Author's Notes: So, the game has this chapter separated into several other chapters. I've combined them and I added a lot that isn't in the story. So, this is the next chapter.

Chapter Two:

Heartslabyul Dorm Lounge:

"Okay, I know the reps have already been chosen, but... How is drawing lots remotely fair?!" Ace cried.

"Oh, get over it, Ace." Deuce replied with a scowl. "You're just jealous that you didn't get picked." the blue-net told the ginger.

"Man! It doesn't make sense that Deuce of all people gets to represent the school!" Ace whined, glaring at his friend- not that he would admit they were friends in that moment. Or ever, but that was beside the point. "My grades are higher and I'm a pro at schmoozing. I'm obviously the better pick." he sighed dishearteningly.

"Indoor voice, Ace." Riddle scolded. "You're distracting me from my packing." Riddle told the sophomore.

"Yeah, the packing you're doing because you also won the raffle." Ace grumbled; arms crossed.

"I.K.R? Kinda sucks I didn't make the cut either." Cater said, knowing how the younger boy felt. "Fleur City would've been like, the hottest of all Magicam hotspots." he sighed, holding up his phone in indication.

"Couldn't you just stop by the next time you go home to the Shaftlands?" Trey asked with a rueful smile.

"You don't get it, Trey. I have to go during the once-a-year festival. Otherwise, what's even the point?" Cater asked with a smile.

Trey raised a brow. "Aster would say to take in the ambient culture and learn about things by asking questions."

"Yeah, I wanted to party it up at the festival too." Ace said, ignoring Trey's remark.

"Good grief, maybe it's a good thing Deuce and Riddle are our dorm reps. At least they take these things seriously." Trey shook his head at the other two. "Guys, make sure you're not forgetting anything. Did you pack your toothbrushes?" Trey asked.

"Yes Trey. You've asked us that seven times now." Deuce pointed out to his vice housewarden.

"Despite the head mage's pitch, the purpose of this visit is to attend the social. Not good around." Riddle reminded them. "This is a fine opportunity to learn what manner of curriculum is offered at other arcane academies." Riddle said. "Since I'm representing Night Rave College, I must ensure I comport myself accordingly."

"Yup, that's our housewarden... And I'll do my part to act like an upstanding honors student, Boss!" Deuce added, fired up for the trip even more now.

"Take lots of good pics, guys." Cater implored.

"And you better not forget the gifts for your dorm mates." Ace added, still grumpy about not getting picked.

Savanaclaw Dorm Lounge:

Ruggie hummed happily as he packed. "Hey, Ruggie. Is that your luggage for the social." Jackasked curiously.

"Yup, just finished packing." Ruggie grinned.

Jack took in the large bag. "Um... You're only staying two nights, right? Why the huge backpack?" he asked confused.

"Oh, there's just a change of underwear and a phone charger in there. The rest is just empty space." Ruggie explained, enjoying the confused look on his younger dorm mate's face.

"Why?"

"So, I can bring back lots of stuff!" Ruggie replied excitedly. "Non-perishable foods are a given, but there's gotta be other cool stuff in the Shaftlands that you can't find here. Way, I figure it, if I can pick up some cheap souvenirs over there, and then pitch them right when I get back..." Ruggie laughed. "I can smell the money already!" He crowed.

"An opportunist to the end, huh." Leona said in annoyance, joining them. He sighed, rubbing his temple. "Fine. All I ask is that you only bring back things you got through legitimate means." Leona told the hyena beast-man. His tone letting the other know that he wasn't joking. He was aware of Ruggie's five-finger discount policy he liked to employ.

"I know, don't worry." Ruggie assured with a grin.

"You look so excited. Wish I could've gone." Jack said ruefully, but still supporting his fellow dorm mate.

Leona glanced at him. "Did you wanna go to the social?" Leona asked, with a furrowed brow. That didn't seem like Jack at all. One of the reasons they got along as well as they did after the whole overblot incident.

Jack shook his head. "I was more interested in sizing up the other mages." Jack admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "The more rivals I meet, the better. I can't content myself being a big fish in a little pond." Leona laughed at that. Yup, that was the Jack that Savanaclaw knew.

"Maybe you would've been a better rep than the guy with thaumark signs in his eyes." Leona smirked, before the two looked at Ruggie in contemplation.

"Hey! What's with that look? I'm not giving up my spot to either of you!" He told them. Jack smirked at the reply while Leona scowled, feeling the migraine more severely now.

"I wouldn't want to go to some stupid social even if you begged me." He told the hyena.

"Well, maybe if Aster begged you. But he certainly wouldn't do that." Ruggie snickered, only to get smacked in the back of his head by the lion.

"You lucked out and got this opportunity, so make the most of it." Leona told the younger with a relaxed smile on his face.

"Have fun over there, Ruggie!" Jack said, pumped for the other. Getting an agreeing laugh from the hyena.

Octavinelle Dorm Lounge:

Stomping and crashing could be heard, causing many to stay away from the lounge room. Inside, Floyd was throwing a tantrum. "No fair! How come Azul gets to go have fun without me? That's messed up!" Floyd cried, glaring at his Housewarden.

Azul laughed, used to the eel merman's behavior at this point. "Oh, I'm in such high spirits! By all means, cry about it." Azul taunted the other with a grin.

"Don't ya think it's weird that you're the only guy in Octavinelle to get a spot? You totally rigged it!" Floyd accused.

"There's nothing weird about it." Azul denied. "The head mage is all about appearances. He's undoubtedly champing at the bit to flaunt Night Raven College's superiority. It's reasonable to think he'd arranged things, so he'd have a greater chance of drawing the school's illustrious Housewardens." Azul told the other matter of factly.

"Which means," he continued with a sly smirk. "That you and I had highly different odds of winning the draw."

Floyd growled. "That smug look of yours is getting on my nerves..." he warned the other. That was when a knock came on the door and Jade entered the room.

"I could hear Floyd stomping around from all the way outside the Lounge." he said, sending his twin brother an understanding look. "Azul, the business cards you ordered came in. Here." He handed over the unusually large stack, even for his Housewarden. He sent Azul a questioning look, though it seemed he already knew the answer.

Azul chuckled lightly. "This social is a prime networking opportunity. I wouldn't dream of squandering it." Azul confirmed. "I'll be throwing my business card at every promising mark- ah, mage- that I can." he smiled innocently at the twins.

"That sounds delightful." Jade said. "It's truly a shame that I can't accompany you on your trip. In fact, I can feel my hackles rising as we speak." Jade added with a sincere smile on his face that wouldn't point to upset unless you truly knew him. "May I join Floyd in throwing a tantrum?" he asked.

"Suit yourself. I'll be doing a final check on my luggage." Azul allowed.

"Man, this blows! Maybe it'd help if I busted up the lounge while you're away." Floyd said, eyes taking on their usual crazy look when he was having one of his moods.

Azul looked sharply at the other. "Hey now, none of that!" he ordered. "Halloween is a prime moneymaking time for the Lounge. You had better do your job." he sighed before smiling. "But don't worry- I'll bring back some stories that'll keep you suitably entertained. I promise." Azul reassured the twins the best way he knew how. Making a deal. "So, I trust you to do your part while I'm gone."

"If I must, I suppose." Jade gave in gracefully. "I'll tend to my duties as vice housewarden and live up to your expectations. Have a pleasant trip."

"The stories better be completely true, or you're gonna get the squeeze of your life, capiche?" Floyd asked, giving in the best way he could. With a threat.

Scarabia Dorm Lounge:

"Okay, I'll go over it again." Jamil told Kalim. "Towels are on the second shelf. Your comb is in the box beneath that, next to the hair dryer." Kalim nodded. "There's medicine for headaches and stomach issues in the first aid kit. All other medicine is in the chest of drawers, top drawer."

"Got it." Kalim said.

"I put out some spare soap, but if you need more, it's in this box here. Oh, and if it suddenly gets cold, your comforter and warm pajamas are in the storehouse..." Jamil trailed off before sighing heavily. "Augh, I'm worried! Are you really going to be okay on your own for three days?" Jamil cried, not believing it for a second.

"Don't be such a worrywart, Jamil!" Kalim replied with a reassuring smile that did not reassure Jamil at all. "Nothing's going to happen. And if something does happen, the rest of the guys in Scarabia will be here to help. It'll be fine."

"Well, I did issue the whole dorm a manual on what to do during any unforeseen circumstances, but still..." Jamil trailed off worriedly.

"Then we're good! I just wish I could've gone to Fleur City with you. The name alone makes it sound beautiful. Aren't you excited?" Kalim asked. "This is a chance to make friends from other schools. You lucked out big time Jamil!"

"I doubt one single social would be enough to form any meaningful friendships..." Jamil sighed. Kalim blinked.

"So, you're not excited?" he questioned, not really believing it.

Jamil thought for a minute."Well, I suppose I'm looking forward to touring around somewhere new." He admitted. Kalim grinned at his friend hearing those words.

"Yeah, there you go! That's the thought process to have." he encouraged. "I'll be super happy if you enjoy yourself. Tell me all about it when you get back!" Jamil sighed, giving in as he hid a small smile.

"Okay, okay. If you care about me at all, please be careful not to get hurt or sick while I'm away." Jamil said sternly.

"Sure thing!" Kalim agreed.

Jamil nodded before looking determined. "All right let's go over it one more time. Towels are on the second shelf..." He told Kalim who stepped back.

"Again?!"

Pomefiore Dorm Lounge:

"Cleanser, check. Facewash, check. Booster essence lotion, check. Moisturizer, check. Eye cream, check. Overnight serum, check. Day serum, check. Sheet masks, check..." Vil was looking through the items in the bag.

"Um, Vil... You're not even going to the social. You don't have to be so stringent about checking what I'm packing." Epel said, trying to hide his nervousness.

Vil sent Epel a warning look. "Please. I know you'd just take a change of underwear and nothing else if I didn't check." Vil said.

"Okay, that's a little unfair..." Epel said, knowing it really wasn't.

"Oh, is it, now?" Vil asked, looking at the younger boy. "I know how you like to cut loose when I'm not around." He stated with a disapproving glare. Epel looked startled. "You are representing both Night Raven College and our dorm, which is under my leadership. If I hear any rumors of a student under my dorm goofing off in unkempt clothes with unprotected skin, well..." Vil trailed off before giving Epel his sadistic grin. "I trust I don't need to spell it out?" he asked sweetly.

Epel backed away in fear, remembering all of those lessons on etiquette and self-grooming. Great Seven, that was a hell he didn't want to repeat any time soon. "Worry not, Vil, for Epel will have my fullest support." Rook assured, swooping in to join the conversation.

Vil sent Rook a dead pan look. "You don't exactly inspire confidence, Rook." Vil informed the other before sighing and frowning in dissatisfaction and worry. "Why did you two of all people get selected for this?" he wondered.

"Oh, Vil. I implore you to forgive me for leaving you alone in such a way. I leave you this flower ere my departure." Rook said, handing over a budding stem. "I shall return by the time this bud blooms. Please, keep it and do not forget me..." Rook pleaded with tearful eyes.

"You do realize you'll be gone 72 hours, not 72 weeks, right?" Vil asked, taking the bud anyways. Rook had an eye for beauty, what could Vil say. He sighed. "Look. The head mage may have been flippant about this whole thing, but you attend the famous Night Raven College. People will view you with their own prejudices, for better or for worse." he told them, unable to help his worry for the two.

"There's no telling who might seek to undermine you. You must stay sharp at all times when socializing." Vil lectured.

"Don't worry!" Epel said, feeling pumped now. "I'll be honest, I ain't got no lick of interest in no ball... But I'll do my best to uphold Night Raven College and Pomefiore's image!" Epel reassured his housewarden.

Vil smiled at that. "Heh. You're excited and you know it. I'm going to give you a crash course with ballroom dancing. Otherwise, you'll just embarrass yourself." Vil decided.

"A crash course?! Right now?!"

"Oh, how delightful! Come, Epel, let us trip the light fantastic!" Rook said gleefully.

Seven help him, Epel thought, getting dragged away by the overly excited hunter.

Ignihyde Dorm, Idia's Room:

"No!" Idia cried. "I don't want to go to a stupid social! It's the very last thing I'd ever want to do!" Idia cried in his room.

"Are you still kicking up a fuss?" Ortho asked his older brother in disbelief. It had been more than enough time since the drawing for his brother to accept his fate. "So many other students wanted to go." the android reminded his brother. One in particular had been excited and hadn't gotten picked. "You should consider yourself lucky you got chosen." Ortho scolded.

"I've done a lot of lottos for merch over the years, but this is the first time I've won something I didn't even want." Idia continued. "Augh! I didn't wanna win the grand prize!" he cried, falling onto his bed in despair.

"Aw, I wish I could visit Fleur City." Ortho sighed wistfully.

"I'd love nothing more than to let you take my spot, but the head mage won't allow it..." Idia confessed. "If only you could come with me." he grumbled.

"I'm also happiest when we're together..." Ortho agreed. "But I'd be just as happy if you made a new friend from another school at the social." Ortho told his brother imploringly.

Idia looked at his brother with affection. He always worried about him, and it was so sweet. "Aw, Ortho- Wait, I almost agreed without thinking!" Idia cried.

Oh well, Ortho had had to try.

"But that's kind of a tall order, y'know?" Idia cried to Ortho. "I only have one friend here, and he's not going!" Idia cried. It would be easier to handle if his friend was going, but he wasn't.

"Um, well..." Ortho pondered that. Things would have been easier if Aster was going but oh well. "Just try to make any friend, then. Even someone from the Night Raven Group." Ortho pleaded. Idia sighed, knowing he was giving in.

"It's lol- tastic just how pointless going to another school is... But speaking of, what's Fleur City like, anyway?" Idia asked his brother.

"I looked it up online. It's not a major metropolis, but it's definitely a beautiful city that's a highly recommended vacation spot." Ortho told him excitedly.

"It's known for its unrivaled scenery, and there are certain things you can only find there. Plus, they have lots of neat tourist attractions. Oh, I know! You should take me there another time, Idia!" Ortho exclaimed excitedly.

"Huh? Me, take you on a trip?" Idia asked, contemplating it.

"Yeah! You can be my guide and show me places that aren't mentioned on the tourist websites!" Ortho said, getting excited at the prospect of the trip. "You can think of this trip as a practice run for our own!"

"Practice run..." Idia thought closing his eyes. "Okay, if I'm doing it for you... I guess I could maybe put forth a non-zero effort..." Idia gave in.

"Yay, glad to hear it! Enjoy your practice run, then." Ortho told his brother excitedly.

"It's okay..." Idia told himself, focusing on his words.

"Yeah, it's going to be okay... Hm?" Ortho looked at his brother in confusion.

"It's okay... It's not a social... It's a practice run..." Idia muttered. "It's okay... It's a solo trip. Everyone else is baggage. It's not a social. Not asocial." he said, trying to convince himself.

Ortho gawked at his brother in disbelief. "... He's trying to convince himself." he realized. "Guess he's really allergic to the word 'social'..." Ortho sighed in acceptance.

Diasomnia Dorm Lounge:

"No... How could this be?" Sebek bemoaned. "How could Silver and I win the raffle instead of Malleus and Lilia?" he cried, unbelieving of the turn of events.

Lilia chuckled lightly at the boy. "There are always winner and losers in a raffle. That's the way of things. Wouldn't you agree Malleus?" Lilia asked the other who smiled with reassuring amusement at the boy.

"I do, yes. Why lament this turn of events?" he asked. "You should rejoice that you were chosen as our representatives." he said. "Admittedly, I didn't make it there in time for the head mage's drawing..." he lamented with a sigh.

"I have trouble rejoicing as well." Silver admitted. "Sebek and I are supposed to be your guards, Malleus. It would be wrong for both of us to leave you and venture into another country..." Silver sighed.

"Oh, don't fret about the details!" Lilia said almost in exasperation. "The young should make the most of such opportunities when they arise. Besides, I've enjoyed more trips than I can count. Now it's your turn. No more fretting, go off and enjoy yourselves." Lilia insisted his two younger wards. Malleus nodded in agreement.

"Lilia speak rightly. Have enough fun for all of us." he told the two.

"M... My liege... Such compassion! I, Sebek, shall devote my life to serving you!" Sebek cried tearfully. He was prevented from further dramatic cries by a knock on their dorm's door.

"It seems we have a visitor." Malleus mused. They watched as Crowley entered the dorm.

"Hello there." He greeted the dorm.

"Why, if it isn't the head mage. What brings you here?" Lilia asked curiously.

"I have something important to discuss regarding the social. Draconia!" The man looked over at the housewarden. "I know this is short notice-" especially since they would be leaving in just a few days. "But I'd like to add you to the guest list." He informed, getting surprised looks from the rest of the dorm.

"You would add me?" He asked, not expecting it. "But you selected the 10 representatives fairly. What about the raffle?" Malleus asked.

"Actually, when I informed Nobel Bell College who would be attending, they specifically requested your presence." Crowley informed the other. "'We positively must have the renowned mage Malleus Draconia at the social!' They spoke. 'Only a head mage of your caliber could nurture such a great and powerful mage!' They added. 'Hats off to you! Would that I could be half as great as you!' And how could I say no in the face of such a clear fact?" Crowley smiled cheerfully. He knew that would annoy Zigvolt, but it was much too amusing to turn down the chance.

"'Nurture'?! How dare they! You weren't the one to nurture Malleus! He's standing right here-" Sebek began angrily gesturing towards Lilia, only to be ignored by everyone.

"They requested Malleus specifically, hm..." Lilia trailed off in thought. He wondered if this was the reason for Aster's foreboding feeling despite his excitement for the social when it was announced.

"Interesting. Now I understand." Malleus mused. "In that case, I shall join you." He grinned.

"Oh, indeed? Are you certain, Draconia?" Crowley asked with a pleased smile.

"Of course. If they requested my presence directly... That makes it an invitation, does it not?"

"Of course...!" Sebek and Silver realized.

"It would be poor form to turn down such a courteous invitation. I gladly accept." he agreed. Lilia frowned.

"Yes, of course you would..." he sighed. He would just have to have faith in them. "But I suppose this will be a good experience for you. I won't object." Lilia decided, smiling at his three wards.

"But this means we'll all be going to the social without you, Father." Silver sighed, not liking the idea.

Lilia chuckled at his son's adorableness. "It's not a big deal. I'm at a school, aren't I? I have plenty of classmates, not to mention club mates, to keep me company. Besides, we enrolled in Night Raven College to broaden Malleus's horizons. What better way than to attend an inter school function in another land? And I know he'll be in good hands with you and Sebek." Lilia assured them.

"I expect you both to guard Malleus diligently so he can enjoy the social." he ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Sebek and Silver cried with determination.

"Sorry to leave you alone, Lilia. I'll bring back more gifts than you can hold in both arms." Malleus promised.

"Absolutely! You can count on that Lilia!" Sebek agreed, forgetting his previous disgruntlement.

Lilia laughed heartily. "Oh, yes! Bring me the shiniest, most fascinating souvenirs you can find!" Lilia said.

"I'll pick out something that perfectly suits your tastes, Father." Silver smiled at the man.

"Oh, thank goodness! Now I can save face!" Crowley said with relief, enjoying the interaction between the little family. "You needn't worry about safety in Fleur City. It's a very nice place. Besides, the Nobel Bell student council president who extended our invitations was a most upstanding, trustworthy individual." Crowley assured them. "I'm sure it'll be a delightful event."

"Still... Hm. They invited me personally..." Malleus thought. "Such a gesture merits a fine thank-you gift. What shall I do about that...?" Malleus mused. Crowley left the next leader of Briar Valley to his thoughts as he returned to his office with his own.

Head Mage's Office:

Crowley looked over the list of his students that would be attending another school's function. He needed a chaperon for them. Mozus would do for that role, as he was familiar with the city itself. And the majority of the students were responsible enough that it wouldn't require too much work on Trein's part to keep them under control. He hoped, anyways.

He glanced at the 11th student. Malleus. Crowley too knew that Aster had some foreboding about this event, much like Lilia had recalled. And unfortunately, the boy was rarely wrong about such things.

He had faith in his students though and wasn't too worried. Which brought him to the next student in his thoughts. Aster Merel, Crowley's ward. The boy had been in Twisted Wonderland for more than a year at this point. And they still had no clues about how to return the boy to the world he came from despite scouring the library and sources he had at his disposal.

If he wanted that. Aster had his Twisted Wonderland vaccines, so he undoubtedly belonged here. But then there were the boy's memories.

Aster had regained some of his memories, though not as many as they'd have liked in the past year. They knew the boy had an undetermined number of brothers, at least four but likely more. And the memories did come more reliably when he went on a trip with one of his friends to another country on weekends.

Such as the Cloud Calling Festival that Kingscholar had recently taken him on. Then there was the Firelit Sky Festival in the Scalding Sands.

So, could Aster potentially gain more of his lost memories if he joined his fellow classmates at Fleur City, during the Topsy-Turvy festival?

Crowley's brows furrowed in concern. That was another thing. It had been the morning he had called the assembly. Aster had completely disappeared from the bond for an entire minute. All of the faculty had nearly panicked upon realizing it was gone. Then it returned, and with it the small boy's feelings.

Confusion, concern, and a barely present trace of terror that faded as time went by. And as the past few weeks had passed, Aster seemed to be having more similar nightmares. But never remembered them.

His presence in the bonds never disappeared again, thankfully, but the nightmares were known to everyone in the bond. Yet somehow, the boy had figured out how to block the rest of them from those feelings when he was sleeping.

It frustrated all of them knowing that the boy was probably having nightmares and no one but Grim would be able to provide him comfort over them, if the boy allowed it. If the cat was there and not outside his office yowling about wanting to go on the trip as well. Like he currently was.

He was fairly certain the nightmares probably had to do with the upcoming social in some way or form. So, this brought to him a different conundrum:

Did he allow his ward to go into potential danger where his nightmares were leading him to appease them and give him some form of cold reassurance?

Or did he keep him away from the potential danger and run the risk of nightmares continuing to plague him until everything had blown over?

Could he even do so, when these nightmares and premonitions of his always had a way of leading their sufferer to their desired destination?

Crowley sighed, leaning back and closing his eyes. It was late. He needed sleep, he had work tomorrow to take care of. He'd ask Trein his thoughts on the matter when he assigned him as chaperon. After all, he and Crewel also had a say in this as Aster's secondary guardians. He'd find out tomorrow what they would say.

Ramshackle Dorm:

'Aster and another figure raced up the steep wooden stairs that led to the top of the bell tower. They had to hurry. Everyone else was fighting off the creatures and it was up to the two of them to save everyone.

As the duo rushed upwards, Aster found himself stumbling to a halt near a window that showed just how bad the situation had become in the city. There wasn't a single stone free of the fiery red glow that lit the sky in a dreadful premonition of doom.

"Will this really work?" he asked himself through painful gasps of breath. He was still injured from his earlier fall down the well, and it didn't help that he had killed their bonds: Just temporarily, he hoped.

He grimaced. They probably thought he was dead, but he hadn't been able to let them know he was okay. There wasn't enough time, not with everything that was at risk.

"Come on!" a deep voice called. Aster looked up to see his companion by his side. He was a half-formed man, but Aster knew he was the kindest and gentlest soul one could ever meet and loved his friend for it. Aster glanced back out the window, regaining a fraction of his breath and nodded with determination.

"It'll be okay, we're almost there." the figure gave him an imploring look with unnaturally clear blue eyes. "Can you make it?" he asked, his voice was full of worry and concern.

Of course he had noticed. But Aster was glad that he wasn't stopping him from joining him. His brothers and their friends were down there fighting to give them a chance to stop all of this. To save everyone. He couldn't let all of their efforts go to waste.

He couldn't let their despair and loss go to waste. He nodded in determination again. He couldn't speak, otherwise he might cough up more blood and his friend would lose his focus trying to keep him safe. That could place him in more danger.

"It will be alright. I promise. Now come on. We're almost there. Then we can save everyone from this." he indicated the fiery red outside the window.

Aster nodded in determination, glancing back when the red glow began to creep up the stairs. "We must hurry." The man said urgently, and the duo quickened their pace while gargoyles Aster knew, but couldn't name, jumped onto the stairs behind them to give the duo more time.

The duo rushed up the steps breathlessly, coming out into the bell tower. The bell was beautifully intimidating and bathed with ancient magics. But the one who stood before the bell was just as intimidating and powerful.

"I see you managed to make it this far. I commend you." The deep voice of the man said, his features too shadowed by the red light of the city behind him to make out any of them.

"This ends here." The one next to Aster said firmly.

"Very well, but how do you plan to do that? After all, I stand between you and your goal. The salvation you crave."

"We'll do it together." Aster said firmly, ignoring the blood that poured out of his mouth and over his lips. The man looked at him, he knew he did. But he could not make out anything about him. The taller man laughed.

"I'm surprised you're still alive little gypsy. I thought the fall down the well would be enough to kill you." the man said. The one next to Aster growled at the other.

"That was you?" he cried.

"No, it was one of them." he indicated the monsters below in the fire covered courtyard. "But I did witness it. The despair as your dear family thought you had died was heartbreaking." the man told Aster. "But no sacrifice is too big to see my dreams realized."

Aster glared but was determined to see this through. Then the man, tired of waiting, sent a wave of fire magic at them and the fight began. Aster provided guidance as best he could for the two of them. But he possessed no magic, and neither did his companion. The fight wore on as the red glow continued to make its way up the tower and the sky continued to burn red.

They were running out of time, Aster realized when he was collapsed on the ground while the man cornered his companion nearby at the edge of the tower. They needed to do something. The man would shove him off the ledge at this point.

That was when he noted the dark hooded figure that was partially hidden behind the bell. He knew that figure. Knew he was the only one who ever saw him, not even his brothers could. But why was he here of all places? How? The man held up a pale hand. In the pale hand was a key.

Old and tarnished black from fire and soot. Aster watched as the figure placed the key into an invisible keyhole and turned. A click filled the tense silence between the three. Not that the other two heard it. But they all felt it.

Something had shifted, and after glancing around fervently, Aster spotted what he was looking for. The doorway. He grimaced and stood up on shaky legs. This was his only chance.

"Quasi!" Aster cried, gaining their attention. "Get to the bell!" Aster ordered. "No matter what! Get to the bell!" he cried rushing forward and pushing Quasi to the side and through the now open doorway just as the taller man lunged.

Aster felt the impact from the other, then felt as the two of them fell over the edge and to the long, long drop that awaited them. He knew his friend had cried out for him, but he knew his friend would pull through.

"What did you do?" The man ordered, and now Aster could see his face thanks to the fiery glow coming up to meet them.

"What needs to be done." Aster gasped, wondering if he was dying now. As darkness seemed to overtake his vision, the glorious sound of the bells rang throughout the city as the sun was just set to rise. He could accept this.'

Aster fell out of bed hard, awake with a deep, rattling thrum in his chest as pain blossomed across his back and head.

"Aster! Are you okay?" the Ramshackle ghosts cried. Aster didn't answer, trying to regain the breath that had so violently left him. What had he just witnessed? Why was he feeling such accepting heartbreak? And why was all of it fleeing before he could grasp any of it?

"Aster!" Crowley's concerned voice cried. Aster's brow furrowed.

'Why's Crowley here?' he wondered, vision tunneling once more.

"Fetch Divus, now!" Crowley barked at a ghost who was gone. Crowley gently placed his charge's head in his lap as he tried to keep him awake. It wasn't to be, as Aster fell unconscious once more. Thankfully, he's about 99% certain no one else was aware of the situation.

Ramshackle Dorm:

"How is he?" Crowley asked the resident nurse as he watched his sleeping ward.

Divus Crewel sighed heavily, placing the clipboard back on Aster's nightstand. "He'll be fine. No concussion, thank the Seven for that. He can just rest. He should be up closer to sunrise. Which leads me to ask: What were you doing here three hours before sunrise?" Crewel asked the head mage, Trein and the other faculty were in the room as well.

Grim had fallen asleep outside Crowley's office and had been deposited into the dorm room with Ace and Deuce before Crowley had arrived at Ramshackle.

"I was worried about whether he was having another nightmare or not and wanted to check on him. I arrived just in time to witness his fall." Crowley explained.

Crewel nodded. "It's a good thing there aren't classes today thanks to the Halloween preparations. I doubt anyone will notice his absence for the morning at least." Crewel said.

"Thank goodness. Which brings me to another matter which is why I'm thankful you're all here." Crowley said at ease now that he knew his charge wasn't in any immediate danger.

"And that would be?" Trein asked.

"I want to send Aster with the other students to Nobel Bell College." Crowley said. It was time for another meeting, he realized. He was sure he could get them to see it from his point of view.

Author's Notes: And there we have it. Hope you enjoyed the story.