In the skies near the Palisman Forest…
Apple Brown Betty and Biscuit were in the skies as they were looking at the trees below.
"The forest grows and grows. Thus, so does the emperor's woes and woes." Biscuit sang as her wings radiated with the sunlight.
"Yeah, it looks like the vegetation has grown vaster since last recorded, it seemed to be affecting the illusion spell that the emperor himself cast years ago. Almost seemed to absorb the magical properties of the spell causing such rapid growth. It's quite a fascinating find." Betty marveled at the sight of the forest from below.
She had never seen anything like this before.
There were general theories on how magic can be converted into another form. Now, it seemed like the proof.
"Enjoy the find at a more open time. We must find the Bat Queen and see if everything is sublime."
"Right."
They began to dive down as the forest grew thicker and thicker it was nearly impossible to tell where they were going.
"Wonder if Blue knows of it or not."
Soon Blue bumped into the Plant Palisman, Apple Brown Betty the Hummingbird, and the Bard Palisman, Biscuit the Scarlet Macaw.
"Good morning, Miss. Parfait. How are you today?" Biscuit sang with her melodies.
"You seem to be lost in thought today. Is everything alright?" Betty wondered as she grew a small apple tree, plucked on normal sized apple, and ate it.
Maybe… it wouldn't be bad to check up on them every now and then.
"Listen, can you two do me a small favor?" Blue requested from her younger sisters in a hushed tone so no one could hear them.
"Sure, we are off for today for our hard work. All the time we used for defeating evil jerks." Biscuit smiled with her rhythm and rhymes.
"What can we do for you? Do you want us to see if Snapdragon is obeying her probation or see how Darius and the others are doing in their investigation?" Betty wondered as she was well aware of Terra's unauthorized little schemes.
Belos was still grilling the Coven Head on that. If she wasn't such an asset to the Coven, Belos would have replaced her long ago. Despite being a crazy nutjob, she was a useful crazy nutjob, just needs to remember her place.
"No, this… this is more personal."
The two palisman then leaned in as they found it interesting.
Blue then took a deep breath.
"You know of Bat Queen, right?"
They both nodded.
"Good. I want you two to check in on her, and see if she and the others are okay."
"Say no more, my sister Blue. We'll see and make sure, that's what we'll do." Biscuit agreed.
"We'll check up on her and others. Don't worry about it."
Then the two turned into their palisman form and left.
Blue had every right to worry. The illusion spell is being eaten away by the wildlife. It won't be long before they are exposed.
"The spell is waning from the last it was cast. Let us hope that the Palisman can last."
"I hope they will be okay. We will need to inform you of the spell beginning to diminish. Belos will not enjoy hearing this news."
Biscuit then suddenly stopped.
"Hold, dear sister for whom do I see? Princess Luz and her party of including self of three." She pointed out as the Hummingbird Palisman saw the daughter of their witch.
Luz stood before the Bat Queen, who seemed angry, standing between Eda's Palisman and the girl. This was not good. Bat Queen hates witches aside from Belos. If she attacks her… A Palisman's duty is to their masters and their family. If the choice weighs between striking down an old friend or letting a family member be torn apart… well the choice is obvious.
They didn't want to make that choice.
"Look, I did your tests! Now give Owlbert back! Owlbert, I am so sorry, I never meant to hurt you. Please come back home." Luz pleaded as her words reached the owl's heart.
Owlbert wanted to leave but the Bat Queen refused.
"No! New Test! Face Me!"
"What!?"
They were worried about this and sprang into action!
When the Bat Queen Suddenly hesitated her attack, they used the opportunity to attack! Vines flung her from Luz as a sonic scream paralyzed her! Betty then created more vines to cage her with her arrows!
"Enough Bat Queen!" Betty ordered as she and Biscuit stood in front of Luz.
"End your rage or this day your story will meet its final page!" Biscuit warned.
"Betty! Biscuit!" Luz gasped, "Wait, don't hurt her. She's a palisman, like you two."
"Luz, we know." Betty informed, "Care to explain to us why you sought fit to attack this young girl when the Palisman seeks to return with her?"
"You know why. For a Palisman being abandoned is the worst thing to do, for I was one myself. Carved by a giant with a magnificent staff. But I was broken and left behind." Bat Queen defended her actions.
"No wonder you felt so protective towards Owlbert."
"I protect all of them."
From the trees Luz saw them all, Palisman covered in scars.
"The lost and abandoned. This is their refuge from the cruelty of witches-."
"Not all witches are cruel and not all Palisman were abandoned." Betty countered.
"You dare call me a liar?"
"For many of these Palisman, front line veterans against the Blood Crusader's assault. Their masters died; their grief is our fault."
"And Owlbert isn't abandoned. His real owner loves him very much." Luz argued.
"He will never leave with you."
"By what right do you say that Bat Queen? If a Palisman wants to leave, you can't force them to stay. Flapjack lost his master but then left when he discovered a new one to fill the hole in his heart."
"Don't get in my way, you two."
"Please do not put up the fight. Or this will be your final night."
"We will protect this girl, even if it means we have to… She's worth protecting."
"I'm leaving with Owlbert. He wants to go home." Luz pleaded which caused Bat Queen to snap!
"I WON'T LET YOU!"
Bat Queen was freed as she fought with Betty and Biscuit! She clawed Biscuits' side and shoved Betty, which caused her face to crack over her left eye! She was going to kill Luz but was stopped by Owlbert, who told her that he cares for her.
"You-you claim Luz is a danger to this Palisman… That she hurt it without mercy…"
"If she is a danger for what she would do… what would that make you?"
Bat Queen turned around to see their injuries, realizing she had hurt them. She maimed Palisman when she accused Luz of the same thing.
"No! I-I wouldn't!"
Bat Queen then saw her talon was covered in green blood.
What had she done?
"Don't cross the line you can't go back from." She pleaded as Bat Queen finally saw reason, watching Luz and Owlbert.
"Go, I am much a danger to him as you are. Maybe even more. I'm a hypocrite." Bat Queen announced as she fell, calling to her babies to stop their attack on Luz's friends.
"Bat Queen, it's okay. It was an accident and sometimes the people we care for can get hurt from it. As we learn from them, we can make things right." Luz gave comfort, reminding her of another who was here, "Have you ever found out what happened to your owner?"
"… I don't know… It has been so long…"
"If you ever want to know the truth, I can help."
"Thank you and I'm sorry."
Betty and Biscuit decided to stay for a bit after Betty patched them up.
"Man, we did a number on each other…" Betty laughed.
"I am so sorry-!"
"It is fine, no harm done. Just as long as she is not hurt, the day is won."
"That girl… Is she?"
"Yes. But other than that, we're actually here for another reason. Have you noticed-."
"Yes, the spell the Bellowing One cast is wearing off… I wish to take time to think about his offer. If there are more witches like him and her, then maybe…"
"We'll pass that message along. I'm sure he'll be happy to hear that."
Then the two gave their goodbyes, returned to their Palisman forms, and returned home.
"Feels like long ago…"
Years ago…
"Please, I beg you! Let my Witch stay here! He suffered from a duel and-and I failed him!" Blue pleaded.
"A witch in my midst? They are not to be trusted. You are welcome here but he is not!"
"Please, he won't make it! He is not a bad person! Let me prove that! And if you are right, we can leave! We promise not to make any trouble!"
The Bat Queen then looked at the man covered in bandages, feeling him slip away. This Palisman's love was strong, and she would do anything to protect him. Besides, he looks like he won't make it through the night.
"Very well."
"Thank you! Thank you!"
That one witch would soon change her life and the life of the Palisman.
"…Maybe not all witches are bad."
