Previously on the Owl House, Return of the Lost Son. Threatened by a new student's attempt to take control of the Human Appreciation Society, Gus sneaks Lincoln and Luz into Hexside once again even though they were banned there on their first arrival in order to identity Mattholomule's faux artifacts. Meanwhile, Eda also heads to the school in order to properly enroll her apprentices to help them grow as witches, as Hooty's vain attempt to get flies in his mouth proves.
Since escaping the first time, new guards now patrol the halls sniffing out trouble as Gus barely keeps them out of hearing and smell. Bump reveals that he recognized Lincoln's true origin upon seeing him weeks ago, referencing Draven to be one of the best and brightest students Hexside offered and agrees to the request, and offering sanctuary from the Emperor's Coven, in exchange for Eda cleaning up her messes, messes found in her permanent record
Upon arriving at the H.A.S. clubroom, Mattholomule quickly and suspicously admits to his forgery, later showing his deception by ratting them out to the guards, who take them, and later Gus and Mattholomule to detention, a place where dogma is instilled into a person's mind. As Willow and the Blight twins try to free them from the outside and Eda continues to demean herself with menial tasks, Lincoln and the others manage to burn their way out of detention.
This changes Bump's mind about this and back again after Gus confesses his crime and Bump allows the Earthrealmers to study at Hexside as Gus is banned from the HAS, granting him the title of club president before getting his nuts cracked by Lincoln in retort. While all this is in motion, Emira informs Lincoln about how Amity has changed, a new shadowy energy infused into her body.
Bat Queen's Nest, The Forest, Boiling Isles, Demon Realm
Early Morning
Inside a sinister cave we can see the Bat Queen's nest, where she is chasing her children. She is a very large entity whose body consists of a large, pale, somewhat vampiric fanged head with batlike wings and legs connected to it. She has a pointed chin, long, somewhat unkempt dark hair ending in a widow's peak, small pointed brows, dark purple lips, and hot pink eyes with white sclerae. Her wings are purple, with claw-like spurs atop them. She possesses talons with four dark purple claws, one of which opposes the others.
Bat Queen: Babies. Off to bed.
The trio of bat babies land on a branch, singing, one giving off a soft squeak
Bat Queen: And now it's time to have a book before bed. (burps)
She takes a book out of her mouth. Instead of reading it, she tears out pages and gives them to her children. Bat babies begin to squeak softly. Its soft chirp continues.
Bat Queen: Yes, consume it slow. Grow big and wise.
The baby bat swallows the pages and burps.
Bat Queen: Avoid the paper cuts.
The baby trio fall asleep. Bat Queen sits on the branch behind them. It is revealed that they are upside down.
Meanwhile, a masked man enters the cave and approaches The Bat Queen, making her feel his presence and open her eyes to see him.
Bat Queen: (Comes down from the branch and approaches the frame) What are you doing here? You know how much I like your visits, but we agreed that He would not come to protect us and when the children are awake.
The Paladin: (bows) Don't worry, I took the long roads so as not to attract attention to you and make sure I wasn't followed. I came to ask you for a favor.
The masked man summons the Celestial Staff surprising the Bat Queen. She looks to her sleeping young and back to him.
Bat Queen: (whispers) Does that have it inside?
The Paladin: That's right and I need for you to give it to him, hold nothing back.
Bat Queen: How do you know he's worthy?
The Paladin: For he has become worthy of carrying that sword.
Slayground, Bonesbourough, Right Arm, Boiling Isles, Demon Realm
Morning
Open in a Slayground in the center of Bonesborough. Several baby-track Hexside students are there. A sign on the front door reads "THE SLAYGROUND Funded by Bonesborough Ship and Parks Department".
Cut to a sign of a witch with a leashed beast on top of a cycloptic bench that reads "ALL BLOOD THIRSTY MONSTERS MUST BE LEASHED". Eda, Lincoln and Luz are sitting on a bench under the sign.
Lincoln was very thoughtful. It's been a day since they went back to Hexsideand Emira told Lincoln about Amity's current condition. He can stop thinking about what happened and you don't know if she is okay with this or she is very worried.
Luz: (Visibly nervous) What if he gets hurt? (He said as Lincoln came out of his thoughts) What if the children are mean to him? (gasps) My parental instincts are running wild, man.
Lincoln: (Places his hand on Luz's shoulder) Wow, calm down, Luz, nothing will happen to him. Not while we're here.
Eda: Lincoln is right. Look.
Lincoln and Luz watched as King continues on his way up.
Luz: He looks like he's having fun. Ah I wonder what cute little game he's playing.
Lincoln: Knowing him, I think he wants to rule the children thinking that the slide is a throne.
Luz: Eh, tomato, tomato.
King: Stand back, cretins. (Grunting as he reaches the top) Yes! Yes! This is a throne worthy of a tyrant. Bow to me, you snotty underlings. Bow!
Kids: (Shares a look) Okay.
One does a handstand while the other does a backbend.
King: Yes, appease your master.
But what King doesn't realize was that a dark-skinned, red-haired boy with green mucus running down his left nostril was behind him.
Child with mucus: This is not for standing, it's for sliding. You try.
The boy with the snot pushes him down the slide. King screams before landing on the ground with a grunt. The usurper smiled as if he was funny. But King seemed upset and angry. Jumping to his feet, he yelled and ran toward Luz, Lincoln, and Eda.
King: Eda! (Runs to his friends, clinging to Luz's leg) That monster took my throne.
Eda: You mean the baby?
King: No, the usurper (pointing to the boy, who was now riding a little purple fanged dragon spring rider) I want you to go there and blow it up. Kaboom!
Usurper: Kaboom!
Lincoln: King, its just a 5-year-old boy, he was just playing with you.
Eda: (Unscrews Owlbert from her staff) Yeah, I'm not using Owlbert to blow up a five year old.
Owlbert hoots in approval
Eda: He's got better things to do. So... (She strokes him)
Owlbert warbles at the stroking
Luz: Oh, how sweet. How did you get it?
Eda: Do you understand? I made Owlbert from an ancient tree branch.
Owlbert hops onto Eda's hand and hoots again.
Eda: Oh, he's my palisman and we're bonded for life. (Owlbert jumps on his shoulder, nuzzling her cheek) I'd annhilate anyone who'd hurt him.
King: Lincoln, use Caliburn and purge my throne with the blood of the usurper!
Lincoln: (a little upset) Dude, I'm not going to kill a kid just because he pushed you on the swing. Not my M.O. (to Eda) I get the name, it's a living talisman and he's your pal. Funny and accurate.
King: Fine. don't help. Revenge will taste sweeter if they fall just by my hand alone. (Laughter)
Usurper: (He approaches him from behind and shoves King over, making him fall face down) Tag, you're it! (He laughs and runs off)
Eda: Oh man. Here we go. The king's scream of rage.
King: (He stands up) Nyeh...nyeh... (he squeals as he twists and punches in the air, pauses and continues to squal as he charges at his opponent)
Eda: (Laughs) It's like a little teakettle. (Snorts)
Owlbert scratches at his face.
Luz: Hey, what's that? (points to one of Owlbert's foot, which appears to have a hole in it)
Eda: That's his interlock. So he only fits in my staff. Every palisman has one.
Lincoln: Quick question. By chance did Dad have a palisman?
Eda: Or if he had one, one of the other reasons he called it the Phoenix Lord is that he had a phoenix palisman
As she talks, everything but her, her staff, and the bench disappears.
Eda: (gasps) Luz? Lincoln?
She stands up and looks around the void. Both her staff and her bench disappear.
Eda: Hello?
Luz: (Echoing) Eda?
Eda: Luz!
Lincoln: (distorted echo) Eda!
Eda: Lincoln!
Unknown: (sing-song) Eda.
The real world returns as Luz, Lincoln, and Owlbert observe Eda.
Luz: Eda! Eda! Wake up!
Eda's eyes widen. She is now lying on the bench. She turns to Lincoln and for the briefest of moments, sees someone else in Lincoln's place. Someone she prayed to never see again.
Lincoln: Are you okay? (Helps Eda up) You look like you've seen a ghost. Or worse.
Eda: (shudders) What? Oh no. The curse. That voice. Hey, we have to get home. Now! (She picks up her staff and leaves)
Luz: King, we have to go!
King: (Above the jungle gym, in front of Usurper) Five more minutes, please!
Lincoln: (bestial shout) King! NOW!
King: Oh man. This is not over.
Usurper: Okay, let's play again very soon (Hugs King)
King: Nope. Keep those sticky hands away! Oh no! He's touching me! (screams)
Play music: The Owl House Theme
The portal appears and opens.
Luz and Lincoln appear, and appear to be going through the sky upwards, but the camera shows that it was upside down and that actually, they were falling.
Eda rescues Luz and Lincoln, and along with King, they appear flying the Owl Staff, in the direction of The Owl House.
The camera follows them to the Owl House.
approaches the door, where Hooty is, Luz opens it and is seen twirling the staff, until she leaves it standing, Luz puts her right hand on her hip, and holds the staff with her left while Lincoln draws his sword and strikes a similar pose
Eda takes the staff away from her and Luz gets nervous, Lincoln giving a funny one while King stands in front of the camera to wave with his arms outstretched.
Willow, Gus, and Amity appear in three frames.
Willow makes a heart with her hands de ella, Gus holds out his arms de ella in celebration, and Amity just ignores, and turns her back de ella, crossing her arms de ella.
King appears holding a stuffed rabbit, along with many other stuffed animals around.
He pretends to rule these stuffed animals, until some of them fall on him, while other stuffed animals keep falling in front of the camera.
Luz flies over Bonesborough while Lincoln rides alongside, where she meets Tiny Nose, Willow and Gus.
Later, Eda and King are seen running from the guards, They help them escape, but later Luz loses control of the staff, and are chased by a creature.
Luz, Lincoln, Eda and King are on the roof of the Owl House, where Luz casts her Light Spell, making it go into the night.
The Owl House
Return of the Lost Son
The Owl House logo appears, then the Light and Lightning spells streaks across it with background sounds. The theme ends there.
Chapter 11
Escape of the Palisman
Living Room, The Owl House, Boiling Isles, Demon Realm
Midday
Cut to the Owl House, where Eda throws her staff onto the couch. She yawns and flops face first on the couch.
Luz: I'll go get your elixir. Lincoln will watch.
Eda: (Chokes) Don't worry about it. I'll get it myself in a bit.
Lincoln: Sure we can Luz and I stay and take care of you?
Luz: (gasps) I could put King in a doctor costume.
They all look at King, who looks up from a stack of papers.
King: Huh?
Eda: Nobody wants to see that.
Luz: I do.
Eda: Look, I know how to take care of myself. I've had this curse longer than he's been alive.
Lincoln: By the way, how did you get the curse?
Eda: (grunts) I don't know.
Luz: You don't know?
Eda: Someone gave it to me. I don't know who and I don't care because I'm fine, okay? Anyway, don't you two have plans with Tweedledum and Twerpledee?
Luz: Well, Willow, Gus and I are going to play foul between Hexside and Glandus High.
Eda: (Puts Owlbert back on the cane) Since when do you like sports?
Luz: Ever since I found something called "Hexside Pride" (Grunts) To think that Glandus, whoever they are, would dare to face us.
Lincoln: And though I don't like sports as much as a certain sore loser I unfortunately know of, but they convinced me. (mentally) In addition, they told me that Amity was going to be there and said I could see the changes Emira mentioned the other day at Hexside for myself.
Luz: But if you need us to stay...
Eda: Disgusting. Compassion. Go! Go have fun in sports.
Luz: Hooray! Hooray for sport! Hugs and kisses, King (Kisses his skull) Mwah! (Sing-songy) Don't spend the whole night plotting revenge.
King: (Sing-songy) That slimy-faced heathen will know my wrath.
Lincoln: (to King) Please keep an eye on him (Follows Luz but pops back in) And if I hear anything anout you heading back to the slayground. (threatingly) We'll see how you like in a nurse outift.
Hexside
Cut with Luz and Lincoln to Hexside.
Luz: Hexside is going to ruin your side. (stops walking) Huh, no. (keeps waking) Hexside is the best side on the west side.
Lincoln looks up and is surprised stopping Luz, Luz looks ahead and shuddered to see her 'bus', but it was actually a Viking ship that had a dragon head. It tries to bite them and they moved around, shuddering a little. Lincoln eyes turn and roars back, which makes the bus back off.
Lincoln: (coughs) Ok, that was very surprising. Since when did I assert dominance in this realm?
Luz: (nods and looks across to see Willow and Gus) Ah, friends!
Lincoln and Luz running towards Willow and Gus, the former of whom was wearing a yellow and blue cap with the name of the school on it while the latter was wearing a yellow and blue sports jacket.
Willow and Luz: Whoo-hoo!
Gus: Game day roar!
Lincoln: (bestial roar, then composes himself when the three look at him) What? Just because I don't like sports doesn't mean I can't get into the spirit of things.
Luz: Happy game day, fellow, uh... are we Hexidians? Hexis? (GASPS) Hexoils?
Willow: Actually, most people call us... winners. (she said clenching her fist with narrowed eyes)
Lincoln: (sigh) Wow, you guys take this sport very seriously. Although Hexes would make sense.
Gus: (to Lincoln) True. Grudgby games are the best. Players go through these action-packed trials. And the public gets to wave flags. Look, I practiced.
He pulls out two flags, spins in circles while waving them, and hums.
Lincoln chuckles a bit and claps as Luz looks at her hoodie and Lincoln's outfit.
Luz: Is it weird that we're not using anything from Hexside?
Willow: Um, it's weirder that you're wearing Glandus' colors. (Points to a sign behind Luz. Sure enough, the colors on her hoodie are the same as Glandus High's)
Lincoln: Now that's a problem.
Giant Boy: (He pushes past Luz's head) Prepare to be cremated, Glandus nerd.
A large skeletal hand knocks the giant down, revealing it to be Lincoln.
Lincoln: (from his right ear) I'd be more careful where I step. (lets go and the giant runs off)
Luz: Hello! I'm a Hexside nerd. I have to take this shirt off (looks at Lincoln) And so does Lincoln. Where can I get one from Hexside?
Gus: I know. There's a lost and found box in the cafeteria.
Luz: Oh! The lost and found. Where mouth covers go to retire.
Lincoln: (Shudders) We won't be long! (he and Luz enter Hexside)
Lost and Found
Cut to lost and found, a giant chest. Luz opens it and takes out a hat and a sweater.
Luz: Yes! Here Lincoln, (throws the sweater at him who catches it) take off your armor.
Cut to the front doors of Hexside, where Luz comes out in all Hexside clothes, a blue and yellow striped sweater, blue skirt, bottle hat and waving blue and yelllow pom poms and Lincoln in a casual attire with Hexside's sweater and no cape.
Luz: Goooo, Hexside! (She splits and flinches when she hears a crack) Well, I've never done that before. (As Lincoln helps her up, they see Willow and Gus and see that the dragon bus wasn't there) Where is everyone?
The dragon bus flies away.
Giant Boy: Hexside Rules!
Luz: Oh no! Go back!
Lincoln: Why didn't you get on the bus?
Willow: We weren't going to leave you behind (She said sweetly)
Gus: I was.
Willow: Gus! (She nudges him)
Lincoln: At least you're being honest now.
Luz: Can we walk to Glandus?
Gus: We'd never make it on time. Glandus is... (he rolls his flags, points with them) all the way in the middle of the island.
Luz: (scoffs) Typical Glandus.
Willow: And my parents are working, otherwise I'd see if you can take us with your staff.
Luz: A staff... because staffs fly. Of course. I can get us a staff.
Gus: You can?
Lincoln: (he realizes what she's saying and refuses) No…
Luz: But...
Lincoln: No...
Luz: He's still letting me talk!
Lincoln: And my answer is going to keep being no! We're not going to take Owlbert for a joyride, even if we know how to use him. Also, you heard what Eda said. She would annihilate anyone who would dare hurt him.
Luz: Well, do you have a better idea?
Lincoln: Two. I can either take you all with Caliburn, or we can head back to my room and help with a portal spell I read about in my dad's Codex.
Luz: But can you carry all four of us? Please, also nothing bad will happen.
Lincoln: (she stares at her and sighs in defeat) Fine, but if something bad does happen, don't come crying to me.
Luz: Yes, come on.
Luz grabs Willow's hand from Lincoln and runs. Gus jumps after them.
Eda's Room, The Owl House, Boiling Isles, Demon Realm
King: (Enters Eda's room) Eda! Great news. I thought of the perfect way to get back at that usurper. (Holds up a piece of paper that says "FIRE?") Now, don't be put off by the complicated premise. I'll break it down for you in small parts. Huy?
Eda, now almost completely in her Owl Beast form, save for her right eye, is sitting in her nest. She growls and advances on King.
King: (Screams, falls over) Owl Beast! (Shouting) Stay back!
The owl beast stops and steps back.
King: (Surprised) Did you just hear me? (He stands up) Hey, come here. Sit.
Eda takes a step forward, then snorts.
King: Oh, this is an interesting development.
Eda warbles.
King: Eda is only partially transformed, which means that she is totally suggestible. (laughs) Yes. Yes! I think this will work fine. Forget about the fire. I have a greater force to unleash. You! You're going to help me get my throne back. I mean, if that's okay with you. Right?
Eda growls.
King: I'll take that weird grumble as a yes. I'm just going to grab a little bottle of elixir in case you go rogue on me.
He grabs a bottle full of elixir and a messenger bag. Several empty bottles fall out of the bag as he drags it along.
King: Now, to destiny's battlefield: the playground!
Luz: (offscreen) Eda, are you home?
Lincoln: (offscreen) Are you thinking of doing something stupid already?
Eda growls, growing somewhat on edge after hearing Lincoln's voice for some reason.
King: What? (To Eda) Sit. Stay.
Eda obeys him before King ran out the door and closed it behind him just before Luz appeared as Lincoln quickly entered his room to look for Caliburn just in case things go wrong again.
Luz: Is Eda awake?
King: (nervous) Who? Oh (laughs) That Eda. No no. She is out like a light.
Eda growls in the back, making Lincoln all the more suspicious.
King: (Laughs) Oh man. Can she snore?
Lincoln: (Lean forward, making King nervous) Perhaps we skip the nurse outfit and go straight for the maid outfit. And I don't care what gender you are.
Luz: Lincoln! (He shrugs and heads upstairs) Oh, no. I wanted to ask her if she could borrow her staff, but I know she needs to rest.
King: (grabs Eda's cane and hands it to Luz) Oh, I'm sure it's fine. It's fine. Just take it.
Luz: I can't. Not without Eda's permission.
Eda screams, at what or who, no one can say.
King: Well, there's your permit. Go away.
Luz: (looks at cane) I really owe Gus and Willow one. And it's just for the afternoon. I'm sure Eda wouldn't mind.
King: Not our generous and kind Eda. Big heart to her.
They look at each other for a second before Lincoln arrives with his sword and scabbard strapped to his back.
Lincoln: Alright, I'm ready. Come on.
Luz: (Starts to leave with Lincoln) I'll be back soon.
King: (He said to himself) That was close.
Luz: (stops leaving) What?
King turns to see that Luz and Lincoln haven't left yet. The latter with a raised eyebrow
King: Nothing.
Luz: Oh, okay. (He leaves for real)
Lincoln: (signs goodbye) Goodbye, King. Make sure Eda takes her elixir if she transforms again, if she hasn't already. Otherwise (He raises his fingers to his and points them at King, then leaves after.
King: Close call. (Opens the doors.) And now revenge. Right, Owl Eda?
Eda is currently munching on a chair, appearing to have relaxed now that the others have left.
King: (laughs) I feel confident with this plan.
Front Yard
Lincoln: (nervous) I do not feel confident with this plan.
Luz: To Glandus High!
She gestures with the staff, slamming Owlbert against the house. Owlbert wakes up and yells in disapproval.
Luz: Ouch! I'm sorry, Owlbert. Alright. We're on our way to help some friends.
Willow and Gus: (looks at Owlbert in amazement) Oh!
Luz: Who's ready to board Air Luz?
Lincoln: Not me. You better let me handle this, I already have enough confidnce flying with Caliburn.
Luz: Please let me fly it alone this time? You can fly it back!
Lincoln: (looks at her seriously and sighs) Okay. Just... please be careful. Owlbert is called a "Palisman" for a reason.
They all board the staff.
Willow: Feel that power-to-weight ratio.
Gus: (to their flags) Boys, get ready to fly.
Luz: Next stop, Glandus High. Come on.
The staff rises into the air.
Luz: Go ahead, Owlbert.
She slaps the cane. Owlbert squawks and rushes forward.
All: Whoa! Whoa!
The staff does a loop-de-loop, then run into several trees. The quartet grunts and screams. They hit the head of a tree. Willow and Gus fall straight into a bush. Luz and Lincoln get caught on a branch and then the former falls out of her Hexside sweater. she growls. Lincoln instinctivley grabs Owlbert and both fall directly on her head. They look at their now cracked foreheads and they both hoot.
Luz: (groans, stands up) Is everyone alright? Hey?
Lincoln: (Looks at Owlbert) Oh no, Owlbert!
Lincoln rubs his head and sets the staff on its tip. Owlbert hoots, wriggles off his staff, then weakly flies away.
Luz: Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no! Owlbert, come back! (she chases him)
Lincoln: Owlbert, wait! (He chases him too, carrying Owlbert's staff with him.)
The Woods, Boiling Isles, Demon Realm
Afternoon
Cut to Luz, Lincoln, Willow, and Gus running through the woods.
Luz: Owlbert!
Owlbert hoots as he flies into an foreboding cave. The squad stops running, panting.
Gus: Man, humans can run. It must be their dorsal fins.
Lincoln: Only fish have that, Gus. You really don't know a thing about humans, don't you?
Luz: He went through those trees. Come on. (Starts running)
Willow: (Stops Luz.) We have to be careful. It is very easy to get lost in this part of the forest.
Lincoln: Already covered. Willow's already taught how to grow flowers and I've been leaving a trail of them for us to backtrack.
Luz: This is Eda's palisman, Willow. She'll kill me if we don't get it back.
Lincoln: You're right. Come on. Let's bring him home.
The four enter the cave.
Cave, Boiling Isles, Demon Realm
Cut to the inside of the cave. Bats squeak as they enter. The four of them are walking and Lincoln drew his sword just in case, using a light orb to illuminate the chamber. Bones creak under their feet.
Willow: Wow. I keep stepping on a bunch of crunchy twigs.
Luz: Those are bones, Willow.
Willow: (Looks up) Not if I never look down.
Lincoln: Good thinking.
A shadow passes by them. They yell and get closer as Lincoln gets into a defensive position, giving Owlbert's staff to Luz.
Luz: This isn't any kind of forest I'm used to (Pushes a web with the staff)
Willow: That's because this isn't a forest.
The Bat Queen's children chirp as they approach the teens.
Willow: It's a nest.
Lincoln: (Realizes something) Hey, I remember you three?
Luz: (Also realizing) You're Bat Queen's babies.
The Bat babies screech.
Gus: Wait. The Bat Queen? (backs up)
Willow: (also steps back) I think I'd rather take my chances on Eda.
Luz: (she Walks towards the bats) Uh, we're looking for a little owl and... There he is.
Owlbert is standing a bit behind the bat babies. He angrily warbles and steps back into the shadows.
Luz: Owlbert, thank goodness you're okay. Come here, friend. Time to go home.
Lincoln steps in front of her, changing the blade into an aeigs as the Bat Queen stands in front of Owlbert and towards the light. They all gasp.
Bat Queen: (Whistles) Hello, small human. And you Azarathian, it's so good to see you again after so long.
Lincoln froze at the last thing she said.
Slayground, Bonesborough, Right Arm, Boiling Isles, Demon Realm
He cut to Slayground. The children are chatting and laughing. A child makes a sandcastle in the sandbox. Strong footsteps knock him down. Eda growling at them.
King: Ahem!
She growls again. With King on her back, wearing carboard armor with a mail drawing and holding a red flag with the right side of his face on it. she is sitting on the roof of a house.
King: Listen carefully. You all have two options. Grovel or—
Eda screaches and the children scream.
Braxas: Ouch! A monster!
All the children run away.
King: Pretty good. Wow!
Eda jumps off the roof and the kids scream again.
King: Run! Despair!
The Usurper whimpers from his seat of power.
King: Your time is up. Mine begins.
The Usurper, crying, goes down the slide.
King: Not so tough now, you spongy hatchlings. I will eat you.
Eda growls, entertaining the idea.
King: (climbs the slide) All who stood in my way are gone. I declare myself despotic ruler of this land. Nothing can stop the almighty—
A crunching sound interputs his speech.
King: Huh? Hmm?
He looks down to see Eda eating the slide.
King: Hey. Whoa whoa! No eating the throne.
Eda looks longingly at the slide.
King: Nooo!
Eda ignores him, continuing to much on King's new throne.
King: (Whiny) Stop it!
Bat Queen's Nest
Cut out to the nest of the Queen Bat. The Bat Queen exhales.
Willow: It's the...
Luz: Bat Queen. Luz. We once took care of your children.
Lincoln: Well actually Eda and King were the ones who took care of them while we had a... problem in the library.
Luz: Don't worry. I have this (To Bat Queen) Hello, BQ. My, your hair looks greasy. And your kids (chuckles) they're as hideous as ever.
Lincoln walks over to a conviently placed table and starts slamming his face into it so hard that it breaks.
Gus: You know, that could have gone worse.
The Bat Queen snarls.
Lincoln: (sights) Murphy's Law. Adage and/or epigram. Definition. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time.
Luz: (chuckles) So... Owlbert got away and I need to get him back. I'm gonna to grab him and we'll be on our way.
Bat Queen puts a claw on Luz's chest, but Lincoln transforms Caliburn into its true form, pointing it at her. Setting the two at a standoff.
Luz: Ah!
Bat Queen: (leans forward) Being careless with a staff, it's very serious. I protect him. (She looks to Lincoln, who recognizes Owlbert's handle and the healing, yet similar crack on his forehead) You risked self to protect staff. I respect that.
Luz: And thanks for that, huh, but it belongs to Eda, the Owl Lady. (Removes the Bat Queen's claw) And you owe her a favor, remember?
Bat Queen: Owl Lady is careless. Her staff left her sight. Taken for a human who steals, hurts, frightens... yet protected by outsider who returns, protects, and emboldens.
Luz: Huh?
Lincoln: You picked up that much from Owlbert? Some kind of mind-melding technique? (blinks) Did you just compliment me?
Bat Queen: (smirks) Clever boy. He told me everything.
Bat Queen's eyes glow yellow. Owlbert gloss of the same color.
Luz: Owlbert, I never meant to hurt you. (she kneels) Please trust me.
Owlbert hoots, then flies to the Bat Queen's head. Both eyes shine again. Luz stands up.
Bat Queen: Trust must be earned... (flies to a perch) ...through trials!
Fire bursts from the ground with the last word.
Gus: (happily, waving flags) Trials?
Willow: Guys, the Bat Queen is known for making impossible tests of herself. I have never heard of anyone winning against her.
Luz: But I have to get Owlbert back.
Lincoln: And if we have to complete these trials to get Owlbert back, so be it. We accept your challenge. First time for everything.
Willow: And we'll be right there with you.
Gus: Let the flags raise you up.
Bat Queen closes the claw on her. Spider webs enclose Willow and Gus.
Gus: hello!
Willow: What?
Bat Queen: No helpesies. Now, let the tests begin. Human, milk the spider demon.
An spider with udders approaches Luz, holding a bucket. The spider demons growls. Luz grunts and looks at Owlbert. He hoots and tilts his head.
Lincoln: Wait, what about me? And is the binding really neccesary?
Bat Queen: I have a different test for you. Go to temple of Marus Alphaneum. Inside you will find something and you will bring it here when you finish. And yes. Experience.
Willow: The temple of Marus Alphaneum? I've never heard of a temple like that on the Boiling Isles.
Lincoln: How am I going to get there?
Bat Queen: You will use your senses, and you will need to carry this. Trust in the light, let it be your guide
The Bat Queen throws a long stick at Lincoln, who catches it. Upon contact, the staff begins to glow gold while the gem uptop glows blue.
Lincoln picks him up and Luz looks at him surprised.
Luz: Wait, isn't that...
Luz remembers where she grabs said staff in the Celestal Lake in that adventure that Adegast designed to lure in his competitor Eda. A staff that supposedly turned to dust in front of her eyes.
Luz: It's the Celestial Staff that Adegast mentioned, but that's impossible. It was destroyed weeks ago. I suppose you still remember where that lake is, right?
Lincoln: Yes, so I know where that temple's entrance is.
Lincoln draws Caliburn, slams Owlbert's staff into the ground and walks out of the cave.
Lincoln: (Looks at Luz) Please be careful, I'll be back now.
Luz: If you run, you'll make this more difficult for yourself. (runs after it)
Bat Queen: (gazes out to the exit, whispers) Pray Caliburn chose wisely.
Celestial Lake
Lincoln arrived at the Celestial Lake and much like before. There is nothing different about since last he was here. However, the only differnece is that there is a point of light in the center where the false staff once stood. He walks over to it and seeing no other option slams its base down, bracing for what may happen. When Lincoln openms
Lincoln: Oh. My. Gods.
Lincoln sees the shining temple laying upon a sea of stellar fire. Among him are five animals made of cosmic flame and gold armor pieces; an eagle, two leviathans dancing lovingly in duet, a galaxy on each of their base, an ox with a black hole for a body, and a lion with elongated fangs and a wingless dragon, below them an artifact that represents them placed on altars below. All of whom now watch him with a patient eagerness.
A surprised Lincoln puts the staff on his back with the sword and enters the temple.
Once inside, Lincoln was walking while out of nowhere some torches lit up by themselves, illuminating the entire place. The place seemed untouched despite being abandoned and there were sorcerer statues. Some not appearing like the others. Along with portraits of events in their history.
Lincoln: (Looks at the heights) These must be the previous Azarathians who have come here before me. I'm guessing the others must be champions from other worlds.
Lincoln continued walking, not noticing statues and portraits with his exact likeness one with long ears and the other human, along with a quartet of blue, pink, green and orange upon them until he reaches a door where there was text above it.
Lincoln: (reads aloud) "For an Azarathian's will to not be thinned, one's fear must not be allowed to win." What does that mean? Guess even Azarathians loved their riddles.
Lincoln enters but as soon as he entered the door began to close behind him surprising him.
Lincoln: Looks like there's no going back.
Lincoln continues forward where the place was dark and some whispers could be heard as if the place was haunted. Lincoln kept going until he came to a lighted place with three paths.
Lincoln: (sighs) Great. (points to the doors) De tin marín de do pengué, cúcara, mácara, puppet it was, I wasn't it, it was Teté, hit her, hit her, she was.
Unknown: Oh really? Is this how you're choosing to proceed after what you've done?
Lincoln was startled and turned around and saw, wounded and broken versions of Eda and Luz also coming in, the first seemed upset and the other was sad, as if they have both experienced so much loss in so little time.
Lincoln: Eda? Luz? What are you doing here? What happened to you?
Eda: (angry) I'll ask the questions when we finish with this chore! I'll take care of you for now. Come on.
Eda crosses the first door leaving Lincoln confused and he looked at Luz.
Lincoln: What happened?
Luz: (sighs sadly) I failed. I couldn't get Owlbert back. Eda tracked us down to the cave and the Bat Queen told her everything, Lincoln, Eda is sending us back to the human world and she's taking back the sword. After that... (she breaks down crying for a moment before regaining some of her composure) It's probably best you don't remember. Willow and Gus... (she weeps)
Lincoln was shocked at what she just said, he couldn't believe it. Luz runs to where Eda picked up while Lincoln follows her.
Lincoln: Luz, Eda, wait.
Eda: I told you. We may not have much time. The Bat Queen could…
Luz: (screams) Ahhhhh!
Eda: LUZ!
Lincoln: Guys?!
Lincoln panics and runs so fast that he almost fell off a cliff, showing that he has appeared off the side of a lone mountain. Lincoln turns around and is surprised to see Eda on her knees, her right arm severed while the Crimson Empyrean had her cursed sword on top of her. This reaction causes new cracks to form and a dark smoke to slowly leak out.
Lincoln: Crimson Empyrean!?
Crimson Empyrean: I felt a disturbance... the moment the Owl Lady decided to bring the Azarathian here to these forsaken grounds. And now the human has paid for her incompetence.
Crimson Empyrean shows Luz's dead body, a large puncture in the center of her chest.
Lincoln: Luz no!
She shamelessly throws Luz's head to the ground. Lincoln immediately runs towards her sister's body while he took her leaving his bloody hands. The experience causes his mind to cry out from the inside. The same power from the Blight Manor and the Convention Center beginning to resurface. Heartrate accelerate and any restraints he may have had are failing due to these events.
Lincoln: (crying) No! Luz!
Crimson Empyrean: (smiles and slowly approaches Lincoln) So, how do you wish to die? In combat? Or on your knees?
Eda: NO! (He grabs Crimson Empyrean's other sword without her noticing) I'll die before I let you or your master hurt the boy. Not again.
Crimson Empyrean: (smiles at him) How honrable. How wasteful.
The Crimson Empyrean turns around and clashes her sword with Eda's staff, Crimson Empyrean grabs Eda by the neck and pulls her towards Lincoln retrieving the sword from her.
Eda: (stands up and looks at Lincoln) Give me the staff.
Lincoln gives her the staff in dread as the Owl Lady gets back up and charges at the Crimson Empyrean, but she dodges each attack on her, Lincoln runs to help but Crimson Empyrean turns and pushes Eda aside and grabs Lincoln by the neck and throws him towards the body of his sister. Eda gets up and runs towards her again and the two clash their weapons again, they stay this way until Crimson Empyrean stealthily grabs her other sword and pierces it into Eda.
Lincoln gasps and as tears now stream from his eyes, the smoke growing darker and thicker.
The Owl Lady in agony drops the Celestial Staff and it rolls towards Lincoln's knees, the former desperately reaching out to him.
Eda: (defeated) Draven. Miwa. Aiden. I have failed you.
Lincoln: (tears in his eyes) Eda! No!
The Crimson Empyrean kick's Eda's body off the cliff, then dusts herself off.
Lincoln: EDA!
Crimson Empyrean: So her name is Eda right? Well, it doesn't matter now (she approaches Lincoln) Now it's your turn.
Lincoln: (wipes away the tears, his eyes changing and his markings reappearing) I'll make you pay. (altered) I swear I will make you pay!
Lincoln grabs the cane and tries to Activate his magic but nothing came out surprising him
Crimson Empyrean: (Groans) Apparently someone isn't ready to become a true Azarathian... and now he never will be.
The Crimson Empyrean grabs him by the neck prepares to throw him off the cliff, but something stops her. The smoke envelops his arms and form dark limbs and grab her face and arm, ripping off the latter.
"Lincoln": You are weak. You think Azarathians are strong? Only the dark is strong. Do you understand how weak you are? (He squeezes her mask, exposing her left eye, gold like his) Flesh and blood.
He crushes her skull into paste and lets her fall. Soon grabbing her arm as it slowly and messily vanishes from sight beneath the eyes, as if he was devouring it. Lincoln was internally screaming as his stamina gives out, following the Owl and the Empyrean off the cliffside, slowly descending, or rather sinking to the ground. Everything went dark until he finally fell on something. Lincoln with a groan gets up and looks around and is surprised at where he is.
Lincoln: (stands up) This is my… I mean the Loud House. But how..
Unknown: How do you think Lincoln is doing?
Lincoln hears a familiar voice and approaches the voice where he came from in the kitchen and looks out the door seeing Rita, Leni, Luna, Lucy and Lily. All of whom give expressions not unlike the ones he knows.
Lucy: Sigh. I don't think Lincoln will do well at camp.
Luna: (sarcastic) I don't think we'll ever see him again, such a shame.
Lily: (prideful) Real
Luna: It's a pity because it seems that he the only skill he has that he can't be of use to anyone.
Lily: (laughs) Ha. I knew there was a reason you were being so nice to him for so long.
Leni: That's pretty cool, guys.
Rita: Leni's right. After all, he's just a little kid... scared, alone. Me? I somehow pity him. Perhaps your father and the others were right all this time.
Lincoln was hurt by what he just heard, and decides to get answers.
Luna: (notices Lincoln) Well, look who's here. How long do you think he was listening?
Lincoln: (He crosses his arms) Long enough.
Luna: (stammers) Uh... Nothing personal, kid.
Lincoln: (shakes his head) No. It's not you talking. I'm not back in the tomb you call home. We couldn't be. You said that when you left that you would never return until the others treated me like a person than a freak.
Lucy: (confused) You're standing here, aren't you?
Lincoln: No. I'm back at the temple. And you already told me the-
The light outside suddenly changes to a dark red and the house quickly rots and burns with that same smoke from before as Lincoln watches in horror as his sisters are cut down one by one by a resurrected Crimson Empyrean, bursting through the basement.
Lincoln: (scared) No. No, this isn't real. None of this is real.
Terrified, Lincoln runs out of the kitchen while screams of horror were heard behind him.
Leni: Linky. Please! help us!
Lincoln freezes as the Crimson Empyrean emerges from the kitchen with blood now matching on her armor.
Lincoln: No! Not again!
Lincoln runs to the door of the house and tries to open it but it wouldn't open. Crimson Empyrean approaches him. Lincoln only freezes again in fear when the Crimson Empyrean was already close to him and raises her sword and before she cuts him in half, the same limbs from before stop the blade. More of the smoke seeps into him, making him taller than his oppononet. This makes Crimson Empyrean switch from pride to fear.
Crimson Empyrean: No. Not you again.
"Lincoln": (altered voice) Haven't you forgotten our promise? No matter what happens to us. No matter how far fate separates us. We will always be together. FOREVER.
His back lurches as his chest opens to swallow his assailant whole this time. The door opens behind Lincoln causing him to fall into a deep, dark hole again. Lincoln was screaming until he fell to the ground. Lincoln gets up and sees that he was back in the temple, albeit in a different chamber.
Lincoln: That's right. I am in the temple. I knew it. (Looks around) Luz Eda, where are you? (He sees that there was no one there and he was all alone) No, they all died! The Crimson Empyrean killed them! Then I killed her? O-Or was that also an illusion? Either way, I'm stuck. There's no way I can open this on my own. I'm alone, without my friends again.
Lincoln falls to his knee, despairing, but quickly realizes something.
Lincoln: Again? Yes. I've been alone before and if I was able to deal with all this as well as with Luz and Eda, then I can deal with this myself. (he gets up) Maybe Eda and Luz aren't dead. Maybe they're not even here and Luz is still in the cave trying to get Owlbert back. I have to do my part to get him back. Perhaps what I've been seeing are illusions designed to break my spirit. These are the trials she mentioned.
Lincoln continues forward towards a door which opens but to his surprise a third Crimson Empyrean was standing behind the door.
Crimson Empyrean: How insightful. (approaches Lincoln from a shadow) You could have been so useful to us if not for that little body swap trick. But I suppose a Blight is better than an Azarathian.
Lincoln: (backs back in fear) No, no, no, no, no. NO! You were in my house, and that... all that... that was definitely an illusion.
Crimson Empyrean: The other "me"s may have been, but I assure you "I" am not. (she lifts Lincoln up by the chin and lets go immediately) There's no way out. Surrender, and pray that the Emperor grants you mercy. Or stay here and die forgotten.
Lincoln: There's always a way out... only if I continue with my training.
Crimson Empyrean: (approaches) Then are you ready to die with honor, boy? Or are you afraid to face your death like a coward?
Lincoln: (determinedly) Dying? No. Afraid of being alone again? Sure. Afraid of disappointing my friends and family? Absolutely.
Crimson Empyrean: All your friends lies dead and rotting in some forgotten tunnel. You could hardly have let them down more than you already have.
Lincoln: I'm not afraid.
Crimson Empyrean: But I oh so love the taste of fear. But like the old saying, "What doesn't kill me-"
She is cut off by fist punching through her head and rips her body in twain. Behind her now stands a living shadow. A formless adoloescent humanoid with the only features being a jagged maw shape and alitted diagononal eyes.
Unknown: -just makes me stronger.
Lincoln stands firmly as the shade takes the Crimson Empyream's sword from her corpse and with a yell attacks Lincoln four times, but makes direct contact this time. Lincoln opens his eyes and sees that he has a barrier raised around himself that had just broken.
Lincoln: (pales) You... you're real.
Unknown: What was your first clue? (grins and dissipates the faux blade) You were right about the trials. Only those who know fear can attain even greater willpower for what will come to pass. Count on that.
Lincoln: (points the blade) Who are you? What are you? (recognizes his voice) You're the voice I heard while in Amity's body.
Unknown: (chuckles) Guilty as charged. As for your question, you already know that answer. (moves closer) You faced your fears today, and suprassed them. All but the original. Later. (vanishes to smoke, seeping back into Lincoln's cracks which seal themselves)
Lincoln: (Sighs in relief as he sits down with his eyes closed) I knew it. That voice. That face.
Voice: (echoing) You have faced your greatest fears, young one. And have grown ever stronger for it.
Lincoln: Yes. Yet why do I feel like I lost?
Voice: Hmm. A debate for another time. For now, are you ready for what challenges may lie ahead in your future?
Lincoln: (stands back up) I am.
Voice: Come. See more clearly what you could not see before.
Lincoln: Who are you?
Voice: A guide. Someone you know well, but do not yet remember.
Lincoln feels a presence and opens his eyes and is surprised to see that it was orbs of light. The spheres start moving towards the large white door and Lincoln follows them and pushes through the doors as they closes from behind him.
Bat Queen's Nest
Back to the cave and Luz's trials, where one of the flames is extinguished.
Bat Queen: Remove bees nest.
Luz climbs a tree, empty staf in hand. A giant buzzing bees nest is sitting on one of the branches. She raises the staff to smack the nest, but it turns into the head of a giant bee that screeches at her. She screams and falls out of the tree, later running past Willow and Gus, screaming, the bee screeching after her.
Gus: Come on. Almost have it. (She frees herself from the nets) I am free! Bat Queen, you'll rue the day you tried to catch—
She traps him again, this time suspended from the ceiling.
Gus: Aaah.
A second flame goes out.
Bat Queen: Give babies a bath!
Cut to Luz rubbing one baby bat, sitting on another, a third biting her shoulder. They are all covered in foam. Luz grunts as the bat babies screech.
Willow: Go, Luz.
Gus: Luz, we're here if you need us.
Willow: Yes. Cut us free. We can get Eda.
Luz: No, I was selfish, (The bat babies' screeches continues) I didn't listen to Lincoln and I hurt Owlbert. I need to do this just so he knows I care about him. (Dumps a barrel of water on the baby bats)
The bat babies are screeching again, then turn around to show off their neat hair and faces shiny.
Luz: Aw!
Bat babies shake their heads; back to normal and squeal. Light screams.
Slayground
Back at the Slayground, where Eda is eating a swing.
King: No, no! Bad Eda! You are my beast and I control you (punches her wing) Hey!
Eda growls at King interrupting her meal.
King: (Yelping) What was I thinking? I'm such a fool. I'm such a... (grabs the bottle bag)
Eda's growling continues.
King: ...genius!
Eda growls again. King grunts and throws the bottle into her mouth. She screeches and spits out the cork.
King: Great. Now, changes back to Eda.
Eda growls a third time, showing no reaction.
King: Any time now. Just magically transform.
Eda growls, growing annoyed.
King: Ah, nuts.
Eda shreds King's cardboard box armor seconds after he ducks out of it and runs down the rope net.
King: (Grunts.) Whoa!
Eda growls and turns to an incoming siren sounding. Cut to a van that says "ANIMAL CONTROL" The demon hunters come out of it, now wearing reflective vests. Demon Hunter #1 gets out of the van.
Demon Hunter #2: Uh, this is so embarrassing.
Demon Hunter #1: Hey, hey. This job is all we have now. We're lucky that we survived that freak impalement from the conjuring. So, I want to see happy faces. Okay?
Demon Hunter #2 gives a thumbs up and a sarcastic smile.
Demon Hunter #1: Let's roll.
Demon Hunter #2 sticks out their tongue.
King: Ah! Animal control.
Demon Hunter #1: Matches the description the parents called in. Bag it.
King: Oh no! No, no, no!
Eda stalks towards them, growling. The demon hunters combine spells to create a large green net. Eda tries to jump out of it, screeching. The net shrinks to fit it. Demon Hunter #1 shocks her to submission. King screams. The owl beast falls to the ground. Demon Hunter #1 picks her up.
King: Eda!
Eda is put into the animal control van, the doors close behind her. King tries to free himelf from the rope net. All being watched by a strange red bird, who quickly gives off a series of chirps, as if communicating with someone on the other end.
King: (Grunts.) Whoa! Awesome. Fantastic.
Marus Alphaneum
Celestial Realm
Lincoln followed the orbs of light until he stops at a three-way fork again.
Lincoln: So... which one's the correct path?
Voice: That is the wrong question.
Lincoln: I'm sorry if I don't understand you. To be honest, I don't even know what I'm looking for here to begin with.
Voice: (light chuckle) A good question. You eventually get a feel for these things with time and practice. I have had a very long time to use it accordingly.
The Bat Queen's Nest
Cut back to Bat Queen's nest. The third flame goes out. Gus frees himself from the web again, landing in a handstand.
Gus: Yes, I am free again. I—
Webs encase him yet again. He screams, muffled, and waves his legs.
Luz: Okay, Bat Queen. That's the last one. I've done all your chores. And I've proved my dedication to Owlbert. I'm so sorry for the pain I caused you, Owlbert. I promise to be more careful. Will you come back home with me?
Owlbert nods and hoots. He flies off of Bat Queen's perch to the ground. Bat Queen raises her claw, and webs encase Owlbert. He squawks in surprised protest.
Bat Queen: No! More trials. Last trial. You must face... me.
She expands her wings, a jet of flames going up behind her.
Luz: What?
The Bat Queen roars, flies forward. Luz, yelping, runs.
Bat Queen: You will never get him back!
Luz grunts.
Willow: Luz, get us out. We can help.
Luz frees Willow. Willow frees Gus.
Willow: Look out!
The bat babies screech.
Gus: I'll hold'em off with my flags.
The bat babies, screeching, attack Willow and Gus.
Gus: No! That was a bad plan.
Cut to Luz sneaking off. Luz yelps, and the Bat Queen roars. She chases Luz through the forest. Owlbert squawks as he frees a wing from the web. Cut to Luz running.
Luz: I won't let you imprison Owlbert.
The Bat Queen roars. Luz grunts and trips. The Bat Queen roars again, Luz gasps and grunts. The Bat Queen flies down to attack Luz. She stops her claws with the staff. She's roaring as Luz notices something on her right foot, a circular shape with a rectangular notch on the left side running to the middle.
Luz: (Gasps.) Is that an interlock? (Kicks the staff and Bat Queen away.) Bat Queen, you used to be on a staff, didn't you? You were a Palisman.
Slayground
She cuts to the Slayground, where King is still trapped in the rope net.
King: Nyeh! (Frees himself) Ugh.
Usurper: Your pride has destroyed you. The throne belongs to me now.
King: Over my dead body.
Eda screeches in the distance.
King: Eda!
Usurper: Yes, go away and lose your reign.
Suddenly out of nowhere, a blazing red bird swoops in from behind King and connects with King, wrapping its wings around him. A bright light blinds them and sees that King has transformed, a firey feathered body in a veritable red of color, hooked and toothed beak, clawed hands, taloned feet, and an erectile crest of feathers on his heads. He stands tall and has wings coming from his arms and wings and adorned with avian armor and a spear and shield.
King: (mixed voice) Well then, I'll lose it. But know that your reign is nothing but a delusion. We are all just puppets on strings. (Runs / normal voice) I'm coming for you, Eda! (panting) Huh?
Eda screeches as King looks up to see the shadow of a large winged beast divebombing at the animal control van, which is stuck at a snail crossroads. A giant snail with windows in its shell slowly moves forward. Eda keeps screeching, growing more panicked as the situation grows worse. King runs to the animal control van. He climbs into the back through a window as the onyx beast grabs the van in its foreleg claws and taking flight with it. Occupants and all. Eda snorts at him.
King: You in there, Eda?
Eda growls, not giving a clear answer.
King: Eda, I'm sorry. I used you for your strength 'cause I felt weak. I'm your friend. If only there was some way to remind you who I am.
Eda growls and snarls, not listening.
King: Wait a second. Eda loves my squeal of rage. So... (grunts, grabbing his vocal chords in the right way and squeals)
Eda: (Huffs, laughs. grunts. Receding bestial voice) So little. So angry. (Grinning. She grunts, grunts and snaps back to normal. She groans)
King: Eda, she's back! (Hugs her.)
Eda: What happened? (looks at King closer) What happened to you?
King: Okay, I went to your room and you were the Owl Beast. And then... And then I woke up here a second before you.
King shakes his head before a new voice takes over.
"King": An obvious lie of course, Edalyn. Pride cometh before the fall, after all. (snaps back to a confused King)
Eda: Uh huh. I'll take care of you later. But for now, do you want to bounce?
King: Yes, please.
Eda explodes the back of the van.
Demon Hunter #1: (yelling) Aah! Where did it go? (To Eda) Hello woman! H-Have you seen a monster that looks a bit like you? Lady!
"King": Hope you don't mind heights!
Eda leaves with King, running out of the van and down to earth. Leaving the Demon Hunters with its lift. A golden portal appears and transports Eda and King back to the Bonesbourough, then the bird disconnects from King and vanishes before Eda notices what happens.
Eda: (confused) A portal? What happened to you back there, King?
King: How the heck should I know?! Something latched onto my back and next thing I knew, I got a power-up and went after you just as quickly.
Eda: Strange. Familiar, but strange. Wanna play pranks on Hooty?
King: Do you have to ask?
Meanwhile among the clouds above the isles...
Demon Hunter #2: (angry) Put us down you overgrown lizard!
The beast glares at the demon hunter and gives a rather amused expression.
Unknown: (male voice) Poor choice of words.
He relases his grip on the van, leaving gravity to determine their fate.
The Peak, Marus Alphaneum
Celestial Realm
Play Yoda's Guide Kevin KinerWow
Lincoln comes to a dark room with some runic symbols on the ceiling, creating a false night sky.
Lincoln: (shocked) Whoa.
Voice: Tell me. Why push yourself so hand to become an Azarathian? Why do you fight?
Lincoln: I don't know. I guess because my father was. I never really knew him, seeing my adoptive one as more consolative.
Voice: To ask why we fight is to ask why leaves fall. So your father was an Azarathian and in turn, you wish to fufill the legacy he left behind?
Lincoln: Well, To get stronger, and more powerful while I'm at it.
Voice: Ah, So it is power that you seek, tempered by wisdom and wielded with courage?
Lincoln: I would make half my family suffer for everything they did to me, for all the pain and humilation. (angered) And I would exact revenge on those tried to wipe out my people and my father! I... would no longer be helpless!
Voice: (displeased) So the Azarathian way is the path of revenge? Is that what your father taught you?
Lincoln: (catches himself and thinks) No. My father would never let me walk down that road. He was a good magician, the best magician.
Voice: Then do you seek revenge for those responisbile for your people's nigh-extinction?
Lincoln: No!
Voice: Hmm. We sense inside you much doubt of your true worth, despair rooted in trauma of the past, fear of what might and could be, anger to those who saw you as a freak, and hatred strong enough to unleash suffering upon all life. And something else. Something dark, yet invokes a sense of deja vu.
Lincoln: (calms down) I just want to be strong enough to protect myself and my friends. And my family if they managed to survive.
Voice: And is that why you must be an Azarathian?
Lincoln: Yeah, and not just them. All. I want... no. Will protect everyone. Before I met Luz, I thought that society would always discriminate against me, my ears least of all. But with Luz, Eda, King and my new friends, I no longer think that way. They help me and others despite their flaws, and I see it too. I see how she makes people feel and I want to help them if not more.
Voice: To stand as a defender of justice, a protector of the weak. A bridge between the normal and the unique. To possess the same strength as your allies. Yes. And what pray tell, how do they make you feel inside?
Lincoln: Alive. They feel alive, like me now.
Voice: Good. Good. A difficult path lies ahead of you, Incarnate. A Prime Designate that will stand among many others among our people and the many races we have lived alongside. But know that you already possess such a power, you just don't know it yet.
The room began to darken and the wand began to glow, somewhat blooming, as he moved forward. Lincoln is surprised and took it and was surprised to see what was behind the glow.
Voice: Why do we fight? To protect home and family. To preserve balance and bring harmony to all. For our kind, for all life, the true question is; What is worth fighting for?
Young Voice: Who are you?
Bat Queen's Nest
Luz: You were once a Palisman, weren't you?
Bat Queen looks at her claw with the interlock on it. She turns away from Luz, shameful.
Bat Queen: Yes, I was once part of a grand staff. A staff made for a giant. But I was broken, discarded.
Luz: So, that's why you're so protective of Owlbert.
Bat Queen: I protect... all!
Her eyes sparkle again. Behind her, dozens of other eyes begin to glow. Luz gasps. Countless broken and scarred palismans of all kinds and all variations of scars or broken ligments and/or limbs, are on the trees.
Bat Queen: I made my home in the forest. I am here to take the lost. The forgotten.
Luz: I understand. But Owlbert is not forgotten. He has someone at home who loves him very much.
Bat Queen: (turns and walks away) He will not go back to you.
Luz: That's not your decision to make.
Bat Queen: (turns back around) I won't let him.
Luz gasps, then prepares for an attack. Owlbert protects her and hoots. His eyes glow. A second later, so does Bat Queen's.
Bat Queen: You...
The wind howls around her.
Bat Queen: You care about her.
Owlbert nods, yells. He strokes Luz, chirping.
Bat Queen: Very well. Go. And take your friends.
Willow and Gus, still being attacked by the baby bats, run in. The Bat Queen whistles. Her babies, screeching, fly to her.
Gus: I don't think I'll ever be clean again.
Owlbert grabs Eda's staff and brings it to Luz. Gus wipes the saliva off the baby bats.
Luz: Bat Queen, do you know what happened to your owner?
Bat Queen: Thousands of years have passed. I've forgotten.
Luz: If you ever want to find the truth, I'll help you.
Voice: Don't forget about me.
They all turned around and see that it was Lincoln.
Luz: Lincoln! You came back!
Lincoln didn't say anything, he just approached Luz and he hugged her, surprising Luz.
Luz: (surprised) Hey, you're alive!
Lincoln: (breaks away) Alive is a relative term, I'm just glad you're all in one piece.
Luz stares at him,thinking that something's different about him. but she pays no attention to this and smiles at him.
Lincoln: (Looks at Owlbert) Especially, you Owlbert. I'm sorry for what happened today, I hope you can forgive me.
Owlbert flies up to Lincoln and caressed him on the cheek, making it clear that all is forgiven.
Luz: And do you find the artifact in the temple.
Lincoln: Actually, it wasn't an artifact or anything like that.
A pair of wings unfurl from his back, surprsing them all. Lincoln put his hands in his pockets and turns around to show something that further surprises everyone present.
Luz: (astonished) Is that a...?
Lincoln has a Palisman on his back but it was very different to those any of the witches have met, it was an black-orange dragon, twice the size of Owlbert and as tall as King. But it was different to compared to the others. It appears humanoid in shape, red cross-slit eyes, a horned head, spikes on its arms, chest, and flail tail with large fins and adorned with black and red-orange mail armor of draconic shape yet with a design similar to that of Marus Alphaneum and the elemental armor Lincoln wore at the Witch's Duel.
Its armor composes of horn jewlery, a crowned visor, arm spikes, chains on its shoulders, breastplate, breechcloth, talon decorations on the wings feelers and tips, two ring piercings inide each wings, ornate sheaths on its thighs, and talons on its feet. It's also generating a similar cosmic aura to that of the celestial beasts he encountered when he first entered the temple, warm and raging like the sun.
Gus: (approaches) Wow, a palisman.
Willow: But I've never seen one like that before, is it different?
The Bat Queen was surprised. She recalls for a moment a being of stardust and solar light wielding a staff with a bat with unfurled wings on its tip.
Bat Queen: (shocked) He was right. The First was indeed there.
Lincoln: (approaches the Bat Queen, offering the dragon) Well then. I have completed your trial and proud to give to you your new Palisman friend. Hope you give him or her a good home and partner.
Bat Queen: (shakes her head, pleased) No. It is yours. It has always been yours.
Lincoln: (surprised) Wait, what?
Bat Queen: That test you did was not just to get Owlbert back but to earn a Palisman companion worthy of an Azarathian such as yourself. The human may have been the one to set the wheels in motion and hurt him in the first place. But you tried to protect him during your fall despite the risk to yourself. He told as much yourself from the start. He also told me about your past. I can only dare imagine what kind of pain you endured all those years. Just like Draven.
Lincoln: You knew my father?
Bat Queen: He was the last person to undertake the trial, and earned his Palisman, Furno. Unlike my kind, born from Palistrom wood. This progenitor species was born from a combination of materials; including Palistrom, infused with other energies, particularly those of the wielder's souls. From what I see, this was made from titan bone with sunsteel ingots and blessed with a power I've only seen once before. A power embodied in my old master. For as long as I knew him, he always saw me and my kind as equals, never slaves or servants. I recognized a similar trait in you the night of the conjuring.
Lincoln: Really, but why did you make me go there?
Bat Queen: Let's just say I owed an old friend a favor for something I did for him so long ago.
Lincoln was confused but decides not to pry and goes to see his friends.
Willow: I can't believe you faced the Bat Queen and you got your own palisman. (Hugs Luz and Lincoln)
Gus: (dances) And we're not dead.
Luz: Thanks for helping me get Owlbert back. Sorry, we missed the game.
Gus: Are you kidding me? That was better than any grudgby match. There were action-packed trials and our friend got his own palisman. I got to do my flag wave and I'm a slightly traumatized. Hooray!
Luz: (Laughs) Let's take this little guy home.
Lincoln: (quietly) That boy ain't right. (looks at his palisman) What do you say, partner? Ready to go to your new home?
The humanoid dragon creaks with happiness. Lincoln and the Palisman perk up and turn in the direction of Glandus High.
Lincoln: Huh, Hexside just won their match against Glandus. How did we hear that so far away?
Living Room, The Owl House, Boiling Isles, Loud House.
Nighttime
Cut to the Owl House, where Luz is bandaging Owlbert's cracked head with an indigo band-aid
Luz: And now you're part of the boo-boo buddy club.
Owlbert hoots in approval
Lincoln chuckles as the humanoid dragon settles comfortably on top of his head, unaffected by its weight. They looked up as Eda walked through the door looking weary with King.
Eda: Owlbert? What are you off the staff?
Owlbert flew to Eda and perched on his shoulder, telling her a story.
Eda: Lincoln and Luz took you to town to buy ice cream?
Owlbert agreed.
Eda: Aw that's... a horrible lie.
Owlbert gives them an "I tried" look as Luz gulps.
Lincoln: And what were you two up to?
Eda: We went back to the slayground and amused King with his little grasp for power. Owl Beast came out again and saw a giant winged beast take off with an animal control van with me and King inside.
Lincoln: (squints) Aw that's.. an near-honest truth. Huh. Guess even con artists can tell the truth when they need to.
Eda: Well, lucky for you both I don't care right now on both points. (looks at Lincoln) So what's with the lizardman on your head? Looks like its kid.
Lincoln: A dragon; a fire-breathing lizard with many various forms and levels of sapience. Well, after leaving I saw an ancient Azarathian temple hiding in that lake we killed Adegast in and went through some tests and got this Palisman. I was forced to face my fears, which including having a fake Crimson Empyrean kill you both and my old family. Caliburn's changed too.
Lincoln unsheathes the blade to reveal that it has indeed evolved, not like its elemental form from the convention center and the Conjuring. The rain guard appears to have bloomed somewhat, the face on it showing a new expression. A dragon's face can be inscribed on the base of it's fuller. It also now sports a keychain showing a phoenix-dragon hybrid. He twists it to show the Celestial Staff having transformed as well, having his palisman perched on its top like a gargoyle, with a sapphire dangling off its side before twisting it again to its original states.
Eda's eyebrows shot up while Luz and King pale at the mentioning of the slaughter.
Eda: Really? Well, I can tell you one thing, kid. Palismans are a great responsibility and are a testament to a witch's skill in magic. Do you think you can handle it?
Lincoln: (looks at the dragon and smiles) I think I've got it down if they're ready for me? (The palisman nods without hesitation)
Eda: (nods) Well, I'm going to bed. (walks away)
King: I, uh, will be on the playground. (It moves away)
Owlbert flies back to Luz's shoulder.
Luz: We'll keep this one to ourselves, shall we?
Owlbert chirps, nuzzles Luz's cheek again, and Luz turns to Lincoln.
Luz: So what are you going to call our new friend here? (lightly petting the whelp)
Lincoln: (thinks about it before smiling) How about Shadow?
The dragon lets out a small disaproving growl, making Lincoln understand something.
Lincoln: So you're a girl and not into the dark stuff? Okay... How about Solaris?
The palisman thinks about it, making noises as if she is trying to roll the name of her tounge and she creaks happily.
Lincoln: Then Solaris you shall be.
Luz: Awww, what a nice name for her. I wonder when I'll get my staff.
Lincoln: Someday. But there's some things I don't understand yet.
Luz: What?
Lincoln: The Bat Queen wouldn't have known about the Celestial Staff or Marus Alphameum without someone with knowledge of my people telling her. And during my trials, there was some kind of interference vi some kind of dark smoke. I couldn't controll my body or voice as I cut her down twice before doing so himself, speaking with the same voice from when I was in Amity's body, the evil one. Mentioning a forgotten promise she and I had.
Everyone's blood runs cold with his words. Eda most of all who was listening in.
Lincoln: So all that I to ask is: Who is this friend she mentioned, who is the face behind the voice I heard in Marus Alphaneum, what connects me and the Crimson Empyrean and if my hunch is correct, who or what sent the dragon that saved Eda in Bonesborough?
Eda's Room
Cut to Eda's room, where there are four empty elixir bottles on her end table.
Eda: (Coughing, picks up a bottle) The elixir... doesn't work with the curse anymore. This is bad. (Coughing, vomiting) When did I swallow a swing?
Lincoln (voiceover) I'll get the outfit.
Luz: (voiceover) I'll get the camera!
King: (voiceover) You'll never take me alive!
Eda hears a scratching noise on the door before opening to reveal Solaris to be the culprit. She crawls on fours toward Eda and moves toward Owlbert,
Eda: (smiles) Hey, Solaris. Came to check in your Palisman friend?
Solaris looks up, then back at Owlbert, removing the bandage from his head, surprising both. Even more so that she starts to stand upright and makes her hand glow, one gold and one green, whispering something. The dragon claps them together and places them on Owlbert's head. When she lets go, the crack is gone.
Solaris: There we go, little one. Like it was never there. (to Eda) Yes, of course I can talk. I thought speaking would add one too many surprises tonight.
She walks back out the door before she stops and turns.
Solaris: And don't think I forgot about the phoenix watching you and King today. Someone gave the bird and beast orders to intervene when things when went wrong. And we both know Draven could not command such a mighty beast without someone knowing. I'll leave you to decide who.
Bat Queen's Nest
Cut to Bat Queen's nest, where she is chasing her kids and wearing six pink hair rolls on her head.
Bat Queen: Babies. To bed.
The bat babies land on a branch, chirping. Soft screeching.
Bat Queen: And now it's time to have book before sleeping. (Burps.)
She takes a book out of her mouth. Instead of reading it, she rips off pages and feeds them to her kids. The bat babies begin soft screeching. Their soft screeching continues.
Bat Queen: Yes, consume. Grow wise.
A baby bat swallows some of the pages.
Bat Queen: Avoid paper cuts.
The babies fall asleep. Bat Queen sits on the branch behind them.
While that was happening. The hooded man returned to the nest and the Bat Queen sees him.
Bat Queen: You were right, he was chosen by Caliburn, he completed the test.
The Paladin: So it's done?
Bat Queen: Yes, but you could have done it yourself and had given it to him from the beginning, so I wouldn't risk anything.
The Paladin: Believe me, I wanted to do it and not risk his life, but it was an ancient Azarathian tradition. I brought you a friend for you and your charges to play with. Thank you for lending my friends on that world your friends. If you like to know, there are candidates for a second chance if any of them are willing.
Bat Queen: You mean that place you mentioned on Earth?
The Paladin: (nods) Yes. As you already saw, Aiden and the others have performed spectacularly. However, his trials were tainted by an all too familiar darkness. The only entity I know of with that kind of presence is It.
The Bat Queen remembers a symbol that makes her shudder as the room strangely grows colder.
Bat Queen: Impossible. It was never supposed to have been unleashed. How is it here? And you expect this boy to face It alone? A boy that has known nothing but isolation?
The Paladin: On Earth, yes. But here (points down) and in here (points to his head) and here? (grabs his chest) Never. But the important thing is that he is ready (turns around to walk away) to meet us. Here's a photo.
He gives Bat Queen a photo showing her babies in their cleaned state, then steps out of the cave to see the same black beast and the red bird from before waiting outside.
The Paladin: Thank youboth for aiding King and Eda at the slayground. I swear I can never Edalyn alone even if I tried. Anyway, you two need to get back to the other realm. She and the others still needs you.
The dragon nods and turns around to roar. Another golden portal appears, revealing a swampy marsh with a red moon in the sky. It walks away, changing and shrinking into something far more trusting. The sound of croaking on the other side as it closes.
TO BE CONTINUED
League of Legends - Marus Alphaneum and the five celestial beasts are inspired by the Lunari temple of Marus Omegnum and the five entities that with Phel, bless Aphelios' moonstone weapons known as the Flight, The Sky Shadow, The Cloven Way, The Fangs, and the Winding Light.
World of Warcraft - King's fused form is inspired by the Arrakoa, the one's from Alternate Draenor, not the cursed ones from Outland. Lincoln's Palisman is inspired by the Dracthyr playable species (mostly Scalecommander Emberthal) and Atiesh, Greatstaff of the Guardian.
Hero Factory - The name of Draven's palisman, Furno is based of William Furno, one of the original three rookies introduced in the 2010-14 theme.
Dark Souls - One of the wanted posters outside the slayground depicts the character of "the Darkmoon Knightness" from this video game.
The Witch - One of the wanted posters outside the slayground depicts a black goat named "Black Phil", a reference of the film's goat "Black Phillip", who happens to be the devil in disguise.
FanFiction - If you've been following Daniel's entries, you'll notice an entry that connects this story to an upcoming. Nuff said.
The babies fall asleep - Bat Queen sits on the branch behind them. It's revealed that they are upside down over a treasure hoard.
This chapter was made by me and Unit 123