~~

Pale skin as light as the moon, pointed ears, gleaming black hair, and vibrant green eyes. He looked so...ethereal.

.....

"Y'know, Howl, I'm only doing what's best for the future of Savanaclaw?"

.....

"Leave it to Riddle when it comes to planning!"

—————————

"Do stop, Zazu. You're bringing the mood down." Scar complained as the bird struggled in his makeshift cage.

"I'd never have to do this with Mufasa..." Zazu muttered under his breath. At the mention of the former king's name, Scar became angered.

"What was that?! I'm the true king!"

Banzai entered, "Hey, Boss, we gotta bone to pick with you!"

"There's no food or water and we're Starvin'!" Shenzi and Ed followed in. But Scar didn't listen to their griping.

"So what? Eat Zazu." The three hyenas scowled at their boss' antics.

"Things were a lot better under Mufasa..." Banzai sneered. But Scar heard him.

"Is that so? You're an eyesore, get out!"

They fled.

"If you want people to stop comparing you, take more seriousness over your job, fleabag." I spat at him before the scene changed.

——————————-

"Oi! Get up!"

My eyes flew open. The covers were pulled off me, held in someone's hand, and I was curled up into a ball.

Wait.

Some random guy is in my room.

"INTRUSO!!!!!" I didn't think as I flew from the bed and roundhoused the guy straight in the stomach. He "oofed!" At the impact and staggered back, regaining his footing. I looked to see it was Jack! He gave a me a look that clearly said "WTF?".

"Scusami Tanto! I didn't mean it! I thought you were a burglar!" I said. I never meant to Lucy Kick him, even if it was out of reflex. He just brushed off the attack, and regained composure.

"Why're you in our dorm??" Grim stood up.

"Stopped by during my morning run. Today's the magical shift tournament. I couldn't let you over sleep." Jack answered.

I just sat there, blinking at him. Should I thank him or...?

"Oh that right! We need to catch that culprit so the Ramshackle dorm can get our reward and compete!"

I stood up after a minute and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I claimed, "Let's do this!"

"Hmph....then I'll see you at the Stadium. Don't think about going back to sleep." Was all he said before leaving.

"Wasn't planning on it..." I answered even if he didn't hear me. My clothes shifted and I was back in my general outfit. I straighten my blouse and smooth out my jeans. Making sure my boots were fastened, I scurried to the bathroom. Time to get this plan into action!

——————————

At side street, near the Magift tournament festival, The streets were crowded with people from near and far. The sounds of cheers and talk, smells of different foods and the fun of games and live events stirred the place in a cheery position. Much like a town or city state fair, but with more magic.

Amongst these newcomers, three figures walked in a triangle. The one leading was Azul Ashengrotto, leader of the Octavinelle Dorm. Trailing not too far behind him were the Leech twins, Jade and Floyd, his assistants. All three were decked out in their finest gear, as a means to represent their dorm in the tournament.

"Attendance is high again this year. I must keep an eye on sales for each food stall as well." Azul reminds himself. "As long as I'm the manager of this event, you won't be able to get away with altering the books." He chuckled.

"Preparations on the Colosseum have been complete. The players are to make an entrance in about ten minutes." Jade remarked. Azul turned to face his assistants.

"Jade, Floyd, thank you so much for your hard work." He places a hand over his heart and bows slightly.

"Azul, tell me..." Floyd perks up. "Why are the players entering from the East Building? The people trying to get in are lined up like a cluster of barnacles. It's impossible to get through."

"It was a request from a certain person. I never asked for details but..." Azul trailed off.

"Ah, I see. That's why you were busy making a potion to increase one's magic the other day." Jade points out.

"Eh, what do you see? The entrance and a potion aren't connected at all~." Floyd whines, but his twin was quick to shush him.

"Shhh...we can't allow anyone to hear. Lower you voice." Floyd frowns but obeys, speaking quieter on his next sentence.

"Are we after something bad?"

"However, the potion only lasts for 30 seconds at most. I wonder what he plans to do..." Azul recalled.

"Azul, you already know what's about to happen, don't you?" Jade smirks. But his boss just shrugs in response.

"Who knows. I wonder what's going to...." he laughs.

"Eeeh, what is it? Tell me~!" Floyd demands.

"I was just thinking about getting brand new equipment for the lounge. So it works in my favor." Azul bluffs. But snaps his fingers soon after for attention. "Let us end our pointless conversation here. Time is money, after all. We must go see about the drink booths." He clicks his cane against the pavement and the trio slip away into the crowds.

—————————-

Elsewhere in the streets, Charlie, Deuce, Ace and Grim are all grouped together, surveying the lively atmosphere that was the beginnings of the Magift Tournament. Ace and Deuce flaunted their Heartslabyul uniforms. Grim has his fur brushed out smoothly, and donned his jewel with pride. Charlie was refreshed in her beige blouse, dark jeans and leather black boots. Instead of a ponytail, her hair was pinned in a half updo bun, and her gentle curls cascaded over and behind her exposed shoulders. Her pendant dangled gently against her collarbone, as she swayed carrying Grim, her teal jacket and bag in her arms.

"Ahhh, look at this! There's a lot of things to eat!" Grim started salivating. "Churros, fried cake, and smoked chicken as well!"

Charlie smiled softly to herself. Being here at the festival brought back so many memories of her own hometown. Every year they had hosted a fiesta/carnival, celebrating her hometown's birthday. They were amusement park rides and games, food vendors selling food from all around the world, Live music and performances, and being there with her family, laughing and spending time with each other. It was such a nostalgic memoir.... her favorite memory was getting to listen to live mariachi music and dance with her siblings. Sometimes, she would let her mother teach her several dances she had learned when she was her age. Some salsa, modern, contemporary, anything. Her mother was always the life of the party, small or big gatherings.

"In the end, I never got picked...."

"Same..."

She stopped her train of memory and stared at her two comrades. After yesterday, Riddle didn't let them off the hook and in the end, were never chosen for the games. It soured their moods completely. She couldn't help but feel a teeny bit sorry for them.

"Come on guys don't feel glum. You still got next year!" She cheers them up.

"Right now, we've an important task. Let's stick our focus on that!" Deuce reminds her.

"Gotcha!" She winks.

"Right! Let's show 'em!" Ace smiles.

"Ooh! Is that takoyaki?! I wanna eat some!" Grim jumps from Charlie's arms but before he could land on the ground, Ace grabs him and starts dragging him away like a dog on a leash.

"You. Eat. Later! We gotta move!" He wrenches the creature from the ground and races off after Charlie and Deuce.

——————————

Leona and Ruggie stand outside the Savanaclaw dorm together.

"It's almost time for the players to enter the stadium."

"We're ready to go just give us the signal."

" The first ones are last year's champs, Diasomnia.....heh, spikes the adrenaline, Eh?"

"Shishishi! Time for the main event!"

——————————

Back at the festival, the streets were aligned from block to block ready to witness the parade.

Welcome to the Night Raven College Inter-Dorm Magical Shift Tournament! We apologize for the delay. Now it's time to welcome our competitors!"

The audience cheered.

"First, presenting: last year's winners! Will they take home a triple win? The reigning champs: Diasomnia!"

The team representing said dorm walked out into the streets, showing off as the audience roared.

But in the shadows of an alleyway, someone was about to rain on this parade hardcore.

"Ooh, there's so many people! If we have this..." Ruggie snickers. "But first things first: the potion from Azul!" He grasps the vial and swallows the concoction in one huge gulp. His face turns disgusted. "Ugh! Blegh! What the shit? Gross! Tastes like expired stew!" The disgust passed soon and then he regained focus. "Okay...head in the game! Time to unleash my unique power." His pen light up in green light. "Run like a heard of Wildebeests! Laugh with Me!"

Suddenly, a tremble of thunder sounded further down the street.

"Huh? What's that noise?" A spectator asked. They looked down the street to see a cloud of dust rising up ahead as the sound of thundering feet grew. "What the-?! There's a herd of people running down the street!" Another person on the same side felt their body being taken over.

"Agh! My body's-outta the way! Hurry!" He soon started running, in the same direction as the crowd.

"Hey! Don't shove!" A third yelled out.

"Hurry! Or you'll get crushed!!"

The uproar was insane! Random people started to run like marathon runners down the streets in the opposite direction.

"What's going on down there?! The spectators have suddenly started running headlong down the street and are dragging others into their charge!! Everyone, please! Remain calm!"

But no one could stay calm as the crowd of runner grew on numbers.

Ruggie stayed in the shadows, watching the chaos unfold before his eyes. "Azul's potions are amazing! Can't believe I can't control this many people at once!" But he leans against the wall for support as fatigue overcame him. "But....took a lot outta me....since we've come this far!" He regains his snarkiness. "Let's see you use your magic on these innocent people now! Even the great Malleus, prince of the fae, couldn't use it if he wanted to, huh? Now you're finished! Hahaha!!"

"The audience is heading straight for Diasomnia's team! Get out of the way, everyone!! Get away!!!"

Up ahead, two men were guarding Malleus from a safe distance when they saw the oncoming crowd.

"This is bad!" The silver haired exclaimed. "We'll get crushed by the crowd at this rate! Protect Malleus!"

But the crowd started to trickle in at a fast rate.

"Malleus! Over here! Gah, we're not gonna make it!" His comrade said. "Well get trampled!"

"Malleus!!!" They were soon swallowed into the crowd. As will their leader.

Ruggie breathed a sigh of triumph. "I did it....we've won!" He runs off to tell Leona the news, unaware of what really happened moments ago.

——————————

Ruggie huffs as he makes it back to the stadium at Savanaclaw. Waiting for him was Leona and a handful of his army.

"Leona....it's done! You saw the broadcast?" Leona turns to his second in command and smiled with satisfaction.

"Yes. Wonderful, Ruggie. And so long, Malleus. This year, the throne is MINE."

"Long love the King!" Ruggie shouts and the students follow equally as proud of their job done. But then-

"Sorry to crash the party, but your little celebration's about to end!" A female voice snarls in their direction. The group stops cheering as all eyes move to the other end of the stadium.

Walking towards them were Riddle and Charlie leading the group of Ace, Deuce, Cater, Grim and Jack, all with scowls and angered looks on their faces.

"We've heard all we need to know." Riddle nods firmly. Leona and Ruggie were taken aback, but the former regained levelheadedness.

"Well, well, if it isn't Heartslabyul, all together. With little Rabbit, of course. And one of our Fresh-meats as the cherry on top. Decided to transfer dorms?"

Jack only crosses his arms and spat, "Right now, I can't stand being on your side."

"Tch. Damn traitor."

"Your actions have sullied a tradition." Riddle degrades, stepping forward. "And as leader of Heartslabyul, which values 'strictness', this will never go unpunished."

"Hey, lil brats, why dont'cha save the 'hero of justice' act for your fantasies?" Leona fires back.

"Besides, stepping into our territory with few people, you're outta your minds." Ruggie adds.

"Leona, shall we take them out?" One student asked.

"Go have your fun." He smiles in response.

At that sentence, the group of students start prowling towards the gang, hunger and bloodlust in their eyes. The others pushed Charlie behind them for safety. Although she was scared, she was ready to throw down when needed.

"Which one should we take first?"

"Let's have the freshies. They seem pretty tender~!"

"But leave Howl and the Rabbit for last. We've got something else for them..."

"Charlie, run!" Deuce orders. She does so, but not in a way he expected. She ran from behind the group and forward. She Flips forward in the air towards them, and kicks down one in a flash.

Holding him down with her feet, she unleashes a flurry of punches, filled with anger. Behind her, the others watched in shock. But it only grew as they started seeing blood fly. One last punch, the student was down. Charlie breathes heavily, shaking the blood off her knuckles, as she turns to face the crowd. Out of all the faces that caught her attention it was mostly Riddle, Jack, Ruggie and Leona. None of them had ever seen this side of her before.

"Oh my god...." Riddle's voice quivers.

"C-crap...what is she?" Ruggie backs up.

Leona's surprise melted into anger. "Hey, you four: Kill that Rabbit!" He orders.

The five students turn to face her, now their hunger directed at Charlie. She backs up in fear at their hungry stares.

"Charlotte!"

'Ophelia! What do I do?! There's too many of them! I-I don't know if I can do this!'

"Be calm, my dear. Remember: You shouldn't let your fears control you. You have a natural confidence. What you did just now proves you can stand up to your adversaries. And that includes Leona. Clear your mind. And feel your Mana. It will help you rise above."

'Okay....' she closes her eyes and repeats what was told.

"Clear my mind.....feel...." she breathes. Her mind was as blank as a sheet of paper. Her breathing was calm. And She could hear her heartbeat. Could Feel the light's warmth. It felt comforting...serene...and powerful.

She opened her eyes as the light enveloped her body in a halo.

"Cmon, little Rabbit. Why don't you play with us?"

"You may look frightened and cute outside, but what's on the inside? Well just rip you open and see for ourselves~!" But Charlotte was unwavered by their bloodlusted comments.

"Wishful thinking but I'm not dying at your filthy hands." She stayed monotone.

The first flew at her, swing fist after fist, but Charlotte ducked, weaved and flipped out of his way, until he raised his knee, and kicked her in the stomach. She grunted in pain as she landed against the wall. Had she not paid attention and moved, the fist that collided with the wall where her head was would've left a bad bruise. The student raised his fist, but Charlotte was faster. Her hand glowed in pink light as she punched the student back with a forward punch to the jaw. That punch combined with the power, sent the student flying away on impact, and he landed harshly on the ground, down for the count.

Deuce tried to run for her and help, but his arms were held behind him by the other three tasked with their job. His head was forced up as he felt someone whisper into his ear, "Watch her die."