Hexside Academy. One of the greatest—possibly the best—witch's school on the Boiling Isles. It's there where young teens begin their journey to being masters of magic. It's also at this school where a great incident would change their curriculum forever.

Principal Bump, the headmaster of Hexside, sat in his office early in the morning going over some paperwork. All the while, he turned on his crystal ball to keep track of the news. It was a pretty standard day for the old man with the demon mask until his assistant opened the door to talk to him.

"Principal Bump, there's a human boy here who wants to talk to you."

"A human boy? That's unusual." Bump said. "Well, bring him in."

A second later, Stephen Strange entered the office and sat in the chair across from the principal. "You must be Principal Bump."

"Right… and who are you? And what are you doing in Hexside? We don't have any human students."

"Well, my name is Stephen Strange. And the reason I'm here is because I was wanting to talk to one of your students. I was told she'd be here."

"Couldn't you have gone to her home and ask her there?" Bump asked.

"I tried. I couldn't figure out where to find her. Her mentor didn't have her address."

"Hmm. Well, as long as you don't cause a disruption, I suppose I'll allow this visit. Who is this student?"

"Clea, sir."

"Clea? She's been quite the talk among the students for the past few weeks. She always comes to school early in the day for a bit of light reading in the library."

"Great. Thanks." Stephen said. He stood from his chair and turned to leave. But Bump stopped him.

"A moment. You still need your visitor's pass." He pulled out a red, rectangular sticker and placed it on Stephen's chest. "Don't lose this or you WILL be eaten alive."

Stephen gulped and proceeded to leave the office. He walked on over to where the map was displayed and followed it. Hallway after hallway, he followed the signs until he came across the school library. He entered in and saw a large room with bookshelves covering the walls and circular tables scattered around the area. There was a large, wooden desk that had a bell which Stephen rang. A short, pudgy boy emerged to greet Stephen.

"Um… You wouldn't happen to be Clea, would you?" Stephen asked.

The boy chuckled. "No. My name is Wong."

"Wong? Just Wong?" Stephen asked. "Like Adele? Or Aristotle. Drake. Bono. Eminem."

"I'm guessing those are human terms." Wong surmised.

"Right. I'm getting off-topic." Satephen said. "I'm here to see Clea."

"She's over there." Wong pointed.

Stephen turned around to see the lone girl sitting at a table her pale face buried in a book. Stephen instantly took notice at her shining, black hair as he sat down next to her and cleared his throat.

"Huh?" Clea asked pulling her head out of her book. She turned to see the human boy sitting next to her. "Oh. Hello."

"Hi. I'm Stephen." He hald out a hand.

"Clea." She accepted the shake. "So… What brings you here?"

"You actually." Stephen said. "I've got myself a little bit of a problem and I was told you would help me."

"Me?" Clea asked with surprise. "You're asking for my help?"

"Is it really so hard to believe?"

"More so than you think." Clea frowned. "But if you want help, I'm always up to try. So what's the damage?"

"These." Stephen held out both of his hands. "Years ago, I got in an accident and it left serious nerve damage to my hands. I can't work them right anymore. I've tried a hundred treatments back at my home, but nothing worked. Maybe you can help?"

"Nerve damage?" Clea asked. "I've never heard of such a thing, but I can surely take a look." She then blushed a slight shade of red in her cheeks. "Um… You don't be weirded out if I hold your hands, will you? It's necessary to find out your problem."

Stephen cleared his throat nervously. "Go ahead. If it's part of the diagnosis, I wouldn't mind." He held out his hands which Clea accepted. Her eyes glowed yellow as did her hands. A few moments later, the glow disapated and the witch gasped softly. "What is it?"

Clea frowned. "I'm sorry to say… you only have a year to live."

Stephen's eyes widened and he lost his breath for a second. "Really?"

Clea couldn't keep in her laughter. "No! I'm just messing with you." She laughed and Stephen felt relieved. "But seriously though, this is a case I haven't heard of. Hey, Wong! Do you have any healing books for internal injuries?"

"Over there." Wong said. Clea followed where he was pointing and found the books the believed she needed.

Once she got what she was looking for, she returned to Stephen, but didn't sit yet. "Sorry, but your answers are going to have to wait. I need to look these books over. But I should have an answer for you at lunch if you'll join me then."

"Sure." Stephen smiled. "I'll see you then." Clea returned the smile and left the school library.

"So what will you do until lunch?" Wong asked Stephen.

"I guess… I'll read." Stephen said. He found a book labeled "History of the Boiling Isles Vol. 1" on the spine. He picked it up and started combing through the pages.

For the next hour or so, Strange kept his eyes glued to the books still fascinated by the histories, the infamous witches, and the mysterious beasts that roam through this magical world. Like any literate, he was sharp to each word and image on the pages.

"Wong, I need a book on abominations!"

Stephen's eyes looked up at the new girl's voice that approached the front desk. He saw a girl with green hair that had a spot of orange at the front.

"Really, Amity?" Wong asked. "I wouldn't think the top of her class would need to know more about abominations."

"Not anymore." The girl called Amity replied. "I was shown up. My teacher gave my badge… to Willow."

Wong's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Willow Park? I didn't think she had it in her."

"She doesn't!" Amity yelled out. "I saw her abomination before school and it was just as weak as ever. Yet today, at presentation, her abomination just sprung out more lively than anything I've seen. But something's weird about it. Her new abomination seemed… odd. It seemed say to animated to be an abomination. I think she's cheating somehow. That's why I need a book."

"All right." Wong said with a "settle down" motion with his hands. He picked out a book and lent it to the witch. "Here you go."

"Just you wait, Willow." Amity said as she turned to the exit. "I'll find out what you're hiding and I'm getting my badge back."

Right as she left, Stephen raised an eyebrow. "So what's with the drama queen?"

"That's Amity Blight, one of the brightest students at Hexside, expert in abomination magic." Wong said. "Though, she's not exactly a people person."

"Hmm… And if I'm remembering what I read right," Stephen said holding up a magic book he read earlier, "Abominations are unthinking creatures made of a primordial, purple sludge that do whatever their caster commands."

"Quick learner." Wong said.

"Well, I've got a good memory." Stephen said. "Speaking of, what say I start reading one of those?" He pointed to the top shelf books."

Wong chuckled. "You're not ready for those."

"Try me, Beyonce." Wong gave no emotion of response. "It's… Never mind."

Lunchtime has come. As soon as Stephen realized the time, he rushed over to the cafeteria. He looked around the crowd of students until he found the girl he needed to find. He approached Clea at the solitary table and sat next to her.

"Any luck?" Stephen asked.

"Maybe." Clea answered opening one of her books. "This nerve damage has never been recorded before, but there are certain procedures when coming across a new condition."

"What procedures are those?"

"Well, it starts with a simple stabilizing spell that has to be applied daily. If this works, you won't have to worry about your hands hurting until it wears off. While it's stabilized, I would have to use other spells to see if your hands will be fixed without the need for a stabilizing spell."

"Will it hurt?"

"Not if I experiment with the right spells. It's not like I'm trying to switch your organs or change your blood into pudding. I'm sure you won't get hurt, but only if you trust me."

Stephen smiled feeling a good feeling of hope. "Okay."

"Oh, look." Stephen and Clea looked back at a group of students. At the front was a purplish-red girl with three eyes. "It looks like Clea's got a human friend. Figures that's the only friend for a devil spawn." She laughed with the others as she walked away.

"Devil spawn?" Stephen asked noticing Clea's frown. "What is it?"

Clea sighed. "Well, I suppose it's about time you knew. I'm the least popular witch at school. Everyone treats me as a social outcast because of this dumb rumor that I come from a family of devils. Clearly false, by the way."

"Why would they say that?" Stephen asked.

"It's Boscha, the girl with the three eyes. She's one of the most popular kids because she's our star athlete, and it's easier to believe her since… *sighs* Since I don't know who my real family is. I was adopted and I have no idea who any of my real relatives are."

Stephen shared her frown. "Wow. I'm… sorry to hear that."

"Still want to trust me?" Clea asked.

"Of course." Stephen said. "I'm not one to believe in rumors. You'll see."

"I SAW THAT!" Amity's voice cried out from the middle of the cafeteria. Everyone turned their heads to find Amity Blight standing on top of a table confronting two other students. One was a bespectacled girl with green hair and the other was a short, skinny black boy. They had a very large, old vase beside them. "Abominations don't eat! Where are you? I know you're in there!"

"Amity Blight!" the abomination teacher yelled out getting the young witch's attention. "I suspected jealousy, but I never would've thought you'd stoop so low."

"What?" Amity asked desperately. "No, you won't understand! Just look at it!" She pulled out what was inside the vase, and the sight of it made Stephen's eyes widen. Though she was mostly covered in purple goo, there was no doubt in his mind that Amity was holding up Luz Noceda, who was acting mindless.

"Report to Principal Bump's office, right now." The teacher ordered and Amity followed with a furious look on her face.

"Whoa." Clea said. "I've never seen Amity lose her cool like that."

"Yeah…" Stephen said nervously. "I, uh… I gotta go."

Stephen quickly jumped out of his chair and made his way to the table that Amity just left. The two kids that were already there gasped as they turned to him.

"Whoa. Another human?" the black boy asked excitedly. "Where…"

Stephen paid him no mind. He just went over to the vase and opened its top. He lowered his upset face at Luz, who was chuckling inside.

"Hola, Stephen." Luz greeted nervously.

"What were you thinking?!" Stephen asked angrily in the classroom after he was sure it was empty. The other two students with Luz were nervous as they stood beside her.

"Sorry, Stephen." Luz said. "But hey, I'd like to introduce you to my two friends. This is Willow and Gus."

"Willow?" Stephen asked. "Funny. Your name did come up. Apparently, you've been presenting an abomination that seemed too lively to be one." He gave a suspicious glare to his goo-covered sister. "And there's no one more lively than you."

"Look, I'm sorry, but believe me, I had a very good reason for being here." Luz said.

"Go on." Stephen said with a raised eyebrow.

Luz took in a breath before starting her story. "Well, I first met Willow when she was being made fun of by Amity since she couldn't make a good abomination. I volunteered to be her abomination for the day. I was just doing it to help a friend."

"Is that your only reason?" Stephen asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I know you, Luz. I'm sure that as soon as you heard there was a school for witches, you'd probably see this as a chance to experience it firsthand."

"…Okay, that's another reason. But mainly, it was to help Willow."

Stephen groaned. "Luz, you're not supposed to be here."

"Neither are you." Gus accused.

"Yes, I am." Stephen said showing off his red sticker. "Visitor's pass. But you, Luz, you're trespassing."

"She was just trying to help me." Willow said. "I'm no good with abominations and everyone keeps expecting too much from me."

"And now, thanks to this stunt, they're probably going to expect a lot more. What's the plan? Have Luz pretend to be your abomination every day, living a lie?"

The other three kids lowered their heads. "Wow." Said Luz. "When you put it like that…"

Stephen sighed. "It's all right. Just be glad I found you before this could go too far."

Too late. The classroom door swung open, and there entered Amity and Principal Bump. Luz quickly dropped to her knees pretending to be a mindless abomination. Meanwhile, Willow, Gus, and Stephen watched nervously.

"Principal Bump." Willow said. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, Ms. Park, Amity made some interesting claims about your abomination, and I just had to see for myself." Bump turned to Luz. "Abomination, rise." Luz stood up to her two feet. "Abomination, lie."

"Uh… Viral fame is a worthy pursuit." Luz said. Stephen smacked his forehead. "Your cat would never eat you if it got the chance. Chemtrails are…"

Principal Bump laughed interrupting her. "Not like that. How strange for an abomination to get a command wrong. I meant, lie down." He pointed at a classroom table which Luz laid down on. "Now, Ms. Park, it's time to see what your abomination is made of."

"Oh, I have a list of her ingredients in my bag, sir." Willow said.

"I'm sure, but I meant with this." Bump said handing her a dagger. "Cut her open and we'll see for ourselves."

Willow shook the dagger in her hand whispering to Luz. "You can't just cut open a human, can you?" Luz shook her head.

Stephen knew he had to try something to save his sister. Suddenly, an idea come to his head. He suddenly yelled out in pain falling to his knees and getting everyone's attention.

"Is something wrong?" Principal Bump asked.

"It's… my hands!" Stephen yelled out drawing everyone's attention away. "They're in constant pain! I can't control their actions!" With that, he made a motion to the other kids pointing out the door. Willow and Luz took the opportunity to run quietly out the door.

Their escape, however, was caught by the suspicious glare of Amity Blight. "They're getting away!"

"What?" Bump asked. "No. The intruder won't get far." He placed his hands to the wall and formed a red pattern that spread across the floors and walls.

Stephen dropped his act and ran out to find Luz and Willow. He managed to, but by then, most of the entrances and exits were blocked by red barriers. Not only that, but there were lots of different abominations roaming the halls at Bump's command. Stephen found the girls hiding behind a pillar.

"Any other bright ideas?" Stephen asked. "Because I don't think I can fake another hand injury."

"Oh, this is all my fault." Willow said. "I should have just accepted who I am. Just Half-a-Witch Willow."

"No!" Luz said. "You are full witch! And a friend told me that a good witch is resourceful!" She reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of scraps and stuff.

"Luz, you're holding a bunch of junk." Stephen said. "I seriously doubt that a paperclip is going to save the day. And how is a slime ball useful?"

"Wait." Willow said with her eyes lit up. She held the ball that Stephen mentioned and smiled. "This isn't a slime ball! It's a seed! Thank goodness you had it with you!"

"Really?" Luz asked feeling proud to be Eda's student.

"I don't get it." Stephen said. "Luz, where did you get that and how is it useful?"

"Well, Eda gave it to me from the corpse of a washed-up sea slug. It was pretty gross, so I didn't think much of it. But she did tell me to use it wisely, so I guess I am." Luz answered.

"As for how it's useful…" Willow said. She casted her magic into the seed in her hand.

A few seconds later, the seed exploded into an entire spread of vines and flowers that quickly encompassed the school. The vines broke through every abomination and pinned Principal Bump to the wall. Normally, Bump should have been mad. But he was very impressed as to what he was seeing. Two students—Clea and Wong—were just passing by when the vines spread.

The cameo man, Stan, walked into the hallway with a janitor's outfit on. He turned his head around seeing the acres of vines all over the school. "I'm not cleaning that up."

"Whoa." Stephen said admiring the area. "This is really good. I thought you were an abomination student."

"Well, I prefer plants," Willow said, "But my dads think this gives me more opportunities."

"Stephen?" Clea asked as she ran toward him. Wong ran right beside her.

"Wong. Clea." Stephen said as they approached.

"What happened here?" Wong asked.

"Ask the witch Giving Tree here." Stephen said pointing at Willow.

"Well, this give us our chance. Let's go!" Luz said.

"NOT SO FAST!" Amity yelled out blocking their only way out. She was clearly exhausted and furious. "I'm not letting you get away! I want my badge! Abomination, seize!" With a wave of her hands, an abomination towered over the others.

"Well, this is bad." Wong said.

"You ain't kidding." Clea agreed.

"I got this!" Willow cried out. She waved her own arms creating a tangle of vines that surrounded Amity's abomination. "Go! Now!"

"What about you?" Luz asked.

"I may get detention, but you'll get dissected!" Willow cried out.

"She's right!" Stephen said. "Luz, we need to go now!" He took Luz's hand and carried her through the vines. Suddenly, another abomination appeared in front of them reaching to grab them. "AH, ABOMINATION! GO AWAY!"

Stephen, in a panic, shot his hands out pointing at the monster in front of them. Immediately after that, the abomination felt a strong force sending him flying backwards. Amity didn't see the creature coming until it hit her.

"What happened?" Luz asked.

"I don't know." Stephen answered. "It must have slipped or something. Either way, let's go now!"

After just about escaping the school, Luz and Stephen ran all the way back to the Owl Sanctum. Eda and King already had their own little misadventure involving a giant monster slug. They took care of it just moments before the humans ran to them.

"EDA!" Luz cried out as she made it to her mentor. Stephen was right behind her.

"What's wrong?" Eda asked.

"We just barely escaped a major problem at Hexside!" Stephen said.

"But our new friends are in big trouble!" Luz said. "We have to save them before…"

"LUZ!" cried out a familiar voice. Willow, Gus, Clea, and Wong ran across the field catching up to them.

"Guys?" Stephen asked. "What happened? Is everything okay?"

"Depends on who you ask." Clea replied.

"Turns out, I'm not in trouble." Willow said. "Principal Bump was so impressed with my magic with the seed, he's moving me to the plant track." With a snap of her fingers, her purple sleeves changed to green. "Ta-da!"

"Wow!" Luz cheered. "Wait. What about Amity?"

"Last I saw," Wong said, "She's still picking abomination goo our of her hair and asking Principal Bump if today would count as extra credit."

"Sounds like you guys are doing well." Luz said. "I can't wait to see how you guys do the next time I visit." That comment got a few nervous expressions from everyone.

"Actually, about that…" Gus pulled out a rolled up poster. When he opened it, there was an image of Stephen and Luz with the word "BANNED" highlighted above them. "You and your brother are kinda… banned."

"Those are my kids!" Eda cheered.

"WHAT?!" Stephen asked. He shot an angry glare at Luz.

"Look, don't blame me." Luz said defensively.

"I blame you!" Stephen hissed.

Clea chuckled. "Take it easy. Look, Stephen, our deal still stands."

"What deal?" Eda asked.

"I agreed to help Stephen with his hand problem." Clea said. "Every day, I'll have to come on over here and apply a stabilizing spell and try a different treatment. Hopefully, we'll find something that can help."

"And if you'd like," Wong said, "I can lend you some book from the school library."

"Really?" Stephen asked.

"Sure. Not a lot of people read as enthusiastically as you do." Wong said.

"Thanks." Stephen said.

"And perhaps we can come on over and teach Luz what we've learned." Willow said.

"Thanks, guys, but I kinda already have a good teacher." Luz said smiling at Eda.

"Yeah, that's right!" Eda said proudly. "Luz is my student! Back off, academy twerps!" She pulled out the wanted poster. "Ah, my kids' first wanted poster. I'm so proud."

Clea chuckled again. "Are things usually this chaotic?"

"No. This is kind of a steady day." Stephen said. "Again, thank you for helping."

"I'm always happy to help." Clea said. "See you tomorrow then." She turned to leave, but Eda noticed something odd. On the back of Clea's neck, there was a strange shape that seemed like a birthmark.

"What the…" Eda asked.

Later that night, Eda rummaged through her bedroom searching every nook and cranny, even her nest. She was clearly looking desperately for something.

"Come on. Where is it? Aha!" She found what she was looking for, a book that was labelled "The Other Dimensions and You". It was lodged under the leg of a wobbly table. "I knew I left this somewhere."

Eda quickly began to scroll through the pages until she found what she was looking for, something that made her gasp as she saw it.

"It's just as I feared." She whispered in worry.

Eda was staring at the same symbol that was on the back of Clea's neck. But it wasn't the symbol itself that was the problem. It was the section she found it in. The heading was highlighted as follows…

"The Dark Dimension"

Author's Note: That's the next chapter down. I'm hoping to get the next one done before Halloween. In my opinion, the first appearance of the Owl Beast is one of the scariest episodes yet.

Anywho, now, we're introduced to Clea and Wong. What comes next? Any and all comments are welcome.