Chapter 14: Sense and Insensitivity
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. I'm pleased to say it has been over 1 year since I created this story! Thanks for all your love and support and I put in quite a few surprises for you all including something big that I plan to expand on. Hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
At the market, King, Lily and Eda were sitting at their booth trying to sell human junk and Yugioh Cards but for some reason no one was buying.
"Partake of my free snack samples! Take it! I demand it as your ruler, the King of Demons!" King orders but no one even noticed them.
"Hey anyone wanna buy some Yugioh cards?" Lily calls out but no one came over.
"What's going on?" Eda sees a passerby and grabs him. Yanking him in she takes a sniff. "Reeks more of nerd than money today."
"Guys!" Luz and Minato ran over startling Eda allowing the passerby to run off.
"You're not gonna believe what's going on." Minato said as Luz gestured to a banner.
"It's a book fair! Where books come to life!" Luz declares as a book drops down next to them.
"Hello." The book said startling them.
"Aah!" Yelping Luz kicks the book away.
"A fair without rides?" King asks in disbelief.
"Who needs rides when this can take you anywhere?" A boy shows King a book and in response King threw bacon on him causing a demon to swoop in and carry the boy off screaming.
"Seriously King? You couldn't just say no?" Minato asks.
"Where's the fun in that?" King asks.
"This is kinda cool. In Neverland the only stories we heard were from my dad around the fire." Lily said.
"Of course, the girl who came from a book would be interested in these things." Eda rolls her eyes.
"Come on Eda, lighten up." Minato said.
"King will you give it a chance? I'll let you ride in my hoodie." Luz offers.
"Ooh." King smiles.
"A, ew. B, I'm bored. C, I feel like pickpocketing some dork while they browse." Eda said walking away. "Minato you watch the stand."
"What?" Minato whines.
"See ya." Lily said as she, Luz and King walked away.
"If I find a good book I'll bring it back to you." Luz said.
"So long sucker!" King laughs.
"Aw man." Minato groans as he walks back to the stand.
Walking through it, Luz, King and Tiger Lily looked at the booths.
"This book fairs got everything! A zine-making workshop, meet and greets, and what's that?" Luz gasps as they turned to one booth. "A writing competition!? I've always wanted to be a writer."
"Writer? What? I thought you wanted to be a witch?" King asks.
"Of course I wanna be a witch. But where I'm from that's kinda... impossible. So my runner up dream was to be a writer." Luz reaches into her pocket and pulls out a picture of a young her in a sweatshirt by the window. "I've had this about the author picture since I was seven years old. I know my good angle."
"You've been carrying that in your pocket since you were 7?" Lily asks.
"Yep and now I'm gonna enter the competition." Luz said when a girl ran past them.
"Ugh. What are these basement dwellers doing out in natural sunlight?" King asks.
"We're in line for Jon De Plume." Tiny Nose said pointing to a man a shaved head, green Mohawk, shades and scarf on him. "The most famous writer on the Boiling Isles, famed author of the Realm Warriors series! I'm gonna have him read my story...and marry me."
Hearing that last part, Lily slowly stepped away from the little demon.
At the booth, tons of fans lined up for him.
"Jon, will you sign my child?" A demon asks.
"I'll sign anything." Jon laughs evilly.
"Such power. Such command he holds over his minions. I must have the same! Luz the human! I too shall enter the competition."
"Really? We could work together! It'll be perfect! Lily you want to join us? Make our team even better?" Luz asks excited.
"Well it could be fun, I always listen to my dad's stories. Could be fun being the storyteller for once." Lily smiles.
"Yes! We're best friends, so we'll make the best team!" Luz declares.
"Yes team. My name goes first on the cover!" King declares as they walked away.
At the stand, Minato was bored out of his mind as everyone was ignoring them in favor of the book fair.
"Ugh I should just close up. No one's coming." Minato said when someone walked up.
"What do you have to sell?" A familiar voice asks.
"Huh?" Looking up Minato saw Blanca across from him. "Blanca?"
"Surprised to see me?" She asks.
"Well kinda, every time we meet you disappear almost as quickly as you show up." Minato said.
"Forgive me, circumstances tend to make our reunions short, but if you want to try hanging out we can try." Blanca offers.
"Depends, are you gonna pull another disappearing act?" Minato asks.
"Not unless I have to." She jokes before looking around. "Where are your friends?"
"Checking out the book fair." Minato said.
"And they left you all alone? That's not fun." Blanca said.
"I wish I could look around. It's not like I know much fun things to do around here anyway." Minato shrugs.
"Really? Well it just so happens I know something a million times funner than a dumb old book fair." Blanca said getting his attention.
"What do you mean? You know something fun?" Minato asks.
"Well I don't usually go out much but there's one I enjoy seeing. The Powerball games." Blanca said.
"What's Powerball?" Minato asks.
"It's the most popular sport on the Boiling Isles and it just so happens there's a game tonight. If you'd like we can go?" Blanca offers.
"Wow, sure that sounds great. You really want to hang out with me?" Minato asks.
"Trust me Minato. I think you and I could have quite a night." Blanca nods with a smile on her face.
In another part of the Book Fair, Eda was strolling through it.
"Boring, boring." Eda said before grabbing a book with a mirror on it causing her to gasp at her reflection. "Another wrinkle. The curse is quickening."
"You. Lackey." A familiar voice calls out causing Eda to gasp and hide behind a banner.
Peeking her head out she saw Lilith and an Emperor's coven guard at a booth.
"Lilith." Eda hisses.
"Do you have the item we discussed?" She asks.
"Right here." The merchant said handing her a map.
Opening it, Lilith grins at the contents. "This is excellent. A map to the Bloom of Eternal Youth. I think the emperor will be very pleased."
"Ma'am, shouldn't we be searching for the Owl Lady to join the coven? Remember that whole plan?" The guard asks.
"My sister's curse has left her frail. She'll still be here when we get back." Lilith mocks causing Eda to growl. "This comes first, it's for the emperor after all."
"Yeah! All hail the Emperor!" He declares.
"Very good Steve." Lilith said as they walked away.
"Hey bub, what'd you sell my prissy sister?" Eda asks walking over.
"Oh! It's a map to the Bloom of Eternal Youth. A rare flower that only grows once a millennia. Like the name says, it gives eternal youth to whomever holds it." The merchant said.
"Interesting. So Lilith wants to nab this power for the emperor, huh. Well, won't she be surprised when I get there first and get it for myself! Hah! That'll show her who's frail." Eda said.
"Well, we'll see won't we." The merchant grins opening a drawer filled with a dozen maps. "Can't go without a map."
As Eda took the map, she didn't notice Edwin watching her from behind a booth.
Once she left, Edwin walks up to the booth.
"Pardon me sir, I would be interested the very same map that woman just got." He said.
"Oh my, right away." He grins handing Edwin the map.
At the Owl House, Luz, Lily and King put a board down.
"Now, let's write down some ideas that we want to see in the story." Luz said.
"We can write anything?" King asks.
"Yeah. We're brainstorming, every idea is a good idea." Luz said handing them both notecards and crayons.
"Hmm. Done." Slapping one card down they saw King wrote Violence on it.
"That's all you want to see?" Lily asks.
Pausing to think King wrote another card that said Blood.
"Okay let me try." Lily wrote a card and put it on the board that said. Sacred locations.
"Ooh I like the sound of that." Luz said.
"All of dad's stories had at least one of those." Lily said.
"Now we're getting somewhere." Luz said.
Getting to work the three of them started coming up with ideas.
"Romance! Magic! Heartbreak with shimmer tears. And, the main character is, of course, ahhh, Luzura! I know it's kind of cliché, but what's wrong with cliché?" Luz asks putting a card of her with a pointy hat.
"Nyeh! And my main character is the King...err...the Ruler of Demons!" King said putting a card of him with a scepter.
"Wow, way to be original guys." Lily deadpans.
"Well what's your character?" King asks.
"Mine is the young Magic Tribe Leader, Panther Lily." Lily said putting a card of her.
Narrowing their eyes both glared at her.
"At least my character is a little creative. You just mixed your name with Azura and you just picked another name for King." Lily said.
"Touche." Luz said.
"With this totally original, all-star cast, victory will be ours!" King declares.
"Now for the easy part." Luz said taking out a monster typewriter.
"Are you sure this is gonna be easy?" Lily asks.
"Oh yeah Minato and I used to do Fanfiction all the time." Luz smiles.
A few hours passed by as the three of them brainstormed ideas and plans while Luz typed them.
"Luzura's tears fell on the frozen Storm Warlock Minaka, bringing him back to life. Ehhh it just seems kind of unrealistic." King read.
"I hear what you're saying, but in your version, Ruler just destroys everything. I think a little romantic tension could help the scene." Luz said.
"Hey, there's more to life than shipping." King said.
"How dare you insult shipping in my presence!" Luz points.
"Lily what do you think?" King asks.
"I think Luz is right we need a little something to add to this but for some reason I feel like I know this Minaka guy from somewhere." Lily said causing Luz to blush.
"Uh nowhere I just made him up. Maybe this was a bad idea." Luz said when the door opens revealing Minato.
"Hey how are things going in here?" Minato asks causing Luz to yelp and rip out the paper before eating it whole.
"Uh great, so great." Luz said nervously.
"King seems to think Shipping isn't everything." Lily said making him gasp.
"Take that back!" Minato points. "Shipping turn something good into something amazing!"
"Apprentices, living room!" Eda calls out.
"We'll be right back." Lily said.
"We'll figure this out, okay writing buddy?" Luz said as the three teens left.
Looking to the typewriter King smiles. "My turn to write."
Downstairs, they walked in to see Eda with her cloak on and the map in her hands.
"What's up Eda?" Minato asks.
"I am popping out for a few days to an undisclosed place to do undisclosed things." Eda said.
"Let me guess, something dangerous and illegal?" Lily guesses.
"Close, but not sure if this one is illegal. Anyway you three are in charge while I'm gone." Eda said.
"Sounds good." Luz said.
"No questions." Eda said walking out.
"Okay." Minato said.
"I said no questions!" Eda said putting her hood on.
"Good luck." Lily said as Eda closed the door.
"Well girls, I'm gonna make myself a snack. I'm heading out, you fine being by yourselves?" Minato asks.
"Sure you going to see Gus and Willow or Dez and Katara?" Lily asks.
"Neither, new friend hopefully." Minato said.
"Ooh way to go, you'll have to tell if it goes well." Luz said rooting for him.
"Thanks girls." Minato smiles as they split off.
"Well King, it's just us for a while." Luz said opening the door but when they looked inside they both gasped.
In the few minutes they were gone King had totally changed the room around. Drawings of him and people screaming were all over and the Luzara and Panther Lily notes were in the trash.
"Hey girls great news." King smiles.
"What have you done?!" Luz gasps looking around.
"I made some edits." King said.
"Some edits? You changed the story!" Lily said noticing the banner. "Ruler's Reach?"
Grabbing the paper, Luz scanned it. "You killed off our characters?!" Luz gasps. "Luzara and Minaka didn't even get their first kiss!"
"I know, right! What a twist!" King said.
"Wait did Panther Lily finish her coronation?" Lily asks but Luz shook her head. "You monster!"
"King, I know you're trying to help, but I think you're crossing a line." Luz said.
"Yeah, into greatness. Don't you want us to win?" King asks.
"If this is how you want to win, maybe you should submit the story on your own." Luz frowns.
"Yeah way to ruin this for us." Lily said as she and Luz left.
"Bah what do they now?" King asks.
"What the heck man? Learn to collaborate." The typewriter said.
"Hush you! I'll prove to all of you my story is superior." King declares.
At Grimgrub's pub, King enters to see it filled with demons.
"Hey you scum! Which one of you wants to read my literary masterpiece! Anyone brave enough?" King declares.
Seconds later, King was thrown out crashing into the mud.
"I'll read your story." Looking up King saw a bipedal lizard-like creature with green skin, glasses, red coat and blue hat. This was Pinet.
Opening the book his eyes glowed reading all of it quickly.
"You wrote this?" He asks.
"Yup, that's me! Only me." King declares.
"Let me get you a Fruit Punch." Pinet said leading King inside.
"Ooh I love punching." King said as they sat down and were brought a glass.
"I'm Piniet, of Piniet Publishing House. And your name is... King?" He asks.
"It's more of a rank than a name." King explains.
"I loved your story, so much better than the submissions we got for the competition. I want to buy it and publish it for everyone to read. I'll make you as famous as Jon De Plume." Pinet points to Jon as tons of fans screamed at the sight of him and even became his chair for him to sit down in.
"I've always wanted a people chair. I'm in! This will be my first step in my reclamation of power!" King declares.
"Then all you have to do is sign here." Pinet said taking out a contract.
Dipping his paw in the fruit punch, King presses it leaving a paw print causing the contract to glow before Pinet put it away.
"You're ominous. And I like it." King said.
"Get ready to be famous Mr. King." Pinet said as they shook hands.
Meanwhile in another part of the isles, Blanca led Minato to a huge arena.
Entering, he and Blanca saw crowds of screaming fans fill the stands.
"You're lucky we managed to get tickets, these things usually sell out." Blanca said showing their tickets.
"So this sport is legit huh? Like everyone loves it?" Minato asks.
"Yep, welcome to Powerball." Blanca said leading him to the front where a forcefield was set up.
Looking out Minato's eyes widen to see a huge race track filled with obstacles and ramps, with multiple gates spread out all over it.
"And here they come!" The Announcer said as 9 athletes raced by and on cue a metal ball the size of a medicine ball with handles on the inside was shot out of a cannon and started tumbling around the field. Each racer had a helmet, padded armor and cool glowing roller skates that shined different colors.
Up above the 9 other players in matching gear flew in on magic platforms after their racers.
"What's going on?" Minato asks blown away.
"This is how the game is played. There can be up to 9 teams racing. One main racer and one supporter. The supporter stays on that platform and uses their magic to keep the other racers away from theirs, but they are allowed small intervals where they can join the racers on the track." Blanca explains.
"How are they moving so fast?" Minato asks.
"Each racer is given special skates that depending on how much magic you pump into them determines how fast you go. The object of the game is to get the orb. Every time a racer passes through a gate while holding it, they get a point and if you want it you have to be willing to fight for it." Blanca said.
Moving in one racer tried to get the orb when from the platforms one support released a fireball blasting the racer backwards and miss grabbing it.
Racing in a plant witch creates thorny vines that grab the orb and bring it to her.
As she neared a gate, another racer slammed his hand down using Construction magic to make a wall appear in front of her causing her to smash face first into the wall and drop the orb.
"Ooh that's gonna leave a mark." The announcer said as the Construction Racer tried to grab it when an Abomination hand shot out of the track and threw it back to its owner.
"Yes!" As the Abomination racer races through the gate he got the first point.
As the other races gained on him, the Abomination Supporter leaped down from the platform.
Holding out his arm they created a long line made of abomination goo and pushed to opposite ends tripping one racer making him fall off the course.
"And that's one down folks! 8 more teams left!" The announcer said.
"What just happened?" Minato asks.
"When a racer is knocked off the course, they're out of the race the same rules apply if they're knocked unconscious, run out of magic, or surrender." Blanca said.
"Geez has anyone ever died on this course?" Minato asks.
"Actually no, this is the one sport of the Boiling Isles that has never had anyone die and they pride themselves on it." Blanca said surprising him.
As the Abomination racer tried to get ahead, a demon racer raced in and rammed into him causing him to drop the orb.
However as he turned a corner the demon saw multiple metal beams sticking out of the ground forcing him to dodge and weave.
Up above his support used Oracle magic.
"Left, right, right jump!" The support yelled allowing him to dodge them all. "You got one coming in from behind!"
Using this chance another racer tries to grab the orb but Morderd knew it was coming and dodges the swipe and knocks him in the face with his free hand making him tumble back.
"And Mordred is not giving up the orb without a fight!" The announcer said when they course dips leading towards a ramp.
As he gained speed Mordred jumps the ramp and lands on the other side with the other racers behind him.
"What do you think?" Blanca asks.
"I like it." Minato grins. "Who's the top player?"
"Oh that's easy. Him." Blanca points.
As Mordred made it through another gate one racer in black and silver pads gained on him. On his shoulder the number 07 was painted on.
Narrowing his eyes, the racer held out his hands and darkness formed in it.
Moving in the racer gains on Mordred who spots him.
"Oh no not this time!" Mordred swings his arm but the racer dodges and nails him in the gut with a dark fist knocking him into the rails and making him drop the orb.
"And there he is folks! The Champion Lucian is on the attack!" The announcer said as the other 7 teams gained on him.
As the Abomination racer moves in Lucian swings the orb knocking him down before doing a roundhouse knocking a plant racer away.
A Construction Racer was about to attack when Lucian's supporter leaps in and kicks him in the face making him tumble.
Holding out her hand, Lucian's supporter uses fire to blast the course making the racers trip and tumble.
Using this lead, Lucian races through the gates before nearing the finish line.
"And the winner is…LUCIAN!" The announcer declares as Lucian and his supporter cleared the finish line with the most points. "With a 5 point lead, Lucian and Sonja make it clear they are a team not to be messed with!"
Taking off their helmets, Minato look to see Lucian was a man in his early 30's with pale skin, long black hair and a beard. Sonja was a woman with long jet black hair and blue eyes.
Letting out a loud victory roar Lucian drove the audience crazy with cheers.
"He's good." Minato said.
"He should, you don't get to be head of the Elemental Coven by being a wimp." Blanca said getting his attention.
"Wait what?" Minato said surprised.
"Lucian was named the new Head of the Elemental Coven a few weeks ago and this game is proof of why. He's a beast on the course and in battle." Blanca said.
Minato however was speechless; this man was in charge of the coven that made for his father.
Meanwhile up in the owner's box, Naomi was watching the game when the door opens.
"I heard you were here. To what do I owe the pleasure, Naomi?" A male voice asks.
"A girl can't check in on her family?" Naomi turns around.
Walking in Naomi saw a man in his 40s with buzzed red Soulwing hair and a business suit. This Alistair Soulwing the creator of Powerball.
"They can but it's not often you come to one of my games. What's going on?" Alistair asks pouring himself a drink. "I heard Elias called everyone for a family meeting a while ago."
"Yes because you had to be here to give away the trophy for you latest tournament." Naomi said. "Something happened Alistair, something big."
"I'm listening." Alistair said.
"Miguel's son came to the mansion. A hybrid." Naomi said causing Alistair to almost choke on his drink before gulping it down.
"A hybrid? You're kidding." Alistair said in disbelief.
"I'm not and Elias is very eager to find him and get the Monado back from him as well." Naomi said.
"So why are you telling me this? I'm not exactly one of the fighters in the family." Alistair asks.
"No, but you're the one with the most popularity on the Isles. Eventually you might run into him, but I ask that you not try anything." Naomi said.
"Are you kidding? I run an entire sports franchise I'm not gonna risk losing it all." Alistair said.
"Good to know." Naomi said as he sat down near her.
"So Miguel married a human huh? I always wondered what happened to him after he left." Alistair said.
"We all did." Naomi frowns.
"Well if I see the kid I'll let you know. What's his name and what does he look like?" Alistair asks.
"His name is Minato, as for appearance well you'll know him when you see him. His hair is a little spiker but he looks almost exactly like his father." Naomi said.
"I'll keep my eyes and ears open." Alistair nods.
"Thank you." Naomi smiles.
Little did they know Minato was literally right under their noses walking out.
Outside, Blanca saw Minato at the shop getting some of those magic absorbing rollerblades.
"Oh man these will come in handy when we need to make a quick getaway." Minato smiles.
"Do you even know how to skate?" Blanca asks as he walked out holding a bag.
"Sort of, but I've been looking for a new hobby." Minato said.
"Well you never know what might happen." Blanca said as a dagger appeared in her hand.
As they exited the arena, she approached him when Minato turns to face her.
"Here, this is for you." Minato smiles handing her a bag surprising her.
"Uh what's this?" Blanca said.
"A thank you gift for bringing me here. Arigatou gozaimasu." Minato bows.
"Oh uh thank you." Blanca said taking it.
"If you want to hang out again, we can meet tomorrow. Bye!" Minato said running off.
Reaching inside the bag, Blanca looks to see Minato had gotten her a light blue wristband with the Powerball logo on it.
"Hmm this is actually pretty thoughtful." Blanca said putting it on before realizing she let him get away. "Dang it. He distracted me." She growls.
Soon King's book was the most popular book on the Boiling Isles and everyone was his biggest fans. Needless to say King was loving all the attention.
In the forest, Eda was looking at the map.
"Okay, from the Minitaur, I head due north, and with luck, I'll get to the Bloom of Eternal Youth before Lilith! Who's frail now, emperor dorks?" Eda laughs putting it away.
Suddenly she heard a twig snapping causing her to yelp.
"Someone's following me." Using her magic, Eda creates a magical machete and hides behind a statue.
As a figure who looked worse for wear walked by Eda created a fireball in her other hand.
"Spicy Ball!" Eda yells running out to attack but when the figure turns around, she screams revealing her to be Lilith. "Lily?"
"Edalyn?" Lilith said as Eda made her weapons disappear. "And of course you would be here just to be a nuisance. Why don't you go home and rest? Wouldn't want you breaking a hip."
"Sorry sister, I'm stronger than you think. I'm here to save the Bloom of Eternal Youth from the likes of you. And I'm gonna get there before you!" Eda said shoving past her and running ahead.
"Aah! No you won't!" Lilith yelps running after her.
From down the path, Edwin spotted the two sisters running ahead.
"Oh great, both are here." Edwin groans annoyed before following after.
At the Owl House, Luz and Lily were in the room deciding do some writing of their own.
"I can't believe King. Of all the selfish, idiotic." Lily mumbles.
"Come on Lily, take it easy." Luz said.
"No! Alright, that little demon takes us all granted and I for one am sick of it. We worked so hard on this story and he threw the two of us out of the way and took all the credit." Lily growls.
"Believe me I hate it too Lily, but what good is it if we whine and complain about it?" Luz glares typing furiously.
"Ow. Hey that hurts." The typewriter said.
"Sorry." Luz apologizes. "Ugh guess this whole writing thing was a waste of time."
"Yeah storytelling isn't as fun when it's just us. To be honest I just did it because I wanted to hang out with you guys."
"Really? You don't like writing?" Luz asks.
"Writing's fun but it's not my favorite thing to do." Lily asaid.
"What is your favorite thing?" Luz asks interested.
"You promise not to laugh?" Lily asks and Luz nods. "Dancing. I love dancing."
Gasping Luz had starry eyes.
"Oh my god this is awesome!" Luz said startling her.
"It is?" Lily said surprised by her reaction.
"Lily you have to show me some of your moves sometime." Luz smiles.
"You bet, I know all the dances from the Never Tribe." Lily said making Luz squeal.
"Ooh I see us having a lot of fun with this." Luz said when the door opens revealing King in a coat, sunglasses and a scarf.
"Hey girls." King said instantly ruining the mood as both glared at him before looking away. "Guess who won the writing competition and became a blockbuster writer superstar?" Not answering Luz went back to typing while Lily looked out the window. "You're right, it's me! Me! Do you wanna touch my scarf? A fan crocheted it out of their own hair. It smells awful."
However, neither girl bothered to answer.
"My publisher is throwing a huge party for my book, Ruler's Reach. And I, uh, I'd like for you two to be there." King said putting the invites on the table but Luz sweeps them off making them hit the floor. "All right fine, be that way I guess."
Putting his glasses on King walks out of the room making both girls sigh.
"Girl, you don't him." The typewriter said.
"But I don't want to be mad at him either." Luz said.
"What do you think we should do?" Lily asks.
Reaching down Luz opens the envelope to reveal the invites.
In a clearing, Blanca was peeking out through the bushes and saw Minato lacing the magic skates around his legs.
Narrowing her eyes, she saw the Monado lying next to him.
Stepping out of the bushes, Blanca walks over.
"There you are." Blanca said getting his attention.
"Blanca, just in time. I'm about to test these things out." Minato smiles standing up.
"Well you seem to be able to stand on them, so that's something." Blanca said as Minato skated around normally.
"Alright let's start off nice and easy how about 10 percent needed to make a Rasengan?" Minato said as he sent the magic to his escape causing them to glow blue. "Alright 3...2...1." Minato said when suddenly he shot off like a rocket zooming right past Blanca who jumps out of the way.
Screaming he raced up a hill briefly flying into the air before crashing down into a fruit tree.
When Blanca ran to catch up with him, she looks to see Minato tangled in the vines, stains all over his clothes and two fruits where his eyes were.
"Ugh…I think I used too much magic." Minato groans when a fruit dropped down landing right in his mouth causing him to gasp before spitting it out.
Not being able to hold it in Blanca burst into laughter holding her sides.
Surprised by this Minato pulls the fruit off his face so he can see her laugh and even snorted.
"Wow Blanca that's some laugh you got there." Minato said causing her to cover her mouth.
"I hate my laugh." Blanca said as Minato cut himself free.
"I like it, it shows you have a sense of humor." Minato said.
"You thought I didn't have a sense of humor?" Blanca asks.
"Well like I said I barely know you that well. You've helped me so much but I barely know anything about you." Minato said making Blanca tense up thinking he was suspicious.
Putting a hand behind her back she was ready to summon a dagger.
"Yeah you've mentioned that…a couple of times." Blanca said narrowing her eyes.
Thinking she was angry. Minato quickly fixes himself. "No, no wait. I-I'm sorry. It's just making friends isn't something I'm good at. It's been a while since I've tried making a new friend. Aside from Luz I never really made any back home." Minato admits getting her attention.
"Really? No one else?" Blanca asks surprised.
"None, but ever since I came here, I've started to make friends." Minato smiles. "Eda, King, Hooty, Willow, Gus, Tiger Lily, Katara, Dez and maybe Amity someday."
Pausing Blanca recalls a memory of a young her.
We see young Blanca on the playground holding a ball out to play but all the kids ran past her to hang out with a boy standing behind her.
"Hey come on, don't crowd." The boy laughs while Blanca just stood there feeling awful.
"I didn't have any friends growing up either." Blanca admits causing Minato to look at her. "People seemed to prefer others over me."
"Well not everyone." Minato said.
"What do you mean?" Blanca asks.
"Come on, we're friends right?" Minato asks.
Hesitating Blanca looks at him and smiles softly.
"Yeah…I guess we are." Blanca said walking over to him. "Here try adjusting your stance. If you can keep your balance, you might be able to stay on the ground."
As Blanca helps him adjust his body Minato left himself wide open but Blanca didn't seem focused on that.
At the Bonesborough Library, King was doing his signing with Pinet by his side as tons of fans were lined up.
"Your fans are dying to know when Ruler's Reach 2 comes out!" A fan said.
"That's between me and my publisher, right Piniet?" King said elbowing him.
"Yes. Ooh pardon me, I need a few moments of King's time." Pinet said leading King down the hall stopping in the romance aisle.
"Where's Jon De Plume at? I wanted to compare sunglasses." King asks.
"Oh he's taking a break to finish his latest masterpiece. Fame can really box you in, you know? Uh, speaking of, how's your second book coming along?" Pinet asks.
"Coming along? Or finished!" King said pulling out a manuscript. "Ruler's Reach 2, now with more swearing."
"Splendid." Taking it Pinet reads the whole thing and laughs. "Oh you cad! Not only are you a great writer, but a practical joker as well."
"That's true…wait what?" King asks confused.
"Oh, this is truly awful! Looking forward to the real draft." Pinet said walking away.
"Truly awful? But I'm a best-selling writer. How?" King asks when he noticed Luz and Lily walking in. "Luz, Lily. I can't write without them." King realized running to them. "I'm so glad you could make it!"
"Hey King, I didn't wanna be angry at your success. You're my friend. So, congratulations." Luz said.
"Yeah so we came to show our support." Lily said.
"Great to hear, because I really need your help with my next book." King said.
"Huh?" Both girls said confused.
"Apparently I can't write my daring works of genius without rebelling against your gushy fantasy slop and weird nonsense." King said making Luz blush.
"Excuse me?" Luz said outraged.
"We make a great team! So, here's a pen. Writey writey, clock's a-tickin." King said holding out a pen.
Narrowing her eyes Luz drops the pen.
"Lily was right. You just use us. I'm not writing for you after you made fun of all my ideas!" Luz said.
"What the heck?" King asks.
"You're the heck." Lily points. "You don't treat people like this King. We're supposed to be friends, not your servants. Enjoy your fame." Lily said as they walked away.
"What am I gonna do? I can't write without them?" King panics.
Little did he know Pinet heard everything.
In the forest, Eda and Lilith were racing down the path.
"Ha! Doesn't this remind you of how we used to race to the kitchen, Lilly?" Eda calls out but heard nothing. "Lilly? Wow, good thing Tiger Lily isn't here or this would be confusing."
Suddenly she heard a muffling.
Looking up Eda saw Lilith tied up in a web by a giant crab monster.
"Lilly!" Eda gasps.
Creating a giant fireball Eda blasts the crab sending it flying across the forest.
As Lilith plummets into the bushes Eda runs to cut her free.
"Ugh, thank you Edalyn! I wasn't certain that you'd save me." Lilith admits.
"We might fight, but you're still my sister. And besides, if someone's gonna be putting you down, it's gonna be me." Eda laughs.
"Just like when you both were young fighting over Master Miguel." Edwin said emerging from the shadows surprising them.
"Edwin?" Eda said surprised.
"Edwin? Miguel's old butler? He's still alive?" Lilith asks equally surprised.
"I know right." Eda said as Edwin approached them. "What do you want Edwin?"
"Please. Just listen to me for a few minutes, it's a matter of life or death." Edwin said.
"Nah uh. I ain't listening to anything you and that messed up you work for have to say and there is nothing you can do to change my mind." Eda said.
"Yes clearly I can't appeal to your good side but I have another way of getting you to listen." Edwin said.
"Oh yeah how?" Eda asks.
"By speaking your language." Edwin said holding out some snails for her to take.
"Keep talking." Eda said taking the coins.
Reaching into his bag, Edwin drops a small sack of coins into her hand causing her to grin. "Okay I'll hear you out."
"Excellent." Edwin smiles when a small object glowed in the distance.
"Is that?" Lilith gasps as the three of them turn to see a glowing flower in front of a large stone.
"Well that's a peculiar looking flower." Edwin said.
"The Bloom of Eternal Youth." Eda said before shoving Lilith and Edwin away. "Back off that baby is mine!"
"You never change." Edwin groans.
"Agreed. Why are you always like this?" Lilith growls.
"Because Lilith, you think I'm just some tired old biddy like Edwin right there. Ah, but I'm more than that." Eda said cutting it free. "And with the Bloom of Eternal Youth's power, I'll show you."
But as quickly as she cut it the flower disappeared.
As a maniacal laughter filled the area, the three of them look up to see the merchant standing atop the stone looking down at them.
Meanwhile with Minato, he and Blanca were practicing him staying on his new blades.
"Okay, one more time, but be gentle. These things are super sensitive to the amount of magic you pour in." Blanca said.
"Okay…this time I'm going as small as possible. Air Scooter but a very small one." Minato pants putting the goggles over his eyes.
"Just deep breaths." Blanca said.
Taking a deep breath Minato sent magic into the skates causing them to glow and raced forward.
"That's good now try to move around." Blanca calls out.
Smiling Minato slowly skated side to side, moving ahead he noticed a patch of mud and when he goes through it he slips and falls to the ground.
Groaning Minato looks up to see Blanca above him.
"You can stop sending magic into them now." Blanca said as Minato looks down to see the wheels still spinning.
Getting up again, Minato was racing around Blanca.
"Now turn!" Blanca said as Minato tried to turn through the trees.
As he swerved he managed to avoid some branches.
"Yes." Minato smiles turning around.
"Minato!" Blanca yells getting his attention.
However when he turned around Minato smacks into a branch and when he hits the ground more fruit fell down on him.
Wiping it off, Minato lifts the goggles off his eyes.
"Maybe this isn't for you." Blanca said.
"No, I'm gonna get this." Minato said determined.
Looking at him, Blanca saw him on the ground, exhausted and completely vulnerable.
She could take him out right then and there, but for some reason as she watched hams struggle something deep inside of her wanted to make sure he got through it.
At the library, Luz and Tiger Lily were walking out when they noticed a banner of King and his book.
"They got his good angle. I'll give them that." Luz admits.
"Come on." Lily said when two large guards stood in front of them. "Uh can we help you?"
Stepping to the side, they reveal Pinet. "Perhaps. I hear you're aspiring writers."
Soon, fans of King's book packed the arena and King was nervously pacing as his fans were eager for a new book, but he had nothing.
"Piniet, I gotta come clean. We can't announce book two. I can't write without...without..." King struggles to admit.
"Without your writing partners." Pinet assumes surprising him.
Confused King follows Pinet to the back room where Luz and Lily were trapped in a translucent purple cube.
"King!" Luz yells.
"Get us out of here!" Lily screams.
"Luz? Lily?" King gasps running to them.
"That snappily dressed lizard trapped us in this shrinking box." Luz accuses.
Pinet tightens his fist and the box tightens forcing them together.
"Do something to make him stop!" Lily yells.
"What are you doing?! Let them go!" King orders.
"You wrote Ruler's Reach together. So if you don't want them to get crushed you'll work together again." Pinet orders as the three of them glare at him. "Oh, don't give me that look. Some of the best books were written in literal crunch time."
"Crunch time is not a literal thing." Lily said.
"That's a toxic mentality that contributes to burnout and unrealistic expectations! King do something." Luz said.
"Set them free." King said.
"Not until I get my best-seller. You'll recall you are under contract." Pinet said pulling the contract which glowed surrounding King with magic before throwing him into the box.
"As if this wasn't tight enough." Lily said struggling to make room when Pinet dropped a pen and paper inside.
"Make your deadline, or you'll never be able to hold a pen again. Just like…" Reaching into his pocket, Pinet pulled out Jon de Plume but he was crushed into a tiny cube.
"Help me." Jon screams as Pinet put him in a briefcase filled with crushed cubed authors.
"No!" King screams in horror.
"I'll leave you to it. Looking forward to the next volume." Pinet said walking out.
"Oh man where's Minato and Eda when you need them?" Lily asks.
"We're not getting out of here until we write a book, and that'll take forever! We're cube meat!" King panics.
"Well, Lily and I have our story." Luz said bringing out the original copy.
"But it's all hugging and crying! I can't put my name on that." King said.
"King, that is why we are in here! Because YOU, can't compromise!" Luz snaps. "All I wanted was to write a story with my friends. I just wanted to be close to you guys." Luz said.
"I did this because I wanted to feel included in the Owl House, be friends with you guys. Yet you don't seem to want to share. You just take." Lily said.
"Luz, you're living your dream. You're becoming a witch. Tiger Lily, you lived in a world of magic and learning magic too. And then there's Minato, he's probably out there trying to find his own path. But this celebrity is as close as I'll ever get to my dream. It all went to my head, and I hurt you. I'm sorry. You're right, I am a lousy friend." King apologizes.
Hearing this both girls smile.
"Well look at that, Ruler just learned some humility." Lily smiles.
Suddenly the cube glowed closing a little making them yelp.
"All right I have a plan to get out of here. But we need to work together this time." Luz said.
"I'm in!" Lily said.
"Just tell us what to do!" King nods.
Back in the forest, the Merchant crawled down to Eda, Edwin and Lilith.
"I know you must be confused. The Bloom of Eternal Youth, dead? What if I told you the Bloom never existed at all! And now that I have led you to my nest, I'll suck all the life out of you to satisfy my unending hunger!" He declares with glowing eyes.
"He scammed us. Can you believe he scammed us?" Lilith asks.
"I thought there was a 50/50 chance going in. Hard not to admire the tenacity though." Eda said.
"Well as admirable as it was, this is just pathetic. He's clearly outnumbered and out skilled yet he thinks he can actually defeat us?" Edwin asks.
"Well, maybe you've never been led into a lethal trap before, but the response should be, Aa! No! Spare us!" The Merchant said.
"I'm not doing that." Edwin said.
"Yeah, we're not in the mood either." Eda said cracking her knuckles while Lilith summoned her staff.
Seeing Edwin was the only one without a weapon the merchant went for him but Edwin easily dodges.
Grabbing him by the arm, Edwin slams the merchant to the ground.
"You don't get to be Head of the Soulwing family's butler without learning a thing or two."
Gulping the Merchant saw the three of them glaring down at him.
At the convention hall, Pinet was waiting in the hall playing blocks with his cubed authors.
"Hey Piniet! We're done!" King calls out.
Opening the door Pinet saw the cube was so small Luz and Lily had their backs to each other and King was under their legs.
"Faster than I expected." Pinet admits surprised.
"That's the miracle of teamwork." King said as Pinet opened a hole for Luz to hand the book through.
Opening it Pinet scans the pages. "This is more gushy than your last book. This Luzara and Minaka duo is very odd. Where did you get the inspiration for this character?"
"No one!" Luz blushes. "Uh I mean…you know imagination."
"Skip to the finale, because it is quite a payoff." King suggests.
Flipping to the last page, Pinet saw it was just a light glyph.
"What is this?" Pinet shows.
"Light Spell!" Smacking the Glyph, Luz makes a bright light blinding Pinet.
Using this opening Lily summons her whip and flicks it through the hole slashing the contract in half breaking them free.
"Ugh, I just realized I should've said enlightening. Skip to the finale, you'll find it enlightening." King said.
"Not the time King!" Lily and Luz said.
"I made you a star, and this is how you repay me?" Pinet snaps.
"No this is." King opens the case and all the cubed writers attacked Pinet.
Running to the door the three of them tried to escape only for the guards to stop them.
"Uh oh." Luz gulps as Pinet breaks free.
"You are making this harder than it needs to be! And believe me, I am being very patient! But let's cut to the finish." Taking out a pen it grew to the size of an axe.
"Oh I really wish we included Minato in this right now." King gulps when the door swings open and something knocked the guards over.
"Huh?" Turning around they saw Tiny Nose run in and land in front of King.
"King! I am your biggest fan! And I fought my way back here for you...to read my story?" Tiny Nose said holding up a manuscript.
"I'm sorry, my lawyer advised me not to look at unsolicited work." King said.
"But…but." Tiny Nose said when Pinet took the story.
"If I read this, will you go so I can annihilate them in peace?" Pinet asks pointing his weapon at them.
"Of course." Tiny Nose said as Pinet read the story and as he did tears formed in his eyes.
"Oh, it's beautiful! You, you must let me publish this! I can make you a star." Pinet declares.
"Really?" Tiny Nose smiles.
"Wait a minute. What about King?" King asks and Pinet takes his jacket.
"You're old news. She on the other hand is the future." Pinet said giving it to her.
"So…we're good?" Luz asks.
"Quite." Pinet said not caring anymore.
"Hey I am not going to stand for this." King snaps.
"Oh yes you are. We're leaving." Lily said grabbing King by the collar as she and Luz sprinted out as fast as their legs could carry them.
Back with Minato he was panting heavily completely worn out from practicing. His clothes were covered in dirt, mud and fruit stains.
"Well it took forever, but I can finally skate on these things." Minato taking them off.
"Amazing, you fell down so many times." Blanca said offering him a hand.
"Yeah but you helped me out Blanca. You're a good friend." Minato smiles.
Surprised Blanca smiels back accepting it.
"Well I had fun, you made these last few days enjoyable." Blanca said.
"Let's do this again sometime." Minato said grabbing the Monado and walking away.
As Blanca watched him walk away she sighed leaning against a tree.
She was an assassin, a merciless killer for hire and for a while that's what she did no questions asked, but for some reason this target was different. She was ordered to get close and earn his trust, but that was the problem.
Looking at the wristband he bought her, Blanca couldn't help but frown. Minato was not making this an easy kill.
Back in the forest, the merchant was on the ground in pain with Eda, Lilith and Edwin nearby.
"Well, we wrecked this chump. But I guess the Bloom of Eternal Youth isn't real." Eda sighs.
"Well, if it makes any difference, I don't consider you to be a tired old bitty." Lilith said.
"Nor do I." Edwin said.
"If you were you'd be much easier to capture." Lilith said.
"Oh great, you're gonna cart me away to the coven now, are you?" Eda assumes.
"Not now. Because I want to give you a chance to join on your own. Join me in the Emperor's Coven, Edalyn. He could even heal your curse." Lilith offers holding out her hand.
"No, I'll heal it on my own terms. I don't wanna owe him anything. Catch you later, sis." Eda said pushing it away.
"Not if I catch you first." Lilith said as Eda and Edwin walk away.
"Alright now there's no reason you can't listen to me." Edwin said.
"Alright Edwin what do you want?" Eda narrows her eyes.
"Listen to me, Minato's life is in danger. He stormed out before we could explain why. Elias hired an assassin to take him out and get the Monado." Edwin said horrifying her.
"He did what?" Eda panics.
"Listen to me, you have to be careful. I couldn't see their face but the assassin will try to get close. There is a lot you don't know about Minato that Elias does and he is very eager to get Minato out of his way." Edwin explains.
"What do you mean?" Eda asks.
"Miss Naomi has all the information. Should you eventually want answers, come to this address." Edwin said handing her a card. "I pray you choose to come before it's too late."
"What is this place?" Eda asks looking at it.
"Miss Naomi's home of course. As farfetched as it sounds she wants to help him. As do I." Edwin said before leaving.
That night flying back to the Owl House, Eda looks at the address Edwin gave her and sighs putting it in her pocket.
"I really hope I don't have to use this." Eda sighs entering to see Luz, Lily, Minato and King laying around exhausted.
"Whoa what happened here?" Eda asks.
"We had a rough couple of days." Luz said.
"I'll say. What do you say we kick back with a good book?" Eda suggests.
"No books!" Lily yells as she, Luz and King ran out.
"What was that about?" Eda asks.
"I don't know and I'm too tired to wonder." Minato groans taking off his skates and walking out. "I need to go to bed."
"Yeah…hey Minato." Eda calls out. "You notice anyone weird trying to get near you?"
"Weirder than the people we already know?" Minato asks.
"Touche." Eda chuckles. "But seriously? Anything happen while I was gone?"
"Well Blanca and I went to go see a Powerball game. She even helped me learn how to ride those magic skates." Minato said.
"Blanca? She do anything weird?" Eda asks.
"No, we had lots of fun." Minato said walking out.
Resting her head against the couch Eda pauses to think. 'I can't believe Elias hired an assassin. What are we gonna do when they make their move?' Eda thought when she noticed King's book on the table. "What in the?"
"Trust me, you don't wanna know." The Typewriter said.
