Darcy

Then I felt it.

It felt as if I just became stronger within seconds, that I was myself for the first time in years. My magic was flowing through me like it was my blood and my very being. There was a feeling of hope and lightness coursing through me, and when I looked down, I saw that I was unwillingly levitating. I didn't even have to contemplate what was going on.

This was Inseimix.

I recalled Stormy's conversation I had with her about her gaining Inseimix, and she said—shuddering—that she was never going to get used to yelling out the name of the transformation just like a pixie. A smile appeared on my face at the memory, and I wasn't even internally cringing, at least much, when I called out "Inseimix!"

Just like the Winx would do when they transform, I got surrounded by a sphere of magic, dark as the night. I raised my hand up into the air and it seemed like all the shadows around me were turning me around as a new outfit was appearing around me, an elegant black skirt and a flowy long-sleeved top. I sunk through the floor, waves of psychic magic pulsating around me, and a cape-like piece of thin fabric appeared. I felt so alive, so strong, and then the darkness faded away.

Aria was snarling, her face twisted into a glare, and was gathering magic in her hands—appearing like many different liquids merged together, and yet, each was remaining in its own form. "No matter what happens I'll do what I came here for. No matter how much you fight back you'll end up dead!" She laughed, cackling in her madness.

I know that I have to be quick, so I started delving deep down into my magic; knowing that, as a witch, I have to focus on negative feelings. But now I am finally ready to acknowledge the ones I've buried for years on end. I felt magic in my veins, flowing like a river of darkness, and it was like that when I was focusing on the magic the powers of my mind were stronger as well. A dark sphere began to form in my hands—growing larger and larger, swirling with blacks and purples—and soon it was larger than anything I've ever created.

"Don't underestimate me again," I glared, feeling the anger within me adding to the spell further and further.

I felt fatigue setting in, but for the last moment while Aria was still busy with her spell—panicked at the speed at which I created mine—I threw the sphere forward.

Aria couldn't even shield it, and the moment my attack hit the only thing that was left of her was dust, beginning the drift off into the mindscape before disappearing. It was relieving that she was gone, at least for now. I levitated down to the ground, expecting to de-transform from the strength of the spell and my equation, but I stayed transformed. Hmm, this must be the strength of Inseimix. Anyway, time to get out of here, and hopefully the others are faring well with Dagi and Sona.

I reached down into my mind—the magical energy there—and I focused on the need to leave this place. Picturing the pavilion, Icy, Stormy, and the Winx fighting the two sorceresses, the inky-blackness around the pavilion; I feel my presence here disappearing, and it was like I wasn't in my mind, or the pavilion, but just in the stranger middle ground where one feels like a ghost.

Taking a deep breath, I shut my eyes, visualizing where I want to appear. Then I felt a cool wind; I could hear the sounds of spells hitting back and forth, and I knew I was back in the pavilion.

"Oh my dragon, Darcy!" I recognized Icy's voice, and I could hear the worry in her words. I opened my eyes to see her and Stormy with relieved smiles on their faces. Stormy stood above me while Icy was kneeling next to me. Wait… I was on the ground.

I smile, sitting up but wincing at the pain in my back, and Icy embraces me—cold, but I don't care—and I embrace her back. I could feel her breathing, urgent and scared all at once. Stormy is laughing with happiness, tears falling down her face. There was such a warm feeling within me that I was not dead, and that I got to see my sisters again. Icy and I pulled back from the hug, and I smirked at the sight of tears on her face.

"You really missed me that much, did you?" I chuckle, Icy slapping me on the shoulder—it hurt more than I expected it to—with a glare, but even she was unable to hide her amusement.

"We thought you were going to die," Icy says, a smile on her face. She was still worried, I could see it in her eyes. Her eyes drifted over my transformation, and her eyes widened. "You got your Inseimix?"

I tensed as I tried to stand up—if I fell to the ground, even if Icy or Stormy used a spell to cushion the fall, it definitely must've been quite the impact—with Icy slowly following. "Yeah, thankfully. And Aria is dead, at least I think, so we just have the other two to handle."

"The Winx, surprisingly, are handling the hags well enough." Stormy shrugged before her face turned mischievous. "Did you end up giving Aria what she deserved?"

I laugh. "Should've expected you to ask that, but yeah, I did. Basically just blasted her into dust. Way less than she deserved, but I just wanted to get back here as soon as possible."

Icy nodded, understanding my logic. Her hands began to glow, and she glanced at the other side of the pavilion where the Winx were fighting Sona and Dagi. The fairies were handling them, but they were still visibly having difficulties. It seemed like Flora—the only one there with Inseimix—was having the least amount of trouble.

"Let's go get rid of those two, I don't think the Winx will be able to handle them forever," Icy said determinedly, leaping up from the pavilion and flying towards the fight. I focused on my magic before following, and I could hear Stormy doing so from behind me.

As the three of us were flying closer to the battle between the Winx and the two remaining sorceresses I saw just how tired all of the Winx were. I have no idea how long they've been fighting like this, or how long I was stuck in my mind fighting Aria, but it must've been a long time. Even Bloom, the one who would always keep fighting with all her strength, was looking fatigued. Flora was shielding the group from Dagi's spells from her staff while Iorda—she looked like she was barely able to keep flying steadily—was absorbing another one of Sona's spore clouds. I was concerned at the pain I could feel from Iorda and how exhausted she is, but if we get rid of Dagi and Sona, specifically Sona, then she can catch a break from absorbing the poisons over and over.

Bloom glanced behind her, meeting my gaze while smiling "You're alright!" She turned instantly and threw a ball of fire at Sona, who avoided it and only kept summoning the spores.

"More or less," I answer, beginning to focus on the shadows on the ground. I felt their form, and as I moulded it I felt it answered my needs. A shadow hand came up from the ground—I could feel my own strength from within it—and within a second I guided it to Sona, smacking her out of the air before she could even realize it. The sorceress fell to the ground far below, now flying back up to fight us.

Iorda absorbed the remainder of the spores—much slower than the first time she had to do this—and I saw the sweat coming down her face and the flickering of the light enveloping her hands. She sighed before turning around.

"Thanks," Iorda said, a tired smile on her face.

"No problem," I responded. After all, I definitely owe her for what happened with Aria back in my mind. I will have to thank her when we all get back to Alfea and ask why she's pushing herself like this. Now that it's out of character, but nonetheless, it's concerning.

"I'm going to pull down the barrier!" Flora exclaimed. "Everyone, be ready to attack Dagi the moment you can see her!"

"Right!" Tecna exclaimed as she began casting another spell. The rest of the Winx followed, and I felt my magic getting stronger and stronger as I started to cast a spell of my own. I was more than ready to get rid of Dagi, and all the other lackeys the Shaman Witch sends our way.

"3… 2… now!" Flora stopped casting the barrier, and it immediately disappeared. It revealed Dagi, frustrated and twirling her staff to cast another attack, but all of us were prepared to attack her the moment we saw her. I've seen her, so now, I can attack.

The ten of us threw our attacks out at Dagi, and her face twisted in shock before she got bombarded by vines, electricity, darkness, and fire all at once. Beams of all our powers were ready to destroy her. She screamed, but then in her place was dust that drifted off into the wind, never to be seen again.

"Wooo!" Musa cheered, putting a fist up into the air.

I smiled, looking at Icy and Stormy who were just as excited that we defeated Dagi. Stormy was laughing almost as loud as Musa was cheering, and the music fairy, too glad to think of her prejudices against us, laughed along with her. Even Aisha had no snarky remarks, and even though she was still silent, at least she wasn't glaring daggers at us.

"Everyone ready to get out of here?" Stella asked, beaming, her wings fluttering with excitement.

Icy looked down at the pavilion below. I followed her gaze, and I saw that Sona was still moving on the ground and was starting to stand up. "Wait," Icy stated as she started hovering down to the ground, eyes set on Sona.

When all of us were back on the ground we started walking towards the Sorceress, clearly disoriented from the forceful fall. She was glaring determinedly as she stood, but her fear was revealed by the step back she took from us.

"Buh–bye!" Sona said playfully, not mirroring her gaze in any way. before she waved her hand and was enveloped by a dark light.

"Oh no, you—!" Aisha rushed forward, hand glowing as she prepared a punch, only stepping into empty space, for Sona was already gone. Aisha groaned in frustration.

I peered around the pavilion, and I couldn't see Sona or any traces of her. She just disappeared somewhere. Icy, Stormy, and I shared a concerned look. Sona would've failed if she fought us ten-on-one, though she would've at least tried. She had all those poison powers that could have easily made it easier to fight us and she just… left?

"Well," Tecna started, eyes frozen on where Sona was a moment before. "That was unexpected."

"To say the least," Icy drawled, arms crossed in front of her, clearly displeased that Sona had disappeared without a trace. She was concerned, too, of why the sorceress left—not even bitter of her and her sisters' defeat.

Bloom stepped forward to where Sona disappeared, glancing around the pavilion. She looked back at us, confusion all across her face. "Am I the only one who finds it weird that she just left without even trying to fight us?"

"No," Iorda answered, biting her lip. "It's like Sona wasn't even worried. As if… she has another plan." She met the gaze of each of us, looking to see if what she thought was a valid assumption. It was, at least in my opinion, but everyone looked like they just wanted to get out of here.

"Well." Stormy stretched her arms above her head. "No use worrying about it here where we could get jumped by dragon knows what. If we want to contemplate Sona's plan, if the hag even has one, we can do so somewhere safe-ish." She sighed in realization. "As much as I dislike Alfea."

Flora nodded. "If we have worries we can also ask Faragonda or Daphne. They must know more about the Dark World than we do." She looked at me. "Do you think you can transport us back out here?"

I pause, thinking of how weird it feels to not be drained after fighting Aria. Using so much of my magic like that at the very least leaves me tired or weary, but if anything, I feel stronger. Transporting back to Alfea, as far as I can feel, won't even tire me out. More than anything I want to get out of this place. "Definitely."

I focused my magic, visualizing the dorm room in Alfea we were assigned; the main room of it. I began to feel the positive aura of Alfea, and when I closed my eyes—pushing every ounce of my magic to transport us back—a moment later I knew we weren't in Oscurita anymore.

The bright colours of the dorm were almost blinding compared to the Dark World, but at least here we didn't have to worry about a mythical being jumping out to kill us. It was warmer than the Dark World, I only realized that now. I glanced to my side at Icy and chuckled at her obvious dislike of the sudden warmth compared to the chill in Oscurita.

"Where are the pixies?" Bloom glanced around the room.

Stormy shrugged. "Probably either recovering from the spell in the rooms or somewhere else. Emerald said that Nifea was discussing defence plans with the rest of the village."

Last time I checked, Aroma, Bivlee, and Emerald were still sleeping and recovering from the spell. Iorda's pixie was probably still somewhere in Alfea or in the village.

"Should—" Musa began before urgently and quick footsteps began to stomp in the hallway outside the room.

I prepared a spell before the door snapped open, revealing Daphne, sweat running down her face. She was panicking. I relaxed, bringing my hand down, but I was anxious over why Daphne was so frightened.

"Girls," Daphne gasped. She must've bolted up to the dorm the moment she, or Faragonda, felt our energies again. "We—we need you in the Headmistress' office. Now."

"Daphne, what happened?" Bloom questioned, resting a reassuring hand on her sister's shoulder.

Daphne breathed in before meeting Bloom's gaze, and I chilled at the fear in the nymph's eyes. "It's the Shaman Witch." At this, Icy tensed. "She—she got rid of Cloud Tower and transported it to the Dark World."

Icy

When Daphne mentioned the Shaman Witch fear shot through me like a bullet. She could be in Magix, she could be destroying smaller planets in preparation, but nothing could've prepared me for the Shaman's spell on Cloud Tower. It showed just how powerful she is and that she's clearly just biding her time.

The ten of us raced after Daphne as we ran to Faragonda's office, bumping into the hallways as we haphazardly went. Cloud Tower… As many times as we have tried to take it over, it's still my home. It was the one place I found after Diamond's destruction, and if… if it's gone for good—if Griffin is gone for good—then will there even be a way to bring it back?

Daphne threw open the office door, all of us crowding into the room, Faragonda seated on her desk with papers thrown out over the surface and a holographic communicator blinking on and off in her hand. She glanced up at us with sorrow in her eyes. "I assume you girls have heard the news."

"How did she even transport it to Oscurita?" I questioned urgently. "If that is something she can normally do then what's to say she won't do the same to Alfea? We don't even know what she is capable of!"

"I know," Faragonda said dully. "There are very few traces of information about the Shaman Witch, and even those are lacking depth. Alas, as things are now we have little to no information on the Shaman's intentions or plan, so, even if this puts gaining Inseimix on hold for the moment, I advise you girls to focus on finding information about the Shaman or what her plans may be while I try to contact Headmistress Griffin—assuming she was in Cloud Tower during its departure."

"So you want us to find out more about the Shaman instead of going into the Dark World to gain Inseimix?" Flora asked.

"And don't we need Inseimix to defeat the Shaman Witch?" Aisha questioned, angry and confused.

"As of now, three of you have Inseimix. If the Shaman Witch decides to show herself there is a chance you'll be able to hold her off, and even so, there is a chance of gaining Inseimix while on Magix. But if you keep going back to the Dark World not knowing of the Shaman's plan it would only put you, and all of us, at risk," Faragonda explained.

I hate to admit this, but she… is right. All this time we have had no idea of what the Shaman is planning to do, and we've all come close to death more than once. Alfea also has several archives and libraries that may have the information we need.

"I grant you all permission to explore all archives of Alfea, and I suggest you start your search as soon as you can, after resting after coming back from the Dark World, of course." Faragonda set her glowing hand over the communication advice, and she sighed when nothing happened. "You are dismissed."

I looked to the others, and they could see as well as I do—you don't have to be as perceptive as Darcy to do so—that Faragonda was clearly mourning. She may be close with Griffin, and even if she's not, the fear that her school may be the next one to disappear. Turning around to the door, I gesture to Darcy and Stormy to follow. I was very much exhausted, but even if I have to do it on my own I can head to one of the archives and find out more about the Shaman.

"Iorda, stay back for a moment, please," Faragonda added. I glanced at Iorda, who seemed startled, but nodded calmly towards the Headmistress. Literally, that girl confuses me more than anything. I appreciated her helping Darcy in Oscurita, though, so I might as well stay out of whatever business she has with Faragonda.

Darcy shrugged, as clueless as I am, and all of us walked out into the hallway towards the dorm. Many of us—Darcy and probably Flora—were in desperate need of a rest before scouring the school for information. I stayed at the back of the crowd with Darcy and Stormy, the latter of whom was trying to hide her budding tears.

She's afraid that Cloud Tower is gone, and I am too.

Iorda

When Faragonda told me to stay back I knew what she wanted to talk about. Several months ago she lent me a book—one that can only be given by those who have permission to have it in their possession. There was an obvious warning at the beginning of the book that those who didn't have permission to have it from one of the selected individuals—Headmistress Faragonda was one of them—would be put on trial by the council. It was a book about the philosophy of changing classes, which has helped a lot in understanding the flashes. Also, Faragonda is the only one who knows about this. Not even the Winx or Bliss, but I know I have to tell Bliss before the bonding between us disappears.

The Winx and the Trix had left the room, and I was seated in front of Faragonda's desk. She's scared over what is happening with the Shaman—if she has enough power to just… just transport Cloud Tower to the Dark World then she's more dangerous than we thought—and I felt that same fear. Because of that, I was grateful she was checking in on me about this.

"Have the flashes gotten any easier?" Faragonda questioned, giving up on getting the holographic communicator to work.

I bit my lip, hesitating before shaking my head. "If anything… they get more painful as they go on." I recalled the most recent flash, and it was the most painful yet. "Around a month ago the switch from Charmix to Gloomix happened, and the next is Enchantix to Disenchantix. Then Sirenix, Bloomix... then Inseimix."

"Have you told the Winx?" Faragonda asked, concern filling her voice. "Or even your family on Earth?"

I picked at my nails from under the table. "No, and I don't know how I'm going to tell them. I haven't visited my family in years, and it's going to be a while before I do because of the Shaman Witch." Back then it seemed like the best decision so any villains I would fight won't hurt them or use them against me. "As for the Winx… I trust them, but I have no idea how well Stella and Aisha will react. I've hardly made peace with this myself… Becoming a witch."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this sooner," Faragonda apologized. "You weren't having difficulties using both positive and negative emotions for years that I thought nothing of it."

"No, it's fine," I reassured. "Well, using positive emotions makes it painful to cast spells, and some days, like today, I can't use negative emotions without risking flashing between transformations in front of everyone." I sigh, realizing how difficult this situation is becoming. "I'm not ready to tell the Winx yet, but… I'm going to tell Bliss." I don't have to tell Alne—my bonded Selkie—because after the Winx and I gained Butterflix we lost our connection to them, and we all grew apart. "I'll lose my connection with her after I become a witch, so she deserves to know."

Faragonda nodded, and I felt guilty that she was the only one who knew this and not the Winx. I feel guilty that she has to worry about me like this. Over all the years of fighting against enemies I've made it through seriously difficult things, but it feels almost… shameful that this is the thing holding me back. But it's not as if there's an easier solution other than flashing between all the forms I've gained over the years. "I advise you to tell the Winx sooner than later. It'll only get harder to explain to them."

"I will," I said tightly, nodding. In reality, I really have no idea when I'll manage to tell the Winx. "May I go?"

"Yes." Faragonda stood up from her chair, sliding the papers on her desk into the drawers. "Please get some rest, Iorda. You and everyone else needs it."

I stand up from the chair, pushing it in after stepping back around it. "Thank you, Headmistress." I smile before I turn to exit the room, pausing when I reach the door. I have to tell Bliss today, and I assume she's still in the dorm room, or in Pixie Village like Stormy said earlier.

Sighing, I lean against the hallway. I know I'm stalling. Because of my magic and the connection I have with Bliss, I can just communicate with her telepathically and ask her to meet me here, so I don't risk running into any of the Winx or Trix and risk drawing suspicion. Thoughts fly around my mind of how she'll react if she'll be okay with it and we'll remain friends even when our connection breaks, or if she's disgusted and never wants to see me again—no, she'll never do that. She's the pixie of positivity, so it's in her nature not to judge at first sight, but I still can't help but wonder if her nature will hold up.

Might as well get this over with.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the psychic part of my magic—the part I seldom use—and reached out for Bliss' energy. Seconds passed by before I felt a light energy and held onto it. I felt surprise from Bliss' side, but then that shock immediately turned into a glad feeling.

Iorda! Bliss exclaimed, her happiness carrying on even telepathically. Where are you? Everyone else is in the dorm and they told me you had to talk to Faragonda. Is everything okay?

I sighed, sliding down to the floor, and picking at my nails before stopping myself. Everything's… fine. The chat with Faragonda went okay, but… is it okay if you fly over to where I am? I have to tell you something, something important, and I really don't want anyone else to hear it.

On my way! Bliss responds. Don't worry! I'll be there soon!

I felt the mental link between us cease, and I was preparing myself for all the ways this conversation could go. My eyes started to burn, and I stopped myself. If I do this now it would make Bliss even more worried than needed when she arrives. She's my bonded pixie, and for the limited amount of time that we stay bonded, I don't want her to hurt over this. I curled into myself, biting my lip, trying to keep myself intact.

"Iorda…"

I glanced down the hallway to see Bliss hovering anxiously, her head tilted in concern. "Are… are you okay?" She flew towards me, hovering in front of me. She took my hand in her tiny ones and smiled, a smile that made me miss the times when things were easy. "Don't worry! Everything will be okay no matter what is going on!"

Smiling back, I wiped the budding tears away. "I'm fine, relatively. And… I don't think this is going to be okay." Sobs began to rise, and I hid them with a pained chuckle, resting my face in my hands. "No one besides Faragonda knows what is going on…"

"Not even the Winx?" Bliss asked, clearly confused as to why I hadn't told them yet. They're my closest friends and yet I haven't told them about the fact that these flashes and the pressure of changing classes are tearing me apart!

"No…" I talked into my hands.

"Well, I'm sure they'll support you through what is going on! And I will too—"

"Bliss, I'm becoming a witch!"

A/N I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and let me know what you think! The Shaman Witch is really more powerful than everyone thought, and I want to give all these characters emotional support, but alas, I cannot.

Have a great day, hydrate, and remember that you are amazing!