Chapter 9

Restoration

"I still think we need to take Aria to you-know-where tonight," Kendal said, firmly, as she, Ian, and Derek followed by a quite bedazzled Aria walked into English later that afternoon.

"Vanessa has a good point," Derek said, as they sat at her usual desk. "We do have more time over the weekend."

"Who put Vanessa in charge?" Kendal grumbled, annoyed. "She never really grasps have serious a situation is until something really bad happens." She flung her hand towards Edmund as he walked in and added, "You'd think since he's back Vanessa would be more eager to get Aria's memories restored, but no. She has to be stubborn about it. I swear, she's probably just sticking to her cause just to be against me."

"Babe, you know you sound paranoid when you say things like that," Ian muttered, shooting her a side-ways glance.

"I'm not being paranoid!" Kendal snapped. "I'm just being logical." She then glanced at Aria, who was gazing over to Edmund with unreadable eyes, and whispered, "Maybe a couple of us should go to the wizard's place tonight and see if he has anything that might help and we can bring it back for Aria."

"Yeah, that could work," Ian agreed enthusiastically. "While we're there, I could ask him about that muscle enhancing potion of his."

"No, Ian, you cannot try any weird potions while we're there," Kendal said, firmly. "Did you forget what happened to Vanessa?" She glanced over to her friend, who still appeared in a trance, and whispered, "Also, don't talk about potions in front of Aria!"

Derek then gently touched his girlfriend's arm to get her attention. "Aria, are you okay?"

Aria took in a deep breath and then turned around and demanded, "Why don't I feel the same way about him anymore?"

Derek glanced past her and asked, softly, "You mean Edmund?"

Aria pressed her hand against her head in frustration, "Yes Edmund! Yesterday, or well what I remember as yesterday, I was in love with him and today I don't feel that way at all! Why is that?"

As she looked desperately to all three of them for an answer, Kendal let out a sigh. She knew very well why Aria's feelings towards Edmund have changed, as the same thing happened to her. When Edmund wants to lure a girl in, he can be as charming as a romantic dinner in Paris. After she awoke in Evalius, Kendal learned it was part of an enchantment to attract her since now, she felt no such desire to be anywhere near him.

Derek took in a breath and scratched his head as he spoke, "It's just that, uh… well, even though you don't remember, technically, you and him broke up several months ago. I guess, um… subconsciously you've moved on and your mind knows that. I mean you don't hate me anymore, right?"

Aria turned her head to look at him, and then slowly shook her, still appearing slightly dazed. "No, I guess not."

Kendal glanced at her, feeling tempted to ask Aria if she still hated her, too, but decided she would rather not go down that road. After her friend's memories get restored, Kendal hoped everything would just go back to normal.

As Kendal's eyes moved towards the front of the classroom, she saw Edmund turn his head and shoot her a brief smirk. She glared at him in return.

Mr. Stone then droned on for the next forty-five minutes of the battles of Trojan War from the Iliad. As he talked, Kendal found herself oddly identifying with Menelaus's frustration over losing Helen. She tried to imagine how far she would go if she had lost something or someone that precious to her. Would she…

Realizing these thoughts were going in a dangerous direction, Kendal forced her mind back to reality. She then noticed that, once again, Edmund's eyes hovered in her direction. It looked as though he could almost read into her thoughts. Kendal shuddered, discomforted.

"Hey Babe," Ian said, nudging her gently. "Class is over now."

Kendal nodded as she stood up and grabbed her bag.

"Okay, Aria remember," Derek said, placing his hands on her shoulders, "I'm going to walk you to your locker and we're going to wait until Walter gets there and he's going to walk you to Band."

Aria raised her eyebrow as she looked at him and then turned her head towards the front of the room and asked, "Is this because of Edmund? Are you afraid if I'm alone with him I might want to get back together with him?"

Derek sighed as he hung his head low. "Look, I know how this must look to you, but you have to trust me. I'm not being one of those jealous-clingy guys intimidated by his girlfriend's ex. Edmund really is dangerous."

"If he's that dangerous, wouldn't he be in prison or something?" Aria asked.

"Well… it's just that…" as he spoke Derek looked pleadingly to Ian and Kendal for help.

"It's a long story," Kendal finally said. "You're just going to have to trust us and stay away from him."

Aria glanced between the two of them, appearing even less convinced this had nothing to do with jealously. She then asked, "Would Vanessa say the same thing?"

"Yes," Derek insisted, while Kendal merely nodded. "She definitely would. You can ask her after school."

Aria sighed and nodded as she swung her bag over her shoulder and reluctantly took Derek's hand.

"Kendal," Ian said, taking her hand, "I want you to stay away from him, too, okay?"

Kendal huffed as her eyes glowered in Edmund's direction, and uttered, darkly, "If he tries anything on either me or Aria again, then I'll do worse than pepper-spray him this time."

Derek turned his head and flashed a brief grin towards his best friend, noting, "I think your girlfriend can handle herself against him."

Ian frowned, not sharing his amusement. "Still, we don't know who he's after this time or who he's working for." He looked back to his girlfriend and insisted, "Just promise me you won't go near him, okay?"

"Sure," Kendal muttered, taking once last glance in Edmund's direction as he walked down the hall. He turned leered at her, smugly, before turning the other direction.

Kendal then stepped back towards the classroom, and said, "Um… I need to ask Mr. Stone a question about the lesson."

"Really?" Ian asked, looking puzzled. "Two guys start a massive ten-year war over a chick. What else do you need to know?"

"Details, Ian," Kendal said. "You know there will probably be a test soon."

"Fine, but I'm waiting here for you," Ian stated, firmly.

Kendal brushed her hand on his cheek and smiled at him. "That's sweet, but there's no need. Edmund's already gone. You should go on to Football practice."

Though he still appeared hesitant, Ian nodded and followed Derek and Aria. Kendal walked back into the English classroom and found Mr. Stone putting his coat on, lifting up his briefcase.

"Miss Lewis?" he asked, slightly startled by her presence. "Do you need something? I do have to leave early today."

Kendal shook her head. "No, I just think I left something at my desk."

Mr. Stone nodded and said, "Okay, but make sure you close the door when you leave and it will lock behind you."

Kendal mumbled 'okay' as she walked over to her desk. She heard the door softly shut and turned around. In front of it, she found Edmund standing there.

"Hello, Kendal," he said, pleasantly. "You are looking as radiant as ever, especially considering you nearly lost your remaining years of life last winter."

Kendal just glared at him. "What are you doing here?"

Edmund lifted his chin up, his hands folded behind his back as he stepped in her direction. "I sensed you wanted to talk to me alone. Am I correct?"

Kendal did not even bother to nod, not wanting to waste another moment. "What are you doing back in Sheerwood? What do you want with Aria?"

He merely chuckled. "What makes you think I am here for Aria? You may not be familiar with how things in our world work, but Aria's story is over. I have a different mission now."

"Oh really?" Kendal raised her eyebrow. "So you just happen to show up right when she loses her memories?"

"I can assure you I had nothing to do with Aria's rather unique situation," Edmund said, sounding sincere. "But, perhaps there is something I can do to help her."

Kendal let out a hollow laugh. "Why the hell would I trust you? You tried to kill us both!"

"It wasn't me that made an attempt on your lives, but the one I was working for at the time," Edmund reminded her.

"And who are you working for this time?" Kendal asked him.

Edmund shrugged. "Have you considered I may just have my own agenda this time?"

"That doesn't mean any good can come from it," she snapped, taking a dangerous step in his direction. "If you do anything to hurt Aria, then I will make your life a living hell. Trust me, I can do it."

Edmund only chuckled and took a single stroke against her hair. "I always did admire your boldness, Kendal."

Kendal flung his hand away and growled, "Don't touch me."

Edmund let out a sigh and continued, "Anyway, I understand why you might be a little more desperate to get Aria's memories restored than say, Vanessa."

"What do you mean," Kendal asked more softly even though she grew the feeling she was going to regret indulging in this conversation.

"Because you're losing her," he answered, simply. "Every moment Aria goes on like this, she takes a step closer to Vanessa and away from you. I can see it, and I can tell young Miss Cooper sees it too. Why do you think she's not so eager to restore Aria's memories?"

"Stop it!" Kendal demanded, scowling at him. "You're just trying to turn Vanessa and I against each other."

"Am I now?" Edmund replied, lifting his eyebrow. "So I am to understand that before I came along, you two were getting along just peachy?"

Kendal's eyes fell down, unable to answer his question. She began to feel her cheeks sear up.

"Have you considered that Vanessa may have just been pretending to be your friend for Aria's sake?" Edmund suggested, taking a step towards her. "Now that Aria has no recent memories of you and her being friends, Vanessa can easily turn her against you."

"She wouldn't," Kendal said, though she felt her blood begin to boil.

"You're just telling yourself that," Edmund said, gently, touching her arm. "Deep down, you know I speak the truth."

As Kendal felt her rage deepen down to her core, Edmund reached down his white t-shirt and pulled out a bronzed chain necklace he had been wearing. It contained a ruby stone that began to glow as Kendal's eyes glowered towards it.

"It is working," Edmund commented in awe. "You are very strong willed, Kendal. Now, do you want to save Aria before you lose her for good?"

Kendal felt her mind begin to slip into a trance as she continued to gaze into the necklace.

Edmund smiled. "The power is coming from you, Kendal. You feel the wrath, don't you? Now, I can help you save Aria, but first you must look at this and answer one question. Who are you most angry with?"

Kendal's head whirled but her eyes remained focused as she began to say, "Va…"

She then shook her head, and stepped back away from Edmund, forcing her mind back to reality. As she did so, he tucked the jewel back under his shirt.

"No," Kendal said, solidly. "I will find a way to save Aria, but I will do it without you."

"I do admire your determination," Edmund said as he opened the classroom door. "After you."

Kendal uncomfortably brushed passed him not taking another look back. She spent the entire next class period trying to figure out just what happened with her hand Edmund, but parts of it were blurred. She just knew she felt more determined than before to get Aria's memories back.

After school, Kendal waited until Aria and Vanessa both left to walk home together. She knew Derek and Ian had football practice. She found Walter alone at his locker.

"Hey," Kendal said as she approached him.

"Hey," Walter replied. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I guess," Kendal replied with a sigh. "You know, considering…"

Walter nodded, understanding, and then asked, "Do you need a ride home? It's probably not really safe for any of us to be alone since we don't know what Edmund's up to."

"I don't want to go home now," Kendal mumbled and then looked directly at him, saying more loudly, "I don't think we should wait until this weekend to try and help Aria get her memories back, especially now that Edmund is back."

Walter dipped his head in agreement. "I think you're right. I can call Vanessa now and maybe later we can all…"

"I think just you and I should go," Kendal said before he could finish. As he appeared slightly startled she continued, "It's just more I think about it, if we bring Aria there in this state, it would only freak her out. Also, Ian keeps mentioning this muscle potion he wants to try and I don't even want to think about what will happen if he does. And, God knows what Vanessa will end up trying this time…"

"I don't think Vanessa would try anything again," Walter interjected.

Kendal raised her eyebrow. "Really? You believe if Vanessa found something that would make her life easier, she wouldn't take it?"

Walter sighed and muttered, "I wish I could say that."

"Anyway," Kendal continued, "You and I are both focused. We'll go there, find the wizard and hopefully get what we need and come back. We won't mess around with anything else while we're there. What do you say?"

Walter took a moment to ponder this but then nodded. "Okay, let's do it."

xXx

Aria and Vanessa walked home from school mostly in silence. As they turned on their home street, Vanessa looked into her friend's eyes and saw the confusion and turmoil as Aria gazed straight ahead.

Vanessa took in a deep breath and said, "Look Aria, I know this was kind of a messed up day for you, but I promise, soon everything will be fine."

"I don't see how," Aria commented, vaguely. "How do you cure amnesia?"

Vanessa looked at her and forced a smile. "Hopefully you'll understand soon."

Aria sighed and went on, "I can't believe how much things have changed over these past few months. I mean Derek, Kendal…" She eyed her best friend, and added, "you and Walter."

Vanessa giggled softly. "I know it all must seem weird to you now, but…"

"Can I ask you something?" Aria said, abruptly.

Vanessa nodded, even though she felt a bit hesitant. "Sure, anything."

"It's about Edmund," Aria went on, keeping her eyes pointed straight ahead. "It's just that both Derek and Kendal seemed so desperate to keep me away from him. Is he really that bad or are they both just acting out of jealously? I mean, I guess they would both have a reason to be jealous. What do you think?"

Vanessa thought back to Derek's spontaneous proposal last fall and grinned. "Trust me, Derek cares about you a lot. He would do a great deal to keep you safe."

A black BMW turned on their street and drove slowly behind the girls. Neither took notice as they continued their conversation.

"And Kendal?" Aria asked, turning her head to look directly at Vanessa.

Vanessa remained silent for a moment, not feeling all to eager to answer that part of the question. She thought how she and Kendal have been struggling to be civil towards one another for the past several months. Vanessa realized, with Aria in this state of mind, she could end it now and go back to just the two of them being best friends. She had to admit it was tempting, but if they managed to revive Aria's memories, Vanessa knew she would never be forgiven.

Vanessa sighed and finally said, "Kendal does care about you, Aria."

As she spoke the name, Vanessa began to feel fury boil in her throat. She could not understand why. After all, she and Kendal did not get into serious arguments today. It felt almost as though something else was making her feel this.

The black car pulled up on the road beside Aria and Vanessa. The moment the engine silenced, the door opened and Edmund stepped out.

"What are you doing here?" Vanessa demanded, taking a step in front of Aria.

Edmund held up his hands as he stepped on the sidewalk. "Relax, I just want to talk to Aria."

"What do you want to talk about?" Aria asked, quietly, as she took a small step in his direction.

"It doesn't matter, Aria," Vanessa said, firmly, putting her arm in front of Aria. "He's probably just going to take advantage of your condition and try to woo you back."

"You have to at least let me talk to him!" Aria stammered. "Yesterday, I remember we were dating. I just want to hear what he has to say."

"Do not worry, Vanessa," Edmund said more calmly. "I understand the flame for Aria and me has burned and can never be revived. I just want to talk to her."

"I am not leaving you alone with her," Vanessa gritted, glaring at him.

"That won't be necessary," Edmund replied as his eyes moved to Aria. "I think I can help you."

"What you do mean?" Aria asked, suddenly sounding more nervous.

Edmund pulled out his red-stoned jewel and replied, "All I need you to do is look into this and concentrate. Can you do that for me?"

"Wait, Aria don't…" Vanessa started to say, but it was too late. Aria's eyes were already fixated on the ruby gem. Vanessa waved her hands in front of her friend's eyes but got no response.

She then turned furiously to Edmund and demanded, "What are you doing to her? Stop it!"

"Vanessa!" Aria gasped as she broke free of her trance and clasped her hand on her chest. "It's okay. I remember now."

Vanessa tilted her head as she looked towards Aria, and asked, "What?"

"I remember," Aria repeated, still breathing heavily.

Vanessa shot Edmund a suspicious glance and asked, "What exactly do you remember?"

"Everything," Aria said, looking over to Edmund, "Galatia, the fairies, all the stories… everything. He brought my memories back."

Edmund smiled with a hint of slyness. "Feel better now, Princess?"

Aria nodded, still looking at him suspiciously, but said softly, "Thank you."

Edmund smile grew smugger as he walked over to his car door. "Oh, don't thank me. Thank Kendal." He opened his car door and just before he got in he added, "After all, I couldn't have done it without her."

He drove away, leaving both girls in an utterly befuddled state.

A/N: Confused? I'd be amazed if you weren't. Don't worry, I promise this will all make sense later on. Thank you everyone for sticking with me! I really appreciate the reviews this story has been getting. :)