Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait, but I'm back with updating this fanfic. After a few months of waiting, I hope it was worth it. Enjoy the chapter. Any and all comments are welcome.


Within the inner sanctum walls of the Emperor's Castle, nine figures in elite robes and uniforms (including Mason) gathered around a pyre that emitted a blue glow. They all stood before Emperor Belos, who sat in his throne with Baron Mordo, the Golden Guard, and Kikimora by his side. The four of them sat in front of an incomplete portal door which was connected to a circular machine.

"The Day of Unity approaches," Kikimora began, "Where we'll celebrate the purification of magic under the coven system, just as the Titan intended."

"As heads of the nine covens," Baron Mordo continued, "We celebrate your efforts to continue this plan. For this, you have earned a glimpse of the reward that awaits."

"Step forward." Belos commanded.

The nine witches did so and removed medallions which had their respective coven symbols on them. They placed the medallions around the pyre, and they connected to it. All of a sudden, a blue fire burst from the pit with a vision that had all of them in a trance. They saw the Titan's skull as it usually is, but its eyes began to glow. And then, after a cycle of time and an eclipse, it was now in what appeared to be a new city that looked similar to how it looks on Earth. The vision ended leaving everyone speechless.

"The larger your covens grow, the more power we have to unite the realms," Belos said, "Where the worthy shall inherit a utopia free of wild magic. Of course, that is only a bonus. For you see, there is another purpose behind the Day of Unity, one that I plan to share on Coven Day."

His basking was abruptly cut short by a pain in his chest, one that he couldn't hide in front of his followers. The Golden Guard took Belos and guided him away from the meeting. Kikimora attempted to follow, but the Golden Guard stopped her. "No. Stay here. I can handle this alone." He continued to take Belos to the other room while Kikimora glared.

Mordo, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes at the two when they left for the throne room. Unbeknownst to them, he stealthily followed and entered the room just before the door closed behind them. He then quickly hid himself behind a pillar only peeking at what then transpired.

Belos groaned some more clutching his chest and bending over when his mask fell off his face. A movement appeared in his cloak, and what came out was a monstrous, dark-green sludge that Belos pounded on the wall like he was punching it. After a few blows, his body returned to normal and he let out a sigh of relief. He the picked up his mask and put it back over his face.

Belos turned around and saw the Golden Guard approaching him carefully with a witch's staff, which he then swiped from him. He broke off the Palisman that sat on top and crushed in his hands breathing in the green essence that slipped out of its pieces.

"I need more." Belos said.

"That was… the last from our reserves." the Golden Guard said worryingly. "The Palistrom wood has been overharvested."

Belos groaned in disappointment before turning away. Even so, the Golden Guard approached him offering more assistance.

"Uncle, let me help. We can make more Palisman. Actually, I read about this technique harnessing wild magic to…" He stopped himself just as Belos turned his head to him. "Sorry."

Belos approached the Golden Guard again and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Please, be careful. Our family is gone because of wild magic. I can't let the same happen to you." He then raised his head slightly. "You can come out now, Mordo. I know you're there."

Mordo, realizing he was seen, emerged from his hiding place. He approached the emperor and the boy with a stoic face.

"You?" the Golden Guard asked. "Didn't I tell you I could handle this alone? How much did you even see?"

"I already know enough about the emperor's condition." Mordo said. "I saw it myself years ago. Which is why I brought this." He pulled another Palisman from his cloak, which he then tossed to Belos. The emperor destroyed the totem and absorbed its energy again.

"Thank you, Baron Mordo." Belos said. "Once again, you have proven yourself before the Titan's eyes."

"Just doing my job, your highness." Mordo said earning a suspicious glare from the Golden Guard. "Still, that was the only Palisman we had on hand."

"Then fine me more Palismen." Belos said. "I can depend on you. Both of you."

"Yes, sir." the Golden Guard said before leaving the throne room with Mordo. As soon as the doors closed behind them, he turned menacingly at Mordo. "What was that?"

"Hmm? What was what?" Mordo asked.

"That, with the Palisman you've been holding out on us."

"Boy, I was not 'holding out', as you so put it. I found it just last night."

"Still, you of all people should know that I'M the one the emperor needs to depend on." the Golden Guard said. "Lillith Clawthorn may have been okay with your antics, but I'm not."

Mordo clenched his teeth at that remark. He clenched his fist for a while before releasing it and letting out a calming breath.

"Listen, I didn't offer up that Palisman for recognition. I did it because it was my duty. If it upsets you that much, I apologize. But if you wish to gain the emperor's favor, then I may have something to tell you."

The Golden Guard looked suspiciously. "Why would you help me?"

"I told you, I'm not doing this for recognition." Mordo said. "Whether it's you or I who do this, I really don't care. But you should know that when I found that Palisman in the woods, I happen to overhear a little arrangement which will give you the perfect opportunity to have a nest full of Palismen. Interested?"

The Golden Guard thought for a second. However, neither he nor Belos knew that around the corner, Kikimora was hearing the whole conversation.

"Okay." the Golden Guard said. "Tell me what you know."


Stephen stopped by Luz' room where he found his sister pressing her face on the glass cage where she kept her echo mouse while King stood beside her.

"Still waiting for the mouse to give us more knowledge about Philip?" Stephen asked.

"Just waiting for it to cough up a teensy bit of the book it ate." Luz said.

"Just squeeze it out." King said squeezing his own teddy bear until its head popped out.

"I don't think that'll work." Stephen said. "Okay, Luz, that's enough mouse-watching for today. Eda and Clea are waiting for us at the door. We're going to be late for school." Luz didn't respond. She was still staring at the mouse. "You know that today's the day we get our magic staffs with the rest of the class, right?"

It's unknown how it happened, but in an instant, Luz changed into her school uniform and zipped past Stephen to get to the door.

"Come on, everyone! Let's fly!"


The Hexside class met at the Grudgby field where they stood in front of a pen which housed a small, wooden hut. They all spoke amongst each other until Eda and Principal Bump walked up to them.

"Good tidings on this momentous day." Bump said.

"Who says that anymore?" Stephen whispered to Clea, who chuckled quietly at that.

"You're all about to receive your witch's staffs." Bump continued. "And more importantly, meet your Palismen. This is a crucial step in your magical development. Palismen are lifelong partners. They can become both your good friends and a powerful tool. In my case…"

Bump snapped his fingers, and the creature he wore on his head came off. The creature was revealed to be a Palisman, and when it got off, Bump revealed his long, flowing, black hair and one of his dead eyes amazing the students.

"Frewin here helps me see."

"Now, traditionally," Eda continued, "Young witches carve their staffs from the branch of an old Palistrom tree."

"But sadly, Palistrom trees are becoming more rare." Bump went on. "And those that remain are guarded covetously."

"That's why I've teamed up with Bumpipoo…"

"Never call me that."

"To bring you…"

All of a sudden, a new figure flew in from the sky and landed on top of the hut. Luz, Stephen, and their closest friends all gasped happily as they recognized the Bat Queen, who opened the door to the hut releasing many colorful Palismen to wander around the pen for everyone to admire.

"Palisman adoption day!"

"Thanks for the favor, BQ." Eda said holding up the whistle the Bat Queen gave her before. "Here's your whistle back."

"Save it for another time." the Bat Queen said. "This was my pleasure. What a wonderful idea."

"Hey, Bat Queen." Stephen greeted. "How are things?"

"I take it you mean with my memory of my last owner." the Bat Queen said with a sigh. "Unfortunately, I still don't remember."

"Well, don't rush. We're happy to help." Stephen assured. That's when he noticed one of the Palismen trying to escape. It looked like a small, red bird with a scar over its eye. Thankfully, Stephen caught it before it could leave. "Whoa. Don't get ahead of yourself."

"These little ones have not had homes in many years." the Bat Queen said. "They want to feel a connection. Kneel and state your deepest wish, and your like-minded partner will find you."

"Ugh. I want my own Palisman, not some trashy hand-me-down." Boscha stated.

"Boscha, be nice." Clea said.

"Let me give it a go." Willow said kneeling before the pen and the Palismen inside. "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."

"Tender yet tenacious." the Bat Queen said admirably. "Clover gives her support."

One the Palismen flew out, a bug that looked like a mix between a hornet and a bee with stingers coming out of both its ends. Willow loved her already as it turned into a staff in her hands.

"Oh, my gosh!" Willow cried out. "I'm gonna take such good care of you."

"Out of my way." Boscha said presenting herself. "I wanna play professional Grudgby."

The Bat Queen chuckled. "A competitive spirit. Maya will be thrilled."

Another Palisman, a red, crab-turtle creature, crawled out and turned into a staff in Boscha's hands. The witch couldn't help but smile at it.

"Okay. This is pretty cool."

"My turn." Wong said clearing his throat. "I with to archive and protect the knowledge of the Boiling Isles from unworthy minds."

"A focused guardian." the Bat Queen said. "Rintrah will do well here."

A small, green minotaur Palisman jumped up to Wong and changed into a staff for him.

One by one, more students stepped up, gave their wishes, and was approached by the Palismen who liked what they heard. Viney got a small, winged lion with a long worm tail who wished to help her open her mythical pet vet clinic. Gus said he wanted to be an ambassador to the human realm and got a blue chameleon Palisman for it. A spike-headed student said he only wanted to make it to graduation, and he was gifted with a sloth which latched itself on his arm.

Next up, it was Stephen's turn. He took a breath and approached. All the students were curious to see what kind of Palisman a magic human can get, but admittedly, he didn't know what to say to them.

"Okay, okay, let me think." Stephen said as he approached the Palisman pen. "Let's see. Uh, I… OOF!"

Without warning, a basset hound Palisman jumped out of the pen and landed right on top of Stephen. He smiled down at him and licked him frantically.

"WHOA, WHOA! HEY! DOWN, BOY!" Stephen cried out until the Palisman stopped. "I barely said anything!"

"Yet, still, this one chose you." the Bat Queen said. "Not surprising really. This one's had his eye on you since you last visited my home. Always asking questions about you."

"Seriously? Why?" Stephen asked.

"I don't know." the Bat Queen said. "Bats has been with us for five years, and he's often kept quiet until you came along."

"Wait. The pooch's name is Bats?" Eda asked.

"No relation." the Bat Queen clarified.

"I see." Stephen said before petting his new Palisman on the head. "Well, I guess, welcome to the team, Bats."

"Awesome!" Luz cried out. "And now, it's my turn." She approached the pen with all the enthusiasm she could hold. "I want to be… A WITCH!"

Luz expected a Palisman to approach her, but not one of them even took a step. Their lack of movement began to concern Luz as well as the others.

"Uh, probably just takes a little longer 'cause I'm human, right?" Luz asked.

"Yet Stephen's Palisman came to him without him finishing a single sentence." Skara said.

"Don't make her worry, Skara." Wong said.

"How come none of the Palismen are reacting to her?" Stephen asked.

"Palismen bond through emotion." the Bat Queen said. "I do not sense any conviction from you."

"That's impossible." Luz said. "I'm Luz. I'm chock-full of conviction."

"That's true." Stephen said. "She's WAY more convicted to being a witch than I am."

"Perhaps specificity would help." Bump said. "There are many kinds of witches. What do you hope to accomplish with your magic?"

"Oh, uh…" Luz said pondering hard. "Get home to my mom?"

"Would you still train to be a witch in the Human Realm?" Gus asked.

"Can you even do magic there?" Boscha asked.

Luz sweated even more nervously. "Huh, I guess I never thought that far ahead."

"Wait. This can't be right." Stephen said. "Bat Queen, you said a Palisman needs conviction to bond with its witch. And yet, I'm in the same boat as Luz, but I still got one. I have no idea what to do with my magic, but still, Bats chose me."

"It's true that Palismen still bond to their witches through emotion." the Bat Queen explained. "However, looking at you right now, I can sense a strong bond already between you and Bats. You've only known each other for a couple of minutes, yet what I'm sensing is already so strong, it's almost as if you've been bonded for years."

"What?" Stephen asked before turning to Bats. "What is your story?"

Luz, meanwhile, was still undecided about what to do, and it made her even more nervous for it.


Bats made himself at home at the Owl Sanctum, tucking himself in a dog bed that Stephen prepared for him. Although his Palisman slept, Stephen still waited to get himself into bed.

He turned and saw Clea watching him from the doorway. "Looks like somebody's made himself at home."

"Looks like." Stephen said. "How's Luz?"

"She's currently going through an emotional crisis." Clea said. "Guess the whole Palisman thing was rougher on her than we thought."

"Looks like. Wish I knew how to help her." Stephen said. "By the way, Clea, I noticed you didn't take a Palisman."

"Oh. That." Clea said nervously. "Well, I was excited to get one just like everyone else, but then, the Bat Queen wanted us to state our deepest wish, and I… froze."

"Really?" Stephen asked. "Why?"

"Well, I suppose I'm in the same kind of trouble Luz is in." Clea said. "I don't really know what to do either. I mean, I thought I had it all figured out, but then, there was the whole bombshell of secrets with Mordo turning out to be evil and my mom turning out to be one of the evilest wild witches in the world. It really made me rethink my life. I just don't know what to do now."

"Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out. Luz too." Stephen said. "Maybe you're just overthinking things. I mean, I never even planned on becoming a witch, and look at me."

"Maybe you're right. Thanks." Clea said before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

At that moment, Bats raised his head from his bed and turned to the window. He rushed over and looked just outside of it. Stephen and Clea noticed and approached.

"What is it, boy?" Stephen asked before looking outside. His eyes widened when he noticed Luz walking out of the Sanctum and into the forest. "Where is she going now?"

"Only one way to find out." Clea said.


Stephen, Clea, and Bats followed Luz back to Hexside grounds. There, they continued to follow her trail right to the Grudgby field where the Palisman nest rested. They exchanged looks before quietly opening the door. They sneaked in and found Luz laying on the ground of the nest surrounded by all the remaining Palisman who have yet to be picked.

"What if," Luz asked with a tired voice, "I open a magic pet shop, but it's password protected. The password is, 'You're a little angel'."

"If anyone knows you, Luz, it won't be that hard of a password." Stephen spoke up alerting Luz and the other Palisman.

"WAH! Stephen! Clea!" Bats barked. "And Bats. What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question?" Stephen asked. "Here you are, sneaking out of the Owl Sanctum to have a slumber party with the Palismen."

"It's not like that." Luz said. She then picked up the red bird Palisman with the scar. "The little rascal here just found his way into my backpack."

"And he chose you to be his partner?" Clea asked.

"Well, not exactly. I think he just wanted to sneak out of the pen." Luz said. "Still, I decided to take him back. Then, I figured, as long as I was here, I might as well figure out my purpose and get a Palisman while I decide."

"Well, that's nice and all," Stephen groaned, "But we shouldn't be here this late. We've got to get out before we get in trouble."

"How much trouble could we possibly be into?" Luz asked.

As if she jinxed it, the entire nest rumbled roughly and without warning. Everyone yelped feeling everything move at once. Clea looked outside and saw that the entire nest was being picked up by a flying hot-air balloon aircraft above them.

"We're being abducted!" Clea informed.

Luz looked back at all the Palismen who were shaking in fear. "Don't worry. We'll figure this out."

"Bats, can you stay here to protect them and keep them safe?" Stephen asked.

Bats barked with a hard nod.

Luz created a plant glyph which she used to climb up the nest along with the chain that picked it up. Clea followed Luz while Stephen used his Cloak of Levitation to hover over them.

Finally, they reached the edge of the ship where they all peeked at who was piloting the ship. Much to their surprise and disgust, it turned out to be the Golden Guard, who had no idea they were on the ship with him.

"Ugh, him again." Luz said.

"Is that the Golden Guard?" Clea asked. "I kinda pictured him to be taller."

"I think it's some kind of complex." Stephen said. "Don't worry. There's three of us and only one of him."

"Uh, those odds didn't seem to bother him last time." Luz said. "But hey. This time, I got a plan."

She wrote a fire glyph on a leaf before jumping right onto the Golden Guard. She slapped it on his back catching him by surprise.

"Huh?" he asked before a blast of fire shot from the glyph sending him flying out of the ship.

"Well, that takes care of him." Clea said. "Now, all we gotta do is land this thing back at Hexside?"

"Great." Luz said looking around the aircraft's controls. "So how do we land this thing?"

"Something tells me we just shot out the only guy who knew." Stephen said.

"Oh, it's no issue. Just pull that chord above you."

"Oh, gee, thanks…" Luz said before realizing who said that.

The Golden Guard showed up again laid before the three of them. "Hi." He then pointed his staff at them before they could react pushing them to the back of the ship and binding them to a set of ropes.

"Good to see you too, humans." the Golden Guard said. "And… Wait, aren't you Baron Mordo's ward?"

"Not anymore." Clea said. "I'm Lillith's kid now."

"Yeah, I don't really care about your family drama." the Golden Guard said.

"Why are you stealing Palismen, Golden Guard?" Luz asked.

"Frankly," the Golden Guard said approaching the three of them threateningly, "You should be more concerned about yourselves. For the crime of rocketing me off my own ship, you'll be locked in the dingiest cell of the Conformatorium for the rest of your sad, little lives. Clea, though, that's up to the baron. He really wants you back."

"I don't care what he wants." Clea said.

"And the Conformatorium's not a threat." Luz said. "We already broke out there, like, twice."

"Then we'll just zap you to dust and throw you into the sea. That better?" the Golden Guard asked.

"Not really." Stephen said. "I mean, it sounds like you're just moving on from a logical punishment to a childish response. What's next, you're going to bash my head in for calling you stupid? OW!"

The Golden Guard struck Stephen with his staff.

"Sorry. You said 'stupid', so I responded in kind." The Golden Guard hit him again.

"OW! I didn't even say anything!"

"I know. That was just very satisfying." the Golden Guard said before returning to the ship's controls.

"Sheesh. What's this guy's beef with you?" Clea asked.

"I have no idea. I never met him before the Simmering Shoals, and already, he didn't like me." Stephen said. "But that doesn't matter right now. We just need to get out of here and save the Palismen."

Luz then noticed something on the floor. Her feet made marks on the wood, so as she made an ice glyph with the marks, she needed to keep the Golden Guard talking.

"Say, how did you get back on the ship so fast?" Luz asked.

"Staff."

"Cool." Luz stomped on the ice glyph she made and shot out a wave of ice right where the Golden Guard laid down his staff. It was knocked out of the ship much to the Golden Guard's annoyance.

Stephen laughed. "Okay. That was a good one."

"Oh, was it now?" the Golden Guard replied with an angry growl. "Well, it's going to take more than that to thwart my mission."

All of a sudden, a large figure flew right by the ship. Everyone looked out and saw a creature that looked like a green dragon, but made up entirely of hands and fingers. It landed on top of the Golden Guard's ship and shook it roughly.

"What is that?" Luz asked.

"I don't know, but it's probably the most disturbing thing I have ever seen!" Stephen yelled out.

The finger dragon roared and lashed out its tongue at the balloon letting out a massive amount of hot air at once. The ship and everyone on it crashed hard into the forest below.


Luz, Stephen, and Clea were woken up by the chirping sound of the red bird Palisman, who pecked at their ropes to free them.

"Little rascal?" Luz asked.

"Well, thanks for the freedom." Stephen said finally able to move his arms. "But where are we?"

Clea looked around at the trees which had yellow orbs planted around. "I think we're in the forest that's right beside the town of Latissa. It's not as big as Bonesborough, but it's even more seedy."

"Hey, look." Luz said as she found the Golden Guard's magic staff. She then picked it up to examine it. That's when they heard the voices from around the trees.

"Kikimora, ma'am." Everyone sneaked and saw a bunch of coven scouts meeting Kikimora beside the crashed airship. "We found the Palismen. They seem rattled, but unharmed. However, when we tried to herd them, one of them fought back. Bit one of my men in the hand."

"Then take the whole nest." Kikimora said. "Return to the city and prepare them for travel."

"Is it true, ma'am?" the scout asked. "Is the Golden Guard really…"

"This is all that remains." Kikimora said showing her the Golden Guard's mask. "Such a horrible accident. Probably caused by the incompetent pilot."

"I'll… alert the castle." The scout turned to her troops. "Scouts, to Latissa."

Once the coven scouts left, Kikimora checked to make sure no one was around failing to notice the kids. She then held up a whistle and blew into it. A moment later, the finger dragon flew in from the sky presenting itself to her.

"Excellent work, my pet." Kikimora said petting the creature. "Now, find the rest of him and have yourself a nice little snack. I'll call for you soon." She proceeded to feed the Golden Guard's mask to the monster, which began to go on the prowl.

Stephen lowered himself from his hiding place along with the others. "What do we do now?"

"Look." Luz said finding a fourth body beside them.

The kids looked and saw the Golden Guard himself. His mask wasn't there, but his uniform gave a clear indicator it was him. For the first time, they saw his face, which belonged to a blonde teenager with a gap in his teeth and a scar on his cheek.

"This is the Golden Guard?" Luz asked. "It looks like he could be a student at Hexside."

"So we're really going to bring him with us?" Stephen asked. "I know we're gonna, but is this really a good idea?"

"Maybe not, but it is the right thing." Luz said just before slapping the Golden Guard awake. "WAKE UP!"

"GAH! What?" the Golden Guard gasped noticing the others standing over him. "You!"

"Shh!" Luz silenced him by placing her hand over his mouth. "Listen. You are a bad person, and none of us like you. But Kikimora is trying to kill you, and unfortunately, I'm too nice to let that happen." She quickly removed her hand once he started licking it. "EW! Are you licking my hand?"

"Seriously, how old are you?" Stephen groaned. "We're trying to save you, you know!"

"Why should I believe you?" the Golden Guard asked.

Just then, their argument was interrupted by the growling sound of the finger dragon. The Golden Guard removed his cloak and left it for the creature to devour while they slipped away.

"That's why." Stephen whispered as they sneaked away.


With little choice, the heroes and the Golden Guard had to stick together to reach the town of Latissa, a dirty, smelly town occupied by questionable-looking locals. The air was filled with a yellow mist.

"Man, Kikimora must hate you." Luz said to the Golden Guard, who didn't turn to acknowledge her. "You know, I haven't been outside Bonesborough that much. Latissa is so great."

"Sure, if you get past the lack of health inspectors, the flame-breathing eating challenges, and the yelling I'm hearing in the next building which I can only assume means a murder is happening." Stephen pointed out.

"I am getting a skeevy feeling about this place." Clea agreed.

Finally, the kids all reached a large building with the Emperor's Coven symbol on it. It was clearly a coven precinct which had scouts surrounding it. The Golden Guard approached the nearest one.

"Scouts, direct me to your communications room." the Golden Guard commanded showing his coven sigil. "I need to contact the castle immediately."

A scout looked at the sigil and scoffed. "Cute. I didn't know kids your age were still into temporary tattoos."

"Yeah. Show me your badge number." another scout said.

"I am your superior, and I can prove it." the Golden Guard said before turning to the heroes. "Humans, staff."

Luz stared nervously refusing to give the weapon back to him. She even tried to hide it behind her back.

"Isn't it a little late for you kids to be outside?" a scout asked.

"Yeah, go home before we call your parents."

Once the scouts left, the Golden Guard shot an angry glare at them.

"Uh, oh. The bad, sad boy is mad." Stephen said.

"We gotta go." Clea said running off with Stephen and Luz. The Golden Guard chased them from behind.

Unbeknownst to them, another figure was listening in on the conversation. He was a rugged-looking man with a dirty hood over his head. He looked at the kids with interest.

Luz, Stephen, and Clea ran as fast as they could trying to get away from the Golden Guard running past the crowds. Clea knocked over a trash can to block his way, but he just jumped over it. They then jumped down a flight of stairs, but they couldn't shake him. Finally, Stephen grabbed the girls by their arms and held on tightly as he levitated off the ground and onto the roof of a nearby building. The Golden Guard saw them flying and stopped running finally.

"Come on, Golden Guard. Don't you know any, like, levitation spells?" Luz taunted before noticing the Golden Guard looking away.

Stephen widened his eyes when he realized something. "Hold on. You… don't have any magic, do you? You need the staff to do anything."

The Golden Guard glared at them before walking away… which is right before he ran back to the buildings and jumped off them with parkour tricks until he reached the same rooftop as them.

"Dang. That guy's insufferable, but he's got moves." Clea commented.

"Well, so do I." Stephen said before launching the Cloak of Levitation which wrapped itself around the Golden Guard and tightened around him bringing him down to his knees. "Now, who's tied up?"

"Oh, you think you're so smart." the Golden Guard said. "Well, good luck trying to get your Palismen back. I'm the only one of us who has access to that precinct."

"Dude, they didn't even recognize you." Luz said. "Clearly, you're not going to get there the official way."

"I would if you just give me back my staff!"

"And give up our edge over you? Forget it." Clea said.

At that moment, the shadow of the finger dragon flew over their heads. They all watched as it returned to the front of the precinct where Kikimora waited with the Palisman nest.

"So Kikimora was after my catch." the Golden Guard said.

Luz smiled. "Seems like neither of us want her to win right now. So let's work together to take back those Palismen."

"Luz, are you insane?" Stephen asked. "There's no way we can trust each other."

"For once, the magic human and I agree on something." the Golden Guard said. "Do you really think I'll just let you walk away with them?"

"Maybe you won't have a choice." Luz said. "There are three of us and only one of you."

The Golden Guard gave it some thought. "Well, I don't have my staff." He sighed. "Fine. A truce til then."

"Stephen…" Luz said to her brother.

Stephen groaned and called his cloak back, which removed itself from the Golden Guard and back on his shoulders.

"Sounds like you kids are up to some heisting!" The kids all gasped when they noticed a hooded figure stepping before them. He removed his hood revealing a head of messy brown hair that matched his five o'clock shadow.

"Who are you?" Clea asked.

"The name's Jack, the WBN."

"WBN?" Luz asked. "What's that mean?"

"That's not important." Jack said. "What's important is, I also have business over at that precinct." He looked up at the sky, which was completely covered in clouds. "Very urgent business. So, maybe we can help each other."

The Golden Guard scoffed. "Please. Help a criminal? Do you even know who I am?"

"Oh, I know, Mr. Golden Guard." Jack said. "Those coven scouts may be ignorant, but I believed you. I also know you appear desperate enough to stop that Kikimora lady from getting away with all those Palismen. Luckily, I have the tools to stop her, but I don't have the means to use them. Maybe you kids can help with that."

"And what do you have?" Stephen asked.

Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of plants which he presented to them.

"Sleeping nettles?" the Golden Guard asked. "I don't get it. How's that supposed to…"

"Wait." Stephen said after giving it some thought. "I think I may have an idea."


After a short while, Kikimora was almost ready to take off on her dragon with the Palsimen. Thankfully, the heroes were ready as well. Luz and Stephen drew up a circuit of an ice glyph and a fire glyph. There was a small opening in the bottom of the circuit where Jack put his sleeping nettles.

The Golden Guard took a moment to look at the glyph circuit. "Strange. This looks similar to the seal Emperor Belos used to seal away the dream demon, Nightmare, only with a lot less symbols."

"That's likely an advanced circuit of glyphs that resulted in blocking Nightmare from the Boiling Isles." Stephen said. "This one, a circuit that generates both fire and ice, is merely going to create a foggy cloud that'll envelope the area."

"And that, combined with the sleeping nettles, it'll create…" Luz started to say until the Golden Guard interrupted.

"A sleep-inducing smoke forcing Kikimora to land. I read a similar spell in the book, From Bones to Earth…"

"A Study of Wild Magic?" Stephen asked. "Wow. Didn't take you for a scholar."

"Pretty clever, kids." Jack commented. "Way to use some Savage Ages type technique."

"Actually, not a lot of people know this, but…" the Golden Guard stopped himself. "No. No, no, no. This stuff is restricted for a reason."

"And yet, you're studying it?" Stephen asked. "Seems like you know as well as I do that some rules shouldn't have been applied."

The Golden Guard scoffed at Stephen and turned his head.

"All right, that is it." Stephen groaned. "You have had it out for me since before we even met. Why? I never did anything to you."

The Golden Guard stayed silent only for a moment. "Fine. You want to know?" Stephen nodded. "What I don't like is how you're already on the emperor's mind even more than I am."

"That's it?" Stephen asked. "You hate me just because Belos is interested? That is BEYOND petty."

"You don't get it." the Golden Guard said. "You were right before. I'm a powerless witch. A lot of my ancestors were. I never thought I'd have a future in a world like this. But then, Belos found me and gave me a staff with artificial magic. Said the Titan had big plans for me. I had to power through the harshest of training and jump through burning hoops to make the emperor proud. But then, news reached us that there was a human who could do magic, and just like that, Belos' attention was turned to him. I had to work extra hard to try to make up for it. Humans shouldn't be able to do magic. It defies all logic. So to someone who can't even do magic, that hurts. And what hurts more is that Belos won't even talk to me about it, so I don't know how to feel."

Stephen stared at the Golden Guard before sighing and sitting beside him. "How about… I tell you?"

"Hmm?" The Golden Guard turned to Stephen who kept on talking.

"There's this theory that, maybe, my dad was a witch who somehow went to the Human Realm and met my mom." Stephen said.

"Your dad?" the Golden Guard asked. "Who was he?"

"I don't know." Stephen said. "All I know is what my mom told me, that he was special and that he loves me very much. She was sure of it. So when the topic came up that I'm able to do magic… Well, it brought up the idea that my dad is from here. And if he is here, I can't help but wonder who he is and why he left."

The Golden Guard lowered his head feeling sympathy for Stephen. That's when the red bird Palisman flew itself onto his shoulder.

"Hey!" He brushed it off and tried to keep away from it. "Stop! Get away from me!"

"He's just being friendly." Luz said.

"I don't care! These things are made from wild magic! It's dangerous!"

"Just because it came from something everything thinks is bad, it doesn't mean they're dangerous." Clea said thinking back to when she learned of her mother.

"This is nice and all," Jack said, "But it looks like it's showtime, people."

Everyone got into position just as Kikimora got on top of her dragon with the Palisman nest attached to its tail. Once it began to fly, that's when they put on their masks to block out what was about to happen.

"Once they're surrounded by the smoke, you'll need to stay close to see where Kikimora lands." Jack said.

"You're not coming with?" Stephen asked.

"What I want, Kikimora doesn't have." Jack said looking back at the precinct. "Don't worry, though. Something tells me we'll meet again one day."

"I hope not." the Golden Guard said just as Luz was offering to give the staff back to him. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, Luz, ARE you sure?" Stephen repeated.

"Just take it." Luz said. The Golden Guard took the staff back.

Once the dragon took flight, the kids smacked the glyph circuit and created the mist that quickly spread over the area and into the sky. The kids all levitated with the Golden Guard's staff and followed as Kikimora started to feel drowsy from the mist. Same thing with the dragon.

While the kids left, Jack turned back to the precinct and saw the scouts falling asleep. He took a moment to look at the cloudy sky before quickly jumping down and running right through the front door.


Deep in the precinct, Jack entered a room which was labeled "EVIDENCE LOCKER". He looked through the boxes pulling out many relics, potions, and weapons that weren't what he was looking for.

"Come on. Where is it?" Jack asked looking through a window. He noticed that the clouds were getting thinner. "Come on! I don't have time for this! Where…"

"Hey!"

Jack turned around and saw a scout confronting him. He still looked pretty drowsy though, but he kept on standing.

"What… What are you… doing here?"

"Oh, don't mind me." Jack said opening another box. "I'm just looking for something you guys confiscated from me and I REALLY need… AHA!" He reched into the box and pulled out a blue pendant necklace which he wore around his neck.

"That… That's a…" the scout started to say sleepily.

"I know. It's a moonstone amulet, which helps people like me keep their minds during nights like this." Jack said.

"Nights… like… this?"

"Yeah. You see, tomorrow night's a full moon, which makes tonight a bad night for me to be the WBN."

"W… B… N?"

"Yep." Jack answered just as a light of the moon shined into the room. All of a sudden, Jack's eyes changed and he started to grow. His brown hair grew all over his body, and he developed wolf eyes, fangs, and claws. He snarled viciously, but the moonstone amulet he wore glowed and he managed to calm down before speaking. "The Werewolf By Night. So if you don't mind…"

The scout groaned before collapsing into slumber. The Werewolf By Night patted his head before sprinting out of the precinct before the smoke could affect him too.


The kids followed until the dragon and Kikimora fell to sleep and landed roughly on the ground in the middle of the forest. The kids on the other hand landed safely. Stephen, Luz, and Clea rushed over to the Palisman nest while the Golden Guard just watched from behind them.

"Hello, babies." Luz said to the Palismen. "Aw, you guys look so cold and scared."

"Hey, Bats." Stephen greeted his own Palisman. "I hear you bit one of the coven scouts earlier. I'm so proud of you." Bats responded with a lick on Stephen's face.

"All right. We got all the Palismen back." Clea said. "Now, let's…"

They were interrupted by a red light shining behind them. They all turned and saw the Golden Guard aiming his staff at them indicating that their truce was over.

"Well, it looks like we're at the part where you betray us." Stephen sighed. "I wish I was surprised."

"So you're really gonna do this?" Luz asked. "You're just gonna hand all these innocent little guys over to Belos? I know what he does with them. I thought you might've been a good guy, but I guess that was just wishful thinking. You're not my friend. You're just the Golden Guard."

The Guard stared at the others unsure of what to do. So instead, he lowered his staff and removed his mask. "My name is Hunter."

Suddenly, a purple blast hit Hunter in the head. He looked and saw Kikimora struggling to stay awake, but still had her eye open enough to see, even if it's blurry.

"I can't tell who's there, but I know I got you." Kikimora fought to stay awake and continue firing her blasts at Hunter, who fought back with magic from his staff.

"Let's go. While they're distracted." Stephen said hopping on the back of the dragon. "Ugh! I wish it was on any creature other than this abomination."

"Stephen, this is Kikimora's." Clea said climbing on top of the dragon with him. Luz did the same. "What makes you think you can control it."

"Because Gwendolyn's been giving me tips on beast keeping magic." Stephen said before casting a spell on the dragon he was on.

Instantly, the dragon was urged to wake up and fly back into the sky with the kids on his back and the Palismen hanging on its tail. They flew off leaving Hunter in his fight against Kikimora, who, at worst, gave him nothing but a burn mark at the tip of his blonde hair.

"Stephen, you continue to surprise me." Clea said hugging her boyfriend from behind. "I just wish I could protect those I love like you did."

Clea's words somehow reached the hut where the Palismen were. The door opened, and a small, purple dragon popped out of its door. He flew over to Clea and surprised her by landing on her shoulder.

"Wait, what's this?" Clea asked right as the dragon changed into a staff.

"It looks like you found your Palisman partner." Stephen said proudly.

"And it's a dragon." Luz said. "That's, like, every fantasy fan's number one dream."

"But I just said…" Clea said before stopping to laugh softly. "You know what? Who cares? I got my Palisman."


After returning the rest of the Palismen to Hexside, the kids all returned home. But while Stephen and Clea celebrated, they stopped when they noticed Luz was still bummed. They followed her to her room where she laid on her bed.

"Everyone got one except me." Luz said. "Maybe I wasn't meant to be here."

"Don't be like that, Luz." Stephen said. "You're still fourteen. You've got plenty of time to find a Palisman."

"But from where?" Luz asked sadly.

Just then, Luz' window opened. The kids all looked up and saw Eda and King climbing through with a blue log in the former's arm.

"I thought I'd find you here." Eda said.

"In her room?" Clea asked.

"We could've used the door, you know!" King said to Eda.

"What did you get into?" Luz asked. Eda then passed her blue log over to Luz' lap. "Uh… How thoughtful?"

"I don't believe it!" Clea gasped with widened eyes. "Is that Palistrom wood? Eda, where did you get this? All the remaining wood is guarded under coven security!"

"Let's just say that the Bonesborough Garden Club…"

"Was robbed! By us!" King interrupted Eda.

"Do you know what this means, Luz?" Stephen asked proudly. "Now, you can make your own Palisman, something just as cool as Bats and Clea's dragon."

"Lockheed." Clea said. "That's… That's his name. Lockheed. He told me."

"I don't know what to say." Luz said taken by surprise.

"No pressure." Eda said. "But whenever you know what you want, we'll start carving."

"If it's okay," Luz said, "I'd like some time to think. It's hard to picture my future without seeing my mom."

"Eh, there's no rush." Eda said. "Just know that whatever you need from us, we gotcha."

"Thanks." Luz said before putting her new log in her purse.

"So, onto another topic…" Eda said, "Clea, what's this about you having your own Palisman?"

"Right. It's a long story." Clea chuckled. "I'll tell you and Lillith about it later."


Hunter was not receiving praises when he returned to Emperor Belos in his throne room.

"So you return with nothing." Belos summarized. "Is this the thanks I get for taking you in?"

"Of course not." Hunter said. "I want to help. And if you told me how wild magic did this to you, I might be able to find a…" He was interrupted when Belos fires a sludge spike that barely grazed his face. "My apologies. I spoke out of turn. It won't happen again."

Belos retracted his arm which returned to normal. He then groaned when he felt a pain in his chest. "These outburst are painful, and so is watching you fail. I know you can do better, Hunter." He then turned to Baron Mordo, who was standing at the side. "Mordo, I take it you have better news to share?"

'Yes, my lord." Mordo said. "I just went to the dungeon to check on the prisoner as you said, and Agatha Harkness has finally agreed to play her part in the Day of Unity."

"That's good to hear." Belos said.

"Agatha Harkness?" Hunter asked. "But she's a murderer, uncle. Why would you need her help on the Day of Unity?"

"The Titan has plans for her, my boy." Belos said. "Best not worry about that. If she tries anything, I'll end her personally. For now, you are dismissed."

Hunter frowned and left the throne room. There, he was greeted by Kikimora, who was startled to see him again. She had no idea then that he was the one she fought the night before.

"Golden Guard? You're alive! I mean, I heard about the crash in Latissa."

Hunter smiled smugly. "Luckily, some travelers picked me up out of the wreckage. So I'm actually doing great. Looks like you had a rough night through. I heard a werewolf broke into the local precinct. If this keeps up, I'd brush off my resume if I were you."

Hunter kept walking past leaving Kikimora angered. That's when she noticed the burn mark in his hair, the same mark she left on her attacker the night before. That's when she knew that he and the Golden Guard were the same person.

Hunter returned to his room and laid on the bed feeling sorry for himself. "I can help. If I just knew a little more…"

He then heard the sound of twittering just outside his window. He opened it up and was greeted by the red Palisman bird who tried to be friendly with him before.

"Palisman." Hunter said quickly grabbing the red bird in his hand. He gave it a squeeze, but he sensed that he was hurting it and let go. "Oh. Sorry. You shouldn't be here. It'd be bad if Belos saw you."

After releasing the Palisman, it then changed into a staff which he held in his hand. The Palisman had chosen him as his partner leaving him with many questions, including what to do now.