The Emperor Strikes Back

Note: This chapter will focus more on Vee as she tries to assimilate into society in the demon realm.

Hiding Secrets

Luz woke up in her bed in the Owl House with a smile as she looked around and saw that she was the first in her room to wake up. King was still curled up next to her, Vee was asleep in her sleeping bag, and Hunter was snoring in his bed on the other side of the room.

Luz smiled as she shut her eyes and said, "It's good to be back."

She gently nudged King, then Vee, and finally Hunter while she said, "Wake up guys. The sun's up. It's a beautiful morning on the Boiling Isles."

Hunter groaned in a tired manner as he whined, "Okay Luz. We're up."

Vee sat up and glanced around as she said, "So it wasn't a dream. I am back in the demon realm."

Luz smiled down at Vee before sticking her head out the window while she happily said, "Yep Vee. It's all real. Good morning demon realm!"

She saw a giant hideous green creature in the boiling sea waving his tentacle back at her as he said, "Good morning."

He sunk back into the sea and Luz smiled as she happily said, "Bye Vick."

Hunter was a bit surprised as he commented, "You're in a good mood today Luz."

Luz smiled optimistically as she stood in front of the others and happily said, "I'm just really glad to be back in the demon realm and to have returned to a bit of normalcy."

Hooty entered the room through the window and moved his face closer to Vee as he happily said, "Hi Vee."

Vee looked and screamed in fear as she backed away, then she calmed down and smiled as she said, "Oh hi. Sorry Hooty. You scared me."

Hooty smiled happily as he said, "It's okay. I get that a lot."

He then pulled himself back through the window and back into the front door while Luz closed the bedroom window.

Luz smiled back at the others as she happily said, "Okay, time for breakfast!"

They all went downstairs to the kitchen where they started eating breakfast and soon they were joined by Eda, Raine, and Lilith. Raine grabbed a quick bite to eat before they headed out and said goodbye to the others while they raised their hand. Raine left to go meet with Darius, Eberwolf, and some of the other Coven Heads while everyone else stayed behind to finish their breakfast. Luz enjoyed a griffin egg while the others ate other gross looking foods and Eda enjoyed some apple blood.

Vee finished her throat-meal when she happily said, "Wow! I didn't realize how much I missed demon realm food. That throat-meal was great."

Lilith showed a flattered smile as she said, "Thank you. I made it with my own two hands."

Vee looked at Lilith as she awkwardly said, "It's much better than the food I ate at the Conformatorium."

Lilith then eyed Vee as she curiously said, "Speaking of which Vee, I've been meaning to ask you. Do you know what happened to the other basilisks who escaped?"

Vee showed a bit of concern as she honestly said, "I wish. I hadn't seen any of the others since we escaped. I hope they're okay."

Luz then curiously asked, "How many of basilisks did Belos create?"

Hunter spoke up as he raised his finger then held his hand out toward Vee as he answered, "There were twenty-five of them. Vee was one of the first ten who managed to escape."

Lilith turned from Hunter to the others as she explained, "The rest of them escaped from the Conformatorium after the Day of Unity. I told Raine and the others to keep a watch for them, but their shapeshifting abilities make them hard to find."

Vee looked extremely nervous as she gulped, Eda noticed this and then smiled as she said, "So, you kids got any plans for today?"

Luz smiled as she put her arm around Vee as she happily said, "Well, since it is Vee's first day back in the demon realm I'm going to help Vee resettle back into the demon realm."

Vee smiled nervously as she said, "Thanks Luz but I think I'll just hang out at the Owl House today."

Luz had a supportive smile as she said, "Vee, I know you're nervous but you have to start somewhere."

Vee looked down with doubt as she said, "I don't know."

Eda came and put her hand on Vee's shoulder as she wisely said, "Vee, trust me, you can't run from your fears forever, and that's why you've gotta get the jump on them. Give them a whack right in the face."

Luz smiled happily at Vee as she said, "Raine told me she told them that same thing to help them cope with their stage fright!"

She smiled up at the ceiling as she swooned at the thought of the romance, Vee thought about what Eda said and found the courage within her.

She smiled as she looked at the others and said, "I'll give it a try."

Luz smiled happily as she stood up and said, "Yes! I have just the plan to get people to like you! We'll help rebuild the Isles. When people see a basilisk generously helping them rebuild their homes and businesses they'll see how good and friendly you are."

Vee smiled with hope in her heart as she said, "Sounds good."

They all changed clothes as they got dressed and then Luz went out with Vee, King, and Hunter as they stood outside the front door.

Eda leaned out through the doorway as she jokingly said, "Be back by nightfall or risk an untimely demise."

She shut the door and Hooty pleasantly said, "Have fun."

Luz held Stringbean in her staff form as she happily said, "Okay, who's ready to help rebuild the Boiling Isles?"

Vee smiled as she changed into her human disguise and said, "Ready!"

Luz, Hunter, and King looked at Vee as Luz said, "Vee…"

Vee smiled sheepishly as she said, "Sorry, I'm not sure I'm ready for people to know the real me yet."

King held his hands out as he said, "But your natural form is cooler."

Vee smiled lovingly at him as she said, "Thanks King, but I'd rather wait and see before I'm ready to show my true self."

Luz smiled as she put her hand on Vee's shoulder and said, "One step at a time."

Vee nodded and they all walked into Bonesborough and looked around at the witches and demons around them.

Vee looked around in wonder before pointing her finger while she said, "Wow, a lot really has changed since the last time I've been here. What's that?!"

They all looked to see that she was pointing in the direction of the Titan's skull and the Archives and they realized she didn't know.

King stared at it as he explained, "Oh, that's the Archives. That's where I lived with the Collector after he came to the Boiling Isles."

Vee glanced at King before looking back at the Archives as she said, "Wow."

Luz smiled fondly as she said, "Yeah, we thought the Collector was some kind of evil god or something but he was just a confused little kid who needed some help. Now come on, let's help some of these guys clean up."

They started walking while King climbed on Luz's shoulders and then they noticed Hunter was not coming with them.

They stopped and Luz turned to Hunter and said, "You coming Hunter?"

Hunter pointed his thumb to the side as he replied, "Actually I was gonna go see Willow."

Luz immediately got interested as she said, "Ooh."

Vee smiled with interest as she pointed at Hunter and said, "Willow? (gasp) Are you two dating?"

Hunter immediately blushed and looked away while sheepishly scratching the back of his head as he said, "Uh… No! Of course not! We're just friends!"

Luz smiled slyly as she pointed at Hunter and said, "For now."

Hunter quickly turned around and started walking as he said, "Okay, I'll see you back at the Owl House."

Luz smiled as she swooned and said, "They're so great together."

King showed a mildly annoyed expression as he said, "She gets like this every time someone is in a relationship."

Luz then snapped out of it and turned to Vee as she happily said, "Anyway, let's get to work."

They turned and started walking as they searched for people to help and came to a few buildings that were still damaged. Vee remained in her human form but she would help move some heavy items and would clean up messes. Luz used Stringbean to help clean up some trash, then she used her to fly outside the building and clean up some stuff on the outside. King used his sonic shout to break a few small chunks of debris that made it easier for the others to clean up. After a while they did all they could and the owner of the building thanked them before they left to help others. They spent the next few hours helping others in Bonesborough; Vee was starting to feel good about herself but she was still afraid to reveal her true form.

After a while they stopped and had lunch when Vee happily said, "Thanks for taking me out to do this, Luz. It does feel good to be appreciated."

Luz smiled optimistically as she said, "I told you. The Boiling Isles is better now that Belos is gone. You've got nothing to worry about Vee."

Suddenly they all heard a familiar voice rudely say, "Hello human."

The three of them turned to see Kikimora standing in front of them as she stared at Luz with an unfriendly expression.

Luz was surprised as she said, "Kikimora!"

Vee yelped in fear and then hid behind Luz while King stood up and stared at Kikimora with curiosity before turning to Vee with concern.

Kikimora looked at Vee and rudely said, "I see you brought another of your kind here."

Luz glanced at Vee behind her and quickly thought of an explanation as she calmly said, "Uh… Yes. This is my cousin Vee. I brought her back with me to show her around the demon realm."

Kikimora glared at Luz as she coldly said, "You should've just stayed in your realm with the rest of your kind."

King angrily pointed at Kikimora as he defensively said, "Hey, Luz saved everyone on the Boiling Isles, including you!"

Kikimora scowled at them as she sarcastically said, "Yes, the big hero who saved us all and ruined our lives with her meddling."

Luz looked somewhat hurt as she said, "I just want to help."

Kikimora continued to scowl her as she coldly said, "You want to help, go back to your world."

She then marched away in a huff while they watched her, and when she was gone Vee said, "Wow! That was intense. Kikimora is different than I remember."

Luz showed a bit of sympathy as she said, "Yeah, after the fall of the Emperor's Coven and we ended her plot to takeover when the Collector was around she lost everything. She doesn't really have a home to go to, so she's kind of hit rock bottom. She blames me for all of that, but doesn't seem to want revenge. She mostly just insults me and stuff."

King showed dislike as he said, "Yeah but I still don't trust her."

Vee shook her head as she cautiously said, "Me neither."

Luz smiled at them as she said, "Don't worry. She's nothing to worry about. Let's just go. I promised Amity I'd visit her at the library."

They cleaned up their lunch and then went to the Bonesborough library, which looked great compared to some other places. The library was one of the least damaged buildings on the Boiling Isles and it was already open for business.

Luz happily stared at the library for a moment as she happily said, "Glad to see some things haven't been ruined."

Luz, Vee, and King entered the library and looked around in both wonder and curiosity as they saw librarians working as they sorted books. Some people of different ages were reading books while some books magically flew to and from shelves. Luz, Vee, and King wandered around the library but stopped when they heard Amity's voice and then they spotted her reading to children.

Luz smiled lovingly as she started walking to her and said, "Hey Amity."

Suddenly Edric and Emira popped in front of her and happily said, "Hi Luz!"

They startled her, King, and Vee, but then Luz smiled as she happily said, "Edric! Emira! Good to see you! You're looking good Ed."

Edric smiled proudly as he said, "Feeling good. I've fully healed and feel like I can take on a Slitherbeast."

Emira smiled teasingly as she said, "Yeah, it was a long week for him, especially since he cried everytime they took off a bandage!"

Edric looked at her with an embarrassed expression as he said, "Come on! Not out loud!"

Luz had a friendly smile as she said, "Well it's good to see you both again."

They both smiled at her as Emira noticed Vee while saying, "Good to see you too. Who's this?"

Vee waved at them as she smiled and said, "Hi. I'm Vee."

Edric immediately smiled with interest as he said, "Oh, so you're the basilisk."

Vee immediately became nervous as she gasped and glanced around to make sure no one was around to hear him.

Vee looked back at the twins as she said, "You know?"

Emira smiled with a relaxed expression as she calmly said, "Relax, Mittens told as all about her time in the human realm. We know you're good."

Vee calmed down a bit when Edric smiled mischievously and said, "I'm curious to see what else you can change into."

Amity then came and stood in front of her siblings as she said, "Ed, Em, leave her alone. Don't worry Vee, my older siblings are annoying but harmless."

Emira smiled teasingly as she rubbed Amity's head and said, "That's because we know how to live Mittens."

Amity shoved her away with an annoyed expression and then she and Edric ran off while snickering in amused manners.

They watched the twins leave and Vee honestly said, "They seem… okay."

Amity turned to them with an annoyed expression before smiling fondly as she said, "Yeah, since Ed healed they've been playing more and more pranks and causing all kinds of trouble. I missed that about them."

Luz then happily hugged Amity while she said, "Aww, you love your siblings."

Amity smiled as she pulled away and said, "Yeah. It's good to have them and dad back."

Luz let go of her as she happily said, "No matter how much they drive you crazy you love them no matter what."

King had a happy look in his eyes as he pointed his thumb at himself and Vee while he said, "Like me and Vee."

Luz smiled lovingly as she picked up King and put her arm around Vee as she said, "Yeah! Just like me and you!"

Vee showed a touched smile as she said, "Thanks guys."

Amity started walking and they followed her as they looked around the library while Luz said, "The library looks great hermosa."

Amity smiled as she happily said, "Yeah. It was a real mess at first but the damage wasn't too bad, so we all fixed it up and now it's great."

Some children came and started excitedly asking Amity to read them another story while Amity smiled and tried to calm them down. Luz and the others watched as they smiled when suddenly something magically appeared right in front of Vee. It was a scary beast type demon that roared in her face as Vee screamed in terror, she panicked and then changed to her natural form. She tried to drain the creature's magic but nothing happened as everyone in the library watched in shock. Amity realized what was going on as she turned and glared at her siblings and noticed Emira had a ring of blue light in front of her finger as she was casting an illusion. She then stopped and the illusion vanished and everyone stared at Vee in shock while she looked around with a scared expression.

One girl pointed at Vee and said, "A basilisk!"

Another girl stared in a horrified expression while she glanced around at all the other people in the library.

A man pointed at Vee as he angrily said, "She's come to drain all of our magic! Get her!"

Some of the witches in the library made rings of lights with their fingertips as they prepared to use magic on her.

Amity quickly jumped in front of her with her arms straight out to her sides as she sincerely said, "No stop! Leave her alone! She won't hurt you!"

All the witches were surprised by Amity as they lowered their hands and stared at Vee with curiosity and surprise.

Vee began to panic while Luz tensely held her hands out toward her as she said, "Vee, it's okay. Everything will be alright."

Vee breathed heavily as she started to panic, but King ran to her for comfort and sincerely said, "Everyone, this is Vee! She's our friend! She's not dangerous! She just wants a home where people will accept her for who she is, and we're trying to help her!"

Vee was touched by King's support but still panicked a bit while the horrified girl narrowed her eyes and started walking toward them.

She stopped when suddenly they all heard Lilith shout, "It's true!"

They all turned to see Lilith storm in with books in her arms as Vee said, "Lilith!"

Lilith put her hand on Vee's shoulder as she protectively said, "This basilisk is an innocent victim and she is under the protection of me and my sister. She is only trying to make a new life for herself and if anyone tries to harm with her they'll have to deal with me!"

Luz joined them as she said, "And me!"

King showed a brave expression as he said, "Me too!"

Amity also joined them as she proudly said, "Same here."

Everyone immediately calmed down and went about their business while the girl watched with shock as she hid behind a bookcase.

Vee smiled with relief as she gratefully said, "Wow! That was amazing! Thanks everyone! Especially you Lilith!"

Lilith looked at Vee with a friendly smile before noticing Amity while she said, "I will jump at any chance to fix my past mistakes. Hello Amity. It's good to see you again."

Amity looked at her with a friendly smile before showing curiosity as she said, "It's good to see you too Lilith, but what are you doing here?"

Luz then showed curiosity as she said, "Yeah Lilly, why are you here?"

Lilith showed them the books she was carrying as she explained, "Well I came to drop these off."

King recognized them as he pointed at the books and said, "The books from the Archives?"

Lilith smiled as she nodded and said, "Yes, these are some of the books we took from the Collector's castle. They contain much information and history about the Archivists and the Titans. Raine, Darius, Eberwolf, and I all decided it would be best to share them with the world and donate them to the libraries of the Boiling Isles."

Luz smiled in wonder as she held her cheeks and said, "Whoa!"

Lilith smiled as she looked at Vee and said, "Oh and Vee, you might find this interesting. Some of these books have information on basilisks."

Vee was in awe as she said, "Really?"

Lilith smiled as she nodded and said, "Yes. According to the books, basilisks were one of the first species of demons to evolve. They lived during the age of the Titans."

Vee smiled as she looked down at King as he looked back up at her while she said, "Wow, that's really cool."

Lilith smiled as she walked to the counter and put the books up as the librarian took them and started going through them.

He examined them and then smiled at Lilith as he said, "These will make nice additions. Lilith, would you be interested in a job here? Your historical expertise could benefit here."

Lilith was pleasantly surprised as she said, "Flattering. But I'm not sure."

Luz smiled encouragingly as she said, "No, you should do it Lilly! You'd be great at it! Plus you haven't worked at the Supernatural Museum of History since before the Day of Unity, so you really don't have anything to lose."

Lilith looked up at the ceiling as she placed her finger on her chin and said, "Hmm… I'll think about it."

Lilith smiled in thought as she turned around and left the library, intrigued by the idea of having a job there. The others smiled as they watched her but then the kids Amity read to earlier came up to them and they all stared at Vee.

Vee waved at them with a nervous smile as she said, "Um… Hi."

Braxas went up to her and was amazed as he said, "She's beautiful!"

Vee was shocked the other kids shouted happily and crowed around Vee as they started feeling her while King sat on her "butt".

Luz and Amity both smiled as Luz said, "Looks like you just made some new friends."

Vee was surprised as she began to smile and started rubbing the kids' heads affectionately with her hands.

Amity smiled as she held up another book and said, "Anyone want another story?"

The kids and King all smiled as they happily said, "Yay!"

They all ran over to the area where Amity would read, and Braxas took Vee's hand as he guided her over to join them. Luz and Amity both read a book to the kids while Vee sat in the back and also listened with a happy smile on her face. King sat on her "butt" as he listened to Amity and Luz, and a few of the other kids leaned back against Vee's body like she was a couch. They were comfortable and Vee did enjoy it as she felt better knowing that these children seemed to like her for who she was. Later, after they finished reading, they left the library as Luz carried King in her right arm and held Stringbean in her other one. She kissed Amity on the cheek before saying goodbye to her and Amity smiled as she waved goodbye to her and Vee. Amity hurried over to Edric and Emira, who had already apologized to Vee, and together the three of them left.

Luz and the others watched them leave and smiled when Vee looked at Luz and said, "Luz, thanks for doing this for me."

Luz smiled modestly as she kindly said, "Don't mention it Vee. I have to admit today didn't go the way I planned."

Vee smiled as she nodded and honestly said, "Yeah, today had a lot more excitement that I was hoping for, but I'm glad I did this. There may be a place for me here in the demon realm after all."

King had a happy look in his eyes as he said, "And maybe for other basilisks too."

Vee smiled lovingly as she said, "And it feels good knowing I have friends who will protect me from people who want to hurt me."

Luz smiled proudly as she pointed her finger at Vee before pointing her thumb at herself while she said, "You got that right Vee! They mess with you, they mess with us!"

King agreed as he raised his fists and exclaimed, "Yeah!"

Vee then hugged them both for a brief moment before they pulled away and Luz looked at the sun starting to go down.

Luz smiled as she sat on her staff and said, "The sun's going down. We should get back to the Owl House."

King sat on her staff behind her and they both looked at Vee as Luz asked, "You coming Vee?"

Vee smiled as she respectfully said, "You guys go on, I'll catch up."

They both flew away on Stringbean as Vee watched them leave with a smile on her face as the thought about how much she cared about them.

She turned around when the girl from the library came to her from behind and said, "I thought they'd never leave! I can't believe I've found you Number 5!"

Vee became nervous as she said, "Who are you? What do you want?"

The girl then transformed into a basilisk, she was bigger than Vee and had a pink body with hair on her ears, head, tail, and back that was a darker shade of pink.

The basilisk spoke urgently as she said, "It's me!"

Vee's jaw dropped in shock as she said, "Number 3?! What are you doing here?"

Number 3 looked around as she hastily said, "We can't talk here! It's not safe! Come with me!"

She quickly slithered away and Vee followed her and they went into the woods; Number 3 led Vee to the bottom of a mountain side. She saw a symbol drawn on the wall and touched it, causing it to glow before an entrance to a cave magically opened. The two basilisks entered the cave and came to a large chamber where they found many other basilisks hiding, much to Vee's shock.

Number 3 spoke up as she announced, "Everyone! I've rescued another one!"

All of the basilisks looked at Vee as they exclaimed, "Number 5!"

They all crowded around her and Vee smiled happily as she said, "You're all here?! You're okay!"

A green basilisk spoke and explained, "Since we escaped the Conformatorium we've all been hiding out."

An orange basilisk held up a vole as he said, "We've only been going out to find food and magic to drain."

A bright blue basilisk spoke up as he added, "So much has changed! The Collector overran the Boiling Isles and then Belos almost killed us all!"

Vee understood as she said, "Yeah, I heard about that."

A purple basilisk looked at Vee as she curiously asked, "What about you Number 5? Where have you been all this time?"

Vee smiled at them before raising her finger while she said, "I've been living in the human realm. And from now on my name is Vee."

The other basilisks were shocked as they simultaneously said, "Vee?"

Vee smiled and nodded and then the green basilisk said, "You've been living in the human realm?"

Number 3 understood as she looked at Vee and said, "That explains why you were with that human girl and her dog."

Vee smiled as she explained, "Yeah, I've been living with them in the Owl House. They're really nice."

The purple basilisk was shocked as she said, "You're living with witches?! Are you crazy?!"

Vee calmly glanced around as she said, "No, it's okay. They're my friends. They know who I am and they accept me."

The basilisks could not believe what they were hearing as Number 3 said, "What's gotten into you?! First I saw you hanging out with the Golden Guard, then I saw you with Lilith at the library, now you're telling me you're revealing yourself to witches and demons?!"

Vee looked at all of them as she sincerely said, "Guys, Belos is gone and things are changing. I know you're still scared but you might not need to hide anymore."

The blue basilisk pointed at Vee with a paranoid expression as he said, "She's changed! She's betrayed us! She's trying to lead us all into a trap to save herself!"

Vee defensively raised her hands as she said, "No I'm not! I would never betray any of you!"

Number 3 eyed Vee suspiciously as she said, "I don't know. You have definitely changed since we last saw you."

Vee looked down before smiling at them as she said, "You're right Number 3. I have changed, for the better. I'm still the same basilisk I was when I knew you, but I've grown and learned more since I left. Watch this!"

Her arms then turned into wings and she flew around in the ceiling of the cave as all the others watched her in awe. She flew around for a minute before landing back in front of them as her wings changed back into her arms.

The green one pointed at Vee and asked, "How did you do that?"

Vee smiled as she explained, "A new friend of mine helped show me some of my true potential. If I can do more than so can the rest of you. Imagine what you could learn if you came out of hiding and found new lives of your own."

They all showed uncertainty as the purple one said, "I don't know."

Vee smiled as she politely said, "I'm sure my friends would be willing to help you out if…"

She was cut off as they all simultaneously yelled, "NO!"

Vee was startled when Number 3 pointed at her and said, "We'll never trust any other witches, demons, or even humans! Promise that you will tell no one where we are hiding!"

Vee hesitated before she reluctantly said, "Okay. I promise I won't tell anyone."

She then turned around and sadly slithered out of the cave as they all watched her, she turned her arms into wings again and flew off into the sky. She returned to the Owl House just before the sunset and landed before transforming her wings back into arms.

She slithered to the door when Hooty happily said, "Vee hi. Welcome back."

She showed a small smile as she said, "Hi Hooty."

She entered the living room and saw everyone else doing various activities together when they all looked at her.

Eda had a sassy smile as she said, "Well look who finally decided to join us."

She smiled as she said, "Hi everyone."

Luz smiled at Vee as she curiously said, "Hey Vee, what took you so long?"

Vee smiled nervously as she said, "Oh nothing, I just… had to use the bathroom really badly."

Luz smiled as she kindly said, "Well it's been a big day for all of us but now you see that you don't have to keep anymore secrets."

Vee smiled to hide her guilt as she said, "Right! No more secrets."

Author's note: Vee is in a bit of a pickle right now as she is conflicted. She is making progress as she begins to become more confident and show her true self to witches and demons. She also knows where the other basilisks are but can't tell anyone yet. We will see them again later in the story but that's all we'll see of them for now. Please review.