Soon enough, Rook, Epel, and the rest of the Ramshackle group find themselves in the Ancient City of the Island of Woe. What's more, Idia, Ortho and the Styx soldiers have arrived to see them.

Idia appears and says, "Seriously, guys... This isn't a video game. You don't resawn IRL. Remember that the next time you wanna do something so boneheaded. You're lucky I'm the one in charge right now. If it were anyone else, you'd be gone."

The group soon find Ortho and the Styx soldiers with them.

"Wow... It's a whole underwater city!" Epel says, astonished.

"Yes. We have truly arrived at our destination," Rook says.

"It appears so," Tanzanite says.

Rook then says, "The Island of Woe!"

Sereia says, "Wow. The place looks so big."

Trinket nods in agreement.

"And looks very ancient," Tanzanite adds.

"Yeah. It looks awesome," Jasper says.

But then Idia says. "Sorry to rain on your parade, but this isn't some tourist destination." And then says in a stern voice, "You can't just roll up on your broom like 'Me and the boys looking for classmates!' You guys got a screw loose or something?"

Everyone is surprised to see Epel and Ortho here.

"Whoa... Idia's really here!" Epel says, surprised.

"Yeah. Ortho is here too," Jasper says.

"So the Roi des Dragons spoke the truth," Rook says, "He claimed that Idia Shroud was the Watchman of the Island of Woe, who governs Styx. Goodness... I truly am shocked."

"That makes two of us," Idia responds, "How'd you get here?"

"Before I answer that, might I have confirmation of one thing?" Rook says. "Are those who were abducted safe?"

"I'm gettin' sick of this cloak-and-dagger act, so sure, I'll tell you, "Idia says, sounding a bit annoyed, "Yes, they're all full of life to an annoying degree. Well, except for the girl."

"So Briar is safe," Sereia says, relieved.

The others feel the same.

Rook happily says, "Wonderful! I've been so worried, I thought I might burst!"

"But like... The Charon troops trounced you back at school," Idia points out.

Then asks, "Why did you follow us when you knew you couldn't beat 'em?"

"I told you - Vil is in mortal peril," Rook responds in a serious tone.

"Mortal peril. My searches indicate this is a state of grave danger involving the risk of death. You've said this a few times now, Rook Hunt," Ortho says.

He then asks, "Is Vil Schoenheit afflicted with something that endangered his life?"

"No, but he might, given time. We have come to avert a terrible crisis for Vil," Rook answers, calm, but serious. "I care not what happens to me, as long as my dear friend is safe. Please, I implore you, could you deliver this to him?" And presents the box full of Vil's cosmetics to them.

"What's all this stuff?" Idia questions, "Doesn't really look like medicine."

"Scanning bottle ingredients," Ortho says, scanning the items, "Main ingredients: Water, vitamin C, collagen, essential oils..." But something hits him, "Wait, are these...?"

"Indeed! They are dear Vil's skin care products!" Rook says with pride.

Idia exclaims in shock, "THEY'RE NOT LIFE-SAVING MEDICINE?!" He looks at the bottle and realizes, "Wha... it's really just a buncha creams and stuff? You're not, like, trying to smuggle in some dangerous potions to help them break out?"

"I've just finished scanning the whole set. There are no corrosive fluids or any other toxic ingredients," Ortho clarifies, "While they do contain moisturizing agents and a cantrip-leven enchantment... They appear to be honest-to-goodness homemade skincare products."

"Dude... I don't even know where to start," Idia says, still in disbelief. "It's CLEARLY not worth risking your life over skin creams. Like, ever."

But Rook takes this as an offense, "How can you say that, Roi de sa Chambre?!" startling Idia a bit.

Rook then says, "You are right - there's is nothing more sacred than life. However, some of us hold aesthetic principles in such high regard, we're willing to stake our lives on them."

"Yeah!" Epel says, angrily, "You're just saying' that 'cuz you don't know how scary Vil gets when you skip yer skincare routine! It's BAD NEWS, Ah tell ya!"

"Okay, you don't have yo shout..." Idia says. "So... you guys don't have any other demands? That's it?"

"Oui," Rook says.

"Wow, attacking the Island of Woe just to deliver cosmetics..." Ortho says, surprised. "Even with Styx's supercomputer system... Your behavioral patterns are impossible to predict. We should probably save this data as an edge case."

"Okay, I get why Rook and Epel are here. Well, I don't GET it, but I get it," Rook says.

Then turns to the others, "But that doesn't explain why the vice prefect and the rest of Ramshackle Dorm decide to come." He grins, "Are you here to deliver some cat food to Grim? Or, like, a grooming brush?"

Sereia then presents her bag with some tuna, "Well, we did bring him some food because we know he's always hungry. But that's one of the reasons."

"But we're mainly here to get Briar and Grim back!" Jasper says.

Idia is a little surprised, "Sorry, I don't think I heard you. You mind runnin' that by me again?" and then grins, "I must've had a chunk of brimstone wedge in my ears or something."

"What you little..." Jasper angrily says.

Tanzanite holds his brother's shoulders, "Calm down, Jasper."

"These five, including the vice prefect of Ramshackle are here to retrieve their Ramshackle Dorm Prefect, Briar Hawtorne and Grim, the other student in said dorm," Rook answers.

"I wasn't actually skiing you to repeat" Idia says. "I obviously heard every word. Is your sarcasm detector broken?"

Then turns to the Ramshackle group, "I guess SOME PEOPLE let their emotions get the better of 'em, and they pull wannabe hero stunts, even when they got no real skills."

"Hey!" Jasper, Tanzanite, and Seria shout, feeling offended.

Even Trinket crosses her arms in a huff.

Idia then says, "Well, unlike YOU guys, I'm busy. I've got better things to do than listen to speeches about friendship."

Then Ortho asks, "Should we ship them back to Night Raven College, then?"

"I'd like to, but..." Idia says, but notices the serious looks on the Ramshackle students.

Then turns to Ortho, "... Ortho, c'mere a sec."

The two then walk away.

"Where are they going?" Sereia asks.

"I'm not sure," Jasper replies.

Idia whispers to Ortho, "It's better to have everyone go through the River Lethe at the same time, to minimize cognitive dissonance. Besides, consider what would happen if we did send them back now. We wouldn't want them getting the teachers or other students involved before the River Lethe is ready to run. Ti;dr, I say we keep 'em here until the other troublemakers' tests are over."

"You make a good point. I'd also like to gather data on how Rook's group found this island. I'll access our systems and find a safe place for them to stay," Ortho whispers. Then check the date, "Looks like we've got a free room in a training facility right here in the Hecate sector. I'll bring them there and draw up the paperwork. They'll need to sign a few things."

"Great, thanks," Idia whispers, "I've gotta get back to HQ and finish up the rest of the tests. We put Subject F's investigation on hold yesterday, so that's gonna take some time too."

"Grim really is special, huh? Briar is as well. Hang in there, Idia," Ortho whispers happily.

Then Ortho calls out, "Okay! Rook Hunt. Epel Felier. Sereia. Tanzanite. Jasper. And Trinket. We've got a lot of questions for all of you. Would you please come with me?" and some Styx soldiers walk over.

"Oui," Rook answers.

And then asks, "But might we be allowed to at least glimpse Vil and the others first? I would feel so much better if I saw they were well.

"Please," Sereia replies.

But Ortho says, "No contact with the subjects is permitted until the tests are complete. Sorry. I'll make sure you get to see each other once we're done, though. So please, just be patient."

The group is disappointed to hear that.

"I see..." Rook says, expressing his disappointment, "Very well. I supposed I should be grateful you're letting us stay at all."

Then Idia says, "So, uh... I'm going back to HQ now. As for this new banner of troublemakers-don't get any more funny ideas. Just behave and do as Ortho says. Later."

But then Rook calls out, "Idia, wait!"