Pre-Comics[]
Centuries ago, one of the members of the Fortress of Light Council, a wizard known as Neruman, began dabbling in dark magic in secret. Despite being a brilliant scholar compared to his peers, Neruman's fellow Councilmen slowly began to oppose him and, just as he was moments away from mastering his strongest spell, his fellow Councilmen discovered his dark works. As a result, the Councilmen stripped Neruman of his status and threw him into exile, during which, he eventually found the perfect place to pick his research back up in the Dark Dimension.
Shortly after Neruman had been banished from the Fortress of Light, his closest ally, another Councilman named Balazar, was found to be working with Neruman in his dark practices. Balazar managed to evade capture and eventually followed his master into the Dark Dimension to help him regain his former body.
Comics[]
Season 1[]
The Knights of the Fortress of Light are first seen in Issue 12 apprehending the Trix and hauling them off to the Fortress to face isolation as penance for their crimes.
Season 2[]
A drawing of the Fortress of Light in Monsters on the Loose.
The Fortress of Light is first seen in a drawing the Pixies had prepared for a picture book that told the latest events in Issue 19. As they gather around the Story Tree to relay the information to the Traveling Pixie, Ninfea explains that the Trix were being held within the Fortress to learn how to become good witches, but Lord Darkar flew into the Fortress and freed them under the condition that they aid him in his quest for the Ultimate Power. The Trix accepted his deal immediately and were given the power of Gloomix as a proof of their loyalty, which allowed them to beat back the templars and monks as they made their escape.
The Council is first mentioned in Issue 22 by Belizarius' butler, Servidio, as he fears that they may end up getting involved in the crisis in Magix thanks to Belizarius using the Shaab Stone in his possession to render everyone in the realm powerless in an attempt at getting Griffin to give in to his demands. Belizarius, on the other hand, does not fear the Council and believes himself to be invincible to all magic users so long as he keeps the Shaab Stone safe by his side.
The Fortress of Light in Magic Tournament.
The Fortress of Light Council finally makes its physical debut in Issue 29 as the Councilmen have just finished holding a vote towards Councilman Givelian's proposal. With 56 votes against it and 44 votes for it, Givelian's proposal is shot down once again and the Councilmen are dismissed by the Head of the Council.
As the Councilmen disperse, Yerka and a few other Councilmen who ally themselves with Givelian talk to him over what he plans to do next while the other Councilmen express their worries to the Head of the Council. Though the Head of the Council does share their beliefs in how Givelian is too impulsive, he believes that Givelian will see that they were right in the end once he changes his ways. Givenlian, on the other hand, believes that he must somehow act through the headmasters of Magix's three schools to further his plans of having the Council become more involved with the Magic Dimension's affairs. Unfortunately, because Faragonda, Griffin and Saladin do not support him or his plans, Givelian seeks to make them look like such incompetent leaders that the Council will have no choice but to fire them and have them replaced. With the Magic Tournament quickly approaching, Givelian plans to use the event to further his plans.
At Alfea, just as the Winx are studying for the upcoming Tournament, Flora reveals that the Fortress of Light holds the Tournament every three years to determine which school in Magix is the best, and whichever school wins obtains great honors and new funding. Since the witches of Cloud Tower won the last time, the Winx aim to be Alfea's trump card in the Tournament. Due to the Tournament's importance, all three schools redirect their curriculums to preparing all their students for victory.
The Magic Tournament is underway!
A few days later, Bloom catches Faragonda in her office with Saladin discussing a power struggle that has been occurring within the Fortress of Light Council as of late. Unfortunately, the power struggle has made the results of the Tournament much more dire for Faragonda as, if Alfea does not win, then she will be forced to resign! Though Faragonda does not wish to force her students into winning for her sake, the Winx begin to study much harder to make sure that Faragonda can keep her job.