Virion stood before his student team. They had backup from two other Council guard teams nearby, but these wouldn't show themselves to the kids. This was the students' mission and their arrest. They had several ideas still to try in Clayton's shift to nail him. "So, that we are all clear. If anyone even tries to rile him up or attack outside mission perimeters, I'll personally lock them up. This is the last day and we do it right." Virion reminded them sternly.

"Yes sir!" Lion, Seth and Tyson answered collectively as they were used to from Red Fountain.

Steela and Breeze giggled away at their posture and drilled attitude, "Oh, we'll nail him… I meditated for three hours early in the morning. I can run all those baits on my own if need be." Steela grinned eagerly to achieve revenge.

Amber shook her head, "Sleep would have been better if you're that riled up already…"

"You slept? I was so nervous I tried to trance and ended up in a normal meditation. I'm just glad that the Professors finally will know and this endless stream of extra homework and glares will stop…the horrors." Dahlia commented somewhat relieved.

"What?" Breeze felt a bit insulted, "Don't you want to catch that asshole?"

"Hey, hey, cut the chit-ch-," Ilrune tried to calm the crowd.

"Of course, I want to!" Dahlia growled back. "But unlike Griffin, ours were super bitchy, longer than just a day in fact they still are. You at least got points for playing a prank, and a good grade. All we got was…"

Lion hushed them, "Girls! Shhhh," He pointed at the Elves.

"Sorry…" All the girls answered in sync.

"Where were we?" Virion continued after a long sigh, "We'll start with…


Iolas nodded to Sarlen and Haldir, "Well then, good luck on the Domino front. The nightshift guards reported nothing suspicious on the path Blade will take to the cake shop."

"Those kids are really eager to go," Haldir smirked as he glanced over his shoulder.

"Is it truly alright that we take Vulcano with us? … she did break the task force rules…" Sarlen wasn't happy.

Ararel sighed, "She lives there, we can't keep her away. And we can't lock her up yet… without creating a fuss. Her knowledge at least will help the rest…"

"Give them some slack," Dealeth rolled his eyes, "She meant well. They are kids, I am surprised they haven't started a street war yet. And she did get Curties, otherwise we'd-"

"Doesn't make it right," Iolas reminded his subordinate strongly, "But, yeah, I don't want to scold her either for it. Gladly, punishment is not up to me… but the Courts. She did so well otherwise."

"Alright!" Haldir turned to the students all couped up in the office. "Time to go."

"See ya, later!" Rise smiled at Blade and pressed her hands once more.

"Don't worry, Sis. We got your back," Michael and Dean grinned at her and Alex gave a nod.

Misery breathed in deeply, "This time I won't run. I'll be there."

"Gesh, don't pretend this is the end of the world…" Gilliana rolled her eyes, "If you screw up, I'll take all the glory." She smirked.

"Ha! I know every side alley, if anyone gets the credit it's me," Vulcano laughed out loud. "Let's burn them to the ground." She thrusted her fist into her hand.

"VULCANO!" Sarlen directly put her in line. "If you leave my side just once."

"Alright, alright, I get it," Vulcano backed down and stopped next to Iolas, "Thank you…" She whispered quietly as she gave him an ever so slight nod and walked along.

Iolas gazed at her from behind, 'At least she understands…' He turned to his team. "Okay let's go over this plan again and meet up with the other squads in the conference room. One floor up, the door on the right of the staircase, in… five minutes. And remember you are invisible to all, besides Council security and those granted use of power by the Council if they are adapted enough. So, don't bump into people." He turned around and left the office.


Nerrocean stood in the grand hall of the Council Headquarters, the biggest hall they had. The students helped set up the seating areas and name plates and meanwhile, Amal tested out the electronics and connections. "Well then, Queen, Crown princesses, Princess…here are the arrest orders we'll make in this hall today. They are ordered by severity. You should pick the worst case, Queen Dusk."

"Yes," Dusk didn't waver. This was their day. Their Victory.

"Okay then, boys, you'll team up with a Council guard team each for your arrests as well as you two, Serina, Polarissa," Nerrocean looked around the room. "We'll have cloaked and obvious guard squads today. As well as some Hunters, because of the possible Red Crystal threat. If anything with Black magic shows up, you kids duck and hide, no heroic deaths, is that clear? I mean it."

"Yeah, yeah. I can't wait to see Coda's face!" Kai snickered so hard.

"I know, right?" Damon laughed and bumped Max into the side. "Soooo, which arrest should I choose…hmmm… They are all so juicy, hey girls, what will you take?"


Iolas stood in front as well as Ararel in the small conference room, "So, we do a layered grid. We have the outer section…"

Mercury stared at Blade's back, 'I was such an asshole…'

"Dude…" Julius bumped him in the side. "Listen…what's wrong with you today?"

"Question," Keith raised his hand. "So, we are in the inner circle but how are we to… eh, guard the back of the bar? The buildings are so close to each other and we don't get much from staring at a wall without windows."

Daeleth smiled, "We are watching for people who might enter the back door. Not to mention the roof."

"Wait, why am I on the stonewall staring duty?! THAT'S NOT FAIR! How am I supposed to-" Kitty complained directly and nearly jumped on the table in front of her but sat down again as she noticed the glances from the other grown-up teams.

"And that's the reason why…" Zhoron shook his head. "See, the positive. Once we rush in for arrests you get the backdoor; people might try to run out of."

"UUUUhhhh…" Alyssa liked that idea, "Can I swap? That sounds like fun!"

Ararel rubbed his nose bridge, "There will be no swapping, please be quiet. You have plant magic you'll enter from the sides through the windows as will Sienna and Snow."

"Uh, uh, I'm tech support! Right at your side!" Marble grinned at Iolas.

'They are so nervous…Guys, please keep an eye out for them,' Iolas addressed all the guard teams and Hunters in their separate psi-link. 'Most important is that they stay put and don't rush in…' He switched to explain things first to the grown-ups.

Nebula slapped Blade on the back, "And I'll take the front door, ha! Breach team!" She looked proudly and eagerly at Julius and Mercury.

Julius shook his head, "This is a briefing… why are you constantly talking?" He facepalmed and gazed at Iolas a bit irritated. 'Why is he not calling us to order, though?'

Blade simply stared at the grid plan, 'Amal said there are holes… but, where are they?' She stared intensely at the projected plans.

"Blade?... Blade?" Iolas asked once more a bit louder and stepped towards her.

"Yes?" Blade shook her head irritated as she was ripped from her thoughts.

"You seemed bothered by something," Iolas addressed her gently.

"…There are holes in the grid…" Blade simply stated.

Iolas titled his head, "You saw that at first glance?"

"Holes?!" Mercury nearly jumped from his seat, "Are you crazy?!" he hissed at the Elves.

"Chill," Ararel calmed the students down. "A net too tight spooks people. We can't be sure who is invited to the party as there was no list. Someone might just be able to detect us. Barriers are not invincible. They still do have a magic presence. Even if we try to melt them with their surroundings. That's why we do layers as well. We easily can close the gaps."

'Amal would know that though…or?' Blade stared at the plan her mind racing. "And what about tunnels? That bar has a cellar."

"We checked," Iolas grinned, 'Amazing… I thought her to be distracted and nervous, but she is highly concentrated…'

"What if they have earth magic, or a teleportation circle or portal magic…" Blade suddenly blabbed out. 'We didn't consider magic!'

"Ha!" A Black Magic Hunter laughed out loud, "We do have earth magic of our own you should already know that. Not to mention that we're not just on stand-by for the Red Crystal threat. We can easily make a hex circle to block travel magic. Even if you can't see that in the plan written down."

"You'll be safe. I remembered your answers and the limits you set. All the elite here knows as well. You won't even need to give a safe word, although you have those. We got Zhoron for psi, and your bracelet for data and video. Plus, the swap rune. NOTHING will happen to you which is beyond the limits you set."

Blade nodded slightly.

"Okay, people let's go over the entire plan again…"


It was early noon. "Please watch your head," Officer Clayton opened with a huge smile the police gravity car doors and blocked the door beam with his hand so the Witch wouldn't hit her head.

Steela growled at him, "Oh, piss off… you cunt."

Clayton chuckled, "If I'd get a Maggi for all the times I heard that. Oh, wait I do. Actually, that makes three hundred for insulting an Officer." And with that, he closed the car door.

"You're awfully chipper," his partner noted, "Any reason? We've been sooo busy this morning what's wrong with all those Witches?"

"Ah, nothing really, it's just one of those days," Clayton breathed in deeply. "You know, one of those when you think you can hold the worlds in your hand. And just do anything." He smirked pleased as his eyes wandered along the rooftops. "Don't worry about the Witches. They won't stay a problem."

"I wouldn't say that if I were you, William's station and his friends are gathering more and more supporters. I am sure it'll come up at the annual executive departments meeting today. If that finds more backers then my next partner's going to be one of them." He nodded towards Steela in the backseat.

"Oh, don't worry about that," Clayton grinned amused. "That will never happen. Witches are Witches. They'll show their true intentions soon enough. For now, the best thing you can do to avoid this crisis is just to play along to the tune until the song changes. Let's go."


Nerrocean rose from his seat, "Welcome to the annual executive departments meeting of Magix. We are here to discuss all matters from last year's meeting, where I was appointed, till today. We have a long list before us. But I am sure by the end of this meeting, we'll all know what each one of us can work towards to ensure a safer future. Let Magix be the guiding star to light the way for all Kingdoms." He had stepped to the podium in front of the three fanned-out seating areas. Councillor Nerrocean's eyes wandered as all-in-attendance obligatorily clapped to his opening speech. Councillors from all kingdoms like Eadon, Cahagan, Sybilla or Gadiel were seated in the left wing.

While invited Orders were seated to the right. Nerrocean easily spotted Parcival from White Jade as well as Apex Itzcali and Zyama from the Head Hunters as well as Musa as the representative from the Winx Club.

Votzaak and Aithlin while Councillors also represented their Orders of course. But unlike the others they were at the front as the two Orders were the most prominent for Magix and also partially considered to be Magix's Army therefore their seats were to the left and right of Nerrocean in front of everyone in the auditorium.

In the middle wing, the leading officials who helped govern the departments of Magix were seated like the Police Chieftain Conner and his thirteen Chiefs, the techno-department, agriculture, travel and taxes departments and whatever else any good kingdom needed to run. The big hall was filled to the brim all the way up the stairs where most of the cloaked teams were placed.


'There is a lot of security here…' Eaden couldn't see all of them but he felt their minds although it was truly hard to count. 'They are super focused… not much chatter at all…hmmm, what's going on here?' As announced prior there was heightened security and Eaden could spot the Council Gard and Division Hunters standing guard in the upper floors with a watchful eye. But there were at least a third more camouflaged. 'What are you all up to?' He squinted his eyes as he sat down in the left wing.

Chieftain Connor in the middle wing eyed the security a bit tense, 'So, he truly thinks the possibility of a Red Crystal attack is real… but then why not let me tell my forces? I know they can't protect against Black magic, but crowd control is as important…What would drive the Councillor to such a foolish order?' He didn't like it at all.

"Well then let us begin with the first point of our agenda, Teleporter station statistics. Please come forward Official Jada," Nerrocean turned around and nodded to Amal who was seated at a console slightly behind the three consoles of Nerrocean, Votzaak and Aithlin in the front at the podium.


Eroan frowned, "What the heck is going on?" The team had reconvened. "Clayton never finishes paperwork so fast." He looked around to make sure no one saw through their cloaking spell.

"That's your problem?" Amber shook her head. "He bought Breeze a new ice cream…"

A shiver ran down Breeze her spine, "Yuck, don't remind me. Much worse was his gaze though. Urrgh."

"Hmmm, how would you describe it?" Virion asked concerned.

"Like…" Breeze thought about it. "Victorious? Or rather superior, his words and tone might convey niceties, but… his eyes…"

Ilrune exchanged a glance with the other Council guards, 'Not good. Have they figured it out? Are we too late? He can't slip from our fingers. If we don't catch him…' His eyes rested on the girls and boys.

Seth scratched his head, "We're getting nowhere. He is so eager to arrest AND release. I don't think we can trigger him…not like that." He bit his nails.

Tyson growled, "We got to try! Blade's counting on us!"

Lion laid his hand on Tyson's shoulder, "We know… maybe we should step up the game.…make him tired, slip up?"

Dahlia balled her fists, "And if it doesn't work?!" She ground her teeth. A flare of hate in her eyes. 'Blade, we won't disappoint you. Never.'


"Blade…" Mercury approached her while they all were loitering around in Nerroceans office biding their time for her to finally go to Domino to pick up the cake.

"Yes," Blade looked up from her phone.

Mercury hesitated at first, "I… yesterday…"

Blade rolled her eyes, "Can we talk tomorrow about this? I really am not in the mood for this." She was still nervous although she did her best to stay calm.

Mercury sighed, "Sure, just know I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" He stopped as Blade gave him a look. "What's Amal writing?" He switched the topic instantly.

Marble laughed, "Dude just join the chat. It's buzzing."

"Ha! My lizard uses poison fangs on your harpy! And that's it! I win! AHAHAHA!" Snow laughed so loud that everyone gave her a quick stare.

"Damn it…" Keith dropped his handcards on the table and leaned back on the couch, "Waiting is such a…"

"…pain in the ass, can't we just go there now?! At least we could get the cake," Kitty growled annoyed.

"No, you dummy. Neither the bar is open yet nor does the cake shop have the cake ready. We just called that damn shop an hour ago. Who makes such an expensive cake last minute?!" Alyssa complained loudly.

Iolas waved Blade over to him, "Come, sit here," he requested of her.

"Why?" Blade picked her nails as she sat down on the armchair and stuffed her phone away. She flinched as she felt a light magic jolt in her back. "Hey!"

Iolas had walked up behind her to check and make sure. "You are all tensed up. Your whole posture is stiff. You need to relax or they'll pick up on it," Iolas simply stated. "Have you eaten breakfast?"

"Yes…no… I'm not hungry…" Blade admitted.

"Let's get some pizza!" Nebula jumped up from the couch.

Alyssa swung herself up, "Sounds like a plan! My treat!"

"Whaaaaat?" Julius was a bit surprised, "A - Witch - treating us to pizza, sounds fishy. Won the lottery or what?"

Alyssa stuck her tongue out, "None of your damn business. Fine buy your own pizza." She hissed offended.

"Ahh, come on, I was joking…"


Clayton typed in the last information and printed the release order out, "And here you go," He smiled happily as he stamped the release paper, "You got half an hour. Be careful." It was past noon by now.

"We will. Why so chipper?" Lion took the paper and nodded towards the cell block to sign the others to go up ahead.

"Ohh you know, just one of those days," Officer Clayton grinned amused and eyed the boy. "Today isn't yours, though, now is it?"

"No, it isn't, the fourth Witch we have to transport today… guys gotta hurry it up," Lion gave Virion who had glamoured himself as a Specialist a side glance, he had not moved with the others, 'Clayton was super fast. He is joyful, what the heck is wrong with that guy!? We'll never catch him…'

Lion followed the rest to the cell block.


Seth sighed as he pressed his hand at the anti-magic cell door, "Step away from the door." He ordered.

"You're fast. Scared I run away?" Breeze greeted them agitated. 'AGAIN?! Fuck.'

"Stop, joking and get a move on, we have more to do, Witch," Virion flanked her with Tyson and they made their way out to the Owl in front of the station.


Ilrune awaited them inside the Owl, "Another blank…well, if he follows his routine, it's paperwork and lunch for the next two hours or so. Gotta try harder after that."

"HARDER?! Tch, I threw dog poop on his uniform, he should explode!" Breeze vented her frustration as Eroan started the engines and they took off to the Headquarters. Another Council team would have an eye on the guy, so the kids could get a break.

"I could just flog him…" Steela sat in one of the corners brooding.

"HEY! That's enough!" Virion admonished her directly, "Get a grip of yourself."

Steela rose up, "No, this is bullshit! That ASS won't run free! We didn't work two months for THAT guy to get away with it!" She stomped towards him but Eroan walked in between to be a buffer.

"We want to catch him as much as you do. And just because today ends, doesn't mean we'll stop watching him. He will slip up eventually," Eroan tried his best to calm her down he looked to Ilrune and Virion and conveyed his thoughts with just one glance. 'Shit… as expected the Sorceresses grow restless… this will end in a street war at this rate.'

"Tch. Eventually…" Steela growled, turned around and flicked her long neon green hair aggressively into Eroan'S face.

Dahlia pondered, "He is so nice…too nice. Does he know? He is so chipper he could be a rainbow! He works so fast he is even over average speed."

"I don't like it either," Amber sighed, "He is rushing all his assignments." She stood up to comfort Steela.

Seth let himself fall onto one of the seats, "Maybe he is expecting something? I only work that fast if I have another appointment to get to. But even then, I wouldn't be happy, more likly stressed or nervous."

"Could he be involved in the possible Red Crystal attack?" Ilrune asked his colleagues openly.

"Nothing in his chats ever suggested something like that. On the other hand, nothing suggested that he likes to assault Witches either. Maybe he truly is overcautious because of Blade's hearing, but it's been two months…"


'Any news from the teams?' Nerrocean typed in his console as yet another lengthy report from the next department was presented. The first day was always the most boring one of the annual executive departments meeting. Everyone wanted to just get it over with. The other days were for discussions and forwarding decisions.

'C-team had another fail. Domino team has seen nothing suspicious. Bar is quiet. And Blade and the others are still stuck upstairs. No news on the RC front.'

Nerrcoean sighed annoyed. He couldn't do much besides listening. Unlike other Councillors he was expected to listen to everything closely or at least make a straight face. Not to mention that it was important for him to get a better overview of the planet's departments, here and there he took some notes. He would change a lot how things were running after all. Yet he rather would have gone out hunting and finishing up observation targets himself with his division.

'Hmmm,' Votzaak's eyes wandered the room, 'What is he up to? So many of our Hunters are even here. Does he expect an attack? But who? The way the guards are behaving it has to be something serious. But then why not inform me…' He looked at Nerrocean shortly, who simply listened to the presentation. 'His tail fin is twitching, yet, he is in high alert. Hmmmmm.'

Aithlin typed along on his console to get some more paperwork done. He wasn't the only one who had brought some. 'This is total overkill of security. Maybe I should have ordered one to tell me. Ahhh, but why is that boy seated at our side? Tech support is normal, but normally one of my guys does that. Is he trying to help that boy's reputation? Iolas's team is also still busy working for Nerrocean. Not to mention the six hundred-sized taskforce I granted. Wait…' He searched the faces of the guards. 'A lot of them are here.' He gazed at Nerrocean but his eyes met with Votzaak's, who seemed equally puzzled. 'What's going on…?'


Keith patted Blade on the back, "There you go." It already was afternoon and it wouldn't be long before she would set out to Domino and the rest would go ahead to the bar.

"Thanks," Blade stretched herself. That massage had helped a lot with her stiffness. Though she still was nervous.

"Hmmm, you're getting better Merc," Nebula smirked, "been training that a lot?"

Mercury kept staring at Blade as he continued to massage Nebula's shoulders, 'Suicidal… I'm such an idiot! What was I thinking…'

"Hey," Kitty gave him a slap on the back of his head. "The LADY asked you something."

"What?" Mercury looked irritated at Nebula, who glanced over her shoulder.

Iolas puffed, "Mercury, security needs a quick relieve, walk with me we'll cover the upper floor for them." He stood up from the console. 'Gotta have that chat after all. Ararel please oversee the teams. Daeleth be so kind and continue the massage before-"

"Ahhh, but that massage is so relaxing…" Nebula complained.

Daeleth stepped closer, "Not to worry I got it covered unless you prefer someone else."

"I would, but he's not here," Nebula grinned at the Elf. "So, you got to suffice." That comment made everyone chuckle slightly, even Blade.

"Memphis is in one of the smaller towns, right?" Snow asked.

Alyssa nodded, "Yeah, they just wrote they got another one in the bag. Police in the outskirts are weird. Either they are totally average or complete assholes."

"Are we joining the fireworks, by the way?" Marble asked into the round.

"I'd say yes. But that depends on what we are doing, we still have our raid. And maybe Nerroean will still prolong this till tomorrow or so?" Snow thought about it.


"Okay, guys, bring your A game," Sarlen's voice echoed through the bracelets. Their team was all fanned out along the route Blade would take. It was early evening. After all that time just sitting around and being able to do nothing, everyone was itchy to get started. "Blade just reached Domino's teleporter station."

Vulcano grinned next to him, "Yes. Finally! Let's get this party started," She instantly earned a scorching glare from Sarlen and quieted down.

"Have her in my sights!" Alex resounded from the bracelet intercom. "All clear here."


Blade looked up into the sky. The weather was beautiful, "Domino…" She breathed in deeply. She had left the capital city if one could call it that. It did possess a teleporter station, yet compared to Magix, not to mention Zenith, it felt rather small and unspectacular. It had only been a few decades since Domino was revived. And while many families with at least some blood ties to the kingdom had come back, most of Domino's former nobility had been eradicated by Valtor. So, most of the new inhabitants actually weren't from Domino originally. Therefore, the planet looked even more wild and free than it used to be, a green paradise. Blade was en route to one of the smaller branched-out villages from the capital city on a small earthen paved path. Everything felt different here. "So, this is where the Great Dragon is supposed to be slumbering…" She looked around and spotted Alex in normal clothes, heading towards the same village he was taking the lead. Since Blade couldn't talk to him, she had a lot of time to just gaze around and ponder, 'Amber was right, the air feels different here. Nature itself is different. Hmmm, I wonder… I shouldn't, but, ah, what's the harm? Whisper of creation…' Blade couldn't help herself she just had to check. It was an amazing feeling everything was so vibrant. Although the planet was brimming with Light magic to her surprise she had no problem connecting to nature with her Dark magic. Blade halted and closed her eyes, this was an incredible feeling.

'So, my inner shadow has returned…' A primal yet wild voice whispered from behind barely bearable.

Blade jumped scared backwards as she made a turn in the air, "Holy electron!?" She squinted her eyes, but besides confused pedestrians, who made a wider turn around her as before, there was no one close enough to whisper into her ear. Her heart was pounding. 'What was that?!'

"Mummy, what's wrong with that girl?" A little boy asked as he got dragged along.

The mother simply glared disgusted at Blade which sent a shiver down Blade's spine, "Stay away from that thing, Witches bring nothing but calamity."

Blade just stood there watching people pass by, 'Will we truly change something… or just widen the divide…' Tense she stood there it was somewhat unbearable to see so many walked by side-glancing her with so much hate or straight out pretended not to see her at all. She had noticed similar things in Magix, but on Domino it was nearly everyone. It was an eerie atmosphere. Blade clenched her fist.


"Is she alright?" One Council guard looked to the other one they had stayed in the undergrowth near the path and were part of one of the backup squads.

"Hmm," the Elf inspected Blade intensely. "I wonder what scared her… Give Iolas and Haldir an update." Relieved he watched Blade walk on and catch up in the distance to Alex, who had pretended not to care about the little uproar on the road. And walked further on ahead, but had also slowed down a bit in his pace.


Councillor Nerroean pulled out his communicator as it bussed and read through the messages.

Votzaak sipped at his tea, "Ahhh, so what are you up to? ..." He addressed his Order Master. They had currently a break and everyone stretched their legs a bit.

"Whatever do you mean, Councillor?" Nerrocean answered cheekily as he concerned by the updates stared at the messages once more. 'Good she got the cake…jump-scare in the middle of the road... just great. Maybe it's too much for her. And no news on the assembly front, that little get-together should start soon,' he ground his teeth a bit.

Master Aithlin wasn't happy at all, "Councillor Nerrocean…"

"Patience, Master Aithlin, patience, normally you are so good at it," Nerrocean looked up from the communicator and over to Amal shortly. The boy rested his eyes, he had to click all the presentations after all and it had been a long day so far.

"You got half an-" Aithlin stopped his complaint as Faragonda walked over.

"Good evening, my, what a day, so busy. Last year it seemed so much calmer," Faragonda looked first to Votzaak then Aithlin and a bit surprised her gaze landed on Nerrocean.

Nerrocean ignored it completely, "Well it's the annual meeting last one was as boring as this one if you ask me. Can't believe you talked me into this position, Grandmaster." He said as he always did when he complained about his Councillor position.

"Can't believe THIS myself," Votzaak pushed further for answers.

"Makes two of us. I got to freshen up a bit, if you excuse me, be right back," Nerrocean gave a bow and exited the conversation smoothly.

Faragonda adjusted her glasses, "Any reason why the city is paved with Council guards? People are wondering and chatting here and there, especially the other Orders. Do you really expect a threat of that magnitude?"

"Evidently we are," Votzaak crossed his arms a bit pissed, "Why found anything of concern?"

"No, I heard nothing of importance, just wondering…" Faragonda looked forth and back between the Elf and Leprechaun. 'They don't know either? So, this is all him? Interessting…'