Winx Club Evolved

The Path to Gloomix

I'm currently livestreaming to celebrate the release of this new chapter, come join me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1pWI3z-9RM

    All the Witches in Cloud Tower turn their heads as Jade enters the main hall of the school. There's whispers among the Witches, and it isn't long before one of them steps towards her.

"You're the first-year that went to that stupid Specialists dance."

"Yeah, and she even fought to defend them! Talk about pathetic."

"Yeah, that desperate for a boyfriend, aren't we?"

Although Jade showed restraint around the Fairies and Specialists, she doesn't hold back around the other Witches, summoning a ring of green fire that cuts off the advancing Witches.

"Talk all you want. You're all just jealous that I defeated a dragon and you didn't. And I can take on any of you Witches, right here, right now."

Undeterred, the other Witches start charging their powers, "Bring it on!"

Jade prepares her own attack, but the fire spell around her suddenly disappears. The Witches all turn to find Headmistress Griffin.

"While I love a good Witch fight, Jade, you have a visitor. And I suggest you not keep him waiting."

Jade puts down her fists and follows the headmistress. From among the crowd, Tracy watches her leave, and snarls.

    Silver and Ancrua visit Bloom at the Alfea library, where Bloom has been pouring over books trying to get to the bottom of what has disabled her powers.

"Have you made any progress, Bloom?" Silver asks.

"Some. There are very few forms of magic powerful enough to block my connection to the Dragon Fire. And I think I've narrowed it down to..."

She points to an illustration of a creature that's half-man, half-spider, "Arachleon, a creature from legend that manifests whenever there's an imbalance between light and dark magic. He feeds off the imbalance, turning creatures of light into creatures of darkness. Only by restoring balance can Arachleon be banished."

"So that means if Arachleon's here, that there's an imbalance between light and dark magic? But there's so many Fairies at Alfea, how could that be?" Silver asks.

"I'm not sure," Bloom admits, "but if Arachleon is already powerful enough to block my connection to the Dragon Fire, then we have to find this source of dark magic fast!"

"But where would he be hiding such a large source of dark magic?" Ancrua asks.

"There's been no sightings of him outside of Magix, so he must not have enough power to cross to other planets. So we can narrow our search down to just Magix. ...but the only place on Magix I can think of that could carry suck a dark force is-"

"Cloud Tower!" Silver and Ancrua shout at the same time.

Someone in the library shushes the girls, and Silver and Ancrua cringe, bowing their heads in embarrassment.

"We could ask Jade to investigate Cloud Tower, I don't think Silver should be risking any more trips into the school for Witches," Bloom suggests.

"Jade? ...Bloom, do you really trust Jade to investigate all by herself? We barely know her," Ancrua points out.

Bloom places a hand on Silver's shoulder, "She's Silver's sister, and if Silver, her sister trusts her, then I trust her."

Ancrua shrugs, "Okay, now for the next question: will she actually do it?"

    In a private conference room in Cloud Tower, Jade is confronted by a disappointed Thamond, who wastes no time in lecturing her.

"I had made this visit to Cloud Tower to invite you to form an alliance, to help you earn your Gloomix, but now I hear you're associating with Fairies? Jade, what were you thinking?"

"Where in the rules about Witches does it say I can't attend a dance in my own free time? Not to mention I brought down a dragon when those pathetic Pixies and Specialists couldn't-"

"It seems like you aren't really interested in the true purpose of a Witch...power. What could those helpless Fairies possibly give you? Love? Affection? Friendship?"

Jade almost rolls her eyes, "Love and friendship are actual known sources of magic. Anyway, Gloomix or not, I am my own Witch. No, I'm not a Fairy, I'm not tied down to guard my home planet, I'm not tied down to anything, including you. So if you're really interested in forming an alliance, you better stay out of my business, or I'll find another Wizard to ally with."

With a flip of her hair, she starts to leave the room, but Thamond speaks up.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!"

She turns around in surprise.

"You showed exceeding wickedness in taking control of the situation, Jade! That's what I need in a Witch, someone who won't stand for anything, and takes what they want!"

Jade can't help but blush a little, "Oh? Well..."

"I would love to help you earn your Gloomix, Jade."

He takes a step towards her, and takes her hand. Jade's blush glows even redder.

"Together, we are going to make the most powerful pair that Cloud Tower has ever known."