It took fifteen minutes throwing eggs at Belos's statue before the police showed up and they all had to run for it. Thankfully, they'd had the foresight to get Gus to provide illusions to disguise everyone, including Camila and Luz, so even if someone had taken pictures of them, there was no way the cops could ever make the connection.

"I just hope Masha's not gonna get in trouble for this," Vee fretted as they returned to the basement to watch the next episode. "They're just the most incredible person I've ever met! I know they seem kind of dark and goth at times, but they'd never hurt a fly. They're just the sweetest, kindest, nicest…"


"TELL US WHERE YOU FOUND THE TRAINING WAND AND WE'LL BURN YOUR HOUSE TO THE GROUND!" Masha shrieked at Hopkins, waving a taser around haphazardly, the end of it crackling with electricity.

"Uh, don't you mean or?" Starla corrected them. She had been totally cool learning Luz was actually a basilisk named Vee and that they were going to track down Masha's predecessor to hopefully find a way back to the Demon Realm. But Masha was starting to scare her a little. As much as Hopkins deserved to suffer for hurting Vee, Starla didn't want to go to jail.

Masha gave a long suffering sigh. "Fine. Tell us where you found the training wand or we'll burn your house to the ground!"

"Well, which is it?" Hopkins asked. "That seems like a pretty crucial conjunction."

Masha nodded at Michael, who rammed his knee between Hopkins' legs. "I'll make this simple," Michael said in a menacing tone. No one hurt his friend and got away from it. Basilisk or not, Vee was his cabinmate and that meant more than anything. "Tell us where you found the training wand or they'll kill you."

"Okay!" Hopkins said in a squeaky, high pitched voice. "Just one question: What the hell is a training wand?"


"…noblest, most beautiful person ever," Vee finished. "I'm just so lucky to have them in my life."

"I bet you're looking to your date tomorrow, mija," Camila said with a knowing grin.

Vee blushed. "I am…but I'm so nervous. What if they want to kiss me?"

"Well, as long as you don't say crikey, you'll already be ahead of your sister," Amity pointed out.

"How about we start the next episode before Amity can embarrass me further?" Luz suggested. "The next one is the most important episode of all…because it's the one where Amity and I discovered the truth behind the author of the Good Witch Azura series."

Hunter raised an eyebrow. "Isn't this also the one where I joined the Emerald Entrails?"

"Yeah, but Azura is more important than everything."

[Scene opens with an exterior shot of the Emperor's Castle. Inside his room, Hunter is sewing a sigil onto his cloak. Flapjack lands on his shoulder and chirps at him.]

"Oh, you like to sew!" Camila said in surprise. She didn't think he had any hobbies. This was welcome news. She wasn't half bad at the practice herself, but Manny had been an expert at it. He always insisted on making his own cosplay and every time they went to a Cosmic Frontier convention, everyone was always jealous of their costumes.

"Well…I'm not terribly good at it," Hunter said bashfully.

"Well, practice makes perfect," Camila pointed out. "And that doesn't mean you can't like it. It's important you do things you enjoy, just for yourself. I have a sewing machine, you know. I'll teach you how to use it later. Would you like that?" Hunter nodded eagerly.

Hunter: Yeah, it does look good as new!

[Hunter holds up his cloak to look at the sigil. The sewing work on it looks shoddy and strings start coming off, not to mention the cloak has bandages on it.]

"You liar," Hunter said to Flapjack with no heat in his voice. Hunter hardly needed to translate what Flapjack said next; his smug expression spoke for itself.

Hunter: ...And I have no idea what I'm doing.

[Someone knocks on Hunter's door. He opens it and finds two Coven Guards standing outside. One of them passes a letter to him. Hunter opens it and reads the letter, which is from Emperor Belos.]

Hunter: My duties are keeping my busy. I entrust you to lead the Coven Heads today. Consider this a test." [Smirks.] Hmm.

Camila sighed. Once more, Belos treated his own nephew like nothing more than a subordinate and that was one of the better case scenarios from what she'd seen. Children required care and nurturing and love. Instead, he'd turned his own relative into a child soldier! Maybe she could find a time pool and beat Belos up in the past. Sadly, that probably wouldn't be advisable because of paradoxes. But it was damn tempting.

[Hunter heads over to the throne room, just in time to see some of the Coven Heads coming out.]

Hunter: Good. You're all here. We can get started- Hey! Ugh! Wha- Where are you- Ugh! I said wait! Come back here!

Hunter groaned. How was he ever going to gain Camila's respect when he couldn't even keep the Coven Heads in check? She must be looking at him right now and thinking he was weak!

Camila wondered if she could persuade Vee to shapeshift into a baby so she could take some baby pictures of her so she could show them to Masha when they showed up for the date. It would also help the verisimilitude of their cover story if she had pictures of her looking younger.

[The Coven Heads ignore his presence and simply push past him. Raine stops and turns around to look at Hunter, but Terra pushes them and they walk away.]

[Hunter pushes the doors open and walks into the throne room angrily. He sees Darius and Eberwolf looking at some scrolls.]

Hunter smiled fondly. He missed Darius and Eberwolf so much. Sure, Darius may have been pretty brusque to him in this episode, but he'd shown his true colors eventually. And between episodes Darius had tried to make up for it by being more affectionate and understanding. He didn't really think of Darius as a father figure, though. More like…an older brother of sorts. Darius had no interest in having to care for children, and Hunter had no interest in being adopted by anyone but his amazing mother.

Hunter: Darius! Eberwolf! Why is everyone leaving? We are scheduled to have a recruitment meeting.

[Darius sighs and turns around to talk to Hunter.]

Darius: Good morning to you too, little prince. We've decided to reschedule the meeting, so go play arts and crafts or... whatever it is you do. [Notices something.] Oh. Looks like you've already started.

Camila scowled. "That's not very nice of him. You're just a kid. And you said he was your friend?"

"He's a good guy," Hunter argued. "He's secretly working for the rebellion, so he's under a lot of stress!"

[Darius uses his abomination goo to grab Hunter's cloak and brings it to him.]

Hunter: Hey!

[Darius looks at the hand sewn sigil and laughs at it.]

Darius: This is impressively bad. Wait, is this the old Golden Guard sigil?

"Like I said, Hunter, with practice will come improvement," Camila reminded him. "I hope you won't let him discourage you."

Hunter: [Angrily.] Of course it is! And this is no way to treat the emperor's-

Darius: Nephew?

Hunter winced. Darius had known all along about the grimwalkers, hadn't he? At the very least, he knew that Hunter's predecessor and him looked exactly alike; it probably wouldn't have been very hard to connect the dots after that.

[Hunter stares at Darius furiously.]

Darius: I knew your predecessor. He was my mentor. One of the strongest witches I've ever known. But you... Hmm.

[Darius looks at Hunter judgingly. Hunter becomes nervous.]

"He's really not very nice to you," Camila said with concern. "You can do better with your friends than him."

Hunter shifted uncomfortably. He didn't want to reveal his true identity as a grimwalker yet, but he also didn't want Camila thinking badly of Darius. "It's just…the previous Golden Guard was my father." Well, sort of. From a certain point of view. "I look exactly like him."

"Oh," Camila said. She knew very well how losing someone could cause you to lose your way sometimes. "Well…still. I'm sure your father would have wanted him to treat you better. Would you like to tell me about him, mijo?"

"Um…well, Darius told me a little about him. His name was Fletcher. He used to serve Belos loyally, like me, but he found out about his plans. He stole the portal door and hid it, but he was caught and executed."

"I'm so sorry, dear," Camila said. "And…and your mother?" Hunter froze. He shouldn't have lied to Camila. She'd be so angry with him later, and now he didn't have an answer for a question he should have realized!

"His mom's right here!" Luz said and pointed at Camila. Hunter gave her a grateful smile.

Camila nodded. "Right. I won't ask again."

Hunter: But Belos says I don't need magic to serve the coven.

Darius: And I say you don't deserve to wear that patch.

No wonder Darius was so upset, Hunter realized. Seeing Hunter prance about the palace, being Belos's loyal lickspittle and wearing the same patch that Fletcher wore, must have been devastating for him.

[Darius walks away together with Eberwolf, holding Hunter's cloak in his hand. Feeling insecure, Hunter turns around and calls after Darius.]

Hunter: Wait. What should I do? How do I... earn it?

Darius: [Exasperated.] Ugh, sweet mother of Titans. I- I don't know. Find new recruits for the Emperor's Coven? The best and the brightest witches in all the land. Then maybe, you can get this back.

Hunter did a face palm. It was abundantly clear now Darius was making something up off the top of his head to get Hunter off his back.

Hunter: [Determined.] I'll do it.

Darius: [Walks away.] Of course you will. You're very good at doing exactly what you're told.

Hunter flinched. "It's okay, Hunter," Camila said immediately. "You're not like that anymore. You're a good person. You're your own person now. And so long as I'm alive, I won't permit anyone to take that from you."

"Thank you," Hunter whispered.

[Hunter looks insecure again. The doors slam shut.]

-THEME SONG-

[Scene cuts to a forest with upbeat music playing. Willow is working out relentlessly with Clover accompanying her.]

"WHOA!" Hunter shouted, his mouth wide open. "Oh my gosh."

Willow smirked at him. "See something you like?"

"Are you kidding me?" Hunter said. "You look so strong and powerful and gorgeous like that, Willow! Oh, man, I just love seeing all your muscles. You could probably crush me like a grape, which is so cool." Willow was left blushing so hard at the end of that monologue that she resembled Amity in full tomato mode.

"It's really weird seeing this from the outside," Amity commented.

Willow: [Narrating.] After years of thinking I wasn't good enough, I finally found something I can be good at. Something I wanna be good at. Switching to the Plant Track was just the beginning. I'm on my way to becoming the witch I wanna be.

Hunter gave her a round of applause. "Yeah! You tell them, Willow! Crush all your enemies underfoot! Make them all rue the day they ever met Willow Park!"

[Scene cuts to Willow sitting in front of a mirror. She looks at her reflection and talks to herself.]

Willow: I can do this!

[Willow suddenly becomes unsure.]

Willow: Right?

"Right," Hunter said with a confident nod.

[Willow takes off a piece of newspaper clipping pasted on the mirror. It shows an article titled: "The Ghouls Celebrate Their First Flyer Derby Win!" and in the picture above it, Gilbert and Harvey Park are among the members celebrating the win. Willow looks back at her reflection with confidence.]

Willow: Eye of the liger, girl. [Winks.] Knock'em dead!

[Scene cuts to Willow walking inside the hallways of Hexside. A banner above her reads: "CLUB FAIR TODAY!" She suddenly hears a noise and looks towards it, and sees Luz and Gus running away from something, Luz chucking icicles at it.]

Luz: Back, back, back, back!

"I just want to state for the record that this was not, for once, my fault," Luz announced.

Camila looked over at Gus who did a so-so gesture.

[A rogue locker appears and chases after the duo. They run behind Willow and hide behind her. Willow promptly uses a spell circle to summon some vines and tie up the locker's feet, restraining it.]

Hunter leaned back in his seat contentedly. He loved seeing his captain be badass. It was a nice reprieve before the embarrassing events of this episode. Kidnapping Gus and Willow was not one of his finest hours. He wasn't as worried about how it would lower Camila's opinion of him as before, though; not with Willow and Gus willing to vouch for him.

Luz: [Hugs Willow.] Thanks, Willow.

Gus: [Sits on the locker.] And that's why we try not to keep our lunches in the lockers.

"Okay, maybe it was a little bit my fault," Luz retracted, "but it was still a huge overreaction."

Luz: So... ready for the club fair, Willow? Mayhaps you'll join me and Amity in the... Azura book club. [She tries to hold up 5 books in her hand at once, but drops it seconds later while yelping in pain.] Owie.

"Maybe…um, maybe I could join your book club?" Hunter asked tentatively. "If you're still having it here? It's just, I have so many theories! Like, and I know this is kind of off the wall, but I think the Dark Lich is just a necromantic construct of King Gustav."

"But King Gustav is Azura's trusted liege!" Amity protested. "Why would he do something nefarious?"

"Yeah, a trusted liege who's expanded his kingdom thanks to Azura stopping the Dark Lich's plots," Hunter argued. "Entire regions are joining onto his kingdom just because they think Azura can protect them from the Dark Lich. It's all about power in the end."

Luz clapped her hands in excitement. "Yes, of course you can join us! Oh, this is awesome!"

Willow: Thanks. But... I'm interested in something with a little more... drama, flare, and face paint.

"Azura has plenty of drama and flare!" Amity argued. "Not all that much face paint, though. With the exception of Xander the Jester, of course."

Luz: [Intrigued.] I'm so excited to hear the next words out of your mouth.

Willow: Flyer derby!

[Willow shows Luz a video on her Penstagram account on her scroll.]

Narrator: Only Stabitha Jenkins and Old Gory are left.

[Stabitha and Old Gory rushes towards each other.]

Narrator: Who will win?

[Stabitha snatches Old Gory's flag and hangs it over at her team pole.]

Narrator: And it's Stabitha Jenkins with the winning flag!

"So it's like capture the flag on staffs," Camila concluded. "Well, it sure beats grudgby. And I'm sure any team that has you and Gus on it is one worth rooting for, Willow!"

Willow: Ever since our grudgby match, I've been playing it at home. Today... [Summons her staff.] I'm starting Hexside's first Flyer Derby team!

[Behind Willow, Luz and Gus cheer and throw confetti.]

Luz: Whoo-hoo!

Gus: Yeah!

[Scene cuts to the club fair event on the field outside school building. Willow is setting up her stand with Clover's help. Meanwhile, Luz is at her stand trying to attract people to come.]

Luz: Journey with us to a world of magic unlike any other! Well, uh, a bit like this world, except toned down for ages 6 to 11. [Disappointed.] Why isn't anyone interested?

"I guess magic and wonder is kind of redundant on the Boiling Isles, huh?" Luz said, sounding sad.

"It's okay, Luz," Amity said. "In a way, I kind of like that we're the only ones who like it. It's our little special couple thing." Hunter cleared his throat. "Well, it was," she added in a tone of mock irritation. In truth, she was pretty happy to have another fan of Azura around.

[Boscha grabs a book from the stand and shows Luz the cover.]

"Oh, God, doesn't this girl have anything better to do with her time than to harass you?" Camila complained. She intended to have a very long discussion with Principal Bump about Boscha's behavior. Too many times, she'd taken the administration at their word and not acted, and the results were horrible. Well, no longer. Camila was going to come out swinging.

Boscha: The art doesn't do it any favors.

"What do you know?" Hunter said snidely. "I highly doubt you've even opened a book in your life."

Amity couldn't help but giggle a little. She knew very well that Boscha was actually a fan of ridiculously saccharine romance novels. But Amity wouldn't tell anyone. There were some lines one didn't cross, even for Boscha. Boscha had told her that secret in confidence and she would keep it, no matter how tempting it would be to tell everyone.

Luz: Not judging a book by its cover is a baby rule even babies know. Plus, you don't read Azura for the art! There's so much magic in the words.

[Boscha flips open the book and reads a passage from it.]

Boscha: [Poses as she reads.] "Twice have I tarried at Tanabrack. Yet e'er have I kept my troth to thee, Azura."

Hunter scoffed. As if this hooligan could ever appreciate true art.

Luz: Okay, the prose can be... ornate. But it- it's also the crackling emotions! The convoluted magic system! The smell of the pages!

"And the shipping!" Hunter shouted. "My Titan, the shipping!"

[Luz buries her face into the pages and inhales deeply. Boscha stares at her judgingly.]

Amity: Luz!

[Amity runs up and calls out to Luz. She stops beside Boscha to catch her breath.]

Amity: I heard that- [Pants.]

Luz: Spill it, hermosa!

Amity: The author of Azura is having a signing this afternoon at the Book Nook!

Camila blinked a couple of times. She was really certain the author of the Good Witch Azura series was human. If there was the slightest hint of her having inhuman origins, Luz would have latched onto it. Either Featherwhyle was a really talented actress, or something was wrong here.

Luz: [Confused look.] Huh?

Amity: You are much less excited than I imagined.

Boscha: Uh, excuse me, I'm still here.

Luz: I'm just confused. The author is human.

Amity: No, she's not. She's from the Demon Realm. How do you think I got my books?

Luz: How do you think I got mine? Look!

[Luz takes a book and shows Amity the author's picture on the back, accidentally pushing Boscha backwards.]

Boscha: Hey!

Luz: See? [Points at the author's ear.] Human!

[Both Luz and Amity notice that the author has different ears when comparing the pictures behind Luz's book and Amity's book side by side.]

Amity: Can the author of Azura...

Luz: Travel between realms?!

[Boscha pushes aside the duo angrily.]

Boscha: Get off me!

Camila laughed. It was always fun seeing a bully get put in her place.

[Luz and Amity put their books on the stand, then walk off together while holding hands. Boscha shouts after them.]

Boscha: You guys aren't cute! I still have more friends than you!

"Does she have any friends?" Gus wondered. Amity shook her head.

[Camera pans to the right, where Hunter emerges from beside a stand watching the students of Hexside. He is disguised in the uniform of a Potions Track student.]

"Where did you get that uniform?" Vee wondered.

"I just found it on the ground!" Hunter said hastily. "I sure as heck didn't threaten a student into giving his uniform to me!" Camila looked askance at him, but said nothing.

Hunter: Look at all these potential recruits.

[Flapjack appears on Hunter's shoulder and chirps.]

Hunter: Sure, I've never actually spoken to witches my age. Teens are probably into the same things as me! Like authority and rules!

Luz burst into hysterical laugher. "Oh my God, Hunter! You're even worse at this than I am! And I didn't think that was even possible!"

"Yeah, teenagers hate authority and rules," Amity said. "They're notorious for rebelling. It's sort of ingrained into them to start defying people at that age."

Flapjack chirped. "I was not like that!" Hunter protested. Flapjack gave him a skeptical look that needed no translation.

[Hunter walks up to a small student watching scroll.]

Hunter: Classmate!

"How do you do, fellow kids?" Luz said mockingly.

"Also, he's in a completely different track from your uniform, so you'd not actually be classmates," Gus pointed out.

Ignore the fact that we've never met. What if I told you all your dreams could come true? And you'd just have to leave your home, friends, and family forever?

"Look, in my defense, the only example of a family I've ever had was Belos, so…"

[The small student looks at Hunter hesitantly and sweats.]

"I still don't understand what I did wrong," Hunter admitted. "I mean, sure, okay, family is nice and all. And if he had a mom like I do, I could totally see it. But come on! You're, like, one in a million, mom." Camila wasn't sure whether to be disturbed or proud. "What average student wouldn't give up everything they knew to gain a glorious future?"

[Scene cuts to some Oracle track students playing Hexes Hold'em at their stand. They cheer after one of the cards have been destroyed in an epic battle. Hunter approaches them.]

Unnamed Oracle student: Ha-ha!

Celine: Woo-hoo!

Hunter: You think these are cool? Not as cool as the Emperor's Coven. I hear you get to sleep in till 6 a.m.

"You've been getting up at 6:00 AM?" Camila said, looking at Hunter with alarm. No wonder he had those bags under his eyes.

"Don't worry, mom," Hunter said in the most reassuring tone he had. "Since I left the Coven, I've allowed myself to luxuriate more and enjoy the finer things in life. Now I get up at 6:15!"

Camila gulped. "And…um, what time do you get to bed?"

"Around 2:00 AM?"

"You are telling me," Camila said in a slow and vaguely menacing tone, "that you are only getting four hours of sleep a night."

Hunter blinked. "Of course not. I just said I'm getting four hours and fifteen minutes now. And frankly, I feel I'm being inappropriately decadent doing that much sometimes."

Camila looked over at the other witches. "Am I correct in assuming that this is not a healthy sleeping schedule for your kind?"

Amity nodded. "Witches need less sleep than humans, but we still should be getting six to seven hours a night."

"Will you try to get six hours a night, sweetie?" Camila asked. "For me?"

Hunter hesitated for a long while. "I…I'll try," he said eventually.

[Barcus spits out a "Banish Card", which hits Hunter's face. Scene cuts to Jerbo walking while looking at a pamphlet when he is stopped by Hunter.]

Hunter: You! How would you like to rise to the top by joining the Emperor's Coven?

Jerbo: Eh. [Walkss past Hunter.] Not interested.

Hunter: You aren't?!

Jerbo: I mean, do I wanna study different kinds of magic? Heck yes! But why is joining the Emperor's Coven my only option? When I get older, I'm gonna give this system a long-overdue update.

Amity couldn't help but grin a little. "What do you know? Edric is a good influence on them."

[Hunter retreats while looking at Jerbo incredulously.]

Hunter: What are you talking about?

[Hunter accidentally steps on Viney's pet griffin, Puddles', tail. She turns around and screeches at him.]

Viney: It's okay, Puddles. No, he didn't mean it. No, no, no, no! No, Puddles, no!

[Hunter looks at Puddles approaching him with a startled expression. Scene cuts to Willow in front of her stand.]

Willow: Let out your inner flying freak! Once the Flyer Derby club is approved, we'll travel all across the Isles in rocking outfits and working as a team!

"And that's still gonna happen, Hunter," Willow promised him. "It's gonna be awesome. We're gonna be so happy."

"And victorious," Hunter said without a trace of doubt in his voice. "You left out victorious."

Voice: Good luck with that.

Willow: [Turns to the source.] Professor Hermonculus.

Camila scowled. Not this guy again.

Professor Hermonculus: I'm overseeing club approvals this year, and I just don't think Flyer Derby is worth investing in.

Willow: Just because it's not as well-known as Grudgby doesn't mean-

Professor Hermonculus: You misunderstand me. I'm shutting it down unless YOU step down as captain. I just don't think quitters make good leaders.

Camila stared at the screen in disbelief. "What is he talking about? Willow was terrible in his class!" She gulped. "Uh, I meant…"

"No, it's okay, Camila," Willow said. "You're right. I was pretty bad."

"I still think with a good teacher, you would have been decent at the subject," Gus argued. "But, yeah, plants are definitely your calling."

Gus: You're just mad that she dropped your class. Give her a chance!

Professor Hermonculus: Okay. Put together a team for a friendly game of Flyer Derby after school. If you can lead your team to victory, maybe I'll approve your club.

"There's got to be a catch in there somewhere," Camila muttered. She looked at Luz. "Do you have classes with this guy?" Luz shook her head. Well, there was that at least.

[Professor Hermonculus leaves. Willow and Gus stare at him angrily, but then Willow sighs, looking despondent.]

Gus: You can do this, Willow. Don't let him beat you down.

Willow: But Amity and Luz are busy and... I don't know where to find enough decent players this fast.

"Sorry, Willow," Luz said. Willow waved a hand. She wasn't going to begrudge Luz and Amity some time together. By this point, they'd all learned about the promise Luz had made and were determined to make sure she was as happy as possible to make up for it.

Hunter: Calm down, flea-magnet!

[Willow and Gus hears someone shouting and looks upwards. Up above, Hunter is riding on his staff, trying to escape from Puddles chasing after him. Puddles bites on one of Hunter's shoe and tears it off.]

Hunter: Hey!

[Hunter notices Puddles coming straight at him. He makes a nosedive towards her and snatches his shoe from Puddles' beak, then makes a few spins and whizzes past Willow. Willow looks at Hunter in astonishment. She ties up Puddles with vines, then calls out to Hunter.]

Hunter beamed. It was nice to make a good first impression on someone for once. He sure as heck hadn't made a good first impression on Luz or Amity.

Willow: [Points.] Hey, you!

[Hunter notices Willow calling out for him. He then sees Willow's vines coming towards him and tries to escape on his staff, but Willow promptly ties him up and brings him back to her. Hunter looks at her with a terrified expression as she approaches him and stares down at him.]

"I guess I was a little pushy," Willow admitted.

"You can push me anytime," Hunter said with a dreamy smile.

"What was that?"

"NOTHING!"

Willow: [Holds up a pamphlet.] Wanna join my Flyer Derby team? [Grins.]

[Cut to a while later. Hunter is patting the vines off him.]

Willow: This is Gus Porter, and I'm Willow Park, future captain of Hexside's first Flyer Derby team.

[While talking, Willow grabs Hunter's hand and shakes it vigorously.]

Hunter: Nice- to- uh- meet- you!

Willow: Your flying was... amazing. You're a new student, right?

Gus: [Looks at Hunter suspiciously.] Yeah, weird we've never seen you around. What's your name?

Gus gave a sheepish smile at Hunter. "Sorry about that…"

"No, no, you had every right to be suspicious," Hunter assured him. "And you were right. I won't hold it against you."

Hunter: Uh...

[Flapjack lands on Hunter's shoulder and chirps at him.]

Hunter: Caleb? Uh, Caleb! Uh, Jasper... Bloodwilliams.

Hunter gave an annoyed look at Flapjack, who whistled innocently. "Am I really the most like him?" he whispered at Flapjack.

Absolutely not, Flapjack assured him. He was so much more smooth with his crush than you.

"I…I have no idea what you're talking about!"

Sure you don't.

I just transferred from... uh... [Sees Puddles licking her foot.] The... Toes? But! I'm not here to play Fly Dooby or... whatever that is. I have my own mission.

[Hunter turns around and starts walking away.]

Willow: [Dejected.] Okay... At least take a pamphlet?

[Willow offers Hunter a pamphlet. He snatches it off her hand and walks away again. He then reads the cover of the pamphlet which says: "FLYER DERBY - A SPORT FOR THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST!", and immediately turns around.]

Hunter: Wait! Do you really think your club will attract the best and the brightest?

Willow: Absolutely! Flyer Derby's not for the faint witch.

Hunter: Then maybe I'll give it a try.

Willow: Really?

Hunter: But- Okay. How do we evaluate others? A Witch's Duel? A maze full of traps? Oh! Leave everyone at the top of the mountain and see who makes it back to the bottom alive! [Laughs.] Classic.

Camila's mouth dropped open in horror. "Hunter, did they really do that to you?"

"Uh, yeah, sure," Hunter said, unsure what the problem was. Sure, he got that family members hurting other family members was wrong. But this was normal, wasn't it? "Why wouldn't they? I mean, it's standard practice. I bet your country's army does the same thing."

"Pretty sure they don't, Hunter," Luz said gently.

"And even if they do, it is illegal for children to be a part of the army," Camila pointed out. "No army of any respectable nation would ever have children be a part of their fighting force. I'm not saying it doesn't happen in some parts of the world, unfortunately. But it's widely regarded as a crime against humanity."

"Well, maybe," Hunter hedged. "But I don't regret it. It made me into the man I am today!"

"Yes…yes, it certainly did," Camila lamented.

Willow: Um... we... might not have time for all that. But... you can help by attracting people with your sick sky skills.

[Willow runs off with her staff.]

Hunter: Hmm. [Touches his forehead.] I don't... feel sick.

Luz giggled. In contrast, Vee gave Hunter a look of commiseration. Colloquialisms were so confusing!

Gus: Hey, I don't know what kinda mission you're on, but it's been a tough year for Willow. And she's really looking forward to making this team a thing. [Walks away.] Don't mess this up for her.

[Hunter looks at Gus walking away with a confused look.]

[Scene cuts to Bonesborough. Luz and Amity are walking through the Market Place.]

Luz: I can't believe we never uncovered this mystery before. I always thought Mildred Featherwhyle sounded too delightful to be a real name.

Amity: Do you think she has her own portal? [Gasps.] Do you think she's related to that human guy, Philip?

"Thank God she isn't," Luz muttered.

Luz: What if... the author is Eda? She's been keeping it a secret this whole time because she's embarrassed by all the spelling errors!

Amity: ...Okay, these theories are a little unrealistic. It's obviously your mother as a teenager sent forward in time to train you in the ways of witchcraft!

Camila guffawed. She wished that was the case. It sounded much more awesome a thing to experience in her teenage years than her actual reality. It was probably for the best that it didn't happen, though. The world could not have survived the shenanigans that teenage Camila and Luz would have pulled off together.

Luz: Whatever it is, we're gonna find out soon.

[Luz notices that they have arrived at their destination. However, on the promotional poster, it says that the event has been cancelled. Luz falls to her knees and starts crying.]

Camila sighed. This wasn't the first time Luz had been denied a chance to see Featherwhyle in person. They had been all set to go to Boston for a book signing when Manny's father suffered a heart attack and they had to go to Santo Domingo instead to see him before he passed.

[Scene cuts back to Hexside, where Willow is trying to attract students.]

Willow: Students of Hexside! Got a palisman? Got a need for thrills, chills and theatrics? Well, this could be you!

[Hunter emerges from behind Willow and whizzes above everyone's head, causing the audience to cry out in amazement. He then proceeds to fly upwards, jump off his staff, then lands back on it and keeps on flying. The audience start clapping and cheering.]

"Wow, you're really talented, Hunter!" Camila said in amazement. "I bet you could do this professionally!" Hunter beamed with pride.

Willow: Man, this Caleb guy is great. With him, I think we can really get our Derby team approved.

[Willow starts handing out pamphlets along with Gus.]

Hunter: This girl will be a perfect candidate for the Emperor's Coven. If there are more witches like her, we're set!

Hunter laughed nervously. Willow patted him on the shoulder. "It's okay."

Willow: Hey! Come on down!

[Hunter lands.]

Willow: Allow me to introduce you to... the best, and the brightest of Hexside.

[Three new members have joined the team. They are: Gus, Skara, and Viney.]

"Yeah!" Luz shouted. "Best and the brightest! Go Gus!"

Viney: Look, Puddles, it's the friend you made before! [Tries to hold Puddles back.] No, no, no! Do not claw Mommy's face!

[Skara is lying on the staircase lazily while scrolling on her scroll.]

Skara: Hmm.

[She promptly slides down with her head hitting the ground. Gus on the other hand is mounting his staff.]

Gus: Let's try this one more time!

[Gus flies off, but he appears inexperienced at controlling his staff and eventually crashes into a wall.]

"I was having an off day," Gus complained. "It happens to everyone!"

Willow: Just a few months ago, I'd be considered the weak link on any team. But now I'm leading one! Ooh! Okay, girl, don't let the power get to your head just yet. Hmm?

[Willow notices Hunter walking away.]

Willow: Caleb?

[Willow runs up to catch up with Hunter.]

Willow: Where are you going? The field is this-a-way.

Hunter: [Frustrated.] You said you'd find the best witches for this team. But them? They're pathetic.

Willow: You just met them! Give them a chance!

Hunter: Well, where I come from, even chances have to be earned. Especially if you're considered half-a-witch like me.

[Willow looks at Hunter with a surprised expression.]

Hunter: Sorry, Captain. Good luck with your match.

[Hunter walks away again. Willow smirks and draws a spell circle. Hunter is suddenly stopped by something.]

Hunter: Huh?

[Hunter looks down at notices that his feet has been tied down. He is then dragged into the ground and later pops back up on the playing field. He looks around preparing to fight, but finds the field empty.]

Hunter: Huh?

[Skara walks up to Hunter.]

Skara: Sorry I was distracted earlier. Been playing Grudgby for so long, I needed to catch up on the latest Flyer Derby strats.

Hunter beamed. His teammate was so devoted to the game! He'd been so silly to misjudge them. He certainly didn't have a good track record with figuring out people's true natures. Lucky he'd struck gold with Camila.

[Skara shows Hunter posts on Penstagram with pictures showing strategies for playing Flyer Derby.]

Hunter: Those look... complicated.

Skara: They are.

[Hunter hears Viney speaking and looks towards her.]

Viney: Whew! Okay, finally. Got Puddles down for her nap.

[Viney draws a spell circle above her head and drags it down to her feet, healing her physical scars.]

Camila gasped. She hadn't really seen healing magic at work before. What would it be like, she wondered, to be able to heal an injury with the simple move of her finger or, in Camila's own case, the simple activation of a glyph? Just think of how easy her job would be!

Viney: Now I'm only scarred emotionally.

"I…have questions," Camila said.

"Well, I don't have answers," Hunter said, crossing his arms. "Viney's business is hers alone."

Camila nodded. She was sure if something was up, Willow would help Viney take care of it.

[Someone whizzes behind Hunter. He looks up and sees Gus sky surfing on his staff. He then lands in front of Hunter.]

Camila clapped. "Extremely impressive, Gus!"

Hunter: I thought you couldn't fly?

Gus: So I can't fly like everyone else, but my way's more fun.

[He glances towards his palisman and it chirps at him.]

"And I owe it all to you, Emmeline Bailey Marcostimo," Gus said, scratching her behind the ears.

Hunter: Oh. That's uh, [Murmurs.] cool, I guess.

Gus: Oh, what was that?

Hunter: I said it was cool!

[Willow pops out next to Hunter from the ground.]

Willow: Gus is a natural speed demon, Skara's a strategic wizard, and Viney's the best healer in school. And at one point or another, we've all been misjudged. So, still think we're pathetic?

"Not at all," Hunter said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. A second later, he realized what he was doing and tried to pull away, his ears burning, but Willow pulled him back.

[Hunter shakes his head ashamedly.]

Willow: Good. Let's get our game faces on.

[Willow paints her face with green paint.]

[Scene cuts to Luz and Amity sitting outside the Book Nook, both looking downhearted.]

Luz: [Sighs.] What do we do now, Amity?

Amity: I- I don't know. I've never found another store that sold these books.

Luz: We were so close!

[Luz buries her face in her arms. Suddenly, Amity hears something and looks towards it. She sees a hooded figure hopping away.]

Amity: I think that's her. [Shakes Luz.] That's the author!

"Well, that's convenient," Camila mused. This was probably another trap, she realized. Most likely Tibbles or some other villain had found out about Luz's love for the Good Witch Azura series and had Featherwhyle impersonated so Luz could be lured into a trap.

Luz: Mildred- [Hits her head.] Ow! Featherwhyle?!

Hooded figure: Hmm?

[The hooded figure realizes it had been noticed and immediately starts running.]

Luz: Follow her!

[Luz grabs Amity's arm and both start running after the hooded figure.]

[Scene cuts to the playing field. Hunter is holding a crow phone.]

Hunter: [To the phone.] Call Darius. Darius, it's me!

Darius: What the- How did you get this number?

Hunter: Doesn't matter. I've found some incredible recruits at Hexside. I'm earning my place, just like you told me!

"Oh, sweetie," Camila said. "You're so desperate for approval, aren't you?"

"Well…I do like it when my accomplishments are acknowledged," Hunter hedged. "I'm not sure I'm desperate for approval. I did a lot of important work for the Coven." He sighed. "Which was bad, I guess, but still…I was proud of myself. So, yeah, I kind of wanted him to be proud of me too."

Darius: [Sighs exasperatedly.] Of course you are. I just wanted you to leave me alone.

Hunter's face flushed scarlet. Of course now that his subconscious had shown him what his conscious self couldn't catch, he knew the whole thing had been a wild possum chase. Darius just wanted him off his back. He was never going to be proud of him for doing the same work he'd done always, the same work that was a continuous insult to Fletcher's memory.

Hunter: What was that?

Willow: Caleb! Waiting on you, buddy!

Hunter: I gotta go, but you'll meet them soon.

[Hunter hangs up the phone and runs over to the team. Opposite them is another team led by Professor Hermonculus. Jerbo runs up to join that team.]

Jerbo: Thanks for asking me to join, guys! I think we're gonna have a- [Gasps.]

Viney: [Shocked.] Jerbo? [Makes a cut throat gesture.] Traitor.

Jerbo: ...fun... afternoon. [Sheds a tear.]

Willow was glad she had at least gotten Jerbo and Viney to reconcile later. A friendship like that didn't deserve to disintegrate just for the sake of a game – especially if they were going to be in-laws later on in life.

[Willow and her team ride on their staff and line up, getting ready to start.]

Willow: All you got to do is fly high and snag some flags.

[On the other side, Professor Hermonculus and his team is ready too.]

Professor Hermonculus: Let's see what you can do, Captain.

Hunter gave a devastating smile at Willow, who felt dizzy. "My captain," he said in a low, passionate voice.

"I…wow, Hunter, I…"

Luz arched an eyebrow. Wow. Her brother could flirt. Who would have even suspected it?

[Professor Hermonculus' abomination acts as the referee and blows the whistle. Professor Hermonculus shoots some abomination goo at Willow, but Viney blocks it with a shield.]

"Oh, come on!" Camila shouted. "It's not fair having an adult on the team! I really hate this guy."

[All players proceed to rush at each other. Hunter teleports himself close to the kid player on the enemy team and snatches off her flag, then passes it on to Gus. Gus flies towards the pole and hangs the flag there, scoring one point.]

Hunter: Gus, that was amazing!

[Gus grins back at Hunter.]

Vee was seriously enjoying watching the game. She didn't consider herself much of a sports person, but there was something about this particular game she enjoyed. Maybe it was just the fact it wasn't grudgby. She had not enjoyed that. "Hey, quick question. Do you need a palisman to play the game, or if you could fly on your own power, could you play it?"

Willow shrugged. She'd have to consult the rulebook. "No clue. But, uh, I don't think there's any open spots on our team, Vee."

"Oh, that's okay," Vee said, deflating slightly.

[The game continues. Mary shoots some abomination goo at Gus, but he manages to evade it. The goo explodes and hits Skara instead, causing her to crash into a wall. The abomination referee blows the whistle. The enemy team hangs a flag on their pole, scoring one point.]

Camila was just glad Luz wasn't involved in this. While it was certainly less dangerous than grudgby, it certainly wasn't exactly risk free. Of course no sport was, and honestly if Luz wanted to play flyer derby, Camila wasn't entirely sure she'd say no, but it was still good news Luz was busy with a B plot during all this. She probably wouldn't want to play in the end. Luz wasn't too into athletics and she honestly looked bored right now.

[The game continues. Viney rushes towards Jerbo and he rushes towards her. Both crash into each other and fall off their staffs. Willow and Gus rush towards the enemy team. Mary and the spike-headed student try to hit them with abomination goo but all missed.]

Professor Hermonculus: [Frustrated.] She's right there! Can't you see?

"Bold words coming from a man who couldn't tell Luz wasn't an abomination," Camila snarked.

[Hunter teleports himself next to the professor.]

Hunter: Boo.

[Hunter grabs the professor's flag and flies off.]

"Nicely done, Hunter!" Camila said with a thumbs up.

"Thanks, mom!" Hunter said back without hesitation. It was almost scary how easy he'd gotten used to the idea of Camila as his mother. Good, but scary.

[Meanwhile, Willow summons some vines and aims it at the enemy team players. Mary gasps and covers her face. Willow successfully grabs two flags from the enemy players, but an abomination goo suddenly hits her staff from below, causing her to fall off. Hunter looks at this with a shocked expression. Scene cuts to Professor Hermonculus on the ground using a spell circle.]

Professor Hermonculus: Oops. My hand slipped.

Camila shook her fist at the screen. "That man should not be teaching children!"

[Players from both teams glance towards him angrily.]

[Willow manages to pass over the flags to Hunter as she continues falling to the ground. She summons a flower which successfully cushions her fall. Hunter looks down at Willow while remaining still. Gus gives him a hard push from behind.]

Gus: Go, go, go!

[Mary accidentally crashes into Gus, knocking him off his staff. Hunter flies to the team pole and hangs all three enemy flags on it, securing the victory. He lands, and Viney proceeds to pour a bucket of something red over his head. Everyone on Willow's team then start cheering.]

[Professor Hermonculus begrudgingly walks up to Willow.]

Professor Hermonculus: May I please have your team name?

Amity was shocked to see Professor Hermonculus actually kept his word. He must have been seriously impressed with them deep down.

Willow: Shoot. We never thought of a name.

Hunter: The... Emerald Entrails!

[The other team members looks at Hunter.]

Hunter: You know, because... we're green, and there's... more to us... than you think. [Smiles awkwardly.]

"It was a good name, Hunter," Gus assured him.

[Other team members remain silent. Then they all start chanting enthusiastically.]

Viney, Skara, Willow and Gus: Entrails! Entrails! Entrails! Entrails!

Willow: Entrails team photo! We're number one!

[Willow uses her scroll to take a group selfie. Everyone looks happy including Hunter, who is also smiling.]

"It was so nice having a team who cared about me," Hunter recalled. "In the Emperor's Coven, you can't trust anyone. Everyone will stab each other in the back just to get ahead."

[Scene cuts to a while later.]

Hunter: I can't believe I almost bailed on you guys. Today was amazing! Thanks for giving me another shot.

Viney: Always nice making a new friend. I had an opening for one.

[Viney glances towards Jerbo angrily. Jerbo gasps and clutches his chest.]

"Don't worry, they made up later," Willow told Camila.

Willow: We wouldn't have gotten here without you.

Gus: Yeah, I shouldn't have been so suspicious.

Hunter: We can forget all about that when we play next time... as a part of the Emperor's Coven!

Hunter cringed. "Heh, heh…sorry?"

"It's okay, Hunter," Gus assured him. "You're a better person now. And…you were just trying to be nice in the only way you knew how. You thought you were doing the right thing."

Amity suddenly burst out laughing. "I fail to see what's so funny, Amity," Hunter said coldly.

"I…I'm just thinking of the expression on my mom's face when she finds out Willow almost got recruited into the Emperor's Coven!" Amity explained through her laughter. "She'd be so mad, steam would be coming out of her ears!"

"I got to be there when you tell her," Willow agreed.

[All team members give Hunter a strange look.]

Gus: The what?!

Hunter: My name isn't Caleb. It's Hunter! And I'm the Emperor's right-hand man. The Golden Guard!

Willow: [Giggles nervously.] ...Y-Y-Y-You can't be serious? You're not the one Luz... told us about, right?

Luz sighed. This was her fault for not drawing a picture of him and showing it to her other friends.

Hunter: Yes, I am!

[Hunter nods at Flapjack. He flies upwards and transforms into a staff.]

"Why would you help me?" Hunter wondered. "If I was just following the same path the others did…"

They died, Flapjack reminded him. I wanted you to live.

[Hunter grabs it and waves, transforming his outfit into the Golden Guard outfit. He then puts on his mask.]

Hunter: Yeah, this would usually look cooler with the cloak, but... I don't have it at the moment. Long story.

[The team members suddenly gasp. Multiple Coven Scouts appear and surround them.]

Hunter: Whoa there, scouts. I didn't give you orders to come here.

Steve: Darius sent us to collect your recruits.

Hunter: Ah, okay. Very good. Then there won't be any delay in branding you with coven sigils and taking you away from your friends and family forever. Hooray!

"Wow, you needed help," Vee said.

"And I got it," Hunter said. "I'm just glad I'm not like that anymore."

[Gus, Willow and Viney look at the Coven Scouts angrily while Skara starts bawling.]

[Scene cuts to Police Precinct 128 in Bonesborough. The team members are locked up in a cell. Hunter takes away their staff and leans them on a wall outside the cell.]

"Sorry, Clover and Emmeline," Hunter said.

"Emmeline Bailey Marcostimo," Gus corrected him. "And Emmeline Bailey Marcostimo is cool with you now."

"Yeah, so is Clover! It's all good."

Hunter: Okay, listen, I'm sorry about this whole cell thing, but did you really have to punch Steve, Skara?

[Steve is sitting on a stool, his helmet dented as he presses an ice pack onto the side of his head.]

Steve: I get it. Emotions are running high. [Gives thumbs up.] Ice pack for Steve.

Hunter smiled. Steve really had the patience of a saint. Maybe when he got back, he'd try to make friends with him.

Hunter: Well, I don't get it. You're joining the best coven there is. You can keep all your magic, you get free room and board, you can even play Flyer Derby on your day off! Well, this year's day has already passed, but next year's only 52 weeks away!

"Oh my God, you only get one day off a year?" Camila said. "That's even worse than having no days off in a way!"

Hunter blinked. "Wait, that's not normal?"

Gus shook his head. "Definitely not. My dad has weekends off, and holidays, and he gets a week of paid vacation time every year."

"Oh. Oh, man. I wonder how much else I think is normal is really messed up?"

"Unfortunately, and to be blunt, Hunter, I suspect a great deal," Camila said darkly. "But you will get better. We'll work on it together."

Skara: We don't care! None of us want this!

Hunter: You will eventually. Trust me, I'm your friend now.

Gus: Friends don't stab each other in the back.

Hunter: Sure they do. The Coven Heads do it all the time back at the castle.

Everyone looked at Hunter with pity. He'd really, genuinely not understood what it meant to be a friend, they were all realizing. Belos had really screwed him up to an almost incomprehensible level.

"Do I have something on my face?" Hunter wondered.

[Looks towards Willow.] Captain, you're on my side, right?

[Willow has her back facing everyone. She is facing a wall with her head lowered.]

Willow: [Mutters.] I... thought I... could be good at this.

Hunter looked at the floor, ashamed.

[Hunter's smile vanished.]

Willow: But we're here because... I made a bad call. [On the verge of crying.] I'm just... half-a-witch Willow.

"You are so much more than that," Hunter promised her, grabbing her hand and staring deeply into her eyes.

[An abomination goo suddenly appears, wraps the team members up and vanishes altogether. Scene cuts to them being teleported onto Darius' flying ship.]

Amity's eyes gleamed brightly. As terrifying as it was to see abomination magic used to hurt her friends, there was no denying she wanted to be as skilled as Darius one of these days. To use abomination magic for the sake of teleportation…she worried she'd never be that good.

[Their palismen are sent up by a Coven Scout in a cage. Hunter flings the door open and runs outside.]

Hunter: Darius, I did it! I found recruits!

Darius: [Grumpily.] Yep, and you're making me work on my day off. Take this and quit bugging me.

[Darius summons Hunter's cloak and fling it at him. Hunter looks down at his sigil and touches it.]

Hunter: I can... wear this proudly now. [Looks up at Darius.] Right?

"You don't need a sigil to be proud of yourself, Hunter," Camila promised him. "And you don't need anyone's approval, not even mine."

Darius: Can you?

[Hunter looks at Darius uncertainly.]

Darius: See you at the castle, Golden Guard.

"That's all I was to him," Hunter realized. "Just another Golden Guard. Not worth the risk of getting attached to."

[Darius flies off in his ship. Steve comes out from the door behind Hunter.]

Steve: I do not envy those kids, man.

Hunter: They just have to go through basic training before becoming scouts. It's not too bad.

Steve: Dude, do you even remember what we had to do? The duels. The mazes with the traps. That time we were left alone on a mountain?

Hunter: [Laughs.] Classic.

Camila shook her head. Her poor son was so messed up. When she got to the Isles, she'd immediately start finding a therapist for him if they existed there. (And when had she started thinking of it as a when?)

Steve: And of course Belos likes to collect everyone's palisman.

[Hunter looks down nervously.]

Hunter flinched, remembering just what Belos actually did with the palismen, just as he had recalled it back then.

Steve: [Grunts, walks away.] Steve is beginning to regret his choices.

"Is there a reason he talks about himself in the third person?" Vee asked. Hunter shrugged. He didn't know enough about Steve to answer the question.

[Hunter looks up at Darius' ship which is flying away.]

Hunter: I think Hunter is too.

[Scene cuts to the hooded figure running along a beach with Luz and Amity chasing after it. Luz tries to stop it with vines from Plant Glyph, but it rolls over it and keeps on running. Amity summons an abomination and tries to block it, but it shoots fire with its hand and burns a hole in the abomination, then jumps through it and keeps on running.]

Luz: Maybe it's Kikimora! And her only way to express herself is through fiction.

Camila shuddered at the very thought. If that horrible demon was responsible for some of Luz's most happiest memories, she had no idea what she'd do.

Amity: Maybe it's another shape-shifting basilisk trying to write their story through metaphor!

Vee looked up hopefully, but Luz shook her head. "We'll find your friends," she promised her. "One day, we'll find them."

[The hooded figure comes to a dead end. It tries to climb up the wall, but the disguise falls off instead, revealing the figure to be Tiny Nose.]

"Well, at least it's not Kikimora," Camila said with some relief.

Tiny Nose: Aw, wats.

[Luz and Amity run up to her.]

Amity: Tinella Nosa?

Luz: She's had a name this whole time?!

They all looked at her very strangely. Luz just stared back defiantly.

[Cut to Tinella bringing Luz and Amity into a cave.]

Tinella: Sorry, boss. The jig is up.

[Luz sees something and gasps. Sitting atop some books on a rock, Tibbles puts down his book and stares down at the trio.]

Camila let out an Albanian swear. Of course it would be that damn pig. Hopefully Luz would kick his ass.

Luz: Tibbles?!

[Tibbles closes up his book and throws it aside. Mattholomule comes out carrying a pile of books.]

Gus did a facepalm. Of course Matt was involved in this up to his eyeballs. Who else would be willing to work with such a person as Tibbles?

Mattholomule: Edited a few more of those author photos, boss. [Sets the books down.] Some of my finest work.

[Mattholomule notices Luz and gasps.]

Mattholomule: Luz?!

[He takes the paint brush off his ear and blushes.]

Luz: [Squints angrily.] Mattholomule!

"Why didn't you tell me he was involved?" Gus wondered.

"I forgot," Luz admitted.

Tibbles: Oh, calm down. Human garbage is constantly leaking into our water. And about a year ago I found this box of books washed up on the shore. [Jumps down from his throne.] I've been trying to make a snail off it ever since. [Angrily.] But no one's buying!

Mattholomule: Wait. I'm still getting paid for this, right?

Tibbles: Not now, kid.

[Tibbles shoos Mattholomule away.]

Tibbles: According to the owner of the Book Nook, he's only ever had one customer purchase from this series.

Amity waved a hand. "Hi!"

"Well, the people of the Isles don't know what they're missing," Hunter proclaimed. "Azura is a masterpiece. Almost as good as Ruler's Reach."

"Oh, stop it, Hunter," Luz said modestly.

"Okay!" Hunter said, perfectly willing to take his sister at her literal word.

[Luz glances towards Amity. She blushes.]

Amity: I-I didn't know. I swear!

Tibbles: This is the [Kicks a pile of books angrily.] WORST SCAM I've ever run.

"Serves you right," Camila said. "You deserve it and much more after trying to kill Luz."

Luz: [Disappointed.] So the author is human after all.

Tibbles: Oh-ho-ho. Were you expecting some dramatic discovery? [Chuckles.]

"Well, yes, actually," Luz said. "It was such a huge letdown."

[Amity summons an abomination fist and hits Tibbles from below, sending him flying upwards.]

Everyone gave a loud cheer. They were really sick of Tibbles.

[Luz sighs and leans onto Amity's shoulder, while she wraps her arm around Luz's shoulder.]

[Scene cuts to Hunter chasing after Darius' flying ship. He teleports himself to get close to the ship faster. On the ship, Darius is scrolling on his scroll looking at Penstagram when he comes across Alador's post.]

Amity scowled. Of course Alador had time to post on Penstagram for his precious abominations, but no time to spend with his own children. Even though he knew it was mostly Odalia's fault, Alador was still a grown man and bore responsibility for his actions. She wanted to see him take some.

Darius: Ugh. Mute.

[An abomination is seen controlling the ship. The cage containing the palismen is put beside Darius. Skara tries to reach out to it, but Darius promptly slaps her away with abomination goo.]

Darius: Nope.

[Willow tries to bring the cage over using a Plant spell.]

Darius: Nuh-uh.

[Darius destroys the leaves with an abomination goo hand and slaps Willow's head with it.]

Hunter let out a loud roar at the screen.

Darius: [Sets aside his scroll.] You're gonna need to be a little more clever than that.

Hunter: Darius!

[Hunter suddenly teleports himself next to Darius, starling him.]

Willow: Now!

[All team members jump off the ship. Darius and Hunter rush over and look down, only to see the team members disappear in a puff of smoke. Darius immediately glances back.]

Darius: An illusion.

"Nice work, Gus!" Luz said.

Willow: Land the ship!

[The team members jump down from the ship frame's beam. Viney squashes the abomination and takes control of the ship.]

Darius: Wait!

[Viney pulls down a lever and crashes the ship into the sea, destroying it. The team members then jump off the ship with their staffs and try to escape, but Darius blocks their path with an abomination.]

Darius: Did you really think you could get away with endangering a Coven Head? Do you have any idea what I'm capable of?!

[Darius transforms his right arm into a scythe. Willow tries to attack him with vines, but he slices them off easily. Willow then tries to form a shield with vines, but Darius slices it open easily too. He then raises his scythe arm, preparing to attack Willow. Willow braces herself for the attack while shielding other team members behind her. Hunter suddenly rushes forwards and puts himself between Darius and the team members.]

Willow grinned. Hunter was so brave, putting himself at risk just for them. Even back then, even enmeshed in Belos's grip, he'd had the heart of a hero within.

Hunter: WAIT!

Darius: [Sternly.] Out of my way, little prince.

Hunter: No! I was mistaken. These four are insolent agitators who aren't fit for the Emperor's Coven. [Looks down.] And I'm unfit to wear the sigil of the Golden Guard.

"Does the Noceda family have a sigil?" Hunter asked eagerly.

"No, dear," Camila said. "But you don't need a sigil to consider yourself a part of something. You are a part of this family. Never forget that."

[Hunter takes off his cloak and drops it to the ground. He then turns towards Willow.]

Hunter: You can go.

[Willow raises her staff. She is on the verge of tears.]

Hunter: Please, captain.

[Willow lowers her staff.]

Willow: Let's move, team. We need to find a replacement. [Walks away.] After all, it'll be 52 weeks before Caleb's next day off.

[The other team members walk away with Willow.]

Darius: [Incredulously.] You... befriended them? And then you disobeyed me to protect them?!

[Darius raises his scythe arm. Expecting an attack, Hunter shuts his eyes and recoils in fear.]

Camila shook her head in dismay. She was glad Hunter hadn't ended up in this man's custody. He was probably not all that bad of a person, and she was grateful Hunter had him as a friend, but he didn't understand how to handle an abused child. Whereas Camila had at least done research on the matter after learning about Vee's true identity and past.

[Instead, Darius transforms his hand back and pats his head.]

Darius: I'm impressed. I had you all wrong.

Hunter: Huh?

Darius: You're what? Sixteen? It's about time you made connections outside the castle.

It must have really warmed Darius's spirit to see Hunter finally displaying the defiant spirit Fletcher had.

[Darius summons a scroll and drops in into Hunter's hands. Hunter opens it up and sees the sign-up page of Penstagram.]

Darius: I was just gonna drop them off at Hexside. We have more than enough recruits, in my opinion.

Hunter: Are you... gonna tell Belos about this?

Darius: [Smiles.] Are you going to tell him about your secret palisman?

[Hunter gasps and reaches his hand towards Flapjack. Flapjack chirps.]

Darius: Magic or not, I think you'll make your predecessors proud.

"I hope he's right," Hunter said with a sigh.

He's right! Flapjack assured him. You make me proud!

"Thanks, Flap."

[Darius throws Hunter's cloak back at him and fixes the sewing work using magic.]

Darius: But you could still use a sewing lesson.

"And I'll be happy to give it to you, mijo," Camila promised him.

[Scene cuts to Luz and Amity walking along a beach.]

Amity: So, are you upset?

Luz: Nah. Azura's author may be a human, but I'm human too. Sometimes it's nice to be reminded that you don't need to be a powerful ancient witch to make something special.

Amity: Well, I had fun coming up with those theories. They were like... our own stories.

Luz: [Gasps, stops.] What if the Azura Book Club was also a writing club?

Amity: What would be our first writing prompt?

"Oh, man, I'd love to collaborate on Azura fanfiction with you!" Hunter said eagerly. "Have you ever considered what would have happened if Azura had been the one raised by the dark witches and Hecate as the one raised by light witches?"

"Hunter, bro, I think you're onto something!" Luz said.

Luz: Hmm. How about the mystery of... [Gasps, points at the members of Emerald Entrails walking nearby.] What they were up to all night?

[The members of the Emerald Entrails notice that Hunter had just created a Penstagram account.]

Viney: Did he just make an account?

Willow: Wow. He is a slow typer.

"I got better!" Hunter said defensively.

"Not really," Gus shot back.

Gus: He's worse than my dad.

[Willow notices Luz and Amity nearby.]

Willow: Oh. Hey, guys.

[Luz and Amity come up to them.]

Luz: I am really digging those outfits. So, how was the rest of school? Did we... miss anything?

Willow: Just had our first team win as the Emerald Entrails.

"I miss all the fun," Luz sulked.

[All team members proceed to strike their respective cool poses.]

Luz: Ooh! Let me see! Let me see!

[Willow turns her scroll towards them and shows them the group selfie on her Penstagram account. Both Luz and Amity notice Hunter in the photo and gasp in shock.]

Luz and Amity: What?!

Hunter snickered. Willow stood up from her seat. "Hey, Hunter, can I talk to you in the living room?" She glared at Luz. "Alone."

Luz winked at her. "You get him, girl!"

Hunter had no clue what was going on, but allowed Willow to escort him up the stairs. He was probably being ejected from the team, he realized. Being reminded of what a terrible person he was had caused Willow to have second thoughts. Well, it wasn't as if he didn't deserve it.

Willow took a deep breath. Was she really going to do it? She couldn't believe how bold she was being! But she knew she had to. "Hunter, do you remember when we almost kissed a couple days ago?"

Hunter let out a gasp as his face turned red. "Oh, Willow, I am so, so sorry. I should have known better. It was grossly unprofessional of me. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

It was unfair, in Willow's opinion, that Hunter could be so cute and yet so dense simultaneously. With a flash of horror, she realized that this must be what Amity felt like all the time. "No, Hunter. It wasn't the kiss part I had a problem with…it was the almost part."

Hunter let out a high pitched squeak. "Um…really? You don't say?"

"So," Willow said, leaning in closer towards him, "how about we do something about that?"

Hunter was silent for a few seconds. Then he pushed her away. "I'm sorry, Willow."

"Oh," Willow said, willing herself not to cry. She couldn't look weak in front of him. She didn't understand it. She really thought he felt the same way about her! It was transparently obvious! "Could you…could you at least tell me why?"

"I know why you're doing this," Hunter said. "It's because this episode brought all those old feelings of insecurity back to the forefront. And now you think you have to settle for me instead of being with someone worthy of the incredible person you are."

Willow rolled her eyes, but also couldn't help but feel relieved. It wasn't that Hunter didn't like her; it was just because he was a moron. Well, the latter, unlike the former, could be fixed. "Hunter, I'm not settling," she spat. "I happen to think you are a kind, funny, smart, endearingly dorky and very, very attractive person!"

She could see by the look on his face this simply wasn't computing for him, so she decided to let her actions do the talking. After checking behind all the chairs to make sure Luz wasn't hiding there, she grabbed Hunter and pulled him into a kiss so passionate it rivaled the ones she'd seen in the romance movies she secretly loved.

"Blimey," Hunter breathed. "I…wow. That was amazing!"

"Did that seem like a kiss I'd give to someone I settled for?" Willow demanded.

Hunter had to shake his head. He sighed. As much as he wanted, so desperately, to be with Willow, it would never work out. "There's something else you need to know me. Something only Luz knows. I…I'm a grimwalker."

"Okay…what's that?"

"I'm a clone of Belos's brother," Hunter explained. "That thing about Fletcher being my father…that was kind of a lie. He was just a clone like me. All the Golden Guards are."

"That bastard," Willow swore. She kissed him again on the lips, much more lightly. "Thank you for telling me this, Hunter. I bet it took a lot of courage. But…I gotta be honest with you, I'm still not seeing what this has to do with anything. Does it mean your lips are toxic?"

Hunter stared at her. "No, of course not!"

"Then…why should I care?"

Hunter's mouth dropped open. "Why should you care? Willow, I'm not a real witch! I'm just a copy!"

"We're all copies of our parents in a way," Willow said dismissively. "And Luz isn't a real witch either. I don't care about what's inside of you. All I care about is who you are." She kissed him for the third time. "So…you want to be my boyfriend?"

Hunter nodded so eagerly he was worried his head might fall off. "Does that mean you're my girlfriend?" Willow laughed and nodded. "Wow. Willow Park is my girlfriend. This is the happiest moment of my life."