I"M BACK! ^.^ After the 1 year anniversary for this story. Disclaimer: Credits to tears-in-rain and I don't own Winx Club.

EnJoY! :D

Chapter 17: Truths found and Pain Received

"I love it when they call special assemblies during Heroics History," Sky grinned, taking his place in rank on the parade ground. So far a lot of the Red Fountain classes had been cancelled due to the Day of the Royals which was tomorrow. We'd be showing our 'finest' for the King and Queen of Popularis and their daughter.

"Yeah, but I'd prefer to use this time going over our dragon wrangling skills," Brandon sighed to which I agreed, since I didn't have as much experience as the rest of them and I had to handle a dragon as well.

"Brandon, you're like the best out of all of us with the dragons," Timmy reminded the blonde. "You've got nothing to worry about."

"There's no harm in being over prepared," Brandon shrugged. I concentrated on my limited control of magic and reached out and felt worry emanating from Brandon, like an omen for something that was going to happen and I didn't like it.

"Stand fast!" Cordatorta roared as Headmaster Saladin entered the parade field. I saw everyone snap to pay attention as Cordatorta saluted Saladin. "As you were!"

"I know that this is basically a military academy, but for once I'd like to have an assembly without all this ceremony," Sky sighed as the company moved back into their at ease stance.

"You picked the wrong school then," Timmy informed the prince.

"You could always transfer to Alfea," Brandon suggested which I'm sure he was joking; I mean I wasn't even accepted there. "All they have to do before each assembly is sing their school song."

"Not a bad idea. I'd also get to spend more time with Stella," Sky grinned stupidly.

"And I'm sure you'd look smashing in a mini skirt." I snorted at that thought.

"Oh, thanks Brandon."

"That's enough," Javelin warned quietly as Cordatorta took his position to start the parade.

"Company! Attention!" Cordatorta shouted, and we all snapped to attention in unison. "Company! At ease!"

"This is so pointless," Sky muttered but we quickly hushed him, his refined skills of being a prince were definitely not at their best.

"Right markers! Right turn!" the combat professor commanded, and the person in the front rank furthest to the right of each platoon (one for each grade) swiftly turned to their right on the spot in the usual military precision. "Right markers! Seventeen paces, quick march!"

"Hey, when this is over wanna see if we can hit Jacob up for some food?" Brandon asked as Cordatorta made certain that each right marker were on the mark by telling them to stay stead or to move in whatever direction they needed to in order to be in line with the other right markers.

"Totally. He's apparently trying out a bunch of recipes for the Day of the Royals and he'll need a few guinea pigs to test them on," Sky said, trying to not make it obvious that he was talking.

"Timmy? Aura?"

"I gotta check something out first," Timmy answered.

"I um….can't either," I quickly replied.

"Right markers! At ease!" Cordatorta shouted, thankfully saving me from any further questioning from Sky or Brandon, I was curious about what Timmy was up to though. "Red Fountain Academy! On parade!"

As one, all of us in the parade turned sharply to the right and marched the seventeen paces required to reach the platoon in line with the according right marker. Once we reached our seventeen pace we turned left to face the front of the parade again.

"Company! Attention! Company! Right dress!"

In order for us to get to the correct spacing in the ranks, the students in the front rank all raised their left arm till it was exactly horizontal with the ground, and moved until they were just touching the closed fist of the person to their right of them. The students in the ranks behind simply had to move behind to the student in front of them which wasn't very easy since we all had to be looking right.

"Company! Eyes front! Company! At ease! Company! Attention!"

"We just went at ease," Sky moaned as Saladin moved in the take command of the parade.

"Sky," Javelin warned.

"Sorry sir."

"Company. At ease," Saladin commanded. "We have a few announcements to get through, but firstly I would like to say that I am extremely proud of all of you boys for the effort you are all putting into this year's Day of the Royals. This is the one day when Red Fountain can truly show our talent, and since this day only comes once every four years, it is not an opportunity to be wasted. I expect all of you to represent our prestigious academy to the very best of your ability. I'm counting on all of you."

"He gives me the goosebumps whenever he gets all 'be the greatest you can be' like that," Sky grinned, but he quickly dropped it as soon as Javelin turned.

"Unfortunately, due to an illness in the family, the King and Queen of Popularis, as well as their lovely daughter Hermia will not be joining us for this year's Day of the Royals."

"Well that'll put a damper on the festivities," Brandon commented, amongst all the noise and chatter going on around us.

"However, we were most fortunate to confirm on short notice the attendance of another royal family who will oversee this year's presentation," Saladin announced. "This year, Red Fountain will gladly play host to the King and Queen of Eraklyon."

I was violently overcome by double waves of strong panic and turned to see it was coming from Sky and Brandon, I narrowed my eyes at them and cocked my head to the side wondering why something like this would affect them so much. You'd think they'd be happy.

"That's pretty cool that your parents are coming, Sky," Timmy commented, unaware of our friends' freak out. "You haven't seen them in ages."

"Yeah Sky shouldn't you feel happy?" I questioned suspiciously.

"Huh?" The brunette asked dumbly at our inquiries, before forcing what seemed to be a smile. "Yup. Been so long they might not recognize me. Ah, good old ma and pop. King and Queen of Eraklyon. Coming here to Red Fountain for the Day of the Royals. My mom and dad. This'll be great."

I had decided to retreat to my room a while ago, telling Sky and Brandon I couldn't promise I'd be able to catch up with them because I had a lot of 'things to do'. All I really wanted was to clear my mind of everything going on. I wished at times like these that I had met up with Adrian earlier so I could've had more time with him. I just wished he was ok and could manage to be happy.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

I quickly jumped off my bed and snatched my phone from the counter and answered hoping it was Adrian.

"Hello," I gasped from my quick start.

"Why hello there Aura what's got you so out of breathe?" the voice on the other side asked, which wasn't Adrian.

"Ran to get my phone Dominique, what news do you have for me?" I replied with a question sitting back down on my bed.

"Well I was looking through the future revolving around Riven, and happened to find someone nosing around it," Dominique informed me.

"What? Are you sure?" I asked. "Who would be on to or at least curious with what's going on with Riven?"

"It seems like Timmy's proving to be a true loyal friend," Dominique answered. "So the question is what should I do if you want me to do anything that is?"

"Tell me more though Dominique, what does Timmy know?" I questioned curious as to what Timmy has gathered so far.

"Nothing really past questioning Riven's odd behavior, refusing to believe that Riven is in complete control blaming the witch," Dominique told me making my respect for Timmy increase tenfold. I was very conflicted though, now, Timmy with all his abilities was going to find out the truth sooner or later. This was getting to be dangerous for him to find out, and if I know anything, it's that he won't stop until he gets answers.

I'd have to give him some answers, something to drift him to other things that would distract him and not let him enter the true fire that was blazing and had completely consumed me.

"I know exactly what I want you to do, so listen carefully Dominique because I don't like to repeat myself," I warned Dominique.

I knew Timmy was going to pay Lex a visit anytime soon and I planned on following Timmy to make sure the plan was carried out just like I planned.

As soon as I heard Timmy walk by my dorm I got out and followed him to Lex's dorm conveniently in a corner spot of Red Fountain where there weren't a lot of people.

Once Timmy was inside the dorm I quietly plotted myself outside the door. I heard Timmy question Lex about Riven's whereabouts, and Lex reply that he didn't know anything.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Timmy demanded through the door. "You guys hang out all the time. You'd have to have noticed something!"

"Er, I dunno. He's been kinda distracted and moody or whatever but that might be because he hasn't been getting enough sleep," Lex answered which I wished at the moment that I could see his face. "Look man, if you really want to know, why don't you go ask Riven?"

"I don't think he'd be very cooperative," Timmy said, letting the frustration flow right through him. I could tell through his voice that he seemed very aggravated with the little information he was receiving from Lex.

"Why do you care anyway? I thought you weren't speaking to Riven."

"I'm not really, but it's more he doesn't want to talk to us. I don't know, I guess I still worry about him since we used to be friends and now he's gotten so messed up. I mean, he's out almost every night drinking, he's not eating or sleeping and god knows what else he gets up to with Darcy. All this stuff can't be good for him. They've got to be having some major sides effects on him."

"Oh, you get that feeling with him too, ay?"

"What feeling?"

"You know, that he's hearing things we can't."

This was getting out of hand. Where the hell was Dominique? "What?"

"Like when you're sitting in class and he'll be staring at nothing and listen to something that isn't there like he's tripping out or something," Lex explained way too detailed for my liking. "Except the thing is, it happens when he ain't been using. Like I know he can communicate with Darcy mentally thanks to something she did, but I don't think that's it. It's weird, man."

"I thought all boys were meant to be weird," Dominique finally said, just when I was about to cut Lex from talking unnecessary stuff to Timmy. It must have taken Dominique a little more to hack into Red Fountain grounds.

"Well, I'd be willing to debate that for nothing more than to keep you around a little longer," Lex eagerly spoke.

I could imagine Dominique eye Lex and try to flirt with him. "Maybe I can find some reason to stick around."

"Nice legs," Lex commented.

"Thanks," Dominique replied.

"When do they open?"

Suddenly strong witch negative energy was felt through the air. I knew that definitely got Dominique's attention and was a perfect reason to get rid of Lex. "Okay, you have to the count of three to get out of here or I will make you go. One – "

"What?"

" – two –"

"No, I didn't –"

" – three. Goodbye."

Snap!

I could feel the air around me crackle and knew that Lex was far gone now, which meant that Dominique could get down to business.

"What did you do to him?" Timmy asked in a shaking voice. If Timmy found this terrifying then I didn't even want to know his reaction to what the Trix had done to Riven. This reinforced my reasoning to keep Timmy out of this, by posing as many distractions as possible.

"I teleported him out into the enchanted forest," Dominique casually informed like it was an average task. "He should be back in about an hour if he starts walking right away. And in the right direction. It was a shame I had to do that. He was kinda cute."

"What do you want?" Timmy demanded a bit defensively finally finding that courage deep within him, that I knew he had. He obviously distrusted the witch he didn't know but it served its purpose.

"Just to talk," Dominique replied calmly. "You are Timmy, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I am. And I'm not at all interested in talking to a witch like you," Timmy said harshly.

"Whatever," Dominique retorted. "See, what you were doing right there was stereotyping and social discrimination which isn't very fitting for someone who's supposed to embody nobility and valor and all the crap. Wouldn't you say?"

"Er . . . " Timmy stammered. I liked where this was going because now Timmy would actually listen to Dominique or at least stick around until she finished telling him was she was suppose to.

"Now, if I wanted to do that to you, I don't think you'd really enjoy that now would you? I mean, I could totally stereo-type you into being the loser geek nerd and which I – the beautiful, independent, talented, teenaged witch – would socially discriminate you by doing this."

I never went over this, whatever it was with her and had to peek through the open door. I caught a glimpse of Dominique taking Timmy's glasses.

"Hey!" Timmy shouted but Dominique was having too much fun and wasn't going to let Timmy have them. I wasn't liking Dominique's plan too much right now.

"Now, are you going to be polite or am I going to have to relocate you to where your little friend is?"

"I'll listen," Timmy surrendered which clarified Dominique's plan to me.

"Excellent," Dominique cheered. "Now, you were friends with Riven before he hooked up with Darcy weren't you?"

"Um . . . I –"

"It's a yes or no question."

"Yes."

"Does he talk to himself often?"

"Talk to himself?" Timmy repeated.

"I thought you were supposed to be smart," she spat. "You know what book I think you'd really find interesting? It's called 'The Ipswich Index' and I think it's just up your ally. Chapter Twelve in particular."

"Huh?"

"I don't think Red Fountain has a copy of it, but the library in Magix does."

"What makes you think I'd be interested in some book?" Timmy questioned still wary of the witch.

"One word; curiosity," the witch replied. "You won't be able to stand not knowing what's in that book and no matter how hard you try you're going to look it up. That's just how people are."

I knew Timmy had already bitten the bait. Just as planned for the most part. "Who are you?"

"The name's Dominique, "the witch introduced. "Remember; 'The Ipswich Index'. Chapter Twelve."

I rapidly then bolted to my room and called Dominique.

"Before you reproach anything, it was all necessary otherwise he wouldn't believe it," Dominique explained before I could say anything.

"Well first let's see if he actually goes and searches for the book, which will definitely keep his mind occupied for quite a while, which I'm hoping is until all this boils over," I told Dominique. "Thanks for everything you've done and I'm gonna prepare to head out hopefully following Timmy."

"Don't think I didn't charge you while doing it, making fun of the nerd felt good," Dominique laughed through the phone. "Well then seems like only I enjoy doing that, I'll keep you informed later."

I tucked my phone away after hanging up and got ready to go out and hopefully follow Timmy.

Luck was on my side today and Timmy's curiosity overpowered him, leading him to the Library of Magix located near the central plaza of Magix. I had found myself drawn to this library on a few occasions but never had gone inside.

"I don't even know why I'm here," Timmy sighed as he stood at the base of the massive steps leading into the library. I quickly followed him inside not letting him disappear from my sight. He led me to the library's search engine and searched up the location of the book. Once he got the location we wandered deep into the library. Timmy finally stopped in front of a shelf and pulled out the book.

"The Ipswich Index," Timmy read, opening the old torn looking book. The books here had a tendency to look older than they really were; I'm guessing it was a tourist thing. "It's a medical journal. A book on the magical related illness. Why would I be interested in this?"

I saw Timmy flip through the pages, probably looking for the twelfth chapter, and let out a bitter laugh that startled me.

I knew that Dominique had left a note in there taunting Timmy about the fact that he couldn't stay away.

"Women," Timmy said with a shake of his head before moving on to read the book. "Darkconus Syndrome. For centuries, both mystics and medical physicians have been studying the mind in hopes to unlock the many mysteries behind its functions and ability, and even after years of research, they are only just starting to scratch the surface of just what it can really do."

I could see Timmy turning the book to examine it thoroughly.

"Due to limited education, the field of telepathy and mind control has always been rather uncertain, often leading to extreme side effects, some of which are fatal. For example the dreaded Atropa Curse, which is universally forbidden to conjure, was originally discovered by a failed attempt to help remove an individual's anxiety.'

"'Most side effects occur when a telepath enters a mind and tries to change something and usually have an immediate consequence. These side effects can range from anywhere form memory loss and insomnia to severe schizophrenia and mental illness. The most extreme of these cases can also result in the wiping of a mind or even death.'

"'One of the most lingering of these side effects occurs when the mind has a chemical reaction to the spell and attempts to remove the foreign physic imprint but ultimately ends up destroying itself. This disease has been given the title Darkconus Syndrome by both the medical and magical community. This process is slow, gradually attacking the mind and disabling pain receptors, the central nervous system as well as emotional until the individual is in a condition known as Emotionally Paralyzed. Symptoms of Darkconus Syndrome include . . .'"

This described Riven perfectly more so than Timmy knew at the moment and it was what I wanted to prevent. I knew though that the only person who could break him out of the spell was Musa or Darcy but I doubted Darcy was done with Riven at the moment. I knew that whenever Musa was around Riven did anything possible to keep her away from him, so that option was also ruled out.

I knew I was running out of time to save Riven and didn't want to waste time so I left the library and headed back to find Riven.

"Riven!" I called out making him stop walking right outside the door to his door and look over his shoulder, the door to his dorm slightly open. I had been wandering the halls of Red Fountain looking for him until I decided it would be best to just wait for him outside his dorm.

"What?" Riven gritted through his teeth irritated looking down.

"Um . . . well I kinda wanted to talk to you," I shyly said hoping to not get 'no' for an answer.

"Well go ahead," he replied closing the door to his dorm and then turning around to lean back against the closed door.

"I know we haven't been the best of friends lately but I wanted to let you know that despite everything my offer will always stand," I told him honestly. "I want to help you Riven, you won't let me do so, so this is the best I can do."

"Are you sure you didn't damage your brain when you fainted?" Riven snapped. "I'm completely and utterly fine."

"Well if you insist," I rolled my eyes. "My head is just fine, thanks to you and Brandon taking me to the nurse, I never did get the chance to thank you properly."

"No need to thank me," Riven replied smoothly.

"I really do because it's something I know the Riven inside there somewhere, can't resist doing, helping people he cares about," I answered poking at his chest. "I know he'd appreciate being thanked for it."

"What? So now you think you know me better than I do?" he laughed.

"Yeah, because the Riven standing in front of me is no more than Darcy's bitch!" I snapped angrily at him confronting him.

"You better shut your mouth," threatened Riven narrowing his eyes at me.

"Or what?" I replied trying to call out his bluff.

Riven then stepped towards me taking a strong grip of both my arms with his hands, pulling me towards him. "You don't want to try me."

I looked him straight in his eyes and found a pitch black hole right through him. I was losing him. As these days had passed I hadn't realized how far gone he really was. I used the worry that it created in me and channeled the emotions through to him getting a spark in his eyes. It was very minuscule but from here all I had to do was try and get a rise out of him.

"And want if I do?" I kept taunting. "What then Riven? You're already hurting me. The girl you promised you'd protect. What happened to all the things you told me Riven? You know after all the things I've heard about your father, you too seem very alike. You can't keep your word."

"Shut up!" Riven screamed at me, his eyes returning to their normal state letting me sigh in relief. He quickly though retreated to his room and slammed the door shut.

I then decided to retreat to my room. I fell asleep rather quick exhausted from all the events that went on through the day.

I woke up some time later around 2 am and had the nagging feeling to check on Riven so I did. I grabbed my necklace and focused my energy, it was easier this time since I knew where he was.

At first it was all dark but slowly my vision cleared up seeing as it appeared that Riven was just waking up. I also felt a slight tingling in my mind and had no idea what it was, but it was really irritating me. I also felt as Riven's mind seemed to expand meaning he was opening his connection to Darcy.

"Hey babe." Urg! It really disgusts me when he talks to Darcy like that.

"Hello Puppy Dog." Darcy projected back and I could feel Riven sense something wrong with Darcy. "Can I spend the night?"

"What's the matter?" Riven ignored the question. I hated this Riven, so preoccupied with Darcy's wellbeing. I hated this because he was so worried about her when he should be worried about himself. Urg! I doubted I could hate another person so much.

"My sisters and I just got expelled."

Riven didn't answer right away but I was cheering inside. Finally those witches got what they deserved. I knew they wouldn't be allowed at the school for long, they were way too wicked. I hoped with all my might that Riven said 'no' but knew he'd obviously say yes.

"Sure babe. Whatever you want."

Riven rolled over onto his side, and Darcy magically teleported herself into his bed through the shadows. I could feel Riven drift back to sleep though, and decided I would too. I would need all my energy to defeat the Trix and the hold they had on Riven, most of all Darcy, who was the one that went after him. I was going to make it my life's mission to personally destroy her.

Soooo!? How was it? Major apologies for my absence, but I'm back. My schedule is impossibly tight this year not allowing me time for anything so I'm truly trying here. I had major writers block during the summer and I want to keep my work good, I didn't want to write something I didn't think was good. Pls bare with me. Today being the 1 year anniversary for this story yay! Um pls check out the polls I posted on my profile so I can start writing the sequel for The Villains REMIX because I know lots of you like that story. I'd like to post the sequel and a few chapters before Christmas so pls vote. As always reviews also make me happy and if you have an suggestions feel free to PM me. Thxs for all your support and worry not despite that long break I'll be sticking around for a long time. I really want to finish this story, I wont ever abandon it, not matter how long it takes me :) Luv y'all ^.^