Chapter 39: Battle of Alfea
With the horde of Grimm defeated and minimal casualties with everyone working together, they were given time to rest and recover from the battle. But most of the students were scared of fighting the Grimm again when they were almost hurt or worse. Kairi walked about to see many tired out and decided to check on Della with the new equipment they brought with them to protect the school, she finds the duck in some machine.
"Della, how's it going in there?" Kairi asked her.
Della pulled herself out of the machine and closed the casing. "Shield generator's working fine after following Cid's instructions. But not sure how long it could take since we never anticipated this many Grimm." Wipes herself with a cloth. "But thanks to that kid, he made it work better to keep the shields to last long enough for the others in that witch school.
Kairi nodded and hopes it be enough while she also worry for Sora and Taren, she could have gone with them after reuniting with their son, but she knew there were people needed here and confident Sora can keep Taren safe and himself. "I hope they make it back. Try to contact the king for help."
"Can do, just gotta get Launchpad before he breaks something again." Della told her. "Don't worry, with Sora and Riku, those kids are in good hands for sure. Donald's still in one piece for example."
Kairi didn't doubt her and knew Sora her entire life as he always keeps his friends and family safe. Leaving Della to her own work and wonder off, passing several students with worried and scared looks on their faces. She could hardly blame them for being thrown into a serious battle that could be life threatening, it sort of reminded her of when she was taken against her will, fought against the Organization and had nightmares of losing everyone close to her. When Taren was taken from home, she couldn't get a simple sleep but had some comfort not only with Sora to support her but had a feeling he would be found again just like his father.
It felt wrong to force these people in a battle they didn't want to take part in, but there have but also why they need people like heroes and keyblade wielders to protect those who are unable to defend themselves. But after the battle, who knows how much of this will affect their lives.
One thing she knew, everything was about to change for them.
Flora, Musa, and Tecna were sitting on the grass to recover from the first battle, Musa brought her knees to her chest when she was with her friends and remembered the things that have happened to them since coming to Alfea. "I still can't get over what's happening. I mean, this should have been a normal school year. Instead, we're involved in a major crisis, and we've got to save Alfea and the Magic Dimension."
"Look at it this way. This experience is teaching us so much more than schoolbooks and stuff. We're part of historic events. We've had to come up with spells that could never be reproduced, Musa. We get to fight alongside the most powerful wizards and fairies in the Dimension.
"You find all that thrilling, don't you?" One of the fairy students asked her when hearing their conversation along with another. "Well, I don't like it at all. This whole thing scares me! I'd rather be safe at home with my parents."
"I know what you mean. I'm upset too." I can't stand the thought of being a prisoner here, in the middle of nowhere, far away from everyone I know." Another shared her concern.
"How I wish all this was just a bad dream."
"Well, it's true, these are difficult times, but we must resist and trust that we will win in the end." Flora told them when she believes they needed much morale to raise.
Musa stood up on her feet. "Flora's right. We're like, a big orchestra. And each one of us has an important part to play. Even Kiko and Pepe are ready for action. See how ready they look?"
Kiki did some marching with the duckling behind him, even the Aracuan bird with a military helmet stood with a salute before the bunny bumped into Pepe and fell on their backs.
"Each one of us is absolutely essential if we're gonna save Magix. Just think of what Bloom and Stella are going through right now. They're at the heart of enemy territory, and Bloom doesn't have any powers!" Musa explained about what her friends were doing for their part. "We even have the famous Keyblders alongside us to help. I'm sure they'll be all right."
The students looked to each other and listened to what she told them, no longer worried and afraid, they showed much more confidence.
"Musa's right, we can't allow this to go on."
"That's the spirit!" Flora smiled.
"I say we teach those witches and monsters a lesson they won't soon forget." Musa gave an idea to the girls.
Flora liked the idea and wanted to take part in the action to protect her friends. "Yeah, they think they can just wipe out all the good in the world and set up a realm of evil."
"But they are so wrong!" Tecna said and cheered alongside the girls when suddenly a beeping sound was heard."Uh-oh. It's my pager." Pulls out the pager from her collar and revealed the holographic image of Timmy.
"It's from Timmy?" Flora was surprised and wondered what was going on when she noticed the flustered look on Tecna's face.
"Uh... yes." The techno fairy seemed to be struggling to find the words to explain, nervously brought her hand up to her head. "Timmy and I are, um... we're analyzing some data... We're developing a new early warning system. You know, to spot attackers? Later!"
Immediately runs off in a manner that was unlike Tecna, this type of behaviour was a surprise to both Musa and Flora.
"I've never seen her so... so..." Musa tried to find the word after seeing a new side of Tecna.
"So normal. Me either!" Even Flora was astonished and found it sweet to know Tecna was showing signs of attractions to someone.
"And guessing things between you three have been made after that little stunt. Especially what Taren gave you." Musa said with a teasing grin.
Flora became quiet and flustered while trying to not show how she was happy about it. "Well, I didn't think it could happen, but we made some agreements to give this a try."
"No doubt you wanna give a good reason of this to his parents." Musa told her and saw how surprised his mother was when he kissed Flora.
The Fairy of Nature wondered how he's going to explain that to her when she finds out. "I hope you be come back safe." Whispered under her breath.
"Achoo!" Taren wiped his nose when he suddenly sneezed.
"We've been walking for hours in these secret corridors and yet, it feels like we're getting absolutely nowhere. Everything looks exactly the same." Bloom told them after walking through many hallways, avoiding the Grimm, Tezzeret's soldiers and drones. Wondering how far they needed to go to reach their destination.
"Don't worry. We're almost there. Only a few small steps separate us from the Dragon Flame." Knut said and proves to them by pointing towards the direction they would need to go next. "See? Over there is where they hide all their secrets."
"Are you trying to make me homesick?" Riven said to make a joke.
"I feel something is not quite right down here." Sky didn't seem so certain as it felt too easy for them.
"Yeah, its as if these Trix were so sure of themselves, or Tezzeret is leading us to a trap." Sora shared his thoughts.
"No doubt about it." Riku agreed with his best friend.
Taren said nothing and followed his father's advice with being more experienced in this sort of situation than him.
"There should be a dungeon over here, we should be close." Mal said. "I think we should split up and regroup as soon as possible before they know where we are."
"All right, time to let out the prisoners." Brandon nodded and agreed with the idea.
Stella being concerned for Brandon's safety and hopes he comes back. "Yeah, but you be careful, okay?"
"Back soon." The Squire promised her, activating his phantoblade and joined Riven, Taren, Sora and Riku.
"I'll join you guys in a minute." Sky told them and leaves with the others.
"Be careful, Taren." Bloom said with mutual concern for him.
Taren nodded and catches up to the others to follow, hoping the others be okay without them for a while.
Riven peaked over his shoulder to Taren. "So, that means you and her are now-"
"Uh, well, she and I are… fine. We're together." Taren sighs and thought to let it out of his chest.
Brandon gave a grin towards the redhead. "Figures as much, so who made the first move."
"Yeah, we're dying to know who kissed who? Considering how popular you are with the girls." Mal asked with a cunning and mischief grin on her, making Taren worry if she knew something by the look on her face.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Brandon asked.
"I'll explain on the way." Taren said and before they get a little distracted he spotted something and called out for the others. "Something's coming!"
They immediately came close when Mal performed a spell to pass by a couple of guards who were on patrol with weapons to carry. Using the cover to their advantage and surprised the startled guards when they appeared out of know where. They were unprepared when Brandon and Riven cut down their weapons and took out the first two, while Sora and Riku took on the rest who easily defeated them with their keyblades.
Taren and Mal snuck up to the remaining three who held spears in their gauntlets, not aware of their presence until too late. "Hi there, we're a little lost." Mal said after making her presence known, acting all innocent.
Griffin looked through the bars and surprised to see Mal. "Mal!"
"She's one of the keybladers, stop her!" The guards recognised her as one of the main threats and charged at her, only for Taren to jump in and kicked one of them in the helmet before throwing a fist into the second. Mal did a twirl with her body and used a high kick, summons her keyblade and send him flying.
"Guess, they weren't prepared for that." Mal thought it seemed a little too easy but no sign of the Grimm. But wasted no time to use her keyblade to unlock the doors for the imprisoned students and teachers to walk out freely.
Riku and Sora dragged the unconscious guards and greeted the headmistress. "Long time, no see, Griffin." Riku said.
"Masters Riku and Sora? Now this is a surprise, I never thought to see you two again after all these years." Griffin was relieved and grateful for their help. She turns to Mal for the help. "I'm relieved to see you unhurt, Mal."
Mal nodded and smiles. "Least to know everyone's alright. We gotta go now!" Decided to make their escape much easier by locking the guards up and block one of the paths before anyone could come.
Taren helped open the last down when he felt the Trix's presence with the Dragon's Flame in their possession and no doubt going after Bloom and the others. "Guys, think we need to move now."
"Let me guess, the Trix?" Brandon asked him if he was sure.
"I'm willing to bet it is." Mal said.
"Right, but the first time we see Tezzeret, you all make a run for it." Sora told them which surprised the keybladers and Specialists.
"What?"
Sora turned to his son to give an explaination. "Sorry, Taren, but if he gets you, there's no telling how powerful and more dangerous he could become with the complete control of the Dragon Flame. As long as they know nothing, we still have a chance. But right now we got to get everyone out of here first." He didn't doubt his son's skills and abilities, but had to think of the priority of the students and the teachers if they get caught in the battle and get hurt. But as long as none of their enemies know about Taren being the second vassal, he could still have a chance to learn how to use its powers and stop them.
Seeing as he has a point, Taren gave a sigh with the previous fights they lost to him before he gained a portion of Bloom's powers. "Yeah, okay, gotta do one task at a time."
They all stayed together to walk through the hallways to discover the Trix were indeed present and focus on assaulting their friends. It was obvious by the sound of their sinister laughs it was all a set up
They immediately hear Icy's voice after Darcy's cackle. "And you know why you'll never tell? Because Cloud Tower will be your grave." She told Bloom who stood before them and began to laugh as if they had won.
"Excuse us everyone." Mal turned to Griffin and the students who pass them by, giving space for them take the advantage of the Trix's distraction. The headmistress was the first to blast them with a powerful force of magic, sending the trio hurtling towards the wall.
"Ouch! That has got to hurt." Riku said.
"There's more where that came from for my turn." Mal was eager to take her turn to show the Trix who's the baddest witch and for the trouble they've caused.
Griffin stepped forward into the room, glowing in emerald green with a stern look on her face. "Take that as a warning." She passes by the surprised Bloom before she looked to see the others. Focusing her attention on the Trix, glaring down at the three who were lying before her feet. "You three deserve the worst kind of punishment for what you've done!"
Stella managed to see Brandon when he came in and walked to his side, for Brandon he was relieved she was okay and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry we were late but got here in time." Taren told them. Bloom smiled to see him and took his hand to make their leave.
Sky followed them and decided to let the headmistress deal with the Trix.
Recovering from the surprise attack after Griffin and her students escaped with some help. This indeed surprised Icy who did not expect it to happen so soon when she thought their plan was fool proof. "So you managed to escape, Miss Griffin."
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm still on my feet." Griffin told her and all happy about having her school being taken over and almost drained of her magic by the Trix. "We'll see you later, little missies. The final showdown will have to wait, I'm afraid." Decided to follow the others and leave while the Trix were down, but stopped and raised her hands to summon her powers.
"What do you think you'r-"
"Stopra!"
Griffin noticed the Trix were frozen and not moved an inch when she realised the keybladers were beside her.
"Sorry, but thought to give plenty of time for us to get ahead." Mal explained after using her magic.
"Should do the trick." Riku said.
Decided to lend them a helping hand, she performs a spell, channels the magic through her body and use her hands to circle each other, dancing her fingers raised them up high, a purple crystalline barrier rose from the ground and blocked their path. To take precautions, she created a second barrier, and a third to slow them down.
"Let's hurry. The shield won't hold them back for long." Griffin told the group and ran out of the gates, she stopped once again to lock the door with layers of barriers made of earth. Believing to be enough to buy more time and not waste it for them to escape. "Follow me! We have to go up to Windswept Terrace. It's the only way out of the castle."
"You head her, let's go." Riku told them as the students put on their cloaks, one of them approached the headmistress with a spare before they continue to make their leave before they be captured again.
"We're leaving the castle in the hands of those three witches?" One of the students asked the headmistress with Mal beside them.
"Got no choice, with the Trix and their pals who have an army of monsters like the Grimm, we don't stand a chance." Mal explained and knows they won't stand a chance so long as the Trix and Tezzeret have the Flame.
Griffin nodded to agree with Mal with little choices that they have. "Mal is correct, my dear, there's nothing we can do against the Trix, the Grimm, or Tezzert."
"And also for a fact their army has almost complete control of the school." Riku gave a statement with a number of their soldiers all over the school.
"Miss Faragonda and Master Yen Sid had warned me against them, but I wasn't about to let myself be awed by three silly young students. That was a big mistake." Admitting her fault for not taking their word serious and even from Mal who had fought them several times did she be blindsided by her pride became her undoing. "The fact that Saladin, Faragonda and I managed to overpower their three ancestors way back when doesn't mean we're invincible. The truth is, we must always keep our eyes wide open. The world of magic can never be taken for granted."
Making their journey outside the school, taking the spiral stairs with Griffin leading the way to make their escape. The students took their march to the large rounded platform with the headmistress waiting for them.
"So what's your idea then?" Riku asked her to know what they were doing now with all the students gathered before them.
"I'll conjure up a dimensional portal to Alfea. Everybody gather round. And try to stay as close as possible to one another." She instructed the students and teachers to make a circle to make the spell work. she creates a portal made from a faint green light from the black sky and takes everyone who was in the light to be lifted from the ground.
Taren looked to the edge and spotted several Lancers and those dark spectres in sight. "Uh, guys, we're about to have company!"
Griffin was having a hard time to keep the portal open with little time they have. "We've got to do this quickly!
"Let's buy some time!" Mal summons the several tree warriors to fight the creatures on the ground to stall for time.
"Hurry up! Enter the portal!" Griffin told them to hurry.
Sora spotted something and looked worried. "Think we got bigger problems. Look!" Points his finger towards the rising ships taking off.
"Oh, man. That is a lot." Riven gulped and wondered if Alfea can survive this sort of battle.
"No way can we let them get the chance. We have to do something!" Bloom said in worry of their friends and families back home.
Taren had an idea and thought they could do something to buy the others time. "We gotta do something."
"We could throw them off the scent by creating some kind of distraction." Sky said and wanted to help out. "If only I had my Wind Rider!"
"Maybe we can." Sora pulled out black cylinders from his pockets. "Something from an old friend of mine and thought they could come in useful." Hands them out to Sky and to Taren.
"Wait for me?" Taren thought if he meant it.
Sora nods and smiles. "You wanted to help, so here's your chance. But don't tell your mother. Think of a vehicle and pull the Baton apart."
Taren decided to test it out as he was told, the baton started to generate a blue light and taken shape of a light jet. He was suddenly on a chair and looked at the newly crafted glider. The moment he sat on it, a black and blue suit formed all over his body except for the head. "Whoa!" Checking himself out with a body suit to match the colour
"Awesome!" Sky was amazed and could imagine Timmy would drool over the advance technology the devices could do.
"No, don't do it! It's too risky." Bloom didn't want her friends to risk their lives and afraid something might happen to them.
Sky understood her friend's worry for them, it would be understandable if Taren was in danger but confident in his abilities. "I'm willing to take risks if it's to help my friends, and no one is going to stand in my way."
Taren reached his hand to Bloom's shoulder to give a reason. "I know you're worried for me, but we can't let them ships take off or everyone at Alfea be in danger. You gotta trust me, I won't get hurt with my "
Seeing his mind made up and decided to go with them. "All right. Then I'm going with you." Not giving him the chance to respond when he watches Bloom climb up behind him, making the chair adjustable for Bloom and soon she wore the similar body suit.
"Alright, everyone ready? Sky, get yours up before we jump off!" Sora's keyblade transforms into a large hoverboard with the keyblade's teeth on both sides of the board, steps onto it and waits for them to begin the attack.
Sky took a breather before he leaps off the edge and activates his Baton, creating the same light jet as Taren's and flew off towards the horde.
"Good luck!" Riven told them before running to the portal.
Mal gave a last look to them and nodded. "Don't get yourselves killed! Come on Stella!"
The Solarian hopes they be safe before they leave and flies off into the portal. "I'll be thinking of you, Bloom!" Riku nods to his best friend and wish him best of luck before he makes his leave.
They watch the portal close and take the fight without holding back. "Everyone ready?" Sora asked before summoning his keyblade armor.
"Ready!" Sky said before a domed helmet slides over his head.
Sky looked to the ships that were off the ground now and turned to Taren and Bloom. "Guys, we gotta get rid of the Grimm before we go after them ships."
"Not a prob, hang on Bloom!" Taren told her and felt her arms wrap around him tight to feel her chest against his back. Twisting the handle bars and flew off in the air, able to work out the gears of the jet and unleashed an attack barrage on the flying Grimm. The Nevermore were hit several times before they faded and a single shot towards the Lancers.
Another Nevermore tried to attack using the feathers but was suddenly cut in half by a streak of light made from Sora. "Better get this done fast!" The spikey brunette told them and maneuvered his glider towards the rest of the horde. The Grimm were taken by surprise by the Gliders and jets flying towards them, shooting them down in a stream line.
"Guess they didn't expect that!" Sky said with a grin once he started to get the hang of it. Steering it towards the ships with the Grimm taken out. "Let's give them ships a surprise visit."
"Sounds like an idea!" Bloom said as they were coming towards them, not aware of what was about to happen.
"Captain! Unidentified objects on our sensors!"
"Where?" The captain was surprise to find out when he saw two black jets flew passed, followed by what looked like key gliders. "Contact lord Tezzeret immediately" We're under attack
Sora picked up an object and turned to Taren for a mischief idea. "Shall we?"
Taren nodded and grins under his helment. "Oh yeah. Sky, use the Light Ribbons."
Sky wasn't sure what he meant but did so, creating a blue stream of light from the wing panels, Taren did the same to circle around the ships. At first they had no idea what they were for, but when a Sphinx tried to fly towards them, it crashed into the hard light, losing its balance and fell towards the airships below. Now understand what they were for and continued to fly around them while trying to avoid the same fate. Taren flew to the sails and caused many holes in them while Sora aimed for the engines, causing the larger ships to lose their ability to fly and slowly descend to the ground.
Tezzeret stood above the tower to see his fleet that was suppose to prepare for the invasion being taken out slowly by a mere pest of flyers. He should have expected something like this to happen if the Trix's plan to ambush them failed and proved correctly. "If you something done right, do it yourself."
He turns to two armored soldiers who were about to go to the ships. "You two, come with me. We're about to deal with some flies." Summoning his keyblade and leaps over the edge, the keyblade changes form, growing larger and taken the form of a Hang Glider, the wings were more of a bow-like design and a pilot seat beneath the wings with steer handles. With the newly formed keyglider complete, the wings ignite and flew towards the air with two of his personal flyers in jets behind him.
"This is Tezzeret to all ships, ignore them for now and focus on what's left of our ships. I'll take care of the pests."
With the job to cause mass confusion and panic a success, it was time for them to make their way back to Alfea and flew over the forests.
"We shouldn't be too far from Alfea now." Sky told them.
"Least now we bought some time." Sora said.
Knowing they were far from the tower by now, the moment of thought that they were out of danger was over when a trio of flying objects were coming towards them. Bloom looked over her shoulder and gasped to see who was after them.
"Guys, I think that's Tezzeret behind us!"
The boys looked to see it was indeed the cyborg. "You mean he's got a glider too?" Taren thought this could not get any worse for them.
"And he's brought company!" Sora told them when he was almost hit by a streak of hot plasma, almost thrown off his glider but kept his feet on it. Grunted to find one of the two fighters coming towards him.
Another took his focus on the prince, immediately attacking with a shower of bolts upon him. Forcing Sky to try and evade them while being chased, however he decided to use the same tactic and think of this as like the races. Pulls the handles to move in the air.
Sora and Taren looked at each other and shared the same idea to take the air for a dogfight to help Sky. Tezzeret and his two pilots followed them in the air and continued to chase after them.
"We gotta split them up!" Bloom suggested.
Sky nodded and gestured to Taren to follow his lead, splitting up into two opposite directions and flew around in loops and circles. Confusing the enemy fighters, but Tezzeret immediately thought of what was going on and pulled back, the first pilot did so but the second was too late to pull up when they activated the light ribbons and made an X pattern after flying passed each other. The pilot screamed and threw his arms out front for the impact. His fighter lost its wings and made a crash landing into the forest before it exploded.
"We got one!" Taren cheered, but hated to see someone's life being thrown away like that.
Sora had to admit that they did an impressive move but still had two more to deal with. He twirls around and started shooting at Tezzeret from the back, his old foe was dodging the attacks with ease and trying to close in for the attack. However, his path was interrupted by Taren passing by and made a surprise attack, forcing Tezzeret to abandon his pursuit and into defence. However, the prince was not a keyblader and an easy target to pursuit, making his choice to change his strategy.
For Sky he was dealing with the last fighter who was on his tail, needed to get away before he's taken out.
"Sky needs our help!" Bloom called out when she saw the prince being chased by Tezzeret.
Taren saw the warlock going for Sky and decided to help him. "Hold on!" Started blasting away only for another fighter to swoop from the sidelines and chased them with.
"I think we got some problems of our own." Taren said and saw the fighter right behind them, blasting numerous bolts from behind.
Bloom knew they had to escape it and wanted to help their friend, an idea came to mind when she looked to the forest. "Taren, use the forests for cover?"
"What?" Taren asked what she was thinking until he looked down and uncertain if he can avoid those much, but perhaps take the risk. "Alright, here's goes nothing." Takes a risk in flying right into the forests to loose their pursuer. However the pilot did not seem to be the giving up type and followed them, but so far having difficult time getting his aim right with so many branches and trees in the way. Decided to blast away in random to get his target, but saw a blue light ribbon straight ahead and forced to evade it, barely left scratches on the bottom but when he thought to made a clear, a branch swatted him and thrown off balance, destroying the jet fighter.
Bloom gave a sigh in relief when she saw the smoke from a distance. "Think we lost him."
Taren smiles and glad to be rid of them, but it seems their luck did not go well when he saw sparks on the wing. "Uh oh."
"What? What do you mean 'uh oh?'" Discovers the damage wing that must have got caught by the barrage attacks.
"We gotta make a land before we end up like them." Taren tries to slow it down as he can to make a smooth landing. The Light jet was beginning to lose its form as it slowly faces. Not wasting time to explain, he pulled out the grips that became a baton again and wrapped his arms around the surprised Bloom to roll across the ground.
Bloom felt her head spinning and grateful for the outfit she wore to protect her, opening her eyes and suddenly realises how close she was to Taren, but also in each other's arms. Wearing the helmet hidden her blush so he wouldn't know.
"Ugh, sorry. Didn't had time to use the breaks. Or how to do it." Taren groans and looked at her, feeling awkward and quiet for a sudden when he was had Bloom on top of him.
"Well, least we're in one piece. So, I might let you off for that stunt." Much as she wish to stay like this with him, they had important things to deal with.
"Uh… I'll get off now. Sorry." He quickly got up to help her and decide to find the others.
"Yeah, let's hope ther others are okay."
Sky grunted and tried to shake Tezzeret off him, but he was too fast and a skilled pilot when he suddenly flies over him and started shooting the left wing, causing some damage to it and tries to use the light ribbon.
Tezzeret saw this coming and did not stop, his key glider glowed and shot right through it without any damage and close in for the attack. "Farewell, prince of Eraklyon." Finishing off Sky's light jet and cause it to lose it's form to break down.
Sky began to panic and was far too high up from the ground, the light jet vanished and began to fall. However, he was suddenly saved by the timely arrival of Sora who grabbed him by the arm and hoisted up to the board. "Thanks!" Never expected to be saved by one of his idols but appreciated the rescue.
"Don't thank me yet." Sora told him and made a dive downwards to the woods.
The cyborg keyblader was annoyed but expected from the hero, but now decides to chase them through the air. Uncertain why Sora would not attack when he had the chance, but felt he was planning something.
"Sky, the moment I give the word, brace yourself." Sora told him without giving reasons.
Trusting the spikey brunette and turns his head around to see Tezzeret coming closer using the wings to create energy waves for the attacks. Sora tries to avoid them as he can. "Faith!"
Taken completely by surprise, Tezzeret was temporally blinded by the immense light and lost control of his glider. "GAH!" Able to see again, but found no one around and vanished, looks around to find them.
"THUNDAGA!"
Tezzeret heard the voice and looked up to see a streak of lightning coming towards him, narrows his eyes and decided retaliated. "Reflect." Creating a large dome over him to take the direct hit, the lightning spread all across and vanishes along with the Reflect magic with his target in sight. "Mine Shield."
Sora raced through the sky with the prince with him when suddenly he felt the strong charge of energy surrounding them and realised what they were. "Look out!"
Both Sora and Sky felt the wave of explosions and barely escaped the pull of the Mine Shields, no doubt Tezzeret's work. But the power he used was far greater than his own and almost thrown them off the glider. "Damn! That was too close!"
"Yeah, no kiddin!" Sky agreed with him and held onto Sora's shoulders from falling off. "That could have blown us to bits."
"Very much so, your highness."
Both turned to see Tezzert who was literally standing in mid air, no longer on his keyblade glider as it returned to its form. "When you masted many forms and a little help of the Flame, it does so much wonders."
In a brief second he vanished in a blur and reappeared behind them for the horizontal strike from above.
Sky came to Sora's aid and used his blade to take the blow, but the sheer force from the fallen keyblader as so powerful it was causing his phantoblade's structure to struggle on its hold by the corrupted keyblade. Tezzeret repeated the clash, each one caused the prince's blade to weaken. Sora decided to help him out by using his own tricks from a trick he learned from his friends.
"Barrier Surge!" Sora called out the spell to bounce off the attacks from their opponent and gave the time needed. "Sky do it now!"
Sky pulled back his blade and began to thrust towards Tezzeret, however the cyborg retaliated to counter the attack. Reaching out his hand and created a second blade from red/orange energy. "Take this!" Using the magic of the flame to create a few blades to shower upon them.
Realising how powerful he's become and needed to escape. "Sorry, can't stick around to play. Sorry, your highness."
Without a word, Sora grabbed Sky by the shoulders and tossed him to the closest tree, using the time he needed. "Elememt Form!" A flash of light coated his body, now wearing a blue coat, gloves, and shoes, with a star pattern on his pants, sleeves, and hood. In his grip was a large rocket launcher-like weapon. Suprising his foe and thrusts through the air, charging at full speed and using the Formchange for the attack.
For a moment, Tezzeret was surprise by this stunt and moves away before it could attack him, but witnessed Sora changing it into a pair of arrowguns and shooting out several arrows that were coming at him like missiles.
'So he's mastered Formchange after our last encounter. I'll admit, he's improved and perhaps briefly underestimated him.'
Retaliates and uses his own keyblade to shoot out many fiery daggers at the arrows. One of them slipped past and struck him down to the forests, making a hard impact by the branches but the magical aura protected him from serious damages. He saw the other fighter was missing and could be surrounded by them, despite more powerful than he was, the warlock had his limits and could not afford to waste more time.
"We will settle this another time, Strife. But here's a little present from me." Giving no choice to make a retreat before making a surprise for them. Aimed his keyblade and fires multiple crimson beams of energy in the air. Thrusts his free hand out and created a portal to jump through and vanished.
Sora pulled away and shot down as many of them racing towards him with his arrows. Changing his keyblade back to its original form to deflect the blasts and twirling the Kingdom Key until the last of them were gone. With the battle over, Sora would find out that Tezzeret was gone and no doubt escaped.
"Sora!"
Sora spotted Sky coming over to him and found Taren with Bloom emerging from the trees.
"Everyone alright?" He asked them
"Yeah, we took care of the problem. What about Tezzeret?" Taren asked his father.
"Escaped."
"Got some bad news, the baton you gave me seem to run out of juice." Sky told them with the Baton in his hand. "Doesn't look damage but must have used a lot of power from it.
"Same to mine." Taren told them. "But I think it's still working but will maybe need to charge up."
"They are only prototypes, didn't think we had to use them in combat." Sora would give a mention of it to Cid and the others for new upgrades.
"So, what do we do now?" Bloom thought to how they get back to Alfea without the light jets.
"As things stand, we don't have much of a choice. We've got to head back towards Magix and hope to find some help. I don't know." Sky gave a suggestion and not certain what to do, causing Bloom to sigh. "Well, at least we got out in one piece".
"Let's stay close and head back, since we lost them and the Grimm, we make a safe trek back." Sora told them, with the surprise attack on the ships, he can only hope they bought the others some time.
Meanwhile back in Alfea, Faragonda, Seladin, Yen Sid, Macbeth and Codatorta were outside with the students after the recent battle.
"We might've won this battle, but I'm afraid the next attack will be much more violent." Faragonda grew concern after she saw the brutality of the Grimm horde.
"And we still haven't heard anything from the kids at Cloud Tower." Saladn said in concern for them
Codatorta began to worry of the situation they were in after the battle and shared his thoughts with them. "I can't believe this is happening. What will become of Magix?"
"Mustn't think of what could happen, we need to focus on the present." Macbeth advise to keep the morale up for them. "We are fighting for the lives of everyone at stake and cannot afford to lose focus."
The headmistress agreed with the former king for keeping their spirits up. "Macbeth is right. Now is not the time to ask these kinds of questions. Let's focus on the task at hand. We must find a way to respond more quickly and efficiently to their assaults."
"We cannot lose this war. It would be tragic." Codatorta did not want to imagine what would happen if the dark forces win and bring terror to all of the Magic Dimension with their terrifying army.
"Miss Faragonda! Miss Faragonda!" Flora rushed over to them with Musa and Tecna behind her. "We've detected a temporal distortion!"
"Over there, right next to the well!" Musa pointed towards where she felt the surge of magic.
Instead of worry, the headmistress felt a familiar pressence and smiled in relief. "Oh, thank goodness, the kids are back."
Appearing before everyone was the headmistress Griffin, along with her students, Mal, Riku, Stella, Brandon, Knut and to everyone's surprise to see Riven. "And Griffin and her students are with them. This is very good news."
Lea and Kairi came to see them, they saw some familiar faces but strangely no sign of Sora, Taren or Bloom and Sky with them.
Faragonda made her way to Griffin as she did so to make her way to the headmistress. "Welcome to Alfea, Griffin. I see that your students have followed you."
Griffin smiles and accepts the warm greeting from her old friend. "Yes, but it is thanks to your students and allies that we were able to escape from the clutches of those three power-crazed witches and Tezzeret.
"Well, you're here now. You can fill me in on the details later. Meanwhile, we'll do all we can to help you." Faragonda suggested to find out what they know as Griffin looked at the state of the school who have just recently been in a war. "Seems to me that you're also in need of help."
"But fortunately, we have come to Alfea's aide in time." Yen Sid told her and made himself present to her. "It is good to see you unharmed."
Griffin nodded in respect of the grand master. Everyone came to greet the students that escaped, Brandon received a warm welcome from his friends, all except for Riven.
"Surprise to find you back." Ben told him as he was with Macbeth with both surprise to find him.
"Yeah, I know, I got a lot to answer for." Riven sighs as he would tell them everything that happened.
"Mal filled us in recently and since you were under their spell, we might consider letting this slide." Ben told him as he seemed to not hold it against him.
"That is if you are willing to fight alongside us." Macbeth questioned him and reached into his pocket with a medallion with a light green gem and a curved tail in to form a circle. "Also, here's a gift from master Yen Sid when he held this for you."
Riven takes it and puzzled by what it was for. "Trust us, you'll know when you use it." Ben told him.
"Where's Bloom and Taren?" They hear Flora ask Stella and realise they were not with them.
"We don't know what happened to her, Taren or Sky. The last time we saw them was at Cloud Tower. They were trying to hold the Grimm and Tezzeret's soldiers at bay so we could all get away. But Taren's dad was with them." Stella told them and worried for her friends..
"I wouldn't worry about them." They find Kairi who did not seem awfully concern but gave a comforting look. "No doubt they be somewhere in trouble but knowing my boys, they would get them out. Just have to keep our spirits up to know where.
Suddenly a new portal was open and everyone watch to see several people emerge. They were surprise to find a black mouse, a duck dressed as a wizard and a dog with a shield.
"Well, looks like we came just in time. Did we miss anything?" None other than King Mickey who was smiling at Kairi who was relieved to see them.
"Well… just the usual and think your timing couldn't be better, your majesty. I'll bring you to the others. She can only hope for the safe return of her son and husband, along with Bloom and the prince before another attack could happen.
"Are you sure this is the shortest way to Magix?" Bloom asked Sky who was leading the group to the path to Magix city, the blonde was able to find the safest route to take.
"It's the safest. The Black-Mud Swamp will provide good cover."
"We haven't run into anyone and keep a look out for anything unusual." Sora told them while keeping his eye out for any surprises.
"I wonder what we'll find in Magix." Bloom pondered and hope the city was evacuated.
"One thing at a time, Bloom. Let's think about getting there first." Sky gave a suggestion and not let Bloom worry too much.
"Let's hope they got everyone to safety." Taren could hope but noticed the down stricken look on Bloom's face. "What's wrong?"
"I'm scared." She stops and takes a rest on a rock. "I can't go on. Without powers, I feel like a burden."
"But you've lived most of your life not knowing you had special powers, Bloom." Sky said and thought she would have some moments.
"Back when we met, you attacked those imps to safe Kiko and came to our help." Taren brought up of the time they met in Gardenia Park.
She did remembered that moment and only thought about saving her pet bunny from harm. But that was only moments before she suddenly discovered to have magic that's been dormant for her entire life. "You know, I used to think that the people I grew up with were my real parents. Then I find out it's not true. So I begin a new life. Then suddenly, my powers are snatched away from me.
"Not all of us were born magic or used it until we got them." Taren tried to cheer her up when he somehow felt that 'normal' was no longer a thing in his life after becoming a keybearer. "All we know is you're you, and only that."
"What should I do now?" She asked for ideas of how to handle it.
Sora decided to give some advice to the girl when he remembered the time of losing his keyblade on his first adventure. "Easy. You get up, move forward and don't look back on the what if's and could have. You want to get what was taken, you fight for it. I know how it was like for a moment, if the Dragon Flame chose you as its keeper, then it proves you of being worthy for a cause. We just have to find a way to get it back."
Taking in the advice from Sora and gets up to contnue, she wanted to get her powers when she remembered the oath she swore to her sister to restore their homeworld and protect the flame. Continueing their trek through the forest, the princess of Domino suddenly stopped when she heard something before the group could arrive at Magix.
"Did you hear that?"
"What?" Taren asked her.
"I don't know, I thought I heard somebody." She tried to explain but not able to hear it now.
"I didn't hear anything. It must've been an animal of some sort." Sky thought and hoped it was. "Come on, let's go."
Taren nodded but stopped when he noticed something moving from the branches, narrows his eyes and immediately summoned his keyblade to make a fast strike without making a sound. Just as he had suspected, something was there and looked almost like a… giant eyeball with insect-legs.
"Ugh! What is that?" Bloom was creeped out by the sight of the creature when they came to inspect it, watching Taren kneel down and touch it with his keyblade as it twitches.
"I think I saw one of these before, but whatever it is. We better be careful." Taren sensed some magic from it, dark indeed and watch it vanish.
"Let's get a move on, we can't waste any more time." Sora told them and continued onwards.
Back in Faragonda's office, everyone was gathered to discuss how to deal with the threat that's outside their doorstep and possible weakness they could exploid. The arrival of King Mickey and his friends were a blessing to aide them in the battle against the Grimm.
"Griffin, we all know that the power these girls possess doesn't correspond in any way to what you've been teaching at Cloud Tower. What worries me now
is what's become of Bloom." The headmistress grew concern over the girl's safety and fear for something terrible would happen.
"And of Prince Sky and Taren. Those two have become one of the best students we've had." Codatorta said when he helped trained them and impressed by their hard work to team up on missions and the assistance from Macbeth. "And the fact that they've disappeared without a trace makes me fear the worst. However, we mustn't forget that Bloom and Taren possesse extraordinary powers."
"Yes, but they've been stolen from Bloom and the same could happen to Taren." Faragonda dreaded to think of them after the boy's powers after they discovered he possessed half of the flame from his ancestor.
"If Taren is anything like his father, he won't give up without a fight." Mickey was confident in him as was the others.
Kairi nodded to share his support. "He's every bit of Sora and has a strong heart to carry on."
Much as Griffin would agree but brought up an issue to them. "But we all know what came of Bloom. And yet I don't think Icy, Darcy and Stormy are satisfied. I'm afraid their next move will be absolutely ferocious."
"Not when we now have the surprise for them." Mickey says when they spotted the army of Grimm and airships in sight.
The Grimm race towards the school, all forms of the beasts of darkness ready for another attack. But standing by the gates was Master Yen Sid along with Riku, Donald and Mal.
"Just a little closer." Mal whispered to herself and hoped it works. The first ones being the Chimera and Beowolves being the first to rush towards them were suddenly hit by a barrier of light and large tree roots burst from the ground to stap them.
"Phew!" Donald was impressed and very much relieved after he was told of the shield, but almost jumped by the close encounter of the Grimm. Their eyes and black forms remind him of the Heartless many years ago.
"This shield will hold on for now, but only a few could try to bring it down." Yen Sid said.
"Then all we gotta do is thin the numbers." Lea summons his keyblade when he was ready for a fight. Least this will give the students and teachers more time to prepare. The Grimm looked eager to break through with their claws trying to tear through with much as they can.
The Group set up a campfire for the night and rested, Bloom pulled her knees with her arms and rested her chin to think of how to get to Magix and Alfea as soon as possible.
"Maybe we should've kept going." She spoke in a soft tone.
"Bloom, you need to sleep. I'm sure you'll feel better tomorrow morning. We've got a big day ahead of us." Sky assured her while keeping the fire going.
"And it's too dark to go anywhere, so long as we're close it shouldn't be a problem." Sora told her and knowing how much he wanted to get back to their friends as possible to help.
"You think we're safe here?" Bloom asked them. "I mean, the monsters could easily get us."
"The witches have got the Dragon Flame, Bloom. That's all they ever really wanted. I don't think they care much about you now." Sky told her as he believes so.
"But as long as they know that, we still have the element of surprise." Taren assured her after checking for any Seers, Grimm or enemy scouts in the area as it was safe for them.
This made Bloom somewhat relief and can use it to their advantage, while also knowig Taren be safe from harm for the time being until he could learn to control the flame. "Right. I'm not worth much."
Taren didn't want to hear any of Bloom being worthless, he sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Your not worthless, I know they'll be more dangerous with it and we'll get it back."
She smiles and nuzzles close to him, wanting to feel his warm to her side and felt relaxed and safe in his arms. Neither knowing an amused look from Sora who felt reminded of the time both he and Kairi fell in love with each other.
Something on Bloom's mind came when she turned to Sora for a question. "Um, Mr. Strife, can I ask you something?"
"No need for formalities, just call me Sora." He was not much for titles and wanted to be friendly with everyone he meets. "But what is it?"
"You knew my parents, right? What were they like?" She asked him to know about them.
"I can explain about I met them. When I was cast out of my world after using the Power of Waking and round up here, I came to Orital's help when he was in trouble. We both helped each other and soon became friends, both he and Marion were kind and loving to their people." Sora smiles over the memories of the time with them and share with Bloom about her parents. "They loved each other very much, and both me and Kairi gotten on well for them when we heard they were expecting you on the way. And no doubt loved you very much as your sister."
Hearing more about them made Bloom smile to know they lvoed her, and yet sad to know she may never see them again. If she can save Daphne, maybe there be a chance for them. "I would have loved to meet them."
"I'm sure you will someday. And no doubt they be proud of how much you've grown, even without your magic." Sora told her before he sighs. "After we fought our final confrontation with Tezzeret, it didn't go as I thought it be. For coming to his aide to stop the warlock, we were caught in an expplosion, I didn't know what happened. Possibly blacked out and found Oritial, all he said was a strange wave of power blasted Tezzeret away and was never seen again."
"Guess we know how, he must have taken serious injuries to look all machine." Sky started to understand for the vengeance part, but how he suvived was a mystery and something he didn't want to know.
"I never thought to see him again, but guess I was wrong. And now we have to make certain he's dealt with for good." Sora said and wanting to end the dangers he's unleashed to the worlds.
"We have to, even if he's just got a boost we can stop him for sure. Just have to be prepared." Taren stated to his father and wanted to stop the warlock.
"Tomorrow, we'll go to Magix and we'll find out what's going on at Alfea." Sky told them when he thought to be ready after a bit of sleeping. Adjusting to the ground to get more comfurtable. "Keep in mind that the Trix and Tezzeret will now have to contend with Faragonda and Griffin together."
"Don't forget Yen Sid and the other keybladers, they will now have more problems on their hands." Sora said and knowing they will cause trouble to the villains. Letting himself rest on his back along with Taren who rested on his side for the fire to continue burning.
The army of the Grimm contineud to force their way through the barrier, but so far out of luck and even the soldiers were waiting for them to break it down.
For everyone in the school, they thought the plan was going well, but something caught their attention when the Grimm started to part to form a path, they found strange beings with keyblade-like weapons attached to their arms, almost like black ghosts or something and barely walked straight.
"What are those?" Riku asked and disturbed by the sight. "Undead?"
"I think those are Tezzeret's soldiers, or were after being in some dimension for a long time." Mal answered to him and also creeped out.
They realised what the creatures were doing and barely made it in time to stop them from opening a doorway, allowing the Grimm to pour through the hole.
"Here they come!" Lea's blade transforms into chakrams and created a wall of fire, catching some by surprise to burn but a giant Goliath marches through the fire wall.
Donald quickly casted a spell to make the floor frozen beneath them, causing many Grimm to slip and fall, making them easy targets for the defenders.
Kairi rushes to help a Specialist who tripped over to cut and slash an Ursa, but another Golaith blew through its trunk and stampedes towards her, but suddenly its legs were snagged up by green vines and fell to the side. She startled until she learned was the work of the Winx.
"Are you alright?" The one named Flora asked her and smiles for the help.
"Thanks, though I didn't think a big one like this could sneak up." The elephant Grimm tried to break with a Deathstalker came to them. "But maybe deal with them first."
Musa and Tecna nodded and flew up in the air and blasted the two with their magic, Kairi decided to help out and struck the Goliath when it was still down using Time Splicer and then a Strike Raid at the Deathstalker at it's face.
The Deathstalker remained but staggered from the attack as the Goliath evaporated, its armor took the beating until its tail and pincers were hacked clean off. It cried out in pain until a sword pieced into its head and finished off the battle with the victory of Shinobi.
"Nice going, Shinobi!" Musa cheered to her Titan.
"Yeah, But I think we got bigger problems." Stella pointed to the breach in the shield with more trying to break through.
Kairi could tell they were in a disatvantage with the horde surrounding them and would be a matter of time before the shield breaks. "Sora. Taren. I hope whatever your doing is worth it." She prayed for their safety and hope they make it back. The fight continued on but only to repair the barrier
Riven and Brandon were fighting the strange creatures using keyblade-like weapons, able to put up some fight but pushed back by the two and cut into pieces. The spectre fell to the ground and vanished until two more took its place.
"Damn! What are they? Ghosts?"
"They look like kybladers but… somehow they're not." Brandon said and tried to figure out what they were.
"Those were Tezzeret's followers." Macbeth said after he came to their help, blasting away with his gun and hacked one of their arms off to finish it off. "They were originally normal people who volunteered for his experiments. But you can see how that turned out."
Riven was creeped out to ralise they were now empty husks of their former selves. "To think I would have ended up as another labrat for that freak."
"But we do know they're just cheap copies of the real keyblade."Brandon decided to use his Titan. "But let's see if they deal with this guy, go get them, Metagolem!"
Metagolem was brought into battle and immediately charged towards the enemy, stomping the Grimm that tried to get in its way and crushed them.
"Awesome, so that's what they do?" Riven pulled out his and wanted to see what his can do.
"Just focus on the medallion and form a bond to summon it! Know the Titan's name!" Macbeth summoned Breaker to join the battle and clashed with a Beowolf, using his sword to swipe across the beast's chest and slashed the head and claws.
Riven followed what he said and focused on his medallion, taken the moment to connect with it and felt a surge of energy that bonded with him. Raised it up high and narrowed his gaze upon the Manticore. "Take them down, Lindorm!"
Emerging from the green light, a large aggressive loking beastwith only a pair of rasor sharp claws, a pair of horns that curve upwards and powerful fans sticking from the bottom jaw and a set of extended spikes from the back and the tail formed.
Brandon and Macbeth witness the large beast that was summoned and uncertain what would happen.
"That's his Titan? I hope its on our side." Brandon sounded nervous and hoped it was.
The Lindorm snarls at them until Riven stood before it. "Hey! If you want to fight something, those monsters would be a challenge for ya." Pointing his finger towards the Grimm. "Show them whose the baddest since obviously you got the fangs and claws to make mince meat out of them."
The Titan somehow seems to follow his command and accepted him, curling up his tail and began spinning like a buzz saw with the spines as the blades. Rolling fast towards the Grimm and cut them down with the claws and teeth, the Manticore tried to fight back to pounce on it, but the Titan's body proved to its advantage over the Grimm. Wraps around the body and began biting down on its leg, the claws easily hacked off parts of the white armored mane and gained an opening for the neck, slashing the head off and then the rest.
"Wow, Riven. I'm impressed." Brandon told him and thought his Titan was going to be a problem for them.
Riven gave a grin to his friend of how he handled it. "Hey, you said I needed to bond, so I figured to show who's boss."
"Impressive, but would be careful of it." Macbeth now believed they were able to control the Titans and change the tides of battle.
Donald ran for his life when being chased by a pair of Boarbatusks rulling after him, but was fortunately saved by Goofy with his shield. "You okay, buddy?"
"Phew!" But then a shadow loomed over them and looked up to find a large Ursa snarling at them, ready to bring its claws at them for the attack until it was struck by fireballs from Lea.
"Anyone up for a barbeque?" Lea gave a cheeky grin and threw his chakrams at the next target.
Codatorta stood before a Beowolf that was much bigger and stronger looking than the others. "Come on, you filthy beast! Let's see what you can do." Using his phantoblade to dodge and block the claws from the Grimm, it was much more faster and amost smarter than the others he's fought. Trying to go for the waist to make a horizontal slash, the Grimm surprised him by leaping back and grabbed it from him before he immediately switched it off to free and then reactivated to stab through the chest.
Timmy was fighting for his life, firing away at a swarm of Lancers that were dodging his attacks, getting annoyed while his Titan, Icarus was keeping the rest away, one of them swooped in and was about strike him down with its stinger.
"Pick on someone your own size, you slimy buzzards!" Out of nowhere, Tecna came to his rescue and blasted the Grimm to ashes.
Yen Sid, Fargonda and Griffin were holding their ground, destroying both dark bladers and Grimm that tried to get further into the school and the trio. Deciding now to use their magic to create a wave of light to fully destroy the horde. All within the area was gone by their magic wave and gain a narrow victory.
"We may have destroyed them, but more will come and those creatures they sent will bring down the barrier!" Faragonda began to fear they will fight even stronger waves of monsters sent to them and would not last very long.
A wolf-like creature was watching the events, grey-silver fur, a black mask with horns and body suit with the feet, claws and arms exposed. He was sent to make sure the Grimm were to wipe out any resistance in the school of Alfea. Growls in frustration of the results turned against them.
"This is not good, with our army free and the Grimm under our control, they should have slaughtered them." He did not want to displease his leader and now in possession of the flame they would bring havoc to the Magic Dimension. "I better report back to the army and-" Something caught his attention, sniffing in the air. Leans to the ground and know more about the scent. "What's this?"
Turns to the direction and found something interesting, decided to investigate and runs on four like an actual wolf to track them down towards the city.
"Taren. Taren!" Hearing a familiar voice from Chandra calling to him. "You have to bring Bloom to Lake Roccaluce before Tezzeret finds out about our secret. Get to Lake Roccaluce while you have a chance."
"Taren. Wake up, buddy."
Taren groans and slowly opens his eyes from a vision with Chandra, waking up to see his father above him and Sky, who was grinning for some reason.
"Is it time to get up?" Taren yawns and looks at them. "What?"
"Oh, we wondered if you had a very pleasant nap." Sky asked while he was almost on the brink of a chuckle.
"Huh? What are you…" Taren was about to get up when he felt something resting on him, blinked his eyes and curious to know what was on him. And to his complete surprise and shock was Bloom with her arm around him and resting her head on his chest for a pillow, she must have moved to his side in her sleep. What's even more a shock to him was to find his hand around her waist to hold her, causing his face to turn red to match his hair. "Wha-ha-IT-it's not what you think!"
Sky let out a laugh and found it amusing to see Taren like this. "Why not? You must have been relaxed with her."
Bloom began to stir, while almost trying to pull him to her side until Taren easily loosen her grip on him before she could wake up. He had to admit, she was cute the way she slept and did somewhat enjoyed the moment had it not been for the crisis.
"What time is it?" She asked and rubbs her head, turns to Taren who had a shade of bright red on his face. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, sure! Nothing to worry!" Taren said in a fast pace and gave a stern look to his dad and Sky to not say a thing. Leaving a confused Bloom of what just happened.
"Now we both feel better. So let's get walking.
"Bloom!"
She heard a voice and called out to the others. "Did you hear that?"
"Bloom!"
Bloom stopped Taren by grabbing his arm when she heard it again. "Surely, you must have heard that."
"Heard what?" Sky did not what was going on with Bloom and heard nothing. Sora seems convinced she was able to hear something they can't and wondered if Taren could as well.
"A voice calling me." she told him.
Taren felt it too and thought he was hearing things until the second voice spoke, maybe this was something to do with his mental link with the previous wielders of the flame. "Dad, I think maybe Bloom did hear something. She wouldn't joke around like that." Recieving a grateful smile from Bloom for believing her.
"Do you know who it is?" Sora asked her.
Bloom shook her head softly. "No, it was too faint. But I think I know who." Believing to be her sister, suddenly a faint roar caught everyone's attention and looked up to see a vast number of Grimm in the air flying over them. "Good heavens!" She couldn't believe how many there were.
"No way." Sora mumbled and saw the vast number of them flying alongside the airships. "From the direction they're going, they must be heading to the school."
"We gotta get to Magix fast!" Sky said with determination to beat them to it.
"You guys go, first I got to go to Lake Roccaluce." Bloom told them.
"What are you talking about?" Sora asked and thought it was insane to go on her own.
"I think she's right." Taren said to gain their attention. "Somehow I got this vision, maybe it has to do with getting her powers back."
Listening to his words hit Bloom to realise that he must have been told what to do, having the same powers as her would explain it. "It has something to do with Daphne and me, my birth parents, my past, and my powers."
"Well, we're coming with you." Sky told her but Sora stopped him.
"No, we can't just drop everything to go with Bloom. You and me will go to Magix, Taren will go with Bloom to keep her safe." Sora told him before turning to the other two. "You sure you know what you're doing?"
Bloom nods her head and did not argue if needed to bring Taren with her. Sky gave in and went along with it. "Okay, but if we don't see either of you in 2 hours. We're coming to look for you."
"Sounds good to me. Best of luck, guys." Taren reached out to grasp Sky's arm and patted him on the shoulder, then gave the same to his father.
Bloom gave a warm hug to Sky to wish them good luck. "Try not to be too much of a hero."
Sky gave a chuckle from her joke. "Back at ya."
Both split up to go their seperate ways, yet neither were aware of someone watching them. Stepping out of the shadows was the wolf creature from earlier who tracked down their scent. "Interesting, now I wonder who would be the prey And perhaps new trophies." Flicks his tail and patting a pair of silver rods strapped to his belt before he continues onwards to his chosen target
First chapter of the year, I hope you all enjoyed the holidays. Bad nes, the UK has been put under lockdown of Tier 4. Yay(!) Was hoping there be some bit of good news but this is the COVID-19, least the vaccine is underway and hope we get them soon to avoid the infection.
Anyway, some changes I did fof the chapter as I was deciding on what goes with, such as the shield barrier that gave the Winx, specialists and everyone in Alfea time to prepare. Got the idea based on Infinity War, some would appear in the next but no doubt be the possible final chapter of the first season, man it took awhile but with source material to make it easier. Going to watch the second to see what I can do for the next story arc and ideas I have for it.
As for the wolf character I introduced, he is an original based on an artwork I found and have ideas for him in the next chapter and if you caught a little easter egg, you'll know.