It was fun to clean Alfea together with the Specialists from Red Fountain. Their party, however, was interrupted by a monster created by the Trix.
The Specialists defended the Winx, and since they've all been very courageous, Faragonda gives them back their powers. The friendship between the fairies and the Specialists is stronger than ever, and the Trix want to destroy this friendship at any cost.

-

"Y/n...Y/n..."

"Who's calling me? Who's there?"

"It's me. And, um...I do beg your pardon, but could you perhaps find me a little faster? This takes up a lot of my energy, you know."

"What? Wait, no, who are you?!"

"It's me. The one who sent you the letter, my dear. Oh, darling..."

"Okay, first of all, don't call me that. It's fucking creepy. Second -"

"Come to me. Follow my voice."

"How am I supposed to...wait! Letter? Jack?"

"Yes. And this spell is taking a LOT of energy. But I know where you are now. My precious gem..."

"Who are you? Where are you?!"

"Follow me...your destiny...remember me and Sapphire...take the journey..."

"Journey? Journey?! What journey?!"

-

"WHAT JOURNEY?!" The next thing she knew, she was screaming as she fell out of bed, her head landing on one of the cushiony pillows.

Flora stood over her, smiling. "For starters, the journey outta bed, sleepy head. You'd sleep through a solar storm, wouldn't you?"

"Yep."

Flora latched the suitcase on her bed and hoisted it up. "There. I'm all packed."

"Packed? For what?" Y/n asked, getting up from her floor-mattress.

"I'm going home," she explained, fidgeting with the bag. "Today is the Day of the Rose. It's...it's a special day here in Magix: no classes." She tried to smile, but failed just barely, glancing at the wall.

She seemed to quickly rush from the bedroom, but Y/n kept on her heels with a cheeky smirk. "Hang on, Flor. What exactly is the Day of the Rose?"

Tecna was on the couch, scrolling through her phone with no suitcase in sight. "It's a special day where everyone celebrates their own mother," she said without looking up, blowing her bangs out of her face. "Don't you have a holiday like that on Earth?"

"Yeah. Mother's Day." Curiously, she tilted her head. "Aren't you going home, Tecna?"

"Nah. My family doesn't celebrate holidays like these. Too emotional. They say I could be spending this time studying." She flipped her phone off and nodded to Flora. "I guess we'll see you, then."

"Yeah, goodbye." Her eyes seemed glazed over, but she managed one more smile before ultimately leaving.

Stella rapped on the wall by her door. "Knock knock! Well, if it isn't my favorite pair of besties."

Tecna scoffed, turning her head away from Tecna. "What's up?"

"Staying at Alfea, are we? Well then. You can keep us company."

On cue, Musa came out of her dorm, fixing her pigtails, still yawning. "Jeez, I didn't think most of our dorm would still be here."

"Yeah, Flora left a little while ago," Y/n explained. She looked down when she felt Kitty purring around her ankles and picked her up, stroking her fur.

"Well, who wants breakfast?" Stella chirped, her hands in excited little fists.

-

"I hate when the school's empty," Stella sighed, taking a sip of tea from her teacup. "I don't know why, I just find it depressing."

Tecna was back on her phone, only making a quip every once in awhile. "It's not like it's completely empty. Mistress Griselda is still here."

"Whoopty-doo..." she groaned and put the cup down. "So. Blaze, Y/n, why aren't you going home?"

Blaze looked down at his cup, biting his lip. "I prefer to stay here. If I see my parents again, even for just a day I'll feel even more homesick..."

They nodded in understanding while Y/n downed the last of the bacon. "As for me, I have no mom."

Stella and Musa gasped, Musa even a little teary-eyed. Even Tecna put her phone down on the table, looking at her with concern.

"Wait, no, no!" She waved her hands frantically, trying to diffuse the situation. "I - I've never had a mom! Or a dad! I - it's no big deal, really! You can't miss what you've never had, right?!" Calming down, she gripped her own teacup with coffee/tea/hot chocolate in it, looking down at the liquid. "It's always been me and Spencer...I can't remember anything before that..." She was able to smile up at them, reassuring, "Ever Mother's Day and Father's Day, I always made him something. He would just be too confused about what the Day of the Rose is, anyway, y'know?"

Tecna nodded, flipping her phone back on.

"Uh-uh." She took it from her and put it down. "Spill the tea, girl. Why aren't you going home? Just because your parents don't like it?"

"Well...yes," she finally said. "They don't really care for holidays. So I just stay here and take the vacay day."

"Slay."

"And Stella?" Blaze asked, cupping his cheeks in teenage curiosity. "Why are you staying here?"

She picked up her tea, but was unable to drink it, instead setting it back down to look at her freshly manicured pink fingernails. "I don't celebrate the Day of the Rose. I've never told you guys, but...my mom and dad are getting a divorce. Yep. The King and Queen of Solaria aren't getting along anymore. And now, I don't see my mom a whole lot." She took in a deep, shaky breath, forcing a smile. "Okay, now you know everything! So, what's your excuse, Musa?" She leaned in, ready for the juicy gossip.

Musa looked away, contemplating what to say. "I haven't celebrated this day in a long time because...I haven't gotten anyone to celebrate."

The mood became more somber than when Y/n had said it, sensing the shift on Musa's tone.

"I lost my mother when I was still very young."

"Oh my god and I just blurted it out like it was no big deal..." Y/n began.

Tecna moved a little away from Musa, uncomfortable by the sudden emotion.

Musa reached across for her hands. "You don't have to apologize, you couldn't have known. I mean, I've never been good at talking about it. For me, this day is just a little sadder than others. But hey, life goes on. There's not much more I can do about it except live with my memories."

Tears began to brim her eyes and spill down her cheeks. Stella leaned over for a hug while Y/n squeezed her hands tighter. Next to her, she noticed Blaze trying to discreetly wipe his own tears away with his napkin.

"Well hey," she began. "We've got our own little family right here, right? And I say we have a good time today!"

"Y/n's right!" Stella declared, jumping out of her seat and twirling around. "It's a beautiful day and there's a party in town! Music! Dancing!" Her text tone went off, showing Sky's profile, leading her to squeal. "Goody! It's a message from Sky, my favorite prince! He and his friends will be in the city and he's inviting me to the big Rose Ball this evening! Ya-hoo!" She jumped up, screeching so loud, Tecna was stuffing napkins into her ears.

"Well..." Blaze glanced over at Y/n, his face suddenly red. "You wanna go together? A - as friends..."

"Yeah, sounds awesome!" she replied. To Musa and Tecna: "Well? What about you girls?"

Musa shook her head, trying to keep smiling for her friends. "Another time maybe...just not today...thanks, anyway!"

Tecna shook her head, too. "Nah. I'll just stay here and...study."

"Nuh-uh. No way, Tec. You're coming with us."

"But I..." She groaned, glancing down at her phone, which Y/n took.

"No electronics, either."

"Mmm...fine. But I'm not going to some silly dance," she insisted, holding her hand out for her phone back.

"No."

"Rrrrrgh..."

Stella held out her arms. "C'mon, Tecna. Bring it in. All of you." Everyone gathered around her for a group hug, Tecna reluctantly. "You guys rock!"

-

Musa climbed the east tower of Alfea, leaning her palms against the ledge with a breathy sigh. "I remember when you used to tell me about this place, mum...you said it was your favorite spot when you went to Alfea." She took out a rose-shaped hologram and ran her hand over it. A woman in a long dress and short black hair appeared, dancing." You know, these parties are always the same anyway. And I see my friends everyday. Of course, I would have seen Riven again. He's a boy I met. He's a strange fella, but I would really like to get to know him better. Maybe..." She looked towards the city, where the party was beginning. "Maybe it's just his way of flirting...he did save me from the monster a few nights ago, after all..."

She smiled down at the hologram of her mother and waved her hand again, causing her to disappear. "But anyway, classes are going good and I'm acing potions. I'll tell you all about it while I spend the whole day with you. We'll trip down to the Gazebo on the lake and then I'll take you to the studio and play you this tune I wrote."

-

"Blaze! Up there!" Y/n pointed. Her whole group looked up to find roses fluttering into the city.

Stella reached towards them, smiling, until she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Sky with a flower held out to her. "A rose for you, madam."

"Thank you." She took it, both of them talking a moment to gaze into each other's eyes.

Blaze picked one rose up, nervously glancing at Y/n, who was offering a rose to Tecna. Flustered, she took it, red and rambling on about something with an annoyed look, but putting it in her hair. Dejected, he tucked the rose away in his back pocket, careful not to crush it.

Riven, grossed out by all the affection, cleared his throat. "Can we get going now, please?"

The audience was already cheering excitedly during the first race. The racers for the next one were getting ready by their vehicles.

"It's gonna be an intense race this year," Brenda giggled nervously, sheepishly twirling a bit of her hair.

Riven had on his usually frowny-face, scoffing as her. "Poor little girl. Maybe for you, sweetie. For me it’s going to be a relaxing walk in the park."

"Oh, boy, here it comes..."

"I’m just saying, you jokers don’t stand a chance."

Y/n stepped in front of Brenda to defend her. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means just what I said, little girl. I'll be the one crossing the finish line first That's all and you'll be all standing there watching me win."

Brenda felt her eye twitch and grit her teeth, insisting, "We're perfectly fine competition. Riven."

"Competition?  Last time little Sky fell of his bike in the first lap!"

Sky gave him a deadly look as Stella grabbed onto his arm, gazing up at him worriedly. "Really? That sounds dangerous."

"Nah, motorbikes are safe. The track is shielded by a safety force field."

But even as they went to their motorbikes, not noticing the Trix's arrival, Stella grabbed onto Sky's shoulders. "We have a dance to attend to tonight, so drive carefully."

He smiled handsomely at her, nodding and taking her hands gently. "Well, I'll try. if I wanna teach this guy a lesson, I'll have to put the pedal to the medal." He nodded at Riven, who turned away with a growl.

"Keep dreaming, boy."

Sky ignored his rude remark, instead asking, "Who's cheering for you? Stella's cheering for me, Blaze and Y/n are cheering for Brenda, but you don't have anyone. Unless you and Tecna are secretly dating?"

Tecna's eyes shot over to him, wide. "Excuse me while I go barf."

Riven sneered. "Like I would give you the time of day. You're too busy flirting with my girl, anyway. Isn't that right, Y/n?" he asked, cooly turning his head to her.

"What?!"

"Oh, c'mon. I could see you giving me the eye, anyway."

She marched over to him, forcing herself not to slap him across the face. "The only 'eye' I would ever give you, Riven, is 'Eye-Don't-Think-So'!"

"Right," he replied, unconvinced.

"Well, maybe you should've asked me first! I chose my man. And it sure as hell wouldn't be you, of all people. I do not go for that whole 'bad boy' thing. I still can't understand why one of my friends is crushing so hard on you."

He grit his teeth as the fairy got in his face, jabbing a finger at his chest. "You're a totally conceited, totally cocky, totally boring waste of good oxygen!"

Stella, Sky, and Brenda gave shocked, uncomfortable looks. Blaze and Tecna shared a surprise glance to one another.

Backing away, she added, "And at that dance, don't you dare come near me!"

His face had grown into a smirk as he cupped her chin and had her face him. "You are really cute when you're angry, you know that? I think deep down, you like me."

Blaze felt his fists curl up and very noticably growled, Stella holding him back before he could literally murder Riven.

"Get your goddamn hands OFF OF ME!" She snacked them away and, behind him, had a bowl of flowers and water lift. "You know what, Riven? You need to cool the hell off!" Tipping it over him, it soaked his shirt and hair, his arms out to let the water drip on the sidewalk. Noticing everyone laughing at him, Y/n smirked with her arms crossed. "Looks like someone wet their pants. Still think I'm cute when I'm angry?"

But Riven, not finding it very funny, through grit teeth, snarled, "I am so gonna make you pay for that, Y/n Shay."

Tecna stepped between them, her hand held out towards him. "Give it up, Riven. Before I shock you." Electricity began to pulse from her palm.

Riven looked down at his soaked clothes again, at the electricity, and scoffed. "Just get away from me!"

Brenda tried to put a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down, Riven -"

"Get lost, Brenda!" He pushed her hand off of him, running off. "Get lost, all of you!"

Y/n rolled her eyes and turned back to the group, who still looked stunned. "What? He had it coming."

-

'Stupid girls. Dumb couples walking around with their ridiculous smiles on their faces. I don't need anybody.' Riven leaned on one of the window displays. 'I don't need this stupid party!'

He stormed off through the crowd, hands in his pockets, the Trix watching him non-discreetly.

"This guy's got personality and muscles," Darcy purred, licking her lips, smearing her lipstick slightly. "I like him ~"

Stormy physically cringed back, but was able to keep her voice neutral. "Darcy, tell me: Are you falling in love?"

"Watch your mouth, Stormy!" she snapped, lunging at the witch.

"Save the cat fight for later," Icy whispered sternly enough. "We've got a job to do, remember? And this little falling out has given me an idea. Riven always wants to be the best, we know that. He's brash, moody and he really hates losing, but we have the power to fulfill his dreams." She shut her eyes and took in a breath deep enough for her to yell, "KNUT!"

In a flash of purple light, the ogre appeared, casually walking to the Trix as is purple light was completely normal. "Your Highness. Ah, what can I do for you?"

"You will soon find out."

Backing away, he began to stutter, "Oh no, your Highness. No please, have mercy! Pretty please?"

But Icy already had the spell set and in a blue light, transformed the ogre into one of the Red Fountain Specialists.

"Hey! I can't see!"

With a snap of her fingers, she added glasses. "How's that?"

Now looking like Timmy, he opened his eyes. "Oh. I can see."

"And now, listen carefully..."

-

Somehow, Y/n got lost. But she could care less, content in watching an exotic dancer. She smiled, nodding her head along to the rhythm...

...until she saw it change into a golden figure with a mask.

"Blaze," she kept repeating. "Blaze. Blaze..."

"What in the fresh hell..."

She went to go closer, but a hand stopped her, pulling her back. "Y/n."

"Hm?" Behind her, she saw Timmy, offering her a signature geeky smile. "Oh. Hi, Timmy."

"Why are you on your own? Everyone else is looking for you. You disappeared so suddenly."

"Really?" She looked at her phone for the time. "Jeez, what time is it? I must have gotten carried away."

"Let's go to the square, that's probably where they are." He put his arm around her, knowing that she would be fine with it, as Timmy was way too innocent. "Sky and Brenda tell me you had a little disagreement with Steven."

"Steven?" she asked, cocking her head in confusion. "Like Steven Spielberg?"

"Uh, n - no, I meant Riven. Like Riven the Specialist." He began to laugh, grabbing her shoulders. "I'm sorry!"

She giggled lightly at his social awkwardness, but sighed. "Well...he made a pass at me and I was really uncomfortable..."

"Oh. Well, I understand if you don't want to, but if you want to make it up to him, I know how you can."

"Well...I'll hear you out."

He took out a case, showing it to Y/n. "Ta-da! It's a surprise, they - I've prepared for him but you can give it to him. You know, as some kind of peace offering."

He chuckled, beginning to noticably sweat enough for Y/n to reach over and feel his forehead. "Timmy, are you okay?"

"Never better!" he insisted, pulling away and yanking on the case's lid. Popping it open, he put the device his head, the visor falling over his glasses. "This is a helmet, a special moni...nomeni...omni-drive helmet. Yes..." He laughed nervously, pushing a button on the side and having the visor turn into a helmet, covering his face. "It allows the rider to drive the flying motorbike telepathically." He clicked the button on his forehead, having the helmet retreat back inside itself. "It's ever rider's dream."

"But didn't you make this? No, I..." She refused the device handed out to her. "I couldn't. You should be the one giving it to him."

"But friendship is much more important. You give it to him, tell him you got it in a little techno-gadget shop. You'll make him happy, trust me." He forced the device into her hands, closing them over it.

"Well...if you insist." She tucked it away in her bag before looking at him suggestively. "You wanna come with? We can go find Tecna ~"

"Oh, um, that's okay, I...gotta run. Gotta get to the science thing at the...place. Bye!" he called, waving.

Y/n, confused, slowly waved. "Uh...bye?"

-

"Ladies and Gentleman, and all other creatures, welcome to the annual Race of the Rose! Ten courageous participants will take part in today's event. let's hear it for our champions!"

Stella, Blaze, and Tecna followed the Specialists, who were bringing their bikes to the track.

"Where's Y/n?" Tecna asked, looking back. "I was hoping she could at least watch the race."

Stella giggled, elbowing her lightly. "You only came because of her, huh?"

"W - well..."

"Bros and hoes, I've retuuuurrrrned!" Y/n came at them, running full-speed with the helmet under her arm.

"Y/n!" Stella exclaimed. "Goodness gracious, where were you?! We were looking all over for you! Especially Tecna and Blaze! Tell me you at least spotted an amazing sale."

"Uh, no, sorry. Actually, where's Riven?"

"Riven?" Blaze demanded suspiciously. He was reaching for the rose again to give her, but let it go. "Why?"

Stella pointed to the boy getting ready for the race. "Riven!" she called, running over to him before she could answer Blaze.

Riven glared at her, his helmet gripped tightly in his hands. "What do you want, Y/n? Did you come here to tell me you hope I lose?"

"Quit being such a bitch-boy. I just..." Embarrassed, she held out the helmet, pressing the button to turn it on. "H - here...it's ..it's a helmet. I..."

He threw the helmet he was holding and seized the new one. "Give it to me." After another moment, he added after putting it on, "Thank you. Was there anything else?"

She just blinked, trying her damnedest not to tackle him and rip all his hair out. "Good luck, Riven. Really, I mean it."

He scoffed and turned away, both leaving to their respective areas. Y/n, passing by Brenda on her motorbike, called out, "Good luck, blondie. You'll need it!" and gave her a thumbs-up. "And kick some ass!"

"Haha, will do, Y/n," she responded and popped her visor back down.

"All racers to the starting line..."

"What did you give Riven?" Stella asked when Y/m rejoined the group.

"Oh, just a little present Timmy offered." She nudged Tecna. "Maybe you'll even bump into him today."

But she and Stella exchanged looks.

"Timmy?" Tecna asked, confused.

"Yeah. We should go find him after the race."

"Timmy went home for the Day of the Rose," Stella said.

"He's not even in the same galaxy," Tecna added. "He texted me that he was going today. Look."

Y/n took out Tecna's phone and let her show the texts between her and Timmy, which only added to the general conffusion. "If Timmy is with his mother, then..." Looking up, she saw the Trix above her, Icy with a wicked grin, Stormy looking bored, and Darcy with a worried expression. "Oh, no...Riven!"

"These are the light signals, ladies and gentlemen."

The lights began to flick red as Y/n ran off, knocking right into Blaze.

"Hey, there you are. I -"

"Not now, Blaze, no time to explain!" she insisted, still running through the crowd with Stella, Tecna, and now Blaze on her heels.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Riven! I gave...he..."

Another light came on.

"The Trix are here!" she finally blurted out. "They're here and they're trying to hurt Riven!"

Another light.

"Someone pretended to be Timmy and tricked me into giving him a faulty helmet! At least, I think that's what happened! But either way, they'll hurt him!"

"I thought you didn't like him," Tecna questioned, slightly out of breath from unaccustomed running.

"That doesn't mean I want him dead!"

Green lights. The motorbikes were off.

"Y/n, Magic Winx!"

-

Y/n let out a battle cry before putting out her arms.
Light blue armbands appeared, followed by tall boots. White and blue energy surrounded her body as she leaned back, her arm out and her face twisted in concentration, and gave her a darker top than hung loosely on her shoulders and a skirt.
Her head jerked up and a blue choker appeared with a diamond in the middle while blue - yet transparent - wings appeared behind her. She jolted back and landed on her feet, her arms held out in front of her as if she were about to shoot an energy beam.

-

"What a race, ladies and gentlemen! And we even have an unusual competitor who has just stepped onto the track!"

In fact, there was a woman with long, flowing hair, coming in quickly, endangering most of the other riders for her one goal. Even Brenda seemed to go into a shock, her bike slowing and coming to a stop. But she saw Y/n fly over her as she took off her helmet. "Y/n?"

"Riven!" Y/n cried, flying past everyone and closing in on him. "Riven, stop!" She was between him and the mysterious rider, reaching for his elbow. "RIVEN!"

"Y/n? What are you trying to do?! This race is mine!" He sped up, evading her grasp.

"Riven, no!"

He went into a sudden convulsion, his hands flying off the handles and onto the helmet, the bike knocking Y/n off the track and detransforming her, as well as giving her Indian burns on her arms, legs, and torso. Blaze was at her side in an instant, worriedly turning her arms around, causing her more agony.

Riven flew off the bike, only being saved by the mysterious writer, landing on the back.

Brenda had rushed over to help Y/n, her gaze now on Riven. "What happened to him?"

"The Trix!" Y/n insisted, getting up and running to the unconscious boy.

The rider had her hand over him, his helmet having being ripped off. Purple electricity came from her hand as she beckoned him. "Wake up, Riven."

The spell had saved his life, his eyes opening. "You...saved me." His eyes began to widen when she took off her helmet, dark blond hair flying around her head. She looked down at him in concern, the rest of the crowd beginning to leave. "I'm - I'm alright," he insisted, getting up.

"Thanks to my healing powers. My name's Darcy." Her voice, usually high and full of anger, had softened. Her arm reached out to his shoulder until Y/n had managed to get up and throw herself in front of them.

"Leave him alone, witch!"

"Hey! Chill out, missy! I'm helping him!"

"Bullshit! It's your fault he was in this mess in the first place!"

Stella, Brenda, Sky, Tecna, and Blaze arrived, crowding around them.

"You're lying!" he insisted. This is all your fault! I saw you behind me. I don't know how you did it but it was you who deactivated my helmet just so your bestie, Brenda, could win!"

"Hey, I only won by default," Brenda insisted.

"Well, then, you did it because you hate me!"

Blaze got between them before it could get ugly. "Woah! Why don't you hear her out first?"

"Here's your stupid present, thanks a lot!" Angrily, Riven threw it at her, but because Blaze was in the way, he got hit instead.

"Riven, I swear. They sent a Timmy lookalike after me and -"

"Timmy won't be back before this evening. Come up with a better excuse, Y/n."

"Lookalike, you dumbass! How stupid are you?!" escaped her lips and, honestly, she did not regret it.

Tecna pulled her back a little, trying to de-escalate. "Y/n, I believe you. But he doesn't, so just let it go."

"Of course," Brenda agreed, her hand on her other shoulder. "There has to be an explanation."

"So you believe her over me!" Riven yelled at her, not noticing Darcy's smirk at their fighting. "Is that the way it is?! Is that the way it is, Brenda?!"

"Riven, we're only trying to understand -"

"I've had it! I'm through with you all! Tonight I'm gonna ask to be transferred to another squad of Specialists."

He stomped off, Darcy rushing to his side, her hand around him. "Wait, Riven! I'm coming with you."

"Let's go."

She watched them go with a groan. "Riven..."

"It's alright," Brenda tried to reassure her.

Stella put her hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her and assure her she did not blame her, either. "It's not just Riven they're after, you know?"

Tecna nodded gravely, glancing after him and Darcy one more time. "They're after all of us."

Behind her, she felt a pair of arms and, turning, saw that it was Blaze, hugging her from behind. "I was worried. But I understand why you did that." His hand went back into his pocket and he took out the rose, a little flattened, but tucked it behind her ear, anyway. "For you. As a symbol of us going to the dance tonight."

She touched it lightly, smiling at him. "It's beautiful, Blaze. Thank you."

-

In the next chapter, Blaze will have some strange and disturbing dreams. A mysterious image appears. Who is it? What does it mean?
Musa will discover a painful secret about Riven. And the Trix will try to discover the source of Blaze's extraordinary powers that he demonstrates in combat.

-

We're
The magical Winx Club
We're best friends and our hearts will beat as one
Yes that's us
We're the kids of marvelous Winx Club

Winx!
Winx Club!
Energy!
The Winx is warm!
Under the sign of the Winx!
Winx Club!
Winx Club!

We're
The magical Winx Club
We're all tied to the same fate together
We're the kids
The wonder kids,
That's us
The magical Winx Club
So happy to be flying from heaven to earth
This magic feeling
This is our Winx Club!