Summary:
Tests, Simulations, Trix, and Bloom still discovering her powers? What would happen if all these were combined? A whole lot of Omega crap storm!
A/N: Welcome back lovelies,
You get a chapter early, awesome right? Don't have much to say but I hope you guys are ready for another chapter, and OMD I've made it to chapter 12! The season/novel is going well, ain't it?
This is an interesting chapter where you'll get to see Bloom be awesome per usual. This was was a really fun chapter to write and as I write more, the more, I love this story and I hope you guys do too. Thank you for being here with me, leaving hits, kudos, and comments. You guys rock! I know I promised to post this last week, but edits got in the way, but I'm positive this is my finished product. I might skip a month and post in July, but I'll see what happens and how good Chapter 13 is. I hope ya'll enjoy this chapter!
Editor:
Paranoidgirl (thanks for the help dude or dudette!)
Okay without further ado, here's:
Chapter 12: Put to the Test
"Bloom?" The voice called to the girl as she leaned against the well. It echoed through her head like empty walls sending back the sound of a voice. "Bloom?"
Bloom still couldn't figure out how to save the girl or even if she was real. What if it was all in her head, and Stella had been right all along. Maybe it was a dream, maybe her powers meant nothing, or what if they were out of control and she would never be able to handle them? Her head was spinning with thoughts about what this all could mean.
"Bloom!" a different voice said, startling the girl and causing her to drop her coin in the well accidentally. "Darling, we're over here!"
"What's up?" Bloom said, turning her attention towards her friends.
"Still thinking about the mystery lady?" Stella asked, concerned.
Bloom nodded. "But you know what? I'm not focusing on her or whatever she is. Let's get back to the conversation… about…"
Musa giggled. "Professor Palladium is finally going to take us all into the famous simulation room, and I, for one, think it is the most amazing bit of news ever!"
"You think everything is amazing," Bloom joked. "Yesterday you nearly toppled a girl when you saw a new book come into the library."
"It was the new edition to the Carmella trilogy!" Musa exclaimed, causing her friends to laugh. Musa shook her head smiling. "My point is, this is going to be really fun; it's a simulation."
"I've heard that some really ace things happen in that place," Stella agreed. "Some girl brought her bloke there and they had to air out the place afterward."
"Oh, that's gross!" Tecna squirmed, nearly spitting out her chips. "Word it betta next time!"
"At least that's better than the girl that ended up almost lobotomized in there," Flora said, twirling a strand of hair on her finger.
"Flo'a for the last time, that was a rumor!" Tecna said annoyed. "There ain't no student fou' years ago who snuck in and ended up partially brain dead!"
"I heard she had to walk with a limp," Stella corrected.
"I heard she ended up cross-eyed," Musa said, flipping through her book. "Poor girl."
"Wow, this sounds like a fun time," Bloom sardonically said.
"Those are all rumors that are about as true as a flyin' pig," Tecna said, surprising Bloom.
That's too far-fetched in this world?
"Whatever you say, but I'm keeping my guard, like, way up," Flora said, acting like she was bringing up shields on her sides. "And nothing you or Pally says will convince me otherwise. Obviously, he'd keep up appearances for the higher-ups."
"I'm talkin' to a brick wall." Tecna sighed, facepalming.
"Come on, Flora. It'll be fun, you'll see.," Stella reassured. She then walked over to the redhead and grabbed her face. "Be like our Bloomie here, stoic, unfazed, looking slightly pissed that I'm touching her. The perfect response."
"Thanks for the compliment slash insult," Bloom replied waving her hands away. "I'm kind of on Flora's side. Mostly because the last time I tried VR at school I nearly vomited."
"VR is vastly different from full room simulators," Tecna said. "You'll be safer than a pig restin' in the mud."
Bloom chuckled at the second pig comment, before turning back towards the well. "You think if I make a wish, I can avoid this?"
"You're better off trying to find a genie," Stella answered. "Which are nigh impossible to find."
"Damn it," Bloom said, snapping her fingers. She chuckled along with Stella.
"As for me, I plan on having an ace experience, one that will go down in history, so that I will become the talk of Alfea," Stella said cockily.
"More than when yo'-" Tecna started to joke but noticed Bloom doing a shushing motion as Stella glared at the country girl. She hadn't informed the girls of the truth but wanted to avoid talking about it just as much as Stella did. "Never mind. Just quit focusin' on yerself before yer head swells up and floats away."
"It's already kind of getting there," Bloom joked, patting Stella on the head. "Quick Stella, think of something other than yourself!"
"She's screwed," Flora added, giggling.
The other girls laughed as Stella looked over them with a twitching left eye. She rolled her eyes as the laughter calmed down and she let out a scoffing, "Brilliant."
…
In Cloud Tower, inside the Trix's room, three witches were mulling over the next part of their plans. Icy, Darcy, and Stormy looked over the notes on their desk. Some had scribblings about Coven witches, some were about the Dragon Flame and the last was about Bloom, her name etched into the three witches' brains.
"We're never going to be like the Ancestral Witches if we can't get one weak fairy's powers!" Icy complained while rubbing her chin. "How is it that some random girl, a part of a group called the Winx, is so powerful."
"She's not just some run-of-the-mill fairy," Darcy said, continuing to look over the notes. "I thought it'd take forever to find the lost Dragon Flame ever since what happened to Domino and now it might be right in front of us and we can't get it."
"She must be hiding something," Icy said. "Nobody's that naïve!"
"Well, I mean… she is from Earth," Stormy reasoned. "Let's check the whispering crystal again!"
"Right, hand me your crystals," Icy said, holding out her hands. "Energies of Chaos unite. Form the Whispering Triangle. Let the three cease to be, and bear one power onto me."
Once again the three crystals merged into one medium-sized gemstone and Icy lightly tapped it, causing past events to form and show Bloom releasing her energy.
"Bloom's power registers at the highest level. You all see what I mean, don't you?" Icy said, looking over the results.
"I'm just happy these crystals worked out," Darcy said. "Black market crystals were worth the four hundred dimars."
"Told you!" Stormy said. She studied the charts trying to figure out how Bloom's parents were compared to other fairies. "Ginger's magical energy is equal only to that of the Dragon Flame."
"She knows how to throw a punch too," Darcy said, chuckling. "Do you have the part where she punches Stormy in the jaw?"
"Hey, let's not focus on that right now," Stormy mumbled blushing. "What did you get?"
"It, unfortunately, didn't record that, or her power level," Icy said with a raised eyebrow. "Point is she has immense power that we can harness!"
"We should put Bloom to the test, just to make sure," Darcy added.
"But—" the girls heard a voice say. They turned their attention towards the voice, which was Knut's. Their menacing stares and smoke flowing across their bodies sent a shiver up his and Pepe's spines. "I am so sorry for cutting you off, but I don't quite understand."
"What?" Icy questioned, taking a step closer to him. She gave the ogre a deep, terrifying glare sending another shiver down the beast's spine.
Knut backed up and hit the closet, trembling. "I just mean, if it's a flame can't it be anything? I've never really heard about the Dragon Flame, I know it's a fairy thing, but is it really that important? Can't it be like a candle flame?"
"Did you just compare the all-powerful, world-ending flame to a fucking… candlelight?!" Icy scolded, clenching her fist.
"Dragon's breath you're stupid," Darcy scolded.
"I can't really see you that well, are you mad or happy?" Knut said, squinting his eyes nervously.
"For the love of… Put your glasses on!" Icy snapped.
Knut nodded and pulled his glasses out of his pocket and put them on before nodding once he saw them. "There you are."
Icy smirked before slapping Knut hard across the face, her sisters remained unfazed but it did horrify Pepe. Knut rubbed his cheek sadly. This was only one of many times he had to deal with this.
"The Dragon Flame holds an immense power of a world long forgotten, and we will be the ones to wield it for our own! Everyone will know the power of us once and for all!" Icy explained before bursting into cackles. After a few seconds, she took notice of her relaxed sister. "You're not joining in?"
"It's been a long day," Darcy replied.
"Whatever!" Icy said, turning off the image from the crystal and storming off.
…
Back in the Alfea dorm, mid-afternoon, Bloom was in her room reading when her main phone went off, playing a song from Python Insanity. She lowered her book, surprised since the only people who had her number were her flatmates and they wouldn't call her through her phone while she was in the flat with them. She eyed the phone, noticing the number was unknown, was this some sort of magical telemarketer?
"Can you please answer your phone? It's scaring Phoebe," Flora said comforting a giant sunflower that was shaking.
Bloom rolled her eyes and picked up her phone.
"Hey, who's this and why is your number unknown?" She answered
'Holy shite, you answered?' the voice said. 'Sky, she answered!'
'Good on ya, mate!' Sky called.
"Bloom, hi, hi, hi!" Bloom recognized Brandon greeting her with the same energy he always had. She even pictured him waving eagerly. "Before you question how I got your number, it's not because I'm really weird or because I looked up your number on your phone last time we talked because that'd be weird right?"
'Why bloody bring it up?' Sky questioned, annoyed.
"Yeah, I just asked Stella for it and she gave it to me, but I understand if that still freaks you out, and…"
"Stop talking," Bloom said, chuckling. "I figured Stella was the one. What's up Brandon?"
'She asked me what's up…' Brandon whispered to Sky in the background. 'What do I say?'
'I don't know the sky? Tell her you're fine,' Sky replied.
"You should take his advice," Bloom joked.
"Then I am fine!" Brandon answered. "I called because… well you see… there's this thing…"
Sky sighed. 'Bleeding Omega,'
'You don't have to be here you know!' Brandon said, laughing nervously. "Would you like to… do the things… where people are together… as friends?"
"Would I like to hang out with you?" Bloom asked.
"Yes!" Brandon exclaimed. "I'm free tomorrow and I was hoping you were as well and I- I'd love to show you around the Red Fountain campus. I know we're friends and stuff so… and this is just a friend thing I'm not asking you on a date. Just a friend thing."
Bloom chuckled, imagining Brandon resting his arm on his desk, nervously trying to look cool as he tried to ask her to hang out. She mulled it over for a second, unsure if she was ready to hang out with another guy in a whole other realm, although it was just as a friendly outing.
"Hm… I'm free, so all right," Bloom answered.
"Oh, okay I understand," Brandon said somberly.
Sky could be heard groaning in the background.
"Three… two… one," Bloom counted down already knowing what was about to happen. An audible gasp was heard in the background causing the girl to chuckle.
"YOU SAID YES!" Brandon shouted, loud enough it startled Flora's plants. The phone wasn't even on speaker.
"A-yup," Bloom said, dryly.
'Sky, she said yes!' Brandon cheered.
'Good on ya, mate,' Sky congratulated.
"So um, I pick you up at five and we hang out?" Brandon asked. "I can bring food so you can skip dinner! Unless you want dinner there!"
"Bring me something chocolate-based and that Omega stuff and I'll meet you at five," Bloom said slyly.
"That I can do! I would do anything for you… my friend!" Brandon stammered. "I'll see you then?"
"Five on the dot," Bloom agreed. "Can't wait."
"I'm counting the hours!" Brandon exclaimed and a sigh was heard in the background. 'Stop judging me!'
Bloom laughed, before saying, "See you, Brandon."
"You as well," Brandon replied.
Bloom hung up the phone and smiled. As she tried to go back to her reading, she felt a presence close to her. Her eyes shifted slowly towards the body next to her and she found Flora sitting eerily close to her.
"Why are you so close to me?" Bloom asked.
"You have a date, a real date!" Flora gushed. "I was so worried you wouldn't find anyone! I was, like, tempted to buy tarot cards to see if you'd find someone!"
"It's not a date and you're weird," Bloom replied, flipping through her book until Flora snatched it out of her hand and tossed it aside. "Pick that up."
"No more reading gothic novels about dreary topics, be happy, girl," Flora said, patting her on the back. "In fact, B.R.B."
"Wait, please don't tell anyone," Bloom begged, but it was too late.
Flora sprang up and rushed towards Stella's room, a few seconds passed before, unfortunately, Bloom heard eager footsteps. Stella's head popped into the room as Flora ran towards the other side of the hall.
"You said yes to the date?"
"It's not a date!" Bloom snapped. An eager Musa squeal was heard a second later causing the annoyed girl to bury her head in her hands. "God damn it guys."
…
The next morning, Bloom and her classmates were led into a large room in the upper parts of Alfea. Inside was a great machine, large enough to be a small building in and of itself, clashing wildly with the surrounding archaic machines. The walls were decorated with amber panels in honeycomb shapes and the floors were honey-colored as well. Palladium was in front of them looking as eager as usual.
"This is it! The Alfea Magical Simulation Chamber!" He said. "I'm sure you must have heard quite a bit about this place already. This chamber is the product of the most powerful magic that exists; secret, ancient spells, and potions are combined to create just the right mix of magical energy to produce a simulated world and any kind of simulated situation imaginable."
"My stars, my dreams are comin' true as I stand here," Tecna said, wiping her imaginary tears. "This is amazin'!"
Musa patted her friend on the back while giggling.
"I know, right?" Palladium effused almost coming off as chipper as Musa. "You can fully test out your Spark and various other general magical skills without any concerns of getting hurt."
"Yeah, but what about-" Flora started before Palladium put a hand up.
"There was no student who ended up lobotomized!" he said, sounding annoyed. "Now please focus on the amazing feats over the rumors."
"Okay," Flora said in a condescending tone. She turned away, rolling her eyes.
As Palladium went on about the chamber, Bloom walked over to Stella and whispered, "With the hell, we've gone through, I honestly forgot about our Sparks."
Stella smiled while giggling. "You have been using it well though."
"You flatter me, Princess," Bloom said with an exaggerated accent.
"I know how to say the right words, kind commoner," Stella replied, the two girls laughed, causing some people to look over at them.
The teacher took notice and snapped his fingers to have the attention focused back on him, "Now, any questions?"
"How does this actually work?" Tecna asked without raising her hand.
"While the world is computer-generated, the reality is not; when it's cold you will really feel cold and if a rock falls and hits you, believe me, you will feel it. Fairies feel the full brunt of the world, virtual or not," the elvish teacher explained. "The possible realities are limitless!"
"Can we do simulated dates?" Stella asked, gaining an eye roll from Bloom.
"We know what you'd do to a fake boy," a girl said, pretending to move her hand up and down. "Would it emit the same results of disgust after she's done?"
Everyone sans the teacher and Stella's flatmates laughed causing the Princess to blush angrily. "I swear I wouldn't degrade myself to that level."
"I believe you," Bloom said sincerely. "Trust me girls like that live on a one-track mind."
"I will say this though, Lexi, did you ever pay your date back for vomiting on his pants?" Stella brought up to the girl that commented. "I remember the look of disgust he gave you."
Lexi's face turned pink as all the laughs changed over to her, but before she could say anything else, Palladium whistled loudly.
"Instead of ridiculing each other, let's discuss the midterms!" he said, causing the girls to gasp in surprise. "Now, gather around while I show off some of the controls."
"Oh, let me get front row seats fo' this," Tecna said eagerly, shoving girls out the way to stand in front of Palladium who took a seat in front of a large panel of buttons and switches.
"From here we oversee everything that goes on in the simulation room," Palladium said, flipping a switch, and activating the lights in the room. "As I said, we can do many simulations, like, as Stella asked, a date, although that's not happening after last time."
Bloom and Stella chuckled thinking about all the possibilities that happened there.
"Your midterm will have two options, use your magic to counteract a spell that has affected a person or object or use magic to produce positive results on a damaged environment."
"I already know what I'll pick," Flora said to Bloom. "Removing evil spells is my true Spark!"
"Aiding a dying planet is my dream!" Stella said. "I'll be receiving a high grade, isn't that right Palladium?"
"I love how modest you're being," Bloom joked.
"Stella, don't let me disclose your grade, it'll make everyone sad," Palladium added chuckling.
Everyone laughed, causing Stella to roll her eyes and mumble, "Brilliant."
"Yeah, yeah, now Palladium, what's this switch do!" Tecna said, before flipping the switch herself and causing multicolored lights to hit the floor one by one as disco music started to play.
Palladium frantically un-flipped the switch looking mortified. There was a quick silence before Musa innocently said, "So is that a part of the midterm?"
Bloom chuckled.
"No. No, it is not," the teacher said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Anyways, we'll all meet here tomorrow for your midterm. Please come well-prepared and ready to go. Believe me, this will be an experience you'll remember for a very long time."
…
During dinner time, Brandon picked up Bloom and escorted her to Red Fountain to show her around the school. They had shared a sandwich dinner. After showing off the many classrooms, snack rooms, and even the gym, they went outside to walk around the courtyard. Brandon had brought the dog Bloom had seen a while ago with them and was walking her along the pathway without a leash.
"So, did you enjoy your tour?" Brandon asked eagerly.
"I really did, a lot actually, you have a lot of interesting spots and classes," Bloom admitted finishing her chocolate bar. "We're not lucky enough to have five gyms."
"It's so awesome!" Brandon said. "I wish I could've shown you the dragon ring, but they left for the day. I rode one!"
"Must've been fun to ride one again," Bloom said with a smile. "Was it like a king on his regal steed?"
"Not the same, but it was pretty close," Brandon said, bumping his arm against Bloom's. "How was your day?"
"Not bad," Bloom mumbled, nibbling on her lip. "Been doing a lot of thinking lately."
"I do that a lot too, such as which superhero I'd be and what power I'd possess," Sky jokes, making Bloom laugh. "I love making you smile."
"Well, it helps that you're actually funny," Bloom replied, causing Brandon to pump his fist in triumph. "Also you don't need to be a superhero, you're more than that already, Specialist in training."
"Thank you," he then picked up a stick and tossed it a few feet away while shouting, "Go get it, Lady!"
Lady, the name Bloom learned was the dog's name, rushed towards the stick while barking happily. The dog was the size of a labrador retriever, but Bloom wasn't sure those existed in the magic world. Brandon smiled as the dog walked back over with the stick.
"You're adorable," Bloom said, patting the dog on the head. "I'm normally a cat person, but you get to be the exception."
The dog barked happily, dropping the stick. She jumped up to Bloom attempting to lick her. The girl pushed her back down, laughing.
"She really likes you," Brandon said happily. He clapped eagerly at Lady jumping after Bloom.
Bloom shrugged, "I'm a pretty lovable person when I'm not a recluse."
"Recluse? You? You're more extroverted than Musa!" Brandon complimented. "Okay, not that much, but pretty close."
"Thanks, Brandon," Bloom said blushing. "You're pretty cool too."
"Yes well," Brandon mumbled, waving his hand nonchalantly, but hiding his shy smile. "Enough about me though, tell me more about your day."
"Well, let's see. I found out we have a very important test tomorrow. Literally tomorrow, I'm so glad Palladium didn't give us time to prepare or anything," Bloom said cynically. "It's like the pop quizzes my teachers used to give back on earth."
"Is it one of those simulation tests?" Brandon asked to which Bloom nodded in response. "We have to take those too, but ours is next week. At least you'll get it out the way."
Bloom shrugged. "I guess. I have to choose between two options, reverse an evil spell or fix up a dead environment."
"Oh, switched it up," Brandon said. "Stella said she had to choose between walking across a tightrope or an obstacle course."
"What did she pick?"
"Tightrope… she did not pass."
Bloom chuckled. "That sounds like something she would choose to show off."
"Yes," Brandon spotted a bench and sat down, he patted the empty seat so Bloom could sit next to him. She followed suit. "Know what you're going to choose?"
"Nope," Bloom replied, emphasizing the end of the word. "Brandon… I don't feel ready."
"I know what you mean, I don't always feel ready before an exam, but-"
"No, not that… I mean," Bloom bit down on her bottom lip. "Can I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything," Brandon replied.
"If you were in a new world and you knew there was something odd about yourself… about your life, how far are you willing to go to figure out what you are and who you are?"
"Oh… um… deep question I see. Um… I feel like that… yes. I would," Brandon paused once he noticed the somber expression on his friend's face. "But this isn't about me is it?"
Heaving a heavy sigh Bloom said, "Nope. It's just there are things about myself… I thought I knew myself, I thought I had everything figured out and then one day, I had fire shooting from my hands! What- what does this mean for me? What am I? Who am I? I don't feel like I belong here, but I don't feel like I ever belonged anywhere and now there's this midterm in a simulator and the only simulation I ever did was VR and I'm freaking out!"
"Hey, hey, hey relax," Brandon comforted, sliding closer to Bloom. "It's okay, it's okay."
Bloom bit down on her lip again. She held her head down trying to control her anxiety and kept her face covered trying to hide her face, groaning in defeat. "I don't feel… like I belong anywhere."
"I can't quite put myself in your shoes, but I do understand being lost," Brandon admitted. "As a child, I thought I knew the world I lived in, and then… stuff happened that made me feel alone and empty inside, but I just reminded myself to take risks to figure out what I want. You have to take risks to figure out who you are, ask questions, research, and journal if you have to. Am I making any sense because… I feel like I'm rambling."
"You are. Making sense I mean," Bloom replied and after a second she brushed her hair behind her back and sat up straight.
"Come here," Brandon said, bringing Bloom closer to his body and having her rest her head on his shoulder. "You'll figure out things, it just takes time and again risks, this isn't a bad thing, you've begun a journey, and yes it's Omega torture but in the end, you'll be very happy with the results."
Bloom looked at the ground. "You really think so?"
"I'm sure of it," he reassured rubbing her shoulder. "I know you can do this, even though you still feel like a … late bloomer!"
"I hate you," Bloom mumbled, but secretly chuckling in her head.
She closed her eyes, embracing the boy's warm body and his arm around her shoulder, but as a few seconds passed she realized what was going on and opened her eyes, shocked. They shifted around nervously, assessing if this was really happening. She never thought she'd be this close to a guy, what did this mean for her?
She liked Brandon, but he wasn't her type… right? This was getting too strange, she had to pull away before she did something impulsive.
"Um, thanks dude," she said, quickly scooching towards the end of the bench. "So uh, what else did you want to show me?"
"Oh um, right!" Brandon said, blushing. "Come on, I can show you the mess hall, I know where they keep the fancy snacks."
"Yup, let's go there," Bloom said, jumping up.
"Race you!" Brandon said jogging away.
"I don't know where to go— why are you running away?"
"Need to do my nightly sprint," Brandon called, then whispered under his breath, "And race off my desires."
Bloom shook her head and raced after him along with Lady. As they left, Riven jumped from the tree, planting his feet firmly on the ground. He had an apple in his mouth and quickly took it out while taking a bite.
"Morons," Riven chided with an eye roll. "Dragon's breath, how long were they going to keep talking?"
He cricked his strained neck from hiding up in a tree for the last fifteen minutes. He had been following the two around the school and finally made it ahead of them and hid in a tree. It was not comfortable, to say the least.
"No matter, I got what I need," he said, whipping out his phone. "Darcy's gonna love me for this!"
He hit a few buttons before putting the phone to his ear, and soon a feminine voice was heard over the phone, "What did you find?"
"Hi," Riven replied dryly. "Before I tell you, can you give me an invisibility potion next time? Hiding in a tree for some time isn't comfortable."
"I'll remind myself to do so next time," Darcy said, but Riven could imagine her rolling her eyes. " You're okay though?"
"Of course," Riven said cockily.
"Then tell me what you found out," Darcy ordered calmly.
"Bloom's being a crybaby about some simulation midterm tomorrow and feeling lost, legit almost cried."
"Oh, I love to hear this," Darcy said thankfully. "I have the perfect plan which means I have to go early, lunch tomorrow in Magix City?"
"I'm buying," Riven replied. "See ya."
"Yeah probably," Darcy replied before hanging up.
Riven smirked before tossing his phone in the air and catching it with ease. He walked away whistling to himself like he had just scored a goal in a game.
…
In the middle of the night, all was silent in Alfea. Most students were asleep and the only sound in the halls was Griselda, who was making her rounds. In the simulator room, all that disturbed the quiet of the night was the gentle hum of the machine. In a flash, Darcy snapped into the room.
She smirked once she entered the room. She pressed a button and with a barely perceptible rise in sound, the machine started. The screen lit up and a password was demanded.
Darcy merely plugged a little yellow USB into the machine's port, a password cracker immediately booting up. Less than five minutes later, she was in. She retrieved another USB, black and sleek, and plugged it in. The screen turned a bright red much to Darcy's pleasure.
With a few clicks on the panel, the program was uploaded as the red screen showed a caution sign. She pulled out a small hand-held computer and confirmed she was indeed receiving a signal from the simulator. A risky move, she knew, but she needed the data without being too close to the simulator. She shut down the computer with ease and grabbed her things.
"And my mom said working on computers was pointless," Darcy whispered as she snapped her fingers and vanished out of the room.
…
The next day, Bloom shifted through papers on the floor as she tried to memorize every helpful spell she could find. She let out an aggravated sigh and rubbed her forehead as a migraine started.
"Please let this day end already," she said, looking at her phone to check the time. She stood up and walked over to the mirror to put on her collar and change her nail polish. "I'm actually thinking about praying to whatever deity exists in this world!"
Kiko meowed, but Bloom was so focused on the midterm studying that she didn't acknowledge him. The cat turned his head towards her messenger bag and cocked his head with a curious expression.
…
Later, Bloom and the other students stood outside the simulation room waiting for Palladium to show up. Everyone was on different variations of nervousness, except for Tecna, who played a game on her phone.
"I should've tried those muffins today," Tecna said, mulling over her next move in the game. "Sho't stack you got anythin' to snack on?"
"How can you think about food at a time like this?!" Musa bounced nervously, occasionally glancing at Tecna's watch. She had on a pink panda hoodie and gently tightened the hood part while humming to calm her mind.
Bloom walked over to her. "You realize how you look, right?"
"Don't say I look cute!" Musa said blushing. "It's just my lucky hoodie and I need it because while I'm ready for this, I'm also not, but I am ready, but I'm not because this is my first time in a simulator ever! I can't believe this is happening!"
"If yo' don't stop jitterin'. I swear to the eternal dragon, you're mo'e terrified than a toddler gettin' her shots."
"How are you this energetic at noon?" Bloom questioned. She patted the girl on the shoulder. "Just relax, it's going to be a cakewalk."
"You say that now, but that's not— Um, is your messenger bag moving?" Musa questioned.
"Huh?" Bloom questioned. She looked down at her shuffling messenger bag and nervously flipped it open, only to be greeted by her cat, Kiko, placed perfectly like a loaf of bread inside it. "Kiko! What are you doing here?"
Kiko simply meowed in response.
"How did he fit in there?" Musa questioned.
"Cats are mysterious creatures ain't they?" Tecna said, taking notice of how calm the cat looked crammed into Bloom's bag. "They fit everywhere and anywhere."
"I'm aware, but he can't be here, I have to take him back before-" Bloom tried to run off, but Palladium arrived with a cup of coffee in hand. He luckily hadn't noticed that her cat was there. He waved at everyone, seeming to be relaxed with his large cup of coffee.
"Oh shit," Bloom said out loud as her body started to tense once she realized the severity of this situation was even worse now. She quickly dropped the flap hiding Kiko.
"I know you are nervous, but I promise you this will be fun," Palladium reassured everyone. "Come on, let's get started!"
Palladium unlocked the door as he and the girls entered the room, some more reluctantly than others. Flora even had to be dragged in. Once she was in, much like a few other students shifted her weight, bit her nails, and generally behaved like they were about to be tried in court.
"I'm gonna end up like that girl who has to stay in a wheelchair for the rest of her life!" Flora whined.
"Oh, for Dragon's sake!" Tecna chided, shaking her head. "Stop that!"
"All right, the midterms start today, and I would ask who wants to volunteer first, but I don't have all day," Palladium said, sipping from his tumbler. "I randomized all your names and wrote them on my phone so whoever's name I read off will go first. I'll give you a minute or two to stop freaking out."
The girls obliged and started murmuring panic and concern.
"Oh, I don't want to go first," Musa whined, holding hands with Flora.
"Neither do I!" Flora agreed. "I-"
"I swear to the eternal dragon if you mention that rumor mill one mo'e time," Tecna threatened, side glaring at the flower child.
Flora pouted.
"How you doin' fyrecracka?" Tecna asked, playfully elbowing Bloom in the hip.
"I'm sort of ready, I memorized a piece of advice from a catalog I got from Stella. 'Say this once, say this twice, cast this spell and all will be well.' I think that's how it went… And I brought seeds and potions. I'm good. I'm good," Bloom said, but her shaking knees were giving away her unease.
"I'm surrounded by some scaredy cats," Tecna chastised, crossing her arms.
"Okay, you got that out of your system?" Palladium asked, then quickly added. "Doesn't matter, the first person to go is… Bloom Mason."
"Oh, thank the Eternal Dragon," Stella said blessedly, looking up at the ceiling. Once she felt her bestie glowering at her she said, "Good luck, bestie."
"Do I have time to grab something from my-" Bloom started to ask, but Palladium shook his head and opened the door.
"Go on, get in there," he said, nodding his head into the chamber. "And heads up; you can't leave the chamber until the test time is up, it's ten minutes long, and if you try to leave you'll fail instantly. All set then?"
"You're just laying this all on me," Bloom replied, trying not to panic. "Well, there's no turning back, so let's get this over with."
"Good girl," Palladium said, escorting her in and quickly closing the door. Once she was in the room, she noticed how white and spacious it was inside the chamber. She was semi-amazed and also kind of nervous. She remembered when she tried VR in ninth grade and nearly bumped into a wall while wearing it.
She said under her breath, "It's just a simulation, you can do this."
"That's right," Palladium said through a speaker, startling the nervous girl.
"Good luck, Bloom!" Musa said, grabbing the microphone. "And be careful."
"If anything happens, we'll call your parents!" Flora said next.
Bloom facepalmed.
"Figure it out on yer own," Tecna said. Once she noticed everyone staring at her oddly, she included, "I'm just offerin' logical advice."
"Just start it already!" Bloom shouted, tapping her foot on the ground.
"What did you choose?" Palladium questioned.
"Um, saving a dead planet or whatever," Bloom answered.
"Excellent choice!" Palladium said, energetically. Bloom scratched her head at how rescuing a dead planet was a fun thing. "Your planet choice is… Domino!"
"Domino?" Bloom mumbled remembering the conversation she had with Faragonda about said planet. Now she'd get to see it up close. "I'm ready for this then."
"Okay, Bloom, this will be my last communication with you. Once the environment is set, you'll be on your own," Palladium said.
Bloom threw her hands in the air, "You've actually got to be kidding me!"
Without any more say, the chamber surged around Bloom, lighting up and preparing the test. The lights flickered for a few seconds and then became brighter, and the platform Bloom was standing on pulled away leaving her hovering in midair. Bloom took a deep breath to calm herself before the chamber's environment changed to a frozen landscape. Bloom immediately shivered.
"This is how I wanted to spend my morning," Bloom lamented, remembering her first incident with the Trix. "I should've brought my jacket for this BS. Well since I'm here, you can come out Kiko, I doubt he'll dock too many points for you sneaking in."
Kiko looked around and quickly jumped out of the bag and scurried off. Bloom sighed, smiling at the energetic cat before crouching down and planting her hands on the ground.
"I guess right now I need a food source…" Bloom said, feeling the ground. She rummaged through her messenger bag and pulled out a small bag of seeds she bought from the campus store ever since Flora made it very clear she wasn't going to share hers. "It's not a lot, but it should work." She scattered them on the ground and read the packet carefully before placing her hand back on the ground and whispering, "Flowers grow from my own hand, flowers grow from my own hand."
After reciting the spell, the magic worked, and little leaves popped up from the ground much to her surprise. "Yes! It's actually working!"
…
"I knew she could do it," Stella said slyly, gaining an eye roll from Tecna. "She's learning so quickly. Just give her the A already Palladium."
"Huh," Palladium said, looking over his confusing system. "There seems to be an issue here." He pressed some buttons, trying to make the simulator delete the undesired elements, but none of his keypresses did anything. "I can't control it. It's on autopilot… I didn't set it that way."
"Oh Dragon, she's gonna end up lobotomized!" Flora exclaimed.
…
"Okay, now that I've gotten some plant life, I can start melting some ice," Bloom said confidently as she watched Kiko rolling in the snow.
"Then you can start with this," sounded a familiar voice behind her and Bloom barely managed to roll away from a massive icicle that impaled the spot where she had been sitting. Bloom slid back, breathing heavily.
The redhead turned and stared in the direction of the attack. "I… ICY!" she exclaimed, spotting her enemy not too far away from her. "No, not you, anybody but you!"
"Hey, don't leave us out of the mix," Stormy said as she appeared behind a tree. "Sup Ginger."
"The correct question was what are we doing here?" Darcy finished as she stepped out of the darkness. Bloom looked around and realized she was surrounded.
"You're not supposed to be part of the test," said Bloom, confused.
"Well, it's funny how things change, ain't it?" Stormy replied, smirking. She launched a ball of lightning at Bloom, who scrambled out the way before it made contact with her. She dashed across the snowy ground, the mocking laughter of the witches echoing in her ears.
"Come on, fairy, defend yourself!" Darcy called as Bloom ran across the frozen landscape. Darcy aimed a ball of dark light energy at the girl, but Bloom dodged that attack as well.
"What's wrong, little Bloom? Can't fight back?" asked Icy mockingly as Bloom leaped across a fallen log into the icy barren waste the land had transformed into.
A bolt of lightning struck the ground before her, suddenly revealing Stormy. "SURPRISE!" yelled the wild-haired witch and punched Bloom across the face, sparks of electricity dancing on her knuckles. The gasping redhead fell to the ground catching her breath.
"I really… hate them," Bloom mumbled. This wasn't supposed to be on the test, but she had no choice and quickly transformed in a flash, she was getting a lot better at changing thanks to help from her friends. She flexed her arms while looking over herself. "I'm starting to enjoy these little transformations. Makes me feel powerful!
Icy rolled her eyes, "Girl gains a couple of wings and a skirt and now she's tough."
"Being a fairy comes with that," Bloom replied. "I hope to God these are holograms, but Trix are Trix regardless."
"Trix, is that the loving name you gave us?" Darcy said, appearing behind Bloom and immediately shoving her to the ground.
"I like it," Icy said, circling Bloom. "Better than Winx."
Bloom's eyes widened, she wasn't sure how or why, but these had to be the real Trix. She growled before standing up.
"I'd love to continue this banter but, I'm going to enjoy this more," Bloom casually held out her hand before shouting, "Flame sphere!" She quickly sent a fireball at Darcy who fell to the ground.
"You almost singed my hair," Darcy angrily said. "You're gonna pay."
She prepared herself for another attack but screamed once she felt a sharp pain in her leg. She looked down and noticed the orange cat hissing at her.
"Kiko, leave, now!" Bloom said, fretfully. "Leave now!"
Darcy, Icy, and Stormy shared the same smirk as they knew what leverage they now had on the girl.
"Ginger girl with a ginger cat," Stormy said, yanking the cat by the tail. "Ugly thing isn't it?"
Kiko hissed and swiped at the girl's hip but missed. He continued hissing before leaping on the girl's face causing her to scream out in pain. "Son of a bitch!"
"I know you're not losing to a cat!" Icy chastised.
"I can feel everything, how can I feel this! STUPID DOLLS!" Stormy complained.
"Is that how you're doing this?" Bloom questioned. "Voodoo dolls? Why am I not surprised? How exactly did you get in here?"
"Let's just say it's quite easy hacking a faulty computer system," Darcy responded, stalking closer to Bloom. "And unlike everything around you, we can do whatever we want to you."
"Stupid. Fucking. Cat!" Stormy said, ripping the cat from her face and slamming it into the ground. "Thanks for the help!"
Kiko let out a sad meow as Bloom looked on, her left eye twitching.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" she shouted storming after Stormy who yelped as she ran the other way.
"Do you think you can see it?" Darcy whispered to Icy as Bloom raced after Stormy.
"Not yet, sister. It's as if she's subconsciously suppressing her power," Icy replied. "We have to drive her completely mad."
"Gladly," Darcy said, cracking her knuckles as stalking over to the cat who glared at her. He quickly raced off causing the girl to follow after him with a groan.
…
"You said your simulator was good, you let it get hacked!" Tecna condemned, slapping the teacher on the head. "Our Bloom is gettin' beat in there!"
"Okay, there were some slight issues I never noticed… and I can't get her out right now because the chamber is time-based," Palladium sheepishly explained. "But she's fighting back really well."
"This school is sued, so bloody sued!" Stella shouted angrily.
…
Back in the simulation chamber, Bloom was fighting for her life but was getting the upper hand as she tackled Stormy to the ground and started hitting her with her open hand.
Stormy growled before quickly punching Bloom in the face and knocking her over. She grabbed her nose in pain, quickly noticing the blood dripping from it. Whatever the Trix were doing to make themselves real in the chamber was working.
Icy cackled as she came closer to Bloom, ice forming around her hands. "You disappoint me, Bloom." She stalked towards the redhead. "I thought you were stronger than that. Come on, fight back."
A fist-sized hail manifested in the air and was launched towards the redhead.
Bloom dodged.
"Flame sphere!" Bloom shouted again, shooting another spherical flame towards the ice witch, but was dismayed when Icy used an ice attack to stop it.
"Aww was that for me?" Icy mocked with a yawn. "You'll have to do better than that."
"Yeah, show us what a fairy can really do," Stormy said, appearing behind Bloom and punching her on the side with a leer. She toppled to the ground in pain, but her strength and lack of fear never wavered. Stormy then bent down and punched Bloom's nose hard. "Sorry, forgot to do that earlier for your shitty cat."
"Is that all you got, bitch?" Bloom replied, wiping the blood from her nose.
"Not even close," Darcy called from behind Bloom. "Your cat was our next choice."
Bloom turned around and found Darcy holding her unconscious cat by the tail.
"PALLADIUM FOR CHRIST'S SAKE END THE FUCKING SIMULATION!" she yelled, desperately praying that maybe ending this nightmare would make the witches go away.
…
"For Dragon's sake do something, she's gettin' tortured in there!" Tecna said, shaking the man.
"I'm trying, I'm trying," answered Palladium who was pressing buttons frantically. "I'll call Faragonda!"
"Do it now!" Musa said, looking at the scene occurring before the students' eyes.
…
"Too late, Bloom," Darcy mocked. "Icy, if you will do the honors."
"Gladly," Icy said, leering at the defenseless girl.
Bloom stood up and rushed after Darcy, but Stormy held her back.
Icy held her hand out and in a flash, ice covered Kiko's entire body and before Bloom's eyes, her beloved cat had frozen like an icicle. She held out her hand to stop Darcy, but the witch raised the cat in the air and shattered it into hundreds of pieces.
"I always hated cats," Darcy replied wiping her hands together. "What's your next move, Bloom?"
Bloom remained silent as she looked over the remains of Kiko and started shaking. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she wasn't sad, she was angry. Furious even, her pet was gone. Not just her pet, but her family. Frozen and shattered on the cold ground of a dead planet.
"You want to see my next move? I'll kill..." Bloom said in a shaking angry whisper. "MONSTERS LIKE YOU!"
She couldn't tell what was real anymore, but in her anger-fueled mind she let out a powerful scream. She started to glow like hot fire and screamed so loudly it caused the chamber to glitch out.
The Trix smiled in a wicked manner before the blast enveloped them and their bodies disintegrated.
…
"Ah, shit!" Icy exclaimed as her voodoo doll turned to dust. "Wait, did it really-"
"It worked!" Stormy said eagerly.
"The crystals got it!" Icy cheered. "We got it! She is the rightful owner of the Dragon Flame!"
"Which means, she might be a part of Domino," Darcy said, nodding.
"We got two surprises and killed a cat!" Stormy said high fiving her sisters. "Great day."
"Indeed," Icy said cackling. This time her sisters joined in as the screen from the video from the crystals tuned out.
Knut stood on the sidelines of the room, holding Pepe and petting his head to calm him down at the ferocious witches cackling.
…
Back in the simulation, Bloom calmed down and fainted on the ground, the students watched helplessly as Palladium contacted Faragonda. Some were even crying. As she regained consciousness, it dawned on her what happened and what she lost.
"What's the point of going on?" Bloom lamented tears in her eyes. She sat up and looked across the world she was in. "They took him from me!"
Just as she was ready to give up and stand to her feet, a soft purring was heard as Bloom felt a warm body rub up against her arm.
"Huh?" She looked down and found Kiko next to her! He looked at her while letting out a soft happy meow. He rubbed his head against her arm while continuing to purr. She gently touched the cat and found he was real! "This can't be."
Bloom looked around and noticed that across the frozen wasteland were tons of Kiko's staring at her. She walked to one of the staring cats and attempted to pat his head, but it glitched out while staring at her. "Which one of you is him? Which one of you is Kiko?"
She started trembling, looking at every version of Kiko.
A cat walked over to her and jumped in her arms, but didn't glitch out or phase through her. She held Kiko in her hands and stared at him. The other cats began to glitch out, but Kiko stayed in her arms, trilling at her.
The tears started flowing as Bloom smiled and snuggled her cat to her chest happily. "I thought I lost you!"
Kiko let out another meow to reassure her he was okay. Bloom started questioning in her head how the witches 'killed' the other cat. "It must've been because you were both simulations, she could feel it attacking her… they wouldn't have been able to touch you… so confusing. This is a new reason I hate VR, but I guess simulation or not you wanted to protect me."
Kiko nodded while purring.
"Oh, Kiko!" Bloom hugged the cat who trilled happily. She looked around the landscape while thinking in her head: Whatever magic those girls used was still very real.
…
"Okay, Faragonda will be on her way and the simulation is done!" Palladium said, looking underneath the panel and searching for a plug to power down the simulator. "As soon as I find the plug!"
"I doubt unplugging it will do anyth-" Tecna started to say, but when Palladium found the plug he quickly powered down the system and plugged it back causing only the white lights to come on, startling Bloom. The walls and ceilings were cracked, but Bloom and Kiko were okay… sort of. "You have got to be kiddin' me."
"This school is bloody sued," Stella critiqued again.
A terrified Bloom looked around and found herself, thankfully, back in the chamber. She breathed a sigh of relief as she cradled her cat in her arms like a newborn infant. "Cool, can someone open the damn door now?!"
The door quickly opened and Musa appeared, overjoyed. Bloom was equally happy to see her. The chipper girl raced over and hugged Bloom tightly while saying, "Sweet baby cheesecakes, thank goodness, you're all right!"
"Minus the broken nose and trauma," Bloom joked, flinching at the pain in her face.
"Come on," Musa said, taking Bloom's hand and leading her out the chamber.
Next was Stella hugging her who had tears in her eyes. The other girls rushed towards Bloom all looking concerned.
"Oh, my Dragon that was amazing, you battled three witches and got out unscathed," Lexi complimented.
"You broke the simulator!" a girl with dark skin added. "Were you, like, scared?"
"Sort of… yeah honestly," Bloom admitted, scratching Kiko's head. "I almost forgot it was fake."
She then turned her attention towards Palladium who was looking over the system and then towards Bloom. He rushed towards her and hugged her.
Everybody is hugging me today.
"I am so sorry," Palladium apologized. "That was insane! Are you okay? Please be okay and please don't sue."
"Like I said, I'm fine, just need a bandage for my nose and water. Thanks for asking… and no you're not going to be sued, especially since I don't know how the law works here."
"Good, okay. I mean I'm glad you're okay too! Well, I'll take you to the nurse and I'm postponing the exams so we can fix things up."
"Awesome!" Flora cheered. "Bloom's good and no midterm today!"
"Three cheers for Bloom!" Musa shouted.
"Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!" The girls cheered, some patting Bloom on the back who smiled shyly before Palladium led her out the room and to the nurse's office.
…
"I'm so elated you made it out there with only a broken nose!" Faragonda said as Bloom sat in a chair in the nurse's office. "When Palladium informed me of what was happening I almost had a heart attack!"
"I'm sorry I almost caused that," Bloom apologized while talking like she was congested thanks to the noseband the nurse gave her.
"No need to apologize, my dear," Faragonda said, crouching down so she was eye level with the injured girl. "I should be the one saying sorry. That chamber never had any problems and then those witches hacked it and nearly hurt you. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, really," Bloom said, waving her hand. "I'm not mad, not even at Palladium. I'm just bruised."
"I understand, I'll inform your parents of what happened and-"
Bloom's eyes widened and she waved her hands while saying, "No, please don't tell them! They're already concerned about me enough, if they find out this happened they'll pull me out, and… I don't want to leave. I love it here."
"Yes but-" Faragonda started, but once she noticed Bloom's concerned look she stopped talking. She stood up and mulled over this for a few seconds. "I have only done this with a few students in the past, your friend Stella was one, and I'll do it for you as well."
Bloom sighed happily before wincing from her throbbing nose. "Thank you, Faragonda. I really mean that."
"It's the least I can do," Faragonda said, patting Bloom on the back. She dug into her pockets and pulled out a small stack of cookies wrapped in plastic. "Now, I brought you some cookies. Your favorite."
"Thank you for that too," Bloom said eagerly, snatching her gift. "And since we're apologizing, I'm sorry for the grief I've been putting you through."
"Again, no need to apologize, dear," Faragonda said, comforting the girl. "With that out the way though, would you like to rest here for a few minutes or I can escort you back to your flat."
"I think I'm ready to head back," Bloom said standing up. She stumbled slightly from the dizzying feeling brought on by the nose ache but was overall fine. "I'd really rather rest in my room… and call my parents… although I have to come up with a good lie when they notice I'm talking like a cartoon cat."
Faragonda laughed. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, come on let's go."
With that Faragonda and Bloom left the nurse's office and headed back to the dorm.
…
"You got hit by a ball and broke your nose?!" Mike exclaimed. "Why were you tossing a ball around that heavy?!"
"It was just this stupid game of catch we were playing and Stella threw it too far and well, bonk!" Bloom lied. She had come up with the best lie she could think of and playing a game of catch was her best excuse. She shifted her weight as she stood outside in the hallway of her flat.
"At least you're okay," Vanessa said. "But don't do that again!"
"I won't… hopefully," Bloom said, smiling.
"Why do you do this to us?" Mike complained. "Why do you keep giving us heart attacks?"
"Because I like messing with you," Bloom teased, trying not to laugh. "I'm sorry though, and sorry for not calling you yesterday I was preparing for midterms."
"How did those go?" Vanessa asked.
"Gooood," Bloom said, stretching out the word while staring at the ground.
"We're going to ignore that lie and just say we're glad you're okay," Mike said, chuckling. "You are okay, right? Everything is going well in Hogwarts?"
"Please Hogwarts ain't got nothing on this place," Bloom said laughing. She grabbed her nose in pain. "Ow." She sighed, scratching her head. "But I'm really liking it here. I learned there are magic seeds that grow plants fast!"
"That sounds amazing!" Vanessa exclaimed. "Now you can garden with me!"
"Yeah…" Bloom said, her eyes shifting in disinterest. After a second she bit down on her bottom lip before asking, "You guys love me right?"
"Of course, we do, what makes you think otherwise?" Vanessa said with Mike agreeing as she heard an 'Mm-hm." From him.
"Just because… I'm this magic being and I don't know what I really am and… you'd tell me if something was wrong, right?" Bloom asked fretfully.
"Yeah, but nothing is wrong. We love you no matter what, is everything okay?" Mike questioned, sounding concerned.
"Uh, yeah… just stressed lately," Bloom replied. "I… gotta go, but I can't wait to see you guys soon."
"Yeah, that break is coming soon, right?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, but… a short break isn't enough… I wish you could be here because I'm scared… that you guys miss me a lot." Bloom didn't want to admit her fears of being a newbie at the school or the voice or her weird dreams. She had left out so much because she didn't want to worry her parents. She could feel her stomach in knots and she fought back her sadness. "You guys must be lost without me."
"We kind of are," Vanessa admitted. "But we know you'll be here soon, and we'll do whatever you want for as long as you're gonna be here."
"Yeah, we love you and don't ever think otherwise," Mike said.
Bloom shook her head chuckling. "I won't." She chuckled, causing her parents to laugh as well. "I'll call you guys tomorrow if you're not too busy."
"We'd never be too busy for you," her parents said simultaneously.
Bloom laughed at her parents being so in sync. "Bye."
"Bye," they said at the same time as well.
Bloom lingered for a second before hanging up the phone. Stella was right about secrets, sometimes you're not ready to reveal them even though you really want to, but she sensed her parents had a few confessions they were keeping from it wasn't anything but, but for right now, she needed a good rest and to be with her loving cat, Kiko.
…
End
Thanks for reading. See you in a month! If you have any questions, comments, concerns, noticed errors that I can fix, or just want to say hello, comment below and tell me what you think! Like and follow this story for a more action-packed adventure with The Winx Club! Have a great day!