"I can't believe it's been seven whole months," Luz said, flopping down on the couch melodramatically.

"It's only been three days, Luz," Hunter reminded her.

"Well, it feels like seven months," Luz retorted. "How was New York, mami?"

Camila gave them a huge grin and showed them the fake documents she'd picked up from Eda's ex-husband's Russian mafia contact in New York. She had taken a risk by leaving them all at home with Willow in charge, but she didn't want to take the chance of Dimitri Melnikov getting anywhere near her children. Luckily, Willow had kept order with ruthless efficiency.

"Oh my gosh!" Vee said, her mouth dropping open in astonishment. "This is amazing, mom! Now I can go to school! Unless…you want to homeschool us?"

"While that would probably be ideal, I just don't have the time to work and homeschool you all," Camila said. "I'm sure Vee's friends will help you all adjust, and of course, Luz will show you the ropes."

"I heard on the dark web you beat up a whole bar full of mobsters and got offered leadership of Melnikov's gang!" Luz said.

"That's a gross exaggeration, Luz," Camila said chidingly. "You shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet – nor should you be on the dark web at all." In reality, she'd merely beaten up two mobsters – the biggest one in the bar to show them she meant business as well as a man who tried to grope her – and got an offer to become one of Melnikov's lieutenants. Naturally, she'd refused. She couldn't move to New York now, not when a portal from the Demon Realm side would only open up in Gravesfield. Also, she wasn't a criminal.

Everyone else took their seats. Hunter stared at the fake ID showing him as Hunter Noceda with awe. "Thank you so much, mom," he said. "I…this means so much to me. You have no idea."

"Oh, I think I have some idea, mijo," Camila said. "All right, let's start the next episode."

[Scene opens with Luz recording herself using her phone.]

Luz: ¡Hola, Mamá! I know you don't want me staying in the Demon Realm, but I'm recording this because I think we can find a middle ground. This is a world of magic and beauty. [Points outside.] Just look!

[Outside the Owl House, a skinless, skeletal Hooty is hanging out his skin to dry. The camera zooms in on his face. Hooty growls at the camera, while Luz screams and stops recording.]

Camila screamed for a solid two minutes continuously, then threw up in Dr. Everton Q. Pinkerton VII. "NO!" Gus shouted. "Oh, why must this occur? Cruel, capricious fate! And doubly cruel, capricious Hooty! What a disaster! However will I recover?"

"Relax, Gus, we'll just wash it later," Luz said.

"Some advanced warning would have been nice, Luz!" Camila shouted. "Think of Gus's poor bucket!"

Luz cringed. "Sorry, mami! I forgot."

"How in the name of God do you forget something like that?!" Camila demanded.

Luz shrugged. "I've had a lot on my mind."

[Cut to Luz recording herself outside in Bonesborough.]

Luz: Well you should know, I'm even learning magic! [Activates a light glyph.] And as a human, it impresses pretty much everyone.

[Boscha walks up from behind Luz and bumps into her. She accidentally stares into the light ball which blows up. She screams and covers her eyes.]

"Eh, she deserves it," Hunter decided. There was still going to be a reckoning for Boscha for daring to bully his captain.

Boscha: [Angrily.] Human! If you ever do that again, I will set your eyes on fire!

[Boscha forms a fire spell, causing Luz to cry out and stumble backwards. Cut to Luz recording herself inside Hexside. She notices her hair's on fire and swiftly puts it out.]

"That three-eyed jerk set you on fire?!" Camila shouted. "What a horrible person! Please tell me you told Principal Bump about this incident at the very least."

"Why would I do that?" Luz asked, genuinely bewildered. "It was my fault."

Camila rubbed her forehead, suddenly feeling very tired. "Lucecita…not everything is your fault, you know. Certainly not someone deciding to set you on fire."

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong, mom," Luz said calmly. "Everything is my fault. I deserved this and so very much more." She suddenly gave a perky smile. "Let's move on!"

Luz: [Chuckles nervously.] Sure, the Demon Realm can be a little… [Winces.] But there's no safer place than Hexside School of Magic and Demonics, right, Principal Bump?

Principal Bump: Hmm? [Clears throat.] Why yes. The well-being of our students is our top priority. Which is why we send all out troublemakers to our new and improved detention pit.

"What?!" Camila shouted, and pointed at Amity. "You told me it hadn't opened up yet!"

"I didn't know!" Amity protested. "It's not like I'm a troublemaker myself. Just the girlfriend of one."

Camila now pointed at Luz. "You just conveniently forgot to tell me, then?"

"No!" Luz shouted. She really had forgotten the detention pit was back up. Like she had said, she had way bigger problems to deal with in due time. And she had been making an effort to avoid getting into trouble, so she never really had cause to get anywhere near it. "I inconveniently forgot to tell you!" Camila gave a long suffering sigh.

[Camera pans to the entrance to the Detention pit. A Hexside guard is dragging a student into the pit.]

Bird student: Aah! Please, no!

Hunter tried his best to hide a satisfied smirk. That'd teach Zhoth to have a crush on a wonderful girl who was way above his weight class. The only one allowed to do that was Hunter. Not that he had a crush on Willow, of course! That'd be ludicrous!

[The door opens up, and the guard the throws the student inside.]

Bird student: Help me.

Luz: …That's enough of that. [She covers the lens with her hand.]

"I'm starting to see why you didn't show this video to me until now," Camila said wryly.

-THEME SONG-

[Outside the school building, Luz, Gus and Willow are sitting on the staircase.]

Gus: You know, I think he does it cause he's shy. He's just evil and shy. It happens.

Gus scowled at his younger self. He'd taken the threat of Belos so cavalierly. But now Gus knew better. He had seen so many of Belos's memories. They haunted his nightmares continuously. Some days, it was so hard he really struggled to figure out occasionally what memories were his and which ones were Belos. Gus remembered Belos committing murders and other atrocities as vividly as if he had done them himself. It felt like there was blood all over his hands that he couldn't wash out, ever, because he hadn't even done any of those things. But he had still not told anyone, not even Hunter. He wanted them to keep believing he was an innocent, even though nothing could be farther from the truth now.

Willow: I heard there's just a mirror underneath. [Whispers.] The real emperor was society all along.

Willow rolled her eyes at her younger self. It had been hard to let go of the idea Belos was their savior even at that point. She didn't approve of him doing things like trying to petrify Eda or trying to kill Luz, but she still believed at that point the coven system was necessary and just. She just believed Belos had gotten corrupted by power despite having good intentions.

Gus: Maybe he's so handsome people have a hard time focusing on what he says. I get it. I can relate.

[He looks to Luz who's playing back her video on her phone, forlorn.]

Gus: Luz! [Luz gets startled and hides her phone behind her back.] You've seen Belos up close. What's he like under… [Gestures to face.] all that?

Luz: Oh. I never got a good look.

[Amity suddenly appears out of nowhere beside Luz.]

Amity: I heard he's scarred from wild magic.

Hunter scoffed. Wild magic indeed. If anyone was scarred from wild magic, it was Hunter!

[Luz cries out in surprise and falls to the side.]

"Wow, you must have been really out of it not to notice her," Gus mused. "She's not really all that stealthy."

Luz: [Sighs.] Amity!

Amity: Hola, batata. [Helps Luz up.]

Luz: Did you just call me a sweet potato?

Amity: Yes! Is that not a term of endearment? I'm still figuring out this human language book from Gus.

[Amity shows Luz a cookbook titled Mamá Pura's Recipes. Gus gives Amity two thumbs up and nods. Both girls blush.]

"That's a cookbook, sweetie," Camila said gently. She thought it was so adorable. Amity's heart was definitely in the right place. Look at her, trying to learn a whole new language from another universe, just for Luz! It was just like when Manny learned Nognilk, language of the eponymous warrior species from Cosmic Frontier, just for her.

"Oh," Amity said, sounding morose. "Oh, I guess I screwed up…"

"No way!" Luz said. "I love it when you call me that! It's like our own secret code to tell each other how much we love each other."

"It's hardly a secret when you do it all the time," Hunter pointed out.

Luz: Aw! Amity, you're the sweet potato!

[Luz leans on Amity's shoulder, making her whole face turn red.]

"You two rascals," Camila said. "I'll never get tired to seeing this."

"Then you have infinitely more patience than I do," Hunter snarked. Luz swatted him playfully on the arm.

Amity: Uh, so… Did that Titan Blood ever come in handy?

Willow: Did you finish building the door?

Gus: Did you visit your mom? [Teasingly.] Does she know about high-fives too?

Camila held up her hand and Gus immediately gave her a high five.

Luz: Oh, uh… [Chuckles nervously.] Haven't used the door yet. Waiting for a good moment, you know?

"Sorry I lied to you guys," Luz said, looking at the floor. "I just…I've said goodbye one too many times in my life, you know? The thought of never seeing you again…I didn't want to face it. I didn't want to upset you all."

[Owlbert hoots. Luz looks up just in time to see Eda and King flying towards her on the Owl Staff.]

Luz: Later, taters!

[Luz turns around to kiss Amity on the cheek, making her blush. Luz then rides off with Eda and King.]

Amity: [Happily sighs.] Hmm?

[Amity notices the phone Luz had left behind on the staircase. Luz's video is displayed on the screen.]

Amity gave a nervous laugh. They were going to see her nearly deciding to invade Luz's privacy, weren't they? Well…she probably deserved it.

[Luz, Eda and King fly towards Bonesborough on the Owl Staff.]

King: Come on, Luz. There's no way your mom will make you leave the Demon Realm!

Eda: Yeah! When she meets us, I'll make sure to put on the charm… that turns people into obedient zombies.

"That's just a joke!" Luz said quickly. "She doesn't have a charm like that!"

[The trio land at the market place in Bonesborough, and Luz notices a lot of Coven Scouts around.]

Luz: Woah, what's going on?

King: They're probably prepping for the annual Coven Day Parade. Floats, streamers, fireworks–

Eda: [Angrily.] Ah, it's just a fancy way to kiss the Emperor's…

Camila quickly covered Vee's ears. Vee was not amused.

[Eda almost blurts out a bad word. She looks at Luz, who squints at her judgingly while covering King's ears.]

Camila breathed a sigh of relief. Crisis averted!

Eda: ...Whatever. I'm just here to pick something up.

[Eda walks off, with King following. Luz stops, spotting Kikimora, who is speaking into a crow phone.]

Kikimora: Mother, please! No, I'm not seeing anyone. Yes, I'm standing up straight. Listen, I can't come home. If I don't lead this parade, Belos will end my– No! No, of course I miss everybody. I… What? I can't choose! Hello? Mother? Mother?

[Luz runs off to join Eda and King. They are in front of a stand called Private Inspectergator.]

King: Hey, Luz! I know what'll cheer you up.

Luz: Aw, no bread puns today, buddy.

"Wow, you must have been feeling really bad if you weren't in the mood for bread puns," Willow said. "You're always chalk full of them!"

King: What? No. I'm talkin' about hot goss, girl!

[The stand owner hands over a file to Eda.]

King: Hot goss buns. Bread pun. Guess why we're here!

Eda: [Irritated.] King?

King: Eda hired someone to spy on her ex!

"That's Raine Whispers," Luz reminded them. "Head of the Bard Coven, secret rebel leader, and dancer extraordinaire."

Eda: [Gasps, embarrassed.] Did you read my diary?!

King: And they're Head Witch of the Bard Coven!

Eda: [Covers her ears.] Stop it! Stop it, stop it!

King: And they also–

Eda: Yes! They secretly led a rebel group against the Emperor and got captured! I was there!

King: Ooh. [Sucks teeth.] I didn't read that far.

[Luz gasps, becoming starry eyed, before collapsing to the ground.]

"Well, we lost her," Hunter snarked.

[The scene cuts forward. Luz is reading from the file handed to Eda.]

Camila looked at the picture in the file and her heart sank. Raine looked so pretty. How the hell was Camila supposed to compete with a witch so attractive – with history with Eda, she might add – if she was going to win Eda's heart? Um, assuming she had a crush on Eda, of course. Which she totally didn't!

Luz: And then Raine battled their fellow coven heads? And sacrificed everything to save Eda? [Crying.] It's just like Hecate and Azura in book 5!

[Eda grabs the folder back from Luz.]

Eda: According to this, Raine is still working with the Emperor's Coven which doesn't make sense. They were seen as a traitor!

"Terra Snapdragon thought she was brainwashing Raine into being loyal to the coven," Luz explained. "Little did she know Raine was actually not under her control and acting as a double agent the whole time!"

Luz: Maybe you can ask them about it. Look!

[Luz points to a Coven Day Parade billboard, which has an image of Raine on it.]

Eda: If they're here for the parade, they'll probably be surrounded by scouts. Oh, we'd need someone on the inside to lend us a hand.

Luz: Hmm.

Camila looked over at Hunter, who shook his head.

[Luz sees Kikimora, who trips over a plank of wood. Some scouts walk over her.]

Luz: [Looking towards Eda.] Hmm?

Eda: [Snorts.] Yeah, right. As if she'd give us the time of day.

[Cut to Kikimora, teary eyed, and being consoled by Luz. Eda and King stand near.]

"I can't believe you decided to trust Kikimora," Amity complained. "Didn't she try to kill you? And Hunter? And me?"

"Technically speaking, she only left you at the mercy of Captain Rhodes," Luz offered with a nervous laugh. Amity glared at her.

Kikimora: And– and then she said if I don't make it back for the family reunion, I'd be banished from Palm Stings and the family home! But I've failed too many missions, and if I leave my job now, I'll be banished from my life! [Sobs.]

"Oh, cry me a river," Hunter said. "Where was this concern for your victims, huh, Kikimora? You didn't give a shit when Belos was hurting me!"

Luz: There you go. It's gonna be okay. Maybe there's a way we can help each other out–

[Eda grabs Luz's hood and hoists her up from the ground.]

Luz: Whoa!

Eda: Are you out of your mind? Kikimora nearly turned me to stone. She attacked you back in Latissa, and she didn't blink when your girlfriend was thrown down a pit! Oh, she is bad, and not the hot kinda bad.

"I see the good in everyone," Luz said, but while this would have once been said as a positive, to her it was now a source of lamentation. "It's one of my biggest weaknesses."

"I would hardly say that," Camila said sternly. "Two of us are sitting here today only because you saw goodness in them when so many other people would have passed them by." She pointed at Amity and Hunter.

"Yeah, and you helped me out when you didn't have to!" Vee pointed out. "I had stolen your life and lied to your mom! You could have left me to my fate, but you saw a good person who needed help. When so many people just look at me and see a monster."

Luz sighed. "But what about when I'm wrong? What about when people take advantage of my goodwill?"

"Then that is their choice," Camila said. "Luz, people will not always meet your expectations. But that doesn't mean you should stop trying."

Luz: But this could be your way to talk to Raine! Isn't it worth the risk?

Eda: Maybe. But what're you getting out of this?

[Luz looks toward Kikimora.]

Kikimora: On the one hand, I miss my family. On the other, Belos is not a forgiving man. But I'm just a party planner at this point…

"I can't believe this is making me feel pity for Kikimora," Hunter complained. "I hope she betrays you in the end so the natural order of the universe can be restored."

[Luz looks back to Eda.]

Luz: I'm... just a sucker for romantic reunions?

Eda: This is true… Ugh, fine!

Kikimora: Fine? What's fine? What are you cretins planning?

Luz: Worry not, Kikimora. We're gonna help you… by kidnapping you and Raine!

All (except Luz): What?

"I have no idea why they're so surprised," Amity said. "They should be used to this stuff by now."

[Cut to Luz purchasing several potions from Morton.]

Luz: Thanks, Morton!

[Hooty regurgitates several coins, and the skeleton of a small animal, into Morton's hand]

Camila clutched her stomach. Gus's heart sank as he worried Dr. Everton Q. Pinkerton VII would be defiled further. But the moment passed and Gus breathed a sigh of relief.

Hooty: Keep the change!

[Luz walks past King and Edric. Later, King, with an armful of fireworks, reaches Luz, Eda, and Hooty, who are working to construct a parade float.]

"Did he sell King those fireworks?!" Amity shouted.

"I guess?" Luz responded. She had wondered where those fireworks had come from.

"Oh, he is gonna get such a talking to when I get home," Amity muttered. Harmless pranks were one thing, but selling explosives was quite another! What if they'd used them to hurt someone? Not that Luz would ever hurt anyone with those fireworks. On purpose. Well, maybe if they deserved it, but still.

Luz: Nice work, everyone.

[King sets the fireworks down.]

King: Nyeh.

Luz: Let's go over the plan one more time. King and Hooty will pilot the float during the parade. Once it gets to the halfway point, you two will set off all the glyphs, potions, and fireworks to distract people.

Gus did a face palm. Of course Luz was going to try for the most flashy option possible. Why had he ever suspected any differently?

King: With my love of mayhem and Hooty's desperate need for attention, this'll be a cake walk!

Luz: When Kikimora sends off the guards to investigate, that's when Eda and I will obscure the stage and whisk her and Raine away. [Luz's tone becomes slightly frantic.] The Coven can't banish Kiki if she's missing! She'll get the best of both worlds! She'll set an example for us all!

"Oh, Luz," Camila said. "You were really hurting from that promise I had you made, weren't you?"

Luz just nodded. The prospect of having to give up either the Human or Demon Realms permanently – to give up people she loved – was really unbalancing her, and the Collector tampering with her memories had made it even worse. It wasn't until she managed to confide in her family and friends that she managed to calm down.

[Eda, King, and Hooty all stare at Luz.]

Luz: [Nervously chuckles.] Um, I mean– Eda gets to talk to Raine. It's romantic!

Eda: [Blushing.] Oh, it's not that romantic.

Camila sighed. She really never stood a chance, did she? Oh, it was useless to deny it anymore. She really did have a crush on Eda. That probably made her bisexual, just like her daughter. She had definitely been attracted to Manny, she knew that much. Well…she'd still try to take her shot anyway. And hadn't someone said something about polyamory being cool in the Demon Realm? The old Camila would never have been involved in a relationship so unconventional, but if that was the only way she could be with Eda, she might consider it. Maybe.

Hooty: Witch, this is peak of Mount Romance.

King: Hooty, what would you know?

Hooty: I've been around!

Camila shuddered. As profoundly grateful as she was to Hooty for saving Luz's life and helping her get together with Amity, the thought of him romancing anyone filled her with a primal dread.

[Luz riffles through her pockets.]

Luz: Huh. Must've left my phone at the Owl House.

[Cut to Willow, who is working out on the balcony of her room.]

"Cariño," Camila whispered at Hunter. Hunter tilted his head. "Close your mouth."

Hunter let out a nervous laugh as he quickly closed his gaping mouth. Thankfully for him, Willow hadn't appeared to notice.

Camila smirked. Two of her children now had gotten together with their love interests. It was only a matter of time, she knew, before the third could do the same.

[She goes to answer a knock at her door, finding Amity there.]

Willow: Amity!

Amity: Uh, hey, Willow. It's, uh, been a while since I came here on my own.

Willow: Yeah. I guess it has… Are you okay?

[Amity barges into the room, startling Willow.]

"Hey, look, a flyer derby poster!" Gus said, pointing at the wall. "I guess the Emerald Entrails were an inevitability, weren't they, Hunter?" Hunter nodded.

"Emerald…Entrails?" Camila said.

"Don't worry, it's just a name," Willow said. Camila breathed a sigh of relief.

Amity: So, Luz has been acting super weird, and I think she's lying about her trip to the Human Realm, and she left her phoon, uh, phun? Ugh her thingy at school, and–

[Amity drops onto Willow's bed and screams into the sheets in frustration.]

Willow: You need to slow down for me.

Amity: Luz says she hasn't been to the Human Realm, but I just get the feeling that she's lying. And I can find out the truth by watching this! But I'm not gonna invade her privacy like that. Would you?

Amity looked at the floor. "Ugh. I can't believe I was tempted like that. When it was clearly wrong!"

"Amity, you're being too harsh on yourself," Camila said. "You didn't watch the video, did you?" Amity shook her head. "Well, you knew you were having a moment of weakness, so you sought out the help of a friend. That was the responsible course of action, sweetie. Sometimes, we can't do everything ourselves. Knowing when to ask for help is a sign of maturity."

Willow: Mmm… [Shrugging.] Mm-mmm.

Amity: [Giggles.] Willow.

Willow: Listen, Blight, if you want my advice, there's something you have to do for me first… Do you still know how to braid hair?

Amity: [Chuckles.] Okay. But I am a little rusty.

[Amity lets Willow's hair down, and begins braiding it.]

Amity: I'm glad we can be like this again.

Amity sighed. Just think of all the fun times she'd missed out on because she'd been too weak to defy her parents and remain friends with Willow. So many years of friendship down the drain, all because of her.

"Can you teach me how to braid hair, Blight?" Hunter suddenly asked.

"Only if you call me Amity," Amity said with a slight smile. She'd resented Hunter for a long while, but now watching these episodes, she realized his situation was much like hers. Only far, far worse. Belos made Odalia look like Camila in comparison. She'd grown to respect him as a friend and a worthy potential suitor for Willow. Not to mention in the fullness of time, he'd no doubt be her brother-in-law.

"It's a deal, Amity," Hunter said with a solemn nod. They shook hands.

[Cut to sundown. The parade has now started. Eda and Luz overlook the parade from a rooftop.]

Luz: It's almost time.

Eda: Is that our float?

[The camera cuts to the float: a larger than life effigy of Emperor Belos.]

Luz: Not bad, right?

[King and Hooty cause the effigy to wink and make finger guns. The crowd cheers in response.]

Luz: That was the signal!

Eda: Let's move.

Luz: Okay.

[Eda leaps down from the roof. Luz tries to follow, but struggles to get down.]

Luz: [Yelps.] Uh… I can't get down.

[Later, Eda and Luz set off smoke glyphs, engulfing Kikimora and Raine's float. Luz runs up to Kikimora and picks her up.]

Luz: And scoop!

"WHAT?!" Amity shouted. "You used one of your best lines, one of the ones that was most meaningful to our relationship, on her?!"

"Um…I'm sorry?" Luz offered desperately. "Mami, help?" But Camila was too busy cackling to help Luz. "I'll never do it again! Please forgive me!"

Amity sighed ostentatiously. "Very well. You are forgiven. This once."

Kikimora: Ooh! I cannot believe we are being taken against our will. What sayeth you, fiend?

Luz: Uh! That's right! I, Hecate, will whisk you away to my kingdom of mirrors and snakes!

"Well, if this is how you act, I'm not surprised you didn't get the part in that play," Vee said. "Even without the sausages."

"Hey! I totally would have gotten it if the director hadn't been a moron without an appreciation for true art!"

[Amity, who is in the parade crowd, is able to recognize Luz's voice. She facepalms while letting out an exasperated sigh.]

Luz grimaced. Not only was Amity seeing her acting lame now, but she'd also seen her doing that then!

Luz: [Hushed.] Hey, come on. I didn't know I had to prepare lines.

[Eda uses a plant glyph to tie up and gag Raine in vines. She slings Raine over her shoulder.]

Eda: Knock it off, you two. Let's get crackin'. [Eda disappears with an invisibility glyph.]

Luz: Right. [Luz likewise disappears.]

"So Raine pretended they were still brainwashed to prevent Eda from getting involved in the rebellion," Luz explained. "They had this cool fight scene. It's a shame I missed it."

[Cut to Luz running down an alley with Kikimora. Hooty can be heard laughing in the distance.]

Luz: Oh, my gosh, it's working! It's actually working!

Kikimora: We're visible? We need to disappear again! If we're caught, she will end us!

Luz: Who will end us?

[The ground cracks, with giant plant carrying Terra emerging from them. Luz and Kikimora hide behind a cart.]

Willow shuddered. She'd heard stories of the legendary Terra Snapdragon in her plant classes. They were not pleasant ones by any stretch of the imagination. She'd actually considered deliberately letting herself get average grades to avoid Snapdragon's gaze, but she'd decided against that. It was against her principles to not show her full potential.

Kikimora: Head Witch of the Plant Coven, Terra Snapdragon.

Terra: Oh, my word. Where could Kiki have gone? Such a valued member of the coven must be found post haste! [A fly buzzes past Terra.] Have you seen her little fly? [Terra crushes the fly.] Guess not.

"Well, she looks like bad news," Camila said.

"You don't know the half of it," Hunter muttered. "She always gave me the creeps. Even more than Belos sometimes, and that's one hell of an accomplishment."

[Luz and Kikimora use an invisibility glyph to disappear.]

Terra: What a shame that Kikimora would disappear… and right before her promotion.

"Please tell me she isn't gonna fall for this," Gus said.

"She's gonna fall for it," Hunter predicted. Kikimora was not the sharpest knife in the drawer. She was the blunt instrument to Hunter's scalpel. But in the end, both of them were just tools. Hunter supposed that should make him pity her, but it didn't. He at least had had the excuse of thinking Belos loved him. Kikimora just fought for the strongest side.

Kikimora: [Yelps.]

Terra: All the missions she would have led, the shiny new badge, the respect. Ah, well. Guess we'll have to find someone else!

[Terra shoots a spiked vine towards Luz and Kikimora's position. At the last moment, the vine stops, held back by an abomination. Luz and Kikimora reappear and run off.]

Terra: Hmm. Another pest…

[Terra destroys the abomination. Cut to Luz running with Kikimora. Amity runs up to meet them.]

Luz: [Gasps.] Sweet potato? How did you know–

Amity: Book 5, chapter 8, Azura pretends to kidnap Hecate–

Luz: During the ice festival to save her from the wizard clan! You remembered my favorite part.

"Also, it's transparently obvious that if there's some huge ruckus going on, you're gonna be the one responsible for it," Hunter pointed out.

"Shush, you."

Amity: Yes, but right now I just want to keep my girlfriend from being sent to the Conformatorium… again.

[Amity uses her magic to form an abomination skateboard. The three hop on it.]

"Ooh, you have skateboards in the Demon Realm," Camila said. "Very cool!"

"Actually, I got the idea from a human book I bought from Eda's stall," Amity explained. "Probably paid way too much for it."

"Aw, Eda wouldn't have – nope, she absolutely would have tried to cheat you," Luz admitted. "But don't take it personally."

"How am I not supposed to take that personally? I'm her protégée's girlfriend! I should have gotten a discount!"

Luz: Ooh.

[Cut to a dock at the edge of Bonesborough, which Kikimora's hand dragon, Princess, lays at the end of. Luz, Amity, and Kikimora make their way across the dock.]

Luz: Okay, Kikimora. Princess here will get you back to your family in Palm Stings by morning. She's a good girl, and I'm sorry to say goodbye, but Bump couldn't keep her at his place anymore.

"Well, that was nice of him to look after her," Camila said. "I hope you thanked him."

Luz laughed nervously, having completely forgotten to do that.

[Luz sets Kikimora onto Princess.] Isn't it great? You'll see everyone at the reunion, and when you return, you can brag about your daring escape! You're walking proof that you don't have to chose between worlds!

Camila flinched. She'd really screwed up, hadn't she? She hadn't been trying to hurt Luz. She was just so incredibly terrified. Everything that was going on was so outside of her wheelhouse, she couldn't even touch Luz anymore, she'd fallen for an imposter's lies for weeks, and in that moment, she'd just wanted her daughter back! She just wanted things to go back to normal. But they could never go back to normal. And now? Now she didn't want them to either.

Kikimora: [Sighs.] You've been such a help to me, human. You really are a kind person... and an utter fool! [Laughs.]

Hunter breathed a sigh of relief. The universe was back in balance.

Luz: Wha?

Kikimora: Palm Stings can burn for all I care! You heard Terra. They want to promote me! Me!

Luz sighed. "Why do I have to be so naïve? All the time, I get tricked! Adegast, Kikimora, even Gus managed to trick me once! Why can't I learn my lesson?"

"Look, Luz, we all have our weaknesses," Camila said. "That's what our friends and family are for, so we can lean on them and use their strengths to offset our weaknesses when we need to. The more you trust the people you love, the better off you'll be."

"I'm grateful you didn't learn that lesson," Hunter said. "If you'd shut your heart after Adegast, I'd still be the emperor's stooge. Or dead."

"And I'd still be the mean girl who tried to get you dissected," Amity reminded her. "Who was utterly miserable when all was said and done. I mean, sure, trusting Kikimora was…not one of your better decisions. But cut yourself some slack, Luz. It wasn't like anyone got hurt."

"Not this time," Luz muttered.

Amity: She could have been lying.

Kikimora: That's a risk I'm willing to take. Maybe as a thank you I could give Belos a few gifts. A troublemaking human and– Ah. [To Amity.] You're the little firestarter from Eclipse Lake.

"I am so lucky she didn't tell my mom about that," Amity said. She shuddered to think about how badly she'd be punished for committing what was essentially treason. She could have been cast out of the family or even killed.

[Princess lunges to attack. Amity forms a fire spell while Luz sets down an ice glyph.]

Luz: Amity! Now!

[The fire and ice spells combine to form a smoke screen, allowing Luz and Amity to run further down the dock. Amity forms an abomination gauntlet, which Luz imbues with an ice glyph.]

Luz: You got em.

[Amity fires the gauntlet at Princess, causing ice to form around Kikimora and her dragon.]

Kikimora: [Gasps.]

[Luz and Amity keep running. But Kikimora and Princess, thawed by the Boiling Sea, block their path.]

Kikimora: Yes. Thank you Luz, for all the help.

Luz: You're welcome! I mean… Ah, dang it!

"It's okay, Luz," Amity said, patting her on the shoulder. "You just wanted to do the right thing. That's a good thing. You shouldn't lose that."

[Vines suddenly emerge from the sea, tying Princess down to the ground.]

Luz and Amity: [Gasps.]

Kikimora: What is this?

[The vines tie down Kikimora as well. Terra emerges from the Boiling Sea.]

Terra: Oh, Kiki, try not to get ahead of yourself. The Emperor has a great many plans, but causing a riot by hurting a couple of children is not one of them.

Luz scoffed. More like he wanted to keep her alive right up until she traveled back in time to help him ascend to power, to prevent any paradoxes.

Kikimora: Terra! Shouldn't you be babysitting the bard?

Terra: I wasn't sent here to watch over Raine. I was sent here to watch over you.

[Terra causes the vines to recede from Kikimora, freeing her.]

Terra: The promotion is real. You just had to prove your dedication.

Kikimora: Did I pass?

Terra: Unfortunately, yes.

Kikimora: [Squeals.] So? What's the promotion? Who's under my command? What do I get?

Terra: You get… to live. [Groans.] Come, Kiki, time to head back.

Hunter laughed uproariously. "She gets to live! Priceless! Oh, man, that Terra. Total psychopath, but she has the best jokes." Everyone looked very concerned.

[The vines re-wrap around Kikimora, dragging her and Princess away.]

Terra: [To Luz.] The Emperor says he's looking forward to meeting you, human. Until then, happy Coven Day.

"What does he mean by meeting you?" Camila wondered. "Haven't you met already?"

"JUST A LITTLE SLIP OF THE TONGUE!" Luz said desperately. "Let's talk about something else!" Camila narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

[Luz and Amity both let out a sigh.]

Luz: Amity, Amity! Amity, you saved me. How can I make it up to you?

Amity: Maybe… you can tell me about this.

[Amity pulls out Luz's phone, with the video still displayed on the screen.]

Luz: [Gasps.]

Amity: Don't worry. I haven't watched it. But… you did finish the portal door. You did see your mom. ...And... it looks like it didn't go well.

"You did the right thing in the end, Amity," Camila assured her. "I know sometimes it's tempting to take shortcuts, but that's what trust is for."

"But I broke her trust!" Luz lamented.

Camila looked over at her. "I'm not going to tell you what you did was a good thing, sweetie. But sometimes, the only way to properly learn is to learn from one's mistakes. You're new to this relationship stuff, and like you said, you're flying blind. You'll make more mistakes. It's inevitable. And hopefully you'll learn from them too."

"Thanks, mom."

Luz: I'm sorry.

Amity: I know this situation is crazy, and I'm okay taking things one day at a time. But, I can't help if I don't know what's going on.

Luz: You just looked so hopeful. You were even learning Spanish. And I thought if I helped out Kikimora, maybe there'd be hope for me.

Amity: Tell me what happened.

Luz: Okay. So, I had finished the door. But it didn't look like the normal portal. I must have missed something. We opened it and…

"See?" Camila said. "You learned your lesson. You learned not to hide secrets from the ones you love, because it just hurts them and you when they find out."

"Yeah…" Luz said, a spasm of guilt roiling through her. She was gonna be in double trouble, she realized, once they found out she helped Belos because she hid it from them!

[Luz continues talking as she and Amity walk back toward the parade.]

[Cut back to the parade. Coven scouts hose down the now flaming effigy of Belos as King and Hooty escape into the crowd, giggling to each other. Kikimora, Raine, and Terra stand on a podium in front of a crowd. Eda, Luz, Amity, King, and Hooty watch from a rooftop.]

Kikimora: [To the crowd.] Um, thank you, Bonesborough, for joining us during this year's Coven Day Parade. This year is extra special because the Emperor himself has an announcement to make.

[A massive projection of Emperor Belos appears behind the podium.]

"I hate seeing illusion magic used for evil!" Gus said, shaking his fist in the air.

Belos: Thank you, everyone. Together we are perfecting the Coven System as the Titan intended.

Luz stuck her tongue out at him.

The Day of Unity will be in exactly one month, when the tide is at its lowest and the moon obscures the sun. At that time, we will journey to the head of the isles, and there, the worthy shall inherit a utopia free of wild magic.

Gus shivered. Technically speaking, Belos had been telling the truth – it was just he conveniently left out the part where no one was worthy but him and wild magic would be gone because everyone who could wield it would be dead.

[The crowd gasps.]

King: Free of wild magic? How's he supposed to do that?

Belos: There is one more thing I'd like to share with you. I've always hidden my face, out of fear. But because of your support, I can finally take off this mask.

"Yeah, hid it out of fear someone would realize you weren't a witch," Luz muttered. Fortunately for her, no one heard her.

Eda: [Spits.] So phony. He's just trying to distract us from his crazy utopia talk! Too bad it won't work.

[Belos removes his mask. The crowd gasps again.]

"It worked," Willow lamented.

Belos: Thank you, Boiling Isles.

[The crowd cheers.]

Bystander: We love you, Grandpa!

Vee clenched her fists. So many people who supported Belos. Would she truly be safe if she returned to the Demon Realm?

[Cut to Willow and Gus, watching the parade on Willow's scroll. They gasp, but quickly become unimpressed.]

Willow and Gus: Eh.

Belos: Happy Coven Day, everyone!

[The projection of Belos explodes into fireworks. The crowd begins chanting Belos' name.]

Amity: Is… Belos planning something? And why did he say he's going to meet you again? Didn't you already meet him? What else don't I know? What's gonna happen?

"I wish we didn't know the answers to those questions," Luz said with a shudder.

Luz: I– I'm not sure. But for now… we'll take things one day at a time.

[The chanting of Belos' name continues.]

"Well, I guess it's time to move on to the next episode," Luz said glumly. There was no putting it off any longer. She'd have to see the worst mistake she'd ever made in her entire life again. And eventually everyone else would realize the repercussions of it. Her time having friends, a girlfriend, and maybe even a mom who loved her was running out.