A Brand New Beginning

The Warlock's Garden

"Come on, guys!" Akko said, "We're almost running out of time! What ingredient is next?"

--"We are just missin' one more," Lydia replied, "a rose from the Forest of Arcturus!"

--"I've never seen a rose in Arcturus," Akko said. "You've been there before?" Rogelio asked curiously. "Yup!" Akko replied. "Isn't it called the Forbidden Forest for a reason?" Drake asked. The group left the Leyline and entered the Forest of Arcturus. "Be careful! There's a cockatrice around!" Lotte warned. "Now, let's look for that rose!" Akko said as she and her classmates landed safely on the ground. "How does a Rose of Arcturus look?" Dean asked. "I just hope it isn't a fancy name for a Mandrake..." Lotte shrieked. "It will take us hours to find one!" Megumi sighed, "It's the last ingredient!"

--"There's not much time left!" Akko said, "The sun will set soon!"

--"Alright, mates! Let's split!" Lydia commanded, "I'll go with Akko! Lotte, you go with Frank! Twins, you stay together! And Megumi, you're going with Rogelio!"

--"Let's find that rose!" Rogelio said enthusiastically as the couples went in separate directions. Meanwhile back in Luna Nova, Professor Oxford sat next to Andrew's bed, anxiously looking at her clock on the wall. Mitchie then flew through a nearby window and landed on her shoulder, hooting softly but alarmed. "What is it, Mitchie? Calm down!" Oxford asked. The door then swung open slowly. "Ophelia!" a voice boomed. Mr. Hanbridge walked in with a very unpleasant expression painted on her face. "Paul? What are you doing here?" Professor Oxford gasped. "What does it look like I am doing?" Mr. Hanbridge asked, "I am here to take Andrew away from you."

--"You cannot take him out of here! His condition will only worsen," Oxford argued. "The reason he is ill is because of you!" Mr. Hanbridge exclaimed. "I will not let you take him anywhere!" Oxford hissed. "Pardon to interrupt," Mrs. Eaglenest said awkwardly, "but I kindly suggest you lower your voices..."

--"Please stay out of this, Senator Eaglenest," Mr. Hanbridge interrupted carelessly, "this is between my wife and me."

--"I stopped being your wife many years ago," Oxford hissed, "and I am not letting you take Andrew out of this premises. You'll only kill him!"

--"On the contrary, I will save him!" Mr. Hanbridge protested, "Andrew! Get up!"

--"He cannot stand up," Professor Oxford said, "and like Senator Eaglenest suggested, keep your voice low!"

Andrew struggled to get up--his limbs were numb and his high fever made the room spin. Mrs. Eaglenest was about to intertwine when Mr. Eaglenest stopped her. "Just look away, Angie," he sighed. "B-But Steve!" Mrs. Eaglenest whispered, looking at how Andrew struggled to leave his bed. "Go back to bed, dear," Professor Oxford whispered. "No! We are taking you to the hospital, Andrew!" Mr. Hanbridge shouted. "This is a magical illness!" Oxford shouted. "A magical illness that he got because of you, Ophelia!" Mr. Hanbridge hissed, "You are responsible for this! Let's go, Andrew! And do not even dare to appear while he recovers, Oxford. After Andrew is well again, he is going back to Appleton!"

--"You're a monster!" Professor Oxford sobbed as Andrew and Mr. Hanbridge walked out. She fell back into her seat as Mrs. Eaglenest tried to calm her down. "I hope that cure is on its way..." Mr. Eaglenest sighed as he and his wife observed Mr. Hanbridge's car drive away. "I cannot let Andrew suffer with Paul," Professor Oxford wiped her tears, "Senator, would you do me a favor?"

--"From one mother to another, I'd do anything," Mrs. Eaglenest replied. Back in the Forest of Arcturus, the group reunited where they started. "Did anybody have luck?" Akko asked. "No, sorry," Megumi replied. "No luck with us either," Dean and Drake replied. "Guys! Help me!" Frank shrieked, carrying Lotte in his arms. "Lotte! What happened to her?" Akko gasped. "I feel like I'm being burned alive..." Lotte whimpered. "She has the disease! What do we do now?!" Frank asked. The bushes nearby began to rumble, alarming Akko and her classmates. "Stand back!" she shouted bravely, whipping out the Shiny Rod. An old man then walked out of the bushes, cleaning twigs and spider webs from his gray pointy hat. "My! What are you children doing here?" he gasped. "Who are you?!" Akko demanded. "Calm down, child," the old man replied, "I am but a peaceful warlock, resident of Arcturus."