The bars of an upbeat Christmas carol broke through Bloom’s slumbering state and echoed through the otherwise empty space. As the song played on, Bloom’s wide, deep blue eyes slowly began to flutter open as she adjusted to the still dimly lit room. Sluggishly, the redhead turned on her side, her blankets wrapping around her frame and her wild mane of red hair tumbling around her. As if her body was weighed down, Bloom slowly and unsteadily extended her right hand from under the covers outward, her fingers dangling above her sounding phone. As her other hand began the tireless process of wiping away the resting sleep from the creases of her eyes.

After wiping her eyes, Bloom muttered a few incoherent words under her breath. Almost as if her internal dialogue with herself, compelling her awakening to happen at this moment, was manifesting into reality. That is, until a new noise chimed from her phone, one that belonged to the text notifications of her beloved boyfriend, Sky.

As the image of her blonde prince lined her mind, a girlish smile spread across Bloom’s face and surged her with an unexpected burst of energy. A slight squeal escaped her smile as she jolted from her bed, sending both her mound of blankets and an otherwise slumbering Kiko flying through the air and to the chilled floor.

Seeing her cherished pet flop around in the air, Bloom felt her cheeks flush warm as she jolted forward and cupped her hands together to provide a landing pad for the bunny. Though Kiko looked skeptical of his owner, Bloom’s efforts were not in vain as Kiko landed in Bloom’s hands.

“Sorry, Kiko,” Bloom began as the means of an apology, lowering herself to place Kiko back on her bed. Though Bloom’s expression showed sympathy and a bit of humor sprinkled in her eyes. Kiko couldn’t help but offer a more snarky expression, with his small arms folded across his pudgy chest and brows knit closely. But that annoyance was fairly short-lived; after all, Kiko had spent many years with his owner. He was used to Bloom’s antics and thus knew that acting dismayed did little— that is, unless he was certain he would be able to get a surplus of carrots in exchange. Though this did register as an opportunity to achieve such a treat, the bags under his eyes and the yawn he was trying to suppress outweighed it.

With a shake of the head and a wave of a tiny paw, Kiko seemed to accept the apology. Wordlessly, he trotted across the bed’s landscape and nestled on Bloom’s pillow before subsequently falling asleep. After all, if Bloom was being sympathetic to interpreting his sleep and sending him flying, there was no harm in taking residence on her still-warm pillow.

Bloom did what she could to suppress a laugh as she leaned over and offered a small kiss on her snoring bunny’s head. As she straightened herself, her eyes fell back to her phone’s screen. Seeing the time, a sense of alarm tingled throughout her. Her expression grew frantic as she grabbed the sounding device and disconnected her alarm. After that action was completed, she navigated to her messages, thumbing her way through the number’s message chains until she arrived at Sky’s.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Sky had been ‘volunteered’ by Kluse to help fix some Christmas lights at the Frutti Music Bar. Thus, their date-day plans had been delayed.

Bloom’s brows furrowed as she typed back a reassuring message. After all, it wasn’t Sky’s fault that he had been the only employee available, but the fact that he had been the only one who had answered the phone…well, that was another matter. Sky did have a habit of not checking the caller identification before answering, after all.

What was done, that was Bloom’s mindset as she put the phone down and stretched, taking in the stillness of the apartment. There was no music being played, no clattering of pots and pans in the kitchen, nor the sound of chatter. It was distorting in a way, foreign. It was almost enough to make her feel a level of unease.

As she grabbed her robe from the end of her bed, Bloom made her way to the bathroom. The small sound of Kiko’s snoring and her own feet against the wooden floor broke through the quiet space.

As Bloom made her way from the bedroom she shared with Stella, she examined the living area and the still ajar doors. For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, Bloom was actually alone. After spending years living with her five best friends, it was an unfamiliar feeling. With Christmas a few days away, the girls had collectively agreed to close their shop, Love & Pet, in order to take a much-needed break. With such a break, each member of the Winx had gone about with her own plans. Plans that appeared to be happening that very day.

Sure, Bloom missed seeing her friends. But she looked forward to hearing what they had been up to. And maybe even a bit more than that, having the bathroom to herself.

That alone felt like a mini Christmas present.

–

After showering, getting ready for the day, and tending to the pets down at the pet shop, Bloom was taking her time enjoying a hot cup of coffee with the cookies she had baked with Aisha a few days prior. As she slowly sipped on her still-steaming drink, her eyes wandered over to her phone. It had been just under two hours since Sky had let her know of his delay; surely he had to be done fixing the lights by now, right?

Tapping a free hand on the table, Bloom began to recount all the things she had planned for the day. This was the first time she was able to celebrate her favorite holiday with her boyfriend, and she had wanted to make the most of sharing some of her favorite things with him: from exploring the Christmas market that was being hosted by the beach, to ice skating…

Bloom’s thoughts were interrupted as the small monitor on the far wall lit up. The screen was connected to a camera lodged above the front door of Love and Pet; it had been one of Tecna’s first installations upon their move in. The small, hardly visible camera had been originally installed in case of some specific unwanted visitors. But now it mostly served as a way to monitor any deliveries during the off hours.

Eyes narrowed, Bloom sat down her drink and walked toward the monitor. They had only a few weeks ago placed a new order with their various vendors for all the supplies they needed for the shop. So, it wasn’t as if Bloom was expecting anything. Yet, there was a small pile of plain, unmarked brown boxes visible in front of the shop. It was likely that someone may have done a little online shopping and simply forgot to let her know of any shipments. After all, Stella may have gotten a bit more overwhelmed than usual with all the holiday deals.

Figuring that this was likely the contented aftermath, Bloom merely shrugged her shoulders and ventured down to the storefront to collect the packages.

---

Outside of Love and Pet, the city of Gardena was buzzing with holiday excitement. Being that Gardena was nestled between the coast and some larger southern California cities, their definition of Christmas wasn’t quite that of most. There was no snow littering the ground, or at least any that lasted more than a few mere hours. And the usual and traditional wintry aspects remained absent from the still-vivid atmosphere. Garland hung from light posts, with bright bows bundled around each street sign. This was a traditional SoCal Christmas.

As patrons strolled by the shop, each adorned in their own bright and festive attire, they offered passing glances in the direction of the now famed pet shop. This, however, wasn’t due to the elaborate store window display Stella had created and required the Specialist to spend the Thanksgiving holiday creating. But rather, a specific individual who was leaning against a stack of boxes as they gazed about the area around.

Gardena had long since not been a ‘normal’ city, oh no. Ever since some years ago, when random and strange unexplainable occurrences happened sporadically, and certainly since sightings of tall girls with bright and elaborate wings became somewhat commonplace. Where some called the girls, and what they brought about ‘magic,’ others discarded it as someone trying to make online content or some low-budget Hollywood production.

Even with such standards in place, the Gardena natives couldn’t help but gawk at the figure. A short man, barely a few feet tall, dressed in a springtime green suit. But his most telling feature wasn’t that of his stature, but rather his large pointed ears that remained visible even under his large-brimmed hat.

“Hello,” Bloom’s voice rang out as she pushed open the large glass doors to Love & Pet. “Sorry, our shop is closed today…” Her voice trailed off as her eyes fell off the boxes and onto the figure beside them. Surprise exploded over her face as she felt a grin form. Never had she imagined seeing who now stood before her, “Professor Wizgiz!”

Offering a smile back, Wizgiz tilted his hat. “It’s nice to see you again, Bloom! I hope you don’t mind this surprise.”

Bloom shook her head as she collected the surprisingly heavy boxes. With a free hand, she motioned towards the building, inviting her professor inside. “Please come in, but professor… what is in these boxes? They are actually heavy.”

Wizgiz gave a laugh. “I would offer to give a magical hand, but I think my appearance has already quelled some attention. I apologize for that, but they are directly from Faragonda herself. I’ll save the full explanation for once we are out of prying ears. And I get a gander at this shop you girls run. I am eager to see just what you have been up to since leaving Alfea.”

With that, the two headed back inside Love & Pet. Just as the city was decorated for the season, the inside of the shop was also in the seasonal spirit… but naturally with a Winx-style twist. From the large tree dressed in shimmering ornaments in the shape of wings that glistened with the multi-colored Christmas lights, to the rows of mini stockings adorned with each of the pets’ names. The already bright and bubbly space was nothing short of a warm and wondrous sight.

A sight that even drew a look of wonder from the older professor as he advanced inside the shop. As he walked past the decorations, he rambled off some facts about it that he recalled from the various reports Bloom had submitted over the years for coursework. Though back then, when she was certain her worlds would always be separate, writing about Earth and its culture had been a way to curb her homesickness… as well as a quick way to score a high score without putting an extensive amount of effort in. Now she couldn’t help but feel a little sheepish at the thoughts of her past self’s actions, but utterly amazed at her professor’s memory.

Every once in a while, Wizgiz would propose some questions either about the holiday as seen around him or to the shop itself. When she could get a word in, Bloom would provide clarity of explanation regarding the matter. Once it seemed her curious professor was still in thought, Bloom dove into giving a proper and thorough explanation of the shop—just as she did with each and every new client they greeted each day. Between providing an overview of the services, Bloom included the impact their shop was having regarding their actual primary objective—getting Earthlings reacquainted with magic.

Though Bloom and the girls had a strong understanding of magic and Earthlings, she wasn’t going to pass up a chance to get her professor’s feedback. Especially as of recently, it seemed that their efforts had flatlined. A concern that not only impacted the Earth fairies’ growing efforts, but their very own magic supply.

“Ah, so that is why Faragonda was asking for a volunteer to bring these here,” Wizgiz gestured toward the boxes.

“What do you mean, did Faragonda…” Uncertain, Bloom headed back towards the front desk and began undoing the tape on the first box. After pulling away the binding and opening the thick cardboard, Bloom’s hand fished inside as she began to pull out book after book. Her eyes scanned the title on each. Some bore worn lettering with titles implying their context was around Earth history, others about magic theory she recalled from her library visits. Resources. Faragonda, despite no longer being her student, was once more doing all she could to support her former students, it seemed. The gesture was one that filled Bloom up with appreciation, as her fingers brushed upon the books.

Coming to her side, Wizgiz helped organize the removed books. “Yes. Though we can’t offer much support at the present, at least until the new Queen Nebula is able to pay a visit to Magix and your new fairy, Roxy, begins her enrollment. We figured at least this much might provide some assistance as you don’t have the library at your imminent disposal.”

There was a pause before Wizgiz drew his famed deep laugh. “Ah, you should have seen that staff meeting. If it wasn’t for some other obligations, Faragonda would have come herself. It was down to sending either Griselda or myself to deliver these. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Griselda look quite that displeased.”

Bloom couldn’t help but give herself a moment of pause at her professor’s words. Seeing Griselda, of all professors, wouldn’t have been the most pleasurable occurrence, to say the least.

“I could only imagine so.” Bloom nodded, trying to hide her pleasure at the turn of events. “Hey professor, before you head back to Magix, how about some good old Earth Christmas fun?”

The look of delight that formed on Wizgiz’s face mirrored that of a child during the holidays.

–

Bloom’s plan had been to introduce her boyfriend to Earth’s Christmas traditions. But showing them to Wizgiz, who, with disguised magic, appeared as Sky, also sufficed for that fulfillment. Right?

Though Bloom didn’t think much of her professor’s form, the general populace of Gardenia would. And given how the entire city seemed out and about on that particular day, it was for the best that Wizgiz used some transformation magic to help blend in. However, the selection of ‘borrowing’ Sky’s form, well, that was all on the professor. After all, knowing that it was actually her teacher under an illusion resembling her boyfriend was off-putting to say the very least. But at least it wasn’t going to raise any alarms.

Thus, the two made their way from the outskirts of Gardenia into the bustling downtown district. With days before Christmas, all the stores were going all out to capture a passing consumer’s eye for any last-minute purchases. From the elaborate displays, flashy signs boasting large sales, and the alluring smell from food trucks in parking lots, there was an endless array of activity.

After stopping to indulge in some freshly made gingerbread men and warm hot chocolates, Bloom and Wizgiz strolled through the park for all the local contests and festivities the city was holding. From the pathway of homemade trees for the tree decorating contest, to the mini holiday art exhibit, to the main stage where a Santa contest was under way, the competitive holiday spirit was abuzz.

As the two began to look for seating to watch the Santa contest, Bloom felt someone jerk into her, sending what was left of her drink tumbling to the ground. “Oh, I’m so sorry—Bloom?”

Bloom gazed upward, her eyes locking with one of the many Santas in the contest. However, this one wasn’t quite like the others clustered around the side of the stage. This one was more lanky, and the beard kept sliding down his face. An action that quickly connected with Bloom’s memory. “Andy, why are you? Santa, really?”

Wizgiz, as Sky, twisted his neck and eyed Andy. His gaze went up and down the musician with a puzzled expression. “Bloom, how do you know this Santa? I thought there was only one of, as you call him, Saint Nicholas.”

With a laugh, Andy pulled down his beard to his neck and smirked. “Got me. My dad signed up to do this, like months ago, bucket list thing. But, naturally, as fate would have it, he got called for a work emergency and basically volunteered me to fill in. Needless to say, I may be the fill-in,” Andy gestured towards his torso. “I clearly don’t actually fit the garb. So I take it Sky was finally able to escape the Christmas monster that is Mr. Kluse?”

Bloom pursed her lips, placing a hand on her friend’s shoulder. She answered in a low voice. “Sky is still stuck at the bar. This isn’t actually Sky…”

Andy’s eyes widened. “Oh—okay. Don’t tell me this is some more of that magic stuff…”

But the look on Bloom’s face confirmed it. Andy cupped his head in his hand. It had only been a few months ago, sometime after reconnecting, that he learned the secret of his ex-girlfriend and her friends. Thanks to her hyper-protective boyfriend and company, he hadn’t had much of an opportunity to really talk with Bloom about it all. But from the fragments he gathered, and the conversations with Roxy, he had a somewhat understanding of it all. But at the same time, his mind became floored whenever magic intersected with his own life. Like at this moment, after all, what was the appropriate response?

As if sensing Andy’s confusion, Bloom gave her normal warm smile as she gestured towards the stand-in Sky. “This is actually Professor Wizgiz. He teaches at the school I went to, Alfea. He specializes in transformation magic, hence the illusion. He stopped by with some resources for us, and since I wrote a ton of essays on Earth culture— including Christmas—I thought since he was here, I could show him how we do Christmas on Earth.”

Andy nodded. Yeah, that absolutely totally made as much sense as anything else. After all, he had registered that this guy wasn’t the real Sky off the bat. After all, the real Sky probably would have clocked him for standing too close to Bloom. “Nice to meet you, professor. I’m Andy, an old friend of Bloom’s from before her Alfea days. And presently part of this Santa contest. Please don’t laugh too hard at my performance.”

Wizgiz offered a handshake. “Nice to meet you, Andy. Considering I have nothing to compare your performance to, I’m sure you will do just fine.”

Andy gave a weak smile at the lackluster vote of confidence. At least standing on stage pretending to be Santa was officially not the weirdest part of his day.

After wishing Andy good luck, Bloom took a spot beside her engrossed professor. After spending much time wandering around the city, this was the first moment the two had been able to chat since leaving the shop. “What do you think about Christmas on Earth, professor? You seem to be enjoying it.”

Wizgiz chuckled. “Very much so,” he began, lowering his voice so only Bloom could hear. “I have lived a very long life, as many elves do. During those years, I have traveled across the realms and seen many things, including holidays. But Earth… Earth had long since been a mystery that existed within the history books. Until you arrived at Alfea, all those years ago, we knew nothing of Earth. It was only thanks to you, and the stories you told, that anyone in Magix began to see what had been sealed away for so long.”

“And now, you and the rest of the Winx have done something no one in our world would ever think of doing. You found the last fairy of this world and began the process of bringing magic back to everyone here. And above all else, you have begun to heal and unite the entire magical dimension.”

“It’s no easy feat, nor will the days that follow. But I need not tell that to the fairy who saved Domino. But I don’t think the task is going to be what many of us had presumed.”

Bloom tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” Wizgiz began, gesturing around, “look around. For us, when we think of magic, we think of the spells we use, the forms you earn with each challenge. But Earthlings, and even yourself, have a different grasp on magic. There is something here, in this atmosphere, that feeds off positive magic energy. It may not be what you and I have become fully accustomed to, but there is a twinge of magic here.”

“You really think so? I mean, growing up, Christmas was always magical in a way I couldn’t really pinpoint. But as time moved on, more and more people I knew stopped, I don’t know, embraced that feeling. But it didn’t for me. Do you think it’s connected to the way that only young kids here can see the pixies?”

“That is very likely. Children anywhere are the most receptive to magic… Wait, you brought the pixies here? When?!”

Bloom flushed, her eyes wide at the realization that she probably shouldn’t have let that one slip. The only silver lining to it all was the fact she wasn’t eligible for detention. Dragon knows how many times she had been sent to manually clean the lecture halls. “Hehe, those are funny stories…” Bloom twisted a lock of her hair around her finger as she offered an innocent look. A stark contrast to the firm look her professor was giving.

Before their conversation could continue, the announcer took the stage, welcoming everyone to the annual contest. With all eyes, including Wizgiz’s, locked on the stage, Bloom drew a sigh of relief from the avoidance of explaining yet another one of her unapproved adventures.

Santa after Santa appeared on stage, each one offering up their best performance. One Santa made balloon animals or reindeer for children in the front row. Another attempted to do a hula dancing routine to a rock version of “Jingle Bells.” Then, Andy found himself called onto the stage. Though he was a seasoned performer, the look of absolute unpreparedness was present in his eyes as he struggled to keep his stomach from falling out from his jacket, much to the humor of the crowd.

But the hums of giggles settled as Andy retrieved his trusted guitar, with his band’s logo present. The audience paid more attention and settled themselves as he began to strum the opening chords of “Last Christmas.” With his deep tenor voice and effortless stage presence, the audience began to cheer and clap along.

Clapping along to the unfamiliar tune was Wizgiz, his eyes locked on Andy as Bloom cheered perhaps the loudest. If there was one person who could make an ill-fitting Santa costume work, it was probably Andy.

Getting so caught up in the performance, Bloom almost didn’t mind her sounding phone in her jacket pocket until after Andy finished the song and offered a bow to his now adoring fans. Now, with her attention back to reality, Bloom retrieved the device.

A smile lined her face as she read off the message from Sky. At long last, he was free.

Without hesitation, Bloom typed out a quick response with her location. Before hitting send, her eyes traveled over to Wizgiz. Bloom bit her lip, contemplating if she should tell Sky that she had technically already spent the day with him—or at least his magical doppelganger.