All characters from Disney and other properties are owned by their respectful owners. The OCs made here are written entirely for the story. Enjoy the fic.
Chapter 99: Brawl Night Part 1
Morning at Geist's bar. After having spent the night there, Luz and Amity were having some breakfast at the bar while still trying to recover from the trial yesterday.
"Here you two go," Geist said as he handed them breakfast.
"Thanks, Uncle Geist," Amity responded.
"Yeah, thank you sir," Luz said as the two ate. She turned to Amity. "How are you feeling right now, Ams?"
"Honestly, it's… I don't like thinking about it," Amity admitted while eating her food. "The trial, I mean." She didn't like thinking about how her dad was still under Gibson, Arthur, and Destiny's control. Or how they, along with Cluckington, Felicity, and Kikimora had humiliated Lilith and Odalia. Of course, it was impossible for her not to think about it.
"I get it, Ams," Luz said with a sigh as Em showed up.
"Hey guys," Emira told them while heading to the door. "I'm going out to look for Ed."
"Ed didn't come home last night?" Amity asked her.
"Afraid not," Geist responded sadly. "I was out late looking for him, but found no sign of him. He hasn't been answering his texts either. I might have to report his disappearance to the Emperor's Coven precinct later."
"And I'm going to check his favorite spots," Emira responded while heading outside the door.
Luz looked up at the time as she finished up her breakfast. "I got something to do too, but I'll be back."
"Where are you going?" Amity asked her in confusion.
"I got an appointment with a certain fox," Luz responded. "I won't be long."
As she headed out, Luz pulled up her scroll, texting to her mom.
Eda received Luz's text and texted her back. She was still over at her childhood home with her folks and was having breakfast with her family… minus Lilith, who was still up in her room. The crystal ball covered the news about the trial while Gwendolyn was answering various calls.
"Last night's trial has caused a frenzy as many Boiling Isles residents are shocked by the scandal surrounding now disgraced Lilith Clawthorne and former Blight and CEO of Blight Industries, Odalia Grunhar, who were revealed to be the perpetrators responsible for cursing Edalyn Clawthrone in addition to having an affair behind Head Witch Blight's back!"
Eda glared at the globe, particularly at Felicity Fox who was reporting the news.
"This is my fault," Eda admitted, lowering her head. "That fox came to my home and I was gonna expel her but then I let my own ego let her have an interview with me. I mentioned that I had forgiven the person who cursed me and that must have given her the idea to look into it… and now it's out there."
"Don't blame yourself, Eda," Gwen reassured her. "You are not responsible for anything that awful Fox woman did."
"Or what Kikimora did," Hunter spoke up as he came downstairs. "Ugh, of course Kiki would expose Lilith to hurt her."
Eda looked at Hunter. "Is she still not coming out?"
"No, she's still in bed," Hunter responded with a solemn look. He heard the noise outside. "Are they still out there?"
"Let me check," Eda responded as she opened the door…
"CRUCIFY HER! CRUCIFY HER! CRUCIFY HER!"
Outside of the Clawthorne home was a mob chanting about wanting Lilith's head. They had even built an effigy of Lilith that they hung and set aflame. Kikimora was also there with Pugsley, having set up a stand selling 'I Hate Lilith' merchandise.
Eda closed the door. "These people really don't have anything better to do…"
"You have, four, new hate mail!"
Lilith was still in bed, letting her mirror ping a lot while her crow placed her voice mail.
"New message from unknown caller," the crow spoke before its voice changed. "Lilith Clawthorne… fuck you, you hoyden witch! My children looked up to you, but now after hearing about this, they're ashamed! And you should be ashamed of yourself for what you did to that poor girl!"
Lilith didn't budge, she had heard it all before…
"New message from the Supernatural Museum of History!" the crow cawed. "Hey Lilith, this is Bindel… listen, after a review of recent news, we believe that you should take some time off… okay, I'm gonna be honest, you're suspended until further notice. I'm sorry, Lilith, but right now the museum considers you a… liability."
Lilith just looked down at her pillow. She knew she might as well be fired.
"Your message box is now full! All will be deleted!" The crow declared.
"I should probably get going," Eda said as she got up and turned to her folks. "It was… great to catch up with you guys."
"It's been great to have you here as well, Edalyn," Gwen said while giving her a hug. "Please do remember that you can always visit."
"And don't forget the family reunion that is coming soon," Dell said while he and Eda hugged "Good luck running that orphanage."
"Thanks," Eda replied, though she didn't think she was looking forward to the reunion given recent history, but maybe it would give her the chance to reconnect with her clan.
After hugging her parents, she turned to Hunter. "Hunter, are you going to be alright?" she asked him.
"Yeah, I'm good," he confirmed. "I'm gonna go check up on Lilith again."
"We'll come too," Dell responded as he and Gwen followed Hunter upstairs while Eda headed out to deal with the mob.
The mob stopped their chanting when they saw Eda coming out. "What? This isn't the first time I've been surrounded by a mob," she told them.
"Oh no, we're not here for you, Eda, you're good!" a mob member told her.
"Yeah, we're here for yer backstabbing sister!" another replied as the crowd cheered.
"Oh would you all just give it a rest!" Eda shouted at them, causing them to stop. "Listen up! What the hell are you guys doing here in the middle of the fucking morning? Do you not have anything better to do on a Splatterday? Did you all even care that I've already forgiven my sister for cursing me? I've already got my closure. If you all want to speak up for me, this isn't the way! My sister doesn't just live here, my parents live here as well and you're harassing them too! My mom's hearing is easily damaged and you're waking up the spider-cat! Why are you all even here? To defend my honor? I don't need defending. I think you just like a target that makes you feel better about yourselves, especially you, Clarice!"
"You got me again, Eda," Clarice replied while holding a picket sign.
"Yeah, my sister did some and was complacent in a lot of messed up shit, especially during her time in the Emperor's Coven, but she is not the only one," Eda said while glaring at Kikimora. "So why don't you just do yourselves a favor and go do something meaningful. For Titan's sake, go spend time with your families, watch a game, go to a bar, a brothel, anything better than just screaming and shouting your lungs out! Cause you all are not doing any favors right now!"
"But Lilith needs to answer for her crimes!" one spoke up.
"Yeah, she deserves justice for what she's done!" another angry member declared.
"Who wants a brick for ten snails?" Kikimora offered.
Eda sighed, seeing that no one was going to leave anytime soon, "Alright, you all leave me no choice but to call for crowd control… Hoostifer… Hoostifer… Hoostifer!"
Everyone looked confused until they felt the ground shaking. Then the long, tube neck of Hooty erupted from the ground.
"Who summons Hooty?" Hooty asked before he gasped upon seeing the mob wearing anti-Lilith merch. "What is this?!" he shouted as he saw Kikimora's stand. "This… angers meeee!"
And so chaos followed as Hooty began a rampage, causing everyone to disperse and run. He targeted those with the anti-Lilith merchandise, Kikimora and Pugsley running from their stand as Hooty crashed through it, knocking and destroying the stuff. Kikimora fell back, looked up and saw Hooty's glowing, flaming eyes as he opened his mouth, giving her a look at the teeth inside of his throat.
"WAAAAH!" Kikimora cried out as she was eaten by the demon and she saw a mini-Hooty inside….
Pugsley ran in a panic as Hooty targeted him next, engulfing half of his body and using it like a club at the crowd. Eda watched for a bit while bringing out her staff. "I think I'll just leave this one to you, Hooty," she told him while making her leave.
In her room, Lilith looked up to see her parents and Hunter coming in to comfort her.
"Are you alright, Sweet Flea?" Gwen asked her.
"I'm… just want to lay here," Lilith replied, turning away before feeling her father patting her back.
"We're here for you when you need us, Lilith," Dell reassured her.
Hunter looked at her mirror and saw all the hate mail she had received. "You don't deserve any of this at all…"
"Yes, I do," Lilith loathed while getting up. "I'm suspended from the museum until further notice… me and Odalia haven't talked since last night… nothing's going to be the same after this."
Coming through the door past Hunter was Hooty. "Lulu! I have come for your service! I have successfully taken care of those insurrectionists outside!"
"Thank you, Hoostifer," Lilith said as she patted Hooty's head and he wrapped around Lilith in a hug.
Somewhere in the woods, Luz was sitting on a rock. "Looking at you leaves a bad taste in my mouth… Fox."
"Please, have mercy!" Felicia cried while hanging upside down from a plant glyph.
"Mercy is for the beggars, you're too well-off to be a beggar," Luz coldly said while Felicia swung around.
"Please, I'm sorry!" Felicia cried out. "I-I-I was just doing what my mom told me! I'm just trying to please her!"
"Oh, please her?" Luz got up, turning into her cambion form. "Was it worth it, Fox? Was it worth upsetting my girlfriend, shattering her family apart, and turning my aunt into a pariah? Was it all worth it just to please a mother who doesn't seem to care about you all that much?"
"That's a little going to-WAAH!" Felicia was swinging sideways. "Okay! Okay! I'm sorry! I didn't know that this would happen, honest! I thought she wanted a story about Lilith! I had no idea it could lead to this!"
"That still doesn't make anything better," Luz coldly said as her eyes pierced into her soul, like daggers.
"It wasn't worth it!" Felicia cried out. "It wasn't worth hurting Amity and her family! And it wasn't worth hurting yours either! Please Luz, I don't want to die!"
"You're not gonna die, because you're now under my debt," Luz told her while giving a devilish grin that showed her fangs. "In fact, since you're so good at selling-out, you're going to do exactly as I say…"
"What… what do you want me to do?" Felicia asked in fear while Luz just gave her own evil grin, which gave Felicia a bad feeling.
At the old Grunhar home, Odalia was having breakfast by herself, eating alone while watching the news on her crystal ball. She checked her messages on her scroll and saw that her inbox was filled with hate mail…
Message 1: U get what you deserve! #CancelOdalia
Message 2: I wouldn't make deals with someone involved in the Tarot Guild!
Huntress44: Odalia, it's Cali, are you alright?
Geister: Sis, it's your brother, are you okay?
Messenger 3: Gonna show us some nice pics?
Messenger 4: You are a disgrace to the Isles!
Odalia put down on her scroll and continued to eat her griffin eggs while listening to the news.
"The trial of Odalia Grunhar is still the talk of the Isles. Not only did this affect the reputation of the former CEO of Blight Industries, but Lilith Clawthorne as well since she along with Odalia were the perpetrators responsible for cursing Edalyn Clawthorne!" declared the news anchor. "Right now, Anti-Lilith groups have formed due to feeling betrayed by-"
Odalia muted the news. She sighed. She couldn't believe that she dragged Lilith down with her. "Why… why did I… I'm so sorry, Lilith," she said to herself. She sighed. "Maybe I should call and check up on her…"
As she reached for her crow, she smelled something. She looked over at the oven to make sure it was turned off. "What is that… smell?" she asked before noticing an insect crawling on the wall, followed by another. "What the-"
BOOM!
The cottage home exploded. Standing outside, watching his work, was Firebees.
"Yes… YES!" Firebees declared in victory as he held his crow. "It is done, my Producer…"
But what Firebees did not notice was the Abomi-monster dragging the unconscious Odalia out of the burning cottage…
At the Plant Coven, Terra was on her crow.
"Excellent work, my pyromaniac friend," Terra responded "No go out and enjoy yourself! Have some fun and celebrate a job well done!" She hung up and gave a chuckle as she turned to her two visitors. "It's been taken care of."
"Thank you, Head Witch Snapdragon," Arthur said while seated with Destiny. "You've done us a great favor."
"Anytime, and please, just call me Terra," she replied while sipping her own tea, the non-brainwashing kind. "When I learned all about you from your dear-old son, I knew I just had to meet you two. Luckily, it was easier to bail you two out from the retirement home than a Conformatorium. And I figured you could use some new friends."
"Oh yes, some of our old ones don't associate themselves with us anymore for some reason," Destiny said while eating cake.
"Yeah, guess we've underestimated our own reputation," Arthur replied, eating a biscuit. "But at least they're dead."
"I wish I could do the same for Calypso, especially since I would love to meet her parents, but she doesn't even seem to know where they are now!" Terra said with a frustrated tone. "I mean, how hard is it to find some like-minded witches similar to myself? Well, at least I can settle for you two. Just as long as our arrangements are met."
"Of course," Arthur nodded. "The contraption you had us build for you will be done within a week."
"You scratch our backs, we scratch yours as they say," Destiny replied. "We owe for placing Alador under our control. Divorcing Odalia out of his life went perfectly!"
"Yes, Alador is better off as a bachelor anyway," Terra commented. "After all, love is nothing but a disease around the Isles…"
"Um… we beg to differ," Arthur said while Terra narrowed her eyes at him. "No offense, but me and Destiny have grown to love each other no matter the struggles we've faced," he said while patting Destiny's hand.
"Yes, our love has gone through so many hardships," Destiny agreed.
"Yes, though since I like you two, you're the exception," Terra said with a sigh. "To me, love is just… nothing but a meaningless chore. I was married once, and boy did that wear this old girl out. Sometimes trying out something new isn't worth it. What's the point in keeping up with love while sacrificing your free time for someone else?" She scoffed. "Do you know what I learned a long time ago when I was just a little sprout?"
Arthur and Destiny looked at each other in confusion before Arthur spoke. "What?"
"We witches were meant to be wicked," Terra responded, her lips curling. "Cruelty, pride, and depravity is what we're meant to emulate! If only the people in the Isles realized that we can't hold back our wicked urges! What does a child raised poor know of luxury? What does those under the silver fork know about suffering? Rather than deny what I am, I embrace it!"
"Well… that's something," Arthur replied while looking up. "Say um, is that guy alright?"
Terra looked up to the glowing Perry. "Oh yes, the Emperor lets me keep him nourished and alive until further notice. He was some rebel member that could be useful someday…"
"Wow, he reminds me of our children, Arthur," Destiny commented.
"Yup, but less ugly," Arthur replied in agreement.
Back at Geist's bar, Amity's friends had showed up to comfort her. Willow, Gus, Amelia, Skara, Cat, Jerbo, Barcus, Bo, and Matt were all present.
"We're so sorry for what happened, Amity," Willow said as they hugged.
"Thank you… and thank you all for being here," Amity responded before turning to Amelia. "How's your mother doing, Amelia?"
"She's… still upset about it," Amelia replied with a sigh. "I think she blames herself for what happened. I'm so sorry, Amity."
"No, it's fine. Your mom did her best," Amity reassured her before they heard someone coming in. Everyone turned to see Eda.
"Amity, hey," Eda said as Amity went up to hug her. The Owl Lady hugged her back. "Oh kid, I'm so sorry…"
"I'm just… glad to see you right now, Eda," Amity replied.
"Do you want me to stay here?" Eda asked her. "I don't have to go to work…"
"No, you don't have to," Amity responded. She looked down, hesitating before she continued. "How's… Lilith doing?"
"Well, not great, but she's hanging there," Eda responded. "The news just won't shut up about her and I had to take care of a mob in front of the house," she muttered before focusing on Amity. "How are you holding up? Especially your siblings."
Amity sighed. "Em went to look for Ed who never came in last night… I'm worried for all of my family right now," she said while holding onto Ghost who jumped up into her arms. "I think… this is beyond fixing at this point."
"Hey now, don't say that," Eda told her. "Your family is not beyond fixing…"
"It is!" Amity snapped. "Ed and Em are mad at our parents and honestly they have every right to be, Alador still won't talk to us as he's under control by some really bad people, and Odalia left in disgrace after the trial and we haven't heard from her since and even though I thought I was willing to give her another chance now I'm not so sure… everything about my family is a mess!" she shouted while looking up to Eda. "Sometimes I just wish you were my mom." She froze, realizing what she just said. "I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"Yup," Luz replied as she came back in. "Sorry to be away, Ams…"
"It's fine, Luz," Amity replied. "I'm just glad everyone is here."
"We're always there for you, Amity," Willow said.
"Yeah, you're not going through this alone," Cat agreed.
Eda looked at the two. "You know, maybe you two can spend the day with me at the orphanage," she offered.
"Thanks, but we're good, Eda," Amity said politely.
"Yeah, I think we just want to do our own thing," Luz replied.
Eda gave a nod before she left Luz and Amity to talk with their friends. She went up to Geist, who was cleaning glasses behind the bar. "How are you holding up, Geist?"
"It hasn't been easy, Eda," he replied, looking saddened. "I couldn't find Edric last night so Emira went out to look for him. We're all getting worried. And my sister… I haven't heard from her since she vanished from the trial. I don't know where she is now, especially since Blight Manor's been repossessed."
"Well, Lilith hasn't heard from her either," Eda responded. "But hey, I'm sure that she'll turn up. She must have had someplace to go."
"Got the weekday stress hitting ya?" Everyone turned to the crystal ball that made the announcement. "We're holding our annual BONESBOROUGH BRAWL tonight! Be there to get the championship belt from the previous ten-time champion, Warden Wrath! Be there, and watch or sign up to participate! All challengers fourteen and older are accepted!"
"The Bonesborough Brawl…" Skara said in surprise. "I think my mom participated in it once."
"So did… dad," Amity reflected. "It was one of the cool things he did in his youth."
"Oh yeah, I remember that," Geist said. "Winning the Brawl was what helped him and Odalia jump-start Blight Industries."
"Yeah, me and Raine used to watch the Brawl on our dates," Eda added. "And I remember that Luz always asked me if she could sign up."
"Yeah, and you said that I wasn't old enough," Luz said while turning to Amity, whose eyes were on the commercial.
"I've been wanting to sign up for a while too," Amity admitted.
Seeing that this was something that Amity was interested in and realizing that they were both old enough, Luz spoke up. "Do you… wish to go?"
"Go?" Amity asked her.
"I mean, with everything that happened last night, I think you could blow some steam off at the Brawl," Luz suggested. "It's up to you."
"...Actually, that does sound like something I need right now," Amity said in agreement. "Eda, can me and Luz enter the Bonesborough Brawl?"
"Yeah, can we, mom?" Luz asked her.
"Hmm… sure, knock them out!" Eda replied. "You kids deserve to have some fun. I'll be heading to Crane's, but you two should probably visit the house at some point. Camila has to be worried."
"We will," Luz promised as Eda made her exit.
Soon after Eda left, Boscha came in. She looked a little unsure about being here, but when Amity and Luz saw her she came over to them.
"Uh… hi," she said awkwardly.
"Hey, Boscha," Amity said, smiling slightly. "Good to see you."
"Yeah, you too," Boscha said as they hugged it out. "How are you feeling, if that's okay to ask."
Amity groaned. "Not great," she admitted. "But better than I was last night, at least. Thanks for coming here."
"It's no problem," Boscha replied. "And, um, I'm not alone. I was followed by someone who claims to be… Luz's weird cousin," she said as coming from the door was Beocrow.
"Yo," he waved to them.
"Beocrow," Luz said as she went up to clasp his hand. "It has been a while."
"Yeah, I just wanted to stop by, see how you and your girlfriend are doing," Beocrow responded before noticing Gus. "Nice look."
"Um, thanks," Gus replied. "You look good too… fellow goth."
"This is still something to get used to," Jerbo whispered to Barcus, who nodded in agreement.
"Everyone, this is Beocrow Clawthorne, my cousin from St. Epiderm," Luz introduced.
"Hi! Nice to meet one of Luz's relatives," Willow said, offering a handshake.
"He's from St. Epiderm?" Cat asked Amelia in a whisper. Amelia shrugged.
On cue, Amity's scroll rang and she pulled it up. "It's from Em… she's found Ed," Amity explained.
"What's it say?" Luz asked.
"He's fine, but… she found him with his girlfriend and her friends," Amity replied, which got Boscha's attention. "She says that he left with them too."
"Wait, you mean Mel and her gang?" Boscha asked her. "Purple hair?"
"Yeah, you know her?" Amity asked.
"I saw them back at the beach," Boscha explained. "My cousin Beck took me and my friends there the day when the Scarfish attacked. I had a bad feeling about her and her friends. If your brother is spending all his time with them… that may be reason for concern."
"From the sound of it, it sounds like Edric may have joined a gang," Mattholomule said as he and Gus shared a look.
"Yeah," Gus agreed. "How long has Edric been hanging out with them?"
"Well, we met her during our protest at the Coven Day Parade," Cat explained. "But I think she left at some point before the Grim Goblin showed up…"
"But that's it. We never had the chance to get to know her," Bo added.
"This is just weirdly familiar," Gus pointed out. "Edric, an illusionist like me, falls into a bad crowd after a scandal between a Blight and a Clawthorne."
"Not to mention a secret between Lilith and a Blight being exposed to the rest of the Isles thanks to an Oracle having photos to share with the world," Boscha added, not happy about the similarities.
"I'm sensing this has all happened before," Beocrow commented.
"It's… a long story…" Luz explained.
Boscha turned to Luz and Amity. "Hey, can we talk? Just the three of us," she asks them.
"Yeah, sure," Amity said as she and Luz led Boscha to their room, away from everyone else.
"So what's up, Bosch?" Luz asked her.
Boscha looked down, rubbing her own arm. "Everything about this… reminds me of what I did. I do feel awful about it, now more than ever since I'm seeing this happening again as an outside spectator." She sighed. "You know what I'm talking about. I'm still very sorry for what I put you two through. Especially since my actions are still hurting you, since me exposing your deal with Lilith was used against her and your mom… former mom, whatever you call Odalia."
"Hey, it's alright, Boscha," Luz replied, reaching out to touch her arm.
"Yeah, this is not your fault in any way," Amity reassured. "Blame the actual bad guys. Not yourself."
"Still, I can't help but feel awful…" Boscha lamented.
"Hey, it's fine. We're all friends now," Luz reassured her, patting her shoulder.
"We… are?" Boscha asked them in surprise. "After everything I've done?"
"We're way past that, Boscha," Amity reassured her. "And… I do want to give us being friends another chance, if you want that."
Boscha quickly nodded. "I would," she confirmed, smiling. "So… what are you two planning on doing today?"
"Well, me and Luz are thinking of blowing off some steam and participating in the Bonesborough Brawl," Amity explained.
"The Brawl?" Boscha asked.
"Yeah, we think the Brawl would be perfect after what we've gone through this week," Luz replied. "In fact, we're probably due for a tournament arc."
"You two definitely deserve to have some fun at least," Boscha admitted. "Good luck at the Brawl tonight."
Of course, Boscha had her own plans, which included meeting up with her friends and… going to check up on Hunter.
Meanwhile, at the hangout of Mel's gang, Mel was wrapping tape around her fists. Trini was shown dressed in a black short top and shorts, with silver dazzles around and black boots.
"Like my brawling look?" Trini asked while flexing.
"Oh wow… you look beautiful, Trini!" Cups commented.
"Yeah!" Mugs replied. "This is going to be great! I can't wait to participate in the Brawl!"
"I share your excitement," D-Josh responded with a chuckle.
Edric turned to Jackson, Serpentina, and Eustace. "You guys coming to the Brawl?"
"Actually, we have some… other plans," Jackson said while turning to Eustace and Serpentina.
"We're going to help out Jackson with something," Serpentina explained.
"Hey guys," Blazer spoke up from outside. "I brought my date to watch the Brawl with me, want to meet her?"
"Bring her in, let's see what she looks like," Trini replied as Blazer brought his date in. She smiled. "Well, well, you must be Blazy's date…"
"Uh hi," spoke a witch girl with red eyes, pale skin, long white hair to one side of her head and shaven brown hair to the other. She wore a red long-sleeved shirt with black shorts, black leggings up above her knees, and sneakers. "You must be… Blazer's friends…"
"Got a name, love?" Eustace asked her.
"You can call me… Leni," she responded. "Just a… regular witch who's not from another realm or anything…"
"Well Leni, it's good to meet you," Mel said as she shook Leni's hand. "Are you here for a short visit or a long one?"
"I guess that depends on how things go down at the Brawl," Leni admitted.
Mel smirked, seeing right through Leni. "Well… let's just say I think this will be a night that no one will forget…"
Flying down to the Owl House, Luz and Amity came in through the front door.
"We're back!" Luz announced as they entered.
"Oh thank god you two are back," Camila responded as she went to embrace Amity. "Are you alright, mija?"
"I'm just glad to be home," Amity responded while hugging Camila.
"I am glad that you two are alright. I was worried, especially for Amity," spoke a familiar voice. Luz and Amity turned to see Julia Traveler with them in the living room, sitting down in a chair.
"Ms. T?" Luz asked her.
"She just stopped by earlier this morning and has been waiting for you two to return," King explained.
"Yes, I wanted to ask if you wanted a session, Amity," Julia offered. "Considering what happened last night at the trial, I thought you might like to talk. If that is the case, then I'm here."
Amity nodded. "That would be great, Ms. Traveler," Amity said in agreement.
"We'll leave you two alone," Luz said while bringing Camila and King to the other room.
"How is she doing?" Camila asked Luz once they were alone.
"She's feeling a little better, still upset but I think she's going to be okay," Luz reassured her. "Right now, we plan to blow off some steam by entering the Bonesborough Brawl."
"The what?" Camila asked her.
"Oh, it's like this annual tournament thing we have in Bonesborough, just think of it like a karate tournament… but with magic," Luz explained.
"Oh, so you're having a little tournament arc?" Camila asked her, not even sounding surprised.
"Exactly," Luz nodded. "And don't worry, we will be safe."
"Well… you two deserve to have some fun so… good luck," Camila said, patting her daughter's shoulder.
"Thanks, mom," Luz replied as she hugged her.
"Can me and Maurice watch?" King asked her while Maurice climbed to his shoulder.
"Of course," Luz answered.
"Great!" King said. "We want to be there as your emotional support… just don't ask me to dress up as a cheerleader again, okay?"
Somewhere in Latissa, two hooded figures were scouting around for supplies. One handed money to a stand for some food.
"Here," he said as he handed Hikari a steamed apple on a stick. "Steamed apple for you, and a jerky for me," he said, revealing himself to be Steve.
Hikari spotted in a window shop some crystal balls that were showing the news. Steve noticed them as well.
"The Emperor has yet to speak up about Lilith Clawthorne being responsible for, along with her accomplice Odalia, cursing her sister Eda the Owl Lady, as revealed during the trial between Odalia and the Blight Family-"
"What?!" Steve exclaimed. "Oh shit…"
"What?" Hikari asked while noticing Lilith's image on the crystal ball. "Oh, I had a feeling something like this would happen…"
"You… knew this would happen?" Steve asks in confusion.
"The tea leaves help predict outcomes better than what the Oracle Coven teaches," she explained. "It's practically plant and oracle magic combined."
"I see," Steve nodded while looking saddened that the news about Lilith. "Dear Titan, I hope Lilith and Amity are okay."
Hikari looked at Steve in concern, deciding to change the subject. "So where do we find your contact?"
"We're close," he said while leading her out of the way. As they walked, they noticed Steve's wanted poster up next to Nicole's, and Sonya's. "Keep your hood up," he told her while they rushed down to an alleyway.
They made it to the spot, where Steve knocked on the door. Opening it was an imp. "Were you followed?"
"No, it's just us," Steve responded as the imp let them inside.
"Come in, come in." the imp said as the two were led inside. "They've been waiting for you…"
"They?" Steve asked, only to see two coven scouts waiting inside. Steve and Hikari looked shocked to see them.
"Steve, you are under arrest in the name of the Emperor's Coven!" declared a scout.
"Come with us, man, just make it easy for us," another told him.
Steve turned to the imp. "You double-cross us!"
"Sorry, but the bounty's good on your head!" the imp declared, turning to the scouts. "Now where's my pay?!"
"We'll pay you after we capture him!" the scout responded as the two drew their spell circles.
However, Steve thought quickly as he knocked over a table, grabbed Hikari's hand, and fled out of the hideout.
"Come back here!" shouted the scouts as they ran after to chase Steve, one of them holding a mirror. "We got a runaway wild witch! It's Steve and his accomplice!"
Steve and Hikari ran through Latissa as more scouts popped up to chase after them. They kept shooting spell beams at them, which Steve and Hikari had to dodge while avoiding civilians as well. Steve shot a spell at a trash can while stomping on the ground, building a wall that cut off the scouts from chasing them.
For a moment, the two thought that they had escaped. But then flying down were several Abomatons that began to shoot and blast at Steve and Hikari. The two dodged their blasts as Steve made more constructs. They headed in the other direction, but more Abomatons surrounded them, along with the scouts.
"You're surrounded, Steve," spoke the scout. "Just surrender yourself and the wild witch!"
Steve glared while protecting Hikari, preparing to fight them for as long as he could…
Until a rainbow blast struck one Abomaton, followed by another. The other Abomatons were blasted away by powerful blasts, temporarily disabling them..
"What?!" the scout captain cried out in disbelief. "H-How-?"
Din-Din!
The scouts were suddenly floating up in the air. "Wha… what?!" As they floated up they heard the sound of strings being strum, followed by a violin music tune playing. "What's going on here?!" the scout cried out.
"Fly out." said a voice.
The scouts and the Abomatons were thrown into the walls while a steam cloud spread around, blinding them.
"What the hell?" Steve asked while having Hikari by his side. Looking around, he saw a hooded figure with glasses that light shone off of and a second figure with a glowing hand. "Who… who are you two?"
"Steve, right?" the stranger asked, removing their hood and revealing themself to be… Raine, "Come with us if you wish to live."
Steve's eyes widened. "Raine," he whispered as he motioned to join them.
By the time the scouts used their magic to clear the smoke, Steve, Hikari, Raine, and Star were gone.
"Dang it! We almost had them!" cried one scout.
"What was it that damaged those Abomatons?" the captain asked, seeing the damage of the melted Abomatons. "Never seen magic like this…"
After her session with Julia, Amity walked over to the bedroom and found Kay in her tank, being watched over by Acorn.
"Hey, Kay!" Amity shouted as she rushed over, Kay jumping from the water and Amity catching her. "I know, I am glad to see you too. Sorry that I was out last night."
"Glad that you're finally back, last night she wouldn't stop crying until I rocked her to sleep." Acorn responds while yawning.
"How did you rock her to sleep?" Amity asked, wondering about it since Acorn was so small.
"Pixie dust," Acorn replied casually.
"What?! You had Kay flying?! She's not hurt, is she?" Amity asked her while checking on Kay.
"Relax, she's fine, she enjoyed it," Acorn reassured her before Ghost jumped up to try to eat her. "Hey! Watch it, you fucking cat!"
"Oh Kay, I'm so sorry for leaving you alone," Amity told her while Kay nuzzled her. "Anyway, me and Luz are planning on entering the Bonesborough Brawl, but I promise to spend some time with you first. Perhaps a shopping trip for supplies?"
"A brawl? Now that sounds exciting!" Acorn shouted.
"Yeah, Ms. Traveler agreed that I could use it as a way to vent my frustration after the trial," Amity responded before noticing the Sword of Adam on the wall. She seemed to have an idea. "I wonder if they allow weapons…"
"Oh? Planning to uphold the legacy?" Ghost asked her.
"It's just… I have never been able to use it since the Glandus War," Amity said while holding the helm of the sword and taking it off the wall. "I know I'm not Adam…"
"You don't have to be," Ghost reassured her. "And in any case, I think… Adam would be proud to have someone like you to take up his sword. Someone with a good heart who understands its history and its importance."
"Thanks, Ghost," Amity responded with a smile as Acorn looked at the sword.
"It's no Keyblade, but I can tell that it's well crafted," Acorn said while looking at the glowing green eye, which blinked and spooked her. "Eek! Not to mention a little creepy…"
Amity nodded and placed the sword back on the wall. "Well, the Brawl isn't until the evening, so before I start training, I'm gonna hang out with you, Kay," Amity said as she went back for the gill child, picking her up.
After escaping Latissa successfully, Steve took the opportunity to catch up with Raine.
"I never expected to see you again," Steve said while walking alongside Raine, Hikari and Star walking behind them. "Where have you been and… is she a human?" He pointed to Star, noticing her round ears.
"Mewman, actually," Star clarified.
"That could explain your aura being different from other witches," Hikari noted.
"All will be explained, but first we need to find a place to rest," Raine said while Steve led the way.
"Don't worry, we are close," Steve responded while leading Raine and Star to their destination.
They found themselves at a pile of large stones with bushes covering around. Steve gave a knock and a square slot opened in the stones, showing a pair of eyes.
"Steve, is that you?" asked the person in the stone. "Who's that with you? Wait, are you really Steve and not some zombie?!"
"Relax, Bunker," Steve said. "The Steve's got some friends who're looking for shelter."
Bunker narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "They're not here to eat our brains?"
"Um, no," Raine replied.
Bunker seemed reluctant, but the rock moved sideways, showing an entrance. "You may enter."
Raine and Star gave a particular look while Steve and Hikari entered. Ultimately, they just shrugged as they followed the two inside the hideout.
Once they got inside, they saw that it was bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. "Whoa… hyperspace magic," Raine said while looking around, seeing the place filled with food supplies, a couch, a mini-bar, a fridge, weapons, and sleeping bags.
"Hmm, not bad," Star commented as she looked around. "I've slept in worse places."
"This is a bunker built for a case when the Boiling Isles falls victim to a zombie uprising," Bunker declared. He appeared to be a chalk-skinned young witch man with hair made out of fingers connected to his scalp and a blue toboggan hat. He wore a red vest with a blue sweater, green cargo pants, and black muddy boots. "When that happens, I will be prepared."
Steve introduced him to them. "This is Zakrai Burrows, expert survivalist and zombie-conspiracy theorist. I have known him since we were schoolmates. We call him Bunker due to his knack in making shelters and hiding spots."
"I joined the Construction Coven in order to build dozens of shelters around the Isles," Zakrai explained.. "I let my girlfriend and a friend of hers use one of them, it was made just for her."
"I've been in my fair share of bunkers but this… this is one of the better ones," Star admitted while looking at the food supply. "Even alphabetized the canned goods… we are certainly dealing with a professional."
"So, now that we're settled, we have a lot to talk about," Steve said while turning to Raine.
"Yes, we do," Raine said while sitting on the couch, facing Steve, Hikari, and Bunker. "You may not have heard about this, but before my disappearance I was the leader of a group of rebellious witches that opposed the Emperor. But it didn't turn out the way I'd hoped. The Emperor was three steps ahead and the Bards Against the Throne were wiped out."
"Wait, who are they?" Bunker asked, not recognizing Raine
"They are Raine Whispers, the missing former Bard Head," Hikari explained to him. "How have you not heard of them?"
"I've been living under a rock for some time, I couldn't keep up with the news," Bunker admitted.
"As I was saying," Raine continued. "I was compromised. I couldn't get my mind off of this tea Terra Snapdragon gave me until I was taken by a Fae, possessed by the Inner Demon…"
Steve's eyes widened. "The Inner Demon? You mean… the evil dream demon who haunts nightmares and the Forest of Fear?"
"That's him," Raine confirmed. "He kept me weakened and tortured until I was rescued by an ally. I stayed in hiding until I was well enough to go out and during that time I met Star who decided to come along to help me with my cause."
"I'm from another realm," Star explained with her arms crossed. "A realm that was destroyed by its own corruption. When I heard about the problems the Isles have with the Emperor's Coven and its corruption, I decided to join the cause."
Raine nodded as they turned to Steve, Hikari, and Bunker. "Star is my first recruit, since I do intend to continue fighting the Emperor now that I am well enough and I am certain that I am no longer compromised. However, I still have a lot of rebuilding ahead of me. Me and Star cannot do this alone, which was why I wanted to ask if any of you were interested and if willing… in joining my new rebellion?"
On her trip to the marketplace, Amity had Kay with her. Accompanying her were Ghost and Acorn.
"Okay, all we need are some more supplies, and a new filter for Kay's tank," Amity said while having a list hovering in front of her. "Oh, and see if they have kelp food down at Mange Street," she said before she spotted a stand. "Let's check over here, first."
As they went over to one stand that was holding a sale for baby books, there was already someone there… Tabrella, who noticed Amity.
"Oh, pardon me, but are you Amity?" Tabrella asked. She was holding a baby witch girl with pink hair and wore a white onesie.
"Yes, I am," Amity replied while looking at the books. "But I don't like talking about the trial right now."
"Right, right… say, is she yours?" Tabrella asked, pointing to Kay.
Amity looked up and realized who Tabrella was asking about. "Yeah, I'm her god sister and I have been taking care of her since her family are… away, for the time being," Amity responded before seeing that Tabrella was holding a baby girl. "Is that your sister?"
"...Yes, she is," Tabrella replied. "Her name's Katie, she's about six months old. Say hi, Katie."
"Ba!" Katie simply said.
"Hi, Kay says hi too," Amity replied as Kay made her own noise in response.
"My name is Tabrella, by the way," Tabrella introduced. "I go to St. Epiderm. I was actually at that art gallery the Goblin attacked, but we didn't get the chance to talk."
"Oh yeah, I think I remember seeing you," Amity recalled. She looked around. "Are your parents with you?"
"No, they are away for the weekend," Tabrella confirmed. "I don't mind, since it gives me and Katie plenty of time to spend together. Sometimes the weekends are all I have and I want to make the most of them."
"Same can be said for me and Kay, honestly," Amity admitted. "I am still trying to make it up to her after being missing for over a week. I don't think I could ever be away from her too long ever again."
"Oh I get that, I don't think I could go through the day without my Katie," Tabrella said. "I mean, she's just too adorable!" she said while hugging Katie. "Of course, there's a lot of challenges that come with taking care of her, like having to split my time between being with Katie and my other activities, which is why I try to prioritize Katie during my weekends and I spend the school week on everything else. It is exhausting, but rewarding."
"Yeah, I get that," Amity replied. "I definitely miss Kay while I am at school or on adventures around the Isles. It's always satisfying to just come back home and see the little one. Luckily, my girlfriend and her family are of big help."
"Well, my mom's been a big help as well," Tabrella said, which confused Amity.
"Big help?" Amity asked in confusion. "I assumed you were of big help?"
"Oh um, yes, I mean I've been a big help! With my mom, with Katie!" Tabrella responded, quickly correcting herself. "Say um, is Kay open for a play date?"
"Uh yeah, of course," Amity said with a nod. "I am sure we could schedule something."
"Perfect!" Tabrella replied. "Let's send each other our Penstagram information and get connected."
"Sure," Amity replied as they both summoned their scrolls and began trading their contact information.
Back at the old Clawthorne home, the quartet of Boscha, Gavin, Angmar, and Ukla had stopped by to visit.
"Thanks for stopping by, guys," Hunter told them while hanging out in the living room.
"No problem, we just wanted to check on you to see how you're doing, on account of…" Ukla said awkwardly.
"How is Lilith doing?" Gavin asked.
"She's still up in her room," Dell responded as he and Gwen came in. "Nice to see Hunter's friends again… and under better circumstances."
"How are you feeling, dear?" Gwen asked Boscha.
"I'm doing better, ma'am," Boscha replied politely before looking down. "I'm so sorry for what happened to Lilith… and I want to apologize for what I did to her."
"I don't hold that against you, Boscha," Lilith said as she came downstairs. "This is not your fault."
"But if I didn't expose you at the school-"
"Stop," Lilith said to her. "This whole thing was my fault. I shouldn't have used Amity and taken advantage of our relationship like I did. I hurt her and her family then… just like I am hurting their family now…" She sat down on the couch while Hunter sat next to her.
"Lilith, you don't have to blame yourself for this," Hunter told her. He couldn't help but think about how Belos pulled the same stunt on him by having him spy on Luz and her family. He pondered this for a moment before looking back up at his friends. "So, do any of you know anything about the deal with this… BIG?"
"Well, Tyrone's brother, who's a scout, told him about how BIG is an initiative to keep up morale, considering the recent events," Gavin explained. "And leading them is the latest Golden Guard, who I think we can confirm who it is…"
"Yeah, I know," Hunter responded, looking down. "Emily Tricks is my replacement…"
Boscha looked shocked. "What?! They let that crazy bitch out and made her the Golden Guard?!"
"This is a nightmare…" Angmar replied, looking scared.
"I can't believe this," Ukla growled in frustration. "Are you saying that the Emperor's Coven let Emily escape justice? Meanwhile, the actual innocents Tom and Athena are currently imprisoned?! This… this whole coven system is a fucking joke!"
"Calm down, Ukla…" Angmar said.
"I can't! And I don't know if I would be able to restrain myself if I ever see that so-called Golden Guard!" Ukla declared while tightening her fists.
"And what should we do with this info? Who else knows?" Angmar asked.
"So far, Luz, Amity, King and Eda are aware, and to an extent, Camila," Lilith listed off.
"LOWTH knows as well," Gavin replied with a concerned look. "From what I've heard, a St. Epiderm student named Lindsay Shystream had shown an… infatuation with the Golden Guard since she saved her."
"That's just great," Boscha said with an annoyed look. "Hope she knows about what she did to Stella…"
"I say we expose her," Ukla suggested, crossing her arms. "Let the Isles know just who this Golden Guard is."
"That's too risky," Hunter pointed out. "Exposing her would be a double-edged sword. We do that, chances are, Belos could do something drastic in retaliation. In any case, she's just a temporary stand-in while I'm MIA… and now that they know that I'm here."
"So even if we do try to expose her, they'll probably discredit the claim and just have another stand-in for Emily," Boscha noted.
"And they could come back to take Hunter away," Lilith said with a worried look. "Two weeks until the Day of Unity, and we can't do anything about it…"
"So… now what?" Angmar asked.
"We don't really have to do anything, to be honest," Lilith pointed out. "I doubt Eily Tricks will last long in the Emperor's Coven…"
"Yeah, even if she's not in the Conformatorium, she is still in a prison," Hunter agreed. "The Emperor's Coven will eat her alive."
"So basically she's doomed there," Ukla said as Lilith and Hunter nodded. She smiled slightly. "Well… at least that gives me some comfort…"
Luz turned on her music and cracked her knuckles. Using some tape to wrap around her cambion fists, she targeted the training bag as she went for the punch.
The power to be strong, and the wisdom to be wise…
Outside, Amity held the Sword of Adam, transforming into her Abomi-Knight look. Seeing the Abomination targets, she swung her sword at them.
All these things will come to you in time!
Luz did some lift ups with her wings tied up as she lifted herself up and down on the bar. King and Hooty cheered for her to lift up. Amity was shown to be doing push ups while having Kay and Ghost on her back, Acorn cheering for her.
On this journey that you're making, there will be answers that you'll seek!
Luz and Amity sparred with training staffs, clashing them against each other. Amity swung hers at Luz's feet and Luz jumped over it while thrusting her staff towards Amity, who dodged it. The two got close while sparring, Luz sneaking in a kiss on Amity, who blushed and giggled at the action before she sent Luz to the floor.
And it's you who will climb the mountain…
Amity offered Luz a hand and Luz looked up at her girlfriend, seeing the sunlight behind her gorgeous head. Luz grabbed her hand and was pulled up as Amity pecked Luz on the lips, making Luz blush real hard as her wings popped out from her back.
It's you who'll reach the peak!
King was on Luz's back as she practiced flying through the sky, exercising her wings while going through light rings created by Amity's spells.
Son of Titan, reach the skies! Lift your spirit, set it free!
Camila held a speed radar as Luz flew past her. She looked at the speed, saw that Luz was going 90 mph, and gave her daughter a thumbs up.
Someday you will walk tall with pride!
Amity lifted her sword, channeling her fire spell through it as the blade was set aflame. She shot fireballs at her targets, causing them to melt while Amity looked at her sword with a smile.
Son of Titan, a Titan, in time you'll be!
Luz walked up to Amity and the two slapped their hands together, high-fiving.
The headquarters of the Construction Coven was located in a large rib bone that resembled a large, brick fort. Coming in was Simon Saltstar, who was soon greeted by Coven Head Ulrich Hammers.
"Head Witch Hammers," Simon said while giving a bow.
"At ease, son," Ulrich responded before leading the way. "Come, let us see your brother."
As Simon followed Ulrich, they headed into an area where members of the Construction Coven were shown building wagons. Some were sawing wood for soot. Some were using their strength to carry iron bars and tons of cement bags. One particular teenager of Simon's height was Cain, who placed some cement bags into a wagon for a fellow construction member.
"Alright, that should do it," Murray Tholomule said to Cain. "Thanks for the help."
"No problem," Cain replied with a bow. He was in a white tank top with black pants and muddy boots.
Murray spotted Ulrich with Simon. "Hey, Hammers. Got the cement loaded up to be transported to the construction site at the heart, sir."
"Excellent, Murray," Ulrich responded while turning to Cain. "Cain, you got a visitor."
Cain looked to Simon. "Brother."
"Hey, Cain," Simon said as he and Cain clasped hands, gripping them tightly. "How have you been?"
"Pretty good," Cain responded. "Ulrich's sons have been a big help in showing me the ropes around here."
"Hey, Simon," spoke up a dark-skinned young man two years older than Cain. He had a hard-hat on top of his long blue hair, green eyes, and he was wearing a brown construction uniform that fit his strong, tall physique. He was known as Driller Hammers.
"Hey, Cain's brother is here?" asked a teenage boy of Cain's age. He had lighter skin with some brown pigments on his face and arm, black curly hair that reached his neck, green eyes, and he was wearing a Merlin Meadows uniform with brown sleeves and leggings in addition to a yellow hard hat with black gloves and muddy boots. He appeared to have a slimmer physique. He was Picket Hammers.
"Yup," spoke a twenty-year-old dark-skinned young man with a bald head. He was wearing a hard-hat and had gray eyes and a black beard. He wore the construction uniform with his right arm having a metal hand. He had a hefty physique. He was Jack Hammers. "How are you doing, Simon?"
"Doing good, just stopping by to catch up with Cain," Simon told the sons of Ulrich.
Cain walked alongside Simon as they found a bench to sit on.
"How's working with Head Witch Ulrich Hammers coming, Cain?" Simon asked him.
"Well, Ulrich's not granting any freebies," Cain responded. "He'll work you hard to the bone, but I've managed to do my work. Building houses here, building bridges there, tearing down old buildings, you know." He sighed. "I've also been taking some counseling. Abel has been a pretty good listener."
"And how is that going for you?" Simon asked him.
"I think they're going well," Cain responded. "Though, I still have a lot to work through with him. So what have you been up to?"
"I'm actually going to be partaking in the Bonesborough Brawl this evening," Simon revealed.
"Really? Following the family tradition, eh?" Cain asked and Simon nodded. "I remembered the year I signed up for the Brawl and I can't forget when Beck joined the Brawl and used her drums to knock her opponents out!"
"Yeah, those were some good times," Simon said with a nod.
Cain hesitated before asking his next question. "So… how's Boscha doing?"
"She's been doing better," Simon confirmed. "She's got a support system with us and her friends and she's back at Hexside now."
"That's great," Cain said while looking down, with a look of guilt written on his face. "I… should have done so much more for her at Glandus."
"Hey, don't beat yourself up," Simon said, patting his brother's shoulder. "I'm sure she doesn't blame you."
"Then why hasn't she visited?" Cain asked him, gripping his knees. "You, Beck, and dad have all visited. But not her. Not that I can blame her. She got hurt in that school and I let Emily hurt her. I… I turned a blind eye to how she suffered and how everyone else at Glandus was suffering. I don't think that Boscha could ever forgive me for what I've done."
"Hey, don't say that," Simon told him. "Boscha may be… Boscha, but you are still her cousins so I'm sure she won't hold it against you… probably," he said while trying not to sound unsure. "I can't say the same for Fangs."
"Right… how is Nina, by the way?" Cain asked him, knowing that Nina was paroled as well.
"Well, I've noticed that she has been keeping her distance from Boscha," Simon explained. "I've also heard that recently she joined the cheer squad."
This surprised Cain. "Really? I don't think that sounds like her…"
"So, tell me what you think?" Nina asked, showing Skara her casual wear she was going to wear on her date.
"You look good and it suits your style," Skara commented.
"You sure? The t-shirt may be a little edgy…" Nina replied nervously.
"Nina, you don't have to try too hard on your first date. All you need to do is give Lambi a good time. Just focus on enjoying the Brawl with her and maybe getting to know her more."
Nina nodded and smiled. "Thanks, Skara, for everything," she said and to Skara's surprise, the werecat hugged her. Skara hugged her back.
"Good luck on your date, Nina," spoke Scabrina, who showed up out of nowhere and spooked Nina as she looked down at the youngest Brooke child.
"Uh… yeah, thanks, kiddo," Nina said as she patted her head before she came out of the bedroom and saw the Brooke parents waiting for her in the hallway. She sighed. "Look, I'm not going to enter the Brawl on a date, I know the conditions of my parole." she told Calypso.
"We know, we just want to say good luck on your date," Calypso told her. "And a word of advice, never bring weapons on the first date, no matter how practical they are.."
"Um… okay," Nina nodded. She said the next part begrudgingly. "And thank you… Calypso."
"Good luck out there and be nice to your date," Slasher told her.
"I will, sir," Nina promised while summoning her Palisman. "Come on, Tugs," she said as Tugs turned into a staff and she went out to head to Lambi's place…
Donna, who was in her bedroom, was on her scroll as she texted to her friends.
"Continue patrolling for that arsonist," Donna said. "I'll be off-duty."
Riley: You deserve to take a mental health day, D.
Beo: We'll keep you updated.
Tina: Me and Emira will continue scouting around.
Donna smiled. "Thanks," she said as she sat up and grabbed her strap bag. She walked downstairs and saw her moms waiting for her. "I'm going to the orphanage now."
"Alright, stay safe," Diana said with a nod.
"Tell Eda we say hey," Gladys added. "And tell her… we said thanks."
"I guess we owe the Owl Lady a lot," Diana commented. "Maybe you should ask her if she'd like to come over sometime, maybe even bring her family with her."
"Yeah, that would be nice," Donna replied with a nod. She looked to her parents and knew what they might be thinking. "Moms… I want you to know that while Eda may have saved me when I was a baby… it doesn't change anything. You two are still my moms." She went to hug the two and they hugged her back.
"We know," Diana said. She and Gladys were just grateful for Eda, since if it wasn't for her, they wouldn't have Donna in their lives…
Nina went over to Lambi's apartment, knocking at the door. Lambi came out, glad to see Nina was here. "Hey Nina, I'm glad that you're here."
"Yeah, and um... you look pretty in that dress," Nina commented which made Lambi blush.
"Thanks, and I like your look too," Lambi said. "So, shall we go?"
"Yeah," Nina responded with a smile as she and Lambi headed off to go on their date to the Bonesborough Brawl.
"GASP!"
Odalia had woken up and she winced in pain. Some black markings were still on her face, while her arms and sides were covered in bandages. She got up, her vision blurry from the sunlight. Once her vision adjusted, she blinked and saw that she was not alone.
"Ah, glad you are awake," spoke the Bat Queen. With her was Eberwolf.
"Eberwolf? The Bat Queen?" Odalia asked while seeing that she was in the Bat Queen's woods. "Where… what happened?"
"You were saved from a fiery explosion," the Bat Queen explained. "It is thanks to a friend that dragged you out of there. You have some burns, but nothing that a healing patches can help with."
Eberfolf nodded as they turned to call for someone.
"What… what are they doing?" Odalia asked before her eyes widened at the Abomi-monster walking up to her. "What in the Titan's…?!"
"Do… not… panic…"
Odalia was surprised when the monster spoke. "You're… you're an Abomination… that talks without being asked to?"
"Odalia…" the Abomi-monster spoke as his green eyes blinked at her.
Recognizing that voice, Odalia realized who this monster was…
"Is that you… Darius?"
Luz and Amity had made it to the Bonesborough Brawl, which was located at the outskirts of Bonesborough. A bunch of attendees had already set up to watch, while there was a line of contestants waiting to sign up.
"Looks like we are going to have a big crowd and plenty of competition," Amity commented while flying with Ghost, wearing the Sword of Adam on her back.
"Yeah," Luz responded, flying in her cambion form while King and Maurice were on her back. "And I see some familiar faces."
They spotted Boscha, who was with Simon as he waited to sign up for the Brawl. Felicia was also there, spotting Luz while nervously filming the event.
'Every time I see Clawthorne, I start rethinking my life choices…' Felicia thought to herself.
Amity and Luz landed, King stepping off as he spotted Morton with a tray of snacks.
"Morton? You work here?" King asked him.
"Yeah, for today," Morton replied. "But thanks to that Scal-Mart being taken down, my stand rent isn't at risk of being taken away from me! Of course, I've still been taking some side jobs which is why I'm out here selling scorndogs and shellnuts."
"Ooh, I would like them for me and Maurice!" King said while handing him his snails.
"We're going to go sign up, be sure to sit where we'll see ya!" Luz told King as she and Amity went to the line of people signing up.
Several attendees nearby noticed the two. "Hey, isn't that?"
"Yeah," another replied. "The Owl Lady's kids."
"Luz Clawthorne and Amity Goodfellow, war heroes," another commented.
"I hear that it was Luz Clawthorne that burned Snapdragon's face," one brought up.
"Yeah, I think I saw that during the riot at the Coven Day parade!" another claimed.
The two made it to where the sign ups were, they spotted Boscha and Simon "Boscha, Simon, planning to compete?" Luz asked.
"Simon is, I'm just here to watch and support him," Boscha replied.
"It is a Saltstar tradition," Simon declared.
"Well, good luck, though I hope you don't mind that we intend to win the belt," Luz replied.
"As long as you guys don't mind that I am rooting for my cousin over you two," Boscha responded.
"Don't worry about it, it's all good and fun," Amity reassured her as the two went to add their names to the roster.
"Alrighty, you two are set," spoke Tom the Demon Hunter after the two signed up.
"Thanks, Tom," Luz said to the Demon Hunter. "Surprised you and the other Demon Hunters are working here."
"Whatever pays the bills, which includes working as security," Tom said with a shrug.
"I'm super pumped for this," Luz said to Amity as they walked away together.
"Yeah, same!" Amity replied. "I can just feel my fists hungry for some action right now!"
Meanwhile, Nina flew down with Lambi and found a spot to land.
"Wow, a lot of people have come to the Brawl," Lambi noted.
"Of course," Nina responded. "The Bonesborough Brawl is a very special tradition. It is a huge honor to just participate in it, let alone win it. Many Coven Heads, past or current, showed the Boiling Isles what they were capable of in the Bonesborough Brawl at one point or another. This is a chance to show all of the Isles what you are made of, since while it may be held in Bonesborough, all of the Isles is tuning in to watch the Brawl."
"Wow, you know a lot about it," Lambi commented. "I honestly never really gave it much thought before."
Nina rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah… I, um, used to watch the Brawl every year on the reservation. I wanted to be a brawler back then, but being a spectator is honestly a lot better than fighting, since I can't wait to see the fight up close and all," Nina responded. "Especially with you, I mean… I can help you find a good spot to watch."
"Sure, that'd be great," Lambi said while spotting Luz and Amity. "Hey, there's Luz, Amity and Simon."
Nina saw them. "Huh, looks like they're here to compete-" Her eyes widened when she saw Boscha with them. "Um, let's go sit around… somewhere far," she said while grabbing Lambi's hand, leading them away from Boscha.
"Is that Boscha?" Lambi asked while turning to Nina. "Is everything alright?"
"Fine, but…" Nina said reluctantly. "Let's just say… we didn't have a good history together…"
Back to Luz and Amity, Luz spotted a group nearby. "Say, is that…?"
Amity saw Mel's gang (minus the trio of Jackson, Eustace, and Serpentina) and with Mel… was her brother. "Ed!" Amity shouted as she rushed over to Edric. "Ed, me and Em were worried sick!"
Edric looked surprised to see Amity here. "What are you doing here, Amity?"
"Me and Luz came to participate, though we didn't expect to see you here," Amity replied.
Edric's surprised expression quickie darkened. "Glad that you got over the divorce so quickly," Edric said while turning away from her, taking Amity aback.
"Wait, Ed!" Amity called out to him, but he just ignored her.
"Hey, what the fuck, Ed!" Luz rushed over and started to reach out to him, only for her wrist to get grabbed by Trini.
"Hey now… you don't want to start any trouble, do you?" Trini asked with a grin.
"Let me go!" Luz demanded as Trini did while Luz pulled away from her. Amity went up to be by her side.
"Oh, I know you… you're Luz Clawthorne, aren't you? Mel told me about you," Trini said while smiling mockingly. "What do they call you? A cambion?"
Luz glared at Trini. "What's it to you?"
"Oh, nothing much, just didn't think that you'd be a cambion. You look more like a… little mutant," Trini mocked.
"Oh you think you're funny?!" Luz snapped while Amity had to pull her away.
"Easy, Luz, she's not worth it," Amity told her.
"Oh, you're Amity, aren't you?" Trini asked. "Tell me… is it all worth it? Living with your girlfriend and replacing your real family with hers, is it worth it? You've hurt poor Eddie enough, he even says that you don't value him as a brother…"
Amity glared back to Trini. "That is not true, Ed would never-"
"Think that? I'd say otherwise…" Trini responded with a grin while Mel showed up to break them apart.
"Okay, okay, let's just stop!" Mel told while standing in between them. She turned to Trini, her eyes narrowing. "Trin, play nice. It is too early."
Trini rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll play nice to the babies," she said as she walked away. "But I can't promise that I will at the matches!"
Mel turned to Luz and Amity. "I'm very sorry for Trini, she knows how to piss off people," she told them. "I know that you two must be stressed enough right now, considering how things went down on the trial…"
"Don't need to remind us of that," Luz told her.
"Right, right, your aunt banged her mom," Mel pointed out, smirking a little when Amity blushed in embarrassment. "But so what if they had an affair, I mean, being a child of divorced parents has its perks. However, despite all the tension going on right now, I wish you two luck." she said sarcastically, patting the two's shoulders before turning to Amity. "And don't worry about Ed, Amity, I can take good care of him. Just as Luz takes care of you…"
Amity swatted Mel's hand away and glared at her. "Don't give me that crap, Mel."
"Geez, overprotective much?" she asked while stepping back. "But if you want to be that way… let's go have some fun," she said as she walked down, following her gang.
"Boscha's right, I don't think I trust these guys around Ed," Amity commented.
"Yeah, they're starting to piss me off," Luz said in agreement.
"Look, let's not let them ruin this for us," Amity suggested. "Besides, if they are signing up as well, we'll get to kick their asses during the Brawl and then we'll deal with Mel afterwards."
"Yeah," Luz responded with a nod. "Can't wait."
They began to walk away, only to accidentally bump into Wrath.
"Hey, watch the belt," Wrath said before he recognized the two girls. "Oh, it's you, Clawthorne and… oh, hey Amity, how are you doing?"
"Doing fine, sir," Amity responded politely.
"So you two plan to fight in the Brawl? It's going to be some rough competition, especially with me around since, you know, champion belt," Wrath said while pointing at his belt.
"Well, we're doing this for fun and to blow off some steam," Amity explained. "And while I may not be a Blight anymore, this is still something I can maybe bond with my dad over in the future."
"Oh, that's good for you, Amity, and good luck!" Wrath replied to her while turning to Luz. "And you… stay out of trouble."
"Can't promise you anything, Warden," Luz said with a smirk.
"And even if you did, I wouldn't believe you," Wrath said as he headed off to prepare for his match.
"That guy's sweet on you while he gives me the business," Luz said, turning to Amity.
"Well, I do babysit his son," Amity pointed out.
"Yeah, that's fair," Luz replied while hanging her arm around Amity's shoulders. "But then again, you're just that likable."
Amity smiled. "Oh, you flatter me," she said as the two shared a laugh with each other.
Nina brought Lambi to a spot where they were far from where Boscha was watching.
"Glad there's no seating assignments around here," Nina commented as they took their seat.
"Well, it does give a good view of the stadium," Lambi commented.
Nearby, Blazer had found a spot for him and Leni. "This looks like a great spot…" Blazer said before he and Leni noticed Nina and Lambi, while Nina noticed them as well. For a moment, they stared at each other.
"What?" Nina asked.
"Nothing," Blazer snarled before he and Leni found a spot.
"Everything okay?" Lambi asked while Nina shook her head.
"Yeah, just… those two… smell weird," Nina replied.
"You can… smell people?" Lambi asked.
"It's a werecat thing," she replied nervously while turning away. "Though I mean, even common beast-witches can do that."
"Oh… can you tell me what I smell like?" Lambi asked her, which surprised Nina.
"Um, sure," Nina replied while giving Lambi a whiff. "You… smell like woolberries."
"Wow, that sounds sweet," Lambi replied, the two locking eyes for a moment before they awkwardly looked away.. "I um… it's the usual brand of shampotion I use…"
"Yeah, but you still smell great," Nina reassured her before reprimanding herself with a mutter.
"Thanks," Lambi replied, ignorant to how Nina was trying to not lose her cool on the date.
Felicia was speaking to her ghost camera crew. "It's time for the annual Bonesborough Brawl and we're all here to bare witness to this year's challengers as they compete to take the Bonesborough Brawl Belt from our reigning champion Warden Wrath! Felicia Fox here to cover the event and we got a great set of all-stars here!"
"I hope Nina's having a good time on her date," Skara said while joining her family to watch the Brawl.
"Well, let's hope her date would go out on without-" Slasher spoke but Calypso interrupted.
"Careful, we wouldn't want to jinx it," Calypso reminded him while the entire Brooke family gathered around to watch the Brawl from their mirror.
Willow knocked on a bedroom door. "Gus, hurry! The Brawl's about to start!"
"Coming!" Gus shouted as he rushed into the hallway, closing the door behind him quickly. "Sorry, I was… working on a school project."
"Okay… well, the popcorn's ready so let's go watch the game," Willow told him as they headed down to the living room.
"Right!" Gus said as he peeked back into his room, seeing Vaggie's illusion still there. He closed it as he went to join Willow and her dads to watch the Brawl.
Hearing a knock on the front door, Cat answered it and let Amelia in.
"Hey, you've made it just in time!" Cat said while Amelia entered.
"Yo, Amelia, you've made it," Dog said while on the couch.
"Hi Dog," Amelia greeted as she and Cat sat with Dog and Moose on the couch to watch the Brawl.
"I don't understand this whole Brawl thing," Moose admitted. "Back in my day, we used to challenge each other with marbles and jacks! And that was enough!"
At the Jeepers household, Jerbo had let Barcus in.
"Just in time, Barcus. Could really use your help in the family's betting pool," Jerbo said.
"Ruff(Got your lucky numbers, dude)," Barcus replied as Jerbo's mom held up a board.
"Okay, once they announce the fighter roster, place your bets on who will win," she told them all. "The winner will be chores-free for a month!"
"I'm so going to win," Roden said. "Goodbye, taking care of the grats…"
"That is, if you win," Porco pointed out.
At the Saltstar estate, Samwitch was watching the Brawl with Beck.
"Can't wait for Simon to win this one, right dad?" Beck asked her father.
"It's not going to be easy," Samwitch pointed out. "That boy may be as strong as his brother, but his opponents are what I'm worried about."
"Come on, I'm sure Simon can take them," Beck said.
At the Healing Coven, former principal Bump was sitting in bed while watching the Brawl on a crystal ball.
"Everything okay, sir?" the nurse asked him.
"I'm doing fine, thank you," Bump replied before the nurse left. Eating his dinner, he continued to watch and noticed his students in the line-up. "As expected, Luz, Amity, and Simon have all entered… I just hope none of them get hurt."
At the Storms household, Sandra handed Bo and Matt a bowl of popcorn.
"Hope you two enjoy watching the Brawl," Sandra told them. "I'll be upstairs if you need anything."
"Thanks, mom/Thank you, Ms. Storms," Matt and Bo replied as Sandra left the two alone. Well not quite alone, since Baum was with them waving a sports flag.
"Thanks again for inviting me over to watch with you, Matt," Bo told him.
"Hey, it's no problem," Matt replied. "I thought about inviting the rest of the HAS… but I decided that it would be nice to have it just be us and make a date out of it."
"Yeah," Bo replied as the two snuggled closer to each other.
Eve walked over to join her friends, who were waiting outside of their Weird Wagon.
"Is it starting?" Eve asked.
"Just about," Korn replied while carrying some snacks.
"Hey gang, sorry I was running late," Sioux said. "Just had to invite a friend."
Veronica showed up, surprising the gang. "Hey guys."
"Veronica? This is a surprise," Linkin responded.
"Oh, you must be Veronica. Sioux mentioned you," Eve said as she shook her hand.
"Yeah, nice to finally meet you, Eve," Veronica responded. "I hear you're the leader now. What's it like?"
"Well, it's going to be a big responsibility, but I think I can handle it," Eve replied.
"Come on, guys! The brawl's gonna start!" Patty declared as everyone rushed into the wagon to watch the Brawl.
"Anybody up for some snacks?" Hooty asked while holding a tray of snacks.
"Um… it's okay, Hooty, we're good," Camila responded as she along with Hooty and Acorn watched the crystal ball as they waited for the Brawl to begin.
At the old Clawthorne home, Hunter handed Lilith hot cocoa.
"Here, Lilith," Hunter said as she accepted it.
"Thank you, Hunter," Lilith responded before she turned to Gwen and Dell, who were sitting with them to watch the Brawl.
"Well, this should at the very least be an interesting evening," Dell said.
"Yes, watching our granddaughter and her girlfriend in the Brawl is going to be so exciting!" Gwen cheered.
"Let's just hope some healers are on standby…" Hunter said, knowing full well how things would go with Luz entering the ring.
At the orphanage, Eda was trying to calm the kids down.
"Alright, alright calm down!" Eda told them while feeling a bite. "Ow! Timmy!" She got Timmy to stop biting her ankle while having him sit on the couch. As she turned around, she noticed Donna was here. "Donna…"
Donna looked down in silence before she managed to look up to Eda. She then went to hug her, surprising the Owl Lady. But despite this, Eda hugged her back.
"How have you been, kid?" Eda asked after they let go.
"I've… been working through some things," Donna replied with a shy look. "And I… wanted to thank you for saving my life, back before… and now. I owe you everything."
Eda smiled. "Eh, you don't owe me a thing, Silvy," she said. "You know, we were about to watch the Bonesborough Brawl. If you want, you can join me and the kids as we watch it on the CB."
Donna smiled. "That would be nice," she said as she and Eda went to sit together, along with the orphans and Ban.
At Blight Industries, Alador was working on some improvements for another Abomaton while Gibson checked on his work.
"Are those rockets you've added?" Gibson asked.
"Yeah, I thought that I'd try something for new models," Alador responded.
"Well, let's just hope that the Emperor's going to be satisfied with the results," Gibson said while looking at the clipboard. "About the schedule in working with the Abomatornium…" he said while noticing Alador being drawn to the crystal ball on a nearby table. "Al?"
"Oh, sorry, Gibson, it's just…" Alador noticed his daughter on the crystal ball. "The Bonesborough Brawl…"
"Yes, your daughter is participating this year," Gibson replied. "But we have to focus on your work."
"In a moment," he told him, irritating Gibson. "I just want to see how Amity does…"
In the Plant Coven, Terra sat in her beanbag chair as she watched the Bonesborough Brawl.
"Oh, this is just what this old girl needs," Terra said while wrapping her joint. "Oh how I hope there will be some bloodshed this year…"
Right now, all of the Isles was tuning in to watch the Brawl.
What happened next would be seen by everyone.
If only Terra Snapdragon knew how right she was…
Okay, I know that the last chapter's author's notes says that it's time to brawl, which we originally intended… but then we thought about how this chapter plays more like a prologue to the Brawl so yeah, we have to save the fights to the next chapter just to let the characters deal with the aftermath of the trial.
Bunker, the new OC, is an obvious parody of Shawn from the Total Drama series. His name, Zakrai Burrows, is a play on to his VA's name Zachary Bennett.
Then we are introduced to Ulrich Hammer's sons who are best describe as his perfect sons, named after tools: Jack, Driller and Picket.
"Son of Man" is also another Phil Collins song from the Tarzan soundtrack used for the training montage.
Katie, Tabrella's baby sister, is based off of Sweetie Belle from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
Well not much to say from the notes. So here are the reviews:
Shuffollower: Well in case you've missed it, I did managed to answer one of them but just in case:
-It takes place before the Summer so the Isles isn't doomed… yet. The Weird Sisters would've lead Luz to the Boiling Isles.
-Paulina's your typical ordinary girl who's pretty much mostly in charge of school production plays but not as much interested as Clara is. She's not like an A-lister type of student, but her folks works at the hospital at Gatesfield. She's mostly into sports, which she's not allowed to play them.
-Angel was there to visit and check up on Abigail for… reasons…
-We'll keep an eye out for those mistakes.
61394: Yeah, funny that both GI Joe and DC have characters named Firefly.
Matteso: 1) Faking your death isn't exactly an easy task, especially when you have very little resources and nowhere else to go.
2) Hold onto your horses.
3) Very few people know that Terra is the Producer. Emily is not one of those few.
4) He knows that keeping some of them alive could be useful leverage in the future, especially since Raine is still MIA.
5) You'll have to wait a bit.
Crosshot: Trust us, you'll find out soon enough, especially when this arc will lead to… and thanks for the description of the characters, by the way.
Franco Almiron: 1) You'll see how this goes. 2) On point. 3) Indeed. 4) Yup. 5) You'll see.
Ultimate-drax: Yeah, glad that Viney got some closure.
Philip Clark: The Firefly that Firebees is specifically based off of is from GI Joe: Renegades. Lynn Floyd is a mixture between Garfield Lynn(DC's Firefly) and Floyd is just a name that would sound fitting for a pyromaniac character.
Arsenal3.14159: Yeah, you know you've seen a lot of South Park when you've noticed the references. And yeah, I did thought up of the Batman Beyond and Endgame memes when Emily realizes how misplaced her hatred to Luz was.
Next chapter, we fight to the top!