Eda and the kids had gotten enough to eat at the church's fundraising dinner and were making their way back to the Owl House, and as Eda walked along, she still had Raine on her mind.
"Usually it feels good to see Raine every now and then", Eda thought, "but for some reason, this meeting felt more nice than normal."
Luz, Amity, and Hunter had seen much of Eda and Raine's reactions while they were at the dinner, and they were talking amongst each other about what the deal was between those two.
"So", Luz said, "we're all on the same page on Eda and Raine, right?"
"We sure are", Amity said.
"Those two definitely have feelings for each other", Hunter said.
"You bet they do", Luz said, "I mean, we saw how they were looking at each other at dinner."
"And how they blushed at certain points", Amity said, "kind of like me sometimes."
"Looking back on their interactions during the war, some of them were similar to what we saw tonight", Hunter said, "so this has definitely been going on for some time now."
"Agreed", Luz said, "now, the question remains: what happened between those two?"
"Mom says they're an old friend of hers", Amity said, "but I can't help but feel like they were more than that."
"I guess there's only one way to find out", Luz said, "let's ask her."
The group soon arrived at the Owl House, and when they got inside, Luz and the Clawthorne siblings decided to start up some small talk before asking Eda about Raine.
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but that was a pretty good dinner", Luz said.
"Oh, yeah", Amity said, "Pastor Raymond really out-did himself tonight."
"What about you, Mom", Hunter asked, "what did you think of it?"
"Oh, it was nice", Eda said, "the food was really good."
"I'll say it was", Luz said, "you looked like you were having a pretty good time there."
"Yeah, I guess I was", Eda said.
"We saw you talking to your friend, Raine Whispers, while we were there", Amity said, "did you two talk about anything in particular?"
"No, not really", Eda said, "just things like stuff that's happened on the Isles recently."
"That's nice", Amity said.
"You two were pretty close when we were fighting in the war against Belos", Hunter said, "have you known each other for a while?"
"I sure have", Eda said, "they're the coolest, baddest, kick-buttiest witch I've ever known."
"When did you first meet them", Luz asked.
"I guess I could tell you about that", Eda said, "take a seat, kids."
Luz, Amity, and Hunter sat down on the couch, and Eda began to tell them her story.
"It all started a long time ago", Eda said, "back when me and Lilith were students at Hexside..."
Flashback
Many years ago, Eda and Lilith, who were both teenagers, were walking through the streets of Bonesborough, with the former holding a pack of flashcards in her hands and reading them out to the latter.
"Okay", Eda said, "Titan's five humors."
"Hmm", Lilith said, "earth, bone, bile, blood, and, uh..."
Lilith tried to remember what the fifth humor was, but it just wasn't coming to her.
"I always forget the last one", Lilith said, "it's on the tip of my tongue, it's..."
Eda made a snake-like sound as Lilith said "it's" to try and give her sister a hint.
"Snakes", Lilith asked.
"Breath", Eda said.
She then breathed on Lilith and began laughing.
"Eda, you have smilk breath", Lilith said, "gross!"
Eda continued walking along with Lilith following behind.
"Give me another question", Lilith said.
"Alright, alright", Eda said, "on Scabuary 40th, the day Belos declared the Isles an empire..."
She stopped reading the card and suddenly kicked a grudgby ball towards Lilith.
"Think fast", Eda said.
Lilith caught the ball with her hands in mid-air, then gave her younger sister an annoyed look.
"Eda, we don't have time to play around", Lilith said, "tryouts for the Emperor's Coven are just around the corner."
She handed the ball to Eda and took the flashcards from her.
"Seven months isn't just around the corner", Eda said.
Eda balanced the ball on her head as Lilith took out a flashcard.
"Your turn", Lilith said, "it's a half-moon, and you're mixing a leadfoot potion, so what ratio of Blackroot Quills to Iron Ash do you use?"
"Is it a waning or a waxing moon", Eda asked.
She drew a spell circle with her finger, and a stem began to sprout from her head.
"Oh, um, I don't think that matters", Lilith said.
"Yeah, sure it does", Eda said, "if it's a waxing moon, it's a two to one mix, but if it's a waning moon, the Blackroot Quills lose their umph, and you gotta double down to a four to one."
Eda made another spell circle that made the stem on her head shrink down to a sprout and also caught her ball, which had been on top of the stem as it was growing, and then she plucked off the seedling and let it blow away in the wind, while Lilith checked the flashcard
"You're correct", Lilith said, "on both accounts."
Lilith then turned around and walked over to Eda excitedly.
"Imagine us both getting in", Lilith said, "we'll train together."
"We'll prank together", Eda said.
She grabbed the flashcards out of Lilith's hands and threw them into the air, but the elder Clawthorne sister cast a spell that made them fall nicely into her hand.
"We'll study ancient history together", Lilith said.
"We'll kick but together", Eda said.
"Help demons and witches together", Lilith said.
"Take over the world together", Eda said, "nothing can stop the Clawthorne sisters, and if any of our rivals dare attack us, they will be crushed beneath our feet, and even the Titan shall gasp in fear!"
Lilith suddenly gasped in fear.
"Yeah, like that", Eda said.
"No, look", Lilith said, "we're gonna be late!"
Eda looked up at a clock and watched as the minute hand moved to 12, and the clock bell began tolling, prompting the sisters to run away as fast as they could to get to school, and pretty soon, they arrived at Hexside, where many students were walking and sitting around doing their own things, including teenage versions of Perry Porter, Gus' father, Odalia and Alador, Amity's late former adoptive parents, and Darius Deamonne, the leader of the Abomination coven.
"See", Eda said, "we're gonna be fine."
Just then, the school bell rang, and a ring of fire appeared in the doorway that burst into a huge fire, much to the horror of the students, and out from the flames emerged the principal of Hexside at the time, Principal Faust, who took out a clipboard and scratched it with his fingernails, prompting the students to hurry inside, and as they did so, he began dishing out punishments to them.
"Detention, detention", Principal Faust said, "suspension!"
It was at that moment that Hieronymus Bump, who, at the time, was the vice principal of Hexside, walked over to him.
"Principal Faust", Vice Principal Bump said, "don't you think you're judging these students a touch too harshly?"
"Not at all", Principal Faust said, "these students are already late to being early, and that's a slippery slope."
"But if you keep expelling students, we won't have a graduating class", Vice Principal Bump said.
Principal Faust turned his head around slowly, his neck making a cracking sound as he did so, and Vice Principal Bump began to sweat nervously.
"I'm just enforcing school policy", Principal Faust said.
"That you added to", Vice Principal Bump said, "you expelled the captain of our grudgby team because his shoes didn't meet your 'appropriately squeaky' regulation."
"Too squeaky, a distraction, too quiet, can't hear them, so you can't trust them", Principal Faust said, "some students are irredeemable."
"None of them are beyond redemption", Vice Principal Bump said, "I would stake my career on it."
Principal Faust slowly turned his head towards Vice Principal Bump with a look of curiosity on his face, when suddenly, a flying grudgby ball began to attack them both.
"What is that thing", Principal Faust asked.
The two heads of the school tried to avoid it, and while that was going on, Eda and Lilith snuck into the bushes, and Eda drew a spell circle that moved the bushes aside to reveal a small door on the wall, which Eda opened up and let Lilith go through first, but as her sister signaled for her to go through the door, she suddenly saw someone coming and shut the door in Lilith's face, then rearranged the bushes hastily as an angry Principal Faust and Vice Principal Bump walked up to her.
"Hey, Fausty", Eda said, "Vice Princey B."
Principal Faust held up the flying grudgby ball, which had a smoking back, and the scene cut to Eda sitting in his office.
"Miss Clawthorne", Principal Faust asked, "do you know why I keep you around?"
"My innate talents", Eda asked, "my unbeatable charm?"
"No", Principal Faust said.
He pulled a string that was hanging beside him, and a large stack of books landed on his desk.
"Because to fight evil, you must understand evil", Principal Faust said, "all your misdeeds, pranks, schemes, they have given me insight into the depravity that lurks within the minds of children."
"Wow, this is really shocking", Eda said, "I thought there'd be more."
Principal Faust picked up a file with Eda's name on it and began reading it while pacing back and forth.
"You're close with your sister, Lilith, I see", Principal Faust said, "planning on trying out for the Emperor's Coven together, are you?"
"That's right", Eda said, "not gonna lie, but I kinda rule."
"Too bad you'll be ineligible", Principal Faust said, "when I expel you!"
Eda was shocked to hear him say that.
"What", Eda asked, "you can't do that, I'll be separated from Lily!"
"Maybe you should've thought of that before you filled the detention pit with green gelatin", Principal Faust said.
"It was his birthday, and he liked it", Eda said, "please, Principal Faust, I'll do anything!"
Principal Faust let out a chuckle and knocked on the wall behind him, which made part of it slide away, and Vice Principal Bump came out of it.
"Uh, yes, sir", Vice Principal Bump asked.
"No child is beyond redemption", Principal Faust said, "didn't you stake your career on it?"
Vice Principal Bump stared at Eda, who chuckled and waved nervously, and a little later, the two of them were walking down the hall with Principal Faust, his presence making several students run away and hide in fear.
"Every year, Hexside participates in a special training program called Instructing Future Witches of Tomorrow", Principal Faust said.
He walked over to a trophy case and opened it up, then took a blue ribbon out of it.
"I attend with my most gifted students, and we return with blue ribbons", Principal Faust said, "they serve as a testament to my..."
He then realized what he said and quickly corrected himself.
"I mean, our excellence", Principal Faust said, "unfortunately..."
"You expelled our most gifted student for chewing too loudly in the cafeteria", Vice Principal Bump said.
"Disgusting monster", Principal Faust said.
He turned around with his head bending at a 90 degree sideward, and then bent it back into place once he was facing Eda.
"This year, you can represent Hexside", Principal Faust said, "bring back a blue ribbon, and you can remain a student here, but if you come back empty-handed, I will savor your expulsion."
Eda's face scrunched up, and Principal Faust spoke to Vice Principal Bump.
"And you'll go with her", Principal Faust said, "if anything goes wrong, I might have to find a new vice principal."
Principal Faust walked away, leaving Eda and Vice Principal Bump on their own.
"Looks like we don't have a choice here", Eda said.
"You think", Vice Principal Bump asked.
At the covention center, the Instructing Future Witches of Tomorrow (or IFWOT) was being held, and Vice Principal Bump and Eda were waiting in line to get inside, with the former reading a pamphlet, and the latter looking bored.
"I can't believe I agreed to this", Eda said.
"This will be fine, perfectly fine", Vice Principal Bump said, "you can go five minutes without setting anything on fire, right?"
Eda had summoned a small fire on the tip of her finger, and upon noticing Vice Principal Bump looking at her, she quickly extinguished it.
"I know you have a reputation around school, but I just see a talented young witch", Vice Principal Bump said, "and I'll wager those stories about you turning the school inside out are just urban legends."
"That was a fun day", Eda said.
Vice Principal Bump looked at her with an annoyed expression.
"Let's try this", Vice Principal Bump said.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a toy octopus, which he squished in his hand.
"This is a stress toy", Vice Principal Bump said, "anytime you feel the urge to cause chaos, just squeeze."
Eda took the toy from Vice Principal Bump and squeezed it, and she ended up squeezing it so hard that it popped, much to his shock, and a little later, the two of them were walking towards the entrance to the center.
"Prepare yourself, Edalyn, the IFWOT is a battleground of magic and skill", Vice Principal Bump said, "witches who successfully complete these courses have gone on to do incredible things, and you will be facing some of the greatest competition here."
The two of them confidently walked into the center, and when they got inside, they found that it was very different than what they thought it would be like, with poorly-done decorations, food that the students didn't enjoy, and the professors there were all looking bored, with one of them starting to drift off.
"Wow, I grossly misjudged the tone here", Vice Principal Bump said.
Suddenly, the ground began to rumble, and a bunch of vines wrapped around the stage until they formed a stem that a flower head grew out of, and it opened up to reveal the head of the Plant Coven (both back then and in the present day), Terra Snapdragon, much to the amazement of everyone who was there.
"Greetings, students, educators, my name is Terra Snapdragon, head witch of the Plant Coven", Terra said, "but today, I'm head proctor for the..."
She looked up at the IFWOT banner that was hanging on the wall, and when she saw the name, an unimpressed look appeared on her face.
"IFWOT", Terra asked, "seriously?"
She snapped her fingers and summoned some vines that ripped up the IFWOT banner, then they wrapped around the ceiling beam, and pretty flowers began to sprout from them.
"I am here to 'Help Enhance Coven Know-How'", Terra said, "welcome to HECK!"
The new title of the event was displayed on Terra's vines, and a few members of the audience applauded.
"Oh, this is my first year hosting, and I am thrilled", Terra said, "today, you little sweet peas will go through your rigorous exercises that will enhance your intelligence, strength, and creativity."
The crowd all cheered.
"Just remember, this won't be a bed of roses", Terra said, "only the best of the best will receive blue ribbons, and the failures will be ground into mulch for my garden!"
Everyone was shocked and terrified to hear that, with one student bawling because of it, and a Coven Scout walked over to Terra and whispered something into her ear.
"Illegal", Terra asked, "oh, we'll see about that, won't we, children?"
She reached behind her and pulled out a flower.
"Let the activities begin", Terra said.
She tore the flower's petals off and threw them into the air, which made the crowd cheer once again, and Eda looked a Vice Principal Bump, who gave her an assuring thumbs up, but she was still very nervous.
"I am doomed", Eda thought.
Soon, the HECK program was underway, and over at a stand that was labeled "TRUST", an instructor was talking to some students from different schools that were gathered there.
"Tell me, what makes the covens strong", the instructor asked, "strength in numbers, a dark pact?"
Eda was walking past the stand and made her way over to it upon noticing it.
"Well, it is all of those things", the instructor said, "but it's also..."
He then proceeded to demonstrate a trust fall with a Coven Scout.
"Trust", the instructor said, "to learn about trust between covenmates, we'll be doing trust falls, and if anyone wishes to volunteer, please do so."
"Sounds easy enough", Eda said.
She walked up to the front of the crowd and raised her hand.
"Very good, very good", the instructor said, "and this will be your partner."
In front of Eda was a green blob-like student, much to her dislike.
"Now, close your eyes and trust that your covenmate will catch you", the instructor said.
The blob held his arms out and Eda groaned as she turned around, then let herself fall, but her body passed right through the blob.
"Hm", the blob asked.
The blob looked down to find that the upper part of Eda's body had turned into a skeleton, and the other students at the stand ran away screaming.
"Not again", the blob said.
The blob began to cry, and Eda's body disappeared in a puff of smoke, with Eda herself appearing behind the instructor and blob.
"Ta-da", Eda said, "I'm here all night, folks!"
The instructor and blob glared at her angrily, and the former wrote something down on his clipboard, much to Eda's disappointment, and later on, she was sitting in another part of the venue with a drink in her hand and was looking at it with distain.
"I never should have come here", Eda said.
Eda took a sip of her drink, but she didn't like the taste of it one bit.
"Even the free junk is junk", Eda said.
She threw the cup away, but it was stopped by an unseen force, and who should walk over to her, but none other than a teenage Raine Whispers.
"I don't know who you are, but you are a riot", Raine said.
They used magic to put the drink back inside the cup and then handed it to Eda.
"Uh, no, I excel at functions such as these", Eda said, "didn't you see how impressed everyone was when I faked my death?"
"I saw", Raine said, "that was the first time I've seen something like that here."
"Darn right it is", Eda said, "I even love the horrid liquids they serve."
"Yeah, they always give us the off-brand junk", Raine said, "let me try something."
Raine walked over to Eda's cup and whistled into it.
"Don't worry, I didn't spit in it", Raine said.
Eda took a sip of her drink and found that it tasted much better than before.
"Whoa", Eda said.
She then took another sip of it.
"Hey, that's actually good", Eda said, "how'd you change the flavor?"
"Little trick I learned from my Mom: changing the chemistry of a liquid with sound waves", Raine said, "she's one of the best Bard witches there is."
"Alright, I get it", Eda said, "if you whistle loud enough, can you make all this less of a drag?"
"I wish", Raine said, "this is my third time, and it's always the same boring activities, same boring faces."
They then saw that Eda's face had turned into a skull and screamed, and Eda's face turned towards them, and with a puff of smoke, her face was back to normal.
"Till wittle ole me", Eda asked.
Raine then began to laugh.
"Yeah", Raine said.
They continued to laugh, and Eda noticed some ribbons tied to Raine's side, much to her surprise.
"How'd you get those", Eda asked.
"Oh, these are from last year", Raine said, "maybe if you stick with me, I'll show you how to get one of your own."
"Alright", Eda said, "I'm Eda Clawthorne."
"Raine Whispers", Raine said.
The two witches took each other's hands, and soon, they were visiting all the different stands in the venue taking part in all kinds of challenges, and also having a bit of fun while they did so, and some time later, the two of them were outside playing with a grudgby ball.
"I wonder what I'll get a ribbon for", Eda said, "stength, wit, radiance."
She put her foot on the ball and struck a pose as she said "radiance."
"You'll get one for being a dingus", Raine said.
"Oh, yeah", Eda asked, "well, you're gonna get one for..."
She then kicked the ball towards Raine.
"Think fast", Eda said.
Raine managed to swiftly catch the ball and then threw it back at Eda, who blushed after she caught it.
"Why do you come here", Eda asked, "you're not like the other kids, you're cool."
She tossed the ball at Eda, and they caught it.
"I attend school at St. Epiderm, but it's not cheap", Raine said, "but if I make the school look good, I get a scholarship."
They then tossed the ball back to Eda.
"What about you", Raine asked.
Eda caught the ball and began spinning it on our fingertip.
"I made a deal with the devil", Eda said, "our principal's gonna expel me unless I come back with a ribbon."
"Chance at redemption", Raine asked.
"Nah, I think I'm being used to embarrass our vice principal", Eda said, "as if he doesn't do that to himself already."
Nearby, Vice Principal Bump was looking at his clipboard and noticed someone walking towards him looking like he is trying to hi-five him, but he was actually talking to a coven scout that was behind Bump, much to his embarrassment.
"It stinks, but I've got a sister at Hexside, and she's my only friend", Eda said, "it'd be a bummer if she got taken away."
"Well, you won't have to worry about that", Raine said, "after the closing ceremony, we're home free."
A little later, in the stadium, all the students were walking towards the center, and Eda looked over at Vice Principal Bump, who was holding a stress toy and looking worried, so she held up two fingers, which made him calm down, and when the students stopped, some vines sprouted up from the stage and an flower head grew out of them once again and split open to reveal Terra.
"Congratulations, students, it seems nearly everyone earned a ribbon", Terra said, "you must be so proud of yourselves."
Raine held their hand out and Eda took it, and both of them smiled, feeling like they had it in the bag, and Terra's mood suddenly changed from polite to sinister.
"Well, you shouldn't be", Terra said.
The students all gasped in surprise.
"This training camp is a joke", Terra said, "there's nothing challenging about those challenges, and this..."
Terra held up a drawing of a butt Eda drew at the intelligence stand.
"...Was the last straw", Terra said.
She ripped up the drawing, and Eda and Raine looked at each other worriedly.
"Before we hand out any ribbons, I think we need one more activity", Terra said.
A hedge-like maze grew up out of the ground, and the students were all trapped inside it.
"We'll play my personal favorite game: Covens vs. Wilds", Terra said.
The students all became very worried.
"Look at your badges, and you'll see if you're a Coven Witch, or a Wild Witch", Terra said.
Eda saw her badge place her in the Coven group, and Rain saw theirs place them in the Wild group, and they nervously let go of Eda's hand.
"Coven Witches, you have 20 minutes to capture every wild witch", Terra said, "if you succeed, everyone on your team gets a ribbon!"
Both of the teams backed up and faced each other angrily, except for Eda and Raine.
"Wild Witches, you may earn a ribbon if you put on a good show", Terra said, "and, to encourage your shrinking violets, I'll allow any use of magic."
She smiled evilly as she looked down at the students.
"We're in HECK, people", Terra said, "let's have some fun!"
It wasn't long before both teams were attacking one another, and Terra was watching them all lovingly.
"Ah, I would've been such a good mom", Terra said.
On the battlefield, Eda and Raine were doing their best to avoid getting hit by the other witches' attacks, but they both knew they weren't supposed to be close to each other, so they went their separate ways, with Raine drawing a huge spell circle on the floor that created a burst of light they used to escape, and Eda ran away, using her magic to block other students' attacks against her, and also made a Wild Witch team member trip, and when she stopped, an abomination appeared behind her, but she used a spell to turn it into a staircase, and then climbed up it and pounced off the side of the maze and landed in a free area, and then hid behind the wall as two Wild Witches ran past her, and she gave a look to Vice Principal Bump, who just shrugged.
"Don't move", a female voice said.
Eda looked and saw a cyclops demon girl walking towards her.
"I've got you now, Wild Witch", the cyclops said.
"Stand down", a male voice said, "that witch is one of us."
"Sorry, Paxton", the cyclops said.
Eda noticed a student from St. Epiderm walking towards her, and he turned out to be none other than a teenaged Paxton Delacroix.
"You look like you're having a rough time", Paxton said.
"That's one way to put it", Eda said.
"Why don't you come with us", Paxton said, "we've got a plan to catch all the wild witches."
"I'm not goin' anywhere", Eda said, "this is crazy, and that plant lady is off her gourd!"
"Don't you want a ribbon", the cyclops asked.
"I came hear to learn more about the inner workings of the covens", Paxton said, "I want to get one of those ribbons so all my hard work today pays off."
The three of them looked behind them and saw a Coven Witch dragging a Wild Witch tied in red rope.
"So, I hear there's this one kid who's been coming here for years", the cyclops said.
"That's Raine, my classmate", Paxton said, "they've got all kinds of tricks up their sleeve, and they never show them to any of us."
"I heard they're one of the strongest witches here", the cyclops said, "and they're a bard, too!"
"Well, they did say their mom's one of the best bard witches there is", Eda said, "maybe they learned some stuff from them."
"Well, if we take them out, taking care of the rest of these Wild Witches should be a breeze", Paxton said, "are you with us?"
"Well", Eda said, "I..."
"We'll take that as a yes", the cyclops said.
Paxton and the cyclops dragged Eda away, and meanwhile, Terra was watching the battle in satisfaction, and noticed a newly imprisoned Wild Witch being dragged by a coven witch.
"Welcome, welcome", Terra said, "oh, don't look so wilted, you've got great seats now."
The Wild Witch was tossed aside with all the other wild witches, two of which were Gilbert and Harvey Park as teenagers, and Terra noticed Vice Principal Bump walking up to her.
"Uh, Miss Terra", Vice Principal Bump said.
"Head Witch Snapdragon, if you please", Terra said, "enjoying the show?"
"Yes, well, your show is actually in violation of several school rules, covention hall safety guidelines, and child safety acts", Vice Principal Bump said, "I'm sure it's an honest mistake, so why don't we just stop this activity and..."
Terra responded by destroying Vice Principal Bump's rule book with some vines.
"I make the rules, sweet pea", Terra said.
She then noticed something in the maze that had caught her eye.
"Oh, looks like there's only one crafty little Wild Witch left", Terra said.
Raine was running through the maze, passing by several unconscious Wild Witches along the way.
"Will the Covens win", Terra asked, "or the sprout?"
In another part of the maze, Eda, Paxton, and the cyclops were walking around sneakily, and soon stopped.
"That must be the bard", the cyclops said.
"We'll take them by surprise", Paxton said, "get into position."
They both hid behind separate walls, and Eda began to pass them, but Paxton grabbed her and pulled her away as Raine ran past with a Coven Witch right on their tail, and pretty soon, they were cornered, so they inhaled deeply and put their fingers in their mouth, then let out a loud whistle that blasted the Coven Witch and sent him flying into a wall, and Paxton and the cyclops jumped out of their hiding places to make their move, with Paxton casting a spell that made a small square stone grow up from the ground behind Raine and caused them to trip and fall, and he and the cyclops walked up to them.
"We got ya now", the cyclops said.
"End of the line, Bard", Paxton said.
Raine braced themselves as Paxton began to cast a spell circle, but he and the cyclops were suddenly lifted into the air by an unknown force, to the confusion of Raine, and Eda walked over to them with a devilish look on her face, revealing her to be the one behind it.
"Hey, what gives", Paxton asked.
Eda tossed the two of them aside, and they both landed in the audience section.
"Traitor", the cyclops said.
Paxton, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel amazed by Eda.
"Wow", Paxton said, "what a woman!"
Terra had seen what had happened, and she was intrigued to say the least.
"An interesting development, a showdown, perhaps", Terra asked, "let's give them plenty of room to fight!"
The maze disappeared back into the ground, and everyone in the stadium began chanting "Fight!" while Vice Principal Bump nervously squeezed multiple stress toys that were in both of his hands, and Eda and Raine stared at each other angrily before they ran forward to attack each other, much to Terra's anticipation, but when they stopped, they did a fist bump and then performed a special handshake they had done earlier, which led to them creating a spell circle that emitted a flash of light that flew straight towards Terra, but she blocked the attack with her vines, though some of the fire still reached her hair, which she put out.
"Never a rose without a few thorns, I see", Terra said.
"Yeah, well, we got tired of your stupid little challenge", Eda said.
"And your plant puns", Raine said.
Terra's plant lowered her down to the ground, and she angrily walked up to Eda and Raine, who were both very nervous, and then, suddenly Terra began to laugh.
"Delightful", Terra said.
Eda and Raine were both surprised by that.
"Feisty witches do make the best leaders", Terra said, "I especially like you, sprout."
She was talking to Raine, who didn't look happy at all, and poked their nose.
"But, I can't award disobedience", Terra said, "so, everyone is poisoned!"
Terra summoned some vines, and a Coven Scout ran up to her and whispered something into her ear.
"That's illegal too", Terra asked.
The Coven Scout nodded his head yes.
"Fine", Terra said, "instead, no one gets a ribbon this year, everyone loses!"
Hearing that declaration made everyone in the audience start booing, particularly at Eda and Raine, and the other students surrounded the two of them and gave them angry looks.
"I hope this was worth it", Eda said.
"Well", Raine said, "actually..."
"Eda", Vice Principal Bump said.
Eda turned and saw her vice principal making his way towards her.
"I am so proud of you", Vice Principal Bump said, "but also, I think we're toast."
Raine winked at Eda and walked away.
"My career is over, and you'll probably be expelled and end up selling garbage at the night market", Vice Principal Bump said, "but, what a way to go!"
He was then touched on the shoulder by Terra, who had overheard what he was saying.
"Pardon me, expelled", Terra asked, "is Fausty still playing more of his little games?"
She then walked over to Eda.
"No, budding Miss Clawthorne need to be nourished", Terra said, "I'll let him know I was quite impressed with both of you."
Terra walked away and Vice Principal Bump fainted in shock, and a few days later, Eda was in the cafeteria at Hexside carrying her lunch tray and wearing her letterman jacket, and she noticed Lilith sitting at a table reading a book and happily walked over to her.
"Lily, I finally caught you", Eda said, "I never got to tell you about that weird training thing over the weekend."
"Uh-huh", Lilith said.
"I was horrified", Eda said, "if I lost, I was gonna get expelled, and then we wouldn't be able to..."
Eda was interrupted by the sound of Lilith's watch going off.
"Ah, shoot", Lilith said.
She got up from her seat and grabbed her empty lunch tray.
"Sorry, Edalyn, gotta go, my E.C. study group is meeting", Lilith said, "maybe we can talk later."
"Go", Eda said, "go, go, go, don't be late."
Lilith walked away, and Eda, who was now on her own, took a sip from her Ghoul Aid drink, and reacted in disgust to taste, and at that moment, an unknown student offered her a box of non-alcoholic apple blood.
"Trade", the student asked.
Eda looked at the student, and reacted in surprise to find that they were none other than Raine.
"Raine", Eda asked, "what are you doing here, and what happened to your scholarship."
"Don't worry, I wanted to transfer out of Epiderm anyway", Raine said, "plus, this means me and my Dad can live closer to Mom now."
"What's going on with your Mom", Eda asked.
"She's in the Healer's center", Raine said, "she's very sick, and the center up at the Knee isn't equipped to deal with what she's got, so she had to go to the one here in Bonesborough for treatment."
"I see", Eda said, "I hope she gets better soon."
"Thanks", Raine said, "I hope so too."
They then held up their box of Apple Blood again.
"So, about that trade", Raine asked.
"Oh, definitely", Eda said, "here."
The two of them swapped drinks and then began talking.
"Okay, Eda", Raine said, "give me the rundown on this place."
They took a sip of the Ghoul Aid and found the taste to be disgusting.
"Oh, you'll love it, it's got all the secrets", Eda said, "and since Terra spoke to Principal Faust, I can get away with pretty much anything."
She then took a sip of the apple blood, and she reacted happily to the taste.
"Mmm, I've never had apple blood before", Eda said, "this stuff is good!"
End Flashback
Back in the present, Eda was finishing up her story while smiling warmly.
"And after that, we were inseparable", Eda said.
Luz, Amity, and Hunter had all enjoyed the story very much.
"Wow", Luz said, "that was quite the backstory."
"Thanks", Eda said, "it's one I like to look back on every now and then."
"How close did you two get as you spent time together", Hunter asked.
"Really close", Eda said.
"Like, romantically close", Amity asked.
"If you mean 'did we fall in love?' then yes, we did", Eda said.
"Can you tell us more about it", Luz asked.
"Sorry", Eda said, "that's another story."
She then noticed that the clock said 9:30.
"Which you'll have to wait and hear another day because it's getting late, and you kids have school tomorrow", Eda said.
"She's right", Hunter said, "it's almost our bedtime."
"Alright", Luz said, "goodnight, Eda."
"Goodnight", Eda said.
Luz, Amity, and Hunter walked away to go get ready for bed, and Eda sat down on the couch and pulled a picture out of her pocket that was of her, Lilith, and Raine as teenagers, and she let out a sigh.
"I love looking back on the memories I've shared with Raine", Eda said, "but sometimes, I wish that things never had to end between us."