Chapter 32: Secrets of the Flame Part 1
Still trying to understand what just happened and unable to believe that it did, Taren's mind was trying to process it as his fingers traced his lips and flushed when it was only recent for him.
Taren just got kissed by none other than Flora. His first kiss on the lips by one of his two crushes.
He thought it was just his imagination but really did happen. His mind racing through his head to try and understand what happened and still feel it. True he was growing feelings for her and Bloom, unable to try and figure out how to express it to them when held by with hesitation and fear. Did she had a crush on him and never shown it until now? What did he think if Bloom found out?
There was that advice Sky gave him that other day, it just feels so hard to come out but after what happened with Tezzeret he started to feel doubtful of all this.
'Dad, I really wish you were here. I could use some advice now.'
"Taren, there you are. All set?" Pulled out of his thoughts to find Ben and Mal before them. "Something the matter?"
"Me? W-what do you mean? Nothing's the matter." He said, but stuttered when felt nervous while trying to act all calm and normal. But didn't fool either of them when they shared the same puzzled looks on their faces.
"You seem like your brain is miles away and look a little… nervous." Mal pointed out and made a teasing grin and folded her arms over her chest. "Oh is it because you're on a single trip with a girl?"
Taren flushes and tries to remain calm. "L-Look alright, maybe I am but now we know where to go, it oculd give us answers and stop Tezzeret."
"Yeah, make sure you call in case something happens and from what we heard about Domino, it's not a pleasant place." Ben reminded him.
Taren nods his head. "No worries, we'll be fine but will call if anything goes wrong. But what you two doing?"
"Me? I'm heading to Cloud Tower to give a certain trio a good ass-kicking." Mal told him. "I'm not missing the chance to see the looks on their faces when I show up."
"Just be careful, Mal." Ben said.
"Thanks, anyway, I gotta go. Lea's probably waiting, good luck you two." Mal said and walks off, leaving the two boys behind.
Ben sighs. "I better stick around in case, the guys are doing their exam so shouldn't worry."
"What about Riven? We haven't seen him much and shown to side with the Trix." Taren mentioned and didn't like it when something might go wrong.
"Yeah, I wish I knew but you just focus on protecting Bloom. And maybe clear something up between you two." Ben told him.
Taren blinked and looked confused. "Wha-what do you-"
"Come on, since that battle you've been mostly quiet and didn't say much to each other. You said you love her so maybe this could be the chance to break the ice and tell her." Ben said. "When she heard what happened, she was almost crying and thought something worst could've happened."
Shocked to hear this from the prince about what happened. Turns to his friend when he almost misheard him. "Wait, she was crying?" He didn't think to consider how much this affected Bloom so much. She must've been worried so much for him from the battle against Tezzeret. If he knew… this made the keyblader worried in thought.
"I… I didn't know."
"A lot of them were when they heard what happened to us. You said you swore to be a great hero and its time you need to face this challenge. If not, it will hold you back." Giving his advise to Taren, hoping to get his head back in the game if they need to be ready for the future.
Taren took a moment to absorb what he learned, feeling almost guilty for making his friends worry for him. It must've scared them and almost made him think what would happen if his family back home found out about this.
Could he handle this burden on his shoulders?
What if he fails and be his fault to lose everything?
Thinking back of the voice that stranger said. "Never look back and move forward to shape your own path."
Remembering his words, about thinking of his friends with him and never been alone or backed down for what he believed in. He made an oath to be stronger since he was chosen to wield the keyblade like his parents before him, to protect his family, fight alongside his friends and for those he loves. Taren narrowed his eyes and looked straight towards Ben with a now determined face with the answer to give.
"Your right. I can't back down now, we came too far to loose everything." Taren said with determination that surprised Ben. "And I'm not gonna let myself feeling guilty. Never look back and move forward to shape our own paths."
Hearing this from his bestfriend was a surprise and almost like he was a different person for a moment. "Wow, I never seen you like this before. Where do you learn that?"
Taren softly smiled at him. "Just something I heard from… someone, but it be weird if I told you how. But yeah, I think I need to do something I should have done to say to Bloom and another matter to sort out." His cheeks flush softly and now thinking of saying something to them.
"Good to know, now let's get you ready they should be waiting for us." Ben patted him on the back with a confident grin.
"And I'm glad to see you such spirits." Macbeth walked in and smiled. "I heard enough to see you regained your confidence, a lot of us are relieved to hear and will wish you luck. Remember what you have learned and let your instincts guid you, never forget your role as a new bearer of the keybalde."
Taren nods his head to his mentor and smiles. "I won't."
Gathering equipment ready and putting on a thick coat on for the extreme cold as he was reaches simulator room that was used for the girls for their exams. He learnt it could be used as a way to transport them anywhere within the navigational systems of the simulator. But unlike the time in the exam, this will be real and be dangerous if they confront anything that could harm them beside the freezing cold. The girls showed up along with the masters as well to see the two off.
"Just be careful and the moment any sign of danger, we're coming over. Understood?" Stella was talking to Bloom and worried for her safety.
"Don't worry, Stella and I'll remember to be certain. Me and Taren will be back in no time." Bloom smiles at her and gave them a hug for support.
"Just making sure you two stay safe. And hope you don't do anything just the two of you out there." She gave Bloom a teasing grin, causing Bloom to blush bright red before she whispers to her. "Besides, this may be your chance to confess to him." Knowing another who had a mutual crush but couldn't risk ruining this.
"Uh, well, Stella the thing is. I had a talk with-"
"I'm here, so are we ready? If you two like to enter the simulation chamber, I'll get us started." Before Bloom could say anything, Professor Palladium showed up and made his way towards the control room.
Taren and Bloom entered the chamber, standing in the centre of the room while the staff setting up the systems to begin their journey.
"You all set and ready to begin?" Before the two could respond, two glowing orbs hovered above them while they listen to Palladium's explaination. "Now listen. I've done a complete overhaul of the system and in a few seconds, the simulator will create a multi-dimensional corridor, which will take you directly to Domino."
"You mean faster than a ship?" Taren asked him.
"Yes, exactly. As you have no experience with flying a ship yet, it be much safer this way." This made the two relieved to hear and
The orbs then changed their outfits with winter
Now remember, this time, it's for real! It's not a simulation. So, concentrate, relax and stay focused. I wish you all the best of luck.
Earth, Gardania
Meanwhile on Earth, hiding in the shadows between two buildings was a small group of figures in coats and masks. One looked through a pair of red goggles to scan the building.
"That has to be the place, just as the boss said it be."
Another nodded and chuckled before turning to face the group. "Good, you know the plan. We take them by surprise and take them hostage force the little fairy out to surrender for the Trix to do their work."
"And if they don't cooperate?" One asked with a deep voice with a pair of horns sticking out.
"Just knock them out, we need them alive for now." When there was no sign of any humans at night, it was a perfect ambush. "Now move it. I'll keep watch while you drag them out."
They rushed over towards the Peters' home, the largest of them went towards the door before forcing their way inside.
"Spread out and search for them!" The leader ordered as they checked for every room.
"Not in the kitchen." One of them said and took a bite of some bread.
"Most of these are empty."
"Wait, this should be it." One of them checked the last room that had to be. Opening the door and find a figure under the sheets. They marched in and pointed their swords and guns. "Alright, wake up! No funny business, human!"
They pulled the sheets off, but what they found was a brunette woman fully dressed in black with boots and gloves was sleeping for a moment before waking up.
"Uh? Well, about time. I was getting bored." The woman smiled and rubbed her eyes.
The two had no idea who this woman was and had similarities to the descriptions of the parents they were after. "Hey, who are you? Where are the folks that live here?"
The blinked her eyes and yawned without a care of the situation she was in. "Oh, you must be talking about Mike and Vaness? Sorry, they're… out of town for now.
But let me introduce myself… with my fists." She grins without given them a chance to ask, sends one of them flying out of the room, and into a wall by a strong force of her fist directly into the masked face.
The other who watched gawked and stuttered, he did not expect to find trouble when thinking it be an easy job.
"Don't worry, I was going easy on your friend. Don't want to wreck the house up." The brunette stood, cracking her knuckles.
"Tifa, what did we say about controlling your strength, it's as if you were trying to compete with Hercules ."
"Only that he can lift a single house with one hand." Tifa rolled her eyes when speaking to Riku when he came out of hiding.
"Well, might as well keep the house in one piece as possible." Riku summons his keyblade to catch the intruders' attention. "Now, should we do this the easy way or the hard way?"
The intruders had a bad feeling they were in a world of hurt, knowing who the silver-haired male was, knowing much about the keyblade he possessed confirmed their fears.
The leader of the group heard screams and shouts from upstairs when he walked in. Not certain what was going on until the piles of his men were gathered, badly bruised, and pummeled by two unknown faces he met. "What the... who the hell are you two?! You're not the ones we're after!"
"Nope, but you should learn its rude to break into someone's house univited." Riku said.
"And we're gonna teach you a lesson." Tifa chuckles as she sees him starting to shake and stuttering when he tries to make a run for it, reached into his pocket to pull out a small device.
"Boss! There's been a situation! The two humans are not here! We were ambushed by-AAHH!" He was cut off when fell to the ground and pulled back into the house with the door shut.
"Come in! What happened? Do you read? Answer me!"
Tezzeret tried to get some answers from his subordinates but from the screams indicate something happened unexpectedly. Not wanting to risk being traced by and crushed the comm link in his metal hand before turning to the Trix.
"Let me guess, the plan failed?" Icy guessed and not pleased when she heard their voices.
"It would appear so and no doubt they were expecting something like this to happen." Tezzeret confirmed and somewhat surprise to recieve such unexpected results. The only thing that could have happen would be other Keyblade wielders at work "We'll have to proceed with an alternate solution from a minor setback."
"So if her parents are not on Earth then where could they be?" Stormy asked, with the confirmed theories that Bloom was the keeper of the Dragon's Flame, the Trix plotted to hold her adopted parents hostage to force her to comply with their demands.
"Forget them now, we need to find out where she is and get the Flame." Icy said.
"I have already began tracing her whereabouts with the help of our spy. If he does well." Seneschal stated but somewhat doubtful of the Specialist despite being under their control.
Darcy didn't like the tone from the Cyber Lord. "Riven will not fail. He's already following the Specialists to Alfea and no doubt trying to find out what they're up to."
Stormy chuckles and grins at her. "Aw, having a soft spot for him?"
"No! All I'm saying is-"
"Enough bickering! We need to focus on the mission! And also have his promise on my end of the bargain, unless you forget why we're doing this?" Icy gave a cold glare at the two who ceased talking and nodded their heads. "We'll head off to find her the moment she's spotted. You just get yourself ready, the headmistress was all quiet which isn't like her."
"Of course, and make sure you don't fail." Tezzeret and Seneschal watched them leave and teleported back to their school.
"The preparations are in place, the invasion will proceed smoothly. But I still have doubts on the Trix, the moment they learn of our true goals will turn on us." Seneschal shared his thoughts with the former keyblade master. "And also if Icy learns the truth on that day on Dyamond."
"By the time she learns the truth will be too late. And even if they did gain control of the power, it will only be a matter of time before they reach a certain limit." Tezzeret confirmed.
"And what should we do with the boy once his usefulness has ended?" The Cyber Lord pondered.
"Hmm, too risky to offer him a place after being manipulated by Darcy. Terminate him."
Seneschal nodded and agreed with his associate with no doubt the Specialist student would turn on them after being used to spy on his former friends against his will.
"When I got word those Trix were planning something with that Bloom kid's parents, I thought to let some old friends of mine to get them out before it was too late." Lea explained to Mal about the recent events making their way towards Cloud Tower.
Mal was intrigued to hear how he knew of this information and asked him. "So, how exactly that you've been keeping tracts of the witches?"
Lea shrugged his shoulders in a simple response. "A friend of mine was offering to lend a hand after I helped his village years ago. Least knowing he's in one piece still."
"Spying on the Trix? Must be a brave soul." Mal had to admit but couldn't help but wonder who this person was. "Still, never knew that you would be Mirta's dad. That's a surprise."
"Yeah, she told me a lot about ya. Least I know she was making new friends." Lea said with a warm smile for a moment until he sighed. "Not that I can say the same to her best friend, Lucy. She may be nice but from what Mirta told me about her wanting to become like the Trix is a big mistake."
Mal had to agree while she had no business in Mirta's friendship with Lucy but hoping there still be a chance it doesn't ruin them as she was once timid and not very outgoing before Mal came into her life to change that.
Mirta started to make new friends, especially the Winx after the party to help her after that incident in the cafeteria, when she helped fought against a Digimon, and also finally standing up to the Trix for all the cruel stuff they've done until she was turned into a pumpkin. Part of her felt guilty for getting Mirta involved and wondered if things could have been different. "Listen, I just want to say-"
"Save it kid. I know that look from someone who went through stuff myself." Lea raised his hand up before Mal could say anything. "The way you have that expression reminds me of when I went through certain things until I met some people who changed me when I went through certain… crisis during the time the Organization XIII was causing trouble. You just gotta think of your friends and do something that makes you special. We'll get Mirta back to normal and stop the Trix before it's too late. Can you do that?"
Following his words of advise to understand when she learned about his history, somewhat almost reminded of herself when she once thought to be different if some people knew of her origins but always trusted her, even Yen Sid and Macbeth never hesitated to support Mal. Thinking back from the name of her keybalde of the name and realised what the words mean.
Smiles softly and nods her head. "Yeah, besides people like them give most witches a bad name."
"Good, and no worries. I know about her and still couldn't believe it myself." Lea said.
"Yeah, I was surprised too when I found out who my mother was and never knew her. Which makes me wonder how she ever turned evil in the first place." Mal pondered.
"More to that… whoever the father was must have had a screw loose in his head… uh, no offense intended." Lea apologises to her in fearing of offending the young wielder.
"None taken." Mal didn't seem bothered but something else in mind to know while they were coming towards the bridge to the castle. "So… if Vanessa and Mike are not on Earth, where are they?"
"Oh, I send them somewhere in good hands that deal with this sort of thing." Lea replied with a smile. "They should be at Radiant Garden. I would have thought Destiny Islands with Sora but nah, too simple to find. Don't want to worry that kid."
Unable to help but snicker while grinning at the thought of them on Destiny Island and Taren's reaction, he'd have a fit if that were to happen. "No kiddin, Taren would faint if both parents met, especially for Bloom with both having a crush on each other."
"Bloom? That red head, who just happens to be a princess?" Lea asked her. "Oh, boy, that's gonna be awkward for them."
Unsure what he means when she raises an eyebrow. "Why's that? The two are obviously in love and no idea how to say it."
"Well, just don't spread it out but I just spotted him and that brunette girl kissing on the ship by accident." Lea replied, feeling awkward and bad for bringing it up. "Either that kid is popular with the girls or just had the weirdest luck ever."
Mal rolled her eyes and sighs. "You try putting up with crazy stuff with him around." She reaches for the doors to unlock with her keyblade when suddenly stopped after what the former member of the Org-XXIII just said. Turned around in shock with wide eyes. "Wait… did you just say… brunette? As in Flora?"
"That her name? Think so." He replied.
"Kissing? On the lips?" Mal asked.
"Oh yeah."
To learn about this information surprised Mal to find out what just happened, she knew about both Bloom and Flora's mutual crush on Taren, but never thought Flora would risk it. "Holy f-"
Domino
"Freezing!"
Taren knew it be cold but didn't it be this cold, trying to warm himself up using the magic he has. Everywhere around them both was nothing but snow and a blizzard since Domino, once considered one of the most important worlds and capital of the ancient kingdom, cursed by the Ancestral Witches many years ago for the sole purpose of obtaining power of the Dragon's Flame, looked to Bloom who was trying to adjust herself in this world. But, some reason he wasn't cold now but as if his body was never cold.
"No kiddin! Domino is freezing cold!" Bloom agreed with him and was fortunate to have her powers based on fire, careful to avoid burning her clothes without overusing the flame she possessed. Walking through the snow, it wasn't so hard without risk of falling in or tripping over She looked around, apart from the moons in orbit there was some signs of artificial constructs buried in snow and ice. "These must have been buildings, which means we could be close.
"Soon as we find the palace, the better chance before anyone does. I doubt they would have sent us far from the place." Taren suggested as they continued to go on
With this much snow it be impossible to find the palace or a map to use. "Maybe I should have brought our friends, Tecna would have her gadgets to help."
"Wait, I think…" Taren stopped and looked into his pockets to find something. "I know Tecna gave me something when she thought would help, got it!" Pulls out a small device and activates a projection of the region. "Tecna thought this could come in handy. This flat area here… I think that be our palace." Pointing the area to show her. "That means we could be close."
Hearing this news brought joy to Bloom and smiled. "Oh, Taren, you're so great!" She threw her hands around him to hug. This caused her to blush as he did before they pulled away. "Uh, I mean… Tecna would be since she helped… uhhh."
"Yeah, she's really handy with this. We… should get going." Taren clears his through and leads on. He didn't know what to say or respond when the moment he feels might not be a good time, especially trying to find a way to say something. Another matter to work out is how to reveal his feelings to her without hurting Flora after she kissed him.
Unaware that Bloom was thinking something mutual, she wanted to find away to say something to him and express her feelings. Knowing she would have brought the Winx or the rest of the Keybladers but her emotions gotten to her and thought this be a moment between them after the battle, not wanting to back down now if something might happen to them.
"I really wish we could have gone with them, it is amazing to see Bloom's castle or anything that's survived," Musa said and no doubt the rest of the group shared her opinion.
"Well, they can contact us if needed back up. But hopefully, Taren and Bloom are somewhere close by, from what I've heard that planet is locked in an ice age." Ben said when he learned about the state of Domino.
Tecna nods her head. "Yes, sadly it was once a beautiful and lively world until the day the Ancestral Witches came."
"Anyway, I better get going and check on the others. Let me know if something comes up. Call me if anything happens." Ben takes a different path leaving the girls.
"Well, now we can get on to another subject, like what could Flora be hiding." Stella pondered, startling the Fairy of Nature upon the subject.
"What? What do you mean?" She asked Stella while trying to not sound too nervous.
"Just recently you seemed all flushed up for a moment." Stella stated.
"And didn't say a word either to Bloom or Taren." Tecna brought up. "Unless of course you still have a slight crush on him.
Flora once more turned bright red with all eyes on her. Finding it difficult to keep things from them any moment now. Knowing she should have said something to Taren but was overwhelmed with concern something might happen and… well her mind just did something unexpected. Hoping Bloom might have said something to him on Domino.
Nervously rubbing her left arm and turned to the curious Winx for an answer. "Alright, but not here and will explain everything. Well… something me and Bloom had a little talk."
"Achoo!"
"You alright?" Taren asked Bloom who gave a sneeze for a moment.
She rubbed her nose and thought it was strange. "I could've sworn something was talking about me."
"Let's hope it's not the Trix. I hope they get captured, least makes the mission safer." Taren said in hopes that Bloom wouldn't be in danger.
"Me too." Agreed with him.
The two had not said much during the trip, only a small chat or if something was wrong. Bloom knew he deserved the truth and thinking it be a perfect moment to confess.
"Hey, Bloom, check this out!" Taren called out to her when he stood on top of a snowy hill and looking through a pair of binoculars, curious to wonder what he had found.
"What is it?"
"I think I might have found some ruins but... something else." Taren lowered them to see her.
Confused and looked at him. "Like what?"
"I think a whole field is covered in… arrows."
"Arrows?" She reached for the binoculars to see for herself, looking through them to find a small landscape covered in arrows just as he said. Bloom didn't know what to make of it. Could there have been a battle some time ago when the Witches attacked? No sign of bodies, or even signs of skeletons. "Wow, look at them all! There must have been a battlefield."
"But against who?" Taren didn't know what to make of it, they all seem to aim for one direction, and for this many would need numerous archers or magic to accomplish such task. "We better get moving, don't want to wait any longer."
Bloom agreeing with him as they were to close, but before they could go further the grown beneath them rumbled. The two witness a hill rising, only for when the snow fell and was not a normal hill. A giant Yeti-like beast with white fur, powerful tusks, and icicle spikes growing from its back.
Taren and Bloom were surprised to find anything that could survive in this frozen wasteland until now. "He doesn't look happy!" Bloom said, almost shaken in fear but least it wasn't a Grimm this time.
"More like doesn't like anyone disturbing its nap." Taren summons the Light's Rebellion and ready to face it. She had no knowledge of what creatures lived on Domino so the monster must have either traveled far with more snow or was a magical creature created by the spell.
The monster stood on its feet and let out a beastly roar when it noticed the two teens, waves its arms across to throw the snow to bury them. Caught off guard by but Bloom quickly used her magic to cast a protective barrier over herself and Taren from being buried alive.
Giving her a hand by waving his keyblade to blow the snow away but unable to risk fighting it with being at a disadvantage over the element. Bloom grabbed his arm before he could do something. "We got to get out of here now!"
Thinking she was right and given no choice but to find cover or lose it. "Right, first to do this." Decided to give it something to keep it busy by using his tricks. "Quack!" Slammed the keyblade to the ground and created a powerful tremor around the monster, with the beast fell on its back the two made a run for it. But something made Bloom look back and felt something was off.
The snow beast was frustrated when it noticed them stronger than it realizes, its eyes glowed and the snow swirled around it, a pillar of ice formed from the ground. Reaches for it with both hands and yanked from the ground to be used as a club.
"Guess our abominable snowman isn't just for bark." Taren believed and sensed strong magic coming from it.
"He's incredibly strong!" Bloom thought of the summoning creature she has but didn't want to take the risk in a situation.
The beast raised its right arm holding the ice weapon, giving a powerful throw towards the ground, cracks emerge and tearing the ground apart beneath their feet.
"Taren watch out!" Bloom called out in fear with the cracks becoming wider, she was too close to the ground and almost losing her balance.
"Bloom!" Thinking of her in danger, he jumps over and pushes her back but the edge broke off, causing him to fall.
Watching him fall in after saving her life over his, she reached out for him. "I won't let you go!" She vowed and tried to pull Taren grabbing his wrist but ended up falling in along with him.
The beast believing them to be falling for their deaths left and departed.
Elsewhere in the ruins of a palace, two figures marched through the storm, stopping from their tracks to see possible ruins of a castle.
Back in Cloud Tower, the Trix returned to their dorm to wait for further instructions while Icy walks about in circles. "Just what is taking them so long? The headmistress is up to something, that useless ogre is nowhere to be found and no idea where Bloom is!" She was so frustrated and wanted to destroy something to vent out her anger.
"Why send us back when it's pointless anyway?" Stormy asked while sitting on her bed.
Darcy turned to Stormy to answer her question. "Because the school is starting to get suspicious and if they found out what we did to trick Bloom and the keybladers for Tezzeret." She told her. "The stupid Winx might figure some hints but doubt it they know the details."
"But we do now."
The witches were startled to hear a voice out of nowhere. "Thanks for all the information you gave us." A shadow grew from the wall and stepped out of it came the blonde-haired student they recognized as Lilith and roommate of Mirta.
Icy glared at her for eavesdropping on their conversation. "You! So you thought to poke your nose into someone's business?"
"Maybe we should do something to you as we did to your bestie, Mirta." Stormy said with a smug look on her face, ready to torment the blonde. "Hmm, maybe turn you into some rotten plant."
Resisting the urge to lash out on them after what they did to Mirta but she still had the upper hand. "Yeah, I think you might be in for a little surprise." Waving her hand and summoned her keyblade. "Star Burst!" Pointed her keyblade at the startled trio and released a barrage of silver stars from the tip of the blade, too fast for them to block it and threw themselves across the floor to avoid it.
Darcy recovered from her shock and could not believe what she was seeing, but the keyblade in the blonde's hand was familiar to her. "Wait… it can't be-" She felt a hand grab her and slammed against the floor, not enough to hurt her but was restrained by a black hooded figure and to her greater shock had a keyblade as well, but this one was in a shape of a spiral flame.
"Move an inch, and you are fried like a roasted weed." Hearing him sounded serious with the keyblade starting to burn close to her face, feeling the intense heat and felt scared.
The remaining Trix saw Darcy being captured, Stormy decided to come to her aide when she was suddenly hoisted by tree branches, breaking her attempts to attack the hooded keyblader.
Icy was in shock and turned to Lilith and realized something about her when she emerged out of the shadows and the keyblade in her hand. Looking at her up close, she looked exactly like the keybearer they encountered some time ago when they first met Bloom. "No… way. YOU!?"
Feeling as though Icy found out who she is and unable to resist bringing up a smug look. Reverting to her true self. "Right. Under. Your. Dumb noses." Pointing her finger at each of them, mocking the Trix with the utterly shocked looks on their faces made her day. "For a bunch of self-proclaimed villains, you three had no idea one of us was in the same school."
Stormy growled and felt so humiliated. "UGH! I knew I hated her! When we get out of this you are so gonna regret it!"
"But why would you side with them? We both have something in common and a powerful heritage from our families!" Icy questioned Mal. "We know who your mother was and she is spinning in her grave to see you helping the same heroes and one being the son of her enemy."
Mal narrowed her eye at her and took a few steps forward to confront Icy with a hard gaze. They must have been informed about her heritage from Tezzeret who learned about her. "Maybe a few years back, I might have been tempted. But now I saw what it does and how it made people fear and hurt others. Sometimes I wished she didn't choose the path and maybe… things could have been different."
Never knowing what she was like apart from the stories of her evil goals and how villains are sometimes made by unfortunate consequences or just naturally chose to be. She gave Icy a pitiful expression and sighed. "I don't know what made you decide to be like this. But whatever it is, Tezzeret may have other plans and could be worse. I was chosen to use the keyblade and will use it to stop the darkness with my friends"
Icy scoffed at her and thought she was stupid to turn her back on her heritage. "Then you're a bigger fool than I thought. But no way you can prove anything to Griffin and it is too late."
"Oh, I don't think so!" Emerging out of the shadow Mal used was the headmistress herself with some enforcers dressed in dark uniforms and senior witches surrounding the dorm. The Trix realized they have been exposed and surrounded. "I think I heard enough to not only expel you three but place you into custody for conspiring with a dangerous criminal for threats against the whole of the magic Dimension."
"It's over. You can tell us where he is and make it easier on yourselves." Lea pulled his hood to reveal his face while keeping a firm grip on Darcy. "Personally for me, I'm trying to hold back from doing something regrettable for what you did to Mirta."
"And you are?" Darcy questioned and earned a cold glare that told her to be quiet.
"A parent who's not so happy for what you did to his daughter." Lea started the surprised witch. "Now unless you wanna nice tan, I would zip it."
Showing he was serious with the keyblade now burning she gulped and complied with his demands.
Out of the corner of Icy's eye, she spotted something and began to smile. "Well, you caught us but something else to let you know."
Before anyone knew what happened a bright flash of light lid the entire room, everyone apart from the Trix was startled and tried to shield themselves. A pale-skinned humanoid in earthly brown clothing and extended claws screeched and leap down, spinning around to cut the branches that held Stormy and slashed one of the seniors across the shoulders. This allowed her to escape and Darcy grabbed Lea's arm and threw him to the ground.
Icy managed to break free and regrouped with the others, with no choice but to abandon the dorm and retreat along with the creature that helped them. "Later, we got a flame to catch."
Mal recovered and tried to stop them. "Thunder!" Her attack failed to touch them in time as the Trix vanished. "Damn it!" Unable to believe she fell for something like that, but looked around and saw some injured when reached her hand out to Griffin. "Are you alright?"
The headmistress took her hand to help her. "Yes, but check on the others, they need looking into. I fear we underestimated them, I should have done something sooner than waiting."
"No one can blame you." Lea pulls himself up. "But I don't blame you for not seeing how dangerous the Trix has become."
She sighed and knew he had the right to blame her for not stepping in to stop them. But the damage was done and now the Trix have escaped. "We must warn the other schools immediately. That thing that helped them must have been one of his."
"No doubt needing them for one last thing. To find Bloom and take the flame." Mal suspected as it was no random creature that came out of nowhere."
Within the bottom of the crevice, Bloom pulled herself out of the snow, sat up to brush the snow off herself, and looked up to see how far she fell and survived it by pure luck. "I was lucky." She suddenly remembered how when she and Taren fell, they slid down the snow, making a soft landing. Worried for him and called out his name. "Taren? Are you down here? Say something." She hoped he was in one piece and no bones broken.
"Mmmphh! Mpph! Mmpph!"
Bloom thought she heard something but faint until something beneath her moved, realized she was sitting on something-or someone. "Taren!" Only to find she was sitting on top of him after brushing the snow with his front against the snow and blushed. Immediately gets up on her feet and helped him. "Oh, Taren, I'm sorry! Are you alright?"
Pulls himself up to sit up and spat out the snow in his mouth and wiping his goggles. "Apart from being used as a human snowboard, I'm glad to be in one piece." Gets on his feet and brushed off the snow on him.
She was relieved to hear it as he didn't have any bruises on him after he tried to save her from falling in. Feeling it was her fault they fell in and could try to fly out but would face the monster again. "Maybe if we find where this path leads it could be a way to fly out of here. That thing might be up there."
"Yeah, and no doubt wants to make sure we stay here. I say we take this route with less snow." Not certain where it would lead them, but probably better than being up on the surface with the snowman.
Least he agreed with her and yet still feeling down for the bad luck happening to them. Takes her hood down with being inside a cavern from the snow. "I probably should have brought our friends with us. I almost lost you when you tried to save me."
"I would have still come anyway, even if you didn't ask." Taren replied. "After what the Trix did, I thought to come along to protect you if you were in danger."
Surprised to hear this from him and felt her heart beating fast, she tries to calm down and not let her legs turn to jelly. Knowing this wasn't a good time but needed to say it before they continue onwards. "Taren. There's something I need to say, uh, well." Her face flushed bright red to say it. "Ever since we met, these past months have been amazing since I met everyone. Stella, Mal, Ben, Genie, the Winx. We've been hanging out, going on adventures, and had fun together to learn new things." She smiled brightly over the fond memories until she sighed for what came the opposite. "Of course, even though there has been some stuff that happened like the Trix, Tezzeret, and the Grimm."
"Yeah, no kidding. My parents did say some adventures are not always fun at the time." Taren agreed and wondered where she was going with this.
"But also… there was this one person who made me feel special." Shyly turns her back to him and twiddling her fingers. "Always been there to support me and while being heroic always thought of others. Made me want to be with and... maybe more than… then a friend."
Confused about what she was on about while listening to her saying about this 'special guy'. "Wait, exactly what do you mean…" Almost trying to not sound jealous or anything. "Okay, before you go further, I need to say something cause I-mmphp!"
Whatever he was going to say was interrupted by an unexpected moment of Bloom wrapping her arms around the surprised Taren and kissed him softly on the lips. Unexpected of this and held her by the waist when she threw herself in his arms and almost fell.
Pulled from the passionate moment but held her in his arms to speak. "Wait.. wh-wh-me?! Did you just… I mean.. was the..." Trying to comprehend what just happened with his goggles now suddenly steamed up. "I think I must have hit my head too hard to be dreaming."
Bloom was startled as he was but also wish this wasn't a dream and glad she felt it, seeing him confused and startled made her giggle and smile. "No silly, your not. I did that cause I fell for an amazing hero who likes you."
Feeling flustered and still trying to overcome the shock when being called a hero by one of his crushes. "Well, I mean… I'm still in the training stuff…" Chuckled nervously, however, there was another thing that needed to talk about and knowing Flora to be heartbroken if he didn't accept her. "Bloom… I gotta confess something. I developed these feelings for you that I thought maybe something could happen, but another thing that happened was…" Gulped some air, now trying to find something while unable to face her and yet held her close to him.
"This about Flora?"
Blinking his eyes and spun his head to her, instead of seeing hurt and teary Bloom… she looked calm and confused. He honestly expected something else when thinking she would have been angry. "Wha…" 'CRAP! Oh, man, why me?!'
"Uh, well you see. I sought to have talked to Flora some time ago." She said and looked shy for a moment. "I noticed how she seemed interested in you more over time and did felt somewhat jealous but didn't sense any bad vibes when she knew of my feelings for you."
"Wait, you two did? Uh… about what?" Feeling nervous and confused about what was happening. What did they talk about? "Wait, so if you knew about it then why bring it up?"
She flushed a little and embarrassed, letting each other go and remained close as Bloom continued. "I sort of looked into some cultures to know about the worlds and came across Flora's customs. You see, they allow open relationships due to some few men on their world at times and open to nature. At first, I thought it wouldn't work but when we have gotten close and after… well, after you got seriously injured in battle. I noticed how she was most upset and didn't want to hurt either of you. So we talked about it and decided to share you as our boyfriend."
Absorbing the knowledge he just learned from Bloom about her and Flora wanting to share him took a completely new level of shock. Any man would jump at the chance but never thought that could happen to him. "Wait… so let me see if I heard you right… you and Flora?" Pointing at her. "Both like me as I do? And want to be girlfriends?"
Bloom nods her head to answer his question. "Yeah, I didn't expect it but somehow feel maybe it could work. I know my dad would freak but hopefully comes over it to understand."
"Not even sure how my parents will react. But guess that explains how Flora kissed me on the ship just then."
"Flora kissed you?" Bloom was surprised and started to pout. "Aw, can't believe she beat me to it."
Seeing her pout like this suddenly made Taren chuckle at how adorable she was. "Well, don't sweat it. If this is alright with you, I still think ours was first equally." Smiles at her and cups her cheeks, kissing her passionately on the lips which the Domino princess enjoyed and returned the gesture.
Much as she wanted to continue this and but not when they had a mission to complete, pulled away for some air, and smiled sheepishly. "M-Maybe after this first."
"Yeah, I mean, got to get to the castle first." Taren stuttered and turned, but not aware that he just tripped and slipped down on the snow, falling headfirst into the pile before pulling out of it. "Meant to do that!"
Bloom giggled and thought how funny he was trying to act tough out of it but cute, thinking now that they got some things out of the way to focus. She wondered what it is like to meet his parents and hope they like her, maybe if her birth parents are around they might like him too, even if he might not be a prince but didn't matter to her.
"I heard them heading to Domino, that's where they are."
"Domino? Are you certain of this?" Darcy asked to be certain after they made a lucky escape.
"I'm certain, Darcy. Just Bloom and that brat Taren with her, those two love birds are on their own."
"You've done well, my sweet. Tezzeret's forces will pick you up to receive your reward."
Cutting off her link with Riven and turned to her sisters. "Just as they said it would, Domino is where she's going."
"But why there? Nothing but ruins." Stormy questioned as it didn't make sense to her. "Tezzeret had been trying to get into the castle for years and no luck thanks to the spell.
"Probably to find answers about herself, but we'll make it the day she'll never forget." Icy was determined to get the power by any means.
Phew, man it took some work to get this over with. But that was the first part of the Secret of the Flame, have some ideas for the next one and if you are wondering who those figures were, you'll find out. Especially that monster that helped the Trix escaped now they've been exposed and wanted fugitives. So hope you enjoyed it as I wanted to work on the emotional drama and how Bloom reveals about her and Flora wanting to share him, this will surprise many and how Sora and Kairi will react hehe
More surprises in store for what I got next as the new official couple will find more about the Dragon's Flame in the next chapter. Hope you are all doing alright in this crisis when some countries are already experiencing some pandemic crisis. Hopefulyl it be avoided in the UK as I don't want another lockdown when things are enough trouble here.
Critics, ideas and reviews are welcome, the OCs are mine, the rest belong to their respective owners as I onlt do this for fun.