Disclaimer: I don't own Winx Club.

Okay, we're done with explanations, back story, and monologues for a while. Everyone happy? Good. Yeah, I'm not exactly thrilled with how the last few chapters turned out either. To much info, not enough emotion or personality. This one should fix that though.

Alright then, let's get on with the story.

"So Eclipsis, Kallise, is my distant aunt?" Amelia asked.

"Yes, and Sasha is your cousin, many times removed." Allanya replied.

"That explains why I was able to sense her over such long distances at least. Is there anything else we should know about her?"

"I've told you everything I can."

"Then this conversation is over." Amelia said.

"Wait." Allanya turned to the still scowling Nyssa. "Sasha."

Nyssa turned her head away from Allanya with a slight snort of disapproval.

"Sasha, I just- I would have saved you. I would have. But I can't leave here. My powers bind me to this place."

"Would have." Nyssa turned back to Allanya. "You didn't. I don't care about 'would have.'"

"Just... remember that I tried. Please."

"I'm not going to make any more promises to you. I've already made too many."

"I... I understand." Allanya turned away, tears glittering in her eyes.

"Perdi, end it." The image winked out of existence as the spell ended.

A silence fell over the six girls as the last light of day faded.

"Alright, time to get some sleep." Dhalia said. "Tomorrow we can start our search for Eclipsis."

The girls wound up in a trio of rooms on the second floor of the hospital. wordlessly, Reyva and Dhalia took the first one.

"I should keep watch over Nyssa." Artis said. "I'm the only one who can stop her if something goes wrong."

"No. You're going to stay with Perdi." Amelia said.

"Why?"

"Because if you're watching Nyssa you'll be up all night. You need to sleep."

"And you don't?"

"I don't think I'll be able to tonight."

"Are you going to look for Eclipsis again?"

"No. That power doesn't work here. Part of it's the magic in the air here. Part of it's Nyssa. I keep picking up her instead of Eclipsis."

"Then what do you plan to do?"

Amelia's only answer was a small, sad smile.

"Right. I'll be with Perdi if you need me."

"Still not-?"

"No. I'm waiting for a good moment. Maybe after this is all over."

"Or you could do it now." Artis simply stared at Amelia. "Or not."

"Good night Amelia."

"Good night Artis."

Nyssa lay in her bed, completely unable to sleep. She'd spent the last ten millennia awake during the night. It wasn't exactly an easy habit to break. She sighed. Slowly shifting her weight so as not to make noise, she got out of bed. Quietly so as not to wake Amelia, she padded across the wood floor to the small balcony outside.

The stars were out in their multitudes tonight, just like every other night. Leaning against the railing, she stared up at them. They'd been her friends and companions ever since her earring broke, all those eons ago. In many ways they were just like she had been, small, soft, and doomed to only be seen at night. Overwhelmed by the blazing fury and power of the sun, forced to hide in the dark.

"Couldn't sleep?" Nyssa jumped at the sound of Amelia's voice.

"What are you doing up?" She asked, turning to face the other girl.

"At the moment, nothing."

"You should go back to bed. You need sleep."

"And you don't?"

"I haven't truly slept in ten thousand years. I have no idea what I need."

"In more ways than one."

"...You are far too good at reading people."

"Artis is even better."

"You're right. I don't know what I'm doing anymore." She said, turning to look at the stars again. "I've spent my entire time in Altivix struggling with myself. Attempting to undo all the damage I'd done. Now, I'm free. I don't know what to do with myself."

"Come with us."

"Right. Dhalia and Reyva both hate me. And why not? I spent the last week terrorizing the five of you."

"Artis doesn't hate you. And neither do I." Amelia paused for a moment, then continued. "I don't think Perdi does either."

Nyssa grunted in acceptance. Then she turned back to Amelia. "Why don't you hate me? Why doesn't Artis hate me? It's because of me that she died."

"Artis is... complicated. She's one of the most selfless people I've ever met. You do whatever you want to her, and she can probably still find it in her heart to forgive you. That is, until you go after the people she cares about. That's when she holds a grudge."

"So? Because of me, all of you except Perdi were beaten and captured, and Perdi was severely injured. I've attacked the people she cares about. Why doesn't she hate me?"

"I don't know, but if I had to guess I'd say it's because she understands some of what you went through."

"What?"

"She's no stranger to being controlled by rage, and she spent a hundred years trapped with no one but herself. I think you may have more in common with her than you realize."

"Maybe." Nyssa stared at Amelia. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Why don't you hate me? You certainly seemed to hate me when Artis died."

"You seem very eager for everyone to hate you."

Nyssa turned back to the stars, saying nothing.

"You should come with us. Help us in our mission."

"You don't want me. I'm a monster."

"Not anymore, you're not."

"I've spent thousands of years spreading misery and chaos. It doesn't matter what you say. I'm a monster, whatever form I take."

"You're only a monster if you choose to be." Amelia stepped closer. "Be better. Be you."

Nyssa whirled to face Amelia, their noses almost touching. "Don't you get it?" She demanded. "Don't you understand? I have the blood of thousands on my hands! If I didn't kill them, then they died because of me! You met me less than a week ago. I've caused three deaths in that time, two of them permanent! I'm a monster, and I always will be."

"Compared to me, you're an innocent. The blood of millions is on my hands, and all because of a single decision I made. I've devoted myself to doing whatever I can to fix my mistake. You've done the same. You're no more a monster than I am."

"The situations aren't the same."

"Then make them the same. Do something to make up for your mistakes." Amelia turned around and started walking back to her bed. "Sometimes that's all you can do." She said, half to herself.

Nyssa watched as the other girl slid back into her bed before turning to gaze at the stars again. So much like her they were, glittering in the night. They appeared calm, cool, and gentle, but at its heart each was just a raging inferno of self-destruction. The stars. Each a tiny light in the dark.

She sighed. So be it. She would find her own light in the dark.

A/N: Ah, there's the Sasha/Nyssa we know and love. Cold, unforgiving, and more than a little self-destructive. She just hasn't been herself the last couple chapters.

Well, that's it for now. See you all next time.