Chapter Eight.

'Yes Lexi, I'm on my way. No, I told you, you don't have to stay with him. Just put him in my room.'

Krystal smirked, as Roxy grew more agitated with their roommate. Artú had become rather fascinated with Katy, in a manner that the senior girl hadn't appreciated; constantly sniffing at her, playfully whining and turning to Roxy with a look that said: 'this girl is definitely a cat!' or so Roxy had translated. Embarrassed, Roxy had sent him home and was now having to listen to Lexi's complaints with a growing flush of temper rising high on her cheeks.

'Lexi, just close him in my room. He's house trained - what? No, it means he'll not destroy my room or pee on the floor. He can't serve you tea!'

Krystal thought about Artú in a suit serving tea and began to giggle, her arms closing over her stomach. Her foot caught on a crack in the pavement and she stumbled before righting herself, swatting at Roxy who sent her a smug look. The street was almost empty as they walked down the road towards Alfea. A few other students travelled in small clusters, couples and trios, all chattering excitedly about the concert and bemoaning having to return to school. Three girls ahead of them were talking about having a slumber party, while another couple was complaining about Griselda giving them a test for the next day. Now that, Krystal silently agreed, was evil. It was already late and the next morning came early, especially with the assembly Faragonda had arranged.

Roxy closed her phone with a snap, sending Krystal a glowering look as she muttered about Lexi's attitude. Around them, the trees swayed gently, their bare limbs, just beginning to bud, stretched to the sky casting long, snaking shadows. It was a nice evening, balmy due to the breeze blowing up from the ocean, carrying with it the taste of salt and the scent of brine.

Thunder cracked and rumbled above them.

Krystal's smile melted away. She looked up at the stars flickering through the faintest wisps of silvery clouds illuminated by moonlight. Bemused, she tilted her head. Were the witches of Cloud Tower playing with the weather? She hoped not. She had been enjoying the sunshine earlier that day and she didn't want to go back to wet afternoons, and grey clouds so low they seemed to blanket Alfea in misery. She looked south but the sky was just as clear in that direction, no hint of an incoming storm.

Suddenly a girl shrieked just as Roxy caught her arm, jerking her around.

'Look,' she ordered, pointing at a ball of light in the sky above Magix.

Krystal's brain struggled to comprehend what she was seeing as the roar began to grow around her. Then she realised that the brilliant ball of light was created from fire and the roar was the sound of the flames devouring itself. Black smoke billowed and began to stretch over the tall buildings and spiked spires, blocking out the navy sky shaded with orange. Krystal felt sure she could feel the heat from where she stood, watching the burning embers drift down into the ocean.

Was it a trick? Was it a spell? Worse, was it an attack by Tritannus? Was this the start of the final battle and did the Sovereign council know? Could a group of students really be expected to fight him?

'Oh my God,' Roxy whispered.

Krystal silently agreed, though no sound left her own lips.

'Roxy, Krystal!' a voice shouted over the mutters and whimpers.

They turned to see a fairy with long copper hair, dressed in a gold and royal blue fairy outfit, striding towards them, face grim. Krystal thought her name was Sillycia. Francine marched beside her, bells jauntily ringing with each bob of her head, utterly out of place with the atmosphere.

'You guys, okay?' When they nodded, Silycia folded her arms, and her plum coloured eyes narrowed. It was strange to see such a fierce expression on the lovely fairy's face. Silcya was usually seen running around campus gathering Crystolians for charities, and signing students up for her extra curricular activities such as running after school projects for children in Magix. Now Krystal was forced to see her in a new light. 'Roxy, I need you to go to Alfea and get Ofelia, okay? Tell Professor Palladium and Avalon if you see them. We'll need all the help we can get.'

Roxy nodded, showing no apprehension about the order, which made sense; she'd been in such situations before when she'd fought the Wizards of the Black Circle. Roxy was more than capable of fighting, even without her wings. Krystal on the other hand was not.

'You're a healer, right Krystal?' Francine asked.

Krystal nodded, glancing back at the ball of fire. Was anyone hurt?

'I need you to come with me. We're going to see what happened and if anyone needs healing.'

Krystal felt her heart begin to pound, her blood draining from her face. She wasn't a fighter. She was only a first year and she wasn't ready for this. What if someone died because of her? She wasn't a Healix Fairy yet; she was just a novice, if even that, and she had zilch combat experience. Talking about it at the Sovereign council was as close as she got and she didn't even talk, she just listened.

'Snap out of it, Krystal,' Roxy ordered, squeezing her hand to gentle her words. 'You can do this. Help those that need it, that's what you want to do, right?'

Yes… Yes. That was what she wanted to do. But what if she caused more harm than good?

A fairy dropped to the ground and landed in a crouch before them, slapping her hand down in front of her for balance.

Rising slowly, Amaryl turned to Silicya. 'It looks like it was a ship that blew up; not an attack by Tritannus.'

'Right. Come with me. We need to ask those girls about their skills, and those that can help, we bring them with us to Magix.'

Amaryl nodded and jogged off, her gold outfit glittering beneath the agitated twitch of her large Enchantix wings. Silicya followed her, falling into step with a Charmix fairy who was relaying information from a small creature in her palm.

Francine raked her hands over her short spiked hair and blew out a breath, but Krystal's mind was locked on what Amaryl had said. A ship had blown up? Like the one the Winx had modelled on? Were they hurt… no that made no sense. How could the fire be in the sky if it was a boat? Oh dear Sage. Not a boat; a ship, a star ship!

'Oh Sage's mercy! Roxy, Stella's parents.'

'What?' Roxy asked, then her eyes widened, darkening, as her face paled. 'No. No, no. No.' Turning on her heel, she stumbled forward. 'I need to go.'

Francine caught her by the shoulder. 'Hold on. You don't have your wings. Go to the school, tell them that we need help, that there may be wounded people.'

Roxy's face crumpled and Krystal saw a tear spill down her cheek. Stomach twisting, she moved to shield Roxy from the older fairy, to protect her from Francine's words but then Roxy's eyes locked on hers, fierce and damp. 'You need to help them, Krystal. Don't - don't let Stella's parents die.'

Francine froze, peering between them. 'What are you two talking about?'

'The King and Queen of Solaria were here for Stella's show,' Roxy mumbled, hands pressed to her trembling lips.

Francine clenched her short strands. 'Right. Okay. Roxy, go and get Ofelia and the other teachers. Krystal, transform. We need to get to the city now. When we get there, you do not venture close to the wreckage. You have other fairies bring the wounded to you.'

That wouldn't work, not if people were so injured that moving them would harm them further, but Krystal kept her thoughts to herself for the moment. When she got there, she'd do her job her way. In this scenario, she had to trust that she knew more than Francine.

'Roxy, go!'

Krystal squeezed her friend's hand, flooding her with reassurance. As if taking strength from it, Roxy sucked in a breath; then jerked away, hurling herself into a dead run, without looking back. Krystal watched her go feeling her chest constrict. What if she failed? What if Stella's parents were already dead? How could she look Roxy in the eye?

'Let's go!' Amaryl shouted as she and Silicya approached, a straggle of nervous fairies following them while the rest rushed after Roxy, throwing anxious glances over their shoulders.

Wiping her damp palms on her dress, Krystal watched as light beamed from the other girls with Amaryl as they powered up into their various fairy forms. She'd never transformed in front of older students before, and suddenly she felt a wave of nausea. What if she didn't transform? What if she took too long?

Gulping, she forced the thoughts away. Right now, her focus had to be on those injured people. She drew her power up from the well inside her; it shivered along her veins, growing brighter and swelling up, until it exploded through her.

Galatea hurt all over, a heavy, hollow ache that seemed to weigh down her limbs, and yet her head felt empty, light. She tried to speak, but her mouth was dust dry, her tongue, thick and useless, clogging up her airway. Dragon, she hurt. And that whining noise in her ears caused a throb to build between her eyes – eyes that were closed, but despite that, they felt gritty and sore. She pried them open slowly; then squeezed them shut, forcing moisture into them.

Finally, she looked around, vision blurred. Everything was purple. The world swam in and out of focus, and she realised she was on the ground, her hands splayed in front of her, palms down. She forced them flat, trying to use her muscles to push herself to her feet. Pain stung through her nerves, screamed along her arms. Lifting a hand, she winced at the gouges, the pulled skin, the dots of blood rising through the layer of dirt embedded into her flesh.

She must have fallen. That was the only explanation for the scrapes along her palms and oh, but they burned.

She rolled over and sucked in a breath; her chest felt bruised and tight. Sitting up, Galatea looked around trying to piece together what had happened. Had someone shoved her? As her vision began to clear, she took in the forms of fairies and Specialists standing in a line, legs braced, hands stretched forward. Purple balls of energy swirled around the girls while the boys had armed themselves with shields depicting their colours. Mouths opened and shut; older students gesticulated wildly, marching up and down the lines.

She felt the ground under her shiver and vibrate, and it took a moment for her to realise that there was movement behind her. Turning her head, she watched through flickering orange light as fairies began to land, wings flared, costumes sparkling, before they rushed forward to join the line, throwing up their shields.

She smelled smoke.

She needed to get up. She needed to find Nova.

Shivering so hard her teeth had begun to chatter, Galatea hugged her hands under her chin, scanning the blackened ground, the dark snow fluttering in the warm breeze. Where was Nova? She'd been right beside her. They'd been laughing before the bang… the bang? Her eyes jumped to the sky and she stared at the ball of fire, dripping embers down upon them. Not snow, but ash and soot. The ship, the one due to return to Solaria had exploded. Oh Dragon save them! Was Tritannus attacking? She needed to help. She had to get up and help.

She rolled back onto her hands and knees, intent on pushing herself to her feet, but her knees buckled, her hands stung. She dropped her aching head and blinked back tears. She couldn't get to her feet. She was so weak. She was always so weak.

A hand landed on her shoulder and she jolted, looking up too fast. Her head pounded, black dots burst in front of her eyes.

Krystal crouched beside her, smiling softly, green eyes scanning her face. Her lips moved, but no sound could be heard above the whining, which was when it sank in that she couldn't hear anything. No, Dragon no. How could she be a music fairy and not hear music? Her hands were ruined, her ears were destroyed; she was useless. She gulped in breaths, but couldn't ease the hot ball in her chest.

Soothing, warm hands covered her ears, and a tingle began to flow inside, like hot water. Galatea had the desperate urge to shake her head, but she held it still, feeling the sharp pop as sound rushed in, a furious cacophony of shouting, screams, sobbing, the roar and groan of bending metal and the pop and hiss of fire. It was loud, it was irritating, it was the most beautiful thing that Galatea had ever experienced.

'Galatea, can you hear me?'

'Yes,' she croaked, the words like glass in her throat but they were beautiful too. Her voice had never sounded so sweet. 'Help me up!'

'Galatea!'

She slowly looked over her shoulder to see Nova - in her fairy form, orange top and shorts, red embellishments - rushing towards her. Thank the Dragon Nova was okay. Relief was a crushing pressure on her body but, with Krystal's help, she got to her feet, clutching the younger fairy for balance. She looked around at the chaos. Students were clutching each other, tears creating dirty tracks down their faces, while another few scattered around were sobbing like their hearts were breaking. Dust and soot fluttered through the air, backlit by the haunting fire light. Other students, both Specialists and Fairies alike were trying to comfort their classmates, if they weren't actively shielding everyone from the fire.

'What happened?' Galatea whispered.

Nova skidded to a halt. 'It has to be an attack.'

Galatea stared up at the burning wreckage. 'Why isn't it coming down?'

'Faragonda, Tecna and a few others are holding it. I think Bloom and a few other fire fairies trying to absorb the fire - '

'Princess Galatea!'

She followed the shouting to find Musa charging towards her, Riven close behind her acting like a personal shield.

'Have you seen Stella?' The Fairy of Music demanded, glancing her over and deeming her to be okay.

Nova answered, 'Over there, where we were standing; she's boosting Brandon's shield to provide an extra layer of cover.'

Galatea's brow rose in surprise. For Stella to be able to do that, she and Brandon's connection had to be strong. It was much like convergence magic, it couldn't be done by just anyone. There had to be a bond based on trust and respect so that the magics would blend together, rather than attack each other.

'Thank goodness Stella's parents and staff weren't on that ship.'

Nova nodded hastily, relief written over her expression. Galatea could understand why. Despite avoiding King Radius, Nova had a healthy respect for the man and for him to have died with her treating him in such a manner, well Nova would never live with the guilt. Everything seemed so petty now.

'How did it explode?'

Musa sent a dark look out over the ocean. 'We think it's the Trix. I'm sure I felt Stormy's energy.'

'I definitely heard Darcy laugh,' Riven interrupted. 'And who else would attack when I'm about to get laid.'

'Yes, that was the big factor in them attacking tonight,' Musa snapped, rolling her eyes and ignoring his disgruntled frown.

If she hadn't been in pain, Galatea probably would have laughed at his expression of utter confidence that he was right about Darcy's motives. But she hurt and she wanted to just lie down and sleep. If she'd been a stronger fairy like Nova, she'd have shielded herself in reflex as soon as the ship exploded.

'I need to get Stella. If we're right and it's the Trix, then they'll not be that far away. They always like to see the reaction to their plots.'

'Doesn't that mean Tritannus is out there? Should you really fight him on your own?'

Galatea scanned the ocean through the wall of purple energy as the others talked, listening to the soft lap of the waves and the crackle of fire above them. Krystal grabbed for her hands, healing energy rising. Galatea shook her head, urging the younger girl away with a mustered up a smile. 'Please store your energy for those that need it. I'll take something for this when I get back.'

She ignored the girl's faint smile and tuned back into the conversation, hearing Musa declare that Bloom believed the Trix had split. That made sense. Galatea didn't feel cold - bar inside- and if Icy were around, surely there would be some evidence. She suppressed a shiver. Yet again, the Trix's careless actions had injured her. Some day they would cost her her life. She was almost sure of it. At least her wings weren't in danger as long as she remained untransformed.

Suddenly purple lightning speared the nights sky followed by a flare of the Dragon Fire.

'It's Stormy,' Musa growled, her jaw clenching tightly.

'Girls!' Tecna shouted, dropping beneath the fiery wreck, her Sirenix wings flapping a frantic beat. 'Quick. We have to stop them before they escape into the Infinite Ocean.'

'Right!' Musa shouted back. Riven kissed Musa swiftly and then the fairy of Music raced towards the rest of her friends, sliding into their familiar pose as they shouted: 'Magic Winx, Sirenix!'

'Why do they do that?' Nova wondered, folding her arms over her sparkling orange boob tube and kicking the ground with her knee high red boots.

Beside her, Krystal sighed wistfully. 'They look so cool.'

Riven snorted and stalked off, muttering about fairies as the Winx dived into the water, quickly chasing after the escaping witches. As soon as the witches and Winx disappeared, a sense of relief seemed to settle like a misty cloud over the crowd of students, even though they were still concentrating on the shield. A few extra fairies had flown up the burning carcass of the ship so that it slowly began to move out towards the ocean. Levabikes started to settle in the open yard, the Specialists moving to cordon off the area.

Galatea rubbed her arms, glancing at Krystal. The girl stood in a mint green, off the shoulder layered dress, with green embellishments. Her translucent wings curved out into points, with fine leaf-like designs; much like Flora's, which, since they were both from Lynphea, made sense. A wreath of yellow flowers crowned her head and on her feet she wore green shoes shaped with leaves.

'Hey, this is the first time I've seen you in your Fairy Form. It looks good on you.'

'You think?' Krystal wondered, tugging at her hem. 'It's not very versatile...'

Nova rolled her eyes with a huff. 'It's fine. It covers more than the Enchantix does.'

'But you can do kicks and stuff without flashing people in your first form,' Krystal pointed out.

'What are you doing?'

All three girls jolted and Nova hissed out a loud breath, making a face before she turned to the figure looming over them. 'Hi Miss Griselda.'

Galatea turned to include the Vice-Head in their little group as she awaited the next order. At least Griselda would know what to do. With the Winx gone and her ears fixed, she suddenly felt out of place and awkward. She wasn't a hero, she didn't throw herself into the fray to defend the world. She honestly wasn't even sure why she was still at Alfea.

'Don't hi me, Lady Nova. Go to Solaria immediately, and alert them before they hear it on the news. You two,' she directed her ire and stern gaze onto Galatea and Krystal who instantly shied closer to the older girl. 'Inform the Sovereign council.' She glanced around and clicked her fingers over Galatea's head. 'You, young man, get over here.'

Krystal flinched and visibly suppressed a curse. Curious, Galatea looked over her shoulder at the broad shouldered Specialist who had faced Nova down in her disguise earlier – that seemed so long ago. He calmly approached them and bowed to Krystal in a manner that didn't suggest he held any respect for her. Galatea offered Krystal a reassuring smile even as the girl shuffled closer.

'You shall escort Princess Galatea and Princess Krystal to Domino. Brandon!' She raised her voice over the hubbub of noise as Specialists trotted past with hoses from their newly arrived Shuttles. 'Brandon,' she began again when the Specialist joined them. 'I would like you and Helia to escort Lady Nova to Solaria safely.'

'I'll go with them,' Sky volunteered, striding up with Riven and Timmy flanking him, though both boys were in deep conversation and probably didn't notice the Prince walking ahead of them.

'You most certainly will not,' Griselda snapped. 'You'll go with Karel and the girls to Domino. Alert the Council that this was not an attack by Tritannus but merely a cry for attention. Timmy, Riven, I'll expect a thorough inspection of the wreckage once it's safe. For the moment, I need you both on crowd control. I don't want any reporters or cameras near this scene. I do not want those girls to get any more attention than they have. Is that understood?'

'Yes, Miss Griselda,' they murmured in unison like well trained slaves, and deciding that was the best she would get from them, the Mistress Dictator stalked off to give others orders.

'I wonder if she knows that we don't have to take commands from her,' Riven groused.

Timmy shook his head with a reluctant smile. 'Yeah, you go and tell her that, Riven. See what response you get; I've my camera ready.'

Ribbing each other good naturedly, the two boys left them, and as Nova was gallantly escorted away by Brandon, Sky and Helia talked in low murmurs. Krystal stepped forward, tentatively approaching the long haired specialist.

'Helia, can I talk to you?'

A super charge of tension rose in the air and Galatea folded her arms, averting her gaze, wondering if she should give them privacy. This probably should be a private conversation. Goosebumps rose along her neck and she glanced over her shoulder to find Karel's steely gaze on the couple. She blinked and shivered, just as Helia shook his head.

'Not now, Krystal.'

Not even smiling, he jogged off to catch up with Brandon, leaving the young girl standing dejectedly, head bowed, lilac hair falling around her face, and fists clenched tight at her sides. Galatea suddenly felt sorry for her; she so obviously wore her heart on her sleeve around the Specialist, but his heart was completely wrapped around the Fairy of Nature. It couldn't be easy, that's why Galatea had chosen to stay away from relationships. Instead, she poured herself into her music.

'Ah, ladies, it would be best if we followed Griselda's advice. The Sovereign Council needs to know about this.'

Galatea conceded to Prince Sky's point and grimaced when he gestured for the ladies in his company to go first. With a scowl, she stomped towards the growing perimeter, with Krystal traipsing behind and Helia and Prince Sky bringing up the rear.

Lady Diaspro slept like the dead. Which was good for some, the woman thought, as she stepped into the room. All that careful watching had actually paid off, who knew? A simple bungling with the changing of the guard and she had slipped through their patrols with barely a disturbance. Not surprising, she was rather good at her job.

She tiptoed over the floorboards gleaming in the moonlight pouring in the open window, and stepped onto the plush rug. A quick scan told her that there were no booby traps, no spells, nothing.

She frowned and stepped back. She had to be missing something. Diaspro had been clearly suspicious earlier when she'd been in the garden, surely she hadn't forgotten so soon. Then again, after the disagreement she'd had with the King of Eraklyon, it was not surprising that the noble lady was distracted.

Coming to stand by the bed, she glanced down at the sleeping beauty. Diaspro's platinum curls, turned silver in the moonlight; her dark feathered lashes resting starkly on delicately flushed apple cheeks. On Earth there was a fairy-tale of a stunningly pretty princess who was so enviable, a group of fairies put her to sleep for hundreds of years, only to be awoken by a pinch from a marauding Prince. The idea was laughable, but maybe it had merit, maybe a pinch would wake Diaspro. She smirked and pulled out the needle; still glistening with the liquid she had dipped it in. Keeping quiet, she leaned close to prick the sleeping woman, pressing the tip closer to her soft, ethereal smooth skin.

The needle snapped.

She froze and waited, breath held for Diaspro to awaken, but the woman slept on, blissfully unaware. A quick brush of her fingers over the flawless skin confirmed her suspicions.

The bitch was coated in diamond.

Of course, Diaspro didn't have any traps; she was virtually invulnerable like this.

She spun on her heel and crept to the window, climbing onto the sill and sneaking another look back. This would put a kink in their plans, she mused, as she slipped out the window and into the shadows.

TBC

A.N. Thanks everyone for the reviews. I'm glad you're all enjoying this as much as I'm enjoying writing it. So thanks to Akela, Ella, Nentone, Signourney, PiercetheVeil, and Miko. All feedback and support is really appreciated.

Crystolians are currency, I used it in Memory Box and probably came from the game for PS2 where Bloom exchanged crystals for dresses from Looma.

Pierce the spacing issue is probably a Fanfiction problem, which you'll encounter when you start writing yourself. The editor likes to mess around with the formatting – it does this once in a while and it doesn't help that I'm writing things out in Scrivener, which Fanfiction doesn't seem to acknowledge. I'll try catching that but I can't promise to always see it. I do edit my writing; I do proofread several times before posting, so issues like spacing is definitely not caused on my end. Thank you for pointing it out though.