- Edited -

"I am sorry. There is nothing I can do."

Those words made Rhythma tear up as she stared at her paws. Nothing could be done. Not even Saladin could change her back. And he had been trying to help her for three days.

The Headmaster of Redfountain gave her a sympathetic look. "My power alone is not strong enough to reverse the four spells cast on you." He said. "I'm afraid you will have to remain as a cat until I can get into contact with Faroganda." He let out a small smile. "It should be soon."

Rhythma nodded, snuggling up to Michael as she was is his arms at the moment. The young specialist stepped forward. "I have a request, Headmaster."

Saladin raised a brow. "And what might that be?"

"I wish to join Sky, Brandon and Timmy." Michael announced. "Seeing as they have lost Riven, and they are the closest specialists to Alfea fairies."

Saladin blinked thoughtfully. "And your group has already agreed?"

"They have, sir."

"They you may switch teams." The Headmaster confirmed. "Go pack up and move your things to their room. I'll give you today off."

Michael smiled. "Thank you, sir. I promise, I'll train even harder."

"I expect nothing less from my grandson." Saladin said. "I only wish I could say the same about your brother."

The boy sighed, stroking Rhythma's back. "Helia is different." He admitted. "But he will find the urge to fight soon enough. He has a warrior inside of him, just as I do. He just needs the right motivation to let it out."

"I truly hope he finds that motivation soon." Saladin sighed. "Because there's a war coming. I can feel it in my old bones."

It was later that day when Michael had moved into the new room and settled did he approach her.

"I need to know your name." He told her gently. "Can you write?"

Rhythma looked up and shook her head. Of course I can't write, dummy. I'm a cat! Good thing he couldn't read her mind.

"Type?"

The cat tipped her head to the side, then walked over to the computer. That, I can do.

Raising her right forepaw, she tapped the keyboard.

This went on for a moment before she stepped away from the screen and meowed loudly. Michael came over and smiled.

My name is Rhythma.

Is what was written on the screen. Michael smiled. "Rhythma is a beautiful name. But tell me, how did you end up with the witches?"

I was kidnapped. Two years ago. They tortured me, and I finally escaped. I'm afraid they'll find me and take me back.

Rhythma looked up at Michael and blinked slowly. He laid a hand on her back. "They will never hurt you again." He whispered. "I wish Saladin could help you, and he's very sorry that he can't."

The fairy gave a meow. If only things were that simple these days.

"He did, however, give me this." Michael pulled out a red leather collar. Rhythma flattened her ears immediately, which made the Specialist laugh. "Relax, kitty. It's not a normal collar."

Rhythma tipped her head to the side, confused.

Michael smiled slightly. "Saladin created this collar so everyone knows you aren't a stray." He explained. "It also has a protection spell that repels anyone with dark intentions."

So the witches can't touch me even if they find me! She purred loudly and allowed the boy to slip the collar over her head. The golden tag jingled softly as she moved.

"Now," her human continued. "I was planning on going to the Miss Magix competition tonight. But I can't leave you here alone." There was a pointed look in her direction.

Rhythma meowed and flicked her tail.

Michael chuckled. "I take it that you wish to accompany me?"

She nodded.

"I knew you would." He told her. "That's why your collar marks you as a therapy cat. I can take you anywhere."

Rhythma felt another purr rumble in her throat as she leaped into Michael's arms. He laughed and stroked her gently as he walked out of the room.

For the first time since her capture all those years ago, Rhythma felt truly happy.

Michael walked with Rhythma in his arms through the halls of the building where the Miss Magix competition would be held. The young fairy was quite interested in these beautiful fairies, and wondered which one would win.

Some of the contenders smiled warmly at her, and others asked Michael if they could pet her. She allowed them to, of course. Especially the children.

Then, a very familiar face walked up to them. Rhythma flattened her ears as fear caused her to instinctively slide out her claws.

"Hey there, sir." It was Darcy. She was smiling brightly at Michael. "Can I pet your cat?" There was a teasing note to her tone. Rhythma fought to keep her fur flat as the witch turned to look her directly in the eyes.

At once, Rhythma bared her teeth and pictured the most gruesome thought in her head - degutting a mouse. She saw Darcy's face twist up in disgust as she stepped back.

"Um. Nevermind."

She walked away.

Rhythma breathed a sigh of relief and pressed her head against Michael's chest. She twitched her ears, listening for Darcy, and sure enough, the other two were there too.

She strained to hear what they were saying.

"Where did you go, Darcy?" Icy was asking. From the tone of her voice, Rhythma could tell that the witch was slightly irritated.

There was shuffling as Darcy walked toward them. "I saw a cat." She replied simply.

"A cat?" Icy snorted in disgust. "Why do you have to pet everything that breathes?"

"Wait." Darcy snapped. "This cat - it had black fur."

Stormy's voice came into the conversation. "So? A lot of cats have black fur."

Darcy paused. "But it also had heterogeneous eyes."

Silence.

Then Icy spoke again.

"What were the eye colors?" She demanded softly, anger rising in her tone.

"Green." Darcy whispered. "And red."

More silence.

Rhythma listened, tense with fear. They truly thought it was her!

"The little wretch." Stormy hissed, almost inaudibly. "So she's here?"

"I think so." Darcy replied.

Icy spoke next, her voice filled with malice. "We need to get the cat alone. Once we have the fairy again, we can give her a proper punishment for escaping."

Dark chuckling.

Rhythma trembled with fear. They were going to find her! She was going to be captured again!

"What kind of punishment will you give her?" Stormy asked, gleefully.

Rhythma pricked her ears, desperate to hear Icy's reply.

The witch didn't answer for a moment.

Then she spoke. "I'll hold her down on the hot stovetop," she hissed, excitement flooding the air. "As she's screaming for mercy, I'll destroy her wings - adding to the agony she's already in."

"How will you do it?" Darcy asked.

"Easy." Icy chuckled. "I'll tear them off slowly, taunting her in how helpless she is against me. I can already see the tears running down her cheeks." She paused. "What will you two be doing?"

Stormy laughed. "Her restraints will be made of electricity - so she'll be screaming even louder."

"Darcy?" Icy said, shifting towards what Rhythma presumed to be the dark witch. "What will you do when you find the little wretch?"

The purple witch laughed. "I'll mess with her mind until she does everything I say. Then I'll just increase the pain and laugh as she squirms on the floor, screaming her own lungs out."

Rhythma couldn't take it anymore. With a whimper, she leaped out of Michael's arms and trotted down the hall with her boy following. Her collar jingled as she moved, but she ignored it.

The only thing worse than being tortured, she thought glumly. Is listening to someone describe what they're going to do to you.

Shaking her head, Rhythma leaped into one of the chairs in the audience, forcing a purr out as Michael sat down beside her. The boy smiled and stroked her head, while staring at the stage.

A chill was sent up her spine.

Rhythma tensed, twitching her ear back to listen.

Sure enough, three pairs of footsteps echoed in the auditorium and sat down in the seats directly behind where Rhythma was sitting.

The Trix. She thought bitterly, glancing at Michael. The specialist didn't notice her worried gaze, however. So Rhythma knew she was on her own.

She tensed.

I can't drag Michael into this. Rhythma thought. This is my problem, and so I have to deal with it.

With a sigh, the black cat slid off the chair and meowed to Michael, who glanced at her. "Go on. But be back soon."

She gave a firm nod, inwardly flinching at her lie. The cat stared at her friend's face for a moment longer, knowing she would probably never see it again, before lowering her head and trudging by him.

As she headed out the side door of the auditorium, Rhythma heard three pairs of shoes clack on the ground.

They were following her.

Rhythma led the Trix into a small room, stopping in a corner and turning to face them with flattened ears. This is it. She thought sadly. Goodbye freedom.

Icy stepped forward and smirked cruelly. "Hello there, little wretch." Her voice was filled with malice.

Rhythma bared her teeth in a snarl.

Stormy laughed.

"I don't think she's happy to see us." The magenta witch said, smiling evilly at the cornered kitten.

Icy approached Rhythma dangerously. "We've been looking for you, fairy." She snapped. "Your punishment will be unlike any other before once we get you back to Cloudtower."

I know, she hissed in her brain. I heard you talking about it earlier.

Stormy walked up to Rhythma and scooped her up, making the kitten screech in surprise and panic. Not even a second later, Stormy screamed.

Rhythma was thrown into the wall opposite of the magenta witch, who lay on the floor. The fairy scrambled to her paws and looked down at her collar. Michael said that anyone with dark intentions would be repelled by the spell! She thought. Maybe I am safe.

Icy growled angrily and lunged for Rhythma, who dodged and let out the loudest shriek she could muster.

At once, Michael was in the room, standing in front of her with his dark blue saber in hand. He glared menacingly at the witches. "Who are you, and why are you attacking my cat?" He snapped.

Darcy stepped forward. "Sir, how long have you had that cat?" She pointed at Rhythma, who flattened her ears and hissed.

Michael narrowed his eyes. "Most of my life." He lied easily. "She's my therapy cat - for my anxiety."

"Oh really?" Icy smirked and stepped toward them. "Why is there a protection spell on her collar, boy?"

"My grandfather is Saladin, Headmaster of Redfountain." Michael said angrily. "He created the collar so no spoiled brats would steal her."

Stormy at last came forward, a cruel smirk on her face. "One last question." She said. "What's your cat's name?"

Without hesitation, Michael replied, "Velvet."

Silence.

Rhythma looked between the witches and the specialist, waiting for one to make a move. Icy then narrowed her eyes and stepped away from the boy, a slight frown on her face.

"Very well." She said smoothly. "Have a good day, specialist."

"You as well, witch." Michael ground out, before sheathing his saber and picking up Rhythma gently in his hands. He brought his lips close to her ear as he held her tight. "I told you the collar would keep you safe."

Rhythma allowed the boy to carry her back to the auditorium, where the rest of the competition went very horrible. She found out that the Trix were actually there to help a witch named Lucy win the competition. But, being the ruthless, backstabbing teenagers they are, they betrayed her and exposed her true nature to the world.

Then they left, but not before Icy stopped and gave her once last penetrating stare. Rhythma met her gaze unflinchingly.

A/N: Yay! I'm no good at writing happy scenes, unfortunately, so just bear with me alright?

Question: Who 's your favorite Fairy Animal?

Mine is Critty. Critty the Quillcat all the way.

Please vote, comment, and enjoy!