Chapter 26: A Hidden Truth.
"I can't believe it's finally you, after all this time!" Tifa grabbed the startled Taren in her arm and pulled in for a strong embrace… or mostly a vice grip of his head against her chest and struggling for his life.
"Ggrgrr! Tifa!" Not only fighting for freedom but also with his head pressed against her ample chest.
Riku laughed and thought to step in before he would start to change color. "Ok, Tifa, think he deserves some air. Don't want to make a scene." Especially when they were in the Peters' home.
"Oh, sorry." She let go of him, much to his great relief, and catches Bloom trying to prevent herself from giggling. "But damn, you sure have grown. Have you been working out?" Unable to resist the curiosity and grabbed his arm to feel the muscles.
Taren blushes out of embarrassment. "Really? The first time in a year and that's the first question you ask?"
The brunette let go of him and chuckled. "Hey, last time your dad went missing for a year he only grew inches. And thankfully no longer wore those yellow shows." She admits his choice of clothing was different but fortunate to take his mother's than Sora's fashionable traits on his first adventure.
The young bear of the Light's Rebellion mentally groaned when mentioning his father's choice of clothing on his first adventures. "Alright, just back to the main subject. How did you guys find me, anyway?"
"Well, it wasn't so hard when we picked up a trace of keyblade magic here." Riku shrugged his shoulders. "But, we didn't expect to hear about a fairy either on the day you guys showed up."
Hearing him recall the day when the two met and when Bloom first awakened her abilities. But he was curious to know about his friends and family if they were doing well, apart from worrying for his safety of course. Riku turned to the Peters and gave a warm smile. "Anyways, hope he's been on his best behavior for you all." Teasing the teen more and ruffled his hear.
Vanessa smiled to the silver-haired keybearer. "Oh, not at all. But it's a pleasure to meet you two, I would've imagined meeting his parents to come."
"Well, much as Sora and Kairi would so much love to but had their hands rather full with some stuff." Riku told her. This somehow made Taren a relief if he received a crushing hug from his mom and any motherly embarrassment to receive in front of his friends and crush. But it would have been nice to see them again.
"Yeah, we just came by and took the chance to see how Taren's been up to. But also hope you had a good birthday, kiddo." Tifa told him.
"Oh, yeah, one that some of us would never forget." Taren did had a good time, apart from a crazy cat god who caused some trouble for them thanks to the Trix. One of the things Taren promised Bloom not to bring up to avoid worrying her parents. Taken their seats on the furniture and tell about themselves to Bloom's family.
Riku decided to speak and looked towards Bloom with what he had to say. "Anyway, another reason for coming around as we heard about the Fairies of Earth from one of our mentors who explained about them. Before you somehow able to manifest magic, the fairies were thought to have, well, vanished for centuries."
Hearing about this from Riku about them, Bloom and her parents shared the same thought if he knew anything about them. "So, do you anything about them or if there could be more out there?"
Tifa sighed and shook her head. "Sorry, we just heard about them and a lot of questions than answers. Sorry, kiddo."
Bloom thought maybe they knew something related to her dreams that could help. "It's alright, I just thought maybe something to do with my powers and dreams." Her father put his hand on her shoulder for comfort.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find out." He assured her, earning a smile from his daughter's face.
"Would you two like to stay for dinner? I'm sure both you and Taren would love to catch up on things." Vanessa asked them.
"Sure, I wouldn't mind that and know about the adventures you had, Taren." Tifa grinned. "But you don't mind us have a little private chat right?"
"No, go right ahead."
The three walked up to the guest bedroom Taren was using to have a private conversation. Once the three were inside, Taren closed the door and hoping they keep their voices down a little.
"Thought maybe we have some private chat for anything too secret to be known, least for now." Taren stated. "So, how is everyone back home."
"They're doing alright, got your note, and relieved to hear you doing fine." Tifa told him, seeing his expression that showed he was relieved to hear it. Sat down on the bed and gave a mischief grin. "So, that girl be one of your… friends?"
Taren heard her question and replies in a calm tone. "Yes, we met when first came to Gardenia to meet a fairy to take us to the Magic Dimension. Just being helping her out when she first discovered her powers." Picks up a glass to take a drink of his soda.
"Really? A friend is she?" Riku questioned him and almost chuckled. "Well, I just thought something was going on between you and her."
Hearing this made the young wielder confused and not sure how to respond. "Y-yeah. What are you getting at?"
Tifa couldn't help but try to hold back the snickering and grins. "Oh, let's just say it had to do with a… dance?
The mention of a 'dance' caused Taren to froze and now seeing the looks on their faces of something they knew about. "Uh… wha-what do you mean?"
"Hmm, maybe this will freshen your memory, kiddo." Tifa pulled out a photo to hand it to him, and what he saw caused the redhead to spat out his drink in shock with his eyes briefly widen in shock for on the photo was him dancing with Bloom in their dance outfits.
He barely said anything and felt his hand shaking while holding the photo in his hand and now red as a tomato with embarrassment while baffled of how they even get a photo of him and Bloom dancing together. "…W-Wha… where… h-how… " So many questions for the utterly shocked redhead to know how they got this.
"Ah, but where would be the fun in that?" Tifa wagged her finger with a mischievous smile on her face. "But just looking at it you two make a cute couple."
Riku came up and patted him on the back to snap the teen out of his shock. "Looks like you've been doing well, kiddo. Just like your old man."
Speaking of his father. "Wait… does dad know about this?" Praying that his mom didn't see it.
"Well he did, but your mom didn't know." Riku replied, causing Taren to sigh in relief for the brief moment. "…Right before she saw the photo of you and the girls together."
And with that then his hopes were shattered and felt his jaw drop. Resisting the urge to scream and do it in his mind.
'NNNNOOOOO!'
Grabs his shirt and desperate to find out if he was teasing him. "Please say mom didn't! It'll be a total disaster if she found out!" Trying to keep his voice down a touch from screaming.
"You can thank him for that." Tifa pointed to the nervous silver-haired keyblade master who chuckled to see the teen giving him the look that showed he was mad.
"Uh… yeah. My bad." Riku mentally thought that Taren now took that look from his mom.
"So you do like her then?" Tifa caught on to the way he acted as any teenager would. "I mean, from the look on your face it shows you do."
Taren felt he fallen into a trap set for him and now exposed, but the thing is it wasn't just Bloom he started to like as well. "Uh… w-well, I-I… kinda… but-"
"Aw, isn't that sweet. Young Taren is in love." Tifa giggled and found it cute while poking her finger against his reddened cheek. "Seems you must be popular with the girls. And to be honest, she's really beautiful, with those eyes, the lips, and even the divine curves and perhaps become a beautiful woman, maybe grow a decent pair of-"
"I'm not listening! I'm not listening!" Taren didn't want to hear anything about the female body and clamped his ears shut with his hands to try and to take his mind on something else. Causing the two adults to laugh at his reaction and even Riku thought it was funny.
"Much as I like to enjoy teasing, Taren, but we may be a little off track for what's important right now." Riku decided to get serious and ask the boy some questions, no doubt he has the same thing. "So, is it true you were trained by this Macbeth character?"
"Yeah, he was really tough but was supportive and taken the role of a mentor to others to provide advice. You know him?" Taren asked him.
"A couple of years back when me and your father were traveling, I used the abilities I learned from Ansem the Wise to find information about the Keyblades." Riku told him and chuckled with uneasiness when bringing up his past. "When I snuck into his place... well... I barely got out of there in one piece. He was really strong and able to take me on with a lot of historical weapons he had."
"Wow, no wonder he must've spooked ya, if he's that strong then Yen Sid must've made a good choice to train them kids." Tifa thought and amazed that someone of a keyblade master could almost be bested.
Taren chuckled nervously and started to get a clear idea about it. "Yeah, I think he did." Remembering all the training he had to go through, even those that were physically challenging and tough to deal with under his training. "But just a question to ask. Have you heard of the Dragon's Flame?"
Catching Riku and Tifa's curiosity about it until Riku replied. "Yeah, heard about it when I was on the planet Domino back in the conflict. Said to be one of the most powerful sources of magic in existence and on the level to Kingdom Hearts."
"Wow, that powerful?" This was the first time Tifa heard about it.
"Yeah, said to have been used by the ancient dragon that gave birth to the Magic Dimension with its dying breath. The remnants of the flame were kept safe within the royal family." Taren told her from when he first heard about it, knowing if it was so powerful perhaps the flame was kept someplace where no one would find it. But unfortunately, Domino was covered in snow and ice, so finding the palace or any survivors would be impossible to know.
"What's going on with this side of the verse? Have the Grimm been attacking a lot?" He asked them.
"Well, at first they did but so far only on a handful of worlds but took us a few months to clear them out. Seems this Tezzeret fella wanted to keep us busy to find that power." Tifa explained.
"Think he wanted that way as there have been more on Magix so far." Taren thought and shared with them.
Riku took the moment to think and seems logical, he can tell from the look on the kid's expression when mention about him showed he has changed and not the same kid he remembered. "Taren, did you, Ben or any of your friends confronted Tezzeret?"
The redhead turned to him and spoke carefully to answer. "Well… we did and… he was strong to take me, Ben and Mal at once. Even sent Genie flying but he's ok."
"Taren, I want you to take this as advice for your safety. Do not face him, just protect your friends and stay clear from him." Riku said with a strong expression on his face. "There are some battles you are not ready to face. We'll do what we can fast to show up to assist you."
"Yeah, but Riku-"
Riku stopped him when he put his hand on his shoulder to look at him straight in the face. "I mean it. We can tell you've grown strong but think of your family and friends who could be involved in this. The last time me and your parents fought Xehanort to protect everyone we loved, I almost lost both Sora and Kairi that day." Seeing the startled And horrified expression on Taren's face upon hearing this about what happened and continued. "I thought I would never see them again, but your dad pulled through but he was just lucky that time. I don't want that to happen to you. Would you leave that girl heartbroken to see you injured, or something worse? Your mom never left your father's arms for hours after that day you vanished."
Thinking about his family, friends, the Specialists, Winx, Flora, and especially Bloom if he went up against Tezzeret without thinking straight and wanted to make him pay for his crimes. Decided to take his advice and nodding his head to show he understood. "Ok, sure. I just… after what happened, being taken against my will and not seen anyone for a year really got me pissed off."
"Taren Strife, language." Tifa scolded but didn't blame him for that since it was understandable to be mad. "But good to hear. Oh, and your mom says if you do try something like what your dad did at your age, you're grounded for a long time."
"Eh, right. Sure." Smiled nervously and definitely not want to make his mom mad. But something else came upon his mind. "Wait, just something to share with you, something weird has been going on and had these bizarre dreams, I think."
"Dreams?" Riku asked and listened to him more. "Like what?"
"No idea, like several of these people I know nothing about show up in my dream, said something about the Keepers or something. Then, I started having visions of several people, one was a woman who did some dance to summon a creature, or called it back and another with hammers."
"Hammers?" Riku asked if he heard him right.
"Yeah, not sure but all of them seem somehow… connected and I felt like I saw Destiny Island, but different." Went over the table to pull out his sketchbook. "Been writing down my thoughts of the adventures I started and the Grimm we fought, including the visions."
"Does it say anything about your love and stuff?" Tifa teases him to lighten the atmosphere.
To Riku's understanding, this sort of thing wasn't new and had some experiences himself and his friends, but this was new to find visions of someone else that they know nothing about. "You got a copy of this? I figured maybe take it back for Cid and Merlin to do research."
"Sure, this is one of them, I left mine to Ben as he's still in Magix anyway." Taren said.
"Not to worry, we'll find out about this and hoping those visions you have could have the answers. Just try to focus on them if you get any again." Riku smiled to give him some hope. "Well anyway, how long are you guys here for on the break?"
"About a week so just a few days until we get back to Magix." Taren told him.
"Great! Plenty of time to catch up and stuff." Tifa smiled.
"Hold up, exactly how are you guys gonna try to open up the link from this side of the verse? I mean, Yen Sid and the teachers from the three schools will help out." Taren thought about it when he was once told about the travel between dimensions a little different than the usual thing for keyblade wielders.
"Well true, but Mickey had someone who was willing to help. Some duck named… Von Drake something? Something to prove his dimensional portal will help out." Riku stated, but somehow having this odd feeling it will cause some headaches at Disney Castle with his bizarre ideas.
"Hey, just a second." Tifa pulled Taren and narrowed her eyes when having a closer look on his face. "Something's different."
"Like what?" Taren wasn't sure as she was looking at him that made the boy a little uneasy.
"Something like… yeah, those eyes! What happened to them? They use to be blue." Tifa pointed out.
"Oh, that! Well just so happened when… well, I first fought the Grimm back on the islands and then… something happened." Taren couldn't explain it as its been months and no idea why or how they changed, he sort of gotten use to them by now.
"Well, we did see some… dragon where you were fly up in the sky." Riku recalled from what he remembered. "Anything happened with them?"
"Nope, sorry that's all I can think of." Taren didn't seem to have problems with his eyes as far as he knew.
"Well, to be honest, I kinda like them. Even your mom thought so after getting over the shock." Tifa shared her thoughts and seeing his eyes a nice new color, uncertain if they were permanent but so far he seems fine until they learn of something else that be informed. All that mattered was Taren was doing fine and interested to see how much his skills have improved and shared the stories with each other.
Taren told them about the friends he made and stuff happened, telling them about what he learned from REd Fountain over the use of his training and sparring with the Specialists.
Brandon and Sky often helped him and Ben out in a match to improve their skills, usually, at times it was Taren and Brandon for fun in a sword duel and use of holograms of scenarios and Grimm from their previous battles, it turned out that both of them were inspired by the Keyblade Wielders at the time and stories about them that the two wanted to experience themselves and become actual heroes one day. He may have to ask them about who they looked up to when he gets back since both his parents are keybearers. Taken some time to know Tecna and Timmy who both skilled in science and tech, making an idea to introduce them to Cid and other scientists he knew one day when the mission's over, thinking of the ideas shared about upgrading weapons for both the Specialists and Winx as well. Ben often helped him out with the long-range shooting practice to keep his skills improved and research into the Grimm to how to beat them since his first time encountering Tezzeret. Tecna suggested some research into the Keyblades and tried out new ways for the keybearers to develop new abilities with Macbeth and Yen Sid's approval of the ideas. Then came Riven, a stubborn and obnoxious type of guy who thinks he can be tough as anyone but his attitude became a problem, and after the incident at the Day of the Roses, he left to join another squad but hasn't heard from him since.
For the Winx, Stella was often the most supportive of the group who came up with the idea of making teams, telling them about how she was always eager for shopping and looking good, but when comes to her and Mal, both have this habit of trying to get on each other's nerves but often put it aside between them and seem much civil since Chaos's games. Musa often hangs out with them, usually takes them to music stores and listen to something new which Mal enjoyed, especially bringing Genie along for the stuff which Riku would easily see happen.
Already mentioned about Tecna and then came Bloom and Flora which most of the things he told only to point out being friends with, but the things he kept secret were one time came along with them hanging out, usually by Bloom to take him on shopping for new clothes when he had a limited wardrobe and on some occasion had Flora to helped her out. Genie, Ben or anyone else hardly helped and took the girls' side, they just gave him a grin and said it be good to 'socialize', whatever that meant but not saying it was bad but enjoyed the time with them. Not sure why, but usually catch one of them flushed up when around him, never did understand it himself and told some of this to Riku and Tifa in private, all he got in response were the grins on their faces or "you'll find out" which hardly helped out at all. Riku said not to ask this about his dad since he was clueless at times despite being a dad and a husband to his childhood sweetheart.
All he has to do is just try to enjoy the moment and let his heart be his guiding key as the old saying among Keyblade Wielders.
"He did what?" Bloom asked to be sure she heard her right while helping her mom in the flower shop the next day and hear about the things Taren did when he was a kid.
Tifa grins and chuckled upon their reactions. "Oh yeah, Taren and Max were dared by another kid who eats a lot of cheese to ride on the experimental bike Cid or that quack scientist built. Only to get a little out of hand than they thought, PJ and Ben were lucky to avoid it." Unable to help but laugh. "Boy, Cid was fuming but luckily no one got hurt. Can't say about the boys being grounded and forced to clean up the whole mess for a year.
"I never knew Taren had it in him." Vanessa thought, but least so far feels that being kids is what they would do at times. While thinking of him being a kind-hearted young man, but so far has some side of him that would make her husband worry. Maybe keep it to herself for the time being until what he thinks of him after they leave.
"Nah, usually if I knew his father like him, trouble and mishaps follow them." Tifa said. "You should've seen their faces when they were grounded, even Cid's face was red he had steam coming out of his head!"
Bloom and Vanessa laughed just thinking about it until their moment was ruined when they were startled by a brick that was thrown through the glass doors and shattered them. Vanessa goes outside to see who did it with Tifa beside her.
Tifa narrowed her eyes and didn't like it when some vandals or punks were up to no good. "They got away fast."
Bloom picked up the brick and decided to use her magic to turn the brick into a sponge, using it to repair the cracked door.
Tifa saw this and was impressed. "Wow, you sure got talent, red."
Vaness agreed with her head nodding. "She is indeed." But feels worried that perhaps this may be the start of some trouble ahead.
Riku and Taren walked down the streets on their way to the flower shop to check on the girls, hearing about what happened the other day since the two con men left felt somewhat connected and fear they won't stop. "Guess no matter where you go, trouble finds a way." Riku said.
"Yeah, not sure why they would do that." Taren wondered until he sees Bloom stepping out of the shop with a vase. Stopped for a second to see a motorcycle with two drivers, one of them with a baseball bat. They were heading straight for Bloom and the vase, fearing the worst and ran to her aid."Taren!" Riku called out to him.
"Look out!" Taren shouted, without thinking just tackled Bloom to the ground before the bikers could try and smash the vase. They missed and drove off before Riku could try and grab them for what they almost did.
"Those sons of-" Stopped his sentence and see the two teens on the floor. Taren getting up and helped the flushed up Bloom on her feet.
"Uh, sorry I kinda just-uh..." Taren tried to say something but was nervous until Bloom giggled.
"It's ok, but thanks for the save." She smiled sheepishly but the two adults who had the same idea and grinned.
Riku came up and patted him on the back. "Well, aren't you gonna give your hero a kiss for thanks." He laughed to see the teens share the same color as their hair.
Taren quickly stomped his foot on his to knock it off. "Oops, sorry, Riku I didn't see your foot there." Taren smiled to apologize to him.
"Not a prob. Hardly felt a thing." Riku took a step back and held his hands up. The two decided to enter the shop and leaving the keyblade master outside to quickly kneel down and nurse his foot that was stumped by Taren's. Didn't want to look that weak to him but was startled by how touch he was now. "Damn, either he's got it in for her or some serious training to kick me that hard."
"I hope those two crooks don't come back." Vanessa hoped after what almost happened to her daughter.
Somehow Bloom didn't seem convinced. "Yeah well, so do I. But I wouldn't count on it, they're obviously very determined."
The mother and daughter were about to unlock the doors to prepare for another day of work when something troubled Vanessa. "Bloom, look!"
"Why?! What's wrong?!" Bloom asked in worry.
"The doors been forced open." Showing her the cracks around the keyhole and opened it when it was already opened. "Oh no!"
The two walked in and were utterly horrified to find the flower shop trashed and the plants ruined, pots broken and dirt all over the place.
"How awful!" Bloom exclaimed and knowing Flora being a nature lover was glad to not see this. not certain about Mal but she wouldn't stand it either.
Vanessa picked up a rose and couldn't believe this happened to them. "I don't believe this. It's like we've been hit by a tornado.
"And I'd say we've been hit by Mr. Bonner and Mr. Brown." Bloom thought and had some idea it was their doing.
"We don't know for sure. It could have been some burglars." Much as Vanessa would like to think of it, but there had to be some evidence to prove if it were the two businessmen or not.
Bloom went to the register to check for any stolen money, and she found none of it was stolen. "Burglars who didn't take any money? Mom, those two are trying to scare you. Auras never lie, you know?"
After hearing about what happened to the shop, Taren was annoyed and mad about how it happened. Tifa thought she would've given them a piece of her mind if she ever saw them again. "Can't believe someone would do that! I mean, they really think they can get away with it?" She swore as they were outside the house while it was night.
"Unfortunately, they need evidence to prove their statement. Even Mike suggested the idea but told him both of us would take a watch over her shop to be certain." Riku told her when taking a sip of his coffee and thought it is the right thing to do as heroes.
"You sure?" Taren asked him.
"Not to worry, we still got another day left and will head off." Riku told him. "We'll take the notes of the schematics your friends made for Cid. The ideas for your friends could come in handy for them someday. Get some sleep, kiddo."
"Yeah, see ya in the morning." Tifa waved to him as she took off with Riku to take a lookout.
Taking the mugs back in and sees Bloom taking the stairs before noticing him enter. "So, how did it go?"
"Riku and Tifa headed off, they'll be heading back home soon to give the report on things." Much as he wanted to see more familiar faces after all this time, he had his duty as a keyblade bearer to follow.
Bloom put her hand on his shoulder with an assuring smile. "Don't worry, you'll see them again for sure."
"Yeah, it was good seeing them again. So best head for bed, getting late." The two went to their rooms and to get some sleep, but somehow sense Bloom's emotions of worry that something could happen.
Taren slept through the night in the bed he was using, only in his grey shirt and black pants for the night. But started to stir when he felt something was off and got up. "Huh? What the..." Rubbing his eyes and hearing something from Bloom's bedroom, but then something else came at a surprise when he heard her cry out.
"The shop... Mother's shop... It's... on... FIRE!"
Taren rushed over to her bedroom and followed Mike and Vanessa to check on her, switching the lights on to see Bloom wide awake and breathing.
"Bloom! You alright?" Taren asked her in worry.
"Sweetheart, you were shouting." Her mother said as her husband came over to her and stroked her hair.
"Is everything okay? Did you have a nightmare?"
"No, I had a vision. We have to go to the shop. Something's happening!" Bloom wasted no time getting out of bed but stopped to hear Taren's phone rin as he picked it up to answer.
"Tifa? What's up... wait, what?! Ok, we'll be right there!" Taren hung up and looked at the three. "I think it was more than a coincidence from what we just heard." Taren joined them in the car as Mike started the car for them to drive straight to the flower shop. They find Tifa and Riku, but to their horror was the shop was on fire when they try to do something.
"Guys! Good timing!" Tifa called out to them. "We already called the firefighters and should be on their way now."
"And try to stop much of the fire as we can." Riku grunted and called his Braveheart to minimize the damage. "Taren, you help me out until the fire brigade show up."
"I'm coming too." They turned to see Bloom coming but stopped by her father
"Bloom! No! My squad is on its way." He didn't want his daughter to catch the fire.
"If we don't stop the fire now, there won't be anything left to save. I have to do something." Bloom tried to reason with him.
"If she has magic on fire, it would help the flames simmer down. Plus, me and Taren have keyblades to protect us so she won't be in danger." Riku stated to help out.
Mike had to take his word and nodded with the look on his daughter's face that she was not going to let this go. "Alright, but I'm going in there with you."
The keyblade master smiled and nodded. "Taren, time to show how much you've improved." Taren nodded and summoned his Light's Rebellion in his hand and was impressed by his keyblade design. Making their way inside with Bloom holding up a barrier along with Riku using Reflect to help her out as also to protect Mike being the only one without magic.
"And this barrier protects us from the flames?" Mike asked.
Bloom nodded. "Yes. Let's move towards the middle of the room."
"Taren and me will take the left side to put out most of the flames, you two stick close. Be careful, its really hot to touch, kinda wish Lea was here." Riku said as Taren used his keblade to control the flames to help Bloom put them out, but also began to feel the need to use his hand out as if by instincts.
"Almost done, not much burned!" Taren said and impressed Riku.
But while Bloom was helping keeping her father safe, something happened when she started to see something in her mind.
Bloom sees a vision from the past. In the vision a multi-story building is on fire. What she was was a younger Mike and other firefighters rushing into the burning building. He heard a cry of a baby and searched the room. "There's a baby! The crying comes from over there."
Lying on the floor was a baby, with a patch of red hair and only in a towel, but what surprised him was how she was protected by a barrier and the flames dancing around her, almost like they were protecting her. When he stepped foward, the baby stops crying when it sees Mike and began to smile. "Don't be afraid, little girl. You're in my arms now."
"Help! Somebody, help me! Help!"
"Mike, I think I head something." Riku called out when he heard a rasping voice but clearly coughing.
"There's a man, there on the floor, look!" Mike pointed to a log with a man trapped between the flames. Bloom took a look at him and knew he seemed familiar
"Dad, I've seen this man before. He's Mr. Brown and Mr. Bonner's driver!"
"We need to get out of here before it gets out of control." Riku said.
Mike nodded and took his jacket off to help the driver. "Stay calm, sir. We'll save you!"
"Thank you!" The driver coughed and appreciated his help.
"You can go, Dad. We'll take care of everything." Bloom told him.
"Be careful."
With Mike and the driver safely out it was time for them to use their magic. "Alright, when the barrier's down, don't breath into the smoke and focus on stopping these fires from spreading." Riku instructed them. Bloom uses her magic to put out the fire and with Taren's help, all three of them worked together to put out the flames with Riku clearing the smoke using wind while Taren and Bloom worked on the flames, saving the shop with some damage and just in time for the firefighters to arrive.
"Good timing. Now let's get out of here." Riku told them and was outside before the firetruck came and gotten to work on putting out the remaining fires.
"Wow, had we not came sooner the shop would've been up in smoke." Tifa said in relief that it was saved. She sees Vanessa handing the driver a flask filled with water for his throat, but no doubt wanting answers from him.
"I don't know how to thank you. You saved my life." The driver thanked them for their efforts and accepted the flask.
"What were you doing in the shop?" Bloom asked him, knowing it was on everyone's mind to know.
Hearing her question and sighed after revealing to them what they've done to save him. "I started the fire, but the situation got out of hand and then I got trapped by the flames."
"Tell me, did Mr. Brown and Mr. Bonner send you to do this?" Vanessa asked him to find out if it were them.
"Yes, you didn't want to sign the contract and so they wanted to teach you a lesson, see?" The driver explained.
"But this time their tactics have backfired. You're in trouble, my friend." Mike was not happy to hear about the way they try to ruin his wife's business.
The blonde-haired driver nodded and didn't blame him for being angry. "Yes, but I'm not gonna take all the blame. I'll tell the police the whole story, I'll tell them everything about Brown and Bonner and how they scam and threaten people in order to take over their businesses. Then they turn these small shops into something more profitable, like a supermarket. Believe me, I'm sorry."
"I know." Bloom whispered and can easily read his aura hovering over him, being all upset over his actions. "I can see that."
The police showed up to question him of what was going on and no doubt be on to his now-former bosses when they find out what was happening.
"Can't believe people would go to such lengths for profit." Tifa said and watched them leave.
Riku agreed with her and nodded. "Yes, people would do anything for personal gain and that can lead them into trouble." Smiles at Taren and patted him on the back. "You did great, kid. Seems you got a bright future as a wielder of the Keyblade"
Hearing this made Taren smile and wish his parents saw him today, but maybe another time.
The next day was clear and sunny, however not all was well for a certain teen after what she saw on TV. "This is unbelievable. Eugh!" Swatting her pillow and throwing it all over the room in frustration. On TV was none other than Bloom with her parents, including Taren, Riku and Tifa being displayed as heroes from last night. And it frustrated Mitzi so much.
"That little pest has become a celebrity? Eugh! Why, look at her!" Gritting her teeth and couldn't stand it. "It's sickening. Eugh! I can't stand it!"
Bloom was with her parents by the table having breakfast and had something on her mind from last night of what she saw. Riku and Tifa made their goodbyes and left, but not before making plans on their return for helping out making security systems for their house from anything magic or in case of emergency use with Bloom being a fairy and thought something might happen.
"With the money, I'll get from the insurance, I'll be able to make the shop even bigger than it was." Vanessa told them about the plans she had in mind with the money to pay for the damage.
"And we'll get the best alarm system money can buy." Mike added.
The brunette chuckled and smiled. "I'm sure we will."
"Hey, don't make fun of me. I worry about you." Mike responded but knowing she was kidding.
Taren smiled and took a bite out of his toast. "Think you and aunt Aerith would get along as she runs a shop full of unique flowers on Radiant Garden." Remembering his promise to Flora as well when she first heard the name of his mom's original home.
"Sounds like a nice place, maybe we should visit it. Especially the islands Riku told us about." Vanessa smiled at the thought of it.
"Yeah, least its easier without having barriers for some." Taren somehow knew Riku would make it harder for him and try something like that, they had developed new ways for traveling without relying on the Disney Castle's Gummi ships or the Corridor of Darkness once used years ago, Cid unlocked hidden files of traveling between worlds and had them being researched. He noticed Bloom not taken a bite of her breakfast and something on her mind. "Hey, something up?"
Mike noticed this as well and spoke up. "Bloom, aren't you hungry? Remember, heroes have to eat too."
"Honey, is there something bothering you?" Her mother asked her
Bloom sighed. "Yes, Mom. There is something."
"What is it?" Her father questioned her.
"During the fire, I had a sort of... vision. I saw you, Dad, saving a newborn baby from a fire." Bloom explained while standing up with her arms crossed over her chest. Taren listened and wondered what it meant until he noticed the looks on her parents' faces, looked as if they knew something that Bloom didn't.
"What? What is it? What did I say?" Bloom didn't know what was going on with them.
"You two seem to know about what she's on about, don't you?" Taren pondered.
Vanessa suddenly gave in and sighed, nodding her head to her husband and being the first to speak. "Yes, Mike, I think its time we told her. She needs to know."
"Know what?" Bloom wanted to know.
"The truth, darling. That baby you saw?" Mike said and looked at her in the eyes. "That baby was you."
The realization of what Bloom saw in her vision gasped and couldn't believe what she heard. This even surprised Taren, but somehow, it seems to fit when neither of her parents seems to share many traits from her. He had his suspicions when he first met them but didn't come up until now, it just felt like it wasn't his place to ask in case he might have said something the wrong way and upset Bloom.
"Sixteen years ago, I saved you from a terrible fire." Mike explained to her.
"A-a fire? But how did I end up in a fire?" Bloom wanted to know how it happened or what else he knew.
"We have no idea. Your father found you there." Vanessa could only answer what they knew.
"It was a true miracle. The flames were, like, keeping away from you. It was as if the fire respected you and protected you. I don't know how you got in that building, but you were all alone. And yet Bloom, you were so calm."
"We knew right then and there that you were a very special child."
Hearing this from her mother, Bloom was overwhelmed with emotions of what she just found out about herself, so many questions came up to know who she really was and where she came from. Tears started to fill her eyes as this was too much to handle. "Then, this means that I'm not your daughter?"
Vanessa stood up to comfort her as Bloom tries to rub the tears from her eyes, Taren wanted to do the same thing but wanted to know more about what they had to say.
"You adopted me. Why didn't you ever tell me?" Wanting to know the reason why she was never told about this.
Mike knew she would be upset about it and had kept it from her for many years now. "We were going to, Bloom. We always intended to tell you the truth as soon as you were old enough to understand, but then everything changed: fairies, keyblades, ogres, magic realms, I mean everything became so crazy, and then there was no time for anything anymore."
"I guess, that might be one way to put it." Taren clearly understood as it was so much for them to handle it must've put a lot of weight on their shoulders to keep this secret.
"We never wanted to hide things from you, Bloom. You are the most important person in our lives. You're everything to us." Vanessa cupped the teary-eyed Bloom and smiles with motherly warmth. "Bloom, we've loved you from the very start." Listening to how much they've cared for her and felt better when she hugged her. "We could never stop loving you.
Mike came over to join them. "Sweetheart, we love you so very much."
"I love you too, and to me, you'll always be the best parents in the world." Bloom told them and remembered all the things that happened to spend time with her parents who raised her.
Genie watched the scene from the TV of what was happening and couldn't hold back the tears with tissue and popcorn after listening to what was going on. "it's so... emotional. And beautiful! BWAHAHAHAHAH!" Burst into tears and blew into his tissue. "It's just like Bambi, these family moments make me cry!"
Taren watched and was in thought of what he learned, seems he's not the only one who has been having questions about herself, one of them for him was to find out what this 'Drocahren' means, he once spoke about to Riku and it was the first time he heard about it.
The two decided to spend the time together on the last day at the park and think of what they found out, sat by the tree of where she believed to be the place it all started when she first met her friends. "Well, guess this has turned out to be a day to remember." Taren said, trying to think of something to say. "But I'm happy to know you still think of them as your family. Mike and Vanessa really are great parents to have."
She smiled and nodded. "I should be, they raised me as their own, but somehow deep down, I always suspected it but never took thought. But my parents are amazing"
"So, what do you plan on doing now?" Taren thought of what she was thinking.
"Well, I plan on getting some answers. Why wasn't I hurt by the flames? Who are my real parents? And who am I?" Maybe her parents could still be out there and thought they lost her perhaps if what her dad said was true from that day.
Somehow this sort of reminded Taren about his mom when she was sent away but an only child and lost her memories of being born on Radiant Garden until many years later during the Keyblade War
"I want to find out everything about my past, Taren. Now more than ever." She told him with determination to find out.
Taren nodded and smirked. "Well, you got us to help. But maybe something to help out since all the times you helped out to stop Tezzeret and the Trix from getting their hands on the ultimate power." Thinking it was time to share the secret with her and their friends. "But maybe a good idea to share this with Brandon when we get back to Magic, each member from the three groups to share it and I may get in trouble but think you all earned our trust, and mine as well."
"Really?" Bloom was astonished to hear this and curious about what the Trix were after for all this time. "But, why telling me this now?"
Scratching the back of his head and was all suddenly nervous now. "Well, I, just thinking it's going to get more dangerous and thinking from the advice Rika gave me. I just... don't want any of you getting hurt over a secret we never shared, especially you Bloom."
Feeling her heart beating fast and blushing bright red now to gaze at her crush. "Really?"
Not knowing what was going on in her mind or aware of her expression. "I mean it. I might not be strong but wanna least give it my best to help end this before whatever they are planning to do with this power." Not even sure how to respond, he cares deeply for Bloom and, yet for Flora too, it was difficult to think and feels as though he wanted to choose both but too scared to make the choice.
Bloom looked at him and been having this fantasy of falling for a brave hero to swoop her form her feet when reading fairy tails, dreaming of being a princess and stuff when she was a little girl. But still, something bothered her about what Stella said, could someone else have the same affections for Taren? Pondering over how she will handle that if it were, but right now she just wanted to spend time with her friends and be supportive for everyone. "Well, guess that fits you being the leader of the Fairy's Blade."
Blinks his eyes of what she said. "The wha..."
"Well, I mean, we have the Winx Club, Specialists unless they change their team name, the Trix, and thought Fairy's Blade, like you know, your keyblade and helping out the fairies." Bloom smiled sheepishly. "Me, and Flora shared the idea and thought sound good. Stella would've come up with cornier names like how we were decided to name ourslves. Sort of an idea for the groups."
"Fairy's Blade? Huh, sounds catchy." Taren smiles and liked the name.
Hearing his compliment and grins. "Then that's settled, as leader of the Winx, your group are hereby known as Fairy's Blade." Speaking like a royal making Taren laugh.
"Thank you, your highness." He chuckled and sort of made the mood lighten up more. Earning a playful push from Bloom on that remark.
And thus the new team name is given! but did think about the Specielists, maybe a suitable better name fkr their team rather than as students being Specialists, working on ideas for the next chapter and have some ideas but won't say to avoid spoilers. But now the groups will learn the secret and hopefully if Macbeth and Yen Sid approve of it. Added some derails about how the trio got along with everyone and didn't want to make it feel like they were left out but will add more on for character development more.
And the worst thing ever happen to Taren... his mom now knows of his crushes, every teen's dreaded nightmare! And for the coming romance, working on it and keeping it to myself heheh. But Bloom will figure it out, if Stella can even KEEP her lips zipped for once. Best find out what happens in the next chapter. how the other KH heroes will arrive... well, i have some ideas, but some may not be pretty. but less Donald knows, the better, heheh. Any suggestions and ideas are welcome for the coming stories so pm me if you have and we'll talk.
Now, I wish everyone a good health and give my support to the brave men and women who are doing everything they can to find a vaccine for the Coronavirus!