This story is coming to a close soon, but I like it so much that I´ve been thinking of doing a part 2, sort of like a sequel, ya know? Which side will Bloom choose? Will she obey her heart or the power of the dragon flame?

R&R please!

Chapter 30: Traps

Days before…

"Valtor we need to talk…" Mandragora said darkly.

"Tell me Mandragora, to what do I owe your visit"

"The three sisters wish to know whether or not the mission is complete! We haven't heard from you in months since the day we released the kingdom of Domino!" she screeched.

"Acquiring the dragon flame has been a more difficult task than I thought"

"Well I suggest you do it, and soon! The ancestresses are becoming quite impatient. They sorely crave for the power of the dragon´s flame",

"Relax Madragora, fortunately I have the entire magical dimension running in all sorts of different directions. Now all I have to do is gain Bloom´s trust long enough for me to take her dragon flame" he said firmly. He didn't want to hurt her, but the sisters were powerful and his very existence was now at stake…

Fortunately, he and Tritannus, along with the trix, had done an excellent job taking Bloom out of their list of purposes. She was more vulnerable than ever now, with no one watching over her, her darling King too busy protecting Eraklyon, the company of Light protecting the pieces of the codex, they may as well have done the job for him…

"I hope you´re right Valtor. Shall I tell the sisters that you are about to possess the other half of the dragon flame?"

"Tell them I already have", he said, with a smirk.

End of Flashback

I´m sorry to have to do this to you Bloom…he thought, holding her close.

"Sky?"

Suddenly, the princess Stella´s name could be heard…Chimera had done as he instructed…

"Sky, something´s going on", Bloom exclaimed.

"Sky aren't you coming?" she asked, warily. He hadn't said a word. Bloom sighed and left Sky´s side as she watched the specialists rushed over to the centre of all the commotion.

"Stella´s hair?!" Flora exclaimed. Brandon took her unconscious body in his arms.

"Do you guys think Valtor could have-"Layla began, but Riven interrupted.

"There's no way he could have had anything to do with Stella catching a cold", he grunted.

"This is no ordinary cold Riven", Tecna scolded, taking a lock of Stella´s white blond hair between her fingers.

"Winx, boys!" Queen Luna greeted.

"Queen! Stella´s not okay, she needs help!" Flora said, anxiously.

"Winx, something terrible is happening. The pillar of Light has been altered! It is the very essence of the power of our realm. Since Radius holds the power of the sun, he´s been affected! Somehow the portion of power held by Stella has also weakened her", she told them.

"Forgive me queen, but why are you unaffected?" Flora asked her.

"I possess control over the power of the moon, my dear. But it seems to me that whoever caused this aimed their attack towards Stella and Radius specifically", she explained.

"And where is the pillar madam?" Tecna asked. The Queen sighed,

"In the depths of the Infinite Ocean"

"Guys, what's going on?!" Bloom exclaimed, as she arrived.

"It's Tritannus Bloom, he did this to Stella!" Layla told her.

"Stella! My dear!" Cassandra said, rushing over to them and placing a hand over her forehead. Luna glared at the countess.

"I'll have her taken up to her room at once! We´ll call a doctor -"she feigned.

"Actually, countess. Stella´s friends will take care of this situation personally", Luna told her, and said in a low voice,

"While you may be Radius´s fiancée, I continue to be the Queen of Solaria",

"I´ll go tell Sky", Bloom said awkwardly, moving away from the group.

She moved quickly amongst the endless crowd of people with no luck…until she spotted him. Without a mask.

Diaspro was clinging to his arm, she seemed to be pleading for something. While Sky had both hands placed on her shoulders… And yet, he wasn't exactly pushing her away. Instead of walking away, Sky was just standing there. Listening intently. She took a few steps further, trying to listen in on their conversation.

"Sky, don't do this to me…to us! Don't you think we owe ourselves that much?" she asked him, but before he could answer her, she went on.

"Give us another chance, Sky. We can still go back to the way things were!" she said, cupping his face,

She stared at them in dismay, what on earth was happening?

"Diaspro…"he paused, "I-"

"Sky?" Bloom interrupted, removing her façade. Her voice cracked the moment she said his name,

"Bloom…I can explain-"he said, removing Diaspro´s hands immediately,

"I don't want to listen to it, Sky. You don't have to explain anything", she said quietly.

"And you. You couldn't have my family so now you want my boyfriend? You´re pathetic Diaspro", she said and turned around walking away from the two.

"Bloom-Bloom wait!" Sky shouted.

"Let her go, my King, she-"Diaspro tried, but Sky pushed her away harshly.

"Stay away from me!" he said, furiously.

Bloom was flabbergasted. Tears threatened to fall, but she couldn't allow it. Diaspro wouldn't get the pleasure of seeing her cry, not anymore! How could Sky even give her the time of day? She shouldn't have been here in the first place! She-

Bloom stopped abruptly. Why was Diaspro even here? How was she let in? Stella definitely hadn't invited her…there was only one logical explanation.

Suddenly, Flora all but ran into Bloom,

"Bloom, do you think Daphne might want to help us? She´s the only one with Sirenix-", Flora said but Bloom couldn't listen to her, still distracted with her own thoughts,

"I have to go", she whispered, holding her gown up with both hands and running.

"Bloom?" Flora stared after her, warily.

If Sky was with Diaspro, then who was she dancing with? Diaspro couldn't have come here alone. Just like she never does anything on her own! Always aided by someone else.

She ran through the palace´s entrance and out the gates.

"Princess, please halt!" a guard called after her. But she didn't stop.

Her tears now spilled freely. Had Sky forgiven Diaspro for everything she´d done? Was that why he was acting so strangely all of a sudden…not taking her calls, always too busy…

Her heels didn't even pain her due to the adrenaline she felt coursing through her veins.

Where was he…? She kept running until she reached the heart of Solaria...the city. The cool breeze brushed her hair back. People still walked up and down the streets, and the city lights were still bright…

She walked slowly towards a park bench and took a seat. What was happening to her? To her life? Her fiancée was talking to his ex-fiancée who attempted to steal her life, while she sat here alone, running in a gown, after someone she wasn't even sure could be found.

Suddenly, someone sat down a little further away from her.

"Tired are we?"

"You´re crazy" she muttered, staring at him incredulously, through teary eyes.

"Aren't we all?" he asked, wiping a tear away with his finger.

"I´m sure you have your list of twenty questions prepared. So I´ll be direct", he said calmly.

"Why are you here?" she asked. Valtor removed his overcoat and placed it around her shoulders. Considering that her gown was strapless, she didn't complain.

"I need you",

Bloom snickered at his response, "I wasn't joking"

"Neither was I, Bloom. But for some reason, you refuse to believe it",

"Is that why you brought Diaspro with you, tonight? Because you need me?" she taunted.

"Diaspro is merely a frustrated princess who´s used to having things done her way", he mused.

"I´ll have you know that I´d never be involve with someone like her", he added. Bloom didn't respond, only replaying the scene in her mind like a movie…Valtor and Diaspro kissing, in their cabin. That place held more meaning for her than she cared to admit.

"And you, Bloom. You wanted your life back so desperately, and now your life is being written for you in front of your eyes" he said casually.

"What are you talking about?" she asked,

"I know Oritel has already chosen your betrothed, and if I know him as well as I think I do, he´ll have you married sooner than you can imagine", he said, smiling darkly. Bloom scoffed.

"You're being absurd. Sky was my boyfriend even before you stepped into my life! I chose him!"

"Because you weren't given another choice, Bloom. You chose him because he was your only alternative at the time. But what if he hadn't been? What if you had another option?" Bloom stared at him, incredulously. Her silence was his cue to continue,

"Bloom, why not answer that question? Always putting up with everything that's been thrown at you. A pretty prince who offered you the stars and moon, his psychotic ex fiancée stealing your identity, your dragon flame constantly being assaulted on. What if you had another choice? If you could have another life entirely…would you still choose this?" he asked, stretching his arms out for emphasis.

"You're only trying to confuse me, I can see what you're trying here", she said shaking her head,

"You´re not understanding Bloom. Is this the life you want? He doesn't respect you…And you avoid looking deeper into it, because you're afraid. With me, you won't ever have to fear what lies ahead",

"I know exactly what lies ahead of me, and it's definitely not you", she snapped,

"It's not? You sound pretty convinced for someone who doesn't know what she wants in life", he mused. She rubbed her forehead, stressfully.

"Finding out that I´m a fairy was…and still is the best thing that's ever happened to me. No matter how difficult things get, Alfea and the winx club marked my life. I wouldn't change that for anything in the world. I just…" she paused. Valtor looked at her, expectantly.

"I just wish we could restore peace once and for all. Why is everything so complicated? Protecting the dragon flame is no easy task and my fear of losing it just increases with each passing day", she said, dejectedly. He nodded, understandingly.

She knew this entire scenario was just insane. Her friends were in the palace of Solaria, most likely all finding a way to save Stella. Her fiancée speaking with his ex, King Radius ill while his fiancée and ex-wife were at each other's throats. And all while she sat in the still night with their very nemesis.

Valtor took a good look at her, for the first time. She looked gorgeous in her gown, to say the least. Her delicate white skin shone with the moonlight. He caressed her arm softly with the back of his hand. Immediately, she shivered and pulled his overcoat tighter around her shoulders.

"You know…I haven't let my guard down in decades. But tonight, that's going to change", he said, sternly.

"I´ve been living someone else´s life for the last eighteen years, but tonight, that's going to change…" she said looking deep into his dark eyes,

"Shall we?"

Bloom nodded, standing up from the bench and walking down the quiet street, side by side with their enemy.

"Are you absolutely sure?" Musa asked.

"Positive. Acquiring sirenix powers is the only way to enter the Infinite Ocean girls", Daphne instructed.

"But that would take too long! And Stella and the King need a remedy soon", Layla said.

"There is one other option…I could share my powers with each of you. Even the selkies can help!" Daphne exclaimed

"What are ´selkies´?" Brandon asked,

"Guys, has anyone seen Bloom?!" Sky asked, bursting into the room.

"Flora said she was looking for her, but I guess she hasn't found her yet because she hasn't come back either", Helia told him.

"What´s going on, Sky?" Thorin asked worriedly, seeing his cousin´s desperation.

"Bloom saw Diaspro at the party and she seemed pretty upset", he said uncomfortably and rubbed his face with both hands.

"Diaspro?! What was she doing here!? Doesn't that girl have any sense at all!" Musa said, angrily.

"I don't have a clue, but we have to find Bloom. She saw Diaspro trying to speak to me and I´m sure she thinks the worst of me now" he groaned.

"Relax Sky, I´m sure she´ll come to her senses. Bloom knows you wouldn't do anything to hurt her", Nabu told him.

"Maybe so, but she was right! I should've called the guards the second Diaspro appeared"

"So what did she want from you?" Layla asked. Sky sighed,

"That´s the most ridiculous part, she wanted us to get back together", Riven laughed sarcastically.

"Nice one", he said.

"I can't just sit around here and wait for Flora, I have to find Bloom", he exclaimed.

"Maybe you should give her some space, man. Don't push her", Brandon told him. But Thorin interrupted,

"Actually I think Sky´s right. Last I heard, it was Valtor who snuck Diaspro into Bloom´s birth family. How do we know this isn't just a coincidence? What if they´re both responsible for what happened to Stella and the King?"

"You know now that you mention it, it actually makes sense! But why would they be after Stella?" Musa asked.

"Not Stella…"Sky muttered. Suddenly Flora entered the room looking distraught,

"Guys, Bloom´s gone! I can't find her anywhere. I asked the guards and they all saw her leave the palace about an hour ago",

"Bloom could be in danger, this could all be just another distraction! We have to find her!" Layla exclaimed.

"This is all my fault! How could I be so stupid?" Sky shouted, angrily.

"Sky, it was a trap. No one could've known", Brandon said, patting his shoulder.

"This must mean he was after Bloom all along! He´s been messing with us this entire time! And I´m not leaving my fiancée in the hands of that idiot!" he growled all but slamming the door.