An: Apologies to Chapter 17 reviewers, I didn't have time to respond.

PowPow456: Donna is going to crack soon, and she'll have to pick up the pieces. Matt is very insecure about his past. He feels stupid for letting what happened to happen. We'll see more of that towards the end of the story.

Creator of Magic: Eliza accidentally got powers. Laura messed up. Donna and Ryder will definitely handle magic better because of Raven's support and teaching. We'll soon read more into Laura's magic and why she's got such a fascination with power and dark magic. Ah yes! Chester and Oakley have grown into one of my fave couples as well. Chester in my mind is a secret romantic, but it doesn't show until it comes to Oakley. Since he's good at planning pranks, he's just a good planner all around.

NymhadoraTonks: Baba Yaga's warning will be quite significant when it comes to Laura's future motives. It fuels Laura's wanting to show everyone what she is capable of. I knew from the start Eliza wouldn't willingly take the magic. Even though she wants to be rebellious she takes caution, its just her nature.

THANK YOU ALL!

Chapter 13

Underestimation

"Can we talk about what happened?" Matt asked. It had been three days since Eliza had run off from him. They hadn't truly talked since. They've had a casual conversation, but Matt hadn't gotten any alone time with her. Matt was irritated that he was the one to have to tell her to come on this walk with him. She was the one that owed him an explanation.

"About?" Eliza asked as she shuddered. If Matt wasn't confused or frustrated, he would put his arm around her. But he kept his hand in his pockets.

"You know what," Matt sighed. When she didn't answer, he reminded her. "You ran off the other night for no reason."

"Oh, that," Eliza said in a monotone. "I just wasn't feeling well. The cold and flu have been spreading like wildfire."

"Then why did you come to school the next day?" Matt asked. "You could've given it to someone."

"I felt fine then," Eliza shrugged. "What's with this prosecution?"

"Because you're just acting..." he trailed off. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but it was the truth. "Different."

"Different?" Eliza stopped walking and face him. He took several steps ahead of her before stopping and turning around. There was a small shock of remembrance when he saw her from afar. It was like when they would exchange glances from across the room in the first week of school. Before he had even truly begun to know her.

"Yes," he said simply. "You're not acting like you."

"And you should be the one to tell me what's like me?" Eliza shot back.

"It's obvious enough for me to point out," Matt defended. "Your read is different than it used to be."

Eliza groaned. "Stop trying to get a read on me. I'm not your little pet mouse."

"What else am I suppose to do?" Matt crossed his arms. "It's not like you're giving me any information. You'll talk, but you won't ever reveal what's really going on."

"I'm not going to open up like some book!" He could tell she was angry now, her ears were about as red as her hair.

"Why not?!"

"Because I don't think you'll like what's inside!" Eliza shouted. A sudden jolt of silver light shot out from Eliza's swinging hand. It zinged past Matt and hit a tree, cutting three branches clean off. Matt ducked down as the branches threatened to topple on him. He managed to roll under one just as another was going to crush him.

Matt laid on the fallen leaves as he caught his breath. He opened his eyes to see the gray cloudy sky through the trees. Matt slowly sat up to see Eliza standing in place, staring at the tree branches in horror. She paled. "Eliza?" Matt asked in a soft voice. Her eyes flickered to him before she fainted. "Eliza!" Matt rushed to her side.

As soon as Oakley tapped on Chester's door, he was pulled into the room. Oakley was greeted with a warm embrace from Chester. "Hello," Oakley grinned as he hugged his boyfriend back. "You alright?"

"It's the first time I've seen you almost all week," Chester pulled back. "I'm just happy to see you."

"You saw me," Oakley reminded.

"But I haven't spent much alone time with you," Chester placed his finger under Oakley's chin. "You've been with Molly more than me."

"Well," Oakley shrugged. "That's what happens during election time."

"And you're happy about that?" Chester asked, his brows raised.

"It's not the worst thing in the world," Oakley shrugged.

"I still think you should've run," Chester said with sincere eyes.

"I can't deal with the public speaking," Oakley shook his head. "I'm just the poster and speech guy."

"That's too bad," Chester leaned in and kissed Oakley's cheek. "Because you definitely got the looks in your favor."

"I don't know about that," Oakley's cheeks turned red. The Chesire grinned, but then it slowly faded away. "What?"

"You doubt yourself too much."

Then Oakley was suddenly blinded. He felt Chester tieing something around his head. "What are you doing?"

"We're going on a small trip," his cat-like voice whispered in his ear, sending shivers down Oakley's spine. "Just trust me."

All Oakley could do was nod before Chester was weaving his arms through what felt like a coat. He let Chester zip it up before he took him into his arms. Suddenly, Oakley could feel the cool fall air on his face. He then could feel the frozen ground under his feet. He sniffed the air. Pine and rotting leaves. They were in the Enchanting forest.

"None of that," Chester scolded. "I know you are plant savvy and all, but no need to ruin the surprise." In response, Oakley plugged his nose with his fingers. Chester gave a small chuckle. "I'll allow you to breathe." Oakley allowed this and dropped his hand until Chester took it within his own and began to lead him down a pathway.

There was nothing but silence for a while, but then Chester started to give Oakley specific directions to get over obstacles. They must've really been going off the path. "I really hope you're not bringing me out here so you can murder me," Oakley said with a small laugh as he stepped over a tree root.

"No promises." Oakley could picture Chester's grin as he said this. It would be malicious but at the same time charming. "We're getting close anyway."

That was when they heard a voice in the distance. "Why not?!"

They both stopped when they heard the second voice. "Because I don't think you'll like what's inside!"

"Eliza?" Oakley pulled down his blindfold. It was slightly foggy in the forest, so it was hard to see anything farther than about twenty feet.

"That was Matt too," Chester said, squeezing Oakley's hand. "Let's go."

They were about to leave when the branches fell in the short distance. They made loud crashes when they hit the forest floor. That was when Oakley could spot the small figures far from them. Matt ducked out of the branches way. Eliza just stood there, frozen. Then she suddenly collapsed. "Eliza!" Matt's voice called out as he ran over to her.

"Eliza!" Oakley called out after them. Chester tried to yank Oakley back, but Oakley let go of his hand and ran over to the couple. Matt was gazing at her with troubled eyes. Oakley got down on his knees next to the unconscious Eliza. She looked overly pale. "Matt, what happened?" his voice cracked with panic.

"I'm not sure," Matt said, his own voice quivering. "We were having an argument and then...and then...magic made the branches snap. But it came from Eliza."

Oakley widened his eyes. He knew that Fauna had gotten magic recently, but Eliza refused. And even when Fauna would cast a spell, there was no reaction like this. He needed to find Laura or someone. "What should we do?"

"I can get Baba Yaga," Matt said but didn't move.

"She doesn't seem to be under anything magical," Chester said, suddenly at Oakley's side. "We should just get her to the school. The nurse can take her from there."

"You take her to the nurse," Oakley instructed. "While you and Matt are there, I'll go find Laura."

"What does Laura have to do with this?" Matt asked, his eyes burning with concern and anger. "What did she do?" Oakley swallowed nervously, wondering how Laura was going to explain this one.

Laura crept through the dark halls of the dungeon level. She didn't trust herself to magically transport herself there, it was too risky. Surely Baba Yaga had some sort of lock on her room. Laura had done this same routine for the last three days. After school, close to dinner, she would sneak down here, but before she could get to the room, she would turn back in fear of getting caught.

Now, Laura decided she had enough with this little game she was playing with herself. She walked confidently all the way down the stairs. She stopped when she saw the classroom door. It was closed. Laura got down on her knees and peered through the small crack. There wasn't a light on. Perfect. Laura stood back up and tucked the spellbook under her arm.

Holding out both of her hands, Laura shot a fireball through the door, making it swing open. She loved dramatic entrances. Grinning, Laura walked into the dark classroom and shut the door behind her, just as a precaution. When Laura turned on the light, she jumped back in fright at the sight. Felicity laughed as she leaned back in Baba Yaga's chair.

Laura straightened. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Felicity twirled his hair around her finger. "You're not very good at sneaking around. I've been following you for the last three days."

"And why would you do that?" Laura asked.

"You're up to something," Felicity propped her feet up on the desk. "Either it's a vendetta against Yaga, or you're trying to advance your studies to beat me in class. So, which one is it?"

"As if I would tell you," Laura turned away from her. "You're my enemy after all."

"No," Felicity shook her head. "I'm no bad guy. You are the one who used that puppet spell on me."

"And I can do it again," Laura raised a brow. She was hoping this threat would work. Although, Felicity had threatened her about using that spell on her again. Laura had no doubt about her abilities.

"But isn't that against Baba Yaga's words?" Felicity asked with a grin. She suddenly snapped her fingers.

"Do you understand, Miss Fae?"

Laura cringed at the sound of Baba Yaga's voice. "Stop that."

"Not until you tell me what you're sneaking around about," Felicity was about to snap her fingers again, but Luara held up her hand.

"Okay," Laura said in defeat. "But you can't tell Yaga."

"Why would I do that?" Felicity raised a brow. "I only suck up to get the grade. I don't need to be her parrot too."

"I don't trust you."

"As you should."

Laura rolled her eyes. "I'm looking for information on the Sapphire Sorcerer."

"The dead guy whose 'great works' have been missing for years?" Felicity made air quotes.

"They're not lost," Laura held up the book. That caught her attention. Felicity stood from the desk suddenly.

"Are you serious?"

"Dead serious," Laura walked up to the desk and set the book down. "I found this book under Yaga's desk a few weeks ago. So she lied the other day when she said the works were missing."

"Well," Felicity chuckled. "She does have a few screws loose. Wouldn't surprise me if she just simply forgot."

"She didn't just simply forget," Laura flipped the book open to the puppet spell. Felicity gazed at the page. "She asked me where I learned this spell. At the time, I just did it without casting anything. But in here, it says that he created it."

"How can you be sure Yaga has never seen that spell?"

"I've only seen that spell used by m-" Baba Yaga stopped herself. "Never mind. Just, don't use it unless necessary." laura was about to leave, but then Baba Yaga cleared her throat. "You have dangerous power, Laura. Don't do something you'll regret."

"She's seen it done by someone," Laura recalled. "No wonder she warned me, she must've known him."

"But why isn't there any documentation on him?" Felicity asked.

"That's what I came here for," Laura walked around the desk. She began to look through the drawers and flipping through papers. "If she kept the book here, I wonder what else she's hiding."

"She wanted to keep the book close," Felicity stated. "Or before she forgot about it anyway. But why would she had documents on him."

"When she started to say whom she had seen," Laura continued her search, "she said something that sounded like my or mine. So that means she has direct contact."

"You've thought about this a lot," Felicity flipped through the book. "Are you sure you're not looking too much into it? She's very old. Could she just have the book by accident?"

"But people have been looking for it for years. Why would she hide it?"

"Unless she had a reason," Felicity connected. "Okay, so say Yaga knew him. How are we going to get her to tell?"

"We?" Laura looked up from the drawers.

"You can't do this by yourself," Felicity shrugged. "Yaga has always been a mysterious woman, and she also has one of the most infamous wizard's spellbooks. There's a scandal around this and if we uncover something huge, we can both get credit."

"You want to bring Baba Yaga down?" Laura raised her brows.

"Only if she's truly got something to hide," Felicity shrugged again. "My mother always used to cause mischief. I suppose I could give it a shot."

Laura rolled her eyes and mumbled, "Dark fairies and their mischief." As Felicity was muttering a response, Laura found something. It was in the bottom drawer on the life side. There wasn't much in this one, a small book, and other miscellaneous things. Laura took the book out and put it down on the desk.

"What's that?" Felicity asked. Laura didn't answer as she flipped through the pages. There were small pictures of classes Baba Yaga had through the years. She wondered if Yaga had put in one of this year's class yet. They took one after the first week of school. Laura stopped when she saw her mother. It was strange, she looked just like Luara back then. It was strange to see her mother like that. So young and relaxed. She was completely different now.

Faybelle was in this picture too. Laura stole a glance at Felicity. It was true, she didn't look anything like her mother. There was someone standing in between their mothers in the picture. A guy Luara had never seen before. Everyone else in the class was at least recognizable, but this was different. His eyes were a darker blue, his hair a dirty blonde, but shimmered a light blonde in the light. He didn't smile with teeth, only had a small grin.

Laura had seen that grin before, she just couldn't place whom she had seen it on. "Laura, look," Felicity pointed at the spellbook cover, then at the mystery man. "They match."

Laura didn't see it at first, but then she noticed the small ring of sapphires hanging around the guy's neck. "Oh my dark magic," Laura whispered. "Our mothers were in the same class as him. He was Yaga's student."

"Do you think they knew him?" Felicity asked.

"I'm not sure," Laura continued to study the picture. From what she knew, her mother didn't have many guy friends. She didn't even have a boyfriend in high school. "My mom probably didn't."

"Should I ask mine?"

"No," Laura shook her head. "It'll be better if we keep this investigation on the down-low. If we are going to question anyone, it's Yaga. Could you possibly get your hands on a yearbook? Maybe we could get his name."

"Maybe," Felicity suddenly took out the picture from its slip. She turned it over. "There are just initials on the back, but I could use this." She took out her phone and snapped a picture of the front and back. "I'll send you the pics."

"You don't have my number," Laura folded her arms. Her phone suddenly chimed. She rolled her eyes as she pulled out her phone. Instead of receiving pictures, she was receiving a call from Oakley. She answered it. "Oakley, can I call you back?"

"No," his voice was urgent across the line. "Eliza should be at the nurse's office by now."

"Wait, what?" Laura felt panic beginning to brew inside her. "What's going on?"

"Eliza fainted," Oakley said. There was another distant voice speaking in an angry tone, but Laura couldn't hear. "I gotta go, but I'll meet you there once I call Fauna."

"NO," Laura caught him before he could hang up. "Don't tell Fauna. She's out with the cheer team tonight, don't ruin her night."

"Okay, I won't," Oakley promised. "I'll see you there." Laura hung up before he could.

"What's going on?" Felicity asked, concerned.

"Nothing," Laura put the book of pictures back in the bottom drawer. "I've just got to go tend to my friend." She went to grab the spellbook, but then Felicity caught her hand.

"I don't think you should be carrying that around," Felicity cautioned. "If Yaga sees that you're doomed."

"I've kept it under your nose for weeks," Laura took the book and stepped away from Felicity. "You didn't think I would trust you with this book, did you?"

"If we're going to work together, we need a truce," Felicity stretched out her hand. Laura looked at it skeptically.

"You really want to do this?"

"Why not? Truce?"

Laura hesitated, but then took her hand and shook it. "Truce, but I'm still taking the book." She left Felicity without another word.

When she got to the nurse's office, she was surprised to see Chester along with Oakley and Matt in the room with an unconscious Eliza. "What happened?" Laura asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," Matt said, his jaw clenched.

"Woah," Laura held up her hands. "Why am I to blame?"

"She told me she refused your magic," Matt stood from where he was leaning on the wall. "And then she almost killed me today in the woods. What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything to her," Laura defended herself. "I gave Fauna magic. That's it. Don't you think you know what I'm doing?"

"No, I don't," Matt took a step closer.

"I could spell you right now," Laura threatened.

"Laura," Oakley warned. "Let's be civilized please." They all moved out of the room as the nurse came back in. The other two stayed while Matt and Laura went to the larger waiting room.

Matt took a deep breath before saying. "Take it away."

"What?" Laura questioned.

"You're obviously the one that gave it to her," Matt shrugged. "And it's changing her. She's not the same. Once that light left her finer tips she fainted. What if next time she doesn't wake up"

"I don't know how she got magic," Laura admitted. "I didn't cast the spell on her." In the back of her mind, Luara was thinking about that night.

"Uh," Eliza interrupted the fun. "Did you read the bottom line?"

Caution: if you mess up any of these actions, the spell can forever alter the control of your powers as well as others'.

"Pft," Laura rolled her eyes. "The instructions are easy. I'm not worried."

"Well, can't you fix it?" Matt asked.

"I can try," Laura didn't really know what to say. "But she might just have to refrain from making any more spells. I can teach her control."

"She's awake," Oakley said suddenly. Matt was there first. He let out a relaxed sigh when he saw Eliza's eyes open.

"Hey," Eliza said in a quiet voice. "I fainted."

"I know," Matt said with a little smile. "You'll be alright now." He gave a small glance at Laura, before turning back to Eliza. Laura could only hope that Eliza would be alright. She didn't know much about the magic she possessed, and Matt knew that. She wouldn't let him have the satisfaction though. She didn't like being underestimated.