Chapter 22: Naomi's Plan
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. I'm glad all of you loved my new Grom chapter. And I'm thrilled to say this story now has over 250 favorites! Thanks for all your support everyone you rock! Now as things are getting intense with the series I hope I can measure up and still give you all some exciting stuff to read. I'd also like to give a shoutout to Superherotimefan for giving me an idea for one of my new characters introduced in this chapter. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
At the Owl House, Luz was looking for any food but the kitchen was almost empty.
"Man where is all our food?" Blanca asks looking inside.
"Anything in the pantry?" Luz calls out as Minato walks in.
"Just a few bags of rice and one Griffin egg." Minato said as Lily walked out.
"Even our plants have been eaten." Lily said.
"Dang it. I was gonna eat those." King said.
"What the heck? Where have all our snacks been going?" Minato asks when they heard a crunching noise.
Pausing all of them looked to the door only to see Hooty munching of fruit but his eyes were closed shut.
Narrowing their eyes Blanca walks over to him.
"Wake up!" Blanca yells slapping him in the face.
"Ow! I simple shake would have worked. Hoot!" Hooty snaps
"Hooty! You ate all the food!" Luz gestures.
"Huh? Oh no looks I'm sleep-eating again." Hooty said.
"Sleep Eating?" Lily raised an eyebrow.
"You know how some people sleep walk? Well Hooty Sleep eats." King groans pinching his nose.
"I wondered why all my dreams involved more eating than usual." Hooty said.
"Hooty!" All of them snapped.
"So what are we supposed to do? I can't cook enough food for all of us on this." Minato gestures.
"Problem solved, you three girls fight to the death and we have Minato cook the loser." King said walking to Lily. "Work the gut I like my meat tender."
"King we are not fighting to the death for our food." Luz said.
"Plus I'm pretty sure I'd the winner in this situation." Blanca said.
"Why would you be the winner?" Lily raises an eyebrow.
"Hello. Assassin. I literally killed for a living." Blanca points out.
"Nobody is killing anybody. We just need to go to the market." Minato said.
"Come on let's go get Eda." Luz said.
As they went to Eda's room they opened the door and panicked seeing Owl Eda was in her nest.
"Eda?!" Blanca yelps.
"Oh no not again." Minato panics.
Turning to them Owl Eda slowly bent down towards Luz and sniffs her.
"Eda don't do anything crazy." Minato said nervously.
Turning to him, Owl Eda sniffs Minato before grabbing them both by the jackets.
"Oh no! What's happening now?" Minato asks as Owl Eda brought them to her nest and dropped them.
Confused before either could react Owl Eda sat on both of them causing them cringe in pain.
"King what's happening?" Luz groans.
"Search me." King said.
"She's brooding. She must think you two are her eggs." Tiger Lily whispers.
"Awww." All of them smile.
"But seriously, we're getting crushed here." Minato cringed.
"We're on it." Tiger Lily said grabbing an elixir bottle.
"What's that?" Blanca asks confused.
"Explanations later. Please." Luz begs.
Summoning her eagle spirit, Lily handed it the elixir allowing it to fly up and drop the elixir down her throat.
Coughing Owl Eda made a gagging noise before spitting out the bottle and turning back into normal Eda.
"Ugh my head." Eda groans.
"Eda are you okay?" Blanca asks as she, Lily and King ran over.
"I guess I slept in and forgot to take it. Hey where are Luz and Minato?" Eda asks hoping they didn't notice the 5 empty elixir bottles behind her nest.
"Uh…" Cringing all of them pointed down.
"Huh?" Looking down Eda saw she was still sitting on them.
"Eda we're glad you're back to normal." Minato said.
"But can you please get off us?" Luz asks.
"Oh man I am so sorry kids…uh I didn't maul any of you, did I?" Eda asks.
"No not this time." Lily said.
"This time?" Blanca cringed not liking where this was going.
"Welcome to Owl House Blanca and all the craziness within." King declares.
Looking at each other, Minato and Luz's faces were inches from each other.
Blushing both quickly picked themselves up.
"Uh you okay?" Minato asks.
"Y-Yeah you know me. I can take a hit." Luz stutters.
A short distance away, a figure was approaching the Owl House.
Inside the kitchen, Eda was scrummaging around for something.
"Well we do not have enough food and sadly I spent most of our Yugioh Profits on elixirs, items for Blanca's room and not to mention your Hexside funds." Eda lists.
"So how long do you think it would take for me to make our meals again?" Minato asks.
"I think you've more than earned a break from cooking for us for a while. You do it every day. You've earned a break from kitchen duties for a while." Eda said.
"But then who's gonna cook for you girls?" Minato asks.
"Come on, I think between the 4 of us we can cover for you." Lily teases.
"Give us some credit." Luz smiles.
Hearing this Minato couldn't help but chuckle.
Ever since Grom Night things had been different for Minato. It was like everyone learning his fears helped them understand him better.
In the kitchen, Eda looked around to see even her Apple Blood was almost gone.
"You touched my Apple Blood?" Eda growls.
"Hoot." Hooty gulps.
Just as Eda was about to let him have it, they heard a knock at the door.
"Hello. Anyone here?" A familiar voice calls out.
Slowly opening the door they saw Naomi waiting outside.
"Oh Naomi. What is it this time?" Eda narrows her eyes.
"We need to talk. I figured out a plan." Naomi said.
"Listen lady there is nothing you can say that can make us even consider—" Before Eda could finish a loud stomach growl went off.
Turning around she saw King was holding his stomach with a blush on his face.
"Aww is King's wittle tummy hungwy?" Luz teases.
"No." King said looking before holding his stomach.
"Awww." All the teens smiled.
"Lunch is on me if you hear me out." Naomi offers.
"Ha! If you think one measly stomach growl is gonna—" Eda was about to counter when her stomach growled as well making her blush. "You better have Apple Blood." Eda narrows her eyes.
At Naomi's home, a huge spread was laid out for everyone and they happily dug in.
"Okay is the meal to your satisfaction?" Naomi asks.
"It's pretty good." Minato smiles eating a big spoonful.
"This cooking is almost as good as yours Minato." Luz said happily chowing down.
As Eda finished her drink, a maid walked over and refilled her glass.
"Now this is service." Eda grins drinking it.
"We should make you rich people feed us more often." King smiles.
Examining her food, Blanca was unsure about it.
"Don't worry none of it is poison." Naomi assures.
Taking a piece herself, she took a big bite to emphasize her point when she noticed Lily was looking at her curiously.
"Something wrong Tiger Lily? If it's not to your test buds I can get you something else." Naomi offers.
"No it's great. It's just… look I don't mean to sound ungrateful but why are you doing all this for us?" Lily asks.
Pausing everyone realized she had a point.
"Look I mean you're doing a lot for us, for Minato. Why?" Lily asks.
"She's got a point. You could get in big trouble for this. You could easily go back to Elias and sell us out." Eda said.
"Never." Naomi said almost immediately surprising them.
"Wow didn't even hesitate." Minato said.
"I know the risks I'm taking with you and I don't care." Naomi said.
"Do you mind if I ask why?" Minato asks.
"When I was about your age I met someone who I thought was my enemy but she ended up risking everything for me. It was from her I learned that if you want things to be better you have to take a stand against things you know are wrong." Naomi admits.
"Wow this girl sounds like something else." Minato said.
"Believe me she was." Naomi smiles before getting serious. "I know you don't like this but you need to claim your birthright and take the house from Elias."
"How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want to heir." Minato said.
"You don't understand. Your grandfather's lies run deep and almost everyone in the family believes him. Those lies have forced the members down sad and horrible paths. If we can help more Soulwings realize that there might be hope for our family yet." Naomi said.
"Why can't you or someone else do it?" Minato asks.
"We can't. Only the main branches family can make or change any rules. I'm too low on the family tree to make a difference. And with your grandmother on her husband's side and your father missing you're all we have." Naomi said.
"I'm from the human realm. Nobody is gonna take me seriously. I don't even know where to begin." Minato admits.
"By winning the love and respect of your family. Showing them that you are more than just a hybrid." Naomi said.
"How am I supposed to do that?" Minato asks.
"Look despite our wealth this family is just like anyone else's. You have the ones you love, admire and respect, and then you have the others." Naomi said.
"Which part are we dealing with?" Luz asks.
"A little bit of both. I suggest we start you off small. Expand your trust circle. We start some smaller family members and work your way up to the big deal family members." Naomi said.
"Not a bad idea." Eda said eating her meal.
"Minato please, at least try it once." Naomi begs.
"What do you guys think?" Minato asks looking to them.
"Well it depends. Who's the Soulwing?" Eda asks.
"They should be back any minute now." Naomi smiles when the door opens.
"Mommy!" Entering we see a young boy who can't be much older than 6 with short messy Soulwing red hair.
"Anthony." Naomi smiles as he ran and gave her a hug.
"Anthony slow down." Chuckling we see a man with short blonde hair, a mustache and a goatee walk in. "I tell you he's a big ball of energy that boy. Hi honey."
Leaning in he pecks her on the cheek making Naomi giggle.
"Hector we have guests." Naomi gestures.
Turning around Hector turns around. "Oh I am so embarrassed. A pleasure to meet you all." He taking a look at all of them before noticing Minato.
"Naomi? You're married?" Luz said not expecting that.
"Happily. Which I might add is very tough in this family."
"Hector Soulwing nice to meet you." He said.
"Wait you took their last name?" Minato asks.
"Yeah it's one of the rules about marrying in." He shrugs.
"Anthony I want you to meet your cousin." Naomi introduces gesturing to him.
As the little witch looks at him, Minato was a little nervous.
Since most of the older Soulwings didn't like him he wasn't sure what the younger ones would thing.
"Uh hi." Minato said.
"What's with your ears? They're kinda funny looking." Anthony points making the girls and King snicker.
"Uh yeah, I guess they are. So Anthony it's nice to meet you." Minato said when he noticed the yellow colors on Anthony's clothes. "Wait are those Potion Track colors?"
"Yeah they are." Anthony nods.
"I'm in the Potion Track too." Minato points making him smile.
"For real? That's so cool." Anthony smiles.
"Anthony why don't you and Minato go play." Naomi suggests.
"Uh…" Minato looks up to see Naomi gesturing for him to go. "Sure."
Smiling Anthony grabs his hand and leads him out of the room.
"Well that didn't go as bad as we thought it would." Luz said.
"Yeah he took it pretty well." Eda admits.
"That's because we don't tell him about the craziness of our family. Not yet anyways." Naomi said.
"Good call. Wait until he's at least 10 to scar for him for life." King said.
"Is this why you have to keep such a close on him at the playground?" Blanca asks.
"It's one of them." Lily admits.
"Still Hector thanks for you know not trying to kill Minato or anything after first meeting him." Luz said.
"Hey believe me I get what where he's coming from. When people like me, outsiders who marry into such an…exceptional family. It's easy to feel well unexceptional." Hector said.
"That bad huh?" Lily asks.
"We have to bust our butts to make our in-laws even tolerate us. Trust me I had to jump through a lot of hoops for him, but it was worth it." Hector said making Naomi smile.
"My mother would not give me up easy." Naomi said.
"So how did you win Naomi's folks over?" Luz asks.
"I created my own line of Potions." Hector said.
"And together we managed to make quite a profit on them." Naomi smiles. "I used to tell people my real magic was business."
"Wait so if Elias doesn't like the in-laws he won't approve?" Luz asks.
"Granted he can't stop you from marrying but let's just say if he doesn't approve. You'll get a lot of negativity and judgement." Naomi said.
"At least he hasn't sent more people like me after them." Blanca said.
"It's not easy being in this family." Hector said.
"So here's my idea. We'll have Minato spend a few hours here with Anthony and maybe have the two of them get close over time and try our luck with another Soulwing." Naomi explains.
"I'm not sure we should have Minato by himself." Luz said.
"Luz we kinda need to go out anyway. We need to earn more money for the Owl House." Eda reminds.
"We're out of food remember." King reminds.
"I'll stay here with Minato." Lily offers.
"What? But Lily I—" Luz said wanting to spend time with him.
"Don't worry I used to babysit the Lost Kids and the younger kids in the Never Tribe. They're around the same age." Lily said.
"Okay it's settled. Tiger Lily will hang here and head home with Minato and Luz, King, Blanca and I will try earn some cash." Eda said.
In Anthony's room, Minato looked to see all the fun magical books and toys.
"Wow do you guys buy a toy store?" Minato whistles impressed.
"Yeah pretty much. They give me the first model of every new toy they make." Anthony smiles winding up a toy broom.
"Boy all the kids must want to be your friend." Minato assumes.
"Uh yeah
When it let it go it flew around the room before landing at a small desk with mini vials and potion ingredients.
"What's all this?" Minato asks walking over.
"Potion homework. It's the worst." Anthony said.
"I thought you liked Potions?" Minato asks.
"I do…but I hate the work they make me do for it." Anthony said.
"Yeah I can relate to that. I'm in 3 tracks right now." Minato said surprising him.
"Seriously?" Anthony asks.
"Yeah: Elemental, Abomination and Potions." Minato said walking over to the desk.
"Wow you really Uncle Miguel's kid." Anthony said.
"I guess you can say that." Minato said as Anthony walked over to the desk.
"Must be so cool. He had the Monado, his own coven. Mom used to tell me stories about him." Anthony said.
"You never met him?" Minato asks.
"Mom says I met him once but I was just a baby. Don't know much besides what people tell me about him." Anthony shrugs.
"Yeah…same here." Minato said.
"Must be pretty cool to be everyone's hero." Anthony said.
"That's what I always thought. So what's all this?" Minato asks.
"It's supposed to be smoke potion but I've been trying to make it fun." Anthony said.
"Really? How do you do that?" Minato asks.
"Well I figured if you add ingredients big on certain colors you can change the smoke colors." Anthony said. "But I can't figure out why it isn't working."
Mixing in the ingredients, Minato watched Anthony fill the vile before throwing it to the ground but all he got was the standard yellow smoke.
"Man! Not again!" Anthony whines.
Looking at his notes, Minato spotted the problem.
"Here's the problem. You're a little short on powder." Taking some Minato crushes the red ingredients and mixes it into the cauldron and stirs it around.
When he pours it into the vial, Minato handed it to Anthony.
"Please work, please work." Throwing it to the ground red smoke appears around them. "It works!"
Cheering with joy Anthony runs around making Minato chuckle.
"That was awesome! Can we make more?" Anthony smiles.
"Sure. I guess." Minato said when the door opens revealing Lily.
"Hey you guys got room for one more?" Lily asks.
"Join the party." Minato smiles.
Spending the day together, Minato showed Anthony some Potion tricks, playing with Anthiny's toys and even Lily had letting him play with her spirit animals.
"I'm flying!" Anthony cheers as Lily's Spirit eagle was holding onto him and flying through the air.
"Wow you are good with kids." Minato admits.
"Loads of practice." Lily smiles.
Peeking inside, Naomi was happy to see Minato and Anthony were getting along but was even happier to see her son having so much fun.
Hours later, Minato and Tiger Lily were ready to leave and saying goodbye to Naomi and her family.
"So Minato?" Naomi asks.
"Okay I'll admit it was pretty fun." Minato chuckles.
"There's one more Soulwing I think you would like. Go to this address and you'll meet him." Naomi said giving him a card.
"Who is he?" Lily asks.
"My brother, Oliver." Naomi said.
"Are you just starting Minato off with people that you're close with?" Lily assumes.
"Those are the ones I know I can trust the most." Naomi shrugs.
"Hey Minato can you come back again soon? We can play some more and you can show me some cool potions." Anthony asks.
"Sure Anthony. That'll be fun." Minato said.
"I can even give you some archery lessons if you want." Lily offers.
"Let's wait a little bit before we put a weapon in his hands shall we?" Hector suggests.
"Fair enough. Bye." Minato waves as he and Lily walked away.
"Later cuz." Anthony said
Hearing this Minato couldn't help but be surprised. Someone in the Soulwing Family actually liked him.
It was a weird, but really nice feeling. A feeling of acceptance.
"Can you come too Tiger Lily?" Anthony asks.
"Sure, the three of us will have tons of fun." Lily nods as they walked away.
As Anthony headed back inside, Hector walked up to his wife.
"Two down." Naomi said.
"You really think he can do it Naomi?" Hector asks.
"We have to try Hector. I've seen what Elias' influence has done to everyone. I've tried everything. He's our best shot." Naomi said.
"Well I will admit…I've never seen Anthony so happy to see a relative before." Hector smiles.
"See? He's already helping and he doesn't even know it." Naomi smiles.
"So why Oliver next?" Hector asks.
"He wanted to see him. I think it's because he and Minato have so much in common." Naomi declares.
"Hmm true." Hector admits.
On their way back to the Owl House, Minato and Lily walked together.
"Thanks for all the help back there Lily." Minato said.
"Hey it was nice to get to know your family without being attacked." Lily jokes.
"You're pretty good with kids." Minato said.
"Lot of experience living in Neverland where you never age." Lily reminds making him chuckle.
"Fair enough." Minato smiles.
"You know Minato. You don't deserve all the hate and garbage people put you through. You're a good person and a really great friend." Lily smiles.
"Really? You're not still mad at me for taking you out of your book?" Minato asks.
"Nah, to be honest I kinda like it here. Who needs to be dealing with Hook and his pirates, watching Peter and the Neverkids when I can go to Hexside, learn magic, play Yugioh, dance with friends, as much as I hated it at first…I'm really glad you brought me here." Lily admits.
Smiling Minato pulled her into a hug surprising her.
"Thanks Lily I really needed that." Minato smiles as a soft blush appeared on her face.
"Uh yeah well that's what friends are for." Lily said shaking it off.
"Come on let's go home." Minato said.
"So you gonna go meet that other relative of yours?" Lily asks.
"I guess. I wonder what he's like?" Minato asks looking at the address and name.
The next morning, Eda was downstairs making breakfast for everyone with everyone at the table.
"It's a little weird being the one cooking." Minato admits.
"Well never hurts to mix it up." Eda said putting plates down. "Alright everyone it's Scrambled Griffin eggs for breakfast."
"Ooh my favorite." Luz smiles taking a bite.
"I tell you, I haven't had food this good in a while." Blanca said eating.
"Wait until you see more of Minato's meals." King said.
"Seriously sometimes I think Minato's real magic is cooking." Eda jokes.
"It's nothing too fancy. Just lessons I learned growing up." Minato said when the door opens.
"Knock knock." Dez said arriving with Katara and Owlbert.
"Hey guys." Katara said.
"Hey Katara
"You get them?" Eda asks.
"Check it." Dez said as he and Owlbert pulled in a big bag of Yugioh packs from the human world came in.
"You leave the stuff I use to trade?" Eda asks.
"Duh." Dez nods.
"Hoo Hoo." Owlbert smiles at another successful retrieval.
"Part of me still wonders if you're just robbing that pour shop owner." Luz said.
"Hey it's not robbing if I leave things in exchange. It's trading." Eda said.
"But how do you know if the stuff you leave is good enough?" Minato asks.
"I'm not hearing any complaints." Eda shrugs.
"Because you do it when nobody is around to complain at you." Katara said sitting down at the table across from Blanca.
"So we heard you kids have been talking with the Soulwings." Dez said.
"Sorta. Naomi, the one that keeps bugging us wants to start getting a few Soulwings on Minato's side." Eda explains.
"And you're fine with that?" Dez asks.
"Hey they're rich and they can help keep the kid alive. Plus if they're willing to shell out some cash to help us I'm not one to turn away free money." Eda admits.
"She actually gave him the contact information for another Soulwing." Lily points out.
"Yeah but right now is not the best time. We need to get some more money." Minato said.
"Our food situation is slow but imagine what happens when Eda runs out of elixirs." King said making all of them shudder at the thought.
"Yeah and we don't trust the Soulwings enough to leave Minato alone with them." Eda said.
"I'll go with Minato." Dez floated over. "I've dealt with the Soulwings before so if they try anything I can get you out no problem."
Hearing this Luz sighs in relief. With Dez going with him there's nothing to worry about.
"I can help raise money." Hooty said.
"How by torturing people with your endless chatter to give us money?" Blanca asks.
"Hmm not a bad idea." Eda considers.
"No." Everyone else said shutting that idea down.
"Fine. Dez you can go with Minato." Eda sighs.
"Wanna come along Katara?" Dez asks making Luz almost choke on her drink.
"Yeah sure. Been a while since we hung out outside of class." Katara said.
"Great. We'll go right after breakfast." Minato said.
Later that day at the stand, Luz was lost in thoughts.
Ever since they kissed at Grom things had been weird between them. They wanted to talk about it but neither of them knew what to say.
As Eda was setting things up she noticed the look on her face.
"Alright ladies we need to sell, sell, sell. Bargain, threaten, steal, do whatever you need to do to get us snails." King said.
"You know I bet if we dressed you in something cute people would come running to our stand." Lily teases making Luz gasp.
"Yes! Yes! A million times yes!" Luz said.
"No! No! A million times no!" King counters.
"I don't know cute sells." Blanca teases.
"Not happening. Now sell those cards." King orders.
"Hey Luz, we're gonna be here a while so how about you come with me and grab some drinks?" Eda suggests.
Before Luz could even react Eda pulls her away and yanks her down a corner.
"Alright kid what's up?" Eda asks.
"Wha-What are you talking about?" Luz asks trying to fake it.
"Oh please you think I don't see it? How you're always staring off into space? With a conflicted look on your face. Freaking out over everything. Now talk Luz." Eda said.
"It's uh…little personal and kinda embarrassing." Luz said.
"Try me." Eda encouraged.
"Eda have you ever had a friend for a long time and that you thought would always be friends that you until recently you started seeing them as more than a friend?" Luz admits being a little embarrassed.
"Oh yeah I have." Eda cringed. "I know that feeling all too well."
"Well it's just…I feel I want to say something but if I mess up I could lose my friendship with them and it would be even worse." Luz said.
"But saying nothing is just as hard because you worry you might only be seen as a friend?" Eda assumes surprising her.
"Yeah how'd you know?" Luz asks.
"Believe it or not kid I was in the exact same boat as you. But unlike you I messed up and almost ruined everything. It's painful having feelings for a friend but its even more painful to let your feelings bottle up inside you." Eda said.
"So what do I do?" Luz asks.
"I want you to really think long and hard about this. See if your feelings are real and if this person likes you back. And then when you find the courage I want you to stand by your decision and tell that lucky person how you feel. Hopefully, they feel the same." Eda said.
Hearing this Luz smiled feeling a little better.
"Thanks Eda I needed that." Luz smiles.
"So you finally got a crush on Minato huh?" Eda smirks making Luz blush.
"What? Who told you?" Luz asks.
"You did just now." Eda laughs pointing at her.
"Well played Owl Lady." Luz narrows her eyes.
"But seriously, you two were so close. I thought it was only a matter of time. But I will tell you this. You might have some competition." Eda said standing up. "Come on let's get those snacks and get back to the stand."
As they walked away Luz couldn't help but wonder if Minato really liked her that way.
Speaking of Minato, we find him, Dez and Katara looking at the card for the address.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Dez asks.
"Says so." Minato said as they looked up to see what appeared to be a spa.
Walking inside they see multiple witches and demons being healed and relaxed through various spa like treatments.
"Can I help you?" The front desk lady asks.
"Uh we're looking for Oliver Soulwing." Minato asks.
"Do you have an appointment?" She asks.
"No I just need to talk to him I-I'm family." Minato said a little hesitant.
"Tell him, his sister Naomi sent us to meet him." Dez said.
"Head to the waiting room over there." She points.
Making their way in the three of them sat down.
Walking in Minato sees a man in his 40's with a small combed Soulwing red hair, Healing Coven sleeves on his robes and glasses. This was Oliver Soulwing.
"So you're the Hybrid that the family keeps going on about." Oliver said with an intrigued tone in his voice.
"Uh hi." Minato said nervously. "My name is—"
"Minato. I know Naomi told me you might be stopping by." Oliver said sitting down at a table. "So what do you think of my little operation?"
"It's nice. You own this place?" Minato asks.
"As well as about 9 others spread out around the Isles. One for all the major parts of the Titan's body." Oliver said.
"Wow that's impressive." Katara said.
"People never feel more relaxed after my healing exercises and magic." Oliver smiles proudly.
"Right…so I guess everyone in the family has heard of me huh?" Minato assumes.
"I don't want to call you a villain but let's just say not a lot of nice things are being said about you." Oliver said.
"Don't try anything funny." Despairo glares.
"The Calamity Imp. Last time I saw you, you brought all of Elias' furniture to life and made them dance around the manor." Oliver said making Minato gasp.
"You did a Beauty and Beast thing?" Minato said turning to Dez.
"What's Beauty and the Beast?" Katara asks.
"It's a great movie I'll show it to you sometime." Minato said.
"Don't worry I'm not going to hurt you. I'm a Healer not a Fighter. Although I do know several pressure points on the body so I could immobilize you if I needed to." Oliver said
"He's like Ty Lee." Katara gulps nervously.
"Kidding. I'm just kidding." Oliver assures.
"Sorry it's just. When I met my grandparents for the first time I almost died. And I'm scared more members of the family want the same thing." Minato said.
"Oh I think they're probably just jealous. You're the son of the Golden Child. Miguel was everyone's favorite. In line to inherit everything. No surprise though if you knew who his competition was." Oliver said.
"Did you hate my dad?" Minato asks.
"I wouldn't say hate. I like to think he and I got along better than most of the family." Oliver said.
"So I guess you're not on the same rank as Minato's dad?" Katara asks.
"Well Naomi and I are actually one the lower branches of the family. She's the business genius so she's managed to move up, but I make myself useful. Aside from running this place whatever the family needs I procure: Titan Bone Furniture, golden tapestries, a rare Dewardian Era Gong." Oliver lists.
"Why would they want to buy a Deadwardian Gong?" Katara asks.
"Because they can." Oliver said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"How rich are you people?" Katara asks in disbelief.
"Very." Minato, Oliver and Dez said at the same time.
"I suppose I should actually thank you." Oliver said.
"Why?" Minato asks.
"Before you showed up, I was the Black Sheep of the family." Oliver sighs getting his attention.
"Really? I mean no offense but you seem so loyal, so helpful, so prepared. Look at this business. How can anyone hate you?" Minato lists.
"Well first off thank you I needed that. But secondly I have to be. It's the only way I can stay on their good side or else." Oliver said.
"Or else what?" Minato asks.
Sighing Oliver pinches the bridge of his nose. "About 10 years ago, I just graduated and was brought into the Healing Coven with Naomi. I uh I made a declaration that was…not popular with the family and it got me into a lot of trouble."
"Is that why you wanted to talk to me?" Minato asks.
"I know what it's like to the be the family weirdo. It's a horrible feeling. Like you have to constantly look over your shoulder for the worst. That if you make the smallest mistake you're done." Oliver said.
"Yeah. Yeah I know that feeling. It's the worst." Minato admits. "All because my dad married a human woman."
Hearing this Oliver couldn't help but lightly chuckle. "Well isn't that a funny coincidence."
"What do you mean?" Katara asks.
"I think it was the 3rd time I had been presented with an arranged marriage. She was a nice, educated, woman who knew her way around Plant Magic. Sadly I was forced to turn her away because I could not accept it." Oliver admits.
"Because you didn't love her? You were forced to marry her. That's the reason my Gran Gran fled her home." Katara assumes.
"Hmm partly, she was the nicest out of all my arranged brides, but I couldn't accept the offer or really any offer because my interests happily lie…elsewhere." Oliver admits.
"Elsewhere?" Minato said surprised.
"Elsewhere." Oliver nods. "Elias had threatened to disown me and to add insult to injury he had most of the family their back on me. All except Naomi. She stood by me when no one else would and managed to find a way to keep me in the family and for that, I would follow her into a volcano."
"So you're a little different. So what? In case you haven't noticed we're not exactly normal either." Dez said.
"Yeah I mean you should choose who you want to be with." Katara said.
"I think us family weirdoes just get a bad rep. People don't like change and you and I are change. Maybe that's why you and I should stick together. I think we both could use one more family member. What do you say…Uncle Oliver?" Minato smiles.
Smiling Oliver holds out his hand and Minato happily shook it.
"Didn't your father have a saying about weirdos? What was it?" Oliver ponders.
"Us weirdoes need to stick together." Minato reminds making him smile.
"Well then it only seems appropriate you and I stick together as it would." Oliver chuckles.
Smiling Minato was happy to make nice with another family member.
"You know it is about time someone stood up to Elias. You though, not me. He can't know we've had this conversation." Oliver shudders.
"Your secret is safe with us. Right guys?" Minato asks.
"Of course." Katara nods.
"Lips sealed." Dez said zipping his lips shut to emphasize his point.
"Well in that case, whatever you need help with. You can count on me." Oliver said.
"Well Eda's kinda short on snails. You know any way we can make a decent amount of money quickly?" Minato asks.
Pausing to think Oliver takes off his glasses. "Well I might know one. It's risky but the plus side is it pays even if you don't win. All you have to do is finish."
"What is it?" Minato asks.
"A very exciting event that all the witches of the Boiling Isles love to watch. They only allow about 100 teams to sign up, but if you really need the money, it might just be what you're looking for." Oliver said.
Looking to each other, Katara, Minato and Dez couldn't help but wonder what the event was.
An hour later, Luz, Blanca and Lily were at Eda's stand having sold out of Yugioh cards.
"Well this should definitely be enough for a budget." Eda said counting all the snails.
"So this is a fun game huh?" Blanca asks.
"Oh yeah. Everyone at Hexside plays it thanks to us." Luz nods.
"We can show you how to play sometime." Lily offers.
"I'd like that." Blanca smiles.
"Alright with the money from the shops sales we not only clear most of my debuts we have a small amount left over for a food budget." Eda said.
"Well it ain't much but it's something. I guess." Luz shrugs.
Flying down the streets Dez had a panicked look on his face.
"Guys! Guys!" Dez yells spotting them. "Wait right there!"
"Dez?" King said confused.
"Looks like he's in a hurry." Blanca said as Dez appeared in front of them.
"We got a problem!" Dez said startling them.
"Dez calm down already. Look our money situation isn't the best but we're working on it." Eda said.
"It's not that. Minato and Katara found something to make all the money we need but it's crazy. I tried to talk them out of it but they were determined!" Dez panics.
"What did they do?" Lily asks.
"It's borderline insanity! I can't believe Minato and worse Katara agreed to it." Dez said.
"What did they do?!" They all repeated.
"They…They…They." Dez said.
Meanwhile in another part of the Isles at the Powerball Arena, the stands were filled with fans.
"This is it folks! The Powerball Open Qualifiers!" The announcer said as the crowd went nuts. "100 teams have signed up for this but only 10 of them will win the huge cash prize and the opportunity to enter the pro circuit!"
In the back area, we see Minato and Katara in dressing rooms.
Putting on padded armor, Katara tucks her hair back while Minato puts on the armor as well.
Putting his helmet on his head, Minato put his goggles on top.
Sitting down Katara put on a pair of magic skates like Minato's.
And finally taking out a yellow marker Minato wrote the number 99 on their shoulder pads.
"You ready partner?" Minato asks holding out his hand.
"Let's do this." Katara nods as both got up. "Whoa." Katara fumbles softly but Minato catches her.
"Just take a deep breath. It's just like ice skating." Minato said.
Taking a deep breath Katara slowly stood up.
"Still a lot of my ice skating revolved around my bending skills." Katara said fixing herself and skated alongside him.
"Don't worry you'll get the hang of this quickly." Minato assures.
Skating towards the opening both looked out to see the stadium was packed with spectators and teams.
"And now prepare yourself because…it's POWERBALL TIME!" The announcer said as the crowd cheered with excitement.