As the sky darkened and the stars shimmered, a magnificent silver pegasus with golden wings descended gracefully onto a meadow atop a hill. The pegasus's rider, a young woman of about 20 years old named Ivyina, wore a forest-green cloak that flowed elegantly as she hopped off the creature. Whispering something softly into the pegasus's ear, Ivyina patted its side. The pegasus whinnied gently, nudged her affectionately, and then took off, disappearing into the deepening night sky. Ivyina gazed after it for a few moments before heading briskly down the hill toward a small, cozy cottage nestled at the edge of the forest. As she reached the door, she knocked firmly, and moments later, it creaked open, revealing a teenage girl. It was Ashley, her best friend's younger sister, looking to be around 14. Recognizing Ivyina, Ashley's face lit up with excitement.

"Ivyina!" she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming in the dusky light.

"Hello, Ashley," Ivyina greeted warmly as she stepped inside.

"Coralia, Ivyina's here!" Ashley called out excitedly.

There was a sudden clatter from the kitchen, followed by a joyful cry, "Wait, what? 

A young woman, also around 20 years old, dashed out from the kitchen. Her face lit up with delight when she saw Ivyina standing at the door.

"Ivyina!" Coralia gasped, rushing over to embrace her friend. "It's been so long!"

"I know!" Ivyina replied, returning the hug. She removed her cloak and tossed it onto a nearby chair, letting her wavy black hair tumble down her shoulders.

Both sisters had strikingly similar features—brownish-blonde hair and blue-gray eyes. But while Ashley's were a softer grayish-blue, Coralia's eyes were a piercing blue. In contrast, Ivyina had dark amber eyes and black hair. 

They settled down by the crackling fire in the cozy living room. Ivyina stretched out on the sofa, feeling the warmth from the flames.

"What are you doing here?" Ashley asked, her curiosity aroused.

Ivyina smiled but said, "I'll explain soon enough. But first, how have you two been? I haven't seen you since... Was it Ashley's 12th birthday?"

"Yes, that's right," Coralia replied, handing Ivyina a mug of hot chocolate. "Ashley's birthday was last week. She's 14 now."

"Time flies," Ivyina remarked, taking a grateful sip. "You're nearly done with your second year at PearlFrost Academy, right?"

Ashley nodded eagerly. "Yes! It's been amazing."

"Ah, so you've learned about CrystalFire by now," Ivyina said, her eyes twinkling.

Ashley's smile faded. "CrystalFire? No... what's that?"

At this, Ivyina's expression turned thunderstruck. She looked sharply at Coralia. "Wait... she doesn't know yet?"

Coralia, still sipping her drink calmly, said, "They only learn about CrystalFire in their third year, Ivyina. You know that. But Ashley maybe you should go to your room for a while"

As Ashley stormed into her room and slammed the door, Ivyina looked appalled. "But with everything happening there right now? You know what is happening there right?"

"Yes, of course I do," Coralia said soothingly. "But Ashley isn't supposed to know yet. Besides, PearlFrost doesn't seem too concerned."

Ivyina sighed heavily. "She's old enough to know now, Cori. We need to tell her."

Coralia hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Ivyina turned to call, "Ashley, come back. You can hear this."

Ashley sulked out of her room. "Finally!" she huffed. "What's going on?"

Coralia glanced at Ivyina before beginning. "Okay, Ashley, here's the thing. You know how PearlFrost teaches you how to work with nature magic—moving trees, controlling vines, that sort of thing?"

Ashley nodded impatiently. "Yes, yes, we're even learning underwater magic now!"

"Well," Coralia continued, "there's more. Once you graduate from PearlFrost, you can either work on Earth or choose to work on CrystalFire. It's a planet that controls all the magic for our world."

Ashley's eyes widened in awe. "A whole planet just for magic?"

"Yes," Ivyina chimed in. "CrystalFire is split into two halves—one always warm, with tropical forests, and the other cold, filled with snow and ice. I work on the cold side, as the Deputy of the Frost Enchanters."

"I work here on Earth," Coralia added. "As a deflector, it's my job to keep CrystalFire's magic from overwhelming Earth."

Ashley looked astonished. "Wait... so the magic we learn at PearlFrost comes from CrystalFire?"

Coralia nodded. "Yes. And all that power is controlled by a magical scepter owned by Queen Aurela, the ruler of CrystalFire. Different gems on the scepter control different elements—rubies for fire, sapphires for water, emeralds for plants, and an amethyst on top."

Ashley was wide-eyed with curiosity. "What does the amethyst do?"

"That's the most important one," Ivyina explained. "It powers all of CrystalFire."

"But wait..." Ashley paused, thinking. "Why are you here, Ivyina? Did something happen to the scepter?"

Ivyina's face grew grim. "Yes. The scepter has been stolen."

"Stolen?!" Ashley gasped. "Who took it?"

"We suspect Frizito, an evil wizard," Ivyina said solemnly. "He's been a problem for a while now, and Queen Aurela believes he's hiding the scepter somewhere near Mount PetalFlake."

"Mount PetalFlake?" Ashley repeated, confused.

"It's a mountain north of PearlFrost Academy," Ivyina explained. "The caves beneath it are where the gems in the scepter were originally found."

"But how did Frizito escape?" Coralia asked in disbelief. "Wasn't he imprisoned?"

"He was," Ivyina replied. "He escaped from Shadow Fortress, CrystalFire's prison, stole the scepter, and fled. Prince Alaric spotted him as he was getting away on his pegasus, NightShade."

Ashley looked confused again. "Who's Prince Alaric?"

"He's Queen Aurela's son," Ivyina explained. "Twin brother of Princess Alayra, but Alaric is older by two minutes. He's the heir to the throne."

"NightShade is Frizito's pegasus," Coralia added. "Frizito enchanted him when he was just a foal, and now NightShade only obeys him."

Ashley looked overwhelmed. "This is insane. But... Why are you here on Earth, Ivyina? Shouldn't the Royal Guards be searching for the scepter?"

"They would be," Ivyina sighed, "but King Alexe—Queen Aurela's husband—issued a decree. He insisted that one of the deputies find the scepter to prove their worth."

"And that's you?" Ashley asked, astonished.

"Yes," Ivyina said bitterly. "The other deputy, Seedric, was too afraid to lose his position, so he forced me to go instead."

"That's awful," Coralia said sympathetically. "But what can we do to help?"

"I was hoping..." Ivyina hesitated. "I was hoping you'd come with me, Cori. I could use your help."

"Of course!" Coralia agreed immediately. 

"I'll call our parents," she added, thinking. "They can come take care of Ashley while we're gone."

Ashley's face scrunched up in protest. "What? Why can't I....."

The rest of her indignant reply was cut off as the two friends exchanged glances before replying quickly in unison: "You're not coming."

Ashley stomped her foot in frustration. "Why not?! I'm not useless and I don't need looking after! I can take care of myself"

"We don't want you to get hurt," Ivyina said gently. "Frizito is dangerous."

Ashley pouted for a moment, then tried a different approach. "But I can help! I'm good at what I know, even if I don't know everything yet."

Ivyina looked at Coralia, uncertainty in her eyes. "What do you think?"

Coralia sighed. "Alright, Ashley. But you have to promise to stay close to us at all times."

"I promise!" Ashley squealed, beaming with excitement.

The trio quickly prepared to leave. Ivyina called her pegasus, SilverDawn, from the meadow. The majestic creature soared down from the sky, its wings shimmering in the moonlight.

"Come on, Ashley, time to go," Coralia said, as she helped her sister onto SilverDawn's back.

With everyone seated, Ivyina whispered to her loyal steed, "Take us to Mount PetalFlake."

SilverDawn whinnied softly and, with a powerful flap of her wings, took off into the starry night sky.