CHAPTER 10: Escape of the Palisman
[Open on a playground in the middle of Bonesborough]
[Play Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMix -Traverse Town- Extended]
Several baby-track Hexside students are there. A sign at the front gate reads "THE SLAYGROUND funded by the Bonesborough department of parks & wreck."
[Cut to a sign above a bench that reads "ALL BLOODTHIRSTY MONSTERS MUST BE LEASHED"]
Eda, Luz, and Sora are sitting on a bench under the sign.
Luz: *visibly nervous* What if he gets hurt?
Sora: He won't.
Luz: What if the kids are mean to him?
Sora: They won't be.
Luz: *gasp* My parental instincts are freaking out, man.
Sora: Don't worry, he's having fun.
Luz turns to Sora.
Luz: But still, I worry.
Sora folds his arms behind his head.
Sora: He's a big boy. He candle handle himself.
Eda: *smirking* When you two are done talking like a married couple, we could just see him for ourselves.
Luz/Sora: *blushing* Gah! Quit teasing! We told you, we're not like that!
Eda laughs as she slaps her knee.
Eda: Seriously, he's fine. Look at him.
[Cut to King trying to climb the slide]
Luz: It does look like he's having fun.
Sora: Mmhm.
King: *grunting*
Luz: Aw. I wonder what cute wittle game he's playing.
Sora: I can take a guess.
King: Stand back, cretins. *grunting as he reaches the top* Yes! Yes! This is a throne worthy of a tyrant. Bow to me, you snotty underlings. Bow!
[Cut to Eda, Luz, and Sora]
Sora: King of the Slide.
[Cut back to King looking down on the kids]
The kids share a look
Kids: Okay!
One does a handstand while the other does a backbend.
King: Yes, appease your master.
Witch Kid: This isn't for standing. It's for sliding. You try.
The witch kid shoves King down the slide innocently.
King: Whoa, whoa! *screams, grunts*
[Cut to King running towards Eda]
King: Eda! That monster took my throne!
Eda: You mean the baby?
King: No, the usurper. I want you to go over there and blow him up! Kaboom!
Witch Kid: *riding a spring rider* Kaboom!
Eda: *unscrews Owlbert from staff* Yeah, I'm not using Owlbert to blow up a five‐year‐old.
Owlbert hoots.
Eda: He's got better things to do. Like this... *pets him*
Owlbert warbles.
Luz: Aw, what a sweetie. How did you get him?
Eda: Get? I made Owlbert from the branch of an ancient tree.
Owlbert hops onto Eda's hand and hoots.
Eda: Oh, he's my palisman, and we're bonded for life. *frowns* I'd annihilate anyone who'd hurt him.
A slight pause between them, then King turns to Sora.
Sora: No.
King: Fine. Don't help. Revenge will taste all the sweeter if they fall by my hand alone. *laughs*
Witch Kid: *shoves King over* Tag. You're it! *laughs and walks*
Eda: Oh, man. Here we go. King's squeak of rage.
King: *stands* Nyeh! Nyeh! *squealing* *pauses* *continues squealing*
Eda and Sora laugh.
Eda: He is like a little teakettle. *snorts*
Owlbert scratches at his face, while Luz notices something under Owlbert's talon.
Luz: Hey, what's that? *points to Owlbert's foot*
Eda: That's his interlock. So he only fits on to my staff. Every palisman has one.
[End Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMix -Traverse Town- Extended]
[Play Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep Final Mix -Night Of The Dark Dream- Extended]
As she speaks, everything but her, her staff, and the bench disappears.
Eda: *gasps* Luz? Sora?
She stands and looks around the void. Then, both her staff and the bench disappear.
Eda: Hello?
Luz: *echoing* Eda!
Eda: Luz!
Sora: *echoing* Eda!
Eda: Sora!
Eda snaps out of it as Luz, Sora, and Owlbert look over her.
[End Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep Final Mix -Night Of The Dark Dream- Extended]
Luz: Eda!
Sora: Eda, wake up!
Eda's eyes open. She is now lying down on the bench.
Luz/Sora: Are you all right?
Luz and Sora help Eda up.
Eda: *shudders* What? Oh, no. The curse. Hey, we have to get home. Now. *picks up her staff and leaves*
Luz: King, we have to go!
[Cut to King and the witch kid atop the jungle gym, facing each other]
King: Five more minutes, please!
Sora: King! Now! Or no biscuits for you tonight!
King: Aw, man. This isn't over.
Witch Kid: Okay, let's play again real soon. *hugs King*
King: No, no. Keep those sticky hands away! Oh, no! He's touching me! *screams*
[Cut to the Owl House, where Eda tosses her staff to the couch]
Eda yawns and flops facefirst onto the couch.
Luz: I'll go get your elixir.
Eda: *muffled* Don't worry about it. I'll get it myself in a bit.
Luz: Do you need us to stay home and take care of you? *gasp* I could put King in a little doctor's outfit.
Everyone looks at King, who looks up from a stack of paper.
King: Meh?
Eda: No one wants to see that.
Luz: I do.
Sora: *thinking* What's going on in that head of yours?
Eda: Look, I know how to take care of myself. I've had this curse longer than you've been alive.
Luz: So, how'd you get it?
Eda: *grunts* I don't know.
Luz: You don't know?
Eda: Somebody gave it to me. I don't know who, and I don't care because I'm fine, all right? Anyway, don't you have plans with Tweedledum and Twerpledee?
Luz: Well, we are going to the Grudgby game between Hexside and Glandus High with Willow and Gus.
Eda screws Owlbert back onto the staff.
Eda: Since when are you into sports?
Luz: Since I found a little something called "Hexside Pride." *grunts*
Sora: Competitions and games are fun.
Luz and Sora strike a pose.
Luz: To think that Glandus, whoever they are, would dare face us. But if you need us to stay...
Eda: Gross. Sympathy.
Eda stands and points to the door.
Eda: Go. Go have fun at sport.
Luz: Hooray! Hooray for sport!
Luz hugs King.
Luz: Hugs and kisses, King. *smooch* *sing-song* Don't spend all night plotting revenge.
King continues planning.
King: *sing-song* That drooly‐faced heathen will know my wrath.
Sora: *dramatic tone* May the fates guide you to victory.
Sora pets King.
King: *dramatic tone* Many thanks! Victory shall be mine!
[Cut to Hexside, where students are lined up to get on a dragon bus]
Luz and Sora are running toward it but not paying attention.
Luz: Hexside's gonna wreck your side. *stops walking* Huh, no. *keeps walking* Hexside is the best side in the west side. *yelps*
The Dragon Bus roars and bites at Luz. Sora summons his Keyblade and points it at the Dragon Bus.
Sora: No. Bad dragon. No.
The Dragon Bus groans. Sora then de-summons his keyblade. The two then walk up to Willow and Gus.
Luz: *shudders* Ah! Friends.
The four cheer.
Luz/Willow: Whoo‐hoo!
Sora: Yeah!
Gus: Gameday roar!
Luz: Happy game day, fellow, uh... Are we Hexidians? Hexies? *gasps* Hexoleos?
Willow: Actually, most people call us... *clenches fist* winners.
Gus: Grudgby games are the best. The players go through these action‐packed trials. And the audience gets to wave flags. Look, I practiced.
He pulls out two flags, turns in a circle as he waves them, and hums.
Luz: *looks at her hoodie* Is it weird that I'm not wearing anything Hexside?
Willow: Um, it's weirder that you're wearing Glandus colors.
Luz and Sora turn to see a Hexside VS Glandus banner. A giant boy then walks past the group and nudges Luz with his finger.
Giant Boy: Get ready to be creamed, Glandus nerd.
Luz: Hey! I'm a Hexside nerd.
Luz looks at her hoodie again.
Luz: Gotta change out of this shirt. Where can I get a Hexside one?
Gus: I know. There's a lost and found box in the cafeteria.
Gus points to the school with his flags.
Luz: Ah! The lost and found where mouthguards go to retire.
[Cut to the lost and found, a giant chest]
Luz opens it and pulls out a hat.
Luz: Yes!
[Cut to the front doors of Hexside, which Luz exits in full Hexside apparel waving pom-poms]
Luz: Goooo, Hexside! *does a split* ...Well, I never did that before. *looks around* Uh, where is everyone?
The dragon bus is flying away.
Giant Boy: Hexside rules!
Luz: Oh, no! Come back! Why didn't you guys board the bus?
Willow: We weren't going to leave you behind.
Gus: I was.
Willow: Gus! *elbows him*
Sora frowns at Gus.
Luz: Can we walk to Glandus?
Gus: We'd never make it in time. Glandus is... *rolls his flags, points with them* all the way out in the middle of the island.
Luz: *scoffs* Typical Glandus.
Willow: And my parents are working. Otherwise, I'd see if they could give us a ride on their staff.
Sora: *thinking* If only Tinkerbell were here, we'd all fly there.
Luz: A staff... because staffs fly. Of course. I can get us a staff.
Gus: You can?
Luz: Yes, come on.
Luz grabs Willow's hand and runs. Gus leaps after them.
[Cut to the doors of Eda's bedroom]
King: Eda! Great news. I thought of the perfect way to get revenge on that usurper.
King holds out a piece of paper reading "FIRE?".
King: Now, don't be put off by the complicated premise. I'll break it down for you in small pieces. Huh?
Eda, almost completely in her Owl Beast form, is sitting in her nest. She growls and advances on King.
King: *screams, falls down* Owl Beast! *screams* Stay back!
Eda stops and backs up.
King: Did you just listen to me? *stands up* Uh, come here. Sit.
Eda takes a step forward, snorts.
King: Oh, this is an interesting development.
Eda warbles.
King: Eda's only partially transformed which means she's totally suggestible. *chuckles* Yes. Yes! I think this will do nicely. Forget fire. I've got a greater force to unleash. You! You're going to help me regain my throne! I mean, if that's okay with you. Right?
Eda growls.
King: I'll take that weird grumble as a yes. I'm just gonna grab a little bottle of elixir in case you go rogue on me.
He grabs a full bottle of elixir and a messenger bag. Several empty bottles fall out of the bag as he drags it.
King: Now, to destiny's battlefield: the playground!
Luz: *offscreen* King, are you home?
Eda growls.
King: What? *to Eda* Sit. Stay.
Luz: Is Eda up?
King: *closes doors* Who? Oh. *chuckles* That Eda. No, no. She is out like a light.
Eda growls.
King: *chuckles* Oh, man. Can she snore?
Luz: Oh, no. I wanted to ask if I could borrow her staff but I know she needs her rest.
King grabs Eda's staff and gives it to Luz.
King: Oh, I'm sure it's fine. It's fine. Just take it.
Luz: I can't. Not without Eda's permission.
Eda screams.
King: Well, there's your permission. Off you go.
Luz: I really owe Gus and Willow one. And it's just for the afternoon. I'm sure Eda wouldn't mind.
King: Not our generous, kindhearted Eda. Big heart on her.
They stare at each other for a second.
Luz: *starts to leave* I'll be back soon.
King: Close call.
Luz: *stops leaving* What?
King: Nothing.
Luz: Oh, okay. *leaves for real*
King: Close call. *opens the doors* And now revenge. Right, Owl Eda?
Eda munches a chair.
King: *chuckles* I'm feeling confident about this plan.
[Cut to the front of the Owl House as Luz opens the door]
Luz: To Glandus High.
She gestures with the staff, hitting Owlbert against the house.
Owlbert: *hoot*
Luz: Oh! Sorry, Owlbert. It's okay. We're just on our way to help some friends.
Willow/Gus: Ooh!
Luz: Who's ready to board Air Luz?
Luz, Willow, and Gus all board the staff.
Willow: Feel that power‐to‐weight ratio.
Gus: *to his flags* Boys, prepare to fly.
Willow sees Sora just standing there.
Willow: Wait. Sora. Aren't you getting on?
Sora: No need. Watch this.
Sora begins to float off the ground. Willow and Gus were impressed and shocked.
Willow: Since when can you fly?!
Sora: For about a year.
Luz, Willow, and Gus just paused.
Willow: Huh.
Gus: Neat!
Luz: Anyway, Next stop, Glandus High. Let's go.
The staff rises in the air.
Luz: Step on it, Owlbert!
She slaps the staff and Owlbert squawks, rushing forward.
Luz/Willow/Gus: Whoa! Whoa!
The staff does a loop-de-loop, then runs into several trees. The three grunt and scream. They hit a tree head on. Willow and Gus fall directly into a bush. Luz gets caught on a branch, then falls out of her hoodie.
Luz: *grunt*
Owlbert falls directly on top of his head. He looks at his now cracked head and hoots. Sora flies towards the others.
Sora: Is everyone okay?
Luz: *grunts, stands* I think so. Huh?
Owlbert hoots, twists himself off the staff, and flies off.
Luz: Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no! Owlbert, come back!
[Cut to Luz, Sora, Willow, and Gus running through the forest]
Luz: Owlbert!
Owlbert hoots as he flies into a foreboding cave.
All: *stop running, panting*
Gus: Man, humans can run. Must be their dorsal fins.
Sora: We don't have dorsal fins, Gus.
Luz: He went through those trees. Come on. *starts running*
Willow: *stops Luz* We have to be careful. It's really easy to get lost in this part of the forest.
Luz: This is Eda's palisman, Willow. She'll kill me if we don't get it back. Let's go.
[Cut to the inside of the cave]
Bats screech as they enter. Bones crunch under their feet.
Willow: Wow. I keep stepping on a lot of crunchy twigs.
Luz: Those are bones, Willow.
Willow: *looks up* Not if I never look down.
A shadow flies past the group at high speed.
The teens yelp and steps closer together.
Luz: This isn't any kind of forest I'm used to. *pokes a spiderweb with the staff*
Willow: That's because this isn't a forest.
The Bat Queen's kids chirp as they approach the teens.
Willow: It's a nest.
Luz: Hey, I remember you. You're Bat Queen's babies.
Sora: They are.
Bat babies: *screeching*
Gus: Wait. The Bat Queen? *backs away*
Willow also backs away.
Willow: I think I'd rather take my chances with Eda.
Luz and Sora walk towards the bats.
Luz: Uh, we're looking for a little owl and... There he is.
Owlbert is standing a bit behind the bat babies. He warbles back into the shadows.
Luz: Owlbert, thank goodness you're okay. Come here, buddy—time to go home.
The Bat Queen steps in front of Owlbert and into the light.
All: *gasp*
Bat Queen: *hisses* Hello, small human. *exhales*
Willow: It's the...
Luz: Bat Queen. I know. We kinda babysat her kids once. Don't worry. I got this. *to Bat Queen* Hiya, BQ. My, your hair is looking greasy. And your kids *chuckles* they're as hideous as ever.
Gus: You know, that coulda gone worse.
Sora: Hm.
Bat Queen: *growl*
Luz: *chuckle* So... Owlbert ran away, and I need to get him back. I'm just gonna grab him, and we'll be on our way.
Bat Queen puts a claw on Luz's chest.
Luz: Ah!
Sora: !
Bat Queen: To be careless with a staff, it's very serious. I protect him.
Luz: And thank you for that, uh, but he belongs to Eda, the Owl Lady. *removes Bat Queen's claw* And you owe her a favor, remember?
Bat Queen: Owl Lady is careless! Her staff left her sight. Taken by human who steals, hurts, frightens...
Luz: Huh?
Bat Queen: He told me all.
Bat Queen's eyes glow yellow. Owlbert's glow the same color.
Luz: Owlbert, I never meant to hurt you. *kneels* Please trust me.
Owlbert hoots and flies onto Bat Queen's head. Both their eyes glow again. Luz stands.
Bat Queen: Trust must be earned... *flies to a perch* ...through trials!
Fire bursts from the ground with the final word.
Gus: *happily, waving flags* Trials?
Willow: Luz, the Bat Queen is well‐known for her impossible trials. I've never heard of anyone winning against her.
Luz: But I have to get Owlbert back. I accept your challenge.
Willow: And we'll be right there with you.
Sora: Yeah.
Gus: Let the flags raise you up!
Bat Queen closes her claw. Webs are summoned, and they encase Willow, Sora, and Gus.
Gus: Hey!
Willow: What?
Sora: Gah!
Bat Queen: No helpsies. Now, let the trials begin. Milk the spider demon.
A spider with udders approaches Luz, holding a bucket.
Spider demon: *growling*
Luz grunts and looks at Owlbert. Owlbert hoots and tilts his head.
Luz: All right. Come here, pal. Let's do this.
The Spider demon runs, squealing.
Luz: If you run, you'll just make this harder for yourself!
[Cut to one of the extinguishing of the flames]
Bat Queen: Remove bees nest.
Luz climbs a tree, empty staff in hand. A giant buzzing bee's nest is sitting in one of the branches. She raises the staff to smack the nest, but it turns into the head of a giant bee that screeches at her.
Luz: *yelps*
She falls out of the tree.
[Cut to her running past Willow, Sora, and Gus, screaming, the bee screeching after her]
Gus: Come on. Almost got it.
He frees himself from the webs.
Gus: I am free! Bat Queen, you will rue the day you tried to trap‐‐
She traps him again, this time suspended from the ceiling.
Gus: Aaah.
Sora: *sigh*
A second flame goes out.
Bat Queen: Give babies a bath!
[Cut to Luz scrubbing one baby bat, sitting on another, a third biting her shoulder]
They're all covered in suds.
Luz: *grunts*
Bat babies: *screeching*
Willow: Go, Luz!
Gus: Luz, we're here if you need us!
Willow: Yeah. Cut us free. We can get Eda.
Luz: No, I was selfish.
Bat babies: *screeching continues*
Luz: And I hurt Owlbert. I need to do this alone, so he knows I care about him.
She dumps a barrel of water over the baby bats.
Bat babies: *screeching; turn around to show their hair neat and faces shiny*
Luz: Aw!
The bat babies shake their heads, returning to normal and screeching again.
Luz screams.
LATER...
[Cut to the final flame going out]
[Cut Gus trying to free himself again]
Gus: Yes, I am free again. I-
Webs encase him yet again. He screams, muffled, and waves his legs.
Sora: ...
Luz: Okay, Bat Queen. That's the last one. I've done all your chores. And I've proved my dedication to Owlbert. I'm so sorry for the pain I caused you, Owlbert. I promise to be more careful. Will you come back home with me?
Owlbert nods and hoots. He flies off of Bat Queen's perch to the ground. Bat Queen raises her claw and webs encase Owlbert. Owlbert squawks.
[Play Kingdom Hearts 3 OST - Wave of Darkness]
Bat Queen: No! More trails! Last trial! You must face... me!
She expands her wings, a jet of flames going up behind her.
Luz: What?!
Bat Queen roars and flies forward. Luz yelps and runs.
Bat Queen: You will never get him back!
Luz falls to the ground and grunts.
Willow: Luz, get us out! We can help!
Luz frees Willow. Willow frees Gus.
Willow: Lookout!
Bat babies: *screeching*
Gus: I'll hold'em off with my flags!
Bat babies: *screeching, attacking Willow and Gus*
Gus: No! That was a bad plan!
Willow: Sora! Help!
Sora: ...
Sora frowns and struggles for a bit. Then, finally, he emits light and frees himself and summons his keyblade. He points it at the bat babies.
Sora: Wind!
Sora unleashes a gust of wind and blows the bat babies away. Willow and Gus turn around to see Sora. They were surprised to see Sora's clothes are of different colors than usual.
Willow: Woah, what happened to your clothes?
Gus: Why different colors?
Sora: This is my Second Form. Basically, a power-up.
Willow/Gus: Cool!
Sora turns in the direction of where Luz and the Bat Queen went and glares.
Sora: Let's help Luz.
[Cut to Luz sneaking off]
Luz: *yelps*
Bat Queen: *roaring*
Bat Queen chases Luz through the forest.
[Cut to Owlbert squawking as he frees a wing from the web]
[Cut to Luz running]
Luz: I won't let you imprison Owlbert!
Bat Queen: *roars*
Luz, grunting, trips to the ground.
Bat Queen: *roars*
Luz gasps and grunts.
Bat Queen flies down to attack Luz. She stops her claws with the staff.
Bat Queen: *roaring*
Luz: *gasp* Is that an interlock?
Luz kicks the staff and Bat Queen away.
Luz: Bat Queen, you used to be on a staff, didn't you? You were a Palisman.
Bat Queen: *gasps*
[End Kingdom Hearts 3 OST - Wave of Darkness]
A pause between them. Luz then frowns.
Luz: You were once a Palisman, weren't you?
Bat Queen looks at her claw with the interlock on it. She turns away from Luz.
Bat Queen: Yes, I was once part of a grand staff. A staff made for a giant! But I was broken, discarded.
Luz: So, that's why you're so protective of Owlbert.
Bat Queen: I protect... all!
Her eyes glow again. Behind her, dozens of other eyes begin glowing.
Luz: *gasps*
Countless broken and scarred palismen of every type are in the trees.
Bat Queen: I made home in forest. I'm here to take the lost—the forgotten.
Luz: I understand. But Owlbert is not forgotten. He has someone at home who loves him very much.
Bat Queen: *turns and walks away* He will not go back with you.
Luz: That's not your decision to make!
Bat Queen: *turns back around* I won't let him!
The Bat Queen rushes at Luz. She gasps and cowers in fear of her incoming attack when a fireball suddenly hits the ground between them. Sora and Owlbert suddenly jump in to protect Luz. Sora aims his keyblade at the Bat Queen.
Sora: Enough!
Owlbert hoots loudly at the Bat Queen. His eyes glow and a second later, so do does the Bat Queen's.
Bat Queen: You...
The wind howls as the glowing continues.
Bat Queen: You care for her.
Owlbert nods and hoots. He then nuzzles Luz, warbling.
Bat Queen: Very well. Go. And take your friends.
Willow and Gus run in. Owlbert grabs Eda's staff and brings it to Luz. Gus wipes the bat babies' saliva off of him. Luz then turns to the Bat Queen. Sora then returns to his base form.
Luz: Bat Queen, do you know what happened to your owner?
The Bat Queen closes her eyes.
Bat Queen: It has been thousands of years. *opens her eyes* I've forgotten.
Luz: If you ever want to search for the truth, I'll help you.
Bat Queen: ...Thank you. *flies away*
Willow: I can't believe you took on the Bat Queen. *hugs Luz*
Gus: *dances* And we're not dead.
Sora: Nice job. *puts his hand on Luz's shoulder*
Luz: Thank you for helping me get Owlbert back. I'm sorry we missed the game.
Gus: Are you kidding? That was better than any grudgby match. There were action‐packed trials. I got to do my flag wave, and I'm slightly traumatized. Hooray!
Luz: *chuckle* Let's get this little guy home.
[Cut to the Owl House, where Luz is putting a bandage on Owlbert's cracked head]
Luz: And now you're a part of the boo‐boo buddy club.
Owlbert hoots.
Eda: Owlbert?
Luz and Sora turn their heads in Eda's direction.
Eda: Why are you off the staff?
Owlbert hoots and flies over to Eda, warbling.
Eda: *to Owlbert* Luz took you to get ice cream? Aw, that's... *turns to Luz* a horrible lie.
Owlbert hoots and Luz gulps.
Eda: Well, lucky for you both, I don't care right now. I'm going to take a nap. *walks off*
King: I'll, uh, be at the playground. *walks out*
Owlbert flies back to Luz's shoulder.
Luz: *to Owlbert* We'll keep this one to ourselves, shall we?
Owlbert warbles.
[Cut to Eda's room, where four empty elixir bottles are sitting on her side table]
Eda: *coughing, picks up a bottle* The elixir... It isn't working on the curse anymore. This is bad. *coughing, vomits* When did I swallow a swing?
[Cut to Luz, with Owlbert still on her shoulder, and Sora sitting on the couch]
Sora: I just realized something.
Luz: What's that?
Sora: This is the first battle where you won by yourself. Without my help practically.
Luz: You're right. Wow. Although, I struggled a bit.
Sora: You know, I think I can teach you some combat moves and acrobatics sometime if you're interested.
Luz beams.
Luz: Oh, definitely!
Sora: Cool.
