Skara's mind was on fire, after hearing the music that Luz wrote she was completely enamored with the idea of this Rock N' Roll music. She spoke to the human about what kind of instruments are typically used in this kind of music and Luz drew up a basic diagram of what each of the instruments were. There was a large version of a lute that the human called an "electric guitar", she remembered there was a demon at Grom Night that looked like that, so it shouldn't be too hard to make that into an actual instrument. The drums were easy enough, the "bass guitar" was going to a challenge since it seemed to combine the aspects of the deep sounds of the cello and sharp sounds of the guitar.

Thankfully, Skara's family had an instrument-smith that was on call twenty-four-seven. So, it only took a day before the instruments were made. The day for the performance was going to be this Saturday, so that didn't give them enough time to make matching uniforms or anything, but it was taking a minute to make up some lyrics for a song. As a potential Bard Coven Head, Skara was determined to come up with a song. But what would it be about?

Skara looked through her scroll for inspiration, while she was doing that, she saw a couple of pictures that were of Willow, the few that had the two of them together. Willow was really cute, and kind, and strong. She was probably the strongest Plant Track witch she knew, perhaps one day a future head of the Plant Coven?

"Now that would be cool, me the head of the Bard Coven, and Willow, the head of the Plant Coven? Heh, bet Boscha wouldn't mind hanging around her if she thought Willow had a shot at that," said Skara under her breath.

"You say something, Skara?" Boscha asked.

Skara snapped herself out of her thoughts and answered, "Oh, no, just talking to myself, that's all."

"Oh, stop that then, it's kind of creepy."

"Got it."

Skara had to be careful about that, at school, she was – at this point – socially obligated to be at Boscha's side, along with Amelia, Cat, and Bo. Partially because they were all on the same Grudgby team, which she disliked, seriously, she hated getting tackled. After they hung out for a bit, Skara diverged from the group to head to her next class, but as she did so, she passed by the lockers and spotted someone next to a locker.

She couldn't see their face, as they had their back to her, but it seemed they were wearing the reds of the Bard Track. In that person's hand was a jar filled with something red with black polka dots. Ladybugs? The unknown student started to toss the ladybugs into the locker. Now that she thought about it, wasn't that Willow's locker? Wait…

Willow's locker?! She hates ladybugs! That was an understatement, she was terrified of them. She only knew that because one time when their group left school, Boscha and Skara spotted Willow and her friends, and a ladybug came flying towards them. Willow freaked out and ran around trying to avoid it until the human caught it and released it far away from her. Boscha always said she wanted to prank Willow by stuffing her locker full of those things! But we were just together, so it can't be her! Did she bribe someone to do it?! No, knowing here, threatened someone.

"HEY!" Skara shouted. "STOP THAT!"

The unknown student, who kept their hood up the entire time, chuckled before dropping the plastic jar and running off down the hallway. Skara ran to give chase but stopped when she saw the locker still filled with the beetles. Deciding to leave the student for another time, Skara went to work taking out the beetles. She kept uttering the words "eww" and "gross" repeatedly as she rapidly plucked out all the little beetles and returned them to the jar. Part of the reason Boscha hadn't gone through with this – at least not yet – was due to how tedious it would be to gather enough ladybugs to fill a jar. It never occurred to Skara that she'd stoop to making someone else do it, she always preferred the personal touch.

"Calm down, calm down, just gotta gather them all up before Willow gets here! Easy, easy!"

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Skara froze in place as her eyes shifted towards the direction of the scream. There she spotted the very girl she was hoping to spare from this trauma, but it appeared she was too late. Willow rounded the corner with the human and Augustus, Willow's eyes had shrunk to pinpricks as she quickly cowered behind Luz. Leaving Skara caught red handed.

"It's not what you think," said Skara.

"Really?" Gus asked in an unamused tone, crossing his arms over his chest as he glared at her. "So, we're not seeing you put a jarful of ladybugs into our friend's locker?"

"NO! I'm taking them out! I swear, someone put them in here! I tried to stop them, but they ran away! I was getting them out before you guys showed up!" Skara explained.

"No! Ladybugs! Swarms of ladybugs! Going to eat me! Extra eyes, the black spots are lies!" Willow ranted.

Gus carefully leaned down and said, "Willow, we've talked about this. They're just spots."

"Lies! All lies! They're watching me! They're all watching me!" It was at this moment that one of the cute little beetles decided to fly over towards them. The ladybug landed right on her nose and stared up at her. Willow did the only sensible thing a girl in her position could do. "I WON'T BE EATEN BY YOU!"

Willow jumped up and ran, plowing face first into a wall in a moment of panic. The ladybug had flown off the moment she jolted up, by the way. The pain of running into a wall had not fazed her though, as Willow ran like a Slitherbeast was on her heels down the hall they just came from, screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Willow!" Gus and Luz called out as they gave chase.

All Skara could do was just stand there helplessly. Unfortunately, the screaming had drawn a small crowd, and among them were Boscha and her friends.

"Skara, dang, good looking out!" Boscha walked over and hugged Skara. "I didn't think you had this much initiative, but I got new respect for you."

Skara couldn't say a word, now the other students would think she really did do it, and Willow just ran off in total terror. It…It wasn't me…

A crack started to form on her right arm.

Unfortunately for Skara, that was not the end of it. She seemed to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, whether it was presumably being seen spiking Willow's stew with pain peppers (so hot they'll make you wish you were dead).

"AAAHHHH! MAKE IT STOP! SOMEBODY JUST KILL ME PLEASE!?"

Or presumably being seen tossing magic potion balloons, which ended up creating tentacles that would rise and came close to crushing Willow.

"NOT, AGAIN!"

Thankfully, Luz still had her glyphs to deal with that one. The last straw came when Willow walked into class, set her books down on the desk and sat down. Which somehow set off an explosion enchantment that sent the witch flying to the back wall of the classroom. Needless to say, class was cancelled for the time being. Now Willow was a kind girl, but there is something to be said about fearing a kind person when they're patience has been pushed to the breaking point.

"Willow, maybe we should calm down and–"

"Not now, Luz," Willow interrupted.

"I think you listen to Luz, she–"

Willow stomped on the ground, and glared down at Gus, her eyes glowing a bright emerald green. "I said not now."

Gus and Luz stopped right there as they started watching plant vines grow from the walls.

Willow continued her walk, eager to find Skara, but her walk didn't last long as Skara came running towards Willow, despite the obvious warning signs that would indicate to anyone else to stay away.

"Willow, listen I know you're upset and all, but I'm telling you it wasn't me!" Skara insisted.

"And yet, there you are, conveniently, whenever something bad happens to me! These last two days have been nothing but you pranking me! I can take Boscha's mess, but I honestly thought you were different from her!" Willow stated.

Skara felt a sting in her heart, but along with that came cracks in her body. "Willow, I promise I'm not like her! I'm really not! Look!" Skara reached into her backpack and pulled out some sheets of paper. "For the Bard Competition! I've been working on lyrics for a song! A-And look! Sheet music for when I play the instruments, too!"

Willow snatched the sheets of paper out of Skara's hands, she glanced over the lyrics, it was scribbled out and reworked several times, from what she could tell Skara was working hard on this. The sheet music was another thing, she didn't know much about how sheet music was to be written, but she was sure that this level of work was probably in keeping with what a Bard Track student would make.

"I'm being honest, Willow, I'm not doing this! I swear on the Titan that it's someone else!"

Luz walked up behind Willow and gently placed her hand the plant witch's shoulder. "Willow, can I talk to you for a sec?"

Willow turned her head to protest, but then noticed the serious look on her friend's face. "Okay…"

"Excuse us for just a minute, Skara," said Luz as she pulled Willow away to join in a huddle.

"What's wrong?" Willow asked.

"I think…I think the Phantom is after Skara," Luz determined.

"What?!" Gus exclaimed, but then lowered his voice. "You think that monster's after Skara? Is she one of those 'Gate' things you talked about?"

Willow's angry face shifted to worry when she heard this. "L-Like I was?"

Luz nodded. "I can't tell for sure but think about it. Zera was a Phantom, and she messed things up for Willow to make her think everything was her fault. Maybe Kitsune is doing the same thing, messing with Willow, but making us think it's all Skara's fault."

Willow glanced over her shoulder at Skara, remembering how it felt when she was placed into despair and was nearly transformed into a monster. "If that is the case…what can we do?"

"We just don't let her fall into despair," said Luz. "Part one of that is for you to forgive her."

Willow fidgeted in place, part of her was still skeptical about this theory. For all they knew it really was Skara messing with them. But then again, recent events have casted doubt on such things. But why would messing with her cause Skara to give into despair?

"Alright, if it's to keep Skara from becoming a monster, then I'll do it, but if I find out she's not really a Gate…"

"You're free to unleash plant Armageddon on her," said Gus.

Willow nodded and broke from the huddle, she walked up to Skara and sighed heavily as she said, "Okay, Skara. I'll believe you for now. I feel as if you've at least earned the benefit of the doubt."

Skara's eyes lit up, the cracks in her body closed not a moment later. The olive-skinned witch rushed towards Willow and embraced her, confusing the heck out the Plant Track witch. "Thank you! Thank you! I promise, I won't mess this up! In fact, I'll stick by you and stay in your line of sight the entire time! That way you'll see that it's not me!"

Willow glanced over her shoulder towards Luz, who then made a gesture with her hands as if pushing Willow forward along with nodding her head. "Alright, let's see if we can make this work, but no funny business."

"Right, absolutely no funny business! Actually, why don't you help me with the lyrics to this song?! I've been stuck in a rut, and I can't think of anything to sing about," said Skara.

Willow smirked a little as she threw a glance back at Luz. "I might have an idea."

School ended later that day and Luz headed back to the Owl House. She greeted King and Hooty, but when it came to Eda, they're greetings were a little…tense. Two days had passed since Eda made the declaration that Luz was to return to the human world by the end of the week. Luz had tried several times to change Eda's mind, but the Owl Lady's mind was made up. In the meantime, Eda had been hard at work trying to figure out how the rings work, but to no one's surprise, she was getting nowhere. Yesterday her attempt at forcing the ring's magic to activate caused a backlash from the Light Style ring, releasing a burst of mana that threw Eda into the wall.

When Luz walked into the kitchen to get herself a snack, she noticed the evidence of previous attempts. Plants, ice chunks, floating particles of light that were fizzling out. Luz got herself a piece of cake from a previous trip to the market, and said, "Hey, Eda."

"Kid."

"Still not going to let me fight against the Phantoms?"

"Yep."

"Still going to make me go back to the human world?"

"Yep."

"Still nothing I can say to make you change you're mind?"

"Nope."

Luz walked until she was standing in the middle of the archway. "I think one of the kids from Hexside is a Gate, and Kitsune's messing with her so she'll turn into a Phantom."

Eda looked towards Luz. "Seriously?"

"Yes," Luz turned around and looked directly at Eda. "Please, give me back by rings, if the Phantom shows up, I'm the only one who defeat it. And if it manages to make her fall into despair, then I'll need them to save her like I did Willow."

Eda eyed the pouch full of Luz's magic rings and looked as if she was contemplating giving them back. The Owl Lady shook her head and replied, "No way. If you know who it is, then tell me and I'll leave another tip for the Emperor's Coven. They'll watch her and keep her safe from that monster."

"You'll just be putting them in danger, Eda. They're magic, along with yours, can't affect them," said Luz.

Eda released an exasperated sigh. "Maybe if you help me figure these out, then maybe we could?!"

"And like I told you, you can't use them unless you have a Phantom inside you like I do! La Lechuza powers my magic! And unless someone's going to make another Sabbath happen, that's not possible, and even if you did do the ritual, you won't know if that person can restrain their Phantom, in which case you'll just make more of them, or worse, they combine with it!"

Eda smirked as she pointed at Luz and said, "Ah-ha! So, there is a way to merge with one!"

Luz smirked back and said, "Yes, there is, you just have to be completely evil to begin with, and I mean someone like Reven Darwick."

Eda's smirk evaporated. "Those are the only two options?"

"Yep…Hey, Eda, instead of this Friday, can it be Sunday instead? I have a competition thing with Willow, Amity, and Skara, and I don't want to leave them in the lurch. At least I can say goodbye to the Boiling Isles with a bang," Luz asked.

Eda thought about it for a moment, her last day on the island should be memorable instead of just coming home from school and leaving. "Alright, Sunday it is. Tell your friends to come over early so they can see you off."

Luz turned her back and proceeded upstairs, when she arrived, she found King waiting at her door. Once she was inside, she had King watch out for her while she went to work.

"Are you sure about this, Luz?" King asked.

Luz had felt the call from her magic, it was time to make more rings. "You heard Eda; she's not going to let me have my rings back. Which means I'm going to have fight with what I have now." Luz took out the Driver On and Fire Style rings, the only ring that she hadn't used yet. "My Light ring is a perfect balance of magic, defense, and offense. Ice Style increases my speed but lowers my offensive and defensive strength. Plant Style increases my defense and physical strength but slows me down. Fire Style…I haven't had to use it yet; I can only hope it's what I need to beat Kitsune. That and whatever new rings I get from this session."

Luz took out the two magic stones that King swiped from the pouch a couple of days ago, and pad with some paper. With pencil in hand, Luz allowed herself to go into her trance and start drawing another magic circle. King kind of found it creepy when she did this, it was like she was there, but not there, as if someone else was driving Luz. Luckily the trances never lasted too long, as Luz came out of it a few seconds later. With the circle drawn, Luz placed the magic stone in the center of the circle and tapped it.

A bright flash of light went off in the room, and when it faded, a new ring was added to Luz's arsenal. This ring had the image of flames on it, she was starting to notice a theme, which meant this ring must go with the Fire Style ring, just like Flash, Freeze, and Fissure. Luz carved part of the cake she brought with her and ate it before going into her second trance. With a second tap of her hand, the next ring was forged. The second of the new rings had an owl, but it looked wobbly, kind of warped.

Luz felt the drain immediately and started to eat the cake. Once she was done, some of her energy was returned. She still felt tired, but not like before. "Well, that's two more rings than I have now. I'll just have to make it work."

Luz, Amity, Skara, Willow, and Gus were in one of the music rooms at Hexside. They decided to practice in there as it had the best acoustics, and they were already there so no one had to travel far. Willow had suggested to add Gus to the mix, not so much for singing but for special effects purposes. They had finished their set and the girls were sweating a bit from having to rock and sing.

"That was awesome!" Luz exclaimed.

"I didn't think I could sing that well, but I surprised myself," said Amity.

The human girl nodded and added, "You really did, you sounded great, Amity."

The witch in question blushed. "Y-Yeah, but Willow sounded really good too! And you, also, sounded good, I mean!"

Willow facepalmed herself. "Anyway, Skara, I didn't know you control that many different instruments at once! That's amazing!"

Skara's red magic circles were still hovering around her hands as the electric guitar and bass floated in the air, the drumsticks were floating above the drums and cymbals, as if ready to go again, along with a few trumpets. Skara blushed at the compliment and said, "T-Thanks, I just really love music, and so this just comes naturally to me."

Amity chuckled. "You're being modest, you're one of barely a hand full of Bard witches on this island who can do that, and you're fifteen. She could probably do a full orchestra when you're older."

Skara's blush deepened. "Amity, c'mon, you're embarrassing me." The Bard Track witch looked towards Gus and decided to shift the conversation to him. "But this wouldn't be half as good without Augustus' illusions! Seriously, though, those were good! I guess that's why you advanced two grades, huh?"

Gus puffed his chest and smiled broadly. "A master illusionist in the making." He then gave a slight bow, like the showman he was.

Luz clapped her hands together and decided to tell the others what she discussed with Eda. "Hey, guys, listen up. I managed to talk Eda into letting me stay until, Sunday. So at least I'll be able to perform with you before I leave."

An air of depression fell on the room, which made Skara look around with confusion.

"Wait, you're leaving?" Skara asked.

"Not by choice, but yeah, I am…"

Skara looked back at Willow and then Amity, and then back to Luz. "Why? Did you do something?"

"No, more like things are getting too dangerous, as far as Ms. Clawthorne is concerned…so she's making Luz go back to the human world before she gets hurt," Amity clarified.

Skara looked back at Luz, she remembered that Luz was a human, and was physically a bit weaker than they were. Which was why she was worried when Boscha started hurling fireballs at her, she probably forgotten that fact, or didn't care enough to remember at that moment. Despite knowing that she was leaving, Luz still seemed really upbeat and positive about it, she could see why Amity liked being around this group.

"But we have Witch! As long as she's around, it's not that dangerous!" Skara stated.

A sad smile formed on Luz's face. "Yeah…so long as you have her, you'll be safe. Just remember to hold onto hope when I'm back home."

Amity was doing what she could to keep it together, but some of her tension was relieved when she heard that she would have a little more time with Luz. As a matter of fact…

"Hey, you guys mind if I head out. I told my mother what I was doing, but I don't want her to wonder what's keeping me," said Amity.

"Ah, right, I forgot how strict your mom is, go on ahead, and memorize the lyrics, we're only gonna get one shot at this!" Skara stated.

"Of course," said Amity as she packed up her things and headed out.

"Okay everyone, from the top?!" Skara asked.

"Let's do it!" Luz exclaimed.

Gus drew two blue spell circles and said, "Let's rock!"

"One, two, three – GO!"

Amity walked up to the Owl House, she had made at least four trips to this domicile during the time that she knew Luz, and yet there was always something about this place she couldn't quite put her finger on. As she approached the home, an explosion went off inside that rattled the house and shook Hooty awake.

"What was that?!" Amity asked.

"Oh, just Eda doin' somethin', hoot-hoot."

"Oh…well…could you tell her Amity Blight is here to see her? I'd like to speak with her," said Amity.

"Can do!" Hooty opened the door and stretched himself inside. There was some clattering sounds before a few choice curses were loosed. Eventually, Hooty returned with Eda coiled in his body, and then deposited her right on the doorstep. "Eda, you have a visitor!"

"Dang it, Hooty! I was in the middle of–!" Eda stopped herself when she saw Amity, remembering that she was the only one of Luz's group that didn't know the human's secret identity. She briefly thought about telling Amity, at this point it was a matter of time. Ah the heck with it, if the kid wants to tell her, she can. "So, what brings you here to my lovely home?"

Amity then did something that Eda wasn't expecting, she bowed her head to the Owl Lady. "Please, Ms. Clawthorne, let Luz stay on the Boiling Isles!"

Eda was a bit taken aback; she was not expecting someone like a Blight to bow to her in such a way. "Hey, hey, kid, stop that, you shouldn't be bowing to someone like me! Not that I don't like it, but still."

"Ms. Clawthorne, I know things are dangerous on this island with the Phantoms, but please don't send Luz away," Amity begged.

Eda crossed her arms and sighed as she leaned against the house. "Look, kid, it's for her own safety. I remember how messed up you were when she was taken away, and I saw how happy you were when she was okay in the hospital. The next time around, Luz might not be so lucky. This world of ours is dangerous for her kind, it's better if she goes back."

"I can protect her!" Amity proclaimed as she stopped bowing and stared up at Eda with a serious expression. "I'm getting better with my magic every day! If I try harder, I can be strong enough to keep her safe! I can be her bodyguard!"

"That's not–"

"I'm a Blight, and a Blight keeps their word! So, if that's what it takes to keep her here, then I'll do it! Just please, reconsider your decision!" Amity bargained.

"Ugh, it's not that simple! Luz…ugh!" Eda was getting a little frustrated. Luz didn't need protection, she had the power of the rings, the very rings which she does not have on her person. "It's more complicated than that."

"Then uncomplicate it for me, please tell me what's influencing your decision?" Amity placed her hand to her chest and asked, "If it's something that I have the power to help with, then I will! Just let Luz, stay! She loves it here; she has friends here!"

"She has her family back home, too. A mother who thinks she's not where she says she is, I know you saw that during Grom Night."

Amity tightened her hands into fists, she did know that she couldn't forget what Grom said to her when it took the form of Luz's mother. "I know…but I'm begging you, please don't…" Amity's eyes started to tear up as she said, "She's the best thing to have ever come into my life…"

Eda gritted her teeth, the young witchling's pleas were starting to weigh on her. She then asked, "You care a lot about her, huh?"

"She's made me a better person, makes me want to be better. Something tells me you know that better than even I do," said Amity.

A fact that Eda couldn't deny, well, she would if anyone asked, but she knew the truth. Luz had brought new life to the Owl House, filled it with the light and wonder that Eda had become jaded to since she was cursed and lived the life of a wild witch.

"Go home, Blight…please."

"Ms. Clawthorne…?"

"I'll think about what you said, so head back home before it gets too much later, or before Luz sees you. I'm pretty sure you came here without telling her," said Eda with a smirk.

Amity nodded and reluctantly left. She didn't know if her words made a difference, but at the very least, maybe the Owl Lady would at least think more about her decision to send Luz back.