Roxy's Magical Journey: What If Season 5

[juleic1123]

Chapter 29: Time Out

At the entrance of Alfea, each girl stood with her luggage, bundled up in their own way—except for Mirta, who seemed preoccupied, her arms crossed against the cold as she stared wistfully at the horizon.

Stella, ever the fashion queen, was conjuring winter outfits with a flourish of her hands, giving everyone something new to wear. She finally spotted Mirta.

"No, no, no, Mirta!" Stella exclaimed, eyeing her friend critically. "This won't do. If you’re going to mope about missing Griffin, you might as well do it looking like a winter diva."

With a dramatic wave of her hand, a cozy yet chic outfit materialized in the air: a deep burgundy coat trimmed with white faux fur, paired with matching boots and a knitted scarf adorned with shimmering snowflake patterns. She held it out with a grin. "Now you can cry in style! That whole outfit is waterproof."

Everyone starts giggling hard while Musa simply pinches Stella lightly, rolling her eyes. Mirta couldn’t help but smile, albeit faintly. "Thanks, Stella. I guess it is pretty stylish."

"Pretty stylish?" Stella gasped, feigning offense. "This is couture winter glam, I'll have you know!"

As Mirta reluctantly donned the outfit, the rest of the group laughed, the tension of their earlier somber mood melting away. Flora clapped her hands together. "You look beautiful, Mirta!"

Stella beamed. "Of course, she does. My work here is done."

Meanwhile, Bloom and Roxy stood off to the side, chatting about their travel plans. "It’ll be nice to spend some quiet time at home," Bloom said, her voice warm with anticipation. "Gardenia is always so cozy during the holidays. I'll spend Christmas' Eve at my adoptive parent's home and we'll all head to Domino the next day."

Roxy nodded with a smile. "You sure will be busy with two families to visit."

"I will... but I wouldn't have it any other way, I cant wait to be with both my families!" Bloom said with a smile. "But first, I have an idea. Something we can do for everyone before we all go our separate ways." She leaned closer, whispering her plan into Roxy’s ear. Roxy’s eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded in agreement.

While the two of them hurried off to prepare, Stella was engrossed in a phone call with her father who had just called. "Yes, Daddy, I’ll be home soon," she said with a dramatic sigh. "No, I do have everything packed." She rolled her eyes playfully at the others, making them giggle.

Nearby, Tecna was typing on her phone with digital glasses on, a hologram showing the text messages in front of her, her face illuminated by the glow of the screen. "My parents are thrilled Timmy’s spending winter with us," she said, glancing up briefly. "He’s never experienced Zenith during this season, so it’ll be nice to show him around. I’m even planning a little stargazing trip for us—he’ll love that."

The girls teased her lightly, but Tecna’s excitement was clear as she continued texting.

A few minutes later, Roxy and Bloom returned, each holding a small, beautifully wrapped box. "Okay, everyone, gather around!" Bloom called out, her voice carrying over the chatter. The group formed a loose circle, their expressions curious.

Roxy stepped forward, holding up one of the boxes. "We wanted to give you all something to remember this winter break. It’s not much, but it’s special."

Inside each box was a delicate Christmas ornament, chosen by Bloom and Roxy together to reflect something meaningful about the recipient. As the girls unwrapped their gifts near the gates of Alfea, their curiosity turned into delighted recognition of the ornaments’ symbolism.

Stella was the first to open her box. Inside was a golden star ornament, glittering brightly with intricate details. She held it up, letting the sunlight dance across its surface. "A star!"

Flora carefully unwrapped her ornament next, given by Roxy. It was a soft tiny green wreath, delicately painted with tiny flowers and berries. She smiled warmly, running her fingers over the intricate design. "A wreath... so simple and beautiful. Thank you, Roxy!"

Tecna’s ornament was a sleek, silver snowflake with geometric patterns, almost mechanical in its precision. She examined it closely, her analytical nature kicking in. "A snowflake that is equally beautifully symmetrical and efficient as a decoration. Very fitting for Zenith’s style."

Musa unwrapped her gift to reveal a small ornament shaped like a musical note, painted in deep blues and purples with a touch of sparkle. She laughed softly.

Aisha’s ornament was a shimmering blue dolphin, its form captured mid-leap with a touch of frosty glitter. She grinned as she turned it over in her hands.

Roxy opened her own box, surprised to find an ornament given to her by Bloom. It was shaped like a paw print, dusted with soft silver glitter and painted with earthy tones. She smiled, her eyes lighting up.

Then, Bloom unwrapped her own ornament, a small evergreen tree with tiny red and gold baubles painted on it. Roxy beamed beside her. "I thought it was only fair you got a proper Christmas tree for yourself," she said with a wink. The group laughed as Bloom held it up proudly.

Alice’s ornament was a miniature globe with painted continents and tiny snowflakes scattered across it. She held it up, her expression thoughtful. "This is lovely! It snows inside!"

Clarice found a red cardinal bird in her box, its feathers dusted with soft glitter to mimic freshly fallen snow. She smiled as she examined the intricate detail. "Thanks, Bloom. I like it."

Finally, Mirta unwrapped her ornament to find a deep violet ornament shaped like a crescent moon, accented with swirling silver designs. She held it close, her fingers brushing the smooth glass. "A moon... it’s so lovely. I don’t even know what to say."

Stella twirled her golden star between her fingers, breaking the moment of silence. "I don’t care what you say, I'm turning these into jewelry when I get home so that everyone in the palace can see!"

One by one, they began to say their goodbyes, hugging each other tightly.

"Alright, everyone," Stella said, tossing her hair dramatically as she conjured her final flair. "Let’s meet again when it's time for me to evaluate you all! Maybe with a surprise test..."

Clarice crossed her arms, surprise turning into annoyance in her face as Stella made a sly grin and lifted her head higher. Everyone laughed.

With a wave of their hands and a final round of laughter, the girls parted ways. Bloom and Roxy stepped forward together, ready to teleport back to Gardenia.

Roxy and Bloom arrived in Gardenia in a swirl of light, their feet gently touching the cobblestone streets of the familiar town. The crisp winter air carried the scent of pine and the distant hum of holiday cheer. Christmas lights twinkled in the distance, reflecting off frosted shop windows, and a faint melody of carolers floated through the air.

"Home sweet home," Bloom said with a soft sigh, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder. She glanced at Roxy, who was already looking around with a wistful smile. "See you in two weeks, Roxy!"

"See you, Bloom!" Roxy waved goodbye as Bloom finally disappeared into the distance, walking to her parents' house.

As Roxy walked, her steps eventually led her toward Love&Pet, the little shop that once meant so much to her. She paused for a moment outside, smiling softly at the glowing sign and the faint sound of cheerful pet noises from inside. The memories flooded back—long days spent taking care of the magical pets with the Winx.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Nova cleaning one of the windows with magic. She quickly spotted Roxy and raised a hand in a friendly wave, her face lighting up when she recognized Roxy.

Roxy felt a flush of shyness but managed a small wave back, her lips curling into a faint smile. She hesitated, but Nova simply smiled wider. With a quick nod, Roxy resumed her walk, the warmth of the interaction lingering as she continued down the street.

When she finally reached her house, the soft golden glow of lights spilled through the windows. The scent of something baking wafted through the air, and the faint sound of laughter greeted her as she pushed open the door.

"Dad?" Roxy called out, stepping inside and shrugging off her coat.

Her father appeared almost instantly, his broad smile as warm as the fire crackling in the hearth behind him. "Roxy! There’s my girl!" Klaus said, wrapping her in a bear hug that lifted her off the ground.

Roxy laughed, her cheeks flushing as she hugged him back. "Hi, Dad. It’s good to be home."

Just as Klaus released her, a second figure appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. Morgana, her mother, looked radiant as always, her ethereal presence softened by the apron tied neatly around her waist.

"Roxy," Morgana said, her voice filled with warmth and love as she stepped forward. She enveloped her daughter in a gentle but firm embrace. "Welcome home, dear."

"I missed you both so much," Roxy admitted, her voice soft as she stepped back to look at them.

"We missed you too," Morgana said, brushing a strand of Roxy’s hair from her face. "Now, come on. Sit down. Dinner is almost ready, and we’ve got so much to catch up on."

Roxy nodded, feeling a swell of happiness as she let herself be pulled into the cozy kitchen. The table was already set, and the fire in the corner lent the room a golden glow.

[juleic1123]

Chapter 30: The Trix’s New Alliance

Not far from Cloud Tower, Zyron staggered through a dense forest of petrified trees. His body battered from his last defeat. The magical wounds inflicted by Bloom and Faragonda were healed but Helia's spell still sizzled on his hand even after a month. His eyes were distant, his mind thinking about the unexperienced fairies able to defeat him and even those wizards fighting on their side instead of his. He gets up, levitating a small rock and kicking it hard into a pool of water, screaming in rage.

The Trix hovered above him, their expressions a mix of annoyance and amusement as they watched the wizard struggle. Stormy smirked, twirling a small bolt of lightning between her fingers.

“Well, that was embarrassing,” Stormy drawled, tossing her lightning bolt from one hand to the other like a toy. “But I'd be mad about it too. For someone who claims to be a ‘master of dark magic,’ you sure got your butt handed to you.”

Zyron gritted his teeth, his fists clenched at his sides. “Silence,” he snapped, his voice raspy with exhaustion. “You witches have no idea what I was up against. Saladin is not to be underestimated, and neither are those fairies, apparently.”

Icy descended to his level, her boots crunching against the frozen ground. She crossed her arms, her icy-blue eyes narrowing. “We do, actually. And yet you promised us victory,” she said coldly. “You said your plan was foolproof. That you were the key to taking down Alfea and Red Fountain.”

Darcy smirked, leaning lazily against a jagged boulder. “Instead, you failed spectacularly,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “And now, thanks to your blunders, the Winx are stronger than ever. They are teachers now!”

"And they keep multiplying, wasn't six enough?" Stormy rolls her eyes. "All that is left is for them to get a shiny new transformation, ugh!"

Zyron’s eyes flared with dark energy as he turned to face them, his anger boiling over. “You dare mock me?” he growled, his voice echoing with power. “Without me, your pitiful little raid on Red Fountain would’ve been a disaster. You got what you wanted—those spellbooks and artifacts. Or have you already forgotten?”

Stormy rolled her eyes. “Oh, we haven’t forgotten,” she said with a snort. “But don’t act like you did us a favor. We could’ve gotten those on our own if we really wanted to.”

Before Zyron could retort, Icy raised a hand, silencing her sisters. “Enough,” she said sharply. Her gaze locked onto Zyron, her expression unreadable. “We didn’t bring you here to argue. We brought you here because, despite your failure, you might still be useful to us.”

Zyron straightened, his interest piqued despite his weariness. “Go on,” he said cautiously.

Darcy stepped forward, her fingers trailing through the air as she conjured a swirling orb of shadows. “We’ve been watching you, Zyron,” she said, her voice smooth and hypnotic. “You have potential—raw, untamed, and dangerously powerful. But you lack control. You act impulsively, and it costs you.”

“Which is why,” Icy added, her voice as cold as ice, “we’re offering you a chance to join forces with us. Not as equals, of course, but as... partners.”

Zyron narrowed his eyes, his suspicion growing. “Partners?” he echoed. “Or pawns?”

Stormy laughed, her voice crackling like thunder. “Oh, please. Don’t act like you’re too good to work with us. You need us as much as we need you. Together, we can crush the Winx and take over the Magical Dimension.”

Zyron hesitated, his mind racing. He knew the Trix were unexperienced witches too, but they seemed powerful and clearly they knew those fairies better than him. And after his humiliating defeat at Alfea, he couldn’t afford to let his pride stand in the way of an opportunity to regain his strength—and his revenge.

“What’s your plan?” he asked finally, his voice low.

Icy smirked, her expression victorious. “We’re going to exploit their greatest weakness,” she said, her tone dripping with malice. “Their constant need to save everyone.”

Darcy’s orb of shadows expanded, revealing an image of Alfea. “We’ve already planted seeds of doubt in their minds,” she said. “The disappearance of Griffin, the stolen artifacts, the chaos we caused—they’re already on edge. All we need to do is push them over the edge.”

“And how do you plan to do that?” Zyron asked, his curiosity growing.

Stormy’s grin widened as she unleashed a small storm cloud, lightning sparking within it. “We’re going to hit them where it hurts,” she said. “Use this winter break to strike them back, now that they are divided.”

Zyron considered their words, his mind turning over the possibilities. Finally, he nodded, a wicked smile spreading across his face. “Very well,” he said. “I’ll join you. But make no mistake—this is an alliance of convenience. Once the Winx are defeated, I have my own plans for the Magical Dimension.”

“Of course,” Icy said with a sly smile, though her eyes gleamed with cunning. “For now, let’s focus on our shared goal.”

Icy paced back and forth, her icy glare sharp and calculated.

“We need to focus on Bloom first,” Icy declared, her tone firm and commanding. She turned to Zyron, her eyes glinting with determination. “She’s the strongest because of the Dragon Flame.”

Zyron’s expression darkened, his interest clearly piqued. “The Dragon Flame?” he echoed, his voice tinged with surprise and intrigue. “The legendary power of creation? The same fire that gave birth to Domino and the Magical Dimension?”

Darcy smirked, leaning against a nearby boulder. “That’s right. And Bloom wields it as if she were born for it—which she was,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But don’t let that scare you. She’s not invincible.”

“She can heal,” Icy added sharply. “Which makes her even more dangerous in a prolonged fight. We can’t just overpower her—we need to outsmart her or knock her out first.”

Stormy crossed her arms, lightning crackling at her fingertips. “We’ll keep her busy. Distract her while you use this artifact we stole from Callisto.”

Zyron’s eyes narrowed. “The Lacrimorix Prism?” he asked, his voice lowering as the name rolled off his tongue.

“Yes,” Icy replied with a sinister smile. “It can enclose any living being in a confined magical space, cutting them off from outside influence for several minutes. Perfect for neutralizing someone like Bloom—or anyone who tries to interfere.”

Zyron rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his mind racing with possibilities. “But for the Lacrimorix Prism to work, it needs the Melodic Flute to channel its full power,” he pointed out. “And last I checked, that flute isn’t in my home planet. It’s in Melody.”

Darcy rolled her eyes. “Of course it’s in Melody,” she muttered. “Typical fairies—always leaving the key to their doom lying around in some distant corner of the dimension.”

“We’ll deal with that,” Icy said curtly. “First, let’s focus on the plan.”

Zyron hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Maybe we can use the artifacts on someone else other than Bloom. There’s another fairy who caught my attention during the battle,” he admitted. “A young girl with a strange connection to animals. She resisted my draining magic. Who is she?”

The Trix exchanged confused glances.

“You mean that ugly new addiction in green with magenta hair?”

“She must’ve joined the Winx after we were sent to the Monastery of Roccaluce,” Darcy said dismissively, waving a hand. “Probably some weakling they picked up along the way.”

Zyron’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Weakling? Hardly. There’s something unusual about her energy. She’s like a constant wellspring of life force. If I can drain her, I’ll gain more power than you can imagine.”

Icy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Interesting,” she mused.

“And Flora,” Zyron said, his tone thoughtful. “She seems connected to nature in ways I don’t fully understand. She resisted my magic, too—just like the Fairy of Animals. It’s as if their connection to life itself protects them.”

Darcy let out a short laugh. “Flora? But she's so weak! One tap is all it takes for her to pass out somewhere!”

“Don’t underestimate her,” Zyron warned, his eyes narrowing. “She’s far more resilient than she appears.”

Icy smirked, her mind already working on a plan. “Fine,” she said. “Let’s deal with Bloom first. We’ll use the Lacrimorix Prism and the Melodic Flute to trap her. Once she’s out of the way, you can target the Fairy of Animals and Flora without interference. Let's get that Flute."


Cloud Tower buzzed with activity, its shadowy hallways filled with the chatter of witches as they hurried to and from their classes. The dim light of magical torches flickered on the cold stone walls, casting eerie shadows that danced with every passing figure. Unseen by the bustling witches, Headmistress Griffin sat trapped in an illusion spell, her form invisible to the na*** eye. She stood motionless, her body encased in a translucent shimmer that distorted the space around her, making her presence undetectable. From within her prison, she could hear the faint echo of her own voice whenever she tried to call for help, but the sound never reached beyond the illusion.

“Help me!” she cried, her voice raw and desperate. But the witches pacing the hallways were oblivious, their conversations continuing uninterrupted. No one so much as glanced in her direction.

Griffin clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. Her mind raced, recalling every spell she had ever learned or created, every incantation that might break through the magical barrier. But every time she tried, the shimmering cocoon absorbed her magic and dissolved it into nothingness.

“Obliterate mensuram… No!” she hissed, frustration mounting as the spell fizzled out. “Disruptor evanesco…!” Her voice cracked, and she slumped back against the wall, her breathing ragged.

Griffin stared at the ceiling, blinking rapidly to fight the sting of tears threatening to spill. This isn’t possible… This can’t be happening. She was so powerful, one of the most powerful witches in the Magical Dimension. But Zyron and the Trix were able to use Callisto's magical objects to completely seal her off.

Griffin’s thoughts turned to Mirta, her former student. The young witch had always possessed an exceptional sensitivity to magic, particularly illusions. If anyone could sense Griffin’s presence or see through this spell, it would be Mirta.

“I have to find her,” Griffin whispered, her voice trembling. She pushed herself upright, drawing on what strength she had left. “Mirta… She’ll know what to do.”

The problem was how to reach her. The illusion didn’t just hide Griffin; it physically restrained her, confining her to a small space in this hallway. Every step she took felt like wading through thick, invisible mud. Her movements were sluggish, her body weighed down by the spell’s oppressive force.

“Mirta…” Griffin called out again, though she knew the sound wouldn’t carry. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to focus. If she couldn’t break the spell, perhaps she could manipulate it—send a pulse of her magic through the barrier, something Mirta might sense.

She extended her hands, her fingers trembling as she concentrated. Her magic flickered weakly in the palm of her hand, a faint glow that barely pushed against the illusion’s barrier. Still, she persisted, pouring every ounce of her willpower into the effort. The glow intensified for a moment, then flickered out entirely. Griffin’s shoulders slumped, and for the first time in years, she felt utterly defeated. A lump formed in her throat as her mind spiraled with doubts and fears. Was this the end? Would she remain trapped, invisible and powerless, while her school—and the entire Magical Dimension—faced threats she couldn’t even warn them about? Was she stuck while everyone would move on?

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. Griffin squeezed them shut, refusing to let her despair consume her. “No,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I can’t give up. I won’t give up.”

She thought of Mirta again, her vibrant spirit, her bravery in leaving Cloud Tower to follow her heart. Mirta had always been a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest places, there was light to be found.

Griffin steadied herself, breathing deeply as she summoned every ounce of strength she had left. If she couldn’t reach Mirta with magic, she would try again, and again, and again. One way or another, she would break free. And when she did, whoever was behind this spell would regret underestimating her.

“Mirta,” Griffin murmured, her voice a mixture of hope and desperation. “If you can hear me… please, find me.”

Mirta opened her eyes, waking up suddently to those words inside the bubble that was taking her downtown in Callisto.

"Miss Griffin...?" she whispered, confused.


The grand palace of Melody shone with resplendent opulence, its marble walls adorned with intricate carvings of musical notes and instruments. In the vast throne room, Princess Galatea sat gracefully on her golden seat, her emerald eyes fixed on the ten young princes standing before her in a semi-circle. Each of them was a candidate, brought forth by her parents in the hopes of finding her a suitable husband.

The first prince stepped forward, bowing deeply. “Your Highness, I am Prince Altior of Harmonia. It would be my honor—”

“Thank you, Prince Altior,” Galatea interrupted politely, motioning for him to step back. Her tone was kind, but her eyes betrayed her lack of interest.

The second prince spoke with an exaggerated flourish, waving his hands dramatically. “I am Prince Luto of Crescendo, beyond the Magical Dimension! My voice alone has—”

“Thank you, Prince Luto,” Galatea said, her smile thin. “We’ll consider your... vocal talents.”

And so it went, with each prince attempting to impress her—one bragging about his wealth, another about his swordsmanship, and yet another about his ability to play every instrument known to Melody. But in every candidate, Galatea found something that repelled her, a flaw that made her quietly sigh in relief when it was time to dismiss them.

Finally, the last prince departed, his crestfallen expression not even registering in her mind as she leaned back against her throne. Before she could savor the quiet, her parents entered the room. King Cadence and Queen Aria strolled toward her, their faces alight with thinly veiled amusement.

“Well,” her father began, crossing his arms as he surveyed the now-empty hall. “That went about as well as we expected.”

Her mother chuckled softly, her voice melodic and teasing. “Ten princes, Galatea. Surely one of them must have caught your eye?”

Galatea sighed, her poise momentarily faltering. “Mother, Father, must we do this now? I’m perfectly content as I am. There’s no need to rush into marriage.”

Her mother arched an elegant brow, a smirk playing on her lips. “If we’re rushing, then I’ll only bring five next time. Would that be more to your liking?”

“That’s not what I meant, Mother!” Galatea said, her exasperation barely contained. But her parents simply smiled knowingly, as if they had all the time in the world to wear her down.

“Don’t worry, dear,” her father said, patting her shoulder as they turned to leave. “You’ll see the wisdom in our efforts one day.”

As they exited the throne room, their soft laughter echoed down the corridor, leaving Galatea alone to bask in the awkward silence they had left behind. She rose from her throne, straightening her gown as she made her way toward the far end of the room. The golden light streaming through the tall windows cast a warm glow on her weary face.

“I swear,” she muttered under her breath, “being a princess is more exhausting than an entire day of rehearsals.”

She approached the grand stage where musicians often performed during royal gatherings, leaning against the balustrade as she sighed deeply. Her gaze swept over the room, taking in its pristine beauty. She loved her kingdom and her palace, but in moments like these, even the grandeur of Melody couldn’t lift her spirits.

Suddenly, the light in the room dimmed as the curtains on every window began to close of their own accord. Galatea straightened, her heart quickening. The soft melody of the wind was replaced by an eerie silence, broken only by the faint sound of a woman’s laughter.

The walls shimmered, and three figures emerged from the shadows as if stepping through the stone itself. Galatea’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized them immediately—the Trix.

“Well, isn’t this cozy?” Icy said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she surveyed the throne room. Her icy aura crackled around her, chilling the air.

Darcy smirked, brushing her hair back as her sharp eyes locked onto Galatea. “Such a beautiful palace. A little... too pristine for my taste.”

Stormy twirled a strand of her hair, her expression gleefully chaotic. “And so quiet! Don’t worry, princess. We’re here to liven things up.”

Galatea took a cautious step back, her mind racing. “You! It's you!" her panic was audible. "You're banned from entering our planet! How dare you?!" she screamed, going into attack position, her voice steady despite the unease creeping over her.

Icy stepped forward, her cold blue eyes gleaming with malice. “We’re here for something very specific.” She gestured toward the grand organ at the back of the room. “Your family has something we need. And you’re going to give it to us.”

“Over my dead body,” Galatea said, her voice firm as she squared her shoulders.

Stormy grinned wickedly. “Oh, we can arrange that.”

Before Galatea could react, the Trix unleashed a flurry of dark magic. Icy’s frosty blast shot toward her, Darcy conjured binding shadows, and Stormy hurled bolts of lightning. Galatea leaped behind the balustrade, raising a magical barrier just in time to deflect the attacks.

“You’ll regret this!” she shouted. The room filled with the sound of harmonious notes as Galatea’s power surged, creating shimmering waves of energy that pushed the Trix back. "Galatea, Enchantix!"

The Trix’s smirks grew wider as Galatea’s glowing Enchantix wings unfurled behind her.

“Well, well,” Icy drawled, her icy aura crackling. “Looks like the little princess has finally graduated.”

“Enchantix,” Darcy said with mock admiration, clapping slowly. “Color me impressed. Too bad it’s not going to save you.”

Galatea straightened, her emerald eyes narrowing as her aura glimmered with power. “Thank you for noticing,” she said mockingly, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I graduated last year. And unlike the last time we met, I’m ready to take you on!”

Stormy burst into laughter, turning to Icy with an exaggerated expression of disbelief. “Did you hear that? She thinks she’s ready for us. That’s adorable.”

“I’d watch my mouth if I were you,” Galatea retorted, her tone sharp. As Stormy rolled her eyes, Galatea’s fingers twitched, summoning shimmering musical notes that swirled around her like a miniature orchestra. In a flash, the notes solidified, shooting directly at Stormy.

“What the—” Stormy’s complaint was cut short as a flurry of musical notes smacked into her face, leaving glowing streaks behind. She stumbled back, blinking in surprise, just as a gleaming treble clef slammed into her with precision. The force sent her sprawling backward, landing hard against a pillar.

“Ugh! I’ll get you for that, you little—” Stormy snarled, struggling to get up.

Before she could finish, Darcy snapped her fingers, and an eerie silence fell over the room. The magical harmonics disappeared as a soundproof barrier enveloped them. “Enough!” Darcy barked. “We don’t need the entire kingdom hearing this.”

Icy seized the moment, sending razor-sharp shards of ice hurtling toward Galatea. Reacting swiftly, Galatea conjured a protective sphere of noise-canceling energy. As the ice shards entered the sphere, their velocity diminished, the sound of their movement stifled. They fell harmlessly to the ground with a dull thud.

“Nice try,” Galatea said with a smirk. She countered by raising her hand and shouting, “Positive Harmony!” A radiant spell surged from her fingertips, targeting Darcy. The enchantment tangled with Darcy’s magic, causing it to spiral out of control. Dark shadows morphed into chaotic musical notes, bursting into dissonant sounds that filled the room. The discordant noise grew louder, echoing like a ship’s horn, then shifted to other strange tones, the entire palace hearing it.

Darcy clutched her head, grimacing. “What is this?!” she hissed as the cacophony grew unbearable.

Galatea smirked. “The kingdom knows you’re here now,” she said. “It’s over.”

Suddenly, a chilling voice spoke from behind her. “Not quite.”

Zyron materialized from the shadows, his dark energy crackling ominously. Before Galatea could react, his hand clamped down on her shoulder, siphoning her life force. A searing pain spread through her body as her energy ebbed away.

“Stop—” she gasped, her wings faltering. Summoning the last of her strength, she conjured a sharp musical note and sent it directly at Zyron. It struck him in the chest, forcing him to release her momentarily.

Zyron stumbled back, his eyes blazing with fury. “You’ll regret that,” he growled, grabbing her again and draining her faster this time. Galatea cried out, collapsing to the ground, her energy nearly depleted.

Icy approached her slowly, her boots clicking against the marble floor. She knelt beside Galatea, her icy gaze fixed on the princess’s trembling wings. “You remember what happened in Alfea all those years ago, don’t you?” Icy’s voice was soft, but the malice in her tone was unmistakable. Her fingers brushed dangerously close to Galatea’s wings. “If you don’t want a repeat, you’d better give us the Melodic Flute.”

Galatea’s lips quivered as she mustered what little strength she had left. She tried to summon a high-frequency ultrasound wave to alert her guards. The magic began to ripple through the air.

“Not this time, your highness,” Darcy said, her eyes glowing as she intercepted the spell. She snapped her fingers, cutting off the wave mid-signal.

The room fell silent once more, except for the chilling laughter of the Trix and Zyron.

“It’s over,” Icy said, her smile widening. “Your little kingdom will fall, just like you.”

The grand doors of the throne room burst open with a resonant clang as King Cadence and Queen Aria rushed inside, their expressions fraught with worry. A chilling draft wafted through the air, and one of the tall windows stood wide open, the curtains billowing in the cold wind. At the center of the room, their daughter sat frozen—literally—encased in a shimmering block of ice.

“Galatea!” King Cadence bellowed, rushing forward and pounding on the ice with his fists.

A shrill, piercing sound suddenly cut through the heavy silence, pulling their attention away.

“The archive alarms,” Queen Aria muttered. She stood, her composure returning despite the tears brimming in her eyes. “Summon the guards. We need to get the ones who did this!”

King Cadence nodded, his jaw tightening. “Whatever they’ve stolen, we will get it back. But first, we free Galatea.”

[juleic1123]

Chapter 31: A Gathering Interrupted

Roxy was behind the counter at Frutti Music Bar, her fingers deftly arranging an array of colorful smoothies while chatting with her dad. The familiar hum of customers and clinking glasses filled the air, a comforting backdrop to the bar’s vibrant energy.

“Pass me that tray, would you, Dad?” Roxy said, her tone light as she glanced at Klaus, who was polishing glasses.

He handed her the tray with a grin. “I’ve missed seeing you work here. You’ve got a knack for brightening this place up.”

Roxy chuckled softly. “Thanks, Dad. I’ve missed this too—being here, with you and Mom. It’s so… normal, you know? Compared to everything else.”

Before Klaus could respond, Roxy turned to the door as a new customer walked in. Roxy looked up and spotted a familiar face—Andy. He waved as he approached the counter, his guitar case slung over one shoulder.

“Hey, Roxy!” Andy greeted, his easygoing smile lighting up his face.

“Andy!” Roxy said, surprised but pleased. “What are you doing here?”

Andy leaned against the counter, setting his guitar case down. “Just finished a gig nearby and thought I’d drop by for a smoothie. Didn’t expect to see you here, though. You’re usually off studying in the Magical Dimension or something.”

Roxy laughed, a hint of weariness in her eyes. “Yeah, well, even fairies need a break now and then, especially during Christmas. What can I get you?”

“Surprise me,” Andy replied with a grin, sliding onto a stool.

As Roxy began preparing his drink, Andy’s gaze lingered on her thoughtfully. “So… how’s the whole fairy life treating you? I mean, you’re like a full-on magical superhero now, right?”

Roxy hesitated, her hands pausing over the blender. “It’s… amazing,” she admitted. “Having powers, being able to connect with animals and learn more about myself—it’s like a dream come true. But it’s also… a lot.”

Andy tilted his head, curiosity evident. “A lot? How so?”

Roxy sighed, pouring the smoothie into a glass and sliding it over to him. “The Magical Dimension isn’t just rainbows and sparkles, Andy. There are powerful wizards, witches, and creatures—ancient ones—out there. And lately, it feels like every time I turn around, there’s some new threat.”

Andy sipped his smoothie, nodding thoughtfully. “Sounds intense. Like what?”

“Well,” Roxy began, leaning on the counter, “you’ve heard of the Wizards of the Black Circle, right? They were the ones who came after me when I first discovered I was a fairy.”

Andy nodded, his expression serious. “Yeah, I remember seeing those shady dudes once here at the bar. You and the Winx took them down, didn’t you?”

“We did,” Roxy said, her tone quieter. “But they’re just one group. Since then, I’ve heard stories about wizards, witches, and creatures even older and more dangerous than they were. Like Zyron, who’s causing havoc now. Or the Trix—they’re always a problem. It’s like no matter how many the Winx or other fairies defeat, there’s always someone else.”

Andy frowned, setting his glass down. “That sounds… overwhelming. Do you ever feel like it’s too much?”

“Sometimes,” Roxy admitted. “But then I think about why I do it—why we all do it. It’s not just about fighting bad guys. It’s about protecting people, making the Magical Dimension safer. And honestly, I couldn’t just walk away from that, even if I wanted to. I finally start to understand what Bloom meant when she taught me.”

Andy smiled softly. “That’s pretty incredible, Roxy. You’re incredible.”

Roxy flushed slightly, brushing a strand of magenta hair behind her ear. “Thanks, Andy. But I’m just doing what I can.”

Before Andy could reply, Klaus called over from the other end of the bar. “Roxy, can you help your mom with the delivery in the back?”

“On it, Dad!” Roxy called back. She glanced at Andy with a small smile. “Duty calls. Stick around, okay? I’ll be back in a bit.”

Andy nodded, lifting his glass in a mock toast. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

As Roxy disappeared into the back, Andy leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. He couldn’t help but admire her determination and strength—qualities that had only grown since he’d first met her.

In the storage room, Roxy found her mother organizing boxes of fresh ingredients. Morgana looked up as Roxy entered, her smile warm. “You’ve been busy out there.”

“It’s good to be busy,” Roxy said, helping to lift a crate onto the shelf. “Keeps my mind off things.”

Morgana’s gaze softened as she placed a hand on Roxy’s shoulder. “You’ve grown so much, my dear. Don't be afraid of Zyron or anyone else if that is what's on your mind. You have amazing powers.”

Roxy smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude. “Thanks, Mom.”

As she returned to the bar, she found Andy strumming his guitar softly, the gentle melody weaving through the air. He looked up as she approached, a playful grin on his face.

“Feel like singing along?” he teased.

Roxy laughed, the tension in her chest easing. “Maybe later,” she said. “Right now, I’ve got smoothies to make.”

"You lose." He teases, getting up to enter the stage and prepare everything while he waits for Rio and Mark.

Meanwhile, in Melody...

“Hang in there, Galatea,” Musa murmured. She raised her hands and flapped her wings fast, summoning her fairy dust.

A radiant, golden glow enveloped her as the Enchantix power surged through her veins. With a deep breath, she sprinkled the sparkling dust over the frozen barrier encasing Galatea. The ice began to crackle and hiss, melting away in shimmering rivulets.

As the last of the ice dissolved, Galatea collapsed into Musa’s arms, shivering uncontrollably. Her lips were pale, her Enchantix wings drooping weakly.

“Musa…” Galatea managed to whisper through chattering teeth, her voice barely audible.

“You’re safe now,” Musa said softly, though worry etched deep lines into her face. She quickly wrapped Galatea in her own warm embrace, trying to transfer some heat to her frozen form.

Galatea’s body shook violently, and Musa frowned. She conjured her phone, dialing Stella.

“Stella, I need you!” Musa’s voice trembled with urgency. “It’s Galatea. She’s freezing, and I don’t know how to warm her up fast enough. Please, hurry!”

Stella’s voice came through the line, sharp and focused. “What?! The princess? I’m on my way, Musa.”

Musa hung up and turned her attention back to Galatea. She gently cupped her friend’s face, her own hands trembling slightly from the cold radiating off her. “Stay with me, Galatea. Stella’s coming to help, okay?”

Galatea’s emerald eyes fluttered open, her gaze focusing weakly on Musa. “You shouldn’t… be here,” she murmured. “It’s winter break. You should be with your family… not rescuing me.”

Musa scoffed, her tone firm but kind. “That’s nonsense, Galatea. You’re my friend, and you needed help. What kind of fairy would I be if I just left you here like this?”

Galatea tried to protest, but her words were too faint to carry. Instead, she leaned against Musa, drawing strength from her presence.

“Rest, but don’t sleep,” Musa said gently, stroking Galatea’s hair to calm her. “You’re safe now. Just stay awake for me.”

“My daughter...” Queen Aria cried. She hurried to her daughter’s side, her graceful movements betraying her panic.

King Cadence followed closely, his broad frame towering over the scene as he knelt beside Musa and Galatea. “Guardian Fairy Musa, can you tell what happened here?” he demanded, his deep voice echoing through the room.

Musa shook her head, curious as well. A few moments later, Stella appeared in a dazzling swirl of light, her golden magic radiating warmth that immediately began to push back the lingering cold. She knelt beside Musa and Galatea, her expression serious.

“Alright, let’s warm her up properly,” Stella said, her aura glowing as her hands touched Galatea's shoulders, instantly countering the chill in her body.

Galatea sighed softly as warmth seeped into her, her trembling easing. “Thank you…” she whispered.

Stella smiled warmly. “Don’t thank me yet. You gave Musa quite the scare.”

As the warmth fully returned to her body, Galatea sat up slowly, still leaning on Musa for support. Her gaze flitted between the two fairies, gratitude shining in her eyes.

Queen Aria knelt beside her, brushing a strand of Galatea’s hair from her face. “We’re here, my love. You’re safe now.”

King Cadence placed a firm hand on Galatea’s shoulder, his expression stern but filled with concern.

“What happened?” Musa asked softly, her voice steady but concerned. “Who did this to you, Galatea?”

Galatea’s expression darkened, her jaw tightening. “The Trix… and someone else. A wizard. They came for the Melodic Flute. They… they attacked me here in the throne room and froze me before I could stop them.”

“The Melodic Flute?” Stella echoed, frowning. "That's a familiar name..."

“Palladium talked about it in 2nd year. That’s a powerful artifact, it can completely isolate someone from reality for minutes. If the Trix have it…”

“They do,” Galatea said, her voice bitter. “And they weren’t alone. The wizard they brought with them—he’s dangerous. He drained my energy, Musa. If he’s working with them, they’re more powerful than ever.”

Musa exchanged a grim look with Stella. “Zyron. We need to warn the others,” Musa said firmly. “And we need to stop them before they use the Flute for whatever twisted plan they’re cooking up.”

Galatea shook her head weakly. “You should go home, Musa. This isn’t your fight.”

“No,” Musa said, her voice resolute. She placed a comforting hand on Galatea’s shoulder. “This is my fight, trust me. Plus, you’re my friend, Galatea.”

Stella nodded in agreement, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness.

As Stella helped Galatea to her feet, Musa started calling the others.

Bloom stood by the Christmas tree in her adoptive parents' living room. The rich scent of pine filled the air as Mike untangled a string of lights, and Vanessa hung shimmering ornaments with meticulous care. Nearby, Oritel and Marion looked on, their expressions a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

Oritel scratched his head, holding a glittering star ornament. “I understand decorating with light crystals for celebrations, but why a tree indoors? And why cover it with trinkets?”

Marion nodded, her brow furrowing. “It’s quite peculiar. Is it symbolic of something?”

Bloom laughed softly, gently taking the star from Oritel’s hands. “It’s just a Christmas tradition, Dad. Something people on Earth do every year. It’s about bringing family together and creating something beautiful.”

Oritel’s puzzled expression softened as he watched his daughter place the star atop the tree, her face glowing with happiness. “If it makes you happy, my star, then it’s worth doing.”

Vanessa chuckled, stepping back to admire the tree. “You’re a fast learner, Oritel. Now, Marion,” she said, turning to the queen, “what should we make for dinner on the 24th? Something special, since it’s Christmas Eve.”

Marion’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I could make a Domino specialty—Floralia Raggia. It’s a roasted root vegetable stew with glowfruits, lava petals, and a dash of molten spice.”

Vanessa blinked, trying to picture the dish in her mind but coming up blank. “Glowfruits? Lava petals? That sounds… intriguing,” she said diplomatically, exchanging a bemused glance with Mike.

Bloom laughed, catching the look. “Maybe let’s stick to something a bit more Earth-friendly this time, Mom. How about lasagna? It’s an Earth classic.”

Marion tilted her head, intrigued. “Lasagna… I’d love to learn how to make it.”

As the two women began discussing recipes, Bloom’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, expecting a holiday greeting, but Musa’s name flashed on the screen.

“Musa?” Bloom answered, her tone light at first. “What’s up?”

Musa’s voice came through, urgent and shaky. “Bloom, we have a situation. It’s Galatea—she was attacked by the Trix and Zyron.”

Bloom’s face paled, her cheer evaporating in an instant. “What? Are you serious? Is she okay?”

“She’s stable, thanks to Stella, but we need to act fast.”

Bloom nodded, gripping the phone tightly. “Alright, I’ll gather everyone. Stay with Galatea until we figure this out.”

Her parents and Oritel watched her closely, their festive mood shifting to concern.

“What happened?” Marion asked gently.

Bloom swallowed hard, forcing a reassuring smile. “Something urgent came up. I’ll explain later.” She hugged her mother tightly. “I’ll be back soon.”

Flora sat at the kitchen table, her face glowing with happiness as she discussed wedding plans with her parents and Miele. The table was strewn with flowers, sketches of dresses, and invitations.

Miele giggled, pointing at a sketch. “This one, Flora—it’s perfect for you! Helia will love it.”

Flora blushed, her green eyes soft with affection. “I hope so. He’s been so wonderful through all of this.”

Her mother smiled warmly. “He’s a good match for you, Flora. You two share a bond like no other.”

At that moment, Flora’s phone rang, and she glanced at the screen to see Musa’s name. She picked it up with a cheerful “Hi, Musa!” but her smile quickly faded as she listened.

“What? Galatea was attacked? The Trix?” Flora’s voice grew more serious. “Alright, I’ll come as soon as I can. Keep me updated.”

She hung up, her brow furrowed. Her parents and Miele looked at her with concern.

“What’s wrong?” her father asked.

“Something happened to the Princess of Melody, remember I mentioned her before? Galatea?” Flora explained. “I need to go help. I’m sorry.”

Her parents exchanged a glance before her mother nodded. “Go. We understand.”

Flora gave them a grateful look and hurried out, her heart heavy with worry but resolute.

Timmy sat in the sleek, futuristic living room of Tecna’s parents, the glow of holographic screens reflecting off the walls.

“I still think enhancing their energy cores could lead to overheating, Timmy, nanobots are just too fragile.” Tecna’s mother argued, her tone analytical.

“But the benefits outweigh the risks,” her father countered. “He's not wrong. Improved cores mean faster processing and greater efficiency.”

Timmy, sitting quietly, couldn’t help but smile at their spirited discussion. Tecna glanced at him, her violet eyes warm.

Her father noticed Timmy’s expression and frowned slightly. “Timmy, you should contain your emotions more. A good scientist focuses on logic, not sentimentality.”

Tecna stepped in, her voice calm but firm. “Dad, come on. Emotional expression doesn’t detract anyone from their intelligence.”

Before her father could respond, Tecna’s phone rang. She answered quickly, her expression shifting to seriousness as Musa explained the situation.

“I understand,” Tecna said firmly. “I’ll get there soon. Be careful.”

She ended the call and turned to Timmy and her parents. “Galatea’s in trouble. I need to go."

In the serene gardens of Andros, Aisha sat with Nabu's parents under a sprawling canopy of vibrant foliage. The gentle sound of waves crashing against the nearby cliffs provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation.

“I remember the time he tried to teach the palace guards how to dance. He said they were too stiff and needed to ‘flow with the rhythm of the tides.’” Nabu’s father said with a sad smile.

Aisha chuckled softly, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “That sounds like him.”

Nabu’s mother, sitting beside her husband, placed a gentle hand on Aisha’s. Her voice was soft and comforting. “He loved you, Aisha. Deeply.”

Aisha swallowed hard, her throat tightening. She fought back the tears threatening to spill, her face mirroring the bittersweet smiles of Nabu’s parents.

Nabu's mother continued. "When he wakes again, in his next life, he’ll carry the love and happiness he found here. And maybe, one day, his path will cross yours again.”

Aisha’s chest ached, but she managed a small, brave smile. “I hope so.”

Before she could say more, her phone buzzed on her pocket. She glanced at it and saw Musa’s name flashing on the screen.

“Excuse me,” Aisha said softly, rising to answer the call. “Musa? What’s going on?”

Musa’s urgent voice came through. “Aisha, it’s bad. The Trix and Zyron attacked Galatea. They have the Melodic Flute. We need you.”

Aisha’s expression darkened, her sorrow replaced by determination. “I’m on my way. Hang tight, Musa.”

She hung up and turned back to Nabu’s parents. “Something urgent came up. I have to go, sorry.”

Nabu’s father stood, his presence steady and reassuring. “Do what you need to, Aisha. Nabu would want you to keep fighting for what’s right.”

Nabu’s mother embraced her warmly. “Be safe, dear. You carry his strength with you.”

Aisha nodded. “Thank you. I’ll see you both soon.”

[juleic1123]

Chapter 32: A Whisper in the Night

Mirta lay in bed, her eyes squeezed shut as she tried to drift off. Deep within her mind, a voice called out—faint and desperate, but unmistakable.

"Mirta..."

The voice sent a shiver down her spine. She rolled onto her side, clutching her pillow tightly as if it might shield her from the eerie sensation.

"Help me..."

Her eyes flew open. The voice, though distant, was clear.

"Miss Griffin?" she whispered, sitting upright. She scanned the dimly lit room for any sign of the witch, but she was alone. "It can't be..." she murmured, shaking her head.

She tried lying down again, her thoughts racing. Perhaps it was a dream, a figment of her imagination conjured by her guilt over not finding Griffin. But the pull in her chest wouldn’t relent. After several restless minutes, she huffed in frustration and threw off the blankets.

“Alright, fine,” she muttered, grabbing her phone from the nightstand. She opened her contacts and selected Alice, Clarice, and Roxy.

One by one, their holographic projections flickered to life. Alice’s curly hair was a wild mess as she yawned, her groggy expression lit by the faint glow of her screen. Clarice squinted at the camera, annoyed. Roxy’s projection was the last to appear; she lay in bed, her hair tousled and her eyes barely open as she lazily pressed the answer button on her magical phone.

"Mirta? It’s almost three in the morning,” Roxy groaned, her voice muffled as she buried her face back in her pillow.

“I know, I know,” Mirta said hurriedly. “But I think... I know Miss Griffin is trying to talk to me. I can feel her. We need to find her.”

Alice stifled a yawn, rubbing her eyes. “Mirta, everyone spent a whole month looking for her. We don’t even know where to start.”

Clarice nodded, her tone skeptical. “And no offense, but it’s not like we didn’t try everything. What makes you think tonight’s going to be any different?”

Mirta clenched her fists, her determination unshaken. “Because I felt her. She’s close—I’m sure of it. I think she’s near Cloud Tower. That’s where she disappeared, right? I need to go back there.”

Roxy groaned, propping herself up on one elbow. “Mirta, you know the students probably left Cloud Tower for the holidays, right? The place is practically deserted. And Faragonda and Griselda specifically told us to focus on our studies and leave the search for the professors.”

“I know what they said,” Mirta replied, her voice firm. “But if Miss Griffin is calling to me, then maybe she’s somewhere no one else thought to look. I have to try.”

The line fell silent for a moment as her words sank in. Finally, Alice sighed. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“No,” Mirta said resolutely.

Clarice groaned, throwing off her blanket. “Fine, but if we get caught, I’m blaming you.”

Roxy sat up fully, her magenta hair sticking out in all directions. “Guess I’d better get dressed. Give me ten minutes.”

Mirta’s lips curved into a small smile, her heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you, all of you. Let's meet in Magix. We’ll head to Cloud Tower together.”

Roxy sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone as the minutes ticked by. Her fingers hovered over Bloom’s contact, the only name she could think to call for help. The problem wasn’t just getting to Magix; it was how she could manage it without her Believix wings or a scepter like Stella's. Unlike the Winx, she had yet to unlock her full potential as a fairy.

She sighed, biting her lip. “Okay, just call her,” she muttered to herself, pressing the dial button. The phone rang once, twice, three times, before going to voicemail.

“Bloom, it’s me, Roxy,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Something’s come up. I—well, I’ll figure it out. Call me back when you can.”

She hung up and stared at the phone in frustration. “Great. Now what?”

She paced the room, pulling on her jacket and boots. As she finished tying her laces, she considered her options. Warrior fairies now patrolled the Earth skies—perhaps she could catch the attention of one. They were vigilant, after all. If she could flag one down, maybe they’d help.

“Alright, that’s the plan,” she whispered, grabbing her bag and heading to the door.

Careful not to make a sound, Roxy opened her bedroom door and tiptoed into the hallway. The house was quiet, the faint sound of the clock ticking in the living room the only noise. She crept down the stairs and to the front door, wincing as the hinges squeaked when she opened it.

The cool night air greeted her as she stepped outside, the darkness wrapping around her like a comforting cloak. She exhaled in relief, thinking she’d managed to sneak out undetected.

Then, a soft chuckle echoed from the shadows.

Roxy froze, her hand gripping the doorframe as her heart leaped into her throat. “W-Who’s there?” she whispered.

From the darkness, Morgana stepped into the moonlight, her emerald eyes glinting with amusement. “Going somewhere, Roxy?” she asked, her tone gentle but knowing.

Roxy let out a squeaky noise of surprise, nearly dropping her bag. “M-Mom! What are you doing up?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Morgana said, her lips curving into a small smile. She crossed her arms, her expression patient.

Roxy opened her mouth to reply, but the words caught in her throat. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Alright, fine. I was going to Magix. Miss Griffin might be in trouble, and I have to help my friends find her.”

Morgana’s smile softened, and she stepped closer, placing a hand on Roxy’s shoulder. “I knew you were up to something good,” she said.

Roxy blinked in surprise. “Wait, you’re not going to stop me?”

“Of course not,” Morgana said with a chuckle. “But I can’t let you go alone, either. If you need to get to Magix, I can take you—and pick up your friends along the way.”

Roxy’s face lit up with gratitude. “Really? You can do that?”

Morgana simply smiled, amused. “I was the Queen of the Earth Fairies, remember? Now, let’s go before Klaus wakes up and we both get a lecture.”

Roxy giggles. "Were you spying on me? How do you know it's not just me?"

"Your friends made a holocall. I heard everything they said from the kitchen in their hologram form." Morgana laughed and Roxy simply closer her eyes embarassed, realizing she still struggled with the right buttons to make it a voice call instead of a visual, holographic one.

Mirta arrived at the meeting spot in Magix, her heart pounding as she turned the corner. She had worried the entire way about how she and her friends would manage to get into Magix so fast in the first place without magical vehicles for transportation. But as she approached, her jaw dropped at the sight before her.

Alice, Clarice, Roxy, and Morgana were already there, sitting on a stone bench and chatting like it was a casual gathering.

“Wait, how did you all get here so fast?” Mirta asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Roxy grinned, standing up and slinging her bag over her shoulder. “My mom helped. She teleported us here and picked up everyone along the way.”

"Not that I needed it, I know a teleportation spell already." Clarice said looking at her nails, before looking at Roxy's mom. "No offense."

Mirta’s eyes widened. “Really? Morgana, you did that?”

Morgana rose gracefully, a warm smile on her face. “Of course. It’s not every day I get to help Roxy and her friends on an adventure.”

Clarice smirked, nudging Mirta playfully. “Good thing, too. Now we won’t get in trouble at Alfea—or at least Roxy won’t get grounded for sneaking out at three in the morning.”

The group chuckled, the tension easing as they shared a moment of levity.

“Alright,” Roxy said, her expression growing serious. “We’ve got a lot to do. Let’s go find Miss Griffin.”

Morgana raised her hand, and a soft green glow enveloped the group. “Hold on tight, I'll take us there,” she said.

In a flash of light, they vanished, leaving the quiet streets of Magix behind.

The Winx stood in the grand throne room of Melody, its usual serenity now clouded with unease. Galatea sat on a cushioned chair, still recovering from her ordeal. Her parents hovered protectively nearby, their expressions a mixture of worry and anger. Stella, Musa, Bloom, Flora, Tecna, and Aisha gathered around, each of them tense as they processed the enormity of what had happened.

“The Melodic Flute is more than just a powerful artifact,” King Cadence said gravely, pacing the length of the room. “It’s an object of great potential—but also great cruelty. Combined with the Lacrimorix Prism, it can create a prison so absolute that it strips a person of every sensory experience. Sound, sight, touch… even air itself. All that’s left is emptiness.”

Bloom’s breath caught in her throat. “That’s… horrifying,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’ve heard of artifacts like that, but I never thought… why would anyone create something so cruel?”

Queen Aria’s gaze darkened. “It was used centuries ago,” she said, her tone laced with sorrow. “Back when the Magical Dimension was still fractured by wars between witches and wizards, and between fairies and sorcerers. It was a weapon of punishment, designed to break the will of even the strongest minds.”

Galatea shuddered, her hands clutching the blanket draped over her shoulders. “Minutes inside that emptiness are enough to destabilize a person,” she said softly. “Some were trapped for days. And worse… the spell could loop. When the duration ended, it would begin again, trapping the victim over and over until they lost all sense of self.”

Bloom wrapped her arms around herself, a chill running down her spine. “That’s awful,” she murmured. “I know there are kind-hearted witches and wizards—Miss Griffin, Saladin, even Mirta before—so hearing this… it makes me wonder how dark the Magical Dimension’s history really is.”

“It’s not just the Magical Dimension,” Tecna said, her tone analytical yet somber. She stepped closer, her hands clasped behind her back. “Every planet, no matter how advanced, has its own dark history. Zenith may be a planet of technology and logic, but even we have made terrible mistakes in the name of progress.”

Flora nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Nature, too, has its balance,” she said. “There’s growth and beauty, but there’s also decay and destruction. It’s a reminder that no being is entirely good or entirely bad. Each of us has two sides.”

Aisha crossed her arms, her jaw tightening. “And some people choose to give in to the worst parts of themselves,” she said bitterly. “Zyron and the Trix—what they’ve done here proves that.”

Musa, standing protectively by Galatea’s side, clenched her fists. “The fact that they would even think to use the Melodic Flute like this… they don’t just want to win. They want to destroy. To break us.”

Bloom straightened, her expression resolute. “We can’t let them get away with this. Galatea, do you know what they’re planning to do with the flute and the prism?”

Galatea nodded negatively, her emerald eyes clouding with uncertainty.

Tecna spoke, her tone firm. “We’ll need to outthink them. The Trix are cunning, and Zyron is no fool. Whatever it is they are planning, they probably did it carefully.”

Musa placed a comforting hand on Galatea’s shoulder. “We’ll stop them,” she said softly. “You’re safe now, and we’ll make sure no one else has to go through what you did.”

Galatea nodded, her expression resolute despite the lingering fear in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

Bloom turned to King Cadence and Queen Aria. “Do you have any records or information about the flute and the prism? Anything that could help us counter their magic?”

King Cadence nodded. “Our archives are extensive,” he said. “You’re welcome to search them for anything that might be useful.”

Queen Aria added, “Last I heard, the prism was on Callisto, so you probably won't find much. They were divided on purpose so that it would be harder to obtain both.”

Bloom looked at her friends, determination shining in her gaze. “So that's probably one of the things they stole in Callisto,” she said.

The Winx nodded in unison.


Roxy, Alice, Clarice, Mirta, and Morgana stood at the entrance of Cloud Tower, the towering spire looming ominously against the night sky. A faint mist clung to the ground, swirling around their feet as they stepped through the heavy wooden doors. The air was cold, tinged with the faint scent of old magic and damp stone.

“This place gives me the creeps,” Clarice whispered, hugging herself as they walked down a dark corridor.

“Stay close,” Morgana said firmly, scanning her surroundings. “If Mirta’s right and Griffin is here, we’ll find her. But we must be prepared for anything.”

As they ventured deeper into the school, the unsettling silence grew heavier. Doors to classrooms stood ajar, the faint flicker of magical torches casting eerie shadows on the walls. The group searched every corner, calling softly for Griffin, but the headmistress was nowhere to be found.

“This doesn’t feel right,” Roxy murmured, her voice barely audible. “It’s too quiet for a school. It's scary at this point.”

Mirta nodded, her crimson hair falling over her shoulder. “Griffin has to be here somewhere. She has to be!”

As they rounded a corner, muffled voices reached their ears. Morgana held up a hand, motioning for them to stop. The group pressed themselves against the wall, listening intently.

“You call yourselves teachers?” a cold, mocking voice echoed down the corridor. “Pathetic.”

Alice’s eyes widened. “That’s Darcy,” she whispered.

The group crept forward, peeking around the corner. The sight before them sent chills down their spines.

The Trix strode confidently through the hall, their expressions smug as if they already owned the place.

Behind them, Zyron stood over a group of Cloud Tower teachers, his hand outstretched as he drained their life force. The teachers groaned weakly, their bodies slumping against the cold stone floor as their energy ebbed away.

Stormy laughed. “Oh, I can’t wait for winter break to be over. Imagine the looks on those witches’ faces when they see we’ve taken back Cloud Tower fully just like before. No one’s going to be ready for this.”

Darcy joined in her laughter, her voice dripping with malice. “And Griffin? She must be seeing all of this defeat, wherever she is." She starts waving at the emptiness of the hallway in all directions, jumping excitedly.

"Are you here?" Darcy laughs, turning to the other side. "Or perhaps here? Are you seeing this? How does it feel to know you failed, Headmistress?”

Mirta’s eyes narrowed, her fists clenching at her sides. “I’ve had enough of this,” she growled under her breath.

Roxy, Alice, Clarice, and Morgana exchanged a glance, their expressions serious.

“Mirta,” Roxy said firmly, stepping forward. “You were right. Griffin’s here somewhere, and we’re going to stop them. But we’ll need your strength to do it.”

Mirta looked at her, her resolve hardening. She nodded, taking a deep breath.

“Mirta, Enchantix!”

With a brilliant flash of light, Mirta’s body was enveloped in shimmering magic. Her wings appeared quickly.

The others followed suit, their voices ringing out in unison.

“Winx!” Alice and Clarice transformed beside her with her fairy form, their own wings and outfits radiating with energy and elegance. Morgana stood back, her proud smile lighting up her face as she watched the fairies rise to the occasion.

"Believix!" Roxy’s fairy form manifested, her magenta hair glowing as her wings shimmered with a vibrant mix of green and pink.

The corridor lit up with their combined glow, the magical energy radiating outward and drawing the Trix’s attention.

Stormy turned, her smirk fading as her gaze landed on the group. “Well, well, look who decided to crash the party.”

Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “Mirta. And… the newbies?” her eyes finally land on Morgana, making her gasp surprised.

Roxy stepped forward, her wings flaring behind her. “Newbies?” she said, her voice steady and fierce. “We'll see once the fight begins.”

Icy smirked, her icy-blue eyes gleaming with malice. “Is that so? Then let’s see what you’ve got. Did you really think you could walk into our domain and win?”

“Your domain?” Roxy shot back, her Believix wings shimmering as she hovered just out of reach. “Cloud Tower belongs to the witches and Miss Griffin, not you!”

With a furious cry, Icy raised her hands and summoned a massive wave of frost that surged down the corridor, its jagged edges glinting menacingly. Roxy reacted quickly, extending her hands as green light burst forth. “Nature’s Embrace!” she shouted, conjuring a wall of thick vines that rose from the cracks in the stone floor to intercept the freezing wave. The frost met the vines with a deafening crack, the two forces locked in a bitter struggle.

Stormy cackled, her hair sparking with electricity. “Let’s liven things up!” She spun in place, whipping her hands forward to unleash a tempest of wind and lightning. The corridor filled with a deafening roar as the storm hurtled toward the group.

“Solar Flare!” Alice cried, summoning a glowing shield of golden light. The storm crashed against the shield, sparks and wind scattering in every direction. Alice gritted her teeth, sweat beading on her forehead as she struggled to hold the barrier steady.

Morgana stood tall, her aura radiating regal power. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of shimmering emerald energy surging forward, dispersing Icy’s frost and pushing Stormy back. “This place reeks of your treachery,” Morgana said coldly, her voice cutting through the chaos. “You dare defile this school for witches for your own schemes?”

“Save the speeches, queenie!” Icy spat as she conjured jagged shards of frost. “We have nothing to say to a washed-up Earth fairy!”

Morgana smirked, creating a simple shield that looked basic, but able to stop Icy's shards perfectly.

Mirta darted to Alice’s side, her crimson Enchantix wings glowing brilliantly as she raised her hands. “Illusory Reversal!” A shimmering wave of magic pulsed outward from her, warping the air around Stormy. The witch stumbled back, clutching her head as the illusion made her believe her storm had turned on her, striking her with her own lightning.

“Get out of my head!” Stormy shrieked, flinging wild bolts of energy in every direction.

Meanwhile, Darcy moved with sinister grace, her orb of shadows pulsating ominously. She targeted Clarice, who had been circling around the chaos to launch a surprise attack.

“You think you can sneak up on me?” Darcy sneered, extending her hand. “Shadow Chains!” Tendrils of inky darkness shot out, wrapping tightly around Clarice’s arms and legs. The young fairy cried out, struggling against the constricting magic.

“Clarice!” Mirta shouted, flying in her direction.

Zyron, meanwhile, observed the battle with a calculating gaze. His focus shifted to Roxy, a devious smile curling on his lips. “Maybe instead of her, I could use it on you,” he murmured, his dark energy crackling ominously. He reached into his cloak and withdrew the Melodic Flute and Lacrimorix Prism.

Roxy’s attention snapped to him, her eyes narrowing. “What’s that?” she demanded, her voice steady despite the unease creeping over her.

“Oh, just a little something to even the odds,” Zyron said, his voice dripping with malice. He raised the flute to his lips and played a haunting melody. The sound resonated through the hall, its eerie tones wrapping around Roxy like invisible chains.

Morgana’s eyes widened in recognition. “No!” she cried, lunging forward. “That’s the Melodic Flute—stop him!”

Roxy’s body froze mid-flight, her wings shimmering as her form was encased in a swirling sphere of light.

Clarice freed herself from Darcy’s shadow chains with a defiant cry. “Shattering Light!” she yelled, sending a shower of glass-like shards toward Darcy. The shards exploded on impact, forcing the witch to retreat.

“Enough of this!” Icy roared, slamming her fingers into the ground. The floor beneath the fairies froze instantly, trapping their feet in blocks of ice.

“Got you now!” Stormy crowed, her hands crackling with lightning. She sent a bolt surging toward the immobilized group, the electricity arcing through the air with deadly precision.

“Roxy!” Morgana screamed, her voice filled with desperation as she tried to break through Icy’s defenses.

Roxy’s eyes widened in terror as she realized what was happening. “No! Don’t—”

Her voice was cut off as the prism sealed shut, trapping her in a space devoid of sound, light, or air. The artifact’s magic swirled around her, cutting her off from reality entirely.

Zyron’s laughter echoed through the corridor as he held the prism aloft. “Perfect,” he said, his voice low and triumphant.

"Roxy! No!" Morgana quickly breaks free and Icy has to use all her strength to keep her stuck for a little longer. Morgana grunts, trying to use her head to create spells and inflict pain on the witches, making Stormy scream in agony.

"She's strong!" Stormy says, grunting as well. "She's messing with my head! Argh!"

“What are you doing?” Icy demanded, her icy gaze snapping to him. “This wasn’t part of the plan! You were supposed to use that on Bloom!”

“Plans change,” Zyron replied with a smirk. Without warning, he vanished insided the Prism and the flute also vanished in thin air.

The Trix stared at the spot where Zyron had disappeared, their expressions a mix of shock and fury.

“That... coward!” Stormy shrieked, her hands crackling with electricity. “He just bailed on us! Ugh, I hate, hate alliances! Aaah!” Her head makes her stop hovering around, falling to the ground in pain.

“We have to get out of here, now!” Darcy growled, her voice low with anger.

Morgana stops targetting Stormy, letting her rage consume her. She finally explodes the ice, her eyes turning green with fury.

Icy’s expression darkened, her grip tightening on her staff. “When we find him, he’ll regret crossing us. No one messes with the Trix!” Icy glanced at the approaching group of fairies and Morgana “This fight isn’t worth it anymore. Let’s go.”

“Not so fast!” Mirta shouted, breaking free of the ice too with a surge of her Enchantix power. However, with a wave of her hand, Icy opened a swirling portal. The Trix stepped through it one by one, their glares promising vengeance as they disappeared. Just as Icy's face disappears, Morgana's sudden spell she had just created manages to enter the portal, and all they hear is Icy screaming before... silence.

Absolute silence.

[juleic1123]

Chapter 33: Within the Prism

Darkness.

No sound. No air. No light.

Roxy opened her eyes—or at least she thought she did—but saw nothing. Panic surged through her veins. She tried to breathe, but there was no air. She tried to move, but there was no ground beneath her. It was as if she had been stripped away from existence, reduced to a mere thought drifting in the void.

Where am I? she thought frantically. Her heartbeat thundered in her chest, though she couldn’t feel its rhythm. Then, realization struck. She was inside the thing Zyron had in his hand, she got sucked and trapped in an abyss of nothingness!

Roxy clenched her fists. No! I won’t let them keep me here! She called on her magic, willing her Believix power to ignite, but the emptiness swallowed it whole. No spark, no warmth—just an endless, suffocating void.

Then, from the shadows, a voice echoed—low and mocking.

“That's futile, Roxy.”

Roxy turned—or at least she thought she turned—toward the source of the voice. A figure emerged from the abyss, his form flickering like a mirage. Zyron.

He stood with arms crossed, his piercing gaze fixed on her. Despite the darkness around them, his silhouette glowed faintly with the remnants of his own dark magic. The very man who had sealed her in this prison stood before her, seemingly unbothered by the nothingness.

“Zyron,” Roxy spat, her voice filled with venom. “What have you done?!”

He smirked, tilting his head. “I did what had to be done. The Trix wanted Bloom, but I saw something else—you. Your power… it’s different.” His eyes gleamed as he studied her. “And I intend to take it for myself.”

Roxy stiffened. “You're not the first to try. You're not better than the four Wizards who came for me before.”

Zyron chuckled darkly. “You might want to choose your words more carefully, little fairy. In this place, time is meaningless. Reality bends to the will of whoever has the strongest mind.” He stepped closer, the void rippling around him. “And right now, that’s me.”

Roxy’s body tensed.

Zyron extended his hand, dark tendrils of energy writhing around his fingers. “I can feel it… your magic. It’s so… raw. So connected to life itself.” His smirk widened.

Before Roxy could react, the tendrils lashed out, wrapping around her like chains. A sharp pain surged through her body as Zyron’s magic began draining her energy. She gasped, her strength fading as the emptiness closed in tighter and her powers began to be drained by the Wizard.

"I want all of it!"

No… she thought, her vision blurring. I can’t… lose…

Darkness pressed in on Roxy from every side, suffocating and relentless. Her body felt weightless, drained of all strength. Zyron’s dark tendrils coiled tighter around her, siphoning every ounce of her magic. Her wings flickered, dimming as she struggled against the force pulling her under.

She gasped, barely able to hold onto her consciousness. Every second, the Wizard drained her further. She could feel the life slipping away from her, her connection to magic unraveling strand by strand.

Zyron’s smirk widened as he loomed over her, his eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction. “Pathetic,” he drawled, tilting his head. “I expected more from the last Fairy of Animals. At least the Winx put up a fight.”

Roxy barely managed to lift her head, her breaths shallow. “I… won’t let you…”

He chuckled darkly, stepping closer. The void around them seemed to pulse with his presence. “You won’t let me?” he echoed mockingly. “Look at you, barely holding on. You’re nothing inside this place without your precious little animals, just as I expected. But outside this realm and with your magic, I'll be unbeatable!”

She grit her teeth, trying to summon a spark of magic, anything to fight back. But her body was paralized, out of strength.

Zyron crouched beside her, his voice a taunting whisper. “Once I’m done draining you, I think I’ll pay your friends a visit.” His smirk deepened as he saw her flinch. “The Winx, for example. They seem pretty powerful, sure, but they wouldn’t stand a chance once I have your magic to replenish me, especially once I get my hands on the Fairy of Nature as well.”

He leaned closer, his breath ghosting over her ear. “And then, I’ll go for the Trix. They’re amusing, but they’re nothing more than stepping stones. Maybe I’ll take their magic too, just for fun.”

Roxy’s breath hitched. He wasn’t stopping. He was planning to take everything from everyone.

Zyron stood back up, stretching his arms lazily. “Oh, and those Earth boys?” He feigned a sigh. “They were entertaining back on Linphea... but I think I’d rather see how they break when they realize you’re gone.”

Her hands clenched into fists, but she was too weak to move.

“And finally… your dear parents.” His smirk was vicious now. “Morgana, the once-great queen. Klaus, the foolish man who thought he could protect you. I wonder how long they’d last in my grasp.”

Something inside Roxy snapped. A fire ignited in her chest, burning through the exhaustion and fear. A warmth surged through her veins, deep and ancient, unlike anything she had felt before.

Zyron stepped back, his smirk faltering.

Roxy’s body pulsed with energy, but this time, her magic wasn’t drawn from the world around her. It wasn’t coming from the animals of Earth or the creatures of the Magical Dimension.

It was coming from Zyron himself.

His eyes widened in horror as he felt his own power begin to slip away. His tendrils flickered and weakened suddenly. The energy he had stolen from Roxy was now being pulled back—no, more than that. She was taking his energy too.

Roxy’s eyes snapped open, glowing with a fierce emerald light. Her body felt weightless again, but this time, it was strength, not weakness. She looked filled with rage.

Zyron grunted, trying to wrench his magic away from her grasp, but it was too late. His body trembled as more and more energy poured from him into Roxy. “What… what is this?!”

Roxy's eyes started glowing, her voice carrying her strong emotions. “You'll pay for this, you monster!”

Zyron’s legs buckled, his breath ragged. He was weakening rapidly, his dark magic spiraling out of his control. Roxy could feel his life force, his essence, coursing through her now, filling her veins with raw, untamed energy.

She gathered it, focusing all of it into one point, letting the power build until it burned bright in her palms. Then, with all the force she could muster, she thrust her hands forward.

A brilliant surge of energy exploded from her fingertips, slamming into Zyron with unrelenting force. He screamed, the void around them shattering like broken glass. The emptiness dissolved, the swirling darkness giving way to reality.

And then—

A flash of blinding light.

Roxy felt herself being thrown through the space, returning to the Magical Dimension. Soon enough, as her eyes remained close, she could feel it.

Cold air. The scent of damp earth. The distant sound of wind rustling through trees.

She landed hard on the ground, her body rolling to a stop just outside Cloud Tower’s entrance. She gasped, coughing as she pushed herself up on shaking arms.

A groan echoed nearby. She turned her head to see Zyron, sprawled on the ground, his own clothes tattered and singed, smoke curling from his body. He was barely conscious, his breath coming in short, labored pants.

His fingers twitched, and the Lacrimorix Prism and Melodic Flute, still hovering in the air, drifted toward him. With the last of his strength, he grabbed them, his eyes meeting Roxy’s for a single, hate-filled moment.

Then, before she could move, he vanished, the remnants of his dark magic whisking him away into the night.

Roxy lay back against the cold stone steps, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She had done it. She had escaped. Finally, eveything that happened settled in her mind, making her look at her own hands.

"What was that?"

Meanwhile, in the corridors of Cloud Tower, Mirta, Alice, Clarice, and Morgana stood frozen, their expressions twisted with fear and worry. Morgana was trembling, her emerald eyes brimming with unshed tears, her hands gripping the sides of her arms as if holding herself together.

"We have to find her!" Morgana's voice broke as she clutched at her own arms, struggling to contain her rising panic. "She's out there fighting Zyron—alone! What if we’re too late? What if—"

Alice placed a gentle hand on Morgana’s shoulder, steadying her. "We will find her, Morgana. Roxy is strong, she’ll fight back. She won’t give up."

Clarice nodded in agreement. "We should contact Faragonda. She needs to know what happened. If the Trix and Zyron planned this, there's no telling what else they might be plotting."

Before they could act, Mirta suddenly stiffened. A shiver crawled up her spine as a familiar sensation washed over her—the same eerie presence she had felt the last time she was here with the Winx. Her crimson eyes widened as the walls around them seemed to flicker, their lines warping and distorting like ripples in water.

"Wait… something's here!" Mirta whispered urgently, her gaze darting around the dimly lit corridor. "I can feel it. Just like before... but stronger."

A split second later, the world around her twisted unnaturally. The walls blurred, bending as though reality itself was fraying at the edges. For the briefest moment, she could see beyond—lines of energy twisting and stretching, forming the faint, spectral outline of someone trapped beyond their sight.

"Miss Griffin…?" she breathed, her heart pounding. "It has to be... I'll get you out of there!"

Mustering her courage, she took a deep breath, wings fluttering behind her as she clutched the tiny bottle hanging from her neck. "Fairy Dust!"

She quickly traced the shape of a pumpkin in the air, her magic flowing seamlessly as she released a shimmering cascade of fairy dust into the corridor. The golden particles spread like fireflies in the dark, cascading over the warped space.

Almost instantly, flickers of a figure began to materialize. A familiar silhouette—tall, poised, dressed in dark robes. The sharp edges of Miss Griffin’s features formed briefly, her expression frozen in a mixture of determination and exhaustion.

Alice and Clarice gasped in awe. "She did it!" Alice cheered, eyes wide with amazement. "That’s incredible, Mirta!"

Clarice clapped excitedly. "Enchantix powers are amazing! Look at that!"

But their joy was short-lived. As quickly as Griffin appeared, she flickered out of existence again, dissolving like mist in the wind.

Mirta’s breath caught in her throat. "Miss Griffin?!" Desperate, she poured more fairy dust over the corridor, her hands shaking as she tried to force the spell to hold. But the result was the same—Griffin’s form lasted only for a fleeting moment before vanishing again.

Taking a shaky breath, Mirta clenched her fists. "It’s not enough… Fairy Dust alone won’t break the spell completely."

She stared at the empty space where Griffin had stood, a newfound determination setting in. "Miss Griffin, I know you can hear me! We’ve found you! We’ll save you—I promise! Now that we know you’re here, we won’t stop until we find a way."

A faint whisper echoed through the air, a sound so soft it barely reached her ears. Mirta’s heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, she lifted her hand toward the space where Griffin had stood, believing she was still there.

Somewhere, unseen, Griffin did the same.

For just a brief second, their hands touched—an unspoken promise bridging the divide between them.

"I believe in you, Mirta!" Griffin said, her worried face becoming a confident smile.

Then—

A flash of movement at the far end of the corridor.

Roxy appeared, staggering into view. Her body was battered, her Believix wings barely holding their form. Her clothes were torn, her breath shallow. She took one unsteady step forward, her emerald eyes unfocused.

Morgana gasped, her wings unfurling as she launched toward her daughter. "Roxy!"

The others turned, their relief turning to alarm as Roxy swayed on her feet. The exhaustion, the battle, the strain—it all caught up to her at once.

Her legs buckled. She collapsed.

Morgana barely managed to catch her before she hit the cold stone floor. "Roxy, hold on!" she cried, cradling her daughter against her. Her voice trembled as she pressed a hand to Roxy’s cheek. "Please, wake up!"

Alice and Clarice rushed to her side, their expressions frantic. "She’s completely drained! What happened to her?" Alice asked, worry thick in her voice.

Clarice placed two fingers on Roxy’s wrist, feeling for a pulse. "She’s alive, but barely. We need to get her out of here—fast!"

Mirta clenched her fists, looking from Roxy’s unconscious form to the spot where Griffin had flickered in and out of existence. "But we can't leave without Miss Griffin. If the Trix or Zyron return—"

"We can’t fight like this," Alice interjected. "We’re not at full strength either. Roxy needs medical attention first."

Morgana’s wings fluttered as she lifted her daughter gently into her arms. Her voice was thick with emotion. "We have to get her to safety. Then, we come back for Griffin."

Mirta swallowed hard but nodded. She turned her gaze back to the hallway, determination burning in her eyes. "I swear, Miss Griffin, we’ll come back for you. And next time, we’ll break this spell for good."

The air around them hummed softly, almost as if Griffin had heard her.

With one last glance at the corridor, the group turned and hurried toward the exit.

[juleic1123]

Chapter 34: Back to their Roots

The Winx arrived at Alfea, their expressions tense with concern as they entered Faragonda’s office. The headmistress was already waiting for them, her gaze heavy with knowledge. Around the room, Morgana, Alice, Clarice, and Mirta stood together, their exhaustion evident.

Roxy sat beside her mother, still pale from her battle with Zyron, but her eyes burned with quiet determination.

Bloom was the first to speak. “Headmistress, we need answers. Galatea told us about the attack on Melody, but we just heard about Cloud Tower. What exactly happened?”

Faragonda folded her hands together, her expression grave. “Queen Morgana and the others managed to find Miss Griffin, but she is trapped in a powerful dark spell, one that cannot be broken by fairy dust alone. We need something more.”

Tecna frowned. “A dark spell strong enough to resist fairy dust? Those are pretty rare.”

Faragonda nodded. “It’s likely tied to an artifact. The way Griffin flickered in and out of view suggests it’s a dark spell woven into an object. And given the recent thefts by those witches… it’s safe to assume this artifact is from Callisto, it has artifacts from both fairies and witches. The Trix must have stolen it and used it alongside Zyron to imprison Griffin. We need to use fairy dust on it so that any victim of its magic can be saved.”

Stella crossed her arms. “So what do we do? Just sit around until we know exactly what it is?”

Faragonda shook her head. “No. We will retrieve it. Once the holidays are over, I will prepare a mission to Callisto. We need to recover whatever was used to bind Griffin, and only then will we have a chance of breaking the spell.”

Flora glanced at Roxy, who had remained silent. “And you, Roxy? How are you feeling?”

Roxy hesitated before speaking. “I… don’t know. I still don’t understand what happened.” She clenched her hands in her lap, frustration evident. “I thought I was done for. Zyron was draining me completely. I had no source of energy, no animals to draw from. But then… something changed. I felt stronger. I could feel the power in my body again, but I don’t know why.”

Faragonda’s eyes softened as she turned to Roxy. “You’re still learning, Roxy, but I do know the answer. Your powers stem from nature, from the animal kingdom. But what many don’t realize is that all living beings are part of that kingdom.”

Roxy looked up, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Humans, fairies, witches… we are all animals, Roxy,” Faragonda explained gently. “Nothing separates us from the natural order. Your powers allow you to summon the energy and life force pulsing through all living creatures—without harming them. But that includes people, too. Zyron was trying to drain you, but in doing so, he connected himself to you. His magic, his essence, it became part of your reach. And without even realizing it, you drew from him just as he was drawing from you.”

Roxy’s eyes widened in realization. “So… that means…?”

Faragonda smiled. “It means that as long as there are living beings around you, you will never be powerless. Your strength will always be there, growing even stronger with those near you.”

Roxy sat back, stunned by the revelation. The room was silent as the weight of Faragonda’s words sank in.

Musa crossed her arms, nodding in approval. “That’s actually pretty incredible. Maybe that's why he's so interested in you.”

Aisha smirked. “That’s a pretty unique power, Roxy. You will grow into a very strong fairy.”

Clarice chuckled. “And here I thought only witches had sneaky magic tricks.”

Morgana placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder, her pride evident. “You’ve always been special, Roxy.”

Roxy took a deep breath, nervous as she felt herself in the spotlight again.

Faragonda rose from her seat, her presence commanding. “Good. Then, we prepare for Callisto. For now, rest. Enjoy the remainder of the holiday, but know that our fight isn’t over. We will free Griffin, and we will stop whatever the Trix and Zyron are planning.”



Zyron stumbled through the forest, his body trembling with weakness. His breaths coming in ragged gasps. The battle had taken more out of him than he had anticipated. He clutched at his chest, feeling the remnants of his power barely flickering within him.

The Trix stood before him, appearing from behind the trees, their expressions a mixture of amusement and disgust. Stormy crossed her arms, looking down at him with a sneer. "Well, well, the clown lives."

Darcy tilted her head, her lips curling into a smirk. "You’re not even worth our time anymore. You took off with that new girl and came back like that? What do we even need you for?"

Icy’s piercing blue eyes narrowed. "We don’t, sisters."

She raised a hand, a sharp icicle forming at her fingertips, ready to end him. Stormy crackled with electricity, and Darcy’s shadows coiled around her like serpents. They had had enough of his failures.

Zyron lifted his head weakly, his golden eyes glinting with something dark. "You underestimate me."

Before any of them could react, his fingers twitched, and the shadows Darcy had been weaving twisted unnaturally. Her smirk faltered as she gasped, her magic being pulled from her body. Stormy let out a strangled cry as arcs of lightning were siphoned away from her hands, flickering and fading into nothing.

"What… what are you doing?!" Darcy gasped, her legs wobbling as her strength drained away.

Icy lunged forward, sending a blast of frost in his direction, but Zyron’s hand shot out and caught it mid-air. A dark grin spread across his face as he absorbed the ice, turning its energy into his own. Icy’s breath hitched as she felt her own magic begin to slip from her grasp, her body growing weaker by the second.

Zyron stood taller now, his strength returning. His dark robes billowed as he drew in more energy, his form crackling with regained power. Around them, the trees wilted, their vibrant green fading into shriveled husks. The animals lurking in the shadows let out weak cries before collapsing, their life force siphoned away.

The Trix fell to their knees, struggling to breathe. Stormy groaned, her hands clutching at the ground. Darcy’s vision blurred, her once sharp mind clouding with fatigue. Icy gritted her teeth, her fingers twitching as she tried to summon even a fraction of her power.

Then, just as quickly as it had started, Zyron let them go.

The Trix collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. Zyron exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as his power coursed through him once more. He smirked down at them, his confidence restored.

"Now then," he said smoothly, adjusting his cloak, "I believe we have some unfinished business."

Icy glared up at him, her hands trembling as she pushed herself up. "You… you'll pay for messing with us…"

"Pay?" Zyron echoed mockingly. "Come now, Icy. I just reminded you why I am not to be trifled with. We are after the same thing after all. If we work together, the Magical Dimension will fall to us."

Darcy coughed, wiping her mouth as she leaned against a boulder. "And why… would we ever trust you again?"

Zyron chuckled darkly. "Because I hold the key to our victory. Think of everything we indirectly accomplished together already!" With a flourish, he reached into his cloak and pulled out a long, ornate staff—Saladin’s staff.

"This staff belongs to the best Wizard of the Magical Dimension. It's in our hands, which is proof of how they can be defeated. Together, we can be unstoppable," Zyron continued. "But that is only the beginning. If I can drain the Fairy of Nature and the Fairy of Animals, I will wield the raw essence of life itself. No one—not Bloom, not the Winx, not even the sorcerers of old or any of those pathetic councils and royal families—will be able to stop us."

Stormy wiped the sweat from her brow, glancing at her sisters. "And how do you propose we do that? Think those fairies will just let it happen"

Zyron’s smirk didn’t waver. "Simple. We raid Alfea. They have some of the most powerful magic ever in the history of the Magical Dimension!"

Darcy scoffed. "As if that hasn’t been tried before. We went after their spells with Valtor, and that didn’t work out. What makes you think we’ll succeed now?"

Zyron’s golden eyes gleamed. "Because I am not Valtor. Even if I'm not be as powerful as he was, I have something he did not. My ability to drain and redirect energy is beyond anything anyone in Alfea has ever encountered. Anyone who stands in our way will bow before us."

Icy wiped the sweat from her brow as well, exchanging a glance with her sisters. Despite their exhaustion, she could see the wheels turning in their minds.

Then, a slow smirk curled on her lips. "If we’re going to do this… then we need an army."

Darcy and Stormy’s eyes lit up in understanding.

"Like... the Army of Darkness," Icy murmured, her voice filled with wicked delight. "An army to flood Alfea, to bring them to their knees before they even know what’s coming."

Zyron’s smirk widened. "The Army of Darkness is powerful."

As the shadows thickened around them, the dark alliance was sealed. Alfea wouldn’t know what hit them... again.