I don't own Disney's The Owl House. I do, however own the OC known as Danielle Hopkins. Hope you all enjoy my story on this lovely show.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Another day on the Boiling Isles, another day to learn. Or in Eda's, Luz's and King's case… hiding the chess board from Danielle. Apparently, no one in the Owl House have been able to beat Danielle in chess… Hooty included. As of right now, in a classroom of Hexside, memories were being pulled.
"Hope nothing embarrassing is shown," said Danielle, as Mattholomule inspected the memory tweezers.
"All right then," said Mattholomule, putting the tweezers near Danielle's ears.
"Ooh, that feels funny," said Danielle, rubbing her ear slightly. "At least Luz is enjoying herself."
"Alright, memory melon, let's pick another juicy one!" said Luz, pulling a memory from Willow's ears.
"Be careful with my brain!" said Willow, staying still.
"Ooo, who says brain surgery is hard?" said Luz, as Willow rubbed her ear.
"Nooo!" said Mattholomule, gaining everyone's attention. "Danielle has a boyfriend."
"I do not," said Danielle, staring at Mattholomule. "That's my cousin Nicholas from a few years back."
"Oh," said Mattholomule, slightly blushing while looking away. "Never mind."
"Ooo, let me see," said Luz, staring at the memory. "Wait a minute. Is that…"
"Yeah, Uncle Kenneth had a pool," said Danielle, lightly scratching her cheek. "I had a…"
"Not what I was talking about," said Luz, holding the memory. "Your uncle is in the rich people area?"
"Oh… that…um…" said Danielle, drumming her fingers against her knees. "Uncle Kenneth was on the city council."
"What's the candy like there during trick or treating?" asked Luz, grabbing Danielle's shoulders.
"King size," replied Danielle, looking at Luz.
"So lucky," said Luz, staring at the other memories.
"As you work, note that some prints have greater clarity than others. These are moments that evoke a strong emotional response," said the Photo Teacher, talking to the class. "But, if you damage the prints, you'll damage the memories themselves! Be extremely careful."
"Uh, is there a way to put them back then?" asked Danielle, worried for her memories.
"There is," replied the Photo Teacher, looking at Danielle. "We can put them back if you like before the end of class."
"Please and thank you," said Danielle, looking at the Photo Teacher than back to Luz. "You're interested in my other memories, aren't ya?"
"Of course," replied Luz, staring back at Danielle.
"This one is interesting," said Willow, staring at a certain memory.
"That trip may have been a slight accident," said Danielle, slightly blushing. "But I had fun with Uncle Neil that day. And got to learn about the Kalmar Nyckel."
"You've been to Delaware?" said Luz, looking at Danielle. "Wait, how was it an accident?"
"I was five when… I… accidently fell… asleep… in the… truck bed…" said Danielle, sighing. "It was only for that weekend and got an earful from mom and dad when I got home."
"You were a naughty kid when you were little, weren't you?" said Luz, staring at Danielle mischievously.
"I was a handful," said Danielle, looking away. "Not naughty."
"Uh-huh," said Luz, grinning like a cheshire cat.
"What kind ride is this?" asked Willow, staring at another photo.
"Pompei," replied Danielle, slightly smiling. "Was in the front row and got soaked to the bone."
"Oh, guess I wasn't the only one to like slime," said Luz, looking at another memory. "You're a mess in this one."
"Aah, school was fun that day," said Danielle, slightly smiling.
"Wait," said Luz, staring at the memory. "Were you friends with the Zhang twins?"
"I… uh… your memory looks interesting," said Danielle, staring at one of Luz's memories. "Your first day in Gravesfield?"
"Yeah," replied Luz, staring at the memory longingly. "It was."
"Luz," said Danielle, putting a hand on Luz's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"I'll… be fine," replied Luz, before seeing Willow's memories. "Looks like they're done."
"That must be her dad in the memory," thought Danielle, staring at the memory. "Did something happen?"
"Oh my gosh, Willow, you had an awkward hair phase, too? I knew we were meant to be friends," said Luz, grabbing an old photo out of her pocket. "Ooo, there's more!"
"I think we all had a bad hair day at one point," said Danielle, looking at Luz.
"Ugh," said Willow, noticing a certain memory.
"Hey, I know you and Amity have a history," said Luz, placing a hand on Willow's shoulder. "Wouldn't you feel better talking about it?"
"No, I'd rather do this," said Willow, flipping the photo around. "That's my motto, after all! "Out of sight, out of mind.""
"Not gonna push the subject," said Danielle, grabbing her bag. "I'm gonna head to lunch. Meet you there."
"Okay," said Luz and Willow, waving bye to Danielle.
Heading towards the cafeteria, Danielle spots Gus. Turns out Gus had a corkboard set up and was figuring out who to interview for journalism class. Which wasn't making much headway. Luz and Willow had joined up not long later.
"Hey there, detective," said Luz, putting her lunch tray down. "Are you solving a crime or about to commit one?"
"Sadly, this is one problem crime can't solve. My interview for journalism class is due tomorrow! I'm supposed to choose someone "interesting, accomplished, and noteworthy"," said Gus, getting a little frantic. "People aren't meant to be all those things! Curse your need for perfection, Gus!"
"Calm down. You'll be able to figure it out," said Danielle, before looking at Willow. "Uh, Willow, are you okay?"
"When did it get so hot?" asked Willow, sweating before pouring water over herself. "Uhh, hi! I'm Willow! Remind me of your names?"
"Did her pupils go completely black?" thought Danielle, really looking at Willow's eyes.
"This is serious journalism, Willow," said Gus, looking away from Willow. "Clowning around will get you nowhere."
"I'm-I'm serious!" said Willow, staring at everyone. "Who-who are you?"
"This is not good," said Danielle, standing up and checking Willow.
"Gus, it really seems like she's forgotten us, like her memory is…" said Luz, before gasping.
"Her memories!" said Danielle, sprinting out of the cafeteria alongside Luz towards Photo class.
"Hexside Free Press!" said Gus, after Danielle kicked the door open. "What's going on here?"
"Hi," said Amity, nervously looking at everyone.
"What did you just do?" asked Danielle, angrily glaring at Amity with glowing eyes.
"You destroyed Willow's memories?!" said Luz, walking over to Amity.
"You've crossed the line there…" said Danielle, angrily stomping over only for Luz to hold her back.
"Danielle, stop!" said Luz, keeping Danielle away from Amity.
"I-I saved as many as I could!" said Amity, before an ember burns the rest of the memories away. "Ugh! Why would they make memories so flammable?"
"Have I always had this crazy thing? Blap, blap!" said Willow, slapping her face gently then leaning on Luz and Amity. "Eeee, heee, heee, I can tell we're gonna be good friends!"
"Whoa there," said Danielle, preventing Willow from falling. "Okay, I think Eda can help with this. We'll just have to let Principal Bump know we're leaving first."
After letting Principal Bump know what was going on, he allowed everyone to head to the Owl House. Once there, both Danielle and Luz were able to explain to Eda what was going on.
"So, this is the Owl House," said Amity, looking around the living room.
"Yup," replied Luz, standing next to Amity.
"And you... sleep here?" asked Amity, staring at Luz.
"Whenever Danielle doesn't glom me in her sleep," replied Luz, staring to the side. "And the night critters, but definitely Danielle."
"Let's focus on Willow here," said Danielle, blushing in embarrassment.
"So, you set Willow's memories on fire and erased everything," said Eda, looking at the girls and Amity. "Even minor damage can have huge effects!"
"Ahh, a chair for sitting!" said Willow, bumping into the couch before hand standing onto it and flopping upside down on the couch.
"Yep, her brain's burned up real good," said Eda, pointing at her head. "Damage like that can change everything about a person. Willow may never be the same."
"I got it!" said Willow, correcting her sitting position before looking at King. "Ooh, a furry fruit! I'm gonna peel it!"
"What?" asked King, being picked up by Willow. "What is happening?!"
"Ah! Willow!" said Danielle, grabbing King out of Willow's hold. "Not a fruit."
"Nap time," said Eda, putting Willow to sleep with a sleep spell.
"Sleep spell..." said King, yawning before cuddling into Danielle's arm falling asleep.
"I didn't cast it on you," said Eda, staring at King.
"Yeah, who cares?" said King, going back to sleep as Danielle laid him on the couch.
"Is there anything we can do?" asked Luz, looking at Eda.
"There is one way, but it's terribly dangerous and partially illegal," said Eda, before looking at the girls. "So you're in the right place! I'll send you into her mind to fix the damage."
"In her mind? As in a mind dive?" asked Danielle, staring at Eda.
"Be still my fantasy loving heart, I have always wanted to do this!" said Luz, a little excited. "Thank you, Boiling Isles."
"This isn't a game Luz," said Danielle, looking at Luz. "Willow's memories are at stake here."
"It won't be easy. You have a lot to fix in there, 'cause it's a mess! Yep, whoever did this to Willow showed unbelievable disregard for her safety, downright despicable," said Eda, before looking at Amity. "Oh, right, it was you. Anyways, who's going inside?"
"Maybe I can help!" said Hooty, opening the front door. "I'm pretty good at getting stuck inside people's heads!"
"This is someone's brain, not a night club!" said Eda, closing the door magically. "Two max."
"I think one is obvious," said Danielle, glaring at Amity. "You're fixing what you messed up."
"Willow might not want me in there," said Amity, looking to the side.
"You're going," said Danielle, grabbing ahold of Amity's cowl.
"Maybe I should as well," said Luz, separating Danielle away from Amity. "I don't think… Danielle should cause of…"
"Yeah, I know," said Danielle, crossing her arms over her chest. "I need to calm down and such."
"This could work."
"Huh?" said Danielle, confused by what the Voices said.
"Alright! Bold choice, taking the girl who caused the mess," said Eda, before summoning a bell in Luz's hand.
"Whoa," said Luz, grabbing the bell.
"Uh oh," said Danielle, seeing her necklace sparkle. "What the…"
"When you're done, ring that and I'll cast you back… oh, and keep an eye out for her "Inner Willow"," said Eda, looking at Luz and Amity. "She's the gatekeeper of emotions and memory. She might help ya. Now here we…"
"Eep!" said Danielle, as her necklace pulled her into the spell at the last second.
"This can't be good," said Eda, as the girls and Amity were pulled into Willow's mind.
Landing in Willow's mind, the girls and Amity stare around, seeing a black void. Seeing her necklace still sparkling, Danielle wonders what's going on before a bright flash separated her from Luz and Amity. Rubbing her eyes, Danielle sees she's in a memory.
"What the…" said Danielle, as the memory played.
"Hey, you!" said Willow, pointing at a Blonde-Haired Boy and pulling him down with a vine. "Wanna join my Flyer Derby team?"
"I didn't know Willow was into Flyer Derby," said Danielle, as the memory kept playing. "Sounds more fun than grudgby anyway."
"Nice- to- uh- meet- you!" said the Blonde-Haired Boy, as Willow shook his hand.
"Dude looks like a young Caleb Wittebane," said Danielle, staring at the Blonde-Haired Boy. "Did… did the elder Wittebane actually get together and impregnate that witch back in the day?"
A bright flash blinds Danielle before another memory takes place. The Bat Queen is perched on a unique nest as a bunch of palisman scurry out.
"I want to be strong and wise to protect everyone I love. And if anyone gets in my way, they'll feel the sting of defeat," said Willow, as a palisman flutters her way.
"Tender yet tenacious," said Bat Queen, watching Willow and the palisman. "Clover gives her support."
"That hasn't happened," said Danielle, as a spectral version of Clover came off the Palisman. "What's going on?"
"So much," said Clover, buzzing around Danielle. "Prepare…"
"For what?" said Danielle, as Clover disappeared out of the mind.
The memory shifts to another. Looking around, Danielle notices she's on an airship heading towards the skull of the Titan. Unease sets in as Danielle looks at the horizon before hearing King startled awake.
"It's okay, King, it's okay," said Willow, gently stroking King.
"Whoa," said Danielle, as three other spectrals come off the nearby palisman. "Wait… I think I recognize you."
"I'll do anything…" said the Red Cardinal, flying around Danielle. "To protect my boy again."
"Isles… isles," said the Blue Chameleon, skittering around Danielle's feet. "Peril…"
"Calm down," said Danielle, as a white cat landed on her shoulders.
"End it sooner," said the White Cat, rubbing against Danielle's head before flying off with the other palisman. "Or it will be repeated."
"What… hold on…" said Danielle, holding her hand out. "What are you talking about?"
The memory shifts once more. Danielle recognizes the forest and sees Willow. Turns out it was the day that they met.
"I hate making abominations. I hate getting bad grades. Ugh! I can't stand this anymore," shouted Willow, her eyes glowing green.
"Wha-aah!" screamed Luz, as the thorny roots surrounding Willow snake her way and grabs her ankle.
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no!" said Willow, hearing Luz and running over, as she made the roots move away. "I'm so sorry!"
"Wait… I should be here as well," said Danielle, noticing she didn't see herself around.
"Wait! I'm Luz. And you're Willow, right?" asked Luz, rushing over to Willow. "What you did with that flower and those plants, it was... wow."
"I don't understand," said Danielle, watching the memory unfold.
As Danielle was being sent into specific memories, so was Luz. A memory shifts in front of Luz's eyes. Turns out it was the memory of when they helped Willow get into the Plant track in Hexside.
"Danielle!" shouted Willow, hearing and seeing Danielle from the upper level before putting a spell circle around the seed in her hand. "Please grow!"
"Wait…" said Luz, looking around. "Where am I? Not only that, that didn't happen."
"Oh my gosh," said Danielle, hugging Willow. "Thank you, Willow."
"You're welcome," said Willow, hugging Danielle back.
"Remarkable," said Principal Bump, staring at the display of Willow's magic. "The human was right."
"Okay, something is very off," said Luz, watching the memory play. "I was there that day."
The memory shifts to another. Various memories kept on playing confusing Luz even more. After the last memory, Luz spots Danielle and runs over.
"Oh my gosh," said Luz, pulling Danielle into a hug. "Danielle."
"Luz," said Danielle, hugging Luz back. "You, okay?"
"Yeah, I am," replied Luz, looking at Danielle. "I'm just confused."
"Did you see memories where you weren't there?" asked Danielle, staring at Luz.
"Yeah," replied Luz, looking at Danielle. "You?"
"Same here," said Danielle, before looking around. "Where's Amity?"
"I don't know," replied Luz, looking at Danielle. "But she's got to be around here."
A blinding flash startles Luz and Danielle. A memory is played before them. Looking around, Danielle and Luz see they're in the halls of Hexside. But it was looking like it was in an apocalyptic state.
"What happened to Hexside?" asked Danielle, staring around.
"Look," said Luz, pointing towards a set of lockers. "It's Willow… and Boscha."
"Trouble with your team, Captain Half-a-witch?" said Boscha, making Willow halt in her step. "Leading isn't easy, is it? All your time is spent helping the team. Keeping people from fighting. Planning your next move. And Titan forbid YOU show any weakness! Everyone else falls apart."
"Not now, Boscha," said Willow, looking to the side.
"If you want my advice..." said Boscha, staring at Willow.
"Advice? From you?" said Willow, turning around to face Boscha. "You have been nothing but petty and mean to me since I met you! What, you want me to give up? You want me to admit how stressed I am? What advice could you possibly give me?!"
"Something's going on with Willow," said Danielle, really looking at Willow.
"And Boscha is still…" said Luz, before the memory shifted.
"I think Willow snapped," said Danielle, seeing vines all over the place.
"Oh, Hunter!" said Willow, turning around as she tried to get Gus free from her vines. "I had a little run-in with Boscha and got stuck down here. Gus just... surprised me."
"So that's his name," said Danielle, eyeing the Blonde-Haired Boy.
"What's going on?" asked Hunter, rushing forward.
"I've got it all under control," replied Willow, as more vines appear and wrap around Gus.
"Uh, I don't think it's working!" said Gus, only to be fully encased in the vines.
"I can do this. I can do this. I can do this! I can do this... I can do this...!" said Willow, frantically tries to pulling the vines away as Hunter himself is grabbed and slowly encased as well.
"What do we do?" asked Luz, not noticing a vine snake around her and Danielle's leg.
"I don't know," replied Danielle, looking at Luz. "This is totally out of my expertise."
"Hello...?" said Willow, seeing she was all alone.
"Whaa-aah!" screamed Danielle and Luz, as the vines tangle around their legs and pull them up.
"Luz!" shouted Amity, appearing before Danielle and Luz. "Danielle!"
"Amity!" said Danielle and Luz, seeing Amity bound by rings of fire.
"What's going on?" asked Amity, staring at the girls. "I remember being grabbed and bound by the Inner Willow. What about you two?"
"I'm not entirely sure myself," replied Luz, before Inner Willow appeared. "Are you…"
"It is exactly as you see," said Inner Willow, staring at the girls. "I'm the Inner Willow."
"Why are Willow's memories…" said Danielle, looking at Inner Willow.
"Those memories you saw are real," said Inner Willow, placing a hand near her head. "Every bit since your necklace acted up."
"Huh?" said Danielle, looking at Inner Willow.
"It's gonna take me days… weeks to filter through all these memories," said Inner Willow, staring at the girls.
"But what about Willow's current…" said Luz, looking at Inner Willow.
"Already fixed," said Inner Willow, changing the memory to the mindscape than releasing Amity. "Me and Amity had a long talk."
"Can you please put Luz and Danielle down?" asked Amity, looking at Inner Willow while rubbing her wrists.
"There," said Inner Willow, dropping the girls.
"Gentle next time," said Danielle, staring at Inner Willow while rubbing her head.
"Gentle?" said Inner Willow, staring at Danielle. "You're the cause of all this. Memories of a life with you and memories of a life with Luz. There's only so much a mind can handle."
"I honestly have no idea why my necklace acted the way it did," said Danielle, looking at Willow. "Or why there are memories of two different times?"
"I suggest you all leave," said Inner Willow, staring at the girls and Amity. "Willow won't be coming to school for a while until some of this is settled."
"Right," said Luz, ringing the bell and being magically pulled back with Danielle and Amity into the living room.
"I really don't know…" said Danielle, holding herself.
"Whoa. What went down here?" asked Luz, seeing the living room in slight disarray. "And where's Gus? What did you do with Gus?"
"He chased after what looked to be a specter of a palisman," replied Eda, looking at Luz. "How'd everything go?"
"We're honestly not sure," replied Luz, looking at Eda.
"Could Willow have hidden oracle abilities to see alternate timelines?" asked Danielle, staring at Eda. "Is there…"
"Alternate timelines?" thought Eda, wondering. "Could those doors mean…"
"Eda," said Danielle, waving her hand in front of Eda. "You there?"
"Yeah, I'm here," said Eda, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Oh look, Flowers is waking up."
"Willow!" said Luz, checking on Willow. "Do you know who I am?"
"I remember," said Willow, holding her head. "But there are other memories I'm not sure of. What's going on?"
"Here, Willow," said Amity, holding out her hand. "I'll help you home."
"Thanks Amity," said Willow, taking the offered hand. "Later Luz. Later Danielle."
"Take care," said Danielle, as Willow and Amity left the Owl House.
"Hey, Eda," said Luz, staring at Eda. "What do you mean Gus chased after a specter of a palisman?"
"A bunch of specters left from around Willow," replied Eda, looking at the girls. "Some I couldn't discern except for the palismans. Owlbert included."
"Eda, you don't think…" said Danielle, looking at Eda with concerned eyes. "That us being here…"
"Hey, don't get all gloomy here," said Eda, sitting the girls down. "Whatever comes our way, we'll handle it. Us weirdos have to stick together, you know."
"Right," said Danielle and Luz, leaning into Eda.
Owl Pellet #39
"This will be the single greatest interview of all time," said Gus, holding a ball of light. "So if you want it, you'll have to dazzle me!"
As Gus made multiple ball of lights, there were a bunch of specters coming from a slightly glowing Willow. A gasp from Eda and King alerted Gus to what was happening as certain ones took form… mostly palisman. Seeing the specters flowing around the room, a specter Owlbert lands on top of Eda's head before preening its way into her hair. Every specter leaves the Owl House as one specific chameleon floats towards Gus.
"Whoa," said Gus, about to touch the chameleon as it brushes against his hand. "Emmi…line?"
A single tear forms in the chameleon's eye before leaving the Owl House. Frantic, Gus chases after it, wanting the specter to stay.
"Wait… hold up…" shouted Gus, trying to catch up to the specter before stopping as the specter disappeared into the night. "Wait… Emmi…line…"