The Emperor Strikes Back

by benderjam

Belos is gone dead and things are starting to return to normal on the Boiling Isles. But all is not as peaceful as it seems. Odalia comes up with a plan to try and regain her former glory as well as lead the Boiling Isles to a new future. Luz will soon face her greatest challenge yet and she will need all the help she can get. Please read and review.

3. Return to the Human Realm

The Emperor Strikes Back

Return to the Human Realm

It was morning on the Boiling Isles as Luz woke up with a yawn and happily got dressed, excited for her trip back to the human realm. She grabbed a backpack and put on her old Azura costume and went down to the living room to find everyone else already waiting for her. Eda was wearing a red dress that had a torn skirt and short torn sleeves, and she was wearing her old heels and grey leggings.

Luz smiled at Eda as she happily said, "Nice threads Eda."

Eda smiled as she waved her short hair and bragged, "Thanks, thought I'd look decent since things are starting to improve."

Raine smiled at Eda as they complimented, "I think it suits you perfectly."

Eda smiled as she blushed while Camila smiled politely and said, "Well let's get going. I enjoyed my time here but I'm ready to head home."

Hooty then stretched his head over to Camila with a big smile as he said, "Wait! Before you go I have a parting gift for you!"

He then started coughing and then vomited up a rat skeleton in Camila's hands, much to her and everyone else's disgust.

Camila forced herself to smile as she said, "Gracias Hooty. How very thoughtful."

They went outside and stood in front of the house as they talked with each other for moment, unaware that they were being watched. Nearby, Odalia and Belos were watching everyone from the shadows of the forest in front of the Owl House.

Odalia stared at them intently as she said, "There they are."

Belos floated next to her as he closely watched the interactions between the inhabitants of the Owl House. He watched Hunter happily talking with Lilith, then he noticed Camila talking with Eda and Raine, then she saw Luz holding King in her arms as she smiled lovingly.

Belos kept watching as he showed a vexed, then repulsed expression while he said, "I wanted Hunter to stay away from Lilith! And how can those humans be so fond of those heathens?!"

Odalia stared at Luz with hatred as she said, "That human took everything from me! She turned my children against me and made me lose my husband and business partner! I should've destroyed her when I had the chance!"

Belos kept staring at them as he raised his right finger and said, "Don't be so hasty Odalia. Luz may be a nuisance but she still plays a vital role in our plot to regain power. We need something from her to secure our victory. When we have no further use for her we will destroy her."

Odalia folded her arms with a vexed expression as she said, "Fine!"

Soon everyone, even Raine, flew off on their staffs as Hooty watched them leave while waving his tube body around as if he was waving.

Belos and Odalia watched them as Belos pointed at them and exclaimed, "Follow them!"

Belos, being a ghost, flew after them while Odalia held her amulet and made a magical purple platform appear. She stood on it and rode it as she and Belos followed everyone from low heights to avoid being seen. Luz lead the way as she flew on Stringbean while the others followed her; Hunter sat behind Lilith as he rode with her on her staff. Luz kept leading the way until Eda flew in front of her and went down toward the ground, much to Luz's confusion.

Luz then started following her as she said, "Eda, where are you going?"

Eda flew to a house and got off her staff while everyone else landed behind her and she smiled and said, "I just wanted to stop by my old place."

They were in front of a house as Lilith smiled and happily said, "Oh yes, it's good to be back."

Eda than knocked on the front door of the house and then her parents answered it as Gwendolyn happily said, "Welcome back little Witchlet! Come here!"

Luz was shocked as her eyes widened as she said, "What?!"

Gwendolyn then hugged Eda and then Dell smiled as he hugged Lilith and said, "Hello sweet flea."

Camila was confused as she raised her finger and said, "I'm confused. Who are these people?"

Luz kept watching as she said, "They're Eda and Lilith's parents."

King glanced at Camila as he said, "And my grandparents."

Camila understood as she smiled and held her cheeks and said, "Aww!"

Eda and Lilith stopped hugging their parents as Gwendolyn sincerely apologized, "Edalyn I'm glad you're here. Your father and I have been meaning to apologize to you for terrorizing you in the archives."

Eda smiled with no ill will as she held her palm up and said, "Ehh it's not your fault. The Collector turned you all to puppets, but it's really Belos' fault for using him."

Luz smiled as she and King joined them with Camila and Hunter as Luz happily said, "Hi Gwen. Hi Dell."

Gwendolyn smiled as she held her arms out and happily said, "Luz! It's so good to see you again! I've been meaning to thank you for everything. I don't care what anyone else says, you did the Boiling Isles the biggest favor ever."

Luz smiled as she said, "Aww, thanks Gwendolyn."

Dell smiled as she stared at Stringbean on the end of Luz's staff and said, "Is that your Palisman? I've never seen one so unique."

Luz showed a flattered smile and introduced her mother as she said, "Thanks Dell. This is my mom."

Camila smiled as she waved her hand at them and they both smiled at her, then Raine happily said, "It's good to see you again Dell and Gwendolyn."

Dell smiled slyly at Eda as he whispered, "I always did like them."

Eda smiled as she looked away with a bright blush on her face, then Gwendolyn smiled as she picked up King.

She smiled at him lovingly and then looked up at the sky as she happily said, "It's so good to see my adorable grandson again! I am the proudest grandmother in the world! How many other ladies can say they have a Titan for a grandson."

King had a happy look in his eyes as he said, "None!"

Hunter then joined them as he tried to be polite and said, "Sorry to spoil the reunion but…"

Dell and Gwendolyn then stared at Hunter as Gwendolyn pointed at him and asked, "Who are you?"

Hunter was surprised as he said, "Um… Hunter."

Dell eyed him suspiciously as he said, "Oh, so you're the Golden Guard."

Hunter immediately became nervous when Lilith came and held him as she smiled reassuringly and said, "Mom, dad, it's okay. He's with us. He's been staying with us for a couple of days now."

Gwendolyn was surprised as she said, "You're protecting him?"

Lilith smiled as she said, "We've put behind our past feelings and have buried the hatchet."

Hunter smiled nervously while he nodded and Dell softened while pointed at him and said, "Okay, but I'm keeping my eye on you."

Gwendolyn put King down as she examined Hunter and said, "That's chilling."

Hunter curiously asked, "What?"

Gwendoyln pointed at Hunter as she said, "You look just like Dell did when he was your age."

Hunter and Lilith's eyes widened in shock as they simultaneously said, "Really?!"

Gwendolyn kept staring at him as she pointed out a few differences and said, "Yes. Except for your scars, your eyes, and your hair, you look almost exactly like my husband when he was a teenager."

The others all stared with their eyes wide open as Luz said, "Wow! I have a few questions for another day."

Dell turned to them and smiled as he curiously asked, "So what brings you all here?"

Eda smiled as she pointed her thumb at Camila and answered, "Well glasses Luz here wants to go home so King and I decided we'd accompany them back to the human realm. We were on our way to this old portal Luz found and since we were here I thought we'd just stop by to say 'hi'."

Gwendolyn smiled eagerly as she said, "Another portal to the human realm?! Oh that is something I'd like to see. Why don't we fly with you?"

Eda smiled as she said, "Okay."

Luz stopped them as she smiled and said, "Actually. It's not that far from here. We could walk to it. Follow me."

They were all surprised, except Hunter, as they followed Luz as she lead them around the house and behind it. Unbeknownst to any of them, Belos and Odalia were still following them as they watched them from bushes and quietly followed everyone behind the house.

As they walked behind the house Camila turned her head and pointed at something in shock as she said, "What is that?!"

The others looked and Hunter was shocked as he saw a Stonesleeper looking at them as he said, "Is that a Stonesleeper from the Hecktatious Period?!"

Luz smiled at it as she said, "Yeah. Lilly and I met him when we went back in time and met Philip. He tried to sacrifice us to it but we tamed it and brought it back with us."

Gwendolyn smiled proudly as she said, "They left him with us and he's been a very good boy since then."

Belos stared at the Stonesleeper with hatred as he remembered the day when he first met Luz and Lilith and he tricked them.

Luz kept walking as she motioned for the others to follow her as she said, "Come on. The portal's right over here.

She lead everyone to the old ruins where she and the others came through when they returned from the human realm. Odalia and Belos were hiding in some bushes nearby as they watched Luz and the others and listened to them talking.

Luz smiled as she pointed at the arch and said, "There it is."

Eda's eyes widened in shock and amazement as she said, "No way! THIS is how you got back to the Boiling Isles?!"

Luz was surprised as she said, "Eda, you know this place?"

Eda held her hand out as she answered, "This is where I found the Portal Door!"

Everyone gaped in shock as Eda looked at her family and said, "The day I ran away from home I found this back here. I didn't know anything about it but I tripped over the Portal Door in the ground and used it to pass between realms for years."

Hunter was amazed as he looked around and said, "Then this must be where Belos made the Portal Door before he somehow lost it."

Camila smiled as she pointed at Eda and Lilith and said, "Maybe your ancestors defeated him and stole the Portal Door from him."

Dell smiled as he bragged, "That does seem very likely."

In the bushes, Odalia looked at Belos with a surprised expression as he showed hatred and softly said, "You have no idea how right you are."

Hunter looked at the arch and said, "Anyway, to open the portal we need Titan blood."

Luz smiled at King as she pulled out the vial of his blood and said, "And thanks to King we have just enough to get there and back."

Camila smiled eagerly as she said, "Good! I miss home!"

Eda turned and smiled at Raine and Lilith and said, "We'll be back in a few days, so you two feed Hooty and watch the house until we get back."

Lilith smiled as she assured, "I'll take good care of Hootsifer."

Raine smiled as they said, "And I'll keep working on getting your stuff back."

Eda smiled as she hugged them both and then she joined Luz and Camila while King climbed on Luz's back.

Luz looked at Hunter and curiously asked, "You coming Hunter?"

Hunter smiled honestly as he pointed his thumb at Raine and Lilith and said, "Actually I'm gonna stay and help out Raine and Lilly. Tell Vee I said 'hi'."

Luz nodded with a smile on her face, and then she broke the vial of Titan blood against the top of the arch and the inside of it glowed yellow as the portal was formed. Everyone else watched as Luz and the others waved back at them before they stepped through the portal and disappeared before the portal closed.

After it closed Raine smiled at Lilith and Hunter as they said, "Okay, let's try and get the Owl House fixed up for when they return as a great way to surprise them."

Hunter and Lilith smiled and nodded, then Raine turned to Gwendolyn and Dell as they said, "Would you two help us with that?"

They both smiled as Gwendolyn happily said, "Absolutely!"

They all turned and walked back to the house while Odalia and Belos watched them leave, and when they were gone they came out of hiding and headed toward the ruins.

Odalia folded her arms as she complained, "Well it looks like we'll have to wait a few days before we can get what we need from that human brat."

Belos looked at Odalia as he smiled deviously and held his palm up as he said, "Not necessarily. As the humble spirit you see before you, I have the power to travel between realms at will. I can follow them to the human realm, get what we need from Luz, and then return to you for the next stage of our plan."

Odalia held her amulet as she smiled evilly and warned Belos, "Alright, but remember our deal. If you betray me I can send you back to your grave to rot for eternity."

He complied with an annoyed expression as he said, "Yes Odalia."

He took a few steps away from her as he prepared to leave while Odalia let go of her amulet with an arrogant smile.

Belos then smiled deviously at her as he said, "While I'm gone, why don't you start working on those other preparations we discussed."

Odalia smiled happily as she said, "Of course. Soon we will be restored to our former glory."

Belos then disappeared while Odalia smiled evilly and then turned around and started walking away to prepare for things. Meanwhile, Luz and the others emerged from the portal in the human realm as they appeared on the island in the flooded graveyard in Gravesfield.

They looked around at the flooded graveyard with surprise as she said, "Whoa! What happened here?"

Luz showed a curious expression as she said, "We're not sure. This place was like this when we found it. Must've been from something that happened when Philip and Caleb first came to the demon realm."

They were all unaware that Belos was there with them as his spirit appeared behind them, but he turned invisible.

Having overheard what Luz said, he glared with hatred as he softly said, "Yes, thanks to that vile Evelyn."

Camila smiled as she held her arms out and said, "It's good to be back. Now let's fly home."

King's tail wagged as he excitedly said, "Yeah! I want to try some human food!"

Luz then kneeled down in front of King and opened her backpack as she smiled and said, "Hang on buddy. We can't let anyone see you. If they find out you're a demon, who knows what they'll do to you. Here, ride in my backpack and I'll let you out when we get home."

King shut his eyes in joy as he happily said, "Ooh a backpack ride!"

Camila smiled down at King with adoring eyes while King climbed inside Luz's backpack and closed it over his head. Eda smiled as she sat on her staff with Camila while Luz sat on her staff and they both quickly flew through the sky. They flew high to avoid being noticed and then they spotted Luz's house from above and Luz flew down while Eda followed her. They landed in front of the house as Stringbean and Owlbert changed to their living forms and rested on their owners' shoulders.

Luz turned to Eda as she held her right hand out toward the house and happily said, "Welcome to the Noceda house."

Eda looked at the house and smiled half-jokingly as she said, "A little bit of a dump but I've seen worse."

Camila showed an annoyed expression while Luz knocked on the front door, which was opened by Vee in her human form as she answered it.

She threw her arms out as she happily exclaimed, "Luz! Camila!"

They both entered the house and hugged Vee as they simultaneously yelled, "Vee!"

Eda walked in behind them and shut the door behind her as Vee pulled away and happily asked, "Did you stop Belos? Did you beat the Collector?"

Luz smiled as she glanced around and happily said, "We beat Belos but we didn't exactly beat the Collector, but we saved the Boiling Isles. It's kind of a long story. We'll tell you later. We're back for a few days and we brought some friends I'd like you to meet."

They stepped aside to show Eda as she put her hand on her hip and stared at Vee curiously as she asked, "Who are you?"

Vee was a bit nervous but Luz and Camila smiled and nodded reassuringly, then Vee shapeshifted into her true form.

Eda smiled as she realized what was going on and said, "Ah, so you're the basilisk. Luz and her mom told us all about you."

Vee smiled politely until she pointed at Eda's missing arm as she said, "And I know who you are, Eda the Owl Lady. Luz told me all about you and your curse, but she never mentioned that."

Eda looked at her arm and smiled as she admitted, "Yeah, she didn't learn about that until after she returned to the demon realm."

Vee then noticed Stringbean on Luz's shoulder and pointed at her as she asked, "What's that?"

Stringbean flew off of Luz's shoulder and floated in the air as Luz happily said, "Vee, meet my Palisman, Stringbean. She's a snake-shifter. Watch what she can do."

Stringbean then shapeshifted into three different forms while floating in the air while she hissed and chirped. First she took the basic shape of a dragonfly with long wings, insect-like legs, and her ears became antennas. Then Stringbean changed to the basic shape of sea serpent, then she changed almost to her natural form but with two small arms on her side, much like Vee in her natural form.

Vee was amazed as she put her hands together and stared in wonder as she said, "She's amazing!"

Stringbean changed to her natural formed and landed on Luz's shoulder as she smiled at her and hissed gently.

Luz understood her as she was smiled in amazement and looked at Vee as she said, "Really?! Wow! Stringbean says that you inspired her to decide to be a snake-shifter, Vee!"

Vee as shocked as she said, "Me?"

Luz smiled as she pointed at Vee and said, "Yeah! When I had her in the human realm in her egg you inspired her because you can be whatever you want, just like she wanted to."

Vee was touched as she showed a warm smile and stared at Stringbean, then Luz's backpack shook as King said, "Hey, what's going on? Can I come out now?"

Luz smiled as she looked at her backpack and said, "Oh yeah! Sorry King, I forgot you were in there. Come out, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

King then poked his head out of the backpack and looked over Luz's shoulder as he curiously stared at Vee.

Vee pointed at him as she excitedly asked, "Is that the baby Titan?"

Luz smiled as she nodded, then grabbed King and held him out in front of her and said, "Yep. King meet Vee."

She held King as he raised his left hand and greeted, "Hi."

Vee smiled adoringly as she took King from Luz and hugged him as she said, "Ay que lindo!"

Eda showed an amused smile as she playfully said, "Okay take it easy basilisk. He may be a baby but he's not a stuffed animal."

Vee hugged him and snuggled him while King looked at Eda and said, "It's okay. I'm starting to get used to this."

Vee smiled as she held King out and happily said, "Luz told me so much about you! You're even cuter than she said!"

King chuckled in a flattered tone with his eyes shut, then he looked at her and said, "Thanks, you're not bad either."

She then hugged him again as she lovingly said, "Oh my gosh! I love you already!"

King shut his eyes as he hugged her back in a loving matter, prompting Luz and Camila to happily say, "Aww!"

Eda smiled proudly as she said, "Well at least you're making new friends."

Vee kept holding King in her arms as she looked at the others and asked, "So what about Hunter, Amity, Willow, and Gus?"

Luz glanced around as she simply answered, "Hunter's staying back at the Owl House with some friends of ours, and the others are reconnecting with their families. The important thing is Belos is gone and the Boiling Isles are safe."

Vee smiled with interest as she asked, "Wow! How did you do it?"

Eda smiled as she looked at Luz and said, "Well, like Luz said, it's a long story."

King then looked up at all of them and said, "Wait, can we eat lunch first? I'm really hungry."

Camila smiled as she walked to the kitchen while saying, "Good idea. I'll make some empanadas and we can talk while we eat."

The others all followed her to the kitchen; Vee was still holding King in her arms as she slithered into the kitchen. Camila made empanadas while the others sat at the table and told Vee everything that happened since Luz and the others went to the demon realm. Camila served the empanadas and everyone loved them, but King was still hungry so she made a small dessert for him. She made some flan, which he happily ate with his paws like an animal, he made a small mess on the table but Vee cleaned it up.

As she cleaned it they finished telling her everything as Vee amazedly said, "So you used the power of the Titan to stop Belos and save the Boiling Isles?!"

Luz smiled and modestly glanced at Eda and King as she said, "Yeah, with a little help from my mentor and my baby brother."

Eda and King both showed flattered expressions while Vee asked, "And the Collector helped you?"

King nodded and said, "Yeah. The Collector was never really a bad guy. He was just a lost little kid who wanted friends, like me."

Eda smiled as she added, "Yeah, he was a pretty good kid. He turned everyone in the archives back to normal and went out to grow up in the stars."

Luz smiled as she said, "Since then we've been helping everyone rebuild the Boiling Isles. Mom and I just wanted to come home for a bit and Eda and King decided to join us."

Vee smiled happily as she put her hands together and said, "That's great!"

Eda smiled as she as she pointed her thumb behind her and said, "Yeah, we needed a change of scenery. We'll just spend a few days here before we head back to the demon realm."

Luz smiled at Eda as she pointed at her and said, "Yeah and I'll join you and get back to helping you guys rebuild the isles."

Camila suddenly pointed at Luz as she said, "Uno momento Luz! You still need to go to school."

King was confused as he looked at Camila and said, "She has been. She's been taking classes at Hexside since they opened back up."

Camila pointed her finger down as she firmly said, "I mean she needs to go to school here. You've missed several days while we were in the demon realm and you're behind on schoolwork."

Vee smiled as she said, "Actually no. While you were gone I was filling in for both of you, so I went to school for Luz. It was actually a lot of fun."

Luz smiled at Vee as she happily said, "Aww, thanks Vee! You're the best!"

Eda smiled teasingly at Camila as she said, "You see empanada? Luz doesn't need boring human school when she can study magic in the demon realm. Let her go."

Camila showed an annoyed expression before pointing at Luz as she sternly said, "Okay, it's Tuesday so if you go to school for the rest of the week and do all your homework then you can go back to the demon realm. I'll tell the principal you're out of town next week so you can afford to miss a few days. But after next week you'll have to come back."

Luz smiled at her gratefully as she put her fists together and said, "Muchos gracias mama!"

Vee turned from King to Eda as she said, "While you're here I guess we should try to help you fit into the human realm."

Eda smiled arrogantly as she brushed it off and said, "Relax kid. I've been using the old Portal Door to come here and steal human garbage for years. I know exactly how to blend in here."

She smiled as Owlbert flew and climbed inside her small hair while she pulled a small chip out of her hair and ate it. Camila showed a disgusted expression while Vee looked nervous but Luz just smiled with joy and affection.

Luz then stood up and started walking as she said, "Alright, come with me and I'll show you around."

Luz then showed Eda, King, and the Palismen around their house while Camila followed them, along with Vee. The invisible spirit of Belos phased into the house and spied on all of them with hatred as he glared daggers. While they went around the house, they noticed that Vee had cleaned up since Luz and Camila left for the demon realm with the others. She explained that she didn't know how long they would be gone and she didn't know if Hunter, Gus, Willow, and Amity would come back with them. So she cleaned up their belongings and put away the sleeping bags and the guest beds that Willow and Amity had in Luz's room.

Luz finished the tour at her bedroom as she walked in and happily said, "And this is my room."

King looked around with interest while Eda noticed some Azura things and a picture of Luz when she was a little girl.

Eda smiled as she sarcastically said, "Yeah, thanks for clearing that up."

Stringbean nuzzled Luz's cheek and she petted her affectionately as she said, "Don't worry Stringbean. I'll make the perfect nest for you in here."

King noticed some stuffed animals and grabbed a stuffed bear as he happily said, "It's like being at the Owl House, but without Hooty."

Luz smiled at Eda and King as she kindly said, "So Eda, you and King can sleep with me and Vee if you want."

Eda held her hand up as she respectfully declined, "Thanks kid, but I'd rather have my own room. A girl's gotta have her privacy."

Luz nodded as she understood, but King spoke up and pointed at the top bunk of the bed as he said, "I'll stay here. I call the top bunk!"

Vee scooted next to him and pointed at the top bunk as she said, "That's where I sleep."

King looked down with a disappointed expression as he said, "Oh."

Vee looked down at him with a friendly smile as she put her hands together and said, "But I'm willing to share it if you really want it."

King looked at her and nodded as she said, "Yes please."

Vee smiled with joy, then Camila looked at Eda and offered, "Eda, I can fold out one of the guest beds if you want."

Eda smiled as she shut her eyes and respectfully declined, "Nah, I'll be fine on the couch. I end up sleeping on it sometimes anyway."

Luz smiled as she put her arms around Camila and Eda as she happily said, "Great! Now let's have some family time in the human realm!"

Vee smiled as she watched them walk out but then she was startled as she felt something, she turned around to see King sitting on her "butt".

She was confused as she curiously asked, "What are you doing?"

King had a happy look in his eyes as he looked at Vee, then playfully pointed his claw out as he said, "Riding my mighty steed! Onward basilisk!"

She smiled at him lovingly before she followed Luz, Eda, and Camila; she quickly scooted out with King going up and down, riding on her "butt". Outside, Belos was floating outside the bedroom window as he watched them with a repulsed expression.

He spoke with hate as he turned around and thought out loud, "Vile creatures! I'm going to have to get my ingredient from Luz without her or the others learning of my presence."

He flew off and explored Gravesfield while invisible, looking for anything that could help him with his plan. He flew and stopped when he came to the old abandoned house that Amity, Hunter, Gus, and Willow hung out in when they were living in the human realm.

He floated in the air and stared at it with cold hatred as he said, "So many memories, happy memories that were destroyed by that evil witch!"

He then flew away in a huff and kept exploring Gravesfield; he recognized some of it from his time there before, when he had to survive by possessing living creatures. So much had changed since the first time he went to the demon realm, and this modern world was very different from the one he once knew. People had changed as well and there were many things that Belos did not like about this new society, he was planning to change it as well.

As he flew over Gravesfield he complained to himself, "Does no one believe in witch hunting anymore?!"

He stopped when he heard a voice shout, "Be a witch hunter!"

He floated in the air and looked down to see Jacob Hopkins standing on the sidewalk holding a sign that read "Demons Are Real".

He held the sign high over his head as he furiously shouted, "Demons are real! Witches are real! They want your teeth! They're from another world! They're invading us from Mars! Rise up against their dark magic!"

People passed by him but nobody listened to him as everyone just thought he was crazy and kept walking.

Jacob watched them leave as he angrily said, "You think I'm crazy, but you'll see! One day I'll prove witches and demons are real!"

Belos kept floating in the air while invisible as he smiled deviously and stared down at Jacob, getting an idea.

Later that night

Luz had changed into her pajamas and was getting ready for bed as Stringbean rested on her shoulder with a tired expression. Luz smiled as she walked and passed Eda, who was already asleep on the living room couch with Owlbert beside her.

She smiled as she said, "Night Eda."

She went upstairs and passed her mother's bedroom and found her in bed as she happily said, "Goodnight mama."

Camila smiled at her as she said, "Goodnight Luz."

Luz went into her bedroom and softly said, "Vee? King?"

She heard light snoring and climbed up the ladder and saw that Vee and King were already sound asleep together. King had his body curled up like an animal next to Vee, who had her tail around his body while she rested her head on a pillow.

Luz smiled adoringly at them and climbed down and held Stringbean in her hands while she said, "Aww, that's so sweet. Come on Stringbean, time for bed."

Luz then got in bed on the bottom bunk as she rested her head against her pillow and pulled her blanket over her while Stringbean coiled up next to her and fell asleep. Luz's eyelids became heavier as she peacefully fell asleep with a smile as she started dreaming. Belos then phased through the wall with an evil smile as he looked down at Luz, then he flew at her and possessed her, but Luz was still sleeping peacefully. She was dreaming about flying on Stringbean across the Boiling Isles with her friends from Hexside flying beside her. She was so happy as she stared at the horizon and watched the sunset beautifully, suddenly everything around her changed. Her friends vanished and so did Stringbean as Luz started falling and screaming while everything around her changed. She hit the ground and was okay as she sat up and groaned, but she became nervous as she looked around and found herself in a spooky forest with paintings in tree trunks.

She recognized the place as she showed fear and said, "No! Not this place!"

She was somehow in Belos' mindscape as she heard his voice say, "You can't escape me Luz."

She stood up and looked around in denial as she said, "This is a trick! You're dead! I defeated you!"

Belos then appeared behind her as he glared at her and said, "Yes you did."

She turned and stared at him in shock and fright as she said, "No!"

He walked toward her with hatred as he said, "You defeated me, but you can never destroy me. I will never stop until I have saved humanity from evil forever."

Luz narrowed her eyes as she courageously said, "You'll never win! I won't let you hurt anyone else ever again!"

Belos turned and started circling around Luz while magically changing to Philip Wittebane as he said, "You know, from the day we first met I knew there was something special about you Luz. I knew you and Lilith were hiding something and one day I discovered what it was. I came to realize that we were indeed destined to meet, that I was meant to become the greatest witch hunter ever, and you were destined to help me."

Luz stared at him with hatred as she said, "You tricked me once, but it won't happen again. Everything you say is a lie."

Philip magically changed back to his appearance as Emperor Belos while he circled Luz and said, "I realized that we would one day meet again. I learned that you and Lilith were from the future, so I let her into my Coven to keep an eye on her and make sure that everything went the way it was supposed to. I knew you wanted my help to make a working portal door of your own, so I donated my diary to the library so that you would find it. I waited for the day when you would arrive and help me in my noble quest."

Luz looked at Belos with disdain as she said, "You pathed the road so that history would repeat itself."

Belos kept circling Luz as he smiled and said, "Yes but I was hoping for more than just that. When I first learned of a human girl in the demon realm I knew she would help me. I was hoping to find a kindred spirit who would serve beside me in my mission to destroy magic-kind. Perhaps a student who would serve me better than any of my Grimwalkers."

Luz glared at Belos with more disdain as she said, "Well you thought wrong."

Belos stopped walking as he glared at Luz and turned to face her while he said, "Yes. Very disappointing. I wanted another pure soul who would understand me, but you were just like Caleb. You let those witches corrupt you and you turned your back on your people. Now you're just as bad as them."

She kept glaring at Belos as she spitefully said, "Maybe I am, but just like them, I'm still way better than you!"

Belos restrained himself as he glared at her and said, "It doesn't matter. I will still wipe them out and you will help me."

Luz shook her head as she glared at him and defiantly said, "I'll NEVER help you!"

Belos transformed into his dark green monster form as he glared at Luz and furiously yelled, "You WILL help me! Whether you want to or not!"

He roared ferociously as he jumped at her with her arms out and Luz screamed in fear and terror as he came at her. She cried in fear as she woke up in bed, she sat up and panted heavily as she looked around to see her bedroom. She saw Stringbean still sleeping on the pillow and she could hear King and Vee softly snoring above her on the top bunk.

She then let out a sigh of relief as she said, "Oh thank goodness. It was just a dream."

She smiled as she turned and looked out the window and saw Belos' spirit floating outside smiling evilly at her. Luz was startled as she frantically rubbed her eyes then looked again, only to see nothing through the window. She was nervous as she laid back down and tried to get some sleep as she closed her eyes and tried to relax.

Belos' purple spirit was floating outside as he smiled evilly and said to himself, "Soon Luz, your dream will come true."

Author's note: A spooky way to end the third chapter. Belos has big plans for the future and he's not done with Luz yet. I really wish we saw a meeting scene between Vee, Eda, and King. I really feel like Vee and King would love each other and I can picture some cute moments between them, some of which you saw in this chapter. I have in mind more cute things involving the two of them that we'll see in the next chapter. They've just met and they already love each other. Now King has two big sisters and Vee has a baby brother. Please review.