A/N: Fuck, where do I start? Well, okay, the idea for this fic - a fic exploring a potential Belos redemption arc and what that would entail, has been knocking around my skull since the end of Season 2.

Between you and me, It's where I *intended* to take my last TOH fic. Unfortunately, intent is as far as I got…

(A sidenote, this officially means that unfortunately that Reflections of a Shattered Mirror is a dead fic. Sorry!)

I stopped writing that because, well- my autism demanded I write other things and I'm hopeless against the whims of the pile of gelatin and salt in my cranium.

But, here I am, giving it another shot.

As for why? Why explore a redemption arc for a character who has, like, no redeemable traits?

I dunno. Cuz I want to.

That's the thing, I agree wholeheartedly. I don't *know* why my brain wants me to write out this idea, but it does. So, I'm going to give it my all!

Besides, it's not, that ridiculous in fan circles, fics like this. I mean, MasakoX did a video series about Freeza turning good, and- Freeza's done much worse than Belos lmao.

At the end of the day, it's just a story, innit? This is just me writing a silly idea my heart demanded. Shrug.

Special thanks:

First and foremost: Eris! For their support, kind words, and well- artwork! The cover piece was drawn by them, and it's great.

So- uh, okay, I know I've been shouting him out on all my fics, but..Special thanks to my boyfriend, Crow, for his unending and unwavering support even when I get weird ass brain bugs like this.

As well, to Neo who provided a ton of the ideas that became this fic's bedrock.

And lastly, to Laine who said I should be euthanized

(SLASH J, WE WERE JOKING AROUND)

And viewers like You!

A chill autumn breeze blew through the town of Gravesfield, Connecticut. It seemed to be just a peaceful Friday afternoon, with a slightly overcast sky sprinkling pitter-patters of rain against brick and mortar.

Out of one of these buildings - the local library, walked the 18 year old couple of Amity Blight and Luz Noceda. They were on a little date - each carrying a shopping bag's full of new books. Well… New to them, in reality they were very, very used books - the library was having a sale on books at the end of their life. And by a sale, I mean- they basically were being given away they were so cheap.

The best thing they got was a complete set of Good Witch Azura books, including the extremely niche spinoffs! Of course, Luz already had each one, but Amity didn't. The library at Bonesborough…Well, it didn't fare the greatest after the Day of Unity, let's just leave it at that.

"I haven't read the first one in so long…" Amity laughed, pulling the book out of the bag. It was actually a 'First Edition' copy, with completely different…and much worse cover art.

"Wuh?" Luz replied.

"Yea, I remember after the…second time I read it, I thought it felt really slow so I mostly just skipped it and read the rest." Amity shrugged.

"The first one was actually my favorite to reread…" Putting aside all the memories… "I think it's fun to look at the characters in book 1 and book 5 and just see how far they've come!"

They were so deep in conversation, that Luz nearly tripped over a curb. "Woah, gotcha." Amity said, as she leaped forward and caught Luz just before she took a dip in a muddy puddle. "That was a close one." She laughed, giving her girlfriend a thank-you kiss.

The Noceda household was only a few blocks away, and as they stepped through the door - Camila greeted them. "Welcome home, you two-woah, did you buy out half their stock?"

"Oh, please, mama, it isn't thaaaat much." Luz rolled her eyes while smiling.

"Uh-huh, well, don't cry to me when you're out of shelf space."

They all let out a small laugh at that.

"Oh, wait, Luz, before you go - your phone was ringing off the hook a little earlier." Camila said, as she pulled her daughter's phone out of her pocket.

"So THAT'S where my phone was!" Luz slapped the side of her head.

"Yeah, you forgot to charge it overnight and left it on charge while we were gone, remember?" Amity slyly teased.

"I do now." Luz said, as she took her phone. Awakening it from sleep, she saw a trio of missed calls - From her old mentor, Eda.

"Oh, no.." Her face immediately dropped. "I hope it's nothing bad…" She said, as she hit the return call button and held the phone to her ear.

"There you are!" Eda grumbled.

"Sorry- I forgot my phone at home-" Luz stammered.

"Well, the important thing is you're here now. Look, I need you to get over to the Owl House as soon as you can." Eda's voice was frantic, but trying to be her normal laid-back self.

"I'm with Amity right now-" Luz squeaked.

"Perfect, bring her too." Eda grumbled, sighing.

"Well, alright, We'll be there soon."

The two partners looked at each other, and gave confident nods. As they walked through the portal to the boiling isles, they kept speculating. "Maybe…They probably just discovered a new glyph!" Luz tried to be positive, forcing a smile.

"I hope so." Amity resigned.

Their mild concern wasn't eased when they finally arrived at the Owl House, met with Eda standing outside. A…Weirdly grim look on her face. "Hey, you two made it!" Her face lightened slightly, but- she still had a strange look on her face.

"Eda? What's going on?" Amity asked, stepping ahead.

"You two are going to want to brace yourself for this. We found…Well…Something, in the forest…"

Amity let out a cocky little "Please, unless you've found Emperor Belos in a ditch somewhere, there's nothing that can surprise us."

With her free hand, she clenched Hooty's beak as she opened the door with her hook. When the door opened, sitting right on the living room couch…Was the former emperor, in the flesh.

"Had to open my big mouth." Amity facepalmed.