We're Wizards, Not Warriors
Chapter 56: Thanks To Them, Part 2
The next day….
We see Luz along with her mother and Anakin shopping.
They were getting supplies for their costumes.
Luz was getting the supplies she needed for her Azura costume.
Anakin and Cobi had also decided on their costumes.
Anakin was going to dress up as Darth Vader. Cobi was gonna dress up as the Punisher.
They were currently looking for the right items.
Luz was looking for the hat for her Azura Costume.
But then Luz saw someone…
Her school principal….
Luz looked nervous and scared.
Anakin, through the force, sensed Luz's fear.
He turned to look at the principal and glared at him.
Camila had told Anakin that the principal had forced her to send Luz to that camp.
Anakin found it absolutely disgusting, sending a genuinely creative girl to a camp that tells people to conform to social norms, rather than just trying to get Luz to act a little less chaotic in her ways?
Anakin then began to walk over to the principal.
Luz asked, "Dad, what are you going to do?"
Anakin said, "something that should've been done a long time ago to this schmuck…."
Luz was confused.
"Hey you", Anakin shouted to the principal.
The principal looked at Anakin in confusion.
And then suddenly, Anakin slapped the principal!
Luz and Camila gasped in shock.
Anakin growled, "you son of a witch."
The principal exclaimed as he held his cheek, "what the Hell, man!? What did I do to you!? Who are you anyway!?"
Anakin said, "I'm Matt Lloyd. A family friend of the Noceda family…."
The Principal then saw Luz and her mother and asked, "Noceda family?"
Luz looked away in fear.
"Camila? I thought you sent your no good….", the Principal said but was cut off by Anakin.
Anakin growled, "that 'no good kid' is a creative little genius. And rather than give her a proper outlet to explore her creativity…. Your response is to send her to a camp that encourages people to conform to social norms?"
"It was for the greater good of that kid! Why do you care so much…. She's not sp-", Anakin quickly grabbed the principal by the shoulders and pulled him forward to his face.
He growled, "that little girl is more special in one finger than you are in your entire body. She didn't go to that camp, and because of that, she made some amazing friends, accomplished great things, and all by working OUTSIDE your freaking box."
The principal went pale and was now shaking.
Anakin said, "what kind of man suggests shunning a kid's creativity all because she's a little energetic?"
Luz was smiling with tears of joy to see how much Anakin really cared for her.
Anakin said, "you give principal's a bad name. Especially since I know one of the best…. And one of the worst. And I care for Luz…. Because blood related or not…. She is like a daughter to me…. And I will protect her from schmucks like you….",
Anakin dropped the principal to the ground.
Luz then cried as she ran to hug Anakin.
Anakin hugged Luz close.
"I love you…. Dad", Luz cried
Anakin smiled, "I love you too…. Sweetie."
Luz smiled tearfully and hugged her father even more.
Anakin picked up Luz and carried her in his arms.
The principal sighed in relief…. Right before Camilla hit him with a shoe.
Luz giggled at the sight and blew a raspberry at the principal. The principal grumbled under his breath.
Anakin and Camila growled out at the same time, "what was that?"
The principal then ran off in fear.
Anakin said, "that's what I thought…."
Anakin rubbed Luz's back as the group resumed their shopping. Things went much smoother after that.
….
Later….
Anakin, Camila and Cobi were alone in the house.
The kids were in the shed, designing their costumes.
"Anakin…. I want to say thank you for defending my daughter", Camila said.
Anakin said, "it was no trouble, Camilla. That schmuck needed to be put in his place."
"And indeed you did put him in his place", Camila said with a laugh.
Cobi said, "I wish I'd been there to see it."
Camila then pats Cobi's shoulder.
He blushed lightly.
Anakin took out his purple scroll. He began to look through the pictures on it.
Then he froze as he came upon a picture…. It was of him and his family.
And sitting on his shoulders in that photo…. Was a 2 year old Sam.
Anakin began to tear up.
Camila and Cobi asked, concerned, "Anakin?"
Anakin began to cry.
Camila and Cobi then sat down beside Anakin and tried to comfort him.
Cobi asked, "Anakin, what's wrong?"
Anakin cried, "I miss them so much…. My family…."
Camila and Cobi kept comforting Anakin as best as they could.
Tears streamed down Anakin's face.
"I am a failure…. I couldn't save my…
Baby boy….", Anakin cried.
Camilla said, "you are not a failure, Anakin. You did the best anyone in your position could do."
"Camila is right…. Anakin", Cobi said.
"I keep hearing Sam's last words he said to me…. And it's hard for me…. To stay…
Strong for…. The kids….", Anakin sobbed.
Cobi said, "we all lost something that day…. We have each other…. And I promise…. We'll find a way back home."
"I know we will…. I just…. Miss my baby boy so much….", Anakin cried.
"Sam really meant a lot to you", Camila said.
Anakin nodded and cried, "I raised him as if he were my own…."
"Luz did tell me about Sam's backstory and everything that happened with his…. Past", Camila said.
Anakin nodded as he slowly calmed down and said, "Belos wanted to use him as a gift to the Collector. I wanted him to have a good life."
"And you gave him a great life, Anakin", Cobi said.
Anakin sniffled, but smiled at Cobi.
"Sam loved all of his family and his friends…. But we shared a very close bond", Anakin said.
Camilla said, "it reminds me of Luz and her father. They were so close when she was little."
"Luz did tell me about her father", Anakin said.
"I can remember when Sam and I were little…. How much he loved to play with you, Anakin", Cobi said.
Anakin gave a small chuckle.
Camila asked, "do you have any home videos or anything of you and your son?"
"I do", Anakin said as he picked up his purple scroll.
He began to play a video.
In the video was a 3 year old Sam squealing in joy as he ran from his father.
"Come here Sam", Anakin exclaimed.
Sam giggled as he ran.
"Sam, come back…. I just wanna give cuddles and tickle you", Anakin said playfully as he chased his son.
"No! No! No! No! No! No", Sam squealed as he ran.
Cobi and Camilla chuckled at this.
"Mommies help me", Sam squealed.
"Sorry…. Sam…. But you're on your own", Padme chuckled.
Sam squealed, "nyooo!"
"Run fast as you can sweetie", Eda said.
Sam then hid behind a tree.
They held their breath as they did so.
Anakin called out, "Saaammm? Where are yooooouuuu?"
Sam gulped fearfully.
Sam then accidentally stepped on a branch.
He whispered, "oh unicorn poop…."
"Gotcha!"
Anakin scooped up his boy.
Sam squealed and giggled as his father cuddled him.
Anakin spun Sam around.
"Weeeeee", Sam squealed in joy.
Sam and Anakin laughed in joy.
Anakin then hugged Sam close as he blew raspberries onto his son's cheeks.
Sam giggled joyfully.
"Daddy! Daddy", Sam giggled.
Anakin chuckled as he hugged Sam close and said, "I love you, son."
"I love you so much daddy", Sam giggled as he hugged his father around the neck.
Anakin smiled sadly as he watched the video end.
Cobi and Camila gave Anakin a hug.
Anakin was thankful for their kindness.
He hoped that soon he and the others could create that portal.
It was his only chance at rescuing his son. And reuniting with his friends and family.
Little did he know of what fate had in store….
….
We then see Anakin, Camilla and Cobi heading to the shed.
Anakin still looked a little sad.
His thoughts were still on Sam.
Camilla patted his shoulder.
Anakin smiled a little.
The three then made it to the Shed.
Cobi said, "I wonder how their costumes look. Hopefully they'll be ready for tomorrow night."
"I'm sure, besides they said they would be putting a lot of effort and love into making their costumes", Camila said.
Anakin said, "I'll bet."
The three then make it to the shed.
They open the door.
They saw the kids were all working on their costumes.
Ahsoka was measuring Ani up and down for his costume.
Ani giggled as he stayed still.
Ahsoka said, "good boy."
Luz and Amity were designing their costumes together.
Hunter and Gus were helping one another with their costumes.
Vee was helping Willow with her costume.
The three adults smiled at all of this.
Luz then noticed them.
She said, "hola mom. Dad. Cobi."
"Hola Mija, we see you and your friends have been making progress with your costumes", Camila said.
Luz said, "yep. We've been working hard on them."
"By tomorrow, these costumes will be ready", Gus said.
He and Hunter high fived.
Luz noticed Anakin looked a little sad.
She asked, "dad? You okay?"
"To be honest…. Not really", Anakin said.
The others gave worried looks.
"Anakin is sad because he misses Sam…. And his family", Cobi said.
Luz walked over and hugged Anakin.
Anakin smiled and hugged her back.
He was thankful to know such a kind girl like her.
"We know how much you miss Sam. If there was only something we could do to cheer you up", Hunter said.
Anakin thought about that for a moment.
Then an idea came to his mind.
He said, "there might be something…."
Luz asked, "what do you have in mind dad?"
Anakin said, "maybe telling a story about Sam might do it?"
Ahsoka asked, "a story?"
Anakin nodded.
"And it's a special one because it was when Sam used the force for the first time", Anakin said.
That intrigued all of them.
"And I will use my magic, so you can all see it", Anakin said.
Everyone got excited by this.
Anakin then began to wave his hands.
A large cloud of magic hung in the air.
Everyone then sat down to watch the memory….
….
The memory depicted Sam when he was still very young.
We see in the memory Anakin and Padme exiting the Jedi Temple
A one year old Sam was seen strapped to his father's chest in a baby Carrier.
Obi Wan asked, "you three going out somewhere?"
Anakin said, "just taking Sam out on a hike."
Sam cooed.
Obi Wan chuckled.
"Eda is staying here for a while, just to let you know", Padme said.
"Have fun on your hike", Obi Wan said
Anakin and Padme said, "thanks."
The two parents began to walk towards the forest.
Sam babbled cutely.
Anakin and Padme smiled at their son. He was too adorable!
The family were now walking through the forest.
Ani looked all over the place.
Sam looked all over the place in awe.
"See Sam? There is life everywhere and it's all thanks to the force", Padme said.
Sam cooed in awe.
Anakin pats his son's head.
Sam giggled joyfully.
The family then came across some flowers.
Sam pointed at them and smiled.
Padme picked up a red flower and handed it over to Sam.
Sam smiled as he held it.
Anakin and Padme smiled at their son's happiness.
They loved making him so happy.
Then a sound was heard.
Padme asked, "did you hear that?"
"It sounded like an animal", Anakin said.
They began heading towards the sound.
Then the family came into a field and they saw an injured animal lying in the middle.
They hurried over to it.
Sam began to fuss as they got near the injured animal.
Padme said, "it's okay, sweety."
Anakin then touched the animal.
"The Emperor's Coven did this", Anakin said.
The animal groaned in pain.
Anakin then closed his eyes.
He began to heal the animal's wounds.
In a matter of seconds the animal was healed and it stood up.
Sam smiled and clapped.
The animal then ran off.
Sam waved goodbye.
"See Sam, you must always help those when in need", Anakin said.
Sam gave a small nod.
Sam then pointed to his mouth.
Padme said, "looks like Sam is hungry. We better get home to feed him."
The three then began to head back home. As they walked through the field, they heard something strange.
Anakin and Padme turned around.
Padme whispered, "what was that?"
"That sound…. It can't be", Anakin said.
Padme asked, "what?"
The growling was even closer.
The two parents turned around to see Eda.
She was in her Owl Beast form!
Eda growled as she approached the two.
Sam tilted his head in confusion.
Eda then lunged at the two.
Anakin and Padme jumped out of the way!
Eda was snarling like mad!
Sam began to whimper in fear.
That made Eda set her eyes on him.
Anakin noticed this.
He said, "oh no…."
Eda then lunged towards Anakin, but he managed to jump out of the way!
But in doing so, Sam fell out of the Baby Carrier. He flopped down onto his butt.
Eda saw the baby and ran towards him.
Padme and Anakin yelled, "no!"
Eda picked up Sam with her mouth and she ran off with him!
Anakin and Padme yelled, "Sam!"
Sam wailed and cried as Eda carried him off.
The two parents ran after the two, but they didn't see their wife or their child anywhere.
That didn't stop them from searching, though.
"Oh dios mio, so Eda took Sam", Luz said.
Anakin nods his head.
Camila asked, "did she harm Sam?"
"No, in fact you're about to see what happened after Eda carried Sam away", Anakin said.
In the memory, we then see Sam still being carried by Eda.
He was cooing and babbling.
Eda then placed Sam down on the ground.
Sam looked up at Eda as she snarled lightly.
Sam then let out a sneeze.
Eda shook her head in mild shock.
Sam cooed as he stood up.
He reached his tiny hand out to Eda.
Eda snarled, but Sam slowly reached his hand out until it touched Eda's face.
This made her eyes widen and her breath hitch.
Amity asked in shock, "is that…. When…?"
"Yes…. It's when Sam first used the force", Anakin said.
Sam closed his eyes as his tiny hand rubbed Eda's cheek.
Eda then lowered her head more towards Sam and she purred.
Sam smiled and giggled.
Eda then picked up Sam and placed him on her back.
Sam hugged her back.
"Sam! Sam! Where are you!?"
Eda growled lightly.
Sam cooed and babbled as he pets his mother's back.
Eda began to calm down.
Eda then began to walk in the direction of Anakin and Padme's shouting.
Sam rode on her back like a tiny cowboy.
We then see Anakin and Padme still searching for Sam and Eda.
Padme called out, "Sam?"
"Sam! Eda", Anakin called out.
That's when they heard giggling.
They turned around and saw their son riding on top of Eda.
That was quite the sight.
"Sam", the two parents said in relief.
Sam giggled and waved.
Eda then lowered her head down and Sam reached his arms out towards his parents.
Anakin gently picked Sam up.
Sam babbled as he hugged his father.
Padme quickly joined the hug.
"Oh, our baby boy", Anakin said softly.
Sam smiled happily.
Eda growled slightly.
But Sam then reached his hand out.
She calmed down again.
"He calmed her down", Padme said in shock.
Anakin said, "yeah…. You know what this means?!"
"Sam used the force", Padme said in shock.
Anakin began to smile from ear to ear.
Sam cooed as he smiled.
He looked proud of himself.
"Let's go get Eda her elixir", Anakin said
Padme nodded.
Anakin and Padme then began to walk back home, with Eda following them.
Sam kept her calm the whole time.
The memory then ended.
Anakin had a sad smile on his face.
Luz then went over to hug Anakin.
Anakin gratefully accepted the hug.
"It was really cool to see when Sam used the force for the first time", Luz said.
Anakin said, "yeah…. It was."
"We promise we will find a way to get back to the demon realm", Ahsoka said.
Anakin said, "thank you, sweety."
"But great story", Gus said.
Anakin smiled even more.
He said, "thanks…."
….
The next night….
Camila's car parks at where the Haunted Hayride is being held.
The group began exiting the car in their costumes.
Luz and Anakin were the last ones to exit the car.
Luz told Camilla and Cobi, "make sure to help Vee with the trick-or-treaters. You know, they can be…. Demanding."
"Luz, are you okay? You don't look so well", Camila asked.
"I was just so excited for this, I couldn't sleep", Luz said.
Cobi said, "okay, if you say so…."
Amity and the others were then talking about the plan.
"All right. We'll keep the puzzle a secret 'till the time is right. And then we'll tell her about the Titan Blood", Amity said.
Hunter then swore he heard Belos laughing.
Hunter asked, "did you hear that?"
Flapjack chirps.
Hunter said, "hey, it's okay. It's probably just in my head again. Nestle down, Flapjack."
Flapjack chirps again.
As Luz and Anakin approach, Amity said, "we're gonna have the best night, and we might even have a surprise for you."
Luz said, "er, yeah, me too."
The group are then seen walking through the event and then they come across a play.
"I hath seen the Mrs. Smith consorting with spirits unpure", Actor 1 said.
Actor 2 asked, "is this true, Mrs. Smith?"
"Nay, 'tis a fool's lie! Inquisitor Jones is tarring me a demon's varlet so as to take mine fields", Mrs. Smith said.
"Demon lies", Actor 1 said.
"Your honor, I do object! It is Inquisitor Jones who's in league with the dark forces", Gus said.
Actor 1 said, "kid, come on, this is my spotlight."
Gus said, "behold."
He uses illusion magic to turn his legs red and animal-like.
Actor 1 gasps, screams and runs off as the crowd cheers and Mrs. Smith kisses Gus's cheek.
"That's Gus for you", Ahsoka said.
Ani giggled and clapped.
But suddenly, guess who showed up?
Jacob!
Jacob yelled, "why are you clapping? These children are demon spawn", he trips over some red rope and climbs on stage, "and they want your teeth!"
"Look! Look at his ears! He's from Mars", Jacob shouted as he removed the headpiece from Gus.
Gus said, "hey, lay off the costume, man."
Two guards were about to tackle Jacob, but Anakin said, "allow me, gentlemen…."
Anakin runs over and gives Jacob a wedgie, making him let out a high pitched scream.
Everyone then laughs at the scene!
"If Vee were here…. She would have been crying her eyes out in laughter", Luz giggled.
The others all nodded.
The two guards then drag Jacob away.
….
We then see the group head to the Hayride.
Masha was the one hosting the ride as they said, "I hope you're all prepared for a truly scary ride."
Gus and Willow chanted, "make us cry! Make us cry!"
Masha said, "because there's nothing scarier than knowledge."
Gus said, "boo, just lie to me!"
The truck began to move.
Ani giggled as he waved his arms in joy.
Ahsoka and Hunter smoked at their son.
Masha said, "let me tell you the eeriest unsolved mystery of Gravesfield. The Tale of the Brothers Wittebane."
Ahsoka and Hunter smiled at their son.
Masha said, "let me tell you the eeriest unsolved mystery of Gravesfield. The Tale of the Brothers Wittebane."
Amity whispered, "Wittebane? Isn't that Belos?"
Anakin whispered "unfortunately…."
Masha said, "the year is 1613. Two orphaned brothers arrive in Gravesfield. Their names? Philip….", Belos, "and Caleb", Hunter….
Hunter whispered, "oh, no."
As Masha narrates the story, cardboard cutouts depicting events that happened to Philip and Caleb play out in the background as the gang watches.
"Caleb did his best to take care of his younger brother. They tried to fit in with this town, and its unsavory practices. They became witch-hunters! Local lore suggests that the Brothers Wittebane met a real witch from another world! Her name was Evelyn", Masha said.
The name sounded familiar….
Masha said, "stories say she was allied with a group of wizards known as Jee-Dai, who wielded swords infused with magical properties. And thus, the older brother was spirited away. Evelyn dazzled him with magic and visions of a strange yet beautiful place. The Jee-Dai swayed him with a special code and magic they used to protect people. They used a secret code to travel between worlds."
"The Jedi", Anakin whispered.
Masha said, "Philip set off to save his brother and bring the witch and Jee-Dai to justice. But neither were ever seen again! Maybe Philip saved Caleb, and they went on to lead peaceful lives. Or maybe", they turn on a flashlight and point it at their face, "he's still chasing his brother, caught in a cycle of horror and strife!"
Everyone gasps.
Masha turns off the flashlight and says, "sounds like big bro got a hot witch girlfriend and joined some wizards and little bro got upset. But that's just me."
"She doesn't know how right she is", Ahsoka whispered.
The hayride ends and the gang gets out of the tractor. Nearby. Hunter hears Belos laughing, which terrifies him.
"Luz", Hunter whispered.
Hunter grabs Luz and takes her behind a tractor.
Luz yelps, "what's going on?
Hunter asked, "it's him. He's here! I saw him this time. And it wasn't in my head after all. You believe me, right?"
Luz said, "well, how can you be sure? What would he be doing here?"
Hunter, "Titan Blood. I'm not supposed to tell. But the secret code that guide mentioned? It's a puzzle, a rebus we found in the shack. Amity thinks it leads to Titan Blood!"
Luz asked, "Titan Blood? Puzzles? Amity? Why didn't anyone say anything?"
"You and your mom do so much for us. We wanted to do something for you, and she's gonna surprise you with it tonight", Hunter said.
Luz uncertainly said, "that is so sweet…."
Amity realizes something and asks, "hey, where's Luz and Hunter?"
Luz whispered, "we need to find the Titan Blood first. Just to make sure. I don't wanna freak anyone out yet."
Hunter asked, "you don't believe me yet, do you? Fine. I'll prove he's here. Flapjack! Can you get the rebus?"
Flapjack gave a chirp of defiance.
Hunter said, "I'll say that again….", his eyes glow blue and his voice is distorted, "get the rebus!"
Flapjack chirps in worry and goes to get it.
Luz asked, "hey! What the heck?"
"Sorry. I don't know what came over me", Hunter said.
Flapjack then came back with the Rebus and chirped.
Hunter said, "good work."
Hunter and Luz ran off with the Rebus, unaware that Ahsoka, Anakin and Ani saw them do so.
….
We see Camila that night. She is finishing watching a movie with Vee, who has fallen asleep.
"Vee is really adorable", Cobi whispered.
Camilla nodded in agreement.
She picks up Luz's laptop, trips, and barely catches herself and the laptop. This motion opens the laptop to Luz's video diary.
Young Luz 1 said in a barren room, "so we moved. Mom says it's because the house isn't 'pretty enough', but I think it's because there's a better hospital for dad nearby. 'Cause, let's be honest, this house ain't that much prettier."
….
Young Luz 2 said as she held up her Azura book, "I think this might be the worst week ever. But Dad left me this book. I can't wait to read it."
….
Young Luz 3 said as her room had Azura decorations around it, "I loved it! I loved it so much! Hehehehe!"
….
Young Luz 4 said as she held up a sword, "look what I got at the convention. Hehehe! I'm gonna cut my hair with it."
….
Young Luz 4 said with her hair cut up horribly, "that was a bad idea!"
….
Young Luz 5 said, "Mom saw my report card. 'Mija, if you just applied yourself'", she says this while shaking an Azura doll, "but I am applying myself. My baseball stitches are so small, they're practically invisible. And I can read and write Witchtongue in five different dialects. Also, I can sit so perfectly still that woodland creatures come and sit on me."
She demonstrates by sitting in a chair completely immobile: a spider soon descends on top of her head.
She continued, "but I guess none of this is gonna matter on the SATs. It's been really rough for Mom since the funeral. So, I'm gonna wow my teacher's face off with this book report! Mom, you won't have to worry about me ever again…."
Camilla is about to shut the laptop.
But then another Video diary plays.
"Mama says I have to learn from my mistakes. So, I know what I have to do now. On Halloween, after the Hayride, I'm telling everyone I'm staying in the Human Realm. Permanently", Luz said.
Camilla and Cobi gasp in shock.
….
We then see Luz and Hunter running through the woods.
Hunter runs ahead of her.
Hunter pants, "what the…. There!"
"Hunter! Hunter! Think. Think. Hunter is following the rebus to the Titan's Blood. But how can I find the blood without him? Come on. You can do this", Luz said.
Luz then remembered when she touched the glyph at the clinic, and when one of her glyphs broke in the Boiling Isles!
Luz said, "Glyphs are powered by the magic of the isles, by the Titan itself! Closer I am to the Titan Blood, the stronger the glyphs become."
Luz began to create a trail of glowing glyphs.
Anakin, Ahsoka and Ani were following Luz and Hunter.
Ahsoka said, "c'mon, this way!"
….
Willow called out, "Luz? Hunter?"
Gus called out, "Anakin? Ahsoka? Ani?"
Amity asked, "did you find them?"
Gus said, "calm down. They probably just went to buy some more cars."
Amity said, "yeah. Yeah. You're right. I just- I wanted to show Luz the rebus….", but she couldn't find it on her person, "wait. Where did it go?"
Camila then arrives in her car. Cobi and Vee were with her.
Camila asked, "kids! Have you seen Luz? And has she, um, said anything weird?"
Vee pulled out her phone and said, "boom! Find a phone."
The phone starts beeping as it tracks Luz's phone.
Luz then arrives at a graveyard. She sees Hunter standing under an archway in the fog. She uses an ice glyph to get across some water.
Luz asked, "Hunter, are you okay? Did you see Belos?"
Hunter said in a strange way, "oh, no. Just my imagination playing tricks again. Why don't you find the Titan Blood while I find my palisman? Little guy got spooked off…."
"Good idea. All this Belos talk has me on edge. But I hate to ruin Amity's surprise", Luz said as she looked around for Flapjack, "I really appreciate that everyone wanted to do this. You guys are great friends."
Hunter asked, "have you found the blood yet?"
Luz said, "I'm on it. I just have to-"
She found Flapjack shivering behind a gravestone.
Luz asked, "Flapjack? Why do you look so scared?"
"Luz…."
Luz gasped as she slowly turned around.
She saw Hunter approaching her.
But he had green marks and antlers!
He was possessed by Belos!
Belos/Hunter smirked and said, "didn't you use an ice glyph to get here? Your magic is working."
"Luz!"
Luz turned around and saw Anakin, Ahsoka and Ani. They all gasped in shock.
Belos/Hunter smirked and said, "hello there…."
Ahsoka cried out, "no!"
They all heard the others coming their way.
Amity called out, "Luz? I think she's this way."
Camila yelled, "Mija?"
Cobi yelled, "Anakin?"
Willow exclaimed, "Hunter?"
Gus shouted, "guys, where are you?"
Amity exclaimed, "Luz?"
Belos/Hunter said, "I saw you. Glyphs do work here…."
"You…. You survived", Luz said in shock.
Belos/Hunter, "I did. Thanks again for all the help, Luz. But I don't need you anymore…."
Belos/Hunter threw his arm at Luz!
Luz jumped back, but the arm hit Flapjack, sending him flying a few feet away!
"Flapjack", Luz said as she picked him up.
Luz quickly hid behind a headstone.
"Luz", Anakin shouted as he and Ahsoka ran over to her.
Belos/Hunter saw Luz and said, "ah. There you are."
Belos/Hunter then dug up from the ground a vial.
Luz began firing spells at him, but they kept missing.
Belos/Hunter said, "you're not even trying right now. What? Afraid you'll hurt him?"
That's when the others all arrived.
Camilla asked, "is that Hunter?"
Gus said, "wait, something's wrong."
Cobi quickly pulled out his lightsaber.
Belos/Hunter said, "see, this is why you're so useful, Luz. You're so desperate to help people, you, Lilith and Anakin even helped me meet The Collector…."
Amity asked, "what?"
Luz cried, "I didn't mean to. I thought I was doing something good."
Belos/Hunter, "you did do something good. I thought this one was another lost cause. Because of you, we can finish our work as witch-hunters, starting with them!"
Belos/Hunter stretches his arm towards the group!
Cobi quickly slices it in two!
The group then begin to fight Belos/Hunter.
They all used their special abilities.
Belos/Hunter gave a maniacal laugh before Gus flew around him and taunted, "hey, Belos. Remember me?"
Belos/Hunter attempts to strike Gus.
But Gus was able to fly out of the way.
Belos/Hunter was able to make Willow fall to the ground.
Vee runs forward and yells, "hang tight, Hunter!"
She starts draining his magic with her powers.
Belos/Hunter roared in pain before he launched his other arm towards Vee!
Amity yelled, "Vee, watch out!"
The entire group is sent flying to where Camilla is.
Anakin then runs towards Belos/Hunter.
He yelled, "get out of his body, giblet head!"
"I don't think so", Belos/Hunter shouted.
He throws Anakin over to the others before Luz grabs onto him!
Ahsoka then runs over and grabs onto Belos/Hunter as well!
She yelled, "honey, please! Fight it!"
Luz yelled, "I know you can hear me, Hunter. Fight him off!"
Belos/Hunter throws them onto the ice bridge!
Flapjack starts chirping and pecking at Belos/Hunter's antlers, but the latter immediately catches him.
Belos/Hunter growled, "that's right. You wouldn't want me harming your precious palisman, would you? Oh, but then again, I don't care what you want. Goodbye, Evelyn…."
Belos/Hunter begins to crack Flapjack, and starts absorbing his essence, but lets him go as Hunter's personality starts fighting him over the control of his body. Flapjack then flies into Luz' palm while leaking palisman essence from the cracks in his body.
Luz cried, "Flapjack! Flapjack, you'll be okay."
Hunter groaned as he staggered towards the water, "you know what I'd like, Belos? I'd like to leave the Emperor's Coven and never step foot in that throne room again. I'd like to study wild magic, and learn how to carve palismen. I'd like to marry Ahsoka and raise Ani properly. I'd like to attend Hexide as a regular student and play flier derby with my friends. I'd like to live with the Skywalker's and Clawthorne's. But most of all, I'd like to make sure you never hurt anyone again!"
Hunter throws the vial of Titan's blood into the river.
Belos/Hunter shouted, "no!"
Belos/Hunter jumps into the water, managing to catch the vial, but falls unconscious as a result.
Luz yelled, "oh, no! No!"
Ahsoka yelled, "Hunter!"
Camila said, "move."
She jumps into the water to save him and manages to rescue him. The others help her hoist Hunter into the surface.
Willow said, "be careful with him!"
Ahsoka said, "Hunter, please be okay!"
Hunter suddenly screamed as Belos shot out of his body, slowly reforming in front of them. He takes the monstrous form he previously had.
Belos roars as he holds the vial in his hand.
Belos growled, "Caleb! You would stab me in the back?!"
Luz stares at him angrily and says, "you did it to him first."
Belos, outraged, smashes the vial of Titan's blood into the archway, opening a portal to the Demon Realm.
Belos growls, "this is for the good of your souls. You'll thank me later. After I kill Sam…."
Anakin screamed, "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY BABY BOY!"
Belos then goes through the portal.
Camila exclaimed, "that's the Belos you've been fighting this whole time?!"
Willow says after moving Hunter for a while, "guys, Hunter isn't moving."
Ahsoka cried, "what?! Nonono!"
Camila said, "Vee, call an ambulance."
Vee immediately does so.
Willow begins tearing up as she asks, "uh, do human doctors know about possession?"
Luz asked, "or Grimwalkers?"
Camila asked, "possession?!"
Willow asked, "Grimwalkers?!"
"We should still call a doctor", Camila said.
"I'm not getting cell reception", Vee said.
Cobi asked, "what do we do?"
Ani cried as he reached his arms towards his father
A weakened Flapjack flies out of Luz's pocket to Hunter, chirps sadly, then settles down. He begins to glow green, giving Hunter his palisman essence to revive him, sacrificing his life as the others sadly watch on; He dissolves into floating balls of light that float up into the air.
Hunter groans and slowly opens his eyes, which have turned brown. He now has some scars much like Caleb's.
Hunter groans, "hey, guys. Is everyone else okay?"
Gus said, "a-actually, Flapjack…."
Hunter cries, "don't. Don't. I already know…."
Ahsoka and Ani hug Hunter close.
"Hunter…. I thought we were going to lose you", Ahsoka cried.
Hunter said, "you'll never lose me, Ahsoka…. I promise."
The others, especially Luz, who turns away, start to cry as well.
Camila said, "sit up slowly, baby. Are you in pain anywhere?"
Hunter said, "I'm okay."
Amity asked, "um, Luz. What did Belos mean when he said you, Anakin and Lilith helped him meet The Collector? I mean, that was a lie, right?"
Luz said, "no, it was true", she walked to the portal, "if it weren't for us, the Day of Unity would have never happened. There was this time pool, and we met him. We met him when he was still just Philip, and I taught him the light spell. I introduced him to The Collector. I set everything in motion. I'm sorry, everyone…."
Amity asked, "why did you keep all that a secret?"
Luz said, "I was scared. I thought you'd hate me for it. Which is why I've made a decision. I think it'd be in everyone's best interest if I-"
Camila grabbed Luz and yelled, "took your mama to the Demon Realm!"
Luz exclaimed, "what?!"
"I couldn't hate you, Luz. The fact that you still stand up for us means enough to me", Amity said to her girlfriend.
She then hugged Luz.
Camila said, "Mija, now that I've seen what you're up against, there is no way I'm letting you go back there alone. It is our duty to help your friends get back to their families."
Luz tried to say, "but…."
Hunter said, "you were tricked. That's what Belos does. He tricks people. But if it weren't you, it would have been someone else, and then there'd be no one left to fight back. So let's do that. Let's fight back. Please? For Flapjack?"
After a few moments, Luz gave a firm nod and said, "for Flapjack."
The portal began pulsing.
"The portal's closing", Vee said.
Luz said, "then we better head in."
Hunter heads for the portal first, with Ahsoka and Ani right beside him.
Hunter takes a breath and says, "time to go home, Flap…."
Ahsoka said, "we'll be right beside you the whole time, sweety."
Ani reached his arm out and touched his father's hand.
Hunter smiled at his love and child, and they made their way through the portal.
Gus and Willow follow him, both saying their goodbyes to the Human Realm.
"Goodbye, Human Realm. Thank you for showing me your secrets. I hope to see you again", Gus said as he went through the portal.
"Thanks for the memories. We'll be back after we get some revenge", Willow said as she went through the portal.
Amity said to her girlfriend, "Luz, I know things are scary, and I don't know what the future holds. But it would be so cool if you were a part of that. But no more hiding, okay?"
"I understand. See you on the other side. Promise", Luz said.
Luz and Amity hold hands as the latter gives Luz a kiss on the cheek. They let go of each other's hands as Luz watches Amity walk towards the portal with her staff.
"Here, you'll probably need this", Vee said as she handed Camila the baseball bat.
Camila asked, "a-are you coming, Vee?"
Vee said, "I don't think I'm ready. Besides", she morphs into Camila, "someone has to keep up appearances."
Camila said, "tell the staff I've gone home to see my abuela, okay? Carmen's in charge, Dianne has my schedule. And", she hugs Vee, "thank you, Vee."
Cobi then approaches and says, "Camilla, before we go through the portal, I have something to ask you…."
Camila asked, "what is it, Cobi?"
Cobi took a deep breath and asked, "cuando todo esto termine, ¿te gustaría tener una cita?"
Camila went wide-eyed and blushed.
Cobi gulped as he awaited an answer.
He was then surprised when Camila grabbed his hand.
He went wide-eyed as she said, "of course I would love to go on a date with you Cobi…. After all this is over."
Cobi smiled from ear to ear and blushed like a ripe red tomato.
Luz, Anakin and Vee smiled at the sight.
With the promise of a date, Cobi was next through the portal.
Camilla asked Luz, "are you ready?"
"Are you? I'm not sure what we'll see on the other side", Luz said.
Anakin said in a worried tone, "I feel the same…. What if by the time we cross the portal…. Belos…. Has killed Sam?"
Camilla said, "I'm sure Belos is all bark and no bite. And from what I've heard, Sam can handle himself until you save him."
"And besides…. I doubt…. The Collector would let Belos anywhere near Sam…. Since he was mad that Belos tried to kill Sam", Luz said.
That made Anakin feel a little better. For as bad as the Collector was, at least he'd keep Sam away from Belos.
"You two are right…. But that won't stop me from kicking the Collector's butt for holding my baby boy and King prisoner", Anakin said.
Luz and Camilla gave firm nods.
Camila, "in any case, we don't wanna leave unprepared", she points towards Luz' hat, "a good witch always has to have her hat."
Luz then walks towards where the hat was and she picked it up, and puts it on
Anakin, Luz and Camila hold hands as the three step inside the portal, prepared. Afterwards, the portal closes. Vee starts to walk away with a smile…. When she realizes something.
"Shoot, Camila still has the car keys!"
And thus, our group of heroes were back in the demon realm.
What would they find?
That... Is for another time….
….
Reviews:
SuperSentai199: totally agree. One of my favorite chapters.
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And now, we must wait for the next special...