Chapter 44: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Hey Guys, Suuuuper sorry about the long update but currently I'm experiencing a wifi outage at my house complete with no TV, or internet access. Therefore I have no excuse not to update this story and I know I've said it probably a bazillion times now but after this chapter will be the dramatic final battle followed by an epilogue and perhaps a bonus closing sketch like they did on the show. So enjoy this chapter and it may or may not have been an idea on how I thought The Owl House would end, but it is. So 3…2…1…GO!

—

I ran as fast as I could away from my former home, if I miraculously managed to escape somehow I would make a vow never to return to the Lake of Zombies.

We all ran together with everyone staying tightly knit. Misery lead the way with her scimitar prepared to be used, Skull Boy followed close behind her with Ruby behind him with Doom running alongside her. I was next in the lineup alongside my mom who was in charge of directing us on where to run, followed swiftly by Iris carrying Scaredy with her since asking him to fly would be as useful as a glass hammer. Speaking of flying Poe flew overhead to ensure we didn't have any unwanted company and bringing up the rear was Frank and Len with looks of determination etched on their faces.

We made our way over a hill and through a field intending to cross it.

But suddenly the mood became frightful as a beeping sound was heard.

"What's that sound?" asked Len.

I looked down at my palm and gasped in shock, the bomb attached to my hand was now armed to explode!

"Umm guys? I think its time to start worrying!" I screamed.

Everyone gasped at the sight of the bomb was now armed and we were all further worried when it began counting down.

5:00...4:59...4:58...4:57...

"I dont mean to alarm anyone but this things gonna blow me up in less than 5 minutes!" I said panicking.

Immediately after saying that, Scaredy fainted. I couldn't blame him since it was too much for me let alone Scaredy. Frank and Len went over and picked up the unconscious bat.

"Okay we need to think of a plan and fast!" Ruby stated.

"What if we figure out some way to melt the glue?" Frank said.

"What could we use though?" Poe added.

It was evidently clear that we had nothing hot or melty enough to dissolve the glue.

"There's nothing hot enough, anybody got another plan?" I asked.

"What if we got something to pry it off of Zaí's hand?" Skull Boy suggested.

"But DeDe told me that the bomb is pressure sensitive and if I let go it'll detonate!" I informed them.

I looked at the timer once again and saw that we only had 3:41….3:40….3:39…. Len peered at the timer too before saying.

"Guys, I think we're running out of time." Len stated.

"Well what other options have we got?" Asked Ruby.

My mom let out a sigh "I have one more idea, but it requires the ultimate sacrifice." She told us.

We all looked in shock at what she was insinuating but remained silent as no one could even fathom what she was about to suggest.

"What do you mean mom?" I said uneasy as she kneeled down before me.

"Zaí, once we remove the bomb from your hand. I will hold onto it while you and your friends run away." She told me tearing up.

Everyone gasped in shock, I was too stunned to even fathom what she was implying but I knew it couldn't happen.

"Mom, no! I can't lose you too! First Zola, then Zoë, then dad… you're the only family I've got left!"

"That's not true honey, you will not be alone, you'll have them." She said gesturing towards my friends who all looked surprised but all smiled at me, and just by their expressions alone I could tell how much they loved me. "So could I ask of you wonderful people. Will you take care of my daughter?"

"Of course we will Zerelda, it would be our honour." Ruby said valiantly.

I looked at them all in surprise that I was going to be staying in Gloomsville permanently.

"You don't have to worry anymore Zaí" Ruby spoke up. "We'll be your new family."

"If there's one thing I can personally guarantee you should know about us." Poe stated.

"It's that we all stick together." Added Skull Boy.

"Always and forever." Misery added.

"You're one of us now." Iris said.

"We're all in the same boat." Frank said.

"And we all have a paddle." said Len.

"And if we all row together." Iris added.

"We won't sink." Misery finished.

Doom nodded in approval at their words and Scaredy finally came to and after informing him of what was happening he confirmed it too. (They purposely left out the part involving my mom but it's probably best they didn't)

"But mom, why would you want to do this?"

"Zai, being a mother has been the greatest joy of my life. I've learned things I never thought I would and experienced making precious memories with you and your siblings."

At this point we were all tearing up.

"I love you Zai.. and that's why I have to let you go…" she said.

"You've found the path in life you need to follow and as your mom I think it would be best for you to follow it."

As much as I loathed to admit it, she was right. There was no other way, and I knew that one day I would have to leave my mother behind, I just never expected it would be so soon. Or that it would be permanent.

2:23…2:22…2:21…

"Uh guys?"

"We gotta hurry!"

"Okay, we need something long and sturdy to pry it off her hand." Skull Boy said.

"Like what?"

"Well we'd need something long and sturdy."

Misery looked down at Shreiking Vesper and unsheathed it.

"I guess at this point it'll have to do." She agreed before attempting to use it to pry the bomb off my hand. She applied a Herculean effort until…

*POP*

My hand came free from the bomb, a little bit of skin came off too but I had felt far worse pain and unfortunately would be again shortly.

Immediately my mom picked up the bomb and clutched it as tight as she could.

1:17…1:16…1:15…

"Now go! All of you need to get to a safe distance far away from here!"

"C'mon guys, we need to do as she says." Ruby announced sadly.

"Goodbye Zerelda!" Scaredy called to her.

"We'll never forget you!" Added Iris.

"Zaí will be safe with us!" Added Poe.

"That's a promise!" Yelled Frank.

Then Misery came up close to her. "Thank you for everything you told me, I promise that I'll honour your memory." Zerelda put her hand on Misery's shoulder.

"Never forget how much you are loved."

Misery shed a tear before she took off running after the others.

I was frozen in place, I knew I had to run but at the same time I would never see my mom again, I turned to her and looked clueless on what to do, but then she caressed my cheek and told me…

"I love you Zaí."

In that moment I knew what she said was true. I turned around and ran as fast as I could away from her, the tears still stinging my eye as I ran.

I caught up with the rest of the gang as we reached the end of the field. We all ducked down and braced for impact.

The timer counted down as mom raised her head and spoke her last words…

10…

9…

8…

7…

6…

5…

4…

3…

2…

1…

"Take good care of her…."

.

.

.

.

.

.

(((((((KABOOM!)))))

We all sheilded our eyes as we saw a mushroom cloud rising up from where my mother sacrificed her life to save me. I couldn't help myself from immediately breaking down in tears and burying my face in my hands. As I wept I felt myself being caressed by arms, as all of my friends.. or should I say, my new family embraced me.