Chapter Text
The first whispers of dawn kissed the spire-tops of Sparks, painting the obsidian sky in hues of lavender and rose. A low, rhythmic hum, the very heartbeat of magic, thrummed through the ancient kingdom, a symphony of awakening. Dew-kissed leaves shimmered on the enchanted trees that lined the winding paths of the royal gardens, and the air, crisp and sweet, carried the scent of morning glories and untapped potential. For thousands of young fairies and specialists across the Magic Dimension, this wasn't just another sunrise; it was the dawn of a new academic year, a fresh chapter etched in the annals of Alfea and Red Fountain.
Within the opulent, yet warmly familiar, walls of the Royal Palace, a gentle stir began. Queen Daphne, no longer a spirit but a radiant, living monarch, glided through the sun-drenched halls. Her golden hair, usually meticulously pinned, fell in loose waves around her shoulders as she made her way to a specific, ornately carved door.
"Erica," she called softly, her voice melodic yet firm, a queen's command softened by a sister's love. "Time to wake up, little crystal. Breakfast is ready."
Inside, a lump beneath a pile of silken covers remained stubbornly still. Erica, at sixteen, possessed an impressive talent for deep slumber. Her room, a vibrant chaos of half-finished crystal designs, scattered scrolls, and discarded spell books, was infused with the faint sparkle of raw magic, a testament to its occupant's burgeoning power as the Fairy of Crystals.
Outside her window, the sun was now a brilliant orb, casting long shadows across the gardens. A distant, cheerful chirping of pixies reached her ears. Slowly, reluctantly, a small, brown-haired head with eyes the colour of the clearest sapphire emerged from the covers. Erica blinked, once, twice, the morning light a dazzling assault. She stretched, a long, languid arch of her back, feeling the gentle pop of her joints. Her gaze drifted to the window, watching a pair of majestic fire-griffins soar against the cerulean backdrop.
A new school year. Alfea. Her first year.
The thought, bright and sparkling as one of her own crystals, was like a jolt of pure energy. But then, as the full weight of it settled—early mornings, classes, rules, Griselda—she instinctively recoiled. With a groan of theatrical despair, she grabbed her covers, pulling them back over her head, burying herself in the soft fortress of her bed. "Five more minutes," she mumbled into the pillow, her voice muffled and childish.
Daphne, having heard the telltale groan, simply smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. She pushed open the door more fully and stepped into the room, her regal bearing softened by sibling affection. Sunlight streamed in behind her, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air and the faint shimmer of crystal energy. She walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, gently tugging at the covers.
"Erica, come on. You don't want to be late on your very first day, do you?" Daphne's voice was a warm current, but it carried the undeniable undertone of a queen who expected to be obeyed.
"First day of what?" Erica mumbled, feigning ignorance, her voice still thick with sleep.
Daphne chuckled, a soft, melodic sound. "Your first day at Alfea, of course. Don't tell me you forgot."
The words hit Erica like a bolt of lightning, banishing any lingering traces of sleep. Alfea! Her eyes, wide and suddenly awake, snapped open. The thought of the grand, ivy-clad college, the legendary school for fairies, washed over her in a wave of exhilarating anticipation. Griselda, the formidable disciplinarian. New friends. New spells. A whole new world.
"Alfea!" she shrieked, a high-pitched burst of pure, unadulterated excitement. She launched herself from the bed with such sudden force that her legs tangled in the discarded blanket. With a yelp, she tripped, stumbling forward with a flailing of arms and legs. Daphne, ever graceful, leaned back just in time to avoid the collision, watching with an amused smile as her younger sister landed in an undignified heap on the plush carpet.
"I can't be late! Griselda's gonna kill me!" Erica scrambled up, her brown hair a wild tangle around her face, her blue eyes darting frantically around the room as if searching for an escape route from tardiness itself. She was already halfway to her wardrobe, pulling out clothes with a speed that defied logic.
"She won't 'kill' you, Erica," Daphne said, still smiling. "A stern lecture, perhaps. But you're a princess of Sparks, and my sister. I'm sure she'll make an exception for a few minutes."
Erica barely heard her, already pulling on a dark blue t-shirt that shimmered subtly with an arcane weave, and a pair of comfortable but stylish purple leggings. Her movements were a whirlwind, a stark contrast to her earlier sluggishness. "Less talking, more getting ready!" she declared, wrestling her feet into a pair of sturdy, rune-embroidered boots. Within minutes, she was dressed, looking like a young, vibrant fairy ready for adventure.
"Come on, come on!" With a final glance in the mirror, she adjusted a stray lock of hair, grabbed a sturdy, leather satchel that seemed to already hum with a faint magical glow, and practically flew out of her room, leaving Daphne to follow at a more sedate, queenly pace.
The scent of warm pastries, sizzling bacon, and freshly brewed herbal tea guided Erica down the grand staircase and into the sunlit dining area. The scene was one of familiar comfort: her older sister, Bloom, radiant as ever, sat beside their parents, King Oritel and Queen Marion, her red hair a fiery halo in the morning light. Sky, Bloom's consort and the Prince of Eraklyon, was also present, a gentle smile gracing his lips.
"Good morning, sleepyhead!" Bloom greeted teasingly, her eyes sparkling with affection as Erica skidded to a halt at the edge of the dining table.
"I'm awake now!" Erica declared, breathless, finding her usual seat across from her father. She wasted no time piling a generous portion of fruit, eggs, and toast onto her plate. The excitement was a tangible thing, buzzing beneath her skin.
"Are you excited for your first year at Alfea?" Bloom asked, her voice brimming with genuine enthusiasm. "You're going to love it there, I promise. It's truly amazing." Her smile, however, dimmed slightly as a flicker of concern crossed her face. "Just... keep your distance from Cloud Tower," she warned, her voice dropping to a serious tone. "You never know what those witches will do next!"
Erica, halfway through buttering a piece of toast, rolled her eyes at her sister's perennial warning. Bloom, though well-meaning, sometimes sounded like a broken record when it came to witches. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Witches are annoying, bad news, blah, blah, blah." She took a bite of toast. "But didn't you mention one of your friends was a witch? Mirta, isn't it?"
Bloom sighed, a soft sound of gentle frustration. "Mirta, yes, she was a witch – no doubt about it – but she changed to the good when she discovered what the Trix were up to. She's different. I'm just saying, be careful." Bloom looked at her with an intensity that went beyond simple sibling advice, a look that spoke of past battles and hard-won victories. "The Trix are still out there, in some form, or others like them will rise. Magic isn't just about good fairies, Erica. There's darkness, too."
Erica waved a dismissive hand, a playful grin on her face. "Bloom, I got this! I'm the Fairy of Crystals! Why in the Magic Dimension would witches desire crystal magic? It's not like it's some ancient, all-powerful flame that can reset the balance of the universe." She winked, clearly referencing Bloom's own Dragon's Flame.
Bloom smiled softly at this, a wistful, knowing expression. "That's exactly what I thought, too, back when I first came to Sparks. That my power was my own, and no one would want it." She paused, picking at a piece of fruit on her plate. "But I know the Trix, and anyone like them, will not give up on something they have their eyes on. Trust me, they took the Dragon's Flame more than once." Her voice was low, almost a murmur, lost in the echo of past struggles. The casualness with which she spoke of such grave events was a testament to how integral they had become to her life.
Erica, however, was already distracted. Her gaze flitted from her sister's solemn face to the grand grandfather clock in the corner of the dining room. The hands were moving, ticking away the precious minutes. Her first day. She couldn't be late!
Daphne, who had finished her own breakfast with quiet elegance, noticed Erica's agitated glances. She exchanged a quick, amused look with Bloom. "It seems like it's about time to take you to Alfea," Daphne said, her voice calm and reassuring.
Erica leapt from her seat with a renewed burst of energy. "Finally!" she exclaimed, rushing around the table to give her parents quick, enthusiastic hugs. "Love you! Bye!" She squeezed Bloom tightly as well, a brief moment of genuine affection cutting through her boundless energy. "Wish me luck, Bloom! I'm gonna be the best darn Crystal Fairy Alfea has ever seen!"
"You already are," Bloom whispered, returning the hug, a profound sense of love and a touch of worry in her eyes. "Just... remember what I said."
Erica gave a quick nod, pulling away and darting towards the vast double doors of the castle. "Let's go! I can't be late!" she urged, her voice rapid as a hummingbird's wings.
As she burst through the doors, the fresh morning air filled her lungs, and her eyes widened in awe. Moored gracefully in the sprawling castle garden, its polished hull gleaming in the sunlight, was a ship. Not just any ship, but a sleek, aerodynamic vessel with the unmistakable emblem of Red Fountain on its side. It was larger and more advanced than any she had seen up close, a marvel of Specialist engineering and magic.
“Whoa,” she breathed, her jaw dropping. She stared up, tracing the elegant lines of its design, the powerful engines, the glint of its weaponry, momentarily forgetting her urgency. This wasn't just transportation; it was a symbol of adventure, of the broader Magic Dimension she was about to step into.
A hearty laugh broke her trance. Sky, looking handsome and relaxed in his Specialist uniform, stood at the ship's ramp, a hand extended towards her. Bloom and Daphne were already aboard, waiting. "Aren't you coming too?" Sky chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Erica, remembering herself, flushed slightly and sprinted towards the ramp. "Coming!" She bounded up, her excitement renewed tenfold.
As the ramp retracted and the ship's engines hummed to life, a low vibrations coursing through the deck, Erica turned to Sky and Bloom, a question forming on her lips. "Wait, so… are you guys coming with me?"
Sky exchanged a glance with Bloom. "Basically, we're going back to Eraklyon," he explained. "But Daphne will be there with you. She's the History of Magic teacher at Alfea this year."
Erica's blue eyes darted between Bloom and Sky, her initial surprise fading into a pang of disappointment. "You're going back already? But you just arrived!" She had grown used to having Bloom back in Sparks, even briefly, it felt like a taste of their old, carefree lives before Bloom had left for Alfea.
Bloom reached out, gently lifting Erica's chin, her smile soft but tinged with sadness. "Erica, I'm sorry, but we have to get back home. Eraklyon needs us." She pressed a light kiss to Erica's forehead. "We'll visit you at Alfea, alright? As often as we can. You'll barely notice we're gone."
Erica reluctantly nodded, her heart sinking a little, but understanding. Her sister was a queen now, with responsibilities that stretched far beyond their family. She wrapped her arms around Bloom, hugging her tightly, trying to convey all the unspoken words of love and a little bit of longing for a time when things were simpler.
"We're here at Alfea!" Sky's voice boomed cheerfully, cutting through the bittersweet moment.
Erica broke away from Bloom, rushing to one of the wide viewing windows on the Red Fountain ship. Her eyes widened, almost comically, at the sight that greeted her.
Alfea College for Fairies.
It wasn't just a school; it was a living, breathing castle of knowledge and magic. Gargantuan towers, crowned with shimmering crystal turrets, stretched towards the sky. Ivy, thick and ancient, clung to its pale stone walls, giving it a timeless, almost mystical grandeur. Manicured gardens sprawled around its base, dotted with fountains that glittered with pure magic. And everywhere, young fairies, her age and older, bustled about – some flying on their newly formed wings, others chatting excitedly in groups, some already practicing small spells, their hands glowing with nascent power. The courtyard below was a vibrant tapestry of colors, laughter, and magical energy.
"Whoa," Erica whispered, pressing her face against the glass. "This place is big." The sheer scale of it was overwhelming, exhilarating, and just a tiny bit intimidating.
Daphne appeared beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It is," she agreed, her voice gentle. "But don't worry, I'll be with you this whole time. Actually, I think you might have a few classes with me as well. History of Magic is a core subject for all first-years." She offered a soft, encouraging smile, her eyes conveying both queenly authority and sisterly warmth. "It's a wonderful place, Erica. You're going to thrive here."
As the Red Fountain ship settled onto a designated landing pad in the bustling Alfea courtyard, its ramp extended once more. Daphne led Erica off the ship, her presence a comforting anchor in the swirling chaos of new students. Bloom and Sky waved from the ship's deck, their figures growing smaller as the ship prepared for its next departure. Erica waved back, a lump forming in her throat but quickly swallowed down. This was it. No turning back.
The courtyard was a symphony of sounds: chattering voices, the soft rustle of fairy wings, the occasional burst of shimmering magic, and the rhythmic thump of trunks being unloaded. Erica looked around, taking it all in, eyes wide with wonder and a healthy dose of nervous excitement.
Suddenly, a voice, loud and commanding, cut through the din like a perfectly aimed energy blast. "Name and Planet! You may go inside!"
Erica flinched, startled, her gaze snapping towards the source. Standing at the entrance of the grand Alfea archway was a woman of formidable presence. Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe bun, her uniform crisp and unyielding, and her expression was one that brooked no nonsense. This had to be her.
"That's Griselda," Daphne whispered, leaning closer to Erica. Her lips twitched in a slight, almost imperceptible smile. "She's been here since Bloom was at Alfea, and you really don't want to make her mad. Trust me on that." Daphne then straightened, her queenly aura returning. "I'll meet you inside. I need to go sign in with the other faculty. Go join the lineup, and be polite. I'll see you in the welcome hall."
Before Erica could protest or ask any more questions, Daphne was already moving, her stride purposeful, disappearing into the stream of other teachers heading towards a separate entrance.
Left alone in the teeming courtyard, Erica felt a sudden flutter of nerves in her stomach. The confident Fairy of Crystals, who had laughed off Bloom's warnings, now faced the reality of her first solo step into the fabled halls of Alfea. She looked at the long line of fairies, some already showing signs of exhaustion from their travels, all waiting patiently, if a little nervously, for their turn with the formidable Griselda.
She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. Her blue eyes, usually so full of youthful mischief, now held a spark of determination. This was it. Her own adventure. She clutched her satchel tighter, took a fortifying breath, and marched directly towards the end of the longest line, ready to face whatever Alfea—and Griselda—threw her way. The Crystal Fairy had arrived.