Chapter 8: Save the First Dance
It was getting dark as the sun was beginning to set and as the dance was coming close to start, Mal in her usual purple/pink attire and hair was making her way to the school and to inform the guys to keep a look out for anything unusual, never got to find out who but had a very bad feeling she knew who it was. Mal was allowed to leave for the school dance being a 'exchange student' so it saved her the trouble of coming. She didn't seem bothered by it and had not got anything on since she was so busy, not that it mattered to her since she had some magic to do that.
"Looks like I came early, maybe the guys are not here yet." Giving them the message that she was on her way
"Mal!"
She looked up and sees Bloom running so fast with a bag in her hand. Waving to her as she was running towards the keyblader wielder, she wondered what Bloom was doing out here. "Bloom? Aren't you suppose to-
"No time! I gotta get ready and I need to get back in time." She stopped to catch her breath and was only halfway there, trying to catch her breath. "But… what are you doing here? I thought you be in Cloud Tower."
"Was allowed to come being a transfer student so can leave anytime if needed to slay Grimm. I was going to be there to meet the others." Mal replied and noticed the bag. "Got a special dress on the last hour?"
When asked about the bag she smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, the girls offered to lend a hand to find a dress for me, but there were some so expensive until I finally found one just right, would've used magic but were not allowed tonight. Only I got less time then I realised."
The witch noticed her down look, thinking it over and feels she could lend a hand. "Well, if you need some help. Take my hand."
The red haired girl looked up in surprise as Mal was offering her hand to her.
"Come on, you needed to make time so I'm offering a lift. But I'm on a busy schedule here." Giving her a limited time and thought about using her keyblade to get them to Alfea faster then waiting for a bus.
She smiled brightly and eagerly clasped her gloved hand. "Really? Thank you! I owe you! But how are we going to get there?"
This caused Mal to smile with confidence. "Guess you forgotten my keyblade's special power?" Summons the Shadow's Redemption to her hand with no one around to see it. Causing Bloom to remember what she said about her magic and that it could allow her to travel through a shadow. "Stay close to me, just relax and let me do the steering."
"Ok, never tried this before." Bloom did as instructed, watching Mal concentrate on her magic as their shadows were forming into a large doorway for the two to enter.
"Right this way." Mal gestured Bloom to go in first, noticing she was nervous but didn't stop her from trying and walked through it like there was really a door. Right behind her was Mal who closed up the entrance.
"Wow, this is amazing!" Bloom was awed by Mal's powers and saw only darkness but enough light to see where she was going, several transparent figures like people, buildings or doors.
"That's my keyblade's main ability, I can use it to project shadow-based magic and able to travel through them to take me where I want to go within the area." Mal explained to Bloom. "That's what I did when spying on those Witches and Tezzeret."
"Do all keyblades have special powers of their own?" Bloom asked her about them where as each of them wield a different kind by their appearances and names.
"Of course, usually based on one's heart I think." Mal said.
"So does it lead you to where Alfea is?"
"Should be just about… now." Opens up the exit and stepped through, finding themselves back in Bloom's dorm. Bloom was grateful for her help but hadn't had the time and made a rush to the supplies. In such a hurry she spooked her pet bunny rabbit that was napping on her bed.
"Sorry Kiko, gotta get ready. Mal could you help, this dress is way too long." Pulling out the blue dress she bought but didn't fit her right by the length and needed scissors to cut it.
"Can see why, could trip over it." Although she had to admit it looked nice, but blue wasn't her colour. Mal watched as Kiko started to try biting it in an attempt to tear it off while Bloom was digging through almost everything for a pair of scissors. Mal let out a giggle and patted the bunny. "Think that's not going to work, little fella."
"Your right, but what." Bloom was having a think and then an idea popped up, decided to use her magic to do the trick. "Ta da!" Pointing her finger and created a small orange beam that easily cut through it.
"Bloom you really got the hang of this." She smiles and was impressed by the use of magic she was using since coming here.
"I know, hey what's going out there."
Both the girls decided to find out what the noise was outside, Bloom opens the window to step out and learns the Specialists were already here. Mal instantly recognised the familiar faces below and still had a bit of a grudge for leaving them to clean up most of the mess they made back in Gardenia.
"The Specialists are here, and I'm running late!" Bloom was getting worried and feels she won't make it in time.
"That dress must've been worth it. Got it for someone special?" Mal gave a devious grin at her, causing the Earth Fairy to blush and looked up at her.
"Uhh, w-well its… Stella suggested I ask.. well.. Ask-" She found it so embarrassing to ask Mal as she was having trouble finding the words but then she smelled something. "You smell something?
"AHH!" They hear Kiko crying out in panic and rushed back in, just to see the bottom of the blue dress starting to catch fire. They try to put it out using pillows or anything to put it out before it could get any worse.
Suddenly Genie popped up without being aware of the situation. "Hey Mal, just thought I let you know the others are here." When giving his statement and noticed the smoke. "Something cooking?"
"Genie! We're trying to put out the fire on the dress." Mal exclaimed as she thought he couldn't have come at a better timing.
Alarmed, Genie changed into a fire fighter with a hose and a flashing red light. "Stand back girls!" Twisting the knob and used enough water to extinguished the small flames. Luckily it didn't do any damage to the dress much and was saved. "All in a Genie's work." Dusting his hands together after doing a good job.
"Eh hem?"
Genie looked and suddenly noticed a soaked Mal who did not looked pleased of the state she was in, standing next to a nervous Bloom who was trying her best from snickering. And Mal wasn't the only one as Kiki was wet too after being blasted by water, his tiny arms crossed and tapping his foot. The Genie of the lamp chuckled nervously and tugged his collar. "Oops, hehe, guess I went a little overboard. But nothing a genie can't fix." Flicked his fingers and made them dry as if they were never soaked and wet in the first place.
"Anyway, I thought to come back after you done here. See you girls at the dance!" He made a sprint leaving the two alone.
Mal sighed and knew they forgot something. "I'll head off and get myself ready. And don't worry, I won't spoiler the surprise for your special person." Giving a devious smile at Bloom and walked out with a giggle, able to catch a glimpse of her blushing bright red when thinking of Taren to dance with her. She wanted to make this up for what he's done for her.
Taren made his way to Alfea and wondered about while keeping an eye out for anything since they got a call from Mal about some plot to ruin the dance by witches over some tradition or assignment from Cloud Tower, if it were those three witches they fought against and in league with Tezzeret it could be trouble. So he kept an eye out for anything that could ruin it.
Everyone seems to be having a good time and the food looks good and took a bite out of one of the snacks. Taren wondered what the girls would be like in their formal dresses after seeing so many students in theirs, needed to get his shortly from Genie.
Speaking of the Genie, appearing next to him as a security guard with a pair of shades. Leaning towards the red head for a whisper. "All seems clear on this end, no witches in sight."
"That's good to know, and Mal?"
"She's with that girl named Bloom, almost had an accident on the way but put it out but would be ready for the dance." What he didn't want to let it slip about Bloom's dress and thought of making it a surprise. "But… while we're on the subject, anyone you interested in asking?" Smiling deviously to the boy, seeing the flush on the wielder's face upon thinking it.
"Uh… w-well, I… was thinking of-" But as he turned around to stuttered, uncertain why he was finding it hard to speak when he suddenly bumped into someone. "Oh, sorry i-I didn't see you there."
"No its fine, really, oh Taren, I didn't see you there." He turned to find Flora in front of him, taking a look at the dress she wore was pink with green vines as part of the decoration, had a rose on her hair buns.
Taren was silent for a moment and taken a look at her dress. "Wow, you look great."
Flora giggled and smiled from his compliment, found his expression funny and cute. "Well thank you, and would've assumed you be ready for the dance."
"Uh, Genie is just getting them ready. Right?" Turned to Genie smiled sheepishly.
"Oh yeah, sorry was busy with other things but will get them in a sec." Genie responded.
Taren felt a little awkward and cleard his throat. "So you girls all set for tonight?"
She nodded. "Yep, we're just waiting for Bloom.
"Oh, that's why I was held up, just helped her out and Mal." Genie explained as that would explain a lot.
"Yeah… well, hope you girls have a good time and look forward to see what Bloom be wearing, I'm sure she just wanted to make a good impression on her first dance in Magix." Taren assured.
Flora smiled softly and nodded. "Yeah, that's probably it, perhaps she wanted to make it a special night." Having a clear idea since they offered to help her find a dress, but she decided to stay at town to look for any while they get ready. "Well, I better go find the others, I'll see ya later." She waves at him and walks off.
"Yeah you too." The red haired wielder turned around and noticed the grinning look on Genie's face with his arms crossed over. "What?"
"Well its nice that your making friends with the folks around here." Genie said to him with an innocent look on his face, but in truth he had certain ideas and didn't want to spoil the moment.
"Well, yeah, I mean… they're nice and want to enjoy the time while we're here. So lets go find the others and find out what Mal got." Taren walks off to find them, unsure what he was on about but didn't seem too important for that matter.
"This is ridiculous how can it be so hard to find a pair of scissors." She opens the storeroom door and found it leads somewhere through the stairs, going further down the stairs and began to hear faint voices below.
"Now which way do we go?"
"Don't ask me. You're the one with the map."
Bloom mentally gasped as she realised who they were. "I recognise those voices."
Made quick dash back up before the witches could get closer. She stayed hidden and decided to follow the sisters to find out what they were up to, only from the corner Bloom could see them standing before some green chest.
"Wonder what those simpletons are gonna give the fairies." Darcy pondered.
"Whatever they are, we'll use them to reek havoc and spread panic. That'll give us the chance to get the ring." Icy said, not aware they were giving away their plan to the fairy and wielder. "Come on Darcy show us where it is."
Darcy smiled at them. "With pleasure, dearest sister. Illusion, show the Trix!" Conjuring a spell to cast for them to find the ring.
'So they call themselves the Trix?' Bloom thought as she watched carefully for what they were doing. Making sure they don't hear her, but so far they seem too focused on the illusion. They can see Stella holding her ring, then placing it was placed in a jewellery box and inside a gold clamp casing.
"Now we know where it is." Darcy said now finished her role.
Icy nodded and turned to Stormy. "Come on, Stormy. Time to do your thing."
Stormy was all to eager to and used her magic to unlock the chest, opening the box and revealed inside were large golden eggs. Both Bloom and Mal were surprise and shared a puzzled look on their faces, curious to know what were so special about them.
Darcy picked one up in her hand, but it evaporated and turned into golden butterflies fluttering away. "Enchanted golden eggs." Awed by the display and somewhat admired them.
Icy felt like she wanted to puke from the cute display. "How tacky. Anyway its time for us to prepare our own surprise." Raising their index fingers above, glowed base on their enchanted aura. "These presents shall become Snake Rat eggs."
Which will hatch with the touch of a Fairy." Darcy chanted after her.
"And spread terror all over." With Stormy to finish the enchantment they casted their spell on the eggs as the patterns on the shells suddenly changed from diamonds to snake-like patterns.
"Well done sisters, now lets get out of here." The ice witch said so they can make their escape. She created a doorway outside using her magic so they can leave without leaving any traces of their presence.
With the Trix gone, Bloom after finding out what they were up to and had to do something. "I have to warn the others." She made a run towards the ballroom, carefully passing through the crowd to find her friends and tell them about the Trix's plan, unaware of where she was going she accidently bumped into someone. "Sorry!"
"Bloom, you ok?" After rubbing her nose, he looked up and realised it was Brandon from earlier.
"Yes, of course." Smiled at the Squire
"Guess you made a wrong turn huh." Brandon humoured to her and remembered with the others back on Earth. "Looking for someone?"
"Yeah, sorry in a big rush to get ready."
"Not so fast, young lady. What's got you into such a rush?" Both of them noticed Macbeth approaching them, he was wearing a formal outfit to look pleasant for the night.
"She was just probably in a rush to find her friends, sir." Brandon explained as to what she told him.
"I just thought to tell you guys and the girls something important that came up and urgent." She said.
Macbeth raised an eyebrow and looked at the flame haired girl. "Really? Then perhaps we can meet someplace that you share." He suggested.
Bloom thought it through and perhaps he and the others could help, not wanting to waste further time and nodded. "Ok, sure just outside the room." Pointing her finger to where she came and left when she was done.
Macbeth watches her leave and was about to do so himself, but not before leaning towards the blonde specialist. "Brandon, I think it be better to keep an eye on the chest as a precaution."
Brandon wasn't sure what he meant and asked. "You think something could happen?"
"Just have a feeling, but I'll have my apprentices on guard for now in case. Stay alert." Receiving a nod from the squire to follow his instructions and walked off.
Bloom spotted the Winx in their dresses as they were talking and laughing before they noticed Bloom walking towards them.
"We were starting to worry." Tecna said as they were beginning to wonder where she was.
Flora smiled at her. "What took you so long?"
Not wanting to raise a panic and led them out the room to speak. They see Macbeth standing by the door and nodded to them. The girls followed him and they see the three apprentices with him, happy to see them showed up.
"Taren." Bloom beamed.
He smiled at her when he spotted her but still in her running up to them. "Hey, sorry we're not in our formal outfits yet but Mal wanted us here for something."
Mal nodded and noticing the worried look on Bloom's face. "And by the look on your face, you spotted the witches right?"
"That's right! The witches are here!" Bloom exclaimed.
"What are you talking about?" Stella asked her and didn't like where this was going.
"Icy, Darcy and Stormy have casted a spell on the presents from Red Fountain." Bloom explained. "I heard them talking something called a Snake Rat."
"Mal told us it was part of this tradition the witches from Cloud Tower performed to sabotage the dance." Ben stated from what Mal reported.
Mal nodded. "I didn't get the chance to find out what it was at the time. But from the sound of these… Snake Rats, they must be really bad, right?"
Tecna was curious about this and stroked her chin, but then raised her hand and projected a hologram to look it up. "I'll consult it with my database." The image of the hologram appeared with what looked like a small lizard with an extended spine on its back. "Swamp creatures of the disgustablius genus; they eat toad-"
"Uh, Tecna, not to sound rude but does it say anything about them dangerous?" Taren didn't want to be rude but they were on a limit.
"Yeah, I agree. All we know is they are slimy, vicious, and venomous creatures. Much like the witches we fought." Stella stated. "But what's their goal of using them things?"
"To create panic and confusion in the school. Giving them the chance to get your ring." Macbeth added and now understood their plot; using the prank they've pulled to sabotage the dance as a distraction so during the panic they can just easily get the ring
"Hmm, that's quite the plan, we got to stop the eggs from being handed out." Musa said.
"I already told the Specialists to keep a watch on them." Macbeth stated which was mostly a relief to the others. "But now we must make certain those eggs don't hatch."
"But they don't know what happened to the eggs. The eggs could hatch any moment." Ben said in concern.
"Its too late, look!" Flora pointed her finger out to show them that Sky and Timmy were carrying the chest to the dance floor while unaware of the situation, opening the lid to show the fairies the golden eggs as gifts for them.
"Where's Genie?" Taren asked, thinking he could do something to stall them with his tricks.
"In Bloom and Flora's room on lookout." Mal replied. "But we wont have time when they could hatch any moment."
Stella had an idea and turned to the girls. "We need to form a counter spell and quick. Form a circle and concentrate." The Winx take each other's hands and did so to follow Stella's instructions. "Repeat after me: What is once was, let it be again."
The girls repeated the words and focused their magic to make it work, the keyblade wielders and Macbeth watch and hope the spell works. They see the glowing light form in the centre and flew towards through the crowd to the chest without anyone noticing. Sky was oblivious to what happened and grabbed an egg, handing one out to each Fairy.
"I can't watch." Mal muttered and hoping it worked and not wanting to be near the disgusting creatures Tecna showed them.
The boys watch from the side, getting their hands out ready to summon their keyblades if it failed. But to everyone's relief was instead of the Snake Rats were the beautiful glowing butterflies, everyone in the dance room watched in awe of the display, the group were now relieved to have prevented a disaster.
"That was a close one." Ben muttered, which Mal heard and was greatly relieved when she slumped against the wall.
"I hope this egg brings you luck."
Stella was almost surprised when offered one of the eggs by the prince, turned to see him beside her and accepted the gift with a faint blush. "Uh, I guess I'll find out if it does or not."
Mal had an idea and walked up to Musa when she was looking at the egg. An idea popped in her mind, gave a soft giggle and had a devious grin on her face. "Mind if I take a spare?" She took one in her hand and looked at it.
Taren noticed and learned for some time about Mal is when she smiles with an idea and has a bad feeling about it. "Oh, no. Ben, she has that look on her face." Ben took his warning and shared the same idea
Bloom and Flora noticed what he meant and was confused over what he was talking about. Mal took the egg and began conjuring a spell over the
"Say Musa, how about we… return the favour to the Trix for the trouble they caused?" Leans towards her and whispers in her ear.
The fairy of music nodded and smiled with a giggle. "Oh that would totally be worth to try."
Taren and Ben gave Sky a grin and a thumb up as they made the prince go red. "Hey guys, aren't you two changed for the dance yet?"
"We had something to deal with, but don't worry about it now, Sky." Ben said. "But might need to do so while the night is still young."
"Yeah, and I bet you'll love what Bloom has to show." Mal giggles and prepares to get herself ready. The group split up and went to deal with the Trix and get themselves ready for the dance.
Genie was in their home dorm to keep a close watch of anything unusual that comes for the ring after been told what's going on. While also decided to pass the time playing checkers with Kiko as the rabbit seems smart as Iago and Abu.
"Alright, see how you can get out of this?" Genie taps his black pieces over the red. Smiles with confident that he would win the game.
Kiko looked at his pieces and smiles when he suddenly takes the two red pieces. Genie was surprised and looked at the board. "Oh, that's a good move. A little clever for a bunny rabbit."
While the two were playing, neither of them became aware of a gold coloured mechanism, similar to the other but different opened the window and sneaked inside, crawling towards Stella's bedroom with its spindly legs, unlocking the door and went through to search for the item of its target. Its single eye scanned the area until it found the treasure chest, a tendril sprouted out and grabbed it to open and took out the golden clamp that contained the ring. Its mission was complete and now making its way out.
"Freeze!" In its way was Genie dressed up as a SWAT officer, pointing a high tech at the legged robot. "You're in violation of the Winx Club's dorm rooms, put down the item or be blasted to dust."
The robot studied the genie after realising what he was, refusing to cooperate and ran around, causing Genie to give chase as did Kiko who came to help until it suddenly climbed up the wall and fired an energy net at the surprised pair, pinning them to the wall and allowing the droid to make a run for it. But not when Bloom rushed over and saw the thing, then sees her pet rabbit and Genie struggling to break free.
"Kiko! Genie! Are you two alright?" She rushed over to try freeing them.
"Bloom, that thing took something from the princess' room, possibly that ring." Genie was having a hard time to get out. "Boy, someone came prepared, this thing is keeping me from using my magic to break it."
To learn about the ring being stolen it had to be the Trix behind it, she didn't want to leave them like this but also couldn't let the ring fall into their hands. So far they seem unhurt and would take a while to take the net off them. "I'll go get it, you just relax and wait here."
She leaves the room in a hurry to go after the stolen ring from the robot spider. "Don't worry, red, we'll just HANG out here." Genie assured her by making a wise cracking joke, causing the rabbit to groan after hearing his joke. "What too soon?"
Bloom was chasing the arachnid-robot that stolen Stella's ring, she knew this had to be the work of the Trix and not a coincidence. "Come back here you. Give back that ring!" She yelled out, running out of the school walls as it was running towards the bushes, but Bloom was much faster and took a leap forward into catching it. Knocing the small robot off the feet and crashed into a tree, only gave out some bit of twitch by the joints to try getting back up. "Gotcha! Now, give me that." She snatched the ring that fell out of its grasp and smiled in victory, decided to head back to get ready for the dance.
"Nosey little missy. Why can't you mind your own business?"
A familiar voice spoke up behind her, turned around and seeing the Trix who were hiding behind the trees and right behind her. It wasn't looking good for her as she backed up, wondering where the others are.
"Are you ready little girl?" Stormy asked her, ready to make the young fairy suffer for interfering with their plans. Icy took the first move by surrounding Bloom in ice, however the flame haired girl didn't want to get frozen again like last time and make a jump for it. But Darcy made her move by stomping her foot into the ground, creating a tremor by her magic and a trench rose up in front of her before she could get away. Then with Darcy who brought a twister that blew towards Bloom, unable to go anyway with the trench right behind her, she slipped backwards but caught the edge with one hand to pull herself up only to see the Trix stand before her as Icy took the ring from the ground.
"You're on your own this time and your friends are not around to help you." Icy taunted her, gathering her ice magic to make the final blow. Least she didn't need to summon the Grimm or their partner to finish her off for them. "Its over, little fairy."
"No! I am a Fairy and I will not fail! I will succeed!" Bloom proclaimed with great determined to stop them, her body started to glow in orange. She was transforming into her fairy form for the first time. Bloomw as now wearing a glittering blue top with a mini skirt to match, a pair of fluttering wings sprouted from her back. The droid from earlier was slowly pulling itself together after being partially damaged by the girl, able to detect an incredible amount of power flowing from her as she transformed and transferred the data to its creator. The Twix were shocked as they saw her transformed.
"Wow, I transformed! Looks like we're evenly matched." Bloom looked at her appearance and feels red electrical energy sparked around her. Unaware of the robot snuck up to her and was about to strike at her with its clawed limbs, however it didn't reached her as the last thing it saw was a light.
The robot was sliced in half and fell into the trench before it blew up, the girls took noticed of this and saw it was Taren with his Light's Rebellion in his hand.
"Did I miss the party." Taren asked in an amusing tone.
"Taren!" Bloom exclaimed in relief and glad to have help.
Icy gritted her teeth when one of the keyblade wielders was here. "Not you again! URGGH!"
Taren ignored her and meets Bloom in her fairy form, which caught him by surprise. "Wow, you actually transformed? Awesome." He couldn't be happy to know she achieved her dream of being an actual fairy. But can sense powerful magic from her that's off the charts.
Bloom giggled and smiles brightly. "I know, how about we take on them together." Feeling confident and now ready to take them on.
"You sure? I mean, you just got your new form." Taren asked in concern, but feels she was not going to back down.
She nodded. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"How cute, but unfortunately it will be your last night as a Fairy when we're done with you, and your friend." Icy said and turned to Stormy.
She nodded and casted an illusion spell on them to make them see things that were distorting their senses. Bloom couldn't think straight at first but realised a trick that could help when she took flight to get out of their reach while pulled Taren out of the way.
"Thanks." Although he had yet to learn new tricks but glad she did.
"Seems some of their magic can't affect on Fairies." She learnt about it as a great advantage against the Trix.
Icy then casted magic to create numerous pillars of ice from the ground, the two dodged them while Taren two out two or three with his keyblade, easily melt them down with his fire magic but were too much. He looked up and noticed Bloom was not having much luck as he was until he saw something emerge, like a frozen face and blasted her with a frost breath, throwing her into the bamboo field. "Bloom!"
"And for you."
He turned around and suddenly being hit by a strong gust of wind and sent to the same direction. Hit the ground hard and groaned, tried to get up but saw a large ice near them and almost had them inside. "That was close." But turned around and saw Bloom getting up, back to her original self since the transformation had reached its limit. Least she was ok and a great relief to know about it.
"Hey, you ok?" He asked her, walked up to her and offered his hand to her.
Bloom looked up and saw Taren, she smiled and accepted his hand to help her. "Yeah, I'm okay, almost got caught in that iceburg. What about you?"
He shrugged his shoulders and not seemed a bit hurt. "Hardly bruised but fine.
"There they are!" They turned to see Ben call out to the others and came up to them. "You guys ok? Looks like you were in a big fight."
The Winx showed up and check to see if they were fine but nothing serious.
"Yes, we're fine but where were you all?" Bloom asked.
The girls sighed and answered. "We couldn't get away from the headmistress." Stella said as she slumped down, looking tired from what happened.
Ben also felt guilty about it as well. "Yeah, we were about to warn you when suddenly a robot caught us by the net and decided to warn you. When we found Genie, he told us you were here."
"Well, that thing won't be bothering us now." Taren pointed to what's left of it in the trench, earning Tecna's curiosity and interest about the robot. "But… unfortunately the ring was taken from us, we couldn't get it."
"We're really sorry Stella, tried our best." Bloom apologise to her.
Flora snickered. "Don't worry, Bloom the ring is safe. But what Mal came up with, I wouldn't be in their shoes right now."
"Really? What is it?" Bloom asked her.
"Think I got a pretty good idea." Stella couldn't help but grin at what they'll find out.
"Maybe later, right now lets get to the dance while we got time. Hey, Taren, Genie's got our outfits ready so hurry up." Ben told him as the girls began to return to the school.
"Oh great, I'll catch up after getting my breath." Taren said, but as they were heading back inside, about to catch up to Ben when suddenly he felt a hand grabbing his own and stopped him. Turned around and realised it was Bloom with a warm smile on her face as she looked at him. "Hey, something up?"
"I just wanted to say thanks for saving me back then, especially against the Grimm… it was really brave of you." She said, almost feeling her face blush.
"Don't worry, I'm always there to back up my friends. But also thought you did great in that fight." Taren replied. Earning a smile from her as she felt great build of confidence in her from his words. Feeling she could somehow repay to help them if they needed help until she mastered her fairy magic more.
"Yeah, you're right. Better get ready, see you at the dance." She was too nervous to ask him for a dance when ready but maybe leave it for a surprise of what she bought to show the others.
Taren watches her leave and needed to get himself ready too, but suddenly stopped and groaned, clutching his head as he was seeing some blurry images.
A great battle over an unknown castle both land and sky.
Dragon riders sour the skies, spewing fire and their riders fighting against demonic hordes. Flying beside airships in combat.
A faint figure whose image was unknown, wielded a strange shaped sword with another by his side, casting fire magic against their enemies.
Taren was able to regain his senses, and leant against the wall. "What… was that?" Was it some vision? Like a war, or maybe from the past. This never happened to him, not like… the day he was taken. 'Could this be related somehow? What were those images?'
"Hey T-Man!" Genie popped beside him. "Say, something the matter, you look a little…"
"I-its nothing, just a little warn out after the witches took us by surprise." He made it up, half-truth, didn't know what to say for now. "Anyway, you got the suit?"
Genie grinned at him. "Oh, this one will be worth the wait. Close your eyes." Doing as he said and felt a zap from Genie. "Ta-da!"
Taren opened his eyes and finds himself in a dark suit with a maroon red top under it, a brown tie that matches it with a pair of black shoes. He looked impressed and checked it out. It also came with a scarf with a fire dragon on it. "Wow, you really done a great job, Genie." Taren smiles as his bright gold eyes studied the clothing. "Like the scarf." Checking it out as a nice touch.
"I know a thing or two when it comes to thousand years of fashion… or was it 1001? Anyway Ben be wearing his formal suit, wait til ya see Mal's." Hearing that surprised Taren to see Mal in a dress, that would be worth checking out. "Although I will have to do it a surprise since she seems reluctant."
"Good luck, I gotta get going." Rushes to the dance floor, passing by the students and getting some attention from the girls who giggled at him, making him flush and smiled nervously over the attention some of them were giving him.
"Wow, you look good in that, bud." Ben came up, wearing a dark blue suit with his home kingdom's emblem on the chest.
"Yeah, never knew I get this attention." Taren replied and wondered if he can tell them about his visions. "Hey Ben I gotta ask about something."
"Sure, but I think you might wanna hold that thought first." Ben said, pointing his finger over his bewildered friend's shoulder.
Earning a confused look on Taren's face until he turned around and froze a moment to see Bloom in a light blue crop top, detached sleeves with long strings flowing from them and a skirt to match it. He had to admit she looked beautiful in that dress. "Come on, let's go see them." Ben grabbed his arm, ignoring his attempt to struggle until the girls noticed them.
"Well, don't you boys look great, those are so you." Stella said as she liked their formal outfits.
"Yeah, so far it looks great now that we've dealt with the problem." Taren said, scratching the back of his head nervously as he took some glances at Bloom. "Wow, you look great."
Bloom blushes. "You think so? Same to you."
"Say, where's Mal?" Flora asked.
"I thought she be here." Taren pondered and not seen her yet.
"Don't worry, I'll look for here, why don't we have some fun in the mean time." Ben walks off and spotted something that caught his eye, but unknown to either of the boys or Bloom, the Solarian Fairy decided to help give a little extra push to Bloom's growing thing for a certain red head. Casually walked up and nudged her forward, causing the surprised Bloom to stumble forward and caught in the arms of a surprised Taren. The two looked at each other as their faces flushed bright red and noticed how close they were to each other.
Taren cleared his throat and not certain how to approach as it's the first time he's done anything like this before. "Uh, I... would you… like to dance with me? I mean, not really good at it." Smiles sheepishly as if trying to ask her out. Trying to fight off the blush on his face
"Don't worry, I'll take the lead and show you." Bloom pulled herself together and tried to ignore how his hands held her in a comfortable way. She smiled warmly and taken his hand to the dance floor. She took his right hand and put it on the middle of her back while holding her right hand with the left hand. Taren realised as he was doing a slow dance with a beautiful girl in his arms and started to enjoy it, even Bloom was enjoying her time with him as they smiled at each other.
Ben walked through the group while seeing how the others were doing until he spotted a familiar face by the corner and tapped on her shoulder. "Mal?"
The young witch gave a small jump and turned around, he sees her in a purple/pink dress with her arms bare and the hair in a bun but left a strand of hair tot eh side. "Thought it was someone else." She noticed him in a suit and had to admit Ben looked… well dressed. "You look… nice." Mal said, uncertain how to respond in a way.
Ben smiled. "Yeah and I almost didn't recognised you, look amazing."
Causing Mal to be surprised by his compliment. "Really? I… well, just that I thought it looks silly." Uncertain why but tried to keep her heart from beating. She spotted Taren on the dance floor, but was shocked to see him dancing with Bloom. "Wow, she got him to dance?"
"Yeah, sure did." Ben smiled at the scene and turned to her, now feeling somewhat nervous. "Would you like to dance?" Offering his hand to her for a dance.
Mal looks at him in surprise and nervous. "I uh, well, I don't…Ok, I just don't really know how to dance." She thought he would've gone for someone who would love to as she seen how the girls were drooling over them.
Ben didn't seem to mind and thought to help her out. "Not to worry, no ones perfect, even Taren couldn't do well. I'll take the lead." Decided to help her come out of her nervousness and gently takes her hand to floor. Mal at first thought she would've tried to struggle but then when she was on the dance floor with the prince, she couldn't help but finding it… pleasant. She let him take the lead to take her hands in place and slowly started to enjoy it very much, especially with Ben but didn't want to say it openly or ruin the moment.
Well hope you enjoyed that, I have some ideas for some original chapters in place, be skipping some parts anyway to skip others while working on the story arc, working on some for world building and ideas to make as I spoke to some for suggestions on it. Next one on the way shortly and hope you all had a good Easter!