Chapter Six
Back at Alfea, the complete Winx Club went to the Headmistress' office and gave her the good news. Griselda was there as well.
"I'm very proud of all of you," said Faragonda with a smile. "You all showed courage, persistence, and clear thinking. Flora, I'm very sorry you had to go through such a trauma, but I'm afraid you will see many worse things in your life if you continue as a Fairy."
The brown-haired Nature Fairy nodded. "It was horrible, thinking I killed my friend Mirta, and that I could lose control and go against Nature like that. I wanted to punish myself far more than anyone else did. In the end, it was an intense experience, and I learned something about myself."
"And you have no idea who might be responsible?" asked Faragonda.
Flora shook her head. "I hope someday they will slip up and be found out before they do it to somebody else."
"You're a strong young woman, Flora," said Faragonda with a smile.
The Fairy of Nature blushed and smiled. "I have strong friends."
Faragonda looked at Griselda, who was standing behind the girls with an almost-unnoticeable smile. "I will now return your powers. Step forward, please?"
"With pleasure," was the response.
Faragonda raised a hand, and a ball of yellow-green magic appeared. It lifted up and flew to Flora, disappearing inside her.
With a wide smile, she took a deep breath. "I'm connected to Nature again! Thank you, ma'am!"
"You girls go back to your rooms now," said Faragonda, "And I'll see you at dinner."
"Actually, we missed lunch," said Bloom, putting a hand on her belly. It gurgled, and everyone giggled.
"Then go to the dining hall, and I'll get Maestro Scolia to make you something," said the Headmistress.
Happy and talking excitedly the Winx Club exited the office, leaving two very relieved teachers behind.
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They walked slowly to the hall, clustered around Flora. They could hardly bear to be beyond arm's length from her. As she opened the door, Flora said with a laugh, "Come on, back off a bit! I can't breathe!"
"We just want you to know how much we care about you," said Musa.
The blush that appeared on her tan skin was very deep.
"Tecna, why did you go out of your way to tell the detective I noticed the inconsistency?" asked Layla.
The other Fairy looked at her with a small smile. "I believe in giving credit where it is due."
Layla accepted that with a nod and a 'thanks'.
As they sat down at their usual table, Flora asked, "How did you discover the deception in the first place?"
"The scheme depended on being seen as simple and straightforward, and the perpetrator hoping nobody would look deeper. It almost worked, too," said Tecna.
The school chef, as releived as any other teacher, went out of his way to make sure their lunch was extra-good.
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Back in the suite, Flora went to each girl and gave her a strong hug. "Thank you all for saving me. I'm sorry for trying to push you away."
"We understand, Flora," said Stella, "You were just trying to protect us."
"Where is Mirta?" asked the Flower Fairy. "I want to be sure she's okay."
"We don't know. Whatever happened made her disappear completely," said Bloom.
"Then let's go find her," said Flora.
"Now?" asked Stella, flopping in a chair, "Don't you want to rest? I'm exhausted."
"She might be in trouble, and the longer we wait, the worse it might get," said Flora, heading for the door.
"She WILL be in trouble if I found out she's responsible," grumbled Stella, but got up and went with them.
Transforming, they flew over the scene of the crime.
"Any ideas?" called Bloom.
"I'm going to consult with this tree," replied Flora. The one indicated was taller than any other nearby. She landed on a branch that was above the other trees and went to the trunk. Placing her hands against it she closed her eyes and stilled. After a minute, she smiled and opened her eyes. "Thank you," she said softly, and touched the tree gently.
Rejoining her friends she said, "The tree saw something flying that way," and took off. The others had to work to catch up with her, she was flying so fast.
"Down there," she called at last, and flew down to treetop height. She hovered, looking around, then landed by a particular tree.
"She's here," Flora said, looking at the tree.
"Where?" asked Musa, "I don't see anything."
"She's part of the tree, I can feel her," said Flora, biting back a tear. "Mirta! We're here and we'll get you out!"
"What do we do, Flora?" asked Bloom.
"Surround the tree, hold hands, and call up your magic. Let me direct it," said Flora.
They did as they were told, and with Bloom on one side and Musa on the other, Flora caused a magical wind to swirl around and around the tree. Faster and faster it blew, with the light from the magic (especially Stella's) growing brighter as it did.
With a last, silent, flash the wind died and Mirta stood before Flora. Then she collapsed.
They clustered around the girl, and Bloom used her healing magic to give her strength.
"Thank you, Flora," said Mirta, looking up at the Flower Fairy. "I gotta tell you, I really preferred being a pumpkin."
And the Dark Forest rang with their laughter.
"Did you see who did this?" asked Bloom.
"No. I was sitting with Flora after lunch, and all of a sudden I was a tree. Had no warning at all," was the reply.
Flora put her hand against the tree Mirta had been part of, but it didn't know what had happened either. She could tell it was happy not to have someone inside any more.
"I guess we'll never know, then," said Stella. "Let's get back to the school. I feel the need for a facial to relax these worry wrinkles."
Everyone rolled their eyes, but agreed it was a good idea to go.
They used a levitation spell to lift Mirta, despite her protests she was fine, and carried her back to Alfea and to the Infirmary. Nurse Ophelia decided to keep her overnight, just in case.
Saying good night to the half-Witch, they headed back to the suite.
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"Blast them!" raged Icy, "They figured it all out, and in less than a day! We can't underestimate them again!"
"Yeah," agreed Stormy, "They're smarter than I thought."
It would never occur to any of them that their scheme had been flawed, and even if it did they would never admit it. It wasn't the first time their pride and overconfidence had led to defeat, nor would it be the last.
"But the good news is they don't know who's responsible, so we're in the clear," added Darcy.
Icy sighed. "Well, it's over, and anyway I heard Darkar calling for us. Let's go."
The Trix left the room, and behind them the viewer dissolved into smoke that slowly vanished.
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After lunch the Winx Club, all of it, returned to the suite.
"So are we going to have a party or what?" asked Stella.
"Not tonight, Stella," protested Bloom, "I'm exhausted." Kiko was curled up in her lap, asleep.
"We all are," said Layla.
"Yeah, maybe tomorrow night after classes," added Musa.
"I agree," said Flora, "That ordeal has me really tired. I just want to sleep and forget."
"Besides, Mirta's still in the Infirmary. She should be here if we're going to party," added Layla.
Just then Tecna came out of her room with an odd expression on her normally passive face.
"What's with you?" asked Stella.
"It's time..." said the magenta-haired girl hugging herself and looking down.
"Time for what?" asked Stella, confused.
"Time..." said Tecna, and looked at each Fairy, "But I don't know who to approach..." Tears sprang out from her eyes, startling Stella.
"Uh, guys, something's wrong here..." said the Sun Fairy.
"Oh, my," Musa guessed the problem at once and sprang up, running over and embracing Tecna.
To everyone's surprise Tecna returned the hug and they heard sobbing.
Flora leaned forward in her chair. "What's wrong with her?"
"She's been holding in her emotions while this was going on, and she can't do it any longer," said Bloom, standing up.
"For me?" asked Flora, and Bloom nodded.
Flora went over to the sobbing Fairy, and at her touch Tecna let go of Musa and grabbed Flora. Musa gave Flora a gentle smile and a nod, and stepped away.
Murmuring comforting words, she put her hands on Tecna's back and rubbed it slowly.
"Tecna was the hero," said Bloom, "If it wasn't for her persistence and logic guiding us, whoever might have gotten away with it. She steered us all to the truth."
"Thank you, Tecna, thank you," said Flora, returning the hug. "I love you." She looked around. "I love you all!"
There was a reply, but none of them, even Musa with her affinity for sound, could have said what it was.
The End