Making this a long chapter! Not sure if I can update this coming weekend: / R&R please!

Btw: Musa/Riven Or Musa/Jared? Whose your favorite?

Chapter 9: Homecoming

"Brandon, wait up!" Stella yelled running after him. This was definitely not a good day to wear heels…she thought. She caught up with him and grabbed his arm, causing him to whirl around. He sighed.

"What is it, Stella?" he asked, clearly still angry at her. Even when he was upset she couldn't stop herself from admiring his deep brown eyes and muscular figure.

"Brandon…why are you so upset? I don't get it! It was just a couple of conversations, I just-"

"That's the point Stella! You had a couple of conversations with a guy who you know perfectly well, wants to be more than just your friend!" he told her.

"Well, I didn't think it would bother you! I mean I didn't consider it that way" she said trying to defend herself.

"No Stella, you didn't. You didn't think about me, and quite frankly, I feel you haven't been thinking about me for a while now!" he snapped, his chest heaving. Stella stood there dumbstruck.

"Brandon that's not true! I know I´ve been busy lately but I made time to see you today, didn't I?" How could he be so selfish?

"Today Stel! What about the other days? What about not answering my phone calls? And yet you have time to talk to that-that-"he stammered, searching for a good enough insult probably.

"What's going on between you and Bishop, Stel?" he asked suddenly, Excuse me?

"You think I´m cheating? With Bishop?! Brandon how could you think that of me?! ", she asked, astonished.

"What am I supposed to think, Stella?" he retorted. When his phone started ringing. He was hesitant to answer at first, but then motioned for Stella to give him a moment and answered his phone.

"Flora? Hey, yeah she's right here with me", he said, immediately looking at Stella. Flora calling Brandon? That was odd…

"Yeah the battery died a while ago, that's probably why she hasn't answered her phone", she heard him say.

"What?! But how-?" he said, looking worried.

"Alright Flora, we´re on our way!" he said shutting his phone abruptly, then turning to look at Stella again.

"We have to go",

"But Brandon-"she tried,

"We can continue this conversation later, Flora says Alfea´s under attack. They need all the backup they can get, and they need you. Both Ms. Griffin and Headmaster Saladin are already there", he said.

She nodded and followed Brandon to his hover bike. Sure she had been busy for a while, there had been an awful lot going on! But accusing her of cheating on him or having a ´thing´ with someone else? It wasn't her fault some crazy wizard was threatening all three schools, not to mention the entire magic dimension! Brandon had to understand!

And yet maybe that was the core of the problem…Brandon always had to understand. He had to understand that she was a princess and had different customs, he had to understand that her parents were divorced and sometimes the fights between them drove her crazy, he had to understand that she was a winx and that it meant taking risks and even putting her own life in danger despite Brandon´s pleas for her to be careful. He was always comprehensive…and now there was Bishop…

Bishop had the kind of bad boy style that most girls loved! And maybe at another time before Brandon, she would have fallen for him. But that was no longer her case! She loved Brandon and he was a fool for believing otherwise…but how´d he find out in the first place? Why would he possibly think she was cheating on him with Bishop?!

Without a word Brandon helped her onto the hover bike and they left at full speed.

"Guys, what was that?!" Layla shouted frantically. A loud explosion was heard outside the school and people outside started screaming. Musa ran towards the window.

"Guys this isn't good…" she murmured.

"Goodness! What is that?" Tecna asked, shocked. A monster, just about as tall as the school was trying to break through the barrier. And before any of them could say a word, another one just as big joined in.

"Guys, what was that?" Bloom asked, opening the door abruptly.

"Something's going on out there, its looks like we may be under attack!" Tecna explained quickly.

"Then we have to go help, let's go", she said determined

"Whoa, hold on Bloom! You're not going anywhere!" Layla said, standing in front of her,

"Layla if the schools really under attack, I have to help! I can't just sit here and watch!"

"Bloom, Layla´s right. If you go out there, in your condition chances are, you'll get hurt. And we need the dragon flame well and to its pull potential!" Flora told her gently, giving her a small smile.

"Stay here, where it's safe. We need you alive and well", Tecna said. Bloom sighed and stared at her friends, they all made good points but staying behind while they were out there, in danger. It didn't feel right.

"Fine", she said calmly.

"Come on girls, we have to find the Ms. F , like, now!" Layla said.

Immediately, the headmistress called upon the help of the other two schools. All over Alfea´s grounds, witches, specialists and fairies fought against the most horrendous creatures the winx or anyone had ever seen.

"Faragonda! The spell doesn't seem to be working!" Griffin yelled. Faragonda, Saladin and Griffin were trying to reinforce the protection barrier around Alfea.

"We must keep trying! The smaller monsters that are breaking in are weakening the barrier!" she realized, in dismay.

"Ms. Faragonda what's going on?!" Layla asked her as they flew by her side.

"Where are they coming from?" Flora asked, horrified. This reminded her far too much of the army of decay…only several times worse!

"We aren't sure! But I have no doubt that Valtor is behind this!" she said, panting. All three headmasters were using every bit of strength they had to protect Alfea. Even professor Avalon, Wizgiz and professor Paladium were casting spell after spell, fighting off the numerous amount of creatures.

"Girls, where is Bloom?!" Faragonda asked them frantically.

"She´s in her room. We told her to stay behind!" Tecna told her. This fight was far too dangerous for someone in her condition.

"What about Stella? We need her here!" Layla yelled over the commotion.

"I´ve already called Brandon, they´re on their way!" Flora answered.

"Flora!" a voice called out.

"Helia!" she said running up to him and hugging him tightly.

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" he asked, placing his arms gently around her waist.

"I´m fine, just take care of yourself okay?"

"Please be careful…" he told her sternly.

She simply nodded and placed a gentle kiss on his lips before returning with the rest of the winx. He stood there for a moment watching her reunite with her friends, her long golden-brown hair swaying with her every step.

"Watch out!" someone screamed. But before he could react the creature was attacked and pulverized.

"…thank you" he said to the fairy who saved him with a smile which she gladly returned. She held out her hand,

"I know a terrible time for presentations but, I´m Krystal-or just Kris", the girl said smiling widely, showing her dimples.

"Helia" he said smiling warmly at the girl, she seemed kind enough. Her purple, almost lilac hair really made her features stand out. Her green eyes particularly.

Suddenly, another monster was created. It roared aggressively and flew past the barrier and through one of the school´s windows.

"The library!" Musa yelled,

"Girls let's go!" Tecna said and they flew in the creature's direction.

They entered the school and immediately found themselves flying through the heavy smoke, making it almost impossible to see the way they were going.

"What's the matter winx? Having trouble finding your way?" a voice asked in middle of the smog.

"Stormy?" Musa asked, confused. Wasn't Valtor working alone?

"You got it, pumpkin!" she yelled reaching forward and casting a spell. A monster…about nine feet tall, created from the very same smoke that surrounded the entire place, now hovered above them…

"It can't be- girls! The monsters-they´re-"Tecna stuttered

"They´re coming from Stormy!" Musa said in awe.

"So Brandon, how´s it going?" Bishop asked Brandon, while cutting a crab-like looking creature in half with his sword.

"What's it to you?!" Brandon demanded aggressively.

"Whoa, whoa! Someone´s in a mood today!" Bishop responded chuckling.

"I'll say this once Bishop, stay away from Stella! I don't know what you're trying to do but whatever it is it's not going to work!"

"Feeling insecure are we? I can stay away from Stella, but I can't assure you that she won't choose me over you" he said, now angry.

Brandon was ready to give him a blow when two strong arms held him back.

"Brandon, calm down! This isn't the time or place for this! We should be fighting them! You can settle this later!" Sky yelled at them both. Bishop growled.

"With pleasure!" he sneered.

Bloom paced back and forth in her room, feeling completely helpless as she watched the entire battle that was breaking lose through her dorm window. Granted, she still wasn't feeling entirely well, but they couldn't just expect her to be a spectator! There had to be something she could do to help. She looked into the mirror, her pale skin and dark circles underneath her eyes told her she had to stay in her room, there was no other option. But her heart and mind said otherwise…

"Magic Winx!" she yelled. She threw the door open and flew into the corridor, regretting it immediately.

"What is all this?" she thought, as her breathing started to become shallow. The place was filled in heavy smoke, she could barely even see the walls! She continued to advance, completely unaware of what was lying ahead.

"I…can't…breathe!" she panted and began coughing harshly.

"I thought I could find you here…" a voice told her. She looked up startled only to see a figure in the midst of the smoke.

"Who´s there?!" she demanded. The figure stepped forward…

"Valtor?" she asked, wide-eyed, before crouching over and beginning another coughing fit. He immediately reached forward, grabbing her arm to help her stay on her feet.

"Don't touch me!" she growled, pulling away.

"Bloom, take it easy! I don't want to hurt you..." he said carefully as she began backing away.

"Why should I believe you?! You´ve caused all of this!" she said in between coughs. He stared her over. She was in her fairy form. She was trembling and looked rather weak, very different from the last time he had seen her. It was evident she wasn't doing well and coming out to try and fight him was foolish. But it was that very same determination that made her so…captivating.

He started moving toward her but she was infuriated.

"Stay away from me…!" he sighed. He was beginning to lose his patience! Why was this girl so stubborn? She left him no choice than to go straight to the core.

"You want to know why I came here…so I´ll be direct" she looked at him expectantly.

"Those irritating parents of yours, Marion and Oritel, they´re with me", he told her calmly, searching for a reaction.

"My-my what? But-how-"she stammered, completely taken off guard.

"I´m not going into details. I´ll give you the bottom line. If you ever want to see them alive and well…you must come with me", he told her in a tone that made her feel he wasn't joking.

"Again, why should I believe you?! This could all just be a trap! And I´m definitely not falling into it!" she yelled. Even in middle of the smoke, her fiery red hair never lost its intensity.

"If you choose not to believe me then don't, especially not when you could see it for yourself" he said provocatively, knowing he had sparked her curiosity. He had seen that look before…in her mother…

"What are you talking about?" she asked cautiously. She could still hear the fighting outside.

"Come with me Bloom. I promise you this won't take long. After you´ve seen what I have to show you, you can make your decision", he told her sternly. He held out his hand for her to take…Bloom was hesitant…

"You can't be trusted…" she said, angrily.

"Is that what you think? What reason would I have to lie? Look at yourself, Bloom. You´re weak, you can't fight. If I had wanted to take you away and hurt you I already would have done so by force. You´re not much of an opponent in your current state", he said, grinning slightly. Bloom growled. But she knew very well he was right. She had hoped he wouldn't notice how difficult it was becoming for her to breathe, or even stand.

"You have nothing to lose, Bloom. If I´m telling the truth and you care for your parents, you will stay by my side. And if I´m deceiving you, you´ll return", he said to her. Bloom couldn't tell what it was but something in his eyes told her he was telling the truth. Ughh she was listening to him! How could she after everything he´d done! She was despicable! What would her friends say if they knew she was even considering the possibility!? But this man claimed to have in his power what she had been searching for, for so long!

He took her hesitation as a signal to come closer, and this time…she didn't back away. He held out his hand.

Her vision was becoming blurry and she was having more trouble breathing than before.

"Bloom", she could vaguely make out his voice over all the noise. She could hear the crackling sound of fire close by,

"Bloom…" he repeated.

She fainted before his eyes and he dashed forward, catching her in his arms before she hit the ground. The fire in the library was extending quickly. He growled.

He hoped the witches were doing their job the way they were supposed to. He had what he needed. He didn't want to take Bloom without her consent, he wanted her to trust him. But he couldn't leave her here in this state. If her friends and Faragonda allowed her to fight in this condition, then those fools obviously didn't know the first thing about how to properly care for the dragon flame! And there was no one better suited than himself to get Bloom back to her exuberant state. He needed her well and strong. He picked her up in his strong arms, tucking her head safely underneath his chin.

"aperta ianua" he chanted, opening up a portal. And stepping through it quickly with an unconscious Bloom lying in his arms.

"How could this happen!? How could Bloom be missing, you said yourself she was in her room!" Faragonda reprimanded. They were currently sitting in the headmistress's office along with Ms. Griselda and two of their professors, Palladium and Avalon.

"We don't know Ms. F but when the trix left, we went back to check on her…and she was gone", Stella explained between tears.

"Girls, are you sure you´ve searched everywhere? Maybe she´s with another friend, or King Sky perhaps", Griselda questioned. Layla shook her head.

"Not likely Ms. Griselda, Sky´s been looking for her since the battle ended along with the other specialists",

"Winx, this isn't good. We must find Bloom! Chances are…" she paused,

"Chances are what headmistress?" Flora asked, almost fearfully,

"I-I can't say…please help the specialists in their search for Bloom! Make sure you search the entire school, inside and out!" she told them. The girls nodded and immediately left to find the specialists. Despite the battle ending, they knew it wasn't the end of the war. All of magix was on high alert and the society formed by all the royals was on the lookout for Valtor´s whereabouts. Everyone knew of Bloom´s disappearance, except for her adoptive parents of course. And as far as anyone knew, they wouldn't be notified just yet.

"Professors, I need your help! I´m afraid Bloom is with Valtor, and you're both just as well aware as I am of what could happen if both side of the dragon flame unite!" Faragonda told them.

"We´ll do everything possible Headmistress, Valtor will be brought to justice", Palladium said, firmly.

"Very well, Saladin, Griffin and I will be prepared in case he may return",

"Ms. Faragonda, forgive me, but, if your suspicions are correct and Bloom and Valtor are indeed together, will the wizard really return if he already has what he's been looking for?"

Musa couldn't hold back the tears. Somehow she felt it was their fault that their friend was now missing. How could they be so careless? And what was worse they didn't have a single clue of where she could be. But somehow she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something wasn't telling them. She had been awfully quiet during the last couple of weeks, very different then how she usually acted. Like she was always anxious, always nervous.

"Musa?"

"Jared…hey", she dried her tears with her sleeve, but Jared noticed nonetheless.

"Hey" he said standing in front of her, caressing her cheek. She closed her eyes and sighed against his comforting touch.

"I heard about Bloom, I know how you must feel. Sky´s devastated", he whispered.

"We all are, it's my fault", she said quietly. Jared lifted her chin and looked into her eyes,

"Muse…nothing is your fault. You guys did everything you could. I promise we´ll find Bloom soon enough", he said. And closed the space between them kissing her lips slowly. He kept one hand underneath her chin and another around her waist.

Musa parted, not once taking her eyes away from his. She was so caught up in the moment that she didn't acknowledge someone standing in the doorway.

"Am I interrupting?" Musa froze.

She knew that voice all too well,

Maybe it was her imagination…she had suffered for long enough. Her mind was playing tricks on her, cruel tricks!

Jared and Musa turned and looked towards the doorway,

"Riven?"