he looked up on her. A concerned look on her.
"But I want it to be your fault," Stella continued.
"So there is something to blame on," Duman replied low. "you don't want to think it is him who has done something wrong, but rather us."
"Yes," a whisper was only heard from Stella. "because it would be easier."
Stella's feet dragged themselves to the bench and she sat down next to Duman. Her eyes were getting stingy, really trying to block the tears to roll down. She leaned back on the bench and sighed with a shaky voice as she stared at her knees. Blinking unusually many times.
"But I don't want him to leave," she heard her voice crack. "he. . . he has always been there for me. Especially last year when everything went shit. Isn't it supposed to be us until the end? After everything?"
"Wouldn't that be too good to be true?" Duman asked.
"Perhaps. But, it is just– I don't–"

Stella closed her eyes, feeling the tears going down her cheeks, feeling her throat swelling up when she spoke, nose getting stuffed. She held up her left hand to cover her face from Duman, he shouldn't see her like this.
"It's okay," Duman whispered. "I'm not in a hurry. But after you are done, it is my turn to cry."
Stella let out a chuckle but it sounded more like a sob sound and it made her smile fade fast away. The tears reached her mouth and she could taste the salt from her own tears. She sniffed, not trying to sob too much. Duman sat there silently.
When Stella opened her eyes, she could see his skirt and shoes next to her. She still held her hand up, trying to breath normally. For how long she sat like that, she couldn't tell but for her it felt just a few minutes.
Duman didn't hold Stella or hugged her, she didn't know if she should feel revealed or sad that she didn't get the physical comfort from him. After getting a hold of her breath and no more tears coming, Stella took down her hand. She knows how she looks after she has cried, eyes red and puffy, exhausted, mascara that are smudged to her eyes. She felt Duman staring at her but now she didn't mind it. She snorted with a little smile and shook her head.
"What? Are we supposed to laugh now?"
"No," Stella said low and sniffed, still having a smile. "it just– I usually never cry over boys."
"That would be a disaster to cry about," Duman answered and Stella could hear the small joy in his voice.

"Anyway," Stella let out a heavy sigh. "I think life would just be more simple if it was just me and Brandon for the rest of our lives. Not needing to worry that I may end up alone, worrying that nothing will feel like home."
She glanced at Duman and he nodded. "I don't want to end up like my parents. I want to have a… stable future."
"Then you picked the wrong career with being a hero," Duman said and Stella couldn't help but to smile at that.
"I haven't planned to be a hero, I'm a princess. But I want to be a designer."
"Oh really?" Duman had his cooky voice. "I could never tell, you only go around and shop for clothes what I have seen, and aren't you the one who decided what the other girls should wear?"
"They love it," Stella held up her finger towards him, a little smirk on her face when she said it. "and I bet I could make you the most fashionable man ever walking on this earth."
"Ah, you wouldn't dare to touch my outfit. I happen to love this style a lot."
"Is that why you haven't changed yourself in thousands of years?"

"Why change? I'm already gorgeous."
Stella leaned back and rolled her eyes. "If you say so."
"Sun fairy," Duman said and turned his body towards her, his right side leaned on the backrest, his right knee rested as well on the bench. "if I just summed up what you have said, you don't want love to be complicated. You want it to go smooth. Now when you have been with Casanova so long, through everything, you don't want to think no one else would understand you. And won't even reach the level of the emotional struggle you two have gone through. But, does that matter if you are constantly worried he will leave you for someone else?"
Her heart dropped and as she stared at Duman. His yellow eyes were a bit darker now in the night time. It was like Duman had answered a bit of her mind. Stella thought no one else would replace Brandon because of. . . everything.
From seeing Brandon being forced to marry, Stella's father being possessed by Valtor's mark, he abandoned her, she turned into a monster. No one else would be able to understand it.

"No," she whispered, not breaking eye contact. "it shouldn't matter."
"But it is hard to leave him," Duman just nodded and broke eye contact and looked out to the rest of the park.
Duman looked like himself, talked like himself. No. He spoke like somebody else, this isn't the fairy hunter. The fairy hunter was like a cloak he wore in the daytime, but here, in the park, it was somebody else.
Stella realised she had held her breath for the entire time. She quickly looked somewhere else as she inhaled air.
"When are you going to use this against me?" Stella asked. "When will you turn to Brandon and pretend you're him?"
Duman gave a shrug and dragged his fingers through his hair. "Well, not for a while at least, I still can't transform."
"What a bad excuse. But you still spied on us."
"I did, what are you going to do about it?"
"I just wonder why you happen to spy on me. Am I the weakest link?"
"Perhaps it is coincident that I spy on you and then meet you here at night."
"You could just use this as an opportunity to get info out of me."
"Then on the first night I would have demanded to know where the white circle is, right?"
Duman made a point. He hasn't asked about the white circle or where the others are when she has met him alone. Duman only asked that when it was actually a mission against them, like yesterday at the bar when he was Klaus.

"But you pretended to be Brandon to get to Roxy though."
"Wasn't that a great plan?" Duman grinned a little bit at Stella, she just shook her head.
"You're a bastard," she sighed heavily. "you really sounded like Brandon too, that was the worst part."
"Then I'm making my part quite alright," Duman seemed wanting to nudge at Stella but he just took his arm quickly to his cheek to scratch it. "or is it he who makes a bad boyfriend?"
"No comments on that," Stella stroked her pinkie finger near her eye and looked down on it to see black, smudged, mascara. "have you ever thought about stopping being the bad one?"
"What," Duman put his hand where his heart was supposed to be and improvised a shocking face towards Stella. "me? The bad one? You gotta be kidding!"
"On a serious note," Stella glanced at him. "why are you doing this–"

Stella was cut off when she heard her phone ringing in her coat pocket. She picked up her vibrating phone and looked who was calling. Bloom.
"Hey," Stella answered.
"Stella! Thank goodness!" she heard Bloom on the other side. "Where are you?! You haven't answered any of our texts!"
"Oh sorry," Stella said and stood up. "I'm in the park so I guess it is bad service here, I haven't got any texts."
"Are you alright? What are you doing in the park this late? Do you want me to come and pick you up?"
"No no," Stella replied fast. "everything is fine, I just lost the time, that's all! I start to walk home right away!"
"I meet you halfway, and no expectations, Stella you know how dangerous it is, especially with the wizards!"
"I know, I know. I'm walking right now! I'll see you soon!"
"Call me as fast if something happens," Bloom said before hanging up.
Stella felt her heart race, their apartment is not far at all from the park and if she was seen with Duman–
"Right," Duman got up from the bench. "I guess we'll meet each other another time then."
"So you won't tell me why you have hurt fairies for centuries and tortured them?" Stella asked and looked up at him.
"No," Duman said but then he had a smirk on his face. "unless you apologise."
"Excuse me?" Stella chuckled. "I apologise?"
"Well you have put all the blame on me for ruining the relationship between you and Casanova. So it is only fair I get an apology."
"For everything you've–"
"Only," Duman held up his finger to stop Stella. "for blaming me about your troubled love life."
Stella muttered as she crossed her arms. She doesn't like to apologise when she is wrong, especially when it is the foe she apologises to.
"Fine, if you say so," Stella said.
Duman looked at Stella and gestured with his hand that she should begin to speak her words. She rolled with her eyes. "I'm sorry for blaming you."
"Hm," Duman put his finger to his chin and thought before he shrugged. "apology not accepted."
"What?!"
"It didn't sound like you meant it," Duman said and turned around. "but you have fun tonight, tell the red haired girl I said hi."
"Looks like you have a nickname for all of us," Stella mumbled.
"Bye," Duman waved with the back of his hand and started to walk away.
Stella looked at him slowly walking away. She felt her body becoming heavier when she knew that he did actually need an apology. "I am sorry. Truly. I know it was selfish of me to put the blame on you."
Duman stopped in his tracks while Stella continued. "In my head it was easier to put the blame on someone else which isn't right either. So, I'm sorry Duman for blaming you."
Duman turned around and it looked like he had a genuine smile on his face.

"Stella!"
Both Stella and Duman looked towards where they heard the voice. It was faint shouting but it was no doubt it was Bloom looking for Stella. Duman started to slowly walk away but this time, Stella took quick steps towards him and took a hold of his wrist to make him not leave yet.
"Well," Stella looked up on him, he looked down on her hand, holding him in place. "will you tell me? Why did you hurt them?"
"Would you even be capable of listening to someone else?" he mocked.
"Stella!" the voice was getting clearer and Stella saw how Duman wanted to leave, before Bloom would come. He wouldn't be able to fight in this stage.
"I want to hear it," Stella said. "all of it."
Duman looked at the direction where Bloom was supposed to be, looking worryingly but then he nodded. "Fine, I'll tell you. Until next time, Sun Fairy."
Stella let go of him and he quickly walked towards the forest of the park, to hide or to vanish, Stella didn't know. She quickly made the spell to clean up her face so it wouldn't look too messy.

"Stella!" Bloom was now behind Stella and Stella turned around. Bloom rushed forward and had a smile on her face, revealed that she found her friend. "Gosh, you are such a slowpoke, did you even walk– but Stella what's wrong?"
Bloom saw Stella's eyes were red and that her dress had stains of teardrops on it.
"What makes you ask that?" Stella asked tiredly.
"Have you been crying?"
Stella was silent for a bit before she responded. "I happen to be allergic to bitches. Brandon and I talked earlier, and I just hope he stops being around with Mitzy."
Bloom wrapped her arms around Stella, giving a warm comforting hug.
"He will Stella," Bloom whispered. "don't worry about it. Just remember that I'm here for you, no matter what."
Stella hugged tight back to Bloom, smiling afterward for her friend's comfort. Now Stella knows why she seeks to meet Duman.

He is the only one who listens to her. Who understands her mind.