Chapter 6: Lamp Delivery!
Bloom was up early and gathered her books for her first day in Alfea, she was really looking forward to learning magic. Making her way to the cafeteria for breakfast but stopped when she thought about checking on the keyblade wielders while she has spare time. They were giving the guest rooms for the night but also had to take up laps for being in trouble with their teacher after revealing their secret, but maybe she could cheer them up with something later on after school. Finding the guestrooms, Bloom gently knocked on the door and waited for a response but could hear a faint yawn from behind the door.
"Just a sec…" Sounding like Mal groggily waking up, she must've been asleep just then. The door opens and was Mal who looked half awake with tired eyes and wearing a large grey shirt she slept in, her hair was a mess. Rubbing her eyes and let out a loud yawn with a hand over her mouth. "Oh, its just you. What time is it?"
"Sorry, I didn't know you be still in bed. Its just time for breakfast and thought maybe you guys like to come." Bloom apologised when she didn't know that they were still asleep.
"Oh, I could go for that after running." The sound of breakfast was enough to fully wake her up and fill her stomach with food. "Hold up a sec." Closed the door to get changed, she was fortunate to have taken a shower to refresh herself earlier so saves a lot of trouble. Wearing her casual clothes and her hair much neater then it was when she woke up. Both girls made their way to the cafeteria to get some breakfast.
"So, all set for your first day?" Mal asked Bloom who looked excited to start.
Bloom smiles brightly and nodded with excitement. "Yep, got my books ready to make a good impression. I'm just so nervous but excited, I mean, not everyday you get to meet real fairies and go to a school to learn magic."
Mal thought for a moment and shrugged her shoulders. "Make a good point."
"Yeah, but hope I do good, still need to work on my magic after yesterday with the witches." She said, still a little shaken but didn't want that to stop her from achieving her lifelong dream.
"Eh, you'll get use to it. Nothing is easy to learn, take it from someone who had been through something like that for months." Mal had learned much when learning under Yen Sid and the training from Macbeth. Entering the cafeteria and seeing many students having breakfast, a wide selection of food for them, taken their trays and started picking some they would have.
Bloom had thought about what the keyblade wielders are doing on the mission as they've been told not to say anything about the mission or the keyblades for their safety. "Anything you guys doing? I mean, seeing as the… thing?"
Mal slowly caught on to Bloom's question and went along with it as they found a table to sit and eat their breakfast. "Oh THAT well, Macbeth is having a chat with the headmistress, so far he did seem considering we go along with the 'foreign exchange student' thing while trying to find a way to stop the villains and the Grimm." Takes a bite of her toast after spreading jam on it.
"Hope you be careful, it sounds dangerous. So would that mean you won't be around much?" She asked, while finding out about their reason for coming to Magix last night, she was worried they might get hurt and something bad would happen like those witches and the Grimm.
Mal didn't seem fazed or concerned of it. "That's why we be coming here to learn some new tricks during our mission, to help improve ourselves and be ready. Least that's what I heard since we've been preparing for months."
"I guess that makes sense, wish I could something to help." Bloom said, thinking if the boys are going to Red Fountain but which one would Mal would attend? She wasn't a fairy and would raise a lot questions. But there's also that Cloud Tower Stella told her about that is a school for witches, if there were some who were mean and nasty she would have to be careful.
"No need to worry about us. Should be more concerned about the annoying thing that's to happening… school." Mal was not so keen about it, maybe it be a little different then being trained to develop new abilities for future battles.
"Well, I'm sure it'll be fine." The red head assured her, even though she wasn't sure what to expect to learn on her first day but will try her best. "And just for the heads up, Stella will probably thinking of getting her own keyblade one day, so no doubt would wanna get something out of you three."
Mal looked at her, thought as much for Stella when she seemed very interested in their keyblades, she will have to keep a close eye on her while in Alfea. "Thanks for the tip. Best of luck for your first day, you'll need it."
Bloom appreciate the advice Mal gave her and will need the support she can get. She noticed someone approaching the two while they were having breakfast. She recognised him from last night, unable to feel somewhat intimidated by his size. One that she couldn't help but wonder about his name, feels as if she heard it somewhere before.
He came towards the two and stood before the table. "I see the two of you are up early. Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"No, we were just talking." Mal said, leaning back on her chair. "Oh, Macbeth, this is Bloom one of the girls from last night that were with us. Bloom, this is Macbeth, our mentor and tormentor." She mumbled the last part to make certain he didn't hear that.
Macbeth gave a soft chuckle in humor. "And if you keep on disobeying your elders, you'll never learn. So you must be the Fairy of Earth I presume."
Bloom stuttered for a moment when he spoke to her, tries her best to make a good first impression. "Uh, yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you Mr. Macbetb." Offers a handshake to him and he accepts.
"No need to feel nervous around me, lass. Despite what my apprentices have told you, I am a light hearted man." He finds the young girl well mannered and nervous. Still, he couldn't believe that she was actually from Earth the entire time. "And for whatever happened to you on that day, I must apologies for the danger your family must've been through."
Bloom smiled back and shook her head. "That's alright, no one got hurt but if it wasn't for the keyblade wielders." However, she felt partly responsible for them to be punished by their mentor for revealing their secret. Decided to at least try make things right. "But, I should apologies for causing them to get into trouble just to save me and my friends. Back on Earth, I didn't think magic was actually real and was a little… overconfident. So please don't be mad at them, especially to Taren as he saved me and Stella from those monsters."
Macbeth had listened to her side of the story, and he was actually impressed that she spoke up for them. She came forward about a lie made by her friend to get into the school but remembering what the Headmistress' words. Taking a moment to digest her words and spoke up. "Hmm, I appreciate your honesty and you don't need to apologies for them. I would've done the same to save another life."
The Earth Fairy was actually relieved to know he wasn't mad at them and thought he be strict as Griselda.
"So, what brought you over?" Mal asked her mentor.
"Just to make certain you be ready when the headmistress after you fully rested from this morning's training." He replied. "Now, better see that the lads are awake and make certain they get breakfast. If you excuse me ladies."
Macbeth makes his way to check on the others, there was something about that Bloom child that didn't baffled him, on Earth there hadn't been any Earth Fairies for centuries until there were no more. Presumed to be extinct or fled to another world to hide. But still doesn't explain who this Bloom girl is, and he'll have to find out about it.
Mal and Bloom went back to the guest bedroom to check to see if Macbeth has waken up the boys but they saw Ben awake and putting on his jacket, but not Taren who is still sleeping, all flat out and on his front with one arm having over the edge.
"Great sleepyhead is still asleep as always." Mal said with her arms crossed over her chest.
Bloom wondered if this usually a habit, but suddenly realised this is the first time she sees Taren asleep. "Has he always been like this?"
"Yep, since the day we met. Hang on let me wake him." Mal said before guiding the redhead out of the room as it . Mal then walked to Taren and cast a spell, rubbing her hands together as static electricity sparked in her palm. Giving a devious look and aimed her fingers towards the sleeping redhead who had a peaceful look on his face like was having a nice dream. Unfortunately he's about to receive a rather shocking wake up call.
"Thunder!"
Using only a small fraction of her spell to give a good zap, bloom saw lighting came out of nowhere and zapped Taren and saw his skeleton a couple times while Taren was screaming until he fell out of bed. His body twitched by the zap until he could see culprit behind the act.
Taren glared at Mal who was laughing and he said. "You know I am going to get you back for this right?" Grinding his teeth as he was ready to tackle her, but since Bloom was present he didn't want to make himself a fool in front of her.
"I know but until then enjoy having a spikier hair then your dad." Mal smiled and strolled out of the room while keeping herself from snickering. "That helps me feel much brighten up the morning." Giving a bright smile on her face, but Bloom didn't seem amused by her stunt.
"Don't you think that was a little harsh?"
Mal turned to Bloom. "Oh, not to worry, it was only a small spark just to make him wake up and hair spiked up a little. Besides, he needed to be up or miss breakfast. Later."
Walks off to meet with her mentor, Bloom stayed behind and maybe check on Taren if he was feeling ok. "Hey, sorry about that, I would've stopped her if she…" Opens the door but only stopped and sees Taren trying to make his hair less spikier then it was.
"No worries, happens a lot. Will get back at her someday." Taren told her, while too busy on getting the static out of his hair after getting a wake up call from Mal, unaware of her cheeks flushing before the male red head. Bloom quickly turned around and decided to leave before it gets any awkward between them.
"Uh, s-sorry, I'll be outside!" Making a dash to the door and shut the door, her heart racing and still had the blush on her face over what happened. 'Oh. My. Gosh! How embarrassing was that! I just walked into the room like it was no big deal!' It never happened to her before, and was aware of the certain things from school and the private talk with her mom about boys. 'He's probably thinking I'm some perv for checking him out or-No wait! M-Maybe he didn't noticed.'
Snapped back at her thoughts when the door opened and Taren stepped out, adjusting his shirt and top when he spotted Bloom next to him. "Hey, you ok?" Oblivious to what was going on in her head.
"Y-Yeah! Sorry about that, I didn't know Mal would do something like that." Bloom stuttered but noticing the time and needed to get to class. "Better get going. Macbeth is waiting for you and Ben to be in the Headmistress' office." Once giving the message to him she kept hold of her books and runs off to avoid being late on the first day.
Taren had wondered what was up with her, probably wanting to get to class on time perhaps. However, he didn't want to start the day with an empty stomach before meeting up with the others.
Taren let out a soft yawn while walking through the corridors after a big sleep and breakfast, apart from getting electrocuted by Mal and finally got his hair to its usual style. Both him and Ben made their way to the headmistress' office with all the students in class.
"So, any idea what Macbeth has in store for us?" Taren asked Ben who was beside him.
Ben had his hands in his pockets and shrugged his shoulders. "Wish I knew." They entered the room to meet the headmistress alongside their mentor and Mal who took a chair.
Macbeth nodded to them. "Now you all are present we can get started. While we may be here for some time, Headmistress Faragonda spoke about allowing you three into schools to act as transfer students to avoid drawing too much attention."
"So, does that mean me and Taren be studying in Red Fountain?" Ben asked him as he felt it was plainly obvious since it was the one of the three in Magix to have all male students to be trained as Specialists.
Faragonda nodded and took her turn to speak up. "Correct, awhile ago we had a discussion with Yen Sid over the idea of helping you improve your abilities then relying too much of your keyblades against powerful foes."
"Think of it as to learn something new and how you can improve your abilities during your time in Magix." Macbeth said, which seems to make some sense, they were interested to gain new skills and abilities but Mal had something in mind that may be a problem.
"Uh, while that may sound like a good idea for us to pose as students… I hate to bring a SLIGHT problem in the plan for me… while I'm skilled in magic, but transforming into a fairy I have not worked on."
Ben and Taren had the same idea since Alfea was a school for fairies, and Mal wasn't one. But Macbeth had already thought of it. "I had thought of that, and Faragonda had spoken with the headmistress of Cloud Tower who was a member of the Company."
The purpled haired witch blinked her eyes and thought she misheard him. "Um, scuse my sudden outbursts but…. ARE YOU INZANE!?" Mal cried out in a reaction that hardly startled the elders but the two male keyblade wielders had a concerning thought about it. "Last night, I just fought three of those witches who turned out to be in league with Tezzeret! And the moment they see me, I'm dead!"
Ben stood up from his chair to share his thoughts. "Yeah, she makes a good point. Unless… she could use a disguise."
"Disguise?" Mal looked at him in confusion, uncertain where he was going from here but decided to hear him.
He nodded as he remembered how Stella pulled a similar idea for Bloom until they got found out. "Yeah, they only saw you with just a mask over your face, and you learnt to use some basis of magic to change your appearance."
Everyone was starting to catch on as it could work perfectly as she can play the part of a simple student. Macbeth stroked his bearded chin and thought it through. "Hmm, that could actual, but what about you Mal? Will you still accept it?"
She thought it over, not scared of the witches but worries about getting found out if she was not careful. Thinking it over she looked at him with an answer to give. "I'll give it a shot, but got some idea how to keep a low profile from them."
They understand and would've given her some time to think it over but had a mission to do. "In that case, during the day we will be preparing for the annual gala."
"Gala?" Taren asked her.
"A party in honor of the new school year for the students, we'll be inviting the specialists of Red Fountain tomorrow night, however the witches of Cloud Tower are not invited due to their misbehaviour." Griselda explained and aware of Mal's status as one but was not a student of the school for witches, yet.
"Sounds like you'll fit right in." Taren snickered softly until Mal stomped on his foot, causing him to groan in pain.
Ben just rolled his eyes and sighed softly and stood quiet.
"Something you like to share, young man?" Griselda asked with a narrow stare.
Taren glanced at Mal who acted all innocent until he responded to her question. "Nothing, miss."
Faragonda cleared her throat to speak up. "You are welcome to attend as well as students."
"I think that would be a nice gesture as we begin to settle in Magix, so long as you three behave?" Eyeing the three, especially Taren and Mal from a previous stunt just recent and pretended to not know.
"Well, if that's all, we can go and get ourselves ready then for the night." Ben suggested for them to get prepared for the next step.
"Oh, one more thing, this came this morning and was delivered by Master Yen Sid." The headmistress picked up a brown package, leaving them confused and curious to what he sent them.
Taren took hold of it and studied it in his hands. "What's in it?" Held it up and shook it softly, could hear something rattling inside until Mal swiped it from him.
"Let's find out then."
But before she could tear the wrappings off, Macbeth stopped her. "After you get yourselves ready, now then off you go." Watching the three students make their leave, once they were gone he turned to the two fairies. "This did not turn out as we had planned on our arrival."
"None of us could have foreseen it, not even us but glad that none of the children were harmed thanks to your students." Faragonda assured him. "However, I believe it be in our best interest to keep a watchful eye on them to play safe."
Griselda raised an eyebrow in wonder of what she meant. "You believe they would?"
"At a certain age for a teenager, Miss Griselda, one can never be too sure. Now they know our mission, its very uncertain how it will affect them." Indeed Macbeth had spotted the group battling a pack of Beowolves after taken out some of Tezzeret's probes. He certainly had to admit they showed potential when they fought alongside them, but didn't want to bring it up to make the Headmistress uneasy about it as she has that protective instinct over her students.
"Hey Mal, you really going to go to a school for witches then?" Taren asked Mal and figured she would have nerves of steel to do that when the three they fought last night were strong and working for the enemy.
The purple haired witch shrugged her shoulders. "If it's a chance to keep a close watch on them would give us an advantage. Be a surprise if you two run into those Specialists we met."
Ben nodded. "Yeah, guess we be considered classmates if it is. Would be interesting to try out new things then just rely on our keyblades and magic."
Mal didn't know why but thinks she can do better with her magic. "You worry too much, just slay some Grimm and beat the boss and be done before you can say-"
"Hey guys, over here!"
The three turned to see Flora outside the dorm room they were heading to, the Fairy of nature waved to them when she spotted them. "Would you like to come in?"
They accept her offer and followed her in, seeing only Stella and Bloom who for some reason was fixing the bangs that were half way up.
"Trying on a new look?" Mal asked her, earning a giggle from Stella but a frown from Bloom until she finally fixed it.
"Not really, was trying to practice a spell of how to change our looks. And its been making my hair stand for awhile."
"I know how that feels, only to get a ZAP this morning." Taren turned his head to Mal who poled the innocent act after the stunt she pulled on him. Both the girls were puzzled by what he meant, except for Bloom who knew what he was on about and Ben had a pretty good idea. "So this is where you girls are living then?" Checking the place as the first time visiting their dorms.
"Yep, Bloom and Flora share this dorm, Tecna and Musa's are next door." The Solarian princess pointed to where the other dorm is.
"And she has one to herself." Bloom pointed out, surprised and a bit jealous, however it shouldn't come to a surprise for someone who could afford one to store a lot of clothes. The keyblade wielders looked at Stella's room and surprised by how big it was but they had their own rooms during their time at Macbeth's mansion.
"Anyway, just making sure you girls were alright after last night. Not something to expect on our first day of meeting each other." Ben said and thought to check up on them while felt a little bad for what happened.
Stella smiles and waved her hand to them, but appreciate their concern. "Oh its no big deal. Quite the opposite, but maybe next time, give the Winx Club a little heads up."
"No prob… Winx?" Taren asked what she meant.
Stella brought up a bright smile and shared the look with Bloom and Flora. "Yep, last night we thought about how great we worked together against those witches and the Grimm."
"Bloom came up with the name." Flora explained, gesturing her hand to Bloom who had a light shade of pink on her cheeks as she thought of the name for the group.
"So… what does it mean this 'Winx'?" Mal was wondering if it meant something
"It's… well you know something that's like magic." Bloom smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of her head when she came up with it. Thinking it sounded nice. But suddenly noticed the brown package in Mal's arms and wondered what it was. "Hey what's that?"
Mal held it up. "Not sure, some delivery from Yen Sid."
"Ooh, what is it?" Stella asked and eager to find out what it was. Mal rips off the wrappings and once the box was easy to open to find….
A gold oil lamp.
"What the…" Mal lifts it out of the box for a look at it. "A lamp?"
Taren noticed a small piece of paper fell out of it and picked it up before noticing the lamp. "It says 'consider this a helping hand, and someone you know.'"
"Well looks like some piece of junk to me. How is this going to be a help to you?" Stella pondered while Bloom came up to take a closer look at it in her hands.
Taren didn't say anything as he knew that the great powerful sorcerer wouldn't just sent something like this for no reason, but felt like he seen that lamp before.
Bloom had to admit it looked lovely for being so old and yet well preserved, but also a little filthy. "Maybe something under that dirt could provide answers." Giving the idea she agreed and give it a shot, rubbing her fingers softly on the surface in an attempt to clean it up.
Musa and Tecna walked in to see everyone gathered. "Hey, whats everyone doing?" The music fairy took a look at what Bloom was holding. But before anyone could answer, the lamp started to glow before it was rumbling and shaking violently in her hands. Both the Winx and keyblade bearers were startled when it was shooting out fireworks, causing Bloom to toss it to the ground.
"TAKE COVER!"
Taren didn't had time to think when he grabbed Bloom by the shoulder and threw them both to the ground with him over her protectively, Kiko cried out and took shelter with them behind the bed, Stella and Flora leapt behind hers while the others did the same and watch in awe as the smoke that was coming out of the lamp grew and took form of a large blue humanoid who screamed in agony upon his release.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! OI!Man, does it feel GOOOD to be outta there!" Stretching his large arms, making crackling noises within his body. "I gotta tell ya, travelling between dimensions can give ya such pain in the neck!"
The spirit was all blue, wore nothing but a red sash and a pair of blue pants, black trimmed goatee and a small ponytail as the only hair on his head. Standing up high with his arms over his chest and carrying the mischievous grin after surprising the group of his entrance. "Shoulda seen the look on your faces! You thought it be like the end of the world or somethin', hahahaha!"
Mal didn't know if she was seeing things or hit her head harder then she thought. "Uh, am I the only one who just saw a genie come out of a lamp?"
"You mean a huge blue guy wearing blue pants? Nope, your not." Musa groaned and rubbed her butt after falling over, and she wasn't the only one but notice something odd about how Ben and Taren were more shocked then the rest for some reason. Taren got up and helped Bloom by offering his hand to help her up on her feet. Kiko took a peak out and joined his owner for protection.
The male redhead turned to Ben since they both know the one Genie from their world. "You-you don't think he could be..."
"It has to be, I mean... THE Genie?"
"Someone mention my name?"
The three jumped back to see the genie puffed behind them, he took a closer look at the two boys. "Say, you look awfully familiar, have we met somewhere before?" Turned into Frank Drebin, pulled out his magnifying glass. "Not some wanted fugitives on the run from the law?"
"No, it's us, Ben and Taren." Ben said, unfazed by the sudden transformation.
"Yeah and you know my dad, Sora who you met at Agrabah years ago."
"Well that's a coincidence, I know two kids by those names and they..." Then suddenly his brain clicked, gasped and wore a wide grin on his face. "TAREN! BEN!" Without warning the boys were snatched up in sudden multiple arms and held in a crushing bear hug and giving them the nuggy. "Ooohh, it's so good to see ya again! Come 'ere let me take a look at you two!" He let them go before they could continue struggling as he held them up by the collars to stand.
"Boy, you two sure grown since the last time I've seen ya." He looked to check out on Ben's outfit. "Oh, Benny, I like the jacket, makes you look ready for action." Then moved to Taren and notice something about him was different.
"Say that looks like a great outfit on you, T. Sure grown a few inches. Guess all that training paid off, huh. When I heard the tragic story of your sudden disappearances, I cried a river!"
Pulled out a napkin and blew his nose into it, very noisy and messy in a sense. "But here you are safe and sound!" Gave a big wide grin and arms spread out wide as he was so happy to see them again.
"Excuse me! But care to fill us in on WHO this is?" The three turned to the girls who were wondering who he was and how the two know the Genie. Feeling embarrassed to not know they were still there, but was overwhelmed to see a familiar face after so long. Ben saw the look on Mal's face and for a strange feeling, didn't know if she was somewhat being cute or scary at the same time when using that look on them.
Taren coughed a little and spoke up to introduce their friend. "Girls, this is someone whose known my dad since he was my age, the is Genie."
Out of thin air, a stage that resembled one of those late night talk shows and the spotlights moved to the centre with the sound of applause to make a show, waving to the crowd. Stepping in the spotlight was Genie dressed in a flashy blue suit with a right grin and waving.
"Hello and it's great to be here folks, the names Genie. Boy, when they say it be a bumpy ride, they weren't kidding." Appeared in his hand and extended his reach to the girls. "So then, can I ask who the lovely ladies are?"
Bloom blinked her eyes for a moment until she responded to his question. "Uh, well my name is Bloom and these are my friends, Stella, Flora, Musa and Tecna."
"And as a team, we call ourselves the Winx Club." Stella proclaimed.
"Ooh, like that sound of that! Nice ring to it." Genie said and turned to Mal. "And what be your name, little lady? Wait… don't tell me. Purple hair, outfit and a spot of green, you know you remind me of a certain someone but can't quite put it." Cupped his chin to think.
Mal was somewhat uncomfortable about it and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm sure Yen Sid mentioned my name, it's Mal." Giving her name to him.
Snapped his fingers and gasped. "That's it! Must've been thinking of some movie and an actress."
"So you're really a genie?" Bloom couldn't have believed it if she had not been told about being a fairy the other day by Stella.
"That's right! Not just any genie with phenomenal cosmic powers! But I am a free genie!" Changes into a mariachi outfit and playing a guitar. "So the great sorcerer thought to send me over to give a helping hand and I jumped to the call and a chance for a new adventure!"
"Well, that's great to hear. And also we be heading off to the other two schools." Taren said, catching the girls' attention.
"So, you're going to attend to Red Fountain?" Bloom asked.
"Yeah, but Mal will be going to Cloud Tower, but we got that covered to keep the witches from finding out." Ben explained as Mal nodded.
"Witches? Nothing serious is there?" Transforms into a police officer, pointing his sci fi gun.
"We'll fill you in on the way when we let know you're here." Ben suggested to him.
"But best not to be around here, he'll draw too much attention. Especially if he at Cloud Tower which is the last place to be." Mal suggested as she and the Winx realised she had a point.
Taren picks up the lamp and thought of an idea. "Yeah, if you want, maybe come with us to Red Fountain."
"You mean it? Oh this will be great! We'll be staying up late, swapping stories and then, I'm making waffles!" Switches to wear a chef's hat and apron, flipping a waffle and eggs to catch in a plate, until they accidently landed on his face. Causing the girls to laugh by his antics.
Bloom leans towards Taren to whisper. "Is he always like this?"
Taren softly shook his head with a hand held up to his face. "You have no idea." Began to think things couldn't get any crazier then this.
Could it?
Well hope you enjoyed this chapter, I thought about adding a disney character being a supporting role, and thought Genie would be perfect for a Comic relief! Have some ideas for the stories. Didn't want to ruin the surprise and thought the title would give a hint ^^.