A/N: Finally, we have the 6th chapter. :) In this chapter, we finally get to see some much-needed interaction between Luz and Mew, even if only brief. Plus, there will be a sort of special surprise in the beginning of the first 2 acts. Wanna know what they are? Well, you won't have to wait long for the answer: it's just below! :)
The Owl House: Coven of Rings and Darkness
Chapter 6: Hunting Palismen
Act I
It all started with a firepit igniting itself as a blue flame appeared from it and quenching itself with the 9 Head coven witches walking down the steps and toward the fire pit. Emperor Belos sat in his throne in front of the Door to the Human Realm with the Golden and Platinum Guards, his brother, Nechros, Gammamoo, and Kikimora standing beside him.
"The Day of Unity approaches, where we'll celebrate the purification of magic and the purge of the great darkness that plagues us under the coven system, just as the Titan intended.", Gammamoo said.
"As heads of the nine covens, we celebrate your efforts to complete this plan. For this, you have earned a glimpse of the reward that awaits.", Kikimora added.
"Step forward.", Belos said before the 9 head witches took their badges and placed them into the holes at the pit.
The badges then lit up and swirled into the fire as the fire erupted. When it did, the Head Coven Witches' eyes glowed blank white as the fire then showed The titan's eyes glowing as the sky spins by very fast until a bright flash happens. The titan's head appeared in the Human realm During a solar Eclipse. The Vision fades to the Head witches, their eyes still glowing.
"The larger your covens grow, the more power we have to unite our realms, where the worthy shall inherit a utopia free of wild magic.", Nechros stated before he suddenly grunted in pain and clutched his chest, prompting the Golden and Platinum Guards to help Nechros up.
Naturally, Gammamoo and Kikimora attempted to follow, but the Golden and Platinum Guards stopped them.
"No. Stay here.", the Platinum Guard said.
"We can handle this alone.", the Golden Guard added, prompting Kikimora and her brother to glare at two guards as they walked away.
As for Emperor Belos, he had an uneasy look toward Nechros.
"Oh, brother... I know only a glimpse of what you're going through...", Belos sighed.
"Did you say something?", one of the coven heads, an abomination coven head, at that, named Darius, asked.
"Huh? Oh, yes. I'm just... concerned for my brother, that's all. In any case, here is the true vision that the Titan has meant to show you.", Belos said before the fire erupted again, showing the same thing as last time, but this time, it also showed a giant solemn hall with a pristine altar with some pillars with the 9 inert stones present before they each get charged with magical energy one by one and glowed before swirling around an unknown figure very fast until a bright flash happens. When the light dimmed, a sort of magical being whose cloak is split between dark blue on the right and periwinkle-gray on the left with sleeves that have these colors switched, with the right sleeve being periwinkle with blue suns and the left sleeve being blue with periwinkle crescent moons, as well as a magenta border on the rims of the cuffs as well as tan yellow skin, bushy white hair and eyebrows, and a large Cyan blotch that eclipses the left side of his face, giving the right side a crescent moon shape with glowing stars under the left eye before the Vision then showed the human and demon realms co-existing with one another as humans and witches walked side-by-side and hand-in-hand and then faded to the Head witches, their eyes still glowing.
"This is the future we must preserve. And given recent events, the only way that can happen is if the scourge of Sauron is purged and destroyed. Only then can the two realms be at peace with one another.", Belos stated.
Meanwhile, when he and the two guards were alone, the two guards closed the door.
"There. No one else should be able to see this...", the Platinum Guard said just before Nechros suddenly transformed into some kind of red sludge monster with horns on his head, glowing red eyes with black slits, a beastly snout with fangs, spikes on his back, shoulder pads, a long, stinger-like tail, and an antennae on his head.
He then quickly proceeded to punch the wall repeatedly before then taking his breath and slowly backing away and putting his mask back on. The Golden and Platinum Guards then handed him a staff. He quickly broke it and absorbed the green essence through his eyes which turned green before changing back to blue as the staff and the palisman turned to dust as Nechros sighed, turning back to normal.
"I need more.", Nechros said, reaching out.
"That's just it. That was the last from our reserves. The Palistrom wood has been overharvested.", the Platinum Guard said before Nechros turned away with a slight snap.
"Father, let us help! We can make more Palismen! Actually, I read about this technique: harnessing wild magic to-", the Golden Guard said before Nechros only stared back at him.
"Uh...sorry.", the Golden Guard apologized before Nechros placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Please, be careful. Our family is gone because of wild magic. I can't let the same happen to either of you. Find me more Palismen. I can depend on you two, right?", Nechros asked, not knowing that Gammamoo and Kikimora were listening in on them before they ran off, narrowing their eyes, not knowing that Mew was watching them, almost looking worried.
"Mew...", Mew said in worry.
Act II
It all started one day as Luz and Amity gasped as they sat up before looking around to find themselves in the same giant solemn hall with the same pristine altar from the titan's vision with the same 9 inert gems gathered in a circle, but more importantly, each other.
"Luz?", Amity asked.
"Amity?", Luz asked at the same time.
"Why do we keep seeing each other like this?", Amity puzzled.
"I don't know. Maybe we're dreaming at the same time? I don't honestly know all about how dreams work to be honest. Very mysterious.", Luz responded.
"Well, this place doesn't seem familiar. I never even saw those big gems before.", Amity said.
"Well, that makes two of us. Although, this one looks a little bit dusty, so...", Luz said, dusting it off a bit.
But when she finished, the big gem she dusted suddenly started glowing crimson red, although not very brightly, taking her aback.
"Luz, what did you do?", Amity asked.
"I didn't do nothing!", Luz exclaimed with a squeak before the other 8 started glowing as well with the rest being orange, yellow, light brown, green, cyan, blue, violet, and pink.
"What the...?", Luz began before, all of a sudden, a big ring of the moon and stars appeared on the ground, the center of which emitted a bright light, lifting Luz up in the air.
"Luz!", Amity shouted.
"What's happening...?!", Luz said nervously before her eyes then suddenly glowed brightly in a blank white light, apparently being shown a vision of the 9 gems getting charged with magical energy one by one and glowed before swirling around an unknown figure very fast until a bright flash happened right before Luz woke up in the real world and panted for a moment as the Owl Beast cuddled her with trills.
"Phew. Well, that dream was just about the craziest one I had. But what was that about...?", Luz pondered as she stroked the creature's feathers before Eda, Mason, and Amiyah entered as she held Della with Eda and Mason wearing a blazer and a tuxedo.
"Hey, knucklehead. You're gonna be late for school.", Eda said.
"And by proxy. left out of getting your own staff with us.", Lucia added as she and Luke, as well as Camila and Leif, entered.
"Thus, depriving you of your own palisman.", Lilith added.
"Oh, right! I almost forgot!", Luz said before she then rushed out of the room, quickly dressed for school and waiting at the front door.
"Come on, Eda. We gotta fly!", Luz grinned.
"There we go.", Mason grinned as he, Amiyah, Lilith, and Eda walked out the door before Luz and her siblings followed them afterwards and shut the door behind them.
"They sure are excited, aren't they?", Leif asked.
"They certainly are.", Camila grinned.
Later, at the Hexside Grudgby field, several students have already gathered and a large object was resting in front of them. Eda, Lilith, Mason, Amiyah, and Principal Bump were also there as well.
"Willow! Hey, there. It's good to see you.", Lucia grinned.
"Shouldn't Amity and Selena be here?", Luz asked.
"Oh, sorry, Luz. I heard they stayed home today.", Willow responded.
"Oh. That actually makes sense.", Luz responded, a bit saddened.
"Good tidings on this momentous day. You're all about to receive your witches' staffs and, more importantly, meet your Palisman. This is a crucial step in your magical development. Palismen are lifelong partners. They can be both your good friends and a powerful tool. In my case...", Bump began before he snapped his fingers and Frewin opened his eyes, jumped off his head, and turned into a staff, revealing Bump's body length black hair and the scar on his right eye, his left one closed, leaving the whole class awestruck with gasps
"Holy Titan!", Luz exclaimed.
"...Frewin here, helps me see.", Bump finished before Mason stepped forward.
"Now, traditionally, young witches carve their staffs from the branch of an old Palistrom tree.", Lilith stated.
"But sadly, Palistrom trees are becoming more rare. And those that remain are guarded covetously.", Bump added.
"That's why we've teamed up with Bumpipoo...", Eda began.
"Never call me that.", Bump interrupted.
"...to bring you...", Eda began before the Bat Queen flew down and landed on the object as if on cue.
"Palisman adoption day!", the Bat Queen finished as several palisman, including a cardinal Palisman and a blue jay palisman, burst out of the door.
"They're so cute!", Luz grinned.
"Thanks for the favor, Your Majesty.", Mason thanked.
"Yep. Here's your whistle back.", Eda offered.
"Save it for another time. This was my pleasure. What a wonderful idea.", the Bat Queen grinned before two of the palismen named Flapjack (the cardinal) and Mordecai (the Blue Jay) escaped the shelter, but Bump picked them up and put them back in.
"Nope! You two are staying right here.", Bump said.
"Aw. Little rascal!", Luz grinned.
"They seem a bit eager to leave. I wonder why.", Lucia pondered.
"These little ones have not had homes in many years. They want to feel a connection. Kneel and state your deepest wish, and your like-minded partner will find you.", the Bat Queen stated before Skara scoffed as she rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, I want my own Palisman, not some trashy hand-me-down.", Skara scoffed.
"Your loss!", Willow said before shoving Boscha as she ran up to the nest.
"I want to be strong and wise to protect everyone I love. And if anyone gets in my way, they'll feel the sting of defeat.", Willow stated as she knelt.
"Tender yet tenacious. Clover gives her support.", the Bat Queen said before Clover, a bee palisman, flew out of the shelter and over to Willow, chittering before turning into a staff.
"Oh! Oh, my gosh! I'm gonna take such good care of you.", Willow grinned.
"Beautiful. Just beautiful.", Gus grinned before Skara pushed Willow.
"Outta my way! I want to play professional grudgby!", Skara said, earning the Bat Queen's chuckle.
"A competitive spirit. Maya will be thrilled.", the Bat Queen said before Maya, a crab palisman, hopped up to Skara and became her staff.
"Okay. This is pretty cool.", Skara blushed.
After that, Boscha spoke up.
"I want to help comfort those who need something to lift their spirits. And also to attack anyone who hurt them.", Boscha added.
"Oh, my! Compassionate, yet fierce. Shere Khan offers you his assistance.", Bat Queen said before Shere Khan, a tiger palisman stepped forward and cuddled Boscha, making her giggle, before then turning into a staff.
"I think I'll call you Khannie.", Boscha grinned, making Kroscha giggle before she, Moscha, Emilia, and Erebor stepped forward.
"We don't want to be just any kind of witch.", Kroscha began.
"We want to be strong witches.", Moscha added.
"All so we can help our sisters...", Erebor began.
"Protect everyone.", Emilia added.
"Oh, my. Such a strong desire to protect at such young ages. It seems Arcob, Mittens, and their friends agree.", the Bat Queen spoke before the snake and cat palismen went up to the Blights and the baby swan and cuddle fish palismen went over to Kroscha and Moscha, making them giggle.
"I'm gonna call you U.G.", Kroscha grinned.
"And I'll name you Nemo.", Moscha added.
"'U.G."? 'Nemo'?", the Noceda's puzzled.
"I needed to give them ideas for names.", Selena said.,
"I'll bet I can guess what U.G. stands for. Ugly Duckling. You know, because of how Kroscha's Palisman is a beautiful Swan like the Ugly Duckling turned out to be in the end.", Luz responded.
"And it looks like you guessed it...", Selena sighed.
"I want to open my own veterinary clinic for mythical pets.", Viney said before a manticore palisman rose and became her staff, earning Viney's gasp and chuckle.
"All right!", Viney grinned.
"Dad wants me to become a master illusionist, but that's easy. So instead, I'll become an ambassador to the Human Realm and re-establish contact with the giraffes!", Gus said before a blue chameleon palisman climbed up to Gus and became his staff.
"I just want to make it to graduation.", the pufferfish guy said before he then saw a sloth palisman hanging on his arm before turning into his staff.
"Yes!", the pufferfish guy chuckled before the class murmured in awe.
"Oh wow!", the class said before Lucia stepped forward.
"I want to be there for others and help them bounce back when they couldn't do it by themselves.", Lucia said as she went up next with the gummy bear palisman from nearly a month ago hopped over to Lucia with a squeak.
"Gummi! You're back?", Lucia gasped before Gummi turned into a staff.
"I want to be able to help people rise up from the rock bottom and soar.", Luke added before a robin palisman appeared and became a staff.
"Oh. Okay.", Luke grinned.
Then, everyone watched Luz as she took her turn.
"I want to protect my new home!", Luz said.
Sadly, none of the Palismen approached her.
"Uh... probably just takes a little longer 'cause I'm a human, right?", Luz asked.
"Palismen bond through emotion. I do not sense any conviction from you.", Bat Queen stated.
"That's impossible. I'm Luz, I'm chock full of conviction!", Luz responded.
"Maybe, but the problem is, you're not quite focused.", Luke stated.
"Or at the very least, you're unsure of what your goal really is.", Lucia added.
"Perhaps specificity would help. There are many kinds of witches. What do you hope to accomplish with your magic?", Bump asked.
"Oh, uh... get home?", Luz asked.
"Would you still train to be a witch in the human realm?", Gus asked as apparently, Mew peeped out from one of the holes in the object inside.
"Can you even do magic there?", Boscha asked.
"Mrew?", Mew puzzled, tilting her head to the left.
"Huh, I guess I never thought that far ahead.", Luz realized.
"You okay, Luz?", Eda asked to Luz, who seemed paralyzed with indecision, while Camila grew worried.
At nighttime, Selena and Amity were visiting.
"Wow. So, those are your palismen?", Lucia asked.
"Yeah. This one's named Ghost.", Amity responded, rubbing the white cat palisman's back as she purred.
"And this one is named Darkrai.", Selena added as she held up the black cat palisman.
"'Darkrai'?", Luke and Lucia puzzled.
"Yeah. I just thought I'd come up with something cool, given the circumstances of my palisman.", Selena explained.
"Huh. Well, my palisman's named Robin. It's kinda self-explanatory.", Luke responded as Robin chirped.
"So, did Luz get her palisman, too?", Selena asked.
"Unfortunately, no.", Lucia responded.
"That's terrible.", Selena said in worry.
"How is she doing?", Amity asked.
"Well, as you can see, she's doing as well as can be expected.", Luke responded as Luz was already pacing around her room.
"I stayed here because I wanted to learn magic, right? I wanted to be a witch like Eda and Azura. But what does that even mean? And I read stories like this. The main character always has to return home, and what? Did I expect to be a witch back in Connecticut?", Luz asked to Gummi, who turned to Luz while sniffing for a moment before looking to its right with a squeak, making Luz groan.
"Mmm. Yeah, I wouldn't want to be my palisman either.", Luz groaned, not knowing that outside her door, Eda, Lilith, Mason, Amiyah, Belos, Camila, King, Grimedale, and Crimsondale were listening in before they shares a look and left, although Belos and Camila went outside with the latter whistling, prompting Mew to reappear near Camila.
"Mew?", Mew puzzled.
"Hola, Mew. Listen. Do you think you can help lift Luz's spirits for the night?", Camila asked.
After a moment, Mew grinned and nodded with a squeak.
"That's wonderful, Mew. Thank you.", Camila grinned, rubbing Mew at her apparently ticklish part, making her giggle.
"Mew-we.", Mew spoke as she then flew up to the window.
But soon after Mew got to the window, both Flapjack and Mordecai hopped out of Luz's bag.
"It's you two!", Luke said as Luz gasped.
"How did you two get in here?", Lucia asked.
"They must've snuck into the bag earlier.", Amity guessed.
"Did you come here for me?", Luz asked before Flapjack and Mordecai only hopped around Luz's room.
"No. Of course not. Come on, little dudes.", Luz said as she grabbed her cape and ran out.
"Well, guess we'd better go after her.", Lucia said.
"And make sure she's safe in case anything happens.", Amity added.
"Yeah. I guess so.", Luke agreed as Mew peeped out the window.
"Mew.", Mew spoke before taking off.
Later, at the Hexside Grudgby field, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, and Selena stopped in front of the palismen shelter with Luz touching the force shield covering it.
"Looks like some kind of force field.", Luke guessed.
"How are we supposed to get through this?", Luz asked before Flapjack and Mordecai both pressed against the force field, causing it to disappear.
"Ooh, palismen powers. Neat!", Luz grinned before she opened the door to let Flapjack and Mordecai in, waking all the other palismen inside.
"Aw. They look so cute.", Selena grinned.
"I know, right?", Luz asked before then closing the door with her, Amity, Luke, Lucia, and Selena inside.
"All right. I'm not leaving here until I figure out what my future is, and one of you becomes my palismen!", Luz grinned as she closed the door and went inside.
"Well, I suppose that was bound to happen...", Luke sighed.
"Classic Luz.", Lucia grinned slightly.
"We can't really stop you at this point, so the least we could do is be by your side.", Selena added.
"Aw. Thanks, guys.", Luz said as she hugged them.
"Well, hurry up and pick.", Selena grinned as Mew arrived and landed on top of the Palisman shelter from outside and peeped out from one of the holes.
"What if... I use my powers to become a popular magician back in the human realm? No, I'm horrible at card tricks. What if... I stay on the Boiling Isles, and become a rugged bounty hunter? Nah, I'm too lovable. Oh! If I go back...", Luz said as Mew watched, giggling.
Then, time passed and all the palismen are sleeping, including Mew, who was sleeping in a sort of magic bubble of its own, and Luz and the others were laying down with them as she yawned.
"What if... I open a magic pet shop, but it's password protected. The password is, 'You're a little angel.'", Luz said sleepily, earning Mordecai and Flapjack's chirps.
Suddenly, the palismen shelter shook, waking Mew right up.
"Me-we!", Mew exclaimed as the shelter shook before noticing that the shelter was apparently lifted off the ground by something with Luz opening the door.
"Hey, we're a little busy in... here?", Luz began before she, Amity, Luke, Lucia, and Selena all saw that they were no longer on ground and gasped.
Act III
After seeing what was going on below, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, and Selena all looked up to see that an airship is carrying them.
"What is going on?!", Amity exclaimed.
"I think we're being kidnapped!", Selena said before all the palismen started whimpering and shivering in fear.
"Don't worry. We'll figure this out.", Luz assured before then using a plant glyph to climb onto the airship with Luke, Lucia, Amity, and Selena following after them one at a time, not knowing that Mew was peeping out before they both saw the Golden and Platinum Guards steering as they whistled.
"These two again? But that doesn't make any sense. They helped us last time.", Amity puzzled.
"We can ask them what they're doing after we save those Palismen.", Luz responded before she snuck up behind the two Guards and drew spell circles.
"Hi-yah!", Luz shouted as she slapped each spell circle on their backs.
"Huh?", the Golden Guard puzzled.
"What are you all doi...", the Platinum Guard began before Luz snapped her fingers, causing the two guards to be rocketed off the airship, making the group wince until the two blinked out like stars after being rocketed off.
"You think they're gonna be okay?", Selena asked.
"They'll be fine. Okay, how do I land this thing?", Luz pondered, looking around.
"Oh, you just pull that cord above your head.", the Platinum Guard said.
"Thank y-eh?!", Luz exclaimed as she noticed that both the Golden and Platinum Guards have returned and were laying on top of the dashboard.
"Hiiiii.", the Golden Guard said before firing a spell to tie Luz, her siblings, and her friends up with ropes, which knocked them off their feet.
"Wha- Hey!", Luz exclaimed.
"Good to see you too, human.", the Platinum Guard said.
"I don't understand. If you helped us the last time, then why are you two stealing palismen?", Selena asked.
"Frankly, you all should be more concerned about yourselves. For the crime of rocketing me and my sister off our own ship, you'll all be locked in the dingiest cell in the Conformatorium, for the rest of your sad little lives.", the Golden Guard warned.
"Whatever. I broke out of there like, twice.", Luz responded.
"Then we'll just zap all of you to dust and throw you into the sea. That better?", the Platinum Guard retorted a bit angrily, making Luz pout and grumble in response.
"Good. Now, if you don't mind, we have some palismen to deliver.", the Platinum Guard said as she and the Golden Guard returned to steering the airship.
"What now?", Amity asked.
Then, Luz looked at the deck, which has scuff marks. Getting an idea, she whispered to Luke and Lucia, who both started drawing a spell circle with their feet.
"Say, how did you two get back on the ship so fast?", Luz asked.
"Yeah, you two just blasted off.", Amity added.
"Staffs.", Golden Guard responded.
"Cool.", Luz responded before her two siblings activated their ice spell, sending the two Guards' staffs flying off the airship.
"No!", the Golden and Platinum Guards shouted before Luz chuckled, giving off a smug expression.
"Those... were our... STAFFS!", the Platinum Guard shouted, her eyes glowing bright blue through the eye holes of her mask, making Luz yelp and reel back before a bestial roar sounded from the air, puzzling the Platinum Guard enough for the glow to cease, her anger replaced with shock as a hand dragon landed on the airship and roared.
"What is that?", Luz puzzled.
"I don't know. But I don't think this is good.", Amity responded before the dragon proceeded to rip the airship's balloon, causing Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Selena, and the Golden and Platinum Guards to fall from the sky, screaming.
This alarmed Mew, who saw the hand dragon fly off.
"Me-wew!", Mew shouted before flying down to the victims.
Luz and the others all screamed as the airship crashed as do the two guards. But then, all of a sudden, a pink bubble appeared and stopped Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Selena, and all the palismen, including Robin, Gummi, Ghost, and Darkrai, although the rest that were inside were flung off by the bounce.
"Oh, no! The Palismen!", Luz worried.
"Mewe-ew!", Mew squeaked as she then floated over to Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, and Selena.
And for the first time, they finally saw Mew right in front of them as she blinked a couple of times.
"Mew. Me-ew, Mew!", Mew squeaked as she looked at the bubble for a moment and then popped it with her paw, causing the group to fall as well as the 4 palismen.
"Mew.", Mew squeaked as she then took a look at the ropes binding Luz and the others.
"Mew...", Mew spoke as she then created a pink coating on the ropes and raised her paw again.
"Mew!", Mew squeaked as she then cut the ropes caught in said coating, freeing Luz and the gang.
"Oh, thank you.", Luz said, still surprised by Mew's presence.
"Me-ee. Mew. Meeeeeeeeeeeww.", Mew giggled happily in response before Luz found the Golden and Platinum Guards' staffs, grasping one of them in her hands, and then heard the two guards groaning, seeing their unconscious bodies nearby.
"Mew-e?", Mew puzzled as it tilted its head to the left a bit slowly before overhearing a guard captain's voice.
"Kikimora, Gammamoo.", the guard captain spoke before Luz and the others turned the other way to see what was going on.
"It's those two again...", Luz glared.
"We found the palismen. They seem rattled but unharmed.", the Guard Captain reported as the gang peeked out behind a rock, watching Kikimora, Gammamoo, and the Guard Captain talk with the former holding the Golden Guard's mask behind her back.
"Very good, Captain. Now, you are to return to the city and prepare them for travel.", Gammamoo ordered.
"Is it true, ma'am? Are the two Guards really...", the Guard Captain asked before Kikimora held up the Golden Guard's helmet.
"This is all that remains.", Kikimora responded, making the Guard Captain gasp.
"Such a horrible accident. Probably caused by the incompetent pilot.", Kikimora stated, shaking her head.
"I'll... alert the castle. Scouts! To Latissa!", the Guard Captain shouted before she and the Coven scouts left the scene.
"I thought those idiots would never leave...", Gammamoo sighed before, once alone, Kikimora blew on her whistle, summoning the same dragon that caused the ship to crash.
"Excellent work, my pet.", Kikimora said as she petted her dragon, making Luz and the others gasp.
"She did this?!", Amity asked whisperingly before Kikimora held up the Golden Guard's helmet for her dragon.
"Now, find the rest of him and the Platinum Guard and have yourself a nice little snack.", Kikimora said before her dragon ate the Golden Guard's mask.
"I'll call for you soon.", Kikimora assured before she left with Luz, Luke, Lucia, Selena, Amity, Mew, Ghost, Darkrai, Robin, Gummi, Mordecai, and Flapjack looking back at the two Guards.
"Looks like those two reaaaaally don't like the two guards.", Luke said before the two birds chirped.
"Don't worry. We're not gonna leave him.", Lucia assured as Gummi hopped onto her shoulder while Mordecai and Flapjack hopped onto Luz's shoulders.
They, along with the palismen, walked over to the Platinum Guard, whose mask is now cracked, and the unmasked Golden Guard.
"Wait. This is the Golden Guard?", Luke puzzled.
"It looks like he could be a student at Hexside.", Luz said.
"But what about the Platinum Guard? Just... Who is she, anyway?", Amity asked before Luz slowly leaned near the Golden Guard and then slapped him in the face.
"Wake up!", Luz exclaimed, shocking the Golden Guard awake.
As for Amity, the Platinum Guard stopped Amity before she could unmask her.
"Don't even think about it.", the Platinum Guard said.
"Wha- you!", the Golden Guard exclaimed before Luz shushed him by putting her hand over the Golden Guard's mouth.
"Listen. I don't know why you two were stealing Palismen in the first place tonight, but Gammamoo and Kikimora are trying to kill you two. And unfortunately, I'm too nice to let that happen!", Luz responded before she removed her hand from his mouth in disgust, learning that it is covered in slobber as Luke and Lucia were disgusted as well.
"Ugh, were you licking my hand?!", Luz exclaimed before she put her saliva covered hand in his face.
"We're trying to help you!", Luz shouted.
"Why should I believe you?", the Golden Guard retorted, putting his hand in Luz's face.
"Because we saw the whole thing!", Amity snapped.
Then, they stopped fighting when they heard Kikimora's dragon return. It spotted the Golden Guard's cloak and devoured it as Luz and the others snuck away from the scene.
"Whew, man, Kikimora and Gammamoo must hate you two.", Luz said.
"I guess it's because they're jealous.", Selena responded.
"Mew?", Mew puzzled.
"How can you tell?", the Golden Guard asked.
"I can just tell with people and/or demons like them.", Selena responded.
"Yeah, I don't know if I believe you.", the Platinum Guard responded.
"Well, Kikimora and Gammamoo would have a different take on the matter.", Amity retorted.
"Fair point...", the Platinum Guard sighed.
Later, the group all walked to the town of Latissa with the Golden and Platinum Guards taking the lead as everyone all saw the residents of Latissa going about their usual business, especially with an old lady demon noticing a spider on the wall outside before then punching it off with just one blow.
"Okay, THAT is cool.", Luke said with Robin chirping in slight wonder.
"Whoa! We haven't been outside Bonesborough that much, Latissa is so cool!", Luz grinned.
"Wait! Where are you going?", Luz asked.
"Yeah, we just saved your lives.", Lucia added.
"The least you could do is tell us your names.", Amity added.
The two Guards only huffed at Lucia and went over to Police Precinct 206, worrying everyone as they gasped (especially with Mew hiding behind Luz, although peeping out soon after) while the Golden and Platinum Guards approached scouts.
"Sudd! Kloren! Direct us to your communications room.", the Golden Guard ordered.
"Sudd? Kloren?", Amity asked.
"You know those guys?", Luke asked.
"Correction: WE know those two. They mean well for the Emperor's Coven, but they can be a bit... eh...", Selena began.
"We need to contact the castle immediately.", the Platinum Guard added as she and the Golden Guard showed the scouts their coven sigils.
"Aw, that's cute. I didn't know kids your age were still into temporary tattoos, eh? And that cosplay of the Platinum Guard is top notch, too.", Sudd said.
"Yeah, but can you two show us your badge numbers? It's just standard procedure.", Kloren asked.
"Standard procedure?! We are your superiors, and I can prove it! Staffs.", the Golden Guard said.
"Hmm?", Luz said as she hid the staff behind her back as Amity did so as well with the Platinum Guard's staff, making Mew giggle.
"Say, isn't it a little late for you kids to be outside at this hour?", Kloren asked.
"Yeah, eh. You better go home to your parents. They might be worried sick.", Sudd added as he and Kloren left.
Then, the Golden and Platinum Guards glared angrily at Luz, their faces red, and started to chase her.
"Luz!", Amity and Selena shouted before they, along with Luke, Lucia, and their palismen, ran after Hunter and Heather as they ran through passing townspeople.
"Uh, excuse me. Sorry.", Luz apologized as a cat yowled and hissed at them.
The two Guards, however, only shoved the cat out of the way, making it fall down.
"Excuse us. Pardon. Coming through!", Amity said as she, Selena, Luke, Lucia, and their palismen followed.
Meanwhile, Luz even pushed down a garbage can, but that didn't stop neither the Golden nor Platinum Guards as they jumped over it. She leapt over a ledge and fell on a set of stairs, spilling eyeballs out of one the monster's baskets by accident.
"Sorry.", Luz apologized.
Shortly after, the Golden and Platinum Guards landed on their feet and continued chasing her as Luke, Lucia, Amity, and Selena followed in pursuit. Luz turned and ran down an alleyway. With no other way out at this point, she stopped and quickly began drawing an ice spell circle before enlarging it and placing it on the dirt just as the Golden and Platinum Guards arrived and ran toward them. She then activated the ice spell.
"Ice glyph!", Luz shouted before launching herself onto the top of a building with Luke, Lucia, Amity, and Selena then doing the same, but with their palismen-turned-staffs prior to launching themselves up as well.
When all 5 landed, they looked over the edge to see the Golden and Platinum Guards standing, not doing anything.
"Come on, Golden Guard. Don't you know any, like, levitation spells?", Luz asked before the Golden Guard glared at Luz and then looked away.
"Wait... You two don't know any magic... Do you?", Amity realized.
"Are you guys powerless without these?", Luz asked, gesturing to the two staffs.
Then, the Golden and Platinum Guards walked away, much to their puzzlement.
"Me-ew?", Mew puzzled.
However, the Golden and Platinum Guards then leapt onto different objects to get on top of the building.
"Me-wew!", Mew exclaimed before Luz and Amity each fired at the two guards, who swiftly dodged the energy beam attacks.
"Back up, or-or else!", Luz warned.
"Or else what? Gonna blast me to bits? Nah, you're too nice for that.", the Golden Guard mocked as he walked toward Luz.
"That, and even if you do have the nerve, you don't exactly have the right training to use these.", the Platinum Guard added.
"Well, it's a good thing we did have some training for THIS!", Amity said as she then used ice magic to freeze the two guards in place.
"We should've seen this coming...", the Platinum Guard sighed almost in frustration.
"Just listen for a second, will you?", Selena asked just before Kikimora's dragon landed at Police Precinct 206.
"So Kikimora and Gammamoo were after our catch.", the Golden Guard said.
"See? I told you. They're jealous.", Selena responded.
"Okay, look. We don't like you and you don't like us, but right now, neither of us want them to win right now. So, I propose a truce. We work together to take back those palismen until Kikimora and Gammamoo are stopped.
"Then what? You think we'll just let you walk away with them?", the Platinum Guard asked.
"Maybe neither of you would have a choice!", Lucia retorted before Luz spun the Golden Guard's staff around.
"I'll have you know that I'm the most powerful witch in the Boiling Isles now. And my friends are at least close to par with me, so we're more formidable than you think.", Luz said before she almost dropped the staff over the edge, but caught it.
"I doubt that, but fine. A truce till then.", the Golden Guard assured before Luz extended her hand to him.
"Truce!", Luz grinned as Amity extended her hand to the Platinum Guard as well.
When the Platinum Guard reached to shake Amity's hand, the two shook on it. But when the Golden Guard reached to shake it, she moved her hand away.
"Too slow.", Luz chuckled before Luke glared.
"Luz...!", Luke glared.
"Oh. Yeah. Seriously, though.", Luz said before she and the Golden Guard shook on it as Mew giggled.
"Let's just get this over with...", the Golden Guard sighed.
Act IV
At ground level, the Golden and Platinum Guards snuck around, each stealing a bag before they climbed back up the building and saw Luke and Lucia each drawing glyphs on the wall in a way that connects them.
"Huh. I've never seen magic like this.", the Golden Guard said.
"What will it do?", the Platinum Guard asked.
"Well, we don't want to spook Kikimora's steed, because it might drop the nest and hurt the palismen.", Luke explained.
"So, using these fire and ice spells, we can command the glyphs to produce a thick mist.", Lucia added.
"And the sleeping nettles?", the Golden Guard asked.
"They're essential. Because based on what Willow told me about them one time back when we were kids, combined with the magic mist, it'll create-", Amity began.
"A sleep-inducing smoke, forcing Kikimora and Gammamoo to land.", the Platinum Guard realized with the 5 witches and 5 palismen, including Mew, looking at them surprised.
"Re-ew?", Mew puzzled.
"Oh, um, my brother and I- W-We read a similar spell in Bones to Earth-", the Platinum Guard began.
"-A Study of Wild Magic!", Luz realized.
"From what I heard, Eda once pickpocketed the guy who wrote it.", Selena added.
"I've never seen glyphs before, but, it seems very similar to the elemental magic practiced in the Savage Ages.", the Golden Guard realized.
"Really?", Amity puzzled.
"Actually, not many people know this, but...", the Platinum Guard began before she abruptly stopped.
"No. No, no, no, no. This stuff is restricted for a reason. You should forget about it before you're hurt.", the Platinum guard warned in genuine concern as Amity grew a bit worried as well, but for her.
"Uh huh... Other than Lilith, we've never spoken to someone inside the Emperor's Coven. What made you two want to join?", Lucia asked as she stroked Gummi gently, making him squeak before Golden Guard sighed and leaned against the wall.
"You guys were right before. We're powerless witches. A lot of our ancestors were. We never thought we'd have a future in a world like this.", the Golden Guard responded.
"But then, Belos found us and brought us to our father.", the Platinum Guard added.
"Your father...?", Luz asked.
"Yeah. He even gave us our staffs with artificial magic. Said the Titan had big plans for us.", the Golden Guard responded, making Luz gasp a bit softly as Mew squeaked a bit.
"At least you have your future figured out now.", Luz said.
"At least you can figure out your own.", the Golden Guard responded, slightly surprising Luz a bit before the Platinum Guard sighed.
"Look. What I'm about to tell you is a secret. No one else can know about this. Got it?", the Platinum Guard asked.
"Uh... Okay.", Luz responded.
"Are you sure that's the best idea? Telling them about your... you know?", the Golden Guard asked.
"Well, if we're going to work with them, they should at least know.", the Platinum Guard responded.
"What... Okay. But don't blame me if this somehow backfires.", the Golden Guard responded.
"Okay... Not long after we first met Uncle Nechros, we found out that somehow, someway, he was cursed to turn into a monster whenever he gets angry. And that's when I knew... He was cursed just like I was. This mask I'm wearing? It has special runes that help keep me stable so I don't transform and lose control. Belos made these special runes.", the Platinum Guard explained.
"He did?", Luz asked.
"Yeah.", the Platinum Guard responded.
"Wow... It sounds like he really is trying to help you.", Amity said in a bit of surprise.
"And what do you mean by that?", the Platinum Guard asked before Flapjack hopped toward him and pecked his leg while Mordecai flew over and landed on top of the Platinum Guard's shoulder, making her exclaim and practically swat him away.
"Hey! Stop, get away from us!", the Golden Guard exclaimed.
"Hey, hey, hey! Easy. They're just being friendly.", Amity assured as Mew giggled.
"Yeah? Well, we don't care! These things are made from wild magic. It's dangerous.", the Golden Guard responded.
"And does he look dangerous to you?", Luz asked before Mordecai and Flapjack chirped.
"No, but...", the Platinum Guard began before sighing exasperatedly.
Just then, Kikimora's dragon flew into the air.
"The dragon's about to leave.", Selena said.
"Masks on.", Luz said before she and the others, including the two Guards, all put on their masks.
"Once they're surrounded by the smoke, we'll need to stay close to see where they land.", Luz stated before everyone nodded with Luz and Amity offering the staffs back to the Golden and Platinum Guards.
"Are you sure?", the Golden Guard asked.
"You could be taking a big risk by offering those back.", the Platinum Guard added.
"Just take them back before we change our minds!", Amity urged with the Golden Guard and the Platinum Guard taking their staffs back before Kikimora's dragon flew overhead.
Then, Luke and Lucia each activated their glyphs. After that, Luz got on the Golden Guard's staff while everyone else used their own to go after the dragon. Once the fog hit, Kikimora, Gammamoo, and the former's dragon both got drowsy.
"Kiki...? What's goin' on now...?", Gammamoo asked drowsily.
"I think it's working.", the Golden Guard said before Luz used a light spell to lead Kikimora and Gammamoo in their direction.
"Stop!", Kikimora ordered before her dragon crashed onto the ground and fell asleep while she, herself, and Gammamoo were thrown off the saddle before they landed on the ground as did Luz and the others.
"The palismen!", Luz shouted before she and the others ran toward the palismen to check on them.
"Hello, babies.", Luz grinned.
"Well, they look a bit shaken, but I think they're gonna be okay. They don't seem injured.", Lucia stated.
"Aw, you guys must be so cold and scared. Here, make sure you share.", Luz said as she took off her cape and wrapped them around the palismen as Mew watched.
"Mew...", Mew grinned softly.
"Now, stay in here, okay? We'll all get you home safe and-", Amity began before Mew noticed a trick afoot.
"Me-we!", Mew exclaimed before the Golden and Platinum Guards pointed their staffs at Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, and Selena.
"Right... Guess the truce is over.", Luz said before she shut the palismen shelter's door and stood with the gang, staring at the Golden Guard and the Platinum Guard, who Amity was staring at, both upset.
"So, it's like that? You two are really gonna do this? You're just gonna hand all these innocent little palismen over to Nechros? I know what he does with them. And right now, I know why. Because of his curse. I thought you both might've been good people. But I guess that was just wishful thinking. You're not our friends. You're just the Golden Guard and the Platinum Guard.", Amity glared.
After a moment, though, the Golden Guard and the Platinum Guard showed signs of wavering before taking his mask off.
"My name is Hunter.", Hunter introduced.
"And I'm Heather.", Heather added before Luz gasped.
At that moment, Hunter got hit by an energy bolt fired by a drowsy Kikimora, which barely snaked past Mew.
"Mew-we?", Mew puzzled before Heather turned and noticed Gammamoo firing despite his drowsy condition, prompting her to dodge, although she barely got hit in the mask.
"Dog-gone it...! I missed...", Gammamoo spoke.
"I can't tell who's there, but I know I've got you!", Kikimora said before she kept shooting magic at them.
"Mew!", Mew squeaked before suddenly disappearing right before one of the blast could hit her and then reappeared somewhere else nearby, surprising everyone.
As soon as another blast was shot, Hunter defended Luz from another energy bolt before he and Kikimora fought as did Heather and Gammamoo. Her whistle fell off her neck during the fight before Luz picked up the whistle and Kikimora attempted to fire at her again, but Hunter shoved her back.
"Me-ew.", Mew spoke before disapeparing and reappearing again.
"This is treason against a Coven official!", Gammamoo exclaimed.
"Mew?", Mew responded before he fired again only to miss again with Mew reappearing again.
"Mew.", Mew grinned before Gammamoo fired again only to miss just like last time.
But this time, as Gammamoo looked around, he suddenly noticed a pink energy blast in midair headed right for him! He was barely able to dodge before it struck the ground, knocking him unconscious as Mew then flew over to him.
"Mew-we? Meeeeeeeeew!", Mew giggled.
Meanwhile, as Kikimora was barely starting to recover, she noticed the unconscious Gammamoo.
"Gammamoo!", Kikimora shouted before she then turned to Hunter patted out the tiny flame in his forelock.
"I will have your head for this!", Kikimora exclaimed before she continued firing magic at Hunter, who kept deflecting her attacks.
In the background, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Selena, and Amity ran over to Kikimora's dragon before Luz got onboard.
"Hey... Good Dragon. The Boiling Isles will never stop surprising me.", Luz said.
"You and us both.", Luke and Lucia agreed before Luz blew the whistle, waking the dragon.
Once awake, it flew into the night sky with Amity, Selena, Luke, and Lucia all taking off on their staffs as Hunter deflected another attack from Kikimora before Mew delivered another blast which knocked her unconscious, much to Hunter and Heather's surprise.
"You can do that?", Heather asked as she turned to Mew, who turned to her and Hunter.
"Mew?", Mew responded as she tilted her head to the left.
After that, she, Hunter, and Heather looked up at Luz, her siblings, her friends, and the dragon.
Soon after, Mew noticed Heather suddenly holding onto her arm that was barely hit by Gammamoo's blast, which was glowing glyph symbols, and panting heavily before her mask started to crack into pieces.
"Heather, are you okay?", Hunter asked.
"We need to get to Belos. Now!", Heather urged.
"But we can't! We don't even know where Belos is!", Hunter responded in worry.
Wracked with worry (and happening to know full well that Belos is with Camila back at the Owl House), Mew quickly went behind Heather.
"Mew? Mew!", Mew spoke, pushing Heather toward Hunter, who caught her.
"Hey! What was that for?", Heather asked.
"Mew, Mew.", Mew spoke, touching Hunter by the forehead before he and Heather both disappeared with Mew disappearing as well.
When they reappeared, it was right on top of the dragon that Luz and the others were riding on before they turned and saw Hunter, Heather, and Mew.
"What?!", the gang shouted in surprise.
"You all... came with us?", Luz asked.
"Well, it wasn't by choice...", Hunter replied with a sigh.
"Mew.", Mew spoke up, flying over to Luz.
"Aw. Thanks, little guy.", Luz said with Mew nuzzling her with a squeak.
Then, Mew flew over to the top of Luz's head and landed on top of her head.
"Mew.", Mew spoke, puzzling Luz.
"Huh? Uh, what's going on here?", Luz puzzled.
"Luz..., I think she's agreeing to be your palisman.", Amity said.
"What...? Really? Y-You want to be my palisman?", Luz asked.
"Mew.", Mew nodded in reply.
Suddenly, Luz started sniffling, much to Mew's puzzlement before she suddenly bawled loudly and grabbed her before nuzzling her while crying.
"THANK YOU!", Luz sobbed happily.
"Mew...", Mew squeaked with Amity, Selena, Luke, and Lucia grinning for her with the latter two consoling her with Amity doing so as well while Selena felt nostalgic.
As for Hunter and Heather, they were weirded out at first, but remembered that they had more pressing concerns.
"Okay. This is a bit weird. Oh, and I'd hate to interrupt this touching moment, but we need to get to Belos and fast!", Hunter urged as the cracks on Heather's mask worsened.
"Aah! Okay!", Luz exclaimed in a bit of shock before she then had the dragon go to the Owl House.
Speaking of which, Belos and Camila were quite surprised to see another dragon arriving in the front yard. But was more than relieved to see Amity, Selena, Luke, and Lucia flying with said dragon, which was revealed to be driven by Luz, who had Mew on her shoulder.
"Oh, my.", Belos said in slight surprise.
"Hey, Mom! Hey, Dad!", Luz shouted.
"Hang on. Belos was here this whole time?!", Hunter exclaimed in surprise.
"Uh, did I forget to mention that...?", Luz blushed in embarrassment.
"Ugh, we'll deal with that later!", Hunter said.
"Hunter? What is going on?", Belos asked.
"It's Heather. Her mask is starting to crack.", Hunter explained.
"This isn't good. We'll need to be quick about this and fast.", Belos urged.
Moments later, inside the Owl House, Belos then crafted a special spell circle, which had runes engraved on them, before then pushing them toward Heather, whose cracks in the mask glowed brightly, before then going away for a moment with the glow on her arms stopping before Heather sighed in relief.
"There. That should do it for now, Heather.", Belos responded.
"Thank you, Emperor Belos.", Heather thanked.
"You're quite welcome.", Belos grinned as Heather and Hunter then got up and started to leave before the latter turned to Luz and the others.
"Look, human. I don't know why Belos would think to come here, but the next time we meet, you're gonna explain everything to me. And I mean everything.", Hunter said before he and Heather left.
"Should we be worried about this?", Selena worried.
"I'm sure it's fine. So..., now that that's over... Guess what, Mama? I finally got my own palisman!", Luz grinned.
"Mew!", Mew nodded, making Camila beam happily.
"That's wonderful news, honey!", Camila grinned.
"And what about returning the other palismen back to the school grounds?", Belos asked, surprising Luz.
"Uh..., how'd you know?", Luz asked.
"We saw you and your friends leaving the house earlier.", Camila responded.
"I-I can explain. We just noticed two little rascals in the bag and tried to return them. But one thing led to another and...", Luz began.
"Hey, hey, hey. It's okay, Mija. It is all right.", Camila assured.
"Are you... sure?", Luke asked.
"Si.", Camila responded.
"And if you are going to return those palismen, you'd better make it quick.", Belos responded.
"Right.", Luz nodded before she and the others started heading out.
"And Luz?", Belos asked, prompting her to turn to him.
"I'm very proud of you for rescuing those palismen.", Belos grinned.
"Aw... Don't know how you know that, but... thank you.", Luz said before she closed the door.
The next morning, at the grudgby field, the Bat Queen landed on the field.
"Good morning, Bat Queen. The palismen are all accounted for. Although, I don't know where that thing came from...", Bump said, pointing toward Kikimora's dragon, sleeping.
Then, Flapjack and Mordecai chirped and hopped up to the Bat Queen.
"You two found someone after all this time? Go then.", the Bat Queen spoke before the two flew off.
Back at the Owl House, Luz flopped down in her sleeping bag and looked at the sleeping Mew, who was floating inside a magical bubble.
"Everyone got one, including me, huh?", Luz sighed before light shone from her window, prompting her to look and find...
"Eda!", Luz exclaimed upon noticing that she was perched on her windowsill sporting a massive proud smile on her face.
"I'd thought I'd find you here.", Eda grinned before King, Grimedale, and Crimsondale climbed in.
"We could've used the door!", King exclaimed as his younger siblings giggled.
"What did you get into?", Luz asked before Belos, Camila, Mason, Lilith, Alex, Lilia, Gwen, and Amiyah entered with the little girl holding a small log.
"Look! That's Palistrom wood!", Amiyah shouted with a grin.
"Now you can make your own palisman, Amiyah!", Crimsondale grinned.
"But- But how?", Lucia asked.
"Isn't this super rare?", Luke asked.
"Let's just say that the Bonesborough Garden Club-", Eda began.
"Was robbed! By us!", Grimedale added.
"We, on the other hand, went back and told them it was for a good cause.", Lilith responded.
"They even decided to let us have it as a gift. Especially after taking care of that little flytrap problem. You kinda had to be there.", Alex added before Eda gave Luz a thumbs up.
"All this for me? I don't know what to say. I mean, I already got my own palisman on the way back and...", Luz began before Eda put her hand on Luz's shoulder.
"I know. Belos told me about what happened last night.", Eda responded.
"He did?", Lucia asked in surprise.
"Ay-ay-ay! Does everyone know about what happened last night?!", Luke exclaimed rhetorically, making Eda snicker.
"Hey, Luz. You can introduce me to Mew properly when you feel up to it. Or when this little girl wakes up. Whichever comes first.", Eda responded, gesturing to the sleeping Mew, earning a nod from Luz before Eda turned to Amiyah.
"And Amiyah? No pressure, but whenever you know what you want, we'll start carving.", Eda as Della cooed, being held in Mason's arms.
"Thanks, Mom... But... if it's okay, I'd like some time to think.", Amiyah requested.
"Eh, there's no rush. Just know that whatever you need from us, we gotcha.", Eda assured, making Amiyah smile.
"Thanks.", Amiyah grinned.
"Ahem! I think I might know a good place where you can put it.", Luz offered, making Amiyah gasp before she then put the wood in her summer camp bag.
Meanwhile, Hunter and Heather were kneeling in the Emperor's throne room back in uniform, although lacking the mask for Hunter's part.
"So, you return with nothing. Is this the thanks I get for taking you in?", Nechros asked as he stood up.
"Of course not. We want to help.", Hunter began.
"And if you told us how wild magic did this to you, we might be able to find a-", Heather began before Nechros quickly aimed a sharp spike that barely missed her ear, making her gasp.
"Sorry. I spoke out of turn. It won't happen again.", Heather apologized before Nechros clutched his chest.
"These outbursts are painful and so is watching you fail. I know you two can do better, Hunter, Heather.", Nechros assured as his eyes glowed blue.
Outside, Gammamoo and Kikimora were approaching the doors to the room when Hunter and Heather stepped out, causing them to stop.
"Ah! Platinum Guard! Golden Guard! I am very surprised to see you two alive.", Gammamoo stuttered.
"We heard about the crash in Latissa.", Kikimora added.
"Luckily, some travelers picked us up out of the wreckage.", Hunter explained.
"So we're actually doing great. Looks like you guys had a rough night, though.", Heather added before she and Hunter left, not knowing that as they did so, Kikimora and Gammamoo noticed Hunter's singed hair: realizing he was one of their attackers, and glared at them.
"Looks like we have ourselves some foul play...", Gammamoo glared.
In Hunter and Heather's room, they walked over to his bed from below and laid down.
"We can help, if we just knew a little more... And maybe even help you, too, Heather.", Hunter said, making Heather sigh before Flapjack and Mordecai chirped, making the two sit up and see them at the windowsil.
"Palismen!", Hunter and Heather shouted, each clutching the two with a squeeze, prompting a chirp.
"Oh! Sorry.", Hunter said.
"Our bad.", Heather added as she and Hunter let go of the palismen and frowned before petting them.
"You two shouldn't be here. It'd be bad if Nechros saw you.", Heather said in worry before Flapjack and Mordecai both turned into staffs, which each fell into the two's hands.
"Oh! I was not expecting that.", Hunter said in surprise before he and Heather both walked over to the window with their new staffs and gazed longingly.
"Strange... I think I could learn to love this one.", Heather said with a brief chuckle toward Mordecai.
A/N: So, what'd you think? First off, since I tried out Sonic Origins with the much-awaited Sonic 3 & Knuckles, I was really impressed with the Super Emeralds and Hyper Sonic power-up very much. So, I decided to use those as inspiration for the 9 gems in the story. And since I learned that the Master Emerald was apparently the most useless item seeing as it is the most powerful emerald in existence, yet it only existed to be protected, I figured I could remedy this like the Sonic 2 movie did in this instance. Also, given what happened so far, I may or may not have another surprise in store for "Eda's Reqiuem", depending on what you all suggest for this. :)