Chapter 76: Thanks to Them Part 5

Guilt and Longing

The scene begins in the Noceda house in Luz's room as we take a look in her dreams. Luz was in the in between realm again like before.

Luz: What? I'm here again.

Luz! Luz!

Luz: Hello?

Luz turned around and saw a giant white silhouette figure from before. But his words were still being cut off due to some interference.

Luz you...you...restore...the world...use the...return to the Boiling Isles. Wake up. Wake up!

Luz wakes up looking around her room. She looked over at her palisman egg and the Eye next to her. She sighs and rubs her face.

Luz: Why do I keep having these dreams? What does it mean?

The next day.

Luz was walking with Amity in town.

Amity: So Luz, I heard about this day called Halloween where humans dress up. So the past couple weeks we've been prepping our own costumes and for me I'm thinking to be Hecate. Won't that be cool?

Amity looked over at Luz who didn't seem to be listening but looked down appearing to be depressed.

Amity: Luz?

Luz: What?

Amity: I said I can be the Hecate to your Azura.

Luz: ( forms a small smile) Oh yeah that's cool.

Amity: You okay? Something like that should have you more excited.

Luz: No, no I am. I'm just, just anxious to get back because didn't Alex say he had a new method to getting back.

Amity: Well, we'll see what he has to show.

Later.

We cut to Alex outside the old house.

Alex: ( exhales) Okay, you got this. You got this. ( pulls out razor) I am a man.

Luz: Alex.

Alex: Oh Luz how was school?

Luz: Eh, alright. Had a pop quiz but nothing like the one in Hexside. Do you have a new method with the portal?

Alex: Well I don't want to get your hopes too high but I have another method made.

Alex showed her the stand for the Eye wired to an old beat up car which looked like the car he hijacked previously and on top of the hood looked like a power generator attached and antennas with jumper cables leading to the door.

Alex: Okay so I managed to salvage the car we hijacked the other day, we never told your mom. Please don't tell her. Before we were trying to force the power of the Eye to make the portal but we can never properly control it. But if we use the car and control the acceleration of how much power can be used we might just be able to open the portal without it blowing up.

Luz: Really? So then let's do it.

Alex: Well I was hoping we do this tomorrow.

Luz: Tomorrow?

Alex: Still working a couple kinks but also I need to go get ready. I'm taking Willow out to the movies and today is the day I tell her how I feel.

Luz: Alex as much as I'm proud for your bravery to confess, we need to do this now.

Alex: But my date and I'm kinda tired. We'll do it first thing tomorrow.

Luz: We've been waiting for too long! I need to go back now!

Alex and Amity taken back by Luz's tone as the latter realized what she said.

Amity: Luz?

Luz: I'm sorry Alex. That was uncalled for of me. You have fun.

Luz leaves the two back to the house.

Alex: Was it something I said?

Amity: No, something's not right with her.

Back at the house.

Alex was in the bathroom with a towel wrapped around him holding a comb using it as a microphone singing.

Alex: Disco girl. Coming through. That girl is you. Oooh, oooh! Oooh, oooh!

But then the door opened behind him as Gus entered.

Alex: AAAAAH!

Gus: AAAAAH! Why didn't you lock the door!

Alex: I thought I did! Do you mind? I'm getting for my date.

Gus: Yeah I heard and I needed to tell you. Make sure Willow is okay.

Alex: Of course. As long as she's with me. I'll protect her from danger.

Gus: No I mean make sure she's doing okay.

Alex: Why is something wrong?

Gus: Have you noticed her powers have been uh, kind of uncontrollable recently.

Alex: You mean like the time she somehow turned the carpeting in the house into a grassy field.

Gus: Yes or like what happened this morning with Hunter.

Earlier that day.

Willow was in the kitchen having some cereal when Hunter enters.

Hunter: Morning Captain.

Willow: Morning Hunter. How are you this morning?

Hunter: Uh I swear my back is killing me sleeping on the floor. We really need to decide who gets the couch without playing punchies. Anyway how are you?

Willow: Oh I'm just fine.

But then bursting from the floor was a carnivorous plant as it screeched at Hunter. He ran from it but was grabbed and swallowed whole.

Flashback ends.

Alex: Oh yeah. I thought that was just her way of showing love to everyone. But let me tell you being swallowed by a monster plant is not pleasant. Believe me I know.

Gus: I think something is up with her.

Alex: First Luz now her? What is up with girls?

Gus: Alex just be there for her and take the time to talk to her.

Alex: Yeah I'll make sure she's okay.

Gus: Good and also when you get the popcorn make sure not too much butter because she doesn't like too much.

Alex: It won't taste as good but okay.

Meanwhile.

Luz was in her room as she was doodling on her notebook. She had some drawings of Eda, King and Christa and couple glyphs. Lately she's been feeling down. Despite trying to have some good times with her friends, she's been constantly worried about the others left behind in the Boiling Isles with Keizer. She has no idea if Eda and King are okay or if Christa is alive. She has no idea what's going on or what Keizer has done.

But in someway, Luz see's this as her fault. She felt she didn't try hard enough to stop all this or to save Christa. The last thing she did was give her the Eye of Ginga. She said that as long as she had it she had hope. But what hope? The Eye won't work on her and there's only one reason why. It's because she has no magic and is not worthy. As she was self loathing she felt something warm on her hand. She lifted up her hand where it was on top of the fire glyph. She looked at it confused but before she could look more into it, Amity enters.

Amity: Hey.

Luz: Hey Amity, I was just finishing my homework.

Amity: That's fine. I just thought when you were done we talked further about our costumes. Should we go with book accuracy in the illustrations or something from the movies?

Luz: Oh uh, it doesn't really matter.

Amity looked at Luz confused. She should be talking in detail of Azura. She went up closer to Luz. Luz hearing her coming closed the notebook.

Amity: Hey something wrong?

Luz: No, everything's fine.

Amity: Luz I'm your girlfriend. You can talk to me if something is bothering you.

Luz: I'm fine Amity really. I just wished we could test the new portal now.

Amity: We will, just wait a bit longer. Come on you look tired, take a break.

Luz: I'm almost done. I'll be down later to talk more.

Amity: Alright, don't be long.

Amity leaves the room. Once she was Luz looked out the window as she had a crazy idea.

Luz: I'll make it quick.

Meanwhile we cut to Alex and Willow making their way to the movie theater.

Alex: So uh you looking forward to the movie Willow?

Willow: Yeah I've been looking forward seeing it with you.

Alex: Yeah glad we could go on this date. Uh I mean not a date. I mean a outing with my girlfriend. I mean not girlfriend I meant my friend who happens to be a girl much like I happen to be a boy but not her boyfriend and I'm shutting up now.

Willow: So how goes the next portal prototype?

Alex: Eh well I'm hoping it'll work. I mean trying to make a new portal with primitive resources here is tough and trying to use the Eye is so hard. I'm hoping this new method will work.

Willow: I hope it does.

Alex looked down and saw some vines forming around Willow's feet.

Alex: Willow are you feeling okay?

Willow: Oh come on the movie is about to start.

Willow takes Alex's hand and pulls him inside the theater.

Later.

We see the two exit out passing by a line of people waiting to get in.

Alex: Wow what a movie. I can't believe Tony Stark died defeating Thanos to save the world.

Crowd: Aw! Thanks man!

Guy: Oh thank you Mr. Blow the picture for me!

Alex: Willow I want you to know that I would have died for the soul stone just to save you.

Willow: Please I wouldn't even let you. I would have gone first. I would have done whatever to save everyone and help those...poor people reunite with thier loved ones who were...earased from existance and...broken...

Willow began to tense up a bit as Alex noticed.

Alex: Uh Willow are you...

Willow: You know we really need to get back. Let's go!

Willow began to speed walk.

Alex: Whoa wait!

Meanwhile.

Amity enters back in Luz's room.

Amity: Luz how do you do this rubix cube. I've been trying at it for an hour and I can't...Luz?

Amity saw Luz was not in her room. But did see the window was open and got an idea what was up and went to Camila.

Amity: Camila have you seen Luz?

Camila: Is she not in her room?

Amity: No. If she's not here I think she's about to get herself into trouble.

The scene shifts to Luz arriving at the old house and the new portal generator. She places the Eye on the stand and goes into the car.

Luz: We open the portal back now.

Meanwhile

Alex caught up with Willow. She looked away so he wouldn't see her eye's glowing green.

Alex: So what else you want to do?

Willow: I think we should head back.

Alex: Oh you sure? The night's still young. I know a good place to get some tacos.

Willow: I'm actually getting a bit tired.

Alex: Come on you don't want atleast get ice cream? You love pistachio right?

Willow: No I don't.

Alex: No wait that was Hunter. That guy has weird taste. How can you like pistachio flavored ice cream?

Willow moaned as some vines were growing around her legs.

Alex: Willow are you okay? You're kind of sprouting.

But then a huge vine came across the two as Alex fell back.

Willow: Alex I'm sorry. I-I need to go.

Willow ran from him.

Alex: Willow come back! Willow!

Alex was about to chase after her but had to take out the vine. He tried pushing it back down as two people were passing by.

Alex: Weeds. Am I right? Ehehehehe.

We cut back to Luz who was starting the car. She pressed down the acceleration pedal. The jumper cables connecting to the Eye began to activate it. It began to glow as the wires attached to it and to the door began to illuminate.

Luz: That's it come on. Come on.

Luz pressed the pedal down further as it the odometer went up higher. The door began to glow as it was about to take form into a portal.

Luz: Come on!

But then suddenly the mysterious hooded figure appeared standing in front of the car and raised his hand up. Luz screamed and her natural instincts told her to accelerate, even though the car was immobile. But doing so over charged the Eye making the power overload the portal and blowing up in front of the two. Luz ducked down avoiding the flames coming at her. She looked up and saw the door to the old house was again blown off and bits of fire on the floor. The hooded figure however was gone. She exits the car and looks around confused. Was he really there or did she just imagine that.

Amity: Luz!

Luz: Amity?

Amity and Camila ran up to her and checked to see if she was alright.

Amity: Are you alright?

Luz: Yeah I'm fine.

Camila took the fire extinguisher and puts out the fires around the area.

Camila: Luz how did this happen? What did you do?

Luz: I-I...I choked I guess.

Amity: Luz what were you thinking?! Okay I shouldn't be surprised since you do this all the time but we agreed to wait and you went behind our back. You could have blown yourself up!

Luz: I-I'm sorry okay!

Luz covered her eyes and sobbed a bit. Amity's anger expression softened as Camila also came in concern.

Amity: Hey I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap.

Luz: It's not that. I mean I'm sorry you're still stuck here.

Amity: Luz.

Luz: I couldn't wait any longer. I've been so desperate to get back because I have no idea what's happening in the Demon Realm. I don't know if Eda, King or Christa are alive. We've been here for two months and we haven't made any progress or maybe we did but I somehow screwed it all up! Argh why did Christa even give me the Eye? I can't do this! I can't use the Eye and I know how disappointed you guys are in me.

Amity: What?

Luz: You were right about me.

Amity: About what?

Luz: About me not being a real witch.

Amity: That was the old me. I don't think that now.

Luz: But it's true. I'm not a witch and I don't have magic. I'm just a girl who fantasizes on being one. That's probably why I can't use the Eye and you're stuck here because of me.

Amity: Who told you we were disappointed in you? No one is. We've been doing everything we can to get back and I'm worried too. I miss my home, my family. I miss Ed and Em, Aunt Alice and my Dad who I was just starting to bond with. I miss my home and my family a lot but things could be so much worse for us.

Luz: How?

Amity: I could be stuck here without you. You help me take my mind off it now and then. You've shown me around your world and gave me a place to stay. ( hugs her) Don't blame any of this on yourself. Christa chose you for a reason. Because she trusts you with it.

Luz: But I can't get it to work.

Amity: You will. I know things are scary right now and I don't know what the future holds, but it would be so cool if you were in it. But don't hide what you're feeling from me. Okay?

Luz: Yeah, okay.

Luz held Amity tight as the latter placed a kiss on her cheek.

Camila: Luz.

Luz: I'm sorry mom. I know I was doing something stupid again.

Camila: No, I'm sorry.

Luz: For what?

Camila: For not sticking up for you and trying to send you to that camp. I forgot about the Astral Oath.

Luz: The what?

Camila: The Astral Oath is a promise made between Captain Avery and his family, to love and protect each other just as they are... Through supernovas, and solar winds.

Luz: Mom... are you a secret nerd? Wait so that is your stuff the boys are playing with.

Camila: I had a hard time growing up. I was afraid you would too. My biggest mistake was trying to protect you, by changing this beautiful Good Witch into something she wasn't.

Luz: I just realized something. I don't know why it took me so long to figure out. But the only thing I've ever wanted, was to be understood.

Just then Luz's fanny pack began to glow. She unzipped it and the palisman egg was beginning to hatch as she let out a small gasp.

Meanwhile.

Alex: Willow? Willow?!

Alex caught up to Willow in the woods. She was standing in the center of a field holding her arms as vines were growing around her.

Alex: Willow what's wrong?

Willow: Nothing's wrong. I got this.

Willow tried to make the vines go away, but she ended up making more bigger ones as they began to grow around the area and catching Alex.

Willow: Oh hang on! I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

But it got worse as Alex was now being completely wrapped up in the vines.

Willow: ( gasps) Alex! ( begins tearing vines) I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. I can't do this. ( tears up) I can't...

Willow then found herself wrapped up in her own vines with only her head sticking out. But Alex using all his strength manages to break free and made his way to her. He pulled her off and held her in his arms.

Alex: Sprouts! Willow speak to me!

Willow: I'm fine Alex. I just need to...

Alex: No you're not. Somethings bothering you I know it. Please talk to me what's wrong.

Willow: I...I miss my dads!

Willow began to cry as Alex hugged her and the vines began to retract back to the ground.

Alex: That's it let it out.

Willow: ( sniffs) I've been trying to stay strong for you guys because I know it's been tough lately and you need someone to rely on to help get through.

Alex: But reliable people need someone to rely on too.

Willow: Doesn't matter. No matter how hard I try I'm just half a witch Willow.

Alex: Stop! Okay just stop calling yourself that! Willow you are like the coolest witch I know. I was just some lonesome jerk back where I was from until I met you. You helped me open up and let me in part of your group. You helped me to be nicer to my step mom. You're kind, smart, strong and beautiful and that's why I love you!

Willow let out a small gasp as Alex's face turned a bit red.

Alex: I uh...oh what am I doing? Willow you mean a lot to me and I promise when we get back I'll find your dads.

Willow smiled and took his hand.

Willow: You mean a lot to me too.

Willow wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in for a kiss. Alex was surprised for a moment but kissed her back.

Alex: Oh shabam.

Willow: What?

Alex: AAAH! Damn it I screwed it up!

Later.

The two made it back to the house where Hunter and Gus were on the couch playing Snes.

Gus: Hey guys. How was the movie?

Alex: Oh movie was fine but guess who's the new hot couple?

Hunter: Oh way to go man.

Gus: So are you alright Willow?

Willow: I'm fine now Gus. For real. Hunter I'm sorry for earlier.

Hunter: Oh it's alright Captain. It's not the first time I had to fight my way out of a monster's stomach.

Suddenly Luz, Amity and Camilla enter the house. In Luz's hand was her new staff as her palisman was forming currently taking form of a glowing orb.

Luz: Guys! My palisman hatched. Take a look.

Camila: You haven't told me what it is mija. A dragon?

Hunter: A bird?

Amity: Oh an otter!

Willow: A spooky bat?

Gus: A snake?

Alex: A pheonix!

Everyone looks at Alex confused.

Alex: What? The whole fandom kept guessing the same thing so I tried to come up with something more unique.

Luz: You're close.

Luz's palisman took form. It was a small serpent like creature flying out and transforming itself into a bat, a scorpion, then a dragon, before reverting back to its true form: A cat-snake like creature.

Luz: She's a snake shifter. Her name is Stringbean and she's perfect.

Strinbean flew around greeting everyone as the other palisman followed behind her to meet her. Luz smiled seeing them all together as she felt a nudge from Amity.

Amity: Want to go on a flight?

The scene cuts to Luz and Amity flying through the night sky on their staffs. They flew around, laughed, doing loopy loops and touching the clouds.

One the ground.

We see the sheriff and the deputy sitting in the car with some coffee.

Deputy: I'm telling you Sheriff. The way the weather's been is been so unbearable. It's cool outside but burning in my house it's hard to sleep. I have to leave the fan on but it raises my bill. This is really uncool.

Sheriff: You know what's uncool? When your wife who you sacrifice everything for leaves you for your best friend. She takes all your money and your kid.

Deputy: My god Sheriff did that happen to you?

Sheriff: Me? Oh no, no. It happened to my best friend though. Which reminds me, I gotta tell his kid to send him a birthday card.

Deputy: Wait what's that up there?

They saw something from the sky. They got out the car, looked up and saw Luz and Amity flying pass them.

Sheriff: Well that's something you don't see everyday.

Deputy: Yes they look like girls flying on broomsticks. Should we report it Sheriff?

Sheriff: What that Harry Potter has come to town? No one will believe us. Let's just keep it as our secret. You can tell your son about it when he's born, Deputy Hirsch.

Deputy Hirsch: Sir!

We now Luz and Amity sitting on a tree as Luz looks at her new palisman.

Amity: You have such a beautiful palisman.

Luz: Thanks, I can't wait to show Christa, Eda and King.

Amity: They'll love her, though Hooty might try to eat her.

Luz: King too.

Amity: Eda might three.

The two laughed as they held hands.

Luz: Amity, you really believe I can use the Eye?

Amity: I mean it. If Christa gave it to you for a reason than I trust her. I mean the Luz I know is too stubborn to give up.

Luz: I mean you're not wrong. But you do you really think they're still alive.

Amity: I can only hope. That's what's keeping us going.

Luz: ( looks at Eye) Yeah, hope. Alex is going flip though when I tell him I blew up the door.

Amity: Eh he'll fix it. We'll tell him together.

Luz: Yeah, thanks Amity. For just being my awesome girlfriend.

Amity smiles and pulls her in for a kiss.

Amity: Let's head back it's getting late.

Luz: Yeah let's.

The two flew back to the house, but down below on the ground someone was watching them. It was the hooded figure with the yellow eyes watching them fly off. He removed the hood revealing his face.

Shadam: Luz Noceda. I'll be seeing you soon.

To be continued...

Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. Sorry it's been a while but I've working on something else. You'll see very soon. But this was mildly tough as I went back and forth with scenes and I tried to bring in Luz's depression and problems here, but because it's not the same kind from the show it was handled differently and I wanted to bring Stringbean early. But I look forward to the next two since we'll focus on some other characters. I want to thank Lady Shadow92 for help on this chapter. If you liked this chapter be sure to follow, favorite and review. As always thank you and until next time.