Author's Note: This is the beginning of Book Two: The Usurper From the Wilds. When the chances arise, the special events such as the Bean Fest, Wish Upon a Star and so on and so forth will be added at a later date. For now it's the seven books. Enjoy!
Summary:
With the interdorm Spelldrive tournament just around the corner, the dorms begin their preparations to form teams that will represent them during the competition. However participating students seem to get mysteriously injured one by one, so Aster and Grim end up investigating the matter.
As the investigation continues, Aster is also dealing with more strange dreams that seem disconcertingly familiar to last time, which immediately puts him on edge at the possibility of what might be coming. As they dig deeper into the incidents, a plot is discovered to be underway as pressure mixes with inferiority and begins to over flow as despair and desperation break barriers that were holding too much back.
New meetings and familiar faces are abundant as the investigations reaches its peak.
The King of Beast's dorm is on a fast track to destruction and it's up to Aster and his friends to try and stop the worst from happening as frustrations overflow and years of bottled pain finally burst.
Chapter One:
'Aster's brows furrowed as a sound reached him in his sleep. 'Wind?' he wondered, confused. He opened his eyes to see a large rock- 'Pride Rock', his mind supplied- ahead of him. He watched as a large, red maned lion traveled to the edge of the rock, a mandrill following behind, something in his arms. They were joined by a bright blue, moderately sized shoebill, and a lioness. Aster blinked as the mandrill raised a small lion cub to the sky, over the gathered creatures of the Pride Lands. The sun shone with golden light through the clouds, giving the cub's fur a golden glow. The animals around him began to celebrate the cub.'
Aster groaned, blinking his eyes open to the early morning light of a new day. Startled by a loud meow from his sleeping familiar. 'Was that supposed to be a roar? Or is he having a nightmare?' Aster wondered with a puzzled frown.
"That's what you get... for crossing Grim the Mighty." Grim snored and Aster shook his head and started getting ready for classes. It was the new week after the last successful un-birthday party that had Che'nya being ran from the dorm, amusingly enough. He was surprised that he was already on his third week of classes, well, two since he had only one day, the weekend, then his stay in the infirmary for several days after the over blot incident.
"That's right, cower before me, teapot tyrant!" Grim shouted in his sleep, loud enough to wake himself up. "Where am I?" Grim yawned, looking around, before blue eyes landed on the boy who was chuckling before him. "Aw man! I was dreaming that I was trouncing Riddle with my magic!" he grumbled. Aster rolled his eyes at the feline beast. Grim considered Riddle his arch enemy at the moment, due to the strong bond between Aster and Riddle. Grim's was just as strong as the one he had with the Heartslabyul House Warden, but Grim was still jealous, not that he would ever admit it out loud. Riddle, thankfully, was more confident and secure in their bond than Grim was. "You should have seen his face..." Grim trailed off tiredly. Aster just huffed in amusement.
"Well, you won't get strong by snoozing all day." Aster told the cat as he put his hair in a simple ponytail.
"Fine. Let me fix my bed head. Then it's off to class. I've got magic to master!" Grim exclaimed excitedly. Aster just shook his head and fixed his student's bed head with some water and a comb. Once he was finished, they first went to eat some breakfast and headed to class afterwards, meeting up with Ace and Deuce outside Potionology. Aster was relieved for a normal day of classes after their hectic last week.
The morning classes passed by without any issues, though Grim did fall asleep in history, much to Aster's dismay. Grim was going to get them failed even with the effort Aster put into the class.
"Professor Trein must have cast a sleeping spell on me." Grim groaned as the four freshmen made their way to the cafeteria for lunch. Aster had met up with them due to being unable to participate in P.E quite yet, so using the extra period for self study. "I fought to stay awake, but he was soooo boring!" Grim grumbled. Aster sighed, unable to understand how Grim and Ace could be bored when the subject was so fascinating.
"Yeah, fought, sure." Deuce replied. "I heard you snoring five minutes in."
"Grub time!" Ace said, ignoring the other two and Aster decided to follow his lead. "What's it gonna be today?" Ace asked as they entered. Only for them to stop in their tracks. The cafeteria was packed and busy as students were rushing around. "What's going on? Why's it so crowded in here?" he asked.
"That famous bakery from out of town is serving up their goods. It only happens once a month." The ghost of the cafeteria told them, appearing in front of them. "Their stock sells out fast, so you'd better hurry if you want anything."
"Gimme three of those chocolate croissants." A student said.
"Woohoo! I actually snagged an egg sandwich." another said proudly.
"Egg sandwiches are now sold out! Only one deluxe ham and cheese sandwich left!" the cafeteria ghost called out.
"Oh man, everything looks amazing! I'm going to go see if I can grab something myself." Ace said, running off.
"Wow, they really do seem popular! Aster, Grim, what do you-" Deuce trailed off. "Huh?" Aster looked around before groaning.
"The ravenous beast has gotten loose..." The prefect sighed. Deuce gave his friend a sympathetic glance before they spotted the cat rushing through the crowd, cutting it and insulting others as he did so.
"Hey! Outta my way, losers! That grilled cheese is mine!" Grim said ecstatically.
"Hey, no cutting!" A Heartslabyul student growled out.
"A freshman cutting in front of upperclassman? Time to teach you some manners." the first student's friend said.
"He's got such a one track mind when it comes to food." Deuce said. Ace had re-joined them and heaved a heavy sigh, seeing the situation.
"Let's go stop him." Aster growled out. Ace and Deuce shook their heads at Grim's continued lack of intelligence. He never seemed to learn that his dorm leader and friend shouldn't be crossed. And somehow, Ace and Deuce were the ones to fight against the upper class men with Aster's help while Grim was happily grabbing up food, not realizing what was happening behind him as his friends fought his battle for him this time.
The fight was finally over and Aster approached to two students they had just fought and gave them a bow. "I am truly sorry about Grim. I'll make sure to do something about this." The students sighed before nodding.
"We'll leave it to you, Prefect." The first one said. "We got something from this one anyways. But not everyone will be forgiving if this keeps up." they warned.
"Thank you." He watched them go and turned back to his friends.
"Ha! Guess who scored the last deluxe grilled cheese sandwich? This guy. That's why they call me Grim the Great!" Grim cried in triumph. "I also snagged a bear-claw and cronut."
"Grim you have to learn some restraint." Deuce told the cat disapprovingly. "You put a lot of stress on Aster when you do stuff like this." He added.
"Yo pops, gimme one of those roast beef sandwiches." Ace said with a grin to the ghost in charge.
"Hey! You're cutting in line too!" Deuce told Ace disapprovingly. As the two boys were arguing, Aster noticed a boy with hyena ears approached them. He blinked. The kid seemed familiar, and Aster watched the events take place as he tried to figure out where he had seen this kid.
"Rats. Looks like I'm late for the monthly bakery battle royale." he sighed. "And now they're out of the deluxe grilled cheese Leona sent me to buy for him." Aster's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. He knew where he had seen this boy from. Grim was ignoring him as he celebrated his victory.
Ruggie noticed and approached Grim, Aster keeping to the side and watching things play out as Ace and Deuce joined him. "Pardon me friend. I see you were able to get your paws on the highly prized deluxe grilled cheese sandwich. Incredible!" Ruggie said in amazement. Aster rolled his eyes at how easy it was to manipulate Grim by stroking his ego, and how nearly everyone had picked up on it.
"Hm? Who are you and what do you want with my meat?" Grim demanded, unimpressed by the boy. Aster sighed. You would think, considering how scared Grim had been during that meeting two weeks ago, that he would at least remember the names of the two Savanaclaw Dorm students.
"Oh?" Ruggie raised a brow, realizing that the cat had forgotten him. "I'm just a guy who really, really wanted to buy that sandwich you've got there, but arrived a smidgen too late. Speaking of which, here's a proposition for you..." Ruggie said with a sly grin.
"Might you be willing to trade your deluxe grilled cheese for this very exciting hot dog bun?" Ruggie asked, showing off the bun. Aster's eyes narrowed at the build up of magic around Ruggie.
"What you must be out of your mind, dude!" Grim replied angrily. Ruggie grinned.
"Oh, come now. Let's not be like that. Here, have the hot dog bun, I insist." Ruggie said, extending the hot dog bun to the cat, and Aster's eyes widened when the build up of magic seemed to burst and watched as Grim extended his own arm.
"What in the name of tuna? My paws are moving on their own!" Grim was muttering. Aster raised a brow.
"You're going to actually trade it? But there isn't even a hot dog in it." he said.
"Looks like we have a deal!" Ruggie chuckled as he snatched up the sandwich and Grim took the bun reluctantly. "What luck that I found a kind soul willing to trade. You enjoy that hot dog bun. I do hope you find something to fill it with. Maybe a squirt of ketchup would imitate the real thing?" Ruggie whispered the last part, Aster just barely catching it. "Any way, nice doing business with you. Toodles!" He said.
"My deluxe grilled cheese!" Grim yowled. Aster groaned and followed after Ruggie, leaving Ace and Deuce to deal with the upset Grim.
"Ruggie!" he called, once they were just outside the cafeteria. Ruggie looked over in surprise, not having expected for anyone to follow him.
"Oh, you're the Ramshackle Prefect. How can I help you?" Ruggie asked with a charming smile. Aster gave the boy the sweetest smile as he noticed the other boy's tie wasn't tied properly.
"Oh, your tie's not done right. Can't have that, can we?" he asked innocently as he approached the taller boy. Ruggie blinked and Aster was right in front of him, way too close, making the hyena boy sputter.
"O-Oh. Uh... Um.. I guess?" he asked, confused by the younger boy's behavior.
"So, I know my student rather well, comes with sharing a dorm." Aster said conversationally as he began to fix the tie, going just slow enough for their conversation to happen.
"O-of course you do. What kind of prefect would you be, other wise?" Ruggie asked, trying to hide his nervousness at the boy being so close.
"Exactly. So, I know him well enough to know he would never trade a deluxe grilled cheese for an empty hot dog bun willingly."
"What are you-?" Ruggie asked, trying to back away, only to stop when the grip around his tie tightened and stopped him. He froze at the threatening action.
"I'm not reprimanding you. Nor am I going to say anything about it." Ruggie wondered what the prefect was getting at. "After all, Grim cut the line and put me, Ace, and Deuce into a rather unfair position with his stunt and gluttony. He needs to know there are consequences to his actions. So losing the sandwich is a good enough punishment in my books, even if he is going to hold a grudge about it." Aster said pleasantly as he gently pulled on the tie, making it presentable and finished tying it.
Ruggie let out a sigh of relief, but stiffened when the grip suddenly tightened and pulled him down, putting him eye to eye with the human before him, who now had a rather wicked glint in his sharp golden eyes. "Use magic on my student or friends again, and I will make sure you understand just why that isn't a good idea. Am. I. Clear?" Aster asked. Ruggie paled and nodded rapidly.
"Y-Yes!" Ruggie squeaked out. Aster replied with a sweet smile that threw Ruggie for a loop as the boy actually ruffled his hair before releasing him.
"I'm so glad. Give the house kitten my regards." he smiled sweetly, returning to the cafeteria and his friends, leaving a wide-eyed Ruggie behind who then made his way to the botanical garden that Leona was probably napping in. He shivered as he remembered what the prefect said.
'How did he even know I used magic?' Ruggie wondered. 'Hm... We might have a problem.'
"This is the worst day of my pathetic life." Grim was crying, even as he downed three pastries. Aster rolled his eyes at the young creature's over dramatics as he joined them, thanking Deuce who handed him a fruit sandwich. Despite Grim being a garbage disposal, he didn't like fruit as much as he did other foods, and veggies weren't something he would willingly put on his plate. "I can barely choke down my lunch."
"You just ate three pastries in ten seconds. I think you're fine." Ace replied.
"I still don't get why you traded at all." Deuce added, looking at Aster with a questioning look. He shook his head, indicating it was nothing. After all, he wasn't going to say anything about what Ruggie did, just as he said he wouldn't.
"I didn't! It's like, when he put out his hand, my paw just shot out- like it was copying his! It all happened so fast..." Grim trailed off.
"Like a deer caught in the sandwich-stealing headlights." Ace said, getting a laugh out of Aster.
"Nah, it wasn't like that at all. But I... I don't know how to explain it." Grim gave up. "Ugh! This stinks! I need to eat my feelings, stat! Deuce, give me a bite of your pasta." Grim demanded.
"No way! You made your 'bread', now lie in it." Deuce replied.
"Oh, by the way guys- the Head mage said he wanted to tell us something after classes today." Ace added, just remembering the message he had received. "No clue what about though."
"It probably has something to do with what happened to Housewarden Riddle and Aster last week." Deuce said, Aster nodding his agreement.
"When he went all berserk mode on us? Yeah, I bet you're right."
"Maybe he wants to lavish me with a smorgasbord of succulent fish for all of my hard work that day!" Grim said.
"Yeah, dream on fur ball. I think that praise should go to Aster for literally jumping into the belly of the beast, so to speak."
"No, he'd get punishment for doing something so idiotic." Grim replied. Aster shook his head and changed the subject on classes, deciding to leave the subject of Ruggie alone. Grim would remember him at some point on his own.
-The Usurper From the Wild-
In the botanical garden- temperate zone, Ruggie had finally found Leona. "Leona! Lunch is served my friend!" Ruggie called out joyously, knowing it would annoy the older boy.
"...Is it noon already?" Leona asked with a yawn as he woke up.
"Don't tell me you were asleep all morning!" Ruggie said in disapproval. "You're going to fail more of your core classes!" Leona ignored it as a group of scents reached his nose.
"Smells like you got what I asked ya for!" Leona commented, slightly distracted by the other scent that covered the young hyena beast teen.
"Barely! Must you always request the most popular item on the menu?" Ruggie sounded put out at the comment. "Anyway, here: One deluxe grilled cheese and an iced tea." Ruggie commented, passing over the items to his Housewarden.
"Are you brain dead?" Leona asked. "That fact that it's hard to get is exactly what makes me want it so bad!"
Ruggie rolled his eyes. "Me, I'll eat anything. So long as it isn't moldy." Ruggie shrugged, noticing the look on Leona's face as he discreetly sniffed the air around Ruggie once more. Ruggie hid his smirk. "But as a prince, I doubt you could relate, Your Highness." Ruggie said, the slightest bit of mocking in his voice. Leona gave a huff.
"It ain't like I'm the first in line for succession. I'm second, so I probably won't ever be king. I'm practically a commoner, really."
"That reminds me of the time you mistook a picture of my family's home for a dog house." Ruggie replied with a scowl and pointed look at the man.
"Did I... really do that?" Leona asked, not sounding sorry at all.
"You really did." Ruggie replied tiredly. "I wish my perspective was so warped from a life of luxury."
Leona glared at the boy. "Nah, the royal life stinks, honestly. All that matters is the order of your birth. Hard work and talent basically mean nothing."
"Hmm... I guess I could see that as being a drag." Ruggie finally relented. "Oh, by the way, the Ramshackle Prefect sends his regards." Ruggie decided to add. Green eyes locked onto Ruggie with a fierce intensity.
"You bumped into that Herbivore?" Leona demanded. Ruggie nodded.
"Also, he knew I used magic, despite me not doing anything to give it away." Leona's eyes narrowed as Ruggie explained what happened between he and Aster.
"He could prove to be troublesome." Leona muttered. Ruggie shrugged.
"I mean, so long as I'm not doing it around him, I think we'll be fine. No one else was able to pick up on it. Though I am curious how he knew that I had used my signature spell." Ruggie shook is head and put the interesting prefect to the back of his mind. "Also, there's a Housewarden meeting after school today about the Spell-drive tournament. Please try to actually show up." Ruggie changed the subject.
"Ugh. What a headache." Leona groaned, surprising Ruggie by the willingness to change the subject.
"As Housewarden, you get the biggest room in the dorm. You could at least make a token effort to do the corresponding job." Ruggie told him.
"Alright already. Fine. Stop whining." Leona grumbled, finishing up his meal. "Now that my belly's full, I'm ready for another snooze. Wake me after lunch break is over." Leona said, laying back into the grass.
"I'm not your alarm clock, Leona!" Ruggie muttered. "You know I have my own- Ah, he's already out." Ruggie grumbled before giving a resigned sigh. This was just his life it appeared.