After a long time, Phoenix and Sandra arrived in Enchancia. It was dark, and Sandra could just make out what looked like a campsite. "Good girl, Phoenix," she whispered through a yawn.

"Sandra, you look like you're going to fall asleep right there," Phoenix murmured as they landed behind some bushes. "And this is what you get for reading late at night again!"

"I know, but first things first, Phoenix, we need help," Sandra shook her head to clear it. She gasped when she saw someone approach her hiding place.

"Who goes there?" a female voice demanded.

"Oh…sorry. I wish for Phoenix and I to be visible again," Sandra said as she and Phoenix appeared in front of a group of young people around her own age. "I'm sorry. I know it's late, but Orillia Castle is in danger."

"Orillia Castle?" the first girl asked.

"I'm Princess Sandra. This is my horse Phoenix," Sandra introduced herself.

"It's nice to meet you, Princess Sandra. I'm Carol of the Arrow," a woman stepped forward. "This is my Merry Band of Helping Hands. And I think you already met Jane."

"I've heard of you. My friend Sofia said she's in your band as well," Sandra nodded. She immediately realized her mistake when she fell to the ground.

"Take it easy, Princess Sandra. You look like you've been flying all night, but it's a quick walk to the castle from here," Carol said as she steadied her.

"If you need to get to Enchancia Castle, we'll take you there," Jane offered.

"I really appreciate this," Sandra said as she and the group made their way to the castle.

Carol and the Merry Band helped Phoenix and Sandra to the castle, and Jane found Constable Miles and some of the guards on duty. She led them out, and explained why Sandra was there.

"Take her to King Roland. And someone see to her horse," Miles said after a few moments.

"What's going on?" Roland asked when he saw the guards bringing someone up.

Since Sandra had barely gotten any sleep before her late ride, she collapsed against a guard.

"Your majesty, this girl was found by Carol of the Arrow, and she told her that her castle was in danger," Miles replied.

"Sandra! What's going on?" Sofia asked, recognizing her friend who had just been at the castle a few days ago.

Sandra looked up into the faces of Roland, Miranda, Amber, James, Sofia, and Lucinda. "I'm okay. Thanks for helping me," she said to the guards. "Your Majesties," she turned back to Roland and Miranda, "My dad told me that Orillia Castle is in danger."

"What's wrong, Sandra?" Amber asked.

"Well, it's like this…" Sandra started, but Roland broke in.

"Tell us everything, but get some rest first. You look like you've been riding all night," He turned to Baileywick, who was nearby. "Baileywick, have the chefs prepare a meal for our guest. And send someone out to see to her horse." He turned to Dorrie and Candice, who were standing nearby. "Dorrie, Candice, take her to the room she was using during her last visit."

"Thank you," Sandra sighed with relief as they led her to the guest room and helped her onto the bed. She started to explain why she was there, but Miranda encouraged her to rest first, and tell them her story in the morning. Sandra smiled as she fell against the pillows just as her food was brought in.

The next day, Ezekiel was walking up the steps of the Lewiston Public Library. The little bottle was buried deep in his pocket, and his hand was closed firmly over it. He didn't know why Aleena's father hadn't told anyone about this, but he wanted to know what it was for, and how he could use it to suit his own purposes.

Ezekiel took several books, and, not wanting to be disturbed, went over to a table in the corner. He picked one up, and immediately found the entry he was looking for, complete with a picture of the black and green vial with the snake head stopper, and began to read.

Zanven Fletcher, potioneer extraordinaire of Orillia Castle, recently invented a new potion for shapeshifting. However, the Philter of Imperfection lives up to its name. Fletcher had stowed the potion away so he could further research the ingredients. Unfortunately, upon his retirement, he was never able to complete his studies. He is hopeful, however, that his daughter Aleena will be able to carry on his research.

"No need for that, Leena; I'll figure it out as I go along," Ezekiel mused as he left the library, took the bottle out of his pocket, and undid the stopper. His nose was immediately assaulted by a mixture of skunk musk and rotten eggs, but he was determined to use this potion, no matter what it smelled like. "Here's to you, Leena…" he murmured, raising the bottle in a toast and swallowing the contents.

As he downed the potion in one gulp and felt the effects start changing him, Ezekiel was so caught up in thoughts of revenge that he actually started to sing.

Ezekiel: Starting today they are going to welcome a new guy
Starting today no more lying or sneaking about
(scoffs) No!

I can't wait for everyone to cower
In front of someone totally in power!
Starting today when the real Ezekiel comes out!

Starting today every rule's guaranteed to be broken,
(People in the street: Broken)
Starting today every whisper turns into a shout!
(People in the street: Aah!)

I feel all my inhibitions molting,
(People in the street: More than just the peasants are revolting)
Starting today when the real Ezekiel comes out!

(People in the street: Starting today is the grand transformation)
Ezekiel: -aaaAAAAHHH
(People in the street: Hide, run away or go on a vacation)
Ezekiel: -aaaAAAAAAHHH
(People in the street: Starting today he'll be ruling the nation, no doubt.)

Ezekiel: -aaAAAAAAAHHHHHHH
OHH YES!
And starting today the whole world will be mine on a platter!
(People in the street: Every man on a plate)
Kneel, you peasant, you peon, you dim-witted lout!
(People in the street: Gee, the future looks great)

Now my inner splendor is appearing
I can almost hear the peasants cheering!
Starting today when the real Ezekiel
Proves he's a ruler to rival Attila!
Starting today when the real Ezekiel
COMES OUT!

Ezekiel smirked as he looked over his new form. He was already tall, but he saw that he looked a little more muscular. He saw that his skin was paler than normal and his hands and fingers were longer. His face was also pale, and his eyes were scarlet. He covered his new appearance with a long black hooded cloak. "Perfect," he nodded, gripping his 15-inch cedar and dragon heartstring wand, a gift from Aleena for his birthday two years ago. "They'll never recognize me now. But first…" he concentrated and resumed his original shape. "To recruit helpers, I'll need to have a form people recognize."

A few minutes later, a small crowd, including some of Ezekiel's friends, had gathered in an alley. They looked up when they saw a strange cloaked figure appear before them.

"I'd like to thank you for coming to see me," the person said. "And to show my appreciation, I'd like to say something." Everyone looked up, and the person aimed their wand at them and shouted, "IMPERIO!"

"Hail Eze Gray…" everyone started chanting.

"Eze Gray," Ezekiel repeated. "I like that! Nobody will recognize that name when I get back to the castle." At the same time, he had a thought. "Sandra says she's good with words, and she might figure out who I am. I'll just have to make sure she's not around when I take over."

Suddenly, a girl who looked about as old as Sandra stepped forward. She had pale skin, black hair with white highlights which was pulled back in a ponytail, and bright blue eyes. She wore a black and white dress that had a leaf design, and black boots. "Please, your Grace, I would like to offer my service as a spy for you," she said as she curtsied.

"And your name is…" Ezekiel asked.

"Rose Willows, your Grace," the girl replied.

Ezekiel nodded. He knew her vaguely from his visits to Lewiston when he and the royal family had gone there to spend a few days. He thought she was a nice enough kid, but he had a girlfriend. He recalled that Nigel had often had to deliver "secret admirer" messages to him from her, since she'd slip one to the castle steward, then run off giggling like an idiot. And now that she was literally under his spell, he thought he could use her in some way. "Very well, you have my attention, Rose; how can you help me?"

Rose smiled up at him and coyly held up her purse. "What I have in here can help you. I always carried it with me for emergencies, but you can have it. All I ask is that you let me work for you."

Ezekiel smiled as he reached out his hand to her.

Author's Notes

Thanks to Niagara14301 for helping with the details in this chapter.

Thanks to TheDisneyFan365 for letting me borrow their character Rose Willows. For information on this character, see their story Rose's Bad Day.

The song Ezekiel sings is a "variation on the classic" song Miss Nettle sang in Do You Want to Sing Together 6 (chapter 11).

Carol of the Arrow and the Merry Band are from the Sofia episode Carol of the Arrow.

Imperio is from Harry Potter.

Zanven (pronounced Zay-ven) Fletcher is an original character of mine.

I partially modeled Ezekiel's new look on how Voldemort looked when he made his first appearance in Goblet of Fire.

And what did Rose give Ezekiel? Find out in the next chapter!