As promised, I have time now so I´m updating lol, R&R please!

Chapter 6: A Royal Awakening

Valtor and Stormy stood in front of the gates of Obsidian. The chilling cold feeling was fierce, unlike any Stormy had ever felt before, even in the Omega dimension. The atmosphere was dark, and fog surrounded them and covered the ground beneath them. As soon as they arrived, she realized this was something else altogether. Icy would have loved it.

"We´re really going in there?" she asked, for the first time feeling slightly unsure.

"Afraid are we?" Valtor asked, grinning. The three sisters were evil, but he knew they had never faced something similar to this.

"Of course I´m not, just asking", she said. Valtor turned to face her,

"Well fear not, as long as there is darkness in your heart, this realm will not harm you. You and I will be able to enter, without being lost in the darkest traps Obsidian is host to", he said sternly. Stormy took a deep breathe,

"Alright" she said. She was more than willing to show Valtor just how determined and powerful she could really be, she wanted him to see her as an ally, an equal, not just another recruit.

Valtor took the key out of the inside pocket of his coat, inserting it into the lock. The heavy stone gates opened suddenly revealing an even darker path ahead. Slowly Stormy followed behind Valtor, watching her every step carefully. A tall, thin figure appeared before them in the midst of the heavy fog.

"Valtor? I thought I sensed you. What are you doing here?" Mandragora asked him, amused. She was the keeper of the Obsidian Circle. She was rather pale, with indigo, curly hair and grey eyes.

Valtor had said that Mandragora´s help would be needed in bringing Marion and Oritel out of the realm. Both Valtor and Mandragora had been created by the three ancestresses, and with her assistance, convincing their creators to free all of Domino´s inhabitants would be simple.

"I came by to visit of course", he said, with a smirk. She laughed…loudly. Sending shrills down Stormy´s spine. Who was this woman really?

"Now, if I know you like I think I do, you´d never come to Obsidian without a good reason. What is it?" she asked, now interested.

"You´re right. You know me well", Valtor said, laughing slightly.

"I need a personal favor of you. I need you to free the rulers of Domino and all of its inhabitants. I need Domino to be restored as soon as possible", Mandragora stood speechless,

"What?! Do-Do you realize what you are asking me to do? Have you lost your mind?! To what purpose would that serve? What good would it do?!" she nearly yelled.

"Wait. Listen to me Mandragora, it serves a greater purpose than you think. Tell me, do you know where the source of the dragon flame is?" he asked her, she looked confused.

"The dragon flame? It's been gone for over twenty years now! It cannot be found and-"

"I know exactly where it is…or rather, who it is. And only by setting Marion and Oritel free will I be able to claim it. A mission our three ancestresses' could never accomplish", he concluded. Mandragora considered it for a moment, and for the first time, she turned her head to look at Stormy who she hadn't acknowledged since their arrival.

"And who is this?"

"Mandragora, this is Stormy, she´s none other than one of the descendants of the three ancient witches", Valtor told her. Mandragora looked at her in a peculiar way,

"That's right", Stormy answered, feeling more sure of herself than before. She knew who her ancestors were. The three most powerful witches to have ever been known in the magical universe. Being a direct descendant was not to be taken lightly.

"The three witches will be very pleased", she mused,

"And you say you´re sure of the ultimate power´s location, Valtor?" she asked once more,

"I am. When have I ever failed you? Help me free them, and I will obtain the all mighty dragon´s flame once and for all", he said,

"Fine Valtor. I´m sure the sisters will love to hear all about this. I´ll make sure your petition is granted. But you must know they will not be pleased if you fail to reclaim the Dragon flame. It would mean they freed those people in vain!" she said firmly,

"I assure you that won't happen. We have no time to waste Mandragora"

"Wait here a moment. This won't take long", she said taking one final look in Stormy´s direction before entering the dark depths of the Obsidian.

Sky sat at the breakfast table the next morning with Timmy and Helia, thinking about the previous day's events. Diaspro´s parents had been the hardest to convince, the only ones who needed such a great amount of convincing actually. King Xander was fairly subtle, but Queen Luciana on the other hand had always been the type to over analyze a situation, even such urgent ones, such as this.

"So Helia, you going to see Flora today?" Timmy asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Yeah I think so, I just have to help my grandfather with some chores he asked me to take care of first", Helia said,

"Hey Sky!" Brandon called out as he arrived at their table,

"Have you seen the newspaper yet?" he asked casually, Sky looked up.

"No…no I haven't, why?" Brandon handed him the newspaper that was rolled up in his hand,

"Here, you might want to check it out for yourself", he told Sky. As soon as he took it from Brandon, he nearly choked on his breakfast, the headline read,

´The Ex-Royal Couple Meets Again at Solaria´s Conference´ and next to it a picture of Diaspro and himself, they had taken separate pictures of them and just put them side by side on the article, thankfully they hadn't taken any pictures while they were talking, he didn't want Bloom to get the wrong idea, heck he didn't even want Bloom to see this in the first place! King Radius forbid the media to enter the conference that day and so they had to remain outside the palace, but apparently that wasn't enough. He sighed, rubbing his face with both hands. Did the paparazzi have to pay close attention to every minimal detail? On the next page of the newspaper article was also a picture of Stella´s parents with a similar headline. Her parents were divorced so presumably the reporters were also surprised to see Stella´s mother attend the conference as well. He wondered how Stella and her parents would take it…

"Hey Brandon, good match!" Brandon turned around to see who the voice belonged to,

"Oh thanks Bishop, right back at ya!" he said. Bishop and his other two senior friends, Max and Austin, were passing by their table. Abruptly, Bishop seemed to remember something and slowly took a few steps back to where Brandon was standing,

"So I heard you´re dating Stella, that right?" he asked, slyly.

"Yeah, as a matter of fact we´ve been going out for a while now", he answered, he and Stella had been going out for almost 2 years, but since both Red Fountain and Alfea College were large institutions, he wasn't surprised that many still didn't know.

"You´re a lucky man Brandon, she´s one of a kind. You beat me to it", Bishop said, sighing. Brandon arched his eyebrow, it was obvious to Helia and Sky that this guy was only trying to irritate Brandon.

"What do you mean?"

"Well you know, I´ve wanted to ask Stella out since we first met, I just never had the guts and just when I decide to finally make a move, I find out you´re already dating her", he said completely relaxed and laid back. Brandon tightened his fist suddenly. Sky, Helia and Timmy all sat there speechless, surprised at how audacious this specialist was. Brandon knew his blond girlfriend was gorgeous, and her personality and sociability made her all the more attractive. But he certainly didn't feel comfortable knowing he had competition.

"I had no idea you were interested in my girlfriend, you´re right though, she's definitely one of a kind. I would know", he said tensing up, almost angrily. Bishop narrowed his eyes, he knew he had struck a chord, but so had Brandon.

"Make sure you treat her right, ya´know some would love to be in your shoes", Bishop told him simply, before walking away. Brandon was about to follow him until Sky held his arm,

"Alright Brandon calm down, don't listen to him. You know how Bishop can be", he told him.

"Yeah, tell me about it, he annoys me during competitions all the time! It's gotten really irritating, it's a good thing Codatorta gave him a warning", Helia said,

"Well apparently he didn't get the message", Brandon said, still upset.

"Helia´s right, he´s just trying to get to you", Timmy commented. Sometimes it surprised Brandon how calmly he always took things, however he wasn't too convinced that Timmy would act the same had it been Tecna that Bishop was referring to.

"Ughh, they didn't take it from the right angle, it doesn't even look like her! This photo just doesn't do my mother justice!" Stella said, frustrated at the picture the media published of her mother at the conference.

"Why not? I think it looks great!" Musa said, biting on her sandwich.

"My herbology potion worked, these flowers look great!" Flora said excitedly, their midterm exams were due soon and she didn't want to mess up her potions in the slightest.

"And did you read the story they published on Sky and Diaspro? I´m calling the press, that conference was supposed to be confidential, as in, no headlines!" Stella exclaimed with the newspaper in her hand,

"Well it was rude of them", Flora said shaking her head,

"Guys, what's going on? What headlines?" Bloom asked, appearing in the doorway,

"Oh…Bloom…we didn't hear you…" Stella said awkwardly. Bloom walked over to her taking a closer look at the newspaper in her hand, Musa and Flora exchanged glances,

"What's wrong Stella, what's it say?" she said, as Stella slowly handed it to her. She felt her heart picking up its pace as she read the title,

"What is this? I…I thought you said the royals wouldn't be giving any interviews or allowing the paparazzi into-"

"Bloom I promise you the paparazzi did not enter that conference! Which is why I was telling the girls that I´m calling the newsprint to set a complaint!"

"Stella´s right Bloom, don't believe any of that, it's pointless", Musa told her comfortingly.

Bloom stood quiet for a moment simply gazing at the picture of both Sky and Diaspro. Suddenly an old sensation came back to her, and she felt like they were in first year all over again, specifically the Day of the Royals. The day she found out that her Brandon was indeed Prince Sky and Prince Sky was actually Stella´s Brandon. The day she found out that the guy she had fallen in love with was engaged. She remembered how it had been an ordinary day like any other, the girls and she had all been in the dorm relaxing. She had called Sky or "Brandon" that day for what seemed like the millionth time, but got no answer, just like it had been for the last couple of days. He also wouldn't return her calls despite the messages or texts. And she feared that his sudden distance towards her meant he was no longer interested. The idea had been echoing in her mind for days until the winx told her to confront him and be direct about it, they fully supported her and gave her the courage to do so. They even went with her to Red Fountain.

But that had been a complete disaster for both Stella and herself. She fought Diaspro believing she was a witch…and Stella had been watching the whole thing when she realized that her "Prince Sky" was indeed Brandon, the actual prince´s squire. Stella was angry that day, but not because of his social status. If anything, despite her love for extravagant clothes or her title as Princess, Stella was truly a humble person and didn't care for any of that. But she certainly cared when someone she really trusted lied to her. She remembered the feeling herself, when Diaspro collapsed at the end of their battle and Sky came running, Diaspro clung to him claiming to be none other than a princess….and his fiancée, while King Erandor called Brandon a squire and Brandon did no more than kneel before him. Sky´s father had been infuriated to know that his son´s identity was revealed and immediately left Red Fountain with the Queen and Diaspro, leaving a broken-hearted Bloom behind. Sky had immediately broken off the engagement. He left endless texts and made phone calls, (which Stella refused to let Bloom answer), but Bloom had already returned to Earth and to top things off, lost her dragon flame.

The incident only reminded Bloom of how different she was from everyone else. Sure she had magical powers and was going to Alfea now. But everyone she seemed to meet in this dimension was born into a magical family, and were well aware of who they were. Everything that seemed so new to her was actually very ordinary here to everyone else. Meanwhile, the things she did know, the life she thought she knew, the parents she believed procreated her, hadn't even been hers. She loved them more than anything and she knew they´d never leave her side, but in this dimension, she felt like a complete orphan. An outsider. But then again, she also didn't belong to earth. Never had Bloom felt so distraught…so confused. But among all the differences she found between her friends and herself, the person she felt she differentiated most from in the moment, was Prince Sky.

She quickly tried to shake that feeling off. They were past that, now she and Sky were together and she had to trust him. She knew they had to have faith in each other no matter what the newspaper might say. But if Stella had seen this, and probably most of Alfea had too, than maybe Sky had seen it also. Why hadn't he called her or said anything about it yet? Maybe he really hadn't seen it…?

"Sweetie don't look at that anymore, want to help me with my potions?" Flora asked Bloom taking the paper away from her, Bloom smiled. There was a knock on the door. It was Griselda.

"Girls, I´m sorry to interrupt but Ms. Faragonda would like to see you in her office immediately", she told them sternly and closed the door again.

"Aww man, what did we do this time?" Stella groaned.

"Griselda sounded serious, whatever it is it must be important. We should probably hurry", Musa said. She had a bad feeling it had something to do with Valtor and lately each of them had separate distractions, and that wasn't good. Bloom glanced at the cellphone that laid on the nightstand. She considered calling Sky, and asking him about the article perhaps. But apparently now wasn't a good time.

"Yeah, we should probably hurry…"

"Girls, you´re probably wondering why I called you here", Ms. Faragonda said, pausing.

"What's the matter Ms. Faragonda?" Bloom asked,

"There's been another attack…on Pixie Village", she said grimly.

"Pixie village!? Why would Valtor attack them?" Layla nearly shouted,

"I fear that at the moment, I can't seem to understand what it is that he wants, neither can Saladin or Griffin, this man is more dangerous than we thought winx, and we must be prepared for anything!" She told them standing up from her desk.

"Were any of the pixies hurt, headmistress?" Tecna asked her. Faragonda sighed and walked up to her window.

"Fortunately not, but he did do something utterly…strange, and it has us all worried. He stole the key to Obsidian from the tree of portals",

"The Key to Obsidian?!" Flora asked, shocked.

"No way…" Musa muttered.

"What's ´the key to Obsidian´?" Bloom asked, not understanding.

"Bloom the key to the Obsidian dimension is only the key that unlocks the portal to one of the darkest realms. It's hardly ever mentioned, let alone opened!" Tecna explained.

"Obsidian is a dark realm, it's said to be created by the very ancient witches themselves. No one is really certain of what dreadful creatures can be found there, the only thing known for sure is that it remains the home of the three evil sisters until this day, and that a guardian watches its gates". Ms. Faragonda explained.

"But why would Valtor want to go there in the first place?" Musa asked,

"That's a mystery to all of us really, I don't understand what it is in that dimension that Valtor could be after. But whatever it is it can't be good", she told them, then she turned to look at them carefully,

"Bloom, how´ve you been feeling these days?" she asked suddenly,

"Me? I-I´ve been fine headmistress", she said not understanding, sharing a confused look with the other winx. Only Griselda knew what the headmistress was really thinking…

"I need all of you in top shape and for that, Avalon and Ms. Griselda will be training you in magical self defense for an hour each afternoon, starting tomorrow", the girls all nodded silently.

"Ms. Faragonda…do you think…we have a chance at, well, defeating Valtor?" Bloom asked. The headmistress looked away for a moment, gazing at the view through her large office window.

"If we´re truly prepared…I sure hope so", she said quietly.

"You´re all dismissed"

"Alright Valtor, the three witches accepted, with the condition that once you obtain the dragon flame, you share it with them…and me", she said smiling darkly,

"It was me who really did all the work, convincing the witches and all…" she explained, twirling a lock of her curly hair around her finger. Valtor grinned,

"Of course I won't leave you out Mandragora, I´ve always paid my gratitude very well", he said.

"Once the King and Queen of Domino are released, along with all of their people, Domino will automatically return to its natural form, meaning its life will be restored",

"Excellent," he remarked. Stormy´s eyes widened, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. The realm that remained frozen for twenty years would return to life just like that, these witches had more power than she and her sisters had ever imagined. Silently, she wondered how they could obtain some of that power…they were descendants of these witches after all…

"The sisters are chanting a spell to break the stone those people are trapped in", she said, pausing to look at Stormy,

"And as for you, the witches sent you this…!" Mandragora told her, opening up her hand.

"What is it?" Stormy asked fascinated, as a reddish purple looking fire appeared in Mandragora´s hand.

"Consider this a gift from your ancestresses", she said with a smile. She whispered some sort of spell, in a dialect that Stormy couldn't understand, and within seconds the fire blended within her…what was this…

Meanwhile, Valtor moved his hands and a circle opened before him, Tritannus´s face appearing in it.

"Tell me Valtor, were you successful?" he asked,

"Aren't I always?" Valtor replied sarcastically.

"Of course", Tritannus´s said, unamused.

"It's time to keep your side of the deal Tritannus, make your wish…and take Daphne to Domino as soon as you do it", he ordered.

"I´m on it", Tritannus said sternly. He felt overly confident, never in his life had he felt that everything was going according to plan as it was now. Everything would fall into place and soon he´d be the only ruler of the infinite ocean. He would prove his family wrong and show them what he was really cut out for, what he was meant to be. For the first time he felt he had made the right decision by taking Valtor´s offer. Tritannus was well aware that Valtor had completely different motives and a very different purpose than he had. And he still hadn't fully understood why the wizard could possibly want the restoration of Domino so desperately. But despite their differences, they would help each other accomplish their goals, one by one...

"What's the plan? What´d Valtor say?" Icy asked him. Tritannus smiled taking her hand,

"Domino is officially restored, now it's my turn",

"Ms. Faragonda, there's a man who says he must speak to you immediately!" Griselda said, nearly bursting into the headmistress´s office. She looked up at her surprised,

"Well, by all means, let him in Griselda, who is it?" but before she could finish her sentence, a tall man with a long white beard who was wearing armor appeared before her. Faragonda stood up startled,

"Hagen?! What a surprise!" she exclaimed,

"Faragonda, Oritel´s sword! After twenty years, I´ve sensed it! The King and Queen are back!"