Chapter Sixteen: Pandora Unleashed
This was the only class everyone shared, Tecna's Common Sense and Fast Thinking course. Ismene moved her hair from her face and looked at the door; she was growing out her bangs. She felt like this class had an unnecessary large amount of homework, even worse Tecna was a stickler for the rules. Tardies were not tolerated. Sleeping wasn't tolerated. Her entire method as a student was not tolerated! At least it was a class about thinking; when it came to issues of the mind, she was gifted.
"Breaking Spells Without a Countercurse" Tecna recited as she wrote the topic and date on the board. "Combat isn't predictable. No matter how fast, powerful, or lucky you are there's always someone who is more. For example..."
Randomly, Headmistress Faragonda entered the classroom. "Shadow of Doubt!"
A mauve shadow crept over the students and engulfed them. There was a low mumble in the crowd as they tried to figure out what happened. Regina wondered what the spell would do as well, but it was soon answered for her. She could hear a voice speaking to her. It was her own, but harsher. 'You're definitely the stupid one... You're not even that strong and you're not that pretty. You have no place; not on Andros, Alfea, nor Cloud Tower. Go away...' Regina scoffed before the voice disappeared. She beat it with her will. She was used to mental attacks and that was nothing compared to the torment Ismene would give. She raised her hand. "Are we free to go once we break the spell?"
Tecna was impressed. When she thought about it, it made sense for the witches to finish first. This was their specialty They used dark magic to fight dark magic. "No, if you're finished early start skimming this week's chapter on mind control."
Ismene glared realizing Regina broke the spell before her. Her conscience used this moment to strike. 'Of course she finished before you. She's better than you, bastardized peasant. You don't even have an identity, a majority of your life is based on hers. Second-rate and second best. That's why you have no friends.' Ismene swallowed and channeled her own powers to break the spell. Once the voice disappeared she opened the book and tried to pretend the lesson didn't rattle her.
Euphoria didn't know it, but her inner demon also mentioned Regina. 'That's another reason Elliott likes her over you. You're weak and should hate yourself. If you didn't get captured, Topaz wouldn't have gotten hurt by Leon. You're an awful friend and an awful daughter.' "That's not true. I love my friends." 'All of them? You only hang out with the Winx now. You're awful.' Euphoria ran her fingers through her hair. She'd thought about some of these things, but not all together. It wasn't in her nature. "Do I really think of myself this way? ...no, this isn't me." Realizing that it wasn't like her, broke the spell.
Topaz wanted to put her head on the table. Her conscience was also being tough. 'You're not pretty or powerful like the others. Nobody wants you. Nobody likes you. They just put up with you. You're the spare, just useless. It's a wonder that Leon wanted you in the first place. You should have known it was a trap.' Topaz hurt her own feelings. She'd thought this countless nights, but it was heartbreaking to hear it all at once. She wanted to give into it, but she was reminded of her mother's love. She also thought of her dad telling her he was proud of everything she did. Eventually her doubts grew weaker and disappeared.
'You're the last one of the Winx to finish the assignment. Figures. You shouldn't be be one anyway. Nobody liked your mom and nobody likes you. Everyone hates you, especially your friends. They're just using you as a plot to destroy Isis. You're an awkward brat with stupid powers. You never find a boyfriend or a girlfriend.' Semiramis did her best to fight it. 'Loser... Loser... Loser...'
Faragonda broke the spell on the remaining students. She felt like five minutes was enough time to keep the students spelled. She didn't want to break their spirits, only to lean a lesson. Semiramis tried to smile even though she felt like a failure. The other Winx managed to break their spells. She wondered how they did it. "This calls for White Horse; I lost, so my treat."
Later...
She tried to stay calm when the Winx walked into the White Horse again. Pandora had been there for date night; and, although she hadn't connected with any of the guys present, she was willing to ignore the Winx for a hot guy who'd buy her a drink. Pandora thought her luck was getting better when a group of Specialists walked in. They were handsome; there was even a set of twins. She didn't care about them though. The one who took her breath away was the paladin. He had long bronze hair, green eyes, and she could see his white wings tucked under his blaser. Even though he was the image of goodness, his attractiveness made her feel like she could overlook it. Many other girls looked at the specialists; but, before any of them could make their move, the boys walked to the Winx.
Pandora stomped towards the bathroom. It was vacant. "How does that happen?! What is it about them that they automatically get everything. I can't stand it!" She looked at herself in the mirror. "Okay Gloomix, it's time for some revenge." Pandora transformed into her witch outfit, her Gloomix tiara appeared on her forehead. She opened the door and glared at the Winx. "Okay, time to show them why I'm the witch of sin... She pointed towards Euphoria. "Sloth!" Then Topaz, "Gluttony." She pointed to Regina "Wra- no, Pride..." There was a strong possibility people would die if Regina embodied wrath. She gave wrath to Jeremy instead. Ismene received lust. She gave Orion vanity and Elliott greed. Almost forgetting Semiramis, she gave her envy. Pandora waited for the spell to work for them to destroy themselves.
The boys interrupted Semiramis's rant to join them. After introducing Orion, Elliott pulled up a chair and forced himself between his sister and Regina. She scowled and turned away from him. It only made him move closer and whisper in her ear. "The back of your neck looks lovely tonight."
Regina rolled her eyes. "Don't you have better things to do than pester me?"
"Depends, you want to dance?"
"Dancing's not my thing." She mumbled.
Elliott shrugged. "That's odd. Queen Aisha is notorious for her rhythmic dancing. I guess you're more like King Riven than I thought."
Regina turned to him. "I meant I don't dance, not I can't dance." Elliott gave her a dazzling smile. She turned away. He was always manipulating her pride to get what he wanted. It was the reason she was in Alfea in the first place. Nobody seemed to notice, but Regina's eyes turned from its usual red to a violet hue. She held her head higher and wondered why she was surrounded by commoners. She was the Princess of Andros, first in line for the throne and the witch of blood and battle. She was suddenly disgusted about her location. "I'll show you dancing, but another time. I refuse to dance in front of fairy weaklings."
Regina wasn't the only one to make a change. Elliott put his arm around Regina and smiled. Life was good. He was the leader of their team. He would one day be the ruler of two nations and was also involved with the princess of another great land. She was beautiful, what more could he want? ...A lot actually. He wanted more. He was going to be the ruler of more than one nation, why shouldn't he have more than one queen? He looked at Euphoria with bright golden eyes. They were no longer their usual sapphire blue. "I have another arm, so I want my other girl."
Euphoria yawned and didn't even look in his direction. She was so focused on her e-book that she didn't care about anything around her. She didn't even react when Elliott lassoed her to his side by charming his belt. You could barely see the light blue hue under the heaviness of her eye lids. Once Elliott put his arm around her, she took a nap. Topaz left the table, instead of going to the dance floor like she usually would, she went to the bar. Not only was she incredibly hungry, but she wanted to drink! Semiramis was paying, so she could let loose. Her newly, orange eyes sparkled when the bartender came to her. "I'd like everything on the menu." She said lowly.
Orion ignored the antics of the group. He just met them so didn't have much interest in them. He knew himself though. He noticed his eyes weren't green, but now indigo. He didn't mind it. He still looked good. He was confident that he was the best looking person in Magix. He wasn't the only one who felt that way. Ismene got up and sat next to him. She leaned into him and touched his thigh. "How about the two of us head out somewhere?"
"Why?" Orion asked confused.
"Because, I've never been more attracted to anyone else in my life and I want to see more."
Orion smiled. "I would be attracted to me too, if I were you."
Ismene gave him a wicked grin. Her eyes were now magenta and couldn't leave him. "You know what you should do...?" Orion listened since she was talking about him.
Green-eyed Semiramis was seething. Not only did her brother have two kingdoms, a team, good looks and power, he had two girlfriends. She'd said the same last night. Jeremy was sitting next to her, seething. She banged on the table and started to whine. "I was the one who thought of that before you did, Elliott!"
"It's my idea now. No, not just my idea. It's what's going to happen. My traditional princess can be the queen of Domino; and my warrior princes can be the queen of Eraklyon."
Euphoria was too apathetic to care. Regina pulled away from him. How dare he mention her second! "I am second to no woman. You will choose one of us now." Elliott ignored her. That got under Regina's skin. "You will show me respect!" Regina transformed.
Elliott wasn't fazed and chuckled. "I never did duel you for your hand. Fine." He got up and became engulfed in flames. Several bystanders screamed and looked at the oncoming fight. "Let's see how long you last against the power of MY dragon flame."
"Hhhheyyy. Stop. Stop." Topaz was on the stage. She had a mug of beer in her hands and a taco in the other. Her friends ignored her and continued to argue. Jeremy got in the mid of Regina and Elliott's fight, and started cursing them out. Euphoria's head was on the table in a light sleep. Orion was looking at himself as Ismene rubbed his shoulders. She took another sip of her drink before holding the microphone again. "Come on guys... Let's eat, drink, and be mer-be." She slurred. Topaz smiled. Being merry reminded her of Christmas. "Have yourselves... a mer-be little Christmas. Let your arms be loved! From now on, our troubles will be out of sight! So have yourselves a mer-be little Christmas DAYYYYY!"
Regina and Elliott stopped to listen to their drunken friend. Even though she butchered the lyrics and slurred on occasion, Topaz sounded amazing. Semiramis folded her arms. "Great. Even drunk Topaz has a stellar voice. She'll probably find another man tonight."
"Sing another song! A love song" Elliott demanded. He took Regina's hand. "I'm dedicating it to you."
"I may dance with you then, Prince Elliott."
Jeremy got up. "What the hell is wrong with you people?! HAVE YOU ALL FUCKING LOST IT?!" Topaz jumped off the stage, making her spill most of her beer. She stuffed the taco in her mouth and pushed it down with her alcohol. She walked around Jeremy and started singing 'I'm Happy Just to Dance With You.' "Get away from me! You're so annoying!" She backed away from him in fear, but began to feel the effects of the alcohol. She felt dizzy, threw up and passed out a couple of seconds later. He caught her on instinct. Jeremy growled as his specialist uniform became ruined. He was beyond pissed with the fairy he was holding. He drug her drunk ass back to their table and placed her next to her best friend. He didn't notice John's absence.
John looked around not seeing the witch he knew caused the disturbance with his friends. He was ticked once he found her peaking from the bathroom. "Alright Pandora, you've had your fun, now leave them be."
"Now why would I do that, the fun is getting started. I called Stormy."
"You called Stormy?! Are you crazy?!"
Pandora folded her arms. "What? Those uppity fairies deserve a little throttling."
"A little throttling? Stormy's going to kill them! Don't you realize what you signed up for? Nabu is going to kill the second generation Winx!" Pandora looked confused. "Literally kill, murder, end them forever. And you're allowing it to happen."
Pandora stepped back. "But Stormy just said one up the Winx, not end them."
"You of all people should know not to take deals with random wizards. Mother always warned us not to do this."
"I know, okay! ..you joined them too!"
"I had to make sure you didn't do anything stupid like this!" John said. Once he found out his little sister got involved with Nabu and Stormy he joined too to keep her safe. He heard and explosion and screaming. "I'm guessing that's your call."
"Oh my gosh, what do we do?" Pandora asked nervously.
"The right thing, protect the Winx. I'll protect you." John promised. The arrived to the scene hand-in-hand ready to go out and fight off Stormy's attacks. They were surprised to see Stormy knocked out over Jeremy's shoulder. The twins looked at each other. John's eyes widened. "How'd you guys-"
Elliott put his arm around Regina. "The witch of Blood and Battle, a paladin, my fairy sister, my witch cousin, a specialist and most of all ME, the dragon flame. I don't know why she decided to fight now, but who cares. I'll take my victory."
They were too distracted by the victory to realize, they were still spelled.
(A/N) I do not own Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas or The Beatles I'm Happy Just to Dance With You.
Next Chapter: The Winx try to break the spell.
