-1- Announce the Magic Duello

The girl, swinging the exquisite rubicund umbrella in the air stopped in her tracks and stood motionlessly, watching the few children dancing on the grass, playing their games and singing the well-known song that described the present world.

"What are we Commons to do?

Pirates are scary; we need to keep them merry

But Witches ought to die or we suffer their cry,

O dear Lord, this world is quite wild no?"

Unable to control her quick temper, the girl strolled over to the playing kids and quite mercilessly smacked the bottom of one boy with her umbrella. The kids quickly stopped, looking at the young girl with fear as the boy cried.

"Did your parents not teach any of you to not sing that song?" the girl asked her tone serious with slight anger. "It's a forbidden song."

The kids looked at each other and could only meekly reply a sorry and mutter that they will never sing that song again.

"Good," the young girl said, "go off and play. Everything's fine now. Just remember not to sing that song again." She turned on her heels, her pearl coloured dress swaying as she moved back onto the path where her friend stood waiting for her.

"You had to scold the kids didn't you Amu?"

Amu sighed, playing with her umbrella again as she answered, "They were singing that song again. It gets on my nerves. Besides, if they were caught by other people, they could get into more trouble than one little smack on their bottoms."

"Trying to justify yourself?"

"Aren't you even a little frustrated when listening to that song?" Amu questioned, "Don't you think it's rather unfair on us Dia?"

Dia giggled at Amu's persistent whining of the song. "We are what we are and the world is what the world is."

"You might as well not say anything at all. This world is unjust," Amu continued, "why are we the ones to be ridiculed so much. We're not weak."

Dia sighed and began to walk towards the main town; Amu following swiftly behind her.

"You know Amu," Dia began, holding the basket in her hands more closely to her. Such a sensitive topic was also hard for Dia to speak of but it was a topic she couldn't avoid either. "Amu, I know you won't agree but, we witches are the weakest…"

Amu walked in front of Dia, stomping her feet hardly and stopping Dia in her tracks. "How could you say such a thing?" Amu questioned with fury, "You're a witch yourself and you're belittling witches. If we wanted to, we could-"

"Could what?" Dia said over Amu. She glanced around her, thankful they were alone and no one heard them. She lowered her voice, "we could use magic to hurt people, to silence those brutal Pirates? Amu…magic is not meant to be used like that. I cannot stand the idea of using magic as a type of weapon against anyone."

"It's thoughts like yours that is the reason for witches being hunted and people thinking we are weak when we are just pacifists."

"We're hunted because our ancestors have gone and unwisely used magic against normal people," Dia argued, "We're feared by them."

"Yeah I know," Amu said as she started walking again. "I'm sorry Dia." Nervously, Amu played with her long pink hair, irritated at herself for almost getting into an argument with Dia. There weren't many witches now compared to the past and certainly, the number of witches in the world was sparse in comparison to normal people and especially, Pirates. Within the society of witches, competition between these magic users was strong and a concrete hierarchy was established. It was hard for witches to get along with one another and Dia was Amu's only close friend. She didn't want to lose Dia over silly arguments.

Dia smiled, knowing Amu didn't mean to upset her. She casually changed the topic, "What do you think this gathering is about? I heard all the witches in this area and from other parts of the world are supposed to attend. It's rather big to be a normal gathering."

"Who knows," Amu said with a sigh, "these meetings are pointless. All Queen Hecate has to announce each time is stuff that is happening around the world and where it would be safer for witches to stay. Then there are the usual witch promotions."

"True," Dia agreed, "but gathering all the witches from around the world does raise theories."

They continued to walk through the streets. It was beginning to get dark now as the sun was preparing to exit for the day. Many villagers were already packing up their little stores and mothers were calling in their children. From a distance Amu and Dia spotted some other girls, slightly older than them heading in the same direction.

"They're going to the church as well," Dia commented.

"I've never seen them before," Amu said, "from the other areas perhaps."

"OH MY…. It's the LOSER AMU," a familiar voice shouted from behind.

Amu turned around knowing exactly who it was. She glared at Miki, dreading her presence already.

"Why the glare," Miki pressed on, her blue cloak swaying as she moved her hips and leaned in closer to Amu. "I'm only stating facts, you are a loser and you are the biggest failure."

Miki's two close friends, Ran and Sue followed close behind, gathering around Amu and Dia.

"You better shut up or I'll…"

"Do what?" Miki teased, grabbing Amu's cheeks hardly and pulling her close. She breathed on her, "Come now dearie, don't say you're going to cast a spell on me. You know your magic never works. Hence why you're still a level 10 at the age of 16, when looking around you, others have far-progressed from the stage of an amateur."

"You do realise a level 10 is worse than a beginner within the hierarchy of witches. They're the weakest," Ran pointed out. "When we were at the age of 16 like you, we were already a level 8."

"Let go of me," Amu shouted in frustration, knowing what Miki said was all true. She was a failure. No matter how hard she tried, everything she did, from brewing potions to casting spells, they would all go wrong. But just because she had difficulties learning, didn't mean she had no pride. She hated being looked down upon because of her lack of talent. She won't stand Miki's bullying, "let go now. I don't want to be touched by an old hag like you."

"What did you say?" Miki shouted her hand rose up.

Before Miki's hard slap could reach Amu's face, Dia caught hold of Miki's hand.

"Let go of Amu," Dia demanded.

Miki glared at Dia, letting go of Amu and taking a step away from Dia. "I see you still like acting the heroine part. You want to feel good by protecting the weak."

Dia smiled confidently, "I'm not a saint. I only protect the people I want to. Amu's my friend and I won't allow you to hurt or intimidate her."

"Are you saying, you can stop me whenever you please? Dia, we're old acquaintances and we're both a level 3," Miki reminded Dia. "Unless you're one level above me, it'll be a draw between us. I'll make sure it'll always be a draw between us."

"As you please," Dia said.

Miki turned to leave, clicking her fingers, motioning for Ran and Sue to move as well. "Oh Amu dear, you may be a lot younger than us but don't think you have plenty of time to waste. I'll be happy to admit to being an old hag if it means I'm powerful in this world. Dia, do continue to baby-sit that loser. I'm intrigued to find out how many more decades it will take her to level up."

With that last comment, Miki and her gang left, walking ahead towards the church, the meeting place for all the gathering witches.

Amu tightened her grip on her umbrella. "One day, I'll prove to her that I can be a high level witch too. I'll surpass her."

"Don't take it to heart Amu," Dia said, "Just do things at your own pace."

"Let's hurry," Amu urged, "we shouldn't let Miki arrive before us and of course I won't take that old hag's words to heart. Just to clarify though, I'm not saying you're an old hag too Dia."

Dia laughed, "I know."

It wasn't long before they reached the church. Many witches were already entering the building. Dia and Amu swiftly entered too. It was amazing how many witches were present and even more so that they were all inside a sacred church. No commons would expect a witch gathering to be held inside a church, right under the observation of God. To fools eyes, witches are evil beings, but reality was a lot different. Witches weren't as evil as perceived and gathering inside a church was very common. The wooden doors at the entrance slammed shut and all the witches in the room went quiet. Walking out from the side door to the front of the altar was the most powerful person in the room, the ruler of all witches, Queen Hecate. A flawlessly beautiful face and with her long silver hair cascading over her perfect frame, Hecate was like a goddess descended from heaven.

"No matter how many times I see her, she's amazing," a witch whispered in the crowd.

"They say she's already lived for two centuries, but look at her, she's still so young and beautiful."

"It's no wonder she's our Queen, a true level 0 witch."

Hecate raised her hand in the air, silencing the minor whisperings amongst the group. "My beloved sisters, it is once again a blessing for me to see and meet with all of you here. We've met each other in countless gatherings like this, setting up an illusionary barrier to hide ourselves from commons that despise us so." Hecate looked around her in the room, "I thank you all for your efforts to show up tonight. I shan't waste any more time. Today I have gathered all the witches in the world, from level 1 to level 10, from children to elderly. The reason for me gathering you all here tonight is because I am going to announce something very important." Hecate paused for a few seconds, "I've lived for long enough, during the next sacred festival of the Equinox, I shall resign from my position as your ruler. A new successor will be chosen through the ultimate Magic Duello."

Many whispers were filling the room now as the witches simply could not believe what they were hearing. No one expected Hecate to retire, it was anticipated that she would remain ruler forever. However, this day has finally come where a new ruler was to surface to lead the witches on in this wild world.

Hecate raised her hand once more, motioning for silence. "Everyone present in this room, any level Witch has the right to participate in the Magic Duello, which is to be held in 5 months' time tonight. A silver ring is distributed to everyone. This ring will be your right to enter the Duello. Of course if before the Duello, you lose or the ring turns to a rusty colour, it means you have lost your participation right. How and why the ring will turn colour is up to you all to find out. The only rule is…" Hecate smiled now, "all participants must work alone. You must not help nor receive help from any other witch. You can of course hinder another witch. The key to winning is power. Go now and use this time wisely to seek for POWER."

There was a cheer in the room as the witches got excited over the prospect of a game for the strongest to take the throne of Hecate.

Hecate clapped her hand once and every witch in the room had a silver ring on their thumb. "May I remind you that power comes in all forms. You may bring anything to the Duello in 5 months' time as long as it is the power you've found to help you win. With this, I wish all of you good luck and you are all dismissed."

The candles in the room went out and a gust of wind blasted in as the great wooden doors opened. Excited voices filled the room and some witches were already on their way out. From a distance, Amu spotted Miki and her little group leaving. It seemed that Miki sensed Amu's stare and she returned it with a smirk. You better stay out of this loser…. Quit the Duello now before you make a fool of yourself…

Amu clenched her fists, having heard exactly what Miki was thinking in her mind. She was infuriated. She wasn't weak and she would prove to Miki by competing in the Duello. Power, whatever it was, as long as it would make her strong enough to defeat Miki, she would do anything to obtain it. She had already made up her mind.

"This is quite insane," Dia said. "I suspect everyone is going to search for power, to strengthen themselves for the duello. However, Queen Hecate was being very vague, I wonder what exactly is the meaning of power and what she meant by it is in many forms? Amu, what are you planning to do?"

Amu turned to look at Dia and she was suddenly lost for words. She really wanted to compete in the Duello, to prove she wasn't weak just because she was still a level 10. However, there was that one part of her that wanted to support Dia. In her heart, Dia was one of the strongest witches there was and she should be the next successor to Hecate. "I… I don't think I'll par-"

"Goodbye Amu," Dia shouted over Amu's mumblings. "To participate in the Duello, we need to act alone. We should split ways for these 5 months." Dia took hold of Amu's hand, "I want you to know, that even if I'm not besides you, I'll be supporting you from the bottom of my heart. When I'm not around you, please remember not to do anything rash, stay calm and no matter what be careful. You don't know what the other witches would do to eliminate the number of participants."

"Wait Dia," Amu tried to cut in, "I've decided to-"

"I know you want to help me," Dia said, "but Amu, I also know you want to compete in the Duello yourself, so do it. Enter and show Miki your true strength. I'll be looking forward to seeing how powerful you can become as well." Dia hugged Amu tightly, knowing they were to part ways. "Promise me, you'll give it your all and then when we next meet, it will be in the Duello."

Amu hugged Dia back, suppressing her tears. For as long as she remembered, Dia had always been besides her like her older sister. She couldn't bear to think that they would be separating for 5 months. Amu let go of Dia and looked at her for one last time. She smiled and shouted, "Thank you," before running out of the church.

"Good luck Amu," Dia whispered, watching her leave.

Outside on the empty streets now, Amu slowed down her pace, not knowing where to go or what to do. She was quite lost. Power, where is she going to find such a thing? Perhaps if she searched in the library for the darkest curse or a potion that kills someone. What about pets? A dragon, she had heard that they still existed somewhere in the world. Surely a strong pet like a dragon can help her win the Duello. Amu paused in her train of thoughts as she heard some noise behind her. "Another witch?" Amu whispered turning around to see what it was. She let out a sigh of relief seeing it wasn't a witch but a young boy. She watched the young boy closely as he sneakily ran about the streets. He ran from one shop to another, peering into the dark windows and then glancing around him as though to make sure no one noticed him, he took out a piece of paper and scribbled something down. It seemed he hadn't noticed Amu yet. "Is he a thief?" Amu wondered, tapping her rubicund umbrella on the ground a few times. With a click of her fingers, Amu practically glided along the road until startling the poor kid as he fell onto the floor, she stood before him. "Kid, its well late into the night, why aren't you in bed?"

"Why aren't you in bed?" the kid questioned back. "I'm not that much younger than you. Don't question me like an adult and don't scare me." He stood back up, patting the dust from his clothes.

A slightly irritated Amu held her cool. "What are you up to? Trying to steal? I'll report you."

"None of your business," he said turning to walk away.

Amu grabbed hold of his shirt, "you wrote something down on a piece of paper, what is it?"

The boy struggled from Amu's grasp, slapping her hand away and making a run for it after stepping on Amu's foot. Amu rubbed her foot, not expecting that brats stomp to be so painful. She smirked though waving the piece of paper that she stole from him in her hands. She read it out loud, "on the right hand side of the street, the fifth shop is a botany shop, the one directly opposite it is one that sells cloth…"

Hearing Amu's voice, the boy checked his pockets and immediately he ran back towards her. "Give it back," he demanded but Amu was quicker as she stood up and held the paper out of his reach.

"Why are you referencing where everything is in the town? What is it for?" Amu asked, "I won't give it back if you don't answer."

The boy stared at Amu for a while and realising Amu meant business he pulled a face at her before saying, "keep it. You nosy witch, steal it and keep the paper all you like. I won't tell." He turned and began to run away again but as he was running he felt weird, his feet didn't seem to be touching anything and when he looked down he screamed as he found himself floating in the air. He heard Amu giggle and he stared at her. "You… you really are a witch aren't you? You did this to me, you made me fly."

Amu nodded, "I admit I am one nosy witch so tell me-"

"This is great," the boy said, his eyes suddenly sparkling as though he had found a pile of gold. "My name is Yoru, Miss witch."

"Yoru?"

"Yeah, if I told you, would you help me?"

Amu stared at Yoru, "it depends." She waved her hand and Yoru was now on the floor again.

"Miss Witch, can you get me to the tower?"

"The tower?" Amu repeated, surprised at his request, "there's only one tower in this entire area and that's…"

"Yeah, I need to get inside the tower and fast," Yoru said sternly. "You're a witch so I'm sure you can help me break in."

"No, breaking in isn't the issue here," Amu slowly said, she grabbed hold of Yoru again, "the problem is, that Tower is a prison for criminals of all kind. Now, what would a kid like you want to do entering that infamous Tower?"

Yoru gulped, knowing he could either risk it all and tell her and trust in a witch or forget about what he wanted to do. But he knew his options were limited. Yoru clenched his fists, making up his mind to gamble this one time. "I want to see him… my brother. He's inside that Tower."

"So your brothers a pathetic criminal caught by…"

Yoru smiled now, "yeah, you could say he's a criminal but you can't say he's pathetic or was caught…"

Confused Amu said, "say things more clearly."

"He's the best mastermind there is, he deliberately infiltrated the Tower."

"Then why do you need to go there?"

"Part of a plan."

"What plan?"

"You ask too much," Yoru complained, "a plan to throw this town into chaos. My brother is bad Miss Witch, but so are you. Witches are evil too aren't they? Don't you want to see something splendid happen?"

This Yoru and his brother, just what are they planning, Amu thought as he studied the kid. Well, Witches aren't bad and I'll stop you two.

"I'm only telling you this because I know there isn't anything you can do," Yoru continued, "you can either help me out a little, which would speed things up for me or I'll just do as I planned…" Yoru smiled more confidently now, "My brother is strong…and no matter what happens, he will always manage to do what he wants. He is that strong that its scary Miss Witch."

The word strong seem to click with Amu. Strong, that was something she needed to be, something she needed to find. Amu let go of Yoru and weighed up her options. Since she didn't know where to begin to train or find power for the Duello, and having plenty of spare time in her hands, helping Yoru didn't seem such a bad idea to kill time and organise herself. "Yoru, let's make a deal," Amu proposed. I'll see for myself whether Yoru's brother really is as strong as he claims.