CHAPTER 13: First Day
[Open on a dark backstage]
Luz activates a light glyph and holds it between her, Eda, and Sora.
Luz: I-I'm not ready for this, guys. Maybe we should go back.
Eda: Nah, kid, you got this.
Sora: Yeah, just do what you two practiced!
Luz: But what if-what if I mess something up? Or what if I do something wrong? *gasps* What if I die?
Eda: Hey. Calm down, calm down. I had to do the same thing when I was a witchling. It's like a rite of passage. Granted, I was a little more skilled.
Sora/Luz: Eda!
Eda: Right, right. Sorry, sorry. Now, get pumped.
Luz: Pumped!
Sora: Get ready.
Luz: *pulls hood up* Ready!
Eda: Now, go! *shoves her*
[Cut to the stage, a spotlight aimed at the closed curtains and a banner reading "Hexside School: Entrance Exams"]
The curtains open. Luz jumps on stage in a dark cloak.
Luz: *movie trailer narrator voice* From the humblest of beginnings, a hero will rise. *normal voice* I have traveled from another realm and trained with a powerful witch to master dark and forbidden magic.
Luz takes her cloak off with a twirl.
Luz: I am... Luz Noceda!
[Reveal the audience, which is empty except for Principal Bump sitting in the front row with a clipboard]
Luz chuckles awkwardly and tosses confetti out of a fanny pack.
Luz: Confetti!
Principal Bump: Right. The human that wants to be a witch. Against my better judgment, I've allowed you to take this exam into Hexside. But can you even do magic with all your... human parts?
Luz: I sure can. *zips open fanny pack* It's said that humans can't do magic, *pulls out cards and shows them to both sides of the auditorium* but I discovered a lost technique that changes everything.
Principal Bump: *squints* Hmm?
Eda and Sora each give two thumbs up from backstage. Luz activates the light glyph and lets the ball rise. She moves the ice glyph under the light and activates it. Luz beams and does jazz hands.
Principal Bump: Spells cast with cards? I've never heard of such a thing. *to himself* But is it enough to pass the exam?
Luz: Uhh...
Eda pops her head from the curtain.
Eda: *whispering* Improvise.
Luz: Um, I can do other things, what about... this?
Luz stands and flips her eyelids inside out.
Luz: Bleep, bloop, bleep!
Principal Bump is not impressed.
Luz: Ow ow! Eyelash! Eyelash!
Luz slips on the melted ice pillar and falls into her abandoned cloak. She stands and tries to free herself, falling off the stage and onto Principal Bump. She rolls off him.
Luz: Sorry, sorry, sorry!
Luz accidentally places her hand on an ice glyph and activates it.
Luz: Whoops! AH!
The ice pillar lifts her by one foot until she's at eye level with Principal Bump. She smiles nervously.
Luz: I failed, didn't I?
A pause between them.
Principal Bump: Believe it or not, I've seen worse.
Luz falls on her face.
Principal Bump: Welcome, Luz, to Hexside School of Magic and Demonics! *drops pamphlet on her head*
Luz: *weakly* Hurray.
[Cut to Eda and Sora]
Sora: *chuckles* Well, at least she passed.
Eda: Huh. She did better than I thought. *to Sora* Alright, Sora. Your turn!
[Cut to Principal Bump]
Principal Bump: Ok. Next is Sora.
Sora walks onto the stage, ready to pass his exam for Hexside.
Principal Bump: Now, Sora. Let's see what you can do.
Sora: Right.
Sora summons a fireball on his left hand and water on his right.
Principal Bump: Aaah.
Sora then claps the two elements together to create immense steam. Sora then uses Areoga to manipulate the steam to swirl around and launching himself in the air. To finish his demonstration, he lands, punching the floor, causing the steam to disperse with great force. Principal Bump was impressed and clapped.
Principal Bump: Excellent work, Sora! You might be one of the best students Hexside has ever had.
Sora stands and smiles.
Principal Bump: Welcome, Sora, to Hexside School of Magic and Demonics!
He hands Sora a pamphlet.
Sora: Thank you.
Luz: Alright, Sora!
Eda: *whistles*
Sora runs to Eda and Luz.
Eda: Congrats, you two. *pats their heads*
Luz and Sora smile.
Eda: Now, let's celebrate!
Luz/Sora: Yeah!
THE NEXT DAY...
[Cut to Eda and Luz flying on Eda's staff, with Sora flying next to them]
Luz and Sora wear their Hexside uniforms, though the normal uniform part is lighter than most and their sleeves and legs are very white. Luz is giving off a bit of nervous energy.
Luz: Mmm, we gotta go back. This was a mistake! I'm gonna mess things up again and everyone will see, and-
Eda: Right, you gotta calm down. What are you nervous about? You've been to school before.
Luz: That's why I'm nervous! At my human school, I didn't make a good first impression. This is a chance to be seen as something other than a screw-up.
Sora took notice of what Luz said.
Eda: Hey, don't worry about what those dorks think. If you want my advice, walk into class and punch the first kid you see. To establish dominance.
Sora raised an eyebrow in confused shock.
Luz: Aw, I won't be doing that. But thanks.
Sora sighs in relief.
They all land at Hexside.
Eda: Last chance to back out and earn a new Bad Witch Coven patch.
Eda holds up a patch that reads "Quitter Badge."
Eda: Quitting: It's like trying, but easier.
Luz: Nah, I'll just earn it when I quit showering. Bye! *runs off*
Sora: *following Luz* You're not gonna do that, right?
Eda: Hold up!
Eda throws a hand at Luz's head. The humans stop and turn around.
Eda: Just... try not to be too much of a goody "Luz" shoes. *screws hand back on* You got this.
Luz: Thanks, Eda. In fact,
Luz pulls sock puppets of her and Eda out of her pockets.
Luz: I have written a heartfelt sonnet to commemorate this occasion.
Eda: *flying away* Whoops! A gust of wind just got me. See you two after school! Byeeee!
The two humans watch Eda fly away.
Luz: *holding Puppet Eda* You're gonna do great, kid.
Luz: Thanks, Puppet Eda.
Sora: Ready to go?
Luz: Yeah!
[Cut to a banner reading "WELCOME TO THE NEW SEMESTER"]
Various students are arriving at Hexside. Luz and Sora look around with a smile on her face.
Luz: Wow. I can't believe we're here. This is what I've always dreamed of—learning at a magic school.
Sora: Yeah. Even though you were nervous a few minutes ago.
Luz: Yeah. As I said, at my old school, I didn't make a good first impression. But now, I have a chance to make a good one.
Sora: I'm sure you'll be fine.
Luz: By the way, Sora. Did you go to school before?
Sora: Oh yeah. I was in middle school before I got my keyblade.
Luz: Really? What was school like for you back then?
Sora: Uhhh.
Sora has a flashback of him and Riku sleeping in class. They were then wakened up by a ruler smacking their desk, and the two frantically picked up their textbooks to start paying attention. Other students in the classroom laughed. Kairi, sitting next to Sora, can be seen giggling to herself.
Kairi: Lazy bums.
[Cut back to Sora]
Sora: *chuckles* I was a... *scratching his face with his index finger* bit of a slacker.
Luz giggles.
Luz: Really?
Sora: *chuckles* Yeah. So, I guess I'll have to make sure I make a good first impression too.
Luz and Sora laugh for a bit until they see Amity and an abomination come up to them. Amity and her abomination wave to them.
Amity: Hey, Luz! Congrats on getting in. *leans in* And not being in the baby class.
Luz: Thanks, Amity! Up top!
Amity high-fives Luz. Amity's abomination slaps Luz's face, leaving abomination goop behind.
Amity: Sora! Good to see you. No surprise you passed. Welcome to Hexside, all the same.
Sora: Thanks, Amity.
The two also high-fived. Amity's abomination slaps Sora's face, leaving abomination goop behind. Amity and her abomination then walk off.
Sora: ...Why did I not see that coming?
Luz and Sora wipe the goop off their faces.
Luz: Blegh! Wow, my first day at Hexside. A chance to discover my true magical potential. And maybe meet a hot, yet vulnerable, upperclassman.
Sora: *raised an eyebrow* What happened to "making a good first impression"?
?: Dream on!
The two heard and wondered who said that. Luz turns around to her backpack and sees King popping out. The two were surprised to see him.
Luz: King?
King: *pops out of Luz's backpack* Boop!
King jumps to the ground.
Sora: What are you doing here?
King: You're a free ride to the best buffet in town! Nyah!
King hops into a trashcan comes out with a half-eaten donut.
King: The trash cans here are filled with half-eaten gold!
Sora: King. You shouldn't be eating garbage.
King: But it's so good. Also, Eda ate the leftover dinner we had last night.
Sora: Even so, you-
Luz: Sora. No time right now. We have to go. *to King* King, we'll see you later.
Luz runs while dragging Sora by his hand.
King: Have a wonderful school day!
King then notices a Hexside student standing near him.
Hexside Student: I really needed to hear that.
[Cut to the main entrance staircase]
Willow/Gus: Luz! Sora!
Luz: Hello, fellow Hexoleos!
Sora: Hello!
Willow: Hello, classmates! *winks*
Gus: You did it, Luz!
Gus summons letters reading out "BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME!".
Willow and Sora frown at Gus.
Gus: Sorry, I was, uh, covering all my bases.
Willow: So, do you know who those witches are?
Willow gestures to nine banners as the humans look.
Willow: Those are the heads of the main nine covens. Each one excelled at a magic school like Glandus, St. Epiderm, and, of course, Hexside. Are you two prepared to enter these hallowed halls?
Luz: Hmm, that's what I'm gonna figure out right now.
Luz goes inside.
Luz: See you on the other side, friends.
Gus: See you later, Luz.
Gus summons letters spelling out "GOODBYE FOREVER!".
Willow and Sora frown at Gus even more. Gus then smiles sheepishly.
Gus: You know what? I'm uh, I'ma just get rid of these.
Sora: Anyway... Willow.
Willow: Yeah?
Sora: Can you tell me more about the main nine covens? Like, their specialties?
Willow: Oh, sure. Come on. We'll talk as we head to Principal Bump's office. You and Luz have to meet him together.
Sora, Willow, and Gus walk through the hallways.
[Play Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep - The Worlds - Extended]
[The background fades to black as Sora, Willow, and Gus walk]
Willow: In short: The orchid goop is the Abominations Track. As you saw with Amity, you can create and command abominations to do your bidding. The red lyre is the Bard Track. You control magic through music. The orange hatching egg is the Beast Keeping Track. You tame wild beasts to aid you in any way. The brown fist is the Construction Track. As you saw from the Covention, they build stuff using earth magic and power up using power glyphs. Finally, the blue bandaged hand is the Healing Track. As the name implies, you focus on healing, like injuries, ailments, etc.
Gus: Ooh! Ooh! You already know this one! The light-blue mirror is the Illusionist Track. We like to magic with a hint...
Sora: Of showmanship.
The two high-five.
Willow: *smirking* Hmph. Anyway, the purple eye is the Oracle Track. They use crystal balls to tell the future. My favorite, the green flower, is the Plant Track.
Sora: *chuckles* I know. You control plants. I know a lot about that from watching you. *smiles*
Willow adverts Sora's eyes and blushes a bit with a smile. She then gets her focus back.
Willow: Oh yeah, and last but not least, the yellow bottle, the Potions Track. You brew various ingredients to create various potions and elixirs.
Sora was interested in that last one.
Sora: Potions? That sounds interesting.
Willow: Really?
Sora: I kind of like that one. I used to use a lot of potions a while back.
Gus: What kind?
Sora: Mostly healing. I know a guy who's a genius when it comes to making potions and elixirs.
Willow: That's cool. Then, I guess you made your choice on what to study then.
Sora: Yup.
[End Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep - The Worlds - Extended]
They then arrive in Principal Bump's office, with Luz standing in front of the door.
Luz: Sora! What took you so long?
Sora: Sorry, I was learning a bit more of the nine tracks.
Luz: Oh. Well, come on. Principal Bump's waiting for us.
Sora: I hear ya. *to Willow and Gus* See ya later.
Willow/Gus: Bye.
The two walk off.
Luz: Ready?
Sora: Yeah.
[Cut to Principal Bump's office, where the main nine coven track banners can be seen behind him, high up on the wall]
Principal Bump is sitting at his desk, watching a crystal ball.
Reporter: (on the crystal ball) A terrible development at Glandus High School. Students and teachers were found unconscious and without magic. The cause remains unknown.
Principal Bump: Ha! Take that, Glandus! Looks like this year's Grudgby match is going to be a forfeit.
The door opens and closes as the humans walk in.
Sora: Good Morning, Principal Bump.
Principal Bump gently smiles.
Principal Bump: Good morning, Sora.
Luz: Hiya, Princy-B! Can I call you that?
Principal Bump frowns.
Principal Bump: Absolutely not. Now, today we'll be visited by the Emperor's Coven for a routine inspection. If we want to impress them, you'll need to join a coven track before they arrive.
Luz: Actually, Principal Bump, I've made my own schedule. *unfurls a scroll* First, Vet Care for Mythical Beasts, then Healing and Dealing, and then after lunch-
Principal Bump takes the lower half of Luz's made-up schedule and looks at it.
Principal Bump: *laughs* Studying multiple tracks at once? No one does that.
Pause between them.
Luz: Then I'll be the first.
Principal Bump: *very serious* No, you won't.
Principal Bump holds up the rule book with Emperor's Coven logo on it.
Principal Bump: According to the rules, a good witch needs to hocus-focus. You can only pick one of the nine tracks.
He points to the track banners above him.
Principal Bump: *pointing at Luz* And you do not want to embarrass me in front of the inspector.
Luz: But all the tracks are so cool! Is there some sort of enchanted article of clothing that could sort this out for me?
Principal Bump: Well, there used to be, but...
[Flashback to Principal Bump holding a hat, a brown classic witch's hat, over a young student's head]
Young Student: Oh, I'm so excited!
The hat is placed on their head. It turns around, revealing a scarecrow-like face on the pointed part.
Hat: And now... I feed!
It brims fangs and closes around the student's head.
Young Student: Aaa!
[Cut back to the present]
Principal Bump shudders.
Luz: I don't know if I can choose just one.
Principal Bump: Then I'll choose one for you. *points to each of the track banners* Eeny, meeny, miny, moe! Ah, yes! The Potions track. You, humans, are filled with liquids, right?
Principal Bump casts a spell that changes the sleeves and leggings of Luz's uniform yellow.
Luz: Oh, I guess I have always liked pouring things into other things.
Principal Bump: And you, Sora?
Sora: Potions Track.
Luz and Principal Bump look at Sora with surprise.
Luz: Really?
Sora: Yeah. I learned the basics of the nine tracks earlier and already decided on Potions beforehand.
Principal Bump: Ah, excellent.
Principal Bump casts a spell that changes the sleeves and leggings of Sora's uniform yellow.
Principal Bump: You're set. Now, I expect you both to be on your best behavior.
He looks at a corkboard with pictures of the results of Luz and Sora's previous visits to Hexside on it.
Principal Bump: Based on the costly repairs from recent incidents, we could really use a donation from the Emperor's Coven. Now, off to class.
Principal Bump floats Luz and Sora through the door. He then hears a random student scream and looks through the window.
Principal Bump: The Choosy Hat! It broke free.
[Cut to Luz and Sora entering the classroom labeled Potions 101]
The classroom is rather significant in room size, filled with desks big enough to seat two students with large windows to the right and potion track banners hung from the back. Luz and Sora sit next to each other.
Potions Teacher: Welcome to a new semester! Let's get stirring! Today we'll make... *grabs potion* fog brews.
The potions teacher smashes the bottle on the floor and suddenly pops up in front of her desk.
Potions Teacher: Begin!
Sora: Coool.
Luz and Sora began to brew while looking at their books.
Sora: See, potions are fun!
They pour their test tubes into their cauldrons.
Luz: Yeah. We could spend the rest of our lives studying this, right?
Something explodes outside. Luz and Sora look out the window. The humans see Willow and a girl from the Oracle Track facing off as the wind blows. The oracle student grabs a crystal ball, out of which pops a mummy-like ghost.
Luz: The Oracle Track!
Willow traces a spell circle that she slams on the ground. A giant carnivorous flower grows out of the ground and hisses.
Sora: The Plant Track!
The ghost and the plant rush at each other for battle. The humans paw at the window.
Luz: Wow!
Sora: Go, Willow!
Yellow smoke from Luz and Sora's cauldrons has taken over most of the room. Then, finally, the potions teacher walked up and spoke up to grab their attention.
Potions Teacher: Ahem!
The humans were startled and noticed the smoke and went back to stirring their cauldrons.
Luz: Sorry! Sorry.
The Potions Teacher walks away, and Luz shudders.
Sora: Phew.
The bell demon inhales then rings a smaller dinner bell, signaling everyone to leave class. Luz and Sora stop in the middle of the hallway.
Luz: Ooh boy! Stirring is the pits. What else is on the schedule for today?
She pulls out a list reading: "Potions for Beginners, Potions in Motion, Potions (Again), Still Potions, Potions 'Till You Die, Potions After Death."
Luz: Oh, man! I'm sorry, elbow!
Luz looks up. From earlier, the oracle track student placed the crystal ball she had used in the battle in a closet and walked away.
Luz: A crystal ball. Maybe it can show me if I'm on the right track.
Sora: No, Luz. Don't be tempted. It's our first day. Remember, we have to make a good impression.
Luz: Yeah. You're right.
Sora: Come on, on to the next class.
The two walk away. But Luz suddenly pops up at the closet and grabs the ball with a grin.
Luz: Whoa!
A spirit comes out of the ball to inform Luz of her future.
Oracle Spirit: You will be in trouble very soon.
Luz: Wow! Wait, what'd you say?
Principal Bump: Ahem!
Principal Bump walks up to Luz with a glare.
[Cut to Principal Bump dragging Luz through the halls]
Luz: But I wasn't studying other subjects! I uh... *throws potion on the ground* fog brew!
Nothing happened.
Luz: Yeah. I figured that wouldn't work.
Luz felt disappointed in herself as Principal Bump continued to drag her away.
[Cut to a classroom with bars on the door, which Principal Bump shoves Luz into]
A Teacher looks up from his scroll, and three other students look over at the door.
Luz: What is this place?
Principal Bump: This is the place where all troublemakers go.
He turns Luz's sleeves and leggings dark gray.
Principal Bump: The Detention Track.
Luz: *gasp*
[Cut to the outside front view of Hexside]
Luz: Nooooo!
[Cut to Sora enter entering the classroom labeled Potions for Beginners]
This classroom looks exactly like the previous one that the humans were in. As Sora enters the classroom, he turns around and notices that Luz isn't with her.
Sora: Luz?
Sora was about to walk out of class to look for her, but the teacher told him class was about to start. Sora hesitates a bit but then, albeit reluctantly, sits down at a desk to begin class.
Sora: *thinking* Luz... *sigh* where'd you go?
[Cut back to Luz and Principal Bump in the detention room]
Luz: Detention track? But this can't be possible! I-I thought Sora and me-
Principal Bump: Yes. Actual detention still needs... repairs. In the meantime, I am keeping all troublemakers far away from the eyes of the inspector. You may try for a new track next year.
Principal Bump begins to leave.
Luz: But, I'll be back in the human world by then.
Principal Bump: Maybe you'll do better in human school.
The door closes as Principal Bump leaves. Luz smiles awkwardly at everyone in the room, then sits at the desk.
Luz: Hello, fellow detentioners. Room for one more?
Luz looks around.
Luz: I like the little spikeys in your hair.
Detention Teacher: Hey! You all better be quiet unless you want to scrub the classroom again.
Luz stands up.
Luz: Hey, don't blame any of them. I'm the one that started talking.
Detention Teacher: *sarcastic* Oh, hurray. A hero.
He draws a spell circle, and a mop and bucket appear in Luz's hands.
Luz: *walks off* Aw, farts.
The female detention student watches Luz walk off and smiles.
[Cut to Sora walking out of class with a couple of bottles in his satchel]
Sora: *thinking* I know a lot of spells already. But Boiling Isles magic is incredible. I've learned to make fog brew, explosive brew, and elixirs that work similar to panacea, like the one Moogle makes. These will come in handy sometime. Now, where is-
Sora suddenly sees Willow and Gus walking around and runs towards them.
Sora: Willow! Gus!
Willow: Sora!
Gus: Hi!
Sora: Hiya.
Willow: Sooo, how do you like the potions track so far?
Sora: It's cool. Oh! Before I forget, hey. Have you two seen Luz anywhere?
Willow: Luz. We haven't seen her around either. We figured she was with you.
Sora: *shakes head* No. Last I saw her, we were heading to our next class, but she suddenly disappeared. I'm a bit worried.
Gus: Knowing her, she probably got lost in awe of what the other tracks are like.
Willow: Hmm. Probably. Ok. We have a free period right now. So, let's find her quick.
Sora/Gus: Right!
The three head out, hoping to find Luz as quickly as possible.
[Cut to the detention room, where the Detention Teacher is asleep and Luz is polishing the bars on the windows]
A teacher walks past the window outside with younger kids following her.
Spider Teacher: Alright, kids. Who wants to go on a field trip to the astral planes?
Braxas: Yay!
Student #3: I do!
The baby class leaves for the astral plains as Luz watches with envy.
Luz: I do.
Sora: Luz!
Luz turns her head to Sora's voice.
Luz: Oh, my gosh! I missed you so much. Let me squeeze your faces.
She squeezes Willow's face, much to Willow's annoyance.
Sora: What happened? We didn't see you in any classes.
Luz: Principal Bump put me in the detention track for mixing magic.
Sora: *disappointed* Seriously?
Willow: The detention track? You can't do anything in there.
Gus: You'll learn less than you did before.
Luz: Nooo, I'm better than this. Please, you gotta help me break out.
Gus: Don't worry. We'll get you out, dead or alive!
Willow and Sora glance at Gus, shaking their heads, frowning.
Gus: Ok. Alive.
Luz: Aw, you guys.
Luz hears a chair squeak.
Luz: It's the teacher. Gotta go!
She turns around and sees the female detention student very close to her face.
Luz: *gasps* It's you!
Female Detention Student: Shh.
She points to the snoring Detention Teacher, then gestures for Luz to follow her. The detention student draws a square on the chalkboard with a keyhole in the center, then turns the chalk in the hole like a key. The square glows and swings open, revealing a passageway.
Luz: Whoa.
The female detention student climbs through the hole, then helps Luz through. The square closes behind her.
Luz: What is this place?
The female detention student approaches Luz and pokes her chest.
Female Detention Student: This is the last room you'll ever see alive. *pauses* Nah, just messing with ya. I'm Viney.
Luz: I'm terrified! Um, I mean... I'm Luz.
Viney: Thanks for standing up for us back there. Not many people would do that. Follow me! I wanna show you something. You're one of us troublemakers now, so you'll get special access to the Secret Room of Shortcuts!
Viney opens a door, revealing a tower-like room with a spiraling ramp. The walls, floor, and ceiling are covered in doors and windows.
Luz: Whoa.
Viney: Hey Jerbo! Barcus! You can stop hiding now!
Jerbo: *opens a door* How do we know she's cool, man?! How do we know she won't turn us in?! *to the dog* What do you think?
The dog barks.
Jerbo: *to Luz* Barcus says your aura is strong and silly, like a baby's laughter. Welcome!
Luz: Aah! I love secret rooms! Where do the doors go?
Luz opens one into a hallway where Amity is pacing.
Amity: *to herself* So, you two go to the same school now, that doesn't change anything. *sighs*
Luz shuts door
Amity: Huh?
[Cut to Luz and Viney]
Viney: This place connects the different parts of the school. We found it after being thrown in the detention track. The witch who made it is known as...
Viney gestures to a defaced portrait and wall of signatures.
Viney: Lord Calamity.
Jerbo: They started this trouble maker wall, and we added our names in their honor.
Luz: This place is amazing. I bet you guys can get into so much trouble in here.
Viney: *chuckles* Sure, we can, but we can also do so much more.
She points to where Barcus is listening in on an Oracle class. Luz walks up and watches with him.
Oracle Teacher: Remember, seeing the end of a life is the beginning of reading a fortune. We have to work backwards from it to see the truth.
The teacher folds a fortune teller. Barcus also folds one.
Viney: We're not allowed to study any kind of magic, so we study every kind of magic... in secret.
Luz: You actually like school?
Viney: Yeah, we might have liked it too much.
[Flashback to Jerbo wearing a Plant track uniform in a classroom with Principal Bump]
Jerbo: *voiceover* I tried mixing plant magic with abominations.
An earthy abomination grows out from under the flower Jerbo grew. The abomination throws a flower pot.
Jerbo: *voiceover* Bump was not thrilled.
Principal Bump gets hit in the face with a wad of dirt.
[Flashback to Barcus, wearing Potions track uniform, the Potions teacher, and Principal Bump in a Potions classroom]
Jerbo: *voiceover* Barcus makes potions with oracle magic.
Barcus mixes a potion, then dumps a crystal ball into it. The Potions Teacher looks into the cauldron and sees themself rapidly age. They scream and fall backward, flipping a large cauldron over themselves. Principal Bump shakes his head at Barcus.
[Flashback to a Healing classroom, where Viney, wearing a Healing track uniform, is looking at a scratch on a Bard student's arm as Principal Bump enters the room]
Viney: *voiceover* Mixing healing and beast keeping was slightly unconventional.
Viney heals the Bard student's arm, then draws another spell circle. A young griffin bursts through the chalkboard.
Viney: *voiceover* But Puddles was a great assistant, dang it!
The griffon named Puddles coughs up lollipops.
[Cut back to the Secret Room of Shortcuts]
Viney: We all want to be in more than one coven track! But, Bump just says we need to focus.
Luz: Sounds like Bump's priorities are out of whack.
Viney: I'm glad you're one of us. You've made a great first impression. *pulls out a marker* Would you like to add your name to the troublemaker wall?
Luz: Aw!
Luz reaches for the marker but is interrupted by her friends calling for her.
Willow: *through the wall* Luz? We're here to get you out of that horrible class.
Everyone looks at Luz.
Luz: Eh, they're probably looking for some other Luz.
Viney stands and peeks through the main entrance as she sees Sora, Willow, and Gus are looking around the detention classroom.
Gus: Maybe she already booked it.
Willow whistles like she's calling a dog. Sora seemed a bit irritated by that.
Sora: She's not a dog, Willow.
Gus: She did say she was better than this place.
Viney: *closes door* Oh. You think you're better than us?
Luz: No, no, it's not like that. I just didn't think I deserved- I mean, none of us deserve-
Jerbo: Jacques! I should've known you'd look down on us. Everyone else does.
Barcus sneezes.
(Translation: You have an aura of lies.)
Viney: It's fine, I just... I thought someone finally understood us. But maybe you should just leave. *points to the door*
Jerbo covered his mouth in shock, and Barcus gasped as Luz looked down in sadness.
Luz: I understand.
[Cut back to the classroom, where Gus plays with the Detention Teacher's mustache]
Gus: Man, this guy can sleep through anything. *grabs a mop* I'm gonna test that theory.
Sora: Don't... what's with you today?
Willow: We have to find Luz. If only these walls could talk.
Luz pushes the wall door open.
Luz: Hey guys.
Luz slumps onto the floor face first.
Willow: Thank you, walls!
Sora and Willow help Luz stand up.
Willow: We found a way to get you out to talk to Principal Bump.
Gus: We have an expert disguise! *grabs a trashcan* Hop in! It's got holes for your gangly teenage legs.
Luz looks at the wall as Viney closes the door.
Luz: Yeah. That's right where I belong.
Sora took notice of what she said.
Gus: And this way, the inspector won't see you either.
Luz climbs into the trashcan. Gus puts the lid on Luz's head. She stands and walks off. Sora, Willow, and Gus follow her. Before they leave, Gus pops up next to him and puts the mop on his face. He continues snoring.
Gus: Incredible.
[Cut to outside, where a swirl of blue energy appears]
It dissipates, revealing a middle-aged woman with glasses. She walks up the front steps.
Principal Bump: Welcome to Hexside, Inspector.
Inspector: Greetings, Principal Bump. *bows* If everything's in order, the Emperor's Coven will be happy to cover your repairs.
Principal Bump: Excellent. Please come this way. We've prepared a show with some of our finest students.
[Cut to an abomination stomping on stage]
It growls and holds Amity up like a figure skater. They pose. The abomination puts Amity down.
Amity: And that concludes the presentation from the Abomination track.
Amity and her abomination bow.
Principal Bump: *politely applauding* That was some real Hexside magic, huh?
Inspector: Yes, this is... good! But let's see if your student can put up more of a fight!
The inspector stands and walks to the stage.
Principal Bump: Yes, yes- wait, what?
The inspector slams her hands down on the stage. Her face deforms, revealing her true form to be a giant legless reptilian creature.
Principal Bump: Is, uh... this part of the inspection?
Amity: Abomination, fight!
Amity's abomination runs forward and grabs the inspector. The inspector fully transforms into a basilisk and flings the abomination into the air. It growls and swallows the abomination. Then, it slithers toward Amity, who backs away.
Basilisk: The magic at Glandus High was tasty. But I hope yours will be more filling.
Principal Bump runs between Amity and the basilisk.
Principal Bump: Amity, stay back! She's an impostor!
Principal Bump draws out a spell circle. The basilisk inhales, swallowing the spell circle and draining his magic. His skin turns gray, and he collapses. Amity tries to cast a spell, but her magic is also exhausted, and she falls unconscious next to Principal Bump. The basilisk grabs Principal Bump again and continues sucking more life out of him.
Principal Bump: Ugh. Only 300 years until retirement.
[Cut to a hallway, where Luz is no longer in a trashcan]
Luz sighs.
Willow: Don't worry, Luz! Once we talk to Bump, we'll get everything sorted out.
Luz: I know, but what's the point if people get hurt on the way?
Gus: That is a fair question. Here's another question. What the heck is that?! *points*
[Play Kingdom Hearts II - Sinister Shadows]
The Oracle Teacher is running away from the basilisk, which is taking over most of the hallway. The teacher stops and casts a beam of light. The basilisk slurps the beam of light up like spaghetti. The teacher falls, drained of magic.
Willow, Luz, and Gus scream while Sora enters his stance.
Basilisk: *laughs* More cute morsels!
Willow: We may be cute, but we're nobody's morsels! *summons carnivorous plant*
Gus: Time for a power-up!
Gus gives the plant buff arms. The plant launches itself at the basilisk. It catches the plant with its tail and eats it. Willow and Gus, both fall, drained of magic. Sora runs to them and kneels.
Sora: *gasp* That thing drains magic! *to himself* Meaning I can't use mine!
Willow tries to draw another spell circle but fails.
Willow: I feel... so weak...
Sora: No. Save your strength.
Luz runs in front of her friends.
Luz: Eat this!
She draws out a card and activates a light glyph on it, then throws it in the basilisk's mouth. The spell activates, and the basilisk screams, spewing out the shredded pieces. Sora notices and thought of his potion bottles.
Sora: *thinking* My fog brew and explosive brews. If Luz can use her card glyphs to attack it, I can also use my potions.
Sora picks up Willow, and Luz picks up Gus.
Sora: Luz! Get Willow and Gus somewhere safe! I'll do my best to hold that thing off!
Luz: Right!
Basilisk: It burns! It burns!
[End Kingdom Hearts II - Sinister Shadows]
Luz runs and bursts into the Secret Room of Shortcuts while carrying Willow and Gus.
Luz: Guys! I need your help!
The detention track students look up to see Luz, much their annoyance.
Viney: Oh. You're back.
Luz: I'm sorry for hurting your feelings, but please listen! *falls, drops Willow* Argh! Willow...
Viney, Jerbo, and Barcus gasp.
Viney: What happened to them?
Luz: Something horrible is loose in the school.
Luz opens the door to show Sora fighting off the basilisk with his fog brew.
Viney: Don't let it see us! *closes the door* I think that's a greater basilisk. I heard about them in a class. My cousin at St. Epiderm said she saw one, but those things should be extinct.
Luz: It must've attacked the other schools, and now it's come for us. We have to do something.
Jerbo: But if Bump catches us mixing magic again-
Viney: *looks down* He'd kick us outta school.
Luz looks down sternly and hops down to Willow and Gus.
Luz: Hexoleos are out there gettin' hurt, and we're the only ones who can save them. We're troublemakers, right? So let's go out there and make some trouble!
Viney, Jerbo, and Barcus share a look.
[Play Kingdom Hearts II - Sinister Shadows]
[Cut to a hallway, where the basilisk, still determined to drain magic, and Sora are still fighting]
Basilisk: Hungry! Still hungry!
Sora: Try eating this!
Sora throws an explosive brew directing at the basilisk's stomach, and it explodes, dealing quite a bit of damage to her. She groans in pain.
Basilisk: That's it! I'm ending you right now!
Sora grabs another explosive brew, prepared for her attack. Suddenly, an ice glyph is thrown in front of the basilisk. It activates, summoning a pillar of ice that throws her back. Luz hops in front of it, wearing a cloak.
Luz: From humblest of beginnings, a hero will rise. I've trained with a secret society to discover the power of mixing magic! I am-
Sora: Luz! We don't have time for drama!
Basilisk: Dinner!
Luz: Wah!
Luz ditches the cloak and runs, with Sora following in suit. The Basilisk slams into the pillar of ice. It rights itself and chases after the humans.
Sora: I assume you have a plan?!
Luz: Oh yeah!
Luz calls out for Viney.
Luz: Viney! Do the thing, do the thing!
Puddles flies through the halls and attacks the basilisk.
Viney: Attagirl, Puddles! Jerbo, now!
Jerbo: On it!
An abomination opens a door in the floor as Jerbo summons several thorny vines. The vines latch onto a door handle in the ceiling. The basilisk claws at Puddles and throws it then falls through the opened door. Luz and Sora hop in after her, sending her through the door in the Secret Room of Shortcuts floor.
[Cut to the auditorium, where Principal Bump tries to get up on his hands and knees]
Principal Bump: *weakly* Must find help.
The basilisk falls onto the stage.
Luz: Wooh!
Luz and Sora fall through the ceiling after the basilisk, landing on her stomach and flipping off it to land on the stage.
Luz: It's all you, Barcus!
Barcus barks and grabs the basilisk's palm.
Basilisk: Where am I?
Barcus dumps a potion onto the basilisk's hand. First, he squints at it, and then his eyes glow purple as Barcus yips.
Basilisk: What's he doing?! What'd he say?!
Luz, the detention students, and Sora watch with smirks.
Luz: He's reading your palm, and your future looks bleak.
Jerbo's abomination pulls at a rope that Puddles cuts with her beak. The rope drops sandbags onto the basilisk's stomach.
[End Kingdom Hearts II - Sinister Shadows]
All of the magic she ate is released and returned to each of the proper witches. Everyone gasps as they get their magic back and wake up. Magic flies through the air as it returns to other schools. Back in the auditorium, Viney heals Puddles's scratched claw. Puddles warbles, and flies off.
Sora: Great work, all of you!
Luz: AH! *runs and hugs Viney* You did it! You were amazing! You guys-
Principal Bump: Are in so much trouble!
The students turn to Principal Bump.
Principal Bump: Leaving your homeroom, mixing magic, and- is that a secret hideout?!
Willow and Gus duck away from the open trap door.
Luz steps in front of the other detention students, who look ready to accept Principal Bump's scolding.
Luz: Yeah, it is. But let's think about this, Principal Bump. Why would kids in the detention track need a secret hideout?
Principal Bump: I don't care to know the ins and outs of rascality. *pulls out the rule book* But if the Emperor's Coven can send an actual inspector this time-
Luz: Ok, you need coven money. But if you have to hurt your students to get it, what's the point? They saved Hexside. They should be allowed to study what they wish.
Principal Bump: B-but- *hugs rule book*
Gus: Do the right thing, ya dingus.
Principal Bump gives in.
Principal Bump: Alright, I'm smart enough to know when I've made a mistake. Which tracks would you like to be in?
Viney gasps.
Viney: Healing and Beast Keeping!
Jerbo: Plants and Abomination!
Barcus barks.
Principal Bump: Then so be it.
Principal Bump changes their uniforms to reflect their new tracks.
Principal Bump: But if any of you cause more property damage, I'm feeding you to the choosy hat. *to Luz* And you?
Luz: Oh, I still can't choose. Maybe it's crazy, but I wish I could study a little bit of everything. Whoa.
Luz gets a full magical-girl transformation sequence as her uniform takes several colors to reflect the different tracks. Her right sleeve is green, her left sleeve is orchid, her right leg is red, and her left leg is blue.
Luz: What's going on? What is this? Whoa-ho! This is so cool. Yeah, yeah, I'm gonna study everything!
Sora: Oh, oh! Principal Bump, may I also-
Principal Bump: Study all tracks as well? Absolutely!
Sora gets a full shonen-anime transformation sequence as his uniform takes several colors to reflect the different tracks. His right sleeve is red, his left sleeve is blue, his right leg is yellow, and his left leg is green.
Sora: Alright!
Principal Bump: You know, only one other student wanted to study every track. *summons Lord Calamity's picture* Unfortunately, she was never given the opportunity.
With a wipe of his hand, the graffiti on the picture disappears, revealing a young Eda. Luz and Sora gasp then chuckle with small smiles.
Luz: I shoulda guessed.
Sora: Yeah.
The two lookup.
[Cut to Eda arriving at Hexside on her staff]
[Cut to Principal Bump walking through the halls, writing in the rule book]
Principal Bump: The coven denies knowing about the basilisk, but that won't stop me from writing a very stern letter.
Principal Bumps stops and hears King in the classroom next to him.
[Cut to inside the classroom, where King is dismissing the students while holding a mug that says "world's best me"]
King: Alright. Read chapters three to five on the right way to scratch yourself in public. Spoiler alert: There's no wrong way! *sighs* Days like these make being a teacher all worth it.
Principal Bump: You're not a teacher.
King: Weh?
[Principal Bump is staring at King disapprovingly]
King: Maybe not, but I care about these kids, *accidentally tosses coffee in Principal Bump's face* and nothing can change that!
[Cut to the front entrance, which bursts open]
Principal Bump waves a broom at King as the demon flees, squealing.
