[theme music playing]
[theme music concludes]
[pensive music playing]
-Good, you're all here. -Dad, we can explain.
There's no need, Lily. I've told Sean everything.
You told him?
Professor Maxwell has given a full account and acknowledges
his experimentation has resulted in severe damage to the library.
Not to mention putting all of you in grave danger.
Maxwell's experimentation?
Which leaves me with no alternative but to stand him down
from his position as your teacher.
-Dad! -[all clamor]
[Professor Maxwell] Quiet!
Sean's decision is correct. I need you to respect it.
[Sean] There'll be an investigation into the event.
Until that's concluded, you will have a new teacher,
Dr. Apinya Surinat.
And Dr. Surinat is a fellow of the Department of Magical Archeology
-at the Bangkok University of Magic. -[portal whooshing]
Her discoveries have been widely published.
-She's probably like 100 years old. -Not quite.
-Apinya, how long has it been? -[Apinya] Too long.
-You haven't changed, Max. -Neither have you.
[Lily] Max?
[Sean] I'll leave you to do the handover, Professor.
[wand chimes]
You and the professor know each other, Dr. Surinat?
Apinya, please.
Yes, Maxwell and I studied at university together.
I understand that losing your teacher is hard.
I promise I'll do my best to live up to Maxwell's high standards.
Oh, this class is special.
A little high spirited, but they're great kids.
[Apinya] Being students of yours, I'm not surprised.
I'll arrange to have Ladder's remains brought to you.
[pensive music continues]
[Apinya] No classes today.
I think we should tidy up a little, don't you?
[birds chirping]
[Darra] Hey Professor, hope you don't mind us dropping in.
We wanted to thank you for not turning us in today.
We all feel pretty bad about it.
No one can ever learn the truth about what happened.
Understand?
[Darra] Anyway, it's all been for nothing.
Without the keys and the journals,
the Temple of the Purple Lotus will never be found.
You wouldn't know where the keys and the journals are, would you?
They're in a safe place and they're staying there.
Now, if you wouldn't mind.
Professor, those keys responded to me.
-Kyra. -The cobra showed me things.
I don't think it was trying to hurt me,
I think it was trying to give me a message.
Why would it do that?
Kyra, it's been a pretty torrid 24 hours. I'd like to be left alone.
Of course. We're sorry.
[pensive music concludes]
[instrumental music playing]
Sean has informed me of your Bureau of Magical Things.
I understand that Bureau assignments take priority over your studies.
However, outside of that, the human boy, Peter,
is not permitted in the library.
Professor Maxwell didn't have a problem with it.
Maxwell is no longer your teacher.
Now, for today's class.
Elementary Wishbone Magic and Other Kitchen Wizardry.
-A cookbook? -For spells.
I thought we'd start with something light.
Chapters seven through eleven, you have two hours to read and summarize.
I'm going to take a wander and acquaint myself with the library.
Seriously? We have to sit here and read spell recipes for two hours.
[Lily] Darra is right.
How can we possibly concentrate on schoolwork
after what happened to Ladder?
I am so pleased to hear you say that.
We're going to save Ladder.
-How? -I figured out a way, but we need Peter.
You heard Apinya, he's not allowed in here.
This is more important than rules.
Whoa, Ruksy, did you really just say that?
Keep a look out for Apinya while I get Peter.
I'll meet you in aisle seven in three minutes.
We need to go to the restricted section.
I think that's where Maxwell's hidden the keys, in Magnus' journals.
Guys, coming?
-You go, I'll take care of it. -Thanks.
[whimsical music playing]
What if Apinya sees me? She might turn me into a toadstool.
Or a hat stand, at least that would be useful.
According to my research, magical ladders can't be fixed with ordinary wood.
We need enchanted wood from an enchanted tree.
-Where do we find an enchanted tree? -In here.
[music intensifies]
Are you crazy? I got trapped in that book
and the woodsman tried to feed me to an ogre.
It's very unlikely that'll happen again.
Why do you need me anyway?
You know your way around the enchanted forest.
-Forget it. -Come on, Peter, Maxwell needs this.
Uh-uh, you can't guilt me into this. I will not be swayed.
Peter, please.
Nuts. I swayed.
-[magic chimes] -[whooshing]
-[birds chirping] -[ambient music playing]
Kyra, Imogen, why aren't you reading?
-Uh… -Put that back and off you go.
-[book rumbles] -[wind howling]
-What was that? -The book's been closed.
-Kyra and Imogen aren't coming? -Appears so.
And until the book is open again, we can't get out.
So we're trapped, just like last time, perfect.
Which way to the woodsman?
-I think it's this way. -How are we going to find the wood?
Not we, Lily, you.
[Cedric snoring]
-[clears throat] -[snores, snorts]
[clears throat]
-Awaken! Simple woodsman. -[grunts]
[mumbling] Who be you?
I am Princess Lily, daughter of your king.
-King? What king? -Silence! Do not question me.
-[Cedric] Yes, your royalness. -[Lily] What is your name?
-I be Cedric, but my full name-- -Yes, yes. Cedric.
I wish to build a new throne for my sweet papa.
You will cut me the wood.
Would that I could, your most magisterial-ness.
-[chuckles] -The evil thing of Crow Crag
-took away my old axe, Bessie. -The evil who?
-Evil thing. -What thing?
[chuckles] Oh no, you're not gonna make me say it.
-Say what? -Evil witch.
Oh, no!
[claps hands, stomps] Keep the witch away!
-So why did the evil-- -[Cedric grunts]
So, why did the evil… thing take your axe?
Well, me and me brother Silas, we stole her treasure.
When she took it back, her favorite pendant was missing,
-so she turned Silas into a crow. -[crow cawing]
I miss him so much.
[exhales] Where is the pendant?
It was taken by a mysterious stranger, with glass windows over his eyes
and a full set of teeth, gleaming white they were, like pearls.
If I ever get my hands on that wretch…
[cup clatters]
-What be that? -I didn't hear anything.
Now, about that wood.
[laughs]
Well pickle me in brine. That be the wretch.
Give me back the pendant so I can get me brother back.
I don't have it. I gave it away to someone.
Someone special.
You still wear it?
[Ruksy] I brought it in case we needed to exchange it for the wood.
-Right. -[Cedric] So it's wood you want, is it?
Return that pendant to the evil thing, bring me me axe, and restore me brother.
-And you'll have your wood. -[instrumental music concludes]
We can't leave them in the book.
We can't risk Apinya getting more suspicious.
Besides, they might still be getting the wood.
Only if everything went according to plan. And how often does that happen?
Do you ever get tired of being right?
-[instrumental music playing] -[chairs scraping]
[Lily] Are you sure this is the way to Crow Crag?
-[Ruksy] According to Cedric's map it is. -[insects chirping]
Feels like we've been going in circles, and I'm sure we just passed that tree.
-[squeezebox playing] -Listen.
Enough, Hugo. Your antics bore me.
And that wretched squeezebox is giving me a headache.
-Do something else. -Yes, my lady.
Leave this to me.
Excuse me, you wouldn't by any chance know
where to find the evil witch of Crow Crag?
The last person who called me a witch, I turned into a crow.
-That's right. She did. -[crows cawing]
-It's her. -Who are you? And who are they?
And why are you dressed like a princess?
-I'm the only princess in these woods. -That's right, she is.
We wish you no disrespect, Princess.
We only wish to return something that belongs to you.
My pendant, give it here.
I will, if you return the axe you took from Cedric the woodsman.
Agreed.
-Now the axe? -No.
But that was the deal. The pendant for the axe.
If you want your silly axe, you must first find my castle.
You can't go changing the rules. It's not fair.
Not to mention, rude.
You think me rude?
I think you're a spoiled child who needs to learn some respect.
-[magic chimes] -[Lily gasps]
-[cage clatters] -And I think not.
[wand chimes]
[Ruksy] Please release Lily. She did nothing to you.
-She refused to find my castle. -My magic doesn't work.
Will you find my castle?
-Um, I can't just now. I… -[magic chimes]
-[cage clatters] -What about you, boy?
-Will you find my castle? -Yes, Your Majesty. I will.
-Absolutely. -[magic chimes]
That's better, you looked like a peasant in those awful rags.
[chuckles] That's right. You did.
-[Princess] What is your name? -Peter.
Well, Peter, when you find my castle,
you shall have your axe and your friends will go free.
Meaning no disrespect, my lady, but how exactly did you lose your castle?
I remember taking my jewels out for a walk,
some filthy woodsman stole them, and when I gave chase, I lost my way.
-[crows cawing] -Go. You have until nightfall
-lest your friends be turned into crows. -On it.
I mean… [clears throat] …I shall hasten henceforth, my lady,
-soon to return with-- -Just go.
I'll get help.
[folk music playing]
[folk music concludes]
-They're in trouble. -[Apinya] Back here again.
What's the attraction?
We were, uh…
Looking for the dictionary and we got lost. [chuckles]
Actually, I think the dictionary
-is in the next aisle. [chuckles] -Hmm.
-Come on, Imogen. -[Apinya] What's that?
[instrumental music playing]
Tales From The Forbidden Forest.
I remember this book from when I was a child.
Such great memories.
My favorite was a story about a lost princess. [chuckles]
I used to cry every time I read it.
-I wonder where the others are. -Maybe you should go find them.
There was another about a witch and two woodcutters.
Ah, page 12. Let's have a look.
[vase shatters]
What was that?
It sounded serious. Something might've got loose.
-[magic chimes] -[whooshing]
-[insects chirping] -[instrumental music concludes]
-Imogen, am I glad to see you. -Why are you dressed like that?
-Uh, once upon a time-- -Peter, why are Lily and Ruksy in a cage?
It's very cramped in here. Can you please let us out?
It would be a lot less cramped if I turn you into crows.
-[Imogen] Stop! -[crows cawing]
-[dramatic music playing] -Who are you?
I'm Imogen, I'm an elf from River City and these are my friends.
-Free them from this cage right now. -And if I don't?
Then I'll… I'll…
[magic chimes]
-Nice diplomacy there. -[dramatic music concludes]
You have until the sun sets below the mountains,
-then your friends grow feathers. -I'll be back, my lady.
-[crows cawing] -[instrumental music playing]
[Apinya] Hmm.
Strange.
Weird stuff happens here all the time. [chuckles] You'll get used to it.
Kyra, I'm curious, your Orb power.
-[Kyra] What about it? -It must be difficult,
and I would think a little lonely being the only one with such a gift.
It does feel that way sometimes.
I understand that Maxwell was a kind of mentor to you.
Without him I don't think I would have adjusted to your world.
Maxwell's always very kind. I'd like you to think of me in the same way.
If you ever wish to talk or need help in any way,
-my door is always open. -[exhales]
Actually, um, there is something I'd like to talk about.
Of course.
-You got it wrong, Cedric, the evil wi-- -[Cedric grunts]
Sorry, the evil thing is really a princess and she's lost her castle.
Do you know where it is?
No, but my brother, you'd better get him back.
I'm working on it.
So, there's no castle in the forest?
What's beyond the forest?
There be nothing beyond the forest. There the story ends.
Story ends.
[instrumental music concludes]
[Apinya] Max was something of a rising star when I knew him.
He was smart and funny and everyone liked him.
We were good friends,
but I made the mistake of thinking it was more than that.
That must have been hard.
It was, especially since the object of his affection was my best friend.
Giselle?
You know about her?
I know she died trying to retrieve the Orb.
Max never forgave himself for that. He changed, withdrew.
[instrumental music playing]
I had hoped as time passed, Max and I might have a chance, but…
You must never tell Max any of this. Let what's in the past remain in the past.
You can trust me. [chuckles]
I'm sure I can. And I hope you can trust me too.
As I said, if you ever wish to talk.
[insects chirping]
-Get us out of here. -I'm working on it.
Ruksy, I have a theory. I don't think the princess belongs in this story.
That's why she's lost.
Look at her clothes, her furniture. She doesn't fit here.
And Cedric said, there's no castle in this story.
There's a story in the book called "A Princess Far From Home."
But this story is called "The Witch And The Woodcutters."
If she is from the other story, then how do we get her back?
We take her to the end of this story. Hopefully there's a way into the next one.
Have you found my castle yet?
-Could you please move away? You smell. -[Hugo] That's right, you do.
We can find it, my lady. This humble woodsman will lead us.
-But first you must release my friends. -I grow weary of them anyway.
They haven't done a single thing to entertain me.
[magic chimes]
And give Cedric back his axe.
-Very well. -And restore his brother, Silas.
Will there be anything else? Turn the sky pink, make the trees dance?
Oh, I would like to see that. [chuckles]
-No, my lady. -Good, then lead on.
[whimsical music playing]
[Cedric] This be the end of the story.
Where is my castle? You said you'd find my castle.
Your Highness, it's here… look.
[magic chimes]
[regal music playing]
-My castle, you found it! -[Hugo] She's right, you did.
Kneel.
I hereby proclaim you Knight of the Realm.
Arise, Sir Peter.
It's been an honor to serve thee, my lady.
Don't think that title's gonna stick when we get back.
-Thank you, and farewell. -What about the axe?
[magic chimes]
[exclaims] Bessie! [laughs]
-And Silas? -[crow cawing]
[Princess] Your brother will be back at your camp.
[Cedric] Thank you.
-Well, I'm much obliged to you. -May we have the wood now?
-[magic chimes] -[whooshing]
-It's so good to be out of there. -Take this.
I have to get Peter out of here before Apinya sees him.
Sir Peter, I'll have thee known.
-Not calling you that. -[magic chimes]
[crickets chirping]
[soft music playing]
[wand chiming]
[wooden log clatters]
[birds chirping]
[soft music continues]
[Ladder clatters]
[Ladder creaks]
Ladder! [chuckles] Ladder, you're back!
-Well? -You will not believe
some of the things in the restricted section. [chuckles]
[Kyra] Darra?
The keys and journals aren't there. Sorry.
Ruksy, that was a genius idea. I really thought Ladder was gone forever.
-Peter was the real hero. -Sir Peter.
Still not calling you that.
If it wasn't for Peter, we would all be crows.
[Ladder creaking, clattering]
Ladder is all excited like a little puppy.
[all laughing]
So, Ladder's back, Maxwell's over the moon.
And now we know how the story ends.
-Happily. -Ever.
After.
-[all chuckle] -[soft music concludes]
[theme music playing]
[theme music concludes]