Chapter Thirteen: Stones and Cookies

Musa walked with a skip in her step through the dark and sinister forest, the full moon was just barely visible through the scary trees with next to no leaves left on their blackish branches. Musa was happy about her new budding relationship with Riven, they'd had a slightly corny and awkward moment when she'd accidently said that the castle she'd lived in for only three days was her home, so desperate to get out of their he'd let her go for a walk through the woods. Musa swung the axe she held up onto her shoulder and looked off into the forest; there was strangely no sign of the wolf anywhere tonight. Musa remembered the wolf with crystal clear clarity, the blackish fur, the red eyes and the smell of rotting corpse coming from its mouth. God it was scary! She'd faced trolls and monsters and even the Trix but this animal took the cake when something creeped her out, she didn't even know why she was so scared of it. Musa paused in her walk to glance around, strangely she'd lost sight of the castle, and she didn't know how long she'd been gone.

If this is anything like those horror movies on earth I know what's gonna happen next. Musa rotated on the spot on her tippy toes trying to see over the trees for any sight of the castle. Sighing she knew she could always call Riven with the magical stone phone he'd given her but then she didn't want to appear weak and in need of rescuing. She guessed she didn't have a choice if Riven was going to come and hunt her down because she was out here longer than she should have been, she could literally feel his wrath all the way out here. Shuddering she hurried along the forest floor in the direction that she'd came, hoping to see the tall beautiful castle she'd at first thought was creepy. So it came as a shock to her when she ran into the sight of a small cute cottage. Glancing at it curiously she moved toward it, surprised to see that there was smoke coming out of the chimney and light in the windows. It was nestled up against two think oak trees and it had a little garden that was fenced off, it was the picture of a fairy tale house. But Musa knew that appearances could, and most likely were, deceiving.

Okay, if it turns out to the a gingerbread house, or a house made of candy, or a house made of either hay, sticks or bricks then I get the hell out of here as fast as I can. This is fairy tale world and if you learn anything it's that you don't go inside strange houses in the middle of creepy forests! Musa warned herself as she neared the house, slipping her hand into her pocket she clutched the magic stone in her left hand, ready to use at a moment's notice. Once she got about three steps from the front door, that was slight ajar, she felt a hot feeling run down her back in fear. Quietly she stopped walking and tried to see into the house, it wasn't until she heard a small sound behind her that she realised. Oh wait that hot feeling against my back, that's not fear, that's body heat. There seems to be someone behind me.

It was as if Musa could hear the blow coming but she was still surprised when it hit her in the back of the head, Musa bowed forward suddenly dizzy and too shocked to cry out. Everything suddenly went dark but she was still aware of the things around her, hands grabbed her, lifted her. The sound of the door opening and the feel of a warm fire lit room, footsteps walking across wood and another door opening. Suddenly Musa was dropped into a small cramped space that was surprisingly cold; she had to work at not screaming when the door shut behind her. Musa lied still for a few seconds to calm herself down, in that time she was able to think a little.

Okay in trouble, have to get out. Shouldn't have even come to the cottage, should have stayed home. Riven was right. I was wrong. Damn it. Musa was able to righten herself so she was sitting up against the wall, the room only big enough to stretch her legs out halfway. Musa was in the middle of thinking that there was just no more room in this little room when something or someone moved beside her. This time Musa let out a piercing scream, trying to flatten herself against the wall in terror. She would be embarrassed by her cowardly behaviour if she wasn't so terrified of being murdered without any powers!

"Oh stop screaming! I'm already deaf enough, I don't need you adding to it little girl" A familiar voice spoke to her, she was used to it being gentle and assuring but right now it was grumpy and eccentric.

"Miss Faragonda?!" Musa choked out, even more embarrassed at being cowardly in front of the headmistress.

"That's granny to you!" Musa was suddenly able to see, she blinked and realised she'd been blindfolded that whole time. She looked into the darkness and saw her old teacher wearing a long light yellow nightgown with white dressing gown and night cap, a sour expression on her face "Now if you don't mind I'd like to know who the hell you are and how you came to be in my house?!"

After Musa got over the shock of Miss F saying 'Hell' she spoke in a hesitant voice "Umm, well I saw your cottage and I don't know, I just kinda went toward it and when I got to the door I was attacked and throw into this-whatever this little thing is"

Miss F looked offended "It's a closet"

Musa looked offended as well "This is a closet? My god if Stella could see this she'd never recover" Musa let her fingers run up the sides of the wooden closet with ease "So why are you in here?"

Miss F looked at the roof with her arms folded, the anger slowly fading "My house was broken into about an hour ago, I don't mind telling you little girl that I'm a pretty powerful witch. And yet this person just picked me up and threw me in here like a ragdoll, we're dealing with a very big foe, be prepared for anything"

Something about this sounded familiar "Are you related to Red Riding Hood?"

Miss F looked astounded "How do you know my granddaughter?"

"We're friends! Her future husband tried to kill me but we parted on good terms, now I live in this creepy ass castle not far from here with a beast with anger problems who can be slightly verbally abusive, who incidentally is going to freak out when I'm not home on time. I'm probably already late, but hey! That's life" When Musa stopped talking she had to laugh at Miss F's stricken expression. Musa turned to look at the door, annoyed to see that there was no door handle, even more annoyed that she dropped the axe when she got grabbed. It suddenly occurred to her that the one thing she didn't drop was the stone "The stone phone!" Musa exclaimed happily, beside her Miss F jumped at her sudden outburst.

"The stone what?"

Musa held the stone in the air and cheered "The stone phone!"

Miss F looked unimpressed and leaned back against the wall "Little girls shouldn't yell like that...ever"

Musa lowered her arm and gave her old teacher a mean look "Stop calling me little girl!"

"Well what do you want from me?! You're like, what, fourteen?!" Miss F shot back, with equal amount of rage. Musa stared at her wide eyed and angry, never in her life had she felt the urge to yell at Miss F, she was so surprised that she was even in this world that she didn't know how to act when her headmistress was being...a little like her.

Taking a breath Musa squeezed the stone in her left hand and thought of Riven and the castle, it was like a click inside her mind and suddenly she could hear Riven yell inside her ear.

...

Riven was feeling white hot rage run through him as he paced like an enraged hunter across the library in front of the fire place. She was gone. Lost. Hurt. Ran away? No, she said she would come back. She was lost. Yes that was more likely. It really was just like her, of course she'd let her mind run away from her and forget where she was going. I need to find her; silly girl is probably wandering around in the dark trying to find her way back. Stubborn little thing is too proud to ask for help. This is not her fault, it's nobody's fault. But that's not gonna stop me from yelling her ear off when I see her again.

Riven felt a strange tug in his hand, looking down he noticed the stone he had held so tightly in his hand that it had left a dent; he grasped it and thought of Musa. He felt the magical connection click into place. As soon as he was through he started yelling "I don't even want to know what happened! Just tell me where you are and I'll come get you, I can't believe you got lost! You promised you'd keep the castle in sight at all times, it's not as if it's a one story hovel, its eight stories high for crying out loud! No, you know what? I DO want to know what happened, I want you know how you could possibly just disappear for an entire hour. Tell me how a ten minute walk can take a whole hour Belle, please tell me!" Riven paused to take a breath and decided that he didn't want to yell anymore; really he just wanted to hear her speak.

After a long pause he heard her wary voice across the line "Are you done with your little tantrum?"

Riven closed his eyes and took another deep breath "Yes"

"Good because I am in so much trouble. You won't even believe me when I tell you. You know how I said that everything would be okay and that there was no danger in the woods?" She hadn't even finished her sentence before Riven started bolting toward the front door of the castle.

"Yeah!" Riven replied as he burst through the door and into the silent night air.

"Yeah well I'm not saying I was wrong...but I'm not totally right either" Musa sounded stubborn on the other end.

Riven felt a spike of annoyance at the tiny imp of a girl "Belle!"

...

Bloom stood in silence under the full moon with a wary expression as she faced the dark forest, her red cloak billowing out behind her. She hadn't been able to find Helia and convince him to go to Flora or been able to get a message to Musa, so she was left with the task of going to her granny's house in the middle of the woods, where along the way she would meet the big bad wolf and soon her fairy tale would be over when Sky would come and save the day. None of the other happy endings had happened and she was starting to believe that it wasn't possible, so she'd set herself a test. She would go into the forest as little red riding hood and if she survived then she'd know for sure that this could work out. Breathing heavily Bloom walked into the tall trees and disappeared from sight of the village, glancing up at the sky she wondered how late it was and how long she'd have until morning. While she walked she couldn't help but jump at every little sound, birds rustled branches, rabbits crawled up from holes in the ground and even the crickets were especially loud tonight.

Bloom was deep into the wood and she didn't exactly know where she was going, not even where granny's was but at this point she was leaving it all up too fate. When she came to a bend in the road she noticed that it looked startlingly familiar and remembered walking this way with Musa toward the castle. She knew that Red Riding Hood must have been to Granny's before so she just let her feet guide her. But no matter how brave she thought she'd be when she first thought of the idea, she was wrong, Bloom felt fear run through her as she rounded a corner and came to a stop when she caught sight of a small little cottage. She was so on edge that she jumped a little when she saw it, even though the smoke from the chimney and the lit windows weren't at all menacing.

It occurred to her that this might not be grannies house at all but just some weird strangers but she wasn't about to let this nagging little thought stop her. Bloom walked toward the house with her head held high, wishing that perhaps she could have some sort of weapon like magical powers...or a gun. Once she reached the door of the house she stilled when she smelled a faint scent of cookies cooking in an oven, eyebrows raised she rapped on the door three times and waited, tapping her foot impatiently. A small sweet voice answered through the door "Come in Red Riding hood"

Blooms eyes widened as she thought Yep, this is the right house. I am totally in the right fairy tale. And if history is any indication, I'm about to be eaten in a few minutes. Heaving in a shuddering breath Bloom turned to door handle and stepped into the warm cottage, inside there was an inviting golden light cast on everything, the fire in the hearth crackled nicely and there was even two cosy cushioned chairs in front of it where a nice stew was simmering. Blooms gaze immediately zeroed in on the loving figure of Miss Faragonda standing up next to the table holding a tray of cookies with an overly warm smile "Cookie dear?"

I'm going to freaking die! "N-no thank you granny" Bloom answered as she stepped inside, purposely leaving the front door open a bit in case she needed to make a quick escape. Bloom tried not to show how nervous she was as she approached the elderly woman, possibly disguised as the wolf, who had put down the tray of cookies and started to cut up some peeled potatoes on the table with her back to Bloom "I was wondering when you were going to visit, I would have thought the middle of the night a bit dangerous" The woman turned to glance at Bloom with a flint of danger in those striking eyes "Don't you think?"

Bloom stood still just inside the door, her fingers fidgeting with the side of her red cloak "I'll risk it" Bloom studied the woman with sharp eyes, she looked normal enough, no ears eyes or nose to wolf like but that didn't stop her from believing that this imposter wasn't the her grandmother, Miss F would be a bit less...creepy "How have you been, Granny? No run ins with the wolf?"

The woman had turned back to her cutting table, her shoulders hitched when she chuckled "Oh my no, the wolf wouldn't want to eat a frail little thing like me, I'm all skin and bone" She paused to wipe the kitchen knife on her apron "No I think the wolf would have a bit more of a treat in mind"

Okay, how did Red Riding Hood seriously not see the wolf in this woman? Bloom tried to act like she was studying the wallpaper "Yeah I'm sure you're right. I'm just glad that you're okay, living out here in the woods. Who knows what kind of animal is lurking about? Anyway, what's for dinner?" As she spoke Bloom sent up a silent prayer that Sky would feel her terror and come and save her. Usually she'd kick the wolf's ass but without powers she was a sitting duck!

Granny smiled back at her and walked over to the pot, depositing the potatoes into the caldron, the smell was delicious "Oh just some vegetables and spices, a good homemade broth. Perfect after a long walk in the cold dark, right Red dear?"

"Right" Bloom smiled back and approached the table where she'd left the cooking knife, trying not to eye it she looked at Granny as she stood over the fire and pot, stirring away. She seemed to lean over and sniff it like an animal; Bloom only barely heard her mumble "Hmm, probably needs some meat"

Bloom felt a chill go through her as she watched the woman, she let her gaze roam the room to study it. Pink wallpaper, wooden floors, nice smooth furniture, two rooms off to the side, one a bedroom the other a small closet and potted flowers everywhere with the added bonus of knitted blackest on every surface but seriously no weapons of any kind. Bloom let her gaze rest of the knife again and felt a cool calm wash over her as she observed the sharpness of its steel.

That was until the woman spoke "Red darling you haven't kissed your granny hello yet, you don't want me thinking you don't care, do you?" The woman actually looked chilling in that moment. Bloom felt her shoulders tense as her hand gripped the underside of the bench. Okay, gross but necessary. I suppose I could run for it right now and hope that Sky finds me like he always does. But what reason would Sky know I'm in trouble?! He's not a bloody physic! Bloom gulped as she stepped around the table and came toward the small frail old woman, her steps careful. Once she was right up close to the woman she saw the malice and bloodlust in the woman's eyes but still her face remained warm and inviting. Bloom leaned down in absolute stillness in body and pressed her lips to the woman's cheek, her eyes never leaving hers. She saw the change in the blink of an eye as she leaned back and the woman suddenly whipped her hand out lightening fast and gasped Blooms wrist tightly. Except the woman wasn't a woman anymore! As Bloom had kissed that wrinkled skin it had turned to smoothness, got taller and developed a sudden case of male-ness. Bloom didn't scream or run; she remained still and cool as she looked up at the King Valtor that stood over her, tightly holding onto her.

Bloom could feel the words on the tip of her tongue "Why Granny, what great big Valtor resemblance you have!" But she held her words inside her and simply asked with fierce determination "Where's my grandmother?"

Valtor smiled and shrugged a shoulder "Don't worry, she's in the closet"

Bloom let her eyes zip towards the wooden door and back to the man in front of her "You're not going to get away with this. The people won't be too happy when they find out that they're king is moonlighting as a bloodthirsty wolf, killing their neighbours in the dead of night. You'll lose"

Valtor's eye studied her silently for a moment "You really think so? And who's going to tell them? You?"

Bloom felt anger spike through her, when she spoke her voice was harsh "Damn right it's going to be me. Besides you're the king! You think you can just keep killing people and no one will notice that you're gone or that you come home smelling like death? The people aren't that stupid!"

"You'd be surprised" Valtor muttered as his eyes roamed toward the ceiling in a tired manner "You have no idea what it's like living among people who are so simple minded" He groaned like he was in pain "I could walk into my own court smeared in blood and yelling 'I'm the wolf! I've killed your children and I'll keep killing!' and they wouldn't so much as blink!" He paused and turned back to her where she was giving him a sour look "And why would they believe you? You're just the poor daughter who hunts in the forest and has gone crazy since her parents died, and then after the wolf killed your grandmother you really went insane but that's unlikely"

Bloom nodded thoughtfully "Because you're going to eat me"

He smiled "Because I'm going to eat you, yes" His grip tightening on her arm.

Bloom slowly sucked in a deep breath and smiled "Alright then, come and get me" With that she slammed her booted foot into his shin, right on the bone which must have hurt because he hunched forward and gave her the opportunity to grab him by his long caramel hair and smash his face into the side of the fireplace. Ripping herself out of his grip Bloom stepped away and thought in an instant of what she could do, run and let granny out or flee outside and lead him away. He chose for her when quick as lightening he bolted across the room and smashed a chair into her head. It was so unexpected that she yelled and grasped her head in pain but mostly it was shock. The chair splintered to pieces around her head and she collapsed to the ground, adrenaline running though her she gasped the first piece of wood she could find before he could attack her again, he grabbed her by the shoulder with sharp nails that bit into her skin and flipped her right side up. Using the momentum of this move she swung the broken chair leg upward and caught him in the forearm, his hand snaked around her arm again and pulled with surprising strength. Bloom knew she was going to lose the tug of war, fear running through her again. Seriously Sky, hurry up! I am literally about to die!

With a great yell Bloom reared her leg up and kicked Valtor right in the gut, he still didn't look like it hurt him too much but it did send him back a couple of steps. Bloom crawled across the floor to the door and flung it open with one hand, in a moment of complete clarity and surprise her eyes suddenly rested on a heavy looking weapon lying in the dirt just by the door. Is that...an axe? Quickly grabbing it she twisted when she heard the kings footsteps closing in but her quick burst of determination died quickly when she set eyes on a convulsing Valtor who was leaning over her already looking like he was dying. Bloom arched her head to the side in utter bafflement, is he...okay?

The hope that he might be dying slowly faded when the guy in front of her started to sprout fur and feral sounds of growling escaped his lips. In about three seconds Bloom would never forget the guy had crouched over her with bone breaking sounds and suddenly there was a big black wolf with red eyes staring her down. Bloom wavered between throwing up, fainting or screaming. She opted for screaming while running away "Oh gods of Magix!" She yelled as she shuffled back on all fours and with clumsy movements was able to hoist herself up and run flat out into the forest with the hungry wolf on her tail.

...

"You know what, screw this!" Musa yelled as she flung herself at the wooden closet door, the memory of her friends scream ringing in her ears. The wood gave way and Musa suddenly found herself in a warm room that looked like it had been run through by a troll, scrambling to her feet Musa ran out through the door yelling "Bloom wait!"

The woods were ice cold and snow began to stick to the ground, an ancient warning for all fairy tale creatures to run and hide as the tall dark trees seemed to weed together and block out the night sky from view, harsh winds blew through the forest as fierce growls and terrified screams echoed through it until silence suddenly descended.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Okay guys, for those of you who are interested I promised you that I would tell you a little bit about my new story. I've been working on this story in my head for over a year now and I think I have enough story line to start writing for about a few chapters, I can always think up the rest later. As I said before it takes place after "Other side and back again" But I must tell you it is NOT a sequel, when I think of this story and the events of OSABA it just doesn't fit into that, I prefer to keep them separate. But that's not to say it still isn't going to be a long and awesome story, think of it as a continuation of their lives after OSABA. It's set in a time when Bloom and Sky are married and are ruling Eraklyon, (Don't worry, evil Bloom is still hanging around, I could never forget her, I love her too much) And all the other girls and guys are in different parts of their lives as well, they've haven't really had the opportunity to be the Winx Club in a long time because they've been busy and it doesn't really bother them. But you know me; I love a nice bit of tragedy! In a terrible accident that devastates all of Magix our Specialists are sucked into a different reality and with them they take all the magic in Magix. THE HORROR! But you know how that song and dance goes, the Winx Club to the rescue! Except things don't exactly turn out the way they expect. Now this is the exciting bit which I am SO looking forward to writing about, they haven't just been sucked into a different reality, they've been sucked into their, how should I put this, past lives. So in a way it's a little like fairy tales, what with the different personalities and environments. Be prepared for some HUGE surprises and a lot of awkward moment when the guys, of course, start crushing on their girlfriends past selves and their girlfriends show up. There's also a bit about how the girls home planets came to be made and how magic was invented and a lot about the history of the dragon fire. God I love this idea, it's confusing as all hell but that's why I love it. If you haven't understood a word I've just typed then please just trust me on my word that it's gonna be epic. When have I ever let you down?