A/N: Howdy! Hope you're ready to see where that cliffhanger left off! My Beta reader gets so sick and tired of them, but I love them so much. They add some suspense and keeps the audience looking forward to the next chapter!

Don't worry though, no cliffhangers at the end of this chapter. Or are there? Gotta read to find out for yourself.

Lucia leaned against the wall of the old, abandoned convenience store she'd frequently used as her canvas, waiting in the oppressive summer heat for Amelia to join her. She'd borrowed Luz's skateboard and knee pads to get down there in a decent amount of time, and really, her sister wouldn't object to her use of it since the board was a hand-me-down from Lucia anyway. While she was out of practice, it beat walking the whole way, and her Mom wasn't home to give her a ride.

The place looked exactly the same as it had the last time she was here, though far more illuminated by the midday sun today than it had been at dusk and the twilight hours back then. A few stray spray paint cans lay around from when they had rolled out of Lucia's bag, the labels now bleached under the sun. Even the splinters that remained of her old baseball bat still littered the ground where they had fallen. In the light, she could even see a handful of elongated teeth among the wood shards, showing the blow had taken some of the demon's teeth.

She bent to examine them, picking a good sized one up from where it lay, running her fingers along the fang. It was like a small dagger, down to the shape, though without any edge. She tested the point with the pad of her thumb, only to wince as it easily pierced her skin, drawing a dot of blood. "Damn!"

"Careful, playing with monster parts sounds like a good way to get possessed by something." A familiar voice sounded out from behind her. "Or, heck, you just might turn into a werewolf."

Standing out of her crouched position, Lucia turned to greet her friend, "I really hope you're joking, after these last few weeks I have no clue anymore."

Amelia grinned, "Yeah, yeah, I'm joking. Maybe. I barely have any more of a clue than you do."

Amelia looked about the same as the last time Lucia had seen her, same green and brown hair pulled back to show off her pointed ears, same fashion sense, though Lucia doubted Amelia would trade in her designer clothes for robes out of a fantasy movie. The same smirk that framed her face and screamed confidence. That was the most relieving to see, as it was wholly gone when they had parted last.

Held up beside Amelia was a bike, a helmet dangling by it's straps from the thing looked a bit small for someone Amelia's height, and was an obnoxious level of pink. Probably an older bike from when Amelia had been younger from the looks of it.

Ah, the pains of being teenagers without cars during the working hours of Summer vacation. Lucia couldn't wait for those days to end. She was gonna get a motorcycle one of these days, despite her mother's objections to the idea that it was dangerous and she was going to get herself killed. That was part of the fun!

Lucia shrugged, and pocketed the fang, carefully setting into her back pants pocket so it wouldn't be able to stab at her. "Sooo…" she began, not sure where to begin, "How have you been?"

They hadn't spoken much over the phone, instead setting up a meeting spot. Amelia had wanted to do this in person, and Lucia appreciated her making the effort. Amelia crossed her arms, her expression drooping, "I've been busy. Trying to figure some stuff out about myself."

Lucia nodded in understanding, "Did you.. mention anything about it to your parents? Like, 'Hey Mom, hey Dad, I'm a magical elf, can you help me develop an addiction to pyromania?' Or anything like that?"

That made Amelia laugh, and Lucia felt bashful just listening to the sound. "No, I am not bringing this up with them at all. I'd like to keep them thinking I'm plain, and normal for as long as humanly possible. They had a big family sit down to know it was okay for me to be gay, I don't want to imagine the fuss they'll go through to make me feel like it's okay to be an elf."

"So if you didn't go to your parents, where did you start?"

Amelia kicked at a stone on the ground, "I tried the library for a bit, but who knew they didn't have anything outside of the fantasy section on elves and magic? If anything they had was correct, I'm a dreaded protagonist, and am doomed to have adventures and an epic destiny ruin any chance at a normal teenage life."

Lucia glanced over to the portrait of the Good Witch Azura she'd put on the wall for her sister, "Well, I could have saved you the time and the trouble and told you that myself. You're even adopted, that basically confirms you were born to save the world."

Amelia snorted, "I gave up on the library after a few days. Fantasy wasn't ever a genre I was crazy about anyway, which… irony."

She stuffed her hands in her pockets, "Instead, I spent the past few weeks working on my powers, and what I'm even going to do with them."

Lucia nodded, taking a few steps to stand beside the other girl, "How did that go? You didn't burn down your house, did you?"

That got a soft chuckle out of Amelia, "No, I didn't. I practiced that… spell circle thing I did with my finger a few times. I did manage to make some fire, but I always shot it into our fireplace. What I learned was that the bigger the circle, the stronger the fire is. The rest isn't as consistent."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you know how it hurt when I tried it at that gas station? I think I ran out of magic, or something? I felt sick all the next day, but after a bit of rest I was fine. Then when I was better, I managed to do three spells before it happened again, and I thought, 'oh, wow, I must be getting better!' But then it took me two days to recover, and then I was back to one spell before it started to hurt again."

"After that, I took a few days off, hoping to recharge. I managed to do only two spells. Another day off, and back to three." Amelia held hands up in confusion, "There was absolutely no pattern that I could find as to why it would take longer to recover some days, and why I could cast more spells on others."

That did sound worrisome, "Well, what kind of magical rules do you think you're operating on?"

Amelia paused, "What do you mean?"

Lucia smiled at her opportunity to go over her expertise with the fantasy genre, courtesy of her sister, "I mean, in these fantasy stories, they usually have some kind of system that magic works on. Like, in Azura, magic is everywhere. It's in the air itself. But in some of my sister's other fantasy books, magic sometimes comes from inside a person. In other cases, it comes from ley lines, which are like, invisible paths or something that spread magic? Like veins, but instead of blood, it's magic, and the closer you are to them, the more magic you absorb."

Amelia looked like she hadn't considered any of those factors. Lucia continued, "Seeing as you feel pain and sickness when you run out of magic, I think it's safe to say you have some kind of organ that makes or stores it, which… I admit is new. None of Luz's stories talked about magic like that. Usually when they talk about storing magic in the body, it's just… there?"

"So," Amelia seemed to be catching on, "What you're saying is that there might be an outside source to it all? Like, some locations might have more magic than others, and my body absorbs it, and holds onto it or turns it into usable magic?"

Lucia nodded, a smile on her lips, knowing she was being of some help, "Yeah! Or, heck, it could even be the food you eat? The exercise you get? We'll just have to experiment."

Amelia nudged her with her shoulder, "We?"

Lucia's cheeks turned red, "Er, well, yeah! You're my friend, and I want to be there to help you out."

Amelia blushed as well, but couldn't hide a bit of disappointment from welling up in her eyes, "so, just a friend, huh?"

At her words, Lucia's spine stiffened. It made sense for Amelia to ask, while Amelia had her three weeks to figure herself out, there was also the unspoken idea that Lucia also had those same three weeks to get through her own shit. It was only fair that Amelia expected some kind of answer.

Lucia rubbed the back of her neck, "I didn't think you'd still be interested in me, after… Well, I just thought you'd have moved on, since you, uh, wanted to date me so you wouldn't be bored."

Amelia grimaced, "Yeah… and if it had been anyone else, I would have." Panic overtook her expression, "not to imply that I feel anything deeper for you yet. I just mean that… it's more than being bored without you now. You fought off a monster for me! That means a lot, and I'd like to keep you around."

She swished back her hair, her confidence returning, "Besides, the way you fought was kinda hot."

Lucia snorted in a most unladylike-like way. "Well, if that's the case- I, well I haven't exactly figured everything about my sexuality out-" She could see Amelia's confidence start to leave her, "- But I did figure one thing out."

She reached out, and gently took Amelia's hand in her own, much like Amelia had for her when she had asked if they were on a date those weeks ago. "I like you. Enough that, if it's still on the table, I want a chance to get that kiss?"

Lucia had never seen another person melt into themselves before now. The red cheeks, the quivering smile, the dopey eyes. If this was what it was like, she could get addicted to the feeling of making Amelia turn to mush.

The elf girl gave her hand a tight squeeze, "It's absolutely on the table." Then giving a look around, she joked, "Well, maybe not on a table, but we can try it against the wall again if you want? We can save the table for next time."

She winked, and dragged a red faced Lucia back over to the graffiti covered wall, but surprised the Latina girl by leaning against it herself, instead of pining Lucia against it like last time. Seeing her expression, Amelia smirked, "Seeing as you seemed so sure of yourself just now, I thought I'd let you be the one on top."

Lucia nodded nervously, drawing in shaky breaths. This was happening. For real this time. She placed her trembling hands on Amelia's hips, earning a hum of approval. The two locked eyes, and Lucia leaned in. Before she could close her eyes and capture the other girl's lips with her own, however, she saw a flash of fear light up on her new girlfriend's face, followed by a growl behind her.

"Don't tell me," Lucia groaned, turning around to face her fears. Approaching them slowly, limping as if each step caused unbearable pain, was the very same monster they lit on fire and beat with a bat. It's fur had been burned away, exposing inky black skin that was covered in a variety of burns, many having become infected and covered in pustules. One of it's six limbs had shriveled, looking the most consumed by the flames to the point it was barely hanging on to the rest of the body.

The head Lucia had beaten in with a bat still hung limply from the neck, which probably meant it was dead, though neither girl knew exactly how that worked for a two headed demon. The remaining head was looking just as poor as its body, two of its remaining three eyes damaged by the burns and blinded.

If it weren't for the size of the beast, still larger than any bear, and the claws it still bore, Lucia would think it looked more pitiable than frightening.

She spared a glance back at Amelia, "You know, I never used to run into monsters until you came around."

Amelia scoffed, "Are you saying this is my fault, Noceda?"

Lucia walked away from the wall, and towards the beast, scooping up the handle of what remained of her old bat, ignoring that it was hot to the touch after baking in the sun all day, "I'm not not saying it's your fault, Bane. Now come on, I've got a plan to put Brother Bear here out of his misery, just follow my lead."

She met the monster halfway, feeling a lot more confident against it this time around. It took a swipe, but with its injuries slowing it down she was more than fast enough to get out of the way. It opened its mouth to roar, only to stumble and let out a whine as it lost its balance and fell to the ground.

Lucia felt a wave of empathy for the thing. It had tried to kill and eat her, sure, but it was clearly just an animal. One that had suffered with these injuries, staving off death for three weeks, only to have the damnable luck of running into the very same duo that had hurt it this way. Lucia sorta felt sorry for it.

She fished the sharp fang out of her pocket, weighing it carefully in her hands. It was a real shame, she had intended for this to be a really cool pendant on a necklace. She waited for the beast to make another attempt at a swipe, then made her own move, lunging in and spiking it's forehead with its own disembodied fang. It tore through the flesh easily enough, making the creature howl, but wasn't able to get all the way through the bone.

Lucia ducked out of the way of another massive, razor sharp claw, falling back for the moment, forced to leave the fang embedded in the skull of the beast. She tightened her grip on the handle of her old, trusty bat, waiting for another moment to strike. Weaving her way once more through a slow barrage of limbs, she kicked the beast in its teeth, knocking it once more off balance, and taking the handle in both hands she brought the butt of the bat down on top of the exposed fang lodged in it's head like a hammer to a nail.

She had hoped that it would die then and there. She had not been prepared for the spray of blood that would usher out of the wound, splattering all over her clothes and face, sending her sprawling backwards in surprise and disgust, nor did she expect for the creature to continue to howl.

But that was what Amelia was for, as soon as the blow was struck and Lucia was back out of the way, she spun her finger in a circle, willing with all of her might for flames hot enough to truly devour the beast whole. She made the ring as wide as she dared, half her arm's length, and from the depths of her magical circle a wave of heat and fire burst forth.

It consumed the creature in a haze of blistering hot flame, eating away at flesh and bone so quickly the pitiful beast didn't even have the chance to have it's cries be heard. When the inferno dissipated, all that remained of the demon was a pile of ash, fluttering away in the warm summer breeze.

Amelia swallowed, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She'd cast fire spells constantly ever since she'd first awakened to this power, but she had no clue of the context of what it could do when she really wanted it to hurt. She once again found herself gazing at her hands, only this time she steadied them, steeling them into tight fists.

Lucia picked herself up, feeling utterly violated. Her outfit was definitely ruined, stained with the blood of their enemy, but the worst part was that it had gotten onto her face, and nearly into her mouth. She wiped at it with the cleanest part of her sleeve, spitting as she tried to get the taste of it off of her lips. "Are you okay, Ams?"

Amelia nodded, turning to face Lucia with an air of determination, "Yeah. And I think I know what I want to do now."

Lucia cocked her head curiously, "I really hope you aren't in the mood for a make out session. Not only am I no longer in the mood, but you do not want to taste what that thing's blood tasted like."

"No, you dumbass." Amelia rolled her eyes, "I know what I want to do with my powers now. Remember, I said I wanted to figure out how they worked, and what to do with them? I know now!"

"And that is?"

"This. I want to do this. I want to fight monsters. Or demons. Whatever these things are. I hate to sound like some generic protagonist, but I might be the only one who has the power to do it. Maybe it's my destiny? You said it yourself, monsters didn't start showing up until I did. There has to be a reason!"

She cut Lucia off before she could say anything against her plan, "I know, other people can take care of themselves. I'm sure anyone with a rifle or a shotgun could have put this thing down even easier than we did. But in cases like this, there wasn't anyone else around. So, that's what I'm gonna do, I'm going to use my powers for good."

Lucia licked her lips, and regretted it immediately. "I get what you're saying. With great power comes great responsibility, right?"

"Did you just quote Spider-Man at me?"

"Technically, I was quoting Uncle Ben at you. But I can't let you do that, Amelia." Lucia quickly held up a hand to silence her new girlfriend, "Alone. I can't let you do it alone. I said we'd figure your powers out together, so-"

"So you're offering to be my sidekick?"

Lucia glared, taking great offense to that. "Partner. I'll be your partner. I'm not going to be the Robin to your Batman, I kicked just as much ass as you did today."

Amelia smirked, "whatever you say, but I think you'd look good in Robin's tights. They'd really show off your legs, with those boy shorts."

God, Lucia had made a mistake associating with such a flirt. "You can admire my legs later. Right now, I need a good, long shower and a change of clothes." She looked around, finding Luz's skateboard on the ground, gathering ashes in the breeze, and scooped it up.

Turning back to Amelia, she fastened her helmet back on, "Try not to keep me waiting another three weeks, alright? You still owe me that kiss."

Amelia smirked, "You think I'm letting you take off, just like that? Stash the board, you can hop on the back of my bike and I'll give you a ride home, like the gentlelady I am." She didn't give any room for argument, already putting on her own helmet, and giving the little bell on the handlebars a ring before hopping onto it like a cowboy on a horse's saddle.

Lucia didn't fight, getting on the back, "just don't complain if I get blood stains all over you."

The two rode off into the horizon together, feeling the breeze blow past them as they traveled silently. After a moment, Lucia couldn't handle the silence any longer. "Sooo… how does this work? The relationship, I mean. I've never dated before."

"Wait, really? I'm the first?" Amelia asked, glancing backwards.

"Well, yeah. Never had much interest before you came along. Is that weird?"

Amelia shook her head, the wind blowing her loose hair back and into Lucia's face. "No, no. I'm just surprised, you're so pretty I figured all the guys, and even some of the other girls must be lining up to get your number."

Lucia blushed at the compliment, as Amelia continued, "As for how this is going to go, we'll just see. How about we start with getting you home. Then once you're clean, we can paint each other's nails, and you can tell me I'm pretty. We can figure it out together from there."

Lucia grinned, "Alright. I think that can work."

A/N: So, I think this might be the only chapter in the fic that's one continuous scene. No cutaways, no transitions, just the one scene.

Congrats to these two dorks. They're officially dating now. Good for them.

I think I should mention, I made an, I dunno, 8k word outline for this fic, planning out each of the chapters. Some of them changed from their original plans, but this just might be the first big change from the outline. Originally, there was supposed to be a "will-they-won't-they" plot for these two, for basically the entire fic. But as I was writing this, I couldn't take it any longer. The UST between them was too much and I changed the entire fics course for this relationship to happen now instead.

And I did it on the spot. The Urthrursa was going to come back at a later time, since I didn't kill it, but other than that this entire chapter was written on the fly, no planning, no nothing, and it turned out great, at least in my opinion. Sometimes, an idea sounds amazing in your head until you start to work on it, and then you realize another way is so much better. May that be a lesson for all you Padawans out there looking to write yourself. Don't be constricted by old ideas and outlines, learn to evolve the idea and grow with it.

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