The Emperor Strikes Back
Betrayals and Sacrifices
Vee entered the Archive House disguised as Angmar with Bria and Gavin as they entered the foyer and looked around. She noticed a bunch of Coven Scouts and guards around in their uniforms as they talked with each other. She saw Faust as well, looking creepy as he kept to himself, and she also noticed Bill and several Titan Trappers, who had devious expressions. She also noticed Abomatons standing guard at certain entrances to hallways; Amity and Luz told Vee about the Abomatons and she thought they looked very intimidating. Vee also saw the two Coven Heads Vitimir and Adrian Graye Vernworth with devious looks in their eyes as they walked through the foyer.
Vee became nervous as she softly said to herself, "They sure have a lot of bad guys here."
She stepped forward and was startled when she bumped into someone who let out a small cry of pain before looking at her.
The person was none other than Kikimora, who scowled at Vee as she angrily said, "Watch where you're going you hangnail!"
Vee became nervous as she spoke with Angmar's voice and said, "Sorry Kikimora! I didn't see you there!"
Bria and Gavin joined her as Bria smiled snidely as she said, "Yeah, you're harder to notice now than you used to be."
Kikimora was insulted as she magically made fire in her hand and said, "I may have fallen since the Day of Unity, but I still have my power! With Belos dead I serve no one except myself!"
Vee was confused as she pointed at Kikimora and said with Angmar's voice, "But you're still working for…"
She was interrupted when Bria cut her off and smiled ambitiously as she said, "For us! If you want to be part of the new order you have to do what we say, just like Odalia told you when we got the Galdorstones!"
Kikimora was vexed as she glared at them and said, "For now, when the Amplifying Spell is done in three days I will claim a new position for myself and you will all bow to me!"
She left in a huff while they watched, and when she was gone Bria glared at Vee and angrily said, "Nice going big mouth! Odalia and the others made it clear not to tell Kikimora about Belos' ghost or the clone of the human!"
Gavin agreed as he looked at Vee with a stressed expression as he said, "Yeah! Careful big mouth! If you mess up like that we'll all end up in the boiling sea!"
Vee looked nervous as she apologized, "Sorry guys. I'll be more careful."
Bria pointed her finger at Vee as she warned, "You'd better!"
She and Gavin started walking through the crowd while Vee followed them, while thinking about this revelation.
The three of them stopped when they approached by Zul, who wore her Golden Guard mask as she said, "Hey guys, what's up?"
Bria smiled as she waved at her and said, "Hi Zul! Guess what! We played against Hexside in Grudgby today and beat them."
Zul spoke happily as she pointed her fingers at them and said, "I saw that! You really slayed on the field today!"
Bria showed a flattered smile as she looked up in thought and said, "Yeah, I guess we did."
Zul looked at Gavin and then Vee and noticed how nervous Vee was as she asked, "You okay Ang?"
Vee smiled nervously with her hands behind her back as she used Angmar's voice and said, "Yeah, I'm good! Just a little antsy after winning that Grudby game."
Zul saw right through her act but played dumb as she looked at Bria and pointed as she said, "Oh Bria, I almost forgot. I saw Willow, Amity, and Gus hiding at Glandus during your game. Make sure they don't try anything."
Bria smiled arrogantly as she said, "Ha! I know Gus, he's smart but he's no match for us. And those two Hexside girls are as weak as flowers!"
Zul raised her left finger before waving at them as she said, "Okay but don't say I didn't warn you. Byeee!"
She then walked away and they waved at her before leaving, and Vee watched Gavin and Bria and snuck away when they weren't looking. She was unaware that Zul was watching her as she snuck up the stairs without anyone else noticing her and she knew what was happening.
She went over to Graye and spoke deviously as she said, "Hey Graye, I need your help with something."
Meanwhile Vee tried to get upstairs until she was stopped by a magic wall of fire, which Faust emerged from before it extinguished.
Faust looked at her with hostility as he said, "You know you kids are not allowed up here. This is only for those granted clearance."
Vee smiled innocently as she said, "Right! Sorry Faust! I just thought I saw a butterfly go through here."
Faust was not amused as he coldly said, "If you were my student you would've been expelled within a week."
Vee then left him and found a secluded spot to change as she shapeshifted from Angmar into a Coven Scout. She hurried over and marched up the stairs and Faust let her pass as she walked upstairs and entered a hallway. She was alone as she quietly crept through the hall and pulled out the walkie talkie that Luz gave her earlier.
Luz, Amity, Hunter, Gus, and Hunter were waiting outside when they heard Vee's voice say, "Luz, guys, come in! It's Vee!"
Luz immediately pulled out her walkie talkie as she and the others frantically stared at it as Luz said, "Vee! What's going on?! Are you okay?!"
Vee looked around corners to make sure no one was watching as she snuck and said, "I'm okay. I had some close calls but no one knows who I am yet."
Luz sighed in relief as she and the others calmed down and then Luz asked, "Okay, so what's going on in there? Did you find King?"
Vee kept sneaking as she glanced around for guards as she replied, "Not yet, I'm still looking. But I did learn some stuff about what's going on. I saw a bunch of former Coven Scouts and guards, and I also saw Bill and some Titan Trappers. They have some of those Abomatons too. I saw Faust, Graye, and Vitimir too."
Outside, Hunter was not surprised as he looked at the others and said, "Makes sense. Darius suspected Vitimir was helping them and we already knew Terra and Graye were in on this."
Gus looked at the others as he seriously said, "And they must've made some kind of deal with Faust and Bill to get them to help."
Amity showed a vexed expression as she said, "And they probably got the Abomatons from my mom."
Willow leaned closer to the walkie talkie as she curiously asked, "Anything else?"
Vee walked through the halls as she kept looking around and replied, "I bumped into Kikimora, and apparently they're keeping things from her. She doesn't know about Belos or Zul."
Luz became curious as she looked up and held her chin in thought before facing the walkie talkie as she said, "Hmmm. What else?"
Vee calmed down a bit as she proceeded and said, "I ran into Zul but she didn't know it was me."
Luz was relieved but became more nervous as she said, "Careful Vee. Never let your guard down around her. Any idea what they need King for?"
Vee kept walking through the halls while looking around as she said, "Not sure, but earlier they mentioned some Amplifying Spell in three days."
Hunter became interested as he placed his finger to his chin in thought and said, "An Amplifying Spell?"
The others looked at him as Willow curiously asked, "Do you know what that is?"
Hunter looked at them as he honestly answered, "I remember reading some kind of ancient text about a spell that could amplify magic, but I don't know how it works or why they'd want it."
Luz was troubled as she said, "Well if Belos thought of it, it's gotta be as bad as the Draining Spell. Vee, see what else you can find."
Vee looked at the walkie talkie when she heard a noise and hastily said, "Got it! What was that?! I gotta go! I'll call you back when I find King!"
She put the walkie talkie away and saw a few Coven Guards patrolling a certain hallway with stoic expressions in their eyes. Vee managed to walk past them in her Coven Scout form without them suspecting her of anything. She then came to a hallway where Abomatons stood guards at the walls, looking somewhat like suits of armor.
Vee got an idea a she walked to one and spoke with a male voice as she asked, "Hey Abomaton, where's the baby Titan?"
The Abomaton then held out its hand and pointed its left finger down the hall and then Vee said, "Thanks."
She proceeded down the hall and when she was away from them she thankfully said, "Good thing Alador didn't make those things smart."
She kept walking down the hallway and looked at the walls as she noticed the paintings of the Collector, the Archivists, and Titans. Vee couldn't help but stare at them for a moment as she thought about the things Luz and King told her about the Collector. She also saw some paintings that she did not understand and others that looked somewhat frightening. Vee started to get a bit nervous as she kept walking with her hands close together, this place made Vee worried more for King.
Suddenly she was approached by Terra, Roselle, and Dottie as Terra sternly said, "What are you doing here Scout?"
Vee let out a small gasp before acting serious as she spoke with her male voice and said, "I was sent by Odalia. She wanted me to check on the young Titan."
Terra smiled wickedly as she looked in the direction of King's cell and said, "Oh we're starting to make progress with King. He's still disobedient but with a little discipline he'll learn to respect his new mother."
Vee became even more worried before Roselle smiled as she looked at Dottie and said, "Dottie and I are keeping him fed and have gotten him to behave. We gave him some tasty num-nums before putting him to sleep."
Terra smiled creepily at Vee as she said, "He's now under heavy guard from Abomatons, letting no one except us and the human's clone in or out of his cell."
Vee nodded with her hands on her back as she said, "Good, I'll go tell Odalia."
Vee turned around and left as she turned around a corner and then Terra, Roselle, and Dottie left while Vee hid herself behind a wall. When they were gone she came out and shapeshifted to look like Terra before walking in the direction the three old ladies came from. She became nervous again as she walked through a hall with paintings that had been cut with claws and had bite marks taken out. She then came to the bars of the cell where Eda stayed in the Archive House when she was stuck at the owl beast and she saw four Abamoatons guarding it.
Vee stopped in front of the Abomatons and spoke with Terra's voice as she said, "Move aside or be turned into mulch!"
The Abomatons stepped aside and Vee smiled proudly before walking into the cell, she sniffed and smiled as she caught King's scent. King was in his playpen surrounded Terra's carnivorous plants when he took some of the food Roselle and Dottie gave him and fed it to the plants. They were busy eating it while King managed to climb out of the playpen and made a dash for the door only to see Vee, still disguised as Terra.
He stared at her nervously as he said, "I just wanted to use the bathroom."
Vee kneeled down in front of him as her eyes and ears changed to normal and she spoke with her voice and said, "It's okay King. It's me, Vee."
King was thrilled as he jumped into her arms and happily said, "Vee!"
She hugged him before standing up as she held him and pulled out the walkie talkie as she said, "Don't worry, I'm getting you out of here. Guys, it's me! I found King!"
King had a happy look in his eyes as he spoke into the walkie talkie and said, "Hi Luz!"
Outside, the others all smiled as Luz happily said, "King I'm so happy to hear your voice! Great job Vee! Now get out of there!"
Vee smiled as she spoke into the walkie and talkie and said, "Don't worry. We'll be out in a few minutes."
She and King both stared forward in shock as they heard a voice behind them say, "And here comes the twist."
She shapeshifted her eyes and ears to look like Terra's again as she and King turned to see Graye and Zul standing at the entrance to the cell.
Graye had a big grin on his face while Zul wore her Golden Guard mask and said, "Sorry King, you can't leave yet."
Vee got nervous as she spoke with Terra's voice and said, "Graye, Zul, how good to see you both. I was just… checking on King to make sure he was comfortable."
Graye smiled sadistically as he made a large ring of blue light and put his hand in the middle as he said, "You're a good actor, but you need to work on your delivery."
Vee's body glowed blue for a moment but then stopped as nothing happened and King confusedly said, "Huh?"
Graye was shocked as he stared at her and angrily said, "What?! Not an illusion?! But that's clearly not Terra!"
Zul stared at Vee and spoke in shock as she said, "Vee?!"
Over the walkie talkie, Luz and the others could hear everything as they sat outside and stared at Luz's walkie talkie in worry.
Luz spoke into her walkie talkie and nervously asked, "Vee, what's going on?"
Vee immediately changed to her natural form and turned her arms into wings as she carried King with her tail while he held the walkie talkie.
She started flying as she yelled, "Let's get out of here!"
While she flew King yelled into the walkie talkie, "Luz they found us! We need help!"
Suddenly they were both hit by a red blast of magic and knocked out of the air as Vee's wings turned back into arms.
Zul held her staff out before walking over to Vee and King as she took the walkie talkie and coldly said, "Luz, if you want King back you're gonna have to take him from me."
She threw the walkie talkie to the floor and crushed it under her foot, while outside everyone stared at Luz's walkie talkie in shock as they gasped. Luz narrowed her eyes with a serious expression as Stringbean flew to her and changed into her staff form.
She turned to the others and fearlessly said, "We're going in!"
The others showed serious expressions as they nodded in agreement as their Palismen became staffs and Hunter got on Luz's staff. They flew in and stormed the Archive House, causing commotion as the crowd watched them in shock and started saying things.
Luz seriously looked at her friends as she said, "Find Vee and King!"
They took off flying on their staffs as they flew through the hallway while Kikimora watched them and became filled with rage.
She yelled, "You won't ruin things this time!"
She then ran off to get something while Luz and the others flew through the halls of the Archive House and got rid of anyone who tried to stop them. Gus created illusions of them that distracted some Coven Guards as they mistakenly attacked the illusions and made them disappear. Amity sent out a whip of her Abomination slime that knocked away a few Coven Scouts and shielded them from blasts of magic they shot. They were blocked by several Abomatons but Willow's eyes glowed green as she made roots with thorns rise out of the floor, grab the Abomatons, and slam them against the walls. Some more Abomatons fired cannons at Luz and Hunter, but he held onto her as he made them teleport past the Abomatons in a yellow flash. They kept flying on Stringbean while Amity and Willow combined their magic to destroy the Abomatons and then they and Gus followed Luz and Hunter. They reached the cell where Graye was with Zul, who held King while a couple of Abomatons had Vee imprisoned in a force-field floating above the floor.
She looked at Luz and the others as she desperately warned, "Guys don't! It's a trap!"
Luz and the others landed in front of them as Luz demanded, "Let them go!"
Zul spoke with a twisted tone as she held King and joked, "Now why would I let go of this cutie pie."
Hunter stood in a fighting stance as he fiercely said, "Because you're no match for all of us alone!"
Zul spoke slyly as she said, "I'm not alone."
Graye joined her and glared at Gus as he said, "I've been waiting to pay you back for our last encounter."
A giant venus flytrap rose from the ground and opened up to reveal Terra with an evil smile as he said, "A fitting fate for such wooden hearts."
Kikimora flew behind the gang and landed in her Abomatron as she psychotically said, "I should've done this a long time ago!"
Dottie and Roselle joined them as Zul threw King to them and they caught him and held him close while glaring at the others.
Zul then stood in a fighting stance with her staff as she said, "Luz is mine! You three handle the others!"
Kikimora moved the Abomatron and fired her cannon but Amity quickly blocked it with a wall of Abomination goo before she ran at her with her staff. Clover changed to her natural form and flew into Willow's outfit while she held her hands out with her eyes glowing green. She made a bunch of roots rise out of the floor and carry her as she moved toward Terra, who smiled as she made a green ring of light with her finger.
She created giant leaves that trapped Willow's roots and made her fall down before she said, "Gardening is not the best choice if you don't wish to get dirty."
She then made a giant carnivorous plant rise out of the floor and attack Willow, who held her ground and prepared to fight.
Gus surfed in the air around Graye on his staff as he smiled and snidely said, "Looks like my mind illusion really did a number on you."
Graye was angry as he tried to hit Gus but Gus dodged him and flew straight at him, only for Graye to disappear and Gus crashed into a wall.
He looked and saw the REAL Graye appear with smug grin on his face as he said, "You have some flair, but you're not very clever."
Gus glared at him while his Palisman stood on his shoulder and Gus said, "At least I have more showmanship!"
Graye then showed a serious expression as he pointed at the magic amplifier and said, "You have something of mine, and I want it back."
Gus then made two illusions of himself and said, "See if you can take it."
Graye was not amused as Gus and his illusions came running at him as he said, "Ugh, how droll."
They separated and surrounded Graye but he spun around with his tail out as he destroyed the illusions and hit the real Gus.
He knocked him down condescendingly stared down at Gus as he said, "I would've thought you'd be a little more creative than that."
Suddenly Hunter teleported next to Graye in a yellow flash of light and hit him with a yellow magic blast that knocked him away from Gus.
He helped Gus up and they both smiled and narrowed their eyes at Graye while Hunter said, "You may be head of the Illusion Coven, but you're the weakest fighter! You can't beat both of us!"
Graye looked vexed but started fighting Gus and Hunter, meanwhile Luz and Zul stood across from each other as they held their staffs out.
As they prepared to fight Luz angrily demanded, "Why did you take King?!"
Zul kept staring at Luz as she said, "Dad and I need him for something big. How are you here? You didn't have enough Titan Blood to get back."
Luz was angered as she said, "It was you!"
She ran at Zul and swung her staff at her but Zul blocked it as they stared at each other and she said, "Dad dumped half your Titan Blood to get you stuck in the Space In Between. How'd you get back?"
They separated and Luz glared daggers at her evil clone as she coldly said, "Maybe I'm better than you."
They kept fighting while the others fought; Terra's carnivorous plants moved toward Willow but she smiled as she held her hands out with her eyes glowing green. The plants stopped and seemed to smile at her as she petted them as if they were animals and they did not harm her.
Terra had a twisted smile as she said, "You do have a green thumb, but even a rose needs its thorns."
She made a green light of magic with her left fingertip and made leaves rise out of the floor and restrain Willow as she desperately struggled. Amity kept fighting Kikimora as she made her Abomination fight Kikimora's Abomatron, only for Kikimora to smash it and make it splatter before shooting a glob of Abomination goo. She trapped Amity against the wall before she made her Abomatron shoot globs of goo that trapped Gus and Hunter as well.
She laughed wickedly as she said, "At last I have my moment of glory!"
Luz looked at her friends in worry as she exclaimed, "Guys!"
Zul hit Luz with a magic blast and knocked her back near the others before she stood up in a fighting stance. Suddenly they were all joined by Vitimir, who showed his mouth as he breathed out a gas toward the teens.
Luz sniffed the gas and became drowsy as she said, "Sleeping nettles."
They all started getting sleepy while Zul and the others held their breath and covered their mouths before the teens passed out.
Vitimir stopped and Graye smiled at him as he congratulated, "Thank you Vitimir."
Terra smiled at Kikimora as she snidely said, "And well done Kikimora. You actually managed to do a good job for once."
They all gathered around the sleeping teens and looked down at them as Zul said, "Déjà vu. Lock them up."
Meanwhile at the Owl House
Eda was nervously pacing the living room floor while Raine and Lilith sat on the couch, watching her with worried expression.
Raine smiled as they tried to calm Eda down and said, "Eda, calm down."
Eda was too tense as she frantically said, "Calm down?! Luz and Hunter were supposed to be home hours ago! We haven't seen them since morning! Willow, Goops, and purple hair's parents say they're gone too! Knowing them they've probably gotten into some kind of trouble! We should've told them to stay here, especially with Belos' ghost and that Grimwalker running around!"
Lilith stood up and grabbed Eda's shoulders as she said, "Edalyn, calm down. Everything will be okay."
Eda became less hectic but was still nervous as she said, "Okay?! How can everything be okay while they're out there, probably in trouble?! They need us!"
Raine stood up as their Palisman came and changed to its staff form as they seriously said, "Then let's stop standing around and go look for them!"
Lilith nodded as she agreed, "Raine's right! If they're in trouble we have to do something!"
Eda agreed and Hooty stretched over and eagerly said, "Yay! Let's go save our kids!"
Eda looked at Hooty as she respectfully said, "Hooty no. You can't come."
Hooty was disappointed until Lilith politely said, "Edalyn is right Hootsifer. You need to stay here in case they come back."
Hooty then smiled as he said, "Mam yes mam!"
He pulled himself back into the door as they flew out on their Palismen staffs while he shut the door and kept his eyes open. The next morning, Luz woke up with Willow, Gus, Amity, Hunter, and Vee as they all sat up and groaned in a daze. They noticed they were missing their Palismen and they were trapped in a pink force-field maintained by four Abamatons. They were in the cell in the Archive House as they saw King back in his playpen outside the force-field surrounded by Terra's carnivorous plants.
He looked back at Luz and the others in fear while Luz asked, "What happened?"
They were all startled as they heard a familiar female voice say, "Did you all sleep well?"
They all turned to see Odalia standing outside the force-field with an evil grin on her face as she had her hands on her hips. Next to her stood Zul with her mask on as well as Terra, Graye, Vitimir, and Kikimora in her Abomatron.
Remembering everything, Amity became enraged as she said, "MOM!"
Odalia grinned deviously as she said, "Hello Mittens."
They all noticed they had Abomination cuffs on their hands restraining them as they stood up and looked around.
Luz then noticed their Palismen missing as she narrowed her eyes and demanded, "Where are our Palismen?!"
Zul spoke with a sadistic tone as she held up a cage containing the Palismen and said, "Oh don't worry. They're all right here."
The Palismen all looked scared as they looked at their holders in the force-field and made noises while Luz and the others looked at them in fear.
Gus noticed that his magic amplifier was gone and Graye smiled smugly as he held it in his hand and said, "Looking for this?"
Vee and Luz looked at King with worried expressions as they simultaneously cried, "King!"
Terra smiled evilly as she looked at King out of the corner of her eye and said, "Don't worry, we're taking good care of him. He's in good hands."
Hunter glared at Terra as he sarcastically said, "Yeah, you're mother of the year."
Amity agreed as she glared from Terra to Odalia while she hatefully said, "He's right, I can't believe I'm saying this but you actually make MY mom look good!"
Odalia and Terra both showed vexed expressions while Kikimora smiled evilly as she looked at the teens and said, "This brings back memories, only this time you won't get in the way! In two days I will be more powerful than ever and I will finally get the praise I deserve!"
Luz looked up at her as she sincerely said, "You're making a big mistake Kikimora. You don't know what you're getting yourself into!"
Hunter nodded as he honestly said, "She's right. You're just trading one empire for another. This isn't any different from the Emperor's Coven."
Kikimora glared at them both as she said, "Hush your annoying voice! You two have been a thorn in my side for far too long!"
Luz became annoyed as she said, "We're trying to help you!"
Kikimora glared at them with hatred as she coldly said, "You want to help me? Go find a hole to throw yourselves into."
Luz then pointed at Zul as she said, "You think we're trouble?! What about her?! Do you know who she really is?!"
Kikimora looked down at Zul as she thought and showed a suspicious expression; she did not know who the new Golden Guard was but she did not like her.
Odalia stepped in between them and smiled at Kikimora as she said, "That's enough Kikimora. You've done good, we'll take it from here. Go to the foyer, we have an announcement to make soon and you'll soon be rewarded for your services."
Kikimora smiled at the thought as she laughed evilly before leaving with her Abomatron while everyone else watched her.
When she was gone Odalia smiled arrogantly as she looked at the teens and said, "That gremlin is such a nuisance, but she is easy to mislead."
Zul took off her mask and smiled evilly and gloated, "Nice plan Luz, but I still know how you guys think. I saw you three at the Grudgby game and knew you'd try something."
Odalia smiled arrogantly at Amity while moving her hand to refer to Zul as she said, "You see Mittens? I told you I'd find you a new girlfriend. I'd say she is a major improvement."
Amity scolded her mother before glaring at Zul as she said, "No way! She is not my Luz!"
Zul smiled deviously at Amity before looking at the others as she said, "You're right I'm better, now it's time for the big surprise. Dad…"
Belos suddenly rose out of the floor as he materialized while glowing red before taking shape in front of the force-field. Luz and her friends all gasped in horror as they backed away while Odalia and her allies also gasped in shock as they saw Belos now alive.
Belos had a wicked smile on his face as he said, "Hello everyone."
Vee stared in shock as she said, "Belos!"
His smile became more twisted as he said, "This certainly is a surprise for everyone. I don't know how you three escaped the Space In Between, but I'm actually a bit glad that you're here. I do prefer that you all get to see my triumph."
Luz was speechless as she said, "You're… You're alive!"
Belos' evil smile never faded as he looked down at Zul and put his arm around her as he said, "I am, thanks to Zul."
Zul smiled with her left hand out as she explained, "I cloned dad a new body for him to possess and now he's back, in the flesh!"
Belos smiled proudly as he looked at his right hand and said, "I've never felt better. I'm just as powerful as before but in much better health."
Odalia smiled a bit nervously as she said, "Well, this is unexpected."
Belos turned to her and the others with a friendly smile as he said, "Not to worry Odalia, we still have a deal. All of you will be graciously rewarded. When the Amplifying Spell is finished everyone's magic will be enhanced and you all will rule in the new order."
They all smiled evilly as Graye said, "I do like the sound of that."
Belos pointed his finger out and said, "Now gather everyone for our special announcement."
They all turned and walked out of the cell, leaving Belos and Zul alone with King and the others as they looked nervous.
Luz glared at Belos and Zul as she suspiciously said, "Okay, what's really going on? What's the Amplifying Spell really going to do? Curse everyone? Turn everyone into monsters? Steal their souls?"
Belos turned to her with a coy expression before looking at King as he said, "Oh no Luz. There's no lie this time. The Amplifying Spell is exactly what I said it was. It will enhance the magic of everyone in the demon realm by harnessing the dormant power within this young Titan and enhancing it with the Galdorstones."
Luz and the others were somewhat baffled as it seemed like Belos was actually telling the truth, though they did not understand.
Zul smiled mockingly at them as she said, "Come on, you know dad doesn't just give away secrets."
Luz and the others glared at her, then Belos walked up to Zul as he smiled and said, "Zul, I have to get ready for my appearance. Take the Palismen to the storage room. I'll drain them of their magic later."
Zul smiled as she said, "Sure thing dad."
Luz and the others were horrified as Luz cried, "No!"
Belos then disappeared into the ground and Luz stared at Zul as she begged, "Zul please! You don't have to do this!"
Zul coldly looked at her as she said, "Yes I do! This is why I was created! This is my destiny!"
Luz kept staring at her as she desperately pleaded, "You can't let Belos choose your fate!"
Zul glared at Luz as she cruelly said, "I'm not! I'm not waiting around for someone to come and teach me how to be better! I choose myself! You chose to be a witch, and I choose to be a witch hunter by his side!"
Luz was shocked and then glared at her as she said, "You're as bad as him!"
Zul then smiled sadistically as she said, "At least my dad's alive."
Everyone was shocked by her low blow and glared at her as Zul stuck her tongue out at them, then turned around and started walking away while Luz growled in anger. Her eyes glowed pink for a moment before her Abomination cuffs changed into gloves and she angrily started banging them against the force-field. Amity and the others were amazed as Luz kept banging her fists against the force-field but could not breach it. Zul kept walking with an arrogant smile on her face as she did not bother turning around as she walked away with the cage full of the Palismen.
Meanwhile at the Owl House
Eda, Raine, and Lilith regrouped at the front door while Hooty sadly asked, "Anything?"
They shook their heads in disappointment and he frowned while Owlbert changed to his owl form and rested on Eda's shoulder to comfort her.
Eda started to panic as she held her head and said, "Oh Titan this is bad! They're definitely in trouble! For all we know Belos and Zul have probably killed them already!"
Raine walked up to her and placed their hand on her shoulder as they sincerely said, "Easy Eda! We can't jump to conclusions!"
Lilith agreed as she said, "They're right Edalyn. Until proven otherwise we must assume that Luz and the others are alive and need our help!"
Eda was still restless as she frantically said, "Well how are we supposed to help them when we don't know where they are?!"
Raine patted Eda's shoulder and looked at Lilith before pointing their thumb backwards as they said, "You two stay here and get some rest. I'll go tell Darius and Eberwolf. We'll send out search parties to look for any sign of Luz and her friends. We'll search the Boiling Isles until we find them."
Lilith smiled at Eda as she said, "There is strength in numbers and they can cover more ground than we can."
Eda groaned before surrendering as she said, "Alright! But you let us know the second you find something!"
Raine nodded before giving Eda a quick kiss, then they flew away on their Palisman and Lilith walked to Eda and placed her hand on her shoulder for support.
Later at the Archive House
Belos' forces were gathered in the foyer with Kikimora standing at the front of the crowd as they looked up at the top of the staircase. Odalia, Terra, Graye, and Vitimir were standing next to the throne while Zul came and joined them with an evil grin.
She wasn't wearing her mask, so Kikimora stared at Zul in shock and said, "The human?"
Odalia smiled as she looked at the crowd and said, "Quiet please. We've called you all here because a special someone has an announcement to make."
Belos then appeared out of the floor and revealed himself as he smiled and said, "Hello my friends."
Kikimora's eyes widened in fear as she said, "Belos!"
Belos held his arms out and then moved his left one to refer to Zul as his voice echoed through the castle and he said, "Yes, your eyes do not deceive you. I am alive again, thanks to my loyal apprentice. I want to thank all of you for your loyalty and service to our cause. Together we shall all reign over the demon realm and rise to greater heights than ever. As you all know, we have two days until we perform the Amplifying Spell, on the Eve of Escalation. Then the worthy shall finally rule a better world without the meddling of unruly witches."
Luz and the others could hear everything in the cell and when Belos said his last sentence they all glared up at the ceiling. In the foyer, the crowd happily cheered for Belos while he smiled at them, but Kikimora became nervous as she put her fingertips together. Meanwhile, Stringbean and the other Palismen were in their cage when Stringbean looked around and noticed there was no one watching them. She then stretched her tail out through the bars and turned the ball on the end of her tail into a stinger, which she used to pick the lock on the cage. She successfully unlocked it and all the Palismen made happy noises as Stringbean opened the door and they escaped. Stringbean and Clover flew through the halls while Ghost and Emmiline followed on foot as they made their way through the halls.
In the cell, Willow showed confusion as she said, "I don't get it. Belos wants to kill all witches and demons, why would he want to enhance their magic?"
Amity narrowed her eyes as she suspiciously said, "He's hiding something, but I'm not sure what."
Hunter raised his finger to his chin before looking at the others as he theorized, "He said the Amplifying Spell will enhance everyone's magic. Maybe that includes his own. Maybe it'll make him so powerful that he'll be able to kill everyone himself."
Luz narrowed her eyes as she fiercely said, "Well we can't just sit here and wait! We have to get out of here and stop him!"
She then started banging her fists against the force-field again but still could not breach it despite her Abomination gloves.
Meanwhile in the foyer, Belos and Zul walked up to Kikimora, who sweated nervously as she said, "Emperor Belos! How nice to see you again."
He had a twisted smile on his face as he said, "Yes, it has been a while, and I believe you've already met my new second in command."
Zul smiled wickedly as she waved her hand and said, "Hiiii."
Kikimora stared at Zul as she nervously said, "You… You look and sound so much like the human."
Zul smiled arrogantly as she said, "Yeah, but I'm better than her and Hunter put together."
Belos smiled evilly at Kikimora before frowning as he said, "Thank you for all your service to our cause Kikmora, but I'm afraid your usefulness has come to an end."
Kikimora started to worry as she said, "But, I was told I would be rewarded for my services."
Belos smiled sadistically at her before turning to Zul while he said, "Yes, your reward is you get to live. Zul, would you please show her the door?"
Zul held up her staff as she said, "Si papa."
She then moved her finger and used telekinesis to lift Kikimora in the air as a red magical aura surrounded her and she let out a cry of fright.
Zul flew out the front door on her staff as she carried Kikimora in the air while she defiantly said, "Release me you human… witch.. whatever you are!"
Zul flew down toward the ground as she smiled and gloated, "Sorry Kiki, that's the way the cookie crumbles."
Kikimora glared at Zul as she angrily said, "You are much worse than that human!"
Zul smiled at her snidely and said, "Yeah, too bad you didn't listen to her."
Remembering what Luz and Hunter said to her earlier, Kikimora frowned and showed regret before Zul landed and dropped her on the ground.
Kikimora got on her feet and clinched her fists before pointing at Zul as she angrily said, "You're a bigger nuisance than the old Golden Guard! I knew there was something I didn't like about you!"
Zul was not bothered as she condescendingly said, "You know Luz was stupid to try to help you, your need for power makes you so predictable. Dad said you were incompetent, but at least you were easy to trick."
Kikimora clinched her fists again as she angrily said, "How dare you! Kikimora is nobody's fool!"
Zul had a sly grin on her face as she said, "Then how come you spent your whole life doing whatever dad wanted?"
Kikimora's glare vanished as her eyes widened in realization and sadness as she saw that Zul was right and that she wasted her life being tricked and manipulated by Belos.
Zul smiled sadistically as she said, "You know, Luz was right about you. You have no ideas of your own."
She then flew back up to the Archive House and left Kikimora alone with a depressed expression as she sulked.
Zul returned to Belos as he smiled and said, "Thank you Zul, now I have another favor to ask. I need you to take Flora and retrieve the Clawthornes' Galdorstone shard. I need to taste some Palisman power. I think Luz's will be very satisfying."
Zul smiled and nodded eagerly as she said, "Sure thing pop!"
She happily ran off while Belos watched her with an evil smile, then he turned and walked back up the staircase. After a while he came to where Zul put the Palismen but he found the cage open and realized they had escaped.
Belos groaned in annoyance as he looked to the side and complained, "Of course they escaped."
Meanwhile Luz kept banging on the force-field before tiring herself out and panting as her Abomination gloves melted to the floor.
Amity showed concern as she said, "Luz, you need to stop."
Luz looked at her as she frantically said, "I can't stop! We have to get out of here!"
Suddenly she heard a familiar chirp and she saw Stringbean and the other Palismen come toward them as they smiled.
Luz then happily said, "Stringbean!"
They stopped in front of the force-field when Stringbean flew down to the ground and tunneled into it like a worm. She came out of the ground inside the force-field and happily flew to Luz and nuzzled her as she giggled happily.
Vee smiled in delight as she said, "That was amazing!"
Luz smiled proudly as she held Stringbean in her hand and said, "She learned that trick from Hooty."
Stringbean changed to her staff form and then Luz shot a dark purple blast of magic up and destroyed the force-field. She then whirled her staff around and sent out a wave of dark purple magic that blasted the Abomatons against the walls and made them splatter.
King happily raised his fists as he cheered, "Yeah! Way to go Luz!"
Amity, Willow, and Gus' Palismen returned to them and changed to their staff forms before the six teens hurried to King's playpen. Willow smiled as her eyes glowed green and she pacified Terra's carnivorous plants as they nuzzled her affectionately.
Luz happily picked King up and said, "Gotcha buddy!"
He happily hugged her and then Luz smiled at the others as Hunter said, "Looks like our plan sort of worked after all."
Luz smiled optimistically as she said, "Yeah, and nobody knows we're free yet!"
Suddenly they were all startled as they heard Belos' voice say, "Everyone, the prisoners have escaped! Do not let them get away with the Titan!"
Vee immediately worried as she said, "We need to get out of here! Now!"
They all nodded as they got on their staffs and started flying while she turned her arms into wings and flew after them. Hunter and King rode with Luz as she led the way and they flew through the halls of the Archive House, trying to find a way out. King looked nervous as he thought about how Belos mostly wanted him, so he whispered something into Luz's ear. As they flew they were attacked by Abomatons, Coven Guards, and Coven Scouts as Luz and her friends dodged the blasts they shot at them. Vee turned her wings back into arms and landed in front of an Abomaton then she used her power to feed off its magic and drain it. The Abomaton then melted into a blob of purple goo and its armor fell apart, then Vee jumped into the goo. She then controlled it as it covered her body and she became a large Abomination Basilisk creature as she shrieked loudly. She swung her gooey arms around and knocked away several Coven Scouts, then she wrapped her tail around a Coven Guard and threw him at an Abomaton. She then used her arms to run after her friends and knocked away more Coven Scouts and Guards while galloping.
Gus watched her and raised his fist as he happily cheered, "Yeah Vee!"
As Luz flew in the air Hunter fired blasts of magic at some Coven Guards ahead of them and Willow's eyes glowed green as she made green rings of light in front of her hands. She ensnared several Coven Scouts and Guards in thorned roots and Gus created a few illusions of himself and his friends and used them to distract some of the others. Amity created a shield out of Abomination goo to protect herself from magical blasts, then she turned it into a whip and lashed it out. She knocked a few scouts aside then lassoed a Coven Guard's wrist and threw him away while Luz rammed a few scouts while flying through the air.
Bill and some of his Titan Trappers showed up and he pointed at King as he yelled, "Get that Titan!"
King then used his sonic scream to knock them down, then Vee came to them in her Abomination form and roared as she knocked them aside. They entered one large room and stopped as they found their way blocked by Odalia, Graye, Vitimir, Terra, Bria, and Gavin.
Odalia glared as she pointed at Amity and angrily said, "Mittens, you're grounded!"
Amity glared daggers at her with hatred as she said, "I'm not taking orders from you!"
She then launched a ball of Abomination goo at Odalia, but she held her amulet and created a purple energy shield that protected her.
She then angrily exclaimed, "Catch them!"
They all attacked while Luz and her friends charged at them; Hunter hopped to the floor and focused on Vitimir. Vitimir spit a glowing blue glob at Hunter and missed, but the glob exploded and knocked Hunter off his feet. Vitimir pulled a potion out of his sleeve and threw it at Hunter but he teleported out of the way in a yellow flash. He then shot a yellow blast of magic and knocked Vitimir down, Hunter smiled before running off to help Gus. Bria faced Vee as she constructed a suit of armor over herself, made of rock, and tried to punch her, but Vee's Abomination suit absorbed the blow. The end of her tail became a mace as she swung it at Bria and knocked her to the side, sending her crashing into a wall.
She got back up and glared at Vee as she furiously said, "You Hexside losers ruined our opportunity!"
She constructed a mallet out of rock and held it over her head as she prepared to smash Vee with it, but she dodged it and punched her away.
Vee smiled proudly as she said, "We're stronger than you think!"
Gavin then came and held his hands out as he created pink rings of light in front of his hands and used Abomination magic on Vee. She couldn't control herself so she left her Abomination skin and jumped at Gavin and pinned him to the ground. She then drained some magic out of him and weakened him as he passed out, then she grew slightly bigger with long sharp claws and teeth. She turned to Bria, who was ready to fight her again, and Vee jumped off of Gavin and used her arms to launch herself at Bria while roaring. Willow rode on her staff as she sent roots toward Terra, but she smiled evilly as she made a green ring of light with her finger. She made the roots stop and recede into the ground, then waved her hand and made a huge tree sprout out of the floor and swing its branch at Willow. It knocked her out of the air as she groaned in pain and showed fear as Terra walked over to her and prepared to finish her. Suddenly King jumped in front of Willow and used his sonic scream to blast Terra away and sent her crashing into a wall.
She was knocked out and King pointed at Terra as he angrily said, "And by the way, you are NOT my mother!"
Gus surfed through the air around Graye as he made four illusions of himself to try to trick him, but Graye smiled slyly as he took his magic amplifier.
He made Gus' illusions vanish and smugly said, "Your cheap tricks won't work on me."
Gus smiled slyly as he stood on his staff and made four blue rings of light as he said, "Oh, I'm just getting started."
He then made seven illusions of himself and they all flew around Graye as they made faces at him while he grew annoyed. Suddenly he noticed one of them flying toward him about to ram him and smiled as he deduced that it had to be the real Gus. He swung his tail at him, but Gus dodged it as he spun through the air and hit Graye with the end of his staff. Graye then noticed some of the illusions running toward him but realized none of them were the real Gus. He was bored as he swatted his hand out and made three of them disappear, but one of them teleported in a yellow flash and then punched Graye in the face. He was knocked down as he dropped his magic amplifier and looked up in shock as the Gus that just hit him was really Hunter as the real Gus flew behind him with his eyes glowing blue. Graye then tried to make a grab for the magic amplifier when Luz landed in front of him and took it as she glared down at him. She then turned to see Amity fighting Odalia, who used her amulet to summon mummy ghosts as they wailed and attacked her. Amity made an Abomination fight the ghosts but defeated it and then grabbed Amity by her arms and restrained her.
Odalia walked up to her and angrily said, "You need to listen to your mother young lady!"
Luz suddenly flew by on her staff and took Odalia's amulet, prompting Odalia to gasp in shock as her ghost minions vanished.
Amity glared at Odalia before looking at Luz, who held the amulet in her hand and said, "Don't make me use this!"
Odalia laughed at the notion as she taunted, "Foolish girl! Only a real witch can do Oracle Magic."
Luz did not listen as she glared at her with her eyes glowing purple and then she made an arm of purple energy fly out of the amulet. Odalia was shocked as the hand grabbed her and slammed her against the wall before letting her go as it vanished.
Everyone saw this and they were amazed, including Luz as she looked at the amulet and said, "Whoa."
Vee had drained magic from both Bria and Gavin when she left them and joined Luz with the others in awe.
Amity was amazed as she said, "Luz, how did you do that?"
Luz was speechless as she said, "I don't know."
Odalia stood up and clinched her fists as she furiously yelled, "It doesn't matter! You brats will never get out of here!"
Dozens of Coven Scouts, Guards, and Abomatons entered the room and surrounded them while Terra, Graye, and Vitimir got up and glared at them. Things looked bad until several Coven Scouts were blasted and sent flying through the air as they screamed in distress.
Everyone looked to see Kikimora in her Abomatron as she furiously said, "I am nobody's servant! I follow my own path and make my own choices!"
She then made her Abomatron knock a few Coven Guards away before blasting some Abomatons with the cannon. She ran over to Luz and the others and started protecting them from a few Coven Guards who came at them.
Luz looked up at Kikimora in shock as she said, "You're helping us?"
She fought off Titan Trappers as she fiercely exclaimed, "If that means foiling Belos' plans, then yes Now go!"
A few more Abomatons came at them but she knocked two of them away with her Abomatron's arms before kicking the third one. Luz and the others got on their staffs and started flying away but Luz stopped and floated in the air as she looked back at Kikimora with concern.
The others stopped and floated as Amity urgently said, "Luz, what are you doing?! Let's go!"
They watched as Kikimora stomped on one Abomaton and splattered it but then Terra made vines leaves and other plants rise out and restrain her Abomatron. She then had the plants rip the Abomatron apart, causing Kikimora to fall to the floor, completely at their mercy.
Luz showed concern while Hunter showed an exhausted expression as he said, "You want to save her don't you?"
Luz immediately flew down with Hunter and King while the others followed; Kikimora stared in fear as everyone surrounded her and prepared to finish her. Luz, King, and Hunter teleported in a yellow flash and Hunter snatched Kikimora and saved her as he carried her in his arm.
She looked up at him in shock as she asked, "You saved me?"
Hunter was not happy as he honestly admitted, "Yeah, I don't believe it either."
Terra then made a bunch of carnivorous plants rise out of the floor to great heights as they sealed them in the room.
Odalia looked up at Luz with the others with a sinister grin as she said, "How noble, but you should've done what she said."
Terra agreed as she evilly said, "Yes, now there's no escape for any of you."
Luz glanced around frantically as she saw everyone around them and then noticed the magic amplifier that she still had. In an act for desperation, she clinched it in her hand and closed her eyes, she immediately opened them to reveal they were glowing blue. She then used illusion magic to make a shroud the whole room in darkness, then no one could see Luz or her friends.
One guy then asked, "What's going on?! Who turned out the lights?!"
Graye spoke in frustration as he said, "Oh for Titan's sake!"
Graye then held his hands out and used his illusion magic to dissipate the blackness and then they all saw that Luz and the others were gone.
Odalia freaked out as she said, "They escaped!"
Luz and her friends were flying through the halls as they finally came to the foyer and saw the front door wide open.
As they flew toward the door Luz happily said, "We made it!"
Just then a green slimy arm stretched out and grabbed King by his tail and pulled him off Luz's staff as he screamed in terror.
Luz immediately grabbed his paw as she screamed, "King!"
They all looked down and saw Belos sitting in the doorway with his arm stretched out over twenty feet as he pulled on King.
He showed an annoyed expression as he said, "If I want something done right I must do it myself."
He started pulling King toward him while Luz desperately tried to pull King away as she flew on her staff but Belos was too strong. Hunter and Kikimora looked down at Belos with scared expressions while he kept glaring up at all of them.
Realizing he couldn't get away, King apologized, "Sorry Luz."
He then used his sonic scream to blast Luz and the others away as she cried, "King no!"
Belos pulled King down and held him in his right arm before moving his left hand and telekinetically closing the doors to the Archive House.
Luz looked at the others as she desperately said, "We have to go back for King!"
Just then balloons floated toward them with Coven Guards who started firing magical blasts of energy at them.
Kikimora showed fear as she said, "We have to go!"
Hunter placed his hand on Luz's shoulder as he said, "She's right Luz! We can't save King! We have to retreat and plan a rescue!"
Seeing all the balloons, Luz shed a few tears before agreeing as she flew away with her friends as they retreated.
Later at the Owl House
It was nighttime and Eda was nervously sitting on the couch while Lilith and Hooty comforted her when Raine walked in with Darius.
Eda was very tense as she asked, "Well?"
Darius expressed disappointment as he said, "Nothing."
Eda looked down with a worried expression until they all heard Luz's voice yell, "Eda!"
They ran outside to see Luz and the others flying toward the Owl House as Eda exclaimed, "Luz!"
They landed and Eda hugged Luz before asking, "Kid we've been worried sick about all of you! What happened?!"
Luz was a bit depressed as she said, "It's a long story We found where Belos and the others are hiding, and we found King."
Eda was immediately interested as she said, "You what?"
Lilith interrupted as she raised her finger with hostility and pointed at Kikimora as she said, "Hold it! What is SHE doing here?!"
Darius stared at Kikimora as he suspiciously said, "Yes, last I checked she was helping Belos."
Kikimora was somewhat offended as she said, "Yes, I WAS helping him."
Luz raised her hands to try and calm them as she said, "Guys it's okay. She helped us escape. She's with us now."
The others were shocked while Hunter looked at Kikimora and said, "It's true, Belos and Zul decided they had no further use for her, so Kikimora betrayed them and helped us escape."
Raine looked at Kikimora with curiosity and she showed regret as she said, "I just want to stop being used."
They all believed her, then Hooty stretched over and happily wrapped his body around Kikimora as he said, "Yes! A new special friends who knows Lulu!"
Kikimora immediately became uncomfortable as she begged, "Please help me!"
Vee slithered over to them as she said, "We tried to save King but we failed."
Eda then held her hand out to the Owl House as she said, "Okay, all of you come inside and tell us what happened."
They went inside and Luz and the others sat on the couch and drank some hot coco while telling the adults everything they just experienced.
Lilith was very worried as she said, "So Belos is alive again?!"
Hunter nodded as he said, "Yeah, apparently Zul made a Grimwalker for his spirit to inhabit."
Raine was also concerned as they said, "And it sounds like they have more help then we thought."
Kikimora agreed as she tediously said, "I can vouch for that."
Eda was very interested as she stared at Luz and said, "And you did magic?!"
Luz was uncertain as she said, "Yeah, but I'm not sure how."
Darius placed his fingertip tip his chin in thought as he said, "So Belos is planning an Amplifying Spell."
Hunter nodded as he added, "Yeah, on the Eve of Escalation."
Luz nodded as she frantically said, "In two days! We're gonna need help if we're gonna stop him and save King! We need a plan! We need an army! We need-"
Eda cut her off as she said, "You need to calm down and get some rest kid!"
Darius nodded as he honestly said, "Agreed, let the adults handle this. You've done enough for one day."
Luz calmed down as she realized how tired she was as she surrendered and nodded in agreement while Vee and Hunter also looked sleepy.
Lilith looked at Amity, Willow, and Gus as she honestly said, "You kids should get yourselves home and let your parents know you're okay."
They nodded before Amity kissed Luz and then she, Willow, and Gus flew away on their Palismen as they headed home.
Eda pointed her thumb upstairs before pointing at Kikimora while she said, "You kids go get some sleep. Handy girl, you can spend the night."
Kikimora laid on the couch as she said, "It's no palace but it's better than where I've been sleeping the past few weeks."
Hunter yawned before getting up as he said, "Yeah, come on. Let's get some sleep."
Vee followed Hunter as they left the living room and Luz reluctantly followed them while Kikimora fell asleep on the couch. Luz, Hunter, and Vee went up to their room and started sleeping, Luz was the last to go to sleep as she thought about King and the Eve of Escalation. She was very worried about the future but tried to calm herself as she shut her eyes and went to sleep.
Meanwhile at the Archive House
Belos watched Terra, Roselle, and Dottie look after King as they guarded him and sealed him in his playpen.
Belos was vexed about how Luz and the others escaped when Zul came with a Galdorstone shard and said, "Hey dad, we got it!"
Belos looked at her as he said, "Well at least that's some good news."
Zul then became curious as she said, "What happened?"
Belos showed his vexed expression again as he said, "Luz and her friends escaped."
Zul was shocked as she exclaimed, "What?! How?!"
Belos looked somewhat skeptical as he said, "Kikimora helped them escape. I should've disposed of her when I had the chance. The others say she somehow used magic to escape, but I didn't see anything. We still have King but I'm sure Luz and her friends will tell the others all about our plan on the Eve of Escalation."
Zul thought to herself and then smiled deviously as she said, "Maybe that's a good thing."
Belos did not follow her as he looked at her and asked, "What do you mean?"
Zul looked at him with a conniving grin as she said, "Maybe Luz can help us get the last ingredient for our surprise ending."
Belos smiled deviously as he complimented, "Very clever Zul. I love the way you think."
He smiled proudly as he put his hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him with a twisted smile before they both looked forward.
Author's note: We're nearing the end so the remaining chapters will be pretty long. We only have three or more chapters left. Things are starting to take a turn for the better but they're all still in big trouble. Zul is just as bad as Belos and Belos being alive again is a serious problem. Kikimora's Abomatron being destroyed seemed necessary and the escape scene was great. Belos continues to underestimate Luz and her friends. Please review.
