Here's a new episode for this story. Sorry if I took too long. I was busy with other things and other stories. Not to mention, I am sometimes busy with work as I am in college.
Trials of the Bat Queen
It was yet another day down in the Boiling Isles. Luz, Eda, Max and Shartok were in a place called the Slayground. They were sitting on a bench while watching King play. Luz couldn't help but worry for him
"What if he gets hurt? What if the kids are mean to him?" she wondered before gasping "My parental instincts are freaking out, man."
"Relax, Luz. I'm sure King is doing okay" Max assured
"Yeah, his Highness can take care of himself" Shartok added
"They're right. He's fine. Look at him" Eda added
They look over to see King attempting to climb onto a slide
"It does look like he's having fun." Luz said "Aw. I wonder what cute little game he's playing."
"Should we tell him this is not how we play on the slide?" Max asked
"Nah, let him have his fun" Shartok replied
"Stand back, cretins" King said as he finally made it to the top of the slide "Yes! Yes! This is a throne worthy of a tyrant. Bow to me you snotty underlings. Bow!"
Two kids who are nearby look at each other
"Okay!" they said while doing a handstand and backstand
"That is kinda cute" Max said as he saw this
"Yes, appease your master." King said
But what he didn't know was that another kid with snot coming out of his nose was behind him. He then comes up to him
"This isn't for standing, it's for sliding. You try." he said before shoving King
"Whoa whoa!" yelled King as he fell from the slide and hit the ground
He then ran up to Eda, Luz, Max, and Shartok
"Eda!" King yelled "That monster took my throne!"
"You mean the baby?" Eda asked
"No, the usurper. I want you to go over there and blow him up. Kaboom!" King said
"Kaboom!" the kid repeated as he was on a spring rider
"Yeah, I'm not using Owlbert to blow up a five-year-old." Eda said as she unscrewed her palisman from her staff and pets him "He's got better things to do. Like this..."
Owlbert warbles at being petted
"Aw, what a sweetie. How did you get him?" Luz asked
"Get? I made Owlbert from the branch of an ancient tree. Oh, he's my palisman and we're bonded for life. I'd annihilate anyone who'd hurt him." Eda said as Owlbert climbed on her shoulder
"Max, use your powers to take out the Usurper" King said as he turned to him
"No can do, King" Max replied as he shook his head "I'm not using my powers to hurt a kid."
"Shartok?" King asked while turning to the one eyed bat
"Sorry your highness. I have to agree with him on this one" Shartok said as he flew on Max's shoulder
"Fine. Don't help. Revenge will taste all the sweeter if they fall by my hand alone." King said with a laugh
Just as he was laughing, the Usurper walked up behind him and shoves him forward
"Tag, you're it!" he said with laugh before running off
"Oh, man. Here we go. King's squeak of rage." Eda said
King grunts as he gets back up. He then throws a huge fit while emitting a high-pitched scream. King then gets up and chases after the kid while screaming. Eda and Shartok both laugh at this.
"He is like a little teakettle." Eda said with a snort
"Talk about an explosive temper" Max commented
"I know right" Shartok laughed
Luz then notices something on Owlbert's foot which seems to be a strange hole
"Hey, what's that?" she asked
"That's his interlock. So he only fits on to my staff. Every palisman has one." Eda said until she suddenly passed out
Luz, Max, and Shartok gasped
"Oh no! She's dead!" Shartok yelled
"Hold on a minute" Max said as he got up
He then pressed his fingers against Eda's neck to get a pulse. He feels two beats
"I felt a pulse. She just fainted" he said
"Eda! Eda! Wake up!" Luz yelled
The Owl Lady then regained consciousness
"Are you alright?" Luz asked as she and Max helped her up
"What? Oh, no. The curse. Hey, we have to get home. Now!" Eda said as she picked up her staff and left
The others also prepare to leave
"King we have to go!" Luz called
"Five more minutes please" King said as he was facing the usurper
"Now, King!" Max called
"Ah, man." King sighed before looking at the usurper "This isn't over"
"Okay, let's play again real soon." the usurper said as he walked up to King
"No, no. Keep those sticky hands away!" King yelled as the Usurper hugs him "Oh, no! He's touching me!"
They all returned to the Owl House. Eda dropped her staff and flopped onto the couch
"I'll go get your elixir." Luz said
"Don't worry about it. I'll get it myself in a bit." Eda said
"Yeah. And risk turning into that monster again" Shartok said as he flew on the couch
"I'm afraid he's right" Max added
"Do you need us to stay home and take care of you?" Luz asked before gasping "I could put King in a little doctor's outfit."
"That could be funny" Shartok said as he quietly chuckled
They look to see King who looked up from a staff of paper.
"Meh?" he puzzled
"No one wants to see that." Eda said
"I do" Luz said
"I agree. He might look good" Shartok said as Max nods his head
"Look, I know how to take care of myself. I've had this curse longer than any of you've been alive." Eda said
"So, how'd you get it?" Luz asked
"Yeah Eda. How did you get cursed in the first place" asked Max
"I don't know." Eda answered
"Don't you at least remember?" Shartok asked
"Somebody gave it to me. I don't know who and I don't care because I'm fine, all right?" Eda asked "Anyway, don't you two have plans with Tweedledum and Twerpledee?"
"I think you mean Willow and Gus" Max corrected
"Yeah. We are all going to the grudgby game between Hexside and Glandus High" Luz said
"Since when are you two into sports?" Eda asked as she screwed Owlbert onto her staff
"Since I found a little something called 'Hexside Pride.'" Luz answered " To think that Glandus, whoever they are, would dare face us."
"I did some sports before back home. I'm not that good at some of them. Besides I like to see what this grudgby game is all about" Max said
"But if you need us to stay..." Luz started
"Gross. Sympathy." Eda said in disgust "Go! Go have fun at sport."
"Hooray! Hooray for sport! Hugs and kisses, King" Luz said as she runs over to King and kisses him before running out "Don't spend all night plotting revenge."
"That drooly-faced heathen will know my wrath." King said back
"Wait for me, Luz!" Max called before turning to Shartok "See ya, Shartok"
"Later, buddy. Let me know how it goes" Shartok called as Max runs out also
Max and Luz walks over to Hexside
"Okay Max, how's this? 'Hexside's gonna wreck your side'." Luz said as she tries out a cheer
"I'm gonna say: no" Max replied
"How about this: Hexside is the best side in the west side." Luz said before she became startled at seeing a dragon bus
The dragon bus roared and tries to bite her, but Max pulls her back.
"That is definitely not like those Viking boats I saw in the books" Max said as he and Luz walked around a line of Hexside students until they spot Gus and Willow wearing Hexside hat and shirts.
"Ah! Friends" Luz said
"Hey guys!" Max greeted
"Game day roar!" Gus yelled
Max cheered while Luz and Willow shouts enthusiastically
"Happy game day, fellow, uh... Are we Hexidians? Hexies?" Luz asked before gasping "Hexoleos?"
"Actually, most people call us... winners." Willow replied
"Grudgby games are the best. The players go through these action-packed trials. And the audience gets to wave flags. Look, I practiced." Gus said before taking out two flags and twirls around while humming
"Nice one, Gus" Max said
"Is it weird that I'm not wearing anything Hexside?" Luz asked while looking at her hoodie
"Um, it's weirder that you're wearing Glandus colors." Willow answered as she points at a sign
Max and Luz looks to see pictures of Glandus students having the same colors as Luz's hoodie
"Huh. We see what you mean" Max said
Then a giant student stomped past them
"Get ready to be creamed, Glandus nerds." he mocked as he poked Luz in the head shoved Max forward
"Hey! We're Hexside nerds. I gotta change out of this shirt. Where can I get a Hexside one?" Luz asked
"I know. There's a lost and found box in the cafeteria." Gus replied
"Ah! The lost and found. Where mouthguards go to retire." Luz said "Come on, Max"
"Right behind you, Luz" Max replied
They went inside Hexside and head to the cafeteria. They see a chest with a sign on the wall that says Lost & Found on it. They opened it and see some Hexside clothes
"Yes!" Luz said as she takes out a hat
"Oh yeah. These will do nicely" Max added as he took out a T-shirt and a foam finger
Max came out of the door first wearing a Hexside t-shirt and a foam finger on his right hand. Luz came out wearing a Hexside T-Shirt and a hat while holding some pom poms
"Goooo, Hexside!" she said as she leaps and does a split causing a crack
"That's gotta hurt" Max said
"Well, I never did that before." Luz said before noticing that the bus is gone " Uh, where is everyone?"
They look up to see the bus already flying away
"Hexside rules!" the giant student yelled
"No no no no!" Max yelled as he and Luz ran down the stairs
"Come back!" Luz called as she waved
Max was so frustrated that he took off his foam finger and threw it to the ground. They see that Gus and Willow were also left behind
"Why didn't you guys board the bus?" Luz asked
"We weren't going to leave you guys behind." Willow replied
"I was" Gus spoke up
"Gus" Willow scolded as she elbowed him
"Thanks for that, you guys. Now the only problem is how are we going to get to Glandus High now?" Max wondered
"Can we walk to Glandus?" Luz asked
"We'd never make it in time. Glandus is all the way out in the middle of the island" Gus said as he points with his flag
"That's just great" sighed Max
"Typical Glandus." Luz scoffed
"And my parents are working, otherwise I'd see if they could give us a ride on their staff." Willow said sadly
"A staff" Luz said as she gets an idea "Because staffs fly. Of course. I can get us a staff.
"You can?" Gus asked
"Yes, come on." Luz said as she grabbed Willow and rushes off
Max follows after her with Gus leaping after them
The gang made it back to the Owl House.
"Wait here, guys" Luz said
"This won't take long" Max added
They go inside the house. Shartok was hanging by his feet on a chandelier when he spots them.
"Oh hey guys" he said as he flew down "Back so soon?"
"Well the bus took off without us" Max replied
"So, we're asking Eda if she can borrow her staff" Luz added "Do you know where she is?"
"She's upstairs in her room" Shartok said "King's also there too"
"Thanks, Shartok" Max said as he and Luz went upstairs
Once they were upstairs, they headed towards Eda's room.
"King, are you home?" Luz called
King came out Eda's room and closed the door when Luz and Max came over
"Is Eda up?" Luz asked
"Who? Oh" King said with a chuckle "That Eda. No, no. She is out like a light."
They hear growling
"What was that?" Max asked
"Oh, man. Can she snore." King chuckled
"It sounds a little growly. Don't ya think?" Max asked
"Oh, no. I wanted to ask if I could borrow her staff but I know she needs her rest." Luz said
"Oh, I'm sure it's fine. It's fine. Just take it." King said as he grabs the staff nearby and gives it to her
"I can't. Not without Eda's permission." Luz said
"She's right. We can't just take it without asking her" Max added
Eda's scream was heard from her room
"Well, there's your permission. Off you go." King said
"If you say so" Max said
"I really owe Gus and Willow one. And it's just for the afternoon. I'm sure Eda wouldn't mind." Luz said
"Not our generous, kindhearted Eda. Big heart on her." said King
They stared at each other for a few minutes and then...
"Okay, see ya, King" Max said
"We'll be back soon" Luz said as they begin to leave
"Close call" King said
"What did you say?" Max asked as he and Luz heard this
"Nothing" King replied
"Oh, okay" Luz said as she and Max left
The two humans then made their way downstairs where they see Shartok
"I see you got the staff" the bat said
"Yep. And now we can go to the Grudgby game" Luz said
"Let's go meet with Willow and Gus" Max replied
"Wait. I'm coming too" Shartok said as he flew onto his shoulder
"Really?" Max asked
"Hey it beats being in the Owl House all day. I want to see the game too" the one eyed bat replied
"I suppose we can let you join" Max said
"Yeah. The more the merrier" Luz added
They then opened the door and came outside
"To Glandus High!" Luz said before accidentally hit Owlbert on the house "Oh! Sorry, Owlbert. It's okay. We're just on our way to help some friends."
"Ooh!" Willow and Gus said
"Who's ready to board Air Luz?" Luz asked
They all got onto the staff. Shartok remained on Max's shoulder
"Do you know how to fly this things, Luz?" Max asked
"I've seen Eda fly on this before. It can't be that hard" she said
"Feel that power-to-weight ratio." Willow said
"Boys, prepare to fly." Gus said as he waved some flags
"Next stop, Glandus High. Let's go." Luz said as the staff float up in the air "Step on it, Owlbert"
She slapped the staff causing Owlbert to zoom off making everyone scream in surprise
"I should've brought a barf bag!" Shartok yelled as he held onto Max's shoulder
The staff did a loop in the air and then went through some trees. Just as the staff hit some trees, they crashed into a tree. Willow and Gus landed in some bushes while Max and Shartok hit the ground hard. Luz got caught on a branch and then fell out of her Hexside sweater and hit the ground. Owlbert fell to the ground and has a crack on his head.
"Ow. I think I broke one of my ribs" Max said as he got up
"Did anyone get the number of that tree?" Shartok asked in a daze as he got up
"Is everyone okay?" Luz asked as she got up before noticing Owlbert "Huh?"
Owlbert looked at Luz with fear before unscrewing himself from the staff and flew off
"Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no! Owlbert, come back!" Luz yelled
"Quick. After him!" Shartok said as he flew into the air
The group gave chase as they ran through the woods
"Owlbert!" Luz called
"He's heading into that cave!" Shartok said as he flew
He was right as Owlbert flew into a cave. The group of friends stopped to catch their breaths. Shartok flew back onto Max's shoulder
"Man, humans can run. Must be their dorsal fins." Gus panted
"We don't have dorsal fins, Gus" Max pointed out
"He went through those trees. Come on." Luz said
Before she run in, Willow stopped her
"We have to be careful. It's really easy to get lost in this part of the forest." she said
"This is Eda's palisman, Willow. She'll kill me and Max if we don't get it back. Let's go." Luz said
They head inside the cave. As they walked through the cave, they hear some cracking noises
"Wow. I keep stepping on a lot of crunchy twigs." Willow said
"Actually, those are just small bones" Shartok corrected as he looked down
"Not if I never look down" Willow said
"I guess that's one way to avoid being scared" Max commented
Then, something flew by them which startle them
"This isn't any kind of forest I'm used to." Luz said
"That's because this isn't a forest" Shartok said as he flew off Max's shoulder and flew in front of them "I know this place"
"You do, Shartok?" Max asked
"Yep. This is the Bat Queen's lair" the bat said
Then, the Bat Queen's babies walk up.
"Hey, we remember you. You're Bat Queen's babies." Luz said
Upon seeing Shartok, the babies screeched happily and begin to hug him
"Heh heh. Hey guys. It's good to see you too" he said
"Wow. They must really like Shartok" Luz said
"Well. He did help babysit them back in the Owl House" Max added in amusement
"Wait. The Bat Queen?" Gus asked as he nervously backed up
"I think I'd rather take my chances with Eda." Willow added as she also backed up
"Come on guys. She's not that bad" Shartok said as the babies stopped hugging him "After all, she did raised me once"
The bat babies nod their heads as they agree with him
"We're looking for a little owl and... There he is." Luz said as she saw Owlbert who backs up in the shadows
"Owlbert, thank goodness you're okay. Come here, buddy. Time to go home." Luz said as she attempts to get him to come over
Suddenly, the Bat Queen dropped in front of Owlbert. Everyone gasped as she stomped up to them.
"Hello, small humans" she greeted before looking at Shartok "And hello, Shartok. It's been a while"
Shartok can only laugh nervously as he waved his left hand
The Bat Queen was exhaling at the group
"So Bat Queen. How are things?" Shartok asked casually
"Okay. Just talking care of my babies and the palismans" the Bat Queen answered "You?"
"Oh, just getting into all kinds of adventures. Nothing special" Shartok replied
"It's the..." Willow begin
"Bat Queen. We know. We kinda babysat her kids once." Luz explained
"Technically it was Eda, King, and Shartok that did the babysitting" Max pointed out
"Thanks for reminding me, Max" Luz said "But don't worry. I got this."
She turns to the Bat Queen
"Hiya, BQ. My, your hair is looking greasy. And your kids" Luz chuckled "they're as hideous as ever."
Max and Shartok looked at each other
"You know, that coulda gone worse." Gus commented
The Bat Queen growled at what she had said making Luz chuckle
"So... Owlbert ran away and we need to get him back. I'm just gonna grab him and we'll be on our way." she said
Luz attempts to walk over to Owlbert, but the Bat Queen stopped her
"To be careless with a staff, it's very serious. I protect him." the Bat Queen said
"And thank you for that, uh, but he belongs to Eda, the Owl Lady." Luz said as she removes the Bat Queen's foot from her chest " And you owe her a favor, remember?"
"Owl Lady is careless. Her staff left her sight. Taken by humans who steals, hurts, frightens..." the Bat Queen claimed
This made Luz, Max, and Shartok confused
"Huh?" Luz puzzled
"Say what?" Max asked
"What do you mean?" Shartok asked
"He told me all" the Bat Queen said as her eyes glow yellow while Owlberts eyes glow in the same color
"Owlbert, we never meant to hurt you." Luz said as she kneeled down "Please trust us."
Owlbert hoots and flew onto the Bat Queen's head
"I'm guessing that he doesn't trust us anymore" Max said
"He is correct. Trust must be earned..." the Bat Queen said as she flew up to her perch "through trials!"
As she said that, three fire light up
"Should've seen this coming" Max said deadpanned
"Trials?" Gus said as he waved his flags
"Guys, the Bat Queen is well-known for her impossible trials. I've never heard of anyone winning against her." Willow pointed out
"She's right. When I was living with her, I've seen the Bat Queen give a lot of trials to other people. Most of them were really tough" Shartok added
"I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle. Right Luz?" Max asked Luz
"We do need to get Owlbert back. We accept your challenge" Luz said
"And we'll be right there with you." Willow said
"Let the flags raise you up." Gus added
The Bat Queen closed her claw and Willow and Gus were caught in some webs. Even Shartok was caught in the webs as well.
"Hey!" Gus yelled
"What?" Willow added
"Bat Queen, what are you doing?" Shartok asked
"No helpsies." Bat Queen said "I am sorry, Shartok"
Shartok sighed in frustration
"Now, let the trials begin. Milk the spider demon." the Bat Queen said
Max and Luz were given buckets. They then see a spider with an udder underneath it coming up to them. Luz grunts before looking at Owlbert
"Okay. It's just like milking a cow. It can't be that bad" Max said
"All right. Come here, pal. Let's do this." Luz added as she and Max walk up to it
But the spider demon squealed and runs off
"Hey! Get back here!" Max yelled
"If you run, you'll just make this harder for yourself." Luz said as they chased after the spider demon
After an hour of chasing, the two humans were able to milk the spider demon. The first flame goes out. It was now time for the next trial
"Remove bees nest." Bat Queen commanded
Luz and Max climbed up a tree where bee's nest is. Before Luz can poke it with the staff, the bee's nest transform into a giant. Startled, Luz and Max let go of the tree. As the bee chases Luz, Max changed into his electric form and got in front of the bee. He then shot lightning from his hand, shocking the bee. The bee attempts to sting Max, but he quickly got out of the way and shot more electricity at the bee until it fell to the ground completely fried. Max then powers down and pants. Luz came up to him
"Thanks, Max" Luz said
"No problem. Remind me to never mess with bees again" he said
Meanwhile, Gus attempts to break out of the web with his flags
"Come on. Almost got it" he said until he finally frees himself. "I am free! Bat Queen, you will rue the day you try to trap..."
The Bat Queen retraps Gus in the web which suspends him from the air. Shartok facepalms at this
The second flame go out
"Give babies a bath" Bat Queen commanded
Luz and Gus begins to scrub the baby bats. They both took turns holding them down and using the scrub brush.
"You got this, guys!" Shartok called "Oh I think you missed a spot!"
"Go guys!" Willow called
"We're here if you need us!" Gus added
"Yeah. Cut us free. We can get Eda." Willow suggested
"No, we were selfish, and we hurt Owlbert. We need to do this alone so he knows we care about him." Luz declined
Max then grabs the bucket of water
"Heads up" he said as he poured the water on the babies. The bat babies were all cleaned up and they were shiny
"Aw!" Luz said as she saw how cute they were
"They do look pretty cute" Max added
But then, the bat babies shook their heads and screeches. This caused Max and Luz to scream in fright
"And I thought I had it bad when me, Eda, and King babysat them" Shartok said as he watch this
After giving the bat babies a bath, Luz and Max stood before the Bat Queen as the last flame goes out. Gus then got out of his binding again and land on his hand
"Yes I'm free again!" he said before getting webbed up causing his scream to get muffled
Shartok just shook his head at this
"Okay, Bat Queen. That's the last one. We've done all your chores. And We've proved our dedication to Owlbert." Luz said before looking at Owlbert "I'm so sorry for the pain I caused you, Owlbert. I promise to be more careful."
"She's right, Owlbert. We'll never take you for granted again. Please come home with us" Max added
Owlbert hoots and flies down from his perch. But the Bat Queen trapped Owlbert in webs much to the humans' shock
"What is this!?" Max demanded "We've regained Owlbert's trust. Now you don't want him to leave?!"
"No! More trials. Last trial. You must face me" the Bat Queen said as she spread her wings
"What!?" Luz, Max, and Shartok yelled
The Bat Queen roared and flew at them. The two humans dived out of the way
"You will never get him back!" the Bat Queen yelled
Luz and Max hit the ground
"Luz, Max get us out. We can help." Willow said
As Luz freed Willow and Gus, Max went over to Shartok and got him out
"You okay, buddy?" Max asked
"Yep. But I think I got some web in my fur" Shartok replied as he rubbed some web out
"Look out!" Willow yelled
The see the bat babies ready to attack
"I'll hold'em off with my flags." Gus said. The bat babies then attacked him and Willow "No! That was a bad plan."
Luz, Max, and Shartok sneak off as they were attacked. Suddenly, the Bat Queen coming at them. They ran through the forest
"Luz, we'll hold her off. You keep running" Max said
"Are you sure?" Luz asked
"No time to argue. Just go!" Max yelled
Luz did what he said and fled.
"Can you really take her?" Shartok asked him
"I can try. After all, I have my powers" Max answered
Seeing the Bat Queen flying at him, Max transformed into his pyro form. The Bat Queen was surprised
"You have powers" she said "Let's see what you can do"
Max smirked and shot some fireballs at the Bat Queen. But she dodged each of them.
"Huh?" Max puzzled
The Bat Queen then charged at him. Narrowing his eyes, Max runs up and delivers a flame uppercut to her face. He then followed it up with a blazing round kick. The Bat Queen attempts to attack Max with her wings, but the human boy dodged them and shot a stream of fire to which she dodged by flying up. The Bat Queen then proceeds to unleash a massive gust from her wings at the duo. Max and Shartok struggle to resist the wind. But the wind became so strong that Max and Shartok were blown back and hit a tree hard. As they slid down, Max powered down. The Bat Queen then landed in front of them. Meanwhile, Owlbert attempts to free himself from the webbing.
"Leave them alone!"
The Bat Queen turned to see Luz from behind a tree. The Bat Queen then begins to chase after her.
"We won't let you imprison Owlbert!" Luz yelled as she was running
Unfortunately Luz's feet got entangled in some vines making her fall over. Max and Shartok slowly woke up and saw Bat Queen diving at Luz
"Oh no!" Shartok yelled
"Luz!" Max yelled as he struggled to get up
As he was doing that, Max felt something in him clicked as his eyes started to glow brown. Then his body begins to turn brown
"My titan" Shartok said as he witnessed this.
Bat Queen had just started to attack Luz
"Hey Bat Queen!"
They turn to see Max standing in a new elemental form with Shartok on his shoulder. Part of his body is also a little rocky
"Pick on someone your own size!" he yelled
"Whoa! Max, is that a new elemental form?" Luz asked in amazement
"Sure is. And judging by how I look. I think I have unlocked the element of Earth" Max said as he looked at his hand
"This is gonna be heavy. Get it? Because of the rocks" Shartok joked
Max just shook his head at that. The Bat Queen growled and now flew at them. Max smirked and formed his right fist into rock first. He then delivers a rock punch which sends her flying and skidding on the ground
"Wow. I guess I can really pack a punch" Max said as his fist goes back to normal
"You are hard as rock. What am I saying? You are a rock" Shartok commented
Max then went over and freed Luz from the vines
"You alright?" he asked
"Uh huh" Luz answered before hearing a screech. She looks behind and sees the Bat Queen charging at them causing her to gasp
Seeing this also, Max quickly got in front of Luz. He then concentrated and moved his arms upward to make a large rock come out of the ground. The Bat Queen crashed into it. Max smirked before seeing something on her foot
"Is that?" Max asked
"An interlock?" Luz asked
Bat Queen then got up while Max powers down
"Bat Queen, you used to be on a staff, didn't you?" Luz asked
"You were a palisman?" Shartok asked
Bat Queen gasped at the revelation
Max, Shartok, and Luz looked at the Bat Queen
"Is it true? You really were a palisman?" Max asked
Bat Queen looked at the interlock on her foot. She then turned away
"Yes, I was once part of a grand staff. A staff made for a giant. But I was broken, discarded." she said
Max looked at her sympathy
"Oh Bat Queen. I am so sorry" he said
"Me too. I had no idea you went through something like that" Shartok added sadly
"So, that's why you're so protective of Owlbert." Luz said
"I protect all" the Bat Queen said as her eyes glow
The two humans and bat look up to see more palismans' eyes glowing behind her.
"That's a lot of palismans" Max said
"Ditto" Shartok added
"I made home in forest. I'm here to take the lost. The forgotten." Bat Queen explained
"We understand. But Owlbert is not forgotten. He has someone at home who loves him very much." Luz said
"Yeah. He belongs with the Owl Lady" Max added
"He will not go back with you" Bat Queen said as she walk off
"That's not your decision to make." Luz said with a glare
"How can you be so selfish? He can't spend his life couped up here!" Shartok snapped
"If you really care about Owlbert, you would let him go!" Max added
"I won't let him." Bat Queen said as she turn to them
Luz braced himself while Max got into a battle stance. Just then, Owlbert in front of them
"Owlbert?" Max asked
Owlbert hoots as his eyes glowed making Bat Queen's eyes glow as well
"You. You care for them" she said
Owlbert's eyes stop glowing and he nods his head
"He has a point, Bat Queen" Shartok said as he flew down next to Owlbert "Max and Luz both regained his trust. The least you can do is honor your deal and let him go back to the Owl Lady."
Owlbert nod his head and goes over to the humans. He goes over to Luz and nuzzle her. Bat Queen watched this with surprise while Max and Shartok both smiled at the moment.
"You are right, Shartok" Bat Queen said "Very well. Go. And take your friends."
Willow and Gus runs over with the bat babies still attacking them. Bat Queen whistles making the bat babies stop their attack and go over to her.
"I don't think I'll ever be clean again." Gus said as he was covered in baby spit
Owlbert picks up the staff and hands it to Max before flying onto Luz's shoulder. Gus was getting the baby drool of of him
"Bat Queen, do you know what happened to your owner?" Luz asked
"It has been thousands of years. I've forgotten." Bat Queen answered
"If you ever want to search for the truth, I'll help you." Luz said
"Thank you" Bat Queen said before looking at Shartok "It was good to see you again, Shartok. Hope you visit again soon"
"Sure, Bat Queen" Shartok said
The Bat Queen and her babies took to the air and flew away
"Well. I suppose all's well that ends well" Max said as Shartok flew onto his shoulder
"I can't believe you guys took on the Bat Queen." Willow said as she hugged Luz
"And we're not dead" Gus added as he danced
"Not to mention, my man Max here unlocked a new element" Shartok said
"You did?" Gus asked
"He sure did. I saw it myself" Luz said before frowning "Anyway, thank you for helping us get Owlbert back. I'm sorry we missed the game."
"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!" Gus said
"Plus. It was good to see the Bat Queen again" Shartok added
Luz chuckled
"Come on guys. Let's go home" Max said
Max, Luz, and Shartok split off from Willow and Gus and headed back to the Owl House. While inside, Luz placed a pink bandage with stars on Owlbert's head.
"And now you're a part of the boo‐boo buddy club." Luz said
Owlbert hoot at this
"I think he likes it" Max said
"Owlbert, why are you off the staff?" Eda asked as she and King came in through the door
Owlbert flew over to her and hooted as he landed on Eda's shoulder
"Luz, Max, and Shartok took you to get ice cream? Aw, that's... a horrible lie." Eda said
Luz, Max and Shartok gulped
"Well, lucky for you all of you, I don't care right now. I'm going to take a nap." Eda said before walking off
"I'll, uh, be at the playground." King said as he walked away
"That was close" Shartok said
"Yeah. If they found out what really happened, we would be in big trouble" Max added
Owlbert then flew back over to them
"We'll keep this one to ourselves, shall we?" Luz asked Owlbert
Max and Shartok nod their heads in agreement.
Back with the Bat Queen, she was chasing after her babies
"Babies. To bed." she said
The bat babies land on a branch
"And now it's time to have book before sleeping." Bat Queen said
She gets a book out of her mouth. She then tears some pages and fed each one to her babies
"Yes, consume. Grow wise." Bat Queen said "Avoid paper cuts."
Looking at her babies eat, Bat Queen couldn't help but think back to when Shartok was their age. When the babies close their eyes, Bat Queen got on the same branch they were and fold her wings over them and slept as well.
And that is the latest chapter of Max and Shartok. And as you can see, Max unlocked a new power which is earth. Hope you like it