｡･:*:･ﾟ★,"Go. Do what you have to do." ･:*:･ﾟ☆

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡"I will do as I please."･:*:･ﾟ☆

Octavia

When I was little I used to play with these little stuffed toys, a fox, a bear and a peregrine. The bird would fly high and call out the shots, telling the others what to do and where to attack. The eyes in the sky that would never lead us astray. While the fox would come up with the plans, my cunning little creature that would plot and scheme and keep us all on track. The bear was my sweet protector, he'd keep us safe from harm and the other animals respected him, they followed his orders.

Not like they did with the fox, for though his plans always worked he was conniving and a liar and many couldn't trust him for fear of his tricks. None but the bear was strong enough to survive his games. None but the peregrine who flew high above and saw straight the little fox's tricks and would set traps of her own to catch him at his own game.

I think of them now. I think of what Beatrix would say with her lab knowledge and tracking gear, of Sky and his desire to join us out in the field to keep us safe and Riven- my cunning mate who helped come up with this plan.

I wish they were here, by my side.

They are. I tilt my head, listening to Little Shadow as my own dark power twines up my body and circles my arms. You know they always stand by you.

I take a shaky breath and let my power devour me.

Now the real fun begins.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Beatrix

"Are you okay?" I whisper back to Irene as we make our way through the cramped tunnel. "Do you want to slow down."

"I'm fine." She gasps out but I can hear the exhaustion in her voice, she's been on her feet all day. Not to mention the stress. "How much further?"

"Just a little. We should come out near the winx suit. Then we'll make our way through the fire exit to the back of the school. A truck is waiting for us."

"What about Sky? I can't leave without saying goodbye to him." Irene grinds out as she hastily follows me.

"He's getting your stuff, he'll meet us at the truck and come with us until the border." I answer, opening the hidden door connected to the portrait.

"Then he's heading back to the front. To Saul and Andreas." it's not a question but I answer yes anyway. Sky should have an hour ago but he stayed for Irene and to help with the work in the lab. "Are you sure this is the right way, Mikrí Kataigída?"

"Of course. Riven I have snuck out here loads of times to-" I break off into a cough as I realise what I said.

"To smoke?" I can hear her disapproval and I hide my wince. "Of course, just like your father and I- Please tell me it's not an addiction and just an occasional pastime."

"Actually, don't answer that. I don't want to know. Whatever you need to do to survive this trauma i guess but we will be talking about this later young lady."

"Of course." I answer sweetly and Irene narrows her eyes but Dane has already pulled up beside us in the truck. "Your carriage awaits."

"Don't think I don't understand sarcasm." I continue to smile sweetly while cursing Sky for taking so long to get back with Irene's things. Mercifully the damn idiot appears seconds later with muttered apologies falling from his lips.

"Where were you?" I snip and he glares at me.

"Trying to avoid the fucking-

"Language, Sky!"

"You swear all the time Mae!"

"Do as I say, not as I do."

"Fine. I was avoiding Stella and the scooby doo mystery gang."

"Are those idiots still trying to find Rosalind under that stupid firefairy's command?" I seethe.

Sky shrugs as he piles the duffle bags into the back of the truck as Dane opens the door for Irene, "Bloom wasn't there. They were arguing about something and Stel had her scheming face on."

"She's seriously helping them after everything-"

"She and Octa are still on awkward terms, darling." Irene calls sweetly as she shuffles in the backseats. "They had political talks but things are a little tense."

"How do you know that?" Sky frowns but Irene just waves him off. "I know everything dear and I'm a wonderful listener."

"I didn't know you and Tav spoke." I state as I lean into the open car door.

Irene shrugs, "We mostly plot and bitch about the boys but I was talking about Stella."

"Huh."

"Ready to go?" Dane calls as he slides into the front seat and gives me an expectant look in the rearview mirror. "Are we giving you a ride to the barrier Sky?"

"No." I interrupt, ignoring Sky and Irene's questioning looks as I think of a new plan. Something is wrong. The pieces are moving, I can see it happening but I can't seem to collect the full picture. "I need him here, in the lab, there's something we need to do."

"I'm not late, am I?" I turn at the sound of Musa's voice as she hastily strides towards us, bag in hand. "I got caught up with the roomates, but Tavi said-"

"Tavi said?" I arch a brow but Tavi did say she would be sending another fairy with Irene to keep her looked after. I assume she meant Terra because of the medical skills.

"Yeah." Musa awkwardly shuffles, eyes glowing for a second until Irene calls for her.

"Great." I mumble. "Mae, Sky and I need to get going. I think I've worked something out."

"Alright then." Her chin wobbles. "Stay safe my loves."

She leans out of the car, wrapping us both in a crushing hug and for a moment I close my eyes and just hold her, breathing in the earthen scent of comfort she always carries. We hold each other until our breathing syncs and all I can feel is her heartbeat against my chest and Sky's gentle sighs.

"Look after each other." she whispers so softly I nearly miss it.

"We will." Sky promises and with that we pull back.

Irene gives us a nod, tears welling in her eyes as her lips purse in an effort to keep those traitorous emotions at bay. I ignore my own stinging eyes and grip onto Sky's wrist, tugging him back away from the car as I close the door. Sky sucks in a breath at the noise of the door closing as though it were the last nail in the coffin.

Your faith in me is astounding, little storm. I flinch at the pet name. As some consolation about your previous naivety I'll tell you a little secret.

Octavia is being attacked by only half the Burned One pack. I wonder where the others are heading.

Sky tugs his wrist from my hand and a tear slips down my face as he grabs my hand tightly while we watch our mother drive away. We stay longer than necessary, longer than we can afford but soon we're moving toward the lab and reality sets back in.

Shall I show you what I showed her?

"I need you to trial run something for me."

You always did love learning new tricks.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Riven

I think I'm in love with the goddess of death.

Because the intrinsic beauty of my mate right now can only be described as world ending and Helios above am I ready to sing my prayers and die by her hand.

The smoke and shadow that had swarmed and swirled around my mate only moments previously slowly dissipated and even though she was only gone for seconds I can't help but feel as though there is something different. Something has changed - no - evolved within her very soul. The one I am bound to.

A shuddering breath is ripped from my lips as I take in the full majesty of her power. Unbidden like a fae from the legends of old my mate steps out of the fog, each step calculated and followed by a trailing fog of darkness that clings to her like a dress. Emerging from my Octavia's back were wings that took my breath away, the sheer darkness of them like a void that was slowly being filled with stars and light as the universe created by her power came to life.

Silence.

Utter unending silence reigns over the battlefield as even the Burned Ones stop to analyse the predator before them. My mate who walks among them as a god commanding her subjects. Her ethereal beauty seems otherworldly even for her faerie heritage and for a moment I swear I have died and this is all some lucid dream as she slowly cradles a Burned One's head in the palm of her pale hand. So soft, so gentle, each move soothing as she steps closer to the creature as it watches her in curiosity with its head tilted into her palm. So- so emotional, so much like an act of love that the Burned One looked almost human.

Then Octavia's expression shifts, just a slight twitch beneath that emotionless facade and the Burned One begins to scream, to beg as dark shadows pour down my mate's arm. Down into its mouth, burning into its eyes and ears the creature is slowly devoured by my mate's power until there is nothing left but husk that slumps to the ground and disintegrates into ash.

The death seems to shock the others out of their stupor and the magic in the air dies and dulls until my mate is left standing in the battlefield, wings out and shadows swirling as the Burned Ones descend upon her. Only to be shredded by the human shadows that I recognise to be Asmodeus and Darkling fighting by her side with swords and daggers as her loyal sentinels.

My mate. My beautiful, vicious, murderous little mate who rips the Burned Ones to shreds with claws of darkness in moves so graceful it feels like mercy rather than death.

Will we join her master? Fenriz asks me and I turn to his form by my side. He's at least two heads taller than me with a lithe body of shadows and darkness, overly long legs and arms that end in claws and talons.

"Yes." I answer, voice emotionless as I admire my mates work. "We can't let her have all the fun."

I move away from my mate, catching the attention of the specialists still standing on my side of the field. On the other side of the field I can see that Andreas and Silva regained their wits sooner than I and have already begun commanding their troops to herd the remains of Burned Ones into Ocatvia's path.

I call and shout orders, gesturing for the 10 specialists closest to me to follow Fenriz and I. We headed straight for one of the last Burned Ones who turned tail and ran. Fenriz races ahead blocking the creature's path and it comes to a screeching halt and one clawed arm swipes out only to glide through the shadows form. Fenriz grabs the Burned One by its shoulders, shoving it back as he steps after it with each step followed by a blow the Burned One can't defend.

Dane swipes at the creature's arm only to be flung back, I call for the others reminding them to be cautious as we slowly force the creature back into my mate's path. A water fairy leaps forward, draining the creature's core enough for Fenriz to drag it to where Octavia rips into the Burned One Andreas gifted her. Kat catches the sagging water fairy, the last of her magic drained and I sag in relief at my mate's timing.

Except Octavia doesn't stop. The specialists all group together, myself included and I quickly move to stand behind where Dowling is flanked by Andreas and Saul. Octavia walks towards us, those shadow soldiers following behind her like an army of ghosts.

Dowling trembles before but Andreas and Silva bow their heads in respect before slowly dropping to their knees. So I do what my people have always done when faced with the goddess of death and knee. Thuds echo behind me as the specialist ranks follow my lead. Head bowed till my forehead touches the blood of the body before me, breathing stilled as I await her judgement with barely concealed glee.

"Oct-Octavia how did you..." Kneel you stupid woman. "Of course, Rosalind did-"

"You threatened my family." A shudder makes its way down my spine at her soft voice, the angelical note to it and my breaths stalls in my throat. I fight the urge to look up, to gaze at my mate, knowing that she's been consumed by her power right now. "Who are you, to threaten what is mine?"

"What- Octavia the battle is over now, you can calm down-"

"Is it?"

"Is what?"

"Over?"

"Of course it is, of course it is Octavia. The Burned Ones are dead, the village is cleared-"

"Does that mean the battle is over. That all of our battles are over, the big, the little?"

"Stand down Octavia."

"I will do as I please."

Choked garbles echo through the silence, gasping for air as my mate's hum a little lullaby as Dowling begins to choke.

"Ple-please-"

"Don't do-do this Octavia. No-not to yourself."

"Myself?"

The choking stops allowing Dowling to speak.

"You're not a murder. You're a protector. Think about what you're doing, think about your family - your mates."

"I am thinking of them."

My heart stops at the crunch that silences the headmistress.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Beatrix

"Fuck, fuck." I grip Sky's shoulders shaking him where he's collapsed against the stonewall, ice and frost coating his face. "No, no, no. You fucking idiot. You FUCKING IDIOT. I told you not to do anything stupid. Why would you- why would you do that."

Noise echoes down the stairs and I freeze. Bloom. That fucking bitch.

"Fuck Sky, I know you're the Helios damn pioneer of staying friends with your ex but Stella-"

"Is right here and only wanted to find her friend." Stel huffs as she drops down beside me. "Now help me drag him over the sofa."

We shuffle in silence dragging him through Dowling's office, both of us grunting and-

"What the fuck did you have for breakfast you fat whale?"

"Must you swear so much."

"Sorry that we all can't be an eloquent princess." I mock, annoyed by her exasperated tone. "Besides, I thought you weren't talking to me."

"Well forgive me for trying to be civil and- why must Sky weigh so much." Stella grits out as we dump the blonde on the sofa.

"This is your fault."

"How is this my fault?" Stella exclaims and I roll my eyes even though she's right. "He's the idiot who just walked straight into the trap even though I said the words 'hey, there's a trap' "

"Well he's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed is he." I sweetly hiss. "Which you should know considering you two were like a thing for-"

"Ew, helios, drop it. Don't mind me." Her face scrunches up with embarrassed disgust and I can't help but blush at how adorable she looks. "We were so codependent and toxic that it's embarrassing. Not to mention that he's not exactly my type anymore."

"And what is your type." The words don't come out as taunting as I hoped.

Stella eyes me curiously. "Someone I can rely on, who supports me and I in turn can support. An equal and- though I love to admit it, someone who can help me with this political mess."

"You're not very good at playing politics." I softly murmur, and Stel huffs in agreement but there's a smugness to her that I see for a second. "No. Tell me. What did you do, you evil little mastermind?"

She looks offended for a moment, nervously giving sky a look before turning to me with conspiratorial glint in her eyes.

Enough flirting and come say hi

But you're not going to, because sweet Stella is there.

No matter, I have another redhead to company down here. She's just as fiesty as you apparently.

Bloom. fuck. I can hear Stella talking through the fog of my mind and I desperately try to come up with what to do. Bloom cannot let Rosalind. She's a changeling and Rosalind needs her, not to mention she is a fucking Burned One beacon. And now Sky went and got paralysed and I should have left Sky at the lab when we were grabbing- 

"Beatrix?" Stella questions concerned.

"I need you to do as I say." The command in my voice has her eyebrows raising in surprise but she nods. "I think- I have enough things from my lab to fix Sky, I need you to stay with him while he wakes up. Bloom is Rosalind as you said so I'm going  to go stop her. If I'm right in what's happening then tavi and Riven should be here soon."

"Word reached us moments ago." Stel whispers and she pulls out her phone. "They said they won but that there wasn't enough Burned Ones there and that Tavi went full fairy on them -"

Fucking Rosalind.

"-and Dowling was killed."

"Right, you take Sky, get downstairs and barricade the school. I have zero faith in the barrier right now and the specialists are on their knees so we need to prepare to be overwhelmed-"

"But Tavi-"

"Might not have enough power to shift again."

We look at each other for a long moment then Stella softly chuckles.

"I think I'm the one supposed to be giving you orders." She murmurs but I can see she has already agreed to the plan.

I shrug, "I make the plans because I was trained by a general. You were raised and trained as a queen, you do the leading and motivational speeches."

"Irene or Dowling-" She breaks off and shakes her head. "Are both gone. Okay - I've got this. I have to rule one day anyways and I've already managed the winx group. How hard can this be."

Hard. It will be very fucking difficult but Stella has got this. 

I step forward, giving her a moment to organise her thoughts as I pull out a few vials from the bag I dumped on the side. Agonising minutes later has approximation of the correct elixir ready for Sky. I quickly grab another to speed things along and Stel tilts Sky's head back so I pour them into his mouth. It's irritating to do with how frozen he is but I can see the colour come back to his lips even if any other signs of it working are slow.

I stay a moment longer, holding onto my brother before looking to Stella.

"Go. Do what you have to do." Stella gives me a look and I swallow heavily before turning to the hidden passage way.

Hurry up Little Storm, the Burned Ones are getting closer and you always needed longer than Octavia to learn new magic.

A/N: If I don't get a thank you for killing of Dowling I will leave you all for a month without an update. Never fear, there will be an Andreas flashback POV of Dowling's death so you can see it in more detail and drama.