Chapter 4: Papiliodia
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Now I have quite a few surprises in this chapter including some surprising new characters. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
It was the first day of Luna Nova and across town Jaden was getting ready.
"Okay let's see." Putting on his uniform Jaden wore a white long sleeved collar shirt under a dark blue coat with his special pin on it that lets him travel between realms, a blue tie and black pants. "Man feels weird having to wear a uniform to school."
Making his way down he sees his mother at the table.
"Morning mom." Jaden said kissing her on the cheek before grabbing his lunch.
"Well don't you look dashing in that uniform." Maya smiles turning to face her son. "You should dress like that more often."
"No thanks mom, it's something I'm gonna need to get used to. Plus I got a regular outfit in my bag for when I go to my job." Jaden said.
"I'm so proud of you. Be sure to make lots of friends and don't slack off. No one wants a lazy worker." Maya suggests.
"Got it mom." Jaden said pouring himself a glass of juice.
"Who knows maybe you might even meet a nice girl or two." Maya giggles making Jaden almost choke on his toast.
Chugging his drink, he swallows it before he choked on it.
"Let's not get too carried away mom. I feel like a lot of these witch girls are real brats. Spoiled and entitled to the core." Jaden said.
"Just keep an open mind Jaden. You might find a few good ones." Maya said.
"I'll try." Jaden said before looking at his watch. "Oh gotta go. Love you." Grabbing his skateboard Jaden kisses Maya goodbye before racing out.
"Bye sweetie." Maya waves goodbye.
Hopping on his board, Jaden skated down the street on the way to the gateway.
Meanwhile, in another part of town, a protest was going on in front of a company building.
"I assure you that the rumors of CloroGene's environmental damages are just that rumors." The president said.
"Oh yeah well what about all the chemicals you've been dumping into our environment?" A female voice calls out rattling the crowd.
"You can't prove that." He said as from the crowd a teenage girl with a Luna Nova uniform and a pin like Jaden's emerged.
She had long red hair and glasses. This was Pamela Isley.
"Oh really well then what about all your clear cutting and endangering wildlife crimes and don't get me started on your other projects. Step down before you destroy the environment!" Pam yells throwing a water balloon hitting him in the face soaking him.
"Security!" He yells as tons of security and police came to escort everyone and Pam away.
As a car pulls up we see a police officer inside.
"Pamela Isely? Your mother called and asked me to escort you to school." He said.
"Oh joy a police escort. I'm so honored." Pam said sarcastically as she climbed into the back. "So Sal how are things?"
"How did you get into the Luna Nova work program?" He asks ignoring her.
"My mother filled out an application. Thought it might do me some good." Pamela brushes off.
"You need it. I've taken you to Juvie one too many times." He said.
"I'm just trying to make the world a better place, for plants." Pam emphasizes.
"Hey I'm all for going green. I do plenty of recycling. But you go too far too many times." He said.
"Whatever." Pam said as they pulled over.
"Look your mom thinks this is a big shot. Don't blow it. I really don't want to have read you your rights." He said.
"Yeah yeah why don't you go get yourself a doughnut." Pam brushes off.
Exiting the car Pamela walked to the gateway less enthusiastic about this than Jaden was.
"Hmph Luna Nova, what a waste of power." Pam scoffs.
At Luna Nova Academy, we find ourselves in the dorm rooms where Akko, Lotte and Sucy were sharing a room.
Rummaging around under her bed, Akko pulls out the Shiny Rod.
"The Shiny Rod. It wasn't a dream." Akko smiles hugging it. "I'm finally here at Luna Nova! I did it!"
Slowly Lotte woke up and put on her glasses.
"Oh yeah that's the Shiny Rod." Lotte acknowledges.
"Bingo!" Akko smiles.
"You've only told us that 100 times." Sucy said sitting at the desk reading some kind of book.
"Shiny Chariot's magic wand. I don't know why it was in the forest, but until I see her again I'll keep it for her. It's weird but when I hold this wand I feel like I can do any magic." Akko said before raising her wand. "I command you, fly bed!"
However unlike in the forest nothing happened.
Turning to her stuffed bird plushie Akko raised the wand.
"Move Alcol!" Akko orders but just like with the bed nothing happened. "I said move! Why won't you move?"
"What are you doing Sucy?" Lotte asks noticing her.
"I'm trying to learn about who that Wizard was. Spider-Man was it?" Sucy tries to recalls.
"Oh yeah Spider-Man." Akko said breaking her concentration. "Now that guy was cool. And best of all he's a Shiny Chariot fan too. Oh man wait until Jaden hears about this. He's not gonna believe it."
"Oh yeah that boy who came to the gateway with us. I hope he made it here alright." Lotte said before noticing the time. "Oh no. We need to hurry or we'll be late for class."
"Class?" Akko said with stars in her eyes.
Putting on her witch's outfit and hat Akko was pumped for class.
"That outfit is only for ceremonies and training. This is what you wear for regular classes." Lotte said walking out in the female version of the uniform Jaden had but with the jacket part being sleeveless and a skirt instead of pants.
"Well that's disappointing." Akko frowns.
"Our first classes our Magic Linguistics, then its Intro to Potions and Magic Numerology." Lotte said.
"My first day to becoming a witch. It starts today." Akko declares.
As the first day began, we find ourselves in a small room lined up with a dozen kids in the student work program, including Jaden.
"Wow only 12 applicants?" Jaden said not expecting this.
"Well clearly they decided to start small." A teenage boy with tan skin and brown hair said walking over. "And it's nice to know I'm not the only guy here."
"Same. Name's Jaden." He said.
"I'm Nathaniel. So Jaden how'd you get in?" He asks as they shook hands.
"My dad got me an application. How about you?" Jaden asks.
"I'm friends with a few classmates here and they gave me one." He shrugs.
"You guy are wasting your time here." Pam rolls her eyes. "This place is nothing but a scam."
Hearing that all the applicants look to her confused.
"What do you mean? This is a big opportunity." Jaden said.
"Yeah and what will we be doing? Cleaning, cooking, everything these witches are too lazy to do by themselves." Pam lists when the door opens revealing a short woman with pale green hair, glasses and a red jacket over her witch outfit. And next to her was a tall woman with brown hair tied in a bun and a regular witches outfit. This was Headmistress Miranda Holbrooke and Anne Finnelan teacher at Luna Nova.
"Lazy are we?" Holbrooke said startling everyone. "Tell me young lady where does this assumption come from?"
"You really want me to go there? You have magic. You could fix all the world's problems with a wave of your magic wands, but you people do nothing." Pam mocks.
"Ms. Isley hold your tongue." Ms. Finnelan hisses but Headmistress Holbrooke holds up her hand stopping her.
"While Ms. Isley does have some points she overlooks a key detail." She said walking over.
"Oh yeah? What's that? What's stopping you from stopping stuff like Global Warming or pollution?" Pam asks.
"Well while your intentions sound noble we can't abuse our powers. Take global warming some of the important things people need to live run on diesel or coolants. If we used our powers to fix those millions of people could die from cold and hunger alone." Holbrooke informs silencing her. "I'm sorry Ms. Isely but in long run people come first."
"That's what they all say." Pam mumbles.
"Alright applicants line up." Ms. Finnelan said as they all lined up in two rows. "Now despite what some of you may think this school is truly open to the belief that knowledge is the greatest power. But nothing comes for free in this world. So in exchange for this knowledge we will ask that each one of you help around the school when the witches are training magic. Being at this school is a privilege not a right meaning we can take that privilege away if we deem fit."
"But we also encourage you to enjoy this opportunity to the fullest. Learn new things, make new friends and enjoy yourselves." Headmistress Holbrooke smiles.
As classes started, we see Ursula carrying a big stack of books as she walks alongside Ms. Finnelan down the hall.
"And please explain your plan for one our students. Atsuko Kagari. You said you wanted to give her some special training?" Finnelan asks.
"Yes, I'd like to help get her up to speed on the basics of magic. She's not from a family of witches and I'd like to help her." Ursula said.
"After all these years I still don't know how you haven't found the dignity of a teacher. Especially when you approved that boy applicant. What was his name?" Finnelan asks.
"Jaden. Jaden Cooper and I saw potential. He's a very bright young man and just the fact that he got his hands on an application is something to be intrigued by." Ursula said.
"Hey Jaden!" Akko calls out.
Looking down the hall they see Akko, Sucy and Lotte meet up with Jaden.
"Oh man I was worried about you girls. After we got separated I don't know what happened." Jaden said.
"Jaden you are not gonna believe this. There is a wizard out there. A magical hero who saved our lives." Akko declares.
"For real?" Jaden said.
"It's true. It's because of him we even made it here on time." Lotte nods.
"Cool. Maybe what's his name?" Jaden asks.
"Spider-Man." Akko said.
"Spider-Man. I'm keeping my eye out for him." Jaden said.
"Well there they are. If you'll excuse me I'm going to go say hi to them." Ursula walks ahead but because of her stack of books she didn't notice a small goblin and ended up tripping and falling.
Since the first classes were core classes Jaden was able to join Akko, Sucy and Lotte.
In Magic Linguistics, a strange writing was on the board as Ms. Finnelan was giving a lecture.
"These symbols are part of an ancient alphabet used by witches long ago. They are a type of segmental script. Is there anyone who can read what is on the board?" She asks.
"Don't worry Jaden we can help if you need it." Lotte whispers.
"Thanks Lotte." Jaden said looking at the board but for some strange reason he could read some of it. 'What the? Bless the one who can leave the stone untouched and woe the one who disrupts it.' Jaden thought when a hand was raised.
"Yes Miss Cavendish." Finnelan calls out.
Looking down Jaden saw what had to be one of the prettiest girls he ever saw. She had long platinum blonde hair and pale blue eyes. This was Diana Cavendish.
"Bless the one who can leave the stone untouched and woe the one who disrupts it." Diana translates the part Jaden did.
"Very impressive Ms. Cavendish. In all my years you're the first student to fully translate this." Finnelan said as Diana sat down in between two girls.
One had brown hair tied in a ponytail with a yellow ribbon and the other was a girl with long black hair. These were Hannah England and Cindy Moon, Diana's best friends.
"Always the bookworm aren't you Diana?" Cindy points out.
In Potions class, Prof. Lukic was instructing them on cauldrons.
"The more you stir it, the more the color changes. Then put the live frog in the water. The water must be cold to achieve the stock." Lukic instructs as a green cloud filled the room.
While Akko was disgusted by this Sucy inhaled the smell with an big smile on her face.
Looking over Akko saw Jaden mixing the ingredients with ease.
"How are you so good at this?" Akko whispers.
"This is literally just Chemistry class with a big pot." Jaden gestures.
Finally it was Magic Numerology and unfortunately for Jaden was one of the magic courses he wasn't allowed to learn in.
While Diana was on a roll even correcting Prof. Badcock and Akko was struggling we find Jaden in the hallway sweeping the floors.
"Yeah dad, this is just what you were hoping I would do when I got in." Jaden said sarcastically.
Sweeping down the halls he heard a noise from one of the classrooms.
Peeking inside, he saw Ursula giving a lecture.
"And now we go onto a spell that is handy for any witch to have in their arsenal. The light spell. Now many consider this to be primitive but there is much symbolism in the element of light. The light guides people when they've led astray. The light symbolizes hope and comforts them when they're afraid. And of course, an excellent spell for self-defense. Now I'm going to show you how to cast the spell." Stepping forward Ursula took a stance and moves her arm in a circle before pulling upwards releasing a a ball of light that floated in the air.
Pausing Jaden puts the broom down and rolls up his sleeves.
"Alright, let's see if I can do this without a wand." Jaden mumbles taking a stance similar to what she just did.
Taking a deep breath he held out his hands making the glyphs on his arm shine briefly.
"Come on light." Jaden said waving his arms but nothing happened. "Go Light." Doing it again nothing happened. "Let there be light!" Doing it for a third time nothing happened. "Come on give me something."
He tried what Ursula did over and over but nothing happened.
Sighing Jaden leans against the wall.
"Maybe if I had a wand it would be easier." Jaden said looking at a flower vase across the hall. "Shame it can't be as easy as making webs or stingers."
Aiming his arms like he would fire a web he twists his arm like Ursula did and from them a small ball of light shot out of his hands hitting the flowers and the intense light reflecting off the windows made them catch fire.
Yelping Jaden ran over and yanked the flowers out before throwing the vase water on them putting out the flames.
Cringing Jaden looks at the flowers to see some of them were burnt.
"I'm gonna need to find a better practice space." Jaden said when the door opens.
"Jaden?" Ursula calls out startling him.
"Oh uh hey Professor. H-How was class?" Jaden asks nervously.
"What are you doing?" Ursula asks.
"You know just sweeping the floors." Jaden said gesturing to the broom.
"Well anyway I heard a noise did you see or hear anything out of the ordinary?" Ursula asks as Jaden pulls the flowers behind his back.
"No nothing to report." Jaden said quickly.
"I see. Well I'm actually glad I ran into you. Please wait for me outside this door when the bell rings. I want to show you what the main part of your program will be." Ursula said.
"There's more?" Jaden said unsure about all this.
After class, Ursula was walking down the hall with Jaden next to her.
"So what's up? You need me to do some more cleaning?" Jaden assumes.
"Not entirely. The cleaning duties is only for a little part of the program. For the rest of the semester, you will be assisting our school's Alchemy Professor. He's a very smart man but to warn you he does a lot of experimental projects. Most of your responsibilities will be to assist him with those." Ursula informs.
"Doesn't he have an assistant to help him with projects?" Jaden asks.
"Sadly no. Which is why when I recommended you to him he seemed very eager." Ursula said opening the door. "Otto, are you in here?"
"In the back Ursula." A voice calls out.
Slowly making their way in, Jaden's eyes widen in awe seeing an adult man working at a table with multiple machine parts in front of him.
The man had black hair that parted on the top leaving a giant bald spot, glasses, a white labcoat with a green sweater underneath it.
"Otto I'd like for you to meet Jaden Cooper your new student worker." Ursula introduced.
"Oh you're here." Otto said unhooking himself and walking over. "Nice to meet you Cooper I'm—"
"You're Dr. Otto Octavius." Jaden interrupts surprising them. "Oh my god it is an honor sir. I've read all your research."
"And you understood it?" Otto asks impressed.
"I did a report on it at my old school." Jaden said.
"Well I'll leave you both to get acquainted. I hope you two will work well together." Ursula smiles walking out.
"Ursula showed me your records. Says you're brilliant." Otto said.
"I try to be." Jaden nods.
"Well being brilliant is good but it's not enough. Intelligence is not a privilege but a gift. A gift that you must use for the good of everyone. Something I wish the girls in this school would understand." Otto said mumbling the last part.
"That's why I'm here Doctor. I'm here to work hard and I hope I can learn ways to help people." Jaden nods.
"Well Cooper, I look forward to seeing you rise to the task. Now as my assistant of course one of your main tasks will be helping me manage this classroom and my workspace. I tend to focus too much on my research and not enough on cleaning." Otto admits making Jaden chuckle.
"Well if you need to do cleaning and organizing I don't mind." Jaden said.
"Good man. You want to see what we'll be working on together?" Otto asks.
"Yes please." Jaden nods with a big smile.
Leading him to his table, Jaden saw blueprints for a prosthetic arm.
"Whoa, fancy looking arm." Jaden said impressed.
"These are who I'm choosing to help Jaden. People who have had life treat them truly unfairly. To the point they've lost part of themselves." Otto explains.
"Amazing. If this works you could completely revolutionize Prosthetic treatment." Jaden said impressing Otto again.
"You catch on fast Cooper. I think you and I are going to get along just fine." Otto smiles.
Soon lunch came, and as Jaden looked for a spot to sit he noticed Nathanial behind the counter serving the students food.
"So this is where they have you working?" Jaden asks.
"Yeah, I used to work at a café so I know my way around the kitchen. Hungry?" Nathaniel asks.
"No thanks. Brought my own." Jaden said holding up a bag.
Making his way to the tables, he noticed Akko, Sucy and Lotte eating together but Akko seemed to have a green weed atop her head.
"What the heck happened to you?" Jaden asks.
"Sucy." Akko points to her who just shrugs with a devilish grin.
"So Jaden how's the program?" Lotte asks.
"Pretty good. It turns out I'll be working with a pretty cool mentor." Jaden said sitting down with them.
"Well at least one of us is having a good day. I thought being at this school would be fun and exciting but all this stuff is boring. How did Shiny Chariot learn magic in a place like this?" Akko asks.
"Shiny Chariot's magic is frowned upon at Luna Nova." Diana said walking over. "Ms. Kagari was it? You're new here."
"Call me Akko." She said swallowing her food. "You're the one who translated those words."
"My name is Diana Cavendish." She introduced.
"You really don't know? Do you live under rocks?" Hannah mocks.
"They say she'll be the best witch in Luna Nova History." Cindy said.
"A little braggy for the first day of school don't you think?" Jaden asks.
"Word of advice no one respects Shiny Chariot. She's not a role model she's a has-been." Diana mocks as Ursula walks by on the upper level.
"That's not true. She has fans all over the world. She's super popular." Akko said.
"Yeah I loved those shows. She was a hero an inspiration." Jaden agrees.
"But that's all she was. A performer. She wasn't a hero and her shows were doomed to fail." Diana said.
"Maybe so but she managed to inspire us too." A voice calls out.
Looking over at the table across from them they saw 3 girls looking at them.
One was a girl with long blonde hair with a pink bow in her hair and blue eyes. One was a girl with long red hair in a ponytail hanging off her left side and green eyes, and the last was a girl with dark skin, hazel eyes, and long brown hair.
"Yeah we're big fans of her shows." The Red head said.
"I want to someday do performances like she did." The blonde said.
"Well then you're wasting your time looking up to a show magician." Hannah mocks.
"Shiny Chariot disappeared 10 years ago and nobody has heard a thing from her since." Cindy adds.
"Ugh great new school, new bullies." Jaden mutters.
"I don't care! I'll find her because I have to give her the Shiny Rod." Akko declares getting everyone's attention, even Diana's.
"The Shiny Rod?" Diana said interested.
Soon all of them were gathered in the square as Akko showed them the Shiny Rod to examine.
"Ooh how did you get your hands on that?" The red head asks with a big grin.
"I found it." Akko said.
"It's clearly a fake." Diana said almost immediately.
"What? No it's real." Akko defends.
"It looks like one of those cheap knock-offs you buy at the store." Cindy points out.
"Did you spend your whole allowance on it?" Hannah mocks.
"You don't believe me? Well I'll prove it to you." Akko said about to walk out when Jaden stops her.
"Akko take it from me. These girls are just bullies. They're trying to rile you up. Let's just walk away and ignore them. Be the bigger person." Jaden advises.
"Not happening Jaden. I am gonna prove them wrong." Akko said approaching the statue.
'Oh this is not going to end well.' Jaden thought as Akko readied the Shiny Rod.
"Please Shiny Rod, perform a miracle just like before." Akko mutters. "Stone Statue move!"
However, nothing seemed to happen.
"Come on move! Please I'm begging you." Akko said but this was getting embarrassing as Hannah laughed and Cindy chuckled.
"Poor Akko." Lotte frowns.
"Oh man." The blonde girl frowns feeling sorry for her.
Seeing Akko struggle out there, Jaden couldn't help but see himself when he tried to do that light spell earlier today.
"I don't get it. It was working yesterday." Akko frowns.
"Ansolew Airo!" Diana casts bringing the statue to life much to everyone's shock.
Turning to Akko the statue reached out and grabbed the weed on her head before pulling it out turning it back into her ponytail.
"Holy moley." The red head gasps.
"That's really advanced magic." The brunette girl said as the statue returned to normal.
"Diana is truly miraculous." Hannah brags.
"Magic is built on tradition and countless studies. It's not something someone intrigued by the fad can ever hope to master." Diana said looking at them.
"Diana's family has a long history of witches." Cindy informs.
"Diana is much better than any show magician." Hannah mocks as Diana turned around to leave.
"Yeah well I doubt…I doubt you're half as good as Spider-man!" Akko calls out getting their attention.
"Spider-Man? Who is that?" Cindy asks showing a small amount of interest.
"He's one of the toughest wizards ever. He not only got the three of us out of the forest, he used his magic to bring down the Vulture all by himself. He's a hero." Akko declares making Jaden smile softly hearing that.
"Wait magic? This guy is a wizard?" The brunette said a little surprised.
"If you're going to lie, at least make it believable. Wizards haven't existed for generations." Diana said.
"Yeah everyone knows boys can't compete with girls in magic. They're just too far behind." Hannah mocks as she and Cindy followed after her.
"Hey why don't you keep your opinions to yourselves?" Jaden said walking over. "I think you've done enough for one day."
"Oh look at that, a Worker thinks he can tell us what to do." Hannah mocks.
"Oh I'm sorry is this your opinion or is it Diana's? It's so hard to tell since you two seem to be nothing but mindless yes men who always seem to be quick to brag about her. Is that because you don't have anything to brag about?" Jaden mocks.
"Ooh." Akko snickers making Hannah and Cindy turn bright red.
"You know you really shouldn't butt into other people's business." Diana said.
"And you really shouldn't mock people for their beliefs and yet here we are." Jaden gestures.
Narrowing her eyes Diana walks away with her lackeys right behind her.
From the window, Ursula was watching them with a sad expression on her face.
"Prof. Ursula." Finnelan calls out.
"Uh yes ma'am." She said turning to her.
"Were you ever going to make time for that thing I asked you to do?" Finnelan asks.
"Of course." She nods.
Looking out the window one last time, Prof. Ursula walks away.
By the river, Jaden, Akko, Lotte and Sucy were talking to the three girls as Akko laid out special cards.
"I'm Iris by the way." The blonde said.
"Auriana." The red head smiles.
"And I'm Talia, a pleasure." The brunette said.
"Hey thanks for sticking up for me back in the cafeteria." Jaden said.
"It's alright. How are you holding up Akko?" Iris asks.
"I've been better." Akko frowns. "Has it really been 10 years?"
"Yeah I wonder what she's been doing all this time?" Auriana asks.
"Nobody knows. It's like she just vanished." Jaden said.
"So you guys said you wanted to do something similar to what Chariot did?" Lotte recalls.
"Sort of. You see the three of us want to do magical performances but with music." Iris admits.
"We're a band." Talia clarifies.
"A magical girl band? Now that sounds cool." Jaden said before noticing the cards. "Hey I remember these cards. These were in stores everywhere when Chariot was big."
"Yeah but there were these 2 premium cards that I could never find. I wanted them more than anything." Akko said as they examined the cards.
"Ooh this mushroom is supposed to rekindle romantic feelings." Auriana smiles.
"A unicorn." Lotte said looking at one.
"A holy beast that protects the happiness of a young woman." Akko recites.
"You memorized that?" Talia said impressed.
"Yeah I'm not sure how to pronounce some of them but I know all of them by heart." Akko said.
"Now if only you could memorize the textbook as well as you memorize these." Sucy said making her sulk.
"Sucy." Jaden glares.
"Well she does." Sucy said.
"Hey I know this one. It's a magic butterfly." Iris said picking one up.
"Pappilodia. A butterfly that can fly across 5 continents and hatches once every century. Its said to give hope to anyone who sees it." Akko recites.
Meanwhile in the green room, Pam was assigned to look over the plants as she stood with Ursula, Finnelan and Headmistress Holbrooke.
"So what's the deal with this tree?" Pam asks.
"Prof. Ursula have you looked into this?" Finnelan asks.
"Yes whatever is happening it appears to be temporary." Ursula said.
"Have you discovered anything else?" Headmistress Holbrooke asks.
"No I need to do a little more research." Ursula informs.
"Very well. Ms. Isley see to it that no one does anything to this tree in the meantime." The headmistress orders.
"Finally something we can agree on." Pam said as Diana, Hannah and Cindy walked in.
"Headmistress Holbrooke." Diana calls out.
"Hey no one is allowed over here." Pam said telling them to back off.
"It's quite alright Pamela. I don't think they mean trouble." Holbrooke assures.
"I can't believe the Jennifer Memorial tree has weakened like this." Diana said.
"Yes it's quite sad but we can't ignore that this tree is quite old. It's possible it can just be at the end of its time here." Holbrooke sighs.
"And yet you won't use your magic to save it." Pam glares.
"Pamela we discussed this. Magic must have boundaries." Holbrooke said as the staff walked out.
"The Jennifer Memorial tree. It is said to inherit the spirit of the great nature witch Jennifer and it's very sacred to Luna Nova." Diana recalls approaching it.
"Back away from the tree." Pamela said getting in front of them.
"What do you think you're doing?" Diana asks.
"They tasked me to watch over this tree until they get back. This is about the only decent thing in this school and I am not going to let you ruin it." Pam insists.
"Out of the way, unlike you I can actually save this tree." Diana insists.
"Yeah so do everyone a favor Worker and get lost." Hannah mocks.
Growling Pam tried to stop them when the three witches pushed past her.
"If you kill this tree I will—"
"You'll what?" Diana turns.
"Diana has more power in her little finger than you do in your whole body. You fight her and you will lose." Hannah said.
"I suggest you stand down if you know what's good for you." Cindy advises.
Slowly Pam steps back as the girls set up stones along the tree.
"This spell will revitalize the tree and give it new life. This spell has been passed down in my family for generations." Diana said.
"Take notes human this is how a witch does things." Hanna said.
Narrowing her eyes, Pam watched as Diana took out her wand.
"Loupieral Al!" Diana declares as the stones around the tree began to glow and return to normal.
"It's working." Pam said in disbelief. "So magic can save the environment."
"I knew you could do it Diana." Hanna grins.
"Let's go tell the teachers." Cindy said as they ran out.
As Diana looks at the three with a prideful smile that moment was soon ruined by a grumbling noise.
"What in the?" Pam gasps when suddenly large roots burst out of the ground.
Outside, Akko was teaching Iris how to play the game.
"And boom 4 damage to you. I win." Akko grins.
"Aw man." Iris groans.
"You beat both of us." Auriana whines.
"You really know this game." Jaden said impressed.
"So who wants to play next?" Akko asks when Jaden's Spider-sense went off.
"Wait this feeling…"
Before Jaden could react the giant roots burst out of the ground startling everyone.
"What the heck is this?" Akko gasps as the roots separated them from their new friends.
"Guys its coming from over there!" Talia points to the tree room.
"What about you guys?" Lotte asks.
"Don't worry about us. Fix it!" Iris yells.
Seeing that they were right the four of them ran to see Diana and Pam inside watching the tree turn pale again.
"What the hell?! You said you knew what you were doing!" Pam snaps.
"Stay back!" Diana calls out.
"Diana, Pam what the heck is going on?" Jaden asks.
"Little Miss Prodigy thought she could save this tree and instead she just made it worse." Pam glares.
"Look there." Lotte points to show some kind of parasite attached to the roots.
"What are these things?" Akko asks.
"They look like Pupae to me." Sucy said.
"Pupae?" Jaden asks.
"Dangerous tree parasites. They must be why the tree was sick." Diana realized.
"And thanks to you they're supercharged." Pam blames.
As more branches came out of the ground Pamela sees one Pupae leap out and attach itself to her.
"Hey let go of me!" Pam yells trying to shake it off but the Pupae bit down on her making her scream in pain before collapsing.
"Oh no!" Talia gasps as Diana blasts the Pupae off her.
Panting heavily a green pattern was still on Pam's arm.
"She's hurt." Jaden gasps.
"We have to exterminate them now." Diana said taking out her wand and firing a blast of magic making one burn up.
Examing one burnt-up Pupae, Akko notices something.
"Wait a second." Akko pauses in realization.
"Murowa!" Diana said attacking more.
"Diana stop!" Akko yells getting in the way. "They might not be vermin."
"Not vermin? They attacked someone. Out of my way." Diana orders.
"They could have just been protecting themselves because they thought you were a threat." Akko said.
"I say we hear her out." Jaden said.
"Are you crazy?" Diana asks.
"Listen you arrogant, pompous, know it all. You thought you could fix it but you messed up so now it's our turn to come up with something. So for a few minutes will you stop acting like you're better than all of us and listen for once?" Jaden snaps surprising everyone.
"Whoa Jaden." Sucy said surprised.
"No has ever talked to me like that." Diana said a little shaken.
"Yeah well maybe they should." Jaden glares before turning to Akko. "So Akko what do you think?"
"I think…I think they're Papilliodia Pupae." Akko declares.
Rummaging around Lotte pulled out the card.
"This has to be what it is." Akko said.
"The Papillioda hatch once every century and give hope to those who see it." Jaden read.
Suddenly the Shiny Rod began to glow in reaction to Akko's emotions.
"It's glowing." Jaden said in awe remembering when it glowed back in the forest.
"Akko, I got an idea. Try using this." Lotte said showing the spell on the card.
"The Papillioda spell?" Akko said surprised.
"It's worth a shot." Jaden said.
Grabbing the Shiny Rod, Akko stood tall.
"Alright Papillo Filla…" Akko read.
"It's Papillio Fillio Nymphodia." Diana corrects.
"That's how you say it?" Akko asks as Diana nods.
"Well look at that. You actually can be helpful." Jaden smirks.
"The magic butterfly, Papilliodia spread your wings and fly! Give us hope! Papillio Fillio Nymphodia!" Akko declares as the rod shined brightly making all the pupae hatch into beautiful magical butterflies.
Smiling everyone watched as the Papilliodias took flight.
In the library, Ursula was reading a book on the exact same butterflies.
"They live underground for a century before spreading their wings and giving hope." Ursula read.
"Hey look there!" A student points.
Looking out the window all the students and staff saw the butterflies flying into the air.
Arriving back at the tree, Cindy, Hannah, Holbrooke and Finnelan see Pamela still on the ground unconscious.
"The poor girl. Bring her to the infirmary." Holbrooke orders before turning to the tree. "Amazing the tree is back to normal."
"It's because Diana cast a spell on it." Cindy informs.
"Thank you Ms. Cavendish." Headmistress Holbrooke smiles.
"Thank you but I didn't do this." Diana said.
"There's no one else who could have done it." Finnelan smiles.
"Well I uh…excuse me." Diana said walking out.
"So humble." The headmistress smiles.
As Diana walks out she notices Jaden skating to the gateway with Akko, Lotte and Sucy flying above him on broomsticks waving goodbye.
"Those 4." Diana pauses.
Back at Jaden's house, we see him enter his room and put his stuff down.
"Hmm I wonder if it's still here?" Jaden said walking to his closet.
Rummaging around he pulls out a small box and opens it.
Inside it was a few trinkets and in a small protective sleeve was a card.
Pulling it out Jaden reveals it to be a Shiny Chariot card. One of the ones Akko didn't have.
On it was a picture of Shiny Chariot looking out at a sunset over the horizon.
"A Hero's Tomorrow. No matter what the challenges the day has brought like this sunset it is over. And like a hero you must be ready to face the new day." Jaden read aloud with a smile on his face.
Looking out at the sunset from his window, Jaden was filled with the confidence to face tomorrow.
Later that night we find Pam still in bed at the infirmary.
Panting heavily tree roots suddenly began growing around her.
Opening her eyes, Pam's eyes were glowing green as the plants completely surrounded her making a giant bulb.
The first day of Luna Nova was over, but their troubles were far from over.
