Rise from the Ashes

by Paperpuscher 101

Fear and Idiocy saw him cast through the Veil by the people he saved not long before. After escaping his frozen prison with peculiar allies in tow he gets shown a bright new World of Magic inhabited by Fairies. A world whose surface blazes bright, masking the truth below with its blinding light.

19. Freedom

Chapter 19 is here and I have an announcement to make!

!I HAVE MADE A P ATREON!

You can find it under Paperpuscher101 at P atreon, so the same name I use here. Or simply copy this to the URL P atreon .com (slash) Paperpusher101 for quicker access. Just remove the spaces, obviously.

It's my ambition to upload more frequently. Bi-Monthly is my goal at first, hopefully slowly growing to weekly and maybe even more.

Of course, nobody is obligated to become a P atreon. But that also means I probably won't be able to upload too frequently. We'll see how it goes for a few months or so and if I have to abandon that venture.

More information to that you can find at my Profile.

I hope you enjoy the chapter.

---

Planet Magix, Citadel of Night.

Chimera mewled in disappointment as Harry stopped his ministrations. His rough hands no longer caressing her back or courting sounds of contentment out of the young fairy's throat. "Please, daddy." she pleaded, looking over her shoulder with a pout. A quartet of nasty scars now decorated her face, all beginning at one cheek from where they went over the bridge of her nose to the other. Sometimes meeting before separating again. They were still raw and red, but at least not as big as they could've been. Nonetheless, the girl was lucky to not have lost her nose; courtesy of Harry's quick thinking and preparation.

"Sorry, Chimera, but we're finished for today." he chuckled, washing his hands off the healing salve – a special blend that drained Dark Magic and healed skin – before drying them off with a nearby towel. The fully clothed wizard looked at his handiwork, noting that the wounds on her back – now covered in a pungent green healing salve – were slowly mending. Most wouldn't fade completely, instead forming a criss-crossing network of scars that would take time to heal. Due to magic aiding her recovery Chimera saw good progress, with Harry serving to keep the muscles of her back limber, preventing them from becoming too tight or stiff. "You need time to heal and strenuous activity would only delay your recovery. Please sit up so I can bandage you properly." he ordered, holding a roll of said bandages in one hand.

The fairy nodded her head reluctantly as she sat up with his help, blue eyes holding nothing but gratitude in them as Harry carefully wrapped her up. He was mindful to not make it too tight or loose, lest it be damaging or come undone. She'd of course relish an encounter of the carnal variety, but understood that such wouldn't be prudent right now. Not that Harry would even engage in it with her, even if she'd be unscathed. The wizard having told her that he wasn't keen on repeating the mistakes from before, to focus on the physicality of their relationship. Instead their limited time together was spent getting to know one another better, something they had not done too much before. Going on a few dates and other more innocent things were on the list. Though, the Trix' trial took precedence for him at the moment.

Harry obviously still had his usual needs, but Bloom took care of those with enthusiasm. While that was a blow to Chimera, it wasn't like she could complain without looking like some foolish bitch or a hypocrite. Bloom and her own roles were simply reversed right now. Some part of her despised that abstinence, while another relished in the more wholesome feelings their dates sent through her heart and body. Not that Bloom didn't also lay claim to those moments.

"There, all done." Harry gave her a smile, which was no longer partly hidden behind a beard. By now having shaved it off completely, giving him a less rugged but still handsome face. It clearly showed he was satisfied with his work, followed by giving the young woman a quick kiss to soothe her. "Sorry, but I just have enough time to prepare for the conclusion of the trial."

Chimera simply nodded, looking at his retreating back longingly as he made to arrange everything before his departure. With a sigh she stood up to do the same, only clad in the bandages he put on her, which barely concealed her breasts. She still didn't fully understand why he was so invested in the Trix of all people gaining their freedom, but if that's what he wanted then she'd support him. Just like he had supported her on Solaria.

Without delay the fairy made her way to the room assigned to her in the massive main stalactite, adjacent to Diaspro's current accommodations.

It was a rather luxurious one that wouldn't be out of place in a manor, effusing an air of lavish charm. The room was a meticulous reflection of its current owner's polished tastes, its interior design paired sleek and warm design with subtle luxuries. A comfortable four-poster bed flanked by side tables sat on one side, and at the room's centre, a sunken seating area provided cushions and pillows for lounging. This bedroom was warmed to a pleasant warmth by a stone fireplace, the tongues of orange flame dancing freely, crackling and popping in the charred black alcove. A chest that contained all her belongings hugged the northern wall, locked with a large brass padlock.

All in all it was not as decadent as what she was used to, but certainly not squalid. Most important, however, was the fact that it was warm and cosy and not giving her an empty feeling.

A table in the south-west corner, draped with a crimson cloth, was laden with a delectable lunch made by Harry and preserved through a spell: a steaming mushroom casserole made from various fungi found in these caves, cooked with bluestalk pasta and a lichen sheet on top. It was served with delicious garlic bread and a bottle of Frost Giant's Kiss. The latter was a chilled white wine hailing from Solaria, able to fight off heat and pairing excellently with hot foods.

Before she could dig into the food Chimera made to put on some clothes, only to be interrupted by Diaspro.

"Good day!" Chimera all but snarled, barely able to keep herself restrained as the panties fell from her hands. Over the last few weeks they hadn't seen too much of each other. Always preferring to keep their distance outside of meals, which Harry encouraged them to take together in the hopes that it did not foster their adversarial relationship further.

Diaspro sighed in exasperation. "This again? You do know that Harry makes us take our meals together for a reason, right? Fruitless as that seems to be." it was followed by Diaspro rolling her eyes of citrine and crossing her arms under her ample bosom. "Well, at least you're no longer paranoid." she commented as she saw Chimera's nude form, referring to the fact that Chimera had gone to painstaking lengths to not let any parts of her body out of her sight. Be they hair, nail clippings, spit, blood or anything else that one could use for Polyjuice.

"It's not paranoia if someone is out to get you." Chimera sneered with a huff. Though, her attitude grew smug quickly, a smile blooming on her lips. "Not that you're going to be successful in fucking Harry disguised as myself ever again!"

Diaspro took the bait of the boasting fairy despite knowing better. Something akin to morbid curiosity filling her. "Oh, how did you manage that?" the blonde walked closer to her nearly nude rival, her nudity by now was just par for the course.

The now short-haired fairy turned around and presented her enticing and shapely rear, spreading her cheeks to show her rather unique solution to that problem. "With this!" a small heart-shaped metal ring poked out of her pucker.

"Anal beads?" came the amused reply, wondering how that would help solve the impersonation issue. "How are those supposed to help?" one could hear the sheer amusement the blonde felt at the truly bewildering sight. Though, she for now played along with this weird game Chimera liked to play. "It's not like I can't procure those for myself."

Undeterred, Chimera proclaimed with a slightly deranged fire burning in her blue eyes. "Easy! They're one of a kind, made from a rare material that you can't just conjure or transfigure. Neither do you know the exact shape of the beads or what's engraved into them." Harry had created it just for her out of pure Mithril, – known to him as Goblin Silver – which rejected weakness and therefore didn't need any cleaning. Mithril was also immune to transfiguration itself. However, much like gold and silver, Harry couldn't conjure the magical material but had to procure it. Unlike the many precious and semi-precious stones used in his Citadel of Night; none of which were worth all that much in their society, easily made through magic or science. Luckily, a few leftover objects made of Mithril had been found here from Darkar's time to use in its creation.

"I could just take it from you, couldn't I?" Diaspro questioned, her head tilted and eyes narrowed at her puckered hole.

"Try it." Chimera challenged smugly, still spreading her cheeks and shaking her pert ass in obvious invitation.

With another sigh the blonde fairy shrugged her delicate shoulders and did so, one finger gripping the ring and pulling. Diaspro frowned as they didn't even budge an inch, not even with all her might. It was like they were fused or glued tightly to her insides. "Hopefully you can still remove it. Otherwise you'll explode, or even more shit than usual will come out of your mouth." she said dryly, letting go of the ring.

The Solarian fairy growled as she turned to face Diaspro, now crossing her arms and proclaiming haughtily. "Only Harry can but I also don't need to, because the beads are permanently enchanted." one of the enchantments was obviously the inability to be removed by anyone but Harry. Mostly done so she couldn't be controlled to do it under certain spells or potions. While the second function was to keep her bowels clean, allowing Harry to take her ass anytime and without problems. There was another reason for them, which was the simple fact that she felt empty otherwise after previously being stuffed multiple times every day.

Diaspro obviously had some ideas as to the beads' functions by the thoughtful look on her face. "You know," she commented idly. "I should be disgusted by a poor excuse for a noblewoman such as you, but somewhere down the line your behaviour stopped being creepy and became admirable. Mostly due to your sheer dedication to being the biggest slut you can be." one simply had to admire the honesty and dedication of it. Literally creating something that would consume more than the average persons salary for a decade, only to create an artefact for such an outrageous reason as that.

"Thank you?" Chimera replied, a mix of confusion and suspicion lacing together in her tone. "Considering most of the noblewomen you and I've met, I'll take that as a compliment." their mothers and many others were either scheming bitches, airheaded idiots, extremely vindictive whores or a combination of them. Though, before Harry she would've counted amongst their number. "Besides, I'm a slut just for Harry." With that done the blue-haired fairy clothed herself, or tried to. The panties, skirt and stockings all were no problem until she came to the top, having to take care to not mess up the bandages as her back protesting extremely.

"Here, let me help." Diaspro offered. "Hold out your arms in front."

Reluctantly Chimera did so, letting the blonde slowly wiggle the garment onto her. "Thank you." she said tersely, but civilly. However, the following meal before their departure was spent in silence like all the times before. Only marginally helped by Harry's presence later down the line before he went of to the Fortress of Light.

---

Fortress of Light.

The building stood out even among the other grand structures of the settlement's square. Thick whitewashed plaster coated every inch but the stairs. In the local language, words describing a dedication to justice had been painstakingly carved in the lintel atop the edifice's oversized portal.

This was a simple but enormous building, almost the size of a hamlet. Hundreds of simple chandeliers hung throughout the courthouse. Its halls usually echoed with outrage and demand even when a plaintiff whispered promises through gritted teeth. However, today all proceedings but one were put on hold, due to the sheer notoriety of the accused and the verdict being proclaimed today. The austere courthouse was free of decoration, save for a well-made statuette of a long forgotten deity of justice, symbolizing their watchfulness over the court's proceedings.

Like all the times before the typical feeling of wrongness embraced him with its creeping claws. It still was very uncomfortable, but by now Harry could mostly ignore it.

Harry walked through the grand corridors, meeting many of the staff. There were the usual Paladins, which made up most of the guards and private army of this place. Above them were the Templars, which were the veterans and those warriors exceptionally talented in their art of combat.

Only occasionally he saw the people responsible for the daily upkeep of the Fortress of Light. Harry had seen little of them during his second visit, but only now knew their function and name. They were called the Serene and performed all sorts of menial and administrative functions in this constructed realm; they serviced the Paladins' and Templars' chambers, purchased supplies, acted as storekeepers, managed the archives and maintained the records.

All normal people shuddered at that their presence though, at how wrong they felt and looked. Their monotonous and blank voices offering insincere greetings, expressionless eyes and placid smiles were unnerving and eerie. Serenity it was called, stripping them of every capacity but logical opinion. It was basically akin to a lobotomy, removing inspiration, dreams or the ability to cast magic. Despite still – presumably – possessing free will they were wandering everywhere like sleepwalkers; neither completely awake or asleep.

He was convinced that everyone he knew would rather have their tongues cut out, their mouths sewn shut or being put in Omega than endure such a fate.

Harry grunted out a muttered comment under his breath. "It's not like the Trix will be condemned to Serenity." After all, it was the ultimate punishment levelled at unlawful practitioners of magic on Serenia. Everywhere else it was seen as an abomination and forbidden. Here some took it voluntarily, while those from outside were present because according to them it was a logical place to be. If they would issue the punishment, then the Council of Light wouldn't keep Planet Omega as a prison.

Paladins in pristine uniforms stood to either side of the open doors leading into the Council of Light's courtroom, as well as a good amount of them inside. The chamber was dominated by an imposing, tall desk – granting the seated official a full view over all within the court, participants and onlookers alike. To the side of the magistrate's grand desk was a smaller table – spotted with ink – and seat for the court recorder. Opposite them was a gallery of seats, screened from the rest of the courtroom by a wooden railing, reserved not for a jury of peers but the Council of Light.

Normally each planet of the Magical Galaxy, be they monarchy, republic or otherwise, could appoint a representative on the Council of Light. Most planets did not bother paying overmuch attention to the proceedings in these halls, much too preoccupied with their internal matters. Though, the council-member representing Domino had recently been replaced by Bloom, exercising her power to temporarily remove the representative of Domino – who ironically was not a native of Domino – to sit in herself. Something the appointee had taken with relative grace, and a sour expression. However, Domino wasn't the only realm to break decorum like this; Eraklyon's Prince had also replaced their own representative for the duration of the trial.

Those two being there excluded them from being witnesses to be called upon, a neat little loophole they now exploited. Something that was quite a fortunate turn of events combined with the curious absence of the Winx Club and the Specialists usually associated with them, leaving the accusers with little room to manoeuvre.

The Trial of the Trix had taken three weeks of near non-stop action. Not stuck in wait for years like so many, but instead sped along through the interest of powerful people. Most notably Queen Bloom of Domino, but Headmistress Faragonda of Alfea also played a role. Other notable figures were Headmistress Griffin of Cloud Tower and Saladin of the Red Fountain; a school where Specialists were trained. It largely was smooth sailing and went in favour of the Trix. Though, Harry mostly attributed that to the rather unscrupulous lawyer from Zenith Tecna had recommended and acquired for him.

The legal professional in question was named Tiberius and sat calmly beside the Trix perusing notes, his demeanour confident. His extensive knowledge of intergalactic law and expertise in the complex legal systems of multiple planets made him much sought after. Well, except on Zenith, where MI – Magical Intelligence – had recently replaced lawyers and judges altogether. Which was why he came for free, wanting to make a name for himself on other planets through a high-profile case. Not to mention the patronage of the Queen of Domino and the future Queen of Zenith.

Each detail of the man seemed to be meticulously chosen. Every ironed line of his sleek suit was perfect and every strand of black hair accounted for in a strict haircut. Various cybernetic augmentations powered by magic had been performed upon the lawyer. His magitech-enhanced eyes were visibly modified with glowing LEDs and a metallic sheen, which made processing information much faster. Even at a quick glance it was obvious he had an upgraded arm, silver in appearance and more resembling a work of art than a limb with its intricate filigree.

Most importantly, however, Tiberius knew the complex dance of the courtroom better than most, his years of experience giving him an edge over the young hotshots looking for an easy win. With implacable neutrality the lawyer had argued on behalf of the Trix – whatever they had been accused of – never letting his own ethical stance or hubris interfere. Most notably of those was his veiled disgust at anything female.

All he had said to Harry and the Trix at the beginning of the trial was "Let me do the talking." Their narrative was such that the Trix were controlled by Darkar following their expulsion from Cloud Tower, having been exploited by him to do his bidding and covertly gain the Dragon's Flame from Bloom. Why else would Darkar bother to break the Trix out of the Fortress of Light, if not for a prior connection? Why else would the Trix even know how to or have the means to extract the Dragon's Flame, even temporarily?

The results spoke for themselves as they finally arrived at the closing statements.

Tiberius stood up elegantly, moving onto the floor before the jury. "Your Honour, members of the jury." he began. "This trial has shown by preponderance of evidence that my clients; Tharma, Belladonna and Lysslis – also known as the Trix – have never received a proper trial until this one." the lawyer let the words hang in the air for a moment. "A gross negligence of the justice system itself, where innocent until proven guilty should reign supreme. Neither had an investigation been launched on how three expelled schoolgirls were able to know how to summon and control the Army of Darkness. Or even do something as outrageously impossible as taking the Dragon's Flame from its chosen Fairy – however temporary that may have been."

"The burden of proof resting on the accuser has been woefully ignored, relying largely on hearsay and slander to paint a picture people want or expect to see when looking upon Witches." Tiberius went on passionately, evidently able to summon that emotion on command. "They seemingly were only persecuted for being what they are. Is it any wonder that after a lifetime of that they'd consider earning that hatred?" here he made a show of looking angrily at Griffin, the current Headmistress of Cloud Tower. "Without any support, being expelled as scapegoats and then controlled by the now deceased Darkar – who most likely enabled these plots in the first place. We all even saw him break out the Trix with ease from this very place – it's no wonder they felt trapped in a lifestyle pushed on them."

Harry felt Tiberius was putting it on a big thick, though then the wizard remembered that the trial was being televised all over the Magical Galaxy. Probably a good thing, considering his suspicion that it'd be a kangaroo court otherwise. Griffin looked like she'd swallowed a particularly nasty lemon, but held her sharp tongue.

"The defence has proven beyond reasonable doubt that Darkar could control people. Or did we all forget the dark times before the Fall of Domino?" Tiberius asked rhetorically, sweeping his artificial gaze over the courtroom, now facing the spectators and journalists. "A now ignored point in history where no one could be trusted, not even ones own family, for fear of them being controlled by the now deceased wizard Valtor or the late Shadow Phoenix! So much so that only a decade after the Fall of Domino did things calm down. Even the Fairy of the Dragon's Flame herself had been controlled by Darkar for a period of time. The Trix themselves are still steeped with the magic of the Shadow Phoenix, it's signature clear as day!" most didn't know that it was Harry's magic that was all over them.

"And just like Queen Bloom, the Trix had been able to fight his influence!" the lawyer whirled around to face the jury once more, a hint of tears as artificial as his eyes escaping him. "So much so that instead of killing everyone in Magix they petrified them instead, keeping them alive and safe. Once no longer under his thrall these brave young women even fought against their oppressor in the end. As we have seen from their own memories, which were compounded by those of others that have no reason to lie." his words were delivered passionately and strongly, echoing in this hall. "They may have escaped prison with Valtor, but doing such is not illegal." the Urge of Freedom it was called, and it stated that a prisoner couldn't be prosecuted for trying to escape or being successful in it. "The fact that they were no longer under the control of the Shadow Phoenix is shown clearly when they refused to aid Valtor – a notorious minion of the Shadow Phoenix – in his mad and suicidal quest to bring this very institution to its knees."

It was largely left out that Darkar had betrayed the Trix first and they only fought him as revenge. Or that they did not ally with Valtor because he had already been dead at that point and that Harry was a more pleasing prospect to them.

Tiberius cleared his throat as if something was stuck, swallowing thickly as he cleared his tears. "They must've endured harrowing beyond account, horror beyond measure in that frozen realm of nightmares filled with criminals." it was once again ignored that if the Trix could've been wrongly imprisoned then other innocents could also be present there. "Despite having every reason to despise everyone of us, they instead deliberated and choose the peaceful and legal option. Those are not the actions of the guilty!" The man seemed to struggle a bit to compose himself. If it was a struggle to not laugh or just an exceptional performance, Harry wasn't sure.

"I'm sure you will make the right decision today."

With that closing argument out of the way, the council went to deliberate. The wildly gossiping spectators dispersed outside during the break, leaving Harry alone with the Trix and some guards at the entrance.

"That went reasonably well, don't you think?" Harry asked, grinning at the three witches. All of them still clothed fully in their baggy prison garb, while manacles of Orichalcum on wrists and ankles were preventing escape or the casting of magic.

Stormy nodded placidly, her eyes a little glazed over and an insipid smile on her lips. "Indeed." was all she said with uncharacteristic tranquillity. Due to her rather honest, straightforward and easily riled-up nature, Harry had smuggled her a daily Draught of Peace since the beginning of the court proceedings. It wasn't a perfect solution. However, otherwise it was quite possible that the combative and loud young woman would've blown this case wide open. Harry shivered a little at the slight resemblance to the Serene.

The silver-haired Icy let a small unsure smile slip. "I didn't think it'd go quite as well as this."

Darcy replied, her golden eyes never leaving the door behind which the deliberation was taking place. "I don't know if I trust that feeling."

"What do you mean? We're innocent and on our way out of here." Icy said with reserved happiness, unable to see why the prospect of no longer running from the law could be a bad thing. Not that she planned to be a goody-two shoes in the future.

The Witch of Darkness sent one last narrow-eyed look at the door. "That's exactly it. Things went too smoothly." she argued, her fine nails tapping on the desk in a staccato beat. "They could've prolonged the trial in all manner of ways. Wait for some of the Winx or Specialists to be available. Anything!" the frustration was palpable in the young woman's voice, her arms now crossed. "It feels like we gave them what they wanted, even if it's not like originally planned." why else take them from Relix, only to put them in Omega where the chance of escape was higher? Too many things didn't add up for her, and so little information drove Darcy up a wall. She was the one who played with minds usually, and as such she was unwilling to let that slide.

"You mean we're not their target?" Stormy pondered, tapping her chin in thought. "Then, what or who is their objective?"

"That's the crux of the matter, isn't it?"

Harry, not wanting them to ponder something none of them had any idea about, told them. "It serves no purpose to speculate about things and potential plots we have no inkling about." instead he tried to cheer Darcy up. "Despite it not being a certainty, I don't believe we're gonna lose this."

Both of Darcy's delicate eyebrows were raised at the wording, a smile quickening on her rosy lips. "Oh, so we are in this together then?"

The nod that he gave strangely came as a surprise to all three witches, the honesty and openness in his face flustering the young women. Though, not as much as his next words. "Of course," he said as if it was obvious. "I wouldn't have invested or risked so much for this endeavour otherwise. You aren't the only ones this trial could've spelled doom for."

"True." Icy conceded, a flaming blush on her pale cheeks. Even just one bad slip about him being the Shadow Phoenix could've all the considerable might of this institution come to bear against him and his. Not to mention his involvement in the Trix' escape of Omega and the theft of one of the Council of Light's aircrafts. "I still don't know what we'd even do afterwards." she commented shyly, her sapphire eyes darting to Harry before looking away again, making one interest clear to those looking.

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "You can do whatever you want to." he didn't want to drag them with him on his quest for revenge on Earth, once he got his problem sorted out. Though, until then he'd see where things led him. Another part felt like he was making excuses to not go back home, arguing that he never kept grudges or hate for long. This occasion being the exception due to the severity and having had no other distractions in Omega. Perfectly aware that he could go and raze Magical Britain to the ground near single-handedly right this moment, and yet didn't.

"I'd like to do you, Harry." Stormy said out of nowhere, her teal eyes focussed intently on him. There was no bashfulness to see on her face far and wide. Her honest nature combined with the Draught of Peace repressing any potential embarrassment having lead to this rather comedic outcome.

Icy and Darcy whirled around and sputtered at their sister. "What?! Where did that come from?" Lysslis brought out incredulously, having assumed Tharma wasn't truly interested in Harry. It was followed shortly after by Belladonna's question. "Since when did you show interest in a relationship with him?"

Stormy glanced at them for a second before rolling her eyes and returning her gaze to Harry in one smooth motion. "It's not like I want to be your girlfriend." she dismissed casually, giving an unconcerned shrug. "You empowered us beyond what we could achieve alone, gifting us with Gloomix and your Mark. The latter of which already denotes your ownership over us, so my body serving at your pleasure isn't an unexpected step." she stated it how she saw it. "I simply want to offer you some benefit besides just simple servitude." she then turned to her sisters once more. "Or are you telling me it's not true that we or witches as a whole are attracted to power?"

"You know we are!" Icy snapped back before reeling her anger in, still awkwardly aware of Harry observing them and unsure of how he'd take this. For them it was a simple truth that witches operated under the mantra of 'Might makes Right'. The strong ruled over the weak, with there being absolutely no shame in servitude as long as they submitted to a good master. Something Harry had proven himself to be over the time they knew each other. There also was no doubt in any of their minds – even if they'd only reluctantly admit such – that if they hadn't met Harry they'd be serving Valtor now.

The wizard shook his head at that, equal parts amused and incredulous. "They're not where I come from." he sighed out, remembering Hermione and how she would certainly react to this. "I don't want you to be my servants."

"Then you're out of luck!" Icy shot back, only barely avoiding at seeing his words as a rejection.

Darcy spoke up with a huff. "Yeah, you're stuck with us now!" she did not want to lose that power he gave her or the potential for more with him, thank you very much. It was not really how she imagined laying claim to Harry, but she wasn't one to waste an opportunity.

"We're yours now, simple as that!" Stormy confirmed with a resolute nod, her fluffy cloud-like hair bouncing a little with the motion.

Harry opened his mouth to tell them that he could revoke his hold over them. Only to close it again, remembering how they've reacted when he removed it in the past. So he simply gave a confused nod to them, not quite knowing just what kind of relationship they were advertising. Or if each had some different arrangement in mind for themselves. "I guess I don't get a say in this?" the wizard chuckled as the three shook their heads vehemently, smiling sheepishly at them and not really seeing the servitude right this moment. "We'll see if you still have the same opinion after I tell you what happened while you were in prison."

"Why, what happened?" the Trix said nearly simultaneously.

With a slight grimace he told them. "I'll tell you later. It's a rather long story but one you're entitled to. Though, let's wait for the verdict first." Harry knew what happened with Bloom wouldn't go over particularly well, considering the animosity between them. So better to wait before something could go wrong before the finish line.

They reluctantly acquiesced to his request. Luckily the wait for the deliberation to end wasn't too long, especially for a case such as this one. Only a little more than two hours later did all of the current council members come back into the courtroom to proclaim it. Bloom looked rather undecided, apparently bewildered by what transpired behind closed doors.

"Did the Council come to a decision?" the Head of the Council inquired, his long white beard and colourful robes reminding Harry strongly of Dumbledore. Yet Harry was certain that there were subtle hints that the man behind the beard was less than benevolent and kind. After all, Dumbledore wasn't a saint by any means, no matter what people believed. A man that could raise a child to slaughter was a cold bastard.

"We did, High Sorcerer." one of the council members said. "Belladonna, Tharma and Lysslis; also known as the Trix, are hereby found innocent on the charges of Murder, Resiting Arrest, Assault..." what followed was a laundry-list of crimes, ranging from murder to trying to overthrow the government and aiding and abetting each other in those crimes. "On the counts of Kidnapping, Trespassing, Disturbing the Peace and Attempted Robbery we find them guilty."

The Trix looked elated and confused at the same time, not knowing if that was a victory or not. Even if they wanted to argue that the robbery had been successful, just that the stolen goods hadn't been what they were looking for. At least these crimes weren't as severe as those that were already dropped.

The man continued delivering the sentence. "However, considering the circumstance of their unlawful imprisonment here and on Omega, as well as their exemplary behaviour during their current stay, it was decided to view those as resolved." without stopping the man continued, a small smile growing on his face. "Furthermore, Queen Bloom has volunteered to oversee their continued rehabilitation."

After that the whole procedure came to an end, people dispersing and going back to their lives.

---

Fortress of Light.

Harry and Bloom were soon standing near the entrance of the courthouse, waiting for the Trix to be released and allowed to go free. All the while they made some small talk that started with where the rest of her friends were. Apparently all but Sky and Bloom had left following leads that would hopefully restore Stella's body.

"Overseeing the Trix' rehabilitation?" Harry asked standing beside Bloom, one eyebrow raised in interest. "What brought that about?"

Bloom huffed, crossing her arms. "It's just so they don't do any stupid mistakes." she pushed her nose up in the air haughtily. "Like try to think they can snag my man!" cyan eyes watched him intently then. "Or did they already manage that?" Her clothes consisted of a black midriff sweater top with four small red hearts and a ruffled denim skirt that was crimson in colour. She also wore a cyan arm-band on her left arm and black thigh-high socks. Her shoes were red platform boots with black tips and lace.

"Well," Harry tapped his chin as if in thought. "I have to say the Trix haven't been nearly as slutty as some of the fairies I've met. Three of which didn't even wait a day after meeting me to jump on my dick." he shook his head in mock-dismay. "I've got to say, them seeing me as more than a piece of meat is refreshing." the wizard sighed dramatically.

Bloom nodded, harrumphing with a minuscule smile as she said. "Indeed," she agreed, a small part of her slightly peeved that she couldn't threaten to withhold sex. It was not a good idea with his condition, as well as Chimera, Diaspro and the Trix waiting in the wings to do it themselves. Not to mention that she didn't want to withhold it. "all they care about – instead of your dick – is how much power you can give them."

Harry snorted out a surprised laugh at that. "You don't know how true that is." his voice became incredulous as he went on, not really believing the words he said next. "During the deliberation all three told me that they view themselves as my property, or at least very subservient to me. According to them Witches here operate under the axiom of the strong ruling the weak. Stormy even claimed it would simply be a physical relationship. Though, how much truth there is to that remains to be seen."

The red-headed fairy at his side pondered that for a few seconds, a smile slowly growing on her luscious lips. "So they would have to accept me screwing your brains out in front of them?" the Queen of Domino briefly lost herself to that fantasy, imagining Icy gnashing her teeth to splinters as she watched Bloom make love to Harry. A warm feeling spread throughout her body at the thought, a deliriously happy giggle escaping her mouth.

"I didn't expect that is what you'd get from that." the Shadow Phoenix laughed. "But I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Why is that?" she pouted.

Harry couldn't help but point out the obvious. "Because if they decide to go separate ways from me, then you'll have to follow." Bloom's shocked stare told him she did not think that far, causing him to chuckle. "After all, you're now officially known to be responsible for the Trix and therefore shouldn't be too far away from them."

Any further comment was cut off by the Trix' exit from the courthouse. No longer dressed in the baggy prison clothing, instead clothed in what they arrived here.

Icy was in front, wearing an attire that consisted of a light-blue tank top with a flared collar, the fabric sensually hugging her torso but leaving the upper back bare. On the matching miniskirt hung a ice-studded belt, going over her thin waist. Bright blue high-heels rounded it off. Her silver hair was tied up into a high ponytail, two curls of hair flowing past her ears down to her modest chest. Her walk and posture told of confidence bordering on arrogance, while high cheekbones and otherwise sharp facial features gave her a cold beauty.

On Icy's right side was Stormy who was also wearing a miniskirt, but hers being maroon in colour and a little more risqué with slit running down on the left where it was tied fast with a knot. A small tube top and heels of the same colour completed the outfit. However, more eye-catching than her clothes were Stormy's newly acquired muscles. The young woman was freely showcasing a toned stomach, defined shoulders, arms and legs, as well as a firm arse. Evidently having used the time in prison to surprising effect. While she was the shortest of the three, Stormy also had the most meat on her bones, with her bosom also being the largest of the Trix. The Witch of Storms possessed a certain wild and primal elegance to her, but surprisingly gentle features when not marred by her signature scowl.

Darcy on the other hand dressed more conservatively, if one could call her manner of dress such. She wore a purple top that bared her enticing midriff and upper back together with a pair of rather worn bell-bottoms of the same colour hiding her long and sensual legs. The black heels adorning her feet only made her even taller than she already was. Her long brown hair flowed freely past her butt, with two long bangs framing her delicate face and reaching her hips.

"Harry!" Darcy exclaimed happily, jogging over to him followed closely by her sisters. Once near the Witch of Darkness immediately jumped him, surprising him with a smouldering kiss of pure desire. Completely unmindful of Bloom standing directly beside him. "I hope that was a fitting reminder of where we left off."

Harry didn't answer, too stunned to speak. Not because of the kiss, but due to him sporting an hopefully not so obvious erection; something that happened with increased frequency nowadays. 'Merlin help me, by now I grow hard just looking at a woman.' it seemed the wizard's body had grown used to it and developed an instinctual response over the weeks, evidently expecting to get some action just by some female touch. One of the leading factors as to why he limited his bedroom fun with Chimera, her injury the bigger one. Not to mention that Harry didn't want her to think she was worth something only in the bedroom.

Another kiss brought him out of his stupor, this one gifted to him by Stormy. With Icy standing in front of him shortly after, looking at him expectantly. "You're supposed to take care of us, aren't you?" she stated with a blush on her pale cheeks, sapphire eyes locking at his eyes hungrily before she boldly leaned up and claimed her own kiss, arms slinging around his powerful neck. The blush only increasing after she separated from a bewildered Harry.

Bloom couldn't help herself and glared at the Trix, all of whom were sneaking as many glances at Harry as possible, saying with a good amount of snark. "He didn't need to remember you three when he has me!"

The three looked at her then, three pairs of eyes going to the Charmix snaking around her neck to Harry; an action that repeated itself a few times. Instead of being angry they seemed to be a mixture of contemplative, peeved and more than a little confused. Darcy, being the most diplomatic of the three, said. "Well, I can't say I disagree with your choice to affiliate yourself so strongly to Harry, Bloom – seeing that we also did that in the same manner. The only thing we'd disagree with is Harry's choice in subordinates."

"Subordinate?!" came the shocked and sarcastic question, cyan eyes drilling into the witches as she demanded. "What makes you think I'm subordinate to Harry? We're equals!"

Stormy pointed to her own choker made of copper, veined with teal lightning and shaped like bird's wings, explaining. "That's a pretty obvious tell." she shrugged her shoulders, a small sneer the only indication to her true mood below the potion's waning effect. "The Charmix or Gloomix is only shaped like that when the Fairy or Witch in question decided to become someone's subordinate. Usually a mighty wizard, but a particularly powerful Witch or Fairy is also possible. The Queens of Domino had a few over the millenia that are now forgotten, but were never one themselves."

The redhead's eyes widened, her mouth going wide in shock as she remembered how her Charmix had changed and that she displayed it in front of a whole bunch of nobles afterwards. "Is that widespread knowledge?" she asked, turning to Harry, who was equally surprised at that titbit of information.

The Witch of Storm's shook her head, fluffy hair bouncing about. "Amongst Witches it's common knowledge, but Fairies and others usually don't know about it and consider it esoteric. Mostly due to not many of them choosing that option to begin with."

While Bloom calmed down, Icy crossed her arms and turned to the wizard. "At least you've proven to be a worthy master by claiming the Fairy of the Dragon's Flame, Harry." she grunted out bluntly. Evidently not trying to pretend to be happy about it, but satisfied that they made the right choice to follow him. She couldn't resist throwing one barb at Bloom, grinning smugly. "Cheer up!" came the sarcastic reply. "You've made history with that decision. It being the first time in living memory a Queen of Domino decided to chose that path."

"Do you have everything with you?" Harry simply asked with a sigh, hopefully defusing a volatile reaction. Obviously not believing it could be that easy, nor trusting the Trix' words too much right now. Not after he had heard the vitriol directed at Fairies and Bloom in particular before. Though, he'd take it over screaming and flinging spells at each other.

Still hugging his arm to herself, Darcy told him. "No, but they confiscated and permanently destroyed our Vacuums artefacts." those were rather precious, but she understood why they did it. After all they had claimed that Darkar had given the artefacts to them to obtain the Dragon's Flame for him. It was better than the alternative of being imprisoned or hunted again.

Before anyone could say anything Harry felt the hairs on his neck stand on end. Followed by someone screaming. "Death to the wicked Witches!"

Harry's body moved on its own once he heard the first word, purely acting on instinct and summoning his wings to wrap them around his girls. The shimmering shield the act erected admirably defended against a barrage of magical bolts.

Once he folded and dismissed his wings a score of armed Paladins were revealed; clad in no armour and only armed with Phantom-weapons and shields of all kinds. All of whom wasted no time to continue attacking in broad daylight in a charge.

"Don't get involved!" he told the Trix sternly, not willing to undo all of their work with one stupid decision. None of them argued against it, too stunned to speak by the sight before them. Harry appeared regal and powerful, though not necessarily noble – the feeling was more intimidating than inspiring. Anything he held seemed like a treasure, and anyone who met his gaze felt the urge to look away.

As Harry stepped forward pure power gathered around him, only evidenced by a gentle hum in the air around the wizard. Everything in his vicinity became delicate then, each of his steps seemed to echo into a void and strain the floor until he sunk in, leaving dents in the stone like mere footsteps in sand. His shoes were the first thing to go, nothing but tatters and falling off his feet after four steps. With each motion of his body the clothes on it dissolved and tore, as if unable to contain his mere presence.

A mote of inky darkness appeared before the lone wizard. It hovered just in front of him on his palm, roiling with green vapour vaguely shaped like agonized faces. Cries of anguish exuded from it, as if from behind a closed door. Then, the world went silent and still. A gentle outward rush of air broke this calm as the mote exploded a moment later into a wall of onrushing clawing shadows, cascading emerald mist, and pained shrieks. At the leading edge of the blast plants withered and blackened, stone cracked and turned to dust.

The Paladins collectively raised their energy shields in front, working like a well-oiled machine as they advanced in perfect formation. The howling energy crashed against and over them like a wave, disintegrating the energy shields and reducing some of their clothing into rags. More importantly the necrotic energy needled its way into their mind, bones and muscles. A cold sensation twinged in their every joint, a strong scent of decay fell over the area and each of them could taste rot on their tongue. Despite their resistance to magic, muscle tremors wracked bodies, breaths came in short and eyes became rheumy with fatigue.

Two of the weaker ones collapsed on the spot, while more couldn't keep hold of the weapons in their hands. Despite that, them not immediately dying spoke well of their magical resistance.

Without giving them a reprieve, Harry uttered words of cruel power and slashed his hand through the air before their foes. The rest of Harry's shirt dissolved completely with the motion. Magic followed his action, forming four great black furrows that raked through the earth like invisible ploughs as they moved through the soil for the blink of an eye. This necromancy sought to rend armour, unstitch flesh, crush bone – to do whatever it must to destroy his enemy.

Soon real screams could be heard as limbs were separated from their owners and wounds opened all over. No blood gushed from these wounds, only dust drizzled softly onto the ground or was blown away by the breeze.

Just as Harry was about to unleash death, he felt Bloom beat him to it.

A red seed of flame zipped through the air faster than he could blink. The wizard saw its trace against his eyelids as he shut them against the fiery blast that roared like a baying hell-hound. Opening his emerald eyes, he still saw traces of the crimson bead's path toward its deadly end. The Paladin's world soon after exploded in a haze of fire, heat, and pain as the fireball bloomed into condemning flames, sending a dozen sprawling to the ground while cauterizing wounds.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Bloom roared, her hands aflame in a carnelian blaze.

For more than ten seconds no one spoke. Only the groans from the downed opponents could be heard.

"That is what I'd like to know as well." came the measured voice of a male from nearby, his tone belying the danger lurking beneath. He was followed by an entourage of ten Templars of his own, and wearing the robes of a council-member. His hair was pure white, however it wasn't a sign of old age with how free of wrinkles his skin was otherwise.

"Councilman Neruman," she respectfully greeted with an inclined head, pointing towards the bewildered group of Paladins picking themselves up. "These vile traitors attacked us as we were about to leave." Bloom glared at the idiots as she pointed at them. "Completely unmindful of my presence as they shouted for my charges to die."

"So my ears and eyes did not deceive me then." the mournful words came with a weary sigh before he turned towards his own protection detail. "Please take the Paladins of the Red Chantry into custody." he commanded with a wave of his hand before approaching Bloom. "I can only apologize for the intolerable behaviour of Serenia's chantry, Queen Bloom." Neruman said sincerely. As Bloom had learned recently the Paladins had outpost on many planets, so called chantries. The Red Chantry was located on Eraklyon, more specifically the splintered kingdom Serenia.

Bloom waved him off. "It wasn't your fault. Though, it is regretful that they're unable to see past unreasonable hatred." the last words Bloom barely brought out without choking on them. Never having imagined she'd be defending the Trix of all people.

The man's striking purple eyes landed on Harry, and his startling lack of attire. "True." he agreed. "I just wish you didn't have to resort to such lethal methods. Necromancy is so... rare these days." Neruman said diplomatically, but only because no one had died.

Harry shrugged unapologetically, standing in front of the Trix protectively. His emerald eyes assessing the man without a care for his near nudity, he seemingly had not even noticed. "It's my affinity." he finally told the council-member. While the Trix had told him Necromancy to be outlawed, that wasn't strictly the case as he found out by his study of law. Only the raising of undead and enslaving of spirits was against the law. Though, the practise of Necromancy as a whole was still heavily frowned upon by most societies.

"Your affinity? Truly?!" Neruman gasped out, his eyes wide in true surprise. Every magical practitioner had an affinity for a certain area or type of magic, which gave one a natural proficiency with it, making casting easier and not so draining on one's magic than other spells. For Bloom it was obviously pyromancy, cryomancy for Icy and so forth. Either determined by strong outside influences or – which near everyone believed was true for most magical practitioners – personality. "How did that come about?"

It took a few second before Harry deigned to answer, already suspicious of the man despite his seemingly benign nature and honest bearing. "Let's just say that as far as I remember Death was the first thing to truly embrace me." the wizard said in a musing tone, chuckling darkly. "Ironically I had to die a few times before I learned to live."

Harry's words were accompanied by his pants finally giving out after having literally hung on by a thread, the fabric having dissolved slowly through his use of too potent necromancy. It caused his impressive semi-hard manhood to flop free. Yet despite his nudity Harry didn't seem to notice and it also did not make him seem foolish. Not when shadows darkened threateningly around him, apparently deferring to him and even staying below his gaze.

"Harry!" Bloom exclaimed, a little turned on and scandalised, but mostly exasperated. That outcome happened sometimes when using particularly strong magic, but especially a problem for Harry currently.

Only then did the wizard notice his lack of dress, blinking. "Oh, when did that happen?"

"You used too much power, again!" Bloom told him, pulling some spare clothes out of her enlarged purse. "Here, you're lucky I've got those with me for you just in case!" normally they were for 'accidents' of a different variety, but it was helpful now as well.

While that happened the three pairs of eyes belonging to the Trix had never left Harry's form, stealing glances below the belt. 'Definitely made the right decision.' all of them thought. Stormy did so with a lecherous leer, Icy with a blush and Darcy with a grin.

---

Planet Magix, Cloud Tower.

Towers attached to rain-slick parapets scraped the tumultuous sky like titanic claws, trying to tear up the heavens and rend clouds. The ancient castle's dark stones seemed to merge with the ridge it was built upon. A steep switchback path led up to it, ending at a narrow bridge flanked by two brooding barbicans. The sprawling castle was a twilit, crystalline structure seemingly made entirely of dark crystal. The dark spires rose, iridescent, refracting light in all directions despite the overcast sky. Candles flickered from within in strange and alluring shades, twisted by stained glass windows. Sinister, otherworldly creatures served as statues or gargoyles here and there, possessing insect-like wings that evoked dragonflies or locusts. The entire structure seemed to be alive, to shift, and any onlooker would be unable to fully reckon its shape or construction even as they actively perceived its immensity.

The grounds around the rough, dark stone towers of fused stone were complicated. The vibrant colours and deep-green leaves were curving and cultivated in a way that seemed at once perfectly earthly and impossible to be humanly maintained. Through the gardens, a brick-paved drive curled in a troubling serpent-like suggestion and then opened out at the gate. Black iron and overgrown with wisteria and ivy, the grand arch spanned three carriages in width, and the carved sign across the peak, Eloquii Mystici Scholare, changed shade and colour according to the season.

Cloud Tower was the foremost educational facility for witches, which wasn't saying much considering it was also the only one left. The student body had shrunken down consistently over the years, the funding was missing everywhere and by now only three professors, including herself, were left. Not to mention the most glaring issue of each Witch unable to graduate, no matter their proficiency at magic. As was the case with their Fairy counterparts, a Witch's grades weren't the deciding factor for graduation. No, that was achieving their Witch Form for First Years, Gloomix for second years and Disenchantix to graduate completely. However, unlike Fairies, they couldn't earn them on their own.

Griffin, the Headmistress of Cloud Tower, sighed as she beheld the missive from the Council of Light in her office. Wrath slowly growing inside her being.

Racks of neatly wound scrolls, cabinets marked with strange symbols, and orderly bookshelves surrounded a broad desk of wood so dark it seemed to swallow what meagre light illuminated this room from floating sapphire fires. Only the occasional lightning strike truly showed more, stretching shadows ominously. A row of inkwells, each a unique work of art, stood on one side of the table, while on the other lied a line of quills of various colours, lengths, and materials. Despite the neatness and familiarity of this office, visitors would feel a deep unease – as if looking at the headman's block for their own execution.

'A notice of forced closure!' she raged inside her mind, wanting to blast apart anything in sight but just so restraining her temper. It wouldn't do anything good. 'So those wrinkly farts finally got what they wanted through the Trix. The closure of my school!'

Not even a day after the trial, the notice arrived at Cloud Tower. It came unannounced and without fanfare, citing her incompetence and previous affiliation with Valtor and the Ancestresses as some of the reasons. While the latter was true, despite her switching sides, the other claims were sharp and cut deep.

Not willing to look at it any longer Griffin made her way through the humongous castle. Its empty corridors constantly reminding her of the school's problems. In her student years the walls would've not just echoed the clack of her heels, but also many voices; by now echoes of the dead and the ghosts of her past. Too many to count murmured, mumbled, gabbled, and shouted in her memories as a constant reminder of her failure. Thankfully, however, today lightning split the sky between thunderous bellows, as rain hammered the school's roof, streaking the windows like a mourner's tears that drowned out everything else.

It reflected her mood perfectly.

Schools for Witchcraft, even the most benign examples, seemed to always gain an evil reputation. The founders' fine intentions to form a refuge with Cloud Tower were steadily undermined by the horror folk had of those held in its care. Not helped by what happened nearly two decades prior with Domino and Eraklyon, or what happened more than a year ago with the Trix. All of which the ignorant used to proclaim all Witches and Dark Magic as evil.

Yet, as Griffin listened to the wind sigh through the near abandoned structure, a cold kernel of certainty took root within her: this institution had anything but a future. Only reinforced by the mournful echo coming from Cloud Tower itself, which was a living thing. It had a beating heart that pumped magic through the walls. Its moats were roots and the towers its branches. Even able to shift its rooms around, hindering or redirecting intruders and protecting those in its care.

Just as she arrived at the Great Hall for dinner, a harsh knocking could be heard. Griffin stopped for a moment, but just as she dismissed the sound as thunder it came again. This time much louder than before and clearly from the entrance, making the Headmistress wonder who it could be at this hour. The wards didn't detect any ill intent, at least.

With a sigh she made her way along the threadbare green carpet, once a lavish and impressive piece, now left to rot. With a wave of her hand the heavy oaken doors banded with black iron moved inward with a groan, making the torches flicker strongly from the heavy gales coming in. The sound of thunder and rain grew immediately.

---

Planet Magix, Barrier Mountains near the Citadel of Night.

The fog, swirling around the stationary vehicle with a frigid wind, parted – and before them now lied the highest peak of the mountains, dusted with snow and gleaming with ice. It soared upward, the top disappearing into the shroud of clouds above. From here one could see far, even able to make out Magix City and Lake Roccaluce where the three schools were located, especially Cloud Tower.

Though, more impressive was the dark ripple in the world pitched up against the pale blue sky, stretching from horizon to horizon and gathering forests at its feet down below. Shadows painted the slopes purple while sunlight picked out the peaks in brilliant orange. Any vista of mountains could be breathtaking, but there seemed to be a magic hour betwixt the dark of night and brightness of day, and the group was lucky enough to find themselves in this place at that time.

This mountain range was called the Barrier Mountains due to the fact that it entirely encircled Magix City, looking like a waning moon from orbit with each of its tips touching the ocean. What many people didn't know was that Planet Magix – despite being called the centre of the Magical Galaxy – was very sparsely populated and settlements only existed inside the protection of the Barrier Mountains. The planet itself had only been recently colonized, barely three centuries prior. It rose to prominence due to the Council of Light, but before that Magix served as the home for the three premier schools since anyone could remember. All three institutions having chosen the planet precisely due to the dangers involved, using it to hone their students abilities to a razor's edge. A strategy that had proven itself prudent time and time again, marking them as the premier schools for a reason.

Where the ship of the Specialists and the Winx minus Bloom had landed a great frowning face of the mountain held open an enormous yawning maw. The arched cavern opened as a cathedral-like space, but one could see that it soon narrowed and lowered to a dark throat that ran into the stone. There was no way to tell how deep it went, but it was hard not to have the impression that the earth would swallow one up entirely.

Stella and Brandon had gone down together in search for the fabled Mirror of Truth, which according to legend was located somewhere in this mountain range. It was a slim hope, but that was all Stella had at the moment. The others had to wait by the vehicle to defend their mode of escape from the local predators, which included griffins and other strong beasts.

By now the two were wandering in this system of caves for the better part of three days. The time after the Princess Ball and before coming here had been spent searching for any hint of a cure for Stella, and then making their way here.

The winding tunnel twisted ever downward, toward the dark that suffocated the light, making it difficult for even the most keen-eyed to see more than a few feet in front of them. Brandon heard the distant drip of water echoing through the gloom. The noise of his thick, humid breath was, much like the light from his torch, swallowed by the dreary darkness.

"Stella, are you here?" Brandon called out once he came back to their camp, delivered back safely by the light of his torch and the cord around his waist. "I'm back."

Only a vague silhouette could be made out at the edge of the fire's illumination. Stella had strongly insisted to not make any campfires or other sources of light near her. "Did you find anything?" his words didn't indicate any unease on his part as to her appearance. When she simply shook her head, the new trunk flopping about, he sighed. "Well, I may have a lead to that Mirror of Truth." he told her, rummaging around in his backpack to retrieve some food. "But first we got to eat."

The small square of hardtack biscuit might as well be a piece of ceramic. He bit into it, or tried to, and his teeth wrenched and scraped against it for a long moment. When he finally got a bite, with a triumphant crunch, the taste was reminiscent of stale breadcrumbs. The tough and frayed strips of jerky weren't much better in terms of texture, but the spices seasoning the meat left a surprisingly tantalizing flavour on his tongue. Though his teeth may ache well in to tomorrow, his stomach was no longer complaining.

While Brandon had his unappealing field rations, given to him by Codatorta – in his typical fashion the storied battle instructor of Red Fountain was strict and uncompromising – for Stella Brandon had taken other precautions. Not much better, but better than what he had. As such a tray of unattractive plastic slid out of the meal's packaging, with equally unappetizing blocks of vacuum-sealed food tucked into its compartments.

"Here." he took the sandwich from the package and held it out for Stella to eat. Without any arms of her own Brandon had to feed her, which she also did not like very much anymore. When her barbed tentacles started to rise as if to form a protective cocoon to hide her from the world he pleaded. "Please, Stella. I know this situation is extremely difficult for you, but starving yourself won't help." Brandon ripped the sandwich into pieces so she could swallow it better, having no teeth to chew with anymore.

As his hand came closer to her trunk one of Stella's tentacles lashed out, cutting halfway to the bone with the sharp barb at the end. "Argh, fuck!" he exclaimed, letting the food fall to the ground and cursing through clenched teeth as he tried to stem the bleeding. Only managing to do so by ripping a sleeve of his shirt to tie tightly around the wound. All the while Stella's worried and apologetic noises carried over to him, evidently still not having much control over her new body.

Though, Brandon got the meaning of it, he hoped. "I know, you didn't mean it." the Specialist tried to reassure her, his heart still frantically pumping adrenalin through his body from the shock. "Let's just follow the lead I found." the brunette said with a sigh as Stella seemed to wilt under his apparent disappointment. To assist in finding their way back from these labyrinthian natural corridors Brandon had carved directions into the walls. As well as using a rope to tie them together or to assist one in exploring and find their way back.

Meanwhile Stella's heart was full of sorrow, not having wanted to strike him. Her problem being this horrific and infernal body she now was forced to inhabit. It never fully obeyed her commands and neither could she communicate effectively, verbally or otherwise. Everything that she had enjoyed doing with Brandon as a couple was now impossible. She had no arms to hug him with, only dangerous tentacles. No tongue to tell Brandon she loved him. Nor lips to kiss him with; only a trunk used to suck up slime or algae from the ground, forcing her to become a literal bottom-feeder.

Worse, she felt at home in this cold darkness, hidden from the judging gazes of other people. Not that it helped herself, now being able to see even in pitch-black darkness. Everywhere Stella noticed signs of her hideous appearance cast back at her, be it a reflection, an echo or something else. Done as if in mockery. The sound her new suckers made on the cold floor echoing through the cavern was a constant reminder. All her senses told her how wrong this was, offering no reprieve from the ordeal.

'That's not me!' she reminded herself vehemently, looking into a puddle formed by dripping water from a stalactite. The hairless, expressionless face with grotesque features and six milky eyes offered no solace. All she could do was follow Brandon and hope, pray, this nightmare would be over soon. Otherwise she'd have no life to return to and could as well live in this cave with the rest of the beasts.

Worst of all was the fact that this new state of being and her magic as a Fairy of the Sun and Stars were utterly incompatible. Before, visiting caves deep in the earth would weaken her powers to a large degree, but now that she was a creature like this made things worse. All of it only exacerbated by her extremely negative state of mind.

"It was around here." Brandon told her quietly, unwilling to risk attracting any potential predator around. Not that they knew the capabilities of the things that lurked here. What the young man pointed to next was a pile of rubble where a wall of the cave should be, through which the cracks one could see a small stable light. "We should be able to blast a hole in here with the explosives Timmy gave me." he made to grab for them from his enchanted pack. Sadly Timmy was unable to get authorization for a De-Molecularizer T29, which would've allowed them to simply pass through the wall.

Once the charges were prepared and finished, he led Stella around a corner to detonate it. "Hopefully it won't attract any hostile creatures." he said, knowing it be a vain hope. "If it's not there then we'll have to leave either way. Our rations are nearly depleted." with that said he counted down from 5 before detonating the explosives.

A boom that sounded like thunder struck everything around them, kicking up dust and debris with concussive force that even blew out their torch. All while staggering Brandon a little, while Stella's four tentacles offered more support. The blast reverberated through the cavern's corridors, echoing far and wide. With haste they made their way to the now open passage. Brandon was standing guard in front while Stella explored inside.

The cavern descended into a deeper darkness with a faint flickering light further in. Further and further she went until Stella was forced to stop in her tracks once she saw the source of the illumination. Moisture had bored grooves into the walls of this cavern, turning the chalk into a rippling white curtain above a smooth glowing turquoise reservoir. The bright glow of ultramarine crystals surrounding the pool bounced back from the surface of the liquid, as if the light couldn't penetrate its murky depths completely.

'Is that the Mirror of Truth?!' the transformed fairy thought, elation filling her new and squishy heart.

Then something shifted, causing her to stop her awkward gait. Some barely perceptible difference in the temperature of the air or its pressure in her earholes. She was not sure, couldn't be certain what gave her that unease. But it felt like she stood on the precipice of an abyss. Something that was proven true once she looked down, revealing a barely perceptible fissure separating Stella from her target. The crevasse dropped away into darkness, its bottom out of sight. The cracked and rough sides provided some hope of climbing, but there was no telling how long it would take to traverse it.

Meanwhile Brandon strained his eyes looking for some telltale difference in the stone, hoping to find some proof of his fears in the depths of the shadows. He stood silent, willing his ears to hear the threat he felt emanating from the tunnel before him. But there was nothing. He heaved a sigh of relief and willed his shoulders to relax. It was just a cave, like all the tunnels that came before it in their long subterranean trek. He stepped forward and a chill ran up his spine and spread over his scalp, raising every hair on the man's body. Going deeper into the dark felt like a dire mistake.

Without further ado he made his Phantomblade spring free, letting it erupt from the handle. Like all of the melee Phantom-weapons it looked like made of hard light, but his was a two-handed greatsword and a deep green in colour.

As soon as it was out he wished it wasn't. The weak light the Phantomblade emitted revealed the silhouettes of a pack of Shadow-Mastiffs prowling closer to him, flinching away from the light. Each had a smooth black coat and the body of a large dog, standing a bit over two feet tall at the shoulder. Though, their snouts and heads were shaped a touch too humanoid for Brandon's taste, with a mouth full of vicious teeth and dull white eyes. Curved claws at each paw completed the lethal arsenal.

The Specialist remembered them from the multiple times fighting Darkar; who could command and summon the creatures. More information was provided by the back of his mind. Their bark was as bad as their bite, an excellent sense of smell, and the beasts were annoyed by gentle illumination but stunned and hurt by harsh light.

'They must've smelled my blood!' Brandon thought in the same instant as his hand went to fetch a Lumen-bomb from his pack. He let it loose not a second too late, just as the monstrous dogs bayed at him. The magical sound had one purpose – to strike fear deep into his heart and bones. While he expected it Brandon had no means to defend himself with outside of a feeble and newly acquired magical resistance. As a result the echoing sound reverberated through his being, leaving his body shaken, causing him to drop to one knee and nearly drop his weapon.

Luckily his own attack also worked, as witnessed by the Specialist through closed eyes. The bomb at the pack's feet had blown up, flooding the tunnel with harsh light that stunned the dark creatures and let them howl in agony. While not advantageous to him right now, it at least prevented them from acting until he was able to wrestle his fear under control. Hopefully that went faster than the dark hounds coming to their senses.

'Come on! Stella is counting on you!' the thought let him fight through the false fear, shaking it off like a dog might water. With gritted teeth he rallied his body to obey his commands. With a growling battle-cry slowly growing in volume he leapt onto the nearest enemy, cutting the beast's head clean off its shoulders.

Utilizing the momentum from the swing Brandon bisected two of them horizontally. Just as he dispatched the fourth did the rest slowly come out of their stupor. With seven of them left he made haste to capitalize on their weakness before the advantage expired. The young man barely managed to impale his fifth kill before another unseen one attacked him, biting deep into his leg. A second beast pounced on his shoulder not a moment later, claws digging into his chest while it tried to snap at his head. The motions of the heavy beast nearly wrenched him to the ground. Only his extensive training allowed him to stay upright and not become easy prey. Not wasting any time Brandon impaled the one on his chest, making it let go with a dying whine before trying to do the same to the one chewing and tugging on his leg. Unfortunately it let go and melted back into the shadows.

It seemed they found a change in tactic prudent, causing the diminished pack to try and divert his attention and ambush him.

"Hurry Stella!" he brought out with gritted teeth, fending one off and receiving two injuries for it.

While Brandon was busy fighting for his life, Stella was in the process of trying to climb without arms. A difficult if not impossible venture, even with four tentacles equipped with suckers. What with gravity working against her, not to mention the echoes of pain from her love reaching her. Each one cut deep into her heart, making her trek all the more perilous as she worried over him.

Just as she was halfway there the ceiling cracked and rumbled dangerously, as if threatening to cave in any moment. 'Did the explosion cause this?' she thought, frantically trying to reach the glowing basin of brackish water – the presumed Mirror of Truth. More and more her surroundings vibrated, stones falling down around her as Stella tried to climb closer. Only for another agonising cry from Brandon to capture her attention. The now monstrous young woman barely saw him, but the glowing blade lying motionless on the ground was indication enough.

Without conscious thought Stella hurled herself backwards, barely able to land safely and rushing to Brandon's aid as fast as she could. Her six asymmetrical eyes fixed on the Phantomblade as a reference point, seeing Brandon wrestling with two Shadow Mastiffs on the ground and losing. All while her hope of restoration was dashed to pieces behind her by the rubble smashing and burying it.

With a mad and garbled cry that'd sound ridiculous any other time Stella engaged in the fight. Successfully tackling the two beasts using Brandon as a chew-toy. In a tangle of paws and tentacles her vicious barbs cut the mastiffs up while simultaneously strangling the life out of them. Using her ability to see in the dark Stella went to work, earning many wounds from the retaliating four monsters.

Strangely enough each new wound didn't inflict pain upon her, the feeling more akin to a soothing balm. Each new strike of sharp claws or bites of pointed teeth increased that feeling as she fought on. Unnoticed by her, Stella she didn't bleed blood from the lesions but a glittering golden dust that emitted a faint glow.

What occurred next happened all at once. Stella's wounds flashed with a bright light, appearing like cracks in armour. She erupted a second later into a dazzling glare, erasing the shadow mastiffs from existence. Unseen by both the patchwork mask fell off of her and disintegrated into nothingness. The light then faded as soon as it came.

A new dawn was born amidst the deepest darkness.

There in the glow of her own making stood a sublime being that shone with splendour. Skin the colour of alabaster was now riddled with fresh scars and yet radiated with a gentle light and spellbinding vitality, as if she was physical perfection personified. Every curve and transition of her buxom figure was ideal, each limb a testament to supernal design. She was just about 5'8 tall, but no longer a teenager. Instead she was all woman, full-figured and ample. Her heart-shaped face was stunning, luminous, mysterious. While at the same time being inviting and framed by long hair tickling at the small of her back. The tresses were seemingly made of silvery gold, shimmering with the colours of the dawn; pink, orange and blue sheens were dancing subtly over it. Her right eye was the usual colour of molten gold, while her left was now a deep silver sitting in a pool of black ink. As if someone had set the sun at noon and the full moon at midnight into her eye-sockets.

Stella's wings were much larger now than before, shaped like a butterfly's, slightly translucent and dripping golden dust to the ground. Shades of blue, pink and yellow were dancing through them. Her new outfit was rather revealing, only being a simple blue backless top with pink straps and a mini-skirt that comprised of a single layer of ruffled petals, alternating between orange and blue and held by a pink stylised waistband. Her dainty feet were bare, but from the ankle to her knees coiled elaborate wires of gold and silver. There was no place to hide her newly acquired scars, as if she was putting them proudly on display.

All of it was only enhanced by the sweet smile on her luscious and full lips; directed only at him. Something that made all the pain he felt worth it.

"Brandon!" she exclaimed, a mixture of happiness and urgency in her tone. The latter more so due to seeing the state he was in; chunks of flesh bitten out of him here and there. Three fingers were missing from his left hand and a gaping hole was in his right cheek. "I'll fix you right up!" without hesitation she made to gift him her first dose of Fairy Dust. While it was said to perform miracles, normally the dust only dispelled dark magic. Though the first application was the closest one could get to a miracle, being especially powerful and potent.

Brandon hacked some words out. "Wait... Solaria..!" he coughed worriedly, wheezing the next words out, creating a whistling sound through his mutilated cheek. Completely aware that she was heavily scarred now. "Use it... on you."

"Brandon, shut your pretty little mouth!" she yelled out. One part of her was touched of his concern for her future and another annoyed that he had none for himself. She then fluttered her wings powerfully to smother him entirely with glittering dust and all the pure intent to heal him born out of her love.

With a gasp he felt his injuries heal, closing rapidly as the scintillating substance made contact, only leaving the holes in his uniform. New life surged through him, letting liquid fortitude flow inside his veins to dispel some of the weakness. "But your rule?" he brought out weakly, leaning on his elbows and very aware of what she just sacrificed.

Stella huffed and crossed her arms, which did enticing things to her breasts. "What kind of fairy would I be if I'd do that?" came the rhetoric question. "More importantly, you didn't tell me you're from Solaria!" somehow she made it sound like an endearing accusation. Then again, it explained him being as aware of fashion as herself. As well as her ability to transform into Enchantix by rescuing him selflessly. From what little she knew of Fairy Lore, Enchantix needed someone from the same planet due to the minute differences each imparted on the Mana that people born there had. It required a resonance of some kind, apparently.

"I was born on Solaria, but my parents moved to Eraklyon for opportunity when I was a boy." Brandon told her, then shaking his head to do away with the cobwebs of pain. "Don't change the subject!"

"You rescued and defended an ugly monster..." she began.

The Specialist interrupted her, sitting against the cave wall. "That wasn't an ugly monster. That was you! I just worry about what'll happen to you on Solaria."

His earnest words caused her to choke up with emotion, tears pooling in her now mismatched eyes as she approached him. Growing up how and where she did left a deep impression that beauty was most important and a requirement to be loved by others. Something that made her insecure if others loved her because of her beauty or herself. Brandon had shown clearly where he stood.

"Well, then you'll just have to come to Solaria to protect me." Stella tried to tell him teasingly, slightly ruined by her tears and soft expression as she sat down in his lap, slinging her arms around his powerful neck. "Besides, I've got the most beautiful husband in the whole galaxy. They'll have no choice but to accept me!"

Brandon's soulful brown eyes widened at the sheer intent behind Stella's words and expression. Only confirmed by the smouldering kiss she gave him.

"You saved the princess. Now it's time for your reward." came the impish whisper full of desire.

Brandon could never deny her and went along for the ride. Only able to accept that this was his life now.

---

We're coming back into the action. Slowly at first but it'll accelerate from here.

All the things said in the trial are technically true. The Trix didn't kill anyone in the first Season, and in the second they also fought against Darkar in the end. Of course, not because of selfless reasons, but nobody except them would truly know that. I just twisted the facts a little bit. It's basically argued that the Trix were controlled by Darkar after their expulsion, given the means to acquire the Dragon's Flame and how to control the Army of Darkness. Why else would someone like Darkar break them out of prison, if there hadn't been a previous connection? (Aside from the fact that it's a kid's show.)

Stella still achieved her Enchantix first, like in canon. Even if it is more than a little bit earlier here. Instead of rescuing her father, it is Brandon. While he's from Eraklyon in canon – never mentioned where he is from but implied – it's of little consequence so he is born on Solaria in my fic and moved later on to Eraklyon with his parents. It even fits with the fact that Brandon is as fashionable as Stella. Due to him being from Solaria is why Stella was able to achieve Enchantix right this moment. (The biggest change there is her left eye, wanted to give her some connection to her mother/the moon. As well as the scars she now carries and their significance.

At first I wanted to make it so that her willingness to scar an already hideous body further, her love for another or her willingness to abandon the possibility of restoration gave her back her body. To accept that she'd rather be ugly with him, than beautiful without him. Another was the cliché of the "prince" kissing the curse away. But then I decided to simply go with Enchantix, which is more in line with the show. Besides, two things can be true at once. :)