Author's Note: I apologize for the lack of updates in a while. I have lately been watching all (and I mean all of Neon Genesis Evangelion. It is an excellent series which I enjoyed, and therefore it may influence this or any of my writings. So hopefully you won't think too bad of it when it stops being so funny and starts being more dramatic. Thanks for your cooperation!

I gaped in amazement at the sight in front of me.

The identity theft grinned. "I am one attractive man."

"Howl? Who is this guy?!" asked Sophie, sounding rather panicked.

"I'm me of course, dearest Sophie! The greatest wizard of all, Howl!" he announced with pride. Sophie backed away from the both of us and towards Calcifer.

I strode up to my counterpart. "Go back to who you truly are!"

He chuckled. "Ah, but I am the great wizard Howl, eater of the hearts of beautiful girls! And what are you but a false interpretation of myself?"

"I was here first, dummy!"

"Were you really?"

"Yes! What could you possibly want with me?"

"It's not you I want. It's dearest Sophie, of course."

Any intentions I previously had to make peace with this lookalike vanished into thin air. "Leave her out of it!" I roared. "She's been through quite enough, thank you!"

Sophie shrunk down, trying to escape quietly. Michael's mouth opened in closed, eyes full of shock. Calcifer viewed the yelling match with what was evidently nonchalance.

OtherHowl smirked and took a step forward. "Ah, but I need her, you see."

"What for?!" I asked suspiciously.

"Where's the fun in telling you that?" he sneered. "Come along, darling Sophie."

"Never! How could I go along with you? Why would I?" she stared at OtherHowl with one eyebrow raised, obviously still angry from the previous quarrel. I could still detect a hint of fear in her voice, though it appeared she was trying to mask it. "I am in no way that foolish!"

"Because if you don't, Calcifer will send this place to its ruin. Won't you, Calcifer?"

Sophie, Michael and I all spun to face Calcifer, jaws loosely hanging open.

"He he he…" he laughed nervously. "Sorry guys." For a bit of fire, he looked pretty guilty. He flared brightly and became reaching for flammable objects near his fireplace. Extraordinary heat was already beginning to toast the room. "I hadn't much of a choice."

"Shut up. Come along, dearest Sophie. Or risk hurting those around you." OtherHowl smiled cruely.

"No, don't! We'll be okay!" cried Michael. "Who knows what he'll do to you, Sophie!" He shielded himself against Calcifer's growing heat with his arms.

"I'm sorry, Michael. I can't see you two get hurt at my expense…" Sophie answered sadly, "I'll come back as soon as possible!"

"That won't be necessary, dearest Sophie." With a flourish of his cape, OtherHowl spun on his heel and headed out of the house, Sophie mechanically following close behind.

"Burn them alive, Calcifer."

Sophie screamed and visibly fought against OtherHowl's magic. Unable to break free, OtherHowl dragged her out of the shop with invisible bindings.

"Calcifer, please! You've known me all your life! You can't do this to me!" I yelled, hiding behind my flimsy cape which wasn't exactly made to fight off fire.

"I'm sorry!" he roared over the burning books and charring food. "I have no choice! I can't stop unless you—I have no power over what I'm doing until you—"

"Shh, little fallen star. Calm your flames. Your contract has been broken."

Thus ends chapter two. (That escalated quickly. This is what happens when you let me watch all of Evangelion in like three days…) I know this isn't nearly enough material to keep you guys happy since it's been so long since I've updated, but hopefully I shall have more written soon. I will, however, let you know that I'll be very busy in the next couple weeks, so updates may be few and far between but I'll do my best to keep material coming! Please let me know what you think in the review section! :D