Up and in arms


Organa walked along the hallways of Cloud Tower. The school was in an awkward mood. Everyone was on edge. Yet an uneasy quietness roamed the hallways no fighting, no bickering, no pranks. Word had spread quickly. It was no secret in Cloud Tower that this had been about Blade. They had felt it not to mention that one of their second-year classes had been arrested and Fairies to top it off. And everyone had caught up in their chat by now, frustration and anger floated like miasma everywhere. Unlike in Alfea where the Professors had worked their hardest to keep it all under wraps. The students had heard the bell ring of course, and Kitty's screaming a bit before had been explained that her team had been asked to test out the security system and were currently in debrief and infirmary for some minor wounds some had sustained. All of the roots and thunderstorm had been declared as one giant new security measure for Cloud Tower to protect it from Black magic users. And apparently, it was better than expected and now they worked on the fine-tuning. Councillor Votzaak and Aithlin as well as Nerrocean did their best to keep the truth silent for Blade's sake, but also for the Fairies and Witches. This was one thing they rather not explain to all those noble and royal families. Organa walked passed down the stairs, she still could sense Cloud Tower's unrest, but Discordia had it under control for now.

A knock at the door of the infirmary. Griffin didn't react at all to it, she couldn't care less. She had some papers floating in front of her Blade had held on to her hand all night once she had finally fallen asleep and as much as Griffin wanted to just stare at her and plot revenge she still had a school to run. Also, it was Blade's decision what she wanted to do, take revenge, push it all away pretend that it never happened, simply ignore it, hide from the world or leave the school forever… she had seen it all. And there was no telling what she would choose. She had seen the cockiest students leave and the wall flowers take revenge, fighters pretend that everything was okay, just to break down… there was no rhyme or reason to the decisions students had made in the past.

Another gentle knock.

'Uuurgh,' Griffin growled, 'Which idiot….' Everyone had stayed away from the infirmary and the sisters knew how to get in. She summoned yet another clone and let it appear outside the door. "IMBISIL! WHAT!?"

"Griffin…" Organa gazed at the clone and kept her voice down. "The hearing…the other students need you, not every family sent someone. Not to mention some of yours are orphans…"

"I'm going to kill that stupid Leprechaun… I can't just leave her! I promised…" The clone trembled frustrated, "I promised her to be there…when she wakes up…" Griffin answered tormented as the clone stared at the ground. "Faragonda, what am I to do… I can't be at two places at once. They all need me…"

Faragonda laid a hand on her old friend, "Let's wake her up, she can't stay in the infirmary anyways. She has slept a lot and she can continue to do so in her room here at Cloud Tower. Plus, I can't think of a better friend to take care of her in your absence," Faragonda placed her hand on the Tower and stroke over its walls. "You can't stay by Blade's side forever anyways… she needs to find her courage again. You know Votzaak, he will parade for a few minutes. He loooves to rub it under the crowns' noses and make an example. It barely will be an hour or two."

"… all the more reason I want to squash his face…." Griffin growled. "Fine, I wake her…"

"Wait, may I…" Faragonda stopped her friend. The seal shimmered and the way was free. Faragonda stepped through the door. There Griffin sat at her student's bed sight, dark rings under her eyes. Plenty of paperwork floating around her and a massive Dream Eater at the other side of the examination table. "That's huge can you still control that? Has she …" Faragonda went pale.

Griffin looked at her little pet. It had grown quite large, massive was the word that came to her mind. That beast was an elemental of darkness. It feasted on nightmares normally one would use it to gain knowledge of what a person feared most and use that information to curse them properly. "Of course, I can. And yes, that growth is just from this night…" She clenched her fists.

Faragonda couldn't utter a word. Those elementals started not much bigger than the palm of a hand. Yet this one had grown to the size of a full-sized Whisper Wolf. The black cloud with a swirly aquamarine orb was hovering ominously over Blade. She squinted and squirmed turning on the table as the elemental widened into a black hole and sucked in air as a stream of vapour rose from Blade.

"Again…" Griffin looked at Blade as her body settled down again. "This has not stopped at all… she keeps having nightmares over and over." Her little pet grew yet again. She sounded a bit helpless, she wanted to caress the girl yet stopped and withdrew the hand, she had no permission to do so at the moment from her. And she couldn't just assume, she had done this mistake in the past.

"You should swap it out when you wake her and we go," Faragonda laid a hand on her friend's shoulder. She herself trembled and laid her head down on her back. "I should have come back with you… I…why didn't you tell me?"

Griffin turned around and hugged her old friend tightly, "I, I don't know… I…I just did what I always did…" A short pause, "I also wanted to spare you this pain… it's not a sight one should have to see. You had plenty of nightmares yourself, Fara…let this child be my burden…"

"Never…Fairies work together…if you like it or not… Oh, I should never have taken her into Alfea. All that pain all that horror… and she barely has the magic to defend herself. This was a mistake…" Faragonda whispered as tears rolled down her face.

Griffin sighed deeply, "They are kids we can't protect them from everything. Now she has better chances than ever to defend herself from a magical threat. Not training in a magic Profession never protected anyone from the likes of Valtor. Yet I very much doubt that Blade would ever give up her magic. She'll pull through. She's too stubborn…" Griffin's hug tightened, "She has to…I can't lose another…not like this…"

They stood there a bit longer in each other's comfort. At some point Faragonda looked up to Griffin, "I'll wait outside. We got to go…" Her eyes rested on Blade for a second longer. 'What have I done?' So far everything had been less personal, it hadn't been like with Bloom, no personal Vendetta, no mistakes of the past to redeem, no overlords of evil. And yet Blade had been followed by one disaster after another. But unlike Bloom and the rest of the Winx she had no overwhelming power inside herself to protect her from the horrors of life. Blade wasn't a chosen one by fate, and yet she had chosen her. Faragonda had kept a distance to stay objective, she had to, the Professors were to burden the close relationship and pain a student could bring. Blade had chosen her subordinates, not her. 'Of course, she didn't, I never made an effort, no deep talks. I didn't run after her like Bloom...' Blade at Alfea, a commoner, had been a test trial to see if a new future with more Fairies was possible to relieve the burden of all those crown houses who had suffered over the centuries and now the girl was paying the price. Faragonda squinted her eyes once more, "I should never have introduced her into this world… it's too dangerous…she's nothing more than a…"

"Commoner?" Griffin laid her hand on Faragonda's shoulder, "Welcome to my school. Next to none have been of royal blood, even nobles are scarces, to say the least. I don't teach how to apply magic flawlessly or how to hold tea parties. I only have around three years, such things come with experience. I teach street smarts mainly. There always will be someone stronger, a disaster that structs… a fate too cruel…" Griffin bit her lip as she gazed at Blade. "I teach them to survive… no, I taught them to survive. Blade reminded me there is much more to life…. my vision… no matter what she'll do. I'll not waste her efforts or her gift of hope. I'll teach my students how to live… …. … I just hope, she'll… I could use an ally…no, I would give anything to have her fight alongside me. She has the eyes of a child seeing things I can't any longer… I need her vision…"

Faragonda shook her head, "She's not that naive… never has been. She just refuses to let standards dictate who she can be and who others may become. She's striving for the best version of herself and that's what is pulling so many along. Or at least that was…"

Griffin shoved Faragonda forward, "Rule number one as a Witc-Sorceress teacher until your student does something don't break your head over it, waste of time, never works. Way too many troublemakers. I'll see you outside. Give me ten minutes or so…" She put on her tough face again, they had other holes to plug and fix and she couldn't stand the thought that Blade could possibly give up.

Blade heard someone clear their throat and yet again call her name. Her eyes opened slowly barely staring past the examination table's edge the world came back to focus.

"Blade?" A soft voice repeated.

Blade turned her head upwards it was Griffin's sorrow still written on her face. 'She truly stayed, she held her promise…' Blade was a bit surprised happy even and yet she couldn't shake the feeling of shame and looked away, "…"

A deep sigh. "Blade, I, - I'm so sorry… I failed you…" Griffin wasn't sure how exactly she was to move her so quickly to her room without rushing her. She wasn't even sure how much Blade truly blamed her. She had screamed so much under pain. She wasn't even sure what she remembered at all.

"…You told me so…" Blade answered dryly while something wet dripped down her face. 'She stayed, she didn't leave me…she didn't leave…' She touched her cheek to check. Tears. She was so exhausted every muscle hurt. She still was in her dark magic Fairy form and could feel the Tower's magic flowing through her. Her wings were still enwrapped and her back stung when she moved an inch.

Griffin searched for words, "But I never wanted this… Blade, you got to believe me, I never wished that fate upon anyone… I-"

"I was wrong, you were right. Police are dangerous… some fences are not meant to be mended." Blade squinted her eyes the lights were still burning in her eyes. 'Police and Witches don't mix. Stay the fuck out of our business,' she remembered the Officer's words and a shiver went down her spine and she curled up again.

Griffin looked down at Blade as she stood there beside her there were not enough words to mend this, not truly, "Yes, they are. You were wrong. BUT, … but I was wrong too. This wasn't William's doing, he is a good man, many I met these past weeks with are goo…"

"Who cares," Blade hissed, "It's all a facade…" She answered bitterly. "What do you want…?"

"What do I want?" Griffin was thrown off by the sudden topic change. 'Oh Blade, don't let them take this from you…'

Blade just wanted to vanish under the blanket, "You woke me… you want something…or am I wrong?" She asked defensively or rather distant.

Griffin knew that kind of reaction a wall to feel safe to give the mirage of courage and steadiness. She breathed in again, "It be best we move you to your dorm room. So, you won't be disturbed. Your friends conjured quite a thunderstorm in retaliation and the hearing is this afternoon. What do you think? I also can lock up and…"

"Fine…" Blade didn't want to move or walk the hallways. 'If someone else gets hurt…they need this room….' Blade tried to sit up. It was foolish to think that she could stay forever in this room she knew that.

The Towers webbing around her stretched with her movement. "Woah, slowly," Griffin was about to catch her back as she halted she didn't have permission to touch her again.

Blade felt her unbalance and held on tight to the arm that had reached out to her, "Thanks….." She ever so quietly muttered. 'Why is she so scared to touch me? Am I that discus…' She shook her head tearing up. 'Lies…'

Griffin stepped closer her student was scared and it showed, "I'll give you a hug, Blade, unless you stop me."

"But you have to go. The hea-" Blade stopped midsentence as a warm embrace surrounded her. She hadn't noticed before but she was trembling.

Griffin breathed slowly as she covered Blade's head, "Hearing can wait… They all gladly would stay in prison if it meant you'd feel better I'm sure of that."

"Prison!?" Blade's eyes widened. She went pale as a ghost. "We, no, we got to…" She started to panic.

'Shit,' Griffin held her tight, "Blade, everything's fine. They are not with the police. I would NEVER… they are at the Black Hunter Division, they are safe there. Hey, Blade…Blade," She hugged her even tighter, she was trembling so much she was at risk of falling from the table.

Blade clawed into Griffin's dress, "You promise? YOU make sure they are SAFE? That they are FINE?"

Griffin caressed her head, "Of course, I will." She lifted Blade's chin gently to look into her eyes. "They are SAFE. No harm will come to them. Grandmaster Votzaak would never let that happen in his Order. He is a dark Wizard after all." She soothed her.

"Right…" Blade's heartbeat slowed again. "Let's g-go…" She tried to push herself further to hurry. She didn't want to be a burden, she wanted her friends back and safe. Yet walking the hallways was nothing she really wanted to do right now.

But Griffin didn't move, "I got more than enough time, don't worry about it, I won't be late." They sat there for a few minutes longer until Blade's trembling had subsided.

Councillor Votzaak was sauntering up and down the parents' line. Since over half an hour by now he had held his grand speech, repeating and rephrasing. The hearing he had called had started as expected addressing names and titles as it was custom. Cahagan was the light magic representative and Argan the lumen prince was the neutral one. Both of them were scribbling away on papers with half an ear open after the titles had been stated. The punishment was already clear from the start. This was just the leprechaun having a field day and they had some peace and quiet to get stuff done. Iolas team had grabbed the chance to be the guards for this hearing after they so kindly had been chosen to take on Cloud Tower, this was a nice break, and they also were invested, but nobody expected anything to go wrong. Votzaak had gone truly all out. The biggest hearing room reserved just for this. Easily a thousand could fit in here with the chairs set up even more without. No one besides the Council guard for their morning briefing used it, unless there was something really important going on. So, no one contested this insane room choice or had even noticed it being blocked. Even with the personal guards of the Kings and Queens they barely scratched the hundred. Not to mention that not every King and Queen had shown up.

"….. And let us not FORGET that you as the ELITE, the high and might, the strong, are to set an EXAMPLE for your kingdoms, other worlds, the Council, YOUR CHILDREN…" Votzaak rambled on.

'Oh boy and another round…' Nebula stood there it was hard not to yawn. This setup was the reverse of everything she had expected. They, the students both Cloud Tower and Alfea were standing at the front, but at the side-lines guarded by two elves, they felt somewhat familiar to Nebula. And their parents or family members who had come to the beckoning call and rescue were lined up in front of the Council table like a bunch of students. Votzaak had only come by once to check up on the twenty girls in their shared cell they had been stuck in after the infirmary check-up in the Hunter Division and simply smirked once at them and left. He didn't even give them a side glance now, 'He is simply enjoying rubbing it under Tessa's and Birdy's parents' noses. Not to mention he is super pissed that Tasu's are a no show, they sent 'just' their Court mage… she was nervous all day and night… not just because of Blade. Blade…' Nebula sighed deeply and looked to the ground before she glanced along their line-up.

Votzaak made a hard turn again and walked along the row of parents, "We have to make an example, this is no joke, disturbing the PEACE, we have worked so long and hard fought for, THREATENED by your OFFSPRING," he halted before the Court Mage of Streama and glared at him deeply until the guy at least flinched subtly. "Ts. Ts. Ts. Ts. Ts.…" he shook his head, 'How dare they send a lacky!? I asked for the King and Queen. Do they not take me seriously!? Grrrr…. Fucking pompous royals. If they think I will let that child go nonetheless they are wrong, ooooh, so wrong. "They are SUPPOSED to RULE…" He continued his never-ending speech.

'Blade…' Kitty couldn't care less she just wanted to leave already. Her family wasn't concerned about what punishment she got extra. Witches were supposed to look out for themselves. Yet just like Alyssa, she noticed that Misery was stiff as a statue. Drops of sweat ran down her temple and she was staring at the wall on the opposite side focusing on one point. Kitty frowned, 'What's wrong with her?'

Alyssa picked up her gaze, 'I don't know…' They exchanged glances.

Gilliana stepped on Alyssa's toe as Votzaak was about to turn again. He would see them. She glared at them, 'Guys!'

Tessa stood right next to her roomy Tasu, 'Shit, her parents truly didn't show up. I thought Tasu was joking when she said they are always too busy… I mean she is their daughter…' She ground her teeth.

Sienna nudged into Tasu's side, "Chill, you look like you'll faint…" She dared to whisper to everyone's astonishment and disarray.

"SHHH," Snow got half a heart attack.

Marble giggled quietly, "He's not even watching us. Never has. We could play video games all day he wouldn't notice." She breathed out relieved that someone had tried to utter something and test her theory. The whole row of girls visibly relaxed again. This lecture was not meant for them not at all. Not even for all parents. This was a power play, clearly. 'Come on stupid Leprechaun finish this charade so we can go to Blade already….'

"He's enjoying this…" Serina commented as a grin hushed over her lips. "Say, my Princess, how much backlash will you get." She was amused.

Birdy rolled her eyes, "At least I had mine show up, who is that young man who showed up for you anyways?"

"Cousin, Council had to pay the trip and night over and he wants to see that one band he likes so much…" Serina shrugged.

Polarissa snorted muffled, "Smart move…I bet he didn't expect this, though…"

"Hey, Tasu, loosen up…" Tessa looked a bit worried to Tasu who wasn't quite herself. 'I mean yes, she's pictures perfect in etiquette but even she's overdoing it now. What got her so spooked? …Oh, I'm also worried sick...' Her stomach was still aching.

'Zhoron, what's wrong with the kids?' Tolith asked confused as he had noticed their muttering and whispering next to them.

Zhoron at the back of the hall was with Iolas at the doors and sighed in their PSI link, 'Again, I am not Eaden… If you want me to check I'll have to use magic. Votzaak might not care whatsoever, but Cahagan will kill me if I pry into the minds of Princesses with their parents around.'

'Ah, so take the Witches…or well Sorceresses…scaredy cat…' Daeleth teased him.

Iolas shook his head, 'We are not prying into their minds for fun even if Gremlin has a field day. We are Council guards.' He eyed the girls from afar.

'But Iolas, the Crown Princess of Streama and green short-cut are sweating buckets. Tolith isn't wrong there. Are we missing something?' Thallan asked if his position was on the other side of the student row apart from Tolith.

'Chill, you're making a dragon out of a fly,' Ararel sighed, 'Princess just knows she just earned herself a week or two in Votzaak's cell. You know how he can be. I wouldn't want to swap with her.'

'Hmm, still doesn't explain the Sorceress. She looks even paler if you ask me,' Ilrune squinted his eyes he hadn't thought much of it but she kinda looked like she wanted to bolt. It was really hard to tell but she had that vibe.

Sarlen chuckled, 'Guys, Griffin keeps glancing at her. Didn't the report state something like she was the one to leave Blade behind? If that's true she's in big trouble.'

'Big? Gigantic more likely…' Eroan commented.

'Hey, you are on guard duty. Stay focused…' Iolas admonished him.

'Yeah, yeah…'

Keryth butted in, 'We know, but come on. There are no reapers here. Did that girl truly leave Blade behind? We should have a talk with her…'

'GUARD DUTY,' Virion admonished Keryth. 'And no one is going to have a talk with anyone. Griffin has barely written anything down…neither has Professor Ediltrude or Zarathustra. Nor the other schools, not enough time. As far as the infirmary records show, some picture got sent around by the Specialist team that was sent to pick up Blade, it landed with Zarathustra somehow, maybe that girl just waved her phone around at the wrong moment and the Professor saw it as she strolled around. Apparently, the Specialists tried to find the best healer for a Witch and were overwhelmed…. And went on a zig-zag through the woods…IDIOTS. They didn't even CONSIDER coming here to the COUNCIL just two minutes away. Utter incompetence...' Virion growled pissed.

'Virion, breathe….' Iolas calmed his healer down. 'They did their best.'

'Not good enough! That is one o' one, get to help QUICK, there is no sane reason to-' Virion was truly pissed and his sudden clenching of the fists earned him a side glance from Cahagan.

'Heads up,' Zhoron warned them.

Councillor Cahagan's voice echoed in their psi-link not a second later, 'What's wrong? Cramp?'

'Nothing…my apologies,' Virion relaxed again.

'Right… I know you are invested in this - a bit at least…' He paused, 'Still, keep your heads cool, you are Council Guards, put your personal feelings aside. A rampaging Cloud Tower was enough for this week, not to mention this mess. I don't need our Council Guard to add to this. We have enough trouble to sort it out publicly. If you don't feel up for this simple job take a hike, I'll contact Councillor Aithlin to send another team. So, are we clear?' He asked sternly.

'YES, Councillor,' All guards answered in sync.

Cahagan shook his head, 'Well then, do your job.' And he vanished from the link again. What followed was another good half an hour of Votzaak's wonderful speech. One could have played one massive bingo round with so many phrases and empty words he had thrown into the nobles' faces.

'Geeesh how long can he talk!? I want to see Blade, finish already stupid Leprechaun…' Snow ground her teeth annoyed.

"And as it is, we, the Council, can't stand for this, we simply won't, never have nor will WE! There had been greater Kings and Queens defending such preposterous actions and NONE could sway us. You can be glad that under these circumstances we are letting them off easy, letting you off easy," he glared at the Court Wizard from Streama intensely, 'What is that aura?... I keep feeling it… I thought they still would show up late, but they are truly no-shows…' He thought to himself as he continued his speech, "A good part of the Witch forest and surrounding areas got destroyed. Therefore, your kingdoms and families will come up with the repair sum, ALL of it." He watched that one random guy who looked more like a punk stumble and nearly faceplant on the floor. Yet one of the Council Guards was behind him in the blink of an eye and ever so gently hold on to him and kept him from smacking his head open. "According to your family's wealth…" Votzaak had to grin mischievously at that blunder, "…the sum will be split up. Your precious children will reforest every SINGLE tree, fern and flower, PERSONALLY under the supervision of Professor Zarathustra of Cloud Tower." He clicked his boots as he made yet another harsh turn. "Officially, so WE, the COUNCIL, can save YOUR FACES, declared this was a test of a new security system and it went A BIT haywire. And you offered so graciously to help fix the damage on your own. This meeting is the discussion of how to do so if anyone asks. SO," he stopped in front of the no-name who had nearly floored himself. "Get your stories straight – in Court. You don't want me to knock at your door if you screw up..." He turned yet again. And walked back to the Kings and Queens in attendance. "Any objections? Pleas? Then please, ENLIGHTEN me," he smirked oh so satisfied. Yet of course he was greeted with silence. "Great," Votzaak looked back at Argan and Cahagan who with a bit of delay looked up from their office work.

"The Council is unanimously in agreement," Councillor Argan proclaimed shortly.

"Don't let this happen, AGAIN," Votzaak stared the parents down even if he was way smaller than them, "Take your kids, you are DISMISSED." He turned his back to the parents. "Oh, and dear Court Mage, please stay. Just for a moment, I need a WORD."

While the rest of the Fairies stretched their stiff muscles and the Sorceresses somewhat hid their yawns and left their line-up. Tasu stood there unmoving staring at the wall on the other side.

"Tasu?" Dahlia looked at her classmate a bit confused. "Hearings over, you can relax, again…"

Birdy shook her head, "Court Mage is still in attendance with Votzaak, "We'll see you outside. Don't worry okay. I am sure your parents had a good reason why they couldn't make it." She tried to encourage her and gave a nod as it was custom and moved on.

Griffin walked over and hurriedly collected all her students, "Out with you, I got to get back. So, stop playing around and get serious," She glared at Marble and with a firm grip on Misery's shoulder shoved the bunch out of the hearing hall.

"Court Mage Rechin," Votzaak stared at the man in his fine robes, who had probably shown the toughest Court face of all today.

The man looked down at Votzaak, "Councillor?" Cahagan and Argan had to stay as well. Faragonda waited in the seating area, she wouldn't leave Tasu behind alone.

"Any strange occurrences in your palace lately?" Votzaak asked ponderingly.

Rechin frowned, "Strange? No, I would say everything is progressing as normal, we checked for traitors and found some. We took care of them as you well know, no breakouts or anything. Luckily through the efforts of our Crown Princess, worse things were prevented. Why would you ask such a thing, Councillor Votzaak?"

"Would you humour me and hold out your hand for me?" Councillor Votzaak asked concerned. 'There definitely is a lingering Black magic aura around him after staring two hours at him he was sure of it.

"But of course," Rechin reached out as a rune circle appeared around him that granted him permission to use his magic and he flared his Light magic up, a pure white flame.

Votzaak waved his hands around inspecting the magic and the Wizard, "All good, you are under no spell… no Black magic use…" He squinted his eyes at him pondering again.

"Grandmaster?" The Wizard asked perplexed, "What do you mean Black magic?" He was utterly confused. "Are you saying I got corrupted? Do I need to stay at your Order? White Jade maybe? Am I in danger?"

Cahagan was equally confused, "Councillor Votzaak what is the meaning of this?"

"No, all good, but you have a lingering Black magic presence, Court Mage. You should check your Court again and your staff. Someone is using Black magic around you. It's very faint though," Votzaak explained.

"Is it still from Valtor? He attacked our planet, after all, he destroyed our atmosphere. The shield keeps the planet alive but if it were to fall now…" The Court mage went a bit pale.

Votzaak shook his head, "No, Dragonflame has a different vibe to it all together. I would say someone used a wisp to cleanse themselves or some similar method to hide what he did. Otherwise, this would be much more prominent. Your family does possess some magical items and artefacts. Maybe you should check them all, especially the dusty ones. For your sake and that of the King and Queen. Black magic is nothing to be taken lightly. I can send -"

"Thank you, Councillor, we have specially trained personnel as well. We'll do another furrow sweep. As you well know the ancient feudal law and customs forbid anyone to simply come and leave the palace. Unless you want someone to stay permanently in the palace Streama has to decline this offer." He sighed deeply, "I hoped for the King and Queen to abandon those old customs, but they are scared after what happened. It gives them a sense of security. Even if that didn't help back when…"

"Right," Votzaak closed his eye. When Valtor had roamed free the Hunter Divison had so much to do Valtor had attacked plenty of Kingdoms that weren't even slightly able to defend themselves against the horrors and plots he had planted. Votzaak's Order had been too slow to save them all. They were lucky to have the Winx Club take care of Valtor while they had been plugging holes all other the universe. "If you need anything, just ask, keep me updated."

"Yes, of course," Court Mage Rechin nodded in agreement.

"Why didn't the King and Queen show?" Cahagan was a bit confused about that fact. "They did get the full call to Court did they not?"

Rechin nodded, "Yes, they deemed it a good lesson for Crown Princess Tasu that actions have consequences. They hope she'll learn more restraint and her place in Court. She'll be Queen one day after all. Such outbursts of emotions, no matter the reason, are unbecoming of a future Queen. You may send her back to Alfea once she has done her due time." He with a heavy heart forwarded his King's decision. "Take good care of her. Treat her well, she deserves… I speak out of place, forgive me. I have to hurry back. If there truly is a Black mage amongst our Court I have to find him promptly." He bowed deeply and went his way.

"That's harsh…" Argan commented saddened as he gazed at the unmoving Fairy. "That's such a disgrace to face as a Crown Princess no less…"

"Streama is known for its tea. But is not in high regards or power otherwise. Her parents are using this to teach her a lesson," Cahagan shook his head.

"So many Princesses deserve such a reminder, those brats. No matter the reason… at least she had one! How dare they play me like this…" Votzaak clicked his tongue, 'Stuck up snobs. Stupid feudal laws, if… I would…argh,' Votzaak growled displeased. But his hands were tied now. He couldn't go back on his threat. It would destroy his reputation and he as the Hunter Division Grandmaster needed his direly and most certainly wouldn't get it ripped apart by some foolish third-rate King. "GUARDS," He called out to the Elves, "Arrest the Crown Princess of Streama. She is to be placed under Council's watch till her time is served for the disturbance of public peace." His voice was harsh and he was obviously pissed. 'She knew… hasn't moved an inch…'

"But Councillor," Faragonda tried to plead but Votzaak walked passed her wordlessly.

Tolith stepped towards the girl who was holding out her hands to be cuffed, "I don't think we need to-"

Ararel and the rest had stepped up to her as well, "Laws are laws…they come off once we have reached the cells," He clicked his around her hands. "Crown Princess if you please…" He pointed at a side door in the front of the hall.

"Of course," Tasu with her head held high stepped onward.

Zhoron linked her up quickly in PSI-link, 'We'll keep you updated on Blade. Don't worry, her wounds are taken care of.'

'Her flesh wounds, yes,' Tasu stated bluntly, 'Please refrain from using your PSI on me without permission,' Tasu answered shortly and moved on between them wordlessly.

'My apologies, Crown Princess,' Zhoron dropped the connection to her immediately, 'I'm so sorry I didn't think PSI would freak her… She's really taking this hearing seriously...'

'Freaked? She sounded calm to me. Did you feel that she freaked?' Iolas asked while he spearheaded the group, 'Anyways…Let her. That situation was serious, in all regards. But remember we don't want people to see so we'll take the side halls.'

Griffin had hurried back to Cloud Tower and the rest of the Sorceresses were eager as well.

"Come on, we got to see Blade," Dusk hurried along the ramp as suddenly she and the rest got stuck and they sunk into the floor.

"You can't," Griffin crossed her arms.

"What?!" Alyssa lost it.

Kitty transformed her hand into a claw, "We'll see about that!" She hissed.

"Silence!" Griffin demanded, "I understand, but rushing her might be the last thing she wants or needs. She's sleeping right now." Griffin finally updated them. "Her wounds are healing. She is safe here."

"And what about her scars?" Steela balled her fists. "She needs to know that she isn't alone. She just has to!"

"Yeah, we'll give those Officers a good thrashing," Gilliana punched into her fist.

Volcano agreed, "They'll never mess with us again…" Her gaze was as dark as the thunderstorm they had conjured up just yesterday.

"ENOUGH!" Griffin admonished them harshly. "Don't make me stick you into the walls. This is BLADE'S decision and hers ALONE. No one goes to that station or into the city for that matter. I don't want you anywhere near that town, is that clear!?" This was a bit new to her. Yes, in the past there had been some Witches eager to get revenge for their friends, but this was a whole class not to mention that Zarathustra and Ediltrude had reported that a lot of other Witches felt the same way. So, far they all followed suit though.

"Alyssa, Kitty, Steela…Dusk. You can come with, there are no guarantees she'll let you even in. So, don't get your hopes up," Griffin rubbed her nose bridged.

"What?!" Marble felt insulted. "We all want her to know that we-"

Discordia had flown down from her spire to give Griffin a hand as the Tower had called upon her, "Then write her a letter. Craft something nice, show your appreciation and friendship through other means that don't overwhelm her."

"Do we look like Fairies?!" Breeze growled.

Faragonda had teleported the students back to Alfea with Cahagan's help they were right outside the gate. Griselda was already waiting on them and as most classes were over already many chilled in the courtyard and the teachers had awaited their arrival. Most of the Alfean students already heard that their families volunteered them after helping out with the security debacle to replant the forest. The Professors had dropped enough hints. Basically in the students' eyes, Blade's class had snatched the laurels from anyone else and therefore they ignored them out of spite. Little did they know that was just a cover.

"Where is Tasu?" Professor Griselda asked perplexed, they were one short.

Faragonda sighed as she stepped closer to her and whispered, "The King and Queen didn't show up…"

"You're kidding?!" Griselda pushed her glasses back. "And where do you think you are going?" She addressed the class sternly as they already were heading towards the Tower again.

"Cloud Tower of course…" Nebula couldn't even understand the question. She quieted down a bit as she saw people looking towards them.

Griselda shook her head, "I think not."

"Then think for yourself," Tessa dismissed her straight away and turned towards Cloud Tower again.

Avalon and Palladium had rushed outside, hurried but calm, 'They are riled up, that night in prison didn't help them at all to calm down…' Avalon had read their auras from Faragonda's Office and they were one cloud of trouble right there. "Hold it."

Snow stepped up, "Move." She glared at Avalon. She wouldn't be detained again. 'Blade we're coming…'

'What's gotten into her?!' Palladium was a bit perplexed to see her that outspoken, "You will stay. ALL of you." There was no telling what they would do.

Nebula transformed without warning, "Fog Image! Mirror Space!"

Avalon had expected as much and in no time had located her and grabbed her hand, "Cancel!" Mid-air he beat his wings strongly as he kicked Nebula out of her Winx and held onto her. "That's enough." The other students didn't react to the commotion to his surprise, 'Did Faragonda already cast that spell?'

"Oh, yeah?" Nebula was more than ready to fight him, she wasn't scared not of him or the consequences.

Professor Griselda shook her head, "You stay."

"We are going," Birdy declared. They all shared the sentiment.

"Into my office ALL of you. NOW," Faragonda thundered, yet quietly enough, as she flared up her magic it made the air vibrate around her. Now one could see some magic runes spread out around them all and the ground beneath their feet glowed as she infused more magic into that spell. She pointed towards her office. Each and every one of the Professors was ready to keep them detained. Avalon descended slowly with Nebula.

'What did she do?' Begrudgingly Nebula pulled her arm free, "Tch." She glanced at Tessa and Birdy as the class started its walk towards the Headmistress's office. 'No way…Charmix!'

"STATIC FIELD!"

"Barrier of light!"

"Fer Mitas!" Griselda shielded herself and Faragonda.

"Blinding Feather!" Birdy grabbed Rise's hand, of course, the rest had picked up on the plan, and the two converged.

"White Fog!" Nebula dashed around Avalon as they got hit by the blinding spell. All their training was paying off now.

"Grapple!" Stone-like vines spread out as Dahlia hammered down on the ground and seized Avalon mainly.

"Hedera!" Palladium countered. "STOP!" He commanded.

"Semblance Phantasms! Mirror Space!"

Avalon reached out as he pulled free and summoned his Jian, 'Just great… shit, where did she go!?' He focused on Nebula's presence to spot her in the fog. She had swapped out.

Amber raised her hands in the cover of the fog, "Raging Flames!" She set all the vines ablaze for more distraction.

"Freezing heart!" Snow used her chance to entrap the Professors, 'RUN NEBULA!'

"Frost flare," Avalon stopped Snow from casting first.

"Resonance!" Sienna punched Griselda's shield with all her might and it broke, but even so, none of them got affected by Tessa's stun field.

"I said ENOUGH! Force of nature!" Faragonda had loaded up her spell and a massive shockwave blew every one of the students off their feet or out of the air.

Palladium used more vines to pin them down properly this time around. "Avalon!" He pointed towards Cloud Tower. "For crying out loud, what are you thinking!? You can be kicked out of the school for this! We should! Opening fire at your superiors have you lost your minds!?" He couldn't believe it. He breathed out as he relaxed a bit now that he had detained them. 'Smart move to put up a mirage so early, otherwise our other students… Faragonda's power is nothing to joke about. Ahhh, the whole class is so riled up and not thinking straight at all…' None of the other students had heard or felt that fight just a few feet away from them. That mirage spell was everyone's saving grace right now, they were stuck in their tiny bubble no one could see through.

"SO, WHAT?! BlaDE NEEDS US!" The whole class growled back. They simply wanted to get to Blade, their friend in dire need. Their priorities were clear as day to them.

Nebula raced through the air, trying to enhance her speed with the body enhancement magic she had trained with Blade and Memphis. 'Come on, fly faster! Blade, I'm coming!'

"NEBULA STOP!" Professor Avalon shouted from further off behind.

"Mist mirage!" Nebula turned invisible and dashed down into the forest she had to lose him. 'Shit, shit, shit! I don't have enough of a head start…fuck.'

'Really…' Avalon already had locked on to her aura and connected with nature there was no way she would get away from him. She wasn't good enough to vanish from his sight. He dashed down as well.

"Fog image, Fog image, Fog image!" Nebula hurried to cast more clones and sent them in all directions. She was casting so much. She felt her heart pounding.

Professor Avalon halted shortly quickly glanced at every Nebula and sure as an arrow picked his target out and raced after her, "I said STOP. LAST Warning."

"Plasma sphere!" Nebula shot as she spiralled and looked backwards for aim.

Avalon sighed and evaded with ease. He was gaining on her. He summoned his rope dart, he didn't want to hurt her after all and spun it as he hit the ground running and sent it flying.

Nebula felt something wrapped around her foot, startled she conjured another sphere, "Plasma sphere!" The rope held with ease not even a scorch mark on it.

"Cancel…" The Professor zapped her through the rope and had to watch her smash to the mossy ground and drop out of her Winx, yet again. "Nebula, stop." He warned her one last time, but her aura was one raging storm.

Nebula glared at him, "Let me go! Plasm-" She demanded.

"Cancel," Avalon repeated and her spell evaporated. "Calm yourself."

"You are not going to keep us from her!" Nebula hissed and pulled a Phanto-dagger out of her pocket. She straight-out charged him.

Avalon shook his head blocked the attack and seized her hand took the dagger out of her hand and flung it into the bark of a tree and nailed her to the ground. "Another stunt like that and I'll-" He was greeted with nothing but hate and despair as their eyes met as Nebula glared over her shoulder back at him. He sighed deeply. "Nebula, this won't help Blade. I understand that you want to see her, but she needs time and patients. You barging through the door might just make it worse."

"OR IT WILL HELP HER! LET GO!" She still tried to get up. "I AM HER FRIEND!"

"I know…" Avalon stayed calm. "No one is refuting that."

"Let go! LET ME GO!" She screeched so loud the birds rose startled from the trees.

Palladium just landed next to them. Wizgiz had relieved him and Faragonda was more than enough to keep the rest in check with pity he gazed at Nebula.

"I got to help her! LET ME GO!" Nebula broke out into tears. "I got to… I have to…I…I…" she trembled beneath Avalon.

Palladium helped Avalon to set her upright without a chance for her to bolt again, "Nebula, we all feel helpless, we all wish we had been there. You are not alone, we are here for you, let us help you," He placed his hands on her shoulders. 'Scolding her will do no good, with none of them. Not now…'

Nebula evaded his gaze frustrated, "I failed her. We promised each other we would fight this together, I left her to die!" She swallowed hard.

"It will be alright," Palladium tried to calm her down and simply hugged her as this was the only thing he could think of that would help her. Avalon surely wouldn't tell on him.

Avalon released his hold, 'So much pain…' The Professors looked at each other. 'It will be alright, huh? …You shouldn't promise such a thing,' They needed no words they just knew what the other one was thinking.

'I know, we don't know, she just has to be. I, what will we do, Avalon?' The elf looked at his friend with worry and devastation as he held tighter onto Nebula who had a hard time to breath under her tears.

Avalon sighed, 'I don't know….' He gazed at the dagger, "Nebula, you didn't leave her behind or to die. You two are still fighting the same fight, the same war. No one left her behind. None of you, you hear, that's a lie. Don't ever think that." This reminded him so much of the talk with Blade at Red Fountain.

"But… but…" Nebula's heart was aching.

"It's a lie, you got to forgive yourself – we all have to. None of us was there to help. None of us knew or had the power to. Life can be cruel… sometimes all that is left is to pick up the pieces afterwards and fix things…"

Nebula's breathing slowed down, "Some things can't be fixed. Jewels…"

Palladium straightened her up before him and looked deep into her eyes, "You are not alone. This is not a burden you have to carry alone. This time, we are here and we'll help you, this isn't Desertia or Phere-Moan. You don't have to fight this battle alone. Promise me, you'll not go to that station alone. Don't be stupid, Nebula, promise me," Palladium gazed at her. He was scared of what the students would do if they were willing to fight them so fiercely without a second thought and with so much anger still raging inside.

"…" Nebula squinted her eyes. "I…I…just can't…if she… if Blade… I'll tear them to shreds...come what may…" She growled in pain and anger.