Chapter 61: Welcome to Auradon
After the cloak was retrieved by Mal, Riku delivered it to Radiant Garden to be secured with the sword when they found out that unlike the sword, very much dangerous if it was mishandled and acted semi-alive towards living beings. With news of Kefka making allies to find the remaining three made the masters very concerned as well as to aid the schools of protecting the rest of the Codex pieces. After the Snimon was captured by the Winx Club after successfully thwarting Darkar's plans to find their village, it was taken to Red Fountain by the Specialists for Radiant Garden's scientists to take it with chances of studying it before sending it back to its world after collecting data.
Brandon stood before the forcefield that contained the Digimon that attacked the girls, relieved for his girlfriend to be safe and unharmed. Watching it snarl and trying to break through the forcefield with its blades.
"Damn, that's one killer bug." Riven along with Timmy came by to see him before seeing the Digimon in the cage and creeped out by its appearance. "Where'd this ugly fella come from?"
"Believe it or not, this thing is actually a Digimon like our friends' partners. They said it came through a portal." Brandon told them, earning a surprise from the two to find out the creature was a Digimon.
Riven glances at the Snimon. "Seriously?" And gets his reaction when it uses its twin Sickle attack, causing him to jump back and activate his phanto blade.
Brandon stepped in to calm him down before he could start a fight. "Easy, Riven. That thing is secured and be taken to Radiant Garden, they're gonna send this fella back home."
Timmy was observing the Digimon with awe while nervous, due to it being in a force field and not . "Amazing, you think they could let me get some information about these creatures? Just think of what other soughts of lifeforms exist as pure Data?"
"If you're lucky, they might let us meet this famous Ansem the Wise." Brandon said, leaving with the others as the guards would take it away and join up with Sky. "Heard Mal got another artifact with some help. That makes it two so far."
"Why didn't she bring us along?" Riven would have thought to lend a hand to get the cloak.
"We were a little occupied ourselves after the attack, Ben was back home to prepare for the coronation and Taren was with the girls keeping the pixies from running away, something about a homesickness spell." Brandon tells them. "Sky will wanna make sure we're ready for the next mission, as it's gonna be a lot harder than we thought."
"Why?" Timmy pondered.
"Remember about the story they told us about a Mad Titan?" Recalls the events of the god named Cronos who was freed by Kefka and almost destroyed the Earth, which fortunately failed by the keybalders and a group of new heroes they helped. "Well, let's just say he may be working with Kefka and that makes all the reason for us to be prepared."
Just when they thought things couldn't be more serious when they had more trouble on their hands.
"So, how are things going with you and Musa?" Timmy asked Riven, surprising him with the question.
"Why would you think that? Nothing's going on between us."
Brandon chuckled as it was plain obvious to the others of what was going on. "Yeah, like she hasn't given you the look whenever we visit them. Come on, bud, she obviously has a crush on you."
"What? A crush on me, yeah funny." Riven brushed off his comment and acted like it didn't affect him. "What makes you think I like her? She never said much to me."
"I dunno, maybe she likes the bad boy type and knows something about you we don't." The squire teases him.
Riven didn't want to continue this subject and decided to make his leave. "Lay off! I'm not gonna talk about this with you guys. I'm gonna do some training."
Leaving the two to smirk with amusement at his denial, however they can agree that he could at least open up a little after being used by the Trix and Tezzeret as a pawn. But still needs to trust his friends more to help him in the future.
"So all set up in Auradon, kiddo?" Sora checked on Taren who was preparing himself for welcoming Mal's friends in Auradon Prep.
"Yeah, although I have a bad feeling something is gonna happen."
"Just relax and be there for them, we also think its a best idea for the kids to have a better chance than share the same fate as their parents." Sora assured his son. "SO what happened, I heard there was some monster attack. Another Digimon?"
"Yeah, a Snimon it was called. They'll be taking it back to Radiant Garden to transport back to the Digital World. It was bizarre, and get this, Mirta, Lea's daughter, has her own Digimon partner."
Taken by surprise to hear this. "Wait, really? Wow, that is unexpected." Things were really changing fast with a lot of surprises and not sure what could come next. He heard when the Winx had come to stop the pixies from leaving due to a home sickness spell, had they not stopped them, Darkar would have found their village, he was relieved to know that it was prevented. But hearing about Mirta having a Digimon partner was a surprise to the others, no doubt to Lea most of all. "But now knowing we have a second artefact means we just need three more. I just wondered what it was that happened down there, it must have been tough for her to go to the Underworld."
"All I got from Herry was they had a run in with Cronus and had an interesting encounter with Hades being his son. Nothing else, even Mal didn't say much." Sora figured as much and might ask Riku next time as he was more interested to find out.
"Well, anyway we'll check up on ya later, just take it easy before the coronation." With Ben's crowning coming up, the king was a little worried and asked for their help keeping things go smoothly as possible which they accepted if Kefka comes about to do harm in Auradon. They became a little jumpy and worried since the Grimm attack, not wanting to let this happen twice. "Just do your best."
"Sure thing dad, tell mom and Hana I said hi?" Taren asked his father to pass on his message.
"No prob. Late." He hangs up on the phone, the brunette noticed his daughter must must be upstairs in her bedroom. "Hana? You alright up there?"
"All good dad! Just doing some studying from school." Hana respond from her room, however she had done much of her homework and was reading one of the journals of her ancestors, she heard a lot about the stories about them and became intrigued to know. Taking one of them from the vault and couldn't pull away from what she was reading. With her was the new pet fox Sapphire sat on her lap with interest.
She couldn't believe it but here in these journals of their travels. "Wow, this Flare woman sounds amazing. 'The Dragon of the Sea' fought many pirates, sea beasts and who was one of the few to confront the so-called ruler of the oceans of a pirate to liberate the soul of a dear from servitude." Looking at the illustration of the woman dressed as a pirate but beautiful with long hair, wielding a keyblade that seemed similar to one of her father's when he spent time in Port Royal.
Reading a lot of them slowly tired her out, her eyes getting heavy and let out a soft yawn before finding herself fallen asleep.
"Hurry up. Come on! Come and see!" A young girl called out to someone, standing on a large diamond rock, she appeared to be calling for someone and sounded very excited. The girl in the dream appeared to be young, possibly 11 years of age with long silver hair pulled back and blue eyes, she jumped off the diamond rocks until an older girl with long blonde hair in a dress, possibly a noble by the style of the dress.
The older girl seemed concerned and worried for her as she could not keep up with her. "Wait! Don't run that way."
The youngest stopped for a moment to wait for her to catch up, but a little slow. Taking a walk on the branch with her arms held up to maintain her balance, she appeared too excited to slow down and full of energy. "Jump like I did." Leaps onto the branch and used her legs to hoist her body to make a backward flip and landed on her feet safely.
With the eldest finally able to catch up by climbing down the safer path for her choice, she seemed confused of where she was being lead to in such a place. "Where are you taking me?"
"Where almost there!" The silver haired girl runs across the river, jumping on the rocks as a safe passage across. "Look!" She wanted to show her something and couldn't be more happier to find a fox lying by a tree with three newborn cubs. The two seemed very happy to find a family of foxes.
The dream changed with the two appear very happy playing with the pups and the blonde making a crown of flowers, it seemed like a paradise... until a pillar of purple light struck down the ground and emerged from it were figures marching through.
"Sapphire!"
"Gah!" Hana shot up and gasped after waking up from a bizarre dream, almost startling the fox when she woke up. The auburn haired girl did not know what that was, but felt a strange and bizarre dream. And yet uncertain why or who those two where, reaching her hand to her chest to calm her heart down. "That... was an odd one. I might wanna stop taking soda before bed."
Looking down at the fox who seemed concerned for her, Hana seemed fine and softly stroked her fur. "Sorry, I guess I must have had something." Puts the journal aside and gets back to sleep. But could not help but wonder who those two were and what was that dream about.
Lea blinked his eyes multiple times trying to process what he was told and could not believe it. "Hold on a second, I'm trying to get my head around this, can you say that again."
Mirta sighs when she told him of what happened last night while holding Salamon in her arms to introduce her father. "I said she became my partner when I got this Digivice, one that the others have? And because of that she changed or digivolved to become strong enough to beat that Snimon."
"I sure did, and now we're a team." Salamon nodded her head.
Mirta agreed with a smile. "Please, dad? I'm capable of looking after her and making sure she's out of sight when I go on my next off-world adventure."
"Your next what?" Lea gave a stern look towards his daughter when realised she messed up and crossed his arms. "You're saying you did that before? This wouldn't happen to be related to that incident on Earth a while back?"
She nervously laughed and figured he would find out sooner or later. "Yeah…about that… I was gonna say something. But I wasn't hurt or anything."
"Look, much as I know your not a kid anymore, I still don't think-"
"Please daddy?" Mirta decided to use her special trick, giving him the pouting look and the puppy love trick.
Flinched and stepped backwards when he saw that look. "No way! Don't even think of using that trick on me!" Turns his head to the side and closed his eyes tight. "Not gonna work anymore, believe me!"
Despite his efforts to resist, the corner of his eye could not resist the urge to open and peak. Seeing her pouting face begging to keep the Digimon was enough to make him sigh and gave in. He groans and brings his hand up to his face. "Ugh, I hate it when you do that. Fine, she stays. So long as you keep out of trouble, got it memorized?"
Happily thrilled that he accepted as she hugged him tight. "Thanks dad!"
"Oh man, that is so hilarious! Who would have thought Lea, the great flame spinner beaten by his own kid?"
Lea's eyebrow twitches upon seeing his two best friends, Roxas and Xion. "Not. Funny. Xion."
"Oh come on, I think it's kinda cute as you being a dad, she clearly takes after you." The dark haired wielder grins and pats him on the back and turns to Mirta. "Hey, kiddo, how's it going? Great job on your first adventure."
Mirta took it as a great compliment, having the first time meeting them from stories her father told her about. When she was introduced to them after the battle, Roxas and Xion were taken by surprise to find out not only Lea actually got married but now has a family. "T-Thanks, I wouldn't have come this far if it weren't for my friends. They're really supportive."
"So how's it feel being related to him?" Roxas could not hold back the grin on his face.
"And got anyone in mind to ask out?" Xion asked a surprise question that took Mirta by surprise with, especially Lea who did not seem so eager to know if she was dating someone.
"Don't ask her that!" He then shuffs Xion to the side by the back. "Scuse us, Mirta. I like to catch up on my pals here."
Xion could do nothing as she was "What? It was only a question!"
Roxas sighs and follows them before waving to Mirta. "Really nice meeting ya, Mirta. Don't worry about her, she's just eager to meet ya."
"Yeah, sure thing. Nice meeting you as well." She waved back and headed off to her locker while holding Salamon.
"Are people like that?" The Digimon was still trying to understand the behavior of fairies and humans.
She sighs and puts her partner down to open the locker to take out her books for class. "Well, yeah, it happens to everyone." She heard that Taren was needed to be at Auradon for the big day for the new kids to be at the prep school, and would have had time to wish them luck whilst being invited for Ben's coronation.
"Hey, Mirta." She finds Layla with her Digimon coming over to greet her.
"Guessing that was your dad with his friends?" Layla came over to see her when she was with the keyboarders. "I'm guessing that was your dad just then?"
"Yeah, he was surprised when I told him about Salamon. I guess he got over it after finding out I went to Earth." She was lucky to not be grounded for life. "So heard about some conversion test the headmistress was setting up?"
"Yeah, after our homework of combining our magics, she thought using a simulation would be a good idea to work together." It was hard for her when she and Musa tried using their magic to open a lid of a box... only to be slightly overdone until Faragonda suggested the Winx to try out the simulation and would have to meet up with the girls to discuss about it. "I dunno what she has in mind but could do some help with our powers."
"I'm sure you'll do great, Layla." Gomamon knew she would do great, much to her appreciation of his words.
Mirta would agree with him as well. "Yeah, I mean, maybe the keyblade could give some advice while they're here." Could maybe ask her dad for advice and experiences. "Pity Taren had to leave so sudden, Bloom or Flora could have asked him for some help."
"Hmm." Layla smiled coyly and crossed her arms over her arms over her chest.
"What?"
"Oh nothing when you're first thought of Taren apart from anyone else." Layla smiles at her more.
Not catching on to where this was going. "W-Well, yeah, I mean he's helped a lot with the others being occpuied with things like Mal helping her friends back home, Ben's crowning coming along."
"Well it's just I thought if something about him that was on your mind, obviously you seem very friendly with him." Layla pondered and giggles.
"Why wouldn't I? I mean, he's nice, cares for others-'"
"Not to mention handsome, heroic and dashing?"
"Yeah, that and those amazing ey-wait what?!" Mirta startled by what Layla said, cuasing her face to blush and almost dropped Salamon who was still in her arms. Causing Layla to find it amusing. "N-no! That's not-what are you saying? I didn't mean to say that!"
"But you were thinking it." Layla easily read her face as she grins. "Come on, admit, I saw you looking at him a few times while he was with Bloom and Flora. I mean, I have to admit he is handsome and has a good heart when he shows a lot of care to them. Do you like him?"
Mirta didn't say anything about it as she blushes and remained silent with her eyes widen. "I-I...well, I... dunno. I mean, he's already in a relationship with them and would seem awkward." Not to mention think it be a bad idea when she gotten a long well and fond of Flora for helping her get through her time as a pumpkin. She wasn't sure if he was interested in her or not. "I'm still trying to think these through, it's probably just admiring them that's all, can you not say anything tot he others? Especially Stella if she finds out?"
Layla can understand since it was a usual thing teenage girls go through, and for Stella having a habit of her jokes going a little far and with Musa it would be better to keep a secret. "Sure thing, I wouldn't say much if it were me. But if you need someone to talk to."
Relieved to hear it and nods. "Thanks." She puts down Salamon and held out her Digitise. "Sorry about that, I just got a little jumpy. I'll let you out when we're on break." Her Digimon nods and beams into the Digivice to rest in. She waves Layla goodbye and heads to class, trying to shake off the feeling and the question if she was right or not. She might need to keep this from her dad, as he can be slightly... overprotective of her in a way, but just his habit of being a parent.
The girls were in Bloom and Flora's dorm room, wearing their pajamas to have a fun time with each other.
"Oh, I'm so excited for Ben's coronation! But so hard to choose what to wear! Should I go yellow? Maybe pink, ugh, too hard to decide!" Stella was excited and happy for Ben's coronation coming up, especially upon being invited to Auradon to see the city… and the dresses they wear.
"Stella, relax. You got plenty of clothes to choose on the occasion." Flora tells her.
"But that's the hard part!" Stella wailed in dismay, much to the girls' amusement.
While Layla had only known them for a short while due to being in different worlds and hunting the kaiju relics, she learnt not only they were also keybladers but also have digimon partners of their own like her, Taren and Mirta. Ben is a prince of a world called Auradon and Mal is a witch but like Mirta who is nice-in a way with stories of her pranks and mischief. She had been eager to meet them in person and asked Taren to bring her along next time.
"It be fun to visit one of their worlds and give our support to the future king. Maybe Sky can give a few pointers if he needs any." Bloom suggested.
"But if he becomes king, wouldn't it be a problem with his keyblade duties?" Layla pondered when he would have a lot of responsibilities to handle.
"Not necessarily, according to my research, both his parents and a council still have a say in the government rule of the kingdoms of Auradon during his absence. And once he would achieve the rank of master after passing the tests, it would allow him to do so of his choosing." Tecna shared her knowledge of the keyblades with some help after speaking with the masters.
"Yeah, I heard about these Mark of Mastery, Taren said they are tough and he's gonna do some focus on it." And Bloom would give her support to him to be sure he does his best.
"Alright let's share some stories, I'll start off with a tale of my first crush." Stella decided to go first for a story she wanted to share. Clearing her throat and began her story of her previous crush. "I was a pimple-faced thirteen year old ugly duckling on her first day at school. Then the most super handsome boy in the whole school came and sat right next to me." Giving the story of when she was a kid back then, how she use to wear glasses and was not as attractive as she thought of back then until the day she first met the boy in school and instantly had a crush on him. "Yes, it was love at first sight! Well, for me anyway. Because his eyes were set firmly on someone else entirely. The coolest girl in our level. But, then came prom time."
"The party no one should miss." Bloom stated, as it was an important thing for all teenagers in high school to take part of in high school. She still remembered the school dance when she first spent the dance with her red haired keybearer; well, encouraged by her friends when she was too nervous. She always thought he looked handsome in that suit and with the scarf and kept the photo of them when it was taken by Genie while they were dancing.
"Tough time for an ugly duckling." Tecna noted before taking a bite of her snack.
Stella would agree with her as it was tough, she continued with her story. "But there's a special twist. On the eve of the prom the girl fell down a flight of stairs. And broke her leg! Yes, magic does exist! That's when I knew I'd be a fairy." The princess smiled and cheered to herself.
"So that night you got to dance with your prince?" Bloom asked her if it happened.
However, Stella shook her head. "Actually, she came to the prom anyway. And my true love spent the whole evening taking care of her and her broken leg."
The girls let out a laugh of how it was an unexpected twist in the end.
"Not bad for a first love, huh?" Stella joins the girls' laughing and enjoying the moment.
Bloom found this relaxing and enjoyable with nothing to worry such as villains or monsters to ruin this. "This is what we needed: to spend some time together.
The Solarian princess couldn't agree more. "Just us girls. No boys or anything."
"No way, Stella. I can't believe you just said that." Musa said.
"Well, when they're not here we can talk about them." Stella says, causing them to laugh again until she brings up another subject to ask Musa. "Let's start with Jared. Come on, Musa, we wanna know. Does he tickle your fancy?" Stella brought up a boy who came up to Musa that day and showed a keen interest in the fairy of music.
"Well, no." Musa did thought he was nice and cute, yet she didn't think of anything else when they only met.
"That's because you like Riven, isn't it?" Tecna could clearly tell of her crush on Riven was still present.
"There's nothing between Riven and me." The music fairy denies.
"Oh yeah right." Flora can see she was in denial.
"The thing is, I don't think Riven could ever be interested in a tomboy like me." Musa didn't want to admit it and thought there was something between them after the battle, yet nothing from him and just being stubborn.
"By the way he looks at you, or doesn't rather, he obviously is. You know how I got together with my Brandon?"
"Ha! Let me guess." Layla then dresses up with a cape and a broom pretending to be Brandon with the hair pulled up and using a deeper voice. "Hey girls, I'm the best fighter in the world and the best looking guy in Magix. Who wants to be my girlfriend? And you just fell at his feet."
"Actually, he fell at my feet." Stella corrected her. "Yet I can say one of us isn't the only one… Mal for example, clearly she has the hots for Ben."
"Uh? Mal like Ben?" Tecna was curious and recalled some moments between them.
"Oh, just someone who has an obvious major crush on another keyblader. A lot of us can see through her face." Stella grins widely. "It was also especially both Bloom and Flora had a crush on Taren."
"Yeah, we thought you two would have fought over him but didn't expect to sharing him." Tecna was mildly surprised and yet supportive of how their relationship had progressed, putting aside their jealousy to a mutual agreement.
Flora smiled sheepishly as did Bloom with both flushed. "Y-Yeah, obviously we didn't it could have worked out due to our upbringing. Taren didn't notice it at first, but did show how much he cared for us."
"My parents are still adjusting to it, it's just not very common back on Earth." She is aware of some customs being made for some sick use of it, growing support of open relationships being better than taken advantage of.
Both didn't mind taking turns when it comes to movies and dates, or go at the same time when it comes to picnics, beaches, meals, and to the girls' enjoyment, shopping; but usually on occasions to get Taren new clothes to replace the ones that get torn or too damage to fix up.
Bloom can only hope her birth parents would accept it for all the support and love he's given her.
"Sounds quite a guy, hopefully I meet someone who someday will be my love with those qualities." Layla says. "Considering how he seems popular, I'm amazed no other girls have gone after him."
That part came as a thought between the two when considering if others were interested in him, it would be no doubt if some from royal families would want to pursue him due to being a keyblader and possibly considered royalty by his mother's heritage. Taren didn't bring it up or ask when they have just started to adjust to the throuple relationship as they had fallen for him out of love and yet to try out other things. Maybe something to think of for another time.
The Winx can only hope the coronation goes smoothly, wishing Mal and her friends the luck they need.
Ben stood nervous in his formal suit to present himself more decent as the future king of Auradon to welcome the new students in hopes of building a future with the villains kids, luckily to have Taren to support him and Mal. Having heard about Mal's latest adventure in the Underworld, neither of the boys couldn't believe it until the others told them it actually happened. While he would have asked how she got the cloak from Hades, the concern was Cronos who was now after the artefacts and means more trouble for them.
He spots Taren coming over with the principle and to his surprise, he wasn't wearing his shades to cover his eyes; which have now returned to the classic blue ones instead of orange like they were. "Taren? Your eyes? how?"
Taren caught on to his shock and smiles. "Fairy Godmother had some help with that, a spell to change phsyical traits and illusions to make it less suspicious." He was even surprised when she offered the suggestion to not wear the shades all the time.
"While I knows against the rules of using magic on school grounds, but with all the deeds you boys have done, I thought to least do this one time." The Fairy godmother explains. "Now, I see the limo coming and everyone is ready to welcome them!"
Easily see a group of band members and other students give a warm welcome, for Taren he wondered if it was a little much but said nothing. "A little much, don't you think?"
Ben shrugs his shoulders. "Well, gotta get into the school spirit."
Taren took his point as reasonable. "Guess your right, so long as it can go smoothly as-"
"Ben!"
The boys turned around and to their surprise to see Audrey. "Audrey? Hey." Ben smiles to his former girlfriend, while Taren said nothing and gulped.
"I just thought to welcome the new studens as captain of the cheerleading team." She turns to Taren. "Oh, good I see your eyes are better, those shades did not work for you."
"As I said, it was a medical reason." Taren retorted. Mentally cursing himself for forgetting about her whose mother is the Sleeping Beauty and if she finds out about Mal's heritage, it won't go well.
"Well least you should keep up with school work, you've been gone for many times even as a keyblader when-"
"Oh, look the limi's here. Should give them a welcome." Taren spotted the limi and the band immediately started playing. "Here goes nothing." Whispering under his breath.
"Don't worry, I'm sure they be nervous and will make a good impression on them." The prince assured him.
The ones who were escorting them were the Radiant Garden's officers; Aeleus and Dilan who were sent by Ansem to bring the selected children from their village safely. As Dilan reaches for the door handle and opens it, they find a boy with white hair fall out while in a fight with a teen with long brown hair over a towel. The band stopped and were surprised by the scene and yet set nothing.
Ben was able to see it and not expected this to happen. "Spoke to soon."
"You got everything else! Why do you want whatever this is?" Carlos exclaimed, not willing to let go of the towel.
"Because you wanted it!" The one named Jay argues when he refused to let go.
"No! Give it to me! Ow! Let go!"
"That's enough, both you!" Aelous stepped in and yanked the two up by grabbing their collars in each hand, they didn't say a word due to his intimidating size.
Evie and Mal were the last to step out of the limo, mildly embarrassed by the boys' behaviour, mainly Mal who tried to get the two to sort it out another time. It was more embarressing that it was in front of a crowd. She now wished to have gone into some battle with a monster than this. "Guys! We have an audience. Look decent-ish!" She brushes the bangs of her hair before placing her hands on her hips to greet the principle, alongside Ben, Taren... and someone else who was next to Ben. Not sure why but the way she smiled like that gave a signal she didn't like.
Dilan helped Carlos on his feet and took the towel from the boys, baffled over their childish acts of fighting over it in front of people. "All because of a towel? Usually it's food or gold."
"Uh... J-just, cleaning up." Jay didn't want to get into trouble and immediately complied to give it back to them.
"Leave it like you found it!" The Fairy godmother chimed with her smile on. "And by that, I mean just leave it." Gesturing to the things in Jay's arms with Aelous stood next to him. In reluctance, Jay tossed the stuff he 'found' and put it back in the limo.
Jay caught eyes on Audrey and taken an immediate interest in her. Taking a step forward and crossed his arms to impress her. "hello, foxy~. Names... Jay"
Taren and Ben were surprise to find out his name was the same as their friend back on Earth. And clearly the opposite of Jay who is brave, selfless and heroic. To their surprise, Audrey was almost taken in by his charming smil until the fairy interrupted their moment.
"Welcome to Auradon prep. I'm fairy godmother, headmistress."
Mal was taken by surprise to learn the headmistress was the famous fairy who helped Cinderella of getting to the ball to meet her future husband. She was informed by her change of appearance and never recognised her from the stories, nor saw any media of her image when she was caught up in her missions and during the months in the Magic Dimension. "The fairy godmother? As in, 'Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo'?" Phrasing the famous line she used to cast her magic by waving her hand as if holding a wand.
"'Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo' you know it!" The headmistress recognised her by Yen Sid's description and appreciate her knowledge of her background.
"Yeah, I always wondered what it felt like for Cinderella when you just appeared, out of nowhere, with that sparkly wand and warm smile." Mal was somewhat interested to know of the different types of magic and how it worked for the Fairy Godmother.
nnot liking the idea of Mal with a wand giving her type of magic, Taren would rather she stuck to her's. "If you were to use the wand, I'd becareful of who you try it on first."
"Oh, don't worry, I'll make sure you don't get turned into a statue, Taren." Mal smiles at him. However, the idea of him in ice would sound promising to give him a chill for a future prank.
Evie looked at them and then to the redhead. "You know each other? And looks soo-"
Mal interjected with her hand up before her. "Yes, we know each other and No, he's taken." While she tolerates her best friend's attempts to marry the prince, she made a mental note to keep her away from Taren at all times. While half true he was taken, it was not the sort of relationship she thinks and also refuse to let her date someone she likes to prank and torment for fun to be added to his girlfriends.
The Fairy godmother interjects. "As you are no doubt aware about e wand, that was a long time ago. And as I always say, 'don't focus on the past or You'll miss the future.'" A phrase she gives to her students to make their own futures than find their goals to build. Hoping to give some encouragement to the four to be better than their parents to make the right choices.
"Name's Taren, please to meet you guys." Jay greeted him with a fist bump on the shoulder, taken by surprise by the gesture but accepted and hardly flinched. "And... Jay, right? Just that we know someone who's called Jay."
"Really? Like to be meet this guy." Jay said.
Carlos suddenly realised who he was by the name. "Wait... as in, Taren Strife, son of Sora the Keyblader?"
Figured no doubt someone would realise who he was, and hoping to not make a sour moment to the three considering who he is. "Yeah, that's me. I guess you miust have heard about me then?"
"I sort of mentioned you a bit." Mal had told them of the stories of her adventures. Usually the ones how she pulled pranks on him. "But mostly of the good ones."
"For real." Jay chuckled. "My favourite was during the training she-" Before he could finish his sentence, Mal reacted by clubbing her elbow into his stomach to silent.
Receiving odd glances to Mal's actions, she smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Sorry, just some bits of our time that was meant to be secret. Must have been reflexes."
Ben decided that it was a good time to have his turn of introduction to Mal's friends. "It's so good to finally meet you all. I'm Ben."
"Prince Ben." Audrey corrected to mention his royal title. "Soon to be king."
Taren sighs under his breath. "Any other Ben he was referring to?"
Evie stepped forward to approach Ben with a smile on her face, not aware of Mal's eyes rolling... as well as controlling her urge to keep her friend from trying to charm on the boy she was crushing on. "You had me on 'prince'. My mom's a queen, which makes me a princess."
"The Evil Queen has no royal status her after her imprisonment to the Isle, and neither do you." Audrey told her, while having a soft smile it was clear she did not like her for who her mother was.
Sensing some bad vibes between them, Taren decided to step in to calm the tensions. "Audrey, be nice to our guests as they only just arrived."
"I'm sorry about that." Ben thanked Taren for stepping. "This is Audrey."
"Princess Audrey. We used to date." The princess pointed out, to Taren's surprise of bringing that up while missed the brief surprised look on Mal's face to find out they use to date.
Mal had a thought of that name she remembered in her mind. Not sure where she heard that name from but couldn't put her finger on it. 'Audrey? Why does that name sound familiar?'
"Ben and Audrey are going to show you all around, and I'll see you tomorrow." The Fairy godmother tells them. "The doors of wisdom are never shut. But the library hours are from 8:00 to 11:00. And as you may have heard, I have a little thing about curfews"
Mal figured as much but doubt that the library has one of those creepy ghosts or traps like Cloud Tower has.
The headmistress leaves them be to resume her work before gesturing to the two guards. "Oh, you can leave now I'm sure they be fine here and give Ansem my thanks for the help."
They nodded and make their leave, the rest of the students also returned to the school to carry on their studies.
"Well, your turn for the welcoming part, bud." Taren softly pats him on the shoulder.
Ben steps forward to welcome them. Clears his throat and decide to make it a good one. "It is so, so, so good to finally me-" The prince got cut off from his sentence after Jay gave him a bump on the chest, taken by surprise but able to shrug it off. "Meet you all. This is a momentous occasion, and one that I hope will go down in history." The prince took notice of Carlo's face covered in chocolate, earning a raised eyebrow from Taren. "Is that chocolate?" No response as Carlos simply licks it from his fingers and carries on. "As the day our two peoples began to heal."
"Or the day that you showed four peoples where the bathrooms are." Mal says, feeling the urge to keep her legs together until she can find one after having to drink a lot of soda during the trip. And knew it was a bad idea.
Catching on with Mal's tone and might have done a little over done. "A little over the top?"
"A little more than a little bit." She thought it was his best but could have given some advice next time.
Feeling a little awkward about it, or just as nervous of being crowned soon. But could have gone a little better. "Well, so much for my first impression." Letting out a soft chuckle whcih made Mal smile warmly by his sense of humor.
"So you must be the other keyblader I was told about. I was so surprised to hear about it." Audrey said to her.
Mal didn't know if she sounded interested or just to make an impression, but let it pass to go along. "I'm sure it must be nice to meet others and your a princess as you pointed out."
"Oh yes, my mother Aurora, Sleeping Beauty." Audray proudly proclaimed of her mother's name, oblivious to Mal's mentally shock and alarm by the mention of it.
"As in... your mother?" Mal was doing all she can to act mildly surprise while not go all pale. 'Oh, crap, crap, oh double crap! Why her of all people?!' She was very familiar with the history of what her mother had done to put a curse on one of the princesses when she was a baby that would put her to sleep for a hundred years until her future husband broke the curse. That was before she became the greater threat of controlling the Heartless. From what she found reasons for this... was because she wasn't invited. That was puzzling to the young witch of why, but the bigger issue is if the princess finds out who she really is, the whole kingdom will know and be after her.
Taren and Ben realise this is bad if Audrey finds out and decides to step in to help. "Hey, why don't we just go on with the tour, Ben?"
"Uh, yeah! You're right!" Ben thought it be a good idea to show them around. "Auradon prep, originally built over 300 years ago and converted into a high school by my father when he became king." Leading them to the statue of his father when it was made to help future generations to find their true potential then rely on magic like the old days. He decided to give a demonstration by clapping his hands, the statue suddenly transformed into the of the statue's monstrous form, Carlos cries out in terror and jumped into the annoyed Jay's arms.
'Always gets people." Taren said nothing that could probably be given a bad joke, even he got a little jumpy when it transformed on his first day.
Mal glanced over her shoulder, sometimes wishing Carlos would not be so jumpy and scared all the time.
Ben realised he may have scared Carlos and assures him it was harmless. "Carlos, It's okay. My father wanted his statue to morph from beast to man to remind us that anything is possible."
"As long as you don't shed hair on the bed." Mal replied, earning a small chuckle and a smile from Ben as he remembered the joke he told her back in Alfea as she smiled as well. This confused Taren of the way they interacting and wasn't sure what she was talking about, but said nothing. Evie was curious and eager to know what that was about as Audrey remained silent when they left. Jay dropped Carlos on his feet then to carry him any longer and catches up to them.
Carlos thought to try it out by clapping and nothing happened. "Hey, don't get left behind, come on." Taren called out to him, Carlos responded and went after them.
"So you guys have a lot of magic here in Auradon? Like wands and things like that?" Mal had not lived much in most states of Auradon and heard of their limited use in magic, but not sure if it was fully restricted in the school. Looking around the inside of the school's designs as they passed a few students.
"Yeah, but not so much in most places after the Keyblade War." Taren stated.
"That's that. Most of us here are just ordinary mortals." Ben explains, but left out Herry as he was the son of Hercules but didn't have magic like them.
"Who happened to be kings and queens." Mal easily guessed.
That's true." Audrey proclaims. "Our royal blood goes back hundreds of years."
"Except us keybladers." Taren reminded her that they excluded from the limits for their importance of keeping the worlds safe. He had found out many of his family have been keybladers along with others from Destiny Islands. "But there are still use of it for only noble causes such as for keybladers like us."
Having being trained by Macbeth, they took to understanding the weight and responsibilities to bear when the keyblades chose them. Ben knew much as he wanted to lead as king, Auradon will needs to be lead by all as equals to share their voice. He was about to speak when he spotted a student he was familiar with. "Dough." Calling out to Doug, a member of the marching band who happens to be the son of Dopey, one of the seven Dwarves who helped Snow White. Unlike his father, he was just a regular size human as anyone wearing the band uniform, a pair of glasses and short brown hair, possibly do to mixed traits from his mother's side. He heard Ben calling him and came down the stairs. "This is Doug. He's going to help you with your class schedules and show you the rest of the dorms. I'll see you later, okay? And If there is anything you need, feel free to-"
"Ask Doug." Once again, Audrey cuts in on Ben's sentence, earning a laugh which Mal responded and knew it was a fake. The two stared at each other with intense eyes and shared a sigh at the end.
Ben, Taren and Evie noticed something was going on between them and did not seem like a good sign. The prince nervously chuckled and decided to leave them be to do what he needed.
"Good luck guys." Taren softly pats them on the shoulder before he whispers. "You're gonna need it." And a lot more for Mal.
Leaving them to be guided by Doug, Taren walked beside Ben to speak when Audrey left. Ben let loose some air that he was holding. "Okay, so far so good."
"Yeah, until Audrey finds out about Mal's mother was and we know how that will turn out." Taren didn't think why he let Audrey join them when they were not together anymore until he was reminded that she was the captain of the cheerleading squad. "And already can tell they do not like each other."
Ben didn't know what was going on between them, but having his former girlfriend and his crush meeting together was not a good sign. Nevertheless, he had to be supportive for her and her friends to give them a chance to be included to the school like the others. "We'll work out the problems, I'll try to talk to her when she's free and maybe be prepared for when the next artefact is found but something to show them some fun and a good time."
"Well, while you think of some ideas, maybe some sparring match will clear some heads." Taren thought it be a good idea and also to keep his practice.
Stopped from his moment of thought and suddenly gained an idea. "I got it. I'll catch up with you later, got some ideas to ask Fairy Godmother. Thanks, pal!"
Baffled of what happened when he saw the prince run off. "Wait, what did I say? Ben? Hey!" Taren waved his hands with a sigh. "Never mind, least I gave him some ideas. What could go wrong?" Decided to head off to class and ask him later.
With all the students and teachers absent in the hallway, no one would have suspected a shimmering figure taking form of none other than Kefka who cast his presence from everyone and giggling with glee while standing in the hall. "Oh, bad choice of words, kiddo. Things could certainly go wrong with Kefka in town" Having to listen in on the whole conversation and discover the prince's coming coronation, it would be the perfect moment to cause havoc. But he couldn't help himself but wanting to know what it was that they needed to protect Mal's identity when mention of her mother. "Now I wonder what little secret the witch doesn't want them to find out? This just got a little more interesting."
Having to slip passed their security which was surprisingly tricky not so much for him, this would require a little extra hand. Not willing to stay long if anyone sees him, making his leave and return to Darkar's castle for plans and possible to require the Trix for the fun.
Here we are at the beginning of the Vk now in Auradon, there will be some differences and have some ideas in mind for the sub-plot and Mal will have to watch out for Audrey if she ever learns who her mother is and obvious she doesn't like her, which spells trouble. While took place in Win-x Together! but be different as the Winx follow their own event at the time. I used a bit of the clip from the latest season and a little idea for Hana's potential use of abilities. I have some ideas for the Vks and open for suggestions if you have any.
For master123l's question about Mirta's digivice it was already sorted out. and for Dry26 I appreciate the ideas and working on some now on the third season, especially Valtor in the future but like some you wrote.
I'm just happy to see over 100 faves/follows which is appreciated and hoping to attract more on the way. keep up with the coming chapter and stay safe everyone!