Chapter 20: Understanding Willow
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. They just released the sneak peek for Owl House Season 2B and needless to say it got me eager to get this next one out. I am so excited to see what happens next and I hope you are as well. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
We find ourselves in the halls of Hexside where Amity was with Boscha who was doing her nails while Amity read.
In a puff of magic Bosha's nails turned to tentacles. "Hmm too wiggly." Changing them her nails turned to flames. "Too obvious." Finally they turned to talons. "Now we're talking. I think today is gonna be a Talon day." Boscha grins.
"Hey girls! Time to bug out at my birthday party!" Skara said walking over.
Holding out the invite it opened up to reveal a red butterfly that read Skara's 15th.
"Invite only, but you witches are my VIPs." Skara said handing one to the both of them.
"Are these made of real insect wings?" Amity asks curious.
"My dad spared no expense. You only turn 15 once." Skara smiles.
"You only turn every age once, Skara." Boscha points out.
"Prepare thy self to do battle like a human. Thumb war!" Nearby Luz and Willow were engaging in a thumb war. They had even drawn faces on their thumbs.
"It's fun because it's stupid." Willow laughs.
"Hey I got winner." Ezra said.
"It's so weird that humans go here now. Too bad they've already burned their social life at the stake. Any friend of Willow's is an automatic dork." Bocha said.
"Oh come on they're not all bad." Skara said as Tiger Lily passed by. "Hey Lily see you at dance club?"
"You know it, Skara." Tiger Lily smirks waving at her.
"What? We're in the same club." Skara shrugs. "Hey speaking of new, what about that hybrid?"
"Minato?" Amity raises an eyebrow.
"Yeah him. I mean what's his deal? I mean he is technically a Soulwing right? The wild red hair and all." Skara points out.
"Now you're just talking crazy Skara. Soulwings are like the epitome of class and power. There's no way a hybrid could be associated with them." Boscha said.
"He's not that bad." Amity mutters when Boscha's invite started to molt.
"Ugh! Skara! Why did you give me an invite that was molting? Gross! Give me another one." Boscha said throwing the invite to the ground landing near two little kids who gasp at the sight of it.
"An invitation to Skara's party! I want it!" One kid said shoving the other out of the way.
"I want it!" The other said.
"It's mine!"
"No it's mine!"
As the two kid fought a teacher popped his head out.
"Oh. Kid fight!" He calls out.
"Kid fight?" Another teacher said.
"Kid fight!" A third cheers.
"Education at its finest." Minato mumbles walking by them to his locker. "Hey Willow, Ezra."
"Hey Minato." Willow said when she noticed the sad look on his face. "Hey you alright?"
"Yeah I just got a lot on my mind." Minato said brushing it off.
Frowning Luz knew full well why.
"It happens." Ezra brushes off.
"Hey why don't you come with us to Photo class. We can see pictures of actual memories. I'm gonna see me some baby Willow." Luz offers.
"I'll admit, I was adorable." Willow blushes.
"Come on Minato doesn't this sound tempting?" Luz teases making him chuckle.
"You can have a look at some of mine." Ezra offers.
"Alright I'm in." Minato smiles as Luz puts her book in her locker only for it to bite down.
"Hey no! No! That is not food!" Luz said trying to pull it out.
Moving in Minato kicks the locker making it open wide allowing Luz to put her books in.
"Teamwork." Both of them smiled and high fived.
"You two are so fun." Willow giggles.
"I can't believe they'd even hang out with her! It's just embarrassing." Boscha said as she, Skara and Amity walked by.
Moving her hands up Boscha mimicked glasses. "Oh look at me, I have a date with my ferns."
"That could be anyone." Luz said trying to brush it off.
"Solid Willow impression, Boscha. Amity, weren't you friends with Willow?" Skara asks.
Pausing all of them looked to Amity for her response.
"I'm a Blight. We only associate with a select few. Keep annoying me though, I'm happy to select fewer." Amity said walking away.
"Oh, I coulda sworn that you guys hung out." Skara said following her.
"Don't let them get to you Willow. You should hear about half the things people say about me." Minato said trying to make her feel better.
In class, we see Minato across from Ezra and Luz across from Willow.
"Alright time for another juicy one." Luz said holding a pair of tweezers.
"Be careful with my brain." Willow said as Luz pulled out a photo.
"And who says Brain surgery is hard?" Luz smiles.
"Pretty much everyone." Minato said pulling one out of Ezra.
"As your work, note that some prints have greater clarity than others. These are moments that invoke strong emotional response." The teacher explains.
"Ooh all the colors of the brainbow." Luz said reaching out to touch one but was stopped.
"But, if you damage the prints, you'll damage the memories themselves! Be extremely careful." The teacher warns.
"Meaning put them back immediately after we do this." Ezra hisses at Minato.
"Got it, you first Ezra." Minato said as we see a young Ezra holding his first guitar and he had his hair like a heavy metal star.
"No way, Ezra. You look like a KISS rocker." Luz laughs.
"What?" Ezra asks confused.
"It's an old school human band with lots of makeup and crazy hair." Minato chuckles.
The next photos had him and his parents which had a woman with lots of scales on her face meaning she was his mother, one with him sitting in the stands a big game on his dad's shoulders at a Grudgby game, listening to Big Time Rush for the first time and the last one was a more recent one of Willow and Gus helping him out of the garbage.
"Hey I remember that." Willow said.
"Yeah, that was the day I met you guys and we became friends." Ezra smiles.
"Aww thanks Ezra." Willow smiles touched.
"Alright Minato put them back before anything happens." Ezra said.
"Sure thing." As Minato put the photos back he looked at the one with Ezra on his dad's shoulders and for a few seconds frowns thinking about his own dad.
"Ooh Minato, Willow's photos are ready." Luz said as he put the last memory back.
One photo develops, showing Willow on a chair, blushing a bit, with a band-aid on her cheek, and with wavy and poofy hair.
"No way Willow, you went through a wild hair phase too?" Luz laughs.
"And you guys had the nerve to make fun of me?" Ezra chuckles making Willow blush.
As the rest of the photos develop we see Willow being pushed on a swing by her dads, Willow feeding as spider demon, Willow and her dads at what looks like a winter holiday, and Amity hugging Willow at a birthday party.
"Amity?" Minato said surprised.
"Ugh." Scoffing Willow turns away.
"I didn't know Amity had brown hair. It's a nice look." Minato admits.
"Hey, I know you and Amity have a history. Wouldn't you feel better talking about it?" Luz asks.
"No, I'd rather do this." Willow turns the photo around. "Out of sight out of mind, that's my motto."
"That is not a good motto to live by." Ezra said.
Up above the school bell screamed indicating it was time for lunch.
"If you won't tell me what she did, I'll never be able to cook up a scheme to make you friends again." Luz points out.
"Luz, I get it, but I don't want you to do that. No schemes, no plots, no ruses, none." Willow insists. "Now let's get to lunch."
"I made your favorite bento box." Minato said.
"Ooh." Luz smiles as Minato, Willow and Ezra walked out.
Slowly turning around Luz turned the photo around. "She never did mention anything about... shenanigans. I'm gonna need Minato's help on this. I hope they have good dessert today to bribe him with."
Following after them Luz runs out of the room when Boscha and Amity pass by from the opposite direction.
"I can't believe I made him cry. Like, he's the teacher." Boscha said.
Looking into the classroom Amity gasps seeing the photo. "Oh no."
"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost? Is there a ghost in photo class? Are they cute!?" Boscha asks looking around.
Acting quickly Amity closes the door on her.
"Yep, just a super cute ghost. But they're all mine!" Amity calls out.
"Ask if they have any friends!" Boscha said.
"I'm sorry Willow but I have to do this." Amity said grabbing the photo.
Making a small flame, Amity makes a small hole in the memory burning away her face, but when she hung the picture up the flames grew.
"Oh no. No, no, no, no!" Amity tried blowing out the flames but it ended up making them bigger to the point it spread to the other memories. "Oh come on!"
In the cafeteria, Luz, Tiger Lily and Katara joined Minato who was holding out bento boxes.
"Chow time." Minato said.
"I've been waiting for this all day." Luz grins taking hers.
"Let's grab a table." Katara said.
In his bag, we see there was Minato's bento box but he also had an extra.
Looking around they noticed Willow, Ezra and Gus by a huge board with papers and pictures.
"Hey there, detective. Are you solving a crime or about to commit one?" Luz jokes.
"Sadly, this is one problem crime can't solve. My interview for journalism class is due tomorrow! I'm supposed to choose someone "interesting, accomplished, and noteworthy." People aren't meant to be all those things! Curse your need for perfection, Gus!" Gus whines.
Acting quickly Minato shoves an onigiri in his mouth calming him down.
"That's right, eat the rice Gus. Calm down." Minato said as he swallowed it.
"You know Gus if you need someone who meets those descriptions. I might know someone who's all those things." Katara said.
"You do? Who is this amazing person?" Gus said.
Katara was about to answer when Lily notices something.
"Hey Willow are you okay?" Lily asks noticing she was sweating a lot.
"When did it get so hot?" Willow pants.
As she downs a glass of water she began steaming to the point her glasses began to fog up.
"Uh Katara I think she needs more water." Ezra cringed.
When she put her glasses back on Willow's eyes became blank.
"Hi I'm Willow. Remind me of your names." Willow introduced.
"What are you talking about? You know who we are Willow." Lily said confused.
"This is serious journalism, Willow. Clowning around will get you nowhere." Gus said.
"I-I'm serious. Who are you?" Willow asks in a panicked tone.
"I'll admit, this amnesia spin has piqued my interest." Gus said.
"I think she needs healing." Minato said worried.
Looking at her nervously, Katara tried using her magic to heal but for some reason nothing was working.
"This isn't a curse or spell. Something's wrong with her." Katara said.
"Gus, it really seems like she's forgotten us, like her memory is…like her memory is gone!" Luz gasps.
"Photo class!" Minato and Luz realized at the same time.
Sprinting back to the classroom, Minato, Luz, Gus, Katara, Ezra and Tiger Lily kick the door open.
"Hexside Free Press! What's going on here?" Gus asks when they see the fire.
"Amity?!" Luz said surprised.
Blowing on some memories she turns to them.
"Uh hi." Amity said nervously.
"Katara the flames!" Ezra points.
Using her magic, Katara blasts the fire with a torrent of water but it was too late. All the memories were burnt up.
"Amity you destroyed Willow's memories?!" Luz panics.
"I-I saved as many as I could." Amity said holding out the ones she grabbed.
Suddenly a small flame dropped down and burnt them too.
"Ugh! Why would they make memories so flammable!?" Amity asks.
"I think the better question is why would you set memories on fire?! Baka!" Minato said.
"I'm sorry what?" Amity asks not understanding that last word.
"Have I always had these crazy things?" Willow asks looking at her fingers. "Blap, blap, blap." Willow said smacking herself in the face with her hands.
Giggling she walks over to Ezra.
"I can tell we're all gonna be good friends." Willow smiles.
"Guys she's scaring me." Ezra gulps.
Cringing all of them knew there was only one place left to go.
At the Owl House, Blanca was setting up her new room.
Since she was the new Owl House bodyguard she wanted to make sure she was ready for everything.
"So what do you think?" Eda asks leaning against the door.
"I can't thank you all enough for giving me this chance." Blanca said.
"Look we don't know what Elias will do to Minato know that his assassins are out of commission. Since you know all about this seedy underworld black market, I'm counting on you to help keep everyone safe." Eda points out.
"With my life." Blanca nods.
"Boy Eda your house is really getting full. Maybe Katara and I should move in." Dez said floating in.
"No thanks, I already have one annoying baby. I don't need two." Eda said.
"So is it true? Minato's really the heir?" Despairo asks.
"Unfortunately. I looked over those Soulwing documents a hundred times. He's the rightful heir." Eda sighs.
"Oh boy." Dez cringed.
"Yeah we know." King cringed.
"So how'd he take it?' Dez asks.
"Well…" Eda and Blanca cringed.
"How do you think he took it? He freaked out and almost fainted." King said.
"Thanks a lot, you little furball." Blanca glares.
"Can you blame him? That was a lot to process. I'm still processing it." Eda said.
"You really think he's gonna take it?" Dez asks.
"I'm not even sure he can." Eda said.
"What do you man?" Dez asks when suddenly the door was kicked open.
"Ow! That hurt Minato!" Hooty said.
"Eda! We need help!" Minato and Luz yell.
Running down they see Ezra and Lily were holding up Willow as the others had tired and exhausted looks on their faces.
"Uh mind explaining?" Willow asks.
"Blanca? You live here too?" Gus asks surprised.
"Hey Gus, long story." Blanca cringed.
"One problem at a time." Lily suggests.
A few minutes later as Katara helped fill them in Amity looked around the Owl House.
"So this is the Owl House?" Amity asks.
"Yep home away from home." Luz said.
"And you all live here?" Amity asks.
"Well Katara lives with Dez but other than that yeah." Minato said.
"So, you set Willow's memories on fire and erased everything." Eda said hearing the details.
"Are you nuts? Even small damages can have big effects on memories." Dez said.
"Yeah we kinda picked up on that." Tiger Lily said gesturing to Willow who was near King sleeping on the couch.
"Ahh a chair for sitting." However, instead of sitting down Willow did a headstand on the couch instead.
"Yep, her brain's burned up really good. Damage like that can change everything about a person. Willow may never be the same." Eda warns.
"Well there must be some way we can fix her." Blanca said as she and Ezra sat Willow upright.
"Ooh a furry fruit." Willow said grabbing King.
"What?" King yelps as Willow tried to peel him. "What is happening?!"
"Nap time." Eda casts a spell putting Willow to sleep. "Snake boy keep an eye on her."
"Uh okay." Ezra said sitting next to her.
"I tried healing her but nothing worked." Katara said.
"Is there anything we can do?" Luz asks.
"There is one way, but it's terribly dangerous and partially illegal. So you're in the right place! I'll send you into her mind to fix the damage." Eda declares.
"Be still my fantasy-loving heart, I have always wanted to do this! Thank you, Boiling Isles!" Luz grins.
"Count me in too! I hope it's like a Kingdom Hearts Dive into Heart sort of deal." Minato said.
"Oh my god imagine if Willow has a cool stain glass floor." Luz said as both geeked out.
"It won't be easy. You have a lot to fix in there. Whoever did this to Willow is the scum of the earth. No regard for her safety or well-being." Dez blamed.
"For once I agree with you." Eda said both making Amity feel awful.
"Oh yeah it was you." Dez said.
"Still not as bad as you." Katara said looking at Blanca.
"Hey I'm not that person anymore." Blanca defends.
"Sure you are." Katara said.
"Can we focus on the problem at hand?" Blanca gestures.
"Alright kids, who's going with you?" Eda asks.
"Maybe I can help. I'm pretty good at getting stuck inside people's heads." Hooty said.
"That's not a good thing." Dez said slamming the door.
"It's a brain, not a nightclub. Three Max." Eda points out.
Looking around Ezra had to keep an eye on Willow, Katara was keeping an eye on Blanca and Gus was too distracted to help.
"I'm running out of time. Ugh. I'm in total free fall!" Gus panics when he noticed a book on Raising the dead. "Must I turn to forbidden sources?"
As he reached out Lily smacked his hands away.
"No way Mister. It's a school report." Lily said keeping an eye on him.
"That leaves you." Luz said as she and Minato looked to Amity.
"Willow might not want me in there." Amity said.
"You set all her memories on fire. You have to help us, baka." Minato said.
"You keep calling me that. What does that even mean?" Amity asks.
"Try learning Japanese. You'll find it." Minato said as Luz snickers knowing what it means.
"Okay, I'll see what I can do." Amity sighs holding out her hands for Luz and Minato to take.
"Alright! Bold choice, taking the girl who caused the mess." Eda said summoning a bell and handing it to Luz.
"When you're done, ring that and I'll cast you back. Oh, and keep an eye out for her Inner Willow. She's the gatekeeper of emotions and memory. She might help ya." Eda explains.
"Now here we go!" Dez said as both he and Eda cast the spell sending the three of them into Willow's brain.
"Hang tight Willow. Help is on the way." Ezra said trying to make her stay calm.
Inside Willow's head, the three of them found themselves in a large forest filled with large trees that had large portraits in them.
"Man Square Enix should take notes on this." Luz whistles.
"So where's her Inner Willow? We need all the help we can get." Minato said looking around.
"I don't know. We'll just have to start fixing stuff on our own. Hmm let's see." Luz looks around and sees a tree.
Walking over to it she blows some of the dust off to see an old memory of a small fort.
Reaching out to touch it, Luz's hand goes through it.
"Hey I found something magical. I'm gonna put my face in it." Luz said looking inside. When she did her whole body entered it.
"Luz? Luz?" Amity calls out.
"Where'd you go?" Minato calls out.
Popping her head out, Luz smiles.
"I found the memories. Let's go!" Grabbing them both Luz yanks them into the memory with her.
"Luz what have we said about warnings?" Minato groans picking himself up.
"Sorry I got excited. Welcome to Willow's Beauitful…" Luz gestures out to reveal a burnt- and worn-out memory. "Memory?"
"Oof looks all her memories took damage." Minato cringed.
Looking around they a sign that read Lake Lacuna.
"Lake Lacuna! This is where Willow and I took swimming lessons! The ash must be from the fires." Amity said looking around and gasps. "Our fort! In the dunes."
Amity runs to it and pulls some boards to fix it.
"One time Willow wanted to play hooky from our swim lessons, so we built this." Amity explains.
"Wow, you know you two kinda sound like me and Luz when we first became friends." Minato said.
"Remember the time we tried to play Hooky to go that Comic Book Signing?" Luz giggles.
"We were so grounded, but those autographs were so worth it." Minato smiles.
"We knew the swim teacher would be on the prowl, but Willow said she'd protect us with an illusion spell." Amity said clearing away the wreckage to reveal the fort.
"It's like dog house for angels." Luz smiles.
"Wait, it's missing something." Amity looks around and sees a flag that read A+W on it. Smiling softly Amity puts the flag in and suddenly the memory was filled with color.
"Sugoi. Fixing the fort fixed the memory." Minato said as we saw the memory of Young Willow and Young Amity inside the fort.
"Ugh. The Seagulls are back again." Young Amity said.
"Don't worry, I'll get rid of them." Young Willow tries to use illusion magic but messes up and the seagulls get into the fort and the instructor finds them.
"Willow!" Young Amity whines.
"I'm sorry, I thought I was getting better!" Young Willow said as the teacher drags them away.
"Willow was a…late bloomer." Amity admits leaving the memory.
"You should have seen this wimp when he first started out." Luz giggles pointing at Minato.
"I showed you those videos in confidence." Minato glares.
"Whatever you say Wild Wind Warlock." Luz mocks much to his annoyance.
Seeing the two of them interact, Amity couldn't help but see how she and Willow used to talk to each other.
"Alright you two, focus. We have a brain to fix." Amity reminds.
"Right, right. We just have to fix all these memories. Minato you pick the next one." Luz said.
"That's easy." Minato approaches the one of Willow's birthday. "That photo that started it all."
Eyes widening Amity had to stop them.
"Wait!" Amity calls out stopping him. "You want important moments? This one might be about a crush." Amity said gesturing to the crazy hair photo.
"This we gotta see." Luz grins.
"Oh alright. Could be fun." Minato said as they entered it.
Little did they know a fiery foot had entered the forest.
Outside we find ourselves in the Owl House, Gus was freaking out.
"Katara you said you knew someone interesting, noteworthy and accomplished. Who was it?" Gus asks.
"Oh my titan? Katara that's the nicest thing anyone's ever called me. Oh I knew I was right to create you." Dez said beyond touched.
"Oh please she obviously meant me. You don't get more interesting than a book character brought to life by Boiling Isles magic." Lily said.
"You hardly. I'm all those things." Eda said.
"Actually you're all wrong." Katara said.
"What you think you're all those things?" Eda glares.
"Uh hello. Interesting: I was created by the Calamity Imp, noteworthy I'm the Waterbending teacher to 2 Avatars and accomplished, I helped stop the 100-year war. You guys really think you can top that?" Katara asks.
"Please if Gus is handing out attention I deserve it!" King said as he, Eda, Tiger Lily and Dez all wanted to be written about.
"I will choose one of you, but which one? If you want to get picked, you'll have to impress me." Gus said as all of them glared at each other.
"Wait what about me?" Blanca asks.
"You keep score!" They all said at the same time.
As they made their way to the other room, Ezra tried to get up when Willow began to sleep walk.
"Hmm where's my stuffed Scaley?" Willow mumbles moving her hand around and ends up grabbing Ezra's tail making him yelp.
"Willow, let go of my tail." Ezra cringed as Willow pulls him in so she was ontop of him. "Willow?" Ezra hisses nervously.
"Aw is little Scaley nervous. I know what will calm you down." Willow said snuggling against him making Ezra turn bright red.
"Well this is awkward… also who the heck is Scaley?" Ezra asks.
In Willow's memory, Minato puts a stuffed snake on a carnival booth and when it plays we see Amity and Willow winning it.
"Winner!" The vendor said giving it to Willow.
"I'm gonna name you Scaley." Willow smiles hugging it close.
"Aww." Luz and Minato smile.
"I wonder if she still has that little guy? Boy did she love that thing." Amity wonders.
Soon they were putting tons of memories back together.
One of Willow and her dads at the swing, one was Willow and Amity sneaking into the 13+ romance novel section at the library and the last was them going the Roller Ghoster ride.
"I don't feel so good!" Young Willow said as Minato turns the memory.
"I don't think we need to see how this one ends." Luz cringed.
"Yeah, Willow threw up a lot that day. That's when you knew she was having fun." Amity said.
"Ew…I mean aw." Luz smiles.
Looking at Amity, Minato noticed the frown on her face.
"Hey, you okay?" Minato asks.
"Yeah, I just... I can't believe I almost erased all of this. I really messed things up. I really am a Baka. Whatever that is." Amity said.
"Yeah you are, but now you're fixing it. And soon we'll have this whole place back to normal." Minato smiles.
"You think so?" Amity asks.
"We know so, right Luz?" Minato asks.
"Heck yeah! You ready Bestie?" Luz asks.
"Heck yeah." Minato said matching her energy making Amity giggle.
"You two act like Willow and I used to when we were friends." Amity smiles.
"That's how best friends are supposed to act." Luz said.
"Why did you and Willow stop being friends? I mean no offense but if you get along like me and Luz how could you walk away from this?" Minato asks.
"Yeah we're like 2 peas in a pod." Luz said wrapping her arm around Minato pulling him in close to emphasize. "Why would you try and hide it?"
"I just…" Amity pauses and notices something behind them. "What's that?" She points.
Turning around both saw nothing.
"Look if you don't want to talk about it just say no. You don't have to pull any tricks." Minato said.
"No I actually saw something. At least I think I did." Amity said.
"Look if you need us we'll be fixing this memory of a ball pit." Luz said gesturing to another memory.
"Wait that's not—" Amity warns but both jump in.
Seconds later both popped their heads out screaming.
"It's eggs! It's full of eggs! They're everywhere!" Luz gasps.
"What the heck happened in this one?!" Minato gasps with an egg on his head.
"Yeah, that one's hard to explain." Amity cringed going to help.
In the Owl House, Eda, King, Katara, Tiger Lily and Dez were sitting at a desk ready to get the report and Blanca stood nearby with a whiteboard to tally scores.
"You all should just give up. I got this." Eda grins.
"No way, it's about time I got some recognition." Dez said.
"You got nothing. No one could turn down an interview with someone this pretty." King said.
"Except for someone prettier." Lily said when the lights turn off and Gus entered with a ball of light.
"If you want this interview, you're gonna have to start answering some tough questions." Gus said turning to King. "Where were you born?"
"Weh?" King said startled.
"What'd you eat for breakfast this morning?" Gus asks Eda.
"Wha?" She said startled.
"What is your greatest strength?" Gus asks Despairo.
"My crazy imagination and sense of humor." Dez said startled.
"Point for Despairo." Gus said.
Looking to the board, they saw Blanca mark him down.
"Ha! I'm in the lead losers!" Dez said.
"Gus what the heck is this?" Katara asks.
"This will be the single greatest interview of all time. So if you want it, you'll have to dazzle me!" Gus declares turning the light into dozens of small balls of light.
"This kid is scaring me." Eda whispers.
"That's loser talk. Give me the next question." Lily said slamming her hand down.
"Determination. Love it. Point for Tiger Lily!" Gus declares as Blanca gives her one.
"Uh I'm ready too. I can answer anything you got." King said.
"Hmm overconfidence. Minus one point for King." Gus said.
"What?!" King gasps as Blanca put him at Negative one.
"Sorry King." Blanca said.
In Willow's head Amity and Minato pull Luz out of the memory.
"Alright it's gonna be a while before I cook Griffin eggs again." Minato groans.
"Agreed." Luz said.
"Alright one left. The one you keep trying to avoid." Minato said gesturing to the birthday photo.
"Me? Avoid? No. But let's skip it! Where's Eda's bell?" Amity asks reaching for it only for Luz and Minato to stop her.
"Amity you stop being weird we have to fix all of them. Unless…" Luz starts.
"Unless there's something in that memory, you're hiding from us." Minato realized making Amity nervous.
"Look we're not here to judge, we just want to help Willow." Luz said.
"Help? All you're doing is prying into your friends lives! Well, did you ever think maybe it's none of your business?" Amity asks.
"I'm sorry did you want Willow to not know what her hands are for the rest of her life?" Luz asks.
"Maybe you need to mind your own business." Minato said when smoke floated.
"Is something burning?" Amity asks.
Gasping the three of them turn around to see all the other memories were on fire.
Emerging from the forest they saw a large monster covered in pink flames.
"What in the?" Minato gasps.
"Hide!" Amity said yanking them behind the memory tree.
Looking around the Pink Monster entered the memory they were just in causing it to burn up.
"It's destroying the memory." Luz gasps.
"Please call Eda, I don't wanna be here when it comes out!" Amity begs.
Taking out the bell Luz rang it.
However, on the outside only Ezra heard it.
"The bell. Eda quick they need hel—" Before Ezra could yell out Willow squeezes his tail tight making him cringe in agony.
"Aw is my little Scaley hurt?" Leaning in Willow kisses Ezra on the cheek. "All better." Willow said in a daze making him stutter.
As the ringing continued nobody heard it because in the next room Eda was ringing several bells with more on the table.
"How's that for interesting? There are levels to me kid, levels I say!" Eda declares.
"Hmm point for Eda." Gus said.
Looking to the board, Blanca marks Eda for 6 putting her in the lead while Katara and Lily had 4, Dez had 5 and King had 3.
"You call that talent? Try this?" Grabbing toothpicks off the table, Lily flings them at the bells causing them to ring a melody.
"Impressive. Point Tiger Lily." Gus said as Blanca marks her.
"If you want noise, I'll give you noise!" King said banging on a metal sheet.
"Point King!" Gus yells over it all of them oblivious to the ringing.
Back in Willow's memory they were still ringing but got no answer.
"Why isn't she answering?" Amity asks ringing the bell.
"Yeah…Eda isn't super reliable." Luz cringed as flames erupted out of the memory.
"I really need to take up Katara on those water lessons!" Minato panics grabbing them both.
Emerging from the photo the pink monster went after more memories.
"Why is it destroying all the photos?" Amity asks.
"I don't know. That one hasn't been burned, or that one!" Luz said pointing to all the family photos that were unharmed.
Looking around Minato gasps seeing the library one was burnt along with all the other ones with Amity in them.
"Amity…it's not after photos. It's after you!" Minato realized horrifying her.
"What?!" Amity panics.
Hearing them the pink monster turns around and growls spotting Amity.
"We need to bring that thing down…Minato remember that thing we talked about?" Luz asks.
"Time to bust it out?" Minato asks.
"Oh yeah. Amity follow us!" Luz said as they led her to the lake memory.
"We can't go in there, I'm in there!" Amity reminds.
"Get in the memory or I will throw in there myself!" Minato snaps.
"He'll do it. You do not want to make him angry!" Luz said mimicking his expression.
Seeing they were serious Amity jumps in with Luz and Minato right behind her.
"What are you both doing?" Amity asks as both faced the opening to the portal.
"Showing you what real friendship can do! Ready Minato?" Luz asks taking out some ice glyphs.
"Oh yeah!" Rolling back his right sleeve, Minato began forming a Rasengan when Luz slapped multiple Ice Glyphs on his arm making it glow bigger and changing its color to icy blue
As the Pink Monster leaps out both swing their arms forward.
"FROZEN RASENGAN!" Luz and Minato yell slamming the attack into the monster sending it flying into the lake causing it to erupt in a cloud of steam.
"Whoa." Amity said blown away by their teamwork.
Looking at each other Minato and Luz smile before bursting into cheers.
"It works…It works!" Luz cheers.
"Yeah it did because we're an awesome team!" Minato cheers.
Laughing Luz jumps into his arms and hugs him tightly.
Pausing both realized what was happening and quickly let go with blushes on their faces.
"Uh great job back there." Luz said nervously.
"Yeah uh you too." Minato said when Amity sees something emerging from the lake.
"Uh guys." Amity calls out.
From the lake, they see the Inner Willow emerge from the water with pink flames surrounding her.
"Are you the Inner Willow?" Luz asks.
"I was. Love, sadness, fear. I used to be a being made of all emotions. But ever since you set Willow's mind on fire, all I can feel is anger!" Inner Willow roars burning every part of the memory.
"Please! You have to stop!" Minato begs.
"But Amity wanted this. Every moment she touched, I'm going to burn." Inner Willow said revealing the birthday photo.
"You're just hurting Willow. Why are you doing this?" Amity asks.
Walking over Inner Willow got in her face.
"Still haven't figured it out? Minato was right, you are a baka. You wanna know what it means? I know what it means. It means idiot!" Inner Willow roars as a firey hand grabs her and lifts her up. "You'd have to be the biggest idiot in the world to not realize it! But I'll be more than happy to show you!" Inner Willow said throwing Amity into the photo and turns to Luz and Minato.
"You two said you wanted to know everything right? Well here's your chance." Inner Willow said.
Cringing in fear Luz clings to Minato for dear life.
"Uh any chance you ask nicer?" Minato asks but Inner Willow yanks them both into the photo.
"You said I was hurting Willow? I was just finishing what you started!" Inner Willow yells.
In the memory they see Inner Willow play it out and from it, a door opens revealing Young Amity and Willow.
"You have to get out Willow, now!" Young Amity said.
"Wait why?" Young Willow asks.
"Because, because—" Young Amity said struggling to say the reason why.
"Is it because I still can't do magic? Amity, I'm sorry I got us in trouble at the beach, I just- I can't get the spells right." Young Willow said.
"Well yes, that, that is why! Because you're a weakling! You can't do magic so I don't wanna be your friend. Now, go!" Young Amity said as Inner Willow ended the memory.
"Then you let your new friends pick on her for years. All because you thought she was weak. Well, now I can erase all that pain. After all, out of sight, out of mind." Inner Willow said as her eyes turned black.
Using her magic a ring of flames appeared around Amity.
"Amity!" Minato gasps.
"Wait please!" Amity yells as the flames stopped. "Before all this happened th-there was something else."
Looking to the door we see Amity adding a memory.
In it we see Young Amity talking to two shadows of her parents.
"Amity." Her father calls out.
"What is Willow doing here? She wasn't on the guestlist for a reason." Her mother asks.
"But she's my best friend." Young Amity said.
"Nonsense, Blights only associate with the strongest of witchlings. You can choose a new friend from one of the suitable companions we invited." Her father said gesturing to a young Skara and Boscha.
"But they're mean! Just because you work with their parents doesn't mean I have to like them!" Young Amity said in a huff.
"Good children don't squabble, dear. Sever your ties with Willow, and if you don't…" Her mother starts.
"Then we will." Her father declares making Young Amity gasp.
"We'll make sure the girl is never admitted into Hexside. Now go, and try not to make a scene." Her mother said as we faded out of the memory.
"Amity." Minato and Luz said speechless.
"Willow, you were never too weak to be my friend. I was too weak to be yours. I can't take back what I've done, but I can promise you this. I won't let Boscha and her gang pick on you ever again." Amity said taking out Skara's invite and tugs on it. "I'm not actually gonna rip it because it's a real butterfly, but you get the gesture, right?" Amity asks.
"I do." Inner Willow smiles tearing up. "I think Willow should keep her memories of you. The good, and the bad."
"Me too." Amity smiles.
Smiling Minato and Luz walk over.
"Well then maybe you can help us fix everything?" Minato asks.
"You burnt quite a few." Luz smiles.
"You and Willow could learn a thing about friendship from these two." Inner Willow points.
"Yeah we could." Amity smiles softly.
A bright light engulfs them as they completely repair the forest and all the memories.
"So, does this mean you and Willow are buddies again?" Luz asks.
"I'm not sure." Amity admits.
"Well how about we find out?" Minato said taking out the bell and ringing it.
In the Owl House, Eda, King, Katara, Lily and Dez were panting heavily while Willow snuggled against Ezra.
"So who got the gig?" Eda asks.
"I've counted the scores, recounted and recounted again. It's a tie. Gus you have to pick someone." Blanca said showing all of them had 10 points.
"Well, this has been the hardest choice of my entire life. But with the public interest in mind, the interview goes to…Hooty!" Gus declares.
"What?!" Dez snaps.
"Hooty?!" Eda snaps.
"Hoots." Hooty said opening the door.
"But he wasn't even in the contest." Blanca points out.
"Well, your performances got me thinking. What could create such interesting people? Only the Owl House itself." Gus gestures making Hooty gasp with joy.
"Are you kidding me?" Katara twitches.
"Tell me everything, Mr. Hooty." Gus said walking up to him.
"I've been waiting to hear those worlds my whole life! Where to begin? It all started with a hunt. Blood red skies. That's right, I was…" Hooty went on when Gus closed the door so they couldn't hear.
"Hooty of all people." Tiger Lily growls.
"I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna bake that bird in a pie!" Eda threatens.
"I'm gonna bake that kid into a pie!" King threatens.
"Get in line losers." Dez growls when they heard ringing.
"Huh?" Turning around they saw Willow snuggling against Ezra.
"Dang Ezra." Lily said.
"Just wake her up please." Ezra begs.
"Oh right, I put people in there." Eda recalls as she and Dez brought Luz, Minato and Amity out.
"Whoa what happened here?" Minato asks looking at the mess.
"And where's Gus? What did you do with Gus?" Luz asks.
"He's fine." Dez scoffs.
"He's just dead to us." Eda said as they walked out of the room.
"Those are very mixed messages." Luz said as Willow wakes up.
Groaning she sees herself atop of Ezra.
"Uh Ezra why am I—" Willow asks confused.
"Please let go of my tail." Ezra begs.
Looking to her hand Willow yelps seeing she was still holding it.
"Thank you." Ezra said rubbing it.
"Willow, do you remember us?" Luz asks.
"Uh Friendly Scarecrows? Ha. Just kidding I remember everything." Willow giggles.
"She's back, folks! My girl's back! I'm gonna hug you so hard you'll never forget me again!" Luz smiles hugging her.
"Hey thanks for helping us back there." Minato said.
"Well it needed to be done." Amity said.
"So let me guess you died your hair green?" Minato asks.
"Yeah why? You got a problem?" Amity asks defensively.
"No, it's just…shame you did. You looked kinda cute as a brunette." Minato said making Amity blush.
"Oh uh thanks." Amity said not expecting that.
"By the way, I never got to give you this." Minato holds out a wrapped bento box.
"For me?" Amity asks.
"I owed you a few for helping me and Ezra. I know it's a little late, but it can still be good for tomorrow if you want it." Minato offers.
"Thank you." Amity said walking to the door.
"I remember what you did too." Willow calls out stopping her. "What you did in there. I can't say we're friends, but it's... a start." Willow smiles.
Smiling Amity slowly walks out.
"My first word was hoot. My second word was hoot-hoot." Hooty said.
"Hooty you gotta stay on track!" Gus said.
Amity was about to leave when a Soulwing carriage headed in their direction.
Gasping Amity ran to the side of the house.
"Whoa, a Soulwing carriage." Gus gasps getting Hooty's attention.
"Mayday! Mayday! This is not a drill people! Soulwing coming this way! Hoot! Hoot!" Hooty yells getting everyone's attention.
As the carriage pulls up front, Minato, Eda, Luz, Lily, Blanca, Katara and Dez readied themselves.
"Gus get inside." Luz said putting her glove on.
Bracing themselves, Willow, Gus and Ezra see Edwin step out of the carriage.
"There you are, I've been looking for you." Edwin said.
"Oh no, no, no. Not you too." Minato said.
"Naomi told me she finally sat down and talked with you. That you know the truth." Edwin said.
"Look Edwin I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told Naomi. No thank you not interested." Minato said walking back to the Owl House.
"We need to talk." Edwin said grabbing his shoulder.
Turning to him Minato narrows his eyes. "You're not gonna leave until I hear you out, will you?" Minato asks.
"Quite right sir." Edwin said.
"Luz, Eda you mind coming with me?" Minato asks.
"Sure thing kid." Eda said as the three walked inside.
Leading Edwin to his room, Minato closed the door hoping to give them privacy.
Walking along the Owl House, Amity looked up to Minato's room.
"Hmm." Using her magic, Amity had an Abomination lift her up so she could listen in. Meanwhile on the other side of the door, Lily, King, Blanca and Dez had mugs to the door as they listened in.
"What are they saying?" King whispers.
"We should really give them some privacy." Katara said.
"Here you go." Dez said holding up mugs for the 4 of them.
"Oh thanks." Ezra said as they listened in.
Picking the Monado, Edwin couldn't help but marvel at it.
"I see you've been taking good care of it." Edwin said turning to Minato. "To think after all the sneaking around Ms. Naomi and I had to do. Uncovering secret documents, learning the truth, risking our very lives. Imagine the surprise when she told me your reaction."
"Are you finished?" Minato asks.
"You refuse to accept it and yet you keep the Monado?" Edwin asks.
"I like it. It's a handy weapon." Minato said brushing it off.
"It's your inheritance. You're the rightful heir to the Soulwing family." Edwin declares.
Eyes widening Amity couldn't believe what she was hearing. Minato was the heir to the family that was richer than her's, Boscha's and Skara's families combined.
"No way…Minato?" Amity whispers.
On the other side of the house, Willow, Gus and Ezra were equally surprised.
"Minato…the heir?" Gus said speechless.
"Lily is that true?" Willow asks turning to the others who simply nod.
"Your family needs you." Edwin said.
"No they don't. They're greedy, selfish and power-hungry monsters." Eda said.
"Are humans any different?" Edwin counters.
Pausing Luz hated to admit it but it was not wrong.
"No humans call me heir to anything." Minato shrugs.
"Why do you choose to back away from what's rightfully yours?" Edwin asks.
"Because we realized that even if Minato tried, it wouldn't make a difference." Eda said.
"You really think if I just show up Elias is gonna give me the house? I'm the half-breed freak of the son who ran away from home. I tried to appeal to you people when I didn't even know my worth and don't you recall what happened? Elias tried to kill me the second he met me and when he failed, he sent an assassin after me!" Minato declares horrifying their friends.
Covering her mouth Amity couldn't believe what she heard. His own family wanted him dead? And she thought she had it bad with her parents when they made her end her friendship with Willow.
"Look we appreciate all you guys went through for us, but…it doesn't matter. The only thing that does matter is that Minato can stay alive." Eda said putting her hand on his shoulder.
"And no offense but no amount of money or power is worth losing Minato over it." Luz said putting her hand on his other shoulder.
Smiling softly, Minato felt a little better.
"I'm sorry Edwin but let's be realistic. I will be never considered the heir." Minato said.
"Yes you can. Elias' lies run deep. The entire family is wrapped in them. You can fix everything. Save them." Edwin said holding up the Monado. "Take up your sword and fight for what's rightfully yours."
Slowly everyone waited for Minato's response but instead, Minato took a big step back indicating he wouldn't do it.
Frustrated Edwin stabs the Monado into the floor.
"You're so quick to fight for others, but you won't fight for yourself." Edwin said.
"I'm not here to get rich. I'm here to find clues about my dad. The only Soulwing that really matters to me." Minato states.
"You're better than this Minato. You'll never realize your true worth until you stand up for yourself and stop believing the insults people call you." Edwin said walking to the door. "But I will say this…you have surrounded yourself with good company."
Edwin opens the door and instantly Willow, Lily, Gus, Ezra, Blanca, Katara and Dez fell out.
"Uh hi there." Willow gulps.
"I trust that this conversation can stay our little secret for the time being?" Edwin asks.
"No problemo." They all said instantly.
"It's nice to know you have good friends sir. Naomi and I are working on a plan that can help you, but you have to want it." Edwin said as Minato frowns. "And for the record. I don't think you're a half-breed freak. You're just different Minato and people are always scared of what's different, but I bet if more people really got to know the real you, they wouldn't call you that."
As Edwin slowly walks out Minato sniffles softly.
"Hey you okay?" Luz asks trying to comfort him.
"I don't know, did I make the right choice or am I just scared?" Minato asks.
"I'd be worried if you weren't scared." Eda said.
"No one's blaming you kid." Dez said.
"To go through all this and still keep it together, respect man." Ezra said when Gus gasps.
"I should have used Minato for my interview." Gus realized.
"Gus, we just told the butler we'd keep it a secret." Willow reminds.
"Oh right, sorry." Gus said.
"But should I have said yes to his help?" Minato asks.
"Like he said, when you're ready we can find them." King said.
"And hey look on the bright side. You got all of us now." Blanca said.
"Thanks you guys." Minato smiles wiping the tears from his eyes.
From the window, Amity looked at Minato and sniffled.
As her abomination lowered her down Amity took out her invite to Skara's party and let it fly away.
"Me too Minato. You got me too." Amity said having a whole new respect for the hybrid.