Winx Club: Guardians of the Dragon Flames

The Voice of Nature

Across the lake and deep in the woods, Professor Palladium took his class near the swamp. "So, as I was saying....today's exercise will be difficult." said Palladium.

"Professor Palladium, a mosquito just bit me." one fairy complained.

"Yes, we are near a swamp and it's just a mosquito." he tells her as another fairy giggles. "It's no big deal."

"Look where it got me." she tells him, showing him the mark.

"Oh my!" he said, backing away.

"Oh my god." muttered Dawn as Palladium, frightened by this.

"Well, what I meant was, uh, to be short and to the point." Palladium said, looking away from the young fairy.

"Poor professor." Bloom said to Stella and Dawn. "They shouldn't give him a hard time."

"I feel bad for him already. He's surrounded by teenage girls and their hormones." said Dawn.

"To be more confident, he'd gets more respect." said Stella.

"Is it too early for me to have a crush on the man?" asked Dawn as Bloom, who had a smile on her face, softly hits her sister.

"A good fairy must be able to listen to what nature tells her. Today's exercise is to put your skills to the test." Palladium explains. "Now, you've been put into groups so we're ready to begin. You have three hours to get out of Black Mud swamp and reach the clearing of gloomy wood forest without using magic. Remember, listen carefully to the voice of nature and follow its advice."

He then takes off and meets them in the clearing. The Winx went off in one direction, heading into the swamp water. All but Dawn were disgusted by the feeling. "This place is...oh, totally disgusting." Stella commented.

"Oh, yes dear." Musa teased Stella. "All this mud is so very inconvenient."

"I don't know if you realize it, but we're knee deep in what I would refer to as a problematic mud puddle." said Tecna.

"It may be a mud puddle to you, but it's all just muddy swamp water." said Dawn, walking past Tecna. "It's not gonna physically hurt you. Unless you get an allergic reaction from the contents."

"All right you guys, take cover." Tecna tells them, raising her hands in the air. "I'll handle this."

"No, Tecna, don't!" Bloom called out and then smelled the air. "We have to listen to nature. I smell something, what is it?"

Stella and Dawn do the same thing. "He said, 'Listen', not smell." said Stella. "Smells like...."

"Smells like gas. Let's get out of here." said Musa. The girls ran and hid behind a fallen log, peering at the swamp. Bloom picked up a small tree branch, aiming it for the swamp.

"Okay, let's see." she said, tossing it at the growing bubble, making it pop. It releases a blue mist as several others popped as well. "See? A single spark and we would have been toast my friend."

"And your parents would have to start planning a funeral for you." added Dawn.

"Oh, yes." Flora said, understanding. "We took a big risk."

"Especially you, Tecna. I would have sent you my dress maker's bill." said Stella as they all laughed, trying to put her at ease.

At Cloudtower, the Trix returned to their room in frustration. "Free at last!" said Stormy. "I can't stand another one of Zarathustra's lessons."

"Knut, you stupid ogre! Where are you?" Darcy asked, looking for him. She then hears something rustling in the closet. "Hmm?"

"I'm in here." he said as Darcy walks over and growls. "Uh, can I come out now? My...uh...my foot is asleep."