Chapter 2: The Journey Begins

"How are we supposed to fight back against Ecks and retake the Kingdom?" Bartleby pondered out loud. "We don't have an army."

"Yeah, and Ecks hypnotized the Rainbow King's guards into working for him." added True. "We're no match for them."

"It's hopeless." lamented Grizelda. "We'll never be able to fight back!"

"Now, hold on, Grizelda." said Zee. "I know someone who might be able to help us."

"Who?" inquired True.

"Agithar, the Wish Wizard." Zee answered. "He was mine and Ecks' teacher in Wishology. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to lend a hand."

"Cool." commented Bartleby. "How do we get a hold of him?"

"I'll call him on my Face Bubble." Zee said.

Zee then made the necessary call, and soon enough, a bubble bearing the image of an middle man with graying black hair in a mop top, gray eyes, and wearing an all-white version of Zee's regular outfit and a white cloak. The man was very happy when he saw Zee.

"Well, if it isn't Zee, my old student." the man smiled. "It's so good to hear from you again."

"Likewise, Master Agithar." Zee agreed. "I just wish it was on more positive terms, though."

"What do you mean?" Agithar puzzled.

"I think it'd be better if we talked in person." suggested Zee.

"Oh, yes." nodded Agithar. "Come to my castle. Then we'll talk."

"Will do." affirmed Zee with a nod. "Would it be alright if I brought some friends with me?"

"Of course." Agithar answered, smiling from ear to ear. "The more, the merrier."

"Great." replied Zee. "We'll be there."

"Excellent." grinned Agithar. "I'll see you when you arrive."

"Alright." concluded Zee.

The two ended their call.

"Well, come on, guys." Zee commanded. "We're off to see Agithar."

"If it's all the same, I'll stay here." Grizelda offered. "Someone's gotta guard the Wishing Tree."

"Fair enough." shrugged Zee. "The offer for you to join us stands."

"Okay." Grizelda said.

"Alright, True and Bartleby, let's roll!" ordered Zee.

With that, after saying goodbye to Grizelda, True, Bartleby, and Zee left the Wishing Tree from the underground chamber, but Zee then noticed a squad of guards marching around. The guards had traded their blue helmets, gloves, and boots for black versions. The helmets had a red letter "X" on the front instead of a white orb on top like their blue ones.

"We must not let those guards see us." Zee whispered.

"Right." True and Bartleby agreed in hushed voices, careful to not alert the guards to their presence.

The trio quietly crept past the guards, taking very soft steps. As they crept along, they looked around. Many buildings had been damaged as a result of Ecks' destructive magic, leaving many citizens homeless in turn.

"I can't believe what he has done." True sighed sadly and quietly. "Poor things. No home, no other place to go. It's just so sad."

"Yeah, it is." Bartleby agreed, still being quiet enough for only True and Zee to hear him.

However, they did not know that they were being watched by Cumulo, who had been hypnotized into serving as Ecks' spy, the whole time, and Cumulo flew inside the castle and up to Ecks, who was relaxing in his new throne.

"Ah, Agent Cumulo, you've returned." grinned Ecks evilly. "So, tell me, what have you learned?"

Cumulo chattered to Ecks about that the former had seen.

"This will never do at all." gasped Ecks when he learned about the actions of True, Bartleby, and Zee.

Ecks then picked up a mallet and rang a small gong. A guard approached him.

"Yes, sir?" the guard asked.

"Sergeant, we've got some escapees." Ecks informed. "Send one of your best men after them. One of them is a girl with blue hair. That's the one I want brought to me."

"Yes, sir." the guard nodded. "And the other two?"

"Leave them." Ecks said.

"As you wish, sir." the guard said, nodding again.

The guard left, and Ecks called the same figure he had spoken to in the prologue on his Face Bubble.

"The Kingdom has been taken, Master." Ecks reported. "And that girl you told me about will be mine."

"Good, good." the figure grinned. "Everything is proceeding as I have forseen. Make sure everything is ready when I eventually come."

"Yes, my master." Ecks agreed.

The two then ended their call, and Ecks grinned evilly afterwards.

"This kingdom will be in for a big surprise." Ecks announced.

End of Chapter 2