Chapter Text
Bloom felt her head spin from the complete whiplash she experienced that day. The princess ball had started out normal. Sky and the rest of the specialists had arrived with the rest of the girls and they enjoyed the party until Stella made her entrance. And what an entrance it was. She was gorgeous, decked out in a glimmering pink dress with a shining smile. Escorted by King Radius, she looked every bit the princess she was. Brandon was struck dumb and Bloom couldn’t help but laugh at him. Everything seemed to be fine but King Radius went and shocked them all as he announced his engagement to Countess Cassandra.
From there, everything became a bit of a blur. Stella had obviously been upset and while she was talking to her father, she suddenly turned into a monster. King Radius immediately called for the guards and the Winx were somehow the bad guys as they were chased out of the palace.
They had just barely made it out of there safely due to Stella’s knowledge of a secret passageway she used as a kid and the specialists’ help. The solarian princess was devastated and couldn’t face anyone in her state. By the time they got to Alfea, she had cried out all the tears left in her and had run, locking herself in her room before anyone could see her.
The Winx explained the situation to Mrs. Faragonda and she had taken a look at the curse afflicting Stella before concluding that they needed to visit the Mirror of Truth for Stella to turn back into her normal self. It took quite a while to convince Stella to come out of her room, especially to face Brandon. But Flora told Stella that she had put an illusion spell on her so she appeared normal to others. Of course, that was a total lie, everyone had already seen her transformation. But no one really cared and all of them decided to pretend for Stella’s benefit. Which led them here, in a barren, icy wasteland, fighting against Griffins attacking the red fountain ship they took to find the Mirror of Truth.
“No! We shouldn’t attack the mother! She’s only trying to protect her babies!” Flora shouted over the wind.
“Then what are we going to do?” Bloom shouted.
“I have an idea! Musa, can you keep them busy for a bit?” Tecna swivelled to a stop facing the approaching ship with the Griffin attached firmly on top.
“I’m on it!” Musa flew back and gripped the bottom of the ship before launching a loud sound wave spell. Bloom winced, she could hear the piercing whine even at the distance she was at.
“Ok girls, lets try a convergence relocation spell. All of our put together should be enough to send them away, while we get out of here.” Tecna explained, already starting up the spell. Everyone nodded before starting up their own spells, merging them into a large mass of energy. Just as the ship approached, they let it go and watched as the griffins got displaced.
“Alright, we only sent them a small distance away. So we don’t have a lot of time. Let’s get out of here!” Tecna said, as she flew back into the ship.
The team eventually made their way to a large ice cave where massive icy pillars stood. “So what exactly are we looking for?” Brandon asked.
“Something called the Mirror of Truth. All Faragonda said is that we’d know it when we see it. Cryptic.” Flora explained.
“I just hope it works.” Stella stated, waddling alongside Brandon. “I would do anything to be myself again.” Stella buried her face in her hands, while Brandon put his hands on her shoulder for support.
“Just a little further and the tunnel should widen out. I think we’re almost at the ice spirits location.” Just as Tecna finished her sentence, the cave opened up and revealed 5 glimmering icicles with frozen faces.
“Search no further. You were looking for us? State your business.” A voice boomed, echoing throughout the cave.
“I uh- sorry to bother you all, but are you the ice spirits?” Bloom started.
“We are the ones who wait in eternity. Speak!”
“We need your help, please?” Bloom continued, nervous. Flora slowly backed away and hid behind the others. The statues were silent for a moment and the Winx felt an energy wash over them.
“You overcame great dangers to find us. The frozen winds of the barrier, the fierce talons of the griffins. Your motivation must be strong.” Stella stepped forward then, lowering her hood so the statues could see her cursed visage. “Ah, dark magic, an evil spell.” The statues hummed, considering her situation.
“Please can you help me break it?” Stella implored meekly, waiting for their verdict.
“You must seek the mirror of truth. You will find it as soon as you find yourself and it will break the spell only if you touch it’s heart.” The ice spirits informed before their energy faded away.
“What does that mean? Does the mirror have a heart? Please tell me more. Please help me.” Stella cried, walking further into the cave.
“Stella!” Brandon yelled, making a move to follow her.
“Maybe it would be better if you waited out here with the guys. Don’t worry. We’ll make sure she’s okay” Bloom reasoned, holding him back. Together, they walked deeper into the cave, through a maze of corridors and tunnels. Before they knew it, Stella had split from the group.
“Hey where did Stella go? Stella!” Bloom called out, chorused by the other Winx. Brandon heard their calls and immediately ran ahead, determined to find Stella. He moved about for a while before coming across the familiar pink gown.
“Stella! Be careful! You don’t know what that-”
“No Brandon! This must be it! This must be the Mirror of Truth that can break the spell!” Stella interrupted before he could get a word in otherwise. “Mirror of truth please I beg of you. Make me me again. Please. Please!” Stella cried into the glowing water. “Why isn’t it working? What am I doing wrong!” She sobbed, collapsing onto the cold floor.
“Stella…” Brandon trailed off.
“Don’t look at me.” Stella turned away from him, tears steadily dripping down her amphibian face.
“Why not?” Brandon gently said, trying to coax her into facing him.
“You don’t understand, I’m a monster. I look hideous. You just can’t see it because Flora put a spell on me.” She sobbed.
“Stella, please don’t freak, but I see you completely. Green skin and all. Flora never put a spell on you.” Brandon admitted, wiping some of her tears away.
“What? And you still stayed? Even when I look like a swamp thing? You didn’t run away?” Stella sniffled, scrubbing at her face.
“Stella, why would I run away? I don’t love you just for your looks. I love you because you’re beautiful inside and out. My brave and kind princess.” Brandon gently caressed her face before planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “Girls tell her.”
“ I see an awesome person who isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind.”
“Someone who is loving and light-hearted and fun.”
“A totally great fairy who makes me laugh.”
“I see a warm and wonderful friend,” Bloom finished, walking closer to the pair.
“Is that really how all of you see me? I thought everyone just thought I was pretty.” Stella stated, looking back into the pool.
“Everyone loves you for who you are. Here this is for you. For your birthday. I meant to give it earlier but everything kind of went to hell in a handbasket there and you were upset. So I thought I'd hold onto it.” Brandon said, passing a pink wrapped box to Stella. “It’s nothing big, but it was passed down in my family. I hope you like it.”
Stella immediately opened the box and opened up the bejeweled compact. The mirror reflecting her cursed face. “I love it thank you. This was the most precious gift anyone has given me” Stella cried, tears of joy this time.
The pool of water suddenly started glowing, Stella’s reflection changing back to her normal beautiful self. The fairies gasped as the real Stella switched back. They swarmed her, excited and joyful that their friend had returned. All except one.
Bloom stood shell shocked as she saw her reflection in the pool. It was her fairy form, but different. Her wings were sharper and a darker royal blue instead of their usual sky blue. The same dark blue curled around the edges of her outfit, fading into the regular blue. Her tiara was pointed and her makeup more bold. It wasn’t her dark form, but it wasn’t quite her light form either. The only reassuring part was that this version of Bloom was still happy and smiling. Her smile leaned a bit into smirk territory but it looked genuine. Bloom stepped back hurriedly and turned away making her way to Stella. It was alright. Bloom is still a light fairy and there was nothing wrong with her. She was okay.