Author's Notes (Disclaimer): I don't own Kingdom Hearts nor Winx Club. They are owned by Tetsuya Nomura and Iginio Straffi!
Chapter 2 – The Preparation.
Bloom's eyes snapped opened as she awoke to see the bright blue sky and the sun glaring at her. Was she sleeping on the beach the whole time? Not a good sign…
The orange-reddish haired girl yawned and stretched her arms. She got up slowly and removed the sand from her sandals and jeans.
"Ugh… I knew I should have gotten some more sleep last night." Bloom stretched her arms yet again.
How long had Bloom been sleeping on the beach? Judging from the peaceful weather and the blue sky… it was no doubt somewhere in the early afternoon.
Bloom sat down on the beach and sighed – where exactly were her two friends Flora and Stella and why didn't they wake her up? Maybe they wanted to leave her on the sandy beach as a form of punishment for being a slacker and not getting enough sleep?
Bloom couldn't help but smile at that joke a little bit. "Guess I am a little bit of a slacker…" She admitted to herself.
Just then, she heard a small giggle from behind her. "I had a funny feeling that I would find you here, Bloomy."
Bloom turned around and came face to face with one of her best friends – Stella. She easily recognized the blonde's voice along with the nickname that the orange-red haired girl always found embarrassing: Bloomy.
The golden-blonde haired girl was dressed in her usual green halter top and an orange skirt. Green sandals with sunflowers donned on her feet while a purple headband was located in her hair.
"Hey, Stel. Where were you and Flora and why didn't you wake me up?" Bloom asked while Stella sat down next to her and smiled.
"Cause it's your fault, you dolt. That's what you get for not getting enough sleep last night, Bloomy!" She replied.
Bloom gave her a fake glare, which then became a small smile. She was lucky to have such an amazing friend like Stella…
Bloom and Stella had been best friends since childhood and were inseparable – studying, playing and chatting together. It was a close friendship that the two girls had…
Then one day, a mysterious girl washed on the shores of Gardenia Island… her name was Flora – a shy and caring person from an unknown world. When she arrived on the island, she had no recollection of her past or where she came from. All Flora knew was her name…
After she was adopted by the mayor of Gardenia Island, Stella was the first person to become friends with her and then came Bloom's turn to introduce herself to Flora.
Over the years, the three girls became inseparable and often played different games on the play island. It was such a peaceful childhood…
One day, however – Flora started getting curious on where she came from and what her old life was like. Even though Gardenia Island was her home now and she loved it alongside her friends and adopted parents, the tanned skinned girl couldn't help but think that something was missing from her life…
So, she started thinking of different ideas to leave Gardenia Island… soon, her two best friends became involved. Bloom also wanted to leave her home due to wanting adventure and seeing the outside worlds… As for Stella, she wanted the same but was more dedicated to the idea than Flora and Bloom because Gardenia Island had become "like a prison" according to her.
So, now… here we were. In the present during summer vacation. Flora still didn't think of any ideas on how to leave Gardenia Island, but Stella encouraged her not to give up. They would find a way out…
But they wouldn't do it fast enough if Bloom insisted to remain a lazy slacker and a dolt. Speaking of her, a question was on Stella's mind.
"Bloom, did you have any dreams whilst you were taking your nap?" The blonde asked.
Bloom nodded. "Yea, it was a strange one… first, I had to choose a bunch of weapons. Then I was ordered by a mysterious voice to defeat a couple of monsters with yellow eyes and antennas. Next thing, I find myself on the island where you, Flora and a third girl ask me questions." She explained.
Stella was surprised by the mention of her and Flora on their island. "Why were Flora and I on the island? Who's the third girl and why would we ask you questions?" Bloom gave a shrug – she also had no clue why Flora, Stella and the third girl would ask her questions. A strange dream indeed…
"…Anyways, the last thing I had to do was face an evil clone of myself with yellow eyes. It was the scariest thing ever, Stel… In the end, the darkness consumed me and I woke up." She finished explaining as she shivered in fear.
Stella hugged her and smiled. "Don't worry, hun. It was just a dream… the darkness will never consume you. Nothing bad will ever happen… not if I have anything to say about it." She declared with a brave look on her face.
Bloom smiled at her friend – Stella always knew how to comfort her. It was one of the reasons she admired and love the company of the blonde.
Although neither wanted to admit it, Stella and Bloom cared deeply for each other. They never fought or lied to each other about stuff and such… their friendship was one of sister-like figures or maybe more. Granted, there was an occasional teasing or jealous moment sometimes, but nothing too serious. Bloom and Stella were convinced that they would remain best friends forever and nothing would ruin their happiness.
Stella let go of Bloom and stood up. "Girl, now that you've woken up… It's time we get down to why I had to find you. I think Flora has found a way to leave Gardenia Island." This information surprised Bloom a lot – Flora and her friends tried many ideas on how to get off their home world and see the rest of the worlds, but they were unsuccessful. What kind of plan would allow them to leave the island this time?
Bloom stood up and wiped the sand away from her jeans. "So, what kind of plan is on Flora's mind right now?" She asked, but Stella shrugged.
"No idea. She wanted to keep it a surprise until you and I come. We'd best go and see her. Wanna race?" She asked with a grin.
Bloom nodded with a smile of her own – racing was one of the games she and Stella used to play during their childhood.
"You're on! Where's the finish line?" Bloom asked as she got into position.
"At the Cove Obstacle Run where Flora is. You ready?" Stella got into position as well.
"Only if you are!" Bloom took a deep breath…
Stella grinned. "Three, two, one… GO!" She yelled and both girls started running towards the Obstacle Run where Flora would be.
(Meanwhile at the Obstacle Run…)
Sitting on the beach and reviewing a couple of notes with a smile on her face was the 16-year old Flora – the third friend of Stella and Bloom. She was wearing her usual green midriff, off-the-shoulder top with puffy sleeves and fuchsia colored faux wrap short skirt decorated with strawberries. On her hands, there were two sets of yellow bangle bracelets on each arm while fuchsia colored platform sandals adorned her feet.
She was a shy yet caring person especially towards her friends Bloom and Stella. Flora was also a lover of plants and vegetation… her room in her adoptive parents' house was often filled with different types of flowers – it was like a miniature garden.
Currently, she was sitting on the beach researching some notes for ideas on how to leave the island whilst waiting for Bloom and Stella. Flora knew that the orange-red haired girl was a heavy sleeper so it made sense that she would be on the play island. However, the tanned skinned girl didn't want to wake Bloom up since it would be rude to do so…
Flora was still reading her notes when she heard heavy breaths and footsteps. Turning around, she saw that Bloom and Stella were having a little race as usual…
"Bloom! Stella! Over here!" Flora waved to the two girls who were running.
At the end, Bloom managed to be the first person to reach Flora although she was out of air – a lot. The second place went to Stella who landed face-first into the sand.
"You… cheated… Bloomy…" Stella told her whilst her face was in the sand. Flora rolled her eyes and smiled at her best friends – sometimes they acted like complete children…
"No… you… didn't… play… fair… Stel…" Bloom said whilst taking deep breaths.
Flora looked at Bloom with a smile on her face. "How was your nap, Bloom?" She asked.
Bloom scratched the back of her head and smiled sheepishly at Flora. "Sorry, Flo… didn't get much sleep last night. Anyways… Stella said that you've finally discovered a way to get off Gardenia Island. Is that true?" The orange-red haired girl asked and Flora nodded.
"Yes… I have. Now, keep in mind that it will be very difficult and possibly dangerous." Flora explained while Bloom sat down next to her.
Stella raised her face from the sand to look at Flora. "How dangerous exactly are we talking about?" She asked.
"Very dangerous… however, if we pull it off right – we can finally leave the island." She explained.
Bloom and Stella looked at each other with uneasy looks on their faces – what kind of plan was on Flora's mind and how dangerous would it be?
"Flora… are you sure that this is the only way we can leave the island? Isn't there any less dangerous alternative?" Bloom asked.
Flora shook her head. "It's the only way, I'm afraid…" She replied.
"Flo, maybe you should tell us first before we decide on the idea." Stella said.
Flora gave her a nod – it was a good idea to inform them on her plan before they could agree to it.
"Well… girls. We've tried so many ideas on how to get off Gardenia Island, right?" Flora asked with her two best friends nodding. "We've tried making a raft and that didn't work… next, we tried using scuba diving gear and swim in the water… but that was a bust as well. The rest of my ideas I won't even mention. I believe that this one however is the only way to get off our home and explore the outside worlds." She finished.
Stella turned around, placed her hands behind her head and was relaxing in the sand.
"Alright, Flo… tell us what is this full-proof plan to get us off Gardenia Island." Stella told her.
Flora took a deep breath and spoke up. "Girls, are you familiar with the legend of the Twilight Wish?" She asked.
"Isn't that just an old fairy tale?" Bloom asked.
Flora nodded. "Yes, it is… but it might be real. Anyways, the legend goes that three friends used to live on Gardenia Island with a wish to one day leave and visit the outside worlds. So, they performed a ritual of sorts on the night of the Falling Stars. People say that the wish of the three friends became true… or so it is said." She explained.
Bloom and Stella looked at each other with worried and confused looks on their faces – had Flora lost her mind? The Twilight Wish legend wasn't real! It was just an old story that parents liked to tell their children so they could go to bed.
"Flo… no offense, but that has got to be a joke. I mean… the Twilight Wish is just an old legend. It can't be real, hun. I'm sorry, but we have to scrap this idea…" Stella said to which Bloom nodded as well.
"I agree with Stel, Flora… the idea of using the Twilight Wish is a joke. Some other friends of ours tried it one time during the night of the Falling Stars… it didn't work. They still remained on the play island." Bloom explained.
Flora sighed in defeat – well, so much for the idea of using the Twilight Wish… it might have possibly been the only way for the three girls to leave the island at last. Still, Bloom and Stella were no doubt right – the Twilight Wish was just an old legend after all. It couldn't be real… could it?
Bloom noticed the sad look on Flora's and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't be sad, Flo… This isn't the end. I'm sure we'll find a way to get off Gardenia Island someday. Tell you what… why don't the three of us go camping on the play island? That way we can watch the Falling Stars event that is tonight and come up with some ideas while we wait. What do you say?" The orange-red haired girl asked.
Flora smiled at Bloom's suggestion and nodded – camping was fun and plus they could come up with new plans to leave Gardenia Island. It was a good idea!
"Sure, Bloom. It sounds fun to camp out here. In fact…" Flora got up and dusted the sand off her skirt and sandals. "I'm gonna head back on the main island to ask my mother if we can camp out for the night. Plus, I need to gather some supplies."
"I'm all up for this camping idea as well, girls. I need to go and gather my stuff as well. Come on, Flo." Stella got up and dusted the sand off her.
Flora and Stella both took off to the docks and Bloom waved goodbye to them. She was alone on the play island yet again…
The orange-red haired girl looked out into the sea and sighed. There had to be some way to get off their island and explore the outside worlds… a raft was out of the question because the girls didn't know how stable it would be. Scuba diving as well or swimming was not an option. Flora's idea of the Twilight Wish was not going to work because it was just an old legend. So, what could they do?
"There has to be a way to get off this island… there has to be…" Bloom said to herself with a sad look on her face.
Ever since she first heard it from Flora, Bloom had been often curious on what kind of worlds were out there in the universe. Would she and her friends ever find out one day? Would she explore the outside worlds? Would she-
Suddenly, Bloom heard footstep from behind her. At first, she assumed it was either Flora or Stella coming back with their backpacks…
…when she turned around however, she was in for a surprise – it was a unknown person wearing a purple cloak with the hood raised to cover up the user's face, purple pants, gloves and boots. There was a silver zipper in the middle and two braided pull strings.
Bloom had no idea who this mysterious person was or what his/her business was on the island. All she could do is back away slowly and ask a question.
"W-who are you? A-aren't you a little old for Halloween?" Bloom asked with a small smile but regretted it immediately due to not knowing if the purpled-hooded cloaked figure was dangerous or not.
Surprisingly, the hooded figure looked at Bloom and then turned to walk away.
"H-hey, where are you going? Come back here!" Bloom immediately ran after the purple-hooded figure.
Reaching the main beach area quickly, she looked around for any signs of the hooded figure's whereabouts. To Bloom's surprise, she spotted her target going into a cave known as the Secret Place.
Bloom followed after the cloaked individual in the hopes of catching and asking it some well-deserved questions. Upon reaching the entrance of the Secret Place, she crawled inside and reached the center.
Looking around, she spotted no signs of the mysterious purple-hooded figure. Damn it, she lost him/her… now she would never get the answers to her questions.
"Ugh… I can't believe I lost the purple-hooded figure. Darn it…" Bloom made out a small sigh.
She wondered why the purple hooded figure came here and what its purpose was… now she would never know the answers.
Bloom was about to turn around and leave the Secret Place… when she sensed an unknown force behind her.
Turning around, she was surprised at what she saw – on the far end of the cave, there was a wooden door. But she already knew that was there because she and her friends had already seen it a hundred times… that wasn't the interesting part.
What the interesting part was a dark red Keyhole that was on the wooden door. That wasn't there before…
Bloom approached the wooden door very slowly to take a closer look at the Keyhole… for some unknown reason, she could feel the power coming from it. Could she open it? What kind of powers did this Keyhole held? Only one way to find out…
The orange-red haired girl was very close to the Keyhole and was about to touch it when she felt a mysterious force from behind her.
Turning around, Bloom was surprised when she saw the same purple-hooded figure she was chasing a couple of seconds ago. How did she get behind her without the orange-red haired girl noticing or sensing her presence?
"Y-you! You are the figure I was chasing!" Bloom stated.
"Correct. I've come to see the door to this world." The figure explained – its voice was that of a young female.
"D-door… you mean the one behind me?" Bloom asked.
The female in the cloak nodded. "Correct. This world has been connected – it has been tied to the darkness and soon it will disappear." She explained.
Bloom was getting scared now – what did the figure mean by "it will disappear soon"?
"H-hey, stop scaring me like this! It's impolite!" Bloom demanded as she gave the hooded figure a small glare. Just then, the orange-red haired girl realized something. "W-wait… are you… from another world?" She asked.
The hooded figure was quiet for a minute or two… and then she nodded. "Yes. But you do not know what lies beyond the door." She explained.
"So, you really are from another world! What's it like there? Can you please tell me?" Bloom pleaded with a small smile – she really wanted to know what was beyond her island.
The figure shook her head. "There is so very much to learn… you understand so little. You are but a simple child." Those words made Bloom glare at the hooded figure.
"Oh, yeah? What do you know about me? Nothing! I'll show you – actually, my friends and I will show you! Soon, we'll leave Gardenia Island and explore the rest of the universe! You'll see!" She declared.
"Hmph… a meaningless effort. You will never find the answers nor will you see the worlds. You are just a child." The figure stated.
Bloom glared at her so hard that if looks could kill… the mysterious figure would be dead on the spot.
She would show the mystery cloaked figure – Bloom and her friends would find a way to leave the islands and explore the outside worlds one day! Nothing or nobody was going to stop her!
The teenager sensed the mysterious power coming from the Keyhole once more. Turning around, however – she was surprised to see that the wooden door was normal yet again… no Keyhole on it.
Bloom was about to ask the purple figure what that asking was all about… only to discover that she was gone! Like a ghost!
Bloom was shocked – she had finally found the hooded figure and was about to ask her some questions… only for the individual to leave her cryptic words and then disappear like a ghost. What a strange day this has been…
The orange-red haired girl placed a hand on her head and wondered if she was going crazy. She didn't imagine the hooded figure nor its words… she saw it with her own two eyes and communicated with it. It was impossible for her not to see it…
Bloom shook her head and decided to stop thinking about. She had more important things to do like waiting for Stella and Flora to come back so they could start setting up the camp for the Falling Stars event that was scheduled tonight.
Yeah… that's what she would do. Bloom smiled as she left the cave and removed the memory of her meeting the purple-hooded figure along with the cryptic words.
"I shouldn't even think about it… I mean, how much trouble can the words of a purple-hooded figure be exactly? She's lying… one day, we'll leave Gardenia Island and visit the outside worlds… I hope it's sooner." Bloom said to herself as she fully left the cave.
(Later – at the docks of the play island during sunset…)
"So… Flora's home is out there somewhere, huh?" Bloom asked.
She, Stella and Flora were sitting at the docks and watching the sun that was setting. This was their favorite thing to do during summer break.
"Yep. I hope we go out one day and find it…" Stella replied.
"Same here… any ideas yet, girls?" Flora asked, but both Stella and Bloom shook their heads.
Flora looked down in sadness. "Oh… I see."
Bloom hugged her with a smile on her face. "Hey, we aren't going to give up yet. We'll find a way to leave Gardenia Island somehow." She reassured Flora who smiled at her friend.
"Thanks, Bloom… although, I need to ask you something both – if you left the island and you went to a new world… what would you do there?" Flora asked.
Bloom and Stella went into deep thought – Flora had a good point. If they left Gardenia Island and visited another world, what would they do there?
After a few minutes of both girls being quiet, Stella broke the silence. "Well… I haven't given it any thought. I've always wondered why we're out here… living in this "prison" – don't get me wrong, Gardenia Island is a good home for us… but why were we born here in the first place? Suppose there are any other worlds out there, then our home is part of a much bigger destiny. So, we could have ended somewhere else, right?" Stella asked.
"I guess…" Flora said with a confused look on her face.
"I don't really know, Stel…" Bloom replied with a bored look.
Stella rolled her eyes at Bloom's weak answer but smiled nevertheless. "Exactly. We need to find a way to get off this island as soon as possible. I hope we do find a way one day… I really want to explore the rest of the universe and find your home, Flora." She stated and Flora smiled gently at her friend.
"We'll find it, Stella. Don't worry." Flora reassured her friend.
After that little conversation, the three friends continued looking at the sunset for a little while longer. It was such a nice day…
At some point, Flora stood up and stretched her arms.
"I'm gonna head inside the tent and rest for a little bit… don't want to miss the Falling Stars event later when it gets darker. What are you going to do in the meantime, girls?" Flora asked.
"We're gonna watch the sunset some more, Flo." Stella replied.
Bloom nodded. "Yea… then we'll come back and have dinner."
Flora nodded and left the two girls to continue watching the sun that was continuing to set.
Bloom hadn't told her two friends about her encounter with the purple-hooded figure because she didn't want her friends to think that she was crazy. Who would believe her?
The orange-red haired girl was sure that nothing would happen… she would see the outside worlds with her two best friends and nothing bad will happen! Bloom would make sure of that…
Stella noticed that Bloom was being awfully quiet for a while now and decided to break the silence. "Bloom, you okay?" She asked.
"Y-yea… just thinking about some things." She replied with a weak smile.
"Thinking about the day we're finally going to leave the island?" Stella asked.
"Well… yeah. But some other things are on my mind as well – I don't know what's going on. Maybe I'm just under a lot of pressure…" Bloom replied.
Stella smiled and hugged her. "Everything will be alright, hun… nothing bad will happen. I told you this early today… If anything bad happens or if you and Flora get hurt, I'll be the one to protect you. Don't worry…" She reassured her.
Bloom smiled at her friend – whenever she felt down, Stella would always be the one to cheer her up. "Thanks, Stel… you're the greatest."
Stella's smile never left her face and then she remembered something. "Oh, right! I have something for you." She began checking through her small purse.
Bloom wondered what Stella had for her. Was it something interesting or special?
"Ah, ha! There it is!" Stella pulled out something from her bag – it was a small yellow star-shaped fruit.
Bloom recognized it almost immediately. "A paopu fruit?" She asked.
"Yep. You know the old legend, right? If two people share this… their destinies become intertwined. They'll remain a part of each other's lives no matter what. I was saving it for the event that I have a loved one, but… would you mind if I shared it with you?" Stella asked a surprised Bloom.
The orange-red haired girl started blushing almost immediately. "W-what's wrong with me…? Why am I blushing all of a sudden? Is it because Stella gave me the paopu fruit or… is it because she wants to share it with me? Oh, gosh… what's going on with me?" Bloom thought to herself.
Stella didn't hear any reaction from Bloom and touched her gently on the shoulder. "Bloom… are you okay?" She asked.
Bloom turned to look at her with the blush still remaining. "Umm… yeah. I'm fine… Just a little hot today, that's all." She replied with a fake smile on her face.
"Huh… is that why you are blushing?" Stella asked.
"Ummm… yeah. That's right… a-anyways, I'd be happy to share the paopu with you." Bloom replied.
Stella smiled and ripped a small piece from the fruit. She passed it to Bloom who took it and started to eat it.
Stella was observing Bloom while she ate it and couldn't help but think about the orange-red haired girl. "Wow… she chews so slowly and patiently. It's almost… cute. Wait… did I just think that Bloom was cute while she was chewing? Oh, gosh! What's wrong with me?" Stella started to blush almost immediately.
Bloom was chewing her piece when she noticed Stella blushing. "Stel, are you… blushing by chance?" She asked.
Stella made out a fake smile and replied. "Umm… yes! That's right… you're right, Bloom. Today is too hot… guess you were right. So… umm… how's the paopu?" She asked.
"It's… sweet with a little bit sour in it. Overall, it's good. Have you tried your piece as well?" She asked.
"I'm about to." Stella took a bite from the paopu fruit and started chewing slowly. After swallowing it, she gave her comment. "You were right, hun. It's sweet with a little bit of sour in it."
"Yea… thanks for bringing the fruit, Stel. It was a wonderful gift you've got me." Bloom smiled at her friend who smiled back.
"For you, Bloom… anything." She hugged her friend and the two continued watching the sunset.
A few minutes later, the silence was broken yet again. "Hey, Stel…" Bloom began.
Stella looked at her friend. "Yea, Bloom?" She asked.
"Promise me that you won't leave me or Flora – no matter what. I don't want to lose you or her. Promise me please…" She pleaded.
Stella hugged her friend very tightly and smiled. "I promise, Bloom. I'll never leave you nor Flora… but especially you, Bloom. You are my best friend in the whole wide universe. I'll do my best to keep you and Flora safe." She promised.
Bloom smiled and hugged her friend once more. "Thank you, Stel…"
Then, something strange happened – both girls held their arms with blushes on their faces. They looked at each other with shocked looks on their faces at first, but then they smiled… they were happy to be watching the sunset together in a hug position.
"Stella… one day… if we ever leave our home and we visit the outside worlds, I'll do my best to protect you and Flora… but mostly you. I'm going to do my best to defend you… as a friend." Bloom thought as she continued watching the sunset with her best friend.
"Bloom… I'll protect you no matter what. Flora as well… the both of you are safe whilst I'm here. Nothing bad will happen. One day, we'll leave the island together and explore the outside world. This I promise… I'll protect you Bloom… you are my one true friend." Stella thought as she continued watching the sunset with her orange-red haired best friend.
What both girls didn't know was that this was the beginning of a small spark of love. In the near future, they would confess their feelings for each other… but not today.
What Bloom, Stella and Flora didn't know was that this day would be the last time they would spend it on Gardenia Island. In a few hours, all hell would break loose.
In a few hours, Stella would become one with darkness… while Bloom and Flora would finally leave their home and visit the outside world.
This was the beginning… of Princess Bloom's adventure.