The King of Ingary-A battle-hungry figurehead.

The Prime Minister-A true ruler of Ingary.

The Minister of Defence-The second true ruler of Ingary.

Gato-Madame Suliman's newest familiar.

Tombo and Kiki were getting ready for a flyby. around the town of Koriko together. But today would be different.

They were using a flying kayak.

Getting it out the magic attic door was no problem. Getting it out the attic window was the hard part.

Kiki and Tombo pushed as hard as they could, but the window wss too small and they weren't strong enough.

"Kiki!" called Osnono from downstairs. "What's going on?!"

Kiki stopped short. "I hate to ask this but. OSONO! Get everything out of the way when we come down there!"

"Alright!" said the confused baker woman.

Kiki nodded at Tombo and he nodded back.

"Ready?" asked Kiki.

"Ready!" Tombo assured.

One big push had the plane land accidentally all the way dow killn the steps.

"Oh, my!" yelled Osnoo.

"Oh, no!" Kiki called.

The two teens ran after her.

Osono was smushed into a giant pile of cake.

"Are you alright, Osono?" Kiki asked.

"Yes, but the wedding cake was ruined," Osono said with a frown. "And I had only one more day to make it."

"A wedding cake?!" Kiki yelped. "I have to help you!"

"Me, too!" Tombo cut in.

"Well, normally I wouldn't allow you both to help because it's such a big job, but I believe in you kids. And I'm running out of time. And Fukuo is out buying flour. So yes. Please help." Osono asked.

So, before they went out the door to go on their plane, Kiki and Tombo spent three whole hours helping Osono with the cake.

Soon, the only thing left was the icing.

"It took me such a long time the first time because I had to fill so many orders. Now that you two were here to help, I got it done so fast! Fukuo should be back by the time you two return."

"Got it, Osono!" Kiki said with a wave.

Kiki and Tombo finally made it outside.

Tombo touched it once, and the thing nearly sprung to life!

"Howl told me that it's just like riding a bicycle!" Kiki said.

Tombo touched it. He climbed on it. He got it steady.

"You want to fly, Kiki!?" Tombo beckoned.

Tombo outstretched his hand and Kiki put her hands together from nervousness. Then she took his hand.

Tombo pointed the controls in the sky and off they went.

Tombo took the kayak toward the road leading downtown.

He headed towards a tunnel. The lights shined down on the two teens.

They enjoyed the upcoming salty ocean breeze. They saw seagulls above them.

"Can we go higher, Tombo?!" Kiki yelled over the sound of the wind.

Tombo gulped. "Well, I'm kinda nervous! But okay!"

They flew higher and highly. Above the ocean. Above the seagulls. Above the clouds.

"This is so fun, Kiki!" Tombo told the witch. "And the controls are a lot like my plane-bike!"

Soon, they had to arrive at the bakery, however.

It was time for Kiki's training.

Kiki and Tombo landed right outside the bakery entrance.

"I gotta go now, Kikii," Tombo told her. "You sure you can get the kayak upstairs on your own?"

"Yeah, I'll probably have to have Mr. Fukuo help me. But you have to go home, so don't worry!" Kiki assured.

"Hmm. Well, he's stong, so I trust him. Goodbye, Kiki!" Tombo bid.

"Bye, Tombo!' the witch said as she waved.

Kiki was about to enter when she had a thought.

"Who ordered that wedding cake, anyway?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Fukuo had helped Kiki get the kayak inside when Kiki heard a knock on the closed door.

"Hello?" asked Kiki.

"Hello?" called a woman.

"Is that you. Um. 'Sophie' is it?"

"Yes, it's me!"

Sophie let herself in.

"Before we go any further, would you mind seeing the ocean with me?" she sked.

"Well, it's getting late. But okay!"

Kiki got out her broom, got on it, then ushered Sophie on, too.

Sophie and Kiki went out the window. To save time, Kiki flew as high as she could, higher than the airplanes.

Sophie took one look at the ocean and was in awe.

"It's just as beautiful as I remember!"

"You were here before?" Kiki said behind herself.

"In another city near the ocean," Sophie explained. "We need to go back now, though."

"It's getting so late, so I guess you're right," Kiki said in defeat.

"No. In fact, I have to pick something up at the bakery," Sophie said matter-of-factly.

"It's a surprise!" Sophie whispered.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Howl was sitting at a table, wondering when Kiki would get back.

Markle came out of his room, still dressed.

"Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" asked Howl.

"I'm waiting for Sophie to get back," he said. "And I guess that new witch, too."

Howl put a hand to his heart.

"Yeah, I miss her, too,"

"Howl?" asked Markle.

"Hmm?" Howl said, distracted.

"Why'd you wait so long to teach me magic? I mean, all's I do is put on a disguise," Markle pointed out.

"I was just your age when I started my training. I figured I'd let you be a kid a little longer anyway," Howl admitted.

"Well, I want to make potions, too! And you know what else?" Markle asked.

"Yes?" asked Howl.

"I want to learn to walk on air!"

Then a knock was heard.

Calcifer, who had been ignoring Howl and Markle's conversation all this time said, "Kokiri Door!"

Kiki and Sophie came in carrying a large cake. A wedding cake.

"Sophie! So, It's here!" Howl said as he helped the other two with the cake. "You, too, Markle!"

Markle and the rest placed the giant cake on the table.

"Should we tell them, now? Sophie asked Howl.

"May as well!" Howl said. "Everyone?"

"WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!" Sophie and Howl announced.

Kiki and Markle literally jumped for joy!

"We're getting things ready to get married as soon as possible," Howl explained.

"One month from now!" Sophie added.

"Sophie's entire family is invited!" Hiowl said. "Markle can be the ring-bearer and, well, YOU can be the flower girl, Kiki."

"Oh, but we just met!" Kiki pointed out. "I can't do that!"

"Hmm. Well, we need a flower girl and it would be rude not to invite you. But no one else besides Calcifier and the Witch of the Waste," Howl allowed. "And Heen, too."

Howl looked around the room.

"Speaking of Heen, where's your familiars?" asked Howl.

"Oh, they're with their own family," Kiki explained. "Why?"

"Bring them in later. I know a spell that can help me understand the language of our dog," Howl explained further.

"We'll be able to understand Heen?!" Sophie asked in excitement.

"No, it only works with one person. Sorry, Sophie," Howl apologized.

"Oh, not again!" Sophie lamented.

"Hey, the rest of us won't be able to understand Heen either," Calcifer said.

Kiki realized something. "Why can't Sophie learn magjc, too?"

"Because it's VERY hard for a person to even begin magic depending on how old they are," Howl explained. "In any case, tonight we will work on one of my favorites-moon bathing!"

"That requires moon water!" Sophie added. "You let it settle under the light of the full moon, grab some herbs, put them in the tub, then get in. You should probably start off with good luck herbs. Like aloe, ginger and some acorns."

"How do you know all that?" Kiki asked.

"Because Howl taught me all about potions after I messed then up in the bathroom," Sophie said, holding back laughter.

Everyone in the room laughed, except for Kiki and Howl.

Howl's turned red in the face.

Markle got ready to tell Kiki.

"Sophie's potion mixup made Master Howl's hair turn red, once."

"Ah!" Kiki responded. Then, she, too, laughed.

Kiki looked out the window leading to the field of flowers. It wasn't dark, yet.

"Am I in a different timezone?"

"You must be," Howl said. "You'll have your moon bath later."

As soon as noght fell, both Kiki and Markle had had their moon bath, Kiki first, then Markle.

They came out squeaky-clean.

Kiki decided to sleep over on the couch.

Everyone in the house then went to sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Howl woke up bright and early the next day when everyone else was asleep. He quietly awoke Kiki and Markle.

"Today we're going back to the basics!" Howl announced. "I'm setting aside an altar for tools above the fireplace. We just recently added one."

Howl removed a table cloth from the fireplace and a number of strange objects could be seen.

"We have a compass, chalice, wand, staff, cauldron, rope, witch's bell, salt, incense, incense burner, talisman, tarots, crystals, crystal ball, a pendulum and to top it all off, Kiki's besom!"

Kiki noticed her broom leaning against the fireplace.

"Why is my broom there?!" she asked, a little angry.

"We'll be using it as a besom," Howl explained. "It's for managing the sacred environment before opening the circle. It cleans energy, basically."

"The next up is a compass because it helps us pray. We'll be praying for the five elements, their directions in the world and their colors."

"Do we have to pray to a certain god? Because I'm a Christian witch," Kiki said.

"Me too!" Marble said.

"Pray to any god that fits you!" Howl related.

"The directions are North, South, East and West, respectively."

"The colors are Green, Red, Yellow and Blue, too."

"The elements are located in Earth, Fire, Air and Water."

"Finally, there is a fifth element-Spirit. It's represented by White and there is no direction."

"When can we start?!" Kiki said, now elated.

"Let me explain the rest first: the chalice is mostly used for parties to pass around the drink, not witchcraft. Wands direct energies. Staffs are used to repair and to protect. Cauldrons in the spring are filled with water and flowers, and is used as a container for consecrated objects or for burning offerings for your god. In winter, a small fire is lit inside. A rope evokes your god and is worst of the Spirit element. The Witch's Bell evokes the god and I'm also going to hang it on our door to guard the house and remove negativity. Salt is a symbol of the Earth. It is used to create this thing called, "Lustral Water" and for Rituals. Incense also purifies the environment like a besom. Incense burners purify and allows a witch to enter state of consciousness and cleanse the house. A talisman's power is from it's special symbol. Tarots are magical decks of cards. Crystals are used for MANY things,. Crystal balls are EXPENSIVE, but I bought one anyways. It's used in contemplative divination and full moon rituals. Finally, a pendulum is used to ask questions."

"We would be using special candles and knives, but those are dangerous so we won't."

"Now can we start?!" Markle asked.

"Yes," Howl nodded. "But first, we should start with Heen."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Madame Suliman stared at her own crystal ball.

"I haven't been able to track Howl since Heen betrayed me," she said aloud. "I guess I'll have to call upon Gato to follow His Majesty."

The witch swirled her hands around and smoke appeared as well as a white cat. He was sitting under a table next to the king's throne. The king was dressed in green with golden buttons. He had a gold and red collar. His hat was green, red and gold. He just goggles placed delicately on his hat. To complete his look, he had brown hair and a big brown mustache. Two people, a man and a woman, bowed before him.

They both had white hair, blue clothes, and golden pants. At least the man did, because the woman was in a blue dress and earings.

"Now, to see if the king agrees with them," Madame Suliman whispered to herself.

"Your majesty," spoke the man. "It's time we got rid of your head witch,"

"She's too old!" the woman agreed. "Find Howl and have him take over!"

The king was taken aback. "Prime Minister Irene. Minister of Defense Ivan. I know you want what's best for the kingdom, but I know better! Suliman stays!"

The siblings looked at each other and nodded.

"Then we're going over your head," said Irene.

"We're overthrowing you right now!" said Ivan.

Guards surrounded the king.

"I guess I have to find Howl first," Madame Suliman said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kiki used the door to Osono's house to go get Gigi and Mimi.

"What now?" she asked Howl.

Howl got on the floor and drew a strange symbol in another language in a circle.

"Gigi and Mimi should sit on either side of the circle and Been and I should be in the middle. Calcifer and I will do the rest as I hold him in this frying pan," Howl explained.

Calcifer made weird gagging noises and soon it was over as soon as it it had begun.

"Did it work?" asked Sophie.

"I guess," said Heen, Howl the only one who could hear him.

"It did!" Howl beamed.

"Awesome!" Heen spoke. "Now, I can tell you EVERYTHING! For one thing, I want hotdogs in my food bowl."

Howl pressed his fingers to his nose. "I might regret this."

"Can we perform magic, too, now?" asked Markle.

"Yes," Howl grinned. "And I mean it."