People actually read this… this wasn't meant to be my main story but I get actual reviews occasionally on this one so here we are.
Thanks for the reviews, everyone. And the continued awesome support in my DMs. Hopefully, this stays halfway decent.
Holy fuck the last couple of episodes have been a rush. Also, I'm stupid and am only just now realizing how much Elsewhere and Elsewhen fucks up this story. So for the sake of everyone's sanity. Time travel for the sake of this fic is self-correcting and always finds a way to make sure everything is the same. So yes, that means, auuuuugh, there will be a time travel chapter
Amity cried out as she was thrown to the ground of the Conformitorium cell. The very cells she's been responsible for throwing actual criminals in during her service to the Emperor.
The two coven scouts watched her as she attempted to rise to meet them and attack, slamming the cell's cage door down right as she ran headlong into it, causing both of them to laugh as they walked off. Leaving the former Leftenant to bang on the cell door and yell after them.
When the two scouts were gone Amity was left alone, they'd left her in a section of the prison reserved for traitors and rebels. Meaning for the time being she was alone.
Slumping down against the back wall of her cell, she pulled her legs close to her chest, resting her head on her knees as tears formed in the corner of her eyes. She'd been so stupid. Of course, the Golden guard had known one of them was the spy, why else would he just outright admit he was looking for spies if he didn't already know he was looking one in the face. He'd scared her and sent her running to try and meet someone at the drop point to warn them, and now. Now she was trapped in an inescapable prison, waiting to be shipped off to the Emperor's castle to be petrified as an example to the rest of his Coven.
Amity thought about everyone she'd never see again. She'd never be able to fix her friendship with Willow. She'd never get to hang out with Augustus again. She'd never see her siblings again. And worst of all, she'll never see Luz again, except behind petrified stone eyes, should her favorite human ever return.
Quietly, alone in the dark. Amity began to cry.
As dawn broke over the Isles Davon sat atop of a small cliff that went up above seven feet over a passing road, set back about thirty meters was the camp they'd made for the night. He had the last shift before they moved out. The rest were packing up their camp before they continued on to Bonesborough.
Davon shifted as the leaves next to his hiding place moved, slowly his hand began to shift to his 1911 before stopping as Vee crawled up next to him.
"Hey, Davon… everything okay?" She asked in her usual timid-sounding voice.
Davon let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding before he relaxed and motioned to the road below. "So far everything's been clear this morning. How's packing up going?"
"Oh… fine… Luz's trying to find where Shaw hid her glyph book."
Davon smirked. Shaw had to take away the book Luz used to experiment and write down ideas about glyph magic she'd wanted to test when she'd returned to the isles, since if she'd been allowed to keep it she probably would have stayed up all night testing her theories.
"Alright, so why'd you come out here if we aren't leaving yet?"
"Loud…" the basilisk answered innocently.
"Ah…" Davon looked back down to the road to sweep for anyone moving around before he looked back towards Vee. "How are you holding up?"
"Hmm?!" She looked at him. Not expecting that question. "I-I'm fine… just trying to stay focused."
"On your human. Er. Witch form, right?" Davon asked as he scanned the road below them. "I'm sure we'll find something magic for you soon."
It had been getting harder for Vee to find magic stuff Luz's Owl lady friend had left in Gravesfield as the years went on, so Davon knew they'd need to find something like magic playing cards or something for the little basilisk soon.
"Thanks, Davon. It's actually easier to keep my form here. Higher amounts of residual magic from the Titan and everything…"
Davon looked over as Vee trailed off. She had a tendency to do that if something was bothering her or if the subject of the isles was brought up around her too much.
"You okay Vee?" Davon asked. Taking his eyes off the road to look directly at the little demon.
"Yeah I think so… just it's scary being back… after what happened before and… my brothers and sisters…"
"Hey," Davon said firmly to get her attention. "We'll find them okay? I know Four was taken by this Emperor Belos guy, but I'm sure the others are all still running around somewhere. We'll find them, and we'll show everyone you guys aren't dangerous unless you're desperate or you know. Being hunted by the crazy evil dictator that brought you back to life."
"Thanks, Davon," Vee said, smiling softly as she looked out across the red forest.
"Hey, guys! We're heading out soon, come grab your bags and let's go!"
Davon and Vee turned back towards the camp when they heard Luz call for them. Standing up the two of them made their way back through the brush towards their campsite.
Luz stared at her phone as she leaned back against her alicepack. She'd meant to text her mom last night when they set up camp, but after setting everything up and trying to wrestle her notebook back from Shaw unsuccessfully, Luz had been so tired She passed out as soon as she crawled into her tent. And now she had fifteen unread texts from her Mami worried sick about her.
Luz sighed deeply as she threw her head back and dropped her phone onto her legs. "Gah, why am I so nervous about this. She already knows Vee and I are here…"
Taking a deep breath to steady her mind Luz picked the phone back up before reading the last text again.
9:35.
Mami: Why are you not answering? Did something happen?!
Luz began to tap away at her phone quickly, not wanting to freak her mother out any more than she already had.
8:35.
Luz: I'm fine mom. Just way more tired than I thought I'd be when we made camp. We were just about to go find Eda's house now. TTYL.
Luz watched as within moments it said her mom had read the text and was responding.
8:37.
Mami: I don't know what that means but make sure you text me when you're safe. Okay?
Luz smiled before texting her back.
8:38.
Luz: I will mom. Promise.
Belos stood before the all but useless portal he'd been building. It didn't make sense. None of the last four years did.
"Awww what's wrong Belos. Upset, your plan didn't work like you thought it would?"
Oh, and there was this pain in his neck.
"Oh, Collector. I'm simply trying to understand what went wrong. That human girl just left. I know she couldn't have found the time pools yet, as Lilith Clawthron had not yet deserted me. Yet she left with the portal to the human world and has never returned. So how could she have come to me so long ago with that traitor in tow if she simply left the isles?"
"Hmmm, that is a good question. Maybe she'll come back and go looking for the time pools then. Huh, whaddya think?"
Belos hummed. Considering that but shook his head. "No. She'd be much too old now. The girl that visited me so long ago was but a child. She'd be a grown woman by now. Probably married and kept in the house like a proper human woman should be. Not off gallivanting around on adventures."
The Collector giggled before appearing on the wall next to him. "Aw come on Belos. That seems a little harsh. She did teach you something new after all. And she did manage to outsmart you!"
The Collector descended into a fit of laughter while Belos scowled. "Be that as it may. I doubt she will be returning. She's either been burned as a witch or has been put in her place long ago. Now we must maintain the status quo until we can find a way to bring about the day of unity and drain these witches of their power."
"Haha, yes. And once that is done I can be released and can once more play above the bones as I once did!"
Belos smirked "Yes Collector. One day. One day everything will be as it should be."
Luz pulled the hood of her green army poncho tighter around her head as she walked down the streets of Bonesborough in the market district. Vee, Davon, Shaw, and Lincoln followed behind her, each wearing identical ponchos to hide their identities and human origins.
Around her, the familiar streets she'd happily walked for a summer seemed almost alien. No one was loitering around the bazaar and those on the streets rushed to get where they were going. All while the masked scouts of the Emperor's Coven patrolled nearly every street. Nearly completely replacing the old guards that once kept the city orderly during Luz's stay.
After witnessing them doing random stops at the city limits for coven sigils, they'd decided to try and avoid as many patrols as possible. which was proving to be a difficult task, considering the number of Scouts on patrol.
"Luz. I think we're being tailed."
Luz looked back to Lincoln before taking a peek over her shoulder to see two coven scouts come to a stop next to a nonut shop.
"They're just getting some snacks?" Luz said questioningly.
"They stopped at about every food shop between here and the gate since we got into the city whenever I look behind us."
Luz grew worried. If they were being followed they'd need to lose their tails before trying to get to the Owl House.
"Okay. Follow me, we should be able to lose them this way."
The group began to speed walk down the street. Turning a corner they saw a patrol coming their way. And the way the leading scout looked at them, was likely part of the group trying to get them.
"Shit." Davon spat as he lowered his hand to his holster hidden under his poncho.
"No. Not here." Luz quickly said before turning down an alley. She'd used this route plenty of times with Eda to avoid the guards during her summer so-
As they turned the second corner instead of a long alley leading to another part of the market. They instead came face to wall, with a brick wall.
Luz froze. There was no other way out of the alley and they had heard the Scouts rush after them when they tried to break off.
The group all began to panic before they heard footsteps and a deep voice shout at them. "You five, stop!"
Turning around they saw a group of about 7 Coven scouts standing arrayed across the alley with spell circles raised.
"Under suspicion of treason you five are being detained!"
Luz looked at the scouts before looking at her friends. Vee looked terrified and was shaking. Lincoln looked nervous since he wasn't the best when it came to physical confrontation. While both Shaw and Davon looked ready to go for their weapons.
Luz's own hand twitched as she slowly moved it towards the bandolier across her chest holding fire glyphs.
The first one to make a move was Davon. His hand shooting for his pistol at his hip. Only for a blue stunning spell to strike him in the helmet and send him to the ground. Thankfully the thick steel and nature of the German helmet being to move on his head meant he wasn't hurt and wasn't completely unconscious. But he wouldn't be good for the rest of the fight.
Shaw drew her pistol and was about to fire when Luz slammed her hands together and sent a ball of fire careening into the formation of Scouts, sending them diving for cover.
"Vee grab Davon!" Luz shouted as she reached for an ice glyph.
Slamming the glyph into the ground she created a large platform that spanned nearly the whole alleyway. The platform quickly began to rise, lifting the five up them up to the top of the wall before stopping.
Luz grabbed another glyph, this time a planet glyph, intending to get them down on the other side of the wall when a stun spell slammed into her back and she went tumbling down the far side of the wall as her eyes glazed over.
Shaw turned around, her pistol still drawn, and fired two rounds off, the loud bangs of gunfire reverberating through the stone alley, and once again sending the Scouts scrambling for cover as Lincoln grabbed one of the smoke grenades they had made before leaving and threw it into the alley behind them.
Vee meanwhile scrambled down the wall where Luz had fallen, picking her up to make sure she was okay. Seeing she was still breathing Vee sighed before looking up where Shaw and Lincoln were still throwing stuff down at the Scouts.
"Lincoln!" Vee said. "Pass Davon down."
Lincoln looked back at her before crouching down and grabbing Davon under his arms before lowering the half-conscious boy down to Vee.
Shaw and Lincoln followed shortly after, scrambling down the wall. Luz was put in a buddy carry on Lincoln's back while Davon was supported by Vee.
Shaw took the lead and quickly took the group down the rest of the alley into the street.
As they rounded the corner the witches around them cleared away, not wanting to get caught up in whatever was going on. This left the group wide open for an attack in the nearly empty streets, and before they could make it across to the next set of alleyways they found themselves surrounded by a platoon worth of Scouts, all holding spell circles and blocking any way of escape.
The four members of the group left standing looked around, trying to find a way to escape, but every route was blocked by scouts.
"Take them alive!" The ranking officer yelled before the ring started to close in.
Shaw and Lincoln grabbed their guns, while Vee took in a breath, preparing to use her magic draining powers. None of them intended to go down without a fight.
Before the scouts could cast their spells, however, a purple sludge began to emerge from the ground under the group of humans. Before anyone, Human, witch, or demon could react the sludge erupted upwards and engulfed the small group before shirking down and disappearing into the cobblestone streets.
When the Abomination gup receded they were all dropped about a foot onto a stone floor Shaw and Lincoln looked up at where they were. What they were was some sort of underground chamber, rising about five feet over their heads with stone arches and brazers holding softly burning torches.
As they went to stand up as Vee tried to get Luz and Davon to wake up, two heavy wooden doors slammed open as witches wearing green cloaks with masks over their lower faces hiding their identity rushed into the room.
Spears were shoved into their faces as a second group drew spell circles, all of them watching for any movement that would indicate the strangers in their mist had hostile intent.
Shaw and Lincoln slowly lowered their weapons and held their hands in the air while Vee stood between the witches and her friends.
No one said a word for what felt like hours but was really only a few seconds before Shaw cleared her throat. "So. You going to tell us who you are?"
"Shut up." One of the masked witches said while a spear was pointed at Shaw's face.
The four kids, aware of what was going on, gulped. Thinking they were about to find out what Witch justice was before another witch entered the chamber and cleared his throat.
"That is quite enough, all of you. I didn't save these troublemakers just for you to cut them open."
The wall of witches parted to allow the dark-skinned witch through to the humans. The man wore the same green cloak as the rest but had forgone the hood and mask. Allowing them to clearly see his face and weird abomination-like hair.
The humans remained silent. Now knowing who this man was, none of them were quite sure if they could trust them. But judging by how the Demon in their group was shying away from the man they weren't sure he was a friend.
Before anyone could speak they heard a groan coming from the back of the group and turned to see Luz starting to regain consciousness.
Her eye's swept the room they were in, taking in the unknown witch soldiers and her disarmed friends. Then her eyes fell on the man standing over them and her eyes went wide. =
Luz's hand shot to her chest as she grabbed an ice glyph from the bandolier. Activating it she formed an ice dagger before rushing the man.
More Abomination goo rose from the floor and entangled her, stopping her just short of reaching the man.
Lincoln looked between his friend and the man she'd tried to attack in shock. As did the rest of the humans in the group. "Luz. What the heck are you doing?" He said in a slightly worried but hushed tone.
"Yeah," Shaw said. "I think these guys just saved us."
"Saved us?" Luz asked as she looked at her friends before back at the man standing over her. "He's the head of the Abomination Coven. He works for the Emperor!"
The humans all turned their eyes back to the man as he sighed and rubbed his eyes in irritation. "Not anymore I don't. Darius Deamoone, former head of the Abomination Coven, and current leader of the Bonesborough resistance cell."
The whole group looked at the man in shock for a moment before simultaneously asking the same question. "Resistance cell?"
Right… So this took longer than I thought it would and is a good bit shorter too…
So yeah. The end of the show threw A LOT of stuff at me that I now need to reconcile in my story. That took a lot of rethinking and restructuring. This isn't helped by me being distracted by stuff in my social life and generally being a slow writer.
BUT IT'S HERE! Now our band of jolly human fighters have made first contact with members of Lilith's resistance and were barely saved in the nic of time too. Who knows what's in store for our heroes now… Oh, wait. I do.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, now onto comments.
Arkboi3000:
Yes, yes they are.
Sak-96:
Dude thank you for being worried about me, but i'm fine, I'm just a slow writer sometimes when I don't have that spark. I hope you enjoyed this chapter tho.
Right. Until next time. Why the hell do you people like my work again?