Trouble

[Demeter]

Demeter's eyes continued to glow gold as she turned up the heat around the mermaid princess. She knew the mermaid would pass out soon and then that spell would piffle out of existence.

[Bloom]

"Damn you" Bloom cursed Demeter, as she felt the heat around her increase. "Layla, we have to do this now." Bloom was starting to get a little dizzy.

[Layla]

Shifting her hands, Layla turned them toward Demeter and shouted, "All right, take this!" Giving a fierce yell, Layla sent the ball containing both her and Bloom's power at the witch, knowing that even if it didn't completely wipe her out, it would do a great deal of damage.

[Demeter]

Demeter found herself in a hurry to throw up a shield, which managed to block some but not all of the blast. She hissed in pain and silently wished Sky would show up to help.

[Bloom]

Even with the near direct shot at Demeter the heat still did not leave, if anything it was becoming more intense. Bloom found the heat to be so intense that even as she tried to breath it was burning her throat. Slowly almost sipping air in Bloom slowly sank to the ground, heedless of the danger it was puting her in.

[Layla]

Watching Bloom fall to the ground, Layla felt a stab of fear shoot through her body. Glancing over and seeing that Demeter was momentarily writhing in pain, Layla threw her arms up into the air and closed her eyes, her mouth inaudibly whispering the words to an old rain spell that she had learned as a child. Bloom needed water - and water she was going to get. Finishing her chant, Layla opened her eyes just in time to see the clouds above her thicken and then open, releasing cool water over them. She could only hope that it would be enough to revive her friend.

[Demeter]

Demeter took the moment while they were distracted to whisper her own spell, and vanished from in front of them to behind them. She was amused that they hadn't thought about her casting that spell. The only person who might give her grief besides the Winx Club was that foolish old professor.

[Layla]

Hearing a movement behind her, Layla whirled around, her heart sinking when she realized that Demeter was still very much there. Quickly glancing down to the ground, Layla saw that even though the rain was helping Bloom, her friend was still struggling. Turning to face Demeter again, Layla felt her body grow cold as she knew that she would have to face the witch alone.

[Demeter]

Demeter glanced over her shoulder to see what Layla was doing. A small bit of the true Flora was grateful that Layla knew how to help Bloom and... was hoping Layla would teach her those rain spells. It would be a boost to her nature spells.

"Yes....?" she drawled, seeing that Layla was glaring at her.

[Layla]

"I know the real Flora is in there somewhere, Demeter," Layla replied unflinchingly. "You can try to hurt us all you want and you can call us any name in the book, and we still won't give up on saving our friend. She means too much to us to just let her be lost to your evil." Raising her hands above her head, a glowing pink Morfix ball forming between her palms, Layla continued, her voice rising, "You may think I'm weak, but I know better. You see, I'm fighting for something that you can't even begin to understand - I'm fighting for someone I love. And you know what they say - love is the most powerful magic of all."

[Demeter]

Demeter flinched at the word love - a very visible flinch. She drew back, a look of sheer confusion dancing across her features as she reached out for Darkar's reassurance. They didn't love her, did they?

[Layla]

Seeing the effect of her words, Layla continued with more intensity, "We love her for all the good she embodies. She is warm, and caring, and gentle. She listens and lends her shoulder to her friends - she offers herself up unselfishly to those who need her. She is not evil. Not by a longshot."

[Demeter]

Demeter took another step back, shaking her head. That girl was lying, she had to be. None of the Winx Club had truly cared for her. At least, that was what Darkar had told her and he was the Master and he was always right.

[Layla]

As the words of love and friendship had poured out of her, Layla felt the strangest sensation course through her body, filling her with an indescribable warmth. It wasn't a bad feeling, though - no, in fact it was quite the opposite. It was a feeling of strength and power.

Hearing a small chiming sound coming from herself, Layla glanced down in confusion. Immediately, her eyes widened in pure surprise as she saw a new addition to her outfit: a shiny pendant resting against her chest. Her Charmix.

[darker]

'Demeter, of course they are lying. How else would they be able to defeat such a powerful opponent? They always thought that you were the weakest against in the fights. Your spells were only offensive when pair with someone else's. Even your defensive was weak, you had to use their powers for yours to be strong enough.

Now look at you, you are beautiful, strong and brilliant.'