Luz stopped walking and looked at Skara confused. "Skara I don't think I understand. What did you say?"
"I want your help asking your sister Kim out on a date. I know that we haven't known each other long, and I wasn't exactly a great person before we met, but I've never felt this way about anyone before. Kim is so smart and kind. When I'm around her everything seems so much brighter. I know how much you two mean to each other so I want your help, your permission, to be with her," stated Skara with a whimsical grin.
Luz looked away as she awkwardly scratched her head before she said tentatively, "Skara I don't think I'm the right person for this job. I support you two getting together, don't get me wrong." Luz sighed, "She really likes you. I know if you ask her she'll say yes, but if I get involved… it can only go wrong. I love Kim, but this is too important to take that chance. I only ruin things. I'm a blunt object, and all I can do is destroy. I hurt people, and I refuse to ever hurt her."
"Luz that is the biggest load of guano I've ever heard. You are her hero. She looks up to you. You could never hurt her even if you tried. I'm not asking for much. Just help me make a plan for something nice, and tell me when you think I should ask," said Skara with conviction.
Luz sighed in defeat and frustration, "Fine Skara, I'll give you some tips, but Titan dammit that's it. I will not get directly involved, and so help me if she ends up getting hurt I'm going to… Buh I don't know. I don't usually like the people I have to threaten, this is bat guano. If I didn't already know how she felt about you, I'd tell you to shove off." Luz saw Skara's excited smile, and she groaned again, "Ugh ok, so my suggestion. Ask her out tonight after everyone else goes to sleep. Keep it simple and clear. The last thing you want is to give her any reason to doubt your intentions. If you give her a string to pull she WILL get distracted pulling on it. As for a date the Wailing Comet is supposed to pass later this week. Where something red and maybe gold. She likes red, and gold will help you pop. Take her out, and I don't know, have a picnic on a roof while you watch the comet… Titan I'm a flirt not a love doctor. Just don't be surprised if it's a short date. She can get overwhelmed sometimes and she tends to run away to somewhere she feels safe… like a library or behind me. It's not a slight against you. Titan dammit that's all I got. Good luck Skara, and if she ever asks, I had nothing to do with this." Luz then stomped off to make her deliveries while she grumbled under her breath. Skara just watches her go with a small giggle at how much Luz helped her despite saying she wouldn't. Then she ran off to catch Luz and help her make her deliveries.
Elsewhere Kim was getting the ingredients she needed to make a messenger stone just in case their plans for later didn't work as well as they hoped.
A few hours later Willow and Gus arrived at the Owl House with sleeping bags and a bag each. When Eda answered the door Willow said, "Hi there Ms. Eda. I have something for you to thank you for letting us do this." Willow pulls out a small plant that seems to shimmer in the light. "Kim said you like shiny things so I thought a Shimmerbloom would be perfect."
Eda's eyes dilated as she looked at the plant, "It sparkes, and shines. I must have it for my nest." But then she shook her head and looked away saying, "Thanks Specks. King can show you the way to the girls room." Eda then took the plant and told Hooty, "Hooty just direct them to the basement as they come… I'm going to be busy for a while." Then Eda walked up to her room in a daze.
Five minutes later Luz was walking toward the House with Skara behind her bag in tow. "So your parents seem kinda upper class. They don't have a problem with you slumming it with nobodies like us? I'd really hate it if I had to protect my favorite lovebirds from overbearing parents," Luz asked half joking.
"Honestly they might not like it, but they won't do anything about it, besides be cranky, and if they did… I chose Kim. They aren't nearly as uptight as the Blights. I love my parents, but she makes me happier than even music does. If I have to choose between being a Sharp or a Noceda… well do you think Eda would mind one more?" answered Skara.
Luz just stopped and looked Skara in the eye, before smiling and giving her a hug, "I actually believe you. I never thought I'd find anyone who loved Kim as much as I do. Don't worry, Aunt Eda would have your back, and with that kind of loyalty Mami will love you too. Just don't get ahead of yourself, Skara. I like you, but I'm not ready for a sister-in-law yet, but if it was you I might be willing to back an exception."
Skara blushed, but said, "Might be getting a bit ahead of yourself too there Luz, but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought of it someday." Then Skara paused, "What's your mom like? I'll admit, I'm kinda scared to meet her."
As they got back to walking Luz smiled and answered, "Mami is very firm, but unbelievably soft. Everything that is great about us, Kim's wisdom and subtlety, my heart and fierceness, those are things we got from her. Mami is kinda hard to describe, because she is so… complex. Let me give you an example. We found snares all over the woods one time, rabbit traps. Normally if you use regular wire they are fairly humane, not great, but you have to pick your battles, and frankly population control is good for the ecosystem. These snares though were using razor wire, and they didn't know what they were doing, as a result they sometimes would bind up causing the rabbits to cut themselves up while they tried to escape. We found more than one that had simply bled out slowly in the traps or near them from lost limbs. It was revolting. Whomever set them up was a real sadist or a moron, probably both. Mami spent a week carefully saving the few she could, and searching for who set them up. I can't tell you if she actually caught the guy, but it never happened again after that, and we were told not to bring it up again outside the family. My theory was always that she buried him somewhere because the cops never got involved, but I don't know for sure. She is the definition of a perfect ally, and worst enemy, kinda like me, but with Kim's gift of subtlety." Luz let out a laugh, but noticed Skara looked even more scared. "Skara you have nothing to worry about. Kim loves you. I have your back. Mami will love you too. I promise," reassured Luz.
"LUZ. SKARA. WAIT FOR ME," yelled Amity as she came running up, and started panting to catch her breath. "I hurried over as soon as I could. Sorry I'm all sweaty now."
"Amity your glistening. ¿Por qué siempre debes ser tan hermosa, diosa de cabello menta?
(Why must you always be so beautiful you mint haired goddess.)," said Luz in wonder.
"Um Luz? I didn't catch that last part. What did you say?" asked Amity in confusion.
Luz blushed before stammering, "So what did your mom want Amity? Is everything ok?"
Amity sighed, "Ok so neither of you can really do Oracle magic, and it happens to be my moms specialty. Up till now I've refused to have anything to do with it because of that, but I heard about Kim's track sharing plan, and I'm actually pretty good at it if I try. I thought maybe I could contribute that way since I doubt either of you will need my abominations knowledge."
Luz gave her a stern look, "Amity, we appreciate you trying to expand your horizons, but don't do it just to help us out. You are perfect just the way you are, and I'm proud of you for trying. If you want to learn Oracle magic that's fine. If not, you are still the best abominations witch I've ever met, and that is enough. Ok?" Amity blushed as she gave a quick nod.
As the three approached the house Hooty popped out of the ground hooting, "Welcome back best buddy. Willow gave Eda something shiny so she's busy. Anything I can do for you, hoot hoot?"
Luz laughed, "Sure Hooty. Take this bag and put it with the rest, please. After that, just enjoy a nice nap. If I come across any more of those bugs you like I'll make sure to save them for you. In the meantime I'm just going to take these ladies around back so we can go hang out in Casa Noceda. Thanks bud." Hooty took the bag and quickly left looking overjoyed.
Skara shuddered, "How do you do that? I mean, I've heard horror stories about that thing for years, and after meeting him I believe them."
Luz let out another chuckle, "Skara, Hooty isn't scary. Yes he can be a bit loud and crazy sometimes, but he's also loyal and honest. It started out as a way to get him to behave, but I really do like him now. Besides, I've heard the stories that the guards trade around…" Luz put on a truly intimidating straight face, "I'm a lot scarier, when I want to be." Then Luz smiled again like it never happened, and started walking away.
Skara had to guide Amity after that, but she heard Amity whisper, "Oh Titan she's hot."
When the three managed to make it into the basement they heard Luz say with a bow, "Welcome ladies to Casa Noceda found nestled beneath the famous Owl House. With the exception of having to make potions, or perform larger rituals this space is all ours. We had to agree to a small 'renting fee', but it's ours to do with as we please. It's still technically a part of Hooty though so don't worry we are as safe as can be. Would you like the full tour, or would you rather explore on your own?"
Amity and Skara looked around in wonder. It was just a basement, but the whole room just gave off an aura of freedom that neither girl had ever experienced. They even saw King napping in a corner while cuddling one of his stuffed plushies. Then their eyes wandered over to the stand between the twins beds, and Amity let out a gasp of awe, "Luz are those… palismen?"
Kim let out a laugh, "Yes and no. They'll be our palismen someday we hope, but for right now they're just eggs. We carved them ourselves with Eda's help on our birthday. I wouldn't touch them though. Hooty has strict orders to eat anyone who tries that isn't Luz or I."
"Why eggs though?" asked Skara.
"Well we haven't really figured out who we are yet, or what we want. This place gave us the chance to figure it out for ourselves, and we thought that our palismen should get the same opportunity. We don't really care what they look like, we will accept them no matter what. As long as they are happy and accept us back, that's enough for us," said Luz as she gave the purple egg a kiss.
"That reminds me. You promised to tell us about Raine's theory. What's up," asked Gus.
"Ok Gus, we'll explain, but let's do something fun while we do. You interested in getting your nails painted?" Gus just nodded excitedly. "Ok then. We have a collection of colors so pick up to five and we'll get to it."
Skara chose a bright red, and showed them a spell she knew that would let them add designs so she also added light blue hearts. Kim chose dark red as well with some black so she could give them a scale pattern like her satchel. Luz chose a royal purple, sky blue, and a forest green with multicolored stars. Amity chose mauve and kept them simple. Willow chose an autumn orange and added varying colors of flowers. Gus chose five colors red, yellow, turquoise, violet, and indigo. While they helped each other Kim and Luz started by sharing some random facts about themselves before pulling out the poster they stole on their first night on the Isles, and Kim admitting, "Raine thinks we might be the lost princesses."
No one moved or reacted as they absorbed what they just heard, and felt the pieces start to shift into place. After a few minutes Gus looked excited, Skara looked nonplused, like it didn't matter to her, Willow looked undecided, but only Amity spoke as she cried in abject fear, "Nononono you can't be serious. Oh Titan what have I done? Oh Titan please this can't be happening." Skara tried to comfort her friend, but it only made her spiral worse, "Guano, Guano, Guano. None of you get it. My mom is already looking into you all. In order to get her to let me hang out with you all I had to spin it as me 'molding future coven heads'. It wasn't even a lie. Even a blind witch could see your potential, but now I've doomed you both. As soon as she sniffs out the possibility that this is true, she will turn you in, and we will never see each other again. It won't matter if it's true. Belos will either claim you and we will never be able to get close to you again, or he will see you as a threat and petrify you. What have I done? What have I done?" Amity's eyes started to glow mauve and she began to melt into abomination goo, but Kim managed to draw a circle and knock her out before she could fully lose control.
Luz carefully lifted Amity and settled her into Luz's bed gently with Skara's help. As they did, Skara couldn't help seeing the troubled look on Luz's face. With a confidence that she hadn't felt before, Skara said, "Amity isn't wrong, but I don't think Odalia will be a threat anytime soon unless one of us says something to her directly. Odalia's vile and conniving, but she's also dependent on her magic to get answers. Only the 'upper class' have any direct contact with her, and most wouldn't do her a favor even if it was to their minor gain. The only 'friends' I'm aware she has are my parents and Boscha's moms, and they shouldn't be a problem either. I am sorry though that you have to deal with this mess." Sara looked at Kim and smiled, "This doesn't change anything for me though. I… We still love you guys, and nothing is going to change that. Right guys?" Willow and Gus smiled and nodded their agreement. "Ok, so that's enough heavy for now. We have a few hours still until moonrise. What should we do?"
Kim and Luz smiled at their friends before Luz said, "I have a couple movies from the human realm on my phone. You guys can pick one, and we can just hang out eating snacks while we watch it if you want." As Luz unlocked her phone everyone saw her background, and for the first time they saw her. Luz's background was a picture from five years before. It showed an overjoyed and smiling Kim and Luz with an older man and women behind them. Their mom Camila shared a lot of similarities with her daughters. She looked kind and even through a picture she seemed to radiate a maternal air, but they saw the same fire that burned in Luz's eyes sometimes on full display in the older women's silver eyes… eyes so much like their Empresses. The man looked tired, but content. He had brown eyes and hair with a well cared for full beard. Oddly though they saw no similarities to the twins in him. Even if it was faint or only in one feature they expected to see something, but nothing was there. He felt more like a kind stranger than their friend's dad. They kept these thoughts to themselves, but they lingered in the back of their minds all through the movie. About a half hour into the movie Amity woke up in Luz's bed with Luz herself keeping watch over her from nearby. At first Amity felt herself start to spiral into terror and shame again, but Luz saw her, and sat down with her. Luz moved Amity's head into her lap, and started to tenderly stroke her head and hair causing Amity to blush, but feel oddly safe and peaceful. When the movie was over everyone started preparing for the summoning ritual, and in the process they ended up waking King who gave an annoyed groan, but went to go get Eda to make sure they were performing the spell correctly.
After a couple minutes Eda came down into the basement with a bottle of hard apple blood and her comfortable clothes on. With a practiced eye and a single draw from her bottle Eda looked over the prepared ritual space. She made minuet adjustments, but let out a hearty laugh as she congratulated the teens, "Well done all. If this is the quality of work you can put out, maybe I should take all of you under my wing. I never really fancied myself a teacher, but ever since my little owlets came… it just feels right." Eda let out a snort at herself, but continued, "Ok, so when you're ready each of you are going to stand on one of those points of Soloman, and pour in your magic and intention. Who or what did you choose to summon may I ask?"
Luz and Kim looked at everyone before speaking, "Well if it's ok with all of you, we'd like to try for our mom. With the door still busted… ok we just really miss her, and even if it's only for one night it would be great to see her." Everyone else gave each other a wordless look, before they smiled at the twins and agreed.
"Ok kiddos. Do you have a recent picture of her? For the best results you need a clear image and description of your target. If one of you is unclear or uncertain it could cause the spell to redirect," stated Eda sagely.
Kim chimed in as she unlocked her phone and showed everyone taking part a picture of Luz, herself, and their mother from a few weeks before they ended up in the Demon realm. Unlike the one they had seen earlier on Luz's phone they could see the strains of time. Luz was still smiling, but after seeing her childlike glee before, they realized this one and almost every smile they had seen up until that point had been painfully fake and hollow, and they could see the exhaustion in them from everything she had endured since the previous picture. Kim looked happy and comfortable at first, but her posture betrayed her feelings of paranoia and fear like a small creature in the presence of a predator even though none were present. Their mom hadn't changed much, but there was a distance now to her posture, and a sense of exhaustion comparable to Luz's in her eyes. These were the results of losing their dad put on clear display, and Kim didn't even seem to realize it. This picture filled their friends with only a feeling of profound sadness for them, but it was enough to perform the ritual. With her image in mind the teens took up their positions and started feeding the spell their magic and intentions, and Luz started trying to call out to her human mother with all her heart.
Elsewhere Masha was laying on the Noceda's couch getting comfortable before falling asleep until they started to feel a warmth radiate through their body before they felt like they were being dragged backwards forcefully through a narrow hole, and then they felt themselves land on a stone floor like they had rolled off of the couch onto it. All around them were unfamiliar faces until Masha saw Luz and Kim, and in one swift movement they swept them into a hug as they cried, "Oh my god. Luz, Kim I found you. Camila's going to be so excited when she sees you."
While Luz and Kim just stood there in shock Willow eventually asked, "Um do you two know this… girl?"
Masha flipped around to look at Willow before saying, "This is the first time we've actually met to be honest. Hi, I'm Masha, and I'm non-binary so they/them, please. Camila took me in shortly after you disappeared because… I didn't have anywhere else to go. We've been looking for you ever since. She's so worried about you two. What happened... And who are they… since when are your ears pointy?"
Finally recovering from her surprise, Luz took a step forward while maintaining her grip on Masha in order to free Kim before she said, "Ok I guess the spell redirected for some reason. Welcome to the Boiling Isles in the Demon realm. The older looking semi-silver fox behind us is Kim and my mentor Eda. The adorable despot with the skull head next to her is King, and the cuties around us are Willow, Gus, Skara, and Amity. The night we 'disappeared' we came through a magic door that Eda owns to reclaim some stolen property…"
"I said I was sorry. Owlbert usually only grabs trash. He still won't tell me why he took your stuff in particular by the way," groned Eda.
Kim spoke up next, "Something happened to the door after that so we couldn't go back. While we wait for it to mend though, Eda took us in and has been teaching us magic. Apparently we are witches, and that's why our ears got pointy."
Eda got up from where she had been sitting to oversee and said, "Well there went your shot for this time kiddos. I'm going to take my drink, and head to bed. Luz you're in charge, unless you start causing too much chaos, in which case Kim's in charge. Have fun with your human, don't be up too late cuz most of you still have classes in the morning, and unless it's an emergency let me sleep." Eda yawned, "Night owlets." And with that she stumbled away.
Masha just stared after Eda in wonder, "Coolest… mentor… ever. So how did I get here exactly? You said the door was busted so…"
"We were trying to summon Mami here. It would have only been for tonight, but at least we could have told her we were ok," sighed Luz.
Masha gave her a sad look before brightening up, "Well since you said it will only last tonight, why don't you just tell me, and I'll pass along any message you want me to when I go back."
Luz smiled at Masha, "Ok Masha. Let me tell you a tale of magic and wonder."
"Oh Titan, we've lost her," sighed Kim. "Well I guess it could be fun to show off some of the things we've learned so far. Come on everyone. Let's put on a show."
So for the next hour and a half Luz and the rest of the Hexsquad told Masha about all the things that happened to them and demonstrated some of their magic, gear they made or got, and finally some of the glyphs the twins had discovered. To everyone's surprise when Luz dropped a fire glyph paper, Masha caught it and it activated causing a beautiful onyx fireball to appear in their hand. After that they had Masha try some of the other glyphs, and try to make constructs like Luz, but to less than stellar results. Masha had no issues activating the glyphs, but they weren't experienced enough to do much with them beyond the basics, and their constructs were weak. They weren't fragile like Kim's, but they also just didn't seem to have the durability of Luz's. The seven teens had a lot of fun though as they laughed and groaned like friends that had known each other all their lives.
Gus then asked a question that had been bothering him, "Masha I hope I'm not getting to personal, but you said you got taken in by Ms. Noceda because you didn't have anywhere else to go. What happened?"
Masha got very quiet for a moment before they stated confidently, "I tried to come out to my… the people I lived with about being non-binary. They didn't take it well, and they disowned me. Threw me and everything that involved me away. I had a rough few days. Pawned what valuables I owned for food, but I ran out of stuff. Camila found me crying and hungry in the shack behind her house." Masha started tearing up despite themselves, but kept pushing forward, "Camila must be a saint because she took me in without even a second thought. I know it's only temporary. Eventually you two will go back to her, and she won't need me anymore, but until then I'm just going to enjoy what time I can with her. If that's ok with you two?"
Masha looked at the twins with eyes full of concern and fear, but before they could say anything else Luz and Kim wrapped them in a warm embrace just like Camila did and just as quickly. Luz then spoke to Masha softly as she reassured them, "Masha that will never happen. Forget those perras. If they can't accept you, then we will. Mami would never throw you away, and even if she tried we wouldn't allow it. If you want you can be a Noceda sibling. Mami has enough love to share."
Kim then added with a smile, "We only ask that you keep looking after our Mami while we're away, and don't worry you have two witchy sisters now even if you don't want to join our family officially. I might not be strong in a fight like Luz, but neither of us will ever let anyone hurt you again. I promise."
Masha felt so overwhelmed so they just hugged their new sisters and cried, "Thank you," over and over again until everyone else came over and joined the hug with promises to be their for them whenever they could as well.
The seven spent the next four hours playing games, snacking, and telling stories about their lives. The stories started light with better times, like time with family or friends, even Amity included a few from when Willow and her were friends the first time. Then they grew darker, an otherwise fine memory that turned sour, the day Amity got her pendent, the day Skara realized that her parents didn't know how to love her, and the day Gus realized that he could never trust anyone completely again to not take advantage of his intelligence. Then things got dark. Amity and Willow admitted why they stopped being friends. Masha not only confirmed the stories that everyone had heard about the twins' old school, but added more context. Finishing with how Manny, the Noceda's dad, had died of cancer, and the day Amity realized she would never earn her mothers love.
They all just sat there wallowing in their own darkness and the darkness of their friends until Luz started to laugh until she started crying. When everyone just looked at her in horror and confusion Luz finally said, "We're all a bunch of freaks and weirdos aren't we?" When no one got the joke Luz continued, "We are literally from different worlds, statuses, and upbringings, but in the end we all ended up here, in this room. We each went through so much directly or indirectly, but it brought us all here." Luz had to stop as she was overcome by more laughter, but when it passed she finished her thought, "I for one would go through it all over again if I knew that it would bring me back to this moment, where I am surrounded by the best set of freaks and weirdos a girl could ever ask for. I love you guys, and I don't think I've ever said that to anyone before. I just feel so warm and light. It made me have to laugh." After a moment they all joined in as they laughed away all the pain and trauma they had gone through. It didn't wipe away the scars, but together they didn't feel so heavy.
As they all came together and embraced for another group hug, everyone but Kim heard a cracking sound, and Kim let out another laugh, "I think I finally figured out what I've always wanted. I didn't just want to be understood, I wanted to be accepted for who I am." As she spoke the words there was a flash of crimson light that momentarily blinded the teens, but then they heard an adorable little squeak-roar and the beating of wings, and when they could see again they saw a small red european dragon sitting on Kim's shoulder with its tail around the back of her neck. The little thing started to nuzzle into Kim's cheek affectionately, until she reached up and started to scratch it between its wings. As it continued to release content little noises Kim said, "Let me introduce my palisman Scarlet. Scarlet, these are our friends." As Luz reached out to give Scarlet a scratch as well Scarlet froze, hissed at Luz, and then her body shifted and changed into that of an eastern dragon and began to coil around Kim's opposite arm making Kim laugh, "Come on little one. It's just your Aunt Luz wanting to show you some attention." Scarlet cocked her head to the side before uncoiling herself and returning to Kim's shoulder to sniff at Luz's hand before choosing to give it a test nuzzle to Luz's delight.
As everyone cooed and complimented Kim and Scarlet, Hooty popped out of the wall with an injured palisman that looked like a squirrel with a scorpion tail that started to chitter painfully in Scarlet's direction. Suddenly Kim heard a voice in her head that sounded both silky and smokey at the same time, "Mami it says someone named Vee needs help."
With a start Kim realized it had been Scarlet speaking to her, and Kim turned to Luz to say, "Vee needs help. We have to go." Luz just gave Kim a nod before throwing on her bag, and starting to rush off, but she was stopped by Amity learning her throat before Luz could take more than three steps.
"Who's Vee? And why do they need help?" asked Amity impatiently.
"No time. Anyone who is ready to fight, follow me, otherwise stay here where it's safe. Explanations on the way," stressed Luz. Without much of another choice everyone followed Luz as they ran. The little Squirrelicor palisman was using its stinger tail to point their way in Kim's hands as she attempted to heal the little creature as best she could. As they ran Luz and Kim told the group about how they had rescued a cart of palisman on their birthday, and how they had made friends with the palismen's basilisk guardian, Vee. When the witches heard basilisk they almost stopped dead.
"Wait, you have us running off to save a basilisk?" asked Amity.
"What's the big deal? Vee is supposedly their friend. Isn't that enough," asked Masha.
"You don't understand basilisks are magic devouring monsters. You can't trust them," stated Skara as she shook in fear.
"So just because someone's weird, or violent, or was a bully you shouldn't trust them?" asked Kim looking disappointed. "I thought you'd changed, but… I guess not."
Masha, Luz, and Kim managed to pull ahead, while everyone else started to lag behind with looks of shame on their faces.
As they drew close they could hear the sounds of whips creaking, electricity arcing from the hunters' batons, and smell smoke from places where fires had been set. They watched as an enraged Bat Queen and a large ferocious serpentine beast with four arms ending in claws and breathing bursts of flame fought against a dozen Demon hunter's. The duo were succeeding in holding their enemies at bay, but it was clear they couldn't win. Exhaustion would overtake them soon. Luz and Kim shared a look before smiling, and then Luz said, "Ok Masha we are going to hit them hard. If you see anyone trying to get back up try to knock them out if you can. Otherwise keep your head down. We are used to this, but we just met you, and we don't want to lose our new sibling yet."
With another confident look the twins separated, and circled around to each side to pincer the hunter's like before. As Masha and the others watched there was a pair of bright flashes of light that stunned the combatants, and then the sound of screaming as three hunters from each side became incapacitated. The three on the right had simply been devoured by the ground beneath their feet up to their necks, and the three on the left found themselves wrapped in thick thorny vines that held them off the ground. As the defending duo and half dozen hunters looked around to discover who these new intruders were, Luz and Kim strutted out of each side of the treeline with bandanas over their faces and hoods up. As they walked confidently Luz yelled, "We are the good witch's Luzura and Kim Hex, warriors of peace…"
Kim then took over as she shouted while brandishing her staff, "You do not belong here. Leave or we will make you."
BQ and Vee recognized the twins, and gave a threatening roar at the hunter's, but they only laughed as a larger male hunter shouted back, "I'm guessing you two are the ones who knocked out my scouts last time. Well we were prepared for you this time." He then gave a harsh whistle and two more squads of a dozen hunter's came rushing out of the treeline on each side with one member each mounted on some kind of large cat with whiplike tails. With a snap of his fingers the fight began again. Thanks to the support the monster duo received they were able to start pushing the original six remaining hunters back, but Luz and Kim were finding themselves being slowly pushed into the middle of the area by their respective enemy squads until they were forced together. Under the combined assault of the thirty hunters the foursome was finding themselves quickly losing ground until they heard the hunter's leader shout/laugh out again, "Surrender already, you have no chance here. We have orders directly from the Emperor. Give up all the palismen, and we might let the witchlings live. This fight is over."
"That's what you think ugly, but my sisters will not be going down today," said Masha as they confidently strode forward with a half dozen abominations at their back and a pair of black fireballs in each hand. While everyone watched the sky darkened, and the sound of an entire orchestra playing could be heard all around them. After that the scene dissolved into chaos as the orchestra played, causing streaks of lightning to arc from the sky in an almost random way while never striking any of the casters' allies. The abominations dispersed throughout the field slashing and occasionally releasing ghostly wails that unnerved their targets causing them to make mistakes and openings. Occasionally a vine would snag an ankle or one of the hunters' attacks would suddenly miss as if their perceptions of space had been altered. With sertentlike ease Masha ducked and weaved through the combat taking a cheap shot here and a shove there to cause further distractions. On and on the fight went until everyone was exhausted, especially the monster duo who seemed about to collapse. The storm passed as keeping up the music long term proved too cumbersome, and eventually the abominations were struck down and splattered. At some point the leader had noticed that any hunter that got knocked down was being wrapped and held in vines to keep them down, and started cutting anyone who could still fight free to return to the fight. Of the thirty hunters only five remained including the leader and his two outriders.
With a tired attempt at applause the leader groaned, "Ok kids, this was cute and all, and I'll admit you pushed us hard, but it's time to give up. You can barely stand up anymore. You're done, and so is my patience. Surrender or die." When everyone stood firm the leader sighed and raised his blade over his head to cut Kim down.
Just as the blow was about to strike, Skara suddenly appeared in front of him, catching his slash with her harp, and screaming, "Nobody hurts my Kim." Sending him flying back into a tree unconscious from a sonic scream.
When the remaining pair of unmounted hunters tried to attack a nearly unconscious and unshifted Vee, Masha took the hits from their batons instead yelling out, "You've hurt this sexy snake enough," before dropping down and tripping the pair where they found themselves quickly wrapped in thorny vines.
In an attempt to salvage something from this disaster the outriders grabbed a early consious Luz between them and started to try to ride away with her, only for a pair of massive abomination fists to encircle their heads and slam them together causing the riders to collapse and their mounts to scatter. Amity appeared above them saying, "I think not. She is far too hot to be captured by morons like you."
With the fight over the remaining members of the Hexsquad who still could found the hunters wagons and freed the palismen they had managed to capture. In the process Amity found a white cat palisman that was cracked all over and nearly broken. For some reason Amity couldn't look away from it, and using what remained of her magic she tried to heal it, causing her to black out. When she woke up she found herself laying in Luz's lap with a mostly healed version of the cat curled up on her chest. "Good morning hermosa. Did you enjoy your nap?" asked Luz with a soft smile as she continued to lovingly play with her mint hair.
Amity looked up into Luz's amber eyes, and felt at peace before she asked, "We won right? The palismen and Vee are safe now?"
With a sudden rush of wind, and flapping wings the Bat Queen landed nearby. "Yes young Blight. Once more I own my thanks to the Noceda twins and you all as well." With a curious look at the cat on Amity's chest BQ started to laugh, "It seems Ghost has taken a liking to you. Quite the feat given her history."
"What happened to her, if I might ask?" whispered Amity as she gave Ghost a scratch behind her ear which made Ghost begin to purr.
"Young lady, have you never wondered what happened to your mothers palisman?" asked BQ with confusion.
"Mom said she never had or wanted one," answered Amity unsurely.
BQ let out a hiss, "Not only is that woman vile, but now a liar as well. No Amity, she carved Ghost in when she was about your age, but when she wouldn't perform to her standards Odalia beat and abandoned her. If I had not found her, Ghost most certainly would have ceased to exist. It is for this reason I find her attachment to you so odd."
Amity looked into Ghost's periwinkle eyes, and whispered, "Maybe she just senses a kindred spirit, but it doesn't matter. Ghost has been hurt enough, and no matter how much I might want to do otherwise, she has to stay here. I can't take the risk of Odalia finding her and finishing the job, but I will admit she is beautiful."
"It seems that everything that wretched perra creates is. I will never understand how someone so vile can create so many pure beautiful souls," stated Luz wistfully, and making Amity blush.
On the other side of the room Skara and Kim were talking in whispers. "I'm sorry for ever doubting you Skara. I've just been lied to and manipulated so many times… it was fair to you…" sighed Kim.
Skara just pulled Kim into a tight hug as she whispered back, "No you were right. I was being small minded and ignorant. I didn't even consider why a magic eating demon would be trusted to protect these poor, innocent souls. Today just proves that I'm nothing without you, so I was wondering…"
Kim suddenly shouted, "Would you like to go out with me?"
Skara groaned and started to laugh, "I was so close. Come on Kimmy, let me do this right."
Kim let out a little laugh, "Ok, I'm sorry."
"Kimberly Noceda, would you do me the great honor of being my girlfriend?" asked Skara.
"YES, YES, A THOUSAND TIMES YES. OMT I'm dating Skara Sharp. If this is a dream, please let me stay in it forever," cried Kim in glee.
Skara just pulled Kim closer, and gave her a kiss on the forehead, "I think if anyone's dreaming, it's me, my beautiful star."
As a thank you, BQ invited all the teens to stay for a while and rest up. After an hour Vee gets up to check the perimeter, but while she's gone Masha snuck up to Luz. "So you and Vee are friends right?"
Luz quirks an eyebrow, "Ya. I don't go rushing off to save random strangers. I'm good, but not that good. Why?"
Masha blushes and looks away as they ask, "So you'd know if they were seeing anyone, right?"
In Luz's exhaustion it took her a minute, but then she started smiling slyly, "So that's your type… Ok little sib, I guess I can let you know at least that much. No, to the best of my knowledge Vee is partnerless, so go get you a piece of that cinnamon roll." Masha blushes again, but all of a sudden their form starts to waver. "Spit, guys Masha is fading out. You'd better hurry up if you want to say goodbye," shouts Luz to everyone.
All around the room everyone starts waving and wishing Masha luck, except for Kim who rushes over and shoves a blue stone into Masha's hands. "This is a Hermes stone. Give it to Mami, and tell her to whisper our names to it. It can carry one message each way, but only once so be careful with it." Kim then gives Masha a hug, "I can't wait till I can see you both again. We are going to be the best siblings in the history of siblings, just you wait." And then they were gone.
After Masha disappeared everyone kinda just wanted to get going. They had classes in a few hours, and they were already dreading them. On their way back they ran into Vee who looked kinda depressed when Luz told her that Masha had already headed home, but took some solace in the fact that they might get to see them again soon.
In the Noceda household Camila's bedroom door was suddenly thrown open making her jump, and see a dirty, out of breath Masha running toward her. "Masha, what's wrong? Why are you filthy?"
"I found them. Camila I found Luz and Kim," said Masha beaming at Camila.
Camila just sat there in shock as Masha told her what happened before revealing Kim's Hermes Stone. Upon seeing it, Camila knew for sure that Masha was telling the truth. With shaking hands Camila took the stone and whispered Luz and Kim's names, and then the room was filled with Kim's voice.
Hola Mami. I know you're probably made, but Luz and I are fine. We kinda got stuck where we are for another few weeks, but as soon as we can. We'll come home. Until then we are staying with this fantastic lady named Eda, we'll introduce you later, but she's teaching us magic. Mami, why didn't you tell us we were witches? We would have understood. I'm sorry, but this stone can only manage so much. We love you. See you s…
And then the message was cut off. Camila just sat there frozen for a few moments until Masha spoke up, "Camila? Why do you look so scared?"
Camila looked at Masha, and came to a decision, "Masha, when the time comes I'm going after my twins. I'll understand if you don't want to go with me, and it might get dangerous, but if you want… Masha, I want you to stay with me. I'm not perfect, but I promise to give you all the love and understanding I can… What do you say?"
Masha started to cry tears of joy as they threw themselves into Camila's arms, "Yes, Yes Mami. I would like to go with to find my sisters. After meeting all of you, I think I was always meant to be a Noceda."
Camila started tearing up too as she said, "Well then we have a lot to do, and a lot to talk about, but first I need to send a message."
After the six teens made it back to the Owl House everyone except Luz and Kim passed out on the basement floor so they could get at least a few hours of sleep before school, but Kim and Luz had something else on their minds. As soon as the Hermes Stone reappeared in Kim's pocket, they rushed up to Eda's room and broke the first rule of the Owl House… They woke up Eda. With an angry scowl and groan Eda said, "If someone an't dying, I'm killing somebody."
"Eda, we got a message back from our Mami on the Hermes Stone I made," shrieked Kim.
"Ok. Play it, and I'll decide your punishment after," groaned Eda. As soon as it started to play Eda was fully awake.
By the Titan Kim, I always knew you were smart, but you never fail to surprise me. I'm sorry I didn't tell you we are witches, but I had a good reason. It's too much for the time we have now, but I'll tell you soon I promise. I know you're listening, Eda. Please keep my angels safe. I can't lose them like I lost their father. I know you must have questions too, but now is not the time. I'm begging you, keep them safe. They aren't ready for the truth. If you ever loved us, please do it for me, your Carmelo needs you.
Luz and Kim looked confused, "What did she mean Eda? Did you know our mom?"
Eda just slowly looked up and her eyes dilated as she pulled the girls into the warmest embrace she had ever given, and she started to silently cry. They stayed that way for nearly three whole minutes, no one saying a word, and then Eda broke the embrace, "Kiddos. I wish I could answer all your questions, but I can't. I made a vow to your mom a long time ago, and she just called in her chip. Please trust me on this, there is so much I want to tell you, but I can't. I love you both." Then Eda pulled herself together a bit, "Ok that was kinda important so I'm going to let you break rule one this time. In the meantime you look exhausted. Go get some sleep. I'll call Bump. No school today, ok… Now please, I need to think, so can you please go do that for me."
Luz and Kim looked at Eda a little confused, but they were tired so they agreed, but on their way out they said, "We love you too Aunt Eda. Thanks, and good night."
Once they were gone Eda just curled up in a ball and started to cry away all the feelings that were welling up inside her.
Author notes: So many ships so little time. I really don't have much to say about this chapter. The rabbit story was my best attempt at a balanced story since my thoughts on that kind of stuff is messy at best. I hunt, but strongly believe in doing so while causing the least amount of suffering possible 'quick and clean'. So things like that both me really bad.
I did a lot of research for the nail polish scene, if you get it congrats. Otherwise it's not worth stressing about you just don't get a cookie. Same situation for the 2 occult references I make.
I want to thank Beninator5 and owlhouseangel for the help and occasional inspiration to keep going. Beyond that, in the words of a future writing friend, stay weird everybody.