(Bonesborough, Early morning, Park residents)

Willow pulled a tray out of the oven and laid it out on the counter before gently wrapping each little bunch of meat in toad leaves to preserve them as long as possible, every little bit of food had to be preserved now that all the plant life was gone as well as the wild animal population quickly declining as a result leaving barely any vegetables and even less meat. Willow sighed before placing her wrapped food into the fridge to keep cool.

"Willow, what are you doing here this early?"

Willow turned around to see her dad coming down the stairs, Gilbert, he was already beginning to grey and although he was only in his late fifties he looked tired from working double shifts with the construction coven heads to help Rebuild Part of the city that had been destroyed by The Dark Warlock, jinn.

"Daddy, you should be in bed. You look exhausted." Willow said with a concerned voice.

Gilbert didn't answer his daughter but instead looked over his shoulder at the food she just put in the fridge.

"I could be saying the same about you young lady. I could also talk about how you shouldn't get rid of your food to give to your father and me."

"I don't need it that much, I'm young and-"

Willow stopped talking when her dad placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Sweetheart. It's a parent's job to take care of their child. Not a child's job to take care of their parents, your father, and I can take care of ourselves."

Gilbert noticed the dark circles under his daughter's eyes.

"Sweetheart, why don't you get some rest."

Willow nodded and was about to walk out the front door but Gilbert grabbed her by her coat sleeve and pulled her back in.

"I meant to go upstairs to your room and sleep."

Willow smiled and then rolled her eyes.

"Do you really want me to go sleep in my old bedroom?"

Gilbert nodded.

"Please, it'll be like your that little girl we brought back from the watermelon patch again."

Willow giggled.

When she was younger her fathers told her a story about how they found her in a watermelon patch when she was a baby, she knew the story was a fib made up by her Dads but it was still fun to imagine.

"Ok…you didn't take down my Popstar posters did you?"

"Trust me, sweet pee, I would never dream of it," Gilbert said as he ruffled her hair and released her from his grip.

Willow was about to go upstairs but stopped when she heard what sounded like a missile flying through the air. Willow opened the door and stepped outside along with other people who were doing the same thing. "Hey, Willow look at the sky!" Gilbert said pointing up.

Willow did as her father had suggested and saw Someone flying a Palisman faster than the speed of light. Willow had read about instances like this, before and had always been fascinated by them. She didn't know who it was flying, but it was an amazing sight until she noticed the Witch flying the Palisman was coming straight towards them!

Willow immediately grabbed her father and pulled him out of the way just before the fast Palisman flew by!

"People of Bonesborough, your hero has arrived!" The Palisman's rider shouted as he flew back up into the air.

Willow knew that voice anywhere and sighed. It was the Collector.

Willow then heard a nasal honking and turned around to see her new flamingo Palisman, Algae standing behind her. Willow opened her hand and algae transformed into her staff form and Willow immediately took off after the Collector!

Being a Dwarf made Palisman, algae were faster than regular Palisman in staff form as well as more powerful in helping with magic so Willow caught up to the collector faster than she would have on a regular

Palisman. The DemiGod noticed her and smiled.

"Miss Willow, I'm so glad your here. Wanna Race?"

Willow shook her head no then grabbed onto the Collector's staff and began to steer the two of them down.

"Hey, what're you doin'? Ghost and I were going so fast." The collector whined as he tried in vain to take back control of his staff, Eda had put a temporary restraining spell on him so the boy couldn't access most of his Demi-God-like powers leaving just enough to do regular magic, with everything else going on in the boiling isles, it wouldn't help to have a rogue demigod running around, causing mischief.

Willow gently flew down to the sidewalk and opened the door to her house before the two got off their staff.

"Go inside, I'm going to make you breakfast then I'm dropping you off at Eda and Raine's house."

The Collector folded his arms and looked away from Willow before ghost turned back to her true form and fell into the Collector's arms.

Willow had to admit to herself, it was still strange seeing Amity's former Palisman with the collector now. Algae turned back to her true form as well. The flamingo gave her partner a slight grunt and then pointed her head towards a small nearby pond. Willow smiled.

"Go ahead girl, we won't be long."

Willow went inside and found both her dads fussing over the collector.

Gilbert poured a glass of juice for the collector while Hervey put out a saucer of milk for ghost.

Willow sighed.

"Why are you two up? Willow asked her fathers but gave a sideways glacé to Gilbert.

The collector took a big gulp of juice.

"Thank you, Mr. Park." The collector said as Gilbert poured him more juice.

"Willow, how long will your little friend be staying here?" Harvey asked.

"Don't worry, he's only staying for breakfast then I'm taking him back to Eda's house. "

"Aw, do you have to? I don't mind having the little guy here, it's nice having a kid around the house again and I can't say I wouldn't mind having ghost around more either, you know I'm a huge cat fan."

Willow knew this since Gilbert's Palisman was a Lynx.

The collector looked at Willow and gave her a triumphant smile.

Willow reluctantly sat next to the Demigod.

Harvey was about to open the fridge to take out food Willow had made for himself and Gilbert but Willow used a plant spell to have roots come up and cover the fridge.

"Papa, No. You and Daddy have to make that food last as long as possible."

Willow then got out of her seat and walked over to the pantry and pulled out two frozen waffles.

"Luz gave me these human breakfast foods to tie us over, the collector and I will eat these…I'll make you two some too."

(One hour later)

Willow flew high into the sky on algae and the Collector and ghost flew right behind. She turned her head and noticed the collector had a look of disappointment on his face, so she slowed down and flew right next to the collector.

"So you gonna tell me what your mad about?" Willow asked.

The collector looked away.

"Why won't she teach me?"

Willow was a bit surprised by that response.

"Who, Eda? I'm sure she'll love to teach you magic."

The collector shook his head.

"No, I mean Big sister, Luz. She promised she'd begin to teach me after we beat Jinn…it's been three weeks and she still hasn't taught me anything."

Willow put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.

"She will, Don't worry. It's just…Luz needs some time to herself right now. After all, she's been through a lot lately."

Willow noticed how upset the collector still looked.

"Ya ok…" The Collector replied.

The two flew down to Eda's house where Hooty was napping.

Willow gently tapped Hooty on the beak, waking the living tube.

"Ah oh Morning, Willow," Hooty said sleepily.

"Morning, Hooty. I've brought the collector back."

Hooty's eyes went wide as he heard that, Eda and Rain had told him to watch the collector while they went to a Witch council meeting with king. He was only going to take a short nap but the little Demigod must have snuck out while he was sleeping.

"Ah gee, thanks for finding him!"

Hooty then opened the door and stretched out to whisper to Willow.

"Uh, we don't have to mention this to Eda, right?"

Willow could sense the obvious worry in the Demon's voice.

"I won't tell if you won't."

Willow then looked at the collector.

"Ya know, I can stay here and wait with you until Eda and Rain get back."

The collector looked away and sat a few feet away.

"No thanks, Miss Willow. Tell your Papas thank you for breakfast."

Ghost walked over to her Witch partner and placed one of her paws on his knee but the collector didn't notice.

"Meow?" Ghost said while trying to get his attention. It didn't work. The cat rolled into a coil and rested on the floor near him.

Willow was about to walk out the door but she couldn't just leave him here alone and she didn't want to leave him all bummed out without trying something. She got out her scroll phone and made a call to someone who could help.

(Human World, Panama City, Florida)

Luz floated in a narwhal pool float in a massive hotel pool.

Camila had won a work raffle for a vacation to Florida. Luz knew after everything her mom had been through in the past months she needed a break and with a little help from Gus and his mastery of illusion magic, everyone at the office saw Camila as the winner, she didn't know who had actually won but out of all of the veterinary staff, no one worked harder than her mom. Luz looked over her shoulder and saw her mom relaxing in a poolside chair. She noticed her mom had a dejected look on her face. She got off the float and swam to the pool stairway and walked up to her mother.

"Mom..are you ok?"

Camila didn't answer at first but Luz noticed her mother was looking at photos of Hunter and Vee. Luz smiled, her mom just missed her other kids, that was all. She put her arms around her mom's shoulder and looked at the pictures with her mother.

"I'm sorry, Mija. I just-"

"Mom, it's ok. You just miss your other babies. I'll admit it doesn't feel the same without them here." Luz said glumly.

"No, it doesn't. I was so happy at the thought of having all my bebés together for this trip…but I know they need some time to learn magic."

Hunter and Vee were supposed to go to high school with Luz but after the whole incident with the Dark Warlock Jinn, Hunter, and Vee had decided to stay in the demon realm to study magic in case anyone like Jinn came out and tried to take over. Hunter had joined the Beast-keeping coven and was still studying wild magic. Vee not wanting to rely so much on her shapeshifting had joined the illusion coven.

"Ya know, I'm sure they can take a break from their studies and come visit their mom."

Camila smiled at that.

"I'll text them right now, they'll probably be here before we have Dinner at that pirate themed restaurant up the road."

"Oh maybe not that place, you know Hunter is allergic to shellfish and Vee is terrified of Pirates."

Luz rolled her eyes and was about to send a group Text to Hunter and Vee when her phone began to vibrate and she saw Willow was calling her. Seeing Willow on her caller ID brought a smile to Luz's face. She answered.

"Hey Bestie, what's up?"

"Uh Luz, listen I didn't want to bother you on your vacation but…"

"But what?" Luz asked.

"Luz, the collector is getting a little case of cabin fever being stuck with Eda and Rain all the time, do you think it's possible you could come here just for a little bit and watch over him? He's been asking for you."

Luz looked over her shoulder at her mother.

"Now isn't the best time, Willow."

"I know…but Luz I know you've been through a lot lately, we all have but I think the collector is a bit lonely and just wants his big sister around and I hate to pull this card but you did promise to teach him magic."

Luz sighed.

"I know…all right tell the collector I'll come after my mom goes to bed."

"You got it."

"Hey, Willow…while you are around could you swing by Darius's house and tell Vee and Hunter that my mom wants to see them."

"Sure but why can't you just text them?"

Luz didn't want to tell Willow why she had been avoiding her siblings lately, even texting them right now seems too much. After they had defeated Jinn, Vee told Luz about how Hunter had developed a crush on her and that she should let him down easily before things got out of hand. Luz hadn't, how could she?! Hunter was her best male friend and the big brother she had always wanted, why couldn't he just feel the same ?! She couldn't talk to any of her friends about it because she knew that would just make things awkward for both of them

and she didn't wanna do that to Hunter and she couldn't talk to Vee about it, she had tried to but vee got upset whenever she brought it up because vee thought Luz should just get it over with and stop stringing Hunter along when she wasn't but of course Vee wouldn't listen… She had wanted to make things clear with Hunter a while agobut she was scared to, no matter how awkward the situation was she didn't wanna lose Hunter from her life but if his feelings for her were real and not just a crush then there friendship might be permanently broken beyond repair and she knew Vee would side with Hunter whatever the outcome was since their bond had only grown stronger since Hunter joined them.

"Luz, you still there?"

"Ya, I'm still here."

"Ok, so I'll stop by Darius's house and tell Hunter and Vee to come by."

"Thanks. I'll see ya later tonight, Willow."

"Oh before I forget Amity wanted me to give you something."

"Wha-what is it?"

"Nice try Luz, I promised Amity that it would be a surprise. I'll show you tonight when you come."

"Willow, c'mon you-"

"Bye Luz, see ya tonight."

Willow hung up.

(Demon realm)

Willow put her phone back in her pocket and then walked back into Eda's house.

"Oh Collector, I've got some good news for you."

Willow looked indoors the house and saw the collector and ghost were both gone.

"Oh, Titan!" Willow shouted as she ran out of the house and looked around the yard but couldn't see him anywhere! she was about to ask Hooty if he'd seen him, but the Bird tube was asleep again. She looked closer and noticed a glyph note on the Demon's face.

"Dang, he used a sleep spell, it's probably how he got out the first time too!" Willow thought to herself.

( A few miles away)

Ghost slept on a large rock while The collector threw stone after stone into the ocean. He was so mad! Why wouldn't anyone just let him have some fun? It wasn't like Big sister Luz was going to teach him magic like she promised any time soon and Eda, Rain, and King were too busy at witch council meetings to play with him or teach him anything!

The collector ran out of stones to throw so he used a little of his magic to lift an enormous boulder and throw it far into the ocean, then another and another but stopped when he heard a ghost cry out! Ghost was on one of the boulders he had thrown! He was about to summon it back but the boulder stopped in midair and was quickly brought back to the beach! The rock gently landed on the beach and the collector immediately grabbed ghost and held her close.

"I'm so sorry ghost!"

"You shouldn't apologize for your natural talents, Collector."

Ghost immediately jumped out of the collector's arms and hissed at the figure approaching them. A figure who is nearly 6 feet tall with skin as pale as snow, hair as white as milk, and eyes as blue as ice.

The collector didn't know why, but he sense a dark aura coming from this witch.

The Collector held out his hand and ghost immediately turned into her staff form! Before he could defend himself the figure stopped in his tracks and smiled.

"That's not necessary. I mean you no harm." The pale teen said. The collector didn't lower his staff. He looked at the pale teen's uniform, it wasn't like the Hexside uniform but was completely black and covered nearly the entire body.

" Perhaps an introduction is in order, my name is Elric."

The collector slightly lowered his staff but still held it in a defensive position.

"You don't look like all the other witches and Demons. Where are you from?"

"I'm from the Melniboné Academy of Black Magic. We at Melniboné have had our eyes on you for a while and I've gotta say we think you would make an excellent student."

The collector looked away and then took down his staff.

"I already have a teacher."

"Ah yes, the Human Witch, Luz. Seems to me that you need a real teacher not just a subpar hooligan."

"She's not a hoolie-Whatever. She's the best witch ever!"

"Oh really…seems to me that a being as powerful as you are more deserving of that title than Luz and unlike her, we would be ready to teach you whenever you need unlike Luz who makes you wait for a lesson she probably doesn't even really want to give."

"H-how do you know all this?"

"At Melniboné we know everything there is to know."

Elric extended out a hand.

"Collector, I can be the teacher you truly deserve and all you have to do is take my hand."

The Collector looked down at Elric's hand and extended out his arm.

To be continued

Please comment