Hi all.
So first of all, this fic is inspired by Witches Among Humans, an amazing series of Owl House webcomics created by Tumblr user MoringMark. If you haven't already, please check them out, along with the many other amazing comics that Mark has drawn for the Owl House and other series.
Also, some inspiration was taken from the Spectacular Spiderman animated series, quite literally one of the greatest pieces of Spiderman work ever done. So, some of the story beats may play a bit similar (though not identical) to that series, which I also recommend people check out.
Anyhoo, on to the story.
Luz Noceda took a deep inhale and exhale, staring down at her phone, sitting perch atop a skyscraper, overlooking the vast city that stretched out before her. The sky was clear and calm, the night offering a cool breeze, though her mind in was a state of hot frenzy as she stared at the number on her phone, next to the name of Amity Blight.
It was just a few months ago that Luz was the most wanted criminal on the Boiling Isles in the Demon Realm, fighting against the tyranny of the Emperor's Coven, doing everything within her power to liberate those who in need and oppressed by an uncompromising system of control. Now, here in the human realm, she was different kind of outlaw. Here they called her a 'superhero'. A masked crimefighter defending this world from threats, both human and magic. In a way, it was kinda nice compared to what she was used, fun even. The only problem was she was still fighting and still being hunted. Whatever it was that brought her here, more and more creatures from the Demon Realm appeared to be spilling over to this world through random portals that were appearing and disappearing. And the human world apparently had some kind of secret organization known as C.O.V.E.N, designed to capture and contained what they called supernatural threats. And unfortunately, they considered Luz to be a threat as well.
Despite this, Luz had found a personal sanctuary. The home of Eda Clawthorne, also known as Eda the Owl Lady. She was regarding by many as a local scam artist, albeit a not an overly successful one. Despite this, Eda was the first human Luz had encountered in this world and offered her shelter in exchange for helping her to run her shop. Luz couldn't help but be grateful for the kindness Eda had shown her and as well as the occasional nugget of wisdom she could give her. It was by Eda's idea that Luz should enroll in the local high school, to keep the appearance of being a normal human kid.
School turned out to be strange experience to say the least. Not just for the fact Luz had a bare minimum understanding of the human world in general, but also because she had never had the chance to attend school before back in the Demon Realm. Most of what she knew, she had to learn on her own. Still, school turned out to be good distraction, and she was able to broaden her understand of how human realm worked. But most of all, she got the chance to meet her two best human friends, Willow and Gus, both of whom, along with Eda also knew Luz's secret life. This turned to be a benefit as well since the three them would often aide Luz whenever they could as she struggled to protect the human realm. Meeting them was one of the best parts of coming to this world.
But she also met someone else. A girl named Amity Blight, the daughter of an extremely wealthy industrialist family. Ever since the day Luz had first met her, from every subsequent meeting since, every exchange, every word, every gesture, every thought, Luz felt her stomach go taunt, her heart racing and her mind become a torrent chaos. The mere thought of Amity was almost enough to completely bring Luz to a grinding halt. She wanted more than anything to talk to her yet talking to her seemed like the most painful she could ever do.
This was almost insane to think Luz could be this scared of a simple conversation. Not to sound overly arrogant, but she was one of the powerful withes of the Boling Isles. She had fought shapeshifting demons, undead wraiths, chimeras, federal agents, crime lords, disgruntled housewives, one-eyed triangle demons, a megalomaniac postal worker with dreams of world domination (don't ask) and host of other nightmares too horrific for words.
So why couldn't she just send one simple message on her phone. What was so hard about this? Luz sighed again, thinking about Amity and how she felt about her, remembering with painful vividity the last time they had spoken before the spring break and how badly things had turned out between them. She tapped her thumb against the screen of the phone, wondering what she should say. What could she even say?
Suddenly Luz was snapped out of her thoughts when a familiar little brown owl landed on her shoulder.
"Owlbert?" Luz said, recognizing her faithful Palisman. "Something wrong?"
Owlbert gave a small hoot and nodded in confirmation. Luz glanced back to her phone one last time, before quickly putting back into her pocket and pulling her collar up to cover her face.
"Let's go" she said, as Owlbert reattached himself to end of her staff, freezing himself in place. Luz mounted her witch's staff and threw herself off the building. A moment later, Owlbert's wings unfolded and together they took off through the air.
In a small alley way in front of a deserted street, two young teens were hiding behind a small dumpster, poking their heads out around the corner, looking to the building across the street, the words 'Pet Store' written above the front door. The lights were all off and the sign hanging on the front window indicated they were closed.
"Okay, you ready?" one of the teens, whispered, a female of stocky build.
"Almost" replied the taller one, distinctly male. "I just got to say one last that time that this is the single worst idea you have ever had, and it will only end in absolute disaster"
"You say that with every idea I have" the girl said dryly.
"I know, but it helps me cope. Are you sure we can even get in, Viney?"
"Don't worry, Jerbo" Viney answered confidently. "We got someone on the inside. Let's go. Come on, Barcus"
Behind them, a large brown dog popped its head out from a trashcan, a discarded piece of wrapping paper still in its mouth. The dog hopped out of the trashcan, following Viney and Jebro as they moved quickly across the street, approaching the front door of the Pet Store. On the other side of the door, a keypad security alarm could be seen.
Viney knocked rhythmically on the glass. From somewhere high in the rafters, small bird, which looked like a miniature falcon swooped down toward the front door, landing on the security pad next to the door. Viney tapped her knuckles against the glass in a pattern. The bird then pecked at the numbers on the security pad. The keypad then turned green and buzzing sound could be heard as the door pushed open. The small bird then flapped over to Viney's hand as she, Jerbo and Barcus entered the store.
"Great job, Puddles" she said, stroking the head of the bird.
"Still can't believe you taught a kestrel how to open a security lock" Jebro said, taking a few cautious glances around the pet store, which appeared to be empty, save for a few birds still in their cages and other smaller animals such as rabbits and puppies sleeping peacefully in their in respective pens and kennels.
"Ah, it was no big deal" Viney said allowing Puddles to fly back up to the rafters. "Once we figured out the combination to the door, all we had to do was memorize the keypad notes. Then I let Puddles hide inside the store until closing time. Now, come on you know what we're here for"
Viney and Jerbo spotted their target and made their way toward it, each picking up one side of it, while Barcus watched impassively as they worked. A sudden a cloud of smoke erupted within the store as a figure emerged from within, their voice thundering throughout the room as Viney and Jerbo looked on in fear.
"Halt, lowlifes! I will not allow you desecrate this place by absconding with that….aquarium?"
Dropping the dramatic pretense, Luz stared in confusion at what she was in front of her. Usually in these situations, Luz would expect to find some gruff looking criminals in ski mask carrying larges bags of money or expensive electronic equipment's or even valuable artwork. Instead, she was facing two teens, neither of which looked much older than herself, trying to make away with a large aquarium full of fish.
"Ah, Viney, it's the Witch!" Jerbo cried, almost dropping the aquarium in panic. "What do we do? I told we should have started with the rabbits"
"Barcus, quick, attack" Viney ordered.
The dog growled at the command and leapt forward, charging headfirst toward Luz, who raised her staff to defend herself, before the dog abruptly slide to a halt right in front of her panting and wagging its tail. Luz blinked in surprise at the dog, wondering if this was some kind of ploy, but once she the dog turned its head and started to bite at its own tail, she realized she was in no danger. She glanced back at the two intruders who looked just as stunned by this turn of events, setting the aquarium down to the floor.
"Bad Barcus, no treats for you tonight!" Jerbo snapped.
"Quick, Jerbo, go to Plan B!" Viney said
The one called Jerbo reached into his backpack and pulled out what Luz recognized as some kind of gun, with a large canister attached to the top of it, filled with some unknown liquid. Jerbo aimed gun at Luz and fired the spray. On instinct, Luz lifted her staff and formed a shield made of yellow light around the tip of her staff to block the attack, the liquid splashing against the shield to no effect, dripping down to floor. Barcus eagerly began to lick the unknown puddle of liquid off the floor, evidently enjoying it.
Curious, Luz lowered the shield and bent down to examine liquid more closely. Bending down, she dipped her fingertips into the surface of the liquid, sniffing at them, she soon realized what the familiar scent was.
"Is this…orange juice?" she said in sheer disbelief.
"Citrus to the eye hurts a lot you know!" Jerbo exclaimed somewhat indignantly.
"This is embarrassing" Luz muttered, with a deadpan expression already having half a mind to simply leave, feeling this to be a waste of time.
The girl, whom Luz now knew to be called Viney, suddenly walked forward, raising both her hands in the air in a gesture of surrender as she approached Luz.
"Ok, look, Witch. We're not looking for trouble, we just wanted a little bit of fun and…."
Moving fast, Viney swiped at a stack of dog collars on the nearby countertop, momentarily blindsiding Luz she was struck in the face. While she was distracted, Viney reached behind her back and withdrew a small metal object, with two metal prongs at the end. She pressed the button and current of electricity appeared between the two prongs.
Sensing danger at once, Luz ducked back as Viney lunged at her with the taser. Luz raised her hand to cast spell when a small, taloned bird swopped past, knocking her hand away. Parrying Viney's taser with her staff, Owlbert suddenly detached from the end of the staff and flew up to intercept the other bird before it could strike again, releasing a bright flash of light from his eyes. Startled, the bird lost control midflight and crashed down to the ground.
"Puddles!" Viney cried in shock. In a fury, she stabbed at Luz once again with the taser. This time, Luz was ready and cast a blue colored glyph in front of hand, which absorbed the electricity right out from Viney's taser before it could make contact. A moment later, a blue current of electricity fired out from the glyph right into Viney's chest, giving her a small shock, which was enough to bring her down to her knees, before falling flat on her stomach. Owlbert landed back on the tip of Luz's staff, turning to wood once again. She then turned the remaining intruder, Jerbo, who was now making a run for the exit. Luz tapped the ground with the end of her staff and a white sheet of ice stretched out across the floor from the point of her staff right under Jerbo's feet, sliding him right into a large stack of dog food cans with a loud crash, the cans rattling to the floor.
With the two teens defeated, Barcus walked up to Luz again, still panting happily. Luz smirked and started to rub him behind his ear, until the dog lay down flat on his back
"Who's a good boy, huh? Who's a good boy?" she cooed sillily, scratching his belly until he was totally pacified. Straightening herself again, Luz took a sweeping glance of the pet store, feeling confident at a job well done.
"Ok, not exactly the grand finale to my spring break crime fighting spree that I was hoping for but at least these animals are safe. "
"We were trying to save these animals" Viney replied, pushing herself up right, glaring defiantly at Luz. She reached out and picked up the small bird she had called Puddles earlier, stroking it tenderly. "This place has no idea how to take care of them. They're all in bad condition"
"If there was problem you should have reached to the people who run this place." Luz said, kneeling down in front of Viney.
"Yeah, well, I know how humans take care of each other too" she said, bitterly.
Before Luz could say anything back to this, a bright light enveloped the room, shining right into her eyes, temporarily blinding her. Squinting, she could make out the source of the light behind the figure of a surly looking grey-haired man with a moustache, wearing a trench coat, who had just entered the store, flashlight in hand, staring hard at Luz and the incapacitated delinquents
For a brief moment, Luz held eye contact with the older man, before he lowered the flashlight and picked up a small radio attached to his belt
"Hey Sullivan. Looks like a couple of kids breaking into the pet store. It's nothing to worry about. But from the looks of things, the Witch already took care of them for us. Better send a couple of guys from C.O.V.E.N to check it out. And send them fast. We don't want her trail to go cold on us again"
The man hung up his radio and cleared his throat loudly, while giving Luz a curt jerk of his head toward the door.
"Thanks for the heads up, Detective Ghoul" she said, gratefully.
"It's pronounced Ghoal" he said, rather irritably. "Why can I never shake the feeling that one day I'm going to end up regretting all these times I let you go?"
"Oh, don't feel bad. Not like you could catch me anyway" she added smugly as she walked past him toward the door.
"One of these days, you're gonna need to stop running kid" he said solemnly.
"That's hard when there is always someone chasing me." Luz replied dryly. "Like the new moustache by the way! Bye!"
With a saluting gesture, Luz walked out from the pet store and took off into the air once again. Detective Ghoal took a moment rub his moustache, somewhat self-consciously. He turned to examine the mess that lay before him, already sighing in exhaustion when a small grey coated bird with a piercing yellow eyes and black strip running across its wings and face flew right past him, heading straight out the open door.
The small bird soared across the street at an unnatural speed, flying the side of a tall building so fast that the wind caught up behind as it reached the roof top. The small bird flapped its wings before landing on the outstretched hand of a clocked figure standing atop the building, holding a long black staff, coated in sharp spikey ornaments from top to bottom save for the small space for the handle.
The figure stroked the small bird with a long slim finger, scratching its head with a sharp black fingernail. The figure walked toward the edge of the building, looking down below as Detective Ghoal was leading the two delinquents and their canine companion out from the pet store. They then looked up, to see the shrinking figure of Luz in the night sky, flying off into the distance. The small bird looked up at the hooded figure and let out a shrill squawk as though trying to speak.
"Now, now Vlad. We must not be impatient" the figure whispered soothingly, continuing to stroke the bird across its head, calming it. "We are just about ready to begin".
Luz lifted up the window of bedroom and quietly slipped inside. The lights were off, and her room seemed to be just as she left it. She was looking forward to some sleep. Just as she was about to drop down onto the bed, the lights were turned on. Standing next to the light switch was Luz's landlady Eda the Owl Lady, holding cup of….well, something Luz suspected was alcoholic in nature. King, Eda's black cat, was sitting comfortably on her shoulder, staring at Luz with his bright yellow eyes.
"Well, hello" Eda said, looking pleased at having caught Luz off guard, obviously waiting for her to come back. "You're home late"
"Yeah, I was out patrolling the city." Luz said, setting down her staff and pulling her collar back down under her chin. "You know what they say, crime never sleeps"
"Well, you should think about getting some sleep soon" Eda said, causally noting Luz's tried expression. "First day of school tomorrow"
"Oh, right. School" Luz said, quietly, sitting down on the bed.
"So, who did you nail this time?" Eda asked, taking a seat in front of Luz, looking eager for juicy details of nightly escapades. King hopped off Eda's shoulder and sat on her lab, looking at Luz's expectedly. "A mob boss? An evil billionaire? An international terrorist syndicate?"
"Actually, it was a couple of teens breaking to steal into a pet store to steal aquarium. They… had a dog" Luz added, after seeing the unimpressed look in Eda's eye.
King yawned loudly, lying down on Eda's lap, looking bored.
"Huh, you gotta step up your game, otherwise the Witch is going to lose her reputation around here" Eda said smugly, sipping her drink.
"My reputation isn't that big" Luz said, a small blush on her cheek.
"You kidding?" Eda said, eagerly. "You've been all over the news for the past two weeks. Crime is down so much you've got both the mayoral candidates fighting over which of them can steal the credit"
"Yeah, just trying to keep busy, you know" Luz said, with a slight shrug, looking away from Eda. "There haven't been that many monster sightings lately, so I've had more time to focus on regular criminals"
"How come there aren't any more monsters popping up?" Eda asked. "Used to be at least one every week. Maybe they're running scared of the Good Witch Luz Noceda and don't want to get a famous butt kicking? See, I knew your reputation was getting better"
Eda laughed heartily. Luz, however, did not laugh, instead staring down to the floor, looking uneasy. "Or maybe, it's possible there are no more portals opening into the human realm anymore" she said, quietly.
Eda dropped her smile at once, realizing the implications of what Luz was saying
"It's not like that really makes a difference anyway" Luz said, placing her hands on the bed. "As far as I can tell, the portals were just one-way tickets. Nothing can go back through them, and they never stay open long enough for anything else to come through. Which means, I am no closer to finding a way back to the Demon Realm than when I came here"
Eda glanced down and notice how tightly Luz's hands were gripping the sheets of the bed as she spoke. King let out a sad meowing noise, looking up to Eda. Eda sighed and set her mug down on the desk next to Luz's bed, looking a bit more serious. "You know, if you want to talk about it maybe we can…"
"Actually Eda, I'm really tired right now and like you said, it's the first day of school tomorrow." Luz said very quickly. She looked up and tried to give Eda convincing smile. "Think the best thing I need right now is some sleep. And hey, maybe my problems will all be gone when I wake up"
Luz tightened her smile. Eda looked at her, unconvinced, but it seemed she did not want to press the issue as she scooped King up into her arms and picked up her mug off the desk, heading to the door.
"Sure thing, kid. Goodnight, Luz" she said softly. She turned back, waiting for a moment for Luz to reply, but instead she simply laid curled up on her bed, her head resting on her pillow and her back to Eda.
With a sad frown, Eda closed the door behind her and stood in the hallway for a long moment, looking thoughtful. King let out a small purring noise and stared up at Eda from her arms.
"I'm sure that's probably nothing to worry about" she said, walking down the hall toward her room.
"I really don't see what all the fuss is about Lilith, dear" Odalia Blight said pleasantly, sitting comfortably behind her lavish desk within her expensive looking office, idlily shifting through some paperwork, the building tops of the city visible through the large window behind her.
Standing in front of the desk was Agent Lilith Clawthorne of C.O.V.E.N, her arms crossed, glaring at Odalia with an annoyed scowl as she continued to focus entirely on her papers. Lying sprawled on the large couch on the far end of the office behind Lilith was Odalia's pink haired daughter Amity, typing away at her laptop computer, emersed in something other than her mother's current meeting.
"The fuss as you put it Odalia," Lilith said, doing her best to sound calm and professional. "Is that Blight Industries was contracted to supply new technology for C.O.V.E.N to help us combat the otherworldly threats that have been plaguing our world. And so, far you haven't supplied us with anything substantial"
"Hmm, yes" Odalia said, still not looking at Lilith. "But we have noticed that there doesn't seem to be that many other worldly threats plaguing our world at the present moment. Seems like a waste of resources to invest in what may be a closed issue" she added, flashing Lilith an unpleasant smile.
"I can assure you that we will still pay top dollar for your assistance." Lilith said firmly. "Regardless of the lack of creature sightings, there are other threats to our world that we must vigilant against. The Witch still remains a fugitive that we must apprehend"
There was brief break in the sound of clicking as Amity paused in her typing, before she quickly resumed.
"And you expect us to sell our products to capture one little Witch?" Ophelia said, giving Lilith another patronizing smile. "She surely must be quite the difficult quarry if you are willing to spend so, so much money to catch her. Provided you can catch her at all"
Lilith's left eye was beginning to twitch as looked to be suppressing a very strong desire to punch Ophelia in her smug face. She took a deep breath, composing herself.
"We had a deal, Odalia. And I believe that Blights always honor their end of the deal."
"Our deal was to help C.O.V.E.N in protecting our world from supernatural threats." Odalia said, confidently. "But I for one, don't feel so threatened anymore and I don't think I need any protection. So, unless you have anything else to offer, I think our business is concluded".
Lilith looked as though she was about to say something, but instead bit back a small growl in the back of her throat. Clinching her fists tightly, Lilith slowly turned on her heel and marched toward the door of the office, walking right past Amity. Lilith stopped in front of door and after a moment, she let out a small, humorless chuckle.
"You know, I suppose I was just getting my hopes up." she said, glancing back Odalia over her shoulder with a cold smile. "After all, there was never any guarantee that your latest invention was ever going to be a success, now was there? Maybe it is in your benefit not to deliver what don't actually have"
Odalia's face remained impassive, though her eyes narrowed very slightly as Lilith's comment. With a satisfied smirk, Lilith gripped the door handle to leave, when suddenly the door burst open from the other side, slamming into her face as huge mane of frizzy crimson hair rushed past her into the room.
"Oh, oh, oh, Mrs. Blight, I brought the papers that you wanted". A woman wearing a pair of large square glasses and a partially torn lab coat walked up toward Odalia's desk, ignoring the vengeful look of fury that Lilith was giving her as she slipped out the door, rubbing her nose.
"Thank you, Amy, you are such a dear." Odalia said, as the woman handed her the papers. She paused when she noticed a thick, brown folder mixed in with the papers.
"It's actually Serena" the woman said. "Serena Tumblelithe? I've been working as a lab assistant here for about six months now? And I've been delivering your paperwork. And your coffee". Serena cleared her throat and straightened her already disheveled lab coat slightly, looking at Odalia with an optimistic smile. "So, I was hoping you'd like to review my notes before passing them onto Professor Blight?"
"Oh, you know my husband, he can be so caught up in his work." Odalia said, placing the heavy folder to the side of her desk. "It's nesscessary for me to filter out anything unnecessary. Else we'd just be wasting our time"
Serena looked down at her disregarded folder with a disappointed expression, before putting on another tight smile again. "Right, of course, well, if you were to just arrange the meeting that I have been requesting, I could go over my research and I think what I have to show could prove vital in developing the-"
"Amity, why are you still wearing your hair like that?" Mrs Blight said abruptly, addressing her daughter as though she just realized she was in the room, while acting as if she had not heard Serena. "I thought you'd be back to normal once spring break was over"
"Well, I keep mysteriously running out of my regular hair dye" Amity said, dryly, well still typing away at her laptop.
Odalia sighed wearily as she stepped out from around her desk. "Fine, have your little phase. If I didn't have more important things to worry about, I'd bleach your hair myself. But I expect you be ready for school tomorrow. Your college applications will be coming up soon and you need to be in top form. We can't have you slipping up at such a crucial juncture for your future. You're lucky I have been allowing you to accompany me to the office over spring break to learn the important skills of business"
"Yes, I am so, so very lucky" Amity said, in an undertone laced with sarcasm.
Ignoring Amity, Odalia checked her watch. "I have a shareholder meeting to get to tonight. You can have the chauffer take you back home, dear." She turned back to Serena.
"Emily, have all paperwork for latest shipment of the equipment for my husband newest project ready on my desk tomorrow morning. I also want to see the latest design on the newest flamethrower model. And call about my seat reservation at Tibbles Palace."
Serena tried to open her mouth to speak but couldn't so much as get a word out as Odalia continued to prattle a list of tasks for her to complete, barely even looking back her while she put on her coat.
"Also, run down to the lab in on the fifth floor and double check the acidity levels for the newest haircare product. Too many burned scalp complaints. And tell be sure to cancel any further appointments with Agent Clawthorne until further notice. But don't overwork yourself darling, you look stressed enough as it is"
"Right, so wh-wha-wha-whaat time will you want to see my presentation? "Serena said, dashing back to Odalia's desk to grab her folder, practically tripping over her own feet in the process as she struggled to catch up to Odalia before she reached the door. "I'm free tomorrow anytime after four in the afternoon. Or perhaps four in the morning? Or maybe…?"
Serena's foot suddenly got caught in the end of own lab coat, sending her tumbling down to the floor as her folder burst open in the process, its content flying everywhere in the office, just as Odalia shut the door behind her, turning her back to the chaos left in her wake. Serena looked up to the door with a chest fallen expression as some of her papers began to land top of her head. Lower her head in defeat, Serena slowly began to gather up her papers, when paused in surprise when another hand grabbed a piece of paper before her.
"Here, let me help you with that" Amity said kindly, kneeling down beside Serena
"Oh, hello, Miss Amity." Serena said, a small smile. "I almost didn't recognize you with that hair. Which looks great actually. Not that I mean you looked bad before and was why I didn't recognize you, because you looked great before as well. You just look really now, not a better type of good, but a different yet equally appealing kind of good." Serena suddenly let a lot a rather high pitch laugh at the end of her nervous tirade. After a brief pause, she appeared to calm herself again. "I've been meaning to give my hair a fix one of these days"
"It's a good reflection of you, I think." Amity said, while pulling out a paper caught up in her Serena's bushel of messy hair. "I'm sorry about my mom by the way. Don't it personally. She barely pays any attention to me unless she wants to scold me about something. What exactly did you want to show her anyway?"
"I've been trying to get a meeting with your mother and Professor Blight for weeks now." Serena said, clutching her stack of notes close to her chest. "See, I think I'm verge of a breakthrough with the new polymorphic adhesive compound that Professor Blight is developing. If I could just confirm my results with a proper sample of his formula, it would prove my theory to be true. But I get can't even get into the same room with him for more than a minute to even ask"
"You've been working with my dad on his research?" Amity asked.
"Well, no" Serena admitted. "But I have been studying well extensively and I think I might have something that would be of great contribution to Professor Blight's work. But I've gone as far as theory alone can take me. Oh, what I wouldn't give for a test sample"
Amity gave Serena a long, impassive look, before she pulled out a small vial from within her purse, containing a purple, slimy substance.
"You mean something like this?" she asked, with a slight smirk.
Serena adjusted her glasses as she stared at the vial in Amity's hand, before her mouth fell wide open; for a moment it seemed as though she forgotten how to breath.
"Oh my GOODNESS GRACIOUS!" she screamed, grabbing the vial out of Amity's hands as though she still couldn't believe it was. "Where did you get that?! Is this actually a real sample of Professor Blight's new compound! It's as beautiful as it's been in my dreams!"
Suddenly, in all her enthusiasm, the vial slipped out of Serena's hands, falling down to the floor before she quicky tried to grab hold of it again, but it continued to evade her grasp, bouncing several times between each of her hands, until an equally Amity managed to catch it in the middle of air before it could hit the floor, before letting out a sigh of relief
"Sorry" Serena said, embarrassed. "How on earth did you get this?"
"I've been sneaking some of this stuff out from my dad's lab for the past couple of weeks" Amity said, with slightly mischievous grin. "See I've kinda been doing my own research as well. I've reading up on my dad's theory of Adaptive Coagulation and Viscosity. And I figured the best way to learn was to get some hands on experience".
Amity walked back to the couch and placed her laptop on her knees. Serena sat next to her with great interest as Amity showed her what she was working on.
"You've been studying the formula as well?" Serana said in amazement as she read through Amity's own notes. "How long have you been doing this?"
"I been working on since….um, well since spring break started" Amity said, looking uncomfortable for a brief moment. "At first it was just a way to kill time while my mom dragged me to all her board meetings, but then I really started to get into. Truth is, I was always a bit more interested in my dad's line of work than my mom. And he never noticed me when I borrowed some of the material"
"This is brilliant work." Serena said. "You already understand the basics so well. In fact, this might not be far off what I have been researching. See, what makes Professor Blight's compound so amazing is its ability to adjust whatever it needs. Tensile strength, extensive elasticity, regenerative properties…"
"Right, but that's the problem." Amity said. "It has too many properties to use all at once. Isolating the parts of the component we need is tricky, because each part is vital to keeping together and breaks down too quickly if we try to separate it. This stuff is like a weird abomination of natural elements"
"Oh, but see that's what I'm basing my theory on." Serena said in earnestly, now looking quite pleased at having someone to talk on this subject. "I believe it's possible to control what properties of the compound we need through a human interface. The compound is hypersensitive to external stimulus. So, my theory is that if we add an artificial cellular receptor that I have been working on, then we can control what properties of the compound we want, when we want them"
"You really think that will work?" Amity said, sounding more intrigued than skeptical.
Serena frowned and began to rub her hands anxiously. "Well, I've haven't tested it yet since I had no samples."
There was a moment of silence between the two of them. Amity glanced to the vial in her hands. "Well, we have one now. So…"
Amity held out her hand, offering it to Serena with a wryly smile. For a moment, Serena appeared too stunned to even react before she quickly threw her hands, almost defensively.
"No, no, that's fine, Miss Amity" she said, compliantly. "My theory…well it's probably not full proof anyway and we could get into a lot of trouble we were caught messing around with the compound without permission. And besides, I'm sure Mrs. Blight will let me have a sample of my own once we get through my presentation together"
Serena put on a wide smile, while Amity looked at her with reservation, obviously not having the same level of confidence her in mother's sense of generous as Serena did. Serena then glanced out to the window of the office as though she just noticed something outside.
"Anyway, I'd better run, I've got work to do" she said, gathering up her messy bundle of back into her folder, standing up from the couch. "But thanks for listening Amity". With the same uncoordinated grace as before, Serena hurriedly made her way to door of the office and exited. There was a brief pause, before Amity heard the faint sound of something crashing outside the room.
Now alone, Amity stared down at the vial of goo still in her hand, thinking about Serena's words, wondering just how angry her mother would be if she ever knew she had this. It was that Amity something else; tucked slipped between the couch cushion, she saw a few more of Serena's research papers, realizing that she had forgotten them. Collecting up the notes, Amity considered going to find Serena to return them, but then became aware of the time, remembering that school started tomorrow. Deciding to find return the notes some other time, Amity packed up the notes along with her laptop and the vial of goo into her purse. Leaving the office, she took the elevator downstairs to the front desk, where she found her family's chauffer waiting to take her home. As the car left Blight Industries behind and headed toward Blight Manor, Amity's mind wandered back to the thought of school in the morning. She sighed deeply as she couldn't help but be reminded of who she would undoubtedly see again tomorrow.
Amity pulled out her phone, peeking at the familiar number and photo for the first time in two weeks. She bit her lip and for a moment her eyes seemed to glisten with emotion. But then she closed her eyes, her expression hardening before she put her phone away into her purse. She then pulled out the notes that Serena had left behind, beginning to read them.
Lilith sighed heavily as she flopped herself down into her office chair, rubbing her temples in exhaustion. Despite being one of the most senior level agents at C.O.V.E.N, the only office space she was allowed was a cramped and cluttered room, which felt more like an oversized supply closet. In fact, she suspected it used to be supply closet at one since she found an old mop when she first moved in. The room was just big enough for her desk and chair, as well as a board attacked to the wall opposite her desk, littered with hundreds of photos, documents and newspaper clippings of creature sightings and other unexplained phenomenon. Dozens of strings were tied together across the board like a web, and at the center of the web was a single picture of the masked Witch.
Glaring at the photo, Lilith reached into her drawer and pulled out a bundle of pointy darts. Taking one dart in her hand, she aimed and flung it right at the photo of the Witch, hitting under her arm.
"You know, there are healthier ways of coping with your anger". Lilith glance sideways to see Detective Ghoal enter her office, carrying a small package under his arms and two mugs of hot liquid in his hand.
"This helps me work on my aim" Lilith replied darkly, returning to firing another dart, striking above the Witch's head.
"Goes without saying, but you look like your got something on your mind. " Ghoal said, setting down one of the mugs on her desk. "Grabbed you some coffee. Also, got you this"
With a small thud, Detective Ghoal dropped a very large tub of ice cream on her Lilith's desk. Lilith sighed and stroked the tub tenderly.
"Thanks, but no amount of fudgy goodness is going to fix my budget problems" she said.
"Can't be that bad, can it?" Ghoal asked, sympathetically. "You still make more than me"
"Despite her size, Kiki is breathing right down my neck about all the money we've been spending. " Lilith said, taking her mug of coffee in her hands, staring down at the steamy brown liquid. "C.O.V.E.N's public image was hanging by a thread as it was with all the monster attacks, but if we don't start pulling in more results, they'll cut what funding we have left. Which is why we need to capture the Witch. That will prove exactly why C.O.V.E.N is necessary"
"I know I'm just the liaison between C.O.V.E.N and the local police force" Ghoal said. "But if you want my opinion, maybe you should lay off hunting this kid? Most of the cops I talk to think we should offer her a medal for all the criminals she's helped bring down the last couple of weeks"
"And would that be why none of your fellow police officers have actually done anything to help bring her into custody?" Lilith asked, with cold note of accusation in her voice.
Detective Ghoal took a slow sip of his coffee, without breaking eye contact with Lilith. "Look, we're doing what we can with the manpower we can spare, but I'm not even sure what crimes this witch has committed. Aside from being a smartass"
"We need to bring her in, because she's responsible for these monster attacks" Lilith explained.
"Last time I check, wasn't she the one fighting these monsters?" Ghoal said, raising an eyebrow curiously.
"And you don't find that a little coincidental that she appeared at the exact time that these monster attacks occurred? Wherever they come from, is obviously the same place that the Witch came from. Which means they are here because they are following her"
"Come on, you're jumping to conclusion" Ghoal said, dismissively.
"Even if she isn't responsible, she knows more about what is happening more than anyone else in our world. And if she won't help us, then we have to take her in by force. She's hiding something and I will…I mean, we will catch her. This is our job. It's why we are here, and I refuse to allow us to fail". Lilith drew another dart and fired it as hard she could toward the board, striking the Witch right between the eyes.
Ghoal stared at Lilith for a long moment, before putting his hand on the tub of ice-cream and slowly sliding it away from her. "Ok, no ice-cream for you tonight, young lady"
Lilith's expression briefly dropped into a look of genuine heartbreak, when the door burst opened and a man wearing a bird themed mask came barreling in.
"Miss Clawthorne! I need to see you right away!"
"What is it, Steve?" Lilith said, wearily knowing at once exactly which operative this was.
"There's something you need to see in the parking lot"
"Wow, this sounds romantic" Ghoal said, giving Lilith a cheeky smirk
"Shut up" Lilith muttered back at Ghoal. "This better be important, Steve. And for the last time, you don't have to wear your mask when you're not on active duty"
"For you, I am always on duty, Miss Clawthorne!" Steve said staunchly, with pride and devotion. "I am a faceless servant at your disposal"
"Try to be voiceless while you're at it" Lilith said, while Ghoal bit hold back a chuckle in his throat.
Following Steve, Lilith and Ghoal entered the building's parking lot outside. There, they were greeted by the sight of five wooden crates lined up next to a large van park outside the building. Standing in front of the crates was a well-dressed Asian woman, who looked to be roughly around the age of twenty.
"What is all this?" Lilith asked, approaching the woman. "Who are you?"
Instead of answering Lilith, the woman pulled out a small phone from her pocket and placed it on one of the crates, pressing a button for the speaker as a voice on the other end of the phone could be heard.
"Greetings." The voice resonated with a sense of power and strength, yet there seemed to be almost jolly quality behind it as well as it continued to speak. "Do I have the pleasure of addressing Agent Clawthorne of C.O.V.E.N?"
"You do." Lilith said, cautiously. "And you are?"
"A potential investor. For the purposes of our transactions, please call me Mr. L"
"Very, Mr. L" Lilith said.
"So what, do you charge extra for the rest of your letters?" Ghoal asked.
"Ha! That's a good one." Mr. L exclaimed, sounding quite amused by the barb. "Quick, Mei-Lien, write that one down. I'll save that for later."
The woman called Mei-Lien rolled her eyes slightly before pulling out a notebook, seemingly writing down Ghoal's joke, while her employer continued speaking.
"Now, down to brass tacks as they say. I understand that your organization, C.O.V.E.N is looking to precure more resources for your monster hunting endeavors. And that you are having less than successful in getting assistance from other investors"
"How did you know…?" Lilith started.
"Please, you really think you're the only person who's been swindled by Odalia Blight? Which brings me to why I am here." There was a snapping sound on the other end of the phone, followed by a brief pause.
"That was the sound of me snapping my fingers" Mr. L clarified after noticing the silence. "I was giving Mei-Lien a signal"
Mei-Lien walked over to the one of the crates and lifted up the lid. Curious, Lilith stepped forward and took a look at what was inside the crate. In appeared to be a large, black disk like object, looking roughly the size of the wheel of a large truck, with a glass dome at the top of it.
"I wish to offer C.O.V.E.N the latest in remote controlled drone technology. These aerial drones are easy to command, and are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance, capture and combat technology. All at the press of a single button".
Without saying a word, Mei-Lien produced a small black box from her jacket, lifting up the lid to reveal a computer panel with set of controllers, offering it to Lilith.
"This is all quite generous of you." Lilith said, clearly sounding enticed but still appeared hesitate. "But our budget is currently stretched somewhat thin as it is, so I'm not sure if we can…"
"Oh, there's no need to worry about payment." Mr. L said pleasantly. "I'm not charging you for this"
Lilith blinked in surprise at this statement, looking as though she must have misheard him.
"You want to give all this away for free?" Ghoal said, sounding both skeptical and suspicious.
"Oh, not completely for free mind you." Mr. L continued. "Not when I can still get something in return. All that I ask is that you make full use of what I am offering and provide your full and honest feedback on how it performs. We've gone as far as the theory can take us. What we need now is a real field test for these drones. And an appropriate target of course"
Mei-Lien then pressed a series of buttons on the controller. A moment later, the glass dome of the disk within the nearest crate lit up and then rose up out of the crate, hovering in the air, appearing like a miniature finally saucer as it seemingly defied gravity despite its clear lack of propellers or wings.
Staring at the drone, Lilith slowly took the controller from Mei-Lien, feeling a sudden renewed sense of power and control now that it was in her hands.
"I think I know just the target" Lilith said, with a wicked smirk.