Hey guys, here's chapter 31 of Rise of Zeo. This chapter will be an adaption of the episode Enchanting Grom Fright. Since Lumity isn't a thing in this universe, the episode will different from its canon counterpart. Enjoy.
"Come on. Work this time" Luz muttered while looking through a magnifying glass to look at what appeared to be a plant glyph. She then tapped a completed glyph, creating a plant. "Yes! Look guys, my glyph skills are blossoming!" Luz told King, who was on her phone and Zeo, who was working on a new card.
"Like your chest" Zeo quipped. Luz blushed as he finished his creation. "A new Beast Weapon, nice. Let's try this out! Beast Weapon: Sledgerammer, arise!" He said, summoning a ram that shifted its legs to transform into a large sledgehammer. "Nice! Now to test this bad boy out" Zeo smiled as he held the weapon in his hands.
He then walked outside and slammed the hammer's head down on the ground. The action caused the ground to shake, while also creating large cracks in the earth.
"Nice, I could have some fun with this bad boy!" Zeo said.
"Yeah!" Luz said.
Zeo then received a vision. In it, Knight Owl and Magma Lizard entered the Fusion Vortex, and in a mass of swirling fire, a new figure appeared. Zeo then pulled out the two cards…
The two entered the vortex and like in the vision, a pillar of fire and darkness erupted. Out came an orange owl with blank, glowing blue eyes and a golden version of Knight Owl's helmet and armor. It also sported a fiery aura.
"Nice! I think I call this guy Infern-Owl" Zeo said as Luz received a text alert.
"Aw, mierda!" She said upon noticing who it was from.
"What?" Zeo looked at her.
"It's my mom, she's asking how camp is going." Luz said.
"Just tell her it's going great... Whatever camp is" Zeo said.
"You have to understand something, Zeo." Luz said, sending her mom a thumbs up emoji. "She never understood my fantasy-loving self. Don't get me wrong, I love her, but the camp she wanted to send me to is pretty much anti everything that makes me... me!" She said, handing Zeo the brochure.
"What did you do to warrant her doing that?" Zeo asked while reading the brochure.
"More like what didn't I do to warrant her doing that." Luz said with a chuckle. "But I think the catalyst was the time I did a book report with live snakes, one of which attacked my school's principal." She admitted.
Zeo chuckled at that. "Does she know about me at least?" He asked.
"Sort of. She thinks you're the son of the CEO of a major accounting firm." Luz admitted sheepishly.
"Huh. Have you told her about, you know... us?" Zeo gestured between her and himself.
"How do you think I wound up with the idea of the CEO thing? I mean, come on, Zeo! What was I supposed to tell her, that I'm seeing a clone of a witch I accidentally created with a botched cloning spell that can summon terrifying creatures with cards?! No offense." Luz said that last part the fiery owl.
*Hoot*
"He said none taken" Zeo translated. "Anyway, it's almost time for school" he said, recalling the fusion beast back into the cards that made it up, and then summoned the Drago-cycle, "Come on" he said as hopped on the bike, Luz getting on behind before they drove of for Hexside.
Hexside Academy…
Zeo and Luz entered the school with Gus and Willow, Zeo and Luz holding hands. They immediately took notice of the decorations.
"What's going here?" Zeo asked.
"Did everyone get a haircut or something?" Luz asked.
"Oh yeah! I forgot you've never been here for the social event of the season." Willow said.
"What event?" they asked.
"Welcome to your first—" Gus started saying, only for two people dressed in medical garb to rush over to a student.
The workers surround a beast-keeping student with dark skin, blonde hair that covers his eyes, and big, pointy ears similar to a bat. The group of friends watched the scene unfold.
"Come with us. Your disease, it's advancing" one of the doctors said, having pulled up in front of Skara, who had a worried look.
"Is there a cure, doc?" the student asked. Zeo could tell he was acting.
"Only one..." the doctor said dramatic, "Find the perfect date to Grom!" he beamed.
"If that's the cure then..." the student pulled out what was, hopefully, a fake beating heart with Grom written on it, "Skara, will you go to Grom with me?" the student asked Skara.
Skara squealed in delight, "Of course I will! Or whatever" she said as she hugged him.
"A bit overdramatic, don't you think?" Zeo said, raising an eyebrow.
"You guys have a weird version of prom on the Boiling Isles? I got kicked out of my last school dance for dressing like an otter, but maybe here I can be your Grom Queen" Luz said while striking a sexy pose.
"I'm not even going to ask about the otter thing" Zeo said.
Amity then walked by, accidentally bumping into Luz, which resulted in her dropping her stuff.
"Watch it, nitwit!" Amity said until she realized who she bumped into, "Oh, hi Luz... and co. Sorry about that" she said as she picked up her stuff.
"It's alright, Amity." Luz said as Willow picked up a note that Amity quickly took out of her hands.
"Are you okay, Amity?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just personal matters." Amity said. However, Luz and Zeo had a feeling what that was. Then Principal Bump's voice came out over the intercom.
"Attention, Hexside students, this is your principal speaking..." Bump began.
"Oh, man, this is it" Gus said.
"He's announcing who'll be this year's Grom royalty" Willow chimed.
"This year, I have the privilege to bestow our highest Grom honor to... Amity Blight! Our Grom Queen!" Bump announced.
Everyone was shocked at this, none more so than Amity. Except for Luz.
"Woo! Amity!" Luz said in her usual peppy tone.
Amity then ran off.
"You might want to give her some space. Being Grom Queen is a tough job, even for Amity" Willow said with a hand on Luz's shoulder.
"Even top students can't do everything," Zeo said. He then received another vision, this one of Luzura and Infern-Owl entering a Fusion Vortex. "Luzura…" Zeo said the doppelganger's name in his head.
Later, Principal Bump was overseeing the decorations in the school gym.
"Very good. Lower the streamers, fill the punch bowl, and- how's my disco ball?" Bump looked at the dangling Snaggleback who was hanging from the ceiling by a rope with a sparkly shell.
"Nauseous" the Snaggleback replied.
"Great. Just keep it up for 36 more hours." Bump told the shelled primate.
"My first school dance experience on the Boiling Isles with my first boyfriend!" Luz said, "I can't wait to get overdressed, take awkward photos, push all the buttons" Luz listed off all the things she wanted to do, "Wait, what?" she spotted a literal button on a pedestal, "Well, hello. Don't mind if I do" she said as she pushed the button which caused part of the floor to open up, "Whoa!"
Two walls of weapons then appeared beside them.
"The hell? What's with the weapons?" Zeo questioned.
"Medieval weaponry is an odd choice for decorations, but who am I to judge?" Luz asked.
"They're not for decoration." Amity said, the two turned to see her in the bleachers.
"This arena is where I'll make my debut as Grom Queen" Amity said as she walked down the bleachers.
"Seriously? Damn" Zeo said.
"So, why don't you seem excited?" Luz asked.
"Because this isn't just some dance party..." Amity said while taking a sword. A black goop then growled, "That's Grom. Short for Gromethius, the fear bringer. It's a monster that lives under the school" she said as she drew a spell circle, which showed an image, "Every year it tries to break out and a student has to defeat it before it invades the town. Ever the optimist, Bump holds a party and calls it a tradition. The worst thing is that Grom can read minds and shapeshift into your worst fear. And mine is very embarrassing..." Amity said as she looked at her reflection in the sword.
"Ok, that sounds like a fun challenge. He should've picked me for this thing. I mean, I am one of the most powerful fighters in this school" Zeo said confidently. "I bet I could even make it so this school wouldn't have to deal with this amorphous ball of crap ever again!" He added.
"If it worries you so much, then why don't you tell Principal Bump you want out of this deathmatch biz?" Luz asked the youngest Blight, and then gasped, "Unless talking to Bump is your greatest fear."
Amity chuckled. "No, but that's a good idea. Thanks, guys." She said before leaving.
"Hey, I've got an idea" Luz spoke, "Why don't I be Amity's—"
"No!" Zeo replied flatly in a monotone, cutting her off midsentence, knowing that his girlfriend tended to act before she thought.
The Forest…
After school let out, Zeo went home and changed into his normal attire before heading out into the forest. Zeo needed some time to be alone for himself to think as he walked into the forest. It wasn't the dance he was worried about; it was the creature the event was centered around. As he walked deeper into the forest, he hears footsteps. He was curious, not afraid, as he maintained his speed. The footsteps get louder and closer, he has his cards at the ready as he sees a light of a nearby campfire, meaning...
"Someone's here," Zeo mutters as his eyes narrowed and out of the darkness behind him. A hand was about to grab him, but Zeo saw out it of the corner of his eye, grabs the arm, and pulls it, along with the person it's attached to, into the campfire light. But who he grabbed was a surprise.
"What the... Amity?" Zeo asked as he let go of the young Blight.
"Zeo? What are you doing out here?" Amity asked with a slight tilt of her head.
"Going for a stroll. The only thing on my mind is Grom. And no, I'm not talking about the dance," Zeo clarified, making Amity frown at his response.
"Same," she said in a depressed tone, making Zeo raise an eyebrow.
"I know that look, Amity," Zeo commented with a straight face, making the Blight look at him. "It's that "I'm not ready for what's to come" look"
His answer made Amity sigh in disbelief. Was she that easy to read?
"Look. If you have a problem with dealing with Grom, then let me take care of it for you this year," Zeo offered, making Amity instantly concerned.
"Please, Zeo. I couldn't ask you to do that for me and don't want to owe you anything later. And not to mention, I'm not your friend. Not like how you are friends with Willow and Gus," she pointed out as Zeo waved it off.
"Luz sometimes says it's always nice to help people in need, even if they're the people you don't like," Zeo said, making Amity slightly smile at Luz's quote.
"Besides, given how you were earlier in the gym, are you afraid of Grom?" Zeo asked, making Amity's eyes go to the ground. "Or...are you afraid of what Grom would do to you when you face it?" That was the question that made her groan in embarrassment, despite Zeo not seeing her red face. "I hit the nail on the head. Look, why don't you go relax and talk to Principal Bump about me being your stand-in," Zeo suggested.
"Are you sure?" she asked as Zeo smiled at the idea.
"Yeah. Come by the Owl House later and you get to train me," Zeo explained, making Amity really think about his offer. She gets to coach him into taking on the infamous creature throughout Hexide's history and she gets to watch. Well, better him than her, but still...
"Zeo, there is no doubt in my mind that you are physically ready to handle Grom. But are you mentally...?" she commented as Zeo stood up and walked away from the campfire.
"To be honest, we won't truly know until this guy- no, this hero, your champion..." he pointed out as he stood up. "...steps into that arena against Grom to provide free entertainment to the younger princess of the Blight family...and everyone else in attendance," he added while pointing at Amity, further shocking her at his deducting skills at how accurate he was at calling her a princess, despite him not knowing much about her family, specifically, her parents. Not yet, at least.
"Overall, you talk to Principal Bump and we'll meet up after school at my house. Bring your siblings, if you want. I could use the exercise," he quickly reviewed the plan as he started walking away, back into the forest to head home. "Bye," he said as he disappeared into the darkness.
"I'm almost starting to see why Emira likes Zeo. 'Cause he'll find a solution to any problem that brings any of us down," Amity commented to herself as she stared at the campfire, slightly happier that she has a replacement ready to help her.
The Owl House…
"Hey, mom. How are you doing?" Zeo announced as he came into the house. He saw Eda brewing dinner in the kitchen area.
"Great as always. Tell me, are you ready for Grom Night?" Eda asked, excited for Zeo's first school dance.
"Yeah, but I have big news," Zeo said as he came over to his mom and took a seat.
"Oh? Like what?" Eda said, still focused on the food.
"I was considering replacing Amity as the Grom Queen—or Grom King in my case, to fight Grom on Grom Night," Zeo explained as Eda threw in some spice.
"Oh," Eda said, before the reality of those words repeated in her head. "Wait, what?" She said, stepping away from the pot to talk to her son, face to face.
"I'm going to fight Grom in Amity's place, should Bump agree to me replacing her," Zeo explained as Eda sported a frown.
"Zeo, are you sure? Fighting Grom is a way different than fighting any other creature on the Boiling Isles. Much more dangerous than the creatures you've hunted and fought in the wild and way more cunning than any person you've fought up until now. Grom is nearly in a league of its own. I want you to know that," Eda explained, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Please, don't try to talk me out of this. I've made up my mind," he answered as Eda just smirked at her son's response. Headstrong, just like her.
"Zeo, I'm not mad or sad that you want to fight Grom. And I bet it's not to prove something," she said as Zeo nervously rubbed his thumbs together.
"Well...a little bit. You know, dream of being the greatest magic-using warrior on the Boiling Isles, remember?" he reminded his mother, making her snicker.
"Yeah, I remember you saying that from time to time," Eda said as he puts her other hand on his other shoulder to make him have her have his undivided attention.
"Just no matter whatever happens in that arena, when you fight that thing, Grom, in the pit. Do not let it get to you because is notoriously known for exposing your greatest weaknesses. And if you don't have any weaknesses, it will make you face your greatest fears," Eda explained as Zeo absorbed the information coming out of his mom's mouth.
"I'm serious, Zeo. Nothing hurts more than when Grom forces to you do something you will not like, especially in a life-or-death match that will be putting the future of Hexide at risk. So, no pressure, but you got this. You're my son, after all," she said, giving Zeo a small peck on the forehead.
"Thanks, mom. I needed that," Zeo said as Eda smiled, pointing to his forehead, but Zeo just smiled. "You know, I was talking about the pep-talk for Grom, right?" Zeo said as he got up from his seat.
"I know, Zee-Zee" Eda said while rubbing his head.
The Next Day…
It had been some time since Zeo and Luz had arrived home from school. Amity and the twins would be here in a few minutes, so he decided to check up on Luz.
"Hey Luz, you want to help me train when the Blights get here?" Zeo asked his girlfriend.
"Sure" Luz smiled as she sent a text on her phone to her mom, which was just a smile emoji, "But first, which outfit for the dance do you prefer?" she held up to outfits. One was a short, black dress with a tutu-like skirt and a yellow crescent moon on the chest, while the other… the other was freakin' otter costume.
"Go with the dress, it'll look good on you. Besides, it's less degrading" Zeo told her.
"What it be able to fit over these though?" Luz gestured to her chest.
"Why wouldn't it?" Zeo looked at her, confused. Luz replied by lifting her hoodie, showing her tank top, but more specifically her situation. "Oh. That's why…" he said, his cheeks heating up a bit.
"Yeah. They're as big as they are when I'm in my paladin form!" Luz said, pulled her hoodie back down.
"Uh… is that good or bad?" Zeo raised an eyebrow.
"Depends. Do you like them like this?" Luz turned her head, still looking at him while shyly rubbing her arm.
"Well, actually… yes" Zeo admitted, looking away with a nervous blush.
"Then it's good" Luz said with a small giggle.
"Luz, Zeo, you guys have guests!" Hooty said in a sing-song voice as he entered through the window.
"Out, Hooty!" Zeo said, pointing outside, the house demon slithering back out the room. That's when Amity appeared, covered in feathers.
"If that bird-tube ever talks to me again, I'm going to destroy it." Amity said with an annoyed scowl.
"And no one would blame you" Zeo said.
"Ready to train, Zeo? Because if you can't defeat Grom, everyone on the island will have to live out their worst nightmare." Amity told him.
"Bring it on, Mittens" Zeo said with a determined look.
"You wanna hear my worst nightmare?" Hooty asked, pressing up his face against Amity's. Amity blinked.
The next thing anyone knew, there were crashes as Hooty's body writhes as he screamed as he was repeatedly hit by Amity. Luz tried to stop her… to no avail whatsoever.
Minutes later, Luz and Zeo where out in front of the house with the Blight siblings. Hooty was covered in bandages and wearing an eyepatch.
"She warned you not to speak to her." Zeo said as Heal-icorn used her magic to heal Hooty.
"I get that. But did you have to lend her that Sledgerammer thing?!" Hooty complained as the latest Beast Weapon was resting on the side of the house.
"Had to test it on something" Zeo smirked maliciously.
"Alright, Zeo. Listen, Grom will transform into your worst fear, so you need to be ready. What do you fear?" Amity asked, her siblings standing on either side of Zeo.
"Wanna say our greatest fears?" Edric asked Emira, "On three. One, two... being alone forever!" he said.
"Being stuck with you forever" Emira said, overlapping her brother. Edric groaned lightly with a hang of his head. "But I wouldn't mind being alone with Zeo forever…" she added in her head, glancing at the beast summoner out of the corner of her eye with a smirk.
"I don't think I have any fears" Zeo said with an unsure shrug.
"Oh, come on, Zeo. I know you're tough, but even tough guys have fears" Edric said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Do you at least have any worries?" Amity asked.
"Hm…" Zeo looked down in thought. He then turned his head to his girlfriend, "I guess I would be worried about having to fight my loved ones, and them shunning and hating me, wishing that wasn't a part of their lives to begin with. Especially Mom and Luz" he told them.
"Aww!" Luz and Emira both said sympathetically.
"Don't worry, Zeo. How about you practice with me in my paladin form to put you at easy?" Luz offered.
"Alright. I kind of want to test out Luzura's new form anyway" Zeo said while pulling out his cards.
"New form? Luzura has a new form?!" Luz beamed with excitement. No sooner than when she said that, her doppelganger appeared on her own.
"Yeah" Zeo said while summoning Knight Owl and Magma Lizard and merging them together to form Infern-Owl.
"Well then…" Luz started, using the Mind Meld card to merge herself with Luzura, "Let's test it out" she said.
Zeo nodded, "Fusion Vortex!" he tossed the fusion card between the two.
They entered the vortex which then exploded in a swirling pillar of light, darkness, and fire. The pillar dissipated, revealing Luz in a form similar to her Owl Paladin form, albeit an orange version instead of black, and gold instead of silver. And instead of golden yellow, Luz's eyes had turned blue.
"Nice!" Zeo smiled, "We'll call this Luzura—"
"Wait!" Luz cut him off.
"What?" Zeo looked at her.
"Can I name the form this time?" Luz asked innocently. Zeo gestured for her to go ahead. "I am Luzura, the Phoenix Paladin!" Luz said dramatically with a pose. When she did, there was an explosion behind her.
The Blight siblings looked between each other. Where did that explosion come from?
"Not bad. I probably would've come up with the same thing" Zeo smirked, "You're not the only one with a new form though, Luz" he said while pulling out four cards.
He then summoned his own doppelganger, along with Crimson-Eyes Onyx Dragon, and Frost Lizard. Like Luz, Zeo merged with his doppelganger.
"Fusion Vortex!" Zeo tossed the fusion card between Crimson-Eyes and Frost Lizard.
Both reptiles turned into wisps and entered the portal which exploded into a swirling pillar of ice and darkness. When the pillar dissipated, there was Crimson-eyes, albeit with icy blue plating all over its body, an icy blue faceplate, and white horns. It eyes had changed from red to white. The plating had an icy mist to it, and every time the dragon exhaled, you could see its breath like would in freezing cold temperatures, signifying just how cold it could be… which kind of had a double meaning to it.
"I give you Sub-Zero Onyx Dragon!" Zeo introduced his latest beast, who released a mighty roar that filled the air.
"Cool! In both senses of the word" Luz beamed.
"And now for the next step" Zeo held up another card, "Fusion Vortex!" he tossed the card between himself and his dragon.
They entered the vortex which exploded in another exploding pillar of ice and darkness. When the pillar dissipated this time, there stood Zeo in his Dragon Warrior form, albeit a black and icy blue version with white trims.
"Aw yeah!" Zeo admired his new form, "Call me Sub-Zeo"
"Heh. Just try not to rip out anyone's spine" Luz joked, everyone looking at her with confusion, "It's a pop culture reference back in the human realm. I'll tell you about it later" she told them.
"Ok then. Ready, Luz?" Zeo asked, pulling out the Shield of Conquest, which had gone from black to black and cyan.
"You know it, boyfriend" Luz pulled out the card for Owlcalibur, except it was different. Instead of being a broadsword like usual, it was a scimitar, a short sword with a curved blade that broadens towards the tip. "Phoenixcalibur?" Luz looked at the card questionably, and then shrugged, "Beast Weapon: Phoenixcalibur, arise!" she shouted, bringing out the weapon that had a small phoenix on the end of the hilt. Like Zeo's Dragon Blade, Pheonixcalibur's blade lit on fire.
The two beast-themed warriors stared each other down for a few seconds. They smirked, and then flew at each other, clashing their weapons.
"Hey, Zeo. You have a sec?" Emira asked as Zeo was taking a break, the beast summoner having reverted back to his normal state, as did Luz.
"Hey, Emira. What up?" Zeo asked.
"I know you're helping mittens out with Grom and all, but since the event isn't until tonight, do you think you've got a second to help me get a few ingredients for my small side project," she asked as she handed him a list and he began to read the contents.
"You're in luck. Some of this stuff mom already has, and the rest I can get from Grizz, Tabby, and Morton… at a discount" Zeo said, pulling out a small bag of catnip, the extra strong kind for the cat lady.
"Thanks, Zeo," Emira said as she gave him a bag of snails. "If you get me everything on that list before you have to fight Grom, you get to keep what's left of what's in the bag."
Zeo didn't realize it at first, but he just became an errand boy.
"Fine. At least it's something to keep me distracted from Grom until the dance. I'll catch you later for your project," he said.
"Thanks, Zeo," Emira said, giving him a hug and a quick peck on the cheek as he rolled his eyes.
"Let me know how your project comes out. I want to be surprised with what it can do," Zeo said.
"Sure," Emira says as a guilty smile creeps onto her face as Zeo looked away. "You have no idea what you are in for, handsome," Emira said in her head as she let go of her potential victim in the future.
After the training session, Zeo went into town and talked to Grizz, Tabby, and Morton about the items on the list and if they were in stock.
Hexside Academy…
The dance was in full swing. Rockabilly-style music is playing in the background. Couples awkwardly dance on the danced floor. Willow donned corsages onto some guests, Grimrose perched on top of her head. Eda leaned against a pillar with her arms folded.
Tonight, Eda wore a formfitting black tuxedo with a red tie, a red skirt that stopped just above her knees, and black boots. She looked at her watch, it was only a matter of time before her son had to fight Grom.
"You ok, Eda?" King asked, walking up to the Owl Lady.
"Honestly, King, I don't know" Eda said while looking off, "I saw Zeo training earlier. On the one hand, I'm excited to see him take on Grom" she briefly smiled, "But on the other…" that smile soon faded, "Where's the fun in watching a kid almost get eaten if it's my kid?" she muttered with some concern as she looked Zeo, who was on the other side of the gym, dancing with Luz.
"You're about to face Grom in a little while. Are you nervous?" Luz as she slow danced with Zeo, wearing the dress he picked which surprisingly covered her chest. She also wore matching high heeled shoes.
"Maybe a little, but that training we did earlier helped to steel my nerves" Zeo said, Luz chuckling before kissing his cheek.
"Excuse me" they both turned to see Willow, "Mind if I cut in?" she asked kindly.
"Not at all. I don't mind you having a dance with Zeo" Luz said as her boyfriend separated.
"Actually, I was hoping I could just talk… with you, Luz" Willow said, looking at her human friend.
"Oh. You ok with that Zeo?" Luz asked her boyfriend. Zeo looked at Willow, who gave him a knowing wink. It only took a second for him to realize what the plant witch was planning.
"Uh, no, I don't mind. Go ahead, Willow" Zeo smiled, winking back at her.
"Thanks. And take Grimrose with you" Willow said while handing the plant creature to the summoner, "Something tells me you'll need her during your fight with Grom. Plus, it'd be nice for her to spend time with her dad" she added.
"Thanks, Willow. You two have fun" Zeo said before walking off with Grimrose.
When they were alone, the two girls looked at each other.
"Luz, there's something that I need to tell you…" Willow started.
"You're in love with Zeo just like me?" Luz asked, raising an eyebrow of amusement.
"How did you…" Willow looked at her wide eyes.
"Just a hunch" Luz shrugged, "I mean, after all the good he's done, especially for us, who wouldn't be in love with Zeo? He's such an amazing guy" she said.
"That's true" Willow said in agreement with that usual cute giggle of hers.
Over at the punch bowl, Emira poured drinks into two cups. The eldest Blight sister grabbed the drinks, headed over to the bleachers and sat next to her brother, setting the drinks beside her.
"Oh, hey, thanks" Edric reached for one of the drinks, only for Emira to slap his hand, "Ow…" Edric said while rubbing his hand.
"They're not for us! They're for Luz and Zeo" Emira told him sternly.
"Oh. Yeah, I'm sure the guy will be parched once he's done fighting Grom" Edric said.
"Uh… yeah. That's why I got these…" Emira said with a guilty smirk.
Emira pulled out a vial of pink liquid from her dress pocket. It was a good thing Zeo got those ingredients from her list earlier. She poured half of the liquid into one of the drinks, and then the other half into the second drink, a small pink mist spewing from them which quickly vanished. Perfect.
"Now, introducing our Grom King" Bump started, getting everyone's attention, "In just a short amount of time, he's gained quite the reputation at Hexside. He's one of the top students, as well as one of the most popular… Zeo Clawthorne!" he said, the spotlight falling upon Zeo, who was talking to Eda near the pillar she as leaning against.
"Guess that's my cue. Wish me luck" Zeo said as he walked off with Grimrose perched on his head.
"Good luck, kiddo…" Eda muttered as she headed over to the bleachers, sitting next to Emira.
A pedestal with the button from earlier crawled up to Bump, who then pressed the giant button. This caused the floor to split apart, revealing the pit and the wall of weapons. Although, since this was Zeo, he'd most likely be using his own. Everyone gathered on the bleachers, Amity sitting next to Edric while Luz and others sat beside or around Eda. They all watched as Zeo and Grimrose entered the pit.
"Alright, where are you, you nightmare-inducing bastard?" Zeo asked while looking around. He turned when he heard a sloshing sound and saw the nightmare creature, "You ready, Grimrose?" he looked at the botanical creature on his head.
*chirp* "I'm always ready to help you, Papa" Grimrose replied with an eager tone.
They watched as Grom took form. The nightmare creature took the form of someone never would've expected. It transformed into Willow, along with her own Grimrose.
"Huh. Looks like I'm going to be fighting Willow…" Zeo muttered to himself.
"Grom transformed into Willow? Why?" Amity asked.
"Oh look, Grimrose. That sorry walking sack of weed-killer called a father is back. I wonder what kind of disappointment of a father figure you're going to show me and my daughter today, " Grom Willow said as she petted her Grimrose, who hissed in Zeo's direction, making him sport a glare and scowl.
Everyone watching gaped at the Grom version of the plant witch before looking over at the real Willow in shock.
"I would never say that to Zeo. Not even on my worst day," Willow defended as she felt like crying.
"Grom really must be digging deep into Zeo's mind to mess with him like this. You think he can do this?" Gus asked Luz, while rubbing Willow's shoulder for comfort.
"Zeo has been through a lot up to this point, so all I can do is watch and wait." Luz answered as she put her hands together as if she was ready to start praying.
"Starting off with them is a bad move, Grom. Now, you get to see firsthand what happens when people mess with my emotions... and since you aren't the real Willow that's watching this match right now..." Zeo began as he eyes the trio up top with a smile before looking back at the evil Willow. "...that means that I can tear you apart without consequence."
"Then, what are you waiting for? A bad girl monologue? Come get some toxic tough love from your future ex-wife and ex-daughter to make up for your failure as a father to protect us," Grom Willow said, before putting Grimrose down. "Grimrose, Evolve! And let's get him...together. Momma wants him to suffer before we bury him alive underneath our garden with the title "Worst Warrior of a Father Figure Ever" on the gravestone."
Grom Grimrose hissed and took form. In a quick flash of light, the stood Grimrose in her evolved form, albeit with glowing white eyes. Everyone gasped, seeing as how she now looked similar to Willow.
"Two can play that game…" Zeo muttered, holding a card between his fingers, "Rank-Up-Magic Arcane Force!" he shouted as the card changed into a ball of energy that he crushed in his hand. He then threw a punch, sending into Grimrose. Just as before, the botanical creature was encased in a large rose, "Go, Rank-Up Beast Evolution!" Zeo shouted as a pillar of green light shot out of the rose, "Appear, Grimrose Witch!" he said.
The light then dissipated as Grimrose descended, now in her evolved Willow look-a-like form. This made the Grom Willow and Grom Grimrose frown that the challenger as she evened the playing field.
"...Hello... sister..." Grom Grimrose greeted with disdain and hate at the real Grimrose, who sported a frown while having mixed feelings about what she was seeing before her. She knew this was an evil twin, but the thought of her having a sister was the last thing she'd ever expected. Nevertheless, fighting her sister like this on their very first interaction...
"Talk about a Grimrose mirror match," Gus said in shock.
"With two different witches supporting her. Do you think Zeo has what it takes to outwit and overpower your evil twin and her Grimrose?" Luz asked the original plant witch.
"I don't know," Willow answered with uncertainty and mentally prayed for a victory to Zeo and Grimrose.
Zeo could tell that Grimrose was feeling uncomfortable about this match.
"Grimrose, remember," Zeo said to comfort his surrogate daughter in a hug. "That is not you. And that is definitely not momma because momma is up there watching us. So, let's make momma proud by stopping these evil look-a-likes before they get the chance to hurt momma and everyone else," Zeo instructed while pointing at Willow, who watching the match from high above.
"Right, Zeo," Grimrose said with some new determination as she knew what she was about to do was the right thing. "I'll take my sister. You take evil Willow," Grimrose said as she flew up and went for her sister, tackling her to the far wall of the arena to have their bout while Zeo focused on Grom Willow.
"Good strategy, Grimrose. Keeping them separated will help prevent combo spell attacks," Zeo said as he went for Grom Willow before she could assist her Grimrose.
Grom Willow drew a spell circle and slammed her hand on the ground. The ground shook as several thorny vines sprouted around her in a circle. One of the vines swiped at Zeo, but luckily, he was quick enough to jump backward out of the way.
"Ok, you think I'm a weed killer? Alright then. Beast Weapon: Drago-cycle, arise!" Zeo tossed the card, summoning the dragon motorcycle.
"Aw yeah! My favorite of Zeo's beast weapons!" Luz beamed as her boyfriend hopped on his bike.
Zeo rode around in a donut, and then drove towards Grom Willow. He popped a wheelie before the Drago-cycle slammed its tail on the ground, launching Zeo and itself into the air. Recently, Zeo had been able to psychically speak with the Drago-cycle, just as he was able to with his beasts, which allowed him to switch the bike from vehicle mode to weapon mode as he flipped through the air.
Then swung his arms around, cutting down each of the vines. Grom Willow drew multiple spell circles to grow and regenerate the vines. However, due to the magical ability of Drago-cycle, the regeneration happened at a slower and slower rate each time they were cut down.
Grom Willow drew another spell circle and slammed her hand on the ground, summoning the same giant flower that the real Willow summoned against the greater basilisk. It proved useless though as Zeo gave a horizontal slash, causing the plant monster to poof away. Grom Willow back away and tried to form another spell circle, only for Zeo to spin and slash her across the abdomen, causing her to scream as she reverted back into black goo. With that done, Zeo spun his body around, psychically messaging to tell the Drago-cycle to revert back to its vehicle mode.
*Boom* There was an explosion on the other side of the arena. One of the Grimroses was sent flying out of the cloud of smoke. Zeo could tell it was his Grimrose because she didn't have the glowing eyes that Grom Grimrose had. Grimrose used her wings to stop herself from hitting the ground, stop just in front of Zeo. Grom Grimrose was flying up above, just a yard away. A large flower then appeared in front of Grom Grimrose, which she then took into her hands.
"Uh-oh…" Zeo and Grimrose said in concerned unison.
"Say goodnight, sister…" Grom Grimrose said with an evil smirk. She then charged the cannon with red energy.
"Zeo…" Grimrose looked over her shoulder at her surrogate father.
"On it" Zeo said, pulling out one of Grimrose's command cards, "Command Card: Flower Cannon!" he tossed the card into Grimrose's back.
The real Grimrose's own giant flower appeared in front of which she grabbed and charged with blue energy. The two Grimroses then fired their attacks, the two beams colliding in the middle which lit up the whole gym in red and blue lights. Everyone awed at the light show.
"Can she win?" Gus asked.
"I know she can!" Luz said.
"Grimrose…" Willow clenched her eyes shut, but then snapped them open, her eyes now glowing green just like she did whenever she was angry.
This in turn caused the real Grimrose's eyes to glow as well. The humanoid plant creature yelled as her own beam grew larger, her evil twin's eyes widening in horror. Grom Grimrose screamed as she was enveloped in the beam. After a few seconds, the beam dissipated, leaving only a black goop which fell to the ground and rejoined with the rest of its body.
"Good night, sister…" Grimrose said with a smug smirk, panting a little as the glow faded from her eyes.
"Willow boosted your power with some of hers again, didn't she?" Zeo questioned, knowing just how that beam got bigger in the struggle.
"Uh-huh," Grimrose looked over her shoulder at him, giving him a nod.
"Nice" Zeo smiled, "You look tired from firing that energy blast. Why don't you go rest with your mom? I can handle the rest myself," he told her.
"Thanks" Grimrose said, walking over to him, giving him a quick kiss upon his cheek and a hug, "Good luck, papa" she said before taking flight and flying over to Willow on the bleachers. She hovered above Willow and reverted back to her base form, the evolution card flying back to Zeo as she fell into Willow's lap.
"You did a good job, Grimrose" Willow told the botanical creature as she petted her leaves.
*chirp* "Thanks, momma" Grimrose replied, and then turned to watch the rest of Zeo's fight with Grom.
Zeo sat on his bike as he watched Grom start to take another form. Grom had shapeshifted into the eldest of the Blight siblings, Emira.
"Oh, this should be good. Right, Em?" Edric teased, only to receive a punch in the arm by his twin, "Ow…" he groaned while rubbing his arm.
"Well, well. If it isn't Zeo. Tell me, lover boy, want a piece of this?" Grom Emira asked, gesturing to herself.
"I'm pretty sure nobody does," Zeo answered with a frown. Just to be clear, he was referring to Grom Emira. The real Emira on the other hand… she was a maybe.
"Too bad, because all of this is for you," Grom Emira pointed out, flaunting her sex appeal out. The real Emira liked the show, but she didn't like her shadow version being too open and upfront about her feelings.
"Sorry, Emira. I'm spoken for," Zeo argued, not interested.
"But that doesn't mean I can't still have fun with you, Zeo…" Emira thought to herself with a devious smirk.
"Aww...fearing that your girlfriend won't like you having some fun with a more mature girl with a better hourglass figure, bigger chest and rump?" Grom Emira teased flirtatiously.
All the girls in attendance looked in Luz's direction, who could only cough in response.
"Figures. You always hold back on your friends, but when it comes to your enemies, you go all out," Grom Emira argued.
"That's because I don't want my friends being caught in the crossfire when I do go all out," Zeo pointed out in anger.
"Well, then show me. 'Cause I bet you a real man won't hold back on me," she said, pulling out a wand with a sinister smile creeping on her face.
"As you wish, Em," Zeo said, hopping off his bike and charging at the nightmare version of the eldest Blight sibling while summoning the Dragon Blade.
Grom Emira quickly casts and launches a fire spell at Zeo, forcing him to dodge to the side as she casts another spell on herself and slowly disappears into the dark corners of the arena before Zeo could get a good look back at where she was.
"Time to play a game of keep-away, Zeo," Grom Emira says out loud, forcing echoes around the pit. "Try to find me before I get to you."
Within a few moments of silence, Zeo knew she was killing time to make him impatient and stir crazy to get an opportunity to strike with his back turned.
"She camouflaged? Makes sense because the real Emira is an illusionist, along with her brother and Gus. But that means she's limited to only using small distraction tactics to keep me on my toes until she hits one of my blind spots." Zeo said to himself.
Suddenly, numerous Grom Emiras come out of the darkness like an army to swarm around Zeo, making everyone fear for Zeo's safety as he's about to be overwhelmed.
"How's he supposed to get out this?" Emira asked with concern.
"Don't worry, Zeo will find a way. He always does" Luz said with a faithful tone.
Zeo then summoned Sledgerammer, the ram-based beast weapon falling into his hands. He raised his arms above his head before slamming the weapon on the ground, making several stalagmites pop out of the ground, hitting a majority of the Grom Emira's, causing them to vanish. There was one left which Zeo tossed right at her face, causing her to vanish like the others. When the last Grom Emira fell and disappeared, all was quiet like before and sure enough, none of these Grom Emiras were the leader, making Zeo grumble in anger.
"Where are you...?" Zeo asks out loud as he stood still and looked around.
"...Here..." she answered in a whisper, slightly scaring Zeo stiff before trapping Zeo's neck with her right arm and her left hand on the side of his head for perfect behind-the-back chokehold, shocking the audience. And since Grom isn't a witch, it can get creative on how to manually subdue or kill someone without the use of spells.
"Not good. Grom's adapting. It was able to create a distraction within that last attack and now she has him in a prune position," Gus says in surprise at Grom's change in tactics.
"So, you're telling us...," Luz began as if this just got life-or-death serious.
"...If Zeo tries to fight back, he could die, right now, before our eyes?" Amity finishes in shock as she felt like she didn't want to talk or watch the match anymore.
Oh, boy," Willow says with worry as everyone looks back down in the pit at the struggling Zeo and the smirking Grom Emira.
Grom Emira's got a good grip on Zeo with both hands on his head with Zeo at her mercy. All Grom Emira had to do was snap Zeo's neck and it's over, and with Zeo in her grasp, she can now have his undivided attention.
"Come on, handsome. Come here and give me a kiss before you die," Grom Emira encouraged while perking her lips out like a puffer fish, making the real Emira frown, inwardly disgusted at the nightmare version's attempt at making a move on the trapped Zeo.
"I'd rather take my chances with the real Emira. But if you insist..." Zeo says with a smirk as he quickly summons something onto his right hand while Grom Emira smiled at Zeo's response. "Then, kiss this bitch," Zeo said as he slams his right hand into Grom Emira's face.
*POW*
"Ouch," Gus mutters, saying what everyone wanted to say while the girls were shocked at what Zeo did.
But apparently, out of the view of Grom Emira and most of the audience, Zeo quietly summoned the Lion Gauntlet onto his right hand and clocks Grom straight in her face. If she had a skeleton, her face would've been crushed inward.
"You think you would've seen that coming," Zeo said in unamused look at the evil Emira, who couldn't speak but only sported a dazed look on her face, completely surprised at Zeo's sneak attack.
And before she could get any feeling back in her arms and legs to get up, Zeo brings the gauntlet fist down on Grom Emira's for another punch, making the ground crack around her head. He kept doing it to her face again and again and again until he was sure she wasn't moving anymore.
"Wow. That hurt to watch," Edric admitted with a frown as he looked at his sister, who looked at him with a glare.
"Speak for yourself, bro. You're not the one whose face he just caved in," she commented with a huff, making Edric groan that he just made his sister madder than usual.
"So far, Zeo has put on quite the show and has done surprisingly well. But can he keep it up?" Bump said over the microphone, acting as a spectator of sorts.
"What kind of question that? It's Zeo. Of course, he can keep it up" Eda muttered, "At least… I hope…" she said, giving a faint look of concern.
"That was close. I almost got kissed and killed by a sludgy nightmare monster…" Zeo said to himself while rubbing and popping his neck, returning Sledgerammer back to its card form,"Alright, what's next, Grom?" he asked the black sludge as it started shapeshifting again.
The nightmare creature rose, taking form of the one and only human on the Boiling Isles.
"Luz…?" Zeo took a step back.
"Taking that form of his girlfriend? Now that's just low" Gus folded his arms with disapproval.
"Oh, great. My ex-boyfriend has come back to me," Grom Luz said in a disappointed tone. "Tell me. How are the other girls treating you? Better than I ever could, right?"
"That's not me," the real Luz mutters in shock at what she's hearing.
"Come on, Luz. You know you're the one I love" Zeo answered simply, not wanting to hear what this mirrored version of his girlfriend had to say.
"Oh, right," she says with an eye roll. "I see the way you look at Willow and Grimrose as if they were your wife and daughter. I mean, you could've at least made me the godmother. Or how Emira flirts with you as if you were her boy toy to make any guy in school jealous. Or when you and Viney were lab partners in taking care of those roc eggs like parents. And don't get me started on you being invited to Skara's party. No matter how you spin it, Zeo, you always care about yourself and others, but not me," she said with anger.
"He got invited to Skara's party?" Luz and the teens in their group asked with surprise.
"Yeah. Although, it shouldn't really be that surprising at this point" Amity said, kind of having a point to her statement. It'd be surprising if Zeo hadn't been invited to Skara's party.
"Note to self: invite Zeo to my birthday party" Emira muttered to herself.
"Owl Paladin Mode!" Grom Luz shouted as she transforms into Owl Paladin outfit as she stares Zeo down from above while she hovered above him. "Now, Zeo. It's time for you to fight someone on even ground. Go ahead and transform into your Dragon Warrior form because I've been waiting to see which one of us is the better fighter...or don't," she encouraged as she landed on the ground with her sword at the ready, pointing at Zeo. "Because I'll still wipe the floor with you and your cards with the anger you gave me."
With that, Zeo summoned his doppelganger, along with Crimson-Eyes and Frost Lizard. He soon merged with his doppelganger before fusing the two reptiles together and summoning Sub-Zero Onyx Dragon, the ice dragon releasing a mighty roar.
"Then, show me that anger, Luz…" Zeo said while tossing the fusion card between himself and his dragon, transforming Zeo into the ice variant of his Dragon Warrior form, "Show me that it's enough to kill me," he said, making the Grom Luz charge at him with anger in her eyes with the intent to kill him, here and now.
Zeo quickly summoned the Dragon Blade and parried Grom Luz's own sword. Everyone watched as the two warriors took to the air, flying around and clashing their weapons.
"So, the form Zee-Zee took is an ice variant of his Dragon Warrior form, right? All he has to do is freeze her wings and she's down for the count" Eda noted as she watched her son fight against the nightmare version of her apprentice.
"True, but knowing Zeo, he'll probably either do something edgy or flashy," Luz said as Zeo and her evil counterpart dodged and blocked each other's attacks.
As both individuals clashed, a warrior's sword vs a dark paladin's sword, both held up their side of the stalemate.
"I never should've casted that cloning spell that day. Cause at least I would've been more focused and happier on my training at being a witch," Grom Luz commented, making the witnessing Luz nearly faint at what she just heard as the fire on Zeo's sword intensified.
"You take that back!" Zeo shouted as he pushed her back and swipes his sword across hers. Grom Luz tried to block it, but the contact between weapons ended up Zeo's sword splitting Grom's Luz's sword in two, shocking the dark paladin.
"You were right about one thing. I don't need you..." Zeo said as Grom Luz tried to stab Zeo with what remained of her sword, but Zeo blocks it, parrying the broken sword out of her hands, ending with a frontal stab into the Grom Luz's abdomen, forcing Grom Luz to look Zeo square in the eyes.
"...But she needs me," Zeo finished, pointing to the elevated Luz, as he pulls the sword out Grom Luz's abdomen, forcing her to fall onto the floor and shapeshift into something else.
Zeo descended to the ground in front of the shapeshifting Grom, recalling the Dragon Blade back into its card form. He watched as the nightmare creature transformed, hopefully for the last time. It was fun the first two or three times, but it was getting old now. Zeo, however, was caught off guard when the sludge creature touched a tendril to his forehead, making his eyes glow. The tendril retreated, and then Grom took its newest form.
There stood Grom with long, silver hair. That red dress and those red boots. Those golden eyes. That protruding golden fang. It had taken the form of the wild witch of Bonesborough…
"Mom?" Zeo looked at the nightmare version of his mother while everyone else looked at the real Eda, who covered her face with her bangs in embarrassment.
"And I thought Grom transforming into Luz was a low move…" Gus muttered.
"Oh, it's you," Grom Eda said in an uncaring tone as she didn't bother to look in his direction. "Don't you have to go on another pointless journey or contract to earn money, my attention and respect or something?" the Grom Eda chided as Zeo flinched at the insult while real Eda glared at that jab since this is how she was before, but not in this condescending tone.
"I…" Zeo started.
"You're inadequate" Grom Eda glanced at him, "You're not my son. You were never my son. Luz made you by mistake. And that's what you always were since you were born... a mistake," Grom Eda said.
"Ooh!" Everyone said in cringed unison.
"That had to sting" Edric commented with some guilt.
"Ow. Right in the feels…" Zeo said, clenching his heart as it emotionally hurt. Sure, he was technically never born, but it still hurt to hear those words coming from his mother's mouth.
"And this'll hurt even more," Grom Eda said while summoning her staff. She then vanished and reappeared right behind him. She swung her staff at his head, but Zeo was quick to lean back and parry it with his shield.
Zeo pushed back, flying back several feet to gain some distance. Grom Eda spun her staff, creating a large spell circle that launched that shot a powerful blast of fire. Zeo was able to block the attack with his shield, but it pushed him back a few more feet before it dissipated.
"What's wrong, Zeo? Too scared to fight against your mommy?" Grom Eda asked with a mocking tone, "Or maybe you're just too weak. You wouldn't dare fight your own mother" she added, "Too weak be a witch. Too weak be a warrior. Too weak to be my son. Like I said, a mistake" she said, each sentence stinging his heart, "If you were born the natural way, I'd have disowned you the minute you came out of me!"
That last one made Zeo hang his head, his grip on his shield loosening a bit. The corners of his eyes started to brim with tears. As if her maternal instincts had kicked in, Eda clenched her fists and growled in anger at what her evil nightmare counterpart had said to her boy.
"Zeo!" Eda shouted.
"Huh?" Zeo lifted his head, looking over his shoulder at the real version of his mom.
"Come on, Zeo. You got this. Besides, if she were really your mother, she would be telling you to fight her and not hold back. Because a Clawthorne never gives up, no matter what's thrown our way!" Eda shouted from her seat.
"Mom…" Zeo whispered under his breath, blinking away the tears and wiping his eyes, mother and son smiling back at each other. The summoner then looked back at the nightmare version of his mother.
"That's what you think, mom. If I'm a mistake then why can't I stop impressing you? Magic or not, nothing will stop me from reaching the top like you did. And that's why I'm your son. And as your son, I have one final test to complete. In order for the student to graduate, the student must beat the teacher. And now, I must beat this creature before me, posing as my mother to the point of death," Zeo said pointing straight at Grom Eda, who didn't look intimidated at all.
"You can't kill me. I'm immortal," Grom Eda said with confidence.
"But you can still be trapped like any person or thing in the Conformatorium. Maybe it's time I send you back down into your prison before you get homesick," Zeo said as he and Grom Eda squared off. As Eda saw the scene play out, she could only say one small sentence to get her excited for what came next.
"Get her, Zeo," Eda said as they both screamed bloody murder and charged at each other. When they collided, a rush of wind blew past the audience in every direction.
Zeo delivered a hard kick to Grom Eda's stomach, sending her flying back into a few of the stalagmites, shattering them. The blade of Zeo's shield popped out as he dashed towards the nightmare creature and swung the weapon. Zeo appeared a few feet behind Grom Eda, his back to her. A slit then opened up on her left cheek, black ooze leaking out. Grom Eda turned to Zeo, growing with gritted teeth and an angry glare as he turned to her with a smirk.
"You worthless, disrespectful little brat…" Grom Eda's eyes glowed as the lower half of her body shapeshifted into a large mass with four legs and two hands, a large mouth in front which roared, "How do you injure your mother like that!" she said, her voice now distorted.
"Actually…" Zeo put his shield away, "I think mother would be proud that I was able to land an attack like that" he said, glancing at Eda who nodded in both confirmation and approval.
The beast summoner then held out his hand, the palm facing upward as he generated a large ball of icy energy. Grom Eda crawled towards Zeo, the lower half of her body roaring with its jaw wide open. Zeo tossed the ice ball into the air then launched himself upward. Once at level with the attack, he performed a corkscrew.
"Frozen Apocalypse!" Zeo shouted before striking the energy ball with a swift and powerful kick, the attack launching with a curve as it entered the mouth of Grom Eda's lower body.
The lower half of Grom Eda's body chomped on the attack. That's when beams of icy blue light pierced through parts of the lower half of Grom Eda's lower body. There was a brief flash as the nightmare creature started to become encased in ice. Zeo flew toward Grom Eda, and stood on the now frozen lower half of her body, the ice starting to make its way up to the upper half.
"So, how'd I do?" Zeo asked smugly, his face just inches away from Grom Eda's.
Grom Eda growled annoyance until she got a good whiff of him. She taken back a bit from it. That stench. Grom Eda chuckled, making Zeo look at her with confusion.
"Well, well. I knew I smelled something familiar…" Grom said, its voice now sounding like Megatron from Transformers: Beast Wars. "Yes, their stench is all over you. It's no wonder you beat me"
"What? Who? Who's stench?" Zeo raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, you don't know? Well, where's the fun in telling you that?" Grom said with an evil chuckle as the finally froze its head.
Zeo clenched his fists, trembling in irritation. He then summoned the Sledgerammer again, and then shot high into the air.
"Tectonic Crush!" Zeo shouted as he brought the hammer down on the now frozen nightmare monster statue, shattering it into a million pieces that flew across the gym. Luckily, no one was hit.
"Zeo has… defeated Grom…" Bump said with a surprised look, and then smiled, "Zeo has defeated Grom!" he announced, everyone in attendance cheering and clapping for the victor.
Zeo sighed with relief and hopped back on the Drago-cycle as he drove out of the pit and around to the bleachers where his friend and Eda were.
"Zeo, you were awesome!" Luz beamed as she ran up and threw her arms around him in a tight hug, everyone else chattering in agreement.
"Yeah, Grimrose and I so proud of you" Willow said, the botanical creature perched on top of her head.
*chirp* "You were great, papa" Grimrose said.
"Thanks, guys" Zeo smiled.
"I kind of thought he was done for during the fight with Grom versions of Emira and Eda" King commented. Zeo retaliated by firing an ice beam from his hand, freezing the small demon solid.
"Zeo!" Luz looked at her boyfriend with a stern expression.
"Don't worry, he's still alive. He'll thaw out in couple hours" Zeo reassured her.
"Here, Zeo. You must be thirsty after all that fighting" Emira said, offering him a drink.
"Actually, yeah. That ice move did kind of drain me a little" Zeo said, taking the drink and guzzling it down.
"Luz?" Emira offered the human the other drink.
"Thanks. That excitement left me parched" Luz took the other drink, guzzling it down as well. A small smirk crossed Emira's face.
"Well, this has been fun, but I think it's time for us to head home" Zeo said, revving the Drago-cycle.
"You read my mind, Zee-Zee" Eda said in agreement.
"Yeah" Luz hopped on the bike behind Zeo, "Let's go, Zeo"
Zeo then rode out of the gym with his girlfriend. Eda followed close behind with a frozen King, hopping onto her staff when she left the building. After a minute, Emira groaned with a stretch of her arms.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving now. There's an… afterparty I need to get to" Emira said.
"Ooh, can I come with? My date stood me up" Edric said.
"Sorry, Ed, it for 16-year-old girls only" Emira said, "Take Mittens home once she's ready, and tell Mom and Dad I might be home late into the morning" she told him as she walked off.
"… How come I wasn't invited to any afterparties?" Edric asked no one in particular, Amity patting his back sympathetically.
Amity looked back Willow, who was feeding Grimrose some of the snacks from the snack table. She pulled out the paper from earlier. As much as she wanted to ask Willow to dance, she couldn't. She didn't have the nerve to. Amity put the paper back into her pocket and sighed internally. She saw the shattered pieces of Grom across the gym and snickered.
"I really have to thank Zeo for this one day…" Amity muttered to herself, lightly smiling with a blush crossing her face.
The Owl House…
"Woo! Watch out for this boy!" Eda said as she and the others walked through the back door. "Ah, you did well, Zee-Zee" she said, patting her son on the back.
"Thanks, Mom" Zeo smiled, "I think I'll be heading to bed now" he said with a stretch of his arms.
"Hold on" Eda placed a hand on his shoulder, turning him to face her. "Zeo, you know I would never say that stuff that the Grom version of me said, right?" she asked him.
"Of course," Zeo replied a nod.
"Good" Eda kissed his forehead, "Now, get to bed" she told him.
Zeo had just changed into his sleepwear, having put his suit away his tux. As much as he enjoyed the dance, he didn't like wearing a tux and hoped he wouldn't have to wear it again anytime soon.
"Zeo…" he turned to see Luz at the doorway, the human girl in her own sleepwear, having sent a vague text about her friends and stuff to her mom.
"Hey Luz, what's up?" Zeo asked as she sat next to him on the foot of his bed.
"I just want to tell you again how awesome you were when you fought Grom, and how sweet it was for you take it on in Amity's place" Luz told him.
"Eh, it was no big deal. I'm sure if I weren't around, you'd have done the same thing" Zeo said with a small shrug, "Although, you probably would've gotten in over your head as usual and Mom and I probably would've had to bail you out"
"I'm not as fragile as you and Eda think, Zeo" Luz said with a fold of her arms.
"Yeah, I know" Zeo said with an amused roll of his eyes.
The couple smiled at each other. Luz scooted closer to Zeo, nuzzling the nook of his neck as he draped an arm over her shoulders. Luz reached out, taking Zeo's face into her soft hands and kissed his cheek. She then moved her arms, wrapping them around his neck and assaulted his cheek with continuous kisses. Zeo chuckled as he fell backward onto his back, Luz lying on top of him. Luz pecked his lips.
"Heh. What's gotten into you?" Zeo chuckled as he felt her kiss him all over his face.
"I don't know…" Luz kissed his lips, "For some reason, I just want to attack you" she said as she leaned forward, humming as she gave him a deep kiss.
Zeo wrapped his arms around Luz's waist holding her close as they made out. He couldn't explain why, but they could both feel a heat between them. A more intense heat than when they usually made out. Zeo wasn't sure, but he could've sworn he saw a pink tint to Luz's eyes a few times. They've made a few times before, but never like this.
After a minute, Luz broke the kiss, panting to catch her breath as a line of drool ran down the corner of her mouth. That's when they heard a knock. Looking back, they could see Emira standing in the doorway.
"Emira? How the hell did you get in the house?" Zeo asked with a confused expression.
"Hooty let me in after I gave him some voles and agreed not to wake your mom up. She's asleep on the couch" Emira told them. "You two look like your having fun. Am I interrupting anything?" she said with a playful expression, faking ignorance.
"Not really…" Luz replied sheepishly. She glanced at her boyfriend, giving him a playful gaze. She then looked at Emira with half-lidded eyes and motioned her finger for her to come towards them… which she did as she closed the door behind her.
Hexisde Academy…
An hour or so after everyone left, the gym was barren, the only thing remaining being the Snaggleback and the shattered, frozen remains of Grom. That is, until a hooded figure stepped out of the shadows. They approached the destroyed remains of Grom, scooping up a few of the ice shards in their hand. The hood figure had discreetly watched the fight between Grom and Zeo earlier, even the part where he froze Grom solid and shattered with that hammer thing.
"I'm amazed that this Zeo was able to take on and defeat Grom. That's a feat not many witchlings can claim" the figure said to themselves with a smirk.
The figure pulled out a jar and dropped the shards into it, sealing it shut before putting the jar away. It wouldn't take long for the ice to melt. The figure chuckled as they walked away.
"Excuse me, could you let me down, please?" the Snaggleback asked. A bolt of lightning was shot at the rope, allowing the shelled primate to fall to the floor with a thud, "Thank you" he said.
Alright, that's the end of this chapter. Some parts in this chapter were co-written with JTWAS1994, while others were co-written with Clock King 10. IrishKatana threw a few ideas in here too.
Yes, Zeo's about to do what you think he's going to do tonight. And no, I don't care about their ages. Teenagers doing that is pretty mainstream anyway.
A lot of you have been suggesting that I change this story's rating from T to M due to some mature indications in certain chapters. Yeah, I'm not gonna do that. But since this chapter is now posted, what I am going to do is make an M rated one-shot collection story with the one-shots taking place either during or between certain chapters of the main story. I think we all know what those what one-shots are going to involve.
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