Sector LN, Part 7: Sneaky Sucy

Silver River Forest; 5:20 p.m.

The Silver River was a distinct landmark in the Cheetah Valley, a beautiful river that glistened like silver under the sun. The river originated from a dark forest, where its purity was gone, and in its place was a purple river of pure toxic. The filthy creatures of this wood fed off this toxic as if it were an all-curing drink, yet any other creature could die within moments after ingesting it.

Sucy Manbavaran dipped a purple teacup into the toxic water and sipped the delicious drink, sporting a euphoric smile. "I love a healthy dose of Silver Water in the morning."

"Sucy, isn't that the most poison substance on the planet?" Akko asked.

"My mother fed us this drink all the time when we were little. We Manbavarans are naturally immune to poisons, and we adore it as much as Diana loves tea. You should try some, Akko." She offered a cup of poison to her with a wicked grin.

"No, thank you! I get poisoned by you enough every day."

"You should thank me for building up your immune system! After all, with your lack of skill, it's best to have as much on your résumé as possible."

"Look, can we just get your mushrooms and go home already? I don't wanna spend the last of my Sunday in a stinky forest."

"Not to worry. We'll be going someplace much better soon." Sucy smirked. "Just follow me." The goth witch led her downriver, and they eventually saw a small island with a decayed tree with multiple branches. Beyond that was the edge of a waterfall. While Sucy casually trudged through the purple poison, Akko changed into a mouse and rode on her hat.

When they set foot on the island, Akko changed back as Sucy sprayed red paint into an "X" on the tree. The "X" began to sizzle, and the bark seemed to morph into a blackish-brown, liquidy substance. Akko gaped, terrified when a head grew from the tree, his face smiling and his smoggy hair blowing, and he stretched his muscular arms and legs to show off his physique.

"Ahhhhh… I haven't had a visitor in AGES-ssssss!"

"It's only been a few weeks." Sucy remarked.

"Ahhh… Sucy." The spirit twisted his head upside-down, lowering to her level. "How good to see you… and you've brought a friend."

"H-Hi." Akko smiled weakly, pinching her nose shut. "My name's Akko. You two seem well-acquainted."

"Oh, I've known Sucy's family for quite a long time." The disembodied head drifted around them, shrouding them in his smoke. "I've never met so many non-poisonbenders who can ssstand my ssscent. Most mortals would die within 50 feet of me!"

"Cough!" Akko struggled to withstand his smoke. "Just who are you, anyway?!"

"This is Hexxus." Sucy replied. "The God of Poison."

"Y-You're an actual god?!"

"Oh, sssure!" Hexxus floated up, hands on his hips. "Just because I never get invited to god parties and I have to shower in deodorant to attend meetings, mortals act like they've never heard of me. Sure, I may have killed a few forests in my time, but who hasn't?! I trained the freaking Negatar! And the gods want me to stay in this damned forest! I can't even find me a decent girlfriend." Hexxus twisted his head about-face, crossing his arms around his back to scratch his armpits. "Not since I hooked up with this fat bitch a few thousand years back. Ho ho ho, did she get sick! Meh, she was a slut, anyway. So, Sucy, I assume you're here for more of my sweet ingredients?"

"A little more than that. The mushrooms I've been trying to use for my new potion aren't enough. I think I'm going to need to visit the Silent Isle."

"Th-The Silent Isle?!" Hexxus gasped, his mouth vertically stretching for a second. "You expect me to take you to Planet Venom?!"

"Venom?" Akko asked. "That's the planet you mentioned earlier, isn't it, Sucy?"

"Venom is strictly prohibited territory for tourists and KND alike." Sucy answered. "You can only visit if you have urgent business. Otherwise, it's always being guarded by blockades. But Hexxus can warp us there easy, being a god."

"You do know that it's strictly forbidden for gods to give mortals a 'Spirit Lift,' don't you?" Hexxus asked, floating his face inches in front of Sucy's.

"So?"

"HHHHHHHAH HAH hah haaa! Like I care about THAT! After all, gods pick favorites all the time! Viridi favored Arianna, Palutena favored Sheila, Solaris favors Romeo, and I happen to favorite the Dimalantas. And it would seem you have become buddies with dear Haruka."

"It's easy when you like the same stuff." Sucy smiled.

"Okay, I'll bring you to the Silent Isle, but only for a few minutes. Here, you'll want to wear these." Hexxus willed an oxygen bubble to form over them. "Even if you're immune to poison, it's best for mortals not to breathe that planet. Strap on your seatbelts!" Hexxus widened his mouth and engulfed the witches, Akko screaming as they were flushed into his vortex like a toilet.

When they were spat back out, they face-planted on a brownish-yellow soil. They faced up at a sky blotted by fiery smoke, and beyond the shore was a vast green sea of acid. "If you're thinking of going for a swim, then don't, ladies." Hexxus said. "My bubbles won't help you long in the Acid Sea."

"Doesn't matter." Sucy replied, going into a forest of dead trees. "The mushrooms I need should be somewhere in here."

"Sigh…" Akko sighed, deciding to stay put. She wanted to sit down, but had no intention of soiling her shorts. "Just look at this place. I couldn't imagine a worse planet to live on."

"Oh, there are plenty of bad planets, trust me." Hexxus splashed into the ocean, forming a scrubber and brushing his trim, strong legs. "Planets so bad that even the GODS get sick of them. Why do you think Groudon left Halcandra and Rayquaza left Tornadus? Because a planet with only one element and little tourism is f**king boring! True, I return here every now and then for a refreshing bath… but even we poisonbenders enjoy a little fresh air. Avalar is a much prettier planet to live on. Not sure why I'm telling you, though." Hexxus spread his legs and began to wash between them. "You're not even a poisonbender, you wouldn't understand."

Akko's cheeks swelled with vomit. "Excuse me, Mr. Hexxus." And she zipped to a different side of the island, letting it loose to be dissolved in the Acid Sea. "Ugh… now I know why I'm gay. Mm?"

When she looked up, she could see a small fleet of ships in the distance. From afar, they looked like flying saucers, but had a more angular shape. It seemed like they were sticking pipes into the Acid Sea and sucking water in. Eventually, the pipes retracted into the ships and they began to take off, flying over the Silent Isle in the process. Akko had a clear view of their underside for a brief moment: they were a yellowy-orange and hexagonally-shaped. "Are they… honeycombs?"

"Okay, Akko, I got the mushrooms." Sucy said, approaching her. "You ready to go back to Luna Nova?"

"Um… yeah…" Akko answered, growing ever more suspicious.

Sector LN

"Memoria Bibendum!" Hannah cast the spell on Akko, projecting a replay of the small memory. Diana closely observed the hexagonal ships, stroking her chin in a contemplative fashion.

"No doubt… those ships come from Hivory Mountains. Which means they must belong to Gruntilda. This is concerning…"

"What's strange is that most materials can't survive in the Acid Sea." Sucy mentioned. "They would need a very strong material in order to hold it."

"Like… Vibranium." Diana recalled Gruntilda's reason for meeting with Mickey. "But why? What could she possibly want with all that acid?"

"Whatever it is, we should probably tell the Supreme Leader about this." Lotte suggested.

"Excellent idea. Tomorrow, Griffin is scheduled to meet with the Galactic Kid Council on Planet Wisp. Perhaps he can bring this matter up with them."

"Hey, do ya think he'll talk about us tomorrow at the council?" Akko asked with a hopeful smile. "We've been doing so much these past few days, I bet he'll recommend us for intergalactic missions!"

"Let's just focus on the problem at hand." Diana replied.

"Well, you know me," Akko shrugged, "I'm not good with this brainy research stuff. Unless you need me to sneak into Grunty Industries, I'm going to take a shower and go for a stroll to clear my lungs out."

"If you must." Diana sighed. "Just please stay out of trouble."

"Oh, when am I ever in trouble?" Akko smirked perkily, jogging out of the room. "Buh-bye!"

"I've noticed she always wants to go somewhere, then she quickly wants to leave." Sucy remarked.

"She's not a girl who can just stand around and do nothing." Lotte replied. "Unless it's sleeping."

"Anyway, I've got my own projects to work on." Sucy walked away as well.

Blytonbury; 6:01 p.m.

Akko went to an outdoor café and ordered a cup of coffee. She took a sip, soothing her mind and body with its warm, chocolaty flavor. "Silver River poison could never compare to the taste of this beauty."

"Just make sure it ain't Cuppa Joe!" Lee Andrew remarked with a snicker, his face set on a table with Akko's crystal ball. "Hehehe, that's a villain from our world."

"So, Lee, what was your trip to New Galaxia like?"

"The most boring thing ever. We got captured by one of the Darknesses, and we did nothing else except beat up some fodder. Well, Diwata got to do stuff, but we mostly got shafted as always."

"Didn't your sister die on that world? I can imagine why it wouldn't feel glamorous."

"Actually, she died three years before. But hey, same difference."

"I didn't mean to offend you."

"No, it's okay. But to be honest, it makes me feel like we just aren't cut out for this work. Like, we only joined because our parents were operatives, and we felt like it was our responsibility."

"Well, if you don't enjoy it, there's no shame in leaving."

"Yeah, but I don't really want to do that either. Because I look back and think… if I didn't join, maybe no one would've saved Wendy. And as much as I hate it… if Leanne didn't die, Diwata never could've become Crest's Guardian, and then we couldn't restore the universe. And besides, we've met plenty of nice people. Like you."

"Hehehe." Akko grinned and blushed. "Still… we hear so many good things about the KND, it sounds like a dream to be a part of them. But it didn't sound like Sector V felt that way; or at least, not with Chris. There was so much frustration in his voice, and to hear a wannabe sector like us wanting to claim the top spot… it must've really pissed him off."

"He isn't wrong to, I'll be honest. But the fact is, you don't become heroes just because you lost a relative or two. You become a hero by showing the world why you deserve to be a hero. And in some respects, that's a very loose definition. Is it about just doing the right thing for little recognition, or saving entire universes with a grand display of power? A lot of people can be considered heroes for all kinds of reasons. I mean, why do you like Chariot?"

"Well, because…" Akko propped her head on her hand, thinking reflectively. "Because she showed me how wonderful magic is. She made me realize what my dream is. Still… I never really thought about it like that. When you compare Chariot to other heroes… it makes her seem insignificant. Sigh…"

"Well, what a surprise to see you here, Akko."

"Huh?" Akko looked up, seeing a familiar charming face with green eyes and brown hair, clothed professionally in a business suit. "Oh my gosh, this is perfect timing!" Akko grabbed her crystal ball and slapped it in Andrew's hands. "Lee Andrew, this is a friend of mine, Andrew Hanbridge! Andrew, this is Lee Andrew! He's from Earth!"

"Uh-!" Both boys stared at each other with mouths agape. "My… that is certainly a coincidence." Andrew said.

"Yeah, I never thought I'd meet another Andrew who was into red-eyed magical girls."

"It's a small universe, after all." Andrew shut his eyes, reflecting the irony for a moment. "Oh, that reminds me! I wanted to tell you something, Akko." He set the ball back on the table.

"Yeah, what is it?"

With a smile, Andrew replied, "This Friday, Appleton will become part of the Disney Alliance!"

"W…What?"

Yesterday; Appleton Palace (Play "Separation" from Skyward Sword.)

"Then it is decided…" said King Appleday, shaking Mickey's hand. "We will invite the whole kingdom to the castle grounds, and officially join with Disney."

"And as per your request," Paul Hanbridge followed, "we will meet with the Cavendish Family and discuss entrusting the management of Luna Nova over to you."

"That's wonderful!" Mickey beamed. "Don't worry, fellas, I promise that those pirates will think twice before attacking us from now on!"

"Um, may I say something, Your Highness?" Andrew asked, his father glancing at him with a glare.

"Yes, Viscount Andrew?" Appleday replied.

"While King Mickey's support is greatly appreciated… why have we not considered requesting Akko's team to aid us? They are Kids Next Door operatives, after all."

"I refuse to accept help from those witches again!" Minister Blackwell stated. "It was humiliating that they accomplished what our military could not. It is proof why we must strengthen our forces."

"But don't the KND train for such crises?"

"Andrew, they are merely children." Minister Hanbridge inferred. "Even if I could admit that those witches restored my faith in magic… for us experienced and educated adults to rely on children to defend us is unwise and unjust. I would hate to see them be put in any more danger… I would think you would feel the same."

"…Perhaps you're right, Father…"

Present time

Akko felt a bit downtrodden, the energy fading in her vibrant eyes. "Do not take it personally." Andrew assured her. "We do not doubt you or your magic… It is the Kids Next Door we are concerned for."

"But the Kids Next Door have done amazing things. Everybody loves them."

"Yes, there is not a single person in the universe that isn't aware of what's happened. But you cannot expect everyone to hold the KND in high regard. I, myself, had mixed feelings about them… but when I heard you had joined, I decided to give more insight into them. And as your friend… forgive me if I feel the slightest bit worried."

"Well… thanks, I guess." Akko bowed her head, trying to think of a counterpoint. "But, listen, Andrew… I-"

"Miss Kagari, there you are!" an authoritive, feminine voice startled Akko out of her thoughts. She turned with worry to see-

"Professor Finnelan! I-Is something wrong?"

"Your friends told me you would be here in town. I need you to come back to the academy."

"W-Why? Do you want me to redo the career paper or something?"

"Just come with me. Oh, pardon us, Viscount Hanbridge."

"Hehe. Oh, hey, why don't you and Lee get to know each other?" Akko said to him quickly, racing after her professor. "You can return the crystal ball later, okay? Bye, Andrew!"

The viscount was slightly taken aback by her sudden departure and request. "So, are you and Akko a thing?" Lee asked with a smirk.

"N-No, no! We're just good friends." (End song.)

Sector LN, Luna Nova; 6:25 p.m.

Diana's eyes were buried in a book titled Rare Minerals of the Cosmos, eyes flowing across a section for Vibranium. A rare element discovered in the region of Wakanda on Planet Superbia, it is nearly indestructible. Wakandan earthbenders have trained to mold the element into a multitude of buildings, vehicles, and weapons. While they are hesitant to share their element with people who might abuse it, Vibranium weapons have sadly become a black market product to wealthy vendors.

"Hmph." Constanze got her attention, holding open a book.

"What is it, Constanze? Oh…" The German witch had been reading a book called Fun and Effective War Weapons. "Luna Nova shouldn't have a book like this. And yet…" Indeed, this specific page talked about, "Vibranium Bombs? Often filled with lethal toxins, these bombs could not only breach enemy bases with ease, but could poison a massive radius when detonated."

"Whatever you're reading, it sounds like some pretty neat stuff." Sucy intervened. The Filipino witch dipped a syringe into a mirrory potion, dripping it over a little spider subject. The spider seemed to vanish. When Sucy held her finger in the glass, she felt nothing. Then, a gash that looked like teeth appeared on her finger. "It works! It finally works! My potion is at long last complete!"

"Hey, guys!" Lotte came in. "Professor Finnelan just came back with Akko."

"Why was she looking for her, anyway?" Diana asked.

"Well…" Lotte seemed worried. "We have a guest."

"Hmm…" Sucy narrowed her eyes. She had to come see what this was about.

At this time, Finnelan was marching up the hall at an uncomfortably fast pace. "Please tell me what I did wrong, Professor!" Akko pled, trying to keep up. "The suspense is killing me!"

When they arrived at the principal's office, Finnelan said, "I'll tell you what you did." She grabbed the doorknob and passed a smile to Akko. "You may have just saved our school." And when she opened the door, Akko was royally surprised to see all the professors amassed in the office.

"There she is!" Headmistress Holbrooke announced as they all faced Akko with smiles. "Please come in, Miss Kagari!"

"H-Headmistress." Akko walked in nervously. "Professor Pisces… Professor Ursula… what's going on?"

"You're not in trouble, don't worry." Ursula assured her. "Your Majesty?"

Holbrooke stepped aside… and Akko's heart skipped a beat, seeing the friendly face of King Mickey Mouse. The twilight sun cast a shadow over the principal's desk, completely shrouding the mouse in its darkness. "Ah! Hello, Akko." Mickey greeted with a kind smile. "It's wonderful to see you again!"

"K…K-King Mickey." Akko felt the tiniest ounce of worry, but was able to hide it. "W-What are you doing here?"

"He's come with amazing news!" Holbrooke exclaimed. "His Majesty was so thankful for your starring in his commercial that he's decided to expand our school."

"That's right!" Mickey cheered. "This Friday, I plan to sign a treaty with the king and officially make Appleton part of the Disney Alliance. In the process, I also plan to officially buy and provide funding for Luna Nova Academy."

"All our financial troubles will be a thing of the past!" exclaimed Professor Badcock. "To think, our humble little school would see such a blessing from His Royal Excellency! And it's all thanks to you, Miss Kagari!"

"M-Me?!"

"My audience LOVED your performance, Akko!" Mickey beamed. "They want more of you! And that's why I wanted to personally invite you to work for Disney! Commercials, live-action films, I'll give the audience as much as they could possibly want of you, and all the profits will go directly to Luna Nova!"

"You should be extremely grateful for such an opportunity." Finnelan told her with arms folded. "A Luna Nova student nearly injuring a king is punishable by expulsion and then some! No student of your caliber would have even a ghost's chance of going unscathed. And yet, by some miracle, your negligence has just become the best thing to ever befall this school."

"W…Work for Disney? But, what about Kids Next Door? What about my classes?"

"What does the Kids Next Door have over Disney?" Badcock questioned. "If anything, Disney's armies are just as strong, if not more. We won't need a KND sector with King Mickey's protection. As for your classes, while your performance has slightly improved this year, it is still below average, but working for Disney in Luna Nova's name will grant you massive extra credit."

"Plus, we got some of the best magic tutors in the world." Mickey followed. "You'll become a master mage in no time at all!"

"It all sounds wonderful." Professor Ursula replied. "Doesn't it, Akko?"

"Y…Yes." Akko had kept an ecstatic smile, seeming completely grateful for such an opportunity. King Mickey didn't seem to have one ill intent in his eyes… but could he be masking his own feelings? "I don't know what to say… this is all happening so suddenly…"

"Perhaps we should talk it over first." Mickey said. "Professors, would you excuse us? I would like to help Akko to decide if this is the right path for her."

"Of course, Your Highness." Holbrooke replied. "Let us adjourn, ladies."

As the professors began to leave the room, Ursula whispered, "You're finally on your way, Akko. You'll realize your dream sooner than you think."

"Professor…" Akko looked up at her.

"What is it, Ak-…" Ursula looked into her young red eyes. The mentor could detect the tiniest hint of worry in her pupils. It were as if Akko was telepathically telling her something was wrong.

"Professor Ursula!" Finnelan shouted.

"R-Right! Forgive me…" Ursula exited the room, showing the same concern.

Once they were all out, Donald and Goofy shut the door, with the former sealing it with magic. "Now then… Akko." She faced the short mouse king. "I hope you're still not upset about Jasminka."

"Well, of course I'm not… I'm just wondering if you are."

"Well, I think we can agree that showing that meeting to the Kids Next Door… was a bit of an over-reaction. I truly meant nothing bad by that business, really. And I would hate for it to ruin a good friendship."

"Jasminka is my friend, too, and you hurt her feelings."

"Come on, Akko, it's such a small thing. When our universe is plagued with murderous pirates and children with dangerous godlike powers, is one silly commercial really such a big deal?"

"What…What did you mean by that?"

"Look, Akko, you may not realize it, but much of the public is… beginning to frown upon the Kids Next Door. Some think they have too much power and don't know how to properly utilize it. Others think we shouldn't let our children do such dangerous things. That's why I wanted to make friends with them, so I could help and protect them. But because of your over-reaction, that's become a bit difficult."

"You could always apologize for what you did, so the Supreme Leaders will think better of you."

"See, that's what people are concerned with." Mickey closed his eyes and began to pace around the room, speaking in the most knowing demeanor. "Kids like you get worked up over such petty things, and they always think they're in the right because of the KND. I mean, just listen to yourself-hoho."

"I think you're the one getting worked up. I think you can't stand it when something doesn't go your way."

"Mmm, to be fair," he faced her with a smile, "I did work my tail off establishing a peaceful kingdom where everyone can be happy, stopped a war or two, got some tribes to get along… I understand a girl with Magic Deficiency has her own struggles, but you couldn't possibly understand how hard I worked."

"Alright, I don't have the knowledge or the experience that you have… but you shouldn't doubt the Kids Next Door. They've lost friends and family, they broke their selves, sacrificed their own peaceful lives just so others can live happily. I remember when we met Sector V." Akko closed her eyes, envisioning the proud, powerful team in her mind. "After Sheila attacked us… after remembering the stories about their heroics…" She imagined Sheila Frantic knocking out Lord Mandy in one hit, Chris Uno burning Ernie the Chicken to a crisp, "I began to feel the experience radiating from them. Chris and Sheila took all the pain they endured and gave it to us. They are truly people worth admiring, and it was an honor to be acknowledged by them."

"I happily acknowledge you as my equal." Sheila told her with a grin.

"I want to become like Shiny Chariot… but I don't want to be thought of as a 'fad.' I want to truly inspire hope into their hearts, and show them that even a screw-up like me can make it if they just believe in their selves. And that's why, I will stay with the Kids Next Door!"

"Don't you understand, Akko?" Mickey furrowed his eyes a tad. "People fear the Kids Next Door, from criminals to ordinary citizens. Why, a few weeks ago, I heard several of your treehouses were attacked by a three-headed monster."

"That was one of Gruntilda's monsters."

"It doesn't matter whose it was, there lies my point. If children have so much physical and political power with little supervision, then people of equal status will target them. Keep working for them and they'll begin to fear you, too. You say you want to 'inspire' children, but all they'll do is want to join the Kids Next Door as well, and then they'll end up getting hurt and endangering their own homes just for being operatives. Just take your sector, for instance. Two Luna Nova students destroy a dangerous missile, explore a dangerous planet, become friends with Earth's strongest team of kids… Yeah, I follow social media. If you continue to boost your sector's reputation, before you know it, something awful will happen to your school."

"…What does that mean?" Akko's pupils shrunk a little from masked horror. "You'll destroy Luna Nova if I don't comply?"

"What?! No-no-no-no!" Mickey waved his hands frantically. "I would never do something so awful! I'm just saying that OTHER people would."

"Don't lie to me! I know you had a secret meeting with Gruntilda on the day that we met! The Kids Next Door know she's a criminal. Tell me why she wanted Vibranium from you!"

"It was a simple business arrangement. She wanted to trade her magical medicines with my Vibranium, and she claimed to want to use it to improve her production line. No offense, Akko, but your accusations are very disrespectful. If I were any other king, I would shut this school down for your behavior alone, but all I want is to help you, and to be your friend."

"I don't trust you." Akko stated firmly. "And I won't work for you."

"Hmm… that's a real shame." Mickey sighed. "Well, I suppose that's your choice. Come on, fellas, let's go home." The king walked around the student as Donald unlocked the door with his staff. Akko's heart was racing, for she found his calm demeanor to be terrifying.

As Mickey trekked down the hallway, Akko kept a safe distance behind them. The king's trio were approaching the professors. "So, have you come to an agreement, Your Highness?" the headmistress asked.

"I'm afraid we haven't, Ma'am." Mickey replied with disappointment. "Your student is… a bit headstrong. Haha, she keeps accusing me of criminal activity!"

"Miss Kagari!" Finnelan shouted. "Is this true?!"

"B-But…" Akko shrunk back in fear, trying to think of a rebuttal, and yet, thinking back, Mickey never did directly express any evil intentions.

"Don't worry, I won't press charges. But I couldn't in good conscience provide direct support to this school if she doesn't work for me. Equivalent exchange, as the alchemists say-hoho!"

"And here I thought you were beginning to wisen up." Finnelan fixed a sharp glare on Akko. "If you won't accept His Majesty's offer, then you should at least have the decency to apologize for these accusations!"

"Now, Anne, maybe this is a misunderstanding…" Ursula tried to reason.

"Oh, I'm sure it is." Mickey replied kindly, his arms open. "Look, Akko, how about a nice Friendly Forgiveness Hug? Let's put this awkward mess behind us and be friends."

Akko was actually repulsed by the notion… but with the professors glaring at her so expectantly, she felt as if she had no choice. And yet, the act of doing so would be a serious wound on her pride and comfort. She hugged Mickey once before, and it would only be a simple gesture to do so again, even if she didn't mean it… but still, Akko couldn't shake off this worrisome feeling. "Miss Kagari?!"

Finnelan scared her out of her thoughts. "Y…Yes, ma'am." And so, Akko began to calmly approach the mouse king.

While all eyes were transfixed on Akko, Donald Duck wore a wicked smirk. Hahahahah! That stupid girl is walking right into his trap! The duck mage glanced at Mickey's gloved hands, the palms brimming with light. When King Mickey combines his lightbending with magic, he can warm anyone's heart and erase any negative thoughts they might have about him. He already shook hands with all these teachers, so they'll all be against this brat. Even if this girl is only a tiny threat, she'll forget all about it once she hugs him. Quack!

The closer she got to the smiling king, the more her worry increased. There was definitely something off about his demeanor, but she just couldn't see it, and she would never be able to whip up an excuse to the professors. They were all expecting her to apologize… and there was no way around it.

"Keep your filthy hands off of Atsuko!" As if out of nowhere, Hannah and Barbara appeared to block Akko's path. "You filthy rodent!" Barbara said.

"Wa-a-a-a-ah…" Mickey felt a stab to his heart.

"MISS PARKER!" shouted Badcock. "And Miss England! What is the meaning of this?!"

"Step aside right now, girls!" Finnelan ordered.

"No!" Hannah stated. "The only ones who can humiliate Akko are us! Turn us into beetles if you want, but we won't let you near her!"

"We'll have you expelled before that happens!"

"That won't be necessary." spoke Diana Cavendish. Akko about-faced to see all her friends (minus Sucy) behind her. The leader approached King Mickey and said, "Your Majesty, I must apologize on Akko's behalf. As her leader, I specifically ordered her not to accept any offers from people we have little intel about. She is a valuable asset to our team and I simply did not want to lose her. So, if you have any intent to punish her… you must punish me as well."

"Miss Cavendish…" Holbrooke and the professors were taken aback. Never had Diana offered to be punished on Akko's behalf.

"That being said, King Mickey, you should know that I don't trust you for even a second. The Cavendish Family has provided support to this school for generations, even when times were rough. I will continue to uphold that tradition, even if we have nary a gem to spare. Even if we are forced to live under your rule."

"Is that how you feel?" Mickey closed his eyes. "All right… I see how it is."

"Excuse us, professors." Diana brushed her hair and began to walk away.

"Come on, Akko!" Han and Barb forcefully grabbed her hands and dragged her.

"Hannah… Barbara… I can't believe you did that for me." Akko spoke lowly. She never would have thought her former bullies would come to her rescue.

"Yeah, well you always need our help." Hannah retorted. "You should be thankful that we tossed aside our cowardice just to do that."

"Heh heh… Thank you." A wave of warm emotions washed away the fear in her heart. "And you too, Diana."

"It is my duty as the top student to help my classmates. Even if that entails standing up to my superiors."

King Mickey stared in their direction with masked worry. Just how much… do they know about my meeting?

Diana's Room

The teammates gathered in Diana's room, the heiress proceeding to lock her door. "Hold on a minute, where's Sucy?"

"Boo." She appeared right behind Akko.

"Wah! Were you invisible or something?!"

"I was more than that, Akko." Sucy grinned deviously. "The potion was a complete success." She held up a potion of milky, mirror-like liquid. "By harvesting the Mute Shrooms from the Silent Isle, mixing them with Ghost and Vanish Shrooms, and filtering out the unpleasant effects, I finally developed a means of Complete Invisibility. When I drink this, I'm 100% undetectable. Not by Haki, not by psychic, not even to a mouse's giant ears. No one would even notice if I were holding something." She reached into her sleeve and extracted a tiny bottle between her fingers.

"What is it?" Akko stared at the silvery substance with curiosity.

"King Mickey's memory."

"Huh?!"

"I was with you during that entire meeting. I was waiting, hoping that you would mention Gruntilda. Luckily, you did, and when Mickey recalled his meeting with her, I was able to seize the memory without him noticing."

"Un…Unbelievable. You're amazing, Sucy!"

"I couldn't have done it without you. You're the best guinea pig I could ask for."

"Hee hee hee!"

"Hopefully, with this memory," Diana said, "we'll be able to learn exactly what they talked about." The heiress reached under a cabinet and lifted a silver bowl in both hands. She filled the bowl with water from her sink.

"What is this?" Akko asked.

"It's a Pensieve. It is used to review a person's collected memories."

"Like in Harry Potter." Lotte mentioned. "You must have read that, haven't you, Akko?"

"I never got into Harry Potter, to be honest. The main character was so talented that I just didn't relate to him."

"In any case," Diana took Sucy's bottle, "if this is the memory of Mickey's meeting, we will be able to view it." With that, Diana poured the silvery substance into the bowl. It began to move in a distorted fashion as silvery gas emitted. "Only two of us at a time. Would you like to join me, Akko?"

The witch nodded seriously. Both leaders stood opposite of the Pensieve and plunged their faces in.

In a second, they were falling into a misty chasm, setting foot as an office formed, and black smoke took the shape of Gruntilda, Mickey, and the latter's guards. "Thank you for meeting with me, Your Majesty. I have a proposition I hope you'll agree."

"Well, could you please tell me in normal sentences? No rhyming, please."

"Oh, if I must. Tell me, Your Highness… how do you feel about the Kids Next Door?"

"Hmmm… well, they certainly are heroic, and a lot of people seem to love them. I guess I'm sort of in that range… actually, I would love to become friends with them. With their help, I can definitely create my ideal universe."

"They are a menace to people like us! We hard-working adults are constantly in fear over them ruining our hard-worked operations! It's only a matter of time before the same befalls of you!"

"I don't mean to point fingers, but I've never taken part in anything… illegal. And I have no intention of making an enemy of them."

"Perhaps, King Mickey… but what if befriending the KND isn't as easy as it seems? They are too powerful, especially with those wretched Firstborn on their side. Heck, they shrunk our entire galaxy! People are afraid of them! And that is why… my intention is to weaken them."

"What are you planning, Gruntilda?" Mickey asked with narrowed eyes.

"All I want is Vibranium. That's it." Grunty told him in a slight whisper. "And then my associates will handle all the dirty work."

"What associates?"

"The Kremling Krew, of course." Akko and Diana gasped. "I will deliver the Vibranium to their hideout via my own Quickwarp. Once the operation is complete, the blame will be entirely on those wretched pirates. Both of us will go completely unscathed."

"I want to know exactly what you're planning!"

"To destroy the Supreme Leaders!" The witches' pupils shrunk in horror. "Next Monday, all the leaders of the KND will be extinguished. Not only will that mark a fatal wound to their power and confidence, it will break the hearts of thousands of parents! No one will want their kid to be part of such a dangerous organization, and the kids will feel the same way! That will certainly make one less major obstacle to stand in your way."

"You…You must be joking!" Mickey spoke with a loss of breath. "Why would I ever take part in such a heinous plan?!"

"Because as long as the Kids Next Door are in the way, we will never realize our respective dreams. After all, Mickey…" Grunty leaned her head ever closer and spoke more quietly. "I know that you're after… The Throne."

Whatever Grunty said, Mickey seemed to have lost his breath. Akko and Diana walked closer to hear the faintest whisper from his little lungs. "Who told you about that?"

"That isn't important. However, this person entrusted the secret to me with the sole intent of bargaining with you, and if anything happens to me, he would spread the word to his underlings. To our knowledge, the KND has no idea… but we both know the KND have a very good chance at finding it. And if they refuse to join forces with you… then you will never find it. But if ever they were in deep despair, they would blindly accept the first miracle that brightens their darkness. Even… a little mouse like you."

The girls were anxiously anticipating the next words out of his mouth. It seemed like Mickey couldn't even decide what to say. The king closed his eyes and sighed calmly. "Give me some time to… think it over."

A wicked grin grew on Grunty's skull as she began to leave. In a swift motion, Akko and Diana were whisked out of the memory, gasping for breath as their faces dripped wet. "So, what did you see?" Lotte asked.

"Huff, Gruntilda is planning to destroy the Supreme Leaders." Diana breathed. "Tomorrow on Monday, during the council meeting at Planet Wisp. I suspect Grunty is planning to wipe them out in one fell swoop."

"That's terrible! But how could she do that?!"

"Apparently, she's planning to leave the operation to the Kremling Krew, so the crime will not be traced to her or King Mickey. Sigh, our best option is to warn our Leader and have him send word to the other planets."

"Diana, the memory!" Lotte yelled as the substance flew out of the bowl.

"NO!" Diana tried to catch it on her wand, but the memory whooshed out of the room and down the hallway, and as the girls rushed out, they were horrified to see it fly straight into the mind of King Mickey.

Accompanied by the professors, they were shocked and confused by what that was. And the Nine Witches could see, despite his very strong and calm composure, the fear that was burning in King Mickey's eyes. "…Headmistress Holbrooke?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I'm beginning to think your students aren't well disciplined. I'm starting to think the Kids Next Door have corrupted their minds. Even Diana Cavendish, whom I heard such good things about, knowingly tried to steal something that was mine."

"And here I thought Diana would become a positive influence on Akko." Finnelan said. "But it was the other way around."

"You don't understand!" Akko shouted. "He's planning something, him and Gruntilda-!"

"Akko, don't!" Diana whispered, shutting her mouth. "A memory can only return if the owner desperately wants no one to see it. Luna Nova could be in danger."

"Normally, I'm a very forgiving king… but if this many students are this undisciplined, I don't know if I'll feel comfortable supporting such a school."

"Please, is there anything we can do?" Holbrooke asked.

"Hmmm… perhaps if these girls simply apologize… and promise with all their hearts to behave their selves." Mickey sported a sweet, forgiving grin. "We can put this whole day behind us."

"You heard him, girls!" Finnelan stated. "Apologize! That includes you, Diana!"

The fear that Akko felt moments before was now spread to all of them. They could feel so much malice concealed within his cute little form… and they had no idea what he would do if they defied his wishes. Even simple expulsion wouldn't be enough to silence them.

"I know what'll help!" Professor Ursula beamed, approaching the girls. "These girls just LOVE chestnuts! They'll feel better after a bite of their favorite snack."

"Chestnuts?!" Donald quacked.

Akko was baffled as the spectacled professor approached and placed a chestnut on her hand. Her crimson eyes met with Akko's and gave a wink. "Now, I want you all to take a bite, put on a happy smile… and apologize. 'kay?"

Once they were all handed a chestnut, the Nine Witches simultaneously bit. "Mmm… okay, King Mickey." Akko smiled. "We sincerely… apologize." And with that, they vanished into thin air.

"THEY'RE GONE!" Badcock screamed.

"They must have Apparated somehow!" Ursula exclaimed.

"No they didn't!" Finnelan shouted. "You gave them Warp Nuts! Where did you send them, Ursula?! TELL US NOW!"

"Sigh… I'm sorry, but I can't do that." The blue-haired witch bowed her head.

"Now, don't be shy." Mickey smiled sweetly. "I only want your students to be kept out of danger."

"Forgive me, Your Majesty…" Ursula faced him with a sharp stare, "but Miss Kagari seemed very suspicious of you. And I trust her judgment."

Ursula's House

The Nine Witches Reapparated inside a bedroom. "I knew it." Lotte said, picking up the chestnut halves by her feet. "They were Warp Nuts, just like the ones Annabel used. This must be Professor Ursula's house."

"No doubt there." Akko replied, taking note of the 'Magic Fest' poster above the bed, on which Shiny Chariot was displayed in her glory.

"Now that we have a moment, we should figure out a plan. We know that Gruntilda is planning to destroy the Supreme Leaders with the Vibranium and Venom Acid, but the question is how?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Sucy asked. "The Vibranium Bombs that Constanze showed us will be filled with the acid. The ships will enter the atmosphere of Planet Wisp and launch the bombs at full speed directly at the Council H.Q.. The bombs will breach the building's exterior and destroy them all in a ferocious explosion of gas and death, their skin and bones melting while their very souls fade from existence! HEEK KEEK KEEK KEE KEE!"

"That's just scary enough to be true!" Barbara clattered her teeth.

"Guys, there's a fireplace in the living room!" Amanda called. "We can use it to get to a KND treehouse! Have any Floo Powder?!"

"I always keep a handful with me." Diana said, grabbing some powder from her satchel. "Sector SD!" She threw the powder into the fireplace, erupting emerald flames.

"NURT-NUR!" They fell back in fright when a giant caterpillar poked out of the flame, its nose big and segments colored like stoplights. "NURT-NUR. NUR-NUR, NURT-NUR!"

"It's a Floo Bug!" Diana exclaimed. "Whenever criminals are on the loose, officers can have them patrol the Floo Network with permission from a superior."

"You don't think King Mickey sent them on US, do you?!" Amanda asked.

"I'm afraid so. Floo Bugs would let you pass if you weren't the targets in question, but this one isn't retracting!"

"Uh, guys?" Jasminka faced out the window with worry. They could hear sirens as Aurors began to fill the sky, police sirens blaring on their brooms.

"Grrrr, no way that rodent called the cops on us that quickly." The Solaran gritted her teeth.

"Don't you see, they were already active!" Diana deduced. "King Mickey must have expected this to happen!"

"Well, that's a good thing!" Akko smirked.

"How do ya figure that?!" Hannah questioned.

"Because it means King Mickey KNOWS we can stop him! And we will! 'Cause I got the SHINY ROD!" She raised her prized possession skyward.

"That's right!" Lotte beamed. "The Shiny Arc can open its own Ley Lines!"

"Well, fire that baby up and get us outta here!" Amanda demanded.

"'kay! Shinyyyy… ARC!" The wand flashed and became a bow of light. "Breach through time and space and take me to my destiny!" With pure passion, Akko loosed the arrow at the wall, exploding it into a blinding green vortex. "Hurry!" The Nine Witches dove into the Ley Line, which quickly closed as the Aurors burst into the house.

The girls fell out onto a grass field. The mountains were shadowed against the night sky, but they took note of their odd shape. "Wait a moment… Akko, where is this?" Diana asked.

"These must be the Hivory Mountains."

"WHAT?! Akko, why would you bring us HERE?!"

"Because, Diana, I think we should try to stop Gruntilda. We have to stop her fleet from taking off!"

"The point of warning the Supreme Leaders is so they won't gather at the meeting, thus making the operation fruitless!"

"But what if she has a backup plan?! If she can't kill the leaders, she might target someone else, like Sector V, or ANY strong sector! We have to take the fight to her and stop the fleet period, it's the only way!"

"By this time, she will have transported the bombs and destroyed her Quickwarp, don't you get it?!"

"It doesn't matter! Not if we can threaten her the same way she did Mickey!"

Diana gasped in realization. "Yeah. Whatever this 'Throne' thing is," Akko continued, "it sounds like they don't want anyone else to know about it. We go in there, we capture her, we force her to call off the attack."

Diana bit her lip, almost contemplating this. "…No, that's not good enough." She shut her eyes. "The fact is, King Mickey knows that we know, too. He could sway the whole country, have them all against us. He could convince the professors to let him wipe our memories. And yet, if we expose him as a criminal, then he'll have no reason to hold back against the Kids Next Door. We don't know just what he's capable of."

"Then… it was the wrong choice coming here?" Akko asked with regret.

"…" Diana looked her in the eye and said, "I have a plan. I think I know a way we can stop Grunty's plan and get Mickey to leave us alone. But we'll have to do what you said, Akko. We need to capture Gruntilda. After all, this may be our best chance to save the Leaders, at the very least. Grunty must have been planning this for months, making the deal with Mickey and collecting the acid at the latest possible moments, so that she could strike with almost no one anticipating it. We're the only ones who know, and Mickey must have suspected this, for we met him on the same day he met her."

"I know." Akko sighed. "I'm starting to think this wouldn't have happened if I didn't pick a fight with him."

"The fault is mine as well, for swaying the Leaders' view of him. But listen, if we hadn't done this, we may never have uncovered Grunty's plan in time, nor would we have determined Mickey's true colors. We may have only gotten this far thanks to you, Akko. We need to finish this."

"Wellp, that's three leaders in agreement." Amanda smirked, doing a fiery fist-palm. "Any objections?"

"None here." Lotte shook.

"Uh-uh!" Jasminka agreed.

"Let's do it!" Hannah said passionately, Barbara nodding.

"Hmph!" Constanze gave a thumbs-up.

"All right, team." Diana faced the factory with a devious smile. "Let's burn a witch!"