Crystallized Dreams: A Race Against Time

Chapter 21: Peace At Last

The sword that had impaled Lord Darkar now gleamed in the sunlight, drawing both Michael and Katie's attention to it. Katie stood up and pulled it out, then held it in silence and grief.

Some minutes later, outside the castle Crystallia's people stood and talked amongst each other, wondering what was going on. Soon they were all silent as Katie and Michael walked up to and stood at the large doors. Katie was carrying the sword and Michael was carrying the boy who had wielded it. Whispers and gasps arose from the large crowd.

Off to one side Katie and Michael saw Jemica and the Winx, all in their fairy forms. Then they realized that people from many other planets were now part of the crowd as well. Musa smiled and materialized a microphone before levitating it to Katie. After grabbing it from thr air Katie flashed her a grin in return and mouthed, "Thank you."

"People of Crystallia," she said and the noise from the crowd died down. "It is with great joy that I inform you, I, Princess Katelynn of Crystallia, have returned."

More gasping from the crowd. A few people cheered and clapped but it stopped when someone else spoke up.

"Where is Prince Joshua?" someone from the crowd wondered aloud. Katie hesitated for a moment, and gleam of sadness shone in her eyes.

"Behold," she said and held up Josh's sword, still trying to sound formal. "The sword that saved us all. But I have very sad news-" she choked back a sob and gave up all effort to sound formal. "My brother gave his life to save us all. If it weren't for him the entire universe would have perished."

For a moment the crowd stayed silent. Looking over to the Winx Katie could clearly see expressions of complete shock, and Jemica started to show signs of heartbreak.

"I-I don't even know where to begin. Ever since our parents were brutally murdered and we met each other, he had been so amazing. And even as the years went by he stayed as one of the most precious things I've ever held dear to me. And . . ." She couldn't bring herself to continue at this point and dropped the sword to wipe more tears. After gently setting Josh down, Michael took the microphone from her.

"My name is Michael. I don't come from anywhere around here-I'm human and I've spend most of my life living on Earth. During that time, Katelynn and Joshua blessed me with the existence of magic. I still remember the day Josh and I first met. I never could've expected anything like this to come out of it. Eventually fire was brought upon my home, and this led me to believe that my parents were dead. But luckily the twins, their aunt, and I had escaped to Magix just in time."

He then went on and on about all their adventures, all the troubles they had encountered, and of course all the good times as well. He even told everyone about the time he admitted his feelings for Katie.

". . . And then when I realized what Josh had given up in ordered to save us . . . I just . . ."

Now he couldn't go on anymore and threw his arms around Katie in his sadness. He whispered into her ear, "Please . . . stay alive. I almost lost you once, and I don't ever want that to happen again. Josh was my everything, and he's gone now. You're the only everything I have left to hold on to."

The crowd watched as a familiar face stepped up with Katie and Michael. It was Jemica. She joined in on their embrace in a way so that she could speak into the mic that was still clutched in Michael's hand.

"I know that loss is difficult to endure. Trust me, I really do. Joshua was like a son to me all these years and to know that he's gone forever pains me greatly. But we all know that his spirit will live on with each one of us."