Meetings and Grudges

"I can't believe I actually got to see four of the world's greatest heroes." Verne said excitedly, causing the other two to roll their eyes. He hadn't stopped since he was dragged away and his fan boy routine was getting old.

"Verne, enough already. We have more important things to worry about then a few Mortie world heroes. Like how Rowce and Snerrot got to the surface." Cassie snapped irritably, whipping around and right into the suddenly nervous boy's face.

"Uh, ok, whatever you say." Verne stuttered, taking a few steps back.

"Now Cassandra, there is no need for that temperament." Ubos scolded, flying out of her back pack as they entered Verne and Gus's dorm.

"Yeah, well sorry, but I am sick of hearing about Mortie's little heroes." Cassie retorted, crossing her arms and turning her back to the others. "I doubt their half of what Verne makes them out to be anyway."

"What? They've saved the world repeatedly!" Verne cried indignantly, clenching his fists.

"That says more about their enemies then it does about them." Cassie snapped back, whipping back around with a glare. "Weak enemies can be taken down by weak heroes. I highly doubt they'd last two minutes against someone like Zarlak."

"They can and have!" Verne yelled, just as angry as Cassie. "Ever heard of the Fright Knight? Or the demon, Mala Mala Jong? I know you've heard of the Huntsclan. Those are the sort of enemies they face."

"Whoa, guys, times out." Gus demanded, pushing the warring friends apart. "If you really want to settle this, find some proof for your opinion later. Right now, we need to worry about the fact that Zarlak's forces made it to the surface."

"Which means, he may be close to doing the same." Ubos agreed.

"But how could he? He was hit with like, the most powerful banishment spell, wasn't he?" Verne asked, letting the argument slide.

"True, but he has stolen so much magic from both the surface world and the centre of the Earth, he may have found finally gained the power to break the seal. Or a least enough to release his servants." Ubos answered worriedly. "Either way, it is a great problem. You three may not be enough to stop this."

"Then it's a good thing we have a school full of witches and wizards to hold the fort for the High Wizard Council should anything happen." Gus responded.

"No, your fellow students won't likely be able to do much at all." Ubos responded, moving like a person shaking their head. "They are too young and lack the experience in actual combat that the three of you possess. If were only one or two dark creatures, they would be fine. However, the ratfinkles were just a test for Zarlak and a warm-up for us. Next time, Zarlak will ensure an army rises to the surface, mark my words."

"So… what do we do?" Verne gulped, growing more and more panicked.

"Searching for dark activity." Cassie stated, pulling out her scootzoomer and opening the window with a wave of her blue glowing hand. Not waiting for the others to rebuff her plan, she flew off, forcing the others to jump for safety.

"Man, what is her deal?" Verne growled, revealing himself from behind his bed.

"Jealousy can make even the best of us turn foul at times." Ubos stated wisely, frowning at the purple speck in the sky.

"What? Jealous? Of what?" Verne asked in disbelief. "She was fine half an hour ago."

"Think about it Verne." Gus cried exasperatedly. "She wants to be a supreme sorceress. No one under fifty has every made it to that level and neither has any witch in her family. And now, your gushing over those Valour Guardian guys, and the one you gave the most attention to was a teenage girl you called a powerful sorceress. Add that to the line about them being the world's greatest heroes, which means that they're better then the three of us…"

"Oh." Verne sighed, feeling a little guilty about what he'd unintentionally did. "Maybe I shouldn't have gone on about the Guardians so much. But I can help it." He added, moving to activate his computer. "They're the kind of people I've been dreaming of emulating. I mean, look at them." Verne stated as news clips played on his screen. "They're powerful, brave and self sacrificing. Everything a hero should be. He finished as the screen changed to a clip showing Gohan knocking Nappa away with a thunderous kick.

"I can see your point Verne, but Cassie-"

"Great heavens, a Keyblade bearer." Ubos interrupted with a shout, flying right to the screen as the clip changed to Roxas fighting Jack-bots. "And he has two? That's never happened in all of known history. Just how strong a heart does this boy possess?"

"Uh, come again?" Gus asked, scratching his head confusedly.

"He's talking about the Key of Destiny and his weapons, the Keyblades. Magical items that can only be wielded by their chosen bearer. They say you have to have a strong heart to be chosen by a Keyblade and that they are the most powerful magical weapons in existence. Greater then even Excalibur."

"Truly amazing. I must learn more about these children. But now is not the time." Ubos replied, pulling the conversation back on topic. "We should let Cassandra cool her head. Meanwhile, we shall try to protect the entrances to the centre of the Earth from dark magic."


"During the fight, the media approached the castle and recorded it for the whole world to see, so the world knew exactly who we were. There's no way that we could have avoided the situation, so we told them everything about us. It didn't matter really by that point, the Nobodies' assault flushed most of the hidden worlds out into the open anyway." Gwen finished as she looked over the living portraits decorating the hallway.

"I had no idea that battle had been so big. So even wizards are exposed now?" Miss Crystalgazer asked, earning a nod from Gwen.

"That's right. The American Dragon's dealt with a few before. And one fought in the open during the invasion." She responded as the headmistress opened the large door before them.

"Oh wow." Gwen's eyes lit up in child-like wonder as she stared around a room the sized of her house, filled with books.

"This is the school library. It contains all of the wizarding world's written history, information on all the magical creatures ever discovered and books containing an enormous variety of spells, potions, magical artefacts and legends." Miss Crystalgazer stated with pride, smiling at the Christmas-has-come-early look on her companion's face. "Something tells me that you'd like to stay here for a while, yes?"

"Yes, I'd love that. This place is a sorcerer's dream." Gwen responded excited, itching to grab a book. "I wonder if our magic is similar enough for me to cast some wizard type spells. I should at least be able to make your potions. And all the magical items I could learn about."

"Go ahead and take your time my dear." Miss Crystalgazer said amusedly, waving towards the nearest bookshelf. "Just call the librarian if you need anything. I'll see you later." Gwen just managed to squeal a quick thank you before practically diving at the nearest bookshelf, leaving the headmistress chuckling as she left the room.


Laughter echoed throughout the sky as Raimundo and Jake soared, admiring the place from a bird's eye view and getting a thrill out of watching the magical pranks and backfiring spells occurring throughout the place.

"This is better than cable." Rai chuckled as a student, the male twin from before, Borgia unsurprisingly, attempted to show off and only managed to turn his nose into a tomato.

"I'll say." Jake laughed, before turning to the rest of the school grounds. "Eye of the dragon!" His eyes turned red as his vision enhanced to the point where it rivalled an eagle's, allowing him to get a far more detailed view of the school.

"It's amazing how many magical creatures are here. And it's even more surprising how many of them can learn wizardry." He muttered, watching a pair of fairies pulling out wands and levitating rocks.

"I'd say that there's been a lot of crossbreeding in this strangely disconnected part of the magical world." Rai shrugged, turning away from his friend as a purple haired witch shot past him at high speed on what he'd learned were scootzoomers. Was it his imagination, or did she glare at him?

"Dude, that's disgusting. Don't put those visions in my head." Jake cried, his face scrunched up, as if he'd bitten a lemon.

"Sorry Jake." Rai apologised, giving Jake an amused grin before looking down at what looked like a stadium. "Hey, it looks like some sort of game is about to start. What do ya say we check out the wizard's version of entertainment?"

"Sound's like a good idea." Jake grinned, manoeuvring himself into a dive, Rai only a second behind him.


Like her friends, Namine couldn't seem to get enough of the school either. The place was filled with so many wonders just in it's structure and decorations alone, that it could capture her artistic eye for months. Add all the decorations and nearly endless numbers of unique individuals roaming the castle, and she was set for life. Everywhere she looked, there was something new and amazing to learn about and draw.

"The plants should wrap around the building a little higher there. And don't forget the flowers." She muttered to herself happily, editing her second sketch of the castle. Adding a few final touches, she dropped her pencil and smiled widely at her masterpiece, filled with pride at the near-perfect 2D version of the school.

"Now, what to draw next?" She wondered, looking around the grounds. Her eyes lit up as they found the pond, surrounded by a number of lush plants. "Perfect."

Gathering her things, she stood up and headed off towards the far side of the pond, so as to get the castle in the sketch, getting a number of curious looks from the students she past, returning them with some of her own as she came across the different species wondering about.

"Wow, what I wouldn't give for another me right now." She grinned to herself.

Reaching her destination, she pulled out her supplies and settled herself down just as a giant sea serpent burst out of the water, eliciting a shocked, but amazed gasp to fall from Namine's lips.

"Oh wow. He is so going to be in my sketch." She smiled excited, quickly moving to draw him with as much detail as possible before he disappeared back under the surface.


"Do you really think that tree has anything to do with it?" Verne asked sceptically, following Gus through the grounds near the lake.

"It's gotta. It's the only open portal to the centre of the Earth still open in Vonderland." Gus responded, knocking away a stray branch.

"Yeah and it's a good one for a leprechaun or an imp, but ratfinkles area bit too bulky for the passage." Verne argued.

"Well, there's only one way to find-"

"Quiet young ones. We do not wish for our young guest to learn of our journeys." Ubos interrupted, nodding one of his corners towards the pond. Confused, the boys turned towards the lake, finding a certain blonde with her back to them, scribbling away, raising her head and staring vividly at the area around her, as if trying to memorise every tiny detail the view had to offer.

"It's Namine!" Verne exclaimed a little too loudly, his eyes once again alight with excitement as the blonde in question jump.

"Who… oh, you're the boy who knew all about us." Namine smiled, noticing the red head.

"Yeah. It's an honour to meet you. You and your friends are my heroes." Verne replied excitedly, stepping towards her.

"And we lost another one." Gus muttered quietly so only Ubos could hear, rolling his eyes.

"Hmhmhm, we'd lose you too if the Keybearer was here. Those swords of his are pretty shiny." Ubos muttered back amusedly, earning an annoyed groan from the half elf wizard.

"So what are you doing out here, if you don't mind me asking?" Verne asked. "I thought you'd be with the others, observing the school and learning about the two headed dragon."

"I left gaining knowledge to Lucky Girl. Of all of the Guardians, she's best suited for that job." Namine answered, grinning softly at her excited companion. "I wanted to check the place out and find the best sites to draw." She finished, showing him a few pages of her sketch book.

"Wow, those look amazing. How did you find the time to become such a good artist?" Verne asked, staring at the sketches in awe.

"There were times in my life when drawing was the only thing I could do." Namine answered softly. Verne was too busy staring at the works of art to notice the slight frown that had formed on her face.

"Yo Verne, if you're done playing fan boy, we've gotta go." Gus called, snapping Verne back to reality.

"Looks like your friends are getting impatient." Namine commented, once again giving him her warm smile. "You can talk to me later if you want."

"That would be great." Verne stated happily. It took a second for him to register exactly what she said. "But I only have one friend over there." He added a little nervously.

"I can sense the two minds." Namine responded amusedly, causing both boys and the book to tense slightly. "But don't worry, your secret's safe with me." she added reassuringly.

"Um, ok. Well, I guess we better go." Verne mumbled, clearly still nervous as he headed back towards Gus. "I'll see you later." With that, the boys went back on their way, leaving a chuckling Namine free to get back to her sketch.

"There's something special about them."


"I can't believe that she was able to sense Ubos. Not even Zarlak's been able to do that." Gus said worriedly as they reached their destination, a tree with a bench in front of it that was, luckily, currently free of students.

"True, she is definitely talented." Ubos agreed thoughtfully. "It would be very interesting to study the full potential of her magic."

"Ubos, that talented girl could expose what we do to the world. And then you will be taken from us." Gus cried, getting more and more panicked.

"Calm down Gus, she said she wouldn't tell anyone." Verne said reassuringly, relaxing on the bench.

"But how do we know that she'll keep her word?" Gus asked, hyperventilating.

"Because she is a wielder of the legendary light magic." Verne answered wisely.

"That is true, to be able to wield such power, you need a heart of immense goodness." Ubos agreed. "But she may end up deciding that what you do is too dangerous and tell someone to protect you. Most would agree with that way of thinking, you are only kids after all."

"But so is she and the other Valour Guardians. None of them are more then a few years older then us." Verne said defensively. "Some of them were even younger then us when they started. She won't tell anyone."

"Let us not worry about this now." Ubos said, cutting off Gus' response. "Let's check this tree for any signs of dark magic's presence."


"Well, that was interesting." Jake commented, following Raimundo back into the air and towards the trees.

"Yeah, I really got a kick out of it when the pumpkin started screaming for mercy." Rai chuckled, not watching where he was going.

"Hey, watch it!" Eyes widening at the growl, Rai looked up just in time to dodge the scootzoomer he'd crossed paths with.

Scowling, Cassie pulled herself to an abrupt halt.

"What the heck do think your doing? Are you trying to have us both knocked out of the sky or do you just feel that everyone should just get out of your way?" She barked, glaring heatedly at the thrown off monk.

"Sorry! I wasn't aware that some was flying at a hundred miles an hour." Rai responded, his attitude apparent through the shock.

"Well, if you bothered to watch where you were going, that wouldn't be a problem." Cassie snapped back, leaning menacingly over her handlebars.

"Hey, that works both ways sister." Rai retorted, getting more then a little annoyed.

"Now, now, there's no reason to fight." Jake interrupted, flying between the two. "No one got hurt and everyone will pay more attention to the skies."

"Oh, go run back to your cave, scales." Cassie snapped, going red in the face. "Your kind are nothing but trouble. In fact, why don't you all leave Vonderland, it's not like we need you here anyway." With that she whipped her vehicle around and took off as fast as she could, leaving two frowning Guardians behind.

"Man, what is her problem?" Rai fumed, rubbing his temple. "And her screaming gave me a headache."

"I don't know. Let's just leave it, she looks like she's having a bad day. No sense getting frustrated about an angry girl if it has nothing to do with us." Jake responded.

"That's just it. I think she's mad because of us." Rai responded, earning a raised eyebrow from friend. "She passed us before, in just as much of a rush, but she still managed to glare at us along the way."

"Well, maybe she's one of those witches that comes from long families and thinks they're better then everyone else. But who cares?" Jake replied with a shrug. "She's gone and it's not our problem. Let's just check the rest of the school out and see if we can find anything like our dark, two headed dragon or how it got here."

"Yeah, ok. I guess you're right." Rai nodded, relaxing his face back into his usual, cocky grin. "But I demand a race while we're at it." He added right before taking off into the distance at top speed.

"Hey, no fair! Get back here you wind walking pain in the butt!" Jake cried before grinning himself and taking off after him, determined to win despite the head start.


Deep within the Earth, sealed from the world on the surface, stood a dark castle. The structure was bathed in an eerie, yellowish green light that appeared to be coming from the empty space surrounding the structure. Looking at it alone would send chills down your spine, but it was that aura of pure evil within that should frighten you.

"Are you sure we should have returned?" Rowce asked nervously, visibly shaking as he walked through a corridor just outside the main chamber.

"Yes, if we didn't, he'd just find us and punish us worse." Snerrot answered just a nervously, gulping as they reached the door. "Well, let's get it over with."

Opening the door, walked shakily into the room, looking up nervously at the throne before lowering their gaze, terrified of the man sitting on it's rage.

"Sorry Master Zarlak, but we failed." Snerrot whimpered. "It was Rowce's fault!" He quickly added, pointing an accusing finger at his blue companion.

"Na-uh, it was yours." Rowce cried, leaning over the skinnier ratfinkle.

"Cease your bickering." The calmness of the deep voice caused both of the winged rodents to stop immediately and stare openly in disbelief. The man with long black hair and beared, black eyes and dressed in a dark blue robe, the greatest and darkest Supreme Wizard of all time, wasn't angry by their utter failure in the least. In fact, there was a hint of excitement in his voice.

"You're not mad at us boss?" Rowce asked incredulously.

"On the contrary, you managed to find a true, young sorceress!" Zarlak responded, waving his glowing, green hand towards the fire in the middle of the room. The green flames increased dramatically before a clear image off Gwen appeared within it, happily reading a book on advanced potions. "This young sorceress, Lucky Girl, has an enormous amount of power for someone so young. She may even be as powerful as me. With her magic, in addition to my own and that which I have collected, I will become all powerful and be able to remove the spell keeping me here with ease."

"But how are you going to get her magic boss?" Snerrot asked confusedly. "She's on the surface and she's too powerful for any of your minions to catch."

"Besides, she's a good sorceress, there's no way she'd help you willingly." Rowce added.

"True, but there are ways to gain access to her powers against her will, despite being down here." Zarlak responded, pressing his fingers together. "Gather the magical items and all of my minions. It's time to end my exile."


"Well, that got us nowhere." Verne sighed, walking back up the stairs to the building.

"No kidding. The place hasn't been touched since the leprechauns used it." Gus agreed frustratedly, running a hand through his hair. So what do we do now?"

"I would suggest that we discover more about the magic this place was known to have before the school was built upon it." Ubos suggested, sneaking out of Verne's back pack. "It has after all, proven to connect the surface world to the centre of the Earth before."

"That means we're off to the library." Gus sighed. "Like I don't spend enough time in that place."

"You barely spend any time in that place." Verne retorted good-naturedly, ducking Gus' swing.

"Yeah well, who would want to spend all their free time looking at boring old books when you can be out fly through the -"

"It's Lucky Girl!" Verne interrupted, going excited again.

"Not again." Gus groaned as Gwen looked up.

"Hi there. Are you guys book lovers, or do you have an assignment due." Gwen asked, setting down her book.

"I love reading." Verne answered, looking down at her book. "Advance potions? You must be amazing at the art to be reading that book."

"Well, I prefer spells over potions, seeing as they are a lot more useful when you have to think quick, but yeah." Gwen replied, smiling. Looking the red head and his friend over, a sudden twinge crossed her face and her eyes flashed blue before a look of understanding replaced it. "Well, isn't that an interesting book you have."

"W-what do you-" Verne stuttered nervously before his back pack burst open.

"I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to hide from such a talented young sorceress for long." Ubos stated, grinning at Gwen as he floated before her.

"Now this is something new." Gwen commented, looking at him curiously as she slowly reached a hand towards him.

"Yes, but please reframe from telling people about me. I am helping my young charges complete their destiny and our actions must remain secret." Ubos requested, letting her hold him.

"You're fighting Zarlak, aren't you?" Gwen asked knowingly, earning gasps from the boys.

"How did you know?" Gus asked, staring at her with wide eyes.

"I read a book about the time when Zarlak was imprisoned. Within is a prophecy about the power of three." Gwen answered, turning towards him with a grin. "This amazing book has an enormous amount of magic. Add that to what he said about your destiny, it was easy to connect the dots. I suppose that the girl I saw with you before is the third?"

"The young artist was correct, you are quite a smart, young lady. I am Ubos by the way. Short for Ultimate Book of Spells."

"I'm Verne." The young Mortie added quickly.

"And I'm Gus." The blond added casually.

"Well, it is a pleasure to meet all three of you." Gwen smiled.

"So, do you have any idea how the ratfinkles made it to the surface?" Gus asked, getting back to the matter at hand. "We've checked every connection to the centre of the Earth in the school and not one showed any signs of the dark magic needed to release Zarlak's minions."

"Unfortunately, no." Gwen sighed, moving to pick up another book on her table. "The only way I can come up with, both by your branch of magic and the various branches my friends and I use, is a portal of some kind, but after researching the spell used to seal him and his forces down there and the amount of power behind it from both the wizard and the crystal, it would take an enormous amount of power. More then any one being should be able to possess. You'd need God-like power."

"Or collected magic from the entire planet." Verne said softly, paling.

"What?" Gwen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ever since his banishment, Zarlak has been stealing countless sources of magic, removing their touch from the world and using them to break through the sealing spell just enough to move throughout the different layers beneath the surface." Ubos informed her, getting a nod in response.

"And if he could use their magic to break through the different realms below us, then gathered even more magical items and minions to draw from-" Verne started.

"He could easily break through the seal." Gwen agreed. "Or at least enough of the magic to send his minions up."

"Then we've gotta go to his stronghold and get as many magical artefacts away from him as possible." Gus cried, his eye wide in panic.

"No, you are not ready for such a mission." Ubos stated firmly. "The last time you broke into his stronghold, two of you ended up evil and you almost destroyed each other. To do what you are suggesting would mean staying for a large amount of time in the most dangerous place in the entire centre of the Earth."

"But Ubos, if we don't Zarlak himself might rise again soon." Gus retorted, throwing his arms into the air.

"What if Lucky Girl and the others came with us?" Verne suggested, his eyes lighting up excitedly at the thought of seeing his heroes in action. "They've done this sort of thing before."

"A few times in some cases." Gwen nodded, waiting for Ubos' opinion.

"Well, I guess that would lessen the danger." Ubos sighed, still reluctant to go along with it before sighing in defeat. "Very well. Let us find Cassandra and the other Guardians."

"Yeah, let's get going!" Gus cheered, the idea of a journey blocking out his panic as he headed for the door.

However, just as Gwen got up to follow, the entire castle started shaking fiercely, heralding a burst of dark, green energy noticeable from the windows, causing more then one person to scream.

Her eyes glowing blue, Gwen tensed, levitating herself before turning to her companions. "I think our travel plans will have to wait."