Mena's face fell as she received another wave of bad news. "Ashlan…" she whispered. "Remain here? For how long…?"

A look of empathy raised Leonahart's heavy brow. "For as long as it takes to restore power to the Dream Heels. Two others must be found and led to their own respective temples before those heels reveal themselves."

Ashlan's head dropped and she gazed at the floor. "I cannot believe this. Right after I admitted my feelings too. I cannot believe my luck."

"Distance makes the heart grow fonder," the enormous lioness said solemnly, placing a ghostly hand on Mena and Ashlan's shoulders.

Both girls looked up and witness the sparkle of a tear in Leonahart's eye. "I spent the rest of my lifetime away from my beloved and in the end, no one knew but me. Cherish the fact that this young witch knows your feelings."

Ashlan looked into Mena's eyes and sighed. "Can we have one last time alone?" she asked softly.

The two stepped away from everyone else for what would be the last time. "Well Rainy," Ashlan said, "Now you know the secret I've been guarding for the last two semesters. And what a secret it was."

"Admittedly," Mena said nervously. "I had no idea!"

"You were always as thick as that head of yours, Sunny," Ashlan said boasting.

There was suddenly a timid look in the lionesses' eyes, "But uh, how are you feeling about that?"

Mena forced an uneasy smile. "I think that's great Sunny, but…"

"But what?" Ashlan said, her face paling and her knees trembling.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"I'm um…" Mena said, and she took one cautious step back. "Dealing a bit with the loss of Tal. It's so fresh in my mind. I might need some..."

"Time…" Ashlan said finishing her sentence. "But you know you won't get to see me in a long time and…"

"That's why…" Mena said, and with a glint in her eye she leaped forward and planted a kiss on Ashlan's cheeks. She giggled and lifted her foot as she did it, causing Ashlan's eyes to bug out.

"So what do you thinking?" Mena asked as she pulled away and she looked into Ashlan's vacant eyes.

Ashlan's eyes didn't even blink in sync and she had a dumb expression that betrayed none of her haughty intelligence. "I've got two things to say," she said raising a finger with a stupid grin. "Hubba hubba...and I hope this temple has some spare pants."

"I hope that will tide you over!" Mena giggled and she flexed her pipe cleaner arms behind her head. "After all, not everyone gets to be kissed by the LUV-MASTA! Brown liccan brown cow!"

Once Ashlan came to, they looked into each other's eyes once more. "But seriously, Sunny," Mena said, "Thanks for understanding."

"Of course," Ashlan said, feeling a lot more calm. "In the mean time, you better get your booty moving so I won't miss that much of school. Otherwise, I'll make you do all my homework!"

Mena trembled. "Miserable Magicaps, extra homework! That's even worse than facing Anguish!"

"Take care of Leo for me too," Ashlan said, looking nervously at her unconscious brother. "He still hasn't awoken yet."

Mena glanced over at a sauce covered May massaging Leo's biceps and then kissing them. "Don't worry," she said, "I'm sure May will take great care of him. Maybe a little too good of care if you ask me."

"Good," Ashlan said, "I'll be praying for ya...quite literally."

Mena winked at Ashlan and bid her farewell with a fond hug.

She walked over to Janus, May and Leonahart. "I said goodbye to her," Mena said with a sullen face. "but uh...how do we leave here?"

Leonahart gave them a sly wink and the enormous fist medallion started to glow. "Where is this taking us?" Mena asked

"A one way ticket back to your Dream Castle," Leonahart said. "All ancient Dula technology is interconnected."

The three waved goodbye to Ashlan and Leonahart. Ashlan applauded Mena happily "Great job in the play Sunny," Ashlan snidely smiled. "You're a pretty good thespian for a first timer."

Mena humbly bowed to her friend as she disappeared.

Mena had found the first sage by mistake, and even though, Ashlan had been with her from the very start, it was quite a surprise. After a dismal finale to her play, the young witch was delighted she stayed for her encore!