Kaiser stepped forward. "I must say Layla, this has been tremendous fun but alas, I'm afraid we really must be going now. If you'll be so kind as to give me my present, we'll be on our way."
"P-present?" Layla stammered, tears welling up in her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"You know - the one you've so kindly brought from Alfea for me."
"But... I didn't bring anything."
"No? So what's that in your pocket?"
Puzzled, Layla put her hands in her pockets and quickly rummaged around... he was right! There was something in there, something small. She pulled it out and looked at it.
Stella gasped. "My ring! The Ring of Solaria! What are you doing with it?"
"I don't know. Honestly, I don't."
Kaiser held out his hand. "Give me the ring!" he demanded.
"No way!" Layla yelled as she backed away from him.
"I don't have time for any games!" Kaiser said angrily. "Now give me the ring!"
"NO!"
"It's not as if you have a choice Layla!" Kaiser said as his eyes started to glow a deep red. "Now, give me the ring!"
Layla shuddered and started to breathe heavily, her own eyes glowing as she fell once again into his power.
Anyuna gasped. "Her eyes! Look at her eyes!"
"He's hypnotised her! No wonder she didn't know she had my ring." said Stella. "Fight it Layla, fight it!"
"Give me the ring!" Kaiser growled.
"No! Don't do it!" Musa yelled in desperation.
"Yes... I will give you the... NO!" Layla started to back away as she suddenly regained her senses.
Kaiser growled. "I've had enough of this!" A dark bolt shot out from his hand and knocked Layla to the floor. Groaning, she started to pick herself up, but not before Kaiser snatched the ring from her hands. He laughed loudly as he held the ring above his head triumphantly. Layla knelt on the gound, defeated, crying uncontrollably.
"Yes! The Ring of Solaria is mine at last!" Kaiser shouted, his maniacal laughter ringing throughout the forest.
"Why?" Layla wept. "Why did you do it?"
"Why? I'll tell you why." Kaiser reached into his own pocket and took out another ring. "Do you know what this is?"
"It can't be!" Stella gasped. "That's the Ring of Lunaria!"
"Lunaria?" asked Anyuna.
"Yes, Lunaria - Solaria's sister planet, but... the Ring of Lunaria was stolen years ago. How come you have it?"
"Oh come on - I knew blondes were dumb, but surely even YOU can work this one out!"
"It was you, wasn't it? YOU stole it!"
"Well done!"
"But why did you steal my ring as well if you already have the Ring of Lunaria? It's just as powerful!"
"True, both rings are powerful by themselves..." he said as he tossed them up in the air. The two rings transformed into their Sceptre forms, the Sceptre of Lunaria being equal in size and shape to it's Solarian sister but with a crescent moon emblem instead of a star. "...but when they're combined, their power becomes even greater - observe!"
Kaiser held them above his head and brought the two sceptres together. They exploded into a blinding shower of sparks as their massive energies began to merge. Eventually, the glow died down and they were able to see the result - a magnificent golden sceptre, with a glittering crescent moon and star at the end.
"Behold, the legendary Celestial Sceptre!" he cried as he held his prize aloft. "With this, nothing can stop me. I'm all-powerful now, and there's not a damn thing you fairies can do about it!"
Darcy applauded. "Excellent work brother! Now, why don't you give these pixies a quick demonstration of its power... by frying them with it!"
Kaiser chuckled. "No, no - be patient my sister. They'll feel its power soon enough. For now we'll leave them be, and we'll return when I've gotten more accustomed to it and figured out what mayhem we can do with it. So long, fairies!"
They started to walk away, but then Kaiser stopped and turned around. He stood over Layla and lifted her chin upwards so she was looking straight at him, her wet tear-soaked cheeks glistening in the sunlight.
"Oh Layla dearest, there is just one more thing."
"What?" she sobbed.
"You're DUMPED!"
Kaiser's laughter filled the forest once again, his cruel words equalled in cruelty only by the witches' own nasty cackling as they walked away, leaving Layla slumped on the floor, crying, totally humiliated.