Chapter Text
Chapter One: The Ogre and The Fairy
Bloom settled herself against a sturdy tree that stood resolutely in the heart of the park. She sat cross-legged on the lush grass. Kiko, her small ginger beast, curled up around her legs. The feline always had a penchant for following her wherever she went, not that she ever complained.
With a light scoff, she gazed down affectionately at the small, purring ball of fur. She loved the little menace, truly.
Kiko lay sprawled out with utter disregard for the world around him, having even dared to leap from her bedroom that very morning with a fluidity that made her green with envy, in contrast to her clumsy struggling to climb out of the window in hopes of avoiding her parents.
Whilst well-meaning and she loved them with all her heart, they were constantly talking about college. Something she wasn’t even sure she wanted to do; it left her feeling riddled with anxiety.
“Go on, run around!” She chuckled playfully, nudging Kiko with a gentle hand. The mischievous feline had livened up and started pawing at her trousers. He meowed, darting off into the bushes.
She had barely managed a second bite of her apple before Kiko came darting back. He had seized the bottom of her trousers between his sharp little teeth and began tugging insistently.
She chuckled and playfully swatted him away, receiving an indigent hiss in response as he returned back to pulling at the hem of her trousers with renewed fervor.
Now she was Intrigued, he had never acted this way before and so she followed him, who had made his way to the dense thicket of bushes and towering trees.
He paused and looked back at her as if he wanted her to look. So, she did exactly that. She reached out, parting a low-hanging branch to gain a clear view, and gasped softly at the sight.
In the midst of a sun-drenched meadow, sheltered by a ring of trees, stood a stunningly pretty tanned girl with flowing blonde hair that shimmered like gold in the sunlight. She gripped a silver staff that glimmered like stars, topped with a round ornament resembling the sun, adorned with a vibrant crystal at its heart.
She wore clothes that sparkled in the sun, a pair of long flowy trousers and a matching top supported by a single shoulder strap, with delicate ethereal wings protruding gracefully from her shoulder blades.
Bloom was baffled, she couldn't quite comprehend what she was seeing. It was like the girl had wandered out from the pages of her cherished childhood stories.
The sunlight that draped across the meadow only made the girl's skin glow; the beams were rolling off her skin like water.
Bright orbs of energy swirled from her silver staff, illuminating the area as they shot towards an enormous creature, who was too big and stumpy to be a person, not to mention his bright yellow skin and clad in tattered, clearly unwashed purple overalls and a greasy beard that was due to a shave. He was disgusting, she could smell him from where she stood.
“Solar wind!” The girl exclaimed as a blinding flash of light erupted from her staff, prompting Bloom to shield her eyes. In quick succession, she shouted, "Rising sun!" and a brilliant beam of radiant energy surged forth, accompanied by the thunderous roar of the ogre-like creature and the frantic chittering of small creatures that scuttled through the grass.
“News flash, Mister Hideous!” The girl teased with a gleeful laugh, sending another vibrant flash of light hurtling toward the orge. "The power of Solaria is going to destroy you!”
With a furious growl, the ogre lunged forward, throwing the blonde fairy with formidable force against a nearby tree, the impact resonating with a bone-jarring thud that made Bloom wince, her hands flying to cover her mouth to suppress a gasp as her heart raced with concern.
Staggering to her feet, the girl was soon confronted by a horde of small, menacing red creatures that emerged from the undergrowth, their beady eyes glinting in the sun. Unfettered, the girl firmly grasped her staff and harshly struck it against the ground, creating a shockwave that sent the tiny beasts thrown back.
Without missing a beat, she pointed her staff at them, murmuring an incantation under her breath, and with a surge of energy, she vaporized them into a cloud of crimson dust.
“Just hand over the scepter, Princess.” The ogre bellowed, pointing a finger towards the girl.
“Not a chance!” The fairy exclaimed as she raised her scepter high above her head. In an instant, a brilliant surge of heat and radiant light burst forth from the crystal, exploding outward in a dazzling display that blasted the remaining ghoulish creatures, their twisted red forms sent stumbling back in a panic.
The hulking ogre, momentarily caught off guard, staggered back, his clumsy feet struggling to regain balance.
It didn’t take a genius to notice that the blonde was struggling to stand, her delicate frame trembling as she clutched her staff for support. Almost every inch of her body was battered and bruised.
With another load roar, the yellow ogre launched forward, overpowering her with its brutish strength. The fairy, weakened and unable to react quickly enough, was slammed against the ground, her fragile grip on the scepter lost as it soared into the air before crashing down with a thud into the ogre's meaty grasp.
The girl crumpled onto the grass, gasping desperately for air. Each breath came in ragged gasps, her chest rising and falling chaotically as panic washed over her features. "Not so powerful now, are you?" sneered the Ogre, amusement shining in its dark eyes as he advanced, a towering shadow that loomed over the fallen fairy. He raised the scepter high above his head, poised to strike.
Bloom hissed under her breath; her chest burned as she burst forth from the shelter of the trees, her heart racing. “Hey! Let her go!” She shouted; her voice rang out with a resolute determination that belied her own fear.
The ogre froze in a heartbeat; its predatory gaze swiveled toward her, its fangs bared in a vicious snarl. In a fit of primal fury, it pivoted its massive body and charged straight at Bloom; the ground trembled beneath its weight.
Bloom's heart raced as panic surged within her, instinctively making her throat dry. She barely had time to swallow as she whipped to the side just as the ogre barreled toward her; its growl reverberated through the air. The moment barely registered before the ogre lunged again, catching her wrist with an unyielding grasp, hoisting her into the air with effortless ease, as if she was no more than a feather.
Now face-to-face with the beast, Bloom's heart plummeted. The stench of the ogre assaulted her senses, forcing her to choke back a gasp as she instinctively made a harsh sound deep in her throat and breathed through her mouth in a desperate attempt to stave off nausea.
The Ogre roared, spittle flew from its mouth, and Bloom clenched her lips tight; the sensation made her stomach churn. Struggling in its grip, she flailed helplessly, feeling like a fish stranded on dry land.
A strangled gasp escaped Bloom's lips as she gritted her teeth, fighting against the Ogre's grip. Her chest burned like an inferno, a searing pain that spread outwards, making the air around her shimmer with heat growing thick and heavy, as if a furnace door had been flung open.
Each ragged breath felt like inhaling molten metal. Mentally, she screamed at the Ogre to release her, the pressure on her wrists unbearable.
Then, abruptly, she plummeted. The rough ground rushed to meet her.
The world exploded.
A deafening roar ripped through the air, followed by a blinding flash of crimson that blasted the Ogre backward. A raw, scorched, smoking wound marred its chest, the smell of burnt flesh acrid in the air.
Stunned and reeling, the Ogre fumbled for the scepter, its large fingers grasping at air. But Bloom, fueled by a desperate surge of adrenaline, lunged. She Ignored the throbbing pain in her wrists and the dizzying weakness in her legs, she snatched the scepter from its reach, her hand clamping around the smooth, cool metal, a stark contrast to the inferno still raging within her.
Her gaze locked with the blonde girl, who now glared at the wounded Ogre. Bloom, without a word, tossed the scepter and then dropped to the floor with a huff.
The girl caught it with practiced ease, her fingers wrapping expertly around the handle, the sunlight glinting off the ornate design.
With a graceful flourish, the fairy twirled the scepter overhead, creating a swirling vortex of golden light, before slashing it down in a swift, decisive motion. A radiant arc of pure golden energy struck the Ogre square in the chest and was sent flying, skidding across the ground, tearing at the dirt and leaves before finally colliding with a thick tree with a resounding crack, the impact shaking the very branches above.
The Ogre roared, a sound that clawed at her ears, before clapping its massive hands together, vanishing in a swirl of dark purple smoke that smelled of sulfur and decay.
A soft meow broke through the lingering tension as he scurried out from behind a bush; his small body trembled as he nuzzled his head against her leg with a loud, gentle purr.
She had completely forgotten about him and was glad that he was safe. She bent down, scooping him into her arms and burying her face in his soft fur. She didn't know what she'd do without him; he had been a part of her life for so long.
"Wow! That's some serious, powerful magic you've got, girl!" The fairy laughed, her voice still slightly breathless, as she turned her attention to Bloom, her eyes sparkling with awe.
Bloom clambered to her feet with an ungraceful movement, her body aching from the sudden fall and lingering effects of whatever just happened. She hugged Kiko tighter, her heart still pounding in her chest.
"Me?" Bloom gasped, pointing at herself in disbelief. "I thought that was your doing?" She sputtered, looking at the blonde with pigtails suspiciously. Bloom's eyes met the fairies; they were a soft honey brown, warm and inviting like the sun, almost glowing in the sunlight.
The girl suddenly stumbled, collapsing heavily to her knees with a sigh that sounded suspiciously like a sob. "That was fire magic, darlin. Not my element." She chuckled weakly.
"I didn't have the strength to use a spell like that, anyway." As she spoke, her glittery outfit shimmered and transformed into a pretty orange dress. Her blonde hair, previously pulled back in pigtails, tumbled down her back, cascading over her shoulders.
The ornate scepter vanished, replaced by a sun-shaped ring that now adorned her life ring finger.
"I'm just glad there was another fairy to help with that Ogre," the blonde said, a genuine smile gracing her lips. She attempted to stand, letting out a sigh of relief, but her balance wavered, and her legs trembled with exhaustion.
Bloom scoffed at the idea, running her hand through Kiko's fur with a firm shake of her head. "I'm not a fairy."
"Sure, you aren't." the girl scoffed in return, raising a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Did fire magic just ignite spontaneously?" Bloom met her sarcasm with an eye roll.
"Are you going to be okay?" Bloom asked, deciding to change the subject. She wasn't looking too great, pale and weak, with beads of sweat dripping down her face.
The blonde waved her hand dismissively before settling them on her knees as she inhaled, trying to catch her breath. "Eh… I just need to rest for a couple of hours. All out of magic."
Bloom bounced from foot to foot, her lip caught between her teeth in a nervous habit. This was so stupid; reckless even. "If you're in good enough condition, my house is only like a ten-minute walk."
The girl let out a sigh, a look of bliss crossing her features as she smiled gratefully. "That would be wonderful."
"I'm Bloom," Bloom introduced herself, settling Kiko on the ground, causing the feline to growl in annoyance before she stepped forward to help the girl balance.
"Princess Stella of Solaria!" Stella chirped back. Bloom blinked and slowly nodded. "Nice to meet you, despite the circumstances."
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Stepping into the house with Stella leaning heavily on her for support, Bloom edged into the house, both of them swaying slightly.
Walking with someone leaning on them was more difficult than the movies made it look. She prayed that her parents weren't home; the last thing she needed was a lecture the second she walked through the front door.
Fate, it seemed, was surprisingly kind that afternoon, as the cozy-looking home was silent, no sounds of her parents' playful bickering, no background noise of the television filling the air.
Stella winced as she lowered herself onto the plush sofa, her breath escaping in a relieved sigh as she sank into the cushions.
Kiko, never one to miss an opportunity for attention, leaped onto the coffee table with a cheerful chirp. His tiny paws clattered against the polished wood before he darted off towards the kitchen.
The distinct telltale clatter of plastic scraping against the floor echoed throughout the silent house as Kiko, in his usual demanding fashion, pawed at his empty food bowl, demanding his next meal.
Bloom rolled her eyes affectionately at Kiko's antics. Turning back to Stella, she offered, "Let me get you some water."
Disappearing into the kitchen, she quickly appeased the hungry gremlin before returning with a tall glass brimming with ice-cold water. She handed it to Stella, who accepted it with a grateful nod.
Stella took a small, hesitant sip, her eyelids drooping, and set the glass onto the coffee table with a soft yawn.
"Uh… I can run you a bath; you can take a nap or something," Bloom mumbled awkwardly, fiddling with her fingers. It wasn't every day you had a fairy, fresh from battling a monstrously large and undeniably ugly Ogre, staying in your living room. The situation still hadn't quite sunk in.
"A nap sounds heavenly," Stella murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. With another yawn, she shifted on the sofa, curling up on her side and using her arm as a makeshift pillow.
Before Bloom could offer any more help, Stella's breathing evened out, and she was sound asleep.
Bloom watched Stella for a minute, observing the gentle rise and fall of her chest, before shaking her head and turning to the TV, switching it on and filling the room with a soft murmur of voices.
Kiko, finally appeased with his meal, settled down for a catnap, kneading at her father's favorite armchair with his tiny paws, pulling at the fabric before curling into a small ball.
Before she knew it, her own eyes began to droop, heavy with the weight of the day's events. A yawn escaped her lips, soft and barely audible over the sound of the television. Her eyelids grew heavier with each passing moment until she succumbed to the gentle pull of sleep.
Bloom woke slowly, disoriented and groggy. Her name was being called, accompanied by a slight shake.
She blinked, fighting against the lingering fog of sleep, her mother's face hovering above her, concern etched on her features. Her father sat in his chair, a deep frown creasing his forehead.
"Bloom," her mother urged, his voice firmer this time as she continued to shake her more awake. Bloom sat up, stretching her arms above her head, and yawned loudly.
Her mother frowned, her brown hair framing her face, and her brown eyes drifted to the dark bruises circling Bloom's wrists.
"Who is this?" Vanessa asked, her head tilting towards the still sleeping Stella. "And what happened to your wrists?" She asked, gently reaching out to rub Bloom's bruised wrists.
"Well… Y-" Bloom staggered, the words catching in her throat. Her parents wouldn't believe in fairies and ogres. Damn, even she thought they were fake; fairy tale's told to children, something to enjoy. She could see the concern etched on her father's face, the worried lines around his eyes, but he wouldn't believe anything she said.
Stella let out a soft groan, blinking her eyes open. "Oh, good morning," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
"It's evening, dear." Vanessa corrected gently. She gently helped Stella sit up. "Are you alright?"
"I'm alright now, only a couple of bruises." Stella laughed, a light, airy sound. She glanced towards Bloom, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thanks for helping me out there! I would have been in serious trouble if you hadn't."
Mike pushed himself up from his armchair, the movement accompanied by a weary sigh. "What exactly is going on here?"
Bloom jolted at her father's sudden movement, her gaze darting nervously between him and Stella, biting her lip as she struggled to find the right way to explain the impossible.
"Well, you see…" Bloom began, then offered a weak, awkward chuckle that died under the pointed look of her father leveled at her. "Stella's a fairy, and she was fighting this ogre, and I helped her!" The words tumbled out in a rush and huffed as the concern on her father's face morphed into something akin to exasperated annoyance.
"Bloom… Have you been reading those fairy tales again?" Vanessa's gentle laughter rippled through the room.
Bloom pouted, her lower lip jutted out. She crossed her arms over her chest, a defensive gesture she'd adopted as a child. "No, I'm telling the truth!"
"Did you hit your head?" Mike began, stepping closer. His brow furrowed, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of injury. "If you did, you need to tell us."
Stella let out a genuine laugh, a bright, melodic sound that filled the room. She wiped her eyes as she watched the exchange.
"Bloom is telling the truth!" She exclaimed, her voice still laced with amusement. She held her stomach, wincing slightly as a reminder of her earlier battle. "I'm a fairy."
Mike let out an exhausted groan, a sound of utter defeat. "I think we should call Doctor Silverman," he mumbled, already turning towards the phone. "Maybe he can explain why the two of you are seeing things."
But before he could tap out the first number, the device began to float upwards and out of his reach."What the heck?"
"Do you believe us now?" Stella pouted, her brow furrowed in a mock reproach. The phone then dropped to the ground with a clatter.
Bloom giggled as she watched her father's face slowly crumble into bewildered confusion, his jaw slack. Her mother's eyes were wide with disbelief.
"That's awesome," Bloom murmured, her voice full of awe.
"Did you see yourself earlier!? That was awesome, girl! You totally saved my ass!" Stella giggled, clapping her hands with delight. "You're loaded with magic!"
"What?" Mike mumbled, his eyes darting back and forth between the two girls.
"You should totally join me at Alfea College; it would be totally awesome!" Stella continued excitedly.
"Alfea college?” Bloom, she repeated, her voice unsure. “Are you sure I’m a fairy? I don’t even know how I did that.”
"A fairy doesn’t need to know how; they just do it!” Stella replies, letting out a small giggle when Kiko jumps up on her lap. “Alfea’s the best and most elite college for young fairies like you and me. I was on my way there before this all happened... for a meeting.”
A loud thumping pulled them from the conversation; Stella quickly jumped up to her feet on guard with wide eyes. Kiko dropped to the floor with a hiss and growl before running up the stairs.
Then, suddenly, the door exploded inward with a deafening crash, splintering into a thousand pieces. The wood tore free as if made of paper.
Filling the gaping hole was the grotesque form of the ogre from before, and the small ghoul-like creatures, all chittering and twitching limbs, poured into the room.
Finally, a large, towering, blue-skinned troll with long, matted black hair stepped into the room, holding a large chipped wooden club.
Mike and Vanessa screamed, a primal sound of pure terror, as they stood frozen at the sight. The sound made Bloom's stomach drop, she'd never heard her parents so scared before.
Stella didn't hesitate. With a practiced flick of her wrist, she tossed her ring into the air. The piece of jewelry spun, catching the dim light, then erupted in a blinding flash of light.
In a heartbeat, the ring transformed into her sun scepter. At the same moment, a wave of pure white washed over Stella, returning her to the radiant fairy form Bloom had first seen.
"Come at me, ugly!" Stella taunted, grasping the scepter with both hands; she pointed it at the ogre.
The ogre roared, a primal sound that shook the foundation of the house, and lumbered forward.
Stella launched herself into the air, carrying her effortlessly above the ogre's clumsy advance, a streak of blinding light, and swung the scepter; a bright orb slammed into the ogre's back.
The ogre staggered, the force of the blow staggering it. It crashed into the doorframe separating the kitchen from the living room with a sickening crunch. The frame, weakened by the earlier destruction, splintered and collapsed.
Mike and Vanessa scrambled towards an exit, the closest being the front window. Mike wrestled it open, helping Vanessa out of the house first before waving for Bloom to follow.
"Bloom, I'll handle the gross-outs," Stella shouted, dodging the ogre's flailing limbs. "You take care of the ghouls!"
Mike tumbled out the window, landing with a grunt, and Bloom could only manage a frantic nod. She spun around, sprinting to the kitchen and grabbing a frying pan from the kitchen, and then sprinted out the broken back door; the horde of ghouls followed behind her.
"Nice…uh…little doggies?" Bloom squeaked, her voice trembling as the ghouls encircled her, their eyes glinting in the light. "Roll over?"
Suddenly, one launched, a blur of claws and teeth. She reacted instinctively, swinging the frying pan. The pan connected with the ghoul's head with a resounding metallic clang, and it disintegrated into a cloud of crimson dust.
A surge of adrenaline coursed through her as she swung again. Each blow connected with a sickening thud. Each ghoul met the same fate, vanishing into a puff of crimson.
A blinding flash of light shot through the window, momentarily illuminating the entire yard in a yellow light.
Then, with a sound like a small explosion, the ogre went flying through the backdoor, crushing the ghouls beneath its weight into one big cloud of crimson dust.
"Way to go, Stella!" Bloom cheered; relief washed over her in a tidal wave. However, it was short-lived as a blur of yellow and orange smashed through the back window, landing with a heavy thud.
"Bloom, behind you!" Stella yelled, painting past Bloom.
Bloom rushed to Stella's side to help her stand just as the blue troll lumbered into the yard; its massive frame filled the doorway.
She watched in horror as it stomped forward, its rotting teeth bared in a menacing snarl. It gripped the outside of the house with its gigantic hands, and the brick between its fingers seemed to crumble.
The ground trembled as it took another step, the concrete kraken beneath its feet. The stench of decay rolled off it in waves.
"Man, I don't think any amount of fighting I got into at school could prepare me for that thing." Bloom muttered, gripping Stella's arm, her knuckles white.
"You got into fights at school?" Stella asked, her eyebrows raised in surprise despite the circumstances.
"Don't think that's what you want to be focusing on right now," Bloom chuckled nervously, stepping away from the monstrous troll.
"You just don't seem like the type." Stella shrugged with a nervous sigh, hand clenched around her scepter as she leaned her weight on it as much as she could.
"Bad Fairy." The troll's voice was a guttural rumble that seemed to vibrate in Bloom's bones, each word distorted.
The stench emanating from its mouth was overpowering, a sickening combination of decay and sulfur that made Bloom and Stella gag, struggling to withstand the overpowering odor.
With a menacing glare, the troll clasped its hands together into a ball, heaved his balled fists above his head, ready to strike.
Stella squared her shoulders, felt the slight tingle of magic flood to her fingertips, weak but ready as Bloom gripped her free arm like her life depended on it.
Then, a thick, black whip snaked through the air, coiling tightly around the troll's neck with a snap.
The troll sputtered and choked, its beady eyes widened in surprise as it stumbled backward, clawing at the whip, desperate to break free.
"Princess Stella! I see we came just in time!" a voice called out.
Four guys, clad in fantasy-like uniforms, each sporting a uniquely colored cape that billowed dramatically behind them, rushed forward.
A ginger guy with oversized glasses, a handsome blond with shoulder-length hair, a pink spiky-haired guy brandishing the whip, and lastly a taller brunet with a massive sword.
Bloom found the uniforms to be quite funny looking, causing a subtle, quiet giggle to escape her. She wouldn't be caught dead wearing it.
"We'll do a three-pronged approach," the blonde declared.
"Forget that! I got this puppy wrapped up all by myself," the pink-haired guy retorted, tugging harder on the whip around the troll's neck; his grin wide and challenging.
Stella scoffed beside Bloom, rolling her eyes dramatically as the guys began to bicker amongst themselves.
"Dude, one summer at camp doesn't mean you go solo on a troll," the brunet deadpanned, a slight drawl to his words as he leaned against his massive broadsword.
Without warning, the troll lashed out, sending the pink-haired guy flying through the air with a startled yelp. He landed ungracefully in a heap next to Bloom and Stella.
"I rest my case," the brunet remarked dryly, observing the scene with a raised eyebrow and a hint of amusement.
The troll snapped the whip around its neck. Enraged and now free of the whip, it roared; its attention shifted to the remaining three guys.
It lumbered forward, its heavy steps shaking the ground. It raised its fists once more, ready to crush them. The blonde quickly raised his forearm, and a shimmering, blue, transparent shield materialized, deflecting the blow.
The blond gritted his teeth, his face contorted in effort as the troll rained down a series of brutal punches. A heavy, metallic clang echoed with each bone-jarring hit. "Sky! Do something!" he yelled, his voice strained.
The brunet, Sky, shook his head, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He then swiftly lifted his massive broadsword. With a grunt of exertion, he brought the blade down in a sweeping arc.
The ground groaned and cracked, the earth parting along the blade's path, and Bloom's eyes widened at the sight. The small ginger darted out from behind the blond and fired a series of rapid shots from what looked like a laser gun at the troll's feet.
The troll stumbled with the hits to its feet, losing its balance and toppling backward into the crevice Sky had created.
"Good job, Timmy!" The blond beamed, playfully clapping the ginger on the back. The troll was momentarily out of the way, but the yellow ogre, who had been laid on the ground from Stella's last attack, rose once more to its feet. "It seems the battle isn't over just yet."
"Stay here, girls. I've got this covered." Pinky - As Bloom decided to call him - declared, leaping to his feet, pulling what seemed to be a sword hilt from his hip, and pressed a small gem set into its center. Instantly, a fuchsia-colored, curved blade materialized from the handle, humming with energy.
Bloom gaped at him, fighting back a subtle eye roll, which earned her a giggle from Stella along with a nudge to her elbow.
Stella winked with a sly smile, pulling a finger to her lips in a 'shh' motion and mouthing the words 'copy.'
Stella opened her hands, left over right, both palms facing outwards. Bloom mimicked her movements. Stella glanced over at her with a gentle, encouraging smile. "When the time feels right, focus on blasting big and nasty. Imagine a small ball."
The ogre, who'd been ignoring Pinky, suddenly swung a massive fist, slamming it into the side of his gut. Pinky grunted in pain, doubling over just as a powerful blast of energy flew over his head and slammed into the ogre's back, sending it tumbling to the ground.
"Awesome shot there, Bloom," Stella giggled, clapping her hands together.
"I really am a fairy," Bloom muttered, staring down at her hands, her eyes wide with disbelief.
The ogre scrambled back to its feet, growled, and frantically surveyed the scene, its gaze bouncing between the boys, Stella, and Bloom.
With a final frustrated growl, the ogre clapped its hands together and vanished in a cloud of dark acrid smoke. The only evidence of its presence was the streak of ash on the ground and the destruction it had wrought. Everyone collectively sighed in relief; the tension was finally eased.
“Finally,” Stella hummed, “now that is over and done with. Bloom, meet our four heroes.” Stella gestured to the four.
“This tough guy is Riven.” She pointed towards Pinky. Riven huffed, crossing his arms over his chest in a display of nonchalance, despite the fact that Bloom had just seen him get beat not once, but twice. “And then there’s Timmy.” The ginger waved shyly, adjusting his glasses with a free hand.
“Prince Sky of Eraklyon.” Stella pointed to the brunet with the great sword, flashing him a flirty smile. “And last but not least, his squire, Brandon!” Brandon’s shield dematerialized and offered a casual two-finger salute with a charming grin.
"You're lucky we decided to pick up extra assignments during the holidays." Riven grumbled, breaking the moment of levity. "If we hadn't shown up, you would've turned into troll kibble."
"Awwh, thanks so much for your concern, Riven darlin." Stella giggled, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Try not to get your ass handed to you next time, though, okay?"
"You - Whatever." Riven scoffed, turning away, visibly annoyed.
Before more words could be said, the troll, not quite defeated, slammed its hands against the edge of the chasm and hauled itself back onto the ground.
Before it could even think of making another move, Timmy opened a small object that expanded into a large, heavy shackle. With surprising strength, he quickly clamped it around the troll's neck.
Timmy then pulled out a small, strange remote from his belt, pressed a button, and a shimmering, blue portal flicked into existence next to him. Without warning, he activated the shackle, and the troll became constricted and floated just above the ground, unwittingly being pushed through the portal and disappearing on the other side.
"Seriously though!" Stella waved, "Thanks so much for the help!"
"See ya at Alfea!" The guys cheered, waving goodbye, even getting dismissive waves from Riven before they stepped through the portal; once they were gone, the portal disappeared alongside them.
Stella huffed, and with a flash of bright light, her wings were gone, and she was back in her more 'casual' clothes. Mike and Vanessa emerged from the home, their faces pale and etched with shock. They stared in stunned silence at the scene before them.
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Mike grumbled under his breath, a low, rumbling of complaints about the sheer chaos that had taken over their home. The living room was a disaster zone, the kitchen looked like a tornado had ripped through it, and the dining room was barely recognizable beneath a layer of debris.
He was surprised they hadn't had the police round after all that noise, or a video going viral over a troll loitering around the streets.
Debris crunched under Bloom's feet as she quietly swept the floor, the bristles of the broom struggling against the thick layer of dust and splintered wood. She kept her head down, a small smile playing on her lips as she tried to stifle the giggles that bubbled up at her father's grumbling. Not that she blamed him.
"I'm so glad that's over," Mike muttered, halting his half-hearted cleanup attempt to pinch the bridge of his nose as if trying to ward off a headache. "But this… this is totally ridiculous. My house is a wreck!"
"Can I help with a little magic?" Stella chirped, her voice bright despite the surrounding mess. She surveyed the damage left behind by the troll and ogre, wrinkling her nose in distaste at the sight, layers upon layers of dust everywhere.
She was almost certain Mike would jump at the chance for a quick, magical solution. Much easier and less costly than if he were to fix it himself.
"I've had enough magic for one day; I think I'd rather do it the old-fashioned way." Mike chuckled dryly; the idea of more magical shenanigans seemed to push him closer to the edge. "Besides, can your magic fix broken doors and windows?"
Stella blinked, taken aback. A genuine laugh bubbled up from her. "Of course, it can! Easier than fighting an ogre, actually." She gestured with her hands, a faint golden shimmer dancing around her fingertips.
Bloom chuckled at her father's slack-jawed expression. It was clear he was still struggling to wrap his head around the whole magic thing. He'd just witnessed Stella conjure blasts of light from her magical staff and fly around with glittering wings, yet the idea of magically cleaning the house seemed to be a bridge too far. The absurdity of it all struck her as funny.
"Mike, look around," Vanessa spoke up. She poked her head around the jagged edges of the broken kitchen doorway. "Our home is trashed. We certainly don't have the money to repair it all ourselves." Her voice was firm as she gave him a stern look, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Mike's gaze swept over the room, taking in the splintered wood, shattered glass, broken doorways, walls, and overturned furniture. His throat tightened, and he swallowed hard. "I guess you've got a point," he stuttered, the fight draining out of him, running a hand through his already disheveled hair.
"Are you sure you want to stay the night here?" Bloom asked. "The spare room is unusable right now, so you'll have to room with me."
"That's fine; I haven't recovered enough strength to do a teleportation spell; tidying this up would probably steal the last bits of my magic," Stella admitted with a small, tired smile and nonchalantly waved her hand. "If you don't mind me staying, it'd be helpful. Plus, I'd rather not run into any more monsters tonight," she jokingly chuckled.
"It's been a long day," Vanessa said, stepping into the living room, wiping her hands down her already dusty dress. "Of course you're welcome, Stella. How about we all head to bed and sort everything out tomorrow?"
"Don't think the mess is going anywhere," Bloom murmured, unable to suppress a yawn, her body aching with exhaustion. "Sleep sounds nice, right about now."
"Go on, head to bed then," Vanessa shooed them away with a wave of her hands.
Bloom gestured for Stella to follow, and the two of them made their way up the creaky staircase and then into Bloom's room.
Stella settled on the edge of the bed, and Kiko, who had been hiding beneath it, emerged and leaped onto the mattress.
Kiko purred softly, rubbing his head against Stella's hand as she ran her fingers through his fur with a quiet giggle.
Stella hummed as she glanced around the room. The walls were decorated with a chaotic but charming collection of paintings, drawings, and sketches. Clothes strewn across the floor, mingling with piles of books and art supplies. Despite the disorder, there was a sense of warmth and personality from the room.
Bloom stretched her arms above her head, a loud yawn escaping her lips. "Do you need a change of clothes?"
"No thanks, I already have some," Stella replied, pointing to a small, intricate charm on her bracelet. She detached it and tossed it into the air. The charm grew in size, its color shifting until it transformed into a decent-sized travel bag.
"Usually, I carry more clothes around, but I was only supposed to have a meeting with Miss F and then head back home." Stella explained sheepishly. The bag opened, and a soft, yellow-colored nightgown floated gracefully out of it and into her waiting hand.
Bloom whistled softly, impressed by the practicality of it. Always having a change of clothes on hand - literally .- It was so convenient.
"I'll go get the air mattress for me to sleep on while you change," Bloom yawned, stretching once more. She rolled her eyes at Kiko, who had already settled himself comfortably on one of her pillows, his eyes half-closed.
"Okay!" Stella chirped, already unfastening one of the laces of her dress.
___________________________________________
Bloom found it weird to have Stella at the breakfast table.
Her presence wasn't unwelcome, not at all, but after years of it just being the three of them, it was undeniably different.
Stella, true to her word, had not only cleared the house of all monster-inflicted damage but had somehow managed to leave it looking even more pristine than before. A feat Bloom still couldn't quite wrap her head around, it was as if Stella's magic had not only repaired but enchanted their home.
"So, Stella," Vanesa began, her voice laced with casual curiosity as she delicately sipped her tea, "where were you headed before… The monster attacked you?"
"Stella swallowed a bite of her pancake, eyes practically sparkling as she spoke. "Oh! I was on my way to Alfea College for fairies. I had, like, a pre-year meeting with Miss F, the headmistress, to discuss a few things before the academic year officially kicks off."
"You know," Stella piped up, "Bloom should totally join! Powers like that need proper guidance and training, and Alfea is the perfect place for that."
Mike, who had been quietly observing the conversation, immediately bristled, protective father instincts kicking in. "Absolutely not. My daughter is not traveling across who-knows-what distance to some magical boarding school." He huffed; his voice held a firm, protective edge.
"Mike," Vanessa chided.
"What's Alfea like?" Bloom interjected; she wanted to know more, as much as she possibly could.
Stella's face lit up. "It's wonderful! Alfea is, without a doubt, the best school for fairies in the entire Magic Dimension. Magix is like the dimension's main hub; it has quite a few schools, actually. There's Red Fountain for heroes and Cloud Tower for witches."
Bloom leaned forward. "If I did decide to go, what kind of things would I need to bring?"
"Bloom!" Mike yelled.
Bloom straightened her shoulders as she cut him off, "Dad! I'm eighteen, old enough to make my own life decisions. Plus, you've been pushing me to go to college anyway. " Bloom added and then gestured towards Stella, "You heard her, magic needs to be taught correctly, controlled, and understood, and I don't even understand it myself!"
Mike grumbled under his breath, far from convinced but refrained from further argument.
"Don't worry too much about packing." Stella said, seizing the opportunity to continue the conversation. "Alfea is located just outside the main city of Magix, so you can easily buy anything you need there. The school provides uniforms, so that's one less thing to worry about."
"Won't they need measurements for the uniforms?" Bloom wondered.
"If the standard sizes don't fit, they'll happily provide alterations. But luckily for you," Stella added with a wink and a cheeky grin, "Yours truly is a seamstress-designer extraordinaire. I can make any necessary adjustments!"
"That… sounds cool," Bloom murmured as she glanced nervously at her parents, who were now engaged in a hushed, intense conversation.
"It totally is!" Stella giggled, waving her hands dismissively. "Just don't get overwhelmed just yet. You have at least a month to make up your mind; the academic year doesn't start just yet."
"But how would it even work? How will I get there?" Bloom wondered, her mind racing, "I doubt a train goes to the Magic Dimension."
"Oh darling! Me, of course!" Stella laughed, wiggling the ring on her finger. "We can exchange numbers, and when the year starts, I can simply come pick you up. I can also speak to Miss F about your potential enrollment at our meeting; I highly doubt she'll say no."
"Sounds like a plan!" Bloom smiled, almost giddy over the situation. She knew her parents were entirely convinced, but she'd already made up her mind; if this Miss F would let her join, she'd jump at the chance. She had at least a month to make her parents reconsider, and if they didn't… she knew they'd come around to it eventually.