Chapter 16: Friendship Sundered part 2

"Ladies and Gentlemen, and all other beings present!" The announcer of the race called for everyone's attention, speaking through a mike for everyone to hear. "Welcome to the annual Race of the Rose. Ten courageous participants will take part in today's event. Let's hear it for our champions."

The Specialists and other racers walk their bikes to the starting line as the crowd cheered for them. Stella walked alongside Brandon and Sky with Riven up ahead.

"Let's hurry, we're late." The prince said.

Brandon nodded to him. "And we haven't found Bloom or Taren yet."

"Hey, guys!" The group hear Taren as he and Bloom pulled themselves out of the crowd.

Bloom was relieved they didn't start yet. "There you are."

"Bloom! Goodness gracious, where were you?! We were looking all over for you!" Stella was most relieved to see them after she feared something happened to her, but with a fellow red haired teen she had some idea. Giving her a "Unless of course you didn't want to be found together."

Bloom tried her best to control her blushing and fortunate Taren didn't hear her. "We were looking for you as well after getting separated in the market. Where's Riven?

Taren was catching his breath after running fast as he could, holding on to his knees to stay up. "This… city… is WAY too… huge!"

"Dude, if you wanted to be alone with her, we wouldn't have minded." Sky teased him.

Genie appeared offering him a drink, eagerly accepting the offer and drank it. "Your lucky, I'm too out of… breath to argue. Got something that Riven might help." Sees Bloom walk up to him and offer the gadget Timmy made for him, yet something about this didn't seem right. He sees Riven take it from her without second thought. "Psst, Genie. Just keep a look out for anything suspicious."

"You think something bad might happen? No problem." Genie wasn't sure what but figured he would find out.

Bloom caught up to them to join the rest who were watching. "Take it he took the 'peace offering'?"

Bloom nodded and seems not all high-spirited from earlier. "Yeah, but… you ever feel like something doesn't seem right?"

"Trust me, I get that a lot." Suddenly his phone rang in his pocket and pulled it out to answer. "Hello?"

"Taren? Did you see someone look like Timmy?" He could hear Macbeth speaking, almost as if he was breathing heavily, as though he was running.

Hearing about Timmy and responded. "Yeah, me and Bloom met him recently." Both Bloom and Stella hearing his mentor's voice and curious to what he was talking about until Stella spoke up.

"Timmy? He went home on the Day of the Rose; he's nowhere near Magix."

This didn't make any sense and puzzled both Taren and Bloom this information, they seen and talked to him just then. But Taren somehow had this feeling but didn't take notice.

"But that's impossible! And if it's true who was it me and Taren were talking to then?" Bloom questioned him to hear her.

"The one you spoke to was actually Tezzeret. What did he give you?" The teens couldn't believe it was him, Taren knew his aura was off and didn't see it.

"Tezzeret?! You mean the creepy cyborg guy?" Stella couldn't forget his face, especially his appearance.

"He gave us a helmet to help Riven to-" Bloom stopped as she and Taren looked at each other, didn't take long for the two to realise what was going on. "Oh no!

"Stop him before-" The communications was cut off, unable to receive a signal from him.

"Macbeth? You there?" Taren tried to call back, but his phone kept giving a 'signal lost'. Something wasn't right. "Ugh! How could I have been so stupid?"

Bloom gave him comfort by putting her hand on his shoulder. "It wasn't your fault, he tricked us and no doubt the Trix are with him. Probably up to no good. You go help him, I'll stop Riven before it's too late!"

Much as Taren wanted to argue she was right and maybe he needed help, he sort of felt partly responsible for it as well. Sighed and nodded. "Ok, be careful. If you see Genie, tell him what happened." He told her and ran off to find and help Macbeth.

"And how are you going to do that?" Stella asked her after he left.

Bloom knew only one thing to do that. "There's only one way to do it." They ran down to an alleyway as a perfect spot to draw less attention.

"Bloom Magic Winx!" Bloom transforms into her Winx form to stop save Riven before it's too late, while Taren ran down to the alleyway in a different path as to where the signal was.

Macbeth clutched his shoulder after being slammed into a wall, his phone was broken and grunted to been ambushed. Looks up to find Aqua Seneschal standing before him. Recognising him from the footage he had to be one of Tezzeret's associates and clever to take him by surprise.

"So you must be the one who caused trouble in the school, am I right?" Slowly standing up on his feet to face his foe.

"Indeed, allow me to introduce myself. I am Aqua Seneschal, and much as I like to socialise I cannot allow you to interfere this time." Reached out his hands and morphed into a pair of sharp blades.

Macbeth was hard to beat and drawn his sword out ready, both clashed their blades as he managed to hold his own against the Cyber Lord despite using one sword. Dodging one coming across his face and brushed the other blade from him but gave Seneschal the twist his body and bring the second blade around, aiming for his back. But he saw it coming for a moment and shoved him away with much strength he has before making a few steps of a distance now knowing his opponent was a skilled fighter.

"Guess your not all talk then." Now knowing he could change his body at will and need to stay alert.

Seneschal's only eye narrowed as his harden stare locked onto his opponent. "With superior intelligence, it is the ultimate tool in the evolutionary ladder."

Raised his right foot and used it to kick him into the waist area when it was open for him, Seneschal saw it coming and stretched his body to dodge it. Taken a few steps back and twirling his newly formed tendrils from water-like substance. "Organic creatures such as humans have limit to fight at an extensive length. But not to a creature of the Water Civilization."

Listening to the being boast of being a 'superior being' to him, definitely someone Tezzeret would get along and ready to fight him. Readying himself

"FiRAGA!"

A fireball flew past him and hit the Cyber Lord in the arm with the blunt side of his keyblade. Grunting in pain after being being hit by the keyblade but shrugged it off as his arm slowly repaired itself, but unharmed moments later after backing away. He turned around and sees Taren running to his aide.

The teen came up to him and stood beside him with his Light's Rebellion summoned. "You ok?"

"I am. But I thought I told you to stop the race." Said Macbeth.

"A little late for that, anyway Bloom's got it covered." Taren focused on the being that stood up after recovering from the surprise attack. "Alright spill, what's going on and why are you going after Riven?"

Seneschal simply chuckled and stood to face him. "I'm afraid you are too late, my good fellow. You just did exactly as we participated." Uncertain what he meant and without warning he vanished before they could do anything.

"What did he mean by that?"

Macbeth didn't know what was going on but didn't like it, still wounded from the shot and grabbed Taren by the arm. "Never mind him, go and help Bloom."

"But what about you? It looks bad." Taren replied.

"I've been through worse, lad. Just go I'll be fine!" Not wanting to argue but trusted him and ran back to help Bloom.

Meanwhile back at the race, it all seemed normal for everyone and racers giving it their all to reach the finish line. But one racer that appeared out of nowhere used some magic to throw the other competitors off the track, catching up to the Specialists who were in the lead got caught by her magic, only Riven was unaffected and remained ahead.

"I'm in the lead, this helmet's amazing. I'm one with the bike." Thinking that red head chick did a good thing after all.

Bloom is right on Riven's tail, closely followed by another racer coming up from behind. "Riven, stop!"

She reaches for him but is too far away. "Stop!" She flies up closer and Riven sees her in his side mirror. Surprised and confused of what she was doing. "Bloom?! What are you trying to do?! Nobody can stop me now!" He wasn't going to let this chance to be a winner out of his grasp and ignored her.

"Riven!" She tries to warn him but didn't seem to take notice and more focused on the race, accelerates his bike causing Bloom to fall behind.

Up on the rooftop, Tezzeret's cybernetic eye sees what was going on and chuckled of the girl's poor attempt to stop him. But another racer was coming up behind her as they were in position for their part. "She's in position. Icy, now."

Icy nodded and casts a spell to mess with Riven's helmet, preventing him from being able to see and he grabs at his helmet, releasing his grip on the bike to loose control.

Bloom was too late as he was in trouble. "Riven!

Riven slows down, surprising Bloom to stop when she was flying too fast and collided into the back, sending Bloom flying through the air. They both cry out. Riven loses control of his bike and crashes, flying through the air. The mysterious race and Bloom both speed up to save his falling body.

Genie who was flying in the air for signs of trouble spotted them and Riven flying in the air, he had to act fast to save him. "Don't worry, pal. I'll-"

But before he could do anything he was somehow frozen in mid air by some unknown force. "…save you?" He didn't know what happened but someone had cast some sort of freezing spell on him, obviously to avoid saving Riven. "I'm gonna have some words with the author after this chapter." The Genie muttered with annoyance.

Riven was falling straight down unconscious and was fortunately saved in time by landing on the back of the female rider's bike and skids, sending dirt and smoke at the confused Bloom.

The rest of the riders, along with Taren arrive to see what happened. The rider that saved Riven lowers his unconscious body to the ground and clicks away his helmet.

Brandon came up to Bloom to find out what was going on in the race. "What did you do?"

"I didn't even touch him! He lost control of his bike!" Bloom explained to him.

Genie popped up after being casted by a freezing spell. "Hey, did we make it in time?" Taren pointed to the unconscious Riven and noticed her long brunette hair. Watching her use her magic to heal him, least that's what it looks like as he was starting to come around. But then came something unexpected for the rest.

Removing her helmet and Riven's eyes widen as a glow from the headgear detached itself from him. The group gasped to discover it was none other then Darcy without her make-up. Even the shocked Genie was surprised when his bottom jaw dropped, uncertain if he was dreaming or something.

"No… way…" Taren couldn't tell what was going on. Just by looking at others they were confused as Bloom was. When the crowed realize he was fine they dispersed, leaving the group to stick around. Darcy helps Riven up.

"You ok?" Darcy asked him.

Riven groaned and slowly getting up with Darcy helping him up by the arm. "I'm-I'm alright."

"Thanks to my healing powers. My name's Darcy." She smiled at him in a warmly manner, something the others wouldn't by, even the Winx and Taren would tell she was up to something.

"Ok, time to find out what's going on." Taren said and Bloom agreed with him fully, she flies in between Darcy and Riven.

"Hands off, witch!"

Darcy glared at them and pushed her aside. "Hey! Chill out, missy! I'm helping him!"

Brandon arrives to hold Bloom back from attacking Darcy and make a scene.

"I don't know how they did it but it was she and her friends who caused the accident!" She pointed her finger at Darcy.

"Yeah, I bet you had a friend to attack Macbeth too." Taren added and knew she was behind it as well.

Riven glared at them since he denied their claim. "You're lying! This is all your fault! I saw you behind me, I don't know how you did it but it was you who deactivated my helmet just so Brandon could win!

"Hey! I only won by default." Brandon argued to make a statement since he didn't want anyone getting hurt to win. It was also a fact that Bloom was too innocent to pull a stunt like that, especially when he heard Taren said about Macbeth being hurt wouldn't be something to lie about.

"Here's your stupid present, thanks a lot!" Takes off the helmet Bloom gave him and throws it at.

Bloom tried to make him see reason and explain herself. "It was Tesseret! Please, you gotta believe me. Macbeth told us he disguised himself to look like Timmy-"

But Riven didn't seem convinced and still angry towards her. "As if I would believe that! Come up with a better excuse, Bloom. If he were here, those Grimm monsters of his would've been around."

Taren stood beside her to give support. "She's telling the truth, I was there when he gave it to her. And she wouldn't be joking if it was Tezzeret."

"Oh really? Well some keyblade hero you are to not notice, but obviously to hang out with your girl." Riven retorted.

Hitting a nerve to make Taren balling his fists. He wanted to wipe the floor with the punk with his fists or his keyblade to show him.

Genie could see Taren was mad tries to stop him. "Kid, easy now, much as I love to see his keister meet the boot, but not in public." Whispering to him in hopes of not do anything foolish like summoning his keyblade in public.

Fortunately, the red haired keybearer took his advice and calmed down, decided to let this slide for now.

Brandon sighed in relief and mentally thanked the Genie to calm him down. "I think Taren might be right, something about this seems off and."

Riven glared at him. "So you believe these two over me? Is that the way it is?

Unknown to the group, Darcy smirks as the plan was working.

Sky stepped in to try and reason with his teammate. "Riven, we're only trying to understand. If what they say is true-"

This time Riven had enough to hear from them. "I've had it! I'm through with you all! Tonight I'm gonna ask to be transferred to another squad of Specialists."

Darcy and Riven leave together, Darcy smiling victoriously over her shoulder at the others.

Bloom felt hurt after she tried to help him but perhaps made it worse. "I swear to you, it was just another one of the witches' tricks!" Trying to hold back the tears until she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder and saw it was Taren and Stella beside her.

The Squire sighed. "We're beginning to think so too but I'm afraid we'll never be able to prove it."

Stella puts a comforting hand on Bloom's other shoulder. "Sure looks like we've lost this one, Bloom."

They finally see Macbeth, clutching his shoulder as they noticed. The girls gasped and the boys were surprised. He paid no attention to them and turned to Taren who softly shook his head in disappointment. He sighed and can tell they failed.

"Oh that was brilliant! He totally took her side!" Icy saw it all and grinned in excitement to finally beat them using a trick to turn one of them against the other. If it all goes well, that Riven could be useful to be on their side.

"Indeed, Darcy had done well on her role." Tezzeret smiles softly and even the report of Seneschal stalling Macbeth was a success. "I might have plans for him, but you were fortunate I received the note before Griffin could read it." Pulls out the unopened letter from his pocket and burns it in his gloved hand before them, much to their relief to avoid punishment from the headmistress. If she read it, Griffin would've become suspicious and discover their partnership with Tezzeret under her nose.

"If you ask me, she seems to be a little too interested in him. Disgusting." Darcy said in disgust.

"Not to worry, when he's served his purpose it won't matter. Now then, I best make my leave before any of them know we're here." Makes his leave and opens a portal to walk through.

Stormy smiles as it closes and turned to Icy. "You know, I'm beginning to think working with him wasn't such a bad idea after all."

Icy nodded. "Of course it is, especially how he has an army of Grimm we can use. I hear he has something special for when we get the flame."

"Really? What's that?"

Icy gave her a sinister grin. "Something he said will turn the entire Magic Dimension upside down and a bright future for us so long as we work with him." Laughs in a dark tone just thinking of the chaos they'll bring and rule Magix. "It will be something not even our ancestors couldn't dream of and I'm looking forward to-"

A loud slurping sound caught their ears. Both the witches turned around and find strange pink-feathered bird sitting on a clipart with a glass in its hand. Icy had no idea what it was but didn't care when the creature ruined her moment, and she was going to make it suffer.

"Thin your funny? Let's see how you like it being an ice decoration?" Pointed her finger and blasted a magic of ice at the bird.

Encased in a chunk of ice and frozen, thinking she was done with it until the bizarre bird suddenly appeared out of no where, pulls out some carving tools. With one hit using the tools, the ice cracked and made an identical copy of the bird in a dance pose. Giving it a 1st prize badge.

The Trix weren't sure how and thought it was messing with them and now were annoyed. "Let me handle it, Icy." Stormy flexed her fingers ready to vaporise it.

The bird took noticed of her and gave a wave but noticing she was up to something, only for his feet to be encased by ice before the bird could make an attempt to move.

"No where to run, birdy. I'll fry you to a crisp!" Shooting lighting from her fingers at her target now trapped.

It just stood there with a smile, curious to know why it's not afraid. Until without warning pulled out a mirror and deflected the bolt of lightning. The witches didn't had a chance to react when it hit them, dazed and barely stood on their feet after being hit by lightning, Darcy was somewhat able to recover but her hair was a mess.

"Great, now I have to fix my hair again!" But couldn't say the same for her sister whose hair was now a big afro and couldn't control herself laughing. "You… your… hair!"

Icy looked at herself in the mirror in her hand and gasped, angry beyond rage and only to find the mischievous bird gone. Gritting her teeth and feels the blood pressure rising in rage and screamed. "I. Hate. That. BIRD!"

If she ever see it again, she will make him regret humiliating the Trix.

Least Darcy or anyone didn't see what happened, and perhaps not speak of the incident again.

In another dimension, Donald working in the House of Mouse Club was welcoming the guests when suddenly thought of something off.

"Something the matter Donald?" Mickey came up to him in his suit to ask him.

"Hmm, ah, probably nothing." Shrugged it off, thinking it was just his imagination.

Well, hope you enjoyed it! I thought of perhaps adding some bit of conflict and have ideas in the meantime. Also for anyone wondering what Sora found, that will come about soon. And once more the mischief of the Aracuan bird continues! He sure loves to have fun doesn't he lol

But next chapter will have some drama and test of their friendship and what will happen to Riven.