A/N: Hello, all. As you may know, Mew's name has been updated to be known as "Cotton". As for the name change to Melkor, I want to make one thing clear: while Melkor is original, Sauron the Deceiver and Dark Lord of Mordor was the inspiration for Melkor's design and behavior. Also, you may notice a familiar song that may be coming later this year. And for the record, Fred Flintstone appearing in Dr. Fred isn't really part of the story, but it'll be more of a comical review. :)
The Owl House: Coven of Rings and Darkness
Chapter 12: Elsewhere and Elsewhen
Act I
One day, Luz and Amity were in in the same giant solemn hall with the same pristine altar from the titan's vision with the same 9 inert gems gathered in a circle from before as the former looked around like a sort of detective.
"Uh, Luz? What exactly are we looking for here?", Amity asked.
"Anything that might give us a clue about what those gems really do. The last time we were there, they all suddenly just started up around me. But so far, nothing's happening. If I could just find something here, maybe even a hint, then I might be able to tell my parents about this.", Luz said.
"Hoot, hoot, hoo-hoot!", Hooty's voice suddenly crowed, making Luz exclaim before she disappeared.
"Luz?!", Amity said in worry before Melkor's shadow crept up on her, prompting Amity to turn around to see him before exclaiming in shock before she, too, disappeared.
In the real world, Luz woke up with a gasp before noticing Cotton on her shoulder, looking quite puzzled.
"Re-we?", Cotton puzzled, tilting her head to the right.
"Ah, shmirtz! I was so close...!", Luz groaned before she suddenly heard a clinking sound from below.
Downstairs, Hooty was throwing a party.
"It is so nice to be surrounded by all of Lulu's dearest friends!", Hooty grinned before it showed the attendees of the party, which included an unknown woman, Gwendolyn, Gwen, Lilia, Alex, Morton, Lilith, Steve (in casual-ish attire), Eda, Amiyah, Nathan, Belos, Luke, Lucia, King, and Tinella Nosa.
"Yeah! All hail Lulu!", Steve praised.
"We're here to celebrate the new assistant curator of the Supernatural Museum of History. Here's to you, Lilith!", Fire Queen Bee said as she lifted up his wine cup.
"Cheers!", everyone said to Lilith, who accepted everyone's toast with an awkward smile on her face.
Then, Luz came down to the living room wearing a party hat and noticed everyone around chatting before approaching Hooty, and Fire Queen Bee.
"Hooty! Your Majesty! Papa! Luke! Lucia! Did I miss the toast?", Luz asked.
"Just about.", Lucia responded.
"Darn...", Luz groaned.
"Well, I made Golden Donuts'.", Fire Queen Bee said as she showed her a plate with some Golden Donuts.
"You want a bite?", Fire Queen Bee asked.
"Sure, but where's Lilith? We want to congratulate her.", Luz asked as she lifted up her hat to show Cotton hidden in it.
"Mew.", Cotton squeaked happily.
Suddenly, a whip appeared, grabbed one of Fire Queen Bee's Golden Donuts, and brought it outside. The unknown woman caught the falling Golden Donut with her hand.
"Oh, I wish I could stay longer, but I must be off on my next adventure.", the woman said, taking a bite of a Golden Donut.
Luz and her siblings, along with a Fire Queen Bee, peeked outside the door and saw Lilith approaching the unknown woman.
"It's such a delight to see my little bookworm back in the historical world after all these years.", the woman grinned.
"Uh, thank you, Flora, but it's just a small job. Only an assistant. I'm surprised you even heard about this.", Lillith said.
"The emperor wanted to make sure you weren't getting into any trouble. And to clear out your office. I left a box of your knick-knacks inside.", Flora explained. "Wish you took more from my tutelage, dear. History's supposed to be exciting after all!"
Flora used her whip to catch a flying griffin and dragged it down to the ground. She then jumped onto the Griffin's back and whipped it, flying away with it.
"Okay, I don't know who she thinks she is, but she has zero respect for wildlife.", Lucia said.
"Who was that?", Luz asked.
"Flora D'splora. Bad-girl historian, celebrity, and my former mentor in the Emperor's Coven.", Lilith explained.
"I have questions about that name.", Fire Queen Bee responded.
"And I have questions about MY LIFE! All I ever got to do was desk work, while she goofed off riding wild snake horses and-", Lilith began before Luz gasped, her eyes lighting up.
"Snorses!", Luz beamed.
"I think you're too excited about this.", Lucia commented.
"-And, and eating mummy jerky! Well, I can be just as exciting as Flora. I'll come up with an exhibit that'll knock the Titan's socks off!", Lilith vowed, storming into the house.
"Mrew?", Cotton puzzled before Luz shouted after her.
"Congratulations on your new job!", Luz congratulated.
"Well, i gotta get back home and put some more honey in the jars." Fire Queen Bee said, before she buzzing back home.
Act II
Later, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Leif, Camila, Belos, Nathan, Amiyah, Owlbert, Cotton, Robin, and Gummi were watching the echo mouse's playback on Philip's diary entry.
"After careful analysis during this Deadwardian Era, I believe the current human year is 1660. Or is it '70? The years are flashing by, but it will all be worth it. I've gathered all the portal ingredients including Titan's Blood. And that's when my view was stricken with the sight of a beautiful maiden. All that's left is to seek out The Collector, and he will tell me what I need to complete my mission. But first, my companions and I must face-", Philip began as first, it showed a sort of town and then Philip drawing on his journal as time passes before it then showed a sort of skull-like bottle with horns, containing Titan blood as well as a sort of young woman as well as a big, tall door with markings on it and a sort of being, whose face resemble the sun and moon altogether with a creature's mouth opening afterwards before the playback got cut off before he could finish.
Back at the living room, they were all sitting on the couch staring at the ceiling, where the playback was just shown as the echo mouse went to sleep.
"The Collector. I've never heard that name.", King said.
"Me neither. What kind of jerk puts 'The' in front of their name anyway?", Eda added as she was picking up trash and putting them into a trash bag.
"But that name, though... It's been so many years since I last heard of it.", Belos admitted.
"It must've been really long because I don't remember hearing about him.", Camila added.
"I don't remember hearing about someone named 'the Collector', either.", Leif spoke telepathically, at least to Camila.
"But The Collector may know how to make a real portal door, Mama. Like that portal door we used to go to Amphibia to look for you and Mithril before we met Anne, Sasha, Marcy, and the gang along the way.", Luz responded.
"And if I recall correctly, Aruman and Maltheal stayed behind to safeguard it from the orcs that may reside here. Who knows what they might be capable of now?", Belos added.
"Yeah. I just with I could go back in time and talk to them more.", Luz said dejectedly before a sudden realization hit Luz.
"Eda! Is time magic a thing?", Luz asked.
"Not really, but...", Eda began. then she took off a book from the shelf titled "History's Top 10 Plot Holes".
"Back in the day, I was a bit of an urban-legend junkie. Twig Foot, Lenderman, possums...", Eda said as she opened the book and turned the pages.
"Those are real.", Luz said.
"Yeah. In our realm.", Lucia said.
"Yeah sure, kid.", Eda snorted, only frustrating Lucia as she groaned.
"Anyway, there are stories about these things called Time pools. Mythical puddles that act as windows into the past, but they're never in the same spot twice. Me and Lily used to search for them. She'd say I forced her into it, but I think she had more fun than me.", Eda explained.
"Lilith! Of course! Thanks, Eda!", Luz said, snatching the book off Eda's hands, before running off to find Lilith.
"Hey, Luz! Wait up!", Lucia shouted as she and Luke ran after him.
At the kitchen, Lilith was busy making model balusters.
"Lilith!", Luz shouted as she suddenly emerged from behind Lilith, calling out her name, which startled her.
"Uh, what are you doing?", Luke puzzled.
"I'm plotting out my first exhibit for the museum. It's almost as if the Emperor wanted Flora to tick me off. Well, I'll show her that she's not the only bad-girl historian in town. I'm thinking...", Lilith said as she took out a board with information of Deadwardian balusters on it.
"'The Architecture History behind Deadwardian Balusters'.", Lilith finished.
Luz and her siblings only looked at the board and smiled awkwardly before a sudden realization hit Lilith.
"This won't work, will it?", Lilith asked dejectedly.
"Hey! Don't let Flora get you down.", Luke said.
"Yeah, I even started calling you 'Cool Aunt Lilith' in my journal.", Luz said.
"Wait, you did what?", Lucia puzzled.
"Uh, oh, really?", Lilith said, flattered.
"You can be a bad-girl historian. And I know how.", Luz assured, showing her the Time Pool section in Eda's book.
"Oh, I remember these! 'In the Premysteric Era, it's theorized that coagulated Titan Blood mixed with the magical algae of the Boiling Sea created temporary holes in time.'", Lilith said.
"Time magic, baby! You can make an exciting exhibit on Time Pools, and maybe we can get information on how Dad made the portal door!", Luz said.
"Do you know anything that can help?", Lucia asked.
"I... did cobble together a device to find these with Eda. It should be in the box Flora returned to me. But it was faulty. It needed more power than I could ever give it.", Lilith said before Luz got an idea.
"Stay right there!", Luz said before running off. Lilith and her palisman looked at each other and the latter shrugged as did the two Noceda siblings and their palismen, even Cotton. Something crashed to the ground, making a loud noise, before Luz ran back to the kitchen, holding Amity's glove.
"Would Titan Blood do the trick?", Luz asked before Lilith looked at her board.
"Let's do it!", Lilith said, determined.
"I'll get our girlfriends up to speed.", Luke and Lucia said in unison before turning to each other puzzledly.
"Good plan. I'll notify Tibren and the others.", Lilith agreed.
Later, with the device now working, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Lilith, and now, Amity, Boscha, Willow, Edric, Emira, Tibren, Alex, Gwen, and Lilia, set off to find the Time Pools. At sunset, Luz climbed up a tree as Tibren spoke to Lilith.
"So, explain this to me again. The Titan Blood you all found back at Eclipse Lake is connected to the Time Pool here?", Tibren asked.
"Yes. And once we find it, we should know for sure.", Lilith said as Luz held up the device, sending energy to its reading instrument before Luz then hung upside down on a branch, earning Amity's giggles before she kissed Luz in the cheek while Lilith drew a question mark and a circle around it. At night, Lilith's palisman flew back with a piece of leaf with an unknown substance on it before dropping it on Luz's face, much to her disgust before Lilith took said piece and then on her book. Eventually, on the second day, Lilith managed to narrow down the location.
"Uuuuugh, how much longer...?", Emira groaned.
"Don't worry, everyone, we're getting closer. I can feel it.", Lilith assured before she swung her knife into a tree beside her, took a piece of tree bark, and dropped it into her device's test tube to test it.
"Ha! Exactly what I thought. These are wrinkling oaks.", Lilith said before Amity took a closer look, squinting her eyes.
"I don't know. They don't look very wrinkly.", Amity said.
"That's because something's keeping them locked in time. So, accounting for local plaque patterns, the quake in the '30s, and the switch from boiling units to the empirical system, the time pool should be... here!", Lilith said, pushing aside the two bushes only to find the location to be a beach, becoming disappointed as a result.
"But... I triple-checked all my calculations. My equipment is first-rate!", Lilith exclaimed before she suddenly tripped on something and almost fell down before kicking the sand.
"Stupid rock!", Lilith shouted.
"Wait. I don't see any rocks here.", Amity said as she, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Boscha, Willow, Edric, and Emira wandered around.
"Well, I'd say that's kind of a hit-and-miss, there.", Edric said as Luz kicked the stone.
Suddenly, it promptly disappeared into an invisible pool, grabbing most of the gang's attention.
"What?", Boscha puzzled.
"Actually, it's more of a hit than a miss.", Emira retorted.
"Maybe the Titan Blood was too dry? Is it not algae-blooming season?", Lilith asked before Luz and Amity poked their heads into the pool and found themselves staring at the same spot with a completely different surrounding from the Prehistoric Era.
A beast even walked in front of the two witches, stopped, and screeched, making Amity gasp in awe.
"Was it my tools?Are they broken? Am... I... broken?", Lilith asked to herself as she took off her glasses and stared at her reflection through the lenses.
Just then, Luz and Amity took their heads out from the pool and coughed before they turned their heads back to Lilith.
"You girls okay?", Boscha asked.
"What happened?", Willow added.
"Lilith! You did it.", Luz said as she held up an ammonite.
"You found the time pools!", Amity added before Lilith gasped, turned back towards her reflection and pointed at it.
"In your face!", Lilith smirked to herself.
Act III
Later, Lilith went to the era Luz and Amity saw. The beast from before walked toward the beach. It then stopped, scratched itself, yawned, and laid down, turning itself into stone. After witnessing this, Lilith held her breath and pulled herself back into the present.
"A Stonesleeper from the Hecktaceous Period. Did you know that they have a ticklish spot behind their ears?", Lilith said, turning to Luz.
"I didn't know that.", Luz beamed with a gasp.
"Did you hear that, you two? Luke? Lucia?", Lilith asked.
But they had their backs facing Lilith as they were busy kneeling down and poking at the sand.
"Yeah, I don't think they were paying attention.", Willow said.
"Come on, time pools. Mama needs to commune with the young.", Lucia said before taking a deep breath and poking her head into the sand.
"Wait for me.", Luke said before joining in.
Sure enough, they found themselves in another unfamiliar era and heard someone talking, looking toward the source of sound: three people who were wearing Medieval-style armor are sitting around a campfire.
"Tonight I shall revel so hard, I shan't stand any longer!", the first person said.
"I shall revel mineself to death!", the 2nd added.
Luke and Lucia pulled their heads out back to the present and looked towards the place where the trio were sitting. The skeleton of the 2nd person laid there, giving two thumbs ups as proof that he DID revel himself to death.
"No wonder no one's found these before. They're completely hidden from sight.", Lilith said.
"And they're not even on water, either.", Luke said before Lilith poked her head into another Time Pool, which happened to lead to the moment from not so long ago, when she and the others just arrived at the beach.
Evidently, her past self accidentally tripped on her current self's head and almost fell down.
"Stupid rock!", Past Lilith exclaimed, kicking the sand.
Then, the present Lilith pulled her head back to the present and rubbed her forehead, which was kicked by her past self.
"Interesting... But which one leads us to the time we need?", Tibren puzzled before popping his head in through the sand and finding himself at a point in time when
"Our turn.", Willow and Boscha said before they poked their heads into another Time Pool.
They turned around and found themselves staring at Bonesborough from an unknown era.
"Wow...", Willow said in awe.
"We've gotta go tell them.", Boscha said before she and Willow retreated.
"Luz?", Willow asked.
"Yeah?", she asked.
"You and your siblings might want to take this one.", Willow said.
After Luz, Luke, and Lucia poked their heads through the sand, they saw what the two girlfriends saw earlier.
"Wow. It's a little Babysborough!", Luz said in awe.
"I don't know.", Lucia said.
"Let's go find out.", Luke said as he noticed someone walking nearby.
Then, he called out to her.
"Hey! What era is it?", Luke asked.
"'Tis the Deadwardian Era. What ye three doing in the sand? Be ye crab men and a crab maiden?", the woman asked.
"Well, there's only one time it could be.", Lucia beamed.
"Dad's time!", Luz realized before she and her siblings pulled their heads back with Luz poking back out again.
"And, yes! I am a crab maiden.", Luz said as she pulled her head back to the present and called out to Lilith.
"Amity! Lilith!", Luz shouted.
"Everyone! Look. These are the oldest barnacles I've ever had on my head.", Lilith said as she pulled her head out of a Time Pool with some barnacles on top of her head.
"We found it! We found Dad's time!", Luz shouted before Lilith walked toward the gang.
"Ooh, incredible! This will be a truly unprecedented exploration. N-Now, before we dive in, we must remember if the tide comes in we could be trapped, paradoxes will be a danger, and don't get me started on the bloody fly effect, uh... But a bad-girl historian like myself is all about taking risks. So... let's boogie down to History Town.", Lilith said as she cleared her throat before dancing, singing, and doing finger guns.
"She really is Cool Aunt Lilith.", Luz mumbled awkwardly.
"Never do that again.", Amity blushed toward Lilith just as awkwardly.
"Oh, and I need you four to guard the time pools in case anything happens. And I mean ANY thing. Can you do that?", Lilith asked.
"Of course. Nothing shall touch the Time Pool while we're here.", Tibren assured.
"No one will disturb the Time Pool on our watch.", Alex assured.
"Thank you, Alex.", Lilith thanked.
Back at the Owl House, Dolly sighed to herself, attracting Kroscha's attention.
"What's wrong, Dolly?", Kroscha asked before Dolly pointed to Lilith's old Prince Redwood puppet.
"Oh. You're in love with him, aren't you?", Kroscha asked, earning Dolly's nod, confirming that this is the case.
"Oh, I know you and our friends love me, but I just wish I can find TRUE love too.", Dolly said.
"Well, there are a lot options now that you are alive.", Kroscha assured.
"Yeah, but where am I going to find-", Dolly began before she gasped.
In no time, Dolly found Kroscha's life potion and used it to make him come to life as she poured it on the puppet. However, nothing seemed to have worked.
"Aw... it didn't work.", Dolly said sadly.
"Well, it did take a while before you came to life, Dolly.", Kroscha said.
"Yeah. I guess...", Dolly sighed.
"Come here. We'll go have some lunch together and check back later.", Kroscha assured as she picked her up and went downstairs.
"Okay...", Dolly said.
Little did anyone know that as they left, the puppet blinked his eyes curiously.
Back at the Deadwardian era, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Edric, Emira, Boscha, Willow, and Lilith came out from the Time Pool. Lilith stole a straw hat from a pile of laundry nearby while Luz takes off the helmet from the Medieval Era 2nd person's skeleton and everyone else found hats from said pile. They then arrived at the outskirts of Bonesborough and prepared to go in.
"Now, everyone. We are technically in the Savage Ages, way before Belos banished wild magic. These denizens may be dangerous!", Lilith warned before the group headed into town as Luz checked under her helmet to see Cotton on top of her head.
"Everything okay in there, Cotton?", Luz asked.
"Mew.", Cotton nodded before Luz lowered her helmet.
There, they inadvertently bumped into a demon. Expecting an attack, Luz gets into a defensive posture as do Amity, Willow, Boscha, Luke, and Lucia. But the demon only tipped his hat.
"Good tidings, kind witches.", the demon greeted before leaving.
"Rewe?", Cotton puzzled.
Needless to say, they were quite surprised by that. Inside Bonesborough, the surrounding appears to be much more peaceful and harmonious than they imagined. Residents can even be seen playing musical instruments, helping each other out, and summoning Abominations at will, much to Amity's awe. The duo looked at everything with amazement.
"This doesn't look dangerous. This looks awesome!", Luz said.
"But... that doesn't make any sense. If it is that peaceful back then, why did Belos want to banish wild magic in the first place?", Amity asked.
"Well, the Titan supposedly doesn't like it.", Lilith said before noticing something.
"Oh, my gosh! look at this thatch work. Each segment looped by hand!", Lilith chortled as she wrote something down.
"Yeah..., I'll get back to you on that.", Luke said as he and the others walked away only for Lilith to suddenly stop writing.
"But I bet Flora would scoff at it.", Lilith said, upset, before closing the notebook.
Meanwhile, Luz and the gang approached a demon sitting on a bench feeding birds, showing him a drawing of Philip Wittebane's silhouette.
"Excuse me. Have you seen a human around? Round ears, super smart. Honestly, he's probably a celebrity around here.", Luz asked.
"Uh-uh.", the demon shrugged.
Then, they approached the vendor with Amity speaking this time.
"Have you recently seen this human named Philip Wittebane?", Amity asked.
"Uh-uh.", the vendor replied, shaking his head.
"Wha...?", Amity puzzled.
Then, Boscha spoke next.
"Have you seen this human?", Boscha asked, showing the drawing to a passer-by.
"Mm-mmm.", the woman replied, shaking his head.
After that, Willow spoke up next.
"Do you remember seeing him at any point at all?", Willow asked, showing the drawing to another passer-by.
"Mmm... Nope.", the 3-headed demon said in response.
"Dang it... All these people and we're still no closer to finding Philip...", Luke groaned before Lucia noticed something going on up ahead.
"Actually..., I think we might be closer than you think.", Lucia said.
"You just don't quit, do you?", Luke asked.
"Look.", Lucia said, gesturing to an apparent scuffle going on.
"Dance, human. Dance!", a demon shouted.
Then, everyone peeked out from behind a wall and saw 2 demons gangling up on a human named Philip Wittebane as a sort of girl resembling King, but with white sclerae and brown eyes and another named Nigel Wittebane watched.
"Give that back!", Philip urged as the demons threw Philip's diary at each other back and forth.
"I can't believe this. After the bonds of fellowship we forged-", Philip sighed, exasperated.
"Bonds? Ha! You still owe us.", Red Fang retorted as he gave Philip a hard push, causing him to fall to the ground.
"Enough of this, you two! It wasn't his fault!", the female demon assured.
"When I accomplish my mission, I promise you, you'll have your snails.", Philip assured.
"Why bother wasting your time with him, anyway?", Nigel asked somewhat coldly.
"Yikes.", Luz said to herself.
"Listen to this. 'With my new and bravest companion, Blue Fang, I set forth. His strength should make fast work of any task.'", Green Fang read before he passed the book to Red Fang.
"His pretty little words should make pretty good kindling.", Red Fang said before igniting a fire with a spell circle, attempting to burn the book.
Philip and Nigel gasped.
"I said..., that's ENOUGH!", the female demon shouted, knocking the two demons back, also blowing out the fire before it could burn at the book, much to Luz's surprise, as well as the others.
"She's just like King!", Luz gasped.
However, Green Fang picked up the book as he and Red Fang recovered.
"You don't know when to quit, do you?", Red Fang sneered before pushing the female demon back.
"No! My love!", Philip exclaimed in worry as Red Fang and Green Fang moved in, preparing to grab her, when suddenly, an ice spike suddenly popped up and kKept them from getting any closer to her right before an abomination appeared and grabbed the two, surprising the demons.
Then, Luz stepped forward, grabbing their attention.
"That girl doesn't belong to you.", Luz glared.
"And neither does that book.", Amity added, stepping forward.
Back at the present, Kroscha and Dolly went back to where Lilith's stuff is.
"Okay. Let's see. Did it come to life yet?", Kroscha asked before she and Dolly noticed that there was no sign of the redwall doll.
"He's gone!", Dolly said.
"But where could he be?", Kroscha asked.
Just then, they heard a lute being played just outside.
"Huh? That sound... Where's it coming from?", Kroscha asked.
Then, afterwards, she and Dolly ran outside and looked around only to find none other than the Redwall doll on the roof of the Owl House, playing a tune on his lute, making Dolly gasp in awe as her eyes widened.
Redwall: Oh, join up with me, so joyous and free
And away to old Bonesborough hie,
For I'm Redwall Wood, and I'm very good
At avoiding the Emperor's eye.
So we'll trip along merrily,
O'er the greensward so gracefully,
To trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it,
Trip it up and down,
To trip it, trip it, (he literally trips and slides down the roof)
trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it, whoops,
trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it (falls into a pile of leaves)
So trip it up and down.
At this point, Dolly was laughing hysterically. Redwall even spotted Dolly and stared in awe. Frankly, Dolly and Redwall both had hearts fluttering around them. He immediately dashed over to her.
"Hello, milady. I am Redwall Wood, the prince of carved nature.", Redwall introduced.
"I'm Dolly, the crafted daughter of the youngest Blight.", Dolly greeted back.
"Dolly, a name as pretty as a sonnet and what a divine scent from your hair.", Redwall said before sniffing deeply, making her giggle.
"Aw.", Kroscha beamed brightly.
"Stop, you're going to make me blush.", Dolly said.
"So, how shall we get to know each other better?", Redwall asked.
"Well, there is an appreciation party going on. We can chat over some cake.", Dolly offered.
"Sounds wonderful. Who knows, maybe soon, we'll move on from an appreciation to a wedding.", Redwall beamed.
"Oh, yes, sir!", Dolly grinned before leaping into his arms and carrying her to the party, bridal style.
"I'm so happy for her...", Kroscha grinned.
Back at the Deadwardian Era in Bonesborough, Luz and Amity stood still, confronting the two demons who were gangling up on Philip. Red Fang attempted to attack Luz and Amity, but was promptly stopped by Green Fang.
"Don't waste your time on the kid. We should keep looking.", Green Fang said.
"Keep looking? For what?", Amity puzzled.
"None of your business.", Green Fang responded.
"Why don't you ask your friend there what happened to our brother, Blue Fang, and his Palisman?", Red Fang said before Green Fang kicked on Philip's scattered diary and walked away with Red Fang.
Then, Philip started picking up the pages, but suddenly yelped in pain and held on to his right leg before continuing to pick up the pages.
Then, Luz helped out only to notice one of the pages, which showed a drawing of Eclipse Lake, as everyone else noticed, too.
"So he's already gotten to the Titan Blood.", Luz guessed.
Then, Amity also noticed a drawing of an unknown, yet familiar realm, earning her gasp.
"That's the realm we kept winding up in every night...!", Amity realized.
However, Philip only snatched the pages back from Luz's hands.
"That's private.", Philip said.
"Sorry.", Amity apologized.
"Thank you for saving us back there.", the female demon thanked.
"You're welcome.", Lucia responded.
"You two're Philip and Nigel Wittebane, aren't you? The humans?", Willow asked.
"How know you about us?", Philip asked, filled with intrigue.
"Well, there weren't many rumors, but there was at least 1 rumor we heard about. So, after some limited research, we decided to look around. And that's when we found you two.", Boscha explained.
"Here to gawk? We may not have bile sacs, but we do have dignity. Come, Philip. We mustn't waste time on them.", Nigel said, turning away and starting to leave.
"Yes, Nigel...", Philip said sadly before turning to follow him as the female demon looked on sadly.
"Wait! We've also learned of your exploits in our limited research, and I know what it's like to be far from home. Can we talk?", Lucia asked before Nigel and Philip started staring at Lucia.
However, only the former squinted.
"No.", Nigel refused before he turned away once more and started to walk away, limping.
"Pardon me, what?!", Philip said in disbelief.
"Wait! We can give you snails!", Willow offered.
"We can make you crutches!", Boscha added.
"And we can even heal your leg injury!", Edric and Emira added.
"Um, uh... we can help you find the Collector!", Amity added, prompting Philip and Nigel to stop and glance at the gang sideways.
"Well, they might make valuable allies in the case of finding the Collector, brother.", Philip assured before Nigel placed his fingers on his chin.
Later, the two Wittebanes, the female demon, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Boscha, Willow, Edric, Emira, and Lilith were now walking through a forest.
"So, Luzura. You, your Aunt Dirtrude, and your friends started travelling together after the Toe-gres attacked your castle and covered it with an impenetrable mist?", the female demon asked.
"Yes. And that's why we, too, seek The Collector. We need him to tell us how to clear the mists so we can return home. Snap, snap, snap.", Luz said before the trio brought Luz and her gang to a cave.
"Whoa...", Edric said, the echo bouncing off the rocky walls.
"Now, THAT is a big cave.", Emira added.
"Now... anyone bring a torch?", Philip asked.
"Who needs torches when you have light spells?", Luz asked before tracing a light spell circle and then creating a moonlight-like light orb.
"Is that the moon?", Philip asked, awestruck with wonder.
"Nope. But it kinda does look like it.", Luz responded.
"And we know you two don't have bile sacs, so we brought those over for you.", Willow said, handing both Philip and Nigel 1 light glyph each.
"Astounding! I thought I was the only one who used picto-glyphs.", Philip said in amazement.
"Hang on. You use glyphs too?", Amity asked.
"How else could we have survived here, even with the love of my life with me?", Philip asked as he turned to the female demon, who giggled as young Cotton appeared beside her and giggled.
"Aw...", Luz beamed.
"Plant growth, ice, fire... Took years to find them. Almost as if the world wanted to hide them from me.", Nigel glared as he sketched the light glyph pattern into his diary.
"I even found one in a snowflake.", Philip added cheerfully.
"You did?", Luz said in amazement.
"What do you know? Us, too!", Willow realized.
"Oh, yeah. We were at the knee, studying on how magic works under our grandmaster's guidance.", Amity added.
"Warriors and scholars. Truly impressive.", Nigel said before he walked away.
But as he did so, Philip and his girlfriend grew worried and only Lilith noticed this, much to her own concern.
Then, Philip and Nigel lead the gang deeper into the cave, activating Light glyphs along the way.
"Line there, curve there... fascinating. Absolutely fascinating.", Nigel said, amazed.
"Yes, brother. Very amazing, indeed...", Philip said with a nervous chuckle.
Frankly, Philip was not only concerned about his brother, but also worried as he noticed Lilith was staring at him suspiciously, prompting his girlfriend to look back at Lilith and speak.
"Your niece is very talented. I'm sure she takes after her aunt.", the female demon said, flattering her.
"Oh. Maybe I... had a little something to do with it.", Lilith grinned with a chuckle.
"Now, I know a few tricks as well.", Philip said, putting up a light ball and starting to draw a large glyph combo on the ground.
"What is this?", Luke asked.
"A shortcut... to The Collector.", Philip said as he tapped the glyph combo.
It started to flash brightly before the screen turned white. Then, Luz and the others opened their eyes and found themselves inside an ice cave. There was even a tall double door at the end like in the journal entry.
"Whoa. Where are we?", Luz asked with a gasp.
But Nigel doesn't reply and walks towards the door instead.
"Why don't you try looking out through here?", Philip asked before Luz looked outside through a wide gap and gasped in amazement before Amity and the others did the same.
"We're in the head of the Titan?!", Willow exclaimed.
"Are you nuts?!", Boscha exclaimed.
"W-We're what? But this is sacred ground!", Lilith exclaimed.
"I suppose that's why no one wanted to accompany us. But every legend told me and my brother that The Collector lies there. Behind that door. We just can't figure out the mechanisms to open it. If I weren't so frail...", Philip said as Edric and Emira noticed a mural that caught their attention: an alliance of the Boiling Isles and Amphibia demonstrated by 2 people, apparently named Melkor and Aldrich, much to their shock as they gasped quietly from this, before he winced in pain and knelt down, clutching his right leg.
"It's okay, we can help! Puzzles are in my blood, literally. My mom had to stop me from eating puzzles when I was a kid. You stay here and rest up.", Luz assured.
"Thank you for your kindness, crab maiden.", Philip thanked as he put a hand on Luz's shoulder.
"Perhaps we were destined to meet.", Nigel said before Luz smiled at him and Philip.
She then ran to Lilith and the gang, who were in front of the door trying to open it. Edric and Emira, though, have their opinions.
"That door looks so big.", Edric said.
"Yeah. Not to mention fancy.", Emira added.
"What do you make of it, Lilith?", Lucia asked.
"This mechanism is unlike any I've seen before. It'll make a remarkable addition to my exhibit. It's just...", Lilith began before hesitating and appearing to be contemplating something.
"What's wrong?", Luke asked.
"Yeah, what are you stopping for?", Emira added.
"We're getting everything we could have hoped for!", Luz added.
"That's just it. Look. Most of this puzzle has been solved already. And Philip and Nigel...", Lilith said as she glanced toward Philip and Nigel.
Luz and the others glance towards Philip and Nigel, too. They were having a sort of talk.
"The confidence, the compliments. They say everything you want to hear. It feels... uncomfortably familiar.", Lilith said.
"Yeah... I think you might be right. It is a little weird.", Amity concurred.
"Still, it's the Boiling Isles! Everything's a little weird, right? Hey, why don't you keep working on this, and we'll go talk to Philip? Won't we, Amity?", Luz assured.
"Well... Okay.", Amity said cautiously.
Then, Luz and Amity walked towards Philip and Nigel as Lilith and the others continued trying to solve the puzzle. There was a blue fang and a palisman inside Philip's bag.
"Listen, Nigel. I've been doing some thinking. Maybe we don't have to sacrifice those witches to the beats behind those doors.", Philip assured before Luz and Amity gasped from hearing this.
"I beg your pardon?! Philip, those are wicked witches we're dealing with. What reason do we have to trust them?", Nigel asked.
"More than there are to count, brother. We do not have to do it like this.", Philip assured.
"I'm afraid it is a bit late for that after what happened to Blue Fang and his palisman...", Nigel glared before Amity gasped upon remembering what Red fang said earlier.
"Why don't you ask your friend there what happened to our brother, Blue Fang, and his Palisman?", Red Fang asked.
"So, that's why they were attacking him...! They hated him for what happened to Blue Fang...! And we stuck up for that jerk...!", Amity chastised to herself.
"No, brother. It's not. Surely, they must at least be good witches. I'm more than sure we can work this out. Nobody else has to get hurt.", Philip assured.
"You should know better than anyone, brother.", Nigel only glared before he shoved Philip to the ground, making Luz and Amity gasp in worry before they noticed that Philip dropped his journal.
"Someone always gets hurt. I thought you wanted to purge all evil from this world. Don't you?", Nigel asked.
After a moment, Philip only sighed sadly.
"Yes...", Philip said.
"Good. Then we stick to the plan.", Nigel said, not knowing that Luz and Amity were already reading what he was writing in his diary.
"'I single-handedly defeated the beast behind the door. Tragically, I could not save my companions.'", Luz read before Philip noticed Luz and Amity with a sad look as Nigel turned to the two.
"Philip, why did you and Nigel bring us here?", Luz asked.
"Well, 'Luzura'. I thought you witches were stupid. But it looks like you've figured out my plan.", Nigel sighed.
"What plan?", Amity asked before the ground shook, accompanied by a loud sound.
With that, Luz looked back towards the door.
"Ah! I did it! I solved the puzzle!", Lilith waved as behind her, the doors opened inwards.
"I needed a sacrifice.", Nigel casually explained.
"What'd he say?", Lilith asked.
Then, out of nowhere, a claw suddenly emerged from inside and grabbed Lilith, making her scream while being dragged into darkness.
"Lilith!", Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Willow, Boscha, Edric, and Emira shouted.
"Well, with the beast distracted, we can finally get through those doors.", Nigel smirked.
"You tricked us!", Amity snapped.
"No...! I never intended to...!", Philip began.
"Not you, Philip. Him.", Amity said, pointing at Nigel.
"It was-", Nigel interrupted.
"Destiny? Balderdash.", Luz interrupted.
"Ohohoho, no! This is way more than balderdash!", Willow glared.
"I was going to say, 'inevitable'. You were all easier to trick than Blue Fang.", Nigel smirked.
"Don't you talk about Blue Fang like that!", the female demon snapped.
"I'm going to have to go with her on this one. He did not deserve the fate that befell him!", Philip argued.
"Well, hopefully, you and Aunt Dirtrude can last longer.", Nigel smirked.
From inside the room came Lilith's terrified screams. Luz, Amity, Luke, Lucia, Willow, and Boscha rushed inside.
"Well? Should we?", Emira asked.
"Not like we have much choice here.", Edric responded before they followed.
"We have to go help them.", Philip urged.
"Still, you're much too soft, brother...", Nigel only glared, prompting Philip to glare back before taking off after the others.
Upon doing so, he, along with his demon girlfriend, found a beast grasping Lilith in its claws.
It noticed Luz and company and screeched at them.
"Lilith!", Luz shouted.
"Wait a minute... You can go harpy on him, remember?!", Amity realized.
"Oh, right...!", Lilith realized before changing into her Raven Harpy form with a mighty screech and freeing herself from the beast's grasp.
Then, the beast rushed toward the rest of the company on foot. From there, Philip immediately activated an ice glyph and created an ice trail, causing the beast to slip on the ice and fall down, loosening its grip.
"Da- I mean, Philip!", Luz said in surprise.
"Leave those witches alone, you beast!", Philip urged, earning the beast's roar of retortion.
Then, the female demon let out a roar of her own, blasting it back while everyone other than Philip started to run off together only to notice that Nigel was walking up to a platform and started digging.
"Hey! That better be your own grave you're digging!", the Raven Harpy scolded angrily.
In no time, the beast stood up and chased after Lilith, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Willow, Boscha, Edric, and Emira. From there, Luz activated fire spells to create flames, temporarily blinding the beast, and allowing Willow, who turns into a plant girl again, and Amity, who became an abomination, to use their individual magics to trap the beast, earning each other's grin to one another.
Meanwhile, Nigel's shovel hit something. He grinned and picked up the object.
"Found you.", Nigel smirked as he looked at his reflection in the object, which was a mirror with a crescent moon drawing on it.
Meanwhile, Luz and Amity gasped from noticing it.
"The tablet from the ruins...!", Luz and Amity realized right before the former started reeling in pain as she held her head.
"Luz, are you okay?!", Amity asked.
"I don't know...!", Luz groaned before, a moment later, Luz screamed as her eyes turned blank white with light shining out of them while her hair turns white and her skin turns half orange-yellow, half blue, much to everyone's shock.
The light from the change attracted Luz's attention and prompted it to break free from the trap and shake off Willow and Amity. Once the change was done, Luz opened her eyes, which are now crimson red with yellow sclerae with a crazed smirk just as Amity got up to notice that Luz had changed like last time back in Eclipse Lake, much to her shock as she gasped.
"Luz...?! No!", Amity said
"Hey, beasty! Come over here and play.", Luz spoke before the beast, puzzled as it was, charged toward Luz, who only stopped it and flicked it back onto a wall, shocking everyone who saw this.
But the beast wasn't done. As soon as it recovered, it became angry and then puffed out air from its nostrils just as Luz got an idea.
"Ooh. I have a fun game we could play.", Luz said before magically producing a sort of red blanket.
"Toro! Toro!", Luz dared like a materdor before the beast puffed out air again and rushed toward her with a roar.
"Olé!", Luz said as she moved away and lifted the red blanket away from the beast at the same time before the beast tried to halt itself, but wound up hitting the wall again, this time, by the beak as everyone watched, peeping out from behind a pillar before glaring toward Nigel.
"I know you want to get home, but nothing is worth hurting people!", Amity shouted.
"You don't understand, Hecamity. It's not his intent to go home right away. Anymore than it was mine for things to unfold this way!", Philip explained.
"And yet, they did, brother. All the same, it was nice making a cat's-paw out of your witch friends. Good luck with your... crab castle... or... whatever. You witches come up with the worst lies.", Nigel said as he drew the glyph combo on the ground.
But Amity wasn't about to let Nigel get away.
"RAAAAAGH!", Amity shouted as she lurched off after him.
"Amity, no!", Willow said in worry.
Then, Amity morphed back to normal in mid flight as she reached for Nigel to attack him.
But before she could, Nigel tapped on the glyph combo. It flashed and teleports him away right before Amity landed on the ground. The only thing she managed to take was Nigel's bag with a blue fang and a lone palisman inside. The beast was distracted by the flash, however, and rushed towards it, headed right for Amity. Right then, Luz saw this happening and gasped in instinctive worry, her eyes turning back to normal, though her body is still transformed, somewhat.
"Sweet potato!", Luz shouted.
"Hecamity, look out!", Philip shouted, prompting Amity to look and gasp in horror, unable to move in time.
It practically rammed toward Amity, but all of a sudden, someone quickly swooped in and saved her, stopping the beast from striking her, much to its puzzlement, and Amity's upon she wasn't rammed while everyone else was stunned.
Play Yasuharu Takanashi Music: "KAWAKI"
"Hey.", the demon spoke, surprising Amity upon noticing the one who saved her: Blue Fang himself, only he was missing his middle fang.
"Now's not the time to be distracted.", Blue Fang said.
"Blue Fang...?!", Amity said.
"Me-rew!", Past Cotton said in surprise.
"Blue Fang...!", the female demon grinned.
"You're alive!", Philip said in relief.
"Oh. You might need those.", Amity said, getting the blue fang and palisman out of Nigel's bag and then handing them to Blue Fang.
"Thanks.", Blue Fang said as he grabbed said blue fang and placed it back on his mouth where the fang was missing, screwing it back on and then gazing at his palisman as Past Cotton went over to him.
"Mew-rew! Mew... Re-ew, Mew!", Past Cotton squeaked, blinking her eyes at him and moving to his palisman before tapping it, revitalizing it before it woke up and squawked while gazing at its owner, who became surprised that such a thing was even done.
"Fireball...", Blue Fang spoke before turning to Past Cotton.
"Thank you, Cotton. You did well. But I'll take it from here.", Blue Fang assured.
"Re-ew?", Past Cotton responded, tilting her head to the left.
Then, Blue Fang stepped forward and had a staredown with the beast.
"You want to come at me, do it. You're gonna need all the help you can get this time around.", Blue Fang said.
The beast then roared before it charged toward him.
"Blue Fang, no!", Philip shouted before Blue Fang only leapt up before it could strike and then landed on top of him and rode on him as it tried to shake him off.
"My word... He's more prepared for it now than I gave him credit for...", Philip said in astonishment.
"But it's a matter of how long he can hold on. On one hand, it's our chance to escape. But on the other hand, it'd mean leaving him behind again... That's clearly not an option right now.", the female demon said.
"You were right about that jerkweed. I'm so sorry, Lilith.", Luz apologized.
"Oh, your humility before death truly heartens me.", Lilith said.
"Yeah, if only we listened to you...", Lucia said sadly before realizing something.
"Wait... we did listen to you!", Lucia realized, puzzling Lilith before she took off.
"Wait, what are you doing?", Lilith puzzled.
"Hey! Try to go for its ticklish spot behind the ears and rub it! That's all you need to do!", Lucia shouted.
"Ticklish spot behind the ears?", Philip puzzled before the female demon gasped.
"Of course! I thought that beast was familiar! It's a stonesleeper! I thought those creatures were extinct.", the female demon realized.
"You two were listening.", Lilith grinned, shedding a tear of joy.
"You seriously want me to rub that spot?! And on what basis should I trust you?", Blue Fang shouted in response, given his bad experience, while struggling to stay on the creature.
"Just do it, you dingus!", Emira shouted.
"That should calm it down! And that's pretty much the only way I know of!", Lucia shouted.
"Well, when you put it that way...", Blue Fang said before then rubbing it, making it widen its eyes with big stars in its eyes before it then started going down like a falling tree that was chopped before landing on the ground.
End Yasuharu Takanashi Music: "KAWAKI"
When the dust cleared, the stonesleeper was now pacified.
"Whew! That worked.", Luz sighed in relief before flying over to the stonesleeper and scratched the soft spot herself.
"Aw. Do you like that, boy? Aw, you're a good boy.", Luz said, earning almost everyone's giggles while only Philip, Blue Fang, and the female demon looked on in surprise.
"Blue Fang, listen... About what happened the last time... I'm sorry. I had no idea that Nigel would... or I would've...!", Philip began out of guilt.
"Hey. It's all right. For a brother of Nigel, you sure seem to be different from him.", Blue Fang grinned.
"Of course he is.", the female demon grinned as Past Cotton giggled.
"You know, Philip? You're very lucky to have someone like her. So, no matter what comes your way, no matter what the future holds, could you take care of her?", Luz asked, making him and his girlfriend blush for a moment before the former cleared his throat.
"Of course, Luzura.", Philip responded.
"Thank you.", Luz grinned.
"I've been meaning to ask, though. What is that strange power you displayed?", the female demon asked.
"Yeah, I don't really know. I only remember going into this once back when I was sick with the common mold.", Luz responded.
"And how exactly do you feel with this power?", Lilith asked.
"I can see a lot things, actually. A LOT OF THINGS!", Luz responded, echoing with wide eyes.
"Uh..., okay.", Lilith said nervously.
"But enough about that.", Luz said as she then turned back to normal.
Later, Nigel was walking on a trail inside a forest and was writing something down on his diary.
"'And so I doggedly limped home, but I had my prize.'", Nigel wrote before he noticed that his bag was missing.
"What...?! My bag! That witch! No matter.", Nigel glared before he took out the mirror-like tablet.
"How to describe you? Oval? Oblong? A round boy?", Nigel said before he heard some loud thuds behind him.
He turned around and saw the Stonesleeper from inside the cave screeching at him, causing him to gasp in shock before Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Willow (who is now back to normal), Boscha, Edric, Emira, Lilith (who is now back to normal), Philip, his girlfriend, and Blue Fang jumped down from the Stonesleeper's back.
"Blue Fang...?! You're alive?! A-And you have your palisman back!", Nigel exclaimed.
"Don't act all surprised, Nigel. You knew it was going to catch up to you sooner or later.", Blue Fang glared.
"Tell me how that thing's gonna help you build a portal to the Human Realm.", Luz glared before Philip looked down at his mirror.
"Oh, no. I need this for something else.", Philip said as he put the mirror into his bag.
"No? What do you mean "no"?!", Luz shouted furiously.
"Yeah, what the heck?!", Lucia shouted.
"I mean, if it's information you all want, perhaps we can make an exchange. I'll probably require another sacrifice sooner or later. If you or your family want to-", Nigel began as Lilith walked toward him right before she struck only to hit Philip by accident, breaking his nose, even, much to her shock.
"I am so sorry, Philip!", Lilith apologized.
"No, no. It's fine... It's what I had coming to me for helping my brother in the first place...", Philip assured as he was helped up by his girlfriend.
"You may be a good person, Philip, but you're not the only one who deserves it.", Lilith said before turning into a Raven Harpy again and striking again, this time, slashing Nigel squarely in the face, going past his eye.
"You hateable sorcerers!", Nigel glared.
"Stay mad. Come, everyone. We're finished here.", Lilith said before Luz sneered while making hand gestures at Philip as everyone else left.
"Cool aunt.", Luz said as she climbed up to the Stonesleeper's back with Lilith, Blue Fang, Edric, Emira, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Willow, and Boscha.
"You know, your breath stinks..., you cursed human.", Blue Fang spoke coldly to Nigel.
Then, they all rode off together, and the Stonesleeper accidentally kicked Nigel in the head while walking off. As it continued along, Lilith noticed that Luz, Luke, and Lucia were upset.
"You know, Luz, if some jerk like Philip can build a portal, then I'm sure you can too.", Lilith assured.
"Thanks. Hey, we have some time before the tide comes in. You want to do something exciting?", Luz asked.
Lilith grew puzzled about this. Back in Bonesborough later, Lilith, back to normal again, was watching a craftsman making balusters.
"Balusters, Luz! Deadwardian balusters!", Lilith said as she jotted down the process in her notebook with Luz and the others watching on gladly.
Act IV
Back in the present, the gang popped up from the time pool as Alex, Gwen, Lilia, and Tibren were surrounding it.
"Hi, guys.", Luz said.
"How was the trip to the past?", Tibren asked.
"Not at all like we expected...", Luke responded.
"Philip's okay and so is his girlfriend, but his brother Nigel? He stunk.", Lucia responded.
"I punched him in the face.", Lilith added, making Amity giggle a bit.
"Did you at least find any clues?", Alex asked.
"Actually, there was one. And it was at the head of the Titan.", Emira responded.
"The Head of the Titan?! You've all been here?! But that's sacred ground!", Tibren exclaimed.
"I know!", Lilith agreed.
"Anyway, we were in the head of the Titan, right? While we were there, Emira and I found some kind of mural.", Edric said.
"A mural?", Gwen asked.
"What did it show?", Lilia asked.
"A couple of dudes shaking hands. But the shocking part is, one of them was named Aldrich while the other was named Melkor.", Emira responded, making Tibren gasp from hearing this.
"Do you know something about this?", Lilith asked.
"I do. There used to be a time when the Boiling Isles was much more than it is today. Before the ban on wild magic, there was a time when everyone from distant realms other than our own were welcomed in the Boiling Isles. No exceptions.", Tibren responded.
"Everyone?", Luz, Luke, and Lucia asked in surprise.
"Yes. Everyone. Be it the frogs, toads, and newts of Amphibia or even the Ogres.", Tibren responded.
"So, what's the story with Aldrich?", Boscha began.
"1,000 years ago, King Aldrich ruled Newtopia and commanded its military campaign of conquest across various worlds, planets, or even dimensions. And often, he did so with the Core as his guide, especially with Melkor helping him build it to begin with.", Tibren explained.
"Conquest? That's horrible!", Lucia said in worry.
"Yes. It is. And as if that wasn't bad enough, there were even rumors that Aldrich knows something about the Collector as well.", Alex said.
"Wait, he does?", Luz asked in surprise.
"And you're thinking about going back in time to ask him about the Collector, aren't you?", Tibren asked.
"Yes, please.", Luz responded.
Later, the gang returned to the past, this time along the sandy shores of Newtopia.
"Welp, we're here.", Luz said before she and the others noticed a sort of grand castle up ahead, much to their shock and awe.
"I don't believe this! THIS is what it used to be like 1,000 years ago?! It looks so advanced!", Lilith said in surprise.
"Is this thing coming through all right?", Tibren asked through a walkie talkie before Luz answered it.
"Yep. Loud and clear. Over.", Luz responded.
"All right. We'll leave you to your own devices for now, but we will be checking back to see if you found anything else vital to our quest.", Tibren said.
"You got it. We'll talk to you guys soon. Over.", Luz said.
"Now comes the tricky part. What should we masquerade as this time?", Lilith asked as the group walked closer to the castle when Lucia saw a perfect example.
"Oh! Maybe we could be disguised as one of him.", Lucia suggested, pointing to a sort of big newt who wrapped up a picture with a cloth and started walking to the castle.
"A newt?", Boscha puzzled.
"Why not? They do appear to be common around here.", Willow grinned.
"All right. Newts, it is.", Luz said, tracing a spell circle with her finger before everyone "poofed" into newts with each witch's skin color the same one as the hair, especially Luz.
"Okay. This isn't half bad.", Luke said.
"Aw. Who knew you'd look so cute as a newt, Lucia?", Willow beamed.
"Oh, stop it, Willow. You're making me blush.", Lucia grinned.
"I think you look cute, too, Amity.", Luz said to Amity, making her blush.
"Uh, thanks, Luz. You, too.", Amity grinned, making Luz beam toward her.
"Anyway, let's get going, shall we?", Amity asked.
"Not going to be easy with those guards around.", Lilith stated, gesturing to the two toad guards.
"Actually, I don't think we'd have to.", Edric said, gesturing to the newt who was crawling onto the castle walls and approaching Barrel. Behind him, the newt grabbed the toad.
"Aha! I'm disappointed, Barrel. Shouldn't the Newtopian guard always be aware of his surroundings?", the newt asked.
"Shouldn't Amphibian royalty know never to put a toad in a headlock?", Barrel retorted before he then broke free off the newt by means of croaking with a puff, even kicking him.
"Ha-ha! Another victory for Barrel.", Barrel grinned, sliding his nail onto the walls, even passing a note to the newt.
"Oh, yeah. Leif left a note for you. But it's blank, so I don't know why she even bothered.", Barrel said.
"Like to you, perhaps. Leif and I came up with a way to leave secret messages for each other.", the newt explained, taking his glasses to read the letter that had some kind of Amphibian alphabet.
"Leif...? Doesn't that sound like our Mom's pet frog from back home?", Luke asked.
"That could be just a coincidence. I mean, come on. The chances of Leif having anything to do with our Dad are a million to...", Lucia began.
"She's in the Garden with Belos and his GF. Come on! Let's go!", the newt urged before he and Barrel darted off for the garden.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...?!", Lucia finished in disbelief.
"Come on, guys. We have to find a way in. Philip's in there and we have to find out how.", Luz urged.
While Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Willow, Boscha, Edric, Emira, and Lilith followed them, the two friends then caught up and approached Belos, now in a golden mask with two long upward-facing horns with a small, white overshirt on a black robe, the female demon, and Leif at the Garden.
"Andrias!", the female demon grinned.
"Took you long enough, I suppose.", Belos added.
"Hey, guys! How's it going?", the newt asked.
"Shh. I have just perfected a dance that mesmerizes any creature that watches. Behold.", Leif spoke before she got into position and then started doing said dance, brushing her foot against the ground, raising her hands while clenching them, getting on all fours, shaking her body, and even flopping like a fish, attracting the attention of four moss men, especially Barrel, who was apparently hypnotized while the big newt blushed and the female demon and her palisman, Young Cotton, giggled while Belos, through his mask, looked surprised and perplexed.
After Leif finished the dance, Barrel stopped getting hypnotized.
"Huh. What?", Barrel puzzled before Leif hopped down to the others as Luz and the gang peeped out.
"See? Even the strangest interdimensional animals love it.", Leif grinned.
"That was weird. Anyone else just blackout?", Barrel asked.
"That dance was just beautiful, Leif.", the female demon grinned.
"And mysterious at the same time.", Belos added.
"Brilliant! Classic Leif.", the big newt said, raising his thumb.
"Ah. Thanks, 'Drias. Say, uh, what you got there?", Leif asked, pointing to something behind his back.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Your surprise! Ta-da! An official portrait of us!", the big newt said, showing Barrel and Leif a portrait of the trio, not to mention the female demon and Cotton, much to their surprise.
"It looks just like us!", Barrel said in surprise.
"Look, Cotton. That's us.", the female demon grinned.
"Mew. Mew. Mew.", Young Cotton grinned.
"What about you, Belos?", the female demon asked.
"Prince Andrias actually wanted to include me in the portrait, but I politely declined.", Belos explained.
"Spoil sport.", Andrias teased.
"Still, that's a huge honor! What's the occasion?", Leif asked.
"Dad's appointed me to lead the next invasions.", Andrias grinned, making Luz cringe with a gasp from hearing the word.
"SCORE!", Barrel shouted as he clapped.
"Say, what?", Leif said in surprise as she clapped as well.
"And I never would have made it this far without you guys. Thank you. I mean it.", Andrias grinned.
"Aww. Thank you, 'Drias.", Leif thanked, making Luz whimper with teary eyes, touched at the show of friendship.
"Now what are we standing around for? We gotta celebrate!", Leif grinned.
"May I suggest running through the hallway, screaming at the top of our lungs?", barrel suggested.
"Sounds good to me. Let's go!", Andrias said before he, Leif, and Barrel ran out of the garden.
Belos and the female demon, however, grew hesitant before turning to one another.
"Well? Shall we?", Belos asked a bit nervously for the trio.
"Well, I suppose they are good friends.", the female demon spoke before she and Belos cautiously followed.
"Did he say he's been appointed?", Amity asked.
"Judging by the attire, I'm assuming he must be a prince.", Lilith guessed.
"Never mind that. Philip and his GF are here?", Boscha asked in surprise.
"Yeah, what are they doing here?", Luke puzzled.
"All the same, maybe Andrias might be able to let us talk to Aldrich about the Collector.", Willow said.
"Yeah, but...", Amity began before noticing Luz looking quite dumbfounded.
"Luz? You okay?", Amity asked.
"Oh, I'm so conflicted right now...! Invasions are wrong. But they're really good friends...! But invasions are wrong!", Luz whispered to herself as the gang watched, inhaling sharply.
Meanwhile, the trio of friends were running in the castle until someone cut Andrias' off just as Belos and the female demon caught up. And whom should he see but the King of Newtopia: King Aldrich, himself, not to mention Melkor as well, accompanied by Nechros, whose clothes are similar to Belos'.
"Ah. There you are, son. Come with me. We have much to discuss.", Aldrich said.
"Yes. Come, my daughter. This concerns you as well.", Melkor added.
"We'll catch up with you later, guys!", Barrel waved as King Aldrich and Melkor walked away.
"Yeah... See you guys soon...", the female demon sighed, following them.
"Sorry, guys. Gotta do prince stuff!", Andrias said as he ran to catch up to him.
"My love...", Belos said, worried for her.
Back at the Owl House, Redwall and Dolly were feeding each other cake first as Kroscha watched, cradling Masa and Lia, happy for the couple when Amiyah walked by, pacing while carrying Della, who cooed.
"Huh? Oh, hey, Amiyah.", Kroscha grinned.
"Hey, Kroscha.", Amiyah said before noticing Redwall with Dolly.
"Wait. Isn't that...?", Amiyah began.
"Yeah. Dolly was feeling lonely, so I helped bring Redwall to life. Now, she has someone to love.", Kroscha grinned.
"That's nice.", Amiyah sighed.
"What's wrong?", Kroscha asked.
"Well, it's just that grandpa is coming over here tonight. And I really wanna make a good first impression with him.", Amiyah said.
"And caring for Della is a good first step?", Kroscha asked.
"Not to mention Masa and Lia, but yeah. After all, they might want to get to know their grandpa.", Amiyah responded before someone knocked on the door.
"Ah! He's here already!", Amiyah exclaimed and rushed over to see Eda opening the door to find Gwendolyn standing outside.
"Oh. It's only Grandma...", Amiyah sighed in relief.
"Hello, witchlet.", Gwendolyn greeted.
"Hey, Grandma.", Amiyah greeted.
"Hey, Ma. Why are you still in town? Forget something from yesterday?", Eda asked.
"Your father wanted to swing by.", Gwendolyn responded, making Amiyah widen her eyes.
She even squeaked in fear as she was completely unprepared.
"Awkward.", Nathan said.
"Well, tell him I'm busy.", Eda said, taken aback herself.
"Maybe you could tell him yourself? Uh, he's just outside.", Gwendolyn said.
"Outside...?", Amiyah squeaked.
"We get to meet my grandpa?", King, Grimedale, and Crimsondale gasped.
"Yes. You know, the Clawthorne clan was once known for their Palismen-making skills. And Dell? Whoo, he was the best of them all.", Gwendolyn explained.
"Cool!", the three little demons grinned in unison before Eda and Amiyah noticed Dell's shadow approaching outside and became panicked.
Back in Newtopia, Luz and the gang were catching up when they saw Leif, Barrel, and Belos, prompting them to exclaim as they halted just a few inches from Belos' mask before moving back.
"Hi.", Luz greeted.
"I don't believe this...! Luzura?", Belos asked.
"Philip?", Luz asked.
"You all haven't aged a bit.", Philip said.
"I'm surprised you still recognize us.", Lilith said.
"It's not exactly hard to see through illusions, nowadays.", Belos responded.
"Whoa! You know them, Belos?!", Leif and Barrel said in unison.
"I suppose you had to meet them sooner or later. Leif, Barrel, this is Luzura, Larkwume, Lacius, their Aunt Dirtrude, Hecamity, Bark, Doscha, Erebor, and Emilia.", Belos introduced.
"Hey.", Luz waved.
"So, you met those guys before?", Leif asked.
"Back at Bonesborough 1,000 years ago, yes, if memory serves.", Belos responded.
"Wait. It's been 1,000 years?!", Edric and Emira shouted in surprise.
"Yes. But my friend taught me all sorts of magic. She even helped me become immortal.", Belos explained.
"Huh. Did not know that.", Edric said.
"So, do you guys know where King Aldrich is? We want to talk to him about the Collector.". Luz asked only for Leif and Barrel to give shocked gasps in fright, puzzling her.
"What's wrong?", Luz asked.
"Yeah, about that, not many people come to Aldrich to ask him anything. He usually gets testy when stuff like that happens.", Barrel responded.
"Especially when the Collector is mentioned.", Leif added.
"Why?", Amity asked.
"No one really knows. All we know is that he gets miffed from hearing about him.", Barrel responded.
"Okay...?", Lucia said.
"But you guys are welcome to look around the castle, if you like.", Leif said.
"Thank you.", Lilith said before the group left.
"Nice seeing you again, Da- I mean, 'Belos.'", Luz grinned.
Play The Owl House Music: "The Emperor's Announcement"
As soon as they were deep in the halls with no one to spot them, the walkie-talkie, quite be coincidence, spoke up.
"This is Tibren. Do you read me?", Tibren asked.
"Yeah. I read you.", Luz responded.
"Have you found anything out yet?", Alex asked.
"Yeah. We just found out that Aldrich gets testy when asked about some things.", Luz responded.
"Almost as if he's hiding something.", Amity added.
"And I think he knows about the Collector.", Luke added.
"Which is why we're going to get some answers from him.", Lucia added.
"By all means, but there mustn't be a panic. You need to be secretive about this. If we find anything that could threaten everyone, there's no reason for it.", Tibren warned.
"Noted. We'll figure this out. Somehow.", Luz assured.
Meanwhile, 4 robot soldiers were aligned together as Aldrich, Melkor, Andrias, and the female demon went along.
"Don't you think it's time to say goodbye to those childhood friends of yours, son?", Aldrich asked.
"What? Why?", Andrias asked, puzzled.
"Because you're about to become king.", Aldrich stated.
"And it won't be long before those two start asking for favors. Using you.", Melkor added.
"No. Leif and Barrel would never do that.", the female demon assured.
"She's right. Our friendship is true.", Andrias agreed.
"Friendship doesn't last, son. Now, let me show you something that does.", Aldrich responded as he, Andrias, Melkor, and his daughter are now underneath the castle.
King Aldrich's crown shone a red dot and opened up the door automatically.
"Behold. Our ultimate creation...the Core.", Aldrich introduced as it came from behind Aldrich.
"It contains the combined memories of our greatest minds. Including your Ancestors.", Melkor said as the Core glanced at Andrias.
"Uh, hello.", Andrias greeted nervously.
"With the Core by your side, you will need no friends.", Aldrich stated.
"Why are you showing us all this?", the female demon asked worriedly.
"I have ruled the Boiling Isles for millennia. You will soon rule them yourself and continue my legacy. One day, you and Belos' children will continue this legacy.", Melkor stated before a projection opened up, showing Earth.
"And this is where your mission comes in. We'll be invading a medieval world called Earth. You must exterminate the savages so that we can mine their planet for its resources.", Aldrich requested.
"And if there are any surviviors, you will be in charge of enslaving them.", Melkor added.
"What?! Wipe out a whole race?", Andrias asked in disbelief.
"And enslave them? Doesn't that seem a little extreme?", the female demon asked before the projection closed.
"Invading other worlds is expensive, and we need all the resources we can get. For our way of life to continue, this kind of work needs to be done.", Aldrich said as he took out a key.
"The key to the music box? But then I'm-", Andrias began as he received the key, much to his surprise and hers.
"Officially in charge. Now, make us proud, son.", Aldrich requested, placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Yes, of course, Father.", Andrias grinned.
But the female demon only gave a worried look.
End The Owl House Music: "The Emperor's Announcement"
Later that night, Andrias was being introduced to Luz, Luke, Lucia, Lilith, Amity, Willow, Boscha, Edric, and Emira.
"Wow. So, those are the guys you told me about, Leif?", Andrias asked.
"Yep. They were here for Philip when Nigel tried to betray them as sacrifices to a Stonesleeper.", Leif said.
"Yeah. That's true.", Luz said.
"So, what's going on now?", Barrel asked.
"Well, you see, I got something I want to show you guys.", Andrias said before looking to Luz and the others.
"But..., I'm not sure if they should come. I mean, this is too soon.", Andrias said.
"Well, they did help Belos and his friend out 1,000 years ago.", Leif said.
"Maybe they're kindred spirits. Literally.", Barrel said.
"Well, I'm still not sure about this, but all right.", Andrias spoke.
Later, he lead the whole gang to a secret room. He took the key out and unlocked the door, even causing pink, blue, and green lights to light up prior to the door opening.
"Ooh.", Barrel and Leif said in awe.
"And this is where the magic happens. Literally.", Andrias said.
"Wow. So, that's how you guys conquer so many worlds?", Luz asked.
"Well, not exactly the box itself so much as the three stones on it, but...", Andrias responded.
"So it's already official?", Barrel asked, amazed.
"It's not announced yet, but yeah.", Andrias responded.
But then, Andrias saw Leif standing on top of a pedestal, carrying the music box in her hands.
"Then I bet you'd get in big trouble if anything happened to this, huh?", Leif asked before Andrias tried to get it back from her only for Leif to hop away.
"Okay, guys. Come on.", Andrias chuckled nervously before Leif passed the Calamity Box to Barrel.
"It's important.", Andrias urged before Barrel tossed the box to her back.
"I got it! I got it!", Luz said, trying to catch it.
But just then, as she fumbled, trying to catch the box, her walkie talkie slipped from out her hand, making her exclaim.
"I got it!", Amity shouted before she managed to use her abomination magic to catch it before sliding it under the table and sighing as she retracted her abomination magic.
"That was close...", Luz said as Amity sighed.
"Okay. You know what? Maybe I feel like it is best to put it back after all.", Leif said, getting the box from Luz.
But as soon as she touched it with her fingers touching the three gems, they projected something random in front of her all while she heard an ominous language throughout the following: Amphibia ruined, the Music Box opening, the malicious mural, flames appearing behind Melkor, the Castle flying in the sky, Luz with a crazed look complete with white hair, crimson red eyes with yellow sclerae, a half-orange-yellow, half-blue skin complexion, and a mischievous, if not malevolent, chuckle, and the same vision with Melkor, only he was infinitely moving forward.
"Your end has come.", Melkor spoke as next, it then showed a screaming Titan and people being shattered into pieces.
Then, Leif dropped the box and heavily breathed as Andrias ran to Leif.
"Leif! You okay?", Andrias asked.
"What happened?", Barrel added.
"I- I saw something.", Leif said.
"What did you see?", Luz asked.
"I saw Amphibia in ruins...! And Melkor along the lines of panic, terror, chaos, and carnage! And you were at the center of it all!", Leif responded, making everyone else gasp.
"What...?! No...!", Luz said, worried and in disbelief.
"Or at least, I think you were. But... I couldn't really tell if it even was you.", Leif responded.
"So, you're saying it could be someone else that looks like her?", Lucia asked.
"Like an evil twin?", Barrel added.
"Maybe. I-I don't know...", Leif began before turning to Andrias.
"Andrias, if you go through with this mission, if you continue to use the box, I think Amphibia is doomed.", Leif warned before crying, not knowing that Past Cotton was already looking out through the door.
"Re-we? Mew.", Past Cotton spoke before flying off.
She then caught up to the female demon in her room.
"Cotton? What's wrong?", the female demon asked.
"Mew! Mew, Mew, Mew! Mew, Mew, Mew, Mew! Mew, Mew, Mew!", Cotton spoke, disheartening, if not scaring, the female demon out of worry.
"Leif had a vision? About ruin coming to Amphibia?", the female demon asked.
"Mew...", Cotton asked.
"This is horrible! We have to do something!", the female demon spoke.
Back at the Owl House at the present day, while Redwall and Dolly danced along with the former playing the lute, Gwendolyn and Nathan were now outside Eda's room knocking on her door.
"Witchlets? Aren't you going to say hello to your father/grandfather? It's been-", Gwendolyn began as inside the room, Eda was busy packing elixirs into Luz's bag while Amiyah packed hers in Lucia's with Della cooing in puzzlement.
"Years! Yep, been years, I know. I'm, uh, just sharpening my tooth.", Eda said.
"Oh, this is ridiculous. Stop fleeing from your father, Edalyn! It goes double for you, Amiyah.", Nathan said.
"I'm just making sure I freshen up, Dad! I don't want grandpa to see us looking all blech, you know?", Amiyah responded.
"What's with you two? Why are you girls so terrified of seeing him?", King asked.
"It's not like we're scared of him. I just haven't seen him since I ruined his- I mean since the Owl Beast ruined his-", Eda began before sighing in exasperation.
"I'm just not ready, okay?", Eda said.
"Neither am I! I didn't even have enough time to think of a good first impression!", Amiyah shouted.
"Now move it. We gotta scram.", Eda said before attempting to flee via the balcony with Amiyah following only to go back up.
"Oh. I almost forgot you.", Amiyah spoke, picking Della up before leaving.
But Hawksley landed and blocked their path. Eda cried out in surprise and shut the curtains. Amiyah then attempted to escape via the round stained glass window, but found Hooty waiting outside.
"Hiya, Eda! Your pops is such a nice guy. Say, how did he get that scar on his-", Hooty began before Eda slammed the window shut before Hooty can finish his sentence with Amiyah screaming as she rushed downstairs as Grimedale and Crimsondale laughed.
"Well, at least Amiyah got out, now.", Nathan sighed.
"Hey, Eda, look! 'Dear sister, join the Emperor's Coven and together, we can become gods!'", Crimsondale shouted.
An idea popped up inside Eda's mind and she smirked.
As for Amiyah, she was very worried.
"How am I supposed to make a good first impression now?", Amiyah asked in worry.
"Maybe the same way you did with us.", Emilia said.
"Really? How?", Amiyah asked.
"You know? With that big demonstration.", Erebor added.
"Yeah, from the covention.", Kroscha added.
"That would really knock his socks off for sure.", Moscha added before Amiyah placed her fingers on her chin.
"Hmm.", Amiyah grinned as Della, Masa, and Lia cooed.
Back in Newtopia, in the castle throne room in the morning, Luz and the others were going up to the King, accompanied by Nechros.
"Hey, King Al! Can I call you King Al?", Luz asked, slightly surprising Aldrich.
"Hm?", Aldrich puzzled.
"Listen, Your Majesty, we came here from far and wide to know something very important regarding portals to other worlds. Do you happen to know some things about the Colle...", Luz began.
But before she could finish just as Andrias, Barrel, and Leif were walking in, he saw Luz speaking with Aldrich, gasped and rushed over, stopping her from talking any further.
"Okay, there, Luzura. That's enough of that! And I think it's time to head back home now, don't you agree?", Andrias said with a nervous chuckle.
"But you heard what Leif said last night. We need to know so we can prevent that from happening.", Luz responded.
"And what do you suppose would happen, hm?", Aldrich asked.
"Gather everyone here and I'll tell you.", Leif responded.
Later, Leif was telling King Aldrich last night's recent development as everyone was gathered, especially Belos and his demon girlfriend, who had Young Cotton with her as well.
"I think the music box was giving me a warning. As a gardener, I know the dangers of messing with a fragile ecosystem. And I believe by interfering with other dimensions, we have upset the ecosystem of the multiverse and unleashed something unpredictable and dangerous. We have to stop using the box.", Leif suggested, prompting the crowd to murmur in disbelief about the invasion.
"But how will we invade?", the villager asked.
King Aldrich seemed to be thinking this over as his crown shone an orange eye with a yellow slit before it went away, much to Luz and the others' puzzlement, if not concern.
"Nonsense! You sound like those cowardly Olms. You speak of fate and warnings, but the stones are our sacred birthright. They are unique to our world and PROOF that only we are destined to conquer.", Andrias said as his eyes widened.
"But, Y-your majesty, you don't understand...!", the female demon began before Aldrich banged the bottom of the staff against the ground.
"Silence! The expedition will continue as planned with the prince presiding. This council is adjourned.", Aldrich dismissed before everyone walked away, especially Leif, Barrel, the female demon, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Willow, Boscha, Edric, Emira, and Lilith, although the 9 witches decided to lean against the wall and listen in as Andrias spoke with Aldrich and Nechros.
"Thank you for hearing her out, Father.", Andrias responded.
"No. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.", Aldrich said as he placed his hand on his son's face.
"Now we know the gardener is a traitor.", Melkor added, prompting Andrias to move away from Aldrich's hand.
"Wait, what?! No, father. She's not a traitor. She's just...worried.", Andrias assured.
"Are you certain? You've had that key less than a day, and suddenly your friend wants to dictate how we use the most powerful object in the world.", Aldrich retorted.
"And to make matters worse, she brought strangers into this castle.", Melkor added.
"I fear that they, too might be seeking it.", Nechros said as Luz gasped from hearing him say that to Andrias.
"I warned you about this. It won't be long before I join the Core, son. Our people will be counting on YOU.", Aldrich added before he, Nechros, and Melkor walked away from the castle throne room just as Barrel, Leif, the female demon, and Belos peeped out through the door.
"Well, that didn't go great.", Leif said.
"Yeah, sorry.", Andrias apologized.
"But that's okay. You're in charge. You can just decide not to use the box.", Leif said as she hopped closer to him only for Andrias to clench his fist.
"It's not that simple, Leif. Our society is built on these expeditions.", Andrias said in worry.
"I know what it's like to be under that kind of pressure. I should know. I've been under Nechros' thumb for 5 years before Luzura and the others came. After that chance meeting, I was no longer letting him walk all over me, much less sacrifice innocent witches when there were much more of them to begin with.", Belos assured.
"I know it won't be easy, but we have your back. See, together we can use your power for good-", Leif assured as Barrel raised his thumb.
"Look, Leif. Maybe you should focus on gardening and leave the ruling to me, OKAY?", Andrias snapped.
"Ooh.", Barrel winced.
"Ouch.", Leif spoke, looking ashamed.
"Sorry. That was harsh. I'm just under a lot of pressure right now, you know?", Andrias apologized.
"For sure. Now, I get it. Friends?", Leif asked before Andrias sighed.
"Friends.", Andrias said before hugging Leif.
Then, Barrel joined in with the gang happily, not knowing that Leif saw the key in Andrias' pocket. As Andrias walked out of the room, Leif secretly hid the key in her pocket before later, Luz and the others met up with Leif in the halls.
"You're going to take the box away... Aren't you...?", Luz asked.
"I don't know... But what choice do I have? I know Andrias is my friend, but... how can I save Amphibia if I don't do this?", Leif asked in worry, much to the female demon's worry.
Then, the female demon took a deep breath.
"Look. Whatever you decide to do, we're there for you.", the female demon assured, gesturing to herself, Belos, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Willow, Boscha, Edric, Emira, and Lilith, who all nodded.
Back at the Owl House at present day, Gwendolyn and Nathan were still standing outside Eda's room.
"For Titan's sake...!", Nathan sighed.
"Really, Eda? You won't be able to run away this time.", Gwendolyn said as she knocked on the door.
Then, Eda suddenly flung the door open, wearing Lilith's old dress and a wig atop her head, disguising herself as Lilith.
"Apologies, dearest mother. Dearest sister has flown the dearest coop. But worry not, for I, the perfect, prissy little Lily, shall find her for you.", Eda said before marching away.
While walking, her hair started to come out from beneath the wig.
"Does she seriously think I'm buying that?", Gwendolyn puzzled increduously.
"I'm not entirely convinced, either.", Nathan said.
"Just let her have this.", King said.
At the backside of the Owl House, Eda flung the door open and escaped outside, tearing off Lilith's dress and taking off her wig.
"Not today, suckers!", Eda laughed as she tried to fly away on her Owl staff, but immediately stopped and gasped when she noticed something while Redwall and Dolly were frolicking in the flowers nearby.
Play Amphibia Music: Opening Song
Not far away, Dell and the 3 little grandkids, who are now on his lap, were watching as Amiyah then created 2 magic blasts, one for each hand, making him gasp and widen his eyes in surprise.
"Abominations, rise!", Emilia and Erebor spoke in unison before two appeared from the spell circles as Amiyah started spinning them around like a circle and then launched them toward the abominations, splattering them, astonishing Emilia and Erebor as they giggled a bit and then had their abominations reform into one and launch their two heads toward Amiyah, who dodged and then got out her fiddle before then playing it as it glowed, causing parts of the ground to float before she then used the debris to cage one of the abominations in a cage before then drawing a spell circle as she spoke.
"Abomination, rise!", Amiyah commanded before out rose a purple pillar, which bent down and gave a low hoot as it was apparently an owl abomination which towered above the abomination, which then took it head-on before the abomination seemingly erupted form it with an explosion it, thwarting its assault before it showed that Amiyah saw the future and decided to deviate from the future, allowing the owl abomination to absorb the other abomination as Amiyah then healed some parts of it that looked like it was going to come apart using healing magic to help it get sturdy before then giving it some flowers on the shoulder pads before her feathers grew a bit and got plucked out, being used to decorate the flowers soon after, and tossing a potion at the abomination to give it an ice sword and merge with the abomination, becoming one herself before then using the ice sword to strike at the ground, creating smoke screen to reveal multiple abominations like Amiyah, much to Dell's amazement as the trio of babies cooed happily, even giggling.
End Amphibia Music: Opening Song
"Ta-da!", Amiyah shouted in a deep voice before removing herself from the abomination, morphing back to normal with a giggle, prompting Dell to clap his hands in amazement.
"Bravo, little witchlet, bravo! So, it's true. You ARE magical like your mother.", Dell grinned to Amiyah, hugging her.
Meanwhile, Eda grew hesitant and retracted Owlbert's wings.
"Hey. Where is Mom, anyway?", Amiyah asked.
"Right here.", Eda said, walking up to Amiyah and Dell, whose yellow cardinal palisman perched on his shoulder.
"Hi, Dad.", Eda greeted.
Back in Newtopia in the past, King Aldrich, Nechros, Melkor, Andrias, and the Newt Servants were walking down.
"Any orders for the portal operation tomorrow, your highness?", the first Newt servant spoke.
"Don't ask me. Andrias is calling the shots tomorrow. Show them the key, son.", Aldrich said.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, of course.", Andrias said, surprised.
But soon, he realized the key wasn't in his pocket.
Play Figment 2: Creed Valley Music: "Black Hog Boss Music"
"Ummmm... be right back.", Andrias said, nervous, before turning running around to look for the key.
Aldrich and Nechros knew something was wrong. Then, Luz and the others were entering the room to get the box just as Tibren spoke up.
"Amity, report. Did you find out anything else?", Tibren asked.
"Yes. Apparently, the music box gave Leif a warning about using it too much. She says if we keep using it, the multiverse could be in danger, Amphibia included.", Amity said.
"Then, do whatever you have to do. See to it that that box doesn't get used.", Tibren said, not knowing that in the present, the Spurn Detura Tree was watching from the bushes with a growl.
"Right. We're on it, Master.", Amity assured.
"Leif, we'll go get the moss man ready for you.", Luz assured before Leif nodded.
But back in the present, the Spurn Detura tree began creeping up, attracting Tibren and the others' attention, much to their shock.
"The Spurn Detura tree?!", Alex exclaimed.
"So, that must've been how Terra was controlled. Nechros must've gotten his hands on one of its flowers and used it. But why is it coming here?", Tibren asked before the Spurn Detura tree roared and stomped closer to them while singing, giving off dark mists spreading toward the time pool.
Yeah, I am lurking in the dark, killing light
My blackened poetry will turn days into... night!
"The time pool!", Alex shouted just before Tibren shone a light spell at the creature, making it hiss and back away angrily.
"Everyone on your guard! We cannot allow that creature to pass through!", Tibren shouted before the tree started singing again.
As shadows fall, you quickly sense that I'm here
You'll have a constant fear that somethin' is always... near
Meanwhile, Andrias saw Leif with the Calamity Box.
"Huh? Leif, what are you doing?!", Andrias said in extreme worry.
"If you won't stop this, I will.", Leif glared, picking the box up.
"DON'T!", Andrias shouted, running toward her, only for Leif to run away.
"Wait, no!", Andrias shouted, chasing after her while passing the two newts.
In the meantime, Barrel was whistling when he saw Leif running.
"Huh?", Barrel puzzled before bumping into Andrias.
"Hey! What's the ruckus?!", Barrel asked.
"Leif has betrayed us!", Andrias responded.
"What? She would never do that!", Barrel asked in shock.
"I saw it with my own eyes. Come on. We gotta find her before she does something crazy!", Andrias shouted.
Then, Leif entered inside a lab room while Barrel and Andrias were still gaining on her.
"She's heading for the armory. I'll cut her off.", Barrel said before he entered a secret tunnel behind a picture frame and destroyed a wall with his warhammer, barring Leif's path.
"Stop right there, Leif. Don't make me do this.", Barrel warned.
"Barrel. Please trust me. What I do, I do for all of us.", Leif pleaded.
"Leif, I-I don't know-", Barrel puzzled in worry before Leif dodged him and ran away again.
"HEY! Get back here!", Barrel shouted before getting shoved by Andrias, who then used his laser sword to attack her, but Leif used a hand gun to shoot him, urging Andrias to deflect the bullets with his sword, and disappeared suddenly, having taken a way in through the vent.
Back in the present, the tree sang again.
HAHAHA!
Now, somethin's moving; is it all in your head?
Is it the wind or someone under your bed?
The tree then lurched out mists of darkness in the form of black spikes, prompting Gwen and Lilia to turn into Owl Harpies and fly up to the air just to avoid said spikes.
Pitch-black death awaits you!
Back in Amphibia, Andrias turned to Barrel, furious with this failure.
"You had a chance to stop her! What happened?", Andrias scolded.
"She confused me!", Barrel said before Andrias growled and grabbed Barrel by the head.
"Come on!", Andrias urged.
Back in the present, the tree bellowed before singing again as the weather began to get stormy outside, not to mention rainy.
Your obscure wickedness is what shadows hide
Don't underestimate the power of the dark side
Then, the tree grunted as it then let out a horrendous, black fireball from its head at the clouds.
Pitch-Black death awaits you!
Then, all of a sudden, small, dark, pitch-black fireballs started to fall down from the clouds, prompting Tibren and the others to produce barriers made of light to shield themselves from the rain. Taking advantage of the distraction, the tree then made its way for the portal.
"Oh, no you don't!", Tibren shouted before then trying to stop it from going any further as his barrier extended into a sort of arm to prevent it from diving in.
But try as he might, the arm eventually broke, the darkness apparently too much for it to handle before it went through, the dark rain ceasing.
"No...!", Tibren said in worry.
Meanwhile, Leif entered her garden room with Mossmen inside.
"Leif! Over here!", the female demon shouted.
"The mossman's ready for you!", Luz shouted.
"There isn't much time!", Belos added before Leif hopped over to the mossman and got on, holding the box.
"Guys, I know there isn't much time, but still... Thank you all. For helping me.", Leif assured.
Pause Figment 2: Creed Valley Music: "Black Hog Boss Music" (3:04)
"When all this is over, Belos and I will meet up with you again.", the female demon grinned, making Leif grin with sad tears before wiping them.
"Come on, girl. Let's get out of here.", Leif said as she hopped on with Luz and Amity turning to each other with nods before then making a spell circle.
"Spicy toss!", Luz and Amity shouted in unison before firing a massive fireball, which resulted in a massive explosion, which Andrias and Barrel overheard.
"That came from the garden.", Andrias said before he and Barrel saw a wall broken from the garden room, and a broken gate to Newtopia.
"Leif...", Andrias spoke, holding back his tears.
"Luzura, we can't thank you enough for helping her secure Amphibia's future. This disaster's bound to be avoided now.", Belos grinned.
"Hey. It was the least we could do.", Luzura assured.
"Thank you so much.", the female demon thanked.
"Well, if that's settled, we should probably get going.", Emira suggested.
"Yeah. We don't even wanna know how mad Andrias is gonna be when he sees that.", Edric agreed.
"LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIF!", Andrias shouted with an echo.
"Too late.", Emira squeaked.
But then, all of a sudden, the walkie talkie blared out.
"Everyone, you have to evacuate, now!", Tibren urged.
"What is it? What's wrong?", Amity asked.
"The Spurn Detura Tree just appeared and made its way through! Who knows what could happen to you if it finds you all here!", Tibren urged just before the Spurn Detura tree appeared.
Resume Figment 2: Creed Valley Music: "Black Hog Boss Music" (3:04)
"Guys? I think it just turned up.", Luke said.
"Whatever you do, do not engage! We don't know what that thing is capable of!", Alex warned.
Just then, the Spurn Detura tree turned to see Leif and the mossman escaping and went after them, worrying the female demon and Belos.
"Sorry, but I don't think we have a choice. It's going after Leif!", Luz said in worry before taking off as she, Luke, and Lucia took off.
"Luz, wait!", Amity shouted.
"Are you crazy?!", Boscha shouted.
"You could get hurt!", Willow shouted.
Meanwhile, Leif and the Mossman were escaping when they turned and saw the dark mists from the Spurn Detura Tree.
"Hey, you big old weed! Why don't you try us on for size?!", Luz goaded.
"Luzura?", Leif asked before the tree turned around and roared, giving off mists of darkness again.
Fade to black!
Fade to black!
This prompted Luz, Luke, and Lucia to fire their light spells at the Spurn Detura Tree, leading to a sort of clash, prompting Luz, Luke, and Lucia to push harder, inadvertently turning into skull-horned demons once again, much to the gang's surprise, especially Belos and the female demon.
"We need to go help them!", the female demon urged strongly before Belos nodded.
Their light beam may have pushed harder against the dark mists, but they quickly got exhausted before the dark mists retaliated and sent the trio flying back just as the female demon and Belos arrived.
"Luzura!", the female demon and Belos said in unison before the former turned toward the tree, which roared in triumph, before she growled, charged toward the tree, and then leapt up with a yell before cleaving the tree in twain, causing it to die in black ash, which gets blown away.
Luz, Luke, and Lucia recovered and got up in time, turning back to normal, to see the female demon panting.
End Figment 2: Creed Valley Music: "Black Hog Boss Music"
"Are you all right, you three?", the female demon asked.
"Yeah... We're okay.", Luz assured.
"You saved us both.", Leif grinned.
"So, what are you two going to do now?", Luke asked.
"We must find the olms. They'll know what to do.", Leif responded before everyone nodded with Leif looking back at the castle.
"I'm sorry, my friend. This thing can't stay in Amphibia.", Leif said in tears with the female demon placing her hand on her shoulder.
"We'll see you again soon, my friend.", the female demon assured before Leif sadly nodded with a grin and she and the mossman took off.
"Well, guess we'd better head back, too.", Luz said.
"Goodbye.", the rest of the gang spoke as they left.
"Wait! Luzura..., thank you. For everything.", Belos thanked.
"We mean it.", the female demon added.
"You're welcome.", Luz said fondly before she left.
"So, what do you plan on doing now?", Belos asked.
"Well, one thing is for certain: my father's rule must come to an end.", the female demon spoke intensely.
Back at the present day, Eda was sitting with her dad, daughter, and grandchildren at the cliff.
"Sorry, I, uh, haven't been in touch. There's been a lot going on.", Eda responded before Dell sighed.
"You disappear from Bonesborough, you're fixing up my old tower, and then suddenly, I see you on a wanted poster. And your mother tells me about the petrification. I wish you'd let us help. But I do hear I have grandchildren now.", Dell grinned before Eda chuckled.
"Yep, I have babies. And King's a Clawthorne. He can be a handful, but-", Eda began.
"It's been over 20 years, witchlet. I can't chase you anymore.", Dell said.
Then, Eda started getting emotional.
"Then stop! I've ruined your life. Have you even been able to carve a new Palisman since I attacked you?", Eda asked before Dell lifted up his left hand, which trembled, making Eda look guilty before she then looked away as Dell put his hand down.
"Stop trying to forgive me. I don't deserve it.", Eda said as she stood up and walked away, even walking back home guiltily as Amiyah got sad for her.
Suddenly, Dell tapped his hand on her shoulder, stopping her, causing Eda to turn to look at him.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to try that again.", Dell assured before he opened up his left palm, showing Eda something on it.
"What... is that?", Eda asked.
"Is that... a Palistrom seed?", Amiyah asked.
"Indeed. My Palisman-making days are over, but I've been helping the Bat Queen replenish her forests, so someone new can learn the trade.", Dell grinned.
"Did you come all the way here just to brag?", Eda said jokingly.
"Yes! But also to say, let the past stay in the past, witchlet. It's okay to move on. And give Owlbert my regards. Carving him with you is one of my dearest memories.", Dell said as he offered Eda the seed, put his hand on Eda's, and walked away as Nathan watched from the door, smiling.
Eda watched as Dell walked into the Owl House and the 3 grandchildren cooed. Touched by his words, Eda smiled with tears in her eyes. Right then, behind her, Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Willow, Boscha, Edric, Emira, Alex, Tibren, Gwen, Lilia, and Lilith arrived back while riding on their staffs and Daggertail returning back home.
"That was quite a risky adventure, wasn't it?", Daggertail said.
"Me-ew.", Cotton spoke, morphing back from staff form.
"We got lucky today, Luz. Next time those Time Pools show up, they could be on the other side of the world.", Lilith said before Eda turned and walked towards the group.
"Hey nerds! How was your nerd quest? You find that dead nerd?", Eda asked.
"Layin' it on a little thick there, Eda. But, yeah, we found Philip.", Luz said.
"And his demon girlfriend.", Luke added.
"Whoa, seriously?", Eda asked in surprise.
"Yeah. They turned out okay. But his brother, Nigel? He stunk.", Lucia responded.
"I punched them in the face. Philip by accident, Nigel on purpose.", Lilith added.
"Groovy, Auntie.", Luz said, grinning as she and Lilith grinned while making finger guns at each other, much to Eda's annoyance as Belos and Camila looked out from the window with smiles.
"Uh, you gu- you guys need to stop that.", Eda said.
"Is it just me? Or do they all seem familiar now?", Leif asked telepathically to Camila.
"Mmm.", Camila grinned to Leif, looking at her.
Epilogue:
Play SGWaS Music: Viewer Mail Time Instrumental (MIDI)
Ask Dr. Fred
"Hello, I am Dr. Fred. So we finally get to see Nigel Whitabane looks like, but he was being a right-bad egg, and he got this circle with a picture of a moon. So, if you ask me, what happens to Nigel? Lets find out.", Fred spoke while in doctor uniform.
Pause SGWaS Music: Viewer Mail Time Instrumental (MIDI)
Back in Amphibia, days later after the heist, everyone surrounded Andrias in the throne room, especially Nechros, Aldrich, and Melkor.
"The worst has come to pass. The box has left this world. It is lost. And with it, our legacy.", Aldrich stated.
"I promise... I will do everything in my power to right this wrong.", Andrias promised, begging.
"There is nothing you can do, son. Our way of life is ruined.", Aldrich berated calmly.
But then, his crown shone an orange light with a yellow slit again, intriguing him for a moment before the light disappeared.
"I see... According to the olm prophecy, the box will return, when and how is impossible to calculate, so we will wait. We will bury and preserve our glorious civilization until our birthright has returned to us. And only that, you could begin to redeem yourself.", Aldrich stated as the female demon glared at Melkor.
Later, Andrias entered the room with Barrel cautiously following him. The newt was mad.
"That slippery little frog has ruined EVERYTHING! Her and her kind will need to be in kept in line.", Andrias vowed before he turned to Barrel.
"And, as for you, you failed me as well. I'm having you reassigned. You will travel to the outskirts and defend villages. Now, get out of my sight.", Andrias ordered coldly, making Barrel shed tears of sadness.
"Your Highness...", Barrel spoke before walking away.
Then, Andrias suddenly overheard fighting in the throne room, puzzling him.
"What...?", Andrias said.
By the time he caught up, he saw the female demon towering over Melkor's armor and holding his ring with Belos and Nechros with her as the former held onto the latter on one side and the female demon with another.
"Snaga?! What are you doing?!", Andrias asked.
"Something I should have done a long time ago: making my own destiny!", Snaga responded angrily.
"What?!", Andrias puzzled.
"It's time the conquering stops! And after what Leif showed us and how you treated her, it's clear that you valued serving your father more than helping your friends! So we helped her escape.", Snaga said.
"You?!", Andrias reacted, shocked.
"Yes, me! And I would do it again.", Snaga said.
"Argh! YOU TRAITORS!", Andrias shouted.
"We're not traitors; we are liberators.", Belos corrected.
"But don't worry. After I am done with this spell, you'll never seen us again. But if you do, then consider us your enemies!", Snaga spoke coldly.
In response, Andrias roared with rage and lunged at them only to be blasted back by a shockwave.
"You disgust me, Andrias. The next time we meet, I will take you down myself.", Snaga spoke before she, Belos, and Nechros disappeared.
Furious with two betrayals, Andrias went back to his room and saw his portrait before roaring again as he slashed at the painting.
Meanwhile, in the Deadwardian Era 1,000 years before the events at Newtopia, Nigel arrived all by himself at the cave where he lived in while grunting in pain before he tripped on a head of a broken palisman and kicked it away forcefully with his right leg.
"Those barbarians. Those, those... WITCHES!", Nigel shouted as his voice echoed throughout the cave.
After that, he put up some light balls. Suddenly, he grimaced in pain and rolled up his sleeve, revealing his swollen right arm with multiple glyphs on it. He staggered forward, knelt down, and grabbed a Palisman from the ground. He then, broke it in half, absorbing the essence into his eyes and nose. He then exhaled deeply as the broken palisman shell turned to dust. When he speaks again, his voice began to change into an all-too-familiar one, revealing that Nigel and Nechros were one and the same.
"It doesn't matter. I just need to live long enough to see this through.", Nigel/Nechros spoke as he took out the tablet and held it up.
He even wiped his hand on it, causing it to flash and make a bell-like sound as it started to project an animation of the Collector with the 8 stages of the moon encircling him onto the wall.
"And you're going to help me, Collector.", Nigel/Nechros grinned sinisterly as the scar on his nose grew.
Back to Ask Dr. Fred
Fred looked shocked at this scene with silence for 5 seconds before he cleared his throat and spoke.
"Well... Goodbye everybody. I'm gonna go play Minecraft until the new chapter comes out.", Fred spoke as he walked out to the right.
Resume SGWaS Music: Viewer Mail Time Instrumental (MIDI)
End Ask Dr. Fred
End SGWaS Music: Viewer Mail Time Instrumental (MIDI)
A/N: Uh-oh. Looks like things are about to get dark form here on out. Also, pretty surprising how this flashback scene from "The Core & The King" was included into this one, isn't it? With that out of the way, Chapter 12 of Amphibia: Secrets of Newtopia is finally coming up next soon. :)
