"And so, after the underground river carried us outside, we managed to run all the way here through the dark forest." Aisha finished her story and looked at Faragonda expectantly.

The headmistress of Alfea looked troubled as she stared at Aisha and Carmen, before turning her gaze to where Rhythma lurked in the corner - Galactica sleeping still on one shoulder, and Pipsqueak sitting tiredly on the other. "Do you have any idea why the Pixies have been kidnapped?" The question was directed to all of them, but her gaze remained locked with the young black-haired fairy.

Rhythma shook her head, a quick, almost unseen motion. She wasn't even sure what the headmistress had asked her, but it didn't hold any weight upon her shoulders. The only thing on her mind was that last vision, and the possible danger she and Pip were now in.

Carmen took a deep, troubled breath when Rhythma made no verbal response. "We're not sure. We've been wondering that ourselves."

"Maybe he wants to blackmail them?" Aisha suggested. "Or maybe he's trying to get something from them?"

Faragonda nodded. "Yes, that's what I'm afraid of." She admitted as she slammed her hand down onto the desk. "Especially since our enemy's ability to absorb magic is dangerous."

"Do you know him?" Carmen demanded, her tone angry as she leaned forward. "Do you have any idea who or what he is?"

Rhythma watched Aisha put a calming hand on her twin's shoulder. "Headmistress, please." She said in a much calmer tone. "If he is dangerous, you have to tell us."

It was at that moment that Rhythma decided to lend her voice into the discussion. "The Pixies are in trouble." Her calm, low voice carried over the desperate shouts of the two fairies, and Faragonda raised a brow.

"Honestly, I'm not sure who this enemy of ours is," she finally admitted. "But we will find out. And no matter what, we must find the underground entrance and free the pixies." She turned her dark blue eyes to meet Rhythma's unwavering heterogeneous one. "That is the bottom line."

After that secret discussion in Faragonda's office, Rhythma was ordered to escort Carmen and Aisha to a particular classroom toward the center of the school.

"So how are you liking it here?" The young fairy asked her companions as she guided them throughout the twisting halls of Alfea. She allowed herself a glance at the twin fairies.

Carmen smiled at her - the first happy expression Rhythma had seen from her since seeing her pixie. Said pixie was sitting on Carmen's shoulder, watching the windows curiously. "Its very beautiful here," the deaf fairy said slowly. Rhythma took notice on how her voice differed from other voices she had heard. Carmen spoke slower, as though unsure if the words she would speak were correct. She was also louder than normal, but that probably came from not knowing the decibels of her pitch.

Aisha spoke suddenly, jolting Rhythma out of her concentration. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Shoot." The young fairy turned her different-colored eyes toward the other sister. She had a feeling she knew the question.

"Where did you get that scar?"

Yep.

Aisha looked down. "I understand if you would prefer not to talk about it. It looks nasty."

Rhythma hesitated for a brief moment before letting out a deep sigh. "No. You're fine." She said softly. "It's just complicated."

"How so?" Carmen asked. "Complicated as in . . . being a Fairy of Musical Instruments, but being deaf?" She added a wry chuckle at the end of that statement.

The young fairy shook her head and stroked Pip lightly on the back. "Not exactly." She whispered. "The people who gave me this scar weren't very nice people." Once again she was pulled into the unpleasant memory of yesterday's vision.

The two guest fairies seemed to understand that it was an uncomfortable subject for their guide, because they didn't question it any further. They had stopped at a classroom door and Rhythma turned the knob, stepping aside to allow the twins to enter first. Then she self-consciously made sure that her hair was still covering her red eye as even three years with the Trix couldn't destroy the shame she felt when it was visible.

She entered.

The Winx were already inside, as was Faragonda. As Rhythma shut the door behind her, the headmistress addressed the group of fairies.

"My dear girls," Faragonda began. "As you may have guessed, the reason I have asked you to come here is to organize a rescue mission."

Rhythma came to stand beside Humora as the headmistress spoke gravely.

"As you know, fairies and Pixies have always been the closest of friends." The woman continued. "So we must free them at any cost."

Stella looked up. "At any cost, huh?" She smirked. "Does that mean we get to skip classes and still get full credit?"

Rhythma growled at her angrily. "After everything Aisha and Carmen have gone through, can't you think of something other than skipping classes?" Despite her usual calm aura, the Fairy of Pixies was indeed getting tired of Stella's remarks.

"Well actually," the blonde nudged Flava, who crossed her arms and actually had the nerve to glare at both Faragonda and Rhythma.

"It's just that if it's such a dangerous mission," the culinary fairy began. "Why not send the professors?"

This earned some grumbling from the fairies who had stayed silent up until this point. Faragonda shushed the complaints.

"No, no. That's alright." The headmistress said calmly. "Stella and Flava have raised a very good point. As professors, our job is to guide our students. And in case of an emergency, we have to be available to help everyone."

Musa scoffed. "So, in other words, it's up to us to turn this Prince into a pauper?"

Faragonda turned to face them. "You've all shown great skill in the fight against the Trix. However, the Pixies are your priority now." She glared at Stella. "It is not wise to challenge an unknown enemy."

"So we should avoid direct confrontation?" Bloom checked, her eyes on the headmistress.

"Exactly." Faragonda spun away to face the wall again as she continued. "Don't forget: this dark knight absorbs magic energy."

"That means he can turn our powers against us!" Tecna realized.

Faragonda nodded. "Aisha and Carmen will be your guides." She looked to the twins. "They're the only ones who can find the entrance to the cave. I want you all to look for clues that could help us discover the identity of this evil creature." Rhythma watched as she started toward the door. "Now, follow me."

As one, the group followed the Headmistress outside the classroom and into the hall. Rhythma hung near the back of the cluster of girls, feeling uneasy.

"Now, I'd like to point out that some of you will not be taking part in this rescue mission." Faragonda announced as they walked through the long halls.

Bloom, Flora and Lula all ran forward to intercept the headmistress. "But we do everything together!" Bloom protested.

"Yes!" Flora added. "And no one gets left behind, ever!"

"We're the Winx!" Flava growled.

Faragonda disregarded their complaints. "Each of you has powers suited to some missions rather than others." She said calmly. "Would you send a frog to live in a hot, dry desert?"

Tecna shook her head. "I wouldn't want to be that poor frog." She announced. "I would dry up in about one-point-four hours."

"You don't have to worry about that, Tecna." Faragonda kept walking as she called back to the fairy. "You'll stay at Alfea."

Flora raised her hand. "Um, excuse me! But her technomagic -"

"-will help us monitor the situation from here." The headmistress turned and crossed her arms once she finished that statement. "Bloom, Stella and Rhythma will go on the mission."

Rhythma grunted when Bloom pushed her aside. "But why only us three?"

"Yeah, why?" Stella gulped back fear.

Faragonda narrowed her eyes. "Because Bloom possesses the Dragon's Fire - the strongest magic of all, while Stella's sun magic will be helpful should they ever come up against the shadow monsters." Her gaze flashed to Rhythma. "And Rhythma has control over the pixie magic - the purest magic in the universe. It will help you to track the Pixies through the tunnels."

"What about my sound waves?" Musa cut in bitterly. "Or Flora's plants? Or Statica's lightning? Aren't they worth anything?"

Faragonda bowed her head. "Come into the hall please."

Rhythma followed the Winx into the hall Faragonda had spoken of - where a grand staircase cut through the middle.

"Wait here, girls." The headmistress said, walking toward a door and then stopping. She turned around and started to glow a dull green color. "Nimbus fallax orere et cinge fatas!"

Rhythma found herself engulfed in a bright light. The Alfea Grand Hall vanished, and a cave was suddenly pressing around her on all sides. She gasped, startled, and moved toward the center of the cave where she felt she had room to breathe.

This reminds us of the dungeons.

The Voices were back. Joy.

"Musa! Flora! Statica! Use your spells!" Faragonda ordered, startling Rhythma and causing her to turn around. The three were transformed into their original Winx forms, looking alert.

Flora flew upward. "Ready!" She announced, preparing her spell. Rhythma watched the floral fairy gasp when, after sparking a dull green light, her power faded. "Oh no! Nothing's working!" Her eyes lit with panic. "There are no living plants down here!"

Statica coughed. "And I can't find an electrical charge strong enough to produce lightning." She called to the flower fairy. "I'm useless!"

"But we still have sound!" Musa announced, glowing purple as she powered up. "Everyone, stand back!" She hurled a sound beam deeper into the Cavern, and Rhythma shrieked.

"NO!" It was too late. The blast echoed, causing the whole tunnel to shake violently. Rhythma herself was knocked off her feet by the sudden jolt, and she had to roll out of the way to avoid being smashed by falling rocks.

"It's echoing!" Musa realized her mistake.

Rhythma screeched. The Voices all jumbled together in her head, some calling orders, others yelling at her, one seemed to be cursing her stupidity and deemed they were going to die.

How the heck is this my fault? She questioned that one voice angrily.

And just like that, it was over. A clap resounded around the cave, one, two, three - no, FOUR times. Rhythma heard the voices silence themselves back into an annoying background buzz as she opened her eyes to find herself back in the Grand Hall. Carmen smiled in relief and held out her hand, which the young black-haired fairy accepted gratefully. She was hauled to her feet by the taller girl.

"Musa, listen to me," Rhythma turned to where Musa and Faragonda were standing, noting the teary-eyed music fairy. "You're just as important as your friends. Your powers will be needed soon enough."

Rhythma smiled at her and winked.

"Are you sure a pixie has to come with us?" Aisha asked as Regina - a pixie of Natural Resources - hovered beside Rhythma, who crossed her arms in challenge.

"Yes, I'm sure." She insisted. "I draw my magic from Pixies, and it would be stupid of me not to have one while on this mission."

Regina beamed. "I'm fine with it!" She added. "Rhythma is a wonderful fairy."

Aisha looked unconvinced, but shrugged. Faragonda stepped forward. "Aisha, take these magic Seeds of Light with you." She dropped several enchanted seeds into her hand.

"Do they have magic powers?" Carmen asked while Aisha examined the seeds closely.

Faragonda smiled. "Yes. In an emergency, they will drive away any and all Shadow creatures. But only once."

Aisha put the magic items in her pocket as the headmistress turned to the rest of the group.

"Well, girls, are you ready for your mission?"

Tecna scoffed. "With only five fairies? I don't think we'll be sufficient."

"A small group can move quickly, and is much less noticeable." Faragonda insisted.

Saladin, who was standing beside Rhythma, smirked. "And besides, they're not going alone."

A huge smile formed on Rhythma's face as five windriders burst through the entrance to Alfea. Baby blue, green, violet, dark blue and gold. They flew sharply in a loop and came to a halt next to the group of fairies.

Stella gave a little bounce. "Yes! The specialists!"

Musa gave a dejected look. "No fair. You three get to have all the fun."

"I'm very happy that you've come to help, Saladin." Faragonda said warmly as the fairies ran to greet the boys.

Saladin smiled brightly at Alfea's headmistress. "It's my pleasure to answer your call, Faragonda." He spoke regally. "I will lend you four of my best Red Fountain Specialists, Sky, Michael, Gabriel, and Brandon."

"All right!" Stella pumped the air with her fists.

Flava leaned against the fountain with her eyes half-open, face tilted toward the sun. "Stella and Brandon. Bloom and Sky. Rhythma and Michael." A smirk appeared on the Cooking Fairy's face.

"Goodness gracious." Tecna shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. "What a coincidence." She turned to Carmen and Aisha. "Girls, looks like you'll have to play chaperones."

Aisha chuckled. "You mean that love is their specialty?" She whispered to Carmen and Rhythma, who both giggled.

"You can say that again, cutie." Brandon called over with a smile. "Are you one of the new girls?"

Aisha blanched. "He heard me."

Carmen and Rhythma snorted with amusement. Regina smirked brightly.

Rhythma gave a wistful sigh and turned toward Michael. He smiled and embraced her warmly.

"Well, girls, are you ready to go?" Sky asked from where he was on his own hoverbike. Rhythma nodded and - letting go of Michael - she climbed onto his ride and waited, watching the others.

Saladin turned to Aisha and Carmen, smiling his same old smile. "Aisha, you'll be riding with Riven for now." He announced as he pointed toward the purple specialist. Rhythma glanced at a sullen Musa, who crossed her arms and looked away.

Carmen looked at Riven as though he were a piece of paper from a book before she turned to Saladin, who chuckled drily.

"And Carmen, I have put you with Gabriel."

Rhythma raised a brow as the unknown specialist pulled off his helmet, revealing a relatively tall young man with golden hair finely cut to his neck. He had incredibly bright green eyes that rendered both Carmen and the young fairy motionless. He was quite handsome indeed.

Suddenly, a shadow passed overhead. Rhythma turned her eyes toward the sky just in time to see a familiar bright red ship streak through the air, looping around one of Alfea's towers before coming to hover just above the group.

"Hey, girls!" The side of the ship opened up to reveal Timmy - with his short orange hair and glasses. "How's it going?"

Tecna came to stand beside Michael's hoverbike and waved at the young boy gleefully. "Hi, Timmy!"

Rhythma smiled at Tecna and then proceeded to wrap her arms firmly around Michael's waist, checking to make sure Regina was secure before giving a slight nod.

"Who says you get to drive?"

The black-haired fairy raised a brow in the direction of Aisha as she heard those words. She was standing beside Riven's hoverbike with the helmet in hand. Carmen climbed onto the bike with Gabriel, without complaint.

"What?" Aisha demanded, raising a brow to glare at Riven. "You think I've never ridden a motorbike before?" She climbed in front of the purple-haired specialist and kicked the vehicle into gear.

Rhythma smirked at the new fairy and winked. Michael took off on his bike, leading the charge followed by Sky and Bloom, then Brandon and Stella. Gabriel and Carmen were not far behind, with Aisha and Riven bringing up the rear.

"Hold on!" Michael demanded to her once they had cleared Alfea's gates, and the young fairy's stomach lurched when she felt the bike leave the ground. They shot up toward Timmy's ship, which was flying a few meters in front of the pair.

Once the bike was safely on the ship with the others, Rhythma climbed off and removed the helmet she had been wearing from her head. Then, following Michael, she made her way to where Timmy was controlling the ship.

She plopped down in a chair next to Stella, spinning to face the specialists while stroking Regina on the head.

"So," Brandon leaned against the control panel. "Who's the bad guy this time?" He tilted his head at the group of fairies, his eyes lingering for a moment on Rhythma.

It was Stella who answered her boyfriend. "Dunno," she spoke as she twisted her chair to face him. "But we heard he's pretty tough."

Brandon tilted his head so he could look at Aisha. "Yeah but the Specialists can tackle absolutely anything." He bragged. "You should see all the cool stuff we got for this mission. Rope, grapplers, techno-magic gear, and this." He held up a small box.

Aisha rolled her eyes and stared at Rhythma. "Guys." She said with a sarcastic and exasperated tone. Rhythma glanced at Michael and snorted.

"It's so cool." Brandon continued, ignoring the comment. "Look. It's a Demolecularizer T29."

Stella tapped her chin. "Demo . . . de-moisturizer what?"

Gabriel stood up and put his hand on Brandon's shoulder. "Codatorta, our teacher, says we can actually use it to pass through walls and other solid objects." He said, and Rhythma felt tingles go up her spine when she heard his voice. It was smooth, like honey.

"Uh, Brandon . . ."

Ignoring Aisha, the brunette specialist turned to his companion currently occupying the controls. "Timmy, show the girls what the Owl's new engine can do."

"Sure." With a grin wide enough to rival even Icy's, Timmy leaned forward and shoved the controls upward. Rhythma slammed into the back of her chair as the entire ship sped up considerably.

Brandon laughed. "Eighteen dragon-power, a titanium frame. What a dream machine!"

"Excuse me!"

Timmy glanced over his shoulder. "Yes, Aisha?"

"The enemy's the other way!"

There was a nervous chuckle. "Yeah, well, we'll do that." The ship turned around.

"There's the valley." Aisha was saying about an hour later as the ship descended upon a rocky canyon. "And that river is the one Carmen and I used to escape from the cave."

Timmy glanced at her over his shoulder. "This is where I should drop you off then?"

"No," Carmen stood up and walked to them. "It's easier to get inside through the old mines in the cave." She glanced at Aisha, who nodded.

"Then let's go." Sky held up his fist with determination.

The ship flew down into a very narrow tunnel, causing Rhythma to tense up again due to the memories of being trapped in a small space.

"Uh, is this the spot?" Timmy asked the twins, looking curious as he attempted to scout a landing area.

"Yeah!" Aisha pointed downward. "That's where the tar monsters went after kidnapping the pixies in the forest."

Timmy looked back at the group. "There's no place to land." He announced. "You'll have to jump out while we're airborne, guys."

Sky glanced at Gabriel and smirked. "Fine by me." He jumped down using the rope he had on his belt and then was followed by Gabriel, Brandon and Michael. "Come on!" He snapped. "Everybody out!"

After some hassle - Stella lost her makeup kit - Rhythma, Regina, Bloom, Carmen and Aisha has made it safely onto the ledge below without any problems.

Aisha headed toward the tunnel that yawned in front of them. "Follow me." She said in a hushed tone. "This is the way in."

Rhythma looked back at the departing ship one last time before she followed the newcomer inside.

"Sky!" Stella's complaint rang through the air about ten minutes later. "I know you want to save batteries, but give us some light back here. We can't see a thing." She tripped, causing Rhythma to turn toward her in concern. "That's it!" The sun fairy snarled. "I've had it. I'll deal with it myself!"

She transformed into her fairy form, her scepter - once the object the Trix desired most - in hand. "Scepter give us light!"

Bloom chuckled. "Uh, well, I think I liked it better before."

"At least I can see where we're going." Stella countered, walking forward slightly. Rhythma rolled her eyes and twisted her head toward a concerned Sky.

"But now," the prince said grimly, "we're a beacon for the monsters."

A snarl rang through the crisp air, causing Rhythma to jump slightly. "What the literal heck?" Her shocked voice echoed throughout the cave.

"Uh, guys, I don't know what that is, but let's . . ." Stella gulped. ". . . get moving."

Rhythma turned and bolted after Bloom and Carmen, who had followed Aisha, Sky, Brandon, Michael and Gabriel to a gate.

"I remember this gate." Aisha mumbled once the metal door came into view.

"Same here. But it was open before." Carmen added, glancing behind her to address the group.

"It's locked." Sky growled, turning toward Rhythma and Bloom.

Stella flew forward. "Leave it to me!" She said confidently. Holding her scepter, the sun fairy blasted the door harshly, narrowing her eyes when the attack did little.

"No good." Rhythma looked at Stella.

"The gate absorbs magic." Bloom spoke worriedly. "Our enemy thought of everything."

"Except the Specialists." Brandon snapped. "It may be protected from spells but all locks are made to be broken."

Another snarl cut the thick air, and Rhythma whirled around with a shriek to see monsters emerging from the depths of the tunnels.

"Guys!" Bloom yelled. "We've got company!"

Rhythma backed away slightly, feeling Michael grab her shoulders as a sign of comfort.

"Brandon, maybe you can open it with Riven's lock pick." Sky suggested, holding up the small tool.

"No, I'm going to blow this thing open." Brandon said, and Rhythma heard the smirk on his face. "Girls! Buy me some time!"

Bloom glanced at Rhythma, Aisha, and Carmen. "It's up to us."

"Let's all transform." Aisha said.

"You mean, you're a . . ." Bloom gasped.

Carmen smirked deviously. "Of course, we are."

Rhythma watched their transformation through slitted eyes. Aisha was suddenly wearing a green glittery outfit, with wings close to the shape of bat wings coming from her back. Carmen had also transformed, wearing a reddish outfit with wings similar to her twin's. However, Carmen's were more rounded at the edge.

"Winx Pixix!" Rhythma shouted, feeling Regina lend some power to aid the transformation. She was suddenly standing in her legendary Pixix form, purple flecks of pixie dust falling from her wings. Regina laughed.

"Take this!" Bloom shouted as she flew upward and blasted one of the monsters. The attack bounced harmlessly off of the creature, causing Bloom to scowl. "No effect whatsoever."

"In that case, I'll just have to enlighten them." Stella said with a smirk. "Girls, shut your eyes."

Rhythma did so as a blinding light speared through the air, turning the monsters to smoke upon release.

"Good work, Stella." Bloom praised the sun fairy warmly.

"Take cover!" Brandon called, and Rhythma grabbed Regina to dive behind a nearby rock just as the explosive on the gate went off.

The young fairy stood up to find the gate open, and she exchanged a smile with the pixie on her shoulder.

"All right!" The brunette specialist yelled.

"Watch out!" Bloom cried. "There are more of them!"

Sky turned toward the group of fairies. "Come on!" He called, pointing toward the gate. "This way!"

"Hurry!" Carmen said urgently.

Aisha glanced at them. "Shut the gate!"

Brandon slammed his shoulder against the heavy gate and forced it shut, but the monsters continued to press forward, trying to overpower the three specialists. "Don't let up, Sky, Michael!" Brandon snapped as he and Gabriel whipped out some daggers. The blonde specialist stabbed one monster in the chest, while the brunette caught the other in the leg. The gate shut.

"They're still trying to get through!" Aisha cried, running over to them. "Stand back!" Rhythma watched curiously as the new fairy fired a sticky substance at the gate, sealing it shut.

Sky tilted his head toward her. "What are you doing?"

"It's magic glue." Carmen explained calmly.

Aisha blasted near the bottom of the door. "Brandon, watch out!" She warned as the glue nearly caught onto his leg.

"Hurry up, Aisha." Sky murmured anxiously.

Aisha finished creating a glue net that blocked the door, but in her weakened state, she fell forward and detransformed, exhausted.

"Good job, Layla." Bloom said, landing on the ground.

Rhythma nodded. "You're a lifesaver."

"It's good to have you on our team." Sky extended his hand toward Aisha and she looked up at him.

"Thanks." She said with a smile as she accepted his outstretched hand and was hauled to her feet.

"All right. Let's go." Bloom suddenly said with a glance toward the glue net. "That won't hold them back forever."

"See?"

Five minutes later, Rhythma was walking with the others through the tunnels, her wings glimmering faintly in the darkness.

"Forget about the clunky flashlights." Stella was saying. "My scepter's the only way to light up a room."

Brandon chuckled. "You may be the light of my life, but a good flashlight saved me more than once." He turned toward Aisha and Carmen. "Hey, girls, you sure this is the right way?"

"I don't get it." Aisha looked around, rather gloomily. "We should've reached the crystals by now."

"Crystals?"

"Sky!" Bloom cried from behind them. "I, wait, Sky . . . Help me."

"Bloom!" Sky turned toward his girlfriend and Rhythma saw her detransform and curl up on the ground. She glanced at Regina.

"I can't stand up." Bloom murmured weakly.

Sky helped her to stand up slowly. "Bloom, is everything all right?"

"Yes, but my . . ." Bloom shook her head. ". . . my powers are so weak."

"What just happened to us?" Stella moaned from where she was standing with Brandon, also back in her normal form. "And why didn't it happen to Rhythma?"

Aisha gazed at them with her bright aqua eyes. "You transformed an hour ago. You've been in fairy mode too long." She explained, watching as Carmen also detransformed.

"I guess this doesn't just happen to the fairies from Andros." The deaf fairy grumbled as she brushed herself off.

"Rhythma is unaffected due to having the source of her powers with her." Aisha added, nodding toward Regina. "As long as the pixie remains strong, Rhythma can remain in her fairy form."

"And our powers?" Bloom asked with a short glance toward the pixie fairy.

Aisha sighed. "You'll be fine. Just lay off the magic for a while." She suggested, walking forward. "Now let's keep moving. We have to find the pixies."

It was at that second that a dark energy - one so familiar that it caused Rhythma's head to spin - overtook the young fairy's mind. Before she could even call out a warning, she was on the ground, Regina screaming in shock at the Fallen fairy.

Then, the world shattered around her and Rhythma was left in an abyss of warm, welcoming darkness.

I am soo sorry for not updating in months. I've had writer's block and school and sickness to deal with.