The whole rest of the day, Gabe, Naomi and Mateo had been able to do little else but hang around the castle, trying to look like they were not waiting on Elena, and to see how she was doing, but they were. The crisis seemed finally behind them, though, as Elena recovered from her tiredness after her battle with unknown forces and slowly became more herself. Mateo knew he should examine the scepter for more answers, but put it off at the moment and with everything seeming fine. Yet still, he should make sure it was safe and ready next time Elena and Avalor needed it.

The next day, and with his mother also seeing clear signs Mateo was doing alright, and not in any danger himself, the young Wizard was allowed to return to the castle and his work. He was in his (not) secret workshop, organizing his vials away and trying to keep spell ingredients (like the ones for the one he had just used successfully) together...Hmm...or maybe he should alphabetize...

This internal debate was interrupted as a series of clangs came from outside the secret panel. Frowning, Mateo walked up and pressed his ear to listen, was someone who wasn't supposed to be here trying to...

"Mateo! I...I can't recall how...let me in!", Gabe's voice came. Sighing, the wizard opened the sliding panel from the inside, to find Gabe on the other side panting.

"Gabe? What?", Mateo only got out two one worded questions, before the Lieutenant recovered and stood, gripping his shoulders, "It's worse...so much worse...".

"What are you talking about?", Mateo asked.

Seemingly drawn by Gabe's sprint through the castle, and maybe they were, Elena and Naomi walked in, looking puzzled.

"The fog...or whatever it is...we got it away from Elena but it didn't go away...", Gabe tried to explain, stepping back. "It's in town".

"Where?", Naomi asked. Elena, having dealt first hand with the fog, frowned deeply worried; not that the others weren't.

"Everywhere!", Gabe said, then took a breath and tried to explain, "I'm surprised either of you didn't notice this morning...or get it yourselves...", he glanced between Mateo and Naomi, who would have also had to come from outside the castle.

"I didn't see many people...", Mateo began.

"But what are you talking about, get to the point please", Naomi urged.

"I...I thought the neighbors who came by my dad's shop were just in a bad mood...and then Cid took my head off, not literally but...after I tied him to a chair I noticed...similarities and...". As Gabe tried to explain, Elena looked horrified and darted off. The guard looked like he wished to stop her, but then paused and just tried to finish what he was trying to say.

"Cid...is a smart kid and all", Gabe went on, Naomi muttering something about that comment and one year making people high and mighty, "...but he can not insult me the way I heard, and...it...was like with Elena, things I knew he didn't think coming from his mouth".

"Are your parents alright?", Mateo asked.

Gabe nodded, "Near as I can tell, they seemed fine, that's the thing, I don't know who all has it and...not". Mateo took a moment to try to process. Everyone in Avalor...or near enough?!

"I...well, I still have the vial", the Royal Wizard began "but...", they would need a lot more. Gabe and Naomi nodded, getting this thought.

"Well we're no magical experts, but you just tell us what to do and we'll get this mass produced as fast as we can!", Naomi said.

"Where...where did...oh that's right", Gabe muttered half thoughts and started towards the door, "I'm gonna check Elena and Cid first". The younger guard couldn't be much danger, tied up as he was, but Gabe didn't want to take the risk. Mateo almost followed, wanted to, but...

"I...should start on the potions, we don't know how many we'll need", he said, as if telling himself also.

"I'll come help", Naomi said, "Gabe's got it I'm sure, and we'll hear about it if he doesn't".