Chapter Four: Fight the Fairies!

Emma, Cassandra, Logan and Andrew arrived back at the park, where Ceren Nightchant was waiting for them.

"Hey, Ceren!" said Andrew as they walked up.

"There you two are," said the older student. "What happened?"

"We were ambushed by a bunch of fairies," Logan answered. "They weren't right."

"He's right, Ceren. About the fairies," added Cassandra. "Emma and I saw them, too. They looked… dark."

"They were dark fairies," said Emma. "Unicorn Way's swarming with them. Like bugs. Dark bugs. ... Is there a magic version of bug spray...?"

"Unicorn Way's swarming with evil fairies?!" repeated Ceren in surprise. "They have been corrupted, just as I feared."

"We couldn't even change them back by defeating them," Andrew added. His voice was dripping sadness.

"What? That's really bad!" Ceren sighed. "Apparently, dark forces are at work here in Wizard City. Some dark element has emerged despite Ambrose's attempts to keep us safe. Thank you for letting me know. Just wait a moment while I alert the others."

The four sat at the pond in the park. They had promised to wait until Ceren was finished informing Ravenwood about what was happening. Cassandra was by the water, running her fingers through it. Andrew walked over at sat beside her.

"I'm sorry about Logan's behaviour when we first met," he said. Cassandra looked up at him. "But like I said, he's a good guy when you get to know him." Cassandra nodded. She bit her lip for a second before speaking.

"If you don't mind me asking, what type of wizard are you?" she asked. Andrew gave her a quizzical look, looking down at his robes. "My sister and I were raised in a world without magic. We don't know much about the Spiral. Sorry if you were bothered by my asking." Andrew laughed.

"No, it's fine," he said. "I'm a Theurgist." Cassandra raised her eyebrow. "Why don't you look up it your spellbook? I think that book's pretty cool." Cassandra turned red.

"What about your spellbook?" she asked. Andrew shrugged.

"I was supposed to have one. But it was badly damaged when Logan and I performed an… experiment… with spells." Cassandra nodded. She pulled her spellbook out of her bag and opened it to the section on theurgists.

"Life is spirit, the force of awareness and existence. It is about constant growth and movement. Practitioners of Life Magic, known as Theurgists, are positive, enthusiastic people who seek to appreciate the simple pleasures," read Cassandra loud enough so only Andrew could hear. "At times, however, they can be too flighty or frivolous when circumstances demand otherwise. Theurgists use Songs to breathe life and spirit into a vessel. Unlike other magic, which relies on summoning, coercing or beseeching, Life Magic harnesses the power of the Song of Creation to create something new. Scholars believe that Theurgy channels the tapestry of music from which the Spiral was created, and that in echoing portions of the great symphony, a Wizard can bring forth and create Life where none previously existed. Life Masters will train their students to heal themselves and other wizards. Life Wizards are given the ability to heal themselves the most effectively, as well as the unique ability to heal others. Combined with this, they do low to moderate damage attack spells with extremely high accuracy rates. They also possess the sole group heal spells." Cassandra shut her book and put it away. "So you're a healer?" Andrew shook his head.

"I don't have my first healing spell yet," he said. "But I hope that once we get this fixed, I could learn one."

"Hey guys!" shouted Emma as she walked over to them. "Ceren wants to see us." The Theurgist and the Thaumaturge stood up and followed the Pyromancer to where Ceren and the Conjurer were waiting.

"What did they say?" Andrew asked almost immediately.

"They thanked you for helping us on Unicorn Way," said Ceren.

"But what about the fairies?" asked Andrew, impatiently.

"Right," Ceren said. "My friends always tell me I never leave well enough alone." His expression turned serious. "But this time, something foul is afoot, I'm sure of it! You four can help me get to the bottom of this curse upon Wizard City!"

"What can we do?" asked Emma before the other three could speak.

"Do you know Lady Oriel, the Seraph? She might understand what happened to the fairies. Speak with her in the Hedge Maze. Andrew should know where it is."

"I do," said the black-haired boy. "Come on! Follow me!" He sprinted off down the street. The other three followed after him.

Logan, Emma and Cassandra finally caught up to Andrew halfway down the street. The Life Wizard laughed nervously.

"Sorry about that," he said. "I haven't been to the Hedge Maze in a while."

"You're really close to the fairies, aren't you?" asked Cassandra as all four slowed their run to a walk. Andrew nodded.

"Yeah, you could say I am." Andrew hopped onto the curb of the sidewalk, holding out his arms for balance. "I've been around them since I was four years old. I grew up with Life Magic."

"Is that why you're a Theurgist?" asked Emma. Andrew stopped for a second, as if frozen. Then, he continued to move and nodded as if nothing had ever happened.

"Yeah…" The walk became silent. Andrew stopped when they came to a dead end. However, there was a door on the wall that cut them off.

"There it is!" he said, picking up his pace. "Hurry up!" Logan sighed as Cassandra and Emma chased after him.

"Andrew, slow your roll!" he shouted as he ran to catch up with the other three wizards. Andrew jogged up to the door and opened it, allowing everyone to enter inside the Hedge Maze.

Cassandra's eyes widened when they entered the Maze. Tall, thick hedges lined the area, which made sense seeing as the place was called the Hedge Maze. In the center, there were tall pillars in formed a circle. In the circle, was a beautiful woman.

She had curly blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She wore a long, sleeveless white gown and had a golden crown in her hair. On her back were glossy white angel wings, which she was using to levitate herself above the ground. In her hand was a sword.

Andrew motioned for the other three to follow him as he walked towards the woman. Cassandra looked around the area. Flying around the area were very few fairies. They had color to their skin, and wore yellow shirts, shorts and boots. Their hair was blonde, and their wings were a bright gold. They left multicolored dust as they flew around the maze. Cassandra received a sharp jab to the ribs, and she stopped. Her eyes narrowed at her sister. Emma motioned over to the woman in the center, whom they were now standing in front of.

"Lady Oriel!" said Andrew, getting her attention. He bowed in front of her before snapping up straight. The seraph turned to face him. A small smile grew on her face.

"It is great to see you again, young wizard," she said kindly. "Who are your companions?"

"I'm Emma Willow," said Emma, waving her hand.

"My name is Cassandra," Cassandra answered, bowing her head.

"Logan Bane," Logan said simply.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Lady Oriel. "What brings you all here?"

"We-" Andrew said as he gestured to the other three behind him, "came to help with the fairy problem." Lady Oriel grew happier.

"Oh, praise the light! Someone has come at last! Something has been corrupting my fairies! Since you have come to help me in my hour of need, use these in future battle." Lady Oriel waved her hand. Flashes of gold light appeared in the hands of the wizards. Cassandra looked down at it. It was a golden spell card with a picture of a seraph on it. She shrugged, hoping to find out what it meant later on. She dropped it in her spell deck as the conversation continued.

"Thank you all for coming at this dark time," continued Lady Oriel. "If you are as brave as you look, I know you will help save my fairies."

"What exactly do you need us to do?" asked Logan, getting straight to the point.

"Please go out to Unicorn Way and defeat some of those dark fairies. Collect the dust that they drop. About three of them should provide enough dust. With that I will be able to find out more about their corruption." Out of the corner of her eye, Cassandra could see Andrew's expression fall. "I know it is a dark task, but it must be done. Take care, young wizards."

"Yes, Lady Oriel," said Andrew in a flat tone. He turned and exited. Logan, Emma and Cassandra followed after him.

Andrew stood outside the Hedge Maze, watching the dark fairies roam the streets. He felt a hand on his shoulder, causing him to turn. Standing behind him were Logan, Emma and Cassandra. He smiled a bit.

"Hi, guys," he said. "You ready to get the fairy dust?" Logan crossed his arms over his chest, raising an eyebrow. Andrew felt sweat prick his neck.

"Alright, 'Drew," said Logan. "I may have known you for about a week, but I know that something's biting you."

"We just met you today, and even we can tell," added Emma. Andrew laughed weakly.

"You can?" he said. Cassandra placed a hand on his shoulder. It felt cold.

"I may not know you well, but I'm guessing it has to do with the fairies," she said. Andrew sighed and nodded.

"Yeah…" he said. "I was friends with the ones who became corrupted. I came here to find a way to turn them back. Not kill them."

"Look, do you want to help the fairies or not?" said Logan. Andrew nodded. "Then we have to off a few to get the dust to help them. Maybe Lady Oriel could whip up a spell or something to change them back." Andrew sighed.

"Alright. It's only three, right?"

"Right," answered Emma. "Now, let's get that fairy dust!" They four ran out into the street, dragging three fairies into battle.

Logan bent down, gathering the remains of the fairies in a small bag. He held it up to the other three.

"Got it," he said as he walked back over to them. He dropped it in Andrew's hands.

"I don't want to hold it," said the theurgist. "Cassandra, you hold it." He tossed it to the thaumaturge, who caught it in her hands.

"Really?"

"It's the remains of my dead friends, I don't want to hold it!" Logan sighed as the four headed back into the Hedge Maze.

"Lady Oriel!" called out Cassandra, getting the Seraph's attention. She held up the fairy dust as they approached her. "We're back."

"You returned with the fairy dust!" said the seraph in joy. "Please give it to me so I can investigate the reason for their corruption." Cassandra walked forward. She dropped the bag in Lady Oriel's hands. The woman examined its contents. To everyone's surprise, she dropped the bag on the ground. Emma looked up at her. She was shocked and looked visibly shaken.

"What is it?" Andrew asked nervously.

"They have been enchanted by something that is undead!" Lady Oriel cried. The group paled with shock. Andrew's hands clenched together. "This does not bode well. How has evil become so brazen in this place? These are dark times indeed." Lady Oriel sighed. "Here. take these as my way of thanking you for helping me collect the fairy dust. I know it wasn't an easy task."

"What else do you need us to do, Lady Oriel?" asked Andrew. "I want to solve this problem as quickly as possible. I want to save the fairies."

"As do I," added Cassandra. Emma put her hands on her hips.

"Count me in," said the Pyromancer. Logan shrugged.

"I guess I'm in too," he said. Andrew smiled a bit before turning back to the seraph.

"What can we do?" asked the theurgist.

"I have heard that someone has hung bone cages along the street," Lady Oriel explained. "I fear these are being used to trap my fairies and corrupt them."

"I noticed those," mentioned Logan. "I just thought that it was just some weird decoration or something." Emma elbowed him from behind. Logan narrowed his eyes at her.

"Please, you must free the captured fairies from those horrible bone cages before they become corrupted. Go quickly, my friends."

The four wizards stood outside the Hedge Maze, looking around the street. Emma sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"Great…" she said sarcastically. "By the looks of things, there are bone cages every five feet."

"We should split up!" said Andrew with a snap of his fingers.

"That is the worst idea I've ever heard. In every situation that I have ever heard of involving the undead, every time someone splits up, someone ends up dead. And it's usually not pretty." Andrew shivered.

"I'm scared to ask what world in the Spiral you grew up on where the undead are that common it's a problem…" Emma opened her mouth to answer, but Cassandra covered it.

"A very different world than this," she answered. Emma nodded. "But Andrew has the right idea." Emma raised an eyebrow before removing Cassandra's hand.

"Cass...?" Andrew grinned.

"I do?" he said.

"He does?" Logan said suspiciously. Cassandra nodded.

"We split off into groups of two," she explained. "One will take the Northern half of the street up by the park. The other two will take the Southern half near the maze. Sound like a plan?" There was a chorus of agreement. "Great, Emma and I will-" Before Cassandra finished her sentence, Andrew grabbed her hand.

"You and I can cover the northern half," said the Theurgist before darting off down the street, dragging the Thaumaturge behind him.

"Andrew!" shouted Logan. "Get back here!"

"Give me back my sister!" Emma shouted simultaneously. Emma groaned before looking over at Logan. "So… were stuck together, huh?" Logan rolled his eyes before walking down the street.

"Hurry up, Fireball!" Logan called out. Emma ran to catch up with him.

It was an awkward silence as the wizards walked side-by-side, opening up the bone cages along the road. Emma looked over at Logan. He was being stoic and silent. It annoyed every fiber of her being. Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore. The silence was killing her.

"Oi," Emma said, finally breaking the silence after a few minutes. Logan looked up at her as he opened a cage. "Say something. Your silence is creeping me out."

"How about this?" said Logan. "No." He walked past her and to another cage. Emma whirled around and followed.

"Oh, come on! You can't be silent the whole time!" Logan opened another cage, looking over at Emma with narrowed eyes.

"Yes. I can." Emma growled, following after Logan's quicker paced steps.

"Why did I have to get stuck with you?! How Andrew even deals with you and your… your… personality is a complete mystery!" Logan slammed the door to an empty bone cage shut. He glared over at Emma. There was a storm in his eyes.

"It's not like he wanted to be with me in the first place," Logan stated, heading towards another bone cage. Emma, with a curious look, followed after Logan.

"What do you mean?" The Conjurer looked over at Emma.

"Exactly what I said. Andrew didn't want to be my partner. I didn't want to be his. We were forced to be on our first day here." Emma sighed. It was much like her and Cassandra. Only she and Cassandra had been together all their lives. They knew each other's differences, similarities, weaknesses and strengths. They could work like a well-oiled machine. Andrew and Logan didn't seem that way. But they did seem like friends. So… what happened to change all of that?

"Hey, Hothead." Emma snapped out of her thoughts, looking over at Logan. "Did you hear a word I said?" Emma shook her head. Logan groaned. "That was the last cage, numbnuts. Let's get back to the Hedge Maze."

"I knew that." Logan rolled his eyes as they walked on back towards the maze.

"Sure you did."

A few minutes after Logan and Emma made it back to the Hedge Maze, Andrew and Cassandra showed up. They seemed in much better mood than their partners were.

"I take it you two released the fairies on the South end?" asked Andrew. Logan nodded.

"I did. Bonfire here did nothing but complain," Logan explained. Emma narrowed her eyes, glaring at Logan with flames in her brown orbs.

"Hey, we don't need to hear it from the jury!" Emma said, grabbing Cassandra's hand. "Let's just go."

They entered the Hedge Maze. Unlike before, the Maze was swarming with fairies. As the four wizards approached Lady Oriel, a fairy even came up to them with a large smile on her face.

"Thank you for helping out the fairies! They did not mean to be evil, but the corruption made them do bad things…" she said in her high-pitched voice. "Now, there is hope again and the fairies will be able to bring magic and cheer to the people of Wizard City once more. Thank you, young wizards." The fairy flew up to Logan, placing her small lips on his cheek. The boy turned bright red as she flew off. There was laughter from the other wizards. They walked forward to Lady Oriel.

"We thank you, young wizards!" said Lady Oriel when she saw the four, "The freed fairies have already told me of your heroism. Your deeds will be remembered here on Unicorn Way."

"You're welcome, m'lady," said Andrew as he bowed to the seraph.

"To show my appreciation, here is a healing spell. I'm afraid I only have the one spell card, but I hope you will remember it in your time of need." In a flash of gold light, a green spell card appeared before the wizards. No one reached out to it. Cassandra nudged Andrew.

"You take it," she said. Andrew stared up at the card.

"Me?" he asked. "Why me?"

"You're the healer, you stick," said Logan. "It only makes sense." Andrew held out his hand and took the card. He slid it into his spell deck.

"So… now that the fairies are free," said Emma, "What do we do now?"

"We must now find out who is behind the corruption," explained Lady Oriel. "My Fairies whispered of a monster whose bones made a clacking sound as it came for them." Andrew went as stiff as stone when he heard the wo4d bones. "Ceren Nightchant knows Unicorn Way very well. He will know if there is a sinister skeleton that now haunts my street."

"Right away, my lady," said Cassandra. The four wizards dragged Andrew out of the Hedge Maze.

"Andrew, use your legs. I'm not carrying you anymore."

Andrew had been like a wooden dummy since the four wizards left the Hedge Maze. Tired of dragging the boy behind them, Logan volunteered to carry Andrew on his back. Even though he was light, Logan had begun getting tired of carrying him.

"Alright," sighed Andrew. He slid off of Logan's back and onto the sidewalk.

"What is that about, anyway?" asked Emma as they continued walking. "All Lady Oriel said was 'bones' and you become boneheaded."

"I… um…" Andrew stuttered, pulling on the collar of his robes. "I have a problem with Death magic. I get… very uncomfortable around it." Emma and Cassandra looked at him curiously. They wondered why.

The group wasn't far from Unicorn Park. Andrew seemed to relax. When they finally got to Ceren, Emma called out for his attention. They explained what they had done.

"Lady Oriel sent you to investigate the corruption of of the fairies?" said Ceren once the story was done. Logan nodded.

"I think we did pretty well," he said. "Lady Oriel told us you might know who's behind it."

"I will gladly tell you what I know. When the Dark Fairies began to show up, I had suspected Lady Blackhope. But even she has never tried to enchant fairies before."

"The Fairies told us about a skeleton coming to get them when they were captured," Cassandra added.

"Then the fairies gave report of a skeleton? Of course! Who else could it be but Rattlebones!"

"Rattlebones?" repeated Emma. "Sounds like a skeleton to me."

"Rattlebones is a dangerous being," Andrew said, rather out of nowhere. "He is a sergeant in an undead army. Ceren, do you know where to find him?" Ceren nodded.

"I do not know yet what dark master has aided him, but Rattlebones has taken over my old friend Delia's tower. Take this with you," said Ceren. He withdrew a key and handed it to Cassandra. "Find him in the tower and stop him from making anymore cages. Please… do what you can to save the fairies."

"We will," said Cassandra. "Andrew, do you know where the tower is?" Andrew replied with a nod.

"I do. Follow me," he said before running off down the street. Emma, Logan and Cassandra chased after him.

Andrew lead his fellow wizards down Unicorn Way and towards Delia's tower. Cassandra unlocked the door with Ceren's key. The door creaked open.

"If that doesn't scream 'creepy'," said Emma as they entered, "I don't know what does." Logan harshly shushed her.

"Hey, Hothead," he whispered. "Keep your mouth shut! Do you want him to hear us coming?" Emma mouthed his words behind his back as they traveled up the staircase. The first floor they came to, Cassandra eased the door open.

Standing in the middle of the room was an old skeleton in leather armor. It had to be Rattlebones. Beside him was a Dark Fairy. He didn't notice the four students until there was a loud creak. He turned. There was only one eye still in its socket.

"Oi, Bonehead!" said Logan. "We know your behind the Fairy plot. Don't even try to deny it."

"That's right!" added Emma. "Lady Oriel herself sent us to stop you!"

"But wasn't it Cer-" began Cassandra before Emma hushed her.

"You cannot stop us, wizards! The corruption of the Fairies is just the beginning of Malistaire's plans," said Rattlebones. The wizards, with the exception of Logan, gasped. Logan's eyes narrowed. "Soon, Wizard City will fall and there isn't anything anyone can do about it." Rattlebones laughed. The duel began.

"I'll handle the dark fairy," said Andrew as he drew his card.

"I got your back," said Emma.

"That leaves Rattlebones to us," Logan said as he withdrew his spell card. "Two spells and two minor strikes should handle them."

"Right."

The duel circle pointed to Rattlebones and his fairy first. Rattlebones drew the Death symbol.

"Sprite Întuneric!" he said in his raspy voice. What looked like a Dark fairy appeared in the circle. It flew around Logan, drawing energy and life from his body. When it was gone, Logan gasped for air. The duel circle turned to the fairy.

"Inpu!" she said, drawing the symbol for Life. The small imp appeared in the center, sending an attack towards Cassandra. She threw up her arms to stop it, but the magic took its effect and damaged her.

The duel circle gave the wizards their turn. Emma stood first. She drew her flame.

"Ignis Felis!" she chanted. The Fire Cat pounced into the circle and clawed at the dark fairy. She cried out, but still remained in battle. Next up was Logan. He drew his Myth symbol.

"Rópalo tou Aímatos!" he shouted. The holey-winged bat appeared in the circle. It struck Rattlebones multiple times with its wings. Cassandra withdrew her card, drawing the Ice symbol.

"Frost Bille!" she yelled. The ice beetle struck Rattlebones. Combined with the attack Logan had given him, Rattlebones collapsed into a simple pile of bones. Emma cheered.

"Nice one, sis!" she said. Cassandra smiled.

"Thank you." She turned to Andrew. "You know what to do." Andrew nodded. He drew the Life symbol.

"Mainā Seikatsu Kegawa!" he cried. A ball of green energy shot out from his wand and hit the Dark fairy. She exploded into dust. The circle faded. The wizards cheered.

"We did it," said Andrew with a small grin. "I can't believe we actually did it."

"We were great," Emma said. Cassandra took her sister's hands.

"We worked together," said Cassandra. "That's what we did."

"We should report back to Ceren," said Logan. He was on the other side of the room, kicking around Rattlebones's remains.

"Good idea."

The wizards returned to Unicorn Park with their heads held high. Ceren was even happier than they were with Rattlebones's defeat.

"You did it! Now, the Fairies will sing again!" he exclaimed. "You bested that wretched skeleton Rattlebones!" His excitement dwindled down enough for him to become a bit more serious. "I wish that was the end of our troubles in Wizard City, but I'm afraid a more sinister evil is out there." Emma, Cassandra, Logan and Andrew groaned.

"Thanks to you, Unicorn Way is in less danger than it was," continued Ceren, "But we are still not out of the dark woods yet. You should report our progress to Headmaster Ambrose. The news about Rattlebones may help him determine what doom has come to Wizard City. I'll stay here and help with the recovery."

Cassandra, Logan, Emma and Andrew made their way back to the Commons.

"You know, I can't believe we defeated a commander of the Undead, and it was all for nothing," said Logan.

"It wasn't for nothing," Andrew said. "We helped stop the corruption of the Fairies and saved lives that could have been lost."

"The stick has a point," Emma said with a cheeky grin. Logan looked over at her before releasing a small sigh.

"Whatever."