Markl: An Apprentice, Partially

Markl loved, yet hated Sophie at the same time. He loved it when Sophie cuddles him and tells him bedtime stories, when Sophie cooks his favorite pancakes; but there was one thing that really bugs him…

He hasn't learned any new magic since Sophie arrived at the castle!

Howl has shifted nearly all his attention on Sophie. He even stopped taking his magical bubble baths! Well, even if this means Markl wouldn't have to bother persuading Calcifer to create hot water anymore, but still! Markl really missed Howl as his teacher.

The Great Wizard in love! How stupid! Markl thought as he flipped through his magic books. He revised each spell Howl taught him, and a spell caught his very eyes…

"Transformation Spell – To perform this spell, you need a personal object from whom you wish to transform, hair, for example."

"Grasp the object tightly in your hands and chant the name of whom you want to transform numerous times. Mentally think about the appearance of him/her. "

"When the transformation completes, chant Hoogleypoogelyboogelyboo!"

"Please note that - "

Markl couldn't read the rest, for he was too excited about his devious little plan.

〆 〆 〆

"Sophie, I want fish for lunch," Markl pleaded, tiny hands clinging onto Sophie's dress.

"Alright, then I'll have to go to the market." Sophie put on her straw hat and took her basket. "I'll be back soon!"

"Yippee!" Markl cheered. "Wait, Sophie, there's something in your hair." Sophie bent down, and Markl grabbed something into his chubby grasp.

"Thank you, Markl," Sophie said with a smile. "Later!"

"Later!" Markl just couldn't hide his cheeky little smirk.

Once the door closed, Markl sprang into action. He held Sophie's streaks of silver tightly in his hands and ran to the bathroom.

"Hey boy, careful there on the stairs!" Calcifer yelled from the hearth.

He inspected his reflection in the mirror: just the same old Markl he sees every day when he brushes his teeth. Just a ordinary, harmless little boy.

Now let me give this spell a shot, Markl thought mischievously.

"Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie"

Markl felt his hair, body, everything – changing.

"Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie…. Hoogleypoogelyboogelyboo!"

For a very long time, silence.

Markl slowly opened his hazel eyes. He touched his face – it was so smooth; his nails were shining; he looked into the mirror…

That person in the mirror definitely wasn't Markl. It was Sophie.

Markl was excited. Look how many things I can do now… Just what to do, what to do…?

"Sophie?"

Markl jerked his head around, as if he was struck by lightning.

"Back so soon? I thought you went to the market." Howl leaned on the door, smiling.

"I…Er… There are no fresh fish," Markl stammered, then forced a smile, as feminine as he could. "There would be another batch half an hour later."

"I see," Howl said as he strode elegantly near Markl. "My, you look beautiful," Howl whispered as he locked his cerulean eyes with Markl's, and running his fingers through those silky silver hair.

Eww! I'm definitenly NOT gay! I'm 100% NOT attracted to Howl! NEVER!

"Do…I…?" Markl tried his best to wriggle out of this embarrassing situation. His face was scorching hot.

OH NOES! Howl's gonna do what he does to Sophie every night… I'm nooot gaaaay…Someone please save meeeeee! I swear I won't do something as stupid as this anymoreeee…!

"Now let's see which little brat whom thought could outsmart The Great Wizard." Howl grinned cockily.

A snap of Howl's delicate fingers broke the spell instantly.

Markl fell to the bathroom floor, burning bright pink.

"Markl." Howl growled dangerously. "Now, would you kindly tell me the meaning of your stupid little prank?"

"Hehehehe…. M-mas-ster H-h-h-ooooowl…." Markl couldn't do anything but stutter, smirk, sit on the cold bathroom floor, and wait for his not faraway punishment.

And Howl couldn't do anything but rest his hands on his hips, raising an eyebrow.

"Howl? What's going on here?" Sophie stepped into the bathroom.

Howl exchanged looks with Markl, mouthing 'you're doomed'. He cleared his throat with a smile on his face.

"Sophie dear, something really extraordinary happened this morning. As I walked into the bathroom to process my daily morning duties, I saw - "

"PLEASE DON'T TELL, MASTER HOOOOWL!" Markl squeaked.

〆 〆 〆

Sophie laughed till she was out of breath. She bent down to reduce the pain in her stomach.

"Markl…!" Sophie wiped her joyful tears, laughter struggling to escape from her cherry mouth. "How….Cute!" she tried to drink her tea.

"Mmmm…." Markl pouted while scrubbing the floor.

"Hey, smart boy, do you still you remember The Third Golden Rule of Wizardry?"

Howl said as he turned a page of a magic spell book.

"Of course, Master Howl," Markl answered. "Always fully read the instructions of the spell book."

"Looks like you broke the golden rule." Howl waved The Transformation Spell page in front of Markl's flustered face. "Look here carefully. Read it aloud."

"Mmm… Please note that this spell only applies on the appearance of the caster…." Markl gulped uncomfortably. "Other trivial transformations, voice, for example, please flip to Spell 474 for further instructions…"

"There." Howl smirked as he pounded the spell book softly on Markl's forehead. "Looks like I need to give this little apprentice some further training…"

Markl scrubbed the floor as hard as he could.

After all that chaos, embarrassment, and laughter, finally came something worth cheering about.