A/N: Heys people! Just wondering I have a new idea for a Brandon/Stella story. Would anyone by interested in reading it? :O

R&R!

Chapter 18: Reaching Bloom

Bloom opened her eyes squinting to see clearly. It was slightly colder outside than she remembered. It was even raining a bit. She sat up in bed, realizing suddenly that she had no memory of feeling tired or lying down.

What happened? She thought. She stared at the pattern on the thick quilt that covered her.

Flashback

"If you really want me to stay here then stop it! I don't want to hear anymore! I don't believe you!"

"Is the truth too much for you to handle? Can you only just begin to understand what I´ve felt all these years?!" he yelled.

"You´re full of hatred" she spat,

"And you´re not? Tell me Bloom, Why can't you stand Princess Diaspro?"

"Enough about Diaspro!"

"Because you hate her, admit it Bloom! You and I are more alike than you want to admit…."

End of Flashback

"I have to get out of here", she whispered. She had no intention of going back on her word. She would be a part of Valtor´s army no matter where she resided. But it had to be away from him. Being here with the wizard had opened her eyes and mind to many things she wasn't ready for.

Bloom stood up and put on her black mantle. The one Valtor had given her to wear, anyway. She pulled the hood over her head, making sure to tie her hair back so she wouldn't be recognized. She pulled the cloak even tighter around her as she stepped out of the cabin.

Why is it so cold today? How ridiculous….she thought, painfully. Domino was warm…she still remembered it so vividly, the streets and beautiful small houses they flew over that day…

What if… she could go to Domino…if only for a moment? Valtor would never know. And she wouldn't go anywhere near the palace. Her mind, heart and soul suddenly ached to see Domino once more. It was unconceivable that any citizen would recognize her. She wasn't the only fairy with red hair, they had never even seen her before. No one would know.

Quickly, she transformed, careful not to remove the cloak. Domino…here I come…

"Ophir?" Layla asked with a dumbfounded look on her face.

"Princess…I can explain", he said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"Of course you will. How did you know we´d be here? Who sent you?" Layla demanded.

"Nobody did! I came here on my own. I shouldn't have but-I know Valtor, and I feared something would happen",

"Well as you can see, there are ten of us here. I think we can handle ourselves just fine", she said, fiercely.

"Guys you´re not buying that are you? How do we know he´s even telling the truth?" Riven said irritably. Musa shot him a warning look,

"Riven…"

"He´s right, Musa. We can't take any risks on this mission. We can't trust him as of yet", Sky said firmly, and no one dared to argue. Sky was generally one of the voices of reason, not to mention that he was a supreme authority now.

"Sorry dude" Brandon said as he pulled out a pair of hand cuffs and put them around Ophir´s wrists locking them. He sighed and nodded solemnly.

"I understand. Do as you must", Brandon gave him a small smile. The guy seemed nice enough, and he put no resistance what so ever. Layla who had heard his last statement from the side only glanced at him skeptically. If he was really working for Valtor, why´d he let himself get caught? Strange. But whatever the reason he sure was a gentleman. She nearly smacked herself realizing her train of thought. She had to remain focused. She was on a very important mission for the sake of her home and the dimension! There was no time for emotions, who needed those anyway? Please!

"So, Princess I-"

"Layla. Just call me Layla", she said automatically, as they continued walking through the forest.

"Sure…Layla. I´m sorry to have made you and your friend's uncomfortable. It wasn't my intention", he said awkwardly. Was he really addressing the princess of Andros by her name?

"If you're really not working for anyone than why´d you follow us?"

"It's a long story. I too am from Andros, and I also suffered the consequences of Valtor´s mayhem", he said gently.

"So that's how you know Valtor?"

"That wizard has done some very cruel things to our realm, nobody wants him caught and sent to prison more than I do, but not at the cost of any more lives",

"He definitely has…" she muttered. This Layla was definitely not who Nabu had expected. Sure not at all princesses were alike, but he certainly didn't expect this. When his parents had given him the news of his arranged marriage, he immediately left home. How could they pick out the woman who he would be spending the rest of his life with? This would also be the woman to bear his children. It was absurd!

And so he was now living off on his own. And in order to find the motivation he needed to continue that way he had to meet this princess Layla and see for himself just how terrible she really was.

Except…she wasn't. She was everything he hadn't even imagined in his wildest dreams! She was a fighter, tough, she seemed to have a barrier brought up around her. And despite the danger, she was here, without a crown, an expensive dress or high heels, willing to defend her people and bring Valtor to justice. This girl was admirable.

"Watch out!" Sky yelled suddenly. A strong globe of fire landed in between them as they managed to move out of the way just in time.

"I hope we haven't startled you!" Icy cackled.

"Trix! What are you doing here? Can't you ever stay out of our business?" Stella asked, upset.

"We just thought you may need our help", Stormy said sarcastically as she stretched her hands out and generated a new creature.

"Layla! I can help! But I need you to trust me! I need you to take these shackles off!" Ophir said desperately, Layla nodded and immediately set him free, while the specialists and winx began the battle.

"What's the matter winx? I see you're not as strong now that Bloom´s not around" Icy´s voice came suddenly. Sky was enraged.

"Where´s Bloom?! What have you done to her!" he yelled, bringing out his sword.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Darcy questioned, laughing.

"Vine warp!" Tecna and Flora yelled, using convergence magic. Layla scoffed coming to a realization.

"I see what you trix are trying to do…you covering Valtor´s back aren't you?!" Of course they knew where Valtor took Bloom! And if they had come to try and stop them it meant they were headed in the right direction!

"Tidal wave!" she yelled, firing towards one of Stormy´s monsters. They were closer than ever now!

"Bishop make sure each of them eat the necessary amount, understood?" Codatorta ordered him.

"Yes sir!" Working in the stables wasn't a duty he enjoyed, but he definitely liked the dragons. He checked his phone for what seemed like the tenth time during the day.

Still no answer from Stella. He groaned. He hadn't considered his fight with Brandon as a truly serious one. And he could´ve continued had it not been for the headmaster´s grandson interfering. It had all just been a game and nothing more, so why had he allowed it go this far? There was nothing he enjoyed more than a chase…a challenge. But something about her was making it awfully difficult for him to stop. He wasn't in love, no…he never fell in love with anyone. But, then again, he hadn't met a girl like Stella before. Unlike the other extroverted, blonde, rich girls he had met in the past, Stella was part of a team of fighters. Something about knowing that she didn't need saving, but was rather fierce herself, sparked his desire.

He patted the hungry, blue-tailed dragon on the head as it ate. He´d have to step up his game if he intended to have a shot. He knew a girl or two who were interested in Brandon, of course they hadn't made a move because they knew he dated Stella. He walked through the stable, feeding each of the dragons. All they need is a slight push…

Since his fight with Brandon, Stella hadn't answered any of his calls or messages. He even went to Alfea but her friends said she wasn't there. Hardly credible… He had to do something and fast. He was sure Stella had felt some sort of attraction towards him and he had to take advantage of it, before it was too late.

Once she arrived in Domino, she immediately pulled her hood off. The climate was cool, the sun shining bright. It felt like spring in this realm. She couldn't help but smile when she saw a few kids running past her happily. They were wearing a uniform, of course… there were schools on Domino too!

She began walking through the busy streets. Valtor was right, Domino really did have a great population. She saw lots of people, teenagers hanging out at a café, more kids wearing different school uniforms, adults passed her by, smiling as they went. How neat would it have been to be raised here…?

Bloom walked for what seemed like an hour, when she started feeling hungry. She groaned.

I don't have any money, how stupid of me..!

She continued walking until she reached a very large establishment, it was pretty crowded. She realized soon it was the mall…Stella would´ve loved this, she thought chuckling. She entered gazing through the store windows as she went. Domino fashion was pretty much the same as on any other realm, except for the robes they had in some stores, they were simple and all bore the same colors, red and gold. It seemed those were the official colors of this realm. She had noticed a few older people wearing robes like these on the street. All in all it was a very lively place. She took a deep breathe, smiling as she did.

Suddenly a specific store caught her attention. It was an all cosmetic store. Stella was always making her own facial masks and hair treatments, maybe she´d find something interesting here that Stella could try out back on Magix. There was nothing wrong with just looking through a store with no money here, was there?

She brushed a strand of red hair away from her face and entered. The girl sitting at the cash register smiled at her as she did. Bloom simply smiled and gave a small nod and began looking around.

"Bingo" she said quietly as she found the aisle with all types of treatments. Just as she was about to reach for a bottle her hand bumped into someone else´s who was also reaching for the same product.

"Oh, I´m sorry!" the girl said quickly. Bloom looked up to see a blonde haired girl, with clear sea green eyes. Bloom laughed.

"It's okay, I guess we have the taste", she said smiling. The blonde only stared at her, completely dumbfounded.

"Miss, are you alright?" she asked. The girl shook her head trying to pull herself together, although her expression was still lost.

"I´m sorry it's been a long day", she laughed, trying to push any thoughts away,

"My sister loves to wear these things, she says they make her look younger so I thought I´d try one for myself", she said.

"So does my best friend", Bloom told her. Avocado and oatmeal mask…not bad…she though looking at another product. Unknowing to her, the girl continued to observe her out of the corner of her eye. The mark she saw on the redheaded girl´s hand as they reached for the same bottle had merely caught her attention, it was her appearance that made it more prominent… she looked through all the products but it seemed like she wasn't going to take anything with her.

"See anything you like?" she asked. Bloom looked up once more and shook her head rather gloomily.

"I-I didn't bring any money with me, I wasn't planning on shopping today", she said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"I see…" the blonde muttered.

"I should get going, it was nice meeting you", she said waving and walking away quickly. Daphne remained motionless for a moment, before putting the bottle down and chasing after the girl. But as she ran out of the store and looked from side to side, the redhead was already gone.

"How´d she do that…?" she walked back in and approached the cashier.

"Good evening miss, do you happen to know the girl who just left?" she asked.

"No your majesty, it's the first time she´s entered our business", the girl answered. Daphne smiled and nodded, heading back to find her facial mask and Diaspro´s. Something about that girl was….strange. Very strange.

"That…was unbelievable!" Musa said, fatigued. They had managed to get past the trix and the guards of the Red Tower with the help of Ophir, who had proven to be a skilled wizard.

"But that was merely the beginning. We haven't even entered the Golden Kingdom yet", Tecna said.

"Well Ophir, can you tell us what that says?" Sky asked, pointing at the small door with strange symbols printed on it. It seemed to be an ancient script. Only certain people were able to read that kind of text now a days, his father, King Erandor, was one of them.

"I do, it states that the portal to the Golden Kingdom must only be entered by those who possess a pure heart", he explained.

"Well, I´d say that's all of us here, right?" Stella asked.

"Girls it's not safe for us all to go in. someone may arrive, maybe the trix or even Valtor himself. I´ll remain here to guard the portal", Ophir said to them. Brandon nodded.

"We all will, you girls go ahead",

"I´ll stay with you guys. In case Valtor decides to appear, we´ll need magic. Stella, Tecna, Flora and Musa can go in. What do you say girls?" Layla asked.

"Alright, then let's go", Tecna said firmly, each of the girls purified themselves with their fairy dust and miniaturized, entering the portal.

"Good luck, winx", Sky said almost inaudibly.

Krystal sighed, smoothing her lilac hair. She hadn't seen him in quite a while. Where could he be?

"Earth to Krystal!" someone yelled behind her. She whirled around.

"Anna you scared me…" she said simply. Her friend raised her eyebrows,

"Kris what's with you? You´ve had your head in the clouds since this morning", she sighed.

"I haven't seen Helia in a while…"

"Then give him a call. It's better than sitting around, wondering all day", Krystal pushed her hair back. Helia was handsome, such a talented artist too! She´d never really seen him with another girl, usually he hung out with a specialist who wore glasses…Timmy was it? And Riven. Well Anna was right about one thing, there was only one way to find out. She had to call him.

She picked her phone up nervously, but what would she say? She had no excuse except for the single fact that she wanted to hear him.

"For crying out loud, Kristal, you're the princess of Lynphea, and yet I don't think I´ve ever seen you this anxious", her friend told her laughing. Of course Kristal was outgoing and decisive, but when it came to guys it wasn't her case anymore. Especially with Helia…

"You´re right, I have to make a move. Or else I´ll never know", she dialed his number nervously and waited for answer.

"Hello?" she heard his stern voice on the other end.

"Um-Helia-hi, its Krystal. Remember me?" she asked blushing madly. She sounded like such an idiot!

"Krystal, hi. Of course I do", he said politely. He didn't sound too excited, but he hadn't exactly hung up on her either.

"Well, hey I was just wondering…I mean I haven't seen you in a while",

"I´ve been busy. I´m on a mission now, Krystal. Is everything alright? Did you need something?" he asked. Krystal felt her throat close. She sighed. She was a fool to think he would be interested.

"No-not really. Anna´s busy and I just thought…that maybe we could hang out. But, that was it",

"I see, I apologize Krystal. I´m pretty far from Magix now, maybe some other time", he said, sounding gentler now. And her heart was soaring again. He wasn't saying no, just some other time.

"Oh, great! Then, I guess I´ll be seeing you around, when you get back to Magix, of course", she laughed nervously. Helia chuckled.

"Sure thing Krystal. Take care". She nearly squealed.

So maybe she did have a chance with Helia after all…!