I stood alone in a dimly lit room, my old room. My heart pounding with fear. My palms were sweaty as I clutched the hilt of a rusted sword, its blade fading from existence. But it wasn't a physical opponent that I was to face; it was a battle within my own mind. One I've been having for so long. One that I wanted to end but it always restarted.

The evil version of myself lurked in the shadows, a twisted reflection of my own being. With an eerie grin plastered across his face, the doppelganger taunted me relentlessly, his laughter echoing through the house in my mind. I shivered, my eyes wide as they darting back and forth, searching for an escape from the torment.

"Why are you always here?" I questioned, my voice trembled, a mixture of desperation and confusion. "Why won't you leave me alone?" I asked as I turned around as I heard him move.

The wicked version of myself chuckled, his voice dripping with malice. "Oh, Dakota, my dear boy, I am a part of you. You can't escape me. Embrace the darkness within."

I refused to yield to the darkness. I swung my sword at the menacing figure, hoping to strike him down and banish him from my thoughts. The blade clashed with an invisible force, causing sparks to fly. Each strike I made seemed to only fuel the malevolence within his alter ego.

Suddenly, the evil version of My eyes glowed with an unholy fire. He raised his sword high, and black flames engulfed its blade, casting an ominous glow in the room. My heart raced, my breath caught in my throat.

"Stay away from me!" I cried out, my voice filled with both terror and determination.

The dark figure lunged forward, his sword of black fire arcing through the air. I tried to evade the attack, but my legs felt heavy, as if trapped in quicksand. The searing heat of the fiery blade came crashing down upon him, and I let out a piercing scream.

Just as I thought I couldn't bear the pain any longer, my eyes flew open, and I found himself drenched in sweat, gasping for breath. It had all been a vivid nightmare—a manifestation of my deepest fears and insecurities. The room around me was now covered in black flames, and I realized that my hands were on fire as well. I shook them off, clearing everything of the flames.

As I sat up and wiped the remnants of fear from my face, I took a deep breath, determined to face my inner demons head-on another time. I couldn't allow the darkness to consume me again. The hate, I vowed to keep it in check, to conquer my anger, and to banish the malevolent presence that haunted my dreams.

"Dakota, are you there? Can I come in?" Wanda's voice came from the door. It was soft, laced with genuine concern.

I was already on edge from my restless night, felt irritation flare up at the sound of her voice. Getting up, I stormed over to the door. I swung open the door, my eyes filled with frustration. "What do you want, Wanda? Can't you see I want to be left alone?" I questioned, not in the mood to deal with her.

Wanda's brow furrowed with empathy as she stepped closer. "I'm just worried about you, Dakota. Are you okay?" She asked as she stood closer to me.

My annoyance grew. I despised being asked that question. How could I be okay when my world had been shattered years ago, when I killed my parents? The pain still lingered, raw and unhealed.

"I'm tired of being asked that, Wanda!" I snapped, my voice tinged with bitterness. "I haven't been okay since... since they died. I just want to be left alone with my thoughts." I said as closed the door on her, knowing it would nearly hit her.

Same time, Wanda's POV

I nodded, my eyes filled with understanding. I knew the weight of grief and the longing for solitude all too well. But I also knew the dangers of letting darkness consume one's soul, and I couldn't stand by idly.

As Wanda turned to leave, my attention was momentarily caught by a hushed conversation drifting from the hallway. Amity and Luz were discussing a way to help Willow, who Amity burned said memories of. The idea sparked something within me—an opportunity to aid Dakota by venturing into his mind!

Reinvigorated with a newfound purpose, I turned back to go to my room. Once there, I sat down in the middle of the room and crossed my legs, where I started floating. "I can help you. I can go into your mind and try to ease your pain, just like Charles did for me once before." I said as I left my body, my soul now floating in the air. Looking back, I saw my body was perfectly still.

Flying into Dakota's room, I dove into his body, where I could feel him fighting it. After a bit, I found myself floating in a universe. It was surprising as mostly one's mind would represent somewhere they find home, but this was different. Flying over to one of the galaxies, I held the orb in my hand, with me seeing a witch being burned alive, no, not a witch, a vampire. The sun burned them.

Has Dakota encountered vampires before? I thought as I moved over to another one and watched as a woman gave birth on the side of the street, only for the child to die in the process. I felt bad for the woman, she seemed like she was really looking forward to being a mother. She wasn't the same person, it was someone new.

Flying over to A black orb, I stopped once a giant bird flew past me. I watched as it flew around and devoured the orbs, erasing the memories. I chose to ignore it and go to the black orb, with me seeing red eyes looking back at me. "I see you!" It said as he reached out of the orb. I flew back, with a shadow pulling himself out of the orb.

"Dakota?" I asked as I watched him grin, his teeth a red brighter than even my own.

"No. Decay!" He said as he let out a yell that shook everything around us. Thousands of orbs shattered, screams filling the area, and none of them were Dakota's. I watched as the bird flew back and joined him, looking at me as they fused into one large bird made of black fire.

I knew this shape. I knew this power! "A celestial?" I said, gasping as it dawned on me. Rogue said something was wrong with his soul, and only select few could tell that. Rogue knew something was inside but didn't know what! "He has a celestial living inside... just like The Phoenix!" I said, getting a laugh out of him.

"So you've met my sister? How cute, how weak! NOW DIE!?" He yelled as he charged at me, with me moving out of the way. I watched as he crashed into more orbs, destroying them.

"You have to stop, those are Dakota's memories that you are destroying!?" I warned as I created chains and sent them after Decay. As soon as they touched they were instantly destroyed, shocking me.

"His memories?" He said with a laugh. "My dear witch, none of these are his memories!? These are the memories of the ones he was forced to devour!?" He informed, shocking me. "He is beyond even me now. He is beyond that of life and death. He is a king of kings, a god amongst gods, an unkillable monster!" He said as he grew even larger. "He will replace death herself!?" he said, laughing.

"And what of Mephisto?" I asked, with him looking back at me. "What does your role with Mephisto have to do with anything?" I asked, where he appeared in front of me, no, he grew so large he was holding me in the palm of his hand! I brought up a barrier just in time to prevent myself from being crushed.

"Nothing." He said, his voice more Dakota than anything. "We severed that tie, and absorbed the demon who came to collect his soul." He said as he pulled his arm back. "I think it's time for you to face the truth!?" He yelled as he threw me up at the sun. I screamed as I could feel the heat, but most of all, I saw and felt every second that Dakota spent here, the torment, the suffering, even his heart getting ripped out of his chest.

"I failed." I said as I flew through the other side. "I failed him... he's... he's already dead." I said as I closed my eyes.

Opening them, I stood up and walked over to the door. Opening it, I walked over to the living room and watched as Eda stood before Amity and Luz.

"So, you set Willow's memories on fire and erased everything. Even minor damage can have huge effects!" Eda pointed as she wasn't happy with them.

Willow walks into the couch where King is sleeping. Ahh, a chair for sitting! Willow said as she flops face front onto the couch, does a handstand while trying to sit, and then flops upside down. I casted a sleep spell on Willow, where she fell onto the arm of the couch.

Yep, her brain's burned up real good. Damage like that can change everything about a person. Willow may never be the same. Eda said as she crossed her arms and looked disappointed.

Is there anything we can do? Luz asked, placing her hands together as she was worried for her friend.

"There is one way, but it's terribly dangerous and partially illegal." Eda said before stopping. "So you're in the right place! I'll send you into her mind to fix the damage."

"Be still my fantasy loving heart, I have always wanted to do this! Thank you, Boiling Isles." Luz cheered with a smile on her face.

"It won't be easy." I warned, with them looking at me. "The mind is both fragile and powerful. You never know what you might encounter." I said as I crossed my arms. "I would offer to go, but if the person doesn't have a strong connection with the uninvited, it can kick them out. You two should be fine." I said as I pointed at both girls.

"You have a lot to fix in there, 'cause it's a mess! Yep, whoever did this to Willow showed unbelievable disregard for her safety, downright despicable." Eda said as Amity looks away, guilty. "Oh, right, it was you." Eda said sarcastically as she pointed at Amity. Anyways, Luz, Wanda already chose your partner, so be careful in there."

"Willow might not want me in there." Amity said while rubbing her arm.

"You set everything in there on fire! You have to help." Luz pointed out, with me coursing my magic through my hands.

"If you back down, I will erase you from existence." I threatened, making Amity gulp. "Good, now get a move on!" I said as I pointed at Willow.

"Okay, I'll do what I can." Amity said as she lowered her head in defeat. Luz holds her hand out to Amity, and she hesitantly takes it.

"Alright!" Eda said as she draws a spell circle around them and summons a bell.

"Whoa." Luz said as she took the bell.

"When you're done, ring that and I'll cast you back—Oh, and keep an eye out for her "Inner Willow." She's the gatekeeper of emotions and memory. She might help ya." Eda said, with me walking over to her.

"Or kill you!" I said as I pointed at Amity.

Eda lifts her hand. The spell circle around Luz and Amity produces a light that encases them.

"Now, here we go!" Eda said as they both screamed before they disappear into the yellow light of the spell. Eda directs it to Willow, where the light enters her.

"Huh, that's different than when I travel into others minds. I said as I rubbed my chin in thought. "Anyways, we have a big problem with Dakota." I said as I looked at Eda.

"Is he eating rats again? That's normal." Eda said, where I nearly vomited at the thought of it.

"No, that's gross, no this is beyond even my powers of the Scarlet Witch." I said, gaining her attention. "Dakota has a Celestial living inside him." I informed, with Eda scratching her head.

"What's that? A Star?" She asked as she didn't understand.

"Celestial's are world destroyers. I've encountered one once before and it still lives even after trying to erase it from existence. The Phoenix is no joke, and the one Dakota has knew it, called it his sister, called it weak." I informed, with Eda's eyes widened in shock.

"So he is a weapon? Or a host?" Eda said as she rubbed her chin in through. "What did it say? Did it mention anyone by the name of Verona?" Eda asked, confusing me on the name.

"Who's Verona?" I asked, with her shaking her head.

"Someone we fear that Dakota absorbed." Eda said as she looked at Willow. "She is a vampire, and her power is terrifying. I've seen him use a few of her spells. The first allowed him to drink all of his blood that had dried up over the years, gaining his body back. He effortlessly took out everyone inside the prison he was held in. The second was using his blood to conjure up Wings or claws. The wings looked painful." Eda said with a shiver. "Next isn't a spell, but could be something that he came up with on his own. He puts his blood into a thing he call a gun and shoots it, and it's like a big explosion. Finally he has this awakening spell, which my guess gives Verona control over his body. It empowers him, lets him absorb magic with a touch and summons an army of hounds blacker than the abyss." Eda said as she looked back at me. "The scariest thing about him... is he takes the punishment. He doesn't dodge because he doesn't need to. He regenerates at insane speeds when he wants to, coming back from nothing but a red black fire." Eda said, where my eyes widened at that.

"Black fire? That's Decay! He controls it!" I said as I remembered the bird. "But the red... that would have to be this Verona you speak of." I said as I thought of it. "Are they working together? No, Verona is a vampire and needs to absorb others, Decay was destroying the memories of those that were absorbed. Maybe they have another plan in mind." I said, with Eda grabbing my shoulders.

"Are you absolutely sure that he was destroying the memories?" She asked in a serious tone, with me nodding.

"I watched him do it, I wasn't even able to stop him." I said, with Eda bitting her thumb nail.

"So they plan on using that spell." She said as she looked to the side, confusing me.

"Spell?" I asked as I didn't know what she was getting at.

"Destroying the memories of someone, all of them, turns them into a mindless being who lives only off of instinct. To put it more bluntly, they plan to unleash them, all of them, and cause absolute chaos. Death won't stop them, because they are already dead." Eda said, where I felt fear at her words.

"There are thousands of them, maybe more." I said as I looked down at the ground in shock. "His mind... it wasn't a building or a city... it wasn't something small like that... it was a universe. He really is beyond death." I said as I looked at the hallway as it lead to his room. "I saw his memories, they were the Sun, and when I was forced to see them... I felt everything that Belos did to him, I know everything that happened... that I failed him." I said as I looked at Eda. "Belos killed him... he is dead." I said, with Eda hugging me.

"I know, but deep down he is still in there. It's mostly him, but when the purple eyes comes out, it's no longer him. He is Verona." She said as I hugged her back, now scared of what was to come. How were we supposed to stop him from killing everything, from destroying everything!

Later

No one can give me the interview I need, except... myself! Gus said as he creates an illusion double.

I'd rather die than expose my secrets! The Fake Gus said as he made an X out of his arms.

Gusrolls up his sleeves. Then die, you shall! He said as Gus and his illusion strike fighting poses.

"Ahem. If you need an interview, look no further. Interesting? I'm a bad girl living in a secret fortress." Eda said as she gained our attention.

Hooty crashes through the window. "I'm the secret!" He yelled, with me pushing him back out and fixing the window with magic.

"Noteworthy?" Eda said as she gestures to her wanted poster. "I'm public enemy number one. Accomplished? I'm the greatest witch who ever lived!" Eda said, with me clearing my throat, where she looked at me. "Second greatest witch... But I'm more well known here." She said with a smirk.

"I don't want anything to do with this so called interview, that's a you thing." I said as I looked at the hallway.

"What do you think?" Gus asked his fake.

"I think not!" King yelled as he passed through Illusion Gus's chest, getting a scream from Gus. "If you're handing out attention, I deserve it. Nyeh!" King said as he jumps to the floor. Gus's illusion disappears in a puff of blue smoke. The real Gus looks at King and Eda as they stood next to each other.

"I will choose one of you, but which one? If you want to get picked, you'll have to impress me." Gus said as he pointed at them, where King and Eda glare at each other.

Later

"Just give up, King, 'cause I got this." Eda said as she sat next to King, who was looking in a hand mirror.

"You got nothing. No one could turn down an interview with someone this pretty!" King said as he winked at the mirror.

Looking at Gus, he nodded and I turned the light off, where King dropped the mirror.

Gus summons a ball of light to light the room. "If you want this interview, you're gonna have to start answering some tough questions." Gus said as he got in Kings face. "Where were you born?"

"Weh?"

"What'd you eat for breakfast this morning?" Gus questioned Eda as he got in her face.

"Wha?"

"What's your greatest strength?" Gus questioned King as he got back in his face.

"My decisiveness." King answered, with Gus backing away. "W-Wa-Wait, I changed my mind!"

"This will be the single greatest interview of all time. So if you want it, you'll have to dazzle me!" Gus said as he turns the one ball of light into dozens.

"The kid scares me." Eda said to herself, with me leaning into her ear.

"Trust me, Hooty's non stop talking is worse." I whisper, with her nodding her head.

Later

Eda was ringing several bells, with even more on the coffee table in front of her. I was covering my ears as it was loud. Once she stopped, she struck a pose, with me taking my hands off my ears.

"How's that for interesting? There's levels to me, kid, levels I say!" Eda said with excitement.

Yes, that was nice. Gus said as he wrote down on his notebook.

"No it wasn't! If you want noise, I'll give you noise!" King said as he slides on the table, sending the bells flying. He slams a spoon against a metal sheet, with me taking them from him as there was a bang from the hallway. We all watched Dakota walked into the living room, his eyes violet. Eda stepped in front of me, her arms spread.

"All of you... are annoying!" He said as he tilted his head to the side. We watched as he fell over, passed out.

"He sure sleeps a lot." King said as he got a marker and marched over to Dakota.

"Don't you dare!?" I yelled as I picked King up to stop him from doing anything that would anger him.

Later

Eda and King were panting, posing on the coffee table. Various items litter the floor. Dakota was out of it, mostly due to the noise canceling barrier I put on him.

"So? Who got the gig, kid?" Eda asked between breaths.

"Well, this has been the hardest choice of my entire life. But with the public interest in mind, the interview goes to... Dakota!" Gus said as he pointed at Dakota, who was laying on the floor.

"Drop dead." I told him, where he slowly pointed at me. "Try again!" I warned, with him, not wanting anything to do with this.

"Hooty!" He said, shocking everyone.

"Hooty?" We asked as one, where the door opened.

"Hoot?" Hooty said with some joy.

"Well, your performances got me thinking. What could create such interesting people? Only the Owl House itself!" His said as I crossed my arms. "An interview with a Vampire like Human would be interesting, as well as a Witch from another world, but because those are out it's only obvious that it goes to Hooty!" He said, with me rolling my eyes at him.

Hooty gasped before cheering as this was probably going to be his best day ever. Someone to listen to him. I lowered the barrier on Dakota as I saw him move. He looked at us and the mess that was the living room.

"I'm too hungry to deal with this." He said as he walked out the front door, leaving.

"Tell me everything, Mr. Hooty!" Gus said as he walked over to the door.

"I've been waiting to hear those words all my life!" Hooty said as he closed the door.

"Ooooh, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna bake that bird in a pie!" Eda said in anger.

"I'm gonna bake that kid into a pie!" King added out of anger.

The sound of a bell rings, with us looking at Willow.

"Huh? Oh, right, I put people in there." Eda said as she snaps her fingers, where she summons Luz and Amity from Willow's mind. They land with a puff of yellow smoke, holding hands. The bell disappears from Luz's hand as Amity lets go of her other one.

"Whoa. What went down here? And where's Gus? What did you do with Gus?" Luz questioned as she looked around the room and then at Ed's and King.

"The kid's fine. He's just dead to us." Eda said as she and King left in anger.

"Those are very mixed messages." Luz said as she watched them leave.

Willow woke up, with me walking over to the couch and sitting next to her.

"Willow! Do you know who I am?" Luz asked as she pointed to herself.

Willowsits up and looks at her. "A friendly scarecrow?" Willow said, with me glaring at them as they failed. "Ha! Just messing, I remember everything!" Willow said, with me pinching her ear, getting a yelp from her.

"Not funny. This was a serious matter." I told as I placed a hand on her head, with me looking into her mind and trying to find anything that didn't match her mindscape. It was a forest, she really enjoyed plants.

"She's back, folks! My girl's back! I'm gonna hug you so hard you'll never forget me again!" Luz said as she hugged Willow.

Amity turned, looking hurt, and started to leave. We watched her open the door. Amity gave her a shy wave and takes a step out the door.

"I remember what you did too." Willow said, with Amity stopping in her tracks and looked back. "What you did in there." She said as she points to her head. "I can't say we're friends, but it's... a start."

Amity waves again, smiling as she leaves and closes the door behind her.

"Luz, question: how did Amity happen to see the photo I hid in class?" Willow asked, with Luz shrugging, confusing me on this Photo.

"You said nothing about shenanigans..." Luz said with a grin, where I pinched her ear as well. "Stop!?" Luz begged as I stood up.

"So you also had a part in this!" I said, getting a nervous laugh out of her. "Eda and I will make a punishment for you later, I am going after Dakota." I said as I walked out the door, with Hooty talking to himself. "He's gone Hooty." I said as I walked into the woods, using a spell to track him.

Later

Finding Dakota, I approached him cautiously, my heart heavy with guilt and a desire to make amends. I found him sitting on a rock, his gaze lost in the distance, seemingly disconnected from the world around him. I knew Dakota had a lot going on, burdened by the presence of multiple beings within him, unable to touch, his death.

As I approached, Dakota remained silent, not turning to face me. He knew I was her as I came at him from his field of vision, but he was wary of me. I understood the weight of his burden and the isolation it brought him. I wanted to reach out, to let him know that I understood, that I cared.

Taking a deep breath, I finally spoke, my voice filled with remorse. "Dakota, I know what Belos did to you, and I know that I failed you. I never meant for any of this to happen. I'm so sorry." I said as I looked at the ground, knowing that he knew I invaded his mind.

Dakota's silence persisted as he continued to stare ahead, his emotions concealed behind a stoic facade. Looking up, however, I was something in his eyes betrayed a flicker of acknowledgment, a hint that he heard my words. I took it as a sign and cautiously moved closer, settling beside him on the rock. It was then that I took notice that it wasn't a rock, but a finger, a finger connected to a headless giant. It was long dead, as there was no sign of a fight here.

Summoning my magic, I cast a spell to temporarily sever the deadly connection that plagued Dakota's touch. The energy flowed from my fingertips, encircling Dakota's hands, breaking the curse that had caused so much pain and suffering.

As the spell took effect, I hesitantly, but gently, laid my head on Dakota's shoulder, seeking a connection with him that went beyond words. I decided to test my luck and reached out, gently taking his hand in mine, intertwining our fingers. It was a small gesture, but it carried immense significance.

In that moment, I wanted Dakota to understand that I was there for him, that I acknowledged my mistake and would do whatever it took to make things right. I hoped that by sharing this vulnerable moment, I could bridge the divide that had kept us apart.

We sat there in silence, the weight of our shared experiences, through him that is, hanging in the air. My presence, my touch, I hoped that it offered a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that was consuming Dakota. It was a fragile connection, one that needed to be nurtured and rebuilt over time.