Chapter 74: Thanks to Them Part 3

Luz's Diary

The scene opens with a computer screen and video recording being set up by Luz in her room, whose hair seemed to have gotten a little longer and looking more curly. She sat down as she began recording.

Luz: Hey, it's been a while. Just that, a lot has happened this summer. It's one I will never forget. I went into a new world where witches and magic exist. I met some amazing people, I've been learning magic and well I tried to help stop an ancient evil from rising, but we failed on that. Failed so bad that I along with some of my friends were forced to leave, leaving everyone else in the dark world Keizer made.

Luz takes out the Eye.

Luz: I was given the Eye of Ginga by Christa, the previous holder and made me the current. She's the reason we escaped to safety, but at the cost of her... no. I was almost going to say her life but I don't want to think that. I've tried time and time again to use this to open a portal back but no matter what I say or how I use it, it just won't work. So we've been trying to build our own portal. But all attempts have so far failed. But Alex has been working non stop.

We hear an explosion as the scene flashbacks to a moment back in the past as we see smoke coming from the woods and the Hexsquad running towards it. It looked like it was coming from the old house. They arrive and see the front door blown off with smoke surrounding the area and see Alex walking out of the smoke all black and smoking, looking like he could barely walk.

Luz: Alex?

Alex: Hey guys, it's alright. Just uh...working the kinks.

Alex falls down as Luz, Gus and Willow help him up.

Gus: What were you doing.?

Alex: Just doing some independent work on the portal. I thought I had an idea but it blew on me. Literally.

Willow: That was really dangerous of you! You could've been killed!

Alex: S-Sorry Sprouts. I-I just wanted to get us back.

Willow's angry expression softened as she couldn't stay mad at him and takes his hand.

Willow: I'm sorry just, tell us next time before you do anything.

Luz: ( narrating) I can tell Willow has been showing signs of attraction to Alex.

The scene then shifts to a time when Luz was about to take her friends out.

Luz: Alright, you guys ready to see my town?

Gus: Yes! I'm so ready!

Luz: Oh ho kay. Someone's really excited.

Amity: I'm excited to see your town.

Vee: Still missing a couple.

Luz: Yeah. Alex, Hunter come on!

Hunter: Alright hang on.

Hunter and Alex enter the latter wearing a Cosmic Frontier uniform.

Alex: Ready to go.

Gus: Whoa.

Willow: Now that is a look.

Luz: Alex what are you wearing?

Alex: My human uniform.

Hunter: What do you think? ( shows his hands bandaged up) I made it with my own two hands.

Gus: You made this? Can you make me one too?

Luz: Okay but why?

Alex: This is what humans wear according to Cosmic Frontiers.

Vee: This is a book written in the 90s set in the year 2008.

Gus: ( sighs) Yeah the year 2008.

Alex: A time where there will be no wars, no pollution and bacon is good for your heart.

Hunter: It's going to be some New Years.

Vee: Uh guys, it's 20...

Luz: Let them figure it out on their own.

Amity: Okay well Alex I don't think the world is ready for the brave fashion choices of 2008. Please change.

Willow: Don't listen to her. You look great in it.

Luz: ( narrating) Yeah she's so into him. I've been showing them around. To places I like to shop or eat.

Luz took her friends to some book or retail stores, they got some boba although when Hunter took a sip of his he immediately coughed it out.

Luz: Alright so who's hungry? I know a great place we can get tacos.

But then Luz saw Hunter falling behind as he was looking up at something. She went over to him and saw what he was looking at. At the towns statue of the Whittebane brothers.

Luz: Hunter?

Hunter: So that's them huh?

Luz: The Whittebane brothers? ( looks at Caleb statue) That there's Caleb. ( looks at Phillip statue) And that's Phillip.

Hunter: Belos.

Luz: Yeah. After everything he's done people will just remember him as a town hero.

Hunter: He does not deserve a statue. I...ugh I just want to hit that stupid face of his.

But then he saw a rock hit at the head. Hunter looked beside him and saw Luz with a rock.

Luz: Then hit him.

Luz threw the rock at the Phillip statue.

Luz: Come on you know you want to.

Hunter picked up a rock and threw it at the head which caught the attention of the crazy conspiracist Jacob Hobkins.

Jacob: Hey, you kids can't do that!

Luz: Quick run!

Luz: ( narrating) It's crazy to think Hunter went from being an authority figure to a rebel. But I think I gave him the wrong idea.

The next scene shows Luz and Amity watching one of the Azura movies when suddenly Luz gets a news notification on her phone. She takes it out and what she read surprises her.

Amity: What's wrong?

Luz: Look at this. Whittebane statue vandalized. Head of Phillip cut off? Who could've done that?

Hunter: Hey Luz. So I borrowed the bonesaw from the garage and you will not believe what I did last night when everyone was asleep.

Hunter showed the two the head of Phillip.

Hunter: Now I really got him!

Hunter chuckles as Luz and Amity look at him surprised and speechless.

Hunter: What?

Luz: ( narrating) Yeah we had to secretly leave an apology note for that. Anyway Gus has really been excited since living here. He's so easily interested with everything in the house.

Gus: Luz look at this. This thing eats paper and you can see it digesting.

Gus was playing with the paper shredder as he keeps putting paper in it.

Luz: It's a paper shredder Gus, but please don't waste all the paper. You're killing trees.

Gus: Oh sorry. I'll stop.

Gus instead goes to the lamp as he keeps switching it on and off.

Luz: ( narrating) I try to take him out whenever I have the time.

The scene shifts to a Chuck E Cheese like pizzeria where we see Alex and Gus playing one of those dance games as Alex struggled trying to step on the right spot.

Gus: Watch the screen not your feet.

Alex: Gus shut up! I got this!

Announcer: Number 42.

Alex: Oh no our pizza is ready.

Gus: Tag out man! Tag out!

Alex tags Gus as he gets off and Gus takes over the game but he's much better synced, busting moves and singing to the song playing.

Gus: I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world

Life in plastic, it's fantastic

Come on, Barbie, let's go party

Ah, ah, ah yeah!

Luz: ( narrating) Then there was the time I took then to the zoo.

The scene now shifts to the group now at the zoo so they could see what the animals of Earth were like. They passed by looking at lions, elephants, chimpanzees, crocodiles, penguins and different kinds of parrots.

Amity: Wow Luz the animals in your world are so pretty.

Willow: Well they certainly look less terrifying than the ones we have back home.

Luz: Thanks, oh but I know a special one a certain someone wants to see.

Gus: ( gasps) You mean.

Luz: That's right Gus.

Luz shows them up next the Giraffe exhibit as Gus was hyperventilating with excitement.

Gus: Oh my Titan, the giraffes.

Luz: That's right. It's time you got to see a real giraffe.

Then went but didn't notice the sign that says " No flash photography." They looked up at the giraffes with awe and amazement.

Gus: The giraffes. They're even more majestic in person.

Luz: I still don't get why they were banished.

Hunter: Eh probably because they look so normal compared to what we got.

Willow: I got to get a picture of this.

Willow takes a picture at one of the giraffes. The flash was on as it bothered the giraffe then suddenly it opened up it's mouth showing a more demonic look letting out a horrific screech as the group held onto each other screaming.

Flashback ends

Luz: That was the most traumatizing Saturday ever. That or the time I took them to the movies.

We then cut to the Hexsquad standing in front of a movie theater.

Camila: Are you sure you want to watch this movie?

Camila motioned to the movie poster of what looked like a killer clown with a chainsaw which was titled " Horrifier 3 in 3D."

Willow: That's what we agreed on.

Luz: I don't know if you guys can handle this. I mean this movie might be a bit intense.

Amity: Luz where we live is full of monsters and nightmares.

Gus: Yeah girl. How scary can this movie be?

Minutes later.

The Hexsquad were shaking in fear holding onto each other with Amity holding onto Luz with her dear life as we see their reactions to what is happening.

Horrifier Clown: Now watch as I make your head disappear! Oohahahaha!

We then hear the sounds of a chainsaw ripping through flesh as the Hexsquad screamed.

Horrifier Clown: Now for my next trick I will need a volunteer. Ah how about you?

He pointed his finger as the 3D effect made it look like he was pointing at the audience, although Gus thought he was pointing at him.

Gus: Who? Me?

Horrifier Clown: Come on up so I can saw you in half! Oohahahahaha!

Gus looked mortified as the scene shifts to him in bed holding onto his pillow and shaking.

Gus: Can't sleep. Clown will eat me. Can't sleep. Clown will eat me.

Luz: ( narrating) But on the plus side. Willow and Amity have been helping around the house with mom. Willow been making her garden look lively.

Camila: Oh Willow my yard has never looked this beautiful before.

Willow: You deserve the best Camila.

A crow was flying down about to mess it up until a large carnivorous plant sprang up and ate the crow in one bite.

Camila: What the?!

Willow: And I've planted you're very own defense system to keep intruders out. Just make sure you water him Tuesdays and Fridays and feed him some fresh meat once every Sunday.

Camila: Um, thank you?

Luz: ( narrating) Amity has been trying her best to make my mom like her. Even though I keep telling her she already does, she does try now and then to help my mom or spend time with her.

Camila was coming in with groceries as Amity saw and ran to help her in.

Amity: Oh Camila let me help you with those.

Camila: Oh thank you Amity. It really lightens the load. Oh I'm so thirsty.

Amity: Oh let me get you some lemon blood.

Camila: Lemonade.

Amity: Right, I'll never get used to that.

Amity took out the pitcher of lemonade. She went to the cabinet to get some glasses, she got one but the other one slipped off her hand as she dropped it and shattered on the ground.

Camila: Oh!

Amity however covered her head and shut her eyes in fear.

Amity: I'm so sorry! Please! I'm sorry.

Camila: Whoa, whoa honey it's okay.

Camila went over to her and held onto her arms as Amity calmed down.

Amity: You're not mad at me for breaking your glass.

Camila: It was just one and an accident. It happens.

Amity: I'm sorry I acted that way.

Camila: That was a sign like I was going to hit you. Did you think I was going to?

Amity: No...but it's what my mom usually did.

Camila gasped as Amity looked away.

Amity: Luz is so fortunate to have you. You love her for who she is and no matter what she does. My mom always tried to make me this perfect girl of her image and didn't like anything else I was into. She would often punish me if I messed up. Even though I just moved with my aunt who is much nicer, I can't truly get over the way my mom treated me. I can still feel her slaps.

Camila: Oh come here. ( hugs Amity) I'm so sorry you had to go through that. But I promise you can relax here and I swear on my life I would not hit you. I don't appreciate child abuse. I'm so glad Luz met you and as long as you treat her good, you'll always have a place here.

Amity: Thank you Camila.

Luz: ( narrating) It's so nice to see Amity getting to know my family. First my mom, later my dad.

The next scene shows the car driving into a cemetery. We see the Noceda's with some flowers but with them were Vee and Amity the latter who's hair grew a bit and her lavender dye was now fading into a pink color.

Luz: ( narrating) It was my dad's birthday. Ever since he died Mom and I would always bring flowers to his grave. But this time we had a couple others with us.

Camila: Vee I'm glad you came but you didn't have to.

Vee: If I'm part of this family I think I should be part of whatever you do.

Luz: Sure, but Amity you didn't have to come.

Amity: After what you told me about your dad, I wanted to help you pick flowers for him.

Luz nods and leads her to his grave. Eventually they made it to it a gravestone with the name " Manny Noceda Beloved Husband and Father." Luz and Camilla placed the flowers they had on his grave.

Luz: Hi Dad. So glad I was able to make it back for you. A lot has happened lately, ( motions to Vee) our family has been growing and ( takes Amity's hand) I've been making some new friends and met an awesome girlfriend. I really wish you could meet them.

Luz: ( narrating) How I wanted to get back home wasn't how I intended but since I was back I've been showing Amity around of what my world has to offer.

One scene shows Luz taking Amity to the library to show her the kinds of fictional novels, biographies and history books there were. Luz had some books with her while took notice of a globe.

Amity: Luz is this your world?

Luz: Oh yeah, that's our Mother Earth.

Amity: Wait so where are we?

Luz: Uh let's see. This is the United States and we're in the state of Connecticut so right here.

Amity: Here? But it's so small.

Luz: Oh yeah where we're at this place is nothing. There's New York, France, oh I've always wanted to go to Japan.

Amity: What's there to see?

Luz: Well, why don't we take a look with some of these.

Luz showed Amity some of the books of encyclopedia and history books.

Amity: Your world looks amazing Luz.

Luz: Yeah I mean it does have it's ups and downs.

Amity: Well same with mine. But do you think one day we can travel the world together.

Luz: Sure we can. New York can be our first place.

We then cut to the two leaving the library, but as they did they heard thunder as it began to rain.

Amity: ( gasps) Luz look out!

Amity pulled Luz under the entrance of the building.

Luz: Whoa, easy it's okay.

Amity: But it's raining.

Luz: Yeah but not the boiling kind.

Amity: Really?

Luz: Yes, come here.

Luz took Amity's hand to feel the rain drops though she felt her resisting.

Luz: Amity it's okay.

Amity: But I was once burned when I was 9.

Luz: I swear it won't burn you. Do you trust me?

Amity looked at Luz giving her a gentle smile and took her hand to feel the rain. Amity felt the rain drops on her hand and to her surprise it didn't burn her. It wasn't like the boiling rain, this one felt cool.

Luz: See?

Amity: It's not boiling.

Luz: Come on!

Luz took Amity's hand and ran into the rain. The two danced around the rain, laughing and splashing the puddles.

Luz: ( narrating) It was magical night for us. Except for the aftermath.

The next day shifts the two girls catching a cold and in bed.

Camila: You were dancing in the rain again weren't you?

Luz: No. ( sniff) Maybe.

Luz: ( narrating) But we've also had some dates of our own. Like the time I took her to the lake.

The scene shifts to the lake with Luz jumping into the water. She emerged back up as she turned to Amity who was standing on the dock.

Luz: Come on, the water is fine.

Amity: This a boiling free lake right.

Luz: Yes, trust me there is no boiling lakes, rain or oceans. Except maybe if we were at a hot spring or an under water volcano but that's beside the point. Come on.

Amity dipped her feet into the lake as she slowly entered the water.

Luz: Alright let's play a game. Marco. Marco. Amity you're supposed to say...( turns around but no Amity) Amity?

Luz looked at the water and saw bubbles. She dived down and pulled up Amity who was sinking.

Amity: ( gasps) I can't swim.

Luz: I'll get you some floaties.

Luz: ( narrating) Then there was the time I took her to my favorite ice parlor.

Luz sad down with a milkshake for her and Amity to share.

Amity: Ooh, this looks good.

Luz: I've always wanted to share this with someone but never had the chance.

Amity: Until you met me.

Luz: Oh yes. Here.

Luz gives Amity a straw as the two were drinking their shake, enjoying each others company and holding hands. That was until Willow appeared and took pictures of the two.

Willow: Smile.

Amity saw her and blew in her straw from being startled and got some of the ice cream and whip cream on Luz.

Willow: You two having fun?

Amity: Willow what are you... ( see's Luz's face and wipes with a napkin) Luz I'm so sorry.

Luz: Oh it's fine Ami. I hope you got a good one Willow, I want to remember this.

Willow: Oh I got a couple.

Flashback ends.

Luz: Being with her has been great and so glad I could show her around here. Having all my friends has been great as they've been sticking up for me and been by my side. Especially that one time they came to pick me up from school.

Another flashback shows Luz leaving school. But following her was her bully ( the blond cheerleader student) Amber and her friends being two girls one boy as they cut her off.

Amber: Well look who it is. Hey Luz-er.

Luz: ( sighs) What do you want now Amber.

Amber: Well I heard you went to the reality check camp after all those stupid stunts you did last semester. So how was it? Did they put you in the electric chair or wipe your brain.

Luz: No and I'll have you know camp went well actually. I met some great people.

Amber: Oh really, people who would tolerate your weird antics. You're magical witchy views you always talked about. Or that stupid eye trick you did.

Luz: Yes, now excuse me, I'm going to be late.

Amber's male friend blocked Luz's path.

Amber: Oh I'm not done with you. I want to get something straight. I'm trying to be top student for cheerleading. Try outs are next week so you better not intervene.

Luz: I won't. That was a one time thing.

Amber: It better be. I mean look at you, you don't exactly have the looks. I mean look at the way you're dressed. I mean what's this old jacket?

Luz: Hey! That belongs to someone special!

Amber: Who your dad? Oh wait, he's dead.

Amber laughs at her which really got Luz angry .

Amity: Hey!

They looked from behind and saw the Hexsquad who were coming to pick up Luz today.

Willow: What do you think you're doing to our friend?

Amber: Who are they?

Luz: Those are my friends from camp.

Gus: Are these people giving you a hard time Luz?

Alex walked up to them and to boy blocking Luz. He grabbed him by the colar of his shirt and lifted him up with ease.

Male studen: Hey what are you doing? Put me down man.

Alex: Gladly.

Alex threw him aside and into a trash can.

Alex: Want me to take the rest of them out Luz. Just say the word.

Luz: Oh you've done enough Alex.

Luz steps away from Amber and to Amity who hugs.

Amity: You okay Batata?

Amber: I'm sorry who are you again?

Amity: I'm her awesome girlfriend.

Amber: Whoa, whoa wait. You're her girlfriend? Seriously her? This weirdo, this nerd, this dork, this loser, this dingaling, wingnut and may I add knucklehead mcspazatron? Oh wait I get it now. She paid you to be her girlfriend didn't she?

Amity: Uh what?

Amber: That's it. I mean there's no way anyone in there right mind would date her.

Luz: We should go.

Amity: Hold on. Listen you. I don't care about the way she acts. Because guess what, I like them weird.

Amber: Uh what?

Amity: She has a girlfriend, do you?

Amber: Yeah, uh...there's uh...

Amity: I thought so. Luz here has a great personality unlike you. You act like you're the popular chick but deep down, you're a sad, miserable girl who tries to make herself feel superior by looking down on others.

Amber: You don't know a thing about me.

Amity: Oh I've dealt with people like you before. But enough about that.

Amity grabs her by her shirt and pulls her to her face.

Amity: So let me tell you this right now. If I catch you hurting my Luz again, then you'll never be able to sleep again. ( eyes glow purple) Because you will see me in your dreams!

Amber: ( pushes away) AH! Okay geez! Whatever she's yours creep. Let's go.

Amber and her friends leave.

Gus: Yeah I'm not done with her yet.

Gus forms a spell circle with his hands.

Amber: ( takes out compact mirror) Ugh, that creep has weird friends. I still have cooler ones and I'm still good looking.

But Gus used his illusion magic to make Amber's face look like a donkey. She screamed seeing her donkey face in the mirror and ran off.

Gus: Yeah that's a good look for her.

Hunter: Nice one.

Luz: Guys thank you, you really didn't have to do that.

Amity: Hey of course.

Willow: If someone messes with you, than they mess with all of us. Now come on, you said we were going to that movie.

Gus: Please no clowns this time.

Flashback ends.

Luz: It was so nice of them to stick up for me like that I... ( sighs) I really wish Christa was here. She'd love this place and there's so much I wanted to do with her, I wanted her to meet Mom and Vee. Everyone misses her, especially Hunter. That reminds me but this just happened last night when Hunter came to me because he thought he saw something at the old hourse.

Flashback behins where we see Luz and Hunter standing before the old house.

Luz: Where is it?

Hunter: It has to be inside. I was coming back here to get the Cosmic Frontiers book I left behind, but at that window I saw a pair of yellow eyes and it looked at me.

Luz: Like who? Belos.

Hunter: No, it's unlikely. It was dark, I couldn't tell who it was but it seemed familiar.

Luz: Should we wait for the others?

Hunter: No we have to do this ourselves.

Hunter and Luz had their bats ready as they slowy entered the house. Luz used the flashlight on her phone to shine around the room. She looked at the floor and saw the board and papers that had the blueprints to the portal all over the ground.

Luz: Is anthing shredded?

Hunter: Doesn't look like it. Everything seems to be here.

But then they heard something fell in the other room. The cautiously went further into the house and then heard some scratching sounds coming from the basement.

Luz: Down there. Are you ready?

Hunter: I don't know.

Luz: Don't worry I'm right here.

They made down to the basement. Luz turned on the light as they heard something moving in the wardrobe.

Luz: It's there.

Hunter: Okay. I'm ready.

Hunter raised his bat as Luz opened the wardrobe. They saw what looked like yellow eyes, but then coming out was an oppossum hissing at them much to their relief.

Luz: Oh, thank goodness. It's just a little angel.

Hunter: ( sighs) No one's here. I guess it was just in my head.

Luz: Well, can't blame you for being paranoid after everything we've been through.

Hunter: Yeah. You know, I just wanna make sure everyone's safe.

Luz: Same. And that includes you too.

Hunter: What?

Luz: Yeah. Gonna make sure you're safe too, Hunter. You're family now.

Hunter: Oh, I...

But then Hunter began to tear up and cried a bit. Luz looked over at him and hugs him.

Hunter: Luz, do you think I'm a failure?

Luz: What?

Hunter: I failed to keep Christa away from Belos and Keizer. I'm her boyfriend. I'm supposed to protect her but...it's because of me she's...I miss her so much.

Luz: I miss her too, but don't be hard on yourself. It's not your fault. It's not your fault.

Hunter: Do you really think she's still alive.

Luz: I...I know so.

Flashback ends.

Luz: But to be honest, I don't really know if Christa is alive. My heart wants to tell me yes but my brain is telling me...( sighs) Hunter is blaming himself, but in all honesty I'm the one who feels like the failure. After everything we went through together and all the times she saved me, I couldn't save her when she most needed me. I couldn't save anyone. I don't know if she's okay. I don't know if King or Eda are okay. I don't know what's happening in the Isles and we're not making any progress! I'm maybe back the others are stuck here and I know that they're disappointed in me that I couldn't even use the Eye.

Luz looks at the Eye.

Luz: Christa passed the Eye to me. She made me the new holder and said that as long as I had this I had hope, but I'm barely holding onto that thread. ( frowns) I hate to say this but I think she was wrong to give this to me. Why would she give this to me of all people? Someone who lacks magic and doesn't even have a palisman, or a hatched one atleast. I'm not worthy. I never was. ( covers her face and groans) It's getting late. I'm tired and...what else is there to say? Good night.

Luz shut off the computer ending the recording.

Last night.

Luz and Hunter were leaving the house.

Luz: Let's head back before the others worry.

Hunter: Yeah, everything is okay.

But as they left they didn't notice a cloaked figure standing on the roof of the house watching them. His whole body was covered in rags as the only thing we see from his hood are his glowing yellow eyes.

To be continued...

Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. Finally got this one done. Sorry it took a while not just because I was tyring to think what scenes to play in this, but also I was working on another story. A side story that I wanted to get done by October. Halfway there but I'll do another chapter on this first before I continue. I was trying to think of Luz's bully here and the only one I could think of was that blonde cheerleader we saw in the first episode. There's no information what this background character is like but I just worked with it. I want to thank Lady Shadow92 for help on this chapter. Next chapter will come later next month as I am going on vacation soon. If you liked this chapter be sure to follow, favorite and review. As always thank you and until next time.