Disclaimer: Our world is about to change. Blood runs cold. Flamecom has purchased the rights to winx cl... stop stop stop. Just kidding just kidding. I do not own Winx Club.
Alright I gotta dedicate this first AN to an apology. I want to apologize to Knight7572. You might have seen this writers stories. Anyway back in march of 2020 I was approached by him to work on a collaboration. Me who never before had done that, thought that it was an interesting idea. Though I was unsure whether or not I could do it. Since I often struggle to update my own stories so how can I have time to help someone else now. I still said yes to the idea. And in the end I didn't help with the colab at all (unless you count a very minor story suggestion) And while I did say that I might be inconsistent and might not be able to help. I should have just said no and that I have no time. And that is why I still feel that I let this author on. Anyway So that is why I apologize. And if you see this knight and don't want this to be here. Well PM me and then I'll remove this and replace it with a standard AN.
It's been a week since I reunited with Flora. The week has not been that interesting, with it mostly just being schoolwork. I did make sure to keep in touch with Flora, though right now it has only been in form of calls and texts. But we do have an another meetup planned. Though this one is on a weekend, so I do not have to wake up at midnight. Because while communicating by phone is nice, it's nothing compared to face to face contact.
But while I have not hung out in person with Flora. Well with Mirta on the other hand, we have hung out a lot. And for a good reason, we had a lot to catch up after the whole "let's avoid each other for a month." that we had. And now that I can tell her about my past in Alfea, it's been more easier and natural to hang out with her. Since I don't have to be afraid of accidentally revealing anything about that.
Then there's the Brandon no Sky thing. It's still hard for me to call him by that name. Anyway. I called him two days after I met Flora. And I'm glad Flora gave me both his and Brandon's numbers. Because like Flora second guessed, she had not swapped their names on her contact list after it was revealed they had swapped identities. So I originally called Brandon and had to fake a gruff voice to say wrong number.
Sky was surprised to hear me on the other line when I called. I didn't cut into the chase and ask some of the harder questions. I decided not to ask why he changed identities over the phone. Nor did I decide to bring up the engagement. I thought those would be something, I need to ask him face to face.
And about that. We arranged a meeting. We would meet each other on Saturday which is tomorrow. I billed it as a fun day out. And I will try to keep it as one. But I will use this opportunity to ask the main question I have. That being about his identity swap and the engagement. And well... I'll see where things will go from here.
But right now I needed to finish my homework.
Lord Darkar had called in for a meeting. Finally something to do. It's been 3 weeks since I had my training session with Bloomie. And other than that, there hasn't been anything exciting that has happened. Just waiting for the right opportunity. The right time... I hated waiting. Especially if you had nothing to pass time while doing it.
At least when we were on our own, we had plenty of things to do. Cause misery to loser fairies, destroy reputation of some overconfident specialist or torment the loser witches like that wannabe fairy Mirta. But now... nothing. Just waiting. Because Darkar said we had to keep a low profile. Like that's gonna matter much soon.
And I hate doing that. I'm not a passive person that's just gonna sit around doing nothing. Like I'm some sort of an attack dog for Darkar. Used at the right moment and do his bidding.
But I'm going to get back at him. Once we get all the pieces of the codex and he opens the portal to Realix. We are gonna betray him and take the ultimate power for ourselves. Dragon fire would have been powerful enough to make us the rulers of the world. I can just imagine how much more ultimate power is gonna give to us. The chance of any resistance working was small with us just having the dragon fire. But it was going to be a threat. With the ultimate power we can wipe out any resistance.
And why limit ourselves to just conquering magix? With the ultimate power all realms will be ours.
But that's for future. Right now I have to keep myself from getting too bored. And luckily it seems that Darkar will finally provide some entertainment. As I have pretty good ideas of what this meeting will be about.
So I joined in with Darcy and Stormy to the meeting Darkar was gonna have in his throne room.
"Now it is finally time." Darkar began in his usual way. "We already have one piece of the codex without them even knowing about us. Now it is time to get the second piece of codex from Red Fountain." He continued and I finally had something to do.
Stormy was already ready to move and get there. "About the time. We have waited forever." Stormy grunted equally if not more annoyed at our lack of doing anything.
Before Stormy could leave the throne room, Darkar stopped her. "Now now. While we all want to take the codex as soon as possible. We shouldn't rush at it like this. We'll do the attack on Sunday which is two days away from now." Darkar said to stormy, who let a groan at the fact, that she still needed to wait.
"Two days? That's forever." She whined.
Having enough of Stormy's whining I cut in. "While the red fountain people are total losers. We can't just rush into there and take the codex. We need a plan, a plan we can develop during these two days." I explained to her, even though I hated to wait as well. "We saw from last time that the best way to take the codex from there is with a distraction. And while there is not any events going on right now. Attacking on weekends still gives us an advantage." I continued explaining the roots of my plan already. "So we'll replicate our first attack. And I'll have the plan to how it will be ready made by Sunday."
Darkar put his hands together at this. "So it has been decided. In two days and we'll have the second piece of the codex. You are dismissed now." He said and we left the throne room.
When we walked to our own area, the reality of the situation hit me. Not the deer in the headlights moment people have when they are in this situation. But reality still hit. We only had one day when we could still walk around civilization. On Sunday we would become criminals. Criminals who authorities would hunt down if we stepped a foot on their territory.
It's not as if I can't handle it. Sure it's not preferable. But even back when I hunted down to get the dragon fire, the thought of failing and becoming wanted was still on my mind. I was more than prepared for this. But that didn't mean, it won't leave a sour taste in my mouth. While I do love living dangerously, I still like the many luxuries that being a civilian brings. But then again short term pain and long term gain.
I'd get back all the civilian luxuries plus so much more, once I happen to get access to the ultimate power. Sacrifices must be made and this is one of them. But I had to make this final day somewhat special. This would be the final day with any semblance of "normal life" attached to it. From Sunday on my already special life would become even more special.
Still I needed to spend the last day of my "normal life", doing something else than just planning the attack.
Which then brought me to my side project. I would never get to finish Bloom. She can be threatened with, but the amount of threats I have to make as the number one wanted witch, is so much it's not worth it just to keep doing my side project. Such a shame I couldn't start the project the last year. It would have been so satisfying molding her into a cruel witch. It's a satisfying process. Making someone who is anything but a tormentor into one. The changes come but they usually squirm along the way. Clinging to their past selves, while failing to notice the subtle transformation.
But too bad again that she won't be finished. From what I heard Cloud Tower needed new tormentor. I'm disappointed at the fact that none of the witches there stepped up to the task.
Still I wanted to put my final touches to the firstie. And that was bad. For one there wouldn't be any gain doing that. I can't finish the project in one day. So that means the only reason I want to do this is... attachment. And attachment is not good. Not at all. I should only be attached to Darcy and Stormy. Everyone else are just tools. Yet there was at least an atom of attachment when it came to the pixie turned witch.
Was it because of Bloom as a person? Most likely not. At least I would never admit that myself. Maybe it was the satisfaction she brings when I see her innocence draining. Or being personally responsible for creating a powerful future dark witch. After all I could see from our training session that she had a lot of raw power. Or just the fact that ever since I graduated from Cloud Tower she has been the only thing in my life bringing excitement. And honestly does the reason matter much? She's a side project that I don't have time to work on and that is that.
'Tomorrows the final day and after that you'll forget her.' I said to myself. Number one rule should be, that you don't get attached to your projects. But then again, once I get the ultimate power there's no need for projects. And Bloomie will become my servant along with everyone else.
I approached Darcy and Stormy to announce my plan for tomorrow. "Here's my plan for tomorrow." I said to them cutting all the crap and going straight to the point. "Together we'll go clothes shopping. And before you even ask me why. Well it's simply because can you imagine us wearing these same clothes for however long getting the rest of the codex's takes?" I said motioning my clothes. The same clothes I wore during my senior Cloud Tower year.
"So are you doubting our abilities to get the codex fast?" Darcy responded trying to piss me off.
Ignoring her attempt at getting the piss out of me, I continued telling about tomorrows plan. "And the firstie will be brought along." I said earning a snicker from Darcy due to saying and. "I'll put my final touches to her before it's impossible to do so." I said and got groans from both Darcy and Stormy in response.
"Are you serious? Our last civilian day and the pixie is gonna be with us?" Stormy whined.
"It's only gonna be for the morning. After that you'll get to do whatever you want, as long as you still will be 100% for the attack." I said to her with a stern voice. "Because unlike you, I have to use the rest of the day just planning the attack. So I get to decide what we will do in the beginning."
"Fine." Stormy let out but made it clear she didn't like this.
Remembering my attachment monologue. I turned to look at Darcy. "Remember Darcy tomorrow is the last day, you can spend with your precious Riven. On Sunday he is an enemy, just like all other red fountain students will be." And then I saw it in her eyes.
Darcy in turn lowered her head and responded. "Yes Icy." She said it rather bitterly. The thing that I saw in her eyes having disappeared once she turned to look at me. And that absolutely reminded me of why I had the no attachment rule. Because I could see in her eyes, that Darcy for a second had second doubts. For a second she thought of betraying both me, Stormy and Darkar. For what? For her precious Riven. Her puppy dog. If Riven had gotten so close to her, that he had managed to get Darcy have second thoughts for a second. Then it means we need to get rid of all attachments, expect for each other.
Because witches aren't meant to be attached to people who are not their allies. And I needed to remember that when it came to the firstie.
Opening my eyes, I thought of one advantage the weekends had. No clock radios, no cellphone alarms and no Mirta or Lucy waking you up in case I happened to forgot to put one of the former on. No. Instead I can be in deep slumber until my body says I'm ready to wake up.
Glancing at my clock radio and reading it's digitized numbers, I can see that I slept for quite a while. My memories of yesterday were already a bit hazy, which means I don't know if I was awake for so long to plan my interaction with Sky or just doing homework.
No matter what is it I got out of bed. The first thing I did was check up my cellphone. And I had gotten one message. Opening it up I saw that it was from none other than... Icy.
Off course she just had to ruin this day before Sky had any chance to do so. For almost a month I haven't had any interaction with her or the Trix. And off course that avoidance couldn't last. Not wanting to delay the inevitable I opened the message. And just like all Icy's previous messages it was a simple one. An address where she wanted to meet me, the day and the time (which happens to be slightly more than hour from now on) and lastly "Bring money with you."
Luckily my meeting with Sky was going to happen later on. So I didn't have to cancel it, to meet Icy out of all people. But it would be just better if I didn't have to at all.
Still having some time before them meeting I started my morning routine. Get my hair to look reasonable, brush my teeth, do my normal makeup routine, put on clothes and make my bed.
While on the way to the cafeteria, I was trying to see where Lucy was. I knew Mirta would spent all of today with Flora. My question was answered on the hallway, when I saw Lucy along with 3 other witches seemingly planning to prank someone. Typical stuff from her.
After eating breakfast, I sent Sky a text. I delayed our meeting by an hour. Just in case that hanging around with Trix could take longer than I hope. Now with having a little time left before the meeting, I can mentally prepare for it. I have been too much of a pushover whenever I was with them. And I may fail this time, but as long as I keep trying I know I haven't truly became something I never wanted to see myself as.
When I finally arrived to the address Icy sent me to, I realized why she told me to bring money. That being a clothes store. When I heard that I had to bring money, I was more than wary. I honestly thought they were going to mug me. It wouldn't be something out of character for them to do.
Approaching the store, I noticed that none of the Trix were there yet. It's quite strange, since it's usually they who are waiting for me rather than the opposite. But then again there's no reason for me to ever want to associate with them. Even something as mundane as a shopping trip didn't sound nice, when it was done with the Trix.
I must have looked so awkward just standing in front of the shop, walking back and forth in thought. Curse me for actually being early this time. But if it meant, I didn't have to kill a bunny for their entertainment. It's more than worth it.
Then I felt someone tap my shoulder and I turned around and faced none other than Icy.
"Look actually in time firstie." She remarked at me in her usual attitude to which both Darcy and Stormy groaned. "Alright alright. Lets just get in without wasting time." Icy said treating both Darcy and Stormy like misbehaving kids. And it wasn't like those two, didn't fulfill their roles, because just after saying that they groaned again.
We stepped into the clothes store. It wasn't anything special really. Just a standard clothes store, that happens to have a slightly larger witch section. "Why am I even shopping with you?" I decided to ask early this question. After all we were very far from friends.
"Yeah Icy. Why are we with this loser here?" Stormy asked Icy who was getting more and more frustrated. She clearly doesn't like when Stormy and Darcy oppose her plans, that's for sure.
Icy growled in response to Stormy. "Simple. Because I said so!" She said raising her voice to which even the other customers started paying attention to us. Icy responded to that, by sending a glare at the other customers, to which most responded by going on to their own business.
"Now to answer your question firstie. We are here to update your wardrobe. Because right now you look too much like a fairy." She says and starts to poke at my T-shirt. "And besides light blue? That's so copying my style."
I'm getting really frustrated, as I cross my hands. Our light blues aren't even the same shade. And now I have to find clothes with an another color.
"So let's start shopping." Icy says and we all scatter to different parts of the store. I'm still annoyed at the fact I have to pick a different color than light blue. But maybe it's not going to be that bad. Change can be a good thing.
Still I wanted to stay in my comfort zone, so I decided to stick with some kind of blue or purple. The outfit needs to be 'witchier' but still have my personality mixed in with it. That was the problem when I originally entered Cloud Tower. I went completely overboard and pretended to be something I wasn't.
While I was looking up clothes Stormy manages to sliver right next to me. "Hey firstie I have a question for you." Stormy says and doesn't sound as bored or disinterested as she did when we entered the store.
"Ask away." I said to her hesitantly. When a Trix tries to talk to you, they are usually already setting you up in a trap.
"Have you thought about changing your name?" She says and catches me completely off guard. I look at her both shocked and confused. "I mean think about it. The name Bloom is about as much of a fairy name as you can possibly get. There is nothing witchy or dark about a name like that." She continued.
I mean she does raise a point, but still. The thought of changing my name never popped up in my head. "So what should I be called instead." I manage to say when my confusion and just shock of the topic waves off.
"I don't know. But anything but Bloom is better." Stormy responds.
"So my name should be related to my power like yours Stormy? Since I'm witch of fire, that would make me what? Fiery?" I respond to her with bit of that old fire back. Proving to her why this whole idea is just terrible.
Stormy blinks a few times before responding. "Alright that is a terrible name. But just change it to something better."
"Like what?" I ask her again.
"Even something generic goes just fine. Like Britney." She answers.
Britney Peters. It certainly doesn't have the same ring as Bloom Peters. "I'm sorry Stormy but I'll stick to my fairy name thank you very much. I'll just make up for it in other departments." I respond to her and turn back to looking at the clothes rack.
"Whatever miss lame name." Stormy says and leaves to do her own business. I continue looking at the various pieces of clothing as my new outfit was finally starting to take shape. I went to a fitting room to see how this outfit would look on me.
When I finally pieced it together, I really liked the result. It brought out a little witchier side of me, while still staying true to myself. I wore a really dark blue shirt. It almost looked black but if you looked close enough, you can see it's dark blue rather than black. On top of this shirt I put a light blue off-shoulder shirt. Kind of as a "screw you Icy for saying no light blue for me." I also wore dark blue plaid skirt along with pink leggings. For shoes I had gotten a pair of pink and black low heeled ballet flats.
Being happy with the results, I left the fitting room. The whole outfit was going to be a bit pricey. But luckily I had saved up enough allowance to afford that.
Icy was the first of the Trix to notice the final results. And I couldn't tell whether she was impressed, disappointed or happy at my choice. Instead she chose to mask it in her ice queen look. Stormy was the second one. She seemed to be too annoyed to even care about my outfit. Choosing instead to remind me of her proposition to change my name to Britney. Last one was Darcy who gave me a slightly approving look. Which I considered to be a victory, since getting any positive reaction from the Trix is so hard. Then again is impressing the Trix even a victory?
After paying for my outfit I stuck around to see what the Trix got for themselves. And it was mostly what seemed like spare clothes, that fit their own styles. Expect Icy's last purchase, which seemed awfully out of character for her. It was a very classy decorated dress. It was blue like ice and had crystal patterns on it. I asked why she got something like that, an she responded with. "I have to be ready for my future coronation."
It was weird. I guess she really sees herself as a real ice queen. But at least we can finally go onto our merry way once they have paid for their clothes. Once we left the building I couldn't help but shiver at the temperature. December has began and that means the temperatures have dropped. Stormy and Darcy were also looking bit under dressed, but they hid it way better than me. Then again being witch of fire means I really don't like cold temperatures. So they probably were tolerating this much better.
"It's getting colder isn't it." I said trying to actually start little small talk with them. And talking and moving might make this temperature more tolerable.
"Well duh. It's 3rd of December. Off course it's going to get colder" Stormy pointed out.
That comment made me remember something. It's already December. School year has moved really fast. "You know in one week I'm turning 18." I said to them while being quite disbelieved. 18 years old. In just a week I'm going to be officially an adult. I remember as a child for so long just waiting for 10th of December 2005 to come. And within a week it's happening. Honestly the fact that I almost haven't paid no mind to it, due to all this magic stuff is baffling.
Icy stopped in her tracks at my comment and grinned. "Well firstie. Unfortunately our new job forces our work to start picking up on Sunday. So we can't be there celebrating your birthday." Icy said like I wanted her to be at my birthday party. "But that doesn't mean we can't celebrate it in advance firstie." Icy continued earning a set of groans from Stormy and Darcy.
"Shut up. I have to do the planning for our work, while you get the rest of the day off." She said getting more and more aggravated each time Stormy or Darcy made their displeasure known.
I wanted to make my own protests know, but decided against it. Icy has restrain when Stormy or Darcy annoy her. If she is in a bad enough mood and I happen to annoy her. Yep that won't end well for me. So we continued following Icy, seeing whatever is her new plan going to be.
The following continued for couple blocks until she finally stopped. And the place where she stopped was a... liquor store. "Hey look. You actually took us to someplace fun." Stormy commented with excitement as Icy rolled her eyes.
"Alright firstie. I don't know what the laws are where you come from. But here in Magix the law in regards to alcohol is, that you need to be 18 years old to drink. But I decided it would be more fun to break these rules. After all it's not like your liver dramatically improves in this one week." Icy explains to me.
I was bit concerned. The idea of starting to drink never came up. Especially drinking while still being underage. "I'm not sure if this is a good idea." I said to her getting a scoff from her in return.
"What? Can't handle your drink Bloomie?" Stormy taunts me in return.
Icy just ignored her. "Come on girls. Let's pick something suitable for her." She says and enters the store with Stormy and Darcy, leaving me behind.
I paced around at the front of the store. Nervous and uncomfortable about this whole thing. At the same time, this whole thing felt silly. Purposefully underage drinking, despite the fact it's legal for me to drink in just a week. But Icy said so and that means it's gonna happen. It did almost make me see them at a different light though. Underage drinking seems to be something rebellious teenagers do. Not something the Trix would concern themselves with. Though I can bet money they did underage drinking as well. Wouldn't be out of character for them.
I couldn't continue my train of thought much longer, as Icy and the rest of the Trix returned from the store with a bottle. Icy was holding the bottle on it's label, so I couldn't read what exactly it was. But the alcohol was clear, which meant this wasn't your standard beer.
"It's time to take your first step into the world of alcohol." Stormy says too enthusiastically. Icy then proceeds to open the bottle. Once the bottle is opened she hands it to me.
"Drink up." She says and starts to eagerly watch, what is about to happen. Nervously I move the bottle closer and closer, as the smell of alcohol becomes stronger and stronger. And then I go for it. I take a small sip from the bottle and...
Burning. And just like that I spat the alcohol out. This proved to be great entertainment for the Trix. As all of them began laughing at this.
"Firstie can't hold a drink." Stormy managed to say in between of laughing. And to say I was humiliated was an understatement. I had just like that walked into their trap. It was clear from the get go they did this to humiliate me. But I still did it like a dummy.
But their laughter made me want to prove them wrong. To get some sort of self respect back. I took another sip from the bottle and tried my best to ignore the burning feeling.
My face was most likely full of pain as I swallowed the liquid poison down my throat. But despite the fact I had succeeded, the Trix found my painful try equally as entertaining. Their laughter just continued.
Once the laughter started to die to down, Stormy took the bottle from me. She too a sip as well. But unlike me she managed to swallow it without any issues. "That's how you drink." She commented.
"Alright I think we have had enough for today." Icy says.
Stormy proceeds to then take an another very small sip before handing the bottle to Icy. "Want some?" She asks her.
"Unlike someone I need to work. And to be able to work, I need to stay sober." She responds to her with her cold as ice voice.
Stormy then hands the bottle to Darcy. "I have a date. I can't be drunk." Is all she responds.
"So I get to keep the bottle?" Stormy asks enthusiastically.
"As long as you don't have too bad of a hangover tomorrow. Then yes." Icy responds.
"Sweet." Stormy says in a victorious voice and leaves our little group. Darcy does the same saying she needed to prepare for her upcoming date. Leaving me and Icy alone. Didn't say anything to each other until both Stormy and Darcy were out of sight.
"Well did you have fun?" Icy asked me. It was weird that she was asking me this. Considering this is Icy we are talking about. Then again Icy is probably just socially trying to set me up in a trap. That's what she always does.
"Yes." I lied to her. Truth be told the clothes shopping wasn't too bad. But the alcohol... just no.
Icy let out a laugh at my answer. I looked at her like she had grown two extra heads. 'Has the ice witch lost it?' I thought to myself bit concerned for her. "What's so funny?" I asked her.
"It's that I noticed something about you. You are a liar." I froze at her response like she had used one of her spells on me. Not because she was accusing me of something outrageous. No. It's because it's true. "Allow me to guess firstie. You always analyze the situation, and think the benefits and risks of lying. Is lying in the situation useful or not. Trust me you need a liar to recognize an another liar."
It never dawned on me until today how much a have started to lie. "I don't know if I caused this or not. But if I did, well looks like my lessons were worth something." Just last year I hated the idea of lying. I was a terrible liar. Now it has become almost second nature to me. I didn't even notice how often I did it. All because of these stupid secrets I have needed to hide. And while Icy wasn't the only reason, she was a big part of it.
Icy noticed my quietness and realized why I didn't respond to her. "You didn't even notice it did you?" She said gleefully, proud of her work. "Don't worry it's a good thing. Lying is one of the trademarks of being a witch. It means you are heading to the right direction. Just don't lie to us and there's not going to be issues." She continued while I had my inner turmoil.
Icy stuck around for few minutes. That's before she got bored and started to leave the scene. Before she left she got one last look of me. "Bloomie."
"Huh?"
"Happy birthday." She said and left the scene.
Alright. This and the meeting with Sky were originally going to be just one big chapter. But you see after reading through this chapter and especially how fitting that ending was, I decided to split these chapters. And these two parts really feel like two chapters, so it was fitting. The Sky part is going to be largely similar to the Flora chapter. While this is way different. Besides the reason why I haven't updated is due to finding myself in a dead end at the Sky part. So I decided to cut my losses. That also means that the arc 3 of this story is going to be chapters 8-16 rather thna the original 8-15. But anyway hopefully you liked this chapter. Also did you happen to notice the reference I made, that Bloom's design was inspired by Brittney Spears? I decided to have fun with the fact that Bloom is the most unwitchy name ever. Also yes Bloom new clothing design is her season 4 rock uniform. It's easier for me to visualize her wearing an outfit she actually wore in the show, rather than making one up. And you can also search that outfit to see what it looks like as well. So no need to use your imagination for that. Now let's respond to some of the reviews.
Jean D: Yeah lot's of story points with Flora and Daphne. And yeah Bloom is going to realize how big of a mistake it was to steal the codex. Your second review as the guest account... I'll choose to not respond. But the reason will be told in Arc 3 so only 3 more chapters to know why that won't happen.
Luiz4200: Yep been waiting on forever that Bloom and Flora would reunite. And next chapter Bloom is going to do the same with Sky. Now how long until other members of specialists and Winx will reunite with Bloom?
Videocrazy: I could write such a long response here. (and it would do good for the word count) However I'll respond to most of your points via a PM. But about the toning down thing. I said that from now on this story is going to go at most about as dark as the darkest moments of the show ever got. And I'm not really toning it down. In the AN I said that maybe I should edit those chapters and tone it down there, but decided against it. And I'm not going to tone down rest of the story, because honestly chapter 9 is an anomaly of this story. It's pretty much the darkest moment of this story in many ways. Oh and health wise I'm doing good. Still alive and kicking.
That's it for the reviews. Hopefully I can step on it and release chapter 14 soon. Gotta get arc 3 finished.
Viva out