Masha could not keep the grin off their face. Their first date with Vee had been a rousing success. The two of them had had an amazing time. Masha had taken their girlfriend bowling and the night had ended with a kiss. (Vee may have been mortified by saying golly in response to the kiss, but Masha sure as heck wasn't going to hold it against her.) Life really didn't get much better.
And now, Masha had the ability to do actual magic with the help of their new wand. They'd devised a spell to track down nearby sources of magic. So far, the spell hadn't been especially helpful. The only thing they'd found so far was some weird purplish goop in the woods. But it was still goop from the Demon Realm! According to Amity, it was abomination goop, the kind used in her branch of magic. For some reason, when Masha had told everyone about the goop, Luz had burst into tears. They really didn't want to know what that was about.
But even though they'd struck out so far, Masha was confident they'd find something eventually. Maybe they could alter the spell somehow so its results would show up on a map? Their thoughts were rudely interrupted by their cell phone ringing. Unfortunately, it turned out to be their boss calling, so they couldn't ignore her.
"Masha, sweetheart, are you okay?" Dr. Diedre Green asked frantically. "I just saw the news…"
Masha did not like Dr. Green very much, truthfully. They found her relentless cheerfulness annoying and her laughter even more so. But it could not be denied that Dr. Green definitely knew her history and she was also scrupulous about using the right pronouns for them, so Masha at least respected her. And it was rare that anything could faze Dr. Green, much less her be worried about Masha's welfare.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I've been busy."
"Oh. Uh, well, the statue of the Wittebanes was blown up last night." Masha was very glad Dr. Green couldn't see their smirk. Vee had filled them in on what she'd learned about Belos. Masha wished the lunatic was still alive so they could kill him. "It was Hopkins. He was caught on surveillance footage. The police just arrested him."
Masha's smirk got even more pronounced. "Let me guess. He's going with the old demonic shapeshifter impersonation defense?"
"Got it in one," Dr. Green said. Masha could practically hear her rolling her eyes even over the phone. "I don't think he's getting out of jail this time. Anyway, I'm just glad you're safe. He posted some awful rant on his MewTube channel about how much he hated you for taking his position."
Masha had to cover their mouth to prevent themself from laughing. They knew it had been a good idea to steal Hopkins's MewTube password and give it to Vee. Their girlfriend had really covered all the bases, hadn't she? No way the board could sack them now without looking like they were giving into Hopkins's threats.
"Masha, are you okay?" Dr. Green asked.
"Uh, yeah, sorry," Masha said once they'd finally calmed down. "Just in shock, I guess."
"I completely understand. Don't worry about coming in today. I've got the situation well in hand."
After they said their goodbyes and Masha had hung up, Masha spent a good solid twenty seconds literally rolling on the floor laughing. "God, I owe that basilisk another kiss!"
Vee sneezed and Luz handed her a tissue. "Thanks. I hope I'm not coming down with a cold."
It had been two days since they'd seen the episode in Belos's mind and Luz was starting to get irritated. Amity had made it her constant mission to try to pamper Luz and give her as much attention as possible. Much to Luz's shock, it turned out to be possible to have too much of a good thing. Hunter, on the other hand, seemed to be basking in the affection and attention he was getting from his own girlfriend. But at least it had distracted them from the trauma they'd experienced anew by watching the episode.
"So remind me what we're doing here again?" Camila said.
"Well, Eda gave me these memories of her first encounter with Raine, back when they were teenagers," Luz explained, holding up the now empty memory potion vial. She'd already downloaded Eda's memories, now hers, into the mirror. "She'd already told me the story, but I kind of fell asleep during it. I figured it'd be a nice breather for everyone."
Camila could not deny that a nice slice of life style episode that was absolutely guaranteed to not have any of her children in danger, if only because they weren't in it at all, appealed immensely. She still had awful nightmares about the horrors in Belos's mind and this seemed like an excellent way to ease her way back into the storytelling. "You're sure Eda wouldn't mind us all seeing it?"
"Nah, she'd be fine with it!" Luz assured her, meaning every word. "If she wanted me to keep it private, she'd say it in her letter. Anyway, there's nothing worse than what we've already seen of her."
Camila supposed that did make sense. "All right, then let's do it."
[Outside the Owl House, Luz, her echo mouse, and King are trying new glyph combinations.
"This is when I first heard the story, before I went into Belos's mind," Luz explained.
The first one shown is of a small whirlwind, the second one is a water fountain, the third one is a petrification glyph that turns the toy on top of it into stone
"Oh my God," Luz said, her mouth dropping open in horror. "I did show him how to petrify people!"
"No, you did not, Luz," Amity said harshly. "Remember what we told you. You're not at fault. Belos would have found the light glyph on his own."
Luz nodded slowly. She wasn't entirely sure she believed that, even now, but damn it, she really, really wanted to. So she'd try.
and Luz is then shown drawing a fourth glyph.]
Luz: [Finishes drawing the glyph.] Alright, maybe it's this one!
[She activates the glyph, and a monstrous claw sprouts from it. Luz, upon seeing it, screams in surprise and backs up. Eda instantly bursts through the door, with her staff in hand, and destroys the claw, which turns into goo which splatters Owlbert, King, and Luz.]
Luz: Safe! [Both her and King wipe the goo off their faces.] Thanks, Eda. [Grabs her notepad and a pencil.] That was.. definitely not the one. [Crosses out the glyph on her notepad and labeling "NO" next to it.]
[Eda picks up the petrified miniature toy and it crumbles.]
"See, that's not the petrification he used on Eda," Gus pointed out. "He must have found some other way to do it. So you're definitely not at fault." Luz gave him a grateful smile.
Eda: Eugh. [Shivers.] What are you doing out here?
Luz: I started going through Philip Wittebane's diary again. Since my trip with Lilith, I found out that a lot of his margin doodles were actually unfinished glyph combos. [Sighs and looks down dejectedly.] I thought maybe they could help with the portal door but... [The claw rises again but is swallowed by Hooty.] no luck.
Eda: Maybe it's for the best. I don't like that you're still thinking about that creep.
"Truer words were never spoken," Willow said vehemently.
Luz: [Sighs.] I know. [Curls up and pulls her hood up.] I just miss my mom.
Camila squeezed Luz's hand tightly. "I'm here now, mija. I got you."
Eda: Let's take a break, huh? [No response from Luz.] Maybe... I could tell you... a story? [Luz instantly approaches Eda's face with a look of curiousness.]
Luz: [Excitedly.] Like a backstory kind of story?
Eda: Yes. [Luz sits excitedly with King in her arms, him holding her echo mouse and Hooty circles around them.]
Hooty: Hoooooot!
Eda: This is the story of how I met the coolest, baddest, kick-buttiest witch of all time: Raine Whispers.
"Kick-buttiest isn't even a word," Hunter complained. "And even if it was, there's no way they could be kick-buttier than Willow!"
-THEME SONG, but it is cut short and only shows the show's title.-
"Eh, it's not my story this time around," Luz decided. "I'll save the theme songs for later."
[Cut to Young Eda holding a pack of flashcards in her hands; the first one says, "Things abominations probably shouldn't do." The second card says: "The Titan's five humors"]
"Spoiler alert: he really likes bread puns!" Luz said with a wink.
"That's not the kind of humor they're talking about," Hunter pointed out.
"Gosh, Hunter, do you have no sense of humor at all?"
Young Eda: Okay. Titan's five humors.
[Scene cuts to the two Clawthorne sisters walking but only their feet are seen; Young Eda is kicking a grudgby ball.]
Camila was slightly surprised to see Eda had been on the potions track. She would have expected her to be in a less regimented field.
Young Lilith: Hmm... Earth, bone, blood, bile and, uh... [Sighs.] I always forget the last one! It's on the tip of my tongue, it's...
"Oh my gosh, they were so young and adorable," Vee said. "And then Belos destroyed it all…"
"They're still adorable in their own ways," Luz said. "And Belos isn't around to ruin it anymore!"
Young Eda: [Eagerly.] It's... [Starts making a snake-like sound.]
Young Lilith: [Slowly.] Snakes...?
Gildersnake stuck his heads up with interest. "False alarm, buddy," Luz said with a laugh.
Young Eda: Breath! [Breathes on Young Lilith and laughs.]
Young Lilith: Eda, you have smilk breath. Gross!
"Turns out I'm just as lactose intolerant to smilk as I am to regular milk," Luz said. "That put an end to my culinary experimentation…for the day."
[Young Eda continues laughing and walks away. Young Lilith follows her.]
Young Lilith: Give me another question.
Young Eda: Alright, alright. On Scaburary 40th, the day Belos declared the Isles an empire... [Kicks the grudgby ball towards Young Lilith.] Think fast!
Camila sighed. Even during these adorable moments, the specter of Belos's evil loomed over everything.
Young Lilith: [Catches the ball with her hands in mid-air.] Eda, we don't have time to play around. [Hands her the grudgby ball and takes the flashcards.] Tryouts for the Emperor's Coven are just around the corner.
"Don't do it!" Willow called out. "You're better than that!"
Young Eda: [Balances the grudgby ball on her head; chuckles and snorts.] Seven months isn't just around the corner.
"I have to admit, she has a point there," Camila said. "I'm all for sensible study habits, but doing too much can be just as detrimental as doing too little."
Young Lilith: Your turn. It's a half-moon, and you're mixing a leadfoot potion. What ratio of Blackroot Quills to Iron Ash do you use?
"Is it a waning or waxing moon?" Hunter wondered.
Young Eda: Is it a waning or a waxing moon? [Draws a spell circle in the air and a stem starts to sprout from her head.]
"Great minds think alike!" Luz said with a thumbs up.
Young Lilith: Oh, uh, I-I don't think that matters.
Young Eda: Yeah, sure it does! [The two stop walking.] I-If it's a waxing moon, it's a 2-to-1 mix, but if it's a waning moon, the Blackroot Quills lose their umph, and you gotta double down to a 4-to-1.
"Exactly!" Hunter said. "Doesn't matter," he added in a mocking tone of voice. "With a philosophy like that, I can see why you were such an awful Emperor's Coven head."
"Still a little bitter?" Willow asked.
Hunter shook his head. "Why should I be better? I'm clearly better than her."
"I see."
[Eda traces another spell circle in the air which makes the stem shrinks down to a seedling and catches the grudgby ball. She then plucks off the seedling and blows it away. Meanwhile, Lilith checks her notes.]
Young Lilith: You're correct. [Dejectedly.] On both accounts. Huh. [Walks to Young Eda excitedly.] Imagine us both getting in. We'll train together.
It was probably for the best, Camila decided, that Eda had not made it into the Emperor's Coven. She was dangerous enough in her own way as a chaotic good rebel. If she'd turned that mind to the service of evil, Camila shuddered to think of the damage she could do.
Young Eda: We'll prank together. [Takes the flashcards and tosses them in the air; but Young Lilith summons them and they go nicely into her hand.]
"Yeah, that's Eda," Luz said with a fond smile. "She hasn't changed at all."
"I can see that," Camila said dryly.
Young Lilith: We'll study ancient history together. [Eda twirls her around.]
Young Eda: We'll kick [Kicks the grudgby ball upwards.] butt together!
Young Lilith: [Catches the grudgby ball.] Help demons and witches together!
Hunter shuddered a little. At the end of the day, Lilith may have had the advantage of growing up with loving parents (well, in theory in Gwen's case), but she had been just as brainwashed as he had been. He'd thought he was doing the right thing the whole time. He just wanted to help people, help save his uncle. And so many people had paid the price.
Young Eda: [Dances around a post.] Take over the world together! Nothing can stop the Clawthorne sisters! Our rivals shall be crushed beneath our feet! Even the Titan shall gasp in fear!
"More like squeak," Luz said with a snicker.
[Young Lilith suddenly gasps.]
Young Eda: Yeah. [Snaps fingers.] Like that.
Young Lilith: No! [Points upwards.] Look! We're gonna be late!
[Young Eda looks upwards, just in time to see the minute hand of the clock above her move to 12. The clock bell starts tolling. Young Eda gasps, then jumps off the ledge and runs after Lilith, both rushing towards school. At Hexside, students are seen at the front of the school as Eda and Lilith run in. A couple of students are seen walking and sitting on the grass, one being Young Perry.
"OH MY GOSH, IT'S MY DAD!" Gus said, bouncing up and down in his seat. "Wow, he looked so cool as a teen! I got to tell him about this when I see him again!"
"Is that your mom next to him?" Camila asked, pointing at the demon in the healing track next to him.
Gus shook his head. "She didn't go to Hexside."
At the stairway, Young Darius flicks an abomination ball into Young Alador's face, and both and Young Odalia laugh.]
Amity gulped. Her mom looked so similar to her as a teenager. "You're not like her," Luz whispered, knowing instinctively what sort of thoughts would be going through her girlfriend's head. Amity gave her a grateful smile.
Young Eda: See? [Punches Young Lilith's arm.] We're gonna be fine.
[The school bell rings. A ring of fire suddenly appears in the doorway which bursts into a huge fire. Several students gasp and turn around. From the fire, out comes Principal Faust, and his neck slowly turns around as the fire behind him extinguishes.]
"Now that guy knows how to make a dramatic entrance," Gus said, impressed.
[He then grabs a clipboard and scratches it with his pointy fingernails. The students start to hurry inside.]
Principal Faust: Detention. Detention.
"HEY!" Gus shouted, shaking his fist at the screen. "Don't you treat my dad like that! He probably had a good reason for whatever you think he did!"
Suspension! [Scratches loudly onto the clipboard as a younger Bump walks over.]
Vice Principal Bump: Principal Faust, don't you think you're judging these students a touch... harshly?
"Says the man who has a freaking detention pit," Camila muttered. She had already assembled a rather long list of issues to bring up to Bump when she met with him, and that was at the very top of the list.
Principal Faust: Not at all. These students are already late to being early, and that's a slippery slope.
"Uh…what?" Willow said.
Vice Principal Bump: [Nervously.] But if you keep expelling students, we won't have a graduating class.
"When Bump is the voice of reason, you know you've gone too far," Camila said.
[Principal Faust's head turns around slowly with a crack. Bump winces and starts sweating.]
Principal Faust: I'm just enforcing school policy.
Vice Principal Bump: That you added to. Y-You expelled the captain of our grudgby team because his shoes didn't meet your "appropriately squeaky" regulation.
While that was obviously a ridiculously stupid rule, Camila very reluctantly did feel at least some respect for Faust for enforcing his ridiculous rules equally. In her own school experience and from what little she unfortunately knew about Luz's, athletes seemed to have a free pass to break the rules with impunity. Something Bump had definitely let occur with Boscha.
Principal Faust: [Unfazed.] Too squeaky? A distraction. Too quiet? Can't hear them. Can't trust them. Some students are... irredeemable.
"Why are you even an educator, then?" Camila complained.
Vice Principal Bump: None of them are beyond redemption. [Nervously.] I would stake my career on it.
"You're probably going to regret saying that," Willow said.
"Well, he is principal now," Amity pointed out. "Maybe he won't!"
[Principal Faust's head slowly turns around with a look of curiosity once more with a crack when a flying grudgby ball starts attacking both of them.]
Principal Faust: What is that thing?!
"I have a sneaking suspicion I know who's responsible for this," Hunter said.
Vice Principal Bump: Ow, ow, ow!
[Scene slowly pans to Young Lilith and Eda sneaking in the bushes as Young Eda draws a spell circle which moves the bushes aside to reveal a small secret door hidden.]
"Called it," Hunter said smugly.
"I was wondering how we were seeing this," Amity said.
[Young Eda opens the door for Young Lilith but they see someone coming. Young Lilith signals for her to go through the door but the door is quickly shut in her face which makes her groan in pain. Young Eda rearranges the bushes hastily as she is met by an angered Principal Faust and Bump.]
Young Eda: [Humming.] Hey, Fausty. Vice Princey B.
Luz giggled. It reminded her so much of the flippant way she would treat Principal Hal and Vice Principal Stone. Neither of them had ever done anything for her, so she saw no particular reason why she should show them respect.
[Scene reveals both Bump and Faust looking angry as the latter holds up the flying grudgby ball with a smoking back. Cut to the principal's office. Eda is sitting down looking curious.]
Principal Faust: Miss Clawthorne? Do you know why I keep you around?
That was a good question, Camila had to admit. With a teacher as fanatical as Faust about discipline, she'd have thought Eda would have gotten the axe a long time ago. Quite possibly literally.
Young Eda: My innate talents? My unbeatable charm?
Principal Faust: [Quickly.] No. [Pulls a string hanging beside him; a stack of books land in the table; Eda looks at them.] Because to fight evil, you must understand evil.
"Calling Eda evil is a bit much," Camila said. "I'm sure no matter what shenanigans she pulled, no one got hurt. Well, not seriously. Not on purpose, anyway."
"I think my mom ended up in the hospital for, like, five months once because of a prank Eda pulled," Amity said.
Camila waved a hand dismissively. "She abused you; she doesn't count."
All your misdeeds, pranks, schemes, they have given me insight into the depravity that lurks within the minds of children.
Young Eda: Wow, this is really shocking. [Curious.] I thought there'd be more. Hmm.
"That's just because of all the times she didn't get caught," Luz said in a bragging tone of voice. Camila raised an eyebrow at her. "And that's terrible. Oh, yeah. Shenanigans, can't stand the stuff."
"How's about you quit while you're ahead, Luz?" Camila suggested.
[Principal Faust grabs and scratches a file folder with Eda's name on it, and starts reading it while pacing back and forth.]
Principal Faust: You're close with your sister, Lilith, I see. Plan on trying out for the Emperor's Coven, together? Commendable.
Young Eda: [Lies on the chair.] Yeah, I do kinda rule.
Principal Faust: Too bad you'll be ineligible... when I expel you!
Young Eda: [Sits up; shocked.] What?! You can't do that, I'll be separated from Lily!
Principal Faust: Maybe you should've thought of that before you filled the detention pit with green gelatin. [Shows her the file folder.]
Camila grinned. As far as she was concerned, it was about time the detention pit got knocked down a pen. She really sensed a kindred spirit in young Eda. Granted this was not a good thing, strictly speaking, considering how violent and uncontrollable Camila could be back then. But watching this caused her to realize that there wasn't nearly as much difference between Luz's two mothers as she thought.
Young Eda: [Defensive.] It was his birthday! He liked it! Please, Principal Faust, I'll do anything!
"Well, I bet she learned better than to give him an opening like that," Hunter commented.
[Principal Faust chuckles and knocks on the wall behind him; part of the wall slides and Bump comes out.]
Vice Principal Bump: Uh, yes, sir?
Principal Faust: No child is beyond redemption. Didn't you stake your career on it? [Bump stares at Eda, who chuckles and waves nervously.]
[Scene cuts to the hallway of the school. Principal Faust's shadow is seen looming from above, and several students start to hide, run away and scream at the sight of him.]
Camila shook her head in disapproval. Being too obsessed with discipline and order could be just as harmful as not caring about it at all. An element of fear hardly encourages good habits, academically or personally. And with the source of that fear untouchable, it was likely students would react to their fear by turning it into hate of those who were of lesser social stature.
Principal Faust: Every year, Hexside participates in a special training program called Instructing Future Witches of Tomorrow. [When they reach the locker, Faust slides the glass door open and takes a ribbon from a statue inside.] I attend with our most gifted students and we return with blue ribbons as a testament to my... [Admires the ribbon he's holding and realizes what he said.] I mean, our excellence.
"He reminds me of Mom," Amity said. "Oh, she says it's all about the Blight family, but we all know it's just all about Odalia."
[Young Eda looks at Bump, who just looks at her worriedly.] Unfortunately...
Vice Principal Bump: You expelled our most gifted student for chewing too loudly in the cafeteria.
"How was this school even still functioning?" Vee demanded.
Principal Faust: Disgusting monster. [Turns around with his head bending at 90° sideward; it goes back into place once he's faced Eda.] This year, you can represent Hexside. Bring back a blue ribbon, and you can remain a student here. Come back empty-handed, and I will savor the expulsion. [Eda's face scrunches.] [To Bump; quickly.] And you'll go with her! [Walking away.] If anything goes wrong, I might have to find a new vice principal.
It was starting to become much clearer to Camila how Hexside had become what it was today. Faust had clearly left his influence behind on his successor. His philosophies continued to echo, even though Bump tried his best to be fairer.
[Cut to black. At the convention center, where IFWOT is being held, a line of people are waiting to get their badges, among them are Bump, who is reading a pamphlet, and Eda, looking bored.]
Young Eda: I can't believe I agreed to this.
Vice Principal Bump: This will be fine, perfectly fine. You can go five minutes without setting anything on fire, right?
"You have, like, met her, right?" Gus pointed out.
[Scene cuts to Eda having summoned a small fire on her fingertip; upon seeing Bump looking at her, she quickly extinguishes the flame.] I know you have a reputation around school, but I just see a talented young witch. And I'll wager those stories about you turning the school inside out are just urban legends.
"Luz Noceda, so help me God, if you turn the school inside out, you will be grounded for the rest of your childhood!" Camila threatened. Luz just grinned. The very fact Camila was making that threat indicated she was considering letting her to back to Hexside!
Young Eda: That was a fun day. [Bump looks away annoyed then grabs something out of his pocket.]
Vice Principal Bump: Let's try this. [He squishes a toy octopus.] This is a stress toy. [He hands it to Eda who takes it.] Anytime you feel the urge to cause chaos, just squeeze.
"Hope you're not attached to that," Willow said in a sing-song voice.
[Eda squishes it too hard until it pops, surprising Bump
Willow nodded smugly. "Called it."
cut to the two walking towards the entrance of the center, Eda putting on a name badge.] Prepare yourself, Edalyn. The IFWOT is a battleground of magic and skill. Witches who successfully complete these courses have gone on to do incredible things. You will face some of the greatest competition here.
Young Eda: Hmph.
[Bump and Eda enter the center expectantly to find everything unexpectedly boring.
"This is such a huge let down!" Vee complained.
"Oh, don't worry, it'll get better!" Luz assured her. "After all, Raine hasn't been introduced yet, have they?" Privately, Luz agreed with Vee, though. This was about the point in the tale where she'd fallen asleep.
One side of the IFWOT banner falls off. A Coven Scout is testing the mic when it suddenly spins and ringing noises come out from it, causing him to cover his ears. One student from Glandus High gets a food from the snack bar and he tastes it, but immediately dislikes it.]
Glandus High student: Ugh!
[He looks around, and seeing no one, he leaves the food back in the bar and walks away shyly. Cut to two professors sitting on two chairs, both looking bored; one of them is about to drift off. Cut to a weirded-out Eda and a not-so-surprised Bump.]
Vice Principal Bump: Wow. I grossly misjudged the tone here.
[The ground suddenly rumbles. Vines suddenly wrap the stage until it grows a stem and its head, which splits open. A much younger Terra Snapdragon appears from it. Everyone looks at her in wonder.]
"Oh, boy," Willow muttered. "Definitely should be careful what you wish for there, Vee."
Terra: Greetings, students, educators! My name is Terra Snapdragon, [Bows.] Head Witch of the Plant Coven! But today, I'm head proctor for the... [Looks up, and sees the IFWOT banner, and looks at it with disdain.] IFWOT? Seriously?
It was a pretty bad acronym, Camila had to concede.
[She snaps her fingers and vines begin to cover the IFWOT banner (which eventually makes the Coven Scout repairing it fall from there) and it is replaced by vines and pretty flowers sprouting from it.]
Terra: I'm here to "Help Enhance Coven Know-how"! Welcome.. to HECK! [Minimal applause.] Oh, this is my first year hosting, and I am thrilled. Today, you little sweet peas will go through your rigorous exercises that will enhance your intelligence, strength, and creativity. Are you excited?
[The audience cheers.]
Terra: Lovely! Remember, this won't be a bed of roses. [A Coven Scout appears and opens a suitcase with blue ribbons inside.]
Hunter burst out laughing. "Oh my gosh, did you hear that? A bed of roses! Absolutely classic! She may be evil, but she's got some damn good jokes." They all just stared at him.
Only the best of the best will be rewarded. The failures will be ground into mulch for my garden!
[Everyone is shocked and terrified by this. A Glandus High student then starts bawling. Just then, a Coven Scout comes and whispers to Terra.]
Terra: Illegal? Oh, we'll see about that, won't we, children? Let the activities begin! [She throws some petals and the audience cheers again.]
Camila breathed a sigh of relief. Given how sadistic the Emperor's Coven in general and Snapdragon in particular could be, it wouldn't have surprised her if the failures really would have been ground up.
[Eda looks at Bump; he just gives her a thumbs-up. Cut to a scene where Eda is walking to a stand labeled "TRUST".]
Instructor: Tell me, what makes the covens strong? Strength in numbers? A dark pact? Well, it is all of those things but also, [He demonstrates a trust fall with a Coven Scout.] trust. Trust in our fellow covenmates. So, we'll begin doing trust falls. Any volunteers?
"Either things went way downhill since I was…um, well, not born but…" Hunter coughed awkwardly. "Anyway, in my day, trust wasn't exactly a, well, a thing in the Emperor's Coven. I mean, they didn't even try to pretend."
Young Eda: [Confident.] Sounds easy enough. [She raises her hand and walks to the front.]
Instructor: Very good, very good. And this will be your partner. [In front of her is a blob-like student, much to her dislike.] Now, you close your eyes, and trust that your covenmate will catch you.
"Um…can this guy catch her?" Gus wondered. Hunter shook his head.
Blob: Whoo! [Eda groans and turns around; she lets herself fall but her body passes through the blob.] Hm?
[The blob looks down to find the upper part of Eda's body has turned into a skeleton; everyone runs away screaming.]
"Wow, that is one damn good illusion," Gus said with a whistle. "Hey, Luz, you think Eda would mind giving me some magic lessons?"
"If you pay her enough or if I beg her enough, she'll do whatever you want," Luz responded.
[The blob starts crying.]
Blob: Not again! [Sobs.]
[Eda's body suddenly vanishes in a puff of smoke, and she suddenly reappears on the back of the proctor and blob.]
Young Eda: Ta-da! I'm here all night, folks.
Camila shook her head in disapproval. That was an exceptionally mean thing to do. Not only had she tricked the crowd into thinking she'd been killed, but she'd also tricked that blob creature into thinking he was a killer.
"I'm sure she's matured since then, mom," Luz offered. "Remember, this was thirty years ago."
"I certainly hope so."
[The instructor and the blob glare at her angrily; the proctor writes something on his clipboard. Eda's face changes from triumphant to disappointment.
"Well, what did you expect when you pulled such a sadistic prank?" Camila said.
"Maybe that sadism is one of the traits the Emperor's Coven values the most?" Willow suggested.
"Well, they hardly are going to be admitting it to the masses, are they?" Camila retorted.
Cut to a part of the venue, where Eda is looking at her drink with disdain.]
Young Eda: I never should've come here. [She sips on her drink but is disgusted by the taste.] Blech! Even the free junk is junk!
[She throws the drink away but it is stopped by an unseen force. A younger Raine, wearing a St. Epiderm uniform, walks over.]
Luz let out a cheer. "Look everyone, it's Raine!"
Young Raine: I don't know who you are, but you are a riot. [They hand the drink back to Eda; she takes it.]
"Literally at times!" Luz said perkily.
Young Eda: Uh, no, I excel at functions such as these. Didn't you see how impressed everyone was when I faked my death? I even love the horrid liquids they serve.
Young Raine: [Chuckles.] Yeah, they always give us the off-brand junk. Let me try something. [They walk over to Eda's cup and they whistle in it.] Don't worry, I didn't spit in it.
[Eda tastes the drink and finds it tastes better.]
Young Eda: Whoa! [Sips more.] Hey, that's actually good! How'd you change the flavor?
Young Raine: [Walks over and sits on a cardboard box next to Eda.] Little trick I taught myself: changing the chemistry of a liquid with sound waves. See, bard magic can be cool! People just don't give it a shot!
Camila was actually quite impressed. She could think of innumerable uses for that kind of ability alone. If this was an example of what bard magic had to offer, it was likely one of the most versatile and impressive forms of magic out there.
"This was how they escaped being brainwashed," Luz explained. "Terra drugged their tea to make them loyal to Belos and forget rebelling, but Raine neutralized the drug with their breath! Right under her nose!"
Young Eda: [Chuckles and snorts.] All right, I get it. If you whistle loud enough, can you make all this.. less of a drag?
Young Raine: [Bored.] I wish. This is my third time. Always the same boring activities, same boring faces. [Screams upon seeing Eda's head, which has turned into a skull.]
Camila was actually quite shocked to realize she wasn't surprised at all, much less disgusted. Probably seeing Eda pull a similar stunt had gotten her used to the idea. But maybe she was just getting used to the disgusting nature of the Isles. Who knows? Maybe one day she'd be inured to Hooty. Now there was a scary thought.
[Eda's head suddenly turns into Raine's direction, and with a puff of smoke, her face is back.]
Young Eda: Till wittle ole me? [Blinks twice.]
Young Raine: [Laughs.] Yeah. [Continues laughing.]
[Eda suddenly spots the ribbons tied on Raine's side and is shocked.]
Young Eda: How'd you get those?!
Young Raine: [Holds up the ribbon for her to see.] Oh, these are from last year. [Tucks the ribbons back into their side.] Maybe if you stick with me, I'll show you how to get one of your own.
Young Eda: All right, I'm Eda Clawthorne. [She holds out her hand.]
Young Raine: Raine Whispers. [They take it, and both smile.]
Luz let out a squeal and flapped her arms in excitement. "Their first meeting! The first step on a love story of the ages!"
[Cut to front of a stand which says "INTELLIGENCE". Four students are seated there, among them are Eda and Raine. A proctor points to the board, letting the students guess what is behind the question mark. Everyone starts drawing. The first student shows an illustration of planet Earth.
"Wait, what?" Luz said. "That's Earth. How did he even know what it looks like?"
"That's a really good question," Hunter mused. This was before the portal door was stolen, to the best of his knowledge. "Maybe he's dabbling in the oracular arts in secret?"
The second student shows his drawing: an eyeball. Scene pans to Eda drawing something and reveals her drawing to be what looks like a butt.
Luz did her best to keep her composure, but devolved into giggles a few seconds later. Much to her shock, Camila did exactly the same thing, and before long, the two of them were practically doubled over with laughter. Each time they tried to calm down, they saw each other's faces and the laughter just continued. It took a good minute before they were done.
"Oh, Dios, I needed that," Camila said with a grin.
Upon seeing it, the proctor is looking disgusted and covers a student's eyes. Just then, Raine connects their drawing to Eda's, making their drawing a grudgby ball. The proctor reveals the answer, and upon checking it, he nods in satisfaction.]
[A flash of light appears, and scene cuts to Raine and Eda in front of a stand that says "CREATIVITY". They are seen assembling a miniature Rube Goldberg machine, which resembles the words, "THIS STINKS". Upon being seen by one of the proctors, he growls angrily. Eda then starts the chain reaction of the machine, which ends with a fountain of water transferring from a cup to another cup held by Raine, who gives it to the proctor. Upon drinking it, he gives the duo a thumbs-up, satisfied by the drink. Both then fist-bump.]
"Goodness me, the two of them seem to make such an incredible team," Camila said. "Uh, Luz, I don't want to pry, but do you know why they broke up?"
"Well…from what Eda told me, she wasn't honest about her curse with Raine," Luz explained. "She kept on lying and they eventually got sick of it and broke up with her. It was the biggest mistake of her life, she said. That's why she's always encouraging me to be honest with Amity." Camila was quite surprised, pleasantly, to hear that.
"There's such a thing as being too honest, though, Luz," Amity said half-jokingly. "I don't need to know about your many adventures in not being able to digest stuff properly!"
[Scene then cuts to a stand called "STRENGTH". Eda and Raine, along with their opponents, are dressed a sumo wrestlers. They face each other's backs, then, at the Coven Scout's whistle, the teams walk off in different directions. The opposing team turns around, but stops. Scene cuts to Raine rolling Eda like a bowling ball towards the opponents, who are knocked out like bowling pins. Raine walks over and the two do their special handshake, ending it with a fistbump.]
"Just think what they could have accomplished together," Luz said mournfully.
"Yeah, but aren't they gonna get back together again?" Gus said. "You told me they were on much better terms."
Luz gave a shrug. "Who knows? Maybe a certain veterinarian will get there first." She winked at Camila, who laughed nervously.
[Scene then cuts to the two catching and playing a grudgby ball outside the convention center.]
Young Eda: I wonder what I'll get a ribbon for. Strength. Wit. [Poses with the grudgby ball on her foot.] Radiance.
Young Raine: You'll get one for being a dingus!
Young Eda: Well, you're gonna get one for - think fast! [She kicks the grudgby ball towards Raine, only for them to catch it swiftly and throw it back to her. Eda blushes.]
"Oh, wow," Gus said. "Sports." Amity glared at him.
Why do you come here? You're not like the other kids. You're - I don't know, you're cool. [Throws the ball to Raine; they catch it.]
Young Raine: St. Epiderm isn't cheap. But if I make the school look good, I get a scholarship. What about you? [Throws the ball back to Eda; she also catches it.]
Young Eda: Made a deal with the devil. [She spins the ball on her fingertip.]
"A Faustian bargain, you could say!" Luz joked. The Demon Realm residence, even Vee, looked at her in confusion.
Our principal's gonna expel me unless I come back with a ribbon.
Young Raine: [Chuckles.] Chance at redemption?
Young Eda: Nah, [She sits down looking discouraged; Raine walks over and sits next to her.] I think I'm being used to embarrass our vice principal. As if he doesn't do that to himself already.
[Cut to Bump looking at his clipboard. Someone goes towards his direction and looks like he is trying to hi-five Bump, but he turns out to be talking to a Coven Scout behind Bump, making him feel embarrassed.]
Young Eda: It stinks, but, I've got a sister at Hexside. She's kind of my only friend. It'd be a bummer if that got taken away.
Young Raine: Well, [They nudge Eda.] you won't have to worry about that. After the closing ceremony, we're home free. [Eda chuckles.]
[Cut to the stadium. The students are walking towards the center. Eda looks at Bump, who is holding a stress toy and still looking worried.
"It wouldn't surprise me if he used that thing a lot after having to meet with me," Luz admitted.
"Like mother, like daughter," Camila said and ruffled Luz's hair.
Eda simply hold two fingers up, which calms Bump down. Vines start to sprout from the stage and a head which splits open once more as Terra appears.]
Terra: Congratulations, students! It seems nearly everyone earned a ribbon. [Two Coven Scouts appear and hold a small glass tray with ribbons.] You must be so proud of yourselves.
[Raine offers to hold their hand out to Eda; she takes it. Terra's mood immediately and suddenly changes from polite to sinister.]
Terra: Well, you shouldn't be. [The students gasp.] This training camp is a joke. There was nothing "challenging" about those challenges! And this... [Holds up Eda's drawing of a butt earlier.] was the last straw!
"Well, you know, I'm not going to say she didn't have that coming," Camila pointed out.
[She tears up the paper angrily. Everyone in the crowd gasps as Eda and Raine wince and look at each other.]
Terra: Before we hand out any ribbons... I think we need one more activity.
[Everyone gasps as a hedge-like maze traps the students inside it.]
Terra: We'll play my personal favorite game: Covens vs. Wilds. [The students look on worriedly.] Look at your badges, and you'll see if you're a Coven Witch [Eda's badge places her in the Coven group.]
Luz laughed at the irony.
or a Wild Witch. [Raine's badge places them in the Wild group; They let go of Eda's hand.] Coven Witches, you have 20 minutes to capture every Wild Witch. [Both teams back up and face each other angrily except for Eda and Raine.] If you succeed, everyone on your team gets a ribbon! Wild Witches, you may earn a ribbon... if you put on a good show. And to encourage you shrinking violets,
Willow pointed at the black-haired St. Epiderm construction witch on the screen. "Hey, that's my dad! Wow, he looks so young."
I'll allow any use of magic! We're in HECK, people! Let's have some fun!
"Shrinking violets!" Hunter said, nearly doubled over with laughter. "Titan, Terra, why did you ever turn to evil when you had such a promising future as a comedian?"
"Yeah…we're gonna have to talk about this later," Willow decided.
[Cut to black. Back inside the maze, everyone from both teams start attacking each other Eda and Raine continuously dodge all the attacks and with one last look at each other, they go their separate ways. Raine draws a huge spell circle on the floor; they tap it and a burst of light emits from it. Eda shields her eyes and upon uncovering them, escapes. She uses her magic to block all attacks against her as she flees, and makes a Wild Witch trip over. An abomination looms behind her, to her surprise, but then transforms into a staircase as Eda climbs on top of it, and pounces from a side of the maze, landing back in a free area. She hides behind the wall as two Wild Witches run past her and she sighs.
"Hey, there's my other dad!" Willow said, pointing at the abomination witch on the screen. "Cool! I wonder why they never told me about this."
Eda looks back at Bump, who shrugs.]
Cyclops demon girl: Don't move!
[Eda is taken by surprise as she comes across two of her fellow Coven Witches.]
St. Epiderm student: Wait. She's one of us. [To Eda.] Come with us. We've got a plan to catch all the Wild Witches.
Luz snickered at the irony of Eda capturing wild witches.
Young Eda: I'm not goin' anywhere! This is crazy! That plant lady is off her gourd!
"Eh, I still like Terra's puns better," Hunter said.
Cyclops demon girl: Don't you want a ribbon?
St. Epiderm student: My parents say if I don't come home with a ribbon, I better not come home at all.
"That was a metaphor, right?" Camila said nervously.
"How would we know?" Amity pointed out.
[He three look behind them to find a fellow Coven Witch dragging a Wild Witch tied in red rope.] They're just watching out for my best interests.
Cyclops demon girl: So, I heard there's this one kid who's been coming here for years.
St. Epiderm student: Yeah, that's Raine, my classmate! Somehow they always have the best juice! And they don't share it with anyone!
"Well, maybe if you weren't such a jerk," Luz muttered.
Cyclops demon girl: I heard they're one of the strongest witches here. And they're a bard! Crazy, right?
"Funny how even mean girls in the Isles still use the right pronouns," Camila mused.
Young Eda: Not really. Bard magic can be cool.
St. Epiderm student: If we take them out, the rest should be a breeze. You with us?
Young Eda: Uh...
Cyclops demon girl: We'll take that as a yes! [The two drag Eda away. Later, Eda, the Glandus High student and the St. Epiderm student walk sneakily.]
Cyclops demon girl: That must be the bard.
St. Epiderm student: We'll surprise them.
[They both hide in separate walls, looking out for Raine. Eda is about to pass them both, but the St. Epiderm student pulls her out just in time for Raine to come running. They are being chased by a Coven Witch, and is eventually cornered. They inhale deeply and loudly whistle as the Coven Witch is blasted and knocked out onto a wall. The Glandus High student motions for the St. Epiderm student to attack. They both come out of their hiding place as he summons a large amount of water which knocks Raine onto a wall and making them drop onto their knees. Raine cowers, terrified, as the Coven Witches surround them.]
Cyclops demon girl: We got ya now.
St. Epiderm student: For the Covens! [He summons another amount of water and is about to attack Raine when suddenly, both he and the girl are suddenly lifted into the air by an unseen force.]
Young Raine: Huh?
[Eda is revealed to have lifted the two into the air as she walks over to Raine with a devilish expression on her face.]
Camila felt a surge of pride. It was nice to see that as random and chaotic Eda was, she still had principles, including a sense of loyalty she'd passed on to their daughter.
St. Epiderm student: What are you doing?! [He and the girl are tossed aside by Eda.]
Terra: An interesting development? A showdown, perhaps? Let's give them plenty of room to fight!
[She makes the maze disappear as everyone starts shouting "Fight!" Bump is in turmoil as he continuously squeezes multiple stress toys in both of his hands. Raine and Eda stare at each other angrily. Both are about to punch the other and yell as Terra watches in anticipation. But when they stop, they instead do a fist bump as they perform their special handshake which leads to them creating a spell circle which emits a flash of light, aiming at Terra. She blocks the attack with her vines, but some part of the fire reached her hair; she puts it out.]
"Yeah! You show them!" Willow shouted.
Terra: Never a rose without a few thorns, I see.
Hunter giggled. "Thorns. Did you hear her, Willow? THORNS! Oh, priceless."
Young Eda: Yeah, well, we got tired of your stupid little challenge.
Young Raine: And your plant puns!
Hunter gasped. What sort of person wouldn't like such highbrow humor?
[An offended Terra is slowly lowered down by the head of the plant as she angrily walks towards Eda and Raine, both of which are nervous. Then suddenly, Terra laughs.]
Terra: Delightful! [Raine and Eda are surprised.] Feisty witches do make the best leaders! I especially like you, sprout. [Pokes Raine's nose.] But... I can't reward disobedience. So, everyone is poisoned!
Everyone gasped.
[She raises her vines but a Coven Scout appears and whispers to her, making her irritated.] That's illegal too? [The Coven Scout nods.]
"Don't worry, they got rid of that rule," Hunter said, then frowned. "No, wait, that's bad."
Ugh! Fine. Instead, no one gets a ribbon this year, everyone loses!
[Everyone starts booing, particularly at Eda and Raine.]
Young Eda: I hope this was worth it.
Young Raine: Actually...
Vice Principal Bump: Eda! I am so proud of you! But also, [Raine winks at her and leaves.] I think we're toast. My career is over, and you'll probably be expelled and end up selling garbage at the Night Market but, what a way to go! [Terra, who has seemingly overheard the conversation, taps Bump's shoulder, surprising him.]
Terra: Pardon me. Expelled? Is Fausty still playing more of his little games? No. [Approaches Eda.] Budding prodigies like Miss Clawthorne need to be nourished. I'll let him know I was quite impressed... with both of you. [She walks away as Bump faints in shock.]
"The two of them – Terra and Faust – actually dated for a time," Luz said with a shudder. "Eda tricked them into it by forging love letters. Turns out they had a hatred for children and love of abusing power in common. Actually, that's how Bump became principal in the first place. Faust left the school and became an advocate against child safety laws."
"Sorry, did you say against?" Camila said. Luz nodded. "Wow. I never thought I'd say this, but you really dodged a bullet there."
[Cut to a few days later, at Hexside, in the cafeteria. Eda is carrying a lunch tray and wearing her letterman jacket. She is seen looking around for Lilith and gasps in happiness upon seeing her. She walks over to a bored Lilith.]
Young Eda: Lily! I finally caught you. I never got to tell you about that weird training thing over the weekend.
Young Lilith: Uh-huh.
Young Eda: I was horrified. If I lost, I was gonna get expelled and then we wouldn't be able to- [Lilith's watch rings.]
Young Lilith: Ah, shoot! [Stands up and grabs her empty lunch tray.] Sorry, Edalyn, gotta go. E.C. study group is meeting. We can.. talk later?
"The beginning of the end," Luz said sadly. "Or maybe just the end of the beginning."
Young Eda: Go. Go, go, go, don't be late. [Lilith walks off.]
[Eda is now looking bored and alone. She takes a sip of her Ghoul Aid drink and is disgusted by the taste.]
Young Eda: Blech! Ugh. [An unknown student offers her an Apple Blood drink.]
Unknown student: Trade?
Young Eda: Huh? [She looks up. To her surprise, the student is revealed to be Raine.] Raine?! What are you doing here? Oh- oh no, your scholarship!
Young Raine: Don't worry. I wanted to transfer out of Epiderm anyway. And apparently, my parents always hated the cold on the Knee. So? [Shakes the Apple Blood drink for her to take.]
[They swap drinks.]
Young Raine: Okay, Eda. Give me the run down on this place. [Tastes the Ghoul Aid drink and finds it disgusting.] Blech!
Young Eda: [Chuckles.] Oh, you'll love it. It's got all the secrets. And since Terra spoke to Principal Faust, I can get away with pretty much anything! [Tastes the Apple Blood drink.] Mm! I've never had Apple Blood before, this stuff is good!
[She continues sipping it as Raine watches her lovingly. The flashback ends.]
"Well, that was a nice change of pace," Camila mused. "Well…I guess it's once more unto the breach. Honestly, Luz, is it going to get worse?"
"Um…well, not worse, strictly speaking," Luz said. "But it's not gonna be a walk in the park either."
"Well, whatever happens, I'll be here for you," Camila vowed.
