The night sky stretched wide over the Castle of Domino, swelling like a great cosmic ocean stitched together by silver threads of stardust. Between the folds of night, the planet's many moons lay nestled under a cloak of darkness, bathing the crystalline spires of the palace into towers of liquid moonlight. Beneath them, the grand halls of Sparx pulsed with a warm golden glow―a world of laughter, twirling gowns, and clinking crystal glasses.
A celebration of rebirth, of a kingdom reclaiming its lost light. The coronation of Crown Princess Daphne marked the return of Domino's first heir, a Nymph of Magix who had wandered for centuries as a spirit, lost between worlds. Long ago, the Ancestral Witches had plunged the kingdom into ruin, shattering its brilliance like a mirror against stone. But now―through the courage of new heroes, through an unyielding fight for hope―Daphne had been restored.
And so, under the glow of a thousand stars, Domino rejoiced.
- ✧ ❖ ✧ -
The voices of nobles and dignitaries wove together in a constant hum of opulence, their laughter blending with the chime of enchanted instruments. The air was thick with the scent of spiced wines and fresh blossoms, a perfect convergence of old-world tradition and new beginnings.
But for the young heir of the Planet Astraios, Maggie had no interest in noble dances or royal speeches.
Because somewhere beyond these halls, the greatest magic she had ever known was about to unfold.
And she was not going to miss it.
Her barefoot feet barely made a sound against the polished marble as she darted between rosy pillars and gossiping emissaries. She clutched the hem of her night gown, careful to not let it rustle as her breath quickened, but not from nervousness―but from something much greater.
Tonight, the Winx were here.
She had heard the whispers earlier―a special performance, a magic showcase unlike any other, hosted on a stage made of the sky itself. A display of raw fairy power, light and energy twisting into breathtaking formations―and she was going to see it for herself.
The Winx Club.
The greatest fairies of all time. Her idols.
Maggie could scarcely believe it was true. She had begged her parents to attend the ceremony, pleading with unyielding desperation until they relented. However despite mingling with fellow noble families and dignitaries, she had barely been able to focus on the grandeur of the event. Instead she had been scanning the crowd, her heart leaping at the mere thought of it. Through the sea of noble faces and swirling gowns, Maggie had only caught fleeting glimpses―a shimmer of an iridescent gown, a flash of fiery red hair, and the dazzling smile of Bloom, her favorite member of the Winx.
Her lips had curled into a breathless grin before she quickly clapped both hands over her mouth. No one had noticed her bedtime absence yet. Good.
Her heart raced in anticipation as she slipped into a crowd of nobles, her small form blending effortlessly with their ranks. She darted past a group of Solarian and Astraean courtiers deep in conversation, her wide eyes scanning the grand staircase ahead, which led down to a lower courtyard. Guards stood at their posts, their stern faces unwavering as they monitored the bustling hall, while servants hurried through the hallways, arms laden with trays of ripened fruit and crystal goblets. They all paid no mind to the tiny figure weaving between them, moving with quiet urgency towards the sounds of magic waiting just beyond. Guests from all across the Magical Dimensions drifted toward the courtyard like moths to a flame, drawn by the whispered promise of something spectacular―something magical.
Although she was now outside, Maggie's heart raced with urgency, her small hands gripping the edges of her dress as she bounced on the balls of her feet, eager and impatient. The world around her felt like it was moving in slow motion, the crowd's whispers muffled as she focused all her attention on the magic unfolding before her.
She had missed their transformation, the part she had been most eager to witness, but the magic still unwinding before her was nothing short of extraordinary.
The Winx soared above the crowd, their wings shining like fireflies against the night sky. Their movements were fluid, graceful, and impossibly beautiful, weaving trails of light and elemental energy through the vast, starry tapestry.
Maggie stood frozen, her wide eyes fixed on the dazzling display. She couldn't believe she was finally seeing them—the Winx, the heroes she had idolized for so long—performing live, right in front of her. The magic in the air was so tangible, it felt as if the very universe around her was responding to their call.
But despite the breathtaking sight, there was one problem.
Maggie couldn't see, taller figures in the crowd blocking her line of sight. Her heart pounded as she stretched as high as she could on her tiptoes, trying to get even the smallest glimpse, but it was no use. Broad shoulders, sweeping gowns, and tall heads all stood in her way, obscuring her view of the performance.
She couldn't miss this. She just couldn't.
Her eyes darted around the crowd, searching for a way to get a better spot. And there it was.
A narrow stone ledge on the second floor, just around a pillar, the perfect place for her to climb and get a clear view.
Her heart pulsed with excitement as her gaze shot up to the staircase leading inside, her mind already racing ahead. She knew what she had to do—there was no time to waste. Without thinking, she bolted toward the stairs, dodging and weaving between the guests, ignoring the disapproving looks from the guests as she nearly collided with them.
She could hear the faint shouts of servants calling after her, but she didn't stop. Her small legs carried her quickly through the grand hall, her excitement growing with each step. The guards hardly noticed the tiny figure rushing between them as she pushed open a door and stepped outside onto the balcony terrace.
The cool air hit her flushed skin, but she didn't stop to take a breath.
Climbing onto the ledge, she grabbed the stone embellishments with both hands, pulling herself up, her heart thundering in her chest. She was so close, just one more step, and then—
She was at the edge.
Maggie looked up, and the world around her seemed to disappear. The Winx soared above the crowd, their wings casting dazzling shapes against the night sky. Stella spun golden ribbons of sunlight, Musa's melodies shaped into glowing butterflies, and Flora's vines created blooming flowers in midair, raining petals down on the astonished audience. Their magic was alive—vibrant, powerful, and awe-inspiring.
The stars themselves seemed to shift in the wake of their power, twinkling brighter against the darkness. Maggie's breath caught in her throat.
This was everything she had dreamed of—and so much more. She couldn't believe it. The magic, the colors, the power—it was real, and it was right in front of her.
She wanted to be like them. She had to be.
Maggie's heart pounded, her child hands gripping the cool stone pillar next to her. The air shimmering with the weight of something sacred, something just out of reach.
The urge was overwhelming. She leaned forward, desperate to get closer, to feel the energy around her, but as she shifted her weight, her balance faltered.
Thud.
Her heart dropped as the sound of her small body slipping echoed across the balcony. Maggie gasped, her face flushing a bright red. She pressed herself against the cold stone pillar, praying she hadn't been seen.
A beat of silence stretched out. Then another.
Had they noticed her? Her embarrassment was unbearable, her skin hot with shame. Her parents—what would they say? She could already imagine the stern looks and the scolding.
But before she could retreat fully behind the pillar, a soft, glowing light flickered into her vision.
Maggie's eyes shot open, and she stared in shock as a small orb of magic shimmered in front of her. It pulsed in soft hues of silver and gold, glowing like a star, as if alive. It floated just inches from her face, rippling the air around it in gentle waves, bending the very space she stood in.
Her breath caught in her throat. Did one of them see me?
The orb pulsed once, then—
Boom!
The light exploded outward in a burst of starlight, scattering in all directions like tiny fireworks before fading into the night. Maggie was frozen, wide-eyed and breathless, her chest tight with a mix of awe and panic.
Hesitantly, she peeked out from behind the pillar. One of the Winx members, a knowing smile curling on her lips, had caught her eye for just a moment. But as quickly as the moment came, the fairy turned back to the performance, her attention once more on the magic unfolding in the sky.
Maggie's heart pounded in her chest. The embarrassment still burned in her cheeks, but it was nothing compared to the fire that had ignited inside her. She had seen real magic. The kind that only a few people could ever dream of.
In that moment, she knew.
She would become a fairy.
She had to.
A wide grin spread across her face as she stood, still shaken but filled with a newfound resolve. She had witnessed magic—and she would be part of it, one day.
A sharp voice cut through the air, shattering the spell of the moment.
"Marguerite Leigh Themis!"
Maggie froze, her heart skipping a beat.
Her mother's voice. Her normally calm tone was now sharp, disapproving, and unmistakable.
Her eyes widened as she slowly turned, dread pooling in her stomach. Her royal guards and panic-stricken caretaker's gazes equally concerned and judgmental as they approached her hiding spot on the terrace.
Maggie gulped, her excitement from the Winx's performance crashing down into the cold reality of her situation.
Busted.
And just like that, her magical moment was over.
- ✧ ❖ ✧ -
A heavy thud startled Maggie awake.
Her eyes fluttered open, groggy and disoriented. She squinted against the soft golden morning light spilling through the window, trying to shake off the remnants of a dream that felt so real she could almost still hear the Winx's magic in the air. But as the fog of sleep lifted, the magic faded into the warm, dusty scent of parchment and ink.
Where was she?
Her brain caught up a moment later. Magix. The book café. Right.
The quiet murmur of conversations and the rustle of pages filled the air, the familiar buzz of the café sinking in around her. But still, that feeling of unfinished wonder lingered in the back of her mind—the thrill of witnessing something extraordinary, something that made her dream of magic once more.
She rubbed her eyes, letting the thud—the one that had pulled her from sleep—register in her mind. Someone had knocked something over.
Her heart beat just a little faster as she slowly straightened up, still adjusting to the present. For a moment, she wished she could just close her eyes and return to that night, to the Winx, to the magic she has always longed for. But reality had a way of pulling her back in—always.
She sighed and sat up fully, yawning as she tried to shake off the remnants of childhood dreams that had somehow followed her all the way to Magix.
What was odd, though, was how real it had felt. It was different from the usual random fragments that never quite made sense. While it was not uncommon for her to dream about her younger self, slipping in and out of memories of the royal terrace, or playing in the palace gardens they were always fuzzy, scattered. But this one? This dream had been vivid, so crisp and clear, it felt as though she had actually been there again, standing on that terrace, watching the Winx soar through the night sky.. And for the first time in ages, it had felt... positive. Magical, even.
She frowned, trying to dismiss the lingering confusion. Her dreams and visions were usually written off as just that—dreams, something her mind conjured up to fill in the gaps of memories she couldn't quite place. She didn't talk about them, not really. No one ever took them seriously, especially the ones from her past. Those parts of her childhood were something she had buried deep, dismissed as "nonsense" or "fantasy," even if there was a part of her wanted to believe they weren't.
She yawned again, leaning back against the wall behind as the lingering discomfort of her thoughts grounded her back in the present.
"Well, well, well?" Ashya's voice drawled, filled with way too much amusement for the early morning hour. "What do we have here?"
Maggie blinked blearily, her sleep-deprived brain struggling to process her friend's sudden—and extremely smug—appearance.
Too late.
Before she could slam the books in her lap shut, Ashya had already swooped in, snatching one right from her hands.
"You really thought you could fool me with the ol' 'hide-the-manga-behind-the-big-boring-textbook' trick?" Ashya tsked, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "A rookie move, Princess."
Maggie scowled. "Don't call me that."
Ashya grinned, twirling the manga between her fingers as shimmering particles of magic trailed in the air behind it. "Maaaggie," she singsonged, eyes twinkling mischievously. "Maggie~ My dearest academic overachiever, my most studious book gremlin—"
Maggie lunged. "Give it back!"
Ashya spun effortlessly out of reach, the translucent fabric of her sleeves catching the morning light as she dodged. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. And here I thought you were exhausted from, oh I don't know, interdimensional space travel? But nooo—looks like you were just up all night reading this silly Earthling literature."
Maggie huffed, cheeks burning."I wasn't reading all night!" she protested, swiping at the book again.
Ashya arched an eyebrow.
Maggie huffed again, stuffing the manga beneath her textbook with as much nonchalance as possible. "It's called strategic learning, thank you very much. My brain needs balance—some serious reading, and then some fun reading."
"Uh-huh," Ashya drawled, arms crossed. "And how much of that serious reading actually gets read?"
Maggie sniffed. "That's between me and my academic conscience."
Ashya gave her an unimpressed look.
Maggie rolled her eyes. "Not like I could sleep anyway! Someone was snoring loud enough to shake the entire space shuttle! So, you know, might as well do something productive if I'm being deprived of my beauty sleep."
Ashya gasped, clutching her chest in exaggerated offense. "Excuse me? First of all, I do not snore. Second—"
"Tell that to the ship's auto-pilot system," Maggie muttered. "It nearly rerouted us because it thought an asteroid storm was incoming."
Honestly, she was just grateful for the distraction—anything to avoid getting dragged back into that argument. Sirene and Ashya had spent half the trip bickering over who snored louder, and Maggie, stuck in the middle, had desperately pretended to be asleep just to escape the chaos. Not that it helped—she still heard everything.
She smirked, shooting Ashya a sideways glance. "By the way, I've decided. You totally lost that fight."
Ashya gasped, clutching her chest like she'd just been mortally wounded. "Excuse me?!"
"I call it like I see it," Maggie said with an innocent shrug. "And hear it. And, unfortunately, suffer through it."
Ashya scoffed. "Wow. Betrayed by my own friend. The audacity."
She was just about to launch into an exaggerated speech about Maggie's cruel and unjust slander when she did a double take, eyes narrowing.
"Okay, fine, I lost that one. But I'd sympathize with your tragic hardship story more if you didn't look like you lost a fight with a haunted attic."
Maggie blinked. "Huh?"
Ashya reached out and plucked something from her long strawberry blonde hair. She held it up between her fingers—a long, wispy cobweb.
Maggie's brain short-circuited.
"What?!"
Before Ashya could react, Maggie panicked, smacking herself in the head as she scrambled to get rid of it. Unfortunately, in her blind flailing, her head collided hard with the window sill above.
"Ow—ow—okay, is it gone? Is it off? Tell me it's off!"
Ashya had the audacity to laugh. "Oh my stars, Maggie, calm down! It's just a cobweb—no spider. You're fine."
Maggie clutched her forehead, still too traumatized to process. "You're sure?"
Ashya, still giggling, stepped forward and began carefully brushing out the remaining cobwebs, her touch light. "Hold still, you absolute menace." She flicked the cobweb out the open window, dusted her hands off, and grinned.
Maggie groaned, rubbing the sore spot on her head. "I hate you."
Ashya grinned. "Nah, you love me."
Maggie grumbled under her breath but finally let her gaze drift past Ashya and out the window. The early morning bathed Magix City golden beneath the soft light of the early morning sun. The buildings' unique geometric shapes shimmered in a dream-like haze in every direction. Much further away the towering crystal spires of Cloud Tower and Alfea Academy gleamed in the distance, a reminder of how the city held so much promise.
But Magix wasn't just a city; it was a world of its own, where anything could happen. The grand towers of Alfea College for Fairies, where fairies trained to hone their magical abilities, stood proudly in the distance, while Cloud Tower's intimidating presence served as a reminder that magic—both dark and light—was always at play. Everything in the city was infused with advanced technology and magic, from the glowing crystal street lamps to the air itself, humming with the presence of aliens and magical creatures alike.
Even the gentle, swirling winds that floated in from the Gloomy Wood Forest felt like they were carrying stories from the past—stories of past heroes, powerful magic, and exciting adventures. Maggie couldn't help but feel like she was part of that legacy now. She was here to attend Alfea, in the heart of it all, surrounded by magic, mystery, and the potential for new beginnings.