Chapter Six

"Oh, dear, that's going to be a problem," said Faragonda, standing up.

"I know. Portal spells are hard for fairies, and there's no way a Red Fountain ship could get prepped and there in time. Not to mention finding her in the meantime," said Palladium.

Faragonda turned away and looked out the large window that overlooked the campus quad, thinking. After a moment she turned back. "Princess Stella can do portal spells with her scepter!"

Palladium shook his head. "I'm afraid the Winx girls have already left with Princess Layla."

"Then let's think. Ask the other teachers if they have any suggestions. I'm going to call Obsidian," said Faragonda, sitting again.

"Yes, ma'am," said Palladium, and took his leave.

He left the Admin Building, intending to consult with the other teachers, but was intercepted by Amaryl, Ahisa, and Kimmy.

"Professor, is there any news?" asked Amaryl.

"Yes, and not good, I'm afraid," he replied.

By the time he finished, Amaryl was in tears, and Kimmy and Ahisa weren't much better.

"Can I do anything to help? This is all my fault," said Amaryl.

"We want to help too," put in Kimmy. "We can't let Mirta die!"

"Keep yourselves available. That's the best I can say right now," the elf answered.

As soon as he left, the honey-blond fairy sat heavily on one of the benches by the Wishing Well. She was as miserable as she had ever been in her life.

Ahisa put her arms around her shoulders from behind and gave her a hug. "It'll be okay. It was an accident. You didn't mean to do what happened."

Amaryl only shook her head.

"This is as much our fault as it is yours, you know," said Kimmy, "We didn't try very hard to stop you."

"That's right," agreed Ahisa, "And we'll share whatever punishment they give you."

Amaryl's head jerked around, eyes wide. "You would do that? But why?"

"We're your friends and Mirta's friends too. What more do I need to say?" asked Ahisa, and Kimmy nodded agreement.

Amaryl smiled. "Thanks, but I can't let you do that."

"How are you going to stop us?" asked Kimmy, and the irony hit them all at once.

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Mirta hid in some bushes, trying to get the pain in her head to go away. Her efforts were hampered by the jumble of memories that were rushing through her mind. Pictures of Cloud Tower, mixed with images of Alfea. Scenes of home with her family and pictures of Lucy were very prominent. Fairies she seemed to know, classes at Cloud Tower and Alfea. The Trix attacking the fairy school, and strangest of all, her senses distorted, sensations like she was no longer human. It was important, but she didn't know why.

"What is happening...?" she thought, struggling against her own mind. "I don't know anyone at Alfea..."

An unknown time passed as she worked to make sense of what she was seeing, and get it to stop. She was still in danger from those trolls- they weren't that far away. And she couldn't fight them in this state.

She fumbled around and took out the healing potion, taking another sip. The pain receded almost instantly, and she sighed with relief. She sat up carefully, looking for the trolls. Good, they hadn't found her yet.

Behind her, she saw the end of the park. She snuck over to have a look. There were cars and hovercycles and buses all busily moving along the paved road. More trolls were walking along on their own business. Nobody noticed her. She sat back.

"I can't go into town, there's nobody but trolls there, and I'll stand out," she thought, and her stomach rumbled. "But maybe I can get some supplies before I go in another direction."

She snuck along the edge of the park until she came to a paved road leading into it. There were a number of vendors selling food items, and the smell made her even hungrier.

She picked out one selling what looked like hamburgers that was somewhat isolated from the others. Creeping up behind it, she looked to see a male troll with his purple hair in a hairnet that strained to stay on. Despite the danger, she giggled quietly.

She really didn't want to hurt anybody, so she cast a sleep spell on the man. He sat down and leaned against the counter, out cold. Going inside she put out the CLOSED sign and then pulled down the shutters.

She made several hamburgers her way and ate, having something called a 'Trolla-Cola' with it. A little odd, but good. The fries already made up were good as well.

Then she made up several more burgers and put them in an empty box she found, along with a few more soft drinks. This should hold her for a day or two. She looked at the fries, but decided against them. Cold fries weren't good, and re-heating them didn't appeal to her.

She started to leave, then hesitated. Pulling out her wallet, she put a couple of bills on the counter where he would see them when he woke up. She hoped it would be enough, even if it wasn't 'trollars'. Then she crept out and was gone back into the woods.

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The BFFL sat up, groaning. The witch's unexpected attack had hurt!

"Everybody okay?" asked Amethyst, looking around.

She got four variants of 'yes' for an answer, and they stood up, trying to recover from the blast.

Just then, Ruby's spell phone rang and she flipped it open.

"Oh, hi, Obsidian," she said.

"Ruby, there's a problem I need you and your friends to help with. A fairy from Alfea has been accidentally transported here, and she might be hurt. We need to find her, and pretty quick," said the old troll.

"We've already met her," said Ruby, "But she's not a fairy, she's a witch."

"Well, Faragonda told me she transferred from the witches school at the beginning of the year, so she's considered a fairy now," was the reply.

"But she keeps saying she's a witch," said Topaz, looking over Ruby's shoulder.

"That's because of the accident. She's lost some memory, and that's not all. Has she shown any physical problems?" asked Obsidian, frowning.

"Yes ma'am," nodded Topaz, "She keeps having bad headaches that come and go."

"I was afraid of that. We've got to get a cure to her within... three and a half hours now, or she will have a stroke and die. Is she with you right now?" Obsidian looked more hopeful.

"No, ma'am, she just blasted us and ran off," answered Ruby.

"Where are you?" asked Obsidian.

"In the park, near the fountain and statue of Major Trollnut," answered Ruby.

"You have to find her. Call me when you do," said Obsidian, and rang off.

Ruby put the phone away. "You heard her, guys, let's get our skoots and find Mirta."

Within a minute they were mounted and traveling along the way Mirta had gone.

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Ms. Faragonda went over to where Ahisa, Kimmy, and Amaryl were sitting, and the students stood up.

"Do you still want to help?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am, more than ever," said Ahisa.

"Thank you. A portal from Trollzopolis will be appearing shortly, and I need you to take the counteractant there and give it to Mirta as quickly as you can," said Faragonda.

"And here it is," said Palladium, coming from the classroom wing. In his hand was a crystal phial.

Kimmy took it from him and put it in a pocket.

A few minutes later, a circular portal popped into being by the Wishing Well, startling everyone. A short woman walking with a cane stepped out. She was wearing a black dress, and her white hair was piled up very high and gathered near the top. She had a shawl around her shoulders. Her keen green eyes took in everything.

"Obsidian!" said Faragonda, going over to meet her, "It's been far too long!"

"I agree, Faragonda," was the reply with a smile for her old friend.

"These are the students who will be going to fetch Mirta back," said the teacher, waving them over, "Ahisa, Kimmy, and Amaryl."

Obsidian smiled and nodded. "Nice to meet you. Since time is of the essence, we need to go. Follow me, please."

She turned and went back through the portal. The three fairies hesitated a moment, then followed.

"Good luck, girls!" called Palladium.

"Please bring her back safely!" added Faragonda.

"We'll do our best," answered Ahisa.

The three of them disappeared into the portal, and it collapsed and was gone.