Isabella had been having a wonderful day. Ever since she was a little girl, she had dreamed of being a magician who captivated the world with her stunning tricks and magic and becoming the woman who stunned even the most vigilant practitioners! Now she was one step closer to that dream, she had gotten a gig for next week!
Isabella had planned out every single trick she would perform, every illusion, every transformation and death defying stunt down to the tiniest detail. There was only one problem, she lacked a beautiful assistant. That was practically mandatory for every great magician, and she absolutely needed to attain one immediately.
She held out her hand. Casual clothes usually weren't her attire of choice, but she had to make public appearances off the stage. She wore a pair of long khaki pants and a blue tank top and she let her long black hair dangle past her neck. She had an athletic build and wasn't the least bit self conscious, but it all felt wrong without a spotlight directly on her.
She took a deep breath and uttered the magic phrase.
"Abra Cadabra!"
A small pigeon appeared out of a puff of smoke in the palm of her hand, a standard magician's bird. However, this pigeon was special, not only was this pigeon's feathers a light shade of blue, but she had also trained this particular bird to seek out any suitable candidates for being her lovely assistant.
"Alrighty! Go find one for me!" She cooed, ruffling it's feathers. The bird took wing and flew high into the air. Isabella followed it close behind. She couldn't always see it as she followed it through the city, but she could always "feel" Its presence nearby.
After about fifteen minutes of walking around, she finally saw the bird descend, singing a jazzy tune as it did so. It had found the perfect candidate!
"Ooooo! I can't wait! I can't waaaait!" She squealed as she hurried after it. She saw the bird disappear behind a tree. Isabella kept her difference as she approach carefully, trying to be discreet. Into her view came the perfect assistant.
It was a tiny little girl with blonde hair. Isabella gasped! She was so cute.... and adorable! And the bird must have sensed magical potential. This was the one! This had to be the one!
Squealing with excitement, she rushed over to her bird, as it flew back into her palm.
"Good boy! I'll be giving extra tonight!"
The bird happily tweeted as she pet its head. She closed the palm of her hand, the bird vanishing beneath her fingers and disappearing as she reopened her hand.
"It's so nice to meet you!" Isabella said with a full smile on her face, crouching down to the girl's height. "We're going to get along splendidly, you and I!"
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Sierra looked around again, biting her bottom lip as she began to worry. It shouldn't be any big deal, she told herself, but at the same time, she knew that it very well could end up that way.
"Delia? Bella?" she called out, looking around. Where could they have gone?! They were definitely capable of taking care of themselves, but she still didn't think it was a good idea to have them wandering around the Muggle world alone.
She'd known Cordelia and Belladonna for most of her school career, though they'd barely done much more than say good morning to one another. They always seemed like the cool kids, witches with magical families who probably knew more about magic before they started at Ilvermorny than Sierra did now, just months away from graduating.
It wasn't until word about Sierra's dueling ring started getting around that they showed any interest in her. It was quite a shock the first time they invited her to sit with them, and even now, every time they spoke to her, she thought they must be meaning to talk to somebody else. They were just so calm and confident, not to mention tall and gorgeous. It was hard to remember that they were the same age, especially when Sierra was standing right next to them, feeling self-conscious about how short and petite she was.
Even though they had been spending some time together lately, Sierra had still been shocked when they invited her to join them on their spring break trip. She'd said yes instantly, of course, then worried the whole rest of the time between then and the trip that it was some mean joke. When the day came, however, they did indeed take her with them to the city. She was pretty sure it was mostly because she was more familiar with Muggle things, and they wanted to explore that part of the city, but it was still nice to be along for the ride.
And now she'd lost them. Being from witch families, they didn't have cell phones, so she couldn't call them, and she didn't want to risk pulling out her wand and trying to signal them that way here where someone might see her. They might have headed back to the hotel, or maybe they'd have gone to the "magic" shop they'd been obsessed with since they found it. It was Muggle stuff, silly tricks and illusions, but they found it all very quaint, and were hoping to be able to catch a show there before their break was over. Or they might have gone to get something to eat, or went shopping, or...
She'd always heard that it was best to stay put if you got lost, but she was pretty sure that advice was for kids, so instead she headed in the direction of a park they'd passed, thinking there would be some privacy there for her to cast a spell or two. She marched that way, trying to remember what they'd been wearing today. Something skimpy and short, she had no doubt. She wasn't sure how they did it, since she was feeling chilly, despite the black tights under her denim shorts. Then again, she had let them talk her into buying and wearing a yellow crop top that was just barely showing off her belly button, in an effort to dress a little more like them, though she definitely didn't feel like she looked anything like them. Her pink sneakers and matching pink bow in her hair finished off the outfit, and probably didn't help her in trying to look more mature, but she liked them.
She ducked into the park and looked for a secluded corner to hide and cast her spell. Just when she thought she'd found one, she heard a bird tweeting, and glanced behind herself to see it descend, seemingly towards her. She tilted her head, feeling like there was something odd about it, when it took off, flying behind Sierra and to the hand of some strange girl. Sierra turned, unable to stop her eyes from widening a bit as she saw the bird vanish into the girl's hand, seemingly. Was this another witch? That had looked like magic, almost, but she didn't feel like one from here, at least not like any witches Sierra knew.
The girl's words didn't help much, either. She seemed a bit strange, and Sierra found herself taking a cautious step or two back away from her. Why did she think they were going to get along? And why would it really matter if she got along with some stranger anyway? "Umm, hi," she replied awkwardly. "Who are you?"
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"Well, little girl," She raised her arms up into the air and shifted her legs in a clearly rehearsed pose. "I am the great Isabella, future world class magician and stopper of shows." She lowered her hand to motion to Sierra. "And you are the lucky girl I've found to be my lovely assistant!"
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Sierra felt immediately peeved as she was called a little girl, but she couldn't help watching what this girl was doing. It was all so strange and elaborate, Sierra wasn't sure what to make of it. Was this just some weird, eccentric witch from a school Sierra didn't know about?
When she finally heard the truth, Sierra laughed out loud, unable to help herself. Was that all? A magician? She felt ridiculous for ever feeling worried now. "Well, first of all," she said, feeling much more confident now, "I am NOT a little girl," she informed the magician. "And second of all, I'm nobody's assistant!"
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Isabella was a bit taken back by this girls reluctance and offended by this girl's laughter, but a professional keeps her composure. She cleared her throat and continued.
"Of course, not yet.... girl." She avoided saying little again. "But my little friend has seen potential in you, potential befitting of world class skill such as my own, so I came to you with this gracious offer." Isabella extended her arm towards Sierra, expecting quick acceptance and gratefulness from her flattering offer. "There is no need to thank me, and worry not! You need not achieve perfection immediately, I'll help you train until you become perfect, like me!"
Isabella could practically hear her flattering response.
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Sierra did her best to stop laughing, not wanting to hurt this girl's feelings now that she knew she was at least mostly harmless, but she couldn't keep a giggle or two from escaping. She'd never encountered anyone quite like this before. It was hard not to find her over-confidence amusing, especially when she was talking to someone with real magic.
"Umm, that's okay," she giggled again, realizing she needed to come up with something to say. "I actually have some training of my own to do, and that's going pretty well, so I don't think I need yours." She was tempted to use an actual spell, but doing that in front of Muggles was frowned upon, especially for such a silly reason as this.
"Maybe you should keep looking," Sierra suggested. "I'm sure you can find somebody to help you out."
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Isabella frowned. This reaction was... unexpected. Isabella supposed that perhaps it was just the girl didn't know who she was yet. This would be fixed eventually....
Isabella was growing increasingly irritated by her giggling, though. She just needed a few things explained. Isabella just wasn't being clear, that was all. Taking another breath, she continued.
"Oh, I can assure you, you'd benefit much more from my training." Isabella placed a hand on her shoulder. "Afterall, there's no one better at magic than me."
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Sierra's amusement faded a bit as the girl touched her shoulder. She really seemed convinced that Sierra should do this, whatever this actually was, and Sierra began to worry about the fact that she was here, alone, with nobody around that even knew she was at this park. She did have her magic, but the girl was bigger than her, and probably stronger, and if Sierra wasn't quick enough, magic might not be able to help her.
"I don't want your training!" she whined, trying to pull away from the other girl's hand, her heart beating a little faster. "You wouldn't know real magic if it came up and bit you on the nose!" She knew it was a pointless taunt, but it made her feel a little better, reminding her that she wasn't as helpless as she felt, even if she was starting to get the feeling that she was about to be kidnapped. "So just leave me alone!"
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Isabella's look of calm immediately faded. It was replaced by a blank expression, a blank expression that hid seething seeimgly uncontrollable rage. She stood up, letting go of her shoulder. She shaking took yet another deep breath before speaking again.
"I had hoped that when my little friend found you, it meant I had found an equal." She quickly pulled a flat disk out. She lightly tapped the bottom and it turned into a tall top hat. She twirled on her hand and placed it elegantly on her head.
"But you are in desperate need of discipline." Isabella snapped her fingers. A small black stick appeared in her hand. With a quick flick of tue wrist, it extended into a long black magician's wand with a white top. She pointed the white end directly at Sierra. "So Little girl tell me your name, for I, the Great Isabella have challenged you to a duel, so that I may truly discipline you into the assistant you are meant to be."
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Sierra's eyes widened a little as the other girl produced her hat and wand out of nowhere, her newfound confidence waning a bit. What was going on? Was this actual magic, or just another trick? Sierra started to reach for her wand, but without any evidence that Isabella was anything more than a strange, overly enthusiastic stage magician, she wasn't sure she should. For the moment, as far as she knew, she still wasn't in any real danger.
Her resolve was tested quite a bit with Isabella's words, though. Sierra narrowed her eyes, staring up at her and stomping her foot. "I told you, I am not a little girl!" she yelled unhappily. "My name is Sierra, but I don't need any discipline, or to be your stupid assistant!"
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There was a slight twitch in Isabella's eye as she Sierra said the word stupid again. Professionals keep composure Isabella resisted the urge to strike at her now. Isabella had to make sure everything was right though. Isabella had heard rumors of a witch named Sierra. Perhaps this was the one they meant. She'd have to check to be sure.
"Well, Sierra," Isabella slid her wand under Sierra's chin and began slowly walking around her. "Are you willing to prove your mettle? Or are not confident in your magic ability enough to accept a challenge from a master such as myself? I understand, you do not have the skill or wit that I posses, so it is natural to cower away from a challenge. I wouldn't even blame you for it."
Isabella leaned in a little, "You don't want to further enforce your reputation, afterall." Isabella smirked. "Why don't we settle this at Graceland theater? Unless, of course, you forfeit. We can use your rules, of course."
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Sierra gulped as Isabella pressed the wand to her chin and started to circle her like a shark. She was pretty sure Isabella was just a slightly off-kilter magician, but her confidence really was quite impressive, and enough to make Sierra worry about what she'd somehow gotten herself into.
Her eyes widened as Isabella mentioned her reputation, however. Maybe she was just talking, but it seemed like an awfully big coincidence. How could she know about that? And if she knew, who else did? Sierra was supposed to be done with all of this. The Headmistress had told her she'd better be, as had her father. But she wasn't at school this time...
"Who are you?" she asked, looking up at Isabella, feeling even more confused now. Did she really have magic? Or maybe she just knew somebody that went to Ilvermorny. Maybe this was some strange, elaborate joke from Delia and Bella. Either way, if she didn't get answers now, she almost had to go to this theater to find out what this other girl knew, and how. "How do you know about that?" she tried, but she had a bad feeling she let her desperation show too much, letting Isabella know that she was hooked.
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Isabella chuckled. She had her. Isabella had confirmed her rumors. In all honesty, Isabella knew very little about the witch, but nothing a few little magic tricks couldn't easily fix. She was, afterall, going to have to know the exact ways to discipline her. Isabella opened her arms and shift her knees in another fabulous pose.
"Why don't you come to Graceland theater in about two hours from now. You can see for yourself just who I am." Isabella pointed to herself. "If I win, you become my lovely assistant, to take on shows and discipline as I please." Isabella motioned to Sierra. "And I suppose you can wager something for me if you'd like. It hardly matters though. You won't be able to defeat a paragon of beauty and perfection like me."
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Sierra huffed, puffing herself up a little as Isabella dismissed the idea of her winning so easily. "I can defeat you just fine!" she folded her arms and glared at the girl. Looking at her now, with her hat and cane, the very thought that she couldn't was ridiculous. She was just a magician, right? She had said some things, but maybe she was just good at guessing, or reading people. Magicians did that, right?
"And when I do, I want..." she declared, before drifting off, realizing she had no idea what to ask for. She knew nothing about Isabella, so she wasn't sure what the girl could offer her. She couldn't even have her do homework for her, since she didn't think Isabella really knew much, if anything, about magic. She definitely seemed to take pride in her appearance, though, with all her posing and theatricality. "I want your hat," she smirked after a moment. Sure, Isabella could get another one, but it was the thought that counted, she told herself. And it would be a nice trophy for her dorm room.
"I'll see you there," she said coldly, turning and walking away. She got a few steps before she started to worry, trying to figure out what she'd gotten herself into. Was she really going to fight this girl? Why hadn't she asked for anything better than a hat?! And what if she lost?! Her cheeks burned at the thought of doing some silly Muggle magic show, and not even as the one doing the tricks. A real witch, reduced to helping out with some silly slight of hand. And what could Isabella possibly mean by 'discipline'? She had a bad feeling she was getting in over her head, but, even though she might try to talk herself out of it, she already knew she was going to show up at that theater anyway.
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Isabella was really going to have to fix that lack of creativity. Isabella's hat mattered to her, but it wasn't as if it wasn't irreplaceable. Of course, her creativity would be one of many things she'd correct in Sierra.
Isabella chuckled as she walked away. "I'm sure you will." A cloud of smoke began to form at Isabella's feet. "See you soon, little girl." She added that last part just to spite her.
She was going to have a long evening ahead of her. She'd have to get the stage ready, make sure she was dressed properly, practice a few techniques. Oh! She was also going to have to research Sierra a little bit too! She might find some weaknesses. More importantly she'd have to research Sierra's little behavior problems. She'd make sure she had a full list of disciplines ready for her when Isabella had beaten her.
Oh! This was great! This was her very first duel! As she reappeared inside the theater, she hurriedly began getting ready. Her debut would not be in a performance, but in obtaining a lovely new assistant!
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Sierra stopped with a grumble, waiting a moment before spinning back around with an angry, "I am NOT..." only to find that Isabella was nowhere to be seen. She looked around, suitably impressed by it, although she knew it was probably just a trick. Even so, she made sure to walk around to a different section of the park before she took out her wand and sent a signal to Cordelia and Belladonna.
It only took them a few minutes to show up. "There you are!" Delia shook her head. "You're too easy to lose in the crowds. We need to get you a collar with a bell or something."
Sierra blushed and shrugged, following her friends down the sidewalks. She knew she could just forget about this silly challenge and spend the rest of her vacation in peace, but at the next stop, she couldn't help asking one of the workers if they knew where the Graceland theater was.
After a while, she excused herself, telling her friends she was heading back to the hotel. Instead, she followed the directions she'd been given and made her way to the theater. She wasn't sure what to expect, exactly, but to be safe she slid her wand out of her pocket as she approached the door, trying to prepare herself for anything.
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The theater seemed oddly empty. The door was unlocked and everything seemed to be in perfect shape, not a sign of dust anywhere. Even for theater standards that was scary.
As Sierra entered the theater, she saw that a large red curtain covered the stage, also held up and kept in mint condition with vibrant colors and golden tassels that still shined in the darkness.
As Sierra began walking up the theater's center aisle, passing the balconies above her, a unbearably loud trumpet blare cut through the silence. Sierra had to shut her ears to keep it from hurting her ears. The spot lights sprang to life as the trumpets died down and a drumroll took its place. The bright spotlights danced along the curtain.
A voice over began to sound from the speakers. "Live from the luxurious Graceland theater, come the crowning debut of the world's greatest magician and her lovely assistant, Sierra!" The voice speaking was clearly Isabella's, and it clearly was sounding her predicted result to Sierra.
Thunderous applause began to sound from the empty audience seats next the aisle Sierra was walking down as a loud, joyful trumpet fanfare played again. It was if the audience was really there, despite the fact that they were empty.
The spotlights died, the music shifted back into a crescendoing drumroll.
"First, let's meet our lovely assistant-. Oh, I'm sorry soon to be lovely assistant, Sierra.
A spot light blared down on Sierra from above. This couldn't have been an actual spotlight from the theater, no one was manning it!
The audience broke out into applause, but not quite as loud or as cheery as they had in the beginning. Sierra could've sworn she heard some of them 'awww' and some whistle at her as she passed. The music in the background changed into a more goofy and lighthearted tone.
The music began to once again go back into a drumroll, the spotlights began to dance on the stage curtain again after a few seconds.
"Aaaaaand now! The moment you've all been waiting for! The World's Greatest Magician! Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisabellaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
The curtain rose quickly revealing a giant, ruby colored pyramid, and as it slowly rose, it revealed the figure on the top. It was Isabella, posing with her arms wide on top of the platform of the pyramid.
Isabella had clearly been taking a lot of time getting ready. She was wearing black knee high heeled boots and fishnets on her legs. Sierra could now see her leg muscles and she could tell Isabella was definitely an athletic girl with well toned legs. She also wore a black standard magician's coat and white magician's shirt, complete with pointed collar and small bow tie and a Scarlet rose rose in her front pocket. All of this covered what Sierra guessed was a black leotard underneath. Isabella knew that the leotard might give her an unknowing advantage over Sierra.
Isabella also now wore super red lipstick and black eyeliner that accented her piercing sky blue eyes. Her long black hair had been brushed and curled, going down her back. When the spotlights hit her, she had a wide, pearly white smile.
The music began to play the iconic Killer Queen (Rajaton Cover) as she extravagantly stepped down each step. She didn't have her hat or wand with her as she stepped down.
The audience began to cheer madly. Whistles, cheers, screams, it sounded like an absolute riot. Sierra saw roses fly out of the audience as she neared the bottom of the pyramid. When she reached the bottom, she took a long dramatic bow, causing the ghost crowd to cheer again, before holding up her hand and silencing them.
Looking at Sierra. "It's a work in progress." She said like no big deal. "I'll give you a bigger role next time."
With a flick of both of her wrists, smoke engulfed the entire stage, making everything behind Isabella disappear. Isabella whipped out her wand in one hand, her hat in the other. A trumpet note accenting each decisive beat.
"Come join me on stage, little girl. Abra Cadabra!" With a flick if her wand, a flight of stairs appeared from a trap door. Isabella was asking her to walk up the stairs. "Then we can begin."
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Sierra glanced around the empty lobby, wondering if maybe she'd gotten the wrong directions, but she was sure that the marquee outside had the right name. Could there be two theaters with the same name here? She started to open her mouth to call out into the strange emptiness, but thought better of it. After all, the front door had been unlocked, so surely somebody was here, and she wasn't sure the person who answered her call would even be the one she was looking for.
The door into the theater itself was open, so she slowly crept towards it, hoping Isabella really was there, and she wasn't going to have to wander through the whole building looking for her, or get arrested for trespassing in the completely wrong place.
The curtain was drawn, making her suspect something was probably going on up there, or the theater was just set up for a show. She made her way towards it, letting her guard down a little since she was sure whatever was waiting for her would be there, not out in the audience.
She let out a squeak as the trumpet blast began, a squirt of pee dribbling out into her pink, kitten decorated panties before she could stop herself from the shock. She whimpered, covering her ears, wondering if this was some sort of surprise attack already. If it was, she was in trouble, because it was so loud she could barely even think, let alone defend herself.
Thankfully, they stopped after a few moments, and lights began to spring to life, and the show onstage began. Sierra jumped again at the sound of applause, seeming to come from all around her, despite her only seeing empty chairs.
She cringed a little as she was introduced and bathed in the phantom spotlight, quickly glancing down at herself and hoping her small accident hadn't left a wet spot on her shorts, even though there apparently wasn't anyone to see it, despite how it sounded.
The whole thing was big, and elaborate, and theatrical, and almost silly, in the way that Muggle magic shows tended to be. However, as it went on, it became more and more clear that this was no typical Muggle show, and by the time Isabella was summoning her hat and wand, and summoning stairs, Sierra couldn't help getting caught up in it all, and worrying that she was getting in over her head.
She eyed the stairs and stage suspiciously, fidgeting down on the floor in front of Isabella. "Umm, I'm really just here to say, maybe this isn't such a good idea," she lied. She was starting to think that now, though it hadn't been her intention when she showed up. "I'm sorry if I offended you in the park, and good luck with finding an assistant and all..." She started to back away.
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"Oh, but I have found one." Isabella said. "She's right here." The doors to the theater were closed so there was no getting out except through Isabella.
The audiemce booed and awed at Sierra's reluctance, clearly sound displeased and disapointed. Isabella couldn't have her chicken out now, she needed some more motivation.
"I'll tell you what." Isabella said. "If you come up those stairs and face me like you promised, I'll sweeten the deal." the audience got quiet after some "oooooo"-ing.
"If you just so happen to beat me, my hat will let you call me whenever you are in the universe. I'll be forced to come help you with any menial task no matter where or when you might be." Isabella knew that this was a bit of a risk. One couldn't be a famous magician if she was constantly being taken everywhere on the whims of a little girl, but that was if Isabella lost, and Isabella wouldn't lose. "Surely you could find some use in that, couldn't you?"
The audience began to cheer for Sierra. She heard "Do it!" "C'mon Sierra!" "Go on stage!" The invisible audience seemed to be on Sierra's side suddenly.
The smoke was begin to slowly spread and disappear, beginning to reveal the tops of props on the stage. Isabella had to make sure Sierra got on stage before it finished, her entrance needed to be perfect!
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Sierra spun back around at the sound of the doors closing, realizing she might really be trapped here with someone with am unknown amount of power. She blushed at the sound of the invisible audience's disapproval. Even if she couldn't see anyone there, it still made her uncomfortable.
She paused as Isabella began her offer, having to admit that it did sound handy. She didn't know what kind of limit there might be to that, or if whatever magic she was using would allow her to appear on the school grounds, but if so, that could be a useful trump card for any future duels. Not that she was supposed to be having any more of those, but you never knew. And if it didn't work there, it wasn't a bad idea to have some backup out in the real world, either. At least, assuming Isabella actually had some real power beyond making a stage show appear out of nowhere.
"I guess..." Sierra wavered, glancing back at the closed door as the audience beckoned her to accept. She wasn't sure she'd be able to get out the door, even if Isabella let her get all the way down the aisle without stopping her. She could probably magic it open if it was locked, but thanks would take a moment, and from the look of Isabella, she could easily catch up with Sierra's shorter, scrawnier legs with no problem.
She eyed the stairs, a bad feeling settling into the pit of her stomach. This was probably a bad idea, but she was convincing herself that she probably didn't have a choice, and that it would be better to face this head on. "Fine," she said finally, starting to climb the stairs. "It would be nice to have someone on hand to keep my dorm room clean, I suppose."
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Isabella smiled. Sierra had accepted fully. She could finally unveil everything. The smoke faded away, revealing a nursery on stage. It was full of baby toys, small chests full of other toys, strollers, swings, a fridge stocked with bottles full of formula and milk, everything a nursery might need.
The changing table was a bit different though. The headrest was titled up slightly, and there were four circlets in the table, probably restraints. The leg restraints were actually attached to poles that lifted the circlets above the changing table slightly. In bright pink cursive said one name above where the head of the baby would be.
Sierra
Underneath the table itself was the cabinet, probably full of diaper supplies just for her. Even on the door of the cabinet was a chart, asking for a daily tally of diapers being used a day. The chart was an entire year long!
Isabella's obsession was truly fireghtening, and she didn't skip out on any minor detail of anything. She to have everything perfect, down to the most minute detail.
Isabella smiled at Sierra as she placed the hat on her head. After an elegant twirl, she held the wand in one hand and pointed it at Sierra.
"The duel has begun!" The announcer shouted, the audience erupted into applause. The music turned into a much faster paced tune.
Isabella wasted no time taking the initiative. She immediately pointed her wand at Sierra's feet and shouted "Abra Cadabra!" It was a glue spell, designed to keep Sierra's shoes from leaving the ground.
"You just wait right there, little girl. I noticed your little wet spot out there, and I'll make sure can clean that up right away!"
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Sierra gasped as the contents of the stage were finally visible, trying to back away, despite having just gotten to where she was supposed to be. Each new thing she saw made her stomach twist a little more. How could Isabella know about all this? And did she really intend to use this all on her?
The changing table was the worst part. She didn't see any diapers, but she had no doubt they were there, waiting. The chart on the side made it obvious that whoever was going to be using it was there for a long time, and, unfortunately, the name on the table itself made it clear that person was at least intended to be Sierra.
She tried to tell herself this couldn't happen, but there was no reason to think that, if she lost, it wouldn't. She wasn't at school, where she could turn to the Headmistress if things got too bad. She was old enough that she didn't even have to be in school anymore. If she didn't show back up from spring break, her teachers would probably just assume she'd decided to drop out or something. They'd call her dad and he would be angry, but he didn't have any magic, so he likely couldn't help much. She hadn't even told her friends where she was going, so they weren't going to show up here and rescue her. If she went missing, they might be concerned, but she was starting to worry that Isabella would be too much for them, too, if they could even track her here.
But it was too late. Before she could change her mind again, she heard the announcement that the duel had begun. She braced herself, only to find herself giggling at Isabella's first spell. 'Abra Cadabra', really? That was such a silly, Muggle thing that Sierra was almost convinced this all really was a joke. There was no way that could actually do anything!
Isabella's taunt was a little more potent, making her blush at the thought that she knew about her tiny accident. Sierra tried to take a step forward, readying her own opening blow, so she could show this silly magician some real magic, but to her surprise, she couldn't move her feet. She swayed in place, nearly losing her balance, then, out of habit, tried to step backwards to steady herself. Of course, that didn't work, either, and instead, she fell, landing right on her bottom.
She gasped as she hit the stage, tears pricking at the corner of her eyes from the impact. That silly spell had actually done something! She wiggled her feet, trying to break free, but her shoes were stuck fast. She knew she didn't have long to make a move, but if she stayed like this, she was a sitting duck.
After a moment, a brilliant idea struck her, and she swung her wand, shouting an incantation. Her shoelaces sprang to life, unthreading themselves and then flying towards Isabella's own shoes. She wanted them to tangle themselves into the laces on the magician's boots nice and securely, then tie to one another tightly, locking the two boots together, at least until she managed to untangle or cut them... That is, if she didn't notice what they were doing in time. Hoping that would give her opponent something to deal with for a moment or two at least, Sierra started tugging her feet out of her shoes, trying to free herself so she could be mobile again, and have a chance to think of her next strike.
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Isabella's spell worked marvelously, she could end this quickly and have even more time to prepare the show!
She reached into her hat and pulled out serveral large magician's rings. Brandishing them clearly.
"For my next trick-." Isabella was suddenly cut off as she pitched forward, the rings dropping from her hands and scattering across the stage.
She fell onto her side, seeing now what had caused this calamity. Shoelaces from Sierra's shoes had now been tangled between her ankles. Her boots didn't have any laces to them, so they went for the next likely to trip area. Clever girl that Sierra.
It would take too long to untie the laces, she'd lose her chance to catch Sierra quickly. She couldn't lose the pressure here. She looked around quickly for anything that might help.
She saw a small toy bird sitting on top of the music box. That'd work! "Abra Cadabra!" she pointed her wand at the bird, which sprang to life and quickly flew towards Sierra. It would distract her long enough to both escape her bindings and take that wand away from Sierra. That was her plan. Disarm Sierra, and she'd have no power!
Isabella pulled a deck of playing cards out of her sleeve and began cutting the shoelaces between her feet, she had to hurry before Sierra thought to do anything else.
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Sierra scrambled free, her socks feeling a little slippery on the stage, but much better than her shoes were at the moment. She glanced over to see Isabella preparing her next attack, starting to raise her wand so she could defend herself.
Thankfully, it didn't matter. She giggled as she saw the magician stumble, looking to see her laces doing their task beautifully. Smiling, she waved her wand, attracting the fallen rings toward herself. She had no idea what Isabella had planned to do with them, but they ought to work just fine for her. She levitated them in front of herself so she could see them better, expanding them slightly as she tried to figure out the best spell to go to from there.
As she was preparing her spell, she heard another Abra Cadabra. She was distracted for a moment, lifting her feet and expecting to find her socks stuck now. She was a little puzzled, and worried, when they weren't. That meant Isabella used the same incantation for different things, which made it difficult to know what she was doing at any given time. Then again, it also meant she probably didn't know any real spells, so she wouldn't know what Sierra was doing just from hearing her casting, either.
She flicked her wand, sending out one, then another, making them seek their former master. She'd enlarged them so they should easily be able to float down over her, then, once they were down around her body, they would shrink, tightening down and pinning her arms to her side.
She began to flick her wand again, but before she could, something flew at her face. She squeaked, her wand going wide and sending the ring spinning straight up, smacking into the ropes and lights above them. She looked around, confused by what had attacked her, before it happened again. She waved both hands, trying to keep it away from her face, but instead it grabbed her wand as she swung it in its direction, and before she could think, it pulled it out of her grasp.
She gasped as the thing flew away too fast for her to grab her wand back, then turned to look at her long enough for her to see it was a toy bird, her wand clutched in its talons. "Give that back!" she insisted without thinking, then clamped a hand to her mouth as she realized she'd just announced to Isabella, who she hoped would be too preoccupied to keep too close an eye on her, that her last trick had worked. She jumped after the bird, but it flew further away, forcing her to follow, hoping she could catch the thing before she would need her wand to defend herself from anything else.
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*snap* The shoelaces were cut. Isabella smiled with glee. Now she just had to attend to Sierra. When she looked up, she saw her own discs flying toward her. Gasping loudly, she only managed to Abra Cadabra one out of the air before the other closed itself around her arms. Thankfully, she could still bend her elbows.
Isabella would've made it so Sierra couldn't use her own tools against her, but she didn't have time given how much planning and preparation went into getting the stage ready (not to mention Sierra's discipline schedule).
When she heard Sierra shout, Isabella laughed. It worked! Now Sierra was more vulnerable than ever! This was her chance! Seeing the ring she managed to knock out of the air lying on the ground, she pointed at it and said the magic words. "Abra Cadabra." She watched Sierra chase her wand, and the ring now chasing her along the floor, trying to pin her feet together.
Sierra was partly right in one area. While Isabella's magic was the real deal, she started out as a simple illusionist. She never did lose her touch with her sleight of hand though. She flipped her wand using her dexteritous fingers and said "Abra Cadabra." The ring grew and fell to the floor. Isabella had to give Sierra credit, she figured out how to use her rings fairly quickly. She still had plenty of tricks up her sleeves.
She hoped that Sierra had failed to catch her wand as she began planning for next attack.
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Sierra slipped again, her socks not providing as much traction on the slick, well-cared for stage as she was used to. She cursed to herself as she fought to keep her balance, then looked up to see the bird even further away from her. How was she supposed to catch it?!
She guessed the point was that she wasn't supposed to, but that was unacceptable. If the bird had flown straight up and perched on a light or something, Sierra really would have been screwed, but luckily it either didn't think of that, or for whatever reason wasn't powerful enough to do it. It was still flying higher than she could easily reach, however, so at the moment it might as well be.
It chose a set of shelves full of children's picture books, mostly cloth and plastic, made to be chewed on more than read, and perched on the top shelf, mocking her. It was obvious that Sierra wouldn't be able to reach it, even on her tiptoes, but there was an open toy chest in front of it. She bit her bottom lip as she stared at it, wondering if she could manage it. She could do a tiny bit of wandless magic, and none of it very well, but the lid of the toy chest looked pretty light. Surely she could move that much.
She took off at a run in the bird's direction, and the toy didn't even seem phased. It knew that it was safe where it was. As Sierra approached, she said a little prayer, then, as she jumped, she gestured towards the lid, saying a quick incantation. All she wanted to do was close it so that she could land on top, then leap off towards the shelves, hoping that she'd be able to reach high enough to snap the wand.
The lid shook, but unfortunately, it didn't fall. Sierra yelped, unable to stop herself as she realized her plan wasn't going to work, and landed in the toy chest instead, just as she felt something close around her ankles. She slammed against the far wall of the chest, and the whole thing fell over, spilling her, and its contents, onto the floor. Without even stopping to catch her breath, she tried to get to her feet, only to find that they were bound together.
"Oh, come on!" she groaned, not even taking the time to look and see what was binding her this time. The shelves were right there! Angrily, she grabbed a block that had spilled from the toy chest and chucked it upwards towards the toy bird. Her aim was way off, which seemed to amuse the bird, but that had been her plan. While it was watching that, she clumsily pulled herself to her feet, then hopped to the shelf and half tackled, half let herself fall onto it. At first, she was afraid that it was too sturdy and heavy for her weight to knock it over, but then she felt it begin to tip. Books rained down as the shelf crashed to the floor.
Luckily, the books weren't all that fell. Sierra saw the bird, caught off guard, begin to tumble towards the ground. She reached up, snatching the wand away, then using a wind charm to blow the bird across the stage. She had no idea how close Isabella had been able to get through all of that, so she swung her wand, aiming at all the books she could find. They took flight, brightly colored cloth pages beginning to flap like wings as they rose up off the floor and flew towards her, forming a barrier around her as she rolled over and took a look at her feet, trying to see how she could free them.
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All this trouble to get her wand, perfect! She now knew that Sierra could use spells without her wand by talking. Next time, she'd take care of that too. Isabella plotted her next move. As Sierra fell into the toy chest, spilling them everywhere, she realized that she could use this to her advantage.
Twin teddy bears had tumbled out of the toy box. Isabella quickly cast a quick "Abra Cadabra" on them. They sprang to life, and shuffled toward Sierra. One was supposed to latch onto her face, and not let go, obscuring her eyesight, the other was to again to help keep her wand away.
When the bird was blown away across the stage, it began to circle back around, currently out of the fight, but coming in for her wand again soon. Isabella walked elegantly toward the wall of books before her. As she walked, she grabbed a few things she might need and stuffed them into her hat before placing it back onto her head.
When she got to the bookcase, she found a rocking horse in the corner of the stage. "Abra Cadabra!" With a Snap of her fingers, the rocking horse neighed and galloped across the stage into the wall of books, collapsing them completely.
Isabella walked in, hoping to see Sierra too caught up in the teddy bears to notice her.
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Sierra breathed a sigh of relief as the books constructed their protective barrier around her, thinking that she at least had a little time to think as she looked down at her feet to see what was wrong. The barrier wouldn't last forever, since it was just some baby books, but they ought to buy her a little time.
She was less than pleased to see one of the rings around her ankles. That was basically what she'd told them to do to Isabella! And now it was here, doing it to her! This was not going nearly as well as she would have liked.
At least she knew how to use them, though, so she pointed her wand at the ring and started to speak, only to notice something moving. She turned just in time to pull her hand away as a teddy bear leaped at it, trying to grab her wand away like the toy bird had. Another teddy bear jumped towards her face, and she barely managed to squirm away from it. "Come on!" Sierra fumed. Her book barricade ensured she was stuck in there with these new pests, and she hadn't even had time to free herself yet!
She didn't dare use a wind spell like she had on the bird to get them away from her. They were bigger, and it probably wouldn't work, but even if it did, she might also blow away some of the books, defeating the whole purpose. Most any of her spells had the same danger, since she wasn't sure how good her aim could be in this small space while trying to dodge two teddy bears.
Then again, this might work to her advantage. It was a smaller space, and she was alone with them for now. She cast a quick spell on the ring, just making it big enough to fall off her ankles, then failed to dodge the bear coming after her wand. It grabbed it away, but since it was stuck in there with her, she wasn't too worried about it. The other jumped at her face again and she caught it with both hands, wrestling it back to the floor and climbing on top of it, resting her knees on its soft, squirming body. Her little space was small enough that she was pretty sure she could reach the other teddy wherever it was and get her wand. Then she could use the ring to keep that bear in place, and maybe even, if she was lucky, pin the bears together.
Unfortunately, right about then, the books collapsed. She gasped as they started raining down around her. What had happened?! Had the bear somehow undid her spell? Or had it not been strong enough to begin with?! And, more importantly, where had the bear gone? It could get away now! Frantically, she began looking around for the bear with her wand, not daring to get up from the bear under her until she had seen it, knowing that it would probably make things much more difficult for her if it was free.
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"Now that's what I call a Trojan horse." Isabella joked, the audience laughing historically. Isabella could see Sierra's disadvantageous position, and that she might be able to end it all very soon, but she couldn't quite yet. Tgis victory had to be perfect, just like she envisioned.
Isabella took off her hat and began reaching inside of it. "I wonder where your wand went? Oh!" She pulled out the teddy bear holding Sierra's wand. "Found it!"
She plucked Sierra's wand from the bear's hand before handing it something else. "Now please see to it that Sierra gets some nourishment before too long." She handed the bear a baby bottle full of a white liquid Sierra could only assume was milk.
As the bear began to go after Sierra again, Isabella said. "Oh! And one more thing. Abra Cadabra!" Isabella pointed to a nearby book, which flew towards Sierra in search of a bottom to spank.
Isabella began to walk back to the changing table to start getting ready for her next trick. If things went according to plan, this duel would be easy!
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Sierra gasped as she heard Isabella's voice, realizing she was in no shape to fight her right now, then blushed at the sound of laughter. She instinctively looked around, but of course nobody was there, except for Isabella.
Sierra felt very small, kneeling there in front of her on top of the teddy bear, and even more so as she helplessly watched Isabella pull the other bear, her wand and all, out of her hat. Her eyes widened at the trick, and the realization that she was totally at the girl's mercy for the moment.
To her surprise, Isabella didn't immediately take advantage of the situation, actually walking away. Sierra was grateful for that, as she still had plenty of other things to deal with, but with Isabella not watching her, she might have a shot.
She yelped as the book smacked her bottom, scrambling off of the teddy bear and covering her backside with her hands. The teddy bear with the bottle made a beeline for her, as the one she'd been on top of began to move as well. "This isn't fair!" she declared, more to herself than anyone, as her number of opponents just kept going up.
She tried to duck around the bear with the bottle, but the book was following her, too, giving her another spank and trying to herd her in the bear's direction. She would have liked a little more privacy and time so she could really concentrate, but this was going to have to do.
She hadn't tried to summon her wand before, since she had known that the bird, and then the bear, were actively holding onto it, and probably would have been strong enough to keep it from going anywhere. There was a chance Isabella was doing the same thing, but there was also a chance that she'd put it in her pocket or something whole she prepared whatever she was planning next. If that was the case, she might not notice the wand trying to go to Sierra until it was too late.
"Accio wand!" she said, moving her fingers in the summoning charm. Again, using magic without her wand was much more difficult, but this was one of the first spells they taught, for situations like this, so she at least had a little practice.
Before she could find out if it worked, she gave another yelp as the book hit her again. She turned towards it, moving her hands back to her bottom, only to find the bear there with it. Before she could react, the bottle was in her mouth, filling it and forcing her to drink while the book easily flew behind her and began spanking her in earnest. She squirmed and squeaked, hoping her wand would find its way into her hand any moment now so that hopefully she could get herself out of this before Isabella made another move.
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As Sierra was being chased away by the teddy bears and books, Isabella pulled a sheet out of her sleeve and covered the entire changing table in it. That was step one, step two was-.
"Accio Wand!"
Isabella felt Sierra's wand fly out of her front pocket. That little-! She managed to get it off her! This wasn't good. Isabella was so close to victory, and now Sierra had managed to get back on her feet! Isabella couldn't lose pressure now. Isabella looked around for anything useful.
Isabella then saw that little toy bird circling around again toward Sierra's wand. Isabella smiled, maybe she wouldn't have it long! Isabella walked towards Sierra, seeing the bottle in her mouth. Isabella pulled out a deck playing cards, eager to show Sierra another trick.
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Sierra gulped down another mouthful of milk, whimpering as her bottom was whacked again. She was starting to worry that Isabella had been paying closer attention than she'd thought, and she was going to be stuck here between her bottle feeding and her spanking until the magician showed up to do whatever she wanted with her.
Then, thankfully, she felt the familiar feeling of her wand in her hand. She closed her fist around it and smiled. She couldn't cast while she was drinking, so, even though it put her closer to the book administering her spanking, she pulled away, feeling her last mouthful of milk spill onto the front of her shirt. The next spank was even harder than the rest had been, since she had moved into it instead of trying to wiggle away, but she was free momentarily.
She saw Isabella approaching and the deck of cards in her hand. She wasn't sure what they were for, and didn't want to find out, so she flicked her wand with a quick spell, trying to send the cards flying out on all directions. And, just to make it better, she waved her wand, yanking the bottle out of the bear's hands. She sent it flying towards Isabella and the cards, then dissolved the lid, sending milk splashing over the cards and magician.
Once that was done, she spun back around, ready to deal with the book that was still warming her bottom. As she turned, however, she felt a tug on her wand, and before she could tighten her grip, it was gone again. She groaned in annoyance as she saw the bird flying off with her wand. "Not again!" she stomped her foot, taking off after it. She scooped up fallen blocks as she went, trying to toss them at the bird and knock it down, but the book was still there, throwing off her aim every time with a well timed whap.
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Isabella felt a tug on her cards, but she managed to hold them in place.
"Sorry, Little Girl, but-."
*splat*
Isabella barely managed to close her eyes in time for the bottle of milk to cone cascading all over her. She stood there for a moment, stunned.
Of course Sierra had to put up a fight, it made the match more exciting, and if Isabella appeared to be the underdog, it would make the audience cheer for her even more. But getting her outfit drenched in milk..... that was unforgivable! A professional keeps their-. No! A professional wouldn't stand for this!
Isabella screamed in anger! "How dare you!" she threw her cards at Sierra. The cards took flight and surrounded the toy bird, until they all shifted into exact replicas of the bird, holding fake versions of Sierra's wand. They all began to fly in different directions.
Isabella shouted. "That's it! You're getting another hour of punishment after this you little miss pissy pants!" Isabella snapped her fingers, sending the milk flying off of her, and appearing as if she never had milk on her in the first place. Placing her hat on the ground, the background music changed into an Indian styled song as a rope began slinking out of the hat. The rope acted like a snake and began slithering toward Sierra, intending to wrap her up. Isabella put her hat back on, hoping Sierra hadn't found her wand.
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Sierra giggled as she heard Isabella's rage, glad that something was getting to the woman. After all the trouble she'd been going through, it was good to know that she wasn't the only one having a hard time with this duel.
Unfortunately, the book seemed to respond to Isabella's anger and began spanking Sierra even harder as she advanced in the bird. That, or maybe it had just been going on long enough that her bottom was starting to get sore. Either way, it was hurting more, and tears were starting to well up in her eyes, making it harder to see the little bird.
Then something happened that made it even more difficult. Another bird, looking identical to the one with Sierra's wand, complete with a decoy wand of its own, flapped past her, and then another, and another. Sierra gasped, looking around to see a whole flock of them. She turned back, and suddenly she had lost track of which one was real, which meant she had no clue where her wand was.
She whimpered, trying to think of what to do now. She had to get the wand back, or she was helpless! But she couldn't just summon it again! The bird would keep ahold of it, and at best the spell would make it shake a little.
Then again, maybe that would be enough. She tried swatting the book away, but that just encouraged it more. She wiped her eyes instead, trying to see as clearly as possible as she gritted her teeth. "Accio wand!" she called again. She scanned the birds, searching for one that seemed to be struggling with the wand.
It was closer than she would have expected, maybe because it assumed it would be safely camouflaged. It tried to take off, but Sierra made a desperate grasp for it and luckily caught the tip of her wand. The bird tugged at it, and Sierra's grip wasn't the best, but she was able to wave it enough to get off another spell. The bird suddenly began to grow heavier, having to flap harder and harder to stay in the air. It almost pulled the wand back out of Sierra's hand as it fell, but she managed to keep ahold of it, smirking as the bird dropped to the floor.
She already had her next move planned out. If Isabella didn't like a little milk on her costume, then Sierra was going to make sure that's just what she got. A flick of her wand and the refrigerator door was open, and with another, all the bottles of milk were floating off the shelves. Controlling all of them at once was difficult, but she wasn't that worried about aiming. With all of them, she just needed to point them in the right direction and some of them were bound to hit.
Just like with the single bottle, a simple dissolving spell, but on a bigger scale, sent the bottles' contents spilling out in Isabella's direction, ready to flood her in the stuff. Sierra smiled to herself, then gasped as she felt so rung coil around her legs. She wobbled, then yelped as she felt herself falling yet again, tumbling forward onto her stomach. She just couldn't keep her feet under her in this duel!
She tried to catch her breath, looking down to see a rope that had wound it's way around her feet, and was making its way further up her body as she watched. She started to wave her wand, only to gasp in pain as the book spanked her again. She wriggled, blushing as she realized her new position made her an even better target, and the book seemed to be taking full advantage of that, laying into her harder than ever. "Stooop!" she wailed, trying to kick her feet, though that was difficult since they were tied together. She tried to aim a cutting spell at the rope, but the tears welling up in her eyes made her miss, gouging into the stage floor instead. She whimpered as she prepared to try again, seeing the rope continuing to creep up her body and knowing she didn't have long before it rendered her totally immobile.
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Isabella gasped as she saw the torrent of milk flying towards her. She thought maybe she could intercept it with her hat as it flew towards her, but even with her nimble hands, she wasn't fast enough as it all came crashing into her. Isabella went tumbling backwards, her legs flying into the air. She sat there, laying on the ground. Her hat was flooded to the opposite end of the stage, but thankfully she still had her wand. She didn't want Sierra catching on to her weaknesses.
Speaking of the little pissy pants....
Isabella sat up, feeling absolutely enraged, saw Sierra getting tied up by the snake, trying to escape. A thought came into her head to let her have a slight advantage to make Isabella's victory more dramatic, but Sierra had now pushed a great number of Isabella's buttons.
Isabella stormed across the stage still dripping in milk, leaving her hat on the ground and going towards Sierra before she could escape.
"We can start your punishment now!" Isabella screamed as she ripped Sierra's wand our of her hand and picked up the writhing little girl and placed her over her knee. The rope began to shift, exposing Sierra's bottom as Isabella pulled down her pants, exposing her bare cheeks to the air.
"That was six bottles worth of milk, so let's give you six swats!" Isabella raised her hand for the audience to see. There was a small cheer before she brought her hand down on Sierra's bottom.
"ONE!" The audience counted.
*Smack!*
"TWO"
The audience kept counting as Isabella kept spanking.