After they all decided to help Marcy they got to work finding solutions for lingering problems. Caz put forward that he could probably find Anne using his magic to triangulate her position based on him and what lingered in Marcy's body. It would probably only tell them which state she was in, but it was a lot better than having to search the entirety of Earth. Once they found her they could easily travel by staff to wherever she was. Once they found out Anne was back in California. That made the whole situation a lot easier. Marcy assured them that if Anne was there, she was at home. Camila surprised them when she revealed that she had actually met a few interested colleges during the Snake Incident, and that she could actually use them as an excuse to go visit L.A. by saying that she was thinking about changing clinics. Once there it wouldn't be a huge deal to rent an apartment using either her connections, or if they had to, by pawning gold. Apparently the act of making gold with alchemy was frowned upon on the Isles, but since it was real gold and anyone could do it, it wasn't really a big deal to them. A fact that amazed Marcy, and made Camila uncomfortable. Since it would take about a week for Camila to get the vacation approved, it gave Luz and the rest of her team time to address other issues.
"I don't know if I can do this mami," whimpered Vee.
"Mija, we discussed it and you said you wanted to stay here until we at least got a portal in the works. We decided I had to go with Luz and her friends for their cover to work. Cazador said that once he had visited our destination he could ferry people back and forth every few days, and Gus and Willow volunteered to stay with you till the rest of us had a place to stay figured out," stated Camila matter of factly. Then she softened as she said, "Carino, you know I love you, and I just want to make sure you're safe. You and I decided that you should have some adult supervision, and you choose Masha's parents. Did you change your mind? It's not too late."
"No mami. I love Masha, and I should have done this a long time ago. I'm just scared. What if they don't want to be near me anymore?" worried Vee.
"Vee, You are my adorable little sister. I love you, but if something like this is too much for them they didn't deserve you anyway. We are all here for you," said Luz as she wrapped her arms around Vee and gave her a hug.
Vee teared up a bit, "Oh Titan. I never thought I'd have a real family, but now I have a great sister, and the best mom in two, maybe three realms. I am the luckiest basilisk to ever live."
When Masha arrived at the Noceda's house they weren't sure what to expect. They had received a text out of nowhere from their girlfriend Luz, and had been asked to come over as soon as they could. Masha knew that their girlfriend was weird sometimes, and they loved her for it, but something about this felt different. Masha felt like Luz was afraid of them for some reason, and that scared them. When Masha knocked on the door Camila answered with a nervous smile, and invited her in. That was a bad sign. Luz's mom was a rock. If whatever was up made her nervous it had to be big, but Masha just thanked her and went to go wait on the couch for Luz.
"Ok mija. Masha's here," yelled Camila. And out of the kitchen stepped two Luz's… wait two!?
The Luz on the right spoke first, "Hi Masha. It's nice to meet you. I'm Luz, and this is my sister Vee. I think you know each other, but it's time you learned the truth." Masha looked at them in shock and confusion, but said nothing. "Masha, I know this is going to be a lot to accept, but as a fellow believer in magic I hope you will understand. I found a portal to another realm four months ago, and I only just got back a few days ago. In the meantime Vee took my place here, and she has been the one you have been seeing until now."
"I don't get it? Why didn't you tell me you were Luz's twin sister? I'll admit I would have been slightly miffed that you lied about your name, but it wouldn't have changed how I felt about you," stated Masha, still confused and a little hurt.
Vee then spoke up, "Because I'm not." Vee then turned back into her natural state. "I'm a basilisk, a shape changing demon from the Demon realm. I didn't even know the Noceda's when I escaped to this realm, but Mami was so kind, and I… I just wanted to be safe." Vee started to cry and Luz gave her another hug.
"It's ok Vee. I'll handle it for now, and I'll only stick to what you said was ok," soothed Luz. "Masha, Vee was a prisoner in the Demon realm. They used her like a lab animal. I won't get into it, but the old Emperor wasn't a great person. He's dead now, but it doesn't change what Vee had to go through. She came here because she was desperate. She hid who she was out of fear, but she trusts you so she doesn't want to keep it a secret from you anymore. What do you say?"
Masha got up off the couch, and slowly walked over to Vee. Slowly and carefully they took one of Vee's hands in theirs and examined it. Then they took their other hand and carefully placed it on Vee's cheek, and made her look them in the eye before whispering, "Yep. There's my girl. Vee I never cared what you looked like. I fell for the person inside. So, is it ok if I kiss you? I've always wanted to, and I think I understand why you always said, no." With a nod from Vee Masha kissed their girlfriend, and it was everything they had dreamed it would be.
Luz and Camila just let them be for a few minutes before Luz said, "I'm sorry, but there's more you need to be told about. Masha, we need your help, but it's only right that we tell you our stories. It's going to be a lot so this is your chance to run. I promise we will respect your decision."
Masha looked at Luz, and said confidently, "I want in. I love Vee, so by the goddess fill me in."
Masha's choice of words made Luz laugh slightly, before she said, "But which one?"
For the next two hours Luz, Vee, and Marcy took turns filling in Masha on what had been going on the last five months, and what was coming. At the end Masha just sat there as she took it all in. After a few minutes she looked at Luz and said, "So let me get this straight. You went to a different realm to become a witch and ended up a goddess for lack of a better term."
"Titan, but semantics," answered Luz.
Masha continued as she shifted to Amity, "You were a witch from the Demon Realm, but now your Luz's Titan partner."
"Yup this one is all mine," said Amity while pulling Luz close and kissing her cheek.
Masha turned to Caz and said, "You're the clone of one of the town's founders with an eternal starchild in your head, who also has near godlike power."
"I guess, and on a good day," shrugged Cazador.
Masha finished with, "And the rest of you are either their witch friends or another Human who went to a different world, and now needs help to stop an invasion of our world." Everyone else nodded. "Ok, lots of questions, but later. I'm in. Whatever you need I'll do it. I'm not going to let anything bad ever happen to my Vee again." Vee blushed. "I have to ask though, can I see?" Luz and Amity laughed, but they each called their staves as they shifted into their Titan forms making Masha's eyes light up in wonder. "Ok, that's hot. Not as hot as my Vee, but I can definitely see the appeal."
Both Titans just scoffed as they said at the same time, "Nope my girls hotter." Then they looked at each other and laughed as they shifted back.
For the rest of the night Masha asked questions, and everyone did their best to answer them. They had been sad to hear that since there wasn't any magic native to the Human realm they couldn't learn magic, but Luz did promise that if they ever visited the Demon realm she would teach them. In the end everyone had a blast, and it was agreed that when all this was over they would have to have a party and really let the magic fly. After Masha left, and everyone else went to bed Marcy pulled out her phone to do the hardest thing she thought she would ever do, but if Vee could find the courage to tell the person they loved the truth maybe Marcy could at least talk to her.
(marcy) Hey Anne. I made it back.
(anne) I don't know who you are or how your doing this, but leave me alone.
(marcy) Anne its me Marcy. I made it back from Amphibia.
(marcy) Anne are you there.
(anne) Prove it
(marcy) What?
(anne) Prove your Marcy dam it
So Marcy sent Anne a video request, and when Anne answered they both just looked at each other for a minute before Anne screamed, "Marbles, oh thank frog. You're alive." Anne started to cry. "Where are you? I don't recognize where you are."
"Anna-banna I'm fine. The portal spit me out in Connecticut, but I made some friends who helped me out. We are heading your way in about a week, and best of all they know about portals and other worlds so they might be able to help us get back, and stop Andrias," smiled Marcy.
Anne cried, "That's amazing Marcy I can't wait to see you… I thought you might have died."
Marcy looked away in shame, "Does… does that mean you don't hate me?"
"Marcy, you're one of my best friends, and I thought I saw you die right in front of me. Am I still a bit miffed you lied to us and tricked us into going to Amphibia? Kinda, but Mar-Mar I could never hate you. I still don't understand why you did it though. Clearly we could have stayed in touch, or maybe we could have tried to convince your parents to let you stay with us. Why did you do it? You owe me at least that much," begged Anne.
Marcy looked away, but said, "Ok Anne. I'll tell you when we get there, but please I don't want to lose you over it."
"Marcy, you won't. I promise, but if I have to wait then I will," sighed Anne, clearly disappointed.
Marcy stayed quiet for a bit before she whispered, "I'm in love with you."
"I'm sorry Marcy, I couldn't hear you," said Anne as she awkwardly scratched her head.
Marcy shouted, "I'm in love with you. For frogs sake Anne. I've been in love with you both for years, and when my dad said we were moving I knew I had lost my chance forever to tell you." Then Marcy covered her face as she started to cry, " Oh frog. Now I've really screwed everything up. Now that you know you'll never want to see me again. I had so many chances to do this right, and I chose a video call. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid maybe it would have been better if Andrias…"
"NO. MARCY REGINA WU. I never want to hear you say anything like that again," screamed Anne, waking everyone up. Luz kept everyone quiet at the stairs though, and Sprig did the same at the Boonchuy's. "As for the rest, shut up Marcy. If confessing over a video call is stupid then I guess I'm stupid too. I love you too, you adorkable nerd. If you had asked me before all this happened I might have needed to think about it, but I used to cry myself to sleep some nights because I thought you might have died in a swamp somewhere alone. I've spent the last few days trying to convince myself that you're not dead. Now that I know you're ok I never want to let you out of my sight again."
Marcy looked at Anne in awe, "Really Anne? You love me?" Marcy started to cry again in happiness this time. "Oh my frog, this is the best day of my life. What are we going to do about Sasha though?"
Anne blushed, "I guess if it's with Sasha I don't mind sharing. I've been trying to convince her to ask you out for a while now anyway."
Marcy blushed too, "Not what I meant, but are you serious. She's been trying to get me to ask you out since the end of sixth grade… Did Sasha plan this? Oh my frog."
Anne laughed, "Typical Sasha. Even at her most toxic, she tried to look out for us."
"Anne what are we going to do about Sasha though? I know you two weren't in the best place the last time you saw each other, and I think we have to save her either way, but what about after? Anne, you've already made me the happiest girl alive, but I don't know if I can imagine a future that she's not in, even if it just ends up being the two of us… oh my frog, us together I still can't believe it," asked Marcy.
"I don't know Mar-Mar. I'll think about it, and we can talk about it more when you get here. Until then just stay safe. I'd hate to lose you before I get to give you your first kiss… bye dude," Anne said. Then she realized what she said, and she quickly hung up before Marcy could answer.
As everyone else went back to bed, Luz walked over to Marcy, "I thought the plan was to wait till she was in front of you to tell her." Luz pouted, "I had this cool idea to set off fireworks when she said yes too."
"Luz you're a great friend. No matter how this all ends up going, I hope we can at least that never changes," Marcy smiled. "Go to bed. You know Amity can't sleep if you're not there to cuddle her. Frog, if you two aren't couple goals, I don't know what is." Luz gave her a salute before heading back to bed.
Unbenounched to everyone else, another conversation was happening upstairs. "... Nico, are you sure?" asked Cazador in his head.
"I'm sorry big bro. We both knew we were incompatible, and Phil never intended us to last, but even I didn't think it would be this bad," sighed Nico, sadly. "We should tell them. They have a right to know."
Cazabor smiled sadly, "No. Not right now. If we tell Luz, she'll try to sideline us, and this is our chance to do something good… To make up for all the things we did, and all the people we hurt. If you're right, we have time. We can help them this one last time at least, and afterwards, when everyone is safe, we'll tell them. Until then we have to keep this between us. Ok, Nico?"
Nico desperately wanted to argue. He wanted to scream that Caz was being selfish and dumb, but he didn't. Nico just said in a defeated voice, "Ok big bro. I'll try to slow it down as best as I can."
Camila was out saying her final goodbyes before their trip to LA, and she would be lying to herself if she said the hurt expressions she saw on her co-workers' faces didn't bother her. They said they understood, but Camila had been working with many of them for years. They had stood by her during some of the hardest times in her life. They were her friends, and now she was talking about potentially abandoning them out of nowhere. Of course she couldn't admit that she had no intention of actually leaving. That would raise too many questions. Camilia just let out a quiet sigh before she steeled her nerves. She had let Luz down for so long. She had allowed the world to dictate her decisions for too long. Luz was giving her another chance, and she would be damned if she would fail her this time. Camila was ready. This time she wouldn't stand in Luz's way, or dim her little lights flame. Camila would stand by Luz's side, and walk this road with her. Even if that road led her into another world or into danger. This time Camila had every intention of being there to face it with her. When Camila walked through the door of her home she found an unexpected sight. Sitting in the middle of the floor was Luz and Amity sitting back to back with five fairly standard backpacks around them, while Masha, Marccy, and Vee watched from the couch. Camila saw Masha and Marcy's faces look positively giddy with glee as they watched the duo weave glyph after glyph in the air. "So, what's all this? I thought you said that you were still fairly low on magic," Camila asked awkwardly.
Amity let out a surprised little squeak, "Welcome back Ms. Camila. Um… Luz and I got to thinking and we thought some Endless bags would be really useful for us to have."
Luz let out a little laugh, "Don't worry mami this is all fairly basic enchantment work. Basically we are making the backpacks bigger on the inside like that box from that British show Vee likes. When we're done we can use four of them as suitcases and travel bags, and the last one we can fill with provisions, medical supplies, and anything else we think we might need once we get to Amphibia. As for being low on magic… it's more of a comparative thing. Low for me is still very strong for almost anyone else."
"Luz and I made a list of all the things that we wished we had brought with us the first time we went realm traveling, and after a while it became pretty clear that we would need the extra space," added Marcy, trying to redirect the conversation back to the job at hand.
"We decided to use backpacks, because no one will give a second thought to a bunch of teens wearing backpacks during the school year," smirked Masha.
Camila had to admit this was a fairly good idea, but then she looked around and noticed that the others were missing. "Where are Willow, Gus, and Cazador?"
Vee looked at her sheepishly, "I might have shown them your Cosmic Frontier collection, and now they are upstairs reading all of them. I wouldn't go up there. They're starting to remind me of Luz when she heard that book six of Azura was announced."
Camila just let out a laugh, "I remember then they released book four. Luz stayed up all night convinced they would do a midnight release, and then almost broke in when they didn't. That was an interesting conversation when they brought you home after you got caught."
Luz's face blushed in embarrassment until she heard Amity let out a scoff, "Don't worry botata, I'll go with you when six comes out, and after spending so much time with Eda I'm sure we won't get caught."
Luz looked at Amity like she was falling for her all over again, but Camila just let out an exasperated sigh. "Are you sure that you all shouldn't be sleeping right now? You said it would take about eight to nine hours to fly to L.A., and since we are going to have to travel in the dark the whole time… I guess I'm just nervous."
"Don't worry about it Mami, like I told Marcy we are experts in this kind of thing. This is going to be a cake walk," assured Luz.
That night after Masha and Vee had left for Masha's house, and everyone else had finished their final preparations Camila still felt nervous. She had never flown on a staff before, and now she was going to spend an entire night trusting that she wouldn't fall off the thin piece of wood mid flight and plummet to her death. She trusted the kids, and she had seen them do some amazing things with magic, but despite that she couldn't get the tight knot in her stomach to go away. Her other concern wasn't helping either. Willow had shown her that she was a reliable, trustworthy girl over the week. Willow was always the first to volunteer to keep an eye on the rest of her friends, and she seemed to be adjusting the fastest to day to day life in the human realm. Unlike Gus who constantly got himself into this situation or that. Willow seemed to understand that asking questions first was a much better course than just face checking every potential danger or new experience. Camila couldn't help believing that if Willow had been born human instead of a witch then maybe none of this would have ever happened to her Luz, but leaving her behind to keep an eye on Gus and be there in case Vee needed help still made her feel guilty. Willow was still only a fourteen year old kid at her core, and every fiber of Camila's motherly heart told her that putting this kind of pressure and responsibility on her shoulders was still unfair to Willow, no matter how capable she seemed. It was then that a familiar voice broke through her musings. Willow was looking at her concerned and asked, "Ms. Camila is everything all right? I know your worried about Vee, but as I said I have everything under control here. You just focus on making it to LA safely, and keeping Luz and Amity safe. I know your Luz's mom, but they are my best friends, and I don't know what I'd do without them."
"Willow, you really are a special kid. If I had to pick anyone to do this job, you would always be my first pick. I know I can rely on you to keep everyone here safe, but it still doesn't feel right to ask you to do it," Camila said with a smile that faded into a nervous grin. "It doesn't help that I'm going to spend all night hundreds of feet in the air with only what amounts to a broom handle to hold me up."
Willow gave a small laugh, "You are traveling with three of the most powerful beings my realm has ever seen, and if you do fall I can guarantee that Cazador will catch you. He's a great flier, and I'd trust him with my life."
Camila gave Willow a thankful look before asking, "Have you told him how you feel yet?"
Willow blushed before looking away sad, "I kind of did, but… he has a lot going on, and it's not the right time for 'us'." Then Willow gave a small snort, "Also theirs the Nico situation. It's just a little awkward to think about getting romantic with him when we know that there's always someone else in the room. I don't know how Luz and Amity did it."
"You'll figure it out. I may not have known either of you for long, but I can tell that you two care about each other. Love conquers all Willow, and when properly nourished it's stronger than any tree. Don't forget that little Green Queen," teased Camila.
Willow let out a sigh, "Who was it? Luz or Amity?"
Camila gave her a wink, "It was Cazador actually. He really likes to tell that story, and remind everyone of how great you are."
Willow blushed again, but then they were interrupted as they saw a sizable red bird come soaring out of the shack behind them and in a burst of blue flame turn into a staff in Cazador's hand. Before anyone could ask, Cazador sighed, "So ya. Flapjack became some kind of phoenix, and please don't make a big deal about it around him. He says he's fine with the change, but it still makes him uncomfortable when people start staring too much. It's kind of why he's been hiding all week. He needed time to adjust. I told him that he didn't have to fly me, but he knows how important this all is so he insisted. I think we should get a move on now though. We don't want to end up flying after dawn too much. I know we can use invisibility spells, but better safe than sorry."
After a few goodbyes and hugs Marcy, Camila, Cazador, Luz, and Amity got situated to leave. So as not to overburden their palismen it was decided that Camila would ride with Amity since she was the lightest of the girls, and Marcy would ride with Luz. As an extra safety measure the two witches used plant glyphs/spells to summon vines to tie rider and flier together. For the first few hours of the flight Camila just shut her eyes and tried to ignore the wind that wiped through her hair. Then she heard Amity let out a content sigh as she said, "Luz wasn't lying when she said your world was odd and beautiful in its own way."
Camila decided to take a chance and what she saw amazed her. Above her was an unobstructed view of the night sky like she had never seen before. Thousands of stars twinkled and lit up the open sky. It filled her with a feeling of calm, and contentment like she had never felt before. Down below she saw the lights of whatever city they were passing by, its lights shining in the night. Camila could almost feel the countless people below as they rushed to and fro so engrossed in their lives and their own concerns. For a moment Camila felt a hint of pity for those people. Like her, had they never taken the time to look up and see the splendor around them, but then she heard Amity speak again, "It's amazing how humans have created so much without even a drop of magic. There are almost as many lights below us as there are above, and even from here I can see beautiful works of art and buildings bigger than any back home. All those people, and not one has to be afraid of being attacked by random beasts or worry about some evil tyrant trying to control them. I think when we get back to the Demon realm I'd like to bring a piece of this back with me, maybe in time we can even create something just as amazing and beautiful."
Camila just gave the girl a light hug as they continued to fly, and she whispered, "I think if you put your mind to it, you will be surprised what you can create. Just promise me you won't forget to look up from time to time. Ok mi hija."
Amity looked back at the older woman, and said with a single tear and a joyous smile, "I promise mi madre."
A little ways away from Amity and Camilia were Luz and Marcy, and they were having a very different conversation out of earshot of their traveling companions. "I still can't believe that Anne wants to give being with me a shot. She's so pretty, cool, and loving. I… I just don't feel worthy. I'm just some weird nerd, and I did so many things that I regret. How could I ever think that she could be happy with me? Now that the time has come to actually face her again… I don't know if I can do it. I don't know if I'm brave enough," worried Marcy.
Luz tried to stifle a laugh as she said, "Marcy, we are a lot more similar on that topic than you think. Even before I went to the Demon realm I was a weirdo, and unlike you, I didn't have any awesome friends to stand by me, or help me. I only had my mom, and after dad passed… we just fell out of step. By the time I got to the Isles my self worth was nearly nonexistent. Sure I put on a happy face, and I tried to distract myself from it, but I wasn't in a great place. When I made friends, my first ever, there was still a little voice that never let me forget that it was temporary. I would have to go home eventually, and then I might never get the chance to see them again. In the early days of my adventures I could have gone back at any time, but I chose not to. I hurt the one person who had always been there for me. I have just as many regrets as you do, but I finally figured out the only way to make up for them."
"Please Luz, tell me what I need to do. I'll do anything," begged Marcy.
Luz gave her a comforting grin, "You already started. The only way to get over those regrets is to own them and accept them. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is what you do afterwards. Admit them, learn from them, and grow beyond them. No ones perfect. Look at me. At my previous peak I could bend the world around me to my whims, control the weather, and the beasts around me were at my disposal, but I still felt like less. I still thought that my life was less valuable than those around me. I gained incredible strength, but it never changed how I saw myself, and in this case that wasn't great. I still struggle with feeling less sometimes, but I surround myself with people that won't let me forget my value anymore. Just keep moving forward Marcy, and you'll get there too. Don't forget, even after we give Andrias the boot, I'll still be there for you if you need me, and it sounds like Anne wants to be there for you too. Lean on each other. Everything is easier with a partner, even if it doesn't end up being a romantic one." Marcy listened intently, and when Luz was done Marcy could help feeling lighter. Like a great weight had become much easier to carry, and with a smile she laid her head against Luz's back and drifted off to sleep.
The rest of their flight was quiet, and just as the first rays of dawn began to peek over the horizon Marcy managed to find an alley they could safely land in that wasn't too far from their goal. It didn't take long for them to situate themselves after they landed, but Ghost, Flapjack, and Stringbean still gave their wielders a hard time about being around. Stringbean was the most stubborn, and after showing that she could change into more then just other creatures she was allowed to become a necklace with a chain that's links looked like snake segments with its head biting its tail just above the orb that functioned as a jewel at the end of its tail. Ghost and Flapjack were not so easy to convince, and soon they all had to compromise by simply having the two under an invisibility spell. Ghost on Amity's shoulder and Flapjack flying just above them. With that settled the four teens and their chaperone started making their way toward the Boonchuy household. It still took them a few hours of walking, but soon they were all standing in front of a very normal looking two story home and Marcy was starting to shake again in worry as she said, "I don't know if I can do this. What if they hate me? What if they don't approve of me and Anne? Frog help me! I have to get away."
The others had expected this to happen so Cazador and Amity just calmly took up positions beside her while Luz stood behind Marcy to give her support, and Camila took the lead as they walked up to the door and knocked. After a couple minutes an older Thai woman with a kind face answered the door and when she saw Marcy she rushed forward and brought the girl into a warm embrace as she said, "ขอบคุณพระเจ้า คุณตกลง! (Thank god your ok!) We so very worried about you girls, and when Anne come back alone... We feared the worst. Anne tell us some, but… are you ok?"
They could all see Marcy go rigid in the woman's arm at first before seeming to melt into hot tears as she cried, "I'm so sorry Mrs. Boonchuy. All of this is my fault. I… I was so selfish and scared, and I ended up hurting you guys and Anne. I don't… I'm just so sorry."
"เงียบเดี๋ยวนี้นะตัวเล็ก ไม่เป็นไร. ฉันสัญญาว่าตอนนี้ทุกอย่างจะเรียบร้อย ปลอดภัยของคุณที่นี่ (Hush now little one. It's ok. I promise that everything will be fine now. Your safe here.) Marcy I'm not going to tell you that we happy about what you did, but all of you have been through alot. I think that enough. We so happy see you again." Ms. Boonchuy looked at her other visitors before saying, "Thank you all for bringing Marcy back. Come inside. I make tea." With that Ms. Boonchuy walked Marcy over to the couch, and the others followed her.
Once Marcy was situated the Thai adult started walking toward the kitchen, and then they heard a shriek from that way and they all saw a Thai teen with leaves in her brown afro came rushing into the room and wrap Marcy in a loving embrace as she cried, "Oh my frog Marcy, you're alive. It wasn't just a dream. My Mar-Mar is ok. She's finally here. I was so scared."
Marcy blushed and started to say, "Ya I'm fine Anna-banna. I'm happy to see you…" but she was caught off guard by Anne kissing her.
For a moment they were both silent before Anne blushed and said, "That was ok, right? Since we are dating now… it wasn't too much."
Marcy just looked at Anne, still utterly surprised before letting out a small breath, "Zoinks… oh frog why did I say that?"
In an attempt to help her friend Luz said, "It's ok Marcy. It happens to all of us."
"Crikey, yes it does," Amity said with a laugh. Luz just blushed and looked at Amity with a look of betrayal. Then she continued, "We are just happy we were able to reunite you two. My name is Amity. The cute one is Luz. Mister dower over there is Cazador, and the nice lady behind us is Luz's mom, Camila Noceda. It's really nice to finally meet you."
Anne looked at Amity quizzically before whispering to Marcy, "Can we trust them? They don't look much older than us."
Luz gave a playful scoff, but just smiled at Anne until Marcy said back firmly, "Anne, they saved my life. I promise you can trust them. Otherwise I wouldn't have told them everything."
"Everything?" questioned Anne in surprise.
"Every last bump, and mistake. They are good people, and Luz went through the same thing we did, kinda," stated Marcy with a reassuring smile. "I can guarantee you, they are the last people that would turn anyone into the feds… Please tell me the Planters are ok." Anne nodded, and Marcy let out a relieved huff.
"If it helps Anne, I'm not human either," Amity says, revealing her pointed ears. "I'm a witch from the Boiling Isles."
Anne gave Amity a long look before saying, "Ok, but please don't freak out." Then Anne yelled into the other room, "Dudes it's fine. You can come out. I think they're friends." From the next room two anthropomorphic frogs and a pollywog stuck their heads around.
"I don't know Anne? She said she's a witch and we don't exactly have the best track record with them," said the small pink frog boy with the forest green hat.
"Maddie is cool, Sprig, and Berry was a jerk because he was a jerk not because he knew magic," stated Marcy. "By the way, hey guys. I hope you didn't miss me too much."
"Not sayin we don't trust you Marcy, but after the whole Andrias thing… You can understand why we are hesitant, but introductions all. If they really did help Marcy we at least owe them that much. I'm Hopediah Planter," said the old red-orange frog.
"Polly Planter," said the pink pollywog wearing the yellow polka dotted bow.
"I'm Sprig Planter. So, what are the Boiling Isles?" asked Sprig.
It was at that point that Ms. Boonchuy came back with a few cups of tea, "Forgot to introduce myself. I'm Oum Boonchuy, Anne's mom. Oum or Ms. Boonchuy is fine. No time for story now. Was waiting for Marcy to get here for appointment."
"For real mom. They just go here. Do we have to go to the dentist? And I'm still not sure about the Planters taking Domino to his vet appointment with Dr. Crane," whined Anne.
"Anne it hard enough to schedule appointment for you and Marcy as is. Frogs will have to do," sighed Oum.
"I'm actually a vet, and have an appointment with Dr. Crane. I might be able to go with them to help if you want, but how are they going to go out? They aren't exactly inconspicuous," offered Camila.
"Like this," said the Planters as they rushed off and came back in their disguises.
Luz let out a laugh, "I guess that works. Maybe we can do something to help latter, but for now, if it's ok with Mrs. Boonchuy, Caz, Amity, and I will wait here and take a nap. Flight took more out of us than I thought." Luz proceeded to yawn.
"Fine with me. Snacks in kitchen if you need. Thank you Camila it would be big help," smiled Oum. With that everyone separated to do their own thing. Camila got Domino in her carrier, and she started walking with the Planters to the bus stop.
Most of the trip was a quiet one since neither Camila nor the Planters knew much about each other, but eventually Polly spoke up, "Ugh, this is awkward. Mrs. Noceda… I think that's what that witch girl called you… so what's your guy's story?"
Camila let out a little laugh, "I'm sorry to disappoint you Polly, but Luz is the one you need to talk to if you want a story. I only really got directly involved about a week ago so all of this is still really new to me."
"So your not anymore knowledgeable then Mrs. Boonchuy then? That's unfortunate," sighed Hop pop. "Well Anne said your a vet, so what would you suggest to a frog that's starting to feel his age."
Camila gave him a quick once over before saying, "Well, I have some experience with pet frogs from this realm, but without really getting to give you a full workup I can't say much, and without any kind of baseline I wouldn't feel comfortable even trying. I'm sorry Hopediah."
Hop pop sighed, "I get it. I just wish I could keep up with my grandkids the way I used to. Them and Anne are all I got left."
"Hopediah, if what Marcy showed us was true, you do enough. You took in a poor scared little girl that was lost in a foreign world, and you looked out for her like she was one of your own. I know how hard that is…" Camila let out a melancholy sigh, "Luz isn't my only daughter. It's complicated, but I did something similar for my daughter Vee. Regardless, I think we are doing pretty well for barely knowing what we're doing most of the time."
Hop pop looked at Camila and gave her a reassuring pat, "I may not know ya very well, but you seem like a great mom. Vee and Luz are lucky girls.Lets just keep doin all we can for our kids, and hope that's enough." Camila nodded with a smile.
It turned out that the Boonchuys were worried for nothing because the Planters didn't have any issues with Domino's appointment. There was a moment where she almost escaped her carrier, but Camila was about to stop her. On the way back to the Boonchuys house Camila made a stop by the hotel they were supposed to stay at only to find that they had given away their room, and they didn't have any others available. Camila got a refund, but that didn't really make her feel any better about their housing situation. Camila tried a few other places as they made their way back, but had no luck. By the time they arrived back at the Boonchuy's house Camila was depressed and felt completely defeated until she came in, and found Caz asleep in a sitting position on the couch with Luz and Amity cuddling on the floor beneath him. For a moment Camila thought that Caz looked like a protective older brother standing watch over his little sisters. Camila couldn't help smiling at the sight. Unfortunately that's when Anne and Marcy got back with Oum waking the trio up. "Fourteen cavities, and bunch of stuff they couldn't identify. I know it coulda been a lot worse, but…" said Oum dejected.
"Listen, Domino is not just a cat. She's the alpha and omega. An interdimensional being beyond all time and space," said Anne, clearly still under the effects of whatever the dentist used to remove the cavities.
Then Marcy continued in a similar state, "Thirteen eyes stair out from the dark. Each one tells a story of another failure."
Anne spoke up again, "I see a great collective. They scheme and plot behind the scenes. One day they will come to snuff the light, and end the Calamity."
Marcy finished with, "I see enemies made strong again. Dark reflections all around, but hope remains as long as the five Godlings still draw breath."
Everyone else laughs at the insane, nonsensical things the two girls are saying, but Cazador just looks away in fear.
Author notes: Ok we are finally into the story proper now. No more long drawn out walls of back story, and we can finally focus on interactions and getting things moving properly. Thank Titan. So I know I left this chapter off a little light on the actual conversations between the two families, but it's on purpose I promise. Next chapter will have all the actual meeting and greeting, and maybe a double date. Fun, fun, fun.
For the record I did try to write full conversations for the planning section, but they ended up so dry and boring that I decided to just cut them and summarize. I left in the Vee,Masha scene because they deserve to be mentioned even if I can't think of much for them to do, and I poke fun at it, but there was a point where Marcy was going to wait to confess and then Luz would ruin it with fireworks. Maybe I'll do it as a one shot at some point if yall want to see it. I guess I just felt like Marcy after 'True Colors' would discuss no more lies or secrets, and combine that with seeming how great Amity and Luz are together. It just felt like a great time for Marcy's resolve to crack and her to word vomit her confession.
I want to apologize if the Thai is off. I know nothing about the language, and that's what google translate spat out. I'm going to try to keep it to a minimum, but it's the best I've got. I just hope I don't get crucified too badly for trying.
To respond to Weley9516- thx for the review. I try my best to break up the blocks when possible, but I kinda got lazy with the backstories. My bad, if i could think of a work around I'd do it, but I think it's probably as good as it gets given my level of talent. Beyond that, I don't see what you're talking about with Willow and Camila. I thought given Willow's character it made sense for her to put the pieces together right away. If I'm wrong, I'm sorry. Beyond that, shoot me a link in a pm and I'll look into the discord. Thanks for the help.