I managed to update pretty quickly. Enjoy :D

Chapter 21: Discoveries

Denny stroked his chin, deep in thought. How could they convince Muffy to come with them to meet the Witch Princess? Maybe they could make the Witch come to them? No, that would never work. The solution seemed so far…

Chelsea rubbed his calf reassuringly, since it was in the water beside her. "I'm sure we'll figure something out. We've come this far, haven't we?"

"Well… Muffy was close to Lanna, maybe she could help somehow."

"But didn't you say Muffy hates Lanna?"

"Oh… yeah…." Denny paused, "Well, still, she can help – she could say she wants to apologize or something."

"True," Chelsea sighed. She was full of doubts, but she would never admit it. She had to stay positive for Denny's sake. He stayed as optimistic as she did.

X~*&*~X

A woman with flowing blonde hair brilliant red eyes adorned in purple robes paced back and forth around a wall of teddy bears. The Witch Princess pondered her options. She'd found her daughter at last, but she was nervous. How could she approach her child after such a long time?

She shut her eyes in concentration. Almost an hour passed before it came to her; her scarlet eyes snapped wide open. First, she'd have to travel to where her daughter currently resided.

The Witch ran her fingers along the shelves of potions, selecting one with a light cyan color. She pulled out the cork and a mystical steam was released. She made circles along the top with her pinky – she needed to calm down, she was far too nervous. With shut eyes, the Witch quickly swallowed the concoction. She became transparent and wispy. She had taken a teleportation potion, able to transport the consumer anywhere they wished.

In her mind, she imagined her location – Forget-Me-Not-Valley.

X~*&*~X

Muffy was wiping the counter in circles with an old rag when she noticed a shadow appear in the doorway. The light in the Blue Bar was dim and the silhouette was in front of the outside light, masking the person that stood before her. She could tell, however, that it was no one she knew. Whoever it was wearing a cloak that billowed behind her; Muffy could tell it was a woman because the long, wavy, hair. The woman stepped into view.

Muffy saw a beautiful, young woman with piercing crimson eyes. The woman seemed so familiar… but where had she seen her before? Surely, she would remember those eyes?

The woman smirked. "Hello, Muffy. Remember me?"

X~*&*~X

Nami had blacked out after the voice called to her. She had collapsed onto the bed and had visions running through her mind.

A woman was coming, she could feel it. She would come after her, but not in a bad way. The woman had a familiar aura about her…. Who was she?

Nami could see the woman visiting Muffy. Oh no… Muffy wouldn't survive if the woman had her way! Nami stirred, sweating heavily in the real world. She had to help Muffy…

X~*&*~X

Chelsea shivered suddenly. "Are you okay?" Denny asked worriedly.

Chelsea shook her head. "The Witch… I can feel her…." Denny gave her a confused look. "Denny… she's here… The Witch Princess is here!" She wasn't sure how she knew, but she had a feeling it had to do with the curse. She figured the spell bound her to the Witch.

Denny looked worried. "Are you sure?"

Chelsea closed her eyes and sighed sadly, "More than anything."

X~*&*~X

Muffy shook her head. "Sorry, I don't. Should I?"

The woman smiled fondly. "No, that's alright. You were just a baby, after all."

Muffy stumbled slightly. She let out a small gasp. "You knew me when I was a baby?" Perhaps that meant this strange woman knew who she was, where she was from! She had no connection to the past since her parents died.

"Yes…. I did. My dear, Muffy, please…. Let me hold you."

X~*&*~X

Nami jumped out of bed. The sun was significantly lower. She glanced at the clock – only three hours had passed! She might have time!

She bolted out of her room and through the Inn. She rushed through town to the Blue Bar. Luckily, it wasn't too far.

Nami thrust the door open as quickly as she could. She heard a voice that she instantly recognized as the one she'd heard in her head. It belonged to a woman with pale blonde hair fluttering down her back.

Muffy shook her head and had her arms wrapped around herself. "Please, Muffy, one last time…." The woman stopped suddenly and sniffed the air. Nami saw her pointed nose peeking out from behind her curtain of hair. "Nami….?"

Nami's eyes widened. She had recognized her by her scent? This was getting weirder by the second! "Y-y-yes, it is…." She stammered, "W-why, w-who are you?" Her heart quickened. She knew who this woman was, she just couldn't place it.

The woman turned around teasingly slowly. Her eyes were closed in what seemed to be a calm manner. She sighed contently, a smile on her pale lips. "Nami…" Her eyes opened, revealing irises the exact same color as Nami's hair – bright red.

"What were you doing with Muffy?" Nami asked suddenly.

The woman seemed taken aback, but answered anyways, "I was simply going to hold the girl." Nami glared, expecting a better answer. The woman rolled her scarlet eyes, "And snap her neck," she said like it was no big deal.

"What?!" Muffy squeaked. "You were going to kill me?"

"Of course dear; you sound surprised."

"Why?" Muffy shook, tears of fear in her eyes.

"Just to finish the job I started so long ago…"

"What job?" Nami inquired.

The Witch Princess smiled. "That is a long story, my daughter."

Dun dun dun! Aren't I evil with my dramatic stops? I think this one's long enough to make up for the other one, too. The next chapter will basically be the Witch Princess telling her story and explaining everything.