It was dark out and all was still and quiet as the clock struck midnight a shadowy figure wearing a dark cloak appeared in a pitch black room turning back they shut the door behind them and grabed a small pearl out of their pockets causing it to light up and shoot out an hologram image of king brown in front of them.
???: Your majesty.
King brown: How is everything going?
???: All is going according to the plan my king. As predicted the girl went straight to him.
Kind brown: So everyting is in place? Including the other thing we discussed?
???: I assusred you my king by the end of the evening tommrow Kaz Bane's head will be on a silver platter.
Meanwhile somewhere else
Both Arian and Kaz were sitting down in a red booth at Charlie's Tavern while Brien just sat across from them still unconscious all around them were random people filling the place with laughter and chatter. Arian rolls her eyes as Kaz tries to throw apple slices into Brien's mouth.
Arian: you can't be serious. He can't possibly have the map that leads to the pheonix nest it just a legend a myth at best.
Kaz: Said the witch talking to the werewolf. And am i picking up the smell of stawberrys?
Arian: uh yeah a new soap i been using and even if this isnt some scam, how are you going to manage to break into king's brown vault?
Kaz: Well....
Arian: No. No. No. Absolutely not. Last time i helped you out i went to jail!
Kaz:For less than an hour. Come on this is the Phoenix nest were talking about. Think of things we could do if we just find one of the members. We could restore everyone back to life in Newsham. We could--
Arian: No. Listen to me my dad, your mom, and everyone back in Newsham are dead. They have been for years and no amount of magic or some dumb legend is going to change that. It's time for you to move on. Please.
Taking kaz by the hand she looks at him pleadly her eyes utterly worried and for a moment he just stares at her not knowing what to say. Pulling his hand back he decides to get up out his seat.
Kaz: I'm-- I'm gonna go talk to charlie its been awhile and it is a busy night so I'm sure he could use some help behind the bar.
Arian: yeah uh you go do that. I'm sure he would love to see you.
Walking away from Arian she sighs as she takes a random person drink and downs it in one gulp. Suddenly brien wakes up from being knocked out confused to where he was choking up some apple slices.
Brien: (coughing) where-- where am I and who are you suppose to me.
Arian: My name is Arian Carter. (Sarcastically) But if you perfer calling me a witch or maybe a hag i wouldn't mind that either.
Brien: So your Arian? Oh and sorry about eariler i never really seen one of your kind before. I'm Brien. Brien Hosier.
Arian: I know kaz filled me in.
Brien: So where is he and how long was i out?
Arian: He'll be back and about ten minutes maybe? I didn't think he hit you that hard.
Brien: I'm sorry who hit me?
Mean while with Kaz
Walking over to the bar kaz sits down in a stool still paying no attention to the middle aged man in front of him who was wipping down the counter with a red rag. The man had grey hair and blue eyes his arms were covered with scars and around his neck was a necklace in a shape of a wolf.
Charlie: What's up with you?
Kaz: I need your advice.
Charlie: On?
Kaz: Arian thinks it's better if i move on from all this but...
Charlie: But you don't think you should?
Kaz: I just can't. It's who i am now you know that.
Charlie: You know when you have lived as long as i have you learn that there's a big difference between can't and won't.
Kaz: Meaning?
Charlie: Meaning i can't tell you what to do it's up to you however if it were me I'd hurry up and make a choice especially since she won't be able to visit for awhile.
Kaz: what are talking about?
Charile: Oh. By now i thought she would have told you the news.
Kaz: What news?
After hearing what charlie had to say his eyes widen in shock before rushing back to the booth where Brien and Arian were sitting. Turning to her with a mix of anger/confustion on his face.
Kaz: You're going away for six months and you just didn't bother to tell me?
Arian: To be fair you were off being you when exacty could i have.
Brien: uh guys?
Kaz: What about the whole month you went awol on me? Charlie told me you were just doing some stupid initiation test.
Brien: Guys you might not want to yell too loud there's--
Arian: (Angerly) That "stupid test" is my future kaz I would appracaite it if you didn't use words like that to describe it.
Kaz: (Yelling) I just can't seem to understand how my best friend whom i known since i was a kid could wait a whole month before deciding to tell me that she was heading off to some boarding school for white witches.
Arian: Maybe i knew you would've act like this maybe just maybe i thought hey for once let's not run it by the most melodramtic person in the land.
For a moment they just stare at each other not knowing what to say as both of their expressions on their faces sadden in realization of what they said to each other.
Kaz: Arian I--
Before he could say finish he's suddenly pushed out the way of an oncoming arrow by Brien. Getting back to his feet the whole bar begins to fill up with a weird blueish fog.
Brien: uh what's that?
Arian: That is arium and trust me you do not want to breath it in. Charlie!
Charlie: On it.
Suddenly bodies begin to drop to the ground as the blue fog grows, charlie pulls a lever behind the counter causing the table at the booth to go up revealing a narrow but hidden staircase below.
Brien: Just how many times have you guys been in this scenario?
Kaz: Enough times to know we needed this. Hop in.
Ten minutes later
Coming from out a hole in the ground the three of them try to rest easy after the close encouter. Reaching into her satchel Arian grabs a envelope looking down at it thoughtfully before handing it over to Kaz.
Kaz: What this?
Arian: That's an invitation for tommrow's ball my school is throwing to welcome this year's new class. I already gave one to Charlie and despite how you feel about it i would be happy if you were able to make it.
Kaz: Arian I--
Arian: May I have a word with you? Brien was it?
Completely ignoring kaz she pulls Brien to the side keeping her face netural and her expression serious.
Arian: (whispering) I don't know whether if this lengend is true or not but hear me when i say this...
For a moment she pauses placing her hand on his shoulder causing a volt of electricity to run thourgh out his body making him drop to one knee in pain.
Brien: Hgh.
Arian: (whispering) If something happens to him or a single hair on his head is messed with you'll have to answer to me. Understood?
Brien: Y--yes. Yes.
Arian: Glad to know were on the same page. Oh and it was a pleasure meeting you.
Taking another glance at kaz she smiles before turning to leave and just she disappears into the darkness. Getting back on his feet he turns to see kaz smirking at what had just occured.
Brien: Your friend she's uh...
Kaz: Protective? She means well and trust me she wouldn't hurt a fly.
Brien: So what's the plan?
Kaz: Plan?
Brien: For breaking into king brown's vault...you have one right?
Kaz: yeah of course. I got it all covered man.
17 hours later
As the sun started to set both Brien and Kaz were thrown into the kingdom's dungeon cell thanks to one of the guards. Locking the cell the jailer walks aways siting down at a nearby table laughing with his fellow guards.
Brien: (whispering) So how exactly do you have this all covered man.
Kaz: (whispering) Simple like i said on the ride here due to the ring I am currently wearing no one who work and or live here inside this casile can not identify me as me but instead a forty year old man.
Brien:(whispering) Okay, but how does that get us out of here?
Kaz:(whispering) well it so happens that anyone who gets thrown in this dump gets jacked for there stuff by the infamous jailer. By my count he and his friends should be finding the flask i had on me in three two one.
As the jailer opens up the flask purple gas erupts from it knocking out the guards who sitting down at the table instantly much to kaz's enjoyment. Going over to the door he easily cracks it open it a matter of seconds using only his claws.
Kaz: Come on get dressed we only have an hour or two before they swich shifts.
Brien How do you know all this?
Kaz: This isnt the first time i had to sneak behind these walls and I'm sure it won't be the last.
Meanwhile at W.W.A (white witch academy )
Arian was sitting down in her chair just gazing into her vanity, everything was going to go perfect tonight because tonight she was going to be offically apart of the academy and maybe just maybe she was going to feel like she belonged here for once. Whenever she walked down these halls there always seemed to be whispers that followed her around it's been a month since she been here and already the girls that attended didn't seem to like her at all. But despite that she didn't seem to let it bother her a bit after all it was only gossip it was the least of her worries. Looking to the side of her small desk she sees a picture of her, Charlie, and kaz that was taken years ago giving her a sense of doubt as she reaches out to touch it hearing a knock at the door she stops herself.
Arian: It's open.
Walking into Arian's room a beautiful looking black haired woman with paleish skin frowns as she looks at Arian's face. Seeing who it was Arian gets up from her chair and gives a bow.
Arian: My apologizes headmistress I didn't know it was you.
Madame Toob: Like I told you on your first day here you don't need to bother yourself with such formalities My dear please just call me Miranda or Madame toob. But that's beside the point, why aren't you geting ready for tonight? Aren't you excited?
Arian: No..I mean yes. I must confess I am having some doubts. It's just that I-- I
Madame Toob: Don't want to say goodbye? I know the rules of the academy seem a little strict but*sighs* dear their there for a reason, witches shouldn't involve themself with morals it always ends up in disater take it from me you belong here being our top student. Understood?
Puting her hand on Arian's shoulder, Arian's eyes suddeny light up with a dark purple energy as the color fades away she finds herself locked in a dim lit room looking around she finds a boy hanged up in chains in front of her. Walking closer she realizes it was Brien who was beaten up to a bloody pulp having werid markings all over on his brused body. Before she could get a better look at the markings he looks up at her his right eye swollen shut.
Brien: Who are you...you shouldn't be here..*moans in pain* Please go away.
Arian: Your the boy i met yesterday. Bryce no Brien, what is this? what happened to you? Is kaz okay? Please tell me he's okay!
Brien : Listen you do not want to be in here. He's coming i can feel it.
Arian: He who? Whose coming?
Suddenly the door behind her begins to unlock starting her as it opens she steps back trembling in fear it was him. It was king brown. Walking into the room he stares at the boy walking stright though Arian as if she wasn't really there.
King Brown: Talking to ghosts now boy?
Brien: what do you want?
King Brown: Just wanted to inform you that soon I won't have any need for you ,your double is doing is making sure of that.
Arian: Double?
For a moment he stops himself cautionly looking around the room with curious eyes meanwhile Arian was just standing there in the corner hoping no praying that he didn't somehow sesne her presence but instead he only turns his attention back to Brien putting his hand around his neck.
Brien: hgh.
King brown: This evening I'll get everything i want including the secrets to you boy and no one going to stop me I'll make sure of that.
Suddenly Arian finds herself back in her room in front of Madame Toob who was staring her down with curious eyes as Arian began to sweat having no idea what just happened.
Arian: (mumbling) How-- wasn't I just
Madame Toob: Is everything alright dear?
Arian:Y--Yeah I just need a minute to myself to catch up on my studies i just realize I had a test to prepare for before night.
Madame Toob: Always the hard worker. Well I should go but don't forget about what i said.
As soon as Madame Toob left the room Arian rushed over to her bookshelf tossing multiple books to the ground as she finally finds what she was looking for she flips through its pages stoping at a section called teleportation. Glacing back up at her photo over at her desk she shakes her head.
Arian: (Sighs) Just what did you get yourself into this time?
Meanwhile back with Kaz
Both him and Brien were dressed up as guards making there way up a staircase as the two of them reached an empty throne room kaz stops Brien overlooking the room carefully.
Kaz: Something wrong
Brien: You don't say?
Pushing Kaz into the room he collapes to the ground choking on the air looking up he was suddenly surround by guards comfirming that the empty room was just an illusion, forcing himself to sit up he sees king brown just sitting down at his throne smiling.
Kaz:(Choking) what is this.
King brown: Wow I really didn't think it'd be that easy to lure you here.*breaths in* Like the scent? It's wolfbane with a hint of vanilla it really gives the room a friendly feel well except to you obviously since breathing it in is practically killing you by the second. It's just a little thing i put in after the last time you skimed in my vault.
Kaz:(Still choking) This whole thing was a--a trap?
Brien :No duh.
Snapping his fingers a guard wearing a whole suit of armor steps up drawing his sword out ready to do what the king ordered at a moment notice.
King brown: Any last words?
Kaz:(Laughs weakly) I really love the smell of stawberrys.
King brown: wha--
Arian: Wirl wdin!
Dropping the sword Arian grabs kaz by the hand running out the room as everyone is suddenly thrown back into the wall making there way back to the dungeon to kaz 's surpise.
Kaz: As grateful as i am for this. Shouldn't we be trying to leave here?
Arian: Not yet there's somebody here that king brown is keeping prisoner that we have to set free.
Closing her eyes she puts her hand up trying to focus on anything she might find using her magical powers as she did this kaz could here the marching of the guard quickly approaching them.
Kaz: Arian...
Arian: Got it.
Shooting a blast of energy beneath their feet they both fall into a hidden cell where they found Brien who seemed to be unconscious getting up they both just stare knowing what to say.
Kaz: I'm confused who is this guy wasn't he just up there?
Arian: Not exactly that was a double created out of magic and as for who this is let's just hurry up and get him down.
Chanting a few words in latin the marks over Brien's body begin to disappear and the chains pop open setting him free, exhasusted from the feat Arian drops down to the ground panting. Waking up Brien opens his eyes revealing an orange energy in them his face remained emotionless as he looked at both Arian and kaz.
Kaz: Arian.... watch out!
Pushing Arian out the way in a blink of an eye kaz suddenly finds himself in Brien's grip as he stared him down still too weak from being exposed to the wolfbane to do anything, slowly but surely kaz's eyes starts to light up orange as a werid bird shape mark appears on the back of his right ear, now having enough strength to stand up on her feet Arian rushes over to kaz only to be too late having seen both her friend and the stranger turn to ash as the guards above surround her.
Three hours later. In King Brown's dining room
King brown was sitting down enjoying his meal when suddenly the candles in the room go out only to be re lit by Madame Toob who was now sitting down in a chair right next to him. Unfazed by this he takes a sip of his wine.
King Brown: Your late my love.
Madame toob: Where is she brown?
King Brown: Locked away in my dungeon.
Madame Toob: we had a deal, she was supposed to get the mark not Bane.
King brown: Oh so he's still alive? *mockingly*But didn't you promise me his head on silver platter? I guess we both didn't get what we wanted. So just where are they now? Do you know?
Madame Toob: I can't feel their presence anymore...so my guess is their in his domain now.
King Brown: (Laughs) Hmm i guess I'll get my wish after all.
Meanwhile somewhere else
Waking up in a bed kaz looks around seeing that he was in his old bedroom before the fire happened. Being startled by the opening of the door he just sits there shocked seeing who was just standing there with a warm welcoming smile which nearly brought kaz to tears
Kaz: M-mom?
Disa: Finally sleepy head i thought you were never going to wake up.
To be continued...