i've alm0st finished watching seas0n three again. i d0n't remember h0w it ended but i seri0usly h0pe that the ending wasn't as anticlimactic as the ending 0f seas0n 2. seas0n 2's last epis0de was s0 disapp0inting. they were in the middle 0f the battle with Darkar then suddenly 'p00f!' they're back fr0m Realix and everything's all g00d. i was at least h0ping f0r a real fight.

y0u kn0w, this is actually the sec0nd versi0n 0f this chapter. i was g0nna write 0ut their wh0le break at stella's princess ball and blah blah blah, but then i decided that wasn't necessary because its pretty much the same just with0ut Bl00m.

The events of vacation, even with how short it was, left the girls drained as they returned to Alfea for their third year. Layla was concerned about Tides and the threat of Baltor. Flora longed for her lost boyfriend. Stella was furious over what Chimera had done to her and at Countess Cassandra for spelling her father. And everybody was worked up over having to earn their Enchantix.

Layla had explained to her friends what was going on on Tides, but when they offered to help she refused and wouldn't let her mind be changed. While she went to tell Head Mistress Faragonda that she would be leaving to her home to try to protect it, Stella was on a rampage. She was ranting on and on about Chimera and her kingdom and how her father was under a spell.

"Calm down, Stel'" Musa told her.

"Calm down? How can you expect me to calm down when that wannabe is trying to take my place as princess?!" The Fairy of The Sun fumed.

Musa pulled off her headphones and glared, "You know what? We have bigger things to worry about than your popularity!"

"Yes." Techna agreed, "We need to help Layla defend Tides and need I remind you that Bloom is still missing?"

"I know, but I can't help but worry about Daddy. That evil Countess has him in her clutches and there's nothing I can do." Stella sighed, sitting on the couch next to Flora.

The Nature Fairy put a hand on her friend's shoulder. It seemed like they were all having problems this year.

Somewhere in a far off place, uninhabitable for humans and fairies alike, a girl was regaining consciousness after a long period of dormancy. This girl, had you looked at her, you might have recognized as the one who saved the universe from the Army of Decay, but upon closer inspection you would second guess your assumption.

From a distance they two were identical, but close up you would notice this girl's golden cat-like eyes, dark outfit, and evil aura. After seeing this you'd swear that this girl was a completely different person, but you would be both right and wrong.

This girl was Bloom, but not the Bloom that had saved Alfea. This was the Bloom that had been prepared to hand over the Ultimate Power to one of the most evil beings in existence. This was Dark Bloom, but for all intents and purposes was simply "Bloom" as she was the only version of herself to carry that name at the moment. She was free to keep that name because the one who'd had it before her was dead, suffocated by darkness.

There was only one thing on this Bloom's mind at the moment: Power. And she was currently in the perfect place to obtain it. Where better for the bearer of that Dragon Fire to gain power than Pyros, island of dragons?

She got to her feet and gazed out across the landscape, smiling maliciously. Then she took flight. Even though she'd been unconscious she hadn't reverted back to being human. It seemed as though she may actually be bound to her fairy form. Curious…

Princess Layla arrived in the palace on Tides. As soon as she got there she went to the throne room where she knew her parents would be.

"Layla." Her mother said as the girl entered the room.

"Mom, Dad, are you ok?" She asked as the two approached her.

"Yes, dear." Her mom answered and hugged her daughter.

Her father hugged her too and said, "We're fine."

"Layla, the kingdom is in trouble." Her mother told her.

Layla turned her gaze toward the floor, "I know, but I plan to do everything in my power to save Tides."

"I know you're strong, but I fear for your safety, Layla." Her mother said.

Her father shook his head, "It's too dangerous. I'm not letting my only daughter risk her life."

"I have to do this, for Tides, for my friends, for the whole universe." Layla persisted.

Her father sighed, "If you really want to do this then I won't stop you."

this chapter's a little sh0rt. its m0stly filler. i als0 wanted t0 bring Bl00m back int0 the st0ry. next chapter will be m0re exciting.

i wr0te a wh0le chapter with0ut Helia... That was strange.