Bloom's Gloom
[We begin our story with a fade into what appears to be a cave of crystals. Bloom is shown walking through the passageway as she looks around. The many crystals surrounding her twinkle and sparkle, giving off a whimsical and almost childlike air to the environment. Additionally, they appear to change into all sorts of colors, from ocean blue to forest green, from sunlight yellow to rose red, from violet as the flowers, to orange like the flame]
Bloom: Wow…it's so beautiful…
[Bloom's sense of wonder and astonishment is then averted to the faint outline of another person further into the cave. But as Bloom tries to reach out to them, the mystery figure appears to walk faster]
Bloom: Hey! Wait for me!
[Bloom decides to go after the unknown person, but as she does so, the environment of the cave begins to change. The once technicolor crystals are replaced with an ever increasing hue of red and orange, and the air seems to grow hotter]
Bloom: What on Earth is…[gasps]
[Bloom stops all of a sudden, looking around to see pools of magma on either side of her, sparks of fire shoot up from the walls, and at the end of the path is a giant sphere of rolling flames]
Bloom: Uh…hello…anyone…?
[Bloom cautiously steps forward, but each step fills her with more anxiety as she gets closer to the sphere. Just before she reaches the end of the path, the sphere suddenly turns into several figures. Bloom gapes as it divides into three outlines, revealing themselves to the Ancestral Witches, all cackling amongst themselves as they hover over Bloom]
Bloom: What?! No!
[Bloom tries to back away, but then the witches turn into three other figures, this time resembling the Trix trio, standing much taller than Bloom as if she were only a mouse. The Trix suddenly turn into the other five core members of the Winx, from left to right; Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, Aisha]
Bloom: Girls…?
[None of them seem to hear Bloom's comment as they all pass through the redhead like a ghost]
Bloom: Huh?! Girls! What's going on?!
[Bloom suddenly hears the sound of a sword being slashed and whips around to see an outline of Sky collapsing to the ground as standing in front of him are Bloom's former foes; Darkar, Valtor, and the Wizards of the Black Circle]
Bloom: Sky! Why you…!
[Before Bloom can summon an attack, the flames disperse and form into an outline of Roxy. The Fairy of Animals summons two balls of magic in each hand and sends a crash of thunder to the ceiling, shaking Bloom as she gets knocked to the ground]
Bloom: Oh! Roxy…?
[Roxy silently approaches Bloom with a cold look in her eye. However, just as the pink haired Earth fairy reaches the redhead, she turns into another girl, staring down at Bloom with an expression of repressed hatred, she has long brunette hair, a navy blue crop top with a matching jacket, with a pair of thigh-high boots as the camera pans upward to show her in full]
Bloom: Who…who are you…?
[The other girl doesn't respond as she slowly lifts her right hand up and a glowing green snake is summoned…it opens its maw and swallows the POV]
Bloom: GAH!
[Bloom opens her eyes…she looks from left to right…she's back in her room. Kiko is on the floor sleeping in his little basket, gently breathing in his slumber. Bloom breathes a sigh of relief as she lies back down on her pillow]
Bloom: It was just a dream…just a dream…
[Bloom closes her eyes once more and drifts off back to sleep, a little on-edge, but tries not to think about it too much. The camera pans out for a little bit as the redhead is heard softly breathing in her sleep]
[The scene transitions to the next morning as the sun is shown rising over the horizon. Transition to BoCo passing by Maple Station with the early morning milk train as Arthur passes by on the opposite line with a train of fish vans. Another transition to Warrior towing the garbage barge Lord Stencher, or more commonly referred to as "Lord Stinker" to assume the early disposal duties, passing by Zak in the opposite direction with a coal barge]
[Transition to outside of Bloom's flat as Knuckles, Moana, Merida, and Zorori pass by on the sidewalk]
[Cut to the inside of the kitchen as Bloom is shown preparing breakfast. She has a set of pancakes on a plate with a bottle of maple syrup nearby and some raspberries placed around the pancakes. Additionally, Kiko can be seen munching on a few grapes in the middle of the table as Bloom brings over the milk to pour into a glass]
Bloom: [yawns] What a night…looks like you slept well at least, Kiko.
[Kiko chitters as he juggles a couple of grapes in hands and then throws them up to plop into his mouth…but he misses the mark as the grapes just bonk him on the head, causing the dark blue rabbit's eyes to swirl around before he falls on his back]
Bloom: Hmmhmm, you okay there?
[Kiko gives a wonky thumbs-up]
[The scene cuts to Bloom having finished her pancakes and putting the dishes in the sink to clean them up a bit before putting them in the washer. She then heads over to the living room where some of her sketches have been laid out. Bloom picks up one of the sketches to examine it, but another slips behind the current page]
Bloom: Oh!
[Bloom reaches down to grab the fallen sketch. Upon picking it up, she realizes something familiar about it]
Bloom: Huh…almost forgot about this one…
[The sketch in question is similar to the one seen in "The Fire Inside"; a girl with long hair and a dark jacket, with some attempt at coloring in her hair, some shade of light brunette. Bloom stares at the sketch for some time, contemplating on something in the back of her head]
Bloom: …I don't know what it is, but…this seems oddly familiar…but I just can't pick it out.
[Bloom sets the sketch back down on the coffee table]
Bloom: I'd better put this aside for now, I've gotta finish my recent commission…okay, now where is…Ah! There we are.
[Bloom picks up a sketch that resembles a group of nymphs sitting by a lake, surrounded by trees and a pink sky in the backdrop. Bloom gives a small smile at the picture]
Bloom: Takes me back to the Nymphs of Domino…
[Just as Bloom starts to draw once more on the current sketch, her eyes slowly look back at the other piece she just put down…an uneasy expression comes across Bloom's face before she shakes her head]
Bloom: What am I doing, it's just a picture…then again, NO! Just…focus…on the task at hand…
[Bloom goes over to a desk to sketch with more ease, not looking back at the coffee table as she continues her work, no matter how much she's tempted to look back at that particular piece. The redhead lets out a sigh as she puts a blue pencil down]
Bloom: I need to clear my head…maybe I'll go down to the market or something. That might help…
[The scene cuts back to the sketch before it transitions to Bloom walking down the street while Grimhilde and Maleficent walk past in the background]
Bloom: I just don't know…my mind's been so…preoccupied lately…
[We cut to the market as Courage, Muriel, and Eustace are seen exiting the store with their groceries. Bloom goes up to the rack of carts and shopping baskets and pulls up one of the baskets to take along with her as she enters the shop. Penny, Lizzie, Marvin, Vector, Espio, Charmy, Augustus, Erma, Flip, Sealia, Gumball, Darwin, Jimmy, Jenny, Ginger, Danny, Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Garfield, Cruella, Captain Hook, Waul, Fat Cat, Ed, Edd, and Eddy are shown walking about the store looking over various shelves and displays]
[Bloom goes over to the fruit section to see if there's a selection of particular apples for her to pick. As Bloom reaches for the apples, she notices the bananas nearby. On a sticker for a label, a woman in a miniskirt is posing joyfully with her hands at her waist. To Bloom's eye, the woman's long brown hair sticks out to her…she concentrates on the detail for so long that she doesn't watch where she's going and almost ends up running into Starlight and Trixie]
Starlight: Oh!
Trixie: Ah!
Bloom: Oops! Sorry, I was distracted!
Starlight: Uh, that's alright, just making sure you're okay.
Bloom: Yes…thanks, again, sorry about the mishap.
[Bloom awkwardly walks away while the two unicorns glance at each other]
Trixie: Trrrrixie feels like she just saw a basket case.
Starlight: That's certainly one observation to make.
[The scene cuts to Bloom walking in between two aisles as Yogi, Boo-Boo, and Cindy pass by in the opposite direction. She looks over the labels of jam and jelly before putting a hand on her forehead]
Bloom: I'm losing my mind, aren't I…? It's that stupid sketch, why am I so focused on that…and that girl…and I'm talking to myself in public…
[Bloom's face flushes as the redhead tries hard not to look awkward]
Bloom: Just…let's purchase these things and get out of here…
[However, as luck would have it, as Bloom is shown walking up to the checkout aisle, a cue is waiting for her, consisting of Pepe, Pamela, Zim, Vixey, Pixie, Dixie, Penelope Pitstop, Duchess, Marie, Toulouse, Berlioz, Cinderella, Geoffrey, and Hershey]
[Bloom gives a sigh and an exasperated look at the camera]
[The scene cuts to Bloom walking back down the path she came, carrying her groceries in a plastic bag, before she suddenly feels a buzzing in her pocket. Bloom pauses and reaches onto the right side of her jeans, picking out her phone and seeing that Stella is the one contacting her based on the icon]
Bloom: Huh, maybe this will give me something to work with.
[Bloom presses the call button and a split screen opens to show Stella in her dress shop stitching a new rose corset together]
Bloom: Hey, Stella!
Stella: Helloooo, bestie, just wanted to get on my favorite fire fairy! How's the art business going?
Bloom: Oh! It's doing great, actually, recently got a commission for a portrait of forest nymphs. I'm almost done with it, just went out to buy some food for the flat.
Stella: That's good to hear, I've got the newest edition sorted out, we're going all out on the Spring Fling! Rose, lavender, bluebell, sunflower, oh, I am a genius!
Bloom: Well, at least things seem to be going better on your end…
Stella: Sorry, what do you mean by that?
Bloom: Uh! What did I say again?
Stella: Something about things being better on my end.
Bloom: Oh, thaaaaaat, never mind, just aaaaaaa slip of the tongue is all.
Stella: That was a full sentence.
Bloom: Stella, I assure you, everything is completely fine on my end, just…art is a bit stress-inducing sometimes.
Stella: Hmmmm, I understand the feeling…still, maybe you should find some way to relax.
Bloom: Don't I know it…? Anyway, I shouldn't stall you for long, you've got your own thing to do.
Stella: Yeah, suppose I'd better get back to these dresses. Take care, Bloom.
Bloom: You too, Stella.
[The phone clicks off, ending the call. Bloom presses her head against a lamppost]
Bloom: Smoooooooth…
[Bloom takes her head off the post and sighs]
Bloom: I really need to calm down, maybe take a shower, make some tea, anything, really…
[In the background, Krypto, Streaky, and Ace walk past Bloom as she ponders over her words]
Bloom: Maybe…a trip to the pier might do it…?
[On that note, Bloom heads off in the direction of Cedar Harbor, passing by the Warner siblings on the other side. Transition to the harbor as Ten Cents, Sunshine, and Top Hat pass each other with their respective barge loads, pipes and wood for the switchers, and the car floats; Frank and Eddie, for the railway tug]
[As Daisy passes by Cedar Station, Bloom is shown on the pier, gazing out to the ocean. She sighs as she appears to relax for the first time that day…]
Bloom: It's so…peaceful…
[Bloom looks down at the water as the small waves gently lap the dock. She closes her eyes as a memory of childhood comes back to her, a young Bloom is shown walking along the pier in Gardenia with her Earth parents; Mike and Vanessa, all three of them have ice cream cones]
[Bloom then points out to the sea and her parents turn in response. A regatta of sail boats can be seen passing by the pier, and some of the members wave at the trio. Bloom chuckles as she waves along with Mike and Vanessa]
[Transition back to the current Bloom as she smiles dreamily…but then another memory comes back to her as it transitions to Bloom throwing stones out to the water. She's not a very good aim as most of them end up just plopping into the ocean. However, a girl standing next to her flips a stone, causing it to bounce three times in the water before sinking. Bloom looks over at the girl, matching the profile of the one she saw in her dream, but this one has a more friendly aura to her, if not a little cocky. Bloom chuckles and the other girl puts a hand behind her head, slightly abashed, but the redhead's smile gives her some assurance. The two girls look out to the sea as the brunette glances at Bloom staring ahead. She looks away before giving a timid smile]
[We transition back to the present Bloom as she blinks]
Bloom: That girl…why does she look so…familiar, yet…I feel like I don't know her…
[Bloom sighs as she turns back to head home, passing the Warner siblings heading in the opposite direction. The scene cuts to Bloom arriving back at her flat to unpack the groceries, but before she can go into the kitchen, the Fairy of the Dragon Flame is taken off-guard by Kiko on the coffee table, donning a makeshift cape, a tiny top hat, and a small wand in his hand]
Bloom: Kiko, what's all this then? Are you a magician?
[Kiko takes off the hat, waves his wand around it, and then makes a "Ta-da" noise when he pulls out some little flowers. Bloom gives a polite chuckle at the display]
Bloom: Very nice, Kiko. You're like a real Houdini.
[Kiko gives a proud and gracious bow at the compliment. While Bloom does feel a little better from the performance as she sets about arranging the food, her mind goes back to what happened at the harbor]
[The scene transitions to evening as Antoine and Tails are shown walking outside of Bloom's flat, while Brisby and Fievel pass by in the opposite direction. We cut to inside of the building as Bloom is seen wrapping up her current sketch, finally putting her pencil down with a satisfied sigh]
Bloom: And that's…that…hmmmmmmm…beautiful…
[We get a better view of the Forest Nymphs, each with their own pronounced color, the golden nymph in particular appears to bear resemblance to Daphne, the Nymph of Domino]
Bloom: I'll submit this as soon as I can…man, am I hungry, need to make dinner…
[Bloom stands up from her desk and walks over to the kitchen. We then see her eating a bowl of pasta before she looks over at her phone. Mid-bite, Bloom picks it up and selects the icon app, scrolling down the list of contacts before coming to one of the names listed under "S". She presses the name "Sky" and waits to see if the line will pick up. Sure enough, she hears the reception on the other end as a split screen shows Sky sat down on a chair by his desk, polishing one of his swords]
Sky: Hello?
Bloom: Oh, Sky, hey there. How's everything going?
Sky: Well, the old arm's been healing, and I've been getting back into training with my weapons.
Bloom: That's good to hear, I was wondering when the knight in shining armor would return.
Sky: Not lost your touch, have you?
Bloom: I hope not…but, really, I'm glad that you're alright.
Sky: I could say the same for you, have things been alright on your end?
Bloom: Yeah…for the most part.
Sky: Pardon?
Bloom: AHEM, I mean, everything's been peachy, what with all the art commissions and whatnot, hehe…
Sky: Hmmm, guess you've been a busy bee, but are you sure you're alright?
Bloom: Absolutely, it's just a bit of stress for work is all, nothing too serious…
Sky: If you're sure, Bloom, I'll take your word for it…
Bloom: Thanks, Sky…see you soon for a meetup?
Sky: Yeah…we'll talk more about it. Might wanna get some rest.
Bloom: True that…goodnight, Sky.
Sky: Goodnight, Bloom.
[The call clicks off and Bloom sighs as she goes back to her dinner]
Bloom: I'd like to say I'm alright, but at this point…I'm not sure how likely that is…maybe it's just all in my head…
[The scene cuts to Birch Grove as a silhouette can be seen approaching the tunnel. We are then shown a close-up of her navy blue boots before panning up to reveal a girl with long olive green hair, dark eyeshadow, and lipstick. She's holding a book in her satchel and pulls it out. She looks at it before glancing back up at the tunnel]
?: …This had better work.
"What does thou seek from within?"
?: Excuse me?
"You've come with a…desire, have you not?"
?: That's one way to put it…but what's the significance to you?
"I can tell you've been wanting this for a long time…you've felt…isolated…abashed…resentful…once two halves of one whole, you stand here, all on your own…"
?: Don't patronize me. I know my life story, you don't need to rub it in.
"Very well…do you seek to act upon this burning wish within yourself…because once it's set in motion, there's no turning back…"
[The girl pauses for a moment before looking down at her book…she sighs and looks back with a cold look on her face towards the tunnel]
?: I wish…
Character Guide:
Bloom, Stella, Sky, Selina, Flora, Musa, Tecna, Aisha, Roxy, Icy, Stormy, Darcy, Mike, Vanessa, Darkar, Valtor, Ogron, Duman, Gantlos, Anagan - Winx Club
Starlight Glimmer, Trixie Lulamoon - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Captain Hook - Peter Pan (1953)
Cinderella - Cinderella (1950)
Cruella De Vil - 101 Dalmatians (1961)
Danny Fenton - Danny Phantom
Duchess, Marie, Toulouse, Berlioz - The Aristocats (1970)
Ed, Edd, Eddy - Ed, Edd N' Eddy
Elizabeth Brisby - The Secret of NIMH (1982)
Fat Cat - Chip N' Dale: Rescue Rangers
Fievel Mousekewitz, Cat R. Waul - An American Tail (1986) / Fievel Goes West (1991)
Garfield - Garfield
Ginger Foutley - As Told by Ginger
Grimhilde - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Gumball Watterson, Darwin Watterson - The Amazing World of Gumball
Jenny Wakeman - My Life as a Teenage Robot
Jimmy Neutron - The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Krypto, Streaky, Ace - Krypto the Superdog
Lizzie McGuire - Lizzie McGuire
Maleficent - Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Merida - Brave (2012)
Moana - Moana (2016)
Pamela Bondani - Patrol 03
Penelope Pitstop - Wacky Races/The Perils of Penelope Pitstop
Penny Proud - The Proud Family
Pepe Le Pew - Looney Tunes
Pixie, Dixie - Pixie, Dixie, and Mr. Jinks
Tails the Fox, Knuckles the Echidna, Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon, Charmy the Bee, Antoine D'Coolette, Geoffrey St. John, Hershey the Cat, Augustus the Polar Bear, Erma Ermine, Flip Penguin, Sealia Seal - Sonic the Hedgehog
Vixey - The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger - Winnie the Pooh
Yakko Warner, Wakko Warner, Dot Warner - Animaniacs
Yogi Bear, Boo-Boo Bear, Cindy Bear - The Yogi Bear Show
Zim - Invader Zim
Zorori - Kaiketsu Zorori
Daisy, BoCo, Arthur - Thomas and Friends
Ten Cents, Sunshine, Top Hat, Warrior, Zak, Lord Stinker, Frank and Eddie - TUGS