The wizards fought with all their might—luckily when prowling they don't just look for tactical advantage —they look for potential hide outs as well, so they wouldn't have to retreat into the sewers again just yet. Stella froze—everything she believed seemed to crumble, her whole idea of what was true and what wasn't blended. The image of Ogron she'd seen danced in her brain— she didn't hear Sky or Musa yell for her up the stairs — she didn't hear them break down the door.
Musa's voice made her come out of her head, "Stella! You're alright! And look at you! A new base form? That's so cool! "
"Ladies, I don't think now is the time for a reunion —let's get you out of here—"
"I can't." Stella's mouth spoke before she could think.
"You…can't? What do you mean you can't?" Musa stated in worry and confusion.
"The Wizards— I mean — what if we're fighting on the wrong side? For the wrong thing?" Stella was doing her best to explain it, but everything seemed to be happening all at once.
"What are you talking about?" Sky wasn't exactly demanding in his question, but did sound eager for an explanation.
"I don't think…I think the history got it wrong — I think the fairies were the fair, just beings we were told they were—"
"What happened to you?" Musa tried not to be offended, "I think they're definitely did something to her,"
"Brainwashing? Like Darkar did to Bloom?"
"It's possible —"
"You're not listening! Look there's the book—"
"Gantlos! Pull yourself together!" She heard Ogron yell. It'd been more than three days— so there was a pattern to it. She pushed past the two, flying out the door. The wizards were overwhelmed — Brandon. She looked at his tired eyes, oh how she wanted to hold him, but then she looked toward Gantlos. The man before her fighting himself mostly. Her heart broke for him.
'I'm so sorry' tears began to form in her eyes, 'but a fairy keeps her promises — and right now someone needs me more, I promise I'll get answers Brandon'
"Night veil!" Everything went dark — the group could no longer see, quickly Stella grouped together the wizards, and they teleported to the new location with Anagan and Gantlos leading. The veil lifted.
"What just— WHAT HAPPENED!?" Brandon was infuriated and confused.
"We think the might have brainwashed her somehow — but "
"No," Brandon interrupted, his voice seething "that was Stella — she helped them on purpose,"
——————
"Brandon— we know your tired, but we swear we don't think Stella was all there, even if she wasn't necessarily brainwashed something was still wrong with her," Sky tried explaining as Brandon paced the loft.
"When we got there, she was talking absolute nonsense. It was like her whole perception of history had been changed," Musa was equally as worried, it really seemed Brandon was going off the deep end.
"No! She was all there! I just don't know why she'd betray us!"
"Brandon, I sensed a darker magic coming from her, it wasn't as powerful as what Darkar had done to me, but—"
"Brandon may not necessarily be wrong— she may not have been brainwashed," Timmy started, "Tecna and I have been looking into it— a fairy's whole form can change— even the source of her magic if her memory has been altered."
The group stared intensely.
"It's true— though complicated— memory alteration spells have been around for centuries, just long enough for those wizards to become at least decent at them. I theorize they altered Stella's memories — made the history she knew into their image— made her think she was on their side," Tecna explained.
"That explains why she was so jumbled in whatever she was saying," Musa mumbled.
"So she's just got the wrong memories?"
"That's what we think buddy,"
Brandon sat— seemingly satisfied with the explanation. They'd need to keep a closer eye on him.
———————-
"I want to go down the pole," Duman stated. They were definitely out of Gardenia, most buildings looked desolated within whatever ghost town they'd found, but despite its abandonment, the fire station seemed in pretty good standing. Stella did find its cleanliness deplorable though.
"It's kind of grody,"
"Well princess, we could always go back into the sewers," she shuddered at Anagan's suggestion, this was definitely cleaner than the sewers. The wizards wasted no time in cleaning — mostly manually. They claimed they preferred mundane work to remain as such. Of course they did use magic about three hours in— they wouldn't be able to clean it all in one night otherwise. Then they concentrated— bringing the previous furniture to the fire station. At two in the morning, the new hide out was ready.
"Ogron—is there something you would like to say?" Anagan nodded towards Stella.
"Ahem—" he looked so sheepish, it almost made her chuckle, "Thank you, for your—assistance…Although we may have bested them ourselves your, uhm, contributions are appreciated."
"A genuine compliment , from Ogron!? Someone call the press! The end is nigh!"
"Very funny," Ogron smirked.
"Hm," she smiled — she looked around and didn't see Gantlos or Duman, she went searching for them, considering her place of slumber was going to be wherever Gantlos was. After wandering a bit she heard muttered voices from an ajar door. She leaned closer.
"…I'm so tired, Duman. The burn from Bloom's dragon fire, and now this hunger… It's too much," Gantlos's voice was filled with anguish.
Duman's tone was gentle, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. "I know, but you can hang in there, your the strongest man I know—"
"I hate this part of me," Gantlos confessed, his voice breaking. "If I could, I'd get rid of it. Maybe I could have had an actual childhood…I still remember my father's beatings sometimes— he was so ashamed of me, always telling me to hide what I was. I wish the fairy had burned this side of me away….I hate it Duman, please I hate this,"
Stella's heart ached at his words. She recalled her father's letter. She understood all too well the pain of feeling rejected and unloved for who you are. Taking a deep breath, she gently pushed the door open.
Gantlos looked up, stiffening, his eyes a mixture of surprise and anger. "What!?"
Stella stepped in cautiously, " I heard you got burned? I have a healing spell or I can get Anagan—"
"Get. Out."
"Well…I couldn't help but noticed there's a pattern to your eating— and it just looks like you skip the last one, so I was just going to make sure you didn't need me…?"
"I don't need your help," Gantlos growled, his fangs visible. "Just leave."
Duman intervened softly, "Maybe you should eat, Gantlos. It might help."
"No!" Gantlos snapped. "I already feel like a monster. I don't need to eat from a literal person and make it worse!"
Stella took a deep breath and summoned her courage. "Moonlight's Reflect," she whispered, casting her spell.
A soft, silvery glow filled the room, and the three of them were transported into a vision. They saw a young boy, scared and lonely, hiding his true self from the world. His eyes were filled with fear and pain, and he looked so small and vulnerable.
Stella approached Gantlos, her shadow mirroring her movements as it reached out to the boy. She took his hands gently. "You're not a monster, Gantlos. You're just someone who wasn't loved enough. You should have been. Love is something you deserve, not something you have to earn. I wish we met before people convinced you you were something to be ashamed of, you're so beautiful Gantlos, and I know beauty."
The vision slowly dissolved, leaving the room bathed in moonlight. Gantlos was silent, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He sank to the floor, overwhelmed by emotion. Stella sat beside between his knees, her presence a quiet comfort.
She tilted her head, exposing her neck. "It's okay. I want to help. This isn't something you're doing to me, it's something I'm doing for you."
Gantlos hesitated, but Duman's gentle encouragement and Stella's unwavering gaze convinced him. Tentatively, he fed from her, his touch as gentle as he could make it. Despite his care, the process was still uncomfortable for Stella, and she winced. Duman, trying to offer some comfort, took her hands and gently stroked her hair and face. No one had ever been this gentle with his boyfriend before. As Gantlos finished, he pulled back, visibly calmer. He held onto the fairy. Stella, though tired, managed a small smile. Duman smiled, grateful for the peace she'd just provided to Gantlos. Duman rested his head in her lap. She silently whispered her healing spell, she drifted into sleep, exhausted. The other two, found themselves calmed and lulled into slumber as well.The quiet night faded into silence, it faded into peace.