A/N: Thanks for reviewing once again! I know many want to see Layla and Nabu together but there's a surprise in store for those two R&R
Chapter 3: The Ultimate Deal
Stella sat in front of the mirror in Tecna and Musa´s dorm room pulling up her hair in a high pony tail, her long blond tresses reaching her waist, while Tecna lied on the couch texting Timmy. Despite gazing upon her reflection Stella´s mind was far off debating on whether or not she should tell Brandon about the guy who was hitting on her. His name was Bishop, he was a senior specialist who had faced off against Riven during a match on the day that Red Fountain invited Alfea and Cloud Tower for its inauguration. They met just before the big match while Stella, Flora and Musa were strolling through the school, admiring its new construction. She hadn't purposely flirted with him, in fact, after that day she hadn't even remembered him. Somehow he got a hold of her phone number and started texting her just a few days ago. But despite Red Fountain being a big school Stella feared that Brandon would hear of their little encounter from someone else before she could tell him herself…
Flashback
"You ladies seem to be lost, if you need a guide through the school, I´m your man", he said, a little too overconfident, Stella thought, Flora giggled, while Musa rolled her eyes,
"Actually, I think we´ll be okay, but thanks…" Musa said unsure of what to call him,
"Bishop, the names Bishop. I'm a senior here at Red Fountain", he said, a little more subtle this time,
"Oh cool, I´m Musa",
"My name is Flora",
"And I´m Stella and unfortunately we´re still in sophomore year", she said irritably. Bishop extended his hand for the first time. At first Stella looked at him confused, but quickly took his hand nonetheless. Bishop bowed and kissed it,
"Well it's my pleasure Stella", for a moment she couldn't say a word. She was used to receiving attention but this senior student had caught her off guard. What would Brandon say if he had seen this? She wondered. Musa and Flora only exchanged looks, smirking.
"Well, thanks, mine too", she said laughing nervously now, both girls held back a laugh, Stella was rarely seen nervous, usually she was intimidating not intimidated. Letting go of Stella´s hand he stood up straight again,
"It's nice to meet you guys"
"The school looks great! You guys really did a good job", Musa said, sincerely amazed.
"She's right, congratulations!" Flora told him
"Thank you ladies" he answered smiling, he had a warm smile. Rather strange for a guy who had the bad boy style…hmm….
"What do you think, Stella?" he asked, clearly making emphasis on her,
"Well I agree with Musa, everything looks great", she said, still blushing slightly, Bishop wouldn't take his eyes off her, ignoring Musa and Flora completely,
"I´m glad to hear it, we Red Fountain students have very good taste", he said flirtatiously,
"I can see that", she responded, still shaky,
"Well, Riven´s match is starting soon so we better get going", Musa reminded them, not knowing that Bishop was in fact Riven´s opponent.
End of Flashback
Suddenly, Stella´s phone rang, bringing her out of her reverie,
As soon as she answered it, her father's face came on the screen,
"Daddy! How are you?" she asked, delighted. It had been a while since she last saw him.
"Stella my dear, I´m doing just fine. Your mother sends her regards", he replied.
"Tell her I said hi, I´m glad you guys are finally talking again!" she said chuckling, she knew she was hoping for too much but she never gave up on the idea that one day they may settle their differences and get back together,
"Yes, well", he paused clearing his throat,
"The reason for my call is another entirely. A meeting will be held tomorrow here in Solaria, and I need you to be present. The royals of all the realms in the magical dimension will be here to attend a very urgent matter", he informed her. Hearing the King´s words Tecna sat up immediately, concerned.
"All the royals? It must be about something very important then. Dad what is it? Is something going on?" Stella asked,
"It is unfortunately, the matter to be discussed in tomorrow's conference is the recent attack on Andros, by the sorcerer known as Valtor", he sighed, "There's really no telling what his motives are or what his next move may be but we must be prepared. The results of his attack on Andros were dire, and the King and Queen only wish to prevent this from happening to any other realm", he concluded, dismayed.
"Yeah I know, we were there last week with Layla, it was terrible!" Stella said, putting a hand on her forehead.
"Indeed it was, but hopefully we´ll find a solution tomorrow", he said with a weak smile, not all hope was lost.
"Daddy, one more question please", Stella pleaded, "Ar-are any of my friends going to be there?"
"Yes if I gather correctly, King Sky of Eraklyon and Princess Layla of Andros are entitled to being here tomorrow as well", Stella sighed,
"Thank you dad, I´ll see you there", she said before the king said his farewells and hung up, behind her, Tecna sat wide-eyed.
"This Valtor must be more dangerous than any of us thought", Tecna said, awestruck,
"Well if he is then why aren't we doing anything? hasn't said a word to us since we came back from Andros", Stella said, confused
"You´re right, I mean when Darkar attacked she even sent us to the Resort Realm to prepare. But now…"
"But now, they expect us to sit back and wait while Valtor decides which realm to attack next!" Stella interrupted her, annoyed.
"This isn't like Ms.F , something just doesn't add up", Tecna said, standing up.
There was a swift knock on the door and Layla popped her head in,
"Hey can we come in?" she asked already entering the room with Flora behind her,
"Hey Layla, were you invited to a conference on Solaria tomorrow?" Tecna asked hurriedly,
"Yeah I just got a notification from Andros, I was coming in to tell you guys. Why?"
"Because my father just called, I have to go as well. Its tomorrow morning, maybe we could call Sky and go together", Stella told her, mentally hating the fact that she´d have to wake up early, and she definitely wasn't a morning person…
"Oh right! I almost forgot Sky has to be there too. Well, sounds like a plan then", she said sitting on Musa´s bed.
"Hey when was the last time we saw the guys?" Stella asked them cunningly,
"We all went out a couple of days ago, why?" Tecna asked,
"It's just, well, I really need to go to Red Fountain to see my Brandon, come with me girls, please…!" Stella pleaded clinging to Tecna´s arm. Tecna rolled her eyes,
"But we´re not allowed to leave Stella", Flora answered,
"We could get in trouble for this, you heard Faragonda…" Tecna agreed, seeing that Stella wouldn't budge,
"I know but it's absolutely necessary! I have to!" she begged not letting Tecna go,
"Why?"
"I´ll tell you guys on the way there. It won't take long I promise" she said, knowing her friends would very well support her,
"I guess we could see the guys for just a little while", Flora said, earning a crushing hug from Stella.
"What do you mean?" Diaspro asked, the fear she felt was slowly disappearing,
"You see, I know all about what Prince Sky did do you darling, I know how it must´ve hurt when he left you for Bloom", he said provocatively and by the looks of it, it was working.
She looked surprised that Valtor knew so much about her, but her shock wasn't greater than the anger she felt remembering Sky´s rejection. Abruptly she turned away from Valtor and walked over to the open balcony doors, looking out into the distance.
"He humiliated me! I was engaged to Sky, I was prepared to be the perfect queen for him, and she got in the way!" she said, heatedly. They had been the royal couple of the moment! And without warning, out of nowhere! She appeared. For weeks, the news about their breakup had been everywhere, no matter how she wanted to neglect that any of it was really happening, it was on the newspapers and it was even mentioned on MagixWeekly. With time, the news about their broken engagement passed and instead was replaced with the rumors about a new relationship between the striking Prince and a mysterious redhead who apparently attended Alfea High school for Fairies. And she hated her. It was she who belonged by Sky´s side, not some earthly peasant. She wasn't even royalty, she was nowhere near as sophisticated and refined as Diaspro was. What Sky could´ve seen in Bloom was beyond her.
"And that's why I´m here. As I said previously, I´m Valtor, the most powerful wizard in the magic dimension. Tell me, wouldn't you like the chance to get back at Bloom? To turn the tables and have your Sky back? If you wish, I could make it happen" he asked, this sparkled her curiosity.
"But how? And why would you want to help me? What do you have against Bloom and Sky?" Valtor laughed darkly, sending shivers down her spine.
"Not Sky, Princess Diaspro, I have no interest in the King, all I need is Bloom. I have my own plans for her. If you're willing to work with me, I´ll explain to you how we can both obtain what we seek", he told her. Diaspro didn't know how to respond, of course she wanted Sky back by her side and unquestionably she wanted to get rid of Bloom! But could she trust this stranger? He seemed powerful enough to help her accomplish it and this was something she really wanted, it was worth the risk, wasn't it? All she could think of was Sky, placing that ring on her finger once again. She eyed the silver broche resting on her bureau, Sky had given it to her a couple of months into their engagement.
"Alright", she said finally, "What do I have to do?" a determined and fierce look in her eyes told Valtor she was desperate. He grinned. So far so good.
"It's quite simple actually, if you want to hurt Bloom the way she hurt you, you´ll take something away from her, something very meaningful to her like Sky was to you"
"Like what?" she asked, not fully understanding,
"Her life…you will take her place in the royal family of Domino", Diaspro contemplated this, intrigued.
They say revenge is best served cold …who´s hungry?
"Griselda where could those girls possibly be?" Faragonda was infuriated.
"Are you sure you´ve searched everywhere?" she asked, pacing nervously around her office.
"I´ve looked everywhere ma´am they´re definitely not on school grounds", Griselda told her. Suddenly Ms. Faragonda stopped pacing, and headed towards the door of her office.
"Ma´am?" she asked, surprised.
"Rules are rules Griselda. And if we told them not to leave the school, then they shouldn't have!" she said sternly, before walking out of her office.
Later that evening, coming back from the meadow Bloom and Sky met up with the girls who were returning from Red Fountain as well as Musa and Jared who had left the school to take a walk. Jared and Sky rode on their hover bikes back to Red Fountain while the girls flew back to Alfea, not knowing that a barrier was placed around the school.
"Ughh…what a day!" Stella said yawning loudly,
"Yeah tell me about it, and we have to wake up early for tomorrow's meeting. Sky´s picking us up", Layla told her.
"Ladies!" Griselda´s booming voice yelled.
"This can't be good", Musa muttered.
Btw if you Google Bishop, you´ll see his style, kind of scary lol. R&R