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Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 8.
🕑 Added 2024-01-26 20:36:26 +0000 UTCPlanet Magic, Magix City.
Icy heard the crash from where she stood a second before, causing her ears to ring more than a little. Instinct and reflex saw her smoothly transition from her roll to a defensive position. What she saw was not what she wanted to. 'A troll?!' she thought apprehensively. While they were stupid and sluggish they did have a pretty good resistance to magic. One hit from that thing and she would have more than a few bones broken.
She briefly thought of trying to command the beast, but thought better of it. Mazakis must've it under his control and while stupid they were also loyal. Stupidly loyal, in fact.
'It's a good thing I can fly.' she thought. Thankfully having enough calm of mind to not freak out completely and forget crucial things. Dismissing gravity, Icy flew out of range of the stupid beast.
However, smugness wasn't even allowed to set in as several bright cones of light encased her from below. Under her were what seemed like all of Mazakis' personal security personnel. All armed with Phantoblades, shields and long-ranged weapons of different styles and colours. All at once they fired at her with their blasters.
If possible her stomach fell even lower. Now residing at her knees. 'This just keeps getting better and better.' she groused mentally as she dodged the barrage of attacks. Retaliating with icicles and blasts of cold that did little to dissuade them. Most of it deflected with their magical weaponry or evaded.
Seeing that it was futile to stay and fight Icy tried to flee. Try being the operative word. Just as she was about to fly away from the manor grounds, she was stopped by a solid wall of energy. Repelling and throwing her harshly to the ground.
Pain blossomed at once together with disorientation. Regardless of that she heard the voice of Mazakis through the haze of pain. Muffled though it was.
“Did you really think it'd be so easy to escape?!” he sneered, taking delight in his apparent success. “I knew who you were from the beginning. My idiot of a son couldn't keep a secret from me if he tried.”
A moment later nets were thrown over Icy, restraining her. She tried to break free by freezing it, but was rewarded with an electric shock, causing her to scream out loud. The magic she called up dissipating immediately. Worthless in the face of this specially designed weaponry.
Mazakis' annoying gloating reached her ears. “Don't try to break free, my dear. You'll just make it worse.” the net fed on the victims magic to become stronger, as well as using the same magic for it's other functions. Such a thing was only prudent due to the fact that most criminals were magical in their society. Incapacitating and weakening the captive all at once was a good thing.
“Fuck you!” the Witch of Ice spat out venomously, glaring daggers at Mazakis. Hatred burning in her blue eyes that promised no easy victory and resistance all the way. 'I won't go back to that prison monastery! I can't!' Icy thought, frantically trying to wiggle out of the net to no success.
Mazakis commanded with a negligent wave of his hand. “Take her out of my sight!”
Seeing no other way out and her capture imminent by the approaching guards, Icy did something reckless. She gathered up all her considerable magical power and set it free in a flare of pure magical energy. Causing the net to electrify again. In her mind it was better to be shocked than to be captured, and the guards couldn't touch the net in its current state.
That seemed to amuse Darko's father even more. “What do you think you're doing?” he sneered in sadistic glee as he saw her do such a nonsensical action. “You're even dumber than I thought.”
Stars danced across her vision flashed with multicoloured spots as her body convulsed outside her control. Pain transformed to agony in seconds as she grit her teeth. Just so avoiding biting her tongue off while refusing to cry out and give them the satisfaction of her pain. Pushing herself further and further in the hope to maybe signal her sisters with her self-made magical flare. 'Please, help me!' she pleaded with her sisters in all but blood mentally.
Time stretched itself to unimaginable lengths as her world was narrowed down to the anguish she currently experienced. Feeling as if every nerve in her body was on fire while searing knifes cut into her body. The only thing that had kept her going until now was the same as always, her pride. 'Anyone!' she thought weakly. Her last effort before slipping away was to not beg out loud.
In the end it was either her pride or survival.
When her vision slowly grew black around the edges and her hold on consciousness slipped further away from her she came to a decision. “Help!” she pleaded out in a barely audible croak, which was all she could manage with her muscles refusing to obey her commands. Her body twisting, twitching and turning as she convulsed on the floor. Already having lost control of her bladder some time ago. Not that she was in any state to perceive that minor problem. Her last amounts of control went into preventing the tears of pain she felt creeping up from streamed down her face.
Just as she was about to faint her magic ran empty, stopping the shocks and keeping her in a delirious state. The world wouldn't sit still, overlapping with copies of itself that flew through her field of vision at random with bright dots blinking in and out of it. She felt her captors drag the net and her with it. A few vengeful ones remembered her and her sister's actions, kicking her as she was dragged along. “That's for Magix City!”
Fortunately, Icy was physically numb at this point.
As she was dragged along on her back Icy could see the night sky with all the stars in it. One shone brighter than all the others. It's light swelling in intensity and seemingly headed straight for her. However, it's light was muted and cold, which should be impossible. Yet, the luminescence was only becoming brighter with each passing second it fell towards the mansion.
“What's that?!” one of the thugs cried out in alarm. Noticing the stretching shadows and growing light of the apparent meteorite intent to vaporize any opposition. It did just that a moment later. Not giving anyone enough time to run for cover. Shortly after the ward surrounding the property shattered into a million pieces as the mysterious object crashed into it. Ripping straight through the shield as if it wasn't even there. The streaking ball of energy impacted directly where the troll stood, erasing the creature from existence. Leaving behind naught but ash blowing in the wind.
The noise the collapsing ward made was similar to glass shattering, but could not truly be heard. It was felt. Shards of the now broken ward rained down onto the ground, but dissolved into golden dust before touching the earth.
A figure could be made out amidst the cloud of golden dust. It revealed Harry with wings of black flames stretching out majestically behind him, standing amidst the glitter like an angel of wrath. A scowl on his face as his emerald gaze took in the situation. Only growing fiercer at Icy's condition.
In her current befuddled state Belladonna could only think. 'That's it. I'm hallucinating from the pain.' fully convinced this was a not real. Why else would he bother to rescue someone like her? Her mind must've twisted around the bend more than it already was and let her see what she wanted to.
A moment later the air began to vibrate as an unseen and oppressive force came to bear down on everyone present. For Belladonna it felt like a cocoon of safety she could curl up in forget the world. A pleasant weight enveloping her completely, soothing her injuries a little. For everyone else it felt like as if gravity had increased a hundredfold, forcing them to their knees.
Mazakis' mind was telling him to shut up, while his pride did the opposite. His pride won like always, but barely.
“Stop this at once!” Mazakis demanded with fear in his eyes and voice. His bent legs shaking like a newborn foal's. He hadn't seen many wizards, rare as they were, but from what he experienced Mazakis knew every single one was powerful. Yet, this one's sheer presence alone was enough to incapacitate his trained bodyguards. Bodyguards who had some resistance to magic. Not to mention vaporizing a Troll that had an even higher resistance. That alone spoke volumes.
Ignoring the now scared and incapacitated guards and the idiot who all were trying to get their legs back under control, Harry quickly approached Belladonna. Vanishing the net with a imperious wave of his hand, he knelt down and gently cradled her in his arms.
“Why...?” Icy coughed out weakly, the rest of the words stuck in her throat. None of her previous viciousness and vitriol present. Harry could practically hear her disbelief at his arrival.
Harry sighed and smiled softly. “Stupid question. I've come for you, obviously.” he added shortly after. “Your sisters are on their way as well.” he lost them on the way once he felt Icy's magic spiking out.
She could no longer hold her tears as his words sank in. Her lips wobbled and she sniffled, trying fruitlessly to control herself. Yet, Icy couldn't look away from those caring emerald eyes. Many different emotions played out across her face in a few moments until she finally let go and began to bawl. Tears fell freely from her shining eyes, her hands were gripping his shirt tightly as she drew in shuddering breaths. Preparing to say something she thought she'd never say. “Please... help!”
Harry had no trouble understanding her words despite Icy nearly chocking on them. Noticing that asking for help must've damaged her pride and causing her more pain than her injuries. However, he didn't say anything other than. “Of course.”
Gently lifting her up bridal style, Harry sent out a wave of pure kinetic energy. The sheer pressure causing every enemy around him to be blown away with the dust as it rattled their bones down to the marrow. With the result that every enemy was now knocked unconscious. 'I'll probably have to erase their memories, judging by Icy not having her disguise up.' he thought.
Any further thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Stormy and Darcy. “We've got a problem!” Darcy panted out, frantically moving her arms to point to the sky. “The Paladins are a minute or so behind us.” it had been taxing to keep up with Harry, but it at least let them outpace the airships that had unexpectedly popped up behind them.
“Did they see you?” Harry inquired calmly. If that was the case then modifying the memories of Icy's would-be-capturers was pointless.
It was Stormy who answered. “I don't think so.”
Determined to let her eat those words the universe answered in the form of a few ships arriving above them. Beacons of light directly shining on them. The ships were identical to the ones used by Red Fountain. The only difference being that these ships were manned by Paladins of the Monastery of Light and not Specialists.
Acting quick, Harry summoned the other two witches to him and apparated back to the Citadel of Night. Leaving the Paladins to deal with the mess.
Planet Magic, Citadel of Night.
It took the night for Icy to be healed, assisted by healing spells of course. Right now Icy lay in bed with her two sisters in all but blood in the room.
“What were you thinking?!” Darcy shouted as she paced in front of Icy's bed. “Were you even thinking at all?!” hands curled into fists and unclenched again as Darcy's rage was given an outlet.
Stormy, surprisingly, wasn't angry right now. Her fury was always short-lived, vanishing as soon as it came. Besides, she had vented her frustration on some dummies Harry conjured for her after they had arrived back. So she was already over Icy's bout of idiocy. Darcy on the other hand took a while to be angered and her wrath took longer to work through.
Icy let her sister rage a bit longer, not even having the energy or desire to rebuke any of the accusations. After another minute she said. “I'm sorry!” it wasn't spoken particularly loud, but her sisters heard it clearly.
The words caught Darcy completely off guard, nearly causing her to stumble and cutting off her ongoing rant. “What? Could you repeat that?” She asked, not believing her ears. In her entire time with Icy the Witch of Ice didn't apologize once. No matter how wrong she had been.
Suppressing the annoyance rising up at having to repeat herself, Icy did just that. “I said I'm sorry! I was stupid for doing what I did. Are you happy now?”
“No, I'm not! You just so escaped being captured and got pretty messed up in the process.” Darcy retorted sharply before sitting down and slumping against the chair in apparent exhaustion. “What if we'd lost you?” Her right hand sitting on her face in a sign of frustration.
Her words only made the atmosphere only more miserable than it already was. As well as casting Icy back into a feeling of sadness. “I thought you didn't want me as a leader anymore.”
“Why would you think that?” Darcy questioned incredulously. “We followed you all this time and now you question it?”
Falling back on her standard response Icy grew angry. “What was I supposed to think?” she snapped defensively. “You were willing to follow Harry's plan without hesitation.” Icy averted her head to look anywhere but her sisters. “And my plans seemed to only lead to failure.”
“True.” Stormy agreed with a smirk, causing Icy to glare at her and Darcy to chuckle. “But, despite being an egomaniac idiot you're our egomaniac idiot!”
Uncomfortable where this kind of talk would lead, Icy opted to get it over with quickly. Though she was saved further embarrassment at the hands of her sisters when a knock sounded on the door. “Are you three alright?” Harry's voice came through the door.
“Yes, come in!” Icy called out, relieved that he arrived right now. She pointedly ignored their smugness through years of practise. Anything was better than the misery she felt since waking up.
Harry entered with a tray stacked full of breakfast and six more floating behind him. “I hope you're hungry. I went a little overboard.” he said sheepishly, gesturing to what he held in his hands.
That was an understatement if there ever was one, as far as the Trix were concerned. Each tray held an assortment of different foods, ranging from peeled and elaborately cut and arranged apples, pears and fruits they've never seen before to baked goods like bread, muffins, croissants and more accompanied by jams and marmalades of all sorts, as well as various cheeses. There even were pancakes, waffles and crispy bacon. It made the food of Cloud Tower pale in comparison.
For good measure Harry conjured a big enough table and comfortable chairs for them.
Without a word Stormy dove in, already drowning the pancakes stacked on her plate in syrup.
Deigning her sister's behaviour with a disgusted look Darcy favoured the fruits instead. “What's the occasion?” she inquired before plopping a strawberry in her mouth. Giving Harry a closer inspection Darcy noticed that he seemed healthier again. The Witch of Darkness had not liked how pained he had looked after they left the White Horse in search for Icy.
Harry shrugged, claiming. “I just thought Icy could use a little food to get back on her feet.”
Icy just gave him a disbelieving look and snorted derisively. “Yeah right, a little! It's not like you could feed a small army with this much food.” still she was indeed hungry. So much so that the uncomfortable feeling in her stomach didn't matter. “Besides we didn't even have any food in the pantry. You must've transfigure it out of some stuff.”
“True.” The last Potter said, but offered no elaboration other than another shrug and promptly began eating himself.
Further conversation was sparse as they ate the abundant meal. Only once Stormy's stomach seemed fit to burst did she lean back, belched and asked. “So, what are we doing now, Harry?” Not showing any signs of nerves or possessing an ounce of apprehension in her tone or posture. She was more a woman of action and not of words or plans. This time ignoring Icy's wide eyes directed at her as she addressed Harry directly, clearly acknowledging him as her leader.
Amused by her attempt at diverting Icy and Darcy's attention away from their misery, Harry couldn't help but grin. “Well, I've got a rough plan for now, adapted from my previous one. It's still risky but well worth it.”
“Let's hear it then.” Darcy prompted, intrigued. Crossing her legs impatiently as she waited for Harry let finish disposing of the food. Not knowing if he vanished it or simply relocated it into storage for later.
“It's the same basic outline as before. First you let yourself be captured by the Paladins.” here he forestalled any interruptions by simply talking slightly louder and cutting them off. “You simply claim to have been mind-controlled by Darkar since before you tried to conquer Magix. Him busting you out of prison was simply done to see if you've succeeded in acquiring the Dragon's Flame.”
By now the Trix listened to his proposition. Even Icy did so, feeling too indebted than to dismiss it out of hand like before.
“The mind-controlling will be lent further credence by the fact that Bloom, as you said, had also been controlled by him at one point.” Harry elaborated. “I doubt they will imprison you again when viewing you as victims. After all you were simply expelled students with nowhere to go, no resources and a grudge to settle. All in all easy targets for someone like Darkar to take advantage of from what you described he was like.” it was basically the same defence the Death Eaters had used back home.
“What if they still see us as guilty?” Darcy questioned, staring heavily at Harry with an inscrutable expression. “I mean Mazakis could mess that up for us.” she pointedly did not look at Icy as she spoke those words.
Happy that they weren't disagreeing immediately, Harry said. “We can simply claim you went to him for help after you followed Valtor out of Omega. Knowing only illegal routes were open to you with being wanted and all.” it would discredit the man at the same time. From what Darcy said he wasn't all that popular or trusted.
Next Harry summoned a book from the library. “In this book I found something that can help with that. It's called Gloomix and boosts your power considerably, apparently.” taking their silence as a good thing, Harry continued. “You could simply break free yourself when all else fails and escape to Earth. I don't think anyone will look for you there with how everyone thinks Earth is without magic.”
“I think it's a good plan.” Stormy chimed in. She wasn't surprised that it was a good one either. As long as they pulled it off convincingly she didn't see any problems.
Darcy and Icy agreed shortly after, the latter clearly more reluctant than her sister. Though, they had escaped the prison with Gloomix before. “Alright, I trust you.” was all Belladonna said, her blue eyes never leaving Harry's own. Trying to convey how much that meant for her to say that.
The wizard nodded solemnly and stood before them before beginning to cast. “Gloomix!” Multicoloured magic left his fingertips, enveloping and encircling the three witches swiftly. Soon manifesting as solid objects in form of jewellery on their bodies.
On Icy's throat now sat a silver choker that was shaped like a crystallofolia, forming an exquisite pattern that looked like a frozen wave curling around her throat. A Sapphire lazily hung off of it, touching her collarbone. For Darcy it took the form of a golden choker that looked like finely plaited threads of gold delicately interwoven. With amethysts embedded into it in precise intervals. Stormy's also placed itself on her throat, but was made out of copper and took the shape of bird-like wings encircling her throat with the tips touching at the front where a tourmaline was held between them.
Immediately all three experienced a surge of power rushing through their bodies. Feeling stronger than ever and able to rip out trees with ease.
Before they could say anything Harry cast another spell on the new accessories. “Portus.” all three Gloomix glowed blue briefly. “There, your Gloomix are now also a Portkey. Meaning that you only have to say the name of this place and you'll be transported right here.”
“Thank you.” Icy said gratefully. Her eyes averted and voice thick with all kinds of emotions at him giving them more power and a means of escape as well.
Harry simply smiled. “No problem.”
Planet Magix, Alfea.
It had been a few days since the happenings at the White Horse and since then Bloom felt worse every following day. It became so much that it was unbearable by now. With Bloom snapping multiple times at her friends, which only made her feel even worse. Her current situation felt like a vicious cycle. That foreign anger caused her to do something she regretted, which ignited her temper and that was followed by her becoming angry at herself. Letting it grow like some malicious tumour. It left her with little choice but to ask Faragonda for advice.
'The only time I felt at peace was with Harry.' Bloom thought and as soon as the ruggedly handsome man entered her thoughts it becalmed her troubled mind.
Normally school was not in session right now, but this was an emergency. “Headmistress, are you there?” she called out after knocking.
“Yes Bloom, please come in!” came the happy voice of the old fairy.
Not waiting any longer Bloom entered the by now familiar room. It's homey feel helping her to at least feel a semblance of calm.
Sitting at her desk with her hands clasped together sat the old headmistress. “Please sit.” the old women gestured to the comfortable looking armchairs before her. “So, what can I do for you?” Faragonda asked with her typical gentle smile once Bloom sat down.
Taking a deep breath, Bloom suppressed the hatred threatening to erupt in form of vicious verbal vitriol. “I need your help, Headmistress.” she replied, hoping the desperation wasn't plain to hear. “Ever since Darkar's defeat I get these surges of hate bubbling up.” her hands clenched at the thought alone. Just thinking about it made her angry, which only fuelled the flames of her fury even more. Bloom's temper not helping in the least. “I hate this!” she shouted out, slamming her flaming fist down on the desk, cracking it considerably. Immediately afterwards she jumped like a scared cat. “I'm sorry!” she squeaked out and instead began to pace to work through this frustration.
“It's just a desk.” Faragonda waved the apology away, repairing the object with a spell. A soft frown on her face, the old fairy stood up and approached the distraught fairy. She stopped Bloom, placed her hands on the redhead's temples and said. “Be calm, Bloom.” a blue light surrounded Faragonda's hands as she cast a spell to calm her student down. Knowing that Blooms agitation only fed the negative energy inside her more, creating a feedback loop.
Her shoulders slumped, letting Bloom look like a weight had been lifted off them. “Thank you.” There was nothing but true gratitude in her tired voice.
“Now, why don't you tell me how this began?” Faragonda requested, taking the princesses' hands in her own and guiding her to a nearby sofa.
Bloom did as requested, telling her when it began, how long it went on and what all happened until then. She finished her explanation with. “The only time this doesn't happen is when I think about a certain someone.” a crimson blush on Bloom's face as she admitted that.
Faragonda smiled widely at that. “It's heartening to see that your love for Sky is a bulwark against this.”
“Sky?” came the confused reply, not having thought about him much in the last few days. Upon Faragonda's raised eyebrow Bloom averted her eyes.
Not judging the young fairy with enough on her plate already, Faragonda gently asked. “If it's not Sky, then who is it?” maybe that would bring her closer to a solution.
Still blushing Bloom began to speak reluctantly. “I met him the first time nearly a week ago. He's about as old as Professor Avalon, but much more rugged and... animalistic.” by now her blush enveloped her whole face, but on he went describing the happenings with him.
Faragonda listened to the story attentively, gaining a frown at the end of it. While the man didn't sound malicious the same could've been said for Avalon's Simulacrum made by Darkar. “It sounds like it would be beneficial to have this Harry here and properly get to the bottom of this.”
Bloom could only nod in agreement, much too embarrassed for anything else.
Before more could be said the door was thrown open. “Headmistress!” came the shrill voice of Griselda. “You have to come at once!” the brunette all but demanded between pants. Completely out of breath from having ran as fast as she could.
“What's the matter, Griselda?” Faragonda inquired calmly, trying to soothe her Deputy's nerves with her own serenity.
Slightly sputtering, the bespectacled woman brought out. “The Trix are here!”
From one moment to the next Faragonda was alert and demanded. “Why didn't you prepare for battle immediately?!” Bloom at her side a moment later as they left the office. Not really knowing how they escaped Omega, but also not dismissing it.
As soon as they exited the three were greeted with the Trix before them. The trio of witches stood in the hallway as relaxed as could be. Not even transformed and wearing their casual clothes. Though, there was a fourth person and upon noticing that the fairies gazes were drawn to him.
“Hello, Bloom.” Harry greeted her with a nod and smile. “How are you?”
“Harry! What're you doing here?” her cyan eyes darting from him to the Trix. “With the Trix no less.” she glared at the three witches with all the resentment she could muster. Which, considering her present situation, was a lot. It didn't take long for flames to dance along her palms as he vision grew red. “How did you three escape Omega and what're you doing here?!”
“We're here because we want to turn us in.” Darcy spoke up as she crossed her arms. Having chosen to speak first lest Icy or Stormy ruin this.
Bloom snorted derisively and sneered. “As if I'd believe that!” preparing to attack the fairy added. “Why escape from prison only to turn yourself in afterwards?”
Harry grimaced slightly. “They speak the truth.” as if to make his point his aura freely flared up without his conscious input. As a result the walls trembled, the floor cracked and dust was blown up and away from them. Seeing that he had all their attention, the last Potter claimed. “I've convinced them to turn themselves in.”
The Headmistress and her Deputy took a step back from the enormity of his magical aura. It was so much that it felt like a physical presence, making the air heavy with it's weight. 'He's dangerous.' Faragonda thought apprehensively. Never having felt so much power from a single individual.
“How about we call the Paladins and wait for them in my office?” she proposed, trying to diffuse the situation. A look at Bloom showed her indecision and confusion. At least she wasn't trying to attack.
This time Griselda interrupted and said affronted. “You can't mean that, Headmistress. Not after all these monsters did!” she glared at the three witches with an intensity that would've made Filch proud. “We ought to heavily restrain them at least! Who knows if they control this poor man somehow!”
Bloom glared at the Trix as well, but thankfully due to Harry's presence she didn't get even more angry than usual.
This only served to increase the pressure in the hallway, forcing the two elder fairies to look at him. “I'd appreciate it if you didn't insinuate me being mentally weak!” his glare directed at Griselda was fierce in it's intensity and strength. “Also, they're not monsters!” he growled out. “Just desperate people who made mistakes.” his eyes glowed with unrestrained power as magic leaked out of him like water from a broken water-tap. After Icy's recuperation they had talked with him and shared their history. Much like him people assumed things about them, thinking they'd be the same as people they shared some small resemblance with. It reminded Harry of Snape and pretty much any other adult in his life. Each one always telling him how similar he was to his parents in some way or other. It only caused him to empathise with them.
Simply put they were what he could've become, but also not on Voldemort's level. More like a point in-between those two.
Giving Griselda a reproachful and chastising look Faragonda went to work diffusing the obviously powerful and passionate man. “Of course, of course.” she made sure to sound truthful and sincere, lest she brought him to his boiling point. Alfea wouldn't survive, she feared. “Please, come inside and take a seat!” she beckoned them inside her office. Anyone able to convince the Trix to turn themselves in must be an interesting individual at least.
Harry nodded gratefully at her before giving the Trix a significant look and motioning them inside with a nod of his head. Faragonda found the fact that the Trix seemed to listen to him even more impressive than his magical power.
As soon as Harry's group was seated Faragonda inquired to make sure. “Forgive me if I find this hard to believe, but you said the Trix want to turn themselves in?”
From the way the Trix acted Harry knew they wanted to let loose a sarcastic remark of some kind, but thankfully refrained. “Indeed.”
“Why?” Faragonda asked baffled. Unable to hide the incredulity in her voice. She'd seen what they could and would do so that claim was hard to believe for her. “How did you escape Planet Omega for that matter?”
After briefly looking at each other the Trix decided to let Icy speak. “We escaped with Valtor, but chose not follow him on his quest for vengeance.” as the silence stretched Stormy nudged her sister, which earned her a glare. “As to why we didn't, well, he had been imprisoned before.” Icy shrugged and added with a roll of her eyes at the fairies incomprehension. “It means he was weak enough to be captured. Later only compounded by his repeated capture. We don't follow weakness.”
Bloom sneered at that, giving Icy a mocking smirk. “Then the question is why Stormy and Darcy still follow you?”
With gritted teeth, Icy bit out. “We're a sisterhood and make decision together!” at least as of late. Though, their desires had always lined up. Bloom did not need to know that however.
“That doesn't explain why you want to turn yourselves in.” Faragonda pointed out as she leaned forwards on her desk. Fingers intertwined and a frown on her face. Pointedly looking at Bloom as if to say she ought to behave. However, she was aware that Valtor had been weaker than Darkar in the past. Working for the servant of their former master must've not looked like a good deal for the power-hungry witches.
“You have Harry to thank for that.” Darcy explained, sending the man in question a soft smile. All the while playing with a lock of her long hair and giving him a wink. “He convinced us to turn ourselves in and receive, hopefully, a fair trial.” the word she put emphasis on made it clear just what Darcy thought will happen.
Brief appraising looks were sent his way by the three fairies, ranging in the degrees of their intensity. It took all he had not to wince as another bout of pain assaulted him. 'What's happening?' Harry thought in annoyance, not knowing what was wrong with him. The only time it got better was when he cast an excessive amount of magic each day. Even the previous flaring of his aura hadn't been intentional. Though, he welcomed the short reprieve it gave him.
Griselda scoffed, a noise that told everyone what she thought of that. “A trial?!” incredulity thick in her sharp voice. “Everyone in Magix knows what you've done! Your trial would be for protocols sakes only and therefore hardly necessary.”
“Why didn't Bloom stand trial for helping Darkar then?” Icy retorted with a nasty grin, crossing her legs leisurely. “I mean bringing Darkar the last piece of the Codex and even aiding him to gain access to Relix seems like kind of a big deal.”
Bloom squirmed uncomfortably at the reminder of that and her current situation before narrowing her eyes at the witch. Though, that soon changed to a snarl on her face, hands clenched tightly into fists.
Faragonda spoke before Bloom could, effectively cutting her off. “She was controlled by him, that's completely different to you serving him willingly!” the Headmistress of Alfea pointed out easily as she looked at them expectantly. Already having a suspicion on where this would go.
Icy's grin only grew wider as she leaned back completely relaxed. “Who says we did it willingly? The only difference is that we did not have anyone to get help from after our expulsion from Cloud Tower.” the Witch of Ice gave Harry a brief and uncharacteristically soft look filled with gratitude as she said that. “Until now that is.”
“I'm assuming you came to me because you're claiming to have been in the same situation?” the old Fairy leaned back in her chair, inspecting the three witches with heavy scrutiny. You could never be sure if they spoke the truth or not, after all.
“Who else could we have gone to?” Darcy huffed out sarcastically with a roll of her eyes. “Griffin? That woman was the first one to encourage us to make trouble only to throw us out when something went wrong.” she sneered at the memory of that old traitorous cunt. “Saladin? In case you forgot, we kinda destroyed his previous school.” that seemed reason enough to deny them their request. “No, you are our only option.” they also kinda gambled on their goody two shoes nature winning out.
Silence hung in the air for a few moments before Faragonda spoke. None of the fairy let their eyes leave the Trix. “If you're truly sincere in that, then I will make sure you get a trial.” she promised and raised a hand to stop any complaints from Bloom or Griselda. “When they're as guilty as you think they are then this will not change much, will it?” the Headmistress queried, looking from Bloom to her Deputy.
Visibly biting her tongue, Griselda nodded stiffly. “As you say, Headmistress. If you will excuse me, I have projects that require my attention.” She glared at the Trix once more before leaving the room in a hurry.
Faragonda sighed at her old friend's departure. 'Nothing to be done about it now.' she thought, hoping not to regret her decision in the near future.
Calling the Paladins was done quick enough and only took a few minutes. While that happened Harry's endeavour to keep his magic inside of him grew progressively harder. Each second added more weight to him as his magic threatened to erupt straight out of him in a flash. He gripped the armrest of the couch so hard he surely left an imprint.
“Is everything alright, Harry?” Darcy inquired softly. Not liking seeing him slightly hunched over with a grimace of pain marring his face. Before she could ask further or put a hand on his shoulder he suddenly collapsed onto the floor. “Harry?!”
The Trix were up in a flash and at his side immediately. Bloom was not far behind them.
“What's happening?” cried Stormy in alarm, trying in vain to think of something useful. Not knowing any kind of healing magic the Witch of Storms did not know what to do or wherein the problem lay.
“I don't know!” Harry grit out, grabbing his stomach as if in pain and beginning to curl into a ball.
Being the only calm one in the room, Faragonda took charge. “We need to get him to the Infirmary. NOW!”
The not quite shouted command sprang the girls into action. Bloom lead the charge, knowing the location of the Infirmary by heart. On the way there random waves of magic originating from Harry crashed against the interior of Alfea, cracking tiles, walls and shattering a few windows.
The door to the Infirmary was thrown open with a bang without any of their input. “Goodness gracious!” came the exclamation from inside at the loud intrusion.
“As you can see we have a patient for you, Ofelia.” Faragonda told her colleague without preamble and as calmly as possible while levitating Harry on a bed. The woman in question sat behind a desk and had strawberry-blonde hair put up in a tight bun. Her blue eyes hidden behind half-moon spectacles. Her plump figure hidden by a typical nurse outfit.
After the initial shock wore off the woman grew professional in a second. Not even acknowledging the Trix in any way, knowing and trusting Faragonda to have a good reason for it. “Clearly.” she said drily, sat up from her chair and asked. “What happened?”
“He just suddenly collapsed. On the way here he had bouts where his body seemingly released magic at random.” Darcy informed her, shooting Harry's form concerned looks.
Ofelia nodded, listening to the information given to her as she started her diagnosis. First she magically stripped him to his underwear to look for physical injuries that could've caused this. Next were all manner of spells and even some technomagic devices were used while Harry's magic went haywire around the room. “Oh my!” she exclaimed after a bed decided it'd be a good idea to gallop out of the Infirmary. It took a little while, but the nurse got the results eventually. “I don't know whatever happened to the poor lad to cause this, but he has entirely too much magic in him!”
“That's a bad thing?” Stormy questioned, not knowing such a thing was possible. Her mouth working before her brain could catch up. Upon receiving deadpan stares and seeing Harry clearly in pain she noticed the absurdity of her question. “Nevermind, stupid question.” she winced in embarrassment.
Not deigning it with an answer of any kind, Ofelia focused on the matter at hand. “You all know that there are two types of magical energy. Mana, which is the magical energy generated by a planet and distributed through its Ley-Lines. The other is Od, the magic found in living organisms, which gets transformed into magical energy by magical circuits.” The only difference between Mana and Od was in how abundant they were.
With no interruption the nurse explained further. Waving a device in her hand that displayed something none of them understood. “While he has magical circuits he also possesses a magical core. Something completely unheard of in this day and age.” the wonder and awe in her voice conveying just what that means. “That means the amount of magic he generates is off the charts. However, for some reason none of it 'evaporates' from him. Meaning it gets constantly replenished but has no way out, putting great stress on his magical circuits.” she shook her head sadly. “I don't know what caused this, but he either has to cast magic near constantly or risk losing his ability to cast magic at all once his circuits are fried!”
The Trix and Bloom gasped in shock. Not able to comprehend a life without magic in it. The short deafening silence that had settled over the group was broken by Icy. “So, we just have to get the magic out of him, huh?” a determined gleam in her sapphire eyes, her shoulders straight as she looked at her sisters in all but blood. “You know what to do, sisters!”
Once Icy started the magic Stormy and Darcy recognized it immediately. Both positioned themselves in such a way that they formed a triangle around Harry's bed. Icy at the end and Stormy and Darcy at either side of it. All three holding their hands into the air, as if receiving a gift from the heavens. Purple miasma swirled over Harry's bedside, coalescing into solid shapes soon after.
From there it didn't take long for the Trix to summon their respective Vacuum. Each was a bottle-shaped crystal with a metallic appearance. The designs were varied and the colours fit each of the Trix' own. Upon being completely summoned purple lightning connected all three Vacuums to its counterparts, eerily hovering over Harry's lightly thrashing body. A swirl of colours materialized around Harry and got sucked into the the summoned containers.
The artefacts glowed dimly at first, but the intensity of it quickly grew more and more. So much so that it was nearly unbearable after a few seconds.
What the Trix did not notice while concentrating on the task at hand was Bloom's narrowed eyes directed at them. The fairy's hands clenched into fists as she remembered what these things could do, having been used to take her own powers in the past. 'I don't know what they're planning, but it can't be good.' she thought, growing more enraged at the notion of them hurting Harry. Without any input from her mind Blooms body acted on instinct, hurling a fireball at the three artefacts floating in the air.
An explosion rocketed the infirmary. It's shockwave blew the windows out and sent the Trix flying away from the bed. Stormy and Darcy hit a wall while Icy landed in a heap on the floor. Luckily, none of them were injured in any major way.
Trying to shrug off their disorientation and the ringing in their ears proved difficult, not to mention their blurry eyes. It took a few moments for them to gather their wits. All at once they saw their precious artefacts smashed to pieces with Bloom standing over the shards, a flaming hand outstretched. Making it utterly clear who was responsible.
Staggering to her feet, Icy demanded. “What's your problem?” her blue eyes glaring at the fairy in hatred. Never in her life had she felt such anger at someone before now. Hoarfrost and ice spread around her feet, creating wispy white clouds in the process.
“Nothing. Just stopping you from harming him!” Bloom shot back equally as fierce. Her stance making it clear that she was ready for combat in an instant. The fairy convinced they'd planned to take all of his magic.
No longer able to control herself, Stormy snarled. “You dumb bitch! We were going to help him!” lightning crackled around her arms as she prepared to make Bloom more than acquainted with the floor.
Before it could come to a confrontation Harry's voice rang throughout the room. “Stop!” despite breathing rather heavily he seemed healthier than moments ago. Leaning against the headboard, Harry said. “Don't mess this up for yourselves now.” already knowing what they wanted to do and having heard the whole conversation.
“But she's basically killing you!” Icy protested heatedly, never taking her eyes off Bloom. Lest the fairy try something again. “Not to mention destroying priceless artefacts!”
Waving her concerns away, Harry countered with a slight wince. “I've survived worse.” Harry was well acquainted with the Torture Curse and other spells dark wizards and witches were fond of. “Could you please leave us alone for a moment?” he requested from Alfea's Headmistress and her two fellow fairies.
Before anyone could protest Faragonda took Bloom by the arm, followed by Ofelia. “Of course, we'll wait outside.” she agreed, not wanting to give him any incentive to act in an antagonistic fashion. Who knows what someone with nothing to lose would do? Especially someone with that much magic at his disposal.
After the door closed Harry effortlessly repaired the Trix' artefacts with a snap of his fingers. Each floating back to their respective witch and vanishing back to where they came. Followed by him sitting up slowly, aided by Darcy and Stormy. The former asking concerned. “Are you alright? And don't say that you're fine! You're clearly not.” her golden eyes flickering over his body to make sure he wasn't worse of than before.
A rueful chuckle escaped him as he sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “Guilty as charged.” he winced slightly, but waved them off from fussing over him. “Still, I'm already feeling better thanks to you.” he took a deep breath before looking each of them in the eyes. “Besides, I have something that I hope will help.” he stretched his hand out and held it towards them. “I may have said I would not do that again this soon, but this situation forced my hand.”
Shortly the Trix felt the familiar power of him flowing through them. Warmth reminicent of a pleasant fire coursed through their veins, igniting their cores and connecting them in indescribable ways to Harry they had missed. Once more the symbol of the hallows burned itself onto their bodies, a little below their navel and hidden behind their clothes.
Harry immediately let loose a relieved sigh, looking like a burden had been lifted from him. “I don't know how long this'll last, but for now it should suffice.” he said, sincerely hoping he'd find a better and permanent solution soon. Like this his pool of magical energy could decrease faster but for that to happen they also had to cast spells. At least it took the edge off for now.
“Now then, let's go and meet the Paladins.” he said after standing up and putting on his clothes that were lying on a nearby bed.
The group left the Infirmary and walked towards the entrance of Alfea. The Trix not once lowering their guard around Bloom.
In the courtyard the Trix faced Harry before being transported. Each hugged him one after another.
Unfortunately, the Paladins chose that moment to arrive. And after a brief chat with Faragonda they made to escort the Trix into the ship and to the Fortress of Light.
“Don't worry, I'll be there for you.” Harry said with a small smile. “I promised you, didn't I?”
Stormy and Icy tried to respond in kind, but their smiles were rather lacklustre at the moment. Darcy went for a bolder move, utterly surprising him by taking his head in her hands and pulling him down for a kiss. “I'll hold you to that.” was all she said before being chained and readied for transport.
Harry could only nod with wide eyes. Completely caught off guard by that move.
Meanwhile Bloom watched the proceedings with a ball of lead sitting in her stomach, dragging it to her knees. The scene planted the seeds of uncertainty in her mind. 'What if they've really been controlled?' she questioned herself. It would explain their behaviour perfectly. Bloom should know, suffering from the after-effects as she does. A cold knot joined the lead in her stomach as it became clear that she'd most likely sentenced Harry for an agonizing death or a life without magic.
'I have to make it up to him somehow!' the Princess of Domino resolved. Not for the Trix, but because she made a mistake.
