Evil Rises Again

Chapter 24

*Riven's POV*

I was so excited to see Bloom and Flora in the forest today. They don't know is that I have been working on my own. I know it's not a good or safe idea to do. But I was never one to listen to the rules much. But I think I have proven myself.

"There you are. What was this text to come out early?" Flora asked.

I looked between the two and slowly stood up by myself, but I was a little bit wobblily. They both looked at me with shock looks. Bloom came over to support me and said,

"Riven I am so proud of you. You have come a long way. Maybe a little bit more healing and some therapy for walking and balance. You will be back on your feet."

"I agree with Bloom. But the balance and walking therapy is more practice and just getting back into the routine. But I am so happy for you. You have been through so much and I am just so glad to see you happy." Flora said giving me a hug.

I was so thankful to have these two fairies as friends. They have stuck right beside me on my roller coaster ride and just pushed me to my limit. They never gave up on me. We worked on some stretches and Bloom did her healing. I could feel the power surge through me.

"So, are we going to tell everyone the great news?" Flora asked.

I shook my head and said,

"I want to surprise them. If that is alright?"

"Of course, Riven. I am so excited to surprise everyone. But when?" Bloom asked.

"I will know when. I just not sure yet." I said.

We headed back to Alfea. I saw everyone was heading to the cafeteria. I looked to the girls. They shrugged. I saw Timmy walking by. I stopped him and asked,

"What is going on?"

"We are all being requested to the cafeteria for an important announcement." Timmy said.

We followed him and sat with the rest of our friends. I smiled over to Musa and she just smiled back. I leaned over to Sky and asked,

"Do you know what this is about?"

He shook his head no and then pointed to the front. The teacher's tables were gone and it looked like a small stage. There stood Saladin, Codatora and Faragonda. We all quiet down and listen to what they have to say.

"Thank you everyone for coming. There is something that Faragonda and I think needs to be done. I have only done this once before. I have this one high metal that ranks one Red Fountain student in the highest ranks. Today I will be presenting that to one person. Then there are a few more metals that I will be presenting to a few more students that are going to rank up in their classes." Saladin started.

Everyone looked around. I sighed and just sat there. I knew that a lot of these guys deserved a lot. They worked so much. I looked over to my squad and they were all relaxed. I knew what they were thinking. We were all thinking the same thing. We were not going to get anything.

"Alright first off let's start with Manuel and Rico." Saladin said.

Manuel looked at us and I smiled to him. I was happy for them. Manuel and Rico were the youngest in our squad. They work so hard to prove that they belong in the number one squad.

They walked up and faced Saladin. He smiled to them and said,

"You two have worked so hard to be where you are at. You are showing everyone what it means to be a student at Red Fountain. I am proud to be presenting you these."

The guys came back down and sat down. You could see their confidence was rising. We watched as more peers gets promoted in their ranks. Then Saladin make the whole room quiet down. Everyone looked up at him. He smiled and said,

"Now it's my honor to present the golden metal to a specialist that worked so hard and has sacrificed so much for his school and peers. I have never seen someone that is so noble and caring in their own way then this one specialist. We all seen him struggle and now he is struggling with something more because of his sacrifice for his school. I would like to present the golden metal to Riven."

I looked at everyone surprised. I could not believe it. I slowly got up with the help of my friends. Bloom handed me the crunches, but I just shook my head. She smiled at me and nodded. I turned and slowly walked up to Saladin. It was like a pin dropped in the room. I smiled to him and Saladin then said,

"Well, now this is a great surprise. Congratulation Riven. You deserve this. I am so proud to have you as a specialist here. You have shown what it takes to be a hero. Would you like to say a few words?"

I nodded and faced everyone. Everyone was cheering and clapping for me. I smiled and said,

"I just want to say that this is a great honor to have. I don't see myself as a hero. I just did what I thought was right. It's in our blood to do what is right. So, we are all heroes here. Being a specialist is hard work and being the one to help keep our worlds safe that is the best award I could ever get. I am not the only one that deserves this golden award so many people were heroes that day. I am just the face of it. You all deserve it. We worked at a school and did what we were taught to do. Because we want to be the best and we are the best."

I slowly walked down. There waiting for me was Musa. She helped me back to our friends. Bloom and Flora smiled to me. Everyone was excused, and Sky said,

"Way to make an entrance for your metal."

I smirked, and we went back to the Winx room. I slowly walked with the crunches I was given. Musa came up to me and said,

"That was impressive speech. I really liked it. I am so happy for you walking. How do you feel?"

"It hasn't hit me just yet. I guess I am just processing it all." I admitted.

She nodded and then say James standing there all pissed off. I gave her a look and she said,

"I will see you later."

*Musa's POV*

I came up to James and gave him a look. I did not get why he was acting this way. I know he was upset with everything, but he should be happy for his peers. I crossed my arms and said,

"James what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?! Let me make a list." He said sarcastically.

"Alright why are you acting this way. Aren't you happy for your peers. They all did great." I said.

"What about me? I should have gotten a promotion. Instead I got demoted. What did I ever do to get that?" He asked.

I gave him a look. This was a different side of James I was just seeing. He was not like this when we started dating. I did not like this guy at all. I gave him a look and said,

"Are you serious acting like a big-headed jerk? Because if this is the real you then you can pack your bags and loose my number. I will not be your girlfriend anymore."

He gave me a look and then said,

"This is about Riven! Isn't it?"

"What? No! This is about us. It's about me. I do not date anyone that is so arrogant and selfish. This is about how someone makes me feel and not about anyone else." I argued.

I then walked away from James. I did not turn around when I heard him screaming my name. Right around the corner was Riven on one of the balcony. He turned around and I just ran into his arms. He held me and we just stayed there.