06: The Fourth Element

Branches Of Sunshire

Chapter 6

The Fourth Element

After the festival, Madelyn, Abigail, and Juniper returned home to their mansion. Upon entering the house, they were greeted with the mahogany grand staircase and the hallway with archways leading to the living room and the dining room. The house was dark and quiet. Their footsteps creaked on the wooden herringbone floorboards, bouncing off the walls. They sniffed the air and twisted their mouths when they were met with an unpleasant odor coming from their dark living room.

Abigail: “...What is that smell?”

She fanned her face with her little black fan.

Madelyn: “Ewww! Did something die in here?”

She groused and laughed.

Juniper: “Oh, no, that’s Jaclyn’s feet!”

She laughed and covered her mouth.

The lamp in the living room flicked on. They turned to see a seething Jaclyn sitting on a black throne with skulls on the armrests and a fan of raven feathers across the top of it.

Jaclyn: “MY FEET DON’T STINK!”

She shrieked and glared at them all. The dim lighting cast dramatic shadows across her sharp features.

Madelyn: “Yikes! That’s horrifying!”

She groused and recoiled.

Abigail: “Get your bony ass off my tickle throne, bitch!”

She sneered at her, gesturing to the throne.

Juniper: “Oh, hi, Jaclyn! What are you doing in our house? Did you forget where you live again? Your house is next door to Makayla! Remember?”

She smiled dumbly. Jaclyn rolled her eyes. Madelyn paused when she mentioned Makayla.

Madelyn: “Don’t tell me you’re working with the hamburger queen!”

She huffed.

Abigail: “That’s not possible. We did a binding shield against her, too.“

Suddenly, they heard the toilet flush and someone emerged from the bathroom under the stairs.

Maxx: “OWWWH! LADIES, LADIES, MAXXY MALONE IN DA BUILDIN’!”

He hollered, spreading his arms out, grinning at them all. Abigail glowered at him.

Abigail: “You brought that creature here?”

She groused at Maxx with disgust.

Juniper: “Of course, he’s my future brother-in-law.”

She smiled dumbly. Jaclyn glared at her.

Jaclyn: “HE IS NOT!”

She snapped.

Madelyn: “Oh, sweet Juniper. He’s her ATM.”

She said gently and placed her hand on Juniper’s shoulder.

Juniper: “Oh dear!”

Jaclyn seethed.

Abigail: “How the FUCK did you get in with that creature?!”

She hissed at her through clenched teeth. Jaclyn smirked at them, holding up a Polaroid photo of herself bound in red string.

Jaclyn: “Oh, Maxwell was playing with his shiny ball. He lost it in your backyard, and the back door was open. He got hungry and found this in your freezer.”

She scoffed. Abigail glared at her.

Abigail: “So, you used your clown to break your binding shield?”

She rolled her eyes and groaned.

Maxx: “DATS RIGHT! Now, who wants to ride da beest?”

He exclaimed, pulling down his pants, presenting his bare bottom. Jaclyn rolled her eyes.

Abigail: “How about I stab the beast?”

She huffed, picking up a sword decoration off the wall and pointing it at him.

Maxx: “Owwwh, feisty, baby!”

Juniper: “Beast? It looks like a baby carrot.”

She giggled at his exposed member.

Maxx: “NAH-AH!”

He pouted. Madelyn picked up her feathered sword wand and approached Maxx.

Maxx: “Ohoho, are ya gonna tickle my Sex Beest, baby?”

He purred and winked at her. Madelyn smirked at him.

Madelyn: “Shape shifter, this drifter stifler!”

She cackled, waving her wand at him. Suddenly, Maxx’s crotch transformed into a baby carrot. Abigail smirked and cackled. Juniper cupped her mouth and giggled.

Maxx: “YARRGHHH NOOOO! MY SEX BEEST!”

He screeched and rushed out of the mansion, cupping his crotch.

Jaclyn rolled her eyes and rose from the throne, boring her ice-cold gaze onto the three women.

Jaclyn: “While you and that other fat girl were busy trying to steal my man! I took the liberty to take back what’s mine!”

She shrieked, pointing at Madelyn. Madelyn gaped at her. What the hell is she on about? She thought.

Madelyn: “I’m not after your clown bank, stinker-foot.”

She huffed. Jaclyn glared at her.

Jaclyn: “NO, NOT HIM!! LAZAROS!”

She hissed, stamping her heels on the hardwood floor. Madelyn laughed.

Madelyn: “Lazaros? I’m not after him! I’m after his food and scheming against the Hamburger Queen!”

She laughed with amusement.

Madelyn: “Besides, I don’t think you’re his type.”

She laughed at her.

Juniper: “Oh, is that because her feet stink or because she’s not fat?”

Madelyn: “Both.”

She shrugged and laughed. Jaclyn glared at them.

Jaclyn: “Makayla cursed him to be that way, but I aim to break it and make him mine!”

She huffed, flipping her hair.

Jaclyn: “Come hell or high water, this mansion WILL be mine!”

She declared, stamping her heels on the hardwood floor.

Juniper: “But mama and papa bound it to me and bound it against you.”

She declared. Jaclyn scoffed.

Jaclyn: “So? I can unsew those seams… and sew up something more.”

She smirked, reaching into her purse and holding up a sewing needle.

Madleyn: “What are you going to do? Take your heels off and stink bomb us out of here?”

She laughed bitterly. Jaclyn sneered at her.

Jaclyn: “Shut up, fat girl!”

She hissed at her, waving her sewing needle like a wand. Suddenly, Madelyn’s lips sealed shut by an invisible force. Madelyn’s eyes widened, and she let out a muffled scream, cursing at her.

Jaclyn: “It’s for the best. No one has to listen to your stupid comments, and maybe now you will lose weight with your lips sealed.”

She chortled. Abigail glared at her. Juniper started crying.

Juniper: “No! Stop it, Jaclyn, you’re being mean!”

She cried and rushed over to Madelyn.

Abigail: “W-What did you do?! How did you do that?!”

She hissed. Jaclyn reached into her purse, pulling out hand-sewn dolls resembling each of the women. Madelyn’s doll had cross-stitching across its mouth.

Abigail: “You made Hex dolls of us?!”

She seethed.

Jaclyn: “That’s right. Now you are bound to me, and this mansion will be bound to me!”

She smirked and spread her arms out, marvelling at the tall ceilings and chandelier above her.

Jaclyn: “You have until the next full moon to get your garbage out of here… or you will all suffer the consequences.”

She threatened them and slowly started to drive sewing needles into each doll’s chest. Abigail, Juniper, and Madelyn fell to the floor, gasping in pain.

Abigail: “NO! STOP!”

She gasped in agony.

Juniper: “Please! Stop hurting everyone!”

She pleaded with her. Madelyn let out a muffled scream.

Jaclyn: “Do we have an arrangement?”

She pressed them.

Juniper: “If it means you stop hurting everyone!”

She cried. Jaclyn smirked and pulled the needles out of the dolls.

Jaclyn: “Alright.”

She nodded. The three women caught their breath as the pain disappeared from their bodies as if it had never been there.

Jaclyn: “Don’t ever cross me!”

She warned them, holding a needle up against Madelyn’s doll. She then slashed away the seams around the mouth, releasing her from the binding. Madelyn gasped for air and panted, feeling her mouth as it retracted back to normal.

Madelyn: “You stinky-foot witch!”

She cried and glared at her. Juniper wrapped her arms around her in a close hug.

Jaclyn: “Ah-ah! Careful now, fat girl, or I will seal up your lips again and you can starve to death.”

She waved her finger at her. Madelyn backed down, glaring at her.

Jaclyn: “I shall return for my mansion on the next full moon. Farewell.”

She waved them off and left, slamming the door behind her. The slamming door rattled the walls and chandelier, and the house fell silent again.

The three women exchanged looks with each other.

Madleyn: “What the hell are we going to do?!”

She threw her arms up.

Juniper: “Give her the mansion.”

She sighed.

Abigail: “HELL NO! Over my dead body!”

She huffed and marched over to the black cabinet in the corner of the room. She rummaged through the jars of herbs, liquids, and crystals for something.

Abigail: “We need to complete the Coven with our fourth.”

She declared, holding up a scroll. It depicted a circle diagram split up into four parts.

North - Air - Spring - Madelyn

West - Water - Winter - Abigail

East - Earth - Autumn - Juniper

South - Fire - Summer - Unknown

Juniper: “But, Abi, we don’t even know who that is!”

She countered.

Abigail: “We’ll just have to find them then!”

She huffed.

Juniper: “How do we do that?”

She twirled her hair around her finger. Madelyn swung her gaze over to the fridge.

Madelyn: “Aha! I got it!”

She gasped, swiping the magnets off the fridge onto the floor.

Abigail: “What the hell did you do that for?”

She huffed.

Madelyn: “The magnets can lead us to our fourth!”

She declared, holding up a magnet shaped like caramel fudge with googly eyes.

Juniper: “Ooh, magnet majique!”

She smiled, picking up a magnet with a cartoon smiling sun on it.

Abigail: “Alright. We’ll enchant the magnets to be our compasses.”

She relented, waving her hands over the magnets.

~

The next day, Ashley wandered through the streets of Selene Valley, looking for Dessert Ranch on the card Mr. Nice Cream gave them. They were dressed in their faux fur coat, with a white paisley blouse, bellbottom jeans and bell-anklets with sandals on their feet, making them sound like a house cat as they walked. They arrived at what looked to be a red barn. An oval sign hung over it that read ‘Dessert Ranch’ with a cutesy cartoon cow on it eating ice cream.

Ashley: “Yay! I found it!”

They beamed excitedly and entered through the large barn doors. A cowbell dinged as they entered, alerting Mr. Nice Cream, who stood behind the rustic counter in his cow costume. He greeted them with a big smile.

Mr. Nice Cream: “Ashley! It’s so nice cream to see you! I’m udderly delighted!”

He spread his arms out, pulling a chair out for them at the wooden table. Ashley’s eyes sparkled as they drank in their surroundings. The sweet scents of baked goods hung in the air, and the clattering of the coffee machine came from the kitchen behind the counter. A large chandelier with stag horns hung above them, casting a warm light onto the wooden walls and projecting a warm, rustic atmosphere.

Mr. Nice Cream: “Welcome to Dessert Ranch, Ashley!”

He exclaimed. Ashley beamed at the staff dressed as dessert-themed animals. A dark-skinned woman with a pastel pink afro hairstyle was wearing a purple and pink cotton candy dress that resembled a sheep. Another woman, serving tables, wore koala ears on her head and was dressed as a key lime pie. A man working the coffee machine was wearing a donut around his waist with dog ears on his head. A collar around his neck read ‘Donut Dog’. A woman dressed in a turtle costume with decorations on her shell resembling a turtle cheesecake turned in their direction to reveal Madelyn. She wore an orange headband around her head, and she wore metallic green eyeshadow with turtle patterns across her forehead and down the bridge of her nose.

Madelyn “...Ashley?”

Her purple eyes darted to Ashley across the room. Mr. Nice Cream pulled out a chair and sat across from Ashley. The chair looked tiny against his large, portly build. Ashley nervously glanced down at their feet, noticing the turf mat floors that covered the entire barn.

Mr. Nice Cream: “Gather around, Dessert animals! We have a new scoop! This is Ashley Solegatti!”

He beamed and blew on his kazoo, summoning the entire staff. They all gathered around with big smiles.

Madelyn: “Hey there, pretty kitty.”

She smiled at Ashley. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Madelyn?! You work here?!”

They gasped.

Madelyn: “Yeah, dude, I'm Turtle Cheesecake! Cowabunga!”

She exclaimed, doing a ninja stance.

Mr. Nice Cream: “OH?! You two have been in each other’s pastures before?!”

He grinned at them.

Ashley: “Huh?”

They tilted their head and chuckled.

Madelyn: “He means to ask if we know each other.”

She clarified.

Ashley: “Oh, she's my girlfriend's ex-girlfriend.”

They awkwardly scratched their head.

Madelyn: “Oh, so, you’re ‘dating’ now, huh?”

She frowned.

Ashley: “Yep!”

They smiled and nodded.

Madelyn: “Oh dear...”

Mr. Nice Cream interjected with a ‘moo’

Mr. Nice Cream: “Oh dear! This isn’t going to spoil our desserts, is it?!”

He asked them both.

Madelyn: “Not at all. Quite the contrary.”

She smirked at Ashley. Ashley tilted their head.

Mr. Nice Cream: “Good! That is moo-sic to my ears! Come with me, my new scoop!”

He clapped his hands together and led Ashley into the ‘Staff Barn’ through the grassy doors. The staff room contained haystacks with lockers across the wooden walls.

Mr. Nice Cream: “Until you can get your costume arranged, you will be the trial probationary piggy pie!”

He smiled, opening the closet, and pulling out a cherry pie costume with pig ears and a pigtail.

Ashley: ”Pawesome!”

They beamed excitedly.

~

Later, Ashley emerged from the staff barn room dressed in the piggy pie costume.

Madelyn: “Oh, Makayla is gonna LOVE that on you.”

She laughed bitterly.

Ashley: “R-Really?!”

They beamed, clasping their cheeks.

Madelyn: “Yeah.”

She twisted her mouth. Ashley tilted their head, observing Madelyn’s sour expression towards Makayla.

Ashley: “What’s your problem with Makayla? Why are you guys mean to her?”

They knit their eyebrows.

Madelyn: “Because she’s an evil person...”

She folded her arms across her chest, and her expression darkened. Ashley recoiled, taken aback by her bold accusation.

Ashley: “Makayla? Evil? But she’s such a sweet person!”

They gestured down at their pie costume. Madelyn clicked her tongue.

Madelyn: “Oh, you naive sweetie pie.”

She poked their pie costume.

Madelyn: “Tell me, sweetie pie, how many enemies do you have?”

She pressed Ashley. Ashley quirked an eyebrow.

Ashley: “Enemies? Uhh… none that I can think of?”

They tilted their head.

Madelyn: “Aha, just as I thought! If Makayla is so sweet, why does she have sooooo many enemies then, huh?”

She poked their tummy. Ashley jolted and giggled.

Ashley: “Hahahehehe… uhh, I don’t know?”

They knit their eyebrows.

Madelyn: “Because she sucks!”

She groused and fanned her face.

Mr Nice Cream rolled over to them with a wide grin on his face.

Mr. Nice Cream: “Lookin’ udderly good, Ashley! Pie beg your pardon, but we need an order of caramel slices!”

He clasped his hands together.

Ashley: “I’m on it!”

They beamed and nodded, reaching for the caramel slices. Madelyn’s eyes widened when she noticed the sun tattoo on Ashley’s hand as they grabbed the caramel slices. She pulled out the caramel fudge magnet from her pocket and gasped.

Madelyn: “Caramel and the sun? Is this a sign?! Did I just find our fourth?!”

She whispered under her breath, observing Ashley as they served up the food.

Ashley: “Hehe, this is so fun!”

They giggled and turned to Madelyn. Madelyn smiled at Ashley.

Madelyn: “So, you like the sun, huh?”

She pressed them, gesturing to their Sunshire tattoo on their thumb. Ashley glanced down at it and nodded.

Ashley: “How can you NOT like the sun! The sun gives us energy and life, and warmth!”

They chirped, eagerly expanding their arms with enthusiasm. Madelyn smiled widely.

Madelyn: “Ever do any sun majique?”

She asked them. Ashley paused and bowed their head.

Ashley: “Not for a long time… ever since we left Sunshire, it’s been blocked.”

They sighed, holding their hands under the sunlight casting through the windows.

Madelyn: “Sunshire?”

She quirked an eyebrow, looking confused.

Ashley: “That’s where I came from.”

They explained.

Madelyn: “Never heard of it!”

Ashley: “Most people don’t…”

Their voice trailed off as they thought of their encounter with Maxx. How would he know about it? Is Brad even real? They thought.

Madelyn: “Your magique is blocked?”

Ashley snapped out of their daze and turned to her.

Ashley: “Yeah… my brother doesn’t believe in it though, but, like… how can he explain the sunflowers, the tickle majique, or the hexed bass?”

They sighed. Madelyn chuckled, reveling in her prank majique on Makayla’s bass.

Madelyn: “He’s either REALLY stupid, or he’s lying.”

She laughed.

Ashley: “No way! Blake is the smartest person I know! Lying? Blake never lies about stuff!”

They tilted their head. Madelyn laughed.

Madelyn: “Hahahahaha, right.”

She laughed skeptically.

The cowbell jingled as someone sauntered into the establishment. Ashley lifted their head up and redenned when they saw Lazaros standing there with a wide grin. He was dressed in a sparkly purple suit with a white tie over his silk black dress shirt.

Ashley: “L-Lazaros?!”

They squeaked, alerting his attention to them. Lazaros gasped and cupped his cheeks at the sight of Ashley in the piggie pie costume.

Lazaros: “NO! NO! Why are you dressed in that atrocious costume?!”

He screamed, rushing over to Ashley. His reaction had them taken aback.

Ashley: “Ohh? Uhh, because I work here now!”

They chirped.

Lazaros: “Did SHE make you wear this?!”

He hissed bitterly between clenched teeth, tugging at their costume. Madelyn gave him a knowing look. Ashley tilted their head, looking confused, and they turned to Madelyn.

Ashley: “N-no? It’s the ‘probationary piggy pie’ costume they make me wear until I get my own costume!”

They explained with a smile. Lazaros looked horrified.

Lazaros: “How could they make you wear that?! You’re not a pig!”

He protested and assured Ashley.

Ashley: “I know… I’m a cat. I wanna be a kitty!”

They chuckled. Lazaros smiled tightly at Ashley, observing their cat-like mouth and tufts of hair on their head resembling cat ears.

Lazaros: “That you are …and that is what you should be!”

He beamed adoringly at them.

Lazaros: “Let’s get you that costume!”

He exclaimed, clasping his hands together. Ashley’s eyes lit up.

Ashley: “R-really?! You want to help me?”

They gasped, stunned beyond disbelief.

Lazaros: “Of course! You deserve better.”

He smiled at them.

Lazaros: “There is a famous seamstress named Jaclyn Kovalenko–”

Madelyn jumped in and cut him off.

Madelyn: “NO! Don’t go to her!”

She interjected, waving her hands. They both turned to her.

Ashley: “Jaclyn? Isn't she the stinky-foot witch?”

They tilted their head and laughed.

Madelyn: “YES!”

She exclaimed.

Madelyn: “Please, don't go to her! I WILL make your costume, Ashley!”

She insisted. Ashley’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.

Ashley: “R-Really?!”

They beamed. Madelyn eagerly nodded.

Madelyn: “Yep! Costumes are my speciality! Come over to the Ticklemansion tonight and let’s do this!”

She exclaimed.

Ashley: “Wow, that’s so nice of you! Thank you!”

They brightened, surprised this was the same woman who had hexed Makayla’s bass guitar. Lazaros interjected.

Lazaros: “Allow me to cover the costs!”

He offered with a smile. Ashley’s eyes widened with surprise.

Ashley: “Oh, no, you don’t have to do that!”

They waved their hand. Why do they want to help me? Ashley pondered.

Madelyn: “Oh, no, I don’t want money for this.”

She smirked, stroking her chin.

Madelyn: “I have a MUCH better idea! A QUEST!”

She clasped her hands together.

Ashley: “Ooh! That sounds super fun!”

They beamed excitedly.

Madelyn: “We will give you various tests, and if you pass them all, you will be rewarded with the treasure that is your costume!”

She grinned at Ashley. Then we will know for sure if you’re our fourth, she thought to herself. Lazaros interjected.

Lazaros: “And you will be rewarded with the pleasure that is my cooking!”

He grinned widely, clasping his gloved hands together. Madelyn and Ashley both turned to him.

Ashley: “Oh my stars! I’d love that!”

They gasped with stars in their eyes. Lazaros smiled widely at them.

Madelyn: “Sure, Lazaros, if you want to join in, too!”

She waved her hand and laughed.

Ashley: “Yay! Let’s do this quest!”

They beamed.

Suddenly, they were interrupted by a woman clearing her throat. They all turned to see Makayla standing there holding a bag of Voyage Burger. She was dressed in tight black jeans and a tank top that showed her midriff.

Makayla: “What’s this about a quest?!”

She interjected. Lazaros frowned at her, and Madelyn rolled her eyes.

Ashley: “Oh! Hey, Makayla!”

They smiled widely at her, spreading their arms out. Makayla gaped at Ashley with hearts in her eyes at the sight of them in the piggie pie costume.

Makayla: “OH MY FUCKING GOD… ASHLEY! YOU’RE SUCH AN ADORABLE LITTLE PIGGIE PIE!”

She cooed, rushing over to them and wrapping her arms around them. Ashley’s eyes widened as they were suddenly crushed in her arms.

Ashley: “Hahah? R-Really?”

They laughed. Lazaros glared at her, and Madelyn rolled her eyes.

Madelyn: “Told you she would love that stupid costume on you.”

She said sardonically.

Lazaros: “Ashley is not a pig!”

He huffed.

Ashley: “That’s right! Madelyn and Lazaros are helping me get my new kitty costume with a fun quest!”

They beamed excitedly. Makayla’s smile dipped into a frown.

Makayla: “W-What?”

Her right eye twitched. Madelyn drew a long breath. She made a gesture with her hands as if she were dropping a bomb to the ground.

Madelyn: “Wheeeeeeeehhhhrrrrrrrr! BOOM!”

She threw her arms up in the air, resembling an explosion. Makayla glared at her.

Makayla: “Don’t let them get to you, Ashley! They’re just trying to manipulate you and turn you against me, because they’re bitter and evil SNAKES!”

She snapped at them. Madelyn laughed in her face.

Madelyn: “I’m a turtle, dumbass.”

She laughed, gesturing to the shell on her back.

Makayla: “God, you’re infuriating!”

She sneered at her with fury.

Ashley: “...Actually, I want to be a kitty, Makayla.”

They pouted in a small voice. Makayla gaped at Ashley as if they had three heads.

Makayla: “W-what?”

She gasped. Lazaros rolled his eyes.

Lazaros: “They don’t want to be your next piggie, Makayla.”

He spat bitterly. Ashley tilted their head. Next piggie? They pondered. Makayla swung her gaze to Lazaros.

Makayla: “Whatever, Lazaros! You’re not even a real magician! You’re just a feeder-fetishist in a sparkly suit serving up fancy dishes on a stage!”

She fired back at him, waving her hands. Lazaros gasped and recoiled as if she had slapped him across the face.

Lazaros: “How dare you! I AM a real magician and IT’S NOT A FETISH!”

He snapped and glared at her.

Madelyn: “Yeah, it is.”

She laughed. Lazaros gasped and cupped his cheeks.

Lazaros: “I DON'T HAVE A FETISH!”

He huffed. Makayla scoffed and laughed at him.

Makayla: “If you say so.”

She turned to Ashley, opening her bag of Voyage Burger and pulling out a ‘Ragnarok’ burger. She then shoved it into Ashley’s mouth, giving Lazaros the side-eye with a smirk. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Lazaros: “You’re evil! How could you feed them that FILTH?!”

He hissed and glared at her.

Makayla: “Sounds like you’re jealous.”

She countered. Lazaros frowned and looked away.

Ashley: “I think you’re upsetting him, Makayla.”

They knit their eyebrows at Lazaros.

Makayla: “Don’t feel sorry for him, Ashley.”

She cooed at them. Ashley glanced over at Lazaros.

Ashley: “Can’t we all just get along?!”

They sighed and pleaded with them all.

Lazaros: “I don’t associate with inferior people, and neither should you.”

He said to Ashley and rolled his eyes at Makayla. Ashley bowed their head.

Madelyn: “Sure, Ashley! I’ll get along with you! Just not her!”

She smiled. Makayla rolled her eyes.

Ashley: “But, Makayla is my girlfriend…”

They pleaded, glancing over at Makayla. Makayla smirked and put her arm around Ashley. Lazaros looked away, and Madelyn rolled her eyes.

Makayla: “That’s right! Ashley wants to be with me! He doesn’t want to do your dumb quest!”

She poked her tongue out. Ashley held their hand up.

Ashley: “Actually! I WANT to do their quest! I want to be a kitty!”

They said gently but firmly. Madelyn beamed, and Lazaros smiled. Makayla was taken aback and pouted.

Makayla: “Fine! But I’m going with you to protect you!”

She placed her hand on their shoulder. Ashley smiled a bit.

Madelyn: “Ha. We don’t need you for that. We have our binding shield for that! Good luck getting past it! You’re not getting in!”

She laughed at Makayla. Ashley sighed. Makalya glared at her and took Ashley’s hand.

Makayla: “Fine, then we aren’t going! We’re a package deal! Ashley would never go off without me and ditch me in the cold! Right, Ashley?”

She pleaded with Ashley. Ashley knit their eyebrows and nodded.

Ashley: “Oh no! I would never do that!”

They gasped. Madelyn glared at Makayla.

Makayla: “Of course not, because you’re a good person!”

She cooed at them, stroking their head.

Ashley: “Please, can we make peace?”

They pleaded with Madelyn and Lazaros with their dewy blue doe-eyes. Lazaros knit his eyebrows and drew a breath. Madelyn stroked her chin, looking pensive.

Madelyn: “Alright, let’s make peas…”

She smirked.

Madelyn: “But, SHE will be put on probation.”

She pointed at Makayla. Makayla smirked, and Ashley beamed.

Ashley: “Yay!”

~

Makayla pouted, dressed in the probationary piggie pie costume, sitting across from Ashley, who was now changed back into their faux fur coat and jeans. Madelyn sat at the head of the dining table, dressed in a forest green dress with roses, mushrooms, and bees on it, and a flower crown on her head. The dining room was an open and spacious room with crimson wallpaper and long drapes covering the windows surrounding the dining table at the centre of it. A large tapestry featuring Celestial artworks hung over the grand fireplace, warming up the room. Appetising flavors wafted into the room from the kitchen where Lazaros was cooking up a storm. Abigail emerged from the basement staircase and froze when she saw Makayla sitting at their table.

Abigail: “What is SHE doing here? How did she get past our binding shield?!”

She hissed and glared at Makayla.

Makayla: “I’m Ashley’s girlfriend, and I’m here with him!”

She smiled at Ashley, draping her arm around them. Ashley forced a smile. Why does she keep calling me a boy? They wondered.

Juniper: “Oh! Why are you dating a pig, Ashley?”

She smiled dumbly. Madelyn stumbled over a laugh.

Makayla: “Is that because I’m fat?!”

She huffed, turning to Juniper, revealing her face to her.

Juniper: “No, because you’re dressed up like a pig. Oh! Hi Makayla!”

She smiled dumbly.

Abigail: “Why not both?”

She rolled her eyes.

Juniper: “Why are you here and why are you dressed like that?”

She asked Makayla.

Madelyn: “She’s probationary piggie pie!”

She chuckled. Abigail frowned and marched over to Madelyn, grabbing her arm.

Abigail: “Juniper, keep an eye on pig girl! We need to talk!”

She huffed and pointed at Makayla.

Juniper: “Okeydokey!”

She covered her eye and kept her other eye on Makayla. Ashley chuckled.

Abigail dragged Madelyn down the hallway away from them and into the living room across the hallway.

Abigail: “Why did you bring HER back here?!”

She hissed, glaring at Makayla through the archway..

Madelyn: “I had to! It was the only way to get to our fourth!”

She countered. Abigail gaped at her.

Abigail: “...Makayla?!”

Her right eye twitched. Madelyn flicked her gaze to Makayla, tickling Ashely’s sides at the dining table.

Madelyn: “Ashley!”

She nodded to Ashley. Abigail glanced at Ashley and grinned widely at their laughter.

Abigail: “Really now?”

She smirked and stroked her chin. Madelyn held up her caramel magnet.

Madelyn: “They have all the signs! They handled caramel and have caramel hair! And they have a sun tattoo! They said they came from a place called Sunshire, and their surname is Solegatti! I think they’re a Sole-wielder!”

She explained. Abigail’s eyes widened.

Abigail: “...Sunshire, huh?”

She stroked her chin. Madelyn nodded in confirmation.

Madelyn: “Yeah, I promised I’d make their dessert Ranch uniform if they did our quest! Then we will know for sure if they’re the fourth!”

She explained. Abigail beamed.

Abigail: “A quest, you say?”

She grinned like a Cheshire cat. Madelyn nodded eagerly.

~

Abigail pulled out the chair at the end of the table, sitting down next to Ashley. She folded her hands over the table and cleared her throat.

Abigail: “So, Ashley. You’re a sole-wielder, are you?”

She began. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “A sole-wielder?”

They gasped.

Juniper: “OH?! You can read people with your feet like me?!”

She smiled, plonking her feet onto the table.

Abigail: “No, not that kind of sole, Juniper.”

She rolled her eyes.

Abigail: “THIS kind of sole! The sun.”

She took Ashley’s hand, presenting their Sunshire tattoo to them all. Makayla furrowed her eyebrows.

Makayla: “HEY! Get your hands off him!”

She hissed and smacked her hand away from Ashley.

Abigail: “Him? I don’t play for that team, and Ashley is clearly not on that team!”

She huffed and swung her gaze to Ashley. Ashley shook their head in confirmation.

Ashley: “That’s right!”

They pouted softly. Makayla frowned at them.

Ashley: “Sole-Wielder? Do you mean Sunshirean?”

They tilted their head. They all turned to look at Ashley with intrigue.

Juniper: “What is that?”

She asked. Makayla covered Ashley’s mouth with her hand.

Makayla: “Don’t tell them anything, Ashley! They’re up to something! Don’t trust them!”

She exclaimed. Ashley’s eyes widened, and Abigail glared at her.

Abigail: “Can we gag her or something?”

She huffed.

Madelyn: “Okay!”

She grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and shoved it in Makayla’s mouth. Juniper laughed.

Juniper: “Haha, she looks like those roast pig dishes.”

She chuckled. Madelyn and Abi burst out laughing. Ashley covered their face as they tried not to laugh.

Makayla shot up from her seat in a fury, spitting the apple out of her mouth.

Makayla: “Come on, Ashley, let’s go! You don’t need their stupid quest! I have a better quest for you! A quest to Voyage burger!”

She cooed at them, stroking their cheek. Suddenly, a fork flew through the air, landing between them as Lazaros emerged from the kitchen, carrying trays of food.

Lazaros: “DON’T YOU DARE!”

He hissed at her. Makayla gaped at him and glared.

Lazaros: “How could you feed them that garbage when they have a master chef right here!”

Lazaros swung his gaze to Ashley, and his demeanor lifted as he lifted the lid to reveal plates of Miso Salmon, shrimp alfredo, and chicken tenders. Ashley’s eyes lit up with excitement.

Ashley: “O-Oh wow! That looks amazing!”

They beamed.

Lazaros: “My quest for you is to eat my food!”

He smiled tightly, clasping his hands together. Makayla rolled her eyes at Lazaros.

Makayla: “Ashley doesn’t want your food!”

She huffed. Ashley gasped and clasped their cheeks.

Ashley: “OH MY STARS! I want it!”

They beamed, picking up a fork and eagerly digging in.

Makayla: “No! Ashley, don’t eat his food!”

She pleaded with them. Ashley took a bite and radiantly beamed. They melted to the delicious flavours dancing around their mouth. His food felt like a nice warm hug under the sunlight.

Ashley: “Mmm, oh wow! This is amazing!”

They moaned and closed their eyes over, savouring every bite as they slowly slipped the fork into their mouth.

Ashley paused when the room fell silent. They opened their eyes to see them all staring at them. Lazaros swallowed hard and redenned, and Makayla’s jaw dropped.

Ashley: “W-What?”

They stammered awkwardly and glanced down to see that their sun tattoo was now glowing, and a golden mist surrounded their hands like sunlight beaming through a window.

Ashley: “Oh, WOW! What did you put in this?”

They gasped at Lazaros. Lazaros turned to Ashley, tucking his hair behind his ear.

Lazaros: “Only the freshest ingredients and my master cooking skills!”

He gloated with a big smile. Ashley chuckled.

Ashley: “Haha, I know, but what spell did you do?”

They beamed up at him. Makayla interjected with a scoff, glaring at Lazaros.

Makayla: “Aww, Ashley, you’re so naive! Lazaros is just playing tricks on you! It’s all a part of his manipulation act! He’s not a real magician! It’s just smoke and mirrors!”

She grabbed the plate of food and took a huge bite of fettuccine.

Makayla: “See? Nothing!”

She flashed her hands at Ashley. Lazaros glared at her.

Lazaraos: “I’m not doing anything, Makayla!”

He hissed at her and turned to Ashley.

Lazaros: “It’s all Ashley!”

He smiled at Ashley.

Ashley: “...Me?! I’m doing this?! Does this mean my majique is real?!”

They gasped and cupped their cheeks. They all turned to Ashley with intrigue.

Ashley felt something drape across their feet. They glanced down to see Juniper placing her feet on theirs and closing her eyes over as she focused.

Juniper: “The source of the energy is coming from Ashley.”

She smiled in confirmation. Ashley’s face lit up.

Ashley: “R-Really?!”

They beamed. Juniper nodded and continued focusing.

Juniper: “Yes, but… There is something in the way of your energy portals… they’re all blocked.”

Her voice trailed off, and her smile faded. Ashley frowned.

Ashley: “Oh no! How do I unblock them?!”

They knit their eyebrows. Juniper’s eyes opened with a gasp and she pulled away with a jolt.

Juniper: “Oh dear! You really need to find peace!”

She exclaimed.

Ashley: “But, I’m already at peace!”

They laughed and shifted their eyes.

Juniper: “No, you’re not. That is a lie.”

She smiled. Ashley recoiled, taken aback by her response. What could she mean by that? They pondered.

Makayla: “Don’t worry, Ashley, I will help you find peace and get your majique back!”

She smiled at Ashley. Ashley turned to her with a smile.

Ashley: “R-really?!”

They beamed.

Makayla: “Yes, your majique comes from eating, so we’ll just have to go to Voyage Burger more!”

She beamed widely. Ashley forced a smile. Lazaros scoffed.

Lazaros: “If that were the case, why did nothing happen when you fed them that garbage you call food? No, their magic comes from MY food.”

He huffed. Ashley’s eyes lit up, and Makayla glared at him. Madelyn interjected with a laugh.

Madelyn: “You can’t get majique from eating food! That’s not how it works!”

She burst out laughing.

Abigail: “If majique came from eating food, sleeping, and bathroom activities, the world would be utter chaos.”

She groused. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Oh? Then how does it work?”

They pressed them.

Juniper: “With your feet!”

She smiled, presenting her feet. Abigail dragged her fingernail across her foot. Juniper shivered and giggled.

Juniper: “Heheheheheehehehehe!”

Abigail: “For you, perhaps, but for me it’s brewing potions from the earth!”

She explained.

Juniper: “Yes, with your feet. Our feet are connected to the earth, and being a Sortelige is about connecting to the earth.”

She smiled. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Huh… that makes sense.”

They glanced down at their feet.

Abigail: “I don’t brew potions with my feet, Juniper.”

She scoffed. Madelyn laughed.

Madelyn: “That can be arranged!”

She grinned.

Abigail: “DON’T you dare turn my hands into feet!”

She snapped. Juniper and Ashley laughed.

Ashley: “So… it’s different for everyone, and I just gotta find my source of majique?”

They tilted their head and ran their fingers through their hair. Juniper reached over and placed her hand on Ashley’s shoulder.

Juniper: “Everyone and everything is connected.”

She smiled, locking her gaze on them. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Woah…”

Makayla slapped her hand away from Ashley and glared at her..

Abigail: “Yes, let’s find your source of majique… with our quest!”

She smirked, clasping her hands together. Madelyn pulled out her feathered sword and raised it in the air.

Madelyn: “TO OUR QUEST!”