The Best Approach

SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH

Yami had let out an irritated groan as he could hear the sound of wood scraping. When his vision became clear, he found Prism just at the door with her now sharp nails digging into the wood, not caring if her own hand had gotten splinters just from the shrapnels that were made as she dragged her hands across it.

She only seemed to have stopped when Yami had to pry her from the door as she let out a confused groan, "Hey, quit it! It's too early for this!"

Prism tried to get out of his grip, though she could only squirm a little. She started to nip at his arm in an attempt to get free, making a slight pinching sensation as she growled.

"No, stop that!" Yami told her, giving her a smack on the back of her head, "I'm not food."

Prism could only whimper as he set her down on the floor; she tried to move for the door again though Yami gave her a nudge as she fell on her back since she lost her balance.

He told her, "Look, just stay in here, and keep quiet, I gotta make a call." With that said, he went to exit the room, though before he did, he turned back and told her firmly, "And don't even think about scratching the door or I'll kill you."

Prism whimpered again as she tilted her head as she could hear the door click when it was closed shut. She soon started to sniff the air before she went to a certain part of the room; she used the shelves to climb up as she had knocked over a few books while the little spirits watched her with curious eyes.

***

-Cafeteria-

Most of the members of the Black Bulls looked at Asta, Feodora, Karasu and Noelle with odd looks in their eyes as they could see them just ready to pass out right into their food. None of them couldn't even take a bite of their breakfast as they were mostly nodding off.

"So--Tired…" Asta groaned, "Want… To sleep…"

"Five minutes…" Feodora said, "... I just need five minutes…"

"Can sleep… For an eternity…" Karasu groaned.

"Aniki… Ok--ay?" Sachiko said, trying to speak.

"Hey are you guys alright?" Vandy asked.

"Did you guys have a slumber party again?" Jubei asked, "Because if you did--" She soon pulled out a knife, "--I'll cut you for not inviting me!"

Magna yelled at the child, "WILL YOU STOP IT WITH YOUR KNIVES!? SERIOUSLY, THAT'S DANGEROUS!"

"It's… Complicated…" Noelle said with yawn.

"Are you sure?" Aisling asked, "Because I don't know about you, but Pluck seems WAY more into the books then he normally is."

The group looked over to Pluck as they could see his eyes were bloodshot red as he had been practically buried into a book titled, "How to Lock Pick for Dummies."

They could hear Pluck mumbling deliriously, like he was a man on a mission, "Maybe if I take a hairpin and a pencil I can save five seconds of time!"

"I'm sure Barbados is just studying as usual." Noelle said with a tired tone. "I mean he is a royal despite his...well demeanor."

Pluck got in Noelle's face much to her surprise as he said, "SILENCE!" He moved back to his seat as he continued his study, much to Noelle's surprise as she shook..

"This is definitely not his all night session that's for sure." Yukiko said, "They're usually more sane than this."

Cadfan nodded, "That is saying a lot, considering he trained himself to sleep with his eyes open."

"He can do that…?" Asta groaned.

"Oh yeah, he makes a pretty good scarecrow." Aidan said.

Pluck shouted suddenly, making them jump, "NO I DON'T!"

"So much for assassinating him someday." Feodora said with a groan as her face planted on the table.

Karasu's face landed right in his plate of food as it couldn't help but make them flinch slightly. "I welcome you death…" He groaned as Sachiko started to rub his back while Yoshi nuzzled his leg.

Luck had laughed as he said, "Maybe I can wake them up if we have a sparring match!"

"I don't think that's going to help." Yukiko said.

"Seriously you guys, did any of you get any sleep last night?" Finral asked, "Or did one of you start a fight?"

The five of them looked to one another as they recalled the events that had happened prior. "NO!" The five of them immediately said, making them flinch.

"Okay--" Aine said, "--You guys are being more weirder than usual. Especially Pluck."

"Speaking of weird--" Vanessa said, "--Where's our resident Princess anyway? She's usually up by now."

Pluck had said as he had been taking notes at a fast pace, "SHE'S SLEEPING IN THE CAPTAIN'S--I MEAN I DON'T KNOW I MEAN--AHHHH!" He burst through the door immediately waking them up as he screamed like a madman.

"Stupid Barbados..We just fixed that.." Noelle said with a groan. "Water..Creation--"

"Don't." Feodora said, giving her a light slap on the head, "But I understand the urge."

"We just got this cleaned up, don't make us do it a third time." Karasu said.

"Oookay…" Aisling said, "...That was SUPER weird."

"Seriously though, do you know where she is?" Aine asked them, "We were hoping to talk to her about shopping sites, and we couldn't find her in her room. Don't know what happened, but the door looked blasted open."

"We tried to get Adrien to sniff her out--" Aidan said before pointing to the corner of the room as he had his head against the wall, "--But he seems a bit depressed."

"Yeah he put himself in a corner..Literally." Jubei added.

Asta sighed as he rested his chin on the table. "I can't blame them for worrying about Prism… But we can't exactly tell them about what happened last night. They'd have a heart attack." Asta thought, "I really hope telling Captain Yami was a good idea."

The teens nearly fell out of their seats when the door was suddenly kicked down by a familiar brute force.

"Are you kidding me?! We just--" Feodora groaned before she yawned, "... On second thought I don't care…"

"Yami, there you are." Yukiko said, "It's a surprise to see you up."

"Wait, what are you doing up?" Cadfan asked.

"Alright you guys, listen up." Yami said as he clapped his hands to get their attention, "Prism is feeling a bit under the weather and from what I know it's contagious. The last thing we want is to be idiots and be near the girl in that state, so until her sickness is gone, she's going to be under quarantine."

The four teens looked surprised while the others had a look of worry, while everyone else looked shocked. "Quarantine?!" Most of them exclaimed.

"Oh no she's sick!?" Aisling said.

Yukiko had said, "That's unfortunate and you said we can't even be near her?"

"Can we see her at least?" Jubei asked.

"Can I still fight her?" Luck asked.

"No, no and DEFINITELY not." Yami replied. "Also Jubei, the knife."

"How do you even know I--" Jubei started to say.

"Now, please." He told her more firmly.

Jubei sighed as she handed the knife to him. Yami soon gave her a look, "And the other ones."

Jubei let out a groan before she pulled out the knives from the dress she was wearing as she pulled out a total of five before putting them in his hands.

The teens were shocked at the other knives she had as they were just plain shocked.

"Is this how the Barbados' young children are at that age?" Noelle asked.

"What sort of kid is she?" Feodora said dumbfounded.

"Still--What a cover story." Asta thought shocked, "Guess it was a good idea after all."

"Seriously though--" Vandy said, "--Can't we go see her?"

Yami had told him, "And have you catch the plague? No thanks."

Cadfan sighed as he said "Well I guess no one can't see Prism today and we're gonna have to cancel her lesson."

Yukiko sighed, "I'll go inform Charlotte and tell her there's been a delay."

"No need." Yami said, "I'll tell the Prickly Princess myself." He soon held his hand towards her, "I just need to borrow your magic item to make the call."

Yukiko did a double take, "You broke yours again?!"

Yami had replied, "Hey, it's not my fault."

Yukiko sighed as she said "Try not to break this one."

They soon heard the sound of banging just coming from upstairs as it made all of them jump. "What the hell is that noise!?" Magna exclaimed.

Vanessa had groaned, "My head--Who the heck is banging this early in the morning?"

"Someone shut up that racket!" Karasu shouted as he covered his ears.

"Huh--" Aisling said, "--That sounds like it's coming from--"

Immediately Yami's eyebrow twitched as he shouted "HEY GENIUS! YOU BETTER STAY OUT OR ELSE!"

"Oh no, what's our son doing now?!" Yukiko exclaimed.

Yami soon made a mad dash back to his room, along with Yukiko and Cadfan as they were taken back when they saw Pluck had been banging on the door with a hammer in an attempt to pry it open.

"Damn it!" Pluck shouted as he tossed the hammer away, "I knew hammers were useless, I'll just have to use this one!" He took out his grimoire as he shouted "SWORD CREATION MAGIC: ARC OF JUDGEMENT!" He took out a greatsword as he readied himself and was about to break down the door but--

"Cloud Magic---Thunderbolt Judgement!"

Soon a dark cloud appeared over his head as Pluck was soon met with volts of electricity, he fell to the ground as his body shook. Though he paled when Yami gave him a glare as he told him, "Hey, The hell were you doing?"

"Uhhh, fixing your door?" Pluck asked while stammering.

"By breaking it?" Cadfan asked

Yami grabbed his head as he told him, "What part of quarantine do you not get, sword boy?"

Pluck said nervously, as he started to sweat, "The Quarantine part?"

"Wrong answer." Yami said as he tossed him out the window with him screaming. The sound of his scream made Yukiko and Cadfan jump before he hit the ground.

"DID YOU JUST TOSS OUR SON OUT THE WINDOW!?" Yukiko exclaimed.

Yami had replied with a shrug, "He'll live."

Cadfan sighed as he said "We're gonna have a talk about that later."

They soon heard something fall over coming from the confines of Yami's room. "Prism?" Yukiko said, knocking on the door, "Prism, is everything okay in there?"

"Did you hurt yourself?" Cadfan asked through the door, though both were a bit shocked when they didn't get an answer.

"I'll take care of it." Yami told them, "You get your worrisome brat, and make sure he doesn't wreck anything."

Yukiko gave Yami a look before she let out a sigh, "Alright, just be careful not to get sick."

"Hopefully he didn't break his leg again." Cadfan said.

Thus the two of them went to go and get Pluck, while Yami couldn't help but give an irritated groan. He didn't even bother to unlock his own room door as he busted it open with a kick.

"Lizard Girl what are you--?!"

Yami stopped himself as he saw that his room had been a mess; the floor had been practically littered with the books as the shelf had been knocked and some of the books looked to have a set of claw marks. Prism had been sitting on his bed as she had been holding his blade unsheathed as she had been teething on it while she let out a playful growl; the covers had been stained with red as it was coming from her hands.

Yami's eyebrow twitched as he said, "What...are you doing?"

Prism froze up only for a moment before she continued to nibble on it.

"Dark Restraining Magic-Dark Binding!" Yami said.

Prism let out a squeak as she found her arms and legs restrained as she rolled onto the floor with a grunt when the bindings emerged from his grimoire.

"Okay, that's enough mischief for one day. We're gonna go see the Wizard King." Yami said, taking his blade before wiping the blood off of it and sheathing it, "One way or another you're snapping out of this."

She bared her claws and sunk it into the dark bindings taking Yami by surprise as her veins glowed a color black. Though the moment they did, a small set of flames this time it had been that of black flames. Despite it breaking it apart Prism started to whimper fearfully as she backed herself into a corner as her hands and arm started to steam, though her eyes stayed in the color of white. The spirits looked to have shrunk and shriveled as they looked terrified as she was.

"Huh—" He said, "—Seems like you're scared of my mana. And from the looks of it, it hurts you. That's not even a strong spell."

Prism seemed to cower further when Yami tried to approach her and a couple of the spirits looked to have grown hostile as some of them looked like they were ready to attack him.

"Hey relax." Yami said. "I'm not gonna hurt her."

Prism flinched as his hand had been hovering over her as she let out a whimper. Though she let out a curious noise when she felt his hand on her head. "It's okay. Remember I'm supposed to make sure you're safe, okay?"

Prism just looked at him with curious eyes before she put herself to as he could've sworn she let out a purr as she nuzzled her cheek in his chest which made him freeze up a little.

He sighed, as he patted her shoulder, "Geez, this is getting too weird even for me." He soon scratched his head as he pondered a thought, "I can't use Finral this time around since he's gonna faint at the sight of you, and there's a chance you might attack and take his mana. The same can be said for the citizens. You just might get hungry and go attack them and we can't have that. How exactly are we supposed to get you to Julius without making a scene?"

Just as he said this aloud Prism pried herself from him before she started to pull on the bed sheets; she started to nibble on them as she had been teething again, though she ended up getting tangled in the sheets.

It was then Yami couldn't help but smile, as he gave her a pat on the head again once he got her untangled, "Huh, I guess you do have your cute moments...." It was then Yami had an idea come to his head as his grin grew wider.

***

-Royal Capital; Clover Castle-

It didn't take Yami long before he had arrived at the castle where both the King and Wizard King resided, and all without attracting attention, despite the fact that he had been carrying a makeshift bag over his shoulder. It was easy for him to get into the castle since he had a captain's rank, and the Magic Knights that had been posted as guards wouldn't dare turn someone like him away.

He could feel Prism despite her feral state rustle slightly in the bag, like she had been trying to get comfortable.

"Not exactly what I had in mind when bringing you to the castle--" He said adjusting it slightly, "--But it was bound to happen sooner or later."

He soon entered the building as he kept a firm grip on the bag when he heard a soft groan coming from her as well as a growling sound.

"Hang on, Lizard Girl." He told her, "Don't start losing it now."

"Well, well, if it isn't Captain Yami of the Black Bulls."

Yami turned towards the direction of the voice as he saw it had been from a man who was of thirty five years of age man with short, golden brown hair, a handlebar mustache that curls at the ends, and small, pointed goatee that also curls. He wore a striped doublet with alternating dark and light purple sections separated by white lines. The long sleeves have lace at the wrists. He also wears a pair of trunk hose that have a similar pattern as his doublet, as well as a pair of white tights and dark purple shoes. Over all this, was a fur-lined, green royal mantle and a yellow cravat.

Yami couldn't help but think with annoyance, "Great not this guy. He couldn't pick a better time to show up. At least she's not gonna remember this." Yami soon maintained his composure before he bowed his head, "Greetings your Majesty...or whatever.'

The King--Augustus looked irritated as he said, "How dare you! I am your King! I would appreciate it if you treated me with respect!!"

Yami said to the King, giving a wave of his hand, "Yeah, yeah whatever."

"Excuse you!" Augustus shouted "I AM YOUR KING! I DEMAND RESPECT FROM THE MAGIC KNIGHTS! ESPECIALLY FROM YOU, CAPTAIN OF THE BLACK BULLS!!"

Yami had only rolled his eyes, "Look you can boast about how great you are later. I'm here to see Julius."

At this Augustus's jaw dropped, "GRRR--Damn Julius! Always hogging the spotlight!"

"Here's an idea--Why don't you do your job as a King." Yami said.

"YOU--I DEMAND YOUR EXECUTION!!" Augustus shouted

Yami only gave a nonchalant look as he said, "Uh-huh, yeah. Maybe not now. Check with my chauffeur later."

Just then a loud growling sound could be heard coming from the bag; Yami could feel Prism fidget slightly inside as she moaned softly in agony.

"What the devil is that noise?!" Augustus said.

"Maybe some protesters are complaining about another one of your rule changes?" Yami asked with a puff.

The growling sound soon came again, as over his shoulder he could see one of Prism's nails poke out through the fabric as she had torn a hole. Augustus had said, getting his attention, "That's absurd, that sounded more like an animal if anything! As your king I order you to tell me what that sound is!"

Yami merely brushed it off casually before nudging Prism slightly, getting her hand to retreat back inside, "Hey easy girl." He told her softly, "Now's not a good time for you to come out."

"ARE YOU IGNORING ME?!" Augustus shouted, "YOU DARE IGNORE YOUR KING!?"

"Ah, Captain Yami! There you are!"

Yami and Augustus turned over and saw Julius had approached them with Marx at his side. "It's nice to see you!" Julius greeted, "I trust everything is well with your squad?"

Yami replied, taking a puff, "You know us, same old, same old but with new idiots."

"How is one of your new members?" Julius asked.

"The kid's doing great." Yami said. "She's getting along with everyone, better then I expected actually. I just wish her best friend could accept them as much as her. Especially one particular member."

Julius gave a laugh, "I'm glad to hear it!"

Augustus' jaw dropped before he shouted, "EXCUSE ME, I'M RIGHT HERE!!"

Julius soon gave a friendly smile and a wave, 'Oh hello Augustus! How are you?"

Augustus growled before he said, trying to maintain his composure, "JUST FINE!" He cleared his throat, "You know being the clover king has his own important duties as the wizard king!"

"Good to hear your highness." Julius said, with a friendly smile, "Sorry, but I asked Yami to come here since he needed to speak with me. I hope this isn't an issue."

Augustus flinched but tried his best to force a smile as he said, "N-No, not at all!"

Julius smiles as he says, "Now then, shall we Captain Yami?"

Yami gave a nod as he replied, "Yeah, let's."

With that the two of them set off in the direction to the Wizard King's office, leaving Augustus just plain shocked. "Da-Damn that Julius!" He thought, "He dares to try to make a fool of me in front of one of my subordinates! I'll show him one of these days!"

***

Julius, Marx and Yami made for certain that they weren't followed by anyone when they entered the Wizard Kings office. Yami hadn't been surprised at all when he saw some of the captains had been waiting in the room; that being Captain William, Jack, Nozel and Charlotte.

Yami merely greeted with a wave of his hand, "Hey Goldilocks, Beanpole, Prickly princess and Locks."

Nozel merely grumbled as he asked "Why did he have to come here?"

"Captain Yami told us there had been a problem in regards to the Princess." Marx explained, "He felt that we should be informed of the situation."

"The Princess?" William said, "Has something happened to her?"

"Is she ill?" Charlotte asked.

Yami had said while taking a puff from his cigarette, "Guess you can call it that in a way."

"I trust that you brought her with you?" Julius asked.

Yami gave a nonchalant look as he held the bag, that they could see had been moving a little and they seemed to have put it together.

"KEKE--Don't tell me her highness is in that--" Jack started to say.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO HER YAMI!?" Charlotte shouted, "SHE'S A PRINCESS SHE SHOULD BE TREATED MORE WITH CARE!"

Nozel added, "I swear maybe leaving her in your hands was a mistake."

Yami sighed as he said, "For a second I was about to let her highness feast on the king like the royal she is."

"That's not the point!" Nozel and Charlotte shouted.

"What was that about a feast?" Marx asked.

They were soon taken back when they heard a growling sound coming from the bag as they could hear Prism let out a groan of agony.

"Is she alright?" William asked.

Yami replied, "Not exactly. From what my squadmates tell me she's in some sort of trance. She almost made a meal out of Noelle and Pluck."

Nozel's eyes widened as he said "She what?!"

Yami set the bag down, as it had started to thrash even harder then before. Though as he undid them, he looked to the captains, the Wizard King and his Advisor, "Brace yourselves, she's a bit crazy with hunger."

"For what exactly?" Julius said.

The minute Yami had opened the bag allowing Prism to go free; however the moment she was free, they were taken back when she suddenly charged at Julius while she let out an aggressive growl. Though Yami was quick to act as he had gotten out his grimoire.

"Dark Restraining Magic--Dark Binding!"

The bindings emerged from his grimoire as it quickly restrained Prism causing her to hit the ground while her arms and legs were trapped.

"Wha--What in the world?!" Marx exclaimed as Prism started to thrash against them.

They could see that she had been drooling profoundly as her white eyes looked to be dilated as she had been focused on Julius who had looked to her calmly.

"Ma..Na…" They heard her groan, "Ma… Na…"

"The Princess--" Charlotte said in shock, "What happened to her!?"

"KEKE--She's acting like a wild animal!" Jack had commented.

"What could have done this to her?" William asked.

"Was it that Barbados? Is that why she went after Noelle like this?" Nozel asked

"Hey hey, let's not point fingers." Yami told them, "As far as I'm concerned, we're not sure why she is the way she is. The kid and ice girl told me this was their first time seeing her act this way."

"Ma… Na… Hun… Gry..." She groaned again as she tried to break free, "Hun… Gry… Ma… Na…"

"I take it, that's what she wants?" Julius said to Yami.

Yami nodded, "She attacked the Sword Boy and Noelle just to get some of it."

"Curious--" Nozel said looking to Prism as she growled, "--She told us the weapon she carried was the only thing that could absorb magic."

"Not from what they've seen." Yami explained, before he pointed to the nails on her hands, "She was using those to take it from them. Given the information so far, it's the only thing that can satisfy her. And earlier when she absorbed my mana, it only hurt her, despite it not being one of my stronger spells."

Prism growled as she still tried to move to Julius in an attempt to get as she whimpered; the growling sound in her stomach seemed to have gotten louder. She stopped trying to break as she could only moan in agony as tears started to form from the intense pain she felt.

"It seems like it's getting worse." William said, examining her.

"Hunger pains." Charlotte said, "From the sound of it it's extremely severe."

"KEKE--I can't train her like this!" Jack said, "There's no fun in it!"

"Seriously String Bean?" Yami said, shaking her head.

"Is there a way to snap her out of this?" Nozel asked.

"Well she doesn't have a high tolerance for pain the last time she absorbed too much of your sister's magic." Yami said, "That seemed to have woken her up last time."

"You're not suggesting harming the princess to get her back are you?" Marx said shocked.

Jack had said, breaking out his blades, from his magic, "KEKE--Why not?! I can fix that instantly!"

"Jack seriously?!" Charlotte exclaimed.

Yami immediately told him as he drew his blade towards him, "Try it and you're dead, beanpole."

"KEKE--Out of my way, Sukihero!" Jack shouted ready to fight.

"We are not hurting the Princess!" Charlotte said, "What is wrong with you!?"

Jack had retorted "KEKE--I suppose you have a better idea?!"

Nozel immediately held him back with his mercury magic, "You will do no such thing."

Julius and William soon saw that Prism started to chew on the edge of the carpet as they soon noticed something from the girl. "Your highness--" William said, spotting it first as he placed his hand on Prism's shoulder, "--Take a look at this."

Julius soon had gotten a closer inspection and spotted the set of small fangs; they looked a bit sharp and yet a little dull. "How intense!" Julius said, "It looks like she grew a set of fangs! They look like an animal's baby teeth!" His eyes sparkled as he began to inspect more, as she opened her mouth a little as she had released the edge of the carpet, "Oooh! I wonder what happens if she bites someone! Hey, do you want to bite me?"

"Sire, is that really necessary!?" Marx exclaimed.

"Marx, don't worry!" Julis said "What can possibly go wro-"

Prism's jaw soon latched onto Julius's arm as he could feel a slight pinch. She continued to bite on his arm as she let out a growl.

"Aww.." Julius said "She's teeth-" Soon blood was drawn as Julius uttered a screeching scream as it made the captains jump as Prism continued to nip. Marx had shouted, "YOUR MAJESTY!"

Yami yelled as he tried to pull Prism away, "HEY! HE'S NOT FOOD! QUIT IT!"

Jack had yelled while pulling Prism on the neck of her shirt, "KEKE--HIS MANA IS NOT ON THE MENU!"

Nozel commented as he shook his head, "We have to fix this. She can not go out on missions like this!"

"I don't think this will be an easy fix." William said as Prism was pulled off of Julius, "For now we should think of a probable cause as to why she entered this Trance in the first place."

Julius soon gave it some thought as he had been rubbing his newfound wound. "Yami--?" Julius soon said, "--In the report from their mission, didn't you say there was something about her grimoire?"

Yami nodded, "From what the others told me, she did some kind of new trick." He had soon taken out a familiar grimoire from the bag he carried, "It seems like she unlocked something in it."

"Was that in the--" Charlotte started to say, "Yami!"

"What? I had no other place to put it." Yami told her nonchalantly as Julius took the grimoire from him.

Julius flipped a page as it showed the set of words just next to the other; it had been written in the same language in which they couldn't understand. "It's a new incarnation." Juius said, "This might explain why the young princess is in this state of mind."

"What do you suppose it does?" Charlotte said.

"Why don't we find out?" Julius said, "Marx?"

"Of course your majesty." Marx said.

Thus Marx was quick to get to work as he opened his grimoire. Yami had gotten Prism to sit up before the spear made contact with the top of her head; the sphere soon showed them the events pertaining to Saussy Village as they saw Prism had been trying to stop Asta's bleeding as they saw her surroundings. Her comrades had been either unconscious or trying to move towards the attacker at hand.

"N-No…" They heard her sob, "... No! No! No! No! No! I don't--I CAN'T lose anyone else! Not again…"

A few moments later, they saw the jewels on her scythe started to glow as well as her grimoire as the words appeared on the page as they could see the words appear on the page next to the previous incantation. It was then she spoke it aloud.

"Darkness to light

Torn to mend

Clock reverse

To what once was lost"

In a matter of seconds they saw the veins in her arms glow as did the jewels on her scythe; both had been the color of white. They soon saw both of her hands lit up with white flames before she placed them over Asta's wound. Some of the flames seemed to have broken off of her hand as it started to close up his wound and the glow of her veins had gone into his body. His whole body for a moment glowed a white glow as the smaller wounds on him closed up before he had awoken with a gasp.

Asta had sat up as he looked to where his wound had been. He looked to Prism as he seemed to have put it together, "Pri!" He said in the memory, "Did you just do that?!"

"I--I think so." They heard Prism stammer as her hands still held flames, though one appeared to have gotten smaller.

Asta looked over to where the attacker had been before he placed his hand on her shoulder, as he saw the flames didn't vanish, "Whatever you did to me, use it on the others so we can take care of this guy!"

"Ri-Right! Okay!" Prism said before she went and did just that. They saw when she touched them with the white flames it seemed to have had the same effect.

Marx soon stopped the memory as the Captains and Julius had seen enough.

"Interesting." Charlotte said in awe, "The new incantation allowed her to heal their wounds."

"Funny, it didn't seem to do that for the ones she came back with." Yami said.

"Perhaps it's properties don't apply to the caster herself." William reasoned.

"And judging from its power, it seems it takes a great toll." Nozel said.

"KEKE--So it left the princess in the state she is right now." Jack added.

"That still doesn't explain much--" Marx soon said, "--Someone with healing magic is the only capable with such a feat. And the princess said it herself that she lost her own magic."

Julius soon looked to Prism as she started to whimper again when her stomach started to let out a series of growls. "It could be that the scythe she uses helps her collect mana."

The Captains looked a bit shocked by this statement. Yami had said while taking a puff, "huh, that explains it."

"The incantation seemed to have taken all she had, and--" Julius said examining her fangs again, "--Whatever this Trance or if something possessed her, it seems like she needs to refill on the mana she used to heal them."

"But she used that incantation on four people." Charlotte said, "And from their wounds, it must've used up all the mana she had stored! Who knows how long she'll stay like this!"

"Whatever this is seems to possess a stronger mind and will than the princess." Marx said, "And judging by how many people she used it on, it might take her a few days for her to come to her senses. If we're lucky."

Yami's eyebrow twitched slightly as he didn't look at all pleased by this, "Damn it. That's how long we're gonna wait? What are we gonna do then? I can't have her feeding on my squadmates. They're troublesome by themselves as it is!"

"She can't stay here either." Nozel said, "If there's a chance she escapes, she'll attack the people here in the castle, or worse, go after the citizens."

Jack had said, "KEKE--Not me!"

"I say we let her feast on the king." Yami said. "I mean royalty should be treated with a fine meal right?"

Charlotte, Nozel and Marx gave him a look as Yami flinched slightly. "Hey I'm just saying that's all."

"That's really not funny, Yami." Charlotte told him.

William soon had a thought come over him, "I think I might have an easier solution."

Julius seemed to have come to the same conclusion, "Oh, that could work!" The other captains seemed to look confused by this sort of thing as all Prism could do was let out another groan as she tilted her head.

***

-A Few Moments Later-

It hadn't been long before they had gotten together what they needed; and surprisingly enough it had been but a simple solution, which most of the captains had found a bit too simple. Prism had been happily sipping from what looked to be a berry smoothie as her eyes had practically lit up while she let out a pleasant noise.

"That should keep her from attacking anyone." Julius said with a smile.

"Enhancing a drink with magic." Yami said as he took a puff. "That's actually clever."

Jack had said, "KEKE--that's perfect!"

"At least she seems to be enjoying it--" Charlotte said, "--But there's still the issue of what might be doing this to her in the first place."

Julius nodded, "Indeed. This might happen again if we're not too careful. As far as we know we're not sure what it is that happened to her when she was lost in the storm, and from what I understand the Princess doesn't seem to have recollection of it either. We might as well start where she was first found." He soon turned to Yami in particular, "Does anyone else in your squad happen to know about the Trance?"

Yami had replied, "other than those five kids, no."

"Right--" Julius said, "--Until we learn more about it, I think it's best if it's kept that way for now, don't you think?"

Yami had said with a nod, "Agreed. Can't imagine how that Sword Boy's parents would react if they saw her the way she is now."

"As for the rest of us--" Julius said, "--I know there's missions that you all have to worry about, but if you can, I'd like for you all to assist in investigating the change to the princess. Report back any findings you have and keep it under wraps."

"Yes Wizard King!" The Captains said as they had given the salute.

"And Yami--" Julius soon said, "--Since her highness will be under your care for awhile, keep a close eye on her if this should ever occur again. If they're any changes let us know first."

Yami nodded as he took a puff from his cigarette, "Yeah, got it."

***

-Later that Night; Black Bulls Base-

It took Yami nearly an entire day for him to gather the necessities he had needed to take care of the now feral Prism, since he nor the other captains weren't quite sure how long it would take before she changed back. It was a hassle, though it had to be done for her sake and everyone else's safety. They just couldn't take any chances. Thankfully everyone in the base had gone to sleep by the time he had returned as he called a private meeting with a certain set of members.

He had explained the situation to them and of course they were shocked.

"SHE'S GONNA BE STUCK LIKE THIS FOR A FEW DAYS?!" Asta exclaimed as he gestured to Prism who was happily chewing on a teething ring Yami had brought while the little spirits sat on her head and shoulders.

"You're kidding me!?" Feodora said.

"Seriously?!" Pluck added. "You mean the dummy girl is gonna be like this till she snaps out of--Whatever this is!"

Yami had told them, "Yep and you five better not spill it to ANYONE else especially those outside your squad!"

"Keeping secrets from the others?" Noelle said, surprised, "Is that really the best course of action?"

"Look, I get people outside of this place, but the other members here?" Karasu said, "You can't be serious."

Pluck added as collected himself, "while I agree to keep this under wraps, I do hate the idea of lying."

"I get you're always telling the truth as it is." Yami told him "But you're gonna have to look past your view until Prism's back to normal."

"Yeah, but if this happens again, we or you just can't keep saying Pri's under the weather." Feodora reasoned, "They'll start asking questions and grow more suspicious."

Yami soon reasoned, "Then we'll just make up more lies."

"That's your best option?" Pluck asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I got a REALLY bad feeling." Karasu said.

"Look this is only until we have more information on why this--" Yami said gesturing to Prism as she was playing with the tail of a spirit, "--Is happening in the first place. It's bad enough we have the Sword Boy worrying about her twenty four seven but can you imagine his parents?"

Pluck shouted as he turned red from embarrassment, "HEY! I'm just concerned about her as much as my parents are!"

Yami only gave him a look, "You keep telling yourself that Sword Boy."

Pluck had retorted, "It's true!"

"Wait--" Asta soon said, "--What about telling Pri?" The group looked to him a bit confused, "I mean--" Asta said, "--She can't remember anything when she enters this, as far as we know, but--Shouldn't she have a right to know what's happening to her too?"

Yami sighed as he said, "That part I have no idea but when we get there, we'll approach her with the whole truth."

"Wait hold on--!" Asta said.

"It's bad enough we have to lie to everyone." Pluck said, "But keeping Prism in the dark is another story!"

"--Pri has a right to know of this too!" Feodora said, "It's been happening to her, and for that manner--!"

The three of them soon froze at the look Yami gave to them, "I'm sorry, do I hear you three complaining?"

Asta couldn't help but look to the floor, while Feodora looked displeased as she clicked her tongue. Pluck on the other hand couldn't help but groan as he said "no sir.."

"Good" Yami said, "I'm glad we have an understanding"

Prism soon let out a yawn as she smacked her lips; she dug a little on the floor before she made herself comfortable and shut her eyes while curling herself into a ball.

"She's asleep?" Asta said.

"Bedtime I guess?" Karasu said.

"S-So cute!" Noelle thought.

Pluck thought to himself as he looked to Prism, while mentally biting on a handkerchief, "Damn it! Why oh why!"

"Hey are you two okay?" Feodora asked, noticing how the two of them were.

Pluck and Noelle shouted, "WE'RE FINE!" The two looked at each other before they gave a scowl and huffed as they turned their heads away to avoid eye contact.

"Yep, they're okay alright." Karasu said awkwardly.

Yami sighed before he went to pick her up, "okay with that said, I'm taking her back into my room." he turned to them as he had a dark aura "And don't you EVEN try to come in..Especially you,Pluck."

Pluck immediately shouted, "WHAT THE HELL DOES TH-"

He was stopped mid-sentence when Yami shushed him. "Not so loud, I really don't want another lecture by your parents again."

With that said Yami made his exit as Pluck could only grumblein a low voice, "stupid captian,,"

"I heard that!" They heard Yami shout, making him jump. Pluck soon grumbled, "I'm going to bed."

"Yeah--I'll head to bed too." Karasu said, "Seems like we have a long day ahead of us. Not that I'm all for what he's suggesting but, we gotta live with it I guess."

Pluck said as he groaned, "Like we have a choice"

Noelle added as she said with a sigh, "I guess you're right about one thing."

Asta and Feodora both looked unsettled by this though much to the group's surprise, they left to their own rooms, without saying a word.