Chapter 37: Fall of Red Fountain
With news of Cloud Tower taken over by Tezzeret and the Trix with their growing army of Grimm and new soldiers freed from the dimension they were trapped in. Now they march to Red Fountain as their next target to dismantle the support before they would turn their interest upon Alfea.
"Doesn't look good at all. Any word from the others?" Sky asked Ben on the news from the Winx and Taren while gathering his gear ready for the battle.
Ben shook his head. "Still nothing. Looks as though all communications have been jammed. My guess is Tezzeret and the Winx want to cut this world from the rest to make an easy victory for them."
"Let's hope they get back, if what Mal said is true, I hope Bloom is okay." Sky would not know what happened and no doubt if they had taken her powers than they're in trouble. "I wouldn't wanna be one of the Trix if Taren comes for them."
"No kidden." Ben agreed with him. "I've sent genie to send some message and hoping he gets back in time, we're gonna need the help we can get."
Sky's phone began to beep and answers it, to his surprise was his fiancé and betrothed through the image. "Prince Sky! Oh thank goodness, I fear the worst of something might have happened."
"Diaspro? What's going on? Shouldn't you be back to Isis?" Sky questioned her and wondering why she was calling him at this time of need
"Prince Sky. We've come to get you before these horrible creatures arrive!" The princess proclaimed, surprising the prince and confused of what she was talking about.
Not sure what she was on about, both royals gave a questionable look to each other before Sky looked back to the princess. "What? What are you talking about?"
"We've come to get you out of here! You must save yourself, my prince!" Diaspro told him and sounded quit eager.
Sky did not approve of this plan and refused to leave his friends behind just to retreat and hide back home in his kingdom when it could be in danger as well. "We're fighting to save the dimension! My place is here!"
The surprised look on Diaspro's face came for a moment and continued to try and pursued him. "Don't be silly, you're a prince! Let these peasants fight for you!"
Ben overheard the conversation and wasn't approved of the way she spoke in such a way to the people who were fighting, clearly she needs to get some lecturing about putting faith in friends and each other.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Your duty is to rule!"
Sky was quiet for a moment and gave his response. "No. My duty now is to protect those who can't defend themselves. I won't leave my friends behind and get hurt, or worse. If I abandon them, I'd be nothing but a coward who ran away." Giving his answer to her and made it very clear that he was not leaving. "We'll talk about this later, Diaspro. Just head back home and don't come to Magix until the danger has passed."
Without giving her the chance to speak, he hung up and sighs.
"For what its worth, I think you made the right choice." Ben commented to show he was glad to see the prince staying behind to fight.
"You think so? I just didn't want to show of being scared while my friends fight after all the things we've been through." Sky questioned him.
Ben smiled with confidence and nodded. "Well, you didn't left after fighting the Grimm the first time."
"And I'm glad you have chosen to stay, prince Sky." They find Macbeth entering the room with a smile on his face. "Being king isn't about luxury or power as some seem to believe, but the responsibility and trust from the people who stand beside you. I fought for those and if you stay on that path, you would make a fine king one day."
Listening to the former king himself, Sky clearly understood the weight of it all and wanting to be seen as a kind and honest leader to his people some day. "Thank you, I won't let you all down."
"Good, course we're gonna need it for the battle ahead." Ben said and hoping to get some help on the way.
All the specialists had been rounded up, armed and ready to defend their school alongside the teachers, Saladin stood before the students alongside Codatorta and Macbeth to prepare a speech to raise their moral as this will be the first battle they will ever face.
"Young men, the situation is serious." Saladin told the students. "The time has come to do battle."
"Are you ready?" Codatorta called out and received a collective "Yes, sir!" from the students.
"We're ready!" Timmy proclaimed and knew what they were up against.
Approved of their high spirits, the headaster turned to Codatorta and Macbeth. "On no account must we let the witches win!"
"Then you're gonna need all the help you can get." Mal said as she and Ben approached them. "This is going to be a hard one, so you're gonna need us in this."
Macbeth was thinking it be a good idea, but not sure when they need all the help they can get. "Then get ready, they're here." Pulls out his sword when the sky suddenly darkened and lightning struck. Numerous shapes emerged from the clouds, made up of many flying Grimm: Nevermore, Lancers, and winged lions dominated the skies above them.
From the ground, black swirling vortexes grew for the Grimm to emerge, the first ones were the Beowolves, Death Stalkers, and the Ursa, but more were marching through the forests alongside Tezzeret's army who remained in line and allowed the creatures to pass by them.
The ground beneath them rumbled and burst out were giant centipede-like Grimm spinning the segmented bodies like a drill, startling most of the specialists who never seen the creatures before.
"This is it." Cadatorta gave the order to the students. "The time has come. Take up your positions."
"Ben, Mal. Take out as many as you can. We can't let the ones on the ground through." Macbeth ordered the keybladers.
Everyone brought their weapons out and charged into battle with the horde with their phantoblades and keyblades. The Grimm did the same with the first wave to try and eliminate as much as they can. The Beowolves fought with their fangs and claws, but did not do much for skilled fighters who slashed many, however they still continued to use their numbers and natural instincts by their side, some were bigger and appear stronger, along with the Ursa with some acting as the Alphas of the groups.
Mal slashed an Ursa through the neck and another two using lightning, but was having a hard time with many swarming around her. One of the Centinels burst from the ground and snapped its mandibles, moved so fast and about to strike her when a random shot struck the Grimm in the head before it could reach Mal.
The witch sees Timmy with his blaster and appreciated his help. "Thanks, guess I was taken by surprise."
"More of them are showing up." Timmy stated and while they didn't yet suffered fatal casualties on their side, but could happen. "I think its time we need reinforcements."
"We tried to call the others, how are we gonna get any with no communications on this planet?" Mal asked him after striking down a large boar-Grimm. They see the Death Stalkers who were largest and hard to handle approach them, easily swatting them with their giant pincers, one of them grabbed two of the students in its pincers and raised it up high as they struggled to break free.
Mal and Timmy were about to rush over to help them when they see Brandon came in and hacked off one of the Death Stalker's arms that held the captives, hearing it scream in pain and used its remaining pincer and stinger to attack.
But Brandon didn't move and pulled out his medallion. "It's demolition time, Metagolem!" Summons his Titan into battle, standing before him was a giant golem wearing a gold crown, armor over the upper chest, waist and forearms with a white cape. Easily catching the stinger with its rocky hand and brought the other up to smash it right into the head, easily breaking the white carapace and crushed it.
"Wow." Mal was amazed and how huge the thing was as it easily walks over the smaller Grimm.
"I'll say! That guy could pack a punch!" Genie added after witnessing it defeat the Deathstalker
"Good job." Brandon said to his Titan and turned to Timmy. "Time to use your Titan, Timmy."
Almost forgotten that they have Titans to help them and can least use on the stronger ones. "Right. Fly Icarus!"
A slim-built humanoid with grey feathers, wearing Greek armor flapped his wings in the air. "Icarus, take out the flyers above!" Giving his Titan instructions to the Lancers and Nevermores were about to join the battle. Icarus nodded and propelled towards them. The Lancers tried to use their stingers to take the Titan down as the Nevermore threw their feathers to attack, but Icarus was so fast he easily avoided them and unleashed beams of light from his eyes. Two Nevermores were hit directly in the faces, one of them shot and had its arm blasted off to lose flight, one of them that got too close to the ground was grabbed by the tale from Metagolem and slammed down to the ground.
The Lancers were easy targets with the cables to pull back their stingers were hacked off and shot in the exposed midsections of their bodies and evaporated.
"Wow, not bad! But mine are easily cool as them." Mal smirked and tries to summon the Tree warriors to battle, but she need to be closer to the ground or concentration to use her magic.
Another swarm flew in their place, preparing for another attack the students when out of nowhere Genie popped up before them and turned into a giant spray can, spraying all over the Lancers. "Don't worry, its ozone safe." Watching the Lancers loose focus and fall one by one.
Knut clobbered an Ursa by the face, having to once use the Grimm to fight the Trix's battles and now fighting against them when they found out he was a traitor, but if they knew he was a spy is uncertain but hardly matters, the ogre had to admit that they were terrifying and never liked using them. He turned to see Brandon with his Titan when one of the Nevermores was right behind him. "
"Look behind you!"
Brandon looked over his shoulder and failed to react in time when it pinned him down with one of its talons. Knut let out a roar and ran towards it, throws a strong punch to its leg, forcing the Nevermore to cry out and release its grip on the Specialist. Before it could try to regain its balance and retaliate, Mal took the chance to slash the giant avian with her keyblade with her Strike Raid. The Grimm staggered and collapsed before it dissolved into black smoke.
Brandon smirked and appreciated the help from Knut now he wasn't their enemy. "Hey, big guy. Thanks a lot."
Mal and Timmy nodded to share the idea. "Was crazy taking on a Grimm, but glad you helped."
Hearing their compliments made Knut smiled and found that working with the good guys was far better than the treatment the Trix gave him.
A large Manticore leaped over the walls and landed before two startled studies who tried to fight back but it surprised them with its agility and with two Ursa from behind to trap them. They were about to attack when Breaker threw itself towards the Grimm, using its larger size to dominate the creature, slashing the Grimm across the face with its claws, but then suddenly slashed right down from head to the tail by Macbeth.
The two Ursa were unable to attack when Cadatorta used his blade to cut them into pieces when he came to help save the students.
"Thank you, sir."
The teacher nodded. "Don't thank me yet, boys, we still have a school to save. Help the others."
Macbeth blasted a Beowolf with his gun straight to the open jaws and another Ursa in the eye. "So far we're winning but…"
"That this could be easy?" The trainer pondered. "I think it is and don't like it."
Macbeth had fought alongside Tezzeret in the last Keyblade War centuries ago and knew how his mind worked as a genius and always pulls something to surprise his opponents. The old king fears he may be plotting something, but the question is when or how he will do it.
Ben was having a hard time fighting so many Grimm than he ever did so before, but thanks to all the training and hard work to use his keyblade magic and combat skills, he was able to keep up. "Geo Impact!" Leaps into the air and swings his Beast Witihin downwards, rock formations struck the unsuspecting Grimm and glowed in in gold light from the ground, causing much damage to the creatures.
It was time for the headmaster to step in and diminish the Horde's numbers. "Larim atreum. Solis negatum! Ore et lestat! Pateam latema! Shatem retuum!"
Casting a powerful spell, the gem of his staff glowed and unleashed a wave of energy upon the Grimm. "Go away, creatures of evil! Depart from Red Fountain!" The Grimm all around them were affected by the waves, crying out in pain and disintegrate to ashes. With the Grimm gone, the defenders of Red Fountain took the chance to catch their breath and hoping to have enough time to recover.
A ship emerged from the skies above the school, the Fallen soldiers watch the battle and saw the defeat of the Grimm. "Red Fountain still stands. Begin firing range on the targets."
"Targets in sight." The officers adjusted the cannons. "Fire at will."
By then their cannons only fired several towards Red Fountain, targeting at their stables, walls and gates.
"What hit us?!" Cadatorta exclaimed and confused as everyone.
"The Trix?" Sky thought as it could have been.
Macbeth looked up and recognised the ships, memories of them flashed through his mind. "Those ships, they belong to Tezzeret's group!"
"Must have sent them to wear us out. I recognise them, but only in history books" Timmy speculated and looked at them, clearly they were preserved in the dimension for centuries and still look new.
Everywhere was in flames by the attack and their fortress taken so much damage. The flames were spreading fast and too much to put out, then the sounds of animals crying out and roaring. Above them were white-scaled serpentine dragons flying in the air, clearly they were the Red Fountain's dragons from the stables.
"Oh no, the stables are on fire!" The head teacher looked up and knew it was that bad but could do nothing with the dragons fleeing the battle.
"Clear the area!" Genie appeared in a fire fighter's outfit with a truck, making many copies of himself to put out the fires to help. "Boy, things here look like a mess. But don't worry, I came just in time to help!"
"Uh, think we may have other problems." Mal looks up and saw the Trix with two ships behind them and a swarm of flying Grimm. Listening to them laughing at them with a greater advantage over them.
"You're wasting your time, Saladin." Icy taunted the headmaster. "You won't be able to save your school, old man. And if I were you keybrats, I run back home." Throws her hands out and uses her ice magic, creating a serpentine dragon as it flew towards them.
"In coming!" Ben cried out.
The ice dragon flew around the ice, encasing the entire school building in a block of ice. The ships took the advantage and begin firing their cannons, creating severe damage to the building. It was clear to everyone the battle was lost and needed to escape.
Genie melted the ice around him and the others using a large hair driver. "Industrial hair dryer, never leave home without it." Cleans himself up and see the entire school froze in ice. "Boy, and I thought Elsa or Jack Frost usually make a winter wonderland.
"Saladin, we can't risk the lives of the students! We have to abandon the school!" Macbeth advised the teacher.
Mal looked around and saw the devastation, she looked over the debris of the wall and spotted an army of Grimm marching towards them. "They're too strong, and I can see more Grimm coming."
Codatorta agreed with him and knew the enemy forces had the advantage. "Strategic withdrawal! Everyone, to the battleships!"
"Genie, we need to buy some time to escape." Brandon said as the students and teachers were making their leave for the ships.
"No problem!" Genie said and instantly went to work nailing wood, iron and hammering the doors. "There ya go, that wall will hold them off for… a while."
The Keybladers and Sky's team were the last to leave alongside Codatorta when they suddenly hear the sounds of an elephant and a loud rumble. "What's that?" Ben asked, somehow feeling he didn't want to know.
Genie flew over and gasped to see several large elephant Grimm, some much larger and heavily built. Changes into a Alan Parish persona before the group. "Run! IT'S A STAMPEDE!"
Realising what was coming and ran for it, making inside just when the Goliaths and Megoliaths
The Trix leave while laughing but the ships in the air continued their assault along with the Grimm. The Specialists wasted no time escaping to the ships and any they can use to escape.
The captain watched the ships from Red Fountain appear and fly off to Alfea. A projection of Tezzeret appeared before them. "The attack was a success, Red Fountain has fallen and await further instructions.
This pleased the former keyblade wielder and smiled. "Excellent, now they know our power and begin the attack on the city to keep the forces distracted. We must prepare for the greater challenge ahead."
"As you command, lord Tezzeret."
Lea walked into the Headmistress' office to find Faragonda and Yen Sid. "Just got word from the Specialists. Red Fountain was overrun and the studets and teachers were forced to evacuate."
"It will not be long for Tezzeret and the Trix to make their move to this school." Faragonda said. "Any casualties?"
"Mostly injured, but thankfully they all got out. They should be here any moment." Lea told them.
"Good, we should help them settle in and recover." Yen Sid stated. "I have received word that Sora and Kairi have reached Domino and now brining the Winx and their son back to Magix."
Hearing the news made Lea smile to see his old friends again. "That's great! But what about the girl, Bloom?"
To learn about what happened to the girl made Fargonda feel guilty and at fault for not seeing the danger sooner. "We can only hope she recovering but no doubt without her magic after the Trix took the flame from her. If we can somehow recover it and end this crisis before it escalates further."
Agreeing to her and prepared to help the specialists when the first few ships arrive and land on school grounds. Saladin, Macbeth and Cadotorta were the first arrive before the rest come.
Faragonda was the first to greet the students and welcomed them in. "Come on in, young men, we'll help you get settled."
"Anyone who's injured gather round, but don't rush." Lea summoned his keyblade and ready to use Cure for the injured.
Saladin approached Faragonda to thank her for the help. "Thank you, Faragonda. The situation is critical."
"So it is true, Red Fountain destroyed?" Yen Sid asked him by the look on his solemn expression as Saladin nodded to confirm his fears.
"The Magic Dimension's fortress lays in ruins, but their magic and arsenal is astronomical we had to withdraw." Cadatorta said with a tone of shame to admit it. But he knew it was better to save the students from a gruesome fate of the Grimm. "But at least here we're safe and sound."
"Yes, but unfortunately I fear that this war is only just beginning." Faragonda stated and knew for certain with Tezzeret and his army now finally freed, he could start a new war like the dark times many centuries ago.
Mal made her way to the Winx's dorm room with the help of her keyblade, finding no one around and decided to check on the pumpkin formed Mirta in Bloom and Flora's room. Finding her still a pumpkin and felt responsible for it, she sighs and sat on the bed.
"You okay?" Looks to find Ben by the door.
"Yeah, just can't believe they beat us and only because they have the flame and had extra help." She told him and gestured her hand to Mirta. "Not to mention, Mirta who trusted and thought of me as a friend became a vegetable because I messed up! Sometimes I don't know why I was picked by the "
Ben said nothing and can tell she was upset about all that has happened and seemed to be at fault for it, the prince sat down beside her to provide some comfort. "Well, to be honest your not the only one, a lot of us to share that idea over the last few days over why we were chosen. One day I was at school studying and thinking of running a kingdom, then out of nowhere Grimm attacked and then found myself being trained to how to use a keyblade." Telling her the story as she would already know about it. "I almost thought I wouldn't be a good wielder."
Hearing this surprised Mal when she knew how skilled and trained he was over the months. "You? Don't be stupid, your one of the most skilled wielders in training. How could you have had doubts?"
Smiles at her nervously. "Well, I sought of thought I wouldn't be a good of a hero as many in stories and those who fought in the last Keyblade War against Xehanort. My mother who was one of the Hearts of Light before her capture by… well, uh…" Hesitated to finish the sentence to mention her mother.
"My mother, I know." Did not need to wait for his answer as Mal understood. "Maleficent was one of the most feared and terrifying villains known to the many worlds back home. And you know the reason why I don't mention about my heritage."
"Well if it makes you any happier, I kinda got nervous of being a little like my dad when he was a little… grouchy, in a way." Ben told her.
"Grouchy?" Mal asked of what he meant by that.
"Well, lets just say my dad was the Beast back when he and nearly everyone were under a curse. Right until he met my mom." Remembering the story of how his parents met and when Sora, Donald and Goofy helped saved them from losing their hearts to the Darkness and become Nobodies.
"Does he shed much?" She asked.
"Yeah, mom won't let him on the couch." Ben responded and saw her reaction as he started to grin and made her let out a laugh when realising he was playing with her. Brushing the locks of her hair and suddenly began to feel her cheeks flush when he smiles at her. "Better?"
"Yeah, thanks." Mal nodded and tries to hide the blush on her face and suddenly finds herself locked eyes with his, completely forgetting the troubles just a moment.
"Aww, ain't that sweet."
Snapped out of a thought and find Genie. "Sorry guys, came by and was talking to Mirta on the check up."
Not certain what he meant but realised when their hands were together, both pulled away and stood from the bed to quickly change the subject before it became too awkward for them.
"Talked to Mirta? Wait, you mean she's still conscious?" Mal asked him if it was possible while Flora had looked after her for the time being.
"Guys, it's me!" The Pumpkin glowed and projected a small image of Mirta. "After I got turned into a pumpkin, Flora helped me regain conscious to speak again."
"Mirta!" Mal couldn't believe it but relieved. "I am really, really sorry for what happened."
"It's fine, Mal. I was lucky to have the Winx to help me." Mirta said and relieved to see them. "I heard what happened, is it true the Trix now have a monster army?"
Ben sighs and nods. "Yeah, and they serious gained extra powers. And if I'm right about it as everyone… we're gonna need all the help to stop them."
Mal agreed with him when she felt their powers skyrocketed and never seen Icy that powerful to freeze an entire building. "If you think they were scary before, Mirta? They took down Red Fountain and taken over Cloud Tower."
This made Mirta gulp and scared to imagine it, she just hopes some of the less horrible witches were okay, even Lucy despite the harsh treatment she gave her.
Genie emerged from the window to greet the two. "Hey, guys, anything happening?"
"Nothing to worry." Ben told him.
Turns to see Mirta and waves to her. "Oh, hi Mirta. Hmm. Something's different about you isn't there." Snaps his fingers. "I got it! You have a new hairstyle!"
"New hairstyle? She's a pumpkin!" Mal yelled out to Genie.
"I know that. I just thought to lighten the mood around here." Genie replies to calm her down. "When I found out who Mirta's dad is, boy who would have guessed it. Well maybe the author did."
"My dad's here?" Mirta asked in surprise to find out her father was in Alfea and worries what his reaction will be to see her as a pumpkin, no doubt her must have been worried sick.
"Oh yeah, boy when Knut first told Lea how he took the news, he was close to explode like Guy Fawkes and the 4th of July." Genie explained.
"Can hardly blame him, wouldn't wanna be in the Trix's shoes." Mal said.
Ben had an idea that could work with Genie. "Genie, how good are you with transformations?"
"Are you kiddin? You're talking to the genie with phenominal-"
"Yeah, I know, but what I meant to say is can you change someone back to normal? It could maybe help." Ben asked him
Genie took a moment of thought, stroking his beard chin. "Hmm, it's been awhile, I mean I did turn a rat into a princess. Problem is the magic here is different from back home, mixing magic can be dangerous." Genie folds his arms and sat in the air.
Not certain how without getting Mirta hurt or turned into something worse, but if they could get Genie to find away to push his limits. Ben had an idea and turned to Mal. "Got an idea." Turns to Genie and sighs. "So that's it, the great and all powerful Genie with all that talk about phenomenal cosmic powers you boast about and can't turn a pumpkin back into a teenage girl again?"
Slowly Genie turned his head as if he was being questioned while Mal looked confused as Mirta did.
Ben raised his hands up. "I dunno, Mal, guess he wasn't as talented as he was back then. Looks like we may have to ask the Winx or Master Yen Sid's help."
Genie instantly stood right before the surprised key wielders, looking as if he was being challenged. "Scus' me? Are you looking at me? Did you ask my help? Did you want Mirta back as an ordinary girl, and all of a sudden you're walking out on me?" Asking many questions, not knowing Ben was grinning as he continues. "I don't think so! Not right now! You got yourself a challenge Benjamin Florian!"
Flies into the lamp to get practice much to the surprise of Mal over how Genie suddenly became eager to break the witches' spell. Genie's head popped out of the lamp. "Let me know when the girls are back, I want to make it a surprise." With that he vanishes.
Mal looked at Ben in surprise of what he did when she saw the grin on his face. "Wait… did you… prince Ben? Prince of Auradon? One who always believes in truth and morality… just tricked someone?"
Ben could not help but shrug his shoulders and feeling awkward about it. "Yeah, first time I ever did that but the only way to help out."
She suddenly smiles and finds this the first time seeing a new side of him before and likes it. "Where has this side of you been?"
"Don't get too excited, just sometimes you have to do things for your friends." Ben said. "I better go see how the others are doing."
Mal nods and decided to remain behind as she sighs before noticing Mirta with a grin on her face. "What?"
"Just starting to see why you like him so much."
"W-what are you talking?" Mal asked in confusion. "I mean, yeah, he's nice and all."
"Come on, it's written on your face. You got it big for him." Mirta said and sees Mal's face flushed.
"What? Me? Have a crush on him? Yeah, like that will happen!" Mal tried to deny it and try to keep her voice level down from anyone listening.
"And yet, your face is all flushed up as red and when you said he was cute." Mirta stated. "Come on, admit it, you have a crush on Ben."
Trying to find a way to deny it as she did not want to acknowledge these growing feelings for Ben over the past months. Since they first met she had to admit he felt somewhat attracted to him, he had tried to approach her to be friends at times until she warmed up to them a little. But over time whenever she was close to him since the dance, Mal felt her heart skip a beat and these warm feelings for him grew. But afraid if he knew about her being the daughter of Maleficent, he would think she was evil as well, but to her immense joy that Ben knew anyway and still cared for her.
Giving up the charade and sighs. "Am I that obvious? Starting to see how Taren felt with Bloom and Flora who have a mutual crush on him."
Not wanting to say anything but Mirta did sort of heard them talk about him a lot and watched them write their diaries, no doubt what they feel about him and continues to listen to Mal's confession.
"Alright, I admit it, he's just so… so kind and caring than anyone else. But what if he doesn't like me? I mean, he's a prince and I'm just a witch."
"Well, you could always ask him out. I mean, you faced the Grimm, took on the Trix and a superpowered villain." Mirta encourages her to at least show some feelings to him and give it a shot. "I mean, he obviously shown to like you and… I think he was going in for a kiss."
Not expecting to hear that and only made Mal blush much more while trying not to get excited about it. "How about we just focus on the situation now, and try not to give my brain a headache." Ignores Mirta's giggling over her strong feelings for Ben. But stops from her track of thoughts to hear the sound of a ship descending.
The ship descended towards the school, however not so steady and careful when landing. The ship slowed down until it was inches from the gate, gathering the attention of the students outside while the teachers approach them. To their fortunate, the Winx emerged from the opening hatch.
"Oh, thank goodness we're back on the ground." Bloom groans. "My head is spinning."
Stella seemed nervous but tried to keep a steady balance. "Okay, next time let's take a Red Fountain ship. No way, am I going trusting a pilot who almost crashed 5 times!"
"Make that 5 when he almost flew into a satellite." Tecna stated.
"Or flew upside down." Taren said, he was relieved to be back on the ground after the experience with Launchpad's flying skills.
"How is it he kept a ship in one piece?" Musa asked him.
Flora followed him and held her head with one hand. "I can see why you were so nervous about it."
"Well, least Della was keeping an eye on him as a co-pilot." Whatever had occurred during his time away from home, Taren was grateful Della returned and helped.
Faragonda, Yen Sid, Saladin, and Macbeth were present to greet them.
"Welcome back, all of you. Bloom, how are you dear?" Faragonda asked when fearing for the worst that could happen to her.
Bloom gave a heavy sigh while still sadden over losing her powers. "Faragonda, I'm sorry, I lost my powers and… I couldn't do anything to stop them." Taren came to comfort her with a hand on her shoulder while Stella was beside her.
"Oh, dear. If only we acted sooner to stop them." The headmistress felt partly to blame for not telling Bloom earlier
Sensing the grief in her and shocked over the news. Yen Sid feared the worst. "Then it's true, the Trix have the Dragon Flame."
Saladin nodded and confirmed how they were able to destroy Red Fountain. "With the Dragon Flame in their hands, who knows what the Trix will unleash upon our world. But for Tezzeret, it may be much worst."
"While you were away, Red Fountain was under attack by the Trix and the Grimm." Macbeth explains to them of what happened. "But only then they had friends and destroyed Red Fountain.
The news of the Specialists' school destroyed gave a shock to the Winx and Taren. "Did anyone make it out?"
"Fortunately, they all manage to escape and came to us in help." Faragonda assured them and find the Specialists students, some injured and others interacting with the Alfean students. "Even with all the training, they were no match for what happened."
Taren made his turn to speak with something important to share. "But, despite all that happened, we discovered something everyone would wanna hear and found a way to end this."
"Before we do anthing. Might I ask who brought you all here." Saladin asked him.
They see more people come out, two being anthro ducks, a short female and a tall male. "Hey, guys, names Della Duck. You probably know my brother but we came in time for the action."
Followed by them were two more who were none other than Sora and Kairi, Saladin and Faragonda were speechless to see the heroes and friends after many years.
Sora gave a smile and waved to everyone. "Hey, it's been a long time." He sees the keyblade grand master who nodded.
"Indeed it has, old friend." Saladin said and smiled. "But where are the others?"
"They'll be on their way, but we had to come as soon as possible." Kairi told them and stood beside her husband and son.
Musa spotted Kiku who appears to be playing with a purple duck. "Hey, look! Look like Kiko's found a friend."
"Where'd he come from?" Stella pondered.
"I brought him with me." Everyone spotted Knut and surprised he was in Alfea instead of attacking them from the previous encounters.
Stellar was not happy to see him as the rest of the girls. "Knut!"
"If you're looking for trouble, picked the worse timing." Taren brought his hands when ready for a fight.
"It's alright, everyone." Faragonda stood beside Knut before they could start a fight. "The ogre is on our side now."
"As it turns out, Knut has been working as our informant of the Trix." Yen Sid explained.
"Wait, seriously?" Taren was surprised to find out about this.
Saladin nodded to confirm it. "He fought courageously against the forces of evil."
Never expected to hear that the ogre not only turned to their side, but was a double agent as well
"Goodness. You close your eyes for a second and look what happens." Stella smiled at Knut, despite all the bad things between them.
"Pepe and I managed to run away from Cloud Tower. They chased us but we were too fast for them." Knut explained to them. "I was lucky to find Mal, she helped us get to Red Fountain."
"Indeed. We don't even know what happened to Ms. Griffin." Faragonda confirmed and feared something terrible had happened.
"So I guess this means we're all in the same boat now." Flora thought with no knowledge of what was happening in Cloud Tower.
"Yes, but it remains to be seen whether we can keep afloat or not." Musa stated.
Stella walks over to Knut. "Well now, at least, we have a life raft."
Taren shrugged his shoulders and smiles. "Well, guess we can accept his help."
Happy to be given a chance, Knut pulled the surprised Stella and Taren in a hug.
Kairi giggled and found his attitude just like Sora's. "Much as I find this heart warming, but we might need to work out some problems here first."
Tecna nodded and understand her reason with so many people in Alfea. "Indeed. It's getting a little crowded here, don't you think?"
"It's true then, Red Fountain was destroyed?" Bloom asked when they earlier confirmed it's destruction..
Macbeth nodded to her. "Yes, despite our combined efforts with the keybladers, Titans and Specialists together, we were no match for the Fallen army."
"With no where to go, the boys will stay here for now." The headmistress told them.
"Awesome! A big sleep over!" Launchpad proclaimed and ran inside.
"Gee, I wonder where someone would share the room with?" Musa ponders and smiles at Taren who suddenly became crimson red as Tecna gave Bloom and Flora a thumps up.
The three looked at each other and blush until Taren made a fake cough. "You know what, maybe check on our friends and see how they are doing."
"Not so fast!" Sora managed to grab him by the hood before he could make a run for it. "Your mother and I got a lot of catching up to what's been going on, so for the time being maybe you can introduce us to your friends. And any surprises you might have for us"
"Oh, believe me, dad. You be amazed." Taren gave a nervous smile to his dead and then mumbled under his breath. "It will be a surprise."
Kairi decided to give some support to the teachers. "We'll help with all we can, Faragonda."
"We need all the help we can, Kairi. The whole Magic Dimension lies in ruin." Narrows her eyes with the thought of another crisis in their lifetime.
"Tezzeret and those three witches won't wait long before launching a new attack on Alfea. We've got to be ready to fight them." Saladin told them, knowing all of them will be part of a battle unlike any other.
After Riven was attacked and no longer under the Trix's spell, he was thrown into the dungeons under the newly replaced guards set by Tezzeret after their take over.
"I have to say, without your help, we would never have come this far." Narrows his eyes when the cyborg warlock entered the cell with his soldiers standing guard. "Perhaps this be a fitting fate for a traitor. I would have considered a place for you as one of my subordinates. To gain the power and respect you wanted."
"Thanks, but I rather stay here than become like you, a cyborg freak." Riven spat on his offer and suddenly thrown across the cell by an unknown force, slamming him to the wall as Tezzeret waved his hand out and glowed orange with the metallic tendrils pointing at him with those sharp bladed tips.
Tezzert narrows his eyes at him and slowly steps forward to the struggling teen. "Don't temp me, boy. The only reason why you still breath is because you did your part well thanks to the Trix. And now I finally obtained the Dragon's Flame, I have freed my brethren and we will finish where we left off over a thousand years ago."
"You only tricked me to help you!" Riven argued, noticed a Beowolf crawling behind Tezzeret, baring its fangs at him like a piece of meat and was utterly helpless.
"It's not easy isn't it? Being so helpless and weak, you wanted to be strong, respected and brave. Yet, you allowed a witch to manipulate you." Tezzeret taunted him, letting out a chuckle along with his soldiers who heard him. "You betrayed your friends, spied and helped us use their own weakness against them. And when I'm done with this world."
Grips his metal claw and summons his corrupted keyblade. "I will make use the very flame itself that created life, to bring destruction. Starting… with Destiny Island."
"Destiny Islands?" Suddenly it came to Riven where he heard that name before. "Wait… isn't that Taren's home?"
"Correct. And now I know where the remaining descendants of the Drocarhen people are, we will make sure there are no one left. Every last man, woman, and child." Tezzeret proclaimed, much to Riven's horror of how far he was willing to go.
"What did they do to you? Why go that far just to wipe them out?"
Tezzeret turned to him and answered his question. "The Fates told us, that a group of people who were connected to the strongest of magic would be chosen by the keyblade and defeat the army of the fallen. When I learned the people had that trait from Domino, I had no choice. Now when we came so far to obtain this power." Explaining to Riven of the story of how he committed the Drocarhen Massacre among his fellow kin to wipe their kind off the face of Domino. His eye turned bright red with anger. "And when I was freed by the Trix's ancestors, our former allies they forced me and my remaining forces into hiding after Domino was destroyed and one of the descendants of the first keeper of the Flame gone, I had to spend years finding the princess who may be the key."
'Bloom.' It made sense to Riven why Bloom seemed to not know her magic origins before coming to Magix after he heard about it.
"And also… it's a personal grudge if you call it, for what his father… did to me as did Orital, Bloom's possibly late father."
"Yeah, I doubt her boyfriend will let you get away after what you did and maybe he'll make you more robot." Riven taunted him but forgot about the Grimm as it comes to him within inches until Tezzeret stopped it.
Gave a soft chuckle and smiles. "And who do you think told us of their exact location? You. Even if they find out your trapped here, I sincerely doubt they would waist time coming to rescue a traitor." Seeing the look on Riven's face when he hated to admit to Tezzeret's logic. Decided not to stay around and let him go, causing Riven to land on his butt as the fallen wielder leaves the cell with his group and the Beowolf following them until the door was shut.
"What about the Trix?" One of them asked, a tall blue skinned humanoid with pointed eyes. "With them each hold a piece of the Flame, they could turn on us just like their ancestors in the last Keyblade War and the second time after that."
"Not to worry, as soon as they served their purpose. We won't need them anymore." Tezzeret said with confidence as they walk through the dungeons. "Send some of our own to Dyamond, Gregoria should receive word by then and awaits your arrival."
Riven felt so utterly useless and hated how right they were when he betrayed the ones who were the closes to a friend, only now he turned his back on them. He wasn't always like this ever since the day he was abandoned and forced to live on his own to survive until he reached the legal age to join Red Fountain, obviously they thought to set him on a right path. But seems that did the opposite.
"He's right. Many things I don't like about myself but won't go down easily." Riven said to himself. "I'm far from being a monster, okay? I have a heart!"
But so far he just ignored it when once again chose to side with the enemy and ended up under their spell as a puppet. "I somehow doubt they'll ever forgive me for the things I've done."
"Hey kiddo!"
Suddenly heard a woman's voice calling out to him, slowly gets up on his feet and approached the door but remembered that it was locked. Looks through the bars and recognised the headmistress of the school in a cell across. "Miss Griffin? Is that you? What are you doing here?"
Paying the price for my foolishness. I too have shown poor judgement. I should've realized sooner that their ambition was dangerous in scope." Griffin told him, showing sense of regret of not taking any actions to stop them. Mal was right about them but I was too stubborn to admit it."
"But it's not your fault. It would've been impossible to guess what they were planning." As he learned the hard way and found something about Tezzeret's plan. An idea came to his head after looking at the locks. "Hmm. I've got to try to get out of here. I've always been good at picking locks."
Trying to find anything that could do the trick, a metal wire was spotted on the floor as it could work. "This will do." Adjusting it to fit into the door lock. "Yes, sir. This will do the trick. Alright. The person hasn't been born yet, who could keep me locked up."
He inserts the wire into the lock and able to open it up. "Ha, you don't need a keyblade to do the easy job." Now to help the others and made his way over to Griffin's. "Don't worry, Miss Griffin. I'll get you out of here in a second-"
"Don't waste your time, kid." Griffin declined his help and surprised Riven. "Believe me, if it were that easy, my dark powers would have taken care of that lock long before now." Explaining the reason why she never escaped before. "It's an ancient runic lock. It's unbreakable."
Turns to her students who using a rusty bucket and a mob as the only thing they have in the cell that could be useful to them. "My girls are busy preparing a potion which will allow me to confuse the protection runes for a few seconds and then-"
Interrupted her sentence was a sound of monster roars coming from the far corridor. "What was that?" Riven asked and not liking the sound it made.
"It must be the Grimm. Save yourself!" Griffin cried out.
Riven didn't want to leave them behind and wanted to make things right. "But-"
"Run! You can do nothing for me! Stop Tezzeret, he's the greater threat than the Trix!" Riven took her plea when he spotted the Centinels crawling all over the walls and ceiling to give chase, followed by a large Beringal stomping through the dungeons. Riven ran as fast as he can to get some distance from the Grimm without any weapons to defend himself, taken the stairs and continued running but the Centinels and the Beringal continued to chase after him until he reached the end of the stairs and found a different corridor. "Huh? Where am I?" He spotted a large opening that leads the outside.
"Hey! What are you doing here?"
"Oh no!" Riven found himself caught by the Fallen soldiers as the Grimm blocked the stairs, the two guards aimed their staffs and tried to blast Riven but he quickly ran towards the window as the only escape. "It's my only chance." It was no other choice and saw how high it was and what he will do. The Grimm surrounded him and the soldiers aimed their staffs at him.
"No where to run, kid." One of them sneered.
A large Beringal with the right side of it's face broken and almost fractured was huge and easily towards over him. "No! You'll never get me!" Making up his choice and jumped, much to the surprise of the two who chased him. Falling straight down and screamed to his impending doom.