I don't own Disney's The Owl House. I do, however own the Main OC and any other OC's that will appear in the story. Hope you all enjoy my story on this lovely show.
Chapter Three
A brand-new day has arrived. The sun rising over the horizon this bright crisp morning. While Danielle had an out of body experience and met the Collector in an in between place, Luz dreams were of events that took place yesterday. Waking up and gasping, Luz finds herself in a predicament. Danielle somehow while she was sleeping, had curled up against her and had her in a cuddly huggable embrace.
"Danielle… Danielle, wake up," said Luz, before seeing a magical barrier around them. "Whoa, magic barrier."
"Yeah…" said King, turning around and facing Luz while curled up while still half asleep. "We're stuck here till it goes away."
"Danielle… Danielle," said Luz, lightly shaking Danielle awake. "Look, a magic barrier."
"Mmm… Cosa?" said Danielle, hearing Luz and startling awake, slamming her head in the barrier hard and shattering it. "Cha!"
"Ooh, that had to hurt," said Luz, checking on an unconscious Danielle before walking over to the window and opening it. "It wasn't a dream! Good morning, terrifying fantasy world."
"Good morning," said a Sea Monster, waving at her before sinking back into the sea.
"Ugh," said Luz, slightly disturbed before walking over to King and picking him up. "Good morning, you little cutie-pie."
"I am not your cutie-pie!" shouted King, enduring the kisses to his head.
"Yes, you are," said Luz, hugging King tightly before placing him back down.
"I know," replied King, sighing before curling up near Danielle only to be grabbed and embraced by the unconscious girl. "Bad idea… never mind."
Seeing King accept the embrace back, Luz heads towards the bathroom. Opening the door, a couple of owls fly out startling Luz. With the owls out of the bathroom, Luz walks in before closing the door.
"Hi, Luz!" said Hooty, startling Luz into karate chopping his face. "Ow! I'm just wishing you a good morning. Jeez! Hoot! Ow!"
"Sorry, Hooty" apologized Luz, seeing Hooty retreat back to the front of the house before looking at the mirror and bringing out her book. "This is it, old girl. Your first day on the Boiling Isles, as a Witch Apprentice. Hyah!"
Walking down the hall, Luz comes across Danielle rubbing her forehead and mumbling in italian. Seeing a door that possibly led to a closet, Luz covers her eyes and opens the door. Seeing Luz, Danielle walks up to her before leaning against the doorframe.
"Please have witchy clothes. Please have witchy clothes. Please have witchy clothes," said Luz, uncovering her eyes and seeing a lot of witchy stuff. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!"
"Whoahoho," said Danielle, amazed at the assortment of stuff before her. "Wonder what we'll be taught."
"Come on Danielle," said Luz, tossing a black robe towards Danielle and grabbing a heavy witch's hat. "Got to look the part."
"Puzza," said Danielle, sniffing the robe before Luz gave her the hat. "Uuh…"
"Here," said Luz, giving Danielle a nametag with her name on it. "I'm gonna wait at the bottom of the staircase."
"Okay," said Danielle, seeing Luz leave before seeing a bright orange area on the hat. Slightly blowing on the hat revealed more of the orange color. Taking a deeper breath and blowing on the hat again revealed it was a traffic cone before running after Luz. "Oh no… Luz… aspettare!"
Catching up, Danielle spots Luz at the bottom of the stairs that led to the third floor waiting for Eda. Catching her breath, Danielle tries to get Luz's attention before hearing the toilet flush and Eda rounding the corner at the top of the stairs.
"Hmm?" said Eda, yawning before spotting the girls at the bottom of the stairs.
"Good morning, Eda the Owl Lady," said Luz, perky and striking a pose. "I am ready for my first day of Witch Apprenticeship."
"Luz, wait," said Danielle, slightly whispering and slightly tugging on Luz's robe. "That's not a…"
"Ugh!" said Eda, shaking a few spiders out of her hair before picking one out of her ear then looking at the girls. "Who are you, again?"
"Huh?" said Luz, horror stricken while her nametag falls off.
"Eh?" said Danielle, staring at Eda.
Descending the stairs and walking past the girls, Eda heads towards the kitchen. Following right behind Eda, the girls walk in right after, still perplexed. Danielle notices King in a baby chair at the table eating what looked to be scrambled eggs.
"Remember me? Luz? And Danielle?" said Luz, only for a floating coffee cup to hit the back of her head. "We freed the oppressed and defeated the evil warden together? Yesterday?"
"Maybe Miss Eda is not fully awake," said Danielle, before noticing there were eyeballs in King's scrambled eggs. "Oof, I think it's going to take me a while to enjoy the food here."
"Kid, lay off the details," said Eda, opening the fridge before turning around and facing Luz. "I haven't even had my cup of apple blood yet."
"You mean apple juice?" said Luz, confused on the beverage.
"I'll take orange blood then," said Danielle, seeing the assortment of food in the fridge. "Does orange blood actually exist? Oh, my cooking sense is tingling. Can I cook?"
"Yes, it does. Sure, knock yourself out. Also, drop the miss, you're making me feel older than I look," said Eda, answering Danielle's questions before looking at Luz and answering her question. "Also, no."
"SÌ! Fai strada al cibo, ti sto trasformando in un capolavoro culinario!" said Danielle, grabbing ingredients that caught her eyes before grabbing a knife. "Sono il tuo creatore!"
"Teach me some spells. When do I get a magic staff? Was I supposed to bring my own runes?" asked Luz, seeing Eda lean against the table. "Do you have a dangerous magical quest for me?"
"Whoa," said King, seeing Danielle cut some tubers and mushrooms at an insane speed before cracking eggs into a bowl and adding some seasonings.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down, kid. Being a witch doesn't happen overnight," said Eda, before pointing out what Luz was actually wearing. "Also, you're wrapped in a bathrobe and wearing the dirtiest traffic cone I've ever seen."
"Scusa Luz," said Danielle, putting some oil in a frying pan and putting it on the stove. "Ho cercato di attirare la tua attenzione."
"Huh?" said Luz, staring at Danielle.
"I mean… I tried to get your attention," said Danielle, waiting for the oil to get to the right temperature. "But you… um…"
"Got distracted," said Luz, finally catching on after blowing the dust off the traffic cone and hearing King laugh. "So sorry."
"It's okay," said Danielle, slightly scratching at her cheek before returning to cooking. "Le cose accadono."
"But a magic staff, huh?" said Eda, after sipping some apple blood. "You really want one?"
"More than anything," replied Luz, super excited.
"Diavolo sì!" said Danielle, her voice slightly raised before turning embarrassed. "I mean… yes please!"
"Magic staff, come to me!" said Eda, holding out her hand. Unfortunately, it took a while before the staff came to her after crashing through some things on its way before slamming into Eda's face before picking it up and spinning it. "It's early. Now, witches are awarded their staffs from school. With me as your teacher, you'll be taking a different approach."
"What kind of approach?" asked Danielle, stirring the tubers in the frying pan every so often.
"You'll have to work for it," said Eda, dropping a bag of potions in front of Luz.
"Ho-How bout we eat first?" said Danielle, pointing at the food. "Can't start on an empty stomach."
"Point taken," said Eda, sniffing the food. "I don't know what you're making but that smells good."
"Just some patatine fritte in casa and frittata di funghi," said Danielle, only to confuse everyone. "Home fries and mushroom frittata."
"Oh…" said Eda, only for the owl on the staff to fly over and land on Danielle's shoulder, affectionally rubbing against her neck. "Owlbert really seems to like you."
"So that's this little one's name," said Danielle, scratching under Owlbert's chin. "Also, thanks for putting that magic barrier around me and Luz last night."
"I didn't put a barrier around you two," said Eda, confusing the girls.
"But there was one around us when we woke up," said Luz, remembering the barrier. "All though Danielle slammed her head into and shattered it."
"That explains the red mark on your forehead," said Eda, seeing Danielle blush.
"Yeah, not pleasant," said Danielle, rubbing the spot before starting the eggs when the home fries were mostly done. "Nursing a headache here."
"You should have seen it," said King, trying to hold back a laugh. "She went "Cha!" before passing out."
"Hehe," said Danielle, chuckling slightly in embarrassment while blushing. "Did I do that?"
"Yup," replied Luz, remembering it. "Kinda cute."
"Ugh…" thought Danielle, sighing. "That's what I get for watching too much Pokémon."
"So, if it wasn't you that put the magic barrier around us then…" said Luz, before a thought popped up in her head. "Subconsciously... Danielle! I think one of us if not both of us did it while we slept."
"Makes sense," said Danielle, concentrating on cooking while listening to everyone before remembering what Collector said about her having magic. "Maybe just being here… it may have slowly unlocked our own magic or something."
"Or…" said King, standing on his chair and posing. "I, the king of demons, have gotten some of my powers back from my crown."
"I wonder what my magic will look like," said Luz, before staring at Danielle's bag. "What do you have in your bag Danielle?"
"Uh… I… don't know. Let's see… huh?" said Danielle, putting her hand in her bag only to feel nothing. "That's strange."
"What's strange?" asked Luz, seeing that Danielle had her arm completely down straight in the bag like there was no bottom. "What the…?"
"Odd… eh!" said Danielle, lifting her bag over her head only to lose her grip and the bag to completely fall over her.
"The bag ate her!" shouted King, startled like everyone else in the kitchen.
"Wait a minute…" said Eda, walking over and picking up the bag, extending her hand in it and feeling around for Danielle. "Wait… where is she?"
"Still here," said Danielle, from within the bag before looking around. "Although…I didn't expect this."
Looking around the inside of her duffle bag, Danielle notices the vast space around was like literally a starry sky. Noticing a small glowing star coming her way, Danielle cups it in her hand before she feels Eda's hand grab the back of her shirt collar and lifting her out and dropping the bag away from her.
"Well," said Luz, staring at Danielle. "What happened? What was it like in there? Where did you find such a bag?"
"I just had the bag when I got here," replied Danielle, staring at the glowing star in her cupped hand. "It was like I was… floating amongst the stars."
"That sounds so cool!" said Luz, before bending down and looking at the bag. "Wonder if I can do it too."
"Not today," said Eda, pulling Luz away from the bag. "What's that in your hands?"
"I don't know," said Danielle, uncapping her hands slightly before the glowing star disappeared and in its place was a unique glowing white symbol of an upside-down moon with a four-pointed star in the center, the lower point being longer, and four other wavy points situated in the ordinal points before it glowed brightly and blinded everyone. "What was that?"
"I don't know," said Eda, blinking her eyes back to normal. "But I wouldn't rely on that too much."
"Okay," replied Danielle, getting her vision back before going back to cooking before thinking. "I don't know what that was but… I feel… like I've seen that symbol some place before… but where? My mind feels hazy and… I… something feels warm inside me."
After finishing cooking, Danielle gave everyone breakfast. Even King got a second breakfast. Everyone was surprised not only on its appearance but the out of the world taste. Literally, everyone savored the dish Danielle made, that they literally felt like they were in heaven. Afterwards once everyone besides Danielle recovered from flavor overload, Eda led the girls to the living room while Luz carried the bag of potions that was on the floor.
"I run a few businesses. On weekends, I offer rare human treasures that Owlbert drags over from your side of the realm," said Eda, seeing that Owlbert was still on Danielle's shoulder before grabbing a toy sword and pushing the button on the pommel before tossing it after the recording. "But most days I sell only the finest homemade elixirs and potions."
"I wonder what kind?" said Danielle, seeing Luz grab a potion. "Love potion… Cure-all elixir…"
"Snake oil," said Luz, reading the label.
"No one wants an un-oiled snake. Follow me," said Eda, waving the girls to follow her up to the balcony of her room. "Today you'll deliver packages and sell potions to that town over there, Bonesborough. You'll have to be careful. I have rivals everywhere who'd love to take my business down and you along with it. You wanted a dangerous magical quest? Sister, you've got one."
"I won't let you down, Miss Eda," said Luz, saluting Eda only to lose her hold of the bag.
"Got it… eep," said Danielle, only for the bag to weigh her down and almost over the edge of the balcony. "Help."
"I'm sure," said Eda, seeing Luz help Danielle back up and then following Eda back to the living room before pushing the girls out the door. "Remember, never befriend a man in sandals and always measure twice, cut once."
"Uh..." said Luz, staring back at Eda in confusion.
"What's that suppose to mean?" asked Danielle, wondering what that last part meant.
"Good luck!" said Eda, before slamming the door shut before looking at King. "I hate to interrupt your power nap, but you have to go with them."
"What? But I just found the perfect spot," said King, getting out of a cozy position on a chest. "Why do I have to go?"
"You and I know they're either going to get lost or eaten, probably both," said Eda, before the girls startled her by appearing at the window.
"No, I won't," said Luz, squishing her face against the window.
"Don't say that," squeaked Danielle, peeking over Luz's shoulder before Eda closed the curtain.
"And because you work for me, too, unless you want to start paying rent," said Eda, seeing King throw a temper tantrum and stomping out the door. "Be back by nightfall or risk mortal peril."
"Have a nice trip," said Hooty, after Eda shut the door.
"Addio Mister Owl," said Danielle, waving bye to Hooty.
"Owlbert!" said Eda, reopening the door and spotting the little owl still on Danielle's shoulder. "You're not going."
"See you little one," said Danielle, scratching under Owlbert's chin before flying back to Eda.
"Huh! Let's get this over with," said King, walking in the direction of Bonesborough.
As they walked towards Bonesborough, the girls looked here and there admiring the scenery. The moment they stepped into Bonesborough, Danielle looked at the slip of paper with addresses on it from Eda while Luz decided to carry the bag of potions. Rounding the corning and walking through an archway, the girls are surprised seeing the town up close.
"Woah!" said Luz, staring in wonderment.
"I agree," said Danielle, also looking as well. "I can carry the bag now if you want."
"Oh, I'm fine," said Luz, hefting the bag back into place.
"Hey, it's rude to stare," said King, getting the girls attention.
"I've only seen places like this in my dreams. It's incredible," said Luz, staring down at King in excitement. "And we're the only humans here?"
"Haven't seen any others," said King, shrugging.
"Wow! There must be a reason for that, right? Why am I here? What if I, Luz Noceda, average teen, actually had...," said Luz, gasping in excitement. "... a predetermined path of greatness? Just like Azura!"
"Well," said Danielle, rubbing the back of her neck. "No one knows what life has in store for us. Whatever is written in our book of life… will eventually… happen… oh, ragazzo... ho paura di sapere cosa accadrà."
"Yeah, whatever," said King, before taking out a certain potion out. "Did Azura's path to greatness involve her delivering boil cream?"
"Eew," said Danielle, seeing the potion. "Well, beggars can't be choosers… I think."
"Today we're delivering packages, but tomorrow we'll be earning the respect of everyone on the Boiling Isles with our magical prowess," said Luz, linking arms with Danielle.
"I just hope I can use magic effectively," said Danielle, wondering if she can really use magic. "I don't want to hurt anyone."
"Ha! Good luck," said King, standing up straight. "The Boiling Isles is nothing but a cesspool of despair."
"More like a cesspool of delight," said Luz, stuffing the potion back in the bag before looking around and spotting a centaur like person in the market area. "What has four hooves and wants to buy a potion? This guy."
"My eyes are down here," said the Centaur like person, sighing before referring to his face being on his chest.
Startled by the outcome at the market, the girls start heading house to house. One house in particular, after the doorbell was rung, started eating Luz's hand. Danielle ends up grabbing Luz and started pulling only for her hands to start getting eaten too. King walks away in annoyance while the girls were being grossed out and screaming. Afterwards, the girls and King were sitting on a curb while King ate something called a not dog.
"I know I've had enough delight for one day," said King, scarfing down his not dog and sighing.
"I thought being the only humans in a magical world would make us special. But apparently, it just makes everyone want to scream at us or..." said Luz, holding up her arm revealing a weird butterfly chewing on her elbow. "Eat me."
"Shoo shoo," said Danielle, waving the weird butterfly off before rubbing Luz's elbow. "Better?"
"Thanks," said Luz, sighing before opening her book from her bag. "At this point, Azura had already been sent on an enchanted quest. Where's my quest-granting wizard?"
"I don't think it works like that," said Danielle, still rubbing Luz's elbow.
"Sorry to break it to you, Luz, but no one here is that well-dressed," said King, staring at the picture in the book.
"This has been a rough day," said Luz, standing up and about to heft the bag over her shoulder.
"Let me take over," said Danielle, grabbing the bag. "You've been carrying it all day."
"Thanks. Let's just deliver this last package and go home. Maybe this world isn't what I thought it wa…" said Luz, gasping when they walked down a certain alley and appeared before a large ornate castle. "Pretty!"
"I agree… Beautiful," said Danielle, before the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end while Luz rang the doorbell. "Something doesn't feel right."
"Big houses always belong to big whackjobs," said King, the big ornate doors opening before them. "Let's kick the package inside and get outta here."
"Hello?" said Luz, walking in and ignoring King.
"Luz… wait up," said Danielle, catching up to Luz and grabbing her arm in nervousness.
"Hey, wait," said King, only for the doors to slam shut behind him. "Weh!"
"I-I'm delivering a package from Miss Eda, the Owl Lady," said Luz, entering a room only for the lanterns to light up the room and reveal a wizard stepping out of a door at the top of a grand staircase. "Today just got good."
"Something feels off," said Danielle, staring at the wizard before seeing all the books. "You probably won't get me out of here."
"Magical wizard!" said Luz, dancing excitedly.
"So many books," said Danielle, staring at all the books before her while thinking. "Worlds and people that won't reject me."
"Weird old man in jim-jams," said King, earning a chuckle from Danielle.
"I was in my oscillarium, reading the stars," said the Wizard, descending the stairs. "And who might you be, with eyes full of curiosity?"
"Uh, I-I'm…" said the girls, only for the Wizard to run up to them.
"Young lady, dareth I say, I sense something unique about you," said the Wizard, mostly staring at Luz before conjuring a spell that brought forth some chairs and a table with baked goods. "Please, won't you join me for tea?"
"Okay that hurt," thought Danielle, seeing that the Wizard was more interested in Luz.
"Okay," replied Luz, before King grabbed her leg.
"Let's scram!" said King, scrambling up onto Luz's shoulder. "Wizards are just old people with glitter in their pockets. I don't trust him."
"But the stars on his robe are sparkling. And look, there's a baby fox in his beard," said Luz, before pointing out a certain food on the table. "Plus, I see scones on the table."
"Where?" shouted King, jumping off Luz's shoulder and towards the table.
"Something's not right with the baby fox," thought Danielle, staring at the baby fox. "I usually gush whenever I see a fox but this… I don't feel a thing."
"We'd love to join you for tea," said Luz, sitting down on the green cushioned chair and grabbing a cup of tea before seeing a cart of potions. "Do you sell potions, Sir Wizard?"
"Luz…" said Danielle, gaining Luz's attention. "I think we need to leave. I'm not getting good vibes from this wizard."
"It's okay," said Luz, handing Danielle a cup of tea.
"But…" said Danielle, staring at Luz concerned before looking down at the ground disappointed. "Mmm."
"Please, call me Adegast," said the Wizard, before staring back at Luz. "Ma'am, yes, I run a small business."
"You should run a small business of more scones into my mouth," said King, holding an empty plate while chuckling. "Yes!"
"I'm surprised to see you here," said Adegast, ignoring King. "It was my understanding that Eda delivered the packages herself."
"Well, we're kinda, sorta, her apprentices," said Luz, staring at Danielle.
"Oh!" said Adegast, leaning forward. "And how are you finding the experience so far?"
"Slow but fine," replied Danielle, seeing Adegast quirk his eyebrow at her before looking back at Luz.
"Can I be honest, Mr. Adegast?" asked Luz, holding a fake grin before sighing. "When I decided to stay in this magical world, I thought I was meant for something special. But Eda thinks I'm meant for chores and I'm afraid I came to the wrong place."
"Everything has to start somewhere," said Danielle, putting the cup back on the table. "Maybe this is her way of testing us."
"Really?" said Adegast, before approaching the girls. "Well, I have a quest…"
"A quest?" said Luz, jumping off the chair in excitement.
"Luz…" said Danielle, not liking where this was going.
"You didn't let me finish," said Adegast, chuckling. "I have a question."
"Oh," said Luz, a little disappointed.
"Would you like to go on a quest?" asked Adegast, waving his hands about.
"Yes!" said Luz, gaining back her excitement.
"Um… I don't…" said Danielle, feeling like she was shrinking into the background. "Luz…"
"I might have just the thing," said Adegast, unrolling a scroll from his beard to reveal a map. "The prophecy speaks of a young human girl who will claim the Celestial Staff and free this world from an ancient evil. Perhaps thou hath cometh here for a reason."
"We should really think this through," said Danielle, nervously and slightly tugging on Luz's arm.
"Perhaps I hath," said Luz, taking the map.
"Should you believe yourself worthy to attempt this quest..." said Adegast, walking away from the girls.
"So worthy," said Luz, looking at the map and following Adegast.
"Luz…" said Danielle, grabbing Luz's arm. "I don't think…"
"You need to know the road is dark and perilous," said Adegast, walking towards the door.
"Love peril," said Luz, still looking at the map. "Big fan of peril."
"Luz…" said Danielle, trying hard to get Luz's attention. "I don't think you're…"
"And only the Chosen One can pull the staff from its post," said Adegast, staring back at Luz.
"Chosen one," said Luz, stopping and looking at the map once more.
"Luz!" said Danielle, finally gaining Luz's attention.
"Oh," said Luz, staring at an upset Danielle. "Sorry about that. I may have lost myself there."
"Neat story, awesome" said King, walking forward while dragging the bag of potions. "Anyway, your food is gone and we are, too."
"Yes, we have to go," said Luz, rolling up the map before getting excited. "And pack for this enchanted quest! I'm in."
"He got her," said Danielle, deeply sighing and rubbing her forehead. "Hook, line and sinker."
"Wonderful," said Adegast, twiddling his fingers.
Finishing their rounds in Bonesborough, the girls and King head back to the owl house. Grabbing the toy sword from the living room, Luz runs upstairs to the room she slept in the night prior. Around her are various foods she procured from the kitchen and various potions as well. Danielle was sitting on the floor near Luz, her legs pulled into her and sighing.
"So, King, what kind of Chosen One should I be?" asked Luz, looking at King.
"Huh? What?" said King, yawning while kneading Luz's rolled up sleeping bag before Danielle grabbed him and pulled him into a hug while rubbing his fur in comfort. "Danielle?"
"It's nothing," said Danielle, not wanting to let anyone know her feelings at the moment.
"Should I be full of optimism and goodness, like the Good Witch Azura? Or should I be like a bad girl Chosen One with black nail polish and a mysteriously withdrawn attitude?" asked Luz, grabbing her book before opening it up like a mouth. "I act like I don't care, but I secretly do."
"You should be you," replied Danielle, deeply sighing. "That's what makes you you, if you know what I mean."
"Oh, you guys talking about bad girls?" asked Eda, hearing the girls and coming through the door with a dismembered blue arm. "Wait, what's going on?"
"Eda, tell Luz how dumb wizards are," said King, snuggling further into Danielle's arms. "So warm."
"Ugh! Wizards are the worst. Never trust a man in casual drapery," said Eda, gesturing with the dismembered arm before lacing her fingers with it. "Why?"
"Your wizard client told Luz..." said King, losing himself to Danielle's embrace. "She was a… was a Chosen One!"
"Wait, wait, Luz?" said Eda, snickering and laughing so hard she fell to the floor.
"Hurtful," said Danielle, staring at Eda. "He also gave her a map."
"Let me see this map," said Eda, Luz handing her the map and inspecting it. "You didn't think this was real, did you?"
"What?" said Luz, confused.
"This map is bunk. There's no lake with a Celestial Staff on the Boiling Isles. I would have stolen it ages ago," said Eda, before handing the map back after seeing Luz's disappointed face. "Ah, don't worry. Couple more months here and you won't look like such a mark."
"Can I have some time alone?" asked Luz, seeing Eda and King leave the room. "Danielle, please?"
"Okay," said Danielle, standing up and leaving the room, closing the door behind her before leaning against it, deeply sighing while pulling her hair back before sliding down to the floor. "This is going to be emotionally draining for me."
"Maybe they were right," said Luz, not knowing Danielle was outside the door before leaning against the wall and sliding down to the floor before seeing the sunlight illuminate the map into showing hidden words. "The path will only appear to the worthy. That's why Eda couldn't see it. But am... I really worthy?"
"Huh…" thought Danielle, listening in on Luz. "What is she… she wouldn't…"
"I'll never know unless I try," said Luz, seeing the map blown towards her book and the pages flipping to a certain section.
"Whoa there," said Danielle, opening the door in a panic. "You can't really be thinking of going!"
"I have to know…" said Luz, staring out the window.
"You're not going to give up, are ya?" said Danielle, seeing Luz's determined face before deeply sighing. "Mamma mia… you're not going alone. We're using the buddy system here, got it?"
"Got it," said Luz, climbing out the window before Danielle followed suit.
Back down in the living room, Eda is pacing around. King on the other hand found a cozy spot on the couch. Curling up near a couch pillow, King fluffs it up before closing his eyes.
"Why does Danielle's hugs feel like that?" asked King, nuzzling the couch pillow. "It's like I'm being wrapped up in some unknown energy that lures me in."
"Crony, wake up," said Eda, staring at King. "You said that wizard was one of my clients?"
"Yes," said King, thinking about going straight to Danielle and never leaving her embrace. "Now go away."
"I don't know him that well," said Eda, sitting on the couch with enough force sending King into the air slightly. "And I don't trust this itch he's scratching in the human."
"Less talky, more nappy," said King, before getting up and heading upstairs. "Danielle's arms seem comfier now."
"Hey, Luz? Danielle? Aw, nuts," said Eda, heading upstairs and opening the door to the girls room only to not see them there before leaning out the window. "Hooty, where'd they go?"
"Hoot, hoot. If you want the answer that you seek, solve my riddle within a week…" said Hooty, only for Eda to slam her fist hard into the outer wall and leaving a crack. "Ow! Okay, okay. They went into the forest towards Bonesborough. Sheesh!"
"Ugh!" said Eda, knowing she'd have to follow after the girls.
After the girls had left the owl house, they trekked for quite a bit. Coming across a sign, Luz stared at the horizon while Danielle kept staring at the sign.
"I hope Luz finds what she's looking for," thought Danielle, staring at Luz.
"My first mythical quest. Ha!" said Luz, inhaling before sliding down the incline.
"Yeesh, how does she make it seem so easy," said Danielle, trying to slide down the incline with no success and walking besides Luz while the fog rolled in. "I do not like this."
"Okay. Got my scroll, got my youthful optimism, got my trusty weapon," said Luz, pulling out the toy sword only for the battery to die out before continuing onward cutting a branch with the sword. "You know, I wonder if I made the right choice by coming here. Wow."
"Why do I feel like I've entered Silent Hills?" said Danielle, walking through a town of cats alongside Luz before walking towards a fountain.
"I see. So, you're the Chosen One," said a young man, coming out of the fountain and scoffing at the girls while flipping his hair out of his face. "The Celestial Staff should've picked me, Nevareth Bladestrife, Teen Prince of Angstmore."
"Ugh," said Danielle, creeped out for a different reason.
"Yes. Yes, I did make the right choice," said Luz, staring at Nevareth's biceps.
Meanwhile Eda and King were following their trail. Sniffing down the alley they originally went down, King follows the girls scent.
"This is where we met the scones. I mean, the wizard. Whoa!" said King, sniffing around before seeing the castle and its surroundings in ruins. "It wasn't like this before."
"I don't like this," said Eda, entering the castle and picking up a scroll depicting the map Luz had. "I really don't like this."
Back to the girls, after walking around with Nevareth, he introduced them to his animal sidekick. Or more in Danielle's description, an onion with bat wings. Danielle walked a little behind since Nevareth joined up with them and not liking the vibes she was getting from him.
"Nevareth, your vengeful backstory is so compelling," said Luz, before staring at his animal sidekick flying about. "And I'm lovin' your animal sidekick."
"After my village was consumed, my heart has known nothing but vengeance," said Nevareth, looking down.
"Nevareth!" said Luz, concerned for Nevareth.
"Sounds like Sasuke," said Danielle, remembering a certain anime. "Mister Doom and Gloom."
"Lady Luz, Maid Danielle, do you think love can bloom on the battlefield?" asked Nevareth, turning to face the girls.
"Maid?!" said Danielle, angry at Nevareth but holding herself back. "This guy is cruisin' for a bruisin'!"
"This quest is questing in all the right ways," said Luz, turning her face away and laughing to herself.
"Focus Luz," said Danielle, walking over a bridge before a creature jumped out. "Eep!"
"Ew," said Nevareth, noticing the creature was just an old cat.
"Hum-di-diddle, to pass the bridge, you must first solve my riddle," said the old cat, dancing around.
"If it will get us moving forward," said Danielle, staring at the cat. "Okay."
"Hit me, little furry man," said Luz, pointing at the old cat.
"Your quest shall stop if you fail this game," said the old cat, dancing around again. "So, tell me, my dear, what is my name?"
"Hmm," hummed the girls, bending down and noticing a nametag on the old cat. "Uh... Chris?"
"That's it. You may cross the bridge," said Chris, before taking a ring out from under its cowl. "And please take this, Chosen One. It shall help you on your journey. I only have one."
"Of course," said Danielle, staring away from everyone while rubbing her arm.
"Wow. This is amazing," said Luz, putting on the ring. "Thank you."
"Do you need a cape?" asked Nevareth, staring at Luz.
"Nah, I think I'm goo…" said Luz, admiring the ring.
"You can use my shirt," said Nevareth, ripping off his shirt and placing it around Luz like a cape.
"Ah! Put it back on, put it back on!" squeaked Danielle, turning away while blushing from Nevareth's exposed chest. "I've never seen a guy shirtless this close."
"Yes. I need a cape," said Luz, excited.
"Three cheers for the Chosen One. Hip, hip..." said Nevareth, his animal sidekick and Chris cheering. "Hip, hip..."
"I'm not liking this quest," thought Danielle, curling in on herself. "I do not."
As for Eda and King, the girls trail led them to the town of cats. Only, much like the castle, it was in ruins. Fog rolling in patches around the town.
"Oh, no," said Eda, looking around the town. "Are you sure they came here?"
"Can't mistake their smell," said King, sniffing around. "Like lemons and young, naïve confidence. Danielle though is sweeter and… insecure?"
"Hmm," said Eda, walking over to a fountain and flicking a cat's forehead wrapped in vines before picking it up. "Hey! Wake up, you. What have you done with Luz and Danielle? What's your endgame?"
"To find your pupils and still your wrath, look ahead and follow the path," said the cat, cackling while it disintegrated.
"The cat man melted!" shouted King, seeing its dust blow in the wind.
"It's a trap," said Eda, sighing before standing up. "They want me to follow the girls."
"So, what do we do?" asked King, staring at Eda.
"Hmm," thought Eda, thinking of a plan.
While Eda was contemplating a plan, the girls were just leaving a tea party with a bunch of fairies. Though Danielle did not enjoy it all, she grinned and bared with it for Luz's sake. Leaving the woods where it was situated, a lone fairy followed the girls and Nevareth's little party.
"Thank you for inviting me to your feast, Princess," said Luz, looking at the little fairy. "All your food was so tiny and cute."
"I swear… my eyes are working against me," said Danielle, rubbing her eyes while seeing tentacles attached to Nevareth and the little ones every once in a while. "What's going on?"
"For you, Chosen One," said the Fairy Princess, twirling her hands and producing two bracelets.
"Thank you," said Luz, before thinking and handing one to Danielle. "Here."
"No thanks," said Danielle, cupping the bracelets back into Luz's hands before walking ahead of everyone. "They were given to you, not me."
"Okay," said Luz, quirking her eyebrow and seeing Danielle was sad. "Is there anything for Danielle? I don't want her to feel left out."
"Sorry Chosen One," said the Fairy Princess, staring at Luz. "These are gifts meant for the Chosen One."
"Oh," said Luz, looking back towards Danielle, seeing her lean against a tree. "Danielle…"
"Your quest will soon come to an end, for the staff you seek is around the bend," said Chris, walking forward towards Luz.
"Thanks for ruining the mood, Chris," said Luz, staring down at Chris.
"Go on, Chosen One," said Nevareth, staring at Luz. "The Celestial Staff is yours. You've earned it."
"Have I?" thought Luz, before walking towards Danielle and patting her on the back. "Let's go."
"Okay," said Danielle, nervously gripping Luz's wrist. "I just want to go back to Miss Eda's place."
"I know," said Luz, feeling Danielle's hands shake.
Coming upon a lake, the girls gasp while spotting the so-called celestial staff. Walking towards the edge of the lake, columns burst forth from under the lake, forming a bridge to walk on.
"I knew this world wasn't all gloom and doom like Eda and King said," said Luz, skipping and grabbing Danielle's hands and twirling them down the bridge. "There is wonder here. And I... I think we came here for a reason."
"I wonder what that reason is?" thought Danielle, thinking about her's while staring at the celestial staff with Luz.
"Okay, this is it. Moment of truth… together," said Luz, grabbing Danielle's hands and placing them alongside her's on the celestial staff.
Blue swirls of magic come out of it, creating waves in the lake as the top of the staff glows brightly. They pull it out of the ground and triumphantly hold it over their heads.
"Whoa…" said Danielle, looking at the staff up close before a cold chill ran down her spine and letting go of the celestial staff. "Uuuh… knew it was too good to be true. The boss is nearby."
"Yes! I am the Chosen One! I knew it! I always suspected there was a reason nobody understood my wacky antics back at home," said Luz, twirling with the staff in hand before the celestial staff turns to dust and blows away and the scenery around them changing. "No! What?"
"Back to back," said Danielle, putting her back up against Luz's back. "We're not out of the woods just yet."
As for Eda and King, they're were flying through the woods on Eda's staff. Dodging branches left and right as they flew through the woods, they head straight on the path that the map led to.
"I know this guy. He's no wizard. He's what you'd call a puppeteer," said Eda, seeing King grab hold of the staff since he was priorly clinging to Eda's dress. "A demon who specializes in scamming and manipulating people. He's trying to use the girls to get to me."
"Yeah, and we're flying directly into his trap," said King, staring at Eda. "Hurray."
"Well, if you can think of a better plan, I'd love to hear it. Hey, faster, you," said Eda, slapping her staff only for Owlbert to hoot so loud and move faster than she thought possible. "Whoa!"
As for the girls, just like Danielle suggested, they were back to back with Luz holding the toy sword in a defensive position and whimpering in fear. Watching their surroundings, they're hear someone come their way. Turns out it was Adegast the wizard.
"Luz and Danielle, the humans," said the Wizard, coming out of the fog.
"Magical wizard?" said Luz, staring at Adegast in confusion.
"Something is not right here," said Danielle, seeing a form shift closer in the fog.
"Your hubris has failed you, Witch Apprentices," said the being from the fog, the form being a giant grey octopus like demon holding Adegast up by a tentacle to his head.
"Huh?" said the girls, seeing the ground crack and the people they met coming out of the ground.
"Zombies!" screamed Danielle, cringing at the sight before noticing spirits next to the people. "Huh…?"
"Please…" said Spirit Nevareth, looking at Danielle. "End this nightmare for us!"
"We never wanted this," said Spirit Fair Princess, bawling her eyes out.
"But you're…" said Danielle, noticing their silver cords were severed before tears prickled the edge of her eyes. "…already gone."
"We're bound till Adegast is dealt with," said Spirit Chris, holding his cap over his one eye.
"Please, grant us this one request," said the Wizard, staring at Danielle. "End his charade and set us free."
"I don't know if I can," said Danielle, not sure of herself. "I'm not that strong."
"You're stronger than you think," said the Wizard, reassuring Danielle. "There's more to you than meets the eyes."
"Okay… I'll try," said Danielle, looking at the spirits before here. "Ci proverò."
"Okay, Luz. Don't panic. This is classic Chosen One biz," said Luz, steadying the toy sword and looking at Danielle who seemed to be talking to herself. "You just have to rescue everybody and defeat the final boss."
"I am everybody! You fool, don't you see?" said Adegast, laughing at the girls. "And you're no Chosen One. I've tricked you."
"What?" said Luz, only for the stuff she was given to magically bind her in place with the cape twirling around Danielle and pulling her in, binding her as well. "No! Betrayed by my own cool accessories. Why are you doing this?"
"Stronzo!" shouted Danielle, glaring at Adegast. "Come hai potuto fare questo a queste persone?"
"Huh?" said Adegast, not understanding Danielle before answering Luz's question. "Your mentor has been stealing customers from my potions business for years. She must be destroyed."
"Does everybody have a beef with Eda here?" asked Luz, only to sigh when his puppets agreed.
"And you lured her right into my trap, all because you wanted to think you were special," said Adegast, slithering closer.
"No," said Luz, glaring at Adegast. "Joke's on you, 'cause Eda isn't stupid enough to fall for your trap."
"There's a reason she's called the Owl Lady," said Danielle, still glaring at Adegast. "Cause she's too wise to fall for it."
"Adegast," shouted Eda, gaining everyone's attention when she got close enough to see the girls.
"Oh, heck!" said the girls, seeing Eda land at the end of the walkway.
"Eda, I have you now!" said Adegast, summoning two more cat puppets that grabbed Eda and King.
"That's right. You have me," said Eda, suspended in the air before pointing at Adegast. "Now release Danielle and Luz."
"I didn't have to be a part of this!" shouted King, trying to get free.
"Oh, they can leave. If they want to. But I sense they want a real fantasy," said Adegast, having the Puppet Chris spew a cloud of fog over the girls.
"Luz…" shouted an unknown masculine voice, a voice only heard by Danielle.
It didn't take long for the girls to succumb to the dark void. A dark void playing on their feelings and emotions. Luz was confronted by the people she met while on this quest.
"Stay with us, Luz. Stay with Adegast," said Puppet Nevareth, coming out of a dark void that surrounded Luz. "We need you here. You could be our Chosen One."
"Yeah, you can eat our tiny foods forever," said Puppet Fairy Princess, fluttering nearby.
"Luz, why would you want to live in a world where people laugh at you?" asked Puppet Nevareth, staring sadly at Luz.
"It is beautiful here. And you guys think I'm special," said Luz, hearing Eda shout out her name before overcoming the effects of the fog. "But it's not real."
As for Danielle, she was confronted by a yellow rodent with a lightning bolt shaped tail. In its paw was a half red half white ball capsule and some red device.
"Pikapi," said the yellow rodent, staring cutely at Danielle.
"Oh, Pikachu!" said Danielle, only to realize that it wasn't realistic but still looking like an anime character. "Dang jerk played on that!"
"Pi?" said Pikachu, tilting its head in confusion.
"I really thought I grown out of that but I guess I still wanted a little adventure," said Danielle, sighing before looking at Pikachu. "There's a better trainer out there for you. Me… I have someplace else to be. Ci vediamo."
Coming out of the fog that played on their feelings and emotions, the girls run out and into the opening. Luz bends down and grabs the toy sword and gets into an attack position.
"I am a Witch's Apprentice. And I'm gonna earn my magic staff the hard way. I believed you, Magic Man. Now feel my wrath!" shouted Luz, swinging the toy sword at any of the puppets that got close before blocking Puppet Nevareth's sword. "I thought we had a connection, Nevareth!"
"Ah, my flawless pecs!" shouted Puppet Nevareth, Luz's sword plunged through this chest.
"Was I really like that?" asked Nevareth, staring at the puppet version of himself, the other spirits shaking their head yes. "Ugh… grab my sword!"
"Got it," said Danielle, grabbing the sword before it fell into the empty lake before slashing at two nearby cats. "Arrivederci!"
"Back off!" said Adegast, seeing his puppets taken down one by one before grabbing King as a hostage. "Or the dog gets it."
"I am not a…" shouted King, only for one of Adegast's tentacles to cover his mouth.
"King!" shouted Danielle, only to drop the sword after seeing Eda and Luz drop their staff and toy sword. "Okay, you win. Now let King go."
"King, I'm sorry. I should have listened to you and never trusted that wizard. You were right. He isn't mystical or magical. He's just a big, slimy jerk," said Luz, before kicking the toy sword straight into Adegast's forehead.
"Nice shot!" shouted all the spirits, cheering them on after seeing Adegast shrink down to their ankles while Danielle grabbed a falling King.
"That's my girl!" said the unknown male voice, the being looking at Luz.
"You okay?" asked Danielle, pulling King in close and rubbing his back.
"I am now," said King, leaning into Danielle and deeply inhaling. "So nice… so warm."
"Well, that's the last time I take an outside referral," said Eda, picking up Adegast before eating him. "Mmm. Oh, did you want some of that?"
"Uh-uh," said Danielle, covering her mouth.
"No. I'm just confused," said Luz, downcast.
"Thinking of calling it quits, huh?" said Eda, staring at Luz then Danielle.
"Not really," said Danielle, seeing where the unknown voice came from, a man right next to Luz, a reaffirming hand on her shoulder.
"This place is nothing like I imagined," said Luz, staring at the ground.
"Hmm. Maybe not here. But come with me," said Eda, gesturing for the girls to follow. "I got something to show you."
"Oh… um…" said Danielle, before turning around and seeing the spirits staring at her.
"Thank you for everything," said all the spirits, a light glow surrounding them before disappearing.
"Prego," said Danielle, before noticing the one spirit near Luz.
"Thanks for watching after my daughter," said the man, before introducing himself. "My name is Manuel Noceda but everyone just calls me Manny. I'll be checking up on my daughter from time to time. Please keep looking after her."
"Okay," replied Danielle, before catching up with the others. "Prometto."
"You do know who that child is, right?" asked the Wizard, reappearing before Manny.
"I do, but…" said Manny, staring at Danielle. "Let her enjoy being herself before that day happens."
Covering the girls eyes with blindfolds, Eda makes sure the girls are in a good position on her staff before taking flight. Flying as high, Eda makes sure she is in the right spot, looking over the land before staring at the girls.
"Okay, you can look," said Eda, letting the girls know to take the blindfolds off.
"Whoa!" said the girls, taking in the view before them, seeing the whole isles with a setting sun illuminating the titan's skull.
"The bones of the Isles. Up close, the Isles can be slimy…" said Eda, enjoying the scenery as well.
"And very stinky," said King, pointing his finger up.
"And gross," said Eda, before staring up at the starry sky before a shooting star is seen. "But if you look at it from a different perspective..."
"It's beautiful," said Luz, enjoying the sight.
"Bellissima…" said Danielle, before thinking of Collector. "Bet he would love to see this. Still, it won't be easy."
"Yeah," said King, leaning against Luz.
"Eda, how did you know that wizard was lying?" asked Luz, staring at Eda.
"Look, kid, everyone wants to believe they're "chosen". But if we all waited around for a prophecy to make us special," said Eda, chuckling. "We'd die waiting. And that's why you need to choose yourself."
"But what if…" said Danielle, her hazel green eyes glazing over slightly, a glowing whiteness forming over them. "The prophecy won't let you."
"Kick the prophecy to the curb," replied Eda, chuckling. "Take control of it… you, okay?"
"Yeah… I'm fine," said Danielle, shaking her head a little before her eyes went back to normal.
"Does that mean you'll give us a magic staff of our own?" asked Luz, staring at Eda.
"Not yet," said Eda, pulling the girls in. "But... someday."
"Troppo alto... Troppo alto!" shouted Danielle, looking down when she shouldn't have. "Waahaa… I just ruined the moment!"