User blog:Flamephoenix/Translation of Trendix Book (Complete)

Aphrodite Sweetheart asked me to translate Bloom: My Dream of Fashion. This is the translation of the whole novel.

Introduction
Bloom and the Winx Fairy Couture go on a trip to the most fashionable town in the world! Magic, friendship and an even more glamor look will accompany them on this adventure.

Fashion Week is starting in New York but the Winx Fairy Couture notice that something is wrong: the collections are strangely monotone and none seem to stand out. Bloom understands that the mystery is not on the catwalk, but behind it. And she starts investigating with her friends.

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Trip
It was very warm in Gardenia that afternoon. The sun was shining its rays upon the window pane of the living room of the loft of the Winx, directly on the screen of the computer where Bloom was drawing.

"Today we don't breathe!" she observed, tying a knot with her white tank top.

Even the sequined black cat embroidered on it seemed to be grimacing out of disgust.

"Girls, I have what you need! A delicious tea of mint, lime and ginger. Icy cold and refreshing!" announced Flora in her floral print turquoise silk mini-dress.

In her hands she was holding two glasses filled with a greenish liquid in which big ice cubes were jingling. Bloom threw an apologetic glance at Stella, relaxed on the sofa with her pink short, a knitted top and the latest edition of the most fashionable magazine of the moment: Fashion In The Air. It was the right time for a beneficial tea.

"Thanks, Flora. This is exactly what we wanted," answered Bloom, throwing a small glance at Stella and inviting her to take their friend's drink.

All of a sudden, Stella's eyes fell on a page of the magazine.

"I will tell you what I want right now: to wear this wonderful bikini and lay down on the edge of a swimming pool... with lots of bubbles!"

"And a nice glass of my delicious tea!" added Flora."That's it, maybe with mango and passion fruit juice," retorted Stella. "But I'll satisfy myself with your tea as well, with this dress I'm wearing. It's simply divine!"

"Are squares returning to fashion?" asked Flora, throwing a look at the picture of the model in swimsuit.

"Squares and dots, my favorites!" Stella enthusiastically replied. "Look at these wonderful fuchsia stitches... and on top of that it's reversible, so you have two swimsuits in one!"

"I prefer flower prints," said Flora, doing a whirl to puff up the skirt of her mini-dress. "But I must admit that squares are pretty too."

"Flower prints will return to fashion next year," replied Stella decidedly. "Lots of yellow flowers..."

Bloom and Flora smiled. Stella practically knew everything when it came to talking fashion.

At this moment, someone knocked on the door. Bloom went to open it and found herself facing the reddened face of Vanessa.

"Hello, darling. It's hot today..."

"Mom! How are you?" Bloom greeted her. "Come! Flora has just prepared one of her refreshing teas."

"How wonderful," answered Vanessa, taking a large glass filled to the brim. "This is exactly what I wanted."

"Why did you go out with this temperature?" asked Bloom.

"I need to speak to you about something. Something very delicate."

Bloom sat her near Stella and they all started listening.

"Earlier I received a call from my friend Amanda," said Vanessa, who turned towards Bloom. "It seems to me that you have already met her once, when you were smaller..."

Then she turned towards the others too, and explained:

"She is a dear friend and she is very worried because her daughter Scarlett has been chosen as model by an agency from New York."

"This is crazy news!" exclaimed Stella. "New York, the fashion shows, haute couture... I would really love to be in her place!"

Then, calming her enthusiasm, she asked:"And with such luck, why is Amanda worried?"

"You see, Scarlett is very young and she has never been anywhere alone," explained Vanessa to the friends.

"And New York is a big town," Flora thoughtfully observed.

"Of course, full of fashionable people, super fashion shops, designers who shape the tendency..." Stella added with irony.

"And there are also many dangers," Bloom objected worriedly.

"Oh, please Bloom. Don't be a killjoy. You just need to be a bit careful and entertainment is guaranteed," articulated Stella.

"The fact remains that Scarlett is simply not ready, according to Amanda, to travel alone. In fact, it would be safer is someone could keep a watch over her while she is there. At least in the beginning..." Vanessa tried to say.

"Are you asking me to go to New York to keep a watch on Scarlett?" asked Bloom.

Vanessa acquiesced with a nod.

"Well, it's clear that for such an important mission you will need help, company, help, reassurance... In short, you won't leave me at home, right?" Stella suddenly investigated, enthusiastic at the idea of such a trip.

"I don't really know if I want to go," Bloom answered uncertainly.

"Please, darling. I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important," insisted Vanessa.

"Come on, Bloom, you can't refuse," pressed Stella, who was already imagining herself trying lots of sandals, shoes, and open-toed footwear, going through shelves of clothing of all textures and colors, and combining them with each of the delightful jeweled clutch bags which filled the pages of her favorite magazines...

"Stella" Stella" Come back to us," Flora called her. "You've heard Bloom's answer? She accepted! We are going to New York."

"Hurray! Hurray! These will be unforgettable vacations!" Stella then replied."These won't be vacations because we are going there for a very precise reason, and..."

"Alright, Bloom, alright. Now I need to pack my suitcase," Stella cut her.

"Right now?" asked Flora, surprised.

"Yes, I start mentally, evidently. Just to not forget the essential things."

Bloom and Flora smiled. Maybe Stella was right. New York was waiting for them. But first they had to elaborate a plan to reach the fashion show.

Chapter 2: Codename: Starchic
Vanessa had just left, that Tecna, Aisha and Musa made their entrance into the loft.

"Running today is really tiring, but I had a good training session again," began Layla, controlling the data on her WinxWatch. "Now I need a nice shower!"

"I can't understand how you can do sports with this heat," Tecna told her. "Moreover, running during very high heat is bad for the health."

"My health is in perfect health!" answered Aisha, winking at her.

"Hi girls!" said Musa to the others, before removing a headphone from her ears.

"I am glad that you are here," said Bloom. "We have a new mission."

Suddenly all opened their ears.

"What kind of mission? Did something serious happen?" Musa wanted to know.

"Sit and I will tell you everything," replied Bloom.

Then she talked of Vanessa's visit and her request for help to ensure nothing bad will happen to the daughter of her friend Amanda during her first work experience in New York.

"Do you understand what bold luck she has?!" exclaimed Stella. "Model in New York!"

Bloom smiled from all the enthusiasm and concluded:

"Vanessa asked me to go, but first we need to find a way to join the fashion show."

"I fear this won't be easy," Flora observed. "Especially for us who don't work in fashion."

"We need to think of a solution," Aisha told the friends.

"But of course!" Stella observed. "I will contact Peter Bennett!"

"Who is Peter Bennett?" asked Bloom.

"He's an important fashion journalist and he's also one of my friends. I'll asl him to find tickets for the show."

But the Winx remain puzzled.

"Don't you think it won't be very credible if, out of the blue, you asked him six invitations for the New York fashion shows?" asked Bloom.

"Journalists are always searching for news and scoops. Peter could suspect us and maybe do some research on us."

"Aisha is right," added Musa. "We need a stronger reason."

"And a cover," added Tecna.

Silence descended on the room. The Winx were trying to come up with a brilliant idea.

"But of course! Why didn't I think of it earlier?" Stella exclaimed all of a sudden. "I'll present myself to Peter as a fashion blogger!"

"But you are not a fashion blogger," Bloom observed.

"Not yet."

"Without any doubt you know all there is to know on the topic," Flora added, smiling.

"But a blog needs to be built and launched online," Aisha intervened.

"I've already thought of it. I know how to do," Tecna responded decidedly.

Stella ran to throw her arms around her neck:

"You are fantastic!" she exclaimed.

"Girls, anyway keep in mind that any self-respecting blog needs to have users, followers who comment and read the posts," Aisha noted with her characteristic meticulousness.

"Well, we'll sign up ourselves and we'll pass the word to our friends," replied Stella. "You'll see that within some days it will be the most visited fashion blog of them all."

"Very well. Now let's get to work. The fashion shows are beginning in some weeks," said Bloom, consulting her smartphone.

Tecna settled in front of the computer. Behind her, Stella was suggesting the contents, Flora was giving advice on the graphic aspect, Aisha was highlighting the corrections to be made, Bloom was thinking how to improve the general structure and Musa was choosing a piece of background music for the page. With this perfect teamwork, the blog was ready after only some hours.

It just needs a name, which will also serve as the web address," said Tecna who, exhausted, collapsed in an armchair.

"What would you say of Starchic? It could also be my blogger name," proposed Stella.

"I like it," said Musa.

"The others also gave their approval.

"Good. So we're done!" Tecna explained, hitting the submit button.

A moment later, the blog's site was online. Stella warmly applauded.

"That's wonderful!"

"Now we need to sign up and post comments," added Bloom.

They agreed and started, each on her phone, to write observations on Stella's article. The adventure could begin!

Chapter 3: New York, We Are Coming!
Some days later, Stella was on Cloud Nine. She was hopping and fluttering across the living room, wearing a pink tulle miniskirt, a white T-shirt with a star made of sequins on the chest and, on her feet, a pair of pink patent sandals, Spartan style. She looked like a ballerina.

"We have the invitations, girls! I still can't believe it."

"Excellent! You have been very skillful," Bloom congratulated her.

"Yes, Peter was very glad to have us at the fashion shows, especially when I told him about my blog."

"Fantastic!" said Flora. "Now we only have to pack up!"

Stella suddenly became stern and lowered her eyes.

"But there's still a little problem," she said.

"Which one?" asked Tecna.

"Peter was able to give only three invitations," explained Stella, disappointed. "Apparently, there are no seats anymore. You know, the New York fashion shows are very famous..."

The girls looked at each other, long faced.

"What a pity," Flora commented, disappointed, after a moment.

"This means we'll have to decide who'll go and who'll stay at home," said Bloom.

"You definitely have to go. You promised Vanessa," Stella observed.

"And you too, Stella," said Flora. "You are the blogger."

"Well, in fact I had already long ago booked a seat for a concert I want to go to and it's exactly in some days," Musa declared.

"Me too I can stay here. This way I'll take the opportunity to train myself. In November, exactly in New York, there will be a very important marathon and I want to try being ready to face this test!"

"In this case there's only you two, Tecna and Flora," said Stella.

"I'll gladly give you my place, Flora. I've done research on New York and I've read that its Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful ones in the world. I'm sure you'll be very happy to see it."

Flora's eyes lit up like two emeralds in the sun.

"Well, yes, it will be really wonderful, but... "

"Go ahead," Tecna encouraged her again.

"Thank you, Tecna! You're really a fantastic friend!" Flora said, beaming.

"Well," concluded. "So that it. The three of us will go: Stella, Flora and me."

Then Tecna, Aisha and Musa left their friends to their preparations.

Bloom, in her room, was looking at her closet, puzzled, wondering what she would have to wear. She did not have the smallest clue what were supposed to be the clothes of a fashionable Winx heading to the New York fashion shows. At this moment Stella arrived.

"What do you think of my traveling outfit?" she asked, posing to display her dress.

She was wearing a black ecoleather short, a white shirt with a Mandarin collar, the whole topped by a jacket matching the short. To conclude, she was wearing heel-less black boots reaching above the knees.

"Wow!" Bloom exclaimed. "This looks fantastic! I would add this, however," and the took from the closet a small bag of black ecological pony hair.

"Very well found. Thanks!"

"And I'd add this," Flora said at this moment, entering the room holding a set of necklaces.

She took one with black and white enameled flowers and placed it on Stella's neck.

"Thanks girls! Now I'm really perfect!" she exclaimed, admiring herself in the mirror.

Then she helped her friends choose their clothes, always rigorously following the same theme: ecoleather.

For Bloom leather cigarette pants with a long chiffon tank top with leather inserts and bright belt, the whole a delicate powder pink. Black and pink open-toed shoes with stiletto heels. A black mini-handbag with a chain strap and a ten row grey pearl necklace. For Flora, the opposite: a bright green leather miniskirt with a top embroidered with flowers of all colors. Yellow suede ballerina shoes and a shopper bag of the same material and color, but braided. On her ears, two yellow and green earrings.

Together they admired the result in their reflection.

"Divine!" said Stella.

The three girls hugged each other, happy, and smiled at each other.

"New York: we're coming!" the Winx exclaimed in a chorus.

Chapter 4: Perfect Red: The Model Agency
A stream of golden yellow taxis was slowly flowing along the busy streets of the American city between the skyscrapers of shiny glass high like mountains. The Winx, noses pressed against the windows, were observing the landscape with eyes rounded by wonder. A week had passed since Stella had received Peter's invitations and, finally, Bloom, Flora and she were in New York.

"Girls, I feel like I'm living in a movie! Have you seen this sight?" Stella exclaimed, looking at a young girl wearing a wonderful dress dress with white and lilac spots.

"This town is full of colors and positive energy," answered Flora.

"And there's also a lot of traffic," observed Bloom.

"Our apartment is no longer very far," Stella communicated, checking the map on her smartphone.

The skyscrapers progressively gave way to lower buildings, some colorful, other made of bricks, with complex fireproof ladder systems, which looked like gigantic shooting stars.

"What did you say was this neighborhood's name?" Flora asked Stella.

"Soho. It's the most fashionable neighborhood of the town."

"Our apartment is very close to the Perfect Red Agency, the one that hired Scarlett," Bloom seriously clarified.

"You are worried?" Flora asked her.

"Well... I'm not very assured by the fact that this agency only selects models who have red hair," Bloom replied.

"It could be a commercial action," Stella declared.

"I hope it's that. But I have a strange presentiment," Bloom concluded.

Meanwhile, the taxi had finally arrived. The house had a small set of stairs on the front. Some buildings away, was Perfect Red. The taxi driver helped them unload their luggage. Two mid-sized trolleys, for Bloom and Flora, and a third trolley, this one of a gigantic size, for Stella. Bloom threw a reproachful look at her.

"Your suitcase is enormous, Stella. Don't you think one like the others would have been enough?"

"Oh no, are you joking? I would never have been able to leave the house! This set of suitcase is new. I couldn't wait to try it!"

"But it weighs a ton!" Flora declared, trying to lift it.

"As a matter of fact I'll need your help, girls. We'll do this: I carry the two small ones, and you carry the big suitcase together. Is that OK?" she asked and winked at them.

A this moment, a young man in a suit and tie walked out of the front door.

"Hello, are you from the real estate agency?" she asked him.

"Yes, you're welcome. Can I help you with the luggage?" he offered.

Bloom and Flora exchanged an intense look and handed him Stella's suitcase.

"How kind!" they commented together.

The young man, gasping from fatigue and cursing himself for having offered his help to transport this heavyweight, finally led them to the first floor. Then he showed the apartment to the girls.

"This place is gorgeous," Stella exclaimed, looking around.

"Indeed it's not bad," Bloom replied, sinking into a comfortable armchair covered with purple velvet.

In front of her was a thick carpet decorated with geometric patterns separating her from a floral sofa. From the ceiling hung a chandelier made of glass which looked like a gigantic artichoke, and on the walls were old posters of crime thrillers, an large colorful patchwork that looked South American and a wooden sculpture of a small puppet theater.

"Here are the rooms, each with a private bathroom and a small balcony where you can have breakfast or sunbathe," the agent explained.

"All looks perfect. Thanks," Stella replied, satisfied.

Then the young man went away. The Winx had a lot to do. They had to decide what to wear for the next day at the fashion show. The first impression had to be the best possible, so they could keep a watch on Scarlett without looking suspicious.

Bloom opened the living room window and looked outside.

"There are only red-haired girls entering the agency," she told the others.

"Effectively, it's a bit suspicious," Flora replied.

"Tomorrow we'll investigate. But for now I suggest we choose our look," Stella said.

Then she opened all the suitcases and inspected the different clothes spread on the beds, sofas and armchairs. Flora and Bloom observed her, caught between surprise and fascination.

After a moment the super fashion expert Winx had selected a series of skirts and tops for herself and her friends.

"You really want us to wear this?" asked Bloom, pointing at the lace miniskirt Stella was showing her.

"These are traditional patterned kilts, but in lace. It's a new and fashion element," explained Stella. "With these leather and muslin blouses of the same color as the skirt we'll be very fashionable. Trust me!"

"Yeah, maybe you're right," said Bloom, taking her geometric patterned skirt.

Flora's was rigorously floral, Stella's was Scottish.

"We could wear these patent leather boots," Bloom then proposed, handing Stella a red pair.

"Excellent idea! You know how to do it with accessories."

Bloom smile and then handed a pair to Flora: sunny yellow.

Conversely for herself she chose a black pair.

"And then...," said Bloom. "Patent leather shoulder bag."

From a suitcase she took three patent bags matching the shoes.

"At this point only one detail is missing... some beautiful jewelry!" said Flora.

She thought for a moment then took a cloth bag from which she took out a lot of colorful crystal bracelets.

"What do you say about these ones? If we match them to the colors of the skirt, they'll make a big impression on our wrists."

"Wonderful, Flora! I'll take the red and fuchsia one," said Stella.

Bloom took a black and purple transparent one, while Stella was choosing a blue, yellow and green one.

"Girls, we've been really great!' Stella praised herself, admiring the result.

"Excellent work, but now we should rest. The fashion shows are beginning tomorrow!"

The girls smiled. They were impatient to be there!

Chapter 5: A Nightmare Catwalk
In front of the famous Fashion Museum was a long waiting line of people wearing the most eccentric styles the Winx had ever seen. They were the guests for the fashion shows that were about to start. The Winx go out of the taxi they had taken from home and got ready to enter. Two sturdy bouncers were verifying the invitations and sending back anyone who did not have the authorization to enter. Bloom handed one of the two the invitations obtained by Peter. The man motioned to enter.

"You are welcome," he said, pointing to the crowded corridor in front of them.

So many colors, fabrics and perfumes, tinkling bracelets, hairstyles and hats were there! True poetry for the admiring and curious gaze of Stella.

"Girls, you can't imagine how much I feel moved and happy to be here. It's a dream come true," she sighed. "There's more taste here than in the rest of the world!"

"Don't you think you're exaggerating?" asked Flora, trying to get her down to Earth.

Then she added:

"Hey, Bloom, isn't that Scarlett?" recognizing the young girl whose picture she had seen.

"Yes, it seems to me that it's her."

The young girl was walking with a friend. Both of them were wearing black raincoats and were in a hurry.

The Winx followed them with the flow of the crowd flowing into the hall, already half-full. It was very large and housed in its center a long catwalk with three seats of transparent plexiglass around it. On the catwalk were mannequins wearing the outfits from the museum's collection.

"Wow! Wow!" Stella kept on repeating!

"Stella!" someone called behind her.

"Peter! What a pleasure to see you!" she replied, greeting a tall and skinny boy, with a thick beard and piercing eyes, of those used to scrutinize things and people.

He looked slightly neglected, but something in his mannerisms and dressing style suggested that, in reality, nothing about him had been left to chance.

"I'm glad you came. Your blog is very interesting!"

Stella rejoiced.

Bloom ran a hand through her hair. Henceforth calming Stella's ambitions was going to be very difficult.

"They're your consultants?" Peter asked at that moment, noticing that the three girls were dressed in perfectly matching outfits.

"Oh, how absent-minded. Of course, these are Bloom and Flora..."

Bloom and Flora remained silent.

Luckily, Stella added:

"Bloom is an expert in accessories and Flora in jewelry."

"Fantastic, girls, you're a perfect team," Peter commented.

"We work a lot. But I'll keep you posted for each story," Stella concluded.

"What's the latest news, Peter?" asked a masculine voice,

It belonged to a young man very different from Peter. He was shorter and more muscles, with the expression of someone who knows more than others on his face. With his faded and ripped jeans and his leather jacket he seemed to feel like a superhero: invincible.

"Let me introduce Stella, Bloom and Flora, fashion bloggers. Girls, he's Mickey Ferreri, photographer."

"Pleased to meet you fashion blogger ladies. Are you new to the scene? I have never seen you before. And I remember everything," he declared with a smile.

"As a matter of fact yes," replied Stella. "The blog has been online for some months only, but we already have many contacts."

"Good. Contacts are everything in this job. Isn't it, Peter?" he asked, patting the back of the journalist.

"Mickey, are you still looking for the scoop of the century?"

"Always, my friend. You know that my goal is to become the most famous and well-paid photographer in the world."

"An ambitious goal," Bloom commented.

"Without ambition we don't go anywhere," he commented.

Then he glanced at the noisy watch on his wrist and took his leave.

"See you later, Peter. Girls, I hope this also applies to us."

When he was gone, Peter said:

"Pay attention to this guy. He would do anything to get a good scoop."

But this was an unnecessary recommendation. The Winx had already well understood that this Mickey had to remain far from them...

The girls went to take their seats. The first show was going to begin. The lights in the hall dimmed and powerful light beams enveloped the catwalk, ready to welcome the models.

Suddenly loud and very rhythmic music started to play. And the first outfit appeared out of the backstage. The Winx looked at her, admiring: it was a tight outfit, sandy, sleeveless, without a belt or any other accessory. But above all their attention was suddenly captured by the model, a very tall and thin girl, with a thick mane of red hair, smooth and waist-length, shiny like silk.

"She's gorgeous," Stella commented.

"Yes. However we can't say the same about the outfit she's wearing," Bloom replied.

"Effectively it's quite banal," Flora observed.

But none of the three were able to focus further on the dress. In reality, everyone's eyes were fixed on the model, on her and the others who came followed her. For the rest of the clothes, the show followed the same principle: dazzling models and bad quality outfits.

Flora could not help but comment:

"Stella, isn't this supposed to be one of the most important fashion shows in the world?"

"Yes. I assure you that the pictures of the previous edition showed very different outfits: perfect cut, wonderful fabrics, unique suits. While this one... How disillusioning! They're so disappointing..."

"And yet no one is able to take their eyes off the models," added Bloom.

"That's very strange," said Flora. They look hypnotized. Even I am having a hard time focusing on the outfits."

"We'll see what happens in the next few days," Bloom concluded.

But the situation seemed more than suspect to her...

Chapter 6: A Super Plan
Three days had passed since the fashion shows had begun, but the outfits continued to be disastrous: sad colors and monotonous shapes. This morning, the Winx woke up early and decided to go on a walk and take their mind off things.

"Girls, yesterday too the parades were terrible," Flora said, shaking her head.

Stella was walking next to her, holding a glass of vanilla and strawberry milkshake. She took a sip, then looked around.

"Apparently, this lack of taste has contaminated the inhabitants of New York too," she observed, looking at a woman wearing a dress which looked like a flour sack.

"Looks like no one is interested in what they're wearing anymore," Bloom declared.

"Yes, that's it. Like what's happening to the models of Perfect Red," added Stella. "No one can keep their eyes off them, and no one pays attention to the outfits anymore."

"Effectively, if the first days might have been the result of coincidence, now we can be sure something is happening," said Bloom.

"Yeah. But what?" asked Stella.

"Girls, for Scarlett's good too, we need to investigate on the models of Perfect Red. Something tells me the source of this mystery is hidden between the walls of the agency," Bloom declared.

"Agreed," Stella replied.

"Yes, me too. But it won't be easy to act as spectators," Flora observed.

"We need an infiltrator behind the scenes of the parades," said Stella, voicing her thoughts out loud.

Then she stopped and turned towards Bloom.

The Winx understood immediately and and prepared to answer:

"Don't even think of it. I can't be the infiltrator."

"Why not? You'll be perfect: perfect red!" Stella exclaimed, caressing Bloom's wonderful red hair.

"But, Stella, I'm not even a model! I don't even know how to parade..."

"Don't worry about it. I can teach you that," answered Stella.

Then she gave her glass to Flora and started walking with her back straight, putting one foot in front of the other and moving her hips determinedly. She looked straight ahead. In the end, after walking some more meters, she turned around, waving the hem of her long pink chiffon skirt.

"You are perfect!" Flore complimented her.

"Indeed. You should do it," said Bloom.

"I can't do it: I don't have red hair."

"You could always wear a wig."

"Bloom, you know as well I me that if they find out, it'll ruin our investigation," Stella retorted.

"Stella is right. And Scarlett could really be in danger," intervened Flora. "If our suspicions are well-founded, Perfect Red is hiding something sinister, and even she could be involved."

"Very well. You've convinced me," Bloom implicated. "But I'll need your help to look like a real model."

"Count on us!" Stella and Flora replied together.

Later, in the Soho apartment, the Winx were deciding what Bloom will wear to go to the agency. Meanwhile, Stella had gone to question Peter.

"His name is Mr Rochard," she asserted after her phone call to the journalist. "And he's the owner of the agency."

"Has Peter told you anything that could be useful?" asked Bloom.

"He's very well known in the industry. He knows the designers who contact him. But he's a strange and taciturn guy. He stares at everything and everyone through his silver-framed glasses, without ever revealing what he really thinks."

"I feel like this won't be an easy mission," said Bloom.

"A silver frame... I've never heard of it," Flora commented, amused. "With all this weight, our friend must have a really very big nose."

At this idea, Stella burst out laughing. Quickly imitated by Bloom and Flora. The tension subsided and the Winx focused on Bloom's appearance.

"You need something lively, not too elegant," said Stella, rummaging through the clothes in Bloom's bedroom closet.

"Yes, Bloom must look naturally beautiful, without too much effort," Flora confirmed.

"What do you think of this?" Stella then asked, showing a black velvet wrap miniskirt.

"Very simple," said Bloom.

"And on top of that something conspicuous, like this," she replied, showing the friends an electric blue suede blouse, short in size and with long black fringes sewn into the bottom hem.

The blouse had short sleeves and a slightly high boat neck.

"Superb!" said Flora. "You could wear these boots. They're fabulous."

Bloom put on a pair of silvery leather booties, which rose high on the ankles, with stilettos and pointed toes.

"Yes, superb!" Stella commented.

Bloom dressed up and let herself be observed for the final retouch. Stella made up her eyes and lips, with a brilliant pink. She put a layer of blush on her cheeks and said:

"You're a bomb!"

"What do you say if I use my mesh bag?" Bloom then asked.

It was a perforated bag of elastic silver and pink mesh worn on the shoulder.

"Simple, but with great effect!" Flora commented. "Wear this too," she told her, giving her a pair of very elaborated, silver and turquoise earrings.

"These are your Berber earrings!" said Bloom. "How wonderful."

"These are very distinctive," Stella commented.

"I also like them a lot. You'll look great," Flora concluded.

"Thanks girls. With your help I got a winner's look!"

"Now you only have to get selected by Mr Rochard," answered Stella.

"Let's go then!" Flora concluded. "The mission awaits!"

Chapter 7: Bloom Special Model
Flora, Bloom and Stella left the house and headed towards the agency. When they entered, they found a secretary welcoming them behind a reception desk.

"Welcome," Stella greeted her.

It was a girl with bleached hair, who turned towards Stella annoyedly, simply lifting from a magazine dead and pallid eyes looking like those of a boiled fish.

"Yes?"

"I'm a fashion blogger and my name is Stella. I would like an appointment with Mr Rochard for this girl. Her name is Bloom and she's a model. Along with her is Flora, her agent."

Flora smiled at Stella who, like always, improvised in a brilliant way.

"Mr Richard will receive you nest month," answered the secretary, consulting her computer's monitor without enthusiasm.

Then she went back to reading through her magazine.

"I'm sorry, but wouldn't this be possible earlier?" Bloom insisted, moving forward.

The girl with pale hair lifted her eyes again, and for a moment they seemed to light up. Then she made a phone call, speaking with a low voice, stood up and invited Bloom to follow her. Flora and Stella moved forward behind them, but the secretary stopped them.

"Only the model. You can wait here," she concluded, indicating a row of transparent plastic chairs next to the entrance.

The girls looked at each other. Then Bloom followed the girl till Rochard's office. The door was open, and Bloom entered.

Sat behind a desk painted in black shaped like an inverted U, there was a man with unusual traite: short and dark hair, sparse around the temples, a long and gaunt face, dominated by a thin nose with a big hump on which were the famous silver-framed glasses. He wore a very elegant suit, completely white. He had a buttoned up shirt with a Mandarin collar, and a multicolored pouch in his breast pocket.

Two black patent shoes emerged from the trousers, shiny like liquorice. In the room there was a scent of spices and citrus, which Bloom suspected belonged to Rochard.

"Do you mind?" she asked, trying to distract the man from the photographs he was looking at.

Rochard pointed his little gray eyes at Bloom.

"Please," he said. "Take a seat."

He pointed to Bloom one of the two black velvet armchairs facing the desk, observing with attention each of the acts and gestures of the Winx. Mainly, he stared at her red hair.

"Michelle said you want to work here as model," the agency's director started.

"Yes, that's it, I..." answered Bloom, starting to instroducing herself.

But Rochard suddenly interrupted her:

"Very well. You are hired."

Bloom looked at him, and thought "That's all?" but did not tell him. She had reached her goal and that was enough.

"Well, thank you," she replied.

"You can start right now," he said with half a smile.

Then he called his secretary and asked her to accompany Bloom to the fashion show backstages. Bloom greeted Rochard and went back to the entrance.

"How was it?" Stella asked immediately.

"So well that I start right now."

Stella and Flora looked at her with eyes widened by surprise.

"But you've been inside only a very short time! You must really have made a great and nice impression," Flora considered.

"Right now I don't have the time to explain the details, but it wasn't a real appointment... He didn't ask me anything and he immediately gave me the job. The only thing he was interested in was my red hair."

"Then it's true. The key is in the hair!" Stella affirmed.

"I think so. But now I must join the other models and you can be sure I'll come back with an answer."

"Well done Bloom!" Stella and Flora congratulated her in chorus.

Then they looked at her friend who was leaving to go to the Fashion Museum.

Chapter 8: The Crystal Comb
There were only some minutes left before the beginning of the first show. And Bloom could not have been more excited. One one hand, she was looking for evidence for her investigation on the mysterious model agency. On the other hand, on the contrary, she was aware that some moments later she would make her entrance on the podium, with hundreds of eyes fixed on her. She looked around herself. The other models were busy with preparations, but calm. Among them was Scarlett, the friend of Vanessa's dear friend.

She approached and, feigning suprise, she said:

"Scarlett? It's really you?"

The girl faced her and looked at her, astonished.

"Yes. We know each other?" she asked.

"Not in person. My name is Bloom, the daughter of Vanessa. You mother and mine are friends."

"But of course, I know Vanessa! It's a real pleasure to know you. I didn't know that Vanessa had a model daughter."

"Indeed, I haven't been doing this work for a long time... But tell me about yourself," Bloom cut short. "Do you like this agency?"

"Well, yes. Even if Mr Rochard is a somewhat strange guy..."

"I noticed. Just like how it's strange that all his models have red hair."

"These last weeks, many other agencies closed down."

Bloom pondered silently. Things were even more suspicious.

"Girls, makeup!" Michelle called them.

All the models, in turn, sat on high stools arranged in front of a series of tables full of cosmetics.

Michelle applied just a layer of lipstick on the models' lips and a touch of blush on their cheeks. At this moment appeared Mr Rochard, with a box in hand. He solemnly opened it and took out something.

It was a transparent comb, which emitted a sinister gleam. The room became silent. Then Rochard started to comb the girls' hair with it and... as the teeth went down, they covered the hair with a fine luminous powder, like a cascade of glitter.

​Bloom observed the models, and at this moment she realized that their hair emanated a kind of energy, which made them even more beautiful. It was a beauty which was, to say the least... magnetic. On the other hand, their gaze had become strangely absent, their eyes seemed fixed on an invisible point. Bloom suddenly smelled magic.

She looked for Scarlett, but it was too late: Rochard had already combed her. Then she understood that she had to at least save herself, if she wanted to find out what would happen next. So she hastily searched among the clothes suspended in the backstage until she found a coat with a large hood. Then she put it immediately on her head.

Rochard threw a glance at her and said:

"There are no coats planned for this parade..."

Bloom felt an icy chill run down her spine.

"Yeah, but it looked so good," she replied evasively.

He looked at her for a moment, then shrugged and led her towards the podium. "Danger averted," Bloom thought. Now she only had to parade.

The Winx took a deep breath and walked towards the light. Stella's advice came back to her and she walked on the polished on the polished floor of the podium, one foot in front of the other, staring straight ahead, trying to make natural but at the same time harmonious movements.

She noted, however, that, when she dropped the coat to her feet, the audience looked at her puzzled. Or rather, it was puzzled by what she was wearing: a light skirt-pant, calf length and a heavy fabric beige shirt, worn outside, over the skirt. The shoes were slightly formal, ordinary leather moccasins.

Bloom glanced at Stella and Flora, sensing that they were thinking of the same thing as her: only her outfit, out of all those of all the other models, which had been really seen by the spectators. But why? Bloom thought she knew, but the confirmation didn't come until after the parade, when she spoke with Scarlett. The girl had just removed her makeup and brushed her hair, which had lost the shiny glow it earlier had.

"What a disappointing show," Bloom started to say, trying to start the conversation.

Scarlett gave her a confused look.

"Really? I don't remember anything?"

"What do you mean you don't rememeber anything?"

"I don't remember the moment when I paraded."

"Do you at least remember what you wore?"

"Only the first outfit. I don't know why."

At this moment, everything was clear to Bloom. She had to speak as soon as possible to her friends!

Chapter 9: Investigation at the Fashion Museum
"A magic comb? So this would be Rochard's secret?" Stella asked.

"Yes, I saw it when he was using it. The model's hair suddenly became very bright and the girl looked even more beautiful. But it wasn't a normal beauty. This beauty was... magic!"

"But you managed to avoid him," Flora commented in amazement.

"Yes, but only because I wore the hooded coat to escape him, so he thought he had already combed me."

"Well done Boom," the girls complimented her.

"Now we know that Rochard uses magic to make the public's eyes focus on the models," explained Bloom.

"Instead of the clothes," Flora concluded.

"What we don't know is why is he doing this," Stella observed. "I'm sure he has a specific plan."

"And we have to find it out," Bloom concluded.

"How about we talk to some stylists?" Flora proposed.

"Good idea," replied Bloom. "Come with me to the backstage. They must still be there."

The Winx followed Bloom and with her help they tried to question some stylists, but non of them seemed to have the intention to stop and listen to them.

"They're all particularly elusive," Flora observed.

"A little too much," Stella replied suspiciouly. "It hides something."

"I have an idea: let's come back here tonight to investigate," Bloom proposed.

And that seemed to be the best solution to all.

Midnight had just passed when the Winx broke into the Fashion Museum, of which Bloom had managed to get a copy of the key. The rooms, enveloped by nocturnal darkness, lit only by the street lights, were desert and silent.

"We need to be careful not to make noise and not move anything," Bloom recommended them, walking slowly along a corridor.

When they arrived at the museum, they headed towards the show's backstage.

They rummaged through every piece of furniture and drawer they could find, until Bloom exulted:

"Here we are, girls!"

In her hand she was holding a black wooden box, identical to the one she saw during the day. Under the worried looks of her friends, she opened it. And when she held it in her hand, the comb emitted a strange flash of light.

"Did you see?" Stella exclaimed. "It must be a magic comb."

"It's cold. I think it's made of crystal," Bloom observed.

"Let's try it," said Flora.

And so, Bloom ran it through a small lock of her hair. Suddenly she lit up as if she was covered with tiny brilliants which caught the sight of the three girls.

"I can't stop looking at your hair, Bloom," Stell commented.

"This must be its power without a doubt: to capture the attention towards the model, distracting from everything else," Flora conclided.

"We must think how to neutralize this enchantment before it's too late," Bloom replied.

At this moment, the girls heard a noise behind them. It came from the Museum's clothing collecction.

"Did you also hear?" asked Stella.

"Yes, let's see," said Bloom. "But let's be careful."

The Winx headed towards the mannequins who, only illuminated by the light of the Moon which filtered through a row of windows on one side of the ceiling, showed beautiful clothes from all epochs and crafts. The air in the room smelled of mothballs and old fabrics.

"I can't hear anything anymore," Flora told the others, looking around her with suspicion.

But suddenly, the Winx heard another noise, like a rustle. And something joined them from behind, making them jump.

"Who's there?" asked Stella.

"Sorry if I scared you," said a sympathetic and melodious voice.

It came from a large butterfly with marvelous colorful wings, which moved elegantly. From its small graceful head emerged two long, lilac-colored antennas that vibrated, in parfect harmony with the rest of her elongated body. It was carrying a silver box.

The Winx observed it. It was a wonder.

"Who are you?" Bloom asked it.

"My name is Lully and I am here to give you this," the butterfly replied, handing Bloom the silver box.

The Winx, amazed, exchanged a questioning look. Something incredible was happening.

Chapter 10: The Fairy Gift
Bloom grabbed the box, then, with Stella and Flora, slowly opened it. As the cover rose, a warm and reassuring light spread throughout the room.

Inside were three bracelets.

"They are superb!" Flora commented, dazzled by so much spendor.

They observed them carefully. The three were made up of a large rigid band on which was carved a different symbol: a flower, a star and a heard. In each of the three was set a precious stone of rare beauty.

While the Winx were admiring them, enchanted, a blurred and evanescent image materialized in front of them.

"Girls, look! A magic hologram!" Bloom exclaimed, indicating the image of a feminine face which slowly took form.

Then the creature spokeL

"I see that Lully has delivered my gifts to you."

"Yes," Bloom replied, uncertain.

"My name is Fancy, I am the Fairy of Fashion. I asked my loyal friend Lully to deliver these three bracelets to you because right now I can't leave Stylicus, my planet."

"Are you imprisoned?" asked Flora.

"No. But if I leave, I fear I won't be able to go back there. You see, Stylicus has always been an incredibly wonderful place: the planet of Creativity and Fashion! It was an explosion of colors and its inhabitants, of happy and carefree nature, gave life to splendid creations, inspired new collections, designed and made one of a kind hats and jewelry."

"Wonderful!" Stella commented.

"Why are you talking in past tense, Fancy?" asked Flora.

"Because now it's not like that anymore," answered the fairy, looking down. "Stylicus possessed a unique and special gemstone, which had the power to amplify creativity. One day, one of the inhabitants took possession of it and turned it into a powerful talisman, inverting its positive power. He used it to dominate Stylicus, eliminating creativity from fashion and reducing its inhabitants to sad and anonymous beings. And Stylicus, since then, is the Grey Planet."

The Winx looked at each other. This was one of the saddest stories they had ever heard.

"Who did such a cruel thing?" asked Bloom.

"Greyark. He's a powerful and cruel magician."

"We are really sorry, Fancy," Stella then said. "How can we help you?"

"I have been observing you for the past few days. I know you are good and courageous fairies. I believe you are the right people to prevent Greyark from doing to Earth the same thing he did to Stylicus."

"We're ready to fight him with all the power of our magic!" Flora affirmed.

Fancy shook her head.

"I fear that your magic will not be effectve against him. To stop him, you need a new power, derived from the Stone of Stylicus."

"It's the same stone as the ones encrusted on the bracelets?" asked Bloom.

"Yes. This is why they are precious: they are the last magical objects made using the Stone of Stylicus."

Stella pondered for a moment, then asked:

"Are the awful parades of these last few days and the decline in people's interest in fashion part of his plan?"

"Yes. I fear it is only the beginning."

The Winx gave each other a knowingly look.

"Just tell us what we need to do," Bloom replied on behalf of all.

"To begin, put on the bracelets. On each of them there is a symbol. Choose the one which represents you he best."

The Winx did not hesitate: Bloom took the one with the heart, Flora the one with the flower, and Stella the one with the star. They had barely put on the bracelet, that the gemstones emitted beams of colored light.

The fairy explained:

"Now you possess the Trendix power. It's the power of fashion of creativity. It is solar and strong and will allow you to conter the grey magic of Greyark. Thanks to Trendix, you will be able to defend yourselves by creating shields or interweavings of wonderful fabrics, and you will be able to attack with ardent styles and sparkling storms. You will see that the forms and the potential of the Trendix power are many and very effective. Make good use of it."

After a moment, she added:

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help. I will watch on you."

Then her image disappeared. And the magic butterfly went away.

"Girls, we have an important task. But I'm convinved that together, and with the help of this new power, we will succeed!"

"Well said!" exclaimed Flora.

"How about we try it right away?" proposed Stella.

The others nodded. Then, raising their arms with the bracelet, the Winx said together:

"Magic Winx, Trendix!"

Suddenly, they were envelopped of beams of thousand-colored lights. And, in a flash, they found themselves dressed in tight suits, each of a different color, and wearing high-heeled patent leather boots that went up to their knees. From their wings emerged strong but soft black velvet wings.

"Wow!" Bloom exclaimed, admiring her golden and dilvery costume in one of the museum's mirrors.

"What a marvelous look!" Stella commented.

Hers was electric blue and golden. Flora's was petroleum green and bronze.

"Something is still missing," Flora said.

Again she invoked the Trendix power and made a mask decorated with a different motif appear on the face of each.

"This way no one will recognize us when we're in fairy mode."

"Excellent idea!" the two others praised her.

"Now that we know the truth about Greyark and we have the Trendix power, we can save the fashion shows from Greyark. We only have two days left before the end of the fashion week!" said Bloom.

Stella and Flora agreed.

"And then we need to find where Greyark is hiding," Bloom added.

"We could follow Rochard," Stella suggested. "I'm sure he'll meet him in the coming days."

"Well seen! And when we'll find him, we'll show him the great power of Trendix magic!" Flora exclaimed.

The Winx smiled. They were now ready to face the dangerous magician. Together.

Chapter 11: The Trendix Fashion
It was the penultimate parade day. Stella and Flora, seated among the audience some distance from the podium, were ready to intervene to save the event and stop Greyark's plan. They were only waiting for a message from Bloom to join her in the backstage.

At this moment, behind the scenes, Mr Rochard made his entrance among the models, with the magic comb in hand. Blom understood that the time to act had arrived. She grabbed her phone and sent Stella a message.

On the other side, the friend read the message and told Flora:

"Let's go."

Without being seen, the two joined Bloom, who was waiting for them in the fitting room.

"We don't have much time, girls," she warned them. "The show will begin and Rochard has already started combing the models!"

Then all together they shouted:

"Magic Winx, Trendix!"

The bracelets unleashed the power of Trendix magic which transformed them into fairies. This time the Trendix power gave the Winx three very elegant dresses. They were composed of a narrow and tight satin miniskirt over which was a long and very loose organza petticoat. The dress was tightened at the waist by a mesh belt and extended into an organza bodice which left one shoulder bare and completely enveloped the other with a large flounce. Stella's dress was geranium red, Bloom's was turquoise, while Flora's was cyclamen colored. On their feet they wore stiletto heeled sandals with a complex network of suede ties on the back of the foot. On the face, finally, each wore a Venetian type mask shaped like butterfly Winx.

"Come over here," Bloom said.

She wanted to bring her friends somewhere safe from Rochard, but to a spot from where they could cast spells on the models before they hit the podium.

"I propose that we divide the enchantments," Stella told the others. "I can take care of the clothes."

"Me of the jewelry," replied Flora.

"And I, the accessories," Bloom concluded. "Let's get to work!"

The first model was ready to parade. She wore a grey chasuble dress with an irregular hem and mountain socks.

"Horrible!" Stella commented, unable to stop herself.

Then she thought of her emchantment: she formed golden light in her hand and launched it at the model, enveloping her in glitter dust.

Suddenly the clothes the girl wore gave way to a fabulous dress on which a belt of gold and precious stones separated the bodice and the skirt, both made of huge petals of geranium colored thick and shiny silk.

"Well done, Stella! Now my turn!" said Flora, casting her own spell.

And a moment later, on the model's red hair a jewelled band encrusted with rubies placed itself and on her wrist a cuff of soft golden silk lace.

"Girls, that's superb! Now the final touch," said Bloom, giving life to her own enchantment, making the model wear transparent, crystal-like, sandals, and a jeweled bag shaped like a daisy.

At this moment the model, who under Rochard's enchantment had not noticed the change of clothes, climbed on the podium, and the public burst into thunderous applause and phrases of admiration.

The Winx exulted. And started with their enchantments again on all the other models who, as the applauses arrived, seemed to wake up from the torpor of Rochard's magic.

He, on the other hand, was furious. With strong threats he scoured the backstage in search of the culprits, but the Winx managed to skilfully escape, by hiding in the labyrinth of lodges and locker rooms. And when the ultimate wonderful creation was also applauded by the public, Rochard left the Museum, extremely angry.

"We've done an excellent job!" Stella said, smiling.

"And we have completed the first part of the plan: saving the show!" Flora added.

"Now we need to take care of Greyark," said Bloom. "By the way, where has Rochard gone?" she asked, looking around.

"Here he is," said Stella, indicating the backstage exit. "He is leaving."

"Let's follow him!" said Bloom.

In an instant, they were wearing their girl clothes again, and left the backstage on time to see the man who was boarding a large black car.

With a wave of her hand, Stella stopped a taxi:

"Please, follow this car," she told the driver, pointing at the black car which, with skid marks on the asphalt, was rapidly moving away.

After a long drive, Rochard's car stopped in front of an old textile store, on the outskirts of the city.

The Winx asked the driver to drop them at a distance, and once they were sure they would not be seen, the infiltrated the building.

The agency owner was speaking with a tall and imposing form wearing a long grey coat with a hood raised on the head.

"Who is this guy?" asked Flora, looking at the scene before them.

"Difficult to say from so far. We need to move forward," replied Bloom.

The Winx made their way into the large room full of textile machinery, now old and disused, shrouded in a spectral darkness. The air was cold and smelled of rust and dust. The girls hid behind a machine and walked a little further, their backs pressed against the cold metal and their hearts beating wildly.

"How could this have happened? You are an incapable!" they heard the hooded man say.

He had a deep, dull voice. Even if the tone was weak, it was a voice that could have shaken mountains.

"I am sorry, lord," said Rochard. "Someone has used magic to destroy the comb's enchantment! I do have suspicions but I don't know who did it..."

"Then find them before they find out the stylists' secret and my plan goes up in smoke!" thundered the hooded man.

Rochard nodded:

"I will do it, lord, and I assure you that such a thing will not happen again."

"It would be better for you, Rochard. You know what is at stake. If you follow my orders, you will be rewarded, but otherwise..."

"I know, don't worry. I will not fail again. Tomorrow the parade will be a real disaster, exactly as you asked of me. And soon no one will remember the meaning of the word fashion."

"Good."

Then the man disappeared in black smoke and left Rochard alone with his thoughts.

Chapter 12: The Mystery of the Stylists
"Now we have proof that what Fancy said is true," Bloom said, once the girls were back in the living room of the Soho appartment.

"The hooded man could only have been Greyark, so Rochard is an assistant," Stella added.

"And now these two know that someone, us in this case, is trying to foil their diabolical plan," Bloom concluded.

"They'll try to find us," said Flora. "But we need to be faster and find out the secret of the stylists."

"Bloom, do you think Greyark used his magic on them too?" asked Stella.

"That's possible."

"It would also explain why their creations are so ugly," Flora commented.

"The last parades will be today. We need to find the truth. Even if the stylistes weren't very collaborative..." Bloom said.

"I have an idea! Who don't we create three amazing outfits to grab a stylist's attention and make them more available to collaborate with us?"

"Yes, this could work. But we'll need to know where to find them," said Bloom.

"No problem. I'll ask Peter's help. I'll tell him I want to interview a stylist for my blog," Stella answered.

She instantly sent a text on her phone. Peter's response was quick. And in the message the man had sent, the Winx found a name and address.

"Fantastic! Now we just have to think of our creations," Flora said.

The Winx immediately went to work.

They created three different looks, all made of a single fabric, the jeans. Tight and short blue dress with pleated skirt for Stella, long fuchsia skirt with floral sequins and short top for Flora and, to finish, black tight overalls with golden lace tanktop for Bloom. On their feet, colorful wedge sandals with rope sole. Stella winked at her friends: they were really splendid! They were sure that the stylist would appreciate such fashionable clothes.

And so they followed Peter's directions and knocked on the workshop door. The stylist was a banal guy, dressed anonymously and with eyes which were dull grey, even more so than his pants.

"Hello," said Stella. "I'm a fashion blogger and I'd like to do an interview," she introduced herself with a large smile, highlighting her dress.

No answer.

Flora and Bloom also tried to speak to the man, but with no results. Then Stella tried to explain:

"See, I'd like to speak to him about jeans, an exceptional material, with a thousand uses. It can be elegant and sporty at the same time. What do you think?"

"Stella, he's not even listening to you," Flora interrupted her.

Stella then passed her hand in front of the stylist's eyes to get a reaction. But while she was making her gesture, the incredible happened: the bracelet's gem glew up, and the stylist lit up with a grey and sinister light, which became stronger, more stronger, to finally explode into a violent vortex which propelled the Winx backwards.

"Stella!" he friends rushed to help her.

"I'm alright," she said, getting back on her feet. "Girls, we're definitely facing a magical creature. We need to transform right now!"

Then the Winx raised their hands together and exclaimed in chorus: "Magic Winx, Trendix!"

Trendix magic surrounded the Winx and dressed them with three lace minidressed, one black, one violet, one yellow. One their feet, suede ankle boots embroidered on the outside with shiny threads and on the back of the wings thin silver thread which formed a complex frame similar to the structure of ice crystals.

As soon as the Winx approached the creature, it started again to release negative energy. Bloom then resorted to her enchantment Iridescent Explosion, launching two spheres of brilliant light which, in contact with the grey energy of the magical creature, generated a burst of wonderful colors, similar to a thousand dots of light.

"Now it's might turn," said Stella, preparing her spell Shimmering Storm.

She intertwined her thumbs, and the palms of her hands released a tumultuous whirlwind made of tiny lights that shone like stars. Then she directed it towards the creature, which was captured. Soon after something happened: grey smoke rose from the whirlwind. When it had dissipated, the creature had disappeared.

"Another of Greyark's tricks!" Flora exclaimed.

"He replaced the real stylist with a magical creature!"

"Yes, Stella. And I'm afraid he did the same with all the other stylists," Bloom answered.

"So that's why their creations were so ugly..." Flora guessed.

"In this case, what has he done of the real stylists?" asked Stella.

Bloom formed a luminous sphere at mid-height and said: "I want to try to perceive their creative minds."

Indeed, shortly after, an image formed in the luminous sphere: it showed some men and women, inside a large trunk, tied by a kind of green rope.

"It looks like a long vine and the trunk can only be that of a tropical plant!" Flora said.

"And where can we find a tropical plant in New York?" asked Stella.

"At the Botanical Garden, of course!" replied Bloom.

"Well seen! Greyark is probably keeping them imprisoned there."

"We need to reach the Botanical Garden as soon as possible," said Flora.

"It would be better to fly, so we'd go faster," added Bloom.

The others nodded. There wasn't absolutely no time to lose.

Chapter 13: Battle at the Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden of New York was a large expanse of plants of various colors, dotted here and there with wonderful Victorian style greenhouses and buildings.

Following Flora's directions, the Winx reached the greenhouse for tropical plants. It was made of tinplate, with a large dome, and with large windows of clear glass through which lush shrubs, intertwined vines and flowers with long petals could be seen.

"How wonderful!" Flora commented.

"Let's hope it's the right place," Bloom said, opening her eyes wide.

"I really think so. The plant to which the stylists were tied seemed typical of the Amazonian Rainforest..."

"Very well. So let's go in," said Stella.

"What if someone sees us transforming into fairies?" asked Flora.

"But there's no one around," Stella observed.

"Of course, today is closure day!" informed Bloom, reading the news on her smartphone's screen.

"Se we'll use magic to enter," said Stella, trying to pull the door.

"Let me try," said Flora.

From her hand came a bright green light which entered the glass of the greenhouse and wrapped around a plant. The plant suddenly stretched its flexible branches towards the handle and turned it. The door was open.

'Well done! Well done!" exulted Bloom and Flora.

Then they entered and started searching. The air was heavy from humidity, ideal for the life of these plants with huge leaves. There were also different species of plam trees, and trees with trunks bristling with thorns.

"Nature is so fascinating," commented Flora, looking around admiringly.

Stella and Bloom agreed. Then Stella said:

"I see something there."

She pointed at a corner that could only be reached through a corridor of dwarf palm trees. The Winx entered.

"Girls, I feel the presence of magic around us," said Flora.

"Me too," said Bloom. "Let's remain attentive."

At the end of the corridor they found themselves in front of a tree with a large trunk. There, tied with sturdy vines, were all the stylists, deeply asleep.

"It's them!" Stella exclaimed.

"Let's free them, quick!," said Bloom.

But a voice behind them stopped them before they could move.

"What do you think you are doing?" it said.

It was Mr Rochard. Greyark must have warned him that the girls were there.

"We want to free the stylists you've imprisoned," Flora replied.

"I don't think you will," he threatened.

"So you'll have to see this with us!" Bloom fiercely answered.

Rochard did not repeat himself a second time. He fixed the Winx with fury, then, from his silver glasses, he launched two grey and dense beams, similar to fog.

Flora immediately responded to the attack with her Sylvan Shield defense enchantment. From her hands went two sphered of green energy, which merged together and gave life to a shield of magic wood, leaves and moss, which protected the Winx. When the grey beam hit it, the fog rebounded on the magic shield, directly hitting a nearby plant. A moment later the plant began to wither, lost its leaves and the sap started to flow. The trunk became tinged with grey.

The girls looked at each other, terrified.

"The plant is dead," cried Bloom.

"Now I'll make him pay!" said Stella.

From her hands emanated brilliant light which rose high like a raging wind. Then she directed it at Rochard, with all the strength she had. He again used his spectacles to defend himself and wrapped Stella's magic with grey spirals of his own magic.

Then he went on the counterattack, threatening the Winx with long tentacles. So Bloom took charge, using one of her most powerful enchantments. Flashes of fire-like red light faced each of Rochard's tentacles, which were killing the surrounding plants one by one.

"We can wait till he kills the whole greenhouse!" Flora said at that moment. "We need to stop him!"

"Yes, but his spells are very devious," Stella observed. "It won't be easy."

"Winx, we need to aim for his silver spectacles. That's where his power is," Bloom suggested to her friends.

"You're right!" the others said.

"I'll take care of it," Flora announced.

She raised her palms up. Soon after emerged a whirlwind of colorful flowers, which she directed towards Rochard's face. He tried to defend himself, but the flowers were really numerous and, with all the ones he could not eliminate with his magic, many reached him. Overwhelmed, he cried out while the whirlwind lifted the spectacles from his nose and threw them on the ground. Confused, he stepped on them. Then he collapsed on the ground. He seemed to have lost his aggressivity.

"Mr Rochard, are you alright?" Bloom immediately asked, concerned.

"I think so," he said, looking around with a bewildered look. "Where am I?"

"At the Botanical Garden," Stella answered him.

He shook his head. Then he noticed the broken glassed on the ground and his memory suddenly came back to him.

"He kidnapped me!" he said.

"Greyark?" asked Bloom.

"Yes, the magician Greyark. He kidnapped me and forced me to wear these magic glasses, through which I saw only a grey and evil world. It was his way to force me to obey his orders."

"What orders did he give you?" Stella wanted to know.

"I had to sabotahe the parades, dress the models with outfits with style, so people would lose their taste."

"So it's true: Greyark wants to erase fashion from the Earth!" said Flora.

Rochard nodded.

"He wants to erase creativity from the world, make all humans grey and identical. Greyark is a malicious and ruthless creature."

"And you're one of his victims," said Bloom.

All were sincerely sorry for him.

"But I intend to rectify the harm I did, even if it was in spite of myself," said Rochard. "From now on, I will work with all of my abilities to restore fashion to its former glory and counter Greyark!"

"I'm glad to hear you say it. We'll also fight him, until the end," said Bloom.

At this moment, they heard a noise...

Chapter 14: The Scoop of the Century
Click, click, click!

A camera's flash assailed the Winx.

"But... what's happening?" Flora asked suddenly.

Mickey's happy face appeared stealthily behind the camera.

"Thank you, Rochard! I was sure you were hiding something! And these wings are proof of it! It's gonna be the scoop of the century!" he said and ran away faster than light.

Bloom and Stella followed him, but the paparazzo seemed to have dissolved in nothingness.

"I'm sure he'll sell his photos to some magazines and we'll end up on the cover!" said Stella.

"Maybe we could speak to him and convince him to not publish the pictures," Flora said.

"I don't think he'll listen. But I'm sure there's still a way," replied Bloom. "But for now what's most important is to free the stylists."

"Greyark used magic on the plant," said Flora. "Now I can neutralize it."

She ised the power of her magic to instill serenity and confidence in the big plant and in this way bring it to loosen the grip of the vines. She sent a deep energy from her hands and spread all over the plant. Soon after, the vines relaxed their grip and the stylists were free. They seemed to be waking up from a long sleep.

"Can you remember how you got there?" asked Bloom/

One of them answered her. A medium height man.

"We received an invitation for a fashion conference here, at the Botanic Garden. But once we arrived here, a man with a hooded cloak captured us. Then I don't remember anything."

"He looked like a magician," added a girl with pink hair.

"We are really grateful to you for freeing us," saiid a woman with a black bob.

Stella smiled and said:

"We're glad that you're all alright."

THe Winx prepared to leave. They were still transformed into Trendix fairies and, although they wore their masks, they did not want to risk being recognized. But the girl with pink hair stopped them:

"Wait... your clothes are fantastic!"

"Yes, really original!" added another one.

"Being here, surrounded by plants, I was thinking that it would be wonderful to organize a parade among the flowers together," said the mid-height man.

"What a wonderful idea!" another one intervened.

"Clothes of all colors, dedicated to the world of nature. Creativity at the maximum level of forms and colors!"

All seemed in agreement and glad to get back to work. The air seemed to have suddenly filled with positive energy. That was when Stella had an idea.

"Perfect! If all the models parade with wings, even ours will be considered as part of the show," she told the other Winx in a low voice.

Then she exposed her find to the other stylists, who found it wonderful. It was done. The secret of the Winx, at least this time, was saved. They could not have been more happy and satisfied!

One night, some days later, everything was already ready at the Botanical Garden. Thanks to the creativity and the courage of the stylists, and with a pinch of Trendix magic, a magnificent collection had been designed within record time! The Winx were seated on the front row, just opposite the podium of intertwined leaves and flowers which had been installed in the middle of the Botanical Garden's rose garden.

"I am so moved!" Stella confided to her friends.

Beside her was Peter, ready to note down the impression of this very original parade in his notebook. In the two days following the end of the fashion shows, he and all his other journalist colleagues had literally invaded the daily newspapers' and magazines' pages with announcements and news on the very anticipated event at the Botanical Garden.

Soon after, the Winx saw Mickey arrive, with a smile on his face. He was probably waiting for the end of the parade to publish his scoop. He did not know it, but the Winx had another surprise for him. And the girls suspected that it would not please him at all...

The lights turned off and lit up again a moment later, when the first model entered.

"Look! It's Scarlett!" Bloom exclaimed, proudly addressing her friends.

"She is superb!" the others added.

And she really was. Floral dress embroidered in all shades of pink, lilac and fuchsia, with a short, puffy skirt. The bodice, narrow and transparent, was decorated with embroidered flowers only on the belly. On her feet, she was wearing high-heeled sandals wrapping the foot in a tangle of green branches where blooming buds were attached. Her thick red hair was dotted with delicate silk flowers of all colors and, on her back, rose two wings of fluffy pink feathers.

"She looks like a wood nymph," Flora commented, smiling.

And many in the audience looked at her filled with amazement. But in a bush of vegetation, someone was observing the scene with an evil smile. The person trembled with rage, and their eyes promised revenge...