Disclaimer: I don't own Winx Club.
Chapters are coming out thick and fast! I blame Artis! What do you mean it was Perdi? Oh great, now they're in cahoots!
Okay, last chapter I turned Valtor into a footnote, handed Amelia five orbs of Dragon Flame, and confused even my own characters. Now I just need to explain some of it. Oy.
As for Nyssa not being shocked, she's been in Altivix for ten thousand years, given that Allanya's the one who put her there. She's seen a lot of things and people go past. The shock value sort of fades after a while. Too bad her attitude didn't.
Back to the story!
"...Anyone feel like sleeping?" Dhalia asked. Everyone shook their heads. "Good. I think it's time we had a group meeting."
"I'll say." Said Perdi as she sat down, crossing her long legs beneath her.
"Agreed." Amelia said. "So much has happened since we got here, and we've been going without a break ever since."
"Alright." Dhalia said. "Who wants to start?"
"I will." Artis said. "What is going on with Nyssa?"
"I don't know." Amelia said. "Every time I try talking to her she clams up."
"I couldn't have rescued you guys without her help." Perdi put in.
"She said it herself, she's saved us twice in less than a week." Reyva added.
"But why?" Artis asked. "What's in it for her?"
"I don't know," Dhalia said, "and I'm not sure whether or not to trust her. She's saved our lives, but the way she acts... She's hiding something."
"We've been over this before." Amelia said. "She's certainly strange, but I don't think she means us harm."
The other girls turned to look at Amelia.
"Strange isn't the word I'd use." Dhalia said.
"Secretive?" Perdi suggested.
"Prickly?" Reyva supplied.
"Hostile." Artis stated.
"All of the above." Dhalia said.
"I know, but... I still think she's not likely to hurt us."
"I hope you're right." Artis said.
"Let's move on." Dhalia said hurriedly. "The Dark Ember Blades."
"I don't think we've seen the last of them." Reyva said.
"If nothing else, they're going to want these back." Perdi held up the Ember Stones. "Speaking of which..." Perdi stood up and walked over to Amelia, handing over the stones. "Nyssa did say you might be able to use them."
"They probably wouldn't work very well against the Ember Blades." Amelia sighed. "I already learned not to fight fire with fire the hard way."
"They were very strong, weren't they?" Artis said.
"They have the Dragon Flame, they're trained sorcerer-knights, and they've been here for nine and a half thousand years." Reyva said. "It would be strange if they weren't extremely powerful."
"But now they've been weakened." Dhalia said. "We might stand a chance."
"I certainly hope so." Perdi said. "I'm tired of fighting things out of our league."
"Earth expressions Perdi?" Artis teased.
"My brother sent me a list of them a few years back."
"Ah."
"We're getting off topic here." Dhalia said.
"What else is there to say about the Dark Ember Blades?" Reyva asked. "We won't know enough to form any plans until we see them in action without the Ember Stones."
"Good point." Dhalia rose to her feet. "That brings us to the third topic. Eclipsis."
"We can start looking for her once we reach Melivon." Artis said.
"Not good enough. The Winx have been fighting Eclipsis's son for five days now. Who knows how long they can hold him off?"
"Maybe we can use our magic to see what's happening." Perdi supplied.
"Good idea." Reyva said. "Perdi, Artis, can you help me out here?"
"Certainly."
"Thanks."
The three girls sat in a circle, hands in front of them. "Universal Sight!" They cried out in unison. A circle of light appeared in their midst. Images began to form on its surface as the girls crowded around it.
The first image was one of massive destruction. Stonehenge was gone. Its stones had been knocked down, cracked, and pulverized. Bodies littered the landscape, both monstrous and humanoid. The image rippled and dissolved.
A second image formed. The Winx were fighting the great serpentine monster in a desperate battle across England. Fire, light, plants and Morphix were all visible. Faint tendrils of electricity extended from Tecna's hands, and a shockwave filled the air in front of Musa. The image faded.
A third image appeared. Roxy hovered in front of the beast, the White Circle in her hands. The Major Fairies surrounded her as they fought back against the onslaught of the snake. This image vanished as well.
A fourth image appeared. This one was in the middle of a huge city. The Trix were fighting now, alongside several other witches. This image remained, then began to move. Buildings shattered, the rivers boiled, and lightning filled the sky.
"So that's what's happening right now." Artis said in a quiet voice.
"That's London." Perdi's voice was hollow. "Almost ten million people live there."
"We have to succeed," Amelia said, "or this will happen to every city on Earth, and every city in the Magical Dimension."
The image vanished as the girls broke the spell.
"We can't let that happen." Reyva said.
"And we won't." Dhalia replied. "But we need to be smart about it. If we die here, everyone pays the price."
"I'll take first watch." Amelia said. "Get some rest."
"Are you sure?" Perdi asked. "You've been doing that a lot recently."
"I have a lot on my mind."
"Okay then..."
The Classix lay down to rest. They had gotten used to sleeping on hard ground.
"Wake us if anything happens." Dhalia said, just before she fell asleep.
"I will." Amelia turned to face the night.
A/N: Well, that certainly puts things in perspective. London, one of the biggest cities in the world, is under siege. Time is running out, and for some people it's already too late. Even the combined forces of the Winx, the Earth Fairies, and the Trix can't bring this beast down. There's a reason this guy inspired the myth of Typhon, the monster that almost brought down Olympus.
Another short chapter, but with all the emotional stress, I just don't have it in me to write any more. Expect the next chapter to be delayed a bit, as I'm going to be busy for the next few days, but it should be longer than these last few chapters.
That's all for now, see you all next time.