Last time, The Trix and their allies attempted to capture the Construct piece at Alfea. They kidnapped the entire first year class of fairies in order to draw out Bloom and The Winx. The girls were then trapped in their own worst nightmares, but then Nabu, Layla's reluctant fiancé, arrived and helped Sky and the boys save the girls. Bloom and The Winx and friends then turned the tables on Vicky and The Trix, allowing Bloom the chance to finish Vicky off once and for all. But then Vicky tricked Bloom into believing that she would be dooming Domino instead of saving it, allowing all the baddies to get away, and leaving Bloom in another struggle with her dark side. 'Nuff said, on with the show!

Chapter 29: Healing after Heartbreak

"What's wrong with her?" Stella asked. Bloom had been taken to the infirmary, where the nurses examined her and declared that there wasn't anything physically wrong with Bloom. But she was still catatonic.

"If it's not her body," said Tecna, "then there must be something wrong with her mind."

"It's all my fault," said a miserable Carmen, "I shouldn't have yelled and slapped her like that. If I hadn't been so angry…"

"I'm sure you had nothing to do with this," said Jake, "Princess Bloom was under a lot of stress at the time. That vile witch, Vicky, she had disrupted Princess Bloom's resolve. I'm positive Vicky is responsible."

"I didn't sense any curses from her," said Flora.

"Neither did I," said Layla, "whatever's wrong with Bloom, The Trix didn't do it."

"They got lucky this time," said Sky, "I'd wring the cure out of them if they did."

"I'm sure you would," said Faragonda as she came into the room, "but I doubt it would help Bloom. No, I believe this is a psychological matter. Bloom's resolve was broken, and now Bloom is fighting for her identity."

"What are you talking about, Ms. F?" Musa asked.

"Bloom told me about her experience on Wallach VII," said Faragonda, "and I have confirmed it with my predecessor, Maya the Dragon Sage. Bloom fought and came to terms with her inner darkness, thereby gaining control over her Enchantix. But then Bloom's dark side warned that if Bloom couldn't use her full powers when they truly mattered, such as to defeat an enemy once and for all, then the darkness would take over Bloom."

"That's horrible!" said a shocked Stella.

"And it's happening right now," said Elise as she scanned Bloom's head with her Sonic Screwdriver, "I'm detecting a massive amount of brainwave activity in her mind. She's fighting her inner darkness, and she's losing!"

"How could she be losing!" Sky demanded.

"Her strength of will was disrupted," said Faragonda, "and with it her strength of heart, a combination that leaves Bloom highly venerable to her inner darkness."

"What will happen if Bloom looses to her inner darkness?" Stella asked hesitantly.

"Then the Bloom we all know and love will cease to exist," said Faragonda gravely.

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" said Sky, "I don't know what I can do, but I can't just sit here and let Bloom become evil again!"

"I'm afraid there's nothing any of us can do," said Faragonda, "this is her fight. She must win it on her own."

"Why?" Nabu asked. It was clear that Sky, Stella and the others had forgotten that he was there, but now they remembered, "why can't we help? Who says that something has to be done alone?"

"Well what do you suggest we do?" Layla asked, "go inside Bloom's mind and help her fight her inner darkness?"

"That's exactly what I'm suggesting," said Nabu, "my spell helped Sky and the Specilists go inside your minds and help you against your nightmares, so we can all go inside Bloom's mind and help fight her evil self."

"That may not work out," said Riven.

"We fought Bloom's dark side before," said Flora, "she nearly killed us."

"But Bloom took back control of herself," said Sky, "after I told her that I loved her."

"Then we'll tell her again!" said Stella. She then spoke into Bloom's ear, "Do you hear that, Bloom? We all love you, so you'd better not lose to your evil self!"

"I don't think yelling is going to work," said Sky. He looked at Nabu, "if your magic can get us inside Bloom's mind, then do it."

"I'll need a minute to get ready," said Nabu, "but I should warn you, it'll be harder to send in a large group than just one person. I wouldn't recommend more than three."

"Then I'll be Stella, Carmen and myself," said Sky.

"I'm ready whenever you all are," said Carmen.

"Same here," said Stella.

Layla then asked Nabu, "why are you doing all of this? Why are you helping us?"

"I'll explain everything later," said Nabu, "I promise. But right now I have to do this." He then began casting the spell, and the next thing Sky, Stella and Carmen knew, they were in Bloom's mind.

"I thought we'd be at that lake where Bloom and Daphne sometimes meet," said Stella as she, Sky and Carmen looked around and recognized the corridors of the Domino royal palace.

"I guess people's minds do change," said Carmen, "in more ways than the obvious."

Just then they heard the sounds of serious fighting from up ahead.

"We need to hurry!" said Sky as he activated his sword, while Stella and Carmen took to the air. They ran into the throne room to find Bloom and Dark Bloom locked in a life or death grapple, and Bloom was losing.

"Bloom!" shouted Sky.

Both Bloom and Dark Bloom saw Sky, Stella and Carmen. This distraction lasted long enough for Bloom to momentarily get the upper hand, blasting her dark self across the room.

"Bloom!" said Stella as she flew forward.

"No!" said Bloom, "Stay back! This is between me and her!"

"Oh do let your friends try and help," sneered Dark Bloom, "it'll really make my day to crush them before your eyes!"

"Crush this!" shouted Carmen as she threw a dark sphere at Dark Bloom, whom swatted it aside like a fly.

"Don't even try," said Dark Bloom, whom then pointed at Bloom, "everything she knows, I know. I know all your moves. And let me tell you something else, everything she can do, I can do!" she then shot a stream of dark Dragonfire at Carmen, whom barely avoided being roasted alive.

"Don't you hurt my friends!" shouted Bloom.

"Oh yes, your friends," said Dark Bloom, "your poor, pathetic friends, without whom you are nothing!"

"Then that also means that you are nothing!" said Bloom. Clearly the sight of her friends had restored her strength of heart, "remember, you and I are opposite sides of the same coin. What hurts me hurts you as well."

"I feel no pain!" snapped Dark Bloom, "I have no heart!"

"Oh yes you do," said Bloom, "a dark heart, but a heart nonetheless. Otherwise you wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be here as well, but that's besides the point. Your trying to destroy me will only destroy yourself. We need each other to survive."

Now it was Dark Bloom's turn to lose her strength of heart, "I don't need you!" she then threw several dark fireballs at Bloom, but none of them hurt her, they just fizzled on contact, "I don't need anyone! Die! DIE!"

"Kill me and you kill yourself," said Bloom, "why can't you see that?"

"Why can't you let me be me!" exclaimed Dark Bloom. She fell to her knees and began crying.

"Is this normal?" Stella asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine," said Carmen.

"I think I understand," said Sky. He then spoke to Dark Bloom, "you'd only end up self destructing if you were in control, for nobody would want anything to do with you. You'd truly be alone then, and that's something neither of you," he indicated Bloom and Dark Bloom, "can deal with."

Bloom then sat down next to her dark side, "I shouldn't have let myself be fooled by Vicky's lies. I can't promise that it won't happen again, who knows what else she and her sisters will come up with. But I can promise to do the very best I can, but I can't do it without you."

"You'd still take me after I just tried to kill you," sobbed Dark Bloom, "I wouldn't take me, I'd hate me forever."

"I know you would," said Bloom, "but I would forgive you, and I'd keep forgiving you every time."

"You deserve better than me," said Dark Bloom.

"But you and I are stuck with each other," said Bloom, "and I refuse to listen to any more self loathing from you. We're in this together, so the sooner you pull yourself together, the sooner we can defeat Vicky once and for all." She held out her hand.

"You'll do your best to destroy the bitch?" Dark Bloom asked.

"I'll do the very best I can," said Bloom.

"Then I'll try my best to," said Dark Bloom. With that the two Bloom's shook hands. A bright light then shone from their hands.

Sky, Stella and Carmen then found themselves awake again, and so was Bloom. Everyone saw this and was overjoyed, but the most happy were Stella, Sky and Carmen.

"Don't ever have us go inside your mind again, Bloom," said Stella, "it's crazy in there."

"Any crazier in your head?" Carmen asked, "oh wait, there's nothing in there except fashion, boys and more fashion."

"I'm just glad you're okay, Bloom," said Sky.

"I'm alright," said Bloom as she tried to sit up, but found that she was too tired to move more than a bit.

"That's not suprising," said Faragonda, "considering the mental exertions you have just participated in, Bloom, your body is equally exhausted. I would recommend that you spend the rest of the day in bed, at least."

"I'm thinking you're right, Ms. Faragonda," said Bloom, "and I am sorry."

"For what?" Faragonda asked.

"For letting Vicky and The Trix get away," said Bloom, "If I hadn't fallen for Vicky's lies, I would have finished her, and that would have ended the curse on Domino."

"I still had to kill Darcy," said Elise, "I should have gone first. That would have given you the time to pull yourself together and finish Vicky off, but I wanted to save Darcy for last. I'm to blame."

"No, It's my fault," said Carmen, "Bloom, I'm so, so sorry I hit you. I shouldn't have gotten angry with you over this. I realize now that if the situation were reverse, and I was about to destroy Vicky, I probably would have fallen for her lies as well."

"You hit me?" a surprised Bloom asked. She felt her face and realized that she did feel a little sore, "I don't remember that at all."

"You must have been inside yourself at the time," said Sky.

"You hear that?" Morgan said to Carmen, "you're innocent, so get over it!"

"I guess I should," said Carmen, "anyway, I'm just glad that Bloom is okay again."

"Aren't we all," said Layla, she then looked at Nabu, "and I think someone finally owes us an explanation."

"I guess I do," said Nabu, "okay then, first of all, I've always been able to remember everything I've ever read. I've memorized thousands of spells, and I know how to best use them all, especially dream spells. That's another of my gifts; I've always had lucid dreams."

"That's cool," said Musa, "to be able to control your dreams."

"I'd want that power," said Helia.

"Me to," said Brandon.

"If you know so much about magic," said Layla, "then why did you ended up getting caught by that shape shifter at the museum?"

"I was concerned about saving you," said Nabu, "One of The Trix had you in her sights, and you didn't notice it."

"Which one?" Layla asked.

"The one who looked like she uses too much bleach," said Nabu.

"Ah, Icy," said Morgan.

"I saw her about to kill you," said Nabu, "I was completely focused on saving you, Layla, even though we did get caught by that shape shifter. I underestimated the enemy then, but not any more."

"Speaking of the shape shifter girl," said Carmen, "exactly what happened to her and the other freaks?"

"They just vanished," said Kegan, "honest."

"It is true," said Jake, "we had them all bound with magic sapping restraints, as well as indestructible bonds for the more physical villains. But they vanished nonetheless."

"Even the new guys can back us up," said Mace.

Bloom then saw the three new people, two men and a woman, whom she realized were recently found Domino survivors. She would fully meet them later, but we shall get to know them now:

The first man was Quinn Shockley. A natural born tracker, Quinn could read any trail from the smallest of traces, as well as follow any scent with the dedication of a bloodhound.

Quinn was 23, had brown hair, hazel eyes and stood at 5'9". He wore a green and brown camouflage outfit.

He was 6 years old when Domino fell. When the 100 children were separated, Quinn found himself among a family of professional game wardens on a magical wildlife preserve. Quinn learned how to track the most elusive of prey, as well as how to hone his 5 senses so that they were ten times as powerful as a normal persons'.

The second man was Glen Roth, whom possessed precognition and telekinesis. These psychic abilities can allow Glen to foretell the immediate future, within five minutes, as well as to lift objects with his mind, although he couldn't lift anything heavier than a tone without getting a serious headache.

Glen was 21, had natural silver hair worn short, and had mixed eyes, one blue the other brown. He stood at 5'8" and wore a green and orange shirt with a blue jacket and blue jeans.

At just 4 years old when Domino fell, Glen barely remembered his home world. He believed that his adoptive family of professional fortune tellers were his real family. He traveled with a tribe of interstellar gypsies, learning to control his power to see the immediate future, as well as to focus his power to move objects with his mind.

The woman was Dawn Lewis, whom possessed super speed and agility. She could outrun and outmaneuver a cheetah any day of the week. She also was armed with four Chakrams, circular discs with razor edges, similar to shuriken.

She was about 19, stood at 5'3", had short dark blond hair and light green eyes. Darn wore a green and gray shirt and shorts with blue running boots.

After the surviving children were scattered, Dawn was raised by a traveling circus, where she was taught how to throw her Chakrams. She also learned how to use her speed and agility to incorporate them into the act. Another skill she learned in the circus was how to draw tattoo's, a skill that she would soon put to practical use.

All three of them were found by Jake on his travels. As it turned out, Quinn's ship was refueling at the same space station where Glen's tribe and Dawn's circus trope were performing. Jake saw the three of them and they believed his story about whom they really were, for all three of them had felt that they belonged somewhere else, and so here they were.

"Are you sure you're alright, Bloom?" Sky asked, "you look like you're about to…"

By then Bloom had fallen asleep and was resting peacefully.

"I think we should let her rest now," said Flora.

"That's a good idea," said Tecna, "we can use the time to get a look at that door The Trix were trying to get into. I honestly had no idea that door was there in the library."

"Me neither," said Timmy, "I don't think anyone alive knows about it."

"You may be correct," said Faragonda, "even more so, whatever it is that The Trix are after, be it this Construct piece or something else, it is behind that door."

"You guys go on," said Sky, "I'm staying with Bloom."

"Suit yourself, man," said Riven, "we've got a door to look at."

"You mean you have a door to look at," said Carmen, "I have a meeting to attend."

"What kind of meeting?" Musa asked.

"One for exclusive members only," said Carmen, "you have to be from Domino to be part of this club."

"Nobody told me about a meeting," said Mace.

"I'm declaring it now," said Carmen, "all of us Domino survivors, we need to talk about something serious, and private."

Our heroes left the infirmary for their respective tasks, all except for Sky as he sat vigil over Bloom, wanting her to see him when she woke up.

"You just can't find good help these days," said Zahidia to her assembled minions, "you think you can depend on someone, and they let you down when it matters the most, like these rejects here."

On the floor in front of the throne was the four Trix, Toro, Trabon, Kevin, Naz, James, Sara, Rolf and Johnny as they writhed about in unadulterated agony. Immediately upon their return to Xaldo, The Trix and their allies were thrown in front of Zahidia, whom then proceeded to place them back in their personal hells again.

This time the baddies had been suffering their worst fears and worse memories for well over 2 hours, but for them it might as well be an eternity.

Finally, Zahidia released the curse, freeing Icy, Darcy, Stormy, Vicky and their allies from their torments.

"I hope you now understand the gravity of the situation," said Zahidia as the baddies recovered, "Once again you have failed to destroy Bloom of Domino. This alone is unforgivable, but you have also failed to recover a Construct piece. This too is unforgivable, but even more so, this is the most vital piece of the Construct. By now the enemy is aware of the existence of the piece, and they are in the process of determining its purpose. This will make recovering it in the future next to impossible, for they will go to extreme lengths to keep it out of our hands. Do you realize how serious this is? Well…do you?"

"We understand perfectly, Lady Zahidia," said Vicky, "and we will not fail next time."

"You had better not," said Zahidia, "for this is your final chance. Fail me again, and you shall spend the rest of your days in your personal hells, only to arrive in the real hell when you die. Now get out of my sight!"

"We live only to serve you, Lady Zahidia," said Vicky, for only she had the strength to say it and bow. The others just bowed their heads, then they all hurried as fast as their tortured bodies could go towards the door.

"Okay, that's it!" said Stormy, "I want out, now!"

"Same here," said Toro, "it was fun working for this new empire, but now the party is over. I say we leave while we can."

"I couldn't agree more," said Icy, "this is just like The Shadow Riders all over again, but this time we can take our accessories off," she took her Cthulhu earring off, as did Stormy, while Darcy removed her ring.

"I was more than willing to stay," said Trabon, "as long as Stormy would stay. If she's leaving, then I am." he took off his Cthulhu belt buckle, while Toro did the same with his.

"If you're going, take us with you," said Naz, "I was totally committed to Lady Zahidia when I first joined, but now…"

"Now we know just how crazy she is," said Kevin, "Marissa was right, she could destroy us at a whim."

"All master villains can destroy their subordinates at the slightest provocation," said Rolf, "even without. But Kevin-warrior is right. Rolf has had enough."

"So have we," said Sara, while James nodded in agreement. Even Johnny, whom was the most unbalanced of the group, had to agree as well.

"I to want to leave," said Vicky, "but even if we were to escape right now, we won't get far. Zahidia has eyes and ears across the known universe. We wouldn't get more than two parsecs before her bounty hunters find and drag us back to Xaldo. And then of course, there's still The Galaxy Police and the good-affiliated bounty hunters out for our heads to deal with."

"Then what the hell are we going to do?" Darcy asked, "you got us into this, Vicky, so it's only fair that you get us out!"

"I'm already working on that," said Vicky, "but don't expect me to figure out an escape plan right away. I'm still frazzled by what just happened, both here and at Alfea. The Winx and their friends nearly had us all, and if I hadn't bluffed, and if Bloom hadn't called my bluff, then I'd be a smoldering heap by now."

"Then you were bluffing," said a shocked Darcy, "if you and I die, then…"

"Then the curse on Domino would be lifted," said Icy.

"I'd kill those Ancestress bitches if they weren't already dead!" said Toro.

"Save a piece for me," said Kevin, while James, Johnny and Rolf nodded in agreement.

"Why are you agreeing with us?" Icy asked, "you don't have anything to with our situation."

"You mean our situation," said Darcy, referring to herself and Vicky, "remember, you and Stormy already died. Vicky and I are next in the line of fire, so to speak."

"Even though we have nothing to do with the curse," said Naz, "we're still in this as much as you are. After all, what are friends for?"

"Friends?" Stormy asked.

"Of course," said Sara, "just because we're evil doesn't mean we're completely evil. Even villains can have friends."

"Unlike that psychopath, Diaspro," said James, "now she's one who will never be one of us."

"You won't get any objections from me," said Darcy, "she is completely out of her mind."

"Okay, so, we're friends," said Stormy, "we're still up the creek without a paddle."

"Which is why, while we're coming up with an escape plan," said Vicky, "we'll still focus on destroying Bloom. Her friends and allies blindsided us this time, but that won't work again."

"Neither will bluffing," said Trabon, "you were lucky that Bloom fell for your lie. Next time she'll do whatever it takes to kill you."

"And I'm also still in the crosshairs," said Darcy.

"Well, there is one solution," said Vicky, "not something that can save you and me, but it'll make sure that Domino remains curse if we do die. But, you're not going to like it"

"What's that?" Stormy asked.

"Is there a way to reconnect Stormy and me with the curse?" Icy asked.

"No, you're finished with the curse now and forever," said Vicky, "this is something that only Darcy can do. I would gladly do it, if it weren't for the fact that my body has been so messed up by all the dark magic worked on it."

"Wait a second," said Darcy hesitantly, "you don't mean…"

"That's right," said Vicky, "you, Darcy, will have to have a child."

"Big sister say what?" a shocked Icy, Darcy and Stormy asked at the same time.

"I told you you wouldn't like it," said Vicky.

"Are you telling me that in order to keep the bloodlike curse going," said Stormy, "Darcy has to be a mom?"

"That's why it's called a bloodline curse," said Vicky, "the family, or bloodline, has to have an heir, otherwise it'll end with Darcy and me, and my body is completely unfit to have a child, you can thank our ancestors for messing me up in the first place."

"Okay, so Darcy will have a child," said Naz, "who's the father going to be?"

"Do you really have to ask?" said Trabon in an annoyed tone, "what with the way those two are at each other all the time," he pointed at Darcy and Toro, "it's a wonder she hasn't had a child already."

"Those two might as well be married," said Icy.

"Just wait a damn minute here," said Toro, "nobody said that we had to do this. I mean…well…it's not that I don't want to be a father…it's just that…well…"

"Well what?" Vicky asked.

"I'm not ready," said Darcy, "I'm not ready to have a child."

"Well you'd better get ready soon," said Vicky, "'cause it's only a matter of time before Zahidia orders us to fight The Winx, with or without a plan. And the next time we fight The Winx and their allies, we may not be so lucky as to escape alive."

"The future of the family is in your hands," said Stormy to Toro and Darcy, "or, rather, below the belt."

"You two have a duty to perform," said Icy, "so get to it!"

Both Darcy and Toro gulped nervously at the thought of suddenly becoming parents.

"So we're all in agreement," said Carmen as she, Jake, Payton, Mace, Kegan and the other Domino survivors, as well as Morgan and Elise (who were invited) sat in one of the many café's in downtown Magix, having reserved the whole restaurant for a private engagement, "both Vicky and Darcy must die, no matter the cost."

"If it would restore Domino to its former glory," said Jake, "I would gladly put my life on the line. But let us hope it doesn't come to that."

"It shouldn't" said Rei as she sharpened one of her shuriken, "just let me get close enough to those bitch witches, I'll slice them up the middle."

"I'll slice them across the middle," said Travis, "but we have to find them first."

"Leave that to me," said Quinn Shockley, "I'll find them, no problem."

"But they were whisked away," said Karen, "we all saw it just now, just like on Wallach VII."

"I wasn't there on Wallach VII," said Kegan, "but I'll take your word for it."

"The answer is simple," said Thad Monroe, "we must discover how they are teleporting, and disable it. It's just like in an outbreak of a virus; discover the cause of infection, remove the cause, and no one else will get sick."

"We'll take care of that," said Carmen, "but there's something more serious I want to talk about; Bloom."

"That bitch Vicky really struck a nerve with Bloom," said Payton, "It's like she knew just how to hurt Bloom."

"And she can do it again," said Glen Roth, "I'm sure that Princess Bloom will not fall for the same lies again, but all it takes is one second of hesitation, one instant of doubt, and that's all the baddies need to get away, or worse."

"Which is why, when the moment of truth comes," said Carmen, "I need you all to hold Bloom back, so I can finish it for her."

"What are you asking us to do?" Mace asked, "if Bloom says she'll destroy Vicky, then she will."

"But what if Bloom can't?" Elise asked, "what if her fairies inhibition against killing was a factor, but she doesn't know it? What if she hesitates again? Or worse, Vicky uses that hesitation to her advantage?"

"Which is why I need you all to be ready to act if Bloom ends up folding under the pressure," said Carmen, "if she starts acting irrationally, where the rational action would be to strike and finish the enemy, if Bloom ends up doing something that would get herself and others hurt, you all need to do what you have to do to stop her before its too late."

"Are you saying that we should fight Bloom?" Travis asked.

"That's treason!" said a shocked Karen, while Payton, Mace and the others nodded in agreement.

"Not if it's for her own good," said Morgan.

"Exactly," said Carmen, "all I'm asking is that you restrain Bloom, keep her out of my way, while I finish Vicky off."

"And how are you going to do that?" asked Dawn Lewis, "The Trix aren't going to fall for the same tactics again."

"If you wind up facing Vicky alone," said Jake, "you might end up being destroyed. No, if you're going to fight Vicky, then I shall fight with you."

"I appreciate the offer," said Carmen, "but I need you to help keep Bloom from making a big mistake. Don't worry about me, Jake, I have a plan."

"What kind of plan?" Dawn Lewis asked.

"I'm glad you asked," said Carmen as she summoned a roll of parchment, "since you're going to help me with my plan. You were a tattoo artist when you were with the circus, right?"

"Yeah," said Dawn Lewis, "so?"

"So," said Carmen as she unrolled the parchment, "I want you to put this on my arm."

Everyone looked at the picture on the parchment. Those with magic (Morgan, Elise, Karen, Ethan, Emma, as well as Jake and Kurt, whom had been silent this whole time) gasped in shocked.

"Where did you find this image?" Elise demanded.

"I saw it in a dream from when I was a little girl," said Carmen, "I kept dreaming of it every now and then, up until I started at Cloud Tower. It was just before graduation before I finally found the right book in the library and read what it was."

"Then you know the danger," said Karen.

"If you put that thing on you," said Ethan, "you'll be stuck with it, forever."

"It may end up killing you," said Emma, "or worse, possessing you."

"Absolutely not!" said Jake, "I forbid this!"

"No way am I letting you do this to yourself!" said Morgan.

"I'm not asking you for your permission," said Carmen, "this is the only way I'll be strong enough to destroy Vicky. I'm well aware of the risks, but I know I can handle it, trust me. You guys do trust me, right?"

"You know we trust you," said Morgan, while Mace, Kegan Payton, Kurt and the others, except for Elise and Jake, "but damn it, Carmen! Do you have to do this?"

"There has to be another way," said Elise.

"I'm open to suggestions," said Carmen.

For once, Elise was at a loss of words. She then relented, "I trust you."

Jake had a pained look on his face, one that said that he wanted to trust her, but didn't want to risk losing her. Finally he spoke, "I trust you."

"And I trust you all," said Carmen, "not only to help Bloom help herself, but to help me. I'm fully confident that this will work, but if the worst should happen, and I'm no longer myself, you know what you have to do then."

"I'd rather not think about that," said Jake, "but yes, I will do what I must if it comes to that." Morgan, Elise and the others then nodded in agreement.

"Okay then," said Carmen. She then summoned the necessary ink and needles for Dawn Lewis to do her work, "let's get started."

"Just hold out your arm," said Dawn Lewis as she used an alcohol swab to clean Carmen's entire right arm from hand to shoulder, "and try not to scream. This isn't the first time I've done a tattoo like this; nothing this complicated, but I've done it. Believe me when I say that this will not be pleasant."

"I'm ready when you are," said Carmen as she smiled confidently.

"Here we go then," said Dawn Lewis as she began injecting the ink into Carmen's arm, starting at her shoulder. She was drawing the tattoo so fast that her hands were a blur as they worked. At first Carmen was alright, but as Dawn finished with her shoulder and began moving down towards the elbow, Carmen's face took on a strained look.

The tattoo grew more complicated as the picture grew. Dawn then moved passed the elbow and began working on the forearm. By now Carmen was on the verge of crying out in pain.

Just then Jake grabbed her left hand and held on. He gave her a reassuring look, while Morgan and Elise put their hands on Carmen's left shoulder, also giving reassuring looks. This gave Carmen the emotional resolve to bear with the worst of the pain as Dawn worked through the forearm, past the wrist and finally on the back of the hand, the last area being the most complicated part of the drawing.

But then Dawn finished. Both she and Carmen sat back in exhaution, Dawn from her efforts, and Carmen from relief from the pain.

"That was trippy," said Dawn as she sat up, "but I think this was my best work of all."

"It looks so real," said Kurt, "that thing almost looks alive."

"It is in a way," said Elise.

"Are you alright, Carmen?" Jake asked.

"I'm fine," said Carmen as she smiled, both in relief and at the fact that Jake called her by her name without using the 'Ms.' prefix. She then looked at her arm and smiled in appreciation.

From the back of her hand, wrapped around her arm and ending at her shoulder was a black Chinese dragon. As Carmen mover her arm, she saw that the black ink changed color in the light, giving it a slight rainbow hue. But the most realistic aspect of the dragon tattoo was the head; it truly looked like it was a living dragon about to open it's fang-filled jaws and roar. And the eyes, like blood-red rubies, those were the most stunning of all.

Satisfied, Carmen gave an appreciative smile to Dawn, "thank you so much. This is exactly what I was looking for, what I was dreaming about for so long."

"I just hope you won't have to use it," said Jake, "for your sake."

"Can someone please tell me what the hell is this all about?" Mace asked.

"That tattoo is more than a tattoo," said Morgan, "it'll help us destroy our enemies, or it will destroy us."

"You just had to ask," said an annoyed Kegan to Mace.

Back on Xaldo, in her lab, Diaspro was ready to test her latest, mutating serum. Impatient to see results, Zahidia had allocated additional resources to the mad princess. Diaspro now had more equipment, raw materials; both living and non living, as well as human lab assistants and aides.

"Everything is ready, Lady Diaspro," said the head assistant, a man in his late 50's with graying hair. He wore thick glasses and a black lab coat. His name is Teviston. He indicated the latest victim to receive Diaspro's attentions.

"This will be a great day, Teviston," said Diaspro as she injected her latest serum into the helpless and terrified man strapped to the table. She, Tevison and the other lab assistants then stood back, and Diaspro activated the magical mutating machine.

The man screamed in agony as his DNA was rewritten completely. Before Diasrpo's insane eyes, the man grew to a height of 8 ft. His muscle mass tripled, while the rest of him remained unchanged.

"No other animalistic attributes," said a delighted Diaspro as she used a scanner to examine the new DNA, "I know now what I have been doing wrong all this time. My mutating serums have been enhancing the body, but at the same time, all the dormant genes and other junk DNA became activated. Any animalistic character from earlier on the evolution scale came out into the open.

"But not now! Now my serum removes all the useless DNA and brings out the full potential of humanity. I have given birth to a new race of super soldiers!"

"A good day indeed, Lady Diaspro," said Tevison.

"Not just yet," said Diaspro, "the body is useless unless there is a mind to command it," she then used a spell to release the mutated man from the table. He stood up and faced Diaspro, "whom do you serve?"

"I serve Diasrpo," said the mutated man, or rather, the Perfective as Diaspro would call her creations, "I serve Zahidia, I serve the empire."

"Truly, this is perfection," said Tevison.

"Almost," said Diaspro, "for the perfect body must have the perfect weapon," she then summoned a black fingerless glove that had several lines of dark writing on it.

"Put that on," said Diaspro. The Perfective did so, while Diaspro summoned a practice dummy that had a character of Bloom's face on it, "now, Obliterate!"

The Perfective aimed his glove at the dummy and shot a beam of dark magic at it, reducing it to dust in seconds.

"Now it is perfect!" said Diaspro.

The end of chapter 29.

The Dragon Princess and her companions attempt to discover that which has been locked away, while the Water Princess and her reluctant betrothed end up in a tight spot. Elsewhere, the Disgraced Princess unveils her masterpiece to the dark souls.

Next chapter: Between Love and Duty part 1

'for those with wings, fly to your dreams'