While Luz, Amity, and Caz looked after the other two girls Oum and Camila got to talking alone, but Oum could tell something was bothering Camila. "What wrong, Camila?" she finally asked.
Camila let out a sad laugh, "Oum, I've messed up so much since Luz went to the Isles. I realized just how terrible of a mother I was. I promised myself that when she came home I'd be there for her and Vee no matter what, but I'm failing them again and I don't know what to do. I feel guilty about leaving Vee back at home. She's with friends and I know she's safe, but maybe I made another mistake when I didn't push harder to get her to come with us. I jeopardize my job coming out here with Luz because I couldn't just let her travel cross country without me. I thought I'd be able to help, but I can't even manage to get us somewhere to stay. My little light matured so much the last five months, but I'm still just the dumpster fire she left behind. Maybe I should have just let her stay there with Eda. She seemed like a better mother for Luz anyway." By the end Camila had her face in her hands and she was softly crying.
Oum came over to the crying woman, and gave her a reassuring pat, "Being mother very hard. So many unknowns. So many trials. When Anne disappeared, I blamed myself. I thought I drove her away, but that not true. I'm sure you and your husband are doing your best. I don't know any of you yet, but I've seen the love in Luz's eyes. You can't be as bad as you say."
"I wish Manny was still here. He could have handled all this, and made it look easy. His passing was the first domino in this whole disaster," sighed Camila. Then she looked up into Oum's face, "Please just don't think less of me after they share their story. I don't think I can handle disappointing anyone else, and you might be the only people in this world who can understand why I did what I did."
Oum continued to try to reassure Camila as she said, "We will see. I think you to hard on yourself, but I listen."
Once Anne and Marcy had recovered from their 'trip', and Bee came back from the restaurant to find a surprisingly full house everyone got comfortable in the living room. Luz walked up front with Amity close by to offer support as she said, "Hi I'm Luz, Luz Noceda, and five months ago I traveled to the Demon realm. I learned magic there, and my friends and I want to use it to help Anne, Marcy, Sasha, and the Planters. Before that though I should tell you my story. I think I'm finally ready to tell it all, beginning to end, for everyone thanks to Marcy. No matter what you see, I promise it's only illusions to help you understand. I'm going to have to start a long time before I left though so you can understand why I did what I did, and who I am now." Luz let out an awkward sigh, "Usually Gus is here to support me, but I guess I'll just have to do my best. Please hold all questions till the end. It will be a lot easier that way." With that Luz sat down where no one could look her in the eye, and shifted them to her Titan eyes.
Luz started with just before her father Manny got sick, and then moved on to cover all the years of drifting, and bullying that followed. At some point Amity took Luz's hand, out of view of everyone else, and Luz could see her love's heart break with every cruel word that Luz had endured. Camila wasn't doing much better than Amity. It was one thing to hear the stories, but being able to see it in front of her, and know that there was nothing she could do, just made it all too real and hurt so much worse. Camila got to see and hear every word she had said to Luz, and she could finally see just how deeply she had hurt her little light. When Luz moved on to the early days of her time on the Boiling Isles everyone was in awe, even Amity and Cazador. Seeing the Isles through Luz's eyes… they had never appreciated how beautiful they were. Luz could hear gasps of shock, feel her audiences fear, and feel for herself the joy they felt as she continued. Luz held nothing back, Adagast, Grom, her first fight with Belos, she just let it all out until finally she reached that night in the rain, and she had to pause.
"Ok everyone this next part is… complicated. I don't regret my choices, but I know I was an idiot and selfish. I got lucky, but that doesn't change anything," sighed Luz before she started up the show again.
Everything that came after that night poured out of Luz, and for the first and only time Camila, and the rest saw Beast Luz. If Amity hadn't been holding Luz's hand Luz might have run away after just hearing the terror and shock that escaped her mother as she saw it in all its wild fury.
Before Luz showed her trip to the past Cazador moved to sit next to her. He knew what was coming, and they would be there for each other just like every other time they had to relive that day. With a gentle shoulder squeeze of support the night they ventured into Belos's mind played in all its terrible splendor.
They had to take a small break after that, but Luz never moved, and her two supports never left her. Once the adults were 'properly centered', and everyone wordlessly agreed to ignore the very faint smell of tequila coming from Camila and Oum's tea. Everyone cheered when they saw how Hexside had been defended, the first of only two memories Cazador added. When they reached their confrontation with Odalia there were quite a few sounds of pride coming from Camila, and Amity could have sworn she heard Camila yell, "Eso es lo que obtienes perra. Nadie lastima a mi familia y se sale con la suya." (That's what you get bitch. Nobody hurts my family and gets away with it.) And Amity couldn't help feeling a warmth in her chest… after so long without it, maternal love was nice.
Before Luz moved on to their final battle with Belos, Cazador stopped her, and said, "Nico and I… we want to share what happened to us. It's time we shared our pain with you all." With shaking hands Caz allowed Luz to show everyone. Between both perspectives everyone got to see it in all its horror. The way Belos had torn Caz open, the binding, the hours of screaming as two souls were forced into one vessel it was all there in vivid color, but Caz refused to share the actual details of their agreement, and only showed how the two had come to terms with their predicament, and how they had found solace in not having to go through it alone. When he was done, Cazador just sat there feeling empty until Luz and Amity got on each side of him and just hugged him. Philip had never been his family. He was Caz's jailer until his true family, the two girls beside him and the rest of his friends, could find him, and set him free.
"I'm so sorry, mi hermanos. We should have come for you right away. You never should have had to suffer like that," cried Luz, as she cried into his shoulder.
"Luz, mi hermanita. You saved me so many times, and even when I was struggling in the dark, I knew you would come and light my way back again. It's who you are, and I couldn't ask for a better sister. You gave me a family, and I'll never be able to thank you enough for that," said Cazador with a smile, and a single traitor tear.
The rest of the story proved easier to tell after that. Everyone sat in awe of the fight that Luz and Cazador had, and no one shed a tear for Belos when he got his reward. When the memory didn't end though everyone except for the three teens in the front got increasingly nervous, and then everyone froze. They experienced it the way Luz did. Time slowing, anxiety growing, and then tragedy. Amity didn't want to see, but she couldn't look away. They saw the spell, and when Marcy saw how it affected the portal she let out a shriek, "That's what happened. Your spell to save Amity was so powerful that it caused a ripple. Oh my frog. Luz you saved my life, and we never would have realized. Thank you." With confused looks on Oum and Bee's faces, Anne began to steel her nerves for what she was going to have to do.
Luz looked over to Amity and they stood up to finish with a flourish. "After that we ended up outside that shack in the woods, and we started telling mami what happened. In the process my palisman hatched…" Luz said as Stringbean slithered to life and became her staff while Ghost dashed out of where she had been hiding to become Amity's. "And I finally gained my true Titan form," said Luz as she revealed her empowered form.
"But that's not all. Thanks to the spell Luz cast to save me, I gained my own," added Amity as she shifted into her own Titan form.
"We may still be recovering, and unable to bend the world to our whim again yet, but.." started Luz.
"As long as we stand together there isn't a force in existence that will stop my diosa difusa and I from helping in any way we can," finished Amity.
After a minute of awed silence Marcy laughed, "Ok you two. Power down before the power rippling off you causes another LA blackout."
Chuckling with her they changed back, but Luz snuck a kiss in while Amity was distracted and whispered, "Te amo, mi reina de algodón de azúcar, my cotton candy queen."
After that everyone started to get up, but Anne stopped them. "Luz… do you think you could help me do something like that too?" Luz gave her a nod, and Anne turned to her parents and the Planters. "There are… things I didn't tell you… things I didn't think I was strong enough to face yet… but if they can face so much, and still stand so strong… I can do this."
The Planters walked over and hugged Annes leg in support, before Marcy added with a smile, "We can do this… together."
"Let's get something to eat first though. Some of us haven't eaten anything of substance in nearly twenty-four hours," Laughed Camila with a pointed stare at Luz.
While everyone was eating Anne saw Ghost walking by and she absent-mindedly reached down and scratched her behind the ear, making Amity squeak in surprise. Once Luz realized what happened she began to laugh, "Anne you can't just touch someone's palisman without one of their permissions or both. You didn't know, but it's very rude. A palisman and witch are linked on a near spiritual level so the closest example I can give you to what you just did was if you snuck up and graded Amity's butt."
Anne blushed and stammered, but Marcy just gave Anne her best foe-betrayed look, "Cheating on me already. I should have known." Anne looked scandalized, but Marcy reached forward and kissed her on the cheek. "I forgive you though."
After everyone finished eating and Anne finished begging Amity for forgiveness which she gave with a hearty laugh, they all moved back into the front room for part two of their story double feature. This time though Luz had Anne and Marcy beside her instead of Caz and Amity. As Luz shifted her eyes to access her magic, Anne and Marcy put a hand on each of Luz's shoulders as they had been shown, and their eyes lit up in azure and emerald respectively. Only Amity and Cazador saw their eyes.
Anne started the show with her memories of the morning of her thirteenth birthday. Between them they showed how Anne and Sasha had left school early to party, and all the things they did and said, much to Oum and Bee's disappointment. Marcy also included her finding out about the box in the library, and, to the Boonchuy's growing anger, how Marcy's parents had told her they were moving. Oum and Bee had known the Wu's were… difficult, but they never realized how poorly they treated Marcy when they were alone.
"This next part is all my fault," said Marcy. "I could have prevented all this, but I was too selfish to let Anne and Sasha go. Please, if you're going to be mad at anyone, be mad at me, not Anne," begged Marcy. With a quizzical look the Boonchuys nodded slowly before the next scene played.
They saw Marcy find the box, and how she texted Sasha about it without telling anyone what it could do. With another look of disappointment Oum and Bee saw Anne steal the box, and then the moment they were swept away in a flash of light. The two girls took turns showing their first three months in Amphibia with tears in their eyes for better days, and to their horror they even heard Oum and Bee agree that they were happy Marcy finally found an adult role model who appreciated her. They said nothing. No one did. They finish off that section with how Anne reunited with Sasha, and for the first time Marcy got to see that fight for herself, but it was Sasha's words at the end that caught everyone most off guard. That simple gesture and those pained words told everyone so much about the real Sasha, not the cruel mask she wore, but the hurting desperate girl beneath. The various stories that took place between then and the day Anne and Marcy reunited came and went with little fanfare.
By then the Boonchuy's were completely taken in by Andrias's lies, just like Marcy was, and no one had the heart to tell them yet. When Andrias told the girls about the temples, Cazador couldn't help a quiet scoff. When Marcy showed them the offer Andrias had given her, the Boonchuy's were surprised, but not yet suspicious. Marcy was embarrassed watching Anne's memories of the first temple, and she was disappointed in herself at how cavalierly she had acted. When everyone saw the recharging of the first gem, Cazador couldn't hide his disappointed sigh, and the Booncchuy's noticed it in increased suspicion. When they saw the second temple, and how Anne only charged half of the gem, they heard Cazador give a stifled laugh; it only confused Oum and Bee more. When they saw the final temple, and Sasha's 'change of heart'. No one was convicted. Cazadors' sigh when Sasha recharged the last gem proved too much for Oum. "Is there something we should know?" huffed Oum.
Caz looked at her sheepishly, "I think you'll understand soon, but if not I'll tell you after. I promise."
The dinner party proved a complicated bundle of emotions for everyone, but they thoroughly enjoyed the girls' song at the battle of the bands. Everyone could feel the mood shift when the events of the girls return to Newtopia started up. No one was surprised when Sasha betrayed them, but her plan, that was a surprise. Oum and Bee scoffed at Sasha's attempt to tell Anne that Andrias was evil, and they were proud of Anne when she stuck to her convictions. Then Anne gave Andrias the box, and the Boonchuys went pale. They watched in horror as Andrias revealed his true colors and Marcy's secret. When Andrias threatened to drop Sprig they reached out and pulled the frog boy close, but then everyone saw Anne's transformation and everyone gasped in awe. They watched as Anne nearly tore Andrias apart, only to run out of steam. They are overjoyed when Spring ran up to reassure his big sister, and then the worst moment as Marcy opens a portal only to get stabbed in the back. Look what you made me do. Then the portal warbles and explodes.
"That's when we arrived in LA," stated Anne flatly.
"And I appeared outside an ER in Connecticut," added Marcy as she pulled up the back of her shirt carefully to show her diminished scar. "Luz, Amity, and Cazador found me there, barely stable, and they did what they could…"
Anne teared up, and whispered, "How bad was it?"
With a nod from Marcy Luz made an illusion of how large the wound had been making everyone gasp. Then Luz added, "We had to reverse a lot of scar tissue inside, regenerate some remaining organs back into working shape, and even after all that it took me hours to carefully straighten out her nervous system again." Luz sighed and added awkwardly, "If I hadn't spent so much time around Mami at her clinic or as many hours studying different anatomies for art projects… Marcy would probably have been fully paralyzed, and that's if she would have ever woken up on her own at all. I'm still working on completely removing the scar on her back but…"
"I'm keeping what remains on my chest as a constant reminder of the mistakes I made, and so I never forget to be better." Marcy looked at Anne with tears in her eyes, "Do you still want to be with me, even though I'm scarred?"
Anne just pulled Marcy close and whispered, "I would have still wanted you even if I had to spend the rest of my life taking care of you my beautiful Marshmallow," and Anne gave her a kiss on the head as she held her close.
It was getting late by the time they finished. Oum and Bee happily volunteered to let their guests spend the night, and tomorrow they would see about making space in the basement so at least Marcy had somewhere to stay. They remembered what it was like to be young and in love so they rejected the idea of Anne and Marcy sharing a room out of hand.
Just after midnight Luz heard crying coming from the Boonchuy's backyard. Carefully removing herself from Amity, Luz quietly made her way to investigate when she ran into Hop pop sitting quietly in the kitchen waiting for whoever it was to stop crying. When they locked eyes Hop pop put up a finger to stay quiet as he whispered, "I'm sorry she woke you. Anne's just… she's gone through a lot. I'm sure you understand, but she refuses to open up about what it is that's causing this. I do my best to be there for her, but I don't know what to do."
Luz gave the old frog a kind smile, and said, "I think I do though. Go on back to bed. I'll take care of this." Luz stood up straight and made her way over to the back door quietly, but not trying to prevent Anne from hearing her coming. When Luz stepped outside she found Anne sitting with her back to the house with puff eyes, but no obvious signs of tears.
"Hey dude. What's up? Couldn't sleep?" asked Anne in her best attempt at acting fine.
Luz just sat down next to Anne, and looked at the stars before grinning while saying, "Anne… I think you and I are a lot alike. We feel with all our hearts. We try to take the weight of the world on our shoulders, and never let anyone see us crack. Anne, we need to be better."
Anne looked at Luz confused, "Better about what?"
"Anne. We have people that love us. We have to let them in," sighed Luz.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm an open book dude," said Anne with a bead of sweat.
"Anne. Just because I can read you, it doesn't mean you're an open book. You're terrified, and I think I know why, but I want to hear you admit it. I can't help you until you do," said Luz as she pulled Anne into a sisterly hug. They just sat there for the next twenty-ish minutes under the moon and stars, and enjoyed the sounds of the world around them until Anne started to cry again and Luz started softly giving her small squeezes and pats of reassurance.
When Anne could speak again she whimpered, "Luz I'm scared. I'm just a kid, and now I have to try to save the world. I have to find a way to get the Planters back home. Everyone is looking to me for answers, but I don't have any to give anymore. Sasha could be dead or dying, an-and all I can think about is how close Marcy came to dying. Luz I almost lost her. I almost never got the chance to tell her how I felt." Anne looked away, "And now I have all these complicated feelings about Sasha too. I think I might love her as much as I do Marcy, but how can I ever trust her again. She's betrayed and controlled us for so long, but there's still that little part of me that doesn't want to let her go. Is there something wrong with me? Am I broken inside?"
Luz sighed, "Anne there is nothing wrong with you. You are a beautiful, loving, empathic girl. It's not wrong to want people to be their best selves, but you've got this whole thing twisted. You're not alone anymore. We have the smartest and most driven girlfriends in the multiverse. I know what it's like to go through what you're going through. You don't have to do this alone. We came here to help. Let us help you." Luz gave her another grin, "I used to think that the only way to get things done was to rush off alone, and deal with it myself. I thought that if anyone had to sacrifice themselves to get the job done it should be me. I've been told I tend to catastrophize things sometimes, and have a 'self sacrifice complex', but I don't see it. Amity told me something once, and it's stuck with me ever since. She reminded me that everytime I rush off to protect others alone, I hurt them, and that others love me as much as I love them. I know it's scary, and I can't promise no one is going to get hurt, but I can promise you, less people will get hurt if you take at least one other pair of eyes with you when you rush off. You can't get stabbed in the back when you have someone there already to protect it. We will find a way to get to Amphibia. We will stop Andrias. After that, I promise I'll still be there if you need help regardless of the problem." Luz let out a laugh, "It seems like no matter where I go or what I do I just keep picking up more 'siblings'. What's three more little sisters I guess?"
Anne looked up at Luz and gave her a slight smile, "Vee is really lucky to have you for an older sister. I guess… I guess that wouldn't be so bad. Thanks Luz, I appreciate it. Is there anything I can do to help you out though?"
Luz looked at her for a minute before blushing, "Actually… there is something. I kinda promised Amity a human realm date a while back, but I know nothing about LA. Maybe you could help me plan something?"
Anne laughed, "Ok sis. If you want a big city date with your lucky lady, I can make that happen." After they stopped laughing and gave each other another hug they both went back inside to get some more rest only to find Amity and Marcy sitting at the table enjoying a cup of tea.
"So you adopted another one haven't you?" asked Amity with a smirk. "You know I'm starting to worry about you. I'm fine with having kids someday, but can I trust you not to try to adopt their friends behind my back?"
"Wait, you can do that? Like you two can have kids… is it a Titan thing or…" sputtered Marcy.
"Nope. Magic can do a lot of things, and helping us have a biological kid wouldn't even be that hard. They even have rituals for poly couples back on the Isles so if you, Anne, and Sasha manage to figure it out we could hook you up. Food for thought," said Luz with a mischievous smile.
Anne blushed so hard she got lightheaded. While Marcy blushed too, but managed to squeak out, "Magic is awesome."
The next day was full of laughter and gasps of amazement as Anne, Marcy, Sprig, Polly, Luz, and Amity worked to clean/organize the Boonchuy's basement with Hop pop acting as a chaperone since Bee, Oum, and Camila had to work. With her parents permission, and after finding some large storage bins Anne let Amity and Luz show off some of their magic.
Soon the overstuffed room had been emptied and stored in the bins leaving a whole new empty room for them to use. In the process they also found some old blankets, sleeping bags, and a number of other useful things they could use to make it feel more homey. Luz and Amity even tried their hands at making some furniture using construction magic with only middling results. The Titans did manage to improve the Planter's disguises, though by adding illusion magic to what they already had, to make them more convincing even up close. After that Anne decided to invite everyone to try Thai Go, her family's restaurant, for lunch. Before they left Luz checked on Cazador. He had said that he wasn't feeling great, but assured them he just needed some more sleep. Luz decided not to pry so the rest of them went to enjoy some of 'the best Thai food in the country' or so Marcy claimed.
Their good day came to an end soon after though as Mrs. Waybright and her daughter Molly Jo came into Thai Go. Mrs. Waybright looked a lot like Sasha except she wore her blond hair short, didn't have anything close to her daughter's athletic frame, and had clear wrinkles around her eyes. Whether they were from her near constant scowl or age had always been a debate among Sasha's friends. Molly jo by comparison was a cheerful eleven year old kid with tri-colored hair in blond, pink, and green. Unlike her mother's plain business attire, Molly wore a brown collared shirt and plaid skirt with a pair of dark blue boots covered in spikes that her favorite sister Sasha had gotten her the previous christmas. While her mother was too distracted by rage, Molly managed to spot Anne and Marcy and tackle hugged the pair as she cried, "Anne, Marcy you're back… where's my sister? Where's Sasha?"
Before they could answer or quiet Molly down Mrs. Waybright heard the commotion and started stomping over. "Yes girls, where is Sasha? Is she still throwing her fit, and refusing to come home? Ugh you tell her this was funny for the first week, but now it's just getting sad. I give her a nice home, and everything she could ever want, just to be treated like this. Ugh I'll be waiting at home when she's ready to apologize for acting like a brat. Come on Molly Jo, we are going home."
"But mom, I want to see Sasha. Please I miss my big sister," begged Molly Jo on the cusp of tears.
"Don't worry Elizabeth. I'll bring Molly to your house when the girls are done catching up," promised Bee as he came out of the back of the restaurant to investigate the noise.
Ms. Waybright scoffed again, "Fine if that's what you want Molly Jo, but you better be home before dinner or no dessert." Turning to Bee she added, "You'd better tell Sasha to come home soon or next time I'm getting the police involved." With that she turned on her heel and stormed off.
Luz looked at Molly Jo quizzically, "Is she always like that?"
Molly Jo looked at the teens embarrassed and sighed, "You mean a raging Karen? Kind of. Sasha was always great at 'directing' her though. I don't think we've met before? Hi I'm Molly Jo Otto. It's nice to meet you." Molly gave a little bow before noticing Amity and squeeing, "Oh my god, I love your hair. It's so pretty. Maybe the next time I touch up mine I'll add some mauve… or maybe make it a couple shades closer to purple. That would be cool."
"Calm down M.J. This is Luz and her girlfriend Amity. They actually saved my life and brought me back home safe," smiled Marcy, before putting on a stern face, and putting her right fist over her heart. "Ok Moll's, I'll fill you in on some of what happened, but you know the Secret Sisterhood rules. Do you swear to uphold your vow?"
Molly looked excited before putting on a serious face that reminded Anne of Sasha's, "In the name of the Sisterhood, I do swear." Then Molly teared up as she giggled and gave Anne and Marcy another hug. "I really missed all of you. It's not really a Sisterhood without any sisters." Then Molly looked over to Luz and Amity again, "Is it ok though to talk about all this in front of them though… Are they new members?"
Seeing Luz's confused look, Anne smiled and winked in a 'I'll explain later' way, as she said, "Not officially since we would need Sasha here for that, but trust me they can keep a secret." Giving Luz a 'please go with it look' she said, "Hey Luz my drink is getting a bit warm, mind cooling it for me." After scanning around to make sure they were alone Luz turned her left hand into a claw for a moment and used a tiny ice glyph to freeze Anne's drink before turning her hand back, and giving Molly a small wink/smirk.
Molly looked at her in awe before lifting up the cup, and flipping it over to find its contents completely frozen. "How did you do that? That's amazing." Molly looked like she wanted to scream in joy.
"Remember your vow M.J," warned Marcy, and Molly deflated before nodding. "I knew we could trust you. Ok, Luz is a good witch like Azura. Sasha, Anne, and I ended up in another world, and we just got back. Sasha couldn't come back yet, but we are working on finding a way to go save her with their help. Don't worry we are going to bring her back to you. I promise," whispered Marcy with a reassuring smile.
Molly Jo smiled back before a tear escaped her eye again, "I knew you wouldn't abandon me, or, what did Sasha call it… elope. She wasn't very clear what that meant, but I saw it in her other diary. The one mom doesn't know about, and I got worried. Ok thanks for letting me know. I'll keep my eyes peeled for anything that can help, just let me know. Also, please be safe, and look after Sasha. I love you girls. I better go now before Mom gets suspicious. Bye, and thank you for looking out for Sasha." With that Molly Jo ran over to Bee, and they headed out.
Once she was gone Luz gave Marcy a side eye, "You didn't just sign us up for a cult did you?"
Marcy couldn't contain her laughter, so Anne explained for her, "It's nothing like that. The Sisterhood started out as a joke when Molly was six, and desperately wanted to hang out with us. Sasha and Marcy came up with it so she would feel included without actually following us around every second of the day, but it was very real to her. About four months after we started it we were going to tell her it was a joke, but Sasha did something dumb, and Molly covered for her even though it got her in serious trouble. After that we started taking it seriously too, and now it's like our own little club, just the four of us. Six now, if you actually want in. Basically we each just take a vow to keep all secrets shared under said vow from anyone not in the Sisterhood, regardless of what that requires. In short, that little girl would rather die now than tell anyone you're a witch. If there is anything Sasha and Molly have in common it's their intensity." Anne sighed, "Molly is a great kid. She might technically be Sasha's half sister, but she's known Sasha all her life. Sasha is her hero, and if Sasha had a weak spot it was always M.J."
Amity and Luz looked at each other for a while before Amity sighed, "Ok, we're in, but so help me. I just barely escaped one cult so I'm not letting anyone force me into another." Amity smiled, "So I heard some of what you two talked about last night. Mind if we turn it into a double date this weekend?"
Everyone nodded happily at that idea. Then Luz added with a sinister grin, "Actually that's perfect since Caz and I wanted to start your bootcamp soon." When Anne and Marcy looked at her worried, Luz let out a hearty laugh, "It won't be that bad. Just twenty, maybe thirty minutes each morning for now."
"What kind of bootcamp though?" asked Marcy.
"We are going to train you to control and better use your powers for when we have to confront Andrias. Caz is familiar with the theoretical side of your powers, and I'm a decent guide…" Amity gave Luz an annoyed glare. "Fine, I'm a great guide, and I want to help you."
Marcy looked away uncomfortable before she said, "But I don't have my powers. I drained them all back into the box, remember. How can you train me?"
"Well Caz said he can "reignite' your powers for ya, but he wants to wait till all three of you are back together for best results. In the meantime my training is fairly easy in concept so you can start with Anne, and once you get them flowing again you will be ready to start using them correctly," stated Amity.
"What do you mean 'start using them correctly'? What am I doing wrong?" asked Anne, a bit hurt.
"Don't worry Anne. I'll be there every step of the way. For right now though I have a titanic hunger. Lets eat," cheered Luz as the others cheered as well.
The following morning Anne was woken up by Marcy, and brought down to the basement for training. After Luz put up some wards to contain excess energy, and prevent anyone from seeing the glow that isn't directly outside the back window, Luz got into her 'teacher mode'. "Ok so from what you've said Anne you can access your heart powers at will. Power up so we can see what we are dealing with." Looking a little awkward Anne planted her feet and called on her powers, although she could only hold them for a minute or so before she was too exhausted to maintain it. "So Bro what do you think?"
Surprisingly it was Nico's voice that answered her, "Yep that's the Guardians Heart power alright, and it's as bad as I thought. Anne's only at about forty percent of what she should be, and she's channeling them wrong."
"How am I doing it wrong? They didn't exactly come with a guide on how to use them?" yelled Anne in frustration.
Caz took over speaking, "Relax Anne. They might not have come with one, but you have one now. So to start, you mentioned that the powers feel 'bad' and I'm guessing you've only ever used them when you feel angry, or hurt. Am I right?"
Anne thought for a moment before admitting, "I guess, but why does that matter?"
"Anne, your powers are based on emotion more deeply than the others are, and while yes anger, hurt, and pain are powerful feelings they don't linger. They burn hot, but burn up fast resulting in you getting exhausted faster, and feeling bad while you use them. What you need to do is use more positive emotions to fuel them. Luz, I think you can take this from here. I'll watch and comment if I see anything, but I'm still not great so take it away Professor Noceda," declared Cazador as he let himself fall over, and got comfortable.
"Ok so I'm not super familiar with Muay Thai or Muay Frog, but I'm guessing that as part of your training they might have incorporated some meditation, or Tai Chi. Am I right?" asked Luz.
"Ya meditation is actually a very big deal when learning either of them. Why?" answered Anne confused.
Luz sat down and indicated for Anne and Marcy to do the same, "In that case this first part should be fairly easy for you. I want you to meditate, and let yourself be slowly filled with happy memories and positive feelings."
After adjusting into a comfortable position Anne and Marcy did as asked. After a couple minutes of silence Luz saw Anne begin to glow a calming light blue, and after checking with Caz to make sure Marcy was in the right place as well Luz spoke again, "Ok I want you to remember this feeling of calm. These memories, and the beings within are why you fight. Never forget, we do not fight to harm our enemies. We fight to protect those precious to us, and to make a better world for them to live in. I know you've heard it before, but let me remind you. What is intelligence without humility? What is heart without responsibility? What is strength without persistence? While the third of the total powers you use may carry special significance to you, the other two are just as important to remember because while you are powerful alone it is not until you stand beside each other do you truly become unstoppable. Never forget, no matter how smart you are, you will never know everything. Never forget that a heart can guide your way, but you must never lose sight of where it leads. A single misstep can drastically change your course. Never forget strength means nothing without the will to keep moving forward." With a sigh Luz continued, "The reason your friendship fell apart can actually be explained by the fact that you three each lost sight of something one of you represented."
Anne and Marcy perked up at those words before Marcy asked quizzically, "What do you mean, Luz?"
Anne added, "Ya, that's kind of a wild thing to say. What makes you think that?"
Luz shifted into her full Titan form before she said, "Think about it. Marcy you lost heart. You got so wrapped up in fear that you lost sight of your path, and because of that you three ended up separated and almost died. Anne you surrendered your strength when you stopped moving forward on your own, and let your friends stop supporting you and start carrying you. Sasha got blinded by her own wit, and forgot that she doesn't have all the answers all the time." Luz let out another sigh, "I'm not saying these things to hurt you, but you have to understand how you got here before you can truly be who you were meant to be, and both of you have learned this lesson even if you didn't realize it until now. Anne you reclaimed your strength when you stood up for what you believed was right in Wartwood. Marcy you realized how your decisions impacted those around you in Newtopia. It's never a bad thing to lean on your friends for support, but you have to be ready to return the favor and/or stand on your own from time to time."
Marcy and Anne looked at each other and then Luz in shock, "How? When? Where?"
Luz laughed, but a single tear fell, "I had a great teacher too. One of many… I really miss my Owl mom and P.T, but I'll see them again soon. Eda's just a world away, and P.T. he may not be here, but he's not gone. Now back to your meditation. Once you can call and send away your powers at will we will start working on your endurance and recovery speed."
The next couple days flew by as everyone adjusted to their new normal. Camila helped out at a few different clinics to sell their story. Meals became an experience as one group would make a main dish while the other made a side, and to shocking results. While neither the Noceda's, Boonchuy's, or Marcy had a problem with spice, and Amity did her best, Caz and the Planter's just couldn't keep up. It was decided that if they wanted to 'turn up the heat' they would have to do it later, or they might actually hurt one of them. Training ramped up fairly quickly as Anne proved an excellent student under Luz's guidance, and while Marcy didn't have enough power left in her to actually use it for anything there was still enough embers left for her to train with the help of Nico's perception.
When the weekend came the foursome of excited girls made a whole day out of their double dates. Tea/boba at a little cafe that Anne and Marcy knew with breakfast sandwiches. Followed by a trip to the museum, which made both Marcy and Amity let out little excited noises, and give their ladies small kisses as soon as they arrived. Since this was Amity's first time in a human museum Luz took her around to show her the wonders of Earth's past while Anne and Marcy just held hands as Marcy geeked out over this or that much to Anne's enjoyment. Anne loved Marcy's little nerdy moments more than she could ever say.
Unbeknownst to any of them a clockbot was observing them from the skylights above them, and once it started it immediately contacted King Andrius with an update. "Sir, targets found. Clarification needed. Foreign energy signal found."
Andrias quirked a brow, "Show me the readings." When Andrias and the Core saw them they nearly fell out of their throne. Andrias roared, "Explain. NOW."
"Target Anne Boonchuy seems to be steadily increasing in power level and stability. Target Marcy Wu is confirmed alive, but only shows faint readings. Two other power sources detected. Output currently at seventy percent of total recorded box output each and rising. Energy type unknown. Malfunction possible. Require further observation to confirm findings," stated Cloakbot.
Kind Andrias pondered as the Core calculated. After a full minute of silence Andrias said, "Observe, but do not interact for now. Once these readings are authenticated I will update your orders."
"Confirmed. Observe and report underway," stated Cloakbot as the communications link closed.
Down below Marcy was continuing to happily ramble on and on until she felt Anne stop before one of the displays, and as soon as Marcy followed Anne's eyes she knew why. It wasn't a perfect match, but before them stood a mannequin in armor and wearing a fluffy cloak. Marcy felt Anne's hand tighten her grip as the Thai teen tried desperately not to let her tears out, but Marcy simply gave her a hug as she said, "Let it out Anne. I miss her too."
"Oh Marcy… I… I'm so sorry. Today was supposed to be a fun first date, and now… Frog dammit. I love you Mar-mar. Please don't ever think you're not enough, but…" Anne started to cry.
But Marcy just smiled, and gave her a kiss on her cheek, "I know Anne. It just feels like something or someone's missing. I love you too Anna-banana, and I understand because I feel it too. It's been the three of us for so long so her not being here just feels wrong. It's ok. Why don't we find Lumity, and head out. I have an idea that might just get our minds off Sasha for a while, but we will have to wait till later, Ok?"
Anne gave Marcy a kiss on her forehead, "Sure Marbles. Whatever you want."
When suddenly they heard a voice from behind them, "Well aren't you two just the cutest… Wait Ms. Wu is that you?" When the duo looked they found an older African American woman in a dress shirt covered in dinosaur bones and khakis, and wearing a museum lanyard.
Marcy's face lit up, "Hey Dr. Jan. It's been a while. How are you?"
Jan just looked at her shocked, "Fine, but what about you? Last I heard you disappeared, and now I find you making out with your… girlfriend(?)... in my museum. Come on girl, I need details. Also introductions, Hi I'm Dr. Jan. I run the Archaeology section of the museum, and this little bookworm happens to be one of my favorite visitors."
Anne looked between the two before squeezing Marcy's hand and saying, "My names Anne Boonchuy, and yes this adorkable nerd is my girlfriend. I'm sorry if we were making a scene. We'll just go find our friends, and get out of your hair."
"Don't worry about it Anne. I think I'm the only one who noticed your cute little display. What do your friends look like, maybe I can help you find them?" laughed Jan.
Before Anne could decline her offer Marcy said, "They shouldn't be too hard to spot. Amity has bright mauve hair and her girlfriend Luz is probably still glued to her hip like the adorable mess they are."
"Mauve hair," Jan laughed, "I know exactly where they are." Without another word Jan led them over to a display of ancient urns where they saw Luz fishing around in her bag while Amity stood nearby watching out for other guests. They saw Amity stiffen as Jan approached, but when she saw Marcy and Anne she relaxed as she pat Luz's shoulder to get her attention.
"Hey Luz, whatcha looking for," asked Marcy.
Luz never looked up, but said, "I have a blacklight that I was playing with the other day. Found a pot with an amphibian that kinda looks like the Planter's thought I'd investigate…" But then Luz looked up, and saw Dr. Jan, and froze. "Well guano."
Jan laughed, "It's not a problem… Luz, I think… but I can assure you. You won't find anything, for a few reasons. One the kinds of paints that would appear under blacklight were not common in the area it was found, and secondly that ones a prop. If you want to try anyway, I have the real one back in my office. Usually I wouldn't show you, but any friend of Marcy's is a friend of mine." The quartet looked at each other nervously, but followed Dr. Jan back to her office.
Taking out a pair of gloves Dr. Jan showed them the urn, and allowed Luz to try her blacklight, but was shocked when unfamiliar text appeared. Marcy gasped, "Seek the mother of Olms, she will guide you to your destiny. What do the Olms have to do with the box?"
Dr. Jan looked at her perplexed while Anne groaned, and Luz sighed, "Come on Marbles. I know you didn't mean to, but didn't we agree on a small circle? Molly was one thing, but can we really trust her with this?"
"I don't know what's going on, but I'm going to need some answers girls," Jan said kindly, but with a hint of worry.
"Luz, I'm sorry, but this is probably a good thing. Dr. Jan is an expert on all things history, and she has contacts with a bunch of other people who might be able to help either finding Titan's Blood or a scientist who knows how to make a portal. If I had to pick one person to trust, Dr. Jan is my pick."
Amity and Anne groaned, but Luz gave Marcy a small smile, "Ok then. Your mission, your rules." Looking at Dr. Jan, Luz asked, "So Dr. Jan… Do you believe in magic?"
Author Notes: Updates first. Current plan is still Twice a week Thursday and Sunday, but what gets released is what I got. I'm sorry. I write when I can, but between the demons in my head and the storm outside… I'm sorry.
So the actual notes for this one. I loved the conversation between Oum and Cammy. They are the only two characters in all three realms who can truly understand each other, as the human mother's of two extraordinary girls with the weight of the world on their shoulders, and finding comfort and understanding from their shared experiences is just as important as Anne opening up to Luz in my opinion. I think I finally got a grasp of how to handle "story time", and wouldn't you know it, it's the last time I'll have to do it until Sasha. C'est la vie.
Just because the Owl House section is over doesn't mean their arcs are, and Luz slowly opening up with each story session is just one example of that. For reference Marcy's scar on her chest is only about as long as her sternum, and just looks like a surgical scar from open heart surgery, her cover story. Molly Joe's inclusion is important, because without her Sasha really doesn't have a reason to ever go back. I'll get more into it later, but M.J is very important. Yes Sasha's mom used her own name as Sasha's middle name. She is that conceited.
The Secret Sisterhood is my answer to their version of the Hexsquad in that Luz and Amity have Gus, Willow, Hunter, King, Masha, and Vee to keep their secrets, and be their closest confidants. The calamity trio have Molly Jo. Those seven make up the combined inner circle of what's to come in terms of the human and demon realms.
That's enough for now. Hopefully I'll have another chapter of this ready soon, but until then. Shine on beautiful readers. Shine on.