I love a good Cliffhanger.. But now, the story continues!

Dhion: Haha! Hopefully you feel the same about this one!

ENJOY!

Chapter 71: Fight the Good Fight

Paralysing Fear. That's what Mildred Felt. The Sight of not only Agatha, But also Julie.. Her Mum.. Was enough to root her to the ground. She cast a glance over at the stage, Miss Cackle lay slightly propped up by her elbows. No doubt she would have hit her head on the back wall.. She did fly back at quite some force. Meanwhile Hecate just looked Pissed. She'd seen her mad on many occasions, but there was thunder written over her face.. Another thing that sent a ping of fear through her heart.

Agatha smiled, that overly sickly sweet smile that screamed trouble. "Guess who!" She yelled. It wasn't hard to guess, after all, she stood there bold as the night. Mildred felt her hands being taken hold by Maud and Enid, Holding on tight, keeping her grounded in the moment. Mildred's eyes went back to the stage, Watching Hecate stand tall and take three paces forward as if a Lion out for its prey. "Agatha! You are not welcome here." Hecate's voice didn't waver, it was an admirable quality she held.

Agatha tutted, shaking her head. "I hardly think you're in much of a possession to tell me what to do, Miss Hardbroom.." She took a step forward. It was then Mildred noticed something. The Students, along with the staff, moved out the way out of fear, almost as if a wave had happened, making way for Agatha so no one else was directly in her rain of fire. No one else, But Hecate. It was as if watching a showdown between cowboys.

Mildred moved forward, her hands still being held by her friends. It took them a moment before they followed on without question. She stood tall, also facing Agatha now. Maud and Enid held on for dear life. Agatha raised an eyebrow, as if questioning her choice. But, The choice to stand not only with Miss Hardbroom, but also with Cackles, caught on. Pippa and Felicity moved to join them, followed by more teachers and more students, each standing hand in hand, heading off Agatha.

"I think Cackle's Position has been made." Hecate spoke. Mildred couldn't see her, but she knew she was standing like a queen before the oncoming storm.

Agatha Shook her head once more. "Then, I think you know how this must be." She looked at Julie. "Get the girl." Her voice dropped from its theatrical amusement to pure venom. In a moment, the room went from silent fear, to screams and yells as the oncoming witches marched forward, throwing out spells left right and centre, sending the students into a frenzy. She saw Julie walking straight at her. She was the girl they were after.

In a moment, she was reminded of an earlier lesson with Miss Bat, The History of Covens wasn't something that interested her much. But there was one thing that stuck with her. 'A Coven is strongest when together.'. By that logic, they are weakest when apart.

Mildred looked to those closest to her. "Split them up! They're strongest together!" She Commanded. She watched Pippa's face as sudden realisation hit her, Without a moment to lose she went off to Head Delilah.

"Stay safe, Millie!" Enid Spoke before running straight at Miss Mole, Joined by Miss Drill.

"We got this!" Maud let go of Mildred, Running to Miss Gullet, In good company with Mr Rowan-Webb, Probably still holding a frog sized grudge.

Meanwhile, She saw Julie heading straight towards her. Mildred turned on her heels, running towards the stage, weaving through vacating students to get close to Hecate. She watched her wave her hand, throwing one of Agatha's attacks up to the roof, reminding Mildred of the first fight against Agatha and Miss Cackle.

"Hecate!" Whenever in the school halls, she always referred to her by Miss Hardbroom, but if today was their last day, she was damn well going to use her name.

Hecate looked down to Mildred briefly. "Mildred, Get out of here!" For the first time, her voice waved.

Not likely. "I'm sorry!" Mildred yelled out. "We're separating the coven.. I'm gonna take her out towards the Forest!"

Mildred legged it, barely dodging an attack from Agatha, no doubt aimed at Hecate. "MILDRED!" She heard the booming voice of Hecate. She was sure if they survived this, She'd be in for an earful.. If nothing else.

She burst through the doors, her small heels signalling her direction as she ran out into the courtyard. She spared a glance behind her, watching her Mum walking as if there was all the time in the world.. What struck Mildred, was the amount of Stone on her now.. She continued her run, diving into the Forest. The Dark trees and windy breeze added to an eerie night.

"Mildred.. Mildred.." Her Mother spoke when Mildred came to a stand still, unsure where to run off to from there. "Are you done with running now? Come on, Be a good girl and come with your Mum.."

Mildred shook her head. "You're not my mum." She sounded defensive. It was true to Mildred. The Scary, powerful, stone inclined witch before her was not the warm and loving Mother she had grown up with.

Julie's face twisted into a scowl, her attempt at any kindness fading. "And then who is? Miss H? I birthed you, Mildred. I raised you.. Yet you want to choose her.. She's.. She's abhorrent!"

Mildred stood strong. "She's brilliant! You choose your magic over me.. So forgive me for stepping away." She felt like crying.. She loved her mum, but she was long gone..

"You gave me this magic, Remember? Now I'm putting it to good use!" She held her hand out, "Fire burn, and fire strike, hit this ungrateful spite!" A Fluffy of fire threw itself out at Mildred.

She quickly throw up her hands, "Plenum protege, totum protege, Meis protege viribus!" She chanted, the barrier closing over her. She was slightly too late, The Fire licked at her wrists and ankles, burning her lightly. The Shield protected her from the rest of the attack, Luckily.

"I See we've learned some new tricks!" Julie snarled. Another hand moving out, "The Ground shatters, the ground breaks, the ground will pull you into its wake!" Under Mildred, The Ground began tearing itself apart, seeking to drop her in, She dropped her shield, and began to move back out of its way. Julie's hand shot up, throwing Mildred back into a tree.

When she fell to the ground, now mudded on her dress and knees. She noticed with every spell Julie cast, the Stone was growing. If she could simply keep her fighting, she'd be turned to stone.. And that'd be that! Mildred's hands were about to move as she began standing up, But it seemed her Mother was ruthless..

Mildred let out a sudden gasp as her hands moved to hold onto her throat, her body leaving the ground and her breaths shaking. It'd be almost funny, How similar it was to her mothers favourite star wars movie..

"If you won't come with me.. Then you leave me no choice!" Her mother screamed, but Mildred could help the small smirk as she saw what was coming.. God help Julie Hubble.

I do love a good Cliff-hanger.. Next Chapter on Friday!