Wing Clipping/13

They were not sure what to expect when they ran the opposite direction of the screaming people, The Fairy Queen's Spell Book tucked under Jasper's arm, the Wicked Queen's Spell Book tucked under Opal's. No one knew what danger the Black Swan could really create.

When they got to the carnage that was Blakemore's room, they froze, mouths hanging open. Standing in the middle of the wreckage was a large black swan that looked like it was made out of swirling black smoke. Occasionally, there was enough of a gap that they could see Blakemore standing in the midst of it.

"That's not normal." Jasper commented, barely moving her lips.

"Honey, your hanging with us now. Normal has nothing to do with it." Larkin joked, but his voice was strained.

Fauve stood at attention, barely reacting when Opal reached for her hand.

"Maybe we can do this without it seeing us?" Opal whispered.

The Swan snapped it's head towards them, glowing red eyes locked on them like a cheetah's on a gazelle. "''Spoke to soon!" ''Fauve ran behind her sister.

Opal started chanting the spell: "''The dark shall..." ''Before she even finished the first line, a monstrous wing sent both her and Fauve tumbling into the pillar in the hall.

"That hurt way too much for it to be only made of smoke." Opal hissed, rubbing at her ribs as she tried to stand up.

"''Speak for yourself." ''Fauve had provided a cushion for Opal's fall, so she had received the worst of it, specifically a head smacking into the pillar. She felt dizzy as she tried to stand up.

"You probably have a con...watch out!" Opal pulled Fauve out of the way as her boyfriend was sent cartwheeling away.

"You might not want to look Op." He grunted. "I think that thing knocked the handsome out of me."

Opal rolled her eyes. "Not the time. Get concussed Fauve to the nurse." She ordered.

"..I can help..."

"What year is it?" Opal demanded.

"Uh..."

"Thought so. Larkin, now!"

"I'm not leaving you to face that thing alone!"

"That thing is our cousin! Besides, I'm not alone, I have Jasper!"

Said fairy was thrown into the lockers, and the Black Swan was nearing them.

Larkin sent her a look. (the kind of look was hard to tell, given the blood soaking the side of his face,) but when she held up the spell book, he conceded, actually lifting Fauve bridal style.

Jasper stood next to her, wobbling slightly. "I think my ankle's broken."

Opal glared at her, but it was half hearted, as he own head was starting to hurt.

"Are you ready?" She asked instead.

Jasper nodded. Simulataneously, the two magic casters, light and dark, opened their respective spell books.