(Play the English cover of "No Pain No Game" by AmaLee)

(The ending of this story. I will hold it close as I wonder so aimlessly)

The theme opens to show Blaze flying through the skies of the Boiling Isles before landing on Kai's shoulder who stood on a hill, looking over Bonseborough as the wind blew his hair, clothes and the ends of his bandana and cloak.

(Into this new world)

((The game has only just begun))

(I can see it in your eyes)

Kai turns to look at the viewers over his shoulder as the screen splits in four parts to show the eyes of Luz, Eda and King.

(This is where tomorrow brings a new game. It's time to learn that pain is gain)

The camera moves to show each member of the Owl House cast standing in separate locations of the Boiling Isles(Willow in a open field of flowers, Gus at the Looking Glass Ruins, Amity in front of the library and finally Luz, Eda,King and Lilith standing outside of the Owl House)

(Ready Fight!)

Kai jumped into the screen with his fist ignited in flames and punched the screen

(Instrumental)

The Owl House title appears on screen in a swirl of flames before disappearing in a gust of wind.

(I gotta crush and paint away the anguish of my past for the sake of my future)

Pictures of Kai and Luz appeared on screen, Kai standing with his hands behind his head while Luz stood beside him giving the viewers a peace sign as a black and white image of the two siblings were shown fighting enemies beside them.

(Until my life comes to an end)

The screen then shows pictures of Eda and Lilith standing together as black and white images of them from when they were younger appeared.

(I am gonna fight to tear apart that destiny. Aoh, break out and start a revolution)

The next scene changes to show King standing on top of a fort made of pillows as he points to the sky.

(Until you find the answers. You're looking for)

Another scene shows Kai standing on a tree branch with Luz and King as they looked up at the sky

(I'll challenge all my limits, knowing this could be my only chance now)

We then see Kai running down a path, passing by all the friends he made while in the Isles(Eda, King, Luz, Willow, Gus, Amity, the Blight twins, the Detention Track kids and other students from Hexside)

(To overcome this fate that has come over me)

In front of us is the Golden Guard, holding his mask and showing half of his face as the other members of the Emperor's Coven stood beside him. Belos stood above them, his blue eyes glowing in the darkness.

(The ending of this story. I will hold it close as I wonder so aimlessly)

We see Kai standing outside in front of the Owl House, holding his hand out to the sky.

(Into this new world)

((The game has only just begun))

Kai gained a determined look and clenched his fist.

(And I can see it in your eyes)

As Kai brought his fist down, he was nearly knocked over as Luz, Amity, Willow and Gus ran into his back, smiling at him.


Chapter 24 part 2; Hunting Palismen:

Down in the basement of the Emperor's Castle, a pit of blue coals were lit as the 9 main coven heads walked down the stairs to join Belos, The Golden Guard and Kikimora who all stood at the throne. The 9 heads stood around the coal pit.

"The Day of Unity approaches, where we'll celebrate the purification of magic under the coven system, just as the Titan intended. 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 said.

Belos lifted his hand.

"Step forward," he said.

The coven heads took their badges off and placed them on separate slots. A rainbow glow came from the pit as the fire grew. The coven heads' eyes glowed as they looked within the fire to see the dead Titan's eye glow yellow before a bright white light flashed and faded, now showing the Titan's head in the middle of Connecticut.

"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," Belos said before groaning in pain.

He bent over as he clutched his chest. G.G helped him stand up as he led Belos out of the room. Kikimora moved to follow them but was stopped by the Golden Guard.

"No. Stay here. I can handle this alone," he said, walking away.

Kikimora clenched her fists. Belos entered the throne room as the Golden Guard closed the door behind them. The Emperor fell to his knees as he growled and his mask came off. He shifted into some kind of monster before punching the wall multiple times. G.G turned away from the scene. After a while, Belos finally calmed down as he turned back to normal. The Golden Guard walked towards him with a palisman in hand. Belos took it and broke it apart as he inhaled the essence of the palisman, his eyes glowing blue before disappearing.

"I need more," Belos demanded, holding his hand out.

"That was the last from our reserves. The Palistrom wood has been overharvested," G.G said.

Belos grunts as he turns to walk away.

"Uncle, let me help! We can make more Palismen! Actually, I read about this technique harnessing wild magic to, uh…" G.G said before trailing off when Belos gave him a look.

He lowered his head.

"Sorry," he said.

Belos walked towards him and placed a hand on the Golden Guards shoulders.

"Please, be careful. Our family is gone because of wild magic. I can't let the same happen to you," he said, squeezing the young guard's shoulder.

"Find me more Palismen. I can depend on you, right?" Belos asked.

Unbeknownst to them, Kikimora had overheard their conversation and walked away.


At the Owl House:

Kai and Luz were in their room as the sun rose over the horizon. Kai was doing push ups as Luz was trying to get some more info from the Echo Mouse. The Latina girl looked at the sleeping mouse, who she put in a container.

"Oh, little echo mouse. You ate the diary that can get us home. Can't you cough up a teeny bit?" she asked.

King popped up beside her.

"Just squeeze it out," he suggested, squeezing his stuffed bear until its head came off.

Kai stopped in a mid push up as the stuffed bear's head landed on his head.

"King, that's an animal. If we squeeze it, we're gonna have to clean up mouse guts," he said.

Kai moved to a sitting position and looked at his younger sister.

"You just need to be patient, Hermanita," he said.

Luz nodded before pressing her face to the glass.

"Please tell me your secrets," she whispered.

Kai sighed. He had forgotten that when it came to patience, Luz isn't exactly one to accomplish that. Their room door opened as Eda walked in wearing a black blazer.

"Hey, knuckleheads. You're gonna be late for school," she said.

Kai grabbed his school bag and walked to the door before stopping when he noticed Luz wasn't following. Eda shrugged.

"All right. I guess you won't be getting a magic staff with your classmates," she said, smirking as she knew that would get Luz's attention.

Kai barely had time to get out of the way as Luz ran past them to the front door.

"Come on guys, we've gotta fly!" she said, bouncing in place.

Kai shook his head as he laughed.

"Okay, okay, we're coming," he said as he and Eda walked out the door.


At Hexside:

After a short flight, Kai and Luz made it to Hexside where they and their classmates were gathered on the Grudgby field with a small animal pin in front of them.

"Hey, Willow. Shouldn't Amity be here?" Luz asked, noticing her friend/crush isn't here.

"Sorry Luz, I heard she stayed home today," Willow answered.

"Oh. That actually makes sense," Luz said, slightly sad that she couldn't see Amity today.

Kai raised an eyebrow before nudging his sister.

"Did something happen between you and Amity while I was gone?" he asked.

Luz shook her head.

"No, no. Everything's fine," she said.

Kai nodded and looked around at his classmates. It seemed like Bump gathered the students who were in the lower grades seeing as there weren't any older students here. Kai then noticed Viney talking with Jerbo. Viney locked eyes with him and blushed as she gave him a small wave. Kai returned it as a blush covered his face. Luz blinked and nudged her brother.

"Speaking of things happening while being gone, what happened last night with you and Viney?" she asked.

Kai sighed.

"I already told you. We were just coming back from the temple where my Dad got more info on his powers," he said.

"Which led to the two of you kissing," his sister said.

Kai glared at her slightly.

"It was a kiss on the cheek. It doesn't mean anything," he said.

Luz gave him an unconvinced look.

"Sure…whatever floats your boat, big brother," she said, not buying it.

Kai was about to retort but was unable to as Eda and Principal Bump walked towards them. Kai walked to the front to join them.

"Good tidings on this momentous day. You're all about to receive your witches' staff and more importantly, meet your Palismen. This is a crucial step in your magical development. Palismen are lifelong partners. They can become both your food friends and a powerful tool. In my case…" Bump said, snapping his fingers.

A green glow surrounded his head as the small demon hat transformed into a staff, letting Bump's long black hair fall down his back and revealing his one brown eye with a scar running down his face. Kai's jaw dropped.

"Wait, you have hair?!" he exclaimed.

Bump gave him a small glare as the other kids snickered.

"Anyway, Frewin helps me see," the principal said.

Eda stepped forward.

"Now, traditionally, young witches carve their staffs from the branch of an old Palistrom tree," she said.

"But, sadly, Palistrom trees are becoming more rare and those that remain are guarded covetously," Bump said.

Eda nodded.

"That's why I've teamed up with Bumpipoo," she said.

Bump gave her a blank look.

"Never call me that," he said.

"To bring you…" Eda continued.

Kai pulled a whistle out and blew it. Soon, the Bat Queen landed in front of the students.

"Palisman Adoption Day!" she announced as the palismen ran out of the small house.

The students gathered around as they spoke excitedly among themselves.

"They're so cute," Luz cooed.

Kai turned to Bat Queen.

"Thanks for the favor, BQ," he said.

Bat Queen gave him a smile.

"Anything for my old friend's son. It was a wonderful idea," she said.

A small red cardinal palisman hopped towards a small hole in the pin and tried to escape. Kai noticed and picked him up.

"Sorry, bud, but you have to stay here," he said, placing the small cardinal back in the pin.

The cardinal chirped at him as Luz chuckled.

"Aw. Little rascal," she said.

"These little ones have not had homes in many years," Bat Queen said.

Kai nodded.

"Each and every one of these palismen were either lost, broken or forgotten. The reason for Palisman adoption day is to help these palismen find not only a companion they can trust, but a place they can permanently call home," he said.

Blaze chirped as he nuzzled Kai's cheek.

"Now, kneel and state your deepest wish and your like-minded partner will find you," Bat Queen said.

Boscha groaned.

"Ugh. I want my own Palisman, not some trashy hand-me-down," she said.

"Your loss," Willow said, running past her.

She knelt in front of the pin.

"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 said.

"Tender yet tenacious. Clover gives her support," Bat Queen said.

A bee palisman flew towards Willow. The plant girl laughed as Clover nuzzled her cheek before turning into a staff. Willow stood up as the other students looked on in awe.

"I'm going to take such good care of you," she declared.

Boscha huffed and pushed Willow out of the way.

"Move it. I want to play professional grudgby," she said.

Bat Queen chuckled.

"A competitive spirit. Maya will be thrilled," she said.

A crab palisman crawled towards Boscha and turned into a staff. The three eyed girl smiled as she blushed slightly.

"Okay. This is pretty cool," she said.

Viney went next.

"I want to open my own veterinary clinic for mythical pets," she said.

A manticore palisman flew towards her and turned into a staff.

"Alright!" Viney cheered.

Gus went after her.

"My Dad wants me to become a master illusionist, but that's easy. So instead, I'll become an ambassador to the human realm and reestablish contact with the giraffes!" Gus declared.

A blue chameleon crawled up Gus' shoulder and turned into a staf. One by one each of the students received their staffs, leaving Luz the last one to receive her palisman. She bent down in front of the pin.

"I want to be a witch!" she declared.

No palismen came towards her. Kai rubbed his neck.

"Is it going to take longer since she's human?" he asked Bat Queen.

"Palismen bond through emotions. The reason why Blaze chose you, Kailin, is because he sensed a strong determination from you. However, I do not sense any conviction from your sister," Bat Queen said.

"Wait what? But I'm always emotional," Luz said.

"Maybe you have to be more specific. There are many kinds of witches. What do you hope to accomplish with your magic?" Bump asked.

Luz rubbed her neck.

"Um, find a way home and help Kai find his dad?" Luz asked.

"Are you still going to train in the human realm?" Gus asked.

"Can you even do magic there?" Boscha asked.

"I guess I never thought that far ahead," Luz admitted.

Boscha scoffed.

"Seriously?" she asked.

Kai smacked her upside the head, not enough to seriously hurt her since his strength is more forceful but enough to shut her up.

"Cut it out, Boscha," he said.

Kai turned to Luz and wrapped an arm around her.

"Luz, estás bien?" he asked softly in Spanish.

Luz had a nervous look on her face.


Later at the Owl House:

Luz was pacing around her and Kai's shared room. Kai laid on the ground as he watched his sister ramble.

"I stayed here because I wanted to learn magic, right? I want to be a witch like Eda, Kai and Azura. But what does that even mean? And I've read stories like this. The main character always has to return home and ,what, did I expect to be a witch back in Connecticut?!" she exclaimed.

She groaned as she fell back, her head landing on Kai's stomach, earning a grunt from the older boy.

"I wouldn't wanna be my Palisman either," Luz mumbled, turning to bury her face into her brother's stomach.

Outside of the room, King and Eda overheard her rambling and Eda smiled, getting an idea as she walked away. Kai ruffled Luz's hair softly.

"I'm sure we'll find a Palisman for you," he assured her.

He noticed Blaze poking his beak into Luz's bag.

"Blaze, we've been over this. No snooping in other people's belongings," Kai scolded lightly.

Blaze chirped and stepped back as the small red cardinal from the adoption day hopped out.

"Little Rascal?" Kai asked.

Luz sat up.

"What are you doing here? Did you come for me?" she asked.

Little Rascal ignored her as he hopped around the room. The Latina girl deadpanned.

"No. Of course not," she said.

Kai rubbed her head in a form of comfort before picking Little Rascal up and settling him on his shoulder.

"Come on, let's get this little dude to his nest," he said.

Luz nodded and grabbed their cloaks.


At Hexside:

Kai and Luz walked towards the nest where the other palismen were resting. An orange force field surrounded the nest, most likely to keep people and wild animals from hurting them. Kai placed a hand on it.

"So, how are we supposed to get through this?" Kai asked.

Little Rascal jumped off his shoulder and pressed his forehead against the force field, making it open.

"Palisman powers. Neat," Luz said.

Kai opened the nest and Little Rascal flew inside, chittering. The other palismen looked at the two siblings.

"Aw!" Luz cooed.

Kai moved to step out but stopped when he saw Luz moving to sit with the palismen.

"Luz, what are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm not leaving here until I figure out what my future is and one of them becomes my Palisman," she said.

Kai sighed and moved to sit beside her. Luz looked at him confused.

"I can help you figure out which palisman could fit your personality. Also, I don't feel like flying home," Kai said.

Luz gave him a smile.

"Okay, how about this? I use my powers to become a popular magician back in the human realm!" Luz exclaimed.

Kai raised an eyebrow.

"No offense but you're horrible at card tricks," he said.

Luz huffed and thought of something else.

"Oooh! I've got one. I stay on the Boiling Isles and become a rugged bounty hunter!" she said.

Kai snickered.

"Hate to break it to ya, little sister, but you're like the most loveable person on the Isles," he said.

Luz sighed.

"True," she said.


Later:

Kai and Luz were laying down on the floor of the nest as Luz kept giving suggestions on what she should do in the future.

"Maybe I can open a magic pet shop, but it's password protected," Luz said.

Kai looked at her.

"That could work," he said, yawning.

"You can team up with Viney and help homeless pets," Kai said.

He closed his eyes. But as soon as he did, the nest jolting made Kai's eyes fly open as Luz jolted upwards. She crawled towards the door and opened it.

"What's all the-HUH?!" Luz exclaimed.

Kai popped up beside her and gasped when he saw they weren't on the ground any more. He looked up to see some kind of airship hauling them somewhere. Kai moved back inside and turned to Luz and the Palismen.

"I think we're being kidnapped," Kai said.

The Palismen let out squeaks, chirps, and yelps as they all shook in fear.

"Don't worry. Luz and I will figure this out. Blaze, you stay with them, " he said, placing Blaze with the other palismen.

He turned to Luz.

"You're gonna have to ride on my back so we could both get to the top," Kai said.

Luz nodded and Kai turned so she could climb on. Once he felt arms around his shoulders and legs around his waist, Kai climbed out of the nest before climbing up the claw that held the nest. Luz kept a tight grip on her brother's shoulders as she did her best not to look down. Eventually, Kai made it to the top where the two siblings saw the Golden Guard steering the ship as he whistled a tune.

"Ugh! This guy again," Kai grumbled.

Luz pulled out a fire glyph and smirked. As the Golden Guard focused on steering, Luz snuck up behind him and slapped a fire glyph on his back. He turned around confused.

"Huh?" he asked.

There was a pause before the fire glyph went off. G.G screamed as he flew around the ship before flying off. Kai and Luz exchanged looks.

"He'll be okay," Kai said.

Luz nodded as she tried to find the landing button.

"How do you land this thing?" Luz asked.

"Oh, you just pull that cord above your head," a voice said.

"Thanks ma-WHA!?" Kai exclaimed as he and Luz turned to see the Golden Guard back on the ship.

"Hi," G.G said as he pointed his staff at the two siblings, sending them into a wall as they were tied up.

"What the hell, man?!" Kai asked as Luz tried to get free.

"Good to see you guys too," Golden Guard said as he went back to steering.

"Why are you stealing Palismen, Golden Guard?" Luz asked.

G.G snorted before flashing in front of the two tied up teens.

"I'd worry about myself if I were you two. For the crime of rocketing me off my own ship, you'll both be locked in the dingiest cell of the Conformatorium for the rest of your sad little lives," he threatened.

Kai snorted.

"You do realize we've escaped from there like 3 times right?" he asked.

"Then I'll just zap the both of you to dust and throw you in the boiling sea. That better?" Golden Guard asked.

Kai stayed silent as he glared at him.

"Good," G.G said as he went back to the steering wheel.

The hybrid boy grunted as he tried to get loose. Luz noticed the Golden Guard's staff perched beside him and nudged Kai. He looked at her confused before Luz motioned to the staff. Kai looked at it and understood what she meant.

"Hey, how'd you get back on the ship so fast?" Luz asked.

"Staff," G.G answered.

"Good to know," Luz said.

Kai took a breath and shot a gust of wind, knocking the staff off the ship.

"No!" the Golden Guard exclaimed.

Kai smirked.

"Hybrid: 1. Emperor Dork: 0," he said, smug.

G.G chuckled as he turned to them.

"Hybrid, it'll take more than that to thwart my mission," he said.

Just as he said that, the airship shook, shaking the three teens around.

"What's going on?!" Kai shouted as he and Luz fell.

Gravity suddenly took over as the ship fell out of the sky.

"AHHHH!" the trio screamed.


A couple of hours later:

Kai groaned as the sound of chirping was heard. He opened his eyes to see Blaze undoing his bindings. Kai rubbed his head as his palisman rubbed his head against his cheek.

"Thanks, bud," he said before turning to Luz who was rubbing her head.

He walked towards her.

"Luz, you okay?" he asked.

The younger girl nodded.

"Yeah, but my head is killing me," she said.

Kai moved her bangs back to see a gash on her head.

"Hmm.." Kai hummed.

He ripped his left sleeve off and gently tied it around Luz's head.

"We'll get some ice for that when we get home," Kai said.

Luz nodded as Little Rascal, who was perched on her shoulder, chirped. The two siblings turned to see the Golden Guard's staff. Kai grabbed it before he heard groaning. Looking ahead, Kai and Luz saw the unconscious Golden Guard.

"Kikimora," a voice said.

Kai and Luz looked over some bushses to see Kikimora and the coven guards.

"We found the Palismen. They seem rattled but unharmed," a coven captain said.

"Very good. Return to the city and prepare them for travel," Kikimora said, holding the golden guard's helmet.

"Is it true? Is the Golden Guard…?" the captain asked.

"This is all that remains. Such a horrible accident. Probably caused by the incompetent pilot," Kikimora said in fake remorse.

"I'll alert the castle. Guards, to Latissa," The captain said as the group walked away.

As they left, Kikimora pulled out a whistle and blew on it. A giant dragon-like beast landed in front of her.

"Excellent work, my pet," she said.

Luz gasped as Kai glared at the short demon.

"Now, find the rest of him and have yourself a nice little snack," she said, tossing the helmet up.

The beast ate it as Kikimora walked off. Kai and Luz looked towards the unconscious man and back at each other.

"Well, we can't leave him," Luz said.

Kai huffed as he placed Blaze on his shoulder and they walked to the Golden Guard. As they looked at him, Kai could see he was really young, probably a year or two older than him. He had fair skin, ash blonde hair that was shaved below the top with a long jagged forelock, a notch on his left ear, a scar that rested on his right cheek, a slightly hooked nose, thick eyebrows, eyebags and a gap between his teeth.

"This is the Golden Guard? He looks like he could be a student at Hexside," Luz said.

Kai nodded as he looked at the blonde boy. He leaned closer before suddenly lifting his hand and slapping G.G across the face. The blonde boy jerked awake as his eyes flew open, showing dark magenta eyes. He looked around before turning to the two siblings and glared.

"You-MMPPHH!" he exclaimed.

Kai had placed a hand over his mouth.

"Look, jackass. You hate me and I most definitely hate you but for some odd reason, Kikimora is trying to kill you and unfortunately, my sister here is too nice to let that happen!" he whispered.

Kai felt something wet touch his hand and pulled it back.

"Did you just lick my hand?!" he exclaimed.

He wiped it on the blonde boy's face.

"What is wrong with you?! Can't you see we're trying to help?!" Kai said.

He grunted as G.G pushed his head back.

"Why should I believe you?" G.G asked.

Kai grabbed his shirt as the two boys wrestled.

"Because, dumbass!" he growled.

Luz got between them and tried to break the fight up.

"Come on guys! Break it up!" she said.

A growl made the three teens stop what they were doing. Kai looked to see that dragon beast turning the corner. The dragon looked around before spotting the Golden Guard's cloak and pauldron and leaped at it, eating it. Around the corner, the three teens quietly snuck away as they headed to the city. They kept running before stopping seeing as they were safe now. Luz breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Man, what did you do that Kikimora wants to kill you so badly?" Luz asked.

G.G didn't answer as they kept walking. Luz and Kai looked around the city. There were all sorts of different animals and people.

"Woah! We haven't been outside Bonesborough that much. This place is so cool," Luz said.

Kai nodded before noticing the Golden Guard turning the other way.

"Hey!" he shouted, grabbing Luz by her cloak and following the older boy.

They caught up to him.

"Where are you going?" Luz asked.

G.G didn't answer, much to Kai's annoyance.

"Hey, Blondie, if it weren't for us, you would've been dragon food. You can at least tell us your name," Kai said.

The Golden Guard gave them a glare before running away. Luz and Kai looked up to see a police building with Emperor's Coven guards. G.G stopped in front of two guards.

"Scouts! Direct me to your communications room. I need to contact the castle immediately," he said, rolling his sleeve up to show the Emperor's Coven sigil on his wrist.

"Cute. I didn't know kids your age were still into temporary tattoos," one of them said.

"Yeah. Show us your badge number," the second one said.

G.G gritted his teeth.

"I am your superior and I can prove it," he said before turning to Kai.

"Staff," he said.

Kai blinked and hid the staff behind his back.

"Isn't it a little late for you kids to be outside? " the first one asked.

"Yeah, go home before we call your parents," the second one said as they walked away.

G.G turned to Kai and Luz with a pissed off look.

"Uh, oh. Time to run!" Luz exclaimed as she and Kai ran off.

G.G ran after them. The three teens ran through Latissa, dodging the other pedestrians. Kai knocked over some crates, hoping that'll slow the older boy down. Unfortunately, the Golden Guard jumped over the crates just as Kai and Luz turned a corner. The two siblings climbed up a ladder before sliding down the railings of some stairs. Kai landed on his feet and Luz grunted as she fell on the ground.

"Luz, come on! He's gaining!" Kai exclaimed, helping his sister up as they ran off.

They turned another corner where they came to a dead end.

"Shit!" Kai said.

He turned to the Golden Guard behind him. Kai pulled Luz onto his back and ran to the wall. Using his wind, Kai effortlessly climbed up the wall as he and Luz landed on a roof. They looked down to see G.G glaring up at them. Kai smirked.

"Not so tough without your staff, huh, Blondie?" he asked.

The Golden Guard didn't say anything as he looked away.

"Wait, you can't do magic without your staff, can you?" Luz asked. '

G.G walked away before running and climbing up the roof. As he got to the top, G.G ducked down as a fireball was thrown at him. Another one was thrown and he dodged to the left to avoid it. Kai stood in front of Luz with his fists up.

"Don't come any closer or else," he threatened.

The Golden Guard snorted and walked towards them.

"Or else what? You'll burn to a crisp? You can do that but your little sister is too nice to let you do that," he said.

"Fly away? Uh-uh. Can't do that either unless you want to leave those palismen behind. You don't think things through, huh, Hybrid?" G.G said.

Kai growled before a shadow fell over them. The three teens looked to see the dragon beast land in front of Kikimora. They walked to the ledge to see Kikimora petting the dragon.

"So, Kikimora was after my catch," G.G said.

Luz pointed the staff at him.

"Neither of us wants her to win right now so we have no choice but to work together to get the Palismen back," Luz said.

Kai turned to her.

"Then what? He's not going to let us walk away with them," he said.

G.G nodded. Luz smirked.

"He doesn't have a choice. I've got the only transportation he has and if he tries to double cross, I'll blast him," Luz said.

She then glared at G.G.

"I will do it," Luz said.

Kai turned to him.

"She will," he said.

The Golden Guard rolled his eyes.

"Fine. A truce till we're done," he said.

Luz held her hand out.

"Truce!" she said.

G.G sighed and made to shake her hand but Luz pulled it and brushed her hair back.

"Too slow," she said before running off laughing.

The Golden Guard looked towards Kai who gave him a shrug before following Luz.

"Ugh! Let's get this over with," he grumbled.


Later:

As Kikimora was preparing to take flight, G.G snuck past with a sack over his shoulders as he met up with Kai and Luz around a corner. Luz was using a piece of chalk to make a fire and ice glyph combo as The Golden Guard stood beside her.

"I've never seen magic like this. What will it do?" he asked.

"Well, we don't want to startle Kimora's steed because it might drop the nest and hurt the Palismen. So, using these fire and ice spells, I can command the glyphs to produce a thick mist," Luz explained.

"And what about the Sleeping Nettles?" G.G asked.

Kai reached into the sack and pulled out a pot of yellow and orange flowers.

"They're important. When combined with the magic mist, it'll create…." he said.

"A sleep inducing smoke that'll force Kikimora to land," G.G said.

Kai stopped what he was doing and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. G.G rubbed his neck.

"I-I read a similar spell in the book From Bones to Earth," he said.

"A Study of Wild Magic! Aunt Eda pickpocketed the guy who wrote it," Kai said.

"I've never seen glyphs before, but it seems very similar to the elemental magic practiced back in the Savage Ages," G.G said.

"Really?" Luz asked.

"Actually, not many people know this, but…No, no, no,no, no. This stuff is restricted for a reason. You should forget about it before you're hurt," G.G said.

Kai and Luz exchanged looks.

"Right. Other than Aunt Lilith, Luz and I never spoke to someone inside the Emperor's Coven. What made you wanna join?" Kai asked.

The Golden Guard sighed as he sat down.

"You were right before. I'm a powerless witch. A lot of my ancestors were. I never thought I'd have a future in a world like this. But then Belos found me and gave me a staff with artificial magic. Said the titan had big plans for me," he said.

Luz sighed.

"At least you have your future figuered out now," she said.

"At least you can figure it out on your own," G.G said.

Little Rascal chirped as he landed on the blonde boy's shoulder.

"Hey! Get away from me!" The Golden Guard said, swatting him away.

Kai snickered.

"Chill, Blondie. He's just saying hi," he said.

G.G gave him a glare.

"I don't care. These things are made of wild magic. It's dangerous. And will you stop calling me Blondie?" he asked.

Kai raised an eyebrow.

"Depends. You goin' to quit callin' me Hybrid?" he asked.

G.G didn't answer and Kai smirked.

"That's what I thought," he said.

A growl was heard and the three teens turned to see Kikimora about to take flight.

"Mask on, boys," Luz said.

She and the Golden Guard tied their handkerchiefs together while Kai pulled his scarf above his nose.

"Okay, once the smoke surrounds them, we need to stay close to see where they land," Luz said.

The two boys nodded. Kai looked at the Golden Guard before sighing. He spun the artificial staff and pointed it to G.G. The older boy looked at him. He reached out to take it but stopped.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Take it before I change my mind," Kai answered.

The blonde boy grabbed his staff as Kikimora took off. Luz activated the glyphs. As she did, a cloud of mist rose to the sky and surrounded Kikimora. The Latina girl joined Kai on Blaze as the three teens followed Kikimora. Kikimora felt her eyes drooping and rubbed them as she tried to keep them open. Her vision blurred as her steed flew lower to the ground. G.G could see that Kikimora was landing.

"I think it's working," he whispered.

Kai summoned a flame in his hand and flew in front of the dragon beast, trying to get it to follow him. The dragon beast licked its lips and followed him. The dragon fell to the ground asleep as the three teens landed.

"The Palismen," Luz said.

Kai and Luz ran towards the nest. The hybrid boy lifted the hatch and saw all the palismen inside.

"Hey, little guys. You look cold and scared," Luz said.

Kai took his cloak off and wrapped it around the Palismen.

"Don't worry, we're going to get you guys home safe and…" Kai said before trailing off when the hairs on his neck stood up.

He sighed and looked over his shoulder to see the Golden Guard aiming his staff at him and Luz.

'Right,' Kai thought to himself.

He stood up and turned to the older boy.

"You're really gonna do this? You're just gonna hand over those innocent critters to Belos? I know what he does to them. I saw it. And here I thought you were just a kid who was lost in trying to find his place," Kai said.

He chuckled bitterly as he glared at G.G.

"You're not our friend. You're just the Golden Guard," he said.

The two boys stared at each other before G.G sighed and pulled his mask down.

"Hunter," he said.

Kai blinked.

"What?" he asked.

"My name is Hunter," Hunter said.

Luz gasped. A magic blast hit Hunter in his forehead. The three teens turned to see Kikimora sitting up.

"I don't know who's over there but I do know I got you!" she said, shooting more blasts at them.

Kai blocked it with his staff as Hunter went to fight Kikimora. Hunter flashed away, dodgin Kikimora's attacks before flashing behind her and knocking her away. Kikimora landed on the ground in front of Kai and Luz, dropping her whistle.

Luz picked it up and saw Kikimora aiming a spell circle at her. Kai blocked the blast just as Hunter came to help. While the two boys fought Kikimora, Luz climbed onto the dragon beast.

"Okay, nice…thingy. This place will never stop surprising me. Kai! Come on!" Luz called.

Kai jumped onto the dragon thing and they flew off. Hunter had managed to knock Kikimora out and looked up at the two teens flying away. Kai looked at him before closing his eyes and turning away as he and Luz flew home.


Later:

Kai yawned as he and Luz walked into their room.

"That was exhausting," he said, plopping down on his sleeping bag.

Luz sat down beside him and looked at a picture frame of her, Kai and their mother.

"Everyone got one except me, Mom. Maybe I wasn't meant to be here," Luz said to herself.

The sound of the window opening caught Kai and Luz's attention as they saw Eda sitting on the window sill.

"Aunt Eda?" Kai asked.

"I thought I'd find you two here!" she said as King climbed up beside her.

"We have a door for a reason, Eda!" King exlaimed.

They climbed inside the room. Kai noticed they were both covered in dirt.

"What did you guys get into?" he asked.

Luz grunted as Eda dropped a blue colored log in her lap.

"Um…how thoughtful?" she asked.

"It's Palistrom wood, ya doof," Eda said.

King nodded.

"Now you can make your own palisman," he said.

Luz looked at them surprised.

"But how? Isn't this super rare?" she asked.

Eda smirked.

"Let's just say the Bonesborough Garden Club-" Eda started.

"Was robbed! By Us!" King exclaimed as Eda gave a thumbs up

Kai shook his head, chuckling.

"I'm not even surprised," he said.

"I don't know what to say…" Luz said.

Eda ruffled her hair.

"No pressure, but whenever you know what you want, we'll start carving," she said.

"If it's okay, I'd like some time to think. It's just hard to see my future without my mom," Luz said.

Kai nudged his sister.

"There's no rush, sis. Just know whatever you need, we're here for you," he said, ruffling her hair.

Luz smiled at them.

"Thanks guys," she said.


At the Emperor's Castle:

Hunter knelt in front of Belos.

"So, you return with nothing. Is this the thanks I get for taking you in?" Belos asked.

Hunter stood up.

"Of course not! I want to help. And if you told me how wild magic did this to you, I might be able to find a-" Hunter tried to say before getting cut off.

A giant spike flew by him, narrowly missing his ear.

"I'm sorry. I spoke out of turn. It won't happen again," Hunter said.

Belos groaned as he held his chest.

"These outbursts are painful and so is watching you fail. I know you can do better Hunter," he said.

Hunter nodded and walked out of the throne room to his bedroom. Once inside, Hunter plopped down on his bed.

'I can help. I just need to know a little more,' he thought to himself before hearing a chirp.

Hunter sat up and saw Little Rascal on his window sill.

"Palisman!" he exclaimed, grabbing the little cardinal.

Hunter sat down on his bed and gently stroked his head.

"You shouldn't be here. It'd be bad if Belos found you," he said.

The little palisman chirped before turning into a staff.

"Oh! I was not expecting that," Hunter said.

He sighed and looked out the window.


A/N: RIP Flapjack (July 17th 2021 - October 15th, 2022) You'll be missed :(