The Queen of Shadows - World of Winx rewrite S.1

Chapter 9: Never Give Up!

The Winx were on their way to South Africa, with Aisha at the driving seat, humming along to the playlist Musa had turned on. The journey had taken them three days so far, with occasional stops for meals and supplies. Ace had informed them about a major Rugby competition in South Africa, specifically in the city of Johannesburg, which Tecna's data labeled as "South Africa's biggest urban area."

Aisha had encountered people with diverse skin tones, a realization that Earth's cultures and races were as varied as those in the Magical Dimension. The towering skyscrapers of Johannesburg contrasted sharply with the small-town feel of Gardenia. This city had a New York vibe but with a warmer climate, and the bustling traffic was a stark contrast to the quieter streets they were accustomed to.

Curious about Rugby, Aisha asked Musa, "So, what do you think Rugby is?"

Musa pondered for a moment before replying, "Hmm... I'm not sure."

Aisha and Musa found themselves humming together to the music, a simple pleasure that brought them both joy amidst the journey. This trip had provided a much-needed break after a chaotic week. With plenty of music and board games, they managed to have a good time. Tecna's strategic thinking had led her to victory in most games, while Stella's attempts at cheating were repeatedly thwarted by Aisha. Despite catching a cold, Bloom had insisted on joining them, and Flora had cooked up a variety of Earth dishes. Among them, Aisha's favorite was Caesar salad, a refreshing and novel taste.

"We're almost there!" Aisha announced to the other girls in the back as she made a left turn at an intersection.

"Great! My legs could use some stretching after this long ride," Stella exclaimed.

"Well, the Winx mobile is spacious enough for you to move around freely," Tecna replied.

"Shh, Tecna," Stella playfully hushed her.

Aisha rolled her eyes and increased the volume of the music. As Stella engaged in a conversation with Tecna, she allowed herself to yawn. After hours of driving, she was looking forward to arriving at their destination and giving her ears a much-needed rest.

***

The streets buzzed with activity as many people filled the thoroughfares. Music played loudly, a rhythm quite distinct from the melodies of the Magical Dimension or those in Italy. It was filled with a faster tempo and dance-friendly beats. Aisha found herself intrigued by the local music scene, feeling that she might come to enjoy this country quite a bit. The people exuded warmth and a welcoming vibe, making her feel right at home.

As they neared the arena, which resembled something from Red Fountain, individuals flowed in, adorned in colorful t-shirts, scarves, and caps. Aisha couldn't help but wonder why anyone would wear warm caps in such sweltering heat.

Various languages filled the air, a testament to the country's diversity. While some spoke English, it was with an accent distinct from that of Italy. Aisha admired Bloom and her parents for their fluent English; they had shared that Italians usually had a noticeable accent when speaking the language.

English is the closest language to the common language used in the Magical Dimension. However, each realm and world also has its own distinct language.

At the entrance of the arena, a man sat behind a glass case, stamping small tickets. Aisha approached him with a friendly smile.

"Hello, my friends and I are from the program WOW, and we'd like to purchase six tickets," she said. The man arched an eyebrow and began speaking in words Aisha couldn't decipher or recognize.

"What's he saying?" Stella whispered.

Aisha shrugged, and Tecna quickly utilized her Winx watch as a translator. The device clarified that the man was requesting cash, specifically six hundred South African rand (ZAR).

"I've got it covered," Stella declared, offering a Solarian golden coin. The man, perplexed, picked up the coin and scrutinized it before shaking his head.

"Stella, they don't accept Solarian currency here in South Africa," Bloom explained, presenting three yellow banknotes labeled '200' on each.

"What? So, no realm here on Earth uses Solarian currency?" Stella exclaimed.

"Stella, it's called a country here, not a realm. And no, none of them accept Solarian currency," Tecna corrected.

Stella smirked and retrieved her coin, meticulously polishing its surface. "Well, that's their loss. Solarian coins are made of the purest sunlight."

Aisha rolled her eyes and tugged Stella along, saying, "Come on, Stella."

***

The arena was packed with many people. The Winx found their seats amidst the excitement. Blaring music resonated from the speakers, and a chorus of cheers erupted as a team dashed onto the field. Aisha had been eagerly anticipating this event all day, even though she still hadn't fully grasped the concept of Rugby.

Musa nudged Aisha's arm. "Hey, should we grab some drinks?" she asked, gesturing towards a nearby kiosk selling water bottles, sweets, and fruit. Aisha nodded, and Tecna decided to join them.

At the kiosk, they purchased six bottles of water. As they were about to head back to their seats, Aisha accidentally bumped into a young teenage boy with a shaved head and dark brown eyes. Her water bottle slipped from her grasp, but before it hit the ground, the boy caught it with lightning-fast reflexes. Aisha recognized his swift movements and felt a surge of power rush through her. She assumed it must be related to the 'Dreamix' abilities that Musa and Tecna had mentioned. However, before Aisha could inquire further, the boy quickly apologized, handed back the water bottle, and vanished into the bustling crowd.

"I think he might be the next talent we're searching for," Aisha remarked.

"Who?" Musa asked.

"The boy I accidentally bumped into," Aisha explained. "I had a feeling, you know?"

"Ah, got it," Musa nodded.

"Considering the circumstances, he might also be the next target of the talent thief," Tecna said.

"Let's try to locate him before anything potentially happens," Aisha suggested.

Musa and Tecna agreed, and Tecna informed the rest of the Winx to remain at the arena in case they discovered another talent while searching for the boy.

***