Winx Club: The Journey Begins

Chapter 1: Awakening

The early morning sun cast a golden glow over the quiet suburban street. A gentle breeze rustled through the air, carrying with it the distant sounds of city life.

Inside one of the townhouses on this street, the morning unfolded for a family of four.

Astra sat at the kitchen table, scrolling through her latest wildlife photographs on her camera. Each picture captured the essence of nature, from the vibrant colors of a bird's feathers to the serene beauty of a deer grazing at dawn.

Bloom walked in, her vibrant red-orange hair still a mess from sleep. She glanced at the camera and smiled. "Any new good ones?" she asked, grabbing a cereal box from the cabinet.

Astra nodded, showing her sister a close-up of a butterfly's wings. "This one turned out great. I caught it just as the sun was rising."

Their mother, Vanessa, a woman with short brown hair and warm brown eyes, bustled about the kitchen. "I'm gonna head out soon." she announced cheerfully, glancing over at Astra and Bloom. "Any plans for today, girls?"

Astra humed thoughtfully. "I might take a walk later," she replied softly, not sure where she could go that she hasn't already.

Bloom perked up. "I was thinking of visiting the park," she chimed in, "Maybe sketch under that big oak tree."

Their father, Mike, a tall man with blonde hair and gentle blue eyes, entered the kitchen in his firefighter uniform. He smiled warmly at the sight of his family.

"Sounds like a plan," he said, ruffling Bloom's hair affectionately. "I'll be off to work soon, but I'll join you in spirit."

The sunlight filtering through the kitchen window bathed them in a gentle warmth, cocooning them in a moment of contentment.

Later that day, Astra found herself wandering through the familiar streets of their neighborhood. She passed by the rows of identical townhouses, her mind drifting as the music streamed in her headphones. The walk helped soothe her summertime boredom.

She turned a corner and entered the park, the gem of this suburban landscape. The air was cooler here, shaded by the canopy of trees that lined the path. She went further and further in until she spotted Bloom sitting under a large oak tree.

Bloom was absorbed in her drawing, capturing the delicate wings of the fairies she read so much about.

Astra turned off the music and took a photo of her sister, laughing a bit. "In your natural habitat. I might frame this one."

Knocked out of the zone, Bloom playfully glared at her sister. She opened her mouth to snark at Astra but was distracted by a sound nearby.

Curious, the twins followed the noises.

As they approached a clearing, they saw a blonde girl in an off-shoulder orange top with matching short shorts, tall orange boots, and wings fighting against shadowy ghouls and a large ogre. The girl moved with agility and confidence, but it was clear she was outnumbered and struggling.

Though stunned by the mythical creatures, Bloom quickly rushes in before thinking. "Let her go! Or else I'll- I'll uhh..."

Astra picks up a decent-sized stick, brandishing it like a sword. "We'll make you regret it." She glares at the bald, yellow-skinned ogre.

The ogre actually looks frightened for a second before he growls and orders his minions to attack the twins.

The ghouls rush at them. Astra tries to keep them at bay, swinging her makeshift weapon, causing the ones she hits to dissipate into thin air. Heart hammering in her chest so loudly she almost misses her sister's shout.

One of the ghouls has bitten into her calf. She fell to the ground, her hands occupied trying to keep its claws away from her.

Astra doesn't hesitate, she drops to the ground next to her sister and shoves the stick between her leg and the ghoul's mouth. They manage to get it off of her but one of Bloom's hands slips and lets go of its arm. It slashes her leg, taking a good chunk of her pants with it as it runs away.

Meanwhile, the blonde stranger has managed to beat away her crowd of enemies. She looks exhausted as if a light breeze can push her over. She struggles to her feet using her scepter as a crutch.

The ogre refocuses on her, "Give me that scepter!" he bellows as he starts walking towards her.

"Never." She pants, it takes all of her energy to just stand there, her vision going in and out. She tries to gather enough energy to fight back.

Bloom rushes to block the ogre's way, grabbing a stick of her own. She guards the girl. "I won't let you hurt her!"

Astra groans in frustration at her sister's actions, trying to think of a way out of this situation. She stops thinking when she spots more ghouls sneaking up behind the pair of girls and rushes in.

She gets there a moment too late as one of the creatures jumps onto the girl's back, bringing her to the ground. She flounders, trying to get it off of her, releasing her hold on her scepter.

Astra swings her stick, making the one on the girl's back disappear. She bends down to check on her. At the same time, the ogre stalks forward, making Bloom back up in fear.

Simultaneously, Astra and Bloom touch the scepter. A rush goes through them. Something breaks free, stretching out and expanding. Alive.

A fire surges around the three girls. Hot ribbons of red, orange, and yellow dance around them while the ground beneath them ripples a deep, swirling black.

The power surge radiates outwards, engulfing the ghouls in its intense brilliance. Most are instantly incapacitated, their forms dissolving into wisps of shadow. The ogre, larger and more resilient, is thrown back, visibly injured and recoiling in fear.

The ogre and the remaining beasts disappear in a flash of purple light and smoke.

"Thank goodness, they're gone at last!" The blonde smiles in relief before passing out. Her outfit shifts to an orange top decorated with edges colored light blue, a necklace, a long orange skirt with a yellow line in the middle, and light blue braces and orange shoes.

Astra and Bloom gently lifted her. "We need to get her home," Astra said, her voice filled with concern.

—

Once they arrived home, they laid the girl on the couch and stared at her.

Astra breaks the silence first. "Can we start freaking out now?"

Bloom looks at her with widened eyes. "Yes, please."