Icy

Fear. That was the one thing I was feeling when I arrived back at Alfea. Not relief that we escaped from the Dark World, not pride in Stormy for gaining her Inseimix, but hard-iron fear. When Stormy had gotten surrounded by that dark barrier, something broke within me.

I ran towards it and did everything I could possibly do to break it. Pounded it with my fists, and fired my magic at it without stopping. Then, when I was on the verge of wanting to shred the barrier apart, I felt the heat. A bright red barrier had surrounded me, and only me.

The heat was suffocating. I began to breathe more slowly, but soon I couldn't breathe at all. I fell to the ground. My skin was burning, but when I glanced down I saw no marks. This is my fault, I had thought.

Even when Stormy and Flora—who had gained her Insiemix as well—came out of the barrier, I felt barely any hope at that. Only when the group joined after being freed was I able to smile at my sister's success. Though we are not related by blood, they are closer to me than anyone.

Except… Sapphire.

The pink and blue-toned school was now in view through the trees. It was a surprise that this school had some element of peace for me now. The barrier protected all of us from the Shaman Witch. It was more than I could ever do to keep whom I love safe.

'Ice, are you okay?' I heard a familiar voice call out in my mind. I glanced over to my left, and I saw Darcy looking at me with a worried and tentative look.

I met her eyes. 'Not now.' I shook my head. Darcy wanted to talk, but I knew if I did tell her all that I was feeling, then I would break down. I can't let anyone see that. I have to be strong. I turned my gaze back to the horizon. Focusing to keep the tears in, I bit my lip slightly.

"Girls!" A voice called out. I saw Faragonda and Daphne—I don't want to face either of them, but I don't have a choice, really—in the center of the courtyard.

"Daphne!" Bloom exclaimed gladly as she ran to embrace her sister once more. The rest of us walked through the shell-shaped gates of the school.

It was strange how much time seemed to pass here. looked up at the sky. The sun was in the same place as when we left here. Is there a change in time between the two worlds? Or maybe when we were in the Dark World it was only a few seconds of waiting for those on Magix.

"So the information about the time gap between the two worlds was correct. For us, you just left a few minutes ago." Daphne reigned herself in. "We didn't expect you girls to be back this soon."

"Or at all?" Darcy pried.

Faragonda nodded gravely. "Yes, that is true. You are the first to come back from Oscurita without falling, other than Arcadia and Notani. It is a momentous moment, and only proves how strong you are."

"And that you could work together," Daphne added.

She raised her hand in front of her, then in a pale yellow light, an ivory book appeared. It was small and the edges of the pages were tinted and worn. "This book is the journal of Notani. Arcadia's is hidden in Tir Nan Og."

Tir Nan Og… Please don't tell me we're going to go there. The Warrior Fairies—mainly Nebula—would not hesitate to raise up their spears at the first sight of us. After all, we did try to take over their school. I wouldn't be surprised if they would try to kill us outright.

"But I found Notani's here at Alfea. It says here," Daphne continued. "That she had only gained Inseimix after working together with Arcadia. Her specific words are, 'We may have found the way to gain Ancientix. For Acadia and I had only gained it after working as one. If all knew this secret, possibly the breach between fairies and witches would close.'

"Even, like, a million years ago witches and fairies had a rivalry?" Stella questioned. It was surprising though, that this 'war' between us had lasted this long. Had anyone even tried to stop it with all the time had passed?

"Wait. But Notani was talking about Ancientix. Where did Inseimix come from then?" Musa questioned, her tone perplexed.

"Inseimix is a newer name for the transformation. The meaning is more of friendship than Ancientix was," Faragonda explained. Her eyes widened as she examined us closely. "And the fact that you all made it out means that at least one had gained Inseimix. Stormy, Flora, I am very proud of the two of you. You have worked together and overcome your weaknesses. I thank you."

Stormy currently seemed less than comfortable with the line of conversation. She must have not gotten over whatever had happened in the dome with the Shaman. It may have had to do with what happened on Linfea, but even so, it was years ago. Whatever occurred in Oscurita must have been horrible for her. I tried to meet her gaze.

"You don't have to thank us, Headmistress." Thank dragon Flora was changing the conversation. "We all got out, and we're okay. That's what matters."

Faragonda nodded. "And I'm glad of it. Before going back into Oscurita, it is good that the ten of you get some rest." My eyes widened.

Go back? Dragon, Faragonda, do you want us to get killed?

"The school is still empty, just so you all are aware," Faragonda continued. She met my gaze. "The… Fortress of Light Rock is still unsure of your loyalty, Trix. So they asked me to inform you of the possibility of residing at Alfea until this situation blows over. After all this, a trial will indeed be held, but until then, it is preferred that you stay here for the time being."

I looked towards Darcy and Stormy. 'It's not like we have a choice,' Darcy communicated telepathically. She was right though. If we go elsewhere, Light Rock will only need one mishap to send us to one of the Dark Prisons.

"We'll stay here," I answered plainly, looking Faragonda in the eye. No matter how she wants to make it seem like we have a choice, she knows we don't. We don't have a say in this.

"Thank you Icy. Now, the faculty and I have set up a room for the ten of you. Possibly it would be best to make your way there. After all," Faragonda said, her tone began to have sympathy. "Being in Oscurita must've not been easy for any of you."

"Wait," Aisha started. I prepared myself for her outburst. "All of us are sharing a room?" It was as if she couldn't believe it. Faragonda did say the ten of us, so it was obvious.

"Really, Aisha?" I began. "It's better than being in the Dark World." I reached my hands up to adjust my hair, as the ponytail was basically falling apart after the attack. I could feel Aisha's glare on me, but she didn't say anything.

Probably because I was right.

A pause of silence went by. "Uh… Girls, it would indeed be best to make your way to your room," the Headmistress repeated. She knew that she had to break the energy. At least until she wasn't in attack range.

"Headmistress, which room is it?" Tecna questioned as if she expected Faragonda to have told us. It was a key point after all.

"Room 3826." The Headmistress nodded.

I let out a soft sigh as only silence was heard. It was clear that it was hard enough for everyone to say the first word. Bloom looked as if she was trying to push a word or two out, but didn't want to give anyone—us perhaps—the obligation to follow her. It was a first. After all these years, I've never seen her as unsure as she is now.

"Well," I shrugged. "Might as well get going."

I started walking towards the school. A moment passed before I heard footsteps behind me besides Darcy's and Stormy's. All of us walked past the Headmistress, and Daphne stayed beside the old fairy. I didn't look behind me though.

I didn't want to think about how this could turn out.

Iorda

It was the most cramped and awkward energy I have felt for a long time. The ten of us are walking to our dorm. I don't know why Headmistress Faragonda made the decision to put all of us together in one room, but I trust her on it. It could be to make it easier to gain Inseimix or some other reason.

While walking towards the room, all of us mainly stayed to ourselves or confided in one other person. Besides Stella and Bloom, and Tecna and Aisha. They talked amongst themselves.

In front of me, to my mild surprise, Stormy and Flora were talking. It was slow and slightly awkward for the two, but it was a conversation nonetheless. I could feel from the now stronger feeling for each other coming from both of them that they definitely helped each other gain their Inseimix. They were mildly far in front of me, so the only part of their conversation I caught was Flora's 'thank you' to Stormy. If I had to be honest, it was quite sweet.

On the other hand, the energy I was feeling from Musa was less than sweet. She was obviously uncomfortable. From to occasional clench of her hand to the sharp change in her breathing, as well as the aura of worry and jealousy. I did not want to investigate what the latter was about—for I had a suspicion why Musa was feeling that way—but I had to. She's one of my closest friends.

"Musa," I said, my voice barely audible. It was purposeful so that Musa would be the only one who would hear it. The fairy looked towards me. Our eyes met, and we continued walking side by side. "Can we talk, soon? I know something's bothering you."

The fairy bit her lip, and an energy of vague guilt washed out of her. "Yes. That'll be nice." Musa was different than usual, and it wasn't the good kind. I need to talk to her to figure out what is bothering her.

I have to.

Darcy

During the walk to the dorm—sharing it with the Winx, I have to admit, is not ideal—my focus was not on the dead silence and tension. It was on Icy. Even before we came to Alfea, she seemed fine overall despite her fear. But now… something else is wrong.

Icy was straying behind the group a little, and I adjusted my walking pace. I met her gaze strongly. 'Icy,' I communicated telepathically.

Her expression flinched slightly before turning to face me. 'Yeah?' She thought. Her mental tone was blunt, but there was nervousness there as well.

'Talk to me. Something's wrong. You're holding all these things, and it's not going to help anyone if you keep locking them in,' I tried to persuade her. She didn't say anything. 'Listen, after we deal with finding out who we're rooming with, we need to talk, Icy. You can't hide from me that you're bothered.'

Icy's eyes drifted up for a short moment before meeting my gaze once again. 'Okay, but… let's talk when the others have left. The Winx, I mean.' Her gaze was hopeful.

I smiled slightly at her before nodding. It was understandable that she wanted to discuss whatever she was feeling without the Winx in hearing distance. After all, she's still getting over what happened in the past. Identical to what I was getting over as well.

I turned my gaze forward when I saw that the rest of the group had stopped. It seemed that we had reached the dorm room. Bloom looked over to Tecna as if the fire fairy had forgotten the room number after all this time.

"This is the right room," Tecna acknowledged. Bloom smiled at her friends before placing her hand on the golden doorknob and turning it slowly. The dark wood door opened into the room, and we all began to enter the room.

Icy and I didn't catch a glance at it until the others had entered. But when we did, it was slightly difficult to admit that I was pleasantly surprised.

The main room—the one we had entered—was larger than I was expecting. Though, there were ten people. In the center of the room were several off-pink plush chairs and a few small couches that were arranged in a circle. The walls were a pale orange and the floor was dark-brown wood. A rug was placed as well in the center of the room, and it was a darker orange than the walls.

At the far end of the room, there was a level that was slightly higher up only by one step. There were bookshelves lining the walls, and a desk was placed against the far wall with a ceiling-height window on it. Four doors, two on each side, lined the walls of the room. They likely led to the actual separate rooms.

Flora walked ahead of the group to a small table in the center of the room. There was a note. She slowly picked it up before turning back to us. "So… I think this is who we're sharing rooms with."

My eyes widened. This will turn out either well, or completely horrible. I could tell that everyone else's attention also peaked. We all wanted to know who we would be rooming with for who knows how long.

Flora seemed to take the silence as a sign to start reading off the names. "Okay… so, Aisha and Tecna are sharing a room."

The two fairies seemed rather glad about the choice. Aisha obviously still hates us, so Faragonda must've had enough sense to not room her with one of us.

"Um… Bloom and Icy," Flora read off. Bloom raised a brow, while Icy tensed but kept her emotions intact. It was a weird choice. Fire and ice in one room is not going to end well.

"Next…" the fairy seemed really hesitant. "Darcy, Musa, and Stella."

Are you kidding me Faragonda? Sure, put me with the fairy who absolutely despises me and one whose powers are my opposite element. It will definitely end well.

Musa bit her lip, and she was not any happier about this decision than I was. Stella seemed cool with it. She doesn't seem to hold grudges much, and I think she was just glad to have Musa in the room as well. Little does she know that she'll have to stop all the fights to come.

"Lastly, Iorda, me, and Stormy," Flora read off.

That wasn't the worst. Stormy and Flora seemed to be getting along generally well after leaving the Dark World and gaining their Inseimix. While in the halls, the fairy had gone up to Stormy seemingly to thank her for something. I was glad for the two of them. It was nice that they weren't at each other's throats.

Flora seemed calm about the decision, and Iorda was barely phased. Stormy seemed to acknowledge that it wasn't the most ideal choice. But it was better than rooming with your enemy. For her being Musa and Aisha. I share the first.

Soon after, we had all started to make our way towards our rooms. There were two three-person rooms and two duals. I walked into the first three-person room, following Stella. Musa stayed in the main room along with Iorda. I expected it to be so that they could talk about something.

Once I was in the room it was just silence between Stella and I. As I walked towards one bed, it dawned on me that I didn't have anything really to bring in here. Stella was bust unpacking the suitcase she had just transported into the room, and while she did I was contemplating.

Oh, yes. My things were still in Magix. Initially, I had thought they were back at Cloud Tower, but Icy, Stormy and I lived in Magix for a while before going to Cloud Tower, and also during the calmer parts of the years. When we hadn't gone on any conquests.

I waved my hand, and in a dark purple light a black suitcase was transported onto my bed. Hmm, it worked.

"I'm guessing this isn't the ideal thing for the three of you," Stella said calmly, chuckling, as she continued to pack away her clothing in her closet. It was nice that she had broken the silence.

"Believe me, it's not," I stated plainly. I turned around and sat down, keeping my gaze on the fairy when I wasn't turning it to the floor.

Stella turned to face me. She was smiling slightly. "I'll keep the two of you from killing each other, don't worry. Musa's a good person once you get to know her, just maybe don't say anything that'll bring up the past."

I smiled slightly. "I don't have a death wish, but thank you."

"And who knows," the fairy began once more. "Maybe the two of us will get out of here in one piece. It's a possibility."

Softly, I chuckled slightly to myself. Stella doesn't seem as bad as I thought. Maybe I will get out of this in one piece.

And with my sanity intact. Maybe.

Stormy

Honestly, my luck could've been worse. I didn't get placed in a room with anybody who despises me, or anybody whom I dislike. Flora and I… We have been getting along well after what happened in the Dark World. I wouldn't have thought that I would become… something other than enemies to the fairies.

Flora and I were inside the dorm room. Iorda had stayed in the main room along with Musa for whatever reason. Right when I entered the room, I didn't even bother to think about unpacking or about luggage. I sat down on one of the three beds, not saying anything.

I had to think about what happened earlier. In… in the barrier, I remembered. I remembered what happened so many years ago on Linfea. I've been pushing away the memories for so long that I needed to get used to feeling the regret of what I've done.

"If… if you don't mind me asking," Flora began slowly as she walked over to where I was. "Are you okay?" She seemed unsure of asking me that.

Almost instantly, I felt a wall appear. A wall that I've been putting up to hide what I feel, and what I am thinking. But I had a strange feeling as well. One that was telling me that Flora was someone who I could trust. Trust her.

"Flora… I… I trust you. So I need to tell you something, but... just don't tell anyone else. Icy and Darcy know about this, but I want you to know as well," I looked up to meet the fairy's gaze.

It was strange, feeling trustful and a sort of…. maybe… friendship towards the fairy. New and strange, but it felt right. And it felt even more right to tell her and to let her know of the mistake I had made.

"Of course." Flora slowly sat down next to me before looking at me with eyes full of kindness. She didn't pry me to begin, she just sat there and was letting me take my time.

You can do this. Just tell her. She deserves to know.

I took in a breath. "I… I used to live in Linfea. I was born there. But… then I did something I regret." I could feel minuscule tears start to build. It has been so long since I've choked out these words.

"I… killed my mother."

A/N Currently trying to pump out the old chapters as fast as possible so we can get to the new ones. Hope you enjoyed it, and please review and let me know what you think! (Unless you've already read all this before it was republished, then just vibe)