Note To Readers: HEY EVERYONE! Winter break is until January so I'll be able to update chapters at a much faster pace now. Thanks for the feedback and comments. I've heard your requests for more Flora and Joey so i've taken that into consideration for this next chapter. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have writing it! The plot is quite lengthy for the entirety of my story. So just bare with me through the slow parts. Here's Chapter 86!
Chapter 86: A Push From Behind
"WOAHHHH! OAF!" Bloom cried as she came crashing down into the snow. A groan escaped the faerie's lips carefully getting back on her feet brushing the frigid snow off of her. "Brrr it's SO cold!" the red head cried shivering. "But from all the snow I would say it's a safe bet everyone's not in Aura anymore..." Bloom observed as she looked around. "Only one problem...I can't SEE anything!" the faerie groaned even more flustered. "Maybe if I fly high enough I'll be able to see the village or something...well it's worth a try..." the red head admitted before she gradually used her wings to fly upwards.
Bloom paused to take another look but the faerie only shook her head. "Aw man...it's still no use...and if I use my new Celestix powers it's only going to weaken me...UGH what use is having new powers if you can't use them!?" Bloom nearly screamed. "...Just how am I going to get back to Covenant if I don't even know how far out I am!?...Well...I might as well just walk and hope that I can see a light or something ahead..." the redhead sighed in defeat and landed back down onto the blanket of white. Even she had to admit the chances were slim.
Slowly Bloom advanced foward and whistled as she did. She figured if she focused her mind on something else that it might help her not to focus on how rediculously cold it was at the moment. Suddenly a gust of wind blew the snow all around the faerie as she attempted to shield herself from the raging winds and cold stinging her rosy cheeks. "UGH! What's with this sudden breeze!?" the red head gasped before she paused as another shadow soon rested beside hers. Bloom turned her gaze up to the sky as a large dragon colored in obsidian landed right infront of her. It was larger than ANY dragon she had ever seen. Warm breath expelled from its nostrils as the beasts eyes met hers.
Nearby Joey looked around hearing a familar noise but shrugged it off as he helped Flora pick Winter Roses for the Angel Tea. "I'm sorry...but I need your petals..." the kind hearted faerie appologised to the flowers as she picked them one by one. "Uh...Not ta sound weired or anythin...but do da flowa's actually feel pain?" Joey questioned as he raised his brow before she turned to look at him. "As the faerie of the flowers I can feel the emotions of each plant and flower. So I can tell if the flower or tree's frightened, happy, sad or is hurting. It's kinda just something i've always been able to do." Flora told the blonde.
"On my planet Lymphia all the people who live there are in harmony with Nature. We treat plants, animals and flowers with all the care and respect they deserve. But also many herbs are used for medicine and treatments. That's why it's important to know just how special they are. They're alive just like humans and other creatures of the worlds." the faerie explained in a broader manner.
"Guess I wouldn't know. Ya see in Domino City we dun have many plants or flowas. So it's actually pretty cool ta learn dis kinda stuff." Joey admitted. "Eheh...I never paid much attention in Environmental Science. One time the teach chewed meh out when I ate at McFronalds usin a styrofoam cup. And BOY did she let meh have it!" the blonde made a face before Flora let a giggle slip out. Joey laughed in return as both of their cheeks reddened occasionally glacing at the other.
"...So...um...are you ok?" Joey questioned. "Where did that come from?" Flora questioned surprised by the question. "Oh...uh...well ya just seemed kinda down earlier...I gotta say it bugged me a bit." the blonde admitted. "Den Dice boy starts goin off...just who does he tink he is anyways!? Why if I had meh way i'd crush em like a soda pop!" Joey twitched his eye. "...That argument DID get a kind of heated." the faerie admitted softly. "But you DO seem to enjoy yourself when Amourette's around. I mean she's cute, a really good cook and smart and her abilities are like nothing i've ever seen. Any guy would like her..." Flora's voice shook as she averted her gaze from his.
"Yeah she is a pretty cool chick." Joey grinned. "Amourette's gotta lot on her plate still dealin with da loss of dat Vampire king in Dawnshire. Turn out dehs was actually an item. Who woulda thought huh? I can't even imagine da pain she's goin through right now...more dan anythin she just needed someone ta listen. It was da least I could do since dare was nothin else." the blonde told Flora as she widened her eyes. "...Oh..." was it possible that she misunderstood?
"OH! I see a few more Winter Roses over dare!" Joey exclaimed as he quickly ran over to the isolated area. Without hesitation he grabbed them before something under him started to give way. "...Uh...oh..." the blonde squeaked before he went sliding down the snow hill. "J-JOEY!" Flora cried and hurried after him using a worn piece of tree bark to ride down. "I'VE GOT YOU JOEY! WINX CELESTIX!" Flora cried out before she transformed and caught him before he could hit the nearby tree. Gradually the faerie carried the blonde and gently placed him back on his feet once they reached the village's square. In the distance Flora's eyes were caught by beautiful glowing light's.
"Phew now DAT was close!" Joey exclaimed with a sigh. "Tanks Flo." the blonde grinned before the faerie transformed back to normal. "I'm just glad you're alright..." Flora murmured as she glanced again ahead of them. Joey scratched his head before he looked in the same direction. "Actually do you think we could take a closer look at those pretty lights over there?" the faerie questioned. "Sure. Follow me." Joey took her hand and led her up towards a large tree strung with colorful light's and ornaments of all kinds.
"It's so beautiful...what is it?" "...WHA!? Ya neva heard o a Christmas Tree before!?" Joey cried as he stared at the faerie in shock. "I know many trees. Oak, Fern, Weepin Willows, Evergreen. But i've never heard of a Christmas Tree." Flora told Joey dumfounded at such a marvel escaping her eye for so long. "...Is there something special about this particular tree?" the faerie questioned.
"...Well er...kinda...it's diffrent for everyone...I mean celebratin Christmas dat is...how do I explain dis...well Yug, meh and Duke live in Domino City. It's a very comercialised holiday since we live in da city yeah...dare's dis big fat jolly guy dat wears a red suit and gives presents to all da little boys and girls. But...I dunno if dats da same ting dats going on here...ya would probably have ta ask Raeger bout dat. But in Domino City...we all have a HUGE Christmas dinner...meh favorite part actually eheh...we all exchange gifts...drink lotsa egg nog and we buy a christmas cake! Dats a MUST! Aw man just talkin bout it gets meh excited!" Joey grinned as he day dreamed.
"It sounds like you really like Christmas." Flora smiled brightly. "...Ya COULD say that..." Joey blushed embaressed before they both laughed. "Tell ya what when it gets dark we'll come back then i'll show ya some REAL Christmas magic!" "Really? I'd love to. Oh but we should get going. Yuki will be expecting those rose petals." "...Yeah i'd rather not keep da others watin...I tell ya...da only scarier ting dan a grumpy Kaiba is a REALLY grumpy Kaiba!" Joey cringed at the thought before they made their way back to the cabin.
"Let's snag dat table over there." Joey suggested as he pried open the door and closed it behind them. "Good idea." Flora agreed before they sat down and began to pick the petals off the Winter Roses. It didn't take long before they were done. "Are you finished?" Amourette asked as she walked over to them. "Yep! And it wasn't no picnic either!" "Great! Then i'll brew up some tea right away. Um Flora-Chan would you mind giving me a hand?" the bluenette asked the faerie. "Sure I mean if I can then i'd be glad to."Flora agreed and left with Amourette making their way into the kitchen.
Once it was just the two of them Amourette placed all her focus on manifesting crystalized water droplettes in the air before she tossed the angel dust and gathered all of it together. Carefully the blunette eased it down into the pot and used the petals as if they were tea leaves. Slowly Amourette turned on the heat and allowed the mixture to slowly boil. Gradually the cocoction trasformed into a silky white liquid. As if they were melting pearls. Both Flora's green eyes sparkled with Amourette's golden ones.
"It's incredible...with this hopefully Kaiba and Raeger will be back to their old selves in no time! What a relief...but why did you ask me for my help? Wasn't Joey the one you really wanted to ask?" the faerie questioned. Amourette only shook her head "No, It was you that I wanted to talk to." the blunette told Flora. "...But why? I'm not sure that I understand..." "...Why?...well because...i'd like to be friends with you Flora-Chan." Amourette told the faerie as she figitited with her fingers slightly.
"...Um...do you...dislike me?" Amourette squeaked. "...I kinda noticed this morning that you kept looking over at me...I hope I didn't upset you in anyway...by talking to Joey-kun..." the blunette told Flora worriedly. Flora only smiled. "Don't be silly. Joey can talk to whoever he wants to. I mean...you LIKE him don't...you?" the faerie's voice nearly cracked as everything finally was out in the open. Amourette paused as her cheeks slightly reddened.
"I...I won't say I don't...not like him...Joey-kun is kind hearted and funny...plus he really seems to care about others and his friends. But even so. Flora-Chan is the one he likes. So I hope that you believe me when I say that i'm not intending to come or want to between you and Joey-kun. We REALLY are just good friends. I...I just wanted to let you know that...you seemed so sad this morning...I couldn't help but feel bad...and then Duke-San had to go and make such a scene...anyways I'M SO SORRY!" Amourette cried as she bowed appologetically.
Flora paused as she just looked at Amourette before the bluenette slowly eased herself back upwards. "Amourette..." "..Y-...Yes Flora-Chan...?" Amourette's soft voice questioned before she gasped nearly being knocked over as she found the faerie of flower's arms snuggly wrapped around her. "OH AMOURETTE THANK YOU!" Flora cried out in gratitude. "Y-You're welcome...?" the blunette squeaked with an embressed giggle to follow before Amourette paused seeing the faerie shed tears.
F-Flora-Chan!? A-Are you ok!?" Amourette questioned concerned as she slowly pulled back. The faerie sniffed as tears trickled down his cheeks. "I'-I'm sorry...I...I was just so afraid...that I was going to lose...the one person...that meant the most to me...again..." Flora choked out. "And you and Joey just got along so well...I was jealous of you both...i'm sorry..." the faerie appologised inbetween sobs as she wiped at her eyes. Amourette shook her head.
"...No i'm sorry...I had no idea that I hurt you so much..." the bluenette frowned as sadness gathered in her golden eyes. "...But...I don't understand why you havn't told Joey-kun how you feel." "Oh...I don't know...everytime I think about it...I just freeze...I just broke up with my boyfriend Helia...and it was hard enough to tell him my feelings...it makes me queezy just picturing it..." Flora confessed with a heavy sigh as she cleared the remnants of her tears."
"...I see...well Christmas is comming up. It's the perfect time to give that special someone a present. One that shows how you truly feel about them. How about making something like that for Joey-kun?" Amourette suggested. "There's that word again...tell me Amourette...just what exactly IS Christmas? Joey told me about what it means on Earth but what does it mean this this world?" Flora asked the blunette confused.
"Oh, well in our worlds it's either called Christmas or Winter Solstice. It's a holiday we celebrate as the day Artemis Moon sent the Phoenix to our world to live as one of us instead of a goddess. We have certain traditions that we all enjoy together as family's, friends or even lovers. We decorate trees with ornaments and ribbons and light, host a huge feast, have a yuel log we all make a wish on, wrap and give presents to each other on Christmas morning. Oh and make a special Christmas cake. Uh...anyways it's alot of fun. But Covenant celebrates it quite openly. Some planets are more into the holiday spirit than the others."
"The more Joey and you talk about it, the more exciting it sounds." Flora smiled. "It's my favorite holiday." Amourette offered a smile. "So do you have any idea's as to what you'd like to get for Joey-kun?" the blunette asked the faerie. "...Well i'm...not really sure...I don't know what he'd like...well besides food..." Flora admitted sheepishly. "What about you?" "...Well a hand made item is always best...well I cook so I normally just bake cookies and other goodies. Oh! I have an idea though! Uh...but first we should probably get this tea to the others." "...Opps! Right." Flora squeaked and helped Amourette distribute the Angel Tea into the cups. One after the other they carried the cups out to the living room.
"...A...Ah...ACHOO!" Raeger sneezed scattering the recipe cards infront of him everywhere as he sat on the couch a soft groan escaping him. Roxy afterwards helped him collect the cards on the floor. "OK! Like EWWWW! Germs are EVERYWHERE!" Stella freaked out before she began to spray everything around her with disinfectant including Cupid by accident.
"OWWW! MY EYES!" Cupid cried before the red head ran into the wall beside him. "Oh no! Cupid! Are you ok!?" Musa cried as she hurried over to check on him. "Heh. That makes one of them...Kaiba still hasn't come out of his room." Duke muttered. Roxy only frowned as she placed the recipe cards back on the table. "Well he DID have a pretty high fever...Raeger's fever is slowly starting to break." the faerie admitted as she carefully handed him the Angel Tea.
"Should we go and check on him? I'm worried...Kaiba was pretty bad off earlier..." Layla frowned. "It's probably best to leave him be." Marik objected. "Sometimes space is what a man needs instead of medicine." "...On that note...i'd have to agree..." Yuki threw in his two cents as he sat by the fireplace. "Oh for the love of...what rich boy NEEDS is Bloom!" Joey nearly yelled out. "...What are you talking about Joey?" Techna inquired confused at his out of the blue statement.
"Kaiba is fully capable of functioning as an individual regardless of weither Bloom is present or not." the faerie of technology pointed out. "...No..." Bright interupted shaking his head as sadness gathered in his deep cerulean eyes. "When you get used to having someone always by your side...and then they suddenly are taken from it...it leaves a chasm in your heart...that no one else can even hope to fill...rationalising the circumstances...doesn't change a damn thing..." Bright's voice cracked as he punched the wall beside him. It was obvious to everyone the Aurian Prince was still taking Xuri's loss pretty hard.
"YEAH WELL!...He's not the only one who misses Bloom..." Stella pouted. "We all miss her Stella." Flora murmured as she gave her best friend a comforting hug. "...So...now the REAL question...who's brave enough to enter the wounded lion's den?" Duke questioned as he looked around as everyone exchanged looks.
Inside Kaiba's room the CEO tossed and turned as sweat beat down his face. A deep voice calling out to him in a tougue that even he didn't understand. A blood red tattoo pulsed revealing itself upon the blue eyed male's neck and a portion on his face. Kaiba within his mind trailed down an almost endless darkness. The voice steadily growing louder. "ENOUGH OF THIS NONSENSE! SHOW YOURSELF YOU COWARD!" the CEO demanded before he paused as he felt something crunch under his boots. Slowly the blue eyed male turned his gaze downwards as the color from his face drained into a pale white.
Although everything else was pitch black he could see the image infront of him as if he were shining light upon it himself. A magic seal drawn in crimson red blood with a moon in the center and charred bones nearly as black as the darkness arounding him were arranged in a star pattern next to the crimson moon. "WHAT SICK JOKE IS THIS!? ANSWER ME!" Kaiba screamed at the top of his lungs before chains shot up yanking the CEO downwards binding him to the circle. Suddenly a shadowed figure cloaked in black took hold of the blue eyed male's hand and began to carve a symbol into his flesh. In agonizing pain Kaiba could only scream unable to move regardless of his futile attempt to break free. Faintly he could hear someone call out to him. Or perhaps that too was just a cruel hallucination.
{"KAIBA! KAIBA!"} Raeger's yelled as he witnessed the CEO pulsing with a red light and a bloodied hand as he layed on the bed writhing in pain screaming. "This bad! I have to do something! G-GRA-" the Guild Master paused as he realised calling for her would do no good. "H-Hold on! I'm going to help you!" Raeger cried out as he ran over to the bedside only to be repelled violently by some sort of barrier causing him to slam right into the door.
"GAH!" the Guild Master hissed in pain slowly opening his eyes. Raeger gathered his strangthe as he forced himself up to his feet. Luckilly for him his head was only bleeding slightly. "If...If only I knew...Holy Magic...I could...dispell this...demon..." the Guild Master thought out loud stumbling before Raeger's eyes widened. Wait! He DID have something! Without further hesitation the Guild Master ran towards Kaiba again and grabbed the tea he had placed down on the end table. "LET HIM GO DEMON!" Raeger demanded angrily narrowing his eyes and threw the Angel Tea right onto the shadowed red sillouette hovering over Kaiba. A pained howl escaped the figure before it released its hold on the CEO dissipating into nothingness.
Kaiba gasped as she shot up in the bed his heart thundering in his chest. Looking downwards the blue eyed male's eyes widened as he saw his right hand bloodied. Whatever that was. It was no mere dream. The CEO swallowed hard before he noticed Raeger was next to him out of breathe and hurt. Was HE responsible for the Guild Master's injuries? "...Oh...thank the Phoenix you're alright...I was so worried..." Raeger frowned. "...What the hell happened to me!?" Kaiba's voice shook. "...D...Did I... cause those wounds...?" Kaiba barely was able to utter as Raeger took the blue eyed male's hand to examine it.
"...No..." Raeger half lied. While there was some truth to that statement it wasn't entirely his fault. But even if he tried to explain the Guild Master had a feeling it would be very difficult for Kaiba to understand what actually had occured. "Just hold still..." Raeger instructed before he slowly drew a healing rune over the bleeding wound. Steadily the injury began to mend itself ceasing the pain. Kaiba paused as he looked at his hand. "...Thanks...I guess..." the CEO muttered sheepishly. He must've been worse off if he was actually showing someone gratitude.
"Amourette and Flora prepared some of the Angel Tea. Would you like a cup? It won't work right away but it will help you feel better." Raeger questioned Kaiba. "...Yeah whatever...but you might want to clean yourself up first..." "...Oh...right...well then...excuse me for a moment..." Raeger murmured and slowly made his way towards the bathroom to clean his wound. Afterwards he placed a bandage upon the wound. He was far too bushed to use any more magic. Once the Guild Master finished he left the room and came back with the tea.
"Here. Just be careful it's pretty hot." Raeger told the CEO. Without a fuss Kaiba took the cup from the Guild Master's hand and blew on it before he sipped at it trying to avoid burning his tougue. "...About what you said earlier...just what did you mean when you said you felt sorry for me? I'm not the kind of indivual who accepts others pity..." Kaiba snapped demanding an explination from the red head.
"...After my parents passed away...all I had in my life was Granny... I didn't have anyone else...no friends...no sibblings...although I enjoyed certain hobbies such as cooking...I was pretty lonely...but I was always afraid if I took a chance to get close to someone that i'd end up regretting it...so other than the villagers I stayed away from people for the most part...but then all of you came along and well...for the first time I actually feel...hmm how should I put this...how it's like to expirience the warmth of friendship." Raeger smiled sweetly. "And to let you know. Weither you realise it or not. That I consider you a friend as well..." the Guild Master murmured softly. Kaiba went silent as he listened quietly before he scoffed. "Well isn't THAT special..." Although he didn't show it however. Kaiba considered Raeger a friend as well. But he'd die before he'd ever admit it.
Meanwhile...
Granny Emiko stood outside the Guild with Arthur engaging in casual conversation. "It's such a relief to see you up and about dearie." Granny Emiko smiled sweetly. "Me as well. I don't think I could stomach anymore of that awful hospital food...or be stuck in that bed for another week. I'd go mad." Arthur admitted with a slight chuckle. "Oh! I did appreciate the cookies you sent me though. I do love that little sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on the top! You always did make the best baked goods!" the black haired male raised his eye brows.
"Oh i'm so pleased you enjoyed them." the elderly woman offered a smile. "But I would assume that cookies arn't what you wish to discuss now is it? In all honesty I thought Raeger would be the one to come and see me after I was released from the infirmary." Arthur told her. "Actually my grandson is down with a rather nasty cold...he'd catch worse if he stood outside in this frigid weather..." Granny Emiko told the black haired male.
"Point taken. So what is it you wish to talk about?" "...You see I recieved a letter from Lord Loric..." "Well! Ain't that a gosh darn surprise! So What does the EXTRAVAGANT Lord of Elixer want!? Hmm!?" Arthur questioned. "Lord Loric has asked a favor of me, he wishes to locate the Phoenix's Ashes. However he did not give any reason." the older woman frowned. Arthur only laughed amused at the very thought of such a rediculous request.
"Now THAT is a GOOD one! Seriously what does that kooky old man up to?" But Emiko only looked at the black haired male. "...You're telling ME...he's actually serious?...And what does HE want with the ashes!? Those are sacred! The very urn in which they're kept was crafted by my master the Crafter with his own two hands! Besides Lord Loric is connected to the A.O.J! SO my appologies if I have my doubts about his motives being pure! Ontop of which those thugs in black who tore up my castle searching for the philosphers stone...i'm just a LITTLE bit on EDGE!" Arthur cried as he nearly found himself out of breath. This whole situation had worked him up.
"After EVERYTHING that bastard's son has done...and HE has the nerve to ask for such a favor...HE MUST BE KIDDING! Does he have ANY idea what would happen if either the A.O.J or the Wizards got their hands on the Phoenix Ashes!? A power that sacred CANNOT I repeat CANNOT be handed over to HIM without a DECENT and a pretty DAMN good explination at that! Amber would no doubt dissagree with me! You were a former guardian at the Phoenix's temple. You know as well as I do that outsiders are forbidden from entering. It would be BEST for him to contact Amber INSTEAD!" Arthur told Emiko in a huff.
"...He probably would...but sadly she has been campured and imprisoned in Requiem..." the older woman frowned softly. "...WHAT!?" Arthur cried out in utter shock and outrage. "WHY!?" But Emiko only shook her head. "...WELL...ISN'T THAT JUST GREAT! AS IF WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS ALREADY!" the black haired male spat frusterated. Suddenly both Granny Emiko and Arthur paused as they heard a loud and mighty roar breaking the silence causing them both to jump.
"LOOK OUT BELOW!" a female's voice called out to the two before she landed infront of Arthur and Granny Emiko scattering the white powdery snow as she did. Arthur coughed as he shivered wiping the snow off of him. The older woman just let out a hearty giggle. "Whoops sorry about that." Bloom appologised as the faerie emerged from the white mess. "I couldn't fly because my wings were covered in the chilled air...so they kinda got frozen...eheh..." the red head appologised as she held something close to her chest.
"Well! You sure know how to make a hell of a landing i'll give you that much missy." Arthur complimented. "Goodness dear...we were all so worried about you...are you alright...I was informed that you were resting at home." Granny Emiko murmured with a concerned frown. "I was, but I sensed something really wrong was happening to Kaiba and I got worried...so more or less I left Earth and found my way back here. I'm sorry if I caused you all to worry...please don't be mad..." Bloom pleaded. "Well i'm sure you're friends will be glad to see you...you should hurry and make your way back to the cabin." the older woman offered a smile to the faerie.
"I will thanks Granny!" Bloom exclaimed before she hurried off in the other direction running as fast as she could through the snow. "Hoho...always so full of energy...she seems to be feeling better...i'm relieved to see that smiling face of hers again...she looked so pitiful sick like that..." Granny Emiko giggled. "That's what you're focus is on!? How about the fact that a DRAGON just flew over us and SHE fell from the fricken sky! And...was it my imagine or was she...carrying a dragon egg in her arms just now...?" Arthur questioned nearly speechless pausing inbetween sentences. "Not just ANY Dragon egg dearie...but a Crystal Dragon egg..." the older woman observed.
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