It was back then we anxiously awaited news on season seven, our eyes gleaning with excitement as we found ourselves hoping to no end that Nickelodeon would begin to treat our beloved fairies better. And you know, do a little something called marketing the series. (When a teenager with no experience can pull off a campaign by herself that says volumes!)
With the series continually being mishandled by a network that had once thrown their all at the series, a new more kid-centeric take on the series and at the time, Rainbow dismissing their older, legacy fans. It had proven to strike disarray in the hearts of many- including that of myself. Many left the fandom, and I myself had made the choice to close this website.
It had been a hard decision.
Since that day, however, my interest in the series- though faded considerably- never vanished. Winx was always there lingering in my mind. I continued to write fan fiction, keep in contact with the cherished friends I had made in my journey, and keep tabs on the new entries in the Winx saga. Often I found myself talking about the series on BSCKids as well. Though many didn't see my active and front in center, I was never truly gone.
Over the years I have watched the down trout that was season eight (let's not talk about the sin they commit against Valtor), watched the series touch back to their heart with World of Winx, and strapped in for the rolllercoster that was Fate the Winx Saga.
I have felt the same powerful emotions everyone in the fandom has with each new turn. Experienced a world of magic we had never seen before. Cheered on my fellow Winx fans as they make their creative strives, and grow their own wings and shine before all of our eyes. And naturally, glared at my screen cursing out some of the more moronic turn of events we have bared witness to.
Though, this past week has specifically been impactful.
Namely the turn of events regarding Fate.
I am not going to stand here, mounting on a soap box saying how anyone responds and feels is unfounded. Love it or hate it, each and everyone's feelings are valid and deserve to be respected. I have my own feelings- perhaps I will touch on that later, but for now that remains unimportant.What does matter, however, is that of a rare statement made by Iginio Straffi.
I am the first to admit, a very snarky comment was my automatic and unfiltered response to seeing a post from the series creator on my feed. But even after reading over the copy I still found my mind wonder to his words and the remarks of people of whom I call my friends.
Those feelings have resonate with me, leaving me still unable to shake their impact as the words felt as if they had been engraved in my mind. Feelings that led me back to where a journey for me began- right here.
There is a specific dialog that is always present within my my mind that lives within my heart:
"You're always saying 'Let's get dangerous!'. You don't say, 'let's get dangerous unless they find out where we live!' And certainly don't say 'let's get dangerous unless we can afford it!'"
These words where penned by someone I admire strongly, powered by his own firm resolve and unwavering desire to push forward even after being told no and having odds stacked against his favor. Along with other strong emotions you can feel conveyed in the story.
Straffi's remarks and those words helped find a fire that was lit within me with a resolve, I don't want to give up. Not when there is something I can prove. Not when I have come so far from my starting line.
Now here we find ourselves once more, back to where a story began over a decade ago. The hands of time has changed things, but that's okay. We can always start anew. A new adventure is always on the horizon. So let's see where the Winx and Rainbow will lead us next.
- Sincerely, a older more willing to get dangerous Ella.