Chapter 27: Conversations
It was the day of the exam that Bloom and her friends prepared for since coming to Alfea, been studying hard and taken some courses to become a great fairy, all she had to do was complete an obstacle course to catch a rose without getting caught by the beams of light and prepare for any surprises Faragonda had planned for her. It was difficult but she finished with flying colors, everyone was proud of her, she could perhaps use some footage if possible to show her parents back home what she did and how much she's grown.
Yet still, Bloom felt like it was only yesterday that she found out that her parents adopted her and had no idea who she really is, where she came from, or if her parents are still out there. Somehow part of her did thought she was adopted because she didn't share some of their physical traits but still loved them. Sharing this news with her friends they were astonished to hear about it. Mal gave her some words to encourage that least she was raised by loving parents and knew what it was like not knowing her parents, which was the first time finding out for Bloom. Stella was the first to cheer her up and offered to help as members of the Winx and her best friends. She was lucky to have them with her and perhaps find her birth parents someday.
"Bloom? Is something the matter?" Snapped from her train of thoughts to hear Brandon call out to her, remembered that she was hanging out with him and Taren over what he wanted to share. "Sorry, I just had a lot on my mind and been thinking about my parents."
"Before we get started, I think we should do something to wake our sleeping pal here." The blonde smirked to point at Taren who dozed off, looked as if he had barely slept.
"Is he alright?" Bloom thought when feeling concerned and reached out to him. Hearing him softly stir with his arms folded over his face.
"He's fine, just another dream he had. I thought to be a good idea for you two to share something as he had some funny dreams." Brandon said.
This was the first time hearing about this about Taren having dreams like her. "Really? He should've said something and maybe could've have helped him."
"Well, guess Taren didn't think it was important. Hold up." Thinking of an idea as he scooped an ice cup from his drink and using the cold ice, one small enough for the trick and dropped it on top of his neck.
"GAH!" Almost jumped out of his chair and now fully awake, instantly reached for the melting cub to fish out and take. Earning some laughs from his two friends who seem to be the culprits. "Very funny. Could've least wake me up another way."
Clearing his throat and still chuckled. "Sorry, Taren. But you were too difficult to wake and whatever you were thinking might be for a certain girl in mind."
Bloom stopped giggling and flushed bright red for a moment. Not knowing Taren was sharing the same color. "Ok, you two think that's enough now. But Taren, you look as if you barely slept. You feeling alright?"
Rubbing his eyes and waking up let out a soft yawn before answering Bloom's question. "I just had some trouble sleeping last night."
"She just found out about the dreams you've been having, Taren. Sorry, but I thought maybe she might have something to help." Brandon said and knew it wasn't his business but with the Grimm and Tezzeret on the loose, they had to be in top shape for anything he might.
Taren gave him a quick glance and sighed as he might as well come clean. "Sorry, just for some time now, I've been having these dreams… well, I wouldn't say dreams for certain as they feel like… visions, been seeing many faces, and a place where they were gathered."
"Why didn't you say anything, we would've done something to help." She reached out to grab his hand and thought maybe he could have least share this with them.
Not aware that Brandon had an idea of what was going on but remained quiet about it for now and listened to his friend.
"Sorry, I just thought you had a lot on your mind to pass the course, with your dreams too, and not put some burden on your shoulders." Taren apologise and felt bad for keeping it a secret and maybe terrible when he reveals what they were looking for. "I've been seeing these faces… some I never seen before and used magic and abilities I never seen before. So I did some drawing and wrote down about them."
Pulls out a sketchbook from his bag and showed them the drawings of the characters he saw in his visions or dreams.
"So you've been seeing these people? Any connections?" Brandon asked him.
Bloom looked at them, while saw some of his sketches that were really talented but noticed something each of them had. "Wait, are those… keyblades?"
Taren looked at her and nodded which surprised the squire who realized where this was going. "Hey, yeah I see it now. So these could have been keybladers?"
"I think so, but the strangest part… is as if I know them. But one of them said Keepers, and they seem to know about a powerful and ancient magic called the Dragon's Flame." Making sure to keep his voice low as possible for them to hear him only.
"Dragon's Flame? Keeper?" Bloom didn't understand it herself but somehow they seem important to her. "Wait, could they have something connected to all this?"
"And what Tezzeret, the Trix and this Aqua Seneschal guy are after. Yen Sid told us that this magic was from an ancient dragon that created the Magic Dimension with the last of its fiery breath to give life. Said to been as powerful as Kingdom Hearts itself for both created many worlds."
"Whoa, seriously?" Brandon couldn't believe it himself. "I heard about it but always assumed to be a legend."
"Sometimes legends come from something that happened, like long before we showed up, Bloom and her parents once thought fairies were a myth." Taren pointed out to him.
Bloom nodded as he made a good point. "He's got a point, which means this was why they were after Stella's ring cause they believed it must have had that power or maybe lead them to the source."
"We were just lucky that ring was just a decoy, probably made up by her family to keep the real source of it from being discovered." Taren said.
"And if Tezzeret and Trix get their hands on it, they could be unstoppable." Brandon didn't like the idea of the three witches that could be as bad as the Ancestral Witches from when they terrorized the magic realms.
"Somehow, I feel the Trix may be the least of our concern. Seneschal that we faced along with Tezzeret seems to be working together and could be the bigger threat for what plans they have for using it." Taren thought over when he remembered how the warlock fought them so easily and use the Grimm as his army, the Trix were easily beaten and outsmarted by them and the Winx more than twice. "Maybe these visions I had maybe something from my keyblade to show me some message. But strange why Mal or Ben never had any."
"Yeah, but, I'm glad you decided to share this with us. It must be really big to hide something like that for your mission." Brandon smiled and felt grateful for sharing it with them.
Taren smiled back. "Luckily Macbeth and Yen Sid gave us permission since you lot earned it for helping us out. Shouldn't be right to hide something if you get hurt cause of us."
Bloom gave a warm smile at him for being honest and reached out to stroke his hand. "We made a promise to help each other and even get into trouble. And you seemed more cheerful since you met Riku and Tifa."
"Riku?" Brandon asked but felt he heard that name before.
"Yeah, he's a friend of my parents." Then I started to feel nervous about carrying on the subject. "Hey, have you guys ever heard of the previous keyblade masters who came here and saved the day like other heroes?"
"Yeah, my dad told me about them when I was a kid looked up to them as the reason I became a Specialist." Brandon gave a sheepish smile and scratched the back of his head. "Funny thing is, I always dreamed of wanting a keyblade myself to be a hero."
"Don't worry, Brandon, your not the only one who shares that idea." Bloom giggled over the thought of Stella trying to find out how to earn one herself. "Uh, the others you know about wouldn't be named Sora and Kairi for example?"
"Yeah, that's right. They were among those who helped stop a war and were big heroes around here." Brandon replied but noticed Taren's nervous expression. "What?"
"Uh, well. I tell you this and not say anything or freak out. Can't get a word about this to the public." Taren asked him as he nodded. Bloom watched him lean forward to whisper as he changed from a confused expression to a startled look.
"No Way! For real!" But Taren silenced him with his hand over his mouth before he could raise his voice but fortunately, no one noticed.
"Brandon, keep your voice down!" Bloom whispered and obviously this must have startled him of what Taren said to him.
"Sorry, but... are you serious, Taren? You're the son of Sora and Kairi Strife?" The blonde asked him to be certain.
"I look a lot like my dad if you saw his photo from the books, well apart from the height difference by a few inches." Taren told him. "I felt maybe since we should share some secrets between us, I figured maybe let you know about my family cause not only do they have many friends… but enemies as well."
"Like Tezzeret?" Bloom brought up. "Was he one of them?"
Taren nodded and remembered that day. "I only heard what he said, how my dad… did to him as he looks like now. I dunno what happened but no way would he have done it on purpose unless it wasn't what he intended to do. And I was being targeted because I'm the son of the Keyblade master and one of the current Princess of Hearts. Never asked Riku about it as I was afraid I might get an answer I might not like."
"Wow, that took me by surprise. But, I see where you're coming from, I guess you didn't have much choice leaving then." Brandon felt sorry for him and now wanting to help more than ever. "Listen, since you brought this up, I think I need to share something with you two, something I haven't told anyone." Both the red-haired teens looked to him in wonder about what he wanted to share.
"What is it, Brandon?" Bloom asked him.
Brandon sighed and looked about to be sure no one hears him. "My name isn't Brandon. It's Sky, I'm the prince of Eraklyon." Received the shock from both Bloom and Taren to find out about this as he continued. "Brandon is really my squire. We swapped named before enrolling cause my father feared something might happen to me so we decided to switch roles but keep each other close with all that's happened."
"So… you're the prince after all? Does anyone else know?" Taren questioned him.
"Only the headmaster knows, but it was to be for security measures. Timmy knows nothing about this and neither does Riven, but feel it be better that way since he turned on us." The boy now revealed to be the prince sighed. "I'm sorry for not being honest but like Taren said, I thought you guys earned my trust and my friendship."
Both took a moment to absorb the discovery of Bran-Sky and his reason, they didn't know how to feel about this but given his reason to fully trust them.
"Brandon-I mean, Sky, this is a lot to take in. I mean, even if you kept this a secret but I'm glad you decided to be open to us and see us as your friends." Bloom smiled warmly to him.
Sky was happy to hear this from her and nodded. "Thanks, Bloom. That means a lot, but wouldn't hold it against either of you to be mad at me for it."
Much as Taren would agree and not hold it against him, but something else that concerned him. "Yeah, much as I would agree given the situation you were put in, prince Sky. But I think someone else will be in trouble when a certain princess finds out about the charades."
Bloom caught on to what he was on about. "Stella. Oh, no, she's got a huge crush on Brandon and it could hurt her."
"Yeah, look I'll talk to him and figure out how to explain to her." Sky said upon agreeing with them. "Brandon really likes her and was afraid to say anything."
"We'll keep this a secret and hopefully not too long, Stella will understand when giving his reason but if he really loves her than it should be enough despite lying to her." Bloom said.
"Thanks. I appreciate it." Sky appreciated the support. "But wait til you guys see our Titans when we summon them, after doing some training with Ben before the break me and Brandon summoned our own."
"Wow, that's great. So what are they?" Taren wanted to see for himself.
The prince pulled his medallion out and showed them the purple gem on top with three spikes on the bottom. "His name is Caliban, Macbeth explained that he's some Titan warrior from a culture long gone called the Aztecs and since then I summoned him for training to improve my swords skills."
"Wow. That's awesome, I'd love to see it when we get the chance." Bloom awed. "Sadly I didn't get the chance to summon mine, I know there's a spirit inside but haven't gotten to bond with it."
"You'll summon yours eventually, just need to take time to concentrate." Taren put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "So what about Brandon's?"
Sky grins at them. "He wants it a surprise and might wanna be sure not to be someplace small and cramped."
"I've just been so focused on the Exam, thinking of my friends and just to find out who I am and why I have these powers." Bloom shared her thoughts with them as they listened. "You see, I think the answers might be in Cloud Tower, I'm sure of it. If only I had access to the archives."
"I dunno, I think it's dangerous, the way Mal talks about the headmistress, she doesn't take intruders well." Taren advised her.
Sky had to agree with him on this. "If you want, we can work out a way to get there, maybe Mal could use her shadow magic to sneak in. We did promise to help each other since we're in on it together."
"It'd be risky. But thanks, what do you think, Taren?" Bloom looked at him, hoping maybe he agrees but knowing he was just concern for her safety.
Taren thought it over and sighed when knowing it could perhaps hold some answers. "Alright, we give it a shot, but maybe if Mal can't help we could find a way to sneak in without getting caught. Unless Yen Sid can pursue the headmistress permission."
She smiled brightly and hugged him. "Thank you. And next time you don't hold any more secrets, especially about these dreams you've been having."
Taren chuckled. "Okay, deal. Maybe help me sleep better."
"I better go, later guys." Bloom waved to them and headed off.
Sky gave a grin to his friend. "Can see why she likes you a lot, bud."
"What? No, I mean-"
"Come on, it's obvious. Heck, I can't blame you she's beautiful, kind, and passionate. Any guy be lucky to be in your shoes." Sky told him. "But she's lucky to have someone like you, come on, admit, you love her."
Taren groans and knew it was pointless to lie, lets his head on the table. "Ugh, it's not that. I just don't know how to deal with this. Especially with another problem that I got not."
Curious about what he was talking about and find out what. "What's the problem? The Grimm?"
"Oh, if only it were. But what I'm about to say must never leave this table." Taren looked at him. "See it happened a few days ago before the exam."
Flashback.
Working on the sketches of the recent visions he had, working on some of the faces he saw or able to get the idea from. Least it helps take his mind from the situation and the training, sat by the tree for the air in a remote area.
Thinking over what he learned from that day about Boom's origins, lost in thought of what it means and remembering the words from the Fates about something. "What was it they said, ugh, something… lost child maybe?" Thinking if Bloom could be the Lost Child of Domino? Maybe talk about it with the other-AAHHH!"
Everything around him was spinning and suddenly became upside-down, hoisted from the ground, and felt his arms restrained by these vines.
"Taren! Hold on, I'll get you down!" While struggling to break free he saw a startled Flora rush over to his aide to help. "Put him down, he's not going to hurt you." Using her magic to calm the vines down and let go of him, dropping the keyblader in mid-air.
Groans in annoyance and rubbed his head after the fall. "That's twice I get snared up by a plant."
Flora knelt down to check up on him if he was injured. "Are you alright, Taren? I'm sorry the plant was one of my experiments and didn't think it would react that way."
Taren didn't seem bothered and brushed it off. "It's nothing, hardly a scratch compared to some battles I had."
Noticed the scratch bump on his head and didn't stop her from helping him. "Least try to sort that bump on your head. Least to make up for what happened" Using her magic to heal despite knowing he can use it himself. He let her use it to heal the small bruise with her hand over his head until it was gone.
"Thanks." Feeling much better now as he had to admit. He suddenly felt his face flushed up with Flora up close and tries to hide it. "Uh, what were you doing out here then."
"Was thinking the same thing when I saw you." Flora giggled. "But was working on my magic for the exam coming up. Thanks to Mal's help I managed to get better with my magic. All of us are pretty nervous about it tomorrow."
Taren could understand as he would face his own. "I kinda know the feeling to be honest with one that every Keyblade apprentice will take."
"Really? What's that?" The Fairy of Nature was curious and sat next to him.
"They call it the Mark of mastery, it's a trial that all keybladers must take to earn the rank of a Keyblade Master, its a test for those chosen by the Keyblade for how strong their hearts are. Its also to show one must have balance between light and darkness, so it can be a hard one."
"Wow, that must be hard to accomplish such a task. Guess this would blow Stella's chances the moment she hears about it." Thinking over the thought of Stella when she put so much work into one exam they have at the moment.
"She'd probably think it be all paperwork." Taren tried not to sound mean but from all the hard times the princess put through couldn't help but make a joke.
"So does that mean you three will take these trials?" Flora asked him.
"Not yet, but rather be prepared, told it wasn't easy. Even my dad failed the first time." Taren remembering about the stories his parents told about their previous adventures.
This surprised Flora to hear about it. "Really? Now I can imagine it being difficult, but I'm sure you'll pull through."
Smiling over her supportive words and appreciates it. "Thanks for the support. I could use that for when it happens."
Flora nodded and noticed a sketchbook on the ground and picks it up. "Is this yours?" Unable to help but become curious when she looked at the drawings.
Taren felt sort of shy about it like the time Bloom saw them for the first time. "Well, nothing really but yeah, just a hobby I picked up from my mom's side."
Looking through pages, while some were the Grimm creatures that always make Flora uneasy for their strong connection to darkness, but the others with some animals and landscapes. There were written notes as to know about them, possibly research which impressed her of how much he put some effort in. "These are really amazing, you have such talent for it."
Blushing over the compliment and runs his hand through his hair. "T-Thanks, a friend of my mom helped to show me how since they thought would be a good hobby. She really makes great illustrations. But the way you make these new plants seem to be really amazing."
It was Flora's turn felt her heart skip a beat and the flush showing. She looked at the characters he drew as some were using keyblades. "Well, I hope you keep doing more, I think you could do more on this."
"Yeah, think I might." Taren gets up and offers his hand to her to get up on her feet, both were suddenly tangled up by the branches that moved around the two. Having some bit of struggle until breaking free without a problem until Flora caught her leg on a branch and fell.
"Whoa!" Suddenly landed on top of Taren and fell to the grass, but what startled her was she almost kissed him on the lips but missed a few inches while her chest and hands were pressed up against his own. Blushed as red as a tomato she quickly jumped away. "I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to-"
"No, it was an accident, no… harm done." Taren helped her up and tried to hide the flushed face, not knowing what to think. "Uh, listen I gotta head back to Red Fountain. Good luck on your exam."
"Ye-Yes, I need to get ready. Thanks, bye!" Both hurriedly rush off in opposite directions and tried to not think of what happened just now when he almost had his first kiss.
End Flashback
"And that's what happened." Taren told him the story and flushed just thinking about it. "She probably thinks I was coming on to her or something when I started to have feelings for not just Bloom, but Flora as well."
Then he was hearing this strange violin music being played with an emotional and looked to see the bird sat on the table. "Do you mind?" The Aracuan bird looked at them and pulled a hat out for them, Sky gave some coins and watched it leave.
Listening to his story and Sky couldn't tell if he was that lucky, or unfortunate. It was clear Bloom has strong feelings for him from the way she was looking at him and comfortable she was beside him. But it does sound like he's in some situation some boys their age would be in. "Damn, talk about a love triangle. And you actually like Flora too? I mean, sure she's cute and nice. But isn't she Bloom's roommate?"
"Yep. That's the hard part. The two are really good friends, at first it was all friendly chats and all, but then I started to think of both of them." Taren explained with his hands on the top of his head and softly pressed his forehead onto the table. "I just don't know what to do, I don't want to hurt both of them, nor ruin the friendship we have."
The prince thought to try and help him out in this situation. Least knowing he doesn't intend to hurt the girls' feelings for him. But some guys he knew would do the opposite and take advantage of something like this. But Taren was a caring and kind hearted friend who never do that. Maybe he could give some ideas to help. "What if I can help out, if I do, maybe you can help me with a situation. But maybe need another voice of opinion for a situation I'm in."
"Really? Sure, if it helps." Taren was eager for some advice.
"Well, from my studies of being a prince, usually in some cultures that accept open relationships. Not common but usually accepted for some nobles for political use." Sky explains.
Taren listens and tries to understand where this was going. "Sky, are you saying what I think you're saying. That, I could have… more than one girlfriend?"
Smiles sheepishly. "Yeah, I know it sounds crazy. That might work, but not sure how either of them would feel."
Taren blushes just thinking about it. "I feel like I'm in one of those anime shows where the guy is chased by multiple girls. If it works, I'll be in your debt for the advice."
"And if it doesn't?" The prince asked.
"Tell my parents how I died heroically if I don't make it out alive." Taren told him. "I could have been fighting an army of monsters, evil warlocks, tyrants, dragons, or evil witches. This has to be the toughest challenge I've ever faced."
"You can say that again. But to be honest, I hope it works out for you." Sky said.
Gazing upon the full moon, Tezzeret stood on the roof of an abandoned building with his hands crossed behind his back. A few feet behind him was Seneschal emerging from the portal.
"Our target has returned from Earth and appears she was not alone, she was with the boy." The Cyber Lord informed him. "I did some research into her magic, and confirmed our theories."
"I see." Tezzeret turned around to face him. "Then Bloom really isn't a Fairy of Earth. And if she really is who we think she is, it is vital that we accelerate our plans immediately to capture her. We cannot afford to lose this opportunity now."
"Agreed. But to do that we need to separate her from the Winx Club, and especially keep the keyblade Wielders from interfering. The moment they suspect anything they will jump right in to save her."
Making a notable point as Tezzeret agreed with him. And also the headmasters of the schools will be more aware of his presence and no doubt if Griffin found out it was him who was hacking into her files, she will find out soon. "Yes, I believe its time I had some words with the apprentices. And find out just how much their bond is for what they don't know." Bringing up a smile with a devious plot he had in mind to deal with the trio.
"Everything is proceeding as planned."
As Brandon, now revealed to be Prince Sky shared his secret with Bloom and Taren, things may differ from how this will turn out. The prince giving some advice for Taren while he faces a situation (unaware that both have mutual feelings for him.) But what Tezzeret is planning can only be trouble for the Keybladers and likely the Winx.
And reveal that Sky and Brandon summoned their Titans and chosen one for Sky, but leaving the other for a surprise for later.
I like to give out a good May the 4th to all fans of Star Wars, especially those who are not fans of the franchise but wish you a good day!