A Brand New Beginning

Blackmailed

Team Red walked into the cafeteria. The moment they walked in, all eyes were set on them, especially on Rogelio. "Hey there, wolf-boy!" Drake laughed. "Would you like to give us a little howl?" Dean added. Both twins then chuckled loudly, high-fiving each other. "Rogelio!" Hannah and Barbara threw themselves over him. "Would you like to give us a little howl?" Hannah asked. "Werewolves are, like... so hot!" Barbara added, making Rogelio blush. Dean and Drake gasped, watching how Rogelio was suddenly surrounded by a large group of girls. "Daisy! Come back!" Andrew called behind Daisy, who walked angrily with her arms crossed, "Listen to me! I was just doing it to protect you!"

--"I know how to defend myself!" Daisy bellowed, "I have military training! I can throw a knife with my eyes closed! I even carry with me a sled-freaking-hammer! And you think I couldn't take care of a werewolf!? Who do you think I am?!"

--"Daisy! I'm sorry!" Andrew said, "You... You matter too much to me. I almost lost you once, or more than once, actually... I didn't want to lose you again."

Daisy sighed, then cracked a soft smile. "Oh, Andy!" she said, "You're such a dork!" she then pulled him close and embraced him, "I love you," she said. "I love you too," Andrew replied, placing his hands gently on her waist. "Andrew Hanbridge and Daisy Eaglenest!" Professor Finnelan shouted as she approached them, "Separate immediately!"

Andrew and Daisy then separated anxiously. "That's better," Finnelan snapped, "Anywho, this letter came in for you, Mr. Hanbridge," she handed him an envelope, then walked away. "Is it from your old man?" Daisy asked as she followed Andrew to a nearby table. "No, I don't think so," Andrew replied, "my father normally seals his envelopes with a wax seal."

—"Who would have sent it then? Anybody from your old school?" Daisy wondered. "Hey, guys!" Team Red and Team Green joined the table along with Lydia and Diana. Megumi and Alice joined later on as well. As they all discussed Rogelio's new reputation, Andrew opened the envelope. He emptied the contents, then gasped when he saw them. Pictures of him as Ace flashed across his green eyes. "You okay, Andy?" Amanda asked. "Geez, you're paler than usual!" Daisy said, "Are you okay, babe?"

—"Somebody knows I'm Ace..." Andrew replied with a weak voice. "What the hell?!" Daisy gasped. Andrew then showed the pictures to his friends. "Who took these?!" Akko asked. "I... I don't know!" Andrew stuttered. Daisy checked the envelope further for any clues. "Hey! There's a note at the bottom!" she said, reaching in for a piece of paper. Akko and the others leaned in closer to read it. In bright red ink, it read:

Dear Andrew

We know your little secret. If you don't want them to go into the press and into the Prime Minister's office, you must give up magic or your secret will be revealed.

The threatening letter ended with a drawing of a four-angled star. "Starshine Academy..." Diana whispered. "What?! How does Starshine Academy know your secret?!" Daisy gasped. "I wouldn't be surprised," Lydia said, "those li'l bratties have all this technology by their side. They prolly tapped your phone or somethin'!"

—"Let's give Starshine Academy a little visit," Daisy hissed, "I have a funny feeling of who the culprit may be."

The sun was shining over Starshine Academy, making its windows glimmer under the sunlight. "Ew, what on earth are Luna Nova Academy students on our campus?!" Courtney Diamond and her friends asked. "We've come here for answers!" Akko shouted, "We know you guys are guilty, Starshine! Or should I say, Rats-shine!"

—"Good one, Akko!" Amanda high-fived her. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Diana said, "the point is we know you are all blackmailing Andrew."

—"Blackmail?!" Courtney and her friends gasped in unison. "Why would we be blackmailing?!" Justin Lancaster asked, "Who has such low self-esteem to do that?!"