I Am Totally a Real-Life Wizard (Not Clickbait, I Swear!)

Valeri edged back to the door. “Dawn?” they called. “We could really use some help here…”

“Pfft! What happened to you?” Amy took in the disheveled mess that was Guy. “It looks like a hamster chewed on your hair or something.” She giggled.

Amalthea skittered closer on the counter. Guy glared at the hamster. “Yeah, that’s because their stupid hamster familiar did.”

Amy giggled even harder. "A hamster actually attacked you?"

Guy attempted to smooth his hair. "Like you would do any better!"

"Do you want me to throw some confetti on the hamster?"

Vendetta stepped forward. "No!"

Amy grinned. “Well, well. And I had such high hopes for you both.”

“Josephinzo isn’t who you think he is.” Valeri brushed off her hands and frowned at the WANNABES.

“Oh?” Amy giggled. “You mean he isn’t a super powerful wizard?”

“I mean he’s lying. About Cody, about the potion… You shouldn’t listen to him.”

Amy laughed. "And why should we believe you, sillies? You betrayed the greatest wizard in the world.

Dusk groaned. "He made a love potion, you two! He made one of the most unethical potions ever."

Amy blinked. “Oh. Well. I’m sure he made it for good reason. Right, Guy?”

“Yeah, love makes people do weird things sometimes.” Guy crossed his arms.

“You both are blinded by Josephinzo’s magic and trickery,” Valeri said exasperatedly. They clenched the bag of mermaid fangs tighter.

“No. You’re the one who’s blind. Josephinzo took all of us WANNABES in, regardless of our quirks. Everyone else had labeled us strange, but Josephinzo gave us a chance. For that, he’s the best wizard in the universe.” Amy had a serious expression for once.

Vendetta sighed. "And yet, what has he done for you?"

Amy scoffed. "What do you mean?"

Vendetta crossed their arms. "If Jospehinzo is so great and kind, what has he done for you other than send you on errands? Has he taught you magic or helped you learn how to control your signatures?"

“I mean, n-not really… But we get to stay in the compound with other WANNABES, and there’s free breakfast—“

“Amy, stop talking. We don’t have to tell these losers anything.” Guy scowled, then lunged for the fangs again.

Dusk tripped him, causing him to face plant on the store tile.

"Please, Amy. Consider what I said." Vendetta nervously looked at Guy. "If Josephinzo were truly great, he wouldn't have to tell you."

Amy looked uncertain. “I- um.” She glanced down and shook her head, then wordlessly tossed her portal into the air again and dragged Guy through.

When the portal closed, Valeri smiled and hugged her sibling. “Good talking!”

Vendetta sighed in relief. "I think that's the most nervous I have ever been ever." They hugged Valeri tightly. "I thought we were getting confettied today."

Dawn entered the store, slightly smoking again. "Hey! What did I miss?"

Valeri laughed. "Oh, nothing much, just Guy threatening us for these mermaid fangs, and Vendetta getting Amy to rethink following Josephinzo." Valeri held up the bag of fangs, then grinned at their sibling again.

"What? Guy threatened you?" Dawn glowed bright orange. "Why didn't you call me?"

"I tried! I guess you didn't hear, though."

"Oh no, I am so so sorry." Dawn hovered back and forth. "Ugh, this is all wrong. I should've been there for you guys!" The sword glowed yellow, then pink, then red. "Okay, I won't let you down again. I won't. I promise."

Dusk glowed lavender. "We should probably teach them how to summon us, huh? And... are you alright, Dawn? You're red."

Dawn angrily muttered to itself, the red only getting brighter and brighter.

Vendetta sighed. "Dawn?"

Dawn stopped muttering. "Huh? Oh, yes, they should learn how to summon us."

"Are you alright?"

Spoiler

Do you think you're going to be able to come on to the pad again tonight? If not, no worries! I just wanted to know.

“Dawn, I’m getting worried.” Valeri examined the sword.

Dawn shuddered for a moment, and a couple of rusty brown streaks appeared then disappeared.

Valeri gasped. “Dawn…”

Then Dawn snapped back to a brownish yellow. “Yep! I’m good! So, for summoning us, you need to use your mind.”

“And we need to talk.” Vendetta grabbed Dawn out of the air by the hilt. “Please, Dawn. Talk to us.”

“About what?” Dawn vibrated. “I’m great!”

Dusk sighed. “Stop. Just stop.”

“S-stop what?” Dawn gleamed gold.

“Something’s wrong. Tell us what it is, so we can help you, Dawn!” Valeri frowned in concern.

Dusk glowed magenta. “Dawn, is this about your past self?”