Category: Winx Club

Rating: T

Couples: none

Warnings: Major AU

Chapter: 7

Copyright: © characters and places by Iginio; © Plot and OC by me

Author's Note: Anyone interested in the long version (fan-fic length) of the history described here in short?

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"So you want us to find your parents?" Bloom asked, staring with slight shock at the two powerful beings in front of her.

"If you are willing." Skyggon corrected her. "My brother has to explain what he already did to you to the rest of the Universe, but we both figured we should talk to our parents as quickly as possible."

"I know I hardly have the right to ask anything of you." Lysdon spoke softly. "After everything you went through because of me and my pride."

"We will help you." Flora piped up. "Everyone deserves a second chance, even you."

"Thank you." The Dragon smiled weakly at her.

"Your best shot would be the planet of Asuran: it is our birth-planet and one of the few that did not change over time." The Shadow-Phoenix told them.

"Isn't that the planet of the Dragon-riders?" Sky asked, having heard much of it while studying at Red Fountain.

"Yes." Lysdon nodded. "It were our parents who started that practice. They were the legendary couple who made peace between the two races, but the immortality they earned in a different way."

"I suggest you speak to Faragonda about the details, she is more up-to-date than we are." The oldest brother told the others.

"I don't think that is wise." Stella muttered under her breath, but not silent enough since the others did hear her quite clearly.

"We still have to digest that she lied to us." Tecna explained. "We doubt we could remain courteous in the light of that."

The two brothers looked at each other at that, not sure how to react to it.

"We will find our way on our own." Bloom said firmly. "It can't be that hard."

The two beings of Light and Darkness knew they couldn't force the fairies and specialists and relented.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"What was that about Asuran?" Bloom asked Sky while they were in the space ship.

"The story goes that on one of the oldest planets there was already a powerful race when humans came there: dragons. In the beginning all went well, since there was more than enough room. But the humans multiplied and soon began to claim ever greater parts of the wide plains making up most of the planet as their own to feed their livestock and such. But those plains were the hunting-grounds of the dragons and the meddling of the humans hunted away their prey. You can imagine what came next." Sky told the fairies the story. "They clashed ever more often, causing grave losses on both sides: the humans had powerful magic and the dragons raw strength and a very high intelligence. It went on and on, with no end in sight. But a young girl was willing to sacrifice herself for her people: she was a noble woman of a great city, the greatest even. But just a few miles North, looming ever at the horizon was a… tower of sorts where dwelled the greatest and also the mightiest clan of dragons. She travelled there and instead of killing her, the dragons allowed her into their midst on behest of a old and wise member of their race, realizing – just like she had – that the only way was to learn to live peacefully with the humans. The dragon who had urged his kinsmen to accept her taught her their ways, and eventually even considered her his equal, by allowing her to use him as steed. She became an example and soon both races learned to live in harmony. Then comes the part which isn't true as became apparent: for her sacrifice and the dragon's willingness to look beyond the hatred they had with the humans, both were given immortality by the Great Dragon to serve as an example for other people."

"Wow, that had to take guts." Musa said after he had finished. "She was willing to die a possibly useless death on the small chance she might make a difference for her people. A true guardian-fairy."

"Codatorta always told us to take her as an example: willingness to sacrifice ourselves even if it might not make a difference. He also would remind us every time we were thrown off that she not only didn't even have a saddle but that the dragon she rode was truly wild, and would only carry her whenever he wanted too, unlike our dragons who are trained to never kill a human and prepared for a rider since hatching." Timmy said from behind the controls. "The people of Asuran say that the king does not sit on the throne, because he has no true right for it. It is said he leaves the throne and crown unoccupied because he does not wish to offend the true rulers: that dragon and woman."

"We are approaching the planet." Riven pointed to a dot in the distance. "Asuran, planet of the Dragon-riders."

It was green, very green and the north was grey, a mountain-range greater than any other. But they aimed for one of the few color-dots: a city, which seemed almost black from space.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Welcome on Asuran." A man greeted them when they left the space-ship. Behind him rose black buildings and behind those a great castle, as black as any other building. "We rarely have visitors. Follow me." He had something snakelike about him and when he smiled, Bloom was certain his teeth were pointed. He led them away from the ship, up the long and broad street. As they passed they saw dragons on the flat roofs, while the street was lined with shops.

"Excuse me." Layla softly asked their guide. "May I ask you something?"

"Ask away, Princess of Tides." He smiled at her surprise. "We were warned you would come."

"By whom?" Helia rested his hand in Flora's.

"Lady Faragonda." The guide gestured to the far castle. "She is very powerful here and we all know of her. She send word to the king that you would come and that you were to be treated as her guests. And the king does not dare to disobey her."

"Great, so why did she not improve this place?" Stella looked at the blackened walls.

"Our buildings look like this in honor of the war we had with the dragons. It was she who suggested it: to remind us that darkness is not evil, but simply a part of live. Back in the day it also had another use: one doesn't see scorch-marks on already black walls."

"Do you know why we are here?" Layla came to walk next to the man.

"Yes, to find Vo'id. Lady Faragonda told us that too."

"Searching for someone who does not want to be found." The voice was soft and gentle, yet the man cowered in seeming instinct. "To find the one who was betrayed by his own child. Impressive…"