Chapter Fifteen: Offers and Replacements
The new generation of Winx arrived at the White Horse after curfew. They wouldn't be returning to Alfea that night; they felt like they deserved a night off. For weeks it had been nothing, but school work and training. It had been especially hard for Ismene and Regina. They still had to learn dark magic while attending lessons for good magic. They felt like Faragonda was trying to entice them into making the switch from witch to fairy. So when Semiramis suggested partying, they didn't refuse.
Regina ordered a drink and almost walked to the window seat. In the past, she would go there to drink and listen to music. She didn't have friends then so it was odd sitting at a table especially with Euphoria! In the past the Solarian princess would be surrounded with friends and admirers; that hadn't changed much, but her beckoning Regina to their table was definitely new. Semiramis put her arm around Regina making her spill her drink.
"We needed this!" she slurred
Regina put her arm around Semiramis's waist and helped her to the table. "I think you've had enough for the night."
"You're no fun. Speaking of fun..." She looked at Euphoria. "I came up with a solution to your love dilemma." Euphoria pretended to listen to her other friends instead of Semiramis's conversation. "Prince Elliott is the Crowned Prince of both Eraklyon and Domino, right?"
Regina wasn't following. "Well technically, he's the First Prince of Domino. Dafne is their Crowned Princess, but she doesn't have children yet. He is the oldest male in line so... wait, what does that have to do with anything?"
Semiramis smirked. "Two kingdoms, two princesses." Euphoria's eyes widened. Regina still didn't understand. "I'm just saying, why doesn't he have you both?"
"...Semiramis, I'm going to kill you." Regina growled. Semiramis laughed and ordered another drink. Regina looked at Euphoria before the two looked away and blushed.
Ismene snorted and stirred her own drink. She'd never admit it, but she liked her cousin more each day. Communication between the two was strained. Semiramis didn't appreciate the past she had with her best friend and was willing to ostracize her to maintain it. Ismene was the only one uncomfortable. When she attended Cloud Tower, she would come to White Horse on date night. She never had a steady boyfriend, but it was rare to see her without a trophy male. It was especially rare for her to be with female company. She missed it. She debated joining Topaz on the dance floor. The wind fairy proved to be very light on her feet. She was breathtaking in her dark blue dress. Topaz didn't notice the attention on her because she was so lost in the music. Maybe she needed this night more than the rest of the Winx.
Ismene left the table for the restroom. As soon as she walked into the ladies room, she debated walking out. There was a cluster of Cloud Tower witches crowded by the mirror. Even though she didn't go to the school anymore, she knew her reputation was destroyed for transferring to Alfea. She couldn't even deny it because she came with fairies. Before she could make the decision to leave, they spotted her. "Well look what we have here." Ismene didn't respond. A witch with jet black hair walked towards her. Her bright pink eyes scanned Ismene's appearance before glaring at the message written on her sparkling pink baby tee. It read, "I'm better than you." "Have you gotten wings yet, fairy flunky?"
Ismene laughed. "I guess life's gotten better for you since I'm no longer in Cloud Tower; but, don't develop amnesia. I'm still the baddest witch around."
Pandora scowled and folded her arms. "Things have changed and I've gotten more-"
"Sleep." Ismene pushed her forehead and grinned as Pandora fell to the ground. Ismene stepped over Pandora and went into the stall. The witches parted to let her through. Ismene turned in the mirror. She liked the way she looked in her black low-rise jeans and boots. The only thing that would make it better would be a tattoo or two, preferably left on her lower back. Seeing a fallen Pandora made her spirits sore and she joined Topaz on the dance floor.
Pandora groaned and got up from the bathroom floor. Her posse deserted her. She was in the dark, alone and damp. She couldn't believe Ismene managed to make a fool of her again. She was finally the queen of Cloud Tower! For years Regina and Ismene battled for the title of the strongest. They were Darcy's favorite students. Everyone feared they'd become the new version of the Trix; but, they hated each other too much to make it happen. Every witch rejoiced when they were sent to Alfea. Then the battle began. Pandora quickly became the strongest; but, she might have lost her title.
"How pathetic, are you really going to lay there in a puddle all night?" Pandora looked around. She cut the lights back on. Stormy stood over her unimpressed.
Pandora shook, but tried to stay brave. "Don't look down on me, you used to be beaten too!"
"You little twerp!" Stormy's struck her with lightening. Pandora screamed and fell to her knees. "BE QUIET!"
"Just leave me alone. What do you want from me?"
Stormy bent down and made Pandora stand. "Look, do you want to show those Winx a thing or two."
Pandora thought about her recent humiliation and nodded. "Oh yes. More than you'll every know."
"That's what I'd like to hear. Hold out your arm. I've got something for you." The raven haired witch did as she was told. "Oh, this will hurt."
Pandora felt like she was being electrocuted again. The hair on her body stood up. Her mind and body were almost fried with the power she felt. Her body began to pulsate and glow red. She was forced to transform. Orange leather zipped itself on her body. Her suit was backless as well as sleeveless. Her hair braided itself down her back. Suddenly a tiara of electricity wrapped itself around her head before becoming a white light. An amber colored crystal appeared on her forehead and settled into a Gloomix. Pandora opened her eyes and smirked. She couldn't wait to take on those Winx witches.
Stormy had planned to attack them herself, but felt tired after giving Pandora her Gloomix. Without explaining how it worked, or an explanation of the situation, she left Pandora to revel in her new power. Pandora looked at herself in the mirror and touched her forehead. "There's no way they have one of these..." She wanted to go out and attack them instantly, but she didn't know how her Gloomix worked. She changed back into her club outfit and exited the bathroom.
Pandora walked past their table. She and Ismene locked eyes. The green haired witch felt sinister energy around her, but didn't think too much of it. She assumed it was just anger about the bathroom situation. She'd be mad if she got knocked out in front of her peers too. She continued to dance. Topaz got herself a soda and sat at the table. The wind fairy had left the dance floor once a guy interrupted her groove. He asked her for a dance, but she refused.
It was a good choice to sit because Regina ordered pizza. It was mainly because Semiramis was inebriated. The blonde had her head on the table. She wasn't feeling sick, but she also didn't want to move. The metal fairy continued to talk regardless. Regina put pizza in front of her just to get her to shut up. Euphoria was on her phone reading an e-book. She wasn't the best dancer and now that most of her friends were on the dance floor she was free to do her favorite White Horse activity without being rude. She was so into it that she didn't notice food or the rambling fairy of heavy metals.
Topaz looked at the group as she took a slice of pizza. Each one of them were so unique, it made her chuckle. If they stayed on campus she wouldn't have found out that Ismene had more depth than being mean. She was seductive and enjoyed music. Regina was more than just aggressive; she cared more than she let on. Semiramis was very socially awkward, but it seemed to make her funnier. Last Euphoria, no matter how popular she was at the end of the day, she preferred books. "This is our first time hanging out. We should do it more."
Meanwhile...
Elliott had benched his usual before retiring the weights for the night. He wiped the sweat off of him and and started cleaning the equipment. John and Jeremy were sparing. Elliott was debating joining them when Cordatorta walked in and folded his arms. "Have you all made a decision yet?"
"We will after tomorrow." Elliott assured him.
Jeremy knocked the weapon out of his brother's hands. He helped his twin up before turning to Cordatorta. "We like Orion the paladin best. Since we lost our tracker his bird's eye view would come in handy."
"His knowledge on piloting and technology is impressive. We just need to see how he fairs in combat." John added.
"Wise. He'd be a good replacement for Leon. How's he been?"
The twins looked at each other. Elliott ran his fingers through his hair. "I haven't really visited him lately. Last I've heard he's out of the danger zone. He still has bones to mend and it hurts him to eat and drink on his own so they haven't taken him off assistance. ...I should visit him. He is my brother."
"Aye and your brother in arms."
Elliott waited until Cordatorta left before his face fell. He didn't like talking about Leon. Everything about him angered him. Elliott growled and blasted the weights with his dragon fire. The twins looked at each other as their leader tensed. "Sorry, I'll get that later. I need to take a walk."
John shook his head. "Should we visit Leon?"
"He may have been our brother in arms, but he's a total fuck up. I want nothing to with him." Jeremy decided. "As far as I'm concerned the farther he is away from our unit, the better."
"You would think that." John muttered.
"I'm going to catch up with Prince Pryo. See ya, Johnie."
John waved his brother away and left the training room. It was the weekend so he contemplated going to White Horse. He could get a drink, meet a nice girl to take out on Saturday or just dance. Maybe Elliott and Jeremy would want to join. With luck he would invite the Winx. His phone vibrated, he didn't recognize the number, but he answered it anyway. "Hello?"
"Hello is this Kevin or Cosmo?" The caller asked.
"Sorry, you have the wrong number. There's nobody by that name here."
"Are you sure? I'm pretty sure I called the correct number for Kevin."
"Yeah, no. My name is John. There's no Kevin."
The voice chuckled. "John? Is that your name?" The specialist rolled his cinnamon eyes. This is what he deserved for answering calls after midnight. "Well John, this Nabu. Don't worry, I'm only here to talk."
Nabu? What would he want with him. He wasn't related to the Winx at all! "What do you want? ...How'd you get my number?"
"Those things don't matter, my friend." Nabu deflected. "I'm quite pleased you haven't hung up the phone. I have something, well someone, you want don't I?"
He did. "Yes. I won't hurt anybody though."
"I'm not asking for that. I need someone on the inside. I'd like information, whatever you can dig up. Will you do that, Kevin?"
"It's John!" He ran his fingers through his dark indigo waves. "Yeah, I'll be your spy."
(A/N) I think I might make Pandora the daughter of Chimera and Mitril. I'm going to also try writing the Specialists a little more. I have to spice the story up. I got the same amount of hits, but not as many reviews the last chapter. I didn't know it, but I feed off reviews! LOL Now that I'm being needy, would anyone like to be my Beta? I need one.
Next Chapter: Pandora attacks the Winx.
