The Heart of a Fairy Chapter 15: Home, a winx club fanfic

The Trix looked around in confusion as Sophia returned to her normal form.

"…Where are we?" Darcy asked.

"The Sibillini Mountains, in a region of Earth known as Italy." Sophia explained. She hesitated before she turned to them. "…I think you guys should turn yourselves over to Sibylla, the Fairy of Justice."

"What?! Why?!" Stormy exclaimed.

"Because she's your best chance." Sophia told them, "Even though I've freed you from the Ancestral Witches' influence, and even though you helped stop Valtor… that doesn't erase your previous crimes. You're still wanted criminals. If you just take off, you'll constantly be on the run from the authorities. That will only make it harder to save Dyamond, and a life on the run wouldn't be good for Sapphire. But if you ask Sibylla to help you, you'll be guaranteed a fair trial… one that takes all of the factors into account. As the Fairy of Justice, Sibylla is incapable of prejudice and is duty-bound to help—and protect—anyone who comes to her. What's more, since her rulings are always fair, no one can overturn her decision. With her help, you'll be able to make amends and then get a fresh start."

"Can't they just say they're sorry?" Sapphire asked innocently.

Sophia smiled sadly, "Unfortunately, if people's crimes could be forgiven with just an apology, they'd be able to get away with anything."

"She's right, Sapphire." Icy admitted. "We have to pay our debt to the Magic Dimension, so that we can look for a way to save Dyamond without distractions." She turned towards her two best friends. "Darcy? Stormy?"

Darcy rubbed her arm awkwardly, "Well, I do kind of feel bad now that my head is clear..."

"…Yeah… me too." Stormy admitted. "I never thought we would take things so far…"

Icy nodded and looked at Sophia, "All right. Then lead us to Sibylla."

Sophia nodded before holding up a finger, "One sec. Hey, you guys! No need to go on the defensive! It's me, Sophia!"

"Sophia?" A girl's voice said as a face popped out from among the nearby foliage. Several unusual looking fairies literally came out of the woodwork and rushed over to surround the group.

"It is Sophia!" One of them exclaimed.

"You're back! You're back!" Another cried in elation.

"Uh… who are they?" Darcy asked.

"These are the Rustic Fairies. Their duty is to protect Sibylla from those who might try to harm her. As you can see, they're a little different from other fairies." She smiled at the various Rustic Fairies. "Hey, you guys, we need to speak to Sibylla, but I'm really tired, so can we please take the short route?"

The Rustic Fairies pondered for a minute. "…Mm… Okay!" The one who seemed to be the spokesperson said, "It should be okay since it's you, Sophia." They led Sophia and her party down a shortcut and into the heart of Sibylla's cave.

"Couldn't you have just teleported us in here to start with?" Stormy asked as they followed the Rustic Fairies through the tunnels.

"The cave itself has a spell to prevent that." Sophia told her. Before long, the group reached the innermost part of the cave, where Sibylla was waiting for them. "Sibylla!" Sophia exclaimed happily as she rushed over to the older fairy. Sibylla caught Sophia in a hug.

"Sophia… I'm so glad you've come back to us, safe and sound."

Sophia felt her breath catch in her throat, "Sibylla, I…"

"I know." Sibylla said gently. She released her embrace and placed a hand on Sophia's head. "I can see that your hair isn't the only thing that's grown. You've been so brave, Sophia. I'm so proud of you."

Sophia felt the tension leave her body as she smiled in relief. Deep down, a part of her had been afraid that Sibylla might've deemed her choices to be wrong. She trusted Sibylla and knew that she would never reject her, but this and that were separate matters. Strictly speaking, Sibylla lacked the ability to define right and wrong for all people—that was a power that no one person could wield. She largely relied on written laws to pass judgment. However, when it came to matters where two different parties had broken laws while harming one another, such as when the Earth Fairies sought revenge on the Wizards of the Black Circle, the most she could do was try to balance the scales, as it were. For this reason, it was in some ways more accurate to call her the Fairy of Balance, rather than the Fairy of Justice.

Regardless, Sibylla was incapable of allowing personal bias to cloud her judgment, so the knowledge that she had Sibylla's approval lifted any lingering feelings of guilt from Sophia's mind. She smiled at Sibylla and gestured to her companions. "I know you already know who they are, but let me introduce you to my friends. This is Icy, Darcy, Stormy, and Icy's younger sister, Sapphire."

Sibylla nodded to the four girls. "I am already aware of why Sophia brought you here. I can promise you a fair judgment, but you will have to remain here until it is made. Sapphire is also welcome to stay here. She has no part in your crimes, but as long as she is here, she will be safe from harm."

"Thank you, Sibylla." Icy replied, "That's all that I could ask for."

"Sophia, you should rest." Sibylla told the young fairy.

"I'd like to, Sibylla, but I have to get home." Sophia said, "I haven't seen my parents in so long. I really miss them."

A voice chuckled nearby, "You do realize it's the middle of the night in Gardenia?"

"Nebula!" Sophia said in surprise. Her face lit up in a smile and she rushed over to the Fairy Queen Regent. "What are you doing here?" She asked as Nebula hugged her gently.

"I called her while you were still outside." Sibylla explained.

"Sophia, you're exhausted, and the hour is late in Gardenia. Your parents are probably asleep." Nebula said gently. "Let's head back to Tir Nan Og for now. I've got your room in the castle waiting for you."

"Oh but…" Sophia yawned before continuing, "I promised the Winx I'd catch up with them…"

Nebula shook her head in amusement. "I've already informed Miss Faragonda that you needed to rest first. The Winx will understand. Come on. You're about to pass out."

"Mm… It WOULD be nice to sleep in a real bed again…" Sophia admitted. "I've been sleeping on the floor of Valtor's library for weeks…" Suddenly, the thought of her fluffy bed in Tir Nan Og Castle seemed really inviting. Nebula chuckled in amusement and whisked the young girl away.

ウィンクズクラブ

Sophia blinked her bleary eyes open before sitting up. She didn't even remember returning to Tir Nan Og and falling asleep in her bed. She really had been tired. Sophia stretched and looked at the clock on the wall. '6:30am. Hm… California is 8 hours behind, so… it must be about 10:30pm there. I'd better hurry!' She dashed over to her wardrobe and flung the doors open before she began rummaging through it.

"Getting ready to rush back home?" A familiar voice asked.

Sophia gasped in delight. "Aunt Morgana!" She flung herself into her godmother's arms. In the back of her mind, she had noticed Morgana's approach, but hadn't registered it because she was focused on changing clothes.

Morgana smiled and returned the embrace. "I don't think you're going to find anything suitable in there." She remarked before using her own powers to swap Sophia's nightgown out with something more casual. "Let's hurry back to Gardenia." Sophia nodded in reply, and Morgana teleported the both of them back to their hometown. She smiled as she placed a hand on Sophia's shoulder. "Go and see them." She urged gently before taking out a photo. "Oh, and take this." Sophia looked at the photo in confusion. "It's a good place for stargazing." Morgana explained. Sophia nodded in understanding, and then turned and dashed off towards her house with a smile on her face.

In a minute, I'll be there

In a minute, I'll see your face

I hope you're up, although it's late

She was back, in sunny Gardenia, California; the coastal town where magic could always be found, and the sweet scent of flowers floated on the night breeze.

I've been longing to feel free

This is my little paradise

Where days are sunny, nights are sweet

Sophia stopped just outside her front door and panted to catch her breath. The wooden door and cozy house had never looked more inviting.

My footsteps stop

I'm at the door

Taking a deep breath as she straightened up, excitement surged through Sophia as she placed her hand on the handle and began to turn it.

My heart is full

Emotions flow!

"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" She called with elation.

"Sophia!" Her father exclaimed happily.

"Oh… sweetheart!" Her mother cried with relief. The two parents rushed forward and embraced their daughter. Sophia relaxed within their warmth.

This was home. With her parents who had always accepted her for all that she was and had always been there for her.

And I'm home

Whenever I'm with you

My heart is filled with grace

I know that I can be myself

"Oh… welcome home, our little Starlight." Mrs. Williams crooned.

"We're so glad you're safe." Her husband added.

Oh, home

You sing a lullaby

And I'm your child again

In your embrace, I feel safe

This won't change

Sophia pulled away and smiled at her parents, eyes glistening with tears. "Mom, Dad… I'm sorry for worrying you. I've missed you a lot, but… I've had the most amazing adventure."

"And we can't wait to hear all about it." Mr. Williams said before the three of them walked into the living room. They sat on the couch together and Sophia began to tell them all that had happened. Her parents, in turn, told her about the things that took place in Gardenia while she was away. They had worried for their daughter and had missed her, but now that she was here, the house was filled with joyful laughter.

So little time, so much to do

Can't wait to sit and talk with you

As my sweet laughter fills the room

"We're so proud of you, Sophia." Her father said.

"Our little girl…" Her mother cooed, "How did you grow up to be so brave?"

"No matter what Sophia, you were always special to us." Her father added, "Your powers, whether or not you are fairy, we never cared about things like that. We love you simply because you're you."

Tears welled in Sophia's eyes as she smiled before standing up again and facing them. "I've got one more thing to show you." She clasped her hands to her chest, "The Heart of a Fairy: Enchantix!"

Phillip and Minerva Williams watched in awe as their daughter transformed before their eyes. In a flash of light, Sophia teleported them to the location in the photo Morgana had given her. It was the top of a butte in Monument Valley.

"I've become a real fairy—a guardian fairy." She explained to her parents, "But I'm not a guardian fairy of Earth, or of Earth's magic. What I'm the guardian of… is this…!" She gestured to the grand expanse above them, and her parents gasped in amazement. In this place, an endless starry sky stretched out in every direction. It felt like they could see the whole universe.

"You're the guardian fairy… of the stars?" Her father asked in disbelief.

"That's right." Sophia nodded, "My official title is the Fairy of Starlight."

Minerva laughed in amazement as she heard this.

You tell me a secret, I'll tell you one

We'll watch the stars and talk 'bout life

The moon shines bright up in the sky

Sophia returned to her normal form and summoned a picnic blanket for the three of them.

"I have to go to Alfea tomorrow." She explained as she sat down and gestured for her parents to sit beside her.

"You'll be leaving already?" Minerva asked as she and Phillip sat beside their daughter.

"Yes, but not for long." Sophia assured, "The teachers at Alfea want to meet me, and I promised the Trix that I'd catch up with them. Also, I want to say hi to Roxy and Macy. I'll be back home tomorrow night, but…"

Phillip smiled with understanding. "You'll be busy again soon." Sophia nodded sheepishly, but her parents smiled with understanding and embraced her once again. "Then let's make the most of this moment right now."

"Tell us all about the stars, Sophia." Minerva encouraged as the three of them lay back on the blanket.

Tomorrow, I'll be on my way

So let's make the most of today!

While I'm home