"Alfea has suffered serious damage." Stella cast her golden gaze over to where Rhythma was gazing over the balcony, trying to ease the pounding that was still in her head. "The Trix are getting more and more aggressive." She looked down. "And I miss Bloom."

Rhythma nodded, her eyes tearing up.

"How will it all end?" Stella asked herself. "I hope she and Sky are alright."

The two walked back into their room, eyes downcast. Rhythma put one hand on her head, knitting her eyebrows together in an attempt to get rid of the inexplicable agony coursing through her skull. Since yesterday, the pain had become even more intense, filling her brain with a sharp prick that seemed to stab her over and over and over again.

"Rhythma?"

At the sound of her name, the young fairy looked up to meet Statica's electric blue gaze. "Yes?"

The fairy of Lightning walked toward her. "I've been wondering why you always wear that scarf." She commented, pointing at the dark gray wool cloth that hung loosely around Rhythma's neck.

It startled the young fairy to hear mention of the garment. She had worn it for years, and eventually had forgotten it was there. To hear of its presence caused her to raise her hand and stroke the fabric, her mind racing. When she finally got to her senses, she looked up and her friend and gave her a weak smile. "It was something that Icy gave me."

Humora snorted. "Then why didn't you take it off as soon as you escaped?"

"I forgot about it, honestly." Rhythma admitted. "After a while, you tend to ignore things. And besides," she smiled warmly at the ground. "It's comfortable."

Stella took part of the scarf and glared at it with disgust. "As comfortable as it might be, it's still horrendously ugly." She declared. "The Trix have never had any sense of style, though."

Rhythma giggled and swatted at the fairy's hand. "Whatever. I'm keeping it."

Statica groaned. "Don't get me wrong, as it looks good on you, but that thing could be diseased!"

"In all of the time I lived with the Trix, I never got sick," Rhythma protested. "I would know if it were corrupted by illness or something." She held the scarf tighter. "Nobody here has gotten sick yet."

Statica opened her mouth to argue to that, but Musa's voice carried over the bickering. "Flora, you're not giving up on Mirta, are you?"

Flora sighed, and Flava put her hand on the Nature Fairy's shoulder as everyone turned to look sadly at the pumpkin. "Try one more time." She urged. But Flora shook her head.

"I've tried everything," she whispered. "I'm not strong enough."

Tecna sighed, looking at the pumpkin. "There's got to be a way to break this spell."

Rhythma walked over to Flora and put one hand on her back, smiling. "I believe in you." She murmured, letting the power of the nature pixies flow through her hand and into her friend, boosting her power ever so slightly.

Flora closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the power run through her veins. She stepped back toward the pumpkin and placed both hands on either side of it. Then, she squeezed her eyes shut and put in every ounce of power inside of her to her mission.

The room began to glow gold, mirroring the power Flora had just received. Rhythma gasped, shielding her eyes from the blinding light. The others also gasped in shock as - once they opened their eyes - the pumpkin was gone, and standing up next to Humora was a young, red headed witch.

Astonished, Mirta laughed, and so did Flora as they rushed to embrace each other warmly.

"That was the key, Flora!" Mirta cried. "Don't you see? You had to let the energy flow through both of your hands!"

Flora smiled brightly. "How could I ever think that the Trix's magic was stronger than my desire to help you?"

They both giggled, and Stella suddenly grabbed Rhythma's hand to drag her over to the balcony. "I hate to change the subject so suddenly," she called to the others. "But there's a tall, good-looking guy pacing up and down right under our window."

"And Musa," Rhythma added. "I think he wants to see you." She smirked down at the purple-haired specialist fondly, growing more likeable toward him since he helped them out of Cloudtower. He was quite friendly once she had gotten to know him.

"Don't be silly." Musa said dejectedly. Then she brightened. "Well, I think I'll go for a little walk." Rhythma giggled as she walked out of the room, then she turned to Stella and nudged her.

The sun fairy leaned over the balcony and called down to the specialist. "Hey, Riven! I think she's coming down!"

"Who is?" Riven looked up, rubbing the back of his head nervously, and this caused Rhythma to chuckle.

"Aww, come on! You know who!" The pixie fairy said with a smile. "Don't play innocent!"

She and Stella watched Musa emerge from the door near Riven. "Oh, hey Riven."

Seeming nervous again, Riven turned to her. "O-oh. Hi Musa, I was, uh, looking for Timmy. I thought he might be around here." Rhythma face-palmed. "Well anyway, I should keep looking. B-bye!" He hurried off.

What an idiot, Rhythma thought grimly as she took in Musa's shocked expression. Her head throbbed.

And suddenly, the next wave of pain brought her to her knees. Humora and the rest of the Winx gasped when Rhythma stumbled, then collapsed at the sudden agony coursing through her head. She gave a shriek - one of pure, horrid anguish - before the walls of Alfea fell out of place . . .

. . . she could no longer feel the ground beneath her. The air surrounded her, drifting, rushing, and roaring all around.

Rhythma half-panicked. She was losing control. Suddenly, she was tumbling.

But, she was in Alfea! No, that wasn't right. She was high in the sky.

The wind rushed past her, and she knew that if she didn't do something, her body would be crushed when she hit the ground.

But what could she do? She didn't have wings!

Over and over and over, the young fairy fell. She cried out, but those cries were ripped away by the wind.

Then, her cry transformed. She called out, but it was with the shriek of a decay monster.

Horrified, trapped, cold, she stopped spinning. She flattened her body against the rushing air instead of fighting it. She became a part of it. She spread out her wings so the cold air rushed through her scales.

She turned and swooped. The air to one side became more intense, more resistant, as she pushed it in that direction. With a flick of her long, purple tail, she turned the other way. She skimmed across the treetops, her shadow a blur across the stony, barren ground.

Terrified, Rhythma rose up. Up and up she went, the wind blasting her face, cursing her with its chill as she passed through the sickening clouds and -

Magix.

She gazed down upon it. The lakes glowing dully in the foggy daylight. Brown expanses of trees that had once been green spread out before her, dappled in the many shades that marked the Dark Forest. Further east - for the monster's sight seemed to have no limits - the horizon bent away into dusky darkness. The young fairy could see the outline of the faraway mountains and the long shadows of the oceans far away, all asleep.

What a world it had become due to the Trix's wrath. Rhythma's heart filled almost to bursting. What visions came from being up so high. There were no boundaries for them. She spread out her wings, as if she might touch one end of this world and the other. She might even swallow it in her jaws.

But the clouds darkened still, if that were even possible. They stirred with a malevolent anger. They rumbled, angry voices that protested the fairy's presence. They crackled with lightning.

Rhythma watched as monsters gathered in masses around and below her. They walked in an army-like state, and Rhythma felt herself falling into the same flying pattern as the sky monsters around her. It was as if she were in a trance, unable to control her own body.

The Trix emerged from the tower Rhythma had once called her home and admired their army. The young fairy looked down to find some of the worm creatures building up in a mass of wriggling legs. The shapes started to form into huge, throne-like chairs, and Rhythma tried her hardest not to screech in panic. The attack was coming! The final battle party was about to make way for Alfea!

She watched the three witches settle down in their thrones, cruel, but rather bored expressions on their faces. Rhythma screeched in horror and tried to fight the pull that forced her to follow the Trix. They all turned to her, feeling the monster fighting their command. Darcy's eyes flashed gold, and her gaze grew shocked and horrified at the same time.

Rhythma knew she needed to leave, fast.

Free of the control of Darcy and the other witches, the young fairy turned and fled, slamming herself into a tree and feeling the writhing mass of insects that held her together come apart. The surrounding woods broke away around her and she felt her heartbeat speed up . . .

. . . she jolted upward with a gasp and felt her world return to normal. The walls of Alfea fell back into place, and the blurry outline of Humora's face was suddenly inches from her own.

Rhythma yelped and jerked away, startled at the closeness of her friend. Humora breathed a sigh of relief. "She's okay!"

Flora and Flava were on either side of her head, smiling at her. Mirta was standing a few feet away, her eyes filled with worry.

Statica stared at Rhythma. "What happened?"

Rhythma took a deep breath. "I-I don't know. One minute I was fine, and the next I was seeing through the eyes of the decay monsters!"

Humora gasped again. "Where are they?"

"Heading this way. The final attack approaches!"

"You know the Trix better than we do, Mirta," Flora said later that day. "What do you think they'll do next?"

"Your guess is as good as mine." Mirta admitted. "I've never seen them so full of hate and so powerful."

Stella chuckled. "I think a facial and a manicure would help them relax."

"Must you always be joking, Stella?" Tecna demanded.

"Yeah," Statica snorted. "This is no time for humor. Even Humora is quiet!"

Stella sighed. "Well what do you want me to do?" She asked miserably. "When I'm serious, I think of Bloom and I go nuts!"

Rhythma coughed weakly. "But you still have to focus on the task at hand." They passed by where Pip, Pepe and Kiko were all playing, but Kiko seemed upset.

"See?" Stella pointed out. "Even Kiko misses her."

"I'm sure Bloom and Sky are okay." Musa said confidently. "Perhaps they're having trouble getting back to Magix. But I have a good feeling we'll see them very soon."

Statica and Humora nodded. Flava winked at Rhythma. Lula just sighed as the other Winx tried to convince themselves of this.

Lightning flashed overhead as Rhythma bent down to pick up Pip, who had waddled over to her. A moment later, the Winx were joined by the specialists.

"Any news, guys?" Musa asked once Rhythma set Pip down again.

Riven, Timmy, Brandon and Michael came up to them. "None at all, Musa." Riven said.

"Everything has stopped." Timmy said. "It's like everyone is waiting for the worst to happen."

Michael snorted and crossed his arms. "It can't get much worse than this, I'm afraid."

"This dark sky makes me nervous." Flora said as she looked around.

"It's been days since we've seen the sunshine." Stella complained. Rhythma nodded.

"It feels so cold without light." She admitted. "If the Trix win, will it be like this forever?"

Statica crossed her arms, and the big sister look that Rhythma knew so well came onto her face. "They won't win." She growled. "Not while I stand and watch."

"News from the Dark Forest!" Someone cried, causing Rhythma to jerk up in surprise. "The nymphs are bringing us news!"

Two small creatures that Rhythma had never seen before flew by the large crowd of people to where Faragonda was standing.

"Welcome to Alfea!" The headmistress said warmly. "What brings you here?"

The purple nymph looked alarmed. "It's Cloudtower!" She announced.

"The army is coming through the Dark Forest!" The blue one said, just as panicked.

"They're headed this way!"

The blue nymph spoke again. "It's the most powerful army we've ever seen!"

"And Icy, Darcy and Stormy are at the forefront!" Concluded the purple one. These words alarmed Rhythma, as she had started to gain another headache.

Faragonda gestured to the doors behind her. "Go get some rest inside," She ordered the two nymphs. When they had obeyed, the headmistress of Alfea addressed the students. "Alright everybody, let's get ready! Take up your positions!"

Rhythma saw Pip take cover with Kiko and Pepe.

"We won't be caught by surprise!" As those words were spoken, Rhythma staggered back. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she just managed to yell out before she hit the ground . . .

. . . upon opening her eyes, Rhythma saw that she was once again flying. But she was not one of the decay monsters this time. Instead, sleek dark gray feathers stretched out on wings that spread on both sides, and a massive beak stuck out in front of her.

Rhythma felt disgust build up her stomach.

Of all creatures, why this?

Cravens were so incredibly nasty, that the young fairy fought the bile rising in her throat. Beside her, Icy sat on a throne, glaring at a certain storm witch that seemed to be frustrated.

"I couldn't care less what you think, Stormy," the ice witch was saying. "This is how I want things to be done. Magix must see the might of our troops."

Rhythma growled low in her throat. Icy always had to get what she wanted, didn't she? Stormy scowled and looked away from her. It was actually Darcy who spoke next.

"But don't you think Alfea is getting an advantage over us that way?" The dark witch asked Icy, who turned to glare at her next. She let out a low growl.

"Sisters, our only weakness is your stupid fear." She snarled. "The power of the Dragon is in our hands; what could you possibly be afraid of?"

Rhythma went to follow them and retrieve more information, but something pulled her back. Reality crashed back down on her and Alfea was suddenly around her again, with Michael shaking her.

She was on one of the roofs of Alfea with Faragonda standing near Griffin.

"This won't be a walk in the park, Faragonda." The Cloudtower headmistress said gravely as Michael helped Rhythma to her feet.

The Alfea headmistress sighed as she surveyed the Dark Forest. "I know, but what choice do we have?"

"Faragonda, I-"

"You don't have to feel responsible, Griffin." Faragonda interrupted. When the headwitchress said nothing, she continued. "The upcoming battle isn't my only concern."

Griffin nodded to Rhythma and walked forward. "Are you thinking about Bloom and Sky?"

"I wish I knew what happened to them." Faragonda admitted. She looked at Rhythma. "I don't know if I should tell any of you this."

Griffin raised a brow. "Hmm?"

Alfea's headmistress took a deep breath. "Never before, in the history of our realm, has a fairy truly lost her powers through the ill will of some entity."

"What do you mean?" Griffin asked, shocked and a little perplexed at these words.

"If this is what has happened to Bloom," Faragonda said. "I hope for the sake of us all that she hasn't lost herself. Her powers are extraordinary; I've never seen anything like it."

Rhythma nodded. "She can not lose them." She agreed.

The world seemed to pause for a moment, and Rhythma felt a chill creep up her spine. She looked at Faragonda, who met her gaze and nodded. "They're here. I can sense it."

Rhythma prepared a battle stance and transformed, feeling adrenaline flood her veins.

This is it. She thought. May the power of the Pixies truly be in my hands.

A/N: FINALLY! Writer's block is a pain in the butt, guys.

Question: What is your favorite scene from Winx?
Mine was in season three when the Trix took a prisoner and Musa earned her Enchantix to save her.