Dark Connection

Chapter Twenty

The Winx mobile was stopped in front of a large, elegant mansion as Robyn and Bloom hid behind a tree and peered out to see the other Winx and Lorelei outside of it, cameras stuck to them like glue.

"We'll never get to the talent like that!" Bloom hissed as Stella walked over to Lorelei.

"I think she has a plan." Robyn whispered back.

"Are you all thinking what I'm thinking?!" Stella gasped with false enthusiasm as Lorelei looked confused. "About Lorelei?!" The other girls grinned as Stella loudly announced. "Yes it's time! She's ready!"

"Ready for what?!" Lorelei exclaimed.

"Stardom! Headlining a WoW episode!"

"Really?! Me?!" she squealed.

I see what she's doing!

"London awaits you!" Stella gestured grandly towards the city. "Just head into town with the cameras and bring back the talent!"

Squealing like a chicken, Lorelei rushed off with the cameras following. Robyn and Bloom came out of hiding and walked over to the girls, Stella looking extremely pleased with herself.

"Good plan Stella!" Bloom praised.

"Bloom and Robyn! We missed you!" Stella cheered, hugging them both.

"Let's go find Madelyne!" Bloom ordered, and they approached the mansion.

A butler came out, struggling with a group of obnoxious puppies, who got themselves and the poor man tangled up on the leashes. Stella and Bloom exchanged pleased looks, and with Robyn's help, they quickly designed simple pet sitter's outfits, and Robyn agreed to be the lookout for Lorelei or the Shaman while the girls played with the dogs and waited for an opportunity. They all looked up as the door opened to reveal a young, gloomy looking girl who couldn't have been any older than ten.

That's the talent?! Robyn thought as a wave of alarm washed over her. She's so young.. is this "Queen" really so heartless that she'd kidnap someone that little?!

"Don't be sad darling, we're sure you won't disappoint us." a very formerly dressed lady tried to console her.

"Yes, you're right, as usual." Madelyne agreed heavily as she walked away to the limo that awaited her, and the car sped away.

The butler looked sadly at the guitar pick in his hand.

"We need to split up!" Bloom urged, and pointed at Musa, Aisha, and Flora. "You guys follow Madelyne. We'll take care of the dogs."

"I'll go with them too." Robyn put in. "Just in case we run into the Shaman."

Hopping into the Winx mobile, they tailed the limo until they arrived in a large theatre, and Madelyne was being escorted in like a prisoner by her parents. The girls stealthily followed until they were back stage, Madelyne sitting alone in a chair, looking miserable. Robyn's heart went out to her.

"I'm going to talk to her." Musa decided, slipping out. The girl looked up as she approached her. "You look so sad." she murmured sympathetically. "Hi, I'm Musa. Is something wrong?"

The girl looked away with a sad shrug.

"You know, I'm a musician like you." she added brightly. "I've played my whole life, even when I was your age!"

Me too.. I've been singing for as long as I can remember.. Did I sing before- Robyn stopped her train of thought abruptly. There's no use in dwelling on that right now.

"Did you like it?" Madelyne asked with a hopeful smile.

"I liked it when I could play the music I loved!" Musa said enthusiastically, but Madelyne looked down again as she knelt down beside her. "What do you love? What's your dream music?"