The Emperor Strikes Back
Spoiler: This chapter will reveal a little bit more about Caleb, it will also reveal a little bit about the Bat Queen.
Answers and Questions
It was Saturday moring in Gravesfield as Luz was preparing for her trip back to the demon realm, she put things in her backpack while King and Stringbean watched.
While she packed Camila walked in the doorway and asked, "Are you ready?"
Luz put her backpack on her back while Stringbean became her staff while Luz happily said, "Si mama. I've got everything. Since I've got a week off of school for the holiday I plan on having some fun with everyone on the Boiling Isles. I have to tell Hunter that stuff I found out."
Camila smiled as she pointed at Luz and said, "Just come back for Thanksgiving."
Luz smiled lovingly as she said, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
King spoke up and asked, "Can I celebrate it too?"
Camila happily picked up King and affectionately said, "Of course King! You can always celebrate with us!"
She kissed him as he shut his eyes happily and looked at Luz as she said, "And tell Vee that I'd like her to join us too."
Luz smiled and nodded as she happily said, "Yes mom. Bye."
She took King from Camila and hugged her before they went outside and flew off on Luz's staff while Camila happily waved at them.
Later on the Boiling Isles
Luz flew down on her staff with King and landed in front of the Owl House before she and King walked to the front door.
Luz smiled as she happily said, "Hey Hooty. We're back."
Hooty smiled happily as he playfully said, "Hoot hoot! Before you enter you must correctly answer this riddle. What is…"
Before he could finish Eda opened the door and slammed Hooty's face against the wall as she impatiently said, "Hooty, just let them in."
Hooty glared at Eda out of the corner of his eye as he said, "I never get to have any fun!"
Eda went back inside while Luz and King entered and Hooty closed the door behind them; they did not know that the new Golden Guard was spying on them.
She stared at the Owl House as she spoke with hatred and said, "Welcome back Luz."
When Luz and King entered the Owl House they were immediately greeted by Lilith, Hunter, and Vee.
Luz happily said, "Hey everyone. We're back."
Lilith smiled happily while Vee happily said, "Hi Luz! Hi King!"
She happily hugged King and he hugged her back while Hunter smiled and fondly said, "Good to have you back."
Eda smiled pleasantly as she said, "Yeah I'm a little surprised your mom let you come back so soon."
Luz turned to Eda as she explained, "Well I do have a week off for Thanksgiving. She wants me back home for dinner but I've still got a few days before then."
Lilith smiled happily as she said, "Wonderful!"
Hunter looked at Vee as he curiously asked, "What's Thanksgiving?"
Vee held King in her right arm while she curled her left finger in front of her face in uncertainty as she said, "It's a holiday in the human realm. I think it's kind of like the Screaming Sacrifice of Clove Ember."
Despite not knowing what she was talking about, Luz smiled as she pointed at Vee and said, "Yeah, that's it. And Vee, mom said she'd like you to join us."
Vee smiled as she happily said, "I'd love to!"
Luz turned to Eda and asked, "Hey, where's Raine?"
Eda pointed her thumb behind her as she answered, "They're meeting with the other Coven Heads again. There's some crazy stuff going on right now. Rumors, conspiracies, people sneaking around in the night market."
Hunter then walked to Luz with a concerned expression as he said, "Hey Luz, there's something you should know."
Luz interrupted him as she held her hand out and excitedly said, "Just a minute. I've got something big to tell you. While I was home I found out a little bit about Caleb."
Hunter's eyes widened as he immediately forgot about what he wanted to tell her as he said, "Really? What did you find?"
Luz waved her fingers as she spoke dramatically and said, "I learned that Caleb had a Palisman, and I think it may have been Flapjack."
Vee and Hunter gasped in shock while Eda and Lilith's jaws dropped as Eda said, "Whoa!"
Lilith put her hand on Hunter's shoulder and looked at him as she said, "If that's true then that could be why Flapjack chose you. You reminded him of his previous holder."
Hunter looked back at Luz as he said, "Are you sure it was Flapjack?"
Luz showed uncertainty as she honestly answered, "I don't know for sure but he definitely had some kind of Palisman. And the drawings I saw did kind of look like Flapjack."
Everyone looked at Hunter as he mournfully tilted his head down while he held his chest and said, "I wish I could ask him myself."
Everyone showed sympathy as Lilith gave Hunter a small hug for comfort then Luz got an idea as she said, "There might be someone else who we could ask."
They all looked at Luz and sometime later she flew out of the Owl House on her staff with King and Hunter riding with her. Vee followed them as her arms became wings and she flapped them to follow the others over the forest. Luz explained her idea to the others before they left and soon they landed in a dark spooky part of the forest.
Vee landed as her wings changed back into arms and she was amazed as she asked, "You know the Bat Queen?"
King was riding on Hunter's back while Stringbean sat on Luz's shoulder and she explained, "We babysat for her once, I had to pass her trials to get Owlbert back, and she helped Willow, Gus, and the other kids at Hexside get their Palismen. I once told her that if she ever wanted to discover the truth about herself I would help her."
Vee was amazed as she said, "Wow."
Hunter looked at Luz as he curiously said, "And you really think she might know about Caleb?"
Luz was cautiously optimistic as she said, "She knew Flapjack for a long time so I think she must at least know if he was Caleb's Palisman. It wouldn't hurt to ask."
Suddenly they were joined by Eda and Lilith's parents as Gwendolyn curiously said, "Luz?"
Luz waved at them with a friendly smile as she said, "Hi Gwendolyn. Hi Dell."
King happily waved at them as he said, "Hi grandpa and grandma."
Gwendolyn walked to him and happily picked him up as she said, "Hello little Titan! Come here!"
She hugged him while he laughed and Hunter curiously asked, "What are you two doing here?"
Dell spoke up as he solemnly said, "We've been helping the Bat Queen regrow her forests."
The three teens were amazed as Vee smiled and said, "Wow! That's great!"
Gwendolyn smiled as she gave King to Vee and said, "Yes, our whole family has been doing our part to right Belos' wrongs."
Hunter showed a bit of shame and guilt as he said, "That's nice."
Dell then stroked his beard in curiosity as he asked, "Now, what are you kids doing here?"
Luz spoke up firmly as she said, "We're here to talk to the Bat Queen."
They were both surprised as Dell said, "She doesn't get that many visitors."
Hunter stepped forward as he said, "We have questions that we hope she might be able to answer."
Dell spoke seriously as he said, "The Bat Queen doesn't like strangers trespassing on her land."
Hunter and Vee both looked nervous until Gwendolyn smiled and said, "But she does trust the two of us and she has had much respect for Luz since she defeated Belos."
Luz smiled with a flattered expression while Dell said, "Come with us."
The teens and baby Titan followed Gwendolyn and Dell through the forest; the two held their staffs in their hands as they lead the way. King rode on Vee's "butt" as she slithered next to Hunter and Luz while glancing around the forest in curiosity. Vee was nervous as they passed the bones of witches and demons, but became intrigued as they saw broken Palismen looking at them nervously.
Luz noticed a few small differences as she happily said, "This place looks different from the last time I saw it."
Gwendolyn smiled proudly as she said, "Yes, Dell and I have been growing more Palistrum trees and they're doing fine. His Palisman-making days may be over but he's still finding ways to help future witches get their own Palismen."
Hunter looked at Dell as he reluctantly said, "I'd like to learn how to carve Palisman someday."
Dell kept walking as he smiled at Hunter and said, "I'd be happy to teach you if you like."
Hunter smiled pleasantly while Vee had her hands together as she happily said, "You really are Eda and Lilith's parents."
Gwendolyn smiled as she bragged, "Yes, they're a chip off the old rock."
Luz raised her finger as she generously suggested, "You know, Willow's talented with Plant Magic, I'll bet she could help regrow the forests."
Hunter smiled with admiration as he thought about Willow and said, "Probably."
Dell looked back at them as he smiled warmly and said, "I think the Bat Queen would like that."
They finally came to a clearing as Dell and Gwendolyn moved some branches aside to reveal the large area filled with bones and webs. They looked up and saw the Bat Queen hanging upside down from a large tree branch facing away from them.
Dell smiled as he said, "BQ, you have some guests."
She then dropped down from the branch and flipped over as she looked at them with a big creepy smile while her children joined her.
Luz smiled as she walked toward the Bat Queen, who showed respect as she said, "Luz, the human, you are friend to all magic."
Luz was flattered as she said, "Thanks Bat Queen."
The Bat Queen noticed Stringbean and said, "That is your Palisman."
Luz smiled as she held Stringbean in her palm in front of the Bat Queen and said, "Yes, her name is Stringbean."
Stringbean smiled as she chirped to greet the Bat Queen, then both their eyes glowed bright yellow for a moment.
Their eyes stopped glowing as the Bat Queen said, "She is not like other Palismen. She has so much to offer. Just like you."
Luz smiled as she held Stringbean close and nuzzled her before she said, "Yeah, I love her. And I know if anything ever happens to me you'll protect her and find her a good home."
The Bat Queen nodded in agreement when Vee slithered up behind Luz with King still riding her when the Bat Queen noticed her.
Luz stepped aside as Vee nervously waved and said, "Um… hi…"
The Bat Queen stared at Vee with interest as she said, "A basilisk! I never thought I would see a living one again."
Vee was shocked as she said, "You've met others."
She solemnly replied, "Yes, hundreds of years ago. I knew many basilisks until they were wiped out."
Everyone was amazed as Vee said, "Wiped out? Do you know what happened to them?"
The Bat Queen shut her eyes with heavy heart as she said, "They were hunted by crazed witches. I do not know why."
Vee looked down in disappointment while King hugged her back for comfort, and the Bat Queen stared at King in interest.
She stared at him with thought as she said, "There is something familiar about you."
King looked up at her as he said, "Weh?"
Hunter then walked up to the group as he impatiently said, "Sorry to interrupt but we're to ask about…"
He stopped when the Bat Queen stared at him in shock and said, "You!"
She hurried over to him and stared him in the face while he nervously asked, "Me?"
Luz, Vee, and King all watched nervously as the Bat Queen stared at Hunter and suspiciously said, "You are the Golden Guard!"
Hunter showed regret as he sincerely said, "I was, until Flapjack found me."
She kept staring at him as she suspiciously asked, "Where is he?"
Hunter looked away and mourned as he said, "He's gone."
The Bat Queen was enraged as fire shot out of the holes behind her, but Luz, Vee, and King immediately hurried to Hunter's aid.
Luz held her hands out as she sincerely exclaimed, "It wasn't his fault! Belos possessed him and hurt Flapjack!"
Vee nodded as she said, "It's true! Hunter tried to stop Belos and almost died. Flapjack sacrificed himself for Hunter."
The Bat Queen expression softened slightly as she shut her eyes and used her powers to sense the magic within Hunter.
She then pointed her left wing talon at Hunter's chest with her eyes glowing as she said, "It is true. He gave his life for you."
Hunter opened his eyes as he solemnly said, "I want to know more about him."
The Bat Queen spoke emotionally then examined Hunter as she said, "For hundreds of years he lived in my forest. He lost his eye and his owner when he was brought to me. You look so much like him."
They were surprised as Luz asked, "You knew him?"
The Bat Queen shut her eyes as she said, "Yes. His name was Caleb. A human who wanted to be more. He wanted to study magic and become a witch."
The kids were amazed as Vee said, "So it's true. Caleb carved Flapjack and he was his Palisman."
The Bat Queen looked at Vee as she corrected, "No. He did not carve him. A young witch who loved him carved Flapjack and gave him to Caleb as a gift."
Luz was amazed as she softly said, "Evelyn."
The Bat Queen showed suspicion as she said, "How do you know that name? Why are you so curious about?"
Hunter then came clean as he confessed, "Because, I'm a Grimwalker."
Dell and Gwendolyn were shocked while the Bat Queen expressed surprise before softening her expression.
She then understood as she said, "You seek answers about who you are."
Hunter nodded as he said, "I do."
Luz then humbly asked, "Can you tell us more about Caleb?"
The Bat Queen turned around and stared into space as she explained, "He was a good witch with a pure heart. He did not have a bile sac but he was brave and talented. He made money by carving Palismen for others."
Hunter was shocked by this revelation, and so were Dell and Gwendolyn as they watched and listened to everything.
Hunter then reluctantly asked, "Do you know what happened to him?"
The Bat Queen turned back to face them as she sadly said, "He lived on the Boiling Isles for years, and he and Evelyn fell in love and had a child together. But afterwards he suffered a cruel end."
Vee nervously asked, "How did he die?"
The Bat Queen shut her eyes as she sadly said, "I do not know. One night Evelyn brought Flapjack to me after he was hurt and told me that her husband had been killed by a horrid monster."
Luz scowled with hatred as she said, "Philip."
The Bat Queen opened her eyes and looked at Hunter as she said, "He lived in my forest for centuries until he told me he found someone he wanted to be with."
Luz and Vee both put their hands on Hunter's shoulders to comfort him as Hunter sadly said, "Maybe he should've stayed with you."
Luz frowned as she sincerely said, "No Hunter! If Flapjack hadn't bonded you, you'd still be serving Belos and he probably would've killed you like all the other Grimwalkers."
The Bat Queen narrowed her eyes as she solemnly said, "Yes. Your Palisman gave his life to save yours. He also gave you a gift that would allow you to help yourself and others. You must honor his sacrifice and use his gift for good."
Vee smiled as she happily said, "She's right Hunter. Flapjack didn't save Caleb, but he did save you."
Hunter then smiled as he said, "You're right guys. Thanks Bat Queen. You've given me some good answers. I'm still not sure who I am but you've given me a good idea of who I'd like to be."
The Bat Queen smiled happily as she said, "Yi yi, you are who you choose to be."
Hunter smiled as he generously said, "Luz told us that you were a Palisman and you don't remember your owner. I'd like to help you find out since you helped me learn more about myself."
Vee happily agreed as she said, "Me too."
King shut his eyes as he happily said, "Yeah!"
She smiled at the kids as she happily said, "Thank you children."
Later at the Owl House
Raine walked in through the front door as they happily said, "Eda, Lilith, I'm back."
They both smiled at him as Eda said, "Hey Rainestorm, you missed Luz and King."
Raine smiled politely as they said, "Sorry, I would've been back sooner but we had a lot to discuss."
Darius and Eberwolf walked in as Hunter said, "Darius?"
Vee became nervous as she hid behind Hunter, when Darius passed him and affectionately rubbed his head.
Darius then wiped some of Hooty's feathers off his cape and complained, "That house demon is possibly the most annoying creature ever."
Eda showed an annoyed expression as she agreed, "You don't know the half of it. So what are you two doing here?"
Darius showed a serious expression as he said, "We have something important we need to talk to you about."
Eberwolf smiled at Vee as he snarled at her, startling her, then Darius stepped around Hunter and stared at Vee.
He looked suspicious as he said, "So this is your basilisk friend."
Hunter stepped aside and put his hand on Vee's shoulder as he supportively said, "Yeah, this is Vee."
She smiled nervously as she waved at Darius, who kept staring at her until they were all suddenly joined by Amity, Gus, and Willow.
They stared at Luz as they happily exclaimed, "Luz!"
Amity hugged Luz and kissed her on the cheek while Luz smiled before pushing her off as she said, "Hey guys, what brings you all to the Owl House?"
Willow smiled nervously as she said, "We wanted to see you. To be clear, you just got back today right?"
Luz smiled as she said, "Yeah, just this morning."
Gus spoke curiously as he said, "You didn't come back anytime sooner, did you?"
Luz was smiled as she curiously said, "No, why do you ask?"
Amity tried to soften the blow as she said, "Well, there have been some rumors going around that you've been causing trouble on the Boiling Isles."
Luz was shocked as she said, "Huh?!"
Darius spoke up and pointed at Luz as he seriously said, "Yes, that's why we're here. Over the past few days people have reported crimes and thefts around the Boiling Isles. The victims and witnesses say that it was you."
Luz became even more shocked as she exclaimed, "What?!"
Hunter held his hand out toward Luz as he explained, "Yeah, people are talking and it's not helping your reputation."
Luz looked at Hunter in shock as she said, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?!"
Hunter held his palms up as he apologetically said, "I tried to tell you earlier but then you told me that stuff about Caleb and I forgot."
Willow became interested as she inquired, "Caleb?"
Luz smiled at her friends as she said, "Yeah I learned about Caleb in the human realm and we got some information from the Bat Queen."
Darius interrupted her as he impatiently said, "Tell us later! Did you steal anything from anyone in the past few days!"
Luz shook her head as she said, "No! I wasn't even on the Boiling Isles this week!"
King narrowed his eyes as he pointed his claw at Luz before pointing his thumb at himself as he said, "It's true! She was in the human realm with her mom. I know cuz I was with her!"
Eda joined Luz and King as she protectively said, "Listen goo boy, I trust my kids. If they say she's innocent I believe them."
Darius was suspicious as he turned from them to Vee while he said, "Well if it wasn't her, then who was it?"
Vee held her hands up as she defensively said, "I didn't do anything. I've been staying here at the Owl House and hanging out with my friends."
Lilith stepped in and raised her finger as she said, "I can vouch for that."
Vee smiled at Lilith, while Darius eyed her suspiciously and said, "You wouldn't happen to know where any other basilisks are, would you?"
Vee glanced around nervously as she said, "No!"
Darius kept staring at her suspiciously while Raine showed a concerned expression and said, "Well something is definitely going on and it doesn't seem good."
Amity placed her right finger to her lip in thought as she suspiciously said, "Maybe mom has something to do with this. Last night she said she was working on something that she said would 'change things for the better'."
Darius looked at Amity as he suspiciously said, "Yes, Alador told me about that and I plan on keeping an eye on her, but I'm not sure she could be responsible for this."
Eda held her palm out as she theorized, "Maybe the other Coven Heads are up to something. You said some of them weren't exactly falling inline yet."
Darius placed his finger on his thin in thought as he said, "Well, I definitely don't trust Terra, Graye, or Vitimir, but I'm not sure they'd go to such lengths just to frame a teenage girl, no matter how much they hate her."
Raine glanced around at everyone while they solemnly said, "Something is definitely going on but we can't jump to any conclusions yet."
Luz put her hands on her chest before clinching her fists as she solemnly said, "Well I didn't do anything, but I'll find out what's going on! No one frames Luz Noceda!"
Amity smiled lovingly as she hugged Luz, then Raine spoke seriously as they said, "Okay, we'll see what else we can find out. In the meantime everyone be on guard. I have a bad feeling about all of this."
The others agreed as they nodded while Hooty stretched himself inside and happily said, "Don't worry, you've got Hooty Private Eye!"
The others all groaned in annoyance; outside the Owl House, the new Golden Guard was listening to everything before she flew away on her staff. Later that night, the new Golden Guard entered Odalia's shack and found her with Belos' spirit as they talked.
The new Golden Guard joined them and looked at Belos and seriously said, "Luz has come back again. She and her friends still don't know anything but they're starting to get suspicious."
Belos smiled deviously as he said, "Good, we'll keep working quietly to avoid attracting attention, then we'll unleash chaos upon them all."
The Golden Guard clinched her fist and fiercely said, "And I'll show them all that I'm the best!"
Belos smiled evilly as he put his arm around the Golden Guard and faithfully said, "Yes you will."
Author's note: I originally planned to have Luz and the others tell Willow, Gus, and Amity about what the Bat Queen told them. But I've decided it would be better to save that for the next chapter. Luz and the others are starting to get suspicious about what's going on. Darius has his own suspicions and trouble is definitely on the horizon. They've got some answers but so many questions remain as they try to solve some mysteries. Please review.
