I don't own Disney's The Owl House. I do, however own the Main OC. Hope you all enjoy my story on this lovely show.

Chapter Twelve

It has been a few days since touring Hexside. Today, Eda and Danielle had taken King to the local slayground. Watching King have fun trying to climb up a slide, Danielle leans back against the bench.

"King is enjoying himself," said Danielle, carefully watching King. "Though I will jump in should my parental instincts kick in."

"He'll be fine," said Eda, poking Danielle's forehead.

"Stand back, cretins," said King, reaching the top of the slide. "Yes! Yes! This is a throne worthy of a tyrant. Bow to me you snotty underlings. Bow!"

"I wonder when he'll grow out of his little monarch phase," said Danielle, looking at King.

"Probably never," said Eda, looking at Danielle.

"That's not healthy," said Danielle, looking at Eda.

"King will learn the truth soon enough. Just be there for him when it happens. It won't be pleasant."

"That's not good," said Danielle, concerned.

"The voice in your head?" asked Eda, staring at Danielle.

"Yes," replied Danielle, before seeing King run their way.

"Eda!" shouted King, clinging to Danielle's leg. "That monster took my throne."

"You mean the baby?" asked Eda, staring at King.

"No, the usurper," said King, pointing at a Red-haired Kid. "I want you to go over there and blow him up. Kaboom!"

"Yeah, I'm not using Owlbert to blow up a five-year-old," said Eda, unscrewing Owlbert from her staff. "He's got better things to do. Like this..."

"Aaw, such a cutie," said Danielle, watching Eda scratch under Owlbert's wing. "Still interesting that palisman are made from palistrom wood."

"Yup. Oh, he's my palisman and we're bonded for life," said Eda, Owlbert hopping onto her shoulder and nuzzling her. "I'd annihilate anyone who'd hurt him."

"Fine. Don't help. Revenge will taste all the sweeter if they fall by my hand alone," said King, laughing.

"Tag, you're it!" said the Red-haired Kid, shoving King before being grabbed by Danielle. "Hey!"

"You were a little rough right there with King," said Danielle, staring at the Red-haired Kid. "Apologize."

"No!" shouted the Red-haired Kid, pulling his arm away and running back towards the slide.

"Why are the parents not watching their kids?" asked Danielle, staring at Eda as she bends down to help King up.

"That's just how it is here," replied Eda, before seeing King getting angry. "Oh, man. Here we go. King's squeak of rage."

"Huh…" said Danielle, staring at Eda.

"Nyeh... nyeh..." said King, before squealing while wriggling and punching the air then chasing after the Red-haired Kid.

"He is like a little teakettle," said Eda, laughing alongside Danielle.

"Oh my," said Danielle, trying hard not to laugh before seeing the bottom of Owlbert's talon. "That's new."

"That's his interlock," said Eda, pointing to Owlbert's interlock. "So he only fits on to my staff. Every palisman has one."

"Eda! Oh, my goodness," said Danielle, seeing Eda pass out before positioning her better on the bench and lightly slapping her cheek. "Eda, Eda! You there? Please respond."

"What?" said Eda, regaining consciousness before shuddering.

"It's the curse, isn't it," said Danielle, helping Eda up some.

"Of course," replied Eda, grabbing her staff and leaving. "We have to get home. Now!"

"Got it," said Danielle, before looking towards King. "King, we have to go."

"Five more minutes, please!" said King, on top of the jungle gym facing the Red-haired Kid.

"King!" said Danielle, raising her voice before walking over.

"Ah, man," said King, before being grabbed by Danielle. "This isn't over."

"Okay, let's play again real soon," said the Red-Haired Kid, waving bye.

Heading back to the Owl House, Eda slumps on the couch the moment she walks in the living room. Danielle lightly tosses a blanket over Eda.

"I'll go get one of your elixirs," said Danielle, about to head upstairs.

"Don't worry about it," said Eda, her voice muffled by the couch. "I'll get it myself in a bit."

"Then I'll scrounge up something for you to eat," said Danielle, thinking about what to make. "No garlic, right?"

"Look, I know how to take care of myself," said Eda, looking at Danielle. "I've had this curse longer than you've been alive."

"Do you remember how you got it?" asked Danielle, sitting next to Eda.

"Somebody gave it to me. I don't know who and I don't care because I'm fine, all right?" said Eda, looking at Danielle. "Anyway, don't you have plans with Tweedledum and Twerpledee?"

"We were planning to see the grudgby game between Hexside and Glandus," replied Danielle, looking at Eda. "But making sure you're okay is much more important. I'll go talk to Willow and Gus."

"Go! Go have fun at sport," said Eda, pointing at the door.

"But…" said Danielle, concerned for Eda.

"Go!" said Eda, still pointing at the door.

"Okay," said Danielle, slowly walking towards the door.

Leaving the Owl House, Danielle takes her time walking to Hexside. Danielle's mind wonders to Eda, hoping she's okay and such. Coming open Hexside, Danielle slowly waves to Willow and Gus as she sees them sitting on the steps of the school.

"Hey Willow, hey Gus," said Danielle, slowly walking over. "Where's the dragon bus that was going to take us?"

"It already left," said Willow, looking at Danielle.

"Why didn't you board the bus?" asked Danielle, staring at Willow and Gus.

"We weren't going to leave you behind," replied Willow, looking at Danielle.

"I was," said Gus, looking to the side.

"Gus," said Willow, elbowing Gus.

"I am so sorry I took so long to get here. Eda's curse acted up and…" said Danielle, looking at Willow and Gus. "Right, that's no excuse for you two to miss the game. Is it possible to walk to Glandus?"

"We'd never make it in time. Glandus is..." replied Gus, twirling his flags before pointing in a certain direction. "All the way out in the middle of the island."

"And my parents are working, otherwise I'd see if they could give us a ride on their staff," said Willow, looking at Danielle.

"A staff," said Danielle, thinking of Owlbert. "Maybe I can ask Eda if I can borrow Owlbert."

"Are you sure?" asked Willow, looking at Danielle.

"Won't know till I try," said Danielle, gesturing Willow and Gus to follow her. "Come on."

Heading back to the Owl House, Danielle leaves Willow and Gus in the living room. Heading upstairs, Danielle heads straight towards Eda's room.

"Eda, you there?" asked Danielle, lightly knocking on the bedroom door.

"Oh Danielle," said King, walking out the door and closing them. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to ask Eda something," replied Danielle, looking at King. "Is she up?"

"Who? Oh. That Eda. No, no. She is out like a light," replied King, chuckling before hearing the Owl Beast growl. "Oh, man. Can she snore."

"That didn't sound like her normal snoring," said Danielle, looking at the doors. "And I'm not going to take her staff without permission."

"Oh, I'm sure it's fine. It's fine. Just take it," said King, giving Danielle Eda's staff before hearing screeching. "Well, there's your permission. Off you go."

"I know that screech," said Danielle, opening the doors and seeing the Owl Beast. "The Owl Beast!"

"Wait," said King, seeing Danielle run over to the chest and grabbing an elixir.

"King, we need to change her back right now," said Danielle, looking at King. "And it looks like she's beginning to get low again on elixirs."

"Well, then I'll give Eda her elixir," said King, grabbing the elixir. "And you can head to the game."

"Eda's elixirs come first," said Danielle, grabbing Eda's staff and leaving the room. "Make sure Eda drinks all of it."

"Oh, I will," said King, grinning mischievously.

"Hey guys," said Danielle, seeing Willow and Gus sitting on the couch. "A little change of plan. I'll drop you off at the game but I have to get more elixir for Eda. Is that okay?"

"But you'll miss the game," said Gus, looking at Danielle.

"Eda's condition is more important to me," said Danielle, staring at Willow and Gus. "Please understand."

"Okay," said Willow, seeing how worried Danielle was about Eda. "We understand."

"Thanks, you guys," said Danielle, before lightly tapping Owlbert's forehead getting his attention. "Okay, Owlbert. We have a little mission. We'll be dropping Willow and Gus off at the game then we're heading to Mr. Elixir. Eda's getting low on elixirs. King should be getting Eda back to normal right now."

"Wait…" said Willow, pointing towards the ceiling. "Is Eda in…"

"Owl Beast form, yes," said Danielle, seeing Owlbert nod his head in understanding, before leaving the house and mounting Owlbert in staff form. "You guys ready?"

"Feel that power-to-weight ratio," said Willow, mounting Eda's staff.

"Boys, prepare to fly," said Gus, talking to his flags.

"Okay, nice and slow Owlbert," said Danielle, lightly tapping the staff as it starts to fly. "Good, nice and easy… eep!"

Taking off, the staff does a loop-de-loop, then runs into several trees. The trio grunts and screams before hitting a tree head on. Willow and Gus fall directly into a bush. Grabbing Owlbert, Danielle takes most of the impact on to her hand, leaving a bad scrape but Owlbert still gains a slight crack on his head.

"Is everyone okay?" asked Danielle, hissing from the pain before Owlbert twists himself off his staff and out of her hands before flying away. "No no no-no-no! Owlbert! Oh, what have I done?"

Running after Owlbert, Danielle, Willow, and Gus chase after him. Danielle sees Owlbert fly into a foreboding cave. Stopping to catch their breaths, Danielle deeply sighs as she pushes back her hair slightly.

"Owlbert," said Danielle, staring at the direction Olbert went, concerned.

"Man, humans can run," said Gus, standing up straight. "Must be their dorsal fins."

"We don't have dorsal fins," said Danielle, before running towards the foreboding cave. "Come on. Owlbert needs us."

"We have to be careful," said Willow, stopping Danielle. "It's really easy to get lost in this part of the forest."

"Okay," said Danielle, agreeing with Willow as she walks further into the foreboding cave. "Owlbert, please be okay."

"Wow. I keep stepping on a lot of crunchy twigs," said Willow, walking behind Danielle.

"Those are bones, Willow," said Danielle, looking forward. "Just don't look down."

"Okay," said Willow, staring ahead.

"So many spiderwebs," said Danielle, pushing a spiderweb to the side and shuddering.

"This isn't a forest," said Willow, seeing Bat Queen's babies. "It's a nest."

"Hey there, it's been a while," said Danielle, bending down while smiling. "Guys, it's okay. These are the Bat Queen's babies."

"Wait. The Bat Queen?" said Gus, backing away.

"I think I'd rather take my chances with Eda," said Willow, backing away as well.

"Hey there, have you seen a little owl…" said Danielle, before spotting Owlbert and smiling. "Owlbert, thank goodness… wait, why do you look fearful of me?"

"Hello, small human," said Bat Queen, walking forward.

"It's the..." said Willow, shakingly pointing at the Bat Queen.

"Yeah, this is the Bat Queen," said Danielle, nervously and gripping the staff. "H-H-Hi there Bat Queen, ni-nice to-to see you-you again."

"You know, that coulda gone worse," said Gus, letting go of Willow's arm.

"So… um…" said Danielle, nervously before the Bat Queen places her claw on Danielle's chest. "Eep."

"To be careless with a staff, it's very serious," said Bat Queen, glaring at Danielle. "I protect him."

"I'm glad you're protecting Owlbert but…" said Danielle, only to be cut off by the Bat Queen.

"Owl Lady is careless. Her staff left her sight," said Bat Queen, walking close to Danielle. "Taken by human who hurts, frightens…"

"What?" thought Danielle, listening to the Bat Queen before looking at Owlbert, hurt. "Owlbert."

"He told me all," said Bat Queen, her eyes aglow alongside Owlbert.

"Owlbert, I never meant for you to get hurt," said Danielle, kneeling down and extending her hand. "Please… Owlbert."

"Trust must be earned..." said Bat Queen, flying to a perch. "Through trials!"

"Trials?" said Gus, happily waving his flags.

"Danielle, the Bat Queen is well-known for her impossible trials," said Willow, placing her hand on Danielle's shoulder. "I've never heard of anyone winning against her."

"But I have to… for Owlbert," said Danielle, before walking forward. "I'll take on your challenges Bat Queen."

"And we'll be right there with you," said Willow, before looking at Gus.

"Let the flags raise you up," said Gus, raising his flags before being encased in webbing. "Hey!"

"What?" said Willow, being encased as well.

"No helpsies. Now, let the trials begin," said Bat Queen, gesturing towards a spider demon. "Milk the spider demon."

"I just became lactose intolerant," said Danielle, grabbing a bucket and looking at the spider demon before walking slowly as not to scare it. "Alright, buddy… No, wait… eep!"

"Ooo, Danielle is not fond of spiders," said Willow, seeing Danielle use a plant glyph to corral the spider demon before shuddering when trying to milk it.

"It's even worse with snakes," said Gus, whispering to Willow. "Remember."

"Oh yeah," said Willow, remembering the event. "I remember."

"Trial One, done," said Danielle, holding a bucket of fresh spider milk. "Here."

"Remove bees nest," said Bat Queen, gesturing to a nearby nest.

"Oh boy," said Danielle, walking over to the tree before setting off a plant glyph to grab it. "Aah! It's a bee, the nest is actually a bee! Eeee!"

"Come on. Almost got it. I am free! Bat Queen, you will rue the day you tried to trap…" said Gus, getting free before being encased again. "Aaah."

"Trial Two, done," said Danielle, trying to catch her breath. "This is for Owlbert… this is for Owlbert."

"Give babies a bath!" shouted Bat Queen, pointing to her babies.

"Hey, there sweeties. Don't worry, I'll be gentle," said Danielle, bending down only to realize moments later after giving the babies their bath. "Yet, you're not gentle with me. Ow! No biting."

"Go, Danielle," shouted Willow, cheering Danielle on.

"Danielle, we're here if you need us," shouted Gus, staring at Danielle.

"Yeah. Cut us free," said Willow, looking at Danielle. "We can…

"I appreciate it but this is my battle. Just by being here with me and cheering me on is enough," said Danielle, before setting off a water glyph and washing the babies off with warm water. "There you go. Nice and clean. Pfft… and now I got a bath."

"Yes, I am free again. I…" said Gus, getting free again only to be encased again.

"Okay Bat Queen, I've done every trial you've thrown my way. Is that enough proof to trust me with Owlbert?" asked Danielle, staring at the Bat Queen before extending her hand to Owlbert to which he notices the scrape on her hand and seeing the concerned teary look on her face. "Owlbert, please… come back with me. Owlbert!"

"No! More trials. Last trial. You must face..." said Bat Queen, spreading her wings. "Me!"

"What?" said Danielle, only having to dodge Bat Queen.

"You will never get him back!" shouted Bat Queen, glaring at Danielle.

"Danielle, get us out," said Willow, looking at Danielle.

"But this is a trial," said Danielle, dodging Bat Queen before her eyes glowed a light purplish pink. "I'd lose everything if you help me."

"Danielle," said Willow and Gus, staring at Danielle.

Running through the forest, Danielle sets off plant glyph after plant glyph, to try and tangle Bat Queen up. But the vines weren't their normal color, they were a dark blue much like the night sky. Bat Queen slashes down each vine showcasing the inside of the vines to be a sparkling milky white. Setting off another plant glyph, Danielle parries Bat Queen's claw with the staff as the vines hold Bat Queen's wings. Danielle sets off a light glyph before seeing an interlock on the bottom of Bat Queen's foot.

"An interlock?" said Danielle, before looking at Bat Queen. "Are you a palisman? You used to belong to someone."

"Yes, I was once part of a grand staff," said Bat Queen, turning away from Danielle. "A staff made for a giant. But I was broken, discarded."

"So that's why you're so protective of Owlbert," said Danielle, standing up.

"I protect... all!" shouted Bat Queen, spreading her wings and dozens of palismans behind her being shown with glowing eyes much like hers. "I made home in forest. I'm here to take the lost. The forgotten."

"So, this is a sanctuary for them, a haven," said Danielle, before looking at Bat Queen. "But Eda loves him very much."

"He will not go back with you," said Bat Queen, turning away.

"But I did every trial…" said Danielle, only for Bat Queen to grab her hand and lift her up.

"I won't let him," said Bat Queen, only to see the scrape on Danielle's hand and sniffing it. "This wound…"

"I got while protecting Owlbert when we fell," said Danielle, staring at Bat Queen. "If I didn't, the crack on his head would be much worse. Wait! What are you doing?"

"This scent… I haven't smelled in ages. This color… slowly changing," thought Bat Queen, looking at Danielle's blood seeing a slight sparkliness to it and a very slow change to dark blue. "Child, who are you?"

"I'm Danielle," said Danielle, being released and holding her hand. "Danielle Hopkins from Gravesfield Connecticut."

"Your blood tells more to me," said Bat Queen, looking at Danielle. "A lineage not from here."

"Well, yeah, I'm a human from the Human Realm," said Danielle, looking at Bat Queen.

"Not completely," said Bat Queen, making Danielle gasp. "Other half is slowly waking. Taking over. You won't be human by end of it."

"What are you talking about?" asked Danielle, backing away before tumbling to the ground. "I'm human. Both my parents are human."

"You look just like her," said Bat Queen, staring at Danielle. "But you also have father's features."

"Wait…have you…" said Danielle, standing up. "Have you seen my mom? Where is she?"

"Calm down," replied Bat Queen, placing her wing over Danielle's head. "Left long ago."

"But where?" asked Danielle, lifting Bat Queen's wing slightly. "I miss her so so much, I just want her back."

"Child…" said Bat Queen, before seeing Owlbert land on Danielle's shoulder and nuzzle her. "You… You care for her. Go. And take your friends."

"But I still have so many questions," said Danielle, seeing Bat Queen release Willow and Gus.

"You'll find truth eventually," said Bat Queen, walking away.

"But…" said Danielle, as Willow and Gus run over to her.

"I can't believe you took on the Bat Queen," said Willow, hugging Danielle.

"And we're not dead," said Gus, dancing.

"Yeah," said Danielle, looking to the ground before looking at Willow and Gus. "I'm sorry you two missed the game. I'll make up for it somehow."

"Are you kidding? That was better than any grudgby match," said Gus, confusing Danielle. "There were action-packed trials. I got to do my flag wave, and I'm slightly traumatized. Hooray!"

"So, you're okay with missing the game?" asked Danielle, looking at Willow.

"Yup," replied Willow, smiling at Danielle.

"Thanks, you two. You're the best," said Danielle, before petting Owlbert. "Let's get Owlbert home."

Walking out of the forest, Danielle bids goodbye to Willow and Gus halfway to the Owl House. Once back at the Owl House, Danielle set off a glyph combination of light and plant resulting in a glowing pink petal at the tip of her finger. Placing it near the crack on Owlbert's forehead, it slowly heals itself.

"There you go Owlbert. I'll just get the elixirs tomorrow," said Danielle, before hearing the front door slammed open by Eda. "Eda."

"Owlbert, why are you off the staff?" asked Eda, before Owlbert landed on her shoulder, warbling to her. "Danielle took you to get ice cream? Aw, that's... a horrible lie."

"Owlbert, that's sweet of you but she deserves the truth," said Danielle, walking over. "Eda, I…"

"Well, lucky for you both I don't care right now," said Eda, walking away. "I'm going to take a nap."

"I'll, uh, be at the playground," said King, walking out the front door.

"King, don't you think you had enough slayground for today?" asked Danielle, staring at King from the doorway. "Come on, I'll get you a snack."

"Ooo, what snack will it be this time?" asked King, walking after Danielle.

"We got plenty of potatoes and cheese," replied Danielle, walking into the kitchen. "How bout some cheese fries?"

"Oooo," said King, smiling.

Owl Pellet #7

(During tour of Hexside)

"And this is the Beast Keeping homeroom," said Willow, leading Danielle into the classroom. "We have a variety of cute beasties here."

"Whoa," said Danielle, looking at the various beasts before feeling something slithering up her arm. "Huh…? Ah-ah…"

"Oh, those are flying snakes," said Gus, seeing the flying snake slither up Danielle's arm. "Uh, Danielle, are you…"

"Aaaaah!" screamed Danielle, backing into Willow and gripping her arm. "Snake! Snake! It's a snake!"

"Calm down, it's not going to hurt you," said Willow, stroking Danielle's head.

"I hated that camping trip," said Danielle, choking and sobbing at the same time. "Mom! Dad!"