Onnie descends from the sky, landing in the middle of the Evergreen Forest. She travels on foot for the rest of the time, following a map her parents made. She swats fireflies and shoos off animals that follow her. Onnie climbs over a stump and moves plants out of her view. She spots a clearing in the forest there The Oakwood Academy lies. She sprints to the front entrance and gazes at the building. The building is seven stories high, with vines and flowers growing on the outer walls.

“Here we are. Wow, I forgot how beautiful this place is.”

 “Well, no time like the present.”

Onnie approaches the front doors. She stares for just a moment, then goes to open them. She struggles for a while, but eventually gets the doors open. Once inside, Onnie looks around the building to see how it changed. It has a familiar feeling, it’s big and grand and looks like the spirits themself made it. She snaps out of her trance when she hears a commotion down the hall.

“Goodness, even after all these years, this place is still big as ever.” Onnie wanders the halls, following the sound of laughter and chatter. Until she comes across the room where the noise is coming from. She spots the sign hanging above her. “Professor lounge, hm.” Onnie creaks open the door and takes a peek. On the other side, people are having fun, cheering, and drinking their problems away. As Onnie walks through the door, the entire room goes silent and stares.

“Uh, hey, why didn’t anyone say we were having a party?” Onnie says, laughing awkwardly as the silence grows in the room. “Who are you even?” asks a witch. “I um… I am.” An elf hybrid pushes past the witch. “Wait, that patch on your forehead. And those eyes. Onnie… is that you?” says the elf. “Yes, that’s me.” Some people in the room tear up, and in unison, they scream.

“SHESS ALIVEEE!”

Everyone in the room jumps on Onnie, hugging her tight. Onnie smiles and wipes off the other’s tears that land on her face.

 “Hey! It’s nice to see you all,” says Onnie. “Onnie, where have you been for all these years?” says a witch. “We were sure you were dead,” says another witch. A cat lady walks in the room, drinks in hand. “Hey, I’m back with the Doka… Onnie. You came home!” The cat lady drops the drinks she was holding and pushes through everyone to get to Onnie. “Onnie my dear baby, you finally came home to us!” Onnie’s bones crumble the second the lady hugs her. For a second, she stops breathing.

“Nana please, we just got her back. We don’t want to lose her again.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just so happy to have you back. Ah, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Nana and this is Linden, and this is June Oh and this is Oceane and-”  

“Nana, please let her breath for a second,” says Oceane.

“I’m okay, really. All that matters is that I’m home. I can’t wait to get to know you all, really.” “We feel the same, dear. Now please tell us you’ve been okay these past years.” says Linden.

Everyone explains to Onnie who they are and how much they missed her, and Onnie explains what has happened to her in the past years. They party for a little while longer. After all, the fun Onnie goes to the chairperson room to take her rightful spot. “Do you remember the directions, Onnie?” “Yes, thank you, Mr. Linden.” “Onnie, we are family. Please, call me Linden.” “Okay, linden.” Onnie goes to run off, but before she could, Linden stops her. “Wait, one second dear why are you so interest in the office?” “Oh well, I have to keep my promise I made with my father.” says Onnie. “And what was that?” “Well to come back and lead this school, of course I have to do it as soon as possible.” “Oh, you’re just like you father always running in to things,” says Linden.

“Well, that’s the only way you will get things done.” “Hm okay, well can I at least let me take you there? I would like to be here for you from now on.” “No can do, Linden. If I’m going to run this place, I need to know it like the back of my hand, and you can only do that by exploring it yourself.” “Hm, okay dear, well don’t forget to say hi to Ravena for me.” “Okay. Wait who?”

Onnie looks around, but Linden was gone. She shrugs and runs down the halls, skipping and spinning as well. Onnie runs up the stairs chanting, “Chairwoman, chairwoman. I’m going to be chairwoman,” obnoxiously. She breathes in and goes to open the door, but runs into someone instead.

“Ow!” says Onnie.

 “Excuse me, young lady. What are you doing here? Orientation doesn’t start for another three hours. You’re going to wait outside. I don’t know how you even got in.” Onnie lays her eyes upon a red-haired, old, tall lady. “Oh, it’s okay. You don’t know who I am.” “I’m not sure if you notice, but I’m not a student nor a coed. I am the owner of this establishment, so you best be telling me who you are before you get kicked three feet out the front door, okay?” The lady goes silent for a couple seconds.

“Wait… Onnie?”

“Yes?”

“It is you… I thought you were dead.”

“Yes, that seems to be a recurring theme, isn’t it?” says Onnie.

“Oh, haha yes… where have you been all these years?” “Oh, you know, kidnapped and locked up in a tall tower like that one story.” “Really?” the lady says, concerned. “Ha, no, just been in the forest.” “And your mother? Where is she?” the lady tries to hide her rolling her eyes, but Onnie sees anyway. Onnie slowly turns her head to her and says, “She’s… dead.” “Oh goodness, I’m so very sorry. I don’t know how you made it this long without her. You are very strong.”

“Thank you, but you know it would help if you all tried to find us,” says Onnie. “Maybe she would have lived.”

“Oh, but we did. We checked everywhere for you two,” says Ravena. “It’s okay. I’m not mad.” “Good, anyway. Hm, do you remember me?” “No, I don’t.” Onnie replies. “Well, does Ravena ring a bell?” “Nope.” “Ugh.” says Ravena. Onnie thinks to herself for a second. “Wait, you’re the lady who had a weird crush on my dad!”

“Uh, you’re mistaken!”

“Haha no that’s you!” says Onnie. “So how did you know it was me.” “Hm, your mother did always have a bad attitude.” says Ravena. “Haha you’re funny!” Onnie gets close to Ravena and says, “say that again, you’re dead. Well, thanks for keeping my seat warm. I will now take my rightful spot as chairwoman.” “Umm, sweetie, I’m chairwoman,” says Ravena. “No, your chair warmer.”

“My father said when I came of age, I will take over the Academy,” says Onnie.

“Yes, when you come of age.” 

“Yeah… when I come of age?”

“Ugh, for the love of all that’s holy.” Ravena whispers. “Sweetie, you are only sixteen. We must train you first.” “Okay first, so what if I came early? It shows dominance. And you have no right holding my inheritance from me.” says Onnie. “Also, do you really think I would come here not ready to lead?” “Calm yourself sweet child, I hear you but you’re just too young.” Ravena says in a childish voice while patting Onnie’s head. “Stop, just lead me to the office.” As Onnie and Ravena are making their way to the office, a boy crashes his broomstick into the railing separating them. He flops on the floor dramatically and weeps in pain.

“Ohhh, gods my crotch!” he cries. “Zephyr, what did I tell you about flying in the building!” says Ravena. “Who’s this?” “Oh, uh, this is Zephyr, my child.” “Hello.” he says, still in agony. “You have a son?” The boy picks himself up. “Mom, who’s this?”

“She is-”

“I’m the owner of this academy.” Onnie shakes Zephyr’s hands. “Nice to meet you.” “Yeah, you too,” says Zephyr. “Hey how old are you, may I ask?” “Zephyr! You may never ask a lady her age. Recall your manners.”

“It’s okay, I’m sixteen.”

“Huh, you seem young to be the owner.” “Yes, you’re right Zephyr she is too young that’s why she has to study under me.” says Ravena. “Uh, no.” says Onnie. “No one asked and I’m not your dog. Anyhow, it’s a lengthy story. The past owner has passed, and I came to take his spot. And by the way he said I seem too young to be the owner, not the chairwoman right, Zephyr?” “Uh, yes, I guess so.” “Ha, see I told you. Now move over.” Onnie tries to remove Ravena out of the entrance to the office, to no avail. When doing so, Linden and the others head up the stairs.

“Onnie, Ravena, what are you doing?” “Linden, hi. Umm, I was just showing this one around. We just made it to the office.” says Ravena. “Come in, get in.” Ravena shoves Onnie through the door. “Well, Isn’t that fantastic! I’m glad you made it here. I needing to speak to you all anyway,” says Linden. The group of witches wander in, filling every corner of the room.

“Okay, everyone, the children will be here in just one hour. I hope everyone is ready. Speaking of which, is everyone here?” says Linden. “Let’s see Nana, Kahlo, June, Alphonse. Okay, Oceane, Rio, Stella, Celia, Beatrice, Necho. Alright, Vivian, Luca, Ravena, Zephyr, and Onnie! Hey, an idea has sprouted in my mind. For your first day back. I have a minor task for you. I need your help with the welcome speech. It needs to be very… I guess welcoming. Something to make people wish to come here. You think you can do that?”

“Oh, of course, I’m perfect at speeches. It should begin like this.”