Chapter 23: Born Ready
Back in Alfea, things seem to have calmed down after the creatures disappeared, but the headmistress was worried for the key leaders and the students who vanished and likely involved in the challenges this Chaos character had install fo rather. She contacted Yen Sid and Macbeth of the situation and ask for their information about him.
"Your saying Chaos is here?! In the Magic Dimension?" Macbeth never thought in all his life to ever meet the god of mischief in person and knows of his reputation well.
"Yes, I am sorry I could not do anything to stop him but they willingly accepted the challenges he mentioned." Faragonda explained to them and felt it was her fault.
Yen Sid raised his hand to calm her. "You have nothing to worry, no one never expected this but now all we can do is wait and hope they succeed."
LadyDevimon took the air to find her opponent, annoyed she somehow pulled a trick to escape but knowing she grabbed her earlier by physical touch proofed she couldn't have gone far. Watching out for any signs of movement below. "Come out, come out, where ever you are." She calls out for her. "You can't hide from me, I'll burn this entire forest if I get bored."
"Raging Storm!"
She was almost struck by three pillars of fire orbiting each other and almost caught her had she not flown away from the attack. But it helped her found her opponent who held out her keyblade. "Found you!"
However Mal wasn't going to run and this time she used her wings to take off, projecting herself towards her and clashed her keyblade, using her wings to pull away and gave a high kick to her face with her boot. Altering her positon to dive down and back up in a big loop to appear behind LadyDevimon, her opponent tried to attack her using her recently formed spike, but Mal intercepted and wrapped herself in her wings out front as a shield, spinning her body fast enough to collide into LadyDevimon and sent her crashing down to the ground.
Mal pulled herself up before she joined her and spread her wings to stay in flight. She almost felt her brain was spinning and almost didn't think that it would work. "Ok, m-maybe... I should try that... without losing my lunch." Groaned and clutches to her stomach but didn't want to let that get in the way right now when she was in the middle of a battle.
The white-haired demon growled and felt her body being bruised after a surprise attack the witch pulled, glaring at the smirking blonde for leaving a mark on her face. "You… you bitch!" Pushing her boots down to the ground and propelled herself straight towards Mal, livid in rage and determination to finish her off.
Mal got her mad and now got the woman to chase after her to follow her to a clear opening without too many trees about. But some reason felt more natural and slowly getting the hang of these wings but still needing to build up speed as she could. But her path was blocked when LadyDevimon suddenly appeared right in front of her after emerging from the shadows and grabbed her neck before she had the chance to pull away, once caught she slammed the girl into a tree, causing her to cough up by the impact.
"This time, I'll make certain you won't escape."
Mal clutches to her arm and tries to speak. "Before you do that… ever thought of a little… sun…shine?"
Confused by her choice of words. "What are you-"
"Solar wind!"
Out of nowhere, she was almost blinded by a bright light and screams, was too much for her eyes as she was not so fond of bright lights. "Light! I can't stand it! My eyes!" In a panic, she let go of Mal and flew away to recover.
"Back off, lady! And for the record, you should really use some sun for your skin." Stella in her Winx form rushed to Mal's aide and helped her up. "You okay?"
"Yeah, good timing." Mal said.
"You won't be when I clip your wings!" LadyDevimon roared and was now recovered, glaring at the two from the surprise attack. "So you have a friend?" Thinking from earlier that she must have been the one who used that first trick earlier.
"You got that right! You mess with her, you mess with the Winx Club." Stella proclaimed.
"The Winx Club?" LadyDevimon smirked and cackled with her right hand raised to her chin as she mocks them. "What a ridiculous name. Clearly a bunch of little girls."
Stella felt a twitch on her eyebrow of being mocked by the witch, the Trix may be one thing but the Goth-fashion freak. "And yet you got beat by a girl with an oversized key and a fairy, twice." She replied with a smirk on her expression.
LadyDevimon took that as a mockery. "You'll regret that blondie, for that you will share her fate!" She raised her arms and began to twirl her body.
Mal immediately figured what she was going to do. "Stella! Get your staff out fast!"
"Darkness wave!" With LadyDevimon's attack, but instead of bats, it was a wave of dark energy that took them by surprise. The two created a strong barrier together to protect themselves from the attack, but not certain how long they can hold on. They grunted and feel themselves being pushed back, much to LadyDevimon's delight. Se focuses on the attack to force them off the ground to weaken their defenses. "Face it! You two are no match for me!" Thinking she had this in the bag and will finish them for good.
Stella held her staff to hold it off, not wanting to give in and show this monster she was no pushover. She's fought the Trix many times for how they were always after her ring, tricking her and hurting her friends.
She will not be someone to be made fun of anymore. Remembering the good thing she's done.
Facing Knut, meeting Bloom, the Keyblade wielders, her crush on the prince. She wanted to be more than just a pretty face to others.
"I am Stella, princess of Solaria and will not… be pushed around so easily!" Speaking out in determination, not realizing the medallion around her neck glowed upon reacting to her. Catching Mal's attention until they suddenly propelled the wave back to the startled LadyDevimon.
The Nightmare Soldier almost lost her footing and glared at the two, feeling a strong rise of energy coming from the blonde. "What is this?"
Stella held her medallion and felt as if something was calling for her. "You're about to find out. Take Flight, Solwing!"
Summoning her Titan into battle, a six-winged hawk wearing a golden helmet of a Roman or Greek soldier, flapping it's greyish feathered wings in the air and was so fast they didn't see it go straight for LadyDevimon after it began attacking her with its strong talons. She struggled to keep it from attacking her face. "GAH! Keep away! Ah!" Much as she tries to claw it away, the hawk Titan was too fast for her to catch it and lost her focus on her two opponents.
Mal was amazed by how the hawk was taking her on for help and watch it fought LadyDevimon head-on. "Wow! You summoned a Titan."
"I know! And he's so amazing! Get her, Solwing! Show her whose boss!" Stella rooted for her Titan, wanting to see what it can do. And by given a command, Solwing used all six of his wings to spread them and flap forward, repeating the same rhythm until a strong gust of wind began to blow away the startled LadyDevimon, throwing her off her feet and flew towards a bush.
"Alright! Way to go!"
LadyDevimon grunted, receiving only a few scratches on her but not to hold her down. She pulls herself up and determined to finish them off before they pull any surprises they have. Only to her shock to find herself surrounded by several copies of Stella and Mal, looking around to find the real ones. "What is this? More of your tricks?"
"Best find out before for your self!" Stella said, or one of them at least before they blasted beams of sunlight at her.
Thinking fast, LadyDevimon didn't want to be hit by her sun magic and threw herself out of the beams' to avoid the real one if. Catching the closes Mal with her left hand, but to her annoyance, it wasn't the real one. But knowing it faded she decided to test her theory. Dodging the two Stella's and a Mal preparing to attack but she threw a roundhouse kick to the first two and pieced the third through the chest. From the corner of her eye, she spotted the hawk coming from above and decided to try something since she sensed magic from it.
Stella wasn't sure why but noticed how she stood there for Solwing to flew in closer, but started to get the idea and tries to warn him. "Solwing, get away fast!"
It was too late when she suddenly vanished, startling the Titan before he was it was struck from the side and tossed to the ground. Seriously injured, Solwing was unable to stay long and faded into an orb of light, returning to Stella who felt somewhat drained and affected, but it was enough to be noticed by LadyDevimon with a smirk.
"There you are, little fairy." Brought her left hand and transforms into a sharp spike with the intent of skewing her before she would deal with the Keyblade wielder. "Black Wing!" Flews towards her with the spike out front directly.
Stella had nowhere to go as she was coming to the princess so fast to get away. But just to her luck, vines sprouted out of the ground and snared LadyDevimon.
"WHAT?!" She struggled to cut them before they bound her arms to the sides, pulled away from Stella as she continued to struggle. "Where did these weeds come from?!"
"A little trick we set up while you were chasing after me." She turned to see the smirking Mal and Stella who approached her, the ground changed to reveal a bed of treen vines all around them. It was a trap they set up for her and she fell right into it.
Stepping out of the trees was a maroon haired girl in a punk outfit. "Phew, I didn't think I could hold it up that long."
"But you did great, Mirta!" Stella applauded her.
Then it hit her to discover this, they had a third helper and she used some illusions from before to save the winged girl. Using as much as her strength to break the fines.
Mirta noticed and didn't like the thought of it. "Uh, Mal, maybe you should-"
"Way ahead of you!" Mal reached out her right hand, making the vines to coil themselves together into a strong bigger one, and trapping her up to her head. "I think this counts as a victory for us."
"I'll get you for this! No one humiliates LadyDevimon and lives!" That she promised and won't care how long it will take. But after her speech, LadyDevimon vanished and so did the others.
The three of them were unaware of being watched by Seneschal. "Mal and her companions have completed their challenge. The abilities she possesses to control the flora much similar to the Lymphean, and to be transformed into a Fay is not expected." Taking note of her current form and recognized the species, taking notes of the new Titan under Stella's command and able to take on LadyDevimon. "Even as an Ultimate-level, the Digimon underestimated her opponents."
Spotted the witch from the sphere, he recognized the timid girl from the school as a witch named Mirta with the powers of illusions. Keeping this information only to himself and Tezzeret to avoid the Trix finding out, knowing if they did would jeopardize their mission.
"It appears more data will be required."
Meanwhile, for Ben and Genie, they were having a hard time taking care of Ben's dark side. The ground burst from an impact, causing debris to burst and thrown Ben a few feet back, tumbling over the and softly stopped. Groans and rubs his head from the impact but his aura protected him. "Ugh, damn, I never knew my dark side would be this tough."
Genie fixes himself and shakes his head. "Think we should name him Dark-Ben for something to matlike if he were a nobody. oh! How about Nbex!"
"Or how about... Xebn?"
Genie taps his chin to think of it. "Hmm. Say, that's not a bad idea, Ben? Why would-" Suddenly stops and realises it wasn't Ben who said it until they noticed his beast version, crouching down on a rock high above. "Oh, you were there... eh, ehehehe." Chuckling nervously and stood beside Ben.
The beast now named Xebn grins with his tail wagging. "You know, I think I might keep it, makes a clear idea of who's who. Don't you think?" Stands up and jumps up high before coming back down, raising one leg up to land and cause an earthquake, fracturing the ground beneath them. However, Ben used his magic to counter the attack but might have been a little too effective.
"Quake!" Xebn stomps his foot down and brought out rocks from the ground before throwing them at the prince with his enhanced strength. Rolling to the side and avoiding the rocks coming at him, luckily Genie came to his side by making a trampoline.
"You alright, buddy?" Genie asks him.
Ben rubs his head to see Genie and was appreciate it. "Yeah, I'm okay. But this one is really tough."
"TEN HUT!" Genie popped up in a military uniform alongside Ben in a uniform and in a trench, looking out through his binoculars. "The enemy may be tough, but we'll not let him win this war, private." Ducks to avoid a coming fireball. "But you know, we've been through a lot together these past... oh, 10 to 20 minutes, kinda makes a guy think."
"Yeah, and this one seems to use more muscle than brawn for his powers." Ben told him
Meanwhile, Xebn walks through the debris of his mess and searches for the two. "Now, where would my goodie side be and that annoying blue comedian?" Using his nose to find their scent through the dust clouds and found a trench a few yards away from his position. "Time for the beast to get his prize." Crouching down on all four, taking a stance to make a fast run with his arms out forward and one leg folded out front.
Genie continued to look out for him. "No sign of the enemy, private. All too quiet." But stops to spot the beast folk. "Enemy sighted at 4 o'clock!"
Ben stood up to see for himself but wondered what Xebn was up to and even he didn't know. "I don't like this." And he was right when Xebn made a run straight to them, so fast but a trail of adust behind. Summons the Beast Within and took the moment to stop him. "Ready? Aim... now! Stopra!" Using time-stopping magic to freeze him with Genie's help to freeze the ground. They thought it would work, but both their astonishment he was nowhere in sight.
"Uh, where'd he go?" Genie searched for him.
Ben was puzzled at first until he saw a blur zipped past them and then... in the air. "Incoming!" Pointed above to see Xebn aiming his own keyblade down, along with his aura brought out for the strike in the shape of a wolf. Swung his blade down with both hands and created a deep cut into the earth.
Ben coughed and barely had the chance to shield himself from the impact, brushing off the rocks and sees the debris. "Genie?"
"Over here." He sees Genie coming out of a hole, all dazed and staggered. "No offense, private? But your twin takes more from your dad's attitude problem when he was a beast." Collapses on the ground.
"Attitude?" The prince pondered and then it hit him like a lightning bolt. "Wait... Genie I got an idea."
"Okay, but do I have to go to school today?"
Xebn walks about to find him. "Come on out, twin! I expected more from you as you should have the powers I have." Xebn retorted and summons his keyblade. "With the keybalde you would make a powerful king be feared."
"Then we're not alike. Ruling through fear doesn't bring people together, bonds of friendship and trust are what my parents taught me." Ben stated, slowly taking a step forward out of the open
Xebn let out a chuckle and sees him. "Well, if that's how you think. Maybe I might take over, and perhaps make a better man to a certain witch." He brings a grin on his face to see Ben's frown upon mention of Mal.
"Come on then." Ben brought his out and readied for him. Xebn as all happy to oblige and sprinted towards his counterpart, but when he came within range to attack, suddenly slams into a suppose invisible wall, almost breaking the wall when realizing it was realistically painted. Pulls away and staggered, feeling his head spinning and managed to get his bearings to see what it was. "Wha... where... how?"
"You know what makes you different from me?" He sees Ben by the wall with an amused grin. "Can't believe you fell for it. Even I could've seen it coming up close."
Xebn did not take it well and growls of being mocked. "You think this is will win? You never were the cheating kind."
Ben merely shrugged his shoulders to respond. "Well, nothing wrong with learning a thing or two of how a bad guy works."
"Alright, Xebn. What do you get when your above 15 feet high?" Genie asks like a gameshow host, confusing the counterpart. "Times up! the answer is... a catapult trap! Ari, pull the lever!" The Aracuan Bird appeared with a lever to twist, sending Xebn hurdling high into the sky.
Ben took this as a chance to be ready and locked on to his target with his keyblade before he was making a come back to the earth. "Magnet!" Gathering the powers from his keyblade to pull the startled Xebn towards him and used a Stopra attack to freeze him in place. Using a new move and releases an aura of a beast to make a final blow, sending him crashing into the ground to make a crator.
Ben landed softly to his feet, finds his beast counterpart lying on the ground almost knocked out. "H-how...uggh, you... could not..." Groans in pain and glaring at the prince.
"Because I have faith and my friends. I trust them with my life." Ben tells him and kneels down to come closer. "And to be honest, I'm a bit scared really. Yeah, I faced monsters, witches and sort, but the becoming king one day really gets me worrying about the responsibilities. But I know if I can have the support of my friends and face it head-on."
Xebn stared at him and listens, not saying a word and chuckles. "If you managed to face your inner beast, then maybe you will make a worthy king one day. Do not let your fears take over, Ben Florian, wielder of the keyblade." Slowly fads away as a sign of accepting his defeat. Leaving Ben to sigh in relief to win.
"Wow! We did it! And you showed him!" Genie flew to his side.
"Yeah, and thanks guys, really needed it." The prince thanked them and couldn't have done it without them.
"Hey, what are friends for?" GEnie smiles and the bird nodded. Now hoping the others were ok.
Moorna rose from her feet, narrowing her eyes at the three and thought of what to do. She so far had learned one of them being more closer to the element of fire like the other being nature, they were stronger then she expected. But the boy who used the keyblade, he was different and had many surprises after pulling that surprise attack using light magic. She had to be careful now knowing what these three were capable of, but will not let them win for she is of a proud and mightiest creatures of the Fire Civilization.
"I must admit, for pitiful creatures such as yourselves to challenge me, I am almost impressed. But not something of respect, more of something to kill." She let out a low growl, spreading her wings for battle.
Bloom, Taren, and Flora prepared themselves for another attack but needed to come up with a plan of their own to beat her. Taren had to think of something new like he used Faith to surprise her.
"This time we need to work together into beating this overgrown lizard!" Taren suggested to them, taking what he learned from his training and work as a team.
Bloom nodded and agreed. "We know what she can do and have worked a way around them." Thinking of a plan and had something in mind. "Flora, I might have an idea. Think you can do it?"
Flora was confident to not let them down, getting the same idea as she did. "You go to it."
"Look out!" Taren alerted them and avoided the laser fires in time, Moorna roared and propelled herself to the air, Bloom took flight and used her plan to draw her await, firing multiple fireballs at the dragon's face. She flew around it and successfully made the dragon mad.
"How about dealing with a fairy with fire magic?" Bloom held her fists up ready, radiating with powerful magic around her, flies higher and fast as she can to avoid the snapping jaws. "Whoa!" Maybe a little too good by the look of it but too late to back out now and flew fast as she can.
The dragon glared at her and chased after her. "Enough of this! I will burn you to ashes first!"
Taren and Flora watch as she got the dragon's attention and do their part. "I hope she's ok." Concerned for her.
"Me too, come on." Takes his hand and chases after them, knowing she wouldn't try to go too far and find a place to surprise her need to trap her in vines and take out those cannons. They managed to sneak up behind her and he was ready to surprise her but without warning, the dragon spun around and in releases a firefly breath at them. He gasped and pulled Flora to his side before being hit by the blast by few inches, luckily neither of them had been hit but felt the heat of the plasma beams but not before they were swatted by her tail, Taren grabs Flora into his embrace and used his body as a shield before being thrown to the ground and used his magical aura to take the beaten against the impact.
"Did you think I would be foolish to fall for your little trick? How disappointing."
Bloom took this as a chance, waves her hand across and creates a wave of magic directly at the dragon's face, showing the dragon not to mess with her friends. The idea was to take out the cannons but wasn't so easy when Moorna, the vengeful was moving so much and using her wings to protect herself from the fire since it had no effect on the Fire Civilization creature.
Feeling the strong heat of the fire magic from the blue fairy she was chasing against her face, growls under her teeth and glaring at the fairy. "Your magic is indeed strong, fairy. But not as strong as my own!" Opens her mouth and fires a large stream of fire at Bloom, forcing her to raise a magical shield to take a defensive stand, she wasn't sure how long she could hold for much long against the twin beams.
"No way... am I going… to lose." Bloom focused more on using the magic she has to block the attacks, not affected by the heat but something was telling her to take a stand and show this dragon her place.
Taren groaned and pushes the debris and dust from his body, looks at Flora in his arms and sees her not too badly hurt. "You ok?" Asks her and slowly lets go of her from his arms.
"Uh, I-I think so, but thanks." Flora noticed she was up close to him and blushes, gently pushing herself up to see Bloom having a hard time with their opponent.
"Bloom!" Flora cried out to see her in trouble.
"She's not gonna hold on much longer." Taren knew she couldn't hold on for long and they needed to do something. But something was off, he can feel her power growing and the power rising fast.
"What's the matter?" He heard Flora asked him.
"Don't know, but I feel like she might be aware of something about to happen." Taren wasted no time to get up and run towards them with Flora beside him to help Bloom. But another blast sent her flown
"Hmm, it seems you three are having trouble with Moorna?" Chaos appeared before them to see the results of the battle, casually sitting and licking his fur to clean up. "She seems to have a… fiery attitude. But, I'm certain you two may have something exciting to pull."
"Chaos? What are you doing here?" Taren asked him.
"Well, I came by and was curious to see how this will end. A fairy against a dragon, you don't see things like every day!"
"If you've seen the things my family fought, you'd think it's normal by then." Taren responded in a casual manner as he knew the history his parents and friends were doing when they were kids.
"I have received the results of the other two, both had defeated their challengers." Seneschal shared the news with the others.
"Pity, was interested to know who the other two were facing, but had to focus on Bloom to find out if we're right about her." Icy said, watching the image of Bloom having a hard time against the large dragon. "If that overgrown reptile can push her to the limit, she may release the magic inside her with Chaos to do the work for us."
"I suppose that's true Guess the Trix were right, I should've come sooner."
With a mention of the witches, they gasped and panicked. "Don't mention our names!" Stormy cried out but was too late for them to figure it out themselves.
"The Trix?" Flora questioned and figured it out, the same to Taren who shared the same thought. "That's why you're doing this! So it was them who sent you!"
Chaos only smiled without a care in the world. "Nobody brought me, I came on my own."
"Well, surprise how you didn't think of using them instead of Tezzeret. They'd be a more pleasant company than us." Taren said.
"Hmm, tempting but I had other ideas. But they just seem like typical witches plotting with no plans." Chaos thought. The two didn't want to wait around any longer and came to Bloom's aid when she was having trouble by another blast. This time Flora used her magic to create a mist of spores to make the dragon a little drowsy, causing Moorna to lose focus and turned to the Lymphean. Taren took his chance and waved his keyblade to fire a powerful wave of lightning and light to aim for her chest.
Moorna was caught off guard and felt her chest being hit, along with her body being electrocuted, she was able to survive the blast by her size and armor to heal her but felt her body in pain. Taren wasn't done yet and used the Flowmotion to jump up on her knee, then to the tail and wing membrane to propel himself directly at her lower jaw before she could react. The impact of his keyblade caused her head thrown upwards staggered and tries to keep her balance until large tree vines coiled themselves around her ankles to lose her footing. The giant beast fell on her front and made a small quake by the impact of her massive size.
Bloom sighed in relief and saw her friends came to her help. Taren and Flora rushed over to her. "Thanks, guys. I didn't know how long I could hold on."
"Well, guess it's true what they say. The bigger they are, the harder they fall." Taren tried to make a joke to lighten the mood when helping her up on her feet.
Both girls tried to hold in the chuckle of how corny that sounded. "Taren, best leave it to the comedians," Bloom said with a tired but amused expression on her face when both took her arms for support.
"But we have something you wanna hear, turns out this was all done by the Trix." Flora told her.
Bloom took the moment to digest this information and was shocked, but somehow unsurprising that it was their doing. But to ruin her special moment with Taren really made her mad. "Ugh! I should've seen it! Those three never give a break!"
Taren nodded and agreed. "Yeah, they just love to mess with us since day one."
Determined to rid the annoying fairy and keyblade wielder for good, the Fire Civilization creature raised her head up to their direction. Gritting her teeth with rage, taking the moment while the three of them were distracted she slowly opens her jaws to hopefully make a surprise attack. But this didn't go unnoticed for Taren who caught sight of Moorna recovered and about to burn them in her fiery breath.
"Look out!" He rushed to the front and called out a Reflect magic before the fires could burn them, but given it was a strong force he took the full force and thrown off his feet.
Bloom and Flora gasped to see him hurt and fell to the floor, Bloom was in shock and couldn't believe he did that to save them.
"Now to deal with the last two without your keyblade ally to help you." Moorna mocked them and slowly reached down for the vines to bite them off to regain her balance. "Now to finish you for good!"
Unaware to what would happen next, Bloom clutches her fists tight when feeling so angry and in rage towards the dragon for hurting her crush, the magical aura surrounding her body glowed so bright and made her hair flow. Flora noticed something was off with Bloom while treating to Taren's wounds. This feels just like what happened before.
"Something the matter little fairy? Did I hurt someone close to you?" Moorna questioned her but noticed the strange power surrounding her and the change of face she had form almost verge of tears to anger.
Chaos who was watching the fight noticed something was happening to Bloom and looked very excited about what was going to happen. "Hmmm, this is starting to get really exciting!"
"You and the Trix have one thing in coming. You mock others and talk too much!" The aura became bright as fire, surprising both the dragon and Flora, along with Taren who only saw a glimpse of what was happening. Rises high to Moorna's level with her eyes meeting her hard gaze. Moorna decided to finish her by releasing another blast of fire, but to her astonishment and shock, the flames swirled around the fairy and followed the directions of her hands. The fairy in her emotional state unleashed a blast of powerful fire magic that would have burned everything in the area, but never done so, only for Moorna was the target to receive the punishment. Never felt such power from a fairy before and roars in pain with the magic too much to withstand for the mighty dragon, letting out an anguished scream before engulfed in the blast.
"The energy readings are increasing beyond the scales! The machines won't take it!" Seneschal warned them, but the machines went haywire and sparks flared before bursting into smoke. Both Tezzeret and Seneschal were surprised of the results, following a bright light from the orb the Trix used to show them just how powerful the magic Bloom possessed.
The Trix, although shielded their eyes from the bright light, could not help but let out a cackle that they were right all along. Icy didn't bother to see if the creature was defeated or not, but her theory was right about Bloom. "Yes. YES! It's her!"
Tezzeret approached them and gave his response. "Well done, you were indeed right. Now we must find a way to obtain it."
Bloom was back on the ground and almost lost consciousness after what happened, she couldn't understand what she did but strangely felt like it was the same thing back when she was fighting the Trix and turned the Grimm to stone. She finds the whole area a little different but sees the dragon not moving but somewhat breathing, and finds both her friends beside her.
"Oh thank goodness, you're awake!" Hears Flora sounded relieved as she was, and finds Taren ok as well.
"Hey, you alright?" Taren asked her and noticed she looked surprised and emotional when suddenly threw herself at him, wrapped her arms tightly around the startled teen. "Hey, what the…"
Bloom pulls away from him a little and smiles at him. "I'm just glad to see you not hurt."
"Um, think we might have a problem here first." Flora was a little scared if the dragon gets up again and fights them, they may not have the energy left to face her for another round. And to her concern, the dragon slowly stirred but seems bruised.
"Stay here, I might have something that could work. Just stay with Bloom." Taren told her and gets up despite their concern, summoning the Light's Rebellion to his hand for something to test his theory.
"Why? What are you gonna do?" Bloom asked and sat up beside Flora to watch him make his way to the dragon, but afraid he might get hurt again.
"The… f-flame…" They hear Moorna mumble something but not sure what it was. "… great.. fire… Dragon's… impossible."
"Man, Bloom really did a number on you." Taren wasn't sure if she was hit on the head harder then he imagined, and yet he couldn't help but wonder what she was on about. He brings up his keyblade, trying to remember what he learned during his training and then a vision came into his mind.
A young beautiful woman in robes, summoning her keyblade and performs some stand with her body in a dance-like routine. Her hand was covered in a glove and channeled the magic through her body to the keyblade.
Waking up from a sudden moment to find Moorna's eye open and staring at him. "Uh…" Not sure what to say or how to react when she seems to slowly recover.
"You… you have… the eyes, the dragon's eyes… DROCARHEN!"
Sounding much angrier for a sudden by the tone of her voice and seeing her getting back up a little. Much as he wanted to know what she was talking about but needed to do what he had to for his friends' safety. Closing his eyes and held the keyblade in both hands before following the same motion as the woman in his dream just then, almost feeling like he was doing martial arts and then pointed the keyblade towards Moorna, engulfing her in a red fiery aura and faded away before she could had the chance to strike.
Sighs in relief that it worked. "Phew! I thought it never worked."
"Taren, what did you do?" Flora asked and sure Bloom was after what they just saw.
"It was something Master Yen Sid taught us, we could use our keyblades to reverse a curse or spell." Taren explains. "So I thought since she was summoned here by magic I could undo it."
"Wow! That's amazing!" Bloom was amazed to learn about this. "But I'm so sorry about this, I couldn't control my powers when I thought you were… well." Feeling down and ashamed of what happened.
"Hey, no one was hurt. Well, except Moorna but doubtful she'll let this go by that nickname she's given." Taren didn't hold a grudge against her. "But you sure kicked her ass."
"Yeah, so don't worry about it." Flora agreed which made Bloom smile and hugged her.
"Well! That was surely a fabulous challenge!" They see Chaos flew in and looked pleased. "I was unexpected to see what happened but you sure passed my little test with flying colors."
"Tests?" Taren pondered. "Wait, this was all just a test? For what?"
"Why to see what you newbies had learned and all aced it." Chaos told him. "Besides the ones known as the Trix think they could use me, but they'll get what's coming to them soon. I was impressed with how you all handled the situation" Flicks the fingers of his paws and returned them all to Alfea along with the others from their challenges. Taren, Flora, and Bloom were amazed to see them as well, especially Mel's and Mirta's appearances.
"Wait... Mel is that you?" Taren wasn't sure if it was her.
Mal groans in annoyance and folded her arms. "Yes, it's me! Who did you expect, Dove Cameron?" That remark answered his question.
"Uh, we like to be back to ourselves, please? I don't think my parents will react to seeing me with a cat's tail or pair of ears." Mirta asked Chaos who did so and returned them to their normal selves. Mal noticed her purple hair back and lacked the horns or wings, feeling the weight of them lifted. But wondered if she were able to use them again since having the experience during her fight with LadyDevimon.
"So why do all this?" Macbeth spoke up to him for answers.
"A little something to see if they are skilled for what will come next for them, can't say or will spoil the surprise." Not liking the idea of what he had in mind with that grin. "Well, love to stay and chat, got places to go, things to destroy." Flaps his wings and takes his leave. "But if you ever get boring-"
"NO!"
"Uh, t-that's ok!"
"We won't get boring!"
"Totally!"
"Promise!"
Chaos chuckled by the teens' response. "Good, but if you did. I'll be back!" Gave them a cheery smile before he vanished. With him gone, everyone in school was relieved to see him gone.
Taren sighs. "Man, what a day! I can't believe we had to go through something like that!"
"I know! And especially on your birthday of all things." Genie said then suddenly flinched when he spilled the beans. "Oopsie."
"Genie!"
The red-haired teen blinked. "Wait, my birthday?" Then a second later he shot up from his feet to realize what day it is. "Hold up, you're saying it's my birthday?! Why didn't anyone tell me?!" He couldn't believe how he forgot that it was his birthday and now makes him 17 years old. Then suddenly felt a soft blunt to the head by Mal.
"If we told you that, it wouldn't be a surprise would it? Figured you would forget with that thick head of yours." Mal told him, causing everyone to try not to laugh.
Yen Sid came forward to the wielders. "I am relieved to see you all unharmed and passed Chaos' challenges, we should need to be more careful of what else would happen in the future. But in the meantime, I feel we should allow you to rest up and celebrate young Taren's birthday. Don't you agree?"
"I feel they deserved it, and happy birthday Taren." Faragonda said, which caused the teens to be thankful to them and get on with the party.
"I can't believe you never knew it was your birthday." Sky brought up. After the crazy day, all the teens decided to head out so to celebrate Taren's 17th birthday but had to keep it a surprise for him.
Taren chuckled and scratches the back of his head. "Yeah, guess after all this time with the adventures and crazy things going on, I must've forgotten."
"Time sure flies by, huh." Musa giggles and turned to Flora and Bloom. "But can't believe not only you three fought a dragon. But Stella summoned a Titan as well."
Bloom looked at Stella in surprise upon finding out. "Wow, really?"
Stella grins and holds up her medallion. "That's right, Solwing was a great help and you should've seen it."
"It'd be interesting to find out more about these Titans and knowing we can use them to kick villain butt!" Brandon nodded and looked at his own when pulling it out in his hand. "Who knows what ours could do."
Sky nodded and wrapped an arm around the princess and smiles. "Wish I was there, but knowing you had it in the bag, Stella. I still could've given some support for ya."
Stella smiles and went all giddy to the prince, much to everyone's amusement over this. "Aw, thanks! She was scary looking and tough, ugh, those bats were creepy! But didn't stop us beaten her."
Mirta took a zip of her drink before leaning to Flora. "Is she always like this?"
"You should see her on a shopping spree." Flora giggled.
"Here's the specialty from Earth." Bloom smiles and knew one of her favorite foods was brought in. "I helped made it with the girls, it's called Pizza.
"Mmm, I really could use a slice." Mal eagerly took one and took a whiff of it before taking a bite. "Mmm! Oh, god, this is so good!"
Taren takes one and begins eating. "Wow, you really have a chef's talent Bloom."
Taking his compliment and couldn't help but smile brightly. "Thanks! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who knows pizza." Others took one and likened the taste of one of Earth's foods.
"Hey, maybe next time you could give us the recipe, this pizza's not bad." Brandon asked.
"Sure, I'm heading back to Earth during the break." Bloom thought o remind herself.
"Well, here's a birthday no one will forget." Ben said and raised his glass. "Happy birthday!"
Everyone followed a similar gesture. "Happy birthday, Taren!"
Smiles in appreciation from the friends he made since starting these adventures, raising his glass and took a sip of it. "Here ya go." Hears Mal passing over a package to him wrapped up.
"This for me?" Almost surprised but didn't expect something like his from Mal.
Mal shrugs her shoulders. "Well, I thought you deserved something. And no, it's not a prank... this time."
"No, just didn't expect it. Never had something to give ya on yours during our training." Hearing this caught Mal by surprise that he was considering one since she didn't get any presents but feels appreciate it since they've grown close as friends. Taren opens the present and finds a small sculpture of a dragon inside the box but with feathery wings.
"Wow, this is awesome!" Taren held it carefully to look at the details. "Where'd you get it?"
Mal somewhat blushes and twiddled her thumbs as everyone turned to her. "I... sought a... made it. Been making some drawings and thought to give a go of sculpting."
"It's amazing!" Bloom was awed and thought she had great talent. "You really should give it a go, maybe show me some tips?"
"Any more like this one?" Flora asks her.
"You know, you could and looks really amazing. I think you're a great artist." Ben said, not knowing it made Mal to try and hide some of the blush but didn't escape Bloom's notice and grins.
"Why the shy face, Mal?"
Stella noticed and joins in. "Oh, do somebody having butterflies in them?"
Mal groans and was going to reply to them when Musa got up. "Hey! We gotta get ready for our turn for the gig, come on!" Grabbing Mal's arm and pulled her from the table, followed by Bloom as well.
"I got to go, be right back." She told them.
"What was that about?" Taren was puzzled and wondered what they were talking about.
Ben wasn't sure himself and thought if he said the wrong things. But Sky and Brandon chuckled and grin to the key wielded. "Guess Taren ain't the only."
"No kiddin', so had any fun time before the crazy stuff happened?" The squire nodded and turned to Taren who almost choked on his food.
"Uh, n-nothing really, me and the girls were just hanging out. That's all, really." Taren told them.
"Yeah, I was just passing by getting the stuff for the party." Flora added, which made Taren feel relieved to back him up.
Sky now grins at Taren. "Oh really? Is that all?"
"Yes, and since it's his birthday I might give him something for being supportive." Not sure what Flora meant until she leans over and gave the surprised wielder a kiss on the cheek. Causing him to feel his face turn red and surprised others.
"Uh... eh, uh, t-thanks... I-I" Taren was lost for words and didn't know what to say as Flora was blushing as well.
"Well, I just thought since it was your birthday as a friend." Flora said, even she couldn't help but felt so nervous after what she did, hoping least Bloom not knowing about it.
"Wow! Taren." Ben was surprised by this until Taren whispers to him. "Guess you're becoming more popular now."
"Alright, laugh it up, guys. Come on and also thanks Flora, least some of us are mature." Taren said.
"Hey, is that your mom?" Ben questioned, which caused Taren to suddenly jump up from his seat to look about frantically.
"WHERE?!" But he suddenly realized he was being duped and turned to the laughing prince. "Very funny."
"Mature, huh?" The boys teased him.
Flora couldn't help but laugh along with Stella, she found it adorable and cute the way he looked embarrassed. Turning to Stella who was smiling coyly at her and gave the look that says 'not a word', which she took and accepted. Just then the lights dimmed and the stage was set, they see Musa and Bloom with some guitars and on the drummer's seat was Mal, but with her hair blond and some pink highlights as they recognized her.
House of Mouse
"Ok everyone, we just got some special footage from one of the Keyblade wielders who be performing," Mickey announced. "But she doesn't know we're watching from here too. Hit it, Horace!"
The audience cheers and quiets down to see Mal on screen in her mixed appearance as she takes a step on the stage. "Ok, so… this is my first gig so a song I wrote for a birthday gift for… a friend to show my support. Called Born Ready." Mal along with Bloom and Musa started up their gig to sign.
Ready, set
Time to be a fighter
Don't look down
Keep on climbing higher
Be yourself, 'cause heroes shine in different ways
And when your voice can't make a sound
Just know we hear you all around
Don't need to fit into the crowd
To be a force of nature
'Cause we're gonna be, we're gonna be, we're gonna be the best
They're gonna see, they're gonna see that we were born for this
So if it takes forever
We'll save the world together
We were born ready
We were born ready, yeah, yeah, yeah
And if your heart surrenders
We'll hold it up together
We were born ready
We were born ready
Don't care if the world ain't ready for me
So if it takes forever
We'll save the world together
We were born ready
We were born ready, yeah, yeah, yeah
And if your heart surrenders
We'll hold it up together
We were born ready
We were born ready
Don't care if the world ain't ready for me
We were born ready
We were born ready
Don't care if the world ain't ready for me
Don't care if the world ain't ready for me
The audience applauded and cheered of her performance, one table was taken by two old looking fellas wearing formal suits who watched the show with the audience. The one with the mustache named Waldorf turned to his companion, Statler who was bald as well and a large nose. "Ya know, this place is much cleaner than the Muppet Theatre.
"Hm, true. The seats are more comfortable, can't say the same for the food here." He told him. "But one thing they have in common."
Waldorf looked at him. "Really, Statler? What's that?"
"Whenever they perform an act, it makes me want to sleep for a hundred years." Statler told him before he and Waldorf gave a chuckle after making a joke, Ed the Hyena popped up from their table and joined the laugh.
On another table were three fairies who applauded. "Oh, Mal has such a wonderful voice." The one in green named Fauna spoke.
The second one in red named Flora agreed. "And hearing about her progress, I'm so pleased she's making friends. What do you think Merryweather?"
"Well, least she's not in trouble or hurt." The fairy in blue told them. "Hopefully she stays on her behavior, she's known for her little hobbies."
After watching the show the audience cheers and amazed by her talent, Mal looked at Musa and Bloom who smiled at each other then back at her. Mal looked to her friends who applaud to her when she sees Ben smiling and gave her a thumbs-up, it made her feel... giddy and trying feeling the flush on her cheeks.
When it came to an end, while others went back to their schools to sleep Taren was making a soft walk in the night and thinking of what Moorna just said.
"You… you have… the eyes, the dragon's eyes… DROCARHEN!"
'What did she mean? Could it have something to do with my eyes?' It was almost like she knew something, but didn't have the chance to ask when he sent her back to her realm. This was really starting to build up more questions than answers, maybe Yen Sid or his parents know about it from their previous adventures.
"Hey, Taren?" He turns around to see Bloom.
"Bloom? I thought you'd be back to your dorm?"
Bloom shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I thought to get some mind off of things and walkabout when I saw you. You look a little miles away."
"Yeah, just a lot really, about what that Moorna just said, something I can't make out what but said... Dragon Eyes and she seems to had freaked out by your stunt just then." Taren replied.
She nods her head. "I wish I knew what that was, or that word she said. But, least for the coming test Palladium has for us made me feel a little better to get some frustrations out of my system. Guess there were some good things in it after all."
"No doubt about it, but after what Flora said about the history between them and the realms of Magic, kinda makes me wonder about the histories they had and what other worlds they've encountered." Taren thought of and maybe do some research into it.
"Yeah, there's a library with all knowledge, maybe we can take a look into it." Then Bloom suddenly remembered what she remembered. "Wait, I think there was some information about the Keyblades."
This surprised the teen to hear about it. "Really?"
"Yes, I was looking into Daphne the Nympth when this book about the keyblades was mentioned!" Bloom told him and then sighed. "But when I got back to find out more, they said they were locked away."
"Maybe they had some info that was not meant to be known. Don't worry, least you tried to help." He assured her to help make her feel better.
Smiles softly at him for not being down on it. "I guess, but on a photo, I saw some who were claimed to be heroes. two names I found on some who .. well looked like you. One had spikey brown hair and the other was dark red hair. Sora and Kairi, I think. Does it ring any bells?" She asked him if she got it right as he did share a strong resemblance to them.
Thinking of the descriptions of the certain two, she must've found a photo of his parents. "Y-yeah, they're my mom and dad. I was told about the battles that happened here and how they helped them. Not much to know about it, but so far they were praised as heroes."
"So I guess that means you must be following their footsteps, I mean, you started out on the adventures and could be a great hero like them." Bloom gave a thought of all the things he's done.
"Yeah, when you put it that way." He softly laughs at the thought of it.
Bloom was trying to give a thought of something and twiddled her fingers when feeling so nervous. "So... uh, on the break, you... have any plans?"
Taren blinks and gave no thought of it. "Um, not really. Didn't think of it coming up yet. But guessing Macbeth will have some ideas in mind. I heard Flora was thinking of asking Mal to help her with some ideas for her nature magic."
Happy to hear it, but couldn't help wonder why she feels relieved to know about it, not saying she was... jealous if some girls were after him. Interested to know what Flora had in mind to learn from Mal but maybe good to learn new ways to improve their powers. "Well, maybe if he can... you could come about to Earth in Gardenia? I mean, if you don't want to! I-I just figured you guys didn't get the chance when you first showed up."
Thinking it over and never did see the city since they sent most of their time training and learning about their keyblades, Taren had wanted to see new places and explore as a wielder of the Keyblade. "Well, if I can convince him... maybe, sure."
Hearing his response made her smile brightly. "Great! just let me know and give my folks the heads up."
"Uh, you sure? I mean, don't want to make things awkward or something." Taren didn't think of being invited by a girl and spend a few days at her place.
Bloom giggles of his nervousness and knew what he meant. "Don't worry, we have a spare room and my parents won't mind a bit since you guys helped us."
"Yeah, guess your right. Ok, I'll go ask him."
"Great, and uh... one thing..." Taking a step closer to him, closed her eyes and made a quick peck on his cheek before stepping away and blushes while gazing at him. "T-That was for what you did for us. And being always supportive. Later and wish me luck on Palladium's test!" Makes her way back to the school, leaving behind a stunned Taren who reached up to feel his cheek and couldn't help but feel the warmth from her, especially from Flora's. Now he was confused and unsure of what was going on in his head.
"I wish I could talk to dad about this."
But as he was leaving to return to Red Foundtain, unaware of being watched by Riven who saw the moment and grins. "This is pretty interesting." Jumps off from the tree branch and turns to the Seer which emerged from the shadows. "If you can hear me through this jellyfish, I think you might be interested in what I just found out from the battle."
"Interesting, please do tell." Hearing Darcy's voice to call out to him and her face appearing through.
Destiny Island
"Hey, Sora! Here's something that might cheer you up for his birthday." Riku walked over to his best friend and handed a small package, the spikes haired wielder wondered what was in it as he knew today was Taren's 17th birthday, he and Kairi were planning on doing something to honor the day even though their son was far away and wanted to celebrate it to wish him good luck. Looking inside and pulled out several photos, his eyes widen to see who it was. "This is..."
Riku nodded his head and smiles softly at Sora as he knew this would cheer them up. "Yep, Genie took the photos for us and just gotten the letters from the experiences they've been through. Ben's family got theirs earlier." Takes a look at the photo of Taren, looked much different from the last time they saw him in almost a year ago and grown so much. "Man, he's grown a lot. Much more then you did when you were a kid."
Sora narrowed his eyes at the snickering Riku by the comment over his height. "I didn't grow fast like you when I was a teenager." Looking at photos showing him having fun, his keyblade that looked impressive and made new friends that celebrated his birthday. Smiles warmly knowing he was doing well. "Least he's made friends. I can't wait to hear about his adventures when we see him."
This caused Riku to suddenly pull a grin on his face as he looked at some photos. "Not only that. Seems your son has become the catch of certain company."
Uncertain what his best friend was the on about. "Waddya mean?"
"See for yourself." Decided to show him by showing a photo of Taren with two girls, one with long flowing orange/red hair by his side standing in front of a fountain, and one with lightly tanned skin with soft brown hair both smiled nervously but seem happy and appear to be having a good time.
Sora had to admit both of them look stunning and reminds him of the time when he and Kairi started dating, no doubt she would love to meet them. "Wow."
"Gotta say, takes after you, Sora." Riku couldn't help but grin as he takes a lot after Sora.
"Takes after what?" The two heard Kairi coming in and instantly hid the photos behind them. "What's the matter with you two?"
"Uh, Kairi! Nice of you to be here." Sora chuckled nervously, causing Riku to groan under his breath of how stupid that sounded.
Kairi raised one eyebrow and wondered what was her husband hiding. "Well, duh, I live here. Now what's been going on, I heard something up was happening and thought if it had something to do with the kids."
Maybe she didn't know about the whole 'Chaos situation' but were relieved to hear it was settled. "Oh, that! Well, it just so happens that they'll be sending vid messages for us. I wanted to make it a surprise."
"Very smooth." Riku complimented him on a quick move.
Hearing this Kairi gasped and smiled. "Really? Oh, Sora why didn't you say so earlier? I want to know how he's been doing. Did he make new friends, or-or how much has he grown? I mean we haven't seen our boy in months and Hana is wanting to see her brother again! I hope he's doing ok!"
"Calm down, Kairi, I'm excited too but least we know they're doing fine." Sora assured her as she did so but noticed something in his hand.
"Hey, what are those?" Both men flinched and swooped them behind their backs but didn't escape Kairi's growing suspicion and narrowed her eyes with her arms. "Boys, are you two hiding something?"
"Uh, nothing!" Riku replied but Sora knew she didn't buy it for a sec. Kairi didn't either and certain they were something.
"Hey, I think I see the Mrs over there, Riku?" Kairi said looking over the window.
"What? Where?" Making a big mistake of falling for a childish act when Kairi swiped the photos from his hand.
"Riku!" Sora couldn't believe he fell for it.
"Uh, sorry about that, buddy." Riku chuckled sheepishly as they watch her look through them. "But best to check on that ruins, his majesty and the others will be arriving shortly. Later!" Taking his leave and not get dragged into the mess for putting Taren in when he hears about it.
"I don't know what's all the fuss is about, it's not like I'm getting all excited after seeing the vid." Kairi said. "But it's nice to see he's made new friends." Looking at some and finds one with him with some brunette held him in a vice grip with grins. Another showing Taren glaring at that Mal girl acting all innocently with his face painted in pink. Then he finds one with him in the company of two certain girls in different photos. "And… who might these be?"
"Uh, must be close friends I think." Sora smiled nervously and knew she was getting some idea by the look on her face.
She could see how they seem to be close and part of her wanted to find out if something was going on between them, not certain which of them but finds both of them very beautiful. "Well, I think we should have a word with our son when we see him." Especially wanting to meet these girls as well until she found a photo of Taren in a formal outfit and a scarf dancing with the red-haired girl in a beautiful dress "Aw, he looks so handsome in this! So much like a prince! Now I want to know if there's something going on with them!" Wishing she had the chance to see him off to dance and find out more about them, so much she could've have seen it than miss his first moments.
But taking a closer look, there was something about the girl that seems strangely familiar to her. Not sure what it was but feels like she saw her somewhere before.
Man! This was a lot to work on, was thinking of how the fights would happen, the plots and get it all done! But it was worth it, just about over 11,000! A new record for my chapters! Ok, so was thinking of some idea for having his birthday and decided to throw in a song from Dave Cameron since Mal was played by her and ideas for each of the heroes to face their opponents. As some more hints of Mal's back story... well I figured... why not something for if she was ever gonna use those wings if she ever wanted to embrace them once more.
For Ben I thought to make his beast side much different from the one in the movie as a way to show how strong his beast side could be but giving some limits by his emotions and rage like Beast was during the curse. Gave him a Nobody name, so why not? And maybe add some bit of jokes and laugh in it to show he may have to face his own inner beast like his father and try not to succumb it.
As for the vid messages, working on those for the future chapters to show how they're getting on and also a little cameo of the two old trolls from the Muppets to show up. And also... seems now Taren's fears may happen now that Kairi is on to his growing interest in certain girls, now comes the embarrassment and wonder how this will turn out. but how they got the photos is best to find out for yourselves.
Reasons for Stella having Solwing, I thought he is suited for her to be a helpful Titan for the Winx and their friends to use as a scout, especially in combat when in the air. So hope you enjoyed the story!
Anyway, thank you all for the faves and follows ups! Critics and ideas are always welcome.