Chapter 64: Love in Strange places

"So Charming got Evie to do his homework for him. Figures that he would do something like that." Having heard from Musa and Tecna about Chad manipulating Evie into doing his homework, Taren

Couldn't believe the hypocrisy of the prince for .

"I'm starting to think some of them are nothing but jerks." Musa found it unfair of the way they are treated.

"From what we were told about their parents, I'm beginning to wonder if either they were dropped or adopted when they were babies." Stella gave a theory of their personalities, causing Taren to snicker.

"That's something most of us thought about."

Bloom wanted to ask him something of the reason. "But I like to know why some seem to not give them a chance, they never did anything wrong."

He agreed with her "You're right, they didn't. But it's what their parents did and despite having them raised separately and limited contact with their folks, some still think after having some experience with the villains they would be like them. For Chad, he's one of those who think has a belief in 'once a villain, always a villain' stuff"

"Yeah and starting to see who the real villains are if you ask me." Bloom hardly believed something like that would. "Tecna said he tried to get her into doing his homework."

"Obviously to get someone to do all the work for him." Taren muttered. "But I'm more concerned about the shield until we get it out of sight for us to take."

Thinking it be a good idea to get the Shield of Unity out of harm's way if the Trix or Kefka find out it's here, who knows what sort of creatures they try to summon and cause a lot of damage like what happened in Airlandis when it too a lot of them to defeat a giant lava monster.

"Maybe I should talk to Fairy Godmother about it."

But before Taren could make his leave, Bloom grabbed his arm before he could get away. "Not so fast. The girls can do that, you on the other hand promised to take me and Flora out. Remember?"

"Yeah, but this won't take a mom-" Yet, much as he tried to focus on keeping Auradon safe, he was unable to stand the ultimate weapon against him. The Puppy Love trick. The look on her pleading gaze and pouting lip was something that made him unable to say 'no' to. 'God damn it! Why me?!'

One look was enough to convince him, groans and sighs in defeat with his head dropped. "Fine."

Bloom's face made a complete turn with a bright and victorious smile as it always worked in her favour. "Dirty trick." Hearing Taren mutter in cursing her for such a cheating move, but she took no notice and nuzzled in his arm.

Stella let out a laugh of how funny it was. "The great and mighty Taren Strife, son of the legendary heroes… bested by a common love trick by the dragon princess."

Taren threw her a look that read 'shut it, Stella' , only to cause her to snicker and waved the two off.

"Guess there is a disadvantage of having more than one girl."

The remaining two go to find Mal when they see a girl with asian features and long locks of dark brown hair, dressed in a pink outfit. "Oh, hi, you girls came to see Mal?"

Confused and blinked their eyes. "Uh, yeah, just something to see Mal about." Musa's response to the student.

"Oh, right, you must be her friends, the Winx Club?" Smiling with excitement. "My name is Lonnie Li, I've heard a lot about you from Mushu on his trips."

"Mushu? As in that little lizard Taren summoned?" Stella recalls the small red dragon on their trip to the Downland.

"Yeah, although best to not refer to him as a lizard'. But maybe when you get a chance you could use a webcam interview to ask about the adventures you girls have?" Lonnie requested and in hopes of getting an inside note about them.

Stella liked the sort of idea and smiled. "Sure! As long as you get my good side."

"Yeah, no doubt mention to Bloom when she just left with Taren recently."

Lonnie couldn't believe one of them was here, but also to learn that Taren was around and they left. "Wait, they were here? I gotta catch them."

Passes between them to hopefully find the couple, making their way into the dorm room to find Mal on her bed, Evie doing some sort of with Palmon eating some muffins. They noticed Mal with a bag of money in her hand until she noticed them. "Oh, hey guys. Anything new?"

Musa folds her arms. "Not much, but you seem to have kept yourself busy."

"Oh, that yeah, well you see, since I gave that girl named Jane a new hairdo. Then suddenly got word from that Lonnie girl you just met? She asked me to fix her hair and gave me 50 bucks." Unable to believe she gained so much for a simple hair change.

"I don't believe this." Musa rolled her eyes.

"I know. I'd thought they'd come for me to give some tips." Musa nudged her elbow against Stella to get her priorities straight.

"So what do you girls think?" Evie holds up the outfit she was sewing up.

"Not bad." Stella admits she's got skills. "Maybe a little touch on the material."

"Or maybe tell her, she's wasting her time with a guy who's never gonna like her." Mal said. "I mean, boyfriends are overrated."

"She's just like that cause she never had one." Evie says. "I mean, wasn;t there any cute guys that caught her eye?"

Stella and Musa had a certain idea of who she was interested in, sharing a coy grin. "Oh, we may have a certain person in mind."

Mal flinched during her sketching and shot up a narrow look at them, daring to not bring up that in front of her friends.

Evie couldn't believe it and always thought Mal would not see herself in a romantic relationship with a boy, eager to find out. "Really?! Who?"

Before the two could spill anything, she leapt from her bed to push them out of the dorm. "Actually I just remembered, you two should be focused on other matters?" Both Musa and Stella were unable to say a word but had a clear idea. She gave them the annoyed glare before closing the door on them.

She sighs in annoyance and not wanting them to spill the secret, leaning back against the door and hoping to get back to her time, but instead of seeing Evie's annoyed expression, she was fighting the urge to squeal. "What?"

"Did what they say is true? You actually like someone?" Evie gushes and then asks questions. "Who? Is it a prince? A knight?"

Mal did not want to spoil anything and tried to change the subject. "I… I have no idea what they were on about. Just some joke they're playing. Shouldn't you be doing that homework you were given?"

Palmon remained silent with no idea what they were talking about, she clearly noticed the flushed cheeks on her partner's face and was curious whether this was a human thing.

OUtside their dorm, Stella kept a growing grin on her face. "She's so in denial."

"Wanna be careful, Stella, Mal would do something to get back at you. If it were me, I'd go for the dresses."

Gasps in horror, Stella dreaded to think of such an act. "She wouldn't! Not my newest shoes!"

Musa found it hilarious and said nothing about it. "Not sure, but she's right on one thing, we need to find a way to get that shield."

Bloom took Taren's hand out of the school year after promising them to go out, he asked where she had in mind but said nothing with a smile on her face. Saying it was something of a surprise.

"Come on, seriously, where exactly did you have in mind?"

"Not to worry, we should be here now." She continues to lead him through the woods until they emerge out of the bushes in an open field. "Here we are."

Taren was confused as to why she took him out here. "Bloom? What are you up to? Shouldn't we be meeting up with Flora?"

"Over here!"

They find Flora sat down by a blanket and some food, and to Taren's surprise finds Agumon munching on some sandwiches with Kiko as well.

"Hey, what's going on here?" Taren spotted his partner with her. "So that's where you've been. I should have known." He had wondered where Agumon disappeared and should have seen it coming.

Agumon swallowed his meal and explained . "I couldn't help it, her food was good after my fight."

"Alright, but what's going on here then? A picnic?"

Bloom let go of his arm and decided to explain the reason for all this. "Well, somewhat but there's another reason for it. We had a talk and decided to improve our powers to get better."

"After our Convergence test at Alfea, we only had a lucky break but feel maybe to work well with others and to gain a better chance against powerful villains like Kefka." Flora added, they had studied on the Convergence in Professor Palladium's simulation but had an unexpected bug in the system, forcing the Winx to change their plans to get out of the system until they worked together to use their magic to create their own titan with a body: Layla giving it a body, support from Flora, a mind from Tecna, sight by Stella, Musa gave it speech and Bloom gave it a will of its own.

Taren was stunned by the story and was amazed how they found a way to work together, this gave Bloom the idea to expand their teamwork with others to stand a better chance.

Giving some thought to it, he decided to go along with it with some serious issues to work with when they were only lucky. "Okay, I think we can do that. So how should we do this?"

"Come on! It could be fun!" Chatta was most supportive.

"At least not to go too far." Lockette was only thinking of their bonded fairies' safety knowing Taren was stronger than them.

"Don't worry, Lockette, we won't. Me and Flora will be paired up against him." Bloom suggested.

Taren had other ideas in mind for a partner. "You know, I might let Agumon take a break after his spar as I got someone in mind for backup. Think it's time to introduce you to someone. Agumon, you sit back and rest up." Pulling out his Duel gauntlet, remembering what he needed to do and performing the summoning. "Tatsurion the Unchained!"

The swirling vortex with the Fire Civilization emblem appeared before the kaiju came through the other side of the portal. The Dragonoid lets out a roar and finds himself being summoned once again.

"Eep! Monster!" Lockette yelped in fear and jumped into the basket for safety, Kiko joined her as well yet Chatta and Agumon remained unfazed by his presence..

"Again? I just sat down to roast a burnless lizard." Since he was summoned, may as well know who their opponent is to face. "So, who are we to duel?"

Taren "Uh, sorry about that, buddy. I kinda brought you here for a spar with my two girlfriends, you obviously met Flora."

Flora nervously waves her hand at him. "H-Hello."

"And this is Bloom."

Bloom gulps and looks at him when she recalled the stories of this monster from their previous adventures. "Nice to meet you?"

Tatsurion grumbles at the company of fairies, yet one of them he tolerates after first meeting her in Airlandis, but knows nothing of the other female. "Please say you did not summon me back to the Magic Dimension."

"No, this is a different realm, we're in a world called Auradon." Taren reassures him. "I thought maybe you and I could team up for a practice fight, you know to know each other's skills and bond?"

Tatsurion seemed unsure of this, yet would tolerate the young human. "Listen here, little fleshbag, you're fortunate I would accept this offer, otherwise had it not been a duel, I would have you for dinner!"

"Okay! Okay! Easy! No one is eating anybody!" Bloom stepped in before things could get out of hand.

"I, uh, didn't mean to offend." The Kaiju apologised to her. "I don't even like the taste of humans, or fairies."

"What about pixies?"

Hearing the nervous Chatta's voice made the Kaiju groan. "Please tell me you didn't bring that blabbering creature with you as well?" Taren chuckled nervously as it wasn't his idea but shrugged his shoulders. He lets out a sigh to assure Chatta and her friends. "Yes, especially your kind. You're too annoying and loud anyway."

Taren resisted the urge to snicker, even Bloom held her breath for a moment when they couldn't leave them alone. "Think you might have spooked them a little too much. Uh, Bloom this is Tatsurion, or mostly be called, Bob."

"Really?" Bloom wondered if he was kidding for such a normal name given to a magical dragon.

"Surprisingly, it was a name I was often called by those I trusted and accepted." Tatsurion response.

"So, you don't mind a little training once in a while?" Taren hoped he wasn't at all mad for being taken away without a warning or call first.

"Hmm, I guess it would be a chance to train with a keybearer for battle." Hearing this made Taren smile. "What of your little companion, is he unable to duel?"

"Agumon? Oh, he's had his earlier and is taking a break." Flora points to Agumon eating another sandwich and waves his claw at him. "Since he's called you in, you two will be facing me and Bloom in a spar match."

A moment of silence and nods his head to approve. "Very well, I will accept your challenge" Takes on his battle stance with Taren summoning his keyblade to his hand.

Bloom didn't think it would be hard to convince him but decided to see how much stronger Taren had become. "Let's go!" Both her and Flora transformed into their Winx forms, taking the air for the high ground.

"Hey, Mal? Anything new to come up?" Jay walked into the girls' dorm, wearing a grin on his face that showed something happened and walked to find his friends inside.

"Yeah, something I didn't think happened but could be complicated." Mal noticed Jay finally showed up when he was a little late and wearing one of those blue jackets from the Tourney team. "What are you wearing?"

"Never believe this, but Coach Jenkins from the tourney really liked my moves, he wanted me on his team." Jay couldn't believe it when the coach talked him into joining. "I mean,k I was a little hesitant with most of them being all princes who are like 'Oh pardon me did I bump into you?', if what my old man once said is 'prepare to die, suckers!' or something like that. But why do the princes here have to be uptight?"

"Ben isn't like that." She didn't see his sly grin and nodding his head when she didn't refer to him by his royal status.

"Oh, so not prince Ben?"

"Uhh, yeah? I mean, he didn't mind it."

"Well, it's just you seem very… close to him

Trying to stay on the topic of her notes. "Look, I gotta help with some important thing to do. Keyblade stuff."

"Need any help? I could seriously do some action and stuff." Jay offered his service to help.

Mal may consider it but didn't want to risk him getting into serious trouble to steal the Shield from the museum. "Much as I might, but this may be a little dangerous."

"Danger's our little name. But come on, whatever it is, we can do this." Everyone turns to Jay in surprise of how he seemed as encouraging as he was. "... if we stick together. You know 'rotten to the core' like we alway say?"

Mal remembered the phrase they used as friends. "Rotten to the core. Well, maybe I might have some talk with them. But there are other things to worry about like if someone summons a dangerous monster to rampage the city. A mad circus freak, a group of witches and possibly be sent to the Isle the moment Auradon finds out who my mother is."

"Yeah, that one you would need to be careful of." Carlos agreed.

Taking this information she learnt from Evie, no doubt Ben will have to watch his back if they were attacked on his coronation. Maybe they can find out where they will be seated for the moment and have their Digimon and Titans ready. "This is gonna be a lot of work to do."

"For me, it's finding the right man, or prince like Chad." Evie sighs heavily, oblivious to Mal rolling her eyes that she was still clinging to her fantasy. "You know, those girls gave some good advice on how they got theirs, I mean, make some cookies or something to express how you feel."

Getting over this, Mal was about to say something to hopefully bring her best friend back from reality when suddenly the idea she gave her didn't sound like an idea. "You know what? Maybe I should take a moment of break, this whole keyblade business really got me a little worked up. I'll be gone for a bit."

"Where are you going?" Evie sees her head off somewhere.

"Just thought of making something, later." The three see her head off, confused about what got into Mal that baffled them.

Unknown to either of them, a pair of pixies peeking from outside the window were Amore and Digit who flew by and saw Mal's behaviour which caught their attention.

"Well, wonder what that was about? She's been acting odd lately." Digit had observed her behaviour, only known her a little by interactions.

"Don't you see?" Amore sighs with a warm smile on her face. "She's in love but has no way of expressing it. I could see how both her and the prince looked at each other in school."

Digit wondered what she was thinking. "And exactly how are you going to do that? The chemistry between them is unknown to us and should be further studied."

"Oh, Digit, the love between them is strong as Bloom and Flora have for the heroic keyblade Wielder." She thought their shared love between each other was strong and romantic, hoping to see it last. Seeing how the prince and the female keyblade wielder were having a hard time to show it, perhaps a little help would "I know something that will help her."

Amore flies off to follow Mal. "Hey, wait a minute! Amore!" Digit decided to follow her and hopefully not let this get over her head.

Mal had been working in the kitchen to do some baking, following the recipes to be sure it was right and wanting to be good. "Okay… so maybe, could do a little bit of sugar." Having to think of making cookies be a good start. Earlier she wouldn't think of making cookies for her crush.

Palmon sat beside her, watching her partner bake. "What exactly are you making?"

"Oh, something we call cookies. I haven't had much of them but they are nice. I figured… well, maybe give some for Ben to show how much he means to m-uh, to the team!" Mal slipped up. "Least maybe without spells in it, I mean, not expect him to go head over heels just because I baked some cookies. But hopefully they taste good." While she wasn't much of an expert in cooking, the only thing she was good at was using spells to do the job.

Coming into the kitchen was Lonnie, Mal was surprised and wondered what she wanted. "There you are! Was looking for you."

"Really? What for?"

You know, all the girls want you to do their hair!" Mal was surprised by how many wanted their hair done by her and not someone else.

"Really? Looks like word's getting out already."

Lonnie nodded and noticed the bowl she was using to bake. "Making a snack, huh? Whatcha making?"

"Oh, this? I just thought maybe for my friends and the Winx, while maybe for some for Ben on his coronation and-." Lonnie didn't hold back and dipped her finger in the pot to taste it. "No, no! Don't!" Mal cried out and startled her.

"Relax, I'm not gonna double dip."

Mal didn't have a chance to taste it and wasn't sure if it was good or worse. "Uhh, does it… taste good? Or do you feel… different?"

Lonnie didn't speak much as she looked at her and the confused Digimon. So far she doesn't seem affected until she speaks. "Could use some chips."

"Chips?" Mal pondered.

"Chocolate chips?" Lonnie goes to the fridge to open it. "Just the most important food group."

"Oh, that would make it nice."

"Yeah, no doubt you must have had some with your parents." Lonnie remained oblivious to Mal's heritage, yet the young witch was thinking what it be like to have a nice family to care and love. She noticed the saddened look on her face. "Is something wrong?"

"I… never met my mom, she… passed away when I was a baby. My dad… Well, that's complicated." Speaking half-truthfully about it. While it's nice being raised by the fairies, she sometimes wished to have had a decent parent to love and care for her.

"Really? I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring it up."

"No, it's fine. I knew something about her and… things I wish I didn't. Believe me, you don't wanna know." Mal didn't want to say much to give away. "I mean, despite being a possible VK, I got a keyblade that showed I can be good."

Lonnie nodded and thought it would make sense for it. "Yeah, I mean why wouldn't? I remember how my mom told me the story of how she snuck into the imperial army as a man and when my dad found out, he was furious due to the law against women being in the military at the time."

"Yeah, I read something about that. A lot of things people do to prove themselves." Mal then realised she forgot something. "Anyway, I gotta make sure these are done, so maybe I will do those offers afterwards."

"Great, and maybe ask Taren about his adventures, Mushu has been telling me about." Lonnie suggested.

"Will do." Mal leads her out of the kitchen. "And if asked I'll save one for you, but could use a guinea pig from him first if it's safe."She was about to get the spoon to finish the baking when suddenly it was gone. "Hey, what the…" She looked around for it and turned to her Digimon. "Have you seen the spoon? It's gone?"

Palmon was puzzled and looked about. "No, I thought it was there."

Looking around for it, it was beside her a moment ago when suddenly stopped to talk to Lonnie, then found it on the other side of the kitchen. "How did that get there?" Palmon couldn't have been the culprit as she wasn't fast and silent when eating some snacks. Went over to pick it up, only by the edge of the table. "Least it didn;t touch the floor. Come on, gotta get this done."

Little did either of them realise, that while they were busy talking with Lonnie, a certain pixie flew into the kitchen and moved the wooden spoon to make a distraction.

It was none other than Digit who let out a sigh in relief. "Phew! That was close." Amore appeared beside her and wore a smile on her face of her task, Digit seemed unsure about this. "You better be right about this."

"This will surely help blossom the love between them." The pixie of love let out a soft sigh. "Oh, so romantic, the love between a sorceress and a prince."

"Come on, we need to get back before our friends know we're gone." Digit grabs her hand and flew off.

Bloom flew over a lashing chain, casting a firespell at Taren and Tatsurion, forcing the two to evade the attack. Taren tumbled across the grass, as he got up, the grass then came to life and tried to tangle with him. He struggled but was able to break free with the Kaiju to grab him and yanked away from it.

"Thanks." Much as he appreciated the help.

"Keep your guard up." Tatusion reminded him.

Flora hovered in the air with her Titan hovering beside her and created a gust of wind at the two. Taren stepped in and casted a Reflect to bounce off the attack. Meanwhile, Bloom's Titan, Sorcerel emerged and flew alongside her to attack, Tatsurion saw turned his focus on his opponent.

"I will take this one out!" Unleashes his fiery breath upon the Titan to slow her down, but she swiftly dodges, no sign of slowing down he pulls back his left claw and slammed it down into the ground of where she was. But to his surprise, she was still standing and holding her ground. Taren called the Titans, spirit creatures summoned like his kind but different with the use of Medallions their summoners use.

"Dragon Twister!" To his surprise, Bloom appeared behind him and used one of her strongest attacks, striking him from behind and allowed her Titan to fly in to blast him from behind

"Gah!" He grunted and about to get up when finds himself pinned down by the plants with Sorcerel hovering above him.

Taren looked surprised to find his partner taken out, not wanting to be out yet. Running towards Flora and dodges Ariel who flew in towards him. "Stopra!" Casting another spell to slow down the Titan when he was within reach, giving him the advantage to strike with his keyblade and finish the Titan off.

Flora didn't expect that to happen but was about to use her sleeping spell to do the trick, but he moved too fast for her to see where he was. She looked around and thought if Bloom knew, yet she didn't.

"Magnet!"

Suddenly, her body felt as if it was being pulled towards by a powerful force and yelped in surprise when she found herself held by Taren in his arms, wearing a victory grin on his face. "Surprise."

"Meanie." Flora pouted, puffing her cheeks of being outsmarted and tricked.

He chuckles and put her down. "Didn't say no tricks when you two used your Titans." The girls couldn't argue with that as he had a point.

Bloom walked over to call off Sabrial. "Sorry about that."

Tatsurion grumbles, not seeming pleased to have been bested by a Fairy, pulls himself up and stares at the female redhead. "Not bad… for a fairy, I suppose."

She took it as a compliment from the dragon. "Guess, you're starting to warm up to us, huh?"

"Only because I have never fought a Fairy in my lifetime, so I will now know when to be more cautious next time."

Whilst taking a break, the group ate their meals to rest up. Tatsurion sat down and looked at the food before him to least make up for pulling him away from his previous meal. "What are these?" Picking up some crum covered balls in his palm and some fruit offered by Flora.

"Scotch Eggs, made them myself and thought with your size being bigger." Taren said. "Give it a try."

Tatsurion throws them into his mouth and munches to taste, finding the flavour pleasant and gulps it down. "Hmm, not bad. Though I don't understand why you would summon me, clearly a wielder of the keyblade would have powers to bring down a giant."

"Doesn't mean you can't do things alone. I thought maybe it would be a chance to know each other more than treat you like a servant." Taren thought to explain to him. "Kinda like a friend."

Unfamiliar with this term he used before. "Friend? What is this friend?"

"It's like someone to rely on and support each other." Bloom answered his question. "Friendship is important so that you know that you're not alone. Don't you have any back home?"

He was somewhat hesitant to respond to her question upon his personal life. "I uh… not much, only to be hunted so often. And with many enemies to be on the lookout"

"Sounds rough, must be a rough place." Taren surmised.

The Kaiju agreed with him on that statement. "You have no idea, the Kaiju Realm is not someplace you would wish to be in, especially if you are a Fairy."

"So how do you know about the keyblades?" Bloom wanted to ask him since he seemed familiar with them.

"There have been some who summoned us to duel with them over the centuries, I know the stories of a few who lived in the times of this war that broke out between them."

Taren didn't say a word and wondered if Tatsurion ever met his grandfather when he uttered his name last time. "So… have you ever met one?"

Startled by such a question, the armored dragon's turns to him with widened eyes. The girls were confused over why their boyfriend asked him but couldn't help but share the mutual thought. Tatsurion once more remained silent until he spoke. "Uh… once. I was only young, and he showed me some respect, and didn't care for me being a…halfbreed." For a moment he gave a genuine smile until turning to a scowl. "Yet rather than calling my full name, he kept calling me Bob as a nickname. It doesn't sound brave or fierce."

"Really? Who was he?"

Tatsurion didn't seem ready to answer and turned around. "It's in the past, no more to speak of it. It would be better to send me back if our training is done."

Not sure what got into him, but decided to let it go for now. Not wanting to argue, Taren accepted "Okay, but be ready next time as we might need your help soon." Using the gauntlet to return him back to the Kaiju realm, whatever it was that happened happened to him in his life.

"What was that about?" Bloom pondered if something he wasn't telling them.

"I dunno. I think I need to look into something, for some reason it's as if he's connected to this and why I suddenly felt like I know him." Taren decided it was time to find out. "The first time we met, I almost thought he called out Valgard's name, which happens to be my late grandfather's."

"You're grandfather?" This was a surprise for the girls to find out about this. Flora asked him if he was certain. "Are you sure that's what he said?"

He nodded to confirm it. "I'm sure, I just need to find a way to contact him somehow. Getting hit in the head might not be a good idea."

"No, you won't." Bloom would make sure it doesn't happen. "Maybe focus on just relaxing first and the mission to protect the shield and Ben for the coronation. Let's just enjoy this moment while it lasts before something crazy happens."

Taking her advice to do so, but none of them have no idea what would come next.

With the cookies done and after giving several girls a complete makeover, Mal had them set up and one for Ben, thinking of catching up to him before the game. With her friends busy and thought to least give him something for a treat as a gift. "Okay, this should do it. No magic in it and nothing to bad taste, least Lonnie was helpful." And for some tips.

Still, maybe it could be worth it to taste first. They do smell good. 'Maybe one bite will do, I mean what's the harm?'

"Hey, Mal!" Carlos came by to see her with a bag of cookies. "Oh, you made some snacks?"

Mal pulled it away before he could get one. "Hold it, I need to be sure they are good and to try first."

"Wait a sec, you… cooked?" Carlos' skin turned pale and backed up, much to Mal's confusion.

"What? Hey, I used normal ingredients, nothing magic in them!" Mal thought to prove it. "Here, try it."

Carlos backed away in fear. "You remember the last time I tried something from your baking?"

"Oh, come on, that was an accident! I didn't know your skin would go all shades of green. Least you didn't get turned into a dog like Jay did." Mal giggled at the deeds. Seeing he was still reluctant, she groaned. "Fine, I'll prove it. Thought after getting over your phobia would lighten up a little."

To prove it to him, Mal takes a bite of the cookie and munches it. "Thee? Notion." She chews it, then slows down to taste. "Mmm, that is good. I mean, I want to show Ben and my friends… how I… wow it's really amazing!"

Carlos noticed how she was a little off. "Is it… good?"

"Yeah! I mean… chewy, chocolaty taste…the chocolate." She let out a soft moan. Lost in thought of what she was trying to say. "I feel… I feel… something… longing for…what was?"

"You were gonna say something about prince Ben or your friends?" Carlos mentioned them, but the moment he said Ben's name made Mal's heart racing.

"Ben? Ahhh, he's always been so nice, brave…and strong." Mal gushes with a smile, twirls like a dancer which surprised Carlos by her sudden change of behaviour. "I never noticed how dashing he looked… and those eyes to fall for."

"Mal? Are you okay?" Carlos knew something wasn't right, it had to be the cookies she ate and clearly she wouldn't have done it to herself without knowing. "Something must have gone wrong, I think you're not yourself."

"You're right, I wasn't." Surprising Carlos to wonder what has gotten into her. "There's a longing feeling I had that's been kept away until now! I wanna show him how I feel."

Carlos didn't need to take a minute to realise it was the cookie that made her like this. "Mal, think maybe you wanna think this through before you-" Too late, she descended into her shadow and vanished. Cursed himself for not being fast enough to stop her, clearly not thinking right. He needed to find the others.

Ben thought now would be a good time to talk to Mal, maybe ask her out and how it goes for them, but he felt so nervous and always choked up. Couldn't deny the fact he was starting to fall for her but was too scared that if he told her how he feels it would affect the bond between them.

"Do you think they actually paid for those?"

Snaps out of his thoughts to hear Audrey say something which he wasn't listening to. "Sorry, what did you say?"

Audrey sighs and repeats her question that he wasn't paying attention. "I'm talking about those girls, look at their hair."

Ben did see many with gorgeous hairstyles and how they look different, he assumed this was Stella's doing but didn't think spotted Jay flirting with the girls, possibly due to being a new member of the team now. "This has to be that Mal girl. She did it to Jane's hair, too, and Fairy Godmother's not happy about it." Audrey wasn't happy as she explained to him.

Ben did recall hearing about it but didn't see the harm of having a new look. "What's the harm in just having some change of appearance?"

"It's gateway magic!" She exclaimed. "Sure, it starts with the hair. Next thing you know It's the lips and the legs and the clothes and then everybody looks good and then... where will I be?" Believing she won't be the most popular and prettiest girl in school if every other girl was like her.

Believing she is over exaggerating the whole thing and she had to let go of this ego. "Listen, Audrey-"

"I gotta go and wish Chad good luck for the tourney. I know we're not dating anymore, but wish you good luck." She smiles at him before turning around to leave without giving him a chance to finish what he was about to tell her.

"Hey, Ben!"

He jumped in a moment of surprise but relaxed to find it was only Mal, yet she seemed really happy to see him. "Hey." She let out a soft giggle and smiled at him with a blush, this surprised the prince of her sudden behaviour. "Are you okay?"

"Much better, and thought to make some cookies for some, and thought maybe you wanted one?"

Oh, appreciate the offer, but I've got a big game coming up. I don't eat before a big game." Politely turns down her offer. "

She suddenly remembered to have left them back at the dorm. "Oh, damn! I left them back at the dorm, I must have forgotten, but it doesn't matter. I wanted to see how you were doing and something really important to ask you."

"You do?" He wondered what she wanted to ask.

"Have you ever wanted to tell someone how you feel, but too scared to say anything?" Twirling the locks of her hair with her finger.

His eyes blinked and stared at her as if she was asking something he wanted to say to her. "Uh… y-yeah, I kinda had that same thing. There's this thing I… wanted to say to that person since we met."

"Has anyone told you, you look cute when you stutter?" She giggled, surprising Ben and even Jay, staring as if he was looking at a stranger and lost focus on the girls.

"W-What?" Blinks his eyes and looks at her. "Me? I mean, uh, cute?" This came suddenly and not see this coming. Ben realised she was acting very differently than her normal self. "Mal, you sure you're okay? I mean… not hit on the head?"

She giggled and smiles, playfully tapping her finger on his nose. "Oh, Ben, so funny."

"Uh, sorry I gotta get myself ready. Maybe talk about this later." Ben didn't gave her a chance to respond and ran off to get himself ready.

"Ben! Hmph!" Puffs her cheeks when she didn't get her chance. "You're not getting away from me that easily, Benny." Smiling with mischief and descends into the shadows to follow him.

Leaving an utterly shock and jaw dropped Jay who saw the whole thing and thought his mind went blank. Did he saw Mal, the toughest witch in the village and for her bad girl attitude…. Flirting with the prince. "W….wha-wh…what the hell?!"

"JAY!"

He saw Carlos run towards him and out of breath. "Did you see-"

"See? I don't know what I saw!" Grabbing Carlos and thought he was going insane. "Mal was… flirting! And went after Ben!"

"Explain later! We need the others for help!" Maybe the Winx and the keybladers would know what to do."Uh, Mal, I-"

'What just happened? It was like she was a different person.' Ben thought he was dreaming, it was still fresh in his mind while getting his head straight. 'There is something wrong with her, it must be. I need to find the Winx and Taren for advice.'

He did not say the way she acted was… adorable, but strange.

"Florian, we're about to start, get ready!"

"On it, coach." Maybe the game would help clear his head as it was about to start until he was suddenly pulled away from joining the others. Finds himself being pulled by none other than Mal to his surprise. "Mal? What are you?"

"Thought you could lose me that easily? You know better." Mal smiles warmly. "So about that talk?"

"Mal, look, I think-"

"You see, the coronation is coming up in 2 days, and I know it's very important for you." As she talked, Ben snuck under the door to slip out to get some distance until she grabbed his arm from leaving. "But I don't want you getting hurt and thought if you like me to come as your date?"

"Wait, hold on a sec." Ben thought he misunderstood and tried to repeat what she said. "I mean… funny thing is… I... Wanted to, I mean… you want to go to the Coronation as my date?"

Mal didn't wait any longer and was thrilled that he was going to ask her out. "Oh, Ben, I thought you'd never ask!" She jumped in his arms and before he could say anything she pressed her lips against his own.

"Mal I-Ummph!?" The prince was startled and pressed to the locket, causing him to hold her by the waist when he did not see this coming. And while strangely, it felt nice with how soft and gentle her kiss felt, he found himself returning the gesture and closed his eyes. Without thinking he wrapped his arms around her waist to pull into, which received a mewl from Mal.

"Dude, I swear, Mal isn't acting as herself. We think she's under a spell!" Jay proclaimed as they were leaving the changing room after explaining to Taren what happened..

At first Taren didn't believe it since the time he knew about Mal, she wasn't someone to be easily enchanted by her own spell if it had something to do with a cookie she made. "Mal, tricked? Never thought that would happen. And she always a step ahead."

"But should least find Ben and warn him." Carlos thought would be an idea

Right around the corner, the boys were in the school. "Hey, Ben have you noticed-" Carlos was cut off when he stood in shock of finding Mal kissing the prince, Taren in utter shock spat out his water after seeing the two in each other's arms. Jay's jaw once again dropped as if he was seeing things.

Taren recovered from his shock as the two separated their lips, he could clearly see Ben wearing a goofy smile on his face. "Uh, w-where we interrupting… something?"

Mal giggled and showed no shame of her actions. "Just giving Ben a little encouragement fo the game."

"U-okay, uh, Ben we might need to-where you two smacking lips!?" Taren couldn't hold back his shock of seeing the two actually kissed.

Neither Mal or Ben were listening to him and still wore the grin on his face, once again giggles and gave a peck on his cheek. "I'll cheer you on for the game." Takes a step back and unintentionally swaying her hips which caught Ben's notice as she smiles before waving her fingers to him.

Some how, that kiss felt so right and sweet, it made him feel like a whole different person. "Come on guys, what are you standing around for? We got a game to win."

The boys looked at each other and followed him. Taren tried to get answers from him but nothing in response from the prince. "Woah! What's going on? Ben? What happened? This is not normal! THIS IS NOT NORMAL!"

Gonna end it here and hope you enjoyed it, had a lot to work on and no doubt hopefully the last chapter for the auradon arc, most likely to get it done by new year's and also be doing a bit of editing for the christmas special chapter so be on the look out for a few days of it. Once again changes being made and thought be a interesting twist of having Mal be the one enchanted instead of Ben thanks to a certain pixie, and we clearly see how shocked the VK guys reacted... especially Taren. That scene was inspired by Kim Possible after wade's reaction to seeing Kim and Ron's first kiss which I had thought be funny. As well as including the scene of Tatsurion from the kaijudo series. Auradon will eventually find out about Mal's heritage but not gonna say anything.

: Thanks for bringing it up, I apologies for it when I have been so busy I forgot, but Sabriel will appear soon lol